Tuesday DayLook: October 28, 2014

Picture:  Greg after the ND 9-man football playoff game -   LaMoure Loboes vs. Northstar Bearcats.  The Loboes came out on top 56 – 12.  It’s been an unexpectedly great season for the team and a lot of fun to watch.

Looking out my back porch... the day started out cloudy and it rained a bit.  It cleared for a while in the afternoon, but it’s cloudy once again.

I am thankful for... being able to be home!

I am reading… I’ve started to read a few other blogs.  I mentioned last week that I’d started to read Walking in Grace & Beauty, but I’ve also been reading 31 Days to a Clutter-Free Life.  The e-book is available on kindle, but the worksheets for each area are available for printing on each blog post.  Some can be skipped, but others have great tips.  I’ve actually saved a couple on specific topics, including digital photos and craft rooms.

I am praying for... a great outcome on the ballot measures which our state’s people will be voting on in the election this coming week.  GO VOTE…it matters!  Also praying that all the players on my son’s football team remain healthy and play with good sportsmanship in the quarterfinals this coming Saturday…win or lose.

A random thought… Make sure you vote next week.

I am hearing... the bubbling of the aquarium.

From the sewing/craft room… absolutely nothing has been started or finished!  However, I have been ‘pinning’ ideas for 4-H, Christmas and crocheting.

From the School Room... some days are good, some days stink. 

From the Kitchen...  before the home football game this past Saturday, we tailgated!  I made Mulled apple juice, Carol’s Caramel Corn, and Mom’s Pumpkin Pie Spice Chex Mix.

From the FarmYard… we STILL need to merge the two flocks of chickens.  There has just not been time to get the job done; it’s best done in the evening.

A successful moment…

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Tuesday: ortho & dance for Angelina, football practice for Greg (all week)

Wednesday: pumpkin carving

Thursday: dance for Angelina

Friday: It’s All Hallows Eve.  We typically don’t ‘celebrate’ this holiday, but I’ve become more ambivalent in the last few years.

Saturday/Sunday: ND 9-man quarterfinal football game, Bison home football game (we hope to watch the second half at home), annual Buffalo Supper at church

A picture memory...

Louis – June 2010

What’s up?

Lots and lots of football games.

Greg is #69 and a lineman for the Loboes.  He looks huge in his gear.  I’m always amazed that he used to be my 9lb 1oz baby boy.  Crazy.  They are having a good year.

 

Zeke is #55 in the Wolfpack 4th-6th grade team.  He’s also a lineman.  He loves the tackling.  Their team is fun to watch.  Such enthusiasm.

 

Graham is also playing flag football.  They play a 15 min scrimmage during the half-time of a couple home games.  He’s the kid in the middle of the photo with dark pants.  These kids are just racing all over.  Lots of laughing parents.

 

So, yeah.  We’ve been going to a lot of football games.  Some Saturday and Monday, but pretty much every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday since the last week in August.  Schoolwork is still getting done (we started after Labor Day…that post may or may not ever get posted!)…RE started last week…Angelina started dance in September (that’s a month earlier than normal and has it ever impacted our schedule in a crazy way)…Eric’s been gone for two weeks…the tomatoes still need to be harvested…we had a nursery do a bit more landscaping/tree planting (LOVE IT!)…we are attending our first BISON game as a family on Saturday.  And that’s about it in a really small nut shell.

2014-15 School Year Summary

We started today! I’m excited to get going, but hope I have everything ready.  Anyway, here’s what’s up for this year for each of the kids.

GREG – 17yo and Senior

It’s Greg’s Senior year, so is bittersweet in some ways.  We are both ready for him to move along and head out to college.  We’ve knocked heads more than I care to remember!  However the past year was one of much growth for him.  Maybe we’ll enjoy this last year together more than we have since he was in single digits.

Greg’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), ND State 4-H Ambassador, member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council, FFA president & member, Crop Judging, Football (he was elected one of the team captain’s), wrestling, altar server, and teen ministry/study group at our local church.

MODG’s Catholic Doctrine using Following Christ in the World. 

Math-U-See Calculus (after we finish up the last couple lessons of Pre-Calculus)

MODG’s British Literature

MODG’s World Geography

American Government & Economics (he’ll be finishing up the last half of this class)

Exploring Creation with Physics (and he’ll also be finishing up the last few lesson of Exploring Creation with Chemistry)

MODG’s Health using the encyclical Casti Connubi

Physical Education – weight lifting twice a week

 

ANGELINA – 14yo and Freshman

Aaak!  Another high schooler!  Angelina will be a freshman this year.  I think she’s excited.  Well, she’s excited except for when Latin or piano are mentioned.  I’ve asked her to continue so that her language requirement can be met with Latin and without starting another language.  She didn’t have much to say.  I’ve asked a friend to help grade some of her papers so that she’ll have outside input on her writing.  She is the creative one in the family.  While organization of her room is not a priority, she can make just about any activity fun for her siblings or those around her.

