Easter at Home

I can't recall ever spending an Easter at home. Usually we are up early, celebrating the resurrection of Christ at church, and then back home for an Easter dinner with family or friends. Yesterday, we slept in until 9:30 because we were kept awake much of the night by a restless, feverish little girl who came in looking for comfort between her mommy and daddy.

Friday Alex tested positive for strep throat and began immediately on antibiotics. By Saturday night, we clearly had two more down. Michael is the only one who has remained (so far) untouched. So while others were attending sunrise services, hunting for Easter eggs, and sitting down with family at the dinner table, we were administering medicine, washing sheets and pillowcases, holding the barf bucket for the Princess who pukes no matter what her ailment, and Cloroxing the doorknobs and countertops and any other surface a germ-laden hand may have touched.

But it wasn't all bad. It was a rather relaxing way to spend a drizzly day. And we certainly had some family time. The kids watched Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which they received in their Easter baskets, and Mark prepared a delicious meal which we enjoyed at the big dining room table. The fact that all 4 of the littlest guests at the table were still pajama clad wasn't even a problem since it was just us.

While I don't wish to make this past Easter a tradition, the fact that we were at home certainly does not diminish the true reason for the holiday. The fact that Jesus rose, victorious over death, gives us hope that one day we will be in Heaven where there is no strep throat, no barfing, no antibiotics. Until then, as long as we are a family through each event, it's all good!

Random Ramblings

It has not been the most stellar of weeks. I managed to escape illness the entire winter...which is saying a lot because I generally fight a cold the entire length of the winter. Of course I'm used to much shorter winters, but maybe there is something in the air here--or absent in the air here--which has made me healthier. Or maybe it's all of the vitamins I have been taking since my doc in GA told me he thought I have fibromyalgia and might feel better with a lot of vitamins in my system. At any rate, the crud did hit me this week, albeit not as powerfully as is typical, but I've still felt pretty lousy.

So that means there has been no glitz, glamour, fun, or creativity in school. The kids have done a fabulous job completing their assignments almost entirely independently, but there have been no "extras" thrown in there, so I know it's been boring for them.


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Any of you catch the new TLC show, Extreme Couponing? While I found those highlighted on the show to be, well, extreme, I was motivated again to start couponing. I was a pretty avid couponer in GA, and I kept my supply of coupons stocked mostly by buying the 2-for-1 AJC Sunday paper. Unfortunately, I haven't found that the Hartford paper offers that deal. That kinda took the fun out of it for me; it's impossible to effectively coupon without at least 2 of each coupon. But through this show I came to realize that more and more is done on the web now. In fact, I discovered Shop at Home, which offers a lot of printable coupons, and then there is also Coupons and Things by Dede, which is a coupon clipping service. When I heard them mention this type of service on the show last night, I thought it was ridiculous, but through investigating this site, I see that I can purchase from Dede the same flyers I would get in the AJC and pay her just about the same price as I paid for 2 AJCs. And I don't even have to rush to Super Wal-Mart to get one before they're gone; she'll send it right to me. Haven't given it a try yet, but it looks promising. Of course I do not have time to be an extreme couponer--and I was a bit disgusted with some of the couponer's greedy stockpiles--but it sure doesn't hurt to save a little money!


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Though I never put it in blog writing to do so, at the beginning of the year when I decided to become a better photographer, I vowed to myself that I would not create a post on here without a photo to go along with it. Well, because of my crud, I haven't picked up my camera in a few days. It just so happens, though, that my kids went for a walk this afternoon, and my oldest took her camera. I think she did a great job:

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Alex has been so helpful this week - taking care of me, preparing meals.
She's growing up too fast. Last weekend we went to the Revolve Tour together - a Christian conference-type thing for teenage girls. She fit right in...right down to all the dancing around to the very loud music (do I sound like I'm almost 40??).


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Guess where I'm going this weekend? To the Christian Book Distributor's warehouse sale in MA! If you know me well, you know I will be in heaven! I'm knocking out most of my 2011-12 Curriculum Shopping List. I'll hit the homeschool discount table. And all the other discount tables. AND I'll enjoy a kid-free day with a friend!

Here is that list of curriculum I'm whittling down: H.E.A.R.T.S. Homeschool Curriculum.




Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Toto, I don't think we're in Georgia anymore!

On account of the crud that invaded our house this week, we had to cancel our plans for the science museum today (Note to self: Do NOT pre-pay for anymore field trips!). Since I had no school planned, the kids lucked out and got a day off.

We had fun anyway. We played Guesstures, a new game I picked up a couple weeks ago.



Although we had fun with the charades, Jacob and Alex, the two who feel 100%, were DYING to go back outside to work on their snow fort.





I would not let them until after lunch for two reasons: First of all, it was still 18 degrees outside; and secondly, I didn't want any nosy neighbors knocking on the door. "Are schools still out because of the snow?"

After lunch it had warmed up to a balmy 21 degrees, so I let the wild things out. And then I ventured out. It's the first time I've been out since it snowed a record 2+ feet. It was a new experience. I sank up to my thighs in the powdery stuff, rendering my new snow boots quite useless since the snow snuck in to the top.







