I have been debating what I want to do about Emanuel’s schooling. He has been VERY much against doing MORE… often saying he is tired or doesn’t know things… but then yesterday he was answering his brother’s rhyming questions and doing simple addition in his bedroom all by himself. So do I push him to do more in front of me or watch from the corner of my eye at times and keep one ear open for his personal triumphs out of my immediate sphere of influence? 

Looking into dinosaurs together

Our morning was rather organized for once. Ken had to wake me up early so he could get to work and Echo went to bed mid morning which gave me bath time. The kids all worked on workbooks while I sorted out the upstairs for my planned exodus to do some errands. I have upgraded one of Trinity’s mid range rubbermaid tubs to a larger one to put her stuffed animals in, using the little one for dolls… if only I had more storage! Or a toy room… or less toys? But they are not just HER toys in the bedroom, the family toys (kitchen set, a block set) are also in there as are the cradle my grandpa made ME and Echo’s stuff. Poor Trinity.

I went out with (she) Chris and Mae to do a little school shopping (payment order number and Staples are ALWAYS a good thing, and this time with a 100.00 budget). I did not spend my whole budget but I am finally in possession of a mountain of paper! 5000 sheets for less than 30.00. AND some new markers (ours were ancient and finally are dying out), more “twisty crayons” as per request, some more thick glue AND GLITTER glue! Oh and pens that Ken wanted… all for under budget! 

I love that our funding allows me to get these special treats later in the schooling year. Especially the glitter glue, we are ALWAYS running out of that!!

Not sure where to store this yet.

One the way back home we stopped at the mall to have poutine (noms) and then to go to Dollarama… after all that IS the place to get applesauce at the best price… I picked up some St. Patrick’s Day stickers, socks and of course a few pieces of chocolate for the adults. 

A bit of green

You know the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”? Well I think I have felt the help of a global village, through my blog and the interest you all have shown, advice given and love sent… through Facebook and the support system that has grown there, from homeschooling and families that are willing to share their experiences and excesses, friends and family who have been here for us from before the kids were born… I am very sure that I would not be able to create such a high quality of life and education if not for all these people in our lives. So thank you all! After all without help and support my confidence would be nil, Trinity would not be so well dressed and our homeschooling life would be rather bland! I am so glad that in some ways I can pass along. I am going to take some time in the next week and see what I can do about dressing some other little girls. Echo has finally grown out of some clothes so it is time to see that others have a chance to enjoy them! 

Echo in a new hat !!! Thank you!

So while we only made SOME progress on our Inuit lapbook (we have to add a THIRD folder for all the bits the kids did!!!) and the boys REALLY just wanted to play with the red blocks (hah mean Mommy made them watch CyberChase while she was out and about this afternoon!!!) we did progress. And now, with paper in the printer I have a stack of stuff to start next week in regards to St. Patrick’s Day! On top of all that there is the volcano research, Emanuel’s renewed interest in dinosaurs (we read a bit of a longer book tonight together) AND my sock owls… so lots more to talk about in the coming days and weeks! And of course, soon the Inuit lapbook to premier! 

Even Echo gets in her schooling time, one of the boys grabbed her crayons and paper and she was able to sit and scribble. She actually holds the crayons properly! Though right handed (boo)

And the germs continue on… we are on the mend but not to healthy yet. Echo is running Ken through the wringer with 5:30 am wake ups. Thankfully he can safely pass out on the upstairs couch with the doors to places unsafe closed and she plays with her toys relatively quietly. Yours truly honestly has been so knocked out due to cold and cold medicine that I don’t even hear her! BUT in turn Ken gets afternoon naps (the joy of working from home) so it averages out. 

Today we jumped right into our school stuff with workbooks for all. In the wake of Zander’s completion of his Starfall book I have hunted him down a NEW reading workbook. I decided to go back to a Grade 1 book to cement more of the reading rules in his mind and build his confidence before heading into a Grade 2 level one. 

We began our assembly of our Inuit lapbook today. I think we assembled a decent amount of information and had a lot of fun doing it. I still plan on going back to the MAG to see the display another time either this week or more likely the next. We decided to take it slow as the boys are still getting over THEIR colds and glued in some things, finished up some of the mini booklets and generally talked about what we saw. Here is a video Ken took on their field trip yesterday.

This afternoon they boys worked together with our red blocks to create some sort of game that only they truly understood the rules on. There were many many rules and lots of pieces and 3 very happy boys – most of the time. So a successful play time. 

