One day...

...life will slow down. Won't it? Please?

It has been a day. Today was co-op day. Not only co-op day, but our day to host. Like I have time for people to come over. I cleaned a little Sunday, but a little more on Monday. I got all of our laundry washed, dried, folded, hung up, and put away. The kids cleaned their rooms. But that didn't mean I didn't have 6 errands to run before everybody got here.

Thankfully, it doesn't start until 1:30. I was up about 7, making PB& Js for hubby to take to work today. I didn't tell him I have $20 in my wallet, because he would take it and spend it all today. Not happening (sorry, Baby).

Then I got the big girl up and got her in the shower. She made her bed and cleaned her room a little first. Then I got the boy up and got him in the shower. The baby got one yesterday, so I skipped her this morning. One thing off my list. They always drag their feet in the shower, and it's worse in the morning when they are tired. Or when I'm tired. Or a combination of the two.

Then I loaded the dish washer and got breakfast ready. We did our bible study while the kids ate and then moved on. Science was next and then history. Then the baby had to get her reading lesson. Out of seventeen words, she read 14 and sounded out 3. I am so impressed with her. I didn't think I could do it, but she is so fantastic. Then the two big kids moved on to their other stuff and I jumped in the shower.

After my shower, the kids had to finish getting ready and at 10:45, we were out the door. I had to stop by the post office, but that was a drive by and a drop off. I had signed up for a subscription for The Old Schoolhouse magazine and it came with some freebies. I had to mail the reply cards for the freebies. Then off to drop off some clothes for charity. I cleaned out our closet and a couple of drawers yesterday, and the stuff had to go. The dollar store was next. I needed a couple of things for the co-op today, drinks and snacks. And the kids were having a fit that we didn't have dental floss for their teeth. That only took us ten minutes and the kids did not ask for anything. Not one time.

Then to church to pick up the curriculum for our next topic at our after school program. I won't have much time after dance tomorrow to stop and pick it up, so I did it today. Then the library. I have been trying to get to the library for the kids to check out some books, but time has not been very agreeable with that. I had to pick up our video for the after school program that we are going to watch tomorrow. Then, last but not least, the grocery store. The kids didn't ask for anything there either, except a balloon from the cashier. Thank you babies for being so great for Mama.

When we got home, I put groceries away and made lunch. Today we had grilled cheese and tomato soup. I made mine with pepper jack and ham. Yum! But I didn't have soup. I have to cut the calories somewhere and today it was the soup. Then I finished loading the dishwasher, cleaned off the island, wiped down the stove, counters, and island, and swept the kitchen. I was tired before anyone got here. And I made Tang, with Sprite instead of water. The kids couldn't get enough when they all got here.

I had to prepare things for my lesson today. I did reference books. I went over the types of reference books and what was in each of them. I had examples of a few different ones. I didn't realize we had so many. I had them do a dictionary scavenger hunt that I got off one of my favorite web sites. Then everybody went and played, and the moms got to sit and talk. Like adults. Wow. They finally left about 4:30.

I did some work on the computer and answered my emails. I gave the baby a quick bath and scrubbed her dirty knees, legs, and feet. They jumped on the trampoline and it makes them black. The baby had dance class tonite, so she needed to be clean. Hair in a bun, leotard on, everybody go potty, get shoes and socks on. We had to stop at Target and get a pair of pink tights. I forgot that the baby had put a huge hole in her last pair and needed another. I changed her in the van and off we go.

When we got home, I had to make dinner. The boy wanted a bath, so hubby ran him one while I cooked. Then get kids ready for bed, read our story, and good night. My friend Melanie says I do more than she ever could. I just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving. If I stop too long, I think about all I have to do and end up overwhelmed. But I usually sleep pretty good at night. Until the boy and the baby come in. Then I end up in the boy's bed, because the baby's is too small. Another productive day down.

Have a great day!

You know what day it is

Of course, you do. You can tell by the happy voice. It's Friday. I will try not to say for the millionth time how happy I am about Fridays. And what a week to end.

The week started busy and never seemed to slow down. Even Thursday, my slow day, turned ito a run around errand day. On Thursday, I loaded dishes, washed white shirts that were donated to our JAM program, dried and folded them, cleaned potties, went to the church to drop off paperwork, find two books, drop off freshly laundered shirts, and turn in ink cartridges that have been in my van for two weeks. Then the library to drop off our Geronimo Stilton books on CD. And then the grocery store.

I needed to go to Wal Mart, too. But I knew that would be an ugly scene with the mood I was in. I was tired and grumpy, and felt like I hadn't had two seconds to myself all day. I knew it would turn into me yelling and fussing at the kids and I didn't want to go there. It was just easier to get what I needed from the grocery and call it a day.