I got a grand tour of the kids' really cool snow fort and then trudged back through it because I had had quite enough of my snow-filled boots.

Quick Takes: The Snow Edition

~ Quick Take 1 ~
Our homeschool week went a little better than last, I guess. I still lack enthusiasm and motivation. It is as if I am experiencing spring fever, which is definitely NOT the case (have you seen the weather map recently?). But things are going OK. Audrey is progressing in her reading, and the boys are plugging along in theirs. I am enjoying using my new whiteboard A LOT!

~ Quick Take 2 ~
One reason our homeschool week wasn't all that stellar is because of the crud that hit our house. Oh, and the huge blizzard too, but I'll get to that in a moment. When the older 3 get sick, it is not such a big deal; they hole up somewhere, and I meet whatever needs they have. When the Princess gets sick, however, it is a different story.

No matter what she is sick with, she throws up. She has a very strong gag reflex, so I guess that is why. This week it was just slight fever along with some mild cold symptoms. But just one cough, and up it all comes. And so it is that anytime she gets sick, I drape several layers of sheets and towels on the couch/bed where she decides to hole up.


Going out, though? Forget it! If the other 3 have colds, we still venture out, but not with the Princess on account of the puking thing. I honestly wouldn't have a problem with just sticking a plastic bag in my jacket pocket to carry along to catch whatever she decides to part with, but I know that wouldn't go over very well with other moms. I would find it difficult to explain her strong gag reflex as I watch other moms clutch their children a little closer and go through that Mom Check List: Did that little girl play with my kid? Did my kid touch anything she touched? Did she sneeze on my kid? Did she come anywhere within a 10 foot radius of my kid? I better go wash my kid's hands and Lysol him down. Stat!

So, really, it's just easier to stay in and wait it all out. Even if it means we may miss a trip to the Science Museum.


Hosted by Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

~ Quick Take 3 ~
The kids and I have prayed for years for more than a dusting of snow in Hotlanta. And we didn't dare even put in a passing request for a white Christmas because, it's the South, it could never happen. But lo and behold, in the last 3 weeks, Atlanta got both a white Christmas AND a lot of snow.

And so I will reiterate just in case my friends in Atlanta aren't getting the message: Good things happen when we leave. Like if we ever leave Connecticut? It would become a tropical paradise here, and all of the Starbucks would put in drive-thrus.

My wise husband made a keen observation that if we just contiued to move around the world, it would become a better place.

I think Italy needs a make-over. What do you think?

~ Quick Take 4 ~
We got a lot of snow this week. And I am not assessing a lot through the eyes of a former southerner. I've been told we have gotten more snow in the last couple of weeks than all of last year. Yes, that is my initiation to New England winter life.

See? I told you. We make things happen.



~ Quick Take 5 ~
Dear City of Bristol, CT:

It's 12 degrees outside. I don't think anyone will be surprised to hear I am not using the sidewalks, nor have I seen anyone else out on any of the sidewalks. They are YOUR sidewalks. If you are so insistent that they be cleared, YOU shovel them.

Thank you,
A former southerner who plans to stay inside until May



~ Quick Take 6 ~
I am in awe of the snowflake shots at Forever n Ever n Always. Even though I am aware of and completely accept the fact that I cannot emulate her, I did want to try to get a few shots of snowflakes. Needless to say, they didn't turn out that well:



I think I need to get out in the cold and find some actual snowflakes rather than just ice.

BUT...I did end up getting some shots I think are pretty cool. Snowflakes Ice under a magnifying glass:





~ Quick Take 7 ~
You know how, lately, the smell of dead pine needles has been emanating from my vacuum cleaner? That really is a good smell, actually. Today I spilled a tub of feta cheese on the ground. I'm fairly certain I'm not going to like the smell of feta cheese in the carpet 2 months from now.


Quick Takes hosted by Jennifer at Conversion Diary.

The Kinect does me in.

Is it possible to pull a butt muscle? I mean, I've heard of pulled groin muscles, and I've heard of throwing out your back. But you don't often hear of people complaining that they pulled a muscle in their gluteus maximus. But then, maybe people are too proud to admit that. Obviously, I'm not proud.

My husband brought home the new Kinect gaming system the other day. It was an early Christmas present. For him, I think, rather than the kids. It really is cool, so I'll lay claim to it too. Without getting into any wild conspiracy theories, the smart camera and too smart system that is the Kinect freaks me out just a little bit, but the fun outweighs the creepiness.

The first day we had the system, I played the games that came with the system. I tubed down a river; rafted across some clouds; and did an obstacle course that involved ducking under bars, jumping over hurdles, and dodging big pink things.

The next day I was mildly sore. Well, sore enough to complain a little. I must be really out of shape, I thought.

So I paid a little visit to Amazon where I found the Kinect fitness game for $10 off. Using my Swagbucks free Amazon giftcards, I ordered and it magically appeared in my mailbox a couple of days later.

