Week 2 in Review

Okay, this week didn't go quite as smooth as last week. The excitement of something new was not shared by the little ones. We did accomplish the major points, but I need to find ways to transition and introduce the activities in a better manner.

They enjoyed drawing pictures for Grandma and Grandpa's letters. I asked them what they wanted to write and wrote the letters. It was cute. Asher wanted candy. Stephanie talked about the trip they took a couple of months ago.

We didn't complete worksheets on Adam and Eve, but they recounted the Adam and Eve story verbally.

We talked about Letters and Stephanie enjoyed using the noodles to play and create letters. Asher didn't want to play with the noodles, so he moved on to taping nickles to the money sheets.

They understand the value of the penny and nickel and are learning who the men are on the front of each.

We're on Chapter 4 of Winnie the Pooh, but they don't seem too interested in listening. I am still reading it though because I remember all the Well Trained Moms talking about the little ones listening to the stories even though they didn't appear to be.

Their weekly chore chart is simple: Make bed, brush teeth, and pick up toys. They are picking up on what they need to do. They get a sticker for each chore when it's complete. We plan on giving a treat (I'm not sure what yet) at the end of the week when they completely fill in their chore chart.

We didn't get to making the kazoo or another baking treat.

Lineup for Week 2, Aug. 25-29th

Monday:

1. Mail and Address/ Write a letter to Grandparents
2. Bible Story: Adam & Eve
3. Play with Blocks (focus on numbers)
4. Read 2 stories

Tuesday:

1. Letters and Lines (watch Letter Factory) plus look over proper letter forming worksheet
2. Adam and Eve activity sheets
3. Continue with Winnie the Pooh
4. Explain Chore Chart/Begin doing chores

Wednesday:

1. Make Kazoo instrument
2. Cont. with Winnie the Pooh
3. Spaghetti Numbers
4. Listen to Spanish Go Diego CD

Thursday:

1. Money Lesson: Nickel
2. Read 2 stories
3. Food in Rows
4. Spaghetti Letters

Friday:

1. Asher's Choice
2. Stephanie's Choice
3. Read 2 stories
4. Field Trip

Week 1 in review

Overall, the lessons flew by, but the learning continued throughout the week. After covering the penny and reading the Beginning Story (Creation), we reviewed the lessons when driving or out in town.

Friday was their favorite day pick. Asher wanted to cut and Stephanie wanted to cut and color. The color fish game was fun where they "went fishing" and put their caught fish in the right color plate. They helped make Jello for our baking treat and learned a new word, "dissolve."

We read lots of stories and they answered questions about the different characters.

First Day of Preschool was Awesome

What a delight watching our new routine unfold with eager and excited toddlers! I think the pictures tell it all.

We cut, cut and cut some more. Introduced the Dozen and counted to 12 using an egg carton. We moved to the living room, cuddled on the couch and read The Beginning of the Children's Bible along with The Sneaky Snake (they always want to read this story from the Children's Bible!). Two more stories later and a discussion on their favorite part of the stories and we were done within an hour and a half!

My biggest challenge was telling them how to hold the scissors. I found myself saying, "Thumb to the sky" often.

Tomorrow is Our First Day of Preschool

Over the course of the last two weeks, I've been researching and gathering ideas to set up our home preschool routine, lessons, and goals. Tomorrow, marks the day that we officially start with Preschool. I like new beginnings.
Even before Asher (4) and Stephanie (soon to be 3) were a part of our life, Ryan and I picked up The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and pondered the idea of homeschooling. We lurked on the Well Trained Mind Forums for years! We read about the different approaches and attitudes about homeschooling. We continue to read the woes and concerns about public schooling.

Our lifestyle fits homeschooling. We love being their teachers and parents. Granted, I have discovered that being a Stay-at-Home Mom (which you can find many doubts and concerns in old posts here) is not my forte. Now, I work evenings with the flexibility of having the days open to focus on the children. By working with others and having a personal outlet, I am happier and super excited to being the central teaching figure for our kids.

What is in store for tomorrow? New kid scissors, cut out shapes, and books. Yep, we're in for, maybe, a full one hour day! Because they are so close in age, I will introduce everything together and let them work at their own pace.

Our Goals?

• Reading by the end of the year
• Counting numbers
• Introduction to the bible
• Recognize money and value
  
• Introduction to music
• Completing simple chores
• Learning how to write
• Learning how to play basic sports
• Have lots of fun

Our Curriculum?

• Daily Life
  
• The ABCs
• The Numbers
• Free Worksheets online (fun coloring, recognition, and skill development)
• Slow and Steady Get Me Ready (S&S) by June R. Oberlander
• The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories
• Lots of books
• Zoo, Cheekwood Gardens, Frist, Field Trips!!!
  

I've broken down each day with 4 lessons. The lessons multi-task these main subjects. For instance, reading and listening skills, art w/science, religion w/reading, etc. I'm sure that as time progresses, I will be making changes to this list, but these are the subjects we plan on introducing:

• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Science
• Art
• Religion
• Listening Skills
• Music
• Homemaking
• Fitness/Sports
• Foreign Language (Spanish)

Each Week, I will create the next week's plan/lessons in order to have all materials prepared and organized to jump right into the activities.

