Still here
We’re still here! Emma’s been dealing with a doozy of a cold this past week, and it has been a bit of an ordeal at times. She also got to experience her very first earache (poor thing!) which was really quite an experience. Luckily the pain only lasted from about 6 pm to about 1 am when I finally managed to get her to let me put some garlic oil in her ear and she was finally able to sleep. The next morning, she was pretty much fine - a little pressure in her ear, but no pain. Phew! It was incredible what the ear infection did to her personality - it was like someone had taken my wonderful, sweet, generally cheerful little girl and replaced her with a wailing banshee. It didn’t help that she was just so tired and couldn’t get to sleep. I gave her a heating pad sort of thing (a sock w/ rice, warmed in the microwave) and that helped her to at least doze, but it took the oil for her to sleep. I was beginning to think I was going to have to pin her down to give it to her, but luckily I was able to convince her that it wouldn’t hurt. I am so thankful that Gregory was happy to be with Daddy for the evening, and went down easily that night so that I could focus on Emma. I am also so thankful that she was feeling so much better the next morning! Thank goodness for strong, healthy immune systems.
Because of all this, things have been pretty quiet around here. We’re still doing our “homeschooling block” and that is going well. I’ve changed it a little bit so that on Tuesdays and Thursdays we’re doing just the Bible story, church book, a very brief reading lesson (generally just a sound review), and a chapter from our chapter book. On the other days of the week we do a longer reading lesson, another Bible story, and we’ve started a nature study sort of thing with a little bit of a creative aspect with it. This week we started a batch of bean seeds in an egg carton and made a little book to record our observations. She’s telling me what to write, and we’re each drawing a picture of what the seed looks like. We’ll do another one tomorrow and we’re both anxiously waiting to dig up seed number two to see if it has any roots yet!
I’m still running, or walking and running, I guess I should say. I didn’t run on Friday or Saturday last week as I was supposed to, so I decided to repeat a week. I accidently started on week 2 anyways, so now I’m just finishing week 2 again. The running is getting easier and I’m really enjoying doing this. I’ve started listening to an audiobook (Game of Thrones, by George RR Martin) as I run, and that increases my motivation to go out and do it since I don’t have much opportunity to listen otherwise.
I just heard Gregory - I think my typing time is up!
Emily on 30 Mar 2006 at 2:29 pm #
Oh, poor Emma! I’m glad it didn’t last too long.
I’m having the same problem with my running. I started on week two accidentally, and couldn’t figure out how to fix that online. So I ended up just re-signing up with a new username.
Oh well. And of course, it’s been raining, and I can’t run with Jonathan in the rain very well. And yesterday my exercise time was used up with Jessica (we went walking together) and she’s quite definitely not up to running yet! I have a lovely lot of excuses, don’t I? 
On the bright side, I’ve exercised in some fashion every day…which, as Gabe reminded me last night, is the point.
Sarah on 30 Mar 2006 at 6:19 pm #
Amber,
Thanks for the comment on my blog. Just a few days after you left it, as I was mulling over the possibilities of making connections with homeschooling groups and “advertising” myself as a music teacher there, I saw a notice regarding a homeschool ’support group’ type thing that was looking for tutors in a variety of subjects. I got brave and sent them an email explaining my experiences as a homeschooler, my qualifications as a musician and teacher, and even some of my other particular interests and skills, like writing and literature. Then, I searched the HSLDA website for other homeschooling groups in my area, and emailed all of them, too! We’ll see what comes of it. In any case, it was largely inspired by you. So thanks!
As far as exercise goes, I can usually drag myself to the gym everyday for a good 45-50 minutes of cardio, followed by weight-lifting. The real problem is that once my healthy-morning-workout-glow has worn off, which is generally the mid-afternoon, I lose my inspiration for being healthy and losing a bit of weight, and start snacking. Boo.
I remember earaches as a kid. Don’t really know why I don’t get them now, as an adult. Mom used to put olive oil in my ear, and I dreaded it much more than would be remotely reasonable! I guess it’s a universal thing.
mrsdarwin on 31 Mar 2006 at 7:54 am #
I’ve been trying to walk with my girls, but exercise-wise it’s a frustrating experience. Either one girl speeds way ahead, or they both want to lag and look at sticks or anthills or their shadows. Walking is fun for them, but I don’t feel like I get many exercise benefits out of it. I suppose the best thing would be to get up early before Darwin leaves for work, and walk then, but I can’t drag my lazy rear out of bed.
Thank goodness for work-out videos!
Dy on 03 Apr 2006 at 5:53 am #
Oh, I wish you lived close enough to us to tutor the boys in music! What a wonderful opportunity you’re offering! Good idea.
Poor little Emma. I do love the oils, though - it’s amazing how much they help. Here’s to a healthy, wonderful week ahead!
Dy