The game

Tuesday usually means library time for Emanuel and Trinity but as Ken is now as sick as the rest of us have been and Karyn is out for the count as well we decided not to plan the outing. Instead it was time at home with daddy and slurpee. 

Playing the "game"

So hopefully the second half of the week will find us ALL healthier… At least Echo’s nose is not running so much and Trinity seems happier. I would love to walk into March healthy, especially with Echo’s surgery coming up! Wish us luck!

We also saw Uncle Sean off to his folks' place. Time for some parental spoiling while he continues to wait for his foot to heal!

We were lower in numbers (people wise) due to illness… seriously February seems to be the month for colds/flus/general ick feeling. BUT we rallied with those who could make it (some of which were not at 100% – myself included) and we had ourselves a cookie party and then some! In fact, I can safely say I am cookied out! 

Sitting around munching

There was time for a game of chess

Miss Echo and Aunty

I personally made sugar cookies with the kids, and then we took the left over icing from the birthday party the weekend before and put it in a bowl for people to help themselves. Ken made his chocolate balls everyone seems to love, though he was baking while we partied. I took the veggies I had in my fridge including some cauliflower (he) Chris picked up for me in the city (such a sweety) and had a veggie plate to offset the sweet. We made coffee and used some of our Kenyan tea (lovely and strong loose tea that worked perfectly in the tea pot Karyn gave me – thank you Esther!!) as our drink offerings. 

Veggies! And Fat Sheep's Daughter!

We had a few people who could not make it due to sickness, Kristen and Fydo, Esther… though Karyn braved her near voiceless state and joined in on the fun. Lauralee and Victoria brought their homemade offerings and some cartons of juice. Chocolate orange cookies from Lauralee and chocolate chip or raisin cookies from Victoria. Sean picked up chocolate chip and monster cookies from the store with a case of cream soda (which is an unusual pop to make it into this house and apparently a nice change from our norm!). We also had Chris, Chris and Mae (remember the other bridesmaid from the wedding? She is featured in Fat Sheep’s blog of the same time as Fat Sheep’s date!). They came with gingerbread men, peanut butter cookies and shortbread cookies… oh and A&W Rootbeer, diet of the same and the familiar case of Coke. Quite the offerings for a party!

And the leftovers… some took cookies home but the lion share remained here. I now have a variety in the freezer and some containers on the counter and some VERY pleased children. In the summer we are planning to have a Veggie and Fruit party and try having everyone bring a vegetable or a fruit and a drink and see what we end up with (or maybe even MAKE drinks from what we have… how adventurous can we get??). 

This is some of the left overs if you can believe it!

There were some belated birthday presents for the boys including movies! We are now in possession of TWO Cyberchase DVDs as well as a Charlie and Lola (volume 7). Amazingly enough one of the math ones included FRACTIONS! Timely huh?

Prezzies

After seeing everyone off, tidying up the cookies (and freezing a portion of course) it was beyond bedtime and the end of our very busy Sunday. Next Sunday it is back to Sunday school for the kids. And maybe all of us going for once… I really want to know where February has gone! 

Family Day Monday was a much quieter affair. Our morning was slow with Ken and myself being sick… BUT in the afternoon, sick or not, Ken took the 3 boys to the MAG for their special Inuit Cultural event. There was Bannock bread, throat singing, games and more. The only thing the boys did NOT take part in was the craft due to crowds and wait time. 

Watching the speaker

Games

Ice fishing

More games

SNACKS

We had Kathy stop by on her way home from the city. So I got in a brief visit and send a package of cookies on with her. These more frequent visits with Kathy are another reminder, on the days that are less bright, that moving to this city was a GOOD choice. While the home we are in is just that bit too small the town isn’t. I am just hoping that after Echo’s surgery we can finally find a way to really get to know the other homeschooling families around us.

Ending our day was rather quiet too. Emanuel was sent to his room for a time out and ended up napping.

Asleep

And after Zander got out of HIS time out, the other 4 spent some fun time in the sunshine in the livingroom. 

Fun in some sun

Now I am working on future plans for our schooling, Christmas presents and other random things. All of our Valentines Day and Chinese New Year decorations are stored away and the buckets holding the Easter pieces are ready to be brought out. Now the boys have shown an interest in St. Patrick’s day so books have been requested from the library and I am hunting down some crafts and worksheets. 

Peek!