Day One Hundred and Forty

This was my favorite moment of the day. Simeon was asleep and I brought both of my schoolboys to the table to work on math...at the same time. I wasn't sure if it would work.

Though it's not a great photo, it shows a lot.

Progress, for one.

You can also see my coffee cup which has half-warm coffee once again, Dominic's bread with jam (to be eaten when he's finished), the evidence that Simeon was there earlier, the fact that my kids STILL don't put the caps on the markers when they're finished....it's life.

I guess I could have cleared the table, but that wouldn't really be true to life.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Nine

Back to school.

After a day off from school, I was ready for the daily grind for one more day before the weekend.

Dominic actually asked me today, "Are we going to have our math lesson?"

"Of course, Dom!"

We had a nice long day of schoolwork and virtually no complaints. AND, I gave all three boys a haircut. I was proud that I completed their haircuts in less than an hour. But...don't look too closely. I'm getting better, but still have room for improvement.

The above picture is Dominic at work during his math lesson.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Eight

Today we had a REAL snow day. It started with my morning run, where it dumped snow on me and my running buddies for an hour straight. The boys woke up to white and it continued to snow heavily through the morning. We had real snow to play in, not just slush. I declared it a snow day and cancelled school.

We had snowball fights, made snow angels, and went sledding in the meadow nearby. We played until our feet and hands were numb and then came home, took warm baths and showers, and drank hot chocolate. I baked a few batches of muffins and some bread to warm myself up. The boys enjoyed it as well.

It was a good day.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Seven

Today we woke up to snow.

They boys were VERY excited to get outside and play in it. However, we needed to get to our 9:00 swim lessons, so they didn't have much time. Have I told you that they're ALL in swimming lessons right now? They have class at the same time, which leaves me on the sidelines to just watch. It's rather nice.

I told them that we could play in the snow after swimming. However, much to their dismay, the snow was totally melted by 10:00.

I made it up to them by reading a few extra chapters in our current Little House book. We happen to be reading THE LONG WINTER, which tells of the winter of endless blizzards. The boys love these stories. I often stop and think about the reality of what the homesteaders lived through. It makes me feel weak, yet grateful.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Six

Today we had another birthday celebration day. JJ had the day off from work and we took the boys to The Children's Museum in Portland for the Curious George exhibit. Simeon is a HUGE Curious George fan. A special thanks to the Yoders for the free admission pass. We all had a blast. JJ and I were exhausted after the noise and busyness of three hours in that place on a holiday, but it was well worth it.

After our playtime at the museum, we had a birthday celebration with JJ's side of the family in Wilsonville. More cake, more presents, excited Simeon. It was a great day.

The picture above is the boys enjoying the pretend bus inside the museum. It was a joyful playtime.

Birthday weekend...check.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Five

He wanted to wear his suit to church.

And my sunglasses.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Four

Well, it was Simeon's birthday. My little bug is no longer a baby. It's sad, yet freeing at the same time. I have a more detailed post about his special day started over at the other blog, but it's not finished...yet.

Today was a celebration that started with buttermilk pancakes, involved a new Playmobil firetruck (HUGE HIT), a Nerf gun fight with Papa and the brothers, make your own mini pizza night, and a balloon. As if that wasn't enough excitement, the cousins from my side came over after dinner for chocolate cupcakes. It's not hard to imagine why he crashed so hard.

Here's one of my favorite photos from the day. He really worked hard on using his knife to cut the pancakes.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Three

Continuing on with our study of rocks and minerals, the boys came upon their favorite mineral yet...magnetite.

Aidan was so amazed that a mineral could be magnetic.

Science Friday, I love you.

Day One Hundred and Thirty-Two

Today was a library day. I finally paid my fines so as to be able to check out more books for the children. Sometimes I wonder where those missing books actually end up. Beats me.

Simeon was VERY excited to get some new books and he wore his favorite shirt to the library. He thinks "Rock Star" could mean nothing else but someone who really loves rocks...and stars. "Mama, I wike dis shirt. SEE! It has meteors and a shooting star!"

Day One Hundred and Thirty-One

Sometimes, as a homeschooling mom, the math lesson happens at the bar as I'm chopping vegetables for soup. Dominic is really enjoying his math workbook, though he usually wants NO HELP when it comes to writing numbers. This kid will do it on his own...thank you very much! I'm learning that you really have to pick your battles.

However, I am making progress with Mr. Difficult.

:)

Day One Hundred and Thirty

Today was a fairly light day of schooling. An old acquaintance came over in the morning, seeking some advice and help. I was glad to be there for her as she's going through some very tough times. Finally, at this point in my journey, I can be the one to say, "I understand" and "I've been there." It was a great time and she brought her boys who are 7 and 8 1/2. They played very well with my older boys. By the time they left, however, it was 1:00. We squeezed in some reading, a bit of math drilling, and then spent the rest of the afternoon making Valentines. We also watched the Charlie Brown Valentine's Day special, which prompted in Aidan the desire to make a Valentine for everyone who might not have gotten one.

