Well, we're back to bread. We've made it two days in a row and have eaten as much as we've made in as little time. We tried a milk recipe yesterday and loved the taste though it was crispy. Today's was a water recipe which was REALLY soft. (almost too soft) but the flavor wasn't there. Nothing a little butter and honey can't manage though...Lol
We find honey is better on the milk bread though and jam on the water bread.
Next is honey wheat bread! Finally, one for Mommy!
I would post a picture but we ate it too fast.
It is so easy to have hot homemade bread...why don't we do it all the time????
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Will the REAL Sarah Cunningham please stand up!
Well, unbelievable as it is, the REAL Sarah Cunningham is coming to visit on Friday! Spur of the moment. Some may remember my talking of her when we first moved here or in regards to the "Whose who of Homeschool " post. This is her with her son Asher!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
You know you've failed Homeschooling 101 when...
Your baby starts craning her neck to see out the window, kicking excitedly and going "nyum, nyum, nyum" when you are at the drive through...of the BANK.
You finish bible study and your child says, "I LOVE that episode!"
You prefer boxed Macaroni and Cheese.
You can't remember if your child has worn the same clothes three days in a row or if they've been washed and put back on again.
Your child's "Food Network" log has more recipes than your own homemade cookbook.
You've come full circle (your grinder has enough dust to write "preservative" in) and you are back to wheat "colored" bread.
Wrong answers become "close enough".
Your child knows exactly what to grab and where to hide it when someone knocks at the door.
You ask them where the baby is and they answer, "Which part?"
Some, though not ALL of these are true...but I'll never tell which ones! Add comments of your own and I'll add them to the list.
You finish bible study and your child says, "I LOVE that episode!"
You prefer boxed Macaroni and Cheese.
You can't remember if your child has worn the same clothes three days in a row or if they've been washed and put back on again.
Your child's "Food Network" log has more recipes than your own homemade cookbook.
You've come full circle (your grinder has enough dust to write "preservative" in) and you are back to wheat "colored" bread.
Wrong answers become "close enough".
Your child knows exactly what to grab and where to hide it when someone knocks at the door.
You ask them where the baby is and they answer, "Which part?"
Some, though not ALL of these are true...but I'll never tell which ones! Add comments of your own and I'll add them to the list.
Heaven's Hugs
Heaven's hugs are what K gives me before bed. It started when I first started the dreaded, putting- her-down-to- bed. (hear attachment parenters gasp and unsubscribe simulatenously)
I would go to put her down, ok, LAY her down, she is after all NOT a pit bull. And she would wrap her little arms around my neck and lay her little head on my shoulder and squeeze.
Ahhhh, can you say juicebox????? (her latest nickname by S)
So I stole those hugs as many times as she would give them and I would just hold her, sometimes for as long as 5-10 minutes swaying back and forth by her crib as she dozed off, yes, BEFORE I layed her down. (hear baby schedulers gasp and unsubscribe simultaneously)
She still hugs me now but for REALl and not just to try to stay out bed. She still hugs me before bed but I have found that I can lay her down directly just as easily.
But really now, do I have to????
I would go to put her down, ok, LAY her down, she is after all NOT a pit bull. And she would wrap her little arms around my neck and lay her little head on my shoulder and squeeze.
Ahhhh, can you say juicebox????? (her latest nickname by S)
So I stole those hugs as many times as she would give them and I would just hold her, sometimes for as long as 5-10 minutes swaying back and forth by her crib as she dozed off, yes, BEFORE I layed her down. (hear baby schedulers gasp and unsubscribe simultaneously)
She still hugs me now but for REALl and not just to try to stay out bed. She still hugs me before bed but I have found that I can lay her down directly just as easily.
But really now, do I have to????
Monday, July 23, 2007
Who's who of Homeschool
In the spirit of etiquette of keeping people anonymous on the blog, I have decided to try to help myself identify and remember people in the future if/when I move. You may or may not be able to find yourself here. I will update when needed. They are in no particular order. Kinda fun.
Fearless leader
Willimantic Wanderer
Our new Sarah Cunningham
A magician's Wife
Sweetie piano teacher
Homeschool Cool
The Doolittles
Juice Plus
Taller than me and that's sayin' somethin'!
A photographer
Kindred spirit who loves her babe
New Zealander
Milkin' Momma
Candi Blue
Sconealicious
Thor
Square in a Chair
Tea For Two
Huney with a smile
The elusive sister
and of course dearest, dearest, M.
Fearless leader
Willimantic Wanderer
Our new Sarah Cunningham
A magician's Wife
Sweetie piano teacher
Homeschool Cool
The Doolittles
Juice Plus
Taller than me and that's sayin' somethin'!
A photographer
Kindred spirit who loves her babe
New Zealander
Milkin' Momma
Candi Blue
Sconealicious
Thor
Square in a Chair
Tea For Two
Huney with a smile
The elusive sister
and of course dearest, dearest, M.
Shout out to the Group
Good Morning Blog,
All is quiet on the central Fl Front. Babes are a sleepin', coffee's a brewin', Mom is a typin'...
I want today to be quiet and pensive. I am going to go start off the day with my personal bible time and much prayer. Tonight we are hosting a restorative get together for a member of our HS group whose Mother is gravely ill. I will be giving her a massage and then we will nibble on a few things and laugh, perhaps cry...this is one special lady to be sure and she is managing a lot. I really pray the Lord shows up in a big way.
