Hayseed in the City

2012-01-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes Virginia forgets she is the sister and not the Momma.

Sometimes Maggie doesn't deal with being ~~bossed~~ lead around.

But when they both remember that they are closer than any friend,

it is pure sweetness.

Fake Summer in January!

2012-01-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

It was 60 degrees!

IN JANUARY!

We need more of a path for their wheeled things.

Well, it is teaching them to take turns, right?

Ahhh, city life. ugh.

I long for space to breathe.

George is such a good brother, or impatient, ha ha!

Oh, if winter here was like this every day....

Blessings

2012-01-07T09:00:00.001-08:00

My baby is going to be a Prophet!
Well, at least a Godly woman.
All 3 of my girls will be.
And my son, a Godly man.
How can I say that?
Well, I can't.
But I'm praying that is the case.
Praying like their life depends on it.
Why not pray and believe in the best for my babies?

Electronically connected

2012-01-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

We are a big fan of technology around here.

And we are no where near cutting edge.

Facebook for friends/deals/news (in this order)

Twitter for different deals/news/friends (in this order)

iphone/macbook for me

Itouch/pc for kids to play learning games and reading curriculum

Wii for fun and exersise

Netflix for fun and educational movies/shows

Tivo to sensor kid tv, and to record a few shows for Troy and me.

I'm sure there are more....

It helps our daily life.

The pluses are too long to list.

I know there are negatives, but they are also relative to each person/family.

I'm sure some people have unhealthy additions to technology, but I'm feeling pretty good with our balance. For a stay at home Momma who is homeschooling, and have a little one young enough for 2 naps a day, I LOVE the freedom to stay home in this season but still be connected to the outside world. My kids are not socially deprived. We function fairly well in the real world.

(Plus, it is COLD outside! I don't want to go out there!)

For those of you convicted to cut screen time in your life, please remember that it is a wonderful thing for others. I won't make fun of you for not utilizing Pinterest, or Bible Gateway's many translations, or getting amazing deals shipped to your door for free via bargain blogs. :)

See you on the net or IRL when it gets warmer!

Christmas Collage

2012-01-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Life skills

2012-01-01T13:26:00.000-08:00

I was excited to teach Livia the basics of sewing.

There was a slight hiccup in that plan.

I didn't know how to sew!

SO..... Liv and I enrolled in Sewfabulous beginner sewing class this Fall.

We loved it so much we signed up again for the intermediate course, starting in Jan.

We both made pajama pants, and Liv made a matching shirt.

Our next class will introduce sewing on a zipper and pleats.

Liv is making a hooded poncho, and I'm making a dress for me.

It has pushed me past my fear of sewing, and I even made my first quilt in my free time!

Here is to more creativity in 2012!

God does answer us.

2011-12-23T17:03:00.000-08:00

I've heard/read so many scriptures lately about how God answers prayers.
I don't doubt that.
I can't expect any less from the God of every little detail in the universe!
It is nice to be reminded about that when the one you are supposed to be closest to,
doesn't always speak to you in an audible way.

It has reminded me to not just think about what is bothering me,
but to discuss it with my Lord.
He does hear,
and he has probably already answered me in a way I often overlook.

Scripture.

Today, as I wrestled with my Christmas issues, plus a few others I didn't mention in that post, I received this Bible verse via gotandem.com (love that site!).

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (Jude 22-23)

So much for that resentment.
It's not like I haven't been taught this before.
I just needed it to speak to me in a real, applicable way.
Such as now when I'm having trouble with those who don't see Christmas the way I do.
God knows what I'm praying about.
He hears and answers!

Christmas break? What Christmas break?

2011-12-22T21:32:00.000-08:00

I'm mean.
There is no time off for Christmas.
Christmas is on a Sunday this year too.
We don't even have to cram in extra work to make up for holiday days off.

But them there is the fact that I'm behind in recording their work.
Like 2 weeks behind.
It is just a matter of going through their books and writing down what pages they did each day,
and checking library receipts to see what we have read... Then I have to write it all down.

I think maybe a week off is needed.
For me.

Liv is ahead in her school work.
She has no idea. I just keep handing her stuff to do as she masters each concept.

She also finished up her 1st grade math yesterday. It would be a nice break for her to start 2nd grade math after the new year, right? George is also starting 1st grade math then. (She did NOT want to be in the same grade level as George, so I gave him a couple of weeks off so she could finish up.)

