Weekly Wrap-Up ~ Expectations, A Mockingbird and Dissection

Ice over the local stream

What a crazy title for this post, but it is a snapshot of our week. It was a good week with exploration, growth and learning for all.

Last Friday ~ We attended our literature movie club as well as art club. Both of these clubs are monthly and not usually on the same day. We saw To Kill a Mockingbird in movie club. The kids really enjoyed it. The movie addressed history, the injustice of racism and just enough suspense with the character of Boo (Arthur Radley). Dean said that he loves old movies that have a court scene in them. They fascinate him, but he doesn't want to be a lawyer. Trust me, the thought never crossed my mind!

Dean then went on to art club at another family's home. The teens have been paying $10 a month to go to an art club sponsored by a local studio. However, since they usually did not participate in that club's activity but chose instead to sit apart and draw, they decided they could accomplish the same thing on their own for less. This was their first meeting on their own and there was much planning and scheming. The host mother was very pleased with their dedication to art and to each other. Anne and I spent our evening wandering around the Goodwill in the small town near the host family's home and eating at IHOP. It was a fun evening for all.

The Weekend ~ It was unremarkable and peaceful. There were dance classes, chores, board games, grocery shopping, speed walking at the mall and frigid temps outside. We also took a walk at the botanical gardens on a very cold day and took lovely pictures of ice and water.

Monday ~ We were supposed to be hit by an ice storm on Monday. All of the schools closed and morning dance was cancelled in anticipation. However, the ice never came. Considering the New Year's Eve ice storm surprise, I can't blame everyone for being so cautious. I did an experiment with the kids this week. I wrote out all of their assignments for the week and told them they could work at their own pace on independent activities. I was curious to see if they would take to the idea. Anne immediately took to the idea. Dean is less than thrilled and will probably continue with a daily schedule. The kids decided to watch the 2013 version of the film, Great Expectations, to get that out of the way. They really haven't enjoyed the book like I loved it as a teen. That is okay. We just sped up and read excerpts of the most important parts. We can move on to another, more pleasing piece of literature soon.

Tuesday ~ Rose came over for the morning and we had a class on dissection. We dissected a frog that had been injected with dyes so all of the organs were easier to identify. I did most of the dissecting, but they all helped a little bit and no one lost their breakfast. So it was a win. I am a bit worried how well they are going to do with the dissection of the fetal pig we will be doing this spring. They were all more squeamish than I thought they would be.

Dean spent the afternoon in art class with Miss Laura, and Anne and I did lessons at the local coffee shop.

Wednesday ~ I went to breakfast with a group of mothers of special needs kids. It was the first time I have made it since mt dear son got his latest diagnosis. I needed to share about it with women who would understand and could also guide me on how to make him more comfortable about it. In the last year or so, he has had to cope with being diagnosed with two permanent conditions. Both reveal why he has struggled with social situations, emotions, motivation and academics. The diagnoses also open doors to more supports if needed. However, he is totally unwilling to even hear about the upsides of the situation or to acknowledge how well he is doing under these difficult circumstances. He really is a remarkable kid who makes me so proud of all that he can do and has already accomplished. His future is still bright, but he has such huge aspirations that would be hard for anyone to accomplish.

The rest of the day went by in a blur of lessons, therapies and dance class.

Thursday ~ We stayed home most of the day and just plowed through school work. We went to dance in the evening and then the family enjoyed our new game, Mastermind. It is hard, in my opinion, but Dean loved it and found it almost easy. Of course, he did.

Personal goals ~ I have walked 10 miles since Sunday and kept up with my diet. I haven't weighed myself yet. I don't really see the need to check my weight constantly since changing my shape, increasing my strength and finding an eating style that is maintainable are my true goals. The house is also as tidy as it was on the first of January, which is an achievement for our whole family. We will keep working on not letting the chaos of papers and incomplete tasks be our undoing.

Blessings, Dawn