Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Have you been here?
My kids are HUGE computer people. Who can blame them? Brady and I live our lifes, both professionally and personally, on the computer. Between our 2 laptops, 2 desktops, iphone and blackberry, we live via the internet in our home.
We are also a TJed family. We are trying hard to control the information they come in contact with, allow them to explore and learn at their own pace and surround them with the classics. For me this doesn't just mean books, though that is a HUGE part of it. We have spent the last 6 months building up a library of classics. Some of our favorites include Legos, blocks, Megaformers, Chess, Yahtzee, and many others. We play SpinUSA, read the Little House series and the Boxcar Children, cook, clean house and play outside.
But one constant remains, the desire to get on the computer. Don't get me wrong, there are some GREAT educational sites out there. The problem has been many are "too boring" or it's too easy for them to get led off to a place that is not so educational. What starts as building a city quickly becomes chasing bad guys around that city and shooting them. (Yes, I have 2 boys)
So yesterday during a meeting with our ES (educational supervisor) she mentioned a site she uses with her kids. Brainpop.com. We quickly looked it up and signed up for a trial membership. I LOVE IT!!!! Our new house rule is if you are on the computer, you are either blogging or on BrainPop. They can learn anything they want. There are cartoon videos for EVERY topic imaginable. Katrina is into health and diet and spent an hour learning about oral hygiene. Tyler spent time studing Benjamin Franklin because he's been reading about him in 39 Clues and Carter, last I checked was watching a movie about "The Twilight Zone" of the ocean. Apparently it's a real thing. While showing them around the site this morning I even learned some things about JFK that I didn't know. Not only does it have videos but it has quizes, activities, experienments and games to go with each topic. And with each topic is a list of related topics.
I enjoy homeschooling the kids. Everyday brings new challenges, but it is exciting and VERY rewarding. I was afraid it would be a nightmare. That not having several hours away from them everyday would drive me nuts, VERY QUICKLY. But I was wrong. The more time we spend together, the more I learn about them and TJed, the better we all get along and enjoy eachothers company.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
We love homeschooling. Katrina Loves school and begs to be allowed to do school work. Carter loves that he is in core phase and gets to play at learning all day. Tyler... well, that has been a struggle. He does school during school time. But he doesn't love it. He wants me to tell him when and what to do, and does the minimium. He doesn't give me grief or argue. He just wants to be directed. Him and I have talked a lot about the phases, he says he is in love of learning, and I pointed out he doesn't "love to learn."
I was listening to a seminar while getting ready today. It was about adult phases. She made a few interesting points. I've always thought I just needed to jump into my own scholar phase and have really struggled doing this. From her suggestions I realised I need to go back to core phase, get some good core phase books and soon I will be in Love of Learning and move forward from there.
She also said that in love of learning it's not about mission, it's about talents.
"Hey Ty- what are your talents?"
This started a great discussion that led to everyone making a list of their talents and things they would like to be talents.
"So how about instead of school, we work on our talents."
Out came the talking globe as one of Ty's talents is geography. Katrina went to the computer with her scriptures to listen to the audio scriptures. Listening is one of her talents. And Carter pulled out the art supplies because coloring is one of his talents.
I think we may be on to something. Developing talents not School.
I was listening to a seminar while getting ready today. It was about adult phases. She made a few interesting points. I've always thought I just needed to jump into my own scholar phase and have really struggled doing this. From her suggestions I realised I need to go back to core phase, get some good core phase books and soon I will be in Love of Learning and move forward from there.
She also said that in love of learning it's not about mission, it's about talents.
**LIGHT BULB**
"Hey Ty- what are your talents?"
This started a great discussion that led to everyone making a list of their talents and things they would like to be talents.
"So how about instead of school, we work on our talents."
Out came the talking globe as one of Ty's talents is geography. Katrina went to the computer with her scriptures to listen to the audio scriptures. Listening is one of her talents. And Carter pulled out the art supplies because coloring is one of his talents.
I think we may be on to something. Developing talents not School.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I love Fly Lady. There was a time in my life, I COULD NOT manage my house. I suffered from a serious case of CHAOS. As the children have gotten older, things have become a little more controlled. We have a schedule and I no longer have to do it all alone. As a matter of fact, I do very little. I am a supervisor not a laborer when it comes to cleaning our home.
