Weekend Wrap-Up

1. DH took everyone (except Grace) on a trip this weekend. Praise God, everyone made it back, safe and sound. There's nothing quite like seeing your life... your heart... get into a van and drive away. You better believe I tossed up prayers for their protection all during that time!

2. The good side to the trip is that I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time alone with Grace. Granted, I can't say I enjoyed being asked to play "Little People" or "My Little Pony" over and over again, but still, it was a Heaven-sent gift to spend time with my little girl. We went shopping, played, read stories, went to First Friday Mass, played some more, ate together, and talked. It's easy to fall into "pack mentality" when you are the mom of many children, and it's crucial to take the time to get to know each of them individually. This was a blessing for me as I'm getting ready to give birth to #8 to have this time with Grace. I hope she remembers all the fun we had this weekend.

3. Along those same lines, being with Grace also reminded me how incredibly hard it is when you have just one or two children at home. They expect you to be their everything.. the source of entertainment... their sole conversation partner... their companion through all parts of their day... and it is exhausting. I remember the days when I only had Sean and Reilly, and I was exhausted in a way I had never experienced before.  I think many people, seeing how difficult it is during those years, freak out over the thought of having any more children because they can't possibly imagine that adding MORE kids to the mix would make their lives easier.

PLEASE believe me. It gets easier the more children you have. They play with, support, entertain, and help each other to make up for any "lack" on your part. It is a blessing that I wouldn't necessarily have believed myself, but it is true. I remember crying out to God for a break... a serious break... only to find out I was pregnant with baby #4. I thought God must hate me to give us another child so close to baby #3. Couldn't He see how overwhelmed I was? Turns out #4 (Christopher) turned the tide for DH and I both. It was then that we finally learned that we couldn't be all things to all kids all the time, and the pressure lessened substantially.

4. And that lesson is being driven home to me again as I (1) wait these last few weeks for baby #8 and (2) get ready to start week #2 of homeschooling at our house. The kids have adapted SOOOO well to the new way of schooling. I was trying so hard to be this wonder-teacher, formulating lesson plans that magically meshed grades 1-6 together. It took hours every weekend and I was totally burned out. (usually a good sign that perhaps I'm not doing something God's way... that I'm trying to accomplish something through my own power, which fizzles out rather quickly.)

5. The first reading at Mass today was incredibly appropriate for me, seeing as during that reading, I *was*, in fact, comforting a small child on my lap while keeping my other arm around Thomas, who was desperate for some Mommy time after being away for two days. I knew the love I was feeling for those children during that moment, and to think of God loving us the same way was a thrill for me.

May you all have a safe and blessed 4th of July... and may God bless America!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Not being organized enough to ever participate in Jen's Quick Takes, I have to content myself with doing my own version on Sunday -- the Weekend Wrap-Up. It's not on Friday and it's not limited to 7 things, but it'll have to do for me.

1. Lesson Learned: You would think after 13 years of being a mom, and 14 years of being married to a very fair skinned man, that I would be on top of the whole sunscreen issue. Alas, I am not, and my children are paying for it dearly. We went to the pool on Wednesday and while I slathered the young girls with SPF 50, I told the older ones to take care of themselves. Did I double check? You'd think I would have, but I didn't. Needless to say, my kids are burned... especially the boys. (Christopher has specifically asked that the phrase "lobster red" not be used to describe him, so let that show how bad it is)They have been shirtless for 5 days now, and couldn't even make it to Mass this morning, since anything on their sunburns is extremely painful. The next time we make it to the pool, EVERY kid gets SPF 50, AND an inspection before heading out.

2. Projects Accomplished: Since we haven't ventured outside since Wednesday (no, it's not overkill... they REALLY don't need any exposure to the sun right now!) we've been busy doing all sorts of fun indoor stuff. The kids are learning that you really CAN find activities to do other than TV watching or computer games. Friday proved to be an exceptionally creative day for us -- messy, but creative. Reilly sewed a cute hat for herself out of felt, Kathryn made doves and puppets, the little girls also made puppets, and the boys took the bag of colored pipe cleaners and made men appropriately called "the pipe cleaner boys." Being pipe cleaners, their job is to... yes, clean pipes. I keep finding them tucked away in straws, sippy cup lids, etc, "doing their job." I have to admit, it's making me smile!

So, what did I do?

First, I redid my "Control Journal" (from FlyLady). I can't really show many pictures since the pages are filled with lots of personal information, but I'll tell you about it --

The first page has emergency contact numbers, including directions to our house (in case a babysitter needs to direct emergency personnel to our house), cell phone numbers, phone numbers for neighbors, etc.

