Pinewood Castle

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!

 

Weekly Wrap-Up

Minn-NO-snow-ta: We have little coating for a few days. Even though I don't miss the messy parking lots, I am longing to be snowed in for a day.

Downton: I feel satisfied and relieved by the way things resolved between Matthew & Mary. But - if Bates is really guilty and he used Anna for a little bit of happiness before imprisonment, then my opinion of him will plummet. It's so hard to judge his culpability since he plays the martyr so very well. And Sir Richard - will he leave the family alone or milk their scandals for all they are worth? Oh well, at least he no longer has power over Mary's chances with Matthew. If you don't know what to do with your Sunday nights now that Season 2 is over, Dawn plans to continue weekly discussions with Masterpiece Mondays. Dickens is coming!

Dancer: It was Observation Week at the ballet academy so I took some time out to see her in action. She was able to observe a Level 2 class (en pointe). I have no idea how long she will be able to continue both ballet and violin, but we are doing our our best to allot the time and money to make it happen. She is on the verge of two exciting milestones with each: vibrato and pointe. It would be nice to see her achieve both before narrowing her focus.

Sunshine: After a year of saving, she finally had enough money to buy her own American Girl doll. She chose Marie Grace. For some reason I chose to drive to MOA on a Saturday instead of ordering online. I'll know better next time.

(At our house, the girls save their own money for American Girl dolls. Not that I dislike them, I just don't like them. The books are formulaic and the merchandise is almost as as expensive as having another child. We do buy our girls Beautiful Girlhood dolls and all the clothes and books that go with them for Christmas and birthday gifts. The dolls are versatile and the books are about real life heroines. But there's something thrilling to a girl about American Girl dolls, and I'm happy that she's happy.)

Choir Boy: He spent the night at the choir building President's Day weekend for singing, team building and rousing music games like musical tic-tac-toe. I could not quite tell if the girls left behind missed him or were jealous, or a mixture of the two, but everyone was glad to have him back home - especially his baby brother. At least I think that's what all the horsing around meant.

Little Princess: Very day she says something funny, or at least in a terribly funny way. She saw her big brother juicing a case of oranges and a light bulb went on, "Oh, so that's how orange juice is made!"

Little Prince: We have nicknamed him Samuel, as in Samuel Morse. Long "ugh" sounds mean he wants something. Short "ughs" mean we guessed correctly. Here he his showing off his block building skills.

Around the House: I cleaned and organized the pantry and now we can walk into it! The two new red bins on the floor are for baggies and wraps that are open and the other one is for chips and crackers. The box in the middle is for unopened baggies and wraps - you get a lot when you buy at Costco.

Seasonal Fun:

Tax Return: What do you do with yours? We wanted to put on a deck (finally) but decided to save most of it instead. Almost all of it - I got a summer quilt and shams (20% off and free shipping at L.L. Bean), Lauri puzzles for the little ones, Extreme Dot-to-Dot books for the older ones, and a pretty new pot to replace an old cheap IKEA one.

President's Day cupcakes

The Chair of St. Peter with Papal Symbols (the child who get up and gets their chores done by 7:30 gets to sit there for the day - and serves the rest of the family - since the Holy Father is the "servant of the servants of God)

Lent Begins Again

Stay Tuned For: The Next Violin Recital.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Minn-NO-snow-ta: Ok, I admit I have one complaint about the mild winter we are having - the climate outside is not what I had imagined it would be when we finally got around to reading The Long Winter. What I envisioned: the children and I would be huddled under the sofa blanket in front of a roaring fire, two feet of snow on the ground, the thermometer reading twenty below, and pausing mid-chapter to console the children, "See, kids - it could be worse. We could be spending all day twisting hay sticks to burn for heat and grinding wheat in a manual coffee grinder a half cup at a time to bake our daily bread."

Out & About: No field trips or parties this week. The joy of a normal week at home even prompted me to cancel our plans to attend the next Young People's Concert.

The Little Princess: She's Little Bear today. Yesterday a jack-in-the-box, and the day before a pink princess.

Wheatless-ness: I think I almost won the kids over with coconut flour donuts. Now, if only we didn't have an egg allergy in the family baking would be a whole lot easier.

Brain Drain: It seems my letter to the music school was well-received. Hopefully we will never again knowingly be subjected to Nine Inch Nails masochism and gay rights cabaret at that particular institution. Seriously, though - what are people thinking? Did you see the Grammy Awards? We only had a glimpse before quickly changing the channel, but read about it later. Will this country ever regain a sense of common decency?

Politics: Maybe we can enjoy a little hope in positive change with the way the republican nomination race is going? Is anyone else excited about the possibility of a Catholic homeschooling family in the White House? What would it look like to have a first lady who is also a home schooling mom? This would be a HUGE change.

Books: I am totally smitten with - Pocket Full of Posies.

The author is the same talented lady who brought us Felt Wee Folk. I am sure that if all my kids were enrolled in school I could happily spend my days with wool felt and embroidery floss attempting these projects.

Pinterest: Well, I started! I can't say I'm addicted yet, but I can see the merit of saving paper and ink by not printing and filing all the neat ideas out there. Now I just need a huge blizzard to snow me in and provide a chunk of computer time.

Downton: Matthew: Even though you have creepy eyes and Mary doesn't deserve you, I really enjoyed watching the two of you dance and enjoy each another before Lavinia interrupted your bliss. But please listen to me - she loved you so much that she really wanted you to be happy without her. Being the only really pure female character in this series without ulterior motives, I believe her and I wish you would get over your guilt and believe her too. Lord Grantham: Thank you for stopping yourself from overtaking the maid. I know you have felt ornamental and ignored by Cora lately, but going further with Jane would have led to trouble and heartache for you both and obviously your daughters and staff give you enough drama without you adding your own. Be the rock that holds the family together, ok?

Milestones: Advanced Blue Belt!

St. Valentine's: Can I tell you how much I enjoy celebrating feast days at home with my children? We're making the love theme last all week.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Out & About: This week we ventured out on another field trip - this time to the Physics Circus, sponsored by the U of M and held at the convention center downtown. Since we usually favor the arts, it was about time we included a science outing too. All three big kid faces were shining brightly as they waited in suspense to see if the physics teacher suspended from a 20 foot tower would catch the billiard ball that was fired from a cannon as he dropped to the safety of a mat. The little ones were equally happy with the lollipop that kept them quiet and happy.

 

The Forecast:

thu	fri	sat	sun	mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat
feb 09 Flurry/Wind 37° 6°	feb 10 P Cldy/Wind 14° 2°	feb 11 Sunny 19° 7°	feb 12 M Sunny 29° 17°	feb 13 Cloudy 32° 22°	feb 14 P Cloudy 36° 23°	feb 15 M Sunny 40° 21°	feb 16 M Cloudy 35° 20°	feb 17 P Cloudy 37° 22°	feb 18 Snw Shwrs 35° 23°

 

Are the kids complaining? Yes - they want to go sledding and make snow forts.

Am I complaining? Nope.

Downton: The House at Riverton is tiding me over between episodes. The first half sings the same song as Downton - same time frame, same issues. The second half is much more about the roaring twenties and boy are they roaring.

Milestones: Karate Kid graduates to advanced blue belt next week. Sunshine landed the role of a servant (with several speaking lines) in the home school theater class. Dancer performed her 2nd ever orchestra concert. She is already chomping at the bit to audition for the next orchestra. Good thing she gets to sit for orchestra because she has taken to standing in fifth position while practicing. 

Brain Drain: A faculty recital we attended later that day was, well, let's just say it included adult content in between Handel and Paganini Caprices. I had to go home and write a letter to the CEO and COO to advocate that appropriate age ranges be printed on programs and advertisements for parents who actually wish to protect the age of innocence. It's been on my mind all week.

Book Club: In an effort to better understand the Egyptian times my 6th grader is studying I suggested Nefertiti. We met at a local art studio to discuss the book and create something with the help of some drawing guides. At first I was hesitant to even attempt to talk and draw at the same time, but somehow I found it incredibly relaxing and somehow produced this:

In School: We did not neglect art this week. The kids made really cool Valentines thanks to Art Projects for Kids.

 

In the Kitchen: We celebrated World Nutella Day!

In Blog-Sphere: There are new babies all over the place. Congratulations to all those who just gave birth or who are about to!

Weekly Wrap-Up

Occupational Hazards: I have broken a toe for the third time since becoming a mom. This is such a painful and silly condition that I am seriously considering a pair of steel-toed boots to wear indoors. Homeschooling moms of many are just too busy and distracted with household management to move about the house gracefully.

Downton: Speaking of being a busy household manager, I've decided that I relate most to Mrs. Hughes. Yes, as much as I would fancy being an aristocratic tea-sipping upstairs lady, my life is definitely being spent making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to and behaving themselves. My body is not suited for a corset anyway. Other than that - well, now that Matthew & Mary are now "safe" from expectations of marrying one another they are finally opening up and growing up. Daisy & William, the only couple in an appropriate position to marry, were cheered on by the family and staff, persuading Daisy to make a dying man happy against her conscience. While O'Brien and Thomas deserve boos and hisses, Vera just turns my blood cold. I suspect something very evil will happen concerning her character. Sybil must have heard me through the TV screen shouting, "Don't kiss Branson! Run the other way!" when he was in his manipulating mode. She listened to me this time, but I don't know how long she will resist that worm.

Standardized Testing: We had the Peabody man out for the 5th year in a row. Very interesting scores. Big gaps between reading recognition and reading comprehension, like six grade levels with one child. I was told not to be concerned - but still, I am concerned.I am itching to look around for a remedy.

Should test results really influence our educational focus or curriculum choices? Based on the scores of all three children (who scored at or above grade level - no worries really) I am considering changes in our math program, spelling, and word recognition. Just when I thought I had made some long-term decisions, now I will again be looking into Teaching Textbooks, All About Spelling, a Kindle for reading literature and/or  going back to the Memoria Press literature guides. The kids will definitely be reading out loud to me more often. Comments on this topic are welcome ; )

Technology: So far, the youngest (of the three oldest) seems to use his iPod the most. We figured they may as well get acclimated to the digital world bit-by-bit so they won't be totally lost in life. They are loaded up with math and geography games, dictionary/thesaurus, weather, maps, classical music, Wiki, a calendar, a metronome, voice recorder, etc. as well as K-9 protection and . I suppose we had better keep making baby steps this direction, though I am not feeling ready for each child to have thier own iPad. What I would like in the near future is a wireless connection from a laptop to the TV so we don't all have to crowd around the computer when I want to show them cool stuff.

I predict that by the time my kids leave home they will be fully digital - no CDs, DVDs, books or paper. Just think - no heavy book boxes to move! Me on the other hand - I depend on my hubby to burn CDs, ge fetch audio books, load up apps, make DVDs of our home video, and have yet to get around to using Skype or dabbling on Pinterest, which appears to be the hot thing, especially for bloggers. I am feeling way behind the technology curve. If I didn't have half my life let to live I would vow to stick with old fashioned books and CDs.

Mother Culture: I love this aspect of Charlotte Mason's philosophy - we homeschoolers love having the freedom to take time for re-creation, whether planned or serendipitous. This week we had two planned field trips and two social get-togethers. We attended an amazing production at CTC of Harold and the Purple Crayon - the animation and puppetry was a delight for all my kids, regardless of age. The Minnesota Orchestra's Young People's Concert featuring Pictures at an Exhibition was splendid as usual. This Saturday is our stay-all-day-in-the-city after violin lessons day. I am thinking we will grab lunch downtown, attend a faculty recital, then hear the William Byrd Mass at St. Agnes in the evening.

The Little Prince: After almost two weeks of weaning he has not forgotten about nursing. I guess this is why most moms wean earlier? He also has a body clock and temper like his sister. He goes to bed between 7 - 8 pm and wakes up crying almost every morning at 5 am. During daytime hours, even with  a two hour afternoon nap, he is just not a happy guy lately, but based on his response after a dose of ibuprofen I think he is getting some molars. Just when you think they have all their teeth in!

Wheatlessness: My eldest daughter is not adapting kindly to the changes in the kitchen. Resistance grows stronger each week. The deal is, I said, read Wheat Belly yourself, and then we'll talk. Plus, it's not like wheat is forbidden for the kids, I am just not using it so much since I'm finding great recipes in the Elana's Pantry almond flour cook book.

Around the Net: Google Reader is not as much fun without the ability to share links on my blog sidebar. If I could share some links, these are the ones catching my eye this week:

Love, love, love, Dawn's new set-up with her reading chair, corner desk, and family reading sofa all in one room - and it's not the family room! Oh, if we had that kind of space and light . . .

Love Rachel's "Lessons from Little House" post. It's almost enough to change my mind about letting the kids watch the DVDs of the TV show.

Love how Sarah is actually "Pinning it Down" - implementing ideas she has pinned on Pinterest.

Would love to have time to get started on Pinterest using Kara's How To Guide. Now I am on a waiting list for an invite.

Random Photo: It is spilt milk, and it looks like a bowlegged man.

Just Before Christmas Daybook

Outside my window:: Chances are, we will have a brown Christmas in Minnesota, and actually, that's ok with me.

I am hearing:: The little ones playing inside and the big kids outside.

I am wearing:: My old glasses. Guess who got his little hands on my current pair and twisted them beyond repair?

I am thankful for:: My husband, my family, and for all the wonderful Christmas cards from family and friends. I am so thankful for people who include a little notes that say things like, "Enjoyed your Christmas card - you have darling children who are all so happy and accomplished."  Because - you know how it is with family newsletters - you want to share the joys of raising a family without bragging and it's nice to know that some people really do appreciate what you are doing and how hard it can be to raise a good family.

I Miss:: The share feature on google reader that instantly listed links to great posts on my left side bar. I am not sure if any readers miss this, but I sure miss the fun of sharing good posts I read.

I am Thinking:: How are we ever going to get back to a full school routine when it takes all day just to practice music, do some math, read aloud, and keep up with housework?

I am Pondering:: Unschooling the rest of the year. Just kidding.

I am Praying for:: Our family and what the future holds. Will we ever be able to move back to the metro? Will we still want to by the time we can? Is it better in some ways to be away from city life even if we miss out on so many educational opportunities?

Books on my Nightstand:: My Name is Mary Sutter - historical fiction about a midwife/nurse on the Northern front of the Civil War.

