Tidbits for Today

As a Christmas gift from one of her grandma's Little Mama received a wonderful book that told the story of some very famous operas. As part of school last year we read through most of the book. And the stories were fabulous. When I was on Netflix awhile ago, I thought it would be fun to rent a couple of the operas so the kids could see what an opera is like. Last time it was the Magic Flute. This time was Hansel and Gretal. At first, they were kind of like "Awww geez." I like a lot of things but opera can be tough so I understood. I asked for them to give it a chance. Maurice Sandek (spelling) was the costume designer and we had done an author study on him awhile ago. Anyway, the little guys (Boop and Little Mama) hung through a little part of it but Nature Girl was hooked. "Hey, this isn't so bad." Now the funny thing is, this morning whenever the kids were talking to each other they were singing what ever they were saying as in an opera!! It was kind of funny.

Still having computer problems. Which is really very frustrating. I can't access other blogs. Access to my email (and everything else) is as slow as molasses in winter time. Skype works only occasionally. And the most frustrating of all is it has corrupted my pictures for the last 3/4 years. Thankfully my mom still has them on her computer. Still trying to figure out what the next step is considering a computer guy worked on it for four hours just a couple of weeks ago.

EG was in a pink frilly dress yesterday for church. Daddy looked at her and then the dress and just kind of mentioned it doesn't fit her personality. Have you seen the picture of her snorting?? She is sooo cute and adorable but she can hold her own. Not worried about her being the baby!

I have to wonder also, who designed the highchair we bought recently. (Still kind of bummed that we even had to buy one. Boop broke the tray off the other one. The seat had two tears that were held together by electrical tape. And I think we had already ordered one replacement part.) Anyway, this one has to be designed by a guy or by someone who doesn't have kids. There are soooo many nooks and crannies in it that food and crumbs get caught. In order to clean it properly I should take it outside after every meal and just hose it off and turn it upside down to shake the food out!!

For what it is worth, I started off the day using my brand new somewhat expensive shampoo and conditioner only to find out I bought to conditioners and no shampoo. But in an effort to find joy and thanksgiving in EVERYTHING, it was at 6:15AM so once again I was able to get up early and start the day ahead of the game.

Hopefully tomorrow (or certainly by the weekend) I will be able to post the first day of school pictures. Provided I can get them taken . . .

Silent Sunday

School Shopping Continued

So today I finally finished school shopping with Nature Girl. There was hardly any school supplies left. But, that was OK because we hardly needed any to begin with. She got a notebook, binder and folder all with puppies on them. Some pencils and she opted for crayons over colored pencils. And I think that was about it. Then the fun began, looking for a back-to-school outfit. Each girl gets one. And it is fun to see how different their taste is. Little Mama is girlie girl, ties and flowers and poofiness and skirts and skorts and dresses. Nature Girl is more preppy. Pants, shorts, T-shirts and anything with puppy dogs.

When I took Little Mama she got a flowery, sleeveless shirt with a tie in the back and a flowery dress, both in fall colors (we couldn't find any skorts or shorts.) Because she didn't tease for more, she got an extra pretty blue shirt that matches one of her skirt's. Today, Nature Girl got green and blue plaid bermudas and a matching navy T-shirt with a green bow printed on it.

I don't really like to shop. But, when I am out shopping I feel like I need to buy everything on my mental list of needs because I don't know when I will get out again. One of the stores had a stuff and save so I started buying fall clothes. Every time I do that I regret it because the sizes aren't right or I find something better later. Or I just end up buying too much because I start buying before we need anything. I was restrained today. I am learning.

Hopefully Monday I will post a first day of school picture on the fourth day of school . . .

Random Thoughts For the Day

(Authors Unknown)

We teach what we know. We produce what we are.

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

(Thanks Sissy ;)

New Schedule

So, the great idea I had to get up at 4:55AM to exercise lasted a whole day :( I climbed right back into bed and didn't accomplish anything else I set out to do. As the days wore on and I didn't get up and didn't get up I decided I needed to make a new plan. Part of my intentions of getting up early were to have personal quiet time to read my Bible, pray, and strengthen my relationship with Christ (and read the many parenting and marriage books I have acquired.) Oh, and also shower. Well, if I exercised at 5AM and just came back and crawled into bed until the kids woke up, I was only accomplishing one thing. Granted, exercise is very important and I do want to do it, someday. But, at this juncture in my life I am just not going to be able to accomplish all the things I set out to do. So, the priority had to be my relationship with Christ.

Now my morning looks something like this: 6:15AM get up, shower, 6:45AM read my book, 7:00AM quiet time, 7:15 quiet time with Katie, 7:30 the day begins. I have managed to do it four days in a row. Three more days and I will have made a new habit!! I still am not sure how I will fit in any exercise. Although I am sure with the weather getting cooler, I will be able to walk at night with the kids. I figure something is better than nothing . . .

