Week in review

This is the "uncooperative" corner. This has been our solution for disciplinary issues. Dan seems to spend a lot of time there on some days. The poor little guy doesn't mean to misbehave and is very quick to say "norry (sorry)". He is making progress and some days he doesn't have to visit the corner at all.

We've had some very cold days this week, with temps in the negative and single numbers. On nights when it is this cold, I pull down the blinds to hold in some of the heat. When I pull up the blinds in the morning, the windows will be covered with the most beautiful patterns of frost.

Dan, Bessie and Hannah

Big sister fixes hair

Sir Daniel, ready to slay the dragon

Everything becomes a weapon when they are doing
battle...even linking cubes and train whistles.

Victory

Dino Attack

GI Joe gets a ride from the triceratops

Update

Life seems to have settled into a quiet period for us right now. Not a whole lot is happening. We get into a hibernation mode from mid-January to mid-March, spending a lot of time at home. This is often the time of year we get the most schoolwork done.

Our choir did another performance of Stars and Stripes for a local nursing home on Saturday afternoon. I took a quick run over to Michael's to pick up floss and fabric for my next cross-stitch project. I picked up Chinese food on the way home.

Brian and the kids went to the library and Agway while I was out.

Sunday was our usual of Sunday school and church and then a quiet afternoon at home.

Monday we had a good morning with our schooling. Gabe, Gracie the dog and I took a walk, but it was very, very cold. The temp was only 21 and the wind chill was 4. The wind really cut through you. I like to go two miles, but we only did one. It was still nice to get outside and enjoy the brisk air and a bit of sunshine.

Today...another good morning with our schooling. I've been spending about an hour with each of the younger schoolers. This works out well for getting the basics in. We do history and science in the afternoon, but not everyday. I try and slip in some time with Dan to do a few things and touch bases with Bessie to make sure she is doing okay.

After lunch, Gabe, Gracie and I went for a walk...we made the two miles today. It was warmer, around 30 and very little wind.

Bessie had piano this afternoon. Brain picked her up on his way home from work. We had a light dinner.

I'll post some photos from the last week.

1921 Super Fiat

This is the latest block for my stitching group. This block isn't very exciting, but some of them are really great, Corvette, Mustang, Camaro and a Jag. This quilt will be great for the little boy we have chosen.

The Boys

Dan just loves Gabe. He follows him around and likes to copy everything that Gabe does. This is not always a good thing. But most of the time it is wonderful. Dan is learning so much by watching Gabe and Gabe just loves showing Dan new things. He is a great big brother.

Today, they were so comical as they marched around with their hats backwards and tossed around their footballs.

There have been many trials and difficulties with the new kids, but so many wonderful blessings, one being that Gabe has a little brother and Dan has a big one!

Our boys

A Good Day

Today was a good day. Everyone was in good spirits and happy. We had a good school morning; getting quite a bit done. Rachel is loving her new workbooks. I've been able to work with each of the three younger "school-aged" kids independently for a little bit each day. Bessie and I try and touch bases at least once and make sure she is still on track and Dan...well, Dan we try and keep happy and occupied as much as possible.

We got our preschool activities in the mail this week. This was a swap I pariticipated in where everyone made a different preschool activity and then we swapped them out. The box is full of all sorts of things to keep Dan busy. We are finding that Hannah is benefitting from them too.

Bess helps Dan with the lacing cards

Hannah works on sorting beads

Mom and Dad came over late morning with a load of wood. We hadn't seem them in a week or so and it was good to have a visit with them. They stayed and had lunch with us. The kids just love Noona and Papa. We caught up on every little thing and the kids played around us.

Bri had a late flight tonight, so we ate a light dinner after having a bigger hot lunch with Mom and Dad. The kids had a fun time playing this evening and Bessie and Gabe worked on their respective "zoos". Gabe and I continued with Peter Pan.

Another Monday

We had a very good school morning. I wish we had more of these, but I am going to enjoy the days that are good.

