One Benefit of Homeschooling

Or . . . "Delayed Gratification"

I thought we were out of the woods. However, it is not to be. This gastroenteritis (whether it be a re-infection of the same or a new one) lurks like a ringwraith in the dark forest (can you tell that we're reading "The Lord of the Rings" series with John right now?). Thirteen days straight of illness, then four days symptom-free then someone relapsed for one day, then four days symptom-free then another person relapsed (that person having been well for ten days by then!). Except for going out on Easter Sunday when I thought we were really well, I have cancelled everything for three weeks now.

This bug is sweeping our area. I can name so many friends whose entire families have it, in large part because the symptoms seem to pass, people go back out in public right away, the virus continues shedding silently, and it spreads.

This was to be our Easter vacation and I had planned not only dessert every night but fun field trip outings each day! My requirements for outings were low germ-exposure (no kids' museums, parks, indoor play areas, etc.) and low cost.

And then we had our latest relapse.

So this morning I approached John and suggested that we resume school for this week and thereby free us up to take vacation next week when--please God, please!--none of us will be sick or contagious. I wasn't sure if John at six could understand the delayed gratification, but he does and is excited about our plan--especially since he confirmed that we (the non-sick kids) could still eat our desserts this week! Yes, I said, the Easter octave is still the Easter octave!