So...today was our first day *back to school*. I have to admit...I was a little nervous...having 6 schooling this year...and hoping the schedule I worked so hard on would actually FUNCTION.
I'm so happy to say it went VERY well...even better than I expected! It was a day of review...we actually went back a couple of lessons in math...and spent some extra time going over how I would like to see things done. Chandler and Corey are journaling this year...which kinda stumped them a bit...since neither of them are writers....yet.
The littles did very well. Kyle informed me he prefers Chandler teaching him...uh, gee, thanks...lol But I did have an ear out while the older ones were teaching the younger ones...and they all did very well. They were all patient with each other and cooperative...yippee!!!
Noelle...well...she was Noelle. She had a WONDERFUL schedule-ish day on Saturday...and I was SO hoping that would carry over to today...but it didn't. :( She really didn't take a nap this morning...and since Kaelyn wasn't feeling well...I was running back and forth towards the end of the morning.
The older boys finished WAY ahead of schedule...everything was done by lunch...except one assignment Corey missed. But it was quick and easy for him to finish...so no biggie. I even had everything graded by nap time! And Noelle DID take a good nap this afternoon. That gave me enough time to re-vamp Chandler's Biology schedule, which I discovered had the page numbers all messed up. I guess the schedule was just a different edition from the book I have....oh, well!
We also discovered a possible reason for Kaelyn's monthly misery today. (Thanks, Heather and Ben!) Apparently she is VERY allergic to the shampoo we've been using. One of these days I'll remember to test EVERYTHING before I take it off the shelf! So...after taking care of that issue...she felt MUCH better! (Did I say THANK YOU?!)
And the biggest first, I think, is David's new job. He made double today than he was making in a day at Orkin...AND in a LOT less time...and NO STRESS!!! He was IN the house instead of UNDER it...big plus there! ;) Not only that...but by the end of tomorrow he'll be halfway to his weekly goal. And his boss/mentor is working to get him set by Wednesday so that he can take Thursday and Friday off to study for his test. Now THAT is sweet!
Oh...and while we're on the topics of *firsts*...Noelle is OFFICIALLY crawling! She's been scooting on her tushie up til now...but today she actually AIMED for me...and GOT to me on her own! Hopefully I can get some video of that this week...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Around and Around and Around She Goes
Noelle LOVES her walker! She just LOVES to walk...period! We're thinking she may skip crawling altogether....
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tea Party
My secret sister sent me a BEAUTIFUL tea set! Starting with my birthday this year, Kaelyn, Noelle, and I will be having a *girls only* tea party for each of our birthdays.
We'll take pictures, and I'll start each of the girls a keepsake album...also sent by my secret sister.
Thank you, Vivian!!! I can't wait to start this precious tradition!!!
7 Days Left
Including today, David has 7 more workdays left with Orkin...woohoo!!! (Six if he doesn't have to work Saturday.)
Wow...can I begin to list all of the emotions we're feeling here???? Peace...for sure. And THAT is SO awesome! Cuz all the other stuff would have us bonkers if we didn't have that deep-down peace.
But there's also some fear...not panic...just, yk, that...*what if* stuff that's obliged to be there...lol
Definitely excitement...
Maybe even a tinge of sadness...as we close this chapter and move on...
He officially starts August 4...coincidentally, the same day we start our new school year.
August 4...a day of new beginnings...
Wow...can I begin to list all of the emotions we're feeling here???? Peace...for sure. And THAT is SO awesome! Cuz all the other stuff would have us bonkers if we didn't have that deep-down peace.
But there's also some fear...not panic...just, yk, that...*what if* stuff that's obliged to be there...lol
Definitely excitement...
Maybe even a tinge of sadness...as we close this chapter and move on...
He officially starts August 4...coincidentally, the same day we start our new school year.
August 4...a day of new beginnings...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Early Morning Thoughts
The boys come home from camp today. We've missed them...and yet...the house has been quieter...and cleaner! LOL
We're not sure what time they're getting into town, but we're thinking about going to a salvage place to get some ideas for our kitchen. We originally planned on replacing the counter and cabinets. They're painted white with really cheesy white paint...the kind that comes off when you scrub it...ugh! But we started thinking out loud yesterday and decided to reorganize what's in the cabinets. Then we're gonna take the doors off the bottom cabinets and hang curtains on spring-loaded rods in the doorways. For the top shelves, we're gonna just take the doors off and try to find some creative ways to store what's in those cabinets. Also...there's a ton of empty space around the refrigerator with some cabinets on top that just make it look all off-kilter. So we're taking those out and getting a pantry to put next to the refrigerator. We may put a shelf above it...just cuz the ceiling is so high, I think it might need something.
