Would you believe I completely and totally forgot about posting What I Loved about Last Week until about 11 am this morning? Usually I write a bit each night and finish it up on Friday night. This week, I did none of that. (Kansas Dad and I watched the first half of The Fellowship of the Ring instead last night, a more than worthy excuse, I think.
I do remember going to pick up First Son from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and watching the older children race from the parish hall to the church for reconciliation after class. What a beautiful sight!
The week just doesn't compare to this morning, though. We woke late (8 am!) and Kansas Dad made his signature Saturday morning breakfast (eggs to order including 3 different omelets, toasted potatoes, and turkey bacon). Then Kansas Dad went out to butcher a deformed chicken which is now bubbling away on the stove for a delicious late lunch of chicken soup. First Daughter and I made granola bars which are cooling on the counter. Most wonderfully of all, I made homemade challah bread which is baking in the oven now and will grace our places as challah french toast tomorrow morning.
Now...what shall we do this afternoon?
Showing posts with label What I Loved About Last Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What I Loved About Last Week. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
What I Loved About Last Week (56th Ed.)
I haven't posted about what I loved about last week since before Christmas and this post is going to be a quick one. We've had a hectic week with one dentist appointment, two orthodontist appointments, two monthly meetings that fell in the same week, and Mama working a 15 hour week (which is about twice what I normally work in a two week period). Add to that the return to lessons and all our usual weekly activities and First Daughter coming down with a bad cold on Friday.
I'm exhausted!
Still, here are a few high points from the week:
1. First Son started reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret for his independent reading time and told me he thought it was great. (That didn't convince him to read any extra chapters, though.)
2. We read The Dream Jar and talked about saving for a dream. I opened a savings account for First Son at our online bank and transferred what he'd saved so far in his peanut butter jar - over $50! He says he's saving for a computer. First Daughter wanted to start saving, too, so I increased her allowance by a quarter that she'll put in her kitty bank each week. She says she's saving for an ipad. At their savings rates, it'll be about 10 years for First Son and 30 years for First Daughter, but you have to start somewhere. It was sweet to hear them talk about their big dreams.
3. I didn't have any cavities.
4. We had our monthly girls' night. The girls made sand paintings and loved it.
5. We've had some lovely weather the past few days. The kids played outside at our parish playground on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, I sent First Son and Second Daughter outside while the other two napped. They went exploring and seemed to have a great time together as I watched through the windows.
6. I emptied a small bookcase so I can push our desk chair against the wall and walk through our bedroom without moving it to one side or the other every time. I also shredded enough papers from our filing cabinet to put in new folders for 2013. I don't file much anymore, but had let the papers pile up for a couple of months because there wasn't room for them in the cabinet. There's still too much stuff against the wall, but all the papers have been filed and the artwork stored in the kids' art boxes. At least until we paint again next week...
I'm exhausted!
Still, here are a few high points from the week:
1. First Son started reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret for his independent reading time and told me he thought it was great. (That didn't convince him to read any extra chapters, though.)
2. We read The Dream Jar and talked about saving for a dream. I opened a savings account for First Son at our online bank and transferred what he'd saved so far in his peanut butter jar - over $50! He says he's saving for a computer. First Daughter wanted to start saving, too, so I increased her allowance by a quarter that she'll put in her kitty bank each week. She says she's saving for an ipad. At their savings rates, it'll be about 10 years for First Son and 30 years for First Daughter, but you have to start somewhere. It was sweet to hear them talk about their big dreams.
3. I didn't have any cavities.
4. We had our monthly girls' night. The girls made sand paintings and loved it.
5. We've had some lovely weather the past few days. The kids played outside at our parish playground on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, I sent First Son and Second Daughter outside while the other two napped. They went exploring and seemed to have a great time together as I watched through the windows.
6. I emptied a small bookcase so I can push our desk chair against the wall and walk through our bedroom without moving it to one side or the other every time. I also shredded enough papers from our filing cabinet to put in new folders for 2013. I don't file much anymore, but had let the papers pile up for a couple of months because there wasn't room for them in the cabinet. There's still too much stuff against the wall, but all the papers have been filed and the artwork stored in the kids' art boxes. At least until we paint again next week...
Saturday, December 22, 2012
What I Loved About the Last Two Weeks (55th Ed.)
1. The kids sang at the Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. They did a wonderful job, especially with a Magnifcat in Latin and in rounds. Our children's choir director is fantastic! (And just happens to be a dear friend, so I admit to bias.)
2. First Son's birthday party was a few weekends ago. We had a Ninjago party with some good friends.
3. A few days after the party, we celebrated First Son's actual birthday with chocolate angel food cake. Our parish priest came for dinner, too, which is always a treat.
4. We ate some tasty cinnamon swirl bread for the Feast of St. Lucy.
5. Kansas Dad picked out a Christmas tree for us. We decorated it the day before Gaudete Sunday. Second Son is so funny with it. Every once in a while he walks into the living room and yells, "Christmas tree! We have a Christmas tree!" All the kids take ornaments down and hang them around the room, on the train tracks, or just step on them. We've lost a few already, but I didn't put the most precious ones on this year (having a two year old and all) so hopefully there won't be any really terrible tragedies. At least no one has pulled the whole tree down. Yet.
6. First Daughter made her first cheesecake. I told her she could choose one recipe from her cookbook as an Advent treat (making it more than eating it) and she chose raspberry cheesecake. Given the price of raspberries, it was incredibly expensive, but she made almost all of it herself and it was delicious.
7. I finally made homemade thin mints. They've been in my binder for years. Kansas Dad had expressed interest in them before, so I made them as a surprise for his birthday. The girls helped me dip them in chocolate. (It took twice as much as the recipe said; we did about half in dark chocolate and half in semi-sweet chocolate. Both are tasty.) They weren't quite as thin as they should have been, but still tasty. I still had candy canes left from last Christmas so I smashed one up and we sprinkled bits on some of them.
8. First Daughter and Grammy went to see The Nutcracker, just the two of them. (First Son went last year and was ready to leave at intermission, so we decided he could take a year off. Second Daughter isn't quite ready to sit still that long; maybe next year.)
9. Kansas Dad celebrated a birthday. We served the thin mints and gave him a stuffed aardvark. Aardvarks are a running joke with Kansas Dad and the kids. When he joked we should get one and make them our family mascot, I thought to myself it would make a perfect birthday gift. We don't usually actually buy anything for each other, so I think he was a little surprised, even though he'd said it just a week before his birthday. He and the kids are still debating the aardvark's name. (I wanted to get a picture, but I kept forgetting every night until after we exercised and then he didn't want a picture. Maybe next week.)
10. It snowed! We had our first snow of the winter. It was just a smattering, but Kansas Dad took all the kids out to play. Second Son didn't last very long, but it was fun because he's too young to remember the snow from last year. The kids were disappointed when it started to melt later that day; I think they all want to move to Minnesota.
11. First Son's baptismal anniversary was yesterday. We celebrated with pierogies, inspired by The 8 Polish Foods of Christmas on A Very Veggie Christmas (a wonderful Christmas CD).
12. If all goes as planned, I'm off today for a whole day without kids or responsibilities!
2. First Son's birthday party was a few weekends ago. We had a Ninjago party with some good friends.
3. A few days after the party, we celebrated First Son's actual birthday with chocolate angel food cake. Our parish priest came for dinner, too, which is always a treat.
