Here I am, trying to endure well, as I look back at this...day :). Incredible? Memorable? Unusually stunning? It's like I could just engage in something I think I needed to do (like eat my lunch before rushing out the door to do a last-minute visiting teaching visit...), pause, and know that some catastrophe (or minor disaster) was about to occur.
Let's see...
*poo in the bathtub within moments of starting, started us all off at 7:30 am.
*toothpaste plastered all over the downstairs bathroom mirror by Hava (the downstairs smelled minty fresh after that)
*mold in the berry pie we had for part of our "food storage" breakfast
*writing all over the downstairs hall--Hava proudly told me it was her work
*Papaya finding a stool up to the counter-top and "helping" with lunch
*Doing a piano lesson (finally) with Chugger-dude, only to look down and see that Papaya has figured out a way to get down from her chair after eating peanut butter and jam
*the kids finding every possible way to be mean to each other...okay, not every possible way, but it seemed more than usual :)
*Hava telling me "sorry, mom, I accidentally colored on the counter top"...really, accidentally?
*spent all day hiding every writing implement I could get my hand on before my darling baby continued her drawing passion on yet another surface (heard that hairspray was good for pen on walls)
Here's a highlight :S, got everyone out of the door to our "prompt" play practice, only to show up, start rehearsal, and find out halfway through--right when I called it quits--that Q-dawg was unable to make it due to listing a house (woohoo, I know :)...), and two of the other actors showed up half an hour late. "Practice was cancelled a few minutes ago!" I hollered as I stormed out the door. Not one of my better moments.
To top the whole day off, because I told Pipalicious if she was hungry, she could eat the dinner I worked for an hour on to make, apparently, I don't love her anymore. (Liliputian came to give me the low-down.) Awesome. :)
Now I am upstairs, sitting outside the bedroom of my baby at 9:00 pm, a ridiculously late hour to be still trying to keep her in bed when she had an early nap at 10 am and woke up around 12:30 pm.
Oh well, chalk it up to the day :).
On the plus side, got lots of schooling done: 2 guitar lessons, two piano lessons, an art lesson (spider webs), read myths and Mysterious Benedict Society, made shepherd's pie with wheat meat, did most of the dishes (still have a pot next to the sink with oatmeal from Tuesday in it), cleaned off most of the smudges that seem to appear magically after every meal from the beautiful white, glass-top stove, did jobs with the kids, had devotional, read to them tonight, went through lines, exercised, did some Hungarian while doing that, looked at some bylaws in the making and the ton of emails that are going with that :), tried to be a nice mom, and even took an interrupted 10 minute nap before doing my procastinator visiting teaching :).
Woohoo...had to weigh in the good with the bad for a little perspective tonight. Read my scriptures this morning, all about people being sent hither and yon and being chastised in revelation...boy, am I glad that I didn't ask Joseph Smith where I stand in the Lord's eye after a day like this--that might be one revelation to go down through the history books.
I must admit, I didn't have the most Christian, patient spirit today, nor this evening...something of a martyr mentality, if you couldn't tell :). However, it is good to get it out on paper, and I know days like this will pass...
...it's just a matter of enduring "well", right?
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Neighbors
I actually met a neighbor not
because they were bringing Papaya back to me (although I did have one
more incident with someone saving her from the middle of the
street a couple of days ago...argh!).
A sweet lady who lives in the circle next to where we live came over and said, in her straight-forward way: "We are short of friends in this neighborhood. I have a twelve-year old granddaughter who lives with me and wants a friend. Do you have a friend for her?" Not only did Liliputian get a friend, but this sweet lady also found two other houses with kids so that the Goob found a couple friends, and Pipalicious and Hava even got a few.
It was quite a neat experience, meeting the mom of the last two friends I mentioned. She stayed to watch how her girls would do, and we ended up chatting for about an hour while I figured out how to make my wheat-meat look more like meat :). She is in a similar situation, living in her parent's basement, and it was awesome to speak with someone of her perspective. The empathy we could feel was incredible as we shared joys and frustrations. It was amazing to me to find a kindred spirit in something so unique in such a short period of time. The Lord is truly mindful of me and of her in our need to find a friend right then.