Taking Care of Myself:: So very disappointed that the Wheat Belly diet has not turned me into the incredible shrinking woman that I had rightfully hoped after reading the book, but I am feeling worlds  better on a wheat-free, sugar-free, low-carb diet along with some extra vitamin D. If I do cheat and have something with wheat, milk, and sugar (like, perhaps, Coldstone's mint chocolate chip ice cream with brownie bits) I pay for it with a massively painful headache the next day. If you are losing weight on this diet, please don't tell me about it or I will be insanely jealous.

From the Kitchen:: Meat and veggies, grapefruit, clementines and pomegranates. Three kinds of Christmas cookies: traditional, egg-free, and almond flour/truvia versions for Joe and me. Good thing the hunger pangs and carb cravings go away on a grain-free diet.

Around the House:: Busy!

Repairs & Replacements - replaced the bottom oven fan that finally quit working after months of rattling. While we had Kenmore on the brain we also ordered replacements for the broken veggie drawer in the fridge, broken ice bin in the freezer, and crusted-over drip tray under the water dispenser.

Updating - Joe decided it was time to replace our old tube tellies with re-certified HD Vizios that he found at a great price. Now I have to learn how to use them, but at least the baby no longer has access to the power button.

Deep Cleaning - cleaned the inside of the fridge with the help of two kids. Wow, was that yucky! We also spent a morning cleaning underneath, between and behind the washer and dryer. Even yuckier!

I am Creating:: The kids and I are sewing these super-cute ornament kits for Christmas presents. Don't look if you are on our gift list!

Good Flicks:: Nothing lately, other than reviewing Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey before Season 2 airs in January.

The Children:: They are so excited that Christmas is almost here they have butterflies in their stomachs. We have enjoyed several local events the last week - the ballet academy's Nutcracker, the figure skating club's Christmas show and skate with Santa, and a Hanukkah party for homeschoolers. They learned how to play the dreidel game and love it.

The Little Prince:: Still not talking, still into everything, and constantly removing his favorite felt gingerbread boy ornaments from the Christmas tree. We really have to be careful where we lay down our sewing projects. Good thing he's so incredibly cute and well-loved.

The Little Princess:: She and Choir Boy assembled the annual gingerbread house with Grandma this year while the girls and I were at violin. Precious times!

She says all sorts of funny things like:

"Aren't you going to say Goodness Golly'?" when I am exasperated.

Onion = yun-yon

Step Stool = step-o-stool

Choking Hazards = choking haz-rits

If we are actually on time for Mass, "What? Why aren't we late?"

A Few of My Favorite Things:: A new pillow, afternoon tea, staying up until midnight wrapping presents, sewing by the Christmas tree in the quiet evenings after the kids go to bed, birth announcements, peppermint mochas, the strong winter sun through the south facing windows at lunchtime, everytime we eat lunch and Sunshine notices that the time is 12:34, my baby's hugs and kisses.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Bake, sew, decorate, read, pray, prepare, and celebrate the birth of our savior.

Over Halfway Through August Daybook

It has been such a long time since I used the day-book format.

Outside my window:: The children are cleaning up outside. My son is screaming. The girls are running after him with a watering can trying to douse him.

I am hearing:: My children pop in to ask questions about where to put stuff. The little ones are in bed (by 8pm on a summer night) so it's relatively quiet.

I am wearing:: Khaki capris, white top, silver hoops and a necklace made of polished Minnesota prairie rock I picked up at the Jeffer's Petroglyphs gift shop.

I am thankful for:: Being able to be home with my children even if it drives me crazy sometimes, our time giving a recital at the assisted living center, and finally hearing that my cousin in London is ok. Why did she have to plan a camping trip during the riots?

I am Thinking:: About the man at the high school theater who missed the step and fell in the aisle right next to me the night Sunshine was in the Annie show. He probably broke his hip and was in agony for at least twenty minutes before being carried out by paramedics. He and his wife were visiting from Texas to see their grandchildren in the show. I am still wondering how he is doing. I feel so bad for him and his family.

I am Pondering:: Aunt Leila's post about self-control.

I am Praying for:: The soul of my cousin who passed away, for the heat wave in the south to come to an end, for the health and happiness of friends and family, for a successful new school year. And for a very special intention.

Books on my Nightstand:: Work by Louisa May Alcott, and Helping Parents Practice. The rest were moved to a new bookshelf since my stack had grown a foot high.

Taking Care of Myself:: Honestly, I have been doing battle with low everything: low progesterone, low iron and low tolerance to ragweed. I really have to make myself snap out of this fog and remember to take vitamins, Claritin D, eat red meat, and get outside for walks. Floridix might even be worth the money at this point.

From the Kitchen:: Pesto pasta, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, and white wine from Trader Joe's. Whole chickens on the grill (both beer can and rotisserie). Veggies as they ripen in the garden or are gifted to us.

Around the House:: We are pondering a color change for the master bedroom. I am not sure I can handle this dark grayish olive green another winter. I would love a happy robin's egg blue to get me going in the morning and so far I have this:

The middle one is too drab in real life. It's even named "drizzle".

The bottom one "Georgian blue" goes with the quilt, but the quilt is too small for our king sized bed and needs replacing anyway.

The top aqua is my favorite, but then I have to set aside time and money to look for a new quilt. Sigh. Overstocksdotcom maybe?

The house "list" is piling up again - cats are due for shots at the vet, mulch and play set wood chips need replenished, the bathroom towels and bath mat are due for replacement, our ten year old sheets are ripping. Ugh.

I am Creating:: School plans, field trip plans, read aloud lists, 50 states notebook for 4th grade, lesson plans for using Sea to Shining Sea (that add in Magellan, Vasco de Gamma, and Marco Polo) a new daily schedule for whenever we decide to start school, a basic menu plan to go with it, and more camping plans. (Can you believe it?)

Good Flicks:: The kids finally saw all the Toy Stories and our current flick is Gone With the Wind (to go with the Civil War study of course ; ) but I think we have reached a point at which I will have to FF. Thank you to whoever it was who recommended No Reservations. It helped take my mind off a sinus headache one tough night.

The Children::

Summer activities are coming to a close. We always enjoy a few out of the ordinary and affordable local experiences such as ~

Corner Ball Club - this is sponsored by a local church and very low key. The boys did baseball while the girls did soccer, same night, same field complex. Very family friendly. Most of the kids had not played in a league before and did not even wear shin guards so no one played too rough.

One session of Red Cross Swimming -

Theater Camp for Sunshine (she played Molly the youngest orphan) -

Babysitting Class for Dancer - (now she's in charge of the dirty diapers at home)

Lego Robotics Camp for Dino - (he loved the daily challenges of building cars, windmills, marshmallow catapults, etc.)

Graduating from purple to blue belt -

Hands Around the World Class for all -

Pedal carts at Minnehaha Falls - (this was the kids' idea) (yes, there was one cart big enough for our family) (and yes, it was very hard to pedal)

Boy Choir Camp is yet to come.

The Little Prince::

A Few of My Favorite Things:: Popsicles on the porch. Air conditioning. Little Saints preschool time (it's going really well!). The new (free) android phones my dh found for us. So much faster than the old iPhone, and I can not believe the iPhones will still work for email and games. The kids think they should get to have them now.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: We are going to get outside and enjoy dew points below 60 for as long as possible, even if we have to delay our official start to school for a few weeks!

 

Late January Daybook

Did you think I fell off the face of the blogging world?

Well, I did. For a few weeks anyway. A Daybook entry seems an easy way to catch up, so here it goes . . .

Outside my window:: We are getting a break from the deep freeze before bundling up once again. It really has not been a bad winter for Minnesota. Almost every day in January we have received just a dusting of snow and somehow avoided the minus-20-for-a-week ritual. 

 
I am hearing:: The baby play with the power cord of the new digital recorder the girls now use for practicing violin.

I am wearing:: Christopher & Banks seems to make up the bulk of my wardrobe these days. Colorful, modest clothes generously sized and on sale = happy mama.

I am thankful for:: Your prayers. You may have seen the prayer request post I had up for a brief time. Our marriage hit a bump in the road (whose doesn't?). After some really raw days we are back on track and ready to live a new chapter. I credit your prayers for this. Thank you.

I am Thinking:: About my three year old whom I placed in the baby's crib because she would not stay in her bed for a desperately needed nap. When will the daily tantrums end? We have never had a child like this before.

I am Pondering:: "If your children are not a comfort they are in need of correction." Or something like that I heard on a talk I have been listening to. Properly correcting the three year old is taking much of my time these days.

I am Praying for:: Our marriage. For my sister to make a full recovery from her knee replacement surgery. For Joe's grandma who is in the hospital after having a minor stroke. For Mary who is going through so much. For Sarah's baby to recover from RSV. For another Sarah who is due soon with a long-awaited baby. And for this mountain climber from Minnesota who is scaling Mt. McKinley solo and had to back track from 17,000 to 14,000 ft due to high winds. I hope he makes it and I hope the experience leads him to put his faith in God rather than himself, based on the poem that was shared on his blog.

Books on my Nightstand:: 

Taking Care of Myself:: Ha. Re-ordering my days so that I can better serve my family and husband as well as take care of home management leaves so little time leftover for myself. From the little bucket of time I have left I get to choose reading (see above photo), knitting (I still have not finished my husband's scarf or the gingerbread boy), wool felt crafts (I have six cut out and ready to go), catching up on developing photographs (which I have not done since January - I plan to fill the three empty photo albums I already bought before switching to another method), catching up with friends, or blogging. Exercise is not even on the list right now. Taming the Epstein-Barr virus is. I think that getting rid of this fatigue would really help my marriage too!

From the Kitchen:: Whole chicken on Sundays, crock-pot Mondays, baked potatoes Tuesdays, soup or frank & beans Wednesdays, pasta Thursdays and home made pizza Fridays. Saturday is the only day left I can really break out a cook book and cook up a feast.

Around the House:: We are trying the underwear & socks in the lingerie bag idea. The goal is to get the kids to put all their dirty socks and underwear in their own bag, the whole thing goes in the washer and dryer (zipped) and none get lost. Why is the one child who would most benefit from this the only one being non-compliant?

I am Creating:: History and geography memory work flashcards. The kids are tower knitting recorder cases.

Netflix while nursing:: Nothing lately but I did get to watch Downton Abbey the last two weeks on PBS.

In the classroom::

Little Princess - Kumon books, Shirley's Crafts, and puzzles. Great sucess with these scissors!

Also using various ideas such as gems and Uno cards. Just bought some plastic colored bears for this too.

Rocky - Memorized Psalm 100. On to The Duel. Beginning his family history book. Reading Frog & Toad and Owl at Home. I wish I had used Sound Beginnings with the girls.

Sunshine -  Reading all the Moffat books and others by that author, memorized The Children's Hour ahead of schedule, on to There Once was a Puffin. Enjoying all of her birthday gifts. Reading about Jamestown.

Dancer - We took a break from regular work to finish reading George Washington's World. It's finally finished. Three more history books to go and we will be caught up. In the meantime she is also keeping up with Math review using Math-U-See (no tears!) and reading some really cool books about her current continent of South America. Hoping to slip in some Revolutionary War Hirtory Pockets too.

All - trying to spice things up in math with things like using dominos, writing math facts on the mirror with a dry earase marker, making a "Math Path" with flashcards to solve, pick up, and place in a basket. We are reading through the Little House books. All are on a 100 day practice challenge and have yet to miss a day!

Feast Day Fun:: Way back when on Epiphany we folded some window stars and baked a King's Cake. We might do something next week for Candlemas.

One of My Favorite Things:: Sleep and the purple hyacinths my husband brought home for me.

Recent Family Field Trips:: Nowhere in a long time. We are due for an outing.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Dancer gives a Book 1 Suzuki piano recital this Saturday at a nursing home and the other kids are plugging in some pieces on piano and violin to break up the program.

The Little Prince - Nine-almost-Ten Months Old:: Still into everything and walking across the house with a walker wagon. If he lives to be one it will be a miracle. Yesterday I fished a screw out of his mouth that came off the lid of a pot from the little play kitchen.

We can't imagine life without him, though. He is our little honey and full of smiles.

Mid-October Daybook

 

Outside my window:: More glorious, glorious fall weather. A bit chillier than last week, but the frosts have not been hard enough to kill the morning glories.

I am hearing:: Just the hum of the computer. It's 3:23 am. I could not get back to sleep after the 2:30 nursing session.

I am wearing:: My "Hey Diddle Diddle" nightgown and a fuzzy pink robe.

I am thankful for:: Days when the baby takes long naps during school time. An unexpected call from a friend, just when I was thinking of her too. At least one school day that went really well this week.

I am Thinking:: That we must have missed the fine print that disclosed an extra $35 fee for each karate belt graduation. Plus, graduations are always on Tuesdays and Rocky's choir boys rehearsal is always on Tuesdays and the fee goes up to $50 if you can't be there on graduation night. ARGH. I think a letter to the director is in order.

I am Pondering:: When exactly we have time to dress Rocky up in his choir boy uniform and take him around the neighborhood to sell $20 poinsettias for a fundraiser. This is the first time any of our kids have had to fund raise, though we sometimes wish we could think of a good and legal way to raise funds for our home school.

I am Praying for:: Strength and help from God to get through each day without blowing my top. I only lost it once yesterday after witnessing my son purposely trip his little sister. The splat of a three year old on a hard wood floor is always hard for a mom to hear. 

Books on my Nightstand:: Same as last week. I have more in the stack on loan from a friend but am usually too tired to read these days.

Taking Care of Myself:: I really need to be sleeping right now.

From the Kitchen:: Sloppy Joe's, Tuna Casserole, Costco's Orange Chicken with Rice, Maple Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes. I didn't get to half the apple desserts I had planned to make but we did hold our annual apple taste test. Honey crisp was #1 again followed by Gala and Fireside.

Around the House:: I reorganized the housecleaning and laundry schedule to reflect when things are really getting done.

I am Creating:: A school time schedule that works. Thursday it took my fifth grader six hours to complete her work. Three hours with me and three hours on her own. We really don't have time for this. We have three and a half hours from 9:00 to 12:30 and that's it. The new schedule gives her up to two hours of my time first thing and 90 minutes on her own. She has to budget her alone time by using a timer. This worked great Friday:

• 8:00 Breakfast
• 8:30 Read Aloud
• 9:00 Dancer with me, Sunshine alone, Rocky with Princess
• 10:30 Rocky alone, Princess with PBS
• 11:00 Sunshine with me
• 11:30 Rocky with me, Sunshine with Princess if she is done
• 12:30 Lunch
• 1:00 Outside, fold laundry, more read aloud
• 2:00 Read Alone, Princess nap
• 3:00 Music practicing, outside time, or leave for activities depending on the day of the week.

