As a parent, the days are long…but the years are short.

For Today, March 29, 2011

Outside My Window… the weather made me long for Seattle.  It was a Seattle rain kind of day -  misty and damp, but no actual rain.  Back then, days like this on Mercer Island, I’d come home from work, put a leash on sweet Alvin and we’d walk to the dog park.

I am thinking… that I’m grateful for our new air conditioner.  The old one was showing signs that it might not last much longer.  Hubby didn’t want it to go out in August, so we went ahead and had it replaced this week.  At least we know what our tax return will be used for…

I am thankful for… Hubby’s canceled trip to Detroit this week.  We all need some Daddy time.

From the learning rooms… we’ve been watching the “Times Tales” DVD.  I’m amazed at how quickly the boys are grasping the concept.  I’m hopeful this will prevent tears as we continue to work on multiplication with Woody.

From the kitchen… I made this amazing pork loin for dinner tonight, with mashed potatoes.   Tigger thinks he’s died and gone to heaven because there were enough mashed potatoes that he got to have seconds and thirds.

I am wearing… a t-shirt and jeans. Yup, what a surprise.

I am creating… a pile of read books for which I need to write and post reviews.

I am going…crazy.  Wanna come along?

I am reading… still working on: Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts” – it’s good, but her writing style is difficult for me to read; and “Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World” by Jill Rigby, and about 3 other books.  However, I *did* actually finish quite a few in recent weeks:  Bryson’s tome “At Home”;  Tim & Joy Downs’ “One Of Us Must Be Crazy…And I’m Pretty Sure It’s You”; Glenn Beck’s “The 7 Wonders That Will Change Your Life” – if all goes according to plan, reviews will be posted soon.  I also found some books on the shelves in the living room that I read last winter.  I need to get reviews done of those, too.

I am hoping… that we can get to Dallas Blooms sometime before April 10th.  I’d love to get some pictures of all the spring flowers.

I am hearing… the clatter of Legos as little hands search through the giant container for just the right one, and conversations about places in Iceland.  We’ve been listening to Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” audio book.  Now when the boys play they talk about places that are mentioned in the book.

Around the house…I’ve come to realize that my home misses FlyLady.  I’m slowly getting back into the routines, and it is oh. so. needed.

One of my favorite things… a bubble bath with a book.

A few plans for the rest of the week… We don’t have much going on this week.  Except that Friday is one of our favorite days ~ it’s our turn to deliver Meals on Wheels.  There’s a small group of homeschool families that rotate/share Friday deliveries.  This week the boys and I will get to see all those smiling faces.  Of course, those smiling faces just love seeing the boys, too.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…isn’t he a handsome little devil?

For Today, March 10, 2011

Outside My Window… is beautiful sunshine!

I am thinking… that this day did NOT go as planned.  The boys and I went out to a field trip.  On our way into the building Woody tripped as he went up the stairs.  He banged his cheek against a concrete step.  It left a gash that required 3 stitches.  So instead of seeing a really cute show, we saw the inside of the Emergency Department. For 4 hours…

I am thankful for… a doctor that was very caring and gentle with Woody as he was stitched up.  Woody was so proud of himself because he didn’t cry during the stitches.

From the learning rooms… We’ve been working on a presentation about Washington D.C. for the “Eat Your Way Around the USA” hosted by our local homeschool group.  They will meet tomorrow morning but I’m not sure we’ll be there.  I’ll let Woody decide in the morning.

From the kitchen… I made this sensational pot roast this week.  I bought an inexpensive roast and then came home to look up recipes for that cut of meat.  This was the only recipe that came up that did not have items on Hubby’s “Offensive to Picky Eaters” list.

I am wearing… a t-shirt and jeans.

I am creating… children who are addicted to the PBS shows “Wild Kratts” and “Cyberchase”.  At least they’re educational, right?

I am going… to sleep well tonight.  Stressful Day + New Comfy Mattress = Me Zonked

I am reading… same books as last time: Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts”, “At Home” by Bill Bryson, “Snoop” by Sam Gosling, and “Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World” by Jill Rigby.

I am hoping… that next week will be uneventful.

I am hearing… PBS’ “Cyberchase” and dogs snoring.

Around the house…still working on getting rid of stuff.  So far I’ve dropped off one large garbage bag to the local donation sight.  I have another bag halfway filled.  Once I fill it, I’ll drop it off, too.

One of my favorite things… the iced tea maker that my friend Jamie gave me for my birthday.  I use that sucker just about every day.  And since I’m the only tea drinker in the house, that means I am the one drinking 2 quarts of iced tea daily.

A few plans for the rest of the week… possible Washington D.C. presentation tomorrow, Date Night with Hubby tomorrow night, and I am determined to get through the next chapter of my Scott Kelby Lightroom 2 book.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…I took this on my phone this afternoon.  My tough guy with 3 stitches watching “Tom & Jerry” on the hospital TV.

For Today, February 16, 2011

Outside My Window… is sunshine! And temps in the 70′s! Yay! Yay! Yay!

I am thinking… about the fact that I still haven’t posted pictures of our schoolroom.

I am thankful for… friends. Life is so much sweeter when you can share laughter and tears with dear friends.

From the learning rooms… things have been very, very quiet.  Poor Woody has had a fever for the past two days.   We have an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow, it was the soonest we could get in..

From the kitchen… Do pizza boxes count?

I am wearing… a t-shirt, capris, and flip-flops. Can you tell I’m ready for those warmer temps?

I am creating… a home that fits.  It’s time to let go of some stuff.

I am going… to do Woody’s chores.

I am reading… Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts”, “At Home” by Bill Bryson, “Snoop” by Sam Gosling, and “Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World” by Jill Rigby. Finished “The Old Schoolhouse” issue, and blasted through “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chua.

I am hoping… that the Dinner Fairy will arrive soon.  For that matter, I hope she brings the Laundry Fairy with her.

I am hearing… PBS’ “Wild Kratts”, little boy giggles and coughs.

Around the house… we’ve got cooties.  I’ve tried to quarantine them, but I just know that Tigger’s gonna get Woody’s crud…

One of my favorite things… our local homeschool group.  It is such a wonderful resource of friends, activities, advice, and prayers.

A few plans for the rest of the week… blog posts, more organzing, more closet cleaning, and hopefully a nap…

Here is picture thought I am sharing…I took this on our Date Night last Friday.  I think it looks like Hubby is trying to whisper in the cowboy’s ear.   But he was really blowing dust bunnies off the top of the cowboy’s hat.