Our homeschool group is like church family. It truly is remarkable. The group is mostly Christian which is nice but also not exclusive which I also like. It affords many opportunities to set an example without words. They are the largest group of women I've ever seen get along and truly, truly, love each other. The thing I like most is that there is no pretense about them. They are genuine to the core. They don't have to put on airs or be on their best behavior. They are a forgiving bunch and believe you me, I have inadvertantly ruffled a few feathers. (who me?) This was my "church" family when I first got here and I dare say still is in many ways. I made initial contact with them and was supported and loved and "brought into the fold" so readily and easily. It sometimes feels like I live two worlds here, fabulous church and fabulous Homeschool group and never the twain' shall meet! Boo!
A wealth of information, everyone helpful, everyone with penchant for ministry, everyone wanting to do the right thing all the time. All wrapped up in the most down to earth, loving people I have ever met. These would be friends for life if we could stay.
A season for everything. I must hold onto that.
All is quiet on the central Fl Front. Babes are a sleepin', coffee's a brewin', Mom is a typin'...
I want today to be quiet and pensive. I am going to go start off the day with my personal bible time and much prayer. Tonight we are hosting a restorative get together for a member of our HS group whose Mother is gravely ill. I will be giving her a massage and then we will nibble on a few things and laugh, perhaps cry...this is one special lady to be sure and she is managing a lot. I really pray the Lord shows up in a big way.
Our homeschool group is like church family. It truly is remarkable. The group is mostly Christian which is nice but also not exclusive which I also like. It affords many opportunities to set an example without words. They are the largest group of women I've ever seen get along and truly, truly, love each other. The thing I like most is that there is no pretense about them. They are genuine to the core. They don't have to put on airs or be on their best behavior. They are a forgiving bunch and believe you me, I have inadvertantly ruffled a few feathers. (who me?) This was my "church" family when I first got here and I dare say still is in many ways. I made initial contact with them and was supported and loved and "brought into the fold" so readily and easily. It sometimes feels like I live two worlds here, fabulous church and fabulous Homeschool group and never the twain' shall meet! Boo!
A wealth of information, everyone helpful, everyone with penchant for ministry, everyone wanting to do the right thing all the time. All wrapped up in the most down to earth, loving people I have ever met. These would be friends for life if we could stay.
A season for everything. I must hold onto that.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Busy Busy Busy
Well another busy week behind and another busy week ahead. You know, I LOVE busy weeks. Not run around busy. Not just-to-be-busy busy. But good ol' productive, workhorse, ministry, fun, kid, hubby busy. Tired at nine busy. Fall asleep in 10 minutes busy. Cross it off the list and on to the next thing busy. Actually learned something, taught something, made something, started something, finished something busy! I remember when I was in the work force and living in NYC I DREADED the weekends. I LOVED Mondays. And I still do.
I realized today that after talking to my friend S a couple of times over the last few days how much I will miss her and the other's from church if we end up moving. It is good to have church family and feels more like family than family does often times. I haven't had enough time here yet to know them as well as I would have liked but I realize that I must get out there and do what's needed while I can.
Funny how the enemy can work. I nearly stopped going to church altogether when K decided to be "active" during service. I nearly worked myself up into an all out cessation! When I decided to buck up, dig my heels in and attend no matter what she was doing, all seemed better. She woke up a 1/2 hour early this morning and I worked a little harder at getting her to sleep there and she slept very well. I was acting as if she should fall asleep as easily as she does at home. How silly. That I would "give up" because I had to put a little extra effort in.
Reminds me of S this morning lamenting how she wishes we could stay home from church this morning because she didn't feel like going. I told her, "I'm glad Jesus didn't say that when he was on the way to the cross". Now I KNOW that is irreverent, but she got the point. So often we are so lazy, complacent and not willing to put in any extra effort. Now I can feel myself girding up and making that extra effort to be sure to be there even if K gives me a run for my money.
I wonder how I will survive it if we end up moving. Of course my very first desire is being with Jeff. It has been terrible being apart as much as we have and we have never been apart in all the years we've been together. But even so, apart from that I will mourn the great loss of this the only church of it's like I have ever attended and the only HS group of it's kind anywhere, I am sure, bar none. Sigh, what does Vero hold anymore? I know if the Lord moves us back it is for good reason. I hate that I just can't see it.
Talk about busy. If I have to found a homeschooling group and help plant a new church...now that will be busy!
I realized today that after talking to my friend S a couple of times over the last few days how much I will miss her and the other's from church if we end up moving. It is good to have church family and feels more like family than family does often times. I haven't had enough time here yet to know them as well as I would have liked but I realize that I must get out there and do what's needed while I can.
Funny how the enemy can work. I nearly stopped going to church altogether when K decided to be "active" during service. I nearly worked myself up into an all out cessation! When I decided to buck up, dig my heels in and attend no matter what she was doing, all seemed better. She woke up a 1/2 hour early this morning and I worked a little harder at getting her to sleep there and she slept very well. I was acting as if she should fall asleep as easily as she does at home. How silly. That I would "give up" because I had to put a little extra effort in.
Reminds me of S this morning lamenting how she wishes we could stay home from church this morning because she didn't feel like going. I told her, "I'm glad Jesus didn't say that when he was on the way to the cross". Now I KNOW that is irreverent, but she got the point. So often we are so lazy, complacent and not willing to put in any extra effort. Now I can feel myself girding up and making that extra effort to be sure to be there even if K gives me a run for my money.
