A thousand Miles

Does everyone have a touch of Control Freak in them?

2011-02-06T21:45:00.001-05:00

I try not to be one, but I am. I cross the line. I've been slowly learning this and battling with this, but recently God has lifted the heavy burden I've been carrying around of feeling responsible for the outcomes in life. I love my kids. I want them to be successful in friendships, sports, academics, their pursuit of God, and growing character. I want them to be happy, be nice to each other. I want them to do their house chores right. Somehow I got myself too tangled in and felt like a failure when they were not happy, or getting along with each other for too many days in a row. I beat myself up when they were slacking off on chores or school work. I questioned my "mom abilities" when larger problems would occur and the weight was draining me day after day. I want my husband to be happy when he comes home from work. I want him to work less, eat better, sleep more, and enjoy his family. I felt burdened with the ponderous task of making all these things happen in his life. What a joy it has been these past few days living without this huge and impossible assignment (which I unintentionally appointed my self). What a joy to wake up knowing that I live and breathe...love and teach, discipline and guide, play, cook, clean and work by the grace of God and it is for Him that I do it all. With this in mind, I do not have to carry the burden of the outcome! And if I can't make everyone happy, it's okay now. It reminds me of that very awesome song from R.E.M. It's the End of the World as We Know it.....and I Feel Fine.

2011-02-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

Around the World in 180 Days!
This year we are traveling around the world for geography class and have enjoyed spending time in Mexico, Brazil, Norway, Canada and Germany. The homemade pretzels were very fun to make but quite tricky! Dropping a doughy pretzel into boiling water for 30 seconds and then retrieving the slippery thing to bake turned out to be the hardest part. We put the odd shaped ones on the bottom of the pile!

No one really liked the kraut very much.

Fresh Air and Foxholes

2011-01-13T15:16:00.000-05:00

Last year was the hardest year of my life. Sometimes nothing more can be done but to dig a foxhole, gather your supplies and fight your enemy and hope for reinforcements or at least a supply drop so you can keep up the battle.

Perhaps I could have come out sooner, but I think I may have adjusted to forgetting I was even in a foxhole -- mistaking it for "life as I now know it".

Part of what I now want to do is get some joy back into life, creating space for it and trusting God a little more to do battle for me.

Thousand Miles blog will hopefully record many of these times as I breathe in some fresh air with people I love and take up some personal interests for myself that I have laid aside for much too long.

Living life on purpose does take some effort, but the reward is worth it. I'm breathing better already just talking about it!

It was a good run.

2010-04-11T01:23:00.001-04:00

Nearly 8 years of homeschool and our oldest is now attending "formal school".
We are thankful for God providing a wonderful Christian school for her to attend, and so far a smooth transition.
Some of my favorite memories of homeschooling through the 8 years with Chloe:
~making super long timelines on butcher block paper
~listening to tons of audiobooks on nearly all car rides in the elementary school years
~making a cleopatra costume
~Eating lunch outdoors at Byerlys!
~Art class with the Westriches
~nature walks at Elm Creek
~Ending school early to spend a week at the cabin
~Sleeping in late
~Becoming well read by reading to her all those great Sonlight books
~Forcing Jackson to talk to Leela and give her his passport. That was fun for us, but not so much for him!
~Making the tabernacle and eating Chinese food
~Laughing every day
~Tons of singing and dancing in the kitchen

Most of all, being a part of every day together: learning to love through the good days, the bad days, the sick days, the sick of school days, the new babies, the new curriculums, the new jobs, the new homes and all the good things that hard challenges can develop in us.

I've loved it and would not have done it differently....but I know it is time for something new and look forward to all that this new chapter will bring to our lives.

New Year, New Spreadsheets!

2010-01-05T23:10:00.001-05:00

The downside to being gone for Christmas Break is that there is no time to clean out the homeschool room, the kids' closets, or do a real good washing of the kitchen floor. Instead, I come home 2 days before I am planning to start teaching and have to empty the rotten veggies from the fridge, unpack the loads of suitcases and boxes of gifts, grocery shop, and get the kids back onto a schedule that gets them to bed earlier than 11:00 and up earlier than 10:00. It is a great blessing to travel back to see family for Christmas, but the return trip of driving 18 hours (and riding in the back seat next to the toddler so that sick older son could have my front seat) celebrating New Years Eve in a hotel trying to make it "fun" for the teenager and other kids, and all that work awaiting for me when I got home (not to mentioned being jacked up on caffine, sugar and nasty McDonalds) isn't the best way to start out a happy new homeschool year.
And, I tend to be one of those who loves to start out with great expectations, best intentions, and all my duckies neatly in a row.

But I did get some beautiful color spreadsheets done that display my new and improved schedule for the homeschool day. Bonus: I made new school work planning sheets for the kids that are spanky colored and better lay out each days' work.

So although I started today 2 hours behind schedule and with a headache and a hang-over feeling from fighting off my older son's virus -- the day did happen without too much difficulty. Adverbs were introduced, Psalms 23 studied, Multiplication taught, the minute hand of the clock practiced, a playdoh bob the builder sculpted, fractions divided by decimals and converted to percents (or something like that) and even had time to watch Pride and Predjudice with the 9th grader. Somehow, 4 things didn't get done. This is the perpetual problem of a homeschool mom optimist who has the faulty idea that more can be accomplished in a day than possible.

Which brings me to my favorite New Year's Resolution: I will stop when I have 75% of my day's work done -- make time to play with the kids -- and then see if there is time left for the rest. If not, so be it. No one will die over it! Like that? My kids do (and I do too) and I have gotten to the second world in Super Mario Wii !

Weather Alert. Maria, don't read this while drinking -- you'll likely spew the computer.

2009-12-18T23:21:00.000-05:00

A STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 4 TO 8 INCHES IS EXPECTED BY THE TIME THIS STORM ENDS. A CHANGE IN THE TRACK OF THE STORM HOWEVER WILL ALTER THE SNOWFALL AMOUNTS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW IS EXPECTED. GUSTY WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Things are already closing, even though the chance of snow is only 40% and the storm could easily shift directions and we only get a dusting like all the "storms" since we moved here.
Time will tell...but by my experience at the grocery store tonight I think the entire Lehigh Valley expects to be snowed in for the next 4 days.
The one thing I like about snow days is that when I head out on the streets I get the pleasure of being one of only a few sparse vehicles driving though the beautiful swirling snow -- seeing the beauty of it before it is tainted by plows, salt, exaust and sludge.
Can't wait to see it come!

Here is a sign your NOT in the city anymore...

2009-11-15T23:04:00.000-05:00

Sign read on the way to the hockey rink this morning:

Baked Cow Tongue $5.29 a pound

Weekend, please give me one more day!

2009-11-09T00:26:00.001-05:00

Roy and Jackson were gone the past 5 days in Chicago for a hockey tournament. I don't know why this is, but whenever Roy is out of town I get the urge to do big jobs. This logically doesn't make sense, because one would think that having an extra adult around would make it easier to do things -- but not so in my family. Ah, now don't rush to judgement that I'm making an implicating statement..it's just the facts.

So, I spent most of my weekend being productive. One thing that was not accomplished that was sorely needed was cleaning my master bathroom and bedroom. The other thing.......planning out the week with learning goals, or prepping for teaching highschool history. The other thing not even attempted was menu planning. Therefore, I am just NOT ready for Monday.
Highlights of the weekend~

Family room accent wall painted. Audrey loves the new paint color -- she says it makes her think of chocolate. She may be equal to me in my love and appreciation of chocolate.
Upstairs hallways and the stairwell also were painted and finished this weekend.
Chloe had a friend over and was able to snack on a yummy variation of caramel crunch chex mix.
I reigned one more weekend as champion of Sequence and we learned how to play Bananagrams.
Played trains, cars, and a creative game of Calico Critters.
Got in a little jumping on the trampoline.
Went for a walk at Trexler Park and let Benjamin walk most of the way (1 mile is a long way for a toddler who must stop and play in every patch of mud).
Exercised each day.
Watched Muppets from Space. I don't recommend it. I nearly fell asleep. It was worth it, though because Audrey's laugh can make the most dull moment joyful.
Of course, there are those constant things like laundry and cooking and sweeping that can't be ignored...but even though it seems like I did some important tasks, I am just not at all ready for the week to come. Looking back, I can't say that I should have spent my time any other way, however. And so, Monday will come and although I am unprepared, I'll lean on God to direct me to run the day in the direction He wants it to go.
Have a great Monday, everyone.

