DOZ Camp

Psalm 150:4a ~ Praise Him with the tambourine and dancing.

Audrey went to camp last week. Tambourine camp. It's not as weird as it sounds. She went to a camp for Daughters of Zion, a group to which she was introduced last year at homeschool guilds. She loved it so much and couldn't wait for camp. The focus of camp was on worship, and the kids learned different ways to worship: with tambourines, dance, streamers.

On the evening of the last day, the kids did a recital to show off all that they had learned. It was a fun hour of worship.

To keep the boys busy during the girls' camp, a PE teacher from a local Christian school volunteered his time to supervise a week of sports. The boys had a wonderful time playing soccer, capture the flag, street hockey, and ultimate frisbee. Because the camp took place quite a distance from our house, I whittled away the 2 1/2 hours of camp acquainting myself with a new part of town, running errands, walking a mall, and chatting with Facebook friends on my phone. It was always a welcome part of the day to stop wandering and return to pick up two tired, sweaty boys and one happy girl.

Sports

I cringe when I hear some mothers talking about the schedules their kids keep...school, basketball, music lessons, swimming, karate, homework. And that's all in one day. Plus somewhere in there is a hurried dinner that is picked up and eaten on the go. We have never set a very harried pace for our children. I don't know whether it is out of laziness on our part since we are the chauffeurs or a concern for our children. I would guess it's a little mixture of both. It seems parents these days are so worried about what little Johnny may get into if he has any spare moments in which to think for himself that they fill every second of his day for him. I knew we did not want that for our children.

This different approach does have its downsides, though...like in sports. Most kids our kids' ages have been pushed and pushed to fill their every spare moment participating in and practicing their sport of choice (or of Mom and Dad's choosing). We have been a bit more lax in this area. We have encouraged our kids to try out different sports and focus on those they like, but we didn't start extremely young, and we have not forced them into Olympic training style schedules either. As a result, they don't have as much experience under their belt as their peers might. I know that fact was a little bit disheartening for the boys last year in soccer.

And that is why I jumped at the opportunity to join an informal homeschool soccer group. A homeschool dad in the area has volunteered his time to coach any homeschool children who wish to play. I knew Jacob would be interested, so I signed him up. Alex, upon learning her friend would be playing, decided she too wanted to participate even though her sport is basketball. I still couldn't convince Michael to play, but it was to be a family event yesterday anyway, so we all went. Wouldn't you know, as soon as we drove up, Michael said, "I changed my mind. I want to play." Thankfully, he had had the forethought to wear tennis shoes.

They all had a great time playing, and all three of them did an awesome job. (I don't even think there is any Mama bias in that statement.) Even Alex who claims she does not play soccer and really only joined for social reasons did well. And I loved the dynamics of the play - there were all ages represented, yet everyone still pulled his/her own weight in the scrimmage. It was indeed low pressure, and I think as a result not quite so intimidating as some of these events can be.

And...the soccer players even had their own cheerleader. She wasn't feeling well Saturday, but I think we may be able to convince her to give soccer a try next time.

A Hissy Fit & a Re-Cap

Before I continue recounting our summer adventures, let me throw in a little hissy fit...if you decide for whatever reason to take a peek at archived posts between the dates of 10/08 (when I came to Blogger from Homeschoolblogger) and 12/10 (when I started using Flickr), you will notice all of the photos are missing. Here's what happened: I joined Google+, which is Google's version of Facebook. They automatically uploaded all of my blog photos I had uploaded through Blogger. I saw that album of like 865 photos sitting in my Google+ profile, and I thought to myself, Self, why do you need an album of 865 photos sitting on your Google+ profile? Many of those photos won't make any sense to anyone anyway without the accompanying blog explanation. Besides, all of those photos are on your blog, so what is the purpose for them to be here?

And I deleted the album.

