After Another Full Week of School ...

I know just how he feels!

Living, laughing, loving ...

I have felt less than inspired to blog lately. Family responsibilities, fatigue, and summer have worn me down. And the world just seems ... too confusing and nonsensical to me, too much to comment on, too much frustration and exasperation to be able to clearly think and expound on any one topic. The kids' birthdays have come and gone - all are officially one year older and wiser. The little darling in the photo is crawling everywhere, pulling herself up, babbling like a brook ... She is an amazing specimen of strength, courage, conviction, prayer, faith, and a bit of Western medical technology mixed in. She is soooo happy, laughing and loving life, an example to me of unbounded joy. Two of my children possess this gift of laughter that I can only envy - laughter that comes from somewhere deep inside of them, an endless well that bubbles to the surface each and every day, spreading its warmth over those blessed enough to be in its presence. They love without reserve, my youngest son almost toppling the recipient of his embraces with his sheer joy. From where did they learn this? Not from me. I catch myself often frowning, my default expression it would seem. And yet, I have in my possession a photograph from my own childhood, taken on picture day for Little League. I am the only one who is disheveled, uniform untucked, hat slightly askew - yet the only one smiling. At some point in life, I, too, possessed the well of laughter and enjoyment of life. At what point I lost it I cannot tell ... but it can not be completely gone for I believe if it were, the laughter of my children would not exact such a response in me as it does, a response that warms my soul, that keeps me going on the path less traveled, sometimes trampled upon by life because it is the less traveled, less acceptable way of living. If it were not for the smiles and the laughter and the brightness of their eyes as they twinkle, slightly mischievously in my son's case - well, I can honestly say, there would not be much to this whole living thing for me.

A Summer-time Collage ...

I call him "Chimmi-changa" - makes my little guy giggle that I can't remember his real name.

Pikachu needs sustenance, too!

Summer-time hair

Summer-time bounty

Returning to the Daily Grind ...

It is back to school for us in our little one-room schoolhouse. Actually, we have 45 days in already for our Summer Term, but we took a much needed four-week break. So we will pick up tomorrow for the second half of our first term. There was definitely a need for a break, especially on my part. I spent a good deal of time cleaning, re-organizing, second-guessing my decisions for this academic year. There were even times I thought, "Ugh, do I really want to keep doing this? All the responsibility to make sure they are learning what they need to know, all the books and papers that take over every surface in the house, every day dedicated first and foremost to school work?" I guess my answer is "Yes", because I am getting up tomorrow with the intention of educating my children. The lesson plans are done, the pencils are sharpened, the kids know they need to report to the table by a certain hour. I guess the break was like a nap that went too long - it is so hard to get up and motivated again.

We are starting on a Friday because I have found it works to our advantage to have the weekend to accomplish some of the assigned readings. Especially for my two upper grammar/dialectic students, who have a great deal more work this year, the extra time is very helpful and makes for a less hectic Monday through Thursday, when we have extra-curricular activities. The key for me this year is my master schedule and the individual schedule I made for each child. My master schedule is so I know who needs to be taught what, and how much "Mom" time I expect with each student on a daily basis. The individual schedule is for the student to know what they are expected to work on for the week. It details a daily listing in their "core" subjects, such as Math, LA, Latin, and Bible. This year, however, I did not box myself in with specific lessons on the schedule. Rather, I listed my lessons separately in HST and printed them out to be checked off as they are accomplished. I want to make sure we do quality work, not quantity. If a lesson requires more time, we will take it. I have three full-time students this year, and one little guy who wants to "concentrate on Latin, Math, and Reading" (his words). Of course, he generally listens in on our History lessons, too, and anything else the little bugger picks up. At his request, we are going to begin Lord of the Rings on audio, once again. (We have the BBC, fully-dramatized version - it is wonderful.) It amazes me that he can follow along with the story line, identify characters, and discuss the plot with us. His learning is definitely delight-driven, and his delight drives me. Onward we go!

The girls returned to dance today, after a year-long hiatus. It is a small sign that family life is returning to normal. It is a big sign that Emma is doing well. The girls were so happy to done their leotards and did not complain at all, despite sore muscles aching after such a long period of disuse. Their faces told me all I needed to know, all I already knew - the past year has been trying for all of us - individually as well as collectively - we did what we needed to do ... and it is time to move on.

If every now and then you long for a movie that makes you laugh and cry, while it touches your soul, give Praying with Lior a try on NetFlix. Amazing!

My Little Charmer ...

"Mommy, I have three words for you - Youset mysoul onfire." Honestly, I have no idea where he gets this stuff. I think he must go to charm school at night.