Paisley!
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| This was the only picture I could get of her sitting still. |
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| Letting Isaac get in here was a HUGE mistake. Huge. But cute. |
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| She found the tiniest spot she could get into and fell asleep. |
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| Just Exploring... |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Introducing....
Monday, December 13, 2010
He Can Read!
Last week as we were driving, Nathan piped up,
"Guess what!? I just read the name of that place! HOO-TERS!"
Then, in a sing-songy voice,
"HOOters, HOOters, HOOters, HOOters!
Is that a restaurant? Can we go there sometime?"
Ummm, no.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thankful for Thanksgiving
My head is just swimming with all the randomness.
I love this time of year, it's my favorite. The music, lights, celebration, holiness. I have things I want to share about that, and about Thanksgiving, about my kids, what I'm reading, what I'm trying to figure out right now.
The blogs I read are churning out beautiful, articulate posts; I feel like at best I might be able to come up with a bullet point list.
So I guess I'll start with Thanksgiving. It was wonderful. Absolutely better than I could have wished for. We were guests in the home of some childhood friends, Rachel and Brandon. We watched our children become reaquainted with one another at lightning speed while we brought one another up to date at a very slightly slower pace.
It was interesting, back then, when one of my very oldest friends married a friend from high school, and is even more interesting now, as adults, to have so. much. history. It's sort of fascinating to me the turn that conversations take when a person knows who you were. When very few explanations are needed because they were there.
It was a precious time for me, of remembering why history is so special. Why being known is important.
Thanksgiving dinner was eaten at the home of Rachel's parents, Lester and Mary. I've known them as long as I can remember. In fact, I have no memory of before the LaBour's. Brandon's parents came as well, and there we were, feeling like family with those who aren't ours, and yet are part of our history.
We had a good laugh when after being sent outside to play, the boys asked for a rope and ladder (the girls were upstairs playing with dolls). Since none was available, Mary told them to play with the hammock. The could take it down, do whatever they wished with it.
A while later, Rachel went out to check on them, and came back laughing because Nathan had told her, in all seriousness, "I just don't know how we're going to use a hammock to get on the roof."
It seems they felt the need to check on the girls and were trying to find an alternate route since they were told not to go up the stairs.
Isn't it hysterical how literal children are? When you're thinking you just communicated that they need to stay downstairs, their understanding is they may not use the stairs.
It was a wonderful time. And to cap off the weekend perfectly, we made it all the way home on Friday, so we still had a weekend to unwind from the traveling.
The one thing I wish was different? I miss the leftovers!
I love this time of year, it's my favorite. The music, lights, celebration, holiness. I have things I want to share about that, and about Thanksgiving, about my kids, what I'm reading, what I'm trying to figure out right now.
The blogs I read are churning out beautiful, articulate posts; I feel like at best I might be able to come up with a bullet point list.
So I guess I'll start with Thanksgiving. It was wonderful. Absolutely better than I could have wished for. We were guests in the home of some childhood friends, Rachel and Brandon. We watched our children become reaquainted with one another at lightning speed while we brought one another up to date at a very slightly slower pace.
It was interesting, back then, when one of my very oldest friends married a friend from high school, and is even more interesting now, as adults, to have so. much. history. It's sort of fascinating to me the turn that conversations take when a person knows who you were. When very few explanations are needed because they were there.
It was a precious time for me, of remembering why history is so special. Why being known is important.
Thanksgiving dinner was eaten at the home of Rachel's parents, Lester and Mary. I've known them as long as I can remember. In fact, I have no memory of before the LaBour's. Brandon's parents came as well, and there we were, feeling like family with those who aren't ours, and yet are part of our history.
We had a good laugh when after being sent outside to play, the boys asked for a rope and ladder (the girls were upstairs playing with dolls). Since none was available, Mary told them to play with the hammock. The could take it down, do whatever they wished with it.
A while later, Rachel went out to check on them, and came back laughing because Nathan had told her, in all seriousness, "I just don't know how we're going to use a hammock to get on the roof."
It seems they felt the need to check on the girls and were trying to find an alternate route since they were told not to go up the stairs.
Isn't it hysterical how literal children are? When you're thinking you just communicated that they need to stay downstairs, their understanding is they may not use the stairs.
It was a wonderful time. And to cap off the weekend perfectly, we made it all the way home on Friday, so we still had a weekend to unwind from the traveling.
The one thing I wish was different? I miss the leftovers!
Thank you, Brandon and Rachel, and Lester and Mary,
for a beautiful holiday.
We felt loved, and are so grateful.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Oops, Forgot One
Quick Take #8 (how could I have forgotten?)
He was at the table peacefully coloring, or so I thought, when he unscrewed the top of the pepper grinder and dumped it on the floor. I'll just let you imagine what happens when a full grinder (just refilled it last month) of pepper balls hits a hardwood floor from about three feet in the air.
And by the way, those things are hard to sweep up, because if you use a regular broom, they just keep right on rolling past the pile you're attempting to make.
So yeah. Isaac's week. I'll try to think of something else to write about soon, but I can't make any promises, because chasing him around is pretty much all I think about.
He was at the table peacefully coloring, or so I thought, when he unscrewed the top of the pepper grinder and dumped it on the floor. I'll just let you imagine what happens when a full grinder (just refilled it last month) of pepper balls hits a hardwood floor from about three feet in the air.
And by the way, those things are hard to sweep up, because if you use a regular broom, they just keep right on rolling past the pile you're attempting to make.
So yeah. Isaac's week. I'll try to think of something else to write about soon, but I can't make any promises, because chasing him around is pretty much all I think about.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
7 Quick Takes, A Day Early
So, I know I've mentioned a time or three how hard Isaac is. Well, Isaac being hard has been the theme this week. So in honor of 7 Quick takes Friday, I will list seven thing that Isaac has done with the express intent of giving me a heart attack this week.
1. I talked with a very lovely woman at Poison Control after Isaac swallowed 6 to 8 (I think) allergy pills. Apparently, with this particular pill, he would have had to swallow 13 (THIRTEEN!) in order to require an emergency room visit. Afterwards, he took a four hour nap, which was awesome, except for the expected concern and frequent trips upstairs to make sure he was, you know, breathing and stuff.
2. He BROKE the cabinet latch. The one designed to keep HIM out of the cabinet that holds Brian's tools, our art supplies and my camera (consequently, in a fit of frustration, he threw an 18 inch long screwdriver at me when I tried to get it from him).
3. I've had to put the stool that Brenna uses to wash her hands on top of the kid's hutch to keep Isaac from using it to further endanger himself or our belongings. I made this decision after he used his fingers to dig into Brian's deoderent and eat it.
4. He also uses the now out-of-reach stool to flip the light switches, which is fun and usually harmless. Except when the best light switches are at the top of the stairs. There's nothing like coming around a corner to find your toddler stretched up on his tip toes on a stool six inches from a flight of stairs.
5. More about that stool: earlier this week I found him digging through the caddy with all our toiletries on it (and allergy pills, apparently). When I told him to get down, he shoved me, pointed out the bathroom door, and in his firmest voice, yelled, "Go-Go!"
6. On the upside, he's really getting the hang of sorting the silverware! And un-sorting board games.
7. This morning, I accidentally grabbed Brian's keys instead of my own. He keeps a vial of his medication attached to his keyring. When I turned around to lock the front door, I dropped them. As fast as Brian does it, Isaac screwed the top off the vial and had a pill in his mouth. You better believe that boy was pinned to the floor before he knew what had hit him. It hadn't made it past his lips, yet.
So. On my agenda today is finding some way to lock up every medication in the house (thankfully, there aren't many) and also finding a safe, but convenient place to relocate the keyrings. Prayer would be very much appreciated.
1. I talked with a very lovely woman at Poison Control after Isaac swallowed 6 to 8 (I think) allergy pills. Apparently, with this particular pill, he would have had to swallow 13 (THIRTEEN!) in order to require an emergency room visit. Afterwards, he took a four hour nap, which was awesome, except for the expected concern and frequent trips upstairs to make sure he was, you know, breathing and stuff.
2. He BROKE the cabinet latch. The one designed to keep HIM out of the cabinet that holds Brian's tools, our art supplies and my camera (consequently, in a fit of frustration, he threw an 18 inch long screwdriver at me when I tried to get it from him).
