Weekly Preview and Review - Feb 23

COLLEGE: So, I took David to one college visit this past week (not two, as I'd originally planned). The admissions counselor answered all our questions and helped us with scholarship applications. We took a tour of the (small) campus and the engineering building. David is looking at programs in engineering.

CANCELED: We ended up missing both our karate classes last week. We will make them up sometime. Emily's dissection class was canceled as was our homeschool co-op on Friday.

COLONOSCOPY:  - Yep, Bob's. Normal.

COSTUMES: I dressed up to attend a performance of Pride and Prejudice. I wasn't prepared for the fact that the actors were performing a radio play so, although it was well-acted and right from the book in many cases, I was somewhat disappointed that it wasn't a fully staged play.

CONDITIONING: Physical conditioning. Took the kids to the gymnastics open gym again on Wednesday. Fun times! David is trying hard to learn the back flip. The other kids mostly just run around and try the different equipment, but the "running around" is the goal!

2/24 Sunday -
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate, Dr. (B), Ortho (DE)
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dr. (B), Dentist (L)
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dissection (E), Church
Thursday - Work 5, Writing Class, Karate, Refuge (B)
Friday - Work, Swim Day, College Visit (D)
Saturday - Karate Clinic (D), Refuge (B)

Emily FINALLY has an orthodontics appointment this week. Hopefully the orthodontist can make a recommendation to the oral surgeon so we can get her treatment underway.

Bob has a couple of doctor appointments this week - sleep clinic and MRI. He also will be volunteering at the homeless shelter a couple of days (in the middle of the night).

David has another college visit this Friday and an extreme martial arts clinic on Saturday.

Weekly Preview and Review - Feb 17

Saturday was a karate test for Red Gold level. We all felt quite successful!

Gymnastics was on the docket for Wednesday - our second time attending open gym. The boys really work out HARD! We plan to attend again this week.

I had a routine mammogram on Tuesday - fun. Not.

James went to a Royal Rangers winter campout over the weekend and had a good time. He even slept outdoors one night in a shelter he made with a couple of the other boys. BRAVE, don't you think?

I got the taxes done today, as well as David's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). He also has now applied to five schools and we are working on scholarship apps. He will be visiting two colleges this week and another one next week.

We had a make-up date for co-op last Friday (2/15) since the one before it had been canceled.

Saturday night, I went out to eat with a couple of friends - had a Monte Cristo sandwich and some very tasty onion petals. Mmm..... Then we rented a couple of DVD's and settled in for an evening of movie-watching. Tried Moonrise Kingdom - just TOO odd to watch and we all agreed to turn it off. Next was Loopers - interesting, but unsatisfying in my opinion. Oh well, at least we only spent $2.50 on the movies.

I went without any candy from January 1st to Valentine's Day. Since then, I've rather made up for the time off! LOL But soon I will regroup and be a good girl again. I did manage my weight loss goal of 10 lbs lost before the karate test. Setting myself another 10 lb loss goal before the test in May.

I have managed a couple weeks with extra work hours.

2/17 Sunday - Campout ends (J)
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate, Dr. (Bob)
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, College Visits (D)
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Gym (DJS), Dissection (E), Church
Thursday - Work 5, Bob Dr Appt, P&P play (LE)
Friday - Co-op
Saturday - EMPTY CALENDAR SQUARE!

This week David will be visiting two colleges, Emily will have her second dissection class, we will go to Open Gym, and Emily and I will see a performance of Pride and Prejudice with our book club. Co-op will finish out the week and I have NO WEEKEND PLANS! That may sound sad, but with so many weekends chock-full of STUFF, this will be nice.

We have no writing classes this week because of the P&P play and that makes it convenient for me to take Bob to his medical tests on Thursday morning. We also will skip karate that day; since we just had our test, it is an appropriate time to miss class.

And that will bring us to NEXT Sunday.

Weekly Preview and Review - Feb 5

So, last week was one of our more "normal" weeks. I had to reschedule my doctors appointment since my car wouldn't start that day. Bob fixed it; the part was under warranty.

