Our Homeschool Day - with a 6, 4, & 20 month old

Hello!

Lately, I've been enjoying reading how other people do their days while homeschooling their kiddos. I've read a few posts on this site. (like this one) I love how every family is oh so different. We knew that already though, right? I love how it doesn't matter how we do our day. It's refreshing seeing so many different styles. So, because I had read a few I thought I'd sorta explain a "normal"day in the life of our family's homeschooling.

We have Ashlyn, 6; Carter, 4; and Skylar, 20 mo. And my husband works for a big Financial company about 15 minutes away. He does travel quiet a bit for work, but mostly he's got a normal 9-5 job. And I'm so super thankful or that.

First...to be clear...make sure to enter lots of own tantrums (kids and mom), screams, sighs, tears, mom loosing it moments, cups spilt, baby won't nap, kids won't be quiet during quiet time, etc etc...we are so normal and we so have our moments and days.

But also enter lots more hugs, kisses, and sweet moments.

(what we are loving for books)

Here it goes...

7-8am: We wake up. Or the big kids wake up really. {yawn!} I usually don't get out of bed till the baby is up. And sometimes I get lucky and it's after 8am. But mostly I'm up around 7:30am. We get up. I warm up a cup of tea for myself. And sit for a minute with that. I'm a slow getter upper so I try to start my day slow. Or wait, I don't have to try, it just happens. ;) And then I fix some breakfast. Cereal, oatmeal, toast, eggs, fruit, etc. Ashlyn, 6, sometimes makes her own. I love her independent mind =)

(breakfast at the Grayums) 

(enjoying her oatmeal)

Before 9: Josh leaves for work. And then we get started on our morning chores. Basically that means the kids get dressed (mostly) and brush their teeth & brush their hair. And make their beds. I empty the dishwasher/fill it. And tidy up the kitchen a bit to start school. They (the big kids) actually do that all the getting ready on their own now, I never thought this day would come. Well...it's not always smooth. I sometimes have to remind them, and they do not like stopping what they are doing to start the day. Who does? Right now they are hooked on Legos. {ALL THE TIME LEGOS!} I'm sorta hooked on them being hooked, if you know what I mean. Or I find Ashlyn cuddled with a book. She can't read well yet, enough to be by herself anyways, but I love how she loves them, and has so many of them memorized.

(how I find Sky 60% of the day)

9am: Ashlyn starts with Math U See, most days. I have a folder for each kid of all the work they need to finish for the week, and we just have to get through it, however it takes. I feel so free knowing I don't have to think too much each day about school preparation. (I organize it all in 1-2 hours every Sunday evening.)  Carter, 4, also has a folder of things he can do too and once every so often he'll do something. I've been working on his alphabet and numbers. He's my math guy, and knows how to add and subtract very well. He could care less about reading at this point. I'm ok with that. And Sky, 22 mo, just goes "A" "I" and points at books. She warms my heart. I do a little reading/writing stuff as well, before we take a break. And Ashlyn writes in her journal. I love seeing her handwriting improve. It's sorta amazing, I was a bit worried even a few months ago, but not so much anymore. I see a huge improvement. Momma is happy =)

10:30: Around this time we take a short break for a snack and to get our minds off school for a bit. Sometimes I have to round Ashlyn back up because she got hooked on Legos. The kids are quite addicted, like I said before. And we'll usually go back to our school work and/or I read the kids from a pile of books or a chapter book we are working on. I love when they just sit and we read. I'm gonna miss these moments one day, for sure!

Sometimes we hit the gym during this time & sometimes I have Bible Study. So some days really are different.

11:30: Lunch...yada yada yada. And I try to kick the kids outside if I can. Before they come in for some quiet time.

(a little jumping contest)

12:30: We do Quiet Time (The baby naps) And the big kids play quietly in their spot, either their room or the living room. And I catch up on chores, clean the bathroom, laundry, dishes, etc. I've been enjoying a few good podcasts so I'll put on some headphones, and put my phone in my back pocket and go to town with whatever I have. Till about 1:30-2.

3pm: Afternoon snack/tea time just because I love a good snack. ;) Sometimes I have the kids do an art project, play dough, a puzzle, etc. Something that's going to keep them from making too much crazy. Ha. ;)

5pm: Around this time Josh is on his way home from work, and I finish up dinner so when he arrives we can eat.

After dinner and before bed I enjoy reading the kids another good book to wind them down. Even Sky will join. She really enjoys sitting with her big siblings and doing whatever they do. Josh has been doing a book called "Get Wisdom" with the kids, which has Bible verses and Christian Character traits in it. I really enjoy this time as well. The kids are learning so much scripture and so much about "Life" and how to react to what it comes at you. Good stuff!

If you made it this far, yay!! I'm so glad you didn't get that bored. So far, I'm enjoying the teaching part. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

If you want to chat about starting homeschooling stuff, let me know =)

Bye for now.

Melissa