A Week in the Life of a Homeschooling Family of 7! {First Word, Kites, Highs & Lows}

Sunday, March 29th
We spent the day celebrating Mia's birthday.  We did listen to LCC's live worship service in the morning, but the rest of the day was focused on partying.

This little girl did start pulling up in her crib.  Very handy at sleepy time.

She also got to try ice cream.

Monday, March 30th

Mom did not have the lesson plans or the menu plan ready, and I was feeling a bit scattered, so I sent the kids outside to start their day with recess.  We've been trying to exercise before school anyways, so they did it outside instead of YouTube yoga.

We finally got going and I gave the older two a light day since I was late getting them started.  Xavier finished Teaching Textbooks 4 on Monday and Natalee finished on Thursday.  We have the next set, so I think we'll just jump right in instead of being "done" for the year.

A perfect score on her first spelling test.  She really really wanted to take a spelling test.

We ate lunch outside and I read our history read alouds to the kids while they ate.

After lunch, we did an item on our COVID-19 Fun List and decorated the bike trail with drawings and inspirational sayings for other people to enjoy.

(the king has a violin) - Mia

This babe is pulling up on everything.

She's very into books right now, especially touchy feely ones.  Look at her tongue.

A star!

We spent most of the evening outside.

We've been trying to get the kids and ourselves out as much as possible.  It helps.

After supper, we FaceTimed with Great Grandma Betty and all the kids got a few minutes to talk to her.

Evalynn started jabbering on Monday. Completely took off with stringing her little sounds together.  She'll stay her first word very soon.

Yep, I took a million videos of her sweet voice.

Tuesday, March 31st
Recliner school.  Sometimes it's what we do.

We barely got the read alouds done while Ev was sleeping.  She's been struggling with her second tooth coming through and was a bit grumpy.

 
Mia got a present in the mail!

That meant there was new imagination to be had for the afternoon, so after a couple hours of outside play, the kids all played Playmobil together.

When Mike got home we were getting ready to take a big walk.  Zayden chose his scooter and the rest rode bikes.

We walked a long ways and that meant we had to walk back home.  Oof.

The breeze was about right for flying kites when we got home, so we marked another thing off our fun list and flew kites on the baseball field.  The kids declared it one of the most fun things we'd done off our list!  Their laughter and smiles were precious.
I was Zayden's helper.  The girls worked as a team and were far away so I didn't get great pictures of them for fear if I left my buddy his kite would wind up in the stadium lights.

Zayden and I flew Spiderman.

Xavier flew TMNT Raphael.

Our biggest cheerleader!

She did watch the kites fly and shrieked at them a little.  It started cooling off fast, so I ended up taking her inside.

We had leftover homemade birthday pizza, which was really nice because it was after 7 when I came in the house.  Mike and the kids flew for about 20 minutes longer before they wound up and came in.

Bookworm...

Wednesday, April 1st
We sent a video to Uncle Lance wishing him a happy happy birthday.

My big kids were supposed to do a science display for the conservation department this month.  We've worked on the information for it for about 6 weeks now.  I went ahead and had them put the display together and maybe we'll do a video presentation with it.

I was having cereal for lunch because the kids ate all the leftovers (#momlife) and Evie begged for some bites (rice chex).

She was not happy when it was gone.

Papa Curtis road up and brought us some provisions.  He was very careful and took every precaution.  He sat the things in the garage and let me handle it from there.  I put him a chair down a bit in the yard, and we sat up the hill and visited for a few minutes.  It was a treat to see him, and hard still.  Mia wanted a hug very much.  (Me, too.)  But this won't last forever - we have to tell ourselves that.  He was careful to not even use our restroom at the house.  The children pray against COVID-19 everyday and for our families and that we are able to be truly reunited soon.

We are thankful for the ways our people have chosen to love us even through this unprecedented time.

Evie eats a cross between table food and baby food and lots of milk still.  We haven't found much she won't try.

Thursday, April 2nd

I was kind of in survival mode Thursday.  A bit low, just kinda blah.  This is evidenced by a lack of any photos.  School went on per normal and we ate and played.  Mike ended up working until after bedtime and I was spent in every way.  We did rearrange some books and that always gives them a face list, so Mia found some she was able to read!

Friday, April 3rd

Mike took a "mental health day" which was as much for me as him.  He had homework for a certification that he worked on part of the day, which was fine because we schooled alongside him.

The big kids are working on that science board still!

When Dad was up Wednesday I told Evie his name.  And we're pretty sure we hear it now.

We've also heard her say mama when she's fussing and wants to nurse and maybe "buh-bye."

This week, Evalynn also busted through her second tooth, right beside the first one on the bottom.  A busy week for a busy girl.

Mike did help me redo my front window decorations, too, but it's been gray and rainy since so I'll include a picture in a later post.

Math time for Mia!

Saturday, April 4th

Happy birthday, Daddy!

We celebrated Mike today.  He is 39!  

After breakfast, the kids and I made stationary (fun list item) for a couple hours.  Mike got to relax, kid free (Evie was napping).

(Zayden working on mail for Theo)

On his birthday, Mike slept in, read on the couch (while we made stationary), played video games with the kids (fun list item) and we had a big supper of lasagna, garlic french bread, and salad, with cookies, rice crispy treats, and ice cream for dessert.

Evie during video games...

Natalee made the rice crispy treats.

Mike ended his birthday the way he ends most every night.  Snuggling his littlest, most spoiled rotten baby ever.  Tonight he chose a movie and he and I watched Jumanji after the kids were in bed.  These pictures are pretty well these 2 every night at bedtime.  I just want to say, for the record, that when he's at work she lays down in her crib for naptime. 🤣

We love you, Daddy.  Happy birthday!

This week was as full as a week with no outside activities can be.  We did a lot of things on our fun list, so that feels good.  It's nice to feel like I'm giving my children cheer and happy memories when it feels a bit like the world is the exact opposite.  I'm not naive to the fact that I'm here flying kites while others are trying to help people stay alive.  Not at all.  We're thankful and mindful of the sacrifices being made and very much trying to do our part to stay out of the way.