School Starts Monday!!

I can't believe school starts in two days. I think I'm ready. I had hoped to get a corner for the preschoolers. Hopefully this weekend I can get that done. I'm going to make sure they get their homeschool time too. Their corner will consist of books, puzzles, shape sorters, BIG blocks (which I'm having a hard time finding w/o ordering), math puzzles and manipulatives, cuisenaire rods, and other Montesorri type stuff (texture cloths, scented bottles, sandpaper letters, etc.). The play dough, Lincoln logs and Tinker Toys will be brought out on a rotation basis.

If I could do it all over again I would have done this more with Isabelle and Anna. I was so eager to jump into workbooks and I still don't know if Isabelle is suffering for it. Even though she'll be going into 3rd grade I'm setting up her own Montesorri shelf too. I found some 48 piece puzzles that come with their own trays. She really needs to work on puzzles.

I also got her a Leap Frog Spelling Game. Its a small hand held type game that has 5 different spelling games and its for grades 1-6. She seems to like it and its a way for her to practice on her own wherever we go.

We will also be doing art once a week, library visits on Saturdays, zoo visits once a month, and the weekly exercise classes at the YMCA (if they continue to have them). We are going to the park more often after it gets cooler and we are reading aloud EVERYDAY! Finally, we are starting off the school day with prayer, Gospel reflections and resolutions. I have different levels of Bible readers so Anna and Belle can take turn reading. This is going to be a great school year!!

And I'm not going to worry about the house as much. We'll pick up before dinner instead of everytime I see something out of place (this is going to be the hardest thing for me). Also, I have made up my mind to only get on the computer in the evening after everyone is asleep. I don't know how to use it in moderation. Once I get on I have a compulsive need to check everyone's blogs, check my email, recheck my blog, read Catholic articles, etc.

Well, gotta go! Baby Catherine has found my books on tape and has pulled them off the shelf. I need to have a talk with her so she knows my game plan and organization layout. Can't have her undoing all my hard work!

Catherine: "Wanna bet?"

Montesorri and Image of Mary

Just wanted to clarify something. I am a big fan of Maria Montesorri. She wrote that every child should have an image of the Virgin Mary in their room. So, when Isabelle got a room (she was around 2yo) I hung up an image of the Virgin Mary that she received at her baptism. The rest of the children moved into their own rooms anywhere between 2-3 yo and had images in their rooms too. It didn't occur to me until after Catherine was born that all the other children hadn't actually had their own space or image the first two years of their lives. Hence, hanging up Mary in Catherine's own space, her changing area.

Now, I have since added crucifixes to their rooms when Anna got confused and equated Mary to God. I can see how that assumption would be made if she's the only one hanging in their rooms and there are more Hail Mary's than Our Father's in a Rosary. So this is the story of how Mary and Jesus came to hang on Catherine's wall.

Also, Sophia doesn't actually have her own "image" since she shares a room with Anna. Hmmmmm ..... what will she take to college?? I guess maybe I could get her one to hang on her side of the bed??

I don't remember the name of Isabelle's image (need to take it out of the frame and find out). Anna and Sophia have Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Kolbe has Our Lady of Guadalupe. Catherine has Our Lady of Guadalupe as well (although its a very little plaque).

The Missing Crucifix and Virgin Mary

When Catherine was only a couple of months old my mother gave her a small beautiful crucufix brought back from the Holy Land. I hung it, along with a small ceramic plaque of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the wall next to her changing station (actually its the vanity counter in my bathroom). Its been hanging there since she was tiny and could only stare at it.

My thought process was that she would learn to recognize the Virgin Mary and Jesus on the cross as a little baby. I'd never thought of doing this with the others.

Well, as time has gone on she has definitely become aware of their presence evident by her reaching for them. About 2 months ago she became successful at knocking them off the wall. About a month ago she learned to take them off the wall and into her mouth. I started thinking this was maybe not a good idea. What if she knocked them off the wall and they hit her head?? Should she be putting the crucifix into her mouth? I wasn't being scrupulous, I just didn't know if the metal would hurt her teeth or gums. So last night I took them off the wall and was going to replace them with baby-friendly versions when I could find some.

This morning she rolled over (did I mention they were making diaper changing hard because she would roll onto her side to reach them?) to reach for them and was genuinely surprised. Where had they gone? She kept twisting around (as I tried to change her) and was becoming upset at their absence. Remember, she had seen them since she was 2 months old. So I hung up Mary and Jesus and she smiled as she knocked off Mary and grabbed Jesus and put Him into her mouth.