I wonder how I will survive it if we end up moving. Of course my very first desire is being with Jeff. It has been terrible being apart as much as we have and we have never been apart in all the years we've been together. But even so, apart from that I will mourn the great loss of this the only church of it's like I have ever attended and the only HS group of it's kind anywhere, I am sure, bar none. Sigh, what does Vero hold anymore? I know if the Lord moves us back it is for good reason. I hate that I just can't see it.
Talk about busy. If I have to found a homeschooling group and help plant a new church...now that will be busy!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bathroom Humor
Don't worry. Not near as bad as it sounds.
This post could run the gamut from love of a baby to things-we-really-would-rather-not-talk-about but I shall try to be concise. You DID hear me say try, didn't you?
K is such a sweet baby. I have just officially breastfed her longer than the other 3! I was going to stop when she turned one...but two seems just 12 short months away!
So this whole attachment parenting thing, (which I didn't think I was but M says I am) is really just parenting. I tried to sling her...she never really took to it like some babies. I nurse her. (that's attachment parenting??) and she slept with us until it became too dangerous for her.
N-E way, she follows me from room to room which I think is SO CUTE until of course I want her to sit for ONE second why I off to the (ahem) secret place.
I try to get up without making any noise (squeaky computer chair, squeaky wood floors, squeaky joints) and sneak away. Yeah, RIGHT.
So, I scoop her up because if I try to outrun her she'll cry. Yes, I admit it. I have tried to outrun my own baby. I am not proud of it.
Off to the secret place for a quick, well, YOU know.
I am now calling it the secret place because it is the one place I really do not want her. Too many unspoken (shudder with me now) g-e-r-m-s. Even though the bleach makes regular stops there. When she finally makes the cut and gets in there with me she whispers (daaaaaa,daaaaa) with eyes full of wonder and a look like that proverbial cat.
Well, today she discovered the amazing bathroom tissue roll. With eyes as proud as a new papa holding his first son, she RIPS off a piece and hand it to me triumphantly!
"Look, what I have done!" "For YOU, you lucky mama!"
I immediately realize that this is one of those moments where I should immediately put a stop to a beginning bad habit. But she is soooo cute when she does it. So I keep taking the little torn off pieces all the while issuing lilting "thank you's"! My next thought of course is that she will eventually find the END of it and pull, which of course she does before I can even finish that thought and I can see Michael Pearl now, shaking his head and clicking his tongue.
Should have nipped that in the bud Mrs. Clunn. NOW see what you've got? A baby who thinks it is OKAY to pull the bath tissue roll end until it becomes long enough to wrap around one's neck and ride in a convertible with it flowing behind you like that blonde in all of the white scarf convertible commercials.
Sigh, but she's soooo cute.
Gotta run and play 52 tissue pick up. Did I mention she's cute with a tissue box too?
This post could run the gamut from love of a baby to things-we-really-would-rather-not-talk-about but I shall try to be concise. You DID hear me say try, didn't you?
K is such a sweet baby. I have just officially breastfed her longer than the other 3! I was going to stop when she turned one...but two seems just 12 short months away!
So this whole attachment parenting thing, (which I didn't think I was but M says I am) is really just parenting. I tried to sling her...she never really took to it like some babies. I nurse her. (that's attachment parenting??) and she slept with us until it became too dangerous for her.
N-E way, she follows me from room to room which I think is SO CUTE until of course I want her to sit for ONE second why I off to the (ahem) secret place.
I try to get up without making any noise (squeaky computer chair, squeaky wood floors, squeaky joints) and sneak away. Yeah, RIGHT.
So, I scoop her up because if I try to outrun her she'll cry. Yes, I admit it. I have tried to outrun my own baby. I am not proud of it.
Off to the secret place for a quick, well, YOU know.
I am now calling it the secret place because it is the one place I really do not want her. Too many unspoken (shudder with me now) g-e-r-m-s. Even though the bleach makes regular stops there. When she finally makes the cut and gets in there with me she whispers (daaaaaa,daaaaa) with eyes full of wonder and a look like that proverbial cat.
Well, today she discovered the amazing bathroom tissue roll. With eyes as proud as a new papa holding his first son, she RIPS off a piece and hand it to me triumphantly!
"Look, what I have done!" "For YOU, you lucky mama!"
I immediately realize that this is one of those moments where I should immediately put a stop to a beginning bad habit. But she is soooo cute when she does it. So I keep taking the little torn off pieces all the while issuing lilting "thank you's"! My next thought of course is that she will eventually find the END of it and pull, which of course she does before I can even finish that thought and I can see Michael Pearl now, shaking his head and clicking his tongue.
Should have nipped that in the bud Mrs. Clunn. NOW see what you've got? A baby who thinks it is OKAY to pull the bath tissue roll end until it becomes long enough to wrap around one's neck and ride in a convertible with it flowing behind you like that blonde in all of the white scarf convertible commercials.
Sigh, but she's soooo cute.
Gotta run and play 52 tissue pick up. Did I mention she's cute with a tissue box too?
Thursday, July 19, 2007
What's it all for anyway?
I was lamenting in a recent email to a friend who had made us a cake from a box that was DELICIOUS for K's birthday. We made one from scratch at home that we ended up throwing away it was so bad tasting! It got me thinking...if we can buy it cheaper, fix it faster, make it easier, use it longer, it's better quality AND it tastes better, how are the "lost arts" going to serve us?
