keys! To our house, which is now absolutely ours! We spent the entire evening there, had a picnic dinner in the family room, hand-watered the front lawn, made backyard improvement plans, vacuumed the entire house.... and it felt fantastic. The kids are somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer amount of space after living in an apartment with just a tiny patio for the last couple of years.
Now we just have to finish moving!
We also had gymnastics today. Both the kids were with teachers they hadn't had before, but it seems like a good mix. The boys' class and the girls' class do their warm-ups together, and then split off to do their own stuff. C.O. did trampoline work, rings, and a lot of tumbling. C.J. did a lot of trampoline work, some beam work, and hand-and-feet walking across parellel bars. They really enjoyed it, so I'm glad we chose to go back.
I have a meeting with C.O.'s IST on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to discussing my ideas with her, and hammering out the details. Then, we'll start up again with our official homeschool year next week! That's all for now - have to get back to packing/cleaning.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
When it rains, it pours...
Today's phone call - from my dad, asking that I come take him to the hospital. He was having chest pains. 4 hours, several x-rays, multiple blood tests, and an EKG later, he is fine. They're keeping him in overnight for observation, but he'll be fine. The chest pains are likely indigestion. What a scare for not much! Still, better safe than sorry.
That pretty much took up my whole day that was supposed to be dedicated to packing. And I missed my second math class, but I left a voicemail for the professor so I won't be dropped from the class. I did get to spend some nice time outside with the kids, playing with rubber-band-propelled flyers, which only got stuck in trees twice. We also spent some time, well, C.O. and I did, discussing our educational goals for 1st grade. He's excited about history and math primarily, although he thinks biology is pretty cool too. We caught a praying mantis in our house the night before last. We plan on letting it go in a day or two, after observing it carefully. C.O. promptly named it "Elizabeth", and thinks "she is amazing". I love watching him/her clean itself, rather like a cat. Since we plan on hatching ladybugs and butterflies (and maybe praying mantises), this helped get both kids really thinking about how much fun science can be.
Tomorrow we sign all the final loan paperwork, decide on the type of title, etc. I am very much looking forward to having this process finished.
That pretty much took up my whole day that was supposed to be dedicated to packing. And I missed my second math class, but I left a voicemail for the professor so I won't be dropped from the class. I did get to spend some nice time outside with the kids, playing with rubber-band-propelled flyers, which only got stuck in trees twice. We also spent some time, well, C.O. and I did, discussing our educational goals for 1st grade. He's excited about history and math primarily, although he thinks biology is pretty cool too. We caught a praying mantis in our house the night before last. We plan on letting it go in a day or two, after observing it carefully. C.O. promptly named it "Elizabeth", and thinks "she is amazing". I love watching him/her clean itself, rather like a cat. Since we plan on hatching ladybugs and butterflies (and maybe praying mantises), this helped get both kids really thinking about how much fun science can be.
Tomorrow we sign all the final loan paperwork, decide on the type of title, etc. I am very much looking forward to having this process finished.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Posting this a tiny bit early...
but Happy Not-Back-To-School day to my elflings! Tomorrow all the schools start up around here, and I'm soooo glad that it doesn't involve us. Work was crazy today, with loads of people buying loads of stuff their kids "need" for lunches, etc. Just sheer insanity. People keep asking me if my kids are ready for school, and I say "Yes", and then they ask me where they go, and I tell them we homeschool, at which point there is normally a dead silence momentarily, before about a half dozen questions pour out. Why, how, and so forth. Our summer too is drawing to an end, since we'll be starting back up in full swing the day after Labor Day. My classes start tomorrow, and I am looking forward to most of them (not particularly math though). I may add a yoga class, but I'll have to see. The kids' gymnastics classes start next week.
C.O. has taught himself a new in-the-car game, which is identifying different makes of cars. He can accurately, and quickly, identify BMWs, VWs, Hondas, Toyotas, and about 10 others. I'm not even sure where he learned all this, but he's good at it! Of course, this is the same boy who, at age 2 and a half, patiently told me "No Mommy, that's an excavator, not a digger". C.J. meanwhile has learned the Baby Bumblebee song, so her in-the-car repetoire is now, thankfully, a little bit expanded. She also sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I'm a Little Teapot, the alphabet song, and Eensy Weensy Spider.
