A Fly On My Homeschool Wall

 Nature Angel's perspective is always a thing of beauty and a reason to be grateful.    In spite of a stomach bug, a toddler birthday, and the usual psych issues that are always and forever dominating our days, we're actually falling into a working homeschool routine. All of the younger kids are now working daily on some sort of language arts, spelling, handwriting, and math.  We are doing our best to protect the older girls' few hours of uninterrupted school time, and they are making progress in their various studies. We are very much enjoying Benjamin West and his Cat Grimalkin .  Just moments ago, Baymax came up to me and asked, "What would a Quaker think of our house?!?  Wouldn't he be surprised by how many pictures we have?" Then he came back a moment later and asked, "But what would Benjamin West think?  Wouldn't he like all of the pictures?" We're right at the point where Benjamin is waiting for the First Day committee is going to anno...

"It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times."   That's life around here.   One day we get through a lot of school, and everyone does their chores and gets along reasonably well.   Like this morning--they got dressed, did their chores, and read until breakfast!!!   The next day we have violent outbursts, 911 calls, and psych evals.   It's no wonder none of us knows which way to turn next. But we are looking for what beauty we can find, and we try to be grateful in all things.   I found this on Nature Angel's photo roll--it's of her desk (aka her bin of yarn) in the early morning when she does her personal scripture study.  She is ever seeking for and aware of beautiful moments.   Early Tuesday morning the sky was crystal clear, and a waning crescent moon glowed perfectly.  I told Little Princess.  She got the telescope set up in record time.  She and Nature Angel had a glorious half hour looking at, admiring, and takin...

 We celebrated Halloween on Wednesday with our church party. So that pretty much dominated the week. School was interrupted by planning, shopping, sewing, and making. And this is the result: Triplets "Worker Man" Joy (from Inside Out ) Bookworm Chicken--she's flapping her wings and clucking for the picture :) Police officer--"Because I've been watching Criminal Minds over Mom's shoulder!" Firefighter We did, of course, keep our Morning Meetings each day.  We read D'Aulaire's Benjamin Franklin .  We read several chapters of Shepherd, Potter, Spy, and the Star Namer .  And everyone did at least 3 days of independent work . . . some of them did 4 days' worth. Little Princess did several simple chemistry experiments . . .  . . . made a little more complicated by small, enthusiastic observers. We did not do any preschool activities, but our tiniest students learned a great deal through play, drawing, stories, and helping with chores. And they...

photo credit:  Nature Angel    Last Sunday Sir Walter Scott looked at me as I was getting ready for church and said, "Why don't you stay home and take a nap?" I considered arguing. I reconsidered. I crawled into bed at 10:00 am when the rest of the family left for church. I woke up at 5:00 pm. Then I went back to bed to doze and read. It was an incredible blessing . . . and I wish I could have the same privilege for a week. :) Maybe then I could take the edge off the tiredness. We were a week late, but we honored Fire Safety week by reading Curious George and the Firefighters , reviewing our fire safety plan, and passing out party favor type firefighter hats for lots of noisy imaginative play. Little Princess has completely taken over our family night treats on Sundays.  Last week she baked a few dozen gf/df cupcakes from scratch, and then turned them into a flower garden. We wrapped up our geography study of Argentina when we finished Who Was Che Guevara? and read ...

Brother is doing much better.   Beowulf is doing much worse.   I'm sad.   I'm scared.   I'm full of questions.   Every day our babies come over, and every day I hold them and feel them fill my soul with peace . . . or at least bring me down from the ledge I feel I'm standing on.   Even though it's so much work, I think the babies are good for all of us.   Ladybug and Brother did 4 days of math lessons. Baymax did 5. Mister Man did 3. Brother did 1. Lola did 1 reading lesson.   Little Princess worked a lot on math and chemistry and calculated that she's "right on schedule" in language arts.   A chemistry experiment                     Photo credit:  Little Princess   Nature Angel is still working on Unit 2 of her language arts, but she's putting so much lovely work into it, that I cannot fault her.  Every day she puts her whole be...