Life Skills day

Today we had a Life Skills Day. David & I worked on the yard. Jessica & Jamie worked on the kitchen. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take pictures today. Everyone worked hard today. I'm thinking we need to do these days more often. I have so much I need to teach the kids.

I thought I'd make a list of life skills that I'd like them to learn. So here goes:

• Mowing/ weed-eating
• Dishes
• Cleaning kitchen
• Cleaning bathrooms
• Mopping/sweeping
• Basic sewing
• Laundry
• Budgeting
• Cooking/baking
• Grocery shopping
• Planning a meal from start to finish
• Basic exercise
• Basic car care
• Gardening
• Basic home maintenance
• Basic first aid & health care
• Personal hygiene - deodorant, bathing, hair care, etc.
• Basic job prep - interview, resume, etc
• Communication skills - listening, asking questions, getting point across, etc.
• Basic study skills - note taking, outlining, picking out important info, etc.
• Researching skills - how to find info at library, how to find info online, etc.
• Basic computer skills - word processor, spreadsheets, how to use computer, how to troubleshoot, etc.
• Personal safety - in life & online
• Personal Bible study skills & routine
• Apologetics - how to defend their faith
• Manners - basic, eating, interpersonal, etc.
• Organization - household, records, etc.
• Basic tool use - saw, hammer, measuring tape, etc.

I'm sure I'll add a few other over time, but this is what I came up with while sitting here. What skills would you add?

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Back on the road

Sometimes when we travel, there is not a lot of free/cheap things to do. So then we hang out in the hotel room or a McDonalds with a playground. This was one of those weeks.

We had a kids' suite at the hotel.

The girls' bunks.

The boy's bunk & the storage bunk. They did school work in the bunks.

We spent time at McDonalds. Jamie chose to sit outside the play area & do her work.

Jessica did her work next to me.

David did his work up in the playground.

Here they are coloring.

We had a Ritter's within walking distance from the hotel.

We visited Hubby's 2nd cousin once removed, Ruth.

We even went swimming.

It was a pretty good week. We love being able to be with Hubby. It makes the weeks we can't go with him a little easier.

 

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Odds & Ends

So, I haven't posted for while. Mostly because my fibromyalgia has been flaring so I've not felt up to doing a whole lot other than book work with the kids. But here's a little of what we've done the last month.

My Dad bought a Kawasaki Mule. Jamie got her first driving lesson.

Then David got one.

Jessica got one too.

Soon they were off on their own.

Jessica could barely reach the pedals.

Jamie got to drive around the garden.

Jessica also painted at Mamaw & Papaw's.

David joined in on the creativity.

Jamie decided to read w/Mamaw instead of paint.

David rode Papaw's 10 speed bike.

Jessica rode Uncle Bob's Fuji bike.

Last weekend, Jamie played paintball with her youth group!

We went & visited with my 93 yr old Mamaw! She & Jessica have a special bond as Jessica's middle name is my Mamaw's name - Ruth!

David is doing triangle fact families! These are really boosting his math confidence!

Jamie is doing Algebra!

Jessica is reading a book on my iPad.

So that's a little of what we've been doing!

 

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Homeschool??

I haven't posted since October. Why? Mainly because we haven't had any trips or activities worth blogging about. We've been doing Bible, math, reading, grammar & writing. Everything else has been a struggle. With the holidays, no one has wanted to do school. And I haven't wanted to blog. We are trying to get back in the groove of school work. It's been hard.

 

Kids have been playing a lot of Legos recently. I love listening to them use their imaginations as they build & play. I've heard a lot of Ninjago/Lord of the Rings/Super hero mash-ups. I love that they use things they've read & watched as springboards for unique story lines in their playing. I also love that they have lots of time to play!

 

Hopefully I'll have more interesting things to blog about soon. Until then, we will keep learning & playing.

 

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Field trip to kidscommons

On Monday, my Mom & I took the kids to the kidscommons in Columbus, IN. It is a neat place. It has 3 floors of activities for the kids to participate in.

Jessica is getting ready to pet a cockroach. She did it several times that day.

This play area was a favorite of Jessica & David.

This room was one of Jamie's favorites.

She loved making things run.

David liked the robotic arm.

Behind the bookcase is a maze that takes them up to the next floor.

The giant toilet.

Jamie even went down it!

2 ways to get to the light room.

The light room.

This is where you end up when you go down the toilet.

A giant bubble!

I

David was bubble bending!

Jessica amazed at Jamie's bubble bending skills.

Both girls bubble bending!

Jessica playing Twinkle Twinkle.

The exercise room.

David making sure I saw him exercising!

Jamie was pretty good at the cup stacking.

Jamie jumping rope.

Mom watching them play checkers.

Jessica building pyramids.

They're still playing.

Now a giant pyramid!

Time to rock climb!

David waiting for me to take a pic!

Jessica just rang the bell.

David being a spy!

Jessica the monkey.

David was scared to go too high but I was proud of him for trying.

Jessica was a monkey. This time her challenge was to climb blindfolded. She made it 3/4 way up with it on.

David in the Japanese house.

Jessica playing.

Jamie back in the Power Outlet.

Jessica made friends with one of the volunteers.

Jamie coloring with melting crayons.

Jessica's tree.

David painting.

The kids had a great time. I highly recommend that you check out the kidscommons if you are anywhere near Columbus, IN. You can find out more at: http://www.kidscommons.org/

 

 

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