Homeschool Mother's Journal, July 15

 

In my life this week…

It has been a bit overcast in the mornings here in Southern California, so we have been enjoying the summer weather. Bode took two days of swimming lessons with our friend April. Last year, he clung for dear life to his swimming instructor. This year we thought we'd take a different approach and our very patient friend has done wonders with Bode. A year of maturing has helped as well. He's diving after sinking swim toys, floating on his back, and is able to swim a bit. It's very exciting for him (and us).

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We enjoyed a day trip to the Huntington Botanic Gardens this week in San Marino. The weather was perfect. The boys have new sketching books for nature drawings, so we thought the Huntington would be a great place to break them in. We started at the Lily Pond and the boys drew some lovely pictures. We also enjoyed looking at the beautiful flowers, ducks, turtles, fish, and baby squirrels. We then ventured over to the Desert Garden, and right after Cole found the cactus he wanted to draw, Bode tripped and fell on a cactus, landing his hand right on it. Ouch! After pulling most of the needles out, we had to cut our trip short and go home. Poor guy. But he learned a hard lesson - listen to mom and don't run around cacti.

What’s working for us…

I don't know why I never thought of this before, but it has been working out great for the past few days. I guess it helps that my boys are getting older, too. I started writing down the older boys' independent work assignments on a dry erase board at the table. I list the books and pages they are to do. The boys are to do these pages and their chores in the morning before free time. It has been wonderful to not have to remind them to do their work.

Things I’m working on…

Trying to find our turtle! We've had a turtle for a week now, but he somehow escaped his garden area a few days ago and we haven't been able to locate him. Either he climbed over the short fence or he's buried himself. It has been colder than usual here, so my husband thinks he may have buried himself to hibernate. I'm no turtle expert, so I haven't a clue. We keep looking and hoping we'll find him. We named him Waldo - pretty fitting name.

I’m reading…

In My Bible: just finished the book of Joshua

Finished: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

                A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

Starting: Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

A photo to share…

The boys drawing at the Huntington.