Homeschool day 1

Well, we made it! I did not get everything organized before we started, so there was much to be sorted through when we began. Each had their own idea of what we should be doing for Bible, pledges, and which days we did what. We ended up with me at the piano, them with flag and Bible and singing and saying pledges. We started out with some seat work and moved into combining what they were each learning in Social Studies. And then I got a phone call. Cue recess! It ended up being pretty fun because I joined them outside and we got to reenact John Smith almost being killed and Pocahontas rescuing him. A Blue Jay flew very low over our heads, landed in a tree, and allowed us to come within 3 feet of it. It stayed there for a while and gave us a chance to talk about what Samuel was learning about classifications of animals. Samuel took this picture while the bird enjoyed its lunch. It was zoomed, but we were about 3 feet away max.

Then we got to discuss how smart God was making some invertebrates with soft bodies. I think we got to cover everything that needed to be covered and finished by 2:20. We even got to read a few chapters in our new book The Boxcar Children. (1 after 2nd recess and 1 because it was media day) After a few times of not showing kindness, I had Catherine rest for 30 minutes- she cried and then slept for an hour! Samuel, Caleb and I went for a walk between neighbor houses while she slept. Caleb was in the stroller and when we stopped, the blue jay landed on the canopy of the stroller and stayed for a bit. Amazing! We hope to see it again soon!

Last day

I must say, their last day went swimmingly- not the teary kind of swimmingly, just really well. First was Samuel's class. They were such funny boys! Caleb was a hit until Samuel realized C's diaper needed to be changed and my hands were so full of flowers, cookies, juice boxes, camera and baby up a flight of stairs and down several halls, I couldn't take the diaper bag. Oh well. He has some really good friends there that we'll definitely play with later. After I went to Catherine's room, we loaded her up, drove to the other side of the school, went in to pick up Samuel and his things and one of his good friends was there, in tears because Samuel wouldn't trade him a lego batman for a wizzard. He was mad at Samuel and told him he hated him. What a lovely note to leave on! 8 year old boys are full of surprises.

(Click on the picture to see what Mrs. S wrote on the board. I didn't have a chance to ask Samuel why it was there, but I think I can figure it out!)

Off to the other end of the school for Catherine. Look at that face anticipating the basket of gifts her classmates got for her!

More cookies and juice boxes. (Caleb figured out the straw thing really easily when there's fruit punch involved! What happened to the diluted juice I did for the 1st 2?) Lots of hugs and hand clapping games as quick as you can. Fond farewells all around. Do notice the not so happy face in the middle- Allie Grace does NOT want her friend to go.

We'll be back Thursday for pictures, Friday to the zoo for Samuel's field trip, we'll meet Catherine's class for her's later in October, so it'll be just fine.

After a quick diaper change, snack and an update for my mom (while S, C &C were tearing apart the basket and checking out all the cool things) we were off to the book store. As both kids noticed, it was old and messy. Books piled everywhere, but the owner knew exactly where things were and gave us some great info. I found most of what I needed, but will have to order some workbooks and guides. Not bad, though. She gave Samuel The Hobbit after he asked if we could get The Lord of the Rings video. We haven't even watched Chronicles of Narnia all the way through with them yet, so I wasn't too sure. We decided to read it together and then think about the movie. He also got a bag full of nifty fliers and information about a geophysics lab here that has special things for homeschoolers. I smell a field trip idea... He wasn't really thrilled when Catherine got blessed from her classmates, but came around when God was able to do for him, too.

Overall, it was very good. It was nice to see how well liked the kids were and how kind the families were to Catherine. Even the boys were drawing pictures for her! Samuel was getting notes and phone numbers right until he left his class! Mrs. K is so encouraging and accomodating, I'm looking forward to gleaning much help and inspiration as we begin this journey.

Now, I've got a table piled with school books that need desperately to be organized, a floor that is begging me to wait another day to be scraped (oh wait, that's me wanting to break the 11 pm bedtime cycle) and business needing to be finished for the month. At least I got my post in!

Week in review

The problem with waiting a while to post is that you do end up with novel length posts since a whole week is passing between posts!

Thursday- Catherine was announced as Jr. Attendant for homecoming, so I went to the pep rally and got to sit with her and participate in the activities. She was very excited, but composed when she walked in front of her school. Buddy got to go to Buck Fever at church, a men's hunting event. Dad was there, too and they had a great time. Lots of great give aways, but neither got anything but knowledge. I got to go to a women's conference Kindle The Flame at a church we used to attend.

