We are officially back to all of our school year activities, and this first week has gone relatively smoothly. Of course, I just told Jonny that I have this nagging feeling that I need to pick someone up (though we’re all home), so I’m guessing it will take a few weeks for me to adjust. There are a couple of days where the schedule feels a little like a juggling act, but otherwise I feel okay, like this is going to be sustainable. Last school year didn’t feel that way. I was responsible for too much and I felt nearly constantly stressed. Going back to a co-op with my older kids this year means that we are away from the house a few days a month, but it’s worth it to have some of the teaching burden lifted from my shoulders.
I’m trying to get into a morning rhythm with my younger kids and that is not necessarily working well. Job is eager to work on anything (we are focusing on his pencil grip right now), but Silas is my hardest student, mainly because he doesn’t like to sit still. Mabel wants to be right in the middle of everything. The other day I gave up on math with Silas, but then found him after bedtime with a flashlight getting caught up. Beyond staying on schedule with math, my main focus right now is reading, and I remind myself that we only need to do a little each day, and eventually he will be reading on his own. (We have used this program for years.) When he’s motivated he moves quickly and gets things done. When he’s not, he drives me totally crazy with his antics. I try to keep my frustrations on the inside (but don’t always succeed). I always have my knitting nearby during lessons and it really does help, especially with a child who is dragging five minutes into twenty. I used to get most of my knitting done at night after my kids were in bed, but I’m usually too tired for that now. I’m lucky if I have everyone under the age of fifteen in bed by 10, and I’m not motivated to stay up much beyond that. I’m trying to make daytime knitting a priority, and I’m also reminding myself that there are seasons for knitting lots, and seasons for just aiming for a couple rows per day. Knitting will always be with me.
I have been working on this sweater for Mabel, and am almost finished with the body. I’m eager to finish that because yellow yarn is calling my name right now. I’d like to knit this little cardigan in a couple skeins of my goldenrod yellow sport weight yarn, but I’m going to wait to cast on until the other sweater is finished. I listed a couple pairs of sport weight skeins (in a soft blue and an orange red) in my shop this morning that didn’t make it into my update last week, in case you want to knit that little cardigan as well. I also listed some naturally dyed swaddles that I didn’t manage to get listed last week as well. Thank you for all your orders! I shipped everything out within about twenty four hours thanks to Larkspur who helped me package orders. She loved it, so I guess she’s got herself a little job, because it cut my packaging time nearly in half! We worked together, me telling her what was in each order and her wrapping them up and tying them with string before handing them over to me for shipping labels. Several people have asked about scarves, and I will try to have more in about a month. Right now I am working on a limited release of naturally dyed Quince & Co. Tern yarn and I’m excited about that!
A friend recently gave me a little metal bed that she didn’t need anymore (it’s from Ikea in case you are wondering) and we swapped Mabel’s crib for it this week. Her birthday quilt fits the bed perfectly, and now she has a new cozy little spot in the corner of our bedroom. (The girls have been lobbying for Mabel to move upstairs to their room, but Jonny and I aren’t ready.) She and my big girls love snuggling up there with books and dolls. Do you remember these dolls? It’s been so long since I made them, and I’m happy to have three girls for the three little dollies now.
These days are so busy, often exhausting and frustrating, but also full of such sweet little moments.
p.s. I bought Mabel’s dress (first two photos) from Little Cottonwood. She’s a big two year old, so I bought the size 3. I wish I had bought size 4 though, because despite washing in cool water and hanging to dry it shrunk a good bit! Just want to mention that in case you consider buying one.
Teniesha Collins says
Ginny, you truly are supermom! I admire you so much, lovely lady!! Best wishes and thanks for sharing.
Ashley Wright says
Great article!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. It so amazing article, I loved it and the pictures are so awesome it reminded me of our homeschooling time when my children were in middle school, great days. Now my youngest son is in high school and he has started his Online High Schooling. So now there is no homeschooling and we do miss those time of homeschooling.
Thanks for sharing this lovely blog.
