Encouragement to you all! It's OKAY to just say "we're done for the day" even when an assignment didn't get finished. Give YOURSELF a break! Field trips to the ortho office COUNT! Here's to a much more productive tomorrow, in whatever form it visits you! Good night, all! The Lounge is CLOSED - until tomorrow.

We're done for the day! I decided to nix history for today as it's almost 3pm and we're all beyond tired. Plus, I need Aspie DD to rest up before tae kwon do tonight. Now to get a snack and veg in front of tv for a bit before I try to figure out what's for dinner! Over and out!

One step closer to car freedom! :hurray:

Both kids have finished their Bible reading. DD18 also read in the Drivers Manual. God willing, she'll have her license by the time she's 19yo! I REALLY am going to need her driving independently by next summer. I've given them a short break before DD tackles her math and DS and I tackle his Language Arts (he finished his math mostly unscathed). As much as my son hasan amazing grasp of English, and other languages, he fights me on LA all.the.time. I'm done acquiescing. It's gotta get done! In a couple of weeks, we will start WriteShop which I can use with BOTH kids, despite the age and grade difference, as it's designed to meet the kids where they are. That will help somewhat! I may duck out to get lunch somewhere (remember what I said about everything being conveniently located?).

Educational opportunity in the Teachers Lounge: what is "Eid al-Adha?" I truly am curious as I've never heard of it. Here's hoping you get the car issues fixed pronto after the holiday!

Teresa, I am SO, SO sorry for your loss! There are never really any appropriate words to say during times like this. I can only imagine the mess of emotions you are right now. Know that if I lived closer, my kids and I would drop everything and come help in any way we could! For now, I can offer prayers; many, many prayers. I would say forget about the homeschooling for now but then again some normal routine might help get you all through. Maybe just forego the tough subjects like composition/writing and math. Focus on history and read alouds which will take your focus off the events of the present for awhile AND give you opportunities for cuddles and memorable time with family members still here. Also, it's okay to cry in front of your children. It's okay to ask them, and others, for help. Basically, right now, it's okay for you to not be okay. HUGS!!!

Open EARLY today! I know, for some of you it's already 9:30am or later, maybe the next day! Here in AZ it's only 0630 so it's EARLY. What's cooking? Here: the only thing hot right now, besides our weather, is my coffee pot that just finished brewing the morning nectar. B-) What's on your schedule for today? Here: 2nd day of the official school year. Here's to following the lesson plans! What's unusual about today? Here: I was supposed to be, right about now, meeting up with some women veterans for a drive up to Moab, UT. What's in Moab, you ask? The beginning of a five day white water rafting trip. I have chosen to forego that trip and instead spend the same amount of time, albeit NEXT weekend, visiting my mom who has dementia and is not doing great. Thankfully, from what I understand, she still remembers her family! Now to get that coffee! Anyone want some? Talk to me! :bigear:

And...we're done for the day! Probably would have been done an hour earlier except my trip to the grocery store took 30 minutes longer than expected! The only true hiccup today was when I went to have dd do the scavenger hunt for her chemistry supply list, I then couldn't FIND the chemistry supply list. *sigh* Not worth stressing over. The kids completed what assignments they could today so I gave them their tickets. We've implemented a new reward program this year. We've had the idea of a ticket exchange for a couple of years (earn one for each assignment, exchange so many for a prize) but have not implemented it. So THIS year, I talked it over with the kids, asking how they wanted it to work. This is what they came up with: 1 ticket per completed daily assignment. 2 tickets if it's completed on time! (meaning same day as originally planned) 10 tickets for ONE thing from the prize box OR they can save up to 20 tickets for a trip to the store to pick something out (up to $15). And this last option can only be used ONCE per semester. Writing this out made me realize I cheated my kids out of tickets today! Oops! I only gave them one ticket per completed assignment instead of two. Let me go correct that before I forget! Whew! Done! Okay, now, in about a half an hour, I'm taking them out for a celebratory donut! B-)

I LIVE in t-shirts and jeans so why not have fun with it? If someone has an issue with you wearing a fun t-shirt it's only because THEY don't know how to have fun!

I heard a great quote the other day. "Life is more manageable when viewed as a scavenger hunt rather than a surprise party." It was attributed to Jimmy Buffet. Anyway, it makes sense. Rather than be surprised by what happens in life, look for the blessings and/or the lesson in what happens. You just never know what the day will bring! At this point, I'm trying to determine what will be for lunch! I live too close to grocery and convenience stores and fast food restaurants! - makes it too easy just to go out and grab something!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! At least, it is for us. Officially. A few bumps to the start of the day but more or less running smoothly, which, of course, means today will be the ONLY day this week that happens! LOL! While I do have a daily schedule, with times written out, I'm viewing it more like the Pirates Code: "It's more like .... guidelines." There is just no way we can actually always stick to the exact times. But it's good to have a reference point! How is your day going to far? What was for breakfast? Here: we had turkey kielbasa and cantaloupe. I have no idea what we'll have for lunch! Anything exciting on the schedule today? Here: youngest will be going to youth group tonight. Oldest is too overwhelmed by the youth group crowd. In some ways that might be a good thing since she has a heavy study load this year. Who's got the coffee going? ME! Talk to me! :bigear:

