{SQT} Independence Day Edition

1. School Planning Blog Series

I wrote a four-part blog series on planning homeschooling and published three parts of it this past week before I decided to pull them down off the blog.

There are mommy bloggers out there who know what they are doing, who are being published, selling their worthy wares (their expertise), and getting book deals. I have no idea how they got started, but I do know that homeschooling mothers can go to them for help. The Big Names in Homeschool Blogging are still homeschooling their own kids, and it's not like they've got twenty or thirty years of experience, and are looking in the rear view mirror at a successful life before writing. Yet . . . I've got 100-200 individual readers per blog post (thanks, guys!), and that kind of sounds like a lot, but even a beginner blogger who actually receives comments and questions and is publishable has numerous thousands of individual readers, and soon has tens of thousands.

On my blog or in my personal life, nobody asks my opinion or experience with scheduling homeschooling, or anything else homeschooling, or the associated parenting or home organizing, so it's ridiculous for me to offer unasked-for advice, whether on my blog or in friendship.

I monetized my blog this year and in six months, not one individual has purchased anything linked on my blog. So, I've given up on that, too.

Now, me: I ask advice of experienced mothers all the time. I'm continually calling, emailing, and texting moms with specific questions because I think it's the best way to learn. I noticed her child exhibited such-and-such characteristic, and could she tell me how she nurtured that? She mentioned being involved in this activity, and would she tell me about it? I have a parenting problem and just don't know what to do, and would she help? Do you use a product that helps with such-and-such dilemma? A week doesn't go by without my asking somebody a specific question, and I'm so grateful for the answers and tips of these holy women.

In contrast, since all my weeks go by without anybody asking me any questions, that tells me that I just need to further focus on the microcosm that is my family, the souls that God gave to us. I thought that since I was born with the soul of a writer, and I haven't been able to put down a pencil since I was four years old, I should probably write, but maybe all I am good for is wiping bottoms and picking up the house (as I can tell you that I'm terrible at cooking anything or being a patient, loving person).

Maybe the whole blog should go, because really, what is the point?

2. Getting Outside

Took the kids to the pool by myself . . . it's a miracle!

Joseph sat in a tree for an hour one day watching the workers next door fell trees.

Watching tree workers

Since I save time in the mornings by leaving Thomas (almost 3) in his pajamas for our morning walk at 7:00 a.m. . . .

. . . he admonished Big Sister Mary one day, "You no wear Mass clothes! Wear sleeping clothes! Wear pajamas!" We all had the biggest chuckle at him.

Mary should wear her nightgown instead of this outfit to go biking.

3. Big Helpers

With Chris gone for ten days, working the kitchen at the boys' camp John was attending, I have been so grateful for the big help of my girls.

Reading the bedtime story to Thomas and many of his stuffed friends

4. Independence Day

I posted about our Independence Day here.

5. "Rabbit Hill"

This week, I finished reading aloud "Rabbit Hill" by Robert Lawson to Joseph and Thomas and, as I closed the cover after the last chapter, Joseph cried out, "That's all there is?! Can we read more?" Thomas, who is almost three, actually sat still every night for two weeks, listening to a chapter book: a first! And, in past, my oldest kids, even up to 11, and myself have guffawed and giggled over this book.

Reading aloud "Rabbit Hill" was the highlight of my evenings these last two weeks, and the audio recording is so utterly delightful, I recommend anyone check it out at the library or buy it before even buying the book . . . and I've never recommended that. I checked it out at our local library a few years ago, and I cannot seem to track down the narrator, but it is not the same narrator (Melba Sibrel) as the MP3 version being sold on Amazon/Audible; I listened to a sample of Miss Sibrel on Amazon, and, no offense to her meant, but the other version I listened to was one of the finest narrations of deeply Southern accents and character voices I've ever heard.

Anyway, it's a fabulous book, read aloud to all ages of children.

6. "Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants"

We watched the most joyful movie this week. Now, I live under a rock--have no clue who modern actors are, or which movies won the whatever-they-are-called annual awards--so maybe everyone knows about this movie, but for my fellow rock dwellers . . . "Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants" (2015) is the story of a ladybug who is befriended by the black ants who then journey with her to transport the sugar cubes back to the Queen Black Ant. Along the way, the rapacious red ants are pursuing them to try to steal the sugar cubes. There is a magnificent battle at the end.

This is a French movie re-released in America, and it contains no words. Thus, it has no gross or rude bodily humor, or inappropriately old jokes meant to keep the adults entertained but meanwhile robbing our children of their innocence.  It has no objectionable music.

The movie is made with real film of beautiful forest scenes, with wonderful CGI bugs, so it isn't a garish cartoon like so many movies.

There is a tender sub-plot about the ladybug being separated from her family of origin--which brought two of my children to tears--and there are some beautiful character developments of strength and triumph by the end.

The children and I were a laugh riot the entire movie. "Miniscule" is available streaming on Amazon Prime.

7. Miscellaneous

You know you're a large family when your very sweet, older, retiree neighbors lend you their garbage can (which has only one or two bags in it each week) and you fill both cans to the brim!

Thomas likes to wear head bands and play Wiki Stix.

Mary made truffles for Independence Day and later quick bread by herself. (I will need to be walking more miles around the neighborhood.)

For more 7 Quick Takes Friday, check out This Ain't the Lyceum.