Jan. 25, 2006 - Girl Scout Cookies...
Paris is still selling, although I don't let her go out by herself, so it hasn't been much lately with everyone swamped or ill.
Anyway, I've avoided asking most of my friends because I don't want them to feel pressured. Yesterday, one of my closest friends said, "Thank you for letting Paris bring her flyer! I don't think anyone I KNOW sells these. I was about to put a sign in my yard 'Girl Scouts Welcome!'" L)
So, anyway, if anyone wants to order some (and you have no one else to buy from) just let us know... and I'll let Paris call you and take your order, or you can email if you want. $4. a box
Byn
Jan. 22, 2006 - We finally saw Narnia...
Well... in a word, eh. Or is that not a word?
Anyway, keep in mind that this is coming from someone who bribed her child to leave Lord of the Rings half way through because she was bored to tears. I guess fantasy is just really not my thing, well done or no.
I was impressed with the actor playing Peter... he did well with his character, and I think I might have been drawn in more if the battle scenes were... more something. I was just beginning to feel "into" it, when the whole thing was over. The girls didn't seem terribly "emotive" to me, and I had a really hard time empathizing with them... even when Aslan was dying, I think Sprite was more teary eyed than they were.
I liked the White witch. They did a very good job of making her look creepy and frightening and kind of surreal without making it just wayyy "too much."
And I like Tumnus. He was probably my favorite... very odd looking little creature, but by far caused more sympathy from me than any other character.
Lucy was extremely distracting, simply because she looks SO much like my daughter Paris. She even has the gap between the two front teeth... and the same hair cut, the same eyes (although Paris' hair and brows are a darker brown) it was just odd. I kept being drawn out of the "fantasy" when I'd think "Oh, there's Paris."
It was all right altogether, well done enough I'm sure, and seemed to follow the book pretty closely for what I remember (we read it last winter for school).
I won't be seeing the sequels if there are any though... I never have been able to wade through any of the other books. I loved the LW&W, but the rest just... bore me. I can't stick with it. The kids are begging me to finish A Horse and His Boy, though, so I may cave and plow my way through.
All in all... it wasn't disappointing (I didn't have any expectations) but its definitely just not my style, and as I have never seen the rest of The Lord of the RIngs, or any of the new Star Wars... I can't see myself sitting through it again, even though the kids will probably want to rent the dvd when it comes out. I may peek in once and a while.
Jan. 19, 2006 - SOLUTIONS!
Well, we're just doing a thorough "house cleaning" here lately.
Today I realized that all the arguing over who sits where, which chair belongs to whom, which glass each child got out that day, etc. wastes far too much time... so...
The kids and I sat down at school time, and I asked them to help me think of solutions. Here is what we came up with:
1. Each child will sand and repaint one of our wooden kitchen chairs (we already have a colorful house, might as well go all the way) and that will be their chair to use and keep clean from here on out.
2. We put up all of the cups and glasses with the exception of ten matching glasses, two of each color. Each child is assigned a color and that is their color for the year. As soon as I am able, I will also buy plates int he same way. Each child will then be responsible for making sure their plate is off the table, adn it shouldn't be an issue.
**Also, anyone caught using someone elses glass, gets punishment meted out by the "owner" of that glass (they pick a "grounded from...." magnet for that child for that day)
3. The table is numbered (not literally, but each space has a number) and the kids drew numbers for their seat. They put their chair in that spot, where it will stay for the month. Each month we will rotate one spot counter clockwise.
4. For school we will have assigned seats, which will remain for at least one month. Chosen by me.
WHoo Hoo~ Lets see how this goes. If nothing else, I'll get the kitchen chairs redone!
Jan. 19, 2006 - Elephant, our cat got hurt...
However, once the kids were all in bed (and Jaedin got his head whacked fairly good on the ceiling fan when he leaned too far over the edge of his bunk) I wasn't feeling tired at all.
Then Dh discovered that Elephant (our cat) was hurt. She had actually gotten out last night, apparently through the boys window, and had been out all night. She was at our front door meowing after school started... sometime around 10. I can't believe no one had noticed her gone... but then again, it is a big house, and quite often she and Boo will go find a corner somewhere to curl up ~ or they will sleep with someone different every night.