M helps me with this a lot and talks me through it. But it took 9 hours to make our skirt and cost three times as much in materials. I could have gotten it for 11 bucks at Wal Mart! Yeah, yeah I know...I will SAVE that skirt for forever. I will frame it. And HANG it in the living room after each girl outgrows it!
But also the cake tasted better.
And the ointment I buy at Walgreen's works better than the herb poultice that never gets put together at home.
(My herbs in Vero are growing beautifully by the way and if we ever need to make 147 pots of spaghetti sauce so I can chuck in all that Basil, great!)
I am afraid, no matter how I slice it, store bought or home baked, this bread of homeschooling may have to consider being reformed.
Computer savvy, business from home, advanced learning?
Who knows, but I am still going to keep working on those cinnamon rolls!
M helps me with this a lot and talks me through it. But it took 9 hours to make our skirt and cost three times as much in materials. I could have gotten it for 11 bucks at Wal Mart! Yeah, yeah I know...I will SAVE that skirt for forever. I will frame it. And HANG it in the living room after each girl outgrows it!
But also the cake tasted better.
And the ointment I buy at Walgreen's works better than the herb poultice that never gets put together at home.
(My herbs in Vero are growing beautifully by the way and if we ever need to make 147 pots of spaghetti sauce so I can chuck in all that Basil, great!)
I am afraid, no matter how I slice it, store bought or home baked, this bread of homeschooling may have to consider being reformed.
Computer savvy, business from home, advanced learning?
Who knows, but I am still going to keep working on those cinnamon rolls!
Swappin da blocks
Whew. Well the day finally came! Quilt-O-Rama. The blocks were beautiful and I cannot wait to put it all together. Get home M!
The women in my HS group are so amazing and funny and loving. Each one so unique and talented. We have decided to do a Christmas swap as well and I think that I will ask them to bring their blocks to the show and tell get- together for the finished products of the first swap. I am sure this will step on a few toes of procrastination (like mine!) but this added pressure will surely only add to the fun! I can see continuing swaps throughout the year with the "new" block being due at the presentation get together of the last project.
On your mark, get ready.....QUILT!
Cinna-mess
Well, my beautiful cinnies turned out not so beautiful! The dough never rose and neither did they in the oven. I asked the group that came over today for the quilt swap and someone asked if my water was too hot that I dissolved the yeast in.
Whoops.
You mean boiling is too hot?
Duh, yeast LIVES woman! I never even thought about it how hot my water was! Popped the glass in the micro and nuked away!
Now, I may add to my resume,... yeast murderer.
But talk about taste? These were still de-lish and none will go to waste I am sure. I am tempted to try it again but cannot afford as much butter and sugar that it calls for! Lol
Can you imagine these puppies risen? Wow!
More on the "D" Word
More on discipline affirmation:
The other day L got into trouble for being a little less than nice to one of her sisters.
After a very stern talking to, her heart broke in repentance. Well, after her "recovery" period, we amazingly observed her then running around exclaiming how it was such great day! She ran in soon after being disciplined and exclaimed how very much she loved me! And how she was just so happy and having such a good time that day and didn't know why! Now mind you, she had just come from her room and had been crying for a good hour. But according to her this was just one of the best days of her life!
She received her discipline as love! Thank You Lord for your Word of instruction and for affirmation!
The other day L got into trouble for being a little less than nice to one of her sisters.
After a very stern talking to, her heart broke in repentance. Well, after her "recovery" period, we amazingly observed her then running around exclaiming how it was such great day! She ran in soon after being disciplined and exclaimed how very much she loved me! And how she was just so happy and having such a good time that day and didn't know why! Now mind you, she had just come from her room and had been crying for a good hour. But according to her this was just one of the best days of her life!
She received her discipline as love! Thank You Lord for your Word of instruction and for affirmation!
A Bakers Twenty?
Whew. What a night. Went to the store late with S and the babe to stock up on fruits and veggies and all baking supplies. I was beat and S masaged me for forever as we watched Pride and Prejudiced YET again!
I can see the baking bug coming on.
Day before yesterday I made some "Fudge Ecstasy" cookies and MAN were they good and SO easy.
Bag of semi-sweet choc chips
2 squares bakers choc
2 tbls butter
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2.5 tsp baking powder
vanilla
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) I made with and without
Melt 1/2 the bag of chips, butter and bakers choc in med saucepan til' melted
add eggs vanilla flour and baking powder stir well
add remaining cc chips and nuts
drop by rounded tsp on greased cookie sheet
bake at 350 for ten min or until sides are firm and top is cracked.
Fabulous
These are such FAST cookies and really have a very chocolately grown up taste. This recipe is straight from the red checkered cookbook! I was babysitting that day and funny when the Dad came to pick up the his boys, I did not have the gumption to call them "Fudge Ecstasies!" I thought it too immodest! I simply called them "Chocolate Cookies"
Perhaps if I were to have called them by their proper name it would have illicited a better response than "Great, just what we need."
Sheesh!
We are now endeavoring to try something new all the time and are about to venture into the bread making again. There is just NO reason why we cannot have the fresh bread every other day with all these girls around dying to cook! So we have all the flour and yeast one needs!
But today dear friends, I am up and about to start "Cinnabon Style" Cinnamon Buns. oooooh, they sound good. The real kind that you have to let rise and punch down and could actually send you to the hospital for all the sugar and butter and of course cream cheese frosting.
