An Academy of Housekeeping and Play

I don't know that there are any real guidelines to unschooling. I think it's all the stuff you do when you're not doing formal bookwork. It's life-learning planned and unplanned. That's what we've been doing lately.

At the end of my pregnancy and after the cesarean, there was no energy in me to motivate my kids to learn anything other than stay calm, keep the house clean and let me nap. Some of those days incorporated holidays where we could leave the house and I could nap during the ride and the house stayed clean. Other days the kids were their own playmates and had fun with the hundreds of toys, movies, books and gadgets around the house. Winter is tough enough, then God said - make it longer in 2014.

 

Then she arrived. Our baby Molly came into this world so beautifully. You can read about it here: Growing in Grace - Family Centered 6th Cesarean.

 

It really took 6 weeks to recover, so during that time I encouraged the kids to study their history and religion. We read their school books and watched Netflix films about the holocaust and science fun. We talked a lot about personal behavior and consequences, a perfect fit for Lent. I think in those six weeks we learned how to respect others and their stuff, stuff we're so privileged to have. We learned how to be attentive to others, be good helpers, and remember that we're a family. Table for Eight!

 

Then the sun came out!

Who wants to be inside when winter FINALLY goes away. Not me!

Of course the kids went from winter into summer mode. They wanted to swim! Of course only inside pools are open for swimming in March. (I could shave my legs for that.) 

We learned that everyone, including the toddler, was able to swim on their own. I love these floaties.

 

Well, it was short lived - we can't swim forever.

 

But there's only so much cleaning and staying at home that we can take! It feels so crowded here, even though our new addition was only under two feet long. It's the mounds of laundry, the toys in the hall and stairway, the sink full of dishes, and the whining  - all that never seems to go away.

 

Like with most homeschool moms I know, Spring brings homeschool burnout. For us it was more home burnout. So we left. I sewed a sling carrier for the occasion!

We took advantage of homeschool week at the Mall of America, and went to Sea Life.

And as long as we were there, Eddie got to join the Build-A-Bear pet club.

They even have free rides there!

 

Now that I'm feeling more recovered at 8 weeks, we're catching up on all the chores and visiting we've been meaning to do. Holy Family it's a lot more than I anticipated! 6 times more. Do you ever really get caught up?

 

SO I haven't got a regular schedule for homeschooling. We're taking each day as it comes, which looks like lots of outside time with all the warm weather and gardening. AKA Science, PE and Art.

But we know there will be rainy wet days and sweaty hot days ahead to come inside and do the rest of the "bookwork" AKA Math and Language Arts.

 

Happy Spring!