Learning By The Way

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.