Eva’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), first year member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council, FFA member, Crop Judging, dance (two nights a week for ballet, tap & jazz), and teen ministry/study group at our local church.  We are unsure at this point, if she’ll be able to be a part of the Ballet Academy production, as lessons are to be held on Friday nights….it’s a possibility.

MODG’s Religion 9

Grammar & Composition 9 using Warriners English 3rd Course

Math-U-See Geometry

U.S. History & Geography

American Literature

Exploring Creation with Biology

Art: Drawing with Nature & Landscapes in Pencil

Music: Music of the Great Composers & Piano

Poetry

Latin: Fourth Form Latin

ZEKE – 11yo and Sixth Grade

Zeke is growing up so fast.  He’s fast approaching me in height; I have no doubt he’ll pass me in the next 2 years.  He’s a hard worker when he sets his mind to it and loves to be outside helping his dad in the field.

Zeke’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), Crop Judging, Wolfpack Football, possibly basketball, wrestling, altar server, and religious education classes at our local church.

St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 2

Math-U-See Pre-Algebra

CHC’s plan for Grammar/Composition/English

Logic of English (plan to finish it up this year)

Phonetic Zoo Level A

Poetry

ND History & All Ye Lands

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2

Prima Latina

Art 7 For Young Catholics (1st Semester) & Art Lab for Kids (2nd Semester)

Piano & Ready to Use Music Activities

 

GRAHAM – 8yo and Third Grade

Graham is also a hard worker.  He’s determined and sometimes a little stubborn.  He has a twinkle in his eye when he smiles and always has such great enthusiasm.

Graham’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), first year Crop Judging, Flag Football, wrestling, religious education (he’ll be studying for both Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) class at our local church.

St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1

Math-U-See Delta

CHC’s plan for Grammar/Composition/English & Spelling

Writing Can Help Book 3

Logic of English (plan to finish it up this year)

Poetry

CHC’s Tour a Country

Take it to Your Seat Geography e-book

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2

Prima Latina

Art Masterpieces (1st Semester) & Art Lab for Kids (2nd Semester)

Let’s Learn Music #2 & Piano

 

LOUIS – 4yo and Pre-School

Louis has an endless supply of energy.  He’s hardly ever in a bad mood and according to his sister, ‘says the most random things.’  He loves super heroes and especially likes to wear his Superman shirts.  He likes legos, Thomas the Train, Link, and being read to by anyone.

His day will consist mainly of play, but he’s also learning more about the letters and numbers.  He enjoys workbooks and art with his sister, who has been the one to lead him through the majority of his workbooks.

 

DAC – 2yo and Resident Toddler to be Entertained

Dac.  He’s a busy 2yo, but also knows how to entertain himself when needed.  He likes books, but doesn’t treat them the best, so we try not to leave him unsupervised with our favorites.  Colored rice and magnets are a favorite activity, but he pretty much likes to do anything Leo and his older siblings do.  He’s frightened of our puppy, Lily, because she’s about his height and tends to knock him over.  I have no set plan of activities to do with him this year, aside from the list of toddler activities that I printed out years ago.  We’ll see how it goes and adjust as needed.

Clean rooms…

In an effort to encourage my children to clean their rooms and then keep them clean, I created an award.  The award is a prize of their choice (parental approval required) won by having the cleanest room at the end of the week – provided the rooms are clean.  Some prizes necessitate winning twice.

Interestingly, the award has been won – two weeks in a row – by Graham, age 7, and Louis, age 4.  Graham needed two awards to win his Hexbug and Louis needed two awards to win a Link shield. 

There have been weeks when no one has won because the rooms were simply NOT clean! 

There has been some movement toward a cleaner room for Greg & Zeke, who share a room.  Angelina loves her piles, so is farther away from a solid win. 

AND, this past week, I completely changed it up again.  Zeke was moved in with Louis and Graham into the room with Greg.  Because…I’d been finding half empty cups of iced tea and chocolate milk on dressers (and behind clean towels in cupboards), bowls of food in drawers, under the sink in the bathroom, in storage tubs…it’s just plain GROSS!  Of course, no one fesses up to the empty bowls and cups.  So, my solution was to mix up the living arrangements so I could keep track of the offenders (yes, I do have an idea of ‘who’ is doing it, but they’d always blame the roommate).  And, yes, my kids get plenty to eat, just not that kind of junk whenever they want. 

