Logan's Blanket

Pssst...Guess what?  My MIL is a not too shabby crocheter.  *shocker*  She makes blankets for everyone and their grandmother....literally.  She has made everyone in the family blankets and any of my friends who get pregnant....their little one gets a blanket too.  I'm not sure when, but some time ago, Logan asked his Nana for a blanket.  He looked through one of her books, and he picked out a car blanket.  And Nana being Nana...delivered.

Isn't it awesome?!  My nephew would go ballistic over this blanket.  He loves cars.  The first night he got it, he covered up with his fleece Mario Brothers blanket and then this one on top.  He didn't listen when I said he'd get too hot.  When I went in not even an hour later, he was completely uncovered.  Thank you, Nana!  I hope you got it in you for his sisters that want one now! 

Monday, Monday

Back to school Monday...

I spent it reading posts about people who were enjoying the silence in their homes because their kids were back at school.  Not me.  Then I saw posts of pictures of their kids going back to school.(salt in the wound)  Then I remembered that I had a kid going back to school.  Kaelyn's first day of college was Monday.  She was scared and nervous.  All I heard the whole way there was how she felt like she was going to throw up.  Poor thing.  Here's something interesting that I loved about that morning.  Her music while getting ready.  Even though it was probably just the next song up, I like to think that it meant more.  It makes me feel better.

She has loved this song(Casting Crowns, Praise You in the Storm) ever since she heard her Aunt Karla sing it.  Then, because I'm a good mommy, I made her pose for a picture too.  She was pouty.

As far as the other kids that stayed home for school because I'm a psycho masochist, they decided that Monday would be "prank day."  April Fool's was apparently too long of a wait.  I heard them discussing it at breakfast, and then whispering a lot.  I was eating my breakfast when they told me the living room light was out.  I came into the room and flipped the switch, and it didn't turn on.  Rory said it did a popping sound and went out.  I went and got another light bulb, put it in, flipped the switch and still nothing.  So I texted Kevin and asked if he could come take a look.  Meanwhile the kids were playing and taking mild interest in the light dilemma.  Kevin came up and pulled the string in the middle of our ceiling light fan, and the light turned on.  At which moment Rory, Logan, and Marley all started laughing hysterically screaming they had pranked me.  I have to admit it.  They did, and they did it well too!  It was one of those odd and proud moments all rolled into one.  

For dinner that night we tried the beef tips.  They were REALLY good.  I was shocked because there were so many ingredients in it that I didn't like.  I pushed through though knowing that some things I eat are still good even though I don't agree with what's in them.  :)  It's a condiment thing.  Anyway the tips were good, Kaelyn survived her first day, I got pranked, and the kids had a great time.  Not bad for a Monday.

Food

At some point on here I wrote that I was going to focus on making healthy dinners.  Well, I've committed myself to not over committing myself, and I had some time this weekend to get some things done.  One of those was meal planning for the week.  I have a couple of blogs that I use regularly.  To make this list, I have to have made, eaten, and liked one of the recipes. Here's what we've been eating and what we're going to be having this week.

Saturday we had teriyaki steak, crash hot potatoes, and broccoli.  The kids had to try everything before they could have their usual of pb&j.  Rory actually likes steak, and Kaelyn ate only potatoes.  Today we had garden harvest chicken stew, biscuits, and the best apple crisp.  Kaelyn wasn't here, so none of the kids liked the stew or apple crisp.  I'm not an apple person, but it was good over vanilla ice cream.

Here are some things for the rest of the week...

Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs, rice, and veggies
No Peek Beef Tips, egg noodles, and broccoli
Honey Lime Grilled Chicken, seasoned roasted potatoes, and some sort of veggie
LEFTOVERS!

While the apple crisp wasn't the most healthy thing, considering I had it on top of ice cream, I'm trying.  After dinner tonight I said to Kevin, "Thank you for loving me enough to eat my concoctions even when they're not good."  He simply said, "You're welcome."

Astronomy 101

For science this year, I'm teaching Logan and Rory together.  It's a lot easier.  I'm using Exploring Creation With Astronomy.  It works great because there is a notebook for Rory and a junior one for Logan.  I have one textbook to deal with and the work in each notebook is similar with Rory's being a bit more challenging.  I like the concept of not doing a couple weeks on a topic and switching to another topic.  This curriculum is designed to completely immerse the student in every aspect of the topic.  It seems like a good idea.  :)

We spend two to three days a week reading the chapter.  The next week we do the activities for that chapter.  Each reading day has a narration page in the journal, so they can write down what they remember.  This week we learned about the planets.  We tried to make up our own mnemonic, but that was hard since I still remembered mine from grade school.  My Very Excited Mother Jumped Straight Up Near Pluto.  Then we went over how Pluto is not considered a planet anymore.  A fact which Rory decided to deny.  