Quick poem reflecting 5 minutes in the life of Benjamin.

2009-10-28T12:40:00.001-04:00

Toddler on the table and plates on the floor.
Rattle rattle bang means he learned to open the door.
Stomp, stomp scream means there isn't anymore
Live Boxelder bugs on the kitchen floor.

Take away, take away get it from his hand.
Hurry clear the spot where his tantrum will land.
squirm, screech, screeeech means this one will be grand.
Spanky spanky time on his pudgy, naughty hand.

What did he say? Does he want a cracker too?
Time to go bye bye Toddler just brought over a shoe.
Quick hug, trains in hand, I think that word was new!
All forgotten, happy boy, a smile and laugh now, too!

The kids have been stealing my camera

2009-10-16T00:37:00.000-04:00

After this picture, I promptly took Benjamin to get his hair cut!

Have I ever mentioned that I love homeschooling?

2009-09-30T22:06:00.001-04:00

It's a pure blessing to accomplish things of eternal value every day.
Everytime kids are bickering I have the opportunity to steer them toward Christ -- helping them see the sinful nature we all have and our need for forgiveness and grace.
When the kids are learning about natural things in science I can help lead them to see God's glory.Or when we are reading the stories of human triumph as well as terror and tyranny I can guide them toward seeing God's threads of grace woven through all of time as he sovereignly lays out the plan he has for his creation.
There are an unquantifiable amount of opportunities for me to learn more patience, more caution, and more prudence.....and even more lessons to learn in being more merciful, longsuffering, and less self-centered.

I'm a forgetful person, so now I have this post to look back at when I need it.

Do a bad job of it.

2009-09-20T20:45:00.003-04:00

I don't think I clearly realize how true this is....and I may deny it to myself when the clarity does strike.....but I frequently DON'T do what I want to do simply because I believe I don't have the time to do a great job at it.

So this week, I am going to do stuff -- and do a bad job of it. I'll do it to my best, but be okay with it turning out...well....bad!

Here is what I will do a bad job of this week and be okay about:

1. Write a bad post on blog (hey! I accomplished that already).

2. Exercise for less time than planned and with less intensity than I'd like to.

3. Read to Audrey when I'm too tired to make fun voices for all the characters.

4. Kindof clean the bathrooms.

5. Finally finish the video montage' from our summer visit to MN.

The all or nothing approach is a form of perfectionism (ick! I'm a perfectionist?) and perfectionism is one of the results of pride. So, time for some humility and no more putting off a job until I can do it just right.

A Song.

2009-09-16T00:31:00.005-04:00

Take me away on a Vespa on the windy road between country and suburb. It's not a long drive, but it's a sweet ride, and all I need to keep me sane.

I'm not complaining, but it's been a hard day. I've got a toddler and a teenage daughter. So pardon my shortfalls and lack of patience, but Vespa come take me away.

Birthdays

2009-08-23T00:46:00.003-04:00

Birthdays are best when...

a seven year old girl tries to wake up earlier than mom to suprise her with breakfast
enormous cards filled with loving words are presented
home-made gifts are given along with hugs and warm smiles
strange birthday song traditions live on for yet another year
lunch is eaten at a delicious italian restaurant...no kids...and it's pouring rain outside
you know that this is the last year left in your 30's
baby takes a nice, long nap.

It was a good birthday.

Deep in the woods-- Lost.

2009-08-16T16:31:00.002-04:00

On the way home from MN we spontaneously visited Cook Forest State Park. It gets almost as close as one can get to visiting "ancient" trees in North America. Very beautiful! This picture was taken while I was still enjoying myself. About 30 minutes later I had a melt down because we still hadn't found Roy and Benjamin -- who had hiked a little ahead of us and we weren't exactly sure which trail they went on.

We never did find them on the hike until we all met back up at the car. We ended up getting back from our MN trip about 4 hours off our schedule due to the mishap in the woods as well as some unexpected traffic on 80.
Ah, well.....It will make for a good story in a couple years.

Do you read this?

2009-08-12T23:34:00.003-04:00

Should I re-surface this blog?
Been thinking about it. I enjoy reading the couple people who still blog the little things in their day and wonder if I should start this one up again.
Perhaps no one comes by to look anymore...being abandoned for quite some time now.

But, if by chance you see this and find my posts entertaining....let me know.

2009-06-27T11:21:00.001-04:00

I call this: Dirt, Cookies, and Drool

Basically this is what Benjamin looks like most of the time. Why fight it? This picture was taken after we spent the morning at the Rose Gardens in Allentown. He loves flowers, but this day he loved the dirt more. It was much, much worse, but I think the little leftovers looks cute.

1.5 months left

2009-04-14T08:04:00.005-04:00

I'm hitting the part of homeschooling where I struggle to go that last mile. Kindof like in a marathon -- there are a small, very small, few who are still striding galiantly toward the finish line. The largest group of the pack are walking and limping the last 3 miles. There are some who already quit due to injury or maybe poor training. Then there is the group that is plodding along simply concentrating on moving their feet to a rhythmic pattern...left, right, left right...focusing on just getting there. They are afraid that if they shift their speed by either slowing down or speeding up they will thwart any chance of making it.

I'm hoping I can end these last one and a half months with enthusiasm and creativity -- but I'll also be happy with the steady plodding....getting done what needs to get done. Today I am taking time to map out these last weeks and take some time to pray. I'm hoping that I end with the excitement of the beginning.

I don't homeschool because...

2009-04-12T22:59:00.002-04:00

I don't homeschool because...

I'm hiding from the authorities.
I'm trying to keep my kids from learning as much as the public school kids.
I have a fear of other people's kids.
I'm a control freak.
I was picked on as a child.
I have genius kids who would be bored in any other setting.
I don't know what else to do with all my saintly qualities like "patience".

2009-03-25T22:44:00.002-04:00

Benjamin is clapping for himself because he worked very hard at getting out baseballs from Jackson's baseball bucket and throwing them onto the floor. We clapped for him and so he clapped for himself and had a great time.

Now he claps everytime he stands up all by himself and throws anything. Audrey was disgusted with this "show off" brother of hers and thought he should be more humble and not be praising himself so much. I told her that he is just clapping after doing the things that we clap for -- to copy us, not praise himself. She felt better. I'm not sure if what I said was true or not, however, because who knows the inner workings of a 12 month old.

A special day with my daughter

2009-03-22T09:44:00.003-04:00

Audrey and I held hands and felt the delightful freedom -- no big kids or baby interrupting our conversations. This day was just our own!

We walked hand in hand down the street to the Ice House. Converted into a small theatre, it was hosting a play by the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre called, "Charlottes Web". The building was still genuine enough to realize that it did indeed once hold ice harvested from the spring it was situated against.

Snuggles, laughs, smiles, side glances...all were shared together as we watched the production.
Afterwards we played together at the park beside the Ice House and walked a bit on the trail.

Without her brothers and sister to help chase her around the playground, we ran out of fun in about an hour so we headed to our favorite toy store on Main Street.

A cute baby chipmunk calico critter joined us as we left -- something to add to her collection and remind her of a day which was long over due...a day just for us two!

There are no short cuts to good parenting

2009-02-23T22:35:00.002-05:00

I needed to go to the grocery store to pick up some necessary staples. I brought Benjamin with and he was not in the mood. As he kept lunging for different things, I let him play with a candy bar. I figured I'd buy it and in a moment of weakness I'd eat it, or put it in my "prize stash" for the kids. Benjamin was so happy, I knew I couldn't take away that shiny metalic wrapper yet. So, I put him in the car seat and away we drove.

