Lessons by Zeke

 

Zeke to Graham:  “Never take pepper and sprinkle it on your tongue.  It’s spicy.”

Happenings around here...

1.  Zeke F.I.N.A.L.L.Y lost his tooth.  It's taken forever in his world (but in all actuality the 'loose to gone' was only about two weeks).

2.  I'm an Auntie again!!  I have a new niece, born early this morning and named. Elizabeth Anne.  Girls are far and few between on my side of the family, so all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents are excited. 

3.  We've been playing Settlers of Catan everyday this week at about 2pm.  The kids are encouraged/motivated to get all their schoolwork done for this REWARD. 

4.  Grandma Golden Acres stayed overnight on Tuesday.  She brought a puzzle and banana/nut/choc. chip muffins for the kids.

5.  This is for all the NDSU Bison fans out there.  Baby Louis wasn't really in picture-taking mode.

 

Jumperoo

Well, I broke down and made an equipment purchase for Baby Louis.  It arrived on Friday and we set it up Saturday morning.  I have only purchased one other ‘big thing’ in the past … a table top swing when Zeke was a baby.  However, I believe this was a good purchase and when I’m done I’ll loan or give it to my sister or one of my SIL’s. 

At any rate, Louis has enjoyed the short spurts of time in the jumperoo.  It’s something to keep him contained entertained and out of harms way when needed (canning, taking baked goods out of the oven, art projects, etc.).  An added bonus is that he got a huge kick out of his two older brothers running around him.  He’s just so close to giggling out loud!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday DayLook – February 22, 2010

For Today: February 22, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... cat paw prints in the snow outside the window.  A kitty from Grandma Green Acres’ home must have followed Angelina to our home.

I am thankful for... friends who are willing to travel 1.5 hours – one way - with four kids to visit our home!

I am reading… my plan is to read at least a page from ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ each day.

I am hoping... to cross off all the items on my weekly To-Do list.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room … you’ll have to check out the Craft Basket Wednesday posts here and here.

From the school room... sticking to schedule and getting work done.

From the kitchen... during her last visit, my mom suggested I could use a salad spinner.  ‘No!’ I protested, ‘I don’t need to store another thing.’  But, I now own a salad spinner (my purchase) … my sincerest apologies, Mom.  You still do know what your daughter needs!

State of the house… yahoo!  My vacuum part arrived and I very happily vacuumed every inch of carpet.

A successful moment… being caught up on personal finances, if only for a day!

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dash has a morning orthodontist appt and will then visit friends until his Dad’s meeting is over.

Tuesday-Thursday:  Eric is gone for meetings.  This kids and I will carry on as usual! 

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Dash & Angelina have another crop judging contest on Saturday.  We plan to attend Mass at the Cathedral and a Benefit Dinner for a friend on Sunday afternoon.

A picture memory...


 
Little readers…




Oldest daughters and good playmates…




Sweet little one in pink…




Ya gotta laugh!  Boys and the crazy contraptions…




Above:  Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres with Zeke & Louis – on Zeke’s birthday.



P.S.  Sarah G. – since I didn’t take a pic of me, I did NOT post the pic of you!!  Hoping to remain in your good graces, my friend.

Zeke at Seven

 

Loves hugs, flannel pajamas, legos, playing dress-up, pizza, getting up really early, riding his bike to Grandma’s (in the Spring, Summer & Fall), pizza, wearing ties and dressing up for Mass, raspberries in any form … all these describe Zeke.  He’s the one who gives hugs when he first sees you in the morning, before he heads to bed, before Dad leaves for work, and when he’s thankful.  Then, he’ll come back to give you another!! 

In the past year, Zeke has learned to read, write sentences and work double digit (and sometimes triple) math problems.  He’s started to make his own bed and will often make Graham’s without being asked. 

Zeke has a compassionate spirit and is also inquisitive.  He does like to chat, but what young boy doesn’t have lots of questions about the hows and whys in this world? 

 

We love you very much … Happy Birthday, Zeke!

 

 

Angelina 'created’ a hairstyle for Zeke in the pic above; he’s with his Uncle Collin.

 

 

 

 

He was worried ya’ll wouldn’t be able to see his loose tooth, so here’s a close-up.  It’s been a very exciting week & loosing his first tooth today would just cap it off – as if having a loose tooth isn’t exciting enough!

