Harper and Ani are doing a day camp this week, something they did last year and have been talking about at least once a week ever since, they loved it so. There's not much more exciting to a homeschooled kid than backpacks! and lunch boxes! and snack time! Of course, the camp is a whole lot more than that and there are many reasons they think it's so special (and we agree). But the lunchboxes are pretty high up there, let's be honest (they each got their own tiffin).
As I expected, they're a bit crumbly upon arriving home after all that interaction and good fun. I've been working on those transitions this week - having a snack ready first and foremost, but then some kind of activity that lets everyone zone out for a bit. A box of new colored pencils kicked off the week, and I wonder, is there anything better than a box of new colored pencils no matter our age? So we've mostly been drawing, often in silence and sometimes with an audio book (these two can listen to Beverly Cleary all day long).
I've been doing some very light knitting this week alongside them, still struggling with carpal tunnel quite a bit which is preventing me from doing more. But if you're only able to knit a few rows a day, I think that stranded knitting might be the way to go. It's so satisfying watching each color appear (this is the Happiest Hat pattern with yarn from Wing and a Prayer Farm).
Those quiet moments in our afternoon have become such a highlight of my day, even when I struggle to not nod off on the couch in the warm afternoon light (sometimes I give in). I suppose we all need a little something to smooth out those transition times in our days, no matter how old.
