The Week Before...
Is it Saturday already? The week seemed to fly by.
We had some rain this week so I was able to start some inside work.
Monday, My brother and SIL came for dinner. It was a great excuse for me to clean like a crazy person and do laundry!! We spent so much time outside lately that the inside has been terribly neglected. I got out the swing, carseat, and little bouncy seat and washed all the covers. It felt good to be so productive.
Tuesday and Wednesday, I finished washing baby clothes, blankets, and carriers. I tackled homeschooling plans.
Last year, I planned weekly and it felt like it loomed over my head every weekend. This year, I decided to plan and set up so thoroughly that I wouldn't have to do anything to prep except for look over plans and make sure I have supplies and library books for the month. I set up my year long plan, aligning it with Phil's school year and vacation schedule. I then figured out how many lessons needed to be covered weekly to finish the year. I made detailed lesson plans for September through January in case I need to readjust for the second half of the school year. I figured I could plan the second half during Christmas Break.
Math: Phil is going to try tackling math in the evenings. I planned one set for Kindergarten and one set for First Grade using RightStart Mathematics. I set up all the materials/manipulatives needed for each lesson.
History: We decided to go with Story of the World, Volume 1. Each lesson has a story, a comprehension activity, and art activity. I went through each lesson (for the first half of school) and wrote out plans,decided on the activity we would do, materials needed, and made a library book list.
Science: We have a fun curriculum called AIMS that I used when I taught. Every lesson has several experiments and activities for hands on learning. I planned out the first half, using the book Primarily Earth. I went through each lesson and planned just as I did for History.
So far, I have about 17 hours of planning in. It sounds like a lot but considering that I set up the template for the entire year and planned extensively for 5 months, I think it is going really well. I would spend 1-3 hours a week on plans during the weekend, often skipping activities because I didn't have worksheet copies or materials, I think this year will go much smoother.
I have Language Arts to plan but Phil and I finally decided on our approach. We looked through several different programs to supplement what we already had. None seemed suited for Sawyer. We decided to go with Handwriting Without Tears, Language Lessons for Little Ones, and Explode the code.
I still need to make worksheet copies of each subject area and file them by the month. I also need to plan for Bible.
Thursday, we went up to Exodus House in Portland, which is the largest homeschooling bookstore. I sold my Before 5 in a Row curriculum and got a few books to supplement History. I quickly perused the Reading section but unfortunately, Brighton was highly uncooperative and made the experience less than pleasant! Then we went to the Dave's Killer Bread Bakery and stocked up Hamburger Buns and bread. I had a midwife appointment. I am measuring about 2 cm behind but the midwife thinks she will be an "average" sized baby (8 pound range).
Friday, another day out. We went to the Salem Art Fair but they started charging to get in and I just don't think it is worth the 10 dollars. We went to Trader Joes and stocked up on easy meals and frozen foods for after the baby comes. Friday marked the one week until baby due date!
Saturday, it was raining this morning so more homeschool planning (did science) today. It dried out a bit in the late afternoon so we picked raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. I am hoping to get 2-3 batches of mixed berry freezer jam. We only had an hour to pick so we only have about 5 quarts of berries. It was fun though!!! Next week, we are going to tackle cherry picking and more mixed berries to jam and freeze. We shall see!
About baby...I am not really feeling ready. We have a bit more to finish up outside, another couple of days of homeschooling planning, and we haven't even started the inside "spring clean". Plus, berry and cherry season is upon us and I wanted to get some Fall planting done. I do have all the baby stuff out and ready and I have a list going for what I need to take to the hospital for myself and baby.
I have so much to do that I don't feel "mentally and emotionally" prepared. I know that this is my 5th baby but labor, recovery, nursing challenges, lack of sleep, and transitioning to a new little one is every bit as difficult as any other number. I am nervous, like I always am about the entire process of labor and delivery and those first couple of weeks that are so exhausting and painful. I am hoping that I will start feeling "ready"...excited, strengthened, refocused, etc.. in the next week or so and truly be ready for another blessing in our lives!
We had some rain this week so I was able to start some inside work.
