basketball hoop--
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Life is busy Part II
This is what happens, I want to post, I really miss my blog and have a million things to ramble about. This desire increases as I read all your fun blogs and see what you're up to. I don't want to take time to share my millions of photos or tell you every detail of life, so I'm just going to share again;
I'm reading....My Upmost for His Highest, and a manual to my new Christmas camera (more on that to come)
Projects....again, beginning to learn my new camera is my major project. That, and getting life back to normal and prepping for next week-back to school. That's plenty for me, now.
In school...school starts up again next Monday. This week I think we'll brush up on our Classical Conversations work and we're also enjoying the first of the Mrs. Pigglewiggle books. ;)
Recent dates...the evening after Christmas I went with my MIL to Macy's for the big after sale. We giggled our way through the store and were amazed when I found my (new) lost earring in the changing room I'd used hours before. Then we met up with our Ralph's for dinner. We ate until we were fat and happy, drove home and finished off the evening with some Poker and lots of laughs.
I'm thinking...that I'm ready for some good hiking. It's been awhile since we've been on a good hike and every day my boys get bigger and faster and stronger and needing the hike too.
I'm also thinking of pulling the boys out of basketball that's going to start in a few weeks. We are just busy enough and I kind of want some *ahem* quiet. Hm?
The boys....are so sweet. ;) I'm enjoying them a lot these days. They had a fabulous Christmas, getting some favorite toys AND a Wii AND a trampoline, which they have been using--even in the snow. Yes, those same Ralph's got out there in the 20' and put it up while my MIL and I were shopping.
Running....might just happen, but then again....might not. I love to run in the snow though, so does Juneau!
God is...settling our hearts. We are feeling more and more that this is a season of rest, amongst new things here in CO. He's also my friend. In a quiet-friendship season of my life right now, I'm very contented in my friendship with him.
Changes... Ralph and I have been asked to head up a college/career group in our church. We are excited to move forward with this and learn about what we'll get to do with the group. I'm looking forward to a girls' Bible Study.
Looking forward to...normal. The after-christmas-craze normal.
Favorite moments...reading to my boys. It's not all quiet uninterrupted time, like you might imagine. The boys have questions to ask and they holler out "PICTURE!" and scramble over when I tell them there is an illustration in the book. Theyr'e usually listening over their work of building or playing quietly. I love it.
Planning...yet a new format for school work for our daily stuff. This is fun work. I have some ideas for blog changes, too.
I do enjoy reading up on all of you here and there even when I can't be bothered with blogging or leaving comments...do leave a comment so I can be sure to read up on you...
I'm reading....My Upmost for His Highest, and a manual to my new Christmas camera (more on that to come)
Projects....again, beginning to learn my new camera is my major project. That, and getting life back to normal and prepping for next week-back to school. That's plenty for me, now.
In school...school starts up again next Monday. This week I think we'll brush up on our Classical Conversations work and we're also enjoying the first of the Mrs. Pigglewiggle books. ;)
Recent dates...the evening after Christmas I went with my MIL to Macy's for the big after sale. We giggled our way through the store and were amazed when I found my (new) lost earring in the changing room I'd used hours before. Then we met up with our Ralph's for dinner. We ate until we were fat and happy, drove home and finished off the evening with some Poker and lots of laughs.
I'm thinking...that I'm ready for some good hiking. It's been awhile since we've been on a good hike and every day my boys get bigger and faster and stronger and needing the hike too.
I'm also thinking of pulling the boys out of basketball that's going to start in a few weeks. We are just busy enough and I kind of want some *ahem* quiet. Hm?
The boys....are so sweet. ;) I'm enjoying them a lot these days. They had a fabulous Christmas, getting some favorite toys AND a Wii AND a trampoline, which they have been using--even in the snow. Yes, those same Ralph's got out there in the 20' and put it up while my MIL and I were shopping.
Running....might just happen, but then again....might not. I love to run in the snow though, so does Juneau!
