Not all of our homeschool classes have started yet. So this week we eased back into our routine, slowly! Since Jake and Molly were younger and naps were a thing of the past, I would try to set aside time most afternoons for some quiet time. We called it Tea Time. In the afternoons we would make a pot of Red Zinger and have little snacks while I read to them. We still look forward to our afternoon break! And even though Jake only occasionally joins us for the snacking part, the girls and I use this time to catch up on our latest chapter book or some poems. One of the books I plan to use more ideas from is COME TO TEA by Stephanie Dunnewind. It has lots of ideas for tea party themes, crafts and games.
We also made a trip to the zoo this week.
While Molly and a friend attended a zoo class; the little girls and I walked around to see a few animals enjoying the snow. Then a quick hot cocoa break!
Tags: animals, craft, Crafts, homeschool, homeschool classes, photo, photos, quiet time, snow, Stephanie Dunnewind, Tea, tea party, tea time, walk, zoo, zoo class
Your tea time looks so cozy and charming, Kristen! We love tea time, though we don’t do it daily (I wish we would. Am going to make it a new year’s resolution, I think…). I just LOVE making all those wee itty bitty tea time snacks too
-donna
Picking homeschoolers brains is a great thing, since everybody does it differently. My oldest son is 13 and has been doing on-line school for the past 2 years-mostly because he is unmotivated by anything but video games and girls. We have somebody to answer to and so he has to do a little bit of “school work” everyday. If not that he would watch tv, play video games and pretty much do nothing all day. My youngest goes to pre-school 2 x’s/ week, she will be 5 in May. And my “middle child”-(who is just that!!!) keeps herself busy playing most of the day. We read together and do some activities, play games and do some science experiments. I am a huge believer of hands on and living a rich life. We never did any formal curriculum or sit down education with my son before he was 11 or so and the same seems to be happening with my daughter. They both take outside classes-circus, clay, gym, breakdancing, sewing. We get together with friends often, ice skate on Thursdays, they have a paper route and we have a weekly potluck with 3 other families. My kids are certainly not wanting for social interaction!! Try to look for a group in your area to hook up with-it will help if your kids can make some homeschool friends. Plan lots of field trips and spend time together learning and having fun. Take it slowly and from experience-don’t try to recreate someone elses day. You will find your own rhythm eventually! Good luck-hope this helps.