As you can tell, things are hectic as usual here at the Heart and Mind Homeschool!  Thankfully, we have all been well except for the occasional allergy.  I have been taking the apple cider vinegar drink every morning for about 2 months, but have noticed no changes or benefits so far.  My family and I detest the smell.  I might give it one more month then it goes back into the pantry for general cooking use!

Xavier has been traveling again.  He just got back from a week in Georgia and will be making a trip to Florida next month.  Our weekends are full, full, full!  We are looking forward to going camping next month for a bit of R & R!  We have lots of home improvement projects that are on the list but finances dictate one step at a time!

Zach is doing well in his quest to lose weight and enter the Air Force.  He has been a big help here at home during the day and running/working out in the evenings.  He works all weekend and some weeknights, too. He got to go to Museum Day this week and scored big with the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit!  Right up his alley!  He even knew the young man working the exhibit and the friend gave Zach and Cameron both the earphones/tape recorded visit set (normally $9 each) for free!  As we had a class on the Terra Cotta Warriors beforehand, Cameron and Zach really learned a lot that day.  As we were leaving the museum, I asked Cameron what was one important thing he learned that day.  His answer..." Friendship Rocks"! 

Cameron has a full plate this year.  Co-op is a VERY long day...9am to 5:30pm.  There is a lot more work involved.  He is doing his best to adjust, but weeks like this past one where Xavier is gone all week, and Museum Day then Park Day, not as much gets done.  Not sure how I feel about that right now.  One of the things we like about Homeschooling is the flexibility it gives.  Now we're back to playing catchup!  Cameron really is doing his best.  Schoolwork gets done with less whining (except for math of course), and he is doing his reading and writing with less direction and struggle.

Isaac is loving school.  He is learning the alphabet, including the ASL signs for the letters.  He is working hard on sight words.  We have hummingbirds and he loves to sit and watch them.  He is very active and his imagination soars all the time!

Alex is doing well holding down 2 jobs and keeping schoolwork up to par.  Just got progress reports and he's doing pretty good!  He works at a parish and occasionally at an entertainment facility on an as needed basis.  He hasn't had as much time for his music, but he does get in some strumming every day.  He is off this morning helping his dad cook for a retreat.

I am doing ok.  Overwhelmed seems to be my permanent state of mind, but I'm adjusting.  Tried some "natural" products for the house-dishwashing liquid and homemade laundry detergent.  I have NOT been impressed with either so far and have been asked by my family to return to our usual products.  I am agreeing with them on this one!  With having my bedroom torn up, I've been decluttering lots of things.  That has been liberating and I can't wait till my room is tiled and finished and I have my little sanctuary back!  My husband has given me charge of our weekly finances (other than bill paying).  That is a HUGE responsibility!  Making sure we have plenty of food, gas in the cars, school stuff, house hold needs and having some left over for emergencies is heavy stuff.  It requires good stewardship and balance and planning ahead!  I give this up to God and will be praying to be given good discernment in all these areas!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!