I was sick (fever, chills, most of the day in bed) on the day Kathryn had her enrichment classes, but thankfully my husband and cousin both helped out to get her to and from classes. Kathryn is a very sweet and empathetic girl when someone isn’t feeling well, so she spent that afternoon quietly working on the computer, reading, and reviewing for her upcoming test in bat mitzvah class.
The rest of the week I felt mostly human, so we were able to get our regular schoolwork done. Teaching Textbooks math arrived early in the week and Kathryn was so excited about it that she begged to do the first lesson as soon as we installed in that evening. So far, she loves it. It’s mostly review at the moment, but that’s totally okay. Review is good, and doing away with her ill-will towards math is even better.
Wednesday evening began Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles), and although I was planning to take Kathryn to service at her dad’s messianic synagogue, I had to miss out because I still wasn’t feeling quite well enough, but she did attend with her dad. Last Sunday, she and the rest of the kids in bar/bat mitzvah classes helped build a sukkah (tent or tabernacle) for the celebration.
(class in front of the newly built bamboo sukkah; photo by one of her teachers)
This week also brought the arrival of Kathryn’s new baby brother. Her dad texted me updates from the hospital while Kathryn’s step-mom was in labor. He was born yesterday evening, and Kathryn and her step-siblings will meet him this afternoon. I’ll be doing newborn photos for them in a week or two. I am glad — truly thankful — that our relationship is as amicable as it is, but sometimes this blended family thing has some very surreal parts. (For instance, my daughter having a baby brother that isn’t related to me.)
Last Friday we did a little fall color walk nature study, as suggested by Barb: OHC: More Nature Study #5. We searched for colors on a fall color worksheet, and found at least half of them literally right here in our own yard.
We also looked for signs of leaf cutters (another nature study we meant to do a couple of weeks ago) as we searched for fall colors. We found both on this magnolia tree (below). Somehow, even growing up having magnolia pod wars with my cousins in my grandmother’s back yard, I never knew that the seeds were like this. Amazing what I keep on learning as I homeschool!
One late afternoon this week we had another nature study — this one unplanned — when we noticed something unusual in our back yard: dozens of iridescent blue dragonflies swarming all around the yard! They were circling up as high as the treetops, as low as a foot above the grass, and everywhere inbetween. The dragonflies were all in constant motion (thus, no good photos to share). They were on the hunt, and we were able to watch them catch small insects mid-air. There was no way to count them, but there must have been at least 30 or 40 that we could see. I tried to research why exactly they do this, but apparently there is little known about why exactly dragonflies swarm. It was really fascinating, and even kind of pretty to watch.
I’m linking up with Kris’s Weekly Wrap-Up; pop over there and see what other homeschooling families have been up to this week!
Wife, mama, homeschooler, dog-wrangler. Introvert who finds joy in good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Fitness enthusiast and strength coach. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand.
Glad you hear you are feeling better! something must be going around town because I was the same way this week. Though I’ve been weakish mostly. Even with sickness there is so much goodness in your week! Love Teaching Textbooks – works so well for our older three. So glad Kathryn loves it too. Your nature photos are gorgeous to match the fall golden days. And I have some understanding of the blended family – coming from divorced parents. It’s a constant, constant adjusting – even now that I’m an adult 🙂 How blessed your children are to have you!
I remember how much those magnolia bombs hurt! Glad you’re feeling better, and glad Kathryn’s new little brother made it safely into the big, wide world. The dragonflies must have been amazing. (Great material for a poem!)
It is no fun being sick when your child has things going on. You hate to miss anything with them. It sounds like you were able to get out and enjoy some of the fall colors. God bless you, and have a restful weekend.
Hope you are feeling better! Congrats to Kathryn on the new baby brother. Love all your fall photographs.
Thanks so much for helping my friend, Christi, with the judging. I know she really appreciates your help!!
Great week, Jamie, at least once you got over your crud. I hope you were drinking LOTS of hot tea. I’ve been considering TT for Miss Priss, too. I’ll be interested to hear your opinions as the year progresses. Yay for all the nature study opportunities!
Math has been a bit of a struggle for my oldest as well. He just started Math U See and so far so good. It doesn’t help that math isn’t my favorite either 🙂
Glad you are feeling better and congrats to Kathryn on her newest brother!
LOVE that magnolia photo. Miss them out here in South Central Texas. (There are a few, but it’s not the same as when we lived in Louisiana.)
I’m glad you’re feeling better. Being a mom and being sick is awful.
I’m really glad to hear that Kathryn was excited about her new math. I’ve heard some good things about Teaching Textbooks.
Glad to hear that you are feeling better! We just got over the crud here too and it was not fun! So glad to read about a blended family that puts the children first. You should be proud!
Enjoyed your colors of fall photos. Those mums are simply gorgeous!
Sorry to hear that you have been sickly this week. Having split, but mixed families has been a funny ordeal for us also. I have a step son that is 14 years older than my DD. After I had my DD & DS, when they were small, they knew that Codey was their brother so they would call & say his Mom was their other Mama. I tried to explain it to them, but just could not get them to undrstand the situation so I just finally said, “Yes, you can call her Mama too.” Now that they are older… Read more »
Glad that you are feeling better! Your photos are beautiful. I love the fall colors:) I hope you enjoy Teaching Textbooks. My oldest uses it when she does math independently a couple of days each week. It’s been great for her (a former math hater:) to do on her own and then we continue with hands-on projects or math games together the rest of the week.
P.S. I gave you the Versatile Blogger award this morning! http://thechaosandtheclutter.com/archives/1259
Glad you are feeling better, enjoy those newborn photos 🙂