David is busily occupied with creating his Halo armor for the comic con we plan to attend in May.
Emily is working on re-reading Pride and Prejudice for book club on Saturday.

2/3 Sunday - Sister Weekend
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate, Dr. (Bob)
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dentist Appt (L)
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Gym?, Dissection (E), Church
Thursday - Work 5, Writing Classes, Karate
Friday - Co-op
Saturday - Book Club

Bob had a couple doctor appointments on Monday. I went with him to the gastroenterologist - the first time he's seen this doctor. His other appointment was with his regular doctor and he came back with a handful of prescriptions and referrals - sleep clinic, back doctor, and more.

We went to evening karate on Monday since the doctor appointment time conflicted with our regular afternoon class. Our regular class is green and red belts and we are almost the highest belt rank, but this evening class is all red belts and we are the LOWEST belt rank. Quite a different feeling. LOL I do plan to go to evening red belt class now and then to widen our experience.

Today I will get a crown on that tooth that bothered me over Christmas, the same one that got the root canal.

Suzy's Wednesday night church class is going swimming this week, so she is looking forward to that.

Weekly Preview and Review

Some special outings happened last week.

Tuesday we went ice skating for the first time. David woke up not feeling well, so he did not go along. About fourteen families from our homeschool group joined us at the nearby indoor rink for a couple hours of skating fun. (I did not skate.)

Gymnastics was the focus on Wednesday afternoon. A local gym (home to gymnastics and cheer teams) is now offering homeschool open gym twice a week. We will try to go on most Wednesday afternoons at least until the weather warms up, or until soccer starts, whichever is first. David really wants to master the back flip and it's good for the others to run and jump for an hour and a half. (This is not the same gymnastics place we went to a couple years ago before we began karate.)

Going to this gym on Wednesdays will be taking us out of the house four afternoons a week, which is why we won't commit to being there every week. And they say homeschool kids need socialization?? LOL I need to protect our Tuesdays.

Suzy had a kids retreat through our Wednesday night church. The group headed to Lansing where they met up with several other church groups. The activities included a rec center where they could climb a rock wall, swim, roller blade, and more. Two services evidently taught them something but Suzy "can't remember". @@

On Saturday some friends and I gathered to spend the day watching the 1995 Pride and Prejudice (yes, that's the Colin Firth version). Fun times!

1/27 Sunday - Church
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dr Appt (L)
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Gym?, Church
Thursday - Work 5, Writing Classes, Karate
Friday - Sister Weekend
Saturday - Sister Weekend

A calmer week approaches, except that it ends with a bang! Our annual Sister Weekend is scheduled to begin Friday evening.

Weekly preview and review

David's orthodontist visit went well - back again in 6 weeks.

 Took Suzy and a friend and James to the Shrine Circus on Friday morning. I had a great time! I think the kids are rather blase' 21st century kids who are not easily impressed. James liked the motorcycles in the sphere of death the most. I love the horseback riding act.

 I was sick on Sunday evening - I think it was my gall bladder. Bleh. Probably should get that checked out. The rest of the week was normal and uneventful.

 1/20 Sunday - Church
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Ice Skating
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Gymnastics, Church
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate
Friday - Work 3, Co-op, Winter Blast Retreat (S)
Saturday - Work?, Winter Blast Retreat (S)

 The upcoming week is fairly normal with the addition of two active outings - one ice skating day and one gymnastics open gym day. The kids will have a full week with their lessons as well.

Suzy is going to a retreat with the church Friday night and Saturday. They will have fun doing things like swimming and rock-wall climbing, as well as learning more about God.

 I will plan to spend a good deal of time on the phone this week setting up, yes, MORE doctor appointments. I also hope to squeeze in a couple workouts at some point.

