(Sick!) Day in the Life 2020 - with 6, 10, 12 and 14 year old girls!

No day is perfect here, nor is it ever perfectly normal.  

This year, I picked a day and chronicled it, as is.  

Thanks so much for taking a peek in to a day in our life.  If this is the first time you've stopped in, Blossom1 is 14 years old.  

Blossom2 is 12 years old.  

Blossom3 is 10 years old.

Blossom4 is 6 years old.  

The Rugged Mountain Man and I raise our girls on a few rustic acres in a charming little Hollow.  

This is our micro farm life.

I almost roll off the couch as I stretch. I'm shocked when I blearily read 8:15 on the clock!  I'm foggy and sore from sleeping on the couch so much lately.  It was a rough night of fever, medicines, and coughing.  My poor Blossom3 and Blossom4!  I had hoped they would be turning the corner by now.  They're hardly saying a word from the couch and recliner, so I tiptoe back to get dressed.  On the way, I greet Blossom1 and Blossom2.  They are reading their Bibles in the school room, not wanting to wake us.

8:30 am ~ I unload the dishwasher and try to bring some semblance of order to this place while the older girls make themselves some breakfast.

9:00 am ~ The older girls head out to do chores and feed animals.  Sure, it's much later than normal, but at least, the Blossom1 and Blossom2 aren't sick too.  I put the kettle on for tea and make myself a quick breakfast.  I have a feeling I'll need the energy to face the day.

9:15 am ~ I settle in on the couch for my devotions.  I need this quiet time.  It's my time to "lean my arm upon the window sill of Heaven."  Then, I can lean strong to meet this day.

9:35 am ~ Blossom1 and Blossom2 are back in from chores.  They know that today isn't a "five subject bookwork" kind of day.  We discussed yesterday that they would be spending some time on projects; most importantly, two compositions that are due soon.  They are working on fulfilling the Teen Bible Quiz requirements for a Discipleship Award.  They'll be writing a composition on their personal testimony, as well as a paper on their thoughts on The Grave Robber by Mark Batterson.  They get started on the laptops in the school room.

10:00 am ~ I've been fetching tissues and water and taking temperatures.  The little girls are asking for something to eat, so I put together a smoothie for them.

10:15 am ~ I check in on the older girls and grab a couple of rough drafts and a clip board.  I need to write some comments and suggest revisions.  I hang out in the living room with the little girls as I make notes with my red pen.

10:45 am ~ Meanwhile, Blossom3 is going on three days with a high fever.  I really expected that she would be turning the corner last evening.  I pow-wow with my husband over the phone.  He is equally alarmed at how long her fever is staying up and how much medicine we've had to give her to keep the fever manageable.  We decide that it's time to see the doctor to find out if there is an infection brewing.  I grab my ball cap and boots, forego the makeup, change the little girls into fresh clothes, and head to the doctor's office.

11:30 am ~ We get to see our doctor.  Thank God for that!!  Blossom3's ears, throat, and lungs are all clear.  It's the flu, which we originally thought.  We'll be riding it out... with prayer... and popsicles.

Noon ~ We're stopping at Walmart.  We're out of tissues and we need popsicles, orange juice and the like.  I really don't want to wait til after my husband gets home from work, so into the cart the girls go.  They're heavy!!

1:00 pm ~ Lunch time!  It's late, but we're glad to be back home with at least confirmation that Blossom3 doesn't have anything else going on.  The little girls settle on the couch again with popsicles.  I take a few minutes to chat with the older girls.  They've worked hard this morning, with minimal supervision.  I'm happy with the progress on their compositions and I'm also thankful for the independence they exhibit.  I rely on them more and more as they grow older.  What a blessing!

1:30 pm ~ The little girls are falling asleep, which looks fabulous to me.  Before I doze, I discuss revisions with Blossom2.  The older girls get their usual half hour of rest time for pleasure reading before they delve back into writing and revising.

3:00 pm ~ I put another movie on for my poor miserable little girlies.  I escape to the school room to go over drafts with Blossom1.  We discuss changes and questions.  My role is more of a coach, than a teacher.  I've taught them how to write.  They write their drafts.  We talk about what to improve.  We work through several drafts.  The final copy isn't printed until we're both happy that it's their best work.  They benefit so much from the instant feedback that is paramount to our writing process.

4:00 pm ~ Since I'm spending so much time fetching water, snacks, medicine, and the like, I alerted Blossom1 earlier today that she'd be handling supper tonight.  I'm dropping a chicken half in the Instant Pot so that she has "rotisserie chicken" for the White Chicken Enchiladas she's making.  I take a few minutes to "tidy up."  I operate best with order around me, so I try to work on the kitchen and living room for a few minutes, picking up tissues, folding up blankets, and washing a few dishes.  I also snatch a few minutes to meet with Blossom1 and Blossom2 about their compositions.  In the middle of it, I also decide that lukewarm baths are in order to try to bring the little girls' temperatures down.  I spend the next few minutes bouncing between the older girls at the laptops in the school room and the little girls in the bathroom.  They also fill me in on other bookwork they've managed to fit in today.  Not bad for a "sick" day here!

5:00 pm ~ The older Blossoms head to the living room to hang out with the little Blossoms for a few minutes.  I park myself at the laptop in the school room to do some work of my own.  I'm co-teaching a dissection class for local homeschooled high school students.  The cow eye is on the docket for the next class.  I have most of my notes and lab report hand outs completed, but I'm realizing that the little girls are still too sick for co-op the next day.  I type out more notes and thoughts so that my co-teacher can fill in for me.  Overall, I'm pleased that I was finally able to pull together a more logical lab report for the students to complete.  I'm bummed that I'm missing this dissection!  Last week's earthworm was so fascinating!

5:30 pm ~ Blossom1 is starting supper preparations.  Blossom2 is de-boning chicken.  I bounce around the house doing the Rugged Mountain Man's next day prep.  I still like to help get his mornings off to a smooth start with the coffee maker all ready to go and lunch packed.  I also tend to the little girls here and there too.  More ice water coming right up!

6:00 pm ~ Mmmmmm, those White Chicken Enchiladas smell delicious!  Since the little Blossoms are (still!) on the couch, I set the table and we sit down... just the four of us.  I'll be glad when all six of us are at the table again.  We're thankful for comfort food and conversation.  Afterward, the older girls and I clean up the kitchen.

6:30 pm ~ While Blossom1 and Blossom2 finish the clean up, I take a few minutes to chat with the Rugged Mountain Man.  It's nice to connect when things have been so helter-skelter lately.  He also shares his thoughts on the girls' compositions.  Part of calling writing assignments complete around here is that Daddy does a final read-through.

6:45 pm ~ The little Blossom are perking up a bit and asking for me to play some games with them.  They are getting tired of just sitting and lying around.  I camp out in the living room, playing Guess Who and reading aloud.  I pull out a special read aloud just for the little Blossoms.  Their tired red watery eyes lit up a few days ago when I started reading them Mike's Mystery, The Boxcar Children #5.  I get comfortable on the couch to read a few more chapters.  Frankly, I'm just glad to hear their little voices as they muster the strength to ask a few curious questions about Benny and the gang.

7:15 pm ~ The troops are getting hungry again, so I make a snack.  It's turning into family time.  I snuggle on the couch with the little girls.  Mufasa, our inside bunny, whom my cousin jokingly calls a therapy bunny, is cuddling on various laps.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 are hanging out with us.  Jake and Rory, our massive dogs, are trying to get in our laps too, to get a good scratching.  Daddy is settled on the couch, alternately chatting and reading the Lord of the Rings. I'm glad we can still sip the good out of these sick days.  As I'm lying here, a verse comes to mind... something about a cup of water.  I find Matthew 10:42 and I smile at the reminder that even a cup of water for little ones is significant.  God sees it and assures me that I'll be rewarded for all those seemingly insignificant services I've performed over the past few days.  That thought is a balm to my weary spirit.  I decide to make it my lock screen to keep that thought front and center.

