The Negotiator is the proud parent of three beautiful butterfly's! We ordered some caterpillars from our science curriculum a couple weeks ago and they have been sitting in a little clear plastic cup on the counter. We watched as they grew bigger and bigger and then hung from the ceiling and made a cocoon. The kids find this highly fascinating. We also bought a little cardboard house for them and shortly after we transferred the extremely smelly cocoons, the butterfly emerged. I'm sure the neighbors could hear their shouts of glee and excitement. They look at them almost on the hour and Negotiator feeds them watermelon. Moose informs me that we cannot touch their wings or they will not be able to fly, but the sparkle in his eye speaks of his true desire to reach in a test it. Or rip their wings off. It was a great science project - but I'm very happy to get them out of my kitchen now! I think we'll release them in the next day or two. And then get rid of our pea plants too. Maybe I'll see the counter again.
The end of the school year is approaching. Well for most homeschoolers. I had the brilliant idea to keep more of a year 'round approach so as not to have to spend a month on review before the next level. But now, I wish I had planned for a long summer break. Anyway, my fellow homeschool mothers at church are looking into next year's curriculum and that sense of overwhelm and indecision is at my back again. This year I'm thinking of mixing it up. I'm going to buy sections of a couple different programs and customize my own. This of course means more work for me. Right now I like the language arts of Sonlight, the history,geography and science of My Father's World and Math-U-See. Sonlight has served us well this year, especially all the rich literature my 5 year old has been introduced to and writing habits, but I love the way MFW centers everything around the bible and has great projects and activities that bring history to life. I've met third graders at church who used this and can identify right away where text books contradict the bible and then know how to investigate. These kids know the scripture way better then I do even. I just can't even imagine how much easier my life would be today had I been taught that way. And then the math I'm using is great so why change it? We've already completed almost 2 yrs of curriculum. Negotiator is a little math whiz.
I'm so happy we decided to homeschool. I could never send them to public school knowing what I know now. Sergeant, who was skeptical at first, has now said we will do this as long as possible. I'm not sure how we'll handle high school but he won't even let me think of quitting before that. Even on our harder days, its way better then the alternative. At the beginning of the year I was so nervous and worried that I wouldn't do it right, but God has shown me such blessing. What was I so worried about? No one else loves them or knows them like I do so they won't care to get it right as much as I do either. As the end of the year is approaching I am excited about continuing and much more confident. It is by far the hardest yet most rewarding thing I've ever done. And I never would have done it had we stayed in WI. God 'moves' me in so many ways.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Am I coming or going?
Wow. What a busy weekend. Friday the boys had a dentist appt in the morning - which they did great at and then spent the afternoon with Meena while I tried to rush through grocery shopping. I think I am the slowest shopper in the world - no joke. I even frustrate myself. My plan is to fly through and just grab the most needed items and I ALWAYS end up browsing for things I have no business looking at (I physically can not pass a clearance isle without a little peek) and then reading nutrition labels and comparing prices and just basically wasting so much time. I think my fastest trip is like 2 hours. And that is hard for me. Crazy, I know. I really think it might be a disease or genetic abnormality.
Anyway, then I raced home to unload, went to picked up the kids, came back home to pack for our first sleepover. Then to our friends house for a LONG night of fun.
My friend from homeschool and church invited the boys to sleep over since her husband was out of town and she wanted to surprise her boys with something fun. Our kids are almost the exact same age and get along really well. But since she was alone I offered to go and help which ended up being great! Sergeant understood how much I needed to have a girls night and didn't mind at all that we ditched him for the night. I think he enjoyed a night of peace and quiet. Well this was a treat for the kids for sure! For a flexible person like myself I do maintain a pretty rigid bedtime setup. So for that to be completely thrown out the window thrilled the boys to no end. They got to stay up as late as they wanted and sleep anywhere they wanted and eat treats galore. We had so much fun making forts out of couches, movies, dinner, treats, the kids playing and of course us yakking. No one went to bed until 1am. Needless to say the kids were dragging and very cranky in the a.m.
