September 12, 2014

Fall is around the corner! Today has been cool and drizzly, and I'm half-way pretending that we're in the Pacific NorthWest, instead of Texas. Texas, the state of half-way seasons and constant teasing. 

We're three weeks into the school year and Lily seems to have really embraced this whole 'learning' experience. She's sounding out words, insisting on doing math, loves to have me spell words for her to try out... much easier than I thought it would be! She's still very resistant and stubborn in other areas but it's quite a relief not to be fighting her every moment of our (short) school day. 

The history curriculum we went with this year is taking a bit of getting used to. It's so involved! So many different resources to use and I'm never quite prepared. I guess it would help if I looked at the lessons the weekend before... haha. I can only blame myself. Maybe I should have a parent-teacher meeting and voice my concerns. 

The girls are looking forward to cooler weather. They're convinced that it means playing outside, right up until Izzy (my little memory bank) recalls every time they've ever played outside in the cold. "Oh, I don't think it'll be so much fun after all. Remember last winter? We went outside for like 5 minutes and our hands started to hurt and we came in. I don't think it'll be fun this time either." So I guess we're really looking forward to the same things: NOT going outside too much, sitting inside in front of the fireplace. :) 

Here's something else from last year: rats. Yep. Our neighbor likes to over-feed the birds and squirrels, so since last winter we have been inundated with... wildlife. Rodent wildlife. The dogs took care of several but since they dislike being out in the yard during summer, the vermin have managed to make themselves at home under our shed and *ugh* in our garage. The garage thing is a recent occurrence and the final straw. I called a pest control company, they came, set out bait stations. and told us to expect rodent corpses. Unfortunately, these #)$)* do not believe in dying conveniently located. One has lodged itself in the wall by our fireplace and is currently off-gassing. Blech. 

Rained-out Wednesday

Chad is taking a vacation week right now and so far, we've managed to go out on the boat a total of ZERO times. Part of this is due to my not feeling up to it Sunday and Monday and part of it is due to a ridiculous amount of wind and sketchy rain. So, since we haven't been on the water, he's been working on the boat, rerouting some wiring and installing new lights, etc. to get things up to snuff. I know the next big job will be updating the trailer and then painting the boat. When that's all done, it's going to be one sharp looking classic.

Of course, it's also Passover week. This makes finding things to do or places to go a little more difficult than usual but maybe all the enforced family time will do us good?

We had a family Seder Monday evening and then I took Izzy to the community seder with my parents. I haven't been to a group seder before and it was an amazing night. Being part of a larger community of believers is so encouraging. I don't know that I've ever experienced any real doubts that I'm doing the right thing by pursuing conversion but seeing Isobel get involved with the prayers and singing and ritual of Passover definitely helps reaffirm the choice.

With Isobel's birthday coming up in the next few months, I'm feeling more pressure to buckle down and figure out a homeschooling curriculum. I worry that my lax schedule will interfere with teaching adequately but hopefully, finding the right guideline to use will facilitate bringing not only the girls but myself into line.