3. I've had to put the stool that Brenna uses to wash her hands on top of the kid's hutch to keep Isaac from using it to further endanger himself or our belongings. I made this decision after he used his fingers to dig into Brian's deoderent and eat it.
4. He also uses the now out-of-reach stool to flip the light switches, which is fun and usually harmless. Except when the best light switches are at the top of the stairs. There's nothing like coming around a corner to find your toddler stretched up on his tip toes on a stool six inches from a flight of stairs.
5. More about that stool: earlier this week I found him digging through the caddy with all our toiletries on it (and allergy pills, apparently). When I told him to get down, he shoved me, pointed out the bathroom door, and in his firmest voice, yelled, "Go-Go!"
6. On the upside, he's really getting the hang of sorting the silverware! And un-sorting board games.
7. This morning, I accidentally grabbed Brian's keys instead of my own. He keeps a vial of his medication attached to his keyring. When I turned around to lock the front door, I dropped them. As fast as Brian does it, Isaac screwed the top off the vial and had a pill in his mouth. You better believe that boy was pinned to the floor before he knew what had hit him. It hadn't made it past his lips, yet.
So. On my agenda today is finding some way to lock up every medication in the house (thankfully, there aren't many) and also finding a safe, but convenient place to relocate the keyrings. Prayer would be very much appreciated.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Happy Halloween!
Look! This is me being timely. Usually, I don't even glance at the pictures I take for a couple months, by which time no one else cares anymore. I think pictures of my garden are perfect for February!
Halloween 2010 from Miranda Stewart on Vimeo.
So, the superheroes were well represented this year, with Batman and Spidey making appearances, and the girl child was Alice (in Wonderland).
The baby found chocolate when we weren't looking. And stuck his tongue out to show me.
We used a glow stick to light up the pumpkin, because candles are not one of the things I saw fit to ship, or to spend money on.
Candy was eaten, fun was had, parents were worn out!
Halloween 2010 from Miranda Stewart on Vimeo.
So, the superheroes were well represented this year, with Batman and Spidey making appearances, and the girl child was Alice (in Wonderland).
The baby found chocolate when we weren't looking. And stuck his tongue out to show me.
We used a glow stick to light up the pumpkin, because candles are not one of the things I saw fit to ship, or to spend money on.
Candy was eaten, fun was had, parents were worn out!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Future Plans
Me: Can I keep you forever?
Brenna: And Daddy's gonna keep me forever, too.
Me: I'm gonna keep all of you forever.
Brenna: (Big smile) But you might have a hard time keeping me when I'm a grown up.
Me: Oh?
Brenna: I'm gonna live in the place with the "move it, move it".
Me: Madagascar? (we found it on the map this week)
Brenna: Yes. Then the place with the cinnamon.
Me: Sri Lanka? (from the book How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World)
Brenna: Yes.
Me: Well, thanks for letting me know.
Brenna: And Daddy's gonna keep me forever, too.
Me: I'm gonna keep all of you forever.
Brenna: (Big smile) But you might have a hard time keeping me when I'm a grown up.
Me: Oh?
Brenna: I'm gonna live in the place with the "move it, move it".
Me: Madagascar? (we found it on the map this week)
Brenna: Yes. Then the place with the cinnamon.
Me: Sri Lanka? (from the book How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World)
Brenna: Yes.
Me: Well, thanks for letting me know.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Nathan is my sweet, people-pleasing, soft-hearted child.
Brian and I have been feeling called to support a ministry to orphans, so I was on the Compassion International website to see what they offered. When Nathan saw me looking, we had a conversation about Compassion and the various ministries they have (unfortunately, none specifically to orphans, though lots to prevent them!) and Nathan was overwhelmed by the need.
He immediately pulled out his guitar and enlisted his sister to form a street band to play for money on the corner. Can you tell this child has grown up in an urban environment? Well, besides that I wasn't super cool with the idea of my four and six year olds begging for money on the corner, I wanted to make sure that Nathan understood the concept of giving sacrificially. To be honest, we haven't covered the idea of tithing at all with him.
So anyway, I talked with him about giving some of his own money. He had about $20 saved up from birthday money, lost teeth and coins stolen from his parents. He was a little worried about that. I told him to pray about how much he should give, and that God loves a cheerful giver, so not to give more than he could feel good about. Then I sent him upstairs to figure it out. I really had no idea what to expect.
He came down shortly (much sooner than I expected, actually), with a big smile. He'd settled on $2.07. I was so proud of him! He assured me that he could give that much cheerfully. Then we talked about asking his grandparents to match him. He called each of them, and they gave, and Brian and I also matched him. He raised a total of $11.21. Big money when you're six!
So we sent it off with a note explaining what he'd done. And now I love Compassion even more. This arrived about a week later.
A letter to Nathan, thanking him, a card signed by Compassion staffers and his first "grown up Bible".
How awesome is that?
Brian and I have been feeling called to support a ministry to orphans, so I was on the Compassion International website to see what they offered. When Nathan saw me looking, we had a conversation about Compassion and the various ministries they have (unfortunately, none specifically to orphans, though lots to prevent them!) and Nathan was overwhelmed by the need.
He immediately pulled out his guitar and enlisted his sister to form a street band to play for money on the corner. Can you tell this child has grown up in an urban environment? Well, besides that I wasn't super cool with the idea of my four and six year olds begging for money on the corner, I wanted to make sure that Nathan understood the concept of giving sacrificially. To be honest, we haven't covered the idea of tithing at all with him.
So anyway, I talked with him about giving some of his own money. He had about $20 saved up from birthday money, lost teeth and coins stolen from his parents. He was a little worried about that. I told him to pray about how much he should give, and that God loves a cheerful giver, so not to give more than he could feel good about. Then I sent him upstairs to figure it out. I really had no idea what to expect.
He came down shortly (much sooner than I expected, actually), with a big smile. He'd settled on $2.07. I was so proud of him! He assured me that he could give that much cheerfully. Then we talked about asking his grandparents to match him. He called each of them, and they gave, and Brian and I also matched him. He raised a total of $11.21. Big money when you're six!
So we sent it off with a note explaining what he'd done. And now I love Compassion even more. This arrived about a week later.
How awesome is that?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Beautiful Disaster, or something like that.
Isaac. Isaac, Isaac, Isaac.
Yesterday, he dumped half a gallon of hand soap on the hall rug and in the laundry closet.
Today, there was this
and THEN he decided he's FAR too mature, at the ripe old age of 22 months, to use the hand rail when he comes down the stairs. Have I mentioned that the stairs are really steep? Because HE CAN. That's why. It's a heart-attack-a-minute around here.
Just now, I heard him dump the basket of cookie cutters on the kitchen floor. ALWAYS BUSY.
Cute is not really cutting it right now.
Okay, while I've been typing, Isaac unrolled a roll of toilet paper and took the cap off the toothpaste. I found him when I ran upstairs because one of his new favorite pastimes is reprogramming Brian's alarm clock. So that it goes off during naptime. And not when Brian needs to wake up. Lord, help me.
Yesterday, he dumped half a gallon of hand soap on the hall rug and in the laundry closet.
Today, there was this
and THEN he decided he's FAR too mature, at the ripe old age of 22 months, to use the hand rail when he comes down the stairs. Have I mentioned that the stairs are really steep? Because HE CAN. That's why. It's a heart-attack-a-minute around here.
Just now, I heard him dump the basket of cookie cutters on the kitchen floor. ALWAYS BUSY.
Cute is not really cutting it right now.
Okay, while I've been typing, Isaac unrolled a roll of toilet paper and took the cap off the toothpaste. I found him when I ran upstairs because one of his new favorite pastimes is reprogramming Brian's alarm clock. So that it goes off during naptime. And not when Brian needs to wake up. Lord, help me.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Busy, Busy, Busy
I feel like I'm going a million miles an hour lately, but I leave my house like twice a week. I've been working like crazy on Brenna's quilt. I find that I get super motivated, then I burn out and don't touch it for a while.
I have noticed that I seem to be an oddity in that I work on only one sewing project at a time. So for the last two years that I've been making these quilts, I haven't touched anything else.
Saturday, Brian asked me to make the kids trick-or-treat bags. I told him, "I can't. I'm working on Brenna's quilt." He asked me to anyway. Can I just say, it was SO HARD to wrap my mind around starting something different? Especially since I was MOTIVATED! Like, how often does that happen? And besides, as I've mentioned before, I like to make everything harder than it needs to be. A lot harder. Halloween pillowcases. That's what I'm making. Halloween pillowcases.
