Is Summer time for School work?

It's that time of year!  The teacher in me struggles each summer with whether or not to implement a "school work" section into our summer break.  Every single part of me and my training knows that my children need this.  Every single part of me knows that my oldest will read no matter what.  Every single part of me knows that my middle NEEDS me to implement a schedule for her.  And every single part of me knows that my youngest will be a little rebel about this.  So, I think I will try to be creative.... If I work on cooking with Erica, that will help implement both reading and math.  If we go to the library, everyone will be excited to get new books to read.  And if I make myself set a timer and sit down with them, we can get a lot accomplished in a little time about 3 days per week.  I could work out a deal with Jacob where he helps with one while I help with another, and that's actually keeping him busy as well.  Although he's always hated having to be a peer tutor....see....being the smart kid isn't always so fun!
Anyway, I think my one that needs more attention will not mind doing some stuff with me, since she will view it as time with me, rather than time working.  And I bet she and I could sneak off and do some sewing together as well!   So....I guess you could say that the teacher in me won on this struggle!  : )
Happy Monday to Everyone!

The Cast(s)

Water proof cast

I never posted on the blog that Erica broke her leg during her 4th grade picnic.  Her and another student were playing and they fell on top of each other, sat out of playing for about 10 minutes to rest, then got up and went on playing.  Then the next day was Field Day.  Her foot/ankle/bottom of leg area was tender, so she opted not to participate in any of the racing events during Field Day.  By the time she got home on that Thursday, her limp was quite substantial.  But me still being wary, told Isaac that I would take her in for an x-ray AFTER piano lessons.  So that night we went in, and the doctor was shocked to see the x-ray, the bottom of her tibia is fractured and her growth plate was broken as well.  Luckily on Friday, the orthopedic doc that we see had an opening.  She got to choose a really cute tie-die looking cast (pictures in a little while).  Of course after getting that cast was when everyone started asking us why we hadn't gotten a water proof cast.  Well, we didn't know there was such a thing.  So we went for her 2 week check up on Friday, where she got permission to start applying weight, and we got a water proof cast.  It's the greatest thing since sliced bread, especially because it's summer time!! 
There's an art to getting all the water out, but so far, so good.  Now she goes back in another 2 weeks and I'm sure he'll do another x-ray at that point to see how the healing process is going.  Everyone says kids heal so quickly.  I hope that's the case for her, even though she's being such a trooper!!

Last day of School

Today is the last day of school for the 3 munchkins.  That means our year of having a 7th grader, 4th grader, and 1st grader has come to a close.  All in all, it's been a pretty good year.  Jacob always keeps us on our toes and we routinely have to check his grades online.  For some reason, even though he probably only turned in half of the homework assignments he should've, he still managed to stay on the honor roll all year!  I guess it's a good thing he makes nearly a 100% on all his tests!
Erica has shown vast improvements this year.  School doesn't come as easy for her as it does for Jacob, so she has to work really hard for her grades.  But I remember when I was teaching, that students like Erica were always well liked by teachers!  Hard workers are the best!!  Her biggest struggle is spelling...which she gets from her dad!  She made the biggest improvements in math.
Mikayla is a lot like Jacob when it comes to school.  She does work hard and is hard on herself when she makes mistakes.  But she's very haphazard when it comes to homework.  And she will not be one of the girls with the cutesy handwriting.  Mikayla loves compliments on her clothing and loves to wear cutesy outfits. 

They are all 3 registered for Summer Camp at Fort Meade.  We will be able to drop them off at camp, then work our 8 hours, then pick them up and head home!  It's a pretty sweet deal, even if I lose my quiet commute to and from work!  It will also keep them busy and active this summer.  Jacob is the least excited about it, but the one that needs it the most.  He's getting much better about socializing and making friends so this will be a good experience for him, even though he usually talks the ears off of the counselors!