A Week, Briefly (4/5/21)

 We had a wonderful Easter Sunday complete with baskets, egg hunts, General Conference, and kite flying.

 

(The youngest 6 got kites in their baskets.)

 

 

Brother really caught on to how to get the kite up and stay up.  He was able even to lie down on his back in the grass and just twitch the string a little bit to keep his kite soaring.  We had a few mishaps--broken strings and tangled tails--but nothing that was too extreme.

We're definitely having spring; some days the temperatures soar to a sunny 80 degrees, and other days drop into the 30s with rain.  We get out when we can and cozy up indoors when we need to.

 

The kids love the creek when it is rushing madly with rainwater runoff.  At least 4 days this week have included sopping wet, muddy, happy children coming indoors for warm baths before dinner.

We did a lot of school, including finishing The House of Sixty Fathers. 

 

It has a happy ending.

Thank goodness!

We've started a book that Brother got for Christmas called Juddie.  It's a good read so far--about strong family ties, hard work, and the value of education.

 

Science, geography, and emotional intelligence reads (and a movie) this week.

Belle finished American Literature this week for a full high school credit.  She's picked up Astronomy again as her next concentrated credit.

We're working on finding out what's bothering Beowulf.  We had some emotionally and physically devastating moments this week which have resulted in a whole bunch of blood tests (all normal and healthy!) and a head CT on the calendar for the week to come.  We're under the supervision of his psychiatrist and his primary care clinic.  The new meds that were prescribed are on hold pending finding out what's going on.

He's complaining daily of stomach pain, head pain, and heaviness on one side of his head.  In addition, I've noticed him being more withdrawn from his siblings at play time, and that his eyes are often half-closed . . . as if he's very sleepy.

Sir Walter Scott finished his first week of work on a reduced schedule.  He's doing well!

I framed and hung the watercolor painting of our temple that Nature Angel painted for me.

Nature Angel and Little Princess actually got to attend the temple this week!  Sir Walter Scott was allowed to go too as an adult chaperone and driver.  He was able to perform the baptisms for which Little Princess stood proxy.

 

Our temple, along with 3 others in the U.S. are open for families and youth with limited use recommends to perform temple baptisms and confirmations.  It's kind of a beta project to see if the current safety measures are properly set up for future temple openings.  

 

Brother has reached multiplication in his arithmetic book.  He has been so excited, and he's so, so proud of himself.  

 

I am too.

 

He's awesome at math, and it's fun to see him succeed.

 

His ABA therapy is focused on helping him recognize when he is annoying people before he pushes them to the breaking point.   He's almost never the aggressor these days in physical violence, but he's almost always the trigger that sets it off.  

Yes, I'm teaching the rest of the kids that we don't break things or people when we're upset, but I still think it is a valuable skill for Brother to learn for his own long-term safety.

We're still deep in home-improvement projects.  We currently have 2 bathrooms under various states of construction.

That's Nature Angel helping Sir Walter Scott install a new drain in the bathtub.  He's working from below.

Mister Man has set a personal record in reading an entire 4 book series in a single day this week.  I keep reminding him to get up and exercise and interact with people, but Cressida Cowell is a compelling author for my boy . . . who can even read in the car!

 

We had a surprise on Saturday!

She didn't want her picture taken after hours of traveling, but I think she's beautiful no matter what!

She just wanted to visit with us all before her semester starts next week.  We didn't know!  At all!  She planned her trip with Super Star and Belle, and they were totally successful at keeping the secret and working out the details.

She was exhausted, and after the initial hoopla and joy, she fell asleep for the next 7 hours on the living room floor.

 I think it's going to be a fun week ahead!!!