A sweet lady who lives in the circle next to where we live came over and said, in her straight-forward way: "We are short of friends in this neighborhood. I have a twelve-year old granddaughter who lives with me and wants a friend. Do you have a friend for her?" Not only did Liliputian get a friend, but this sweet lady also found two other houses with kids so that the Goob found a couple friends, and Pipalicious and Hava even got a few.
It was quite a neat experience, meeting the mom of the last two friends I mentioned. She stayed to watch how her girls would do, and we ended up chatting for about an hour while I figured out how to make my wheat-meat look more like meat :). She is in a similar situation, living in her parent's basement, and it was awesome to speak with someone of her perspective. The empathy we could feel was incredible as we shared joys and frustrations. It was amazing to me to find a kindred spirit in something so unique in such a short period of time. The Lord is truly mindful of me and of her in our need to find a friend right then.
Pies, hikes, and games
Lek is an amazing pie-maker. He made some for a cultural
dinner we had for a homeschooling group end-of-the-school-year family
social, and, when one of the crusts was darker than he liked on top, he
said, "Mom, is it alright if I make another pie for the dinner, and we
eat this one?" Oh, yes...twist our arms! :) It was delicious!
Fortunately, he made extra crusts, so he is treating us tonight with
rhubarb pie (a family tradition from my Buchanan side), and two more
apple pies--a dutch apple and a double-crust one.
Pipalicious, Chugger-dude, and Liliputian were all eager to help with the pies, and there was a whole group working together at the counter-top after church. I love seeing them work together!
Avot and Lek enjoyed going on a backpacking trip in the rain a couple weekends ago. It was rainy and muddy for part of it...in fact, Q-dawg, who went with them, woke up with a wet sleeping bag, and frost on the end of it. They ended up forging a stream, Lek helped bring people's packs across, and Avot was her usual, chipper self.
While they were gone, the three eldest at home, the Goob, Liliputian, and Chugger-dude played super edition Carcassone with chips and dip and snacks to eat. It was so fun! They had such great attitudes as we played, romping around the field with the dragon wiping each other out, and good-naturedly taking losses and victories alike. We ended up staying late, but it was a night I hope to remember for a long time.
Speaking of memorable games, a favorite of our family lately is an African one that we learned from a young lady in our youth group a couple of years ago. You mark a circle on the floor about 6-8 feet in diameter. Someone stands in the middle of the circle with an object at their feet. The others stand around just outside the circle (you can have as many as you'd like...the more the merrier!), and try to get the object out from under the person in the middle without being touched. They can only be touched while inside the circle, and can go in and out as many times as they want. People of all ages can have fun doing this great game! This last week, after doing this game for activity for FHE on Monday, I found all the kids except for the babies outside in the backyard doing a game of it, led by the older kids. They were giggling and laughing and having such a great time!
One nice thing about living here is that, when they are all just loud and crazy, I can send them in the basement. When we had some cousins over the other night for babysitting, they came up with a crazy game where they got the three-year-old cousin, Papaya, and Hava to chase around the light from a flashlight in the darkened basement. Any other specifics were lost to me...all I know is that it involved a lot of screaming and laughing.
Pipalicious, Chugger-dude, and Liliputian were all eager to help with the pies, and there was a whole group working together at the counter-top after church. I love seeing them work together!
Avot and Lek enjoyed going on a backpacking trip in the rain a couple weekends ago. It was rainy and muddy for part of it...in fact, Q-dawg, who went with them, woke up with a wet sleeping bag, and frost on the end of it. They ended up forging a stream, Lek helped bring people's packs across, and Avot was her usual, chipper self.
While they were gone, the three eldest at home, the Goob, Liliputian, and Chugger-dude played super edition Carcassone with chips and dip and snacks to eat. It was so fun! They had such great attitudes as we played, romping around the field with the dragon wiping each other out, and good-naturedly taking losses and victories alike. We ended up staying late, but it was a night I hope to remember for a long time.
