The First Day

Today is the first day of Brett's new job.

Today is our first day "back to school".

Today is Gavin's first day of "doing real school".

Today is our first day without digital cable (or cable of any sort).

Today is the first day in a long time that I arose at 6:15am.

Seeing as it's 7:30, the kids are dressed and fed and anxious to do school, we're off to a pretty good start.

Dinnertime Dramatics

Eli is now 18mos old, and he acts mroe and more like a 2 year old these days. We were sitting at dinner last night, and he was eating his food until he saw his big brother eating a Rice Krispy Treat. He threw a fit pointing at the treat and screaming towards towards Gavin. Brett told him "No, you have to eat your food" and then the waterworks came. He stuck out his bottomw lip and began to sob. He threw his hand up on his forehead. Then he froze like that not crying anymore with his eyes closed. We all just burst out laughing. He kept peering out of his eyes to see if we were watching him. Then, Gavin being the way-too-sweet big brother that he is, walked over and gave him the rest of his treat. Brett said, "Gavin, don't you like it?" Gavin replied, "Yes, I love it, but I want Eli to have the rest of mine." The second Eli put it in his mouth, his tears disappeared and he smiled huge :)

~It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year~

It's the last week of July!!!!!

For me I've double-whammied myself into a lovely predicament. The Jedi Training Academy will be opening for its 5th official year of school next Monday. WOW!!!! That's hard to believe that we've done four full years of homeschooling. Time really flies by. Traditionally, the last week of July is always something special around here because its VBS. 400 kids come to our church every year for three hours in the morning to learn about Jesus, sing, play games, make crafts, and drive me crazy :)

So what does this lovely equation of school starting + VBS = ? Complete exhaustion and mental chaos. We've had to be out of the house earlier than I was waking up last week. Then I spend three hours hoarding kids around from area to area. We get home in time for lunch and then I collapse....... into lesson planning. I've been preparing lesson plans all week (almost done). I am trying to be much better prepared this year. I already know of some major detours during our schooling (trip to Disney, relative's wedding, and oh yeah- a 5th child), so I'm trying to factor all of this in. I've been typing so much (yet here I am blogging) that I think I'm developing carpal Tunnel.

The fun part of trying to prepare your children's education on such little stamina and brain power is the little mistakes you make. Luckily I've caught some before printing anything out, but I'm sure around October I'll be finding typo I didn't catch this week.

Typo #1- Typing up the word worksheet as worksh*t quite a few times on Alyssa's Grammar Lesson Plan.

Typo #2- Typing "Learn Proper Use of Communism" as a lesson title for Lauri's "Use Proper Use of Commas" Grammar lesson plan.

Spoken Mistake- Of course, when I told Brett last night that I thought I was developing corpral Tunnel.

How long till the weekend??????????

Almost

All week I've been looking forward to coming here to post, "THE SCHOOL ROOM IS CLEANED UP AND CLEANED OUT!!!!" Well, the best I can do is say, "The school room is at an acceptable level of disarray."

We've been working all week on packing up old workbooks, throwing out ones we don't need anymore and getting rid of all those broken crayons, dried out markers, etc. My book cabinet (where the kids keep their stuff) now has a feeling of order . Sure, the Little People are still strewn about the floor right next to some Backyardigans books (courtesy of Eli of course), but the little counting/color bears that I've been stepping on all week have finally found a home.

I've actually started scheduling and have picked a first day of school. It is a lot earlier than last year, but I seem to be hearing "I'm bored" and "I have nothing to do a lot more", so I decided an early start is a good idea. Plus, I'm sure once Thanksgiving hits our school year will be a wash until after New Years. Well, depending on when Baby #5 shows up, it could be Valentine's Day.

Saying Goodbye

We came home from our lovely 4th of July vacation to a sad discovery- our hamster of almost 11 months had died. We had given him plenty of water and food (we'd left him this long before), so we're not really sure what happened. This hamster was a gift to Gavin for his birthday last August. Nobody asked for him, we weren't ready to care for a pet, but we did anyway. Gavin was less than thrilled with him at first, bu he grew on all of us. Lauri and Eli really loved him the most. Eli would just sit and watch him run around his cage shouting, "PeeWee! PeeWee!"

