Hairball has battery issues, as in her car battery died and she couldn't come up to see the movie with me. Pout pout, grump, whine.
Harumph.
But I'll get over it, because she's coming up tomorrow and we'll see it then.
20100630
Ab-tacular
This evening Hairball and I are headed to see Eclipse. I am excited because I have heard good things about it, plus with two movies out already I know what to expect (lots of Taylor Lautner's abs, as pictured below) and what not to expect (a close following of the book).I've seen the previous two movies with Hairball, too. She is my dork buddy. (You know I loves you!) I am sure I will have much to say about the movie tomorrow.
20100629
babble on
Summer is flying by. I have yet to don my bathing suit, too. Rhayn is in week 2 of swim lessons, Gwennie starts hers next week.
My plan to homeschool this summer is going... so-so. Rhayn hates it. I make her do a few pages of homework every day but its hard for her. She fights me and gives up easily. I have been making her do jumping jacks when she starts to give up. I feel mean but if this is how she acts in class I feel badly for Mr. T, her teacher. (She says she keeps trying at school and doesn't give up as easily. I want to believe her.) Gwennie has zipped through numbers and is actually remembering some of them. She has been making numbers with clothespins which is pretty cute. She also points out number when she sees them, "Look Mommy! A two!"
I have been reading voraciously, but its only because I found an easy to read series by the author of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I can not seem to put them down until the book is done. I am 1/2 way through the 4th book (I think its the last in the series, too.) Then I need to find more books. She has an additional series all with Shakespeare in the title, I think that will be next.
There isn't much going on in our life. We're attempting to plan a vacation but it seems to keep getting put off. I want to see my Aunt LVH while she is down (visiting from Alaska!) so hopefully we'll get to this week.
I'm struggling to get used to typing on the laptop keyboard (I have to reread my posts to check for mistakes more than I used to). Its unpleasant, I like the ergonomical keyboards so much better. The part of my plan to make the computer undesirable to be on has helped. I also love being able to turn. it. off. I got a lot more done yesterday because it was off. When I finish this post I will turn it off, too.
My plan to homeschool this summer is going... so-so. Rhayn hates it. I make her do a few pages of homework every day but its hard for her. She fights me and gives up easily. I have been making her do jumping jacks when she starts to give up. I feel mean but if this is how she acts in class I feel badly for Mr. T, her teacher. (She says she keeps trying at school and doesn't give up as easily. I want to believe her.) Gwennie has zipped through numbers and is actually remembering some of them. She has been making numbers with clothespins which is pretty cute. She also points out number when she sees them, "Look Mommy! A two!"
I have been reading voraciously, but its only because I found an easy to read series by the author of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I can not seem to put them down until the book is done. I am 1/2 way through the 4th book (I think its the last in the series, too.) Then I need to find more books. She has an additional series all with Shakespeare in the title, I think that will be next.
There isn't much going on in our life. We're attempting to plan a vacation but it seems to keep getting put off. I want to see my Aunt LVH while she is down (visiting from Alaska!) so hopefully we'll get to this week.
I'm struggling to get used to typing on the laptop keyboard (I have to reread my posts to check for mistakes more than I used to). Its unpleasant, I like the ergonomical keyboards so much better. The part of my plan to make the computer undesirable to be on has helped. I also love being able to turn. it. off. I got a lot more done yesterday because it was off. When I finish this post I will turn it off, too.
20100628
Gratitude Mondays
What am I loving and thankful for this week?
- A much needed respite from my lovely children. My parents took the girls for 4 days. That gave me time to relax, read, watch some really crappy television, and paint a wall in our living room. Plus the girls were able to visit their cousins (including a sleep-over for Gwennie at her cousin Madder's house.)
- Evenings during the aforementioned respite with my hubby.
- This new/old laptop that I am using. We played computer tango this weekend. Will bought a new laptop, I am now using his old one, and our desktop became a media center. Why is this good? I mean this laptop only holds a charge for seven minutes, so it has to be plugged in at all times. Let me explain the previous set up. We used our desktop as our family computer and as a media center. Because we were using it for both we had to use an Xbox as the conduit between the media center and the television. That meant the computer was always on, and the Xbox was always on (power drain). Because I am a little bit of a computer addict and the computer was on 24/7, it was too easy to waste my day looking at blogs and Facebook, and other things online. I would waste the whole day and feel ridiculous at the end of it. I needed to be able to turn the computer off. But every time we turned off the desktop we would have to re-sync (and by we I mean Will) the computer and Xbox. Now I can turn the computer off and have no repercussions.
