March 9 - March 26: Making it to Spring Break

Last week was a quiet stroll through the usual routines. We had seminary early each morning, then homeschool after breakfast. We read, write, studied, and explored. Kids dove into new books, new art projects, or other projects. I really didn't keep any notes.

I had x-rays on my still broken foot on Wednesday. The healing is going slower than my surgeon would like, which means it may not finish healing on its own. We'll check back in 3 weeks (at the 8 week post break mark) and have to make some decisions on potentially moving to surgery. I have been cleared to do a small amount of walking. Very small - a few steps here and there, walking from one room to another to sit, etc. 95% of my time is still spent in this wheelchair. 

Saturday Joseph had an interesting experience. He was able to participate in the Teen Author Boot Camp that Makayla attended in Utah the summer after graduation, right from our own home. This year, due to COVID restrictions, the conference was entirely online. He sat through a host of classes and keynote speakers and took copious notes. 

Sunday was a peaceful day at home. We had church together and then made peanut butter pie for Pi Day. In the evening Daddy took the kids outside and corralled all 7 boys for haircuts. That is usually my job, but I'm not up to that much standing right now, so he took over. 

Monday kicked off with early morning seminary. Math lessons were the first of the homeschool classes today. Kids are reading lots of different books, and many a chapter was read lounging on the couch or around the house.

Tuesday morning dawned grey and dreary. We had a slow and steady start to the homeschool morning. Everyone got their work done, as usual. Three kids finished books today - Joseph and Emma finished reading Other Words for Home, and Daniel finished a reread of Wings of Fire book 5. It was a great reminder to update all the kids' reading lists in their portfolios. We don't keep track of every book they read, but we list at least one or two per month.

Dinner was Chicken Taco Tuesday. I have to put a plug in for an Instant Pot here. I pulled out 3lbs of frozen chicken breast and tossed them into the IP with 1 cup of water. Set it for 18 minutes on manual and they came out tender and easy to shred. Right after dinner Emma made a chocolate chip cookie cake. 

Wednesday felt like the longest day ever. Everyone had a case of the grumps. We got school done, and then it was just an entire afternoon and evening of refereeing squabbles. By bedtime I was worn out.

Thursday and Friday were better. We were able to be outside more, which always helps everyone's mood. Friday was also our last day of school before our two week spring break. Everyone loves the last day before break and is extra motivated to get their school work done early. 

Saturday was the first day of Spring. We did some projects in the yard and started putting away a few pair of pants and pulling out a few pair of shorts for each child. Ohio is in that lovely season where everything is covered in frost in the morning and the temperatures reach 70F by afternoon, so we need a little bit of everything out. 

Sunday I kept no notes, but the basic routine was followed: wake up, church online, family time, and cooking together. 

Tuesday The kids got creative making a human table.

Wednesday kids started branching out in their activities, depending on their personal interests. Joseph spent a lot of time practicing piano and writing, with a break to bake a couple of cookie cakes. Emma drew and drew and drew. Daniel, Oliver, and Caleb were especially into building with Legos. Mason, Samuel, Tobias, and Rebekah got out the Hot Wheels cars and played with those all over the downstairs. 

Thursday was the first day of Daddy's spring break vacation. We stayed around the house together. Kids traded out the games on the school shelf with games from the attic and played them. A giant colorful world for the Hot Wheels cars was crafted by Daniel with colored masking tape on the floor - complete with secret portals. Piano was practiced. Scriptures were studied. Pokemon card battles were played. The teens watched the original Jurassic Park movie - younger kids wandered in and out. Everyone played outside until it rained. Books were read.

Friday dawned cloudy, windy, and with a new (small) hole in the roof due to losing a slate overnight in the wind. I called insurance to start a claim. Fun times, right? My husband took the 7 oldest of the kids at home to the city for a visit to the Lego store. I stayed home peacefully with just two little kids, Tobias age 5 and Rebekah age 3. It was so strange just to have little kids!

Our afternoon and evening were full of Lego building and play. From small sets like a mystery minifigure, to large sets like the Medieval Blacksmith Shop, there were Legos everywhere.