Convention!

I'm getting all excited about going to the homeschool convention! Last year I was not able to go, so it's even more exciting. I am staying in a hotel with a couple of friends Friday night and the convention is Friday afternoon and all day Saturday.

The seminars are my favorite part of the convention. The vendor hall is overwhelming to me and I can only take it a little at a time. There are a few things I am for sure going to buy (Math-U-See) and I'll probably run across some other stuff. I do prefer to get most of my curriculum used to make my dollars stretch as far as they can.

The seminars I am considering attending are:

• Is Art Essential to Your Child's Education?
• Wholehearted Writing (from IEW)
• How to Teach Language Arts
• Developing a Love for Learning in your Home School
• Peace Treaties in the Living Room
• Preserving Educational Freedom: MI at the Crossroads
• Homeschooling the Strong-willed Child
• Contingent Contentment
• Content Area Writing (IEW)
• Media & Entertainment: Monitoring What Influences Your Family
• Teaching Like Jesus
• Creating, Editing, and Grading Writing Assignments (IEW)

I heartily prefer seminar topics that are actually about HOW to teach, WHAT to teach, and WHY to teach. I dislike family/faith issues at a homeschooling convention, unless they relate specifically to homeschooling.

I can only attend 7 (and I usually can only handle the information from 5 or 6 anyway). So I'll be narrowing it down. Sometimes I make last minute choices at the conference, based on a like (or dislike) of a certain speaker or opinions of fellow convention attendees.

At least 16 families from our homeschool group are going. The first time I went to this convention, NO ONE from my group went!

Sorting and Recycling

Watched 2 movies last night while sorting a HUMONGOUS pile of clothes. Oh my gosh. It took literally hours. I've gotten the boys to try on and pick what they want and put it in their drawers. Emily is half done and I'll finish her and do Suzy tomorrow.

We're off to a field trip at a recycling center and I'm going straight to work from there. Bob will meet me some place to get the kids.

Homeschool Program

Saturday night was our homeschool co-op's spring program. I was master of ceremonies - lol, fancy name for holding the mic and introducing each group and making announcements.

We had several children play guitar or piano solos. Two teens were especially impressive!

Other highlights - a student-written version of Homer's Odyssey in 4 minutes - very humorous, yet it got the point across, the cheerleading class did several cheers, the Lego Robotics teacher had students demonstrate what they have done in class all year, karate, choir, a puppet play. Lots of creativity and accomplishments! Way to go, kids and teachers!

My kids participated: David demonstrated his Lego robotics skills, Emily sang in the choir, James did karate. Suzy's classes didn't perform.

We ended it all with a Powerpoint presentation of photos from the year. I also was given a card of appreciation for my service to the group. (Thanks!)

The gym was set up with displays from some of the other classes that didn't lend themselves well to presentations - crochet, jewelrymaking, scientific exploration (big hit!), chemistry, gourmet desserts (yummy!), and lots more!

A great end to a great co-op year!

Next year, I am just a mom instead of organizing the co-op. I'll probably teach.

80's TV & Saturday's Stuff

Marla said: Hey now! Speed Racer was on when I was younger- let's see maybe about 1979-1980's?

Well, we didn't have a TV in our home from sometime in the mid-70's until after I left home and went away to college. (I watched a LOT of TV then. But mostly MTV. heh) So I wouldn't have had much opportunity to watch Speed Racer during the time frame you mentioned. Maybe that's why I remember it in a dentist office? (Btw, according to imdb.com, the original series was aired in 1967-68. But maybe that was in Japan?)

Saturday dawned MUCH too bright and early for me. And also windy. And Cold. We left about 10 minutes later than I would have liked and Bob dropped me and the boys off to the field where David plays and took Suzy to her game and Emily along to watch.

David's team BLEW away the other team - I can't remember the score, but it was a good game. Suzy scored the only goal her team made; they lost. But yay, Suzy!

We went to the library and got some movies. (including The Jane Austen Book Club, which I have been wanting to see for a while, and Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, which DAVID has been wanting to see for a while.) I also paid a $4.20 fine, which I didn't realize I had. Bummer.

Got home, ate a quick sandwich and turned right around for James and Emily's games. I don't recall the outcome of James' game! Bad Lisa. He played solidly. He's always where he needs to be. Emily's team was short-sided today - 2 players missing. They lost. Emily DID kick the ball several times.

Stopped at the pharmacy and the grocery store. Came home to do some chores, but lost my motivation. Had the kids do their chores and I mostly supervised. Found my box of spring clothes which NO ONE else could apparently locate. I found it in 10 minutes. @@ Got the bunnies outside in their cage for the rest of the afternoon, but brought them in for the night.