8:30 pm ~ The little Blossoms are settled into the recliner and couch already.  That was easier... mainly because I never dismantled "the sick camp" this morning.  I'm pretty sure the whole house looks like a sick camp, but I'm relieved they are dozing off.  I'm hoping this rest is helping them kick these nasty fevers.  I get changed into pajamas and I'm making a beeline for the couch.  I'm TIRED, but I get waylaid in the school room where the Rugged Mountain Man and the older Blossoms are hanging out a for a few more minutes before they hop into bed.  This bedtime is a bit early for them (and me!)  Though the couch is calling my name, I realize that I really need to spend some time with the older Blossoms, so I stop to chat a little and to tell them how I'm thankful I am for how hard they worked and how independent they were today.  I try to remember that teens and tweens especially need to hear us say the positive things we see in them.

9:00 pm ~ It's me, the couch and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thanks for reading this real glimpse into our life.  Check out more Day in the Life posts here.
Day in the Life 2019
Day in the Life 2018
Day in the Life 2017

Dominique

PS - At the time of this writing, the little Blossoms are on the mend, with fevers trending down and activity levels up.  Thank God!.

Day in the Life ~ 2022

Just in case you're not familiar with this cast of characters:

Blossom1 is 16, just got her license and has gained a measure of independence lately.  
Blossom2 is 14 and works hard and pitches in.  We all rely on her.
Blossom3 is 12 and hates working at her desk.  
Blossom4 is 8 and thinks school is annoying when you could be bouncing on the couch and cartwheeling in the living room.
The Rugged Mountain Man is my husband and the father of our four beautiful daughters.  
Dominique ~ That's me. I'm the glue of this family, the domestic engineer extraordinaire!  At least that's what I aim for.

Welcome to our little spot in the Hollow!

7:06 am ~ Oops!  I must've fallen back to sleep!  Blossom4 woke me up saying she had a belly ache last night and combined with my own bouts of indigestion, I didn't sleep well.  When the Rugged Mountain Man left at 6:30 am, I grabbed my tablet and started my Bible reading in bed, which led to falling back to sleep. Sometimes it happens this way.\

I rise, start the water for tea, and wake the girls.  This morning is slow.  We're getting our feet back under us after a big push before their Fine Arts performance this past weekend.  For months, everything has been leading up to the big day.  They settle in their favorite couch spots with blankets and read or listen to the Bible and write in journals.  My chair, tea, and journal are waiting for me!

7:40 am ~ I convince them that it really is breakfast time.  Open breakfast is how we roll now.  Smoothies, cereal, and Johnny cake are their choices this morning.  When we're basically done eating, we talk about what we read in the Word and pray before they clean up breakfast and troop downstairs to suit up for outside chores.  They're pretty happy because it's 35 degrees outside, so no one needs to heat 5 gallons of water for the animals.  It's a comparatively easy winter chore day!

8:10 am ~ While the Blossoms are choring on our micro farm, I wipe down the kitchen counters and head back to get my shower.  It's nice that the girls are old enough to be trusted to chore outside while I ready myself for the day.  Jeans!  Graphic Tee!  Cardigan!  Claw hair clip!  Two minute makeup!  There are either people at my house or I'm going somewhere every day now, so I save time and always get dressed right away in the morning.  Otherwise, I forget and end up in a panic when I'm not ready later on.

8:46 am ~ I hear Blossom1 tickling the ivories in the basement music studio, which means chores have been completed.  Although they're supposed to be upstairs doing inside chores, it is nice to hear music in random moments throughout the day.  I peek out the upstairs window and notice that the three younger girls are "swing-jumping!"  That's their word for swinging high, doing a flip, and landing with a good gymnastics type "stick."  While I'm slightly irritated that they aren't hustling in, I'm torn because getting fresh air and vitamin D are more difficult in February.  I give them a few minutes to soak it all in before waving them in from the back door. 

They head inside to unload and load the dishwasher, do the dishes, vacuum, tidy the bathroom, and tidy the basement.  Blossom1 also gets ready for the day.  Her job ~ teaching piano out of our basement music studio ~ starts at noon, so she does the whole jeans, hair, and makeup routine in the morning as well.  The other three settle on ponytails and comfy pants for their day.

9:31 am ~ They're finally in the school room and working on math.  Doing math first is a requirement at our house when everyone is fresh in the morning.  Blossom1 does all college work now, so she independently manages her work load and assignments based on their due dates.  The rest of them choose what to work on after math and move from subject to subject until they get stuck.  Today, Blossom3 is stuck on stem and leaf plots.  Though I think they're annoying, I help her understand before I move on to answer Blossom4's question.

I throw in some wash, fold clothes, clean stains out of the carpet, and talk to my sister on the phone while no one needs me.  I get hamburg out for supper too.  It's so much easier when I think about supper around breakfast time.  

11:18 am ~ Blossom3 gets the bright idea to have pancakes for lunch...now.  Since Blossom1 needs to eat early today, I say yes.  Blossom2 mixes up a batch of fluffy pancakes while Blossom3 works on a batch of homemade syrup. Blossom4 reminds everyone how hungry she is and how much she really doesn't want to do her math today.  She does manage to help set the table.  Blossom1 is wrapping up a few things before lunch and teaching piano.  We enjoy our pancakes and clean up the kitchen (again.)

11:48 am ~ Blossom1 heads downstairs to teach.  The other three dart outside for some fresh air.  It's so warm out that I told them they could have 20 minutes before they get back to school work.  I get my sourdough started for tomorrow.

12:26 pm ~ We settle back into the school room.  I read Blossom3 and Blossom4 their history lesson all about knights and the Middle Ages.  Then, they work on writing articles for their Middle Ages newspaper.  I read and comment on Blossom2's composition for a Bible Quiz/Discipleship requirement and I give her the green light to submit it to her Bible Quiz coach.  

1:30 pm ~I'm friends with one of the moms of my daughter's piano student, so my mom friend pops upstairs to visit.  We have a little catching up to do since she hasn't been feeling well lately.  I sip tea and chat, with periodic reminders to the little girls to "get busy" on their independent work when they start to get a bit too distracted.  I didn't know if I was going to get to visit today.  Blossom4 hit a few bumps in her schoolwork a few minutes before I answered the door, but we ironed it out so that she could continue to work independently.

2:30 pm ~ Blossom1 had a cancellation or two today, so she takes her sisters downstairs one by one for their own piano lessons a little earlier than normal.  On her other breaks between lessons, she practices her own musical pursuits.  

3:37 pm ~ I make a phone call or two.  I check my sourdough.  It's rising by the woodstove downstairs.  In between, I help Blossom3 with a writing assignment she is working on.  I write some thoughts and prompts on our giant white board and let her hash out the rough draft by herself.

5:11 pm ~ Daddy's home!!  I greet him and try my best not to dump problems and logistics all over him. My mind is problem solving all day, but so is his.  Neither of us wants to greet each other with more problems to solve or logistics to plan.  That can be hard when there are six people in this busy family.  There's always something that needs to be solved!  We settle into the living room for a few minutes of conversation before he goes off to change and I set supper-making into high gear.  It's burgers and fries tonight.  I call out, "Anyone who doesn't have a job to do currently, should come to the kitchen and help with supper!"  Supper prep sure goes fast this way and I'm astonished at how quickly we pat burgers, prep French fries, lay out all the burger toppings, and get the table set.  Many (trained) hands make work light!

