This past Wednesday I had to carry my phone all day (expecting a call) so I was snapping photos with it as the day went by and as I saw my kids doing funny stuff. So none of these photos are excellent quality, most are blurry or shot quickly before I missed the moment but one day I'm afraid I will forget these ordinary days. The days that make up my life in this season. I treasure these days! I know too often I am eager to get to the next season, assuming it will be easier. But I'm trying to savor the NOW, and enjoy these little moments.
Some days it feels like I "get nothing done".... but looking back over these photos reminds me of how much fun we are having and how blessed I am to get to spend my days with these 3 wonderful kids!
So here goes.....
8:30am. We have some free time before school starts, so I play some alphabet games with Cori (while folding laundry... see background!)
Ty builds Bionocles at his desk.
Zach does his "talking to self" routine. Probably designing a video game or movie set in his mind. He loves having time to do this before school. (free time is a great motivator to get the morning routine done!)
9:05ish.... ???? School starts. Math.
Zach is using his "math mini-office" to find some quarts to pints equivalents
Ty is in MUS Beta
This board shown below was kind of an impromptu exercise. I was frustrated b/c Zach was getting hung up on some basic division/multiplication facts he should know. So we took some time to review. He didnt want to do it- so we made a game by changing up the problems, and then he got a circle around the happy or sad face (angry bird) depending on whether or not he got it right. Then, he was willing to do it.
Then, on to Spelling. This day, I was making the boys do it together. Usually we separate, but today I was asking each one to "quiz" the other. I do this sometimes when I see Z getting lazy and making careless errors. For some strange reason, when his brother has to "grade" or correct his work... he is much more diligent. Go figure!!??? So this was one of those days.
Meanwhile... princess C goes to her room for some playtime and a book on tape.
Ty works on a file folder game while I do Writing with Z.
One of our writing assignments.... this year has been very writing heavy for Z. Mainly b/c we have some serious growth to do in this area. One struggle we are having is for Z to remember his capitol letters . When to use them and when not to. Seems like a simple thing, but for whatever reason, his mind is just. not. getting. it! And mom is starting to feel like a broken record. This day, I was trying a strategy I read about in a "teaching Aspie's at home" book. He had to correct all my errors and proofread some other papers. He is a wonerful writer, but some simple rules still dont make sense to him. (see Grammar later in the day) And please, don't judge my grammar skills by this Blog! I know my spelling is terrible!
Ty and Cori work on alphabetizing some words together.
Zach's literature book. I think he took this up to his room to read, I cant rememeber... but he was excited b/c he was almost done! He called it "the cliff-hanger" book.
We had been learning about the letter "D" so Cori wanted dinosaurs today. On a train. With ducks. Can you tell she has brothers?
Later on, I find Tyler doing his independant reading time in the living room..... in this position! I did not- repeat- not - pose this picture. Boys will be boys! I admit I'm tempted to make him sit in a normal position, but he's such a good reader, I figure.... oh well!
When I asked him what he was doing, he said, "Reading!" Yeah, no duh. But why like that? He thought nothing of it....
Later on, I find Tyler doing his independant reading time in the living room..... in this position! I did not- repeat- not - pose this picture. Boys will be boys! I admit I'm tempted to make him sit in a normal position, but he's such a good reader, I figure.... oh well!
When I asked him what he was doing, he said, "Reading!" Yeah, no duh. But why like that? He thought nothing of it....I didnt keep track of time, but at some point we had lunch.... then boys practiced piano.
1pm - Cori had made quite a creation. But, we're off to take Tyler to sports class so it'll have to wait till later to be cleaned up.
1:30 We take Ty to class. Its pouring rain so its inside today.
Now we're home so I put Cori down for a nap and tackle my dishes so far from the day. (I confess!)
2:15pm Then, its back to school work for Z. His favorite: Grammar! Can't you tell from this photo how excited he is to begin? (he is trying to rip the card)
We work through some complaining, make a "deal" and then get to work. However, this is met with more frustration once he sees the task I have for him today. He really does hate Grammar. I try to make it fun, mix it up, help as much as I think is appropriate without overly accomodating him. Our deal is part reminder ("All your work must be done in order to play Wii later") and part motivator ("for every task done correctly, I'll give you a candy corn")
Once we're done, its all smiles. The daily reminder ("see, now was it REALLY that bad?" ) always he says no, but that doesnt help it to be easier next time. The reality: school is sometimes hard. Really hard.
By 4 we're done. I try to tackle some house stuff while the kids play.
Kids are excited for Dad to come home. T and C decide to set up a game to pass the time till Dad arrives.
5:30pm - Even I am now looking out the window to see if the car is by chance there.....
1pm - Cori had made quite a creation. But, we're off to take Tyler to sports class so it'll have to wait till later to be cleaned up.
1:30 We take Ty to class. Its pouring rain so its inside today.Now we're home so I put Cori down for a nap and tackle my dishes so far from the day. (I confess!)
2:15pm Then, its back to school work for Z. His favorite: Grammar! Can't you tell from this photo how excited he is to begin? (he is trying to rip the card)We work through some complaining, make a "deal" and then get to work. However, this is met with more frustration once he sees the task I have for him today. He really does hate Grammar. I try to make it fun, mix it up, help as much as I think is appropriate without overly accomodating him. Our deal is part reminder ("All your work must be done in order to play Wii later") and part motivator ("for every task done correctly, I'll give you a candy corn")
Once we're done, its all smiles. The daily reminder ("see, now was it REALLY that bad?" ) always he says no, but that doesnt help it to be easier next time. The reality: school is sometimes hard. Really hard.
3:15. Turns out Cori never napped. Oh well, so we leave to pick up Tyler. On the way home there is some "sibling conflict" over name-calling. This is facilitated by an over-tired 3 year old mixed with a sweaty, hyper, 6 year old.
The result: some additional sentence writing when we get home to clarify who Cori is NOT. (i.e. character building) Followed by some playful hugs and reminders of who Cori IS.
By 4 we're done. I try to tackle some house stuff while the kids play.
Kids are excited for Dad to come home. T and C decide to set up a game to pass the time till Dad arrives.
5:30pm - Even I am now looking out the window to see if the car is by chance there.....
Soon, Will is home and the evening begins. My phone never comes out again, so alas... no more photos. Dinner. clean up. School prep for tomorrow. He takes the boys to karate while I stay home with Cori. Then, more clean up. Baths. Bed.
Can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow!!!! Now, did I get anything done?
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