Anyway, while the kids were getting ready for bed, Dh was giving her a bath since she was all stinky from being outside (which I WILL NOT do as she claws the crap out of him and HE can barely keep a hold on her) and while drying her, he found that she growled really bad whenever he rubbed on her hip or leg. So, she stayed all bundled up for most of the night, snuggled up with Daddy:) He is so sweet with her. She fine walking and whatnot, but obviously sore when picked up, so I'll have to make sure the kids know that today.
Jan. 14, 2006 - What a nice relaxing Saturday!
My goal today was to NOT HAVE A GOAL.
I did it!
A friend of mine, whom I haven't seen in a loooong time came over today with her kids. We all just hung out... outside even, watching all the kids playing. We chatted and just had a nice relaxing time.
Sprite's friend Kaylee was over until about 5:30, and Mason came around here and again... shooting hoops int he street with Kainan and Sprite, while the girls from next door drifted back and forth throughout the day playing with the younger girls. Once again we're in a situation where the only without a neighbor friend is Jaedin.
After my friend Shawna left, the kids and I went around with Paris so she could sell girl scout cookies. She sold 41 boxes so far! Wow. I'm impressed:) We had a nice walk and met some new neighbors.
Jaedin got something in his eye today and apparently scratched it and is still in a lot of pain with it. Other than giving him tylenol, and now having basically taped his eye shut, there isn't much else I know to do.
Anyway ~ now that dinner is over, we're going to go watch the original "Cheaper by the Dozen."
Jan. 13, 2006 - Paris is selling the Girl Scout Cookies...
and I'm no sugar at the moment.... wahhhh!
At any rate, if anyone here locally likes the GS cookies, but has no one else that they buy from, let me know and I'll let Paris hit you up for some sales:) I suppose I'll do the same as we did for the boys' popcorn sales, and her candy sales, and let them go together around the neighborhood here locally and sell some.
We're not doing any driving though... other than for friends. I mean mainly no driving through different neighborhoods sitting while the kids walk along and sell. That is just too frustrating for me. Especially when it comes time to deliver and you end up having to go back three times hoping to catch someone!
TTFN!
Jan. 11, 2006 - Lost Puppy Pix
Here is the Lost puppy we found. I'm posting it on PETFINDER.com and looking for a shelter near there so the owners can hopefully find her!
Jan. 10, 2006 - FOUND: puppy near Owasso (145th East Ave & 112th St North
medium brown colored, probably chow mix, maybe 8-10 weeks old. Dh found her along the side of the road (145th East Ave & 112th St North), she was clean (obviously recently bathed) and not scared of him.
He stopped by neighboring houses, but no one knew of the dog or who could have owned it. If anyone knows of a place we should contact to see if someone is missing a dog... or you know of someone in/near Owasso who is missing their dog, please email me...
And hurry... the kids already think they're in love:)
Jan. 6, 2006 - My daughter's influence
Its her fault I got the pig. He is cute though:) As if I need to spend my time watching a cratoon pig waller in the mud. At any rate... that's my excuse. My daughter.
And I was reading "Cheaper by the Dozen today" and got to one part where the dad says, "Well, I guess I'll keep you" to one of the kids and that was SO freaky!! I say that to my kids all the time. I've never heard anyone else I know say that ~ as a matter of fact, they usually look at me really oddly:) Anyway, that stopped the story for a moment, as we all marveled at another similarity between our family and theirs.
We're really getting back in the swing of school... its flowing smoothly, and we're all enjoying it. (Or at least not complaining)
The "tree" in the boys' room is almost done. Another week at the most and it should be safe to visit. Otherwise, bring some paper sacks, because I'm going to put you to work with the paper mache! And anyone who knows me well enough to visit, knows I am not joking. I'm about to put Kylie and Kaylee to work on it. They spend enough time here that I'm about comfortable enough to make them help. Especially after I fed them cookies last night!
Jan. 3, 2006 - Sick Days, school planning, etc.
