Christmas Break ~ The Learning Creeps In

Homeschooling truly becomes a lifestyle. For those that are new to the homeschool journey and come from a public school background, there may be a sharper divide between "homeschool" and "home". But for most of us, homeschooling quickly becomes a lifestyle. Whenever we take a break from our normal studies and the learning continues to flow, I am reminded of this precious fact. Learning never stops. If our days are filled with quality, then we learn.

This week my husband had his "at-home working vacation". He likes to take one week of vacation each year that is reserved for making progress on home repairs. This week with the help of the children, he has painted Anne's room and completed an accent wall with trim work in Dean's room. My kids have gotten multiple hours of home economics for painting this school year. They are learning valuable skills for their adulthood. A penny saved is a penny earned and every job you can complete yourself saves you from paying someone else. 

Anne and Tim also had a sewing lesson with Grandma on the sewing machine. They got some last minute presents made and Anne learned how to run the sewing machine, change out the bobbin, thread the needle and do a simple craft. I say that is pretty good for a first lesson. It was all review for Tim, but still handy skills to freshen up on.

Anne has embarked on a 1000 piece puzzle. It is a winter themed puzzle featuring a polar bear and Coca-Cola. She is finding it challenging but loves puzzles, so she is attracted to stop and do a bit more throughout the day.

They both spent hours this week playing their beloved musical instruments.

Anne has almost entirely taken over our Christmas wrapping. She loves it and has even wrapped some gifts for herself (that she had seen me buy). She loves it and wants to wrap more ~ lol. 

We have also been binge watching Call the Midwife, if you can call watching one to two shows a day binge watching. 

On Tuesday they had school time with their homeschool friend, S. We learned the difference between Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic. We then learned that soap has a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic side on each of its molecules which makes it unique and a good cleaner. Of course, we had to follow that up with a science "experiment". We made our own bubble solution and compared them to touchable bubbles which have polymers in them. Fun was had by all.

The kids also wrote a story based on one of my favorite Norman Rockwell pictures, The Discovery.

Today there is cleaning to do, a party for Anne, special one-on-one time with Dean, a few last presents to wrap, Montgomery pies to make and a tree to chainsaw. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and some of the out-of-town relatives arrive. The kids are performing at church. There will be a homemade feast on Christmas, but for Christmas Eve it is pizza on paper plates! Have a blessed season everyone.

Blessings, Dawn