I'm not sure if this is a dilemma or a blessing. Maybe I can replace them with something but I definitely need the replacements first. Or maybe this isn't a problem. Mary hasn't actually fallen on her head yet. And the crucifix hasn't hurt her gums or teeth either. Hmmmmm.... she is VERY attached to them and wasn't that the goal?

Fishy Story

Sunday night Craig took the kids fishing. While my childhood hobbies were ballet, piano, skating and reading, Craig's life was all about skateboards and fishing. That was it!! He grew up with a rock quarry behind his house (very beautiful btw) and went fishing all the time. He's been waiting a while to share his love for fishing with the kids.

Sunday night as they were packing up the car to go fishing I was like a mother hen packing snacks, water bottles, warning the kids to "stay near Daddy, don't get IN the water," etc. I was VERY worried.

I prayed the whole time they were gone. I felt as if they had gone fishing against my better instincts. What if Kolbe fell in? What if he didn't notice one of the kids was gone? What if they all took off in different directions? What if they actually caught something, would they bring it home?

Around 9pm they got home and they were all there with the biggest grins ever!! They had caught a fish and Craig had brought it home (what happened to catch and release?) Now, I have NEVER gone fishing. I couln't believe they had a real fish!! And it looked pretty big too! WOW!! I just couldn't believe it!!

Lillian: "WOW!! What kind of fish is that?"
Craig: [with BIG grin] "Oh, its fresh water red snapper."
Lillian: "That's amazing! Are we eating it?
Craig: [grin even bigger] "Oh yeah we're eating it!!"

He was going to start cutting it when I started screaming, "WAIT!! Let me get a picture!!" I then spent 10 minutes looking for batteries for my camera. No sooner had I taken the shot (and let me mention I was so proud of them and took the picture for my blog) when everyone started screaming and laughing. Isabelle blurted out, "Mommy!! We went fishing at HEB!!" HEB is our local grocery store. Craig couldn't contain his laughter as he said, "Lillian, there's no such thing as fresh water red snapper. Red Snapper is a deep sea fish!!"

I can take a joke! I was actually very proud of them for a split second. Now I'm proud that they actually kept the secret long enough to play a joke on me. They did buy me a chocolate cake as a peace offering. Craig still can't believe I didn't think anything was "fishy" about his story. How was I to know?? They're still laughing at me over here.

Skating

I'm hoping this post makes it!! I can't tell you how many times I've started a post to have the internet go out on me or have the baby pull the computer plug!! Everyone's asleep and its not raining (causes internet problems) so I should be able to do this!!

Lots of fun times have gone on these past few days!

FRIDAY NIGHT
While I was out at a baby shower, Craig decided to take the kids and buy himself some skates. They spent hours skating in the driveway. He was so excited about learning to skate and take part in an activity my children just love.

Craig: "Lillian, you should get some skates, its actually alot of fun."
Lillian: "Oh really?"

I then put on Craig's skates (too big but oh well) and started skating, doing spins, SKATING BACKWARDS!! My kids and husbands were shocked!! I don't think they've ever seen me skate.

Isn't it funny how one day you get older (I'm not old by the way, just older) and your childhood memories are forgotten until something reminds you? Whenever I watch the kids skate I remember my skating days. I grew up on military bases and skated everywhere: the swimming pool, shoppette, friends' houses, the movies, school even!! I gave up skating right before high school, just about the time I met Craig.

My kids and hubby know me as mom or wife, but I once used to be a skating queen!! I went through about 2-3 stoppers a year, had several colored pom-poms and various neon laces for my skates. I guess its time to buy a pair of skates!

Internet problems

Sorry I've been away so long. I haven't had internet access for a few days. DH just fixed it (something very simple of course) but I'm still cathing up on email. I hope to post later today!!

Joke of the Day

What did the Pink Panther say when he stepped on an ant?


(see comments for answer)

Why am I doing this?

Well, this was another great weekend! Craig made the kids some playstands so they can have more sucessful "overheads." They look something like this except Craig made it with two shelves and at a fraction of the cost!! My camera's batteries are dead so I'll post a picture later.

The homeschooling room stayed put but inherited a tall bookshelf from the living room. I had fun arranging it again. I wish I had thought to take pictures the first year we started homeschooling. Every summer the school room has gained more furniture, books and manipulatives.

