Yoga (yes again) and homeschooling

No not together silly - two separate topics in one post.

Still loving yoga. Got up Monday, Wednesday, and today for the 6:15 class. I feel energized, awake, and ready to take on the world (or at least my two kids) after class. Tuesday I did Pilates and yesterday I did yoga at the gym and some weight training last night with Jay. After another week of daily yoga I am going to start trying to wean myself off my anxiety medicine. I am reading Bikram's book and it is awesome. It explains the sequence of postures, the history of yoga, the reason for the heat and just so much more. If you have ten minutes watch his interview from 60 Minutes Bikram's Interview. Michael has gone with me to a beginning class a few times and in two weeks they are starting a kids class twice a week. I am so excited!

Last weekend I made a schedule for our school day. I know that part of the idea of homeschooling is that you can have whatever schedule you want, but I am just not organized for that. So I made a rigorous schedule for each day of the week, just like I had when I taught in a traditional classroom. This week it has made a world of difference. No longer am I trying to figure out what subject we are doing next or how to entertain the other child while working with the current one. Each minute has something planned of each. I have cut the tv/computer/playstation time down tremendously and have stuck to my guns about it (much to their dismay.) For language arts with Michael I am using the curriculm I developed myself that is catered to his needs and it is going better than I hoped. I really feel that this school year is going to be one of tremendous growth for both boys. Nicholas has read two small stories in his phonics book and has increased his counting and math skills so much in just the short time we have been doing school this year.
We have found a great homeschool group in our area here. It has a bround range of kids that all play together. Both boys have ample amounts of playmates at the park days. They also have game nights at the local pizza place for board games or yu-gi-oh (Michael's obsession), a book club (for Michael), preschool playdates with arts and crafts, a Spanish conversation class, and much much more. The moms and dads that I have met in the group are extremely nice and down to earth, they seem to accept everyone as a homeschooler with their own method, without judgement on how you are teaching your children and what religious beliegs you may have. There are also so many homeschool activites that happen here throughout the Bay area that it is a little overwhelming. BUT WONDERFUL!!!

It is now time to begin our school day as per my schedule. Have a great day and weekend everyone!!!!! I do have other things to write about, maybe at lunch I can squeeze in another post.