What’s been keeping me busy

I finally absorbed the concept that I can’t keep track  of everything in my head. This was my solution. I made a list for each child of what books I needed to order and then I set up a big, ugly folding table right smack in the living room. Each child has a section and as the books come in I check it off on the list and stack them with the appropriate child’s name. When everyone’s pile is complete I will write out the lesson plans and then hand it all over to them.  This will hopefully avoid this mind numbing conversation I had with an anonymous child at the beginning of last school year.

Me:  "Take out your new math book."
Child: " I don’t have a new math book."
Me: "What do you mean you don’t have a new math book? What did you do with it?"
Child: "I never got one, you never gave me one."
Me: "Did you realize I forgot to get you a math book?"
Child: "Uh huh"
Me: "Why didn’t you say something?"
Child: "I dunno."

By this time my hair was standing on end I was Googling Catholic boarding schools.  So this year I am hoping to avoid this situation. 

I purchased the lovely Student Planners from Michele and my plan was to have the older  children start taking more responsibility for their schedules and assignments. This will work fine for Katie and Erin but upon thinking it over I’m not sure Ryan is up to the task. I might make him a planner that is more specific to his needs. I’m still toying with that one.

I need to have this all done in the next few weeks since our construction is due to start in mid August and we have to move out for awhile. I want to just be able to pick up the books and go and not have to worry about planning in a new living situation.

I also have to finish writing my presentation for the Family-Centered Learning Conference.  I hope to see many of you there.  Alice is the featured speaker and her two talks promise to be wonderful. I am so fortunate as to be able to see Alice in action frequently and I have to tell you whatever you need to do to get to this conference will be worth it. You’ll come away with a renewed sense of spirit and that "I can’t wait to get started and do all of this cool stuff" feeling. Alice is enthusiasm and joy personified.

I am able to highly recommend Michele and Margot as speakers as well. Both are filled with practical advice and well as good humor and that easy going, I’ve done this and you can too" feeling. I so appreciate that camaraderie at home learning conferences. I need to feel like those speaking to me get where I am coming from and don’t just want me to do it their way.

Does that make sense?

You know what I mean.

So I hope to see you all there, there will be a bunch of bloggers you all know and love attending and some really great vendors. Catholic Heritage Curricula is sending samples to view and offering a sweet deal to those who attend the conference. It will make the gas money worth spending.

Have a blessed day.