OK, I know it is ridiculous to be so tired so early into the school year, but this week really wore me out! Part of it is because I think I may have overscheduled myself. (OK, I know I have.) You remember that old commercial where the guy is at his desk saying, “I can do that. I can do that. I can do that. How am I going to do this????” That’s a little how I’ve been feeling. Thankfully a few of the things are short term commitments.
The biggest difficulty has been my son and his cross country practices. He has practices on both Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 am. (Not to mention 6 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays and 9 am on Saturdays! He doesn’t have to attend all of them, but needs to run if he doesn’t.) Thankfully my husband drops him off in the morning, but I have to get the other kids ready to pick him up by 8! So 2 mornings this week have started by my frantically yanking children out of bed, having them throw clothes on, choke down a bite of breakfast, then run to the van to pick up their brother. Unfortunately, the practices have run late! So then I’ve ended up sitting in the van with tired, hungry, irritable kids waiting…. I did find out that I can be there at 8:15 from now on. Those 15 minutes may make a big difference in my morning.
The good news is, we started back with Tapestry of Grace Year 2 this week. We’re picking up where we left off, so we’re starting Unit 3 which begins with Jamestown. I’ve been reading the Dialectic history selections (from This Country of Ours) aloud in the mornings for all the kids. Then I’ve been reading the Dialectic literature selection, Almost Home, aloud at lunch. We’re on track with This Country of Ours, but a bit behind on Almost Home. I don’t necessarily plan on doing all the reading aloud for the whole unit. (Actually, I know I can’t possibly do that.) But this time I liked the literature selection for Dialectic level better than the Upper Grammar one, so I decided to have both the older kids do the same literature.
We did one fun (and yummy) project this week.
Cookie dough maps! Because I am a martyr like to cook from scratch, I made homemade sugar cookie dough. (It would work just as well with store bought.) There are maps taped to the table under the parchment paper. Then the kids spread the dough to cover the maps. We decorated with chocolate chips for the mountain ranges and green sugar.
Then we baked the maps on the parchment paper on a cookie sheet. I think this is after we baked it. My daughter added blue sugar for the Great Lakes.
This is my older son’s map after baking. He thought the others used too many chocolate chips (like there could be such a thing!) for the mountains. He also was NOT interested in having his picture made with a cookie!
All the other subjects are going well for the older two children. Teaching my younger son anything is like pulling teeth. I’m really struggling with him. It is very difficult to get his attention.
My older son has almost finished Module 1 of Apologia General Science. I expect an “interesting” discussion when I explain to him that he needs to study for a test! My plan is to also add some science in for the middle kids this week. We’ll see. Thankfully I’ve got Monday off!
Wow, that does sound like a busy schedule. Glad some of your things are short term, that always helps. Those cookie dough maps are so cute. What a great idea. 🙂
JoAnn
The cookie maps are great. I can’t imagine that cross country schedule. Is that for the whole year. I hope not.
Blessings,
Dawn
Thankfully Cross Country Season is over in mid-October!
I love the Map idea. I know we are working on Goegraphy right now and I love the idea of a project you can eat. I was considering a salt dough map but cookies are way better. Thanks for the Idea.
Brandy
Cookie maps… what a great idea!
I hope your family can settle into a good routine soon. It’s always hard when school first starts!
Good Grief, sometimes I just can’t believe how much commitment sports require! The mad dash in the morning must be another reminder of why homeschooling is such a great option!
Sounds like a very busy week! I’m always amazed, though, at how much my kids have learned, even when I cut stuff out of our schedule. I love the map idea – I might have my son do that later in the year. He needs more hands-on stuff than my daughter ever did. Have a great week next week!
May you enjoy what you may of this busy time! Cookie maps are very cute.
Wow, that sounds very busy. Like you, I am thinking we are overscheduled this year, and things really haven’t even started! The maps look like a fun project. I wanted to say thank you for your comments on my blog, and let you know that I am going to be making my blog private on blogger. If you are interested in being a reader, let me know.
Wow, we’re going to do cookie maps, too! What a wonderful idea!
And I’ve now finalized my decision that my kids. will. not. do. basketball. Thanks for sharing your exhausting morning schedule!
Annie Kate
We’re skipping basketball this year too!
The maps look great! I hope Cross-Country season isn’t too long.
Janet W
Thankfully CC is just through mid-October.
We did ours this week for North America. Turned out tasty. Thanks again for the idea.