4. We ate some tasty cinnamon swirl bread for the Feast of St. Lucy.
5. Kansas Dad picked out a Christmas tree for us. We decorated it the day before Gaudete Sunday. Second Son is so funny with it. Every once in a while he walks into the living room and yells, "Christmas tree! We have a Christmas tree!" All the kids take ornaments down and hang them around the room, on the train tracks, or just step on them. We've lost a few already, but I didn't put the most precious ones on this year (having a two year old and all) so hopefully there won't be any really terrible tragedies. At least no one has pulled the whole tree down. Yet.
6. First Daughter made her first cheesecake. I told her she could choose one recipe from her cookbook as an Advent treat (making it more than eating it) and she chose raspberry cheesecake. Given the price of raspberries, it was incredibly expensive, but she made almost all of it herself and it was delicious.
7. I finally made homemade thin mints. They've been in my binder for years. Kansas Dad had expressed interest in them before, so I made them as a surprise for his birthday. The girls helped me dip them in chocolate. (It took twice as much as the recipe said; we did about half in dark chocolate and half in semi-sweet chocolate. Both are tasty.) They weren't quite as thin as they should have been, but still tasty. I still had candy canes left from last Christmas so I smashed one up and we sprinkled bits on some of them.
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| Second Son only liked the chocolate coating. |
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| With the carolers before the ballet |
10. It snowed! We had our first snow of the winter. It was just a smattering, but Kansas Dad took all the kids out to play. Second Son didn't last very long, but it was fun because he's too young to remember the snow from last year. The kids were disappointed when it started to melt later that day; I think they all want to move to Minnesota.
11. First Son's baptismal anniversary was yesterday. We celebrated with pierogies, inspired by The 8 Polish Foods of Christmas on A Very Veggie Christmas (a wonderful Christmas CD).
12. If all goes as planned, I'm off today for a whole day without kids or responsibilities!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (54th Ed.)
This post should be what I loved about the last two weeks, but most of the previous week I was sick followed by a weekend of stomach illness that spread through the whole family. Ugh.
So mostly we're just going to focus on the past week.
1. We made our Advent ornaments. I'm even contemplating attempting a picture with all four children for the label...
2. Advent has begun! We have a few new things this year and some treasured traditions.
3. Kansas Dad took good care of us when we were all sick. He went above and beyond.
4. Kansas Dad finished up a big work project last week. We're all glad the hard work is behind him and are hoping for some good results.
5. We celebrated the feast of St. Nicholas last Thursday. The kids were up early begging to pull the goodies out of their stockings.
6. The three older children and I made plaster-of-Paris "fossils" with some shells. They turned out really well and I was only a little impatient with them. Hopefully we'll have time to paint them in the near future. (Painting isn't quite authentic, but it said in the book you could paint them, so of course we must.)
7. We are busy preparing for First Son's ninth birthday. His party is on Sunday and there are many goodies to make.
8. Second Son has been using the bathroom. He's always successful if I take him in, but it's not like his diapers are dry so we've got a ways to go.
9. One night last week, Kansas Dad took all four kids out to help him with the chickens. They were entertained for hours throwing straw around the chicken run, rolling in it, and even playing some sort of baseball game adapted from Calvin and Hobbes.
10. First Son and Kansas Dad have been playing chess nearly every night after the younger three go to bed. I don't like to play chess myself, but I love that First Son wants to play. (I've been playing a lot of dominoes with the kids this week. Second Daughter loves matching up the dots.)
11. The children are singing in the choir at mass today.
So mostly we're just going to focus on the past week.
1. We made our Advent ornaments. I'm even contemplating attempting a picture with all four children for the label...
2. Advent has begun! We have a few new things this year and some treasured traditions.
3. Kansas Dad took good care of us when we were all sick. He went above and beyond.
4. Kansas Dad finished up a big work project last week. We're all glad the hard work is behind him and are hoping for some good results.
5. We celebrated the feast of St. Nicholas last Thursday. The kids were up early begging to pull the goodies out of their stockings.
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| happy Second Daughter |
7. We are busy preparing for First Son's ninth birthday. His party is on Sunday and there are many goodies to make.
8. Second Son has been using the bathroom. He's always successful if I take him in, but it's not like his diapers are dry so we've got a ways to go.
9. One night last week, Kansas Dad took all four kids out to help him with the chickens. They were entertained for hours throwing straw around the chicken run, rolling in it, and even playing some sort of baseball game adapted from Calvin and Hobbes.
10. First Son and Kansas Dad have been playing chess nearly every night after the younger three go to bed. I don't like to play chess myself, but I love that First Son wants to play. (I've been playing a lot of dominoes with the kids this week. Second Daughter loves matching up the dots.)
11. The children are singing in the choir at mass today.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (53rd Ed.)
Thanksgiving! It was a beautiful day, beginning with the ever-fantastic French toast casserole (which the children did not eat at all; Kansas Dad and I will be enjoying its perfection for three days). Kansas Dad made a wonderful dinner at his parents' house, completed by a delicious chocolate mousse cake made by Grammy. It was a wonderful day.
And we took pictures.
And we took pictures.
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| First Son, 8 (almost 9) |
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| First Daughter, 6 |
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| Second Daughter, 4 |
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| Second Son, 2 |
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| the whole family |
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| Silly Girl |
Saturday, November 17, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week Is Out Sick
I've been fighting off various illnesses for three weeks now, nothing terrible but just dragging along. I'm tired and I'm taking the day off from blogging. I hope you had much to love last week!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
What I Loved about the Last Two Weeks (52 Ed.)
1. The new chicken coop is up and running! Kansas Dad says he has a few last improvements to make, but the hens are happily settled and laying lots and lots of eggs.
2. I finally got to see First Son play in a soccer game. Between birthday parties, my Catechesis training, illnesses, and cancellations, I missed most of his season, but I made this one!
3. Our parish All Saints' party. The committee does a wonderful job. Lots of families came to celebrate together. And lots of people decorated their trunks and handed out candy. What more could you ask?
4. Second Daughter can write her name! She demonstrated her new skill for us on the cupboard. I should really own stock in the Magic Eraser folks.
5. First Son made chocolate chip cookies for his math lesson. I just helped a little. He did nearly all the reading, measuring, and even half of the scooping. He graciously shared some with his soccer coach.
6. My parents came for a visit! (We had a fabulous time; continue reading. I did not take pictures. Ah!)
7. Halloween. My parents arrived in time for our annual pizza dinner and trick-or-treating with Grammy in her neighborhood. Second Son liked the candy, but he wanted to be carried everywhere. I think his costume was a little too big and hindered his mobility.
8. Our parish All Saints' Mass at which the children sang in the choir. It's not a concert choir; it's a ministry. I'm so glad they have this opportunity.
9. My mom and I spent a whole entire day shopping. We drove into town right after Mass and didn't come home until dinner. It was lovely! Even better, I only bought stuff for myself and my mom treated me quite a bit (early Christmas). I have a warm winter coat (for the first time in years I won't be sharing Kansas Dad's zip-out inner coat) and a lovely Sunday coat. I also found a few other things I needed in smaller sizes. (I'm smiling.)
10. While my parents were in town, we took the children to the county historical museum. It's not big but surprisingly well-done. My dad and I love that sort of thing and the kids endured the two hour visit rather well. We followed the museum with an hour playing at the park and then dinner out with Kansas Dad.