Dominic spent a lot of time at the table. He made me several Valentines as well. :)



JJ came home bringing dinner for us all. I was glad to have a break from cooking. The evening ended for the boys with Thai food, ice cream, and a rousing game of Duck, Duck, Goose. Then, the parents had a little time alone.

Day One Hundred and Twenty-Nine

We had a good day at school and then met some friends at the park to enjoy the sunshine while it's here.

Aidan has discovered a new and cool way to swing.

Day One Hundred and Twenty-Eight

Today in math, Dominic and I did some hands-on learning about fractions...which lead to mouths-on learning. We cut a lime into fourths, then eighths. Next, I put one to my lips and sucked all the juice out, trying with all that was within me to make it look like I was enjoying it. My contrived pleasant face worked. The boys all followed suit, though Aidan was the toughest of them all. Simeon threw his section after tasting it, Dominic licked his lime and slid it back across the table to join the other eighths. Aidan ate two or three....just to prove that he could.

My favorite line came from the mouth of Simeon. I told the boys that when I ate my lime, the sour taste made me hurt all the way down my throat.

Simeon: "Yeah, it hurts my feelings."

Day One Hundred and Twenty-Seven

Sometimes no words are needed.

Days One Hundred and Twenty-One to One Hundred and Twenty-Six??

I can't keep up with this blog. It's running away from me lately. Honestly, it seems like every time I try to do something like this, in the end I feel like a failure. Ah well.

So...I'll keep taking pictures and trying to post them daily...key word here..."trying"....yep.

Things were tough last week. I'll summarize:

Sick kids, mom who's on the verge of sickness, job uncertainty for JJ, evening swimming lessons, a defiant middle child, running, running, running...lots of busyness....it really caught up to me. I doubted my own ability to homeschool the kids. Every day was one of those "Why am I doing this?" days. And that really wasn't even based on what they're accomplishing, honestly. It was just a really hard week full of doubt. I was a bit buried and overwhelmed. We still got things done, it was just HARD. And we didn't accomplish everything that I had hoped we'd accomplish. I threw out the check list.

That said, I really don't need a pep talk. I don't need a pat on the back. I just need to be...to be myself, to rely on God's grace, and to keep pressing on. There...I just took a deep breath. I feel much better. While there are certainly times that I need to stop and re-evalute my curriculum or take a look at other options, there are also weeks like this week, where, through the wisdom of others, I'm forced to stop and look at things as they are. The kids are growing, they're learning, and we're spending lots of time together, which is a big reason why I don't send them away for school right now.

When I step back and take a more balanced look at our week, it was a great success. On Monday, we had a long afternoon of playing.



On Tuesday, I got to hang out with two of my dear friends, Gary and Kathleen, who happen to be much older and wiser. We took a hike in the forest, took our time, took advantage of the sunshine. Dominic read the word "dog".



On Wednesday, another friend came over for the afternoon, a homeschooling mom who's becoming a good friend. We had a great time together. The boys and I made bagels and cinnamon rolls (okay...when I'm stressed, I bake!). We shared some baked goods with various friends. The house smelled lovely.



And...Thursday. I got to enjoy a belated birthday lunch with Gary and Kathleen. They brought some things to contribute to lunch, I shared my baked goods, and we had three hours of snacking and conversation. The boys got to play in the sunshine with Kathleen's son, Henry, who's soon to be thirteen (this is a very cool thing for younger boys who think thirteen-year olds are incredible). I actually got to spend two days in the space of my crazy week with these two dear friends. I realize what a young and inexperienced being I am and how much I have to learn. Aidan picked up one some cool teen phrases such as "right on" and "hit me up with some of that". He used this last phrase on Friday when I was serving some soup into bowls for lunch. With a quirky smile, he held out his bowl and said, "Hit me up with some of that, Mom." Sheesh.



And that leads us to Friday. Blessed Friday. We found a new use for my garlic press. Who needs Play-Doh Fun Factory? This one doesn't break! Simeon was at this for almost an hour. We read aloud a lot today and called it a day.



That was the week. Saturday flew by. 14 miles of running with my good friends, coffee, a little trip to the ER, which turned out to be nothing. I seriously thought I was dying...scary. Long story short: I had an abscess behind my ear, which I popped on my own on Friday after I couldn't get in to the doctor. Saturday, I started having pain down my neck and in my shoulder and around where the abscess was, it was red and hot. I had a minor infection and it was slowly spreading. Now I'm taking strong antibiotics which will completely wipe out my immune system (but kill that infection). No biggie. I was pleased to have a great doctor and very friendly pharmacist. That made my day. That evening, I got to be in my element outside of wife and mom and went to the OSU/Washington State Basketball game with JJ. A friend of mine gave us tickets...really good seats. Beavs lost, but it was a great time. After that we played cards into the night with the Yoders. Good times.