Never Too Young

As a Christmas gift many moons ago, my mom gave me the calendar "Power of a Praying Parent." And on each day there is a scripture verse or encouraging words that are to help in Godly parenting. The first year I think it sat in my desk in my room. The second year it managed to make it on top of my desk. I think I read daily up until about July. This year I started reading it to EG when I put her down for her morning nap.

The last few days she has been smiling and laughing when I read the scripture verses or words of wisdom. I am starting to think she knows they are the words of God. And that maybe He is speaking to her little heart. Who knows? But it is a very pleasant thought. I don't suppose you can ever be too young to be encouraged by the words of God. . .

Ya Gotta Have Friends

I don't have tons of friends. But the friends I do have are the best in the world! They would do anything for me and I would do anything for them! One such blessed friend and her three boys came to spend the night with us last night on her way to visit her sister-in-law. We kicked the kids outside and my wonderful hubby took care of dinner and my friend and I were able to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk. She is the friend who introduced me to a more healthy and natural way of eating. She is my wheat milling mentor. I also love my friend because once the initial chitchat and catch up are over with we carry on about really weighty topics. Marriage, parenting, schooling, religion, politics. I don't think in the course of our friendship there has been an important topic we haven't discussed. She has told me on occasion that she misses our "conversations." I will be honest, we don't always agree with each other but we have found out that we can agree to disagree. And after our lengthy conversations (last night's was until 1AM) both our eyes have usually been opened to things we didn't see before.

Because she has moved away, our conversations are few and far between. And then can only happen on the phone. Which any one with young children knows, is next to impossible. And too much gets lost in translation through email. Thankfully, she has to drive right passed us on her way to her sister-in-law's house. Which she visits at least twice a year. She will be back to see us next week on her way back home. What will we have to talk about then? I can't wait to find out . . .

School Days, School Days

something, something golden rules days. I really can't remember how the ditty goes and not sure I even knew it to begin with. So, all that to say school started today. It was some what anti climatic because we have been doing school on and off all summer. In fact, I usually take a picture to put in each kids portfolio and I just haven't gotten around to it yet today. Nature Girl hasn't even gone school shopping yet. But, I knew if I didn't start today I would drag it out another week and I really can't do that!

I have to admit the day started pretty good. I was up by 6:15 and showered and reading Created to be His Help Meet (for the third time) by 6:45. I woke Nature Girl at 7:15. I enticed her with "coffee." And she and I spent about 15 minutes having quiet time together drinking our "coffee." I woke the other kids about 7:45. EG was up at 8:00. Breakfast was done and school started by 8:45. Most of the chores done and no TV.

Yesterday my prayer request during Sunday School was for a smooth starting of the school year for me. And I have been thinking about it ever since. I want to rephrase that. I want to make it a praise report. That I have opened my heart to the calling of God to be willing to teach my children at home. Because when all is said and done, it truly is a blessing . . .

Silent Sunday

The Wipes Box

Is it time for a new one?? Daddy was looking at it the other day and said, "I think it is time for a new box." I have mixed emotions about that. We have had the current box for going on four years. It is Boop's old wipes box. The last vestige of him as a baby. For as many times as I am at WalMart, Target and the grocery store I could have easily picked up a new one. But, I am kind of attached to it. The hinge in broken and the tab that keeps the dispenser cover on popped off a couple of months ago. Now it is held together by the labels of the wipes packages. It serves its purpose as long as you don't knock it over or set the top on wrong. I give the top to EG to distract her while I am changing her diaper. My guess is I will keep it until we are diaper free and then maybe a little while after that . . .

All Boy

I would be lying if I said there wasn't some concern about Boop being in a house of girls - all day, every day. There are times when I wonder about it myself :) Especially when he comes out of his room in a pink satin Sleeping Beauty dress. (Thank goodness it wasn't daddy's day off.) My thoughts to some degree are I can live with those things occasionally. What is the kid suppose to do? He is, all day, every day surrounded by females. I suppose I could chase him around and make him take the dress off. But, honestly, if it keeps him occupied and they all are playing nicely together I tend to look the other way. At least for a little while. I do, at some point, make him change and explain that he is a boy and he has a pirate outfit and policeman etc., etc., etc.

One major bonus is that he will most definitely understand women better then most.

