Weekly Wrap Up ~ The Week of Contrasts

This week was different each day. One day we spent the morning at the hospital while my Mom had surgery. She did well and is home recovering now. Another day found us visiting a local hiking trail and yet another was spent at home most of the day.  It was a nice week overall.

We are trying to do more family hikes this year. We had a lovely time on a hike over the weekend. The climb to the top of the mountain wasn't too bad and the views were great.

We stayed home for the 4th of July and did our own fireworks. It was a quiet day of hanging around the house, eating tasty food. 

We also went on a field trip to the Serpentarium of Magic. It was a warehouse filled with snakes collected from all over the world. It is run by a local snake enthusiast who loved showing off all of his snakes. The snakes were more active than I usually see at zoos or nature centers. An albino cobra repeatedly struck the glass when he saw me. I sure am glad he was in a cage!

A two headed corn snake

Pretty and poisonous

We got hopelessly lost on the way to the snake place. Google maps on my phone started taking me in circles at one point. When we finally arrived, I realized that we were also almost to a beautiful waterfall. I decided to stop there on the way back from the serpentarium. Since changing the plan is often stressful for my special needs sons, I bribed them with ice cream, then took them to the waterfall. Tim had a really bad asthma attack while we were in the national forest near the falls. He hadn't had one this bad in two years or so. It went on and on. Thankfully, he recovered and we headed home. By the time we got home, I was worn out!

Next week is filled with a dance intensive for Anne and Mom and Son time with Dean. It should be fun.

Blessings, Dawn

How My Kids Want to Learn -- Providing a Streamlined Education

I struggle every year with planning way to much for my kids too learn in a single school year. You might say, I am a bit of an over-achiever and a Charlotte Mason enthusiast. I love to read great books to them and then reinforce the concept with a few projects. My kids loved this style when they were younger, but now they want to get on with their own passions. They want to learn what I think they need to know in the fastest, simplest way. They do want to learn and be educated. However, they want to spend huge swaths of time on their passions and much less time on math, science, literature and history. Their passions are valid courses of study. Their passions may well lead to careers. Dean wants to draw, dance and play string instruments. Anne wants to dance until her feet fall off. When her feet do fall off, she will stretch and do core exercises for an hour or so more. They are good at their crafts. This year I am committed to making an excellent educational experience for them in a more streamlined way. We really want to avoid overwhelming ourselves. Trust me, our out-of-the-home schedule would overwhelm anyone.

What my kids want to learn and accomplish this year ~

Anne (13) in 8th grade wants to ~ 

• To read the entire Harry Potter series. (She has seen the movies but never read the books.)
• To explore ways to make money and help with our family's small eBay business so there is more money for dance classes. 
• To learn to sew with the sewing machine and clean up her hand sewing so it is "prettier".
• To add more meals to her cooking repertoire so she won't "starve" when she is a grown up. She would like to use the Harry Potter cookbook, as well as learn more family recipes. (I am thinking of having her start her own cookbook in which she adds her favorite dishes.)
• To complete a logic course that has a concentration in deductive reasoning and puzzles.
• To learn the math she needs for junior high/high school, but in the fastest way possible that will stick in her brain. 
• To DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, and do forms of exercise that support dance, such as Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi.

(You will notice there is no mention of history, literature, science, or writing. Math only made the list because she didn't get as high a score as she got last year on end-of-year testing. Her score was still in the high 80's but not the 90's like last year, so she wants to do better.)

Dean (15) in 9th/10th grade wants to ~ 

• He wants to continue improving his drawing skills and take classes with his art teacher, Miss Laura.
• He wants to improve his flexibility so that he can enjoy dance more. (He loves dance but often feels like a failure at it because he isn't performing to what he feels is good enough, so we are looking into trying Tai Chi.)
• He wants to dance with the Junior Company this fall. He was accepted to Junior Company but may not take a full load of classes, pending what the physical therapist advises.
• Dean wants to continue his study in guitar, electric guitar and ukulele. 
• He wants to increase his math knowledge. (However, he said it would probably drive him crazy.)
• He wants to continue working on healing from depression and anxiety. Dean really wants to feel confident and content. (In fact, those were his exact words to his doctor yesterday ~ "I want to feel confident and content." I thought that was very well spoken. Sometimes, he really amazes me.)

(Please note that Dean also did not mention literature, history or science. He does worry about his math skills and wants to improve them so he won't feel so stressed out.)

This is all good food for thought. I will be posting this weekend their books and courses for next year.

Blessings, Dawn

Summer Week 5 ~ A Quiet One...

We had a peaceful week. There were no camps, no doctor appointments, no emergencies! It was just a nice, calm week.