It’s part punishment/consequence for poor decisions, part older sibling helping younger sibling learn to keep a clean room and make good choices.

I have no idea if it will work or even help, but something needed to be changed.  Here goes.

Our Homeschool Challenge

Electronics.  When, how much time, what kind, which software, where do we put it?  Ughhh.  Being a parent is tough in this electronic age.  Both Eric and I use electronics for volunteer work and career, so it’s a part of our lives.

One of our children, Greg, will most likely study and work in a field saturated with electronic devices.  He started young and just never lost his fascination with all things computer and electronic.  It’s been a challenge figuring out how to encourage his enthusiasm without letting him go overboard, and yet figure out how to keep him interested in the ‘more boring’ (according to him) subject areas involving literature/English, writing skills, history, geography, music, art, etc. 

He likes science, but takes forever to work through his chapters.  Math, thank goodness isn’t hard for him, but he’d been stalled on a topic for over a month because it challenged him and he couldn’t figure it out as easily.  I don’t think it would have stalled him this long if he’d have spent a consistent amount of time on the topic each day, but I could NOT find a way to encourage or motivate him.  At his age, I cannot make him physically do tasks.  I cannot make him learn!  He has to want to do these things.

I suppose he’s been what you call a challenging child or unmotivated learner (when it doesn’t coincide with his purposes) or a difficult student.  And he is.  However, he is intelligent and none of the above mentioned subjects are hard for him.  I’ve seen him write A+ papers and do it in a short amount of time.  He can read well and make his way through what he refers to as ‘the most boring book’ he’s ever read and then write an essay…all without taking notes.  (Not that I haven’t encouraged note-taking, he just doesn’t agree.)

We’ve tried an endless variety of ideas, strategies, and the like to ‘change’ his attitude and study/work ethic.  They haven’t worked or only work for a time.

He’ll be a senior next year.  While I rejoice with relief that he’ll soon be graduating, my husband and I also find ourselves thinking of all the times he’s helped us with electronic/computer issues when we didn’t want to take the time to correct problems ourselves.  He’s much quicker, anyway.  Also, I find myself thinking about the days when I won’t have to struggle EVERY SINGLE DAY to motivate him!  I have wanted to give up; I really have.  But, I haven’t.  I’ve threatened so send him to public school, but I haven’t.  It it really an option? 

Eric has encouraged sending him to school; friends have encouraged sending him to school; and grandparents have encouraged sending him to school.  Yet, he remains here in our homeschool.  Even when I felt our relationship was at an extremely low point, homeschooling still presented itself, in my heart, as the best option. 

Home is the best place for him right now.

Greg knows this; I know this; his dad knows this.  Some days he listens better than others.  Some days are pure torture for one or the other!  This homeschooling route is really hard; I couldn’t do it without grace. 

Regardless of the obstacles, Greg and I continue to work on our relationship.  It’s evolved over time, thank goodness.  I thought we’d forever be stuck at opposing ends and he’d never want to come home after leaving for college, but I don’t think that anymore. 

And that is awesome.

Monday DayLook: March 24, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... it’s a beautiful (but cold!) sunny morning.

I am thankful for... one dance recital finished, workbooks being finished, 18 month old little boys running down the hallway, sunshine, fresh eggs, grandparents who come down for the weekend to watch grandkids in their activities, opportunity to connect with homeschool friends this past Friday, cute little wrestlers & a working washer/dryer to do laundry.

I am reading… ‘33 Days to Morning Glory.’  As I come to areas in the book where I’m asked to write or brainstorm, I’ve written everything in a journal.  I figure it’s a good record to look back to in reference.  Also started reading ‘The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling’ by Debra Bell. 

I know it seems odd for a mom who’s homeschooled for TEN years to purchase and read a book like this, but this particular book has a section on teens.  It’s what I need.  I’ve always said I reaffirm my decision to homeschool every year…and believe me, when you homeschool teens you’ll go through ups and downs that shake you and make you doubt your conviction that homeschooling is the right decision.  I’m not even through the first chapter on teens and already this book has fortified my resolve!

I am praying for... the young man from our community who is going through a difficult time.  My friend’s father came home from the hospital last week, so his long road to recovery is now taking place at home…he still needs prayers.

