We interrupt this regular schedule

Slide pile up photo taken on Monday for our family homeschool yearbook page.

This week, following our play house spring break, I made a decision. We’d concentrate on the basic routine. Three habits help our day run smoothly. Mainly our:

1. Before 8:45
2. “One more thing after lunch” (usually nature or a science lesson we all do together)
3. Afternoon Quiet Time

So, at the start of the week, we spent time reviewing each of the above three. When all children and mom do those three things well, the day just goes so much better.

Monday was a full day. I had scheduled the younger two for regular, well check ups at the pediatrician. In addition, the girls practiced drama, we enjoyed a weather nature study (good timing for a morning following a stormy night. Lots of raindrops on fresh green shoots).

We discussed what Tapestry books we’d read.

The older two and I sat down and talked about their Rod and Staff English assignments for the remainder of the year. Seventh and sixth graders will both be doing some outlining and writing this month and studying poetry next month.

Living Math – We pulled out the Blokus. And the No Stress Chess. The younger ones also did some matching games and played Go Fish.

Life Skills – Eldest girl and I spent some time talking about getting her ready for babysitting jobs this summer. I had seen a really cute idea over on Org Junkie for a Babysitter’s Bag. We’re working towards putting those things together for her.

Art – Dotza pens. Plus a post from the archives, Nana’s Tornado Pastel Tutorial. And, a new one – Three Little Chicks – for you and your peeps!

After supper, Hodgepodgedad read a lesson from AiG God’s Design for Life: The Human Body. See, the latest issue of Answers Magazine came and several were quite taken with Getting Close to GROSS. So we decided we’d finish out our school year with the Human Body unit study as well. This GROSS article is so well done, please click over and learn more about all the design behind ear wax and Mucus, it’s snot so bad. Click Getting Close to Gross.

Then, before bed, we read several night’s worth of Amon’s Adventure. That was Monday!!

{Screech! Halt. One day’s worth of regular.}

Tuesday morning, Lil’ Buddy woke up with hives. I was on the phone with nurses at the allergist, the pediatrician. We’re still getting to the bottom of the cause. And he’s still getting whatever has gotten his little system revved up – out of his system. The older two did work through their Teaching Textbooks. I was able to help third grader with Saxon Math. The highlight of this day truly was Quiet Time.

Five-year-old settled in with her box full of Biscuit books.

Sixth grader grabbed a Tapestry history spine.

Seventh grader picked up a favorite.

And third grader was heard (from all the way upstairs) practicing for the church musical, Down By the Creekbank.

{Pause to soak up that successful homeschool afternoon moment. Brief though it may be, I love, love to look around and see all my children piled up with a book. *Sigh*}

{Back to reality and the shifting of our focus for the week} Lil’ Buddy had such a rough night that night that by Wednesday morning I made another appointment to take him into the pediatrician. However, his symptoms progressed so quickly, that we headed to the ER. I’m not messing around when he’s an epipen toting little guy.

The first purple iris bloomed this week.

Taking Care: Here, the older two stepped up as a team of babysitters. I whisked Lil’ Buddy off, taking Middle Girl with me. Blood work done, Scottish Rite doctors consulted. Benadryl prescribed for up to two weeks. It was decided this reaction was either an allergy to the Augmentin he was finishing up for ear infection and/or serum sickness. It is a hugely impressive immune system response that would make any Mama cry!

We returned from the ER to dried up bowls of spaghettios the older two had served. Hodgepodgedad and Nana swooped in, delivering children back and forth to church for choir practice for next week’s big Spring Sing.

This cheered my weary spirits. The text said, “DQ Chocolate rescue. It’s on it’s way.” That Hodgepodgedad. He’s the best!

Thursday and Friday were filled with doctor visits. Back to the pediatrician and to the Emory allergy specialists. (With a piano lesson, three hair cuts and class photos for our homeschool yearbook somehow worked in there). I think Math lessons were completed the rest of the week (?).

Cooking Fun session from the Cook Box – with homemade sprinkles – coming soon!

So you see? The best laid plans. The finest of back to routine intentions. Really, the interruption of our regular schedule taught us much. Diligent care. Forgiveness for short tempers. Love for those with less sleep. And a huge heap of gratitude for our Littlest Guy getting better and being ok.

Thanks friends, on the mend! (Photo at the Emory allergist this morning)

Pray constantly that you will have the strength and the wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet. Luke 21:36

How was your week? Hopefully not any ER visits?