Adventures in La La Land

1. We had a really nice week off from homeschooling. I kind of don't want to go back. Haha. We slept in, lounged around, played lots of Phase 10, watched lots of The Great British Baking Show, and even read a couple books. Of course I didn't get nearly  as much accomplished as I intended to. I think if that's ever going to happen, I need to take a week off without  kids. Haha. 2. A major part of our curriculum is supposed to be reading aloud (as in, me reading to them). We're supposed to choose "living books" that aren't fluff, but rather contain substance and character building. Do you know what substance and character building sounds like to my children? Boredom. Haha. They want fluff. But every once in a while, I make them listen to a book that correlates with what we're studying. For the past two weeks, we've been studying Norway. It wasn't very exciting. I couldn't find much supplemental information on it. But one book came up time a

1. I think part of the reason my depression has lifted recently is because I've been in Christmas planning mode. I actually got a huge portion of my shopping done this week (thanks, Kohl's!). And in the next week or two I get to start planning the Jesus Birthday Party and Advent activities. It's the most wonderful time of the year! 2. I saw something on one of my homeschool facebook groups recently that said, "All homeschool moms start to feel burned out in November. It's not the curriculum, it's not your kids, it's not you. It's 2 full months of school with no break." I was like, "Hallelujah!" Haha. We're taking all of next week off for Thanksgiving, and I'm so excited! I mean, we'll still be together all day every day, and we'll probably drive each other crazy without a schedule, but I'm looking forward to it. We're going to read and do puzzles and watch lots of TV of course. ;-)  3. Our week off isn'

1. My Moms' Weekend Away was so wonderful. We stayed in a beautifully redone old farmhouse via Airbnb. The owner took us through it when we got there and explained that his grandfather had built it and he was raised in it. They totally updated it to rent it out and it was perfect for our weekend. We spent most of our time sleeping, talking, watching cheesy movies and funny youtube videos, and of course eating! We went out once to Arby's and an antique store (where I got a globe for $10! woot!). On Saturday night, Christina was sweet enough to share her watercolor supplies and give us newbies a little tutorial. I wasn't very good at it, but it was still relaxing and fun. And I made one picture that turned out OK enough that I think I'm going to give it to Lucy for Christmas. I'm so grateful for this tribe of mom friends going through the same phase of life as me and striving to be godly wives and mothers! 2. I don't know if it was the refreshment of getting a

Sincere apologies for the absence of a Saturday 7 last week. The depression game was strong, and I was crazy busy with ten million different things that I don't even remember now. And this weekend is shaping up to be just as busy, so henceforth I present to you the "Friday" 7ish. 1. I noted in my last entry a couple weeks ago that we were going to see another house. What I didn't tell you was that some of our closest friends were also interested in buying it. Because we're mature adults and we love each other we all went together to see it! Haha. Fortunately for our relationship, but unfortunately for our high hopes, the house had some pretty serious structural issues that neither of us was comfortable with. So we both walked away. Still looking . . . 2. Homeschool update: We're getting lazy. Originally I enforced starting at 9:00 each morning. Lately, we've been sleeping til 9 or later and starting school around 10 or 11. Ha. I knew we'd even