I've been reading Mary Hood's book, The Joyful Home Schooler.  I still can't quite picture how she did relaxed homeschooling, even though she provides some sketchy description.  It all sounds so appealing, but I have no idea how to carry it off.  Perhaps her other books provide more detail.  At any rate, I want to do it the way God wants us to, rather than trying to copy someone else, which is something I'm sure she would advise.  I do like to glean ideas, though.  The idea of enjoying ourselves while homeschooling is very attractive, I must admit.

We took the day off from formal academics and went to the local library instead.  That was nice.  First we went to the post office, then to the bank, then it was off to the library, the first time we've gone in probably a year.  We walked in on a book sale, and I picked up some science books about chemistry and trees and insects, and etc. for only 50 cents apiece.  Then we checked out ever so many more.  Either my children are growing up, or I'm getting used to chaos, because it wasn't too difficult.  The only child who ran a bit too far afield and had to be reigned in was my two-year-old.  The lady at the front desk offered to hold Pudge for me as a favor while I gathered our books, but really I didn't even need help (though I took her up on it).

We found a great book about what it's like to take a trip to the moon.  I also found The Boxcar Children.  I hope Chicken will read it, but I'm not going to force her.  I certainly enjoyed reading it again.

After that, we hit the grocery store for milk and a few things we were out of.  That went pretty well, too.  We get stares and comments, but I'm getting used to that.

Tomorrow I am teaching co-op.  After that, Buster is going to see the doctor for his tummy problems.  I made the appointment this morning.  Most likely, the house will fall completely apart by tomorrow evening (it's well on the way), so we may take yet another day off on Wednesday while I tack it all back together.  Lotsa laundry to fold.  I think I will require some reading of library books, and that's it.

Oh, and the tape I bought at the yard sale is awesome!  It's Children's Book of Heroes and the introductions to the stories are done by Bill Bennett.  We listened to Oedipus and the Sphinx in the van.  70 min. of classic stories, for 25 cents!  We also listened to the OT story tape, which was okay.  It originally came with a book, and has the same stories on each side (Joseph goes to Dothan, Miriam helps her brother, David protects his lambs from a lion).  It's a G-rated version:  Pharaoh wants to "take the baby boys away."  David "chases away the lion."  I haven't listened to the Winnie-the-Pooh stories yet, but I hope they're direct from Milne.  They appear to be not-Disney, at any rate.

DH wants a magic milkshake, and I'd like one too, so I may whip some up and then crash.  Thanks everyone for caring enough to e-mail and call and leave comments after my pathetic entry!  God is so good, and always shows himself so merciful, even when we're weak.