The only trouble is that it makes twenty!!!!!! I didn't want to cut the recipe because in baking you should not (nor double the recipe either) so if they come out, I guess the neighbors will be the recipients of our efforts once again.
I can see the baking bug coming on.
Day before yesterday I made some "Fudge Ecstasy" cookies and MAN were they good and SO easy.
Bag of semi-sweet choc chips
2 squares bakers choc
2 tbls butter
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2.5 tsp baking powder
vanilla
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) I made with and without
Melt 1/2 the bag of chips, butter and bakers choc in med saucepan til' melted
add eggs vanilla flour and baking powder stir well
add remaining cc chips and nuts
drop by rounded tsp on greased cookie sheet
bake at 350 for ten min or until sides are firm and top is cracked.
Fabulous
These are such FAST cookies and really have a very chocolately grown up taste. This recipe is straight from the red checkered cookbook! I was babysitting that day and funny when the Dad came to pick up the his boys, I did not have the gumption to call them "Fudge Ecstasies!" I thought it too immodest! I simply called them "Chocolate Cookies"
Perhaps if I were to have called them by their proper name it would have illicited a better response than "Great, just what we need."
Sheesh!
We are now endeavoring to try something new all the time and are about to venture into the bread making again. There is just NO reason why we cannot have the fresh bread every other day with all these girls around dying to cook! So we have all the flour and yeast one needs!
But today dear friends, I am up and about to start "Cinnabon Style" Cinnamon Buns. oooooh, they sound good. The real kind that you have to let rise and punch down and could actually send you to the hospital for all the sugar and butter and of course cream cheese frosting.
The only trouble is that it makes twenty!!!!!! I didn't want to cut the recipe because in baking you should not (nor double the recipe either) so if they come out, I guess the neighbors will be the recipients of our efforts once again.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
First Play Date
We watched a friend's 11 month old and 4 year old yesterday for the day and K had a great time. She was such a show off and loved "showing" the little guy her digs. It is so cute to watch them interact. Well, SHE interacts. He mostly just looks at her like, "Who IS this crazy baby?"
He was SO easy to watch (never cried) and I can't help but think of how she would scream the entire time if I ever tried to drop her off anywhere. Don't know whether that is good or bad, but I'm going with good!
Don't Turn your Drama into Trauma
I have coined another phrase.
After R expresses boredom with the Math-U-See since it is on L's level, and I am making her and S sit through it and teach Lauren from the beginning, I decide I'll give her a lesson of her own in math.
So I grab "her" math book off her shelf, flip to the last done page and issue her the next. As she expresses some frustration I JOKINGLY say, Oh, so you are BORED with the baby Math-U-See, blah, blah blah.
When I see she is really serious and the tears are coming I decide to re-examine the situation.
Whoops.
The math book I grabbed was S's OLD book that I had placed on R's for use this year. I thought it was hers and flipped to the back where S had left off.
After apologizing profusely, I do realize she has completed the entire page after all.
So while she is having a breakdown of sorts, the work is pretty easy and she is just dramatizing to the point where it is becoming traumatizing.
Out of the blue I say, "Don't turn your drama into trauma"
And we all do that as women sometimes don't we?
Poor thing.
I bet she shows more interest in Math U See tomorrow.
After R expresses boredom with the Math-U-See since it is on L's level, and I am making her and S sit through it and teach Lauren from the beginning, I decide I'll give her a lesson of her own in math.
So I grab "her" math book off her shelf, flip to the last done page and issue her the next. As she expresses some frustration I JOKINGLY say, Oh, so you are BORED with the baby Math-U-See, blah, blah blah.
When I see she is really serious and the tears are coming I decide to re-examine the situation.
Whoops.
The math book I grabbed was S's OLD book that I had placed on R's for use this year. I thought it was hers and flipped to the back where S had left off.
After apologizing profusely, I do realize she has completed the entire page after all.
So while she is having a breakdown of sorts, the work is pretty easy and she is just dramatizing to the point where it is becoming traumatizing.
Out of the blue I say, "Don't turn your drama into trauma"
And we all do that as women sometimes don't we?
Poor thing.
I bet she shows more interest in Math U See tomorrow.
Gittin' er' done
Today has been a good day so far. We have done a reconnaissance on the house. (too lazy to look up spelling on that one so anyone feel free to enlighten me)
The kids did weeding (yuck!) but we've decided to do yard work for twenty minutes in the am and twenty in the pm. S of course asks if she can do her full forty all at once. Sure, says I.
Do forty minutes of weeding in 94 degree weather and 100% humidity.
She did it.
And it looks great.
And she is proud of herself and subsequently is now in charge of all weeding activities! Ah, parenting.
We broke out the math-u-see again and S and R are teaching L all about decimal street and place value. Lots of fun.
Everyone did their personal bible study (yay!) and we had Family bible study as well which we had missed for a few days.
I worked on writing skills with L an am convinced that she is NOT dyslexic. I sit with her and discuss writing from left to right and letters mainly going to the right and she understands. I give her a sentence. She writes it correctly (and beautifully if I may add) so I ask her what she is thinking when she writes things backwards. She replies that when she writes she is just "writing" the word and she doesn't CARE which direction it goes.
This makes me laugh and in a perfect unschooling world I would continue to let her, all the while crying "individualism" and "creativity" and "marching to her own drum" rhetoric, but alas, we are a civilized people (digging this run on?) and I tell her "Well, I care" so she must write correctly.
