Lenten Disciplines
Before we tucked into our pancake dinner (IHOP is our new Shrove Tuesday tradition!), we discussed Lenten dsiciplines for the kids. I was surprised to hear Daniel eagerly mimicking his older brothers' intentions to give up dessert ("I want to give up zee-ert!"), but we took him at his word. Isaac changed his mind later, deciding to deny himself TV and invention-building, John gave up TV, dessert, and fighting; and Daniel stated (we thought) his intention to give up dessert and videos (aka TV). I was concerned that Daniel gave up the videos, though it would certainly make it easier on the other boys.

Enter Ash Wednesday: all was well until Isaac came in (Daniel beat him to our bed, as usual). Daniel decided it was video time. Paul reminded him he'd given it up for Lent, and Isaac asked in a state of extreme excitement, "Does that mean Easter's tomorrow??" Paul reminded him that he had given up videos and dessert for Lent. After a good (though mercifully brief) cry over the lost videos, Daniel asked hopefully, "Can I have some Zee-ert?"

It's not like I didn't realize there was a cognitive gap there for the little one(s), even before Daniel mentioned something about Mr. Lent not liking thieves last night. That's why I'm not sure it's fair to hold them to their Lenten disciplines- especially poor Daniel. TV & Zee-ert are his favorite times of the day. What do y'all think?

Labels: boys, learning, Lent

- posted by Lenise @ 9:48 AM |

 
New Math
So John's nearly done with his Singapore Math Earlybird Kindergarten books. He's enjoyed them well enough and picked up the concepts without much trouble, so I don't feel like we have any reason to switch to something different. Are there multiple first-grade Singapore math curricula?

Then, of course, the siren song of the Sonlight Core curriculum tempts me. It looks like a really good program, but it's kind of expensive, and looks like it requires discipline from the parents as well as the child (horrors!) While that would be a good thing for us to cultivate around here, I am doubtful of our success.

We'll see what the Daddy says...

Labels: books, boys, learning

- posted by Lenise @ 10:19 PM |

 
October So Far

Dexterity

And art

And cherry cake

Not bad for a Friday when Mama's recovering from a cold!

Labels: art, boys, learning, photos

- posted by Lenise @ 8:15 PM |

 
Gods Works in Mysterious Ways
We were reading Genesis in "School" and had gotten to the day when God created a light to rule the day and a light to rule the night. Jay quickly identified the sun as the former, and just as quickly identified the light to rule the night: lightbulbs!

Labels: Bible study, learning

- posted by Lenise @ 12:36 PM |

 
Thanks, Dawn!
Well, I finally ordered a curriculum. We're going with Heart of Dakota's Little Hearts For His Glory, at Dawn's recommendation. I had gotten a catalog from My Father's World, and really liked the Bible reader, but the Heart of Dakota catalog had a nice sample lesson plan that convinced me it could work for us. Isaac may wander in and out, but I think the lesson plans will be accessible for him, too, so that he'll end up getting a good deal out of it as well. We've already got quite a few workbooks that both boys enjoy working in from time to time, so I think we'll manage to keep everybody occupied.

Labels: books, boys, learning

- posted by Lenise @ 10:33 AM |

 
No School For You!

The state of North Carolina is encouraging us in our homeschool ambitions. No, nothing political- I strongly believe it's a budget-conservation measure- they've changed the age cut-off for enrollment this year from mid-October to August. Given the fact that Jay's already reading and doing a little writing, I'd say he's very definitely ready for kindergarten, so our options seem to be: try to enroll him in the local classical Christian school, which has kept the October cut-off (they get paid by the student, after all!), or give homeschooling a try. Assuming we go with a pre-packaged curriculum, neither option is cheap, but there's a significant difference (unless we get financial aid from BA). I'm tempted to apply, just because Daniel's needing a lot of attention (1-year-olds will) right now, and I think we'd be in a better position to homeschool in another year. On the other hand, if we take Jay out of a "real" school after a year, he's going to be unhappy, I'm sure.

When tax returns come in, it'll be time to figure this all out. Until then, maybe I can do some research on a homemade curriculum.

Labels: boys, learning

- posted by Lenise @ 8:44 PM |

 
Paint, Urine, Coffee Grounds and Other Refuse
OK- I left out the mashed banana guts and grape skins, and the usual diaper contents. Typical day around the house- lots of messes, half-cleaned! All in all, a good day, though. We completed a Kindergarten II workbook page, watched the latest library-provided Blue's Clues video, painted plaster dinosaurs, had fish sticks and tater tots for lunch, put together a chocolate chess pie, finished loading the dishwasher and started it, and even took out the kitchen trash (after the coffee grounds incident, unfortunately!) A bit mundane, this life, but good. I won't miss potty training, though!!

Now, should I be concerned that my baby likes to eat coffee grounds?

Labels: boys, Cleaning (Rah?), learning

- posted by Lenise @ 1:28 PM |

 
Fun With Toxic Fumes and Backbreaking Loads
I am not even kidding! Despite the fact that it was not my idea, I bought a jar of mod podge and went after the cheap world map I bought for the kids. I was going to use contact paper, but my younger brother (who is wise beyond his years) suggested I paint something on. The maps are something like 3' x 5', so contact paper would probably have been an exercise in frustration. I already checked with our local print shop- when I asked if they did laminating, the fellow said (eyeing my 4' tube with obvious doubt) "Yes, up to 12 by 18 inches." Oh well. Anyway, the podge is kinda fumey, but painting is fun!!

