how do we get out of here?

I had intended to write a comprehensive post summarizing our first week of "home school" but it's late and my bed is calling to me. Soon, I'll write about some of the activities that have been filling our days, but for now, I'll just say that we've been doing a lot of outdoor exploration and a lot of art.

This is a picture that Elizabeth painted for my Dad, yesterday.

When I asked her what it was, she knowingly said, "Pwayers of Color." As in, there is a lot of color AND prayer that went in to it. My caption at the top reads, "Dear Dad, Just a creation of love for you to help speed your healing. Can you believe that at birth this "artist" weighed 3 pounds?!" Since Dad was with me when our children were born, I hope it warms his heart to see his (once) tiny granddaughter's masterpiece.

This is another of Elizabeth's creations.

She called it, "My Family." Charlie is the tall brown figure on the left, I'm the blue one on the right. The little people from left to right beneath us are William, Elizabeth and Carolyn. Carolyn has recently cut her own hair (again) which is why it looks like a hedgehog has camped out on top of her head.

Henry is still in my tummy. But you can see his feet sticking out my side.

When I showed the picture to Charlie tonight, his first comment was, "These children are a gift from God!" But then after looking at the picture again, he added, "You look a little frazzled. I mean, you have bug eyes and shocked hair. And that smile? You look kinda crazy."

Well. This has been a rather crazy week for me - what with all of the chaos that has been going on with my family. I've spent several hours every night on the phone and several more hours reading and responding to e-mails. But even with the unusual drama that has rocked our world, I think the children are thoroughly enjoying their home school experience.

And the fact that they piled up all of their bean bags and were trying desperately to unlatch the door was not in any way related to them attempting to escape from their bug-eyed teacher with the crazy smile.