School Days

My school days are about to begin again.  I plan to be adding a new title to my resume:  LMT or Licensed Massage Therapist.  My first day of school is next Monday and I'll be attending about 3 nights a week over this next year.  Excited to see how this new adventure goes.  The school I selected has a holistic approach which I love; although at the same time I feel some things are not in line with what I believe so need to have on the 'full armor of God"(Ephesians 6:11) at all times(We should always have it on).
"We are all fearfully and wonderfully made"(Psalm 139:14) and I can't wait to learn more about how to help others through touch therapy.

The kids school days are fast approaching too.  I haven't decided on the exact date of their first 'real' day of school but have had the older two review math this week and those lessons will be starting up in full swing next week for the older 3.  Trying to get a computer set up for oldest, as his is mostly computer based this year.  Still debating on some things for 2 & 3. 

Had a good birthday week.  My oldest is now 11 and my youngest is now 2. Love them all to pieces!
Being a parent takes a lot of seeing the humorous side of things and involves a lot of repetition ;-)

School days 2010-2011

August 9 was our first day of school for the year. What a start it was! Can't have an ordinary quiet day around here. Nope, we'll start our first day off with a visit to the dentist-that counts as a field trip right?
Well, it was a scheduled visit and I was rather happy that we made it to our appointment on time. Have had trouble leaving the house on time lately. Here's a preview of how the day started. I consider myself a pretty low maintenance kinda gal and the kids give me plenty of reason to stay that way! I had warmed my curling iron up and when I went in to fix the hair I was followed by the younger three boys. Older two of that crew found an extra curling iron and hair dryer and decided they made good weapons and were shooting each other. The youngest we were all doing our best to keep out of the toilet and not tear all the toilet paper up-fun times! :) All the while I'm wondering if my iron is broken because it isn't getting hot; in fact it's getting cooler. Strange, but it is old so maybe it's time is up? Then I receive a flash of insight. We have a fuse box in the bathroom and #3 had open it and ran his hand across the switches when we first got in. Now since the light hadn't gone out I didn't think he actually flipped anything but the lights and outlet aren't on the same switch. Yes- that is exactly what he has done. Of course by the time I figure this out my time in the bathroom is over so hair is done, though not exactly curled.
On to the dentist we go. Overall a great visit. Myself and 4 kids all got our teeth cleaned and no one turned into a wild animal.
Now for some reason they took like 20 pictures(x-rays) of my teeth. I heard blah blah xrays ok? Apparently the blah blah was telling me they were going to take more then usual, why I don't know and didn't ask because my mind is one getting in and out. Though when the dentist talked to my later she was telling me how good & healthy my teeth were so maybe it was because they were sure there had to be a problem somewhere, LOL. Hope most of the kids teeth have the healthy teeth gene, straight teeth aren't in our vocabulary :D
Anyway after the pictures it is time for teeth cleaning, which went well if you don't mind water all over your face. The hygienist completely sprayed my face, guess he was trying to wake me up :P (It was cool and refreshing!) He was apologetic about it and dried me off, I was actually laughing on the inside thinking this only happens to me and I'm so happy I'm not dripping make up right now :D
After the dentist we decided to go home(had planned to take the kids out to a park after the dentist to get rid of some energy but they were excited for school). All I can say after the first day is this is a challenge;)

First Day of School. 5th Grade, 3rd Grade and Kindergarten. 4 and 1 Years old


After this they all took turns being goofy.



We have already had meltdowns. Of course one of those meltdowns, then begged to do more school. Make up your mind! He didn't want to put the tail on a lowercase a, but is so eager to be in school. So we will have to balance the fine motor skills with lots of other stuff he loves. Now the older one was melting down before school even started-talk about a challenge! But lots of fun between all of the challenges. Yesterday I dressed up as a Roman tutor, which the kids thought was a riot. (We are studying Rome to Reformation this year)

Today #3 & 4 made some clay pots. (We had been talking about how scrolls were kept in them)
Sometimes flour happens...and this was after they deemed it cleaned up.


Phase one of the pots. They made lids for them and #4 made his into a pizza...inedible of course.


#2 pretending to work hard.


#1, yep he certainly looks serious at work.


#4 has really been into painting lately. He abandoned this work of art to join us in the clay making.


#5 took a great morning nap today. Very helpful for our school day!

First day of school

Today was our first 'official' day of school, although we did start some math and phonics last week. We have one in 4th and 2nd grade and one PreK and Preschool.

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A few other photos from this week.