Very strange noises were coming from the back seat. Benjamin sounded so elated -- it was a euphoric sound I have NEVER heard before. I checked him in the rear view mirror. The noises continued so I checked him again. It was then I noticed that somehow the wrapper completely unwrapped and he was munching on the chocolate and caramel coated cookie goodness. My arm never snatched anything away so quickly before, and Benjamin never howled so loudly before.

Chloe was suprised when we entered the house: Benjamin's face was covered in chocolate and as Chloe stated, "He smells just like Hershey's Chocolate World."

Ah, well...he survived.

Niagre Falls in the Winter

2009-01-24T17:33:00.000-05:00

We couldn't believe how powerful the water was, even in the winter. Chunks of ice whirled and crashed over eddys and swirled around rocks. It was breathtaking in the winter. I'm so glad we made the drive and braved the cold, icy wind to see the falls. My favorite part was how amazing the trees looked, covered in a frosty layer of ice. The terrain under our feet was a thick layer of ice and we tromped on top as if we had snowshoes on. It was soooo cold, we didn't stay long. However, it was well worth the drive.

Favorite Pictures from December

2009-01-06T18:37:00.002-05:00

Right before we left for MN, we had a lovely and rare December snow accumilation, and a not so rare but important visit to Chik Fil A. We knew that it would be our last visit with the cow and his tender chicken until our return.

We had a great time with friends and family. It wasn't long enough and we never had any days off school in our own home so we have extended school break this week so that we can get ourselves organized and geared up for the long stint of homeschooling that all moms approach with dread....the stretch of Jan-Feb-March.

This week I'll do some painting, organizing, pitching old stuff, cleaning rooms, and figuring out the homeschool plan for the second half of the year. Go Goodmans, Go!

Mobile Babies

2008-12-18T18:19:00.002-05:00

A first time mom reads all the baby handbooks, questions her friends, scans the internet parenting sites ALL to find out how soon her little bamboosa will start to crawl.

The picture of a cute scuttling infant merrily scooting around a room, content now to reach his toys on his own, or bring his smiling self over to his momma.......it just can't happen soon enough!

A fourth time mom knows better. She knows that a mobile baby means she must constantly scan the floor for chokables, pencils, wads of dog hair that her baby will get to and eat. She knows that she now must haul the baby on her hip, set him down in the center of the room and get the necessary work done in timed increments of about 7 seconds. She then will pause, stop the baby from pulling up to a standing position by his hands and newly cut teeth, and move him again to a safe area and get her second, third and fourth 7 second installments in.

So Baby Benjamin is now the mobile baby. His preference is the army crawl, but he also does this funny hopping thing where he starts on his hands and knees and then pushes by his arms, lifts both knees off the floor and gets a little forward hop. He is also pulling up on everything, letting go with one hand......screams with glee.....lets go with two hands and then topples to the ground.

Mobile babies are cute, but oh so much trouble!

my lovely friends and family

2008-12-06T23:04:00.003-05:00

Yes, a new post will be coming so very soon.....
Really, it will.
Please come back tomorrow evening and find something delightful.

2008-11-21T17:22:00.004-05:00

When it is hard to homeschool

2008-11-17T21:21:00.002-05:00

When you have 6 loads of laundry heaped like hay stacks in the family room.
When the pots and pans from the night before are not yet washed and you forgot to run a full dishwasher.
When the baby woke you up three times and another kid woke you up an additional time from a nightmare.
When it is raining and gloomy outside for the 6th day in a row.
When the dog came in from being let outside and obviously rolled in something so disgusting that a bath is required.
When you are out of peanut butter, bread, and apples.

When all these apply on a Monday? Forget it. These are the days where I either see it as an opportunity to develop perseverence, or a day to scrap most of the day and do laundry and play risk. Making that decision is not taken lightly, as I do not want to still have school days and things to be learned into June. I compromised: We did everything but history and science, we went to the grocery store over lunch hour, I took a nap during baby's nap and kid's independent work, the dog spent lots of time outside and I had a dose of caffine.

If Audrey was a captain of a pirate ship

2008-11-10T15:59:00.004-05:00

This would be her Pirate Code:

1. No outside food allowed in the captain's room

2. Never go overboard

3. Never go to battle without the captain

4. Don't fight the crew

5. No girl friends

6. Never bring a girl on the ship

Here lies the code of conduct as laid out by Audrey. This document she created after our studies this afternoon regarding piracy during the time of exploration~

Old toys can make the rainy week a little sunnier.

2008-11-08T23:31:00.003-05:00

A week ago Chloe went in the basement and brought up her old fisher price big doll house.
She cleaned it up and it is now in the living room serving as a hotel for all of the 63 or so pet shop toys. It has been a rainy week, but hardly noticed by Audrey (and Chloe and even Jackson -- what a brother!) who have all had some "fun" playing pet shops. Even Benjamin likes to take the bunny out of the mini van and turn it over and spin the wheels. Yeah for Chloe for making old toys feel like new again!
13 and 11 year olds put quite a creative spin on the game with their interesting imagination...but Audrey outdoes them all with her zany-ness and we all have to sit back, laugh and wonder where she got it from......

Halloweeen Fun!

2008-11-02T13:53:00.004-05:00

Baby scarecrow

Fairy Godmother

Super girl

what?!?

Oh. Garbage Bag Super Hero

buddies

2008-11-01T10:35:00.002-04:00

Jackson and Audrey were playing hockey outside on the driveway this morning. They came in and got some tape to fix the "go cart" he built out of a sled, some wood, and an old skateboard. They packed a lunch box with 4 juice boxes, halloween candy and pretzels. "This will be fun!" Jackson said as they gathered their supplies. Their plan: Jackson will pull Audrey in the "go kart" to the park down the street, swing a while and eat their goodies on the top of the playground. Audrey replied, "Yeah! This is gonna be great!" I told Audrey she was lucky to have a big brother. Jackson said, "Yeah, Audrey. If I wasn't here, we wouldn't be doing this fun stuff."

They are such good buddies. Warms my heart, it does.

A toaster is not a toy.

2008-10-28T22:36:00.002-04:00

I was trying to get Benjamin down for his nap this afternoon when I smelled a strong, smokey scent. I was in my bedroom which is upstairs, way down the hallway. The smell was so strong, and along with the hazy smoke in the air I believed that something was indeed on fire. I interrupted Benjamin who was nearly asleep and ran to the hallway, "What is on fire?!?" I asked as a million thoughts flew through my mind. "Nothing. Jackson is burning toast on purpose," said Chloe.

True, Jackson was re-entering a piece of bread over and over again to see how burnt he could make it. The entire house was filled with smoke and the smell was intense. He was opening all the windows and had a pretty smelling candle lit trying to freshen the air. I wasn't happy. Benjamin wasn't happy. Jackson had a good talkin' to and was given a crabby baby to play with and entertain for his punishment. I thought it fit the crime well.

A nice lady? You decide.....

2008-10-26T17:39:00.002-04:00

Grocery shopping with Benjamin isn't easy. Today I was trying to unload my cart contents onto the counter and a kind lady saw me struggling to reach the bottom of the cart while holding Benjamin. "May I help you get your things out?" she asked. "Why yes, that would be NICE!" I replied. She then made the following comment: "Oh, I know what it is like being PREGNANT."

Oh. She thought I was pregnant.

Now, I was awkwardly bending backwards while carrying a rather large baby which may have caused my post pregnancy belly to perhaps pooch out more than normal.....and I do have 10 pounds left to get to my pre-benjamin weight, but PREGNANT?

Well, it was nice to have the extra help. The comment didn't stop me from ripping open a bag of mini snicker bars for trick or treaters and take out 4.

However, I will be certain to keep my running appt. with Carla this week, and I may start up some crunches!

in the land of regulations...

2008-10-25T14:48:00.005-04:00

Each town tells people what day and times you can go trick or treating.
Some trick or treat on Oct. 25, some Nov1. We are lucky this year and get to trick or treat on halloween since it is on a friday.
I guess you have to look at this website to see when your town "schedules" trick or treating.

