What do you get when your older boys make a snowman?
And one of them is a history fanatic, especially with anything related to wars?
Do you recognize him?
Look closer.
It's Winston Churchill!
With his proud creator.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely
Funny, my dogwood tree looks much like this in the spring,
covered with white blossoms.
The view from our bedroom.
My parents live up on that far hill (but out of view)
and had even more snow - about five inches.
Evening.
Happy! Happy! Happy!
Happy boys, because there is snow.
Happy me, because it is light and beautiful.
And happy family, because the boys run their energy off outside
for hours and hours in the cold, fresh air.
You can't imagine how excited the boys were to get snow, after a disappointingly green Christmas.
Happy me, because it is light and beautiful.
And happy family, because the boys run their energy off outside
for hours and hours in the cold, fresh air.
You can't imagine how excited the boys were to get snow, after a disappointingly green Christmas.
Their favorite sledding hill had melted off a bit, due to traffic and southern exposure,
so they quickly got to work gathering snow,
and building up a sled path along the side of the road.
The neighbor's ditch makes a perfect U-shaped toboggan run!
Progress was interrupted by the inevitable.
Then they shifted their activity to the other side of the house.
Why do they never work this hard on my projects?!
A little parental guidance was required as anyone past puberty is clearly a big spoil-sport
and thinks that - just perhaps - building your sled run right into the street
may not be the best idea.
A curved embankment to turn the sleds to the side will help.
Here is most of the neighborhood pack.
The eight boys are at the core,
(Wyatt is standing in the background)
and two of the three little sisters joined in as well.
Grasshopper Days 1-10-11
Grasshopper Days
For Today, January 10, 2011
Outside my window... snow! Much to the boys' excitement, we got about three inches of snow Saturday night. Enough for sledding and snowballs and - I hope - maybe a snowman today?
I am thinking... the Daybook needs a new name
Grasshopper Days? Too weird?
The original daybook site (here) is just a link service now. The original "host" isn't posting there anymore. And since my goal is not primarily to attract new readers (but to keep a record of our days) I don't think I'll be linking anymore. Anyway...
Grasshopper Days? Or suggestions?
I am thankful for... snow! Because it makes the boys so happy.
And I love the extra light. These dark, dreary days can get me down, but the white snow covering everything makes a huge difference. It's amazing. I don't mind the cold of winter, but the darkness. And this is cheering.
I am praying for... my cousin (well, okay, he's my cousin's husband) Mike, who just had his appendix out last night. Surprise! He's doing fine, but feel free to pray for his recovery. Also, he just started a new job a week ago and is concerned about having to miss work so soon.
I am wearing... layers, people, lots of layers. Brrrr! It's cold out there!
I am going... nowhere. Staying off the icy roads.
I am reading... on a little binge. Just finished three books and am reading
Notes From a Small Island.
Notes From a Small Island.
Love Bill Bryson.
I am hoping... Kerry's surge in work continues.
He's BUSY! This hasn't happened for months!
I am hearing... boys playing downstairs. Must get back to schoolwork.
I am remembering... hot summer days. When my fingers weren't going numb.
From the learning rooms... dividing by 3, 6, and 9, the Russian revolution, pyro/flam roots, direct and indirect objects, adding and subtracting fractions, the end of World War I, and gravity. I thought we were doing gravity last week, but it was buoyancy.
(Thank you, Bill Nye, for your videos.)
(Thank you, Bill Nye, for your videos.)
From the kitchen... oooo, it's crock-pot weather for sure.
On my mind... what I wouldn't give for an air-tight stove.
Noticing that... Gunnar may be getting taller. Must weigh and measure boys for the record.
Pondering these words...
I'd rather have them civilized at home than socialized at school.
One of my favorite things... the crock pot. I may have mentioned that. ;D
A few plans for the rest of the week... playing in the snow.
Here is a picture I am sharing...
What the boys want to be doing...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Trains, Blizzards, and True Confessions
Saturday was Tate's big day. He got to pick a couple of friends to come along on a special activity - a couple of hours at the Railway Museum running the model trains, and then on to Dairy Queen for treats and gifts. The "kid party" portion of celebrating his 12th birthday.
Nothing unusual about that, right?
Except that his birthday was in November.