God is...settling our hearts. We are feeling more and more that this is a season of rest, amongst new things here in CO. He's also my friend. In a quiet-friendship season of my life right now, I'm very contented in my friendship with him.
Changes... Ralph and I have been asked to head up a college/career group in our church. We are excited to move forward with this and learn about what we'll get to do with the group. I'm looking forward to a girls' Bible Study.
Looking forward to...normal. The after-christmas-craze normal.
Favorite moments...reading to my boys. It's not all quiet uninterrupted time, like you might imagine. The boys have questions to ask and they holler out "PICTURE!" and scramble over when I tell them there is an illustration in the book. Theyr'e usually listening over their work of building or playing quietly. I love it.
Planning...yet a new format for school work for our daily stuff. This is fun work. I have some ideas for blog changes, too.
I do enjoy reading up on all of you here and there even when I can't be bothered with blogging or leaving comments...do leave a comment so I can be sure to read up on you...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Because life is too busy for a proper post
I'm reading....the last of the trilogy "Mark of the Lion" by Francine Rivers. I love, love, love these books. My sweet auntie sent me some cash for my birthday so I bought them. I have a book problem. Not enough shelves. I also keep reading Luke 11.
Projects....this week we'll be doing some going-to-freeze baking. That, and we're touching up the entire house with fresh paint. It's a lot of work but it looks beautiful. You might hear me though...boys don't touch the walls! Ha.
In school...we are going to do a little school to keep up and try and finish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We love the book but it's dragging out b/c our reading times have to be split up between that and library books. I guess it doesn't matter but I just want to read a new book.
Recent dates...Ralph and I went out last weekend. We went to Johnny Carino's (yum!) and then saw The Blindside. What a movie. You should see it, if you can. That's all I'll say.
The boys....are happy-busy these days. Legos, building indoor forts that involve lots of pillows and blankets. Busy boys. Eli carries this teeny hedgehog family around in his pocket and it's so stinkin' cute. They just melt me.
Running....I'm thinking of making time this week. I'll do it!
God is...stirring the importance of faithfulness in my heart. Not success, just faithfulness to pick up and keep going, and to trust in His promises and plan for me. I love it that He's always doing something new in me. Love it.
Changes...many of you know we have made a church change. This has been a tough-tender thing. Please pray for wisdom for Ralph and I. Another area to trust in God's promises.
Looking forward to...this week, actually. The last few weeks have been hectic and I've been frazzled. Life looks relatively simple this week and I've been enjoying playing with the boys a lot. I like these seasons.
Favorite moments...when I wake up in the morning there is almost always a boy or two snuggled down with me in bed. One in particular wraps his little arms around my neck and burries his face into mine. His breath is sweet and skin so pure. His eyelashes go on forever. I just love these little boys.
...and after the boys are tucked in at night sometimes Ralph and I just sit and talk. And talk and talk. I do not take for granted the friendship I have in him. I love it everyday and admire him more and more all the time.
Projects....this week we'll be doing some going-to-freeze baking. That, and we're touching up the entire house with fresh paint. It's a lot of work but it looks beautiful. You might hear me though...boys don't touch the walls! Ha.
In school...we are going to do a little school to keep up and try and finish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We love the book but it's dragging out b/c our reading times have to be split up between that and library books. I guess it doesn't matter but I just want to read a new book.
Recent dates...Ralph and I went out last weekend. We went to Johnny Carino's (yum!) and then saw The Blindside. What a movie. You should see it, if you can. That's all I'll say.
The boys....are happy-busy these days. Legos, building indoor forts that involve lots of pillows and blankets. Busy boys. Eli carries this teeny hedgehog family around in his pocket and it's so stinkin' cute. They just melt me.
Running....I'm thinking of making time this week. I'll do it!
God is...stirring the importance of faithfulness in my heart. Not success, just faithfulness to pick up and keep going, and to trust in His promises and plan for me. I love it that He's always doing something new in me. Love it.
