Levi's Homeschool Day

Jodi was in Dallas, Texas from Sunday to Wednesday this week. My plan on Wed was to get Anna Clair on the bus, get Levi to preschool and then spend the 2 hours in the library getting caught up on some paperwork. Well, the 1/2 inch of snow delayed school for 2 hours so Levi was out for the day. Plan B: do whatever Levi wanted or watch my blood pressure soar when trying to get paperwork done at the kitchen table while dodging a plethora of Star Wars ships or army tanks.

I say Levi's homeschool day because as I reflect on a wonderful day spent with my son, I recall some educational moments. We have a game table in the basement (5 games in all) but Levi is fond of the pool table. You can learn about geometry in pool (angles, shapes, etc.) With the table warped already those lessons were difficult for a 5-year old to understand. We reviewed counting with a little 9-ball tournament. We learned patterns (stripes/solids). Levi likes the solids even when he breaks and holes 2 stripes. In pool we also studied 'english'. That seems to be a hard lesson for him to learn but we will keep trying.

Later in the morning we had math class. I was going up stairs to get ready and was sidetracked by a phone call. Before getting in the shower, I went back downstairs and caught Levi almost with his hand in the cookie jar. He was chewing on something resembling a cud. I asked him what he was eating and he kind of smiled (black teeth) and said "An oreo." After swallowing 2 more times to clear his oral cavity he added proudly, "I had two of them." The admonition he received was, "No more!" The math lesson comes in when I came back downstairs and placed Levi on my lap and smelled peanut butter. I asked him if he had eaten a Reese cup. He said yes. An hour later I went to throw something away and noticed a sea of orange wrappers in the trash. A word problem: "Levi, how many Reese cups did you have?" Typical child answer: "Count the wrappers." Follow up question: "Levi, you ate 4 Reese cups and 2 oreos?" Answer demonstrating proficiency in math: "Yes, that's 6 isn't it."

Result: dismiss class for the rest of the day and play Uno.

It was fantastic to get to spend the day with Levi alone, something not usually done. Special times like those don't happen as frequently as I would like them to. When they do happen, with Anna Clair or Levi, they are treasured. Too often we get so busy with things that are just urgent and we neglect the important things.

All three of us are thankful that Jodi returned home safe and sound Wednesday evening. While she was away, it felt as if part of us was also away, I guess it was. There was an incompleteness about our life. We feel truly blessed to have the Momma we have and wouldn't trade her for anything. My goal is to demonstrate for Anna Clair and Levi and teach them to cherish Jodi and be grateful she cares enough about them to make them mind. I think they are starting to get a glimpse of how wonderful she is. May we never have to make it without her.

I am thankful for days of play with my kids, special times alone with each of them to share fun. I am thankful for my family and the blessings they bring me every day.