Saturday afternoons...

What a beautiful day this is today!!! The sun is shining, the birds singing, and not a cloud in the sky. 75 degrees and just a slight breeze makes this a day to smile. And what is my family doing? Well, to put it mildly, nothing.
Hubby and the kids are all taking a nap. Hard to believe, that I have some free time, quiet time, on my hands. That normally doesn't happen. The laundry is all caught up, the dishes in the dish drainer, drying and the house generally clean...wow!!!
I have often wondered at what I would do if I had a lot of time to myself. You know, like in the days before hubby and kids...and I laugh. I often complained that I was bored. Can you believe that? Now, I long for time alone to be bored!
We have been busy this school year so far. Mikayla is playing 3 instruments and has band 2 days a week, along with piano and guitar lessons. Nick has been really practicing his TaeKwonDo and we have that 3 days a week. Plus, there is Bible Study for Mom, library trips, park time for Aaron. It's amazing that I have any energy myself!
I was the typical homeschooling mom this year. About 23 minutes into the year, I flushed down the toilet weeks worth of planning. Not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't going to work. I am trying to find out what will fit for my kids and I have to say that nothing that I would like to do. But it's not about me, is it?
I can't honestly say that I have ever been interested in studying dinosaurs, or lizards, or finding out why mentos and diet coke create havoc when you mix them (ok...maybe the mentos/diet coke thing...). But, these are things that are keeping my children interested in schoolwork. My daughter, who is in 5th grade this year, is finally learning how to write in cursive. But not regular cursive. No...she had to come up with something all her own. It's a cross between italliacs and D'Nealen. With a little bit of calligraphy added. Should've made that easier for me, but now my 2nd grader wants to learn. Sure, I say. But he doesn't want to write like his sister, he wants to write like his public schooled friends do. So...now I look and look for a book on how to teach cursive. Real cursive. Like that's easy, right???? Well, it's been a challenge. He wants to learn, but doesn't want to have to write. Makes sense :)

On a happier note, my 3 year old is finally using the potty. He has been sans diaper for almost 3 weeks now. And accident free (including naps and night-time) for almost a week. That's been nice, but now I face the fact that my baby is growing up and isn't a baby anymore. Mixture of feelings, it is.
Hubby is getting ready to go to a work conference 1500 miles away this week and all I can think is...I have to put the kids to bed by myself???? Oh, yeah, I'll miss him. :) I worry when he is gone. Mostly about bats. See, when we moved into this house, several nights came with bats flying around in my living and dining rooms. Karl had to get rid of them by using a tennis racket to stun them and carry them out. I don't know about your area, but here, bats are 12 feet long and have 15 inch fangs and they know my name and call it out..."Heather...Heather" with a screechy voice. And I wonder if they are waiting outside, knowing Karl will be gone...
I guess that I will have to enjoy the fall weather, because, according to what a trusted source told me, we are in for a long winter. Lots of cold and snow. So, I will be outside, enjoying the peace and quiet, and soaking up the fall sun rays. And looking for a tennis racket to sleep with...