Where we live....

SICK HOUSE
Welcome to the Sick House.   We have had virus after virus that can knock even the wildest down:

 

We have even had pneumonia:

  

But after one crazy middle of the night trip to the ER, 2 doctor visits, 4 meds totaling nearly $200,  the boy is feeling MUCH better.

Let's talk about that middle of the night ER trip.   I went to bed worried about Kiera.  She had a headache for the first time in her life and it was literally knocking her out.  After a call to the doctor and an informative explantaion of worriesome symtoms that accompany headaches, it was determined that Kiera was most likely ok and just getting over her own series of sicknesses.

As I started to drift off into dreamland where no one is sick, Garrett started really crying.   It was so out of character, that it immediately woke Brie up as well.   After an hour of him falling asleep only to wake again, I came to my senses and thought something must be wrong.   I was right.  He wasn't breathing right.   He sounded as though he was grunting every time he exhaled.   I woke Kevin up (who was inconveniently located in Lake Charles, LA) and had him listen to his son over speaker phone.   After much back and forthness as to whether to take him and whether or not to take the others or seriously inconvenience someone else, I decided to not only take him, but take all three.

I am woman, hear me ROAR!

I was afraid to wake the other two for fear of whininess and hold me demands.  But as I roused Kiera she immediately went into empathetic big sister mode.   "Is he going to be ok?" was one of the many questions that poured out of her mouth at 1 am.   Then she went to wake Brie.   Instead of being her grumpy wakeful self, she thought we were going on a field trip.  It was so funny.  She was so excited.

So off we went and about 2 am we returned home, only to return to bed (me with a sick one in my arms).

6 days later, we are starting to see the light (and the dust!)

SCHOOL HOUSE

Homeschooling is going very well.   I got Kiera this amazing little school desk that she really likes.   She enjoys homeschool, and the babies enjoy bothering us!   I am really enjoying planning her day and watching her learn.  And am happy to report that while I do endure quite a bit of whining, only once have I heard "I am not smart enough for this!"

 

SUGAR SHACK
Turns out that I like to bake.  Figures.  Goes right along with crafting, gardening, cooking and sewing, right?   But Kiera enjoys it just as much.   Recently we made Ladybug cupcakes.   They were quite fun, very adorable and most enjoyed:

 LOVE SHACK
Every once in a while we get a glimpse of some twin love.  Many times it's Brie crawling into Garrett's Pack-N-Play while camping:

 

But sometimes, it is just to get a little comfort from him while the vacuum is running:

Although, our house can be called many things, it will never be called boring!   Wait til tomorrow when I tell you what Handy Andy, I mean Krazy Kevin has been doing.....

Discoveries

Since we have made the choice to homeschool, I have discovered a few things:

1.  I am learning a whole lot more. 
For instance, I never knew why Palm Sunday was called Palm Sunday.  But thanks to this website, I now know that those that did not have jackets to lay down in front of Jesus' donkey, laid down palms to show their respect as He entered Jerusalem.  

2.  We take the time to explain something to our children.
Since we are now parents AND teachers, no question goes unanswered.   I have even found my husband finding a way to explain to a five year old how the world works.  No more, I don't knows, or I don't think you'd understand from us.

3.   The children actually want to be schooled.  
Now I know this will wane.  In fact, we are currently struggling with finishing a task and realizing that sometimes school has to be done while the little ones play.  It's a tough lesson, but an important one.  I read the other day (goodbye fiction reading, hello non-fiction!) that as kids begin school, we teach them to complete tasks.  Never before have they really had to do this in their play or creativity.  They jsut move on to something else when done.  But, one walks a fine line because you don't want to overdo it.  School should be fun as well as educational especially at a young age.

4.  My house has never been messier.
I am trying to come to terms with this, but find it a constant battle.   I have been working really hard to incorporate the kids into the cleaning and am happy to report that my 2 year olds will bring me their plates after they finish eating.  So what if the plate is held sideways and all the food falls to the floor, right? 

5.  My time is my own.  
This is one of my favorite things about homeschool.  No longer are we a slave to our activities.  We have a schedule, but sometimes things get bumped and we do a lesson on volume while in our tutus a few minutes before ballet, and sometimes we do science at 9:00 at night.  But, we get the lesson in and no one is pulling out their hair because they are stressed, too tired, or too hungry.

6.  I have never been happier.
For a whole year, the decision of whether or not to homeschool weighed on my shoulders.   I am so happy that my husband and I have come to an agreement.