365 Day Challenge So Far

Grrrr....there isn't much else to say, really. Like New Year's Resolutions gone awry, my personal challenge to read to my children for 365 days is lacking consistency. Consistency is a constant struggle for me! I am finding weekend outings, birthdays and holidays to be some of my obstacles. I am problem solving these situations to overcome them. Weekend outings are a relatively easy fix: take the book on the trip and read while we are traveling. (My husband's idea.) Birthdays are a little more difficult I can think of a thousand things to do to preoccupy myself on these days but I am going to hunker down and do it or get over not having a perfect track record, but why would I want to lower my expectations. Holidays are another stumbling block. My husband is home then and I would much rather spend time with him and stay in bed. My normal expectation is to read to the children in the morning. I struggle to complete an activity if I miss its schedule time. I am going to have to work on adjusting my expectations on holidays. And again I am probably going to have to hunker down and just get it down, whenever or give up sleep to get it done. I guess I am looking at a little more effort, discipline, dedication and possibly an adjustment in my expectations.

The First Day of School

I love education. Probably because I love learning. I wish I could figure out how to learn more, faster. It is amazing because no matter how much I love it the school year always seems to sneak up on me.

This year I was forced to think about school much sooner than usual. My eldest, Kaylee, turns 14 this year and decided it was time to start LDS Seminary. Technically, she could have waited until next year but she was undeterred. In her mind, it was time. I am glad she wants to take on this adventure. I am not sure I am too excited about the schedule. Attending Seminary means we get to wake up at five in the morning. Thrilling right?

So our school day starts at five in the morning. Kaylee gets ready for the day and I get ready for the gym. We usually are so quick about it that we spend a bit of time getting morning chores done. It is our fun time when we get to talk about whatever. After I drop her off I hustle over to the gym. It is the only time I get to myself all day. So, even though, I trudge along doing my best to improve my running time and endurance I cherish this time I get to carve out.

When we get home my husband, Thomas, gets the other children up for the day. Before he leaves for work we gather as a family to read the Scriptures. We are back to basics: The Book of Mormon. I get breakfast together for my husband. (I have made him breakfast almost every morning since moving into this house.) Then the children rustle up some grub. They usually want such different things that they make their own breakfast. I am not too fond of playing short order cook. We finish the rest of our chores then start our open exercises.

This year both of my boys, Lije and Chance, are in Cub Scouts. Lije is a Webelo. (Lije managed to finish is Bear three days before his birthday. Congratulations.) Chance is a Wolf, but is working on his Bobcat. I am excited for both of them but somehow this makes me feel way too busy. To ease the craziness of Cub Scouts, we are incorporating it into our school day. As part of the open exercises, we go over all the scout ideals. I am hoping Chance is able to pass off his Bobcat requirements sooner than later.

In order to give my girls a fair shake, after making them recite all the Cub Scout ideals, we do the LDS Young Women's theme. Slightly modified for the boys because girls are yucky and have cooties! (Thank goodness.) We are also working on their Faith in God requirements.

After opening exercises we break off into individual lessons. This sounds a lot more formal than it actual is. I must admit I lean towards the un-schooling philosophy. Now that I look back on my children's development I do not regret that decision at all. We do not delineate between learning, fun and playtime. They all exist together. Every moment is a learning moment. Every moment is a fun moment. Even if I am the only who thinks so!