So with this fitness game, I have my own personal trainer who takes me through lots of different exercise routines. I did some toning, some cardio kickboxing...and I felt good at first. The next day, however, yep, my butt hurt. So naturally I did some more toning, some more cardio kickboxing. And today I can barely walk. Well, I can walk. I'm just lopsided because it is just my right side that is in pain.

I have nursed a sore back, achy arms, and tired legs before. But I'm just not sure what to do with a sore butt muscle. I mean, I still need to walk, and surprisingly, one uses one's butt muscles A LOT when walking. So with the necessary walking around, getting from place to place, there is no rest for my gluteus maximus. Perhaps this will be a chronic problem.

If so, I really need to come up with a better story to tell people than the fact that I got my butt kicked by a video game.

Tales from Midnight: A Mother's Hand

"Mommy!" Her little voice pierces the stillness of the night. I jump out of bed, awakened from an almost sound sleep, heart pounding, knowing I am on call but not awake enough to remember why.

I find her standing in the hallway. Now I remember. "Did you throw up, Baby?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "I'm thirsty," she says.

I offer her a little sip of water and then guide her back to her bed. I tuck her in and kiss her forehead. She grabs my hand. "Are you OK?" I ask.

"I want you." She looks at me imploringly.

"Do you want to sleep in my bed?" I ask and see relief flood her face.

She climbs up into my bed. I tuck her in again and turn off the lights.

She is restless.

I am almost asleep again in spite of her tossing and turning when I hear her again. "Mommy," she says with urgency, "I think I need to throw up."

I jump out of bed for the second time and grab her bucket. I am a little late.

I clean her up with a warm washcloth and then turn to address the linens. The brand new comforter was the only target. As I remove it from the bed, I glance at the tag. Dryclean only. It doesn't matter right now. I finish cleaning up and retrieve new covers.

I tuck her in again. She is still restless. Tossing and turning. Big sighs. Suddenly I feel her little hand through the covers, seeking, reaching. I clasp her tiny hand in mine. Immediately she quiets.

The tossing and turning stops. She is peaceful now, her hand in mine.

More Random Thoughts

NO, I have not yet determined the secret ingredients for Chef Mark!

I do believe I used very poor timing in this whole secret ingredient thing. I wasn't able to get to it this past week. I could now, but we already have enough groceries in the house to make it through the week, so it seems a waste to throw in more ingredients to go buy. And...next weekend we have a guest here. Hmmm...I wonder if she would like to be on the receiving end of Chef Mark's Mealtime Challenge? I suppose it would be nice to have an extra judge. I'll have to give that some thought.

Our mysterious house guest--and possible second judge? One of my dearest friends from boarding school! I have not seen her in 10 years. I can't wait to see her! She has been over a year without her husband as he has been serving in Iraq. He's back now. I'm so happy for her! Since she plans to begin homeschooling next year, the SE Homeschool Expo here in Hotlanta caught her eye. She asked me if it's worth it to attend such a thing.

"Worth it?!" I exclaimed. "Of course."

"Could you go with me?" she asked.

Ummm...well. I've sorta, kinda been banned from the SE Homeschool Expo. By my husband. I mean, I know I have my next school year planned by May or June. And I know I have all of my curriculum ordered and in hand by May or June. And I know I start school the first Monday of August, and the SE Homeschool Expo does not occur until the weekend before the first Monday of August. But that does not mean I don't NEED all the things I buy at the SE Homeschool Expo. I really could use some more understanding in this house.

Anyway, what is a caring friend like me to do? I mean, here is someone in need. I'm nothing if I'm not helpful. So I happily reluctantly agreed to accompany her to the Expo. Someone's gotta do it, I guess.

I have promised my husband I will go and leave with not a penny spent. Ahem.

My boarding school friend is not the first one to ask me to go to the SE Homeschool Expo this year. My blog friend Linda is an exhibitor at the Expo, and she suggested that we meet face-to-face for the first time. She was the first one to throw temptation my way, and with great strength, I resisted it. After all, I knew she would be busy working. Plus, she is a veteran homeschooler and does not require my guidance and great wisdom. I promised her that this year I would squirrel away some money so that I could go next year, meet her, and do the Expo right.

But now...since I am such a helpful friend, I will also get to see Linda!! She will be my first blog friend I've met face-to-face!

I had my appointment with the real doctor. He has all but concluded that I do indeed have fibromyalgia. He did have me go to the lab to give blood in order to rule out any other anomalies. I gave just about all of the blood I own. And it took forever. The phlebotomist (I've always wanted to use that word in a blog post) didn't know what she was doing and tied the band around my arm like a decoration instead of a tourniquet; the blood merely drip-dropped into the 5 huge tubes I had to fill.

Anyway, even if there is no cure, I'm happy to have sort of a diagnosis as that is a weight off my mind. The doc offered me some dietary suggestions, told me to take more vitamins, get a little exercise, and get more sleep.

The sleep thing is really the hardest thing for me. I'm a night owl and love using my evening and night time to get Stuff done. And I don't get that much of an opportunity to sleep in with a house full of kids (and a puppy). So when the doctor asked me if I was getting 7 1/2 - 8 hours of sleep, I just kind of gave him a blank stare. When I told him I get, at most, 6 hours, he said, "You really must do something about that. It's important."