- A birthday party at the new Sea Life aquarium. This was nice because we were able to go and check it out free (for us) and decide if it is worth spending the money to see it again. (The answer is NO.) However it was cool to see once. The seahorses and jellyfish were my favorites, closely followed by the octopus.
20100627
20100622
Dirty Dog
Argh. That dog is digging in her hole once again. I swear its so irritating that I just want to run out there and yell at her. But as soon as I walk away, she'll go right back to digging.
The worst part of her digging? Remember how yesterday I said I loved clean dogs? Penny was gleaming white, and so soft. Now, she is a reddish brown dirt color and filthy through and through. So much for that bath, eh?
The worst part of her digging? Remember how yesterday I said I loved clean dogs? Penny was gleaming white, and so soft. Now, she is a reddish brown dirt color and filthy through and through. So much for that bath, eh?
20100621
Gratitude Monday
This Monday morning I am loving these things,
- Snacking on Goldfish crackers. I know, not the healthiest, but I love the fishes cuz their so delicious!
- An evening out with Will. Our good friend watched the girls (actually he took them out for dinner and a movie!) while Will and I went out to eat at Cafe Lalibela (Ethiopian cuisine, yum!) Followed by a sunset walk around the Desert Botanical Garden. Will and I rarely go out together, and it was nice to spend some time with him. We plan to take the girls back next weekend for the Flashlight tour. Its really cool and I would recommend it to anyone. You learn a lot about the nocturnal and crepuscular (my word of the week) animals of the Sonoran desert.
- Clean dogs. Gwennie and I washed our dogs this morning. I forgot how white Penny's face can be!
- Swim lessons. Rhayn starts hers today and Gwennie in 2 weeks (unless there is an opening in this week's level 1 lessons.) Swim lessons get us out of the house for an hour four days a week. On the fifth day we have Summer Movie Fun! at Harkins. This week is Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel.
20100620
20100619
Summer Heat
Instead going to the movie on Friday like we usually do*, we went to the zoo.
We got there early enough that the heat was tolerable. Unfortunately I didn't sleep that well the night before so I was a little tired at the start of the day. It was good to get out of the house. When you stay in all of the time depression comes easily. We all need sun, its one of the best cures for depression. (15 minutes in the sun raises my spirits, but too much is a bad thing and you may end up with a sunburn on your back that matches the backpack straps you were wearing. Oh, wait, is that just me? I forgot to apply sunblock on my back, doh.)
We got there early enough that the heat was tolerable. Unfortunately I didn't sleep that well the night before so I was a little tired at the start of the day. It was good to get out of the house. When you stay in all of the time depression comes easily. We all need sun, its one of the best cures for depression. (15 minutes in the sun raises my spirits, but too much is a bad thing and you may end up with a sunburn on your back that matches the backpack straps you were wearing. Oh, wait, is that just me? I forgot to apply sunblock on my back, doh.)
Gwennie eating some kettlecorn, she is about to "get us"! Notice the squinty-eyed stare?
After walking around and seeing many cool animals, we stopped at the new splash pad/water cave. Amy and I sat whilst the kids ran and played. That place is awesome for kids, but they didn't make enough seating for the adults. Also? Some woman in black stretchy pants bent over right in front of us, her enormous backside was in Amy's face, and you could see her black and white striped underpants. The squat is much better, and you never put your backside in others' faces, plus it is good exercise.
After a long while at the splash pad, a couple of the kids wanted to see the goats.We headed to Harmony Farms after which we headed out. This fan and mister was close to the elephants. Rhayn loved it, and was soaked through when she was done. 
It was all in all a great time at the zoo. We followed it up by a trip for lunch at Denny's, and a little shopping for Amy's kids. I found a shirt I absolutely loved the cut of for $15. I would have bought it if it had been a different color. It was lilac, pretty and it wasn't bad in me, but I would have liked a different color. I didn't need it anyway.*Summer Movie Fun at Harkins $7 for 10 weeks of older movies. This week was Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs. I hate Ray Romano's voice. Its like nails on a chalkboard. Which is funny saying as most kids have no idea what that sound is since classrooms often have whiteboards instead of chalk, but I digress. Luckily for me, my good friend Amy came up with the great idea of going to the zoo.