Kainan was in tears by bedtime last night with an earache. I made him some garlic oil and put it in his ears, but didn't give him any tylenol, since I thought he'd already had some from Dh while I was in the bath. Two HOURS later, Dh goes to have Kainan turn down his audio book, and he's still crying, even harder now. So Dh asks me when I gave him tylenol.
Oops. I felt just HORRIBLE. Sometimes it just makes it more difficult with two parents helping. Ack. So DH gave him some tylenol and he eventually went to sleep.
I thought he was more exhausted than anything, but I guess it actually is a cold. Ugh. I hate it when the kids are sick. There is really so little that I can do. And Jaedin was feeling draggy all day yesterday as well,a nd complaining of a sore throat last night. Both of the boys glands were so swollen last night, I don't suppose they'll get a lot accomplished today either... just a lot of rest and audio books. I'm glad I have some science videos waiting at the library today.
That's the bad thing about the kids doing so many subjects together. We end up all missing things when one of them is sick. Fortunately, I think Kainan and Jaedin both will be plenty capable of listening to read alouds, and I had gotten the "How Things Work" videos reserved at the library, so I think we'll still get things done, just maybe not a full ambitious day for them. I'm glad the boys like audio books! We have plenty of literature, history & Science on audio, so they can do that while the girls do their own reading and copywork stuff.
And, speaking of kids, Abyni apparently recuperated from her fall. She was up swinging and flipping on her rings last night for an hour before bedtime with Sprite. They were up there giggling and thumping onto the floor. We may have to get them a mat one way or another, or they're going to come through the floor!:)
Now that I think about it, she was also up there from about 3 until 6 when Sprite's friends (Kaylee and Kylie) were over, up there flipping and swinging on the rings with them too! (Sprite's friends are very good about hanging out with all the girls together. They just adore Abyni, and that gives them lots of points in Sprite's book!
Sprite now says we have a jungle (boys room) and a Gym (girls room) so we have our own jungle-gym Ha Ha. She's just so funny. Well, not really.
Kainan was so cute the other day, he said (towards the end of doing their room), "Wow, even not finished, our room is almost cooler than Sprite's! Her room is the coolest, though, for a teenagers room." He is so much his daddy's boy. Always complimenting someone..
Anyway, goals for today:
*Prepare (more thoroughly our school unit/lesson plans for the month
*Go to the library First thing when they open and get school books.
*Have School
*Vacuum ceiling fans (They are gross, and I always forget until I sit down to relax at night)
*Paint the trim in the girls' room white (and cover up that weird gold/yellow/brown color)
*Do laundry (since the boys are sick, I don't think they'll be using their laundry day)
*Clean in the kitchen (Since Kainan is the one with doing dishes job, I don't think it'll probaby get done today otherwise!)
*Get Sprite, Paris and Abyni started on their wood refinishing projects.
**Speaking of which, this month for Art (including with Kerra and Joshua) we are refinishing a piece of furniture with painting &/decoupage. Paris is going to redo the wooden desk she got for Christmas, Abyni is going to do a cabinet that hangs on her wall, and I think Sprite, Jaedin and Kainan will probably do kitchen chairs, since they don't have anything else they really want to do of their own. We have some kitchen chairs that are really cool, but the wicker-type seats are falling apart, so we'll take the "seat" off and upholster a new wooden seat. Ack! I need to find some upholstery to use that will match the kitchen!
Jan. 2, 2006 - Photos of the house finally!
Here they are! Although they don't show the textures I did very well, the colors are pretty much accurate:
This is the view of the reading room (and a tiny corner of the living room) as seen from the kitchen:
The view of the paneling where I actually did a cool effect, but it doesn't show up well. This is the corner where my desk is, and all the kids' artwork on the periwinkle wall:)
The other wall of the living room... The texture I did here doesn't show well at all... but it looks very "soft"
The kitchen, with the yellow walls (that I don't care for and will be adjusted) and the blue cabinets (which I love) with no doors:
The first view you have in the house, yet another view of the living room, with all my wine box bookshelves behind the couch. (The orange wall will be darker once I can afford more paint ~ and time to paint with it:)
That's all folks...