I am hearing... the phone is ringing again.  No need to answer this one.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… laundry is being done.

From the School Room... Greg is gone today for FFA Crop Judging, so the rest of the kids have my full attention.  We started the day in their bedrooms, because our ‘life skills’ class has been neglected the last few weeks.

From the Kitchen...  I’ve been reading ‘Say Goodbye to Survival Mode’ by Crystal Paine.  This week, I’m focusing on de-cluttering the kitchen.  I’ve included the pantry and dining room because it just makes sense to me. 

From the FarmYard… snow is almost all gone and its not as muddy anymore.  We can see buds starting to form on the trees!

A successful moment… was able to attend one day of the North Dakota homeschool convention. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: dance for Angelina

Tuesday: wrestling for Louis/Zeke/Graham, dance rehearsal for Angelina

Wednesday: dance for Angelina

Thursday: lunch with our new Bishop, wrestling for Louis/Zeke/Graham, dance for Angelina, Mass with the new Bishop

Friday: dance for Angelina, wrestling tourney for the Louis/Graham/Zeke

Saturday/Sunday: dance rehearsal and Ballet Academy Recital for Angelina

A picture memory...

Louis (almost 3yo) & Graham (6yo)

August 2012

Tuesday DayLook: February 25, 2014

 

Looking out from my back porch... it looks crisp, cool and slightly windy.  I really don’t want to stick an arm out to see if the temp predictions are accurate!

I am thankful for... warmth and a solid home – who in these northern climes isn’t thankful for those two at this time of year?  Also thankful that in February I can start to see the end of some homeschooling subjects…lighter days are ahead.

I am reading… newspapers and blogs.

I am praying for... a good friend’s father who is in the hospital with pneumonia.  Graham, who is preparing to receive his first Reconciliation this coming Sunday.

I am hearing... the water trickling through the filter of our aquarium.  It’s a peaceful sound.

I am wearing… black knit pants (kinda like leggings, but heavier material), a purple knit top with a green/aqua cami underneath.  I needed color today.

From the School Room... as I mentioned earlier, we are seeing the end nearing in some subjects.  It’s a great feeling and makes the kids want to work ahead even more.

From the Kitchen... over the weekend, I made up meatloaf and meatballs to ‘base’ our meals for the week.  We look forward to spaghetti and meatballs today.

From the Garden… if I’m going to start seeds, it will happen in March.  Will I have the gumption?

From the FarmYard… a friend in Fargo sells eggs for me, thank goodness!  Last year, Angelina was interested in Polish chickens, so we purchased 10.  There were quite a few cockerels, so not all are laying hens.  However, between them they produce about 2 dozen small eggs each week.  I don’t sell these, but they’re great for egg dishes like omelets, french toast, scrambled eggs or boiled eggs.

A successful moment… the boys (Graham and Zeke) wrestled in their first tournament last Friday and each placed third in their group.  They were happy and we thought it was fun to watch.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Tuesday: Little Loboe wrestling practice for Zeke & Graham, Greg will help with practice

Wednesday: Eric and I plan to attend a sponsored talk on ‘technology’ – free meal with the deal – is it a date?

Thursday: Little Loboe wrestling practice for Zeke & Graham, Greg will help with practice, Ballet Academy for Angelina

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Well baby check for Marcus, bulk shopping in Fargo, First Reconciliation Retreat & First Reconciliation for Graham, Scrap quilt workshop for Angelina, Crop Judging for Zeke & Angelina, Possible Wrestling Tourney for Zeke & Graham

A picture memory...

Zeke above and Graham below in 2009.  Zeke would have been six and Graham three.  My how they change over the years…the interest in Legos and building, however, has NOT changed!

Finished by Friday!

Remember I’m the type who likes lists and crossing off each item?  Well, this is a short list of what’s been accomplished in our household/homeschool this week.  If you care to share your list, I’d like to be inspired!

1. Greg is registered for the ACT.

2. Zeke finished his shield project.

3. Angelina tried out a new recipe from Pinterest - http://cookiesandcups.com/banana-bread-crumb-cake/

4. Kitchen has been kept relatively clean all week.

5. Zeke figured out, on his own, that using a sled to bring 5 gallons of water to the chickens each day is easiest.  I’m impressed he thought of this on his own! (Maybe my kids are developing some common sense, after all.)

 

This & That

Sometimes…well it’s honestly most times…I need to be reminded that I do accomplish quite a bit during the week.  I like lists and being able to cross an item off.  It’s satisfying to see a job through to completion.  And then there are those weeks where it’s just a good thing we all survived Monday…or Tuesday!

