It’s hard to believe, but Wiley, 7 ½, is now almost as tall as me, and 2 ½ year old Kiran is almost as tall and heavy as Mira, who just turned 5. Everyone is now big into potty humor, especially Kiran, who has been peeling stripes into our oranges and calling them butt cracks.
The kids continue to enjoy home schooling and all their activities. Wiley, always one for the odd obsessions, has become an expert on Malta, Moldovia, and the Maldives, and has written a “Deklarashun of Independants” demanding that I teach him cursive handwriting. He’s very excited that he just learned how to knit, and is actively spreading the word that the Continental method of knitting is far superior to the American way. He spends his allowance on books and yarn. Mira is excited to be learning addition, and hopefully will start reading now that vision exercises have helped her focus. She’s earned her purple belt in karate and is now taking Spanish classes with her friends.
Kiran, or “Fight Guy,” as we call him, is especially enjoying the Story of the World curriculum, since the Middle Ages involve a lot of killing, bashing, barbarians, and armed invasions. He’s very upset that he can’t knit or take Spanish. It’s quite funny hearing him say things like “Mom, I need my vitamins and acidophilus,” and “Mom, read more about Justinian,” then turn around and say “my yegs hurt.” Sarath is very happy he has a child who is into football (“you be the yinebacker!”), and I’m happy because occasionally they ALL go to football games.
In addition to the intergenerational choir and Harmony Hill, we’re now doing a science cooperative, Cub Scouts, and hopefully this Winter we’ll start a 4H group dedicated to sustainable farming and homesteading skills. With any luck, 2006 will bring us chickens and a chicken coop (and hopefully no bird flu.)