So...OK. Well, the puppy at least is being very cooperative in me getting more sleep. She went from 11:30-6:00 last night! And I may up her bedtime to 11:00 as 6:00, even for a night owl, is an optimal time for a homeschooling mother to rise if she wishes to be organized and ready for the day ahead.

So if I gave Daisy an earlier bedtime, that would mean a whole 7 hours of sleep. Of course, that doesn't really mean that because it generally takes me at least an hour to fall asleep. So then we're back to 6 hours. So I've made another change. In order to clear/settle my mind, I am forcing myself to turn off the computer at 10:00 and just relax until bedtime. It has worked the last couple of nights because I have fallen asleep much more quickly.

And so I don't risk putting all of you to sleep, I shall ramble no more...

Random Thoughts

No, I have not yet determined the secret ingredients for Chef Mark.

What have I been doing? Taking the kids to and from sports camps, trying to entertain the Princess, planning the next school year, taking care of puppy, wishing I could take a nap.

I've never been so well-planned for a school year. Usually, I just make my Master Plan spreadsheet and wing it from there, but this year, inspired by Tisha, I have made all the copies I will need for every single lesson, which means I will not have to spend 2 hours every Sunday getting ready for Monday.

I'm tired. Not so much because of the puppy, though I do get up once per night with her. My neck/back does not let me sleep much.

I'm going to a real doctor today. As much as I used to think it was a fake disease, based on the type of back/neck pain I have coupled with the many other things that haven't been "quite right" over the years, I suspect I have fibromyalgia. We'll see what the doctor says.

The other day I was floating peacefully (well, as peacefully as one can with Great Mayhem occurring on all sides by the likes of 4 children) on a raft. I was quite comfy. Do you think I should try sleeping there one night? Bet it would be the best sleep ever.

After having seen Daisy's mom "great with milk", the kids all think that when we get Daisy spayed, she will have her nipples cut off.

This is our new dog skin rug:

A Pain in the Neck

Yeah, I know. It's been awhile. I have a valid excuse. A week and a half ago, I woke up with a crick in my neck. It got progressively worse and as is my usual fashion, I procrastinated on calling Dr. Quack. I finally called and have been receiving daily [expensive] treatment since.

One thing I know for certain: my pain in the neck is at least partially punishment for all of the precious hours I waste on the likes of Facebook and Blogger. There is, at this point, no comfortable way for me to access this evil machine. As I write, I am sitting on my favorite recliner, ice pack on my shoulder, rolled up blanket behind my neck, and my computer on top of my lap desk which is balanced on a pillow on my lap. And did I mention that after I finally got sort of comfortable in this position, the phone rang? Yeah, forgot the phone. I yelled to the kids to answer it, but they got to it too late. Not a big deal. Just annoying.

This morning I actually woke up feeling not quite so bad. At least the pain of having been frozen in the same position all night did not cause me excruciating pain when I tried to delicately roll out of bed. And when I say roll, I mean that literally. However, as is my usual fashion, I took my feeling better to mean that I should DO Things. Like vacuum. Oh, and move a desk.

You see, I really want a desk in the family room. I realize a desk will not look that great in our already crowded family rom, but it is for Functionality's Sake. Unfortunately, my dear husband has not seen my vision and thus has not moved my desk into the family room. In cases such as these, I take it upon myself to move the furniture where I want it in order to surprise him when he gets home: "Surprise! The table you didn't want in the middle of the living room is now there. But doesn't it look much more lovely than you ever imagined?"

I had the boys, for the most part, move the desk according to my direction. But then of course there are other things that need to be moved. The desk was the Princess's art table in her room, so I had to move a table from upstairs into its space. But there was the crabs' terrarium on top of the table, so that had to be moved as well. I suppose in retropect, this was not as urgent of a project as I deemed, and it could well have waited until a later date when my neck is healed.

Waiting would go against my usual fashion, though.

Random Thoughts

I survived another Tuesday. Don't get me wrong. I am blessed by my Bright Future kids, but coupled with co-op, it makes for a long day. And the commute downtown has gotten rather old. Of course, when I signed up to do this last August, I assumed we would sell the house and move 1/2 hour closer.

We haven't sold the house yet. Two years on the market. I don't think we're going to sell the house. Yes, we've had a few showings here and there. Those always come along when the house is a disaster and needs a good cleaning.

I think it's about time for a house showing.

I was in bed for two or three days last week. When I finally crawled out, it didn't just look like a tornado went through our house. It looked like the tornado traveled a few hundred miles and then dumped all of its loot in our house.

I'd love to do some spring cleaning, but life has been too busy, plus there's been all this not-feeling-good stuff. I'm finally beginning to feel Human again, so perhaps there is some spring cleaning in my future.

It feels like spring here. Can you believe it? Two inches of snow a week ago, in the 70s today.