20100617
Every day when we stay home we have rest time. I usually lay on the couch with Gwennie and read a book. Rhayn goes to her room and listens to audio books. Other times we watch a movie. Today I knew Gwennie needed an actual nap. She looked tired, her eyes had dark circles under them. (Unlike her sister, who has them all of the time, she only has them when she didn't sleep well the night before.)
The girls and I worked this morning. I made crock pot no-meat baked beans (they smell amazing!) I cleaned litter boxes and took out the trash. We made Father's Day cards. Rhayn diligently worked in her Summer Bridge work book. I decided that we would finish watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which we had started watching the night before.
I was sure Gwennie would doze off while we watched. Nope, but I slept through most of it. Instead she was wide awake and whining at the end. So I decided we would have continued rest time. Rhayn went up to her room for half an hour, Gwennie and I settled in on the couch. I am reading Dead in the Family (borrowed from a friend, and reading it a second time.) Within ten minutes Gwennie was out. Looking so sweet and innocent. See?
After the allotted "rest time" had passed, Rhayn came downstairs. Penny has a habit of barking and growling at those who come around the corner looking differently than she expects them to look. An example is the below outfit of Rhayn's. She came around the corner and Penny was growling and barking at her. Penny has also shown us that she dislikes fedoras. We think if someone broke into our home, Penny would be a good guard dog, doing the usual guard dog type things. Lily, on the other hand, would simply lick them and whine until they petted her.
Back to rest time, its really one of my favorite parts of the day. I love the quiet we have, and how after the break from each other, we all like each other so much more. Now, back to my book.
The girls and I worked this morning. I made crock pot no-meat baked beans (they smell amazing!) I cleaned litter boxes and took out the trash. We made Father's Day cards. Rhayn diligently worked in her Summer Bridge work book. I decided that we would finish watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which we had started watching the night before.
I was sure Gwennie would doze off while we watched. Nope, but I slept through most of it. Instead she was wide awake and whining at the end. So I decided we would have continued rest time. Rhayn went up to her room for half an hour, Gwennie and I settled in on the couch. I am reading Dead in the Family (borrowed from a friend, and reading it a second time.) Within ten minutes Gwennie was out. Looking so sweet and innocent. See?
After the allotted "rest time" had passed, Rhayn came downstairs. Penny has a habit of barking and growling at those who come around the corner looking differently than she expects them to look. An example is the below outfit of Rhayn's. She came around the corner and Penny was growling and barking at her. Penny has also shown us that she dislikes fedoras. We think if someone broke into our home, Penny would be a good guard dog, doing the usual guard dog type things. Lily, on the other hand, would simply lick them and whine until they petted her.
Back to rest time, its really one of my favorite parts of the day. I love the quiet we have, and how after the break from each other, we all like each other so much more. Now, back to my book.
20100616
My ballerina
In late July Rhayn's dance studio has a performance. Her dance instructor has been dissatisfied with the pictures taken for the other performances. She decided to take it on herself, as its apparently a hobby of hers. So this week all of the kids have gotten dolled up in their costumes and arrived at the studio for pictures.
Doesn't Rhayn look so very grown up? I mean can't you just see the teenager that she will soon become. It frightens me, and thrills me. She has so much ahead of her, and she is so pretty. We've figured out that when she gets enough sleep her under eye circles (Thanks Mom) are lessened. Her eyes are so pretty and interesting (unlike the boring brown and blue of her mom and sister.) I hope she is a happy person. I see the sullen side of her sometimes, and I know that she will deal with that feeling. I really just want her to be happy.
20100614
Gratitude Monday
Another week has come and gone. This last one was a miserable one. I am still dealing with the lingering effects of last week's cold. It settled into my nasal sinuses and sits there keeping me from being able to smell or taste things. I keep eating bland food, and even when standing next to fresh dog poop I can barely smell it. I have to admit that this wears on me, because I love food and not being able to taste it has taken most of the joy of eating away from me.
Yesterday was one of my worst days, ever. I felt lost. There was no pleasure in anything. It started when I woke up to my period, just another reminder that I am not pregnant. This starts the 6th month trying, and now Rhayn will be officially 10 years old before any baby would be born. This also puts me at the point of not knowing if Will is going to be home during the critical time of this month, so this month may be a total wash anyway.
