Another great homeschooling day and an epiphany.
Woke up very late and had a hard time getting going because I was coming off a four day stretch (am I the biggest baby about working 4 days in a row or what?)
Since there wasn't enough coffee in the world to make me an effective preschooler entertainer/baby wrangler/1st grade teacher rolled into one we took a walk to the neighborhood garden store hoping to get some tomatoes and herbs to plant. Unfortunately they didn't have any and the walk made us late to our fun picnic/playdate with two other homeschooling families. Joss also filled in her June calendar, which has become an excellent monthly activity. I print off blank calendar pages and she fills in the dates and then all her activities and whatever else she wants to. She marked the days I work, our upcoming vacation and Tuesdays as N for nature days. She has done this for the last three months and she loves checking her calendar everyday and knowing what's coming up.
We had a an awesome time with our friends at Woodlake Nature Center. We had a picnic outside amongst the drifts of cottony seeds. We then took a leisurely stroll around the marsh and stopped to see many cool sights including: red-winged black birds, toads (I got peed on by one), Mallard duck daddy, mama and babies, egrets, and several painted turtles in the water including one little baby all covered with duckweed. We also saw a ton of the most beautiful little blue fuzzy caterpillars. They had the most amazing design on their back and I would have loved to have taken one home but didn't have a jar and wasn't sure what they were eating. Also not sure if you are allowed to do that, so should check next time. Joss had two riding on her dress which she gave to a small class of kindergarteners as they walked by us. The kids had a great time playing together and enjoying and learning about nature.
After we came home Joss wrote a short report about the nest she found on our morning walk. She plans to turn it in the collector's corner at the Science Museum for points. We talked about the 5 W words: Who, what, why, where, when and made up a fun song about it.
She then answered those five words for her report about her nest. Her spelling was perfect, though I did help when asked. Her writing is also getting very clear. She also did a nice drawing of her and I finding it and wrote her name, age and "homeschool" on the back because she said she wanted them to know she was homeschooled!
Here is her report:
Who? Joscelyn and Katy
What? a nest
When? May 31st
Where? in a pine tree
Why? because it fell out of the tree
We stuck the nest in a plastic bag (because I really feel like it is absolutely crawling with germs) and she can't wait to turn it in!
While she worked on that Zeff played an educational computer game. I was able to relax and do a little picking up with relative peace other than helping J out from time to time.
Then the neighbor kids spent a couple hours playing with our kids. J and their 5yo girl paired off and had a great time using pinecones, leaves, first-aid-tape, glue and sequins to make fairy furniture and parts of a fairy castle. Zeff enjoyed watching sports with the 7yr old boy and the next door neighbor in his garage and occasionally running around the neighbor's yard with his light saber.
After supper J and baby and I walked to the playground and Z and daddy mowed the lawn. Now I'm off to read chapter 2 of Kaya (an American Girl book).
The epiphany: I should quit fighting the wild energy my boys have in the morning. We will go on outings, field trips, whatever in the morning and have sit down quiet school time in the afternoon while the baby naps and when Z and J's excess energy has been burnt off.
This will be great for the summer as we can get out while it is still relatively cool and have quiet time indoors in the A/C during the heat of the day.
Anyways, I am feeling very thankful and content and hope others are enjoying their life and kids as much as I am today.
Peace