Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Quarantine
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Coming up for air!
This week we've been getting ready for a new co-op session (there were over 70 classes offered this time, which is incredible!) and finishing up with the last session.
In our group, co-op works like an education potluck. Everyone brings something to the table, a class, field trip, party, etc, and then they all get to join in the feast. So, there's a ton of opportunities out there for my kids that aren't necessarily something I could teach them or do for them myself.
For instance, tomorrow, there will be 15 kids dressed as famous people throughout the ages. They will give us a speech as their person, so there's a lot to prepare for. I had to get 3 of mine ready to talk. I now know more than I ever expected to know about Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and Susan B. Anthony! I'll post pictures after it's all over.
So tonight, I have to read through the zillion classes, compare them with my needs and my schedule, and get ready to sign up tomorrow. Whew!
Hopefully I'll be back in here in Tuesday with a little more time on my hands!
.*.*.
In our group, co-op works like an education potluck. Everyone brings something to the table, a class, field trip, party, etc, and then they all get to join in the feast. So, there's a ton of opportunities out there for my kids that aren't necessarily something I could teach them or do for them myself.
For instance, tomorrow, there will be 15 kids dressed as famous people throughout the ages. They will give us a speech as their person, so there's a lot to prepare for. I had to get 3 of mine ready to talk. I now know more than I ever expected to know about Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and Susan B. Anthony! I'll post pictures after it's all over.
So tonight, I have to read through the zillion classes, compare them with my needs and my schedule, and get ready to sign up tomorrow. Whew!
Hopefully I'll be back in here in Tuesday with a little more time on my hands!
Labels: homeschooling, kids
.*.*.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Loosy Goosy
You may recall that all of my kids have loose valves in their digestive system. This means that they throw up shockingly easily. Not just when they're sick or confronted with something disgusting, you sort of expect that. We get involuntary uploads if they're running around too much, crying hard, or even if they get excited about something.
"Hey kids, we're going to Disneyland!" we might say.
"Really?" they'd answer, "Wheeeeeee-yarkle YARP YARP!"
Here's an example from last night at the dinner table. We were eating spaghetti and goofing around, and we all got to laughing. Suddenly, Tiernan started to sputter between giggles. That's no problem at Casa de Horde!
He simply excused himself from the table saying, "Uh oh, I'd better go laugh over the toilet."
I wonder when the fraternities will start calling to recruit him?
.*.*.
"Hey kids, we're going to Disneyland!" we might say.
"Really?" they'd answer, "Wheeeeeee-yarkle YARP YARP!"
Here's an example from last night at the dinner table. We were eating spaghetti and goofing around, and we all got to laughing. Suddenly, Tiernan started to sputter between giggles. That's no problem at Casa de Horde!
He simply excused himself from the table saying, "Uh oh, I'd better go laugh over the toilet."
I wonder when the fraternities will start calling to recruit him?
.*.*.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
So far, so good.
No one here at my mom's has the flu. I took my sister on errands today, though, and she has a fever of 103 right now. Oh, and I may be leaving in a bit here to take her to the ER. It depends on if she can get her fever down or not.
I got a little more information on the pee/poop situation. Apparently, Liam has a little friend from school who consistently pees, etc, in inappropriate places. Julie had some reservations about this kid, but has found out more while researching this latest. So, it's good to know that, even though Liam came up with the idea to do this the other day, he didn't think it up himself. And the boys are both pretty mortified and have been really good since then. And, Liam can't be with this other boy any more.
We had a big talk with Tiernan about not doing what other kids are doing when you know it's wrong. Weird. I didn't think I'd have to give my homeschooled kids the "if so and so jumped of a bridge, would you?" talk.
Unless we have the plague here, we're planning to go into Cedar Rapids tomorrow.
.*.*.
I got a little more information on the pee/poop situation. Apparently, Liam has a little friend from school who consistently pees, etc, in inappropriate places. Julie had some reservations about this kid, but has found out more while researching this latest. So, it's good to know that, even though Liam came up with the idea to do this the other day, he didn't think it up himself. And the boys are both pretty mortified and have been really good since then. And, Liam can't be with this other boy any more.
