Monday DayLook: March 28, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... it’s still snowy white, but the wind bites today.  It is bright and sunny outside, which only makes it colder!

I am thankful for...everyone being on the mend .. health-wise. 

I am reading…currently in-between books.  I have a large stack to choose from, though.

I am hearing...Dash playing piano.

I am wearing…a purple long-sleeved shirt, grey sweater, jeans, and tennies.

I am thinking about … Lent.  We talked about what we would do as a family and as individuals during Lent.  TV is something we give up as a family; that will not change.  The kids give up all computer time outside of school; that will not change.  We will be hanging our Stations of the Cross again this year.  Still thinking about the rest…

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)…there is still a pile of mending and alterations to be completed.  The laundry is manageable.

From the school room... Zeke finished up his Language of God workbook and is almost done with his handwriting workbook.  Dash is VERY  interested in Computer Science, so we invested in Pure and Simple: Book 1 for Homeschoolers created by Motherboard Books.  Dash has completed the first couple lessons and Angelina started the course today.  Although she’s not as interested, I think it’s important to know word processing and a bit of programming.

From the kitchen... my cookie cake flopped this weekend.  I was sure I used the ‘whole’ chocolate chip cookie recipe last time.  I was mistaken.  We ate it anyway.

A successful moment… I made it outside to visit my chickens!  Those silly Wyandotte’s are still bare backed because they peck the feathers off each other before they can grow in  -  I might just invest in Hen Savers to see if their feathers will grow.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dance for Angelina, Eric leave for FL

Tuesday: Dance for Angelina

Wednesday: 4-H officer meeting for Dash

Thursday:   Meetings in Fargo for me

Friday:  Angelina and Dash compete in State 4-H Crop Judging contest at the ValleyCity Winter Show.

Saturday/Sunday:   Dance rehearsal and recital for Angelina (yes! her dance year is done on Sunday – awesome!  While fun, I’m glad to be done running to this every week.)

8/52

Joining Barbara in commemorating the year in once a week posts … just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

Is watching crayons melt anything like watching paint  dry??  You’d think this would get old.  Zeke received the Crayola Crayon Maker for his birthday … everyone was crowding around … even me!

Can’t resist taking pics of Louis!

Yep, it’s a skunk.  In the window well right below the kitchen window.  We’ve had all kinds of animals in the window wells, this is the first skunk.  He/she found some food (hubby admitting leaving it outside the garage door) and stayed for a few days.  Thank goodness the skunk could walk out of the window well on the bank of snow.  Eric was gone last week during all the skunk visits.  The rascal hasn’t been back to the house in a couple days, but we still have tracks around the farm. 

Louis just had to go outside.  He made it about five feet into the snow, fell down, sat for a while, then turned around and came back inside.  Happy as a clam, though!

DayLook: Monday, February 21, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... it’s snowing again.  Guess the positive way to look at this is that the crusty, yucky looking snow is being covered up. 

I am thankful for... a day at home, the ability to order online, meeting new couples (from our 1st CCL class last night) who are excited about their faith and living it.

I am reading… Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy.  I’ve been on a thriller/mystery kick the last couple weeks.

I am hearing... Graham playing with toys, Dash writing on paper and making clicking noises … why do kids make random annoying noises??  To make their mothers work on patience!

I am wearing… an old sweatshirt (remember I don’t need to go anywhere today), jeans, and tennies.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… Angelina’s dance costume needs adjusting.

From the school room... the plans for next year are coming together and the supplies lists are well on their way to being filled, too.  I’ve started to use a few more computer resources in the last few weeks.  Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing has be wonderful for Dash & Angelina!  I also downloaded the current version of Math Facts Now! for Zeke, who needs a bit of practice on the multiplication tables.

From the kitchen… this weekend, I made a huge (as in 18 cups of oatmeal … HUGE) batch of monster cookies.  I baked half and froze half the dough in balls for baking later. 

From the farmyard… the chicks are ordered!  5 Buff Orpington females, 5 Barred Rock females, and 35 Cornish Rock Cross slow broilers (straight run for butchering in early August) should arrive as chicks the first week in May.  The first 10 we’ll add to the current laying flock.

Barred Rock, above, and Buff Orpington, below.

A successful moment… FINALLY, all the composition papers are corrected.  I’d been two weeks behind for what seems like forever. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Eric leaves tonight for a meeting in MN.

