Christmas and The New Year and Learning Notes

Oh my word there are only, what, three days until Christmas?  Ack!  It hits me every single year like this, no matter how well I've planned and how many decisions I've made.  This year we've simplified about as much as you can and still have three young children in the house and not feel like you're 'ruining the holiday' for them.  We have a tiny tree and a few other decorations out, but not the stained glass or the lovely beeswax nativity.  We didn't put the gifts under the tree, nor did we go overboard with purchasing a lot of stuff, but what we did get was well thought out and is already wrapped.  All I need to do is stuff the stockings and that element of the day will be finished.  We're doing Christmas Day lunch over at the church again this year - I'm cooking a huge turkey and stuffing and peas and mashed potatoes and the congregation is bringing side dishes and desserts.  The food is ready is go, and my part in it is pretty simple, so there's not much to think about there.  This year the church decided on a Christmas concert, which was last Saturday, and I sang and did fairly well, both in the choir and acapella with my son.  And now all that's left in terms of services is Christmas Eve, where I sing again in the choir but I'm confident with the songs.

So you can see that it's all pretty streamlined, but I'm still overwhelmed.

I have been feeling pretty unhappy with how our homeschooling is going, so that's something.  Although when I look back I can see real progress.  The boy started out really not able to reliably name the letters of the alphabet, and now he can remember them all, and probably about 50% of the sounds as well.  He can do basic addition and can tell time and his writing is legible.  His art has gotten really cute and lovely as well.  I know he's not even six years old and I'm trying to be patient, but I'm looking forward to next year when he's in grade one and I can start a curriculum.

And David is finished his last course for the year!  That's an exciting one.  He has three courses left to go, one in January and then two more in March, before he can get ordained, and it's all working out and I am relieved so much about that.