Really, why did things have tobe made so complicated? Roy overheard some moms at his office making plans on which neighborhoods to hit on what day so their kids could get triple the loot. Now, here is ONE instance where over-regulation actually benefits the kids. However, this means that the distribution of candy could be a much higher quantity...so again the average pennsylvanian pays a higher price. I better stock up on at least double my usual candy stash. I'll make sure to get lots of little twix and snickers bars just incase I over buy. This way, there will be no waste. yum.

Here is a glimpse

2008-10-21T15:48:00.003-04:00

Of October here where we live. We have now been here for all seasons: Winter, spring, summer, fall....I can't believe we have lived here for 10 months already. By far, fall is the most beautiful here. Minnesota also has some beautiful places in fall, but I don't have to drive quite as long to see some amazing senery. Here are a couple pictures I really like~

Sometimes this is how monday goes

2008-10-20T15:20:00.003-04:00

After a busy week with the folks and a busy weekend with hockey, errands, housework and such, we enter our MONDAY.

Unprepared for the week ahead, I decided we would do math, reading, science and a field trip to Hawk Mountian.

I should have known....when I came into the kitchen around 8:30am to find Jackson and Audrey playing with Benjamin's new Little Tykes Tool Bench (garage sale $5.00!) fixing some sort of imagined water leak that this was a day to just leave a lone. But after our scheduled week vacation last week, I felt compelled that school today must go on.

And so the day goes.....

Math had to be cancelled, as our computer decided NOT to work. This computer (not the one I'm using right now but the Dell computer) is a nemisis. For those who do not speak greek, a nemisis is the greek goddess of retributive justice...but often the word is used to depict a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent. Well, for those of you who know my relationship with my Dell computer, you'd agree that he/she is definately meeting this description. So, I'll call it so in front of the kids and there will be vocabulary and review of ancient greek history for the day.

Hawk Mountain was cancelled, because Chloe woke up with a headache, sore throat, and felt dizzy. Not a good day for a hawk migratory trail hike. Bummer. Here we have an opportunity to practice our character study trait for the month: hospitality. Everyone can now stay home and show care toward Chloe.

Science went ok, but Benjamin's excema broke out all over his neck and chest (I contribute it to major drool...I suppose it is time for the 5th tooth) and he was cranky and crying. I couldn't get Jackson to focus as most of his thoughts kept going back to what a bummer it is to not have $77.00 to buy a Ripstik. He did do math thoughout science as he kept figuring out how many jobs at what cost were needed to get his current $42.00 to grow to the needed amount. He figures that in 2 weeks and me contributing $2.00 he can get the ripstik. I think he is dreaming.

We learned about the sun and how it really contains all the colors of the rainbow, and that light travels in straight lines, but colors have different length waves in them and the light that bounces to our eyes is what color objects are and when Jackson asked me if things would still be the color they are if no one was there to look at them and I didn't have an answer....I decided that this Monday would have to go into the vault of Mondays to Forget.

The folks

2008-10-15T23:24:00.002-04:00

The folks have been here since early Sunday morning. I really have not been spending as much time lounging at the computer so my posting has been sparse. I guess I never really lounged at the computer, unless you count the irresponsible times I've spent here from around 11:00pm till 1:00am. Basically, I kill time here till Benjamin wakes up, which usually is around 1:00am.
However, with the arrival of tooth #4, the last couple nights he sleeps till around 4:00am. This is great, and I'll have to adapt my sleep schedule accordingly.
I'll be posting after my parents leave, and hopefully will have something more interesting to post than this post I'm posting today. If you read this, and leave a comment, it could mean that either you love me even when I'm boring and dissapointing...or it could mean that you are bored enough or just like to waste time.
Either way, I appreciate you and your friendship~

Shameful!

2008-10-11T22:07:00.000-04:00

Imposter!
I almost believed it till I saw the fuzzy thing on her lap.
Sarah Palin would NeVEr own a foo foo dog....never.

I may take my show to vegas

2008-10-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

Random

2008-10-10T23:09:00.002-04:00

My sister tagged me. I am participating out of love for her...and out of respect for my elders.

Here are the 6 random things to know about me:

1. I can perfectly impersonate the entire twiddle bug family (think Sesame Street the early years).

2. In the late 80's I had so much hair...which I spiral permed...that I couldn't comb it even with a pick so my secret was I never ever combed my hair...ever.

3. While this is not even close to the fame my older sister earned, my picture was published twice in a teen devotional book, and I was a background singer in one song in a recording for a band that I think is still out there somewhere.

4. My nerd qualities: I like the old star trek the best, and second I like Star Trek the Next Generation, I play ancient civilization war simulation games on my computer, and I really like learning about birds.

5. I am a podcast sermon junkie. My favorites are: John Piper, James McDonald, Alistar Begg and Way of the Master Radio.

6. I can spot quite a few constellations in the sky..the only thing I really remember from any of my college courses.

the homeland of Felix the Cat, Dave the Wendy's founder, and Martha Stewart

2008-10-05T00:13:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow morning at 7:30 am we are heading to Atlantic City, New Jersey for a hockey game. Since it is a 2.5 hour drive, we will stay around and see what kind of fun we can have on the jersey shore in October.

Common Ground

2008-10-03T23:00:00.003-04:00

Tonight we had a group of kids over to play some yard games. The fun began at 4:30 with soccer, backyard soccer (this got kinda brutal), a break for supper, flag football, capture the flag, charades, and then night tag. Breaks were taken to play a game of cards inside, or play with the cute baby on a blanket

The guest list: one 5 year old, one six year old, one 7 year old, two 8 year olds, one 9 year old, two 10 year olds, three 11 year olds, one 12 year old, one 13 year old. All the kids ran around and played capture the flag in the dark and had a great time.

Many people would suspect that having kids ages 5-13, boys and girls, playing games is a recipe for disaster! However, these kids found enough common ground to have a great time together for 4 1/2 hours....and all went home tired and happy. I love it when kids get together and behave so counter culture.

My one and only political post

2008-10-02T23:16:00.007-04:00

Ads, debates, discussions, specualtions, polls, retoric, promises. I simply will post one quote.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." -- John Quincy Adams"

http://www.constitutionparty.com/

Winner is Declared!

2008-09-29T22:14:00.006-04:00

Okay....so I've finally heard back from my panel of INTERNATIONAL judges. The clear winner of first place is the witty and creative entry:

"what no one can see is the archer in the foreground about to launch an arrow in the general direction of the dunce cap. if chloe can deflect the arrow with her ruler before it connects with the cap, she wins. if jackson can manage to sit calmly under attack without dropping or crushing the fragile plastic bottle, he wins..........". -- Jessica

Second place goes to this entry which is the most believable, and most likely what could have been occuring during the taking of the picture:

"your actually going to let me hit jackson, mom? all right!!! i'm going to cherish this moment.." -- Skittles

thanks to everyone for your fine entries. Of course, I wish I could award all of you a prize...but in the real world (which the thousand miles blog tries very hard to emulate) there are losers.

I cannot close this contest without publically declaring the worst entry. Shelly, I'm sorry but your post most certainly fits this category. I know that you have, shall I say, Unconventional Bathroom Ideas in your home (i.e. the "boys bathroom" near the side of the garage....) but to press these ideals on others over the internet and use my blog as your campaigning place was uncalled for. You are still my friend, however...quirks and all. You will be given grace this time.

Thanks again for playing Caption this Picture! Winners should look for their winning postcards in the mail. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing and delivery.

Huh?

2008-09-24T23:29:00.001-04:00

Yet again, it is time for another game of..........................Caption this Picture!
rules: only two entries per person. must be submitted by the end of the week.
winner will be selected by a panel of judges. winner will be publically notified, and will receive a postcard sent to their home from PA! Wow! Get your entries in soon!

2008-09-19T23:55:00.001-04:00

I love Fridays, because we spend the first 1/2 of the day on our school lessons, and the second half exploring historical places, or nature walking, or working on a project. The Museum of Indian Culture was a perfect end to our week of studying early American Indians. Above is a picture of the quaint home which has been transformed into a small exibit area for displaying artifacts and examples of the Northeastern Forest Indians. It is situated on the Little Lehigh Creek which is the same creek that runs through our neighborhood. It is a picturesque setting, as you can tell.