Of course all this hinges on Joe and I getting up in time, which hinges on our quality of sleep. Good thing tomorrow is Saturday. It's 3:46 am now and I had better wrap this up and go back to bed.

Netflix while nursing:: I guess I didn't watch any movies this week. Still getting through IEW teacher training DVDs.

In the classroom::

Little Princess - she recites Humpty Dumpty all day long.

 

Rocky - loving his illustration of St. Therese. He loves taking dictation in Sound Beginnings. He polished up Aura Lee really well after I made him his five-note fingering chart. He still likes using the Math-U-See cubes, especially to discover missing numbers like "4 + A = 9". Can now play the first line of "Cuckoo" on piano with two hands and he delights in this accomplishment. In fact he gets downright giddy.

His first poem of the year, The Owl and the Pussycat:

   

Sunshine -  Rounding to the nearest ten thousands, using quotation marks, Christopher Columbus, and spelling words that end in "ough". She is an ace at the English From the Roots Up cards. She could not be a more delightful student. Her poem should be polished next week.

Dancer - I think her fifth grade work is finally getting more comfortable.

Her first poem of the year, George Washington:

 

One of My Favorite Things:: 

Recent Family Field Trips::

A long, challenging, and beautiful hike at Interstate State Park.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: One more soccer game. Yardwork. Take girls to the orthodontist Wednesday. Turn forty.

The Little Prince - Six Months Old:: Clicking his tongue, babbling, putting his fist in his mouth and saying something that sounds like "Wobble, wobble, wobble." Sitting up longer but still with support. Second tooth should cut through any day. He is still my hunny-bunny pumpkin pie!

 

October Daybook

 

Outside my window:: Glorious, glorious fall weather.

I am hearing:: Rocky practice Mary Had a Little Lamb with left hand chords. All is well as long as that pesky fourth finger doesn't join in the triad.

I am wearing:: Khaki capris, white blousy top, mosaic cross necklace.

I am thankful for:: Productive days, steady progress with homeschooling and music lessons due to a little daily discipline. Thankful that mild fall colds that did not turn into something worse.

I am Thinking:: About how to get a better grip on the new school year. Not just the main activities, but the extra prep work like getting dinner in the crock pot right after lunch. Eating lunch early enough to get the little ones down for a nap in time so they wake up in time to leave for violin. If the three year old doesn't nap, I have to try to remember to put her in PJs before heading out to 6:15 soccer because she will most likely fall asleep on the way and be out for the night.

I am Pondering:: I learn so much from my children's music teachers. They are so calm, patient and positive. I wish I could be that way all.day.long. In the absence of other stressors I could be, I believe, or would like to believe. But when I am trying to teach my son to play recorder and I can't understand why he can't put together the five notes and corresponding fingerings needed to play Aura Lee and the three year old is pestering me about something she can't find and I hear over the monitor that the baby is awake from his nap and one daughter needs help starting the French program on the computer and the other one is waiting for me to check her math and the clothes in the drier need to be taken out and I need to go potty and the phone rings and the clock says I need to make lunch - sometimes it is just all too much for me to handle. After I let off some steam I returned to my son with restored patience and made a cheat sheet fingering chart with the five notes he has learned thus far and that was all he needed.

I am Praying for:: I am still praying for those who have been sick recently and those who have lost babies. Also praying for my mother this week as she turns 81.

Books on my Nightstand:: The usual, plus Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.

Taking Care of Myself:: I am trying to spruce up for the big four-0. Oil of Olay ProX Wrinkle Protocol, Crest White Strips, an appointment later this month for a cut and color.

From the Kitchen:: Chicken Pot Pie from Costco (yum!), Crock Pot Everyday Cassoulet (beans and kielbasa), Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan, sandwiches on soccer night, Victory Vessels (baked potatoes with paper sails for Our Lady of the Rosary), Butternut Squash Risotto, Chicken with Mushrooms and Fettuccine, Chicken and Lentil Stew with Rosemary. Desserts: apple muffins, pear tart, blackberry cobbler (didn't get to it on archangel day), Apple and Walnut Tarts, Apple Date Bars, and Ghiradelli Brownies. Apple Puff Pancakes for many breakfasts.

Around the House:: Did you see how organized Renee is about winterizing? We are doing much the same but much more haphazardly. Sprinkler system blow-out, winterizer fertilizer, window washing, filling bird feeders, piano tuning, garage cleaning, cleaning light fixtures, replacing bulbs with Reveal brand, and getting a load of firewood. Fortunately the first three jobs on this list are hired out.

I am Creating:: Wrinkled clothing as my laundry sits in the drier while I listen to piano practicing and use the computer at the same time. (It actually sat in the drier all night and I put my shirts back in the washer the next day!)

Netflix while nursing:: Return to Cranford.

In the classroom:: Little Princess: a little reading on the sofa goes a long way in the closeness department. Right now she likes The Three Little Pigs and Lois Lenski's Now It's Fall. She is warming up to the Preschool Activity Bags and finally showing interest in floor puzzles. She still likes Shirley's Crafts and Kumon books.

Rocky is starting his biography notebook with narrations and illustrations of Leif Erickson and Louis Braille. He is reading slow but sure - this week Amelia Bedelia Plays Ball. Perfect for the start of the play-offs. We also like the Little Angel Readers.

Sunshine is doing great. She always surprises me with her creative touches like the added bees in this bear drawing exercise from Nature Friend.

I checked Dancer's reading progress and found she was not getting through several books simultaneously even with bookmark post-its that say, "five pages a day". I am now gong to dole the books out one by one and assign a due date. MODG recommends reading George Washington's World out loud but it is taking forever. We are seriously behind but Dancer prefers I read it to her and frankly, this is history I need to re-learn.

Overall - this week we took a break from subjects scheduled in MODG. The kids completed subjects they could do on their own (and programs we substituted like math and spelling, grammar and handwriting) and we spent more time with read-a-louds and the catching up I meant to do on our week off. The girls' timelines are caught up thanks to these great timeline stickers Emmanuel Books now offers. They also wrote their first book reports ever. I finally opened the IEW Writing Course and set up the notebooks. Now I have fourteen pages to read and 90 minutes of a DVD to watch before beginning with the girls.

One of My Favorite Things:: When three year olds act adorable. She's been marching around the house with the bottom of this tote unzipped chanting, "I am a box!" 

 

Liturgical Feast Day Fun::

 
Recent Family Field Trips::

Underwater World

The Market Fall Fest

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: A Saturday morning a buying club annual meeting at Panera, then off for fall leaf viewing in the St. Croix River Valley.

The Little Prince - Six Months Old:: He cut his first tooth! He has tasted sweet potato, mashed avocado, mashed banana and pears and likes the pears the best. He is now able to push himself backwards on the floor and get himself stuck under furniture. We all enjoy the squeals and sounds he is making these days. His fussiness and restlessness at night is getting to me a bit, but I have to remember these are stages I need to help him through. It's my job and my privilege.

That's all for the weekly report. Hope your week will be a great one!

September Daybook

 

Warning: This a a very long catch up post. The way things are going I may not get a chance to post again for another two weeks!

Outside My Window:: The rain has ceased and it is turning out to be a pleasant fall Saturday. Perfect for baking these Harvest Spice Muffins posted by Dawn.

I am hearing:: The Little Princess playing with Little People.

I am wearing:: A green t-shirt, black comfy pants and socks. Not used to wearing socks again.

I am Thankful:: For my mom who recently lent us a hand, thriving children, cars that work, my sister who sends packages to the kids just because, finding Hanna dresses on Ebay that will last through three girls, and for a fresh new school year. Oh, and a very tame cat who has befriended the baby!

I am Thinking:: That God has been giving me hints large and small about focusing on real-life friends. I love peeking at what other bloggers so generously share but it seems He wants to draw my boundaries differently than I have done.

And honestly, I feel like I have ZERO time for blogging these days. The weekdays are full to the brim with homeschooling, activities, housekeeping and meal prep. At night Daddy puts the three year old to bed, I nurse the baby to sleep, I read to the kids, we pray with them and then I get ready for bed and read or watch TV until I feel drowsy. Most nights I fall asleep before 10pm and don't get anything else done downstairs. My dear husband is left to finish the dishes, take out the trash, feed the cats and turn out the lights. Sometimes the laundry even stays in the dryer overnight which of course is the mark of a failing homeschooling mom. Wrinkled clothes, really wrinkled clothes hint at a household on the verge of falling apart.

I am Pondering:: A segment I heard on NPR about how our over-educated population has led to illegal immigration and Lady Ludlow's (from Cranford) view of educating the lower classes and the consequent repercussions (someone has to do the dirty work). A big difference is that the character of Lady Ludlow holds back bright children like Harry Gregson who want to learn by assigning him work in the cow shed rather than letting him continue as Mr. Carter's clerk. Anyway, I don't mean to put forth opinions here, but I'm just sayin' that the subject has been food for thought.  I don't quite know what to make of it.

I am Praying for:: Friends and relatives, conversions of heart, including my own.

Books on my Nightstand:: The usual, plus The Rule of St. Benedict.

Taking Care of Myself:: I confess I have been giving in to my primal instincts to eat and sleep as much as possible as summer turns to autumn. My body wants to fall asleep before 10pm and wake up at 7am, of course with compromised sleep between 2am and 5am due to a nursing baby who lovingly kicks me in the face when he wants the milk bar to remain open. Getting nearly nine hours of sleep seems decadent to me, but if my body really needs this I am willing to sacrifice the time for my health and daily patience level.

From the Kitchen:: Pot roast and mashed potatoes, Burgundy mushrooms, skillet-cooked boneless, skinless chicken thighs, banana bread, zucchini-pineapple bread. We are still on a weekday menu plan that includes baked potatoes, rice, beans, pasta, homemade pizza, etc. to save money. Much to my disappointment, shopping more at Costco raised my July and August grocery bill. But I am not giving up. This month, the desired amount for groceries went into a separate checking account in attempt to cap the bill. One more week to go and I still have $250! I think this might finally work.

I am Creating:: Nothing crafty yet until daylight savings ends and the weather turns much cooler!

Netflix while nursing:: The Music Man, Cranford, Singin' in the Rain.

iPhone finds:: Nothing new lately

In the classroom:: We are one day away from finishing Week 4. Dancer is enjoying George Washington's World, Around the World in 80 Days, Peter Pan and mostly everything other subject. Doing Prima Latina first has helped Latina Christiana seem easier for her. Much of the vocabulary is review. I wouldn't say she likes Latin now, but at least it is easier for her. Same with math - no tears yet using Math-U-See.

For Sunshine, she is a whiz at memorizing her poem and enjoys reading How our Nation Began. She read sixty-five chapter books in second grade and is already burning through the pages on her 3rd grade shelf.

Rocky loves the "loopedy-loops" he gets to make in learning cursive and spends the second half of his math time building with the Math-U-See blocks. He makes things like a "38 airplane" or a "1,678 castle". Like, he builds things and can tell you how many cubes there are in it.

The best plan for this year will be the week off we will take each month. We kept our nose to the grindstone for four weeks but next week will take time off for doctor and dentist appointments, catching up on time lines and crafts, liturgical feast days and taking a field trip to Underwater World. There are special prices for homeschoolers this week!

One of My Favorite Things:: Decorating for fall ~

Liturgical Observances:: This year we are getting together with The B.'s for art on Wednesdays. One Wednesday happened to be Our Lady of Sorrows and Mrs. B. brought over this creative cake which we enjoyed eating after discussing the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. We did the craft from the Seton art book and each child poked seven pretzel sticks into a strawberry.

 

Recent Family Field Trips::

Painting on the Farm

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The North West Fur Trading Post

 

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: We are going on a dinner date tonight! This will be a very good week to take off from our regular schooling so we can celebrate all the special feast days.

• Monday - dentist for me. Joe will watch the kids in the waiting room while I serve my time in the chair. Then maybe we can visit his workplace and meet his colleagues. I really need some faces to put with the names I hear every day. Violin lessons, choir for the girls and karate for Rocky.
• Tuesday - In the morning we plan to make up for a day we took off last week (for errands and housecleaning).Group violin for the girls and boy's choir for Rocky.
• Wednesday - piano, Azure delivery, physical for me and hearing check with the ENT for Dancer. Soccer for Sunshine and Rocky. Feast of the Archangels - blackberry breakfast and devil's food cake for after dinner dessert.
• Thursday - Underwater World and karate for Rocky. Feast of St. Jerome. On the menu: Beef Burgundy for tomorrow's feast of St. Therese since Fridays here are meatless.
• Friday - Fun things and ballet for Dancer and Princess. Feast of St. Therese - should we eat her favorite food - chocolate eclairs - or sacrifice like she did? This is where I get muddled on the celebration of saint days.
• Saturday - Feast of the Guardian Angels - angel hair pasta, angel food cake. For some reason I don't feel as guilty splurging on sweets on angel days like I do on saint days. There is a  Chocolate Exhibition at MHS.

 The Little Prince - almost six months old:: He is still my cutie pie and I hope to get some video of him up this week. I think he will crawl before he learns to sit. He must be starting to teeth or something because he has not been so perfectly happy these days and often looks like this while we are trying to do school:

Or like this if his sisters have gotten a hold of him and dressed him up!

July Daybook

Outside My Window:: It is so humid the windows have condensation on the outside. It's 90 degrees with a dew point of 75 and 62% humidity. The rain seems to have stopped, but I don't think I'll be sending the kids to soccer tonight.

I am hearing:: Rocky practicing the theme to Swan Lake.

I am wearing:: A black t-shirt, khaki capris and my around-the-house Birks.

I am Thankful:: For air conditioning and for the friends who loaned us their basement dehumidifier until we get a new one.

I am Thinking:: About what our extra fall activities will be and what kind of time and money we want to budget for them. We do music - one on violin, all three on piano. We have done theater, but might switch to choir. We have not been very physically active this year. Judging from their performance in the city's weekly park races, our kids are a bit out of shape. I think they need some P.E.

I am Pondering:: If we should use the Fr. Furlong or ABeka history text for 3rd grade.

I am Praying for:: Two friends who are very near their due date.

Books on my Nightstand:: I have a huge pile and might have to take a blogging break to read them. Small Steps for Catholic Moms, hope to start Passionate Housewives Desperate for God and Choosing Beauty: A 30-day Spiritual Makeover for Women.