Speaking of memorable games, a favorite of our family lately is an African one that we learned from a young lady in our youth group a couple of years ago. You mark a circle on the floor about 6-8 feet in diameter. Someone stands in the middle of the circle with an object at their feet. The others stand around just outside the circle (you can have as many as you'd like...the more the merrier!), and try to get the object out from under the person in the middle without being touched. They can only be touched while inside the circle, and can go in and out as many times as they want. People of all ages can have fun doing this great game! This last week, after doing this game for activity for FHE on Monday, I found all the kids except for the babies outside in the backyard doing a game of it, led by the older kids. They were giggling and laughing and having such a great time!
One nice thing about living here is that, when they are all just loud and crazy, I can send them in the basement. When we had some cousins over the other night for babysitting, they came up with a crazy game where they got the three-year-old cousin, Papaya, and Hava to chase around the light from a flashlight in the darkened basement. Any other specifics were lost to me...all I know is that it involved a lot of screaming and laughing.
Goblin Valley trip
| We had the great chance to get away for a little family vacation the
second weekend in May...it was our first personal family vacation since
the summer before last, and we loved it! Back in March, after going to yet another place where the kids wanted to climb all over somewhere they couldn't :S, I talked to Q-dawg about going to Goblin Valley where they can climb everywhere.    |
| Avot's photography |
 |
| The Goob's magic powers growing a tree over him. |
 |
| Awesome Dad award--she spent most of the hike hiking... |
 |
| Hava was so proud of herself climbing this rock...she insisted on a picture. |
 |
| Pipalicious finds one of the many nooks and crannies to climb into... |
 |
| Papaya scaling the wall |
 |
| Lek finds his own way to scale the walls |
 |
| Group shot |
 |
| Here's one a little higher up |
 |
| ...and higher up still! |
 |
| Sisters, sisters... |
 |
| My favorite group shot...see if you can see everyone but The Bomb! |
 |
| Chillin' Chugger-dude |
 |
| This shot is Q-dawg's idea |
 |
| Wiped out at the end |
 |
| The kids dubbed this "The Prison Shot" |
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| Cool tree at the end...one of Q-dawg's favorite |
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Hava knows best...
Hava just came yelling up the stairs, "Avot! Avot! It is done for with quiet time! (her words) You can get out of bed now!" What a sweet little sister looking out for her older one. Many nights, Avot will stay down with Hava, singing to her or keeping her company. They have a special relationship...love it!
Oh, speaking of Avot, she just started giving Liliputian violin lessons, to the latter's extreme delight. So wonderful!
Oh, speaking of Avot, she just started giving Liliputian violin lessons, to the latter's extreme delight. So wonderful!
Friday, May 18, 2012
"Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this, Mama said..."
One of the advantages (of the many advantages) of being married to Q-dawg is the fact that my mind has access to the lyrics of literally millions of songs...usually one for any occasion.
This title one is an oldie, but a goodie...
I am upstairs, hiding, stuffing my face with cottage cheese on Town House crackers sprinkled with "season-all" salt...a deliciously delicious treat from Q-dawg's family and just the kind of extravagance that I need for my mood :). I love food when in the "depths of despair".
I am up here because if I don't write down my day, finding the humor in it, I think I am going to cry...yes, folks. It's been one of those days. And I like to keep it real...post it how it is.
Ahhhhh! I hear her coming! (Imagine Jaws music.) "Mommy! Mahhhhhh-ma!" Whew. She is headed back into the basement. I have a few more minutes.
Ms. Papaya...wow. I defy even the most attentive, loving parent the patience for this one. Just because I have one million kids, it doesn't mean they necessarily get any easier, some days :).