What Google failed to tell me as I so casually clicked on "delete" is that I was deleting the photos from my blog, from everywhere. Poof! Vanished! Never to be recovered...at least that is the answer I have discovered as I have perused various forums filled with venomous rants from various ranters who are furious at Google for also deleting their blog photos.

All is not lost, however. It's not like those photos are completely gone. They are on my computer and my external hard drive and on various CDs. You might even guess they are everywhere and thus not at all organized. But such is life. Really the disappointing thing for me is that I had planned to convert my blog to a book, you know, for posterity's sake. For the children. And now all those photos are missing. And honestly? I don't see myself taking the time to wade through my thousands of pictures to find the photos that correspond with each blog post.

What I have rediscovered, however, is my passion for digital scrapbooking, so that is where I will place all of those missing photos. And, consequently, you may not see me here as often because digital scrapbooking can consume an awful lot of time if one lets it.

OK, hissy fit over.

What have we been up to during Simel's second week here with us?

The kids had sports camp at church this week. I think they enjoyed it. Sort of. It's sad, but I do see that enthusiasm for "campy" type things evaporating from my children. As the whole group sang and did song motions at the end of each day, my children as well as most their age just stood there. I don't blame them. I remember being that age...and feeling really stupid singing kid songs with silly motions to go along. They did have fun playing the games, though, so that made it worth it.

Camp has taken up most of the week. And it has been so, SO hot all week, we really haven't felt like doing much else. We did make it to the YMCA one day to swim. Other than that, we spent the week melting. Literally. Almost anyway. I have wondered to myself often during the last week how I managed to live in Africa all those years sans air conditioning and so hot.

I have to say that, honestly, I had no idea there were still parts of America that don't have things like central air. When we came up to CT last August to look for a house to rent, it was a cool weekend, so it really didn't cross my mind to ask a question like, "Does this house have air conditioning?" It was just an assumption because, you know, we live in America and it's 2011. But anyway, apparently, my assumptions were way off. I finally bought a huge, portable AC unit for our downstairs, but with the intensity of the heat and the size of our living room, it just isn't doing a whole lot. I keep telling myself that this is certainly better than winter. I'll let you know once I actually believe what I'm saying.

Today we decided to enjoy an air conditioned theater. Of course, that's quite an expensive couple of hours just for some cool air, so we chose a movie as well - Zookeeper. It was OK. I mean, Kevin James and talking zoo animals - my expectations were low to begin with. It has its funny moments, though, and the kids seemed to like it.

Once we got out of the movie, my plan was to have dinner at Applebees because it sits next to the theater and because I have a little bit left on a gift certificate. But the crowd in the foyer hinted at a long wait, so we sat in the air conditioned car for awhile (it was 104 at 6:00!) to decide what to do. The kids voted Lunchables. There weren't many other options, so, folks, we went totally gourmet and stopped by the grocery store for Lunchables.

And some sparklers. Because what is a hot summer night without sparklers?

Photo Scavenger Hunt, Vol. VIII

1. Imperfection (with Scripture & a Snapshot)
Because of this:


and this: Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death..."

I am so happy for this: "...but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord."


And what a comfort to know that, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Because if it was up to me, the way I often live my life, and the many, many times I really mess up, I'd be in big trouble!



2. Shoes
Are these not the cutest shoes EVER?

They are a new acquisition for the Princess' little feet. I have to admit, I looked for a size 8 1/2 too. They are a Payless treasure because, well, when you have to put shoes on 4 pairs of growing feet, you go to Payless, not Stride Rite.

Of course, the shoes look even cuter on sweet little feet.


And those sweet little feet look even more adorable when you see them as part of the cutest five-year-old in the world.


3. Camera Phone
Audrey is still absolutely loving her gymnastics class. With every activity she does, this adorable little grin spreads across her face, and she attacks the activity with enthusiasm. The one thing I do not like about gymnastics class is that parents must stay out of the room and behind the observation glass. I "see" a million adorable, perfect photos during the hour I sit behind that glass. I will wait for a few more sessions to pass, but eventually I will just tell them that I MUST be permitted to spend a few moments capturing my baby's happy, adorable moments. (Have I mentioned adorable yet?) Until then, this iPhone photo will have to do. Keep in mind, it is taken from some distance and from behind the glass. I had a terrible fight with the reflection of some mom wearing a very bright white sweater (doesn't she know she is not supposed to wear white yet??).


