storm fever

 

You might notice that in all of these pictures the lights are on. It was a hurricane miracle! We never lost power, and bid adieu to a mere tree branch or two. Our neighbors were not so lucky; an enormous pine tree in their front yard came down, crashing into their upstairs guest room window.

So we are feeling immensely grateful for the relative ease with which we slid through this storm. The challenge really amounted to entertaining two children who were stuck indoors for roughly 48 hours. On Monday we played-per the kids' request-Home School. (Home schoolers out there might enjoy the exotic novelty it held for my kids, and the fact that it wiped me out, completely).

First assignment: map making. Real or imagined countries welcomed. Per Frances's suggestion, I recreated a map of Europe. "Maybe it will help you with geography, Mama." I am pathetic in that regard, but at least for today, I can tell you exactly where Belarus is.

What else? Math problems, lots of stories, yoga, crafting galore, Jack o' Lantern Carving 101, indoor gym class led by Mr. Papa, and Frances took the opportunity to master headstands. She spent about 30% of her waking hours over the past two days on her head. I joked that with all the blood flow going to her brain, her thinking should be at peak levels. She then proceeded to solve a number of practical problems we presented to her (how can we get you to eat a healthy lunch at school? how can I find more time to exercise?). So Frances is working on becoming a licensed headstand counselor and will be putting out a shingle shortly. Either that or writing the book on headstanding for better living.

We also made slates (one is a prop for a Laura Ingalls Wilder Halloween costume) by slathering wood pieces with chalkboard paint. They proved enormously entertaining! Frances convinced me to teach her cursive letters and I am certain this will backfire once she starts flaunting it at school.

So, all things considered, Sandy was kind to us. But oh my, am I ready for all of us to get back to our routines! The bickering is driving me batty and the kids miss School at School. Mike misses his students, I have work to catch up on, and we all are in need of some serious fresh air.

Hopefully trick or treating tomorrow will restore us. Happy Halloween, friends!