Daybook November 30, 2009

For Today...

November 30, 2009

Good-bye Thanksgiving...Hello Advent!

Outside my window... Darkness again.  The daytime was beautiful though.  Clear blue sky, nary a cloud in sight.  We've had the windows opened for the last several days, but we closed up again since it is getting warmer (again).

I am thinking...that I really hope Velcro Boy's foot gets better, like overnight :)  He got bit by an ant Saturday afternoon and by Sunday morning his foot was really swollen up.  It was even worse this morning, so we took him to the doctor.  Benadryl and Epsom salt soaks.  Gee...so THAT's what they go to school for all those years.

I am thankful for...the kids getting over their colds!  They've all been sick, but now seem to be doing much better.  Glad it didn't get worse before it got better.

From the learning rooms... back to school!  We started back again this morning after taking the last 2 weeks off.  Actually we started back on Saturday with just a bit of grammar and some math to ease back into it.  The kids had been giving me a hard time during our first day or two back after a break, but things went much better this time.  We're doing half days for the next 2-3 weeks so we have plenty of time for crafts, cooking and playing.  Then we'll be off until after Christmas. 

From the kitchen...leftovers!  And breakfast for supper since Velcro Boy (and I) had such a hard day.

I am wearing... black shorts and a pink t-shirt.  Bare foot, of course.

I am creating...a Jesse Tree!  And a bunch of lists.  I've found a few Advent and Christmas reading lists at some blogs I frequent (see my side-bar).  Plus the list of crafts is still growing.  We're making Christmas presents this year, so we'll be doing some candy making and baking as well as crafting for that.  Then of course there are the treats for our family, and a few to share.  The new Advent calendar is done!!!!  Pictures below.

I am going...to get the house clean, grocery shop and get my lists in order tomorrow.  he he he.  Who am I kidding?!?

I am reading...several things.
Long-term:
MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.  I'm almost done with this course and I highly recommend it.  It has really led me to dig deep into myself and I've formed some new friendships too.

Short-term:
Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine Field.  Velcro Boy isn't the most cooperative student (yes, I KNOW he's only 4), so I thought she might have some good ideas.  I read another book she wrote, Help for the Harried Homeschooler and it was very informative.


Advent/Christmas reading:

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from GK Chesterton.


God With Us: Rediscovering the meaning of Christmas by multiple authors.  Edited by Greg Pennoyer & Gregory Wolfe.

Both are a collection of daily reflections lasting through Advent and Christmas.  Each day's reflection isn't very long, but they are insightful.


I am hoping...I can keep ahead of the days while I go about making the ornaments for the Jesse tree.  I only finished through day 6 so far, with 23 left to go.  There are several days that I'll need to double up on the readings.  The things on my lists are all GOOD things.  I just hope I can get, and keep, sight of the BEST things for our family and get them all done.  While keeping Advent fun.


I am hearing...just the hum of electronics.  The kids are sleeping and hubs is working.

Around the house...It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  OK, not really, but it is a slow work in progress :)  The Advent stuff is out.  The Thanksgiving stuff is put away.  And the boxes of Christmas stuff is out and waiting to be put to use.

One of my favorite things...silence.  Enough said.

A few plans for the rest of the week: cleaning, groceries, nursing an injured foot, Jesse tree, MOM's meeting

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

When I first purchased this box, I thought it shouldn't be too much trouble to do this...  Famous last words.  It was sooo tedious!  Now I'm not one for shirking away from a tedious job.  Just let me know going into it that it's going to be that way.  Everything needed a second coat of paint.  The doors needed to be painted on all *6* sides. The insides of each of the 24 boxes needed to be painted on all *5* sides, plus a little lip at the bottom of each box to keep the door from going in.  Then the dividers between each box.  To top it all off, the train on top was a huge pain!  Ahhh...the rant is done.  The box is done.  And it came out remarkably well, if I do say so myself :)  I'm putting the Jesse tree ornaments in the boxes along with a dark chocolate Hershey's kiss.  Appropriately wrapped in purple foil :)

I'll post the rest of our Advent decorations under a separate post ;)

To view more daybooks, please visit Peggy!

