This Fall is crazy busy. Is it Christmas break yet?

I have to admit that I was not ready to start school this year. A perpetual summer vacation would have been just fine with me. We picked up right where we left off with my dear son whining and complaining about doing lessons. Ugh. He whines about math every day without fail. Honestly, he spends more time whining and telling me how tired he is than actually doing math!!! It's not too hard. I think he complains because he has to do it by himself. We talk out the word problems together but I require him to do a sheet of math by himself. You'd think I was pinching him. REALLY hard. It's getting easier now that we have an established routine. But it's still not ideal. Here's my week at a glance:

Monday: Lessons, house work/cooking, running sometimes, work-work 4:30-midnight
Tuesday: James with Dad, I have work-work during the day now. (starting to send school work with the                      boys)
Wednesday: Lessons, house work/cooking, running sometimes, work-work 4:30-midnight
Thursday: Lessons, lunch with my boys at home, work-work 3:00-10:30
Friday: Homeschool co-op where I am teaching and James is taking 2 classes, maybe errands or park                      afterwards
Saturday: Soccer game and then whatever (see friends, some event, etc)
Sunday: Family day, sleeping in and usually a nice dinner at home together

Since starting school AFTER Labor Day (I just love that!) James started soccer again (1 practice and 1 game per week for 9 weeks), park play days, Homeschool picture day and playing afterwards, Bugfest 2013 at the Museum of Natural Science AND a bike rally on the same day, hanging out with family, doing The Color Run recently, visiting the local fire station and watching them catch stuff on fire. Totally cool. I have lined up a few more field trips as well. We are going to the Carolina Tiger Rescue. Yep, there is actually a need for it. Crazy. And we are going to see Slim Goodbody. Anyone remember him??? I do! From the 1970's! Apparently he HAS been taking care of himself! There is also some extra interpreting jobs that I accept here and there. Hey, I want Christmas money.


We bought the Accountable Kids program and it's working well. James does chores everyday now...including making up his bed. James earned a "Special Date with Mom" and we went to see a movie. He chose the "date" and the movie....Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. Adorable. He almost picked the new Percy Jackson movie because I really wanted to see that one but I told him that I would love to see the meatball movie with him. We ate popcorn and candy for lunch. Washed it down with giant ICEE's. That's the kind of mom I am. With the program, he is leaning some responsibility. Much to his chagrin. But he can earn special dates with Mom or Dad. He says he now wants to earn some time with Regan. She's our neighbor. I should tell her that she might need to make some room in her calendar for James. He has even earned Bonus Bucks for doing extra chores. I didn't know this but he really likes setting the table! And this is one thing he wants to do by himself.

Uncle Si's new book

Toad and Frog

We haven't bought new books for him to read so we are keeping it simple and reading Toad & Frog books, Star Wars books, Ranger Rick or anything else he likes. His favorite bedtime book is Si-cology 101. We REALLY like Duck Dynasty.




James is now re-reading all of his Bernstain Bear books. I love that. He will sit in his room during quiet time ( this does not happen daily mind you) but mostly he brings them to me so I can read them to him. Now we are able to take turns reading the pages and that is fun. I have been making a Wish List on Amazon of all the new ones I want to order!!!! But....I'd be lying if I said it was fun right now. There are moments during the day lately that are nice and sweet but most of the time my dear sweet son is testing me.