Sunday ~ We celebrated my 45th birthday! Wow, 45 years old! It seems like I was graduating from college and getting married just the other day. I am so blessed to be healthy and surrounded by a loving family.

Monday ~ Dean started his Monday volunteer job at the nature center. He was extremely anxious, but it all went well. Hopefully, he will be less nervous next week. Anne did two hours of ballet classes.

Tuesday ~ We hung around the house. Anne and I finished our Harry Potter movie marathon that we started a week or so ago. The boys got out the band saw and created small gadgets/toy weapons.

Wednesday ~ Anne had several more hours of ballet and Dean had therapy (guess we did have one appointment). Dean finished his latest drawing. I really love this one! I am amazed with the detail in the hair.

Thursday ~ We spent a lazy morning at home and then set out to explore downtown a bit. We ended up in our favorite store, which has a huge candy department. The candy is sold in individual pieces and the kids picked out a few things to try. They then played several rounds of checkers.

Friday ~ We have plans for some major grocery shopping and I need to load a ton on eBay. I almost have our plans squared away for the next school year. 

All the rest ~ The kids start one subject each next week for summer school. I believe that Dean will be doing his career and technology class, which fits nicely with his volunteer job at the nature center, and Anne will be doing a logic course. Looking at our dance schedule, next year is overwhelming. We are trying to get some of our courses started or even completed before the school year gets underway in August.

Books I am reading this summer ~ 

Week 1 ~ $2.00 a Day: Living On Almost Nothing In America

Week 2 ~ Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products

Week 3 ~ Water Cooler Diaries: Women Across America Share Their Day at Work

Week 4 ~ Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day

Week 5 ~ The Rainbow Resource Catalogue Does a catalog even count? I think it should. It is 800 pages long and filled with so many homeschool products. Yes, I really do read huge sections of it. 

Blessings, Dawn

Summer Break ~ Week 4

We had a good week filled with progress. Each week of summer break will be a bit different. This week, Dean was in camp and Anne and I spent our days finding a balance between projects and play. Each day I required myself to spring clean a room, make an important phone call (to vet, doctors, and social worker) and to load two things on eBay. I accomplished my mission each day.

We celebrated Father's Day with a tubing expedition down our local river. It was our first time and  we had great fun.

Monday through Friday ~ On Monday Dean went back to theater day camp, and Anne and I settled into the routine of getting our work done in the morning and then watching a Harry Potter movie each day. We had fun food each day, too. Our favorites were smoothie bowls, mashed potato bowls, Mochi ice cream (ice cream in a Japanese sweet dough) and Oreo cookies dipped in milk. It was a fun and peaceful week. I am especially happy that I got almost all of the rooms cleaned. Now I just have to start sorting our belongings and getting rid of things. I really want next school year to be less overwhelming, and one of the keys to that is getting my house to almost take care of itself. My motto is Less Stuff =Less Mess!

Wow! It really is a quick update this week.

Books I Read this Summer ~

• Week 1 ~ $2.00 a Day: Living On Almost Nothing In America
• Week 2 ~ Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products 
• Week 3 ~ Water Cooler Diaries: Women Across America Share Their Day at Work
• Week 4 ~ Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day

Blessings, Dawn

Summer week 3 ~ How One Looks at Things

This week has been one of those weeks where attitude makes all the difference. It was one of those, "Is your cup half full or half empty?" kind of weeks. Even though there was a lot of hardship, this week was filled with positive moments!

The Positives ~

• Dean had a marvelous time at his first week of camp. It was the happiest we have seen him all year. I am so grateful that he is turning the corner on his depression. Each week gets a bit smoother for him. He has one more week of camp.
• Anne's Cecchetti ballet teacher offered to train Anne for free (beyond her paid for dance classes) in the Cecchetti method and help her prepare for the level 4 exam next spring. We are so grateful for this opportunity that will really help build Anne's dance resume.
• I was able to read most of a third book this week. This is really amazing for me to be able to find the time to read a complete book three weeks in a row!
• Dean and Anne spent hours this week doing the things they love -- acting camp, dance, playing musical instruments and exercise/stretching.
• Our family is safe, well fed, well sheltered, resilient and blessed!

The Negatives with a Positive Twist ~ 

• My Mother spent part of the week in the hospital with kidney stones. I was not very impressed with the care she received during this time. I arrived one day and she hadn't been give anything to drink in more than 7 hours, and she was supposed to be drinking extra water. The nursing staff seemed overwhelmed and had missed providing basic care to her. Thankfully, a few choice words quietly delivered got her care improved immediately and for the rest of her stay.
• Our hamster died. She was very old, healthy and active until her death and died in her sleep. We should all be so blessed.
• Our minivan needed some large repairs this week. The AC went a few weeks ago and then the side sliding door got stuck open. My dear husband had to drive it 15 miles to the repair shop with the door stuck open. This was the second side door that has needed to be repaired on this minivan. Thankfully, it was all fixed for less than our research suggested it would cost, and we had enough money in savings to foot the bill. We have a cool ride with working doors again!

