So lost, I don't even know what Day we're up to, sigh!

Just when I thought everything was completely organized and could run smoothly ALL week, and the little darlings would be filling their heads with knowledge and pouring it out on paper, I find that I am rarely home long enough for school work!

Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhh! You can probably hear me tearing my hair out right now.

And yet, at the end of this week, Dart has memorised a poem for me for Mother's Day, Colt has read aloud to me a few times, Taffy has improved at ice skating, Gretel is doing puzzles and Karys has done extra maths.

I just wish I wasn't so distracted and bothered.

We did have some successes this past week, and we are still waiting for some books to come to help with our programming. We have our history books, I just need to purchase some good quality paper to make a giant timeline which will stretch down the hallway, then we can really get stuck into The Ancient World.

I made a weather chart for Taffy mostly, but the other kids like it too and are keen to help her put the right details where they belong.

Taffy used play dough to make the word "sat". Sort of. :)

She also used cut out letters to make up the words from her Bob Book.

Taffy and Gretel at ice skating.

Karys enjoying herself on the ice too.

Day 54.

Today felt like a junk day. The kind that goes nowhere and feels like it has no value.

One of those days when you're sure you have made the wrong decision to home school. I could cheerfully leave all the children in a Good Sammy's bin!

Ever have days like this?

(((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I feel your pain.


I need chocolate, wine and a good night's sleep.

Perhaps tomorrow will bring a fresh perspective.

And less junk.

Day 51.

Today, we drove Pipa to work and then stopped to play at Bibra Lake for a little while. I felt a little interrupted, but Karys and Taffy had already finished their computer work and Colt happily delved into his after running off some energy when we returned home.

This afternoon, the 3 little girls got stuck into a glueing project with Matchsticks on the letter M. M

Messy, but fun!

Then I put them down to have a rest and watch a movie before we headed off to more footy training and another lovely play in the park.

Day 50.

Starting a new term with a new batch of playdough, almond scented and a fresh green to boot!


Hmm, looks kinda like Spring!


Oops, maybe it's time to think of some Autumn scents and make some orange playdough.


I've refilled two of  the toners and printed off some Bob Book worksheets for Taffy. Now I can get my fix of laminating in. :) Don't know what I'll do when Gretel is up to the same stage, their won't be hardly anything to prepare for her! :)


We did marble painting which the girls loved and the boys turned their noses up at.

Taffy did well with her new Bob Book and she did try to put the letters together and make the words by herself. I am quite proud of her!

I have upped the kids reading time by 5 mins to 15 mins of USSR and they can read whatever they like. Also, they must read 10 mins extra of a history book and a poem. We are starting at the beginning of recorded history and doing the Ancients. I am looking forward to building a massive timeline along the passage wall and seeing how much information we can put on it and have it well ordered in our minds!

Day 49.

Last day of term 1.

Usually, when the kids were in formal school, we would celebrate the end of term with a party when they arrived home. This term, I realized we didn't need to celebrate them coming home as they're always here. However, the kids didn't see it that way at all.
Luckily we are going to a birthday party on the weekend. Hopefully that will satisfy their need for celebrating. :)

We did go to a great park for a play after they'd finished all their work.

During the school holidays, I plan on working out a new more formal program for the kids for next term. This term, I had them reading for 10 mins, this will be increased gradually up to 30 mins by the end of term 2. Also, they will be doing guided reading that will expand to cover history, poetry and the great classics. I want to include dictation and a daily diary for each of them and spelling and grammar will be high on the list.

I have so much to learn and I am enjoying that aspect as it is helping pull me out of my fog, where I was horribly lost.

This holidays, we will have 2 extra kiddos during the week, so we will go adventuring as mucha s the weather will allow. Lots of picnics, long walks and geocaching coming up.

Can't wait! :)

Day 47.

I had a really busy weekend taking older kids to drive log book hours in order to get their driver's licences, so I didn't plan the whole week ahead.

I planned Monday's work and the kids completed it fairly well, though I had to check on Colt and Karys that they actually complete the required amount. Sigh.

Then they got bored. Which turned into hours of playing games on the computer. Sigh.

So that evening, I pulled out one of the books I borrowed from the library, called Glues, Brews and Goos by Diana F. Marks. I was so impressed with it, I've ordered a copy of my own!

Today, when Dart had finished all his online work, and mumbled about being bored, I handed him the book and told him to choose a recipe. 

He chose chocolate clay.

Of course! 

And we even had the ingredients, so we had to give it a try.

Dart collected all the supplies and the other kids kept close eyes on what he was doing.

When it was spread on the tray to set for a couple of hours, Colt even helped with the cleaning up of the mixing jug! What a helpful brother!

I think it was a success! :)

Taffy had her last day on the free trial of Mathseeds and Reading Eggs. She has enjoyed both programs immensely and has done quite well. Now to decide if we should continue and pay for 6 months tuition, or try another program. I have been looking at Starfall, so we may have a little go with that one too. I ordered the Bob Books (Set 1 and 2) as I have worksheets for those and I'm thinking we may just go with those if she likes them. They are more hands on, less time on the computer, which is far better for a 5yr old in my opinion. Then I will still need to find a maths program for her.

I gave her a craft to do that will come in handy for her next Nature Play Mission, and she really enjoyed it.

I read a review on a site that teaches video game design, among other exciting topics, and it is on offer for 50% for a short while. I am waiting to hear back from them on a query about the cost for a group of students. Should be interesting!

Now to plan for tomorrow........ :)

Day 44.

Please bear with me, I am sleep deprived and a little nuttier than usual! These 4am starts to get Pipa to work are harder than I thought.

Today, the kids raced through their work while I went through all their toys and had a big clean up and re-order. In the end, they all played happily with a box of cars for an hour and managed to pack up in good time to get down to the beach for a good stretch and explore.

The beach was so soothing to my weary body, and I could feel fresh energy slowly bringing me back to life. I even ran about a bit!

This last picture was taken this morning. Breakfast Club with hot chocolate and Danishes. Yum!