Yesterday I downloaded some Tjed Seminars. I listened to one called "Home Management." She talked about several tools to help around your house, but the one that struck me was, "get dressed to your shoes." This is the same advice FlyLady gives. I had forgotten. So this morning I did it. I got up, got dressed, and put on my shoes.
Chores are about done, thanks to my well trained children.
Drapes and blinds are open to let in the sun, if it decides to make an appearance.
Breakfast is eaten. Mountain Dew in hand. (Don't judge me)
Emails are answered.
Blog is updated.
Now I will make my list and get busy with getting productive.
Yesterday I downloaded some Tjed Seminars. I listened to one called "Home Management." She talked about several tools to help around your house, but the one that struck me was, "get dressed to your shoes." This is the same advice FlyLady gives. I had forgotten. So this morning I did it. I got up, got dressed, and put on my shoes.
My children watched in confusion.
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to be productive."
and I am.
Chores are about done, thanks to my well trained children.
Drapes and blinds are open to let in the sun, if it decides to make an appearance.
Breakfast is eaten. Mountain Dew in hand. (Don't judge me)
Emails are answered.
Blog is updated.
Now I will make my list and get busy with getting productive.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
So I was on the phone with my sister Tammy. I had my headset on and was walking around the house. I went in my room, plugged in my phone, and ended my conversation...
I came out of my room and walked by the living room where Tyler was playing.
"Tyler, you need to clean up this room, ecspecially since you really didn't do that good on your chores this morning."
"Yes I did" He says with a smile and a wink.
"BS" I said back jokingly.
"Are you still on the phone?"
"No, why?"
"Well that would be bad if your sisters heard that you talk to your kids like that."
I came out of my room and walked by the living room where Tyler was playing.
"Tyler, you need to clean up this room, ecspecially since you really didn't do that good on your chores this morning."
"Yes I did" He says with a smile and a wink.
"BS" I said back jokingly.
"Are you still on the phone?"
"No, why?"
"Well that would be bad if your sisters heard that you talk to your kids like that."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
We had a great holiday.
Brady returned home from a business trip the afternoon of the 23rd, and spent the next 2 weeks (almost) home with us. Christmas Eve we had friends over, did tuta-doos, the nativity, and ate lots of food.
Christmas morning was great. Carter got a drum set, Katrina got a play kitchen and Tyler got a gi and Tapout jacket, amongst many other toys, nerf guns, clothes, xbox kinect and lots of board games and books.
The morning after Christmas I woke up sick. I had a fever, no voice and ached all over. It was Sunday morning and I was supposed to teach Relief Society. I crawled to the phone to call Joanna, got her voice mail. I crawled back to bed thinking I'd try again later. I fell back to sleep and woke up at noon. Church was at 1. So I prayed for strength, and dragged myself to the shower. I survived, and as far as I can remember the lesson went over pretty well. I was sick for 2 more day.
The next few days were spent playing Kinect, computer, eating and watching movies. New Years Eve we went to a friends home for a couple hours and visited with a group of families from the ward. We left there at 10, picked up the sitter and dropped her and the kids back at the house. Then Brady and I went to ring in the new year at the club he Dj's at. The owners were so great. When we ran into them the said, "Hold on we got something for you." They came back with a bottle of sparkling cider for us, 3 flavors since they didn't know what we liked. Just before 12 they brought us champagne flutes full of cider to toast the New Year. It was a fun night with great friends, though we didn't stay late. We were headed home by 12:30.
Monday morning Brady got up bright and early to return to work. He left just before 8, and came back 15 minutes later. I rolled over half asleep and asked, "You forget something?" "No one is there, apparently I have another day off."
What a great present. One more day with Dad. We walked to Walmart, then to Jack in the Box for lunch, (note: don't ever eat there,) we finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows and used an entire roll of toilet paper as we all bawled our eyes out, followed by hours of board games.
It was a great Holiday. We had an incredible 2010, with huge changes for good in our life. Here's to an even better 2011!
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