Aug. 13, 2005 - 100 Things Sprite Is So Happy About
100 reasons why I’m so happy By Sprite Always 1. I have A great family 2. I am home schooled 3. My parents love each other 4. I’m a great babysitter 5. I make lots of money-so I can buy cool stuff like C.D.’s and American Girl Library books 6. I have great friends, and the most wonderful best friend in the world. I can’t imagine life without them. 7. I get to work in the children’s department at my church 8. I’m really healthy and I hardly ever get sick 9. My Mom and Dad make enough money-and love me enough to sign me up for basketball during winter and basketball camp during summer 10. I’m the one who taught my 4 year old sister how to add at age three and how to ride a 2 wheeler at age four .That makes me feel special. 11. I have an adorable kitten. 12. Me and my siblings don’t fight very often. 13. I have the best Mom in the whole world. 14. I have a bike. 15. I’ve had the experience of getting to see 34 states in America so far. 16. I am smart, kind, respectful, mature, and really, really goofy! 17. My parents trust me. 18. I get to go to a great church. 19. I’m pretty 20. I get to plan a birthday party for my brother’s teddy bear. 21. I have been on 2 missions trips and have been able to see Mexico. 22. While in Mexico, I saw people who had hardly anything and they were still so happy and thankful. That makes me even more thankful for the stuff that I have. 23. I am above my grade level in reading. 24. I have a wonderful relationship with my God. 25. I have a bunch of clothes that I really like. 26. My Mom is an artist. So she can paint pictures on my stuff. 27. There is a lot of people who like me. 28. I have great vision, I don’t need glasses or anything like that. 29. I love listening to my C.D.’s , so I’m really happy that I have a C.D. player and all of my C.D.’s. 30. I live in Tulsa, OK, where there is an amazing library system. 31. My family makes enough money so that we are able to go to movies and go out to eat occasionally. 32. I’m thankful that my Mom and I like each other so much. 35. People enjoy being around me. (Most of the time) 36. I’m really creative. 37. I have a great smile. 38. I have beautiful penmanship. 39. I give great compliments to others. 40. I live in a beautiful house 41. I won the "Best attitude" trophy at basketball camp this year. 42. I have the best Grandma in the world. 43. I have wonderful cousins. 44. My Dad made me the best bunk ever! 45. My parents pay for my kitty litter and cat food. 46. I’m skinny 48. My Mom lets me dye my hair 49. I don’t have a bunch of fears 50. I have nice teeth, they are straight and white. (Which is pretty strange since I don’t even really remember to brush them regularly) 51. The kids who I babysit are pretty much always really well-behaved. 52. I get American Girl, Woman’s Day, and Reader’s Digest magazine. 53. I get to live in a awesome city. I love where I live! 54. I’m going to be able to give my best friend an awesome birthday present. She’s going to be so happy! 55. I have a pretty bike 56. When we lived at campgrounds for 3 years, I would have to walk across the campground to have a shower. And usually the showers were not very nice. Now I happy because I can have a shower in my own home. 57. I can juggle 58. I am very healthy 59. I get to have my own e-mail address 60. My mom is going to help me make my own website. 61. I’m never bored 62. I am helpful 63. I am wearing a bracelet that says "I LV YOU MISS SPRITE". A little girl that I babysat made it for me. (My name is Sprite) 64. I have very comfy pajamas. 65. American girl [website] made a link with a bunch of quizzes on it. I Love quizzes!! 66. Our family got a computer. 67. We have internet. 68. I get to be on the internet often. 69. The library is free. 70. My little sisters, Paris and Abyni, color me a ton of really nice pictures. 71. My brother, Kainan, will always play basketball with me. 72. My brother Jaedin is really nice, and if there is ever any kind of bug in the house or close to me, he will catch it. 73. My sister Paris will do pretty much anything I ask her to, and she is a really good artist 74. My little sister Abyni is so cute, and always lets me teach her how to do stuff. 75. My Dad always works really hard and really long so that we can have enough money to do special things. 76.My mom always gives me good advice, on pretty much anything I ask her about. 