Eventually, our cabinets, walls, and appliances will be bright white...the counter top (which we have to replace cuz the dishwasher keeps falling out) will be black, along with the table, the booths, the chair rail, and the baseboards. (We may do the trim above the cabinets black as well...or we may take it out...not sure what's up there.) We'll have white mini-blinds in the window with red-and-white-checked cafe curtains. We're not sure if they curtains over the cabinets will be the same or just plain red. And the floor and the wall behind the counters will be black and white checkerboard. Oh...and I think we're either doing black and white or red and white checkerboard placemats. They'll be round with pockets for the silverware.
While I'm thinking of the kitchen...the other thing we're gonna try came from a Family Fun magazine. Each person will get 1 plate, 1 bowl, and 1 cup...and they are each responsible for making sure they're stuff is clean for each meal. The idea in the magazine was to get a plastic or glass plate and let each person decorate it and put their name on it. Then, when it's left out or dirty, we know who it belongs to. Joshie and Kyle have both proven this week they can wash something when they need it. Then, whoever is responsible for dishes only has pots and pans and silverware. We'll see how it works!
We're not sure what time they're getting into town, but we're thinking about going to a salvage place to get some ideas for our kitchen. We originally planned on replacing the counter and cabinets. They're painted white with really cheesy white paint...the kind that comes off when you scrub it...ugh! But we started thinking out loud yesterday and decided to reorganize what's in the cabinets. Then we're gonna take the doors off the bottom cabinets and hang curtains on spring-loaded rods in the doorways. For the top shelves, we're gonna just take the doors off and try to find some creative ways to store what's in those cabinets. Also...there's a ton of empty space around the refrigerator with some cabinets on top that just make it look all off-kilter. So we're taking those out and getting a pantry to put next to the refrigerator. We may put a shelf above it...just cuz the ceiling is so high, I think it might need something.
Eventually, our cabinets, walls, and appliances will be bright white...the counter top (which we have to replace cuz the dishwasher keeps falling out) will be black, along with the table, the booths, the chair rail, and the baseboards. (We may do the trim above the cabinets black as well...or we may take it out...not sure what's up there.) We'll have white mini-blinds in the window with red-and-white-checked cafe curtains. We're not sure if they curtains over the cabinets will be the same or just plain red. And the floor and the wall behind the counters will be black and white checkerboard. Oh...and I think we're either doing black and white or red and white checkerboard placemats. They'll be round with pockets for the silverware.
While I'm thinking of the kitchen...the other thing we're gonna try came from a Family Fun magazine. Each person will get 1 plate, 1 bowl, and 1 cup...and they are each responsible for making sure they're stuff is clean for each meal. The idea in the magazine was to get a plastic or glass plate and let each person decorate it and put their name on it. Then, when it's left out or dirty, we know who it belongs to. Joshie and Kyle have both proven this week they can wash something when they need it. Then, whoever is responsible for dishes only has pots and pans and silverware. We'll see how it works!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Fun Day
Yesterday I had some errands to run and was thinking I could just leave all the littles at home and get a few peaceful moments to myself. HA!!! Kaelyn came up with a better idea...and I'm so glad she did!
We started out with a quick trip to the Post Office. I found a new way into town that goes through the Battlefield...and I love it...so that was a treat for me. I love imagining soldiers walking through the fields...although if it's foggy, it's really creepy. But I digress....
