Reading 'Riting 'Rithmetic

Wow, what a giveaway!

2009-11-18T21:48:00.002-07:00

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
I'd like to get my wedding ring fixed, I'd like a nice wide prime lens for my camera with a good macro function for taking pictures of baby, I'd like an Ergo baby carrier, a set of Harmony wood knitting needles, and maybe some nice wool for knitting more socks
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
I've gotten quite a few over the years from my very crafty family, but I guess I love the blanket my grandma crocheted for me, and the other quilt my other grandmother made for me best of all.
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I've always wanted to make a quilt. Also Waldorf dolls were on the list and I just finished making three for my girls this year for Christmas.
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
My goodness, I have no idea. Maybe my very own stereo system with a record player or my electric piano.
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
They all want very specific webkinz
6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Pretzel jello!!
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
Waldorf dolls for each girl and wardrobes for said dolls, doll slings, and a pair of jammies for each girl. Also some other things I cannot blog about!
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
Family Man, Elf, The Santa Claus, pretty much any sweet and sappy holiday movie!
9. Favorite holiday song?
I love Christmas Carols. O Holy Night, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, pretty much all of them!
10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Cooking, baking, canning, crafting, singing, decorating, just not cleaning :)

Too cute not to share

2009-11-13T08:25:00.002-07:00

Just had this conversation with my 6-year old:

Her: Mom, there is something I want to ask Jesus when I get to heaven.

Me: Yeah baby, what's that?

Her: I want to ask if I can be a kid forever.

Me: Well, that is something we just don't know about heaven, right? Maybe we will all be grown ups.

Her: Maybe we will all be born again! I want to be born again because I like having chubby cheeks!

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/handmade-dress-patterns-guest-giveaway.html

2009-11-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/handmade-dress-patterns-guest-giveaway.html

This giveaway rocks. I am planning to make each of my girls dresses for Christmas, and I love each of these patterns!

Too cute!

Just had to blog about this great giveaway!

2009-10-18T14:02:00.002-06:00

Wouldn't this be the perfect Christmas gift for Ainsley?

http://mamasamess.blogspot.com/2009/10/all-childrens-furniturecom-giveaway.html

She even got to meet her favorite author again yesterday, Donita K Paul. She found out that the book she is currently reading, The Vanishing Sculptor, will have a sequel and Donita is already on chapter 24 of it! So exciting.

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately! Maybe I will get back into it :)

Another awesome giveaway, that you just better not enter!

2009-06-07T18:55:00.003-06:00

This one is humongous!! I promise a real blog entry soon, just as soon as I stop finding all these awesome contests to enter :)

Look at this awesome fabric giveaway!

2009-06-07T15:50:00.000-06:00

The Fabric Shoppe isgiving away a huge stack of fat quarters! Aren't they gorgeous?!

But don't enter, okay, so that I will win? Please?! Pretty Please?!!

http://the-fabric-shopper.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaway-30-fat-quarters-katie-jump.html

Spring is here

2009-06-02T09:00:00.003-06:00

Somehow, time has gotten away from me, and all the things I have been meaning to do keep getting pushed to the back burner. (And in our house, there is only one working back burner, so things back there take a long time to get sorted out!) I've been meaning to post on my blog more frequently, meaning to talk about our first year with COVA, meaning to talk about the end of the year at co-op, meaning to talk about the dismal behavior my children have been exhibiting as of late, etc. The list really could go on and on and on.

As of this week, we have nearly completely finished our required schoolwork for the year, and in the push to get that all finished, I have had little time to think and reflect. One of the last big things we had to finish was the Scantron exams. Ainsley took hers in Reading and Math, Liberty took hers in Math only. I was concerned because at the beginning of the year, both girls were behind in Math according to the test. I really wanted to see improvement from the beginning of the year. And I don't hang my hat on standardized testing to show us how we are doing, but I do think they can be a useful tool to help guide our focus in the year to come. Well, both girls did great and had HUGE improvements in their scores. Ainsley is reading at probably a tenth grade level. She got nearly 100% on the test. And the way the test works, it scales itself based on their answers, easing up when they answer incorrectly, advancing as they continue to answer correctly. We thought the test would never end because she kept answering correctly :) Ainsley was also below target in Math at the beginning of the year and had improved to nearly advanced in Math on this test! I know she really had an exposion of understanding in Math this year, which made her feel good, and me feel really proud! Liberty also did great in Math, only a couple of points away from advanced. Now, if only she would believe in her own ability, I think she would do even better!

So, I am glad to have seen real progress in my girls this year, not only on these test, but in their daily work. Liberty is reading so much better, and is actually beginning to enjoy reading for pleasure and outloud to her younger sister. And Melody can read almost as well as Liberty now, sounding out almost everything I put in front of her! This summer, we are going to continue to work on math and reading, though it won't be everyday. They've worked hard and deserve to play and have lots of fun. We will probably take several field trips and work on bookwork 3x a week.

In other news, my BABY has a loose tooth! I can't believe it. She is only five and a half! We were eating corn on th ecob the other night and she was having trouble, which is strange because she is usually the first to devour her corn! She was saying it was too hard to eat. Then she felt in her mouth and said, "My tooth is wiggly!" I couldn't believe it, but sure enough those two bottom teeth are wiggly, one is just about to fall out! I am not ready for this!

100 things to do before starting Kindergarten

2009-04-21T23:03:00.003-06:00

This is for Miss Melody:

1. Go to the zoo—Yup, have had a membership a couple of times, and all three would love if we had one again

2. Visit a farm—yes, and a ranch :)

3. Go on a hike— of course, next up begin training to make it up Pike's Peak!

4. Play with kittens or puppies—as often as possible

5. Catch a frog—yup, thanks Nana and Papa

6. Make a gigantic mess—without a thought

7. Help clean up a gigantic mess— if tasked with specific objectives

8. Master the monkey-bars— working on it at the new park we found, but they are still awfully high up for her taste

9. Swing high up into the sky all by themselves— not so hot at the pumping of the legs yet

10. Try ice-skating - even in our own back yard, and she LOVES it sometimes, hehe

11. Go sledding—again in our own back yard, haven't braved the really big hills yet

12. Make a snow-man—Yes

13. Blow bubbles—YES

14. Plant seeds and watch them grow—Watching them grow daily

15. Have a pillow fight—Yes with my poor pathetic couch pillows

16. Jump on a big bed—Yes.

17. Jump on a trampoline or in a bounce house—Yes, again daily

18. Hang out in a tent—Yup. Even in a massive thunderstorm!

19. Spend days at the beach—Yes

20. Build sandcastles—Yes, ah, I miss CA sometimes

21. Go fishing—Yup, but did we catch anything, nope nope nope

22. Go out on a boat—Hmm, not sure about this one. Does Disneyland count?

23. Play with blocks and puzzles—Yes.

24. Read the classic picture books—Yes.

25. Read a classic chapter book—Yes. She has listened to Narnia and Alice through the Looking Glass, as well as all the stuff we read for school. Loves Mrs. Pigglewiggle

26. Check out library books with their own library card—Not yet.

27. Get a passport—Sadly, no.

28. Carve a pumpkin—Yes.

29. Hold a newborn baby (to see how much they’ve grown) - Yes

30. Love a special doll or stuffed animal—Yes, her babies are all special and her kitties.

31. Bake cookies and cakes—Of course!

32. Help plan their own birthday party— yup, her Alice in Wonderland party this year!

33. Go to the circus— supposed to go next week!

34. Go to a museum on a quiet weekday—Yes

35. Play hide-and-seek— yes

36. Play a board game— Balloon Lagoon and Candy Land are the current favorites

37. Do nothing whatsoever all day— more often than not, lol

38. Try a sport— just at co-op

39. Watch a sporting event— been to several Minor League Baseball games

40. Learn to swim— mostly

41. Be tickled in hysterics— often!

42. Paint and draw as much as desired— yup

43. Have the use of scissors and glue— yup

44. Display artworks and other creations around the house— taped to many walls and the fridge

45. Learn to use a camera (and keep an album of the results!)— one day we took an entire roll of film and printed them out into their own albums, I love those! We also use the digital camera a lot, but haven't printed those pictures very often.

46. Play with clay—Yes.

47. Pick flowers—Often, and they usually end up behind her ear.

48. Climb a tree— The big one in the front yard!

49. Gaze at the moon and stars— Yes, especially while camping

50. Toast marshmallows—Of course!

51. Learn to eat an ice-cream cone - Yup, too bad the photographic proof is mia currently!

52. Watch a sunset—Yes, over the lake while camping, aaaahhh, and at the ocean, and over the Peak . . .

53. Learn to write their own names— Yes, all over everything

54. Learn their addresses and telephone numbers— yes

55. Learn their parents’ full names—Yes.

56. Set the table—Yes.

57. Clear the table—Yes.

58. Help wash the dishes—Yes.

59. Learn to say their pleases and thank yous and excuse mes—Yes, usually

60. Watch fireworks—We even let her stay up til midnight to watch the fireworks off the peak

61. Go to the ballet or theater or a puppet show— Yes, we saw Narnia on stage and she loved it

62. Put on a ballet or play or puppet show at home—All the time

63. Face paint—Of course!!

64. Dress up in costumes at will—Frequently

65. Learn rhymes and poems and songs by heart—Yup

66. Have a dance party—Yes, quite often

67. Enjoy friends at preschool and at the park—Yes, and I am so glad we have had co-op this year for building those friendships

68. Invite friends over to play—Yes.

69. Get to know grandparents—Yes.

70. Play with cousins—Second cousins, as they don't have any cousins yet (And we aren't in a hurry for that either! Get married first girls!)

71. Become attached to a wonderful preschool teacher and/or babysitter—She loves Miss Stephanie, Miss Jackie, Mr. Jason, and she has always loved her teachers at church

72. Learn the name of our president—Yup

73. Know the name of their town, state and country—Yup

74. Be familiar with a map of the world—We love the maps and globe around here!

75. Listen to music from many different ages and genres—Yes.

76. Hear and learn words from a different language— She listens to her sisters' French and watches Muzzy, plus we sing songs in Spanish

77. Learn the difference between trash and recycling— Working on it!

78. Grow their own vegetables—Not for lack of trying, but we are not super successful round these parts.

79. Learn to ride a bike (or try!)— Yup, its two wheels all the way now!

80. Take a road trip—Yes, many, many road trips.

81. Draw a self-portrait—Yes.

82. Slurp alphabet soup—Yup, and spell her name with her soup

83. Learn to twirl spaghetti on a fork—Yes

84. Pick apples—Not yet, though we have a trip to the orchard planned for the fall

85. Star in a home movie—Yes.

86. Learn a magic trick—Hmm, not that I know of, but we do say, Ta-Dah! alot

87. Try different hair-dos—All the time

88. Practice writing letters—Yes

89. Practice counting to 100—And beyond

90. Make up stories—Yup, funny ones too!

91. Send a letter—Not often enough

92. Receive a letter—Yes, thank you grandparents and cousins!

93. Ride on a merry-go-round—Even a double-decker one! And one at the beach, and Disneyland!

94. Give away toys and books to less fortunate children—Yes

95. Learn the value of coins and bills—Knows most of them, not all though

96. Keep a piggy bank—Yes

97. Try a musical instrument—The violin and the piano, the glockenspiel, and the recorder, multiple percussion instruments too

98. Have a heartfelt wish granted—Maybe?

99. Have a heartfelt wish denied—Probably, but I can't think of something specifically

100. Receive a million (make that a billion) heartfelt kisses and hugs from their parents—Of course!

My new gig

2009-03-06T11:30:00.003-07:00

I was invited about a month ago by a blogging friend to be a part of a wonderful homeschool resource called The Homeschool Post as part of the team of contributing writers. I was so honored, as I have really admired these gals! They are veteran bloggers and homeschoolers, and I am such a newbie to the blogosphere. My first post is up, and I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog! If there is anything you think I ought to write about, I am up for the suggestions!

