The Sad State of Our Pencils

Thank you A & B.  You have decapitated our pencils & we can no longer erase our mistakes.  AMP, La & I are more than frustrated.  Unfortunately, we will continue school throughout the summer & I will not be purchasing new pencils till August . . .

We still love you.  We always will.  Praying you learn that you are humans & do not need chew toys.  ;)

Random Happening

I'm still laughing about this.  That's how good it was.

Now for some back story:  Twin A had a goopy, puffy & teeny-tiny bit- red eye yesterday.  So, as a good Momma should, I scheduled an appointment, because if it is pink eye, we don't want to spread it.

8:10 this morning, I finally have all the kids in the van after searching for a lost croc for about 15 minutes while giving orders to put on coats & shoes of known location; sneaking gulps of coffee & bites of toast. After our 10 minute ride in, 10 minutes to unload & walk at a 2 year old's pace to the reception desk, we are now 10 minutes late.  Thankfully our Peds Dr. is AWESOME!!

So, we have one pink-eyed twin.  Getting through check out was insane trying to keep him from touching all the stickers they have lying around.  Thankfully he was in a snuggle-y mood & I could just hold him . . . as long as my defective S-I joints hold up.

The trek back out through the building wasn't so rushed.  I didn't need to be back for my PT appointment for another hour . . . but wait . . . we need to stop at the pharmacy for his antibiotics.  Ugh!  Oh, look!  A drinking fountain complete w/ a dispenser full of paper cups!  Unplanned pit stop, check!

After 10 more minutes & half a bottle of hand sanitizer later, we are heading out the door.  At the edge of the parking lot I successfully get all 5 of us holding hands - first time in months!  We almost make it to the van before I hear a familiar & friendly voice!  It's a good friend I haven't seen in months!  (Her kids are older & they like to go skiing . . . like alot! and some other cool places.)

While we chat, AMP tries to be buddies w/ her near 13 yr old who has his eyes dilated & isn't too happy about it.  La & Twin B just wants to show off to my friends 6.5 yr old . . .  All the while, Twin A is sitting patiently in the passenger seat playing with the light master switch in the van . . .

And you think you now were this is going, don't you?

Sadly, we don't talk that long as we both need to get moving.  So, I get all the kids buckled in.  Climb in myself, buckle, start up the van & oh!  Look at the clock!  It's 10:04!!!  Keeerrrrrappp!  I'm late for my PT appt. & I still have the kids!!  BLURG!

Talk about confusion on everyone's faces as I pull . . . no . . . yank bodies out of the van.  I practically am running with the twins in my arms, dragging AMP & a bag of books for them to read.  La is like a deer in head lights, except that her feet are moving - keeping her close to me.  After the LONGEST wait ever for the elevator, we shuffle in.  Have I mentioned before that the twins don't much care for elevators??  There are almost tears.

Finally, the reception desk!   I state my name & who I'm seeing to receive a confused look and, "I don't see you here," from the receptionist.  I replied, explaining the call from yesterday moving my original 9:30 appt. to 10.  Then it dawns on me to look at their clock . . . .

It's 9:28.

With many hugs, lots of thanks & laughs, the kids & I loaded up the next elevator.  I got them back home to the neighbors & made it to my appointment on time.

Thank you Jesus for giving me peace during the craziness today.  Even though I may have been firm & rushed, you gave me grace to get through it.  I did not yell at them.  I did laugh lots & hug them lots.  I showed them love when I could have done much, much worse.  Thank you for loving me where I am at, so I am free to be!

Lil's J's Top 5 Reasons for Attending Public School

1. I get to ride a school bus.

In reality, you don't. We are considered close enough to walk. Though, in 4K students do take the bus, which is why we see our neighbor hop on the bus every morning.

2. I get a bigger desk.

No honey, you actually would get a smaller one.

3. I get a desk that lifts up.

Maybe . . . depends on the school & possibly even the classroom.

4. I won't have Mom's pile of stuff on my desk.

Yes, this is true. But, it's technically your pile of stuff honey. It's all school & your desk is a good place for it. If you wan the extra space I'll be happy to move the pile while you are working - you just need to ask me.

5. I'll get more play time.

Possibly, but at school, they consider play time a hands-on learning time. You get plenty of that around here, plus the freedom to choose(within reason) when you want to do certain activities .

Behind Already

I know that there really isn't a "behind" when you're homeschooling. We all take it at a different pace that fits each of us Momma's & our families. But I started early so we could take time off around the holidays. But with the public/parochial schools starting up the end of this week, we have been doing last minute playdates galore. Don't get me wrong, they're great for my kids, they're great for me, but . . . I sure hope we'll have enough done to take time off come the end of November.

This week we are still in week 2 of science, week 3 of history/literature & starting Earlybird Math B. I need to get Lil' J trained to sit & do some of his handwriting practice on his own and some of his math worksheets. He really loves to take lots of time to tell me what & how he's going to do his work. It's shows some higher-order thinking skills from Bloom's Taxonomy, but it really drives me crazy! Yes, homeschooling mother's can be driven crazy!

Anyway, the whole reason I need to train him is because S is demanding, "Momma, come & teach me!!" To avoid my little distracting demander I've been waiting until it's her nap time so I can work w/ Lil' J uninterrupted. She has been so disappointed. Either way I feel like I'm losing. It's really a great problem to have & I'm so thankful that my children love me & learning. I really need a Momma photocopier so I can have 2 of myself during school.

On the brightside, Lil' J & I were reading about wind, water & weather when he stops me to say, "Mom, how does water get around?" Hearing the jest in his voice, I knew that he was going to TRY to tell me a joke. I answer, "I don't know, honey. How?" To which he answers, "With a watercycle!" He did it! He really did it! It was great! I am so proud! Take that Bloom's Taxonomy!!

On a completely different note, I have had numerous chances to sew lately. I am thrilled! It is so nice to see a project come to completion. I was able to make a little shoulder bag for which I have had the material for 2 years. And I got started on a second one for a gift. I made it about half-way. I probably shouldn't socialize so much at craft night when I know I need to get something done . . . oh well.