4. Chair
We have a lack of interesting chairs in our house - I think because, at least in this children-jumping-on-furniture-and-building-tents-out-of-the-cushions phase of life, we don't invest a whole lot in expensive sofas and couches. In fact, I think the chair with the most personality in our house doesn't even belong to us but to the people who own our rental home. It sits on the porch and has been fairly ignored since we arrived here just in time for Cold. But Thursday our temps struggled up into the low 60s so that I didn't feel like I might die standing outside long enough to snap a photo. I even added a soda bottle to give it a summer-y feel.


5. Camera
Well...this didn't turn out exactly as I saw it in my head. And I have some ideas on how I could improve it, but honestly between homeschooling, cleaning, running an online class, freelance editing, being a single mom while my hubby was on a trip, and caring for 4 children, I just didn't have the time to try to perfect it. So...I hope you'll at least appreciate the idea and the attempt!

Reflections - My Little Gymnast

I'm not sure who had more fun at gymnastics: Audrey who participated for the first time, or me playing the role of spectator. She was so cute, and the grin on her face after every activity she did told me she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Here she is before we left, admiring herself in her leotard:

Anticipation

She is beside herself with excitement. And in the few hours that have lapsed since I took her into the gymnastics place to sign her up and since we went to Target together to purchase her gymnastics leotard, in those few hours, we have had the same conversation many more times than I can count on two hands.

"What day will I start my gymnastics class, Mommy?"

"Well, this week since you missed the first class this morning, you will have your class on Thursday night. But every week after this week, it will be on Monday morning."

"What day is today?"

"Monday."

"So tomorrow I can say the day after tomorrow I'll have my gymnastics class?"

"Yep! When you wake up tomorrow, you can say that day after tomorrow will be your first class. Then the next day when you wake up, you can say that tomorrow you'll have your first class!"

"Then it will be on Monday after this week?"

"Yep!"

"But this week it's on Thursday?"

"You got it!"

And on the way to Target, there was this conversation as well as one that went like this:

"We're going to Target now?"

"Uh huh."

"To get that thing for me, that thing, what is it called again?"

"A leotard."

"To get my leotard?"

"Yep!"

"For my gymnastics class?"

She couldn't wait to get home to try it on. All the way home she talked about her new class and her "What is that thing I'm wearing called again, Mommy?" and about how she would practice her balance when she got home. And she did practice her balance on the stairs, on the wide stripes of the area rug, on the strips of the hardwood floor.


Yes, my little girl is definitely very excited about her first gymnastics class.

Photo Scavenger Hunt, Vol. III

1. Window



Both windows are from the Connecticut State Capitol - a BEAUTIFUL building constructed in 1878.

2. Page 25


Alex: What are you doing, Mom?
Me: Making One-Bite Pecan Pies.
Alex: Why?
Me: So I can take a picture of them.
{Big pause}
Alex: You mean you're making something just so you can take a picture of it?
Me: {huffy} Well, the challenge is Page 25. What did you expect me to do?

I'm slowly beginning to understand why my children think I am crazy.

Here's the recipe for One-Bite Pecan Pies:
Beat together:
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter

Add:
1 c. flour
Mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until chilled.

Preheat oven to 375. Divide dough into 24 balls. Press onto bottom and up sides of mini-muffin tin to form shells.

Beat 1 egg lightly.
Add:
3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
3/4 c. finely chopped pecans

Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from cups and cool. Melt 3 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate and drizzle over mini pies.

(Recipe from Kraft's Food & Family magazine...back when it was free. It's such a great publication for quick, easy recipes, though, that it might be worth a paid subscription!)