5:37 pm ~ We all sit down to supper.  The masses are happy because I tried a new spice on the French fries and it's tasty!  The conversation varies from flare jeans to the Freedom convoy to Winter Jam to doping to Physics lab grades. We never know where we'll end up.  There is usually laughter, but sometimes we end up tackling bad manners or sass.  We try to keep it pleasant and full of camaraderie though!  The girls man-handle the supper clean up next.

6:10 pm ~ I do some much-needed cleaning in the school room before sitting down to score school work.  I consult with each child about what went wrong and make sure they understand what needs to be done differently next time.  They correct their work and I record grades.  In addition to the work completed today, I also record all the little girls' schoolwork they did over the weekend ~ the big Fine Arts dress rehearsal, performance, and debriefing/feedback meeting, and the hunting/hiking and nature work we did on Monday.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 record all their own schoolwork.  I double check that it is thorough and either call back or insert whatever info is needed.  Everything is now set for tomorrow's school day, including the latest writing assignments that I write on the white boards.  I take some time to tell them about my expectations for these assignments.  

7:46 pm ~ I pop into the kitchen for a glass of water before I start blogging.  I call some girls back to wipe down the stove and counters.  By now, Blossom1 and Blossom2 are studying Bible Quiz and reading and Blossom3 and Blossom4 are doing gymnastics in the living room and eventually move on to creating with modeling clay in the kitchen.  As I said, we're getting our feet back under us after such a big push lately.  The Rugged Mountain Man is in the kitchen prepping goose breast to make into goose pastrami.  Sounds intriguing to me!

8:26 pm ~ I head out to check the kombucha that's working on my counter lately.  I guess I'm crunchy and maybe getting crunchier.  We'll see if kombucha is something I like and will keep doing.  For now, I just thought it sounded interesting.  I type a little more on my blog post and then, settle onto the couch to wind down with everyone.  It's been SO busy lately.  Of course, I pop up like a toaster sixteen times to do those million little things that moms do all day.

One of the girls jumps in the shower.  Modelling clay is still being played with in the kitchen.  They've moved onto the taking pictures and doing claymation.  Some are still reading.  They've been avoiding recreational reading for the last several weeks, since virtually all our free time has been taken up with practice, preparation, and details.  Blossom4 sets up Daddy's coffee so it's ready to go for him in the morning.  Other than that, we're all just basically hanging out in the living room now.  Not all our evenings are quiet and slow but we needed this to reorient.  

I do a little brain dumping for tomorrow, adding a few things to my to-do list.

9:10 pm ~ The Blossoms head back to bed.  I tuck the little Blossoms in and say good night to the big Blossoms.  I pop up again to fetch an extra blanket for Blossom4.  Sit down, pop up, sit down, pop up, sit down.  Tidy this.  Put away that.  Read a little.  It's the mom life.

9:55 pm ~ After doing the Rugged Mountain Man's next day prep, we crawl into bed and I alternately chat with my husband and read to wind down.  I am so tired, I always spend this time evaluating how I'm handling motherhood and homeschooling and the house and such.  He tells me it's time to clock out and rest my mind.  We'll give it a fresh effort tomorrow.  

Thanks for checking in on our Day in the Life!  

Dominique

Check out other Day in the Life posts here.

A Week in the Life - Socialization Edition

Today I'm inviting you in for a glimpse of socialization from our point of view.  It's a little snapshot of a recent week in our life.

It's Tuesday morning.  Our mornings are generally all book work all the time.  It's the way we get stuff done.  We're about two weeks out from the last day of school, so we're hunkering down and really cranking out the last bits of book work.

After book work, lunch and rest time, my sister and her two little boys drop in around 2:30 pm.  We go outside and build a tee pee and run amok in the woods.  Blossom1 helps her smallest cousin navigate the woods, whilst the other little boy cousin, follows the other Blossoms deeper in the woods.  They work together to drag the sticks and limbs for the tee pee.  Later on, we come in for tea and dessert around the table.  The sparkling eyes and excited conversation amongst us all - from my 12 month old nephew all the way up - is enough to make me smile the rest of the day.

On Wednesday, we have a fairly quiet day.  Blossom2 is away doing her required achievement testing.  After our school work in the morning, we spend the afternoon getting ready for company.  One set of grandparents is coming over for supper.  We're eating a Reserve Grand Champion meat bird for supper.  Over baked corn, dinner rolls and potatoes, we spend the evening listening to the girls play piano for Grandma and Grandpa, telling jokes and watching Blossom3 and Blossom4 sign a song.

Following a normal school work morning, and after lunch on Thursday, we head out around 1:30 pm for piano lessons.  Our piano teacher is a sweet and kind lady and we enjoy our hour and a half of interaction with her.  The girls talk rabbits, springtime and cowboy boots with her.  Whichever Blossoms aren't tickling the ivories wait as quietly as they can, doing some school work or playing quietly near me.  We save our chatting for before, after and in between lessons.

Afterward, Blossom3 and I and have chiropractor appointments.  The Blossoms do any remaining school work while we wait in the waiting room.  They also play with quiet toys.  Today, another patient got up from being worked on and couldn't believe there were FOUR girls in the room.  She had no idea, since her head was turned and they were being so quiet.  The receptionist states, "Oh, they are ALWAYS this good and quiet when they come."  I grin and thank them graciously.  I'm so thankful for good behavior.  We enjoy chatting with the chiropractor about water quality(!) and our Gettysburg field trip.  The rest of the evening is a typical night for us - supper, tidy-up and chit-chatting in the living room.

Friday, after school work, I drop the younger three off at a friend's house, so I can take Blossom1 to a well check and then run errands afterward.  The younger Blossoms romp in the woods, work on a fairy garden and in general, just enjoy frolicking outside like country kids do.  They relish time with their pals to work on whatever scheme they are currently concocting.

Saturday, we all work around our micro farm all day.  It's hard work, with a hearty meal at the end of the day.  Our best family interactions usually happen over a good day's work or a delectable meal... or both!

On Sunday, we attend church, where the Blossoms interact with people of all ages, both in the foyer and around the nursery, where I'm working today.  They giggle, answer questions and talk about the pileated woodpecker that we saw on the way to church.  They are especially amused by the story of the drunken cedar waxwings that our pastor shares.  Cedar waxwings are a rarity around our house, let alone a whole flock of drunk ones!

After a leisurely lunch and quiet afternoon, they spend time chatting on the phone with their grandparents, filling them on our Gettysburg trip, what they've been up to this week and what Blossom4 wants for her birthday.  There's usually a lot of teasing going on right now!  Afterward, we try our hardest to get to bed at a decent time.  It helps Monday get off to a better start.

Monday morning dawns in the usual way, trying to get some momentum.  We spend our morning in the schoolroom and then, around 11:15 am, I hear the special ring that means a neighbor is calling.  I answer and chat with a retired school teacher friend, whom I've known since I was fifteen.  He wants the girls and I to meet him for lunch.  Perfect!  We finish up our book work and head out at noon.

Over pizza and sodas, we chat about our recent trip to Gettysburg (Can you tell we love talking about this trip?), what they're learning in math, how the robins are building a nest on the back porch and other miscellaneous things.  There's lots of laughing and interaction for all of us.  I smile as I watch the Blossoms handle his "ribbing" and probing questions.  They practice looking him in the eye and answering without mumbling, since his hearing isn't what it once was.

On the way home, we pass the trout hatchery, where we notice that four employees are in the water-filled raceways doing something interesting.  We pull over to watch for a few minutes to see what they're up to, realizing that one of Blossom1 and Blossom2's 4H mentors is in the water too.  The hatchery employees invite us over closer to observe.  We spend the next half hour talking to the employees and learning about the process.  In the end, we come home with a 23 inch fish for supper.  We giggle, take lots of pics and thank the employees for taking the time to teach us.  When we get home, Blossom1 and Blossom2 gut their monster, without Daddy's help.  They finish up the rest of their book work and then, we eat our monster fish for supper.  The rest of the evening is pretty typical family life of cleanup, books, hanging out in the living room and tidying up the house.

