All in a day's work!

So today has been an adventure, and it's not even over. It started off just Hannah and I, snuggling on the couch, playing some video games this morning while the boys slept. We have a rule that, in general, unless we are going out or having guests over, the kids can pick out their own outfits. Hannah dressed for summertime.

Then, it was time for breakfast-cereal with chocolate milk. Then clean up time. Then I got a shower while the kids played reading games on the computer (www.starfall.com).  Then, it was time for lunch. Pasta for the girls and sandwiches for the boys.  We measured out the water and the pasta, and cut the sandwiches into various shapes they chose.  Then Christmas themed Math worksheets.

Today Hannah learned how to carry the 10's!!! She was so excited when she figured it out too. I love the feeling that comes with learning something for the first time and seeing that light bulb go off. Then we put a turkey in the oven for dinner, and later she will help me make the side dishes. Now it's time for Naps for the younger kids, and resting/reading time for Hannah and Mom.  After that, we'll probably play some chess or a board game, and then maybe work on our unit study on Christmas around the world before dinner.  Then the kids can set the table, and help get things ready for dinner. After we eat, we will maybe watch a movie, then baths, then bed. 

Then again, that's just today. Tomorrow we may do nothing but color and watch cartoons all day (although I doubt it).  Instead, we might buckle down and work on memorizing some math facts, or write a letter to the grandparents.  Or I may have Hannah read a book to the boys and then I'll make up a quiz on it for her to take. Then we could do a science experiment. Or maybe we'll do a counting and sorting activity-I still am trying to get caught up on laundry.  Or maybe, just maybe, we'll go on a field trip. We do that a lot-I would say once or twice a month, at least. Whenever the mood strikes us really. In fact, I try to do at least one a week although it doesn't always happen. We might go to the zoo, or the children's museum, or see a play. Sometimes we go to the grocery store and use that as an opportunity to talk about money and the cost of things. Sometimes we go to the post office and talk about how mail gets from one person to the next. We can even turn a check up at the doctor's office into a field trip! That's one of the reasons I love LOVE love Homeschooling so much is that each and every part of our day becomes a learning opportunity for them.  It's definitely not right for everyone, and takes patience and lots of love, but it works for us and I wouldn't have it any other way!!