What's Going On

Little academic stuff getting done. The kids have been reading up a storm -- presently rereading all the Harry Potter books and discussing them together. Clare put some HP thoughts on her blog:

Of Dumbledore and Snape
Another Thought on the Half-Blood Prince

Clare has been working on writing a story which she visualizes as a sort of vintage thriller with fantastic elements, like a combination of Scarlet Pimpernel and The Man Who Was Thursday. It shows promise -- I am charged with the duty of making editorial comments.

Clare is also keeping up work with her music. Practicing regularly with guitar, violin, keyboard and voice. Finally getting her voice back from her cold. Disappointed that the chickenpox prevents us from going to homeschool camping where the kids were going to put together some sort of variety show to to have a platform for their music and other interests.

Liam is programming parts of his dad's new game. He is working on a story too.

Brendan has done some odd jobs for the neighbor and is now off on a business trip with his Dad. His plans for his future are coming together a bit, which is reassuring for his Mom. That would be me.

Sean is recovering from chickenpox -- still tired out.

They have been watching movies recently, among them the old (1934, I think) Jane Eyre with Orson Wells, and some old Alfred Hitchcocks. Clare watched Wizard of Oz with Paddy while I had to be in town yesterday and she was taking care of him.

Because of the chickenpox and Kevin's business changes and a car breakdown, just to mention a few curve balls recently, I have been a bit out of touch with their learning ("Yes, honey, oh really? that's interesting" kind of thing). And don't ask about planning for next year. I was just getting ready to sit down and pull it together when this all started happening. But it will come. I will no doubt see the fruits of all this freedom when I do start paying attention again. I'm not being sarcastic when I talk about fruits of freedom -- sure, a few weeds usually pop up too, but there's also always developmental leaps when I'm not watching for them.

We have had a few nice talks. All this scurrying around has the side benefits of occasionally being almost-alone with a child. Usually we don't end up having a lot of one-on-one time. But recently, I've had a chance to be almost-alone with Liam, Clare, and yesterday Kieron (almost-alone meaning that Aidan was there too).

And Brendan will get a chance to have time with his Dad now on this brief business trip, and Sean had a similar chance last month when Kevin took him to football camp.