Rachel started on some new workbooks. I am not a workbook lover, but she is. She enjoys working in them and I figured it would help me to know exactly where she is. It was a nice time to do some seatwork just the two of us.

Gabe has been chomping at the bit to move to cursive handwriting. His manuscript is not good, but I have been reading that sometimes cursive comes easier, so we forged ahead. He enjoyed it today and I think he is going to improve in this much faster than manuscript. We'll see how it goes.

After lunch, the youngers went outside. We had gotten another dusting of snow, which is always inviting.

Bessie made Russian Tea Cakes.

I tried to catch up on laundry. Our dryer doesn't try on one cycle, so I have to remember to reset it to completely dry the clothes. This slows me down as I often forget to reset the cycle. I should set a timer to help remind me.

We had baked chicken, baked potatoes and veggies for supper, with Bessie's cookies for dessert.

Brian, Gabe and I played some Uno Attack after the Littles went to bed.

Prickly Porky

We just finished reading Prickly Porky by Thornton Burgess.

These little stories are not very long and are a fun read inbetween our longer classic books we have been reading. We have read several of them including Peter Rabbit, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, Danny Meadow Mouse, Chatterer the Red Squirrel and Reddy Fox. There are many more titles.

The animals get into all sorts of adventures and troubles. There is usually plenty of topics to discuss on why the animals get into trouble and how they get out.

No deep reading reading here, but very fun and enjoyable.

This and That

Not much exciting or different this week. I can't believe I haven't posted since Monday. The days sure go by.

Dan has a hard time keeping himself busy while the bigger kids are working on things or watching a video. It is tough being the youngest sometimes. Brian and Bess are great about jumping in and entertaining him.

We did the usuals this week....school, piano lesson and choir. Brian had a flight one night.

Bessie started a new sewing project. She spotted this pretty pink floral material before Christmas. We got the yardage she needed, wrapped it up and gave it to her for Christmas. She was thrilled. She is making a skirt.

With the table being used for sewing, the Littles used the floor to do some coloring. They love to draw pictures.

I am not the only one that has been spending too much time on Zoo Tycoon this week. Gabe amazes us with how fast he can learn games on the computer. She moves things around so fast on Zoo Tycoon, that I can hardly keep up with what he is doing.

We had more ice and rain, then very cold weather and then a bit of snow. Today it is very windy and cold but the sun is shining.

The kids enjoyed their day in the snow yesterday. There really wasn't very much, but they sure had fun. The sliding hill was only good for one or two runs and then the ground was bare and they were sliding on leaves. They didn't seem to mind and were having a great time.

Thankfully, we have a very large drying rack that we can keep set up in the stoveroom. Once the family room is done, I'm not sure where we will put it. I think I see a new mud room in our future.

An afternoon playing in the snow wouldn't be complete without some hot cocoa to warm up with. The kids enjoyed a cuppa and some drawing.

Zoo Day

We were back to our school schedule today after having the last four days for the long weekend with Brian home. The kids were cooperative and we got quite a bit done. Rachel even listened in on our history reading, something she has not had much interest in doing before. She was even able to tell back to me some of the story. Praise God, we are making progress.

Over the weekend with the ice and freezing rain, we were inside most of the time. The kids wanted me to play with their Zoo Tycoon computer game...big mistake. I tend to be a bit addictive when it comes to computer or video games. Well, I spent most of my free time today playing on the computer.

It is so fun setting up the exhibits and all the amenities that go in a zoo. I haven't made Tycoon yet, but my zoo is doing well and as the game keeps telling me..."People seem to like your zoo."

Of course, my eyes are bugging out from staring at the screen for so long and I'll probably have visions of little green happy faces or red sad faces in my sleep, but it is a lot of fun.

I did do a few other things today...we did school and brought Bessie to piano. Brian picked her up after work. They made a stop at the farm store for chicken feed and cat food. Why do they call one feed and the other food? I did some reading and laundry...okay, so not much else was done today!

Most of the ice was gone this morning. The temps warmed up for a spell last night and then it rained hard and then the temp went way down. It is very cold and windy today, but dry...a few snowflakes, but no real precip. Once again, we missed the snow. I know there were areas not too far from here that got significant accumulations.