We weren't quite sure how the kids would take it, but we didn't want to postpone telling them. We told Gavin first. He burst into tears. He is our extreme emotional child. When we bought hermit crabs that bored the kids and only lived a month, he bawled for days. Everytime he'd pass the empty case int the garage, he'd start crying again. We told the girls and they took a little logner to come to tears, but soon we were all crying (save Eli and Brett).

We managed to cheer the kids up with ice cream.

They are now asking for new pets, but Brett and I have put a hold on any pet shopping until the end of the summer. Whatever we do get, IF we get something, will once again live in a cage/tank of some sort and not require too much effort. After the bawling fest on the couch that night, I have no desire to have another pet ever, but I'm sure I'll lose out in the end.

Harry Potter, Yoda, Mommy Bad Luck, and a Peach

Harry Potter Hide-N-Seek
What does it mean that there are now six Harry Potter books released, and we own each one? Well, last night it meant that as we searched for Book One, we found Book 5 on top of the refrigerator, Books Two and Three actually on the shelf, Book Four downstairs in the tv room, and Book 6 in the bathroom. But Book One? It was a mad hunt for about 10 minutes, before I finally said, "Didn't you leave it in Dad's car?" "Oh yeeaaahhh" was the reply, and the book was quickly found.

Why was there a mad hunt for Harry Potter Book One? Well, Mom here finally decided to join the pack and read the books. Good summer fare, right? And why were the books scattered through the house? That's thanks to our lovely eldest daughter who is habitual re-reader. She will read her books over and over and over again. She grabs one flips it open to her favorite spot and then, of course, leaves it where she may.

The wisdom of Yoda?
We have a talking Yoda who will answer your yes or no questions. Alyssa was messing around with him yesterday. Question One: "Will I have fun today?" "The answer you seek is: Yes" Question Two: "Will I get a rabbit or puppy?" "The force is strong on this one: No" Question Three: "Will I have a baby sister?" "Not even I can answer that one"

I had to smile :)

Bad Luck Streak Over!
Lauri started softball this summer. Not my favorite sport, but she seemed to enjoy it. Some of the games were dreadfully long, but Brett or I were always there cheering her on. Of course, the games where I wasn't able to make it, Lauri hit s couple RBIs and made it to home base. The games I attended she had a couple foul tips, but no actual hits. We decided that I was bad luck.

Well, all that changed last night at her last game :) She had two great hits and made it to third base both times. She also made a couple good runs for the ball and throws. It was a good final game :)

Peachy Keen
Lauri has been reading James and the Giant Peach for a couple weeks now. It is her main summer book that I want her to finish. Every day it is a struggle to get her to read aloud to me. She complains that she doesn't like the book, and is focused on playing outside with the neighbor girls.

This morning she had a really long chapter to make it through before going outside to play. She came and sat down next to me and started reading aloud. She made it through two pages with very minimal mistakes, and at an appropriate pace. She continued on to finish the other six pages without so much as a fuss. She even stopped a couple times real quick to comment on the characters. When she finished the chapter, she said, "I love this book! It's really funny!"

Finally.

Style Challenged

Here are the pictures of my new yellow bedroom :) I am trying to decide if the comforter that I picked out matches the wall color. Any thoughts?????

Back To Posting

After a couple months break- I'm back on blogging. Here is what I've been busy with the past couple of months

Here's baby "Tie" as in tie-breaker. Not sure if the boys or the girls will win this (FINAL) round. S/he was so cute. The second s/he came on screen s/he was waving to us. You can see his little hand right above his belly. S/he was showing off for us. Considering that s/he is only about two inches longs, this is pretty incredible. Even this being our fifth time around it doesn't cease to amaze me.