I did panic for just a brief minute when I was at church today. Seeing the school and how happy Belle seems to be around other kids made me wonder (again) why I do this. So when I came home I really thought about it. I need to get my reasons down on paper (for moments like these). I also need to work on school goals for this year.

I'm fine now! Seeing her play happily with her siblings makes me feel like I'm not depriving her of friends.

Brainstorming Goals for 2006-2007:
1. Start day with morning prayer, readings, religion class
(I always seem to let this go when I feel crunched for time ..... I know that's reeeeaaaaaally bad! Just being honest.)

2. Keep up reading hour.

3. Start up zoo visits.
We didn't go this year due to Baby Catherine. I don't think I can go twice a month like I did 2 years ago. I'm aiming for once a month this year.

4. GO TO LIBRARY!!!
No more fines allowed! This is actually a BIG motivator for Belle's reading. I found out they have a reading dog (as in he likes to be read to not vice versa) on Saturdays so we'll probably go then.

5. Practice piano in the mornings.

6. Wake up an hour before the kids.

These are just some. I have tons of them and I need to wittle them down, print them out and post them so I won't forget.

Finally, this weekend we rented Eight Below. The kids loved it. Poor Craig missed the beginning (he was outside with his RC cars) and kept thinking the movie was about a dog race. Nope. The kids cleared it up for him.

After the movie, as the kids were going to bed, Belle came into my room crying. Appearantly the movie reminded her of our dog Maggie (a Collie we had to give away). Poor Belle. Anna has decided she is going to raise Golden Retrievers. Kolbe wants to go to Sea World (there is a "Shamu" whale in the movie) and Sophia keeps calling the movie "Snow Doggies." This was a great weekend!

Starting Weekend

Well, Craig will be home in a few minutes with pizza from Sam's. This will officially start my weekend. This has been a good week. I've successfully read to the kids everyday. Although, I had to wittle it down to 35-40 mins. That's how long it takes to read one chapter. Starting another chapter would have taken me over the hour! ;-) And I need to build the attention span of the little ones.

I love this blogging! I KNOW I'm my own biggest fan. Just rereading my own posts and seeing my pictures are helping me become more positive. Its amazing how easily I can forget the good things in a day and dwell on the bad. This way I remember! Gotta go eat!

**I CAN read faster than a chapter per 35 mins. but they have ever soooo many questions. And Catherine likes to wander off alot.

**Scratch the pizza ..... forgot the debit card. Disappointed children are eating thrown together dinner.

COUNT DOWN Begins .....

Well, our homeschool will be resuming classes on July 31st! This means I only have about 2 more weeks to stop second guessing myself, rearranging furniture and blogging so much!! ;-)

Just when I've made up my mind on a book, I always run into a friend and we start sharing. This summer I've only gotten one program not originally in my plans. Not bad! This weekend Craig will be switching the homeschooling room with the playroom. The current playroom is bigger but they keep spending most of their time in the school room!! I'm thinking once school starts we'll need more space in the schoolroom. Anyways, my kids like to play and roam throughout the house.

If I don't blog as much assume I'm lost underneath a pile of books (or at the homeschooling store sifting through the used section for great bargains)!

In case anyone is wondering, the unplanned book I got is Discovering Intensive Phonics for Yourself recommended by Kimberly Hahn. Normally its a hefty investment but I found it used for $10!!!! Even Craig was pretty excited and he doesn't normally get excited about homeschooling books!! He does get excited if I stay within my budget (which I've managed to do)!!

Wish me happy planning!

Smith band practicing. What a cacophony ... I mean melodious sound! Belle is principal flute, Anna 1st trumpet, Sophia 2nd trumpet, Kolbe percussion and Catherine belly dancer.
taken by Lillian

Belle practicing her trumpet (which belonged to her daddy).
taken by Lillian

Catherine and Kolbe are the percussion section.
taken by Lillian

Overhearing about Overheads

Anna: Can I come into your overhead?
Belle: No, my overhead's too small.
Anna: But I can't make a overhead!
Sophia: I can make you overhead Anna.
Me: What's an overhead?
Isabelle: You know, the thing on a house that goes over your head.
Me: You mean a roof?
Isabelle: Yeah, exept I couldn't remember what it was called so we're calling it a overhead.

15 minutes later ...
Isabelle: Hey guys, come in. My overhead is bigger now!