Daybook November 23, 2009

For Today...

November 23, 2009

Outside my window... deep, inky blackness.  Well...except for all the lights anyway.  It doesn't really get super dark around here.

I am thinking...that I'm looking forward to getting back to school.  We took 2 weeks "off" for Thanksgiving and I miss the routine and structure we usually have.

I am thankful for...well...everything.  My sister in law recently started something on our My Family site.  She asked us to list things that we're thankful for.  We all came up with some interesting things.  The usual: health, spouse, kids, jobs, etc.  But then we got creative!  Things like supermarkets, stop lights, fast food & delivery, elastic.  I mean, how ofter do we think about the elastic in our undies???  Never!  We sure do though when it's stretched out.  And it made me realize how many incredible things we have in our lives here in America.  So many things that people in so many other places don't have. 

From the learning rooms... Thanksgiving school.  We took last week and this week off.  We've been doing some Thanksgiving projects and reading Thanksgiving books, so it isn't really time off.  I've made some concrete Advent plans.  Now I just need to get books lined up. 

From the kitchen...Thanksgiving preparations.  I made egg nog cookies today.  Just like drinking a cup of nog, only better!  I made German style baked chicken for dinner.  A fairly simple casserole, but time-consuming to get everything together.  Tomorrow...more baking!

I am wearing... Tan shorts and a teal t-shirt.  Bare foot, of course.

I am creating...a Jesse Tree!  And a new Advent calendar.  We have one that you put the ornaments on, etc, but I found one at Michael's that has doors that open for a treat hidden inside with a little train on top.  I forgot to get a "before" picture, so it will have to wait until I'm done :)  The Thanksgiving projects can be found here. And so many yummy things from the kitchen.

I am going...to get the house clean tomorrow.  And tackle some to-do items as well.

I am reading...several things.
Long-term:
MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.


Short-term:
The latest issue of Family Foundations.  And Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine Field.  I actually have yet to start this one, but I plan to in the next couple of days.  Velcro Boy isn't the most cooperative student (yes, I KNOW he's only 4), so I thought she might have some good ideas.  I read another book she wrote, Help for the Harried Homeschooler and it was very informative.


I am hoping...I don't go out of my mind :)  No seriously.  I want to try to keep Advent fun but simple and really spend time with the kids creating things and having fun.  I just hope I can keep to that resolution.

I am hearing...Sanctus bells (hubs is watching a video of the Extraordinary form Mass), the dryer and the air conditioner.

Around the house...Thanksgiving dinner preparations.  Also, Me eying all the toys I want to put away that the boys don't play with anymore.  I want my spaces back :) 

One of my favorite things...the sacrifice of the Mass (especially when uninterrupted by little ones :) ).  It makes me feel so very humble and so very, very grateful.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Oh gee...where to start.  As I mentioned cleaning and lots of cooking.  We're hosting Thanksgiving, so guests all day on Thursday.  Relaxing on Friday.  And pulling out the many boxes of Christmas things.  I have no idea which box our Advent wreath and calendar, etc are in, so I get to do some digging. 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I love it when they play well together.

To view more daybooks, visit Peggy !!

Thanksgiving crafts

We've been pretty busy around here lately and have accomplished some crafts, so I thought I would post some pictures :)

For starters, the older boys made handprint turkeys.  We traced around their hands, added the wattle and legs, and they decorated with popcorn, beans and lentils.

The Professor's:

Velcro Boy's:

Then The Professor made this foam turkey:

 

And Velcro Boy made this door hanger.  It's currently hanging on the laundry room door, but we're going to move it for Thanksgiving Day.

Velcro Boy and I made this Fall leaf tree.  We used leaves from NJ, sent to us by my SIL.

 

 

 

The Professor was a bit disappointed at not getting to be part of this craft, so he drew this fall leaf tree...

There were a few more I had hoped to get to, but due to the late date we probably won't get to them :(  Oh well.  I'll just have to save them for next year.