Tuesday morning is another school day off to a great start.  The girls are cranking out the book work again.  I grade work, give feedback, read to Blossom4, really just all the usual stuff.

After lunch, an old friend stops by with little one.  They're here to hang out with me, Blossom3 and Blossom4.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 are still working in the schoolroom.  They've done all the work that requires my oversight already this morning.  The little Blossoms are having a good time with their little pal.

Around 2 pm, another friend drops off her tween-age daughter.  The girls are in 4H with her and they also want to work on a rabbit hopping demonstration that they're doing (voluntarily!) in the upcoming co-op open house.  Since they've finished up their book work, they spend time writing the presentation, divvying up the parts and practicing.  My friend and her little one head out.

Around 4 pm, the Blossoms jump on to Skype with friends who travel the country and are currently in California.  They spend almost an hour laughing and doing their weekly catch-up.  In the background, whoever's face isn't being transmitted at the moment over Skype is helping their other guest learn more about grooming and raising rabbits, whilst Blossom3 and Blossom4 flit from the Skype screen to hanging off the back of the couch, to watching Blossom1 and the bunnies.  From the kitchen, I hear so much laughter and chatter.  I love listening to their conversations about the upcoming track and field clinic, the time difference from PA to CA, and what the rabbits have been up to.

At 5:15 pm, we sit down for supper.  The Rugged Mountain Man is surprised to see that there is an extra kiddo here.  He notes how well she blends with our blondies.  The supper conversation is all about how many rabbits she owns and whether or not she eats them.  It comes easy.  Our little guest feels welcome and the Blossoms behave well.  They are excited when I excuse them from supper cleanup so they can finish their rabbit hopping demo before their 4H meeting tonight.

We head out the door around 7ish to our 4H meeting.  Blossom2 is the treasurer so she handles all the payments, money transactions, book-keeping and attendance for the club.  She deals directly with other 4H members of all ages and with parents and adult leaders.  I'm nearby to help with the bumps, but she does well.  Last month, we had a fabulous meeting, playing a game of animal jeopardy.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 were excited when their team won.  This month, the club practiced communication skills.  They had teams and relayed messages.  Sure, it's an old-fashioned game, but the teamwork, cooperation and communication practice was invaluable.  All the kids walked away with some great lessons... and grins too!  Next month, Blossom1 and Blossom2 are in charge of planning a team-building game for our meeting.  That'll be a good experience!

Tomorrow, we have friends coming over around 2pm.  Her kids will hang out here while she takes her eldest to the dentist.  When she returns, we'll probably sit down for tea for a few minutes before they head home.  There's so much chatter, excitement and interaction going on all the time around here.

Perhaps you can see why I feel that socialization is a non-issue.  We maintain a heavy emphasis on communication and interaction with all ages, in a wide variety of situations.  Sure, it isn't proximate socialization; it's a bit more purposeful.

Dominique

PS - Check out other Day in the Life posts here.

Day in the Life 2019

This was yesterday here with 13, 11, 9 and 5 yr old girls:

6:20 am - My husband stands beside our bed as my morning alarm.  He kisses me before he heads out the door.  I sleepily murmur, "I love you, sleep good."  Clearly, I should sleep a little longer.  I stretch, lie awake a few minutes before I greet the day.

6:40 am - I hug the girls as they emerge from their rooms one by one, grabbing Fire tablets and journals. They congregate in the living room for their own personal quiet time.  Blossom3, who is nine, has her headphones.  She prefers to listen to the Bible.  Blossom4, who is five, commandeers my phone because she also likes to listen to the Bible.  While I'm reading the Word and journalling, I keep jumping up to heat another of three kettles of hot water to assist the girls with frozen rabbit water dishes in a little bit.

7:15 am - We meet in the kitchen for an oatmeal bar for breakfast.  Once we gobble it up, I read Proverbs 5 and we talk a little about it.  Then, we pray.  The girls head downstairs to suit up in cold weather gear for outside chores.

7:45 am - With all those layers and the silly sisterly discussions, it's a while before they actually make it outside this morning!  They take care of all 21 rabbits, 11 chickens and 1 duck, even though it's 13 degrees.  Gotta make sure the "livestock" are warm, toasty and well-fed!

Lately, I've learned to use this time to enjoy a little bit of silence.  This morning, I tell the girls not to worry about the kitchen because chores will take so long in the cold.  I tidy it up, writing out the day's menu on the board.  I sip tea, get dressed, make sure my to do list is in order, throw in a load of wash, etc.

8:30 ish am - They trudge back inside and I remind them that it's time to do inside chores, like feeding inside animals, vacuuming the house, dustbusting bathrooms floors and bringing out the hampers.  I rely so heavily on them to keep this place tidy.

8:45 am - Once they finish inside chores, we gather in the school room and they start their independent work.  I usually spend the first half hour at least working with Blossom4.  She's the least independent at this point.  I hit the most important things first every day, literally ~ reading and math.  That way, when things get crazy, I have the comfort of knowing they're done.

9:00 am - The phone rings; it's my little brother.  We don't get to chat often, so I leave the school room to fold clothes while I chat with him.  For the most part, work continues in the school room.  It's a little louder than I'd like in there, but they keep working... or else.

9:30 am - I get off the phone, as the girls are clamoring for my attention.  I help Blossom2 with her math and then Blossom3 with her math.

10:00 am - The girls are STARVING, so yes, it's snack time.

10:20 am - Back at it.  I rotate through helping people who need help.  Sometimes, it's helping Blossom4 with instructions, so she can work on something five minutes by herself.  Then, I answer Blossom1's heavy duty diagramming question.  I dart back over to Blossom2's chair, making sure she has her stuff down pat.  I sit on the couch for some more reading with Blossom4.  This is how the morning usually goes - me bouncing from desk to desk to couch to my chair like a pinball.

Noon - Again, the girls are starving.  I have Blossom3 practice her speech that she's writing for Public Speaking class one more time.  I squeeze in finishing our history assignment.  We finally break for lunch.  The younger three Blossoms think that means they can wrangle in a card game or two now.

Warming up leftovers and chowing down, we sit around the island, enjoying the break.  As soon as I'm finished, I curl up in my recliner and read Trixie Belden and the Happy Valley Mystery aloud to them.  They sort-of happily clean up the kitchen while I read.

1:00 pm - Rest time is still in effect here, though it's the time where they play quietly and read.  We all need it.  I spend my rest time shopping for a swim suit today.  We're going to Youth Convention in a few weeks and I haven't had a new swim suit in years.

1:45 pm - At my "Back at it!!!" the girls head back to the school room to finish up.  I'm back in my pinball mode, bouncing from desk to desk to computer, as needed.  I send Blossom4 off to play quietly, as she's finished her work and needs to not be "mixing in" with everyone who is trying to concentrate.  I use this block of time to correct Blossom3 and Blossom4's work, record their schoolwork and sort it back into assisted and independent work drawers.  I check over Blossom1 and Blossom2's work, even though they correct their own work.  I like to make sure they are understanding what they're learning.

3:30 pm - By this time, I'm working on the non-schooling parts of my to-do list.  I say that because I actually have a "school" check box on my to do list.  It's a big part of what I accomplish every day, so why not?!