Unfortunately, due to the death in our family, the funeral, etc., we won't be able to get in to sign our final paperwork until Thursday, so closing on the house has now been pushed back to it's original date of a week from tomorrow. Which is okay really, because we're not done packing!
C.O. has taught himself a new in-the-car game, which is identifying different makes of cars. He can accurately, and quickly, identify BMWs, VWs, Hondas, Toyotas, and about 10 others. I'm not even sure where he learned all this, but he's good at it! Of course, this is the same boy who, at age 2 and a half, patiently told me "No Mommy, that's an excavator, not a digger". C.J. meanwhile has learned the Baby Bumblebee song, so her in-the-car repetoire is now, thankfully, a little bit expanded. She also sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I'm a Little Teapot, the alphabet song, and Eensy Weensy Spider.
Unfortunately, due to the death in our family, the funeral, etc., we won't be able to get in to sign our final paperwork until Thursday, so closing on the house has now been pushed back to it's original date of a week from tomorrow. Which is okay really, because we're not done packing!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A moment of silence...
I'd like to stop for a moment of silence in respect for my now-passed step-father-in-law. He died very suddenly this morning, in his home, of a massive heart attack, at the age of 69, which is younger than my own dad. My mourning at the moment is primarily for my mother-in-law, who lost both her parents in the last year, and now her husband. M, E (BIL) and I spent the entire day with her, first at the hospital, then at her home. E is taking care of all the legal bits (life insurance, etc.), I called everyone MIL wanted called, and M sat with her, holding her hand, the whole day. We're all absolutely exhausted now. I am grateful for her church group - her pastor started the funeral home arrangements, a lady brought dinner over, they're going to help her sort through his huge collection of junk... The kids spent the day at my mom's, thankfully.
In other, and better news, we are drawing very close to closing. Our final walk-through is scheduled for 10:30 this Friday. By mid-week next week we should have KEYS! I can't wait! I have thrown out and gotten ready for donation loads of stuff, so we can start fresh and relatively clutter-free in our new home. I am also tweaking my Master Keep-It-Clean plan, which I plan to implement right away.
In other, and better news, we are drawing very close to closing. Our final walk-through is scheduled for 10:30 this Friday. By mid-week next week we should have KEYS! I can't wait! I have thrown out and gotten ready for donation loads of stuff, so we can start fresh and relatively clutter-free in our new home. I am also tweaking my Master Keep-It-Clean plan, which I plan to implement right away.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Some resources for our next school year...
Well, okay, this fall. I've been browsing coloring books, activity books, and more. Here are some of the ones I've found that look interesting (the links are the pictures)....
This one looks interesting too, but I'm not sure how much of it we'd use, since I think our studies of prehistoric man will be somewhat limited. Of course, it is less than $3, so it may be worthwhile.
I've basically outlined our science studies to follow the suggested pattern in WTM, but naturally I've tweaked it a bit. I think we'll start with 2 weeks of studying the basic cell structure, ending with making a Jello cell model. Thank you to hsmomof3 for that idea! After that, I plan to go through the aforementioned Animal Encyclopedia, spending two weeks on each region. Then, we'll move on to human anatomy for the late winter, maybe for 5 weeks. Then on to plants, which includes planting a butterfly garden in early spring. Plant biology will also go about 5 weeks. For the final 5 weeks of our "school" year, we'll study insects, including growing and releasing ladybugs and butterflies. While I do plan to buy the intact ladybug kit, I think for the butterfly one, I'll have the kids help me build a mesh-cage, and collect the appropriate food, and then just order the "refill" of caterpillars.
Here's a biology workbook I just might have to get. And it's only $3.22. We have a very good microscope, so I think a lot of the "experiments" would work well for us.
Here's one that would work well with our animal studies. The book we'll be using as a spine for this part, The Animal Encyclopedia for Children, is also divided by habitat, so I think the two will mesh nicely.
And here's the one I'm considering for our ancient Egypt studies. I'm still eying the Dover one too, but this one looks a little simpler and easier for the kids.
