Daybook - Peak foliage edition

FOR TODAY October 5, 2009

Outside my window...
I am writing this at night, so it is dark. It was a rainy weekend. Sunday was sunnier than Saturday (no pun intended) and as we drove home Sunday evening, the rain had stopped, the foliage was at its peak and fog and mist were rolling into the low lying fields....breathtaking!!

I am thinking...
We need new bedtime routines!!! I am hoping that moving into the new house will give us the "fresh start" we need to establish new habits

I am thankful for...
The gift of the Eucharist and the grace available to us in the Sacraments. God is so good and merciful to us.

From the learning rooms...
School has gone fairly smoothly this year. I am still seeing where I would like to add more "fun". With so much soccer, I find it difficult to do the lovely things that strengthen the family bond...tea time, liturgical baking, read alouds, crafts, games...we don't have enough of this happening now

From the kitchen...
It was a very well-received chili for dinner tonight. I think the kids would also like to see more homemade applesauce, apple crisp, apple pie, etc....

I am creating...
Hmmm...not much creative going on right now...lesson plans, and doing some art work along with the kids...watercolor pencils are fun!

I am going...
to bed, ASAP

I am reading...
Lord of the Rings and You Can Become a Saint with my 12th grader.

I am hoping...
to get to Confession this week

I am hearing...
The humidifier humming (colds and sniffles for most of us, already!)

Around the house...
Ugh, boxes, dust, toys...more packing that needs to be done

One of my favorite things...
Watching my boys play soccer and my little girl dance. I also love watching my eldest daughter act, but she's away at college and I don't get to see her performances too often these days.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Soccer, soccer, soccer. Big high school game on Thursday: Bernard Cup Trophy game versus rival Fall Mtn. Ballet class for Annie, orthodontist for Isaac, backfilling the foundation for the new house, schoolwork, phone calls, Confession!


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Daybook -- First Day of School Edition

FOR TODAY August 31, 2009
Outside my window...
Right now, it is dark. This is the evening edition of my "daybook":) It was a lovely sunny day with temps in the 70's to low 80's...perfect, in my book!
I am thinking...
about my friends who are undergoing medical issues, and another friend who is leaving the area for good:(

I am thankful for...
my faith, my family, life itself

From the learning rooms...
It was our first day of school!! We hit some glitches (Teaching Textbooks needed to be reinstalled) but had a decent day. I am realizing that I need to capitalize on my sons' enthusiasm and make the first day of school something special each year...either with paper cones (from Cay?), a special breakfast or lunch, or a fun activity. After 15 years at this homeschooling gig, I still have my own lessons to learn!!

From the kitchen...
It was grilled chicken, broccoli and garlic and olive oil noodles for dinner. Tomorrow night will be quick and easy since we have a soccer game to attend! (Fierce rivalry...should be a good one!)

I am creating...
stronger muscles through my new exercise program appropriately named, "Clearing the land for our new house." Catchy title, doncha think?

I am going...
To bed really soon. I'm tired!

I am reading...
Lord of the Rings with my high schooler, You Can Become a Saint with my high schooler and not much else!

I am hoping...
To get the boys' room cleaned and packed...soon, very soon

I am hearing...
gentle snoring coming from the boys' room and not-so-gentle snoring coming from my room!

Around the house...
Boxes...lots!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Two soccer games, more tree cutting, more schooling, insurance meeting

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Finally, a picture of the whole family including hubby and me.
Some friends have been asking for it...you know who you are!

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Daybook - Hottest day of the year edition