We had a big talk with Tiernan about not doing what other kids are doing when you know it's wrong. Weird. I didn't think I'd have to give my homeschooled kids the "if so and so jumped of a bridge, would you?" talk.
Unless we have the plague here, we're planning to go into Cedar Rapids tomorrow.
.*.*.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Pee, poop and the flu
We're here in Iowa, and we had a great time at my Grandma's party. She's pretty neat, and a bunch of people showed up to wish her well. I think she was surprised so many people came, but I wasn't. She's always been surrounded by tons of folks!
The night we got into town, we went over to my sister Julie's house to help her decorate the cakes for the party. (They were beautiful, I'll post pictures when I get my camera hooked up.) While the grownups were busy, the 2 six year old boys, ie Tiernan and my nephew Liam, apparently had way too much time on their hands.
I can't believe this actually happened.
Apparently, they were off in Julie's craft room, and decided to pee on the floor. Both of them. All OVER the floor. I would not have thought two boys could produce so much urine! Then, Liam pooped in a drawer. Yes, right in a drawer. The story went through a few stages before we got the final version, and I guess the only reason Tiernan didn't poop too was not that he had a moral objection, but that he couldn't. He tried, but he was empty. Such a proud moment.
A couple of people have told me this is a boy thing, but I can't imagine that's so. It seems like we wouldn't have gotten to this point in our history, because the moms would have killed all the young Neanderthals for peeing on the floors of the caves...ESPECIALLY their sister's caves.
Then, we found out that my niece, Amelia, had to go to the ER this afternoon with a fever of 105. The official diagnosis is Influenza Type A, and she's been contagious while we've been hanging out with her. Hopefully we don't get it, or if we do it waits until we're home.
It just occurred to me. Maybe Julie made up the story about the flu, just to keep us from coming over and peeing on her floors anymore? Gosh, I hope not.
.*.*.
The night we got into town, we went over to my sister Julie's house to help her decorate the cakes for the party. (They were beautiful, I'll post pictures when I get my camera hooked up.) While the grownups were busy, the 2 six year old boys, ie Tiernan and my nephew Liam, apparently had way too much time on their hands.
I can't believe this actually happened.
Apparently, they were off in Julie's craft room, and decided to pee on the floor. Both of them. All OVER the floor. I would not have thought two boys could produce so much urine! Then, Liam pooped in a drawer. Yes, right in a drawer. The story went through a few stages before we got the final version, and I guess the only reason Tiernan didn't poop too was not that he had a moral objection, but that he couldn't. He tried, but he was empty. Such a proud moment.
A couple of people have told me this is a boy thing, but I can't imagine that's so. It seems like we wouldn't have gotten to this point in our history, because the moms would have killed all the young Neanderthals for peeing on the floors of the caves...ESPECIALLY their sister's caves.
Then, we found out that my niece, Amelia, had to go to the ER this afternoon with a fever of 105. The official diagnosis is Influenza Type A, and she's been contagious while we've been hanging out with her. Hopefully we don't get it, or if we do it waits until we're home.
It just occurred to me. Maybe Julie made up the story about the flu, just to keep us from coming over and peeing on her floors anymore? Gosh, I hope not.
.*.*.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Gasping for air!
It's been a busy few days, and it's only going to get busier, but I wanted to pop in and say hi!
First of all, you should know that I trimmed Maya's bangs today. So, you can all sleep a little easier...
We're gearing up for a trip to Iowa. My grandma is turning 85, and mom's throwing her a big party. The party's not a surprise, but our attending is, so if you see Grandma, don't say anything! I'm really excited, she's a cool lady :-)
We leave Thursday morning, and we'll be gone until the 9th, but hopefully I will be able to check in from the road a few times. As always, feel free to break in and clean my house while we're gone! We won't be camping this time (brrrr!) but we are driving. So, if you think about us, we'd appreciate any prayers you're up for!
