Time is simultaneously flying by and going at a snail's pace. We've started to loose track of the days. We finished our last CC class of the semester over a week ago. While I'm sad to not see our campus online each week, the prep for hosting the classes was wearing me down a bit. It was all totally worth it, but I took a good 2 hour nap after the last class! I am still having Bible study online for the next couple of weeks. Mostly it feels like we are in a holding pattern. We go on bike rides in the evenings. We have started going over 3 miles in the evenings with the boys. They are getting good and have quite a bit of endurance built up. Hannah and Andrew ride in the carriage behind Francis's bike, so they just like the ride. We have been doing odds and end of learning since we already finished our curriculum before spring break. We've been working on typing, math, languages (william-french, Robert-Chinese, Hannah- latin (her CC work) and Andrew- English and signing), and today the big boys are taking an art class online while Hannah is working on learning to read. Never a dull moment around here. William did manage to complete Memory Master even amongst all the chaos. He memorized all of Cycle 2 and even recited it for his Grandad via Zoom. We are so proud of his hard work! Other than "school", we've been having a lot of outside time. The kids got a dome for Easter that has turned them into monkeys and we have been replacing their fort piece by piece so that it is slowly becoming brand new. Oh and Andrew got a water table from Nana and Grandad, so there's been a lot of water thrown about. Good times!
Speaking of Easter, we had a good one. This is only the second time in my memory that we haven't been out camping on Easter. We didn't let that stop us. We put up the tent in the backyard and the big boys and Francis camped out Friday evening. We still had an egg hunt (with a gazillion eggs thanks to my mom sending reinforcements) and gifts for each of the kids from my in-laws (Legos, Kinexs, Teenie Geenies, and a water table respectively). We assembled the new dome and a good time was had by all. I am loving the family time part of this adventure.
We've also been having movie nights on the weekends. We pick something we want to watch and picnic in front of the TV for dinner. We've mostly been watching old Disney classics, but we spice it up with things like Lego Masters and Be our Chef as well as the occasional Torch-lighter biography.
The kids are doing well. They miss their friends, but get along well most of the time. Andrew is still potty training. He's doing...ok. He goes at least half the day with no accidents and has gone a couple of days with no accidents. When he does decide to go elsewhere, he happily brings me paper towels to clean it up and then he shows me where it is. So... progress. His language is exploding. He says a few new words every day and is beginning to repeat what we say as well. He's cute and he knows it. and he's a problem solver. He's got a strong will and doesn't like to hear "no". I love him so much and he is always challenging me to be a better parent and seek Jesus. You're a keeper, Mr. Andrew.
Hannah is progressing with her letter sounds and numbers. I actually think she is on the cusp of really reading, which is impressive at 4 and a half. She likes it when Robert teaches her things, which has helped her progress more than I could have hoped! She's sweet and missed her friends much more than her brothers, probably because she's the only girl. She has decided she wants to change her name to "Princess", which is what I tend to call her anyway. She has her own way of doing things and her room is a "boy free zone" about half the time. She loves her brother's though, and the restriction never lasts long. She is truly a princess-in-training.
Robert likes to teach as much as learn. He is always trying to teach Hannah, Andrew, or even William and me something. He's smart and creative. He helped make a video for Timothy and Gideon's birthday. When he learned we would have to attend their birthday party via Zoom, he came up with his own edition of "Some Good News" and got his siblings to help. It was so cute and the video came out great. While we were sad to miss seeing family, it is a sweet memory. Keep shining that light, Robert!
William is a jack-of-all trades. We've been listening to Andrew Peterson read the "Wingfeather Saga" live in the evenings, and it's been inspiring all sorts of adventures from William during the days. He's made his own version of "ships and sharks" (a game from the book) and is currently drawing his own fantasy creatures. His critical thinking skills are in high gear and his snark has reached pre-teen level. This makes for some humorous (and sometimes) frustrating interactions. It's a whole new ball game and I'm learning the rules as I go. William, you'll always be my first baby. I love you!
As I said we missed the twins second birthday, but did get to attend via Zoom. We decorated our house and had a cake ready to eat with them too. It was good, but not the same. I've been holding up well, but after the party, I lost it. I'm so thankful for a handful of friends who have talked me back from the ledge. I'm ready for this to be over, I tell ya!
We did have a family reunion with the extended Phillips Family last night. It was fun having a meeting of the minds from the US and Canada. I'm going to try to dwell on the positive and let go of the sad as much as I can. I will keep praying. If you need anything, let me know!
Till next time!
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