Which was a rather busy month, what with soccer winding down (and the ensuing team parties), in-laws visiting, Thanksgiving in Oregon, and then being launched into December. I could also remind you that I'm not always exactly as organized as you may think. (Case in point: there are no pictures of this post because we forgot to bring a camera. To our own son's birthday party. Kerry even forgot his cel phone. So I'll post pictures when I get them from the 13 year old neighbor boy who brought his ipod, or whatever.)
All of that is true, but there's more.
You see, I have a confession to make. Though I love my kids and want to do nice things for them, I really do not like kids' birthday parties. And you can multiply that by ten if it's for an only child. (And if there's a clown? We won't even speak of that.)
Oh, we've had a few fun parties. Wyatt and Gunnar have it easier, with their summer birthdays. I mean, how hard is it to set up the slip-n-slide and serve ice-cream bars? Or take a bunch of kids to the lake? Tie-dye some undershirts? I can handle that. Especially with all the kids outside.
But Tate is a bit more challenging, with his November birthday. Not to mention his unique interests. I mean, his Civil War party was a lot of fun, in spite of my inability to find themed decorations. And the kids seemed to enjoy the Underground RR / slave catcher game we played out in the yard (as rain and darkness were falling at 4:30 in the afternoon,) but I have to tell you, I'm glad when the boys hit 10. Because that's when you age out of kid parties, in this house. After that you get special activities. With a nice, manageable group of polite boys.
Because something happens to boys when they get in a group. Is it just me, or have you noticed this too? You can take a bunch of boys that are perfectly nice (and sane) individually. But put them in a group and it's like baking soda and vinegar. Or Pepsi and Mentos. I think all the testosterone in one room causes them to lose their minds. Or something like that. Cake and junk food may possibly factor in. Maybe.
But I have good news. The next boy in this house to have a birthday will be Gunnar, in June. And you know how old he'll be?
Ten. :D
Nothing unusual about that, right?
Except that his birthday was in November.
Which was a rather busy month, what with soccer winding down (and the ensuing team parties), in-laws visiting, Thanksgiving in Oregon, and then being launched into December. I could also remind you that I'm not always exactly as organized as you may think. (Case in point: there are no pictures of this post because we forgot to bring a camera. To our own son's birthday party. Kerry even forgot his cel phone. So I'll post pictures when I get them from the 13 year old neighbor boy who brought his ipod, or whatever.)
All of that is true, but there's more.
You see, I have a confession to make. Though I love my kids and want to do nice things for them, I really do not like kids' birthday parties. And you can multiply that by ten if it's for an only child. (And if there's a clown? We won't even speak of that.)
Oh, we've had a few fun parties. Wyatt and Gunnar have it easier, with their summer birthdays. I mean, how hard is it to set up the slip-n-slide and serve ice-cream bars? Or take a bunch of kids to the lake? Tie-dye some undershirts? I can handle that. Especially with all the kids outside.
But Tate is a bit more challenging, with his November birthday. Not to mention his unique interests. I mean, his Civil War party was a lot of fun, in spite of my inability to find themed decorations. And the kids seemed to enjoy the Underground RR / slave catcher game we played out in the yard (as rain and darkness were falling at 4:30 in the afternoon,) but I have to tell you, I'm glad when the boys hit 10. Because that's when you age out of kid parties, in this house. After that you get special activities. With a nice, manageable group of polite boys.
Because something happens to boys when they get in a group. Is it just me, or have you noticed this too? You can take a bunch of boys that are perfectly nice (and sane) individually. But put them in a group and it's like baking soda and vinegar. Or Pepsi and Mentos. I think all the testosterone in one room causes them to lose their minds. Or something like that. Cake and junk food may possibly factor in. Maybe.
But I have good news. The next boy in this house to have a birthday will be Gunnar, in June. And you know how old he'll be?
Ten. :D
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Not Exactly A Recipe For An Educational Evening
We were loaned a nature DVD to watch with the boys.
(Can you guess where this is going already?)
Since we don't have a TV, we took it up to my parents',
to watch on their big HD flat screen...
and because it's fun to see them.
Oh, it was fun all right. It was hilarious.
We might have been able to get past the narrator's goggle-eyed worship at the altar of Darwin,
or the sight of a very sincere middle-aged woman seriously believing she could
sing the "song" of the humpback whale.
