Super Schedule & Happy Homeschooler!!

I must admit, I started this new school year (Jason in seminary & Caleigh being homeschooled) with a mix of eagerness & trepidation. I realize that the word "schedule" is a dirty word to some moms, & if flying by the seat of your pants works for you . . . Great!! But with a husband in seminary, a homeschooled preschooler, a rambunctious toddler, & a serious lack in self-discipline (come on girls, you know what I'm talking about -- you could fold laundry, scrub toilets, or wash dishes OR you could lay on the couch with a light breeze from the fan blowing over you while a Lifetime movie plays faintly in the background & you drift in & out of consciousness . . . take your pick), I desperately need a schedule.

So in the few weeks before school started back up, I spend hours pouring over our "2008 Fall Family Schedule." I set up bedtimes, naptimes, mealtimes. I incorporated morning routines, school sessions, & chore times. I squeezed in Family Night, couple time, & snuggle moments. I even created space for trips to the grocery store, the bank, & the library. Jason needed study time, Sunday School prep time, & down time. I needed ministry time, cooking time, & Me Time. And all of it had to be flexible to boot!!!

The true test came on Tuesday -- Jason's first day of classes, Caleigh's first day of school, & the first day of schedule implementation. And to top it all off, we were starting the day with an unscheduled doctor's appointment! But I am pleased to report that the schedule has worked beautifully!!! Sure there were things that we missed here & there. Some things had to be re-worked, but in the end, we have accomplished more in the past 4 days then we have in a long time!! I start the day off with a goal & end the day feeling extremely productive. And the girls have completely embraced their new responsibilities. Yea, Mom!!

And how did homeschooing go, you ask?? I honestly thought it was too good to be true when Caleigh looked at me after our first session on Tuesday (we have 3 sessions of school a day) & said, "Mommy, I don't want to take a break." But 4 days later, I couldn't get over the disappointment on her face when we finished all our schoolwork for today & I told her there was no more work for her to do. As Peyton was playing the pool, Caleigh wanted to stay inside & do schoolwork. I take that as a sign that things are going well :o)

So as I type this, we are having Free Time. Caleigh finished 3 sessions worth of school in just 2 time slots, so we get extra time to play!!!! Yes!!