Back to Papaya: Not three full days into being here at Q-dawg's folk's house (we're staying there now while we "sell our house" which, in my book currently equals "...to Dream the Impossible Dream..."--another great song title), I heard the bell ring. Now, we aren't really settled in yet. A few neighbors have seen us making trips in our van, I am sure, but I didn't expect any real welcome party, at least not yet. In the flash of seconds this thought takes to race through my mind it was followed immediately thereafter by..."Papaya! Where is she?!" I knew the kids had checked the outside gates, but...no! The front door wasn't bolted after Q-dawg and the older kids left for their backpacking trip this morning! And Papaya had just put her coat on a little while before, getting ready to go! Classic signs. Remember, all this has run through my head in just those few seconds as I go to the door, fully glorious in my unshowered, mu-mu (sp?) state.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
There is Sister Pam, from the circle five houses down the street, with our little darling in tow. Apparently, Papaya had not only gone right up to her, but when Sister Pam offered to take her to her "mommy" (Sister Pam said she looked like one of us), Papaya lifted up her arms to her and went to her willingly.
Scary. Q-dawg and I are puzzled at her mindless determine to just keep walking away from home. Maybe we are scary :).
You know, maybe there is something to my friend's suggestion for an ID bracelet. Or, I know! Even better! I will just use the same Sharpie that she used to draw all over my in-laws beautiful tile fireplace (we were unpacking, in my defense) and all over her arms and legs to write in big bold letters across her forehead, "If lost, please return to....". (The Sharpies and all other writing devices that I can find are currently out of range.)
(Follow-up on the Sharpie story, for Q-dawg's dear parent's sake: Sharpie comes up remarkably well with just a washcloth from tile; not so much from the 1/8 inch of grout she managed to catch in her art project. I had to bring in the big guns--I will shamelessly advertise for Magic Eraser here--for the brass edging of the fireplace and the white paint of the mantle pillars, but, thankfully, it came through as always. It has already taken care of the crayon on the wall in the hall to the laundry room that she put there, as well as the old crayon that was there before we came...love it!)
Well, Q-dawg has been gone for only a day and a half now, although, again in my defense, he really hasn't been able to be here this week with all the work he has had with appraising--can't complain :)! But with pretty much moving in on our own with the kids and I and this tired pregnant body, my physical reserves have depleted, leaving no where for my pathetic emotional pregnant roller coaster to go :).
So it has been a little tough today, but! I did finish up cleaning the basement (mostly) of my parent's house--Leave No Trace policy--while listening to the kids watch "Pollyanna", one of my favorites. Then, I headed home, looking forward to a little quiet time...a little time where I wasn't worried about what Hava and Papaya were getting into,...because they would be sleeping. And, even better, maybe I would catch some sleep.
(Yesterday the combination of the dynamic duo wasn't too bad: Hava fed Papaya strawberries, then went downstairs, dismantled the newly stocked book shelves, and come upstairs proudly to tell me about what they had done.)
Caveat: in order for my dream to happen, they have to actually sleep.
2-3 pm: Papaya and Hava take turns keeping each other awake while mom dozes.
3 pm: Mom gives up and tries to selfishly take a nap.
3:30 pm: Mom (appropriately named "The Bomb") is awakened by shouts of distress from the basement: "Mom! Mom! Hava put soap all over Papaya and now it is in her eyes!"
Apparently, they were going for the dry shower clean,...just using soap. Papaya was covered from the shoulders up and the wrists down with soap, that, yes, was getting in her eyes. (Hava just had it on the top of her head.)
Nothing a little time in the sink won't cure, much to Papaya's distress. (Liliputian, the soft-hearted one, had to leave the room as Papaya screamed, poor dear.)
Anyway...back to those yummy cheese and crackers.
Mommy put on "Cars 2"--RedBox treat for kids feeling a little bummed about no partying tonight in the neighborhood we just came from--and came upstairs to type.
A Bishop of mine told me after Isaak died that journal writing can be therapeutic. I completely agree. I am starting to feel better already.
