How Does A First Grader Decompress After A Week of Classes?

By playing long and hard whenever she has a minute! I came upon the whole village in the livingroom on Saturday morning...before 8 am...this little girl had everything arranged (with the help of her siblings) and was off to the land of make-believe! Most children will sleep in a little on the weekends...not our children! The only day we sometimes have to coax them out of bed is Sunday (and not very often). Ashlynn won't admit to anyone that she is liking school...ask her and see what she says! But she is doing a fantastic job!
She rattled off her verses for me today (if she said it any faster, I was going to call Mari and have her interpret!) and I sat there with my mouth open (John 3:14-19). Her least favorite thing to do in school is cursive writing, but she is really improving! Cursive looks a little neater than the straight stick and ball printing. She is quick with the math facts! Reading is becoming more of a desired subject..."I can do this by myself now!" She wrote her first sentence (during the sermon Sunday night...) in my notebook....the cat got the milk (no capital letters or punctuation...but who cares...it was a complete thought done all on her own!) I did have to shush her as she sounded out her words...got, g...o...t... got a little noisy!
It is rewarding to see her hard work pay off...and ours too! The work in K5 to get her to do blends, read, and write was equivalent to having teeth extracted without novacaine or vallium! That was a new thing for me...I always got the students after they had mastered reading and writing!
Let's hear it for those who teach pre-school and kindergarten...willingly...year after year!!! We love our K5 teacher!!! And will for a total of three years...please don't retire yet...you still need to help Teddy!

A Happy Saturday Birthday Party!

How many miles will it take to work off the moolatte?

We have the opportunity to go to the YMCA in our town. The kids love to go and Ted tries to get there to work out. Friday night, we all went and had a good work out! I was excited to go a mile with no pain! The elliptical (sp?) machine caused instant burn to some unused muscles...definitely have a ways to go to be able to be on it more that 2 1/2 minutes! Now, I am trying to figure out how to fit it all in on our weekly schedule. Today, we will go after school...because it is supposed to rain and we need to run and play! And...I need to walk off the treat!

Welcome Fall!

We have been noticing the slight change in the trees in our neighborhood as we go back and forth to school...three times a day. On Friday, this tree "just all of a sudden" turned a bright orange! I love this time of year! The colors and crunch of the leaves as they litter the sidewalks makes playing outside so fun! We are still waiting for the cooler weather!

Cinderella doesn't live here!

I had a comment about the pictures of our home...this is the normal look during the day! I am a little crazy about wanting things picked up when we go to bed...a clean slate for a new day!

I am also a little wacko about leaving a clean house when we go away or know we are having company. When it comes to baseboards and cobwebs in the corners...candlelight is my friend!

I don't stress out about things like I used to...ask Ted...but I do believe if I do a little every day, it is not so overwhelming!

Plus...my kids have arms and legs that work, so if they make a mess, they clean it up! I always tell them, "I am not Cinderella!" Alisa made sure I heard her agree with me..."You don't have a beautiful dress to go to the ball!" Actually...I can't find it in the pile of laundry waiting for me!

Thwarted by dryer vent tubing

Why is it that I can't seem to do the seemingly easiest little job around here to make it easier for my husband? I have just fought with the dryer vent tubing for almost 30 minutes to no avail. Every so often, we have to disconnect it and take it to the shop to blow out all the lint and dust that gets trapped. I have to work on laundry because it is the size of Mount Everest again...and the humidity and dust blowing into the basement is not nice. In an effort to help the love of my life, I thought I could put the tubing back on...how hard could that be? Every time the top was lined up the bottom wouldn't fit...so I flipped it around...even worse. I am ashamed to admit that I couldn't get it together...how smart does one have to be to outwit dryer vent tubing? Evidently, you must have the male hormones to wrangle it into place, get it lined up, and connect it so it will stay put!
Just another thing in my daily life to throw a curve at the to do list. So I apologize, dear husband, for not being able to handle the seemingly easy job...and add another thing to your day.
It was a reminder to me that we complement and complete each other...I can handle the washing, drying, and folding and Ted handles the wearing, tearing, and fixing! Being the "weaker vessel" is a little hard to take sometimes...it is humbling to admit that frustration sets in so quickly and I then can no longer think clearly. (If Ted had that mindset, we would be living in a cardboard box.) So...I tackle it again, surely this can be done...I teach our children not to give up or say "I can't".
No...it has been my undoing for the afternoon. When tears cloud the eyes...more of embarassment or frustration I can't say...it is time to give up and admit that I desperately need my spouse's help. I am the weaker vessel...emotionally, physically, and right now...mentally! I was defeated by dryer vent tubing...full of dust and lint my basement shall be. The next use of an appliance will be the vaccuum...who shall win that contest?