Audrey spent most of the time listening to the museum man. He had lots of American Indian facts to share. We were the only visitors, and I think he was happy to have three polite children to share all his knowledge with. After our indepth tour, I felt that the kids had more knowledge of the early American Indian and all the possible theories of how they first came to the Americas and who they may be related to than most college students.

After we left the museum, we went for a walk down to the creek. Jackson brought his rod and was ready to catch a trout. He didn't catch a trout, but on a day like today, one hardly notices such a loss.

CONTINUED BELOW

2008-09-19T23:53:00.000-04:00

After living here 8 months or so, I still find all the creeks and rivers beautiful ~ cold, clear, rippling water.

We kept walking and were rewarded by finding a covered bridge. This one no longer accommodates cars, so

Chloe and Audrey went to check it out.

2008-09-19T23:50:00.001-04:00

We took Benjamin out of his stoller for a picture, but he had no interest in smiling and spent most of his time pulling out the grass and trying to eat it. We spent most our time trying to keep him from eating it, and encouraging him to smile. We gave up.

On our walk, we couldn't help but stop and rest here a while.

On the way back to the car we enjoyed watching this blue heron until he noticed us and glided upstream.

I needed a day like today~ Thanks God for giving it to me!

A well thought bribe is a mother's most cherished tool in her belt.

2008-09-18T00:16:00.004-04:00

If you want your kids to clean up their stuff, fill up a baby jar with dimes. At the end of the day, what they didn't pick up or take care of gets a "caretakers fee" removed from the jar.
At the end of the week, the person with enough dimes for a Rita's Italian Ice will have their treat.

If you want your kids to take their fish oil without daily complaint, bribe them with a Jello Pudding Cup.

Kids will clean any mess for a slushie. Slushies are liquid gold.

If you are getting tired of the constant little nit picking kids can do at each other, how about offering a bribe of gum for the sweetest kid in the car?

Sometimes the kids have to dip their hand into the extra chore jar. Sometimes they get to grab out a bonus from the Amazing Kid jar. I like my charts, jars, prizes and bribes.

Some people may say this is lazy parenting. Some say (I've read their book) that kids should do what they are told without bribes or rewards. I say, who doesn't like a little reward, or a little bribe from time to time?

A well thought, and well placed bribe can eliminate the potential war, a day of crummy attitudes, or a mothering melt down.

And that, my friends, is my 12:30am parenting tip for the day. Good night ~

Baby's got two teeth

2008-09-16T17:37:00.003-04:00

Benjamin has two teeth now. Two cute little teeth on the bottom. His teeth and he have a love/hate relationship. The first is no longer painful, but the second is still causing drooling (which consequently gave him a drool rash on his chin) and some ouchy hurts.

However, Benjamin loves rubbing his tongue on his tooth, taking my finger and biting it right on his sharp, pointy tooth. While I carry him, he loves to suddenly turn and lunge and sink his tooth into my chin. Oh, he loves doing that. Which reminds me so much of Audrey who also enjoyed for many months attacking people's faces.

He looks so cute with his teeth, but we still haven't successfully captured them with a camera. The little guy just keeps on growing and getting older...which I love/hate. He hugs me now, and lifts up his arms towards me when I come near. He gazes across the room and locks eyes with me and giggles with delight. To him I'm the world. I love that. As he gets older his personality emerges more and more...I love that too! But each day goes by pretty quickly and he is changing so fast! One day he will be 13 and probably won't want to hug me and bite my chin (which is good -- that would be, odd) So I try to enjoy every moment spent with him, even the four am mornings (ok, that one is hard) because the older I get, the more fleeting the days go by...

Allentown is on the map

2008-09-12T23:19:00.002-04:00

For the first location where the stink bug has been documented. A native from Japan and China, the stink bug is a pesky critter that really does stink horribly if you succeed in killing it. They cling to the side of the house looking for an opportunity to get inside. Here is what the Penn State Department of Entomology says on their website:

Even though these insects do not harm humans and do not reproduce inside structures such as houses, they cause concern when they become active and conspicuous in fall and spring. If many of them are squashed or pulled into a vacuum cleaner, their smell can be quite apparent.

For homeschool science class one year Jackson had to catch, kill and mount different insects. We've thought many times about catching, freezing and mailing our good friend Maria (who mounts bugs just for "fun") some of the strange varieties of bugs we have here. This is one bug that we will NOT be mounting here...or sending to MN.

Stink bugs. Just another one of those interesting suprises about living in PA.

At first glance, they look like my kids...

2008-09-08T21:57:00.001-04:00

But how could that be? They were only out of my sight for 15 minutes or so.....Come to think of it, Audrey's hair looked a bit sloppy and sticky that evening when I tucked her in to bed.....

(click the picture to enlarge it -- take a look for yourself. Could these kids be mine?)

Participating in games

2008-09-08T17:08:00.003-04:00

I was tagged by Pam so I'm going to bore you with the answers. I promise all proceeding posts will be exciting and eventful once again with the amusing delights of PA.

Ten Years Ago:
that was 1998....I remember vaguely.....Chloe was 3 and Jackson was 1. Either we lived in Mound or Minnetonka...I think it was Minnetonka.

My To Do List Today:
finish making supper, walk to the park with Benjamin and Audrey, put away laundry, exercise, clean up kitchen, read stories, give baths (to the younger ones) tuck in bed, clean up the uncleaned up areas of house, waste time on the computer, go to bed.

Snack that I enjoy:
organic carrots dipped in homemade hummus with a sprinkle of chives grown in my window herb garden................errr, scratch that. I lately have been snacking on the most amazing chocolate cookies I've ever baked (new recipe that is a keeper).

Things I would do if a Millionaire:
Go on a trip
Buy an Airstream (great idea, pam)
Get dog training for my sister's dog
Adopt a child
Hire a weekly house cleaner
Hire a handy man to do Roy's household chores so he doesn't have to do them
Give money away to help families adopt children

Places I've lived:
As a child: Burnsville, Bloomington, Hamlake MN
As an adult:
Northeast Minneapolis,
New Brighton MN
St. Paul, MN
Tokyo, Japan
Mound, MN
Minnetonka, MN
West Chicago, IL
Maple Grove, MN
Macungie, PA
In my dreams......Kauai!

TAG to DEB and TAG to Kendall and TAG to Chloe!!!!!

I was brave.

2008-09-07T21:27:00.002-04:00

On Friday, we took our annual trip to the zoo to kick off the school year. This year was exciting as we visited the nation's first zoo! With my trusty Magellan at the helm, I followed the turnpike into Philadelphia. Once off the turnpike, we drove on a freeway that skirts by some of the old buildings of Philadelphia. We took our guesses at what the buildings might be -- they looked old, they looked historical, they looked important! We don't know what they were, but hope to on future visits.

We knew the zoo was close by when we drove through an underpass that was painted with patterns of tiger, giraffe, zebra, and other exotic animals. After adding up the costs of parking and entrance fees for all of us, we opted for membership. We can bring two guests for free each time, so count that into your savings when you come to visit! The Philadelphia Zoo is definately a city zoo. In fact, on one end of the zoo you can hear the commuter train rambling and shreeeeking on the tracks. For the first 40 minutes, we heard constant sirens outside the zoo walls, which had me a little concerned as to our safety, but I guess the fugitive was apprehanded because the sirens died down and I didn't really notice them anymore after that.

With Audrey's tired feet and Benjamin needing a nap, and me desiring a break from the 90 degree day, we opted to stop our visit short of seeing the whole zoo. Well, I guess that membership will now be paid for, as we are already saving money the next time we go. I was proud of myself, as I braved driving the Turnpike (you'd be proud if you saw it!) and I braved a new city, and I braved eating a zoo hot dog for lunch (yelsh) and I braved sending my precious children into a swan boat to pedal by the Lemur Island where they were out of my sight (in a big city!). I was brave.

When all the other children are sitting at their desks...

