September 18, 2021

Some hard days and some great days

Apparently I have sciatica...flare ups before would just last a few days and be gone, but the simple act of turning on a lamp this time angered the beast and it was done.  I was in the bed or on the couch for several days, barely able to do anything.  School looked like this:

The kids were amazing and took care of me while Ben was at work.  Not only did they take of me and themselves, but they did their school work in bed with me or in the living room while I laid on the couch.  

Everyone in the kitchen, making dinner...even Maya is supervising and not pictured is Ben at the stove.

I don't know what I would have done without their help.

I'm thankful to say that I am functional now and feeling almost all the way better, except for sitting.  I can lay down or stand, but sitting is uncomfortable.

So while Ben was fishing in Canada with my dad, I stole his workbench (that can be raised up and I can stand at) from the garage and worked on a puzzle.  It was the perfect therapy.

I don't ever want to go through a flare up again, but it did make me thankful for the little things...like being able to put away dishes or put shoes on my feet or sit down!  Sitting on the beach with friends was extra appreciated this week.

Eli joined me in finishing the puzzle Aunt Amanda sent us of LA.  It was a really fun to complete and point out all the places we've been here.


 

Channel Islands

Alison's big birthday present was a snorkeling trip to the Channel Islands.  It was a perfect excursion for Ben and Alison!  They caught the ferry in Ventura early in the morning.

 
It was too cold to snorkel right away, so they went on a hike first.
 




 

Then it was time for snorkeling!  Ben said Alison was a pro and it seemed like she had been snorkeling her whole life.



On the ride back home, they saw an ocean sunfish and several humpback whales!


Alison's first dance!

We joined a new homeschool group, ACHEV, and they hosted a semi-formal high school dance.  Ben took Alison and it looked like the perfect evening for a first dance.


It was at a conference center in Ventura, right on the water.

  
 
Alison and her friends, Tabby, Lily and Christina:

September 14, 2021

First day of school!

Better late than never!  We started school almost a month ago...

Welcome to High School Alison!



Welcome to middle school Eli!
 
The picture he wanted:

 
The only real smile I got:


If you could give dogs certificates for homeschool aids, Maya would have one.  She rotates laying under desks all day long and is always there for a pet when someone is frustrated.
It's going to be a great year, Colin!



Legos

The boys have been wanting to rebuild some old Lego sets and were getting frustrated finding pieces in our bins...thus, this is what our living room looked like for almost a week.


                                                                          

Any spare moment the boys had, they were rebuilding.  I even helped find pieces a couple of afternoons.  I may not know how to build Legos, but I'm an excellent finder!


Eli has also spent a lot of time working on guys.  He lined them up on the Lego table one evening.

 
And he's also been doing "custom builds".  He made our family, including Maya!