Also, be praying for us next week please, Ainsley has state standardized tests 3 mornings next week, and she is feeling a bit overwhelmed. I am really not concerned about the test results, I just want her to do her best and try hard. She has been having a rough couple of weeks, and has slipped back into some behaviours that I thought we were long past. It hasn't been my finest parenting hours lately, and I am feeling overwhelmed. I covet your prayers, truly!

Oh, and here are some quick pics from our Valentine's day photo shoot. I need to take a picture of their actual Valentine's cards. They were so cute, if I do say so myself!

School, SpED, parties, and sickness, Oh my!

2009-02-16T18:31:00.002-07:00

I feel like I have been a whirling, twirling top ever since we got home from California in January. We've been on the go nearly constantly, or stuck at home in bed. We even missed a week of co-op due to fevers and a stomach virus. It seems that at least one of us has had some sort of virus since the first week of January, and no amount of bleach and Lysol will rid us of these germs! When we haven't been sick, we've been at special ed evaluations, co-op, get-togethers with long lost friends, and parties. There really just hasn't been a moment to sit and reflect, much less to actually blog those reflections!

The special evaluations went well for the most part, confirming much of what I already knew and giving me some insights into my Sensory-challenged child. Girlfriend is brilliant in math, has excellent language processing skills, writes and articulates like a pre-schooler. We are going to be doing some handwriting therapy, speech therapy, and allowing for some accommodations, like reading all assignments except the Barton Program and actual reading, outloud. Her OT would like us to go for a private evaluation in the big city for a more thorough sensory evalution, beyond her capabilities in the little facilty we attend. Funny thing is, she has really bonded with the speech therapist and will do all sorts of things for her! She had previously met with the speech therapist and gotten all settled into the environment before meeting for the first time with the OT. OT said she wouldn't have had any idea about most of her issues if she hadn't heard them from me or heard the observations of the ST. Crazy. We were even able to do a short eval with the psych, and may try to do another eventually, which in all our years of therapy and evals we've never been able to do. Much of this paragraph probably makes little sense, but I really can't read through it and don't have the energy for more, so this will have to do for now. If anyone wants to know more about it, feel free to ask!

The thing is, having a child who for the most part, appears to be normal, but has serious coping issues can be so frustrating for the parents. And I know its hard on her too. But it feels so unfair sometimes. I have high expectations for this kid, and I am not content to let her isolate herself from the world. At the same time, I daily feel like I am a failure as a parent. That someone else could parent her so much more effectively than me.

(Uh Oh! More breaking glass just heard upstairs!!! Yesterday Mellie broke the glass turntable on the microwave. Second microwave she's disabled in just 5 short years. Actually its only been 6 months between breakages!)

What was I saying, oh yeah, I am a failure as a parent. Daily. The thing is, I know I am not doing my best, and that there is always room from improvement. I feel like I am giving constantly, and it's so draining to relive the same struggles day after day. Tonight, for example, the girls and daddy sat down to play a card game, and daddy tried to teach them the actual rules, even though they had been playing all afternoon with their own rules. Libs was convinced from the get-go that she was going to lose, just like she always does. She either has to win, or she doesn't want to play because everyone else must be cheating. Anyway, it all fell apart when she did something against the rules and she proceeded to have a massive screaming fit in the middle of the kitchen. Her normal MO is to run away and slam the door. I wouldn't let her leave. Her screams got louder and more blood-curdling as I continued to make her stay in the kitchen. All the while, I am trying to stir stuff in the (broken) microwave, on the stovetop, and not burn the stuff in the oven. Of course, it means stuff boils over on the oven and I drop four things out of the freezer on to my toe. I get sick to my stomach and lose my appetite. I get a huge headache. Eventually, she calms down enough to join the family at the table, whereupon it is discovered that nothing I have prepared is edible for this child. Vegetables! The Horror! Ravioli! Disgusting, this pasta is not long and straight! Red Spaghetti Sauce! Evil! All must scream and cry because no one can tolerate the nastiness gracing our table. She was asked to leave the table due to her inability to calm herself down. The evening ended for me when I left the table feeling miserable. Now, here I am blogging and watching Chuck, feeling sorry for myself. I spent about a half an hour in prayer, and she eventually calmed down enough to return to the table for a few bites to eat before bed. Unfortunately it feels like this routine repeats itself in different Variations on the Theme, nightly. UGH.

I am anticipating that we might eventually be able to work though some of this in therapy. Not that I think we can solve all our issues overnight, but I need some new strategies. And so does she.

In other news, lots of parties, including my girls' first real Valentines' parties. We even had a skating party and all the girls improved in their roller skating abilities. They all still prefer the ice, but they can at least make it around the roller rink a few times! And now the Valentine's Day cards are all stashed away in secret hiding spaces to be saved until the end of time. I really need to take a picture of the cards I made for the girls. They turned out super cute and were quite a hit!

I was also approached about a new opportunity to write, and when I know more I will pass it along! It sounds like it will be a lot of fun to be a part of a great community!

I really ought to be getting ready to go . . .

2009-02-02T13:24:00.002-07:00

But I am procrastinating with a meme instead. Feel free to play along and let me know if you do!

Use the first letter of your name to find a word for each of the following:

Your Name - Gretchen
Four letter word - grow
Boy name - Gerald
Girl name - Gertrude
Occupation - grocer
Color - green
Beverage - green tea (is that cheating?)
Something found in a bathroom - grime, eww
A Place - Grover, PA
Reason for being late - grounded? grouchy? ran out of gas?
Food - gingersnaps
Something you shout - Grrrrr-eat!

Picture Princess - Melody

2009-01-16T08:48:00.003-07:00

So, Shabby Baby is having a contest for their model for the Spring Collection! Wouldn't Melody be just perfect?! She is such a little princess anyway, and I always call her my Picture Princess. She is my child who will always willingly model for me when I have a fun photo idea, or the light is just right. And she is all about the swirly-twirly dress, even in the dead of winter! She asks nearly every morning if she can wear a pretty dress for the day. Remember for her birthday how I sewed her a frilly Alice dress?

It is still one of the first things she will tell people about when they ask how old she is! She loves to pick out special bows for her hair to match, is the queen of all things pink and sparkly, carries her wand with us wherever we go. When asked to pick 3 toys to take with us to California, she picked her wand, her kitty, and a sparkly tiara. Then she got two more sparkly tiaras for Christmas! She is the girliest girl in the house, and would be completely thrilled to win a brand new wardrobe full of all sorts of gorgeous frocks! Of course, she is just as home in the mud and cowboy boots as she is in sparkly shoes and twirly skirts, but that doesn't make her any less of a princess, right?

Wouldn't this dress be just perfect for Miss Melody?! Or this one?!

My little sparkly girl :)

Woohoo, happy early birthday to me!

2009-01-09T09:37:00.001-07:00

Because I am too busy to talk about anything . . .

2008-12-17T22:11:00.002-07:00

Here is a little meme:

Rules: bold it if you’ve done it.

1. Started your own blog (obviously)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Like Band? or like a Rock Band? Because yes to the first, no to the second! Man, I miss being part of an orchestra.)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (DisneyWorld) (many times, even DisneyWorld for our honeymoon!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (seen plenty from my own window, while camping, and over a lake in Guatemala)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Um, does Mexico count?)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (not yet but that is our next family vacation destination!)
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (it was a giant flannel and denim one, but I would like to do a proper one!)

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T14:53:00.002-07:00

I'm finally sitting down for a moment! I've been baking, cooking, sauteing, and washing all day long. Actually since yesterday!

I am feeling so thankful for a home, a family, modern conveniences, groceries, and a clean table. Even though I have been really sick all week, I am still thankful. Especially for Nyquil.

I should probably try to take pictures and document our yummy meal. Maybe I will even get around to uploading them someday!

And now, I need to go uncover the turkey and pop the dressing and sweet potatoes into the oven.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sewing frustration

2008-11-08T22:47:00.002-07:00

URG. urg. urg. urg. urg. urg.

Does that accurately portray what I am currently feeling?

URG

I was in the very last stage of a new pair of flannel jammies for Melody, just needed to gather and sew the sleeves on, when I fiddled with the feed dog mechanism on my machine. Now, it is dead dead dead to all regular sewing. I cannot believe it. I was already frustrated with it because it was refusing to cooperate earlier. I cannot ever get the stupid automatic button holer to work. Oh, how I miss the four step button hole on my mom's machine. But now . . . now, the material will not feed through the machine. I am so completely disgusted.

I looked up several repair shops in the area, and its going to be a minimum of about $90 to $140 to get it repaired!!!!!!!!!!! I can go buy a new machine from Costco for $179. My machine is from 2001, so it isn't ancient or anything. It shouldn't be falling to pieces already. I thought for sure that when I *someday* got a new machine, it would be an upgrade to a real embroidery machine. So much for that idea :S A new machine was so not in the budget. But I have about 10 different sewing projects either in process or that I need to finish before Christmas.

Now I just need to decide if I am going to find a cheap used machine for the time being, or go grab something from Costco or Sam's, or just make due borrowing a machine from a friend to finish the current project.

UGH!!! It just really bugs me that I have taken the whole darn machine apart and I cannot find a reason why it is being difficult. If you know me, you know that I like to be able to fix whatever is broken. And not being able to fix it just makes me want to throw it out the window!!!

And. . . Why is sewing repair and maintenance so incredibly expensive now? I remember I used to take the old machine in for about $30 for standard maintenance. Here the minimum is $69 for basic cleaning!

urg . . . urm. . . ugh

Molly Cat - or "God answers prayers . . ."

2008-10-26T17:03:00.002-06:00

Over at Parent Bloggers a contest about pets is being sponsored by Burger King. I thought it was the perfect excuse to talk about how Molly came into our family!

When we moved to Colorado, one of the perks our kids were excited about was the fact that we would have a bigger home and yard, and therefore space for a new addition to the family - a pet, not a baby. We had been through more than our fair share of pets already, and my husband was not anxious to try another. We ended up with 2 parakeets and a fish for the girls. And while the parakeets are fun to listen to, and talk to, they aren't snuggly or cuddly, and don't really play with you very well. And the fish died. Note to self: tropical fish and cold climates do not mix.

So eventually, the girls started asking for a cat or a dog. The husband firmly said absolutely no dogs. I am a dog person myself, but they do take a lot of commitment and our last dog experience was not a positive one. So we started praying about the possibility of getting a cat. I started browsing the local humane society's website and looking at their pictures of cats. I was thinking of adopting an older cat, but the husband and kids were really hoping for a kitten. After lots of considering, I realized that in a loud household like ours, it might be better to get a kitten who could grow up used to the noise! And kittens are quite playful. Still, I knew that we needed a very special cat. One that would put up with being petted, maybe not as gently as we might like. One that would play with us, not run and hide from us. One that would not shed too much. And one that would be willing to stay indoors, and maybe even catch mice!

The girls and I prayed a lot for several weeks about finding just the right cat for our family, one that we would love and that would love (tolerate!) us back. One Friday afternoon while browsing on the H.S. website I came across an adorable blue-eyed siamese cat named Stevie. She looked so sweet, and I knew in my heart that she was the cat for us! We prayed about it again, and the girls talked to daddy, who said we could go look at her in the morning. That Saturday was the last of a special month of an adopt-a-thon, and it was SO busy! We wandered through the facility, but couldn't see Stevie anywhere. And I had forgotten the paper with her number on it at home, which is the only way the HS could look her up and find her for us. All the kittens that we liked were already spoken for, and we really knew that it was Stevie that we wanted. I remembered that I had e-mailed the hubby the day before, and he had his Palm cell phone with him, so we could look up the number! Hooray! I had to stand in a long line again to request a visit with Stevie's number, if she were still there. We got to the front, and lo and behold, she had been put into isolation because of the kitty respiratory virus. It was as if God had set her aside specifically for us. The isolation unit cannot be seen from the public viewing area, and if she'd been in the public area, she would most likely have been already adopted that day. We had no problem getting a kitten with the respiratory infection because we were taking her to the vet anyway, and we had no other animals that she could infect.