2008-09-05T22:53:00.004-04:00

We take a week to do, see, and play. This has been the tradition since we began homeschooling seven years ago. The tradition continues. One of my favorite days this week was spent at a beautiful natural spot in Emmaus called the Wildlands and Pools Sanctuary. We dipped our feet in a cool, clear creek and hiked a boardwalk that led though a marshy terrain of wild flowers that were taller than Chloe. We saw numerous birds, a family of deer, squirrel and chipmunks, and lots of bugs.

Spending the first week of the school year this way has always been very special...it feels like we are stealing extra days of summer, and the colaberative sneakiness of it is quite bonding. If you homeschool, I strongly recommend adding in the extra week of summer. Just don't go to our spots -- one of the beautiful things of the week is having all these treasurable places mostly to ourselves.

Just like that....

2008-09-04T19:11:00.003-04:00

Baby Benjamin is 1/2 a year old!
Here he is enjoying his celebratory meal of mushed carrots!
We love you little guy!

eight things happened.

2008-08-28T00:48:00.005-04:00

1. Benjamin got his toof!
2. Audrey caught a tadpole.
3. Tadpole died.
4. Jackson mowed over a huge underground beehive and was swarmed.
5. Research was done on how to make a torch to kill beehive.
6. We walked to the park this evening at dusk.
7. Chloe wore a large bedsheet at the park and was swinging in the twilight.
8. Benjamin got his high chair.

a gloomy sky

2008-08-25T10:17:00.003-04:00

For the first time in what feels like 6 weeks....the sky is a little gray and gloomy. This could be the perfect day for working on my school room. Hmmm is that because I equate a gloomy day with homeschooling? Most of the time, no. Usually I am keenly aware of the benefits that homeschooling brings to me and my kids. However, the transition from summer to school is always trying and difficult, and today it feels a little gloomy. Each fall I think to myself, "I am not getting everything accomplished that I want to right now, so how on earth can I add in school???" I've asked around my homeschool circles throughout the 7 years of homeschooling, and I have found that many a mom asks themselves that exact same question, year after year.

So, I'm digging out old books from years past, and adding in new books that keep arriving daily and formulating my plan. I'll organize, restructure the shelves, add in a new bookcase, update my computerized library, remove unused books, create a curriculum for history/bible and then look at everything and make a working schedule. Time to make the most of this glorious, gloomy day!

Birthday Flashback

2008-08-21T23:40:00.003-04:00

I just saw this and couldn't resist posting.
cuteness!

Turning 38 is GREAT!

2008-08-21T22:01:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday? Yes it was. Chloe and Audrey saw to that!

The morning began with a special breakfast. Looks yummmy!

The doorbell rang and when I opened the door I saw ZOOM Jr! For those of you who haven't met Zoom at your birthday, he is an outerspace man who mysteriously appears at the door, sings one dandy song personalized with the birthday boy/girl's name, and then leaves just as he came.

Lunching at Chik Fil A, an afternoon working on some fun house projects, running some much needed errands, taking turns singing "pedestrian theme songs" on the way, and having my hair done at Audrey's Style Salon was the way I spent my special day.

And now an unrelated picture I took 2 days earlier of Benjamin after feasting on a teething biscuit....

Like storm clouds on the horizon....

2008-08-14T22:01:00.003-04:00

Hockey Season Begins.

It is still August, but here in PA the official hockey season has begun. August. Hockey in the summer? I don't think even the Canadians are this insane! Minnesota and Michigan are the big hockey states, and they wait until mid October to get the team rosters together and start carving the ice. I am not sure why hockey begins so early, and it is a shame as it cuts into fall activities and sports that many boys would like to play.

So, as we all gear up for another season of action and fun, I have decided to psych up myself with my version of "you might be a hockey parent..."

You might be a hockey parent if......

~your e-mail account has hockeymom or your child's number somewhere in it.

~you upgrade from a minivan to a suburban so you can fit your son's hockey bag in the back.

~you clock the miles to tournaments and take bets on which will be lower, the fees or the mileage.

~your husband knows all the names of the kids your son has ever played with and their birthdays, but doesn't know the names of the neighbor's kids and hasn't a clue the birthdays of your neices or nephews.

~you plan the birth of your next child so it lands just prime for the hockey cut-offs.

~you rush home after each game (and practice) to enter the stats in your own computerized spreadsheet.

~you simply cannot relate with a parent of a soccer player.

~you find yourself stumped when trying to open a conversation with a family that doesn't play hockey.

~you walk around the house humming "hockey rock"tunes.

~you trip over hockey gear on your son's floor, which is only picked up when it is loaded into the bag for the next practice.

~you no longer find the smell of his equipment "offensive".

~your other children have acclimated to the hockey rink climate and no longer require winter coats, hats, or gloves when the temperature is above 18 degrees.

~Vending machine coffee and hot chocolate are a delicacy.

Dipped

2008-08-14T13:50:00.003-04:00

Benjamin was officially christened into the Scott family when his feet were dipped into Lake Sylvia July 20th. Onlookers Grandma and Papa couldn't have been more elated. The smile shows it all -- Benjamin truly loves the water.

School

2008-08-12T12:09:00.001-04:00

School begins for us Sept. 8th. This week I will order loads of new books and curricula. This is the most fun part of homeschooling! Like fresh paint on a barn to a farmer , so are new materials to a homeschool family.
When does it start for your kids?
Just curious.....

Three Weeks

2008-08-10T23:23:00.003-04:00

That is how long we were in Minnesota. It was a great trip full of time with family, friends and cabin memories.

The twenty hour car ride on the way there went without a hitch, but the way home Little Ben had caught a very bad cold and was miserable...so everyone but the driver took turns trying to appease a stuffy, sick, tired - but - can't - sleep baby.
Audrey, Chloe and Jackson are Benjamin's hero's. They never grow impatient and always have a new idea of how to make him smile.

I don't know how many moms out there can say that after spending three weeks with their kids 24/7 traveling from home to home will come away loving their kids even more....but I can say it. I'm blessed to have such a wonderful troop.

I have pictures and stories to share, but not until I get a good night's rest (please sleep my little sick baby...) and upload some of the pictures.

It is strange, but the kids and I all had the same feeling: We were so sad to leave MN, but after arriving "home" in PA we realized that it is our home now, and it actually felt good to be back. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I suspect we are all making peace with the move and that is a good thing.

Who would have thought

2008-07-17T00:18:00.002-04:00

That Easterners loooooove Italian Ice. Within 4.5 miles, I can think of at least 6 places where you can order Italian Ice from a window.

Here we are at Rita's, which is quite popular. Every town has a Rita's. May I recommend the Mango Italian Ice?

Quirks of living in the Lehigh Valley

2008-07-14T23:30:00.002-04:00

1. If you plan on getting your car washed after filling it up with gas, think again. No car washes at gas stations.

2. When merging onto a highway from an enterance ramp, be prepared to stop at a stop sign.

3. Kids swim in creeks, not lakes.

4. A very bad day is NOT horrible....it's "Haarable". The word is commonly used and never pronounced correctly.

5. Weekends are spent at the "shore" rather than the beach.

6. I have yet to find a grocery store where you bag your own groceries.

7. There is ONE target for a population of near 800,000.

8. Drivers will stop in the middle of a road (no stop sign present) to let you enter the road from a parking lot.

9. People eat hotdogs from a place called "yocco's".

10. Names of towns nearby: Trexlertown, Shnecksville, Catasaucua, Kutztown

11. Popular last names in the Lehigh Valley: Schaffer, Schermerhorn, Shoohooven, any name beginning with Van

12. A visit to the zoo means you wind up a mountain to get there and ford a creek to exit.

13. PA natives believe all bad drivers must be from Jersey. All Jersey implants think the bad drivers are the PA natives.

14. Houses put candles in all the windows. It's quite quaint and welcoming.

15. Many houses have a large metal star hanging on the front.

16. I think every town has a local "Diner", and most all restaurants are family owned, rather than a franchise.

17. No one ever takes off their shoes when they enter a home.

More to come...

Eatin' More Chikin!

2008-07-11T22:46:00.000-04:00

It's a poor quality shot, but as you can see, our herd was welcomed like family by the Eat Mor Chikin' Cow.
In fact, you may see us in a promo sometime soon, as the Chick fil a representative had me sign a release form for the rights to our picture. We also were informed that we could win a grand prize of FREE FOOD for an entire month. Imagine that!

