Today's List

A dreary day, but a long to do list.

Walmart--I know, I usually, at all costs avoid this place, but today it is necessary.
Hoover state tax office--anyone who will help me with our 2004 IA tax fiasco
DS2 art class
Another trip to the grocery store--forgot my organic oranges
Review verses with the boys for tonight
Possibly eat at McD--why do they make it so cheap on Wed?
Possibly trip to Science Center with local hs group

Writer's Angst

I've always loved writing. Ok, so my blog doesn't show it...I mean actual handwriting. Growing up, poems and stories were my life. My 7 year old son? Not so much. As evidenced in a recent Cub Scout meeting, all the boys were done writing Fire Department and ds was still at FIR. I wish I had been more patient with him. At the same time, it was certainly an eye opener. So we got to the task of writing this week. Much tears, much tears.

Our dialogue:
Me: What can I get or do for you to help you like writing?
Him: Get me something that I can take a break every 10 minutes.
Me: That's no problem, we can do that.
Him: (contemplating) Yeah, sign me up for that one. The one with the breaks.

Love that kid.

So sorry, Mama P, for not calling you back. We were deep in the writing turmoil, so park day was not an option!

Note to self: All males that live under my roof do not like acorn squash. However, they will eat red bell peppers and not green. That is encouraging.

Teeth and lice

I almost forgot to record this event--the first eye tooth has been lost! (Is that called an inciser)? Now I can't even remember the day, but I know it was this month. Boy #1 was working on it at the bathroom sink, and whoops, down it went! So that was a bummer, and he was afraid that he wouldn't get any money. Lo and behold, even the tooth angel (as we call it) forgot the money. My clever husband remedied this situation. He was home briefly in the morning, and asked if Boy 1 had been to the bathroom. He said yes. DH then asked, then how could you miss this? Boy 1 came running, to find the money in the sink--where he'd lost the tooth in the first place. Very clever, I say.

On another note, head lice has been in the house. The neighbor girl has lice and told us (after we took her to church). It is confirmed that I have it--I hugged her just recently. I'm taking the boys to the clinic tomorrow. Oh, and vinegar does not work. This has been the day from hell.

The Thrifting Faith

I exersize a lot of my faith by shopping at thrift stores. Sound weird? I'll explain. Whenever we need something non food related, I hit our local thrift stores. Just 3 weeks into soccer season, oldest boy tells me that his cleats are too small. Great. It's very hard to find cleats under $20. So I go to the wonderful Goodwill store, and low and behold there is a like new pair of Nike cleats. Amazing--we praised God right there in the store. It might seem small, but there is such satisfaction in ringing up a $2.50 pair of cleats. One, we are reminded that God takes care of all of our needs. Two, I feel so anti-consumeristic (is that a word?) At least I know a good middleman is getting a cut, and that it's not coming directly from the sweatshops.

On another note, I have some wise sayings from my oldest:
(While in said thrift store)
Me: Could you reach me that shirt off the rack?
Him: (Sighing, but compliant)
Me: (Looking at shirt)
Him: Mom, it's too short for you.
Me: How do you know?
Him: I'm just a sensitive boy.

I laugh and agree...we did not buy the shirt.

Another unrelated conversation with the oldest, today.
(He comes in from skateboarding with a scraped ankle)
Him: It hurts! I wish they made ankle pads.
Me: They do.
Him: They do?
Me: They're called socks.
Him: Nooo. Wait, oh. (Goes into room for a pair of socks).

It Feels Like Fall

Fall has come early this year. This morning, the kids and I read a book by the fire. Mind you, it doesn't take extreme cold to urge me to turn the fire on. I already had it going a week ago. While reading, I exclaimed, "Look kids, the leaves are falling!" I don't love the cold, but I do love the changing of seasons. Son #2 then said, "That means it's my birthday!"

There is so much to do, with the obvious daily chore of cleaning the house, trying to create a meal plan that everyone will be happy with, 2 boys in soccer, Awanas, and one in scouts. I do like being busy for a season. I'm glad there is an ebb and flow to it, though. Summer and winter are usually our non-busy times.

I have a son that wants to be in everything: dance, tennis, bowling, soccer, you name it. Then, a boy who is happy being in nothing at all. It's a given that they are in Awanas, as we teach it! We did start last week, by the way. It went very well. We have more kids this year, but at least I feel like I know what I'm doing!

I realized, recently, that I haven't filled out my CPI yet! Oops. I'm going to truck on over there today, so that we're legally homeschooling. I guess I'd better get on that. Sorry for the short post. I'll have more later!

Blessed Indeed

I just want to take a moment to be happy about all of the homeschool groups available in this free country of ours. I enjoy different aspects of the ones we are involved in, and the people are just great. We have already gone to 2 potlucks to "get the year started." We had so much fun.

My current passion: investigating raw foods. No, not sushy. It's a lifestyle way of eating in which you don't cook your food, and by not doing so, preserving the enzymes. Now, translating that into what to make for your family...hmmm. I'm reading the book The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose. Loving that book. It gives you practical ways of accomplishing this lifestyle, but not going crazy. Like, have ice cream and cooked foods for goodness sake. We must live life after all! I highly recommend it. It will change your outlook on food.

Now is the time of year not only for homeschooling, but for Awanas, specifically Cubbies. Cubbies are the "preschool" kids--one and two years before kindergarten to be exact. I'm studying the curriculum, making out a schedule, and generally preparing myself for this year. We will literally have something going on 4 nights a week. Woo hoo! I am looking forward to it. Does it feel like fall already? On our way home from the park today, we tried to count how many trees were already turning. There actually were some! Happy almost fall, and to a productive, fun, learning-filled season!

'Twas the night before...

School! In our district, regular kids go back to school tomorrow. Poor them. We are the irregular ones...or not? Homeschooling is becoming more and more mainstream. We have already started his official 2nd grade year.

When he realized that the neighbor kids were going to be gone all day, his response was, "That stinks."
I replied, "That means we get the neighborhood all to ourselves!"
He said, "But they have to be in school all day!"

I remind him of this when he's complaining of school work and chores at home. He's got it so good! I was nervous last year, as the first day of school drew near. Was I doing the right thing? This year, I am fully sure we are. Everyone does what is right for their family, and this is certainly right for us.

Today was the NBTS (not back to school picnic), which is always fun. This group is a group of mainly unschoolers (see Mama P or Lifedreamed for those of you who don't know what that is). This group has always been so nice, eventhough we don't necessarily unschool. I even invited someone from church who is considering homeschooling, and they dove right it taking care of her. What great people!

We're gearing up for St. Louis this weekend! My sister's bachelorette party will be there. It will be a fun time. Dueling piano bar, Trader Joes, heaven.