I began today looking forward to all that was going to happen – Wednesday is our STAY AT HOME DAY. Yay…

We started with our family devotions – we continue to read through Ephesians and pray together.

Then I had a long conversation with Joshua on time management and his control journal. The thing is, his life isn’t that complicated that he needs a full on time management system but when is there a better time to learn a skill than when it isn’t stressed out situation. We talked about him growing up and having to be more responsible for all aspects of his life – not just his study. He will have family commitments, studies, work, a social life, and any ministry opportunities all colliding and he needs to start to learn the skills to help keep them all in balance now. He continues to work on his control journal to make it his own – to reflect how his brain works, and how it needs to be reminded.

Then we had character lesson. We talked about the five I wills – I will listen to others fully, I will watch facial expressions, I will notice tone of voice, I will put myself in other’s shoes, I will show that I care. These are the practical out-workings of sensitivity and one of the reasons I like Character First so much. Then we did something we haven’t done before – I gave each of my children a different handout (produced by Character First). Josh had the Business Bulletin, Jess had the Advanced Student, Nomi had the Intermediate student and Daniel had the Elementary student handouts. Each read the article that reviewed the 5 I wills and then ‘responded’ in the form of a notebook page to one of the questions printed at the bottom on their article. Daniel came with me (the others worked independently) and we talked some more about a situation he was in with his friends and how that connected to sensitivity. His response / notebook page was more of a lapbook fold representing that when people hurt in their bodies we use our 5 senses to help, but when they hurt in their heart we need to use our heart to be sensitive. Daniel and Nomi also draw a Snowshoe rabbit (Copy draw) and copywrite the definition. I was really pleased with using these extra bulletins and will use them again that way.

Daniel and I then had Science together. We started with the Answers in Genesis programme: God’s Design for Life. We are starting with Plants because I want Daniel to help with a veggie garden in a few months time. I was really happy with today’s lesson – as a new resource it was easy to prepare for (I became familiar with the layout and photocopied a worksheet). The lesson included a section of information to read, a worksheet and a discussion point (which we turned into a notebook page).

Then it was time for our Australian History studies again with Nomi and Daniel. We continue to read the Australia Book. This is really stirring up their interest. Nomi wants to write a story based on the Tom Thumb, a small boat used by early explorers, Bass and Flinders. Daniel just wants to learn as much history as he can. Reading aloud always sends me to sleep so after about 40minutes I needed to nap! The kids went off to find all the picture books we have on early Australian history and do some reading themselves.

When I woke up it was time for science with Jess and Nomi. This is their second lesson this week. We thought they understood the experiment so we were just going to talk about it and move on but they didn’t so today’s lesson was all about the experiment, what happened and why. Our objective with science is to give the girls an overview – not to necessarily finish the course within a year so we will just take whatever time we need to take. (I keep reminding myself of this)

Meanwhile Daniel is working on his Photo of the Day project (which isn’t anything like a photo of the day project!) Let me explain…. I saw a scrapbook album done last year, taking one photo a day of regular life and objects. I loved the idea. I had hoped that Daniel would take on this project merging his love and skill in photography with his need for consolidating his writing. As it has turned out he isn’t taking this on himself and our life isn’t consistent enough for him to be taking a photo a day. So my plans have changed slightly. He is to do one page a week – that is between 1-4 photos. He is using Creative Memories Storybook software which is so very simple for him to use. I have set up a template for him, he chooses a page layout (from the different template options I’ve given him), he drags in the photos and writes a few sentences for each one. He can save the project and he is done. So other than remembering to do it – it is an independent activity. Daniel also worked on his independent math (Math-U-See).

Just before lunch I helped Jess with her math and ended up having a big discussion with her as well. It is taking time for these heart to hearts that I am feeling challenged that my scheduled lessons are pushing out – and yet today I am having them so it is really just relaxing and letting real life be my guide in balance with what is planned on paper.

In the afternoon Jessica began preparing a Bible study as she is leading at our weekly Bible Study. Naomi spent her time on reading and notebooking. Daniel has half hour blocks of table time, computer time, reading time and play time. Josh continued with whatever he had planned.

At 4.00 we stopped whatever we were doing and spent a little time in practice for the concert and then it was free productive time for the rest of the afternoon.