Jean in Newcastle Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 after school started and. . . * the living and dining room are trashed. * we are getting into the swing of things. * I have lots of grading to do for ds this weekend. * dd is happy with her new school year - esp. math, of all things! * ds is staying up with his workload with our new syllabus system. How are things going for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmama Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Pretty good. We scaled back and are still easing into the school year. I ordered the last of our science books {SL Science B} this morning :D We're getting there. Getting dd to do math is like pulling teeth half the time, but she is gaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
learningmama Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 One month and... * several rooms are trashed * floors need mopped * dishes keep piling up * laundry keeps piling up * I've been stressing * We've had great unit studies about Peter Rabbit, Italy, Great Britain, and world explorers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 4 weeks and... *the downstairs is clean, but the upstairs is not- story of my life *I waited too long to sign the kids up for homeschool PE. They were so disappointed, and I felt like the worst mom ever. *I am seeing great strides in dd's narrations. She might even be ready for WWS in Jan. which I didn't think was possible. * I am struggling to make sure little dd gets enough of my attention during school time. *I am dealing with roller coaster hormones from dd10. Not fun. *We have found a groove regarding our schedule! *Ds cried through his first cursive lesson. He was so excited but hates it now (he's a perfectionist so it's either wonderful or terrible). I really want to wait until next year. Should I push him to do it? I'm not sure. *Ds is flying though his work (except for cursive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 My house is a mess, my mind is a blur, and I'm ready for summer vacation..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneddmanybooks Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 4...*We have found a groove regarding our schedule! *Ds cried through his first cursive lesson. He was so excited but hates it now (he's a perfectionist so it's either wonderful or terrible). I really want to wait until next year. Should I push him to do it? I'm not sure. *Ds is flying though his work (except for cursive). I HEAR you on the cursive, except dd didn't cry and it wasn't her first lesson of cursive. She got very upset, threw a pencil, etc. She tends toward perfectionism too. I am setting cursive ASIDE for now, except for making sure she can sign her name. If I set it aside for a while, chances are she will want to pick it up again sometime. She has really nice printing so I'm glad for that. However, dd did pick up the Mavis Beacon typing cd that was sitting in a box and is absolutely loving it. I definitely think you can set aside cursive for a while. After all, many people do not teach it at all anymore. I hope my dd will learn fluent cursive (she knows some cursive), but I do not think I am going to insist on it. (Everyone has to know their priorities. All I know is that I am under plenty of stress as it is and I am very happy with my decision to let cursive go for now.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I've finally rec'd the order from bookshelf central, only to conclude that there's been a miscommunication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommie_Jen Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 (almost 3 mo in, my first time ever) We seem to be finding our groove, most days I am sure this is the right thing for us, and I am constantly fighting the battle of "is this enough?" in my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I HEAR you on the cursive, except dd didn't cry and it wasn't her first lesson of cursive. She got very upset, threw a pencil, etc. She tends toward perfectionism too. I am setting cursive ASIDE for now, except for making sure she can sign her name. If I set it aside for a while, chances are she will want to pick it up again sometime. She has really nice printing so I'm glad for that. However, dd did pick up the Mavis Beacon typing cd that was sitting in a box and is absolutely loving it. I definitely think you can set aside cursive for a while. After all, many people do not teach it at all anymore. I hope my dd will learn fluent cursive (she knows some cursive), but I do not think I am going to insist on it. (Everyone has to know their priorities. All I know is that I am under plenty of stress as it is and I am very happy with my decision to let cursive go for now.) I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a dc that struggles with cursive! Ds is a lefty to top it all off. He could really use more work on his printing so I think I'll take your advice and wait on cursive. It was so easy with dd. I just gave her the sheet, she copied it, and magically had beautiful handwriting. I was blindsided with ds, lol. We have a typing cd. I'll have to see if he's interested. That's a good idea. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 This is the end of week 4 for us. - Our house cleaning/chore system is working well, so the house is pretty much clean (except for dd15's room - she decided to "organize" it :confused:). - School is going well so far, no one is complaining terribly, and no one is behind. - Everyone is working really hard and not dawdling, so that we can get out the door to activities every day. - We are all anxiously waiting for new grandbaby/niece who will be here any day! We will take a week off at that point so that I am available to help my dil and son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katiebug_1976 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Just finished our 1st week and I'm almost freaking out because it went so smooth (all in the midst of potty training and preparing for a new baby in about 3 months)! Everyone has stayed on task, gotten all work (and most