Adventures in Homeschooling

As I approach the birth of our 7th child I can't help but wonder if the Von Trapp children fought.  After all, there were 7 of them.  Maybe there's something magical in the number and when the baby gets here all fighting and bickering will cease.  What are the chances?  There's nothing like bickering kids to put a mom in a really bad mood.  Maria Von Trapp seemed pretty happy all the time so maybe there wasn't any fighting.  Or did she go on to have more children after she was married?  How many will it take to stop the fighting?

I did my fair share of yelling today, as well.  My five youngest kids are at the park/soccer now.  It's quiet and I feel guilty for being grumpy.  I made rice krispy treats for their return but I still feel badly.  Sometimes I let the world into my home and it sets me off, then the kids fight, resist schooling, and that's it.  I can't take it anymore.  I can't wait until tomorrow so I can forget about today.

Until then…….

Today I realized we have too many clothes.  Well, I guess I realized that a while ago but today I did something about it.  We have been abundantly blessed with generous friends and neighbors and get all of their hand me downs (that all happen to be in excellent shape and top brands that I can't afford).  I tend to stock pile it away and pull out as needed.  Today I realized it's out of control!  So, I'm pleased to say that as I pulled out the fall and winter clothes I gave away more than I kept.  Let's face it, kids are happy to wear the same few outfits over and over again.  The rest just gunk up the drawers and end up on the floor.  Praise the Lord that homeschooled kids couldn't care less what *brands* they're wearing or if it's “in” or not.  My 14 year old, God bless him, has been known to wear his grandparents old sweatshirts and tennis shoes and think it's great to have something *new*.  

Today I realized that if I don't nag my dear husband he actually can figure things out for himself and do something about it.  I've been nagging him to help me organize the basement for 3 years.  Once my dad helped me and it was wonderful but it really needs to be done again.  My dream is to get better lighting down there, some rugs, and move “school” down there.  Anyway, today my husband decided that he was going to do something about the basement, called himself lazy for not doing it in the past, and then got started!  Now, granted, it will probably take several months or more to get it into shape.  It's way far gone and I'm little help down there at this point.  But I now have hope that it can happen.

So what a day it was.  My sciatic nerve hurts so darn badly keeping me from using my “mid pregnancy energy” to it's fullest but it could be worse.  Tomorrow begins a new school week.  I hope you all have a great one!

6 years ago today I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my fourth child.  She was four days over due and would finally come on Sept. 14, 2000.  So 6 years ago today I was pregnant.  Hmmm, 9 years ago today I was pregnant.  Not due for another 8 months but pregnant.  Hold on, 10 years ago today I was pregnant and due in two months.  Wait, 15 years ago today I was pregnant too!  And due in 5 months.  Oh yes, there's more.  4 years ago today I was pregnant, 2 years ago today I was pregnant, and today, I am pregnant!  Wow!  What a thought!  Anyway – back to 6 years ago today……a beautiful baby girl was born to a proud mommy and daddy.  She weighed in at 9lbs6oz and was a dream come true.  I had always thought we'd have three kids and her birth opened the door to so much more!  She started talking in three word sentences by 9 months old ( yes, I have witnesses ) and she hasn't stopped talking since.  She now follows me around the house reading, talking, playing, and singing.  What a blessing!  So Happy Birthday to my baby girl!  It was also because of her that I started to research homeschooling.  God is so good!

I'd like to personally thank those that invented coffee.  If it weren't for coffee my children wouldn't have a mother that was concious most of the time. 

We've completed a whole week of schooling, music lessons, art lessons, soccer practices and games.  I'm still alive, mostly.  I must admit I still fantasize regularly about sending the four older kids to school and being at home with just the two little ones.  Not an option for us but a fantasy none the less. 

This week I discovered that my 3rd grader is zipping through his 3rd grade math and is going to be in the 4th grade book before I know it.  My 1st grader is following me around the house reading BOB books or playing her violin, God bless her.  I try to be patiant but after about 3 hours I can't take it.   I've also adopted a new motto taken from a LLL publication : “here, the needs of the children come before the needs of the house”. This saying helps me overlook the constant mounds of toys and laundry that I must trip over to get to my bed.  The baby inside ( a girl by the way!  ) requires more energy than the rest of them, I think.  I'm whipped by 1 pm and do little after that time.  I do manage dinner most nights and of course the driving to different activities but no household chores.

So that's where we stand now.  I hope you are all having a good year so far.

Well, the summer is winding down and school will begin again.  I have to admit I can't wait for the neighborhood kids to go back to school.  Almost makes me want to enjoy a week or two alone with my kids before starting official school.  However, with the new baby coming in February we will probably take extra time off then so we must get moving with schoolwork right after Labor Day. 

There's nothing better than the new school books, pencils, paints, play dough, glue sticks, etc. of a new school year.  I love it!  I loved it as a kid and even more now. 

I'm a little nervous about getting school done this year, though.  My very busy 18 month old paired with his equally busy 3 1/2 year old brother keep me running enough as it is.  Neither of them takes regular naps so it's going to be a challange.  I am hoping that I am up for it.  I'm still recovering from the months of “morning” sickness (or all day and night sickness as I call it) so we'll see how quickly we're off and running.  Soccer, music lessons, and all the other activities will begin as well.  I'm hopeful I won't lose my mind in the process of all of this! 

So with one more week left to organize and relax I'm going to try to enjoy it!