It was so perfect, and such a great way for my children to see the hand of God at work in their lives in such a small, but important way. We finally got to hold little Stevie in our arms, listen to her sweet mewing, and check her out. She took to all of us right away, and especially my husband. We were able to take her home with us that day, give her the name Molly, and just love on her like crazy.

To this day, Molly is the most unique cat I have ever known. She is almost dog-like in the way that she follows me around from room to room. She has to be a part of whatever I am doing, whether is working with power tools to put up bookshelves, or making the beds, or schooling the girls. She had to be right in the middle of the workers who were installing our new water heater last year. She comes when you call her name, just because she wants to be with you. She loves to play with hair bands and crumpled paper. And she loves to catch mice and wasps and spiders and moths, making the strangest chattering sound at the insects. She loves to curl up in her bed in the sun, or sleep on my lap while I type. She is in every way the exactly perfect cat for our family, and I couldn't ask for a better pet! We remind the girls all the time that Molly shows us how God cares about every detail of our lives, and we can go to him with our smallest concerns and our biggest ones.

I am sure there is more I could add about our sweet Molly, but I have to run to bake a pie, and I have already interrupted myself about 10 times in the middle of writing this post! If I have any chance of getting this published tonight, I'd better do it now :)

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Burger King Corp.”

Getting political

2008-10-25T17:21:00.002-06:00

Ok, I realize my readership is practically miniscule, but I cannot stay silent. I was just sent this link from Focus on the Family Action and it makes me want to throw up. It is a fictional letter from the year 2012 based on facts and, while not a prediction, it is a glimpse into what the future could hold for us if Barack Obama is elected president of the United States.

I just cannot fathom how any Christian could be swayed into voting for a man who has proven himself time and again to vote as liberal as possible. Honestly, I am so disturbed by the possibility that this man could one day hold so much sway over my rights. Read the letter, and just put yourself in that time frame for one moment, and then tell me if it doesn't scare the cr@$ right out of you. I know that Christians will one day find themselves the object of extreme persecution, but I wouldn't want to be a part of ushering it in. I would like to continue to teach my children how I see fit, when I see fit. I consider myself extraordinarily blessed to be a part of something like COVA, where the "teacher" assigned to us also attends our church, where I can continue to teach my children about the Bible, and Jesus Christ who died for our sins. I cannot imagine Jesus voting for Obama.

Its just scary.

And there are nine billion blogs out there right now about politics, but I have never felt more strongly that we NEED to get out there and vote. And seriously consider what Jesus would do. Do I think John McCain is the perfect choice for our country? Not necessarily, but in light of the alternative I say a resounding YES! Please, if you are a citizen of this country, get out there and vote. Don't tell your children one day that you would have voted, or you would have done something differently. Make the effort. Go early, so many places are now allowing early voting. Make your voice be heard. Pray. And Vote.

And now I am hopping of my soapbox, and praying I don't have nightmares after reading that fictional, but highly probable letter.

Melody is 5

2008-10-17T16:45:00.003-06:00

Melody is 5
Originally uploaded by Curly Top

I cannot cannot cannot believe my BABY, my youngest, my littlest, is a five year old! She is learning how to read, loves to write, loves to sing and dance, is every bit the princess, the baby, and the trouble-maker. I love her to pieces, and I seriously cannot imagine life without her. I just can't believe that tiny little thing is FIVE!

Birthday party preparations

2008-10-14T15:11:00.002-06:00

My baby turns 5 today!! And for some crazy reason, we are having her birthday party tomorrow afternoon, so today is preparation day! I have no idea what I am doing for dinner tonight, and we are going to have cupcakes for dessert and the candles tonight. I finished sewing her Alice costume so she can wear it to her party tomorrow. I am trying to make cupcakes in the shape of teacups. We will see how that goes. And I am packing up little party bags with homemade peppermint hot cocoa. So I need to print tags for the party bags and the cocoa. Oh my. Oh my. Why am I typing instead of working? Oh yeah because the cupcakes are in the oven. And I have a million things I should be doing, but my feet are just killing me.

Kevin took Melody out this morning for her birthday breakfast, so very sweet. And they had a blast. Let's see, I kicked the middle child out of the house today and sent her off with a friend. Her jealousy was making it hard to get anything done, and it was giving me a headache. She is going to go to a friend's hockey game and then come home. Or I may go get her before the game, who knows?

This may just be my most rambling post ever, which shows how my brain is right now!

Anyway, back to printing, and checking out how my cupcakes are doing. Hopefully I can actually break out the camera and finally get some pictures of the goodies and my sweet baby who now is one whole hand old!

How I spent my Sunday Evening . . .

2008-10-05T22:57:00.001-06:00

Thanks to a willing friend, Kevin and I have been able to have 2 date nights in 2 weekends in a row. Normally we'd try to space things out a bit, but that's just how it happened to work out!

Tonight we went to the World Arena for the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars! It was quite surreal and very fun. I took about ninety-nine million pictures and filled up a memory card. Silly me, I didn't bring an extra either!! Whoops.

And someday I will eventually get around to processing the pictures and sharing them with the world who will no longer care because I will be ninety-nine years old and no longer able to remember who anyone is. Oh well.

But here is a shot to tide you over in the meantime!

It was lots of fun, and if the show comes your way, and you have any interest in gymnastics (and don't mind listening to Disney-pop for a long long time) I highly recommend the show!

Trying out this audio uploader thingamajig

2008-09-28T11:12:00.003-06:00

Melody surprised me last night by reading the first book from the K12 phonics readers that came for Liberty (they send the whole program, not just the level she is on!). Its great because its a very comprehensive phonics program, and will be great for Melody and Liberty. Anyway, this morning she wanted to read the last chapter of the first book, and I had my laptop on my lap with its little bit in microphone. I thought it would be fun to record her reading the book :) So here is my four-year-old reading! I made 4 recordings, but the last one broke down into silliness . . .

Crossing my fingers that these audio clips work. :)

What a morning. . .

2008-09-26T08:12:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe the ridiculousness that has been this morning. Ugh ugh ugh. Was shocked out of bed by massive shattering glass. In my suddenly awakened brain, I saw flashes near the skylight of our bedroom and thought it was the skylight crashing down on us. I screamed, and had a near fatal heart attack. Then I hopped out of bed and realized the cat had knocked over the door mirror which had recently been dislodged from its home on the back of the bedroom door. The next hour, until around 6 am, was spent in gloves and shoes cleaning up tiny shards of broken glass spread up and down the staircase, upstairs hall, our bedroom, the landing, the main floor, and the sitting room next to the stairs. My vacuum was doing overtime, and apparently had recently been lowered so it tore up little bits of carpet while I used the hose. I need one of those vacuums that turns of the stupid brushes when the hose is engaged. Crap.

My girls woke up cranky and fighting. I am cranky and fighting. I have too much to do, not enough time to do it, and am blogging instead because I can't seem to get my brain to actually function properly. The only thing keeping my eyes open is the fact that I was asleep before 10pm. Was supposed to have a date night with my husband, but am not really feeling it, we have to be at Focus on the Family at 6:30 in the morning tomorrow. Think I am going to be dropping off my girls for the night, going straight home and going to bed.

In the meantime, I am crossing my fingers that I can win a free handbag from http://www.handbagplanet.com/ My purse from Target is falling apart, and the strap is set to break any day now. And since I am not a purse person, and don't care too much about my purse looking fashionable, the only way for me to get a stylish replacement is to win one! Maybe you could win too, just don't pick the same bag as me! :)

On the mend, for now. . .

2008-09-23T19:30:00.005-06:00

Liberty seems to be getting healthy, though she was still cranky and needed a nap today. She probably could take a nap every day! She even fell asleep in my arms today. It was so sweet, even if she is almost 50 pounds!

The girls also have a new little friend who comes over almost every day asking to play, and its been a good encouragement for them to get their work done early in the day so that they can play with her in the afternoon. It helps Ainsley the most, as she is the one who has both the most work to complete, and is the slowest worker.

Last night's dinner was quite yummy too. I made a cross between swedish and italian meatballs. My girls will never eat meatballs in spaghetti, even though I've tried to convince them that meatballs are just like little balls of hamburgers! So, I thought maybe I could introduce them to meatballs at home like the ones they used to love at IKEA. Only we didn't have sausage, or ingredients for cream sauce. So we just baked up the meatballs in the oven and had a variety of dipping sauces. Of course Ainsley said at the beginning of the meal that she didn't like meatballs and wasn't going to eat them. She knows she has to try everything on her plate, but she was convinced that it would take her eating them many more times before she would like them. Well, all it took was a little A1 sauce for Ainsley to eat both the meatballs on her plate and ask for more! Victory :) All the girls had seconds, and are looking forward to the mini meatballs that I made for their lunches tomorrow.

On the school front, the girls are doing well. They had a Scantron test last week, and though I haven't officially gotten the results, I know Ainsley did very well. She did MUCH better on her math than on her placement exam! We've really been working on Math this past month, and I feel like she suddenly has the confidence in her ability to do math. It is just wonderful! Its very similar to the way she started reading, actually. And I knew that the moment would come, but it feels like its been a long time coming. In fact, she missed so much in the placement test, even on the second grade level (yet scored 100% on things like multiplication!) which is why I asked for the second grade level to be sent. I hoped we'd be able to get through 2 years of math this year. And just yesterday, she did the end of the year test in the second grade Math book and passed it!!!! I saw the areas where she needs work, and we will go over those couple of areas while we wait for the third grade Math to arrive. I asked the teacher to order it yesterday! Now I am hoping that we can get through third grade Math by December, and then maybe we will actually begin 4th grade Math this year!

And her writing is improving, and its not such a struggle to get her going in the morning. All around, this is shaping up to be the best year of homeschooling yet.

Oh, the recipe for the meatballs!

Around 2 pounds of ground beef
2 eggs
enough bread crumbs to bind the meatballs, approx 1/2 cup
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
sprinkle of garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbs dried onion
A dash of chili pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly spray cookie sheets with Pam
Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands
Roll into small balls, about 1 Tbs or less of mixture (we did large ones for dinner and small ones for lunches)
Bake in the oven for about 20-30 minutes turning about halfway through
Serve with a variety of dipping sauce, make extra to add to spaghetti sauce, and for lunch the next day! We ate ours with cheater baked potatoes (I microwaved them first for 15 minutes then through them into the over with the meatballs.)

Yummy!

Its been a looooong week . . .

2008-09-21T16:55:00.002-06:00

We have been dealing with a feverish, cranky kid all week. Liberty was feeling really yucky on Monday, but Tuesday she seemed to be on the mend. She was fine on Wednesday. But halfway through co-op on Thursday, she started complaining that her ear was really hurting. She had a fever and a seriously painful ear, even on two types of painkillers. Poor kid! We even had to skip a meeting with the teacher :( She still has a touch of a fever today, but her attitude is much improved, and she has been running around a playing today, which is a huge improvement over several days spent sleeping, eating, and coloring in the big blue chair.

I have a post hanging out in the cue about the recent birth I attended, but I have been waiting 'til I got the pictures processed before posting. Whoops, have had ZERO time to sit at my computer!

