Mom Is Teaching

Monday was a great day on the homeschool front. It was one of those perfect days where everything falls into place and everyone stays happy. We all woke in good moods, which is a rarity around here. Morning is not our favorite time of the day. My oldest helped me make pancakes while the youngest played with the toy pirate boat. After pancakes we curled up on the couch to read a story. After reading it “one more time” three times in a row I managed to persuade them to get dressed and out the door for a morning walk.

It was beautiful! The air was cool and crisp and there were multi-hued leaves everywhere. Nature provided plenty of opportunities for my oldest son to show off his growing sign language skills. We have ben using the free online ASL University to learn signs. Orange pumpkins, yellow grass, brown and red leaves. He is learning to sign colors right now so any chance to point them out is taken.

Back home we ran around the yard, acted out Jack and the Beanstalk on the slide, and the boys jabbered an older neighbor’s ear off when he came out to walk his dog. As clouds rolled across the sky I ushered them inside. They managed to play without fighting long enough for me to get a little writing done that I had forgotten was due (oops!). Once done we crowded around the table to color a few pages. Well, my oldest worked them and my youngest just scribbled and applauded himself. LOL But it was productive still.

Daddy got up just in time for lunch (he works nights) then played with them and their huge collection of matchbox cars while I finished some work. We somehow managed to wear both boys out so that they both fell asleep for nice afternoon naps! I know, I’m still in shock.

After dinner the boys hlped daddy clear out the closets of old clothes, sorting them into donate and trash piles, and had a long talk about why we donate old clothes and why some people cannot afford to buy new clothes. Once sorted and piled neatly we turned on the stereo and danced around the house until bath and bedtime.

It was one of those days when I can just sit back and smile. They learned, they played, they helped. There was no fighting, no arguing, and no brother on brother violence.

And I even got the dishes done. How’s that for a small piece of balance?

homeschool, day in the life, family