Changes...many of you know we have made a church change. This has been a tough-tender thing. Please pray for wisdom for Ralph and I. Another area to trust in God's promises.
Looking forward to...this week, actually. The last few weeks have been hectic and I've been frazzled. Life looks relatively simple this week and I've been enjoying playing with the boys a lot. I like these seasons.
Favorite moments...when I wake up in the morning there is almost always a boy or two snuggled down with me in bed. One in particular wraps his little arms around my neck and burries his face into mine. His breath is sweet and skin so pure. His eyelashes go on forever. I just love these little boys.
...and after the boys are tucked in at night sometimes Ralph and I just sit and talk. And talk and talk. I do not take for granted the friendship I have in him. I love it everyday and admire him more and more all the time.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
December Part One
Folks without lightspeed internet use, be warned; this is the heftiest of my photo blogs in quite some time. You might just want to go get yourselves a cup o' tea while the photos steep. I promise they're worth it.
On top of it all, we've been sick on and off. Ralph was off his foot (on crutches) for 8 weeks and when he started getting around more he was hit with a small virus but his body took weeks to recover. This week he's feeling better, I'm so grateful because Joey's first play ran (2 rehearsals and 4 performances) this week and we were covering a lot of bases together. What a busy season.
My load was lightened when I decided last week to pull back on school. I've been reading to the boys and playing more games, baking, and that is what school has been. I'm a better mom for that decision.
Going back a little...
We got our tree, the boys loved decorating and redecorating;
This week I took the boys to run some errands and we had a lunch date, good fun;
The boys are taking private swim lessons too. We usually try and get the boys in a few sessions of swim lessons in the Winter but all our other activities make that harder and harder. Five private lessons have been the equivalent (in learning) to 4 sessions for each boy; cheaper and much, much less time. Eli and Nate can both swim the length of the pool now, and Joey is perfecting his breathing and strokes.
This will be the longest blog entry ever.
I'm okay with that.
Nathan's birthday is sneaking up too...to make sure the anticipation isn't lost in the midst of Christmas, I made him a paper chain to count down the days. He loves it of course, but still pouts when he realizes he has 20-some days to go. Every day he cuts off a link and gets one day closer.
So that is what's been going on around here. I'm missing all of you and noting that a lot of friends just are too busy to post just now. Looking forward to reading about your lives more later...
Life has a way of flying by this time of year. I've been swimming in Christmas plans, shopping, super-cleaning my house and trying to enjoy the season and just hang with my family in my spare time.
Ralph gives the boys chess lessons while he's stuck off his feet.
Check out all that hair on those boys, dreamy..eh?
Ralph gives the boys chess lessons while he's stuck off his feet.
Check out all that hair on those boys, dreamy..eh?
On top of it all, we've been sick on and off. Ralph was off his foot (on crutches) for 8 weeks and when he started getting around more he was hit with a small virus but his body took weeks to recover. This week he's feeling better, I'm so grateful because Joey's first play ran (2 rehearsals and 4 performances) this week and we were covering a lot of bases together. What a busy season.
My load was lightened when I decided last week to pull back on school. I've been reading to the boys and playing more games, baking, and that is what school has been. I'm a better mom for that decision.
Going back a little...
Thanksgiving day was Joe's 8th birthday. The years go by so fast (though the days are sometimes long) and he's just so big, and so pleasant. I'm enjoying everyday I get to spend with this sweet boy who is growing up before my eyes. We had a little party for him before Thanksgiving dinner, it was a fun day;
All my boys pictured with their cousin, Zander.
All my boys pictured with their cousin, Zander.
We got our tree, the boys loved decorating and redecorating;
This week I took the boys to run some errands and we had a lunch date, good fun;
The boys are taking private swim lessons too. We usually try and get the boys in a few sessions of swim lessons in the Winter but all our other activities make that harder and harder. Five private lessons have been the equivalent (in learning) to 4 sessions for each boy; cheaper and much, much less time. Eli and Nate can both swim the length of the pool now, and Joey is perfecting his breathing and strokes.