George just grasps math concepts better.
I'm waiting on him to start explaining it to Liv.
Oh, I can see her getting mad already!

George has been reading up a storm.
Even though it has been a bit of a challenge
(since I never really had to teach Liv, she sort of just knew it all).
I might keep him going with this next week.

He is the child who fights me the least on school work.
Well, if we work next week or not, I'm looking fwd to some relaxing!

Chicken Birds

2011-12-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

George: "Mom, why don't birds ever stay in the bird house?"

George: "They fly in and then fly out again!"

Me: "Hmmmm, George. I wonder......"

*Note to self- Move the birdhouse before Spring.

Christmas issues

2011-12-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

So, most people know I'm not a huge fan of Christmas.

I love Jesus.
I love that he was born the way he was (fulfilling the scriptures).
I love that we celebrate the birth of our Lord.

I don't love the rest.
The decorations, the gifts, the pressure.
Mostly, becuase I don't understand why we do them.
I really should do some research on that.....

We try to simplify.
And I think we do, a lot.
Our kids get 3 presents each (from Troy and myself), and we don't do Santa.

Then my over acheiver self just can't keep it simple.
We make about 200 cards with family magnets (it is a tradition now).
We make vanilla, cinnamon rolls, and many kinds of homemade cookies for gifts.

I wonder what it all has to do with Jesus.
I've finally stopped thinking about it and started asking God,
"How you YOU want me to celebrate my Lord's birth?"

I'm still working through my Christmas issues, but I'm making a conscience effort to enjoy more of the season than I originally wrote off years ago.

I've begun really listening to Christmas songs (at least the ones about Jesus, I still can't stand secular ones) and thinking about the lyrics. I can't tell you how much this has helped to put my heart in a better place to wonder (and be amazed) about how Jesus came to earth.

I've realized I really don't like sharing celebrating such a holy time with those who don't see it as that and celebrate Christmas they way they want for their own reasons. I actually resent those who take part in Christmas without recognizing and focusing on Christ. This is not one of my good realizations. I'm sure resentment is not what Jesus would want at his birthday party. I'm working/praying through that.

Even with me wrestling through my Christmas issues, it is still happening all around me.

My children were so proud of the tree they decorated by themselves. I can actually enjoy watching them with this ~~chore~~ tradition since we bought plastic ornaments, bows, and fake flowers to be used as decorations. Even Maggie at 18 months can shove a bouquet of gold poinsettias into the tree, and it will stay put.

Troy was hanging up garland outside at the request of Livia. She does have an artistic eye.

Seeing my babies taking control over how they want to celebrate the birth of Jesus makes me happy.

I'm looking forward to some of the traditions we come up with together as I get answers to my prayers, and they grow in the Lord. It may or may not look like this, but I'm sure it will be a time where we feel the presence of Jesus and we are together, like this.

Pocomoke? Oh yeah, in the Mountains?

2011-12-12T05:29:00.001-08:00

No, this is not the Poconos.
Nor is it the place from the Beach Boys Song, Kokomo.
Pocomoke City, MD.
Sometimes I even spell it for people with the little song my Aunt Grace taught me.

Even if you have not heard of Pocomoke, it is pretty special.
Famous people have come from there.
It is the Friendliest town on the Eastern Shore.
Phyisteria happened there.
There was the most adorable little Miss Pocomoke in '84.
ahem.

Pocomoke also has a lovely discovery center perfect for the kids when we visit Grandpop.

You can learn how to dredge for oysters.

Apparently, Liv would starve as a waterman, waterwoman, waterperson, waterkid?

The 2 story steamboat begins to wear them out as they run laps.

Here, we are playing.... This is where Ciacie (my sister Carlie) lives, here is where Grandpop lives, here is where Grandpop's boat is, this is where we had to pee 2 hours into the trip....

Margaret is just pretending to like the paintings. She really just wanted to be held.

Troy is reading about the GIANT duck hunting rifles they used to use.
Those babies were taller than a man!

And when we have exhausted the museum, our next favorite place is the Pocomoke Elementary School playground- that really has 3 different playgrounds plus a giant slide.

Yes, after Pocomoke Elementary, a sudent goes on to Pocomoke Middle School, then to Pocomoke High School. There is no college in Pocomoke because come on, who would go to PU?
ha ha, I'm so funny.

I was actually able to capture all 4 in one shot!