On to Hava. Wow. Will of iron, and this momma's will is worn down. I've read lots of parenting books, used lots of techniques--currently searching for one that is not just "give in" or "time out for eternity" to work with this one. She would tell us all where to go and what to do, if I let her. Her moment of glory is when I send her on an errand with a message...to tell someone what to do. Scary. I have a friend who said that with these personalities, she just makes sure there are not situations where there can be a battle of wills. Hmmm....everything becomes one with Hava as her first impulse, unerringly,--remember, she is three--is to argue. M: "Time for dinner!" H: "What are we having..." M: (Fill in the blank). H:"I don't like that!" M: "I'm reading a book." H: "I want you to read me my book." M: "Okay, just a minute." H fumes while Mom finds a stopping place. Mom picks up book and starts reading book she wanted. H: "No! Not like that! I want you to read on this side of me!" H: "I need someone to watch me go potty!" (And she would rather wet her pants then have her demand go unheeded.) M: "Okay, maybe Chugger-dude can do it." (Or some other sibling that happens to be close.) H: "No!!!! I want YOU to watch me!" (Note: Wasn't part of the original request.)
Okay, it is not always that bad, but...enough times to make me doubt my parenting. :) Tovacula likes to compare her to "Constance Contraire" from Mysterious Benedict Society.
She is loud at announcing what is going on, who is doing something wrong, or what we should all be doing. I really don't like labeling colors to people (especially at such a young age), but there is one that fits this one, I am afraid. She is red, red, and more red. I need to remember what I learned in "Parenting your Ephraim's Child", about looking at their frustrating personality traits and seeing the flip side of how they can be strengths. Strength is not a problem with this one. It's all about "strong"! I just need to figure out how to survive it and how to help her survive it until she can get old enough to use it in these last days.
Maybe they do need strength to survive this house, on the other hand :).
I have been gone long enough. The other kids have been sweet and kind and helpful, sympathetic to a worn-out, emotional mother. Time to get..."back in the saddle again, yeehaw!" (I love songs.)
This title one is an oldie, but a goodie...
I am upstairs, hiding, stuffing my face with cottage cheese on Town House crackers sprinkled with "season-all" salt...a deliciously delicious treat from Q-dawg's family and just the kind of extravagance that I need for my mood :). I love food when in the "depths of despair".
I am up here because if I don't write down my day, finding the humor in it, I think I am going to cry...yes, folks. It's been one of those days. And I like to keep it real...post it how it is.
Ahhhhh! I hear her coming! (Imagine Jaws music.) "Mommy! Mahhhhhh-ma!" Whew. She is headed back into the basement. I have a few more minutes.
Ms. Papaya...wow. I defy even the most attentive, loving parent the patience for this one. Just because I have one million kids, it doesn't mean they necessarily get any easier, some days :).
Back to Papaya: Not three full days into being here at Q-dawg's folk's house (we're staying there now while we "sell our house" which, in my book currently equals "...to Dream the Impossible Dream..."--another great song title), I heard the bell ring. Now, we aren't really settled in yet. A few neighbors have seen us making trips in our van, I am sure, but I didn't expect any real welcome party, at least not yet. In the flash of seconds this thought takes to race through my mind it was followed immediately thereafter by..."Papaya! Where is she?!" I knew the kids had checked the outside gates, but...no! The front door wasn't bolted after Q-dawg and the older kids left for their backpacking trip this morning! And Papaya had just put her coat on a little while before, getting ready to go! Classic signs. Remember, all this has run through my head in just those few seconds as I go to the door, fully glorious in my unshowered, mu-mu (sp?) state.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
There is Sister Pam, from the circle five houses down the street, with our little darling in tow. Apparently, Papaya had not only gone right up to her, but when Sister Pam offered to take her to her "mommy" (Sister Pam said she looked like one of us), Papaya lifted up her arms to her and went to her willingly.
Scary. Q-dawg and I are puzzled at her mindless determine to just keep walking away from home. Maybe we are scary :).
You know, maybe there is something to my friend's suggestion for an ID bracelet. Or, I know! Even better! I will just use the same Sharpie that she used to draw all over my in-laws beautiful tile fireplace (we were unpacking, in my defense) and all over her arms and legs to write in big bold letters across her forehead, "If lost, please return to....". (The Sharpies and all other writing devices that I can find are currently out of range.)
