I was halfway through typing this the first time, and hit a button wrong, and it was gone.  AAAgh!  I guess I will try again.

School has been going well this week so far, although we have only managed our morning schedule the last two days, and probably it will be the same tomorrow.  Friday is Boo's birthday, so there will be no school that day.

 Belle really likes Math U See, and the independence it allows her.  I am pleased too.  She worked totally on her own today after watching the video, and did a good portion on her own yesterday as well.  Because it has so far taken much less time than Saxon, I have found the time to do Boo's math in the morning, instead of right after lunch.  It is getting done more consistently now--when I am not trying to do dishes or laundry at the same time.

Spelling has gone well this week too.  We are still using Spelling Power but with the Study-Test-Study method instead of the primary one of testing first.  It has taken several weeks to cover our first group doing it this way, but that is mostly because of the disruption of holidays and illness.  Yesterday she did her pre-test and missed only one word, and even better, she knows what she missed, and remembered how to spell it today.  We'll see how she does tomorrow.  We have had more fun doing some of the discovery activities as well, since not all our lessons are ending with a meltdown now.

Belle also finished another book this week.  We read it together, alternating pages, but it is still a major accomplishment for her!

The reason the afternoon schedule hasn't worked is that life has intervened.  Yesterday I was invited to my neighbour's to take part in a Scrabble afternoon.  Despite the fact that the ladies have all been about 30 years older than I, I still had a very good time with them.  And I managed to win in my group by something like 16 points. 

Today we went to town to run errands and do some shopping.  Tomorrow I am planning to go for tea with a friend.  We may get part of our afternoon stuff done anyway, because we won't leave until around 2:30.

My biggest struggle this week has been planning and getting meals on the table.  This problem seems to go in cycles for me.  Today it was a struggle to cook, but Belle and my husband both helped, and we did eat.  And I am thankful that the Lord has given me strength to do what I need to do.  Some days I feel like I can cook, or do school, but not both--and that is when I have to depend on the Lord to help me.  Right now I have a plan for tomorrow, so that helps.  Thinking ahead any farther than that is just overwhelming for me.

On a weather note--we have winter here, finally.  Snow and cold!  And so far it doesn't look like we're in for a thaw any time soon.