Jul 30, 2011

Not Sure

I am loving the camera.  In this picture of the Diva, I just don't know what to think.  It could be the lighting, the jelly face, the way her hair was done, the way she smiled.  I think it looks funny.  What to do with this girl?

We painted her toes the other day.  She wanted white and green.  Not my best work.

It seems the boys grow out of their clothes so fast.  We got them some new pajamas today.  Noodle's are long enough to cover those long legs.

Chief was just really excited that we let him get some McQueens.  Woot!

Jul 29, 2011

It's Official!

I went to the mailbox today, and there was a big manila envelope.  Inside was the document stating that we are good to go with homeschool this year.  Woot!  I was a bit nervous about hearing back.  We weren't expecting it for a couple more weeks, so I couldn't count the things we have been doing over the summer. As of today, anything we do will count!
I was nervous about hearing back because we have to write down the curriculum you are going to use, and for health I didn't get anything.  I figured having the kids help me plan healthy menus and cook them would be good.  As well as sports fundamentals, and other physical activities.  They must have thought that would work, because - Houston, we are a go!!!

Jul 27, 2011

Happy New Camera

It finally came! We ordered a camera the other day, and now we can take pictures!!!! It is something I have never had before, and I love it. I decided on a DSLR camera because I would always miss out with the point and shoot. The delay was just enough. So, without further ado. Here are some photos. And please keep in mind that I am no professional. It will take some time for me to understand lighting and what not, but at least there are photos.

 The Noodle actually had a chocolate blemish on his cheek and I was able to get rid of it.  That was a first.
Little Graham

This boy was puking all night last night.  I'd say he looks pretty good today.

No camera can make this girl smile for me.  Unless her chin is up and she is doing a big cheese.

This photo is for Boppy.  The Noodle just loves his Old School shirt.

As mentioned on the previous photo.  I can't get her to act or look normal.  Silly goose.
More from the sicko.  I can't believe he is smiling.

Jul 21, 2011

Day 3

I had every intention of sleeping in a bit this morning. The Diva is my late sleeper. Of course, the best laid plans... She was up at 6. Oh well.
We started out with a typical morning. Except Diva wanted dog food for breakfast and wouldn't stay out of it. I ran upstairs to get dressed and the next thing I know she is sitting at the table with a pile of dog food. When I took it away she just cried and cried. Then she got some oatmeal and was better.
Lots of laundry and cleaning today. So I didn't get to the bathrooms like I wanted, but I did get all the rooms clean and all the bedding washed. Woot!
We went to the library where the Diva decided she wanted a Thomas the Tank engine movie. I was so excited. I just knew she would love it and I would get to take a nap. Nope. She quit watching about 5 minutes into it. Geez.
About 1:40 she got really cranky, so I laid her down for a nap. She took one, but I couldn't get to sleep. Isn't that how it always goes. She woke up and to my surprise she had an accident. It doesn't happen much now that she is potty trained. More laundry.
We then listened to the song Naturally by Selena Gomez, over and over again. The Diva loves to dance to it. I don't dance as well as I used too. Something about a large mid section. We had a good time though.

On a fun and surprising note - The Supremo and the boys are going to be home tonight. Never though I would say this, but I think it is 100 times easier to watch three kids than it is to have just one. Just saying. All in all, we survived and had a pretty good time. Although, maybe next time I will just see if I can handle the trip and join in the fun.

Jul 20, 2011

Day 2

Today was not nearly as busy as yesterday.  Looking back I sort of wish it was.  The Diva kept trying to be a dare devil, and got hurt nearly every time.   Graham was driving me bonkers with his, I wanna go out, I wanna come in, I wanna go out...  You get the idea.
I guess the rough day spawns from last night.  I got a call from my handsome Supremo informing me that we were under a severe thunderstorm warning.  This was at 10.  That's late for me, but I wanted some me time.  Instead of heading up to bed and hoping the whole thing would blow over, I got the basement bed ready, and took the Diva downstairs.  (She was sleeping at the time.)  Next come the lightening, thunder, and screaming winds.  I was in and out the whole time.  Finally at 1 am it was over and I took us girls up to our rooms. A workout at 1 in the morning is never something I enjoy doing.  I was winded and it took me a long time to calm down.
Next morning (today) I was up at 6 and couldn't get back to sleep.  Shower, scripture study, breakfast, email checking.  All done by myself.  The Diva didn't wake up until 8.  Lucky.  I got her favorite breakfast of oatmeal and strawberry smoothie, and we sat there.  Just us two girls.  It was fun.  She proceeded to tell me all about the coloring she was going to do today.
No walk today.  I was so tired from all the walking yesterday.  We didn't go to the library either.  At 10 we went and picked up a sister from church so she could make a scripture journal for her hubby.  I made her one, and she wanted to do one, so we did.
That done we went to the carnival for some lunch and to see what the rides were going to be like.  We didn't ride any.  They were still getting ready.  We did enjoy a lunch of BBQ pork sandwich, potato salad, and our most favorite.  A fuzzy navel snow cone.  So tasty.
Another afternoon of me trying to nap and not succeeding.  This is when she decided to do her take at being a stunt man.  She jumped off a file box, onto the piano bench which tipped over with her getting caught in the shuffle.  That was the only one I saw.  There were numerous others that I heard the scream and knew what happened.
Right now she is enjoying her favorite show.  Princess Dangerous (Tangled).  So this is my moment to let you know what happened.  Two more days.

