My Home Done My Way

June 3, 2015

Managing Time

Homeschooling has really opened up the day for all of us. I love being about to create our own schedule and fit in things that matter to us. (There are some things I hope to add to our schedule as time goes including having my older kids more involved in family history. I love that they can get through most of their school work early in the day and have time to play. But, it also has meant that they have more time to play...thus wanting more time for electronics or wondering what to do. Most of the time I feel like we manage pretty well at balancing, but sometimes it gets off balance. So, this last week we started a new program at our house in hopes of providing a variety of activities, helping around the house more, and managing their own time better. So far, it seems to have helped...but I do realize some things only last a season. So, here is our new 'electronics rules' (see bottom of post). The kids get a lot more electronic time then they used to but I also get a lot more help around the house and they also keep busy doing other things.

We manage to get out of the house doing fun things like going to the Aquariums new playground

The little kids area

Playing

I am not sure how we managed to get a sock stuck here!

We manage to have plenty of time to build, create and show love for each other!

Working on her tie quilt

Kids came up with this quilt idea...designed on paper and in the cutting process

Cutting together

Working on more cutting

#4 Boy made this with help from #2 Boy

#2 Boy created this parrot that sits on his shoulder

Managing some Family time...I love how they all line up in a row...#7 Boy even pulled himself up on to the end and laid with the others!

#6 Boy managing some play time asking for photos

We also manage to get some cooking done. One night #3 Girl made dinner: Quesadillas, Salad, and Apple Crisp! Yum!

Coring the apples and the little ones helping to eat the skin (memories from growing up!)

#3 Girl did all the hands on work for this. I did help make sure she got the right amount of everything.

Managing to enjoy one another!

The kids are choosing the help more around the house. They already do kitchen duty every night or chicken/rabbit, front room duty (boys and girls swap). But, now they are often found cleaning the bedrooms, bathrooms or walls throughout the day without me having to say a word! The little ones love doing it along side their older siblings. Tonight #2 Boy was wiping down the door and jumping while he was doing it. #7 Boy was standing beside him with a rag bouncing up and down!

Yes, me laying there while my house begins to shine!

Cleaning together

#6 Boy often asks now "can I clean?!"...yes, yes you can!

Note: We have added more to our 'chores' section to give more variety.

June 1, 2015

Treehouse Museum Field Trip

We love that we get to do so many fun field trips this year and that we get to share the experience as a family (well, minus Dad). Anyway, last Friday we got to go to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. As a school group they have a special "World Tales" (focused on Asia) that we got to be a part of. It included stories while sitting in a Chinese Hunt and a Mongolian Hut. Then we made a fish wind sock craft while hearing stories from Japan. It ended with the kids helping to put on a play. I can't remember where the play was from. I was pleased to see most of the kids participate (#5 Boy could have been a star fish but wouldn't dress up. #6 Boy dressed up but wasn't about to go near the stage, #7 Boy played around on the floor, stage and steps just like a sea anemone). After the "World Tales" part was over the kids had time to explore the museum. The found a variety of fun things to do. As we left they also gave each child a free pass back. Just have to pay for an adult to join! Anyway, I didn't get pictures of most of it, but couldn't help but pull out the camera during the play. So you get treated with some of those!