Anyway, it's late and I'm trying to get the laundry caught up so we can pack tomorrow, so I'd better run.
.*.*.
First of all, you should know that I trimmed Maya's bangs today. So, you can all sleep a little easier...
We're gearing up for a trip to Iowa. My grandma is turning 85, and mom's throwing her a big party. The party's not a surprise, but our attending is, so if you see Grandma, don't say anything! I'm really excited, she's a cool lady :-)
We leave Thursday morning, and we'll be gone until the 9th, but hopefully I will be able to check in from the road a few times. As always, feel free to break in and clean my house while we're gone! We won't be camping this time (brrrr!) but we are driving. So, if you think about us, we'd appreciate any prayers you're up for!
Anyway, it's late and I'm trying to get the laundry caught up so we can pack tomorrow, so I'd better run.
.*.*.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Three New Skirts!
What do you do when all of your plans are put on hold because you've got the flu in your house? Make skirts for the girls!
The 2 skirts on the outside (ie on Anya and Sage) are made out of a black flannel fabric. A mom in my homeschool group taught me how to make these. It's very simple, you sew a basic tube, then put a hem in one end and put elastic in the other and you're done!
The one in the middle (modeled by Maya) is a T-shirt recon. It's loosely based on the instructions here, except I actually did put a hem in it since it's for church, not for the clubs.
Both the T-shirt recon and one of the others have a drawstring at the top instead of elastic. I tried it both ways, and they preferred the drawstring, so they can share them around and they'll fit everyone pretty well.
Now, I think I'm going to try to find my hair scissors and trim Maya's bangs. Good grief, sometimes you don't really see your kids until you're taking photos of them!
.*.*.
The 2 skirts on the outside (ie on Anya and Sage) are made out of a black flannel fabric. A mom in my homeschool group taught me how to make these. It's very simple, you sew a basic tube, then put a hem in one end and put elastic in the other and you're done!
The one in the middle (modeled by Maya) is a T-shirt recon. It's loosely based on the instructions here, except I actually did put a hem in it since it's for church, not for the clubs.
Both the T-shirt recon and one of the others have a drawstring at the top instead of elastic. I tried it both ways, and they preferred the drawstring, so they can share them around and they'll fit everyone pretty well.
Now, I think I'm going to try to find my hair scissors and trim Maya's bangs. Good grief, sometimes you don't really see your kids until you're taking photos of them!
.*.*.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
I thought that this year I would post about my daughter Anya's special Valentine.
Anya has known Sam since they were 7 and 8ish, and they glommed onto each other from the very start. They both love monsters (including Godzilla!) and they love the same kinds of video games. Hey, I know of marriages with less than that for a basis!
Here are a couple of pictures of them from yesterday's Valentine's Day party. (They were taken by Liese.)
I thought this one turned out cute.
And here is an action shot of them drawing a "monster" card to send to the soldiers...
Ah, young love. Sigh.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
.*.*.
Anya has known Sam since they were 7 and 8ish, and they glommed onto each other from the very start. They both love monsters (including Godzilla!) and they love the same kinds of video games. Hey, I know of marriages with less than that for a basis!
Here are a couple of pictures of them from yesterday's Valentine's Day party. (They were taken by Liese.)
I thought this one turned out cute.
And here is an action shot of them drawing a "monster" card to send to the soldiers...
Ah, young love. Sigh.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
Labels: holiday, homeschooling, kids
.*.*.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Wow!
Our homeschool group had a Valentine's Day party today. Instead of exchanging Valentines this year, the kids made cards to send to a platoon the group adopted. Also, people brought stuff to donate, so we could send it all along together.
I was SHOCKED at how much stuff there is to send! It filled up the back of my car. That was so cool!
We also ended up with a huge bag of cards and a banner.
I just thought that was neat :-)
.*.*.
I was SHOCKED at how much stuff there is to send! It filled up the back of my car. That was so cool!
We also ended up with a huge bag of cards and a banner.