Tuesday: Angelina has a haircut tonight before her dance class.  She and I are going to a Lia Sophia jewelry party tonight, too.

Wednesday: Stay home

Thursday:   Real Presence Radio Banquet – Archbishop Chaput from Denver is the speaker.

Friday: National Quiet Day – I’ve been dreaming of this all month…that’s how long I’ve known that there IS a National Quiet Day. 

Saturday/Sunday:   Crop Judging for Angelina and Dash.  Niece – Miss E. – 1st Birthday Party on Sunday.

A picture memory... This is our county 4-H Crop Judging team.  They placed first at the Oakes Contest.  Angelina won High Individual in Oakes.  Not to be outdone, Dash (on the right) won High Individual this past week in Kindred.  They go back and forth … competition is good. 

7/52

 

Joining Barbara in commemorating the year in once a week posts … just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

Homemade Pirate-themed Birthday cake for 8 year old Zeke.  He loved it!

 

Raspberry Syrup – uses up the last of the frozen raspberries and we needed syrup!

4-H project books … time to get going on those projects kids.  We need to start reading up on animal projects and planning out when we’ll get everything done.

 

We hadn’t had the carpets cleaned (except with a spot-bot type machine – by me!) since we moved in almost three years ago.  It was time!  The cleaners left industrial strength fans to help everything dry; I was thankful, as it really made a difference.  I am feeling great about having clean carpets and all the rooms were cleaned and cleared in preparation, too.

When one plays, they all watch.  What is it about my boys and the electronics? 

 

Happy Birthday, Zeke!

 

He’s 8 years old on February 18th!  He could hardly wait, but now he’s 8.  Life is great when you are 8. 

Big sister is willing to read the cards – cuz she’s quicker.

Now that Louis knows what gifts ARE, it’s a little hard to stay away!

The headgear apparently let you ‘see’ how a fire ant sees the world.  Really kinda cool.

 

Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres came for supper and cake.

The pirate pose for Zeke and memories of an 8 year old … Argghhhh! … and the ‘nice’ pose for perfectistic mom.

Six tries to blow out all those candles!

Art ‘shake-up’

 

 

We’ve enjoyed using Childsize Art Masterpieces (Levels 1-8) and ‘How to Use Child-size Masterpieces for Art Appreciation’ since starting to homeschool, but it was time to ‘shake’ it up a bit for Zeke.  A recent e-newsletter mentioned ‘Spot the Differences’ and after checking it out, I tacked it onto a recent book order.

All the kids have had fun! 

Some of the changes to the pictures are easy enough for three and four year-olds to spot, so the book is geared for all ages.  In addition, there is an answer key in the back.

DayLook: Monday, February 14, 2011

 

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

Looking out from my back porch... well, it’s pitch black at this point of the day.  However, we’ve been able to see quite a few deer and pheasant meandering through the backyard in recent days.

I am thankful for... a day at home tomorrow, but it was so much fun for the kids and I to see friends in Fargo today at the homeschool St. Valentine’s Day Bowling Party.

I am reading… I’m in-between books at the moment. 

I am hearing...silence … glorious silence.

I am wearing… a purple t-shirt, jeans and a grey cardigan.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… laundry, specifically bed sheets.  They weren’t dry last I checked, so I wonder what Angelina is sleeping on tonight…

From the school room... it was a shortened day today and my mind was not on school. 

From the kitchen... washed up a bunch of eggs this morning.  We get about 2 dozen on most days. 

A successful moment… I’m home and the kids are in bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: St. Valentine’s Day Bowling Party

Tuesday: Angelina’s dance class tonight.

Wednesday: Dentist and ortho appointments for Dash.

Thursday: Home ALL day today?!?

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Zeke’s 8th Birthday, Last day of basketball for Zeke, Crop Judging for Angelina and Dash, First class in the NFP series we are teaching.

A picture memory...

You cannot tell from this picture, but Louis has a slight black n’ blue eye.  On Saturday, he ran into the edge of a table; the edge hit the middle of his left eyebrow.  Thankfully no blood and the skin wasn’t opened.  He’s at the height where he can see where he wants to go, but can’t quite see all the obstacles.  Of course, he was running – the little guy knows only one speed.  It was swollen and puffy until today. 

