Homeschool Notes: Week 33 Spring

Spring is glorious! We spent time outside every day but Friday this week, because Friday was rainy pretty much all day.

Monday
A foggy morning cleared away to reveal sunshine and spring. Flowers are everywhere. The silver maples in the back yard have baby leaves growing enough to partially shade the yard. School work was a struggle for some, who are ready for the school year to end. It happens every year, that pull to set aside the books and get out of doors. We do have one fun nature study going on at the moment. We have 11 painted lady caterpillars eating and growing in the living room.

A peek at the calendar shows 20 medical appointments (not including physical therapy) in the next 22 days, with probably a few more to add in still (dental work if anyone has cavities or baby teeth that need pulled because they've wedged themselves in). It feels like appointments here are often a flood.

We spent the evening outside enjoying the perfect weather.

Tuesday 
School went much smoother. Oliver finished level four of All About Reading - a huge accomplishment because he has now graduated from the program! Joseph and Daniel each finished their current level of The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts. People started reading various new books, kept reading current books, and we listened to more of our Homeschool Book Club title - Beauty. The afternoon held piano lessons and then time outside until dinner.

Wednesday
Makayla had new retainers made at the orthodontist's office today. Those things aren't cheap! There was school work (Emma finished TGTB Language Arts), cleaning, laundry, and cooking as a family. The older 4 kids had activities at church in the evening.

Thursday
Navigating almost-adult children in the home is quite the experience. We are learning as we go, so excited for what comes next while still struggling with growing pains as we all find our feet in new roles.

Home life has a few stresses right now as Jason reaches the end of his 4th month of no employment during his surgery recovery. He sees his surgeon next week and we hope his restrictions are adjusted enough that he can go back to work even part time. He is feeling pretty great compared to before his knee and shoulder surgery.

Caterpillars began changing to their chrysalis on this day. By Friday morning all 12 were finished.

Friday
The highlight for five people in my home was going to watch Avengers Endgame in the morning. I was home with the five youngest kids and Makayla was at work. Caleb helped me bake a couple loaves of banana bread and pumpkin bread, which became lunch. In the evening the entire family made their own pizzas for dinner. It is on nights like this that I wish for a double oven! 7 pans later everyone's pizzas were cooked and eaten.

Saturday
Errands and play filled the morning. I'm heading to IKEA this afternoon with my sister - for our very first time ever. It's lunch time so I'm getting off here and making sure everything is finished.