Keeping Busy

Sorry for all the posts lately. But so many things are changing lately, and one thing I haven't mentioned too much about is about Samantha's "schooling" and how it is going. She is still on "winter break" until Tuesday, so I am working hard on her lesson plans. This time around I am not going to half way do it like I have been the last few months. That may have worked last year, but it isn't going to work when she starts actual school, so I need to start doing it right. I have thought of some new topics this year. Started giving her "breaks," so that we don't have to rush through lessons on busy weeks like Christmas and Thanksgiving and such. I have also decided to get her a bit more involved, keep us busy and spending time together instead of being home all day, especially since I can drive now. Here are some things she will be doing this year. 


1. She will continue dance classes. 


2. I am going to talk to the local library about her volunteering there. She enjoys reading a lot and I thought that would be the perfect place for her to volunteer. (I don't want her doing anything too serious like soup kitchens or anything while she is so young. I think that is too much for her to handle.) If the library does not pan out or she is not old enough, I have been talking to her teacher about finding somewhere for us to volunteer at Communities In Schools. They have done so much for us between PAT and the PLC-the school Jessie went to after Samantha was born, and I would really like to give back by helping some of the young Moms there. She also does a lot of helping me at church. And then does stuff like picking up trash around the apartments once a week. (You wouldn't believe how many cigarette butts we find. It is sickening.) 


3. I think we may start monthly fieldtrips also, and take my brother along even if I am not watching him anymore, because I think it will make things more fun. I like watching him, but my schedule clashes with my Mom's work schedule, so she has a hard time finding a sitter on Mondays. So she is probably going to put him back in school and let me pick him up whenever I want. 


4. Jessie and I have also discussed putting her in the Christian co-op here in Catoosa County. It is only $85.00 a year for preschool. She would go one day a week for a couple hours. It would give her some interaction with kids in a structured environment and I could use that time to volunteer with ARIN (Abortion Recovery International). I finally got ahold of them and they are finding me a place to help. And then once a month the parents are expected to volunteer at the co-op, so that will be nice to still be able to be a part of Samantha's education there. 


Just some thoughts. Any other ideas are welcome. I just want to get her involved, get us out of the house. I don't want to keep her too busy, but with us being home all day, I think a few hours a week will be fine.