Mental note:  thumbprint tree (similar to the above trees except decorated with thumbprints of various fall colors.), and thankfulness trees (similar to above, but with paper leaves.  On each leaf write something you're thankful for.).

We're gearing up for Advent now.  Poor Thanksgiving...gets sandwiched in between Halloween (with a whole month for projects) and Advent & Christmas.

Small Successes

For today:  November 19, 2009

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1.

I've completed the banner and the first week's ornaments for our Jesse Tree!  I'm sooo excited.  I'm working on a few other projects at the same time so I don't think I'll get them all done before Advent, but hopefully by the start of December.

2.

I've made the shopping list for Thanksgiving.  Not as bad as I thought it would be.  I also got the desserts decided on and the bread baked to make the bread stuffing.

3.

I started making a list (s) of the various projects I want to do during Advent.  I have so many sources to go through for ideas.  Too many really.  The boys each have stuff in their Image of God books, plus Year with God, a few blogs: here, here, here, & here as well as some other books.  Whew!  I procrastinated long enough, I'm glad to be getting on with it.  Now to keep the list simple so we can remember the reason for the season.

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Daybook November 16, 2009

For Today...

November 16, 2009

Outside my window... overcast sky, but the temps aren't so bad.  We've had a nice few days, even had the windows open and the air conditioner off for those days.  Lower electric bill, YIPPEE!

I am thinking...That I need to fold the clothes in the dryer before they wrinkle :)  I don't iron! 

I am thankful for...books!  My kids LOVE to read.

From the learning rooms... Thanksgiving school.  We're taking the next 2 weeks off.  However...we have several Thanksgiving related books to read and projects to do as well.  So...is it really time off??  And I need to get set-up for Advent.  Get books lined up, lesson plans pulled together, etc.

From the kitchen...the smell of apples and cinnamon, yummy!  I just made honey goodness breakfast bars and they smell great!

I am wearing... baby blue shorts, salmon short sleeves and the usual bare feet :)

I am creating...a Jesse Tree!  Also, Thanksgiving projects (pictures on a separate post) and a new Advent calendar.  We have one that you put the ornaments on, etc, but I found one at Michael's that has doors that open for a treat hidden inside with a little train on top.  I'll post pictures soon.

I am going...to try to get so many things off my to-do list these next 2 weeks.  Lets see how well I do :)

I am reading...several things.
Long-term:
1. MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.

2. Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic. This is another study course to help deepen our appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, recognize the strength of prayer and the power of obedience.


Short-term:
The latest issue of Family Foundations.  And Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine Field.  I actually have yet to start this one, but I plan to in the next couple of days.  Velcro Boy isn't the most cooperative student (yes, I KNOW he's only 4), so I thought she might have some good ideas.  I read another book she wrote, Help for the Harried Homeschooler and it was very informative.


I am hoping...that we have a good session tomorrow for our family portraits.

I am hearing...Reading and the dryer running with yet another load of laundry.

Around the house...a simulated space shuttle launch.  Sometimes we can see them from in front of our house (quite a way away of course).  Not today, too many clouds :(  So...the boys pulled out their space toys and set-up a launch.  So now they are scattered all over the living room.

One of my favorite things...the smell of my kids when they wake up from a nap.  All warm and snuggly.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Date night with hubby, family portraits, an outing with my parents, MOM's meeting, grocery shopping, lots of cooking.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Any one ever seen a twisted up tootsie roll?!?  Leave it to the Professor!

To view more daybooks, visit Peggy !! 

Small Successes

For today November 12, 2009

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

~1~

So many thing, where to start... :)

Jesus, Mary and Joseph are finally done for our Nativity!!!!  YIPPEE!

I've framed AND hung all of our recent, and not so recent, pictures.