Kitchen Project

Every since we moved into this house over 10 years ago, I have disliked the wallpaper in the kitchen. It was too bold and dark for my taste. Well, today was the day to be rid of it.

The ice storm kept us all inside and Brian is always willing to tackle a home project. I wasn't sure about starting as I know how long it can take to finish things and with an old house, there is always the potential of opening a can of worms. You are never really sure what you are going to find when you start ripping and tearing.

Getting the paper off was not as difficult as we had thought it might be and we soon had the room down to the bare walls. All the kids joined in for a while, but Bessie was the only one that stayed with us to finish.

Before

Bess helps out
After

We are going to paint the wainscoting and woodwork a country green and repaper the walls in a simpler country pattern. I would go with just paint, but the old lathe and plaster walls are not smooth enough right now. Bri said he would float the walls, but I think paper will be fine.

I'm still undecided about the cabinets. They are stained wood right now, but I'm thinking I might paint those too, but am wondering if it would be too dark to paint them the green...we'll see when we get that far. Bri would love to replace the counter top, but I was going more for a make-over and not a real renovation.

Ice Storm

The storm that hit in the night, was almost all freezing rain and ice. It was so beautiful out this morning. I was hoping for some snow and we might get some still as the storm hasn't passed yet.

The trees are all bent over from the weight of the ice and we lost some branches off our trees. One rather large branch broke off of one of our maples. God's way of doing the pruning.

I'm sure glad none of us had to go another today.

Icy Sunday

An ice storm came in overnight coating everything with a nice, slick layer of ice. It is pretty to look at, but not to get around in.

After Bessie took a fall heading to the paperbox, we figured the roads might not be that great, so we didn't go out to church. We had a nice quiet morning staying warm, dry and safe at home.

I spent a good portion of the day catching up on laundry. It amazes me that adding three new members seems to have tripled our laundry...not sure how that is working. I did three loads of wash and folded six. I had one whole basket just of sox.

Brian and the kids bought me a Davis weather station a while back (I just love weather) and he worked on getting it set up. I didn't want him going up on the roof with all the ice, but he got it all hooked up and calibrated. When we have a break in the weather he will mount it on the roof. I can't wait.

Setting up the anemometer

Gabe continues to enjoy Zoo Tycoon. He is totally absorbed in this game and he is very good at it. We found some downloads and a few cheat codes that "unlock" certain things. He had a lot of fun playing with those today.

Bessie did some baking and made us a banana bread.

The weather for tonight and tomorrow calls for more ice and possible snow. I am glad that Bri does not have to work tomorrow. We can sit inside and enjoy the terrible weather together.

Full Day

Brian took the day off today to go with the holiday on Monday. He just loves those four-day weekends and we love having him home. It was gray and cloudy today, but warmer. I think they are predicting a weekend of rain, ice and snow.

He and Gabe spent some time outside this morning doing chores. Gabe enjoys his time with Brian and he is finally big enough to really help out. They filled the bird feeders, took care of the chickens and restocked the wood pile outside the backdoor.

Gabe helps with the wood

Gabe and Brian enjoying working together

I spent extra time working with Rachel. She enjoys doing her schoolwork and is usually quite eager to "do school". I've been challenging her a bit more, trying to help her understand that sometimes she needs to put more effort into things when it comes to new concepts and ideas.

She started a copywork book this week. She has seen Bessie and Gabe working in their books and she liked the idea of having a book that was her own. I gave her one of the black and white composition books. I am still amazed at what little things excite them. I write a sentence on one line and she copies it underneath. She doesn't know the names of the letters or the sounds, but she is good at copying. Hopefully the rest will come soon. It is always a thrill for her to show Daddy her work everyday.

Before lunch, Brian, Gabe and I went for a walk. Our area is very rural and part of our road is a dirt road. The walking is nice as there is little traffic. Part of our route follows along the river. It is peaceful and very enjoyable.

