Wordy Wednesday: Meh

I haven't felt really compelled to write about any particular subject matter as of late.

Life is going really well over here, aside from the tremendous sickness of March, 2015 is rocking my socks.  My BABY just turned 6, and my BIGGEST is about to turn 17.  I just celebrated my 39th, and life at nearly 40 is pretty amazing.  I'm training for the next Spartan.  I had to have a shoulder injury checked out by the orthopedist, and am thankful that it isn't a joint issue and we ruled out any damage to my rotator cuff.  It's a simple muscle issue and can be pretty easily fixed.  The main thing is I have to build up the exercises....slow and steady is not my thing.  It's a lesson, however, that I learned while training for a half marathon last year, and I have another chance to practice it now.  My pain is already decreasing and I've only been doing the physical therapy exercises for a week.

My only complaint could come in the form of being tired of sickness.  In the last 2 weeks, Four has had an asthma attack, a stomach bug, and now some random cold/other virus that has him so worn out that he put himself to bed at 5:30 last night and ACTUALLY slept til 6:15 this morning!  The Punk and Three also got the stomach bug.  It's been a rough couple of weeks, sickness wise, but thankfully we've been able to manage it.

We are all excited the pool is open, because I have water-babies.

Tonight, the girls (One, Two, The Bestie, Her One, and two other good friends) and I are attending a concert together and tomorrow I'm taking One to get her nose pierced.

Life is good.

Sunday Snapshots

One with her gorgeous purple hair. 

My hands!  Grape Ape. 

Wine and Design with The Bestie and some other beauties!

Four lost his first tooth!!!

Our last official co-op class of the year, we learned about coral reefs. 

Quill writing in Old Salem. 

Friday night Magic School Bus. 

Saturday at the arts festival. The Bestie filling out the "before I die" wall. 

Today at the MADD Crazy Lil Run obstacle course run for kids. 

Snapshot Sunday

Winter can suck it.  But, here is Three's snow angel. 

One and Two spent the snow days looking at old journals and notebooks and laughing A LOT.  (They both had all sorts of notebooks and journals that they wrote/drew in from the time they were 8 until they were probably 12....I kept them all and they dug them out of the attic.)

And, coloring.  

"No, no...it's ok mom, I'll just lay right here."

Short vowel word sort.

Testing for Yellow Belt.

This is what happens when I say "go do something else while your brother reads to me."  I clearly mean "wrap yourself in the blanket and lie on the floor 2 ft from me."

The sloth at our science museum was very active when we were there this week!

After co-op we went to the park, rode the merry-go-round and the train.

This picture is from a hike we did in January but the friend that took it just sent it to me, and I had to share.  This kid and his dimples.  <3 p="">

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.

Sunday Snapshots

I know, I suck-again-lately. But I'm here. Climbing back in the saddle. 

This is what you do when you're 5 and you have to go dress shopping with your mom and 16 yr old sister. 

This boy LOVES blueberries. 

One attended her first semi-formal event, this hair took a painfully long time as her mama didn't get the "hair" gene (I have shoulder length naturally curly hair that requires no effort, thankfully!)  BUT it turned out lovely. 

Early morning minecraft videos in mama's bed. 

Being 'stereotypical' homeschoolers (Four reading the dictionary.) 

Three reading the atlas. 

A stunning rainbow, you could distinguish every color. 

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.

Sunday snapshots

I signed up for this (Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon.)  140 days to train.  

Me, One, The Bestie, Two AFTER our Dirty Girl Mud Run yesterday.

One, myself, Two BEFORE the run.  "The Geek Girls" a parody on "The Spice Girls."  We are awesome.



Professional picture from Warrior Dash 2014!  Me, the fire-jumper.  I'm phobic about fire, so this is a big DEAL!



My buddy (The Bestie's other bestie!) and I at the finish line.  I'm both elated and freezing.

Two, the insect whisperer.

These are about to hatch in my yard!  There are 10 baby ducks (I can hear them cheeping THROUGH the shells!)  There are already 2 batches of ducks on the pond, we are in for a LOT of baby ducklings.