Oh and Molly has been catching mice in the basement. EEEEeewwww. But at least she is earning her keep, I just wish she didn't HAVE to. I hate rodents. I really really really need to get them out of my house. Yucky. Eww. Gross. Ick. All the more reason to not sit at my computer. . . too close to the mice!!!

Ummm, what else can I ramble about?

Oh yes, pancakes!

Each weekend I have been making up a batch of a different type of pancakes for us to try out. The first week we tried applesauce pancakes. I used a simple pancake mix that added applesauce and cinnamon for a "moister" pancake. They were okay. Not fabulous. Better than plain pancakes, but took a long long time to cook, and had a funky texture. Last weekend, I made pumpkin pancakes. These were a LOT better than the applesauce ones. It was a much thinner batter with soy milk and eggs, pumpkin pie spices and canned pumpkin. These were almost like eating pumpkin pie for breakfast! They made the house smell delicious, and I had plenty of extra that we toasted up for breakfast a couple more times during the week. The girls declared them the best pancakes ever, and I had to agree. But this week we had the very best pancakes yet! We had German Pancakes, or popovers, or pop-up pancakes. We used this recipe, but modified it with soy milk as my tummy is growing more and more lactose intolerant. I probably should also have added a bit more flour for our altitude. As it was they took over twenty minutes and didn't get quite as lovely and golden. We ate ours with jam and powdered sugar, and a few with syrup and butter. They were so tasty! A bit like the crepes we love, and a bit like waffles. Super easy, and the only thing you have to make sure to have on hand is plenty of eggs.

Its been an eating sort of a weekend. I just cooked up some spinach and popcorn for dinner. Yes its weird. But it was yummy, and since we had salad and corn dog muffins for lunch, none of us were super hungry. And we have fresh made green tea ice cream for dessert tonight, so why fill up on other food when you can have ice cream?! About that lactose intolerance, yeah, I give up. Do those Lact-aid pills work? Or are there any good soy milk ice cream recipes out there?

Have sick child . . .

2008-09-15T08:44:00.002-06:00

Will trade for chocolate!

And it is so hard to get motivated to get out of my computer chair when there is a soft, warm, and cozy sleeping kitty on my lap.

This week we have co-op, DIBELS testing for Liberty, and lots and lots of school work to do. I need to be more intentional about having my kids write, especially in their handwriting books. I feel like we are still getting into the groove with schoolwork, and I just don't know what I need to get accomplished everyday. We are doing well with the core subjects, and the co-op is helping a lot with Art, Science, and History which can easily fall by the wayside in the day to day subjects. But I still find it hard to motivate them with spelling and handwriting.

And I am having a hard time finding enough to keep Melody occupied with work she can do on her own. We are also trying to do reading every day, and she loves it, but I know she could do more if I had the time.

I think we will also do some baking today. Yesterday, between fevers, sneezing, coughing, and general ickiness, we did a whole lot of laying around in front of the fireplace trying to stay warm. I can't believe I actually am at the point where I need to clean out all the vents so that we can run the HEATER! Right now warm clothes, socks, and blankets are doing the trick, but it won't be long before we will need the heater too. Isn't it technically still summer? Our leaves are already changing color. I think we may try to eat outside this afternoon and then sketch pictures of the changing leaves. I'd like to do a quick 4 part series by each of them, one with most of the leaves green still, one with most of the leaves changing color, one with the leaves on the ground and the branches bare, and one of the trees covered in snow. Then in the spring we will add to the series. I was thinking about making the sketches small and then framing them in a series. So we will see how it goes today :)

And now that it is nine o'clock, we really ought to get our school day started!

Just a quick note!

2008-09-12T18:35:00.001-06:00

I have added a second blog to my list of things to keep up with! This blog will feature the bento lunches I pack for the girls each week for co-op, and any other time I decide to pack them like field trips, picnics, etc.
You can find it here: http://weeklybento.blogspot.com/

Mmmm, yummy

2008-09-09T19:36:00.005-06:00

Or, "Why I Will Never Ever Buy Canned Sloppy Joe Mix Ever, Ever Again."

I have always like sloppy joes. It was one of my comfort foods growing up, along with fondue, refrigerator biscuits, pigs in a blanket, macaroni and cheese with tuna, and artichokes. But a few months ago I had a hankering for sloppy joes with nary a package of mix or can of sauce in sight. I knew it had to be fairly easy to make from scratch, but wasn't sure where to start. Then I sat down to watch 30 minute meals with Rachel Ray. Lo and behold, she was making Sloppy Joe Dimmaggios! She added hot dogs to hers, which I knew my kids would never go for. And I was missing a few ingredients that she used. So I have now made it quite a few times since that first craving and tweaked the recipe more and more.

Here is my super duper yummy sloppy joe recipe:

2 lbs hamburger meat or ground chuck
Several sprinkles of dried onion
A generous sprinkling of mesquite steak rub
1 can organic tomato paste
1/2 jar spaghetti sauce, not w/ meat
4 Tbs worchestershire sauce
1 Tbs Soy Sauce
3 Tbs Ketchup
1 Tbs A1 sauce
1/4 cup of dark brown sugar

Enough water to create a sauce, usually about 1/2 cup

Brown the meat, either with a bit of olive oil or without, crumble it into the pan and let it sizzle to create a nice browned layer on the bottom, simulating grilling it on the barbeque (usually 6-7 minutes). Toss in the dried onions and the steak seasoning while the meat browns. Then flip it, break it up and let it cook through on the other side (another 4-5 minutes). Drain the fat if necessary. Pour in the tomato paste, sauce, sugar, etc. Stir to cover the meat, adding enough water to create a nice sauce, a little thinner than you think you want the final product to be. Then simmer for about 7 minutes.

Toast buns, put on plate, dump a heaping amount of sloppy joe mix on the buns. Eat yourself silly and swear off pre-packaged sloppy joe mix!

A Sunday Drive

2008-09-09T12:49:00.008-06:00

We took a little Sunday drive to a spot we had visited a little over two years ago on Rampart Range Road. We stopped and recreated a family portrait that was our first taken in Colorado. The girls thought it was quite fun and they remembered taking the picture two years ago. We also stood at the top of the mountain and could see down to highway 24 and the North Pole. Its such a fun (an bumpy) drive, but was much more enjoyable this time in Kevin's 4wd instead of my poor van. We also stopped this year at the reservoir. Its beautiful! We need to go back with our fishing poles! I'd love to camp up there one weekend next summer as well. It was a very enjoyable trip, and I am glad Kevin dragged us out of the house in spite of the cranky attitudes.

This is the picture from two years ago I cannot believe we've lived here for over two years! The kids have gotten so big! We've decided that we need to keep up the tradition of taking a family shot on the very same rock every year.

New Colors!

2008-09-06T19:11:00.003-06:00

How's this? Gone is the blazing red, and welcome is the soothing teal. Now if I could only figure out how to add the purty background pattern . . .

Edited to say . . .
Figured out the background and changed the picture. I am trying to figure out a way to get a rotating picture up there just to make it more exciting :)

I'd love to hear your opinions about the changes!!

The feeling of fall

2008-09-06T12:03:00.003-06:00

I love the fact that every morning we have been awakening to a chill in the air, sleeping with blankets on, and wearing sweatshirts this week! I love that my husband brought home firewood last night. I love the cloudy skies, the rain, and the wonderful red tint some of the tree leaves are beginning to show. Fall is definitely my favorite season, especially so since we've moved to Colorado. In California we joked that there were 2 seasons; it is so enjoyable to experience each season in a unique way! I love the promise of snow that fall brings, yet the days are still clear and lovely for bike rides, hikes, and outdoor activities. Even though summer is fun, I find myself tolerating the heat less and less. While I enjoying playing outside in the water, riding bikes, picnics and barbecues, I miss my blankets, sweatshirts, and cozy fires.

Today we are going to go for a drive and enjoy the last remnants of summer. We might even go fishing or hiking. Who knows? But it will be a nice day to be together as a family, and store up a few more memories to carry us through 'til springtime.

The laundry will have to wait, the dishes will have to soak, and the floors will have to remain dusty for a few more moments; we are off on an adventure!

Post Co-op exhaustion

2008-09-05T13:24:00.003-06:00

Is it just me? Actually I know it isn't just me because Kelly and I have already commiserated about it today. In years past, when I did co-op, it was always on Fridays, so we always had the next day off from school. We could sleep in. Daddy was home. We didn't try to get a full day of school in.

Oh my goodness, today was a nightmare. My children were grouchy and cranky and just plain mean to each other. It isn't helping that Liberty has a nasty cough and isn't sleeping well, and her sister woke her up this morning rather rudely. Its chilly outside, and I think we would all have preferred to stay snuggled under the covers this morning. Almost everything I asked Liberty to do today was met with resistance. And when I say resistance, I mean a knock-down, drag-out, screamfest. Oh my migraine.

Ainsley finished up her scantron testing today though, which is one burden relieved for the beginning of school for her, she just has her writing sample to finish and send off to the teacher. Liberty did about 3 questions on the scantron in Math and had a complete meltdown. I have no idea how she is going to finish the whole test. I tried stressing to her that it is just trying to see what she knows, but she just cannot fathom answering a question wrong, and has no desire to even try if she is going to get it wrong. Ugh ugh ugh. How is she going to survive testing in the spring?

And Melody is a good little student, but she is requesting my full and complete attention at all times. Which I am of course unable to provide, which means yet another meltdown. I don't have the luxury of not schooling on Fridays, so we are going to have to work through this as the weeks go by. But this is a challenge I did not anticipate.

So now, we are off to run a few errands, and I am sorely hoping that I do not soon regret this decision to leave my house.

Getting ready for tomorrow

2008-09-03T21:58:00.003-06:00

Running the dishwasher and the washing machine. Have lunches packed. Getting clothes laid out for the morning. Kids are bathed and sleeping like babies. Still need to pack their backpacks with folders, notebooks, and pencils. Still need to pack my bag with my laptop and stuff I need for teaching music class. I really have NO idea what I am going to do tomorrow! I have 45 minutes to fill with 10 third graders, and I can't start their regular lessons until next week. I think I am going to spend the time getting to know them, and assessing what they already know. Some kids are going to be veterans of K12's music program, and others will be completely new. So I have no idea what I am getting myself in for.

And now I need to get myself to doing instead of thinking about it!

After all that debating . . .

2008-09-01T21:10:00.001-06:00

I am sure everyone is dying of curiosity about how we spent our day, right?

Playing volleyball in the backyard, reading, jumping, watching a rented movie, eating bacon cheeseburger baked potatoes, more movie watching to finish what we started, and eating mint cream pie. A full and fun and relaxing day!

And now its time to snuggle with my hubby and watch a previously recorded Star Trek Marathon. Now that's love.

Happy Labor Day!

2008-09-01T11:58:00.002-06:00

I was planning to go to the last morning of the Balloon Festival, but I turned off my alarm instead. Amazingly enough, I slept in until almost nine! Woohoo :)

I think we are going to eat some lunch and go bowling. Or maybe mini-golf. Or maybe to the park. We still haven't decided. Maybe we will just rent a movie and lay in the grass and have a picnic in the back yard.

Eventually, I will get around to uploading the girl's pictures. Ainsley ended up only taking about 5 pictures and the rest were movies. I had no idea, lol. I haven't watched them yet.

Time to go fix lunch!

Trying out a slideshow from flickr

2008-08-31T19:24:00.004-06:00

Here is the slideshow from all the nine million images I uploaded to flickr in the last 2 days!

Colorado Balloon Classic, Day 2

2008-08-31T13:04:00.002-06:00

This morning I dragged myself out of bed. No, wait, Kevin kicked me out of bed. Yes, he shoved me out of bed because I couldn't figure out why the music was on in my room, in the dark, in the middle of the night. At 5:45 am. I threw on my clothes, this time with my shirt right-side out, and went to the kitchen to start some water for coffee. Did you know that the thought of making yourself a cup of coffee at 5 in the morning, doesn't translate to giving you a caffeine boost if you don't actually make that cup of coffee? It's true.