One of our neighbors has a very large pig. He is usually out toward the side of their house and pays us little attention. Today he was right out front and rushed right up to the fence when we walked by. He was so funny, acting more like a guard dog than a pig.

Brian made a wonderful soup for lunch. I love soup.

After lunch we ran some errands. I needed to go to the post office and Brian wanted to go to the hardware store. We also needed gas in the van and a trip to Walmart.

All the kids had money from Christmas to spend, so part of our trip was spent cruising the toy section. The Littles have no concept of money and buying things. Rachel kept saying, "Do we have to pay for this?" With a lot of guidance, they finally picked out some things they liked. It was a big event for them.

Don't I look pretty?

Rachel and Gabe "cooking" up some fun

We had plain and blueberry pancakes for dinner. We sure seem to have a lot of "breakfast for dinner" nights.

Gabe wanted to download some extra stuff for the computer game Zoo Tycoon, so we took some time to do that. We also looked up some cheats and he was thrilled to find one that he can get Yoda to walk through his park. We'll see if it works tomorrow.

It has felt a lot more like winter the last few days...quite cold and extremely windy, but no snow...at least nothing to speak of.

We had a relatively quiet day yesterday with nothing much going on except school and Bessie's piano lesson in the afternoon. I dropped her off and Bri picked her up on his way home from work. They ran a couple errands, grocery store, farm store and the library. We had a quiet evening.

We had a good school morning, attitudes have been good and progress is being made. We added our TOG assignments back in this week and Bessie has started her Spanish. She is enjoying it and thinks it will be fun.

We went visiting in the afternoon. This family has two little girls...2 and almost 4. They have every toy imaginable for little girls including tons of frilly dressup cloths and a plastic bin full of tiaras. The little girls were in heaven. Dan seemed happy to wear a pair of wings around. Gabe...not too thrilled with the whole girlie thing, but they have a huge TV with a very large video collection...worked for him.

Bess and I had tea and goodies with the mom. The younger set went out to the garage for a while as the mom and dad had made a wonderful playhouse for the girls for Christmas. It is large enough that they haven't moved it outside yet, they will need help. They had lots of other things to play with out there including a motorized car that you ride in...a huge hit with everyone. Gabe didn't even mind that it was PINK! A good time was had by all.

We had breakfast for dinner tonight...bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast.

After the Littles went to bed, Gabe played Zoo Tycoon, Bessie watched a movie she borrowed from our friends and Brian brought in wood...I dozed by the woodstove!

Monday, Monday

I had a very late start today. I stayed up way too late reading and was really dragging. I am so very, very bad with this. Thankfully, Bessie is a peach when is comes to getting up with the youngers. She had them up, fed and dressed. I am so undisciplined!

Dan had a doctor's appointment this morning...it was just for a shot. I hadn't told him about it because the Little's fuss so terribly about this for days if they know about it. Gabe came along as he can keep Dan occupied well in the van. Bessie stayed home with the girls. We got about 1/2 way there and Dan started to get nervous. We don't drive this way except to go to the doctor's. He surprised me by recognizing the route. When we got to the parking lot he said "doc-tor" and I said yes and he started whimpering. After we got inside he kept saying "momma, no, momma, no" over and over. I read to him, tried to get him to play, but nothing was taking his mind off the idea of a shot. After about 10 minutes, someone from the office came out and said that they had forgotten that he had a shot taken in November and that he was all caught up. I smiled at him and tried to get him to understand that he didn't have to get a shot, but he didn't quite believe me until we were heading out the door! The ride home was cheerful.

Bessie had kept the girls doing some schoolwork while we were gone. We had lunch and then I did seatwork with Gabe. It was very windy and getting colder, so the kids didn't make it outside today.

A very strange squall blew through with large sleet covering the ground and huge gusts of wind. It didn't last long and then the skies cleared out late in the afternoon.

Brian made spaghetti and salad for dinner. Dan has been so tired the last few days, we put him down early to bed. I worked on some stitching. A rather quiet day overall.

Hannah

Each day brings some little step forward for us. If I can just keep my eyes set on that and not get discouraged when the steps are oh, so small.

