Friday, July 25, 2008 - Happy Friday
Do my little girls have the best daddy, or what? Whenever I sense that my two littles are going to ask me to get into the pool with them (or even sit outside in the oven, watching them) I get a sense of dread that makes me want to run away. Not Daddy. Daddy's the best. Daddy says, "Let's go swimming!" Daddy's awesome. Someone else here should try to be more like him.
Notice those nice bright Wholesomewear swimsuits? They have kept their color this year, BUT. They are completely. stretched. out. I know what it is -- it's pool chemicals. So much for my chemistry degree. Remember the goggle-eating pool from a previous post? It also eats swimsuits. Now what? We have tried to make them last two seasons, but it's just not going to work this time. I have quite a quandary for a mom of desert kids. We just aren't going naked, that's all there is to it. But we want to get wet and have fun, too! I would love to figure out how to design something similar to these suits, something that wouldn't cost an arm to make. Well, that's one ramble for today... what else can I ramble about?
Emily and I had a good time looking at the map last night, after she told me she wants to take a train to Tanzania. Or China. LOL! I showed her where Tanzania is, and she said, "Oh! We can't take a train there. We would have to fly or take a boat!" I am feeling pretty smug, knowing that my four-year-old has figured out what a map represents. Her social studies requirement for the year has been met.
The rest of them were supposed to start school last Tuesday. But, well, we just didn't feel up to it, and SURPRISE!! Daddy said we could put it off a week! (See, didn't I tell you our daddy is the greatest?!) Now our target starting date is THIS Tuesday. I am thinking about Shani's recent entry, in which she asked, "Does your high school student finish her work in under four hours? Does your junior high student finish her work in under two hours?" I will be able to say NO to the first question, but to the second I will have to say YES. The junior high age child will skip through her school work as fast as possible, likely missing a few questions and taking all the shortcuts. The highschool age student will be diligent but will also dawdle, so that will help her to fill up her four-plus hours.
No superachievers in this household, but then, look who they have for an example! (And no, we aren't really counting hours, just talking about using our brains and accomplishing something in these energetic growing up years.) This morning, while number 3, number 4, and Daddy were in the pool, number 1 and number 2 and I played with the microscopes we borrowed from the local high school. Figured it was about time -- school starts soon, and we'll have to give them back! We looked at red blood cells (mine), cheek cells (mine), a thin slice of carrot, and a very thin piece of onion skin. I can't remember from my college days which of these things require dye to make a good, visible specimen. Hmmm, my biology degree isn't helping me, either! I think my brain is a big black hole of knowledge. Stuff gets sucked into it, and then poof! It just disappears!
Second child, the short-cut taker, made us a batch of slow-cooker rice pudding this afternoon, and we are waiting to see how it turns out. Experimental recipe, of course. That is so much more fun than making one that we KNOW turns out edible. I have been asked to make my famous enchiladas for our church's men's meeting next Friday. Aren't enchiladas, by definition, baked in a sauce? These are baked topped with salsa. I don't think that counts. So we'll call them hot chicken and black bean roll-ups, how's that? I think I'll post that recipe here -- they really are yummy.
Well, that was about five rambles, and I have met my minimum blogging requirement. Time to go do something to earn my keep around here! Have a great weekend, everyone.
Friday, July 25, 2008 - Friends List Update
Just letting you all know I am going to be updating my friends list, removing people I have not heard from in a long time. If I remove you, please don't cry!
(I do know of a blogger who cried when her name was taken off another blogger's friends list, and honestly, I don't want to cause anyone that kind of grief!)
If you don't see your blog on my list, and you still want to be "friends" (sounds like second grade, doesn't it??), please just leave me a comment and tell me so.
I admit it, I stole all my new smileys from your c-boxes! We will no longer be stuck with boring ol' blue smileys on my c-box. So go ahead and leave me a chatty line or two.
Now. Somebody tell me why there is a break before and after each emoticon...???
Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Our Tenth Anniversary-Show and Tell
Our tenth anniversary is tomorrow (July 26th)!! Ten years ago, I married the love of my life. God has been good to us and blessed us with many things. Here are two pictures from our wedding day. 
I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride! Check out my daughter's reaction. LOL
I love you honey! I look forward to many many more years with you.