Next comes a page filled with info on each child -- weight, allergies, birthdate, etc. Again, if a babysitter needs to get help fast for medicine or whatever, they've got it all right there. It had been several years since I updated this, so it was time! On that page is also a typical bedtime routine. Rather useless for the older kids, I know, but still helpful for the younger ones.

Next comes a page of easy meal ideas. My mom (who is a great cook) likes to have some quick ideas like this when she stays to watch the kids whenever I'm in the hospital giving birth (yeah, I think we've got this routine down by now!)

Next comes daily routines, followed by zone routines:

A master calendar page of EVERYTHING that goes on my yearly calendars (in case of computer problems, I've got a handwritten copy of birthdays, death days, sacramental days, etc..)

Followed by a home decorating section, in which I've saved paint chips (and names and colors) for all the rooms in the house, in case we ever need it. This section also includes pages ripped out of various magazines for decorating ideas.

Then, I decided it was time to tackle more projects that have been on my mind for far too long. For example, take a look at this ironing board:

Abysmal, is it not? My husband brought this into our marriage 14 years ago, and I believe his mother (an expert "dumpster diver," as we call them) found it by the side of the road a few years before. I have HATED this cover for 14 years. So, I took it off, laid it down on a piece of free fabric that I got a few years ago from a friend, quickly sketched out the cover and end pocket, hemmed it and zigzagged a string around it so I could tighten it, replaced the foam, CLEANED the frame (who knew it was white under there? Sheesh...)and voila!

It won't win any awards, but perhaps I'll be a bit more inspired to iron!

Then, since I had my sewing machine out ANYWAY (it's a pain to drag it out of the closet and set it up, so I don't do it all that often), I decided it was time to make those art smocks that I had been wanting to do for several years now. I made the original pattern after the art smock that I wore when I was in kindergarten... again, just laid it down on some newspaper, eyeballed the basic shape, and quickly sewed it together with some bias tape on the outside.

Two happy girls with their new art smocks!

In fact, Grace liked hers so much she wore it the rest of the evening... through dinner... and managed to fall asleep in it.

Anyone else like me, by the way? I collect fabric that I like, and then I never use it because I like it too much! Goofy... so I'm glad to have used up some of my stash. I need to find uses for all of it and QUIT SAVING IT.

Can't leave my husband out of all this. He's in the process of finishing up lots of little projects that have been piling up over the years. The biggest one right now is building a shed in the back. After enclosing our carport, we lost storage space for all of his tools, which have been taking up serious closet space in our home ever since. How bad is it? Well, let's just say that the little girls don't even HAVE a closet... it's filled with tools. Same with the closet in our new office... and the wonderful bookcases dh built in the office... it's just too sad.

Grace decided to go out and help Daddy with his project. Keep in mind that it's 97 degrees out there in the shade, and THIS is how she decided to go out:

DH says she's being incredibly helpful, though! (as an aside, please don't look at my backyard. It's truly a "walk of shame" for me and I know it's bad...)

3. Baby shower: I've got a wonderful group of friends who graciously threw me a baby shower! (Baby #8 tends to inherit some rather ratty things..)

Is this not cute? Many thanks to "M" and "P" for this one!

Not knowing how some of them feel about having their pictures plastered on my blog, for now I'll just show a happy me thrilled to have so many people love and care for my family. What would I do without them? God bless you all!!!! (yeah, I wear this dress a lot... see my banner picture. It's cool, it has been a wonderful pregnancy dress, and I'm running out of options!)

4. Shopping Score! We take out a certain amount of money each week for groceries, and my job is to stay under as best as possible (I love a challenge!) This week's challenge, however, was large -- I had to take out $70 to cover all the back-to-school supplies needed for Monday (you start buying binders and notebooks for each kid, and it adds up quickly!!). Even with this HUGE amount taken out of my grocery budget, I still managed to come home with $5 left over! I am feeding each person of my family for less than $20 for the entire week -- AND we are eating WELL, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade bread, etc. I am so excited!!! (praying before shopping is ALWAYS the best option!)

5. Final prep work for homeschooling: Seeing as I was able to buy all the binders and such for homeschooling, the kids spent yesterday afternoon getting them all ready... picking out paper for the covers, setting up their tabs and pencil cases, etc. EVERY single one of them (including my most reluctant homeschooler, Thomas) said, "I can't WAIT to start tomorrow!"

Praise God... let's hope the enthusiasm lasts!

Hope you enjoyed our weekend wrap-up... leave me a comment with links to your blog and all your accomplishments, so I can celebrate and enjoy your domestic victories as well!

Well, we made it!

It's been a long two weeks, but we made it through!

