Ahhhhh...  it's almost my favorite time of year.  I love summer.  I love when it is nice and hot out, I love taking the kids to the park and swimming, buying ice cream off of the ice cream truck, and having water balloon fights (I show no mercy, LOL).  Plus, everyone in our house, except Shawn, has a birthday in June or July (Ella, June 6th, Cody, June 19th, me, June 29th and Deuce, July 10th).  This is the time of year that my kids start putting in their requests for 'big' gifts.  (Birthdays and Christmas are pretty much the only time that I will buy big presents for the kids, and they try to plan it out, LOL). 

So, today we were at Meijer.  The boys each had a little money that they had saved up and wanted to buy a toy each.  Deuce has ha his eye on a new Webkinz and Cody wanted..........  seriously..........  a mop.  I don't know why, but he wanted his own mop.  So a mop he would have, LOL.  Along with a beautiful new mop bucket and a bottle of Pine-Sol.  No, I am not making this up.  He was walking down the mop and broom aisle and noticed a very nice broom/dustpan package and said, with great zeal, "Mommy, for my birthday can I have this broom?!!!"  There was an older woman about 2 feet away from us that turned to me and said (while laughing), "Did your son say he wanted a broom for his birthday?"  Gee, now people probably think I'm some cruel mom that makes her kids clean all day long, LOL.  And I know that a couple of you out there are reading this, shaking your head and saying, "Yep, that's Steph's kid right there."

He also wants rubber gloves, Lysol spray, Febreeze, a tiny whisk broom and other various cleaning supplies.  I own all of these things and have offered to share, but he really wanted his own.  So, I am going to buy him a big red wagon, and fill it to the brim with cleaning stuff.  Weird kid, LOL.  I thought Deuce was strange the year that he asked me for a dictionary, LOL, but this takes the cake.  I must say, he did a fantastic job on the kitchen and bathroom floors when we got home!  Shawn has now renamed him 'CinderFella', LOL...  here's a cute pic of my CinderFella and CinderElla, LOL....

Ha Ha!  Look at that..  2 blogs in one day!!!  *snort*.

Here are the rules:
1. Write the title to your own memoir using 6 words.
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Link to the person that tagged you.
4. Tag five more blogs

Need More Coffee, Gotta Keep Up!

There....  that's my title, LOL.  Now, who to tag?  Christi, Dawn, Kim T. (even if you on't put it on your blog, I wanna know your title, lol), Heather, and....  I can't think of anyone else.  I know some of you hate doing tags and I don't want to bug you with that, but if you decide that you wanna give it a whirl anyways, let me know so I can see yours!  :-)

Oh, wait, can I write 2 memoirs?? I have another title that works well for me-

If I Change One More Diaper......

LOL...  :-)

We had our AWANAs Award ceremony last night and the Community Co-op Science Fair today!  Both were a lot of fun and I have pictures!  :-) 

Cody finished his 2nd Cubbies book and will be a Sparkie in the fall!  Just look at the excitement on his face!  :-)

Deuce finished his book, did all of the silver and golds and finished the bronze memory verse pack!  Really, he was thrilled with all that he got, lol, though you can't tell by the pic.

This is Cody's science project.  He put boiling water in a mason jar, added ice on top of the lid, and made rain.  He also explained the process of making rain to the juges.  And yes, he glued the letters onto the poster board all by himself , LOL.

Deuce did a project showing that ice, water and salt are much colder than just plain old ice and water.  I didn't really understand why;  he lost me at the words, "dynamic equalibrium". 

One of Deuce's best friends, Brandon, did such a cool display on color!  He even had all sorts of fun little projects for everyone to try.  He and his little sister, Brianna, had the prettiest of all the displays.

This is Brianna's butterfly project.  Gorgeous, isn't it? 

Deuce's other best friend, Fynn, did such a great job on her electromagnetic crane.  And it really worked!

All of the kids had a good time.  We will have to have another science fair next year for sure!

And this is Cody, collecting his 1st place trophy in the K-2nd grade division.  Deuce won 1st place for the 3rd grade - 6th grade group, but the picture didn't turn out for some reason.  Both boys were thrilled to have won, and no, I was not a judge for either age group, LOL.

with a couple more pictures.  I re-did the black and white of Ella to ad a bit more color (would like opinions) and added a couple of all 3 kids.  I am having way too much fun editing my photos with Photoshop, LOL.

As soon as Cody sat down next to Deuce and Ella, she leaned over to kiss him because she just loves him so much, lol.....  her brothers are the greatest thing since sliced bread, in her opinion.  :-)

Okay, now my computer keeps booting me, so I'd best go.  But, hey, I posted twice in the same week, and it had been awhile since I last did that, LOL

it took someone reminding me that I needed to blog to get me in here, LOL.....  I am always crazy-busy, LOL and seem to forget about this place.  I have some cool pictures of our impromptu science classes. 

We found this nest and took some pics....  a few days later we went back to check on the eggs and found

Mama bird added more!  Yeah!  Now we are checking on them once a week....  we'll see how it goes.....

The kids also found a redbacked salamander...  Cody loves all creatures.

And then they found a snake....  I am not a fan of snakes, but was fine with the little guy living OUTSIDE at our house, in a little plastic aquarium.  Somehow, my husband and kids talked me into letting him come INTO my house, and a few days later he came up missing.  Did I mention that he was IN MY HOUSE when he came up missing??//  And we have not found him???!!!!  Never again....

Now, for some random cute pictures of my kids to make up for the icky snake, LOL....

I swear, Cody is going to be a gymnast the way he hangs and flips and stands on his head!