11. First Son, First Daughter, and Second Daughter had their last soccer games of the fall. I love that they play soccer, but I'm always tremendously glad when it's over. Second Daughter did not really want to play (though she had insisted she did before the season). Now to decide...should we bother dragging her out to the field in the spring?
12. Mom and Dad watched the kids for us and Kansas Dad and I feasted at our favorite sushi restaurant. Then we had a few drinks and visited a bookstore for a while before heading home to play a few games with my parents before bed.
13. We went to a fabulous birthday party at which all four children earned Jedi light sabers and costumes. The birthday boy's uncle even dressed as Darth Vader and attempted an attack. (He was taken down.) Second Son was a little nervous; he would chase him, but if Darth got too close he retreated behind Kansas Dad. Later that evening, as we were leaving Kansas Dad's parents' house, they turned on the lights and battled Kansas Dad in the dusk. I hope it's a memory they treasure always because I will (despite the tears when it was really and truly time to get in the van and go home). The kids have been battling on a daily basis. I had to make a rule: no light sabers in the kitchen.
14. We finished our first term of school! We're one week into the second term! Hooray!
15. First Son and First Daughter are both more than half-way through the math book. At this rate, we'll finish early and everyone will be happy.
16. First Son also mastered subtraction on Xtramath this week. He's on to multiplication.
17. Dear friends who are also homeschooling using volume 3 of Connecting with History invited us to a medieval feast - and a feast it was! They served a three course meal! The children designed shields and entertained as minstrels during the dinner. Best of all, they asked us to be godparents to their baby girl due in December. Blessings, blessings, blessings!
18. Election Day is over. Now we'll have a small break from election ads and calls.
Whew, I'm tired just reading over this list!
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| Preparing to release the hens in their new home |
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| Roaming (almost) free |
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| The nesting boxes inside the tarp - they like the top ones |
3. Our parish All Saints' party. The committee does a wonderful job. Lots of families came to celebrate together. And lots of people decorated their trunks and handed out candy. What more could you ask?
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| Mama, St. Juan Diego, St. Gianna Molla, Bl. John Paul II, St. Joan of Arc |
4. Second Daughter can write her name! She demonstrated her new skill for us on the cupboard. I should really own stock in the Magic Eraser folks.
5. First Son made chocolate chip cookies for his math lesson. I just helped a little. He did nearly all the reading, measuring, and even half of the scooping. He graciously shared some with his soccer coach.
6. My parents came for a visit! (We had a fabulous time; continue reading. I did not take pictures. Ah!)
7. Halloween. My parents arrived in time for our annual pizza dinner and trick-or-treating with Grammy in her neighborhood. Second Son liked the candy, but he wanted to be carried everywhere. I think his costume was a little too big and hindered his mobility.
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| a mermaid, a princess, Elmo, and a ninja |
8. Our parish All Saints' Mass at which the children sang in the choir. It's not a concert choir; it's a ministry. I'm so glad they have this opportunity.
9. My mom and I spent a whole entire day shopping. We drove into town right after Mass and didn't come home until dinner. It was lovely! Even better, I only bought stuff for myself and my mom treated me quite a bit (early Christmas). I have a warm winter coat (for the first time in years I won't be sharing Kansas Dad's zip-out inner coat) and a lovely Sunday coat. I also found a few other things I needed in smaller sizes. (I'm smiling.)
10. While my parents were in town, we took the children to the county historical museum. It's not big but surprisingly well-done. My dad and I love that sort of thing and the kids endured the two hour visit rather well. We followed the museum with an hour playing at the park and then dinner out with Kansas Dad.
11. First Son, First Daughter, and Second Daughter had their last soccer games of the fall. I love that they play soccer, but I'm always tremendously glad when it's over. Second Daughter did not really want to play (though she had insisted she did before the season). Now to decide...should we bother dragging her out to the field in the spring?
12. Mom and Dad watched the kids for us and Kansas Dad and I feasted at our favorite sushi restaurant. Then we had a few drinks and visited a bookstore for a while before heading home to play a few games with my parents before bed.
13. We went to a fabulous birthday party at which all four children earned Jedi light sabers and costumes. The birthday boy's uncle even dressed as Darth Vader and attempted an attack. (He was taken down.) Second Son was a little nervous; he would chase him, but if Darth got too close he retreated behind Kansas Dad. Later that evening, as we were leaving Kansas Dad's parents' house, they turned on the lights and battled Kansas Dad in the dusk. I hope it's a memory they treasure always because I will (despite the tears when it was really and truly time to get in the van and go home). The kids have been battling on a daily basis. I had to make a rule: no light sabers in the kitchen.
14. We finished our first term of school! We're one week into the second term! Hooray!
15. First Son and First Daughter are both more than half-way through the math book. At this rate, we'll finish early and everyone will be happy.
16. First Son also mastered subtraction on Xtramath this week. He's on to multiplication.
17. Dear friends who are also homeschooling using volume 3 of Connecting with History invited us to a medieval feast - and a feast it was! They served a three course meal! The children designed shields and entertained as minstrels during the dinner. Best of all, they asked us to be godparents to their baby girl due in December. Blessings, blessings, blessings!
18. Election Day is over. Now we'll have a small break from election ads and calls.
Whew, I'm tired just reading over this list!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (51st Ed.)
1. Catechesis class on Saturday. It's hard to spend the entire day in class, but I always enjoy the discussions and presentations.
2. Bonfire night. We invited friends for dinner and roasting marshmallows on Saturday night. It was a beautiful night!
3. A fun birthday party on Sunday. The girls and Second Son and I enjoyed the party while First Son stayed home to "help" Kansas Dad on our new chicken coop. I even got to work on it a little when we got home.
4. I missed out on taking First Son to soccer practice early this week. Instead, Kansas Dad went along so he could work on grading papers while I stayed home with the other three. On the way home, though, Kansas Dad stopped to fill up my gas tank and showed First Son how to pump gas. (Kansas Dad sent me to the second practice later in the week.)
5. The blog is five years old! I spent a good bit of time (we won't be specific) skimming through five years of blog posts and was delighted at many of the pictures, quips, and videos I revisited.
6. First Daughter can read Frog and Toad Are Friends (with help).
7. Kansas Dad took the kids to a pumpkin patch with our story hour friends. It was very cold and two of them were already sick. I'm glad they got to go and I'm glad Kansas Dad took them instead of me (so I could stay warm and toasty at home, even if I did have to work that morning). He apologizes for not taking any pictures.
8. The fantastic Bl. John Paul II costume my mom put together for First Son to wear to our parish's annual All Saints' Trunk or Treat this weekend. We'll be spending some time finishing up costumes today.
2. Bonfire night. We invited friends for dinner and roasting marshmallows on Saturday night. It was a beautiful night!
3. A fun birthday party on Sunday. The girls and Second Son and I enjoyed the party while First Son stayed home to "help" Kansas Dad on our new chicken coop. I even got to work on it a little when we got home.
4. I missed out on taking First Son to soccer practice early this week. Instead, Kansas Dad went along so he could work on grading papers while I stayed home with the other three. On the way home, though, Kansas Dad stopped to fill up my gas tank and showed First Son how to pump gas. (Kansas Dad sent me to the second practice later in the week.)
5. The blog is five years old! I spent a good bit of time (we won't be specific) skimming through five years of blog posts and was delighted at many of the pictures, quips, and videos I revisited.