Weekly Preview and Review

Well, that was a lot of doctor appointments! On Monday, I went with Bob to his regular doctor appointment in which we discussed all manner of physical ailments and follow-up treatments. Three of the kids had doctor appointments (though they see a physician's assistant - PA) on Tuesday afternoon. Each of them had a well-child visit, complete physical, and several immunizations. David did his appointment completely on his own - something we'd never done before. That same day, Bob visited the cardiologist, where he got a clean bill of health. Wednesday it was my turn for a complete physical and my annual PAP smear.

Six calls on Friday morning still did not yield an oral surgery appointment for Emily. Have to keep trying to get the orthodontist and the oral surgeon to figure out a treatment plan.

I was able to complete 25 hours of work this week, which is 5 hours more than usual. A bit of extra $$ always comes in handy!

We started the process of refinancing our mortgage.

Writing classes started up again this week. I have a couple new students in each class and a few who did not return for the current session. The middle schoolers will be learning to write 3 kinds of basic essays and the high schoolers are honing their advanced essay writing skills.

Co-op ended up being canceled this week due to the local schools being closed. We follow their closing schedule, although we may end up revisiting that policy since we felt today's closure was unnecessary.

1/13 Sunday - Church, Work 2
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Orthodontist (D), Church
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate
Friday - Work 4, Lessons, Circus (S,J)
Saturday - Work 2

This week looks so much emptier without all those doctor appointments! David does have an orthodontist appointment. Other than that, it's a normal week except I will try to work 5 extra hours again.

Oh, and I am taking James, Suzy, and Suzy's friend Leah to the circus on Friday. I don't think the younger 2 kids have ever been to the circus, or at least not when they were old enough to remember. Excitement abounds!

We picked up a better treadmill from a local freecycler - yay! This will make it easier for all of us to stay in shape. We also have made an area in the back room to work out. A nice big free space and our punching bag (on a stand) will allow karate practice and workout DVDs.

We have about a month before our next karate test - lots to master before then!

Weekly Review and Preview

Well, I guess I did not post since Christmas! Silly me.

I did end up having a root canal. The procedure itself was fine - had local anesthesic only and the injections were the most pain I felt the entire time. My tooth has been pain free. I have a temporary filling that will be replaced by a filling and a crown within the next few weeks.

My oldest child is now an adult. Sort of, anyway. LOL David turned 18 last week. I took the boys to see The Hobbit on IMAX on David's birthday. One of David's birthday gifts (an Xbox Live gift card) had been misplaced - by me! I couldn't find it anywhere, despite tearing things apart and even enlisting David (who wanted that card) to go through bags of trash. It finally turned up yesterday in my writing class bag, where I now recall stashing it.

Having these three weeks off lessons has been wonderfully pleasant. But we are ready to get back to a routine. Or maybe I'm just saying that to psych myself up. LOL

1/6 Sunday - Church, movie with friends (L), Work 2
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate, Dr appt (B)
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dr appt (D,J,S)
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dr appt (L), Church
Thursday - Work 3?, Writing Classes, Karate
Friday - Work 3?, Co-op
Saturday - Work 2?, BOOK CLUB - Les Miserables!

Lots of doctor appointments again this week! And I need to make more, too! Oh my!

There is going to be a 24 hour work outage that I will have to try to work around on Thursday and Friday. I really want to get 25 hours in this week. I would have managed that last week, but I was unable to log in (not my fault) on Saturday at all. so I ended up with 21.5 hours.

We are back to our lessons this week and all our regular commitments - karate, writing class, church, co-op.

I saw The Silver Linings Playbook with friends tonight and it was WONDERFUL. I loved it! It is rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity, but I didn't find it gratuitous in any way. Very realistic and poignant story.

Weekly Preview and Review

I went to the dentist on Thursday and had my front chipped tooth's filling replaced and a molar's filling repaired. By Sunday, the molar ached. Still aches today and I am very thankful for ibuprofen and Tylenol. I did call the dentist on the 24th and I have an appointment set up for Thursday (the first day they are open) to check if something more needs to be done. The dreaded words (root canal) were mentioned.