I shop a little more for a swimsuit.  I register for the Homeschool Convention coming up in June.  I double-check Hunter's Safety dates.  I get payment ready for co-op music classes.  I review my outline for co-teaching Etiquette class at co-op the next day.  I alert parents about some details about Public Speaking class later tonight.  I rotate the wash.  I double-check that my crew has all co-op homework completed for the next day.  I work on my email.  Today, I even sit down and write a short intro to a story using a prompt assigned to me.  I'm assisting in a 13-16 yr old writing class at our co-op.  Because it's such a neat class and because you're never too old to grow in your writing abilities, I've been participating in the assignments.  Homeschooling is so fun!!!  I also chat a little on the phone with my sister.  We catch up on all things motherhood and help each other keep the faith.

4:00 pm - I start supper and the girls pack lunches for co-op tomorrow.  We have Public Speaking at 6:00 pm and this next hour and a half seems to fly by.  After schoolwork, the little girls went outside to play and sled and forget to let the chickens out and gather eggs.  I'm thankful one of my friends shared an easy recipe to Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas with me.  Along with our canned green beans...

4:50 pm - Daddy just got home and now we're eating an easy supper together.  We chat about our day and tell Daddy about good grades on math tests and little Blossoms who read through a whole book in a day.  It's just celebrating family victories together.  The girls head off to change for Public Speaking, as do I.  We clean up the kitchen, pack Daddy's lunch and make sure his coffee is set up for the next day.

5:35 pm - The older three Blossoms and I head out to Public Speaking class.  We've been learning so much through our 4-H program and three local university professors.

6:00-7:15 pm - Public Speaking class with several other homeschoolers is lots of fun.  Now that they've learned all about descriptive language (Did you know Eskimoes have somewhere in the neighborhood of 14-20 words for SNOW?!?!), they're almost ready to give their speeches next week.  I'm pleased with how far they've all come this session, but we'll definitely be practicing those speeches this week.

7:30 pm - Back home to Daddy and Blossom4!  We squeeze in a quick game of Rummy, which Daddy wins... of course.  The girls are enjoying a little down time, sometimes reading and sometimes playing more card games.  I decide that we'll need something quick for breakfast in the morning, so the Little Blossoms help me make Lemon Bread.  There is lemon zest all over the counter, but they actually were a help.  We get that in the oven.

8:30 pm - The Little Blossom go to bed and the Big Blossoms are free to stay up another hour.  We've had such a busy weekend and beginning to the week that they elect to go to bed early.  Wednesdays are a long and busy day of co-op and Poetry Performance class, capped with their first day of Avian Bowl practice.  They want their brains fresh!

9:00 pm - I lie on the couch.  I fill Daddy in on my frustrations, our victories, my thoughts; I even read him a few of the things I've been writing lately.  We chat, as I continue lying on the couch in an exhausted state.  I jump up to check on the lemon bread and eventually pull it out to cool.  He heads downstairs to load up the wood stove one more time.

9:30 pm - We're spent, so we head to bed.

Stay the course, friends!  Check out other Day in the Life posts here.  There's even a socialization edition that's super fun!

Dominique

Day in the Life 2018 with 4, 8, 10 and 12 yr old Girls

For those of you who are new around here, my husband, the Rugged Mountain Man, and I have four daughters we call our Blossoms.  I'm glad you're taking a peek in our day and hope you enjoy a glimpse of our rustic reality.

Though my husband's alarm went off at 5:30 am, my eyes are now fluttering open at 6:20 am when he kisses me and heads out the door.  He's already had coffee and a light breakfast that I laid out the night before.  I get up and pull on comfy pants and a hoodie.  I head out to the kitchen, grabbing my Kindle and journal on the way.  It should be noted that I do this bleary-eyed and crazy-haired on auto-pilot. 

That's probably the best way to have your quiet time ~ 

make it so easy, you don't even have to think about it.  

I'm cozy in my chair, when the big Blossoms, ages 12 and 10, join me on their respective couches with their Kindles.  It's our together, yet individual, quiet time and it's what's working for personal devotions in this season.

The little Blossoms, ages 4 and 8, wander out at 7:00 am and join us for a snuggle or two before we move to the island for breakfast.  We eat and chat about the day ahead.  They always want to know what's on the agenda.  The little girls sometimes listen to the audio Bible on the YouVersion app, if I remember... because I have mom brain, ya know?

Afterward, we have together devotions using the Bible for Children and Godly Character Traits.  Focusing on one character trait a week seems to be working for us.  Then, they finish getting dressed and head outside with our dogs to care for our micro farm animals... yes, in the rain, sleet, snow or hail... because animals gotta eat.

If we need wood, I bring it in now.  Otherwise, I jump in the shower and then tackle my daily chores.  The Blossoms are back inside by 8:15 am.  They slam out some inside chores like vacuuming or cleaning bathrooms...

and we hit the school books at 8:30 am.  Everyone opens up their independent work drawer and gets started immediately.  These days my 8, 10 and 12 yr olds are pretty independent, but I help with internet research, essay editing, tough math spots, spelling tests, cursive curlicues and whatever other questions arise.  At this point, I shoot for doing three things with our youngest Blossoms - writing copywork, phonics and math.  When we hit this trifecta, she's happy and I'm happy.  She usually heads off to play quietly afterward.  When she feels included, she plays better and that means our school day goes better.

At 10 am the happy snack time timer goes off.  The girlies grab a snack and usually a book and spend 15 minutes off the school clock. Then, it's back at it again.  We do history and science together and this is normally when we knock that out.  The girlies work til lunch at 12:30 and I am 100% available in the school room during this time.

I've been super happy with their desire for learning this year. "Let's look it up, mama!" is something I often hear and I love when they crowd around the computer for us to find out about something we didn't previously know. By far, my favorite positive change I've noticed this school year is the amount of cross-grade learning that is happening spontaneously.  If I run to the laundry room to switch the loads of wash or out of the room to answer the phone, it's not uncommon for me to return to find one of my two older girls helping their younger sister on the computer, explaining a math problem or coaching through a piano piece.  When you can teach someone else something, you have thoroughly learned a concept.  This articulation and communication skill is invaluable.  It's been happening so much between the Blossoms lately and it's thrilling my soul.

We gather around the island again for lunch.  The girlies clean up afterward while I return to my chair for read aloud time.  We've cranked through several Trixie Belden books this year and are currently trying out a Nancy Drew book.  The Blossoms get upset when I stop after only a chapter or two.  The meal's not complete til the kitchen is neat, so when it's neat, read aloud time is over.  Our youngest Blossom then gathers up some books and heads back to her room for rest time.  The other girlies get about 15 minutes of rest time.  They grab books and head to separate rooms.  Afterward, it's back to whatever school work still needs to be done.  I use rest time to read.  Sometimes I miss the naps I used to snag occasionally when they were younger.  Motherhood is tiring, but I find it emotionally and mentally tiring, moreso than the physically tiring it was in years past.

I correct work, record grades and record the school day at this point.  It's my administrative time.  Once that's done, I answer emails and tie up all the loose ends that seem to be a homemaker's job, whether at the computer or around the house.  The Blossoms are usually still finishing up school work, depending on how focused they were/are today.  I feel like one of the best character lessons we drive home on any given day is that

the best way to do schoolwork is to just do it.  

It's perseverance in its most basic form.  Oh, and I'm always dealing with character issues too.  That's par for the course.

Around 4:30 pm, I start supper.  I'm really trying to always have at least one of the Blossom helping me, actually doing parts of the prep.  I love that they often have down time by this point, but since it's really important to me that the Blossoms know their way around the kitchen, I try to remember to call one of them in to help... if they aren't already hanging out with me in the kitchen.

The "DADDY'S HOME" announcement at 4:40 pm is still the biggest event of the day.  No joke, having four girls is no hardship for the Rugged Mountain Man, who presides over his girlie fan club with class and his unchanging trademark humility.

