1~ God is so faithful. This week has been full of answered prayers, small details that He's seen to, and it does my heart good.
- Jacob LOVES karate. This place is truly incredible. In just 2 1/2 weeks, I see a difference in his leadership around the house, the way he prays during family prayer, a decrease in moodiness, and an understanding of the fact that he's much stronger than he thinks.
- Gymastics for Mary-Grace went so well (after tears on the first day!) that Ava has decided to do it also. This is a multi-faceted answered prayer...Gracie needed an activity that she really loved and at which she could excel...Even after just one class, I can tell that having Ava join her is going to be so good for their relationship...And, this saves me a trip to Carencro every week (about 20-25 minutes away) for the ballet class I was going to put Ava in, and that class was at a weird time of day for us.
- My older two had been BEGGING to play with their Abbeville friends for weeks. Nothing was working out. At the spur of the moment, we were able to have them here ALL DAY yesterday. Their little tanks are full.
- I'm finally getting sleep. This has been a huge deal the last couple of months, so I'm so very grateful.
- Annelise's speech is growing and improving. I couldn't really tell if she was delayed (Ava didn't talk a whole lot before age 2), but I'm grateful to see and increase of words and that they are a bit clearer (to us anyway!)
2~ We added this to our home this week:
Annelise says "big side!" over and over as she climbs and slides over and over. She also loves to perch at the top with her baby doll and sing her "bay-bays" song. It's quite adorable. I wanted something on which she could burn some energy while we are doing school and she's stuck inside.
3~ We begin the Alphabet Path on Monday. I cannot contain my excitement! I did it with Mary-Grace two years ago, and definitely bit off more than I could chew...I could not limit myself to one or two ideas; I tried to do it all. By the time I had Annelise (after J week), I was spent. We made it through N before we petered out. This time, I have more realistic expectations, and I'm not currently pregnant, so my energy level is not compromised! The kids have no idea, so it will be a good surprise. I placed a huge order at Amazon this week for books and kits and loads of fun. I even found some corresponding activities for Jacob for several of the weeks. With Gracie being older and Ava at just the perfect almost-5 age, I think it will be a hit all around.
4~ Years ago, when I had only a two-year-old and a four-month-old, I went to a friend's house for a "come and see and ask" about homeschooling gathering. Many things I heard that day have been gems over the last 4 1/2 years of this journey. Another one surfaced as I was planning my school day...no breakfast until after morning prayer. This has revolutionized our start to the day. My kids have always been early risers, very seldom sleeping past 7am (as I type this at 6am, Annelise sits next to me drinking milk and eating a granola bar while watching Dora). When we started school, I started having them lay out their outfits the night before. So, they get up, get dressed and make beds before they leave their rooms. Then they meet me in the den for morning prayer very eagerly because they are HUN-GRY!
5~ Speaking of Annelise and Dora, girlfriend is in LOVE. She asks for "Lo-lo" constantly, she called Boots in the sweetest voice, says "MAN!" for Swiper, and only wants to watch episodes that contain Dora's baby siblings. She ADORES babies!
6~ Going back to a four-day school week has been awesome. It's much more relaxed, and I don't feel like I'm in a pressure cooker about to explode. All we plan for on Fridays is to call out spelling and wordly wise words. While we're doing the Alphabet Path, Friday mornings will be for our baking and craft times.
7~ We get to go on a date tonight for the second week in a row (thanks, Mom!). We had plans to resurrect FND, but in a last minute switch-a-roo, we will (hopefully) surprise a friend for his 50th birthday. Which all means, date night WITH our totally awesome friends. Epic win.
