Oh (no!) Canada!

Two days ago, we had a big bruha over here.
A huge commotion.
Lots of yelling and screaming.

BIG TIME RIVALRY.

It was team Canada vs. team USA in.... HOCKEY!















Knowing that such a momentous occasion could only occur once every 4 years, I had to call out the big guns to get some cool ideas.

I e-mailed Charlotte.

:)

She e-mailed me right back with some awesome ideas and links to many websites.

We made our own miniature hockey sticks.

We decorated those cheesy foam hats in our favorite team colors.

And we decorated these:















Notice the multiples of #87.... needed extras of the beloved Sidney Crosby!
(yes, they are maple leaves.... can't you tell? ;P)


And these...
















#17 is Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks. Sports Fan was thrilled that he was in the Olympics, but not thrilled that he was playing for the US.

Yes, all of my kiddos were cheering for Team Canada.




















And so I would not be the lone victor when Team USA routed them...
:D
I called in some reinforcements. There is only one other family in our huge community that is as hockey rabid as we are. And they are true southern patriots. Their 5 kids really got into the game, much to our surprise. What a commotion every time someone scored!

When all was said and done, Team USA won. Which just goes to show you that indeed, the good guys always always win.

:)

Because You're Never Too Old...

... for a baggie of Cheerios.


:)


This post made possible through the privilege of housing my beautiful college-aged sister.

Daybook: Digging Out And Digging In

We were not inundated with a fresh round of snow or sleet, thank goodness, but our neighborhood still looks like a tornado ran through it. So does my house. I'll be using this President's Day to put away the snow paraphernalia, do laundry, and sweep up the mud that got tracked in during the great blizzard...
:P

Outside My Window...

Abundant sunshine. Finally. The temperatures will stay cold, high of 45 today, but at least the sun will help to dry the massive pools of melted mush. Numerous times yesterday we thought it was raining what with the melting snow and constant dripping.


I Am Listening To...

My children arguing. sigh. I'm not sure how to conquer this beast. It's been assaulting our family for a good while now. The constant bickering and picking is wearing me down. Is this normal? Am I too uptight about it? Any advice?


I Am Wearing...

Black loose yoga pants, white hoodie, orange crocs. Comfy clothes for me today.


I Am Thankful For...

The time I was able to spend with my friend Lisa last night. I held her precious baby, read stories to my beautiful goddaughter, (and her sister) and got to have some much-needed Mama chat time. It was so lovely.


I Am Pondering...

Schooling options, and what is best for each one of my kids.


I Am Reading...

The Edge of Sadness, Character Building, and In Conversation With God. The first two are for my book club. The last is my spiritual reading. Still trying to get up earlier in order to spend some quiet moments in prayer before the day begins. Guess I know what my Lenten sacrifice will be!


From the Kitchen...

Cupcakes last night, and some sort of sweets for tomorrow. Probably cinnamon rolls for the morning and cake for dessert. Not too much, though, since we need it out of the house before Wednesday.


I Am Thinking...

About Lent. And how much we need this time. To dig in and make commitments and follow through. Our apathetic natures yearn to be whipped into shape. And for the best reason of all... for He who died for us. It's beautiful and inspiring. But of course it is. This is our Faith.


I Am Creating...

An integrated education for all the kids. Taking what we have and adding to it. More writing and memorization, less busy-work. We'll see if this great experiment works out.


On My iPod...

The new BNL single. Sorry, but I am a die-hard fan as you know. You'll find it here.


Towards Rhythm and Beauty...

Plans for our new master shower are taking shape. Sometimes I feel paralyzed with all of the choices! Sounds crazy, but I am grateful that our budget restrains me. At least it lets me know what is reasonable and what is not. I'll be trying to blend what we have with snazzy updates.


To Live the Liturgy...

Mardi Gras and Lent. Lots of dialogue in the next few days. The older kids need a good kick in the pants. Don't we all?
:)


I Am Hoping and Praying...

I am hoping for a fruitful Lent. I am praying for a dear friend who moved to Italy with her family (husband and two adopted children) right before her miracle baby was to be born (she had been infertile for years...) Her precious boy died in childbirth. She is an ocean away from family and friends. But her faith and our prayers are holding her up. And many people are flying over to be with them. It is gut-wrenching and wondrous to witness this communion of graces. They are an amazing family.


In the Garden...

Still some snow. But the pansies are holding on. No plans yet for anything else. My neighbor is too busy clearing away the debris from his yard.


Around the House...

Day off today for President's day, and we're taking full advantage. We have a crazy sports and scouts-filled week.