After the PO we went to Gilbert-Stephenson Park. It is AWESOME! And so close! It's got a huge, wonderful playground...complete with baby swings for Noelle. Honestly, though, she wasn't really impressed. It did give her an opportunity to show me that she can reach for me when she's done with something, though...lol It has a walking track around the playground...so I could (if I was thinking) walk while the littles play. They have a bunch of picnic pavilions, too. There's another walking track, but it's not near the playground...it's near the community pool. I think the pool is $3 a person...which isn't bad...unless your family outnumbers the stars in the sky...he he
We spent about 45 minutes at the park...which was just enough for them to enjoy without wearing it out. Then we went to Walmart. Somewhere in there I lost my list...and since it was only 6 items, I said them out loud and let the littles help me remember. They actually had fun with that...I love it when they're so easily entertained. Joshie only asked for something once...and I think it was a dog toy...lol
When we got home there were 2 packages on our porch. One was from my mom...some new outfits for Noelle...woohoo!!!! And the other was from the Mystery of History...Volume 2 for next year! Going through the clothes was easy...Noelle can be entertained by our oohs and aahhhs. She wasn't so excited about the book, though. I, on the other hand, have been reading through it every chance I get!
We were planning on making Mexican Wedding Cookies when we got home...but I forgot to take the butter out before we left...so we had quiet time...which wasn't really quiet...cuz Noelle didn't nap.
So...after nap we started the cookies. They had to chill for a bit, so the boys went out to play, and I got to look at my new book. I wasn't paying attention to the time and had to put the cookies off a little longer to make dinner. We had oven fried chicken and Mexican rice (thanks for the recipes, Wendi and Lisa!). It was VERY yummy. I made a ton of rice so we could have it for leftovers today...and we'll cut up some leftover chicken to put in it, too. Can't wait for lunch...lol
After dinner we baked the cookies...with David's help, since Noelle went right into Mommy-mode. Here's the recipe...http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/mexicanweddingcakes.htm.
They are so YUMMY!!!
We started out with a quick trip to the Post Office. I found a new way into town that goes through the Battlefield...and I love it...so that was a treat for me. I love imagining soldiers walking through the fields...although if it's foggy, it's really creepy. But I digress....
After the PO we went to Gilbert-Stephenson Park. It is AWESOME! And so close! It's got a huge, wonderful playground...complete with baby swings for Noelle. Honestly, though, she wasn't really impressed. It did give her an opportunity to show me that she can reach for me when she's done with something, though...lol It has a walking track around the playground...so I could (if I was thinking) walk while the littles play. They have a bunch of picnic pavilions, too. There's another walking track, but it's not near the playground...it's near the community pool. I think the pool is $3 a person...which isn't bad...unless your family outnumbers the stars in the sky...he he
We spent about 45 minutes at the park...which was just enough for them to enjoy without wearing it out. Then we went to Walmart. Somewhere in there I lost my list...and since it was only 6 items, I said them out loud and let the littles help me remember. They actually had fun with that...I love it when they're so easily entertained. Joshie only asked for something once...and I think it was a dog toy...lol
When we got home there were 2 packages on our porch. One was from my mom...some new outfits for Noelle...woohoo!!!! And the other was from the Mystery of History...Volume 2 for next year! Going through the clothes was easy...Noelle can be entertained by our oohs and aahhhs. She wasn't so excited about the book, though. I, on the other hand, have been reading through it every chance I get!
We were planning on making Mexican Wedding Cookies when we got home...but I forgot to take the butter out before we left...so we had quiet time...which wasn't really quiet...cuz Noelle didn't nap.
So...after nap we started the cookies. They had to chill for a bit, so the boys went out to play, and I got to look at my new book. I wasn't paying attention to the time and had to put the cookies off a little longer to make dinner. We had oven fried chicken and Mexican rice (thanks for the recipes, Wendi and Lisa!). It was VERY yummy. I made a ton of rice so we could have it for leftovers today...and we'll cut up some leftover chicken to put in it, too. Can't wait for lunch...lol
After dinner we baked the cookies...with David's help, since Noelle went right into Mommy-mode. Here's the recipe...http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/mexicanweddingcakes.htm.
They are so YUMMY!!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Fun with Mexico
Last week I had this awesome idea to study a country with the littles. Since school has ended they have been driving us all insane out of boredom. We decided to start with Mexico since we're having Tex-Mex Skillet and Enchiladas this week for dinner.
Last night we looked at the pictures in a library book to give us an idea of what life is like in Mexico. Then we made maraccas out of paper plates, beans, and streamers. I'll have to take pictures of them when Chandler gets back with my camera.
Last night we looked at the pictures in a library book to give us an idea of what life is like in Mexico. Then we made maraccas out of paper plates, beans, and streamers. I'll have to take pictures of them when Chandler gets back with my camera.
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