A Fly On My Homeschool Wall

 Hurrah!  My covid test was negative today!  But 3 out of 5 other family members tested positive earlier in the week, and the two that were negative definitely had something . At first, I thought my wish for a boring week had come true because the positive test results cleared our calendar like magic. But Nature Angel developed a truly terrible whole body rash that is requiring daily steroids to keep it under control, and we had odd baby schedules, and . . . well . . . it just felt kind of harder than I thought it all would. But we did a lot of awesome stuff! Monday It's so hot!! After our walk, snack, and some Jataka Tales , Sir Walter Scott took our youngest six to the swimming hole where they had a great time swimming and splashing and adventuring. They came home filled with stories of wildlife sightings, and we tried to have a nature drawing session, but the computer situation here is messy, so we settled for some music appreciation--listening to Twinkle Twinkle Littl...

 We just had an exceedingly busy weekend . . . and Beowulf broke down completely. This experience reinforces why I work so hard to keep routine, order, and white space. My hope is for the week ahead to be positively dull! General updates by kid: Nature Angel-- She's really a hard worker!  Early morning seminary, the babies, and her school work just exhaust her! She finished reading the adaptation of Robinson Crusoe , and when I asked whether she planned to continue working on the original or move on to poetry, she informed me that the original held zero power over her, and she'd be delighted to move on to poetry. No problem. :) She's making lots of progress on her checkered sweater, and while she waits for an opportunity to buy more yarn, she's working on another sweater--a gorgeous crocheted cable pattern this time. I see her working on the second half of Algebra I and Biology most days.  She's really determined to finish those books. Little Princess-- She's bu...

  Belle turned on the BBC 6-hour Pride and Prejudice to keep her company as she crocheted little monsters on Sunday afternoon. A couple of little brothers joined her. At dinner, the rest of the kids found out what they'd been missing. After dinner, we hooked Belle's computer to the TV and watched as a family. 11 of us. Glued to the story. Anticipating favorite scenes and lines. Cringing and squealing at the worst scenes and lines.  (Not worst acted--there are no worst acted scenes!  We mean the embarrassing moments.) Little Princess served our Family Night treat in the living room as we watched. Cake and Pride and Prejudice. Couldn't be better. With a holiday on Monday morning, I allowed everyone to stay up late to finish the movie. Such joy. Until the next morning. I let everyone sleep in, but tempers were short, and tantrums were long. *Sigh* Eventually we got our acts together and we headed to our neighbor's house for Mister Man and Brother to give us a tour of her g...