We had to leave early in the morning to get the Negotiator home, fed, and to our tee ball game. I thought for sure he wouldn't be into it due to the party the night before, but he did really well. He hit hard, ran hard and paid close attention to the coaches direction. Then Aunt B offered to take the kids so the Sergeant and I could have a date. So to make up for leaving him the night before I agreed to go out on the bike. He loves that. Then after lunch and naps for all we dropped the kids at their second home, and explored a little more of Vegas. He took me through the Valley of Fire state park. It was really pretty and ends around Lake Mead. 160 miles. I actually enjoyed it. I don't think I'd like to go ALL day like they do but a few hours is okay. occasionally. After, we went to Red Rock for dinner and a movie. It was fun. Sometimes we forget how much fun we have together. We get a lot more alone time now that we are close to family and have someone to watch the kids sometimes, but its still surprises me how much we really do enjoy each other. I know that sounds strange. Its just fun to step out of work/parent mode and date again. I guess Vegas isn't all that bad.
Sunday we slept through church. Darn it. I hate when that happens, but it was nice to sit still for awhile. Then we BBQ'd dinner with the family. ------- I'm wiped. So are the kids. They were in complete meltdown by bedtime.
This week is another busy one. I better go shower and get started.
Anyway, then I raced home to unload, went to picked up the kids, came back home to pack for our first sleepover. Then to our friends house for a LONG night of fun.
My friend from homeschool and church invited the boys to sleep over since her husband was out of town and she wanted to surprise her boys with something fun. Our kids are almost the exact same age and get along really well. But since she was alone I offered to go and help which ended up being great! Sergeant understood how much I needed to have a girls night and didn't mind at all that we ditched him for the night. I think he enjoyed a night of peace and quiet. Well this was a treat for the kids for sure! For a flexible person like myself I do maintain a pretty rigid bedtime setup. So for that to be completely thrown out the window thrilled the boys to no end. They got to stay up as late as they wanted and sleep anywhere they wanted and eat treats galore. We had so much fun making forts out of couches, movies, dinner, treats, the kids playing and of course us yakking. No one went to bed until 1am. Needless to say the kids were dragging and very cranky in the a.m.
We had to leave early in the morning to get the Negotiator home, fed, and to our tee ball game. I thought for sure he wouldn't be into it due to the party the night before, but he did really well. He hit hard, ran hard and paid close attention to the coaches direction. Then Aunt B offered to take the kids so the Sergeant and I could have a date. So to make up for leaving him the night before I agreed to go out on the bike. He loves that. Then after lunch and naps for all we dropped the kids at their second home, and explored a little more of Vegas. He took me through the Valley of Fire state park. It was really pretty and ends around Lake Mead. 160 miles. I actually enjoyed it. I don't think I'd like to go ALL day like they do but a few hours is okay. occasionally. After, we went to Red Rock for dinner and a movie. It was fun. Sometimes we forget how much fun we have together. We get a lot more alone time now that we are close to family and have someone to watch the kids sometimes, but its still surprises me how much we really do enjoy each other. I know that sounds strange. Its just fun to step out of work/parent mode and date again. I guess Vegas isn't all that bad.
Sunday we slept through church. Darn it. I hate when that happens, but it was nice to sit still for awhile. Then we BBQ'd dinner with the family. ------- I'm wiped. So are the kids. They were in complete meltdown by bedtime.
This week is another busy one. I better go shower and get started.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Bitter-Sweet Farewell
Well, its official. I'm a full-fledged soccer mom. Not actual soccer but various other activities are eating up my days. And for a home-body like myself this is a big deal. I pride myself on my ability to get everything that needs to be done in as few trips out as possible. But now I'm all over the place every day of the week. Well, mentally I'm no stranger to wandering, but my physical location is usually pretty steady. Look out, my insanity is now on the move. Maybe I should get one of those yellow warning triangle signs "Beware: Crazy Soccer Mom at the wheel" oh brother. . .
Anyway, today was swim day. And Beauty Queen had her first lesson. A promise I made as a reward to successful potty training. And Hallelujah! She did it a couple months ago! Diapers are officially a thing of the past. Whew. I used to dream about this day.
Oh, I forgot to mention - I decided to give all the characters in my life and that I will be writing about in this blog - cyber names. More because I've been lurking around other blogs and notice its a trend then for security reasons. Seeing as how I've referred to everyone by name in the past I don't know that it will do much good, but I do think its cute so I'm contributing my own silly cast.
My oldest child will be dubbed "The Negotiator" because he's a five year old who can close a deal like a seasoned pro.
My middle boy is "Moose." We've called him that since he was an infant and it just fits him. He's so cute I could eat 'im!
My daughter, because she is concerned with all things girly and beautiful is my little "Beauty Queen." Long hair, sparkly jewelry and dresses are her business.
And my dear husband shall now be referred to as "Sgt" - a former Marine, I usually call him by our last name but that would defeat the purpose here.
All other family will receive their new names as they come up in my postings.
