Weekly Preview and Review

Well, I didn't do any running this past week. My normal running days are Tue/Fri/Sun. I can't run on consecutive days - too hard on my hips and knees. So, Tuesday was too hectic and I didn't get time. And Wednesday, my foot hurt reminiscent of the way it hurt a couple years ago when I thought I had a hairline fracture. And so I didn't run Wednesday. Thursday was karate. I thought about running, but I didn't want to make my foot worse. And Friday and Saturday my knee hurt and I wanted to make sure I was at my best for karate testing on Sunday. So, this was an unplanned week off from running. :-(  I am sure some of that reluctance to run was a holdover from the horrible run last Sunday. Should have got right back on that horse, kwim? Oh well. I'm bringing my running clothes camping so maybe I'll do a couple short runs there and then do a long run on Saturday or Sunday.

Lake Huron was so fun! There were some biting flies and we started to worry that we would be swarmed! But they soon dispersed. The weather was not too hot nor too cold and the kids had a great time! There weren't any waves, which was disappointing, but the weather made up for it!

Co-op rosters are sent out. The room assignments are made. The Lit class I am co-teaching is mostly ready. Whew!

Sunday - Karate Testing with 2000 people!, Seeds of Faith Camp week begins
Monday - SOF Camp Week, Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - SOF Camp Week & Beach Day
Wednesday - SOF Camp Week
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (J)
Friday - WORK 5, Soccer GAME (D)
Saturday - Soccer Practice (D)?,
Sunday -  Run 6 miles, Halo Party

Last year during Camp Week, I tried to maintain my regular work schedule. It was DIFFICULT to say the least. So, this year, I am actually taking a vacation. No work Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. I will work 10 hours between Thursday and Friday. Bob is also taking a couple days off, but he will be working over Labor Day weekend, so his hours even out.

I am also doing NO co-op stuff and NO soccer stuff during the 4 days of camp. (David is going to one soccer practice, but not the other kids.) Also we are not doing karate on Monday. It's just going to be relaxing!

Our karate testing is tomorrow. TWO THOUSAND people are supposed to be testing together! That is going to be something! I am easily overwhelmed with large groups of people, so pray for me to be able to handle it. But this is something the kids will never forget! Not sure how many photos I'll get since I am supposed to be testing. Bob isn't going along as he is going to the campground to get our site set up. We'll go right to the campground after the testing.


David has his first soccer game this coming Friday. And so it begins.....


I had a few errands to run today. Most of them were because of someone's oversight.
1 - sporting goods store (David's new shinguards were missing a part.)
2 - auto parts store (they forgot to refund Bob the core charge for the alternator)
3 - Walmart (they didn't give me all my groceries the other day)
4 - thrift store (Emily and I both needed jeans for camping)
5 - Office store (joined teacher program and got a goodie bag and breakfast with a friend!)
Have a good week y'all!

Weekly Preview and Review

Well, last week, a lot of the activities I had planned to do didn't happen. I missed the Pampered Chef party and the SOF meeting because my work wasn't done. I didn't go to the fair because the girls hadn't gotten their room cleaned up. James went with a friend, though. (David didn't care to go.) I missed the scrapbooking weekend because Bob was sick with a horrible migraine. He was laid out in bed for 2 full days and even called in to work, which he hasn't done in almost 2 years.

Sunday - Church, Relax
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - WORK5, Soccer Practice (S), Science Museum (J,S)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Nature Center (S-AM, J-PM)
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate
Friday - WORK 5, Beach Day, Soccer Practice (D), Soccer Practice (S), Nature Center (J)
Saturday - Soccer Practice (D)?, Book Club
Sunday -

James and Suzy have a couple Nature Center classes this week. Suzy starts soccer practice and David continues with his practices 3 times a week. Haven't heard from James' coaches yet. Emily isn't playing soccer this fall.

Suzy and James will probably go on Tuesday to the Impression 5 Science Museum with a friend. That's in Lansing. 

We are working hard at karate in anticipation of testing at the end of the month. The karate school is organizing a mass testing with all 26 of their schools, most of which are located in Michigan. The mass testing is August 28 and we will be tested at 12:30 in case anyone wants to watch. It's at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac, an indoor, air-conditioned facility. The black belt recertification will be at 9 am and this is NOT usually open for people to watch, so we may head down to see that.

I am hoping for a Mom's Night Out this week at a friend's house. Her husband is out of town for work. Also maybe I can sneak away Sunday and go see a movie? I thought about going during David's soccer practice Friday night but that didn't end up working out.

I'm kind of addicted to Friday Night Lights on Netflix Instant. Yeah, I know. A show about high school football in Texas? Who would've guessed that Lisa would find that intriguing? LOL I've watched all 22 episodes of the first season and am into the second season. Of course, I found it only AFTER it was cancelled on regular tv. At least I can watch it on demand with no commercials!

