Homeschool vs School

I am not going to homeschool Dallas. I had been contemplating it but Cam and I both feel he needs the social - both interactions with other kids and with other adults - for a season. We may re-visit this decision later. The deciding factor (for me) was Dallas saying he wants to do school in a school, not at home with me.

Oh well, that doesn't stop me from homeschooling him all I can now.

Dallas and Chey are working on Handwritting Without Tears preschool curriculum. So far they are not doing any handwritting but they are getting use to coloring/drawing a lot more than they use to; gotta build up that finger dexterity and strength. We are liking it so far (they really love the wood pieces).

We also frequent the library where I get random science-y kids books that catch me eye. Sometimes I let Dallas choose from a few topics. I really should try getting a "unit" going because right now the subjects are super sporadic: volcanoes (complete with discussion of plate movement, the concept of pressure along with a baking soda and vinegar experiment, and that rock melts into lava), germs (how you get them and what your body does to fight them), how your body heals, skeletal system, animal/vegetable/mineral classification, mutually beneficial animal relationships, and tornadoes... Yes, I see a few "units" I could have made out of some of those. A little fore-sight could do wonders. I don't know how much information on any one topic Dallas could discuss now, but he is enjoying learning. Chelane picks up a topic or two once in a while.

We are also doing alphabet crafts. I found a book at the library that gave me the idea, I tweaked it a bit, and now the kiddles often ask to do the ABC's when I talk about doing "writing or crafts" (that is what we call school work around these parts).

Add in all the ideas I get from the free get-ready-for-kindergarten stuff I have gotten at registration and boy-oh-boy Dallas has some fun!

Chey feeding Zoe

Chey and Dallas were both in less-than-favorable-graces of Mom and Dad tonight (care of not listening at the park coupled with blatant disobedience) but it is still shower night and boy did those kids need to be washed. Chey had been reduced to sitting in her little chair right next to me (otherwise her personal choices left much to be desired) while I finished feeding Zoe. Cam was down the hall getting Dallas going on his shower.

After Zoe shoved a fist in her mouth, I decided she must not want to finish her jar after all and left to use the bathroom telling Chey she "needed to be in that chair when I got back or she would be in trouble." When finished, I walked back out to the kitchen just in time to see this:

Sometimes kids make up for hours of horrible behavior with only minutes to spare...

Early Riser

We are still struggling to set a schedule for Zoe. Honestly, I am not trying very hard at all. My other two children seemed to set their own schedule and it worked well for all of us. They slept through the night and got up when I did. I am sure these memories are EXACTLY how Dallas and Chelane behaved as babies and is in no way affected by the time that has elapsed.

Zoe is a bit more sporadic. Her time of falling asleep is a bit more variable and she sometimes wakes up in the night. She almost always wakes up between five and seven in the morning, sometimes she falls back to sleep.

This Friday was one of those times she didn't.

She was getting so squirrely in the bed with me that I, not being ready to greet the day just yet, put her on the floor by the bed and rolled over to go back to sleep. Zoe entertained herself by exploring the two-by-three square of carpet by the bed, and bit of carpet under the bed.

Taken 6:53 AM Friday, March 23, 2012

Donating

I have officially joined the ranks of plasma donors. Zoe turned six months on Saturday so now I am legal.

I am very thankful for this unexpected source of income. Cam is still looking for a job and I can't find anything I can do around his schedule... plus my Utah teaching license expired last May and I am not qualified to renew it (Utah does a three-year cumulative point system). It is definitely a blessing we are both healthy enough to be regular donors.

All my trepidation - the small amount there was - was unneeded. Giving plasma wasn't any different from giving blood, except I don't feel as whoozie afterwards. I count that as a plus.

With Solid Food

Zoe was not happy. I think she was hungry or bored and needed something to distract her. I was indisposed and asked Dallas to grab the cheerios and give Zoe a couple to eat. I was expecting three or five on the floor and came out to this:

Zoe concentrating very hard on the cheerios

And this is just the living room. There were a few in the hall and in the kids' room. I am sure there would have been more except we don't have any other rooms!

She had a heck of a time trying to get them in her mouth and didn't have a high success rate, but it sure kept her busy!