Well, we did it. We survived the worst sickness to ever go through our family. While it doesn't take the prize for the longest worst sickness (that placement goes to covid of 2020), the norovirus of 2025 will forever go down as the worst sickness in our family. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say running between rooms all night dealing with vomit while also holding down your own stomach is not for the faint of heart. Fortunately it only lasted about 24 hours for each person, so there was a quick end in sight.
I am thankful that tv is used as a tool in our house rather than a babysitter because letting the kids sit on the couch and watch 6 hours straight of tv didn't make me feel one bit of guilty. Their tired, feverish bodies needed rest and tv was the best way to get that. Unfortunately, that means we are slowly detoxing from that enjoyment and I'm sure there will only be a few more days of begging to "watch something" left.
Right before the epic sickness of 2025, Michael went on a 5 day climbing trip to New Hampshire. I was a single parent and honestly it was not that bad of a time. We spent time at the museum (where I'm certain we picked up our sickness), had co-op with our friends at the library with board games and crafts, and enjoyed Mimi and Bupa's new puppy Ella.
We have spent time jumping back into our school routine. Isla has finished up her kindergarten math curriculum and loves to make art. She has also informed me that "learning to read is a waste of [her] time because there are so many other things [she] wants to learn instead." From what I know of kindergarten standards, when I taught six years ago, she's still ahead of where she "should be"; but, I really thought she would love to learn to read seeing as she spends most of her time listening to stories and begging me to read to her. She has consumed more books as a six year old than I did my entire childhood. I'm trying not to push her because I know when she's ready, she'll take off with it! For right now she's filling her time learning things like the names of every DC superhero, how to draw a comic strip, how to use a hammer and nails, how to play chess, the names of Van Gogh's paintings, the name of Greek gods, and how to play a violin. So I'd say we're ok.
We did finish up a magical unit study of the night sky. We learned about the moon phases, constellations, and planets. We read SO many books about outer space, learned about some of the pioneers in space travel (like Katherine Johnson), and incorporated art and music with Van Gogh's Starry Night and Gustav Holst's The Planets. Our co-op day for that week was a whole space day hosted by one of the moms at her church. She incorporated space food, constellations, astronaut exercises, and rocket building. To finish it off, I texted one of the other moms asking if we could use her country home to see the night sky. She's game for anything, so we all met at night (with dads in tow) and made lanterns. Then we travelled down to the fire, lanterns all aglow, where the telescopes were set up and the s'mores were ready. All for us to look up and see a sky FULL of clouds. We didn't even get to see the moon. However, it ended up being a core memory for a lot of us as we shivered by the fire and our kids had the time of their lives running around in the dark, cold night. Maybe we'll try again when it's a little warmer out :)
Learning for our family is always happening, forever and ongoing (even if some of us are refusing to learn to read). I have always known this about myself, but nothing amplifies it more than homeschooling and that is I love to learn. I've been a learner my whole life, but lately I've realized more and more just how little I know. The world is so big and so wide and so full of mysteries. We should want to learn all there is that our God has made in this great big creation. If we've ever come to a place where we think we know it all or we always seem to be right, I would venture to say we are no longer learning. Because the more you learn, the more you are humbled.
Part of my learning has been through books. I set a goal of reading 40 books this year, as I read 38 last year and I really want to beat that. Already in January, I have read 14 books! I'd say I'm off to a great start. And I find the more I read, the more I grow and learn as a person. There's nothing like a book to give you a fresh perspective, a deeper empathy, a better understanding, a new knowledge. Just recently I read a book about the history and culture of human cadavers. Talk about LEARNING. I just had no idea.
The jury is still out on whether or not audiobooks "count" as reading. I have had this conversation with 4 different people in the last few weeks and there are some differing opinions. I believe that listening to an audiobook can count toward "books read" because I am still consuming the book, even though it's audio rather than visual. Studies say so too claiming that audibooks do the same thing to your brain that reading a hardcopy does- you still exercise the same comprehension skills, vocabulary, growth in empathy and perspective, increased cognitive processing, critical thinking skills, etc. The main difference is that hardcopy books are something you can do, whereas audibooks are something that is done to you- an active vs. passive activity. If someone was blind or learning disabled or some other hindrance to visual reading, would you say they aren't reading books just because they use their ears rather than their eyes?
What do you think? Are audiobooks considered reading? I try to always have a hardcopy and an audiobook going at the same time. Either way, I think consuming 14 books this month is better than none at all, right??
One of the highlights of January was a Christmas/birthday celebration with Rah Rah's (Sarah's) family. We spent the day in Bourbonnais eating food, opening presents, and playing with cousins. We had 3 birthdays to celebrate with Sarah's in December and Nana and mine in January. It was a fun day and I'm always grateful when we get to have special days with family.
Speaking of birthdays, mine was wonderful. After being spoiled with gifts from Michael and the kids, I had the whole day to myself. I shopped til I dropped and ended with a massage. Then we ordered takeout because I really don't like going out to eat with our kids. It's more of a wrestling match than an enjoyable experience. Overall, it was a wonderful day even though I'm another year older. My dear friend encouraged me to look at it as another whole year I get to be a mama and a wife, making a home and life we love rather than looking at it as a negative thing. I think I'll try that perspective this year. And to top it off, another friend dropped of a gift bag of goodies from all my mama friends that was so unexpected and sweet. I feel like this year is already full of so much love and gratitude :)
On another note, I about gave up counting hours outside because forcing my children outside in the cold is impossible and not worth it. We are already so behind in our hours. But then the Lord gave us today and my mind has been refreshed. I am currently typing this while sitting outside in the sunshine, without a coat, in February! Maybe we will keep trying to get outside after all. I'll keep you updated.
Ewan is reaching the age where he gets to do activities and events too, just like Isla has. He and I were able to enjoy a zoo class together followed by a lunch. He is such a sweet boy and I don't often get alone time with him. It was a good reminder to me that I need to work in dates with my children more often. He even got a free cookie at lunch, just for being cute and polite :) I'm grateful to my mother-in-law who is always willing to step in with the other kids when we have things like this.
Let's see, what else? January has had family game nights, time with grandparents, museum visits, library visits, more 1905 salad (can't stop, won't stop) and good food, and lots and lots of playing. It was a good month and besides our sickness, I'm hoping February will be a good one too!
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