Homeschooling groups

So, yesterday Abby declared she no longer wanted to go to any homeschool groups (we rarely go as is). I was trying to reschedule her weekly OT to a different day so that we could start regularly meeting a group that meets on that same day. She heard me on the phone and wanted to know what I was doing. I explained that I wanted us to start going to this group and she said she only wants to do homeschool stuff at home and not go to any homeschool groups. I guess I need to get creative with my wording because once we are actually at the groups she has a good time. I am not sure why she has this aversion to the words homeschooling group, but she clearly does! Maybe she doesn't need the groups but *I* do. I need to get out of the house more and really want to try and get connected with other homeschoolers. Wish me luck!

Biking in the rain

This past weekend we had perfect sunny, warm Spring weather here in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, Shawn had to work all weekend. Yesterday he had the day off and it was raining and chilly. Instead of letting the rain dampen our spirits we decided to go for a bike ride. Abby was on the tag along with Shawn and Joe was on my bike with me. It was hilarious. We all had on our rain gear and away we went. Joe and I didn't make it very far as it was raining harder than I thought and it was really windy. But, Abby and Shawn went around the lagoon and back home. Afterwards we played outside and Joe loved splashing in all the puddles. I am so glad that Shawn brought up the idea to go biking otherwise we probably would have just stayed in the house. I could tell both of the kids, especially Abby, thought it was super cool to be biking in the rain.

Patience/Irritation

I am searching for patience. The past few weeks I have realized how impatient/irritated I have become with both of my kids. Because Joe is younger I seem to be able to have more patience for him but unfortunately not for Abby. It seems every little mishap that occurs grates on my nerves lately. We went down to the Minnehaha Falls today and she fell on her scooter. She was really upset because she got her tights dirty. Instead of trying to help her I just said, in a stern voice, "well what do you want to do?" I could have sympathized with her about her tights, or tried to help her wipe them off or offered her to take them off etc. But none of those things went through my head. I was simply irritated with her for falling. I didn't want to listen to her cry or whine. I wanted everything to be fine.
But, of course my kids are gonna get hurt, cry, whine, yell, scream and all of this is okay but I am teaching them that it is not. That they need to get themselves under control otherwise mama isn't gonna be very nice. I have to stop this. I have to let them have their emotions and support them through it. I am honestly not sure how to do this. It seems like it would be simple but it is so hard for me.