Flashback Friday

Two For Tuesday 

Geology/Rock Collecting and Dinosaurs!

Flashback Friday: Spirited Kids

Wordy Wednesday is a post I made about my favorite parenting advice author.  If you have a spirited, spunky, "difficult,"  Star-Girl/Boy in your family....I recommend her.  Also, if you don't get the Star Girl reference, you should read this.

Also, since there are no links in the original post, here is a link to the amazon page that has Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's books.  I got to see her speak in person once, right after the Power Struggles book came out.  She's amazing.

Flashback Friday: Better Than A Book Report

http://waterfrontlearning.blogspot.com/2009/08/better-than-book-report.html

50 standard book report alternatives

Flashback Friday: Unplugged

That time we went screen free.....I'm thinking of doing this again, so I reread it for inspiration!

Sideways Saturday

Flashback Friday

Back to that time I told you to stop doing it all...

Share the Wealth

Flashback Friday: Running Playlists

Here is the original post about my running playlist.

I posted that 2 full years before I ran my first half marathon.  My half marathon list needed to be around 3 hours long, my pace was right at 12 miles an hour.  When I was talking to friends about it they recommended I make it longer than it needed to be because a couple of them had run out of music before completing their half-marathon and it was tragic.  Here is a list of some of my favorite songs on my Run playlist.

The Big Bang-Rock Mafia
Bad-The CAB
What's Luv-Fat Joe
23-Miley Cyrus
The Motto-Drake
Started From the Bottom-Drake (THIS is my ALL TIME FAV running song, the beat is great.)
GUAP-Big Sean
Whistle-Flo Rida
Dance (A$$)-Big Sean
You Need Me, I Don't Need You-Ed Sheeran
Wake Up Call-Maroon 5
Gold Digger-Kanye West
See You Again-Miley Cyrus
The Man-Aloe Blacc

Flashback Friday

Wordy Wednesday: Do you.   I think this was the FIRST "do you" posts I penned.  It still holds true, and I am currently starting another Day Zero Project.  I logged in, and was able to cross 20 things off that list (which I had actually forgotten all about!) and was happy to see that even without looking at the list, I was still moving forward and accomplishing things that I wanted to do.

"My Ladies.." (which is what I call my senior citizen fitness class gals) mentioned that I'm always doing new 'crazy' stuff.  They meant CrossFit, Aerial Bootcamp, Mud Runs...etc, and I told them that I LOVE doing new things, trying new things, pushing myself and growing.  It's something I never want to stop.

So, now I'm off to create a new list.  *it will include some of the non-crossed off things on my original list, as some of them I'm still very interested in doing.

Flashback Friday: Quiet Time Bags

Today's flashback takes us to Sept 2012, when Four was just 2 1/2ish.  And, the need for quiet time was HUGE in my house.  Now that the smalls are 8 and 5 1/2...this isn't really a "need" for us anymore.  However, my kids still enjoy some of these activities, and some of them I should probably just pass along to someone with smaller kids.

Enjoy.

Wordy Wednesday: Quiet Time Bags

Flashback Friday: Body Systems

(As I mentioned last week, for the next several weeks my Flashback Friday posts are going to be old posts from my blog....my favorites, or things of most relevance.)

We will once again be visiting Body Systems, so I looked up my old post.  Here you go:

Body Systems

Flashback Friday

For the next few weeks/months, for Flashback Friday I'm going to direct you to other posts on this page.  My favorite posts from the past.  We are going to start with this one because it's one of the best I've ever written IMO, and it makes me tear up every time I read it.  And, I actually read it often because I need to remind myself of those things that I can so readily tell others about how this homeschool thing can go.  Enjoy.

Poster Parent

Flashback Friday

Monday:  Stuff.
Tuesday:  Stuff.
Wednesday:  Amazing Christmas Party with our co-op groups, including presentations by all the 1st/2nd graders.
Thursday:  Unexpected ambulance ride to the ER for an acute asthma attack in Four.  Asthma can kiss my ass y'all.
Friday:  Stuff which included a lot of whining on my part because I'm tired and sick myself (I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection) running on no sleep BUT topped off by a husband who is bringing home dinner so that I don't have to cook.  I love that man.

Sideways Saturday!

(This post is going to be a Two for Tuesday, Skinny Housewife, and Flashback Friday all rolled into one....Sideways Saturday Fo'Sho!)

Phew!  The weeks are just flying by.   Not to sound TOO cliche, but how is 2014 almost over??

