Advice in Proverbs

I enjoy the Writing Can Help penmanship series by Marie Picard.  Do my kids enjoy it?  Probably not as much, but they aren't getting a choice in the matter!  I believe handwriting is important; it's an art and I want my kids to be exposed and learn it.  As a result, their penmanship or cursive is becoming quite beautiful.  We still haven't transitioned to using it in all subjects ... for some reason they think 'it' tedious.  However, as they finish up their Penmanship books, I'll be asking that they use cursive more in other subjects (well, probably just one subject ... I need to figure out which subject would be best).

Dash just finished up the Writing Can Help: 5PR book today.  I didn't realize what a 'perfect' book this was for him at this time.  The entire focus is on handwriting with the proverbs.  Such a lot of good advice in short little clips.  At the end, he completed a brief test and then asked me to listen to the following excerpt from the bottom of the test page:

Handwriting is a "hollowed art" but "it destroys the craft not to learn it".  However, one is "never too old to learn" it and "patience gains all".  Handwriting will be "quick enough if it is good" since "speed and accuracy do not agree".  At least "a good beginning is half the work" and "Your handwriting IS the signature of your character".  Therefore, of your handwriting, make "your good be better and your better best" and do it "all for the love of Jesus".  Page 32 of Writing Can Help: 5PR

He thought it neat enough to bring to my attention.  I replied, "See, that's why I have you learn handwriting." 

"Really," said Dash, "that's why you have us write in cursive?"

"Well, yes.  There're a lot of good reasons in that paragraph, don't you think?" I said.

He agreed!  At least we can agree on something - this is a better day already.

Wordless Wednesday & Wacky Carrots!

Monday Daylook - September 28

For Today: September 28, 2009

Looking out my back porch... it is soooo windy!  The wind came up yesterday and stayed for today.  The air is cooler, definitely making it feel like FALL.  The square foot gardens are completely cleared.  Only tomatoes (which I will cover to protect - light frost predicted for tonight) and zucchini are left in my old-fashioned garden.  Thankfully all the bugs have been blown away, for now.

I am thinking... this is going to be a better week ... this is going to be a better week! 

I am thankful for... the fact that every Monday can be a fresh start, that I'm one week closer to the end of this pregnancy, and that Claratin keeps my allergies in check at this time of year.

From the sewing/craft room… the lace Regan sent is truly beautiful.  I absolutely love the larger lace and can't wait to use it.  I can see the smaller, oval shaped lace on a dress for Angelina. 

From the school room... my solemn prayer every Monday (well, probably every day!) is that each of my kids, who is able to read, will read the instructions/directions on their syllabus and thus prevent un-needed headaches (for them ... and eventually me) throughout the week.  It's a simple act of obedience; isn't it??  Zeke is starting to be more confident in his reading; I love the stage where they finally 'get it' and start to think 'hey, I'm pretty good at reading.'

From the kitchen... my menu for the week is planned.  Whether or not I stick to it will remain to be seen.  All the onions are on a rack in the garage.  They'll need to dry for a week or two before I'll trust their store-ability.

I am reading... the first chapter of Women of Grace so I'm prepared for the Lesson 1 meeting in October, which I can now attend. 

I am hoping... and praying that this baby doesn't follow in the footsteps of his/her siblings and decides to come right on (if this baby is ready a tish before the due date, that would be even better!) the agreed upon due date.

I am hearing... wind.  If I didn't know better, I'd say it sounds like a blizzard the way it's whipping around our home.

State of the house… if I close my eyes I can envision it as clean as I want it to be.  Oh to be oblivious to the dust bunnies on the floor and dust on the flat surfaces... but I'm not.  I just don't have the energy to keep up with what I want done, so the basics get done and not much more.  The basics are the laundry, keeping the kitchen clean, and making sure the homeschool room is tidy.  Otherwise I'm in 'mess prevention mode'.