5 seconds later ...
Anna, Belle & Sophia: (screaming) overhead falls
Belle: Everyone get out! We have to make a bigger overhead.

Belle reconstructing her overhead.

My pick-me-upper for tough Mommy days .....

Beating the Mommy Blues

Sometimes I get the "Mommy Blues." Not because I don't like being a mommy but just because its hard! Yesterday a friend of mine was having a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." I know during "the blues" I feel better after I pray, take a nap, drink coffee, go out for an hour, etc. But one thing that helps me feel better that also includes spending time with my kids is reading to them! I especially like reading Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Olivia because I KNOW I have a "Lilly/Olivia" type personality child!!

I got the baby bug IMMEDIATELY after Craig and I were married. I was crocheting baby layettes, reading Dr. Sears' The Baby Book and praying for a "special" baby all before we were actually pregnant. 3 months before our 1st anniversary we became pregnant and I was sooooo happy ... for about 2 weeks. Then I became soooooo sick!! I only had one semester left (2 classes) of graduate school. My plans had been to finish the two classes, take my comps and have my degree before the baby was born. Instead, I had to take 2 semesters off, have a midline I.V. for 3 months and have weekly nurse visits to my home during that time. I was very worried that the baby would not be okay. So I told/prayed to God that I would accept ANY baby as long as He would just let me keep her (I knew Belle was a girl). I knew I had enough love for a "special" baby (i.e. down syndrome, etc.) and wanted her to make it through.

Well, God gave me a very "special" baby. I sometimes forget that I specifically prayed for this!! ;-) So whenever I'm having a "character building day" (as a friend used to call them), reading those two books help me remember that what I have is "special" and nothing to be blue about. Of course she has NO IDEA why I like to read these books. She just thinks I love "Lilly" and "Olivia." And I do. I LOVE my
"Lilly/Olivia" very much!!

***My "Lilly" has about half a dozen purses and wears her sunglasses everywhere!

A few funny quotes from Kolbe today ......

This morning at breakfast: "Mommy, can I have some of my poo-poo cake?"


Today in library parking lot: While I'm buckling Catherine in her carseat, Kolbe is "relieving" himself in the parking lot!!
Me: "Kolbe!! What are you doing!"
Kolbe: "Mommy, I had to go wee wee. See!"
**This is my first "boy" incident. While not proper etiquette, boy was that easier than having to run back into the library bathroom!


At dinner time after catching a yellow jacket in a cup and releasing it outside: "Wow Mommy! You stronger than daddy!"

Proud Mother with Important Announcement!!

I am happy to announce that Kolbe has finally pooped in the potty!! This is a BIG, BIG, BIG deal!! He's been potty trained on everything except this. Actually, we were having alot of issues because he knew he wasn't supposed to poop in his diapers but was refusing to poop in the potty. So where was the poop you ask? Exactly!! Major discomfort for my poor little boy!

Actually, we had the same problem when Anna was little. So I used the only thing I knew ... bribery!! It worked with Anna and I was hoping it would do the same for Kolbe. I told Kolbe weeks ago that we would have a Poo-poo Party if he went poo-poo in the potty. At first Sophia was a little disgusted because she misunderstood what kind of cake we'd be having! ;-)

So, I'm off to make a cake for my little boy's Poo-poo Party!! He was so proud as all of us were clapping and congratulating him! I had the honors of flushing! The girls are so excited about the party! They've even made him cards and want balloons for him. I'm not quite that prepared! A cake will have to do!

Comfy Read-Aloud

I have to admit that I have not been too successful at reading chapter books to ALL my kids. In the past I would read them to Belle or Anna individually. As a result I haven't always finished the chapter books started and had to "cheat" with books on tape!

I used to envy all the other homeschooling moms and their family reading sessions! How did they do it? Well, today, while reading the Latin Centered Curriculum, he kept mentioning reading aloud for an hour at least 3 times per week. WHAT!%#?! How?

I told myself I just HAD to do it. So today I announced reading time and everyone came running. I do read to them as a group but never chapter books. How would it go?

I set the timer for one hour and started reading. Thank God for Isabelle!! She decided to go get a blanket and pillow and lay on the floor. Five minutes later Anna did the same. Five minutes later Kolbe and Sophia copied. By now fifteen minutes had gone by and I had only read a couple of pages. In the past I would have stopped because progress was slow or due to interruptions. But not this time! I still had 45 minutes to go.

