Gord called today. The kids spoke with him briefly. He's enjoying his trip, the accommodations are excellent, the golf is fine.
Another rotten bedtime ruined the evening. One might think that since they go to bed every freakin' day, that bedtime would be pretty routine. Brush teeth, jammies on, calmly sit and listen to the story. Nope. Brush teeth...spit on counter...sister squeals and slams door on brother...more sibling antics...10 mins later...Mom's frustration is through the roof and the kids have lost their story.
We had a fun evening playing Mario Cart in their jammies.
Rowan had another maxed day. There were high points and low points. Breakfast with him screaming for the TV remote (as he couldn't just leave the thing alone) for 10 mins, goofing off at the chiropractor's office (again, letting a scream loose) finishing with losing the bedtime story.
Unfortunately Rowan's energy levels are reflected in Eliana. She's as spunky as he is hyper.
They are all asleep now. I shall be heading to bed shortly, too.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Day 4 part 2
I have a cat guardian. She has been sleeping in my room since Thurs
night. Guess she realizes that something is different.
night. Guess she realizes that something is different.
The kids are all in their own beds tonight. Eliana will probably show
up around 3am as usual.
Julia
Day 4 - part1
I HATE PUTTING KIDS TO BED. That's usually Gord's job. Rowan's beyond hyper and I'd about to cry.
Calla returned from Brighton in a weepy mood. Sad, forlorn, down.
Rowan went to play at a neighbour friend's house while the girls and I went sledding with a friend from church. Eliana lasted 3 times down the hill then I dropped her off at Rowan's friend's place. I had a lovely time chatting over coffee with my church friend, Emily while her daughter and Calla played together.
Then the other two came home.
Rowan has been over-hyper since about 6:30, after dinner.
Out-of-control chasing after me saying I'm going to bite you while laughing maniacally.
Not good.
I must now go try again to put them to bed.
Calla returned from Brighton in a weepy mood. Sad, forlorn, down.
Rowan went to play at a neighbour friend's house while the girls and I went sledding with a friend from church. Eliana lasted 3 times down the hill then I dropped her off at Rowan's friend's place. I had a lovely time chatting over coffee with my church friend, Emily while her daughter and Calla played together.
Then the other two came home.
Rowan has been over-hyper since about 6:30, after dinner.
Out-of-control chasing after me saying I'm going to bite you while laughing maniacally.
Not good.
I must now go try again to put them to bed.
Day.3
Posting from my iPhone as all the computers spent yesterday OFF and
we'll see if we can repeat again today, at least for mine. The kids
will need to do their schoolwork even though it's Family Day.
we'll see if we can repeat again today, at least for mine. The kids
will need to do their schoolwork even though it's Family Day.
We got to church at our usual time, which is always nearly late. :) R,
E and I went to the mall after lunch but it didn't last long. Chapters
was extremely busy, Christmas busy! Kids got one little thing each, I
got my Starbucks and we left.
Little areas of the house are becoming less cluttered and more tidy.
The bar fridge is finally being defrosted. The air bed is packed
up.(after being up for three weeks). Laundry is caught up. Hopefully
this will continue once Calla is back.
It was great to hear how Gord's trip is. He saw 5 alligators on the
golf course and lots of turtles. Not like golfing up here!
Julia
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Day 2
Today started off with my sister and her kids taking Calla with them to Brighton. They unexpectedly spent the night as the weather was getting bad. After they left, Rowan and Eli has their friends over. By 3:30 all was quiet. Kids were playing nicely, so I sorted out the outgrown clothing pile (some to Eliana's bins, others to Goodwill bags) I also added some 'new' clothing to Eliana's dresser. Dinner of sausages, raw veggies and pasta was spent with a movie. Eliana didn't like the movie, so she went to watch Wonder Pets on Netflix. Sometime after the movie while I was cleaning the kitchen, Rowan and Eliana started to get wild. :( I don't handle wild Rowan well. Asking him to help put the stuffed animals back on Eliana's bed meant throwing them at me wildly, then trying to pass me the doll stroller, while giggling. Ellie got the lecture about when others try to make messes in your room, please tell them to stop. Then get Mommy.
By their bedtime I was exhausted. They were in bed, asleep by 8:30. Rowan and I had a chat about good choices, that doing things because they are fun isn't always the best choice. Jumping on the airbed, tossing stuffed animals all over, and being goofy when Mommy's getting angry aren't good choices.
We have Church tomorrow morning. After that, Rowan gets to choose what we're going to do.
I must admit the house is quite a bit cleaner than usual. I can only guess it's because I know it's just me maintaining it. No "Why should I clean it up when he's sitting there playing video games/watching tv"
I also don't watch TV when I'm alone. When Gord's home, I watch TV with him for the company, our together time, so to speak.