Our activity was to make a solar system out of balloons.  The book provided the measurements of the balloons to try and show the difference in sizes from one planet to the next.  It was interesting blowing up a balloon and then deflating it while holding a measuring tape around it, but we did it....9 times.  We just had to blow "the sun" up as big as we could.  The first one popped, but our second son made it.  We had to try to match the balloons to the colors of the actual planets which ended up being white balloons colored with Sharpies.  Whatever works.  

 I used a bunch of Thirty-One balloons that I had.  I guess Logan's wearing sunglasses from the sun being right there.  HA!  It took a while, but they know their planets and the mnemonic.  :)
 

August Daybook

Outside my window...
It's sunny and noisy.  There's a house being built on the other side of our neighbor.  There's a breeze, and it's about 77.  Ahhhh, this is my kind of weather....if only the bugs were dead.

I am thankful for...
Routine.  Making decisions. Some downtime.

I am thinking about...
My health.  I guess it's about time I did.  I go to the doc next Friday.  We'll decide whether I'm going to start treatment.  I hate the unexpected.  Seems fitting I would get a disease full of surprises.  

In the schoolroom...
It's going.  I'm still working out the kinks from teaching Rory and Logan together.  Marley just jumps right in there too.  Kaelyn starts college next week.  I'm old.

From the kitchen...
Kevin and I are back on the health wagon.  It was a hard climb back up there, but we finally made it.  I'm trying to expand my repertoire of dinners to more than five dishes.  What can I say except that Kevin does the cooking.  I know.  I'm spoiled.  I do want to learn more healthy dishes to prepare, so I'm going to get started on that sometime.  ;)

I am creating...
School stuff.  Organized spaces.  Room to groove.  Peace.  Harmony.

I am working on...
God's path for me.  Every time I think I have it figured out, He pulls the rug out.  Knowing that if I keep my eyes on Him, I will not sink.

I am reading...
"Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" by  Beth Hoffman.

I am praying for...
Some friends

I am hearing...
Noises from Logan as he plays with his Lego Star Wars figurines.  Clicking of buttons from Rory on the computer.

Around the house...
I'm trying to declutter and organize.  I don't think I've been very successful in the past because I tend to be an all or nothing person.  If I can't have the whole thing organized when I'm done, then I won't start.  I've been able to break things down and get some done here and there, and it's working out.  Little areas...baby steps...I just need to shrink my whole life I guess.

One of my favorite things...
The chill of the morning air recently.  It's like a whispered promise every morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
College Orientation.  Cousin dinner.  Pool.  Family time.

A picture thought...

My first successful attempt at a french braid.  I know how to do them, but I have no patience, and the hairs can't be tangled.  The hairs normally get all tangled, and I get frustrated, and I quit half way through.  I stuck it out this time and gave up the control.  Amazing how much easier things work out when I do that.  :)            

          

Cooking Class

Our home school group has a cooking class series starting up.  My friend said that it was really fun, so we decided to try it.  I took all three youngins.  We all met at the lady's home.  I was a bit apprehensive because of Mischief Marley, but this lady handled all of them well.  We were making Empanadas for this class.

First they measured out everything they would need to make the empanada dough.  Each kid took turns adding ingredients to make it.

Marley and E got to mix the dough by hand.  :)

They decided to make sweet and savory empanadas.  On the menu were apple ones and tomato, basil, and mozzarella ones.  She gave apples to almost everyone and had them cut the apples up into tiny chunks.  Logan and Marley got plastic knives.  They did great!

Logan and his friend, J, also got to tear up some basil.  Did you know it changes the taste depending on whether you cut it or tear it?  New things everyday, folks!

Rory and E go to blanch the tomatoes, peel the skin off, and deseed them.

The girls got commended on how well they removed the seeds and cut up the tomatoes.  Next they rolled out the dough, filled, and sealed the empanadas.

                                 
They all like the tomato, basil, and mozzarella ones best.  Go figure!  They thought they tasted like little pizzas.  I was surprised they didn't like the sweet apple ones.

I don't know what country or food is coming up next, but we had a GREAT time.  The kids are looking forward to going back!

 

Lesson Learned

Rory is interested in playing basketball this year.  She's tall and has long fingers, so we're going to give it a try.  We bought her a basketball, and she's practicing in the house.  My parents NEVER allowed ball in the house, so I squirm every time that darn thing hits the hardwood floor.  