Friday night I went out with my cousin and her friend. Normally I LOVE hanging out with them. They are hilarious and have a million inside jokes that they gladly share (fishy activities anyone?) But I was in a very. bad. place. It was a struggle to not freak out. I felt panicked and anxious. I had delusions that Will had been in a car accident and although he would most likely be fine, he was in the hospital and I was going to go home to a dog covered in poop because she'd been locked in her crate for 2 days. Or my mom was going to call me at any moment because one of the girls was hurt badly. I just kept pushing those crazy thoughts down deeper. I caffeinated myself at dinner and started to feel somewhat better. We went to see The Karate Kid, it was a good movie. I didn't go to sleep until late, but that was fine.
The next day I felt like the walking dead even though I had had 6 full hours of sleep. I think it was depression. I went to visit my SIL and see my sweet, chubby nephew. It hurts me inside when I hold other people's babies. But also it heals at the same time. So what if I don't have my own, I can try to enjoy my nieces and nephews and cousins' sweet babes.
Sunday I slept most of the day, I stayed in the cleanest room in our house (I had cleaned my bedroom earlier in the week, thank goodness) which helped with the anxiety that I kept feeling. It was like, no matter what I was doing, or where I was, it wasn't right. I needed to be somewhere else, and sleep was the only escape from that.
But I digress. This is a supposed to be a gratitude post and there is nothing grateful about anything I have said so far. Having spent most of yesterday processing what was going on in my head and trying to decipher what it was that was really bothering me has left me with a huge amount of thoughts.
Friday night I went out with my cousin and her friend. Normally I LOVE hanging out with them. They are hilarious and have a million inside jokes that they gladly share (fishy activities anyone?) But I was in a very. bad. place. It was a struggle to not freak out. I felt panicked and anxious. I had delusions that Will had been in a car accident and although he would most likely be fine, he was in the hospital and I was going to go home to a dog covered in poop because she'd been locked in her crate for 2 days. Or my mom was going to call me at any moment because one of the girls was hurt badly. I just kept pushing those crazy thoughts down deeper. I caffeinated myself at dinner and started to feel somewhat better. We went to see The Karate Kid, it was a good movie. I didn't go to sleep until late, but that was fine.
The next day I felt like the walking dead even though I had had 6 full hours of sleep. I think it was depression. I went to visit my SIL and see my sweet, chubby nephew. It hurts me inside when I hold other people's babies. But also it heals at the same time. So what if I don't have my own, I can try to enjoy my nieces and nephews and cousins' sweet babes.
Sunday I slept most of the day, I stayed in the cleanest room in our house (I had cleaned my bedroom earlier in the week, thank goodness) which helped with the anxiety that I kept feeling. It was like, no matter what I was doing, or where I was, it wasn't right. I needed to be somewhere else, and sleep was the only escape from that.
But I digress. This is a supposed to be a gratitude post and there is nothing grateful about anything I have said so far. Having spent most of yesterday processing what was going on in my head and trying to decipher what it was that was really bothering me has left me with a huge amount of thoughts.
- Today I am thankful that yesterday is over, that the horrible feeling of fear and panic is gone.
- I am thankful for Hairball, she is such a great friend and cousin.
- I am thankful for a husband who didn't push me yesterday, he let me be, even though I was freaking him out (I was freaking myself out, too).
- I am thankful for sunflowers growing in my garden that the birds are loving. Its so pleasant to sit and watch the finches eating the seeds and playing among the leaves. This is soothing to me. Yesterday I watched the birds for a long time while trying to calm myself so we could go to the grocery store.
- I am thankful that today I can look up, and I see a bright, new day, that has only just begun.
20100611
This week has been long. My cold drags on and has settled into my right sinus. I am dosing myself with sudafed to try and keep it from becoming a sinus infection. We have also had a nice pressure change that gave me a migraine (mixed, possibly, with a cycle related migraine.)
Here are some pictures from this week.
Rhayn has been reading to her sister this week. Mostly Grover stories, such as "The Monster at the End of This Book" and "Another Monster at the End of This Book." (The former being one of my favorites from childhood.) I love that she is reading, every time she picks up a book and sounds out words it fills my heart with pride. She was slow to start but I see books aplenty in her future.