On Keeping Home...

The arrival of Lent is perfect timing. With all of the activities coming up, we'll need some major amounts of discipline and scheduling to ensure somewhat smooth sailing through our weeks.


One of My Favorite Things...
The smell of a newborn. Scarce around here these days, but I got a good dose of it last night.
:)


A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...

Basketball practices and games, soccer practices, hockey practices and games, scout meeting, scout dinner... about 14 events to cram into 5 days. hahahahahahaha. See y'all on the other side. Maybe.
:P


A Picture Thought I am Sharing...
















A ton of Robins (and other birds) descended on our backyard yesterday afternoon.
















They were in our trees and all over the lawn.















Our cat thought he had died and gone to cat heaven. (We kept him inside... he knew he wouldn't be able to catch them anyway...)

I have never seen so many robins in one place. Any ideas what was going on?

:)

Piled Up

We all have them.

Piles of clutter that we vow to deal with... get rid of.... clean out of our lives already.

Someday.

Where are these piles?

Of what do they consist?

Nothing material, certainly.

Light as feathers, they weigh only on our minds...
taking our thoughts and holding them hostage.
Capturing our spirit and weighing it down.

But surely, these thoughts... are weightless?

Yes, of course.

Light as falling snow.


















Our neighbor's tree, after enduring 12 inches of heavy wet snow...
one little flake at a time....
thankfully, no-one was hurt!

Delayed Start

I think we'll take a page from the "brick and mortar" schools here and delay opening for a few hours today...











































































































DH (working from home today) just sent a note to his colleagues...

I'll be away from my desk for 20 minutes.
Going out to play in the snow.

:)

Wednesdays

We have a heavily scheduled week.

As my kids get older, and their school work becomes more challenging, I find that the need for activities outside the home increases. Not only does the strain on their minds need to be resolved through rigorous bodily activity, but their social natures yearn for freedom and friendship when the books are finally stacked away and the papers handed in.

The 3 older kids have Religion co-op on Monday mornings.

The boys are in Scouts, which meet every Tuesday evening.

They are also in hockey and basketball. (different teams...) Practices for hockey are on Saturdays for now, until the games start. Sports Fan's basketball season is drawing to a close, but for now he has practice on Mondays and Thursdays, with games Saturday mornings. Shuttling him between hockey practice and his basketball games have been challenging. Do I even have to say how much I'm looking forward to the end of the basketball season?

The girls are starting soccer next week with practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Because of their ages, they are on two different teams. It's an all-girls league, the first time we have ventured from the security of the local "Y", and I am bit nervous. Little Dear hasn't ever played, and since she is older, I am worried that she will get frustrated with her own lack of skill. I'm hoping some genes will "kick" in...
:P

As if that is not enough, during the afternoon, (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) the 4 older ones are enrolled in (free!) homeschool gym classes at the rec center down the street. They go and run around, playing dodge ball, kick ball, hockey, or whiffle ball with other kids in the area who are homeschooled. Coach Tyrone loves our family, and the kids have a blast.

All this to say... our little sheltered homeschool life is very busy.

Except!!

On Wednesdays.

Wednesday is the day we regroup.

We have nothing. Nothing planned, nowhere to be, no-one to answer to.

All that needs doing is right here. Our simple duties... of school, hearth and home.

With Little Boo and Little Love joining our crazy homeschooling days, the break from playing bus driver is a welcomed one. They are doing very well, but of course it is so relaxing to know that our time is our own. That for today, we can relax the rigor and hyper-focus on the quality. We have this respite before the madness of our end-of-the-week activities kick in. A sense of calm before we storm into the weekend.

It's a lovely day.

:)

Love. It.

And the answer?

Um. Yes. Very much so, Sir.


:P


h/t: here, via Drudge.

It's To Be Expected...

... that my 5 home schooled children would be eager to finish their tiresome day of schooling on a Friday afternoon...

To rush through their subjects, scattering papers willy-nilly throughout the house, scampering off to gather their playthings...

To pull on their shoes and gather up their coats...

To grab books and pencils and backpacks...

To climb into the van parked at the end of the driveway...

In order to play...

SCHOOL.

And the van?

Is a BUS, MOM.


:P

New Beginnings

First, the awesome news...

My dear friend Lisa has just given birth to a little girl ~Brigid Clare~ her 8th child! I have written many times about my amazing friend. She is such an example for me. Her family has welcomed us as surrogate members... (her parents are so loving and hospitable!). While Lisa has been instrumental in helping me deal with my own infertility by placing her babies in my arms when I walk through her door and sharing the cute anecdotes of my little goddaughter.

