Things We've Been Up To

Well, I think I'm getting sick.  It was bound to happen.  Hopefully I'll be over it soon.  We went to my parents this weekend, and today we worked on Rory's roman armor project for history.  Remind me to NEVER DO THAT AGAIN.  I'll post pics when we're all done, but it's far from perfect.

We're chugging along with school.  The weather has been lovely and will turn to complete crap again this week with an 80 degree day.  Ugh.  Can't I just change out clothes to fall ones and have it stay fall?!  

Here are some pics.  Sorry...I'm still not on the up and up.  I'm hoping to get some rest this week.  HA!  I'm funny.

Some of Marley's new fall clothes.  Cutie!!!

We finished Logan's math book!  He's so excited to start his next one.  It feels good getting something done!

A Story

Once upon a time, everyone was sick.

The end

Seven Quick Takes

1.

It never fails.  No matter how ahead I feel the night before school, I'm always pushing the late hours.  Fridays we try to make it to mass before school.  For some reason I have a lot to prepare in the morning for school.  I try not to do that, but that's how it's turning out, so I'll be up before the crack of dawn tomorrow.

2.

Rory amazes me.  I've been in a bad mood the past couple of days feeling like these kids take advantage of me (stop smirking, mommy).  She started gymnastics tonight and told me to go ahead to the viewing spot.  She didn't mind staying downstairs, by herself, not knowing anyone.  I would have NEVER done that!  It's crazy how confident that is, yet she struggles with self-confidence.  I'm so proud of her!

3.

Speaking of school and Rory, it's going really well.  I think Rory has stepped up her game, since she sees how her peers her age act.  At home before there was no measure to how she should act.  She's being more helpful and mature.  It's nice.  I'm noticing the same about Logan too.  I think it's a nice fit.

4.

I'm struggling with the fact that I've never been a very organized person.  I used to pray for other people, patience, the lottery, and now I feel like I need prayers in this area.  They were talking today on the radio about people that misuse blessings that God has given them.  They were talking about money, and quite frankly, I'm no winner in that area either.  Just feeling convicted over all these things I can't seem to get organized.  

5.

I'm really looking forward to fall.  We had some recent fall days, and tomorrow...we're back to 80's.  WTH?!  Rory's getting excited for pumpkin bread.  I'm not because that means I'll eat it.  :)  I have some new apple recipes that I want to try too.  Rory's asking for apple cake, and I found a recipe that uses Granny Smith apples and those are her favorite...but I'll eat that too.  :(  I'll post the recipe if it turns out good.

6.

We're almost caught up on episodes of The Office.  We'll have to find another short series to watch before our shows start up for fall.  I'm really only interested in Parenthood.  I love that show.  

7.

We are in full swing of activities coming up this week.  Marley officially starts swimming for real next week.  They both have gymnastics weekly.  Logan has started scouts and fall ball.  It's probably nothing for some of you, but see #4.  It's not going so well.  I can't figure out what my deal is though especially since I'm a planner.  Stay tuned.  

Happy Friday!

Some Words Wednesday

So I normally do Wordless Wednesdays.  I have to tell you, since my last post was about how busy I am, that Marley DID NOT have swim Monday night.  We got there on time, everything else done for the day, and were told her lessons start next week.  Do I get points for pulling it off?  She was allowed to swim even though there were no lessons.  She had a great time!  Next week, we start!  

On another note, our co-op is going SO WELL!  The kids and I really like it even though we're all beat to heck after the day there.  This is Miss Marley and the puzzle she just finished putting together with her friend, Lyndsey.

Happy Wednesday!

Still Adjusting

This weekend was relaxing.  I'm still working on this school/homework thing.  We schooled over the weekend because I'm trying to have a playdate with Marley tomorrow.  Then there's horseback riding and swimming.  Ugh.  I feel like Marley needs this though, since she's been ignored for the past two weeks.  

I keep complaining about the schedule, yet I keep adding to it.  Does anyone else do this?  It's insane.  I feel like I'm trying to balance the younger three out with their extracurricular activities and taking away me time.  Just so we're clear, my "me time" is the gym.  I NEED that time.  It keeps people alive.

I'm going to try and work really hard on planning our meals and making sure my home duties are priority.  Here's what my tomorrow looks like, just so you don't think I'm all whine with no reason.

6a- wake and pray
7a- kids (teeth brushed, dressed, breakfast)
8a- school starts
10a-12n playdate
12n- lunch
1p-145p library
145p- finish up school
245p- leave for horseback riding
315-415p horseback riding
5p- deliver dinner to family who's son passed away a couple weeks ago
6p-640p swimming
645p- bathe Marley
7p- Marley bed

We'll have to bathe the other two after this.  They'll go to bed at 8p and 830p.  Notice that I don't have us eating dinner anywhere in there.  This means Kevin and I will have to split up.  Depending on how school goes in the morning (hopefully short since we did a lot this weekend), we might skip the library or have time to cook the dinner we're supposed to bring to the people.  Oh yeah, I have to get the stuff from the store.  The meal has to be gluten free and heart healthy.  Pray for me.  Seeing it all typed out like this makes my heart palpitate even more.  

Here's a picture for you...

Look at her little pink chucks.  So cute!

Like the Celiling Can't Hold Us

One of Marley's birthday presents.  She loves it as you can see.  It hooks up to daddy's iPhone so not only can they can listen to all his inappropriate songs, they can sing to them too.  Yay. 

Back-To-School Daybook

Outside my window...
It is HOT.  It got to 91 today, and it's going to be 95 tomorrow.  I understand that the pool is closing, but I think for September they should keep it open only on a needed basis.  I want fall already.  