I started looking at super cute lined tote patterns online. I showed one to Brian, and he said, "NO." In his firm voice. Good thing he knows me so well. Halloween pillowcases.
After another interrupted plantation tour (next time we'll go in shifts. Isaac will NOT be in attendance.), we headed to the fabric store to let the kids pick out some Halloween fabric.
Brenna chose the "pupple", Nathan, the Jack-o-Lanterns, and I chose the glittery orange and black for Isaac because I couldn't get either of the other two to pick it.
I spent probably 30 minutes on each, and only made them a little bit harder. I take that back, Isaac's was quite a bit harder, but that was because the fabric was directional. In the wrong direction. So I had to piece it a bit. And iron. Oh, and I made it almost to the end without having to rip a stitch! It was amazing! Then I accidentally put Isaac's handle an inch or so off to the side. Oops. I hadn't cut it yet, but I was SO CLOSE to completing a project without having to rip a seam! Bummer.
So there ya go. We're ready to go beg strangers to give us something I don't want my kids to have. It's gonna be great :)
I have noticed that I seem to be an oddity in that I work on only one sewing project at a time. So for the last two years that I've been making these quilts, I haven't touched anything else.
Saturday, Brian asked me to make the kids trick-or-treat bags. I told him, "I can't. I'm working on Brenna's quilt." He asked me to anyway. Can I just say, it was SO HARD to wrap my mind around starting something different? Especially since I was MOTIVATED! Like, how often does that happen? And besides, as I've mentioned before, I like to make everything harder than it needs to be. A lot harder. Halloween pillowcases. That's what I'm making. Halloween pillowcases.
I started looking at super cute lined tote patterns online. I showed one to Brian, and he said, "NO." In his firm voice. Good thing he knows me so well. Halloween pillowcases.
After another interrupted plantation tour (next time we'll go in shifts. Isaac will NOT be in attendance.), we headed to the fabric store to let the kids pick out some Halloween fabric.
Brenna chose the "pupple", Nathan, the Jack-o-Lanterns, and I chose the glittery orange and black for Isaac because I couldn't get either of the other two to pick it.
I spent probably 30 minutes on each, and only made them a little bit harder. I take that back, Isaac's was quite a bit harder, but that was because the fabric was directional. In the wrong direction. So I had to piece it a bit. And iron. Oh, and I made it almost to the end without having to rip a stitch! It was amazing! Then I accidentally put Isaac's handle an inch or so off to the side. Oops. I hadn't cut it yet, but I was SO CLOSE to completing a project without having to rip a seam! Bummer.
So there ya go. We're ready to go beg strangers to give us something I don't want my kids to have. It's gonna be great :)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Clumsy
My kids are all having growth spurts. Isaac is noticeably bigger, but that's not how I know.
They cannot walk without hurting themselves.
These kids are CLUMSY.
I've noticed that when they're growing, it's like they forget how to use their extremities. Fingers do what? Seriously, somebody must have moved that wall! Yes, the table is still lower than your head. If you try to stand up under it, you're going to get hurt. EVERY TIME.
In the same vein, I was wondering last night, when do we stop rolling around on the floor and sobbing when we get hurt?
I hurt myself pretty often, I think. I don't trip and fall, I've never broken anything, but I'm a pro at catching my toes on things. I've been doubled over using breathing exercises more times than I care to count. Sometimes it hurts so badly I get nauseous. But I generally remain upright. I wonder what my family would think if I laid on the floor and wailed when someone stepped on my foot?
Maybe I'll try that next time; see what happens.
They cannot walk without hurting themselves.
These kids are CLUMSY.
I've noticed that when they're growing, it's like they forget how to use their extremities. Fingers do what? Seriously, somebody must have moved that wall! Yes, the table is still lower than your head. If you try to stand up under it, you're going to get hurt. EVERY TIME.
In the same vein, I was wondering last night, when do we stop rolling around on the floor and sobbing when we get hurt?
I hurt myself pretty often, I think. I don't trip and fall, I've never broken anything, but I'm a pro at catching my toes on things. I've been doubled over using breathing exercises more times than I care to count. Sometimes it hurts so badly I get nauseous. But I generally remain upright. I wonder what my family would think if I laid on the floor and wailed when someone stepped on my foot?
Maybe I'll try that next time; see what happens.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Milestones, The Kind We Want
My boy is growing up. No training wheels! I'm doing a happy dance.
This boy's love language is totally affirmation. Without a doubt.
And then...
There's this:
I'm so FLIPPIN' PROUD!!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
I wouldn't have missed it.
Oops, I guess I didn't come back yesterday! Time flies when you're procrastinating, eh?
This weekend I got to fly up to Indianapolis for the wedding of one of my oldest friends. Silja and I have known each other since first (or second, the reports differ!) grade. The wedding was absolutely beautiful; Matt's (Silja's husband) parents have a lovely large backyard with a pond surrounded by reeds, which are surrounded by woods. A dock in the pond made one of the most beautiful wedding backdrops I've ever seen!
And can I just say, I LOVED the bouquets! Silja said that when she talked to the florist she asked for white hydrangeas and she liked the greet button mums. This is what he came up with:
Other thrills:
BIG HAIR! That was exciting. The hair dresser teased my entire head of hair before putting it in an asymmetrical french twist. Then she hairsprayed it within an inch of it's life. When I pulled out the many bobby pins, my hair stood straight back from my head. It was awesome!
I got lost everywhere I went. I am totally impaired when it comes to directions. The wedding? It was in the middle of Timbuktu, a 15 minute drive from the nearest town. At one point Silja called to find out where I was, and I told her, "I feel like I've gone too far... oh. I'm in Logansport." Well, Logansport is about 18 miles in the opposite direction I should have been driving (and remember, my destination was another 15 minutes past where I started). A few speed limits may or may not have been broken on this trip. I'm not telling.
I realized.... I like my family. I was really looking forward to getting away, to relaxing and being by myself... but I missed them. Sleeping in a king size bed without my husband really was not that great. And to top it off, since I'm accustomed to getting a herd of cats out the door every time I go anywhere, without them I was ALWAYS LATE! Seriously! I thought I had so much time, since it was just me, so I would let myself get sidetracked...
It was a fun weekend. I got to meet some wonderful new people, and catch up with Silja's family, whom I've known since childhood, but haven't seen in ten or so years.
And as far as resting, even though I was exhausted from a crazy three days, I was SO ready to be with my family.
This weekend I got to fly up to Indianapolis for the wedding of one of my oldest friends. Silja and I have known each other since first (or second, the reports differ!) grade. The wedding was absolutely beautiful; Matt's (Silja's husband) parents have a lovely large backyard with a pond surrounded by reeds, which are surrounded by woods. A dock in the pond made one of the most beautiful wedding backdrops I've ever seen!
And can I just say, I LOVED the bouquets! Silja said that when she talked to the florist she asked for white hydrangeas and she liked the greet button mums. This is what he came up with:
Other thrills:
BIG HAIR! That was exciting. The hair dresser teased my entire head of hair before putting it in an asymmetrical french twist. Then she hairsprayed it within an inch of it's life. When I pulled out the many bobby pins, my hair stood straight back from my head. It was awesome!
I got lost everywhere I went. I am totally impaired when it comes to directions. The wedding? It was in the middle of Timbuktu, a 15 minute drive from the nearest town. At one point Silja called to find out where I was, and I told her, "I feel like I've gone too far... oh. I'm in Logansport." Well, Logansport is about 18 miles in the opposite direction I should have been driving (and remember, my destination was another 15 minutes past where I started). A few speed limits may or may not have been broken on this trip. I'm not telling.
I realized.... I like my family. I was really looking forward to getting away, to relaxing and being by myself... but I missed them. Sleeping in a king size bed without my husband really was not that great. And to top it off, since I'm accustomed to getting a herd of cats out the door every time I go anywhere, without them I was ALWAYS LATE! Seriously! I thought I had so much time, since it was just me, so I would let myself get sidetracked...
It was a fun weekend. I got to meet some wonderful new people, and catch up with Silja's family, whom I've known since childhood, but haven't seen in ten or so years.