(Follow-up on the Sharpie story, for Q-dawg's dear parent's sake: Sharpie comes up remarkably well with just a washcloth from tile; not so much from the 1/8 inch of grout she managed to catch in her art project. I had to bring in the big guns--I will shamelessly advertise for Magic Eraser here--for the brass edging of the fireplace and the white paint of the mantle pillars, but, thankfully, it came through as always. It has already taken care of the crayon on the wall in the hall to the laundry room that she put there, as well as the old crayon that was there before we came...love it!)
Well, Q-dawg has been gone for only a day and a half now, although, again in my defense, he really hasn't been able to be here this week with all the work he has had with appraising--can't complain :)! But with pretty much moving in on our own with the kids and I and this tired pregnant body, my physical reserves have depleted, leaving no where for my pathetic emotional pregnant roller coaster to go :).
So it has been a little tough today, but! I did finish up cleaning the basement (mostly) of my parent's house--Leave No Trace policy--while listening to the kids watch "Pollyanna", one of my favorites. Then, I headed home, looking forward to a little quiet time...a little time where I wasn't worried about what Hava and Papaya were getting into,...because they would be sleeping. And, even better, maybe I would catch some sleep.
(Yesterday the combination of the dynamic duo wasn't too bad: Hava fed Papaya strawberries, then went downstairs, dismantled the newly stocked book shelves, and come upstairs proudly to tell me about what they had done.)
Caveat: in order for my dream to happen, they have to actually sleep.
2-3 pm: Papaya and Hava take turns keeping each other awake while mom dozes.
3 pm: Mom gives up and tries to selfishly take a nap.
3:30 pm: Mom (appropriately named "The Bomb") is awakened by shouts of distress from the basement: "Mom! Mom! Hava put soap all over Papaya and now it is in her eyes!"
Apparently, they were going for the dry shower clean,...just using soap. Papaya was covered from the shoulders up and the wrists down with soap, that, yes, was getting in her eyes. (Hava just had it on the top of her head.)
Nothing a little time in the sink won't cure, much to Papaya's distress. (Liliputian, the soft-hearted one, had to leave the room as Papaya screamed, poor dear.)
Anyway...back to those yummy cheese and crackers.
Mommy put on "Cars 2"--RedBox treat for kids feeling a little bummed about no partying tonight in the neighborhood we just came from--and came upstairs to type.
A Bishop of mine told me after Isaak died that journal writing can be therapeutic. I completely agree. I am starting to feel better already.
On to Hava. Wow. Will of iron, and this momma's will is worn down. I've read lots of parenting books, used lots of techniques--currently searching for one that is not just "give in" or "time out for eternity" to work with this one. She would tell us all where to go and what to do, if I let her. Her moment of glory is when I send her on an errand with a message...to tell someone what to do. Scary. I have a friend who said that with these personalities, she just makes sure there are not situations where there can be a battle of wills. Hmmm....everything becomes one with Hava as her first impulse, unerringly,--remember, she is three--is to argue. M: "Time for dinner!" H: "What are we having..." M: (Fill in the blank). H:"I don't like that!" M: "I'm reading a book." H: "I want you to read me my book." M: "Okay, just a minute." H fumes while Mom finds a stopping place. Mom picks up book and starts reading book she wanted. H: "No! Not like that! I want you to read on this side of me!" H: "I need someone to watch me go potty!" (And she would rather wet her pants then have her demand go unheeded.) M: "Okay, maybe Chugger-dude can do it." (Or some other sibling that happens to be close.) H: "No!!!! I want YOU to watch me!" (Note: Wasn't part of the original request.)
Okay, it is not always that bad, but...enough times to make me doubt my parenting. :) Tovacula likes to compare her to "Constance Contraire" from Mysterious Benedict Society.
She is loud at announcing what is going on, who is doing something wrong, or what we should all be doing. I really don't like labeling colors to people (especially at such a young age), but there is one that fits this one, I am afraid. She is red, red, and more red. I need to remember what I learned in "Parenting your Ephraim's Child", about looking at their frustrating personality traits and seeing the flip side of how they can be strengths. Strength is not a problem with this one. It's all about "strong"! I just need to figure out how to survive it and how to help her survive it until she can get old enough to use it in these last days.