LIttle Boys

How many times a day does a little boy need to wash his hands to not feel sticky or smell dirty? I don't know yet...but he is bound and determined to find out!
You see, the sink is a new playground...and bring on the bubbles! I will not be surprised when our bathroom is flooded someday. We have had rivers flowing in the past...and puddles on the rugs.
The older the kids get, the bigger the messes...because of the original mess and then the cover up or the attempt to clean up the mess!
Life is never dull with a busy little boy...and at the moment, he is smelling like he needs a bath before Awana!

Enjoying the mail

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!!!
Alisa loves to look at the American Girl catalog when it comes. She has a wish list a mile long...keep wishing baby girl!
Teddy always grabs the tool/hardware store ads! He actually will look at all the pages and tell me what his Daddy has or one of the guys has at the shop.

Books and Buddies at the Library

Fingerpainting fun

We went to Books and Buddies today while the girls were in school. One of the activities was fingerpainting! Teddy was quite upset that his picture was gone when it was time to leave...I guess some mothers don't know their kids names!? So we got out the fingerpaints at home and had fun outside with the sisters! Let's just say...there was more paint on their clothes and hands than on the paper! They had fun and that was the point...nothing a bowl of soapy water couldn't handle!

Mosquito Bait

Our friends came up to the lakehouse for lunch and to play...we had fun! The adults talked and were entertained by Noah and the dog...and the kids played in the dirt and were tasty little treats for the mosquitoes. The rain has made the little creatures most ferocious at all hours of the day! Even the dirt couldn't keep them at bay...sorry, kids!

Homework for the First Grader

With Reading Handbook practice already done, it was time for Math drills.

Practicing Math facts with Daddy is fun...notice the big jar of M&Ms! I found this neat placemat at the dollar store and it was a change from the flashcards. Ashlynn has caught the addition concept and is "working the numbers in her head" just like her Daddy does! (Notice the naughty dog on the bench again...maybe looking for more banana bread?)

A Good Start To Our Day!

It is hard not to do a little spoiling of a certain little man during our mornings together! We got a treat on our way home the other day...and it was sooooo good! I added my cup of coffee and my new devotional book....WHAT A WAY TO START THE DAY! Thank you to my mother-in-law for getting this book for me! WOW! So often, I don't even stop to think about "What Do I Know About God?" and how would He have me handle the daily routines, schedules, aggravations, inconveniences, and etc. of life. I just react...most often...wrongly! Only a couple days into this and I find myself thinking..."Is God is control? Do I believe that? Is that how I am acting? or thinking?" This study is not anything "new" to what I have been taught all along...it is just bringing God's Word to the forefront of my thinking...again and again.

A New Chew Toy For A Naughty Dog

Yesterday while everyone was outside, Chevy jumped on the table, knocked over my new cake plate, and partially ate the loaf of banana bread (that was under the glass lid) that was adorning the fall table. Sorry, I was not of the mind to snap a picture! This morning, Teddy had the idea to buy him a bone...good idea! Otherwise, I was going to start advertising...dog for sale...if it is not the kids that are into something...it will be the dog!

Happy Fall Is Coming!

The temperature has dropped and the trees are beginning to hint at changing colors! The evening shadows come earlier and earlier! The coffee pot is working overtime and the oven was turned on to take the chill out of the house this morning...fresh baked cookies anyone? MMM...I love the smell of fall! Time to decorate for the season!

Three Students at WCS

Happy with the first day of school at WCS! Have a great year everyone!