Sunday - Just relax
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer VBS (S,J), Soccer Camp (D)
Tuesday - WORK?,  Soccer VBS (S,J), Co-op Registration Day, Soccer Camp (D)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Soccer VBS (S,J), Massage (L)
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate,  Soccer VBS (S,J), Soccer Camp (D)
Friday - WORK 5,  Soccer VBS (S,J), Soccer Camp (D)
Saturday - Book Club (Shakespeare in the Park!)
Sunday -

James had a good time at his nature camp. He liked the canoes the best. The class was small and he knew several kids from co-op and soccer. He reconnected with a boy that was in Spanish class and they'd like to get together sometime.

James and Suzy wanted to go to VBS this week at the church we sometimes attend and it turned out to be a very nice VBS, although very small. So they were there 3 hours each night. Suzy missed the last night because she was invited to spend the night with a friend.

David and I went on Saturday afternoon with friends to see Captain America -a GREAT movie! We went out to dinner afterwards and had a nice time.

Karate on Monday was "ninja training" - kind of a fun day instead of training. But Thursday, headquarters canceled classes due to the Excessive Heat Warning. So we only had karate one time. We skipped the karate picnic in favor of getting some things done around the house. It's not often we have a Saturday free and so we completed some long overdue chores. We need to work hard through the next month to get ready for testing at the end of August.

This week brings more VBS for James and Suzy. It's the annual Soccer Camp/VBS that we have done for a few years now. David also has soccer camp 4 nights this week - it's soccer conditioning and not so much fun, really; so keep him in your prayers as it's going to be very hot and probably humid.

Our homeschool co-op registration is Tuesday - a full day for me as I will be there the whole time working. It's nice to see all our friends from co-op, many of whom we don't see during the summer. Plus we get to meet the new families and see what classes everyone is choosing.

And Wednesday - I get my first massage ever! There's a massage school in Lapeer and they charge just $10! Bob has been there twice.

I completed week 5 of my 10K training, though the heat meant I didn't do as much exercise as I intended. I did my first full 4 mile run though with a few bits of walking. I'm getting there! I picked a 10K the first weekend of October, so I am on track with training and I will probably give myself another week or two of repeats so I am ready at the right time.

We're considering a trip to Lake Michigan - will it be camping or a hotel? Or will we decide on Lake Huron instead? Or Mackinac? Gotta nail that down here soon. We have one free weekend before the end of summer. It actually wasn't free, but I un-committed myself from something I didn't really need to do and made it free. So we will travel SOMEPLACE that weekend!

Weekly Preview and Review

Whew, that week blew past!
Mother's Day - didn't go to church. Suzy brought me "breakfast in recliner" since I got up before everyone else. LOL I got a Kindle!

Soccer - Registration was Monday night indoors for 2 hours and Saturday morning for 4 hours outdoors in the rain. Thankfully we had a tent. It went quite smoothly, I think. Numbers will come soon after the treasurer reconciles the monies.

Homeschool banquet - I got the kids' outfits all set, ordered the flowers last week, realized I had nothing to wear at all, but managed to get everyone to the banquet on time and looking fine! What a lovely evening - well-planned, lots of fun, and good friends! An icebreaker game got everything started around 6pm, then a buffet dinner of pasta, chicken, and salad. After that, the dance floor was open and the kids dove in full force - a mix of Christian music like dcTalk, popular music like Taylor Swift & Lady Gaga, classic music like Love Shack, and specialty music like Cotton-Eyed Joe and the Chicken Dance. Oh yeah, and Thriller. LOL Check my facebook videos. The dancing had to end by 11 but I think everyone had a wonderful time.

Soccer - Yeah, it keeps going! LOL SUZY SCORED A GOAL THIS WEEK! On Saturday in the rain. Did I see it? No, but David did.

Nature Center - James and Suzy had nature center classes Wednesday afternoon. The weather was warm and sunny, and they had a good time.

Karate - Going well. A couple intense workouts last week though! We are getting ready for testing the end of May.

Sunday - Headed up to Maryann's. The initial plan was to bring home a bed she is selling me, but I realized it wouldn't fit in the van with the kids in there too, so that plan was postponed. She and I watched a Viggo movie we'd both been wanting to see. Alatriste was a Spanish movie; yes, Viggo is fluent in Spanish (and 5 other languages apparently). Good movie. Emily went to youth group with Gabby and David played video games with Alex; Suzy and Kathleen hung out. Lovely relaxing day.

Sunday - Relax, Spend day at McDowells
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Meeting
Tuesday - WORK 5, Park Day, Soccer Game (S), Soccer Practice (E,J)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Running Class
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (S,J), Essay Class, SUZY'S BIRTHDAY!
Friday - WORK 5, INCH CONFERENCE, Soccer Game (E, but I think she's missing it)
Saturday - Soccer Games??? (S,J), INCH CONFERENCE
Sunday - Relax!, Church

The state homeschool convention is this weekend and I am going with friends. We are going to have fun! And maybe even go see POTC4 while we are there. If not, then Sunday for sure!

I am also going with friends to a free running form class on Wednesday night. Gotta fit in 3 running sessions this week. Should have done one today. Bleh.

