Tuesday DayLook - November 10

For Today: November 10, 2009

Looking out my back porch... everything is a frosted brown, even the weeds!  Why do the weeds stay greenish when all the other 'cool' plants and trees (well, except for evergreens) turn a yucky mottled brown??

I am thinking... this is a nice peaceful morning and the kids are being pretty mellow.  Today is St. Leo the Great's feast day.

I am thankful for... health and being on 'this' side of pregnancy.  I'm also thankful, in retrospect that my water broke before labor started ... it allowed us to travel the 100 miles to Fargo for the birth.

From the sewing/craft room ... absolutely nothing, except that this room also serves as the upstairs laundry.  Lots of laundry going in and out!

From the school room... Angelina is not far from completing her ND History.  Zeke has been a little stinker - attitude wise - when it comes to Sound Beginnings, so I'm trying to think of a way to positively motivate him without it seeming like a 'reward for doing expected/necessary work'.  The kids finished up their schoolwork last week, but I haven't corrected anything since last Wednesday.  We are taking this week off for sure. 

From the kitchen... I'm not trying to do anything spectacular this week.  However, my mom has been busy.  Sunday, she roasted a huge turkey and we've been using the leftovers since.  Yesterday she made enough Knefla soup to feed an army.  My sister & mom also made apple crisp for dessert last night ... yum!

I am reading... barely reading the newspapers at this point, but the plethora of catalogs (of which there are many at this time of year ... peruse and maybe keep the good ones, toss the ones that are ridiculous) have been fun to look over!

I am hoping... that Baby Leo keeps up his very content nature, that my hubbie's review goes well today, and that soybean harvest finishes up in good weather and without any breakdowns

I am hearing... the normal sounds of our morning: breakfast being served, dishes cleared to the dishwasher, kids chattering about Baby Leo and their cousin, Weston.

State of the house… I do believe it's cleaner than last week ... at least the main level floors are cleaner.

A successful moment… we made it to church on time this past Sunday, even with brand new Baby Leo. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dance for Angelina (thank goodness Grandma Golden Acres was willing to take her to dance last night).

Tuesday-Thursday:  Absolutely nothing planned!  Just enjoying being home and enjoying the ability to send the kids outside without worry about mud and cold weather.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Relax, relax, relax.  We'll probably send Dash up to Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres farm (with Uncle Collin, again) because the rellies are planning to process all the deer meat obtained this past weekend.  Eric, of course, will still be involved in soybean harvest.

A look at my day, in pictures...

Leo Henry Lahlum

Announcing the arrival of Leo Henry Lahlum! 

He was born November 5th at 4:26a.  Leo weighed in at 11 pounds 2.2 ounces (yea, no kidding there...) and measured 22 inches long.  He's a content baby and a good eater.  Just feels incredibly good to be on this side of the pregnancy.  I may or may not write more about the labor and birth, we'll just have to see what my mood brings.

We came home Saturday morning ... I think it took the older kids until this afternoon to calm down.  My mom, Grandma Golden Acres, drove out to the farm Friday night to take over care of the kids from Grandma Green Acres.  I'm thankful she'll be here for a while.

Just a little before 10am this morning ...

Zeke:  "Joy to the World, I'm done with School!"

I'm thinking:  Yes, thank God we made it through this day/morning without me being completely frustrated by the little attitude that has been cropping up in you during our Sound Beginnings lessons.  Can I hope that 'the attitude' is gone for good??

**Dash has been listening to Christmas music this week.  I guess it's rubbed off on everyone.

What's going on around here...

1. After a big flop on the Creme de Menthe brownies yesterday (forgot to add the flour), they are finally baked and cooling on the stove top.  They'll be frosted and in the freezer by this evening.

2. Gave Dash an incentive ... he wants to go up to the annual deer hunt with my family (he can catch a ride with my brother), so he has to get all this weeks schoolwork done by Thursday morning.  We are scheduled for five days, so he's been slowly working his way through the subjects.

3. The detached garage now has its roof trusses covered in plywood and is looking more like an enclosure.

4. I decided that the remaining tomatoes would be better off composted.  I went through them on Sat. to get rid of those that had spoiled.  I'm truly NOT motivated to do more, so rather than toss them in the garbage, they'll work for me by creating fertilizer/compost.  It's not wasted.

5. It was Zeke's turn to ride in the combine yesterday ... YES, harvest is going full strength, finally! ... but today it is Graham's turn.  He is so thrilled.  Ahhh, the joy of a little boy who gets to spend the day with his dad in the combine is just about unmatchable in any other way.

6. Dash is playing Christmas music while doing his schoolwork .... Manheim Steamroller.  Odd to me, but I'm not going to argue because he appears to be working hard.

7.  Laundry and a bit of floor cleaning after all schoolwork has been completed.

Wordless Wednesday - Proud Progression?

Monday DayLook - November 2

For Today: November 2, 2009

Looking out my back porch... dryer, but not dry enough.  More progress on the detached garage. 

I am thinking... I could really use a break from homeschooling!

I am thankful for... the coming break from homeschooling!

From the sewing/craft room… seriously, I think my craft and sewing impulses have completely been washed away with all the fall rains we've received. 

I did order two cuts of Christmas tapestry fabric from Ebay.  I've made all of our Christmas stockings from tapestry (used on Dec. 6th for St. Nicholas' feast day), so I'd like to get one made for baby.  Christmas tapestry is NOT easy to find anymore; I'm not sure why.

From the school room... we just keep at it.  I make sure to correct all assignments on the day they're given.  I am looking forward to a small break.  I'm rescheduling a few subjects until after Thanksgiving; I don't want the kids to get caught in the middle of a week-long assignment and have delays in correction.

From the kitchen... my family is thankful that I'm still cooking for them, even if it is a sandwich with chips and veggies/fruit on the side, most of the time. 

I did create a double batch (5 lbs.) of buttery cashew brittle.  One pan got a little thick, but the flavor was still wonderful!  I'll freeze the candy until Thanksgiving/Christmas and may even use a bit for gifts.  Over the weekend, Angelina helped me bake a double batch of pecan rolls (hadn't planned on them, but found the recipe and remembered how quick, easy and tasty they turned out last year ... couldn't resist) and a double batch of Red Current Jelly Thumbprint cookes for the freezer.

Also made a pan of Creme de Menthe Brownies for the country church's annual fundraiser (held on Sunday).

I am reading... finished up reading 'genesis' - a book on educating given to me by my priest.  The last few chapters talked about discipline and how to motivate kids in accomplishing certain virtues.  I've earmarked those for later.  Otherwise, do schoolwork directions and math problems for my 6yo count??

I am hoping... that this baby comes before November 10 (my next scheduled appt., at which I would have do delve into the induction talk with my Dr. a little further).

I am hearing... not much, it's amazingly quiet.

State of the house… not as clean as I'd like, but it's passable. 

Some successful moments… a few more Christmas goodies and meals in the freezer, another week of homeschooling completed, and our prayer schedule continues to work fairly well.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Monday: Dance lessons for Angelina.

Tuesday-Sunday: I'm trying not to make plans because I don't want to be stressed about deadlines or have to worry about calling because we aren't able to attend an event.

A look at my day, in pictures...

My sole set of Fall decorations!  Just didn't feel like lugging out the boxes this year.

The reason I most likely will not loose the baby weight very quickly!

A reminder of my brother's wedding in October ... the table centerpieces were beautiful, and I was able to bring one home to enjoy.