On Wednesday our local library had the Reptile Man come in show off his pets. The girls love this guy and his sweet, cold-blooded babies, including an 8 year old albino python named Lily. At the end of his program he pulls her slowly out of a cooler across a large table. Then the kids get in a line and pet her. (To prove that snakes are NOT slimy.) She really is lovely, what can I say, I like both the color yellow and snakes! I would rock a shirt that was her color.
Below is a picture of the hole Penny has been digging. There was once a plant here. It was a real survivor having been nearly killed off many times. Well Penny did it in for good. She dug it up and chewed on the roots. Then Lily happily laid in the cool, turned up dirt. I fill the hole in nearly every day and Penny proceeds to dig it a little deeper. I could put her poop in the hole to try and get her to stop digging, however I am afraid she will then start digging in a different spot, killing a plant I like much better. The plant that was once there was a yellow flowered trailing lantana. (Notice my dead creosote in the upper left corner? Yup, I have killed 2 of them. Actually this one was killed by being uprooted, the other was over watered. But still, its a native plant, and should be hearty.)
Finally, its been a while since I photographed myself. To prove that I haven't changed much... here ya go.
Here are some pictures from this week.
Rhayn has been reading to her sister this week. Mostly Grover stories, such as "The Monster at the End of This Book" and "Another Monster at the End of This Book." (The former being one of my favorites from childhood.) I love that she is reading, every time she picks up a book and sounds out words it fills my heart with pride. She was slow to start but I see books aplenty in her future.
On Wednesday our local library had the Reptile Man come in show off his pets. The girls love this guy and his sweet, cold-blooded babies, including an 8 year old albino python named Lily. At the end of his program he pulls her slowly out of a cooler across a large table. Then the kids get in a line and pet her. (To prove that snakes are NOT slimy.) She really is lovely, what can I say, I like both the color yellow and snakes! I would rock a shirt that was her color.
Below is a picture of the hole Penny has been digging. There was once a plant here. It was a real survivor having been nearly killed off many times. Well Penny did it in for good. She dug it up and chewed on the roots. Then Lily happily laid in the cool, turned up dirt. I fill the hole in nearly every day and Penny proceeds to dig it a little deeper. I could put her poop in the hole to try and get her to stop digging, however I am afraid she will then start digging in a different spot, killing a plant I like much better. The plant that was once there was a yellow flowered trailing lantana. (Notice my dead creosote in the upper left corner? Yup, I have killed 2 of them. Actually this one was killed by being uprooted, the other was over watered. But still, its a native plant, and should be hearty.)
Finally, its been a while since I photographed myself. To prove that I haven't changed much... here ya go.
20100609
Thought Vomit
Just random thoughts running through my head at the moment.
I am exhausted. This cold is wearing on my patience. It has settled into my sinuses muting my sense of smell. I have all of these lovely fresh from the garden tomatoes and I can eat them, but they have no flavor. Everything I eat has little to no discernible flavor.
And yesterday? I started some very light spotting. I am sure that my period will be here this weekend as scheduled, which is fine I guess... but its not really. This will be the 5th month trying, that will be the 6th. Short in the grand scheme of things, I know. Really I do.
I am trying to stay on top of everything (house cleaning) but all I want to do is lay on the couch and watch crappy television (and by that I mean guilty pleasure type of tv- America's Next Top Model, True Blood, or something like that, loaded with crap and not good for me at all.) I do not want to parent anyone, I would love it if the kids went away for a day or so. But then I would be lonely and more grumpy.
We/I should be trying to plan our summer vacation, but I can't wrap my mind around anything at the moment. I feel like I am in a perpetual haze because of the cold. We can't do the vacation until late July because Rhayn has a dance recital. And I need to find a place for 2 fairly well mannered dogs, and someone who can come over and check on our cats and to water my garden... unless I buy a timer, which I suppose would be the best idea.
But for now, I think I will just clean the kitchen and then lay down and read a book.
I am exhausted. This cold is wearing on my patience. It has settled into my sinuses muting my sense of smell. I have all of these lovely fresh from the garden tomatoes and I can eat them, but they have no flavor. Everything I eat has little to no discernible flavor.
And yesterday? I started some very light spotting. I am sure that my period will be here this weekend as scheduled, which is fine I guess... but its not really. This will be the 5th month trying, that will be the 6th. Short in the grand scheme of things, I know. Really I do.
