Zumba Class!

So, we started a new class this week for our PE time - children's Zumba, Lovely LOVED it. And you can't be the price - $7 a class!

The teacher was so great, and at the end of the class she had the stretch on the floor in a circle. She joined them and affirmed them for being strong and healthy. It was really touching!

Gift and Valiant enjoyed the class too! They watched and danced from the sidelines. Gift even stretched on the floor too...hehe!

 

Up Close Lizard Study

There is nothing better than the schedule homeschool affords us! I love being able to do schoolwork then just escape the rest of the afternoon outside. While we sadly don't have a backyard to enjoy anymore since moving, we are blessed to live near many playgrounds and state parks. Yesterday we took advantage and met our co-op friends for an afternoon of fun in the cool breezes. There was lots of imaginative play, exercise, fort building, sandbox playing, tree climbing, and most fun of all? Playtime with a very patient (or stunned) lizard. It allowed the kids to hold it, it went everywhere with them riding on their shoulders, chests, etc. It was pretty neat!

Isn't that neat??!! It's like Paschel from the movie "Tangled"!

And, as I mentioned - the kids and their co-op pals had a blast building and playing:

It was such a FUN afternoon! We so love our co-op pals! It's fun learning and exploring together!

Homeschool Mother's Journal: The Return to Blogging :)

I'm back...or at least, attempting to be.

Around the time I first discovered Sue's blog and this meme, as well as started our 2nd year homeschooling - my world literally fell apart. My post below has a link to my main blog about it. Thankfully, I'm fighting my way back and homeschooling never missed a beat (because you can't beat the flexibility!). But, sadly, I never could really find the time to document the school year. I hope to start back with this post, and do some catch up posts in the future for Fall semester, and Spring Semester. So, without further adieu....

In my life this week…

Life has been so hectic this week - Irish Step on Thursday. Art on Wednesday. We also have been soaking in the gorgeous weather for fresh air, PE, and just loving life, to the point that it is has been more of a struggle to get our academics done. I can tell Spring Fever is taking root. I have to stay focused.  I did manage to get both out of the house for a needed MNO and blog here again, so that is noteworthy!!

My favorite thing this week was…


Seeing Lovely excited over learning about some fables, and having her first slumber party (tonight!) in a long time (I think since we have moved). She served her friends on our back porch and they had the whole porch to themselves by solar candlelight. They ate spaghetti, laughed, and talked like any adult would at a night out. It was so cute to watch! Now, they are all snug in their beds....


In our homeschool this week…


Lovely has enjoyed the topics we are covering in our k12 program - but the work seems to keep mounting. We have a big writing assignment we have not started yet due at the end of March I am stressing over. And, while Lovely diligently does her work - our days seem to be getting longer, and she is fighting me some on learning how to spell her list words for her weekly unit.

Math is currently word problems and how to do reverse operations to check your work. It is so hard to watch a new reader struggle with both reading a problem AND having to solve it.

We've been taking a break from science because of our schedule (and usually Daddy does it with her and he has been traveling), but we've done lots of kitchen science and health work to keep her engaged.

I'm so excited about History. We just wrapped the Byzantine Empire this week, and will start the Middle Ages next week! We are both very excited! Maybe I will get my teaching mojo back with this unit??!

Art is, as always, fabulous. It is her favorite part of her week (they made self-stamps!). She has a talent for it. Dance (Irish Step) is going very well too. She has great focus and rhythm for it. I'm not sure if we can do it next year. We've had to take a break from piano because of our move (the piano is in storage) and we miss it dearly. So we do music lessons at home with music appreciation and then choir at church. 

Questions/thoughts I have…

How do you go beyond the textbook or lesson to really bring it alive when I feel you feel so stressed or burdened for time? I am YEARNING to do living books with Lovely, nature studies, and more field trips  - and I feel tired and barely getting done what we are getting done. Maybe I'm facing burn out after our life changes? I need some major encouragement. We're not giving up on homeschooling - but I miss my passion and focus on it. HELP!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

If I'm low on energy to be a creative homeschooler - how do I have energy to host a sleepover?

Much love, all! Thanks for stopping by!!