Taking Care of Myself:: Two more cavities and a flossing lecture from the dental hygienist. A "having babies sucks everything out of you" lecture from the dentist. I admit, I hate flossing. I feel too pressed for time in the morning and too tired at night so I am taking their suggestion and floss in the shower. Who wouldn't like a few more minutes in the shower?

From the Kitchen:: To slash the grocery bill (to afford some P.E. activities in addition to music lessons) we now have a meal schedule like this: Mondays a substantial salad, Tuesdays something using brown rice, Wednesdays a whole wheat pasta dish, Thursdays baked potatoes, Fridays pizza and shopping at Costco, Saturdays grilled something and Sunday a roast chicken using the leftover meat for sandwiches and salad.

I am Creating:: A revised daily rhythm to get the hang of now and implement when school resumes in September. I re-read A Mother's Rule of Life and this rhythm is working well:

6:00 wake up, shower, feed and change baby, get kids ready and started on morning chores, enjoy happy baby time as long as possible

8:00 breakfast (my dh gets b-fast and coffee ready while I am busy upstairs), start laundry, put baby down for a nap

9:00 start school

10:30 recess - ride bikes 20 minutes, jump rope for 10

11:00 get a drink and resume school work

12:30 lunch

1:00 kids fold laundry, I read to 3yo and put her and the baby down for a nap

1:30 read aloud to kids

2:00 quiet time for girls, I read to Rocky

2:30 my golden half hour - rest, pray, drink water

3:00 sometimes have Tea Time or a snack, kids take turns practicing piano/playing outside, I can use the computer in the den while I listen

4:00 get started in the kitchen, unload dishwasher, make dinner, bake, go through mail

5:30 eat dinner, no one leaves the kitchen until it's clean - kids are helping with dishes again if we are on schedule

9:30 get myself to bed and read, resist temptation to watch the news

Netflix while nursing:: The Will Roger's Story, In the Footsteps of St. Paul, The Young Victoria, Ben Franklin.

iPhone finds: Andrew Pudewa talks, audio version of the Divine Office, the new schedule on Google calendar with alerts - like having a school bell!

In the classroom:: This next week we complete Week 32 and then we are finally done! My dh is going to take them fishing on the last day!

One of My Favorite Things::  Planning for a fresh new school year, honey-cinnamon almonds from Target, salsa & sour cream mixed together with tortilla chips, watching the male rose-breasted grosbeak feed the female.

Liturgical Fun:: Honestly I am not confused, but perplexed by the stretched association between Mt. Carmel and caramel desserts. I think we'll just pray Friday.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Oil change Thursday, Costco Friday, Mom's Day Out with a friend Saturday!

The Little Princess:: After a several days of nap-time tantrums that had to be addressed, she now gets in bed happily. She has been my project the last few weeks. The training and extra attention has gone a long way in improving her behavior.

The Little Prince - almost four months old:: He is grabbing his toes, rolling over and giggling. He is just the best baby anyone could hope for and we all love him immensely.

June Daybook

Outside My Window:: I am up very early after a 4 a.m. feeding. It is now closer to 5:30. The birds are singing and the sky is filling with light and color.

I am hearing:: The hum of the computer and the birds.

I am wearing:: Summer nightgown with a green leafy print and a lavender robe.

I am Thankful:: That my husband puts up with me when I feel overwhelmed and hormonal.

I am Thinking:: About what I might be able to get done later this morning during during the baby's nap. About my Target shopping list. About the weekend weather forecast and whether or not we can get to a Corpus Christi procession Sunday.

I am Pondering:: Oh, lots of things about marriage and family and what God permits and provides and does not permit or provide in my life.

Books on my Nightstand:: The same as last time: Mitten Strings, Simplicity Parenting, The Mitchells (read-a-loud), the Emmanuel Books catalog. I am also reading some book off the kids' shelf like Red Sails to Capri and Flight of Doves.

From the Kitchen:: I am running out of freezer meals and slowly getting back to cooking. Yesterday we did homemade pizza. Today I am resolved to try these overnight cinnamon rolls.

I am Creating:: More shelf space by selling off books and things I have not used in a year or more. They are listed here if you are interested in anything.

I am Watching:: I am out of Lark Rise to Candleford DVDs and very bummed. I am guessing that Season 3 aired this spring and I will have to wait a few months for those to be available on Netflix. There are 150 flicks still in my queue but I am longing for more stories from the Larkrise folk.

In the classroom:: Clicking along. If Dino takes Little Princess outside to play in the morning the girls can complete their work more quickly without all the distractions. Dino can do his work after lunch when Princess in napping. I am still supervising school longer hours than I would like but at least this arrangement is less stressful and keeps me from snapping before lunch. 

One of My Favorite Things:: Watching the cat play with the chipmunks: hunting them, chasing them up trees and around the yard, and finally catching and eating them. Entertainment for the whole family!

Liturgical Fun:: The Trio of Sundae Solemnities!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Two more weeks of Dino's soccer.  Wednesday we attend a one session pony class and begin some more summer sports - baseball for Dino and soccer for the girls. I love that this is at the same time and same place. Very family friendly.

The Little Princess:: A handful. Can't decide what to wear in the morning - every outfit in unacceptable. Constantly changing her clothes if one little spot gets wet. Likes nuts one day, hates them the next. Likes milk in her cereal one morning, hates it the next. Naps three hours one afternoon, no nap the next. Wants book after book read to her. "Daddy, I NEED YOU!" is her battle cry. Is she still adjusting to the new baby or is she just a temperamental three year old?

The Little Prince - 10 Weeks! We are still amazed with the relative peacefulness of this baby. Unless I have coffee, chocolate, salad dressing or tomatoes. Then he gets gassy, spits up and has green stools. Otherwise he is doing great and growing fast. I just put away his 0 - 3 month clothing and tried really hard not to cry . . .

Late May Daybook

Outside My Window:: We had thunderstorms this morning but now it is clear, sunny, and breezy. Beautiful!

I am hearing:: The breeze blowing the leaves in the trees.

I am wearing:: Denim capris, lavender v-neck tee and Birkenstock sandals

I am Thankful:: For having an iPhone while our home telephone and internet service was out this week. After a second service call we think the problem is finally fixed.

I am Thinking:: About getting caught up on my to-do list. Finish Circle Time plans, work on recipe project, catch up developing photos, reserve the rest of the 50 states books from the library, copy more Colonial Crafts, list stuff to sell.

I am Pondering:: I am re-reading Mitten Strings for God and getting back in touch with that nurturing, serendipitous, compassionate mother I used to be.

I am also pondering my on-line time after being without our regular service for a few days. The break enabled me to catch up on things around the house but now I am behind on the tasks I really need the computer for. 

One more thing - outside activities. I so admire families that focus all their kids on one thing like violin or piano. (I so wanted a string quartet in the family!) But I also feel called to recognize and foster each child's unique talents and interests. Unfortunately this will require more running around next fall than I am used to if I sign each child up for different activities. Looks like they will all be in piano and one or two other things.

Books on my Nightstand:: Mitten Strings, Simplicity Parenting, The Mitchells (read-a-loud), the Emmanuel Books catalog.

From the Kitchen:: Still eating freezer meals! Tonight - t-bone steak, asparagus, scalloped potatoes.

I am Creating:: Revised daily schedules, tweaks and additions to syllabi for next year, book lists to bring to the conference.

I am Watching:: Lark Rise to Candleford. I am hooked.

In the classroom::  We actually did a few art projects lately in addition to our regular work. I think I have to schedule art in another slot besides Friday afternoon or it won't get done.

We went on a nature hike for the first time this spring and broke out the nature journals. Yeah!

Eldest completed three projects from Colonial Crafts and loved it. I am resolved to add more hands-on activities to MODG next year! I already have tons of notes penciled in the margins.

Towards Rhythm:: Hmmm, the children's bedtime is getting later (more like 9pm), rising time is later, lunch is later (like 1 pm), dinner is later (after soccer) so I am trying to go with the flow! I don't really like it, but this is what the approach of summer tends to bring anyway.

Liturgical Fun:: Last week we did a Fatima grotto kit, made that blue jello/whipped cream desert for the Ascension and made three different edible rosaries on the table: strawberry & blueberry, dates & raisins, and rolos & chocolate chips.

This week we are putting away Easter decorations. I am filing the Garden Party plans to use next year. I really need to get to the grocery store today to purchase the ingredients for the Pentecost Twelve Fruit Salad.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For our family's future. For guidance in selecting next year's homeschool materials. For all those preparing for the homeschool conference.

Around the House:: We are tackling all the chores that have been neglected the last eight weeks.

On Keeping Home:: Tidied and dusted the den. Took a stuffed bag of my husband's work clothes to the cleaners. Still taking bags to Goodwill. Have lots to sell on Craig's list and Amazon in order to make more room on my bookshelves. The kids cleaned some windows and wiped off the porch furniture.

In the Garden:: I went to my favorite nursery in the world to get my annuals today. Now to get them in the ground!

Joe planted something in every square of our square foot garden. I desperately need to weed and thin out the lily of the valley, lamb's ears and black-eyed Susans. Anyone living around here is welcome to come buy and dig some up to take home!

Otherwise we have some nice spring blooms:

One of My Favorite Things:: Online library reservations.

Toward Personal Care:: Do I ever feel old lately! I have tons of gray hairs coming in that beg to be plucked, my elbow is barking from baby holding and awkward co-sleeping positions and my throat hurts every time I swallow. (I know I have fall allergies, but am usually not bothered in the spring.) I really need to start walking again now that the weather is better to ward off the post-partum fat & frumpy syndrome.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Last violin group lesson and year-end picnic, soccer, last piano lesson until fall and The Conference. 

The Little Princess:: I made a shelf of books our three year olds have liked and am pulling out one a week to use FIAR style. This week she loved the Three Bears illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Now she is retelling the story as she plays with this set.

The Others:: The Eldest Princess went out on a special outing to the Mall of America with her Aunt Charlotte - this was her birthday gift. She went to the American Girl store & cafe as well as the amusement park. She was trilled about riding the roller coaster five times in a row!

The Little Prince - 8 Weeks! He is cooing, smiling, and nursing great, and waking up only once in the night for nursing and a diaper change!

Still Here

Yes, still here, just busy. We had a wonderful week with my mother and sister here. I was totally spoiled to have two extra sets of hands and ears to help out with the children and homeshooling this week. We are blessed to have them visit regularly. Our kids will definitely have good memories of their aunt and grandma from Oklahoma when they are older.

A week ago we had snow on the ground, and then it rained all week. Today it is 74 and sunny. Now that our celebration marathon has come to an end we can turn our attentions to yardwork. Well, my husband is anyway. He is going to get the mosquito and gnat sucker machine going and plant out square foot garden. (Yesterday a gnat flew inside my daughter's ear and bit her!) After the yard is good to go he is going to install more shelving in the basement for all of those storage tubs on the floor. That project should make for some great before & after photos!

I still have plenty to do inside with organization and planning. Our summer is planned out and I am making book lists in hopes of finding used titles at the upcoming conference. Postpartum is really not a great time to get so many homeschool catalogs in the mail. I already feel fat, frumpy, scattered, irritable and insecure about homeschooling with a three year old and a baby. Each catalog sucks me in and looks like THE ANSWER to my heart's desire of running an inspirational home school. Each one makes me wonder why I haven't been using that one all along. But then I realize the downfalls of each and remember that few pre-planned curriculum programs are perfect for any one family. So what I have found that helps is to imagine the one I am using presented and marketed like some of the others I am drooling over and realize how very good it really is. Really great book selections. Wonderful history and poetry. Not that there isn't room for tweaking some subjects when really needed.

Speaking of which, I THINK I have the math and language arts tweak narrowed down. Math: either Teaching Textbooks or Math-U-See for 5th grade and Math-U-See or Horizons for 2nd and 3rd. Language arts: either Easy Grammar and Phonetic Zoo OR the literature based Total Language Plus.

I have 24 preschool activity bags to assemble this weekend for a swap on Monday so I had better get to it while the baby is sleeping. (He is eleven pounds now and still cute, cute, cute!) I would love have time to post some photos, maybe later next week.

When Will the Baby Come Daybook

Outside My Window:: Every last bit of snow is gone here! Buds are emerging and we spotted the first robins of spring. It is highly unusual for the seasons in Minnesota to actually change with the calendar.

I am hearing:: The kitten on my lap purring.

I am wearing:: Maternity jeans, teal top with a black tank underneath.

I am Thankful:: For weather nice enough to resume walking outside.

I am Thinking:: About my O.B. who announced last week that she will be on a snowboarding vacation starting Thursday.    

I am Pondering:: The possibility of my low-interventive family practice doctor whom I wanted to deliver this baby in the first place but didn't want to take the extra time to go to for appointments. Funny how things might work out better than expected.

I am Reading: Reviewing the Bradley Method book even though I am planning on an epidural this time. This is on the advice of my last doula - I have low back issues.

From the Kitchen:: Simple meals this week: pasta, chicken & rice, frank & beans, salad. Still planning to bake a cake for the Annunciation and start pansy seeds. Might even get to using our spring-themed cookie cutters.

I am Creating:: Easter baskets for the kids - easy on the candy this year, but I did order these jump ropes I heard about on 4Real. Dino requested I put pretty rocks in his plastic Easter eggs.

In the classroom:: Since the baby didn't come over the weekend we started week 20 of MODG. It's Bunny & Egg week in Circle Time so we are having fun re-reading favorites like the Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes. 

To Live the Liturgy:: We had a wonderful time celebrating St. Patrick's Day here last week and St. Joseph's Day at a friend's. She really knocked herself out in the kitchen with wonderful pasta and  "sawdust" topping, braided bread and creme puffs. 

I am Hoping and Praying:: For a healthy birth & baby.

Around the House:: I am an official member of the "Yes, you still have to wear your jacket outside!" enforcement squad.

On Keeping Home:: I am all nested out. Light fixtures are cleaned, floors are scrubbed. Nursery is ready, van is ready, a month's worth of meals are in the freezer. Maintenance and training trusting the children to take over is my present challenge.

One of My Favorite Things:: A bit of strawberry Nesquik to help the milk go down.

Pregnancy - 39^1/2 weeks:: I am walking the fine line of being active and distracted enough to keep from being too impatient v. being rested and focused enough to be ready for labor day. This exercise in taking one day at a time is difficult for me, especially with so many things going on this week.

I find myself wishing that doctors still gave vague due dates like "sometime at the end of March/early April". Having EDDs from March 26th (ultrasound) to April 4th (calendar) drives me a little nuts. Checking back, though, my last two were born the day before the ultrasound estimated due date. This would put the birth on the Feast of the Annunciation.