3. Quote
This is not a new photo. I took it in December when we visited the Museum of Natural History in NYC. And the quote really doesn't mean that much to me, but I love the photo.


This quote is courtesy the Connecticut State Capitol.

Qui Transtulit Sustinet: He Who Transplanted Still Sustains. As a transplant to this state, I'm diggin' this motto!

4. Activity

Michael and Alex (#35) have been part of the Upwards sports program for a few years now. I was worried we wouldn't be able to continue the program up here, but it just so happens my town has one! Although the kids' practices have been a bit sparse because of all the snow, we are in the middle of the season. Both kids have really shown some great improvement this season. Considering that the first time Alex got on the basketball court a few years ago, she apologized when she stole the ball from someone, she has come a long way in being aggressive!

5. Water
I had hoped to go out and photograph a lovely waterfall. Or a lonely river with its icy banks. But honestly, it has just been too cold and yucky to go out. So this iPhone shot from the kids' basketball practice last night is the stand-in until things thaw out around here a little.

Weekend Snapshot - Powered by Basketball & Snow Angels

We woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland. This snowstorm was not like the other. Big, fluffy snowflakes drifted serenely to the ground, and instead of being violently forced to relinquish any brave snowflake who dared alight on its branches, the trees invited the white powder to rest gracefully on every twig, nook, and crook. It was and is lovely.







The kids were ready to don their snowsuits and dive into the snow first thing this morning, but first we had basketball games to win.





Alex and Michael both did great; I think summer basketball camp really paid off.



When we got home, it was time to embrace the beautiful world God painted for us to enjoy.

Volcanoes, Crushing Dreams: All in a Monday

As promised, we erupted our volcano today, and I remembered to photograph the event. Of course, since it was over so quickly, it was a little anti-climactic, but the kids all oohed and ahhed over it for a few minutes anyway.

Overall, even without taking the volcano into account, it was a productive day for a Monday. And I didn't start crushing any dreams until this evening.

Crushed Dream #1:

A couple weeks ago, we left church on a Wednesday night with Alex full of all kinds of enthusiasm. There is a dance/singing group full of girls her age that practices Wednesday nights and performs at various times on Sunday mornings. This past Sunday, however, we ventured out to a new church where some dear friends from our old church have been attending. We all loved it. In fact, Alex was the first to ask, "Can we come back here next week?"

I worried all day about bringing up the subject of Wednesday night because if we are not going to attend our new old church any longer (to clarify, our Old Church is the one we attended for 7 years before its closing; our New Old Church is the one we've attended since Christmas; our New Church is the one we went to yesterday. Got it?), it is silly for her to practice with this dance group and then not perform. (Besides that, I was just hoping and praying the girl carries a little more groove and rhythm than her mom and dad.) So I broached the subject tonight. I could tell she was disappointed.

However, there are other possibilities for fun on the horizon. Like a possibility of joining American Heritage Girls and Scouts (for the boys). I know. I'm crazy. I don't need to sign up for anything else. But that's just me. Like I said, it's a possibility. OK, so we'll probably be there by next week even though they meet on Monday nights which are crazy for me because of my crazy Tuesday, but sometimes I just have to take one for the team, right?

Crushed Dream #2

I knew it was coming...the question: When do we start soccer? And the truth came out: We never signed you up for soccer. Honestly, it comes down to this (and maybe this is selfish, I don't know): With 3 kids in soccer, that presents the possibility of 3 different nights of practice and 3 different hours of games on Saturday. That, in my humble (and possibly selfish) opinion is a recipe for Chaos and Stress. How do large families juggle sports and other extracurricular activities?

So I feel like a heel, yet a heel who has some preservation of sanity. On the bright side, we're getting closer to warmer weather which means volleyball. We've committed to spending a little extra time at the courts teaching the children to play. As I've mentioned before, we always said we wanted 4 kids so we'd have a volleyball team!