Sloppy joes for dinner and then off to the co-op program which was a joy! I was the M.C. and so many classes presented such wonderful stuff. It deserves its own post. I didn't take any photos since I was onstage with a mic in my hand most of the time.

I came home a little later than Bob and the kids and they were already on their way to bed. I snagged David and he and I watched Bill and Ted, which he enjoyed most triumphantly. :::plays air guitar::: The first movie is better though, so if you found their Excellent Adventure bogus, then you'll think the sequel is non-non-heinous. Dude. ;-)

My living room is piled high with spring clothes that need to be tried on and sorted. Winter clothes need to be sorted before spring clothes can go into the drawers. This is always such a Big Job. Ugh. Suzy needs some stuff. Apparently Emily wasn't this size in warm weather?

I cannot believe May 1st is this upcoming week! This will be a busy week for us - the regular soccer practices and SEVEN soccer games. (Yes, Seven. 1 Monday, 2 Tuesday, 4 Saturday.)

Also a field trip to a recycling center and the HOMESCHOOL CONVENTION! YAY! A night out with my friends! A hotel! Two days spent in seminars! Convention hall shopping! I took Friday night off work for this.

So Bob has soccer Saturday duty all on his own. Actually he has the nighttime games too. So BOB has SEVEN SOCCER GAMES to take the kids to. All on his own. (Actually I'll arrange a ride for David to his away game.)

Let's hear a round of applause for my husband. He's doing an AWESOME JOB. He is!

Yes, the M.C. role is hard to kick. lol Now I want to put a movie in. But I SHOULD go to bed. Or maybe I'll read. And, I'm hungry!

A week went Speeding by

Wow, a whole week without a post. No, I'm not missing in action. Just been enjoying the lovely weather we've had, as well as going each and every day to my most favorite place in the world. (Yes, that was a little glimmer of irony.)

I hope to update y'all soon, but for now, my weekend holds:
4 soccer games
bunches of trash cans to empty at the soccer fields (oh the joys of volunteer work)
a homeschool co-op program which I have to M.C.
piles of spring clothes to sort
2 bunnies who need a better cage (oh, yes, I do have to sing y'all The Bunny Song. lol)
a movie to go see in the theatre
groceries to buy
libraries to visit
a house to clean
a yard to straighten

As you can see, it doesn't leave much time for computer! I have pictures to post from Em's bday party still!

And I am all excited about the Speed Racer movie for some reason. Why is that? lol I actually DO remember the Speed Racer cartoon, although I'm not sure how since it aired when I was very young. Maybe it was in reruns? Maybe those original airdates were the Japanese dates? Mom? Any clue? I seem to remember a dentist office and a Speed Racer cartoon. That's odd, isn't it?

Anyway, I am SURE my boys will adore this movie, but I am a little concerned since the Wachowski brothers (Matrix) wrote and directed it. It is rated PG though, so that's a plus.
It couldn't be worse than Transformers, could it? I am going to show them the trailer tomorrow. They haven't seen that yet, at least I don't think they have.

I should go to bed. 9:00 soccer games mean arriving at the field at around 8:40 which means leaving the house no later than 8:30 which means getting up by 8:00. Since it's almost 2 now, I'll get a whopping 6 hours of sleep which is what I get most nights. So I should be good, right?

Profound... or not

I have lots of profound thoughts. The problem is they don't usually come to me when I'm sitting here all strung-out from my hectic days. Profundity usually comes when I'm staring at the same plastic part as minute after endless minute turns into hours of dullness.

Lately my assignments have either involved working with another person closely or rapid tasks that don't allow any time for note-taking. The upshot is that my astuteness is locked in my brain and doesn't get to come out and play. Then again, maybe that's for the best! :-)

So, once again you just get the play-by-play.

Co-op went well. Only one more and then we're done for the school year.

I've been buying up some used curriculum in preparation for next year, going on faith that we'll still be able to home educate.

Three soccer games today. (David did not have one scheduled.) All the teams won. Suzy scored two goals and made two assists. She loves playing! Such a change from the first year she played. James played solidly - one quarter he was goalie and blocked the one shot that came at him. Emily played. She runs and runs but doesn't take many chances. I want to work with her on aggressiveness.

We went to a rummage sale, two libraries, a playground, and the post office. We did some cleaning up around the house and outside. The weather is mid-70's and has been sunny and overcast alternately. LOVELY!