Kevin kindly got the girls up and to the potty for me. I poured Liberty and Melody each a bowl of cheerios, and dressed them while they sleepily shoveled food into their maws. They had their typical morning argument, completely in whispers. Why did I think it would be a good idea to take these two? At least they were quiet while they accused each other of staring . . . Oh my.

We grabbed three cameras and headed out the door in tennies and sweatshirts and holey jeans. And a snow white headband.

We made it down to the park again just as the balloons were rising! We have impeccable timing. This time, we parked closer to the far side of the lake, and watched as the balloons rose up over the trees, skimmed across the lake, and headed straight for us! It was pretty exciting. Melody was interested for approximately 30 seconds, give or take 15. She took a handful of pictures, and then spent her time alternately whining about breakfast (which I had been sure to feed them before we left for this very reason) and throwing clods of mud into the lake. Occasionally her spirits were lifted by a PINK! balloon, a garish yellow balloon shaped like a chicken head wearing a bow tie, and Noah's Ark. Though to ask her afterward, she had a fabulous time, and of course she would like to go to the glow tonight. We'll see about that.

Liberty was a great photography partner. She helped me switch my lenses. She pointed out all sorts of lovely balloons with unique markings. She loved the Old Fashioned Patriotic Balloon with Swags and Stars and Stripes. It was my favorite balloon too! She only occasionally asked about breakfast. Mostly to be sure that we were in fact going to eat at a restaurant exactly like the one Ainsley ate at yesterday.

We walked around the lake towards the festivities, but I knew we were on a tighter schedule, so we didn't actually go all the way to the concessions and launching area today. We found out that there is swimming at the lake for $3 a day for kids, and boat rentals, and a nice playground, and fishing! The girls really want to go back with their fishing poles. We also didn't see any tadpoles this time which was quite disappointing to Liberty.

Afterward, we headed back up to IHOP with very hungry tummies. The last time we ate at IHOP, about 6 months ago, they were having a Horton Hears A Who promotion, and my girls were sorely disappointed when the Seuss-like creations were missing from the menu. But a "Create-a-face" pancake was tolerable substitute. That, and I let them sample some of every type of syrup. Melody just had to tell the waitress how much she loves tomatoes and enchiladas. Liberty was a bit tired and cranky at this point, and I was glad we were close to home. The poor kid sounds like she is hacking up a lung. But I am glad she was able to make it out to see tha balloons. And while it wasn't quite the peaceful, meandering adventure of yesterday, it was still a nice time. It's amazing how taking just one child out of the equation makes them so much easier to handle! The rest of the day is going to be filled with regular Sunday activities, with the possiblilty of going to the glow tonight if the weather stays nice. We've never actually made it to a glow, the weather is usually too cold, rainy, or windy! Or the kids are too cranky . . .

Tomorrow should be nice too. Kevin has the day off, and I might just venture down to the park for one more photo excursion! Hopefully Kelly will come along too!

The pictures so far have all been mine; I am going to dedicate and entire post to the girls' pictures, sometime in the next couple of days . . .

Colorado Ballon Classic, Day 1

2008-08-30T11:45:00.000-06:00

I dragged myself out of bed at 5:45 a.m. and pulled Ainsley out of bed a few minutes later. We dressed in the dark (I even had my shirt on inside out, whoops!) and stumbled out to the car. Then we drove away into the sunrise!

We walked up to the top of Prospect lake just as the first balloon was taking off!

Ainsley and I both took lots of pictures, and she took a couple of videos. We had a really nice time just the two of us. And I bought a souvenir that I have been wanting for three years straight. So I bought it. :) I will wait to tell more about it until I have a picture!

We chatted, we oohed and ahhed over the balloons. We cheered for the folks whose baskets dipped into the water. We cheered for the ones who made it back out again when it looked like they might get stuck (and soaked!). We smelled the lovely street fair smells. Ainsley won a hat from the Geico booth with a little green gecko on it. She loves hats!

And when all the balloons had floated away, and some had even come back to land at the starting area, we chatted with the local weatherman, and he was much better looking in person. We lazily made our way back to the car after swinging on a park bench. (This park has several bench swings!) Then it was off to breakfast at Mimi's!

I had such a lovely (early!) morning with my oldest. It made me realize how much I need to do this more often. Not just to grab a kid and run her to the grocery store, but to intentionally do something special individually, just for no reason at all.

Thank you garbage man!

2008-08-29T20:38:00.002-06:00

We were wondering what were going to do with our nasty burned up microwave, and I forgot to put out the trashcans this morning. Thankfully the trash collector came to my door and asked me if I had any trash! I asked if was able to take the old microwave, and he said, "Of course!!" Hooray! It's the little things in life that excite me.

Tomorrow is the annual balloon festival! We'll see who ends up going with me in the morning. I'd like to go every morning, and to at least one balloon glow, but that's very ambitious. We just all had such a good time last year, and I know the girls really want to go. So, we'll see. Liberty has been under the weather and has a nasty cough, so I don't really want to drag her out of bed at 5 in the morning. *must go look up time of sunrise!*

Co-op should be interesting. Its very different from our old co-op. Especially because everyone is going through the same curriculum. It should be very helpful, especially because I can see literature and writing becoming very time-consuming for Ainsley this year. And I think that Liberty needs that extra little bit of social exposure. Kelly is going to be teaching her History class, so that ought to help, I think. I am teaching a class in which I have no students, and no access to the curriculum. I am hoping that I might be able to get my hands on the cds and videos, but there is no guarantee. Nobody seems to have it . . . Hmm, should be interesting. At least I am finally going to get to put four years of college into action, even if its only 45 minutes a week. The plan is also to start teaching my girls piano. I am also thinking about starting a homeschool choir. Its just an idea right now. But I was always really impressed with my sister's homeschool choir, and thought it was something I could do. I am praying about how to go about it. Its something I am considering anyway. I might need to get in touch with my sister's choir director and chat with her about how she got started. It would also be fun to have a little music ensemble. Now that I am getting connected with the local homeschooling community, but brain is turning with ideas. Of course that means I have to actually talk to people. And just the thought gives me hives.

The girls had their first chat with the teach, which also left me feeling a bit ambivalent. Is that the right way to say that?? But there it is. Part of me is really bummed that I didn't get the other teacher. I already have had some really good conversations with her, and I feel like she and I would be friends outside of COVA. But maybe it's better if I cultivate that friendship with her apart from school. I don't have specific complaints about our teacher, so I can't really explain why I feel the way I do. But I am sure as we get to know her better, it will be fine.

I think I am rambling, but there is a lot in my head today.

Oh yes, dinner was delicious! Kelly fixed a double batch of lasagne and brought the second one over to us today. Yum. And I didn't have to do anything but pop it into the oven. Oh, and the sourdough bread from Target was ever so delicious. The girls proclaimed it as good as Disneyland. Which is a high compliment considering my girls could live off the sourdough bread from Disneyland. The bread from Disneyland is made by the Boudin Bakery and is the perfect combination of sour, sweet, crispy, soft, and delicious. Especially warm from the oven. And tonight's bread was so very close. I may have to go have another piece right now. Thanks Kelly!! (And I hope you sleep comfy in your tent tonight!)

Also, I am very pleased by McCain's choice for VP. I'd heard Palin's story right around the time she gave birth to her sweet little baby boy. I was impressed by her then, and am even more so now. I think she was an excellent choice!

I am also praying for my mom and dad today. They had to put down their sweet dalmatian today. My dad has been through so much since January, and this was just one more painful thing for them. I hope that seeing my sister tomorrow will help ease their hearts. I am glad that I can be there a little for my mom, but I wish I could physically give her my shoulder to cry on tonight. Okay, now I need to go get a tissue.

Twilight at the Zoo

2008-08-28T23:15:00.001-06:00

Last night was a really unique experience. We got to see all the animals at the zoo at dusk and into the night. The more nocturnal animals were all active. We got to hear the mountain lions huffing and puffing and growling at us. The porcupines were climbing their tree. It was so neat! I have some videos to post eventually.

This morning was our first meeting/ parent orientation for co-op. It looks like I am going to be teaching 3rd grade music. Finally going to put my degree to some use :)

I have plenty more to say, but my pillow is beckoning me, so it will have to wait until snacktime tomorrow!

America's Got Talent . . .

2008-08-27T09:34:00.002-06:00

Or Why Do Celebrities say Really Dumb Things?

This is the first season I have ever tuned into AGT, other than that one time my friends were buzzed off the show. I was watching the first hour when I heard David Hasselhoff say to a group that something was "As American as the Olympics!" Come again? Did he seriously just say that? Um, am I the only one that thinks that is completely insulting to, oh say, the rest of the freaking world? Yeah, ok Hoff. *smacks forehead* Maybe some people just shouldn't do live TV. I think I am done watching that show anyway, not really into the freaky entertainers. But I did like the little stunt girl, she did great. And I didn't watch the second half of the show because the Democratic National Convention cut in half way through, and rather than give any ratings to them, I just turned off the TV and went to bed. I didn't listen to Hillary at all, but I did see a funny McCain commercial this morning with Hillary saying McCain and I have a lifetime of experience and Obama made a speech in 2002. And that folks, is why we are always careful about the words we speak, as they may come back and bite us in the butt. How can she honestly, with integrity, come back and try to get people to support the man she spent months tearing down?

In other news, we are heading to the zoo tonight to meet with all the COVA folks in our region. The girls are excited, and it should be neat to go to the zoo at night! I've missed the zoo! We also have a meeting tomorrow for our co-op. I am so nervous. I don't know why I get so nervous meeting new people. Either I completely clam up and can't say a word, or I go to the opposite extreme and can't stop talking! Its really embarrassing either way. I am glad that I will already know one person there. And that she lets me lean on her a little in those situations :) Right, you will do all the talking for me, right right right?? See I am nervous already! Two situations in two days where I have to meet new people and not come across as a complete crazy person! Pray for me . . .

Well, there went another snack time. Time to get back to those 3 R's!

Blogger ate my posts

2008-08-26T07:43:00.002-06:00

That is weird, the last two days of posts didn't actually publish. Not that I had anything truly remarkable to say, but hmm. . . . I will have to look around my computer and see if I can find them.

Yesterday we had a very pleasant day of school. Liberty is really starting to fall into a nice pattern, and is working very hard. Ainsley is taking a bit more to motivate her, but once she got going she completed five chapters in Pippi Longstocking. All she has left is the unit review. Its a lot of writing, so I may have her only write down the answer to the first question (3 paragraphs!) and then orally answer the rest. The actual writing is still very painfully slow for her. And even though she is really trying hard to write her answers, it is definitely still a struggle. I also need to install her new typing program.

I have also registered for a weekly coop and have an orientation meeting this Thursday. It should be a good thing for the girls. It is all K12 students, and they get together to do Science, History, Art, Music, and PE. I am not sure how it will work for music, since my kids are not enrolled in Music but in Foreign Language. But it would be great if they could do music as well.

I think I am also going to start them in children's choir at church. I think it is for 1st grade and up, but I may see if I can help out and let Melody participate as well. She loves to sing and dance and can carry a tune really nicely. I loved choir as a kid, but since this one is on Saturday nights, it has been hard for us to be motivated to join. It would be easier if it were during the week or on Sunday Mornings.

I am supposed to be putting together Kevin's lunch, and he is almost ready to go. We also need COFFEE. I am hoping that today goes just as smoothly or moreso than yesterday!

