Every day we start our schooling off by reading the Book of Mormon. We're following along with Primary and trying to read it by the end of the year. We got a little behind in the summer, so we're doubling up here and there. It takes us probably an hour to read what could normally be read in 15 minutes. Here's why:
I have Pokemon King and Dinodude read as well as myself. If I'm the only one reading, I may as well be reading to a wall! So, first they have to pick which verses they want to read. Easy? Not a chance. They both like to read the last few verses of the chapter. They both want to read only the short verses. So, it takes us 10 minutes to decide who's reading what. Can they do it without arguing? Of course not! While Pokemon King tells me what he wants to read, Dinodude is yelling out, "Hey, that's what I was going to read!" The same thing goes when Dinodude is picking. So, I finally have to tell them who's reading what. Five minutes later, we can finally start reading.
We have a small futon in our schoolroom that the boys like to sit on. As I start reading, they start annoying each other: "Move your leg!" "Get off me!" "Stop pushing me!" So, I finally say, "Everyone to the table!" Another 5 minutes gone.
We're finally in a rhythm of reading. Here's how the rest of our reading goes:
ME: And now it came to pass...(Dinodude's hand shoots up)
Dinodude: Where are we at?
Me: Verse 1. And now it came to pass in the twenty and sixth year of the reign of the judges...(Dinodude's hand....again)
Dinodude: Can I get a drink?
Me: After we're done. (I continue) ....over the people of Nephi....
Pokemon King: Mom. Dinodude's drawing!
Me: Dinodude, please pay attention. (continuing) ...behold, when the Lamanites....(Dinodude...again)
Dinodude: Mom, Pokemon King's not sitting at the table!
Me: Pokemon King, please sit at the table. (continuing) ...awoke on the first morning of the first month... (Babymoon decides he's hungry, so we pause so I can change him and get his bottle-then I continue while feeding him) ....behold, they found...(I pause at the sound of Dinodude & Rocket fighting over the scriptures. Dinodude finally gives in and let's Rocket have his scriptures-I continue) ....Amalickiah was dead in his own tent....(Rocket's hand goes up!)
Rocket, with the scriptures open: Where are we at?
This continues throughout our entire scripture reading session. See why it takes an hour? Sometimes more! So, again, I ask...It's the thought that counts, right?