First week of rehearsals are complete!

I'm glad last week is over. lol  Chloe had her first rehearsal and her friend Gabby brought her some crutches to use. Gabby was laughing so hard while Chloe was trying to use crutches for the first time. It is always fun to watch those two together. I had the opportunity to catch up with Selena, Gabby's Mom.

Everyone missed Chloe at taekwondo last week. I think they will be happy to see her Tuesday; however, I believe that may be the girls' last day until graduation. I will have to teach all alone for the next couple of weeks. It is very sad. I really enjoy watching the girls interact with the students. Both of them do a great job teaching and encouraging the students. And I will miss their help greatly.

Friday was a long day. While Chloe did not volunteer (because of her ankle), we had Meet the Masters. The girls always enjoy that class. We also found out that day my cousin's husband died. And Jesse had her first rehearsal that night too. Like I said, it was a long, and emotional, day.

I believe my Mom and I are going to drive down to Georgia later this week for the funeral. We are still awaiting the finalized plans so I can make our arrangements. I don't think John is looking forward to everything he'll have to do in my absence, but I know he will do well.

I woke up yesterday with a pain in one of my toes, on my right foot. It had woke me up during the night, but I hoping it would go away. It didn't. When I stood up, I found I couldn't put pressure on that toe. When I went to touch it, I discovered I couldn't touch it. It felt like a nerve had been injured. But I was asleep when it happened, so I don't know what happened. Then when I was in the shower I fell. I mean I FELL! I had one foot in front and one behind me, and on the way down I'd hit the shower door with my back. I just had a five-inch red mark on my back, so I thought it was fine. However, last night when we went to bed, John was rubbing my back and got to my left shoulder blade. OUCH! There may not be a bruise but I whacked that place hard. I was wondering why my left shoulder started hurting yesterday afternoon. It happened so fast, I just couldn't remember what all I did hit on my body. So, be careful in the shower!

We are having school this weekend. John is working, so are we too. The girls hate these weekends. I don't like them either, but we need to do it. I really want them to finish by mid-May so they can have a few weeks off before we start back in June. I still can't get over Jesse will be in high school when we begin our next school year.

We have been homeschooling for nine years now. I just find that amazing. We have now finalized all of our books for next year, but I still need to work on a schedule for a few classes. Jesse will be doing American Literature and US History and Constitution. I am finding it very difficult to limit American Literature. I have, on our top shelf alone, enough great American books/authors to cover two years of AP Lit. How do you narrow that down? Anyway. I have a friend whose husband teaches history at USC and she said he may do a one-day intensive Constitution study with us. The only problem is Jesse is the only one I know studying American history next year. But at least I know who to go to with questions. lol

Our last week before crazy!

This last week was our last week before Wizard rehearsals begin.

Monday, we took Chloe to see Dr. J. about braces. He said her mouth looks great, so she is on there growth program. She'll go in every once in awhile just to make sure she is still going down a good path. She is excited to be a patient now; we think she'll be able to enter the monthly contests now.

The rest of our week was the usual: taekwondo, volunteering and school work. I spent a great deal of my time working on a high school schedule. I think we've mostly narrowed down everything for Jesse's freshman year. We still have to order books, but we are mostly there. I think.

Friday we had Meet the Masters. It was the first Meet the Masters we had since, well, I don't remember. That long ago! I enjoyed it because the tables and chairs were already set-up when I arrived. Usually we arrive ten minutes early and most everyone else is ten minutes late. Friday, we were the last ones there. We were two minutes early! And the tables were set-up!

Today, the girls went to a birthday party at HiWire. I don't think I will ever go back there on a Saturday again. They have a volleyball league so we had to park across a three-lane road at Academy. Unreal! But the party went well. Chloe, however, sprained her ankle. She is not a happy camper right now.

Never a dull moment

While I have been mulling things over for a few years now, I honestly had not written down any information (except a list of books to read) for high school for the girls. It dawned on me Sunday, Jesse will be starting high school when we start the new school year in June. Are you kidding?!

So, with that in mind, I called a "teacher work day" for Monday. I spent the morning grading papers, then doing research that afternoon for high school. I have a few things pinned down but not nearly everything that needs to be done. I did some more reading this morning while Jesse volunteered, but I'm not satisfied with what I found. I'll keep researching.

Yesterday, on our way to a doctor's appointment in Sumter, we passed Shaw Air Force Base. One of the jet pilots was practicing maneuvers. Wow! We were early for our appointment, so we pulled over to watch for a bit. They are amazing and the sounds are incredible! The girls had a great time watching. I could still hear the jets, in the distance, while we were in the doctor's office. I really do love being this close to all the military facilities; there is just so much to see and do.

I have a taekwondo story. I always tell our students to practice with all their muscles, because, while I hope they never need to use their skills, they made need to defend themselves one day. During our break, one of students had to do just that. A pick-pocket had taken his wallet, but this 14 year knew just what to do to get the guy to the ground then get help. While I wish he had not had the experience, I'm grateful he knew what to do and was safe in the end.