6. First Daughter can read Frog and Toad Are Friends (with help).
7. Kansas Dad took the kids to a pumpkin patch with our story hour friends. It was very cold and two of them were already sick. I'm glad they got to go and I'm glad Kansas Dad took them instead of me (so I could stay warm and toasty at home, even if I did have to work that morning). He apologizes for not taking any pictures.
8. The fantastic Bl. John Paul II costume my mom put together for First Son to wear to our parish's annual All Saints' Trunk or Treat this weekend. We'll be spending some time finishing up costumes today.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (50th Ed.)
1. Flu shots. I love that they're done.
2. First Daughter's first apple pie. She received a mini pie pan for her birthday from Grammy and Paw Paw, and I decided we should take advantage of last Saturday's soccer-free day (cancelled due to lightning or possible tornadoes or something) to try them out. I had to help her rolling out the dough, but she did most of the rest. I think the apple-peeler-corer was her favorite part. Delicious!
3. Grammy and Paw Paw watched the kids so Kansas Dad and I could go to a dinner at our parish for all the people who have helped with our Catechesis program. It was a nice dinner with lots of grown ups.
4. We had to take the kids to Grammy's house while we were at the dinner because our power had gone out. (We lose the well when we lose power, so we thought it'd be easier to take them there.) On the way home, Second Daughter started a game of "Guess My Pretty Bird's Name" which entertained us all (except Second Son who fell asleep) for the whole drive home. The kids heard the game in Schoolhouse in the Woods which we recently read aloud. I loved the book. I loved that they loved the book. I love playing this game with them. I love hearing their funny questions and guesses.
5. I took Second Son to First Son's soccer practice last week so Kansas Dad could work on his chicken coop while the girls ran around outside. I admit, I didn't want to give up my quiet reading time, so I gave Second Son a Kindle and just left him in his car seat the whole time. He was so adorable, clicking through the different screens and games. And he was quiet, at least until we got home and took the Kindle away...
6. Our faith formation coop met this week. We always have such a good time playing with all our friends when we meet.
7. Playing outside at our parish playground. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful playground and many young friends to meet there! I love watching the children play all the games they'd play at recess if they were in school. I love how children of all ages play together with the little ones following along and encouraged by the older ones. I loved the wonderful weather this week, sunshine and breezes.
2. First Daughter's first apple pie. She received a mini pie pan for her birthday from Grammy and Paw Paw, and I decided we should take advantage of last Saturday's soccer-free day (cancelled due to lightning or possible tornadoes or something) to try them out. I had to help her rolling out the dough, but she did most of the rest. I think the apple-peeler-corer was her favorite part. Delicious!
3. Grammy and Paw Paw watched the kids so Kansas Dad and I could go to a dinner at our parish for all the people who have helped with our Catechesis program. It was a nice dinner with lots of grown ups.
4. We had to take the kids to Grammy's house while we were at the dinner because our power had gone out. (We lose the well when we lose power, so we thought it'd be easier to take them there.) On the way home, Second Daughter started a game of "Guess My Pretty Bird's Name" which entertained us all (except Second Son who fell asleep) for the whole drive home. The kids heard the game in Schoolhouse in the Woods which we recently read aloud. I loved the book. I loved that they loved the book. I love playing this game with them. I love hearing their funny questions and guesses.
5. I took Second Son to First Son's soccer practice last week so Kansas Dad could work on his chicken coop while the girls ran around outside. I admit, I didn't want to give up my quiet reading time, so I gave Second Son a Kindle and just left him in his car seat the whole time. He was so adorable, clicking through the different screens and games. And he was quiet, at least until we got home and took the Kindle away...
6. Our faith formation coop met this week. We always have such a good time playing with all our friends when we meet.
7. Playing outside at our parish playground. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful playground and many young friends to meet there! I love watching the children play all the games they'd play at recess if they were in school. I love how children of all ages play together with the little ones following along and encouraged by the older ones. I loved the wonderful weather this week, sunshine and breezes.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (49th Ed.)
1. Last Saturday morning, Kansas Dad made blintzes for us using a recipe we found in How Mama Brought the Spring (which we read in our Preschool Reading Around the World lessons). First Daughter wanted to make them, but we had to find the right time. Saturday was the feast of St. Bruno, one of our family's patron saints, so it seemed fitting to have a celebration (even if St. Bruno probably never ate a blintz).
Let me tell you something: they were fantastic. Heavenly! Definitely not in the P90X nutrition plan. All the kids tried them, but I think First Son was the only kid who really liked them.
2. First Son served Mass again on Sunday. I missed it, staying home with a sick Second Son, but I love how he loves to serve.
3. I love taking First Son to his soccer practice. Once a week, I lounge blissfully in the silence of the van, watching him run around and reading. Kansas Dad and the girls always make an effort to clean up the living room while we're gone, too.
4. Girls Night! The girls and I decorated Halloween and fall cookies with friends. Well, the girls decorated and the moms talked. Fun! I think we're going to try to meet up regularly, just us girls.
5. I taught my very first Level I Catechesis class by myself this past week. You would not believe how nervous I was about presenting the Sign of the Cross to ten 3-6 year olds! It was just fine, of course! Second Daughter did not behave very well during the class, but I was assured by the regular teacher that she doesn't usually have so many problems. I guess she was just acting out for her mom! (She does that all the time.)
6. I helped clean our church for the first time this week. First Son helped us without any complaining. Second Son sat quietly in the back room watching a movie on the Kindle. (He was so good! And cute!) I was reminded of the lovely story in this book often as I vacuumed. What a wonderful gift it would be to forget self entirely before our Lord!
7. Surviving a messy homeschool week. This week we had a physics experiment that involved flying flour, three presentations on volume in math that involved pouring cups and cups of water, and painting in art. It's a bit of a miracle that my children survived my stress relatively unscathed, but perhaps they were too distracted by all the flying flour. (And somehow, First Daughter and I both stepped in green paint. I never could find it and we didn't seem to track it everywhere, but if you come for a visit please don't look too closely at our floors.) Then, on Friday, I sent the girls out to play in the rain and the mist and the mud. I told Kansas Dad I deserved some sort of Charlotte Mason reward for that.
Let me tell you something: they were fantastic. Heavenly! Definitely not in the P90X nutrition plan. All the kids tried them, but I think First Son was the only kid who really liked them.
2. First Son served Mass again on Sunday. I missed it, staying home with a sick Second Son, but I love how he loves to serve.
3. I love taking First Son to his soccer practice. Once a week, I lounge blissfully in the silence of the van, watching him run around and reading. Kansas Dad and the girls always make an effort to clean up the living room while we're gone, too.
4. Girls Night! The girls and I decorated Halloween and fall cookies with friends. Well, the girls decorated and the moms talked. Fun! I think we're going to try to meet up regularly, just us girls.
5. I taught my very first Level I Catechesis class by myself this past week. You would not believe how nervous I was about presenting the Sign of the Cross to ten 3-6 year olds! It was just fine, of course! Second Daughter did not behave very well during the class, but I was assured by the regular teacher that she doesn't usually have so many problems. I guess she was just acting out for her mom! (She does that all the time.)
6. I helped clean our church for the first time this week. First Son helped us without any complaining. Second Son sat quietly in the back room watching a movie on the Kindle. (He was so good! And cute!) I was reminded of the lovely story in this book often as I vacuumed. What a wonderful gift it would be to forget self entirely before our Lord!
7. Surviving a messy homeschool week. This week we had a physics experiment that involved flying flour, three presentations on volume in math that involved pouring cups and cups of water, and painting in art. It's a bit of a miracle that my children survived my stress relatively unscathed, but perhaps they were too distracted by all the flying flour. (And somehow, First Daughter and I both stepped in green paint. I never could find it and we didn't seem to track it everywhere, but if you come for a visit please don't look too closely at our floors.) Then, on Friday, I sent the girls out to play in the rain and the mist and the mud. I told Kansas Dad I deserved some sort of Charlotte Mason reward for that.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (48th Ed.)
1. I finally pulled everything off my new camera and found this fun video:
2. Every night, during evening prayers, we encourage the children to say their own prayers. Recently, Second Daughter has been choosing the prayer card for St. George which includes an opportunity to name your own intercessions. Every night, Second Daughter sweetly prays for everyone who is sick or hurting or "has hiccups" to get better.
3. Last weekend, the children dressed up as saints to ride in our parish's float in a local parade.
4. On Monday, we celebrated First Daughter's baptismal anniversary with lunch at Taco Bell (at her request). We also enjoyed some shortbread cookies of a dove in honor of the Holy Spirit.
5. First Daughter's well-child visit was last week. She is as healthy as we expected. We followed up the appointment with a bit of time playing at the park.
6. The kids had their first choir rehearsal last week.
7. We spent Friday at a living history museum not too far from home. We've gone there every year for three years and it's just wonderful every time.
2. Every night, during evening prayers, we encourage the children to say their own prayers. Recently, Second Daughter has been choosing the prayer card for St. George which includes an opportunity to name your own intercessions. Every night, Second Daughter sweetly prays for everyone who is sick or hurting or "has hiccups" to get better.
3. Last weekend, the children dressed up as saints to ride in our parish's float in a local parade.
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| St. Gianna, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and St. George |
4. On Monday, we celebrated First Daughter's baptismal anniversary with lunch at Taco Bell (at her request). We also enjoyed some shortbread cookies of a dove in honor of the Holy Spirit.
5. First Daughter's well-child visit was last week. She is as healthy as we expected. We followed up the appointment with a bit of time playing at the park.
6. The kids had their first choir rehearsal last week.
7. We spent Friday at a living history museum not too far from home. We've gone there every year for three years and it's just wonderful every time.
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| Wagon ride |
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| Second Son trying out the bowling |
Saturday, September 29, 2012
What I Loved About the Last Two Weeks (47th Ed.)
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| Trying out my new camera |
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| Kansas Dad says this picture says just about all you need to know about our lives. |
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| Yet this one manages to add something. |
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| All four kids - and three of them are smiling! |
2. Soccer games - They wreak havoc with schedules, but it's so much fun to be outside and running around! (Or to be outside watching others run around.)
3. We've had lots of play time outside, especially at the playground at our parish. I love watching the kids run around and dig in the dirt with so many friends.
4. We had our first monthly faith formation coop. First Son played games after listening to a Glory Story. First Daughter learned how to sew on plastic canvas. Second Daughter learned about the courage of St. Clare (and drew a fantastic picture of her). Second Son and I hung out in the nursery but he got to play outside with everyone else.
5. First Daughter had a birthday party! For some reason, she wanted a mermaid party. I didn't really know what to do with that. I found some cupcake toppers in sea animal shapes. Kansas Dad picked up colored sand and we made bracelets with the girls. First Daughter drew a "pin the hair-shell decoration on the mermaid" game. (Apparently, my kids think you have to pin something on something to have a respectable birthday party.) Amazingly, the girls spent the first hour coloring mermaid pictures I printed off the web and decorating them with some jeweled stickers. (Believe me, there are a lot of bad mermaid pictures out there, but I found a handful appropriate for the 4-8 crowd.)
6. After the birthday party, Kansas Dad and I did our final P90X workout!!
7. A few days later, First Daughter celebrated her sixth birthday. I can't believe she's six! I have a birthday post in progress.
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| First Daughter with her birthday pancake (aka Pancake-as-Big-as-Her-Head). |
Monday, September 17, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (46th Ed.)
1. Children's adoration started at our parish this week. I don't think we'll make it every week, but it was wonderful and I am very tempted to give up some lessons so we can make it. (Unfortunately, it's more getting-ready-for-dinner and exercise-time that would be missed.)
2. Soccer started! We were pleased to learn First Son's coach is from our parish. He had his first game on Saturday. Kansas Dad and I both had to miss it, but Grammy was there to cheer him on. (The girls play their first game on Monday. They'll have their first practice the Thursday after. Good thing U6 is so relaxed!)
3. Grammy and her wonderful friend helped us out tremendously by watching our children on Saturday when Kansas Dad was teaching and I was at my Catechesis class. It's not often that we are both busy (and not together) and we were so very thankful the children were in good hands.
4. We finished week 12 of P90X, our last week of strength training and ab workouts! Next week is the last week and is a recovery week (though not what I'd call easy with Yoga X twice and Core Synergistics twice. We've already picked another series of workouts to do next, but it'll be nice to have something a little less time-consuming.
5. Second Son's stories. He jabbers and jabbers, obviously telling us something. I don't understand most of them, but they sound very exciting.
6. Kansas Dad and I celebrated our 14th anniversary last week. It was a busy week (and an even busier day), but we found time for a glass of wine and some fantastic chocolate. I wanted to write something for the blog in honor of the occasion, but found myself unable to express how wonderful he is and how thankful I am for all our time together and the promise of many years to come. May God continue to bless our family tremendously!
2. Soccer started! We were pleased to learn First Son's coach is from our parish. He had his first game on Saturday. Kansas Dad and I both had to miss it, but Grammy was there to cheer him on. (The girls play their first game on Monday. They'll have their first practice the Thursday after. Good thing U6 is so relaxed!)
3. Grammy and her wonderful friend helped us out tremendously by watching our children on Saturday when Kansas Dad was teaching and I was at my Catechesis class. It's not often that we are both busy (and not together) and we were so very thankful the children were in good hands.
4. We finished week 12 of P90X, our last week of strength training and ab workouts! Next week is the last week and is a recovery week (though not what I'd call easy with Yoga X twice and Core Synergistics twice. We've already picked another series of workouts to do next, but it'll be nice to have something a little less time-consuming.
5. Second Son's stories. He jabbers and jabbers, obviously telling us something. I don't understand most of them, but they sound very exciting.
6. Kansas Dad and I celebrated our 14th anniversary last week. It was a busy week (and an even busier day), but we found time for a glass of wine and some fantastic chocolate. I wanted to write something for the blog in honor of the occasion, but found myself unable to express how wonderful he is and how thankful I am for all our time together and the promise of many years to come. May God continue to bless our family tremendously!
Monday, September 10, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (45th Ed.)
1. We've finished four weeks of school and it's going pretty well. First Daughter is flying through her lessons. I'm really pleased with our new spelling and cursive programs.
2. First Son mastered addition! He can do all the facts on XtraMath in less than three seconds. Consistently. Now it's on to subtraction. (I wish they'd give him some addition again now and then, but I suppose I can start his year over if I want. And he's still doing the fact sheets for math.)
3. We had our first Catechesis classes of the year. Wonderful, wonderful!
4. I got a new camera. I was hoping to make it to Christmas, but my old one was getting worse and worse. It stopped closing all the way, then it wouldn't turn on unless you hit the power button twice, then it wouldn't show some of the videos...you get the picture. It's a lot faster so maybe I can get some better pictures of kids in motion. (I should go get the camera and upload some of the pictures, but I just haven't the energy. Just imagine how wonderful they are!)
5. I made a chocolate angel food cake to celebrate the Feast of the Birth of Mary. I was especially pleased when First Son requested this cake I've made the past few years; perhaps he's starting to appreciate the rhythm of our family's liturgical celebrations. (I had considered skipping it since we just celebrated a baptism anniversary and we have a family birthday in a few weeks and there's this pesky P90X nutrition plan...but they asked.)
6. First Son served his first Sunday Mass! I love how that boy loves to serve.
7. Kansas Dad ran errands on Saturday with Second Son. Then he took First Daughter with him on errands on Sunday. It's nice to know the kids are getting some one-on-one time with Dad. We've also been letting First Son stay up a bit later in the evenings and playing lots of The Scrambled States of America Game.
8. First Daughter made a potholder. Grammy picked up a little activity set for her and she went right to work. We've used it a few times this week and it hangs in a nice little spot in the kitchen.
2. First Son mastered addition! He can do all the facts on XtraMath in less than three seconds. Consistently. Now it's on to subtraction. (I wish they'd give him some addition again now and then, but I suppose I can start his year over if I want. And he's still doing the fact sheets for math.)
3. We had our first Catechesis classes of the year. Wonderful, wonderful!
4. I got a new camera. I was hoping to make it to Christmas, but my old one was getting worse and worse. It stopped closing all the way, then it wouldn't turn on unless you hit the power button twice, then it wouldn't show some of the videos...you get the picture. It's a lot faster so maybe I can get some better pictures of kids in motion. (I should go get the camera and upload some of the pictures, but I just haven't the energy. Just imagine how wonderful they are!)
5. I made a chocolate angel food cake to celebrate the Feast of the Birth of Mary. I was especially pleased when First Son requested this cake I've made the past few years; perhaps he's starting to appreciate the rhythm of our family's liturgical celebrations. (I had considered skipping it since we just celebrated a baptism anniversary and we have a family birthday in a few weeks and there's this pesky P90X nutrition plan...but they asked.)
6. First Son served his first Sunday Mass! I love how that boy loves to serve.
7. Kansas Dad ran errands on Saturday with Second Son. Then he took First Daughter with him on errands on Sunday. It's nice to know the kids are getting some one-on-one time with Dad. We've also been letting First Son stay up a bit later in the evenings and playing lots of The Scrambled States of America Game.
8. First Daughter made a potholder. Grammy picked up a little activity set for her and she went right to work. We've used it a few times this week and it hangs in a nice little spot in the kitchen.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
What I Loved About the Last Two Weeks (44th Ed.)
I missed last week. Again. And then I didn't even get this post up yesterday (though it was Labor Day). Oh well, it's my blog so whatever I do is alright, right?
1. Our second week of school was a little calmer, at least during the day.
2. We've been enjoying nature outside our front door. We had a snake living along our front path for a while, a tiny baby gopher snake. We also saw a wasp kill a spider and drag it away.
3. Some fun videos. (Believe it or not, First Daughter has memorized a few more poems since I recorded these.)
4. A few weeks ago, we visited a zoo for a family-friendly event. The highlight of the evening was the parrot enclosure, when Kansas Dad was a favorite roost.
5. We had our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Open House a week ago. I am so very glad to be past this event! The coordinator and I spent nine hours in the Atrium over the course of three nights (in a row) after dinner to get all the new materials collected and organized. It looked gorgeous! Our first classes are this week so we're about to get even busier!
6. I finally sat down and designed our photo book for the second quarter of 2012. I was able to purchase it during a great sale. It's not something on my must-do-or-our-family-falls-apart list, but I do so much like to have photos on paper where the children can enjoy them.
7. Second Daughter's baptism anniversary was last week. Daily Mass was said for her intentions on Thursday. I made cookies on Friday and she received a new Glory Story CD. Her favorite part (other than the cookies, of course, which they're still enjoying every day) was blowing out the candle.
8. Second Son can say his name! It's adorable, of course. He has also started calling his big brother "Zeba" quite clearly. I have no idea where he heard it, but it is further proof that First Son's name is very difficult to say. Some of his other names have been "Adeb" and "Beda."
9. Over Labor Day weekend, Grammy treated us to the little water park again before they closed for the winter. Then she kept all the kids overnight while Kansas Dad and I had a lovely Japanese dinner, a relaxing evening at the bookstore, a few cocktails, and fit in a little shopping.
This week we start Catechesis. The girls are in a Level 1 class and First Son is in a Level 2 class (at different times, of course). I think we'll also start soccer this week. I think story hour at our local library will start next week. Then we'll really be able to get into the rhythm of our school year.
1. Our second week of school was a little calmer, at least during the day.
2. We've been enjoying nature outside our front door. We had a snake living along our front path for a while, a tiny baby gopher snake. We also saw a wasp kill a spider and drag it away.
3. Some fun videos. (Believe it or not, First Daughter has memorized a few more poems since I recorded these.)
4. A few weeks ago, we visited a zoo for a family-friendly event. The highlight of the evening was the parrot enclosure, when Kansas Dad was a favorite roost.
5. We had our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Open House a week ago. I am so very glad to be past this event! The coordinator and I spent nine hours in the Atrium over the course of three nights (in a row) after dinner to get all the new materials collected and organized. It looked gorgeous! Our first classes are this week so we're about to get even busier!
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| Presentation in the Temple for Level 2 |
7. Second Daughter's baptism anniversary was last week. Daily Mass was said for her intentions on Thursday. I made cookies on Friday and she received a new Glory Story CD. Her favorite part (other than the cookies, of course, which they're still enjoying every day) was blowing out the candle.
8. Second Son can say his name! It's adorable, of course. He has also started calling his big brother "Zeba" quite clearly. I have no idea where he heard it, but it is further proof that First Son's name is very difficult to say. Some of his other names have been "Adeb" and "Beda."
9. Over Labor Day weekend, Grammy treated us to the little water park again before they closed for the winter. Then she kept all the kids overnight while Kansas Dad and I had a lovely Japanese dinner, a relaxing evening at the bookstore, a few cocktails, and fit in a little shopping.
This week we start Catechesis. The girls are in a Level 1 class and First Son is in a Level 2 class (at different times, of course). I think we'll also start soccer this week. I think story hour at our local library will start next week. Then we'll really be able to get into the rhythm of our school year.
Monday, August 20, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (43rd Ed.)
It's late on Sunday night and, unlike most weeks, I didn't jot down a single note about what I loved last week, so this is going to be quick and (probably) incomplete. And without pictures.
1. Last week was our first week of school! Only 35 weeks to go...
2. First Daughter's reading lessons were a delight last week. We finished up last year really struggling, not because she couldn't read but because she couldn't be still and focused, effectively driving me crazy. After a summer off, she's brilliant - flying through lessons with hardly any problems at all (pretty impressive without any review). So I think she just needed to mature a little and I intend to remember that when it comes time to teach Second Daughter how to read. If she gives me any trouble, we'll just set it aside.
3. Second Son praying with us in the morning. He runs over to the prayer shelf and holds his little hands in prayer.
4. First Son's independent reading went really well last week. I had been asking him to read one book aloud to me and a different one independently, but I was so pleased, I think we'll just let him read the one independently and have him narrate now and then in the form of discussions which should come easily as he's reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
5. Grammy treated us all to an afternoon at the zoo on Sunday. Lovely weather, lovely company, lovely day! It was especially fun to watch Second Son because he didn't remember the last time we were there.
There was probably a lot more; I'll have to track it all better this week.
1. Last week was our first week of school! Only 35 weeks to go...
2. First Daughter's reading lessons were a delight last week. We finished up last year really struggling, not because she couldn't read but because she couldn't be still and focused, effectively driving me crazy. After a summer off, she's brilliant - flying through lessons with hardly any problems at all (pretty impressive without any review). So I think she just needed to mature a little and I intend to remember that when it comes time to teach Second Daughter how to read. If she gives me any trouble, we'll just set it aside.
3. Second Son praying with us in the morning. He runs over to the prayer shelf and holds his little hands in prayer.
4. First Son's independent reading went really well last week. I had been asking him to read one book aloud to me and a different one independently, but I was so pleased, I think we'll just let him read the one independently and have him narrate now and then in the form of discussions which should come easily as he's reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
5. Grammy treated us all to an afternoon at the zoo on Sunday. Lovely weather, lovely company, lovely day! It was especially fun to watch Second Son because he didn't remember the last time we were there.
There was probably a lot more; I'll have to track it all better this week.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (42nd Ed.)
1. Last week, First Son became an alter server. He served daily Mass four times and is now ready to serve on a Sunday, though I think it'll be September before he gets on the schedule. He was so very excited! I absolutely loved how he would leap out of bed when we went in to wake him so he could eat early enough.
2. We ate lunch at Taco Bell to celebrate First Son's first day serving Mass. (Mainly this was because it worked out for us to be in town during lunch in between errands, but he was pleased.)
3. Second Daughter and Second Son both had well-child visits last week. Both are healthy and doing well. Second Son seemed to finally figure out the doctor was not actually going to hurt him. He still cried, but there was a measurable decrease in his agitation over the course of the visit.
4. I took the kids, all of the kids, on a number of errands last week. No one hyperventilated. No one had a panic attack. No one called the authorities. I was very pleased. Stressed, but pleased. (Anyone who has taken four children between two and eight on errands involving school supplies, superstores, clothes, doctor's offices, and a hobby store will understand the stress.)
5. Included in our errands were two trips to the library, conveniently located for the times I needed something to occupy us for just a little while between appointments. First Son asked about getting a library card, so we did. The three older ones all have cards now and gleefully used the self-check-out for two books each.
6. Second Son "read" Blue Hat, Green Hat. The rendition was recognizable and adorable.
7. Second Son has also started joining in with our Litany of Saints during evening prayer. He'll sing, "Pway fo us!" (The older kids also taught him to sing "St. Elmo" in the Litany, which is hilarious and I do dearly pray for St. Elmo to forgive any disrespect. I hope he has a sense of humor...)
8. We took our annual back to school field trip last week. This year we decided to go to the Oklahoma Aquarium to see the sharks. It was a bit of a drive, but the kids handled it well and I think they had a great time. They may even have learned something.
9. Kansas Dad and I finished week 7 of P90X. We're more than half-way done - only six weeks to go!
10. Yesterday was our first day of school! That explains why "What I Loved About Last Week" is a day late; I was too busy gathering materials on Sunday night to finish the post. It was a good day! First Daughter had a fabulous reading lesson (meaning she didn't cry or make me cry) and First Son handled the day rather well.
2. We ate lunch at Taco Bell to celebrate First Son's first day serving Mass. (Mainly this was because it worked out for us to be in town during lunch in between errands, but he was pleased.)
3. Second Daughter and Second Son both had well-child visits last week. Both are healthy and doing well. Second Son seemed to finally figure out the doctor was not actually going to hurt him. He still cried, but there was a measurable decrease in his agitation over the course of the visit.
4. I took the kids, all of the kids, on a number of errands last week. No one hyperventilated. No one had a panic attack. No one called the authorities. I was very pleased. Stressed, but pleased. (Anyone who has taken four children between two and eight on errands involving school supplies, superstores, clothes, doctor's offices, and a hobby store will understand the stress.)
5. Included in our errands were two trips to the library, conveniently located for the times I needed something to occupy us for just a little while between appointments. First Son asked about getting a library card, so we did. The three older ones all have cards now and gleefully used the self-check-out for two books each.
6. Second Son "read" Blue Hat, Green Hat. The rendition was recognizable and adorable.
7. Second Son has also started joining in with our Litany of Saints during evening prayer. He'll sing, "Pway fo us!" (The older kids also taught him to sing "St. Elmo" in the Litany, which is hilarious and I do dearly pray for St. Elmo to forgive any disrespect. I hope he has a sense of humor...)
8. We took our annual back to school field trip last week. This year we decided to go to the Oklahoma Aquarium to see the sharks. It was a bit of a drive, but the kids handled it well and I think they had a great time. They may even have learned something.
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| First Daughter took our picture |
9. Kansas Dad and I finished week 7 of P90X. We're more than half-way done - only six weeks to go!
10. Yesterday was our first day of school! That explains why "What I Loved About Last Week" is a day late; I was too busy gathering materials on Sunday night to finish the post. It was a good day! First Daughter had a fabulous reading lesson (meaning she didn't cry or make me cry) and First Son handled the day rather well.
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| First Son - first day of third grade |
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| First Daughter - first day of kindergarten |
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| Second Daughter - four years old and causing trouble |
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| Second Son - two years old and wants in on the fun of picture time |
Monday, August 6, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (41st Ed.)
I really should have picture this week...but I'm too lazy (again) to get them off the camera.
1. Watching the "'Lympics" with the kids (as Second Daughter calls them). They're fascinated by everything. We've talked about the different sports, exercises, dedication, perseverance, different countries, different colors of people all over the world, winning and losing gracefully, and generally just had a good time.
2. A very old friend was near-by last week on a business trip. She stopped by for dinner two days last week! We're really hoping she'll be back again soon.
3. Second Son's baptism anniversary was last week. I asked that the Mass be said for his intentions that day so we started with daily Mass. He was kind of grumpy all day and into the night. Hopefully that didn't have anything to do with the Mass and his baptism anniversary blessing!
4. On Saturday Kansas Dad went into the office to focus on his grading. We had a quiet day at home. At one point, First Son decided to write a letter to an author (of his own accord, and a very nice one at that!) while First Daughter said a Rosary by herself. I would have felt proud of our parenting skills if Second Son and Second Daughter hadn't been following each other around the whole time fighting over anything either one of them touched.
5. I have decided that First Son is really and truly finally reading silently. For a long time he refused to even try. For even longer I was convinced he was just looking at pictures, but I think he's got the knack now. These sorts of things are very exciting for some reason.
6. Second Son "punching" along with our exercise video and counting (something like "two and nine and two and free and one and nine"). He's so adorable!
7. Swimming again! We braved the water park again on Sunday. It had cooled down into the mid-90s so it was almost too chilly outside! We took the little ones to the indoor heated pool for the last half hour. Everyone had a great time at the pool, but it does seem to end up in exhaustion and whining before the day is out. Second Daughter fell asleep right after dinner on Grammy's couch, slept when we moved her to the van, while Kansas Dad ran errands, when we moved her out of the van, when I changed her into pajamas, and all the way into bed for the night.
8. I'm finished making our lesson plans! They're insanely detailed, but that's how I like them. There's no way we'll do every single thing I have on there, but I prefer to cut later than to try to remember something I thought we might try if we had time. Now I just need to figure out when we're going to fit them into our days. And I need to tackle the homeschooling baskets and cabinets. They are still a disaster from last year!
First Son is serving as an altar server at daily Mass this coming week! We have lots of errands and a little more planning and organizing to do before school starts on the 13th! Exciting!
1. Watching the "'Lympics" with the kids (as Second Daughter calls them). They're fascinated by everything. We've talked about the different sports, exercises, dedication, perseverance, different countries, different colors of people all over the world, winning and losing gracefully, and generally just had a good time.
2. A very old friend was near-by last week on a business trip. She stopped by for dinner two days last week! We're really hoping she'll be back again soon.
3. Second Son's baptism anniversary was last week. I asked that the Mass be said for his intentions that day so we started with daily Mass. He was kind of grumpy all day and into the night. Hopefully that didn't have anything to do with the Mass and his baptism anniversary blessing!
4. On Saturday Kansas Dad went into the office to focus on his grading. We had a quiet day at home. At one point, First Son decided to write a letter to an author (of his own accord, and a very nice one at that!) while First Daughter said a Rosary by herself. I would have felt proud of our parenting skills if Second Son and Second Daughter hadn't been following each other around the whole time fighting over anything either one of them touched.
5. I have decided that First Son is really and truly finally reading silently. For a long time he refused to even try. For even longer I was convinced he was just looking at pictures, but I think he's got the knack now. These sorts of things are very exciting for some reason.
6. Second Son "punching" along with our exercise video and counting (something like "two and nine and two and free and one and nine"). He's so adorable!
7. Swimming again! We braved the water park again on Sunday. It had cooled down into the mid-90s so it was almost too chilly outside! We took the little ones to the indoor heated pool for the last half hour. Everyone had a great time at the pool, but it does seem to end up in exhaustion and whining before the day is out. Second Daughter fell asleep right after dinner on Grammy's couch, slept when we moved her to the van, while Kansas Dad ran errands, when we moved her out of the van, when I changed her into pajamas, and all the way into bed for the night.
8. I'm finished making our lesson plans! They're insanely detailed, but that's how I like them. There's no way we'll do every single thing I have on there, but I prefer to cut later than to try to remember something I thought we might try if we had time. Now I just need to figure out when we're going to fit them into our days. And I need to tackle the homeschooling baskets and cabinets. They are still a disaster from last year!
First Son is serving as an altar server at daily Mass this coming week! We have lots of errands and a little more planning and organizing to do before school starts on the 13th! Exciting!
Monday, July 30, 2012
What I Loved About the Past Two Weeks (40th Ed.)
I skipped last week's post because I wanted to get Second Son's birthday post up, so I'm combining the last two weeks.
1. We went to see a traveling exhibit on Star Wars (for the second time).
2. Second Son had surgery to remove his two top front teeth, which I did not love, but the office was wonderful and he started feeling better within hours.
3. Second Daughter turned four! We had pancakes for breakfast and ice cream sundaes after dinner.
4. Kansas Dad gave the boys much needed hair cuts, just in time for the birthday party over the weekend.
5. My parents were here for a visit. They try to come every year for our July birthday party and the kids are always so happy to see them!
6. A successful birthday party, thanks in large part to a wonderful friend who made the Winnie-the-Pooh birthday cake for us AND brought rockets to shoot for entertainment (which Second Son hated, but Second Daughter loved).
7. The girls and I went shopping with my mom. I picked out some new (smaller) clothes.
8. Second Son turned two! Of course, we started the day with pancakes, including a pancake as big as his head. And smoothies, because he doesn't actually like pancakes all that much.
9. We visited the Cosmosphere, which is a bit of a drive for us, but certainly must rank among the top museums in Kansas. The two little ones weren't very interested, but First Son and First Daughter picked up a few things and my dad and I had a fabulous time.
10. Kansas Dad let me take a nice long nap the day my parents left, even though he was just as tired. That's love.
11. Swimming lessons started and ended. First Son passed Level 2!
12. We had our second work day for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 2 materials over the weekend. We painted and cut and sculpted and are a lot closer to having everything ready!
13. Grammy treated us to an afternoon at a local water park over the weekend. The kids had a wonderful time. First Daughter was tall enough to go down the slides and First Son was old enough to ride the lazy river by himself. Second Son wanted to walk around the pool just at chin deep.
14. Finally, a picture of Second Son doing a downward dog.
I was hoping the last two weeks of summer would be nice and quiet, but it doesn't look like it. Maybe starting school will feel like a vacation!
1. We went to see a traveling exhibit on Star Wars (for the second time).
2. Second Son had surgery to remove his two top front teeth, which I did not love, but the office was wonderful and he started feeling better within hours.
3. Second Daughter turned four! We had pancakes for breakfast and ice cream sundaes after dinner.
 |
| Second Daughter's pancake as big as her head, with a chocolate chip smiley face, as requested. |
4. Kansas Dad gave the boys much needed hair cuts, just in time for the birthday party over the weekend.
5. My parents were here for a visit. They try to come every year for our July birthday party and the kids are always so happy to see them!
 |
| Papa reading bedtime stories |
6. A successful birthday party, thanks in large part to a wonderful friend who made the Winnie-the-Pooh birthday cake for us AND brought rockets to shoot for entertainment (which Second Son hated, but Second Daughter loved).
 |
| The portion of the cake without names |
 |
| First Son made a pin the tail on Eeyore game for the party |
7. The girls and I went shopping with my mom. I picked out some new (smaller) clothes.
8. Second Son turned two! Of course, we started the day with pancakes, including a pancake as big as his head. And smoothies, because he doesn't actually like pancakes all that much.
9. We visited the Cosmosphere, which is a bit of a drive for us, but certainly must rank among the top museums in Kansas. The two little ones weren't very interested, but First Son and First Daughter picked up a few things and my dad and I had a fabulous time.
10. Kansas Dad let me take a nice long nap the day my parents left, even though he was just as tired. That's love.
11. Swimming lessons started and ended. First Son passed Level 2!
 |
| Second Son tries to use force lightning on me during swim lessons |
12. We had our second work day for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 2 materials over the weekend. We painted and cut and sculpted and are a lot closer to having everything ready!
13. Grammy treated us to an afternoon at a local water park over the weekend. The kids had a wonderful time. First Daughter was tall enough to go down the slides and First Son was old enough to ride the lazy river by himself. Second Son wanted to walk around the pool just at chin deep.
14. Finally, a picture of Second Son doing a downward dog.
I was hoping the last two weeks of summer would be nice and quiet, but it doesn't look like it. Maybe starting school will feel like a vacation!
Monday, July 16, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (39th Ed.)
1. I spent an afternoon just with First Daughter. She came with me to the dentist's office (played on the Kindle Fire). We ran some errands and then met Grammy for some fun time shopping.
2. First Son had alter server training this week. Can he really be old enough to be an altar server? He loved it!
3. On Thursday, while First Son was at his altar server pizza party and playing with a friend, the other kids and I went into town. Second Daughter had her free three year vision and eye check (all is great!). Then we went school shopping (yikes). But we celebrated with a picnic at a park with friends and then a bit of time at the science museum before picking up First Son again. Everyone fell asleep on the way home (except me of course!).
5. We had a nice quiet weekend at home without any activities besides Mass. We needed the time to calm down because today...swimming lessons start!
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