hurricanes, childrearing and (some) election thoughts

Homeschooling has been going smoothly until it's not. Oh my, I wish I could explain how much attitudes de-rail our homeschool. It is like the bad-attitude bug rotates through our family weekly. But I love modeling to my children that life is work, and there is satisfaction in that work. 

But how many times will I have to learn the lesson to leave school time for school time? I keep trying to do the dishes and listen to a narration or fold laundry while the audio book plays and my children follow suit and this distracted learning is not productive. I need a clean house to homeschool--at least that is my preference. A pile of dirty dishes or a messy living room screams at me while I am trying to read to the kids. Yet I need to focus and homeschool and clean later--the gentle feast of education is not meant to be multitasked. 

I deleted my Facebook during this election year. My mental health does so much better without Facebook and I hope I stay off it. This is my second time deleting Facebook so this is another lesson I hope I learn. I can't wait for the election to be over and for everyone in America to calm down. Anyone else just staying out of the election this year and trying to stay sane? I don't have enough sleep for this.  

Watching Florida and Georgia as Hurricane Helene looms. It's been raining here for the last three days (unrelated to HH) but probably related to the bad attitudes in our house the past few days. Being cooped up indoors all the time due to significant downpours makes everyone cranky. 

Well. I'm going to finish my tea (rooibos) and go play animal crossing with the kids. Life is good. I'm exhausted. And I'm so glad dinner is in the crock pot! 

My mom took this photo of me yesterday and I love it. 

My 2023 Sweater!

I made another sweater! This is the Weekend Pullover Pattern by Neringa Ruke. I love it. This is my 2023 sweater (it just took longer than a year due to pregnancy and postpartum). I love it! Oh, I already said that. It was a yarn de-stash sweater and I played (and won) at yarn chicken. Oh, I can't wait to wear this all fall! 

My first sweater was Elwood in 2019. (I no longer wear this)

My second sweater was Engle in 2020. I still wear and love this one!

My third sweater was Juniper Crop in 2021/2022. This one is a little tight--I gained some weight with my recent pregnancy/postpartum, but I can still wear it. Also, as you can see I used the same colors in yarn to make this sweater as my Weekend Pullover!  

And this is my 2023 sweater, Weekend Pullover. 

What sweater should I make next? I still need a 2024 sweater and time is running out...

Hats!

Every year I make my kids new hats. This year was no exception, though I did tell the older two that hats for them will stop for awhile because each of them has 3-4 hats now that fit! Here are the hats for this year. 

The kids love them. But I also wanted to make some with ear flaps for Reuben so I made this one too.

And then Becky's ended up not fitting so I made her a new one. 

The kids each picked their own colors and I made the hat. I hope they love them this fall and winter! Now to finish a sweater for myself and some little baby pants for a friend and maybe a sweater for Esther. Love you all!