This is a Two-Fer..... scroll down to see our goings-on for Weeks 8 AND 9!
Week 8
October 16 to 20
1) Monday started off.... normal. Kinder kid had done and visited the urgent care AGAIN over the weekend... just 10 days since the burn on his hand. This time he somehow fell off the slide that they were using to go into the leaf piles and hurt his elbow. He was letting it dangle, crying hysterically (just like the burn) and not letting anyone touch it, so we went for an X-Ray. Just to hear that everything was bruised, but fine. He even got the same doc, so she got to see how well his burn had healed from the raw honey we'd been applying. Kinder and 3rd grader did some math and language arts at the island over some oatmeal. Every year the elementary aged kids do a create-your-own book so we have a memory of their writing and drawing capabilities to look back upon. Kinder's is in the picture below.
Yep, still in pajamas!
Kinder kid takes a shaving cream sensory break. He is guarding that elbow!
Play-Doh keep the Tot busy for a bit. Plus, she's strapped in. Bonus.
2) Tuesday we have science block. We watched a bunch of youtube videos on Rocks, Gems, and Minerals. Even I learned a lot! Then we spent the afternoon outside, after attending the library for Kinder Kid's OT and social group.
Tot is still willing to eat cherry tomatoes, as long as she gets to pick them.
She runs her own Tot School. She's been proficient on these puzzles for a while but still loves them.
3) Wednesday we did some math, language arts and history in the morning, and spent the rest of the day packing for a mini-vacay!
Kinder kid does his homework from OT yesterday and practices Fine Motor on an app called "iTrace."
Very excitedly doing her Grammar.
Took a picture of this guy for family to see, as he is not going with us due to a marching band competition.
4) Thursday we are On the Road Again, Off Like A Herd of Turtles. And before the asscrack of dawn, I might add. With small kids, it of course takes a zillion times longer than it should and comes with a side of multiple stops. But we made it to the bottom coastal end of North Carolina by mid-afternoon.
5) Friday we hit the beach! We went to lovely spot called The Point and it was essentially like a giant sandbar across a channel. No waves to eat kids, and a nice sloped beach. Perfect!
Kinder kid draws a circle to keep out annoying sisters from his space.
This Tot LOVED the beach. Everything about it.
We dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig the whole day through...
Tot and a Cousin.
Week 9
October 23 to 27
1) Monday - I didn't know how much school would get done, considering we'd just gotten in from our 2nd twelve hour drive in 4 days. But honestly, sometimes the best (and less chaotic) plan is to just stick with the regularly scheduled program. So we did.
They joyfully work on their create-your-own books.
Tot loves coloring, so I bring in the Tot-sized pic-a-nic table and let her at it.
2) Tuesday is science, we're wrapping up Gems, Rocks, and Minerals so we deviate a bit and make some popsicle stick mini marshmallow catapults. Since some people kept eating all the weaponry, I made them switch to acorns and use chalk to set up a challenge course on the back patio.
Catapult Challenge
I finished Steve's head! Steve is the main Minecraft guy, if you're not fluent.
Tot can handle the dried noodles inside for a while now. Today we had cups and boxes to pour and collect, plus mini construction trucks and diggers for older kids who wanted a scenario.
3) Wednesday we are back in full swing, mostly unpacked, thoughts of the sun and the beach drifting away....
High Schooler enjoys the Overnight Oats and Fruit recipe sent home by Grammy.
Middle Schooler does her work in the most peculiar positions.
4) Thursday the elementary kids attend a program that's new to our schedule, at a local farm park. It's an hour long, with classroom-style instruction for 20 minutes, a story, a walk outside to connect the learning and then related crafts. We did okay. Kinder kid had difficulties attending during the instruction and didn't understand when to put his hand down if someone else had been called on instead of him. He also would complain loudly. So, stuff to work on. I sent a small list in a text to his behaviorist so she can make him a laminated chart to review for the next time we come. It took me a while, but I have definitely learned how to make his therapists work for me!
Kinder kid does a spooky animals craft.
Middle Schooler is definitely our most advanced artist. She does this kind of painstaking yet beautiful stuff on her own. It's tiny Origami. I barely have the attention span to look at it, she really impresses me!!
Does reading on the potty count as learning? What does my time count as? Somehow I am not as gung ho to race up or down the stairs (we have no ground floor potty) to help the Tot get to the potty as I was in my younger, less busy years. Trying to gather my energy for this. Her first successful potty was the first time she asked to sit, Sept. 4th, which was Labor Day, which is the only way I'll ever remember it. She's completely self-initiated, and we'll let her go and stop at her own pace.
Of course, the best part is flushing! Duh!!
5) Friday we plug in our "new" toy - the Nintendo system from my grandfather's house. I let them learn and play, and I'll call it "Frustration and Anger Management Class" as these modern kids figure out there is no saving, no re-spawning, it's actually challenging and OMG YOU HAVE TO START BACK AT THE BEGINNING?!?!?!?!?!
The brothers challenge each other in Dr. Mario.