FREE LUNCH

2008-07-11T00:41:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow the kids and I will dress up like a cow so that we can get a free Chicken Sandwich at Chik fil a. It's worth it.

Chloe leaves for her missions trip tomorrow morning and so I promised to document our lunch experience with photography for her. We could have gone at supper time, but when I suggested it to Roy he said, "you guys can go do that for lunch." Not sure why he doesn't want to dress up like a cow. His loss.

bad day? This can cheer you up no matter how many times you see it

2008-07-08T22:41:00.001-04:00

Birthday Boy

2008-07-05T22:13:00.001-04:00

Turned 11 on July 3rd. Happy Birthday!

baby counts by twos

2008-07-01T07:12:00.002-04:00

Midnight, two, four, six....

He may be a genius, but he is wearing me out!
Benjamin has taken to waking up and needing food every 2 hours. This has been going on for about three weeks now. Could be that he is over 17 pounds and not yet 4 months. He is also biting his fist all the time and drooling....a tooth is on it's way.

At any rate, I'm not exactly finding his counting by twos quite as novel as when Audrey started doing it at 3 years old.

Perhaps it is time for Earth's Best Brown Rice baby cereal. I'm thinking I'm getting some from the store today. Or I could grind up some steak for him.

Boring week was a huge success!

2008-06-29T00:44:00.002-04:00

The kids had a great time with Boring Week. They made a huge slip and slide out of the old tarp that Roy used in our old backyard to line the ground for the ice rink. They made boats out of whatever and tried to float them. They played Pirate Life. They played Indians in the backyard, caught fire flies, and danced with bats.

This week and next week are FUN SUMMER week! Jackson and Audrey both are celebrating their birthdays these weeks, and we have a couple fun things planned besides.
This week we plan on attending the Kutztown Folk Festival. Looks like a pretty fun time. I hope we are there for the reinactment of a nineteenth century hanging. I guess that should be interesting.... They have a hanging three times daily so we should be able to make one of them. George Washington and Ben Franklin will also be there (not at the hanging, I think they are at a different stage). I also can attend a seminar on how to talk like a dutch pennsylvanian. I think I will definately attend that one. We also plan on heading out one morning to the Philadelphia Zoo.

I'm looking forward to some good times out of the house, and putting an end to Boring Week; we will not meet again until mid August when I will bring it back out of hiding so that I can work on school stuff for the coming fall.

Fun week, we welcome you.

What kids should do when they are bored

2008-06-22T22:00:00.006-04:00

Summer is officially here. I have a goal for the next 2 weeks.....I want it to feel like summer. I want my kids to come up to me and say, "Mom, I'm bored...what can we do?" For which I will reply, "Well, there is a whole house full of things and a yard out there and if you can't find something to do then I'll find something for you". Which all former kids know means..."I'll give you a chore".

Now, when kids get bored, for-real bored, they do sometimes get extra chores because they do things like pick on each other, or draw with sticks on the car, or use up a roll of tape on their face. So, how about helping me think of some GREAT summer chores....just in case they are needed.

SUMMER CHORES:

1. clean up dog poop (my favorite to dole out).

2. sort socks from the pile of socks that haven't found their mate in weeks.

3. clean out the car (another dandy).

4. sweep every inch of the house (we have all hardwood floors -- this could take a while).

Please contribute to my list. I promise my kids will never know who was responsible for the horrible chore they were assigned. Well, Chloe reads this blog so she may look at you sideways for a while but Jackson and Audrey will remain oblivious.

Civil War Days

2008-06-14T22:48:00.002-04:00

The only way to explain our Saturday is with a pictoral video presentation. Click on the rectangle on the bottom of the screen to watch in full screen if you so wish. Enjoy.

Today

2008-06-10T14:12:00.002-04:00

I'm painting my kitchen yellow. The kids are playing outside in the 95 degree sun. The baby is taking a nice nap. It all makes for a pretty good day, I'd say.
Stay tuned for a more interesting post in the near future. I'm working on a little compilation of pictures to share with northerners some of the strange quirks here in PA that are just part of ordinary life. It should be fun!

The next day, we met Art.

2008-06-02T22:11:00.004-04:00

behind our house there are the most beautiful woods...the kind of woods that hold mystery, adventure -- these woods look as if they yearn for imaginative children to play in them. Now my family moves into a home which was previously lived in by a senior couple who never set foot in the woods beyond their yard. Of course, my three kids could do nothing else but play there. They enjoyed exploring the brown, quiet forest all winter. They pulled up green shoots which turned out to be wild onions in the spring, and gathered strange nuts and made piles for the squirrels (those that weren't used in their pine tree fort for "soups" and such.) One warm spring afternoon my kids were enjoying a romp outside after having a picnic lunch. Jackson came running in the house to tell me the owner of the woods was out working on his land and I should go talk to him. I then heard the story of how Art came roaring on his four wheel ATV at them and hollered, "Get off my land! Get off my land or I'll call the police! If I ever catch you here again I'll have you arrested!" Poor Audrey, who was clinging in fear to Daisy's neck for safety feebly asked Jackson, "Are we going to jail?"

I decided it was time for me to meet Art. He wouldn't look my direction when I approached him in his woods. He kept his face away and kept at his work sawing limbs off a small fallen tree that had landed in a neighbor's yard. Even after introducing myself as the homeowner and mother of the trespassers, he didn't look at me. He was reasonable, but quite cantankerous, as he told me he didn't want a law suit from a kid getting hurt on his land. I tried to talk to him, tell him what my kids were doing there, and attempted to have friendly conversation. I found out that this guy was alone, managing these acres by himself for the most part. He has had trespassers bothering things on his land and he also had a neighbor complain about a broken down shed he has on his property; they had called the city to force Art to tear it down. "It's been there for a lot of years and these people move in and tell me I have to tear down something on my own property", Art spewed. I agreed with his position on that matter, and told him I had no intention of suing him, and assured him that I'd have my kids respect the land boundary lines. "I wouldn't mind em playing, but I don't want to get sued" he kept saying. I told him my kids never messed around, they just ventured in a few yards. I think he wanted to change his mind...I didn't see it in his eyes as they never looked my way during our 10 minute exchange, but it seemed as if he wanted to soften a little, but maybe didn't remember how to.

It interested me how completely different Art and Steve were. Steve, the man who struck up a conversation over dinner at McDonalds was also a widower, lived alone, but he talked about his family who lived close by-- grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He looked by the way he dressed to be fairly well to do, and Art was the opposite. Art had a tree fall on his house destroying it completely a few years earlier. It actually is still there at the side of the road down the hill, three walls and the foundation still standing. From what I can guess, Art has had a few knocks against him besides the tree.

So, the kids ended up having an important lesson to learn about kindness: we should show kindness to people like Art, not just the Steves. We should respect with a good attitude the wishes of Art, even though those beautiful woods are so inviting. We should make every effort to be friendly and take the time to talk to elderly people when the opportunity arises, many of them are alone. The kids are a bit scared of Art, and I don't blame them. However, when I'm in the yard and he drives by on his ATV, we hope that we will have a fresh batch of cookies we can bring out to him.

The other day, Jackson said, "Mom, maybe if we are nice he will leave us his land as an inheritance!" So, I'm not sure that they all really get yet the lesson I was trying to teach them, but I'll keep trying.

Steve, first to join my no-shoe club

2008-05-30T21:01:00.000-04:00

The other night Jackson, Audrey and I had the opportunity to meet Steve, a great grandfather and widower who is a native of the Lehigh Valley. After much conversation about my kids, his great grand kids, and his new house, he learned that we are from Minnesota. He asked if it was common or just the quirk of a MN friend of his to remove his shoes upon entering a house. Oh, I told him it was strict protocol to remove shoes when entering a home, and how hard it is for me to adjust to the shoe clad NorthEasterners who tromp my clean wood floors with who knows what on the bottoms of their shoes. He found this emmensly entertaining. The past few years he had decided that it is smart to have guests remove shoes before entering his home. He likes to keep things orderly, since his wife passed away. I told him I would try my best to get the shoe-removing manners to stick here in PA. He replied, "if you start that club, I'd be the first to sign up!"