More soccer, karate, soccer, karate, soccer, essay class. And work work work - 5 hours a day.
CANNOT WAIT FOR SUMMER!

Weekly Preview and Review

So, we went to church on Sunday AND Wednesday this past week. I don't even recall the last time we did that. We have not participated in Wednesday night church in a couple of years.

After church Sunday, we went out to eat at Cici's Pizza (buffet) with a couple of families. We stayed for a long time while the kids played and chatted.

Karate is going well; we started the regular session so we are now working on earning our yellow belts. This is the form we are learning, though we are doing more (MUCH more) than just this in class. (Just the first 45 seconds of the video shows the form. The rest is instructions.)

David was invited to attend an adult self-defense session at the karate studio on Saturday mornings which sounds intriguing. After a bit of persuasion, he decided to attend and see what it's about. Sounds like he liked it. Bob took him today since I wasn't feeling well. In future, I may go running while he's at class. There's a nice paved 1 mile loop just a mile up the road.

Let's see.... What else? Oh, the girls' NEW room is now half lilac, half bright green. That's the big room over the living room. We are moving the girls' stuff in there right now. Their old room is a COMPLETE PIT. Disgusting. The boys are helping clean it out and then they will paint their rooms this weekend.

Everyone is getting new beds. Eventually. And we are looking for some good used furniture for the living room - preferably two recliners and a coach.

I decided to teach a repeat of the essay class I taught last February and March. It will meet four Thursdays after karate, every other week. I have about 15 teens signed up for it. The proceeds from that will help pay for next year's curriculum. This starts on the 21st.

Sunday - Relax, church - where?

Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Lessons, Karate

Tuesday - WORK 4, Lessons (1/2 day), Homeschool Rollerskating, Soccer Practice (E), Movie Night?

Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Youth Group/Church, Meeting for Co-op,

Thursday - WORK 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (E)

Friday - WORK 4

Saturday - SOCCER GAMES (J&S), Book Club!
Sunday - Relax!, Church

I imagine that James and Suzy will also have soccer practice this week, but I have heard NOTHING from their coaches yet.

Tuesday is busy, so it's likely that the Movie Night won't happen. But the local theater is showing Sound of Music on the big screen for FREE. I'd hate to miss it!

Weekly Preview and Review

This week was mostly about getting ready for the program on Friday night, which turned out GREAT! You can look at some photos and vids on facebook, but I'll give you a quick overview of what each of my kids did. (Not all the vids are up yet, but they will be.)
David - wrote a program in Visual Basic Script and it was displayed on the big screen. He also ran the computer for this part of the program
Emily - danced in a worship dance and played Charlotte Lucas in our Austentatious skit - Pride and Prejudice in 100 Seconds. She also received a special award for reading all 6 of Austen's novels.
James - demonstrated a Lego Robotics concept
Suzy - participated in a cheerleading performance and went on stage to receive a certificate from one of her teachers.

We went to karate twice and are enjoying it more and more. Our homeschool session is going to have some distinct advantages over the regular sessions, but we do have the option of going to the evening class if we need to miss our regular session.

I finished all my work hours by Thursday night, save for 45 minutes which I finished before co-op Friday morning. That took the pressure off on Friday!

The kids and Bob did one coat of paint on the girls' new room - half lilac and half spring green - their choices. Today will see the second coat of paint and maybe the trim?? The boys are deciding on their colors and how that long room will be divided.

David and Emily went home with friends after co-op Friday. (I had intended not to let them and in fact David said no to at least one request, but I'm a sucker for the right plea! lol) So, I just had James and Suzy. I took them out to Taco Bell, and while we were out, James got his hand slammed in the car door. He was pretty stoic about it and doesn't seem to have any lasting effects. I grabbed some snow and stuck it on there right away. (So, there's one advantage of having snow still in April!) THEN, we stopped home before the program to get something that was forgotten and the car keys got locked in the house. A few minutes of panic before I realized that keys to the FRONT door were in my purse which was in the van which was not locked. Whew!

Program went off without a single noticeable hitch! So great! The church sanctuary was packed! Lots of great comments. The table displays were lovely and creative!

Oh, and David was baptized in the Holy Spirit Wednesday night while visiting a friend's youth group! Praise God! He's wanted to go there regularly for a while, but it's kind of far from our house. But maybe I should make the effort, eh?

Sunday - Relax, church - where?
Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Karate, Support Meeting
Tuesday - WORK 4
Wednesday - WORK 4, Transcript workshop, Youth Group/Church?
Thursday - WORK 4, Karate
Friday - WORK 4
Saturday - NO PLANS!!!
Sunday - Relax!, Church

Because of the weather (still cold and we still have snow on the ground!), soccer practices have not started. I know Emily will begin the second week of April and I assume Suzy and James also will, because they have games on April 16. But that gives us a reprieve from the busy schedule that will entail.

So, we are entrenched in the bedroom redesign/changing around project and we need to get a move on!

Have a great week!