August 12, 2025

(click for today's pictures)  

• Another day of school and another afternoon filled with college move in day prep. We did the school thing this morning, and I think that maybe Whitman is getting into a routine of completing most things before lunch time. 
• When he completes 5 things, he earns himself a 7 minute break. Of course he has some things that are super quick (going over geography cards) but others take a lot longer (math or science). He obviously does the quicker things first and takes his break.
• Today and late last week, I would catch him after his break and sit nearby and slide him the next thing to do. He can take 5 minutes staring at his list trying to decide what to do next. If I can keep it going then that helps.
• Today at lunch time, he only had 3 things left-math (hard), reading (easy), and science (medium). I explained that he could have an hour break for lunch, but then he had to finish it all. I guess he didn't exactly hear me because at 5 he walked through the living room saying that he was going to to go and read. Tomorrow I will have to be more clear with my instructions.
• I didn't do any packing with Anderson today, but he had added a few things to his pile. I did do some shopping with Reagan. She is currently plant and lamp obsessed so today we went to Marshalls for her to buy a lamp that she has been wanting and then to Hobby Lobby to buy a plant for the pot she bough the other day. We did quickly stop at Goodwill just to see if they had any chairs. They did not, so she ended up buying a chair at Hobby Lobby-I had to ask the people if we would be able to bring it back inside if we couldn't get it in the car. It was close, but we were able to get it in the car.
• Actually, by the time we came home, the trunk was full, the backseat between Campbell and Keaton was full, and I was holding bags plus there were more at my feet while Reagan drove.
• Most of our purchases were at Walmart. She had not bought all of her essentials-cosmetics, school supplies, and snacks so we filled a buggy full. It took no time at all for Campbell and Keaton to leave us at Walmart and go their own way. They even found a few things themselves.
• Once at home, the kids started leaving-Anderson took Reagan's car to go and eat before playing volleyball. He took her car because Graham didn't want to drive the minivan. Then Graham left in the Suburban to play volleyball. Reagan wasn't going anywhere, but left a bit after the boys to go and play pickleball. Since she had let Anderson take her car, she had someone come and pick her up. 
• Tonight I have had my hot chocolate, crocheted 4 squares, and am now finishing up the blog-though I have at least 4 more hours to be awake since this house doesn't really come alive until 12ish lately.