A successful moment… we attended our first 4-H meeting for the new year this past Sunday afternoon.  Normally we'd try to avoid outside activities on Sunday, but whole families attend so this will be our exception once a month.  After the meeting we had a potluck; it was fun to get to know everyone better.  We planned half the upcoming year; that is a great accomplishment for a club that didn't hold a 'regular' meeting last year (our first year of membership).

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday:  Dash has a football game and Angelina has dance lessons tonight.  We'll probably stop at the library, in the town where Angelina has dance, to acquire a membership card.  My plan on Monday nights is to hang out at the library with the boys while Angelina is at class. 

Tuesday:  A bit of 'sweet' baking by Angelina & Dash to stock the freezer.  Pear sauce preparation by me??

Wednesday:  View the pictures we took last week and place an order.  The photographer's wife has assured me there are great shots of each of the kids, and she stated that it was a good thing we waited to do Angelina's because they turned out so nice.  I apologized for my mood last week, again; she's a very gracious and forgiving lady.  I'm also planning a library stop to pick out more kid books.

Thursday:  Nothing special - probably more baking and definitely some cleaning

Friday/Saturday/Sunday:  NDSU Homecoming over the weekend ... Go, Bison!!  Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary on Sunday.

A look at my day, in pictures...

NDSU Homecoming 2006 - my sister was Homecoming Queen.  Now, she's married and has a sweet little baby boy.

The NDSU Homecoming parade is an annual event for our family.  Zeke (yellow coat) & Dash (blue coat), above, are waiting for the candy!

You never know what the weather will be like at the parade; 2006 was cool, so we were all dressed warm.  I'm in the background holding a 4mo Graham and Angelina is in the pink coat - waiting for the candy to fly!

Pictures on Wednesday

Just when you think you have everything under control ....

Yea, right!  On Wednesday, I scheduled pictures at 7:30p.  Yes, that's late, and I'd have never done that if I were still living in Fargo.  But, I don't live in the city anymore and football practice limits the time available during the day, not to mention I really didn't want to give up homeschooling time to travel 45 minutes one way & then back again for 'just pictures'. 

My main reason for taking professional photos was to get a picture of Angelina in her 1st Communion/Confirmation dress & veil.  You see, Grandma Golden Acres (my mom) made it for her and it's truly beautiful.  She - Angelina - looked beautiful in it, especially with her hair done up in ringlets. 

I also found similar dress for all the kids.  We hadn't taken head-shot photos since my sister's wedding in May 2008, so it was long overdue.  I usually try to do that every year - just like public/private schools.  It's a good record, ya know.

So, here's how Tuesday went...

3:20p drive to the corner to meet Dash's football carpool
3:40p back home and started curling Angelina's hair while the little boys played super-hero
4:20p Graham has an accident in underwear - and not just number one - uggghhhh!
4:30p back to curling Angelina's hair - it's beautiful, but did I mention it takes about a long time to do ringlets??
4:50p done with hair, time to press clothing, take out Angelina's dress & recheck, pack socks and shoes for Angelina's outfit, pack socks & shoes for Dash, asked Angelina to get dressed in 'red' outfit
5:00p everyone ate a couple slices deli meat and cheese, put a granola type snack in my purse for Dash - rested on couch!
5:20p asked Angelina to help carry backpacks and clothing to van, dressed little boys in 'red' outfits
5:40p mom and three kids into the van to travel to LaMoure and pick up Dash from football practice
6p leave LaMoure for Valley City - where the pictures were to be taken
6:55p arrived in Valley City - we drove around for a little while because I was slightly early for our 7:30p appt. - feeling real good about getting everything & everyone there!  Promise to eat out if all goes well at picture taking; rewards and bribery are not beneath me during photos.
7:15p parked by photo studio and asked Angelina to carry in her white dress and bag, Dash was to carry in his outfit and backpack

WHAT!  YOU DIDN'T BRING YOUR DRESS!!

(Icky word from me about now)

HOW COULD YOU FORGET YOUR DRESS ... THAT'S WHY WE ARE TAKING PICTURES!!

no response

"Well, that means we won't be eating out," says Dash.  I heartily agreed!