I am reminded of one of my favorite paintings at the MIA - love how baby Jesus is flying through the air from the Holy Spirit to Mary's womb.

Pipsqueak this Week::

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Musical theater dress rehearsals Wednesday, Thursday, Friday morning and performance Friday night. Booked an appointment with the family practice doctor for Friday. Suzuki graduation Saturday at Orchestra Hall. At this point I actually hope I have another week to go!

Picture to Share: View of my Feet

Scenes from the Week

"Will you please put on my tie?"

Forgotten rock collection revealed by The Big Thaw.

St. Patrick's Day

 

Piano Recital Day

Loving Hands, Waiting Hearts

Mid-March Daybook

Outside My Window:: We have one tiny pile of snow left in our backyard. We also had what looked like cobwebs all over the lawn until the children were sent out with rakes to take care of it. It was snow mold. Evidently this years' temps were just right to grow the fungi.

I am hearing:: Just the hum of the computer. I can't seem to sleep anymore after my 4:30 bathroom trip.

I am wearing:: A floral lavender nightgown.

I am Thankful:: That my water typical breaks in the morning or evening and not during the day when I am out & about. Thankful for a wonderful coffee break while in the cities Tuesday and thankful for finally finding a Catholic homeschooling family in town for friendship and celebrating feast days.

I am Thinking:: About delivering this baby.    

I am Pondering:: Delivering this baby.

I am Reading: Nothing this week, actually. I finished Sally's book and haven't yet started another.

From the Kitchen:: I finally made the six batches of shells and cheese for the freezer!

This week's menu: Sunday - pot roast, rolls, Pioneer Woman's prune cake; Monday - shells & cheese; Tuesday - Arabian baked halibut; Wednesday - Guinness beef stew, shamrock cupcakes, pistachio almond ice cream, Irish soda bread brought by a friend; Thursday - not sure yet because I am missing the mozzarella for crock pot chicken parmesan; Friday - going over to friends for St. Joseph's; Saturday - not yet planned

Next week - I am thinking about digging into our freezer meals, baby or no baby.

I am Creating:: Maps and a schedule for the children's activities for the next week in case I am not the one who will be taking them.

On my iPod/iPhone:: I misplaced the charger I meant to pack in my hospital bag. Looking forward to having the time and quiet for some listening.

In the classroom:: Our trip last Friday to Orchestra Hall bumped Friday's work to Monday. I was gone all day Tuesday going to doctor and dentist appointments in the cities. Wednesday is our normal day off for piano and theater. I am not sure I will begin another week today. I think we will make some cards today, do some watercolor painting, take showers and do sponge rollers and get ready for the piano recital tonight.

Towards Rhythm:: We've been missing the beat some days. Maybe we are still adjusting to the time change?

To Live the Liturgy:: What is the not to love about the mid-Lent feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph? Hope you are taking time to celebrate and make some family traditions.

I am Hoping and Praying:: That the baby will come this weekend. Before the dress rehearsals for the play begin next week.

Around the House:: The children made mailboxes out of kleenex boxes. They are writing notes to each other.

On Keeping Home:: With some squishing we got everything (crib and toddler bed) to fit in the 10x10 nursery and kept the rocking chair in the corner.

One of My Favorite Things:: Blogging. This is my 700th post. Thanks for reading!

Toward Personal Care:: Mmm, had to switch back to pre-natals without iron. I took a long soak in the tub earlier this week and treated myself to a pedicure Saturday, this time with polish!

Pregnancy - 39 weeks:: The whole family is ready to meet this baby. I am ready to be done with heartburn and vein pain.

Pipsqueak this Week:: She has to open the van door herself. "I do-weet!"

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Piano recital tonight. celebrating St. Joseph's with friends Friday, Maple Syrup Festival at the nature center Saturday. Then - having a baby?

Picture to Share: I have plans for a tummy photo today. Mind if I post it later?

Still Here . . .

Still here.

No baby yet.

I mean, the baby is here, just still in the womb, kicking and stretching and having hiccups as usual. I have been feeling some Braxton-Hicks contractions.The baby is still high so I still have tons of heartburn that only good vanilla ice cream with milk seems to cure. Last check was only 1 ^1/2 cm dilated. I feel enormous. Burgeoning even  ; ) (thank you Mrs. B.)

38 Weeks

By evening my feet feel swollen so I have been resting with my feet up instead of blogging. I can't really type at this desk with my feet up and haven't tackled the how-to's of blogging from the IPhone. Yet.

My to-do list is growing a bit shorter. Spring church clothes for the family are almost all selected. Dino will be sporting a little navy sport coat for the first time and baby will coordinate with a cute little argyle sweater vest set. The first batch of polka dot dresses for the girls have to be returned because Pipsqueak protested that hers "weally, weally, weally hurwt". So I did what I should of done in the first place - rummaged through the 3T girls box to see what we already have. I had forgotten about the embroidered powder blue dress from Lands' End. It should feel better on her, I think. At least the other girls didn't complain. So back to Kohl's I will go to return the polka dot dresses and find powder blue dresses for the other two girls. They won't all match, but that's okay. We had our matching years . . .

Easter 2005 - the powder blue dress year

Second shopping spree: The Mass Bag. Do you have a Mass bag for your kids? Do they complain about carrying it in and out of church or do they carry their own stuff? Ours complain. At least they did until one Sunday when it got left behind in the pew. No one is sure which church gained from the loss but we the three we have attended in the last three months have been called and nothing in their lost & found sounds like it belongs to us.

After ordering replacement veils and Latin Mass children's missals and a Busy Bible soft book for Pipsqueak I was a bit shocked at the total. I did not resist the urge to give the children a mild guilt trip, inform them of the replacement cost and make it clear they they will never again shirk the responsibility of taking a turn carrying the bag. And yes, allowance has been withheld for the last three months to make up for it. It would take another year or more to fully make up for the loss, but if they take better responsibility maybe they can get allowance again in May. Maybe. Hmph.

Thursday dh took the van in for new tires while I schooled at home, washed car seat covers and scrubbed the wood floor on my hands and knees. Car washes were closed due to the week of rain we are having, so the interior/floor mat cleaning will have to wait. He vacuumed off the seats and rearranged the boosters and car seats. With the help of seat belt extenders we can fit two boosters and a car seat in the back and a booster and infant carrier in the middle row. There is one more seat we can add so I can sit my the baby if needed. Otherwise, Dancer is pretty excited about sitting by the new baby. For the time being she is content with sitting by her favorite doll.

Friday I made it to Orchestra Hall and back without going into labor. Even though DH worked from home I arranged a babysitter (home from college on spring break)  for Pipsqueak so he could actually accomplish his work and conference calls without interruption. Having interned a summer (long, long ago) with the National Symphony Education Program I can say with some experience and confidence that The Minnesota Orchestra's Young People's Concerts are consistently well done. We successfully used their online curriculum materials to prepare and loved the convenience of the online audio clips. The concert held some visual surprises from the talented 18 and under set  - young dancers from the MN Ballet interpreted the movements of Carnival of the Animals and teenage pianists were recruited for the featured piano parts. Carnival uses two grand pianos - placed centered stage fitted together like puzzle pieces. The highlight of the concert was the finale: two of the young pianists also dance, apparently, and did the most amazing tricks with golden hula hoops, twirling them on their feet and jumping through them every possible way. These girls could join a circus. Or a distinguished piano faculty. I think they will be able to take their pick when the time comes!

The children were more interested in seeing so many kids in one place than the musicians on stage -

The weaving projects are almost finished. I realized after a friend sent me this tutorial that I strung the loom the wrong way but I think it will work out.

And we finally got around to decorating these cardboard crosses I found at Michael's before Lent. We painted them brown, purple and gold and glued on sequins. I meant to make a garland out of them but ended up hanging them up here above the floral garland - 

Today I have errands - some grocery shopping, the library, Kohl's and a pedicure. I plan to get six batches of shells & cheese in the freezer and use up those two cases of cottage cheese in the fridge. Today the crib goes up and the bassinet and swing come out. The plan is to keep Pipsqueak's toddler bed in the nursery. We just can't figure out a way to keep the rocking chair in there too. It's the smallest bedroom and will have to hold a crib, toddler bed, bookshelf, changing table and tall dresser. It will be a tight squeeze. The Little People will have to relocate.

This will be a busy week so I will be holding my breath and crossing my legs to keep the baby in until next weekend. Tomorrow there will actually be a SUNG Mass in Robbinsdale so we are looking forward to that! Monday - homeschool support group's dinner at Panera and meeting in the evening, Tuesday - dental filling for me and orthopedic dr. for Sunshine, Wednesday - piano, orthodontist for Dancer, theater class and Musikgarten and hosting St. Patrick's dinner for friends, Thursday - Piano Recital, Friday - OB appt. and St. Joseph's Day, Saturday - Maple Syrup Festival at the Nature Center.

Then the baby can come!

March Daybook

Outside My Window:: Our van thermometer said 54 on Sunday. Patches of brown grass are now visible around town as well as four months worth of litter on the side of the road.

I am hearing:: The sound of my husband doing dishes.

I am wearing:: Taking a break from compression hose today. Black trouser pants, a midnight blue top with a ruffled neckline, faux pearls.

I am Thankful:: That our daughter made it to the bathroom when she threw up her pizza in the middle of the night Saturday, even if she didn't make it all the way to the toilet. Also thankful that she was well the next day and everyone else was too.

I am Thinking:: About whether or not I should take on another monthly volunteer commitment. I am thinking that my plate is already full with a new baby coming, homeschooling the others, coordinating buying club once a month and coordinating field trips for a local homeschool group. It's difficult to say no, but maybe this just isn't the season of my life for too many extra commitments that don't directly benefit our family. It feels really selfish to say that.    

I am Pondering::

The only way to make it in this homeschooling life is to reach for God instead of for happiness . . . Contentedness will not come from being more organized, sleeping longer, being a better wife, keeping a nicer home, using higher-quality materials, taking more time for yourself, or whatever it is you think might help. Contentedness is learned by accepting life each day as God gives it to you, and adjusting your expectations to life's limitations.

~ Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson

I am Reading: The same - parts of a Gene Stratton-Porter biography. The new edition of Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson, Felicity. I am also reading through Pioneer Woman's cookbook but haven't made much from it yet. I would love to try my hand at cinnamon rolls, but don't really want 50 right now. Would have to at least half the recipe.

From the Kitchen:: I did not get anything in the freezer Saturday for postpartum meals. I meant to do six batches of shells and cheese but spent the day grocery shopping, volunteering at the farm and napping instead. As a result I have two cases of organic cottage cheese taking up valuable refrigerator real estate.

This week's menu: maple glazed pork ribs, pasta with spinach sauce, salmon croquettes, shrimp fettuccine alfredo, maple-glazed salmon, pancakes and maple syrup, maple pecan scones and maple leaf creme cookies for tea time. It's maple syrup week in Circle Time!

I am Creating:: The finishing touches on our new baby.

On my iPod/iPhone:: I downloaded some more music and Christopherus talks to listen to later.

In the classroom:: MODG Week 19. Maple Syrup Week in Circle Time. Finishing up the weaving project.

4th Grade - Putting Idaho and Wyoming into her state notebook, memorizing last stanza of Columbus poem, learning how to use quotation marks when writing, drawing constellations as part of her Latin assignment, doing some art exercises to learn how to draw faces with the eyes and nose between the ears, finished The Moffats, still learning the process of long division, still begging for a different math book for 5th grade.

2nd Grade - Memorizing the 3rd Commandment this week and Act of Contrition, doing the Confession lapbook I finally printed out, Sugar Plum Tree stanza 2, finished a Christian Liberty Nature Reader and Dr. Doolittle, starting Pollyanna and My Father's Dragon.

1st Grade - Where Go the Boats stanza 2, 10 Commandments, Old Testament - the Plagues, Aesop - The Swallow and the Birds, fingerprint drawing and the 5th box of Bob Books. He's coming along!

Pipsqueak - With help from an older sibling, she is doing some preschool craft kit projects. We'll do some more and I will share the info in another post!

Towards Rhythm:: Trying out math after lunch for 4th grader - otherwise she takes all morning to get it done and I am too distracted with the others.

To Live the Liturgy:: Still climbing the hill to Calvary. Noticing the children sacrificing more easily this week.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For my husband's grandmother who is in ICU.

Around the House:: Little boy's socks, underwear and rocks. Everywhere I look.

On Keeping Home:: Weekly cleaning still going smoothly. I spent some time in the master bath cleaning light fixtures, cleaning the hair and dust out of the whirlpool tub and cleaning the shower door track. I figure I'll be spending more time than usual in the bathroom pretty soon.

One of My Favorite Things: Hearing my daughter's improvement on violin as a result of switching to a new teacher. Also thankful that the teacher is 20 minutes away rather than 60.

Toward Personal Care:: Early to bed . . .

Pregnancy - 37 weeks:: My feet and hands are starting to puff. According to the ultrasound my EDD is March 26th. My last two babies were born one day before their ultrasound EDD. We'll see if that will be the case this time. When a pregnant mama feels ready to have a baby TODAY, two-and-a-half more weeks seems like forever.

Pipsqueak this Week:: At the art museum Sunday, "Dat one naked, dat one naked, dat one naked . . ."

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Minnesota Orchestra Children's Concert on Friday (Anyone going? Want to have lunch in the skyway?). There is a sheep to sweater event taking place Saturday at the Gale Woods Farm. I want to take the children, but they say they would rather have the day to play, help dad set up the crib and get ready for the baby.Would you argue with that?

Picture to Share: In Full Pregnancy Glory

Early March Daybook

Outside My Window:: It's in the upper 30's here, folks. Even above 40! Snow is melting, the cold bite in the air has vanished and yesterday I went out in a just a sweater without a coat. The thing is - I know we can't get too excited because there's bound to be a big snowstorm sometime this month.

I am hearing:: The drip, drip, drip of snow melting from the roof.

I am wearing:: Black knit skirt, plum peasant top and matching cardigan sweater. Maternity compression hose. At least the black color finally arrived.

I am Thankful:: For a serendipitous tea time with two ladies after buying club delivery.

I am Thinking:: I can't believe I actually won something!

I am Pondering::

Choosing to walk confidently in God's design required a step of faith - a step away from the marketplace of activities and into the "mommy-place" of the home, which is filled with beauty, love, creativity and peace.

~ Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson

I am Reading: Parts of a Gene Stratton-Porter biography. The new edition of Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson, Felicity.

