Monday we went to the Puyallup (Pyew a lup) Fair.  It was grand.  We went Monday because it was $1 ride day and that's about what we can afford!  I made everyone try the Ferris Wheel first because it's one of my favorites and then the older kids with P went to ride the Roller Coaster.  Just the two oldest, not P or T.  R and I had so much fun riding the Carousel and the Ferris Wheel (again). We also got her face painted (a green and pink butterfly) and she made a decorated tile at the Home Depot booth.  We also had a picture taken just the two of us.  We both enjoyed it and it was some great one-on-one time with R.  One-on-one time is rare in our family; we are so often all together, which is great in itself but a little individual attention is good too.  We all met up again and A and C tried another roller coaster which was "way more cool" because you spent part of the time sideways.  Next came the swings for A,C, and T and P, R and I went on the gliders.  T was dying to go on a roller coaster so we walked back to the coolest one and the three oldest were in line to go when they found that A couldn't ride solo.  P took pity and actually rode on his first roller coaster.  They all loved it and can't wait to go back, even P!  After the requisite cotton candy we were ready to head for home.

Another reason we went to the fair on Monday was that Tuesday we started school.  I really needed a break before we started because this year has been a bear to plan and prepare for.  All 4 are full time this fall and I have been feeling very overwhelmed thinking how it would all work out.  Plus I have to schedule 4 different music lessons (soon to be 5) with 2 different teachers, Youth Choir practice (I'm the co-director), Latin for A, and 4-H (starts next month--yay!).  On paper it doesn't look that difficult but being organizationally challenged it was a scheduling nightmare.  Add in to the equation that I need at least a couple of days where I don't have to go anywhere or I get rather cranky and my house might be condemned.  Finally it all worked out with a miracle from God, the piano teacher can teach on Tuesdays again instead of Mondays.  So we will be home Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and gone on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for choir, piano, latin, and 4-H.  The violin/bass/guitar teacher comes to my house on Wednesdays--God bless her!  After I figured all this out I had to plan the "school" part of our days.  I came up with a detailed schedule, down to the 15 minutes, that totally bombed!  I kept looking at the clock and feeling rushed and behind--because I was always rushed and behind!  On Thursday night after a couple of very stressful days it struck me that I was looking at the wrong thing.  Instead of looking at the clock I needed to focus on the rhythm of the schedule.  Grammar follows math and comes before history and science etc.  Also, although all the kids are doing Math at the same time, A and C cannot ask me questions about their work while I am helping R and to some extent T with their Math.  I just can't make the jump from "No R, that isn't the way you make a 5, erase it and do it the other way." to "A, the formula for slope is y=mx+b."  Once I figured this out, Friday went so smoothly!  We do our Bible lesson together after breakfast, a quick tidy and then upstairs for school.  Math is first, A and C do what they can and save their ?? for later.  After math, R and T do their grammar and then music practice.  C is generally working on grammar around this time too while A is still doing math.  At 11:00ish everyone stops and we do history reading together, they break up again for individual science--R and T are together again, R is being stretched up to 3rd grade science.  Thne everyone works on their writing assignments--R does handwriting and a reading lesson.  Then it is time for lunch and about time too!  After lunch I read to R and T while C and A practice their instruments.  It's quiet time next for R and T and then I answer any ?? that A and C had on their math or grammar or vocabulary or science or, or, or...  I also grade the days lessons.  We have one or two subjects to add next week for A and C but I think if I focus on the rhythm, we should be fine.

The house suffers a bit but the kids are doing a lot more now and I'll just have to fit things in when I can.  Laundry is a problem but the kids all help fold so we'll muddle through.  I've also been exercising every day before school.  I still can't run but I'm biking 6-8 miles a day.  I've been fighting with my back all summer so I am hoping to start pilates in the evening this week.  P will lift after the kids go to bed and I'll do 20-30 minutes.

I'd better run, dinner is ready!