I pulled myself out of bed twice last week. To go to the same place. To do the same thing. Friday, our homeschool group went to Stars and Strikes for bowling. We got a package deal: two games of bowling and a $5.00 arcade card. Not a bad deal. 'Course my kids do not have the patience for two games of bowling. Seeing as how the Princess bowls granny style and, thus, her ball takes a few hours to make it down the alley, I suppose I didn't really have the patience for two games either. She's awfully cute when she bowls, though.


Unfortunately, two out of four of my children were able to snag a stuffed toy from the claw machine, so now they think they are worth the money.

We went to Stars and Strikes again on Sunday to meet some friends for $1.00 laser tag. We had a great time. Two out of four of my children tried to score more stuffed toys from the claw machine. They failed miserably.

Substitute Teacher

There are no sick days for us Homeschool Teachers, a.k.a. mommies. No phone number to call in the early morning hours to retain a substitute teacher. No Substitute Plans folder to lay on our desk in case of our absence. Nope, we just make do.

Or have an Alex.

Alex gently awakened me yesterday morning, my breakfast in her hand. She knew from the previous night that I was feeling a little under the weather. I spent most of yesterday in bed, and she freshened my glass of ice water on the hour.

She did all of her school work and then, with the use of her new AHG handbook, made up a motivational game to get the boys to finish theirs. The appendices of her new book are full of silly songs. The boys, silly boys that they are, are drawn to such songs. She made a deal with them. For every certain number of assignments they completed she would read the words to one silly song to them. They finished their work with no complaints.

She offered to make lunch and dinner, but I dragged myself out of bed just to remind everyone I'm still here and to make both meals, such as they were.

She finished all of today's schoolwork last night so that she would be free to help today.

This morning, she once again brought me breakfast in bed. Then I heard, "Come on, Audrey. I'll get you breakfast, and then we can do school, OK?"

Feeling a bit better today, I ventured out to the kitchen to pretend to get something so I could observe my substitute teacher. She sat with Audrey going over the alphabet cards, but not just going over them like I do. Really getting into each one. They reviewed the sounds each letter makes, and Alex discussed each picture on each card. "Look, Audrey! An iguana, just like my Webkinz! You know Jared, don't you?"

So I guess what I'm trying to say is a household does not really need a mommy to run; it just needs an Alex. 'Course this mom is sticking around so she can watch her Alex in action. It is such a precious memory, one I wish I could more effectively imprint on my brain with these words. And I say brain not heart because, well, it's already been captured there.

Note to Self: Baking Edition

Dear Self,

Next time you have a cold and a sharp craving for chocolate chip cookies smacks your taste buds, do not make them yourself. Because after the cookie dough is complete and you begin shoveling it in your mouth take a little taste-testing nibble, it will taste very bitter.

This will cause a chain reaction of events:

First, you will check the recipe, which will do you no good because you know as well as I that amidst the Chaos that is your domain you're not really paying any attention to what you're doing. Therefore, reviewing the recipe will just be like looking at it for the first time.

Next, you will retrieve all of the soiled measuring cups from the depths of the Pit of the Kitchen Sink to confirm that teaspoons are teaspoons and tablespoons are tablespoons, though for all you know since both are out, you could have used the tablespoon for salt after all.

After this check, you will begin to feel guilty remembering that not too long ago, you were lecturing a certain young lady about double-checking measuring spoons and recipes for capital and lowercase T/ts and what if you are the one who totally messed it up this time?

Just in case you might have made such an error, you start dumping in more sugar, you know, to counteract any extra salt that may be lurking in the mush.

But it still tastes so bitter.

Finally, once you have determined you must have done it all right because, really, how hard is it to follow a recipe, especially one you've made 2 million 345 thousand 602 times and therefore should have it memorized by now, although it's a grand thing that you didn't try to do it from memory, you resort to asking a not so little little person to taste test for you. She tastes it and exclaims, "Wow! That is REALLY sweet!"

You ask, "It's not bitter?"

"No," she emphasizes, "it's REALLY, REALLY sweet!"

So, in conclusion, Self, next time just resist the craving and have some carrots let the not so little little person do the baking.

Finger Meets Bike Chain

I was furiously typing away, working on an email filled with substitute plans for my Bright Futures kids to do tomorrow in Writer's Workshop in my absence because I feel sick and have no voice with which to teach. Suddenly, I heard the most blood-curdling scream I've ever heard. It came from the driveway where my boys were playing on their bikes. I rushed out to find Michael with his index finger crunched between the bike chain and the evil-looking toothy thing that holds the chain on. By the time I got to his side, he had yanked out his finger and was continuing this blood-chilling scream, encouraged, I'm sure, by my hysterical pleas with the other children to "go get your daddy NOW!"

It looked like the top of his finger from about halfway down his nail up was barely attached. I rushed him inside and quickly wrapped it in a paper towel to stop the bleeding, all the while still yelling for someone to get Daddy from his office. Daddy is the great Calmer and Handler of Emergencies. He came downstairs, all calm. Almost so calm that I wanted to yell at him, "Your firstborn son is in great pain, and his finger just got ripped off!!" but instead I mouthed over Michael's head, "The top of his finger is almost gone."

