Large Family Homeschool Life – Week 26 of 2024

This week, we geared up for taking a 10 day break from homeschooling by finishing our study of the Ancient Americas.

Read all of the Large Family Homeschool Life posts!

MONDAY

My boys got up early to mow our yard before the sweltering heat and humidity took over. I awoke to the sound of them getting ready, and quietly stepped over the little girls who were camped out in our bedroom.

I took Winston for our usual 1 mile walk, changed clothes and took my breakfast and coffee on the deck.

Those of you who faithfully read these posts know that taking a 1 mile walk with the dog and having breakfast on the deck is quite the usual routine for me, but there are a few other “usual” things I do in the morning as well. They include making my bed, brushing my teeth, tidying up my room, making a gallon of tea for the day, refilling the countertop ice maker, watering the outdoor plants, checking the news and weather on my phone, and on the days we homeschooling, laying out my lesson plans, laptop, and the books we need at the dining room table. These are all things that happen sometime between me waking up and the start of our school day around 10am.

Today, I set the 19 year old to cleaning out the refrigerator and pantry while I got Morning Time started. We joke about her “earning her keep,” but it’s actually the truth. As long as she is helpful when I need her, she lives here rent free. If she should ever become too busy to help with the “economy of the household,” then she would owe rent. She does pay for her own phone and her own car insurance, gas, and maintenance, but her other living expenses we take care. You really have to do what works for you and your household when you have adult children living with you.

To read about just a few of the many mistakes we have made on this front, read the post below:

For Morning Time, we finished reading Numbers and Deuteronomy in The Child’s Story Bible. Then, we started our study of the Ancient Americas by reading in Story of the World and working on our Central America map. Then, I handed out literature assignments that go along with the Ancient Americas. I finished out Morning Time with reading in The Golden Goblet – the longest book ever…at least that’s how it feels.

After lunch, I took the 19 year old and Mercy to the city to look at one more place for glasses. If you followed the saga from last week, you know we searched and searched, found some, found out they were discontinued, and all but gave up. I remembered there being 1 pair that was plastic and had nosepads (Hello Kitty for the win!) at her eye doctor’s optical shop. I don’t remember why I didn’t think they’d work at the time, but when we tried them on this time, they were a perfect fit!

And they are blue (although they look purple in the picture) just like Mercy wanted! Hooray God!

When we got back home, I dropped Mercy off and Lia and I headed to the Commissary (military grocery store) to buy meat. I needed roasts for tomorrow night’s Titus 2 group, and while I was there, I found ground beef on sale for $2.69/lb!

On our way home, I stopped by the library to pick up books on Ancient Greece that I had on hold. Here in a couple of weeks, we will be starting our study of Ancient Greece, and if you don’t order the books early enough, you may not get them in time.

Dinner tonight was Sesame Noodles from Nikki Gets Fit’s cookbook. This is a family favorite! This entire cookbook is a great resource whether you do Weight Watchers or not. I really like how easy her recipes are! She has a great YouTube channel as well.

I put together the church newsletter (almost forgot!) and then the kids headed outside to have a water fight with the neighbor kids.

When they came back in, I ran a bath for the 7 year old, ran the Roborock, sewed up a hole in one of Aspen’s shirts, did laundry, and crocheted on our baby grandson’s afghan! It was kind of just a day of gettin’ things done!

TUESDAY

This morning was 80° and humid. While I was walking the dog, we came across workers replacing a roof and when they threw the old materials down off the roof and into the big dumpster, it scared Winston and he ended up pulling me all the way home. Not the most relaxing walk.

I took a shower and changed into something suitable for weighing in at Weight Watchers. I had tracked all last week and was down 5.5 lbs!

We did Morning Time when I got home. We started with the book of Numbers in our PictureSmart Bible lessons. Then, the kids watched some videos on the Mound Builders and the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico.

It was a short Morning Time because I was meeting a friend for lunch. She and I have been needing to catch up, and Tuesday lunch was the best time for both of us. We had a great discussion and then I headed home just in time for another friend to arrive with her daughter for a playdate with my little girls. They come every few months from about an hour away to hang out and play.

Then, I started the roast in my electric skillet for tonight’s Titus 2 Bible Study. I agreed to make the meal because the hostess will be making a raw milk run right before the meeting and didn’t feel like she could get a main meal made. Because she picks up my raw milk as well, I felt it only made sense that I volunteer to make the meal.

This is our favorite way to make roast and is a recipe handed down from Ty’s Granny, so I’m excited to share it with the ladies at Titus 2.

Closer to the meeting, I started the potatoes my 19 year old had scrubbed, peeled, and put on the stove before she headed to work. She really wanted to make mashed potatoes to go with the roast, so she got everything ready and left me a note to get them going in time for her to come home and mash them.

At Titus 2, we learned about when to stay silent – so convicting! After the meeting, I grabbed my 2 gallons of raw milk and headed home where I poured the milk from the jugs into wide mouth glass jars with plastic screw-on lids so it is easier to cream them.

That evening, our 23 year old returned from her trip to visit her older brother and his wife. We chatted about all her adventures – mostly spent with her sister-in-law. I’m glad she took the time go and visit before heading back to the grind of school and work.

WEDNESDAY

Overnight, a massive thunderstorm came through and cooled our temperatures down into the 60’s. All the rain made my morning walk wet and sparkly as the sun hit the droplets still dangling from the trees and plants.