Jul. 24, 2008 - A little of this and a little of that...
I was going through the internal memory of my camera and found a couple more pictures from our latest reenactment. Here is one of part of the camp:
And here is one with Matthew in it. He is over on the left side with that big smile on his face. I just love his smile!
Matthew has gone to work with Kev the last few days, so Kelsey and I went to go visit my sister and her girls. Jessie and Kelsey worked on a couple of crafts while we were there:
I decided that we need to work on PE a little more this upcoming year, so I found an idea in one of my many books to do some activities with bean bags. Kelsey decided she wanted to make some bean bags also:
Filling the bean bags:
Today, it was just the two of us again, so we headed to Turlock to the tea place for lunch. After lunch, we went to the quilt store and found some fat quarters for Kelsey to make her first quilt. Once we got home, we put the material in the wash and tossed her new bean bags for a quick game:
Her Flat Friend arrived home from Israel with some flat bread for a snack!
We have a very busy few days around here so I probably won't even see my computer until next week. Hope you have enjoyed my little update!
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - We enjoyed our visit
But sadly, our grandson had to go home. We managed to get an extra 10 days with him by changing his airline ticket. It went way to fast. Last night, we made brownies. As you can see, Dan really enjoyed the brownie batter!! 
Good to the last drop!!
He's so funny! We miss you, Tiberius (inside joke) Hope you get to come back and visit again real soon.
Jul. 24, 2008 - Happy Birthday Elle Belly
Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Noelle - aka - Elle!! She is 15 yrs old today and we love her so very much!!!! Elle is so much fun and sweet and the best big sister!!!
Wednesday 23 July 2008 - 8 weeks today...
Wednesday 23 July 2008 - What's cookin'?
Michael came into the kitchen the other day and upon seeing a pot on the stove he asked, "Oh, what's cooking?"
He was a little disappointed with the menu...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - Postponed Rosa Discussion and New Read
To all Readers Lurkers~
We will be posting Discussion of Chapters 14-17 of Rosa of Linden Castle on Thursday. Tomorrow is Isaac's fifth birthday, and I am not prepared to discuss tomorrow. Hopefully I will be on Thursday!! Pray for us as we are readying to publish GGM for August 1st!
If you are interested in reading along with us next time and adding to our discussion, we will be reading Enoch Roden's Training by Hesba Stretton - Lamplighter. We are letting you know early so you have time to purchase it and join in with us!!
Here is a little more about the book, from The Old Schoolhouse Store:
"This book is bursting with life's lessons! As Enoch's faith is tested, will he prove that his is no mere profession, but a real, living confidence in God's love and wisdom? Through severe trials, Enoch learns much about sound business principles, sacrifice, and trusting God. If he had only said, "I am working with God…" he would never have found the work wearisome, for of all grand, and comforting, and heart-refreshing thoughts in this world, to a Christian, the greatest is the thought that we are co-workers with God. Without a doubt, after reading this book, you'll walk away a better person than when you began."
We hope that you will join us, and those of you reading along with us in Rosa will pop in and just say hello!!
Blessings!!
Jul. 22, 2008 - What happens when...
...you forget to put the memory card back into the camera after you upload pictures onto the computer??
You hardly get to take any pictures!!
I was so bummed when I turned on my camera this past weekend only to discover that I only had 5 pictures available on my camera. Yikes!!
So here a two pictures from our latest reenactment:
Oh, I did happen to get Kev's shirt done this weekend also:
We didn't know they were going to have a dance on Saturday night for the reenactors. Kev and Matthew stayed at the camp, but Kelsey and I decided to go. We watched a very large group of people do the Virginia Reel. It looks like a lot of fun! Then Kelsey was asked to dance a waltz. She was so excited and now wants to teach Kev how to waltz so they can dance together at the ball in November.
We don't have another reenactment until September which gives me plenty of time to get more sewing done. If you noticed, Kelsey now has a hoop skirt, so she needs me to sew drawers for her. I am currently working on another shirt for Matthew. I want to sew another dress for Kelsey and a wrapper for me for the mornings at the reenactments. Balls gowns need to be done before November, another petticoat for each of us...did I mention that I really am enjoying all of this sewing!
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