See the bright ball of magic in the corner?
Even Fairies live in Pocomoke.

And where there are Fairies, Pirates must be lurking near by....

I love my little hometown.

I love that my kids get to have some small town fun from time to time.
One day, I would love for that to be all the time.

Everyone has grumpy days

2011-12-06T08:41:00.001-08:00

"Some days homeschooling stinks!"

I won't tell you which Stouffer grumbled that quote.

I'm sure we are like a lot of other families and have productive days and days where I feel like I barely made it through our school work and chores.

At least I hope there are others like us out there!

A few friends have commented to me how wonderful we make homeschooling look.

I quickly reminded them that I post only what I want them to see!

So I decided to be better at posting the good and the bad, not just the good and the funny,

(although I do think this is funny!)

Overall, we do love homeschooling. There are obvious perks with the negatives/sacrifices/struggles. And more than that, I know God has called our family to homeschool for this season. (I have no idea how long that might be.) If you haven't guessed, this post is more to remind me why we are doing this not-always-fun road to education.

Confession. I was the one to quote the first line......

The Father knows what is best for us, so we must obey, push through the rough days, and trust in God.

brreak from the mundane

2011-12-05T05:41:00.001-08:00

I know how boring bookwork gets.

I know I'm getting tired of making them do pages in their workbooks!

Some days they love getting their work finished, and other days it is like pulling teeth.

I think I'll give you a better example of that next post.

To give the kids a break from book work, we make writing in different formats count for homeschool. We also write creative stories, lists, poems and such in journals.

Our sweet friend Mrs. Lewis has become our official pen pal.

We leave letters for each other at Ginnie's school, where she works.

She happens to be a major Raven's fan so we reference purple a lot.

Livie is learning letter format, and how to build a good paragraph.

George is learning to sound out and spell his words (with help).

And Mrs. Lewis gets a Virginia original.

The kids are already deciding on what to write her next!

Think the Declaration of Independence smelled like blueberries?

2011-12-04T17:29:00.001-08:00

Yeah, me neither. But it would be cool.
Ha ha, a scratch and sniff historical document!

Well, I thought our not-completely-historically-accurate
history lesson making blueberry ink went well.
(That sounds really bad!) :O

You need blueberries, salt, vinegar, and a strainer.

Liv mashed the blueberries in the strainer to get the juice.

George added the salt and Liv added the vinegar.

The kids cut their feathers at an angel.

Then came the fun part.
Testing out their quills and writing in blueberry ink!

We talked about how Thomas Jefferson used a quill and ink to write the Declaration of Indenpence.
(One appreciates pencils/erasers and better yet, a word processor,
after realizing how many times a document must have been copied to get it perfect!)
We picked out names, and talked about a few, such as John Hancock.
This was a perfect transition in writing their names!

George could always use some print practice.

And Livia is working on connecting her letters when writing in cursive.

Of course, I let them just draw to have fun with their quills and ink after our lesson.

My Peppers are on Fire!

2011-12-02T07:07:00.001-08:00

I had some goat cheese left over from an appetizer I made for a party.

So I roasted some roasted peppers to go with my goat cheese.

My friend asked be how I did it and she could not figure out how they don't burn on as open flame.

So here they are. See? No flaming peppers!

The flame is on medium, and it only takes a few mins to rotate them around to burn and bubble the skin. I ~~could have~~ should have roasted them longer, but I had to run and pick up Ginnie from pre-school. (Time management is not my best skill!)

Once they were nicely charred (more is better than less!) I put them in a paper bag to steam and cool down.

The steam loosens the charred outer skin from the tender inside skin.

When those babies are cooled (or in my case, when I got back from getting Ginnie and fixing the kids lunch) I just peeled off the outer burned layer to reveal the sweet, soft peppers. It was easy to remove the seeds and stem too. Just rinse off any little black bits with water.

I like to store them in an air tight container with olive oil in the fridge and bring them to room temp (or nuke a little) before eating.

These 3 peppers were a yummy snack on toasted baguette and goat cheese, and I threw the rest in some homemade hummus.

Thankfully....

2011-11-30T11:37:00.001-08:00

Thankfully, this Thanksgiving was just wonderful.
Aunt Caroline was ever the gracious and lovely decorated hostess.
I should have taken pictures of her decor!

Thankfully, I had a certain big brother who was a big help making dough for rolls.
(I had two other helpers, but George was the happiest all week before T-day)

Thankfully, the weather was perfect.