I ought to learn to blog earlier in the day

2008-08-23T21:39:00.003-06:00

I had a busy busy day, and I feel like I haven't yet recuperated from the zoo trip yesterday. I am so ready for bed.

The girls have been saving their money for months. The older two both had money from the tooth fairy for several teeth, and Ainsley had some birthday dollars saved as well, and we'd decided that after such a great start to school it would be a good time for them to spend their money. They'd both saved enough to purchase webkinz. We literally have not purchased toys for them in months. I don't think they'd gotten anything new save for a very few kids meal toys and a box from Nana and Papa at the beginning of the summer. So this was a very special treat. Even more so because they were able to spend their very own money. And they each went to the cash register, counted out their hard earned cash, and got their very own receipt. Then they promptly came home (after traipsing through a downpour to get to the car!) and logged into webkinz and added their new pet! Melody didn't have money of her own, what with the fact we don't pay them for chores, as we feel it is something they do for the benefit of the family, and she still has all her original teeth! But she was able to pick out her very own Lil'kinz as well, a pink poodle that she has been waiting for nearly a year now.

I feel like they are going to really appreciate these toys, and now just toss them aside in a few short days. In fact, the last toys they got were purchased as a special treat while on our last trip to Utah. They still treasure those toys and play with them almost daily. Now we just need to get around to clearing out the playroom of all the millions of toys they already owned before Mommy decided to become a minimalist! ;)

Microwave installation techniques . . .

2008-08-22T21:57:00.003-06:00

Home depot is open one hour later than Lowe's, just in case you ever need to get washers at the last minute to hold up your new microwave. . .

Last night was crazy, and by the time the microwave was installed, I was beat. I fell asleep in the armchair, and Kevin dragged me to bed some unknown time later. I am yawning just thinking about it.

Today was our first outing to an event sponsored by COVA. We went for a free day at the Denver Zoo! We all love the zoo, and Kevin decided to take the day off to join us. I am so glad he did. It was a lovely day. The girls were exceptionally well behaved. We learned lots about the animals, and saw many wonderful exhibits! We definitely need to go back as we know we missed quite a few things!

We all loved the brand new 10-day-old baby giraffe! So little, and yet already 2 inches taller than Kevin!

The rainforest exhibit was really wonderful. So many interesting and varied animals and creatures! We saw vampire bats, poison dart frogs, giant snapping turtles, and humongous fish!

I loved the elephants, the cheetahs, the zebras, and all the African animals. I think I need to go on a safari!

Overall, we were really impressed with the whole zoo. On the way home we drove by the Capitol building, the U.S. Mint, and made our way to Baja Fresh for dinner! Yummy fish tacos. . . It was a great day! And if you didn't get your fill of pictures in this post, feel free to browse my flickr account for plenty more!!

And now I leave you with this video:

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-08-20T22:39:00.003-06:00

To celebrate, we ate homemade ice cream; peanut butter chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, and green tea. Yummy.

I have plenty more to say, but I am 99% asleep at the moment. Goodnight!

Letters to the teacher

2008-08-19T21:30:00.002-06:00

Just thought I would post the letters the girls wrote in response to their new COVA Supporting Teacher's questions.

Liberty's letter:

Dear Miss T--,
I like going ice skating and riding my bike. I also like going swimming at the Y and jumping on the trampoline. I like learning about the oceans and the states and the countries. I also like learning about paintings and how to do art. I don't really like reading that much, or saying the French words. I like going to get treats when I have been really helpful, and I have a cat named Molly and two birds named Charlie and Lola. I would like to know what your favorite animal is. My favorite animals are frogs and I also like cats and bald eagles and manatees, whales, and dolphins. I like going new places, like Mount Rushmore, and I want to go to New York City. I also want to see the Eiffle Tower in Paris.
Sincerely, Liberty

Ainsley's Letter:

Dear Miss T--,
I have enjoyed the past days I have done this new school! I was born in California too! I have lived in Colorado for 2 and a half years. I would really like to meet you and go on field trips with you. Are you going to be at the zoo next week? Anyway, I like to read and cook. My favorite books are Dragonrider and the Dragonspell series. I like learning about fossils and the past, like archeologists. I don't really like math or spelling. I really like unicorns, dragons, and dragonflies. I like to go fishing and camping. I saw some fish, but I didn't catch any! You should have been there, there was an island full of calling seagulls! It was funny. I would like to know what some of your favorite recipes are, and maybe we can cook them together someday.
Sincerely, Ainsley
______________________________________

And now I need to run and check on my green tea ice cream that is churning in the kitchen sink. School has been going well, not getting quite as much done as I would like, but its just the first week :) I did get a nap today, which was lovely. I just really need to finish getting the schoolroom and my desk in order, and I will feel more organized! I think I hear the motor on the ice cream machine slowing down . . .

Well, I missed a day. . .

2008-08-18T10:42:00.005-06:00

But it wasn't because I didn't remember, I was just busy busy busy. Had a maternity shoot yesterday, then lots and lots of hours of proofing with Kelly. We also did a little redesign on her blog. Eventually I need to get a list of blogs I read added to my side bar! Kelly's blog is here.

The maternity shoot was great, and I can't wait to photograph the birth!

We got one tiny shipment this morning from K12 for Liberty, a laminated map and a blow up globe. We are supposed to get a ton more today and another few more later this week. The girls are still enjoying school, but I think it will get better once their books actually arrive! The girls both love the art curriculum so far. I also found a great blog from an art teacher with lots of wonderful ideas I am going to implement when we run out of lessons (or maybe interspersed with K12 lessons). Kelly may even have access to a kiln, and I would love to do some ceramics with the girls!

I just talked to my dad. He is on a plane home from the teeny airport in Omaha.

So, there is a lot going on around here, and not a moment to sit still. We really need to go on one more camping trip, just to close the summer on a high. Its been pretty awful weather the past few weekends, so I am hoping for a nice clear weekend soon!

Alrighty, its back to school time for me now, recess is over!

So very tired

2008-08-16T21:10:00.002-06:00

My dad came over today! But I stayed up so very late, and then was up early to maximize the time I could spend with my daddy. And now I am exhausted. A peppermint mocha is the only thing keeping me awake enough to watch Michael Phelps swim. And that is only barely working!

But my daddy got to see my green green grass, the new playroom, the schoolroom, and my rockin' drums ability on Rockband. We also did a little mini photoshoot so we could have some pictures to hang on the wall. Maybe I will have a chance to actually edit and print them someday :)

I love my folks and I miss them so very much. I miss being able to stop by for an impromptu visit. Its time for them to come visit again!! The girls were so happy to hang out with Papa, even for just a little while.

We also bought (at least ordered) a new microwave today. And even though it was needed, and we knew we were going to have to get a new one eventually (the lcd went out about 9 months ago), it was not what I wanted to spend money on this weekend. But at least we got it on sale!

And now . . . with a yawn and an eye rub, I am turning off my computer, and crossing my fingers for Phelps.

Still working out the kinks

2008-08-15T21:53:00.002-06:00

I have a new template for my blog, and I like it, but I am not too fond of the colors, so I need to tweak it a bit. But if you are reading my blog, I'd love to hear what you think of the new template!

Still watching the olympics. Still ought to be cleaning. I actually have about nine million pairs of socks to fold, but there is no TV upstairs, so I guess the socks have to wait :P

Ainsley and Liberty both did several lessons in school today. Liberty just loved her history/geography. We used our awesome globe from my parents to find and name all the continents and oceans. She then journaled about the ocean, drawing a great picture about a dolphin in the ocean. Ainsley did two lessons of French and a quick Math lesson.

We did lots and lots of cleaning and organizing today. I completely rearranged my bedroom, and we carried up a really heavy computer armoire from the basement. My house is still a disaster, but at least it is improving. And my bedroom is really much better organized!

Whoops, I forgot to put soap in the dishwasher (again!) Urg.

Well, I think I am going to go to the basement, turn on the Olympics there instead of the main floor, and set up a new bookcase so that we will be ready for the boxes and boxes of curriculum that are supposed to be arriving on Monday!

Oh, I forgot!

2008-08-14T21:23:00.002-06:00

When I asked Melody to tell me why she disobeyed me, she said she didn't know, but it made Jesus sad. And I asked her what should happen to her now that she disobeyed me, to which she replied, "Be fired?"

If you are reading this from my blog and not a feed

2008-08-14T20:47:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the messiness and lack of working links, trying to add a new custom template, and it is taking me some time to get it working properly! But I am not going to work on it anymore right now, there is a massive lightning storm outside, and with my luck today, I will fry my computer if I leave it on!

One of those days . . .

2008-08-14T19:52:00.003-06:00

You know, one where if it can go wrong, it will be worse than you imagine possible? Yeah.

I was upstairs in the bathroom when I heard the microwave beeping every five seconds or so. My kids are NOT supposed to use the microwave, except once in a while I will ask Ainsley or Liberty to put something in the microwave for a specific amount of time. They know they are supposed to ask if they want something warmed up, and I have been teaching the older two how to properly used the microwave. So I called downstairs and found out it was Melody who was microwaving a corn bag. I asked to her to come upstairs, talked to her sharply about not using the microwave and told all the girls that they needed to stop using the microwave. Mel apologized and I thought that was the end of it.

About 2 hours later, I went outside to take out the trash, noticed a pretty flower blooming, and came in to get my camera. I went outside and took a few pictures, walked around to the front of the house, and came back inside when I saw and smelled smoke. Lots and lots and lots of smoke. Acrid, nasty, burned corn smoke. I came into the kitchen and saw it just pouring out of the microwave, heard the hissing and sizzling, and loud popping and cracking. It was disgusting. The smoke was making me gag and burned my eyes. I can still smell it in my nostrils over four hours later. And the house still smells just awful. I am sure the microwave is beyond repair. It has turned brownish yellow inside and outside on the vents. I have opened all the windows in the house to no avail. I have no idea how to get rid of this horrible stench!

Melody admitted that she had put the corn bag in the microwave for who knows how long. Our display was already broken, so you had to be extra careful when using the microwave that you didn't push the button one too many times. For some reason, she decided that she didn't need to stick around, so I never saw her put it in there. I am guessing it was in the microwave for over 10 minutes judging by the destruction.

Then I just had more and more little things go wrong the rest of the evening. My silverware drawer picked tonight to fall apart again. I busted a plate taking the cheese grater out of the dishwasher. I burned my knuckle taking biscuits out of the oven. I stubbed my toe on the kitchen island. My kids were uber cranky during dinner and just couldn't be bothered to be kind to one another. Honestly, they were all just lucky they survived 'til bedtime.

On the bright side, tomorrow couldn't possible be worse. Right?

Feeling thankful

2008-08-13T23:02:00.003-06:00

I was able to go shopping by myself today at Walmart. I actually found fabric for a Dorothy dress for $1/yard! Such a deal! It was so nice to be able to drop off the girls and run an errand alone!

ooh, that was scary, poor Japan!

Once again, watching the Olympics and blogging. Starting to sound like a broken record!!

My crazy children were running through the sprinklers at 6 o'clock tonight. There certainly are not going to be many more days where they will be able to do that this year! We also got some great news that my dad is going to be able to visit us this weekend.

Tomorrow on the agenda: school, cleaning, laundry, food, grocery shopping.

Sorry for the stream of consciousness blogging, but that is that happens when I wake up on the couch and realize that I was sleeping instead of watching the Olympics!

Day 2 of COVA

2008-08-12T23:26:00.003-06:00

Today we got our French curriculum online activated. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I think I like the Powerglide junior that we already own a little more. The stories and the voices are much easier to listen. And I am going to have to figure out how to get the girls to work on their french at the same time, because listening to the story twice each time might make me crazy!