(I hope she met the fellow later in the show who sings hoots like a Siamang gibbon.)
But when the narrator decided to challenge a bird for territory, using recorded bird calls,
the living room descended into hysterical chaos.
Because when you combine three boys with a very animated Brit exclaiming,
He's saying, "I'm a Great Tit and this is my patch!"
guffawing hilarity is what you'll get.
For what it's worth, this is a Great Tit.
And oh boy. Whaddaya bet my traffic goes up. Sheesh.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Another Reason to Homeschool
It's 35F and raining. Welcome to my world. (Apparently I woke up feeling just a little bit snarky this morning.) I look outside at the wet darkness and it's clear to me why so many animals hibernate.
It might also have something to do with getting everyone back in the groove of our homeschool routine. Let's just say there's been a wee bit of drama. Day Three, and things are falling back into place.
Gunnar sat across from me, practicing his handwriting. And smiling to himself. I glanced over his shoulder as he carefully copied, "Look! A big rabbit," and then added, "with sunglasses."
Indeed, the picture of the rabbit had been accessorized with sunglasses, bandoliers, a grenade, a knife, and, "Those are the bunny's two little pistols, Mama."
Of course, in public school this would raise all kinds of red flags, the school psychiatrist would hyperventilate and call me, and he would probably be suspended for violating the school weapons policy, because he's obviously a disturbed and violent child.
Around here we just say, "He's a boy."
It might also have something to do with getting everyone back in the groove of our homeschool routine. Let's just say there's been a wee bit of drama. Day Three, and things are falling back into place.Gunnar sat across from me, practicing his handwriting. And smiling to himself. I glanced over his shoulder as he carefully copied, "Look! A big rabbit," and then added, "with sunglasses."
Indeed, the picture of the rabbit had been accessorized with sunglasses, bandoliers, a grenade, a knife, and, "Those are the bunny's two little pistols, Mama."
Of course, in public school this would raise all kinds of red flags, the school psychiatrist would hyperventilate and call me, and he would probably be suspended for violating the school weapons policy, because he's obviously a disturbed and violent child.
Around here we just say, "He's a boy."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Grasshopper Days 1-4-11
Grasshopper Days
For today, January 4, 2011
Outside my window... the temp has been below freezing for several days and nights, and the frost is getting pretty thick.
I am thinking... about whether to continue doing the daybook. I've stopped linking to the site, since the "host" doesn't seem to be participating anymore. Go figure.
I like the discipline of reflecting on the week (not my strong suit), but maybe time for a new format?
Just thinking "aloud"...
I am thankful for... Kerry has a bunch of work right now - woo-hoo!
I am praying for... a little friend having her tonsils out today.
I am wearing... layers. Lots of layers.
I am creating... HA! Put that on hold, after the flurry of Christmas activity.
I am going... to get school started, momentarily. (Doesn't that sound familiar?)
We're shooting for an 8am start, but today looks more like 8:30.
I am hoping... those wonderful clients Kerry is working for will pay him. Promptly.
I am hearing... very much silence.
I am remembering... ice skating on a frozen lake, as a child.
From the learning rooms... getting back into the school routine without a lot of drama.
Reading about the beginning of WWI, reducing fractions, words with ject/jet, writing thank-yous, dividing by 4 and 8, Porfirio Diaz and the Mexican Revolution, editing, and experiments with gravity.
From the kitchen... hmmm, it feels like a soup day.
Around the house... I love Christmas, but it feels good to get it all picked up and put away. Clutter, even Christmas clutter, can make me crazy after awhile. Now my house is all about sparkly silver, blue, and white, stars and snowmen, and icy looking candle holders, with a warm glow.
On my mind... Wyatt will be a 9th grader next year. High school age!
Pondering these words...
The great of the earth are those who leave silence and solitude
around themselves, their work, and their life,
and let it ripen of its own accord.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
One of my favorite things... the light that floods in the house on these crystal clear, cold days.
A few plans for the rest of the week... self-discipline and getting back into a good routine (*sigh*),
lots of school work, reading, getting out for walks.
Here is a picture I am sharing...
Tate's favorite Christmas gift, on the right.
Joining Podger (on the left), we have Poly.
Short for Napoleon Bunny-parte.