He is like his daddy. Curious as to how things work. He has to get right into everything - touch, take apart, observe. Most times that makes me more nervous then the dresses. Daddy has a lot of tools. Many sharp and power driven. His grandma (Daddy's mom) has told Boop many stories of how daddy has hurt himself (many, many, many, many, many stitches) by his curiosity (and disobedience). The stories usually go something like daddy's mommy told daddy not to touch something because it was sharp, dangerous (you fill in the adjective.) And then daddy would proceed to disobey caving into his curiosity. Next stop a trip to the doctor. I hate to curb Boop's curiosity but I also don't want to go to the ER with four kids. Yesterday was one of those very close calls. Daddy was putting up a bed frame in the front room. Boop was his helper. He got too close to the bed frame that was just leaning on the mattress (just trying to get a closer look I am sure.) Daddy told him to get back. The next thing I hear is "Oh, s---!!!" And then Boop crying, just a little. Daddy yells "Get me some ice!!!" Then I hear "Get me a wet washcloth!!" By this time my heart is racing and I am running. Boop is crying but not screaming hysterically. Honestly daddy seemed a little more upset. I get in the front room and Boop's head is bleeding. But he is just kind of sobbing not really, really crying. I grab the rag, the ice and Boop and go sit on the couch. A couple of minutes later we determine no stitches are needed. A couple of minutes after that Boop decides he is fine to go to his book club meeting.

As far as I am concerned he can where pink satin dresses. He is tough as nails and all boy to me . . .

So Expressive

When we were at the doctor's office the other day, he made a comment on how expressive EG is. Daddy and Grandma have made the same comment just recently. She really has great facial expressions. She goes from "crying" to laughing within seconds. She crinkles up her nose and snorts like a pig. Her eye brows raise up and down depending on what she is doing. When she belly laughs her eyes squint shut just like daddy. Her moods and emotions are just so visibly apparent. When she is upset with me her face turns mad and she yells at me! You can read her like a book. Right now, though, she goes from extreme to the other so it is hard to keep up.

A game we play while she is nursing is I try to catch her foot. When she is about done she will start shaking her foot around. I then try to grab it and she is quick. When I do grab it she looks up at me and grins. We do this a couple times. I did notice this morning, she won't play until she is about done. I grabbed her foot in the middle of her feeding and she paid me no attention!

A couple of days ago she started really crawling. Actually able to get somewhere. She thinks it is great. She ventures over to the hardwood floor and looks back at me. I let her go. She checks back to make sure it is OK. Yesterday was the first time I let her venture so far. She tapped the hard woodfloor and kind of rubbed it. Then looked up and smiled. She went over to the table and grabbed the leg. Then over to the stool and started to gnaw on the rung. Eventually she made her way back to the carpeted floor. It was funny, because all the kids were worried about her being on the hard floor.

Yesterday, in the playpen, she started to pull herself up. Daddy came in and said "hey, she is way to young to be doing that." I agree. Honestly, I don't really remember the ages of the other kids doing it. (I wish I would have had a blog the past 8 years!) But I am certain she is growing up way too fast . . .

Nine Month Check Up

Crazy. I know. How can it be nine months? I am pretty sure I just gave birth last week. I thought time flew before!!! Now it goes so fast I truly can not keep up. Anyway, EG had her nine month check up yesterday. I was excited. She weighed 16lbs 9oz. The doctor pronounced her as very healthy and looking good. I let him know that my only concern was her weight and he said I had nothing to worry about. She is in the 25% for weight and 75% for height. Tall and thin. Nothing wrong with that he said :) She comes by it honestly. All the kids were that way.

As he was examining her all the kids had to be around the table. I struggled between the notion of having them all sit quietly (yeah right after waiting 45 minutes) or being able to partake in the exam. The doctor is usually pretty good about explaining what he is doing and letting the kids look in each others ears etc. Yesterday I guess because we had been on vacation and had waited kind of long everyone was in rare form. The doctor asked if it was always like this. I said "Sure, to some degree." Then I immediately said, "We don't know any other way." Then the doctor asked "And you still homeschool?" And I see a sort of questioning amused look. So I say yes. And he asks about tests and measuring how much they are learning. Then I explain in a nutshell how we don't do tests and that all that I have read says kids learn better when they learn on their own. They want to learn and learn about stuff they care about or is put in story form as oppose to facts in a textbook. I believe kids can learn things for tests but then forget it when they don't need it anymore. He nods his head OK. Now I feel like I need to give more information and go on to say how we read tons of great old literature along with math and copywork etc. He agrees that reading is so important that is why they have a book program at their office.

I am sure it is just me, but I hate feeling like I have to defend my position to homeschool. To be honest, if my kids went to school most of the time they wouldn't be at the doctor's appointments to begin with. Four small kids waiting for an hour for the doctor. I think my kids do great. They are learning patience along with a host of other things just by being there. They are polite and curious. I can live with that.

All and all, a great visit. I am so glad EG is happy and healthy and growing just right . . .