By 5:00-5:30 pm, supper's ready, the Blossoms have set the table and we all sit down around the supper table.  I love the supper time conversation, which usually has something to do with animals - what rabbits they want to get next, whether or not goats are in our future and the overly optimistic cries of "Let's get a cow!!!!"  The girlies clean up the kitchen and pack Daddy's lunch.  I lay out tomorrow's coffee and a light breakfast for him and then, I hang out on the couch with Rugged Mountain Man for a little while.

By about 6:30 pm, the kitchen is pretty tidy and we move on to what could be best described as family time, I guess.  At this point, there's been a lot of ice-skating rehearsals in our living room.  The girls have found the Olympics to be inspiring, so I grit my teeth and hope the knick-knacks on the walls don't get the worst end of all the lifts, spins and jumps that have been going down around here lately.  As I said, I'm always tying up household loose ends, but I try to keep them minimal in the evenings so I'm available.  We doodle together sometimes.  One night it might be coloring.  One night we did gymnastics together.  Sometimes it's a card game.  Sometimes it's reading books.  I just want to soak up all this quality time with the girlies.

A timer goes off again, this time at 7:30 pm.  It's our nightly clean-up and it's all hands on deck.  All rooms get tidied.  All clothes put away.  The stuff basket gets emptied.  The desks get a dose of neatness.  EVERYTHING.  And, oh, does this ever keep our lives moving in the right direction, because every day we are focusing on the work and goals for that day, instead of always playing catch up from the previous day.  I can't take credit for this idea; I borrowed it from Abbie at M is for Mama.  It really doesn't take that long and it's so worth it.  Plus, it should be noted that it is keeping my Mommy-ometer from plunging.  This mama doesn't feel quite so overwhelmed every night at 8 pm!

After the girlies get ready for bed, the little girls go to bed at 8:30 pm.  I tuck them in, while the big Blossoms hang out with Daddy.  We all hang out then, sometimes reading and sometimes chatting.  They go outside (yes, in the dark) and close the chickens and ducks in for the night.  Then, they get ready and head to bed around 9 pm.  They like to squeeze every last drop of mom and dad conversation out of this time, so I'm usually reminding them often and urgently that it really IS bed time.  Not that I blame them or anything.  I love good quality conversation, so I understand how much they value having our full attention.

I usually plop down on the couch with the Rugged Mountain Man; sometimes to read and sometimes to chat.  I like to hit the high notes and the low notes of the day with him.  He always has some quiet words of wisdom or encouragement for me, something to the tune of

"Steady plodding makes good progress." 

I'll just hold on to that thought, when it's time to do it all again tomorrow.

Dominique

PS - You can find my other day in the life posts here.

A Day In the Life here... 2015

Hello friends,

I thought you might like a peek into an "average" day in our lives.  I say "average" because our days seem like they are anything but that.  I mean, anytime you've got a family that has to retrieve their pet cockatiel from the rooftop in the middle of winter, you know there very rarely is an average day.  Just in case you don't know, we have four daughters, aged 9 (Blossom1), 7 (Blossom2), just turned 5 (Blossom3) and 21 months (Blossom4).  (You can check out last year's day in the life post here.)

5:30am - Daddy's alarm goes off.  I roll over and nurse Blossom4.  She's sleeping great most nights, and is weaning.  We try to catch a little more shut-eye until

6:30am - Daddy leaves for the day.  Saying "bye" helps me start to become conscious.

7:00am - The girlies' alarm clock goes off.  We usually pile into Mommy & Daddy's bed where we all have some devotional time separately but together.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 read their Bibles.  Blossom3 listens to the audio Bible and Blossom4, well, she's all over the place!  I share a little word or snippet, we pray (for more unity and love in our family!) and sing and then hit the ground running for chores. 

8:00am - Usually by now, I have Blossom4 ready to go and we head to the kitchen.  I pull out whatever needs to thaw for supper, tidy the kitchen, throw in some wash, start breakfast and supervise chores.  Oh yes and I peel Blossom4 off of counters, end tables, pianos, etc. 

As part of her their chores, Blossom1 takes care of the outside animals, while Blossom2 and Blossom3 take care of the inside animals.  They bring out hampers, make beds and such - the types of things that keep Mommy from going crazy.  Running a household of six requires assistance from everyone (and, as we say around here, if you don't work, you don't eat.  Just sayin.) 

9:00 am - Once breakfast is cleaned up, we migrate to the schoolroom.  This is our sacred block of schooltime.  I work with Blossom1 and Blossom2 individually. Their work is already separated into individual and assisted work, so that I can send them to their desks to do a big chunk of stuff without me.  We get together on the couch to do the assisted work. 

I work with Blossom3 in this chunk of time too.  I know lots of people believe in delayed academics, but that just doesn't cut it around here.  Thus far, the Blossoms have been very motivated to learn, especially to read.  I do what I like to call, "Floor School" with Blossom3 and Blossom4.  We camp out on the floor of the schoolroom with flashcards, number charts and blend books.  Blossom4 climbs on me, plays with her own set of flashcards and repeats her vowels with Blossom3.  She feels involved, we aren't too disruptive for the older Blossoms and we get it done.  I can't argue with that.  Eventually, we move over to the Littles' table so that we can quench Blossom3's thirst for workbooks.  Oftentimes, Blossom4 will scribble a while.  Either that, or she'll insist on nursing for a minute or two.  Since I follow my babies' lead on weaning, I'm good with that.

I occasionally will send a few emails during this time, IF Blossom1 and Blossom2 are good to go.  Otherwise, I try to keep my email minimized, so the internet doesn't suck my day away. 

When Blossom3 and Blossom4 aren't being worked with, they're off to play dress-up, play with little play sets, play a designated blanket time or something else non-interruptive I've planned for them.  Lots of times the schoolroom floor is littered with miscellaneous items, but I try not to let it bother me until it's time to clean it up and move on to lunch.

Noon - We try to wrap up the morning session of school around now and hit the chores again.  This really helps to keep the house from getting completely out of control.  I get lunch going, tie up loose ends and tidy the kitchen (it seems like I'm doing this constantly :)  Sometimes during lunch I read aloud from our current read-aloud, sometimes not.  It depends on how cooperative Blossom4 is being.  After all, she's getting drowsy by now.  The Blossoms help me obliterate the traces of lunch in the kitchen and then...

1:00pm - Glory, Hallelujah, IT'S NAPTIME!  Blossom1 and Blossom2 get a rest time to read and play quietly in their room.  The length depends on how much schoolwork they've accomplished - "almost done" and they get a longer time, "too much goofing around this morning" and they get a 20 minute rest and then back at it!  I tuck in Blossom3 with her books and then I nurse Blossom4 to sleep.  If the morning was too crazy, I sometimes have quiet time with the Lord now, but otherwise, I read, rest my mind or nap too.  The door to my room is open.  This took some getting used to, but I found it necessary to making sure that Blossom3 follows the naptime rules, "Lay still and be quiet" and to have a slight handle on the progress in the schoolroom.  Overall, Blossom1 and Blossom2 are trustworthy enough to get busy at the appointed time, while I continue to rest. 

2:15pm-ish - Brownie in a Mug time!  Just kidding.  I do often come out and grab a bite of chocolate.  I tie up loose ends, see to the wash, the kitchen, the schoolroom, etc.  This is normallly when I check schoolwork and make sure mistakes get corrected.  If needed, I'll "crack the whip" to make sure that schoolwork is finished or being finished up for the day.  We used to faithfully have tea time around now.  It seems like we've only been hitting that occasionally lately.  I loved reconnecting with my daughters again during the afternoon.  I'm not worried about it.  There are seasons in raising children.  Right now, Blossom4 takes up lots of time (have I mentioned peeling her off counters, pianos, etc?), but I know we eventually come back around to things. 

