January...

With January and the packing away of Christmas decorations, organization and new schedules is at the forefront.

As I took a closer look at the past 3 months, I realized that I had let a lot of distractions fill our home school day. The girls handled this well for the first little while, as the newness of the house offered many new play opportunities, but they gradually became more competitive, unkind, and attention seeking -usually the wrong kind- at every opportunity. It wasn't hard to connect the two! So after the usual busyness of December, the girls and I sat down to chat about how we could resolve these issues.

We have decided to take 2 hours every morning (from 10 - 12) where I will make myself fully available to them -no phones, no household maintenance. Before 10, our goal is to get out of bed :) - have had breakfast, made our beds, and gotten dressed and freshened up ie: teeth, etc.

We are trying to also take turns a bit, where the girls have a chance to sit with me one on one, for a game or reading practice, or whatever they may choose while the other plays on their own nearby.

Now, we are by no means keeping to this strictly, and when opportunity rises, we would definitely take the time for an all day field trip, or time spent with friends, or even a recreational choice like skating or swimming which seem to fall in the morning. But, for the days we are home, we are finding it a great way to start our day!

Week one, and the girls have been responsive, happier, more helpful, and much more caring to each other. They are also so much more willing to let me get the things that do need to be taken care of done later in the day.

I myself am finding the joy of homeschooling back as well! After feeling quite down about the girls behaviour and lack of focus, it is sombering but also inspiring to realize that it was my lack of focus to blame. I can really begin to see how the ebb and flow of homeschooling can really depend on the ebb and flow of the family unit as a whole, and when we remember to make that our first priority, everything else runs smoother and more with more ease.

Rory

Came in to the kitchen to catch Rory basking in the sun on the kitchen stool. Can't blame her really as we keep our house at 62 degrees - 17 Celsius and the kitchen floor is an uninsulated crawlspace.

Must put that on the "to do list" for the coming year! :)

Time to archive our 2007 cover picture and move on... *sob*... they grow so fast!

Christmas fun...

Yet again, time has flown by and I am back to catching up here on the blog.

With the new year comes a new "plan", and part of that involves more regular journaling on my blog... again! (More to come...)

but for now, I will leave you with a picture update of our Christmas season.

Fane Christmas - the stockings were a big hit, but "cousin" Dave stole the show for the girls.

Christmas with my parents at our house (below)
Highlights included opening the special package from my sister in China.

Celebrating New Years

Seven kids showing off their new -New Years pyjamas

A new tradition...

Event: Decorating an outdoor tree for the animals.

The preparations...

(and some munching!)

Trecking to the perfect tree -laden with goodies.

The fun of climbing up high and finding the perfect branch.

The beauty of the bright colours standing out against the pine green and stark white.

The results: Happy animals! Happy kids! An amazing experience.