Mellon Christmas rocked! Denise and Troy's new house was perfect for hosting and we felt very welcome. The kids loved spending the night there, and we were pleased that it worked out that way!

We are off karate for a couple of weeks - a nice break. When we go back on the 3rd, we will work hard preparing for our next test in February.

David had his first orthodontic check and all seems well.

12/23 Sunday - Visit grandparents and drive home, work 3
Monday - Work 5, Christmas Eve
Tuesday - Christmas Day
Wednesday - Work 5, Suzy to a friend
Thursday - Work 5
Friday - Work 5
Saturday - David turns 18!

On Sunday, Bob and I took my parents out to breakfast at Denny's. A nice bonus was the special Hobbit menu. Yum! Then we grabbed the kids and headed back to my parents' house for Christmas stockings and brunch. David got his last grandchild button; now he is done with grandma's stocking tradition!

My tooth was bothering me a lot on Christmas Eve (as I mentioned above) so I stayed home. I had planned to attend Christmas Eve service but thought it would be better not to do so. Bob took the kids out to see his mother, but I didn't go there either. I did work 5 hours on the 24th too, besides getting everything ready.
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Christmas Day was spent, as usual, here at home, with our usual traditions.

Today Suzy is going to spend the night with a friend and I will run a few errands before the storm.

David's birthday is Saturday and I may take the boys to see The Hobbit on the IMAX.

Weekly Review and Preview

House is all decorated, though we don't really do a ton of holiday decorating.

The doctor said I probably have tendonitis in my shoulder though she is sending me for an x-ray to check for arthritis.

The Hobbit was a lot of fun, though I think I probably should not have read the book immediately prior to watching it. Emily read it too and we both went with our book club.

12/16 Sunday - church
Monday - Work 5, karate, Orthodontist (D)
Tuesday - Work 5, Party (S)
Wednesday - Work 5, Bob Dr. appt
Thursday - Work 5
Friday - Work 5?, Dentist (L)
Saturday - Mellon Family Christmas

We are off lessons this week, but will spend some time doing some more holiday things. I still have a bit of shopping to do too. I do plan to take the boys to see The Hobbit at some point soon. Probably on IMAX.

Weekly Preview and Review - Dec 9

Emily and I met with the oral surgeon on Wednesday. This one does appear to take our insurance which is a relief after going to the other one who - SURPRISE - did not. He is going to consult with the orthodontist before making his recommendations. She is going to have her impacted wisdom teeth out for sure. The orthodontist and surgeon need to put together a treatment plan for the 2 impacted teeth in her palate. Hopefully we can get this on the calendar soon, so she can get her braces on.

Our rollerskating party was a blast. David opted out but the other 3 kids loved skating for a couple hours with their friends.

The SOF Leadership had dinner together on Tuesday night - our annual Christmas tradition. Lucky's Steakhouse is a fun place to meet. I had filet mignon - so delish! Also their sweet potato fries are very yummy. I also got to go out on Saturday night with a couple friends. We saw Playing for Keeps and then went to EG Nicks for dinner - apple orchard salad - very tasty!

Christmas shopping is still on the agenda. I have a lot done but still more to do. I will get some wrapped and under the tree tonight so I can make a list of what still needs to be accomplished. The kids put up the tree and decorated it yesterday.

12/9 Sunday - church, finish decorating
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dr appt (L&E)
Wednesday - Work 5, Bob Oral Surgery
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate, Lessons
Friday - Work 3, Co-op
Saturday - Book Club (THE HOBBIT!)

I am SO EXCITED about The Hobbit coming out! I mean REALLY EXCITED! lol

Bob has oral surgery this week on Wednesday so he has that day off work. Emily and I have appointments at the doctor on Tuesday. Hers is a physical and mine is about my shoulder which has been bothering me pretty constantly since April.

Our last writing classes and our last co-op before Christmas are this week. We will also do some Christmas School activities, like gingerbread house making, gift making, shopping, Christmas cards, etc...

