A Frustrating First Day

Yep, it was a frustrating first day. It was one of those days that makes me rethink everything...including our curriculum.

Everything was ready - I had had it out last night on the small tables in the school room ready for today.

The day started at 7 a.m. when Drew came into our room asking to play the Wii. When we had told him yesterday there wasn't any Wii until after our school work was over.

The cinnamon rolls did not rise, but D & K still ate one for breakfast. They must not have tasted very good because the didn't ask for seconds. Fine with me...less sugar that way!

Drew dressed himself in clothes that did not match. I asked him to go back into his room and change his shirt. He came out with another shirt that didn't really match (see pic below) but I was tired of it and since we weren't going out anywhere today, I didn't ask him to change again.

Drew complained about having to do school today - not sure what else was on his agenda for today. :oS

Kate dressed herself with her shirt on backwards (see in pic below - ruffle should be in front).

I took their picture next to the board with the date for today and the schedule of our morning. Kate's holding the 100 Easy Lessons book she's working through this year for reading. Drew's holding a package of balloons that he is so excited to open!

We went through the calendar activities. Claire tried to get into them so I kept trying to get her busy in other things...which would work for about 30 seconds. She was her normal self this morning...into anything & everything that was a "no" to her...standing on the play table, the computer table, smacking the other kids, trying to get up the stairs, pulling books down, getting into the school supplies (markers, pencils, scissors) repeatedly. I was exhausted!


We got through reading & spelling...Kate LOVED her lesson #2 (we had done one last week after she begged me do school with her!). Drew complained after writing 4 of his 12 spelling words, yet completed his Phonics paper just fine.

We accomplished math (Kate was super-eager to do her little workbook page), Drew did the first page but didn't want to do the second page. More complaining.

We read about the history of the balloon - rubber ones, found England on the globe and read how the first US balloon made was in Akron, OHIO!

Then we got out the balloons - big mistake with C! She wanted all of them. D's balloons he picked out from the store (multicolored) I couldn't blow up...seriously! And I know I have a lot of wind in me! I didn't want to add..."Mom passed out" to the list of things that happened this morning. D then wanted a long hot-dog-shaped balloon which I said, "no." It wouldn't have worked for the activity. He wasn't happy and picked a green balloon from Kate's balloon bag she had picked out from the store.

We finally did the activity in between me taking the balloons from C as she tried to eat them! Below the kids are batting their balloons across the playroom counting how many times they swatted them, trying to do it in less swats each time.

We were supposed to have a science experiment with hot air & balloon...but I couldn't do it. I couldn't take anymore. I sent them outside with bubbles & homemade bubble solution.

Combine 1 c. water + 1 T. Joy soap in separate container. Let sit 1 day for best results (though it'll work right away if your toddler repeatedly dumps her sister's container!)

C finally left the bubble area and decided it was more fun to slide down the slide on her tummy rather than her bottom. Wild child!