We were supposed to start school today, but I realized that I hadn't purchased the lab supplies for science yet. Oh well, Rachael leaves for camp next week, so we'll just begin when she gets back. That will also give me a one-on-one week with Nick who will be starting (a modified version of) Kindergarten this year. He's only four, but has been reading simple words for quite awhile. I figure I'll work on reading, simple math, read alouds, etc. He's been begging to 'do school' for a long time.
The picture above is Rachael with blue gum covering her teeth. She walked into the dining room while I was working on lesson plans and said, "Look Mom, Bluetooth!" Yes, she's 'punny' that way...
On a side note, Jeff STILL has a fever. This is eerily starting to resemble July of 2006 when he was working 7 days a week and ended up on a week-long bedrest with pneumonia...
Jeff had to work today and Rachael went home with Ronnie after church, so Nick & I had some 'Mommy/Son' bonding time. I told him we could go anywhere he wanted to go for lunch. BK was the winner.
Unfortunately, Jeff came home from work with a fever. Hopefully it passes, because he says he has too much work to be sick. He's been working 7 days a week. He does get overtime, which is unusual in the Engineering profession, but I can't help but think it's probably not the best for his health...
Jeff had to work all day today, so Nick thought he'd fill in at home!
Actually, Nick came running out of our room this evening with his hard hat and tie in hand and asked Jeff to help him "get dressed." Jeff added his glasses to the ensemble, and VOILA!...another geeky engineer ;-D
I dropped the kids off at my mom's house this morning to head to a used curriculum sale. I was able to go to a couple of garage sales (one of which was falsely advertised as having lots of homeschool materials... ) and a thrift store before hitting the Steak 'n Shake drive through. As luck would have it, the lady forgot to give me my Sweet 'n Low for my tea, so I had to go into the restaurant. As I was walking back to my car, some crazy person was honking and waving my way. It was my friend Heather and her husband (Nathan)! Nathan's medical test had taken less time than anticipated. I took my bag and drink back into Steak 'n Shake and ate lunch with them. Afterwards, we went to the curriculum sale where we both got A LOT of great deals (see my bargains in the picture above!)
Since my mom had taken the kids to the movies, I decided to hang out until Jeff got there. I went to Wal-Mart and a used bookstore, taking my time in each place. Wow! I had forgotten how relaxing it could be just to browse at my own snail's pace! When Jeff finished his trek from work (a 2 hour drive to E'ville), we ate at our favorite Indian restaurant, then hit the movies. What an awesome day!!!
It was another park day today. After a couple of hours sorting through rocks, the older kids got the novel idea to hold a contest to see who could get the dirtiest. I'm not sure which one was victorious, but they were both ridiculously filthy. The sprinkling rain and humidity only helped to adhere the grime!
I detest summer. I am NOT a hot weather person. One of the only redeeming qualities of summer is the fresh food. One such food is fresh corn on the cob. As Rachael was shucking the corn, she started laughing and said, "Look Mom, a unicorn!" She is definitely her father's daughter...
Day 204 - A Horse is a Horse, of course, of course!
After piano lessons and physics class, we went to a pizza buffet & horseback riding with Diana, Thomas, & Ross. Nick is still too young to ride a big horse, so the kids led him around on his old friend, Freckles. While the older kids were riding, Diana and I were able to sit in the air-conditioned car and talk. (It was hot!!!)
Sibling rivalry is a constant battle around here. Rachael seems to have the impression that what's hers is hers, and what's Nick's is hers...
Since she's spending the day at my in-law's house, Nick has free reign. His first mission: Conquer "her" chair. She is VERY protective of her chair. She bought it with her Christmas money, and has banished anyone from using it. When I realized how quiet it had gotten, I went searching for Nick, and this is how I found him...
In "her" room, sitting in "her" chair, with his feet on "her" pillow, and using "her" neck pillow!!!!! (It was actually rather amusing...) :-D
One of Jeff's primary responsibilities at work is to ensure all of his designs are "green." Neither he nor I are "green people" with regard to the "global warming" trend, however, we both firmly believe that we should be good stewards of the environment. In taking steps toward that goal, we have replaced nearly all of our light bulbs with compact fluorescents, we conserve water whenever possible, we don't litter, we try to reuse items as much as possible, etc. The photo above is Jeff taking it to the next step...