David is sick today with a fever and headache. He is feeling better now, but that may just be the ibuprofen. Thus, he did not go any of the above places with us. He stayed home by himself for a while, and for a while Bob stayed with him. It's a good thing he did not have a scheduled game, because he would have either had to forego playing or he would have played sick. What a choice that would have been at 7:30 this morning.

We're going to have pizza now and soon we'll watch a movie. I borrowed several from the libraries - Sense and Sensibility (Austen!), Carrotblanca (Bugs Bunny!), Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Barbie Birthday Party, The Nanny Diaries.

Have been waiting FOREVER for Dan In Real Life to come through interlibrary loan. What are some other good movies that may have come out recently on DVD?

Forty Hours

When I got to work today, I found out that they've CHANGED the plans for Saturday. Now only first shift has to work.

I have mixed emotions. Glad to not be going in to work. Disappointed that my paycheck will only be for 40 hours this week.

Ah well. The kids will be happy!

More Money

I have to work on Saturday.

At least THIS week, it will be time and a half.

Another Busy Day

James crawled in bed with me this morning and cuddled. He fell asleep and I was enjoying sleeping in. About ten after 9, I rolled out of bed and then it hit me. Yikes! We are supposed to be at a theatre presentation of Frog and Toad at TEN O'CLOCK! It's 25 minutes away, which leaves.... eeek! only 25 minutes to get ready. A hectic few minutes later, James, Suzy and I were buzzing away in my car.

The presentation was just ok. I think it's great to expose kids to live theatre though, so they don't get used to only film and TV. The theatre was PACKED with public school kids.

Afterwards we did a few errands - buying some clearance clothing for David for next winter, some sheets, picked up Bob's CAT scans, bought groceries. Took J&S to Hot-n-Now which thrilled them to no end!

Got home at 2:15, had the kids unload the car. Got two packages ready to mail. Have to leave again within half an hour to get David to practice and then I'm off to work!

LOVING THE SUNSHINE! Hope you're getting some too!

Hectic and Tired

Well, let's see.

Saturday - Got up and went to the book sale, doing an errand along the way. Picked up four of Em's friends and headed to her party. Had the party (pix another day) and went to work. Worked 8 hours. Came home, read one hour and went to bed. Didn't get on the computer the whole day.

Sunday - Kids and Bob went to Sunday School, but I slept longer and went to the service. Got there late. After church, read the paper, ate lunch which Bob and David made, then read a little more and slept for 3 hours. Woke up, had dinner, cleaned up in a frenzy, checked email and blogs, read some more and went to bed.

Monday - Got up at 8 and went with Bob to meet the lawyer. A good friend watched the kids for us and had them do their lessons. Also stopped at his doctor's office down in the city to pick up some Xrays and at the grocery store. Put away groceries, checked email, got ready for work. And here I am now. Almost time to go.

Weather is sunny but chilly. Soccer practices start in earnest this week, which is good since the first games are Sat. Bob has a CAT scan in the AM tomorrow.

Lawyer report is not very uplifting. I don't want to blog about it really, as I don't want it plastered all over the internet, but suffice it to say that we aren't too pleased about the prospects. More in email later on.

Go-go-go

Really tired. Taking a deep breath before jumping into Saturday which will require an early start and go-go-go from beginning to end.

David and Emily are staying the night at a friend's house tonight. Hopefully they're asleep now, or else Saturday will also include two really crabby children.

Hmpf - Plans Changed

Bummer. When I got to work this afternoon, I found out that I must work Saturday night. This messes up our plans for Emily's birthday party, which was scheduled for 2-4pm Saturday afternoon. I moved it back an hour, so it will be done when I have to leave for work, but I will have to rush off. I am SO NOT THRILLED. Hmpf.

However, it does mean that I will get a full paycheck this week instead of a day short. However, I WON'T be getting time-and-a-half to work Sat like most everyone else. Hmpf! Ah well.

Apparently we should get prepared for a lot of Saturdays. That's the rumor anyway.

I SOOOO did not want to go to work today. It's not that I dislike my job so much. It's that I dislike giving up my family time in order to work. There are parts of my job I don't like, but I could get used to it (I guess I have, really) but what I miss is the downtime with my family. It seems that EVERY minute is go-go-go because "Mom has to leave for work". HMPF.

Don't have much else to say. Oh yeah, except we cleaned the kids' rooms. They looked quite good when I left for work, although not QUITE done. And it probably won't get any better over the weekend now. HMPF! (Denise, learned that from you! lol)

Maybe I can get some photos of them. I don't think I ever did post photos of the paintings Emily and her friends did in her room for her birthday. Was that just last year? Or two years ago now?

Loved August Rush, by the way. Highly recommended.

