"Diagramming Sentences is Easy Now"

    I'm so proud of my 6th grader! He has worked SO hard at his English this year, and he just announced that diagramming is easy now. He has probably only complained about schoolwork a handful of times this whole semester. He works hard, quietly, and it would be nice if his work ethic would rub off on the youngest two... The 4th grader works just as hard, but he is a perfectionist and stresses out big time over things like writing a perfect conclusion sentence. BUT! He is figuring out how to write a good paragraph! 

    The youngest and I were working on sight words the other day when he read this sentence  and asked what a mop was. After a quick explanation, he said excitedly, "It's been a long time since you've done that!"

    I maintain that I do mop, but it is rare because when you've got 4 boys and a dog, what is honestly the point? I'm not even sorry!

    On my quest to make the somewhat dry Seton material a bit more interesting to the 6-year-old, I rummaged through the toy box to have these guys help him with subtraction yesterday. Turns out, they were pretty much just a huge distraction. Points for trying?

    One of MY favorite games is Scrabble, but John prefers strategy games, so I've had nobody to play Scrabble with for a long time. Now that the two oldest are good readers and writers, I can finally play Speed Scrabble again! At least until they consider themselves too cool to play word games with their mom.

    And now, for a fashion show... I found this sweatshirt on Etsy and now it's mine and I'll be wearing it every day of December. BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE EVER, HANDS DOWN. 

    PE yesterday was a trip to a local park on a gorgeous 55 degree day and some good old fashioned hill rolling. So many giggles and no broken bones! We're so thankful to God for sunny, warm days.

    I'm off to go practice flashcards with a kid!

First Week of Advent

    I thought I'd share this beautiful quote on the blog. It's especially fitting this year. 

   Lesson planning has been especially nice lately as I listen to my favorite Christmas music while I work. The other day, the 75-pound dog came and wedged himself under the desk right by my feet. He makes a nice foot heater.

    It's no secret to the boys or anyone who knows me that my math skills are...adequate. Luckily, we haven't had too many issues yet this year. Except for figuring out how to go from 5/8 to a percentage. I missed that day in grade school, sue me. Good old Google to the rescue!

                                                  

    Four boys at four reading levels = so many books. Take a look at my "system" for "organizing" our library books. I'll never ever complain about having to make yet another library run.

    The first grader has been working hard on addition and subtraction. I felt like a genius Mom when I had the idea to have him use M&Ms for his problems. The brothers were especially interested in helping with this activity! But seriously, the three older brothers have been surprisingly helpful with their little brother. It's nice to see glimmers of kindness in our days.

PSA- I found straight Hot Wheels tracks at Dollar Tree yesterday. Hours of entertainment and a Physics lesson to boot!

    Just two weeks of school until Christmas Break! Our Advent wreath is out, everyone fights over who gets to blow out the candle, and the hope of Jesus' coming is alive in our hearts. May your Advent be blessed and filled with joy this year.