In the Stillness

It is 6:45 on Christmas morning.  I've been awake since about 5:00.  I've had time to drink some coffee and make the monkey bread.  The house is still silent and I am sitting in my rocking chair enjoying the lights on the tree.  All seems well in my world.

We went to Christmas Eve service at St. Mark last night.  Rachel has been attending youth there with Andy and playing the hand bells.  The bells played during the service, so we decided to support Rachel.

After church we came home and opened gifts from relatives and each other.  This is the first year we don't have a child in the house who still "believes" in Santa.  PK thought that meant we would just give them gifts from us on Christmas Eve and skip the morning Santa routine.  The kids and I set him straight.  Hannah even offered to pretend to believe if that is what it would take.

 

 

They were doing a recreation.  I have a photo of them in this pose when they were about 3, 5 and 7.  They really do like each other!

 

 

Hannah gave Holly her own chair.  Maybe that will keep her off of the real furniture.  Probably not, but we can dream.

 



I was surprised that the girls were willing to humor me and wear matching jammies.

 



 

Some kids are never too old to enjoy a good box.  Aaron made this into his airplane.  Love!!

 

 

I am beginning to hear stirring in one area of the house, so the quiet will soon turn into a whirl of ripping paper and giggles.  I might like those sounds just as much as the stillness of an early morning.  

A Day In the Life of a Homeschooler

It has been so nice to homeschool Hannah and have her home with me.  Most of the time she is cooperative and willing to learn.  Aaron is always quick to ask her what she does all day because he thinks she may not have to do her fair share of school work. 

 

We start each day with a list of the tasks Hannah needs to accomplish listed on a dry erase board.  When I actually write it down, I'm impressed with the amount we are able to cover in one day.

 

 



Mr. Gorf

Aaron is taking drama as one of his electives this semester and tonight his class put on a play called Sideways Stories from Wayside High.  It is based on the same title from a series of books.  Aaron played Mr. Gorf and he was phenomenal!!  I was so proud of him, it was all I could do not to stand up and cheer in the middle of his scene.

I had helped him with his lines, so I had an idea of the story.  However, he did not want me to come to any rehearsals and he didn't want to tell me anything about it because he wanted me to be surprised.

There were a few work days which allowed the students to learn about building the set and the preparation that goes on behind the scenes. 

 

 

This is the best action shot I took during the play.  His character possessed the ability to make the students do what he wanted them to do.

 

 

He was sweet enough to pose on set for a picture after the play.

 

He loved being part of this play.  He wants to perform it again and I want to see it again.  It was that good.  I'm hoping he will purse acting next year in high school.