~2~

We've started on Thanksgiving crafts.  I have a few planned, I'll get pictures up soon.  Promise!  And I have several Advent projects in the works.  I'm also looking at several of the blogs I follow for more ideas.  The big question is:  Are we going to get any non-Advent/Christmas related school work done???  We'll see :)

~3~

Speaking of Thanksgiving...I've planned the guest list (family, we're not fancy) and we just need to get in contact with one person, the menu AND who needs to bring what (just need to tell them :) ).  Now I need to get another folding table (the family keeps growing) and decide on desserts, make a shopping list and set my timetable and I'll be done.  Gee...that's not a lot is it?!?  BTW...I'm sooo methodical that I actually plan what to do (cleaning, baking, thawing, etc) for each day of the week leading up to a holiday.  I also plan what time each thing needs to happen on the day of! What time the bird goes in the oven, comes out, needs to be carved.  What needs to be put on the stove & when.  It helps the time flow smoothly and we eat on time, but man, am I compulsive!

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

 

Pictures hung!

I mentioned in my daybook the other day that I was trying to get some pictures hung.  I finally got them all done!!!  Yippee!!!  I also moved around some other pictures so we could have more wall space in our school room (aka dining room).  Here's what I ended up with...

First, I laid out the pictures on the living room floor.  In trying to decide if I liked what I saw, this happened...

My cute little imitators!  Doodlebug has his hands on his hips too.  You'll notice I'm sporting the "new" glasses.  I need to have hubby get a close up of them.

This is what ended up on the wall...

To the far left are the latest portraits of The Professor (far left), then Velcro Boy (top) and Doodlebug (bottom).  The family portrait (middle) is scheduled to be replaced after Tuesday's portrait appointment at JCPenney's.  I'm planning on getting the big 10x13 (or whatever it is) so I planned that in this layout.  I already have the frame and mats so all I need is the print!  Next to the family portrait are the "baby panels".  3, 6, 9 and 12 month portraits of Velcro Boy (top) and Doodlebug (middle).  The one on the bottom is a portrait study of the 3 boys from last Christmas.  This *may* get replaced too, we'll see.  The 5x7 to the far right is a pic of myself with the 3 boys and my great-grandparents.  We went to visit them this past summer up in Rhode Island.  It's not the greatest picture (*someone*) didn't want to cooperate, but we only get up there every few years so we made do.

In our foyer, we have...

 

 

These are  "cutie kissables" collections of each of the boys.  The Professor (top left), Doodlebug (top right) and Velcro Boy (bottom).  Each of the openings is a different close-up of some cute, kissable part of their ~3 month old body.  They are way to cute!

This is a close-up of Doodlebug's kissables.  

 

 

It took forever to get this done.  The mat is a 9 opening double mat and VERY difficult to cut.  My dad was kind enough to cut the ones for The Professor years ago.  He passed the mat cutter along to us and hubby had to cut the mats for Doodlebug.  Velcro Boy's was done by a professional photographer.  (This guy is AWESOME, pricey as expected, but incredible.)  Anyway, this is what inspired the kissables to begin with.  We had him do one for Velcro Boy, and of course what you have for one, you have to have for the others...so here we are.

Joseph is done!

Finally!  Actually, I got him done 2 weeks a few days ago and just forgot to take pictures.  Poor St. Joseph!  First I forget to take his before shot (until after I start painting him!)...

Then I forget to take his after.  I wrapped him up and put him back in the box with Jesus, Mary and the other figurines (still unpainted)!  Poor guy.  Well...here he is at long last :)

Nice, huh?

Daybook - November 9, 2009

For Today...

November 9, 2009

Outside my window... right now it's dark out.  But today was overcast and gloomy for the most part.  We also got quite a bit of rain courtesy of Tropical Depression Storm no, Hurricane ahhh...whatever it is Ida.  Fortunately it looks like we're not going to get hit with it.

I am thinking...that I can't wait for Advent.  I have so many projects planned!  Then again...maybe I CAN wait...I have SO many projects planned :)

I am thankful for...our health.  So many are sick right now.

From the learning rooms... working hard so we can take a week (or more) off for Thanksgiving.  The Professor is back to adding 2 & 3 digit numbers with carrying, is starting the lessons on sin in the Baltimore Catechism and is finishing up dental health in science.  Velcro Boy and Doodlebug finished reviewing letters A-L and are now on "M".  It's amazing how well they're learning the letters.  There are even several others we haven't come to yet that Velcro Boy already knows.  I'm thinking of starting the Alphabet path.  I've seen some really interesting ideas on several blogs.

