Making up for lost time

This week has seen the Rogers return from Melbourne and us return to the Tai's.

As previously mentioned I was determined to find a little routine and although we still have a long way to go, we have improved.

Sammy is my biggest challenge, he is so excited to be surrounded by his cousins that its hard to get his attention or focus his interests on anything other than spending time with Sisi or Benny.

I do enjoy watching him when he is immersed in play or books or army training (something he participates in regularly with Benny).

I purchases new journals for both the kids, nice, sparkly cool ones in the hope they would be more willing to write in them, thankfully it paid off. With printed photos and lots of stickers and colour their journal writing is now enjoyable and something they take pride in. We are still working on Sammy's perfectionist  ways with his handwriting, though he is definitely improving, now accepting crossing out a letter rather than tear up an entire page and begin again.

Our morning routine is finally falling into place. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays we begin our day with a run, Ash is surprising me with her amazing efforts where Sammy who has done a lot of running is mentally struggling to push himself, something he had become great with back in Melbourne, still no matter how fast or far they run, its a great way to begin our mornings. From there I make breakfast while they complete their ' 6 things'. They made a little poster each to stick on their doors, 6 things as a morning routine to keep them on track and accountable for getting ready.

One of the best things about home schooling is that we can  decide to go for a hike, or an extra excursion if we feel, if the day is beautiful, why stay indoors? We took advantage of such a day last Thursday when we went for a hike and orienteering fun with all the cousins. As usual, the day started a little slower than planned (it isn't so easy to organise 13 children) but we had an amazing day making irreplaceable memories and coming home with happy, tired and hungry children ( and way too many animal bones ).

 

Saturday saw another run with LRC, everyone running well. Archie taking first place for the kids, Joe Joe second and Lani third. What talented nieces and nephews I have, of course they completely take after their Aunty :)

Sammy had another amazing day at soccer, two more games played and two more games won. He was a little disappointed that he kicked no goals this week. I helped him to recognise his amazing efforts, that without his enthusiasm and constant energy and ability to stay with the ball, the goals that his team kicked would not have been possible, that every player on that field helped to contribute to each and every goal. A hard lesson to accept when your 6 years old.

What an amazing little team he has, some amazing players and when put together, a great little group of mates and a very talented little team. Winning four out of four games, I feel they may be the team to beat.

 

Yesterday was General Conference, Sammy, Ash and I staying home to watch it online, take notes and discuss what we learnt from each speaker.

Sammy lost focus after the first few speakers but Ash Pash took a lot in.

Then we ventured to the Rogers, all of us. We had a pot luck dinner, put on a church movie then put all the kids to bed so us adults could begin the fun of games. The older kids slept outside in the tent while all the others shared rooms and beds. We all loved the crazy chaos of 13 children and 5 adults having a sleepover that we're doing it again tonight :) ( I think Kym and Joe want to redeem themselves after mine and Leona awesome win last night).

No matter how crazy and chaotic our times are when we're all together, I wouldn't change it for the world, we spent so many years looking at photos of the Tai's and Roger's here in Tassie, growing up together and always feeling a little sad that my kiddies weren't able to share all those memories.

We are now making up for lost time.