I’ve been trying to help Greg register for the ACT for the last couple days.  It wouldn’t let us register and I finally figured out why. Duh!  The site where ‘he’ wants to take the test doesn’t offer the test on the ‘date’ he wants.  Sheesh…at least it’s figured out.  He’ll have to drive a little farther to a test site.

Today has been one of those days where I want to duct tape at least three kids to their seats so that I don’t have to run off to find them (or in my case, yell up the stairs because I don’t have the energy to go up two flights…AGAIN!).  Focus, focus.

Apparently at snack time, which I’ve really tried to eliminate (due to the above reason!), Zeke decided his snack would be cookie dough.  Angelina told me he started tossing ingredients into a small bowl and then proceeded to eat it himself.  He mixed it with a WIRE WHISK!!  I only know this because he didn’t wash the whisk and it was sitting on the counter, full of cookies dough, when we all came up for dinner.  Other evidence was flour all over the floor and counter.  Ugh.  My brother and I used to do this with my mom’s spices in either a brown sugar or powdered sugar ‘base’.  We would then dare each other to eat the concoctions.  I often wonder if she figured out where her supplies went.

Eric is gone all week, again.  Last week it was for work, this week it’s for fun.  He went snowmobiling (can’t remember where, but East of ND) with a couple relatives and friends.  My brother, Collin, likes winter as much as I do and plans a snowmobile trip every year.  I actually encourage Eric to go.

Mid-Year School Update

So, what I did to simplify at the beginning of the year…is it still working??  For the most part, yes.  Being the type of person I am, I always have super high expectations.  Sometimes we meet them, sometimes we don’t.  It’s been a much better year in some regards because combining subjects for a couple kids always helps.

Still works for us:

1. The tablet.  Still believe this was a good decision.  Zeke and Graham use it for the following:

*States & Capitals review

*  Review and memorize Baltimore Catechism No. 1 & 2 questions.  Both sets are on Google Play, so the boys listen each day.

*Classical music on Google Play

*Spelling practice and tests.  I found an app!  I type in the list of words and the boys each have an account in the app.  They practice each day and are rewarded for correct answers.  The reward is linked to a game associated with the app, and they both enjoy playing.

*Math tables practice

*Kindle app on the tablet allows the kids access to  52 Art Lab (book we are using for Angelina, Zeke, Graham, and Louis).  This has been a lot of fun for the kids and I’ve enjoyed the results of their work.

2. Zeke & Graham together for Phonics (Logic of English) and Science (Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures).  We finished up Zoology 1 and are into Astronomy.  It works great to have them together.

3.  Greg’s Religion and History & Literature taught by a friend.  Well, at least I KNOW he won’t fight me on doing these subjects and they are the ones he has kept on track through the year.  Why he won’t just do this in his other subjects, for me, is a mystery.

4. On cleaning.  This continues to be a struggle.  The chore chart is up and it does work…when the kids choose to refer to it. 

Needed to make a change:

1. Dropped Literary Analysis for Greg.  He made it through one semester and that is where we will end.  No matter how much I desire to have an intelligent literary discussion with my oldest, it’s just not going to happen at this time.

2. First Form Latin for Zeke is on hold.  We’ll try again next year; it was just too much.  He has an interest in and wants to learn French, as well.

3. Zeke & Graham finished their current Writing Can Help cursive books and we won’t begin another until next year.  They’ll do handwriting in the writing of their other subjects.

4. Greg decided to try wrestling.  It’s been good for him physically; he’s in better shape.  His dad and I have made it to most of his meets.  He’s pinned a few guys, which I’m sure is thrilling for him.

Wednesday DayLook: January 22, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... snow, fresh clean snow.  It was looking a little dirty after this weekend, so the pristine white is a much better picture.

I am thankful that... Greg is able to attend the March for Life with a group from the Diocese of Fargo. 

I am reading… quite a bit of fluff on my kindle.  Candy for the mind?  But, I’ve also been reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ courtesy of an abandoned subject that I was trying to work through with Greg.

I am praying for... improvement in a relationship and all the marchers in DC.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… no crafting in quite some time.  Although, I admit to taking out the material for a new tree skirt in December (the material has been in my possession for two years already) and considered whether it was even attainable…it went back into the cupboard.

From the School Room... most kids are making progress in the majority of their subjects.