We had a good time together today overall. Everything seems to be going fairly smoothly. I think I need to set up so that both girls are on the computer with headphones. It gets a little frustrating to go back and forth between the two rooms and the two computers. Perhaps as we settle in with the curriculum, Ainsley will be able to be more independent.

The art was fun again. Liberty drew her self-portrait today, and Ainsley drew a non-representational piece, loosely based on the designs of our hand carved African giraffe. We also completed another 2 lessons in math, some phonics, and a few other things.

Whoa, the news looks drunk . . .fix it please!!

Watched gymnastics again tonight, this time the girls. What a fantastic show. I cannot wait for the individuals and the all-arounds. And can I say how much I love love love Bela.

And now I really need to get some sleep. I think that school is going really well, and I am so pleased at how hard my girls are trying to get along, and to learn. Its adorable that they are having so much fun. I couldn't be more pleased. I think it is only going to get better once the rest of our supplies actually arrive. And as silly as it probably is, I am seriously considering turning the playroom into the school room, now that it is all set up as the playroom! I think I am loosing my mind. I just need to get my hiney in gear and finish the basement schoolroom!

Riveting

2008-08-11T23:49:00.000-06:00

As I almost miss blogging once again, I will have to blame it on the Olympics! Those male gymnasts!! Wow. And swimming. Amazing!!! Its just incredible.

But what I ought to be blogging about is our first day of school. I am now schooling a Kindergartner, Second Grader, and Fourth Grader. I cannot believe I am the mother of a fourth grader. I remember fourth grade so well. And while my fourth grader is a year and a half younger than I was when I was in fourth grade, it is still amazing to me. We started all of our COVA curriculum that was available to us online. We completed two days of Math, a little Language Arts, a lesson of History that Ainsley was able to do completely on her own, an Art lesson for each girl, and we sorted all of our new school supplies. The school room still isn't set up completely, but we worked quite a bit in the playroom, and that actually worked pretty well. I still have to think through how I want everything set up . . . Art was fun. Liberty sketched a garden scene and colored it in with crayon. Ainsley used a large mirror to sketch a self portrait and color it in with colored pencils. She read and followed all the instructions on her own, drew it completely on her own, and did a fabulous job. I will scan it tomorrow and add it to this post. She also told me how fun she thought school was, and that she really plans to work very hard this school year. I was very very proud of her. All three of them really. My biggest struggle is going to be occupying Melody without the help of COVA. Kindergarten requires so much one on one interaction, as does second grade, and since we aren't using K12 for Melody, I am once again creating my own K curriculum. And I have plenty to draw from, but I need to be better prepared in the morning setting her up with activities she can work on alone while I am working with her sisters.

And now I really ought to post and get in bed. Does it still count as posting every day if I post this at 12:02? I promise I started the entry at 11:40p.m. :)

Wow

2008-08-10T23:18:00.000-06:00

Michael Phelps and the American 400m relay team were AMAZING. If you missed that race, you need to go and find it and watch it now. I was screaming in the living room cheering them on. I am quite sure they heard me all the way in China. Incredible. And the fact that even the fifth place team finished ahead of the previous World Record. Just WOW.

And the poor American girls gymnastics team. Bela said it well that at least now they have a mindset of coming to win from behind. I just don't envy them; they are going to really have to work hard to beat those Chinese girls. And the judges were really harsh, particularly on beam. Give me a break. I was also amazed by the 33-year-old gal who I remember watching in Barcelona when I was 15 and she was 17. Her vault was amazing, and she is still a powerhouse. I cannot wait to watch her in the individuals. Our girls could also take a few pointers in artistry from the Russians. They perform so beautifully; its like watching Nadia all over again. My girls are finally showing an interest in gymnastics, and I think Liberty could be really really good. So we may look into lessons for them after the New Year and after they complete 2 more months of Karate.

Church this morning was nice, especially sitting with friends. Even if I didn't know the songs, and even if I couldn't stop sneezing because someone nearby was wearing perfume I was allergic to ;) I loved the message, one of my favorite passages was the topic. Apropos for the Olympics, he talked about running the race, and that if we are Christians, we are in the race, and the only observers are already dead. I had other observations from the message I wanted to share, but my notes are in the basement, and I am sitting at the new desk in the playroom, in the new PINK office chair! I will have to share more thoughts tomorrow.

We went to Staples today looking for a specific item which I promptly forgot to look for once we arrived. But we got a cute pink steno chair for the playroom, and set up Liberty's computer on the corner of the desk in the playroom. I think it will give her a nice, quiet spot to do her schoolwork, as long as the toys are not a distraction! We will also be moving the desk that was in the basement up to our bedroom. Fortunately it is cherry colored and will match our bedroom furniture. I am going to use it for storage, and maybe a TV and DVD player. Right now all we have is a little 13" TV to put in it, but I am going to keep an eye out on Craigslist for a cheap, slightly larger TV since we gave my sister the 19" TV we used to have. We've never had a TV in our bedroom since Kev and I got married, but I thought it might be nice during the winter to sit in bed under our nice electric blanket and snuggle and watch movies when the basement is freezing cold!

Tomorrow we are starting school. Our COVA curriculum still has yet to arrive, but much of it can be done with printouts from the computer, so we will start there I will also count setting up the school room and introducing the girls to the new curriculum as part of our school time. Everyone knows in a brick and morter, the first week of school is all about getting to know the teacher, classroom, schedule, etc anyway, so I figure we will be well ahead of that by the end of our first week! And we can't actually start recording attendence 'til next week anyway.

And now I have to go finish folding and putting away laundry so I can actually go to bed before tomorrow!

My poor laptop

2008-08-09T20:47:00.001-06:00

It is falling apart like crazy. I am waiting for a new peice to arrive, but I was just trying to open my screen a bit, and noticed it won't even open properly anymore!

Today, it as rainy again, but we let the girls go out and jump on the trampoline a bit for the first time in weeks. They had a good time, and it helped them get their wiggles out. Didn't do too much today otherwise. Played lots of board games, did a bit of baking, and cleaned around the house. Kevin got a haircut and worked out at the Y.

I am watching the Olympics now. Wow, those Chinese guys are good. And the guys on the USA team, a couple of them have biceps the size of CANTALOUPES! The guys that were in gymnastics at the gym I grew up in were never that buff, lol. (For some reason my spell checker just forgot how to spell never and said I spelled it wrong, weird.)

Still working on the criticism thing with my kids. I am reading chapter 2 of my book, while simultaneously re-reading You Can't Make Me; But I Can Be Persuaded by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. It is a great book if you are a parent of a strong-willed child. I highly recommend it.

I am knitting a scarf while watching the olympics, and my girls want to learn how to knit. I think we will go to knitting club at the Y on Tuesday, maybe someone there can help them learn, as they seem to not like learning how to knit from me. For some reason, they ask me to teach them, and then run away aw soon as I set them up to learn! No patience for it I guess.

Ok, Michael Phelps is about to swim, time for me to go now.

Watching the Olympic opening ceremony

2008-08-08T21:59:00.000-06:00

And to say it was amazing would be an understatement. Wow. I completely loved the opening ceremony of the Sydney games, and this ceremony was just incredible. The girls really enjoyed the beginning, and Ainsley got to stay up and watch most of the parade of nations as well. We munched on pizza and discussed geography, cultural differences, space, and sportsmanship.

It sure does make me want to travel more!

I have more I'd love to talk about, but I can barely keep my eyes open :P Remind me to blog earlier in the day when I am more capable of cohesive thoughts.

Rainy rainy day . . .

2008-08-07T18:27:00.000-06:00

Wait, didn't I have a very similar title already? Well, today was rainy all day. It was damp when it wasn't raining.

It was actually quite lovely. It really hasn't stopped drizzling, and it has been cool and cozy. I would even almost welcome a fire in the fire place. I can see autumn coming, and its thrilling. I love fall. I love winter.

School is starting soon. We've purchased school supplies; I love the smell of new erasers! The girls got to meet one of the COVA teachers at the park yesterday. I had a nice chat with her, and she seems to really understand homeschoolers. I was wondering what the attitude of the "teacher" was going to be, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised. It would be nice if she were the teacher I ended up with!

In other news, I discovered (via a friend) phonezoo.com today. So fun! I have been searching through available ringtones and adding lots of crazy things to my phone. Highlights include the theme to The Office, The Funny Farm, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, and various musicals. I also made of bunch of my own ringtones from my iTunes library. The best part is that it is super simple, and free! You can see my ringtones if you add me as a friend, my phone zoo name is Strawberree. Bonus points if you understand my user name!

I also cleaned a vast majority (or maybe just a large percentage) of the basement and the kitchen. We read lots of books, and discussed more about school. The girls are getting very excited about this new school venture. I think they are going to be thrilled when their books finally arrive!

Hmm, maybe I can convince my sweaty husband to watch a movie with me . . . He isn't always sweaty, he just got home from the gym. And we are going back again tomorrow together, which makes twice this week. (3 times for him) Oh, and just so you know, we make a pretty awesome Rockband. Maybe we will do that instead of watching a movie. Perhaps this time I will even let him play the drums. But he shouldn't count on it!

Why do My Little Ponies have hearts in their eyes, Mommy?

2008-08-06T09:43:00.000-06:00

"I don't know, Melody, what do you think?"

"I don't know either. I have hearts in my eyes sometimes."

"Really? Wow, let me see!"

"I have hearts in my eyes when I see a boy that I like. . . Like Daddy."

". . . "

"Someday I will have hearts in my eyes when I see God and Jesus who I love."

Rain, rain, rain

2008-08-05T22:25:00.000-06:00

The excitement for the day was a huge monsoon, complete with lightning and thunder directly overhead. The street flooded, and the yard got marshy. So fun.

Still working on less criticism, more patience. A massive tantrum was thrown this morning, and I kept my cool, held the child accountable, and eventually got the situation resolved peaceably. I am proud of my girls for working hard to get along together. Ainsley even cleaned the catbox today without a single whine. And she said she is going to try harder to remember to clean it every day so it stays nice and clean for Molly. She and I had a good snuggle tonight, and I was able to tell her how proud I was of her attitude and helpfulness today. I sure do love that kid.

Melody has been such a crankypants lately. I don't know what is up with her, but she is rubbing everyone the wrong way. I am trying to help her work through whatever it is, but, ugh, I have no idea what is going on.

Tomorrow we are going to the park to meet some of the COVA teachers. I was on the phone with K12 today trying to find out why we still don't have any curriculum. It normally arrives 2 weeks before school starts, and now it looks like it won't be here until a day or two before school starts. I would love more time to look over everything, so this stresses me out quite a bit. I am trying to have patience!

And why is it that I cannot bake anything at this altitude? Chocolate Chip Cookies are not as yummy when they are the consistency of toffee :P

Already almost missed a day!

2008-08-04T22:11:00.000-06:00

But perhaps that is because there is like a whole lot of nothing to blog about today.

We sorted more stuff in the playroom, folded blankets and laundry, fussed about cleaning, and in general had a fairly typical day.

Melody and I had a super quick mini-photoshoot. She was Alice Through the Looking Glass. I am supposed to be sewing her an Alice costume for Halloween, but this was our makeshift version. A little gingham dress I made when Ainsley was around 2, and an pinafore from another dress. Mel loves these little mini-shoots :) The whole thing was cut a little short by the LOUD peals of thunder! But I got some shots I was pleased with, and it makes me want to start sewing her costume right away!

We also went to the gym and worked out, then promptly went to Wendy's to consume double the calories that we burned off. Oh well. All in all, a nice day, but I am ready to start in on a regular school schedule again.

