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

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.

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

Wordless Wednesday

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

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.

Human Floor Sweepers

 

Yep, this is how I keep my kitchen floor clean.  Forget about nagging and begging the older kids to do their duty/chore each day and just let the little guys do it.  They, at least, don’t complain.

Here’s what you do…set them down and give the smaller one about 30 seconds.  Believe me, he’ll find the biggest piece lickety-split.  Then, empty mouth with a finger sweep and toss in the garbage.  Next, brush off all the smaller crumbs over the sink or garbage – whichever is most convenient.

Footed fleece pajamas pick up the most lint, but knit works well, too.

Repeat until clean.

Proof of Living

 

Oh, you thought my house was always clean and organized?  Not so.  I do manage to usually clean up the toys, but…not always.  They’ll just be taken out the next day, right?  It’s just proof that we actually live in our house.  All day, every day, for every hour!

A cool raccoon book for Louis from Grandma Green Acres.  He so serious sitting here!  He’s almost never still.

Graham above, working on handwriting…and Zeke below, doing the same thing.  Both absolutely love handwriting (dripping with sarcasm right now).

Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres with all the kids.  They were over for Greg’s birthday yesterday.

March 17-31, 2013

Lent was good.  Even though it didn’t go as I planned, it went as HE planned.  And, His plan is infinitely better than mine. 

In these weeks, Eric and I started teaching NFP again after a 1.5 year hiatus.  Dash competed in the State FFA Crop Judging Contest and received a silver placing.  Our county hosted their annual Family Fun Night.  Lent ended and Holy Week began. 

All the kids, except for Dash and Angelina, took the whole week of school off.  Dash used the week to catch up and Angelina just needed to finish up a couple days in Latin.  I call it our Spring Break; we needed a break!

On Friday and Saturday, we did a bit of baking.  This lamb mold was on sale after Easter last year, and it was fun to use it this year.  It was amazingly easy to bake and decorate.  Just use a large star tip and it’s covered up in no time at all.  I used a black decorating pen for the eyes, nose & mouth.

Angelina and the boys made sugar cookies and frosted them on Saturday.  Each kid had a job – Angelina is very good at organizing who does what!  She sounds like me…I’m not sure that is a good thing sometimes.

And, Marcus is mobile.  He’s not fast, but he uses his hands and his right foot to scoot around and get where he wants.  His left foot and leg are usually up in the air!  It’s too cute.

 

We didn’t dye eggs, we grow them!  The Easter Egger’s lay colorful eggs and then the last two years, I’ve just written on the eggs with food pens.  The kids decorate with stickers…and we’re done!  Colorful, cute and easy.

Angelina had a new dress for Easter; I wish I’d have taken a picture.  I was thankful that I fit into some of my favorite outfits (FINALLY). 

This year, our family attended Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday services, and the Easter Vigil.  Every. Single. One. Of. Us.  I’m not saying that everyone stayed awake!  This being the third vigil I have attended, I finally felt like the readings made sense or clicked with me.  Probably I wasn’t able to listen the other times I’ve attended…the first I had a busy 1yo (Dash) and last year I was pregnant and kind-of miserable.  This vigil just made an impression on me…makes me want to do it all over again.

Alleluia! 

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

The kids checked out their Easter baskets on Sunday morning.  The family headed over to Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres’ home for a wonderful dinner followed by a choice of desserts.  The kids played and watched TV while Eric and I enjoyed visiting.

February 10-16, 2013

This is the FIRST day we’ve had the snowmobile’s out.  And believe me, this is cutting it close for snow.  They’ll have to be careful not to go out in the fields or the tracks could be ruined.  But, the guys are all excited to get some sledding done!

Marcus is 6 months old in these photos taken on February 12.  The time has gone incredibly fast.  However, he is such a fun, happy little guy.  He’s lighter than the other kids have been at this age…easier on Mom, for sure.

 

Dash is on the sled closest to us, and Mr. W, my nephew who is here for a visit, is on the other sled with Eric.  He was thrilled to get a ride, too.

Sorry for the window reflection…I really didn’t want to go outside!  Zeke is in the sled with Louis and Graham is standing with our dog, Bella, behind the sled.  It’s so nice to be able to get the boys outside to run off some of the energy.

 

And still, we do not have much snow.  You can still see the stubble in the field.

This is absolutely my favorite picture from this bunch!  Marcus is hilarious.

And, the elusive teen who is hard to catch on camera.