Busy days

I like busy days.  I like them especially when I wake to loads upon loads of laundry, plus the regular chores, plus some errands, and then the day goes well.  I don't mind being busy.  I do hate it when I have tons to do and no free time.

What is free time anyway to a homeschooling, work-at-home mother?  Is there such a thing?  I guess free time is that magical space when no one is screaming, bleeding, tired or scurrying to the potty with knees glued together.  There's nothing like the latter to get you up in a hurry.

But today, in spite of the baby beginning things in a very clingy, grumpy mood, I managed to get dh's dress pants and shirts done, plus two loads of bedding and the diapers.  There was dusting, general neatening, and putting away.  Always things to be put away.

We had a good day of school with a game of Simon Says and a discussion of Silent E.  In spite of herself, Miss Beatle is steadily working on mazes, increasing her manual dexterity without any instruction at all.  It's gonna be neat to work with her since she doesn't like me to work with her.

I did win one little victory.  Miss B used to put things away--she seemed to enjoy neatness and organizing like someone else I know very well (ahem).  She's lately been going the way of her brothers (and father, ahem), so I scooched down to her level and told her that she could practice for the days when she is a wife and mama by helping me pick up and put away.  The idea of her own household clearly resonated deeply with her, and in no time she was putting away crayons, beads and etc. in the school area.

Even though I like busy days, it will be nice to have an ally!