This Week at Our House #30

1. John worked all week and then took the teens to the Temple on Friday. He has been exercising regularly. Earlier in the year he tried out running, but it hurt his back and he was out for a couple of months, so now he either goes on a really long walk, mows the lawn, or lifts our one 50lb weight. 
2. Last April the kids and I made the decision to end school memorial day weekend, start it again August 1st, and then take from Thanksgiving until Christmas off as a long semester break. Well, Aug 1st is upon us. I spent much of the week preparing for the start of the school year. On Monday, I had no idea what we would be doing for the school year or what our schedule would be or even what books we had. By Tuesday, I at least knew what books we had, but by Friday, I had a good schedule written out, classes prepared and books ready or at least ones that would come in the mail soon. I only spent $26 and I only have one more book to purchase. But that one will be a little more expensive, so we will be waiting until September to get it. Still, I am very pleased at how easily I was able to get everything organized and prepared with full and complete high school schedules and all. I was feeling a bit scared about it all and was wondering if we would be able to stick to our plan. I think homeschooling tends to be more intimidating than it is hard. 
3. Ruth landed a very easy and well paying babysitting job for a nearby family with just two little girls aged 6 and 8. She will make enough money to either get a good savings again, pay for her plane ticket or buy a nice new college wardrobe. Ruth's choice is to get the money into her savings account. Ruth has always been frugal and good at savings, which, of course, is very pleasing to her parents.
4. Kate spent the whole week reading Fablehaven. She is halfway through book 5. Kate fussed some about her schedule. The thing she objects to the most is the fact that I am requiring her to exercise everyday and count it as a PE class. She will try out her schedule and then mess around with at as she wants, but her classes are set. I will probably let her switch PE out for something she is happier with after out Christmas break. 
5. Johnny has been begging me to cut his hair for a couple of weeks, and I finally got to it on Thursday. I gave all of the boys and John missionary haircuts. I think Johnny is quite happy with his, but Josh misses his long-ish hair.
6. Adam started writing a murder story this week. He has been very anxious to use my computer, but I must confess it is quite gratifying to have your 11 year old son want to use a computer to type up a story instead of playing video games.
7. Rachel loves to just be outside and will spend large parts of the day walking around the yard.
8. Anya was the first to start writing a murder story. She cut up some paper and formed it into a little book and has spent time this week writing. Her story is really cute and her spelling is even cuter. 
9. Since it has been so hot, Joseph has been inside a lot more and suddenly, I think we are all feeling like the house is smaller. I am trying to find things to occupy him. He has so much energy and that energy is great as long as it is directed.
10. Joshua keeps telling me how I should have cut his hair. But his short hair is his fault because he kept pushing his shoulders up to cover his ears and at one point pushed the buzz clippers right up the side of his head. I told Josh he was starting school and he complained that he is just a little kid and does not need school yet. I then explained that he will be doing school at home with me and then he felt better about it. 
11. Arwen had her 4th birthday. She really wanted a tent for her birthday and I thought that was adorable. She also got a baby doll that she then carried around zipped up in the tent bag. 
12. Suzy was jealous of Arwen's doll and kept trying to steal it. We gave her the doll that she got for her birthday and she threw it aside. I am very slowly potty training Suzy. I have not begun to potty train pee yet, but I do have her telling me either when she has to poo or as soon as she has pooed. She tends to go half in her diaper and half on the toilet right now. I think that is a nice comfortable start and we are relieved that she has not tried to change her own diaper for a while.