Baby Loss Awareness Week

Did you know that October 9-15 this year is considered National Baby Loss Awareness Week?
I just found out a little bit ago.

Secret: I've been terrified most of my current pregnancy that I will lose my little boy... (maybe this is totally normal? there's a few reason's why, but posting them here seems inappropriate because it will only make me rant about a pet peeve, and that's not what I want to do in this post.)

I've never suffered the pain of miscarriage or losing a baby, and I hope I never do.
I don't/can't fully understand losing a baby, but ... I just wanted to make a small post in memory of those dear little ones and honoring my friends and family who've had to go through losing a baby. I have had so many friends who have suffered this loss recently, and my heart breaks for them. I won't share their names because I know it's incredibly personal, but I have cried for each of them when they've opened up to me about it.

To my friends and family who have lost a little one, I'm thinking of you this week.  You are in my thoughts and prayers, this week and often. You and your little ones are so loved.

Pajama Mondays

We've started a new tradition in the Neeley House-- Pajama Monday!

ok, ok, so Pajama Monday is really just accepting the fact that the kids and I often don't get out of our jammies on Monday... but now, we're making it an official tradition because we are combining it with Breakfast for Dinner Day (which used to be any night when I didn't feel like making a big dinner).

So now, Mondays are Officially Pajama Monday.  We wear our pj's all day, eat breakfast food for dinner, and may or may not make blanket forts in the living room to read in for story time. :-)

From pajama day last week while making pumpkin lanterns.

Fun Fridays

Since starting homeschool for Munchkin, I've fiddled and read about a million different ways to organize the school day/week/month/etc.

For now, Fridays are our "fun days."   Which means we play games all day: Memory, Candy Land, Go Fish, Uno is in our collection right now, but I'm hoping that expands quickly (to get list: Yahtzee, Shoots and Ladders, Connect 4.... any other suggestions?) Or we go to the park, or play tic-tac-toe in the driveway with sidewalk chalk.

(Though after reading "The Unschooling Handbook" (by Mary Griffith), I'm beginning to wonder if any day really needs the designation "fun day" outside of "real learning school days." More of my thoughts on this are forthcoming in another blog post where I review the handbook and my developing thoughts on the unschooling philosophy.)