From the Kitchen:: Saturday I took frozen steak out, put it in bags with marinade, and put it back in the freezer. Joe grilled a batch of chicken breasts that we diced and froze for spring salads. This week's menu: homemade pizza topped with sauteed leftovers, crock pot Mongolian beef, leftover Mongolian beef, tuna casserole, lamb chops (it's wool week in Circle Time), jumbo shells and cheese, Pizza Hut to use our Book-It coupons.

I am Creating:: I finished another felted bird from a kit I began a year ago. Even though it was meant for Sunshine, Pipsqueak wants to claim it because of the color - it's a goldfinch.

On my iPod/iPhone:: Same old stuff. Would like to load up before the babymoon.

In the classroom:: MODG Week 18. Lamb/Wool Week in Circle Time. All three are in the middle of a small weaving project using a cardboard loom. I can't believe how much they like to weave.

Dancer is reading about St. Collette, putting the Dakota's into her state book and learning long division. Sunshine is memorizing the 10 Commandments, reading about Blessed Sebastian and starting to memorize the Sugar Plum Tree. Dino is memorizing the Seven Sacraments, starting Where Go the Boats and excited about clocks and thermometers.

I have the materials ready to prep them for next week's Young People's Concert - just need to find time this afternoon to begin. Still need to print off the Catholic lapbooks.

Towards Rhythm:: Still napping after read-a-loud time but getting up earlier for some reason.

To Live the Liturgy:: Many more toothpicks (thorns) in the bowl this week after taking time to talk about sacrifices every morning during Circle Time. I ask them to think ahead about what they are going to do sometime that day to show their love for someone else.

Last week on sheet changing day two children put clean sheets on the top bunk for the third. She said it made her feel really loved. How much more then does Christ love us if he was willing to die on the cross for us? I think it's finally sinking in . . .

Also of note: learning about St. David and the daffodil connection. Splurging for a little pot of daffodils at the store and making a yellow bundt cake.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For patience as my daughter struggles to grasp the steps of long division. Seriously.

Around the House:: Kids running around the house pulling a finger knitted rope for the kittens to chase.

On Keeping Home:: The kids helped clean and disinfect bathroom wastebaskets. Weekly routines are going well.

One of My Favorite Things: Belly butter.

Toward Personal Care:: Vitamin D3 really makes me feel sunnier!

Pregnancy - 35 weeks:: It's getting crowded in there.

Pipsqueak this Week:: So agreeable: "O-Tay Mommy!"

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: On Saturday there's a robotics tournament in town I think the kids would like to see and then we'll head to The Farm for a potluck lunch, board meeting and to volunteer for the day.

Picture to Share: Indoor Picnic

Late February Daybook

Outside My Window:: It really felt like spring was coming until today. We will hit a high of 17 degrees.

I am hearing:: The children playing outside. Don't worry - they have woolies on.

I am wearing:: Black knit skirt, blue peasant top with a black tank underneath. Maternity compression hose.

I am Thankful:: For our date night out last Saturday. A Prairie Home Companion show full of more classical music than usual and a real Italian three course tasting menu afterward. My husband gave me the gift of a day off my feet Sunday. I needed it.

I am Thinking:: Of ways to tweak our curriculum for next year. There are so many things I like about MODG (history, poetry, Latin, religion) but executing this curriculum on a daily basis makes me feel stressed out and crabby. We need more time for socialization, crafts, music practice and physical exercise.

I am Pondering:: Actually the "Healthy Heart Habits" of which Dr. Mast spoke are still in my mind, on my heart and carrying me through the days: Pray Intimately, Work Diligently, Suffer Courageously and Love Generously.

I am Reading: I finally finished Keeper of the Bees. I started it the summer of '08! Now I feel much more free to pick up some new books.

From the Kitchen:: Saturday I put five bags of Black Bean Soup in the freezer. I love this recipe because it does not require slicing and dicing: brown ground beef, drain fat, add a can of Amy's black bean soup, a can or two of of black beans and a jar of salsa. Simmer 10-15 minutes and serve with sour cream, cilantro and chips.

This week's menu: Roast beef Sunday, Lentils and ham Monday, Creamy Red Beans and Rice Tuesday, Shrimp Salsa Soup Wednesday, homemade pizza Thursday and Salmon topped with Spinach and French Fried Onions on Friday.

I am Creating:: My hospital bag. I love nesting. I love this part of pregnancy!

On my iPod/iPhone:: Updating Notes to Self.

In the classroom:: MODG Week 17. Wind Week in Circle Time. Standardized test scores are in and reassuring.

4th grader: putting Nebraska and  North Dakota into her states book, getting B's in daily Saxon Math instead of C's & D's, memorizing Columbus poem, narrating the story of Job, finished reading My Friend Flicka.

2nd grader: putting St. Peter in her saint book, making a family tree book, memorizing The Duel, learning We Three Kings on recorder, starting Explode the Code Book 8, reading Colonial biographies. Need to print out Catholic Lapbooks to prepare for FHC.

1st grader: memorized Foreign Lands, starting Explode the Code Book 3, narrating The Crow and the Pitcher, memorizing the Seven Sacraments. Carries rocks with him everywhere. Stuffed in his PJ's, in pockets, in his fists. I find almost as many rocks around the house as I do his dirty socks and underwear.

Towards Rhythm:: I moved the alarm clock to the bathroom counter so one of us has to get up to turn it off.

To Live the Liturgy:: Not as many toothpicks in the sacrifice bowl as I had hoped.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For a relative across the pond going through difficult times. For my husband's adjustment to his new role at work from developing software to managing people. For the rest of us to adjust to his new schedule of working late, working more at home in the evening and leaving earlier in the morning.

Around the House:: I would love a morning in which some small disaster does not occur. We have had our fair share of leaky diapers, broken glass, spilled coffee throw up on the sofa, a dead car battery and kitten poop in the wrong place. Always something before 8:00 am.

On Keeping Home:: Dino loved re-organizing the junk drawer today. Still need to give the mudroom a good cleaning, but it is still so messy outside.

One of My Favorite Things: Weekly coffee shop dates with my son while the girls are in theater and Pipsqueak in at MusikGarten.

Toward Personal Care:: I have new respect for those who have to wear compression hose. They are terribly difficult to put on, the cost dings the pocketbook (our HSA covers it, but still - $145 for the pair at a local medical supply store and $70 for the pair I ordered online and still have not received), and I have to swallow my pride to wear them - even my husband admitted they remind him of the hose his grandmother used to wear! Thanks, hon. Anyone know where I can get some long maternity skirts to wear the next few weeks?

Pregnancy - 34 weeks:: Love those kicks and hiccups.

Pipsqueak this Week:: Singing and dancing and prancing around.

Mom: Where's the baby?

Her: In your womb.

Mom: When will you be ready to go pee pee and poopy in the toilet?

Her: When new baby comes. 

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: So, the polar explorer Will Steger is coming to town for an Energy Expo. Sounds potentially educational. There will be loads of kid's activities, but I suspect this is really about "climate change" and "global warming". Do we go or not? Why is it that good stewardship of the earth has become so controversial and politically divisive? Even my husband is suspicious of the statistics, the agenda, the science behind it and the way the rest of the world wants the U.S. to pay up for our CO2.

Picture to Share: The Kittens

Snickers is exceedingly tame ~

Tabitha has claimed the Learning Tower ~

February Daybook

Outside My Window:: We get a few day's break between snowfalls. Just little 6" snowfalls here - not like the east coast. It feels odd to be without bragging rights this winter!

I am hearing:: My children slamming doors upstairs as they get ready for bed. DH hollering at Dino to get his pajamas on and to quit slamming doors. Dancer talking baby talk to the kitten. I hope you appreciate the realism I am sharing here. 

I am wearing:: Stegman wool clogs, a maternity denim skirt, white tank top and teal cardigan hooded sweater.

I am Thankful:: Fresh, clean snow. Thankful that my husband can work from home if the snow makes his commute two hours instead of one.

I am Thinking:: That squirting the kittens with water when they jump on the counter has not been all that effective, especially when there is meat involved.

I am Pondering:: Still pondering last week's quote.

I am Reading: Websites about veins.

From the Kitchen:: After Saturday's efforts we now have in our new (used) freezer: three bags of meatloaf mix, two bags of meatballs, four bags of marinated chicken breast, three bags of marinated pork chops and one pumpkin cake.

I am Creating:: Circle Time plans for Lent. I don't know if anyone else needs them next week, but I do! I am very close to having the post ready in case anyone is waiting . . .

On my iPod/iPhone:: Nothing new this week, but I did finally listen to Focus on the Family podcasts while I was in the kitchen Saturday.

In the classroom:: Testing this week. Dancer took the CAT yesterday and today. Sunshine took the Peabody yesterday. (Can we take a year or two off from homeschooling if they score above grade level?) The rest of the week we will be enjoying St. Valentine's and President's Day activities, crafts and recipes.

Towards Rhythm:: Much more relaxed this week without a full schedule!

To Live the Liturgy:: Our Lady of Lourdes tea Thursday from Meredith's book.

I am Hoping and Praying:: To make it through the next eight weeks.

Around the House:: We put away the winter decor and put out Valentine's decorations to enjoy for a few days. I need to dig through my Advent boxes for purple items that can also be used for Lent.

On Keeping Home:: Dusting the fireplace mantel and built-ins today felt awfully therapeutic.

One of My Favorite Things: The last few days - resting on the sofa! 

Toward Personal Care:: Hmm, nothing new here. Just trying to maintain.

Pregnancy - 32 weeks:: Honestly, I've had quite a bit of painful vein trouble lately. I don't want to gross anyone out with TMI, so I will be cryptic with links you can click on if you really want to know: I have dealt with this for years and had this procedure, I have had at least one of these with each pregnancy and got one Saturday after being on my feet in the kitchen and it feels like I also have these and it feels worse every week. It appears there is not much one can do other than hope you don't get a fatal blood clot, but the advice coming from the ever-wise 4Real ladies is to get one of these. Other than that, I love this stage of pregnancy when you can feel the baby stretching out and exploring the limits of the womb.

Pipsqueak this Week:: Counting to ten and a bit beyond! She melts our hearts with, "Thank-oo Daddy" and "Thank-oo Mommy".

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: If I feel up to it I am in for a weekend of fun. Friday we take a field trip to the post office and I might head in for an evening performance of Anne of Green Gables without the kids (they saw it Sunday). Saturday we have tickets to a St. Paul Chamber Orchestra children's concert. While we are downtown we hope to drop by the Scottish Ramble - one of my favorite events. On Sunday we have been invited by our piano teacher to attend her daughter's senior recital at the MacPhail Center for Music. Hopefully we will make it back home in time to cook up a wonderful meal for St. Valentine's Day.

Pictures to Share: 

Early February Daybook

Outside My Window:: Cold, but not terribly cold. Snowy, but not terribly snowy.

I am hearing:: My daughter singing All Things Bright and Beautiful. The scraping sound of my husband shoveling the sidewalk.

I am wearing:: Knee length black maternity skirt, black tank top with a long sleeved gathered V-neck peasant top in Danube Blue. 

I am Thankful :: That my husband has at least one co-worker who is supportive of our family lifestyle. She even sent him home with a cute gift for me that shows how much she understands after raising children of her own, this appliqued kitchen towel - 

I am Thinking:: About how to make Saxon math bearable for my 4th grader for 17 more weeks and which program to switch to next year. We already went to doing either odds or evens for the review section. Doing math at 7 am while Dad makes coffee seems to be the best arrangement.

I am Pondering::

Many things can interfere with gentleness. But if a woman is not gentle, she may be (or probably is) frazzled, harried, anxious, distracted, bitter, or nagging. A gentle wife is like a tame animal, easily approached, not jumpy or skittish, like an animal in the wild. When her husband comes to her, he is received with affection and finds nourishment and comfort. Her children also can expect to be received with gladness. But if the family has to walk on eggs around Mom, she most likely does not have the gentleness described here. If she is unpredictable, touchy, easily irritated, accusative, or fussy, she does not have a gentle spirit. Lowliness and gentleness go together, so the way to gentleness is to be humble. Jesus is lowly in heart and we find rest for our souls in Him. Husbands and children should be able to find rest for their souls (in a limited way of course) in wife/mom.

And the only way for wives/mothers to be this kind of resource
is to be filled themselves
with the gentleness
of Christ.

-Nancy Wilson @ Femina

I am Reading: When I skip watching the 10 pm news I manage to get a little reading in before falling asleep.

From the Kitchen:: I was gone Saturday so Sunday I made a big pot roast, popovers and peanut butter cookies. Shepherd(ess) Pie for the feast of St. Brigid and easy meals the rest of the week.

I am Creating:: Color pouches for Pipsqueak, inspired by these I saw at Lakeshore Learning. Not quite the same, but similar. More colors and a lot less $$.

On my iPod/iPhone:: Chopin on Pandora - our composer of the month, or next two or three depending on how long it takes to read Chopin Early Years and Chopin Later Years.

In the classroom:: Week 15 of MODG, FIAR Paul Revere's Ride. Dancer moves on to Christopher Columbus, Sunshine to The Duel and Dino is still memorizing Foreign Lands. Iowa and Wisconsin are this week's states.

Towards Rhythm:: Even though I am getting to bed before ten, I am still having trouble getting out of bed earlier than my children. Flannel sheets pose a threat to my resolve. Also, I suddenly need a nap after lunch again. Otherwise I am trying to a) feel a flow and b) go with it.

To Live the Liturgy:: The Candlemas Tea was memorable as always.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For my husband's cousin who just lost a baby towards the end of the first trimester.

Around the House:: The kittens are the main event; endlessly entertaining!

On Keeping Home:: The kids put cleaning cloths under their feet for "skates" and cleaned the kitchen/dining floors with Method's Squirt and Mop. We all love the almond scent. Thank you to the blogger who recommended this product. I think it was Suzanne.

One of My Favorite Things: I am liking this Italian cross mosaic necklace my husband gave me for Christmas. It reminds me of the many colors of the Catholic faith. Can you tell a few new pieces of jewelry really perk me up? 