This one looks interesting too, but I'm not sure how much of it we'd use, since I think our studies of prehistoric man will be somewhat limited. Of course, it is less than $3, so it may be worthwhile.
Of course, there are more. I am considering ones on Ancient Greece, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, the Mayan culture... as well as insects, trees, plant life. Too many resources out there!
I've basically outlined our science studies to follow the suggested pattern in WTM, but naturally I've tweaked it a bit. I think we'll start with 2 weeks of studying the basic cell structure, ending with making a Jello cell model. Thank you to hsmomof3 for that idea! After that, I plan to go through the aforementioned Animal Encyclopedia, spending two weeks on each region. Then, we'll move on to human anatomy for the late winter, maybe for 5 weeks. Then on to plants, which includes planting a butterfly garden in early spring. Plant biology will also go about 5 weeks. For the final 5 weeks of our "school" year, we'll study insects, including growing and releasing ladybugs and butterflies. While I do plan to buy the intact ladybug kit, I think for the butterfly one, I'll have the kids help me build a mesh-cage, and collect the appropriate food, and then just order the "refill" of caterpillars.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Better today...
Yesterday just really got to me. I ran around in so many circles that my day seemed pointless. Of course the kids picked up on that feeling, and I really think, now that I can think straight, that is why they were acting out so much. Jenny, I took your advice, had a nice big glass of red wine, and felt much better!
Anyhow, although I didn't get all that much done today either, it just felt better. I did get all my utility moves arranged - gotta love the Internet for that! I read some more of James & the Giant Peach to the kids. I spent 6 fast-paced hours at work. I did dishes and a load of laundry, so I guess I made some progress today.
I have carefully packed all the homeschooling stuff in two boxes, just as carefully labeled "Homeschooling - Family Room" on all sides. I can't wait to set up my homeschool area in our family room! I picked my spot first, before anyone could claim it, right in the corner beneath the two big windows. I have also decided that the bookcase currently gracing our hallway will be the kids' bookcase - it has three sections of shelf and the two smaller will be just for their homeschool stuff. Yeah, we'll need more bookcases, soon, since I still have at least 2 or 3 boxes of as-yet-unpacked books in my closet, but it's a start! I am debating getting a globe this year too, and I did decide to go ahead and order coloring books, a couple at a time, starting with one on Ancient Egypt, when we get there. I also found a link to some pretty decent science sites today, with all the major areas covered. The one we'll be using focuses on biology.
Final loan approval is in, the funding has been requested, and next week we sign all the fun loan paperwork, take our final walk-through, and then sign the title. I got the insurance set up, which was less expensive than I thought. I keep re-planning the front planter boxes in my head while at work (makes the time pass more quickly). There are already 2 huge hydrangeas, so I'm adding Abutilon (Chinese Lantern), Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo), maybe some geraniums, some salvias... we're rounding off the front lawn (hate square lawns) and putting in a butterfly garden too. I sew curtains in my head as well, to replace the awful dusty brown things that clutter the windows now. I can see us in the house, can see the kids playing in the back yard, can see us gathered around the homeschool table on a rainy day....
Anyhow, although I didn't get all that much done today either, it just felt better. I did get all my utility moves arranged - gotta love the Internet for that! I read some more of James & the Giant Peach to the kids. I spent 6 fast-paced hours at work. I did dishes and a load of laundry, so I guess I made some progress today.
I have carefully packed all the homeschooling stuff in two boxes, just as carefully labeled "Homeschooling - Family Room" on all sides. I can't wait to set up my homeschool area in our family room! I picked my spot first, before anyone could claim it, right in the corner beneath the two big windows. I have also decided that the bookcase currently gracing our hallway will be the kids' bookcase - it has three sections of shelf and the two smaller will be just for their homeschool stuff. Yeah, we'll need more bookcases, soon, since I still have at least 2 or 3 boxes of as-yet-unpacked books in my closet, but it's a start! I am debating getting a globe this year too, and I did decide to go ahead and order coloring books, a couple at a time, starting with one on Ancient Egypt, when we get there. I also found a link to some pretty decent science sites today, with all the major areas covered. The one we'll be using focuses on biology.
