Laminating.

Could be my new obsession. Ok that's a strong word, but I laminated for the first time, today. I had 77 charts in various subjects that came with my curriculum. They suggested laminating. I was trying to get away with not doing it, but there is no way they would last the school year. My local office store quoted $1.00 per sheet. $77.00 no thank you. Lakeshore did all 77 for $9.00. Bummer is that now I have to cut them all. However, at .29 cents a linear foot. I'm impressed!

Day 17. Have Patience.

Today was all about the class store. The last school day of each month is shopping time. The kids were beyond excited. So much so, that I was nervous as to what they were expecting. We did half of our school work, had a break, and then came in to shop. It was fascinating to watch.

Each child has a specific grand prize that only they can purchase. A 75% off Wii fishing game for Cameron, that cost me $9.98. A formal dress with a fur jacket for each of the girls dolls. The outfits cost me $12.00 a piece, after 40% off coupons at Joanns. There is 2 grand prizes a year. One now and one in Feb. These grand prizes are 75 sticks each. The other items cost me $15 and vary in stick pricing. Lots of goodies were donated by grandma.

Cameron had 34 sticks and spent 7. Taylor had 39 sticks and spent 12. Emma had 34 sticks and spent 13.

I was trying to make this store time, age appropriate for all 3 of them. Give them rewards for their hard work, but also teach them about saving and waiting. Emma ended up in tears as she was frustrated and not understanding why she couldn't buy her dollie outfit now. I explained it to her and the tears increased. "Emma, why are you so upset?" I asked. She blurted out between tears "I want my dollie outfit now. I don't want to wait. It's too hard and its not what I want to do." She's in touch with her feelings, I must give her that one. I found myself getting disappointed a bit because of her attitude until I realized that I am very guilty of this same thing on a very regular basis. I can only imagine God knowing all the good and perfect gifts He has for me and I get grumpy because I want them NOW! It's too hard to wait. Nice reminder for me.

I had everyone sit in a circle and start naming the good things about the situation. Quickly the tears went away and the smiles came back. The focus changed from the bad to the good. In every situation you will always find both. What you choose to focus on is up to you. I found myself teaching Emma the very thing I needed to remember today. "Trust me little one, all your treasures will come. There are just some things you need to learn first." With that done, there is just 153 school days left until summer.

Hey Mom.

Every 2.2 seconds, all day long, those sweet words are yelled in my ears. I want a classroom environment, but we are at home. I was hoping to avoid the raising of the hand scenario. No more. Literally, every 2.2 seconds someone is blurting out something from their seat. With three of them in here... you can imagine. So for now, its hand raising time. What do you other homeschool mom's do with this issue? Help me!

Day 16. On the run.

I have an event for work this weekend, so extra work hours for me. Grandma came again today and I left at 10:30. We did some work before she came and then I left my kidlets in her very capable hands. I came home to completed school work and pictures from the day. I also received the following note regarding Cameron's math.

"Your sub does not know metrics.

Teach him this! I couldn't figure it out!

Gave me a stress headache...BOTH SIDES."

While school was in session, the kids completed all their work. Emma practiced writing "S" and "T". There was a lot of erasing involved, I hear. Grandma added p.e. into the day. She made a slalom course for the kids to ride their bikes through. Extra Credit for her!

They went to Mountain Mike's for lunch and Emma napped in her nap spot.

I ran tons of errands, snuck in some fall clothes shopping for the kids,

and basically just spent 7 glorious hours ALONE! Sometimes you just need that.

Now there is only 154 school days until summer.

Mistakes.

Classroom tip of the day. Don't forget, when you bring your newly growing plants outside, you are supposed to bring them back inside in the evening. Particularly if its 102 degrees outside.

Day 15. Butterfly Fly Away.

I can not believe how fast the butterfly thing happened. Wow. Today we released them. I thought Emma would freak as I realized I am not sure that she knew that we had to let them go. She was fine with it. In fact, she reached in, picked the butterfly up and sent him on his way. However, she does think that they are going to come and build a nest and have babies at our house. She's hilarious.

We got through our school work pretty smoothly. I wrote out the assignments for Cameron and Taylor on a piece of notebook paper the night before. It was amazing how much time it saved. The curriculum I am using has each subject broken down into days for you, but they are all in different books. It takes forever to keep switching between them. I have an idea formulating for a custom planner!

I got two glimpses into my future today. I am not sure I liked either one of them. First, I watched this gorgeous butterfly, leave its little home, and fly away. I couldn't help but wonder for a brief moment how I am going to feel on the day that I watch one of our little munchkins leave home. Fortunately for now, they are still young enough that the thought scares them. In fact, Cameron said he wants to live at home forever so that he can save money for video games.

Secondly, towards the end of the school day, Emma was building with blocks while singing and talking to herself as she was doing it. I stopped her and said, "Emma, you need to be quiet please, the kids are doing their work." What I heard next, frightened me to my core...."Um, well mommy, then why did God give me a voice?" It was complete with attitude. She just turned 5. I'm afraid for 15. Heck, I'm afraid for 6. Just 155 schools days left until summer.

Groovy Smoothies.

May I just say delicious. I have tried lots of smoothie combos, but I love this one the most. Best of all everything except the Protein Powder (which is from the Vitamin shoppe) is from Costco. Almost one stop shopping...all three of my kids love 'em. This tends to be breakfast or a snack these days. I don't know why I couldn't manage to throw together a smoothie when the kids were attending school, but for some reason now I can.

1.5 cups frozen strawberries

.5 cup frozen blueberries

1 banana

1.5 cups milk

1 thing of yogurt ( I use the 6 oz yoplait from Costco) We like strawberry the best

3 T honey

7 ice cubes

1 big scoop vanilla protein powder (This one is yummy! Honestly the first one that I can drink and not want to just spit it out...)

Whip it up! YUM!