My kids did surprisingly well! Isabelle, Anna and Sophia listened. Kolbe kept trying to get into everyone elses "beds." Catherine kept screaming because she did not want to be forced into a bed (by Sophia). I had to stop several times to rescue Catherine or save the girls from Kolbe. But I kept reading!! I felt like the fighter waiting for the bell to ring and save me from this round!

Not only did I persevere but I was able to teach the girls to be more patient with Kolbe. I told them that if we were going to do this everyday they had to be patient with him and let him "sleep" with them and share their blankets with him. They couldn't believe I was going to read to them everyday! So they were patient!

If only I had known that blankets and pillows and floor space were all I needed to be successful. I would have done this a long time ago! I need to find our style of learning instead of trying to be like the schools or Barnes and Noble reading time!

Just for the record, I do read to my kids daily but those books consist of picture books. Chapter books were done individually (sporadically). I did read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the girls but that had been during Kolbe's naps. Today I read with ALL of them in the room!!

How exciting! I can't wait until tomorrow's reading time!! This time I'll be ready with the blankets and pillows!

Tomorrow is Monday.
Weekend is over and it's back to work!

Bah Hum Bug to Self Control

Well, I haven't been very successful with my Month of Motivation goal(exercising with kids daily) so I thought I would try at least being more careful about what I eat. Too bad I decided to start today! I just got back from Blockbuster and wasn't able to indulge myself with Marble Slab. You see, Marble Slab is right NEXT DOOR to Blockbuster and its become somewhat of a habit to stop and get myself an ice cream. I started this when I was 7 mos. pregnant with Catherine. Catherine is now 9 mos. old!!

I'll miss my new friend (banana ice cream w/ nuts in chocolate covered cone) but I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning. I guess its back to my old friend ... popcorn. Its only 3 pts and I can make it last the entire movie!!

N.B.

HOW COOL!!! I just recieved a Marquee from my fil and posted it on my blog. Please ignore some of the links. I will be replacing them with those of my own. THANKS.

*******Since it is taking me longer than I thought, I've removed the marquee until I am finished editing. I don't want you thinking I'm into JFK conspiracy theories ;-)

*******It's back!! I know it has a VERY LONG delay before scrolling. I'm working on it!

Stay tuned ...

Every year our city has an Easter Egg hunt at the park. This past year Anna won the Grand Prize - a Giant Tweety Bird Basket. Here she is showing it off! The park is around the corner from our home so we walk there all the time.
taken by Lillian

Mother who cried WOLF!

Just wanted to say hello after being gone for the holiday. We had a wonderful time visiting our families. We spent a few days looking at houses (old and new). While we were at the last house Craig and I had to take turns looking at the house since our little ones were asleep. When I got back into the car he told me he had been listening to Dave Ramsey. He reminded me that we are just about to complete baby step 2 of Ramsey's Financial Plan (debt elimination) and wouldn't it be better to stay where we are and follow "the plan" rather than move into something bigger and more expensive. After a big *sigh* I agreed. I tend to get my head in the clouds and Craig is sooooo grounded!

I did protest a little at first. "I've told everyone we're moving! I've started packing! This will be the second time I've said we're moving!" Craig (who doesn't care what anybody thinks, unlike me) said, "Well unpack. We're not moving just to save face." So, I've unpacked the kids' toys. I'm a little sad because I was looking forward to being closer to friends and family. I love it here but feel soooo lonely. Its amazing that I can know so many people that I never see. I'm trying to keep myself busy. I'm organizing the homeschooling room and have turned our formal dining room (which is so formal it was never used) into a playroom. We will move one day. Just not right now. Now how to tell my homeschooling group we're not moving. If I didn't say anything I wonder if they'd notice??

Looking on the bright side, my kids were elated. This is home for them. They love their piano and ballet teacher. I love our pediatrician and dentist. The parks in the area are some of the best. I admit I was nostalgic about leaving. I was already missing our bike rides to the pizza place around the corner, the local county fair, walks to the park, and Easter egg hunts. I feel I've been granted a reprieve. I'm going to enjoy the time we have here and try a little harder to visit with friends. I don't think of myself as an introvert but I don't like telephones or even email. Maybe I can buy myself a pigeon and send out little notes?

Next time we get ready to move I'm not saying anything until a contract has been signed and a "For Sale" sign is on the lawn.