Friday- After I went to the morning sessions of KTF, I went back home, got Caleb, tried to put him down for a nap, but I think he was really happy to see me and didn't want anything to do with napping! I met with Catherine and Samuel's teachers to see how they plan their week and realized I may not be able to wing it like I thought I could. I'll have their curriculm but not the teacher's manual, so I'll be going to town to see what I can find today. QWhile I was talking with teachers, Catherine and Allie Grace played together and Samuel went to Ian's and made another trade. They had a lot of fun with The Thing's hands!

I thought I was doing a great job with the floor removal and had actually accomplished quite a bit. What I realized was Buddy has too many other things to do for me to stop where I was in the process. Buddy mom is coming in 2 weeks for 2 weeks and we have some projects to get done! So, get out the sharp scraper and get back to it, sister! Samuel and Catherine both wanted to give it a try, so here they are helping.

Catherine had a quick rest and then it was time to get ready. She was so excited and silly it was hard to get her from one task to the next! Anyway, here's Catherine with the boy attendant and with her daddy. Click on the picture to check out those cool silver shoes!

She had to say what her favorite subject in school was- crafts (Art is what I translated that as, but I think I was wrong) what she thanked God for- my mom and dad ("She forgot me!" Samuel said.) and what she wants to be when she grows up- a Princess.

I got to the conference late, but was so I glad I went. The speaker talked about bringing up our sons and prayed for those of us who had sons.

Saturday was another full day at KTF, but I was able to help with some of the yard work Buddy was doing. Catherine said to me- I haven't hardly seen you! But I got to spend lots of time with Daddy! Translation- As long as I'm with Daddy, it's ok that you go for a while! No, really she loves spending time with Buddy and I'm thankful they did. I don't think I've been gone from Caleb this much this close together ever, and not much at all in the past few months. Very strange feeling. In lieu of going on a Scout camping trip, they pulled out the sleeper sofa and camped out in the living room and watched a movie about money/investments. Not so fun for the kids, but they were watching a movie with their Dad, so it was cool.

I went to Mardel and got some special reward things for S&C that are similar to what their teachers now do. They were pretty excited to hear how they can earn special treats and adventures.

Sunday- church and more yard work. It was so nice to be outside! We do need to figure out the mosquito control option, though. Caleb came in with so many bites! They think he's as sweet as we do!

Yesterday was a little sad for the kids. They do get to go back for pictures on Thursday and Samuel's class is going to the zoo for a field trip Friday. We can go meet them, but can't ride the bus. Oh my! That was a tear jerker for him- he had planned on trading something with one of the boys on the bus ride. When I explained why and what we could do instead, he was ok. Catherine wasn't as sad because she knew today would be a special day in her class- they're giving her a present! I'll be taking goodies to her class at 2:30 and Samuel wanted to have one, too, because their marble party was NOT a goodby party. So, I'll be in his class at 2.

I was trying to get them to class a little earlier today for some play time and didn't make their lunches. After Caleb woke up from his nap, we went to Walmart to get party things and were headed to Lowe's to look for a fire pit when I realized I hadn't taken them their lunches yet! So thankful THAT is ended!

All right, off to finally put on some makeup and head to their farewell parties!

clarification

Samuel told me this morning he left our neighbor's a little sad, but one of the boys told him not to be sad, it was ok. Then I told him we should think about who else he can talk to and he had someone else in mind immediately. Glad he can recover so quickly!
Buddy is going to take S&C camping with the scouts this weekend while I go to a ladies meeting. They are very excited. Samuel told me they're making "barf bags" for breakfast Sunday am. Sounds right up a 3rd grader's alley and make me happy I'll not be there! Seriously, I know they'll have fun and it would be nice to be there to make memories together.

almost done!

I'd have to say that this floor thing is taking a lot of energy! However, there is a great sense of satisfaction in the blisters and sore shoulders when I think of how much less work it'll be for Buddy in the end. Plus, he'll think I'm pretty handy and want to keep me around for the next 60 or so years! (We've already established the fact that I'm too stubborn to leave and he won't go, either!) I'm about 2/3 of the way done and know I can finish before he comes home tomorrow. I found out that that fabulous tool had the blade turned dull side out for safety. Man, that thing can dig up some linoleum when it's turned the right way! Thanks, Buddy for pointing that out.
So glad we're getting these projects done before Hannah's home or the kids are homeschooled. What an interesting experience that would be!

