Well, it's been six weeks since school started and my sixth grader and I are getting used to the nightly ritual. I've come up with a system that benefits the second grader, the 6th grader, my parents and me. My mom takes the second grader and does homework with her. It is a very quiet, peaceful environment and it is wonderful grandma-grandchild time. My dad doesn't help with the homework, but he gets to enjoy the company. That leaves me free to work the 6th grader.
Two nights ago I hit upon another strategy: use the college kids to help.
Amanda is currently taking a chemistry class that is a little overwhelming for her. Well, Erin already had the class and so she got out her trusty white board and makers and showed Amanda how to use that large space to make the learning a little easier.
So, when there was a 6th grade science test to study for, Amanda, after deciding that my method of going over the study notes was a boring and terrible way to study, took the white board off the wall and set it in front of her little sister. I went to my room for some quiet time.
When I came downstairs, there was the white board covered with information, pictures, and a mnemonic device, and the sixth grader grinning from ear to ear because, not only did she have her big sister's undivided attention, she actually understood her science and was getting geeked to have a go at the test.
Grandma seems to be a good teacher too, because the spelling test only had one misspelled word.
So this week I'm grateful for a little less homework, my mom and dad, big sisters and white boards.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Homecoming Parade
The Homecoming Parade, that we almost didn't get to participate in, was actually pretty fun.
The boys and I hopped in the van ready to head to the high school so the van could be decorated for the parade. Not a full two blocks from home, it died and would not restart. We were already going to be late and this was not helping.
Dear one to the rescue! He drove his vehicle to where I was stalled and let me take it to the parade instead. Unfortunately he had vacuumed and washed my van but not his truck, which was in dire need of a good scrubbing.
The kids seemed to have a good time wrapping it all up in streamers and flags from different countries (it was the International Club that was doing the decorating).
As we started driving the parade route, the teacher who had bummed a ride with us, popped in a CD of German music that we were supposed to blare while we made our way along the route. It was awful! The cover said something to the effect of "German music for merry making and beer drinking." Not my cup of tea!
Along the way, all the folks who had come out to see the floats and prom court waved to us. I cheerfully waved back while anxiously awaiting arrival at the football field so I could turn the radio off.
We had the back hatch of the truck open and the teens kept taking turns sitting in the back. It's a little disconcerting trying to drive with the back end of the vehicle readjusting to the varying weights of the riders getting in and out.
Overall it was fun. The clouds that hung and sprinkled us a little as the decorating was going on, dispersed as we drove and by the time we arrived at our destination, the sun made an appearance. The clouds totally cleared from the sky and the game was played under the lights with a beautiful moon hanging in the sky.
And to top it all off, our team won the game!
The boys and I hopped in the van ready to head to the high school so the van could be decorated for the parade. Not a full two blocks from home, it died and would not restart. We were already going to be late and this was not helping.
Dear one to the rescue! He drove his vehicle to where I was stalled and let me take it to the parade instead. Unfortunately he had vacuumed and washed my van but not his truck, which was in dire need of a good scrubbing.
The kids seemed to have a good time wrapping it all up in streamers and flags from different countries (it was the International Club that was doing the decorating).
As we started driving the parade route, the teacher who had bummed a ride with us, popped in a CD of German music that we were supposed to blare while we made our way along the route. It was awful! The cover said something to the effect of "German music for merry making and beer drinking." Not my cup of tea!
Along the way, all the folks who had come out to see the floats and prom court waved to us. I cheerfully waved back while anxiously awaiting arrival at the football field so I could turn the radio off.
We had the back hatch of the truck open and the teens kept taking turns sitting in the back. It's a little disconcerting trying to drive with the back end of the vehicle readjusting to the varying weights of the riders getting in and out.
Overall it was fun. The clouds that hung and sprinkled us a little as the decorating was going on, dispersed as we drove and by the time we arrived at our destination, the sun made an appearance. The clouds totally cleared from the sky and the game was played under the lights with a beautiful moon hanging in the sky.
And to top it all off, our team won the game!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Spirit Week
This weekend is homecoming at the high school our boys attend. So, besides having a half day today, and field day tomorrow (about 2 1/2 hours of fun and games) the students got to have a no uniform week. Monday was pajama day. I'm not sure when it became okay to wear p.j.s in public, much less school.
Tuesday was crazy sweater day. Our Jr. likes to shop at Value World and so he has an awesome sweater with lots of colors and a neat pattern. The frosh borrowed one of his dad's sweaters. Being that his dad is an accountant, it's not too crazy, but it was something he wouldn't typically wear so it fit the bill.
