Learning By The Way

Today is the last Friday of the month, and therefore the 1$ a bag sale at the Pekin Public Library. We all went, and I read books to Peter and Elsie while Raquel browsed, then she read books while I shopped. Peter brought over some Dr. Seuss books I had never seen before to read aloud! Ten Apples on My Head, and Mr. Brown can Moo. We also read some old favorites. It was so dear to hear Elsie reading along with Dr. Seuss’s ABC (just the best alphabet book ever). “O is very useful, you use it when you say– ‘Oscar’s only ostrich oiled an orange owl today.’….”

Today was the first day that Elsie wore her eye patch out in public. I knew that she would be doing lots of reading, and the doctor said that the close work is the best for strengthening her eye. She, her siblings, and everyone we met were completely unfazed by it. Hurrah!

My book sale finds:
2 very recent atlases- I’d wanted one, and they are SO expensive
a heavy, thick book on the Quilts of America filled with gorgeous pictures
a book on softbilled birds (really, I can’t explain what came over me on this one)
2 board games (a detective game, and a war game based on the Napoleonic Wars)
an old book full of Uncle Remus stories
a book on making dollhouse miniatures that some of the children have already drooled over
but first on my list to read is The Living American House, which follows the history of a single house for 350 years, explaining the changes that were made and the people that lived there.

Boxes packed today:
2 (ouch)- but I’m sure I’ll get lots packed tomorrow!

I am just discovering some of the great printable resources online . We have found dltk-kids has lots of coloring pages, craft ideas, and we especially like the customized printable doorknob hangers and stationary.

Another site that I am excited about is Dover Publications. Most homeschoolers know about their high quality, but inexpensive books on a wide range of interesting topics. Well, I just found out that they post free samples from their coloring and activity books every week. What fun!

Moriah wanted to make something special for Daddy, and since we know he loves fruit desserts, she settled on Blackberry Cobbler. I told her that we were out of flour, and I was planning to mill some more in a little bit. She was full of energy with the thought of her Good Plan to Suprise Daddy and make him Happy, so started right in turning the crank on the mill herself. Elsie helped too, and by the time I finished what I was doing and came to assist, they had already milled half of the cup they needed. Moriah did most of the process solo, only consulting me to verify that when the recipe said “Pour into 2 qt. casserole” it did indeed mean a pan. The cobbler made Daddy glad, and was delicious!

In a striking departure from our usual fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants method of life, we are planning where the furniture will be in our new house. The rooms have been measured and graphed out, and all the furniture cut to scale on little pieces of paper. We move them around the paper rooms, aiming for the most pleasing and functional arrangement. As we work on new rooms, we send our measurement team, enthusiastically captained by Samuel, to obtain the needed numbers from the actual furniture. Moriah has gone on solo measuring missions, Toby and Elsie have assisted in holding the measuring tape and accurately delivering the needed information.

View from the sidewalk.
The handmade double front doors have the original doorknobs and beveled glass.
Entryway with staircase and stained glass window
Fireplace in Living Room, with original faux painting and tile.
Bay window in the Dining Room
The kitchen- the cabinet on the left is original to the house, and was formerly in the pantry.
The red room for the boys
The blue room for the girls
Yes, we signed the contract. The home inspection was this morning, the termite inspection is Thursday, and we expect financing to go smoothly. The house is beautiful, and we are very excited!

The yard is completely fenced. There is extensive landscaping around the house. I am looking forward to spring to see what starts blooming. I recognized the rose of sharon (one huge, one little), a couple rose bushes and a butterfly bush. The deck is large enough for entertaining, and wraps around the house to be accessed from the back door or side door.

When I get so far behind on something, my tendency is to think “Oh, it’s such a big job, I need to wait until I can devote a lot of time to finishing it. All the time the project deserves, etc. etc.” And then I don’t do it.

Well, I’m behind in my recordkeeping. I could not possibly record all the learning and living that has gone on here in the last two weeks. And life still goes on.

But instead of putting it off, I am writing a post, inadequate or not.

There has been much coughing, whooping, gasping, vomiting and sniffling in our house. I am very glad that we homeschool, as we have been able to maintain some learning time throughout. Moriah, Samuel, and Toby continue to work on their worksheets with gusto. They have taken their illness in stride, and I am grateful.

Elsie and I finally picked out her Bible today- a rite of passage in our house when a child learns to read. She has chosen a burgundy one with a tapestry cover with flowers on it. We are eagerly awaiting its arrival in the mail.

The children having been reading voraciously as Raquel and I take turns with replenishing the book supply from the stacks at the Pekin Public Library. Laurence Yep has been a favorite author lately, and the Danny Dunn series is starting to gain in popularity. Elsie and Peter have checked out all the Angelina Ballerina and Miss Spider books available, and then started the cycle over again.

Moriah, Samuel, and Elsie have earned prizes at Book Adventure
a really fun website where they can take quizzes on the books that they’ve read.

The children have gotten an education in home buying as we have kept them up to date on the two offers we made on houses (both offers were rejected, we’re not moving yet!).

We have been saving a lot of gas money since the children have been unable to go to fencing class, ballet, and choir. They do manage to keep occupied, though. Raquel overheard Samuel say the other day “Things have been awfully dull around here, except for the vomit and stuff. Does anyone want to play a game?” And so they play games, invent more games, read, build elaborate lego sculptures, read some more, design Bionicle dudes, draw, make leaf tiaras, perform experiments with common household chemicals, paint, cook and bake, watch DVD’s (both educational and not so educational), and read some more. We will be very glad we are able to go out again as a family, especially to church.

Until next time, we remain at our normal level of absolutely crazy.