Oh, by the way, the sonogram gave us a due date of December 26th- lovely :)

Our New Neighbors

Here are our new neighbors

They are kind of hard to see all nestled in there- this picture was taken when there was only three, now we are up to ten. Here's an outside shot of their new abode~

Yep, that's our grill. Our grill we won't be using at all this Spring due to our new neighbors. I watched them slowly move in, piece by piece not thinking much of it- then BOOM- eggs. The nest is pretty elaborate. Brett and I wouldn't dream of wrecking it- at least not until the baby birds have flown the nest :)

Here's are other addition to our backyard.

And that's Brett hiding an egg by the rim, not trying to take a cheap shot :) We have really enjoyed the hoop a lot already. It was great yesterday for our Easter get together- we played a fun game of three-on-three.

Sidenote: Don't EVER play basketball barefoot on concrete, my feet are still killing me!

Suffering Suffragettes

If you've ever seen Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" then you know that people can say/do the stupidest things in front of a camera. Here's a clip that supports this- (just fyi- this site has some inappropriate clips on it, but this clip is completely clean)

http://www.break.com/index/suffrage.html

I'm not one to brag on my kids a lot- but I watched this clip with Alyssa. After the first two girls, I paused it and Alyssa if she knew what suffrage was- She said, "I read that book about the suffragettes. They were the ones who got women to vote. " Then she burst out laughing at the remainder of clip- figuring how these girls were signing to give up their right to vote.

Those Pics I Promised

Here's the birthday girl~

Here's Gavin not so happy. Our food took quite awhile, and the atmosphere's neatness wore off

quickly. He said, "(insert mad voice) I'm hungry! Where's my food? (insert silly voice) What did I order again?" He has absolutely no patience. Brett and I joke that he's like that lady on the commercial who orders a latte and then and soon as the guy turns around to make it says, "Where's my latte?"

~

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All is better here after his belly was filled with pizza, pasta, chips and of course cookie cake.

Blogging a birthday

Yesterday was Lauri's 6th birthday. We started the morning with donuts (of course). She insisted that they have the day off of school, so our morning began cleaning out her closet. She was excited to go through old winter clothes and left over summer clothes, to make room for the tub of clothes we just got out of storage.

We finished that and had some free time before lunch, so I asked her what she wanted to do. She is not as into tv as the other kids, so I was surprised when she said she wanted to watch a movie. Okay, I say, which one?

Titanic.

She has become very interested in the Titanic recently after Alyssa had her own little burst of interest. She has been pouring over books that show pictures and drawings of the Titanic and its' sinking. So, I put it on, and we watched the first hour. I tried to explain how the story of the characters isn't real, but a lot of the stuff that happens is real. I think she got it- sort of.

After lunch, we went to the YMCA for a tumbling class and to swim. When we returned, we finished watching the movie (skipping over some less than appropriate scenes).

We had dinner last night at the Rainforest Cafe at Oak Park Mall- after going to make a chick at Build a Bear. Lots of fun :)

I'll post some pictures later-

For all my homeschooling friends....

Go and read the post titled "It all begins with me", about halfway down the page, on a blog I frequent- Mental Multivitamin.

Homesick

Last weekend, the middle kiddos went down to the Lake with Grammy. They've done this before, and they always have a great time. This time was no different except one thing. They called more times this weekend then ever before. Gavin has repeatedly told me, "I missed you when I was at the Lake, Mommy". He's said this before, but now he has a name for it. "I'm sick." he keeps telling me. "What's wrong?" I ask. "I'm homesick." I then remind him that he
can't be homesick when he's at home.

Last night was the kicker though.

Saturday night Grammy had 3 extra kiddos at the Lake house for a sleepover, including Gavin's best little buddy- his almost 3 year old cousin (A). He said last night, "I hope A's not sick." I said, "I don't think she is. Why?" "Because she spent the night at the Lake house with me, and I was homesick. I hope she isn't homesick too." I tried to explain to him that being homesick isn't contagious.

The mind of a 3 1/2 year old.

