how to take your kids to the library

Our little town has the neatest, little Children's Library. For the first few years, I would take a few children, and leave a few home with Dad. Every once in a while, I'd get brave, and take everyone. Then, for a while, we all went (including Dad) on Saturday mornings. Then it went back to me taking a few children.

Now, we are all going (minus Dad, because he has to work) every Thursday morning for almost an hour and a half. We leave the house in enough time to look at books for a half hour or so, and then participate in Storytime.

I did a trial run about three weeks ago, reminding everyone as we pulled into the parking lot that there was NO running, No being loud, and everyone must be on their best behavior or we WOULD, indeed, leave. (knowing I would have to follow through with this, or they'd never take me seriously. also knowing, that I would most likely be cutting our Library trip short, since we were already dealing with some not-so-pretty post-vacation behavior).

We were there about thirty minutes when Benjamin had his first meltdown. I took him to the bathroom, reminded him of the rules, and got him calmed down. About fifteen minutes later, meltdown number two arose. I informed everyone who had books that it was time to check out, apologized to the librarians, and we were out of there. I should have down that with the first episode.

(little side note: Benjamin's meltdown was over a wooden firetruck that all the kids get on and ride. He was fighting with Wesley over who was going to drive. There was also a slight squabble over the Lego table. Both the firetruck and Lego table have been banned on our Library trips. We do not go to the Library to play with toys. We go to check out books, and listen to stories.)

The next week, Storytime started. I knew I would have to have a fool-proof arrangement. So we did a little pre-planning.

I made sure to have all our library books that were currently checked out written down. We went over the lists, checking things off, "Return, Keep," and each child put their books in their own bag (we now use the receipt from the previous week). No talk of fees, overdues, left behinds, etc. at check in.

I told everyone they could check out five books. Since we will be going each Thursday, that seemed enough. I'm not real strict about this rule, but for the most part, everyone sticks to it. The total reaches six, or seven sometimes.

I told Connor and TJ they were to stay together (which was completely unnecessary, but I informed them nonetheless).

I told the girls that they were to spend the first few minutes with their partners (Benjamin and Wesley), helping them select five storybooks, and looking at the model train, and watching the fishies (OK, so we go to the library to check out books, listen to stories, look at the model train, and watch the fishies). At that point, I would take over, and they would have twenty minutes or so to look for books for themselves. Kylie has even begun to get on the Library's website to look for/request books, so she pretty much already has a list and a plan.

Then, at Storytime, Kylie and I sit down with the four youngest boys and listen and craft our way around the world. While Korinne and Connor read at a nearby table.

Check out is all together and orderly. Each of the older, reading children have their own Library card (a perk here at the Bailey home once you learn to read), and they check out their own books, and put them in their own bag. I check out Benjamin's and Wesley's on my card, and help them put their books into their bags. They give the receipt directly to me, I staple them together, and slip them into the so-handy Library Summer Calendar so that we can be sure to have everything the next week, as we check off for the morning's trip. It also helps in avoiding all those nasty Library fines.

Last week was an absolutely beautiful Library trip. I was amazed at how well everyone did, how fun the trip was, and praised myself accordingly.

This week was a wakeup call.

Although it was nothing like our trial run, it did not go near as smoothly as last week. And I knew that I had been premature in my celebration of conquering the Library with SE7EN children. But we're not going to give up! I think as long as we stay the course, each week will get easier and easier. And my grown children will have many, many wonderful memories of spending time with their Momma and brothers and sisters at that little Children's Library in that one little town we used to live in.

Now, if I can just make a plan for the grocery store.

thoughts on copywork

We have, for the summer, left our copywork assignments behind. I struggle to keep our children from being bogged down with 'extra' schoolwork, and to keep our little homeschool balanced (read: eclectic).

I've read the many benefits and purpose behind copywork:

from The Well Trained Mind, "The purpose of copywork is to get into the child’s visual (and motor) memory the look and feel of a sentence that is corrrectly composed, and properly spelled, spaced, and punctuated. " ... "So you should do copywork as long s the child is still struggling with the basics of writing conventions: spaces between words, capital letters, punctuation, spelling. (Generally, this is first grade, although it should extend into second grade or as long as the child seems to need it.)"

from Simply Charlotte Mason, "Copywork is the method Charlotte used to teach and give practice in handwriting skills." ... "As the child carefully copies a noble poem, a Scripture passage, an inspirational quotation, or the lyrics to a hymn, he also absorbs grammar and punctuation rules."

from Higher Up and Further In, "Its [copywork] purpose is to improve the child's handwriting, expose them to noble thoughts, good sentence structure, rich vocabulary and introduce basic punctuation and capitalization rules. Even grammar is incidentally taught but this is just an added benefit and not the purpose for copywork."

from Ambleside Online, "Copywork done properly forces a child to slow down and absorb the punctuation details, notice capitalization, and internalize sparkling prose. For this reason, a child's own stories are not the most ideal source for copywork a la CM."

I feel that right now, having them do their English (grammar and composition) neatly, their Spelling neatly, and having them read (and listen to) great literature is covering all the aforementioned benefits of copywork.

It's very freeing to let go (but I still love Charlotte).

daybook, june 13th

Outside my Window...a storm just blew through. now the sun is trying to shine.


