My Brain Hurts

We made it through the first day.

We got up reasonably early at 7am, though much too late if we'd been rushing to catch the bus. I made blueberry muffins and we turned on the computers around 9:30. The first two days are called Onboarding, they're all about how to use the software that the school uses for assignments and assessments. I read that it would be good for me to sit with each child and watch all the tutorials with them.

This did not happen.

After getting everyone set up and realizing that there simply weren't enough hours in the day, I let the older three work independently (except for the occasional question) while I sat with Sophie. And by sat with, I really mean ran around chasing Topher while listening to the instructional videos and coming back to read whatever wasn't in video format. She's a strong enough reader that she could read most of it, but there were a few words that she needed help with.

Topher seemed extra energetic today, probably because I couldn't shadow him like usual. He made it all the way upstairs twice today. I don't think that's ever happened before. Both times I found him snuggled in Peter's bed, surrounded by stuffed animals. I think he was out of my sight for maybe thirty seconds? That kid is fast.

From all the research I've done, once this onboarding is done, school will be much more fun. I sure hope so.

Roar

Topher is a big fan of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, so much so that he's memorized parts of several of the songs. When he's faced with an unknown food at mealtimes we'll hear him sing to himself "might taste go-od" and he's always happy to remind us that "gro-own ups come back." His current favorite might reflect all the big feelings happening at our house these days.

Tied

The moment we've been waiting for has finally arrived: Peter is officially (according to the wall ruler at the doctor's office) 6'2". Why is that such a big deal? Because Bryan is also 6'2", so they're now eye to eye.

And we don't think Peter's done growing.

I'm used to Peter being tall, but this is new territory for Bryan.

In Case of a Crash Landing

Phoebe and Sophie helped Topher decorate his new rocket ship last week, then they pulled and pushed him around the house. Fun was had by all. And, based on the driving, the helmet was a must.

Embrace the Change

As a family we made the prayerful decision to pull the kids from our local school district and sign them up with an established cyber school. We finished the applications a few days before they announced a cap on new enrollments. Last week we docu-signed the official paperwork. On Friday morning we got an email with the kids new user names and passwords and instructions on how to access the school website.

Since then I've spent several hours each day (and I didn't realize I had any extra to spare) learning how the new school will work, reading questions and answers from other parents on the Facebook pages, ordering supplies off the lists that we now have access to, urging the kids to plow through as much of the summer reading homework as possible, and continuing to prepare our house to become school on Monday.

I feel like I should be stressed and overwhelmed and nervous about how this is all going to go down. I mean, all the other parents seem pretty nervous. And, honestly, I am stressed and overwhelmed, but not about this. I'm approaching this school year with much less stress and anxiety than usual. When I realized that I started pondering why. Why am I not riddled with nerves? Why am I not freaking out with questions about how I'm going to effectively supervise the real schoolwork (the end of last year was rough on families and teachers alike and did not conclude with much real schoolwork) of four kids at four levels while still running the house and engaging Topher?

And here's the answer I've come to: because it's the right choice. This is the right thing for our family right now. Peter is adamant that this will only last a year. Phoebe is ready to embrace it long-term. I have no idea what will happen educationally for our children when this school year is done. But I do recognize that peaceful assurance that comes from seeking divine guidance, then following it.

Boots

Books and Blocks and Bespectacled Brother

 

When You Feel Discouraged

I feel like most of my posts recently have been short and light and kind of on the fluffy side. And that's totally fine, they're things I want to remember. But our daily reality is much more stressful. And hard. This week in particular has been sad on many levels. Unfortunately I'm going to leave this vague and not go into details since the sad things impact me, but are not about me and therefore not really mine to tell.

So, as is my custom, I'm going to look for silver linings about this hard time. Ready?

We've been getting rid of things for some time without seeing progress, but just yesterday I started to feel a difference in our house. It's like I can breathe again. We've still got a ways to go, but we're moving in the right direction.

Tonight Bryan and I signed the final paperwork to sign the kids up for one of the top cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania. We didn't feel good about the plan our local district put in place, so we looked for other options. School is supposed to start August 31, hopefully we'll be able to start then, but it will depend on if we have our school supplies yet.

I had a hard, but good, conversation with a loved one today. It was emotional and long-overdue, but I think we both benefited from it.

I love my family. All of them, those inside and outside my house.

Okay, that's enough blessing counting for the moment.

Drip Drip Drop

Topher woke up a little early from his nap on Monday and started crying. I needed a few more minutes before getting him so Cooper went upstairs to sit with him for a bit. Apparently when Cooper walked in Topher stood up, pointed to the tears on his face, and said, "Cooper, it's raining on my nose."

Nineteen Squared

Today our family celebrated our nineteenth birthday! To be totally honest, I don't feel old enough to have been married for nineteen years. Then again, we were very young when we got married, though neither of us realized it at the time.

We celebrated by having pancakes for breakfast.

Then, because food is my love language, we had our eclectic dinner tradition where each person chooses an item to be on the menu. This year brought us waffles (Topher), mac and cheese (Sophie), strawberry milk (Phoebe), Twinkies (Cooper), sushi (Peter), watermelon (me, of course), and the best steak Bryan has ever cooked (Bryan). And he has skills in this area, so that's high praise.

Bonus family birthday awesomeness: I discovered a few days ago that we share our anniversary with the anniversary of the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. So, in addition to our nineteen years of marriage, women have had the right to vote in this country for one hundred years! That made my feminist heart happy.

I'm thankful that we decided a few years ago to make today about our whole family and not just me and Bryan. I love our tradition.