Before we left for church, I also sorted through six bags of clothes that a friend of mine gave me for the baby. She just sold her house and her daughters have outgrown the clothes. And her mother in law does most of her shopping. She usually goes high dollar, so I got some really nice clothes. I had to sort through them, figure out what I was keeping and what was going to be given away. Then I had to wash what we were keeping because they have been up in her attic for awhile. Then I had to bag up what was being given away, clean out the baby's dresser and closet so the new stuff would fit, and find a place for the stuff that is too big now, but won't be for long.

In the midst of all that, I still had to school my kids, give the baby her reading lesson, and create a vocabulary test for the big girl. I ended up falling asleep on the couch at about 5. When I woke up, the big girl had given the boy his spelling test for me. I have great kids.

Then it was time for dinner. I ended up making burritos because they are quick and easy and I was tired. So I needed Friday. And so did the kids. They ran and played all day. And so did I. I got to have some great conversations with people that have different opinions than mine. It was fantastic. I hope you all have a gang of people that you can have conversations with that make you open your mind.

And on a side note: Hey, Mike. It's been a long time. I'm glad you read my blog. I hope you enjoy a look into our life. It's crazy, it's fun, and I love it.

Have a great day!

Our Trip to Court

What a great time we had. I am so glad that we went on this field trip. It was a nice way to ease ourselves into the world of field trips.

We got to the courthouse a little early. Don't think, by the way, that this some grand courthouse in a large city. Tavares is the county seat, but it is large by no means. It is about 15-20 minutes from our house and is across the street from our church. We were listening to Geronimo Stilton on CD to pass the time and went in at about a quarter after 1.

As a side note: What a great series of books. Geronimo Stilton is a mouse. He has written this series of books about his life. He is the editor of a local newspaper and finds himself in all sorts of trouble. We laugh out loud when we listen to them. Edward Hermann is the narrator and what a fantastic job he does. I couldn't stand Herman Munster, but I love most of the things he's done since. What a phenomenal actor he is. He is a big reason we started listening to these books. If you have kids, these are great stories to read or listen to together. Sorry, back to topic.

We all had to go through the metal detector. Even in small town America, podunk Florida has to have things like that. What a shame. I got to put my stuff in a little bowl and watch it get xrayed. I left my purse in the car because I didn't want to deal with that nightmare. I herded the group through the security and we found our group.

The bailiff let us in and the judge was waiting for us. He was a very personable man. He welcomed us into his courtroom and we almost filled it up. The boy sat in front of me with a friend of his and the girls sat beside me. A few times, I had to just put my hand on the boy. He started to get a little loud talking to his friend.

The judge talked to us about how to be a judge, how long it can take to get through law school, and about the way our judicial system works. Then he answered questions from the kids, and some of the parents. He even asked our kids a bunch of questions, and they got most of them right. He even told us about some of the cases he had tried, no names, no specifics.

I was really proud of how most of the kids acted. There was one little girl that is quite a handful. It was her mom that arranged the field trip. She had started to irritate the boy, but he did what I always tell him to do. He removed himself from the situation. He got up, walked around the girl, and came and sat with me. She couldn't get to him, and he wasn't being aggravated. I am so proud of him. The rest of the kids were very polite and respectful. They raised their hands, and were polite, and didn't jump around like monkeys. Yea!

We didn't get to see the judges's chambers. I was a little bummed about that. But he spent over an hour with us and never once looked like he wanted to be somewhere else.

It was a good time. And I'm glad that our first field trip was successful. The kids had a great time and so did Mama. And the boy minded his manners and his mouth.

Have a great day!

Field Trip

Tomorrow is our first official field trip. One of our home schools moms used to work for a judge. She knows his clerk and asked if it would be possible for our group to come see the courtroom and the chambers and stuff. He said yes. We go at 1 tomorrow.

I'm really excited about this. There are always free golf lessons and field trips to places that are free or really inexpensive. There are several times they give a group rate. But we haven't been able to go to any of those. This is the first time we go with our group. Just like a big field trip at school.

The big kids are excited about it, too. They are excited to see their friends and go somewhere they've never been. The baby is excited because the two big kids are excited. She keeps saying, "We're going to see the judge!" with great big eyes and lots of excitement in her voice. The boy said he wished the judge would give them all gavels. I told him that would be asking for trouble. Then the boy said he hoped they got a souvenir. That's been his big kick lately.

We almost missed it. I had it on my calendar for Friday. The same day I get to see the periodontist(?). My friend Melanie mentioned it on Sunday and I had to go look up the post to make sure. Wouldn't you know it, she was right. I was thinking we would miss park day, but I was alright with that. I really would have been mad come Friday.