From the Kitchen... I so want to cook or bake!  It’s a creative outlet for me that hasn’t been used lately.  Truthfully, I didn’t make ANY treats for Christmas this year.  It was that kind of Advent.  When we were visiting up at my parents’, I attempted to make my favorite – Divinity – and it flopped!  For the second time in my life (the first being when I was 9yo), my batch of Divinity flopped completely.

From the FarmYard… the chickens are producing eggs regularly due to the light timer installed.

A successful moment… I’ve got a post!

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Wednesday: Enjoy the day at home and cook a ‘real’ meal.

Thursday: Trip to Fargo for a meeting & supper with a friend.  Greg arrives home from his trip.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Wrestling tourney for Greg.

A picture memory...

Graham, Marcus & Louis – December 2013

4-H Communication Arts

 

Greg, Angelina, Zeke and Graham all competed in the county 4-H Communication Arts Contest.  All are eligible to advance to the District Contest.  Greg will be at the State FFA Convention, but the rest of the kids plan to attend and compete.  I was able to get pics of all but Greg & Angelina while they were visiting with the judges.

Graham went first!!  He’s a Cloverbud, so he can do a recitation of any length.  He chose ‘The Land of Counterpane’ by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Zeke was up a little later.  He chose to talk about Joaquin Miller and recite his most famous poem, ‘Columbus.’ 

Dash recited an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, ‘The Strenuous Life,’ given at the Chicago Hamilton Club.  I told Greg I chose it for him because I wanted him to learn something from it!  The title itself hints at the content; good lessons for a teen.

Angelina chose to do a demonstration this year (again!).  She made birdseed ornaments and titled the demo ‘Treats for Tweets.’ 

All the kids did a nice job.  There are, of course, areas they could improve, but that’s what’s great about 4-H.  The judges did a great job of providing positive critique that can be applied to improve their presentations before the district contest in June.

 And, CAN YOU BELIEVE JUNE IS NEXT WEEKEND!!!

Father-Son Camping

FMCHE – our homeschool group – has an annual Father-Son Camping Trip.  This year it was at Itasca State Park in MN.  Eric has taken the boys each year (they’ve been at least two years old).  This year, Greg went out early on Thursday with friends.

Though Eric does this, it’s always during Spring planting.  However, it’s that bonding with ONLY boys that they need…and I think he (Eric) needs it, too.  To be around Catholic dads who support what we are doing and the goal we have in mind.

So, Friday, May 17, 2013 at around 3pm, they were packed and ready to leave the farm.  It’s about a three hour drive to Itasca. 

Louis, with his new ‘Cars’ fishing rod, above.  Graham fishing, below.  Eric said they caught a few fish.  One of the other dads is gracious enough to clean the fish and they’re usually eaten that day.

Oh, yeah.  It typically rains during their trip.  It makes Eric feel better about leaving the farm (this year we need the rain)!  And, it makes for wet everything at the campsite.  Raining makes it more of an adventure…wouldn’t ya say?

The guys are usually back Sunday afternoon, but with the rain here, it might be later this evening.

The Birthday ‘Party’

It’s hectic, especially this time of year, so we just had Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres over for supper and birthday cake.  It was last minute because we weren’t sure we’d be home in time – or if G&G were home!  But we called, and they were able to come over.  I can be spontaneous and this is proof!!  Here are a few pics from our evening…

Sixteen

My oldest celebrates his sixteenth birthday today.  SIXTEEN.  The years have gone incredibly fast when I take the time to pause and remember.

Happy 16th Birthday!

Dash…who is Greg (short for Gregory) in real life..is pretty much man-sized.  Over six foot tall and wearing size 13 shoes, Dash doesn’t really fit anymore.  It was super cute when I started blogging, but he’s old enough to go by his own name.

A favorite picture of Greg when he was about 9 months old:

And here he is on the ski trip earlier this year…it’s hard to find perspective when he’s all covered up.

This is his ‘first day of school in 2012’ photo.

To celebrate his birthday, we are headed to town to take family photos.  We’ll have treats at the ice cream shop afterwards (it’s called bribery!), then head home for pizza and ice cream and cake.  It may just be an ice cream cake…certainly don’t have to worry about it melting on the way home, we’ll just strap it to the roof and it’ll keep better than if we carry it home in the car.  Thanks to our fine frigid ND weather.

** I am reminded that I was so very thankful to be a NE resident in the year of his birth because ND experienced the a very memorable major flood in the Spring of 1997.  Many homes were flooded throughout the southeastern and northeastern parts of the state due to overland flooding.  Then an icy snowstorm hit the southeastern part of the state and brought power outages. Recovery took months.