I am trying to stay on top of everything (house cleaning) but all I want to do is lay on the couch and watch crappy television (and by that I mean guilty pleasure type of tv- America's Next Top Model, True Blood, or something like that, loaded with crap and not good for me at all.) I do not want to parent anyone, I would love it if the kids went away for a day or so. But then I would be lonely and more grumpy.
We/I should be trying to plan our summer vacation, but I can't wrap my mind around anything at the moment. I feel like I am in a perpetual haze because of the cold. We can't do the vacation until late July because Rhayn has a dance recital. And I need to find a place for 2 fairly well mannered dogs, and someone who can come over and check on our cats and to water my garden... unless I buy a timer, which I suppose would be the best idea.
But for now, I think I will just clean the kitchen and then lay down and read a book.
20100608
Trying
So here we are... once again in that part of the month that requires waiting, waiting, waiting. We've done all we can, and so far, no baby. I was sure, just SURE this month was it. But now? I am totally sure it isn't. My period is due on Sunday. I know that is plenty of time to get a positive pregnancy test, but so far... nada. Yes, I know it would be really early, but I am pretty sure I ovulated early.
I am not completely losing hope of course. But every month I fear that Will will suddenly change his mind and decide he is happy with our little quartet. Every month it makes me feel more like a failure, and that is ridiculous, too. Some couples have to wait years and go through so much to get pregnant. Every other time its been so easy.
Also summer due dates are creeping up on me. If this were our month baby#3 would be due in mid February (between my mom's birthday and our anniversary). Next month would be late March, then its on to the Arizona summer heat. I do not want to be due in the summer. I just don't.
Being sick this weekend hasn't helped me at all either. Its given me a lot of time to think. Too much time to think. You can only sleep so much before your body is done. I am feeling much better today, but still can tell I have a cold.
Also, I know someone who is due around when I would have been due had I not lost that baby a few months ago. She's entering her 2nd trimester already and every time I think about that it makes me really sad. Then my SIL is pregnant and due around Christmas, I just feel so very sad that I am not with them.
I am not completely losing hope of course. But every month I fear that Will will suddenly change his mind and decide he is happy with our little quartet. Every month it makes me feel more like a failure, and that is ridiculous, too. Some couples have to wait years and go through so much to get pregnant. Every other time its been so easy.
Also summer due dates are creeping up on me. If this were our month baby#3 would be due in mid February (between my mom's birthday and our anniversary). Next month would be late March, then its on to the Arizona summer heat. I do not want to be due in the summer. I just don't.
Being sick this weekend hasn't helped me at all either. Its given me a lot of time to think. Too much time to think. You can only sleep so much before your body is done. I am feeling much better today, but still can tell I have a cold.
Also, I know someone who is due around when I would have been due had I not lost that baby a few months ago. She's entering her 2nd trimester already and every time I think about that it makes me really sad. Then my SIL is pregnant and due around Christmas, I just feel so very sad that I am not with them.
20100607
Gratitude Monday
These are things I am thankful for this week.
- I was able to watch Will in action. He is always telling me that he briefs people on all manner of things and he likes doing it. He does it at work and he does it for the Army. Sunday we had a "family day" for his unit. He had prepared a power point presentation of what their unit did during their deployment. It was really cool to watch him present it. I can see why he should be doing that. (Plus, he's really hot in his Hawaiian shirt. Yes that is tailgate toss behind him.)
- Even though it was drill weekend, Will was amazing to me. I have been really sick since Friday. I think I may have gotten food poisoning and a cold on top of that. I spent Friday morning downing pepto because I promised the girls I would take them to see Charlotte's Web at the theater (summer movie program). Then I decided that I felt well enough to walk around the mall with our friends. By the afternoon I was spent. By the time I got home, I was done. Will stepped up and took care of the girl (Rhayn was staying the night with a friend) while I went to bed. Same thing Saturday night and also Sunday night.
- The intestinal issues seem to be gone now, and I am just suffering from chest congestion and a little bit of stuffiness in the nose. My head doesn't hurt like it did yesterday. For this I am so grateful, you have no idea.
- The weather report says that we will be in double digits this weekend. Even if its supposed to get to 110 today. It may be only 95 by Saturday.
20100606
Semi-silent Sunday
Gwennie's favorite tree at Rhayn's school. Its an orange tree.
Rhayn and her best friend singing "Samson and Delilah"* at the end of their classes' performance of Samson and Delilah. (Her best friend was Delilah's dad, she was a Philistine in a chorus of women.)