I really still can't believe it's almost Christmas and 2012 is nearly done.

Weekly Preview and Review - Dec 2

Oops never posted this..... Here's December 2nd's post.
We all finished our NaNoWriMo novels! I will post more about that on Cornerstone. What will we do with all our free time? Oh yeah, Christmas prep. lol

I went with friends to see the new remake of Red Dawn and then came home and watched the old one with the older kids. The new one was pretty much what I thought it would be - so my expectations were met. The old one was cornier than I remembered and, at the same time, more poignant and stark than I'd remembered.

Emily's oral surgery consult was moved from last Wednesday to this Wednesday, so hopefully we can get that accomplished this week and move on to scheduling that surgery.

We were promoted to red belt in karate which marks HALFWAY to black belt! The work will get more challenging, which will be both difficult (while learning) and enjoyable (when mastered).

My writing classes are going well this fall. I have two weekly groups - middle school and high school. Currently, the middle schoolers are working on book summaries and book reviews and the high schoolers are mastering the basic essay. We meet this week and next week and then we are off until January 10th. Teaching these writing classes is paying for things like Christmas gifts and our new karate doboks (uniforms).

12/2 Sunday - church, Nutcracker ballet with Suzy and friends
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, SOF Leadership dinner
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Emily Oral Surgeon Consult
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate, Lessons
Friday - Work 3, SOF Christmas Party
Saturday - No plans?!

I am taking Suzy to see The Nutcracker on Sunday. We tried last year (or the year before?) but there was a ticket snafu and we ended up being turned away that day. A homeschool friend is dancing in this production. We are going with some good friends.

Wow, I have a Saturday with nothing planned?!

We are working on the "back room" to make it more of a usable space. I want to be able to practice karate back there and have the treadmill in a workable place. So we are moving things around and trying to get that set up. Yeah, it's ugly in there, but it can still be functional, right?

Weekly Review and Preview

Sunday was a write-in at my friend's house all day. James didn't go along, but the other three kids did. Suzy didn't write much, but Emily and David were quite industrious.

We didn't go to karate at all last week.

I had a dentist appointment in which I learned I have gingivitis but not the more serious periodontal disease. Flossing and mouthwash will be added to my already regular thorough brushing. I have just one cavity which is pretty good seeing that I haven't been to the dentist in several years. Now that we have dental insurance, I'm trying to get up to speed in the dental department. I will probably end up with a couple of bridges too.

Thanksgiving was quiet and low-key. The kids all pitched in and helped with the work. A lot of cooking for 30 minutes of dinner - I think it's over-rated. We may go non-traditional at some point.

James went to an airsoft birthday party today and had a great time. He took along his new gun (a pistol which he is very pleased with), which was a prize for finishing his NaNoNovel.

11/25 Sunday - church, see Red Dawn
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons,
Wednesday - Work 5, Emily Oral Surgeon Consult
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate, Lessons
Friday - Work 3, Co-op, Last Day of NaNoWriMo 2012
Saturday - James turns 13!!

James is already finished with his novel! David is doing well - right on track. I am catching up. Emily is moving along well but I may have set her goal too high. Suzy is finding it a challenge to type her own and she is only about half done. I will have to help her a lot this week if she is going to finish. This is the last week!

Emily will see another oral surgeon this week. I found out it will be billed through our medical insurance not our dental, which gives us more options who to work with. After she has the extractions, she will have her braces put on.

We will get our red belts this week! I ordered new uniforms (doboks) for all of us with red trim. YAY!

On Saturday, we will have three teenagers in the house, something I've been anticipating for, well, THIRTEEN years now! James will turn 13! I've thought we will have three teenagers for a long time to come, but actually David will turn 20 before Suzy turns 13, so we will have 5 months with just two teens before we have three again.

Weekly Preview and Review

11/18 Sunday - write-in
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dentist (L)
Wednesday - Work 5
Thursday - Thanksgiving here
Friday - Work 5?, Shopping?
Saturday - Catch up on work if needed?