I took her out to the park today to practice some.  Logan and Marley weren't really patient, but they let us get in some shots.  I really enjoy basketball.  When I was younger my school had tryouts.  I went to the tryouts but I didn't tryout.  I just hung out because I didn't want to join the team.  I was shy, and I didn't like any attention.  I ended up joining in on the practice.  I did pretty good.  I made the team, but I didn't join it.  I couldn't bring myself to do it.  I didn't have the self-esteem.  I don't want that for Rory.  If I had a do-over, I would play basketball.  Lesson learned.  The end.

Thirty-One Hot-lanta

So I went to the Thirty-One conference in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago.  I ended up promoting this year, so I got to walk across the stage and get recognized.  Kevin ended up flying in for the night, so he could cheer me on.  It was great!  Here are some pics and such.

 This is JCK(The infamous Jordan) and Crabby Patty (Megan).

This is Angie.  She's on my team and is from Illinois.

This is JCK again and my momma, Christie.  She's not my real mom, but my Thirty-One mom.

This is my Thirty-One great grandma.  She's the top of my line.

 This is me and Kevin the night of my recognition.  We got all fancied up, and I even wore my hair down with makeup!  I know...crazy.

Next up are some videos.  I work for an amazing company when this is what we do at conference.  This is the president of the company's husband, Scott Monroe. 

It was a huge sleepover.  We stayed up too late and got up too early.  It was a lot of fun, and it was even better that I got to spend one night with Kevin with no kids.  We couldn't even sleep in because I had to be up for training, and he had to get on the road and drive back home.  I had driven in to fly home, and he flew down to drive home.  We're efficient that way.  If you want to visit my Thirty-one site, it's mythirtyone.com/norabucy.  :)  

The Worm

****FIRST...THE DISCLAIMER****

It is with love for all of you that I post the following entry.  Embarrassment is just the beginning in a long line of emotions felt from posting this.  I believe that as a blogger, you make a promise with your audience to be real, so this is me in my truest form.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  :)

 The other day I announced to the kids that I was going to teach them how to do the worm (yes, the one where you make your body do the wave on the floor).  Kevin said that he didn't think this was a good idea because I'm *ahem* 35.  It was this statement that brought out my sass.  Don't tell me I can't do something because of my age.  I preceded to get down on the floor and show the kids in slow motion.  Even Kaelyn came out of her room for this entertainment.  I tried to speed up the action, but my body didn't do what I was telling it to do.  I looked forward (biggest mistake in the worm rule book) and busted my lip.  I knew I had hit it, but it wasn't until Logan asked me why my lip was bleeding that I paid attention.  Kaelyn snapped a shot of it.

Just from this picture alone, you HAVE to feel loved.  Do you?

Afterwards, Kevin did his little "I told you so" without saying the actual words.  Something that started with, "Well, honey.  What did you think would happen?" or something like that.  I complained that it was the lack of carpeting in the living room since it was just an area rug.  Marley and I went downstairs where I did the worm successfully three times in a row.  It probably didn't look pretty, but I did it.  Marley is my witness.  :)

Later that evening, I asked Kaelyn if she did indeed get a video of the whole incident.  She had her phone held up, and I told her she better not be taking video.  She said she wasn't...for the record.  She fessed up and showed it to me.  So...here it goes.  Here's the video.  

Every now and then I get really excited for a blog.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I am embarrassed from it.  
 

Family Reunions and the Good-bye

My sister and her family are home in Canada now.  We all gathered for one last hurrah.  The kids swam, we ate, we took pics.  It was a nice closing ceremony.  I shed more than a few tears as we drove away from my parents that evening.  It was harder to say bye to them this year than it normally is.  Maybe because we spent so much time together and our kids got along better this age than before.  Before I start crying again, let's roll some pics.

 In Filipino fashion we did a wacky photo.

And in the beginning...

Fall Forward?

I know it's spring forward, fall back...but I LOVE fall.  I couldn't wait to update my post page.  I hope you like it.  Here is a list of why fall is my most wonderful time of the year.

1. Bugs start to die
2. Smores
3. The air gets crisp
4. Bugs start to die
5. Leaf rubbing
6. Sweaters
7. Back to school shopping (which I think is worse when you home school!)
8. Bugs start to die
9. Caramel Apples
10. Hot chocolate on chilly mornings

And last but not least....

Bugs start to die.

I know it'll be a while before the chill really moves in, but I'm getting excited.

Check In

Hey folks,

It's been awhile.  I'll be back full swing on Monday.  My summer is done as far as being busy and traveling.  I've got lots to show and a couple weeks of relaxing ahead of me.  I can't wait to share it with you.