I just thought that was neat :-)
Labels: holiday, homeschooling, kids, military
.*.*.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Jaws, lost tooth, extra teeth
Did you guys see that Roy Scheider died? My kids, Anya especially, are big Jaws fans, so it kind of feels like a member of the family has passed.
Something else passed this weekend, too. Tiernan, my baby (I know he's 6 1/2, he's still my baby) lost his first tooth.
I wanted to take a nice picture of Tiernan with his missing tooth for you, but he's learned to exploit the time between when I determine he's making a decent face, and when the digital camera actually takes the picture. So, they all look something like this:
Speaking of Jaws and my children's teeth, in yet another reminder that Maya and Sage are like SUPER twinny or something, they've both got the same tooth coming in on top of itself. They're a little bedheaddy in this shot, but I think you can see the tooth I'm talking about. The third tooth to the right on top is double, like I'm raising shark children.
Of course, we know from their dental x-rays that their teeth are freakishly similar, but it's not always so easy to tell as it is these days.
Hope you all are having a great Monday!
.*.*.
Something else passed this weekend, too. Tiernan, my baby (I know he's 6 1/2, he's still my baby) lost his first tooth.
I wanted to take a nice picture of Tiernan with his missing tooth for you, but he's learned to exploit the time between when I determine he's making a decent face, and when the digital camera actually takes the picture. So, they all look something like this:
Speaking of Jaws and my children's teeth, in yet another reminder that Maya and Sage are like SUPER twinny or something, they've both got the same tooth coming in on top of itself. They're a little bedheaddy in this shot, but I think you can see the tooth I'm talking about. The third tooth to the right on top is double, like I'm raising shark children.
Of course, we know from their dental x-rays that their teeth are freakishly similar, but it's not always so easy to tell as it is these days.
Hope you all are having a great Monday!
Labels: dental, kids, newsworthy
.*.*.
Friday, February 08, 2008
I need a brain transplant--or implant--or something...
I had a very nauseating migraine today, and I've really lost my patience with this whole process. I saw my neurologist the other day, and I asked her if she could hook me up with one of these jacks, like this one from The Matrix.
Then, instead of having them uploading stuff I'll never use like Kung Fu, I can just plug in and reboot the system and wipe the migraine from the hard drive. It seems reasonable to me.
She didn't seem very optimistic about the idea.
So, I'm stuck taking a pile of meds and trying to lay down in the dark. Fortunately the rest of the Horde knows the drill pretty well by know, and they can watch themselves and I can get some slack. Yay kids! After a couple of hours, I'm feeling human again.
.*.*.
Then, instead of having them uploading stuff I'll never use like Kung Fu, I can just plug in and reboot the system and wipe the migraine from the hard drive. It seems reasonable to me.
She didn't seem very optimistic about the idea.
So, I'm stuck taking a pile of meds and trying to lay down in the dark. Fortunately the rest of the Horde knows the drill pretty well by know, and they can watch themselves and I can get some slack. Yay kids! After a couple of hours, I'm feeling human again.
.*.*.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
A Term at Hogwarts
A lot of families in our homeschool group have decided to follow the same unit study this month. We're starting La Paz Home Learning's A Term at Hogwarts. We're having a graduation ceremony at the end of the month, with a feast! Until then, we'll be studying hard.
Of course, the first thing I had to do was to dork out and make mini Hogwarts scarves for my kids to wear. I made the little cards they attach to as well, I just culled some art from the net (they were reproduced a zillion times over at different sites, which I hope means no one will mind if I use them for my kids). The verse is taken from "The Sorcerer's Stone," it's modified from what the Sorting Hat says.
They sorted themselves, which surprised me. I thought I'd have to intervene.
So, for the rest of the month, this is where my kids are:
Anya: Gryffindor
Maya: Slytherin
Sage: Ravenclaw
Tiernan: Hufflepuff
Today we made Goblin Slobber and studied owls and chamomile.
.*.*.