We are making bread today after the store and have just all around had a good day.
The kids did weeding (yuck!) but we've decided to do yard work for twenty minutes in the am and twenty in the pm. S of course asks if she can do her full forty all at once. Sure, says I.
Do forty minutes of weeding in 94 degree weather and 100% humidity.
She did it.
And it looks great.
And she is proud of herself and subsequently is now in charge of all weeding activities! Ah, parenting.
We broke out the math-u-see again and S and R are teaching L all about decimal street and place value. Lots of fun.
Everyone did their personal bible study (yay!) and we had Family bible study as well which we had missed for a few days.
I worked on writing skills with L an am convinced that she is NOT dyslexic. I sit with her and discuss writing from left to right and letters mainly going to the right and she understands. I give her a sentence. She writes it correctly (and beautifully if I may add) so I ask her what she is thinking when she writes things backwards. She replies that when she writes she is just "writing" the word and she doesn't CARE which direction it goes.
This makes me laugh and in a perfect unschooling world I would continue to let her, all the while crying "individualism" and "creativity" and "marching to her own drum" rhetoric, but alas, we are a civilized people (digging this run on?) and I tell her "Well, I care" so she must write correctly.
We are making bread today after the store and have just all around had a good day.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Pillow Talk
I made a pillow for K for her birthday. She loves pillows and she really loved it. She layed on it all night. Made me feel good. My work was shoddy at the part where you sew it up but I am sure M would be glad for my effort. I know K is!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Happy Birthday!
Yay! Success! One year old and we are still
LOVING you! Lol I guess we'll keep you! Tee hee!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
One Day to Kate!
One day to Kate!
Everyone is getting excited. Kate will be one tomorrow.
We got Sloan some baking pans and some tips for her first three teired cake. The recipe sounds delicious. Her first "from scratch" cake too! Calls for cornstarch and unsalted butter and sour cream! I hope it comes out perfect for her...
We are making dark chocolate, yellow and swirl cupcakes to take to church. We are going to pipe some frosting in the middle as a surprise. We bought cute little toothpicks with colored flowers on them to stick in and may spell out Happy Birthday Kate on them (one letter on each)
I am also making my incredibly easy chicken enchiladas and hope that Kate will behave long enough that I can get to stay at church. I have had to come home a few times because church starts at 10 and her nap is at 10:30. She will not sleep there and it sometimes ends up in a wrestling match until I throw up my hands and come home.
I am thinking of waking her an hour early so that she will be REALLY tired when we get there. But if it backfires and she STILL won't sleep I'll be in real trouble.
Happy Day before your birthday darling! We are SO in love with you!
Everyone is getting excited. Kate will be one tomorrow.
We got Sloan some baking pans and some tips for her first three teired cake. The recipe sounds delicious. Her first "from scratch" cake too! Calls for cornstarch and unsalted butter and sour cream! I hope it comes out perfect for her...
We are making dark chocolate, yellow and swirl cupcakes to take to church. We are going to pipe some frosting in the middle as a surprise. We bought cute little toothpicks with colored flowers on them to stick in and may spell out Happy Birthday Kate on them (one letter on each)
I am also making my incredibly easy chicken enchiladas and hope that Kate will behave long enough that I can get to stay at church. I have had to come home a few times because church starts at 10 and her nap is at 10:30. She will not sleep there and it sometimes ends up in a wrestling match until I throw up my hands and come home.
I am thinking of waking her an hour early so that she will be REALLY tired when we get there. But if it backfires and she STILL won't sleep I'll be in real trouble.
Happy Day before your birthday darling! We are SO in love with you!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
More on child training...
Well, ironically, (providentially is more like it) I finish blogging and walk out when S brings it up again. She tells the story she read in NGJ about a screaming child in the car. After being disciplined, they note that he seems joyful. She wonders about it. I told her that when they were little they were the same. After being disciplined they were always more loving and light spirited. Not immediately of course, I tell her. No one likes being disciplined in the moment. But after awhile they were very joyful.
"Why?" she asks. I tell her it is because the Word of God says that those who love their children, discipline them. Somewhere in a child's spirit they recognize and receive that discipline as love. Because if you believe scripture, that is what it is. Children need to feel the walls of discipline. It makes their world orderly and safe. But, sometimes they have to bump into them.
The walls of discipline are the arms of a parent.
They hug a child protectively when they are young. And the walls expand and allow a child more and more room to grow as they gain age and experience and self discipline. Eventually the arms are wide open and the child is free from the walls of protection but resting gently and safely in the arms of much bigger parent. God.
By this time, they have learned to listen to and obey the protective voice of the Lord.
Their new "walls" don't hold them in but UP.
"Why?" she asks. I tell her it is because the Word of God says that those who love their children, discipline them. Somewhere in a child's spirit they recognize and receive that discipline as love. Because if you believe scripture, that is what it is. Children need to feel the walls of discipline. It makes their world orderly and safe. But, sometimes they have to bump into them.
The walls of discipline are the arms of a parent.
They hug a child protectively when they are young. And the walls expand and allow a child more and more room to grow as they gain age and experience and self discipline. Eventually the arms are wide open and the child is free from the walls of protection but resting gently and safely in the arms of much bigger parent. God.
By this time, they have learned to listen to and obey the protective voice of the Lord.
Their new "walls" don't hold them in but UP.
Growing up Homeschoolers and The "D" Word...
