Dance Recital

Angelina’s dance recital was last Tuesday.  We left early and were there pretty much all day. A friend offered a home to us during the off hours between rehearsal, dress rehearsal & the recital.  We packed lunch, supper and snacks for the day.  Thankfully, Louis slept and played at the most appropriate times.  The actual recital was ONLY about 1.5 hours long.  Angelina was in three dance … jazz, tap and ballet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday DayLook – Memorial Day – May 31, 2010

For Today:  May 31, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... puffy white clouds in a light blue sky, slight breeze ruffling the trees, our back yard is green … with weeds!  But, it is green; I can imagine how nice a lawn will look.

I am thinking about… 4-H projects and school curriculum.

I am thankful for... good friends who remind me not to take myself so seriously and strangers who remind me to put my
struggles to pray.

I am reading… through the brochures and magazines in the ‘goodie’ bag handed out at the MN Homeschool Conference this past weekend.

I am hoping... for a productive week.

I am hearing... the sounds of laundry drying from upstairs.

I am wearing…black knit capris & a cream t-shirt.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… today Angelina is working on sewing her denim skirt (a 4-H project).

From the school room... still working to memorize the final poems for a one child.  We’ll start ‘summer’ (ie. workbooks to keep the kids entertained while driving to and from swimming) lessons next week.

From the kitchen... Polish sausage for supper with fresh asparagus.  Odd combo, I know, but it’s available.

State of the house… not sure which is ahead … the dust bunnies or the piles.  Let’s just say both are thriving!

A successful moment… the square foot gardens are planted as of this afternoon.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Tuesday:  Pedicure for me – I can hardly wait.

Wednesday: Graham’s 4th Birthday!

Thursday:   4-H Showcase – Angelina will be competing in the Sew & Show and the Buy & Show; Dash will be competing in the Project Expo.

Friday:  4-H District 6 Communication Arts contest.  Both Angelina and Dash will present a Serious Reading.

Saturday/Sunday:   Angelina’s 10th Birthday!  CCM Baby Shower for Louis & I.  Animal Showmanship Practice for Dash, Angelina & Zeke.

 A picture memory...


We have acquired a stock trailer – for transporting animals.

 
Angelina’s SFG – peas above & onions below

 
 
Cucumber plants already blooming!

 
Macalester College – site of the 2010 MN Catholic Homeschool Conference – friends Sarah G. & Julie

 
Louis & I just hanging out on the Macalester campus.  Saturday was hot, but the slight breeze and shade felt wonderful.  I really enjoyed the grass!

 
Remember these??  The kids planted ‘slips’ at a 4-H meeting in late April.  The plants have grown quite a bit.

Newest farmyard residents…

On Monday, May 17th, Eric and the oldest boys picked up three sheep at a local farm.  They’ll be 4-H projects (market lambs) for Dash, Angelina, & Zeke.

The littlest lamb is quite wild; during unloading (I wasn’t present) she got away from Eric, knocked Graham over and stepped on his hand.  Ouch!  … thankfully lambs aren’t as heavy and their hooves aren’t as hard as adult sheep.  Graham wasn’t deterred & stuck around to see the lambs settled in their pen.  Angelina has been given the task of calming the wild lamb … she does a good job of gentling animals.

Today, the kids & Eric took the lambs for a walk.  They’ll be taking them for a walk every morning and most evenings, too.

 

 

SFG – lessons learned & tips to try

1.  This fall, I’ll try to remember to cover the mix/box over winter.  We are unprotected and the wind carried off quite a bit of the soil-less mix.  If I had covered each box with newspaper and weighted it down with rocks (we have plenty!), I’d have protected my beds.  However, since I should be amending the beds with a bit of compost each year, maybe it’s not such a big deal to let the wind create a bit of room. 

2.  To repel the nibbling deer, I’ll try hanging citrus scented soap in nylon or net bags around the perimeter of the garden.  If that doesn’t work, I will fence … in an attractive way.

 

Part I of many …

Because … I’m sure there will be more lessons and tips throughout the year!

Look who’s sitting!

First this way … with brother Zeke in back, just in case Louis gets a little too excited (we still do this)

He’s a happy camper when he can see around and grab toys…

This weekend, he was quite steady

 

Playing with his cousin’s toy … cool steering wheel and noises…

 

makes for a happy, smiley, boy!

 

Playing with a blue Peep!  Who knew they made stuffed Peeps …

 

Must be working on teeth, too, judging by the amount of drool…

 

One of Angelina because she’s such a big help with her little brother.

 

Yep, chubby baby legs …   

Monday DayLook – May 24, 2010

For Today:  May 24, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... breezy, soggy ground, setting sun behind hazy clouds, blooming lilacs

I am thinking about…tomorrow & checking my mental list to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything

I am thankful for... a beautiful roof over our heads to protect us from the thunder storms which are moving through our area today

I am reading…no time for reading today

I am hoping... for a peaceful day tomorrow

I am hearing... some child is playing with a hammer toy … it’s repetitive

I am wearing…denim capris & a yellow shirt

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… needed to mend Angelina’s dance costume because Graham CUT IT!  Thankfully it was not in an obvious location.

 From the school room... just poetry memorization & piano lessons

 From the kitchen... two loaves of bread

 State of the house… well, the bags are unpacked & a serious dent was made on the laundry pile … three more sleeping bags to go …

 A successful moment… my friends and I did finish the 5K!  We walked, Louis rode in his stroller, the distance in under an hour and we were not last!  It was very crowded (over 5000 participants) …. but fun.

 A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Catch-up

 Tuesday: Dance Rehearsal & Recital

 Wednesday: FMCHE pizza party & annual meeting

 Thursday:   Angelina dances in the Briton Recital

 Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Louis & I leave for homeschool convention

 A picture memory...