I am so blessed to have this beautiful family in my life.


Now, an explanation of Monday's post.
:P

After receiving a phone call from a friend, panicked that we were moving or something horrible had happened, I realized that I needed to explain my enigmatic ponderings. However, due to privacy issues, I could not do so until today.

The jist of it all is that we have decided to pull Little Boo and Little Love out of their Montessori school and do their schooling at home. I suppose that seems like no big deal to most people, but it is kind of a big deal in our case.

Their Montessori teacher has been a part of our lives for a long time. We met her and her husband before they were married, and when she started her own school, we signed the girls up. Little Boo has been a part of their family, going to be tutored and playing with their young son all through the summer months. She and her teacher have a special bond, one that has been beneficial to my fiesty girl, since it has taught her a gentleness and compassion that is difficult to impart when dealing with rough and tumble older brothers. I am hopeful that we can continue to foster that unique relationship somehow.

Both girls are eager to come home. We are happy to have them. They have received an awesome foundation, one that is sooo helpful when it comes to home schooling little ones. Concentration, respect for others' work, diligence, and joy in learning... these are awesome stepping stones for a life of learning. I am so grateful that all of my children were able to have this experience. I am so blessed that it was in an atmosphere of Faith and Love.

Now we begin a new chapter. I am back to full time home schooling. I am excited and eager to begin. But there is still a lot of planning and prep work to do.

I'm not even going to think about next year. Nope. That's a whole other ball of wax and I won't go down that road of dizzy discussion just yet. I'm just focusing on the here and now.

And right now I have two more little minds to fill with beautiful things and challenge with truth and water with joy.

:)

Daybook: Monday Evening

Outside my window...

Dusk. Bitterly cold for us Southerners. I know I shouldn't complain, but cold weather makes me feel scrunched up somehow. Like an Ebenezer Scrooge huddled in my sweaters.



I am listening to...

My two littlest play in the homeschool room. The older three are scratching out a composition for their "teacher." Lots to say about this situation, but not a lot of extra charity in which to give it a fair shot right now. Suffice it to say, we have a lot of decisions to make for next year.



I am wearing...

Levi's, crocs and a warm fuzzy sweater. The sweater I picked up for $1 at the thrift store last fall. It's funky-patterned, hooded, and sits right at my waist. I love that the sleeves reach past my wrists... something that rarely happens when you are blessed with ape-like long limbs.



I am thankful for...

Wonderful friends. I think I've used up all of my shoulder-crying allotment these past weekend!



I am pondering...

The education of little ones.



I am reading...

Edge of Sadness and In Conversation with God.



From the kitchen...

Oven fried chicken, dill potatoes and broccoli.



I am thinking...

That in order to survive the next 4 months, my daily schedule will have to be pretty darn near perfect. No burn out or sickness allowed. And then God chuckled... :P I guess the best I can hope for is that we grow in virtue as we stumble along this homeschooling path together.



I am creating...

A 4 month scope and sequence.



On my iPod...

What iPod? The kids have absconded it, and I never listen to it anymore... :P



Towards a real education...

ARGH! Sorry... but it's all we've been talking about, and I'm worn out.



Towards rhythm and beauty...

I'll be re-vamping the homeschool room. More on that later...



To live the liturgy...

Readings from In Conversation with God have translated into timely lessons for the older ones. I'm trying not to be too preachy. We all have things to work on, and being with my children all day affords me the privilege of realizing just how broken I am, and how much grace I need to bring these souls back to Him. It's humbling.



I am hoping and praying...

That we've made the right decision, and that everyone involved will be at peace with it.



In the garden...

I had been thinking of bulbs, but that order is on hold for now. Maybe I'll have time to research it more this weekend.



Around the house...

We are hunkering down and attempting to focus. It will be an adjustment. But hopefully everyone (including your truly!) will rise to the occasion and shine. Lots of re-organizing and tweaking of schedules. I hope my brain doesn't explode.
:)



On keeping home...

Priorities! Sometimes we have to say "good enough" and go do Math. That's what we homeschooling moms do.



One of my favorite things...

Writing lists. Sometimes I feel like it's half the battle just to get it down on paper.



A few plans for the rest of the week...

A LOST premier party at a friend's home tomorrow! (anyone else as addicted to that crazy show as I am??) Scouts, sports, gym classes and mass. This is just a foretaste of what's to come when spring sports season hits!



A picture thought I am sharing...

I'm going all retro on this one. Guess who this is?

















My darling Little Boo. Hard to believe she was so little once!


:)