Recent self-portrait when i came out of my den to check which way the wind’s blowing.

Ok, so I’m not currently completely drowning and indeed have had a couple of productive days, so I’m going to quick document them for future reference on the days when there’s (theoretically) nowhere to go but up.

I can’t find my three-hole punch right now and that’s frustrating because I have made Kepler a “Daily Learning Notebook” that I found on a homeschooling blog and so I’m hole-punching papers one at a time with one of the old-timey punches that break your hand and stick in the papers so you have to force the handles apart. I still have lots of stuff that hasn’t found a permanent home from our move last year and apparently my three-hole punch is one of those things.

I was always secretly critical and judgmental of my dad for buying another widget when he couldn’t find the one he already had, but nowadays I can definitely see the wisdom in that. I love the idea of “a place for everything and everything in its place,” but I definitely have not been able to achieve that with any consistency. So I shall continue to hand punch until the three-holer shows its face again. (Haha unless I find myself in an office supply store in the hole-punch aisle!)

Some kids like visual schedules, but Kepler prefers LISTS. Lists that he can complete and check off. Here’s tomorrow’s list:

Sometimes Kepler struggles with doing a task he doesn’t want to do. He can be pretty stubborn and hard to talk into something. Sometimes bribery works. Sometimes “first this, then that” will motivate him. I decided to create something to help him get through those rough times. I modified the “serenity prayer” and then added some “I can” statements, with the culmination “I can and I will.” He uses this tool pretty often, and it’s neat to see him taking responsibility for himself. He took it upon himself to write the tips down in his own handwriting.

Kepler is a hard worker and is definitely being a trouper during this crazy time. If I weren’t such a grump bunny so often, we would probably just laugh and giggle our way through the days, but as it is, we do a lot of smiling. Until next time, take good care and I wish you well!