S has really been blessing my heart lately. She is reading the No Greater Joy books and like it or not, she is getting affirmations right and left. It is amazing. Something will come up in real life and suddenly she is exclaiming, "I just read that in NGJ!"
Today she said, "I know how I am going to homeschool my kids". Do you KNOW what a blessing that is to hear???? I immediately squashed into oblivion my initial reaction which was, (can you guess?) "You mean different than me???" and intstead simply asked, "Really? How?"
She went on to say that she would only start "real" core curriculum at the age of ten or so. That kids should be able to learn and play until then. Ooooh. Chills. Wow.
To think that she (all of them really, she is just the oldest so everything is happening with her first) anyway, that she will be so many steps ahead of where I was when I started. That the Truth is hitting her as Truth is a b-e-a-UTIFUL thing. What is that scripture? "My greatest joy is to see my children walk in truth"...
I love that she has in her hands the tools that I never had. I realize with vast amounts of gratitude that what I lack in experience, God can make up for with tools! We are privvy to INFORMATION. Thank you to all the homeschoolers before us who have put things to print!
The NGJ books have also aided in her ideas of discipline and now that they don't require much discipline, she is able to read those books and have an even deeper understanding of WHY things are the way they are. She applies it to her sisters and even to herself!
I have come to realize dear daughters, that there are generally three groups of parents.
Those that have their children's hearts but don't discipline.
Those that discipline but don't have their children's hearts.
And finally those that have their children's hearts and discipline as well.
The first group have the children you do not want to be around. And they may THINK they have their children's hearts but they don't fully. Because if they did the children would respect and mind them.
The second group have well behaved kids but rebellion is in their hearts. You can oft see this in their eyes and they lack basic kindness, compassion and are mean behind their parents backs. These are the ones with the fake smiles and unruly hearts. It is so sad and really much worse than the first group because they are being taught to "put on" good behavior while they are feeling something else. Often lonliness for real relationship.
The last group has got it knocked. And while nothing is a guarantee, following scripture will ALWAYS be the right path to take. Bar none. No exception. You disipline because you love. You love and SO you discipline. I pray that Lord willing, I will one day see your own children looking adoringly up at you, face full of wonder and unadulterated love for you, running with a yes Maam, to go and do your bidding. You will never regret disciplining your children and requiring respect from them.
I don't know where we fall in the mix exactly, but I pray when you are reading this, you will remember mostly that we were somewhere in the middle. Perhaps we indulged you once too often, perhaps we were a little too strict at times, but that we always had your hearts. And we always put relationship above all else. Maintaining fellowship. Restoring it when need be.
I know you will appreciate the discipline because you are already thanking us for it at your ages now!
It is amazing to see your faces with jaw dropped wonder at what that kid walking through Wal Mart said or did. I like that we concentrate on every discipline situation that we see as an opportunity to learn and not an opportunity to judge. I wonder if you will remember all this!
I imagine those NGJ case study books will be blessing your homes and my grandchildren's homes for years to come...
Today she said, "I know how I am going to homeschool my kids". Do you KNOW what a blessing that is to hear???? I immediately squashed into oblivion my initial reaction which was, (can you guess?) "You mean different than me???" and intstead simply asked, "Really? How?"
She went on to say that she would only start "real" core curriculum at the age of ten or so. That kids should be able to learn and play until then. Ooooh. Chills. Wow.
To think that she (all of them really, she is just the oldest so everything is happening with her first) anyway, that she will be so many steps ahead of where I was when I started. That the Truth is hitting her as Truth is a b-e-a-UTIFUL thing. What is that scripture? "My greatest joy is to see my children walk in truth"...
I love that she has in her hands the tools that I never had. I realize with vast amounts of gratitude that what I lack in experience, God can make up for with tools! We are privvy to INFORMATION. Thank you to all the homeschoolers before us who have put things to print!
The NGJ books have also aided in her ideas of discipline and now that they don't require much discipline, she is able to read those books and have an even deeper understanding of WHY things are the way they are. She applies it to her sisters and even to herself!
I have come to realize dear daughters, that there are generally three groups of parents.
Those that have their children's hearts but don't discipline.
Those that discipline but don't have their children's hearts.
And finally those that have their children's hearts and discipline as well.
The first group have the children you do not want to be around. And they may THINK they have their children's hearts but they don't fully. Because if they did the children would respect and mind them.
The second group have well behaved kids but rebellion is in their hearts. You can oft see this in their eyes and they lack basic kindness, compassion and are mean behind their parents backs. These are the ones with the fake smiles and unruly hearts. It is so sad and really much worse than the first group because they are being taught to "put on" good behavior while they are feeling something else. Often lonliness for real relationship.
The last group has got it knocked. And while nothing is a guarantee, following scripture will ALWAYS be the right path to take. Bar none. No exception. You disipline because you love. You love and SO you discipline. I pray that Lord willing, I will one day see your own children looking adoringly up at you, face full of wonder and unadulterated love for you, running with a yes Maam, to go and do your bidding. You will never regret disciplining your children and requiring respect from them.
I don't know where we fall in the mix exactly, but I pray when you are reading this, you will remember mostly that we were somewhere in the middle. Perhaps we indulged you once too often, perhaps we were a little too strict at times, but that we always had your hearts. And we always put relationship above all else. Maintaining fellowship. Restoring it when need be.
I know you will appreciate the discipline because you are already thanking us for it at your ages now!