And as far as resting, even though I was exhausted from a crazy three days, I was SO ready to be with my family.
Congratulations, Silja and Matt!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sorry I've been absent for a bit. This last week has been fuller than most since the school year started.
The library we usually frequent is closed for long-overdue repairs, so I finally decided it was time to find another one. I found one in mid-city on the library website, then I looked it up on Google, and we were off. There was no library at the given location. This has happened SO MANY TIMES since we moved here. It doesn't matter that Google says it's there, CALL FIRST. Another reason for a smart phone. Those things are looking more and more like they're worth spending too much money on! We did finally find one, and got some great books, so that was good. It just took up the whole afternoon.
Speaking of books, our FIAR book this week is Who Owns the Sun? by Stacy Chbosky.
This book is amazing, beautiful, and very hard for me. And not at all hard for my children, which is fine, but makes me wonder if, well, I'm doing something wrong. Like if I were teaching it correctly, they would understand. But really, they just can't comprehend it yet.
The story is about a boy who adores his strong, wise father and asks him, "who owns the [sun/stars/wind, etc.]?" and his father responds with a description of the beauty of each of these things, and the answer, "no one can own the sun."
Then one day, the boy overhears the man his parents work for talking about his father. He is full of pride at the complements to his dad's strength and work ethic until the man says, "I wish I owned ten more just like him."
The conversation the boy has with his father afterwards is heartbreaking.
Stacy Chbosky was 14 years old when she wrote it for a school competition.
For obvious reasons, race and prejudice have been on my mind consistently since we moved here. As I talk with my kids about differences, it would seem that they are truly unaware of skin color and the value people place on it. I am so grateful. So grateful.
Well, I'm kind of worn out just thinking about that, so I guess I'll be back tomorrow with the rest of what we've been up to around here.
The library we usually frequent is closed for long-overdue repairs, so I finally decided it was time to find another one. I found one in mid-city on the library website, then I looked it up on Google, and we were off. There was no library at the given location. This has happened SO MANY TIMES since we moved here. It doesn't matter that Google says it's there, CALL FIRST. Another reason for a smart phone. Those things are looking more and more like they're worth spending too much money on! We did finally find one, and got some great books, so that was good. It just took up the whole afternoon.
Speaking of books, our FIAR book this week is Who Owns the Sun? by Stacy Chbosky.
This book is amazing, beautiful, and very hard for me. And not at all hard for my children, which is fine, but makes me wonder if, well, I'm doing something wrong. Like if I were teaching it correctly, they would understand. But really, they just can't comprehend it yet.
The story is about a boy who adores his strong, wise father and asks him, "who owns the [sun/stars/wind, etc.]?" and his father responds with a description of the beauty of each of these things, and the answer, "no one can own the sun."
Then one day, the boy overhears the man his parents work for talking about his father. He is full of pride at the complements to his dad's strength and work ethic until the man says, "I wish I owned ten more just like him."
The conversation the boy has with his father afterwards is heartbreaking.
Stacy Chbosky was 14 years old when she wrote it for a school competition.
For obvious reasons, race and prejudice have been on my mind consistently since we moved here. As I talk with my kids about differences, it would seem that they are truly unaware of skin color and the value people place on it. I am so grateful. So grateful.
Well, I'm kind of worn out just thinking about that, so I guess I'll be back tomorrow with the rest of what we've been up to around here.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Milestones
Isaac has reached another glorious toddler milestone!
He can now take off his own poopy diaper in his crib.
The event was celebrated with much weeping,
an extra load of laundry and a bath.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
I have been in such a cooking slump. At least a couple times in the last week, my poor husband has come home from work at 5:45 to find a wife staring at the refrigerator with disgust and the declaration, "I hate cooking. I don't know what we're going to eat tonight."
So it is with great joy, that I present food! Yummy food! Food that my family liked, and will eat again tonight (THANK YOU, JESUS!).
At our life group this week, someone brought a chicken, rice and broccoli casserole. I pretty much hovered over that thing. The one they brought was from a big box store, and those of you who know me well, know that I try to avoid processed foods (not that you can tell, since our last trip yielded a bulk box of Ritz).
Chicken, broccoli and rice are three ingredients I keep on hand at all times, so I figured there must be a way to make one... and I did! I did a little search of the interweb, and found one that did not have rice, but also didn't call for any canned ingredients. So I altered it a bit, because I wanted the rice in there. I thought I'd share the recipe because my family declared it a hit. I will say, though, that it required a lot of dishes, because you cook the ingredients separately. Oh, and since I don't follow directions that well, I added in parenthesis what I actually did.
2 Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded (I used one really big breast)
1 head of broccoli, steamed (3 or 4 cups frozen)
1 c. uncooked rice (I used a brown and wild rice mix)
32 oz box Chicken broth
3/4 c. mayonaise
1 T. of your favorite spice mix.
2 c. shredded cheese
1 c. Bread crumbs (I used the afore-mentioned ritz)
4 T. butter
Cook the rice in 3 cups of the broth.
Grease a 9x13 pan. Layer the broccoli, rice and chicken in the pan. If there is any liquid left in the rice, add it.
Mix remaining cup of broth, mayo and spice mix, then pour over the chicken.
Sprinkle cheese, then bread crumbs, then dribble butter over the top.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, then let sit for 15 minutes.
So it is with great joy, that I present food! Yummy food! Food that my family liked, and will eat again tonight (THANK YOU, JESUS!).
At our life group this week, someone brought a chicken, rice and broccoli casserole. I pretty much hovered over that thing. The one they brought was from a big box store, and those of you who know me well, know that I try to avoid processed foods (not that you can tell, since our last trip yielded a bulk box of Ritz).
Chicken, broccoli and rice are three ingredients I keep on hand at all times, so I figured there must be a way to make one... and I did! I did a little search of the interweb, and found one that did not have rice, but also didn't call for any canned ingredients. So I altered it a bit, because I wanted the rice in there. I thought I'd share the recipe because my family declared it a hit. I will say, though, that it required a lot of dishes, because you cook the ingredients separately. Oh, and since I don't follow directions that well, I added in parenthesis what I actually did.
Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
2 Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded (I used one really big breast)
1 head of broccoli, steamed (3 or 4 cups frozen)
1 c. uncooked rice (I used a brown and wild rice mix)
32 oz box Chicken broth
3/4 c. mayonaise
1 T. of your favorite spice mix.
2 c. shredded cheese
1 c. Bread crumbs (I used the afore-mentioned ritz)
4 T. butter
Cook the rice in 3 cups of the broth.
Grease a 9x13 pan. Layer the broccoli, rice and chicken in the pan. If there is any liquid left in the rice, add it.
Mix remaining cup of broth, mayo and spice mix, then pour over the chicken.
Sprinkle cheese, then bread crumbs, then dribble butter over the top.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, then let sit for 15 minutes.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A Difference of Opinion
So I really like the new beds we got, as do the kids. Brian thinks we paid too much for them (they came as a set with the hutch/dresser for $400) but I disagree. As the person who has been pricing these suckers, I think I'm qualified to say that for solid wood pieces, we got a great price, even if they're not in perfect condition.
I was really surprised that Nathan fell asleep on the top bunk with no fanfare... I really was expecting some fear and trepidation, or at least some pretend fear for our benefit, but nope. He's all good.
The second night he slept up there, we heard a HUGE thud around 9:30 and took off at a sprint up the stairs. He had JUMPED down to use the restroom. We both just about had a heart attack!
Yesterday I told them I wanted to paint the set and asked what color they'd like. I was envisioning some lovely soft grays or taupes, a la The Nester with bold details inspired by the houses here in New Orleans. But alas, both my children really like "the nice brown color."
Brian reminded me that the beds are "brand new to them", and if I wait a few months, they'll probably be more on board. I'm counting on it, 'cause when I saw these, I immediately pictured them painted! Crazy kids with their own opinions!
I was really surprised that Nathan fell asleep on the top bunk with no fanfare... I really was expecting some fear and trepidation, or at least some pretend fear for our benefit, but nope. He's all good.
The second night he slept up there, we heard a HUGE thud around 9:30 and took off at a sprint up the stairs. He had JUMPED down to use the restroom. We both just about had a heart attack!
Yesterday I told them I wanted to paint the set and asked what color they'd like. I was envisioning some lovely soft grays or taupes, a la The Nester with bold details inspired by the houses here in New Orleans. But alas, both my children really like "the nice brown color."