By their bedtime I was exhausted. They were in bed, asleep by 8:30. Rowan and I had a chat about good choices, that doing things because they are fun isn't always the best choice. Jumping on the airbed, tossing stuffed animals all over, and being goofy when Mommy's getting angry aren't good choices.
We have Church tomorrow morning. After that, Rowan gets to choose what we're going to do.
I must admit the house is quite a bit cleaner than usual. I can only guess it's because I know it's just me maintaining it. No "Why should I clean it up when he's sitting there playing video games/watching tv"
I also don't watch TV when I'm alone. When Gord's home, I watch TV with him for the company, our together time, so to speak.
My week of Single Parenting - Day 1
My dear Gord left for a week of golfing with my sister's spouse, Peter, early this morning. Technically he left for work yesterday and we won't see him again until next Saturday, as he spent the night in Burlington as they left at 5am today.
This is the first time since the kids were born that he's been away while we are at home. We camp without him during the summer for 3-5 days, but nothing this long at home. This is also the longest time that Gord and I will be apart since we met, 16 years ago.
Day 1: (Friday) Rowan bear hugs his Daddy's legs as he leaves for work. After he's gone, Rowan insists upon using the same plate and glass as his Daddy used for breakfast. Our day was full of friends visiting and the rats (our 5 week guests) returning to their home. Amy stopped by around 8:30pm to pick up Calla and ended up staying the night due to the strong winds. Rowan and Eliana slept with me. So far the house is neater, I'm finding more of an "Well, if I don't pick it up/clean it/do it, it won't get done" attitude.
This is the first time since the kids were born that he's been away while we are at home. We camp without him during the summer for 3-5 days, but nothing this long at home. This is also the longest time that Gord and I will be apart since we met, 16 years ago.
Day 1: (Friday) Rowan bear hugs his Daddy's legs as he leaves for work. After he's gone, Rowan insists upon using the same plate and glass as his Daddy used for breakfast. Our day was full of friends visiting and the rats (our 5 week guests) returning to their home. Amy stopped by around 8:30pm to pick up Calla and ended up staying the night due to the strong winds. Rowan and Eliana slept with me. So far the house is neater, I'm finding more of an "Well, if I don't pick it up/clean it/do it, it won't get done" attitude.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Time4Learning Review
We are a homeschooling family with 3 kids, ages 8,7 & 4. Until this year, I have struggled to keep a schedule, often missing the a math or language lesson as we had too many outside activities going on, forgetting where we left off, or even where I put the books. This past September I decided to try Time4Learning (T4L) with my 8 year old daughter, as she's now in Grade 3. She has always been drawn to the computer so I felt this would work for her. It also looked like it would help keep us on track with what she needs to learn this year. I sometimes feared that if she had to go to school that she would be behind her peers.
What a difference this year has been! She's is about to start her grade 4 level language lessons as she's nearly complete the entire grade 3 language component. Mostly on her own, with little nagging from me. Yes. No nagging. I am no longer worried of the 'what ifs' of her entering school. She easily completes all her work and knows what she has to do each day.
This week my 7 year old son started T4L on Grade 2 Math and Grade 1 Language. He is a reluctant reader. I was unsure if this would work for him as he's not a big computer kid like his sister. He has really enjoyed it. I like that the math is read to him, which was a major problem with our other math programs. The lessons are interactive and capture is attention. He is excelling at his work and most of all, enjoying it!
The parent reports provide me with an easy-to-read list of what they have finished, how long it took them and what they scored on the quiz or test. I can choose to save it or print it for our records. In Ontario, Canada, we are not required to keep any records, reports or portfolios for the local school boards.
Time4Learning is an online education program that can be used as a homeschooling curriculum, an afterschool tutorial or for summer learning. As a member, I've been given the opportunity to share my experiences. The content in this review was not written by Time4Learning. While I was compensated, the opinion is entirely my own.
What a difference this year has been! She's is about to start her grade 4 level language lessons as she's nearly complete the entire grade 3 language component. Mostly on her own, with little nagging from me. Yes. No nagging. I am no longer worried of the 'what ifs' of her entering school. She easily completes all her work and knows what she has to do each day.
This week my 7 year old son started T4L on Grade 2 Math and Grade 1 Language. He is a reluctant reader. I was unsure if this would work for him as he's not a big computer kid like his sister. He has really enjoyed it. I like that the math is read to him, which was a major problem with our other math programs. The lessons are interactive and capture is attention. He is excelling at his work and most of all, enjoying it!
The parent reports provide me with an easy-to-read list of what they have finished, how long it took them and what they scored on the quiz or test. I can choose to save it or print it for our records. In Ontario, Canada, we are not required to keep any records, reports or portfolios for the local school boards.
Time4Learning is an online education program that can be used as a homeschooling curriculum, an afterschool tutorial or for summer learning. As a member, I've been given the opportunity to share my experiences. The content in this review was not written by Time4Learning. While I was compensated, the opinion is entirely my own.
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