Jul 19, 2011

Day 1

The Supremo took the boys with him to Idaho for work.  He has a sister there and the boys will get to play with cousins for two days!  I was excited, and at the same time a little nervous.  Never since we have had kids has the Supremo taken them somewhere for more than a few hours.  NEVER.  I wasn't scared for him.  The boys are good travelers.  I was scared for myself.  Why?  I have never been left alone that long with just the Diva.  Also it has been over 6 years since I just had one child in the house.

Well, we survived the day.  It was quite a busy day.  It started with sending the boys off.  The Diva was quite sad that she didn't get to go in the truck.  After some breakfast we headed out for a walk.  We stopped at the park as that is one of her favorite places to go.  We were back by 8:30am and I was glad.  It was starting to get hot.  Next up we went to the library and got a movie and some books.  I will be enjoying the Count of Monte Cristo tonight!  I think we will go again tomorrow, as we read all the books, and I may want something else to watch.
We went to lunch with some friends and I was laughing so hard I had rice go down the wrong tube, and couldn't stop coughing, while at the same time I couldn't stop laughing.  Yes.  There were tears.
After that we went to the local Kmart (I know amazing!!!) and got some nail polish.  The Diva chose lime green and pink.  We proceeded home and took care of manicures and pedicures.  I had one green toenail, and three pink ones!  Stylish.
I was pooped after that, so we watched Ratatouille for the millionth time.  I tried to nap, but the Diva does not allow that often.
It was sandwiches for dinner and then off to family night for the local fair.  Lots of people couldn't get enough of the Diva's blonde curls and sunglasses.  Lots of walking, and when we headed home I was ready to get in the stroller and be pushed.

Tomorrow isn't supposed to be quite as busy which will be nice.  All in all it was fun to have a girls day. I do miss my rambunctious monsters though.  Can't wait for Friday.

Jul 13, 2011

Venture into Homeschooling

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was thinking about homeschooling the boys this year.  Well, the Supremo and I decided to take the plunge and do it.  I spent weeks and weeks researching online and at the library to see if it was going to work for us.  With a new baby on the way, right when school is supposed to start, I wasn't sure.  After lots of prayer and fasting we felt good about it.

The reasoning behind this decision.  First off - The Noodle-.  While he enjoyed getting to spend time playing with friends; recess was the only thing he mentioned he liked about school.  We had a few times that he came home with a fever, just to find out that he had an anxiety attack and it was gone by the time we got home.  Lots and lots of fighting over having to finish homework.  I didn't blame him on this one.  Who wants to spend 7 hours a day doing work, only to have to do more when you got home.  There was no time to be a kid.  I was also not enjoying my son.  I felt terrible.  While I missed him when he was gone, I would almost dread picking him up from school.  He was always so tired, and we just seemed to not like each other much.  There were also some other issues he had.  Which I won't mention here because I don't want him to look back on this and be mad at me.

#2 - Chief-.  He is one smart cookie.  He was placed in an advanced reading group when we first moved to this area, and then was moved up again.  Not that that is a bad thing.  Why I didn't like it...  They did it without getting my permission to do so, and when he got moved up he would come home with an hour of homework.  HE WAS IN KINDERGARTEN!!!!  It wasn't cutting and pasting or simple math equations.  It wasn't even sight words.  It was writing in complete sentences and answering questions from a book.  I slowly watching this boy who couldn't keep his hands off books to a boy that didn't want to be read to or even go to the library. We started the fighting just like his older brother.  Not fun.

#3 - B.WO.A.N- (Baby WithOut A Nickname)  Like I mentioned earlier.  We will have a new addition right about when school starts.  I know this might seem lazy, but I didn't want to have to get everyone ready to be out the door by 7:35.  It was making me feel stress and we still had another month left.

That is why we are going to homeschool this year.  Yes, I said this year.  When we are done we will evaluate and see what we think.  It may be the best thing of our lives, or we may never do it again.
This summer has been spent practicing a shortened homeschool day, and I have loved it.  The boys penmanship has come a long way, and I am actually learning a new way to do math.  So cool.  Best of all I am enjoying my kids!  I will keep updates of how things are going here on this blog.  Until the next update... Happy Schooling!