Our family with Uncle Tim and Aunt Jan on their boat Full Circle
Our car on the Grafton, IL ferry boat.
So, I've been absent from my own blog lately. Where, you ask? Well, it's call three kids and cycle break. As you've read, the kids are in a great year-around school system. I like the balance it is bringing to my life, my children's and their teachers. I am seeing how concentrated their class time is while they are "in-session" and what a unique opportunity I have with the kids during their time off. It is kind of like a mini-home schooling opportunity for me ;-) (Something I admire some of my classy mom friends for conquering.)
What have we been up to you ask? Some things are simple pleasures such as park play dates, picnics, riding bikes in the cul-de-sac, going to the library, etc. Others have been a little more involved such as The City Museum, Chuck E. Cheese (yes, I caved), historical St. Charles, and even an adventure on a ferry boat to Grafton, IL.
I am proud of two accomplishments I started during this three week hiatus!
1) I am teaching G to read and he LOVES it! It was suggested to us ages ago to utilize the Bob Books. I sucked it up and bought the series. I was shocked at how easy and fun the books can be for both of us. M has been helping him too (a little teacher in the making). We just started, but I am proud of him. (He read two books to his Aunt during a video chat!) My motivation came from his status for next year. He will be one of the oldest children in his kindergarten class because of the cut-off date. Any advantage I can give him will be worth it.
2) I embarked on a teaching adventure myself. I am using Eric's aunt and uncle's boat trip to teach the kiddos (and myself) a little geography, history, currents events, etc. They have embarked on a journey called The Great Loop. By boat they will circle the eastern portion of the US starting from their home in WI, cruising through America's heartland, making their way around FL up the eastern seaboard and then home again via the Great Lakes. It will take them approximately two years. With this is mind I hope to create a monthly lesson referencing the places they have traveled. We were fortunate enough to catch them just three weeks into their journey as they passed by St. Louis. Hence the ferry boat ride to Grafton, IL last week! Check out that blog site at www.greatlooplessons.blogspot.com
All in all, I think we've had a great break. It has been frustrating at times to balance every one's likes/dislikes and overall moods. Trying to manage activities around a nap schedule is cramping my style, but I will miss those days when they are gone!
We still have a few things to do before school starts on Monday such as a trip to the pumpkin patch, a sleep over and making fudge. Plus these kids are chomping at the bit for Halloween to arrive. A tradition that we enjoy each year!
Hugs,
SLSK
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