Tuesday (so far)

Had a great morning...kids up by 8, had pancakes, got ready and each did a chore (Ar did upstairs toilet and sink, Hannah hung a load after her Math, and Caleb folded (Aaron brushed his teeth!)

All:
-had a great time of Bible reading and discussion at the table with Papa (last night had a great
read also with Papa- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (everyone loves it))
-read Young Fu to the older kids while youngers made forts
-had a nice tea time with fresh homemade cinnamon buns and chai. We read St. Francis and the
Wolf
-poured over the plans at Theresa's for a Harry Potter unit (we are not unit study folks per se,
but this looks like it could be alot of fun!)

Ariel
-Math- started a Math Journal and did some review of fractions (this went well, and he seemed
relieved to have helpful info in a usable format)
-Dictation: Lament for Boromir (went very well)
-Latin: recitation and vocab. review
-off to read Beric the Briton and Bible now

Hannah
-Math- next page in Zeta
-Copywork: Beren and Luthien
-Latin: recitation and vocab. review
-read lots of HP 3 in bed

Caleb
-Math: next page in MUS 1
-Copywork: The Crocodile (Lewis Carrol)
-Reading: Viking Tales (in a minute!)

Aaron
-lots of KNEX again

Still haven't read much to Caleb. I seem to get to the older kids read alouds, history etc but he isn't as interested as of late. Maybe I will start reading him the 50 Famous Stories again, on his own with Aaron. Today the littles went and played while Ar, H, and I read and that worked great. Caleb did Math this morning after much play, played alot again, then did his copywork while I was getting our tea/lunch together.

I think this HP unit will be great. We aren't really unit people, we make connections in readings etc. but it flows more naturally. I am going to give it a go, and I think it will give us some good enjoyment together. After that I am sure I will be ready to go back to our regular groove.

Note: Since we are on the last page of our Latin, maybe we will just have recitation a couple times a week, math each day, and then the HP unit. Kids can read and practice instruments in afternoons or after dinner.

Another Note to self: Kids need to practice instruments!! (Lessons are too much $$ to be wasted!)

Meals:
-B: pancakes
-L: tea time of homemade cinnamin buns (made bread too today) and chai
-D: chicken soup and homemade bread ( maybe rice pudding to round it off)

Monday...

Did I say 'grace' at the end of my last post? Yes, forgot that quite a few times (sob). I was quite graceful for the morning chores and getting ready, which I will pat myself on the back for. But in the whole excitement (mine) of having more of a plan around time (reads: will get kids to do lessons between 9-11 or so and then break for our reading and prayers) I sort of lost focus of what it is all about!! Sort of needed to be reminded about this again.

Ariel
-read a wee bit of Beric the Briton (Henty)
-Next page in Zeta (Math)
-Rosetta Stone Welsh
-some Latin
-short music practice

Hannah
-read lots of HP in bed
-next page in Zeta
-Latin- 2 exercises
-wrote more of a written narration on the Marauder's map (did not like mom to come and correct spelling)

Caleb
-next page in MUS (seem to like this better than Singapore, and so do I- probably because it is
time 3 for me through the same book and it just makes sense!)
-1 page cursive italics
-I read him the Intro. to Viking Tales
-Read 1 chpt. Viking Tales
-some neat coloring on an illuminated 'M' (gift for me!!)

Aaron
-we sat and read the Bob books together
-he kept himself pretty busy with Knex

All together
-We read the Bible at breakie, than at our break we prayed, read about the Romans from the Synge book (2chpts), read some poetry (talked about geography), and than at lunch we looked at Leaping Trout , our new picture study. (Also listened to a bit of Vivaldi during chores)

Meals
B-Cream of wheat and toast
L-sandwhiches (pb/cheese)
D-leftovers (dal, basmati rice, ceaser salad)

In the afternoon I dropped H and Ar off at their friends and Aaron and Caleb and I went for rootbeers and played at the park! Now it is dinner than violin, then home again , home again jiggetty jig!! (We usually aren't out of the house this much, but it was so beautiful today and thankfully there were leftovers!)

Some New Books

I picked up my order today of a few new books- thanks to our great friends for the gift certificate!

Viking Tales- for Caleb
In God's Garden- for Hannah
Beric the Briton- for Ariel

I also picked up The Story of Mankind from the library for Ar to read when he finishes the Story of Rome.

I had meant to do some planning and some long range goals, but am sacking it tonight in favor of the third HP book and a cup of tea. However, I think this week we will have a spelling focus on Monday, dictation on Tues and Thurs and a written piece on our new painting one day for writing.

Also, I am going to order MCP 6 for Ar. I think it will be a good review and a much needed change for him.

I have the BOB books out and Aaron is loving them... will spend some good one on one with him this week.

Also, must sign off- I let the kids know I am going to wake them up around 7:45 or 8 tomorrow- so we can get moving a little better in the morning and have a nice slower afternoon! Grace is definitely needed- for me that is! Must remember that speed in the morning routine is not as important as love and grace!!

September... the first couple weeks

Back in the swing of things with Math, Latin (sort of ) and writing.
Ariel has been finishing off the Story of Rome, and I have begun reading stories about the Romans from the World History books (Book 1 by Synge) at the Baldwin Project.
Hannah is still devouring Harry Potter book 3 and has put together a beautiful quilt and is quilting it.
Caleb is really enjoying the Singapore 1b and Ariel and I have had two quiet (read no raised voice by mom) math sessions (a small miracle on my part).

Aaron is learning more letters and beginning the Bob books - he also counted to 70 today (I told him I would be that long before we could play baseball together. That kid loves to hit balls!).

I will record more soon with lists etc and goals. I am off to bed- need sleep !!