This week in pictures

The plumber was here all week, most of it anyway I think it took him about 18hours to install the tub. But the tub is in and is a huge monster. We picked out a big soaking tub-which is great when you want a soak. I found out this morning that when you are half awake you don't remember that the side is a little higher and you need to pick your feet up a little more to climb in LOL! Whack!

I received a free sample of Teeccino in the mail this week. I've been wanting to try it so last night I finally pulled the coffee pot out and started brewing. I found out that the new carafe we picked up does not work with our coffee maker. Big mess, but we were able to salvage exactly a cup of my drink and James thinks he can fix the coffee maker. The drink was lovely! I do want to try some more. You can pick up a sample from the website and try it yourself. I chose the Vanilla Nut flavor, as soon as I opened the package I knew I was going to like it, the smell was heavenly. Here are the ingredients: Roasted carob, barley, chicory root, dates, almonds, figs, natural vanilla extract and other flavors. To borrow a term, Yum-O!

Laptop woes

I must not be having computer luck this year. First my tower decided to go on the fritz. Now my laptop doesn't want to be online. It only gives the dial up option(which isn't an option since we have no land line) and refuses to go wireless. James has labored over it and fixed it a couple times but after I turn it off and back on the next day it does the same thing.

Yesterday was our first day of school for the year. I have pictures but I have to remember how to upload them on James computer so you will be without today. Everyone was so excited, as they came up stairs they said in their happy voices 'we get to do school today'. The day went well, although #3 aka dark circles under his eyes was a little weepy during our 'PE' time. His afternoon nap helped alter his mood:)

For those that have asked, it looks like we'll be heading back to Connecticut. So far the kids are really excited about the move. Shari, when you think about it maybe you could email the subwives link. I'm sure I could think of many questions to ask, such as how much has in changed in 5 years? I lost the link when my computer crashed.

LOL the older boys just woke and came upstairs and #3 says. 'Mom, #1 says today is the second day of school' I say yes. He says 'Yippee!!!!!'
Smiles and happiness in the morning. How blessed I am:)

Double Free Books!!

Who likes to get free books?? Usborne is once again offering Double Free Books go to www.good2read.com and start making your wish list! I know I'm working on mine:)
I've been thinking of our back to learning plans(although really learning never stops). We are going to stay with My Father's World. I just love how it's all put together yet easy to tweak if needed. I really love Math*U*See, I've been learning right along with #1 and he's only 8! #1 is really interested in learning to write in cursive so we are going with that and we're looking into Abeka for language arts for him.
So if you are looking for books to supplement your child's learning-now is a great time to be adding to your collection:D Be sure to check out the specials if you don't wish to get them free, at least you can get a discount!

Outside

I've been enjoying watching the sun rise and shine on this tree in the mornings. One thing I really like about our home is it has these nice big trees around it. (one thing I don't like about our home is these nice big trees around it! Any given time of the year they are dropping something!) Ah, but on to the good, they provide shade, flowers, I love to hear the wind blowing through them. And to watch the sun glance off the branches as I'm watching the landscape wake up in the morning.


I & I made ink out of blueberries and quill pens last week.

We all watched The Nutcracker today. I was surprised that they enjoyed it so much. I didn't expect them to sit and watch it all. They did have a couple comments. They kept asking why didn't the people talk. I6 wanted to know why the guys had tights on...and she thought they looked funny in tights. It was a little different then the book we read and they noticed the differences.

I have a few photos to add but blogger isn't playing nice today. Hopefully all will be working tomorrow.

ironic, isn't it

the night after I had a visit to the doctor, L and I get sick. Poor guy was the first to go down...it's so hard to see such a little one get sick. He didn't want the sick bowl shoved in the face anymore than I wanted him to puke on the bed. The next day I thought he was getting better but that night he started again, as did I6 and J. Such a happy house this week. I thought I7 and dad may have missed it but it seems daddy isn't feeling well tonight-hopefully resting today will help him fight this bug! I'm still not feeling quite myself-I guess a few days of not eating so much will throw your body off balance.
I let the kids go to awana's tonight since they had been wrestling around and seemed pretty much themselves today. They had a great time, they are so excited to have their little vests and handbooks now. We did get some school stuff in this week, mostly just a little history reading and we made these tricorn hats. We've been talking about George Washington this week.


Now they have been calling them crowns, I guess tricorn hats just doesn't' sound as cool. The crowned me queen earlier, queen of what I"m not sure.
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Christmas is getting nearer(gasp did she say christmas?!?)
If you are looking for that perfect gift for that hard to buy for person I must plug my friend Jera. I am so excited for them! Really it is the best idea, check out the link! It's cooler to see in person then have me stumble over words to explain.

and FYI cool is the word of the day!