He looked at it and then calmly said to Michael, "You'll be OK. Don't worry. Let's just get in the car and go see the doctor." They left, leaving me with my hysterics. With as much as Mark travels, there is sure to be a day when something like this happens and he's not around. I dread that day.

Mark took him to the immediate medical care center, the place that sewed Michael back together when he tore his brow apart. They cleaned the wound but then told my husband that it would be better for Michael to be under the care of a hand specialist. They gave him the address and called ahead so the doc would be expecting him. I hated it that Michael had to take the long drive to this specialist, all the while still bleeding, but the hand doctor was very good with him, and Michael was very brave.

The top of the finger was indeed hanging on by just a thread. Local anesthetic was administered, and apparently at some point, the doc pushed back the "top" and you could see bone--something both daddy and son thought was way cool and something I'm glad I missed.

The doc removed the bottom part of the fingernail that was still intact so he could sew everything back together. Then he sewed the nail bed back on so that hopefully his nail will grow back normally. I won't be able to see it all until Thursday when he is allowed to remove his bandage. In the meantime, the challenge is to get him to settle down and not act so much like a boy for a few days so he doesn't tear the stitches.

Needless to say, we did not get to our advent activity today; however, the rest of us did meet the boy and his daddy at Dairy Queen for dessert before dinner, so that's almost as exciting as going out to find the best Christmas lights.

The Gratitude of a Hypochondriac

I'm a hypochondriac. It doesn't help that I know so many people my age who are receiving all kinds of sinister diagnoses. And it doesn't help that the last time I went to the doctor, she told me that since I'm adopted, I "should just assume I have everything because it's better to be safe than sorry." Clearly, she does not know me. Although you'd think she'd have an inkling since I'm in there all the time with a new bump for her to check.

Setting aside all the worries that come with being a hypochondriac, I thought I would get into the thankful spirit of this season: Today I am thankful that mammograms are not half as bad as I have heard.

That's it. No more details.

You are welcome.

The Crud and Men in Tights

Because of the Crud which invaded our house and apparently has taken up residence here for an undisclosed period of time, I spent much of this week canceling obligations and soliciting able-bodied inviduals who don't have the Crud to cover these obligations.

On Tuesday, I had to beg Bright Futures Director--and former English student of mine--to take my writing class. I missed my kids, and they missed me too. At least according to Chris. He emailed me to give me a class report and added, "They missed you! When I told them you were not coming they almost cried. I think they died a little on the inside." Of course, hyperbole is no stranger to Chris, but I'd like to think they missed me.

It was no easy feat securing subs for my 3 co-op classes. Apparently, the Crud is going around because there were few subs available. I got a sub for 1 out of the 3 classes anyway and then dropped Alex off so she could still enjoy co-op while the rest of us sat at home sniffling and coughing and waiting until it was time to go pick her up.

I tried to wake up Wednesday and be a responsible mom by getting breakfast for my offspring, but my head throbbed, and I felt like I'd been beaten up, so I stayed in bed. Around noon, my mind and body began arguing. Responsibility again. Yes, they are my children. Yes, they do need regular sustenance. But my head hurts! That's when my 9-year-old superhero quietly opened the door and asked, "Mom, do you want me to make nachos for lunch?" She's a lifesaver.

Yesterday morning I was tempted to spend another day in bed, shirking my motherly duties. However, there was the matter of these drama tickets I purchased weeks ago. The drama? No, not Four Kids Gone Wild in the Absence of Parental Guidance, but rather, Wonderquest's rendition of Robin Hood.

Unfortunately, although I can attend a play half-sick since I am a mature grown-up and can keep my germs to myself, the Princess was not entirely rid of the Crud. Fortunately, TravelDaddy came home Wednesday night. And so at breakfast, after she finished hacking up her left lung, Audrey resignedly stated, "Well, Mommy, I guess I won't be going to the play with you." She was right: her incessant coughing may very well have gotten us kicked out of the theater.

Even after being so matter-of-fact, once she understood she was going to be left out, Audrey got a bit weepy, but I quickly pointed out how lucky she was to get a morning with Daddy. I helped her get dressed up for her date, and she very happily waved good-bye to us.

Robin Hood was quite good, and the kids enjoyed it. Not overly enthusiastic about it, but no complaining either, so I guess that's all in a day's homeschooling.

We did also manage to snap some pictures with a couple of the stars in tights.

First, a shot with the Sheriff:

And one with Robin, although without his hat, he doesn't look much like Robin, does he?

Pond Water, Math Facts, and the Flu

Pond Water

Tuesdays are by far our most crazy days. We leave by 8:00 to get downtown for my Bright Futures class. After class, I take on the tricky maneuver of changing clothes in the car because I do not want to chase 3-year-olds/2nd graders/3rd graders all afternoon in my high heels and dress. Then because there's not quite enough time to go home, we grab lunch somewhere and then head to co-op.

This past Tuesday the lead teacher for two of the three classes in which I assist was out, so I had to teach them. We're studying the ocean, but to illustrate the fact that there are critters in the sea that we can't see, this time we had to grab lunch at a drive-thru and then head to the park to steal some water out of the pond.