Of course, the first thing I had to do was to dork out and make mini Hogwarts scarves for my kids to wear. I made the little cards they attach to as well, I just culled some art from the net (they were reproduced a zillion times over at different sites, which I hope means no one will mind if I use them for my kids). The verse is taken from "The Sorcerer's Stone," it's modified from what the Sorting Hat says.
They sorted themselves, which surprised me. I thought I'd have to intervene.
So, for the rest of the month, this is where my kids are:
Anya: Gryffindor
Maya: Slytherin
Sage: Ravenclaw
Tiernan: Hufflepuff
Today we made Goblin Slobber and studied owls and chamomile.
Labels: crafting, crochet, homeschooling, kids
.*.*.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Maya and Sage are 10!
And I'm such a dork that I started crying about it this morning before church. I just kept thinking that I'm about halfway through the time they'll be home, and it's flown by. They'll be gone before I know it, and that started freaking me out.
Fortunately, they're pretty used to my histrionics, and they just thought it was funny that I was crying about their birthday.
Right now, they're baking a cake. They've taken a white cake mix, and added purple food coloring to the batter. So, we'll be having purple vanilla cake!
Have a great Sunday, everyone!
.*.*.
Fortunately, they're pretty used to my histrionics, and they just thought it was funny that I was crying about their birthday.
Right now, they're baking a cake. They've taken a white cake mix, and added purple food coloring to the batter. So, we'll be having purple vanilla cake!
Have a great Sunday, everyone!
.*.*.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Wow!
I had a pretty good idea what song he was singing backwards, but I wasn't sure until the middle. Hint: His actions aren't clues to the song, just neat stuff to watch.
Happy Saturday!
BTW-Tomorrow is Maya and Sage's 10th Birthday, can you believe it?
.*.*.
Happy Saturday!
BTW-Tomorrow is Maya and Sage's 10th Birthday, can you believe it?
.*.*.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I wish I'd been there!
When Sage was 3 or 4, she said a bad word and got in a bit of trouble (just a little talking to, nothing major). At the time, she hadn't known the word was bad, and she was upset about how she found out. She asked Davin to tell her ALL the bad words, so that she would be sure not to say any of them by accident. We got the giggles, trying to picture Davin spouting off a list of curse words for our toddler!
Well, apparently that really happened at a Catholic school last month. By a NUN no less! In the chapel after Mass!
Nun reels off list of banned curse words
Don't forget, if you're looking to send mail to some wounded service people, yesterday's post has a couple of ways to do that and know it will get through...
.*.*.
Well, apparently that really happened at a Catholic school last month. By a NUN no less! In the chapel after Mass!
Nun reels off list of banned curse words
Sister Kathy Avery won't put up with swearing on the playground at her school, and she's not above repeating the offending language to make sure everyone understands which words she won't tolerate.Oh man, if anyone got this on video, please post it!
The principal of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School had students stay after a Mass last month and informed the fifth- through eighth-graders that she has a zero-tolerance policy for cursing.
Just in case anyone wasn't sure what she was talking about, Avery read off a list of the very words and phrases that she was banning.
"It got a little quiet in church" during her talk, she told the Detroit Free Press.
Don't forget, if you're looking to send mail to some wounded service people, yesterday's post has a couple of ways to do that and know it will get through...
Labels: kids, military, newsworthy
.*.*.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
I've been busy here, dealing with lungs that the kids are spewing out left and right. Don't come over, we've got the plague!
Anyway, in between coughing fits, I have been doing a little crafting (it keeps me sane!) I started with a tea towel, some anatomic sketches of skulls from the internet, and some neat ideas from MexicanSugarSkull.com, and created this:
If I get a chance today I'm going to try to make another one, larger this time. Hopefully I will be able to get a better photo then, too.
We're skipping our homeschool group's party today, which is just heartbreaking all the way around. So, I'm going to go play some games with the kids, and try to determine if they can go trick or treating if they feel well enough, or if that would just be evil?
I hope you're having a fabulous day! I love Halloween!
.*.*.