Hannah has discovered the computer. She is so happy to be able to spend some time everyday working on the preschool games we have. She especially enjoys any sections that have coloring in them. Hopefully these little games are giving her some extra learning and confidence.

"Look mom, I got it right!"

Murder With Peacocks

Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews

I can't remember who recommended this series of mysteries, probably someone on the SHS yahoo list. Whoever it was, thank you! I enjoyed this book very much. It was funny and very entertaining. The character development was very good and I enjoyed getting to know Meg and her crazy family. Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

"So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones-each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointingly rumored to be gay, keeps Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neighbors.

And, in a whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints at skeletons in the guests' closets. But is seems this lady has offended one too many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents-some fatal. Soon, level-headed Meg's to-do list extends from flower arrangements to bridal registries to catching a killer-before the next catered event is her own funeral."

Other books in the series include: Murder with Puffins, Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos, Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Lion and We'll Always Have Parrots.

I look forward to reading more about Meg and Micheal and her very crazy family.

Our Saturday

Today we woke to temps in the high 50s and rain. What a strange winter we have had. The breeze was balmy and felt more like April than January.

We went to the library this morning. We had a stack of books waiting for us and everyone was able to pick out a couple of fun reads and a few videos. The library is always a fun outing. They are so nice there and don't seem to mind that the kids are less than quiet.

After lunch the kids went outside. The sun had come out and it was 67 degrees...unbelievable! The wind picked up and it was quite gusty. The Littles were a bit freaked out by the high wind.

Dad gets lots of help

Bessie and Rachel start the stacking

Mom and Dad came over in the afternoon with a load of wood. They stayed for dinner. Brian brought home KFC...yum! Everyone in our family loves KFC. We had a really nice visit.

Dan

The daily question around here is what are we going to do with Dan while we try and get some school done. We would love to have him join us and sometimes he sits on my lap, but usually, he is way too busy and disruptive. The kids will often trade off...someone plays with him while I am working with some of the others. This past week, he was able to keep himself occupied pretty well. It is so nice to have him in the kitchen with us, but not interrupting the school work.

He loves playing in the sink

Back to "Normal"

After several weeks of Brian being gone, holidays and then Brian being home on vacation, we are finally back to our more normal schedule. Bri went back to work today and the kids and I started up our schooling again.

We had a very good day. Everyone seemed more than willing to get back to our books and studies. My most reluctant pupil was even cooperative today. We got a good mornings worth of work done.

The youngers went out and played for a while. It was cool, but sunny and clear. Dan came in very dirty...not sure where he found so much mud, but I guess 3-year olds have some type of radar for that sort of mess.

Bessie and I finally dug out her new Spanish curriculum and read through everything. Hopefully we will have everything set up and ready to start for next week. I ordered more books from our library system.

The youngers all got haircuts. It was fun and everyone seemed happy with their new cuts. With the pile of hair on the floor, we could have made a little dog.

Bri made a couple of stops on his way home from work, so we had a late dinner of chili and garlic bread. The Littles went to bed shortly after. Bri, Bessie and Gabe are watching a movie.

A very good start back.

Sunset

Several of the other ladies regularly post pictures of scenery on their blogs and the pictures are wonderful, so I thought I would give it a try.

Here are two pictures I took of the view looking out of the kitchen windows late this afternoon.

Hair Cuts

I had cut Brian's hair last night and the boys wanted haircuts too, but I didn't want to have to give them a shower, so I told them I would do it tomorrow.

Gabe's hair grows very fast and it extremely thick. He likes it a little longer on the top. I use the #4 on the sides and back and trim the top. Dan gets a buzz cut...I use the #3 guard and buzz away...fast and easy.

Gabe before...

And during (with his perpetual straw)

Dan doesn't like a towel...man that must be itchy

The boys after a cut and shower

I also gave the little girls a trim. Rachel wanted her cut a bit shorter, so hers is shoulder length now. I figure I saved the family a good amount of money in the last two days doing five haircuts.