RR Crossing in ND

 

This video is of a train crossing that isn’t very far (under 10 miles!) from where I grew up.  Can’t say I’ve ever seen something like this before … the train’s snow shovel in action.

6/52

Joining Barbara in commemorating the year in once a week posts … just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

My little Louis is starting down the path of fascination with all things electronic … in the footsteps of his oldest brother.  Of course, he thinks his brother iPod is a cell phone, which is why it’s held up to his ear.  Little stinker even figured out how to get the iPod playing music!

This is the latest form of fun at our house.  Every few nights Eric and the kids will get out for a ride.  It’s been fun.

 

The 4-H club made candy bouquets this past weekend.  Zeke, of course, chose a LARGE box to fill with candy.  The tinsel is littering his room … he’ll be picking that up tomorrow morn.

Monday DayLook: February 7, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... well, it’s dark now, so there’s not much to be seen!

I am thankful for... days without travel, the sun reflecting off the snow, the joy of a son’s First Reconciliation, time to read, movie time with my hubby, the internet, great family and friends.

I am reading… a novel.  Am also still searching for a good, kindle e-book of Dante’s Inferno (I’ve been told to look for Ciardi’s translation.)

I am hearing... the tv.  The older two are watching an antiques show.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… there’s nothing creative coming from the room lately – only baskets of clean, folded clothes. 

From the school room... I ordered Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing for Dash and Angelina.  They’ve both started lessons and are having fun.  Angelina has been able to work more on her lessons and is slowly gaining wpm.  A great feature of this program is that it tracks progress and adjusts accordingly.  I made up my own account to check it out … still have a pretty good wpm.

AND… we finished before 5pm today!!!!!!!!!

From the kitchen... I made pan fried fish last Friday.  I always shy away from broiling or frying on my cooktop because I don’t want to make a big mess … but it really wasn’t too messy and the flavor of the fish was excellent. 

A successful moment… I checked two items off the To-Do list. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Tuesday: Dance tonight for Angelina, and since hubby has a meeting in the same town, he’s taking her!!! I am able to stay home.

Thursday:   Dr. appt for me, EC workshop and meeting for the college group I advise.

Friday: Women of Grace, Little I (animal and agriculture show at NDSU) where Dash and Angelina will participate in crop judging, lunch with the Grant’s (if all of us remain healthy!).

Saturday/Sunday: Crop judging in Kindred for the older kids, and Basketball for Zeke on Saturday morn.

A picture memory...

The kid’s crop judging team: Angelina was awarded High Individual Jr. 4-H Crop Judger at this contest.  The team received a plaque for their efforts.

Beauty outside my window…

Silly dusting slippers – Angelina’s, but they get worn around the house by Louis and whoever else finds them.

Miss E. will be one year old at the end of the month – my niece (brother Collin holding her).  Isn’t she a cutie!  I wish I had another girl.

Wishful Thinking

 

It’s Superbowl Sunday …

My husband says to me, “Wishful thinking?” 

YES.

I don’t know who I feel inclined to cheer for today.  Our family is split.  Graham just likes to cheer for the odd team, so that’ll be the Steelers.  My husband is an ‘NFC guy’ and Dash likes to agree with his dad; Zeke is going for the Packers today; and I didn’t ask Angelina.  She’ll probably spend the day reading!  I just might join her.

A Sacrament

Zeke’s First Reconciliation was on Saturday.  He wasn’t worried at all and seemed very prepared (unlike his mother, who felt like she hadn’t been nearly as involved in his preparation compared to his older siblings). 

The night before, we went over the process again, and practiced the Act of Contrition a couple times, too.  He is ready.

After basketball practice, we drove to church.  He was in the second group of kids, and with two of his best buddies.  They visited with the DRE and decided who would go first.

 

*Normally, we wouldn’t be wearing sweats and a t-shirt, but we had no time for him to change between basketball and the drive to church.  I regret that just a smidge.

 

After his confession and penance , I let him light two candles and offer a short prayer for special intentions.

To celebrate, we went out to eat.  Just Zeke, Graham, Louis and I (the remainder of the family was at a crop judging meet).  Then, he was invited by the mom of his buddies to go to a blow-up game fun day in a neighboring town.  That evening, Dad indulged him by playing board games with ‘just’ Zeke (Stratego and Chess).