Friday, August 18, 2006

A busy week.

“A person’s freedom of learning is part of his freedom of thought, even more basic than his freedom of speech.” ~John Holt


Monday - band practice - recording music for a CD for two sons, Warhammer constructions with a friend for two sons, chat with homeschool mums for me, my work at Kumon, Thomas cooked dinner. We read about St Clare and also about St Maximilian Kolbe. And some of us began watching the first half of the movie 'The Others."

Tuesday - We read the poem and Latin quote selections for the week ( chosen by Jonathon and Alexander). Much discussion of the poem. Did some Maths and English and A worked on his Latin. J was at work and A went to work. T and Anny rode bikes around the local area and lake. Read and wrote about the Assumption of Our Lady or any other topic of choice from religion books. Shopping. Cleaning. Laundry.Cooking for a birthday dinner for guests ( and don't ask how it went - it was a comedy of errors!). T and Anny folded newspapers and I helped them deliver these. Attended Mass for the Assumption ( T and Anny serving - just barely). Listened to Dire Straits.

Wednesday - a very early start ( 8.00 a.m.) for my Kumon Training day. We listened to the CD of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the car on the trip ( in peak hour traffic ). Then caught the train - I to St Leonards and the kids to the city. They shopped. Hung out at Borders. They were going to visit the Powerhouse Museum - but ever quite made it. Instead, they met dh for lunch and went to a movie ( Hoodwinked). And finally met me back at the car, after my training and tests.
Home at 7.30 pm - takeaway for dinner - fast food but we talked about making healthier choices and nutrition. And we ditched our current read aloud ( boring) - think we will read aloud the last HP book instead ( in preparation for the next HP book due out at the end of the year).

Thursday - Up early again. Continued wth my TJ workouts - this time Cardio Party Remix. Friends were dropped off at our house and we drove them down to St Ives for skate boarding lessons. And lots of soccer and playground play and talking after. We mums discussed swear words - how often do we swear? Do we? And why? And what do we say? I talked about one memorable occasion when I used a (very) rare word and how the kids will never let me live it down!

Dropped friends at home, after listening to The Silver Chair on CD in the car. Love audio books! Lunch and then to work for me, J and A - Thomas and Anthony watched the BBC version of Prince Caspian, played piano, Anny cooked dinner ( macaroni cheese and vegetables and fruit muffins). Reviewed Latin prayers and I did Kumon worksheets. So did T and Anny.

Friday - Up and at 'em for a workout ( TJ Fat Blaster) before homeschool ice skating. Went to Penrith - listening to YellowCard and the Eurythmics on the way - I skated with Anny and a little friend. Then chatted to the other mums while the kids skated and talked. And we had lunch. Home eventually for odd jobs, errands, reading, work for J and A, music lessons for T and Anny, Kumon business stuff for me, Warhammer models, laundry, discussing and reading Snowflake Bentley, you name it. And tonight pancakes for dinner ( yes, I am cooking) and Youth Group for J and A - and a game ( Scene It) and a movie ( the new The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe on Foxtel) for the rest of us. With continued Kumon worksheet study for me. And discussions on germs and white cells and AIDS.

Homeschool looks interesting when you capture it all on paper. Yet, there are many discussions and reading of books and using the computer and blogging that I have missed - this is a truly a brief summation.

Learning happens. How can one stop learning? Impossible.

8 comments:

Cindy said...

"Impossible..." !

Oh, Leonie I have come to the same conclusion. Esp as I read more bios and hear about how people learn and process. I think your John Holt quote is neat. It seems also if people (dc) are given a rich enviorment and encoureagement they will learn even more and more...

Love your journal. Isn't it cool how when you can see it in black and white it seems more real and is tangible? Your week sounds wonderful....

Makes me want to go journal..:)

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...

Leonie,

I like you because you're real.

Leonie said...

Cindy - you journal, girl! And I am SO missing your blog!

Ladybugs - I have taken Cindy's idea of being authentic to heart - no point in trying to be who I am not - or in being less than honest. That said, I *know* I have a lot of room for growth! :-)

Leonie said...

BTW, Ladybugs - are you gonna start a blog?? Hint, hint. :-)

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...

Well, I thought about starting a blog called, "Tater tots and ladybug love" but I just haven't...

Maybe I will...

And as far as room for growth, I'm right there with you....

Love,
Maria

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed reading about your week, but Leonie: you swore??!! I can't believe you actually used a swear word!!! If you didn't swear Tuesday night, then what possibly could make you use a bad word!!!!! ps...it was a most enjoyable birthday, please don't apologise!!!

Leonie said...

Fr B - It wasn't a really, really bad word. :-)

You are very nice about Tuesday...

Ladybugs - you go and get yourself a blog and let loose and vent. lol!

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...

Happy Late Birthday, Father!

You birthday is the Assumption!

WOW!

Leonie,

As you now know, I got a blog...or should I say, "I gotta blog!"