Brian reminded me that the beds are "brand new to them", and if I wait a few months, they'll probably be more on board. I'm counting on it, 'cause when I saw these, I immediately pictured them painted! Crazy kids with their own opinions!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Week in Review
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| Nerf Wars! |
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| The dreaded Birthday Song |
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| Candles! |
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| Sprinkles! And sweat. |
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| A new haircut |
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| Legos! |
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| A new bike! |
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| A run in with a bowling ball. |
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| Lots and lots of riding bikes. |
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| A beautiful new doll doomed forever to nudity. |
 | |||
| A daddy who has blessedly come to terms with his boys and the color pink. |
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| Admiring of a beautiful sky and a handsome husband. |
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| New beds! I plan to paint them. What color(s) do you think? |
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| They're coming for you! |
Friday, September 3, 2010
Four
(For the record, Brenna would like to note that she is NOT four, because she isn't any bigger than when she was three.)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can...
We are half way through Birthday Week here in the Chatty household. I am TIRED! This year, Nathan's birthday fell on Monday, and Brenna's is on Friday, which has effectively made our whole week a mess! We have a house full of food that is normally off limits, and new toys that, for this week, are being allowed to take precedence over taking care of the house. We are slowly working our way back to our normal routine, but really, I can't wait for next week!
Sunday, we had a crazy (CRAZY!) day, teaching Sunday School in the morning, bringing a bunch of boys home from church with us for a party, then heading to our life group after it was done.
Monday we relaxed for Nathan's birthday, played with new toys, did a little school, but mostly just hung out. Oh, and I let the kids watch a bunch of TV since I wanted Nathan's actual birthday to be special too, but I was done. Just DONE.
So there's today, then tomorrow, then Brenna's special day.
It was fun to talk with Nathan about how his birthday is special for me too, because this is the anniversary of the day he came out of my tummy! That got a big hug for me.
TMI ALERT!
(That's 'Too Much Information' for you old people.)
Men, stop reading now if you're squeamish.
Okay, I warned you!
I was extra tired because The Curse decided to show up NINE DAYS LATE. Needless to say, the extra stress really added to the festivities. Ladies, have you noticed that the side effects are worse when you're late? That was my experience. Crying all day long one day, then bad cramps all day the next. Ugh.
So. I'm pretty sure next week will be more relaxing, though I'm sure my kids will start on oh, Saturday, planning for next year!
Sunday, we had a crazy (CRAZY!) day, teaching Sunday School in the morning, bringing a bunch of boys home from church with us for a party, then heading to our life group after it was done.
Monday we relaxed for Nathan's birthday, played with new toys, did a little school, but mostly just hung out. Oh, and I let the kids watch a bunch of TV since I wanted Nathan's actual birthday to be special too, but I was done. Just DONE.
So there's today, then tomorrow, then Brenna's special day.
It was fun to talk with Nathan about how his birthday is special for me too, because this is the anniversary of the day he came out of my tummy! That got a big hug for me.
TMI ALERT!
(That's 'Too Much Information' for you old people.)
Men, stop reading now if you're squeamish.
Okay, I warned you!
I was extra tired because The Curse decided to show up NINE DAYS LATE. Needless to say, the extra stress really added to the festivities. Ladies, have you noticed that the side effects are worse when you're late? That was my experience. Crying all day long one day, then bad cramps all day the next. Ugh.
So. I'm pretty sure next week will be more relaxing, though I'm sure my kids will start on oh, Saturday, planning for next year!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Little Things
Brenna was helping me fold laundry this afternoon when she observed,
"Mama! Nathan's underwear has a pocket!"
then,
"Daddy's underwear has a pocket too!"
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
I'm not interested in perfect.
As I sweep the floor, I notice it there. In the corner, behind the shoes, the dirt. It's in the kitchen too, in the back corner under the cabinets. And underneath the washer and dryer in the utility closet. I would have to move them to get to it. I see it.
I sew one stitch too far. I know I've done it, and I could go back and fix it... cut the threads in progress, pull this behemoth quilt out of my machine, and painstakingly remove stitches, all the way back to the beginning of the line, sew it again... so that it would be perfect.
I have a terrible day. I am emotional, crying, needing to be alone. But I have to teach my kids, even if I didn't have to teach them, I have to parent them. I don't do a very good job, some days.
And it skitters through my mind, as I look at the dirt I've missed, choose not to rip a seam, accept the hug my children need to give...
I'm not interested in perfect.
Perfect doesn't solve anything. Perfect won't guarantee life goes according to plan.
But so much life is in front of me!
These kids, they are helping to sweep. They make a bigger mess, but they are learning!
My little daughter might get to sleep covered by this quilt by Christmas. There are uneven stitches. I will always know they are there, but maybe they won't be, next time.
And I have a chance, in my own weakness, to show redemption. To show real life, real emotions, to show and receive grace. Perfection would never teach them that.
I'm not interested in perfect.
I sew one stitch too far. I know I've done it, and I could go back and fix it... cut the threads in progress, pull this behemoth quilt out of my machine, and painstakingly remove stitches, all the way back to the beginning of the line, sew it again... so that it would be perfect.
I have a terrible day. I am emotional, crying, needing to be alone. But I have to teach my kids, even if I didn't have to teach them, I have to parent them. I don't do a very good job, some days.
And it skitters through my mind, as I look at the dirt I've missed, choose not to rip a seam, accept the hug my children need to give...
I'm not interested in perfect.
Perfect doesn't solve anything. Perfect won't guarantee life goes according to plan.
But so much life is in front of me!
These kids, they are helping to sweep. They make a bigger mess, but they are learning!
My little daughter might get to sleep covered by this quilt by Christmas. There are uneven stitches. I will always know they are there, but maybe they won't be, next time.
And I have a chance, in my own weakness, to show redemption. To show real life, real emotions, to show and receive grace. Perfection would never teach them that.
I'm not interested in perfect.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Reminiscing
This week we're reading A Pair of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno. It's the story of a grandmother reminiscing about a lesson learned in her childhood.
As our activity, I asked the kids to narrate a memory to me.
Here is Nathan's special memory:
When my baby brother was born, I was four years old. Beah was my baby brother's midwife. When he was born, my dad went over and woke me up and when I got up, the breakfast I had was plain cheerios with sugar in them.
My dad was the one to catch my baby brother.
The other midwife that came helped Beah.
My baby brother's name is Isaac.
I got water for my mom. Beah helped me get nice hot water from the kettle.
Nana came to our house when my baby brother was born. Nana took care of me.
I was in my mom's room most of the time. I wanted to catch my baby brother, but then I didn't want to . So I watched Isaac come out of my mom's tummy. It was in the middle of the night.
I was excited that I was gonna get a new baby brother!
Here is Brenna's special memory:
I went to Wahoo Wednesday. We had tables there. We sat at them and colored.
There were toys that you could sprinkle but they weren't real. They were pretend food. They were yellow. It was cheese.
I asked Brenna if she remembered the shirt she wore to Wahoo Wednesday (our church's VBS) and she scrunched up her nose and said, "it's getting too big on me."
"What?"
"It's getting too big on me."
"Do you mean 'it's getting too small'?"
"No. It's getting too big on me."
"Oh. well do you want to write about that?"
"No."
Well, at least she's got her priorities straight. It's all about the cheese. Fake or otherwise.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I am exhausted and hormonal, but not pregnant.
Really, I failed a pregnancy test yesterday. Definitely not pregnant.
But SO tired. And cranky.
A little bit ago, Brian called to say his boss is in town and wants to take the team out to dinner. I cried. Not because I don't want him to go, but because I want to go too.
About that pregnancy test:
I've spent the last couple days thinking about being pregnant. I'm not ready. It's an odd feeling, since each other time I could hardly wait! But as I looked at Isaac, I wasn't ready for him to NOT be the baby. And as I thought about all of the unknowns in the next six to eight months, being pregnant would really complicate not having any idea where we'll be living (or even when we'll be moving)!
And yet...
When I got a minus sign instead of a plus...
I was disappointed.
I never claim to be logical!
(And no, we're not going to start trying...yet)
But SO tired. And cranky.
A little bit ago, Brian called to say his boss is in town and wants to take the team out to dinner. I cried. Not because I don't want him to go, but because I want to go too.