I don't remember what Wednesday was. I saw them both dressed for school and didn't notice anything amiss so maybe they just wore jeans.
Today was crazy hair and dress day. I tried to take a photo of the two of them but one wouldn't stay posed. It was too early in the morning and he not only did not want his photo taken, he definitely did not want it shown on my blog. A couple of the girls had fun helping their younger brother with his first crazy hair day. He went to school with about 30 little pony tails in his curly, red (freshly dyed) locks.
Their outfits matched the crazy label, too. Mixed patterns and unmatched socks and such. Tomorrow is field day so they won't have any classes, but I'm kind of wondering if they got anything done today. The outfits and hair would have kept me very distracted.
Hopefully next week it will be back to business as usual. Although the 9th grader already informed me that he will be on retreat one of the days so maybe I'll have to wait until the following week for a 5 day work week. I don't think I'll check the calendar until then.
Next up: Homecoming parade and I get to drive one of the vehicles.
Tuesday was crazy sweater day. Our Jr. likes to shop at Value World and so he has an awesome sweater with lots of colors and a neat pattern. The frosh borrowed one of his dad's sweaters. Being that his dad is an accountant, it's not too crazy, but it was something he wouldn't typically wear so it fit the bill.
I don't remember what Wednesday was. I saw them both dressed for school and didn't notice anything amiss so maybe they just wore jeans.
Today was crazy hair and dress day. I tried to take a photo of the two of them but one wouldn't stay posed. It was too early in the morning and he not only did not want his photo taken, he definitely did not want it shown on my blog. A couple of the girls had fun helping their younger brother with his first crazy hair day. He went to school with about 30 little pony tails in his curly, red (freshly dyed) locks.
Their outfits matched the crazy label, too. Mixed patterns and unmatched socks and such. Tomorrow is field day so they won't have any classes, but I'm kind of wondering if they got anything done today. The outfits and hair would have kept me very distracted.
Hopefully next week it will be back to business as usual. Although the 9th grader already informed me that he will be on retreat one of the days so maybe I'll have to wait until the following week for a 5 day work week. I don't think I'll check the calendar until then.
Next up: Homecoming parade and I get to drive one of the vehicles.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Adjusting
Today is the first day of the fifth week of school. So far the kids have not had a single full, five day week. For the high schoolers, this week will be no exception. Parent-teacher conferences are Thursday and so they have a half day.
How are we all adjusting to school? I, for one, can't figure out how I home schooled in the first place. It feels like all I do is run. I know we got school work done so the errands must have taken a back seat. I know the house cleaning did!
The days fly by ( I've only had one nap) and then comes pick up time. From 3:00 p.m. until up to 10:45 p.m. we do dinner and then homework. My poor sixth grader is having quite an adjustment. We are drying lots of tears.
I wish there was a way to make it easier as we are all exhausted by the weekend. It's still only September and they are counting the days until Thanksgiving break.
I have not baked, I have had hot chocolate with a friend only once and the book reading has come to almost a complete halt, although I did use my Barnes and Nobel birthday gift card and bought three new books so I hold out hope. And, you can tell how much writing I've done if you look at the date of my last post.
I have, however, been to Mass almost every day. I visit my mom and dad, do laundry and cook dinner so we can eat at 4 0'clock.
I am enjoying the quiet during the day. It gives me energy for the evenings.
I suppose I will fall into a routine. For now, I take it as it comes and keep smiling.
How are we all adjusting to school? I, for one, can't figure out how I home schooled in the first place. It feels like all I do is run. I know we got school work done so the errands must have taken a back seat. I know the house cleaning did!
The days fly by ( I've only had one nap) and then comes pick up time. From 3:00 p.m. until up to 10:45 p.m. we do dinner and then homework. My poor sixth grader is having quite an adjustment. We are drying lots of tears.
I wish there was a way to make it easier as we are all exhausted by the weekend. It's still only September and they are counting the days until Thanksgiving break.
I have not baked, I have had hot chocolate with a friend only once and the book reading has come to almost a complete halt, although I did use my Barnes and Nobel birthday gift card and bought three new books so I hold out hope. And, you can tell how much writing I've done if you look at the date of my last post.
I have, however, been to Mass almost every day. I visit my mom and dad, do laundry and cook dinner so we can eat at 4 0'clock.
I am enjoying the quiet during the day. It gives me energy for the evenings.
I suppose I will fall into a routine. For now, I take it as it comes and keep smiling.
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