3:30pm - Usually after I've gotten all the schoolwork corrected and the goals written for everyone for the next day, I will do computer work or whatever extra projects I need to delve into on that day.  It could be an email for our local homeschool co-op, an article my brother needs me to edit, some sewing to finish for a friend, etc.  By now all Blossoms are awake and/or done with schoolwork, so they are off on their own pursuits.  Reading is always a number one choice, heading outside to play with each other and the animals or scheming up another entrepreneurial endeavor.  The girlies and I usually straighten up the house a little now too.  I try to hit my house-cleaning rotation now too.  Sometimes though schoolwork takes precedence so I have to squeeze a chunk of cleaning in here and a chunk in there til it's done.

4:30pm - Someone sings out, "Daddy's home" and shouts of delight, a veritable stampede, shrieking (from the girlies and the cockatiel) and barking (from Jake, the Golden Retriever) ensue.  Mommy meanders to the kitchen and gets supper going.  Daddy and I pow-wow (with lots of excited interruptions) about what's on his agenda for that evening.  I get the Blossoms to help me with supper and we sit down to eat by 



5pm-ish - Supper time and someday I will get a word in edgewise!  :)  Lots of chatter and banter, honestly, it's one of my favorite times of day!  Daddy and I usually adjourn to the living room to chat while the Blossoms finish up.  They clean up the kitchen too - yes really.  I gotta say that I really appreciate this.  They even pack Daddy's lunch!  The evening seems to get muddled for here.  There's playing on the floor in the living room.  There's wash that gets folded.  There's hanging out as a family.  There are any of my daily house-cleaning tasks that didn't get done in the afternoon.  Sometimes I have to tie up loose ends on things (I think this is the definition of being a mom), but overall by...

7:30pm - I have the Blossoms put away clothes and head to showers.  I lay out Daddy's breakfast stuff, clothes and anything else that needs to be figured out for the next day.  The girlies hit up their bedtime routine of tidying up and doing personal hygiene stuff. 

8:30pm - Mommy is tired of corralling, so Daddy corrals the older three back to do the "ritual" of praying together, singing a song and talking about their day.  There may be tickling and giggling, but I hear it from afar.  I am nursing Blossom4 to sleep while I'm reading.  (and probably repenting for my 8:00pm digression of patience.)

9:00pm - Mommy and Daddy retire to the living room to wind down.  It's go-go-go here so we appreciate the time to read and chat and stare.  We usually listen for footfalls and reassure Blossom3 that she really has to go to bed now and remind her what comes if she doesn't...

9:30pm or 10pm-ish - We head back to bed.  The house is usually basically tidy by now.  I do my tour gathering missed items as we head back.  While my Rugged Mountain Man of a husband tends the fire and shuts the chickens in for the night, I check all the children, try to remember to brush my teeth and wash my face and then crawl into bed, praying for grace to live holy and be Godly again tomorrow.

Day in the Life 2017 (with an 11-, 9-, 7- and 3- yr old )

Hello there!

I've been enjoying peeks into other families' daily lives over on simplehomeschool.net.  I thought I'd invite you in for the day to see our family's "daily-daily" routine with four girls on this happy little micro farm.

Usually around 6:00 am I roll out of bed and tiptoe out to the kitchen.  These days I think I get more sleep than when I had infants and toddlers, but sometimes I wonder why I'm still tired.  I work out some mornings, but lately the elliptical has been empty more mornings than not.  My husband, the Rugged Mountain Man, is almost done with his morning prep.  I start his coffee and whip up something for his breakfast.  We chat a little, enjoying a few uninterrupted sentences.  He heads out and I plop down in my favorite chair with a pretty fountain pen, leather journal and my Kindle to have my quiet time.  "Not a day without a line... or some gratitude" is my motto.

At 6:30 am, my two older Blossoms' alarm clock goes off.  Blossom1 is 11 yrs old and Blossom2 is 9yrs old.  They also tiptoe out, grab their Kindles, a cozy blanket and get comfy on the couch to read their Bibles too.  They'll write a little in their journals later.  Our individual morning quiet times have looked different over the years, sometimes happening at the kitchen table, later, we'd all snuggle in my bed in the morning and now we congregate the living room.  I try to go with what's working until it quits working for us.

Around 7:00 am, the little Blossoms come out.  Blossom3, who is seven, grabs her Kindle so she and Blossom4, our 3 yr old, can listen to the Bible for a little bit.  The YouVersion app really gets a workout around here.  I put my Kindle and journal away and begin preparing breakfast.  We eat together, with a complaint or two, that it's eggs... again.  #microfarmcomplaints  When I'm finished, I grab the Bible story book and read a chapter or two, usually punctuated by Blossom4's, "READ MORE, READ MORE!" comments.  I'm convinced that reading aloud regularly with your kids has great benefits, including an appreciation for hearing God's Word and His stories.  We pray and get started on morning prep and chores, inside and out.



It's 7:45ish and the bigger Blossoms head outside to feed animals.  It takes them about half hour or forty five minutes, depending on the weather, how many rabbit stories they make up while they're out there and how much animal cuddling is going on.  They are keeping tabs on a rabbit doe they bred, so they report that there's no baby bunnies... yet.

Meanwhile, Blossom3 and Blossom4 are doing inside chores.  Blossom3 feeds the dogs, bird, cat and woolly bear caterpillars.  Blossom4, and actually all the girlies work through their chore cards, a system that I read about in Managers of their Homes/Managers of their Chores by Steve and Teri Maxwell years ago.  It continues to work well for us.  When they have their chores memorized, they don't have to use the cards, but I do find it helpful to periodically go back when people start "forgetting" all they're supposed to do in the morning.  That, and Blossom4 prefers to "wander" and "giggle" instead of bring out the hampers and make her bed and such.

In this time, I get my shower and make myself presentable.  Don't laugh, but I did a style challenge in February.  It was a great way to not grab the same hoodie and pair of jeans every morning.  Since I believe that people won't respect you if you don't respect yourself, this was a fun little inspiration by one of my favorite bloggers.

This is also the time of the morning that I pull something out of the freezer for supper and try to do one of my chores that's on my daily rotation.  I take time to write out the meals for the day on the little fridge white board.  I got tired of answering numerous and repeated questions on what we were having for each meal, so our little fridge whiteboard took care of that.

By 8:30 am, the bigger Blossoms are back in.  They finish up a few inside chores.  Then, we convene in the schoolroom and get started on school.  I assign a few things for Blossom4 to play with.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 pull out their independent work and get busy.  They are encouraged to do their math first, when they're fresh.  Otherwise, they can choose their work order.  Our best days of school are the days I remember to keep email minimized or the computer closed during school time.

It sure helps me to stay focused on the most important thing, 
being available and present with our children's education.  

I work with Blossom3 first.  We go over everything she needs my help on, making sure she understands instructions and doing her reading lesson together.  After we go over things, the work goes in her independent work drawer and she gets started on anything in that drawer.  Then, I cycle through each of the older two, though my work with them is much more minimal than it used to be, mainly focusing on challenging areas.

Once I've cycled through everyone, we stop and do history together.  Our change to Homeschool In the Woods' Time Travelers' units this year has been perfect.  We LOVE doing history together.  When you have your 3 yr old asking intelligent questions about the British and General Washington and your 7 yr old answering accurately, you know you're doing something good.  Again, their enjoyment of read-aloud time factors in too.  I finish reading a lesson aloud and they pester for more, so I usually oblige.  We finish the hands-on history lesson that accompanies it and then they all return to working on what's in their independent work drawer.

As you can see, our schoolroom system is set up much like an office.  They have a drawer, similar to an inbox, with all of their work.  There's a drawer for the assisted work.  And, there's an inbox for each child on my desk where they turn in completed work.  At any given time, I can glance and see who has what done, what's left for them to do on their own and what's left for them to do with me.