Samuel the Scout

When I was in Girl Scouts, I hated selling cookies and did miserably! Samuel is VERY excited about popcorn sales for Cub Scouts. He begs us to go selling with him and would do it for hours if we'd comply. Tonight our neighbor girl came over to play and when Samuel walked to her house, her mom still wasn't coming home. While he was taking his shower she came back to say her mom was home. I have Samuel the option of waiting to go and writing spelling words 3 times tonight or going tonight to talk to her and writing them 5 times tomorrow before school. After he though about it a few minutes he decided it would be worth it to go tonight. So, he dons the full regalia and asked me to help him with his collar. Off he went only to return with no order. The great thing about this kids is that things just roll off him. He feels no sense of rejection and is looking for the next person to order from.
If you have a hankering for some good Cub Scout popcorn, give us a shout! And as Samuel likes to tell people- if you don't like popcorn, you can send $25 and popcorn will be donated those in the military and their families! Thanks for supporting Troup 80.

catching up

I'm more of a write-about-the-whole-week-in-a-novel blogger vs. the 3-seperate-posts-a-day- about-individual-events-blogger. I also keep thinking that I need to spend time and develop some great post. And then there's the times I think I need to put more pictures on...
This past week was eventful. I turned 38, I went to 2 funerals, reconnected with my first college roommate, had a date with my husband, got a plane ticket for Buddy's mom to visit in Oct., celebrated with my parents and my brother's family, and started ripping up the kitchen floor.
Last year when I turned 37, I was a basket case when Buddy got home from work. This year, I felt great and Caleb was the one crying. We've been watching some cooking shows, so I made a new dinner for us and Buddy got me a food processor! The kids got me a card that plays "what the world needs now is love..." and a gift card. Samuel tried to get me to buy it the day before and he'd pay me back. I told him I thought it would be a good idea to have daddy take them to pick something out. He was totally ok with that and they had an adventure together.
The 1st funeral was for a boy who died at 15 and then a man at 70 years. Really sad to think of lives ending. However, at the 1st funeral, the minister talked about heaven and how real and close it is. There's hope for us who know the Lord- we will have eternity together! I've heard it said this life is the shortest, hardest thing we'll ever do if we love Jesus. I'm glad I do.
Since Catherine needed a dress for homecoming, Buddy and I made that our date night last night. We headed out and the 1st store was closed, but then we hit TJMaxx. Right inside the door we saw some Halloween costumes and one was a bride. Perfect! Is that terrible? She won't know the difference, it looks very princessish and she can play with it for a long time. Then we went to Kohl's to look for shoes and found some cool silver ones. We also checked out the kitchen gadgets and big frying pans. Then it was off to Starbucks for tea and coffee and a nice casual chat. We need to do that more often.
Today I started ripping up the linoleum in our kitchen and laundry room. We're going to put new flooring in and since Buddy will have to do the bulk of that work, I wanted to help take up the old floor. 25 years later, it's not wanting to part company so easily. I didn't start so well- I had no gloves and was using a putty knife. But I was reminded of my friends Nicole and Lori who have accomplished great things in their yards and houses without their husbands helping in some of them. So, I really tried, but didn't get very far. Part way into the process, my dad told me about a tool Buddy had that would work well. Off to the shed I went and started in. Did it work better? Not so much. When Buddy got home he told me he'd turned the blade around so the dull side was out! I'll be back at it tomorrow, hopefully armed better.
I took Caleb for his 1 year check up. He's 19 pounds, 5th percentile and 30+ inches long. He was so happy while we were there, jabbering away and "reading" one of the books. Sadly, we left it in worse shape than we found it.
Today we got to bring Allie Grace home from school until Ballet class. It was a quick time together, but the girls enjoyed it. At dance, there were several boys with DS's and a DVD player with Star Wars Episode I. I think Samuel is enjoying Catherine's class! Catherine was with Allie Grace, Macey, Courtney and another from Gabriella during class, so it was lots of fun.
Buddy is getting ready to put new flooring in our laundry, kitchen and dining areas, so I'm helping out with getting the worst off so it's easier on him. I'm so thankful for the projects he's doing for us, that I want to help as much as I can. It makes it so much easier to do things I normally wouldn't- helping him as he helps me.
Catherine asked today how many more days of school- 8. Is that long? Long enough for her to be part of homecoming, Samuel to have his marble party, me to get the floor done and some organizational things for our school together. Samuel told Buddy tonight he didn't really want to go to school today. He'd been home Thursday and Friday with some virus and really enjoyed himself. God is working to prepare them!