Just for DeeDee

Since I've been personally requested to update my blog, I guess I should get back on. No real reason for not posting in the past couple weeks except for busyness. We had a minor catastrophe last week when Gavin lost Beebee for a week. We searched the house up and down, in and out. Finally, Sat night, he came up to my work with Grammy and bought a new one. Of course, when cleaning up her room Tuesday Alyssa found it. Stuffed inside a tiny little doll backpack.

I thought for sure he would abandon the new beebee, but now he has "The Beebee Brothers". He carries them both around and sleeps with both of them. He constantly reminds me that they are both boys.

Eli has really started talking more. Anytime someone walks into a room, they get a double handed wave and "Hi hi hi hi hi". Same if someone leaves "Bye bye bye bye bye". It's pretty cute.

I went for a health assesment on Tuesday. They weighed me, took my body fat levels, tested my heart, flexibility. Let's just say I have a great heart :) Everything else needs some work. I knew that already, but this gave me some more motivation.

I'll try to post a picture of Gav with his Beebee Brothers later, and I still need to get our school and office pics up.

How do YOU celebrate???

And no, I'm not talking about Ash Wednesday. Yes, we do celebrate Ash Wednesday, complete with the Imposition of Ashes. Yes, it is a very special day marking the beginning of Lent- a season when we celebrate our Lord's triumph over death.

But- today is not only Ash Wednesday. It is also National Pig's Day. Every March 1st. When we discovered this last Fall, preparations were already being made. A list was drawn up, "What To Do On Pig's Day". While I don't think we'll get to all of it (I'm not real keen on the idea of a mud fight), we did start out with the appropriate Pig's Day Breakfast. That's a pig made out of a donut and donut holes.


During breakfast, we had a wonderful Latin lesson- Pig Latin, that is. We've got a stack of pig books to read and we may even make some pig crafts in a little bit. And of course, to finish off the night, Pig in a Blanket for dinner.


Sidenote: Fell asleep after folding laundry last night at 6:30. So, we did not finish the basement. Soon. Soon.

Basement Remodeling...

We are *almost* done with our basement. The walls are painted, the carpet is laid, the furniture is in. We just need to stock the bookshelves, hang the posters, and keep organizing the toys. I am very excited at the way it all turning out! Hopefully I'll have pictures to post by tomorrow!!!

A journey of 50 lbs begins with....

6!

We joined the YMCA 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was reluctant to get on the scale the first time because I wasn't quite sure where I was at. Then I figured out that I need to lose 50 pounds to be at a healthy weight. I got back on the scale on Wednesday, and I discovered that I've lost 6 pounds!!! I am very excited about this. I haven't been on any strict diet- I have paid a bit more attention to what I'm eating, but I know this is mainly due to getting off my butt and exercising.

For what we pay at the Y, we are definitely getting our money's worth. They have classes for the girls every day, and twice a week they have a tumbling class that Lauri and Gavin can attend. It's been great for everyone in the family- except Eli. He's still adjusting to the nursery. He doesn't cry a lot, he's just very clingy to whoever is in there. I'm hoping this will get better over time. That's my only complaint about the place (but I understand where they're coming from)- kids 3 and over are in a separate room from those 2 and under. So, poor Eli is all by himself.

I am so encouraged by my progress. I know that it will take some time for those other 44 pounds, but I truly believe they will be gone!

Not your usual trip to the Lake

When we visit the Lake, we usually go tubing, walking, etc. Fun in the sun.

This is what we got when we visited Beaver Lake this past weekend.

The kids had a blast sledding down the driveway, despite the fact that it was not even 30*.

Daddy was mainly catching them as they got to the bottom. Sometimes they would smack right into the house. They just about the Suburban more than a handful of times. We were lucky, though, they never once went past our grasp. Good thing too, since this is where they would of ended up.

And no trip to the lake would be complete without a visit from a random dog.

"Are you going to read this book?"

"Cause I'm going to tell you about it anyways"

This was Brett last night, wanting to share about the current book he's reading Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. I always tease him about ruining books for me. He likes to share interesting facts or quotes from whatever he's reading.

Truthfully though, I like when he points something out to me before I get to it. Then, when I get to that part in the book, I think of him :)

Happy Valentine's Day