Final loan approval is in, the funding has been requested, and next week we sign all the fun loan paperwork, take our final walk-through, and then sign the title. I got the insurance set up, which was less expensive than I thought. I keep re-planning the front planter boxes in my head while at work (makes the time pass more quickly). There are already 2 huge hydrangeas, so I'm adding Abutilon (Chinese Lantern), Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo), maybe some geraniums, some salvias... we're rounding off the front lawn (hate square lawns) and putting in a butterfly garden too. I sew curtains in my head as well, to replace the awful dusty brown things that clutter the windows now. I can see us in the house, can see the kids playing in the back yard, can see us gathered around the homeschool table on a rainy day....
Thursday, August 9, 2007
I need September to be here.... NOW
I am slowly going insane. I have spent most of the last 2 days (not including a really nice park afternoon yesterday) trying to turn in M's paperwork for court the week after next. I went to the courthouse - they said, drop off the paperwork at the child support office. I dropped off said paperwork, made additional copies for the courthouse (why they need three copies is beyond me), went back to courthouse, with the ever-well-behaved (ha ha) children in tow... and no, dropping off the paperwork at child support does not count. It has to be served, which I don't get considering it was simply paperwork they had sent to M to complete, but whatever. This was at 3 this afternoon, I had been out of the house driving in circles since 9. I almost cried. The very nice lady at the courthouse took pity on me, called someone, and sent me to a courtroom, where another nice lady made extra copies for me, and arranged for the county to serve the papers. I then finally got to file the papers, and got home at a quarter to 4. I put the kids on separate beds in separate rooms, with no toys or books, or "mazagines", to thank them for their cooperation, while I threw dishes into the dishwasher. All this so that M won't miss work.
Now, at about twenty past 4, I am finally sitting, in my own chair, comfy. The kids are quietly watching a movie, eating peaches. The time out seemed to really grab their attention!
Park day yesterday was really good, after both C.O. and C.J. stopped whining - "It's too hot!"... "Ouch, everything is too hot to sit on"... "So-and-so keeps following me around and it's hot!" Thankfully, a lovely little breeze came up, and my (very real) threat to simply take them home again sunk in. So, instead of whining, they played, and oddly enough, had fun! I was pushing C.J. and Cassia on the swings for quite some time, and they kept telling me silly, somewhat senseless knock-knock jokes, so I called them goofy, and they started calling themselves Goofy 1 and Goofy 2, changing who was which constantly. C.O. ran all over the place with Cameron, except when I made him sit down for a few minutes as he (C.O. of course) sit down, since he turns bright red and sweats a lot when he plays, and I thought he needed to cool down. At one point, I did have to try to convince C.J. that Greyson cannot be toted around like a sackful of potatoes. But, it was loads of fun for them, and I got to chat a little with other moms, which is always nice.
I have really limited my availability at work starting the week after next, partly due to school, partly due to moving, and partly due to my own preferences. I guess my boss decided to squeeze out whatever he could before then, because I am somehow scheduled for 40 hours next week. That'll be helpful, what with packing and all that. My mom might be able to take the kids for the last 4-5 days of the month though, to get them out from underfoot while we clean the apartment and finish moving.
I just can't wait until September gets here. We'll be in the new house (I don't mind UNpacking nearly as much as packing), I'll have my classes all established, we'll be starting up homeschooling again, I'll be working less....
Now, at about twenty past 4, I am finally sitting, in my own chair, comfy. The kids are quietly watching a movie, eating peaches. The time out seemed to really grab their attention!
Park day yesterday was really good, after both C.O. and C.J. stopped whining - "It's too hot!"... "Ouch, everything is too hot to sit on"... "So-and-so keeps following me around and it's hot!" Thankfully, a lovely little breeze came up, and my (very real) threat to simply take them home again sunk in. So, instead of whining, they played, and oddly enough, had fun! I was pushing C.J. and Cassia on the swings for quite some time, and they kept telling me silly, somewhat senseless knock-knock jokes, so I called them goofy, and they started calling themselves Goofy 1 and Goofy 2, changing who was which constantly. C.O. ran all over the place with Cameron, except when I made him sit down for a few minutes as he (C.O. of course) sit down, since he turns bright red and sweats a lot when he plays, and I thought he needed to cool down. At one point, I did have to try to convince C.J. that Greyson cannot be toted around like a sackful of potatoes. But, it was loads of fun for them, and I got to chat a little with other moms, which is always nice.
