Occupational Hazards: I have broken a toe for the third time since becoming a mom. This is such a painful and silly condition that I am seriously considering a pair of steel-toed boots to wear indoors. Homeschooling moms of many are just too busy and distracted with household management to move about the house gracefully.
Downton: Speaking of being a busy household manager, I've decided that I relate most to Mrs. Hughes. Yes, as much as I would fancy being an aristocratic tea-sipping upstairs lady, my life is definitely being spent making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to and behaving themselves. My body is not suited for a corset anyway. Other than that - well, now that Matthew & Mary are now "safe" from expectations of marrying one another they are finally opening up and growing up. Daisy & William, the only couple in an appropriate position to marry, were cheered on by the family and staff, persuading Daisy to make a dying man happy against her conscience. While O'Brien and Thomas deserve boos and hisses, Vera just turns my blood cold. I suspect something very evil will happen concerning her character. Sybil must have heard me through the TV screen shouting, "Don't kiss Branson! Run the other way!" when he was in his manipulating mode. She listened to me this time, but I don't know how long she will resist that worm.
Standardized Testing: We had the Peabody man out for the 5th year in a row. Very interesting scores. Big gaps between reading recognition and reading comprehension, like six grade levels with one child. I was told not to be concerned - but still, I am concerned.I am itching to look around for a remedy.
Should test results really influence our educational focus or curriculum choices? Based on the scores of all three children (who scored at or above grade level - no worries really) I am considering changes in our math program, spelling, and word recognition. Just when I thought I had made some long-term decisions, now I will again be looking into Teaching Textbooks, All About Spelling, a Kindle for reading literature and/or going back to the Memoria Press literature guides. The kids will definitely be reading out loud to me more often. Comments on this topic are welcome ; )
Technology: So far, the youngest (of the three oldest) seems to use his iPod the most. We figured they may as well get acclimated to the digital world bit-by-bit so they won't be totally lost in life. They are loaded up with math and geography games, dictionary/thesaurus, weather, maps, classical music, Wiki, a calendar, a metronome, voice recorder, etc. as well as K-9 protection and . I suppose we had better keep making baby steps this direction, though I am not feeling ready for each child to have thier own iPad. What I would like in the near future is a wireless connection from a laptop to the TV so we don't all have to crowd around the computer when I want to show them cool stuff.
I predict that by the time my kids leave home they will be fully digital - no CDs, DVDs, books or paper. Just think - no heavy book boxes to move! Me on the other hand - I depend on my hubby to burn CDs, ge fetch audio books, load up apps, make DVDs of our home video, and have yet to get around to using Skype or dabbling on Pinterest, which appears to be the hot thing, especially for bloggers. I am feeling way behind the technology curve. If I didn't have half my life let to live I would vow to stick with old fashioned books and CDs.
Mother Culture: I love this aspect of Charlotte Mason's philosophy - we homeschoolers love having the freedom to take time for re-creation, whether planned or serendipitous. This week we had two planned field trips and two social get-togethers. We attended an amazing production at CTC of Harold and the Purple Crayon - the animation and puppetry was a delight for all my kids, regardless of age. The Minnesota Orchestra's Young People's Concert featuring Pictures at an Exhibition was splendid as usual. This Saturday is our stay-all-day-in-the-city after violin lessons day. I am thinking we will grab lunch downtown, attend a faculty recital, then hear the William Byrd Mass at St. Agnes in the evening.
The Little Prince: After almost two weeks of weaning he has not forgotten about nursing. I guess this is why most moms wean earlier? He also has a body clock and temper like his sister. He goes to bed between 7 - 8 pm and wakes up crying almost every morning at 5 am. During daytime hours, even with a two hour afternoon nap, he is just not a happy guy lately, but based on his response after a dose of ibuprofen I think he is getting some molars. Just when you think they have all their teeth in!
Wheatlessness: My eldest daughter is not adapting kindly to the changes in the kitchen. Resistance grows stronger each week. The deal is, I said, read Wheat Belly yourself, and then we'll talk. Plus, it's not like wheat is forbidden for the kids, I am just not using it so much since I'm finding great recipes in the Elana's Pantry almond flour cook book.
Around the Net: Google Reader is not as much fun without the ability to share links on my blog sidebar. If I could share some links, these are the ones catching my eye this week:
Love, love, love, Dawn's new set-up with her reading chair, corner desk, and family reading sofa all in one room - and it's not the family room! Oh, if we had that kind of space and light . . .
Love Rachel's "Lessons from Little House" post. It's almost enough to change my mind about letting the kids watch the DVDs of the TV show.
Love how Sarah is actually "Pinning it Down" - implementing ideas she has pinned on Pinterest.
Would love to have time to get started on Pinterest using Kara's How To Guide. Now I am on a waiting list for an invite.
Random Photo: It is spilt milk, and it looks like a bowlegged man.
