What a day!

What a day! I must have taken a hundred deep breaths between 1:30 and 3:30pm - conservation center and library - but we did have fun even so. Joel had quite a "selective (SELECTIVE) hearing" issue today which accounted for most of my deep breaths, Elijah had a few of "those" moments (I tell you, those lamaze classes helped me in more ways than one) and Izaac just wanted down! At the conservation center, we explored the displays, books and toys that centered around our science theme - reptiles! - and enjoyed each new discovery. Then. The resource room. Those poor conservation ladies probably thought I was a teenage mom with too many kids - my baby was whining, my four year old was doing wheelies with the stroller and my five year old was bouncing back and forth from reading to whining - and for goodness sakes all I wanted to do was get a few posters! I practically inhaled the dust from that conservation carpet to stay calm.

The library was fun (I won't bring up the two bathroom breaks, the poopy diaper/clothes or the spit up all over the floor). Fun yet interesting. Joel doesn't understand "I'm sorry, honey, you can't get 25 books remember because the manager made a new rule that people can only check out 15 books", so that left me bending awkwardly over the little kid table to sort through the books while holding a very heavy baby (who was leaning toward the floor) in one arm and a bulky diaper bag on the other shoulder; my hair was disheveled; I should have worn a belt; the tag on my shirt was scratchy; and let me just tell you, thank God for the fruit of self-control, or I would have lost it! Thankfully the kids fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep when I put them in their beds and the Lord gave me a beautiful rain and a quiet hour to myself.

I wouldn't be telling the whole story unless I told you that I thoroughly enjoyed these boys today (deep breaths or not). Though Joel was a bit "hard of hearing" he was also absolutely hilarious and sweet! Elijah brought tears to my eyes during his spelling assessment, when I saw how hard he was trying and how well he was spelling and then how proud he was of his accomplishment (and soccer sticker). Izaac is still the best baby ever, especially when he is allowed to roam freely and Elijah always says, "Izaac is the world's most favorite baby."

This morning, when Joel was at the table painting and I was on the floor beside him feeding Izaac, somehow the conversation came up between Elijah and I that I am smart. Joel tilted his head like a college professor, pointed his paintbrush at just the right angle and gave a little half-smile. He then kindly said, "Hm. But you're not smarter than me, Mom."

I am loving homeschooling! Moms who stay home or read to their kids or teach them anything at all already "homeschool" in a way, so to me homeschooling feels like the natural progression for our family. I sometimes refer to myself as being "in kindergarten" because I'm re-learning so many things - I should be a genius by the time the kids all graduate (*cough* it's a stretch I know).

Elijah and Joel and I aren't the only ones learning in this house, I'm convinced Izaac is learning more than all of us put together. He has explored every inch of our house already and has found some favorite toys - crackling paper, rolling wheels and electronics. He also loves books! Especially books that require the reader to make animal sounds. I love to watch him pull up, let go and stand by himself for 3-5 seconds at a time. He brings endless joy to our family and it's safe to say he is adored.

My camera batteries are dead but I'll try to post some pictures soon.

What a day!