What We're Learning...The Last Supper, skip counting by 2s, how to diagram simple subject & simple predicate sentences, ...


I am thankful for...the little grocery store around the corner that sells good lunch meat and cheese


From the kitchen...we had sandwiches, leftover mac & cheese, and BBQ chips for lunch


I am wearing...jean skirt, yellow top, hair in a ponytail, bare feet


I am reading...Anne of Green Gables, The Art of Homemaking


I am praying...for Korinne's wellness, and that she is the last of the family to battle this very s-l-o-w moving virus!


I am creating...an organized home. all seasonal decor is in the attic. my laundry room cupboard is organized (as are the cupboards/drawers that house our microwave), my closet is almost finished...AND! we purchased another shelf this weekend, so ALL our books now have a home (but it IS already filled)


I am hearing...Kylie flipping the pages of her bible, the hum of the fans


I am remembering...that I need to activate a new debit card, to at least start on Kylie's lesson plans for her Freshman year, and check on my parents (aren't you home yet?!?!)


I am going...nowhere today. Korinne has Book Discussion Tuesday. We may go swimming and to Ladie's Bible Study Wednesday, Storytime at the Library Thursday, Friday (?), the boys want to go Fishing again Saturday...but the girls want to go shopping, and hopefully, hopefully to church on Sunday (if no one else gets the bug!).


On my mind...blooming where I'm planted. I'm having trouble lately. I'm so anxious for Brian to get orders. I don't think it will happen anytime soon, and the position that's (still) open in H@w@ii just haunts me (truly).


Noticing that...everything looks so green and clean now that it rained. The air even feels cleaner.


One of my favorite things...the things my kids say. This morning, Wesley exclaimed, "You look pretty, Momma!" and Benjamin and I had a silly discussion... Me: "You're rotten and stinky." Benjamin: "No I'm not." Me: "OK, you're sweet and delicious." Benjamin: "No, Momma. We don't eat children!"


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...see "I am going"

before and after vacation

We recently took a long (9 hours!) trip home to Cincinnati.

I want to remember to do a few things again on our next trip, and I want to remind myself NOT to do a few things.

...


Remember to super clean the house before leaving on vacation.

...it was wonderful to come home to a neat, tidy home. Deep clean kitchen, bathrooms, etc, make beds, do ALL laundry, empty trash cans, pour a little bleach in the potties and down all drains.

Do not go grocery shopping that last week before vacation. Use up what you have. *Also remember, that does NOT mean you have extra money to spend on vacation! Since you will use up everything you have that week before, you will pretty much need to stock up upon your arrival home.

Remember to be aware of what the kids wear the last few days home, put back what you want to take on vacation. But don't really worry about packing until the day before you leave. Pack super light, but cover all practical bases. *Do laundry on vacation (who wants 10 loads of laundry to do the day you get home? Not me.).

Leave very early. 5:00 AM at the latest. The kids will be 'confused' by the darkness, and fall asleep fairly quickly. Then they will also nap before arriving at your destination.

...eat a quick 'breakfast' before leaving. Donuts and milk is a good choice. Don't use dishes.
(saves us from having to stop to eat twice)


Remember to clean out the fridge and pantry. A 2-week old hamburger is not what you want to deal with upon opening you refrigerator door for the first time. Neither is a couple of old potatoes in the pantry, or apples on the counter in the apple basket.
(So thankful we did not get fruit flies!)

Do NOT forget to set up for a friend to stop by and water the garden and flowers.
(Our tomatoes did not make it...and my hanging baskets of petunias still haven't fully recovered!)

Do NOT forget to stop any UPS deliveries when you stop the mail.

Remember to turn the AC up considerably, but take my advice, and don't turn it off (especially if you live in the VERY hot and humid kinda-south). But do unplug and turn everything else off (I once saw on a news show where it cost a woman hundreds of dollars a year to leave a nightlight on in her kitchen!).


Empty the van the minute you get home. Of everything. Luggage. Garbage. Pillows and blankets.

...Start the laundry right away. Unpack suitcases. Get the sippy cups and travel mugs in the dishwasher. Cut the grass and water the landscaping. Then make dinner, and carry on like you never left (you'll have time, since you left so early in the morning).


***

Smile a smile of thanksgiving and contentedness. You are HOME! (which is almost the best part of going on vacation. almost.)

a tale of two cards

while dusting and tidying up our bedroom the other day, the two contrasting cards sitting on my dresser caught my attention.

one card reads:

Our love isn't just about the special celebrations in our lives - it's also about the simple pleasure of sharing each day with you...It's talking about anything and everything, laughing together, and feeling our worries melt away in the warmth of each other's arms...It's about knowing each other so well, making each other happy, and being so good together.

Happy Anniversary with Love

(and then there is a very beautiful and personal handwritten inscription from my husband. he always gives me cards that ring so true to our relationship. i love him.)

the other card reads:

Hope everYoNe pees WHeRe THeY'Re SuPPoSed To TODAY.

HAPPY MOTHeR'S dAY

(with SE7EN happy little signatures underneath. another true sentiment of my life.)

***

I live a blessed and well gifted life. My heart overflows.