From November to December, Briefly

 We've had birthdays, illnesses, psych appointments, med changes, family in town, friends in town, and Thanksgiving dinner in the past two weeks.

 

And through it all, we've marched along with relative stability!

 

I am exceedingly grateful.

 

Some days we held sick babies, blew our own noses, and got our work done.

 

We finished Shepherd, Potter, Spy--and the Star Namer, and we started Tirzah.  Yes, we're reading the books decidedly out of order history-wise.  I don't know what happened to my careful ordering of books on the shelf, but at least we're reading them, and the out-of-orderness gives us plenty to talk about as we read.

Our Academy read-alouds have included Landmark's Meet Thomas Jefferson, several chapters in A Child's First Book of American History, and the first several days of our picture book advent, including: Humphrey's First Christmas, A Cranberry Christmas, A Christmas Wish, and On Christmas Day in the Morning.

And some days the babies--or ourselves-- were just too sick, so school waited for a more opportune time.

We finished watching both seasons of  The Chosen, finished watching The Great British Baking Show (it has turned my kids into critics!), and watched the holiday special of Blown Away a competition series about glass blowing.

We took a hike with all of the available cousins--including the ones that visited from Utah.

And this photo documents how Beowulf's med changes are working.

This is Beowulf, voluntarily choosing to read a book!  On his own!  In the middle of the day!  With other kids playing around him!

His meds have not changed who he is--an active, busy little boy.  He just has the ability to choose to do something like reading as well as riding bikes, climbing trees, or any of the other physical activities that are so necessary for him.

Little Princess finished one of her chemistry books.

And she got up early, finished her chores, and watched as much of this week's space walk as she could.  She admitted that she would really love to do what she watched Kayla Barron do.

As the kids have discovered night bike riding, they've been able to observe the night skies.  Little Princess has pointed out Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus several times.  Ladybug's church activity last week was star-gazing, and she learned about several constellations.  The coolest moment of the week, though, was a chance observation of the 60 Starlink satellites.  We didn't know what on earth we were seeing, so Little Princess researched until she found the answers.

photo found here

Her explanation works for those of us who are 12 and up.  My youngest 6 are absolutely positive they saw Santa's sleigh out on a practice run!

Ladybug completed one of her spelling books.

We were given the gift of tickets to Nativity Puppets this year.  It was retired by the original creator, so our friend created a non-profit and took over production.  We haven't seen it in several years, and it was breathtaking to go back to the beautiful cathedral and live again in the magic of the puppets and the glory of the nativity.

I have only 4 special Christmas school activities planned this year: reading The Jesus Storybook Bible (we started it on Thanksgiving Day), our advent picture books, learning and singing carols during Morning Meeting, and reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.    We have finally found a rhythm that works for us, and we will hold it as best we can.   

 

Tonight we will put up our Christmas tree--in the pack-and-play again, as we have so many busy toddlers and babies. :)

I am grateful for the peace we have this season.