This week’s highlight was a film crew at our house! We didn’t get a lot of homeschooling done this week, but we sure had fun!
Read all of the Large Family Homeschool Life posts HERE >>
MONDAY
I woke much earlier than usual. Ty and Keian (15) are away at the lake cabin rocking the shore to keep it from eroding, so I didn’t sleep very well last night. I never seem to sleep well the first few days Ty is away.
When I got out of bed, I decided to clean up the kitchen a bit and prep for school.
Read about our curriculum – Tapestry of Grace – here >>
We are learning about 1st century Asian history in our Morning Time this week. We always do our history lessons from Tapestry of Grace during Morning Time. It is a subject I thoroughly enjoy, so it is something I choose to do WITH the kids.
In my ecourse – Creating a Homeschool Schedule You Love – I explain how to choose what subjects to do together with your kids and which ones to make independent work, amongst other things that will make your homeschool schedule work for you rather than against you!
I also redid the cooking assignments for the week since Keian is gone and he usually cooks 2 meals a week. He’s helping my mom put in her flower garden and clean out her garage. We’ll pick him up this coming weekend when we go to visit the moms for Mother’s Day.
Once the kids were up and going, we started Morning Time. I had debated about not doing Morning Time without Keian, but I figured he’d be able to catch up fairly easily.
We started out with GrapeVine (read my GrapeVine review) and art study with Impressionism for Children.
We also did a lesson on Tchaikovsky from Learn Classical Music with Cartoons. (super fun class!). Then, we read from Story of the World (volume II) on 1st century Japan and China.
I did pick up the last book in the Wilderking Trilogy from inter-library loan, but I don’t want to start it until Keian is back with us since he enjoys Jonathan Rogers work so much.
By the way, Jonathan Rogers teaches several classes for Compass Classroom. Check them out HERE >>
For lunch, we had leftovers. I desperately need to clean out the refrigerator!
After lunch, I took the 3 little boys to their dentist appointments for cleanings. We recently switched all of the younger kids to a pediatric dentistry here in town. It’s a neat place, and they work really hard to keep costs down and the kids comfortable without compromising quality of work and service. None of the boys had cavities and they assuaged our fears over one of Creed’s front teeth that hasn’t appeared after 2 years! They said it isn’t all that uncommon and since we know there is a tooth there, it is fine to just wait on it to descend.
After the appointment, we ran on post to get ice cream at the commissary and came home to make ice cream cones for snack time. (I know, I know – we just got back from the dentist. I’m THAT mom.)
I told the boys there would be no TV time until they cleaned out their closet. It was such a huge mess and they kept telling me they couldn’t find certain articles of clothing. So, we all worked together to clean things up and take stock of what was truly needed – which turned out to be socks…always socks…
READ >> Large Family Closet Organization
Afterwards, I sat down and read in A Life of Joy, an Amish novel by Amy Clipston. I’ve mentioned before in my newsletter how much I enjoy reading Amish novels, not because they are stellar literary works, but because they are simple and inspiring, and don’t require anything from me. I read a lot for knowledge and information, but Amish novels offer me a chance to read for pure enjoyment with no need to take notes or overanalyze.
I also put on some new Dashing Diva nail stickers. Ty’s aunt suggested these to me, and so far, I really like them! They don’t chip and they are easy to apply and remove. Nice treat for a busy mama!
For dinner, we had waffles and bacon, courtesy of the 16 year old’s cooking skills. Everyone loves “brinner” – breakfast for dinner!
TUESDAY
This morning, I went to my weekly Weight Watchers meeting. I’ve realized I need the accountability and flexibility WW offers. So far, I am quite pleased with the results and feel great!
We didn’t have Morning Time this morning because we have company coming later this morning. The kids did their independent school work so they wouldn’t be behind.
I helped the 10 year old with rounding. He was stumped on some problems on Khan, but when I sat down and talked it through with him, he realized he knew exactly what to do and quickly blazed through the problems.
The 6 year old struggled with learning her odd numbers today. Some days are like that for her, so we do what we can and come back to it later.
Mercy is almost finished with her counting book from the Rod & Staff ABC series.
And the 8 year old finished another phonics book – this one was about Queen Elizabeth.
I put frozen hamburger patties in the crock pot for dinner. Creed (8) calls them “patios.” I also set the oven to clean since it is a chilly morning and I knew the house could take the added heat.
Then, I called the hospital to make Mercy’s cleft clinic appointment. To read more about Mercy’s surgeries and diagnoses, read >> Pierre Robin Sequence & Stickler Syndrome
I took some time before our friends arrived to clean out the refrigerator. I need to do a lot more, but I put a pretty good dent in it!
Take a Tour of our Large Family Refrigerators & Freezers!