This will be a week to catch up on my writing. I am way behind in NaNoWriMo.

Weekly Review and Preview

Well, I do believe we are now red belts in karate! Woo-hoo!!!! We will find out next week if any of us ended up on the retest list, but I don't think so. Promotion will be during our class this time. And now the REAL work begins....

I'm going to try to work 5 hours on Mondays from now on, so that I can have "a head start" rather than running behind.

David has his braces on and they hurt! :-)  I have to find Emily an oral surgeon that will take both our insurances - harder than it sounds, but worth it if I can accomplish it.

I am way way way behind in NaNoWriMo. I doubt I've ever been this far behind. Will I catch up? Stay tuned! James and Emily are moving right along!

11/11 Sunday - church and potluck
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, massage (L), church
Thursday - work 3, writing classes, Karate, lessons
Friday - Work 4, co-op
Saturday - book club

This week is not as busy as last week. I hope.

Bob has several doctor appointments coming up this week too - an ultrasound, an MRI, and an ECG. I think.

I gave up my massage on Halloween and let Bob take that appointment. But I have one this week!

Suzy has an email address now. If you want it, let me know.

Weekly Review and Preview

I pushed really hard to work 5 hours (instead of 4) Monday-Wednesday, so I could take Thursday off if needed since it was supposed to be such a busy day.

Bob had the week off to work on the barn roof. However, Hurricane Sandy's far-reaching effects negated that effort and he spent the time off doing other things around the house. He also had a few doctor's appointments.

Suzy and James both had an eye doctor appointment. Turns out James needs glasses. So, we ordered him a pair he likes and he will have them on November 6th. Suzy's eyes were fine! (By the way, David also found out he needed glasses at age 12, the age James is now.)

I bribed David to take the kids trick-or-treating since the weather was unpleasantly cold and wet. It ended up that he took James and a friend of James' and the girls went with a couple other moms and some other girls. I got to stay home where it was warm. And I worked.

Thursday was a CRAZY-BUSY day but it went off without a hitch. Bob went one direction - a doctor appointment and a dentist appointment. David went another direction - off to a STEM (Sci/Tech/Engineering/Math) career expo with a friend and his parents. The other three kids and I went a third direction - to my writing classes and karate. Afterwards we met up with David and a bunch of NaNoWriMo homeschool friends and had a write-in at the new froyo place in Lapeer.

Friday was co-op - all went pretty well there. Afterwards the girls went to a sleepover at church and we had a friend over for James.

Saturday morning we all got up early and headed out to drop David off at the local airport for a field trip and pick the girls up from their sleepover. We ended up going back to the airport to see more of the planes taking off and landing. David was up in one of the 4-seater planes when we returned and my other  kids were offered a ride too. Only James was brave enough to go. I was really glad the boys both were able to participate in that!

11/4 Sunday - church & newcomer luncheon at church
Monday - Work 4, karate, Lessons, David braces on
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate (L), write-in
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, dentist (all kids), church
Thursday - writing classes, Karate, work 4, lessons, sports awards night (D)
Friday - Work 4, field trip, youth event (DEJ)
Saturday - karate testing

David got his braces on today. Expected to take about 24 months.

James will get his glasses tomorrow.

We went to a newcomer luncheon at church. There were about 5 couples at the luncheon - pretty nice.

David's soccer awards night is Thursday - his last one. That makes me sad.

We have our karate test on Saturday. If we pass, we are red belts. And that puts us in the advanced category. Time to really work hard!

Weekly Preview and Review

David took the ACT today for the second time. The goal is to improve his score enough to gain more financial aid for college. We will know in 2-3 weeks how that worked out. And then we will move on to some college visits and the FAFSA in January. His senior year is going by fast already!

My friend Gina took David's senior pictures on Thursday - gorgeous sunny skies and temps in the upper 70's, although a bit windy. Long hair doesn't co-operate in a stiff breeze! Gina is learning the ins and outs of her fancy camera and offered her services as photographer for David. We are very pleased with the results. He will have a few more photos taken after we all get our red belts in karate in December.