Monday, My brother and SIL came for dinner. It was a great excuse for me to clean like a crazy person and do laundry!! We spent so much time outside lately that the inside has been terribly neglected. I got out the swing, carseat, and little bouncy seat and washed all the covers. It felt good to be so productive.
Tuesday and Wednesday, I finished washing baby clothes, blankets, and carriers. I tackled homeschooling plans.
Last year, I planned weekly and it felt like it loomed over my head every weekend. This year, I decided to plan and set up so thoroughly that I wouldn't have to do anything to prep except for look over plans and make sure I have supplies and library books for the month. I set up my year long plan, aligning it with Phil's school year and vacation schedule. I then figured out how many lessons needed to be covered weekly to finish the year. I made detailed lesson plans for September through January in case I need to readjust for the second half of the school year. I figured I could plan the second half during Christmas Break.
Math: Phil is going to try tackling math in the evenings. I planned one set for Kindergarten and one set for First Grade using RightStart Mathematics. I set up all the materials/manipulatives needed for each lesson.
History: We decided to go with Story of the World, Volume 1. Each lesson has a story, a comprehension activity, and art activity. I went through each lesson (for the first half of school) and wrote out plans,decided on the activity we would do, materials needed, and made a library book list.
Science: We have a fun curriculum called AIMS that I used when I taught. Every lesson has several experiments and activities for hands on learning. I planned out the first half, using the book Primarily Earth. I went through each lesson and planned just as I did for History.
So far, I have about 17 hours of planning in. It sounds like a lot but considering that I set up the template for the entire year and planned extensively for 5 months, I think it is going really well. I would spend 1-3 hours a week on plans during the weekend, often skipping activities because I didn't have worksheet copies or materials, I think this year will go much smoother.
I have Language Arts to plan but Phil and I finally decided on our approach. We looked through several different programs to supplement what we already had. None seemed suited for Sawyer. We decided to go with Handwriting Without Tears, Language Lessons for Little Ones, and Explode the code.
I still need to make worksheet copies of each subject area and file them by the month. I also need to plan for Bible.
Thursday, we went up to Exodus House in Portland, which is the largest homeschooling bookstore. I sold my Before 5 in a Row curriculum and got a few books to supplement History. I quickly perused the Reading section but unfortunately, Brighton was highly uncooperative and made the experience less than pleasant! Then we went to the Dave's Killer Bread Bakery and stocked up Hamburger Buns and bread. I had a midwife appointment. I am measuring about 2 cm behind but the midwife thinks she will be an "average" sized baby (8 pound range).
Friday, another day out. We went to the Salem Art Fair but they started charging to get in and I just don't think it is worth the 10 dollars. We went to Trader Joes and stocked up on easy meals and frozen foods for after the baby comes. Friday marked the one week until baby due date!
Saturday, it was raining this morning so more homeschool planning (did science) today. It dried out a bit in the late afternoon so we picked raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. I am hoping to get 2-3 batches of mixed berry freezer jam. We only had an hour to pick so we only have about 5 quarts of berries. It was fun though!!! Next week, we are going to tackle cherry picking and more mixed berries to jam and freeze. We shall see!
About baby...I am not really feeling ready. We have a bit more to finish up outside, another couple of days of homeschooling planning, and we haven't even started the inside "spring clean". Plus, berry and cherry season is upon us and I wanted to get some Fall planting done. I do have all the baby stuff out and ready and I have a list going for what I need to take to the hospital for myself and baby.
I have so much to do that I don't feel "mentally and emotionally" prepared. I know that this is my 5th baby but labor, recovery, nursing challenges, lack of sleep, and transitioning to a new little one is every bit as difficult as any other number. I am nervous, like I always am about the entire process of labor and delivery and those first couple of weeks that are so exhausting and painful. I am hoping that I will start feeling "ready"...excited, strengthened, refocused, etc.. in the next week or so and truly be ready for another blessing in our lives!
I love you Emily! We will be praying for a peaceful and easy transition with your newest addition, and time to just enjoy being the amazing Mama of 5 that you already are! xo
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