FOR TODAY August 17, 2009

Outside my window...
It is hazy and foggy. The weatherman said on the news last night that tomorrow is going to be the hottest day of the year. After all the cool weather and rain, we are now having a heat wave. Hazy, hot and humid until Thursday. It was a HHH weekend also. Thank goodness for generous friends with pools they are willing to share with the hot, sweaty masses!
I am thinking...
How much I miss college girl already, and how different my schedule and days are going to be without her. She and hubby and our oldest son left Saturday morning to bring her back to Franciscan University. This is her junior year. It doesn't get easier. I don't worry about her so much anymore, but the missing is the same...she leaves a hole in our hearts and our lives.
I am thankful for...
A College girl who is thriving and blossoming and becoming the delightful young lady Our Lord created her to be
For the safe return of my husband and son from Ohio
For the successful purchase of the land and the opportunity to build a house this fall--oh, it will be nice to be homeowners again. Renting, even temporarily, is weird when you are used to owning.
Generous friends who welcome my children and me into their pools in hot, sticky weather.
For another friend who called to invite my children and me to go swimming at her house, and greeted me with a margarita!
From the learning rooms...
We are all set and ready to go! I mentioned my joy at finishing up the portfolios. The lesson plans are complete, books purchased (not all received yet), supplies organized and replenished (due to a Staples run with College girl on Friday evening). We are all set! We will begin school on August 31....two weeks....
From the kitchen...
Need to do some serious grocery shopping today...not much is coming from the kitchen until then! But who wants to eat in this heat?! I wonder what folks in the south eat in the hot summers? I could use some new recipes.
I am creating...
Order from chaos. My goal is to clean, organize and pack certain areas of the house (I have a list!) every day for the next two weeks until school starts. College girl's stuff is all packed. When we were packing her room for college, I packed everything else up for the move, so she's all done! Once school starts, I want to keep working a couple of hours each weekend on the cleaning, purging and packing detail, so that when the time comes to move, the load will be lightened a bit. Especially because I am going to have to be painting and working on the house in the meantime.
I am going...
Swimming with the kids this afternoon (after the abovementioned cleaning and packing project, ummm and the grocery shopping...I'd better get moving!)
I am reading...
Not much right now except my teenage son's school books, home decorating catalogs and a few blogs.
I am hoping...
For an enriching and grace-filled school year for all of my children, homeschooled or college.
I am hearing...
Hubby getting ready for work. I am also thankful for a hardworking husband who keeps plugging on whether it is the hottest day of the year or the coldest.
Around the house...
All is quiet, and smelly....a skunk sprayed outside last night. The dog got caught in the crossfire, not a direct hit, but she still got an impromptu bath on the back porch at 9:30pm.
One of my favorite things...
Watching my children blossom. My 10 year old had his soccer jamboree championship on Friday evening. His skills have improved so much! He truly dominated the games with 9 goals on the night (out of 13 total for the team) and some beautiful passes and assists. He received many comments from other parents and spectators. Even big brother's varsity coach wanted to sign him up:) and offered him big brother's spot as striker!:) (Just a little fuel for the sibling rivalries--thanks coach!) This is the boy who only started playing the game 2 years ago, and spent most of his first ever game crying in the car!!! I used to worry if he, with his "intense" personality, would be able to function in organized sports or group settings. Silly me. He works hard at this sport he loves and it has given him confidence and discipline. I am so proud of him!
Oh, his team won the championship, btw!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Cleaning, packing, purging and swimming

Daybook - Evening edition

FOR TODAY August 3, 2009...
Outside my window...
It was a beautiful day...blue skies, sun, not too warm or too humid, although I did get kind of warm sitting watching my son's soccer game with the sun beating down on me, but, in general, it wasn't that hot, humid, thunderstormy stuff we have been having...in between the rain...it's been a strange summer, weather-wise.
I am thinking...
Of all the things I need to accomplish before school starts again, and before college girl goes back to Ohio, *sigh*. She leaves in 2 weeks. It seems like she just got here. The missing doesn't get easier, really. I'm not so worried about her anymore, but I still miss her alot when she's gone. Even before she leaves. So does her brother, Sammy.
I am thankful for...
a conditionally pre-approved student loan, finally!
From the learning rooms...
Oh my, still wrapping up last year, pulling together portfolios, and all the paperwork involved with my high schooler's transcripts. Ugh.
On the bright side, all my planning is done for next year. Planning is much more fun than recording!
From the kitchen...
Not too inspired lately. Still trying to keep up the fruits and veggies. I'll cut up a canteloupe for breakfast tomorrow. It will probably be grilled lemon, pepper and garlic chicken for dinner, with potato salad and zucchini and summer squash with onions.
I am going...
To work with college girl tomorrow in her room to weed out old clothes and the "stuff" in her room that she needs to pack for college or throw out. We usually have differing opinions about what needs to be thrown out or kept. It should be exciting.
I am reading...
"Bless me Father for I have Kids" by Susie Lloyd. She's very funny. Sometimes it's like she's looking in my windows...a little eerie.
I am hoping...
For more good news on the loan front...all in accordance with God's Holy Will.
I am hearing...
Sammy's sweet snoring...or should that be Sammy Sweet's snoring???
Around the house...
So many things need organizing, purging and maybe, packing...it's a little overwhelming. I think I need to do the Flylady thing...just one hour per day and soon the "stuff" will be under control. Right?
One of my favorite things...
The little brown bodies of my children, that prove to me that they have been enjoying summer activities, even though I feel I have been tied down with construction loans, student loans, health insurance, portfolios, lesson plans and paperwork.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Portfolios, purging, packing and paperwork
...and a little soccer....always soccer...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
He is going to miss her. We all are.

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School's out Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday June 8, 2009...
Outside my window...
the sun is shining and it looks like another beautiful day! We have been having some wonderful weather lately! The hot, humid weather has not arrived yet, thank goodness. We are enjoying these sunny, warm, clear days.My 'Thinkers'

I am thinking...
of new summer routines, purging, purging, purging and new approaches to old problems

I am thankful for...
little girls' dance recitals, middle sized boys' soccer games (he scored 4 goals, team still undefeated!), big boys' soccer games, and the gifts and talents with which Our Lord has blessed these children
Cousins!
From the learning rooms...
standardized testing is complete and mailed in, still plugging along in math and french, contemplating making a reading list for the boys for summer...but, do I need a list? We go to the library every week or so and they pick out new books every time. The books are not necessarily "classics", but they are reading. My ten year old is on a "Calvin and Hobbes" kick. I can't blame him. I loved that comic strip. He was inspired to create his own comic book. It's pretty funny! I am reading "Little House on the Prairie" to them to wrap up our history lessons.