Emily had an oral surgery consult on Tuesday, but it turns out that this particular surgeon doesn't actually take our insurance. So, we are back to square one with that. There is ONE oral surgeon within 50 miles that participates in our plan. And he's in Detroit. I will have to call around and see if I can find someone closer that will work with our insurance.

Last Monday was David's last soccer event - a scrimmage with his teammates on one team and parents and siblings on the other team. James and Emily both played and it was neat to watch all three of them on the field together. I am a bit sad that he will likely never play organized soccer again. Twelve years of soccer has come to an end.

10/28 Sunday - church
Monday - Work 5, karate
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, eye dr (J,S), Bob Dr
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, massage (L), trick or treating
Thursday - writing classes, Karate, David career expo, NaNoWriMo kickoff, Bob doctor, Bob dentist
Friday - Work 5, Co-op, Girls Church sleepover
Saturday - David Avionics field trip

Bob has this week off in order to install the barn roof - metal roofing. The weather forecast is not very promising. He also has a few doctor appointments - primary care doctor, cardiologist (check up), dentist.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) begins on Thursday. I am so excited for my 6th year doing this! This will be David's 4th year and the other kids's 3rd year. We are kicking off on Thursday with a write-in at a new frozen yogurt place in Lapeer which is perfect for writing!

James and Suzy have eye doctor appointments this week, just for screening purposes, and Emily and I will order new glasses.

David has two cool field trips this week - one is a STEM (Sci/Tech/Engineering/Math) career expo and the other is an Avionics field trip in which he is supposed to get to actually fly a plane.

I get a massage on Wednesday which is good because there's a lot in the 2 days following that. Wednesday night is trick-or-treating (as long as the weather holds - otherwise we may go to an indoor event because I am wimpy). Thursday there are so many things going on that I can barely keep them straight. Good thing I don't have to be at all of them. I am planning to take that day off from work; thankfully my work hours are flexible like that! One of the things I love about my job. Friday is homeschool co-op - always fun, but always busy!

Weekly Preview and Review

The Shakespeare play ROCKED! I loved it. Emily found it humorous and David thought it was ok. James was bored. Or so he said. Oh well. That was his first exposure to Shakespeare and all he got in way of preparation was my nutshell version.

David's varsity soccer team, the FAITH Falcons, went to their first tournament ever - the State Homeschool Tournament - over the weekend. They played three games and won 1 of those. The team ended up 6th of 7 teams, but their one victory was over a team that had beaten them twice in the regular season. That particular game was very exciting, ended in two overtime periods and finally a shootout (in which 5 players from each team alternate shooting goals). The score ended up 4-3 after being tied 2-2. Bob and Emily and I drove to Lansing for Saturday's two games, but David stayed with his team overnight after playing their first (very rainy) game on Friday.

All the kids played their last soccer games last week, but David's team has a scrimmage this week as their final event. They would have had one more game but it was canceled due to injuries on the other team.

10/21 Sunday - church,
Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Scrimmage (D,E,J)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Emily Oral Surgeon Consult
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate, David Senior Pix
Friday - Work 4, Field Trip
Saturday - David ACT

No Soccer This Saturday!

Weekly Preview and Review

James played in the AYSO Fall Fest Tournament over the weekend. His team played 5 games. Only one goal was scored against them in all 5 games. They won the title!

The rest of the week seems like a blur right now! LOL

Except David and I went to the opera The Barber of Seville on Friday morning. The dress rehearsal performances are just $10 and the drive to the Detroit Opera House was easy at mid-morning on a Friday.  Neither of us had seen an opera before (unless you count Pirates of Penzance which I saw at about age 14?) and I fully expected not to like it much. I told David several times that we could leave at intermission if he wanted to. But we were enthralled for the entire two hours. Wonderful! Humorous! Thrilling!