I am thinking...
about our schedule.  It's gotten pretty busy.  I wasn't expecting the homework schedule to be this harsh.  I think things will be better once we get in the swing of things.

I am thankful...
for our new friends and our old ones.  

Learning all the time...
ALL THE TIME!  Our coop meets Tuesday and Friday.  On Wednesday I barely spent any time with Marley.  Rory, Logan, and I were at the kitchen table most of the day.  We took a break for a dentist appt, and then hit the books again.  It's a definite change for them and the piece meal stuff we did last year.

From the kitchen...
I did a lot of baking to freeze things for school lunches.  I'm trying to plan dinners, but activities keep getting in the way.  I'm sure we'll have this all sorted out by October.  I hope.

I am working on...
lesson plans for religion.  I learned last week that I need more meat.  I plan for discussion time, but when the kids don't talk, the class flies by.  

I am creating...
nothing.  I am all encompassed with school.  

I am going...
back on the wagon.  My whole, "I can eat 80/20 and be fine as long as I don't overdo it" didn't work.  I need the regimen.  So, here I am again on my own.  Going down the only road I've ever known.  (just kidding around...that's a song)

I am hoping...
to get the swing of things around here and create a routine.

I am praying...
for peace...big and small.

I am reading...
nothing really because I don't have time.  I'm even behind on my Carmel reading.  Yikes!

I am hearing...
KJ getting ready to go to bed which includes starting the dishwasher and checking on the kids.

Around the house...
I've been moving things around.  I'm trying to get the kitchen painted sometime soon.  I'm cleaning shelves and sorting clothes.  I just have to get everything to their new homes.

One of my favorite things...
air conditioning.  It's that yucky outside.

This week's plans...
don't ask.  There's so much.  I don't know how I'm going to get it all done.

A picture thought...

boys!

Marley's Birthday

First up..my parent's house celebration...roll film...

Marley asked for yellow cake with chocolate icing with blueberries in an "M" on top.  What a coincidence that this is Kevin's favorite cake too!  

This was her birthday morning streamer door...

Ihop for breakfast.  I LOVE this picture!

So there was a misunderstanding about who was responsible for making the cake.  Kevin went to Safeway and got a strawberry one.  We did the same thing with the blueberries.

We take the kids out for their birthdays with only mom and dad.  Marley wanted to go to some stores that she sees on her way to school.  I only got two pictures.  :(

I think she had a good birthday.  :)

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby

My little Hot-Tamarley is five tomorrow.  FIVE!  It makes me want to cry.  There's something so grown up about five years old.  I'm in denial.  Here's her birthday acrostic. (sniff sniff)

M- MINI-ME  Marley has curly hair and wears glasses.  Where have I seen that before?  Marley is a spaz.  I admit that I too have been known to be a bit dramatic.  She can be loving, sweet, and cuddly.  No brainer.  She is the youngest in the truest sense of the birth order philosophy.  I am the youngest too.  It takes one to know one.   
A- ADORABLE  I don't think this one needs any explanation.
R- REBELLIOUS  This drives her daddy crazy...kind of like I probably drove my daddy crazy.  ;)  On the flip side, she can be a very good listener too.  Maybe she's not rebellious as in rule breaker, but as in there are no rules.  We'll see how the teenage years go.  I thought I was scared of Rory, but Marley definitely has my worry now.
L- LOUD  The end.
E- ENERGETIC  Do you see a theme?  One thing about this girl that throws me off is she's the first to tell you she's tired.  You know when other kids scream and throw tantrums?  Well, Marley will tell you she's screaming and crying because she's tired.  It's refreshing.  She's got a confidence about her.  I hope it sticks.
Y- YOUNGEST  Here are some things I found written about this last position of birth order.  I have to say, I am completely expecting a backlash from this.

• When such children do not get the desired atmosphere they find it difficult to adjust to this change and often sulk for days together, as they understand from day one that they are bound to get anything they want. They are typically takers and not givers.

• However, professionally these children may suffer. They are not as progressive as their colleagues. These people can be good routine followers and not routine makers. As they are not accustomed to handle pressures, they can be good at a place where they get orders and implement instructions and will be good as secretaries. This is in stark contrast as compared to a first born who being eldest amongst the siblings is in the habit of giving instructions.

• If placed in the position of a manager, the last born child may not fully succeed, as in that position he or she has to face a number of challenges and issue instructions, and that is not normally his training. These children are often slow in completing their work and instead of doing it, critically analyze the work assigned to them.

Behavior in relationship of last born children when they become adult

• Being the youngest child, they may need to be taken care of even in a romantic relationship and will need a lot of attention from the loved one. They cling to their partner and want them to drop everything they are doing and attend to them. For them no one is more important than ‘me’. To do a particular work even at home they will need full and proper instructions.

• The first born child by instinct is in the habit of giving instructions and takes care of the others junior to him. As such relationship between the first and last born will be long lasting and smooth and will form a perfect match.

Oh my!  I did not know all these things, but they make so much sense.  I might have to delve deeper into this study.  I might find some answers like...it's not me!  It's my birth order!  Blame my parents!  :)

Happy Birthday, Mini-Me.  I love you a whole bunches!

XXXOOO

School Pictures

I spent most of the day with Marley, thus explaining the absence of Rory and Logan pictures.  Here's what I did get.

Look at their eyes in this one.  They're all alike.

I had another picture of her rocking her baby doll during nap time, but I can't get it to post correctly.  It goes sideways.  It was a great day.  I think we're going to like it here.

First Day of School Tomorrow!!!

Running around crazy and can't do a proper blog.  I'm going to take pictures, and I'll post them tomorrow.  Have a great day!!!