I have really limited my availability at work starting the week after next, partly due to school, partly due to moving, and partly due to my own preferences. I guess my boss decided to squeeze out whatever he could before then, because I am somehow scheduled for 40 hours next week. That'll be helpful, what with packing and all that. My mom might be able to take the kids for the last 4-5 days of the month though, to get them out from underfoot while we clean the apartment and finish moving.
I just can't wait until September gets here. We'll be in the new house (I don't mind UNpacking nearly as much as packing), I'll have my classes all established, we'll be starting up homeschooling again, I'll be working less....
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Busy, stressed, and more...
We'll be closing on the 21st instead of the 27th. This is freaking me out. I'm either at work, or packing and/or throwing out crap. On the plus side, our loan is fully approved, ready to go.... the home inspection is all done and the seller agreed to raise & secure the water heater... we'll save money closing early actually because we won't be at our rental into the first week of September after all... Now, I just have to get homeowners' insurance in place on time, sign a trillion more forms, move all the utilities, arrange for a moving truck rental, and go with M to court on the 20th. His lovely ex-girlfriend is now saying she can't afford insurance for M's son, despite the fact that M's paying half, so she's claiming there are "uninsured medical costs" that M (we) need to pay. Aaaarggghhh. Plus I start classes that day - Political Science and Algebra. I'll be taking Child Development online as well.
I just want this move to be done. I hate moving, with a passion. Oh well. Once it's all done, it's all done! And tomorrow night, I have quite a treat in store. The kids are spending the night at my mom's, I have the evening off, and M and I are going to see the Harry Potter movie. I've actually never seen one in the theater, only on DVD. I'm so excited it's silly. Plus, since I have the day off, the kids and I thought we would head off to a park day we don't usually go to. After we run some errands of course. Then Thursday, I'm spending the day packing like crazy. I really want to get that part done.
The kids are getting excited now about moving, since they've been in the new house a few times, and they're familiar with their room, the huge family room, and the big backyard. C.O. keeps wanting to help pack, but his idea of good packing is... well... interesting. After a lot of debate, they're both understanding that throwing out broken toys is not a bad thing, since that gives them room for new ones! They've also decided that they want guinea pigs when we move. We'll have to see about that one. I've decided to go ahead and wait on SOTW until September - we've got enough going on right now.
On a sidenote, I got an "A" in my public speaking class, and I've lost another 6 pounds in the last week and a half, bringing my grand total to 14 pounds. Still a loooong ways to go, but a good start!
So, there's my rant, my update, my whining and more!
I just want this move to be done. I hate moving, with a passion. Oh well. Once it's all done, it's all done! And tomorrow night, I have quite a treat in store. The kids are spending the night at my mom's, I have the evening off, and M and I are going to see the Harry Potter movie. I've actually never seen one in the theater, only on DVD. I'm so excited it's silly. Plus, since I have the day off, the kids and I thought we would head off to a park day we don't usually go to. After we run some errands of course. Then Thursday, I'm spending the day packing like crazy. I really want to get that part done.
The kids are getting excited now about moving, since they've been in the new house a few times, and they're familiar with their room, the huge family room, and the big backyard. C.O. keeps wanting to help pack, but his idea of good packing is... well... interesting. After a lot of debate, they're both understanding that throwing out broken toys is not a bad thing, since that gives them room for new ones! They've also decided that they want guinea pigs when we move. We'll have to see about that one. I've decided to go ahead and wait on SOTW until September - we've got enough going on right now.
On a sidenote, I got an "A" in my public speaking class, and I've lost another 6 pounds in the last week and a half, bringing my grand total to 14 pounds. Still a loooong ways to go, but a good start!
So, there's my rant, my update, my whining and more!