Books I Have Read this Summer ~  

• Week 1 ~ $2.00 a Day: Living On Almost Nothing In America
• Week 2 ~ Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products 
• Week 3 ~ Water Cooler Diaries Women Across America Share Their Day at Work

Blessings, Dawn

Summer Break ~ Week 2 -- Ballet, Murals and Testing!

Monday ~ Monday was a crazy day filled with driving from point A to B to C and back again. We drove 98 miles. Anne started her summer ballet classes at a new studio. For this summer, she intends to do ballet classes only at this new studio and hopefully make some great gains. They teach the Cecchetti Method of ballet. She may even take an exam in Cecchetti next year. In the fall, she will return to the dance studio she has been with since the age of six. Dean worked hard on his mural. He is hoping to have it done this week.

Tuesday ~ Anne and I went out to lunch with a friend of mine who is homeschooling her young special needs student. We had a lovely discussion. I can't believe how close I am to being at the end of this journey. Talking to a mom who is negotiating first grade is shocking. It seems like yesterday. We then spent the afternoon doing end-of-year testing. We wrapped the day up with shopping. Each child was allowed one piece of clothing as their end-of-year treat.

Wednesday ~ We stayed home most of the day doing lots and lots of chores. I finally got the office/guest room under control. We also hosted a friend's children for the afternoon. Their father is in the hospital, and they needed a few hours to decompress from the all the stress that entails. They loved playing the game, Quelf.

Thursday ~ Thursday found Dean working like crazy on his mural again. Then the students in the art class went swimming afterward at their instructor's pool. Anne and I managed to work tons on eBay and stretch a ham into eight meals!! We made two quiche, two casseroles, a ham dinner, 12 sandwiches, and Hopping John.

Friday ~ Dean spent more time working on his mural. He hopes to finish on Sunday. We also went swimming and spent time organizing around the house. I am starting to see some progress!

What I am reading this summer ~

• Week 1 ~ $2.00 a Day: Living On Almost Nothing In America
• Week 2 ~  Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products

This weekend is jam-packed with activities. Yes, summer is well underway!

Blessings, Dawn

Summer Break ~ Week One

In this moment ~ Right now, I am listening to the teapot steaming. The rest of the house is quiet as the children are still asleep. My constant companion, Boomer the dog, sits next to me, hoping that I will drop some bagel crumbs for him.

Outside my window ~ The sun is shining and it looks like it will be a lovely day.

I am reading ~ $2.00 a Day - Living on Almost Nothing in America. What a thought-provoking book. If you need a gratitude boost or want to think about how America can become kind again and how to empower the poorest of the poor to survive, this book may be for you.

I am creating ~ I am creating an atmosphere filled with love and kindness in my home. I am teaching my children to take that love and kindness out into the world. My son is creating his mural. My daughter is creating her summer exercise schedule.

Mural work continues

It will be a monster looking over a mountain with a hot air balloon going by.

I am thankful for ~ I am thankful that communication with my children is strong. They still talk to me and share their joys, concerns, sorrows and dreams. They still seek guidance from me. There was a situation just this past week that resulted in a friend of theirs having a breakdown requiring hospitalization. Even though many friends were concerned for this person's safety, only a small handful -- including my two -- turned to a parent. I am very thankful for that.

I am going ~ Dance classes at their regular studio have finished for the summer, so we were home much more than usual. We did some shopping, went to an art class, power walked at the mall and took a walk at the Botanical Gardens.

I am watching ~ Death in Paradise and Victorian Slum.

I am hoping ~ I am hoping to drastically reduce our belongings this summer. We are really finding our house and land to be too much for our lifestyle. We are on-the-go people who are rarely home and should probably live in a 1200 square foot or under house or condo with very limited land to maintain. Instead, we are living in a 2000+ square foot home with an outbuilding and almost an acre of weed/tree/vine-infested yard that we inherited with this foreclosure. I believe that, if we could drastically reduce our belongings, we would be able to more easily clean our home and concentrate more on the yard work. Moving is an impossibility right now. Since the housing market is so tight and expensive, we can't even afford to downsize.

Around the house ~ I am busily taking things to consignment shops, selling on eBay and making a mountainous pile for a yard sale. I think it is going to get messier before it gets cleaner.

I am praying for ~ A few friends that are going through very difficult times, our world, our country (which I feel is very much on the wrong path currently), and my family.

I am looking forward to ~ Celebrating my 19th wedding anniversary with  my husband next week and another productive week at home.

A picture to share ~ 

Blessings, Dawn