About that pregnancy test:
I've spent the last couple days thinking about being pregnant. I'm not ready. It's an odd feeling, since each other time I could hardly wait! But as I looked at Isaac, I wasn't ready for him to NOT be the baby. And as I thought about all of the unknowns in the next six to eight months, being pregnant would really complicate not having any idea where we'll be living (or even when we'll be moving)!
And yet...
When I got a minus sign instead of a plus...
I was disappointed.
I never claim to be logical!
(And no, we're not going to start trying...yet)
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Perfect Fit, Part 2
On Saturday, I talked about my love for Five in a Row. The freedom it's given us is just what our family needs. However, so much more goes into a day of parenting/schooling around here. FIAR makes up about 45 minutes of a full day that encompasses the things I love about homeschooling.
In the morning, our family works together to run a load of laundry and load/unload the dishwasher. The kids each make their own beds (as a side note, for the first time in my life, it has become habit to make my bed as soon as I get out of it. Yay for growth!) and put away all the books they read the night before.
Next, we sit down for a devotional time. As I was trying to figure out what to do for devotionals shortly before school started, my friend Nina told me she was using a book called Leading Little Ones to God.
The title sounded vaguely familiar... last year, I was given a couple huge totes of homeschooling supplies and texts from an acquaintance back home. I told Nina, "I think I have that!" and I did. I hadn't spent any time at all looking at it, but for some reason, decided to bring it to New Orleans with us. It's a wonderful book. Each day has a short reading, a scripture passage, and a hymn. Last week, our readings were
After devotions, we do math. One of the things that the commenters about FIAR mentioned was that you definitely need to supplement math and handwriting.
For handwriting, I've chosen to have Nathan write letters to people, because sending mail is about the greatest thing EVER. Every week, we'll write one letter (and Brenna draws a picture), and spend time the rest of the week working on the places that were hard. I know that's sort of backwards, but it works for us!
The big math decision, I turned over to my mathematically inclined husband. I narrowed it down to two programs, then told him to try to remember being a kid, and pick which one he would have liked to use. As I am mathematically challenged, even studying the websites' descriptions of their teaching styles was confusing to me! Brian chose Math-U-See, a program that has received raves from those who use it.
Math-U-See comes with a video lesson, a teacher's text, a workbook, and colorful blocks toplay work with. While Nathan works on his lesson, Brenna builds with the blocks, occasionally stealing the ones he needs. Good stuff. Because math is so not my subject, the jury is still out on this part of our curriculum, but if it doesn't work well for us, people are selling these things on ebay for almost what we paid for them!
So, then comes snack time, then FIAR, then lunch and rest time. After rest time, we finish anything that we didn't complete before lunch, and the children have free play time.
Okay, now, all those of you who love me, please be gentle with the obvious-ness of this next part! I am a work in progress!
One of the parts of our day I've come to love arrives at four o'clock. We stop everything, and tidy all the major living areas of the house. This includes picking up toys, sweeping, folding and putting away the clean laundry if we didn't finish that earlier. We clear and set the table for dinner, make the kitchen ready for business, and make sure the clothes in the closets are actually on their hangers (it's sort of amazing how many things get taken off hangers in the search for something to wear!).
The first day we implemented this, I almost cried. I had set aside about 45 minutes in our schedule to attempt to tidy two rooms (the living room and playroom). An hour and a half later, the progress was, well, almost noticeable. But as we've made this our habit, the cleaning itself goes faster (which is why we're able to do more than just tidy two rooms), and the cleaning carries over to the next day. It's sort of amazing to me!
So once we've tidied, the kids are free to do their thing until Daddy comes home, and everyone goes positively spazzy. And the mama pours herself a glass ofwhine wine and hides for the rest of the night.
So that's our school day. All in all, a perfect fit for us. Next mission: figuring out when to do the grocery shopping!
In the morning, our family works together to run a load of laundry and load/unload the dishwasher. The kids each make their own beds (as a side note, for the first time in my life, it has become habit to make my bed as soon as I get out of it. Yay for growth!) and put away all the books they read the night before.
Next, we sit down for a devotional time. As I was trying to figure out what to do for devotionals shortly before school started, my friend Nina told me she was using a book called Leading Little Ones to God.
The title sounded vaguely familiar... last year, I was given a couple huge totes of homeschooling supplies and texts from an acquaintance back home. I told Nina, "I think I have that!" and I did. I hadn't spent any time at all looking at it, but for some reason, decided to bring it to New Orleans with us. It's a wonderful book. Each day has a short reading, a scripture passage, and a hymn. Last week, our readings were
- Our hearts ask for God
- We cannot see God
- We see God's works
- God talked to people long ago
- God talks to us
After devotions, we do math. One of the things that the commenters about FIAR mentioned was that you definitely need to supplement math and handwriting.
For handwriting, I've chosen to have Nathan write letters to people, because sending mail is about the greatest thing EVER. Every week, we'll write one letter (and Brenna draws a picture), and spend time the rest of the week working on the places that were hard. I know that's sort of backwards, but it works for us!
The big math decision, I turned over to my mathematically inclined husband. I narrowed it down to two programs, then told him to try to remember being a kid, and pick which one he would have liked to use. As I am mathematically challenged, even studying the websites' descriptions of their teaching styles was confusing to me! Brian chose Math-U-See, a program that has received raves from those who use it.
Math-U-See comes with a video lesson, a teacher's text, a workbook, and colorful blocks to
So, then comes snack time, then FIAR, then lunch and rest time. After rest time, we finish anything that we didn't complete before lunch, and the children have free play time.
Okay, now, all those of you who love me, please be gentle with the obvious-ness of this next part! I am a work in progress!
One of the parts of our day I've come to love arrives at four o'clock. We stop everything, and tidy all the major living areas of the house. This includes picking up toys, sweeping, folding and putting away the clean laundry if we didn't finish that earlier. We clear and set the table for dinner, make the kitchen ready for business, and make sure the clothes in the closets are actually on their hangers (it's sort of amazing how many things get taken off hangers in the search for something to wear!).
The first day we implemented this, I almost cried. I had set aside about 45 minutes in our schedule to attempt to tidy two rooms (the living room and playroom). An hour and a half later, the progress was, well, almost noticeable. But as we've made this our habit, the cleaning itself goes faster (which is why we're able to do more than just tidy two rooms), and the cleaning carries over to the next day. It's sort of amazing to me!
So once we've tidied, the kids are free to do their thing until Daddy comes home, and everyone goes positively spazzy. And the mama pours herself a glass of
So that's our school day. All in all, a perfect fit for us. Next mission: figuring out when to do the grocery shopping!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
A Perfect Fit, Part 1
I was a little late to the curriculum game. As I'm a little late most places, I guess that's par for the course! So it wasn't until June that I started seriously pondering what level of structure would be best for us. Right around that time, my friend Rachel asked if I'd seen Five in a Row, as it seemed like it might be a good fit for me. I hadn't, but as is my general method, I first went to their site, then googled "five in a row blog". The descriptions I found were glowing.
Basically, with FIAR, we read the same book, a well-chosen piece of classical children's literature, every day for the week. Then, each day we discuss/study/experiment with different aspects of the book. This is referred to as a "unit study" in homeschooling (and probably elsewhere). The lessons are given in short paragraphs in the (inexpensive) curriculum book, and we do several a day. It's very low-key, and I can do as many or as few lessons as I wish.
This week we read The Story about Ping, a book we've had on our shelf for a couple years. My kids asked for it periodically, but it's never been a particular favorite. Friday, as Nathan brought the book to me for the fifth time, he declared, "Mom, this is my FAVORITE BOOK!" I asked how he liked it after reading it five times in a row, and he replied, "I never knew what a WONDERFUL BOOK this was!"
Ping is about a little duck who lives on the Yangtze River in China. His master has trained his ducks to hurry onto his boat by giving the last duck across the bridge a spank on the back. One day, Ping has his head under the water when his master calls, and he quickly realizes he will be the last on the boat. To avoid the spank, Ping hides rather than go home. The story that follows is about Ping's misadventures before he is reunited with his family aboard the boat. Ultimately, he has to make a choice to either take the discipline he doesn't want or be separated again from his family.