It's been awhile since I've done much with a microscope, so I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at when I prepared the slide. I'm pretty sure my first class--the first graders--viewed some microscopic air bubbles. They thought they were totally cool, though. Thankfully, the 2nd and 3rd graders were able to actually view some microscopic critters swimming across the slide. Pretty cool.

On a side note, I mentioned above that I also teach 3-year-olds. You do remember, don't you, my awesome people skills with 3-year-olds? Thankfully, I'm in there with my friend, Mitzi, who found it very amusing that I got stuck in there. I know she won't mind my speaking for her, though, when I say she's not all that comfortable in there either. Tuesday we were with those precious little people by ourselves, minus the lead teacher who, incidentally, appears to be much more comfortable with the little people than the two of us. There were only 5 little 3-year-olds, but that was plenty, especially when one of them would not stop putting things in his mouth, taking off his shoes, climbing on things, and yelling.

It was a tiring day.

Math Facts

Again, let me emphasize the fact that I got my degree in secondary education for a reason. When I think back to my 1-year stint as a teacher of the second grade, two things come to mind. One is the tattling, the endless tattling that is not so prevalent in a high school classroom. "Mrs. Pierce, she's sitting too close to me." "Mrs. Pierce, she is using my pencil and won't give it back when I ask for it."

Another thing I recall are the short attention spans. Let's say we're in the middle of Charlotte's Web, maybe at the point that Charlotte dies and I as a teacher wish to have a deep discussion with my students about life, death. You know, deep stuff. So I pose a question about life and death. A hand goes up, and I think, Wow! We're really going to have a real discussion in here. Then student-with-the-raised-hand says, "Mrs. Pierce, we're going to Wal-Mart after school this afternoon."

Yes, those are the things I most disliked about being a teacher of the second grade. Now, it is a little easier teaching my young children because they are my children. However, I am finding I enjoy this homeschooling thing much, much more as the years go by. My 4th grader can now do her own research and almost all of her work independently. And I can hold deep discussions with her about books, current events, and the world around us.

But with my younger ones, I still have all of those pesky things to teach them: reading, math facts...The good news is that the boys have made great strides in their reading. In fact, this past week, they both got hooked on the Magic Treehouse series, hooked enough to read them for pleasure. Today, though, we've begun tackling the math facts. They haven't gotten them up until now. Alex was the same. But with her, I just told her she had to learn them NOW, and she did. On her own. But the boys. Oh, the boys. Long story short, I've decided to suspend all other math work next week and make it Math Fact Boot Camp around here. They will learn them next week. Yes, they will.

The Flu

Well, I got my flu shot on Wednesday. Apparently, I should have wrestled the kids into the doc's office as well. I had all sorts of wonderful things planned for science this week, including making Cell Cookies and doing some microscope work of our own, but these plans have been pushed to next week. Alex came down with the flu Wednesday and is just today finally beginning to feel a bit better. I suspect the Princess may be the next to succumb to the flu. My suspicions lie in the fact that the ottoman is not ordinarily the place where we tuck her in at night:

Anti-climactic but DONE all the same...Day 180

Last day of school today. And it began early, too early for me anyway. I've not been feeling well the last few days, and thus the kids have grown quite accustomed to Mom allowing the morning hours to saunter by while she lies in bed in a Nyquil-induced stupor. In fact, yesterday around 8:15, Alex gently woke me up, gestured toward the glass beside my bed, asked if I needed any ice, and then informed me that she would put breakfast on the table and ensure everyone began their schoolwork. One might wonder who the parental unit is around here.

I decided that, sick or not, since today is Day 180 around here, we should celebrate somehow. I opted for a breakfast celebration; the kids love coffeecake. Unfortunately, the preparation of said coffeecake means I have to get up at the crack of Leave-Me-Alone-And-Let-Me-Go-Back-To-Sleep. Which was especially tough after a rough night. In order to avoid the drug-induced stupor, I opted out of the Nyquil last night and instead pumped my body full of pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan. Which, without the aid of antihistamine, has quite the opposite effect on me as Nyquil.

After a little TV and lots of tossing and turning, I had just done my last countdown after glancing at the clock: OK, if I can just fall asleep now, I can still get 4 hours of sleep and was beginning to drift off when the storm started. And this was a bad one, one that chased one kid into my bed. One isn't bad; I expected at least two. There was a good hour where it seemed like daylight outside because the frequency of lightening was so great.

Then of course since there was a kid in my bed, once I did fall asleep, my internal alarm clock woke me up a good half hour before the crack of Leave-Me-Alone-And-Let-Me-Go-Back-To-Sleep so the real alarm would not wake him up. Because, intrinsically, I'm a considerate mom like that.

And after the celebratory coffeecake, it was business as usual: reading, math, phonics, handwriting. After which I announced to each of them that school is over and that they are now in the 4th grade, 3rd grade, 2nd grade, and, well, 4-year-old grade. I also informed them that they would have now until July 1 with no school at all. And that Summer School would commence on July 1. Because I don't want to spend our first month of the new school year reviewing. Therefore, I am going to plan a little mini-summer unit to review math facts, the presidents, states and capitals, and reading. In addition, we're going to complete a unit study on nutrition which I obtained from Bread Beckers.

