Bit a Winter

Focus

It's getting to be that time of year again. The newness of the textbooks has worn off. The excitment of a new subject is gone. It's about time to start losing our enthusiasm. The girls are old enough now(mature enough now) where they have learned to concentrate, but the boys are smack dab in the middle of this wonderful phase where they are more often than not, "no longer with us." You know what I'm talking about. I don't think there is a child out there that doesn't go through it. The moments where you are in the middle of a lesson, and ask a very simple question about what you just said, and get the blank stare. "Hellooo. Are you in there?"

Or the assignment that lingers on for hours. They stare at the blank page, fully capable of completing the task, but no modavation to begin. The girls will say, "This isn't hard. Just focus and get it done. You could have been done by now." Which is so funny to me because I used those words with them not too long ago.

That's what it comes down to . Focus. But where does it come from? I know how to buckle down and set my mind to something. But how do you force/modivate/inspire/teach someone else to? 

                        Breaks are sometimes a great way to recharge, expecially for a young, energetic boy. But giving too many breaks can also be taken as a reward if given out too easily.

                      Sometimes I will stand over their shoulder and point to each problem. Somehow, just my finger placed there helps them to focus, maybe because it breaks up an overwhealming page into bite sized sections. The minute I step away from the table, they are staring at the ceiling again.

                      Sometimes a simple time limit snaps them out of it. There is no reward or punishment given along with the time. I will say, "You have 5 minutes to finish this row." but never fallow it with, "and if you don't, I'm, um... grounding you from Super Mario Brothers Galaxy." Ouch! That would hurt. But I find, nothing more is needed than to just give them a time limit. A goal.

I want to know what has worked the best for you. If you're a commenter. (I'm not latley, I've gotten too lasy) But if you have a minute, and an opinion, I'd love to hear your "head in the clouds" remedies.

Are Wii Fit Yet?

 We're getting there. I just read in a magazine that with the wii games (like baseball and tennis) you are only exerting about half the energy as their real counterparts. Well no kidding. But it's a lot better than sitting around like we are prone to do in this winter weather. And I can work up a sweat with my Fit routine. But then again, I am extremely out of shape.

Courtney is doing Kung Fu here and Joseph was mocking her. I found him amusing- she did not.

Please excuse the laundry littered living room, the napkins left on the shelf, and the duct taped window. Yup, this is my house in all it's glory.

And here are my kids in all of theirs.

"We're ready to go outside."

Wheels on the Bus

Winter Break

 No, not from school, from this cold. We've enjoyed the last couple of days of warmer weather. Even Joshua went out sledding and had a great time. This is the winter I enjoy. Sunny, warm, and loads of snow.

I'm not sure what the fascination is with indoor snowballs. I've gotten used to the little puddles of forgotten snow. It's OK, it entertains them.

How boys play

You've wrecked the Lego train. Now you've crossed the line.