Random, random, oh so random

This week has flown by. We have had a good bit of home time but still not enough to make me feel like I've got it together again. We had such a busy few weeks that I felt like I lost control of everything. At this point laundry is caught up, tub has been scrubbed, house has been mostly decluttered, school was done 3 out of 5 days this week, a few healthy meals were made, replenished my jar of giardenera, and I've read a book or two. My kids are finally sort of settling back into being at home more but they sure fought it on Tuesday and Wednesday. They didn't know what to do with so much free time. It's always an adjustment for all of us after a season of busyness. I'm very happy to report that all three of my kids are really reading a lot now. More and more often they are choosing to read a book without me making them and that makes me so happy. Right now Grace and Joe are both reading on the couch, Joe finally got the next Calendar Mystery and thinks he can finish it this afternoon. He's got 2 more after this one to read and then he will have read all of the Calendar Mysteries that have been written and all of the A to Z Mysteries. Not sure what he'll decide to read next but someone gave us the first 35 Magic Tree House books and I'm hoping he'll opt to read those. Hannah and Grace never got into them but I think they are good books that teach something while also entertaining. We'll see. I've learned that if it's my idea it's likely to be rejected so I'm keeping my mouth shut. I've decided to keep reading history books to the kids through the summer. There are a few more from the Middle Ages period that I think they'd like. We started the Whipping Boy today. I also got the next volume in the Story of the World series and I'm thinking we'll read a chapter a day on the days that we are just home. I love the way those books flow and we have all learned so much history and retained so much this year. We will be doing American History next year but until then we'll just keep reading through chronologically. We will finish up Middle Ages by next week and maybe we can read all of Volume 3 this summer. My kids already know more history than I knew when I graduated college, it's amazing what reading living books will do for cementing the info in your brain.
I haven't taken pictures all week, not much going on that makes me want to grab my camera. I do want to capture more of our daily life though. Really I want to take pictures like my SIL Lisa does. I love her eye for photography. Lisa--can you train me?? Right now the kids are out doing something in the backyard (Grace and Joe have left the couch after being coaxed outside by Hannah), maybe I'll go snap some pics when I'm done with this. I think Hannah is directing them in some sort of creative thing of hers. She has so many ideas--making music videos, creating a travel journal, coming up with big involved games that center around the Greek Gods, trying new things with photography, etc. Whatever it is that she is all into she pulls the other two right along. I think I'll go spy and let you know what I find....