First, Christopher's First Holy Communion. I think I would cheapen it to say too much about it, so I'll simply say it was so beautiful, and thankfully my parents were able to come (Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!). Christopher told me after Mass, "Mommy, when I got back into my seat I was so happy I almost started crying." Always stay close to Jesus, sweetheart! I love you!

Secondly, we finally finished up homeschooling for the year. Seriously, I think I was so much more excited about ending our semester than they were! (tough to do, since they were pretty thrilled, themselves!) Although I have to admit, I'm already jumping into "planning for next year" mode. I have to be... we'll be starting just about the time I give birth to this little guy, so I better have everything ready to go!

Third, today's my birthday! Whoo hoo! Happy birthday to me! My family gave me a TERRIFIC birthday -- a morning in the chapel, time alone at a bookstore, a homemade cake, lots of great books, a video I've wanted, some jewelry, great homemade presents, and a cook-free evening. Plus I've had many phone calls from friends wishing me a happy birthday. Does it get much better than that?

Another Christopher-ism

[While teaching Christopher and Thomas about The Prodigal Son]

Me: "And so the younger son spent all his money, and he became very poor. Eventually, he found a job herding pigs..."

Christopher: [totally shocked] "You mean you can actually get a job HURTING pigs?"


Just another reason why I homeschool, folks... I would hate to miss out on moments like these!

Another homeschooling post?

Can you stand another one so soon?

I have to report that as of today (that being day 9 of this homeschooling year) we are STILL making it to the table at 9:00 am.

Who'da thunk it?

Turns out the one who needed discipline was me.

Every morning I set the timer to go off at 9:00 am. When that buzzer goes off (our "morning bell," as it were) we are ALL to be dressed (which also includes doing our hair, teeth, and in my case, make-up), have our beds made, gone to the bathroom, eaten our breakfast, and be at the table.

If I have been running around and didn't get breakfast for some reason, it's "too bad so sad" for me.

The rules apply to all.

Having something I am accountable to, and something that cannot be altered (that being the 9:00 am start time) has made me much more responsible, which in turn is influencing the whole tone of our morning. I guess over the years I had allowed myself to get lazy, and unfortunately I was passing on those bad habits to my children. Funny how a quick "checking of email" can turn into a much-delayed morning, with me still clicking around at 10:30 and the kids still in their pajamas at 11.

Sad, sad, sad.

I can't claim any great breakthrough yet, but since they say it takes 21 days to make a new habit, I CAN say we're over one-third of the way there!



Since I LOVE to see what other moms are doing, I'll give you a look at what we're studying this year:

Sean (6th grade)
Religion: Faith & Life, Baltimore Catechism, the Gospels of Mark and Luke
Spelling: Writing Road to Reading, Wordly Wise
Grammar: Language of God, English 7 for Catholics
Editing: The Great Editing Adventure
Poetry: Harp & Laurel Wreath (current poem: "Charge of the Light Brigade")
Latin: Latina Christiana II
Math: Saxon 7/6
History: From Sea to Shining Sea (Catholic textbook project), lots of extra resources
Science: Harcourt Science, plus lots of extra resources (it's called "making due with what I had")

Reilly (5th grade)
Same as above, only she's in Saxon 6/5 and Latina Christiana I, and she's using Intermediate Language Lessons for Grammar. Her current poem is "George Washington" by Steven Vincent Benet.

Kathryn (4th grade)
Same, except she's in Saxon 5/4, Latina Christiana I, and the first half of Intermediate Language Lessons. Her current poem is "America for Me" by Henry Van Dyke.

Christopher (2nd grade)
Religion: Jesus Our Life (Faith & Life)
Spelling: Writing Road to Reading
Grammar: finishing up our Modern Curriculum Press workbooks
Poetry: Harp & Laurel Wreath (current poem is "The Owl and the Pussycat")
Latin: Greek/Latin flashcards
Math: Saxon 2
History: following along with the older kids, but with age-appropriate read-alouds
Science: following along with the older kids, but using Usborne books, along with many others.

Thomas (1st grade)
Same as above, but he's in the 2nd half of Saxon 1 and is finishing up his MCP A workbook for grammar. His current poem is "Windy Nights."

Marie (3 yrs) and Grace (20 months)
LOTS of paper, crayons, markers, and workbook pages! Actually, both of them really enjoy doing the phonogram flashcards (of all things!) and listening to all that's going on, so they are getting a better head start than I even imagine!


That's all the homeschooling news I have for now... other than the fact that I've assigned our first project -- a "mini history fair" on Lewis and Clark. Let's see how well THIS one goes over! *grin*