Just a collection of lately-ness so I don't forget.
I have been teaching for nearly a quarter century now. It was high time I got a proper laminator, yes? I have a driving urge to laminate EVERYTHING in sight now.
(game freebie from CHC)
Soup on the stove. Applesauce on the stove. Chili on the stove.
I love this stove.
I watched them putting away the size matching sticks the other day and as always they got stuck and had leftovers. I was thinking of Steven Covey's "big rocks first" analogy and realized that this current group of kids had never heard this metaphor. The older boys had read the 7 Habits for Teens. It's been a while.
We got on youtube and watched a 'big rocks' presentation and quickly restacked the sticks. Then we talked about the ipods, the fantasy football, the many things that eat up the day and how we often find tasks undone at day's end. I need this reminder as much as the rest of them.
My silly kids. : ) What I love most is the laughing.
Speaking of youtube, Aidan mentioned an experiment in his text that he couldn't do because we didn't have the supplies. It was about water testing and ph levels. It occured to me that surely there was such a test in cyber space. And indeed there was. Many of them. Five minutes later we learned all about acid/alkaline balance and the pro's and con's of many brands of bottled water and sports drinks.
Youtube – it's a beautiful thing.
Bowling with the homeschool group.
and some thoughts about when to discipline. And when to just hug.
Autumn is a busy season for us. Sports practices keep children up later than usual in the evenings and out the door early on the weekend. A midweek holiday stirred up lots of excitement. Timing for a homeschool outing might have been less than ideal but important for children who are meeting new friends in a new place. So we went.
Tess and the older boys had a blast. Brendan was so very excited to go. He had mentioned early on he didn't need bumpers on his lane anymore so I didn't program his lane that way. However the other children did have them and his scores were quickly dropping behind. He was soon in tears and fixing the program to provide him bumpers did not help his distress.
The girls who delighted to play with the children at the center likewise promptly fell to tears on the way home. Seatbelts too tight, jackets too warm, everything suddenly just…wrong. There are times like this when you pause, look deeply into a child's eyes and err on the side of mercy.
How often does this happen to moms after all? Up all night with a baby, running from appointment to appointment, laundry to fold, and finally a broken cup or paper cut and it all spills out. It isn't a character flaw. It's fatigue.
Sometimes naps are better than nagging.
There was plenty of day left after resting. And it went better then.
It always does. : )
Starry Sky Journal 
I love my laminator!! Whenever I heat it up my kids know to go look for anything that can possibly laminated. :o)
I have needed a lot of naps lately. Sick toddlers, headcolds running through the household make for sleepless nights. The last few days, around 2:30, I feel just like Brendan did.
LOVE the laminator! It was one of my first ‘ let’s homeschool’ purchases. Thanks for the freebee link as well. Naps are sooo good to help younger ones through a change of season too. Spring days are warmer and more demanding on the active boys we have HereI we have a 2 and 4 year old boy who are sleeping BIG sleeps this afternoon (2.5 hours later……) And mummy is having a little ‘ quiet reading time’. Enjoying your post. That looks like a great stove too!! Happy 25th education anniversary 😉
Just a note to say that I have been quietly reading along, appreciating your reflections and thoughtfulness, and loving the glimpses of your new life in England. I’ve not been well, particulalrly, so haven’t commented much of late. We are having our first snow! The sky is WisconsinWinterWhite (do you remember?) and the air smells like snow. I’ve sent Calli out to get photos ….
Deo gratias for the laughter of siblings and naps and mercy and the gift of a wise and discerning mama. (love the spud face – my kids like to cut a piece of veg into a special shape and then if you find it in your soup it’s the ‘prize’ – hooray for silly kids)