The Two Bears

Both girl's classes at school have a Teddy Bear "Mascot". Each K5 class cares for a bear all year. Ashlynn's bear, Ima Helper, graduated with her class and is now a first grader also. Alisa'a bear, B. A. Follower, has begun his education this year. Alisa was so excited about taking care of B. that she giggled all the way to the car. Imagine our surprise when Ashlynn came out with her class bear....BEAR SLUMBER PARTY! The two bears went everywhere with us, slept with us, ate by us, played with us, were dressed and combed by us! I am sure they were ready for a break on Monday! I wrote about the adventures in the little journal. We even took them to church! The girls had fun and will look forward to their next turn...and hopefully, the bears will ignore the brother-hunter with the cap gun and forgive the mother for giving a snack of teddy grahams!

This is not right!

Washed, dried, and very wrinkled by now! A total of seven loads in three baskets...how many more could I fit? No wonder Moms are tired all the time...the baskets weigh a great deal!
My new friend Sara and I were talking last night about the piles of laundry we have...today I faced the giant...and felt defeat wash over me as I looked at the dirty clothes basket that is already full...I haven't even stripped the beds yet. Guess that will have to go on tomorrow's to do list! So, Sara...how big is your pile? With three littles guys and a husband too, it is bound to be just as big or bigger! Happy folding, dear friend!

Happy Birthday, Dear Dad!

"A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian...and most of all, his family ought to know." D.L.Moody
When I think of my father, I am filled with love and appreciation for all that he has taught me and modeled before me. The road has not always been easy...but it has been paved with love, prayer, patience, perseverance, faithfulness, integrity, consistency, and many other qualities too numerous to write. I am so thankful to be close to Mom and Dad...especially during our child-rearing years...and the ability to seek Dad's counsel in so many areas of our life.
Dad, you have been given such of wonderful gift of insight into the needs people have and loving them enough to help them...even if it is difficult. God has given you much discernment and wisdom in counsel. Thank you for investing in the lives of people and most importantly...your family! You are consistent...you have always been the same at home, at church, at the job...everywhere! You are genuine in your care for us and others. You are faithful to your Lord...no matter where you are or what you are doing. We are grateful for the times seated at your table (or livingroom or porch) as you share your wisdom, encouragement, instruction, challenge, prayer, and love with us and our family. We often need that extra help!!!
We are thankful to be able to celebrate your special day with you...we love you so much!

Books and Buddies Has Started!

Teddy and I went to the first Books and Buddies class for this school year this morning. We just love Mrs. Sharp! There were soooo many buddies there today! We even got to spend time with some buddies from our church! Of course, in the rush to get out the door this morning, I forgot the camera...so we will remember next week! We read a Dr. Seuss book...How Many Apples...and made a project with apples, glue, and Teddy's face! We will post it when we get it from our teacher. What a fun time for Teddy! We look forward to next Monday! and we might even add another time for story hour on Wednesday...we shall see!

Giggling At A Gaggle of Geese

Trip to Royal Oak Farm in Harvard

Cherished Moments at the Lunch Table

Gram' girls and grandchildren will appreciate my thoughts today...I made myself a sandwich and realized that it was put together with some of Gram's favorites that were found in her fridge when we would go for visits. She would pull out her white rectangle Tupperware container with thin sliced meats and cheeses (this being munster). Goat cheese is hard to find around here! or I would have that too! Pumpernickle bread (something bakery made, sorry, big brand retail names). Miracle Whip (said Gram style). Pickles (I held off on the lettuce and tomato...too much work). Nothing was put on the table in the original wrappings...but on the white platter with green trim or other pretty platters...so I brought out the pretty plate (paper is usually the china of choice).
Do you know...lunch tasted so much better on the "fine glassware"! It was a simple lunch...but brought such wonderful memories of Gram...and the time spent around her table for lunch and coffee breaks. I just had to write about it! It is in the simple daily routine of life that I am often hit with certain memories...unexpected, but greatly cherished. Who thought that a sandwich could bring tears of cherished moments?

Waiting on the K5 buddy for lunch and a playdate!

Signs that fall is coming!

Dizzy Kids

A Real Ding-A-Ling!

Fun At The Park

Celebrating the first week of school with Grammy & DQ!