RECESS AND OTHER THINGS

Why Have Reccess
I have the kids take recess outside each day between classes They think I am being nice, or that I want them out of my hair for a few minutes. Today (our second day of classes, but I'll get to that later) Ko-Ko wanted to have her computer time at recess. I said "No, you need to spend it outside actively playing. So after 20 minutes I went to call them in. Can't see them. The boy next to us is in Sr.K and Runner plays with him and his 7 yr old brother. Indy likes to join Runner there cuz he thinks the kid is the greatest kid ever. He is a nice kid. So I check there and I find all the kids inside playing video games. I hauled them out and explained that the point of recess s active outside play. I am willing to negotiate the outside part based on weather. "It's cold" says Ko-Ko. Yeah, I bet it was in a tank top and shorts. I sent her to change and sent them back out for 10 more minutes. I later explained that activity and fresh air wakes your brain back up, that's why recess is important. I have read online on parenting forums about schools cutting back recess. about kindy kids not getting any so that they are not exposed to tougher older kids. This is a shame. Highschool kids are "to old' which is awful At that level of work, with university acceptance riding on performance, an awake brain is vital. Another reason to homeschool.

Back To School (on the living room couch)
School got back under way in our house. Not a fantastic start and not a bad one. There is a reason schools sped time in review. They are establishing a routine before learning is started.
And we need to re-establish the routine also. Runner is a procrastinator and moves at the speed of dark.(think opposite of the speed of light) Day one I kept yelling at him to start working. Day two (today) I said much less. Just a reminder that work will be done before bed if he procrastinates, then he will be working much later then the other kids...which would not make for a good birthday (which I will also get to later). Ko-Ko is working well, but has moments of wanting me to spoon feed her. Okaga does well and is fairly independent. However if he is unsure, he tries having a meltdown. Since I take a hard line on all these behaviors I expect they will be short lived and the kids will move back in to work mode. I think we are currently in "test my limits" mode. At this point in the game I know there is a settling in period and I chose not to worry about it as it will not last. I also know I could avoid this by schooling year round. But I choose not to. For one thing the summer powwow season is way to full for us to school year round, and do it effectively.

Runners Birthday!!
Woo Hoo for Runner. he is 8 years old today. He will be having his party on Saturday. His Grandpa and Nana brought over his gift this morning before school started for us (so happy when family is considerate). They gave him a microscope that plug in to the TV, or can be used as a table top microscope, OR can be hand held for out side on nature walks! I think this shows awareness of the fact that he loves science (they all do) and support of homeschooling all in one. Grandma Claus was up this morning to join him for his requested birthday breakfast of pancakes and bacon (made by Dad & S.W.). She gave him a nice fall outfit and new running shoes (yeah!). I have not bought fall clothes yet. I am planning to just by bit by bit as needed but this is a tight time of year (school books, 3 b-days for my kids, 4 more family b-days...and fall clothes plus hallowe'en). Tonight he will get a gift from me & Dad, play video games and watch star wars movies. The kids will give him a gift at his party. I still remember his birth fondly. I was watching football when pre labour started. Actual labour hit the next day, and then it was quick! We feasted him that night and then I snuggled down with him and watched some Monday night football...a sport he loves to this day.