Toward Personal Care:: I am trying to figure out which brands I am going to be loyal to so I don't have so many 1/2 empty bottles of this & that in the bathroom. Here is what I am settling in with:

• Facial Lotions: Noni of Beverly Hills. My skin seems to like alpha hydroxy acid much better than retinol.
• Face wash and toner: Avalon's lavender facial products.
• Make-up: Aveda, particularly the tinted moisturizer or dual performance base coverage and the little tubes of eye accent. For eye pencil and mascara I usually go with Cover Girl.
• Lip balm: Burt's Bees or Aveda.
• Hand and Foot Lotion: Aveda. The Dr. Watkins lemon is a close 2nd and great for a smaller purse.
• Shampoo and Conditioner: I still fluctuate. Right now I am using Graham Webb from the salon when the liter bottles are on special.
• Body wash and body lotion: I usually order a natural brand through the buying club. Right now I have a pomegranate scent and have an almond set waiting in the cabinet.

Pregnancy - 31 weeks:: Less heartburn - I am learning to stay away from tomato and chocolate.

Pipsqueak this Week:: I just love seeing the wheels turn when toddlers string words together to make complete sentences!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Just staying on task. Next week we are taking "off" for testing and dr./dentist appointments.

A Picture to Share: 

Late January Daybook

Outside My Window:: Winter in Minnesota has resumed. It may be in the single digits again, but at least the sun is shining today and putting everyone in a good mood.

I am hearing :: Pipsqueak over the monitor not napping.

I am wearing :: A black knit Lands' End skirt and a long sleeved v-neck maternity ribbed sweater in moss green. A few more pieces from Old Navy maternity should be on their way.

I am Thankful For:: My hard-working husband who is not afraid to clean up stinky cat messes and make difficult decisions afterward.

I am Thinking:: About my broken-hearted, cat-loving daughter who sobbed and sobbed when dh took our cat to a shelter yesterday. He was really a barn cat that we tried for four years to have indoors. The first winter he used a litter box. Come spring her let us know he wanted out by not using it. The next two winters he wanted back in but forgot how to use a litter box. He was really good about meowing to be let out to do his job until Sunday. What a mess. We had to rent a Rug Doctor, etc. The shelter assured us they would place him with a farm.

I am Pondering:: The adopt-a-pet applications we are filling out online in the effort to replace our cat with an indoor kitten. They ask for a lot of information and seem to frown on de-clawing. The girls already fell in love with the photo of a tabby kitten named Noelle.

I am Reading: Nothing this week, but I am knitting more.

From the Kitchen:: Saturday I used the stock I made from our Thanksgiving turkey carcass to make cream of chicken and wild rice soup. It was a hit with everyone, especially the tomato and bean hater. I also made herb pull-apart rolls from the Kitchen Aid cookbook and hubbard squash pie. Sunday we tackled the half cases of organic citrus I split with a friend. We juiced most of the oranges for Sunday breakfast. In the afternoon I made a double batch of lemon curd from the half a case of Meyer lemons. Halfway through I remembered to zest! My friend made orange marmalade with her half and has been eating the lemons straight. Makes my tooth enamel hurt just imagining it!

I am Creating:: Last year Sunshine knit a doll blanket that has since come unraveled. It was such nice yarn (from the yarn store) that I re-knit it into a little car seat blanket for the baby. I got a start on the baby blanket too. It will not be fancy, just nine 12" squares (garter stitch) sewn together in a checkerboard pattern. But the yarn is incredible - 100% chunky merino wool - so soft! The lady at the yarn store tried to steer me toward acrylic until I convinced her I knew how to hand wash wool in cold water without felting it.

On my iPod/iPhone:: Still exploring new apps. The paper toss game is mildly addictive.

In the classroom:: I am experimenting with adding FIAR Volume 3 to our routine, though I don't have as much time for the extras like I used to. We read Katy and the Big Snow today and the girls got out the lapbook they made a few years ago. All at once I marveled at what we used to do and felt guilty for not doing the same with my 1st grader. He would love to do FIAR lapbooks, I'm sure.

Towards Rhythm:: I ditched the strict schedule. It turned me into a nagging ogre and stressed out the children. But you knew that would happen, didn't you? You all are so polite. I didn't ditch the whole schedule, just listed what the kids need to finish before they have inside or outside play time. No more automatic recess after lunch - I just can't get them (or myself) back on track afterward. Now we read-a-loud after lunch while folding laundry and digesting, do an exercise DVD, then have our "electives" and read alone time. The timers are also still working, especially this five minute timer for Dino. I also planned our read-a-loud time ~ Mondays - Bible Stories and FIAR, Tuesdays Shakespeare, Wednesdays - Artist or Composer, Thursday - Holling C. Holling Geography, Fridays - Fairy Tales.

To Live the Liturgy:: Looking forward to having a Candlemas Tea next week.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For God to heal my little girl's mourning heart and for His hand in finding a new kitten.

Around the House:: We sold our Waldorf playstands on Craig's List and are using the proceeds to fund this play kitchen. The play stands no longer fit on the main level, but we cleared 28" of wall space for the kitchen.

On Keeping Home:: I cleaned my kitchen/dining light fixtures. That has been on my to-do list since December.

One of My Favorite Things: I still like my $5 pregnancy ring - size 9!

 
Toward Personal Care:: The cut/color/brow wax went well Saturday. I don't look all that different because I asked for natural looking caramel highlights and a cut that will not expire in a few months. I have been fighting a sore throat the last two days and have downed 2 quarts of Lemon Ginger Echinachea juice with added elderberry extract. I fully blame this new virus for causing me to fall asleep in the middle of Emma Sunday night. Good thing I can catch up online.

Pregnancy this 30th week:: Continued heartburn. Stronger kicks. One middle-of-the-night charlie horse during which I laughed and cried at the same time because it hurt so much and I felt totally ridiculous waking up my husband over it. My friend Mary reminded me that these are helped by more calcium, not potassium, so the cal/mag fizzy powder came out of the cabinet.

Pipsqueak this Week:: Growing! She now weighs 27 pounds and we had to lower her Stokke chair. She repeats everything she hears. She has been sleeping in until 6 am instead of 5:30. She puts on little singing shows and takes a bow at the end. Two year olds are so entertaining when they are not throwing tantrums!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: I am looking forward to the annual Mother's Day of Renewal. The speaker will be Dr. Coleen Kelly Mast and I hope to see many dear Catholic mom friends.

A Picture to Share:

Mid-January Daybook

Outside My Window:: Mrs. Thaw has come for a two week visit. Dirty slush in the parking lots are disgusting, but the dew that freezes on the trees is breathtaking.

I am hearing :: The children playing, the clock chiming and the cat grooming himself.

I am wearing :: My standard uniform again - a black Lands' End knit skirt (that is forgiving through pregnancy) and a long sleeved v-neck maternity shirt. Smart Wool socks too.

I am Thankful For:: Getting out yesterday for a night off. Dinner at Panera, a home school mom's support group, seeing babies.

I am Pondering:: The "Living on a Dime" frugal talk I heard last night. While we do many of the suggestions mentioned, there is only so far I am willing to go when it comes to other money-saving ideas that were suggested such as making your own laundry detergent (I like my Bi-o-Kleen), washing and reusing disposable swim diapers (we don't swim that often), driving an older unreliable car (this is  Minnesota - I don't want to break down in sub-zero weather with a van load of kids) or mixing up leftover paint colors instead of buying a new can (huh?). Then again, maybe all these things would be fine and I would get used to it if we really needed to survive.

Also - I don't think it is always wise to eat the cheapest food possible, especially after reading The Omnivore's Dilemma and watching Food Inc. I am much more interested in learning ways to save on organic/local food. I am in a buying club, but getting to a Costco takes a 2-3 hour hunk of the day. One thing I know I need to get over is my intimidation about canning food. Freezing just seems so much easier and less dangerous.

Another thing about food and prices (this has gotten me all worked up, can you tell?) is that I'm not inclined to opt for a $4 box of donuts over $30 worth of fruit for a large fruit salad just to be frugal. On the other hand, something is totally wrong with our food system when healthy food is exponentially more expensive than junk food. It's just not right.

I am Thinking:: About how glad I will be when we get back on the Do Not Call list we signed up for a month ago. We switched phone service last month and our number immediately became available to telemarketers. We have been inundated with sales call and people who hang up when I answer. Makes me feel so yucky and frustrated I just turned off the ringer.I am also creeped out by some phishing emails in response to a Craig's List ad I just placed. Don't people have anything better to do?

I am Reading: The phone service manual about how to block calls.

From the Kitchen:: Saturday I made a Chicken Lentil Rosemary Stew that was delicious. Sunday for the in-laws I made Pioneer Woman's Pound Cake. Tonight I'm punting with crock pot Frank & Beans.

I finally figured out why I shy away from baking things like muffins for breakfast. Evidently I cannot concentrate before my first cup of coffee. Sunday morning I was whipping up a double batch of muffins and remembered to double everything except the flour. Oops.

I am Creating:: Well, I haven't gotten to the scarf for hubby or the baby blanket, but am finally learning some new stitches by knitting bean bags for the kids and a little car seat blanket. I should have gotten Kid's Knitting a long time ago. With my nights not spent blogging I ordered photos from July - December. Now to get them in albums . . .

On my iPod/iPhone:: Renee sent me a big long list again, of apps to try. Now I have the brain space to check them out. Thanks, Renee!

In the classroom:: 4th grade - Midwestern states, reading about Captain Cook,  counting to ten in Latin, lots of growth in math, lots of quizzing at mealtime - boiling point, freezing point, radius, diameter, perimeter. 2nd grade - weekly saint reports, memorizing Stopping by the Woods, days in a year, weeks in a year, cups in a pint, pints in a quart, quarts in a gallon, working on her Family Tree book. 1st grade - Pipsqueak won't leave him alone while he works. Weekly Bible story and Aesop's Fable, almost finished with an Explode the Code book, memorizing Foreign Lands, can read Hop on Pop. Everyone is enjoying snowflake arts and crafts this week.

Towards Rhythm:: In my Google calendar I entered "Get off the computer and go to bed!" for 10pm, with an alert set for 9:45. This has been a tremendous help! Next challenge - getting my self and 8yo to the piano by 7 am to start the day on time. Morning music practice has been a huge improvement over afternoons. Now to keep the rest of the day on schedule . . .

To Live the Liturgy:: Looking forward to Thursday - Our Lady of Altagracia and St. Agnes.

I am Hoping and Praying:: I just received news that my cousin's wife has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Praying for her upcoming surgery.

Around the House:: With a few more glass canister jars and my label maker I updated and reorganized my pantry. Blue and white winter decor is out.

On Keeping Home:: Things are going smoothly. My husband actually put his to-do lists in his iPhone to-do app so I can officially resign from the job! I developed some nature photos in 8x10 to frame and hang. Never, I repeat, never polish any wood furniture with 6yo orange wax that smells rancid. Don't make explain, just trust me!

One of My Favorite Things: My Snoogle.

Toward Personal Care:: Cut/color/brow wax appointment on Saturday : )

Pregnancy this 29th week:: Heartburn city. The tea doesn't really help, neither does papaya juice. I try to save Tums until bedtime, but hear that too much can cause kidney stones.

Pipsqueak this Week:: Almost speaking in full sentences. Definitely more of her thoughts are being expressed. She saw a photo of my mom on the computer and said, "Love her!"

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Normal routine this week.

A Picture to Share: King Winter

Early January Daybook

I thought it was about time to give the Daybook format a try . . .

Outside My Window:: We are still in a deep freeze. It's all of -4 tonight. On the bright side, it's supposed to "warm" up to 32 by Wednesday.

I am hearing :: The cat crunch his dry cat food. 

I am wearing :: My standard uniform - a black Lands' End knit skirt (that is forgiving through pregnancy) and a long sleeved v-neck maternity shirt.

I am Thankful For:: Being alive. Last week we came within minutes of witnessing a fatal car/train collision on a route we take every time we go in to town. Our usual route home from the library was blocked by a stopped train, a fleet of emergency vehicles and yellow "do not cross" tapes. Please pray for the soul of the 72 year old man who perished.

I am Pondering:: From the CHC email newsletter:

Feeling inadequate, fearful, pressured and stressed from every angle?  Have you poured out your homeschooling fears to our Heavenly Father? 

Listen to God’s promise:

‘I the LORD hold your right hand.  Fear not, I will help you.’  [Is. 41:13]

What a beautifully encouraging image and promise!  We are not alone; we are promised all the assistance we need and more.  When our steps falter along the homeschooling path, the Lord is at our side to help us.

Remember that learning is a process; rarely is a skill mastered at one sitting.  [How long did it take you to learn the multiplication tables?]  In our desire to provide the best education possible, it is easy to become discouraged at the seeming failures of our children, and at our own failures as well.  But we are not teaching alone, nor is the task above our abilities, with God’s help.

I am Thinking:: I was trying to remember the other day how we started calling our home "Pinewood Castle". The line of pines on the property line and the girls' pretend princess play all had a role, but also this passage from Casti Conuuubii (Pope Pius XI, 1930) that helped me embrace my "regal throne":

This, however, is not the true emancipation of woman, nor that rational and exalted liberty which belongs to the noble office of a Christian woman and wife; it is rather the debasing of the womanly character and the dignity of motherhood, and indeed of the whole family, as a result of which the husband suffers the loss of his wife, the children of their mother, and the home and the whole family of an ever watchful guardian. More than this, this false liberty and unnatural equality with the husband is to the detriment of the woman herself, for if the woman descends from her truly regal throne to which she has been raised within the walls of the home by means of the Gospel, she will soon be reduced to the old state of slavery (if not in appearance, certainly in reality) and become as amongst the pagans the mere instrument of man.

I am Reading: I just re-read Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Before that I read The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. I am still trying to finish Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter - I started it last summer. I can't decide what to read next - something from my girls' literature shelf or The Hawk and the Dove Trilogy by Penelope Wilcock. Sally will have a new book out soon and I might order it to read soon too! Wish I could go to Irving, TX for her conference and to see a dear friend.

From the Kitchen:: Today I made two loaves of cinnamon raisin bread, beef stock from soup bones and roast chicken with potatoes and carrots. Lots of dishes. So glad to have a dishwasher again! Cooking hasn't been a problem lately, but remembering to take out meat to thaw the night before has.

I am Creating:: Nothing lately. I still have six craft projects to finish, photos to develop since September, that recipe/cookbook project to get back to and Circle Time plans to finish. I feel like I need a week alone or a long blogging break. It's dangerously easy to gravitate to the computer instead of tackling these projects.

On my iPod/iPhone:: Now that dh set me up with my own account, I am learning how to download podcasts from Faith and Family and Focus on the Family. Any more suggestions? Renee, I know you had some for me a while ago but it was all overwhelming to me at the time!

