When Homeschooling is Good. . .

. . .it is so very, very good.

I feel like I second-guess, gripe, and bitch about our decision to homeschool a bit much, so I thought I'd post a glimpse of how life goes when things are "working" (even though, like bragging about a baby who is sleeping well, I am sure to incite the wrath of the gods who will screw with my upcoming days).

The main thing that is happening is that we are getting things done. My cardinal rule for getting things done is STAY HOME IN THE MORNING. Nothing screws with our routine more than having to rush out of the house at 9, 10 or even 11. And, even though I tell myself we'll "do school" in the afternoon, it never happens (or if it does, it's ugly---there is a reason some cultures take a siesta).

Also, we have, hallelujah, made some progress in Math with my oldest. Ironically, we are back to the first curriculum we ever purchased, although I would like to kiss our interim program on its big fat mouth for getting us past the days of tears and fighting (for now). I am even (fingers crossed) going to buy the next level up in our math program which probably means we're about to crash and burn again, but I like to live on the edge.

The biggest challenge has been fitting in time for my younger two, but even that is going okay. Jilly is reading (about halfway through this), and started doing grammar and handwriting, although I'd like to get more consistent about doing math with her.

And, the biggest surprise to me is D who is learning to read! He is such an eager beaver about this, it is adorable. So far, his stories have consisted of "see me eat", "see me read" and "mad at me" (hey, I didn't write this stuff), but you would think he is reading Dickens for all the high-fives flying around at reading time.

Finally, the days are getting a bit warmer and brighter, which means the kids are playing outside for hours each day and are well aware that their school friends are not able to do this.

I may be feeling better about myself, too, because I'm exercising again and even have started to read a book. A book! (I've got a couple others you've mentioned waiting in the wings and may even do a few reviews if I can muster up the smarts that are necessary to write book reviews).

So, yeah, things are good.

Now, please excuse me while I wait to see if they sky will fall.