Well, all my hopes for an early night went out the window last night when one particular cat knocked the frog tank down {for the second time, I might add} and there was dirty water, rocks and frogs everywhere. Thankfully there were no casualties this time; poor frogs!
By the time I got to bed it was 11 and I discovered my daughter wasn’t too well again, so was up dealing with that. I think I was asleep for midnight and within a few minutes of waking up my son was up, so no peaceful morning to get work done, here. Still I did get a load of laundry done and work phone calls {I had a nightmare about something I had forgotten to do, so I was pleased to tackle that first thing}, while the kids had a good breakfast {cereal, fruit, nuts, apple sauce, pumpkin bread, water, OJ} in anticipation of a big drive later in the day. Then while they did their independent study (math, sentences and reading to each other) I got a couple of hours of work done. They are both so happy about passing a new level of kumon, they did some extra work! : ) We haven’t even begun home educating yet {that begins January 7th} but I’m encouraged by how easily they’ve settled into our routine during the holidays of spending 2 hours each morning completing math, writing work and reading.
Hot on my 2013 goal of connecting with more old friends & new friends, we headed north to spend some time with a family I baby-sat for as a teen! The mum has become a friend, though we see each other very rarely! It was wonderful to catch up, see just how beautifully their children turned out and have people who mean a lot to me meet my children. It was kind of odd to be standing in a house I baby-sat in more than 15 years ago and now I’m there with my children! I also really enjoyed being back in the town I spent many years of my childhood in. After our visit, friends had given us a Christmas treat of going to a wave pool and boy did we have fun! Not only was there a wave machine, but an amazing slide we all had a fabulous time on! Before heading home to a veggie stir-fry, reading, playing games, writing thank you cards and a fun art project where we learned how to draw three leaf clovers! By 6:30 my son was in bed and my daughter and I cleaned up the dinner dishes, did some chores and are just about to snuggle up and read.
So here on day three I realized one of the things I took the time to do, knowing we are in a ”Month of Nothing”, was making sure I packed food galore so that we were not found short {I always pack healthy snacks, but often don’t think of the extra incase we are stuck somewhere etc.}. I also made sure we had books to read and fun activities to do in the car because there is a link between bored children and hearing “Mummy, I’m hungry”. One of the greatest things I learned in my parenting journey! 
And I’ve come to see that this is something I could do more often. Yes it is so much easier this week because I’m not at work {tues-fri}, but I need to find a way to be more prepared every day, to help us save $$ and to make life easier.
And you know, today I felt such contentment. I know for many people taking children out to movies, swimming, skating, play places, fairs etc is a weekly thing, but for us it really is a treat and today I was actually thankful for that. My children are so content with the little things, snuggling on the couch playing games, going for a hike, reading books, visiting the library, planting our garden, and today after our fun swim they both gave me the biggest hugs and said “thank you for bringing us here, Mama”. There are many important values I want my children to have, and I’m seeing they already seem to live so many important qualities like contentment, thankfulness and not feeling entitled. They are such good examples to me!
How is everyone else doing today?
What a lovely day! I’m realizing that I need to make it a priority to reconnect with friends in person. I had a busy day, including a trip to a nearby city to pick up DD at the hospital. When we went to the pharmacy to get her prescriptions, I so wanted a magazine! I kept muttering to myself, “No excess, no excess”, and did manage to get out of the store without one. I also discovered that our library has free downloads (time limited) for the Kindle Fire, so I passed that info on to DH, who finds it hard to resist buying new downloads for his Kindle.
Do hope your DD is ok? Oh how true about pharmacies. I think they were business smart when they began selling everything else. Do you know I actually put off picking up meds yesterday to avoid the temptation? I do have to go today though!
She is okay now, thanks, but it has been a long two weeks with complications from the flu, and we are all exhausted. It’s amazing what a difference the correct medication can make, once the parents get the hospital doctor to sit down long enough to listen to the medical history! (Of course the doctor kept changing because of the holiday schedule.) But all’s well that ends well.
Is that view out a window from your home? It’s lovely! I did pretty well today…sort of. I bought protein powder and a book. Okay, didn’t do well at all!
But I did turn down the invite to go out to lunch, which is huge because I love going out to lunch. However I am committed to bringing my lunch every day, both to save money and to better watch what I eat.
lol no! I wish! In fact we sat there for a long while imagining it was! It is at a somewhat local art gallery we visited with the Godparents last weekend!
Love your picture. Just a quick question: When you begin home educating will that be in addition to state school or instead? Just trying to mentally keep up to date. Thanks Cherrie
Instead of attending a physical school! Though they will have much supplementation. Will do a post soon!
Wow. but good on you too. I did a number of years of home schooling and there is great joy in knowing that you taught your children. Don’t worry about the following years, they follow naturally so long as you can manage with work as well. Cherrie
This is a lovely photo. And it looks like a lovely day. I struggle to keep my little one, 5, satisfied and happy with the little things. You’re doing such a great job.
Be easy on yourself. I have days where I feel like that too. Maybe think of the big picture. I think what is helping my two now is the talk about poverty and acts of service they are doing! Five is a very young age (my son is developmentally 5 and I see how differently he thinks than my daughter who is 8). Hang in there. And thanks for the kind words!
Thanks!
What a great day. I’m doing well on the no spending. Today I paid my monthly bills all at once and did nothing extra. What do your children think about home schooling? When I told mine I was going to home school them it was after nearly an entire school year and both were excited. My eldest wanted to return for high school, but that only lasted one year as he was bored, my youngest never wanted to return, and didn’t.
Well done you on no spending days!!!
That is interesting re: when your children chose to enter the system. I’m thinking a school year at a time right now, anything else feels too overwhelming!
Sounds like you have fount the “sweat spot” and it is really going well for you. I am so glad that everyone is happy and calm. Are you homeschooling them all toghether this year or will they be going to school and then this is extra?
Yes, happy and calm is a great way to describe it! Thanks for making me see that!
It will be home educating without going to a physical school. Will do a post soon!
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