I woke up early this morning (for some vague definitions of early – not early according to Aunt Kate or Tim) and couldn’t go back to sleep. This was especially painful as I stayed up LATE last night fine tuning yesterday’s blog. Gotta watch that blogging, it’s addictive. Tonight I need to finish my BSF lesson and get a good night’s sleep.
Needless to say I don’t have much time or energy to blog this evening. Of course, I did take some fun pictures of our day so I simply must post them. It will be a rather brief blog (one can hope).
This morning I was determined to make some progress on Daniel and Rachel’s Eastern Hemisphere Explorer Log (we’re still studying China). It’s difficult working with Rachel and Daniel at the same time. Rachel writes much faster (just don’t ask that it actually be legible) and gets impatient with Daniel. He, in turn, feels frustrated that he writes so slowly. Rachel and I work well alone – she can move through the material quickly and seems to understand and remember what we study. However, what usually happens is that the day gallops along (as days are want to do) and Daniel and I never get back to the study. As a result, right now, he is behind. No one wants to work on our Chinese log during the weekends and evenings are usually busy with life. It’s a difficult balancing act.
When I got up to make coffee (gotta have that morning cup of java) Rachel snuck a few minutes to read a page from her book. Some friends from our homeschooling co-op have started attending our church (hooray!) and I’ve noticed the older children have begun congregating at the library after Sunday School classes. The girls share title suggestions and then empty out the shelves. Rachel checked out a few of the Mandie books by Lois Leppard and is devouring them. So fun to find a new author to enjoy (especially if she’s an ‘old’ author who has written LOTS of books). She took this picture today during school.
Meanwhile Joshua went into the kitchen to work on his science lab. It was something complicated involving a candle, some vegetable oil, tin foil and a lighter. Don’t ask me any other details. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
Love the glasses, Joshua!
David and Sarah were blithely ignorant of all this wild experimentation going on in the kitchen downstairs. They occupied their usual spots up on the stairs.
The rest of the day was spent in the usual ways – school, reading, meals, and outdoor play. The kids are enjoying our Swing Ball set these days. Joshua set it up and goes out several times a day to play a few rounds (either by himself or with a sibling). Tim’s parents gave it to us years ago. It comes with a very handy case that stores away nicely. The weather has been so pleasant lately that there’s ample opportunities to go outside. I can’t locate the company that sells the Swing Ball set (by Mookie). It looks like it is only sold overseas (not very convenient when you are looking for replacement parts).
Even Sarah can set up the game.
Watch out Sarah, the ball is flying.
Careful, sometimes the ball hits back!
The sad news in the household is that Allergy Season has started! This begins a rather miserable time of the year for Tim. He went to the doctor today and loaded up on meds (which do help), but there doesn’t seem to be any way for him to fully evade the truly uncomfortable plagues of allergies. No fun!
Kathy
Joshua looks cool in those goggles. Sounds like a neat experiment. I get to dissect an earthworm this week!
Not bad for a slow blogging day! It is so nice to see pictures of green grass. I am getting to the tired of white landscapes time of the year. I even dream the grass is green at this time of year.
I love the lst picture with Sarah on the stairs- because I can begin to visualize your house. Looks so cozy. I think we mostly see the notorious CHAIRS-and I loved a glimpse further.
We need Andy to make a toy like the Swing Ball set. I think that would match their style, don’t you? I’ll forward this blog on to him and let him see it.
Loving you guys!! Aunt Kate
I remember the Mandie books! I loved them so much! Of course, there were only about 5 out when I read them but I think there are more now! How about The Boxcar children? Hannah has read all them and now is on the ABC mystery book series…Love it when the kids read! A good Edgren trait!!!
I love the dollhouse picture. We have the same one (actually, we have two of them, the other is a little different) and it has lasted through all my girls and now my 5yo loves it! My oldest is 17yo, so it has lasted a long time! Sometimes my older girls will even play dollhouse with my 5yo dd and they will talk about all the memories they have. I love it when toys can last and be passed down (in good shape, too).
Diann