A Tuesday in the Life. . . .

Each day has its own rhythm, but here is a typical Tuesday--a day with no music lessons in the morning.

• 6:15--wake up, morning devotional reading, and run.  Emily chose this running activity, and I think it's a good one.  She is having some trouble staying motivated, and I have begun to take a morning walk when she runs so we're on the road at the same time.  I'd try running, but am afraid I'd kill myself--this body isn't used to that kind of uphill exertion!
• 6:45--shower and breakfast
  
• 7:30--practice violin for 25 minutes
  
• 8:00--geometry:  watch the instructional CD on the computer, do the problem set, and watch the solution CD if any problems are insurmountable
  
• 9:00--practice piano for 30 minutes
  
• 9:30--French for 30 minutes--this is done on the computer with the Rosetta Stone program; she's trying to complete 2 lessons each week, and it's hard with only 30 minutes a day--those lessons are VERY thorough
  
• 10:00--Education and Career planning assignment; History reading and/or project; Home Ec lesson book; literature reading and/or assignment
  
• 11:30--practice violin for 20 minutes
  
• 11:50--eat lunch
  
• 12:15--drive to the school
  
• 12:30--band class
  
• 1:15--"study hall"--she goes to the band director's office and does her English assignment, and whatever leftover lessons she has time for
  
• 2:12--P.E. at the school; lately they've been playing basketball and football
  
• 3:15--handbell choir
  
• 3:45--return home and finish any unfinished work, or relax!
  
• 4:30--early family dinner
  
• 5:15--drive to Youth Symphony about 35 miles away
  
• 6:00 - 8:00--Youth Symphony
  
• 8:45 return home and get ready for bed; she's been reading the book The Once and Future King by T.H. White to me at bedtime.  Since she learned to read at 4, she has done most of the daily "out loud" reading.  Once in a while, when she's sick, she'll let me read to her, otherwise she does it.

The "at school" schedule happens Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thurs, alternating band or choir.  It's busy, but she likes it that way!  She gets most schoolwork done Monday through Thursday, so Friday only contains both instrument practices, geometry, and home ec practical work.  This week we'll begin a ladies' Bible study which will meet for 10 weeks for 2 hours Friday morning.

So far she's been able to avoid doing schoolwork in the evening, or the weekend. The only class work that takes much time is geometry--she whips easily and and accurately through the rest of the courses.  This "Teaching Textbooks" geometry program is fabulous, and makes math nearly painless.

Last week when there were almost no afternoon school classes, she went to band, and then volunteered at the school, helping two teachers correct papers and some other odd jobs.  I'd like to carve out more time for this in the future.  

Emily keeps herself on task very well, and doesn't need much reminding not to dawdle.  She's remarkable that way, and I feel blessed that she's so self-motivated!

******************

I just read this post, and remembered that some of her friends commented, "with homeschooling you can pretty much do whatever you want, right?"