We are doing well with schooling, I'm pleased with where the boys are.  One and I recently drew up a contract to help her get herself back on track (she asked for my help) and that's been going pretty beautifully.  Although, truthfully, we are just wrapping week 1 of using this new contract, so it's still in the 'honeymoon phase.'  However, after only one week, I can see a difference in her PHYSICAL behavior and she seems genuinely happier on the whole (She is dealing with depression, and I put in place some things that I was hopeful with help as she and I are both a little leery of medications.)

This month we've been learning about Christmas Around the World (different holiday traditions) as well as other holidays celebrated at this time of year.  In Kindergarten Co-Op this week, we covered Hanukkah (we did the menorah hand-print craft only I had the kids trace and cut their hands out of paper, and glue on paper flames because I didn't want to do paint!) and Kwanzaa (I was inspired by this, and each child made a chain with 3 red, 1 black, 3 green links, and we discussed the different principles celebrated during Kwanzaa as we went.)  For Early-Elem Co-Op, we are each working at home on a project board covering a different country and how they celebrate "Winter Holidays" and will all be making a food item from our country for a big Christmas Around the World party this coming week.  Our country is France, because my great-grandparents were french immigrants and I'm trying to hold on to our french heritage.

My job is going great, I teach 3 mornings a week and my ladies have asked for one more class.  I have to pitch the idea to my boss, so we'll see!  However, I injured my leg sometime before Thanksgiving, and am currently wearing a knee brace to assure that I don't bend it wrong (because it hurts like a BITCH when I do!) and I'm taking ibuprofen around the clock to get rid of the inflammation.  I've been braced for 3 days, and it really is helping a bunch.  I have 4 more classes to teach and then I'm on a 2 week holiday break.  I won't be running or dancing during that time, and am hopeful that by the time my schedule goes back to normal my knee will no longer be an issue.  I AM worried about gaining weight during this time though as all my normal cardio is what keeps my weight in check.  Seated cardio is way harder than you'd think.  I have a very hard time getting my heart rate up while NOT moving my legs.  However, I keep reminding myself that it could be SO MUCH WORSE, and I'll take this minor injury over something more major.

Flashback Friday

Some of the excitement of our week.

Three doing the science experiment I shared yesterday.  

Power Rangers making chalk/egg paint

Some fun at the pool with their cousin.

My view last week at my convention.

One and Two dared each other to eat something they each hate.  Two has a fried pickle in her mouth and One just ate an entire spoonful of ketchup straight.  Yum!

This table has been my nemesis for months.  It's largely stuff we actually use, but I have no good way to organize it and keep it easily accessible during school time.  I have triumphed over this mess!  The table is currently clear (and I'm going to list it on a yard sale site this weekend) and all the school items are organized and stored in our coffee table (which is really a chest.)  HOORAY!!

A picture from One doing the #ALSIceBucketChallenge.  Two and Three did it as well, but this is the only picture in MY phone.

Power Rangers duel.

Flashback Friday

This has been the most productive week-school wise-that we've bad in a LONG time. We actually got EVERY SINGLE thing I planned complete. Crazy right??  

We learned about: Bats, practiced reading, did addition and subtraction on a number line, memorized a rhyme, looked at our map and learned where some interesting types of bats lived, learned what characters are, completed a Venn diagram about a bats vs birds, and did a few sheets on the story of Stellaluna!  Phew!

Three at First Grade Co-Op. 

Flashback Friday: Over the Shoulder Glance at our week.

Monday:  Manic.  That is all.

Tuesday:  This is our normal "free" day, and I spent a decent chunk of it ALONE with my mama.  My children always act like it is treasonous for me to spend time alone with "Grandma."  They always seem to forget that she was MINE first, and they should thank their lucky stars that I share her with them.  We sat and talked for nearly 4 hours.  It was pretty heavenly.

Wednesday:  The Punk took the kids out of the house, and they were gone for 5 hours.  What did I do with that time?  I cleaned.  Since I spent Tuesday (my normal "at home" day) with my mom, I didn't get anything done here at home really.  I cleaned the bathroom, and the kitchen and cleaned out the fridge, and caught up some laundry.  I'm a wild woman when left home alone, to my own devices.

Thursday:  The Punk took Four to his art class, and I stayed home and helped the girls with school work.  I worked on the blog, and did some promotion (share, share, share my space!)  Two and I had the chance to feed our plant!  This was exciting for all of us.  We're goobers like that.

Today:  We have co-op this afternoon and the subject is Amphibians, Reptiles and Fish.  I'm leading and once again, I'm really looking forward to it.  This is an exciting subject for me! I hope the kids enjoy it, even half as much as me.

Random:  I found a triceratops horn on the coffee table this morning, there must have been an epic battle during the night.

Flashback Friday!

