Checklists

Playing with Brenna this morning. A sweet sight, if you don't count me deep breathing and counting to 10 in my head as I think of all that needs done as I take time out to play with her.

Oh, the mudroom is a muddy mess and needs mopped, both the bathrooms need cleaned and the laundry is piling up. There are emails to respond to, phone calls to make, appointments to schedule, a blog that doesn't write itself, seeds to order, a garden to plan, brochures to design, soap to package, salves to create, bread to be baked, and the poor baby is still in her pajamas at 10:30 am.

If someone were to randomly stop by at this moment, I would be embarassed by the sight of my house. I need to get over it. There are 5 little children doing a whole lot of living here today and every day. Sometimes I just can't keep up with it. Sometimes I need to accept that I won't be able to keep up with it.

Confession: On days like today when there is so much that needs done, I leave much of the homeschooling to the children. I require just reading, writing, and math. They may choose the form in which those 3 are completed. And other than a little one on one with Ava, they are able to do this on their own. In fact, most days it works out splendidly. Today, they began the day (after chores) playing baseball out in the snow and then spent an hour designing and competing in their own Olympic competitions. They then sat down with Ava to help her count coins and then had (yet another) competition to see who could read the fastest. Connor just made everyone a lunch of peanut butter toast and chocolote milk. There is talk of cookie baking this afternoon. They are well aware that they will not be able to have screen time until their formal math, reading and writing is complete, but for now they are happy to be living and learning with freedom. And I am happy to get a chance to write this blog. Check.

Oh, and design the label for our soaps. Check.

Elizabeth