So this is how our week broke down:
Monday:
We read the book, then talked about China and the Yangtze river (the third largest river in the world). We located them on a map, talked about the size of the river, how many people live on/around it, and how Ping would feel when he was lost in such a huge place, surrounded by so many people. Then we talked about the clothes, food and boats of the human characters in the book. Nathan colored and cut out a "story disk" and placed it on our wall map.
Tuesday:
We read the book, then talked about what makes a book "a classic", what fiction is, then talked about how repetition is used. For example, Ping begins and ends with,
Wednesday:
Such a fun day! We read the book, then talked first about discernment, how things are sometimes not what they seem. Sometimes they seem better than what they are; Ping followed some rice cake crumbs and was captured for a duck dinner. Sometimes they are worse than what they are; Ping avoided a spank and was separated from his loved ones.
Then we talked about the pictures in the book, what they were made with (crayon and colored pencil in primary colors), the use of water in almost every picture as a unifying theme (of course I didn't use that term with Nathan and Brenna!) and then we sat at the table with our own colored pencils to experiment with drawing like the artist (layered colors, water, reflections and ripples).
Thursday:
We read the book, then counted out Pings family, then talked about ducks.
Friday:
We read the book, then experimented with things floating in a bowl of water (a major human character has a barrel tied to his back). We talked about life vests and floaties, and why some things float and others don't. Then we talked about reflections. We read the poem "The Mirror" by A. A. Milne, and used a hand mirror to look at reflections.
Five in a Row has given my family amazing literature and structure combined with flexibility in a way that is perfect for us. I couldn't be happier. Next week, we travel to Japan!
Basically, with FIAR, we read the same book, a well-chosen piece of classical children's literature, every day for the week. Then, each day we discuss/study/experiment with different aspects of the book. This is referred to as a "unit study" in homeschooling (and probably elsewhere). The lessons are given in short paragraphs in the (inexpensive) curriculum book, and we do several a day. It's very low-key, and I can do as many or as few lessons as I wish.
This week we read The Story about Ping, a book we've had on our shelf for a couple years. My kids asked for it periodically, but it's never been a particular favorite. Friday, as Nathan brought the book to me for the fifth time, he declared, "Mom, this is my FAVORITE BOOK!" I asked how he liked it after reading it five times in a row, and he replied, "I never knew what a WONDERFUL BOOK this was!"
Ping is about a little duck who lives on the Yangtze River in China. His master has trained his ducks to hurry onto his boat by giving the last duck across the bridge a spank on the back. One day, Ping has his head under the water when his master calls, and he quickly realizes he will be the last on the boat. To avoid the spank, Ping hides rather than go home. The story that follows is about Ping's misadventures before he is reunited with his family aboard the boat. Ultimately, he has to make a choice to either take the discipline he doesn't want or be separated again from his family.
So this is how our week broke down:
Monday:
We read the book, then talked about China and the Yangtze river (the third largest river in the world). We located them on a map, talked about the size of the river, how many people live on/around it, and how Ping would feel when he was lost in such a huge place, surrounded by so many people. Then we talked about the clothes, food and boats of the human characters in the book. Nathan colored and cut out a "story disk" and placed it on our wall map.
Tuesday:
We read the book, then talked about what makes a book "a classic", what fiction is, then talked about how repetition is used. For example, Ping begins and ends with,
"Ping (lived) with his mother and his father and two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins"Also throughout, there is repetition of the phrase, "the wise-eyed boat on the Yangtze river."
Wednesday:
Such a fun day! We read the book, then talked first about discernment, how things are sometimes not what they seem. Sometimes they seem better than what they are; Ping followed some rice cake crumbs and was captured for a duck dinner. Sometimes they are worse than what they are; Ping avoided a spank and was separated from his loved ones.
Then we talked about the pictures in the book, what they were made with (crayon and colored pencil in primary colors), the use of water in almost every picture as a unifying theme (of course I didn't use that term with Nathan and Brenna!) and then we sat at the table with our own colored pencils to experiment with drawing like the artist (layered colors, water, reflections and ripples).
 |
| By Nathan |
 |
| By Brenna |
Thursday:
We read the book, then counted out Pings family, then talked about ducks.
Friday:
We read the book, then experimented with things floating in a bowl of water (a major human character has a barrel tied to his back). We talked about life vests and floaties, and why some things float and others don't. Then we talked about reflections. We read the poem "The Mirror" by A. A. Milne, and used a hand mirror to look at reflections.
Five in a Row has given my family amazing literature and structure combined with flexibility in a way that is perfect for us. I couldn't be happier. Next week, we travel to Japan!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Brenna, Isaac and Homeschooling
By far, the most common question people (family, friends, complete strangers) ask me about homeschooling is, I suppose, the most practical one:
What do you do with Brenna and Isaac while you teach Nathan?
I lock them in their room.
Just kidding. This question is one that I wondered about before we started school, but sorted itself out more simply than I expected.
What do you do with your kids when you're cooking, cleaning, loading the dishwasher? Either they do it with you, or they go play, right?
Well, in general, Brenna does school with us, and Isaac plays/disrupts/naps.
(Yesterday, his brand of disruption was pelting me in the face with a stuffed football. Nathan and I were working at the table, and Isaac climbed into the chair opposite us and threw the ball at my head. I set it on the floor. He came around, grabbed it, went back to the chair, and threw it at my head again. OVER AND OVER. I was concentrating on what I was trying to teach Nathan, so that dang ball hit me in the head about five times before Ithrew it back at him took it away.)
Isaac is on a spazzy (for his age) nap schedule. He's definitely down to one nap a day, however, that nap needs to start between 10:00 and 11:30 (One day this week he woke up on the wrong side of the whole world and was tossed back in his crib at 8:30). This causes me some measure of stress, as a nap that begins at ten in the morning and lasts a couple hours is not going to see this young man through until his seven o'clock bedtime. So basically he wakes up shortly after lunch, and I try to keep him happy until Daddy gets home around six, thus starting the only part of his little day worth living for. The upside is that he sleeps through a good portion of our school day, which makes things much simpler.
Brenna, on the other hand, for the most part does school with us. I have a couple cheap little preschool workbooks and the amazing Kumon My First Book of Cutting that she works on while Nathan does his math, and she does the rest with us, or takes off to go play as she sees fit.
There are definitely times that I have to explain to her, "Right now, I'm working with Nathan. You may listen quietly or go play, but I cannot talk with you until we're done." I sort of file that one under "Having more than one child".
So that's how we roll. For those of you who can stand it, tomorrow, I'll talk about how our school day actually looks. I am LOVING our curriculum!
What do you do with Brenna and Isaac while you teach Nathan?
I lock them in their room.
Just kidding. This question is one that I wondered about before we started school, but sorted itself out more simply than I expected.
What do you do with your kids when you're cooking, cleaning, loading the dishwasher? Either they do it with you, or they go play, right?
Well, in general, Brenna does school with us, and Isaac plays/disrupts/naps.
 |
| Disruption at its cutest. Those are wet clothes he's sitting in. |
(Yesterday, his brand of disruption was pelting me in the face with a stuffed football. Nathan and I were working at the table, and Isaac climbed into the chair opposite us and threw the ball at my head. I set it on the floor. He came around, grabbed it, went back to the chair, and threw it at my head again. OVER AND OVER. I was concentrating on what I was trying to teach Nathan, so that dang ball hit me in the head about five times before I
Isaac is on a spazzy (for his age) nap schedule. He's definitely down to one nap a day, however, that nap needs to start between 10:00 and 11:30 (One day this week he woke up on the wrong side of the whole world and was tossed back in his crib at 8:30). This causes me some measure of stress, as a nap that begins at ten in the morning and lasts a couple hours is not going to see this young man through until his seven o'clock bedtime. So basically he wakes up shortly after lunch, and I try to keep him happy until Daddy gets home around six, thus starting the only part of his little day worth living for. The upside is that he sleeps through a good portion of our school day, which makes things much simpler.
Brenna, on the other hand, for the most part does school with us. I have a couple cheap little preschool workbooks and the amazing Kumon My First Book of Cutting that she works on while Nathan does his math, and she does the rest with us, or takes off to go play as she sees fit.
There are definitely times that I have to explain to her, "Right now, I'm working with Nathan. You may listen quietly or go play, but I cannot talk with you until we're done." I sort of file that one under "Having more than one child".