For breakfast, I made eggs, bacon, and hash browns with Tapatio dashed on top. Usually, I add spinach to the pile, but the spinach at Aldi was abysmal this week.

After breakfast and a cup of cinnamon coffee with half & half, I started a load of towels for the 11 year old because my bathroom is out of towels. Thursday is usually his day to wash towels, but they needed to be done today if I was going to take a shower or bath later tonight.

I got started with school for the 7 and 9 year olds, but when the 7 year old couldn’t find her Phonics reader, I ended up helping her clean out her cubby where she keeps her books. Honestly, EVERYONE needs to do this to their cubbies! If we don’t do it regularly, it quickly devolves into a loose paper and pencil infestation.

For Morning Time we did more on Numbers in PictureSmart and then watched a video on the Mimbras Valley Story Bowls. I went over everyone’s literature assignments to see where we are with things, and then read in The Golden Goblet.

Then, I dismissed everyone but the 13 and 15 year old boys. We stayed in the living room and went over some Tapestry of Grace discussions questions about Ancient China and Confucius. Just as the boys’ eyes were started to glaze over, my 26 year old son called and saved the day! He and I talked for a very long time – as usual.

Then, I ate a quick lunch and recorded a podcast/video. I started to edit the audio when the kids knocked on my door and asked if we could go to the library. I said yes, but we quickly discovered the storm last night knocked out their power and we went to a park instead.

Once home, the kids (who were hot and sweaty from the humidity) showered and watched tv while I finished editing my podcast and got it sent to my 26 year old for the final audio edit.

We had nachos and/or taco salad for dinner. This is my go-to meal when I’m busy or can’t think what to cook. Always a winner!

The 23 year old started her grad school classes today, so we discussed that for a bit and then I did one of my Bible studies and took some time to pray. I pray a lot in snippets throughout the day, but not nearly enough “sit down and pray time.”

Then, I cleaned out my bottom dresser drawer. I’ve lost 8# so far and I found a pair of capris stashed in there that fit now!

Then, I made myself a cup of decaf coffee and sat outside with the 19 year old watching fireflies and bats and chatting about life. The little girls came out and caught some fireflies in a jar to show us. Such precious Summer memories!

THURSDAY

It was nice and in the 70s this morning for my walk, so when I got home, I had breakfast on the deck. This is the last day of school before we take a 10 day break. There is so much going on that I didn’t want to try to squeeze school in too.

That said, we will be pausing Teaching Textbooks for all the kids, but first, we needed to set up Aspen’s first year of Teaching Textbooks and let her do her very first lesson! She was so excited!

Before Morning Time, I also worked with Mercy reading from her Phonics reader and doing her 2nd grade Math workbook lessons.

For Morning Time, we worked at getting to a good stopping point on everything. So, we finished Numbers in PictureSmart, Read in The Golden Goblet, and finished the discussions questions on the Ancient Americas. Everything feels tied up neatly in a bow for our 10 day break!

After lunch, I ran the van to the mechanic then went to coffee with a friend from church. It was good to catch up with her!

I came home and prepped a double recipe of Rull Kuka (Rollkuchen) to have with our watermelon for supper. This is one of our favorite Summer treats!

I took a short break in my room before my 23 year old daughter and I started the rolling, cutting, and frying process. I really enjoy prepping dinner ahead of time. It feels less stressful when half or more of it is complete already. Our 19 year old daughter came in and cut the watermelon for us, and then we called everyone in to eat!

I love that I’ve been able to pass along my German Mennonite heritage to my children. It is so important to take the time to instill in your children a sense of culture and heritage. Everyone needs to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves. And if you don’t feel like you have any connection to your heritage or culture, remember that can all change with YOU and YOUR CHILDREN. Start traditions – special meals, special activities, etc and remind your children that those things are what make you a family!

FRIDAY

This morning, it was 70° and humid, but there was a nice breeze, so it wasn’t completely intolerable. I thought I’d get to have my breakfast on the deck, but it started raining heavily, so I ate at the breakfast table. My new patio furniture is coming today and I’ll finally be able to have breakfast under the covered front porch on rainy days!

I made a few phone calls and then got everyone started on resetting the house for Home Blessing. I also had the 13 year old vacuum under all the furniture in the living room and vacuum the bear and buffalo.

After lunch, my new patio furniture arrived! I got a GREAT deal on a 5 piece set, so the kids and I worked at putting it together. Unfortunately, we stripped one of the bolts with the allen wrench, so my 18 year old son used the Dremel to cut a slit in it so we could use a screwdriver instead of the included allen wrench. It worked great!

I put the 2 chairs and end table on our covered front porch so I have a place to sit when it rains. Then, I put the sofa and coffee table part of the set on the basement walkout where we are going to make a grilling area. I will have to cover the grills and probably the furniture, but I think it will still be worth it.

Then, I started supper – Baked Maple Mustard Chicken and a Caesar Salad. It turned out really well, but I think I’ll use a different mustard next time. Too much horseradish flavor for most of us.

I snagged the van from the mechanic and then drove the 19 year old to the city to meet up with some family friends she will be staying with over the next week. They will bring her back when they come up next weekend to work on the apartment for my mom.

That evening, the kids made mug cakes and I had a bowl of popcorn while we watched movies together.