I picked up some 5x7 canvas at Michael's (40% off) for the boys to make Christmas gifts for their grandparents. I covered the table and the boys and pulled out the acrylic paints- let 'em at it. Of course they loved painting every.square.inch of each canvas and I think they'll make beautiful gifts for Grandparents. Easy and heartfelt. :)
This will be the longest blog entry ever.
I'm okay with that.
Nathan's birthday is sneaking up too...to make sure the anticipation isn't lost in the midst of Christmas, I made him a paper chain to count down the days. He loves it of course, but still pouts when he realizes he has 20-some days to go. Every day he cuts off a link and gets one day closer.
Yes, his shirt is backward and inside out 'cause that's how we paint around here.
So that is what's been going on around here. I'm missing all of you and noting that a lot of friends just are too busy to post just now. Looking forward to reading about your lives more later...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Elijah's School (PreSchool)
The beginning of the school journey, I believe should be very much about relationship, character and self-discipline. I find this is what I come back to again & again as I teach preschool, this being my last year. *sniff* So no matter what Eli and I are working on or though, I think the heart of his school is learning about who he is and how he learns. It's about Eli learning that book work is a regular part of a childs' life, and that reading is one of the best things on the planet. It's learning that school time is about listening and interaction, asking questions and stretching his mind. This year has been a fun journey for us and it's lovely to watch Eli grow into a little boy who will soon take off on his own, reading away.
A side note, Eli is very quick to learn all of our CC memory work, Scripture and Poetry Work. This is fun and not work for him, I take note that this learning comes as second nature to a child of 3 or 4.
Eli's varying school curriculum goes as follows:
School:
Various Workbooks on numbers, counting, shapes and other concepts
Flash Cards of both for both letter & number recognition
Dot to dot & Maze books
Puzzles
Board Games
Libaray books, and books and books. This is a huge part of our time, reading, him on my lap.
Seeds Family Worship
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization
Story of the World Vol 1-4
Read Alouds:
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Little House in the Big Woods
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Basketball
Swimming
Eli's Hobbies:
Playmobile
Nature diggin'
Playdoh
Trampoline Play
Keeping Big Brother Busy
Looking at books
Our School: 2009-2010
Nate's School (Kindergarten) Nathan is a hands-on active little boy who wasn't the least bit interested in school last year. He'd rather be out climbing trees or playing with his stuffed animals, so I let him. After all, what use is preschool to a child who would like the world to be their teacher? This year has been Nate's first year of school proper & he's doing well, but mostly loves the relational part of school. He's learning to read, excelling in math and quick as a lick with memory work and poetry.
I find that Nate does well working in short spurts and thrives off quality rather than quantity work.
For Nate's Kindergarten year we have used the following books and curricula:
School Proper:
Saxon Math
Handwriting Without Tears
Bob Books
Alpha Phonics
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Story of the World (Vol.1-4)
Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization
Seeds Family Worship
Read Alouds:
Little House in the Big Woods
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Basketball
Swim Lessons
Choir
Hobbies:
playing outdoors
drawing
building
friends
hiking
trampoline play
caring for pets
The beginning of the school journey, I believe should be very much about relationship, character and self-discipline. I find this is what I come back to again & again as I teach preschool, this being my last year. *sniff* So no matter what Eli and I are working on or though, I think the heart of his school is learning about who he is and how he learns. It's about Eli learning that book work is a regular part of a childs' life, and that reading is one of the best things on the planet. It's learning that school time is about listening and interaction, asking questions and stretching his mind. This year has been a fun journey for us and it's lovely to watch Eli grow into a little boy who will soon take off on his own, reading away.
A side note, Eli is very quick to learn all of our CC memory work, Scripture and Poetry Work. This is fun and not work for him, I take note that this learning comes as second nature to a child of 3 or 4.
