What We are Reading This Week, Familes in Need, and Field Trips!

As you can probably infer from the lack of blog posts I have busy for the last week! I coordinate volunteers at my church to host homeless families as part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The families stay at our church for 1 week in October and 2 weeks in February. In order to host the families, we provide hosts for dinners, hosts overnight, and people to bring in supplies. For the 2-week February stay, I coordinate people to fill approximately 150 slots. It is quite an undertaking, to say the least. I start recruiting volunteers right after Christmas and am usually filling the last spots the day the guests move in - sometimes during the first week of their stay!  Basically the buck stops with me, so if someone can't fulfill on something, it is up to me to arrange a replacement or fill in myself. I am also the main point of contact through the week for volunteers, the guests, and the staff of IHN. I never sleep well for the duration. There is part of my brain wired to wake at the slightest noise for fear I miss a call. It is a gift to get to work with so many of the generous people and families of my church community. I am always inspired by how much people are willing to do for the families in need. I cherish being able to create the opportunity for people to serve others. I am honored to do this important work, but always relieved when the visit is successful and I get a few months to breath!

In the midst of this and all the usual things I have responsibility for, I'm now a homeschooling mom. Yikes!

Last week I was feeling quite anxious about being able to do it all. I had a realization, however. What a valuable experience to be part of for a child! Instead of adhering to our normal routine, I explained to D what I was doing and why it was important. I brought him to church with me in the evening when I unlocked the doors to church to let in the guests and dinner hosts. He struck up a friendship with one of the pre-teen boys staying with us and has been looking forward to going with me to play with him. Several of the dinner hosts brought their own children, and on Saturday night a wonderful spontaneous Valentine making craft project emerged. We had a great time. D and I have been talking about how a family might lose their homes. We made Valentine's good bags for the guests together on Sunday and D gave each family theirs when we arrived that evening. The families were very touched at the sentiment and thanked him. He was very proud to give them their gifts. In saying grace before our evening meal, he has been expressing his gratitude for having plenty to eat. It's been quite moving and an important reminder to me why our family has chosen to homeschool!

So, this week we've kept may of the same books in the mix from last week.

• How to Make an Apple Pie and See The World - with our FIAR curriculum.
• The Runaway Bunny 
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Brigid's Cloak; An Ancient Irish Story
• Raven and River 

We've also been doing lot's of sounding out of works. D is quite curious about spelling, so he's been asking what letters different words start with and how to spell his name and some of his favorite books, characters, and movies. It's pretty cool!

And finally, we have 3 field trips this week planned. Today we went to the Higgins Armory with D's dad and made  a knight's shield and saw the arms show. We didn't spend a lot of time there as D's cold had him a little down, but had a great time.  Wednesday we'll take in the new planetarium show at the EcoTarium - Sesame Street in Space! And Friday we're heading into Boston for our first visit to the Children's Museum with some friends. Good to get out and about. February in New England be be a bit grueling even for those that like winter!