We're actually busy!

Wow. For the first time since we've been here, we're actually really busy! (With the exception of Joey, who has always been busy.)

Tania started ice skating last Wednesday. I am sorry to report that I didn't take any photos, because my camera ran out of batteries! Ugh. Well, I was sort of disappointed with the class. It's only 30 minutes long, and after the drama of driving to Lloyd Center, parking a behemoth truck in one of the compact parking spaces we are ever lucky enough to find, hustling out to sign in and get geared up, I couldn't believe how quickly the class flew by. They sort of herd the kids out, have them skate back and forth a couple of time, and then herd them back off the ice. Well, Tania made a little friend, so that's okay. Next time, we'll stay for the free skating after the class.

Then, she started Judo on Thursday at the Sellwood Community Center. It was mostly boys, but there were two girls, and Tania really liked the class. The sensei gave her a little sheet to practice her moves at home with. I hope she keeps up this class, because I'd really like to have a ninja daughter.

We had a playdate on Friday with another unschooler. It was fun, and Tania likes the girl a lot. She's older than Tania, and really mature, so I'm not sure how much fun she had with Tania, but she seemed to like her okay.

We had another playdate on Sunday with a girl Tania's age. Tania had a lot of fun with her. They seemed to get along very nicely, and they both didn't want for us to go home when it was time.

Tania is now reading Clarice Brown. She finished this really cool book called The Adventures of Despereaux. Her reading and vocabulary are expanding rapidly. She was reading me an article out of a National Geographic the other day, and I couldn't believe the words she was capable of reading. (Joey calls me a gypsy, because I steal magazines from doctor's offices and community centers. But really, if the magazine is more than a year old, it should be fair game.) I think that it's because she has so many hours to read each day.

Joey started school today. He left at 5:45 this morning and won't be home until 10:00 at night! This is his school schedule for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! Then he works graveyard shifts Thursday through Saturday, plus his weekend morning job! He's going to be so exhausted all the time, and I'm going to be so sad and lonely.

Well, other than all that, I've been doing a good job sticking with my new study schedule. It has really helped to factor in time for spending with the girls and time for cleaning. Things are getting done. I'm so proud of myself.

We got this high chair from a friend. Talula loves it so much. She can sit with us for meals now. It's really cute. She's more interested in gnawing on a spoon than in eating actual food though.


Tania likes sitting with her too!


One more thing: If you ever get the chance to just sit and hold your baby while she sleeps, please do it. Time is going by so quickly. You don't have a long time to do this. So sometimes, even though you could put her down and get some things done, just hold her and kiss her and smell her sweet head. That's all.