A busy 7 month old and Homeschooling

As my daughter, who is 7 months old learns to crawl.....


I forgot what it is like to have a baby who crawls. I am very quickly reminded that babies can find every little piece of dirt on the floor and put it in their mouth.

Because I have to vacuum several times a week now, I am ready to get rid of all the furniture I own. Because that is not realistic I will just have to persevere through this stage of life. My daughter is my 3rd child so I know how quickly this stage passes and another begins.

Home schooling with a baby has proved to be a little challenging. In the morning, I make my 3rd grader a list of the subjects I want him to do that day. He hits the ground running. For the most part he works independently. My 1st grader needs a little more help. I try and get him started on a workbook. Then, I try to get my daughter interested in something that will hopefully hold her attention for 10 minutes. In that time I can usually help my 1st grader with phonics. He can do math by himself. If and when she naps, we try and get subjects done that require more hands-on help.

I have discovered that homeschooling with a baby can be done. But you have to keep things very simple. These are the materials I use:

3rd grader (working above grade level)

Bible - Daily devotional For Boys

Language Arts

Grammar- Easy Grammar
Handwriting
Writing- Institute for Excellence in Writing
Reading- He reads huge amounts of books everyday we do not do a formal reading program.

Math

Aleks online math (http://www.aleks.com/)

Saxon 5/4

Science

Harcourt California science
Evan Moore Read and Understand Science

History/ Social Studies

Harcourt History Social Science

1st Grader

Bible - Daily devotional For Boys

Lang Arts

Grammar-
Handwriting- Handwriting Without Tears

Writing- Evan-Moore Write a Super Sentence
Reading- Hooked On Phonics and Horizons Phonics and Reading.

Math

Saxon Level 1

Science

Harcourt California science
Evan Moore Read and Understand Science

History/ Social Studies

Harcourt History Social Science

I often have my children play on websites the reinforce what they are learning.

What does your house look like

The stockings were hung above the chimney with care....yeah right.

The empty stockings, gift boxes, wrapping paper bows, trash were strewn all over my house. It looks like Christmas threw up all over my house. How does one holiday make such a mess?

My children are enjoying all their new toys. All at the same time. In every room of the house.

So of course since the house is all ready a mess I should reorganize the garage... right? It makes sense in my mind.

So here goes. Hopefully I will be able to dig myself out of this pile of trash before spring =)

Merry Christmas and Happy new Year