Maybe they do need strength to survive this house, on the other hand :).
I have been gone long enough. The other kids have been sweet and kind and helpful, sympathetic to a worn-out, emotional mother. Time to get..."back in the saddle again, yeehaw!" (I love songs.)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Recovering-books-Chugger Dude's shiner!
After a full day yesterday of chasing kids up to their homeschooling classes and working on keeping our old yard "up to snuff", I was pretty bushed. Missed getting up to get my mom some breakfast before work (it is my day to do it...we ended up having "cereal!" per Hava's request), but rolled out of bed in time to check on the other kids and their jobs and do a little cleaning of my own. We even got devotional in, which, if nothing else is "officially" done, I feel good about the day. :)
We will be moving into Q-dawg's folk's in the next few weeks, so I picked up some boxes from the local grocer's and packed up a bit. Avot has her two boxes ready that we allot the kids for their things, and Liliputian is excited to get started. The Goob was thrilled when I said that I would add "The Magic Treehouse" books to the family collection to move, so that he had that much more space in his boxes.
Avot and I had fun thinking of some of the core books we still wanted to have in our "library" when we move to Hungary: "The Time Book, Teach the Children, by Flinders, The Mysterious Benedict Society (one of her personal favorites), The Lord of the Rings, Susan Wise Bauer's 1 and 4 vol. of History of the World (we already have the other two), Bauer's History of the Medieval World, Summer of the Monkeys, Teaching and Learning America's Christian History (and the accompanying vol.), 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths (the Norse one looks interesting, too), all four of Beethoven's Wig (classical music with lyrics that my kids love!), Les Miserables (if I am going to carry it backpacking, I am going to carry it to Hungary)", and a few others (forgive my lazy apostrophe's :).) I have a list on Amazon that keeps fluctuating as the books go out of stock as I sleep on the list to make sure it not only has everything, but that I want everything it has on it. (I hate buyer's remorse!)
Someone asked which books I was taking with us to Hungary, but, as I started to list them here, it got a little out of control, so I am going to start a section in my Lazarus blog, a page of my personal favorites. :) I would love to have any one else's personal favorites for ideas! I figure we will bring a Kindle for those books that are classics to everyone, along with those, like Covey's and other ones that are great to read once at least, but not ones that I would necessarily "mark up" and make my own.
Right now, I am really enjoying finishing up the faith-filled life of Joan of Arc, as written by Mark Twain. He seems so cynical/laid-back/...something in his other books that seems completely gone in this book. I like the other ones, but this one is powerfully written. Apparently it took him 15 years of researching and writing, and he considers it his finest work (according to the cover :)...).
Many of us have taken naps today-- to recover from yesterday, there has been a lot of time spent reading and enjoying the beautiful day after the rain, and I am about ready to head out and weed--love it! Chugger-dude is recovering from an accidental collision with the Goob and the slide last night, as we stayed until dusk, playing at the park. (The kids took advantage of me enjoying my friends :).) Can you see the awesome shiner he got?! :) When I took him to the grocery store to pick up boxes this morning, he had it all planned out what he would say if someone asked him--and then our sweet hometeacher (the wife of a couple partnership) was there, asked him, and patiently listened to him! He was elated :).
Kelrazor is making his favorite, Sierra Nugget cookies (also known as corn flake cookies), which will be delicious. We will be having our "memorization rehearsal" tonight for the family play we are putting on, "The Ugly Duckling" by A.A. Milne, which should be fun. Q-dawg makes a hilarious king. I guess, after his impromptu impression of Potiphor's wife for Avot in her homeschool video, he decided he could act...either that, or he is just being a good sport. Either way, he is great!
The main goal for today, other than the usual of "be nice", is to keep Papaya for making another break for it--someone brought her home again today. Arghh!!!!!
We will be moving into Q-dawg's folk's in the next few weeks, so I picked up some boxes from the local grocer's and packed up a bit. Avot has her two boxes ready that we allot the kids for their things, and Liliputian is excited to get started. The Goob was thrilled when I said that I would add "The Magic Treehouse" books to the family collection to move, so that he had that much more space in his boxes.
