Today

Hmmm....I'm tired!
Here is my list of what I did from my list : )
ran
put away laundry
lifted weights ( easily one of my least favorite activities )
had great conversations with 4 friends, several of whom I hadn't spoken to in awhile
took the kids outside
did school with both Alli and Te
had Alli read to me out of a book we both really enjoy
stuck to our schedule....five gold stars for that!
completed a 'baking day'
partially cleaned both bathrooms

Whew. When I see it all written out like that I feel like I actually accomplished something!

All in a day's work...

HOT. It has just been so stifling, suffocatingly, swampily hot. It is the kind of hot that causes all of my higher functioning to shut down. Add to that sleep deprivation and recovering from a lenghtly exacerbation of asthma and you have a fairly worthless momma. At one point during the afternoon, while reading my newest copy of Family Fun magazine, I found myself thinking that all of the awesome games and crafts would be great to do with the kids- once I was able to peel myself from the spot where I had melted into our couch. For that moment, just thinking about acquiring the supplies for the activities was making me sweat more. Fun? Nope, that would generate more heat. Best to stay still, ignore the children, and wait for October.

Nonetheless, I did manage to accomplish all of the items on my to- do list. Please note that I had made this list at 7:32 a.m. when the temperature was within my workable range. I put the laundry away, unpacked from our trip, cleaned up the kitchen, and mopped the hard floors. In an act of utter desperation, I had the kids do a load of laundry Amish style. Well, really, I guess I don't know how they do laundry. But I didn't use a washing machine and I bet they don't either.

See, Charming Husband had not yet re- installed the washer and dryer following our Great Mold Eradication. I had several loads to do, so I dumped them all in the tub, added water, borax, washing soda, and 3 children, and told the kids to kick the clothes. They loved it, and the water turned dirty so I guess it worked. I then dragged the dryer in from the garage (hmm, bet that looked funny) as it was way too humid to line dry the clothes.

I did the least bit of school with Alli that I could possibly consider 'doing school'. We reviewed her new word list for the week and she read some of them. She seems to have a hard time blending short 'u', so we'll have to work on that with some games. I looked back through my calendar and we should finish Grade 1 on August 29. I feel good about that. I've had mixed feelings about schooling through the summer, but, given how much Alli loses in a week without school, I'm glad we've kept at it.

Well, I'm tucked away in my air conditioned bedroom now. Blessings to everyone.

Fantastically Friday

Blessed.
We are utterly, completely blessed with wonderful friends. We went to a friennd's home for dinner tonight, which prompted me to realize this. We had a lovely evening, and the kids had a great time. They get along so well with our friends' children. They are also homeschooled....there is just something about homeschooled kids. : )

So today is fantastic because of the blessing our many friends are to us. Today is fabulous because the kids went to bed without any protesting, because I was made aware of some great vegan cookbooks, because good food fills the stomach and the soul, and because I tried garlic scapes and candied ginger in one evening. It was aswesome to realize that B and I were truly being consistent and following through on discipline with Alli. Because of fireflies, common ground, and challenging ideas...good books, great curriculum discoveries, and content children. Really, what more could we hope for.