Wordless Wednesday - Baby's First Ash Wednesday

Craft Basket Wednesday

Stations of the Cross: Part II
This craft is not for the faint of hand!  The cutting is definitely an adult task … or at least an older child with steady hands and an eye for detail.  Last Thursday, I made it through the cutting and piecing/layering of 6 stations.  Graham placed the description on each station, while I positioned the Roman numerals.  I was able to complete the cutting and layering of the last 5 stations last Friday morning. 








 






On Tuesday afternoon, Angelina, Zeke and Graham helped apply the rock (obsidian, coral quartz & amethyst quartz).  Zeke and I took turns applying the glue.  The kids lost interest by the time the stations were dried fully, so I glued the pipe cleaner hangers on the back of each.






 






    

We are DONE!  Just in time to use the stations during Lent. 
 

To see more Craft Baskets, check out Knit Together

Yum or Ewww!

Eric was given two electronic Sudoku games on his trip last week … he figured they were perfect for Dash and Angelina.  But what to do about Zeke & Graham, he wondered???  He didn’t want to come home empty handed.
Well, he found these suckers for almost 7yo Zeke, who just happens to be this family’s fussiest eater, & 3yo Graham.  Mmmmm…


Graham’s take: “Well, we have to get that bug outta there.” 
I’m thinking:  Yea, one lick at a time, honey!

My take:  They actually make stuff like this?  And, there are people who will buy stuff like this?  Yep, a desperate, but loving, Father who wants to please his children by bringing home a treat after being gone for a week! 

Monday DayLook – February 15, 2010

For Today: February 15, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... I wish I could see roses!!  But, I’ll take the snow.  After another dumping on Saturday (6+ inches), the wind picked up and whipped the snow across our prairie backyard to look like meringue.

I am thinking about… how much fun this next week will be if the weather remains peaceful.  I’m also thinking about the start of Lent.  What am I going to add and what am I going to sacrifice??

I am thankful for... having our material needs met (and then some).

I am reading… well, I’d like to be reading ‘From Tyndale to Madison: How the Death of an English Martyr Led to the American Bill of Rights’ so that I can officially cross the book off my list.  But, I’m actually taking time to finish the reading needed to complete our certification for CCL’s expanded class series.

I am hoping... for calm and moderately warm weather each day this week!

I am hearing... the wind blowing around the house.  Baby Louis making cooing noises.  Zeke’s pencil moving across his paper.

I am wearing… my favorite jeans and a grey long-sleeved BISON t-shirt.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… last week we made Valentine’s for the homeschool Valentine Bowling Party.  They weren’t very elaborate this year; hopefully the chocolate kisses made up for the lack of creativity!

From the school room... lesson plans were completed for Latin and grammar, so both Angelina and Dash have been using their new workbooks.

From the kitchen... I did make caramel puff corn this past weekend.

State of the house… we are really missing our vacuum!  The carpets are going to need a thorough cleaning with the replacement part finally arrives.

A successful moment… the kids and I wrote ALL of our Christmas thank-you’s … and we included them with our Valentine’s.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dash is skiing with the Cathedral Youth Group today & then staying with a friend’s family until Eric picks him up on Wednesday. Angelina will hopefully have dance tonight, after three weeks of no class.  The youngest boys and I are excited to visit the library.

Ash Wednesday:  No school today and we will try to attend Noon Mass … weather providing.  Eric and Dash will be home by this evening.

Thursday:  Zeke’s 7th Birthday!  We’ll celebrate with a birthday supper and cake.

Friday:  Leo’s Godmother is coming to visit and she’s bringing her four children!  All of us are excited.

Saturday/Sunday:   Dash and Angelina will crop judge on Saturday.  We have a 4-H meeting this weekend, too.

A few picture memories...

View Full Album

View Full Album

View Full Album

We’ve got snow!

We came back from Christmas vacation to a drift across the front of our house; Eric attempted to clear it and made it half-way up our sidewalk.  After the snows in January & February, we’ve given up!  You’re still welcome to stop by for a visit, but you’ll have to come to the back door.  At this rate, the kids can take the sleds to our front porch and sled down the drift.

For reference, the brick planter that is in the front of the house under the window is about 5.5 feet tall.  I would have taken more pictures, but it is also frigid today and I couldn’t stay out any longer.

The garage is progressing, too.  More work has been done inside due to the weather, but some siding went up last week.