Cecropia, WELCOME! You are teaching and therefore you BELONG here! To all that are starting with fits and bumps, it's really OKAY. To the new mamas or veteran mamas with new babes, it really is okay to have a relaxed schedule while adapting to the new member of the family. If you have littles who like to watch Sesame Street, let them! That's an education in itself! As for a routine and a structured schedule, that's something I've never truly been good at keeping but this year, my son actually ASKED for it. So I will do my best to honor that request. Here's a hint, thought: a structured schedule/routine does not happen without advanced planning. What I had to do, and it took a few hours over a span of about 3 days, was to: *inventory the curriculum I planned to use this year *sketch a rough daily schedule for each day we planned to do school (we're following a Tues - Sat schedule this round) *figure out what subjects I could use with both children simultaneously and which needed to be done separately *and remember something I've learned from a special needs teacher and a veteran homeschooler: 1) often lesson plans change on a daily basis and 2) have your lesson plan for the day BUT what you write down in the Lesson Plan book is what actually happened that day. *My special needs teacher friend also let me in on a secret: the public school system considers a "full day" 3 hours. 3 hours! You and I both know if we get 3 hours of work done with the younger kids, that's an accomplishment! For the olders, if that's ALL you get done, great! You KNOW you've accomplished more than the ps in that time. Also, remember, homeschooling is NOT school-at-home. It's a lifestyle. EVERYthing can be educational. Have FUN! Create GREAT memories with your children. Let other kids be envious of YOUR homeschool, not the other way around. You Got This, Mamas! Good night!

***OPEN*** I know it's been awhile and I said I was done opening the Teachers Lounge. However, it occurred to me this morning, that even if only a few people pop in, or even one or two, it's okay. Someone may NEED a place to come chat and hang out with actual adults. So, here we are! If you're new to the Teachers Lounge, it is exactly that. A place for TEACHERS (no students!!!) to hang out, hash it out, or just relax. Have you started school yet officially? Doing catch up activities? Or wondering if you really have to start school? ;-) We have been working on catching up on some subjects and will officially start school tomorrow. I spent Labor Day weekend sorting through curriculum and hashing out a schedule. It's taken many more hours than I thought it would but it's almost done! Mostly now I just need to clear out some space to make it usable. Hoping to get that done tonight while kids are at Tae Kwon Do. What's for lunch today? My kids had grass fed beef burgers on a bun. I had grass fed beef burger on gluten free bread, accompanied by a sugar-sweetened Dr. Pepper, and loaded Bacon & Cheddar Ruffles. Who's tired? Me! Talk to me! :bigear:

Both kids seem to be doing better today. But then again, we haven't tackled math yet. Not sure I'm going to make them, either, as I don't feel like I could deal with it, either. It has been overcast and rainier than usual here (we live in the desert) so that may also have something to do with it. Not sure why I keep looking for a groove we've never found in our many years of homeschooling! :-P

Unless there was meat in there, it should be perfectly fine.

Turns out dd17 was stressing out, worried she wasn't being a good enough big sister to her brother. She said, "Even though it may not seem like it I really do care about him." I encouraged her to go talk to him and talk it through. She did and says she feels better. Still don't know what's going on with ds12 though.

I suppose it IS a possibility. Although I really hope it's not that as we get enough interruptions to our schooling as it is!

I seriously don't know what's up with my kids today! Both dd17 and ds12 are just a moody mess today. DD has Aspergers so we have off days and I may have some insight into that but ds12 is NT as far as I know and is moody today too. I've even made salmon for dinner last night and zesty tuna salad for lunch today to give our brains some extra nourishment. But today they both were talking themselves out of being able to do math before they even gave themselves a chance to succeed. Both are somewhat behind in math so we can't really take time off for "I can't do it" as often as these moods show up! Even gave them a good breakfast - good sized, homemade breakfast burritos. So I know it's not the nutrition. I'm just tired of being grumbled at so often. or sidelined - our computer took a vacation recently, without our permission. Using my dh's pc setup at the moment. But there is info on my mac mini that we NEED for school. (Has anyone else lost more info due to modern technology than they ever have to actual paper?) A few more minutes on my lunch break. Think I might take a nap! :closedeyes:

We find ourselves needing to schedule time with friends before the year officially starts for some. So today I'm taking ds and a friend to the movies while dd stays home and works on schoolwork. Next week will be interrupted to do when I go on a business trip. Glad we have a flexible schedule!

And even on the 2nd day, our 'schedule' de-railed. I'd really like to get on a structured schedule!

We did not START school today because we still need to finish up some things from the previous school year. The plan was to school throughout the summer but it just did not get done in June or July. *sigh* So in August, we're resuming. The goal is to start the NEW school year in September. Anyone else following an unconventional schedule?

Cool! Thanks! I just ordered!

AK_Mom4, before I even read your handle, I thought, "She must live in Alaska." B-) I've been watching the episodes on Hulu about Port Protection, AK. Ever been there?

Personally, it's for the same reason, I don't listen to music, books on tape, or educational CDs if I ever have the opportunity to drive somewhere by myself. It's the only time I can enjoy some solitude! What about YOU?? :bigear:

Today, as I have many days, I've been thinking that I really don't NEED any new curricula for my kids. As of right now, I have enough to probably even take my 11 yo all the way through high school! Anyone else feel this way?