I was steamed & not afraid to show it.  We went into the studio because at least we could do the four in their 'red' outfits.  I checked in.  I called Eric to see if he was home, yet.  He wasn't.  I texted "She forgot the dang dress.  I'm ticked." 

A couple minutes later he returned my call to say he had just arrived home, and 'could he bring the dress to VC - he could be there in 30 minutes'.  Was it worth it??  I asked the photographer about his schedule and he said that if we could wait until about 8:20p, he'd be done with his next appt. and could fit Angelina 'in'.  There isn't exactly a whole lot of time left for reschedules and extra trips in our family life or this pregnancy, so, we did it.  Eric drove up and arrived about 8:20p.  I changed her into her dress, put in the veil, and she had her pictures taken.  She was beautiful in her dress ... she's very photogenic.

Then, we all went out to eat at Taco John's for supper at approx. 9p.  It was after 10p when we arrived home again.  What a day.  Since it was so late, I agreed to call later to schedule a viewing.  Need to remember to do that today.

*Angelina doesn't give me many moments of grief, but 'wow' when she does, they are perplexing.

Hedging...

This is a hedge apple.  It is purported that they will repell all kinds of creepy crawlies in your home.  I say 'purported' because I read in a magazine that this belief is 'commonly held in the midwest' .... as if no one else in the US believes these brainy looking balls actually work.  I placed four in the corners of my basement last year and never had a cricket.  We've been finding crickets, daddy long legs, spiders, beetles and lots of other crawlers for well over a month now.  So whether they work or not, at 79 cents each, I'm willing to try again!  For good measure, I purchased 6 this year.

Creepy Crawlies BE GONE!!

Monday Daylook - September 21

For Today: September 21, 2009

Looking out my back porch... it's a gloomy, cloudy day. 

I am thinking... I feel rushed and disorganized.  There's so much I need to get done this week; and I'm not sure there will be enough time.  Can I cut something???

I am thankful for... somewhat easy repairs on the van.  Earlier this week it started bouncing up and down ... the back shocks were shot.  It's a horrible way to drive when you're 8 months pregnant!  I hope the air conditioner will be fixed as well.  The van has been threatening to quit due to overheating because I've had the air conditioner running while driving in town.  Anyway, I'll be thankful for the cool and smooth ride that's coming my way.

From the sewing/craft room…  Regan sent me a package of beautiful lace; it arrived on Saturday.  Haven't had much time to sew & craft lately, though.

From the school room... the schedule needed to be adjusted a bit for Dash &; Angelina's writing/composition.  I think it'll go better this week and hopefully with less confusion for all.

From the kitchen... the pears NEED to be canned this week (probably Tuesday or Wednesday).

I am reading... Chapter 1 of "Simplifying Your Domestic Church: A Spiritual Journal to Help Declutter, Organize, and Systemize the Home" by Abby Sasscer.  CCM (Confraternity of Christian Mothers) is going through this book  - one chapter per monthly meeting.  I don't attend meetings, but can participate in the online chat group.

I am hoping... to find just a few minutes of quiet today; the laundry room is usually a good place.

I am hearing... the normal sounds of four kids in a school room.  Louder than I'd like, but normal. 

State of the house… did I do laundry last week??  I cannot remember, so I must not have done much.  I'm a litte scared to go into the laundry room today.

A successful moment… Graham's potty training is going very well.  He made it through the weekend without accidents!

A few plans for the rest of the week…
1. Canning pears & making a struesel pear pie
2. Catching up on laundry
3. The kids are having pictures on Tuesday evening.  I am finally having Angelina's First Communion/Confirmaton photos done.  My mom made her dress, so it's extra-special.  As for the boys, I haven't had pics taken since May 2008 - it's overdue.

A look at my day, in pictures... 

Graham went to the Zoo yesterday with Grandma Golden Acres.  So, today, I asked him to go through the animal flashcards.  He had fun laying them all out and was able to put away quite a few by himself.