So that's how we roll. For those of you who can stand it, tomorrow, I'll talk about how our school day actually looks. I am LOVING our curriculum!
Monday, August 16, 2010
First Grade, Here We Come!
Warning: this post is mostly my thoughts and reflection this morning, and as such, may not be... well, interesting!
Today is Nathan's first day of 1st grade. We are all excited for another fun beginning and relieved to be back in a pattern.
I noticed a couple things this morning:
We are so much more relaxed this year! I'm sure that's a no-brainer, but last year was such a learning experience forboth all of us. I spent last year figuring out how Nathan learns, what motivates him, and also how I teach.
The other big thing I noticed is that it's not all about Nathan this year. Last year, every single decision I made regarding school was made with Nathan in mind.
What's best for Nathan?
How will this affect Nathan?
When I school Nathan...
etc.
Conversations about homeschooling were only about him, even though I knew that (most likely) I'll be home educating the other two as well. I would try to break out of that thought pattern and think about the broader implications of our decisions... but I couldn't do it.
This summer, though, my thoughts have turned much more to our family.
What's best for our family?
How will this affect our family?
When our family is in school...
It's really been a relief to know that I don't have to be hyper-focused on my beautiful boy at all times!
We've completed our morning routine and we're getting ready to start school. It's gonna be a great year!
Today is Nathan's first day of 1st grade. We are all excited for another fun beginning and relieved to be back in a pattern.
I noticed a couple things this morning:
We are so much more relaxed this year! I'm sure that's a no-brainer, but last year was such a learning experience for
The other big thing I noticed is that it's not all about Nathan this year. Last year, every single decision I made regarding school was made with Nathan in mind.
What's best for Nathan?
How will this affect Nathan?
When I school Nathan...
etc.
Conversations about homeschooling were only about him, even though I knew that (most likely) I'll be home educating the other two as well. I would try to break out of that thought pattern and think about the broader implications of our decisions... but I couldn't do it.
This summer, though, my thoughts have turned much more to our family.
What's best for our family?
How will this affect our family?
When our family is in school...
It's really been a relief to know that I don't have to be hyper-focused on my beautiful boy at all times!
We've completed our morning routine and we're getting ready to start school. It's gonna be a great year!
Friday, July 30, 2010
7 Quick Takes Friday
I have a whole lot of little random things rattling around my brain lately. I keep thinking I should write a post about that.... but it would be one sentence. When I saw 7 Quick Takes Friday over at Conversion Diary, it was a little gift of brevity from God!
1. I've been getting ready to start our home school year all week. The curriculum I'm using is ordered, and I'm very excited about it, so our actual timeline will likely depend on when it gets here, since we'll probably just dive right in.
2. I'm contemplating, after these many years of using children as an alarm clock, getting my own. I KNOW! It sounds terrible. But there may be some relief in having my coffee before there are three little voices at the side of my bed making their imminent starvation my problem.
3. I've also been working on Brenna's quilt, and as I've mentioned a time or two, I like to make things harder than they were supposed to be. Due to my overestimation of my own abilities, I'm having a problem with the dimensions of the quilt. The style I chose moves around a lot. Anyhoo, I also don't really love the way it's all coming together. It makes me glad I'm getting all this learning out of the way while my children are young enough to think everything I make is THE COOLEST THING EVER!
4. Isaac is killing me. He is loud, insistent, obnoxiously stubborn, LOUD, he hits, he throws, he screams, he's fearless to the point of injury, and he's loud. All the time. If he's awake, I'm stressed. Definitely my hardest toddler. Then he smiles, and oh.my.word. He's beautiful. Charming. Such a gift. Then he throws his shoes at me.
5. It's been hot. Big surprise, right? So we've been traveling around the area finding things to do on the weekend just to get out of the house. We figure it's better to be hot someplace interesting.
A few weeks ago we went to Oak Alley Plantation. It was beautiful. The tour probably would have been better if the above mentioned toddler hadn't felt it was imperative to be louder than the guide at all times, causing the two of us to have to leave, much to the relief of the other paying customers.
This weekend we're going to New Orleans Museum of Art. It'll be the kids' first time at an art museum. Yay for culture!
6. I can't figure out what to do for the Brenna and Nathan's birthdays. I'm a little wary of inviting three or four six year old boys over to climb my walls for a couple hours, but it will be too hot to do anything outside and I'm not willing to pay several hundred dollars to rent a birthday party venue for a total of eight children. Anyone have any ideas for me?
7. Ummm...
We got a good coupon for a set of tires, which we will need reasonably soon.
Or,
I can't find a picture I like for the place of honor in my wall of pictures, so the frame is still empty. It's starting to bug me.
Oh, I know!
This week I wrote my to-do list on the white board, really big. It's awesome, because I can't ignore it! I have been so productive. Of course, that means that my children REALLY, REALLY need to use the white board that they've been ignoring all summer, because clearly it's the most desirable space in the house.
THE END
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Heart to Heart
Nathan and I were having a little chat tonight in bed about some things on his mind. I was explaining what an addiction is, and how someone doesn't feel normal unless he's had whatever he's addicted to. He immediately understood:
"Like you're addicted to coffee?
"Yes." (smile)
"I think I'm addicted to TV. And scones."
"Like you're addicted to coffee?
"Yes." (smile)
"I think I'm addicted to TV. And scones."
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Practice makes... well, hopefully at least better.
I planned on quilting Brenna's quilt by hand... which would take approximately twelve and a half years.
But then I came across this and this. So fabulous.
And I also love her free motion quilting. Which is faster. And hard. So I started looking for directions, tips and tricks. I found directions, but as for tricks... well, most everything I read said practice. Practice, practice, practice. I hope no one paid money for that advice.
So I have been practicing. Since good quilting fabric is expensive, I went to my handy local Giant Discount Establishment and bought a couple yards of cheap fabric. But even then, batting was still more expensive than I wanted to pay for practice materials. So upon consideration of the materials at hand (meaning, spread across the floor of various closets) I decided to quilt one of the "mess" towels we keep around for cleaning up the plentiful spills around here. Brilliant, right? Well, sort of. Not really smooth, and TONS of lint, but it's doing the job.
Free motion quilting is basically using your sewing machine needle to draw pictures on the fabric. But instead of moving the pen, you move the paper. So the key is to keep the foot pedal at a steady pace, while also moving this huge, heavy quilt around under the needle... and make it look nice.
I divided the quilt sandwich into squares, and I'm practicing a different style in each.
I love spirals. And I suck at them. You can see here how moving the fabric and the pedal at the wrong speeds really impacts stitch length. It's totally like learning to drive a car again :). One of the tips that I keep coming across is "don't look right in front of the needle. Look where you want it to go." I think I heard that a time or twenty when I was learning to drive!
I think this is the one I'll use on Brenna's quilt.
How cute are these guys?
This one is Nathan's favorite.
I'm not ready to start on the quilt yet... I really want to get my stitch lengths under control, but I think I might be able to start next week sometime. Yay!
But then I came across this and this. So fabulous.
And I also love her free motion quilting. Which is faster. And hard. So I started looking for directions, tips and tricks. I found directions, but as for tricks... well, most everything I read said practice. Practice, practice, practice. I hope no one paid money for that advice.
So I have been practicing. Since good quilting fabric is expensive, I went to my handy local Giant Discount Establishment and bought a couple yards of cheap fabric. But even then, batting was still more expensive than I wanted to pay for practice materials. So upon consideration of the materials at hand (meaning, spread across the floor of various closets) I decided to quilt one of the "mess" towels we keep around for cleaning up the plentiful spills around here. Brilliant, right? Well, sort of. Not really smooth, and TONS of lint, but it's doing the job.
Free motion quilting is basically using your sewing machine needle to draw pictures on the fabric. But instead of moving the pen, you move the paper. So the key is to keep the foot pedal at a steady pace, while also moving this huge, heavy quilt around under the needle... and make it look nice.
I divided the quilt sandwich into squares, and I'm practicing a different style in each.
I love spirals. And I suck at them. You can see here how moving the fabric and the pedal at the wrong speeds really impacts stitch length. It's totally like learning to drive a car again :). One of the tips that I keep coming across is "don't look right in front of the needle. Look where you want it to go." I think I heard that a time or twenty when I was learning to drive!
I think this is the one I'll use on Brenna's quilt.
How cute are these guys?
This one is Nathan's favorite.
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