It is amazing to see your faces with jaw dropped wonder at what that kid walking through Wal Mart said or did. I like that we concentrate on every discipline situation that we see as an opportunity to learn and not an opportunity to judge. I wonder if you will remember all this!
I imagine those NGJ case study books will be blessing your homes and my grandchildren's homes for years to come...
Countdown to Kate...
Kate is getting so big. I cannot believe she is almost one already! Where did the time go...IT has been so amazing having her in this beautiful place with these wonderful Mom's. At this age, having another one has been so different, definitely even better I would say! SO much more patience. Lol
THe girls are planning quite the party for her. Since we turned to homemade family birthdays we have enjoyed them somuch more. I tried to tell them not to overdo it but there is not stopping them I'm afraid. S is making the cake, L is handling the decorations and R is handling the presents. One year old....and never would I have thought we would be having more. IF I get to have five, I may just keel over with happiness.
It really can get under my skin when someone "wishes" a boy on me like it is some kind of curse. "Oh, just WAIT until you have a boy", "I can't WAIT until you get one" "Then you'll see!"
As if you "girl"children just were born all nicely disciplined and well behaved! Ridiculous. Boys are different but they are not born to test parents any more than girls were. They were born to be a blessing and for God's good pleasure. The smae as you. Boy or girl, we want more too!
(admittedly, the idea of a boy is a little frightening!) But after four girls, who can blame me!
We'll get what God decides and that, as they say, is that!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Kiss Me Kate!
The girls just bless my heart with how much they love K. We are hard pressed to understand how there can be so much sibling rivalry between kids these days. I do not think it natural if parents have the hearts of their children and are in real relationship with them. The kids are always perplexed when they hear of "How to handle older children resenting new babies".
They are pressing me for another one asap! I'm bound to be swayed by their argument...One is such a delicious age. We could, as S puts it, eat her whole face for breakfast!
Happy Birthday Grandpa Earl
We had my Dad's birthday today. I really cannot believe he made it another year with all of this health problems. His 80th birthday! He came up with my sister Terri who flew in from Scottsdale. She is well like by the girls and is an avid and accomplished sewer. She raved over Rachel's skirt and thought their work was good! She especially like the finished seams! She says most people just leave them rough and it is better work to finish them. Go M!
For the man who has it all, (or more aptly doesn't want anything) we decided to paint pictures on some handkerchiefs that he uses. We were going to iron on some monograms but they were way too pricey. So after going to three stores looking for the iron ons and finally finding them at Michael's, we ran into the fabric paint and ta da! Excellent idea if I do say so myself. We all had a good laugh over the visual of his blowing his nose into their pictures.
The girls made him a carrot cake and he had two pieces! We got him some big band music, a couple of movies and a shirt as well. He wasn't feeling very good after suffering a fall last week so they didn't stay very long but I think it was a good thing we did it. He's a pretty good guy and tough as he is, he seemed to really enjoy the company and K who TOTALLY flirted with him the whole time.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Rachel's First Skirt
M and I made the MOST beautiful skirt the other day.
Whoops, I lied. M and R made it. I watched.
It is SO fantastic and the kind of work I'd like to do. M and I go back and forth on whether I need a pattern to do it again. We'll see...
The time together was the best part...we seem to click like friends should. Different enough to challenge each other, similar enough to relate. Wacko enough to laugh at ourselves and with each other!
I am looking forward to the next time.
Whoops, I lied. M and R made it. I watched.
It is SO fantastic and the kind of work I'd like to do. M and I go back and forth on whether I need a pattern to do it again. We'll see...
The time together was the best part...we seem to click like friends should. Different enough to challenge each other, similar enough to relate. Wacko enough to laugh at ourselves and with each other!
I am looking forward to the next time.
To Immunize or Not to Immunize...
I haven't been able to blog for awhile now but I feel half way good enough to at this moment so we'll see how it goes.
Kate got some shots on Friday and has been fevered ever since. (this is day three)
It hasn't made me too happy of course, but it seems regarding immunizations, I just can't muster up the chutzpah to figure it.
If she continues with fever I may have to take her in to her Dr. which is well against my better judgement. I am bound to want to do the EXACT opposite of whatever they say so what's the point?
I gave a shout our for prayer and got some good advice from my friend N. Her Mom was a nurse in the 40's and said we were blessed to have the immunizations as she saw all the kids with the very diseases they immunize against today. It's a good point and I think that I just am enjoying all the support.
I forget that yes, even I, need support. And it cannot and does not always come from the hubby! It often comes in the form of friends. I am blessed again by my homeschooling group...and all the vast experience.
I hope to give this little girl a little sister or brother soon so keeping her healthy is a must!
Kate got some shots on Friday and has been fevered ever since. (this is day three)
It hasn't made me too happy of course, but it seems regarding immunizations, I just can't muster up the chutzpah to figure it.
If she continues with fever I may have to take her in to her Dr. which is well against my better judgement. I am bound to want to do the EXACT opposite of whatever they say so what's the point?
I gave a shout our for prayer and got some good advice from my friend N. Her Mom was a nurse in the 40's and said we were blessed to have the immunizations as she saw all the kids with the very diseases they immunize against today. It's a good point and I think that I just am enjoying all the support.
I forget that yes, even I, need support. And it cannot and does not always come from the hubby! It often comes in the form of friends. I am blessed again by my homeschooling group...and all the vast experience.
I hope to give this little girl a little sister or brother soon so keeping her healthy is a must!
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