Anyway, in between coughing fits, I have been doing a little crafting (it keeps me sane!) I started with a tea towel, some anatomic sketches of skulls from the internet, and some neat ideas from MexicanSugarSkull.com, and created this:
If I get a chance today I'm going to try to make another one, larger this time. Hopefully I will be able to get a better photo then, too.
We're skipping our homeschool group's party today, which is just heartbreaking all the way around. So, I'm going to go play some games with the kids, and try to determine if they can go trick or treating if they feel well enough, or if that would just be evil?
I hope you're having a fabulous day! I love Halloween!
Labels: crafting, holiday, kids
.*.*.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Ha Ha...Chuck!
Does anyone else have this kind of problem? Tiernan climbed into bed with us (after we'd kicked the dog out, I'm glad she's feeling more at home but DANG she spreads out!) and started telling me Knock Knock jokes. He cracked himself up SO MUCH that he threw up all over the blankets. 8-0
I've laughed awfully hard in my day, but I've never come close to barfing. I'll admit it, I've even laughed so hard that I peed...but I've NEVER thrown up. All of my kids do that! Any powerful emotion or vigorous action can cause an upload.
As far as laughing until you pee, if it's never happened to you I respectfully submit that you go carry twins to full term, deliver vaginally, and THEN come back and talk to me about it. I love them to pieces, but they ruined me! Good thing we like them :-*
I've been doing some embroidery lately, and that's been fun. Not the cross-stitching, that was just too much like work! When I get a few things together, I'll take some pictures and show you. It's pretty neat, it's like doodling, only with fabric and floss instead of pen and paper.
.*.*.
I've laughed awfully hard in my day, but I've never come close to barfing. I'll admit it, I've even laughed so hard that I peed...but I've NEVER thrown up. All of my kids do that! Any powerful emotion or vigorous action can cause an upload.
As far as laughing until you pee, if it's never happened to you I respectfully submit that you go carry twins to full term, deliver vaginally, and THEN come back and talk to me about it. I love them to pieces, but they ruined me! Good thing we like them :-*
I've been doing some embroidery lately, and that's been fun. Not the cross-stitching, that was just too much like work! When I get a few things together, I'll take some pictures and show you. It's pretty neat, it's like doodling, only with fabric and floss instead of pen and paper.
.*.*.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Two birthdays this week!
Not only did we get a new dog, but we've had two birthdays in the last week. Anya is now 12, and Tiernan is 6. My *BABY* is 6! How did that happen? When I started this blog I was wondering if we'd ever get him potty trained.
Check it out! This is a cross stitch kit I completed for a friend. It's a wolf with a Native American theme:
I'm glad it's done. I'm going to tell you all right now that if you want to be my friend, you can NOT have a favorite animal that's gray. This project was so difficult, because it was like 20 shades of boring old gray. There was white, dark white, cream, light gray, light blue gray, medium blue gray, medium purple blue gray, gray, dark gray, light black, and MORE! I will need to all to fill out applications, and if you like jungle frogs, you're in. Or toucans, or parrots or something. I'm sorry, but I have to draw the line somewhere. My sanity is precarious as it is...
.*.*.
Check it out! This is a cross stitch kit I completed for a friend. It's a wolf with a Native American theme:
I'm glad it's done. I'm going to tell you all right now that if you want to be my friend, you can NOT have a favorite animal that's gray. This project was so difficult, because it was like 20 shades of boring old gray. There was white, dark white, cream, light gray, light blue gray, medium blue gray, medium purple blue gray, gray, dark gray, light black, and MORE! I will need to all to fill out applications, and if you like jungle frogs, you're in. Or toucans, or parrots or something. I'm sorry, but I have to draw the line somewhere. My sanity is precarious as it is...
.*.*.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Coolest. Craft. Ever.
Can you believe this? I wish I'd thought of it! I absolutely adore this piece!
We're still pretty icky here, so I'm keeping us and our germs home. Thanks for your well-wishes!
.*.*.
We're still pretty icky here, so I'm keeping us and our germs home. Thanks for your well-wishes!
.*.*.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Can't Blog