Avot and I had fun thinking of some of the core books we still wanted to have in our "library" when we move to Hungary: "The Time Book, Teach the Children, by Flinders, The Mysterious Benedict Society (one of her personal favorites), The Lord of the Rings, Susan Wise Bauer's 1 and 4 vol. of History of the World (we already have the other two), Bauer's History of the Medieval World, Summer of the Monkeys, Teaching and Learning America's Christian History (and the accompanying vol.), 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths (the Norse one looks interesting, too), all four of Beethoven's Wig (classical music with lyrics that my kids love!), Les Miserables (if I am going to carry it backpacking, I am going to carry it to Hungary)", and a few others (forgive my lazy apostrophe's :).) I have a list on Amazon that keeps fluctuating as the books go out of stock as I sleep on the list to make sure it not only has everything, but that I want everything it has on it. (I hate buyer's remorse!)
Someone asked which books I was taking with us to Hungary, but, as I started to list them here, it got a little out of control, so I am going to start a section in my Lazarus blog, a page of my personal favorites. :) I would love to have any one else's personal favorites for ideas! I figure we will bring a Kindle for those books that are classics to everyone, along with those, like Covey's and other ones that are great to read once at least, but not ones that I would necessarily "mark up" and make my own.
Right now, I am really enjoying finishing up the faith-filled life of Joan of Arc, as written by Mark Twain. He seems so cynical/laid-back/...something in his other books that seems completely gone in this book. I like the other ones, but this one is powerfully written. Apparently it took him 15 years of researching and writing, and he considers it his finest work (according to the cover :)...).
Many of us have taken naps today-- to recover from yesterday, there has been a lot of time spent reading and enjoying the beautiful day after the rain, and I am about ready to head out and weed--love it! Chugger-dude is recovering from an accidental collision with the Goob and the slide last night, as we stayed until dusk, playing at the park. (The kids took advantage of me enjoying my friends :).) Can you see the awesome shiner he got?! :) When I took him to the grocery store to pick up boxes this morning, he had it all planned out what he would say if someone asked him--and then our sweet hometeacher (the wife of a couple partnership) was there, asked him, and patiently listened to him! He was elated :).
The main goal for today, other than the usual of "be nice", is to keep Papaya for making another break for it--someone brought her home again today. Arghh!!!!!
Little comedian in the bed...
This morning, as I lay in bed, determined to exercise enough will-power to get up and do something with my day, Hava joined me and snuggled. She has been using her binki less and less to sleep, which is nice, so we were having some addiction-free time together :).
She started combing my hair, which is nice and painful all at the same time, when suddenly, she realized, "No!!! There is a hair in the comb!" Now, Hava, has a "thing" with hair--has since she was a wee babe in the swimming pool with me and panicked seeing my dark, wet hair all over my shoulder. I tried to reason with her that, of course, when she is combing my hair, some of it will break off and stick in the comb. Well, I don't know how well I got through to her, but it led to an interesting conversation.
"I have hair on my head."
"Yes, you do, Hava."
"You have hair on your head."
"Yes, I do :)."
Pause...
"Daddy doesn't have hair on his head. He just has many, many ears...Big, big, BIG ears!", with each "big" dramatically demonstrated in size by her chubby little hands.
She started combing my hair, which is nice and painful all at the same time, when suddenly, she realized, "No!!! There is a hair in the comb!" Now, Hava, has a "thing" with hair--has since she was a wee babe in the swimming pool with me and panicked seeing my dark, wet hair all over my shoulder. I tried to reason with her that, of course, when she is combing my hair, some of it will break off and stick in the comb. Well, I don't know how well I got through to her, but it led to an interesting conversation.
"I have hair on my head."
"Yes, you do, Hava."
"You have hair on your head."
"Yes, I do :)."
Pause...
"Daddy doesn't have hair on his head. He just has many, many ears...Big, big, BIG ears!", with each "big" dramatically demonstrated in size by her chubby little hands.
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