S might be for socialism, but frankly my brain is too mushy today to discuss it. So I will talk average life for a moment. Yesterday, the baby dropped down to four feedings a day. I wasn’t totally ready for that, as this is a sign of weaning {there are other signs as well}, but considering my difficulties and track record, I suppose I should be satisfied with the fact that he has nursed the longest of all my babies.
With that said, dropping to four feedings means that life feels less like life-with-a-newborn and more like just plain life-with-four-little-ones-under-the-age-of-seven. We inaugurated our new-found freedom with a walk around the block to meet the family whose yard backs up to ours {our children discuss religion through the fence}.
Anyhow, in my enthusiasm over more space in our day, specifically more space at one time, I typed up a schedule which, naturally, we didn’t follow even remotely today. So, I reverted to my old title, the Average Day Chart. I like the word “chart” as it seems less demanding. Having a chart always helps me stay on task, and I haven’t had one since the baby was born because I was mostly surviving, and doing things whenever I found the time, even if it was 9pm.
Now, I have a chart, and I thought I’d share it just because I know I get emails about what it looks like to homeschool one child while juggling three little ones. This is what it looks like on paper. What it looks like in person is another story and tends to involve looking like Toys R Us vomited in my living room.
I’m just saying.
Sorry for the terrible colors. On my computer, the document has nice muted tones, but Scribd apparently prefers them to be garish.
Sigh.
If you will notice, Baby O.’s entire “schedule” consists of eating, sleeping, and playing. I am thinking of putting my name over that column and seeing how it works out.
In other news, S is also for Supper. I found a frugal, easy, healthy, serve-hot-or-cold meal that I thought I’d share: Everyday Italian Rice Salad. We ate it warm last night and then cold today and it was great both ways. Unless you ask the two-year-old. I think I am the more trustworthy one, personally.
S is also for School, or my own continuing education. I have been giving myself Latin class in the evenings. I am currently still in the Introduction. At this rate, I will know a bit of Latin by the time I have grandchildren. Thankfully, our resident six-year-old steals my Latin text when he thinks I’m not looking. Maybe he will learn faster than I have been.
And, finally, S is for Si, who wins the best husband prize because he brought me home my very own box of trail mix granola bars from the grocery store last night.
It’s the little things.
4 Comments
Brandy, how about a post on how/if you do lesson plans? 🙂 Kindergarten for me was “pull out memory work and recite” “pull out copywork page to trace” and “pull out book stack and read a couple pages of each.” Now I’m looking at my piles of books for next year and am wondering how to put it on paper.
If you put yours on paper, I’d love to see it! 🙂
Mystie,
I look forward to seeing yours!
As far as interrupting outdoor time: we have many, many months of hot weather here. Math is an excuse to come in and cool off, so it works. During spring (which lasted a week and ended on Sunday), I just let them stay out longer, with the four-year-old skipping naps and such. I knew the good weather wouldn’t last long, so I gave them a pass.
KM,
You sound like me! That would be my life without a schedule, too. With lots of coffee on the side. 😉
My babies sleep a lot. They all have done this. But I think it is the formula. I wish they would wake up wanting to nurse, though. I think I would trade it for being more rested than most moms at this stage. The grass is always greener, no? 🙂
I know we’ll need a real schedule when I want to start lessons. Otherwise nothing will get done. (Well, the house might look reasonably clean but no lessons will get done and somehow it will be noon and I’ll realize the kids haven’t been outside yet.) Thanks for posting yours. I’m envious of all those naps baby is taking. My baby sleeps a long time at night (with lots of waking for nursing; I’m such a pushover) and barely sleeps 20 minutes during the day.
I’m thinking that’s going to have to change.
Thanks for sharing the recipe and your schedule, Brandy!
I’ll be posting mine, too, soon.
Is it difficult to start school again in the afternoon, to interrupt outdoor free-time for math? I’ve been wondering if school in two parts would actually happen in our house.
Of course, I need a little more practice and discipline in keeping my own afternoon “routine” first. I find it hard to interrupt myself for afternoon chores and dinner prep. 🙂