Sociable and enjoying it!

Today has been a very sociable day. One that would rock the boat of anyone who thinks that socialisation – or the lack thereof – is a good reason not to homeschool! Dieter woke feeling much better this morning after sleeping upstairs in Oupa and Ouma’s bed. I had a much better nights sleep waking only briefly twice to deal with two children who felt the need to interrupt my sleep, and I went back to sleep quickly. So for starters, Dieter was feeling more sociable today!

Before breakfast I had a brief heart-to-heart with Sheila in Cyprus – there’s just something about being able to ‘continue’ life stories and conversations without having to first provide the necessary background information! I would have preferred a nice long afternoon spent relaxing on her couch, but a quick chat on Facebook was wonderful!

Just before 10am I headed to Sylma’s house for the regular Friday morning get together of homeschoolers that she organises (There are other homeschooling groups in town, so there are tons of homeschoolers we haven’t met). I also had an arrangement with her to borrow the next 5 books I need to continue with our studies on Mongolia and Ryan and Jed are going to be thrilled to have 2 new read alouds and to be able to continue our Eastern Hemisphere journey. I was at Sylma’s for a little over an hour but really enjoyed connecting with moms I don’t see at the soccer practices. And, other than the ‘adult’ time I get to have, the range of conversation topics is always so inspiring! I always come away having learnt something new or with food for thought!

I then drove down to visit René and her family who live in Great Brak on a small-holding. Baby Alex is just 10 days old today and it’s the first time I’ve been well enough to visit them since they went home from the hospital. It was so nice to see Jean, René and their boys and Ethan and Aimee really enjoyed playing with 18 month old Lucas! While we were there the lady who helps René got a call to say her family urgently needed her, so Jean took her home where they told her that her husband had just died. It was devastating news for Jean and René who love and appreciate Naomi very much. Jean’s paternity leave has come to an end and he will return to work on Monday and now it looks like René won’t have Naomi’s assistance either. The sudden shock of the circumstances they all find themselves in (Naomi has 2 children and 5 of her deceased sister’s children to take care of) was overwhelming. Nothing takes God by surprise though, and it was good to encourage each other with that truth and for them to be reminded to just rest in God and allow Him to work all things out for their good.

After a brief stop at home for toasted samies over lunch time, the kids and I all headed out again for another homeschool get together at Walda’s house just around the corner from our house. As usual there was no shortage of things for us moms to discuss and the children have a wonderful time singing, participating in a Bible study together and then watching a short DVD as it was pouring with rain outside.

We’ve had a lovely day and ending it off with a yummy supper of flat breads that Ryan rolled and baked, and curried butternut and Lentils that Jed made makes it all perfect – despite the fact that the cold wind has blown furiously all day and that the rain has fallen heavily all afternoon. Our cups runneth over and we’re all going to sleep soundly tonight.