Thankfully, I have a husband who is healthy and could enjoy the day to it's fullest.

Thankfully, Maggie is a happy baby.

Thankfully, my kids generally enjoy each others company.

Thankfully, Aunt Caroline had bubbles!

Thankfully, my kids don't have asthma that I had.

Thankfully, my husband is a goofball.

Thankfully, playing outside in the fresh air can tire my babies out
(even if only for a minute or two).

Thankfully, my children know how to share (most days).

Thankfully, my bashful child is not shy for the camera.

Thankful.

My heart is full.

My children are healthy and happy.

My husband is healthy and happy.

I have Joy that is unmatched by anything else I can list.

Jesus has made my life whole.

I am forgiven.

I am free.

And I am loved.

Everything else is just, as George would say....

Bonus!

One particular bonus-
Generations of love.

Time Out- Step by Step.

2011-11-08T06:23:00.000-08:00

Phases of Timeout.

Ginnie style.

1. The ear piercing, blood curdling, alarms-the-neighbors, screaming.

2. The just as loud, but more dawn out crying.

3. The whimpering with occasional shrieks to remind you she is still there.

(My theory- this is how she conserves her energy)

4. The quiet. The attitude is not quite fixed, but the demeanor has softened to a state where communication can finally happen. Many times she does not like the communication so we start the cycle all over.

These stages can repeat each other like 1-2-1-2-3-2-3-4-1-2-3........4.

Yes, it can take a LONG time.

Can you imagine how it looks when we are not at home and strapped in a booster seat?

And people wonder why I stay home!

She has to learn something at some point, right?

Oh, I love you, Virginia Jane

My strongest-willed little girl.

Train them Up

2011-11-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

There is a new hairdresser in town!

Liv is just about ready to take over hair duty.

Not for only for her up-do skills,
but notice....

Virginia is sitting STILL!

Here is another one of Livie's masterpieces.
Ginnie wanted a "Mommy Look."

I thought it was perfect.
The swirly curls remind me of my Mom's hair when I was young.

Maggie is not to be out done.
She did this to herself...

If you are ever short on pomade or gel,
just use a combo of water, honey nut cherios, and gummy candy.

Everything I've learned, I've learned from the internet.

2011-11-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Thank you Pinterest.com!

Everything I never knew I wanted to do is on there.

Does your child need a visual tool to learn to tell time?

Funny.... mine didn't, but I made this with them anyway.

Why?

Because it is on Pinterest!

(If for some crazy reason you are not on there and don't want to be on the wait list, message me your e-mail and I'll send you a direct invite.)

Good Eaters

2011-11-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

How does one get children to eat a variety of foods?

**Note- I am not a professional. If you don't believe it, wait until you see suggestion 3!
These tactics may not work for the strongest willed child**

* We have a "try everything, finish something" policy.
Meaning, they need to take a decent bite of each kind of food, but really only need to eat all of one of those foods before they are excused, or get dessert (if we have any).

* We serve a wide variety of flavors and textures, consistently.
I ~~like~~ LOVE food, and I don't want to be limited to what I get to eat. Plus, I think that the more kids are exposed to flavors and textures at a young age, the more they will find they like as they get older.

*Lie.
(Don't look at me like that.
It is fun.)

Exhibit A
"That food is protien (truth) and it helps build muscle (truth) and you can decide where that muscle will grow (lie, but way more fun!)."
I still crack up when George eats some chicken and declares it will make his leg, or arm, or neck muscle grow. We can fix that in health class, right?

Exhibit B
"Yes, those (black) beans are really chocolate beans! Yum!"

Exhibit C (and a Classic)
"Carrots make you see in the dark!"
Then the kids scarf down 10 baby carrots and run to shut themselves in a closet to test out their newest superpower.

*Cater to Colors
Virginia was so excited to eat her favorite color beans.
This was EASY and no lying involved.

Don't Ask- Part 4

2011-11-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

Never could imagine how it would work.

2011-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit of a control freak.

Not that I'm ever really in control,

but in my mind I'm the big Kahuna.

So when the issue came up with how to work piano lessons this year,
I freaked a little.

Our favorite piano teacher started homeschooling all of her 3
(when she had 2 in school last year).

That meant, on lesson days, there would be Liv at the piano, and her 3 plus my other 3 to keep occupied and sort of quiet. All of this in 3 little rooms downstairs.