We have four globe lights above our bathroom mirror. Since those are not compact fluorescent, and they tend to get left on a lot, Jeff installed a motion detecting switch. Now the lights turn on only when someone walks into the dark bathroom, and turn off when they leave. It doesn't turn on during the day (when it's already light in there). As an added bonus, Nick could never reach this light which meant that we had to escort him to the bathroom when it was dark. Now he's self-sufficient! Hooray!
My friend Heather (a prospective homeschooler) and I went to the local homeschool store this morning. Afterwards, we headed to a Chinese buffet, Staples, the teacher supply store, a thrift store, and a used bookstore. It was a fun day out without the kids. Heather & I were best friends in elementary school, but until recently, hadn't seen much of each other. Despite our radically different political views, it seems we still have a lot in common. It's been nice getting to reconnect. At times, it's almost as if we're kids again, never having gone so many years without contact...
After my day out, Jeff & I went to my in-law's house to eat. After dinner, Jeff taught Rachael the age-old tradition of towel snapping. How could she have ever coped without learning this necessary skill? Who needs public school?!?
We met friends at the local spray park this afternoon. They had so much fun! Given Nick's hatred of water, I was afraid he'd end up sitting on my lap all afternoon. No way! He was getting in on all the fun with the other kids. Following the spray park, we went to the Kiddie Park. They were filthy again, and Nick cried all the way home knowing that it was soon to be bathtime...
I decided not to put Nick down for a nap since he's been staying awake until all hours of the night. Instead of a cozy bed, he ended up crashing on the floor right into my pile of ready-to-be-folded laundry!
We went to the World Wide Missions store. It's sort of like a huge garage sale, but the proceeds benefit worldwide missions. Rachael got a gyroscope and a cool reading lamp. Nick bought a Winnie the Pooh fanny pack (yes, Jeff was thrilled!), and I found these...
I was so excited! They were only $1 each. They were a perfect find considering next year is the medieval portion of our historical studies!
Today was supposed to be a Bloomington day, but I wasn't feeling well. We sat at home all day doing nothing. We did get several movies watched. It cleared a little space off of our DVR. I guess that's progress...
And yes, that is her winter coat. She swears that we're trying to freeze her to death by Jeff's insistance that we adhere to the ASHRAE thermal comfort standards...did I mention that I'm married to an engineer?!
We went to my mom's house today for lunch. We hadn't been there for several weeks, and Eddie (Jill's boyfriend) was heading back to Canada. After eating, Jeff took the kids out shopping and goofing off while my mom and I played cards. It's been so long that we had a lot of catching up to do!
Day 194 - The only acceptable part of the bathing experience...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Nick HATES baths. Not the typical, "I hate baths" that most kids his age express. He LOATHES baths! As soon as bath time is announced, my laid back, easy going boy turns into a demon child. He screams, he cries, he begs... No, he's never had a "near drowning experience" or any other event that could explain his terror. The only acceptable part of the experience is afterwards when he loves to cuddle in the towel. Here he is cuddling with his dad, elated that we are finished trying to drown him... ;-D
We met some friends for a Mexican lunch followed by the movie Wall-E (again!) We had a great time, as Wall-E is one of those movies that you can see multiple times and still enjoy! After Jeff returned home from work, we went to the county fair. We bought both kids a wristband which offered unlimited ride opportunities. Nick, the daredevil, loved every one. He was heartbroken that he couldn't ride all of the "adult" rides as well! He'll be a blast at the theme park when he gets a little taller...
We also engorged ourselves on fair food including the scrumptious funnel cakes...YUM! We spent a small fortune, but oh well, it only comes around once a year!
I was busy with lesson plans all day, so Nick occupied his time with Play-Doh. My attempt to keep the colors separate and distinct was futile. We now have three jars of rainbow colored mush...
Day 191 - Play-Doh, Cleaning, & a Whole Lotta' Nothingness
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Today is a rainy, ho-hum kind of day. I'm cleaning up the house, Rachael is on the computer, and Nick is playing with his Play-Doh. It's nice to have a relaxing day every once-in-a-while! The preceding pictures are from yesterday's jaunt to Bloomington.
Name: Amy Home: Indiana, United States About Me: I am a Homeschool Mom of 2 awesome children. This is my attempt at Project 365 - to chronicle our world through daily photos... See my complete profile
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