of the household chores) done every day and had time to spare! I'm almost scared to say this out loud for fear it will all change next week. Here's hoping, praying and staying positive that just maybe, we have finally gotten the hang of this homeschooling thing!LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 All was going very well and we have been slowly adding more each day, until I started to get ready for the art gallery opening Dh asked me to attend for a fellow artist today. I have not reorganized the closets or changed over to fall clothing yet b/c it's hot here. So, I could not find any of my fall dress clothes for the opening tonight. (You would think I would have thought about it before today wouldn't you?:glare:) Kids went along with their literature assignments, piano practice, chores and math while I tried to figure out what to do. I'm embarrassed to say I actually ran to the Kohls 15 minutes down the road and bought a dress to wear. I had a 30% off coupon and I thought it was faster than digging through trunks of clothing. Dc packed up their stuff to take to my great uncle's house where they were spending the afternoon and evening since the gallery is an hour away and Dh and I wanted to avoid traffic. The opening went great though, and I received compliments on my dress. I'm not sure if I should feel like I pulled it off, or like I shortchanged my Dc. The TOG history discussion has been pushed into the weekend.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 So far our year stinks! I'm having a *really* hard time with the new baby (the 18month old). Just not meshing. I got pneumonia the end of July and took over a month to get rid of it. Monkey got very sick 10 days ago and just now getting relief (dr figured out the issue and gave us a fix...yay!). I've held her almost non-stop this entire time. I'm freaking out about finances after losing a huge chunk of montly money. We are drowning in clean laundry (6yo got hers put up and 17yo got the men's put up...the rest....). I have a killer toothache the last two days and really need to make it til Sept 29th. I have a little Eeyore who *really* makes it hard for me to stay pleasant. He is *so* much smarter than what he will actually DO. I'm so worried school is never gonna get done the way I want it to (we are doing a little each day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 We have finished three weeks...although today was a sick day and DS only did math. He tried to do more, but he could not focus and was cranky, so I sent him back to bed and he woke up with a fever :( feeling great now though! We have the kitchen and laundry under control. We have hampers in the bathroom and all bedrooms and the kids (and mom and dad ;)) are using them! The kitchen is clean every night for the most part (thanks to dh!). I have decluttered one large cabinet in the kitchen, one bookshelf and the tv area. The living room is clean...except for DH's seed packets all over the floor!! (he has been planting fall stuff for a couple of weeks). My room is clean, and has been for a month!! DD and baby's room is cleanish...she has pulled some toys out and we cannot find the hardware to put the changing table together, to it is in pieces by the crib. DS's room needs work and the front room has become a disaster...again...but we added a piano to the room and have not found a new home for other furniture. I have about two weeks to get it in order to have DS's 7th birthday party here...3-4 boys spending the night after a family cookout and party. School is going well. DS has the schedule down and is good about doing his independent work while I clean a little bit, or feed the baby. Plus, we are really enjoying our new addition! The kids love their baby brother so much and he is starting to respond to them. He is entertained by their craziness! I start back teaching dance in a week. Then, the house will fall apart I am sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Wow, I looked at the calendar and we just finished week 6!! Who knew?!? So, after 6 weeks.... * We finally started Spanish this week, and DS loves it and is asking for more! * I just ordered a new LA program (Hake) to start next week, since MCT was JUST not working for us this year. * Math still isn't clicking. Neither of us really love MM, but it just needs to get the job done for now. I have LOF books (F, D&P, Pre-A) and after we get to a certain point, I may just switch him over. In spite of being lukewarm about it, we've made it to the end of 4A already!! * DS keeps going deeper into his love of programming! He's pretty much mastered Scratch, though he still likes playing around on it, and now he's working on Visual Basic. * He has started swimming lessons and an art class. The first is necessary and tolerated, LOL, and the second he absolutely adores! * My house is still a disaster! :D But I am working on getting in the right mindset for some decluttering and cleaning over the next few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhschool Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 We started this week and I am reeling! I can't tell yet if things are working or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 3 weeks in.... *we're starting to get into a groove *math is proving to be a significant challenge (AOPS) *science isn't far behind *I've eaten more than I care to, between science, cooking, and history classes *the feeling of exhaustion is starting to lessen *co-op is coming together, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 First week down... It went well, though I don't know how I'm going to manage when we add in the rest of our subjects and get into full swing in those that had a slow start. Plus I add in tutoring a child twice a week in reading starting on Monday. I'm worried about teaching DS5 how to write. His grip is weird. I really need to find super short pencils to fix that. He holds his pencil in the correct fingers but keeps his pointer finger completely straight and usually 2 inches above the point. Holding it like that, his hand hurts quickly and he can't make a straight line to save his life. He also starts letters at the bottom and goes counter-clockwise with circles. My house is decent. We offered to host youth group on Sunday afternoons so I have a reason to keep it up. Tomorrow I'm working on getting my school room cleaned up and organized. It should have been done before we started but that just wasn't going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 JoAnn, how about a pencil grip? The ones that look like chewed gum? and put an X on the part of the forefinger that goes in the "dip" on the grip? Here is a pic but please, put it down a little further on the pencil. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemy9kids Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 My house is a mess, my mind is a blur, and I'm ready for summer vacation..... :lol: I'm right there with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemy9kids Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 So far our year stinks! I'm having a *really* hard time with the new baby (the 18month old). Just not meshing. I got pneumonia the end of July and took over a month to get rid of it. Monkey got very sick 10 days ago and just now getting relief (dr figured out the issue and gave us a fix...yay!). I've held her almost non-stop this entire time. I'm freaking out about finances after losing a huge chunk of montly money. We are drowning in clean laundry (6yo got hers put up and 17yo got the men's put up...the rest....). I have a killer toothache the last two days and really need to make it til Sept 29th. I have a little Eeyore who *really* makes it hard for me to stay pleasant. He is *so* much smarter than what he will actually DO. I'm so worried school is never gonna get done the way I want it to (we are doing a little each day). :grouphug: My heart goes out to you. Life is so hard sometimes, and when you are a mom, you just have to keep going. And toothaches are a real bummer!!!! Renee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 (edited) We just "completed" week 3 of school and: We're behind one science activity, one social studies activity, and one math lesson that we'll have to do this weekend if I don't want to start next week "behind," We took time during our school day yesterday to food shop and clean the downstairs because both desperately needed to be done (I admit I am still neglecting laundry) My son is much more willing to sit still, pay attention, and do what I ask for 1st grade than he ever was for Kindergarten (and I used a VERY gentle, fun, non-academic Kindergarten) My daughter is reading more than she did over the summer. She's currently reading Adam of the Road. We've done several fun projects and activities for social studies. She really likes social studies. We went on field trips so far to the Reading Public Museum to see the T Rex Exhibit, to Longwood Gardens to see the flowers and the light exhibit, to a homeschool day program at the National Watch & Clock Museum, and to a bird specialty store an hour from home to get my mom a new pet bird (which is why we're behind with a few school activities). I haven't even begun to think about when/where to fit Meet the Masters Art back into our schedule but need to do so very soon. I don't want to ever fall too behind and in fact want to take fewer breaks than we have in past years because if this baby sticks (and I so, so, hope it does) it should be born in late April to early May and I want to be done with our school year by then! ETA: my laundry is now caught up, the unfinished math lesson is done, and the unfinished social studies project (making a model of a Viking longboat) is done. Just a science activity (drawing and labeling a map of different habitats) left to do in order to be caught up! :D Edited September 15, 2012 by NanceXToo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Well, I guess I should feel like school has been a disaster again but I have a peace at this point. We have been going 4 wks now and with Dr appointments, tests and then the hospital admitance and surgery for my oldest son we have only gotten 2 - 3 days of school in every wk. This wk my husband did math with the kids 3 days but that was all. I have hopes of being able to start back up on Tue., I had the first wk of Oct. scheduled off and we will school through it and I had 3 wks scheduled off for Christmas but will probably only take 2 - 2 1/2. It will work. It has to. Not like you can schedule in someone getting sick. I think all in all my kids are happy with what we are doing. I made a couple of changes over last year but not much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Things are going pretty good most of the time. We are in the midst of getting ready for my son's wedding and my 30yo washing machine broke last week and we had to get a new one which wasn't in the budget. So, with one thng and another my eyelid started twitching last night. At least I can see the humor in it. School is the easy part right now. Actually it feels like one of our best school years ever, just because it less intense and we have very few extra curriculars. 3rd and 8th grades are not to labor intensive for me and so far the boys have been motivated. I still get some halfhearted complaining and whining on occasion, but I just ignore it. January and February will be the trying times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 :grouphug: to those having tough times. for all of us. We can do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Sorry to make you all hate me, but 4 weeks in and ..... *my house has never been cleaner! *I've worked out every morning since school began *I'm a better mom; I've actually been doing crafts with the kids *school is going great! *I'm loving life I hope this lasts.....:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 3 weeks. House is a mess, but I keep plugging away at decluttering, so it's getting faster to clean on weekends, at least. We are "behind" in school work, but that's my fault for trying to cram so much. Still tweaking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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