Earlier in the evening, #1 son and I went out looking for subway tile, bullnose tile, a medicine cabinet, and possibly a light fixture for the "new" downstairs bathroom. I called our local Lowe's, since Home Despot in B-ton underwhelmed me with their helpfulness when I was trying to order our sink. Despite the fact that subway tile is nowhere to be seen (a new favorite expression of Jay's, incidentally) on Lowes.com, the gentleman I talked to on the phone said that it was in the store and gave me the item number in case I had trouble finding it when I came in.

It wasn't too hard to find, but it was quite hard to lift and gingerly deposit in the race car shopping cart. Paul had offered to come along, and asked me if I'd be OK handling the materials, and I thought I'd be fine, but wow, that stuff is heavy! Jay wanted to help, being an extraordinarily helpful caterpillar, but I had to refuse his aid. It was hard enough maneuvering the stuff when I was in control of all the forces being applied. I cleared the shelf for them, incidentally.

We bought black bullnose tile to accent the black dots in the floor (the contractor suggested it might look nice, and I think he's right) and an octagonal beveled-mirror medicine cabinet (which I really, really hope can be sunk into the wall- the lip is resin and looks tacky, but will be hidden behind the door frame if it's mounted inside the wall), and even a more vintage-looking over-sink light (for $13!). It's got a pull-chain like the ugly fixture we have, so should not require much to install. Then I went to B-ton to pick up my special order tile, which I could have had delivered for $8 if I had ordered online, which I intended to do, but for the sink. Long, frustrating story, but I have the sink (ordered elsewhere with a $90 delivery fee) and the tile I want. I just hope it all looks good together!!!

Anyway, I'm quite pleased with the purchases, and I need to hurry and get a "before" picture! The guys are coming tomorrow to start tearing out the kitchen paneling and getting the beadboard underneath touched up. Monday, the plumber is supposed to be here, and then things are going to get very interesting very quickly. Especially since our beechwood counters from Ikea won't be shipping until maybe the 24th. *Sigh*

Maybe we'll use the 5-panel door lounging around the bathroom (taken off of the office doorway) as a temporary countertop.

Labels: bathroom, home improvement, learning, Old Houses

- posted by Lenise @ 10:14 PM |

 
Favorable Homeschool Coverage
On WRAL, even.

Labels: learning

- posted by Lenise @ 4:51 PM |

 
Research
Jay decided he'd like to borrow a book about frogs from the library. I've been looking up some juvenile books available at our branch of the library in preparation for our (presumed) trip tomorrow, but if anyone has a sure-fire suggestion, I'm always willing to place an order at Amazon. Isaac said he'd like a puppy book, so we'll probably just peruse the nearby shelves for puppy books, which are no doubt plentiful.

Meantime, we need to figure out how serious we are about home schooling. Jay will only be 4 in September, but I know we'll have to be getting some paperwork ready, not to mention minor details like a curriculum, if we want to run his education in-house.

As you might suspect, I have my doubts about attempting any such thing when I'm working 3 days a week. Things may be different by the end of the summer, though, in regard to our job situation, so I'm not giving up.

I'm all ears if you'd like to share homeschool advice/experiences, particularly when it comes to boys.

Labels: books, boys, learning

- posted by Lenise @ 6:49 PM |

 
Lesson Learned
Never take a three-year-old to the pediatrician in flu season unless he is the principal. First off, he lords it over his younger brother ("No, Isaac, you can't go! You are not 'e extra boy!"). Then he comes down with a runny nose two days later. Then everybody else comes down (including the baby) with the sore throat/runny nose just in time for the "extra boy" to sink into febrile misery. I'm still hoping all we've got is a cold: that's all it feels like, and I did get my flu shot this year...

Labels: boys, illness, learning

- posted by Lenise @ 8:10 PM |

 
A Teenager, Already?
Jay just started answering questions with "I don't know" today, starting when I asked him whose job it was to clean up the playroom (guess who trashed it!) He then used that same answer four or five more times today. THAT habit didn't take long to develop!

Then, after his nap this afternoon (from which he awoke very grumpy, as usual), Jay was trying to do something with his new $.50 remote control car when I laughed (really, just chuckled) at a mishap of his. "A's not fu'y, Mama," he told me, perfectly seriously. Then I really had to stifle the laughter.

And finally, tonight, the boy said to me, "Mine not fat, Mama." Obviously, I affirmed that he is not. I don't know where all of this is coming from. Sunday, he was promoted to the 3-year-olds class at church and to children's worship, and by Tuesday, he's a teenager. Yikes!!

Of course, he also said to me this morning (again with the utmost seriousness, while tracing the edge of the lid of his sippy cup) "Mine gweasing mine wid wike a mouse."

Labels: baby talk, boys, learning

- posted by Gary @ 7:58 PM |

 
Spelling Bee
Paul and Jay have been having reading lessons most nights. From what I've seen of it, the book follows a solid phonics approach, and as it comes highly recommended by Jordana, I'm sure it's an excellent book. We were quizzing Jay back in July on what letter various words started with, and he seemed to be doing very well with "B" words, and maybe another letter or two. He has an "ARMY" shirt from Grandma and Grandpa, so when he's wearing that, I'll ask him how to spell army, and he can tell me (it was pretty funny when I asked him that at our friends' wading pool- he was a little disappointed to see his bare chest).

Anyway, tonight I asked him if he had had a reading lesson today. He told me that he had, and I asked him what he had read ("Books.") "Any words?" "Me." "How do you spell "me"?" "Aaah, ummm, M?" "Yes! What's next?" "Ummm.. E!"

Not bad for a two-year old! (Yeah, yeah, so he's almost three, and he still says, "Fine!" when you ask how old he is ;) )

Labels: baby talk, boys, learning

- posted by Gary @ 9:58 PM |