Eli's varying school curriculum goes as follows:
School:
Various Workbooks on numbers, counting, shapes and other concepts
Flash Cards of both for both letter & number recognition
Dot to dot & Maze books
Puzzles
Board Games
Libaray books, and books and books. This is a huge part of our time, reading, him on my lap.
Seeds Family Worship
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization
Story of the World Vol 1-4
Read Alouds:
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Little House in the Big Woods
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Basketball
Swimming
Eli's Hobbies:
Playmobile
Nature diggin'
Playdoh
Trampoline Play
Keeping Big Brother Busy
Looking at books
Joey is a bit of a traditional student in the sense that he doesn't mind sitting and working at length. He excels in most subjects so long as he doesn't feel pressure to perfect. He enjoys creative writing (on his own) and loves reading & being read to. This year Joe is able to work on his own for periods of time, but does best when I'm within arms reach to be sure he's on task.
Joe's Second Grade Curriculum is as follows
School:
Math- Saxon Math
Language Arts- First Language Lessons
Writing With Ease
Spelling Plus
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Story of the World (Vol. 1-4)
Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
Read Alouds:
Little House in the Big Woods
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Theater: The Best Christmas Paegent Ever
Basketball
Swim Lessons
Choir
Hand Bells
Art
Hobbies:
Legos
Reading (Magic Tree House, Encyclopedia Brown, Hardy Boys)
Trampoline Play
Friends
I find that Nate does well working in short spurts and thrives off quality rather than quantity work.
For Nate's Kindergarten year we have used the following books and curricula:
School Proper:
Saxon Math
Handwriting Without Tears
Bob Books
Alpha Phonics
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Story of the World (Vol.1-4)
Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization
Seeds Family Worship
Read Alouds:
Little House in the Big Woods
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Basketball
Swim Lessons
Choir
Hobbies:
playing outdoors
drawing
building
friends
hiking
trampoline play
caring for pets
Elijah's School (PreSchool)
The beginning of the school journey, I believe should be very much about relationship, character and self-discipline. I find this is what I come back to again & again as I teach preschool, this being my last year. *sniff* So no matter what Eli and I are working on or though, I think the heart of his school is learning about who he is and how he learns. It's about Eli learning that book work is a regular part of a childs' life, and that reading is one of the best things on the planet. It's learning that school time is about listening and interaction, asking questions and stretching his mind. This year has been a fun journey for us and it's lovely to watch Eli grow into a little boy who will soon take off on his own, reading away.
A side note, Eli is very quick to learn all of our CC memory work, Scripture and Poetry Work. This is fun and not work for him, I take note that this learning comes as second nature to a child of 3 or 4.
Eli's varying school curriculum goes as follows:
School:
Various Workbooks on numbers, counting, shapes and other concepts
Flash Cards of both for both letter & number recognition
Dot to dot & Maze books
Puzzles
Board Games
Libaray books, and books and books. This is a huge part of our time, reading, him on my lap.
