This month has been sidetracked so far with emergency doctor and dental visits, in addition to the previously scheduled appointments. We’ve not been consistent about doing lessons and it’s showing – when I say we’re starting circle time I’m met with reluctant kids and excuses and, “But I’m doing this…” and whines. Sigh…

SO, we’re getting back on track and doing lessons as soon as Kit walks out the door to work. Both of the kids are getting more in depth lessons than they are use to, and they’re not reacting well to the need for a longer focus and more written work. We have more energy in the morning, of course, so we have to tackle the language and math first thing.

We’ve thankfully been blessed with some great weather so we’re spending a lot of time outdoors. We’re using that for exercise and nature study and Mom’s much needed vitamin D and mood boost. The patio now has a table and chairs so the kids can do lessons out there as well. I’m finding it’s best to do circle time & lessons in whichever room has the most sunshine – sometimes the kids’ bedrooms, sometimes my room if the sunroom is too cold, etc. Ideally the sunroom, of course. If I open the blinds first thing in the morning then even if it’s cold outside, the sunroom warms up quickly.

The kids are very much attracted to (a) anywhere I am (b) sunshine. So I try to follow the sun. I laugh that even in a house with so much play space, you can inevitably find all five of our children within the same ten square feet. Sometimes the same four square feet! 🙂 If I come to the sunroom for lessons with the older kids, the little ones follow to stay close to us – making it much easier to keep an eye on them.

We’ve unplugged the tv (which was on while Bennett was having to stay off his foot – still limping but doing better.) And we hid the kids’ laptop and not turned on their iMac. We decided we needed some unplugged time to decompress from the screen time during the various emergency trips.

Oh, and we are LOVING Pandora Radio still. We have a Beethoven station on now and as we do more composer studies (starting next year, not this year) I like that I can type in any name or piece of music and let them listen to similar works. I think having it playing while they work has been a great exposure for them and really helps set a nice tone for the room.

Bennett and Emiline are now really great playmates so when the older two are doing their lessons, I don’t even have to worry about entertaining the younger two. Joseph either naps or crawls around chewing on things or I nurse him (like now) and the middle two play. I love it! When they aren’t playing I can ask Christopher to read them a story or have Mo play with them while I do one-on-one work with the other older child.

I am really amazed at how the kids are able to entertain themselves and each other. The other day they were outside playing, Joseph was napping, and I was sewing the aprons up while watching them. They kept running in to check in with me but I was able to actually sneak to do a project (birthday surprise) while they all played and I could keep an eye on Joseph as well. As crazy as the last six months (six years??) have been, I am seeing changes as the kids get older and I can do more and more projects that have gone to the back burner. I’m grateful!

Bennett and Emy are cuddling on the trampoline right now, Bennett ran to get a blanket to cover up the two of them. Mo and Christopher are doing their math work. Joseph is nursing.

I’ll get the hang of this. Someday. 🙂