I simply don't have time or the mental capacity to have to be searching for what's left to be done.

A fun and loud sounding alarm goes off!  It's 10:00 am and time for snack.  I got the timer idea from another blogger because when everyone is working well, I was just letting snack time slide.  However, then Blossom4 would be whining for snacks for the next two hours and the older girls couldn't concentrate when they were hungry.  Now we stop what we're doing and they get a 15 minute break to eat snack, read or play.  When "happy alarm" goes off at 10:15 am, it's "back at it!"

As the older girlies settle back in, I pull my chair to Blossom4's desk.  She's only 3 yrs old, but she adores her time with mama.  We do some workbooks, flashcards, activities and/or name-writing.  She wants to learn, so I'm happy to comply!  We do some work together, but I purposely do part of a workbook page with her, give her verbal instructions and create a "pile" of a few things to do on her own at her desk.  She feels important AND I'm training her in "our system" already.  #sneakymom  She finishes up her "work" and goes on to the activities I've laid out for her.

She has a little more freedom than when she was confined to the blanket during school time in previous years.  It sounds limiting, but it's really just rotating activities with a set boundary area.  Now, I mostly just rotate her activities in the dining room to keep her from climbing on her sisters' shoulders or under their desks.  After I check in with the other girlies to see how they're doing with their schoolwork, this is when I plop down on the floor with Blossom4 for doing a few puzzles or reading a story or two.  I've found a direct correlation between her behavior and how much time I spend with her.  Quality time does her good... and it keeps her from setting her snack on fire or other such things that she's been known to do around here.

By 12:15, everybody is "starving," so we break for lunch.  We tidy up the schoolroom and then, the girls help prepare lunch by making sandwiches or chopping veggies.  We chat and enjoy our meals together, but the best part comes afterward!

When I'm finished, I grab our current read-aloud, a cozy blanket and head to my favorite chair.  I read to them while they finish eating and clean up the kitchen.  We've recently finished the entire collection of the writings of Beatrix Potter, the Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, several Trixie Belden books and In Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson.  I haven't always read to the girls at lunch time.  When they were younger, I'd read whenever I thought of it or when they requested it, but now, gathering together at mealtimes is ideal.  It should be noted that this seems to have replaced our afternoon tea time that was working for us a while ago.  For now, we're sticking with lunch time read aloud, until it's time to tweak again.  Either way, the point is quality time with my girlies.

Eventually I declare that it's naptime (normally around 1:00ish.)  One of the older girls goes out to let the chickens out and put the ducks in the garden.  We're using them as natural rototillers right now.

The three older girlies get another 15 minute break to play or read, if they haven't finished all of their schoolwork yet.  Blossom3 takes that break in her bedroom, along with a longer rest time, in which she finishes any schoolwork she has left, in her chair or while lounging in her bed.  #homeschoolperks  Blossom4 picks a few books and heads to my room for her nap.  With a hug and a kiss, she looks at books til she falls asleep.  I grab my Kindle and put up my feet on the couch for a half hour or so... or however long I have to sit there to make sure Blossom4 is truly sleeping and not investigating what treasures abide under my bed.  I call out a stern, "Go to sleep!!!"

She eventually does and I get up to send a few emails and be present in the schoolroom while Blossom1 and Blossom2 finish up.  Their finish time in the afternoon is largely up to their motivational level.  If they stay focused, they finish what's on their Evernote checklist for the day.  They have my guidelines for how much work has to be done, but they write their checklist and then, when the day is done, they record that work in our big checklist that tracks how many days of school they have in for the year.  Blossom1 also checks and corrects her own work.  I still check Blossom2 and Blossom3's work.

Having been schooled with A.C.E.'s School of Tomorrow curriculum, I still love using their stuff for our core subjects.  It fosters independence in their education.  Learning how to manage your own workload is truly a life skill.  For our science, we're doing our own experiments, studying some small animal science I compiled and in conjunction with 4-H and using a little bit of the A.C.E. science.  This was a great way to tweak science to fit their interests and passions.

It's 2:45 pm and Blossom3 and Blossom4 are up/out of their rooms by now.  Blossom2 and Blossom3 correct any mistakes or wrong answers.  I write Blossom3's goals for the next day.  And again, everyone's work gets sorted into independent and assisted work drawers in three drawer rubbermaid units.  At this point, whoever is done with schoolwork is free to play.  Many times, they choose to play outside.

Mommy is not free to play right now though.  Whatever my chores are for the day, according to my daily rotation, I try to tackle it/them before school starts, at snack time or now.  Sometimes I work a little during all three of those times slots, especially if it's bathroom day.  This is also the time that the girls help me or do their inside chores, like helping me clean the three bathrooms or vacuum their own bedrooms.  And in between all of that, I'm throwing in wash and shooting out emails.



The day is flying and it's 4:45 pm.  Daddy's home.  We greet him with much fanfare and I turn my attention toward evening things, like preparing supper.  The Blossoms help here and there and they set the table too.  We sit down, ignore the phone and eat together.  Perhaps it's old-fashioned, but it's normal for us.

Right now, we're enjoying the new state map under the clear table cloth on our kitchen table, so the supper time talk turns to how many state parks there are in our state and the fact that other states have towns the same names as our state does.  When I'm finished eating, I get out the daily math problem from Bedtime Math.  It's great verbal math, mixed with interesting trivia.  Our favorite thus far was the one where jackrabbits were multiplying fast in North Dakota!  We all laugh and figure out the problems.  Daddy, being an engineer, thinks this is a cool new addition to our supper repertoire.  While the girlies finish eating and start cleaning up, I hang out in the living room with Daddy.  We chat, catch up or read sometimes.  Usually he heads off to do a few chores.



Around 6:30 pm is an interesting time in our evening.  I fold clothes, work on the computer, tie up loose ends, give verbal nudges on cleaning up the kitchen and hang out with the girlies.  It's kind of a mix of working together, working separately and hanging out together.  We do things like putting away clothes, practicing lines for an upcoming play together, build block towers or other miscellaneous tasks.



By 8:00 pm, I start doling out bedtime orders.  I try to remember to have Blossom1 fetch the chore packs and hand them out.  It's so much easier than rattling off the teeth-brushing, hair-brushing, plug-in-your-Kindle reminders to all of them... multiple times.  I'll be honest; sometimes I just forget or don't feel like it. Lame, I know.  We also tidy up the house.  It just helps to not feel so behind when we start again tomorrow morning.

It's 8:30 pm and I'm tucking the little Blossoms in with a prayer, a song and a chat about their favorite parts of the day.  Much as I'd love to be a Mary Poppins mama every night, usually by this time, it's taking all my self control to pay attention, smile and be patient.  I just want to sit down and enjoy a little bit of quiet!  The bigger Blossoms are out in the living room with Daddy, pontificating about their latest rabbit breeding plan and new breeds of chickens to be purchased.  They'll go to bed in a few minutes.  When I finally come out, I shoo them off to bed after a few calming words.  It seems like if they're worried or upset about something, we usually talk about it now.  They head to bed and I plop down on the couch to read or jump on Shutterfly to "scrapbook."

Around 9:00 pm, I turn on the blue shade on my Kindle or turn down the brightness on my computer so the blue light doesn't keep me awake.  The idea is that the Rugged Mountain Man and I are winding down now.  Sometimes we have a cup of tea as we chat and read.  I throw a few touch-ups on the kitchen and house, picking up things the girlies missed or putting away few dishes that are now dry.  I lay out my man's coffee and a few breakfast things for tomorrow morning.  After our own bedtime prep, we basically fall into bed, thanking God for grace to do it all again tomorrow.

The days are long, but the years are short, after all.

Thanks for reading, friend.

Dominique

PS - Other day in the life posts here and here.