Yesterday was a very interesting day. We had errands to do, so after handwriting, grammar, phonics & Jonah's math we went to the library.
I didn't notice what Jonah was wearing until we got there-t-shirt, shorts, cowboy boots, big black cowboy hat, a soccer medal and an archery medal. I don't know how I didn't notice!! Hannah looked fine but I wish I had done her hair for her instead of her doing it.
About 15 minutes after we got there a class from the school next door came in to do a lesson on looking for books and to encourage enjoyment of reading (according to the librarian). Well, I was at a computer looking up books for a unit and Hannah & Jonah were in the section where the other kids were looking for books. I could see them.
My pile of books, bag and Galloping the Globe Curriculum were over there, too.
The PS teacher picked it up and looked thru it. I don't mind. I do wonder what she thought because she was talking to one of the librarians while pointing at it. Then she pointed at me.
So then the PS kids all gathered in a circle to have a book read to them. They looked about 4th or 5th grade. Hannah & Jonah stood to the outside to listen, too, and the other kids kept looking at them and then at each other.
When it was time for us to go my kids waved to them all and called "bye!" and they all waved back including the teachers.
It was kind of a neat experience and it made me laugh, too, in the car. I could really feel that PS teacher checking me out and observing my kids. I'm so glad they were behaving.
We did have a little pep talk in the car about how we are to behave as we represent Christians, homeschoolers and our family.
I am thrilled because I found out I can borrow books for 6 weeks instead of 3. I always owe money and so this will really help cut down on that. I just couldn't remember to renew the books.
After that we went to the farmers' market and the owner asked us if we still raise beef and would we consider selling him some in the future. I didn't know he knew we raised beef, but we don't have enough to sell. It's an interesting thought, though. Maybe someday we'd have a way to make some of these animals support themselves a bit.
Pat doesn't think he wants to sell beef, though. It costs money to raise them for 2 years plus so much of our time and it's expensive to butcher. He doesn't think we could sell it for what it is really worth and have people appreciate the price of natural raised beef. We have run into people trying to get things for less than it costs. It's not that I don't appreciate a good deal, but with all the work and money we put into it, I know what Pat is saying. He'd actually rather give things away than sell things.
But, he is considering doing this with pigs as it takes a lot less time to raise them and that might be worth our while.
Hannah had her piano lesson today also. I took Jonah & Susanna to the playground across the street while Hannah had her lesson. It's a small community playground in a tiny town. The playground is frequented by teenagers who happen to disrespect it. They write swear words on the picnic tables and throw their garbage all around. So, Jonah & I always pick it up. Also, there are a ton of weeds growing in the wood chips, so I did some weeding. I had nothing else to do and we do play there every other week for half an hour. I took that opportunity to explain to Jonah that it is a community playground and the community should be taking care of it. We use it, so we can help.
Finally at home again I got Susanna down for her nap and the older two helped me in the flower garden. I gave Hannah the choice of doing her math now or later as "homework" in her room.
So, she chose to garden. I normally garden by myself (it's my therapy) and I am particular about how things are done with my flowers, but I have been convicted of that. We're raising children, not flowers. And I did really enjoy having the company. Jonah loves to talk while working with me and he says the funniest things.
We put impatiens in the front of all the perennials and I let Jonah prune my bleeding hearts. He did a good job. I had flowers left over, so Hannah put some in the red barrel I keep on the back porch and then she made her own container garden in a metal tub complete with hens & chickens and little people and horses and rocks. It's cute. She got the idea from a kids' gardening book. Jonah put 2 flowers in 2 pots and put them on either side of the front steps. I did a bunch of weeding.
Susanna woke up and she likes to water, so she helped water the flowers. We had company the whole time we gardened. The 25 "chicks" were out and 4 of them are more adventuresome than the rest-4 roosters. They followed us around turning their heads from side to side at us like they were very curious. One of them is a scrawny one that we thought was going to die at 1 week of age. He was handled a lot so is friendlier than the rest.
Then I mowed the lawn again. With all this rain the lawn is growing like crazy. Hannah made dinner-chicken nuggets and fruit. Susanna rode on the tractor with me until her dinner was done and then Hannah took her.
Hannah is such a help. She also gave her a bath for me.
I talked to my MIL in the evening. She really encouraged me-as usual! She told me that a friend of theirs (who used to be a headmaster at a private school) stopped at their house for a bit while my kids were there (we were at the HS convention) and visited with them. A couple days later this man's wife called and told my MIL how impressed her dh was with our kids. He said they were polite and articulate and a delight to be around. That really made my day!
Pat got home at 9pm and was thrilled that I had mowed the lawn. I was hoping he would be. I let the kids stay up until he got home. He read some of the Hobbit to them and wrestled afterwards. I love watching them play. I don't take this for granted because Pat had a habit of always watching TV in the evening and wanting the kids to play upstairs so he didn't have to be careful of what was on the TV. He's been convicted of that and is really making an effort to change. I especially appreciate it when he's worked ALL day and is exhausted.
So, I'm thankful for this day (yesterday) and praising God for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment