Pinewood Castle

Manual Mode Monday 9/52

Joining Sarah in Manual Mode Mondays. We're trying to get out of auto mode and learn how to set the exposure triangle in manual. Care to join us?

This shot was captured at the park one evening while flying kites. Little Prince was in his PJs - in case he fell asleep on the way home.

1/400, f/2.8, ISO 400, on "vivid" setting

bath night

Three

My Late Talkers

One would think that 4th and 5th children, surrounded by older siblings and parents who provide ample verbiage and encouragement would learn to speak at an early age.

Not so with my two little bears.

Months and months were invested in encouraging child #4 to speak. She understood absolutely everything we said, but refused to use simple words such as wa-wa, eat, up, me, no, ball, banana, etc.

Her first words, at age 2.5? "Go home!"

We were in the middle of a corn maze at a fall festival. She wanted out of there! Within a month, she was speaking in complete sentences.

My little prince has followed in her footsteps. Around the age of 18 months I gleefully anticipated hearing him speak, but the vocabulary just did not come. He turned two, then 2.5. We took him to the corn maze in October. No luck! He still had fewer than ten words. Every now and then he blurted out a new word, but we could not get him to repeat it.

By December, I contacted the school district.

It took a month or two, but testing was completed, and thankfully he qualified for in-home speech therapy. I was told that the gap between his comprehension and verbal skills was the largest gap they had ever seen.

In just two once-a-week sessions, his vocabulary has tripled. This amazingly experienced, kind, understanding, encouraging woman who is his speech therapist, is using her professional magic to elicit syllables never before produced from my sweet little boy.

One syllable words are coming: boo, bow, bee, bye-bye, moo, mow, me, pea, pie, pay, tea, toe, ten.

Two syllable words are coming along as well, with the help of alternating pats on the knees: pu-ppy, bir-dy, pea-nut, ba-by.

Even first attempts at sentences: "Me too, mama?"

 

At this point, there is no official diagnosis such as apraxia, but to me it sounds like this might be what he has. The therapist just says that if he could talk, he would. Producing the sounds, and knowing what to do with his lips and tongue is hard for him. He gropes for the right formation. Sometimes he tries, and other times he refuses.

So the therapist "plays" with him using toys and puzzles and books, and he is learning! We reinforce his new skills throughout the week. She is even going to bring a table-top mirror to help him see my mouth when he sits on my lap for reading time. This is one drawback of being a mom/teacher - when little ones are on your lap they cannot see your mouth!

I admit, it is difficult for me to take the extra time for him in this stage of life. Beyond mealtime, naptime, bedtime, and reading time, I pretty much let him run around with his sister and play all day. When normal skills do not come along naturally, it takes effort to pay attention to a child's special needs.

The older kids get the bulk of my time, followed by a chunk of time for kindergarten. Having a little one with special needs was an unexpected twist in our homeschooling journey.  Everyone I have spoken with on the early intervention team has been supportive, encouraging, and a bit in awe of homeschooling. I am thankful we have services provided through the school district when needed.

Snow Day

Our snow total yesterday measured 9 inches. Not a huge amount, but enough to give Minnesota school kids a rare snow day.

And yes, snow days are rare in Minnesota. Two hour delays are more typical. MnDOT has over 800 plows that work through the night so roads are cleared fairly quickly unless it's too cold for the chemicals to melt ice. Yesterday it was "warm" enough that the roads were clear by afternoon and activities were still on.

Well, most kids. I'm one of those stringent moms who think a snow day is a perfect time to get school done!

But I am relaxed enough to let them stay out longer than usual to help dad shovel.

My kids do go outside almost every day after lunch when the sun is high, for 30 - 90 minutes, depending on the day. With real woolen long johns, Smart Wool socks, and Lands' End outerwear they can stay out until their fingers or cheeks start to freeze.

The poor public school kids, though. A girl interviewed on the evening news last night was so appreciative to have time to play outside. She said she hardly ever goes outside because she is usually inside doing homework.

So I just had to tell my kids about that, to help them appreciate the perks of homeschooling. I guess I consider playing outside an integral part of their education!

How about you? Did you get snow too?

 

Wordless Wednesday

If I Have Not Love

All that is pink and red is not love . . . unless it's Valentine's Day!











(My gift from him? Downton Season 3. Which I promptly unwrapped and went upstairs to watch since he was working from home and I wasn't feeling well.)

At the End of the Day

Do you do this too? Pick up little choking hazards off the floor throughout the day, empty your pockets at night, and attempt to return all the miniature items to their designated places?

It's one of the many ways we moms tie up the loose ends of one day before another one begins. We go through emails, reply if needed, add events to the family calendar, make out grocery and to-do lists, and prepare for the next day. Sometimes, how we end the day is as important as how we begin it.

But there are other loose ends, less tangible. Angy words spoken, praise unexpressed, hugs and cuddles we were too busy to give. In the winter months we like to have prayer and reading time in the big parental bed so we can cuddle close and tie up the emotional loose ends of the day. Apologize for flipping out over little things, praise them for jobs well done, or little sacrifices noticed. Tell them how precious they are and how glad I am to be their mom. Hug and squeeze them and appreciate who they are right now and the person God is forming them to be. 

Little Pear is a perfect first read-aloud chapter book for many little ones. As I began the first chapter last night with my five year old, this passage jumped out at me:

Little Pear was a mischievous child. His sisters said he was naughty. His father said he was naughty and would cry, "Ay-ah! What a bad boy you are!" But his mother said, "He is very little; when he gets bigger he will be good; you wait and see. It doesn't matter if he is naughty now, sometimes!" And they all loved Little Pear very much.

Young children (and older ones too) will be naughty, or just forgetful and even neglectful. They will lack self-control and make poor choices. They will break things and you will have to spend hundreds of dollars replacing and repairing them. But they are not out to get you. Don't let it break your heart now - rise above it, keep a level head and raise them with love. We must try not to break their hearts with our frustration and disappointment, and {God willing} they will not break our hearts when they grow up.

This is a difficult time of year with cold and snow and gray skies day after day. Try to keep the atmosphere of your home sunny with your disposition, music, and flexibility. Most of all - keep tying up your loose ends at the end of the day - the tangible and intangible - and when your children get bigger they will be good.

In the meantime, love them very much.

first photos

I feel like I have just purchased a Stradivarius after only finishing Suzuki Violin Book 1.

I also feel like someone, once tone-deaf, suddenly able to carry a tune with a decent singing voice.

 

I am both intimidated and refreshed by the sudden ability to shoot close-ups, portraits, moving children and kittens, and faces in candlelight.

Even though it's a struggle for me to learn anything after coming down with adult-onset ADD, I am pretty elated with our new camera. Remembering anything involving numbers is a particular challenge for me: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, mm, which of our four lenses to use. Good thing National Camera Exchange offers free classes. In the meantime I am totally experimenting with the little I have gleaned along the way.

The rest of these photos to re-cap our week (most of them anyway) are off the smart phone. {I am still resisting Pinterest and Instagram.} We were out & about more than usual this week, enjoying the full twelve days of Christmas.

While I am not sure what unschoolers actually do, I am pretty sure we need to unschool this week. To me this means making a rough schedule that includes kids cleaning while I resume exercise and shower, breakfast together by 8 am, together time (devotions, Lingua Angelica, Logic of English, thank you notes, art, start looking up our European destinations), finish gifts for pen-pals (they are still coming, really!) outside time, lunch by noon, music practicing (sessions in which I am a conscientious Suzuki practice parent and sit down to listen and help), Teaching Textbooks math, reading time, invite some friends over, afternoon activities, a few doctor appointments, dinner on time, bedtime on time. Time to re-adjust for the new year!

Full enough days, especially with a recital on the agenda this week. My two girls were nominated by their teachers to perform on the Suzuki department recital! Would you like to come? It's free! They would be overjoyed to share the joy of music with you. MacPhail, Antonello Hall, Friday at 6 pm.

Next week maybe we can get back to the full curriculum - if we all stay healthy. There is an alarming number of flu cases, pneumonia, etc. in our corner of the metro. Our current immune building arsenal consists of Emergen-C and colloidal silver.

As for today, my goals are to begin a food journal, set my weekday alarm for 6:00 am, celebrate Epiphany with some star folding, and get a roasted chicken dinner an scones on the table by five o'clock so we can clean up in time to "do the Downton". Will you be watching?

We at Pinewood Castle wish our readers the best as we all get back to normal life after celebrating the HolyDays!

He Finally Smiles for the Camera

Thankful Thursday

My little prince who likes to play "kissy smash face" every morning while we cuddle in bed.

Cherished moments in the rocking chair at bedtime when he wraps his warm little arms around my neck.

Finally figuring out how to make a Starbucks mocha at home.

Caffeine-free Vanilla rooibos tea in a thermal mug for afternoon chauffeuring.

Spell check - because I keep forgetting the "e" in chauffeuring, and I am particular about spelling in spite of the many mistakes I make on this blog.

That the Target website has printable coupons. Last trip I saved $23.

A husband who helps out with the myriad of responsibilities in raising a family.

Finding that delicate balance of approaching homeschooling with intensity and punctuality while trying to remain relaxed, fun, and happy.

For a pre-prepped Little Saints program. To my four year old, preschool time = love. Having it all prepped and ready to go in gallon zip-loc bags is the only way this program will work for me. And thanks to the two other moms who split up the work!

That I have two more chances to do a better job homeschooling the elementary grades. I can't go back now, but can make better plans for the future.

For great homeschooling forums with moms who always have wise answers to your burning questions.

Thankful that we finally got around to the history-based writing assignments.

For all 2200 comments left here since 2007. I can't tell you how much even a little feedback brightens my day.

For blanched almond flour. It sounds corny, but gluten-free never tasted so good.

For the local appliance repairman who came to our home the morning of Holy Saturday and resurrected our refrigerator/freezer. This saved everything from our last Costco trip except the ice cream.

A mild winter and an early spring. I feel totally spoiled. Finally, Mother Nature has taken pity on displaced southerners in Minnesota.

For well-loved fairy costumes. Wings worn upside down with holes in them are even more beautiful to a mother's who has seen the enchantment they have brought to three little girls in the last seven years.

 

Breaking from the Break

I didn't mean to take a blogging break for the rest of Lent, but I did.

I didn't intend to interrupt the blogging break once it began, but I am.

Why? Because life changes so very quickly. For the last four years, this blog is where I have gone to document my family's milestones.

My baby turns two this week. TWO! Here he is pictured disassembling his birthday ring. I let him do this until he starts throwing the figures on the floor, which is a sure sign he's ready for a nap.

My other baby (almost 12) had her first babysitting job! She managed four children (one of whom is 9 and was a great help) and their parents enjoyed a well deserved break.

Winter turned to spring. The snow is gone.

 

I have an uneasy feeling that it will snow at least one more time. This would be bad for the flowers and birds, but my children would love another snowball fight like this one they had in February.

 

 

We took a hike by the river. Normally, the Mississippi is climbing it's banks this time of year.

 

The urge I had a month ago to enroll my daughter for kindergarten next year - it passed. February is a cruel, cruel month for home schooling mothers; a month in which decisions regarding your children's education should never be made.

School is going much better these days, especially when I wake up on time and stay faithful to my role throughout the day. I find that I must present clear expectations to my preschooler regarding the transition time from school-with-mom to independent work time. Activities arranged on her shelf, along with a timer and reward of snack-time when it beeps works like a charm. Most days.

I learned two cool new things lately: one is that the Funiculi, Funicula song was written for the opening of the funicular railway that climbs Mt. Vesuvius - the very same volcano that destroyed Pompeii. The other is that there is a saint named Deo Gratius. What a great name!

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated with plenty of Irish stew, soda bread, and celtic music. For some reason I have no photos of this day, just memories to cherish in my heart.

Sunshine fractured her foot after jumping off the swing and landing funny. She hopped around on one foot for over a week.

Group violin concerts were presented. Dancer performed the Bach Gavotte in D with her Book 3/4 class. Sunshine did not perform that day since she was still hopping on one foot.

The girls attended Suzuki graduations at Orchestra Hall. Now I understand why moms and teachers get goosebumps at the sight of Twinkles through seniors crammed on stage performing together. Just think of how many hours of loving and dedicated practice this group represents.

Sunshine performed half of Suzuki Piano Volume 2 in a home recital with her Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Aron in attendance. She's looking forward to moving on. Here's Mozart's Arietta.

 

She also won $20 in an art contest sponsored by the city water department. Pretty exciting stuff in the life of a ten year old!

Three more poems from the MODG curriculum have been memorized, copied, illustrated, and recited. I remember memorizing the Jabberwocky in middle school. I think my 6th grader enjoyed it as much as I did at that age.

Catalogs and flyers for summer camp opportunities are stuffing the pretty pink file folder that sits on my desk, blank forms just waiting to be completed and returned before the looming deadlines. Decisions regarding who can do what and how much it will all cost and how we will ever pay for it all await an answer. With artistic endeavors, summer maintenance is crucial; intensive day camps are ideal.

But - the van needs new brakes, the play set area needs fresh wood chips this year, the oldest child needs new (or used) and bigger clothes, the gasoline and grocery bills are rising, and homeschooling curriculum costs are around the corner.

So, if you have tips on cutting your grocery bill in half (while still eating healthy, unprocessed, preferably organic, high in protein and low-carb) please share! Our ideal amount for the grocery budget happens to be just a smidgen over the $30/week per person that an average Minnesotan would receive in food support - another interesting tidbit I learned recently. Our mayor recently undertook the "Hunger Challenge" and had a difficult time eating for just $30 a week. No wonder I am having trouble meeting this goal with a family of seven.

Well, Holy Week is upon us, just a few days away. We are utilizing the Lingua Angelica program to brush up on the Tantum Ergo and Stabat Mater. Next week we will take a few days off to clean, pray, and attend services. Here are some magnificent musical selections on CD to set the mood around the house for the Triduum.

Before I sign off on this catch-up post I want to share with you this post at the new Mom-Heart Blog - The Myth of a Perfect Life. Let Sally's soothing voice encourage you today as you meet the multitude of responsibilities of raising a family.

Deo Gratias!

 

Time for a Haircut

 

His sisters can't resist.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful for . . .

A sweet four year old girl in the house. Only a four year old girl would stand outside the shower waiting to tell you she dreamt she was a pink princess with a pink flower in her hair. Precious.

The rare mornings I wake to the sound of Classical MPR at 6 am instead of crying at 5 am.

Day 5 of weaning my Little Prince. This is redefining our relationship. It's very bittersweet not knowing if I will ever nurse a baby again, or if my kids will ever see me nurse one of their little siblings again. After 8-9 total years of nursing, this is a significant milestone.

Being invited to a very creative and fun Sibling Shower.

Miracles!

The Crawley sisters who finally graced the halls of Downton Abbey with some musical talent. What a magical scene that was when Matthew walked in unexpetedly!

A clean and organized bill desk basket with pretty file folders and notebooks. (Files: Correspondence, Upcoming Events, VIP Catalogs, Grocery.Coupons, Photos, Vacation Ideas, Current Year Home-school Receipts, Health Info, Neighborhood Directory, Violin Receipts, Recipes to Try.)

Joe's clean and better organized basement shop.

Eating our Way through the USA with my 4th grader.

Having a 6th grader who actually wants to take charge of making home-made pizza every Friday. "It's easy!" she claims.

And an almond flour pizza crust that tastes much better than the cauliflower one I last tried.

Finally figuring out once and for all that milk, excess sugar, and wheat make me feel really bad.

Three weeks in a row of very productive home-schooling.

A break next week for testing and field trips.

Plans finish the school year by the end of August even with one week off at Easter, one week around Memorial Day, two weeks in June, two in July, and two in August.

Wool socks.

We are finally getting some snow here and there. We may even get enough cover to justify getting out the snow books (like the ones on my January Bookshelf sidebar). Last year at this time we had received 60" of snow - this year only 12".

A helpful toddler.

Mr. Rogers free with Amazon Prime.

The neighbor boy (who owns the BB gun that shot out the glass in our back door) came over with his father to apologize and take full responsibility of replacing and paying for the replacement glass.

And lastly - the Big Sister who teaches her baby brother how to play piano!

Thankful Thursday

I really need to reflect on what I am thankful for lately. Sometimes with modern day social media it is all too easy to do one of two things: complain or brag. Even if you just mean to share, what you say online can easily come across as complaining or bragging. The effort to avoid doing either one is an art I am far from mastering.

Honestly, I really feel like complaining this week. I am tired. I feel like every day I have to run a marathon and I always come in last place. Good thing I can pass the baton when my husband comes home and he gladly helps out with some of the driving, dishes, and getting the littles to bed.

Sometimes we bloggers tend to put our best feet forward and make our very normal lives seem more special and perfect than they really are, at least it can seem that way to others. Some readers get intimidated, others know better! In reality, blogging is most often an effort to reflect on what is good about life, to live intentionally, and especially to find and claim the joy in what we do.

So how about a happy balance this time? Here's a touch of realism from Pinewood Castle this week:

Thankful ~ that my wonderful husband has caught up to me and is now in the over 40 club.

 

He was treated to some gourmet wine & cheese, a Camping Guide to the North Shore and another paper creation from Sunshine. Recognize the setting?

Not Thankful ~ for the twitch in my eye this week. The Little Prince wakes up crying at 5:30 pretty much every.single.morning. And he is getting his molars and waking up in the night several days a week. We are getting too old for this. And he hates his Hanna hat. I love his Hanna hat.

Not thankful - that he has discovered the joys of coloring my desktop with highlighters.

Thankful ~ that we found the Little Princess hiding under our bed one morning at 6:30. I went into the girls' room, saw that her bed was empty, and we hunted for a terrifying fifteen minutes. All the time I tried not to think about the possibilty that a weirdo blog reader had abducted her.

Thankful ~ that a biopsy lab test turned out normal.

Not Thankful ~ that I have been getting headaches every night and day that I eat one of those melt-in-your-mouth birthday chocolates.

Not Thankful ~ that I succumbed to a coffee sample at Costco at 4:00 one Saturday afternoon and slept a whole two hours from midnight to 2 am.

Thankful ~ that I picked up the phone on my nightstand that sleepless night, surfed around, and found a link to the Wheat Belly book and blog. A week and a half later I have lost five pounds. This is motivating. I need some motivation to get serious about losing weight after going 19 months without any.

Thankful ~ that some dear readers have clicked book links here and the Amazon credit that came my way almost covered the cost of the Wheat Belly book that is on it's way.

Not Thankful ~ that there has been a big shake up at with the choir boys organization, the two top directors have been fired, and the future of this organization is in question. My faith is rattled, but hopefully the addage of "when one door closes another one opens" will ring true in this case.

Still not thankful - that the girls are in different ballet classes with different pick-up times. But - very thankful for the opportunity to see them in action during the academy's Parent Observation Week.

Thankful ~ that the girls had a wonderful experience playing their first recital at MacPhail. Sunshine played Paganini with flair and Dancer rendered Dvorak's Humoresque with feeling.

Thankful ~ for our wonderful new violin teacher. She is so positive and has such confidence in the girls.

Thankful ~ that Grandma & Grandpa were able to come down to hear the recital and brought us our first ever snow blower, courtesy of his late paternal grandpa. It must be at laeast twently years old but as long as it still runs we are glad to have it.

Thankful ~ that we did not get an October snowfall like the east coast. It's been known to happen in Minnesota.

Thankful ~ that Aunt Charlotte finally made good on her birthday gift to the Karate Kid: indoor rock climbing.

Thankful ~ that Karate Kid's speech therapy through the public school is off to a good start.

Thankful - for the new shower head my husband picked up at Costco. Hello water pressure!

Thankful ~ that my husband, with one child on each hip, takes the little ones down for breakfast every morning so I can enjoy some Introvert Time before facing the day.

Thankful ~ that the girls and I are going on a little musical get-away this weekend!

Fortunately the Thankfuls outnumber the Not Thankfuls. Now maybe if I can catch up on some sleep this weekend the bumps in life will not seem so very difficult!

Thankful Thursday - Autumn

Morning Glories. Finally!

 

Baby boys who love baby dolls.

Big Girls who still love dolls.

 

 

Big Brothers and Baby Brothers.

 

Board books. Even those we have memorized.

 

Apple Time.

 

Preschoolers who still take an occasional nap in unusual places and unexpected outfits.

 

Sleeping Forest Folk.

 

 

The coziness of autumn candlelight.

 

 

 

Boxed In

Thankful Thursday

Thankful that so much real life is happening that I hardly have time to sit at the computer and blog! Over the last two weekends we have enjoyed the Catholic Home School Conference (MCHEC), a trip to the Zoo, the girls' ballet recital, and more time in the gardens.

Also thankful that sometimes the weather in MN is nice enough to be outdoors for hours on end that the fresh air and exercise makes me too tired to stay up and blog at night.

Thankful for our adorable Little Prince, now fondly referred to as Walking Trouble, who creates messes wherever he goes! He "cleans" the cat dishes, "folds" my kitchen towels, brings us the pizza pan several times a day, and constantly climbs the stairs then immediately hollers for someone to get him down. There's no rest for anyone as long as he's awake.

Thankful for my dear friend and her daughter who helped me clean out the over-grown black-eyed Susan bed one weekday morning. I am thankful she let me reward her by sharing more overgrown plants: black-eyed Susan (of course), as well as lamb's ears, daffodils, lily of the valley, oregano, Russian sage and coreopsis.

Thankful for our children's Godparents!

Thankful for discounts at the nursery for a little instant gratification!

Thankful for finally finding some historical novels by Tracy Chevelier that I can't put down: Girl With a Pearl Earring, Falling Angels, and Remarkable Creatures. 

Thankful for stylists who can cut hair on a moving target. I could never have done so well. Buzz cuts I can do, but toddlers and little girls go to someone who knows what they are doing!

Thankful for Pentecost and the annual Twelve Fruit Salad. We should make this much more often!

 

Gel ant farms. Much better than sand!

That feverish babies recover with lots of nursing and TLC.

Thankful that not all deer ticks carry Lyme's. They are so tiny that for two days I thought my daughter had a little scratch on her face that scabbed over. When I saw the scab was flaking I impulsively picked it off only to discover that the little scab had legs! Yuck!

Thankful for lawn treatment that (supposedly) kills over thirty kinds of insects and that mosquito spray that makes our backyard bearable to be in after months indoors. Some chemicals are just worth the risk.

Thankful that by July I will have more time to finish ordering curriculum and preparing materials for the next school year. I am chomping at the bit to get it done and will share our plans when it's all decided!

Thankful Thursday

for affordable Young People's Concerts

for directors of orchestra education who wisely include choreographed dance to Debussy's La Mer

for children who used good enough manners in a restaurant after the concert (even though they don't always use the best table manners at home) to garner a compliment from a little old lady at a nearby table who happened to be the founder of ECFE in Minnesota (Early Childhood Family Education)

for my husband who recognized that I was turning into a zombie with just a teacup of coffee and reinstated my big queen mug

for another opportunity to give a recital at the assisted living center, this time with two other students from the violin studio and for the talented Suzuki mom who can play all the piano accompaniment

that I finally finished my husband's scarf, just in time for spring

and that he let me buy five skeins of merino wool to get it long enough

for maple syruping days at the nature center

for one last trip to the nature center before they tear it down and build a new one

time with grandma & grandpa

for learning that egg-free cakes fall apart, to make the big decorated birthday cake with eggs for everyone else and serve egg-free cupcakes to the egg-free girl

for birthday packages from Oklahoma

for the opportunity to nurture another baby through the first year of life

for the smiles and tears and belly laughs this little boy brings to our family

Plans for a Mid-Winter Break!

Checking in here - has it really been over a week since I last blogged? Oh my! It seems I never have chunks of computer time lately or have chosen rest or reading over the glowing screen before bedtime. We have also been dealing with various viruses the last several weeks that have caused fevers, coughing, and sudden messes on the floor necessitating a Rug Doctor rental. Then there are the various mishaps that put the whole day behind - the baby peed on me while waiting for the 3yo to bring a diaper, the toilet overflowed, you get the idea!

At least in the midst of this busyness the 3yo tantrums are down about 90% after the egg allergy diagnoses. Do you know how much time this saves? Hours. Yes, she still has a strong personality and can't take "no" for an answer, but at least now, if she gets started, she can STOP after a few minutes instead of carrying on for an hour or more. Thanks for all of your help in this department. Moms are the true experts!

We have been working diligently with our schoolwork for six weeks straight and plan to take a midwinter break next week! Yeah! Today we might head over to the Scottish Ramble since the forecast predicts 5-12" of snow for Sunday when we originally planned to go. We are not an ounce of Scottish, but love a strong dose of the festive music, food, dancing, pipes and plaids this time of year. Then my little choir boy is supposed to have his first overnighter at the choir building with rehearsals and fun planned for Monday. We will see if the roads are passable by Sunday night!

Monday brings vision check-ups and making these cupcakes for President's Day. This year I am having the kids memorize the presidents on all the coins and bills (among other various and helpful facts) in case they ever have some fun-loving uncle offer a $100 bill to the first kid at a family reunion who can name the president memorialized on the front. I am hoping to have time write up some blog posts before violin lessons and my monthly homeschool mom's meeting.

Tuesday we head to The Cities for dental check-ups. This means dad will scoot out from work to help with the Littles in the waiting room and we get to go out to lunch with him too - maybe to the Neapolitan pizza place! While we are in the city I am thinking of going somewhere warm and tropical after lunch like Como Conservatory. This will tie in wonderfully to Dancer's reading about South America in geography and rain forests in science. We will have to beat the traffic to get back in time for group violin.

Wednesday morning is always piano and the afternoon is blocked out for Peabody testing and a quick trip to town for karate. These tests are always interesting - how to take great scores with a grain of salt and what to make of scores that are "just" at or below grade level. For me it's a crash course in statistics as well as curbing the horrid tendency for pride and comparison among siblings. I have to admit, though, that it is also a time to pat myself (and other moms) on the back and breathe a sigh of reassurance that a mere mom really can successfully homeschool her children.

Thursday is still up for grabs. I wanted to take them to an indoor trampoline jumping place, but they are not open to big kids until after school hours. We might go to a juried art show at the government center or just stay home and play games before Rocky goes to choir.

Friday we are heading halfway into the metro. DH is taking the older kids snow tubing while I take the littles to an indoor park. Hopefully they won't get too worn out for an afternoon of ballet and karate. Oooh - I just realized it's parent observation week at ballet and daddy will be off to watch!

Next Saturday dh is going to a Catholic Men's Conference. The Holy Spirit nudged me to sign him up, put the printed info in an envelope and set it on his dinner plate as a surprise. I hope and pray he enjoys the day!

A week from tomorrow is the opening of "The Real George Washington" exhibit at MHS. A perfect dessert for all the Revolutionary War reading my 5th grader has done recently!

Here is a description to entice you locals:

Activities include 18th-century style military drilling; a visit to the colonial doctor; a look at the fashions of our founding fathers and mothers from elaborate wigs to buckled shoes; demonstrations of Martha Washington's favorite dishes; music, dance and etiquette performed by Dance Revels Moving History; and a Shadowy Silhouettes History HiJinx activity. Visitors also can join in the Washington’s Adventure Gallery Game, learn how to read a compass and follow clues through the museum, collect facts about the real George Washington along the way and win a prize. Revolutionary War reenactor John Neitz, Minneapolis’ official Town Crier, will transform the History Center into a colonial village, announcing events and activities throughout the day.

That's all, folks! Hope to catch up with a belated Valentine's post and some book/CD reviews with my time off this week.

One more thing - I just can't leave you without a picture of my very busy baby who is causing daddy to install locks on every single drawer and cabinet within his reach!

 Actually we are taking pity by leaving the one cabinet open for him - the one with the plastic bowls. He just has too much fun whipping them around and we have too much fun watching him!