This week has flown by.  I can't believe it's already Friday.  Wowsers.

Monday-typically manic.  Three was heartbroken that he still felt too bad to have his friend come sleep over.  And even though he was insistent that he felt good enough (I over-ruled him) he took a nearly 3 hour nap, AND by 5pm was just lying around in a lump of whiny.  So, I know I made a good call.  He will have a sleep over soon after he returns home from vacation.

Tuesday-We (all of us but Two, who was having an odd stomach issue) went to tour the Duke Lemur Center.  The girls and I had all been there before, the girls twice and myself three times (I got to go once as a college student.)  I was so excited to take my boys and The Punk.  A good time was had by all.  Even myself, who spent much of my time wrestling Four into submission.  He is so borderline out of control that reading two parenting books while they are away is on my "to do" list!  SMH

Wednesday-I packed up my boys and just after lunch they left.  The original plan was to have Three attend his art class first, but he was so overcome with the excitement of the trip that we decided it would be fine to let him skip it.  We are trying to get him in the groove of art, and I thought it would be better for him to go (they wouldn't have class next week anyway) but what do I know??  Plans change.  We roll with it.

Thursday-I spent the bulk of the day cleaning my room.  REALLY cleaning it.  I moved the mattress and box springs (with the help of The Boy-my eldest nephew, he's 24 and not really a boy, but that is what my parents call him.)  Vacuumed under the bed, under the dresser and night stands, the entertainment center, two lamps and the blinds.  Yeah...a lot of vacuuming was happening and I'm pretty sure I sucked up TWO additional dogs in the process.  Sheesh, the amount of dog hair in my bedroom is insane.  I also washed the bedskirt, and comforter and shams and changed the sheets on my bed as well as washed the dogs bed.  I was so tired last night, but my room left me feeling so at peace!  The only task left in this room is to straighten up my bookshelf and empty a desk that only serves as a catch all (and The Punk and I have already discussed getting rid of it, so I just need to empty it so we can have someone who will use it come pick it up!)  I collected a pile of stuff to post in the Post before Pitching group (you should see if your area has one of these groups.)  It's kind of like freecycle, but on FB which is just easier for me.  You can post pics of things you just are done with, but that aren't really worthy of being sold and people can speak up and set up a time to get them from you.  Others get things they need, I get rid of stuff we don't need.  Win-Win.

Friday-On tap for today, I plan on finishing the bookshelf in my room and then moving on to the living room. I also need to spend at least an hour in the attic, as that is my BIG organizing project for the week.  For my spring cleaning, I pinned several things to the "Cleaning and Organizing Board" over on Pinterest.  I pinned 4 spring cleaning lists, and I'm checking things off of those as my guide.

Off to clean, and organize and give myself internal peace that only comes with having boys gone for a week! It's ok, internal peace-at least this kind, that comes from having a REALLY clean house-is overrated.  *wink*

Sideways Saturday

This is going to be a combined post:  Flashback Friday, and Sideways Saturday.  I meant to blog yesterday, but just didn't get around to it.

Quick flashback of our week:

We started our school year on Tuesday.  We managed to get ALMOST the full weeks worth of lesson's done.  Friday was a rough day.  Three and Four got up at 5:15, so there were some meltdowns during school time, and I just threw in the towel.  I plan to finish up tonight/tomorrow what we didn't get done from last week (just a couple activities.)

We had preschool co-op on Wednesday, and Kindergarten co-op on Friday.  Both were excellent!

Four successfully wrote his name on the top of a handwriting worksheet this week!  All but one letter are pretty close to perfect.  I was super proud of him.  We've not really worked on that at all.  But since Three was doing it, he wanted in on the action.  *smiles*

Today we had a SUPER busy (but SUPER fun day!)  We attended BugFest at the Natural Sciences Museum in Raleigh.  Then we had lunch out, and hit the farmers market.  Followed that up with a trip to a great park-with not only a playground but a big pond, a carousel, and a train ride.  It was outstanding, but I am one tired mama.  I'm hoping for a 7pm bedtime.  Four didn't sleep at all, so I imagine he'll be ready.  Three catnapped for 15 minutes or so...but he'll still probably be ready.  *cheers*

My Sideways Saturday post was going to be about how our quiet time activities are going.  I posted back in March about pulling together ideas for quiet time because I could see the end to nap time and I just NEED that time in the afternoon.  This week was the first time I've been MILITANT about it though.  Teaching all of them has left me NEEDING that quiet time even MORE!

Here is Thursday's set up, starting closest to the camera and moving clockwise:

Number puzzle
Shape match
Beads
I can't remember!
Oatmeal bin with magnet wand and magnetic letters inside
Wedgits.