In the classroom:: We get back to our normal curriculum this week. We decided on a new read-a-loud, A Little Princess. I want to spend some more time with "girly" books and turn to boy reads in the spring. Robin Hood, Swallows and Amazons, etc. I can't wait until this desk carousel arrives for all my daily supplies.

Towards Rhythm:: I had to make a more detailed schedule for us to try to follow so I hope the children and I get in a tighter groove. Mornings tend to go well, but afternoons get away from us. I think our pace might have gotten too relaxed. I marvel at how my friends-who-send-their-kids-to-school efficiently get them to school and after-school activities and still get them to bed by 7:30 pm. Mine just don't move that fast without the imposed rhythm of buses and bells.

To Live the Liturgy:: We did not make a King's Cake or 12th Night cake this year. I am too. sugared. out. We did make window stars for Epiphany and sang every verse of We Three Kings. I don't seem to have made any particular plans for the Baptism of Our Lord. Honestly, I get a little mixed up this time of year with the differences between the old and new calendars. I am looking forward to Our Lady of Altagracia coming up on the 21st.

I am Hoping and Praying:: For my sister who had a knee replacement before Christmas to make a speedy recovery. She still sounds pretty miserable.

In the Yard:: You mean the frozen tundra? About all we can do right now is to keep filling the bird feeders, which dh did today. Love seeing those cardinals against the snowy backdrop.

Around the House:: We are trying to undecorate from Christmas. I am looking forward to putting out blue & white snowman/snowflake decorations.

On Keeping Home:: Weekly cleaning tasks are going well. We cleaned up the toys in the basement today with the help of my label maker and many new plastic storage totes from Target. I have a love/hate relationship with the basement. I am glad we have it for storage and for a place the children can go, but it seems that every time I venture down there it looks like a disaster area. The kids seem to fight or get hurt when they are down there too. I am thinking of implementing a "one child at a time" basement policy.

One of My Favorite Things: My new pregnancy ring. My real rings had to be cut off (gasp!) and set aside to be re-sized many months from now. This new ring was cheap cheap cheap at Kohl's but really fools people when I am out & about.

Toward Personal Care:: It is sooo dry here. Burt's Bees lip balm, Aveda Hand and Foot Relief and a humidifier at night are my friends. I splurged for a pedicure over the break just for the professional exfoliation. I skipped the polish.

Pregnancy this 28th week:: My ultrasound results indicated an EDD of March 26th rather than the April 4th date so I might go mid-March instead of Holy Week. That's ok with me, except that this is right around the time of the childrens' piano recital and Suzuki graduation at Orchestra Hall. Otherwise, everything indicates a healthy pregnancy. Just normal symptoms with which to deal - heartburn, phlegm, evening fatigue. Some Heartburn Tea arrived from Earth Mama/Angel Baby as well as some other fun treats like belly stretch oil. I am looking forward to holding a baby again and am already in the nesting mood. I ordered some baby Hanna's on sale - zip-up sleepers, pilot caps and Swedish moccasins. After four babies I am still searching for the perfect sling and decided to try this one from Nova Natural this time around. My maternity jeans are either too tight or fall down so dresses and skirts are working out better after all. I am stretching out my black silk long johns.

Wild Strawberry this Week:: We are calling her "Pipsqueak" lately after Dancer discovered the term in the dictionary. She has a new tactic - toward the end of lunch she announces, "No nap! Happy!"

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Just getting used to another new violin teacher (our 4th), still grasping that Dancer is ok without taking dance this year and yet encouraging her to try it again. Theater begins again and both girls wanted to participate. I signed up Pipsqueak for Musikgarten during the same time slot. Not sure what Dino will do during this time. He did not want to take theater again. We might try picking our some science books for him to take along. Wondering if I really want to take time out Friday to go in for a dental filling or stick to our new schedule.

A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

One of Those Days

Something happened to everyone today.

Sunshine cried when we sang Danny Boy during circle time. Tender-hearted, that girl is. We quickly switched to some rollicking verses of Rattlin Bog to cheer her up.

Dancer lost her lunch on the shoulder of I-94 today. Evidently she really can't read in the van. Never underestimate a child who says they feel like they are going to throw up. At least she didn't throw up on Sunshine's head like she did two summers ago. That is a day I'll never forget.

Toddler princess climbed into the learning tower and banged her cheek. She'll have a bruise in the morning.

Dino dropped a balance beam on his big toe. He screamed so loud it made me feel nauseous. He will have a black toenail tomorrow.

Otherwise we had a perfectly wonderful day reading books, eating green foods, coloring St. Patrick, watching the video, making these felt shamrocks (we did them by hand), baking Irish soda bread and simmering beef stew. Our Wee Felt Saint Patrick came out of the box to grace our table.

My only memory of St. Patrick's Day as a girl is wearing green to school to avoid getting pinched. The opportunity to create meaningful and lasting traditions with my family fills me to the brim with gratitude. Even if it was one of those days.

On Tap this Weekend

No, it's not green beer!

Green Goodness juice perhaps!

I would love nothing more than to have the time to write a few really good blog posts this weekend. I've packed things a little too tightly.

Yesterday:

• Stopped by chiro for a weigh-in. I am going to put away my inaccurate home scale. It says I gained a pound but I really lost one. I am still losing fat pounds and lowering BMI. Not very quickly but this plateau won't last forever, right Renee?!
• Took Dancer to the dentist in the cities. Two baby teeth were pulled (eeesh) to make room for braces and headgear. I held her hand but had to look away for most of it.
• Stopped by the church where she was baptized for a short visit.
• Treated her to a shake from Ben & Jerry's.
• Stopped for an oil change at the dealership that took over an hour. Long line at the car wash I guess.
• Came home to reconnect with the littlest one and check progress of the kids left with Dad who worked from home. I missed Tricia's call. Sorry Tricia! Let's try again!
• Took toddler grocery shopping with me. Gathered things like beef stew meat, pistachio pudding, buttermilk and Guinness stout (for stew) for Tuesday's menu. Also steak & potatoes to treat dh on his name day Thursday!
• DH made salmon loaf while I was away. Heaps of praise!
• Forgot to do stations at home. Oops.

Today:

• Take the kids to try out a 4-H event. Would 4-H would be a good option over scouts for next year?
• Run to the library for St. Patrick materials.
• Come home for lunch.
• Go down to Orchestra Hall to hear the Suzuki graduation concerts. Our kids do not graduate this year, but I thought they might like to know what to expect for next year. Motivating too I hope.
• Date night movie - previewing Man on Wire before showing it to the children. Our FIAR book this week was Mirette on the High Wire.
• Stations at home.

Tomorrow:

• Get a chicken in the crock pot.
• Quick Sunday breakfast.
• Load the CD player with Irish music.
• Get out the St. Patrick's Day decorations.
• Go to St. Agnes for Mass.
• Hop over to the Irish Music and Dance day.
• Come home to eat and plan the school week. St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day, a trip to the Bakken Museum of Electricity, a Maple Syrup Festival and Laetare Sunday next Sunday.

THE BEST PART:

A whole week above freezing!

Hello and Merry Christmas to everyone! I have been spending more time looking at other blogs these days, enjoying the Christmas photos and reflections. I promise I will get some of our own photos up soon. In the meantime I am enjoying my husband being home and shamelessly taking advantage by indulging in such things as two miles on the treadmill followed by a bath in the middle of the afternoon. I also took the liberty to designate today as "basement day" and tomorrow as "paperwork day". I really should take before and after photos but it would be too embarrassing!

The mood to plan also typically strikes this time of year and I enjoyed taking a whole day to plan out the month of January and spend some time on the phone making much needed dental appointments and booking the babysitter for several dates including St. Valentine's Day just six weeks away! We don't usually do anything grand, but this year I noticed some interesting offerings through the Minnesota Historical Society such as a Victorian"poetry slam" and English country dancing. Now that the baby is weaned we may just have to take advantage of such opportunities!

Also after our basement is cleaned up enough to keep me from a panic attack we are also dreaming, and I do mean financially dreaming of finishing the basement in order to move the learning room down there. That would give us many more square feet of space to "do school", free up a main level room for a little Waldorf style play room and hopefully free our little family room of toys as well. We really should be working on that 6-12 month emergency savings in times like this but I notice that is isn't stopping my husband from breaking out his tape measure and mulling over the possibilities.

I am also thinking about what direction to go with this blog. I don't have a lot of original homeschooling ideas these days. We plan to spend the next week or two getting back into a schedule and writing thank you notes for handwriting practice.Many craft kits and fun books were received as gifts so that will keep us busy before beginning Five in a Row Volume 2.

What I would love is some feedback from you about the following possibilities:

1. I could type up my seasonal plans with ideas for circle time singing, picture books and crafts and post that.
2. I could post about books and movies and CDs that I've enjoyed or have recently taken in. I am thinking along the lines of my impressions and personal responses rather than formal reviews.
3. Or I could conceivably share my conversion story. I have always felt that God may call me to share it sometime to help others. But I don't know that I am ready for that quite yet. Maybe my continuing conversion process would be easier for me. I don't know. How nosy are you?

Here it is 5:15 and we still haven't done the 12 Days of Christmas lapbook or practiced piano. Time to make dinner now - Joe and I have a date to go to the outlet mall. I am in the market for a dutch oven and Hana Anderson has a big sale. Any suggestions? Is Le Creuset worth the $$$?

Belated Acknowledgments!

Because I often forget to say the obvious and get too involved in the details ~

Thanks be to God for His protection last Thursday. Accidents tend to make one realize that God spares lives for a purpose!

Thanks to my Guardian Angel to whom I pray every morning and sometimes a second time when I get in the van to drive.

Thanks to St. Gerard Majella whose feast day was that day and whose medal I was wearing at the time of the accident.

And thanks for all of your well-wishes and heartwarming comments. You are a lovely bunch and I wish I could gather you all in one room over cups of tea (or coffee)! Or each one of you individually would actually be more my style.

Blessings and prayers for you too!

Thankful . . .

That my children were at home with the babysitter.

That state troopers were right there, having already pulled someone else over.

That there was no one in the right lane when the guy sideswiped me (because the troopers were on the side of the road).

That the sideswiper did not push me into the troopers on the side of the road.

That there was a grassy embankment to land upon between the interstate and an on-ramp.

That one of the troopers saw this all happen, hopped into his squad car and pulled over the guy WHO KEPT ON DRIVING after he ran me off the road!!!

That the side-swiper got his car impounded, received several citations and may have his license revoked - preventing him from causing further accidents.

That I am okay - shaken up and sore, but otherwise fine.

That my husband took care of everything the next day - phone calls to insurance, arranging for a rental, taking the van to the body shop and giving me TLC.

That our rental is also a Toyota Sienna - only red instead of white.

That although I have to make time for chiropractor appointments, adjustments are also followed by a one hour massage. Billed to car insurance!

That I have someone new to pray for. Really. Who would do such a thing?

Dream Come True

Know what I miss the most as a home schooling mom? Being home alone. No one to interrupt. No meals to serve. No squabbles to referee. Just peace and quiet to think my own thoughts and catch up on the myriad of things that make up my to-do list.

I know someday I will have plenty of time when the children are grown and will long for the joyful chaos that is my now life but -- just for today I get my wish. My husband has gone with the children, all the children, to his parents for the day!

I am home alone.

Will I know what to do with myself? Yes!

My first priority is to do much needed planning for the coming school year. Not that I haven't pulled a few late nights to get started on that, but today I hope to sketch out our Catholic Mosaic and seasonal reading schedule. Some of these books are too long to read in a day and some feast days fall so closely (like Archangels, Guardian Angels, St. Therese and St. Francis) that we will need to either skip some or start some early.

I also hope to get to some Office Big Box store to make all the copies I need. Wonder how many that will be.

I wish I could devote the entire day to planning because I love to plan. I love planning more than implementing! Love the anticipation. But before I settle in with a cup of tea (or coffee because watching the Olympics has left me sleep deprived) I also have the following to do:

1. Catch up on laundry. Five loads.
2. Catch up on blogging. At least make a draft of "T" week. Maybe more posts if I get my other work done.
3. Errands: buy birdseed because moths got into our stash in the garage, do some grocery shopping for things I didn't want to buy a big $10 package of at Costco, get some things at Target but only what is on the list because otherwise the "misc." category of the budget is scary.
4. My dear husband suggested I could mow the lawn as well. He was joking. It's almost a half acre and has to be bagged, etc.

Other things I dream about doing but might not have time for:

• go for a walk
• or a bike ride
• or dust off the roller blades
• pull weeds in the yard
• take a nap
• soak in the tub
• listen to the CDs from the Family Centered Learning Conference that came a few weeks ago
• write thank you notes to various kind people in my life
• update the baby book - when did she start walking?
• call my mom
• call my nieces to wish one a happy birthday and the other a happy graduation day

Well, there's always time tomorrow, depending on where we go to Mass.

What is on your weekend to-do list?

Happy Belated Feast of Saint Benedict

Where does the time go in the summer and why is it so hard for me these days to get to our usual saint day celebrations?

We prayed for his intercession all week and intended to at least read The Holy Twins today but never got to it.

And I totally missed out on all these great ideas on the 4Real board.

Well, there's always the the feast of St. Scholastica in February.

What happened instead? We had a buying club delivery followed by putting away all the food and the monthly reorganization of the pantry. Finishing up "Q" week. Laundry. Making gingerbread cut out cookies for Q, R, S, T, U and V. Lunch. Dishes.

My husband works from home on summer Fridays (due to traffic) so I was able to leave the kids at home cleaning the bathrooms while I took the baby on errands.

The homeschool store to ask if I should be worried about my 6yo daughter's reversals

She said not to worry. What do you think?

The library to pick up books for "R" week and the stragglers from "P" week.

The liquor store for some organic white wine. Mental note - someday when we are ahead in the checkbook, go on a Wednesday for the 20% discount on a case.

Target. I actually didn't buy much here today for a change. I was looking for a toy lawn mower so that Dino could "help daddy" tomorrow but they must be out.

The bank for the kid's allowance and mommy and daddy's fun money. The fun money thing is a new to us. Last time I ordered some things I have been wanting from Chinaberry though I think this time my fun money might have to go here.

Back home for the baby's nap and supervising the kids in the kiddie pool on this hot and steamy day. Rice and beans for dinner. Purple cow for dessert. A puppet show for after dinner entertainment. A visit to the basement as a strong thunderstorm passed.

I fell asleep early while my husband did the bills. Now I can't sleep. I have been wanting some unexpected blogging time. I guess this is it. Thank you St. Benedict!