Mom and Dad stopped by on Wednesday for a short visit. We had lunch and caught up a little then sent them off into the windy afternoon to drive to Bad Axe.

10/14 Sunday - church, Soccer Tournament (J)
Monday - Work 4, Shakespeare Play, Soccer GAME (J-away - LAST GAME)
Tuesday - Work 5 Lessons, karate
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAME (S - LAST GAME)
Friday - Work 2, Co-op, Soccer GAME (D-tournament)
Saturday - Soccer TOURNAMENT (D- LAST GAME)

This is our last week of soccer. For David, it is his last week of soccer EVER, unless he plays as a college student or adult, which doesn't sound like the plan. Rather sad.....

Other than soccer, we don't have a lot going on this week. Co-op on Friday, writing class on Thursday, two karate classes....

Weekly Preview and Review

James' soccer team continues to win all their games. But the coach's win-at-all-costs attitude makes it rather bitter to me. James is happy though! Suzy made a couple goals in her recent games, but the team has only won one, I believe. David's team wins some and loses some. Their Friday night game was canceled due to injuries on the other team.

We've gone to church 4 weeks in a row now, I believe. That's something we haven't done in a couple years. We are both pretty pleased with the Lapeer Free Methodist Church, so we're going to settle in there, I think.

Writing class is going well and I'm getting good feedback from the parents.

James and Bob went to a Royal Rangers campout this past weekend. It was rainy on Friday and cold the entire weekend - down into the 30's at night. But James had a blast and I'm glad Bob is able to go with him.

Friday night I spent some "girl time" with Emily watching a movie and pigging out on candy. And Saturday night I got to have dinner and some fun conversation with a couple of good friends. Needed that!

Am now up to running 1.5 miles and walking 1.0 mile. Need to get up to running 3.1 miles (with intervals) by the end of the month. James, Suzy, and I are planning to run a 5K the last weekend of October. THEY need to get training!

10/7 Sunday - church, Bob and James return from campout
Monday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAMES (D-home, J-home)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Soccer GAME (S), practice (J)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (S), GAME (D-away)
Friday - Work 4, Opera with David, Church Directory Pictures, Soccer GAME (D-home)
Saturday - Soccer TOURNAMENT (J), GAME (S), Practice (D) & Book Club (Lisa)

Lots of soccer this week, but only a couple more weeks of this craziness! David has 3 games - one is away. I will be able to attend only Friday's game. Suzy has two games this week. James has a home game Monday and a soccer tournament this weekend - 3 games on Saturday between 7am and 7pm. Still not sure how that's going to work out. Probably will have to throw myself on the mercy of some of the other parents. He will probably also have games on Sunday - THOSE I can attend.

David wanted to go to an opera, so he and I are attending the dress rehearsal of The Barber of Seville on Friday in Detroit. We shall see how that goes.

Other than those (soccer and opera) and the pictures for the church directory, the rest of the week is pretty normal. Heh! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Weekly Review and Preview

Didn't write a post last weekend, I guess! (And this one never got published. I'm slacking! posting it a week after the fact....)

Been going to lots of soccer games and trying to keep up with everything else.

We've been going to the Free Methodist church in Lapeer. My friend Gina's husband Bruce is the pastor there. We all went to college together back in the day.

My birthday was yesterday. I had planned to work in the AM, but there was no work loaded. So I did lesson plans for October instead. The other kids and I went to David's game at 5 and then we met Bob and had dinner out. Once we got home, we gathered around to watch The Avengers (everyone's new favorite movie). We were too full to eat cheesecake, so that will happen Saturday instead.

9/30 Sunday - church
Monday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAMES (S-home, J-away)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Soccer GAMES (S-home, D-away)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (J,S)
Friday - Work 4, Co-op, Soccer GAME (D-away),  J&B- campout
Saturday - Soccer GAME (S), D-field trip, J&B- campout

I am sending James and David to their away games this week instead of traveling to them. Hopefully this will allow me to get caught up on work and everything else.