So, with little fanfare, it is out with the 2008-2009 school year and in with the
2009 1/2 session before we officially welcome the 2009-2010 school year.

The Not-So-Busy Very Busy Week

The best-laid plans...well, you know what happens to those. This is what I had planned for this week to look like:

school, dentist appointment for all 4 kids at the same time, soccer practice, soccer game, school, Field Day, school, show the house, AWANA, Book Club, school, visiting new Baby Caroline, museum, school

This is what our week has looked like:

school, dentist appointment for 3 of the 4 kids, school

Seems this bug wants to hold on to Audrey for all it's worth. I thought she was in the clear, but as we were getting ready to head to AWANA tonight, she reached for her bucket. So Book Club is out tomorrow. And, while I spent a good part of the day making some goodies to take to our friends who just welcomed a new baby girl, well, I guess now we'll be enjoying some baked goods for the next few days. Additionally, the people who were going to see the house this week decided not to even look. Those baked goodies would have come in handy for them as well!

The funny thing is, I was dreading this week. There was just too much crammed into one week. So I suppose this is God's way of telling me to slow down. All of those appointments on the calendar really don't matter so much as caring for my babies. Of course, I know of 3 "big" babies who are itching to get on with life, so let's just hope the bug looses its slimy, icky talons and lets my baby girl go so we can make it to the science museum Friday.

Kathleen and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I woke up with a splitting headache and a drippy nose. I hate allergies and sinus thingys. I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

The baby had woken me up at 4:30 in the morning while my husband got to sleep. I had to go up to her room only to have her tell me I forgot to say "good night" to her the night before. I hadn't forgotten. But that's all she wanted to tell me at 4:30 in the morning.

I think I'll move to New Zealand.

I had lots planned for the day, but Michael said he still didn't feel well, and I wasn't sure I believed him because maybe he was just trying to get out of school. There was a bad storm with lots of wind and lots of rain. No one else offered to try to convince the puppy to go out in the storm to poop. I had to do it.

I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

During school, no one would pay attention to me. They only paid attention to the storm. I wanted them to pay attention to me, me, me. Why doesn't anyone notice me? I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

I could tell because the electricity went out at 10:00. And even though I tried to get everyone excited about living like Almanzo in Farmer Boy, no one was excited. I don't think I was excited either because my laundry stopped mid-cycle, my internet would not work, and our water pump on our well is also electric so there was no water. I bet there's lots of water in New Zealand.

All four kids had dentist appointments today, but we had to cancel Michael's because he was sick. The other three did very well, even the Princess, but I got a referral to an orthdontist for Alex. Braces cost lots of money. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

None of the kids had cavities, and the dentist told me what a good job I'm doing with their teeth. She just doesn't know that it's all luck and nothing I'm doing.

I wonder if I would be a better mommy in New Zealand.

When we got home, Audrey threw up, and there was no water to clean her up. Then the kids wanted to go for a walk to see the cool utility trucks fix the power line, but the dog was a pain, and Michael was whiny so we came home and

Audrey threw up some more. And there was nothing to do, so I tried to read a book, but it was getting too dark to see.

I am having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, I told everybody. And actually everyone agreed.

We couldn't make anything for dinner, so we had to order pizza, and I'm sick of pizza.

I had to cancel Field Day at co-op tomorrow because my kids are puking.

There was more vomit and no way to wash the vomit laundry.

It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

I am a grown-up and know some days are like that.

And there are probably even power outages and throwing up in New Zealand.

Another Milestone

There is the first smile, the first steps, the first words. All important milestones. But I'm not sure if any milestone is quite as important as the one Michael passed today. We were enjoying fajitas at On the Border after the Easter egg hunt when Michael suddenly bolted from his seat and ran to the bathroom. Mark followed him in and found him tossing his cookies (and probably some Easter candy) into the toilet.

Do you understand what the milestone is?

No longer will Michael just randomly puke wherever he happens to be when it hits him. He can now remove himself from the presence of others and get to a toilet in time!

When Michael returned to the table feeling much better, there was much fanfare. This was a big milestone for which, especially given the public, restaurant setting, Michael was profusely praised.

Unfortunately, the Princess has not yet passed this milestone. Hours after our Michael Milestone Celebration, her Majesty threw up on my shoes. And her royal self. And all over the floor. Right after I had given her a bath. I have since given her a bucket, and she successfully placed her dinner in it. She is also excited to take the bucket to bed with her.

Here's hoping our two cookie tossers rest easy all night. So their parents may also rest easy. And my sincerest apologies to anyone who came in contact with either of them at the Easter eggstravaganza, especially their best buddies who just welcomed a new baby sister into the house. May our prayers protect that family from our bug.

And to hopefully further stop the spread of the bug, we have made the decision to hold our own special Easter service here at home tomorrow morning. It won't be the same as celebrating the Resurrection with our church family, but it will be special all the same.