Melissa Lessard says
I’m a bit late to reply but I had to ask what you’re feeding your younger set (Larkspur down)? They must’ve had simultaneous growth spurts; they all look so much bigger! Even sweet Mae is getting big. When I first looked at the picture of Silas I thought y’all had a friend visiting, then I realized it was Si! I think children are the quintessential timeline because while we’re all growing older, they are also growing up. Enjoy your maturing brood; i know I enjoy watching them through your lovely blog. High five from Colorado!
Kim says
Hi Ginny, I so enjoy your blog posts. I admire your fortitude in the homeschooling arena. I have one son that probably would have benefited from homeschooling but he and I are like water and oil. He’s currently at a private Christian school and is thriving. I just wanted to pass along my compliments on my new head scarf! I received it so quickly – I love in California and it’s lovely and soft. I wore it while doing work in the yard and it was perfect for keeping my hair out of my face. I want more! Reading about Larkspur helping you pack up orders makes it that much more special. Tell her she did a beautiful job. I’m looking forward to more in your shop. Thanks again! Your posts are always such a blessing.
Mollie Button says
I love reading your posts they’re so relaxing and beautiful! I especially liked the picture of your cat it was so mysterious.
Thanks for your wonderful content!
Mollie xx
Lana says
We withdrew our oldest son, now almost 39, from public kindergarten because he was constantly in trouble because he would not sit still. This was in the very early years of the homeschooling trend when parents had buddy families in case parents went to jail. We were determined to keep him home instead of allowing him to be labeled a trouble maker. He had a small desk and chair and he walked around that desk with his book rotating through every lesson every day. He did this through 3rd grade. He was still disruptive as often as he could get away with it but not requiring him to sit made all the difference. He is now an engineer for Honda so I guess what we did to get him through worked.
Emily says
Hi Ginny!
Will you have any orange yarn in your shop this fall (worsted or dk)? I’m wanting to knit an orange little toddler sweater and am wondering if I should wait for some of your yarn or find some elsewhere. Thank you!
Ginny Foreman says
I will, but probably not for about a month! Thanks for asking. 🙂
Marilyn says
You have such beautiful children. They always look so happy and contented. I love that bed the girls are all snuggled up in. Continued success with the homeschooling. God Bless you and yours.
Marilyn
Joan says
Mabel looks like she grew so much. Your children are beautiful.
Joan
Marion says
Your children look so happy. Love the photos of the three girls in the bed. Good Luck with your home schooling.
Marion
Martha says
It was our first week too. I’m just writing up a post on that as well. 🙂 Mmmm.. “knitting will always be with me”. Yes. I can’t get over what a gift it is and how much joy it brings. Also, that golden yarn? Good grief! STUNNING. I just ran to ck your shop but it’s already gone. 🙂 You are a constant inspiration, mostly how you juggle it all so beautifully! Praying that this year for you continues to be good and I’m glad its off to a good start!
karen says
oh boy you sound busy! I started up babysitting this past week for the toddler girl (2.5 yo) and she is as sweet as can be unless she is tired then she doesn’t know what she wants and it’s frustrating. We do lots of coloring and riding a tricycle! (not at the same time of course).
GretchenJoanna says
It’s so natural for boys to be squirmy! One experienced homeschool mother’s advice was to give them a page of math work to do on a clipboard, and have them hold it against a wall and jump up and down on one leg while doing it. 🙂
Following that sort of “if you can’t lick ’em, join ’em” strategy, you might have a child crawl around reciting a memory piece, or any number of such physical things. Making provision for this physicality of some children was one of my main reasons for homeschooling. It’s not bad that they are so busy, and it is a stage they will grow out of…
May God richly bless your school year!
Ginny Foreman says
I know–you are absolutely right! And the reasons you mentioned are also part of why we homeschool. Will have to try the clipboard trick-ha! 🙂
Theresa Boedeker says
So with you. Kids staying up later and now having very little time after they go to bed before I need to go to bed. That yellow yarn is so cheery.
Katie says
Would you mind sharing how you got that celosia to have such a long stem? Did you do anything special, like pinching it? Mine looks bushy and weird. Beautiful photos!
Ginny says
I didn’t do anything special, but it is surrounded by marigolds so had to reach higher? Thanks!
Ruth says
Mabel’s expression in the third bedroom picture delights me! What was going on?
Ginny says
She’s a character!! She was telling Silas that he couldn’t get in the bed with them. ?