Our friends showed up in time for us to share a simple sandwich lunch. I’ve always admired how this particular friend is so good at meals on the go. She usually packs a soft-sided cooler with cheese, meat, fruit, and some extras to keep the sandwiches interesting – special bread, spinach, oregano, laughing cow cheese, etc. She’s inspired me to do better with my sandwich packing and eating on the go!
She and I talked in the sunshine on the deck while the kids played and played and played. We have been friends for 10 years now, and our kids are all nearly the same age, so it makes play dates super fun!
When they left, I made some croutons from our leftover rye bread by cubing the bread and tossing them with butter and Wicked Good Salt and toasting them in the convection oven. These little morsels of yumminess never made it into a single salad – we ended up munching on them all day long!
During the later afternoon hours, I answered a few emails and then put some fries in the oven to go along with our crock pot hamburgers. The kids also had another round of ice cream cones.
Ty got home from his weekend away just in time to celebrate Creed’s Special Night.
READ >> Creating a Special Night for Each Child
WEDNESDAY
Busy day today!
We are filming an interview with Christian Healthcare Ministries.
READ >> Christian Healthcare Ministries as an Alternative to Traditional Insurance
We are sharing our story of how they helped us through Emily’s illness and death.
READ >> Emily’s Story
Ty and I will be doing our interview at an AirBNB and then the entire crew is coming back to our house to film B roll of the kids. So, I spent the morning hours cleaning the house, cutting little boys’ hair, and finding appropriate clothes for everyone to wear! My 16 year old was a HUGE help in getting everything ready and then keeping the house clean while Ty and I were away for the interview.
Ty came home in time for us to drive into the city for the interview. We had Chick-fil-A for lunch with the crew, and then set up for the interview.
We filmed for 2 hours, and then headed back to our house to shoot B roll. It was a blast!
Later in the evening, Ty and I took a short walk and then I got a neck rub from my 12 year old and a foot rub from my 10 year old. I am so blessed by these little guys! They nearly put me to sleep!
THURSDAY
During Morning Time, we finished up our study of 1st century Asia and read about Peter Waldo in Trial & Triumph.
We also did a Star Wars lesson from Music in Our Homeschool Holiday Lessons. It was a very interesting lesson about thematic music and how an orchestra works with a film score.
I helped Aspen (6) with her math which was about clocks. Mercy learned about “empty” and “full” in her counting book.
After lunch, I went with Melia while she drove herself to work. It’s a 20-30 minute drive, so she got in some good practice driving time toward her 50 hours. I drove back home and ran a few errands, including picking up Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life from inter-library loan.
I walked a couple of miles with Ty and then we picked Melia up from work. She drove us back home – Ty was very impressed by her driving! She’s logged nearly 8 hours now, and is doing fabulously!
Megan (20) was in charge of dinner tonight. She made sausage and spinach tortellini with a salad. We cleaned up the kitchen and went over the new chore list for May. We had to improvise a bit since the 15 year old isn’t here this week.
Before bed, I folded and put away laundry – a never ending chore around here!
READ >> Large Family Laundry Solutions
FRIDAY
I got up this morning and right away started tidying up in preparation for Home Blessing.
Megan organized the games which are stored in her room and had spilled out uncontrollably onto her floor! I did some of Keian’s chores since he is away at Grandma’s and also used my favorite lint cleaner on the chair in my bedroom that seems to attract lint and hair.
I took Melia to work where she was spent the day planting elderberry bushes. Then, I came home and wrote a blog post that has been on my heart for a while…
READ >> Sabbath Isn’t About Self Care
As large family moms, we seem to miss out on the whole “day of rest” thing. Here’s what Sabbath truly is – and why it is so liberating! READ HERE >>
I picked Melia up from work and we ran by Aldi for a few groceries.
READ >> Large Family ALDI Shopping List & Grocery Budget
When we got home, I helped Micah (12) make grilled cheese. He’s just learning how to cook, so while his recipes are fairly simple, he’s learning a lot of great cooking skills and everyone is loving his meals!
Ty and I decided to run out to a local Korean restaurant for bibimbap since we haven’t been able to eat there since COVID. We like hot pot bibimbap so the rice crisps on the edges. We didn’t do takeout this past year because bibimbap just isn’t something you can eat from a styrofoam takeout box. Needless to say, the bibimbap we’ve waited a year for was wonderful!
Afterward, we stopped at Walmart to round out my shopping trip from earlier, and then we came home and gave the kids baths since we are leaving for a weekend trip for Mother’s Day.
During the evening hours, I sat down with a few books I’ve been wanting to go back through. We did lessons from Peaceful Press’ The Precious People Curriculum a couple of years ago, and learned a lot about the biblical feasts then. I’ve recently been studying more about how Christ fulfilled those feasts, so I wanted to go back over some of my notes and the books that have been instrumental in helping me incorporate these feasts and lessons into our family life.
READ >> Review of The Precious People
A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays
It is just so fascinating how Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament, including the feasts, and I am saddened that most Protestant churches do not teach this fully. So much to learn!
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