From the kitchen...
frustration at trying to keep the older people (and some of the younger ones) in this house full! I grilled steak the other night, made mashed potatoes (everyone's favorite) and had fresh sliced veggies. Meat and potatoes, right? Stick to your ribs stuff! Well, soon after dinner, someone, who will remain nameless, was in the kitchen making himself a sandwich! Are you kidding? I know the males in this house are very active, but it is next to impossible to get them filled up! Which would explain the problem with the grocery bill.
Still pushing the fruits and veggies, and am so thankful that they are popular with this crowd. We need a WAY bigger garden!
I am going...
to make chocolate chip cookies with the younger ones today...I promised them last night and my 3 year old woke up chanting "cookies, cookies, cookies!" She doesn't forget anything!

I am reading...
Little House on the Prairie to the kids, A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn, and I just finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The Potter books are very quick reads (almost disturbingly so) and I am working on a separate post about them, but I am thinking I might just read all of them before I give an opinion. They do change, and some of the criticisms I have read about the books happen in the later ones, so I want to do all my research first. I don't think there's anyone out there waiting with baited breath for my critique anyway :)

I am hoping...
that an opportunity that presented itself unexpectedly last week works out in accordance with God's Holy Will

I am hearing...
Sam and Annie listening to books on tape....sounds like Cinderella this time.

Around the house...
Cleaning, purging, cleaning, purging....and paperwork, portfolios, phone calls, ugh
Oh yeah, and those Chocolate Chip Cookies!

One of my favorite things...
10 year old's birthday parties that are as fun for the grown-ups as for the kids!! Thanks, Emm for turning 10! We had a great time!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
co-op meeting tonight, the last baseball game, soccer games, portfolios, cleaning, purging...
things are slowing down...

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

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Almost summer daybook - June 1, 2009

Outside my window...
Bright, clear and sunny...looks like a lovely day

I am thinking...
Of many things: life, choices, love, and what makes life worth living--
very deep!

I am thankful for...
the power of the Holy Spirit, which can renew the face of the earth
and inspire and guide us.

Come, Holy Spirit. Come by means of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse.

From the learning rooms...
We need to do Sammy's CAT testing this week,
and then its all about packing up this year, putting together portfolios, organizing school supplies, and pulling out and shelving next year's books.
Ethan will continue doing Teaching Textbooks throughout the summer,
and Isaac will keep doing Rosetta Stone French (or else!!)
I am pretty sure I have most of next year's curriculum figured out,
but I keep finding great new ideas at different blogs and websites I visit!!! It's making my job more difficult, for sure. I am still working on condensing all the religion ideas I have found into a workable curriculum.

From the kitchen...
I have been very uninspired as of late. We are trying to add more fruits and veggies to our diet. I find that if I set out a bowl of grapes, sliced cukes or cut up watermelon, nobody whines for snacks. I am going to try to keep something healthy and "ready-to-go" on the counter in the afternoon hours.
I need to work on reducing our grocery bill. Seriously! It seems that I need to treat grocery consumption like finances... we need an "eating budget". This means, though, that I am going to need to prepare all lunches and snacks for everyone, and budget them out so that they are all eating the same thing and I can keep a close eye on amounts eaten. I find that when I allow them to make their own sandwiches, lots of food gets wasted, or someone will see their sibling's lunch and decide that it looks better than their own and want that instead. Too many food choices, around this house anyway, leads to waste, excessive eating, and a distorted view of food. Even though I only have one child with a weight issue, most of them view food in a gluttonous way. This needs to change. I am hoping to see an improvement in our weekly grocery bill because of it.

I am going...
to take my daughter to work in a few minutes, then get to those CAT tests.

I am reading...
finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (book two), but I will be posting about Harry separately. I am also reading "A Father Who Keeps His Promises" by Scott Hahn.
And lots and lots of curriculum ideas, books, catalogs, blogs.....

I am hoping...
Sammy doesn't freak out about his first standardized testing experience.
I am also hoping that Isaac does well on his SATs this weekend.

I am hearing...
Guitar Hero being played, when I should be hearing beds being made and morning chores being done...I will have to investigate.....

Around the house...
it doesn't look too bad, after all we weren't here very much this weekend...3 soccer games and 2 baseball games, last day of CCD, Mass, of course, and just because we don't get enough soccer, we went to my nephew's soccer game also:)

One of my favorite things...
hearing my children engaged in imaginative play together, which they are right now.
Love it.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Clean the car (oh my yes! clean the car!), finish CAT testing, laundry, research health insurance options (yuk), plant flowers at the Church, laundry, soccer, baseball, curriculum planning, laundry, and did I mention baseball?
Teen son just found out that his baseball team made the state playoffs!! Congratulations, Isaac!
Go Cardinals!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
College girl and teen son hamming it up after our production of "The Tempest"
Isaac is still in his King Alonzo attire.
Love that they can bond over Shakespeare!

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