From the kitchen...basil chicken for supper.  Tomorrow... hamburgers!

I am wearing... tan shorts, burgundy short-sleeves, naked toes.

I am creating...a Jesse Tree!  I've been meaning to do this for several years, but never gotten around to it.  Joseph is done! 

I am going...to drive myself nuts the next few weeks trying to get all this done.

I am reading...several things.
Long-term:
1. MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.

2. Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic. This is another study course to help deepen our appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, recognize the strength of prayer and the power of obedience.


Short-term:
The latest issue of Family Foundations.


I am hoping...to finish getting some pictures hung up around the house.  We got new pictures of the boys a few months ago recently and I have yet to get them posted.

I am hearing...a debate discussion regarding the new healthcare policy.

Around the house...no more Halloween.  On to Thanksgiving crafts and planning for hosting dinner for 15-18 people.  I know...not a very big group, but big enough for me. 

One of my favorite things...seeing the light of understanding in my son's eyes when he finally gets something that he's been struggling with.

A few plans for the rest of the week: hanging pictures, school, grocery shopping, Women of Grace meeting.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...













Aren't they cute?!?

To view more daybooks, visit Peggy !!

Speech Therapy update

The book interrogation  information packet is done!   It took several hours.   There was also a packet of the statutes applicable to this type of educational screening.   It is fairly age-appropriate, though not all the questions really pertained to him.   It's a social and developmental history form.   They ask the normal questions (age, name, address, who does the child live with, marital status, etc.), reason for screening, others in the household.   Medical history (prenatal, delivery details,complications), current medical information (illnesses, pediatrition).   Developmental history (motor-sit, crawl, walking, potty), language (babble, 1st words, putting them together, sentences, questions), social development (changes in lifestyle-divorce, births, etc, getting along with others, behavior problems), daycare.   Then financial info (Medicaid eligible, insurance, etc).   Then Parental observations, development as compared to other kids the same age, 3 or 4 things about your child that you consider to be strengths (things your child does well, personality traits, etc).   Any other information that you feel is important in order for us to better understand your child. I tell you, I REALLY have earned the worst parent award!   I was looking back through Velcro Boy's journal (no baby book for child #2) to answer some of the questions.   I noticed some gaps between what I noted for Velcro Boy vs. The Professor.   I knew there was a lot of things I didn't keep track of for him that I noted for The Professor.   Well, I really dropped the ball for Doodlebug.   There were a ton of things that I noted for Velcro Boy that I *know* Doodlebug has already done and I didn't note, journal or post about.  Thank God he's a boy, they don't usually look back at baby books and journals etc :)   I can't imagine a 4th or 5th child.   They would be lucky to have records of their births! :) Now to wait to hear from the case worker.

Halloween is done!

As much fun as we had, I'm glad Halloween's over.  Now on to fall :)  I thought I would post some pictures of the last of the Halloween crafts.

Velcro Boy's Ghost: (He didn't want it to have eyes :) )

The Professor's Ghost:

The Professor's bats:

Velcro Boy's Spiders: (yes, I KNOW spiders have more than 4 legs :) )

Our display:

Doodlebug (teddy bear)

Velcro Boy (UPS driver):

The Professor (FedEx driver):

All together:

The decorations have now all been taken down.  Now to make fall decorations!

My epiphany

 I had an epiphany tonight.  We were praying the 4th decade of the Rosary tonight and The Professor was acting silly (over tired I suppose), so I put my arm around him and cuddled him up to me.  This settled him down.  But it suddenly struck me that I had my mind on the wrong thing!  I usually try to keep WHAT Jesus went through in His life, Passion and death in front of me.  You know... the torture, rejection, humiliation, temptations...all the bad stuff.  But it suddenly hit me tonight that I was forgetting the WHY about all of that.  He went through all of that because He.Loves.Us! (so darn much it makes my head spin).  That's why I do what I do, because I love my family (and God of course!).  Plain and simple.