Just call me Handy Manny

2008-08-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Or something like that :)

In the past two days I have: built/installed a desk system in the playroom, built a shelf for that desk, built a 9 cube organizer, installed a ceiling fan, installed a new light switch (which didn't shock me, but did shock Shawn! Whoops!), rearranged the playroom (again!), cleaned the kitchen, washed laundry, cooked meals, shopped, showered, brushed my teeth . . . and still had time for an impromptu visit and meal with friends. It has a been a full and productive weekend. I still didn't go shopping at Penney's though ;)

The girls LOVE the reorganized playroom. I have been considering selling the train table for quite some time now. It takes up a lot of space, and tends to become a clutter magnet, and doesn't get played with as often as I would like. This morning, Kev and I were awakened by the sounds of shuffling wood, cooperation, and choo-chooing. My big girls love to arrange and rearrange track, and we have MILES of it. I told them I would give them one more chance to show me that they could work together to keep the train table clean and tidy or it was going to have to find a new home. The novelty may wear off, but I enjoyed hearing them work and play together so nicely this morning.

The new desk was at times today: an art table, a nursery, a veterinary office, a neighborhood, and a store. I was told by each of the girls how much they loved the new table. It fills a whole wall, and gives them plenty of play space. We also drilled (with the hole saw, fun!) holes for cables so that lights, and possibly computers someday, can be used on the desk. Liberty asked several times if we could have school in that room. It might make a nice spot for her to work independently.

In other news, our grass does actually seem to be growing! I know, everyone is shocked. And no one is probably more pleased than our OCD neighbor who takes meticulous care of his own lawn. He probably hated having to look across the street at our barren wasteland. Or perhaps I am projecting. He is very nice, but I imagine we receive plenty of dirty looks from behind closed doors! The front yard is actually looking nicer than the backyard. Which is great because it means no one will call the neighborhood beautification police on us! But man I wish the backyard would be nice and lush so the girls would quit tracking in so much mud. Hopefully another week or so and it will fill in more like the front. I am sure everyone is sick and tired of hearing about my lawn, but I am feeling quite proud!!

Its almost time to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer, and my husband would really like to watch a movie with me.

So far I am meeting my goal to post everyday. I would like to post at least once a day for the entire month of August. I think if I can do that, I might actually get into the habit of blogging, and have a nice journal to remember these fleeting moments!

Playroom shenanigans

2008-08-02T21:09:00.000-06:00

It has been project after project around here lately! We started a reorganization of the playroom back at the end of March, and just today got around to really finishing it off. Even now, its not totally done because I need to find some new, taller chairs for the new desk we just built. But its a LOT more done than it was this morning. No longer does it look like a toy factory exploded in there! And I am sure I will find a lot more tweaking to do, including possibly adding a computer to the desk. We'll see . . .

But it sure feels good to get more organized. And as I listen to the sound of the sprinklers, I am thinking about how lovely the new little shoots of grass look in the yard! That was something I was really bothered about, having the ugliest yard in the neighborhood! Besides, having grass in the backyard is almost a necessity. I couldn't believe how much mud and dirt was being tracked into my house because the grass was dead!!

The girls were very helpful today too. Melody cleaned up the basement all by herself! They had turned half the basement into a library, and she stacked and shelved all the books :) Liberty cleaned and organized her room. She also helped me install the desk brackets. And she helped daddy return the movies we rented. Ainsley also cleaned her room, helped organize her closet, and helped daddy with the new school computer.

Ack, I thought everyone was asleep, but I hear crying. That's my cue to hit publish post!

8 Weeks to a Well-Behaved Child

2008-08-01T17:09:00.000-06:00

I can't remember where I got this book by James Windell, but I know I got it when I had only 2 children, and my oldest was quite young. There has been a lot of fussing and fighting in my house lately, and I never want my children to grow up thinking Mommy and Daddy were mad at them all the time. So, I really want to work on my discipline style. Especially on keeping my voice low, and effectively letting my kids know I am disappointed in their behavior with just a look! So, we are starting this 8-week program, and I thought I should blog about the experience. We'll see where it goes!

The first week's homework assignment is two-fold. First, keep track of every time a critical remark is made to a child, watching for excessive anger and disappointment and keep a running tally of all negative and critical remarks made. Second, make a list of 10 things you like and appreciate about your child. "List the child's strengths, assets, good qualities, positive traits, and aspects of appearance, personality, or temperament that are likely to helpl rather than hinder him or her in life . . ."

So that is what I am going to record here for each child this week:

Ainsley

Enthusiasm for life
A love of reading
Friendliness
Sense of humor
Very intelligent
Passionate
Innocent and trusting
Innovative
Persevering
Imaginative and creative

Liberty

Steadfast and loyal
Sensitive and tender
extrememly dextrous and athletic
Smart
Funny
Has a wonderful memory
Extrememly observant
A strong desire to be helpful
Creative
Kind to those in need

Melody

Funny
Adorable
Smart
Persuasive
Persistent
Considerate
Kind
Creative
Playful
Athletic

So that is the beginning, I will post week 2 in a couple of days, as we are already about halfway through week 1.

Anyone care to join me?

Water water everywhere

2008-08-01T09:46:00.000-06:00

Let's see . . . I have been watering the new little seeds 3 times a day. We went to the YMCA to swim again, and the water play area was a blast!! That waterslide was so much fun! The kids had a great time, and probably never would have gotten out of the pool if we hadn't been forced to leave :)

Today, in just a few minutes, we are heading to the outdoor splash playground. This time about a million gallons of suntan lotion will be required! I am excited because I am meeting a long lost friend and her little boys, someone I haven't seen since I was probably 8 years old!

We are actually getting some little sprouts in the grass as well. I don't think we are going to get full coverage in the yard, but it should be better than it was before. Its been a good week, even if it has been a bit crazy.

I am SO very sleepy, I am hoping that the water will wake me up a bit :)

The Week of Waiting

2008-07-31T09:51:00.000-06:00

This week we are learning patience.

I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of our new curriculum. We were supposed to receive books by tomorrow, but now it looks like we won't be getting anything until next week. Which basically drives me crazy. I am the type that wants text message updates for each stage of the journey when I am having a package delivered. So when you tell me that I "should" have my materials by Friday, and they haven't even shipped by Wednesday. . . yeah that makes me a little crazy. But I am trying to have patience.

We've also been in the midst of trying to rescue our yard. Our poor yard suffered from lack of water, fertilizer, aeration, and basically any sort of its basic needs being met. Whoops. In fairness, our sprinklers were broken. Really really really broken. My dad was so great to help us get them repaired. But the yard was beyond just needing water. We spent Sunday afternoon tilling, fertilizing and seeding. We have been watering like crazy this week and hoping for the best. Another exercise in patience.

The girls are also trying to have patience. They are usually out on the trampoline bouncing around everyday, riding their bikes, picnicking, pulling around the wagon, and just being outside. Not being able to be outside on the grass has been pretty difficult for them (and me!), so I have been trying to come up with some interesting places to go that don't cost a bunch of money. We have a Y membership, and there are two different YMCA pools that have indoor water playgrounds. Both are about half an hour away in opposite directions. One day we went to the northern one, got all changed, showered and into the pool, only to be told we had to sit out for 10 minutes. Then after about 15 minutes of actual swim time, they closed the pool. Ugh. The next day we go to the other YMCA. We get all the way there and realize that MOMMY forgot 2 of the swimsuits!!!! I felt like such a dolt. They also have this great big play structure which we couldn't play in because we didn't have socks. So they had to deal with lots of disappointment. Of course I tried to make it up to them by taking them to another park. Oh, but it had parking meters, and I had no change! Finally we ended up at a miniature golf course. Which was fun, and a good reward for all the mommy-failures. Of course, it was also another lesson for me to have patience, since by that time they were all hot, tired, cranky, hungry and thirsty.

So yeah, lots of patience being practiced. I can hardly wait to see what other life lessons we will be practicing this week!

Starting COVA

2008-07-31T09:47:00.000-06:00

Homeschooling has been a part of our lives ever since we first had kids. I knew I wanted to homeschool Ainsley from the time she was teeny. In California, the public school system we were in was one of the lowest rated systems in the state. Ainsley had always been very bright, and while I would not have minded a private school education for her, which is what I was blessed to receive, it was not within our financial means at the time. And I relished the idea of working together as a family and learning together. I thought of days where we would lay out in the field and study the bugs; days where we would bake pies and measure and chop together. It was all rather idyllic in my mind.

Needless to say, homeschooling wasn't always the bed of roses I dreamed it to be!

Ainsley was stubborn. I also had a 2 year old with some developmental issues rising to the surface just at the time we began Kindergarten with Ainsley. Oh, and an infant! Conditions were not ideal by any means. But we joined a wonderful support group, and every Friday she was in a Cottage school program. She learned, and we survived. We perhaps didn't study as many bugs in the fields as I would have liked, or bake many (if any!) pies. But we'd made it! The next year, Liberty was in the wonderful preschool program at the Cottage school, and Ainsley thoroughly enjoyed First Grade. We started to get the hang of homeschooling and fell into a good pattern. Ainsley's reading ability took off, and she was reading whatever she could get her hands onto.

And then we moved halfway through the year. To a new state. With no support. We were pretty far ahead of schedule with Ainsley in First Grade, so we sort of took schooling in stride for the last couple of months of First Grade. I figured I would find a group to be involved with in the fall, when I would have both a second grader and a Kindergartner. Unfortunately, I found groups in my area were too expensive, or didn't offer what I was missing from California. I also tend to be shy in new situations, and was having a difficult time finding a place I was comfortable.

The last two years of school, we have been going it completely on our own. And the girls have been learning and progressing well. But I really have missed those relationships with other homeschooling moms. We have been involved in sports, church, and the neighborhood, but it wasn't the same. This year, my best friend moved to Colorado and is choosing to homeschool her five children as well. Because it is her first year homeschooling, she decided to join the Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA). She encouraged me to take a look at all that is offered through COVA. I was impressed with the field trips, and resources available. I was also impressed with the curriculum. And it would save us money, which would allow the girls to take some more private lessons and be involved in other activities. It seemed like COVA just might allow us to have some of what we were missing from our days in California. It would also give us some accountability and academic support. I know the girls are learning, and I don't need the state telling me that they are on track, but the reassurance that they are progressing well is going to be an added benefit for both my husband and myself. I tend to be a box-checker type, and I like to make sure all my bases are covered. My husband would love to see actual report cards, as he is a natural planner and box-checker as well.

So we've gotten all registered. My girls took their assessment tests and placed right where I thought they should. This was also encouraging to me, that I was assessing their skills similarly. As an added benefit, my fourth grader will be able to do her State history work with other fourth graders. Since I am not from Colorado, I am looking forward to learning the state history right along with her! They will continue learning French, and taking Karate. I will probably add gymnastics and a music lesson to this years activities with the money we save by not purchasing curriculum. The only thing I am disappointed about is that my littlest missed their cut-off for Kindergarten by less than 2 weeks. So we will be doing K on our own, and then if we are still doing COVA next year, she will test into their first grade level, most likely.

So that is our experience with registering with a virtual academy. I know there are so many homeschoolers out there proclaiming the evils of virtual academies. But this is what I think we need right now. And I am looking forward to sharing our experience with COVA and K12.

Sitemap

2008-07-15T09:50:00.000-06:00

I think I also need to add a sitemap for the link to work right! Hopefully I will get back to regular posting soon :)

About Me

2008-07-15T09:25:00.000-06:00

I need to work on this post later, but this is a placeholder post that I will eventually edit and will link to from the header of my site as an about me page! :) Just ignore for now!

Trying to blog

2008-06-24T10:40:00.000-06:00

And why I would like to stick to it, this time!

I love reading other people's blogs, and I am hoping that I can give myself a great remembrance tool as well.

But I just need a place where I can note the goofy things my girls do that make me giggle, where I can keep track of the books we love best as we homeschool, and keep tracks of the hikes and activities that we do as a family.

So here's hoping that I actually stick to it!