(He is Tate's, you know.)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year :D
I'm not a New Year Resolution maker. All those years as a student, and now as a homeschool mom have forever enshrined September as the month of new beginnings. In fact, last year's goal still works for me ;D
But, inspired by Deborah, I'm thinking about some changes for next Christmas. Because I'm all over the idea of planning ahead to emphasize the good and beat back the crazy. So next year...
1. I want to have all my shopping/crafting done before Thanksgiving. Stop laughing! It could happen. In fact, it did happen. Once. Back in 1998, when I was expecting Tate (born in November). I had all my presents prepared before he was born. Of course, there were fewer of us, but... it could happen. It can happen.
2. Instead of Christmas cards, I'll send a Thanksgiving letter. Okay, yes I do realize that it's quite possible I'm just exporting the crazy to November, instead of December, but this is still workable. I think. (Right?) And wouldn't that be nice? A thankful letter / early Christmas card? I like this idea. :D
3. I am purging more of my decorations. Because we just have So. Much. Stuff. And I love decorating for Christmas, but it's all too much. And even if it's nice stuff, it can still be too much stuff. More branches and pine cones and candles, and less knick knacks.
4. New Advent Devotions. We may get one more year out of the ones we've been using, but the boys are out-growing them. Ideas? Feel free to suggest :D
5. More hospitality. We like having people over, to share the season with us. And it didn't work out much this year. Planning farther ahead would probably help. ;D
6. We will get the boys three gifts each. That's plenty. One writer explains it like this. The three gifts of Christmas were gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so each of those can be a symbol. The gold gift is something they really want - like Legos, or toy soldiers. The frankincense gift is something they need - clothing, or an electric razor. And the myrrh gift is something to nurture their spirit. That's harder and requires more thought and insight. Maybe a book, a magazine subscription, a CD. Something like that. Something that helps them grow in their character and/or faith. Something that reflects their unique personality.
7. Maybe, just maybe, we'll finally make a gingerbread house. This one, really, is up to Kerry. Being married to an architect and all, you'd think we'd have come up with some stellar gingerbread houses, but not so much. (In fact, not one yet.) If he's interested, great. If not... no worries.
So there. That's seven. That's plenty, right?
How about you? What are your favorite traditions? What will you change next year?
But, inspired by Deborah, I'm thinking about some changes for next Christmas. Because I'm all over the idea of planning ahead to emphasize the good and beat back the crazy. So next year...
1. I want to have all my shopping/crafting done before Thanksgiving. Stop laughing! It could happen. In fact, it did happen. Once. Back in 1998, when I was expecting Tate (born in November). I had all my presents prepared before he was born. Of course, there were fewer of us, but... it could happen. It can happen.
2. Instead of Christmas cards, I'll send a Thanksgiving letter. Okay, yes I do realize that it's quite possible I'm just exporting the crazy to November, instead of December, but this is still workable. I think. (Right?) And wouldn't that be nice? A thankful letter / early Christmas card? I like this idea. :D
3. I am purging more of my decorations. Because we just have So. Much. Stuff. And I love decorating for Christmas, but it's all too much. And even if it's nice stuff, it can still be too much stuff. More branches and pine cones and candles, and less knick knacks.
4. New Advent Devotions. We may get one more year out of the ones we've been using, but the boys are out-growing them. Ideas? Feel free to suggest :D
5. More hospitality. We like having people over, to share the season with us. And it didn't work out much this year. Planning farther ahead would probably help. ;D
6. We will get the boys three gifts each. That's plenty. One writer explains it like this. The three gifts of Christmas were gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so each of those can be a symbol. The gold gift is something they really want - like Legos, or toy soldiers. The frankincense gift is something they need - clothing, or an electric razor. And the myrrh gift is something to nurture their spirit. That's harder and requires more thought and insight. Maybe a book, a magazine subscription, a CD. Something like that. Something that helps them grow in their character and/or faith. Something that reflects their unique personality.
7. Maybe, just maybe, we'll finally make a gingerbread house. This one, really, is up to Kerry. Being married to an architect and all, you'd think we'd have come up with some stellar gingerbread houses, but not so much. (In fact, not one yet.) If he's interested, great. If not... no worries.
So there. That's seven. That's plenty, right?
How about you? What are your favorite traditions? What will you change next year?
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