Here we go. I'll let you all know how it went. Pray for us that the boy watches his mouth and his manners.

Have a great day!

First day of JAM

It's over. And it was fantastic. Our first day of JAM. That's our "after school " program at our church. I have taken a volunteer position and it has been a little stressful planning this and making sure that everything was ready. I do the administartion work. I make the phone calls, make sure everyone knows who are volunteers are, get volunteers, coordinate the kids with the bus, blah, blah, blah. The list goes on and on, but I have had fantastic help.

In past years the program has had up to 60 kids. But this year we are very small. We had 19 that showed up and we were grateful for that. This year we also have no youth volunteers. So it is just us six adults. We have "leaders" that come in and lead a certain portion. Yesterday was Arts & Crafts and Games. But our two leaders this week were also two of our volunteers.

One of our volunteers is a fantastic asset to our program this year. She is phenomenal. She loves to do arts & crafts and she can handle a classroom like nobodies business. She taught the kids a great song that had to do with Noah (which is our topic for four weeks). She says her husband is even better. Wow! She doesn't go to our church, and as far as I know, doesn't go to any church. But she heard about our program and wanted her daughter to join. And since she is off on Wednesdays, it worked out. I am thanking God that she has joined us.

Even snack went well. We did apples with peanut butter and or caramel. Yum! I have had this thing for apples lately, and can't seem to get enough, so I was happy about that. We also had pretzels and juice boxes. Our snack coordinator is fantastic. She is a very healthy eater and likes to do good for you stuff. We have a "party" week coming up and she suggested that we ask the parents for the sweet stuff. She is a very good friend of mine and she cracks me up.

The kids seemed to have a good time. They liked the smaller groups and I think liked the set up. I know they enjoyed the games. You could hear them screaming all over he building. It was a hoot.

So a good time was had by all. We had kids show up and were excited to be there. The bus from the elementary school showed up on time with the right kids. And we all had a great time. I am so grateful for the opportunity God has placed in front of us to make this program a success.

Have a great day!

I can't stop!

I am out of control. I can't seem to stop. And as soon as I'm done with this blog, I'm going back to it. I am planning curriculum for next year. How sick is that? We are six weeks into our school year and now I'm planning next year. There has got to be some kind of support group out there.

A friend of mine gave me some books the other Friday at the park. I looked through them a little, but didn't really get into them until I got home. One of them is God's Design for Animal Life book. It has text and questions and quizzes and all that good stuff. Now it would only get us through half a year, until Christmas break. But I figured we could do the human body for the second half of the year. On the Internet I go to see if I can find a book like it.

When I signed on I read the one email that I had. It was from another home school mom inviting us to her house on Thursday's for a quick science lesson and experiment. The curriculum she was using was God's Design For. She even included the website in her email. And sure enough, there it was. It was made by the same company that created our science curriculum this year, only under a different name. And they have the human body. But it gets better.

As I was looking at it trying to figure how I wanted to separate the sections and plan lessons, I realized that the material would have to be supplemented. Some I will supplement with the library, but there are a ton of great web sites out there and that would be one less trip to town. And since we go to town five days a week now, one less trip would be great. I have a membership that is about to expire for a teachers website that has printables and different resources. I got on the Internet and went through their curriculum and my book, and downloaded and saved the articles and worksheets I want to use to supplement. And I listed all the ones that I saved on a sheet of paper I clipped to the inside of the book. Sounds great. Only we won't be using it until next year!

This is my cry for help. I am a junkie and an addict. I need professional help. Or a donation to the Kula A Hale Na'auao Akamai so I can get all the curriculum I ever wanted.

And on a side note: here's a baby girl learning to read update. Today we had about thirty minutes of reading time. The big girl and the boy sat down with their books and I sat down with the baby girl. We read "Fun with Dick and Jane". It's a collection of many Dick and Jane books. The baby girl had to read Spot every time she saw it. I had to nudge her, but after awhile, she got used to seeing it and just said it when it was her turn. Then I pointed out words that she has been reading in her lessons. She sounded them all out and got them all right. At one point all the words in one sentence were words that she could sound out. And she did. I told her she was reading a real book and the connection was made. I could see the shades lift off her eyes and the dawning of new knowledge. And she was so proud of herself. I am so very proud of her and you should be, too.

Have a great day!

Light Bright Fun

When it was the boys turn to spend the week with his grandparents, he brought home a light bright. His grandmother, hubby's mom, loves to visit thrift stores, or as she affectionately calls them, junk stores. And the kids get to go with her. This is the fun they have been having for the last few weeks. I didn't think to take the pictures until a few days ago. So here are the pictures of the genius stuff my kids can do with a light bright.

Have a great day!