As I was saying . . . Beauty Queen had her first lesson today. And as I was watching her I was struck at how big she is getting. Now, anyone who has known me since I had her knows that I've never been that sentimental or sad to see them growing up. Mostly because when you spend most of your life exhausted you don't mind the thought of a future where the people in your life don't need you to wipe their butt or keep them from choking or spoon feed them or lug their endless amount of crap everywhere. In fact you even begin to live for that point in time where a night of interrupted sleep from crying babies is rare and car seats don't rule your life (and change your personality from the frustration of installation). But as I was watching, I experienced a strange emotion. At least to me. It was a little melancholy and sad. It hit me completely unexpected and it hurt. My youngest isn't a baby anymore. I don't have a baby anymore. I made it. I survived these early years. And though it was wonderful and filled and overflowing with unexplainable joy it has also shown me depths of myself I didn't before know or care to know - those places of anxiety and depression, guilt and self-doubt, over-flowing impatience and selfishness - and yet I found myself a little sad to know its behind me. Why? What is that? Before kids I thought quite highly of myself. Yeah, I was human and made mistakes like all other humans but overall I was pretty good. But now I know. Now I know that there is sin and dark, dark ugliness in me just under the surface. If motherhood has taught me one thing its that I absolutely need Jesus. That woman that I met in the middle of the night after thirty minutes of sleep and meeting the constant stream of needs being literally screamed at her could not have found it in her to nurture anyone without the love of Christ. Maybe that's why. Maybe I miss it because what happened in those days was important. The worries and fatigue passed but the bonds with my children started with those hard moments and my understanding of Grace really began. And I have a feeling it will become even more precious as the years go by.
So goodbye Diaper Age. My heart can't help but remember you fondly and with strange longing.
Anyway, today was swim day. And Beauty Queen had her first lesson. A promise I made as a reward to successful potty training. And Hallelujah! She did it a couple months ago! Diapers are officially a thing of the past. Whew. I used to dream about this day.
Oh, I forgot to mention - I decided to give all the characters in my life and that I will be writing about in this blog - cyber names. More because I've been lurking around other blogs and notice its a trend then for security reasons. Seeing as how I've referred to everyone by name in the past I don't know that it will do much good, but I do think its cute so I'm contributing my own silly cast.
My oldest child will be dubbed "The Negotiator" because he's a five year old who can close a deal like a seasoned pro.
My middle boy is "Moose." We've called him that since he was an infant and it just fits him. He's so cute I could eat 'im!
My daughter, because she is concerned with all things girly and beautiful is my little "Beauty Queen." Long hair, sparkly jewelry and dresses are her business.
And my dear husband shall now be referred to as "Sgt" - a former Marine, I usually call him by our last name but that would defeat the purpose here.
All other family will receive their new names as they come up in my postings.
As I was saying . . . Beauty Queen had her first lesson today. And as I was watching her I was struck at how big she is getting. Now, anyone who has known me since I had her knows that I've never been that sentimental or sad to see them growing up. Mostly because when you spend most of your life exhausted you don't mind the thought of a future where the people in your life don't need you to wipe their butt or keep them from choking or spoon feed them or lug their endless amount of crap everywhere. In fact you even begin to live for that point in time where a night of interrupted sleep from crying babies is rare and car seats don't rule your life (and change your personality from the frustration of installation). But as I was watching, I experienced a strange emotion. At least to me. It was a little melancholy and sad. It hit me completely unexpected and it hurt. My youngest isn't a baby anymore. I don't have a baby anymore. I made it. I survived these early years. And though it was wonderful and filled and overflowing with unexplainable joy it has also shown me depths of myself I didn't before know or care to know - those places of anxiety and depression, guilt and self-doubt, over-flowing impatience and selfishness - and yet I found myself a little sad to know its behind me. Why? What is that? Before kids I thought quite highly of myself. Yeah, I was human and made mistakes like all other humans but overall I was pretty good. But now I know. Now I know that there is sin and dark, dark ugliness in me just under the surface. If motherhood has taught me one thing its that I absolutely need Jesus. That woman that I met in the middle of the night after thirty minutes of sleep and meeting the constant stream of needs being literally screamed at her could not have found it in her to nurture anyone without the love of Christ. Maybe that's why. Maybe I miss it because what happened in those days was important. The worries and fatigue passed but the bonds with my children started with those hard moments and my understanding of Grace really began. And I have a feeling it will become even more precious as the years go by.
So goodbye Diaper Age. My heart can't help but remember you fondly and with strange longing.
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