A Day Off

We have a meeting with our lawyer on Monday to discuss the outcome of HIS meeting with the other lawyer that occurred today.

Since I had requested a day off today to go to court, I had the option of not going in to work tonight. Of course, that means I don't get PAID for tonight either, but I chose to stay home anyway.

I got a lot done in the kids' rooms, as well as got to cuddle with them and tuck them in. Now I am going to watch a movie (August Rush) and go to bed early (well, earlier than normal). Maybe I can kick this lingering not-quite-sickness.

My coworkers are still AT WORK. :-)

Suzy Rides Bike!

It's NICE OUT!

Friday was co-op and I worked that night. We have two more co-ops this month and then it's over for the year.

Saturday was lovely, but I was exhausted. Went to the library, cleaned the house a little, and then went outside to work in the yard. The boys and Bob cleaned out the vehicles and I worked on raking the yard. I have two blisters to prove it. It looks better, but not done. SO glad winter is past and the nice weather is here.

Sunday we skipped the Sunday School hour and went to church. It was Missionary Sunday and we had two missionaries speak in church. I was still not feeling good, so Bob made some lunch and we relaxed a bit. Later I went to the grocery store and dollar store with James. He wanted to buy a kite. We went outside a while. Suzy learned to ride a bike! David was practicing on his skateboard. We got so involved in the outside activities that we forgot to take David to youth group and he forgot to notice the time. Ah well. So then we ate corn dogs and watched The Sandlot, which all the kids loved, but again I could have done without the profanity.

Last night after the kids were in bed, I heard a terrible crash and rushed upstairs. Could not open the boys door, but I could hear some moaning and moving around. Apparently the bunkbed had COLLAPSED and David went tumbling to the floor. Yikes! Scary! He's ok, though. They slept on the floor. lol

Today I still feel yukky - yesterday it was mostly a sore throat but today I'm nauseous too. Thrilling. Feel like calling in to work.

We were going to go to the store today and make it a family effort, but we got out to the van to leave - literally - and it was so nice out that we changed plans and went to grab a Hot-and-Ready pizza and took the kids to the playground for an hour or so. They played on the play structure, swung on the swings, played basketball, and skateboarded. It was breezy but warm and sunny! SO NICE!

Kids are grounded until their rooms are clean - no friends, no TV, no computer/PSP, etc... until bedrooms and clean and tidy. Of course, the bunk bed falling didn't help, as it tipped over two shelves of stuff!

Yearbook Cover

Here is David's artwork that won first place in the yearbook cover contest.

Sabbatical

Here are excerpts from a letter I wrote to our homeschool group:
For ten years or so, I have been one of the leaders of my homeschool group. In fact, I am the only founding member still on the leadership team. I have poured a great deal of love and time into the group and have enjoyed it immensely.

As many of you know, our family is experiencing some uncertainty and I am currently working full time. My husband and I are working together to educate our children at home. This leaves little time for me to devote to Seeds of Faith.

This situation makes it necessary for me to take a break from leadership. As of May 1, 2008, I will be taking a sabbatical for one year.

(A sabbatical (from Greek sabbatikos) is a prolonged hiatus, typically one year, in the career of an individual taken in order to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or traveling extensively for research.)

Bob and I hope that in the next year, we'll be able to make some firm plans for the next few years. We do hope and pray that God will allow us to continue homeschooling. My husband's workers compensation case comes up in court next week (April 9) and prayers are appreciated for our victory in this case.

I do plan to still be involved at co-op and attend field trips and the like, as much as I am able. My heart's desire is to return home and be with my family instead of working full time. I also hope to return to the leadership team in the spring of 2009. (or sooner, if things work out!) Please pray!

So, I am passing the baton to my able co-coordinator who has been skillfully leading co-op this year. I so appreciate being able to entrust the group to her willing and wonderful service. Assisting her will be a valuable team of leaders, some of who are new to us for the 2008-09 school year. Beginning May 1st, I won't be answering questions about the group or be in any decision-making capacity at that point.

Yum. Chocolate Skittles.

Yum!
The Skittles Chocolate Mix has five flavors: Vanilla, S’Mores, Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Pudding and Brownie Batter.

David found these in Walmart. Delish!

Custom Time

Check out Google's new feature!

Gmail Custom Time^{TM -} Just click "Set custom time" from the Compose view. Any email you send to the past appears in the proper chronological order in your recipient's inbox. You can opt for it to show up read or unread by selecting the appropriate option.

Surgery Update

Bob's mom's surgery went well, I am told. I think Bob is going to go and visit her tomorrow. Wait, actually that would be TODAY. lol