77. My Mom and Dad are strict, and I like it, because it shows that they care about me enough to think things through before letting me do something. 78. Even though I’m the oldest sibling of 5, my mom always finds times for just the 2 of us to hang out. 79. I have a bunch of stuff to do. 80. Mom made french toast for breakfast today. 81. I get to watch "The Cosby Show" every day. 82. My kitten cuddles me a night. 83. I have a cute purse. 84. I rode on an airplane, and didn’t get motion sick! 85. Me and my best friend Kirsty are going to write a play. I’m very glad she likes doing things like that. 86. I can sing pretty good. 87. I have an awesome step-aunt named Jessica who gives me really nice hand-me-downs. 88. I’m good at organizing stuff. 89. I’m really helpful. 90. My mom lets me decorate my room pretty much anyway I want to. 91. I have freckles. 92. My mom makes milkshakes for us sometimes. 93. I only have to think of 7 more things to be happy about! 94. I won the bunco basket full of prizes when I played bunco at my church. 95. My Dad just got a really good computer for $5 at a garage sale. 96. Our coach at basketball camp this year was really nice 97. I’m good at finishing things I start. (Like this list) 98. I have my own digital camera.(thanks to my awesome Grandma) 99. My mom thinks I’m to clumsy to use the lawn mower, which is great, because then I never have to mow! 100. My mom does let me climb trees, though! 101. One extra thing... I’m finished!!!
Aug. 12, 2005 - Babysitting Question...
Here's the deal. My dd has been babysitting this only child for most of the spring and summer. The mother is single and was dating... meaning Sprite was sitting for her dd almost every weekend.
We went to Iowa, and when we came back from vacation, we didn't hear from her until this week. The mom called yesterday saying she doesn't need a sitter (can't afford it) but that her dd really misses Sprite, and could she ome over just to hang out with her?
So basically she's wanting Sprite to play with (sit??) her dd ~ have a play date with a 5 yo... and we're feeling in an awkward position. Sprite has a couple of clients who can't afford sitters all the time, they generally just use her for special dates when they've arranged to have more of a budget. We hear from all of them that thier kids miss Sprite so much and they wish they could afford to hire a sitter more often.
She actually charges less than most of the sitters we know, so its not like she's high pried or anything. She has even set up an event before (for Mother's Day) where she does a group activity for four or 5 kids for 3-4 hours for $5.00 each and does projets and activities with them.
I understand not being able to afford a sitter (That's why WE don't go out, beause we an't afford to pay Sprite to sit!) but I really don't think its fair to Sprite to ask her to come and spend her time for free entertaining a child.
She already volunteers at church every week... and if she does this for this woman, then she'll feel obligated to do it for the others... and when she DOES need a sitter... ugh.
How would you phrase your response when this woman calls wanting to set up a "playdate" with your 13 yo and her 5 yo? Sprite and I are both at a loss as to how to handle this properly...
Byn
Aug. 11, 2005 - Byn Thankful ~ the second 25
1. That we live in OK and have the best library system I’ve ever had.
2. That my walls are so PRETTY and happy!
3. That the kids are doing so well in their parts in the play. I am so proud of my kids!
4. That my Dh is so patient and awesome... last night when the air went out, he got up to fix it... even though it was 4am and he’d not gotten to bed until 1am
5. And that he went out at 11pm at night to get medicine for Kainan’s fish... that was very ill.
6. I’m so thankful that I found the freecycle group. We have gotten so much needed and wanted stuff... I feel VERY blessed.
7. That I have gotten rid of so much stuff that we don’t want/need anymore ~ and been able to give it to others who want it.
8. That I have the “Annie” soundtrack to listen to while I type:)
9. That we now have room for a “real” schoolroom.
10. That I had a school budget this year.
11. That my Dh was able to take the morning off and REALLY fix the A/C today. He’s so good at being Mr. Fix-It!
12. That we were able to find (thanks to Shawna and Dh’s computer skills) a cheap used but good computer for the kids... so hopefully no more keys fall off my laptop!
