Eclectic is me

This is what sums up our approach to homeschooling. We have added more curriculum to our stash as what we had needed more revision and beefing up if you like. Fortunately we started part time homeschooling when number 1 was in kindergarten and it turns out we could have almost stuck with the resources we were using as the books that continue on from that have been what number 1 needs lol. I haven't informed the school of our changes as yet but as they don't mind what i do im not concerned. We are now using a combination of curriculum with bits and pieces from each tailored to suit number 1. It takes alot more work, but it stops number 1 from getting bored and makes sure understands concepts. English needed more revision so we are using lem phonics and learn to read,write and spell for that and are not using queensland handwriting recomended by the school at all (as it would be overkill on learning handwriting). Mus didn't start at a simple enough level, strangely enough easy learn aimed at the same age group does so we have abandoned mus for now in favor of easy learn until number 1 is ready for mus. We have added childen's poetry books from the libarey, lots of science books from the libarey and some sose books from..... the libarey. It's no wonder that when i did a stock take of our libarey books i realised we had too many and i needed 2 trips from the car to return alot of them lol. I'm wanting to add apologia young explorers flying creatures but i think i've spent enough on curriculum for now so we'll wait till mid year when we have a better idea of where we are headed. I truely don't know how people could stick with the one curriculum for everything , we much prefer to have the best curriculum suited for number 1 for each subject. It's also much easier to maintain a little one's interest as everything is presented just that bit differently. Looks like i must come across as someone who has been or is going to do this for a long time as i've got 2 people looking to me for advice on homeschooling when really we've only just started lol.

Just For This Day

Just For This Day

Just for this morning, Im going to smile whenever I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you wake up softly, all rumpled in your flannel and I will hold you until your ready.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say your beautiful.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I am going to eat a huge breakfast, with bacon, toast, eggs and waffles, and you don't have to eat any.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that 100 piece puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the garden blowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry what you are going to be when you grow up or who you might have been before your diagnosis.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix things.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you put all kinds of barrettes in my hair, and put lipstick on my face, and I will tell you how pretty you have made me look.

Just for this afternoon, I will take you to McDonalds and buy us both a Happy Meal, so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born, and how much we love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the bathtub and not get angry when you throw water over your sister's head.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch swing and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will bring you glasses of water and snuggle beside you for three hours and miss my favourite show on t.v.

Just for this evening, when I kneel down to pray, I will simply be grateful for all that I have and not ask for anything, except

Just one more day.

1999 Sally Meyer

Just over 1 week 2 go!

So the countdown is on, though Mr bean reckons we should start now I'm not as eager as im trying to finish a big spring clean before we start lol. Meanwhile number 1 has been developing her own activites to stimulate that active brain of hers, thats when she isn't teaching number 2 to how to get into mischief. Number 1 developed her own ramp of sorts for toy cars out of a pencil holder, a poster rolled up and a cup. She has also grabbed the lem phonics manual i was looking at, turned to the page of how to write the alphabet, got some paper and pencil and started copying them! The final antic of late of this child was when I was describing number 2 as being a bit of a drama queen to which she responded 'no im the drama queen' then proceeded to demonstrate by chucking a pretend temper tantrum (kicking on the floor type) which number 2 watched and decided to try to copy. We have a big few months coming up with school and number 1's birthday (which is turning into a big event with every one flying up).

down to business

Having a boy one of my first joys was proclaiming to mr bean that toilet training for this one was his job. I actually counted myself pretty lucky as i had number 1 in family daycare 1 day a week so i could study and our lovely carer toilet trained her in 1 day lol. Anyways a few days ago number 2 awoke dry then proceeded to wet the bed as i changed him. So when i found him dry again this morning i decided to seize the opportunity (not to mention save my bed) and plonked him on the potty. Yes it was more toilet timing but.... he did use the potty! Now just to make it a regular thing and extend to daytime. Ahh memories... bring on the wet pants and looking for toilets everywhere we go just in case and the i need to go NOW toilet dashes. Though i think thats awhile off yet

So the celebrant asks in church on Saturday 'Who remembers their baptism?' to which the youngest member of the congregation ( my little number 2 who is 17 months) pipes up 'meah' (his version of me) lol. The only person there who had any chance of doing so. He has also discovered the joys of pulling a full plaster cast off, to the point where we have had to replace it with a simple back slab. Numer 1 is feeling a little put out by all the attention number 2 is getting for his arm, ahh her time is just around the corner with school on the horizon. In the meantime her hyper, attention seeking mode is in force scaring those who aren't used to number 1 in her excitable state lol.

sisters in faith award

The lovely Ganeida has bestowed on me this award.

So I'll pass it on to.....

Pass this onto those who have been blogging with you from the beginning...

Liddy at http://lobstar89.blogspot.com

she has been blogging for longer than me but need some encouragement to blog a bit more lol.

Pass this along to one new sister in faith...

Well since I am the newest blogger that I read the best I can do is pass this onto the next newest which is a brother in faith lol my darling husband

Mr Bean at http://ramblesandnotesfromanisland.blogspot.com

Fresh Air

With an errand to run and Mr Bean's suggestion of a nice stroll, we headed out for a walk yesterday. It's so easy to get overwhelmed by job's to do that one forgets to even get out of the house for abit and after only a few days at home the little ones start bouncing off the walls. We all throughly enjoyed our time out so much that im tempted by the idea of going out for new years eve and some more regualar walks in the new year. With number's 1 's boredom reaching new heights without kindy etc and therefore her imagination going utterly wild and somewhat dangerous (i say as my kichen utensils are being thrown whilst standing on a 10 litre water bottle and dressed up with goggles on her head! i've learnt not to ask). I think a night out, a day with this family getting house work under control then its time for some schooling to start to help control this enthuastic young mind lol. Number 1 is desparate to learn all about number 2's injury so she'll tag along for re plastering next week, which should be an interesting experience for all.