Steve was so pleasant to talk with, I find myself hoping I will run into him the next time we stop in the Emmaus McDonalds for supper. The next old man we would meet would be ART. His club of choice is "No tresspassing or I'll call the cops on ya". That is another post, for another day.

For Benjamin

2008-05-26T23:04:00.002-04:00

Many of you know that Benjamin spent Memorial Weekend in the hospital with

a bacterial abscess in his leg. He is home and doing well, but actually a bit fussy...perhaps it is the

medications, or that he is teething (yes...at 10 weeks!). So, I made this video for him to watch and he loves watching it over and over again. He especially likes the picture of himself on the green mat. Anyway, he sends it out as a thank-you to all who prayed for him and consoled his momma.

I try to be a fun homeschool mother...

2008-05-16T12:38:00.006-04:00

So I told Jackson today for his journal exercise to write a nice descriptive sentence but to make it gross and disgusting....within reason. Audrey was nearby and said, "like use the word blood."

Of course, without telling him the LENGTH of the sentence, he tried to come up with the shortest he could. Here is his sentence:

One day, Chloe had a tape worm.

I laughed so hard, delighted at his creative approach to being disgusting with the least amount of words, I didn't ask him to do it over again.

baseball

2008-05-14T19:21:00.002-04:00

Jackson is the pitcher for the Lower Mac baseball team. He is having a great season....batters don't stand a chance against the heat that Jackson brings on.

Chloe and Benjamin look on in admiration and awe as Jackson drives away batter after batter; it's a no hitter inning with Jackson at the mound.

busy

2008-05-13T09:09:00.002-04:00

(sigh)

I'm hoping to work in a little computer time in the next couple days...but for now, hello friends! Hope to send a picture or story soon~

jackson and benjamin have a chat

2008-05-03T10:09:00.002-04:00

Oh the Places you'll Go, The People you'll Meet

2008-04-30T15:17:00.003-04:00

While we were strolling down Autumn Avenue,

Wondering where we should go and what we should do,

We happened to walk near a home of a man

who was selling haute dogs and soda in a can

and hanging from branches were coats of all sizes

large ones and small ones and some that'd won prizes.

An extra large table had shirts galore

and behind it stood a man, running his store.

I ventured a greeting, and he shook my hand tightly.

He said, "Nice to meet you doll" and took me back, slightly.

He looked over our group and saw a strong boy

and sized him right over with eyes quick and coy.

"Ya play sports, there laddy? Now do ya?" He quizzed.

The boy said, "yeah," his head started to whizz.

When he learned the boy did, he strongly declared,

With a chest puffed with pride and teeth boldly bared,

"you's come here anytime, and play with my boys

We love to play sports and have all the toys"

We chatted a moment, then left the yard sale

There was nothing we left with except this fine tale

Of the man down the street who nicknamed me doll,

and called my son laddy....quite strange to us all.

2008-04-29T18:06:00.003-04:00

What was the specialty today? Cupcake Cones! For only 25 cents a cone, the boys in the yard quickly lined up to choose their favorite flavor.

Why your five year old shouldn't drink coffee

2008-04-25T15:50:00.001-04:00

Audrey loves Frappuccinos. She used to have a couple sips of mine, but now I don't drink them anymore. At walmart she asked if she could have one and I was in a "yes" mood. She brought it home and I told her she may only drink about 1/3 of the bottle. Well, when you are 39 pounds, perhaps 3 ounces of coffee is a wee bit more than one can handle. She fell asleep around 3:45am.

I learned my lesson and will not have another "yes" day for quite a while.

I can't explain this video clip

2008-04-21T08:56:00.002-04:00

When trying to capture the surroundings of the creek,

I turned to see this display behind me. I can't explain it, can you?

Homesick

2008-04-18T23:24:00.003-04:00

I am homesick. I want to see my family and friends and watch my kids play with their pals who are as familiar as siblings to them. I want to see familiar places and hear familiar sounds. I want a little reprieve from the effort it takes to be new to everything and everyone I encounter. There is lots of excitement in moving, but there are the days where it just can't be shaken off how much one misses the dearest people in their lives. Just wanted all my blog-fans to know that despite the cheery posts and animated expressions of our days....you are all thought of and missed and loved...especially tonight.

Sports Addition

2008-04-14T17:51:00.002-04:00

Audrey has taken up soccer. PURPLE POWER. Look out kids, she is ready for some serious action.

The kids got a hold of my camera...

2008-04-11T23:34:00.004-04:00

So, while I was upstairs taking a moment to get a shower in and myself ready for the day, the girls got a hold of my camera. There was a story done on video which unfolded more with each small clip which told the story of a person with large muscles, who ate too much sugar...who also had a "super kitty" which later happened to get run over by a car (the cat's name was phillip) and the muscle person lost her muscles and was very sad. Perhaps I'll post the video clips one day if we all get really bored with this blog, but for now, here is a picture of the muscle person.

although this video only slightly captures it....

2008-04-09T22:31:00.002-04:00

chloe found that she has quite a way with the emus.

Caption This Bird!

2008-04-06T13:52:00.000-04:00

here is your chance to show your wittiness. In the comment section, please write what you think this bird is saying. There will be a winner selected. The winner will get the prize of naming the bird!

Cliff Sunflower the Bee Keeper needed a helper...

2008-04-06T13:48:00.000-04:00

Audrey shows the audience at the Davinci Science Center how a baby bee (brood) turns into a pupa and then a bee. Cliff couldn't have chosen a more talented participant.

Alone....well almost.

2008-04-04T22:42:00.004-04:00

Today I started out with 3 kids and a baby...then went down to 2 kids and a baby...then 1 kid and a baby..then back to 2 kids and a baby...then down to 1 kid and a baby. Now I have 1 kid asleep, 1 baby asleep and 2 kids and a husband out till late into the evening.

How did I spend my almost alone day?

I planned out the next week of school! YEAH!

I did 5 loads of laundry which are all heaped on the couch unfolded in a mountain of a pile.

I did a puzzle and read books to the 5 year old.

I planned my weight loss attack which will begin on Monday (as all good things do).
(if you want to be a weight loss buddy, join me at my weight loss journal blog -- see link on side panel in the interesting links section.)

Now, as soon as the eldest comes home from her Cast Party I'll be heading to bed to face that mountain of clothes in the morning. It will be more fun to do when the sun is shining and I have kids to help!

Grandma and Papa Come to PA !

2008-04-03T13:18:00.003-04:00

Grandma and Papa drove the thousand plus miles to visit us! They spent most of the time playing with the kids and holding Benjamin...but we did get out one chilly afternoon and headed out to Jim Thorpe, PA. This is one of the cutest main streets I've ever seen. We had a great time.

Granny's Got Game

2008-03-28T14:49:00.000-04:00

We never know just what kind of art Audrey will create. Today she decided to capture the utter astonishment of two boys who are taken off guard by a ball-stealing granny. Granny's got game, alright. But, so does Audrey!

Buddies

2008-03-25T17:51:00.001-04:00

Benjamin is 3 weeks old today. Here he is celebrating with one of his favorite cozy pals.

Princess Audrey

2008-03-25T17:45:00.003-04:00

It was so much fun being a princess for the evening. Audrey was escorted by Prince Roy and they had a great time at the Royal Ball. Audrey's favorite part was eating the pastries. She also told a story how when Roy went to get her some punch, he forgot which table Audrey was sitting at and had to look around for a moment. Audrey overheard one of her Pioneer Girl teachers say to Roy, "be careful! Don't loose your princess." Audrey thought that was funny.

Spring Time Visitors

2008-03-13T18:56:00.003-04:00

Yesterday the first Robin of Spring was seen by Chloe. Horray for SPRING!!!

You can print this picture for your youngster to color if you like!

Baby Benjamin

2008-03-06T22:19:00.002-05:00

He finally arrived! Our hearts are melting -- we are already stricken with love. Jackson calls it "benitis", which is the state of not being able to think about anything but Benjamin.