Combines, Dogs, Babies & Story Problems

Busy week here! The farmer came through with the combine, taking all the corn! Yay! If you've never lived this close to corn before you wouldn't be aware of  how allergic one could be to it. And man am I allergic! But the past month the Morning Glories took over the edge of the corn field and that was so beautiful- I had to venture close to get a shot!

Bug Loves all things tractor related, so watching the farmer in his combine, was the highlight of his day! He was so disappointed when he got up from his nap and the combine was gone.

 Wednesday a package came from my mother-in-law, included in my birthday present was these two photos of my husband as a little guy! The baby pic is about 6 months old and the "big" boy about 10 or 11. (Don't ya just love the smirk!) She also sent Oni's quilt she made for him- Star Wars. And man was Bug jealous! First thing out of his mouth "Oh man! No fair! A Star Wars blanket." even thou he just got a monogrammed dragon quilt in July! (That he picked out!) Haha.

 Thursday was the day our dogs were blessed. See the photo above. well that is my husband's brand new smart phone. While out on a walk with the boys, one of them (who shall remain nameless <Daisy>) got under the side table (that's sandwiched between the couch and the chair) and pulled the phone off the charger and into the middle of the living room. Chewing it to that ^ in less than 20 minutes. My husband held it together well, much better than I expected. This same little doggie has also eaten my meditation books, one of them twice, this week, and Belly Button's flip flops, pulled the binoculars off the porch into the driveway (where they were run over), chewed 3 pacifiers, and an arm band radio. Seriously don't know what to do about this. Its new behavior that's getting worse!

A few shots of Truly just because she's so darn cute!

Look at those expressions!


And then there's been these two! Boy does Bugabuga LOVE his sister. Trying to teach an 18 mo to be gentle and that baby is not a toy is harder. (It wasn't this hard with the first two- but the sexes were opposite, and that probably makes a big difference.) And can anyone tell me why he's so obsessed with standing directly over her like that! Freaks me out!

 

 

 

 

We're finding more rhythm in home schooling. I'm learning what works better for him- like he hates math problems that are repetitive, and prefers story problems (story problems! I hated those!). I'm coming up with more ideas to get us out of books and more into learning while living. Not unschooling but not so structured. I think we're going to try a six weeks on- one week off approach. I like the idea of a break, gives me time to plan the six weeks ahead, catch up on things around the house and him to unwind. 

Home Life, School and a Toddler

We're having normal learning curves with this home school thing. I'm confident we'll find what works for us and get into a groove. But there's one thing that is making more than difficult. Its an 18 mo with big brown puppy dog eyes and a smile that'll knock your socks off. He's a handful. Even without us home schooling Oni, he'd still be the biggest bump in my day. But this kid is SO flippin' charming you can't help but love him and laugh at his antics. Till he screeches that is- when you just wanna put duct tape over his mouth. (Don't go calling CPS now- I never would but the thought helps to lighten the mood.) He reaches decibels I never thought imaginable, but then I remember both Oni and Bug used to do this too. It too shall pass, maybe not for another 6 months and all our ears will be bleeding constantly, but it will pass.

If Bugabuga was just a few months older I would be able to incorporate him into Bugs activities, but since he thinks things like Goop, playdoh, and crayons are better than ice cream he's kinda on the outs for that. And set him up with any other activity and after blinking twice he's done. Attention span is not in his vocabulary. So I let him run around and play (get into everything) while I do what I've got to do. I run damage control while he naps and after he's down for the night. Its our only solution atm. (The husband wants to install 3/4 doors everywhere and just create a big playpen room for him- me not so much- I tend to lend myself more to the free-range kids school of thought. It may work for the chickens but not for little boys. He'd just eventually learn to scale those too. Damn Monkeys.)


You'd think that maybe Truly would be an issue, but really she is only in the sense that I can't keep her safe from Bugabuga and have to constantly hold her. Thank the Goddess for my Ergo- I've used that more often the last week than I have in the last six months. She's big enough for the back carry!!! :D This may change a year from now, when she's 18 months and Bugabuga is is 2.5. But from I experience, and memory girls are easier at this age than boys. (Shh don't laugh at me. Let me have the hope. Please?!)

So we're trudging along. I'm looking for websites, blogs, anything that may give me ideas on how to make this work for us. Home schooling with little ones in tow, home schooling in general, home schooling children with Aspergers, home schooling made easier (is that possible? I'm sure it is, I'm probably just trying too hard. Dang perfectionism!)

Well if anyone wants to borrow a toddler for 6 months? (Joking! Joking!) Or has a plan of attack for me, let me know. Info is always welcomed! And if I find a miracle or just a solution I'll be sure to share it!

(See what I mean! HOW could to stay angry with that face, or try and discipline it. And yes he was getting into Something!)

Homeschooling- The New Begining

So this year we decided to home school Oni for 2nd grade and start on preschool for Bug. We've been at it almost a month. And honestly there are some massive ups and downs. Oni gets bored easily. And when I bought the work books we're using (math, science, and language arts- because he likes work books, usually) I bought for his grade level. Well I'm coming to realize, slowly, he is beyond most of the work (esp in math and language arts) and his resistance is from boredom. Now I can't just go out and buy all new books, so I need to get creative. This I'm finding is harder than I think.

I'd love to do unit studies but his interests varies so quickly, what he likes today he may not like tomorrow. For example he really wanted to send and recive some letters to/from people. I called on some friends and he got plenty of mail, but now he doesn't want to send some himself. He still wants to recive more, just not put any effort into recipocating the letters. How do I handle that? He hates writing, he says. But asks to journal daily? {scratching my head}

I found a few websites that have educational games for him and he could spend hours playing them, but is he really learning anything? I don't know, there's no way for me to "test" that.

Wednesdays are turning into our hardest days, with so much resistance. So I'm brainstorming how to handle them differently. I may turn them into art/music/hands-on science day. Just to lighten the load on us all but also to keep him going.

I'm also slacking on Bug's preschool. It was agreed with the husband I'd start with him while doing Oni. Most days he shows no interest. and I don't feel at 3 yo I need to push him. I never did my others and they've all loved to learn.They learn mostly through play at this age anyways. So when he is interested He's playing "school" and wants to be like his big brother. But he's learning.So slowly, at his pace, he's doing preschool- or maybe its really Playschool!

If you home school, and have any great ideas, sites, books or anything- Please comment. We love sharing here! And I'll be sure to share our adventures, gems and duds as we go!