Here's our Lineup for Aug. 18-Aug. 22

Monday: First Day Celebrations (Picture taking, new kid scissors and supplies in individual baskets)

1. Playing with Shapes
2. A Dozen (placing written numbers in Egg Carton), S&S activity
3. Read two books (they pick)
4. Read a Bible Story and discuss, The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories by zonderkidz
   

Tuesday:

1. Comic Strip Sequence Fun, S&S activity
2. Write #1 and 2, using LearningPages.com worksheets
3. Play soccer outside, talk about dribbling
   
4. Create Chore Chart (color and glue toothbrush, toys, dress, make bed, eat pictures)

Wednesday:

1. Start reading Winnie the Pool (original)
2. Bible Story Lesson
3. Color Pieces (fish, counting 1-5), S&S activity
4. Intro to Music (still searching for an online source/activity)

Thursday:

1. Continue reading Winnie the Pooh, plus two stories of their choice
2. Identify the Penny
3. Make Junk Boxes, S&S activity
4. Tippy Toe, S&S activity
   

Friday:

1. Read stories of their choice
2. Let Asher pick an activity from the week
3. Let Stephanie pick an activity from the week
4. Bake a treat

My biggest concern is to make sure that learning is part of our natural lifestyle. The best thing about preschoolers is that Play is their source of learning, so everything we do is devoted to play and fun with direction.

Out of Sight, Not Mind: The New Direction of Spirit, Mind and Body

I have not forgotten Spirit, Mind and Body, but it's had the misfortune of neglect. Once started as my personal journal, posting regularity received the same amount of attention my old written journals received--moments of multiple entries and months of inactivity. My emotional attachment prevents me from completely erasing it and shutting it down.

Because of my commitments to Go Workout Mom, Empower Women Now and BookieBoo, designing and creating a whole new blog for our family's homeschooling adventure would be overwhelming.

My solution is to fold our homeschooling and my personal ramblings into this blog. With my inconsistencies in sharing random thoughts (oh, how I'm missing out on some great political discussions) and expressing personal opinions, I believe this is the best solution for keeping Spirit, Mind and Body alive and embarking on our new found journey.

Welcome to the world of the Posey's! We love to learn and grow.

Healthy You Challengers, I'm Over Here

Hi everyone,

I've been out of touch on this blog. I just wanted to let all the Healthy You Challengers know that all my updates are made at Go Workout Mom.

Finding Deals: Waiting and Watching

Do you struggle with impulse buying? Why is this such a dangerous practice? What benefits might be found in waiting?

Not too often. My impulse is usually when we're out and I didn't properly plan our food. I'll make food impulse buys and coffee shop stops, too.

This is dangerous because I get the kids thinking they can start asking for anything in the back seat. I don't want to hear the "But Mom, you stop at the drive thru when you're hungry, out, etc..." Must think into the future! Plus all those extra calories and wasted money that could have went to a better use.

The benefit in waiting is applying the money to better causes and purchases as well as less fat!

What would you think if your spouse, child, or other loved one gave you a homemade gift or a coupon for personal time as a Christmas or birthday present? Would you be offended or would you appreciate the sincerity of the gift?

I'd love it. We try to do this as often as possible. I think homemade gifts are priceless.

Do you always look for brand new items, or are you comfortable with “slightly experienced” things? Why do you think many people believe they have to buy new?

Consignment shops and Goodwill are regular destinations for us. Know of a consignment sale? When we're back to spending some sort of money, I'll tag along! Right now, we're avoiding all shopping.

I think people buy into the hype that new is better. They can afford it. If I could afford it, then I'd probably buy new too. It's easier because you can go right in and get what you need. There's no searching and hunting for the right thing.

For the Ultimate Blog Party Mom Visitors

It's been a wonderful week of visiting and sharing stories with fellow Women Bloggers from around the world. If you're stopping by here, it's because I didn't know how to shift my name in some of the blogger template comment forms to Go Workout Mom. Please join me for the Ultimate Blog Party Dance here!

Isn't blog hoppin', Party time a blast?!

We Went Golfing

After completing a mystery shop lunch with Ryan today, he wanted to go golfing. Out of the blue, he says, "What would you like to do today?" I was thinking along the lines of enjoying a quiet afternoon at the bookstore with coffee in hand when he perks up, "What do you think of golfing?"

Golfing? Where did that come from? Today? It's a little chilly, but actually a gorgeous, clear and sunny day. "Okay, sure why not."

Mind you, he's only golfed one other time and he says he started with 10 balls and ended a 9 hole run with 1 ball. I on the other hand, have never picked up a club outside of Putt-Putt.

My goodness, three hours later, we've scaled hills and searched for errant balls. Why don't they just stay within eye site? Lost 4 balls (not too bad) and had a great time.

The toddlers were with Grams, so it was a beautiful adventure outdoors with a mix of walking, running ( I decided that I might as well get some interval training in and sprinted after a few of those errant balls), and a few stretches.

As for my swing, well, let's just say--if we decide to take up golf seriously, lessons are in order!