Well, we have survived the first 6 weeks of schooling the kids from home. It certainly hasn't been easy and I cant say that I've enjoyed it all. But in the end, we survived. I have managed to mop at least twice in the six weeks and I keep laundry going, it just keeps going from the couch to the basket, then back to the couch and may not ever make it to it's proper location, but we never leave the house naked! Aren't you glad! ME TOO (I've actually gained weight these last 6 weeks)!
To be honest, it has been a very hard 6 weeks for me (well, except the whole 2 week VACATION part thrown in there). So REALLY it's only been rough for about 4 weeks...Boy does that make me feel better! I guess when the times are tough it seems as if they have been going on forever. I've cried a little. Okay, so maybe A LOT. I'd like to give a shout out to the makers of Charmin for wiping my physical tears and the wonderful ladies at Merle Norman (Northgate Mall) for helping me feel pretty on the outside even if I don't feel it on the inside every day. Being a mom is tough, being a homeschooling mom is tougher! I guess you never know unless you ever try.
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There are a few things I've learned over the last 6 week; since you asked so politely, I'd be happy to share them with you.
1. Don't even think about a nap, it's never gonna happen.
2. SITTING DOWN to nurse and infant...not so doable. She gets lots of bottles.
And as of this week, I'm FINALLY okay with that, and I'm not letting myself feel guilty about it.
3. Don't EVER try to make a phone call during the day..
4. Going to the grocery...with 6 kids...during the day...you better go ahead and just get those big girl panties on, because your gonna need them by the time you get to the check out!
5. Lunchables for dinner (sounds good to me)! Believe it or not I actually paid full price for those waste of money things the other day. That was nearly $10.00 of my grocery money...POOF...but the kids LOVED them, and were able to eat them in the car on the way to church.
6. If you want to speed up the potty training, buy a huge box of size 5 diapers for one kid and a very small package of Pull-Ups for the other kid and suddenly those diapers don't seem as appealing. And get this...the Pull-Ups were for Charlie. I think that Cyndi just wanted to be like mommy and "PUT ON THOSE BIG GIRL PANTIES". You go girl!
Here's a little secret - I only change one the kid's diapers (the baby). Charlie and Cyndi...they are on their own! That's one thing I've passed the buck on. They help mommy by helping themselves! After all they are old enough to now, right? They are already 2 and 3. Boy do they grow up fast.
7. Never try to make an apple pie from scratch. It seriously took me three days (and I even bought the pre-made pie crusts this time). I put the crust in the pie plate, and got everything ready but the apples. I even melted my butter! Then well, life happens. In the microwave it went for safe keeping. On day two I managed to get my cutting board out, and the bag of apples too. And what do you know, life happened again. Finally on day three I re-melted my butter, got the apples back out, sliced up them up (thank you Pampered Chef for your Food Chopper, it makes my life so much easier), topped it with crust and put it in the oven before anything else got in my way.
That was two days ago and I still haven't stopped long enough to have a piece...I think I'll change that...be right back! Yummy, that was so GOOD. If you ever want to bribe me bring me an apple pie. I have a funny story about an apple pie I once ate. When baby Maggie was born someone brought us an apple pie along with a meal. Being the lover of apple pies I am, I ATE THE WHOLE THING. That's okay though, it was over a week. It's not like it was in one day!
8. Never let your husband take you to a used car lot to check out what was once a 15 passenger van turned work van, that could be converted back into a family van. You might just leave the dealership with a nearly new condition, one-owner, leather seated, SUBURBAN!!! Thanks baby, I love you. Oh yeah, within the next few weeks we'll have a great old Mercedes Benz station wagon for sell if you are interested!
9. If you or your kids are new at this whole homeschooling thing, don't bother taking it all with you on vacation...everyone will suffer...even MeeMaw (sorry Phyllis).
10. Always pack a jacket. It turned rainy and cold for my 10 year college reunion homecoming weekend. We had to stop and buy 8 jackets before the Saturday festivities. Any guesses as to what that cost us?
11. I should do two things more often...Blog, and Sew...I'm so much nicer to be around after having done either of these. Blogging allows me to look back and reflect over the days past and realize that they really were quite funny! And sewing, well I just love to do it. I MADE myself take some time off but trying to get going again...I sewed this evening before blogging...
Maybe that's why I'm so long winded tonight. Enough said, here are 6 weeks worth of phots for you!
Enjoy!
Oh yeah, one last thing about sewing...I'm so excited! On November 2nd Hancock Fabrics (Hillsborough Rd - Durham) is opening up in a new location in the same strip mall. It's TWICE the size of the old store and DRUM ROLL...THEY HAVE A POTTY...I CAN SHOP WITH KIDS IN TOW NOW!!!
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