13. That I have so many great friends.
14. Friends who I know will always cheer me up (Billie)
15. Friends who will always be there to listen (Shawna & Jorge)
16. Friends who are family friends, who have wonderful kids that I like my kids hanging around (Karen and Stephanie)
17. That our landlord is also my Dh’s boss ~ so he understands when work is slow and rent is late... and understands when Dh has to take the morning off to fix the A/C and still expects financial compensation for it.
18. That our landlord “let” us paint over the sunflowers!!!!!!!
19. That my kids have been so helpful, fixing meals and helping with laundry while I’ve spent so much time sewing for the play.
20. That Jorge let me borrow her two versions of Annie.. And especially the Carol Burnett one!:)
21. I’m SO thankful that we have two vehicles this year. It is SO nice to be able to make short trips whenever I want/need to ~ without having to wait for Dh’s day off like we did in TN. That was HORRIBLE!
22. That we have caught up on our monthly bills and are able to keep up with them.
23. That I can have a shower in my own home (instead of the campground showers I had to live with for three years)
24. That my Dh gets up each morning without hardly ever hitting the snooze.
25. That I was able to find Konos curriculum on ebay this year for a great deal!
That’s All folks!
Aug. 11, 2005 - Byn Thankful things.... the first 25
I just gave someone else the advice to write in their journal about the things that they were thankful for each day... so last night I fell asleep to thoughts of all the wonderful things I have. I'm going to do what my 13yo dd recently did, and list the 100 reasons I have to be happy...
FAMILY
1. My husband who is so perfect for me:)
2. My teenage daughter for being such a positive and strong moral person
3. My 10 yo son who is growing into such a strong and caring person
4. My (almost) 9 yo son who is the most inquisitive boy I know
5. My 7 yo dd who is the most beautiful, deeply feeling child... whom I hope I do an especially good job of raising, since she reminds me so much of me and that reeeaally makes me not want to mess up!
6. My 4 (almost 5) yo dd who is the light of our family... makes us smile all the time, and brings so much laughter to us.
7. My mother, my best friend.
8. My mother-n-law, who raised such a wonderful son and who always very considerate of others' feelings.
9. My dad, from whom I got my odd sense of humor and always makes me laugh when I see him.
10. My brother, who finally got his stuff together and is happy ~ and almost as funny as me:)
11. My sister in law, who is the one helping my brother stay in line:)
12. My nephew(s)
FAMILY LIFE:
13. The fact that my 13 yo dd wrote a list just like this first, on her own accord...
14. The fact that I'm ON her list, at least twice (one of hers is "Because my mom and dad love each other" and anotehr is "Because I'm homeschooled")
15. The fact that may children all love and care about each other... and show it daily.
16. The fact that we homeschool.
17. The fact that our children appreciate the small things in life, and are very grateful whenever anyone goes out of their way for them.
18. The fact that I can sit with my teen-age dd and discuss raising children, talk about the future of not only herself, but her siblings... and she has actually great input because she knows her sibs so well.
19. And the fact that she knows and appreciates all do as a mom... and wants to emulate me in a lot of ways with her kids.
20. The fact that my kids can watch the "Cosby Show" and see ther family reflected. I remember being a kids in a hghly dysfunctional family and watching shows like that and wishing so bad that I could have a family like that... and I watch it with my kids to hear comments like, "Oh, there's mom and dad!" just thrills me to pieces!! (I was up for quite a while thinking on this very thing last night... I am SO happy that my kds have such a different life than me!)
21. The fact that my teen dd is quite often saying, "I want to have a hasband like that" whenever 'm talking about something that my Dh has done. I LOVE it that she is getting such a good example of marraige... and how a man should treat a woman.
22. The fact that Kainan loves to read stories to Abyni when she is longing for some attention...
23. The fact that Paris and Abyni are so close and play together so well.
24. The fact that the kids are all doing so FANTASTIC with their parts in the play, treating the adults with respect and doing their parts so well.
25. The fact that my mother goes out of her way to make time to visit us so often and makes the kids such a priority. (Case in point: Leaving at 4 am the morning after her step sons' wedding to drive 9 hours to come and see the kids in the Wizard of OZ, since it was the only possible time she could make it.)
That's all for today.
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