The cactus that is blooming is a bristle-cone cactus, or what we lovingly refer to as the poop cactus. It was taken from my dad's house and dropped in front of mine where it has flourished, and made my dad jealous as this is the second year it bloomed. This year we have seven separate blooms over the course of a week. You can see the one that bloomed a few days after these in the upper left corner.*Isn't it hilarious that they sang a Grateful Dead song? Here is a great version by Shirley Manson of Garbage. I love her voice.
20100601
Summer Homeschool
Its nearly summer, or rather school is almost out. Today is the last full day of school, then there are 2 half days and I will officially have a fourth grader. Gasp. I know I have written about all of this before. But its my blog and I want to write about it again...
I have been thinking of what to do this summer and I plan to try my hand at some basic homeschooling. Nothing too difficult. In fact I am thinking it will most likely take an hour or two every morning (or evening depending on the other things we plan to do.)
Rhayn has had trouble reading, but this year she was in the "reading group" and she loved it. Also her reading ability has soared over the past six months. I don't want her to lose that over the summer. As you all know, I love making lists. So I have started a list of things she will have to do. I want her to work on her handwriting (penmanship).
So far my list consists of these things: chores, writing, math, reading, play. I have a white board that I want to use to put her work on. For example reading practice will be twenty minutes or two pages (in a chapter book) every day. That shouldn't be hard, nor will it take that long. We may have a couple of sight words she needs to practice, you know those words that are nearly impossible to sound out. For math, I want to get a work book. I think we may have one. I know we have a spelling one. For penmanship she will get to practice cursive. She loves it, so it should be fun.
I have also considered if she were to go to Grandma's house for a week. She can take her packet of homework and do it there. Easy peasy. Right?
I've also thought of having rewards for doing her work, movies, swimming, going to sunplash, having a cousin come stay the night, etc.
If Gwennie wants to get in on the action we can work on letters. She may. She loves to write words, especially her name. She also loves to draw pictures. We'll see how all of this works out. Especially if I were to fall pregnant soon. Because I know how much I sleep during the first trimester. Hopefully I can get all of this in gear and that will make it simple to keep going.
I think I plan stuff like this every year. Last year we did camps, but this summer I'm not signing the girls up for any. Rhayn has a ballet performance in mid July (I think) and after that she may not be taking ballet anymore. I don't know how she will feel about that. I'm a little sad. I know she enjoys it. There may be a jazz/ballet class she could take, but I don't know if she will want to. I just have to wait and see where this summer takes us.
I have been thinking of what to do this summer and I plan to try my hand at some basic homeschooling. Nothing too difficult. In fact I am thinking it will most likely take an hour or two every morning (or evening depending on the other things we plan to do.)
Rhayn has had trouble reading, but this year she was in the "reading group" and she loved it. Also her reading ability has soared over the past six months. I don't want her to lose that over the summer. As you all know, I love making lists. So I have started a list of things she will have to do. I want her to work on her handwriting (penmanship).
So far my list consists of these things: chores, writing, math, reading, play. I have a white board that I want to use to put her work on. For example reading practice will be twenty minutes or two pages (in a chapter book) every day. That shouldn't be hard, nor will it take that long. We may have a couple of sight words she needs to practice, you know those words that are nearly impossible to sound out. For math, I want to get a work book. I think we may have one. I know we have a spelling one. For penmanship she will get to practice cursive. She loves it, so it should be fun.
I have also considered if she were to go to Grandma's house for a week. She can take her packet of homework and do it there. Easy peasy. Right?
I've also thought of having rewards for doing her work, movies, swimming, going to sunplash, having a cousin come stay the night, etc.
If Gwennie wants to get in on the action we can work on letters. She may. She loves to write words, especially her name. She also loves to draw pictures. We'll see how all of this works out. Especially if I were to fall pregnant soon. Because I know how much I sleep during the first trimester. Hopefully I can get all of this in gear and that will make it simple to keep going.
I think I plan stuff like this every year. Last year we did camps, but this summer I'm not signing the girls up for any. Rhayn has a ballet performance in mid July (I think) and after that she may not be taking ballet anymore. I don't know how she will feel about that. I'm a little sad. I know she enjoys it. There may be a jazz/ballet class she could take, but I don't know if she will want to. I just have to wait and see where this summer takes us.
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