I'm trying to figure out why Friday didn't feel like Friday yet today was definitely a MONDAY. It may have something to do with the evening's multiple extracurriculars, or that it was Mini Marvel's first day of afternoon (read: no nap) preschool. But even when I first woke up this morning it just felt like a Monday. The day progressed into a stereotypical Monday as well.
Oddly enough it was Sports Nut, with no heavy load of scheduled activities, who had the hardest day. Husband has a pictorial analogy for Sports Nut's seemingly-unprovoked-but-often-high stress levels. According to Husband, we all walk around with a bucket that collects all of our tension for the day. Certain calming activities can act as a drain for the bucket, and certain stimulating activities can fill the bucket up pretty fast. An overflowing bucket equates to a mental meltdown. For some reason Sports Nut wakes up with an almost-full bucket sometimes. The slightest thing can overflow his bucket and the result is basically a lost day. Today his bucket was filled to it's rim before Sports Nut even came downstairs. He broke a glass before breakfast and although I was tooting my own horn internally for being so calm and rational about it, one glance at Sports Nut showed me that my placid reaction went unnoticed; he was already toast. He went to band, came home, and went back to bed. Although we eventually did a small amount of schoolwork today, most of his day was spent in recuperation (bucket-draining).
My guess is that Sports Nut's current anxiety is coming from the huge change in our daily routine. For nine+ years he has attended daycare or school where his every move was monitored and his every minute was planned. I am forcing him out of his comfort zone by giving him some control over his learning, control that he is not yet capable of owning. In the home school world, this is known as a decompression or deschooling phase, and it takes time. It's difficult because I want our new world to work for him, help him, and make his life easier, and I want it happen now! Instead I need to trust the process and find the patience to let it happen gradually.
On the upside, Drawing Diva had a great day. She and I spent about 30 minutes one-on-one going through her math and literature work and it is really exciting to watch things click in her mind. The classical approach to teaching was made for children like Drawing Diva and she loves the repetition and predictability of the exercises. She also very willingly sat through a video from our library on sentence structure even though once I started it I realized it intended for much older children. Good thing Drawing Diva is also a lover of words: predicate is now part of her vocabulary. Tonight was her second soccer practice of the season and her first-ever Daisy Scout meeting. Both groups are affiliated with the local elementary school so Drawing Diva can meet and keep up with peers who live in our neighborhood.
Mini Marvel loves preschool. Heck, I love preschool. We found Best Preschool Ever four years ago when searching for a preschool that would fit Drawing Diva's personality. Best Preschool Ever is a Reggio Emelia inspired school and as soon as we walked in the door the first time I knew our search for the perfect place for our daughters was over. Drawing Diva attended the school for two years, and Mini Marvel began her third year today. She has a few BFFs in her class and was so happy to be back with them. At this preschool, Mini Marvel is allowed to be her complete and total self. Her whole day consists of art, music, outdoor time, free play, and often a special guest like the naturalist, the yoga teacher, or the dance instructor. If Best Preschool Ever went up to twelfth grade I would be one happy mama. Mini Marvel had such a great time that she fell asleep in the car on the way home and had to be woken up in time for dinner.
So I am ready for this crazy Monday to turn over into tranquil Tuesday. Husband worked last weekend so he could take a couple of weekdays off and we are going camping tomorrow. The weather looks good and we should have the lake to ourselves. Can't wait. (although I suppose I should have been packing instead of blogging...)
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