Seeds Family Worship
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization
Story of the World Vol 1-4
Read Alouds:
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Little House in the Big Woods
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Basketball
Swimming
Eli's Hobbies:
Playmobile
Nature diggin'
Playdoh
Trampoline Play
Keeping Big Brother Busy
Looking at books
Joe's School 2009-2010 Second Grade
Joey is a bit of a traditional student in the sense that he doesn't mind sitting and working at length. He excels in most subjects so long as he doesn't feel pressure to perfect. He enjoys creative writing (on his own) and loves reading & being read to. This year Joe is able to work on his own for periods of time, but does best when I'm within arms reach to be sure he's on task.Joe's Second Grade Curriculum is as follows
School:
Math- Saxon Math
Language Arts- First Language Lessons
Writing With Ease
Spelling Plus
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Story of the World (Vol. 1-4)
Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
Read Alouds:
Little House in the Big Woods
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Theater: The Best Christmas Paegent Ever
Basketball
Swim Lessons
Choir
Hand Bells
ArtHobbies:
Legos
Reading (Magic Tree House, Encyclopedia Brown, Hardy Boys)
Trampoline Play
Friends
Joe's School 2009-2010
Joey is a bit of a traditional student in the sense that he doesn't mind sitting and working at length. He excels in most subjects so long as he doesn't feel pressure to perfect. He enjoys creative writing (on his own) and loves reading & being read to. This year Joe is able to work on his own for periods of time, but does best when I'm within arms reach to be sure he's on task. Joe's Second Grade Curriculum is as follows
School:
Math- Saxon Math
Language Arts- First Language Lessons
Writing With Ease
Spelling Plus
Classical Conversations Cycle 1
Story of the World (Vol. 1-4)
Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
Read Alouds:
Little House in the Big Woods
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Extracurricular:
Soccer
Theater: The Best Christmas Paegent Ever
Basketball
Swim Lessons
Choir
Hand Bells
ArtHobbies:
Legos
Reading (Magic Tree House, Encyclopedia Brown, Hardy Boys)
Trampoline Play
Friends
Photo of the Week (or month...?)
My sweet four-year-old son and my sweet 90-year-old Grandfather share the table for Thanksgiving desert. Friday, December 4, 2009
10 Quick Takes
So friends, life seems to be quite busy...not just for me but for most of my bloggy friends. Posts come few and far between these days. But I think this is a good minute to make a little blog update;
- My freshly-turned-8-year-old has a new found awareness of other people. He got an enormous amount of cash for his big day, and recently decided to spend a lot of that cash on Christmas gifts for his brothers. I was so amazed to take him to the store today and watch him unselfishly choose large gifts for his brothers. Gifts he knew his brothers would love. How sweet is that?
- The sweet sunshine called me out to go running today. I haven't been out there for too long and it felt great to go out today. Juneau was happy to run too.
- Please pray for this family. A family has several bio kids, and several foster kids. Rumor has it that the foster kids will not be getting Christmas gifts this year because they have to "earn" them, and they haven't. Pray for the parents of these little ones, that their hearts will be melted when they realize how awful this would be for their foster children. Pray that someone respected will confront these parents and give them some kind advice, be so kind to these little ones.
- I bought my boys some cutsie soft jammies for the season. Eli has peeled his off ONLY for swim lessons and for outings...he loves them. I love that.
- Ralph is still recovering. He has been going without crutches for a few days now, and still moves slowly, still wears the boot but he's getting around better. Sadly though, he's been sick and it's really wearing on his immune system. Today he went to the doctor after his hands and legs have been covered in a rash that made him swell up like crazy and has given him an awful gut-ache. It seems his body is tired of fighting. He was given antihistamines to take over the weekend, hopefully he'll feel better.
- School in December is tricky. I hear that from more and more homeschool mamas. We have taken the angle of doing minimal school...doing about 1/2 of what's normal. It's a good way for us to keep school going & to keep sane and paced too.
- Joey is in his first theatre production next week. With 6 lines, his cute little face will make an appearance on the stage for 4 nights next week. It will be exhausting and fun. I'm anxious to see the finished product.
- I'm hosting Christmas this year. In order to keep myself sane, I made up a special calendar assigning myself to a few tasks to prepare a day. So far, it's working well. I don't always get everything done, but things are getting done and I'm hoping in two weeks I have a lot of the details done so I can just enjoy the season, bake with my kiddos, attend parties and scrub my house up for company. Fun!
- Speaking of fun, head over to Mama Drama to read a little and watch an interesting snippet about simplicity in living. I love the concept, but it's not so American...not so cozy. I do however, want to simplify as much as I can. One question that reigns in my brain? Kids that go to school don't seem to need too too many toys. But homeschool kiddos...they're home all day- how few toys can we get away with? Oh, and here comes Christmas...
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