The rule was:  Play one of the quiet time activities, play in your room or go outside.  Do NOT talk to mommy (unless there is blood or vomit.)

I am going to scour around for some more ideas, so be expecting a post about them again soon!

I have a ton of pictures for Sunday Snapshots!

Flashback Friday

Last week, our 4H Leader brought in a big box. She explained to me that her kids had outgrown all of these, but she had made them and she couldn't just toss them...so before she tried to find somwhere else to donate them, did I want them??? An entire box of file folder games....YES please!!! Three was very excited about it as well. He's played several of the games this week.

Co-op was about rainbows this week, here is the awesome craft Three and Four made. It was 1/2 a paper plate and streamers and glue. So simple, fun and cute to display. Our hostess did an awesome job she even taught the kids the signs for all the colors. Very cool.

We worked on letter review, and I'm so excited to report that Three knows all but 4 letters of the alphabet now. This is impressive as just a few weeks ago he only knew MAYBE half. He was just unmotivated to learn them, and knowing that all children are so different (his oldest sister was reading before her 3rd birthday-actually, at about the age Four is now, and his other sister didn't do it until 7ish) I just didn't push it. His motivation? Four. Four knows half the letters already. He's just very interested, and this has motivated Three to learn them, because well, he can't be outdone by baby brother. *wink* Sometime peer pressure can be positive!

Today we did fingerprint shamrocks (green ink pad, and fingers are your only necessary supplies.) Yesterday we talked about clover, while lying in a nice patch of it. Three tried his best to find one with four leaves, without success. It occurred to me while Four was lying in the clover, that he might be allergic (because he is allergic to almost all of the outdoors.)

We've been outside a lot as the weather here has been SO gorgeous all week!

Flashback Friday

Not a lot to flash back on....we haven't done much school. But, this has been far and beyond the worst week I can remember.

Some serious shit hit the fan on Sunday night. Turning Manic Monday into more than it's usual chaos as I was running on almost no sleep. I got the kids to art, and did my Zumba class (because I needed an hour where I didn't need to think of my own stuff) but then I started to fall apart from either the stress of the last few days or lack of sleep. Probably both. I hit my BFF's house for awhile, but when Four started to melt down, I was ill equipped to parent through it and just gave up and came home. When I got home, I was metaphorically punched in the gut with MORE bad news. At some point I realized that the date was 2/27, and this date holds some serious history for my BFF and I. And, now apparently it was my turn. I decided to nap. Yes, I met all this turmoil with sleep. Judge all you want.

I slept an hour, got up, helped put my boys to bed, and returned to slumber. I only read one chapter in The Hunger Games...just so you know where I was. I reflected on how much worse things COULD be...but decided I would wave my universal white flag anyway.

Tuesday, we actually did school. But it was mostly discussion (reviewing letters on the wall) and workbooks so I don't have any pictures to post.

Wednesday, BFF had some stuff to handle so her kiddo's were here with me. Making for 7. At least for awhile there were 7. One left about noon to hang out with a friend, and spend the night. Two left with BFF and her kids to spend the night with her.

Thursday, I desperately tried to catch up on some housework as over the course of the last 7 days I've been falling further and further behind. I've returned to making lists, so as to try to get things done again!

And, then today...I hope to do some school with the boys. Maybe some sort of craft and a do-a-dot letter I printed sometime last week.

Flashback Friday

Looking back over our week....

On Tuesday we went to a cupcake party to celebrate V-day. Here is Three sampling the wares.

On Sunday, we went out for a V-day dinner...This is Four having his spaghetti pomodoro from Carrabba's. This was extra special because he can't EVER eat when we go out (I have to bring his food from home...) because of all his allergies. YAY!!!

We went to the circus prior to dinner, here are the 3 of us in the car.

The only school craft we did this week....J is for Jellyfish. :)

We also attended our 4H club's valentine party on Wednesday, and preschool co-op on Thursday. Co-op was about exercise and Three has been talking about it NON STOP since! I'm excited that he was really listening and paying attention...but I'm just about done hearing it.

Today One had her well-check with the ped....seems strange to call it that, since ya know, she's almost 14. She was diagnosed with adolescent scoliosis, believed to have begun a year and a half ago when she went through a MAJOR growth spurt (having grown 5 1/4 inches in the course of a year!) The ped didn't seem concerned....referred us to a spine clinic, thinks they'll have One wear a brace, and it should be correctable.

I went out last night...(That's a song...btw.) and I'm heading out again in a couple hours. I'm really tired though...so we'll see how long I last. ;)