January 27th - February 9th, 2013

Yes, this covers two weeks worth.  Things have been busy around here and it doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon.

Other than a couple of piles of homeless office supplies, the Great Reorganization is complete.  Everyone is settled into their new rooms (or in Jane's case, her new bed) and doing pretty well.  We're all a little tired, but I think it's going to be okay. At least, I'm hoping it's going to be okay.  Hoping and praying. (Please, God.  Let them sleep.)

Here's what we did and what we'll do tomorrow:

Henry

• Saxon Math 1: Lessons 90-94 (written assessment 17 and oral assessment 9; writing the number 82, counting by 10s from a single-digit number; writing the number 83, adding ten to a number; writing the number 84, ordering the numbers to fifty; writing the number 85, addition facts - sums of ten; writing the number 86, counting by 100s)
• The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading: Lessons 140-145 (the silent letter pair GH: OUGH as short o and long o; GH as /f/, sight word: laugh; review the GH letter pair; the silent letter G before N; the silent L; the silent K before N)
• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 1: Pages 65-69 (Dd; O, A, D; writing a story)
• Spelling Workout A: Well, I regret to say that I have no more patience for this workbook.  Henry can easily complete an assignment, but he has no idea how to apply the concept.  I don't know if it's the material or if he's too young for it or what.  All I know is that it's currently a waste of time.  For now, we're dropping spelling as a separate subject.  I have my eye on Spelling Power, but the author recommends starting it in second grade.  That's fine with me, although I'm open to other programs between now and then.
• Who Am I?: Lesson 6K (Church Leaders)

Oliver

The biggest thing with Oliver is that he's now in his own room and in his own bed.  When Matt has put him to sleep, he has slept all night.  When I've put him to bed, he's woken up each night.  Tonight should be my night to put him down, but we're going to have Matt do it instead and see what happens.

Therapy is going well.  He's been doing a lot of vocal play and imitation at home, so they may pick that up again soon.  Overall, Oliver is just a lot happier lately.  He laughs a lot now and makes funny faces at us and is generally more playful.  It's nice to see.

Jane

Jane is in a regular bed now in her room since she learned how to escape her crib.  She is doing great in it, too.  She stays in the bed all night with no issues.  In the morning, she climbs down on her own and comes out to find us.  I'm so glad that we waited to move her until she was getting out of the crib on her own.  I think it made the transition a lot easier.

Peter

Peter is now in Jane's old crib, sharing a room with Henry.  Up until now, he's spent most nights in the swing, so he's doing rather well, considering. 

So, how are we liking having the schoolroom downstairs?  It's nice.  Really nice.  It means that I can keep an eye on everyone while I cook meals, or sweep the floor, or clean the kitchen.  We're doing lessons at an adult-sized table, so I'm not hunched over the little kid one from the playroom.  We got a couple of new bookshelves to hold the schoolbooks and supplies, so everything is easy to get to and in one place.  And, since everything is downstairs, we don't have the looooooong transition time between breakfast and school anymore.  Once we're done eating or taking Oliver to therapy, we move right over to the school table and get our lessons done for the day.  Much, much easier.