Ummmm, insert freaking out.
(Me, not Ms. Gail. She assured me it will all work out.)

And you know what?

It did....

and is still working out, 2 months later.

Virginia and E play together (sometimes school games, sometimes not).

A, A, and George do their schoolwork with me at the table.

Ms. Gail is at the piano with Liv,

and the baby is sleeping for her morning nap.

I have lots of freak out issues that I am working on, one at a time.

Thank you Lord, for gentle, persisting, friends, and patience and mercy on your part with me.

Early American Fun Fact

2011-11-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

We learned that the early Americans rarely (if at all) used glass in their windows.

(I'm sure many other places did this too, but we are studying early Americans at the moment.)

They used oiled paper.

We oiled our own paper to see why.

Oiled paper is stronger than dry, it is more see-through, and it repels water.

When glass was not readily available, oiled paper was the stuff.

I LOVE that I learn along with the kids!

Sewing 101

2011-11-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

Well, this is not actually Sewing 101.

That will be the class Liv and I taking in November.

We are talking remedial sewing class here.

Yarn

Ginormous (blunt!) needles

And dollar store shelf grip with nice stretchy holes.

I cut 3 pieces of "material."

Ginnie chose pink yarn.

Surprise.

The concept of putting the needle in and out (opposed to in and around to in again)

was harder on the kids than I thought.

Either way, they had a good time.

I found out we should get something to hold the material taut.

Maybe some of those ring things.

Oh dear, I need that sewing class like you don't know.

George kept saying his was going to be a spaceship, or a knight, or a bonfire....

Liv liked crossing the threads to make crosses and T's.

I never found out what George finally decided his finished product was.

I just wanted it to be skill practice. No finished product needed.

In the end, they wanted to turn the project into tents for their toys.

Next time it will be more directed. I will draw on a pattern for them to follow.

That Crazy Night

2011-11-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Best Kid Movie Ever!

Agnes: Why are you wearing your pajamas?
Vector: They're not pajamas! It's my warm-up suit.
Agnes: Why do you need warming up for?
Vector: For doing stuff.
Margo: What kind of stuff?
Vector: Super-cool stuff you wouldn't understand.
Agnes: Like sleeping?

Gru: Clearly we need to set a few rules. Rule number one: You will not touch anything.
Margo: Aha. What about the floor?
Gru: Yes, you may touch the floor
Margo: What about the air?
Gru: Yes, you may touch the air.
Edith: What about this?
[Holds a ray gun on her hands, the laser sight aimed right at Gru]
Gru: Ah! Where did you get that?
Edith: Found it.
[Gru takes it away from her]
Gru: Rule number two: You will not bother me while I'm working. Rule number three: You will not cry, or whine, or laugh, or giggle, or sneeze or barf or fart! So no, no, no annoying sounds. All right?
Agnes: Does this count as annoying?
[puckles her cheeks]
Gru: [Stops her] Very!

Agnes: I like him. He's nice.
Edith: He's scary.
Agnes: Like Santa.

I'm applying for a villain loan.
I go by Vector.
It's a mathematical term, represented by an arrow with both direction and magnitude.
Vector!
That's me, because I commit crimes with both direction and magnituide.
Oh yeah!

When we got adopted by a bald guy, I thought this'd be more like Annie.

Unicorns, I love them. Unicorns, I love them. Uni uni unicorns, I love them. Uni unicorns, I could pet one if they were really real. And they are! So I bought one so I could pet it. Now it loves me, now I love it. La lala la la...

Agnes: Aw. My caterpillar never turned into a butterfly.
Edith: That's a Cheeto.
Agnes: Oh.

Margo: Hello? Is anyone in?
Gru: Go away, I'm not home!
Margo: Yes you are. I just heard you.
Gru: No, you didn't. This... This is a recording.
Margo: No it isn't.
Gru: Yes it is. Listen. Please leave a message after the tone. Beep!
[Edith kicks door, Gru screams in pain]
Agnes: Goodbye, recorded message.

Edith: It was your cousin's idea!
Dave the Minion: *What*?

Agnes: Pinkie promise?
Gru: Oh yes, my pinkie promises.

It's like my heart is a tooth, and it's got a cavity that can only be filled with children.

I will Stuff YOU ALL in the Crust!

Agnes: Will you read us a bedtime story?
Gru: No.
Agnes: Pretty please?
Gru: The physical appearance of the please makes no difference.