MFW Weeks #9 and #10

We are homeschoolers when it comes to our education choice. That means a lot of different things for different people. Some people think that means we get to be lazy, for us it is quite the opposite. For me, it means that from the time I wake up, until the time I go to sleep, I am thinking on how I can cram one small amount of knowledge into my children’s heads in a new way. I usually attempt to find ways that they don’t realize they are learning. It doesn’t mean we don’t have fun.  It can  often mean I get to hear our history sung in falsetto…  Or we may strike dramatic poses while listening to our brothers read dramatically.  We take some pauses to observe nature around us and the bug outside let us get close to it. Sometimes it means we have moments of collapse. It is not limited to only the children.  Sometimes we all want to just lay down on the job. It is not recommended though. =)  We had a free moment to use a coupon at a local cafe with my husband and son.  Don’t take health lessons from my husband, he thought the shake was not sweet enough and stirred jam into it.  We were late on your science project with cleaning pennies in coke, and here is a picture of them soaking. It was really hard to buy that! We also sometimes have little guests that decide to help us with our school days.  We do a lot of reading time. We try to at least require 30 minutes of non-school reading every day. For my anti-readers, it can be a challenge, but they are learning and starting to enjoy it, despite themselves.  Notice the large boxes in the background? Yes, the homeschooler still has to fundraise, and we are selling popcorn for our homeschool theater club.  This was an audio book we were listening to, as well as finishing Across Five Aprils. We really enjoyed Across Five Aprils. I found a book with some questions about the book and activities to do, which we did a couple of.  Math? No, I think I will learn about the Explorers, in this sticker book from Usborne.  Watching a documentary on Netflix about the Civil War during breakfast is always a learning experience.  H. having reading practice with his fun tutor that comes to visit every other week.  Nature walks for exercise are a must to keep energy levels so they can focus. Plus, basketball practice and games always help too! We won our second game we played of the year this week too. Math Drills? We got them!!!  History? We read it aloud, and sometimes leave the crafts to just read about. This week, instead we looked up about the Railroad spike monuments.  Grammar? We attempt to learn that as well! We will conquer the mountains that face us!  All that makes a mom tired. I think I will pause with a cup of tea and a salad. Next week is another week. Right now, I am thankful for the weekend!  I may still be thinking about lesson plans, my oldest’s sons assignments he has due and all the other things we have on our plate, but for now, I am happy to have completed another couple of weeks! Moms…homeschool or not, no matter the educational choice you have chosen for your children, remind yourself that this is a tough gig. It is okay to feel worn out sometimes, but make sure to admit that you can’t do everything sometimes. Try to keep a sense of humor through all the ups and downs! Parenting is tough, but it sure can have it’s rewards! Keep going!!!