W is 13! (180 + 2 weeks)

We went for a hike in the woods.

All the kids went to their MAHC classes. R's class made shakers using plastic cups, sticks, and string:

And then he got sick again/sicker ... so we didn't get a lot done the rest of the week, again.  

We did go to the library.

W played D and D three times.  Including during his THIRTEENTH BIRTHDAY PARTY!

The evening began with a D and D game DM'd by his friend L, followed by a sleepover with lots of video games.  W set his alarm for 6 am so he could get up and make a disgustingly greasy meat and mac and cheese casserole for breakfast and play more video games.  I was not pleased by this alarm, since nobody went to sleep until 2 am, but I guess it shows he is developing the ability to set goals and achieve them ...

All the kids attended their religious education classes.

There was a lot of podcast listening.

R read a book independently:  

Monster Comes to the City by Ellen Blance

And I read to all of them:

The Trolley Car Family by Eleanor Clymer

More sick, but a few hikes (180 + 1 week)

The kids all attended their morning classes at MAHC. They had a great time participating in the Valentines Exchange ... and then everybody was too tuckered out to stay for the afternoon.

We went for a couple of Whissahickon woods walks.

W attended his morning Teen program class, too - and then had to come home.

All the kids attended their religious education classes.  W's class went to a Laser Tag place!

W played Dungeons and Dragons twice.

R did a lot of reading.  But otherwise we didn't try to do formal lessons this week while recovering.

We had a great time, and then we got sick but (182/180!)

J went to her dance class.

W went along and played this very complex game with his friend:

We went for a walk in the woods:

All the kids went to their classes at MAHC.  Here's a picture of W (right) as one of the chorus of fairies singing Titania to her sleep (they did it as really creepy chanting, it was awesome.)

W, R and D went skiing!

And then everybody got sick, the end.

This week included 3 'days of instruction' and despite everything, we are past the 180 day mark!

New classes at MAHC! (179/180)

J went to her dance class.

All the kids went to their MAHC classes, which were new this week.  W is in classes on Midsummer's Night Dream, Optical Art, and Consumerism and Fake News.  R's classes are about Crazy Concoctions, Winter Olympics, and Art From Junk.  D's classes include Paper Crafts, Biomimicry, and Art From Junk.  Here's D in her Biomimicry class:

We went to the Parkour Gym and W also went rock climbing.

W went to the Teen program.  He also played D and D three times.  And went to a Stage Combat class at the Arden Theater.

D went to the Zoo!

R, D and J went to their religious education classes.

W, R and D worked with LOF.  R and D also read and wrote.

We listened to lots of podcasts and discussed the news.

I read to them:
The Little Duck by Judy Dunn


Sharks And Other Sea Monsters by Robert Sabuda


The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola


Tough Boris by Mem Fox


Kites Sail High: A Book About Verbs by Ruth Heller


The Light Princess by George MacDonald


My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden's Childhood Journey by Jeanne Walker Harvey


Fires by Michael Woods

W and R exercised.

This week included 7 'days of instruction'

Love, don't take, don't be mean, don't grab! (172/180)

J went to her ballet class.

D and J had dentist appointments - no cavities!

All the kids went to their MAHC classes.  This was the last week of our Board & Card games class and we made our own game:

W went to Teen program and played Dungeons and Dragons three times.

D and J attended a rally opposing the congressional retreat in Philadelphia.  They dictated the messages on their own signs:

W did a lot of musical improvisation - shown here with Ball jars, but also piano etc.

The kids all attended their religious education classes.

W, R, and D worked with LOF.  R and D practiced reading and writing.  I read to them:

Going to Mecca by Na'ima B. Robert


Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons

This week included 6 'days of instruction'.

Rock Climbing (166/180)

All the kids attended their MAHC classes.  Here's R in his science class:

W attended his MAHC Teen program classes, and played Dungeons and Dragons twice.

I took W to check out rock climbing.  It may not be a regular activity, since he's not allowed to belay or boulder until age 16, but it was fun!

R built a coin-pushing machine from scratch in just about an hour:

All the kids attended their religious education classes.

W, R, and D worked with Life of Fred (R finished 

Life of Fred: Honey by Stanley F. Schmidt)!

R is working on reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book.  D is working on reading an Elephant and Piggie book.

They listened to podcasts, and newscasts.  We did not participate in a march in person, but we did follow along on social media at home, as well as noting the Inauguration.

We walked, exercised, and listened to lots of music.

W baked cookies.

I read to the kids:

Little Humans by Brandon Stanton


These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder


Old Turtle by Douglas Wood


Blue Hat Red Coat by Clara Vulliamy


Rosie's Magic Horse by Russell Hoban


The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter


Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest: Where Birds Begin by Irene Kelly


Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert


Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton


Recycling by Charlotte Wilcox


Just Like You and Me by David Miller


All The Magic In The World by Wendy Hartmann


King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood


Bugs and Beasties ABC by Cheryl Nathan




This week included 5 'days of instruction'.