new schedule run-down

This day was so packed that the pictures from this morning feel like they are from an alternate, eons- old reality, but here they are!

They all coordinated so I couldn't help but take a picture.
They all coordinated so I couldn’t help but take a picture.
After morning music and school, we went on an outing. I took the girls to a nearby field and timed them while they ran laps. Then we read a leaf identification book and went leaf hunting in our neighborhood. Most of the local leaves seem to be yellow or brown. I did miss the Midwest's bright red and orange leaves today.
After morning music and school, we went on an outing. I took the girls to a nearby field and timed them while they ran laps. Then we read a leaf identification book and went leaf hunting in our neighborhood. Most of the local leaves seem to be yellow or brown. I missed the Midwest’s bright red and orange leaves today.

I redid our schedule, and today’s implementation of the new schedule felt like a marathon. I decided that Lydia should be doing an hour of piano and harp each day. She has been forced into the piano by Let’s Play Music, and I have been so frustrated with their method that I finally decided that I just need to bite the bullet and teach her myself. We break that practice up into two one hour segments with half an hour on each instrument twice a day.

On top of our two hours of practice, I helped Lydia: drill flashcards, read four (basic) books, complete her math packet, listen to her Suzuki tapes, get to Let’s Play Music!, and practice her handwriting.

Today I helped Mary: practice the piano, bathe after her accident, and read two (also basic) books. I also read her some books before putting her in front of a sight words video while Lydia was at Let’s Play Music!.

I read a bunch of books to Ammon, fed him for what felt like hours off and on, bathed him, and chased him all around the house.

I read the girls a Highlights magazine, Book of Mormon children’s stories, Book of Mormon chapter 10, and The Jungle Book for forty minutes.

I also held our morning devotional with prayer, scriptures and hymns with all three kids (although Ammon kept crawling off in the direction of the stairs) this morning.

I folded and put away four loads of laundry, including the sheets that Mary wet last night.

I made tomato soup and blue cheese soufflé for dinner, thanks to my mom who watched Ammon while I cooked.

I tidied small messes innumerable, over and over.

I studied my scriptures and learned all about the curse of Coniah. My favorite part of my study led me to the Jews for Jesus article explaining how repentance wiped clean the curse.

Oh, and I ran for twenty five minutes in the morning.

I am really excited to be in bed right now, and to read my book. It’s Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking.  I am always imagining all of the ways my perfect life can be blown to smithereens in an instant, and her reflections on how she survived just that feel therapeutic.