Sorting, planning, tidying - have so many different lists!

Lots of things are changing, well only one major change in our routine really, and that's Mike starting a new job next week,but I have lots of plans to change things in our home life, home schooling and home toddlering (although now James is 3 I think he is classed as a "pre-schooler" - or pre-homeschooler!!).

Since Mike's redundancy 3 months ago, he had planned to get lots of jobs done around the home, also since Mike's redundancy, we have had lots of lovely weather, so we have spent lots of lovely family time out in the garden, at the beach, the park and down by the river.

Consequently, not all jobs planned have been done.  So he has been busy these last few (very rainy) days DIYing. 

We almost have the house "sorted" - there are still  things that need doing (it is 150 years old, and we bought it for a bargain price as it needed lots of work ) mainly the decor, but as we have three kids who are home schooled, decor will just have to wait!

We now have a lovely little corner for James in the Living Room |(Montessori style), and our Dining Room which is also their |"classroom" has two new large bookcases, and another little space for James, with his art easel and little drawers for his art and craft (although he still goes to Becky and Danny's drawers and uses their materials as well!).

Becky's room is all complete,apart from her dressing table - we found this in a charity shop, but it needs painting, so that is the only job that needs to be done in her room.

Danny's room (or Danny's dirty room as James calls it) is almost done.  Yesterday afternoon Mike fitted laminate flooring, now Danny just needs to sort his stuff, which he is quite keen on doing at the moment as he wants it organised for when his stick insects arrive.

Now I just need to sort the bookcases, so all the subjects are together so it doesn't take me 10 hours to find a book.

Home Education - Been a bit slack with this - had good intentions at the start of the new school year (September 09)  but then James being diagnosed with Epilepsy in November but our lives on hold ,only really starting to live "normally" again in Feb this year.  Then Mike has been home, which has meant we have been in holiday mode. 

Lots of learning has still been taking place of course, and our approach to Home Teaching is primarily Child Led, but we do like to have a bit of structure, and some planning and routine is required, and this is what we haven't been doing.

So a list is being done for education for the next term, as well as trying to sort out social groups and trips for them to attend.

With Mike going back to work I will not only miss his company, but his cooking skills too, so have planned to be more organised and am working on a weekly menu planner.

Next list -  activities to keep James occupied - have tons of jigsaws which he loves to do, and got loads of stuff from the scrap store - wooden corks, plastic bottles, buttons, lids etc so will create a space for these. Have yet to make an area for him in the kitchen, so that can go on my to do list.

On to today - day of rest - well not for my mum as she is cooking us a roast dinner :-] watching football at my parents(should be able to watch all of it as it is during James's nap  time) then home for a traditional Sunday Tea.

Have a good weekend.
Lou x