Oh, and if you want to see some cute pics, check this out...  go to http://kimberlynicholephotography.com/index2.php?v=v1 click on 'Blog' and look at those goslings!  Aren't they the cutest????  My friend took those the other day, and I just love those pics...  so does Ella, LOL....  she kept screaming and grabbing at the screen. 

Okay, now I promise I will try to update within the next 3 days.. someone, remind me!  LOL  We have a science fair this week to get ready for, so I should have pics from that on Thursday.  TTYL!

I just always feel so wiped at the end of the day....  I don't know why- all I do all day is sit and eat BonBons...  that shouldn't exhaust me so.  *snicker*.

I have good new-  Saturday I found my camera!!!!  Ahhhhh.. so much relief....  but then agan, I was kind of hoping to need to get a new one, LOL.  Don't ask me where it was....  you'll make fun of me....  Let's just say that it should've been found in the first 15 minutes.  Now, I need to go buy some batteries.  It had gotten left on, and so I have VERY dead batteries, and can't find my backups. 

Deuce had a good day at Bible Quiz.  He quizzed out (answered the maximum allowed) in one round, and answered quite a few questions in all of the others.  This was the last quiz of the year, and we found out that he came in 17th (out of all quizzers at all the churches) for the year!  Not bad for his first year, being one of the youngest on the team.  He already asked the person in charge what he should start studying for next year.  He's determined!

Cody has been picking out what he wants for school for next year....  he wants some good science program, so I am gonna get WinterPromise's 'Buzz, Sprout something or other, LOL....  I hope he enjoys it.

I have been busy trying to get myself organized to be able to handle the Coop an the McCheo Coordinator stuff at the sme time.  Luckily, Shawn has a new run to where he is home 3 days during the week (plus weekends!  what a great run!!! and it pays more than the old one.. we are blessed...), so he takes the kids out while I get some work done.  Ella has discovered that she loves to swing high.  Like, really high.  She's not even 11 months and scares me to death.  You should see her climb on the Brio table, or on the rocking horse.  She stands ON THE SADDLE part and rocks.  *sigh*  I'll have a head full of white hair before my 28th birthday (oh,I am getting old!).

Baseball has kept us busy.  Opening day is this Saturday.  We have to pick up the fundraiser stuff (pizzas and cookie dough) and deliver those at 11:00, have Cody at the field by 11:30 (!!???) for pictures, he has his game at noon, then Deuce has pics at 1:15 and his game at 2:00.  Whew! 

Okay.. my daughter is asleep lying across my foot.  My.  Foot. Is. Asleep.  Ouch.

Okay.. I am on the phone and trying to talk and type at the same time.. I'm blonde, so that doesn't work well.  I just managed to drool all over myself laughing at Christi...  I'm real coordinated.  I'd best get off of here for the night before I hurt myself. 'Night all!!!  :-)

meeting for Miami County Christian Home educators (McCheo-  sounds like a sandwich at McDonalds, LOL).  On the way to the meeting I started feeling very nervous, and really did not want to get in front of the group.  That's not like me, LOL, but it was just way too hard.  There is no way I can be nearly as good at this as Kim, and it just felt weird to be in front of this group saying that I am the new coordinator.  I don't know if it makes any sense, but I am just so afraid that I won't measure up.

On a lighter note, we had a surprise party for Shawn the other night.  I'd show you pictures, but I have LOST my camera.  Grrrrrrrrrr........   I am so frustrated.  I usually have my camera with me wherever I go, and I hate not having it to take pics of everything my kiddos do.    Anyways, the party was fun.  Good people, good food and fun games.  And then there was cake, LOL...  I totally have thing thing for icing from A Taste of Elegance, LOL. 

Well, I should go.. I have barely been home at all over the past 4 or 5 days and my house is really needing my attention. 

or, anyone living close enough to Miami County that wants to attend Community Co-op in the fall.  We are having a planning meeting on April 17th for next school year.  Bring a picnic lunch and meet at West Milton park at noon on the 17th.  We look forward to seeing you there, ready with all of your ideas for the next school year!  :-) 

I know I don't update the Community Co-op blog nearly often enough, (soooo busy some weeks, lol), but please check out our blog to see the types of things we have done.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/communitycoop

It's me, Ella.  I took mommy's computer from her when she wasn't looking.  Now she's walking through the house looking for me, but maybe she's really just worried about the computer?  Anyways, before she finds me, I wanted to tell you what a typical day in my life looks like now.  I'm getting pretty big and doing a lot now and so I had mommy take a whole bunch of pictures of me yesterday to show everyone. 

First, mommy woke me up early.  She knows I need my beauty sleep,but she insists on waking me up early for church.   Does she really think I will cooperate with having my picture taken when I am not fully awake?

Please, no more pictures until I am properly dressed!

After my yummy breakfast of Cheerios and bananas, mommy put a dress on me and I decided I was finally ready to have my picture taken.

This was my church dress for yesterday.  When we got into mommy's Sunday school room, daddy brought mommy a hot cocoa with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.  It looked so good,but mommy wasn't sharing.  I waited until she was distracted by talking to Miss Dawn and Miss Sherry, and then dove at it!  I came up with a handful of chocolate and whipped cream!!!  Oh, yummmmmm, just as I was about to put it in my mouth, mommy noticed and yelled out, "Don't get that on the dress!"   Miss Sherry reached over and grabbed my hand and put my hand in her mouth just to save my dress!  I worked hard for that whipped cream and then it was swiped!  Mommy was almost as stunned as I was, only because she didn't expect someone to eat my treat right off of my hand.   I'm still bitter.

After church we went door to door to sell the fundraising food that my brother have to sell for baseball.  Who wants overpriced pizza, pretzels and cookie dough?  No wonder they have such a hard time selling it.  Mommy was taking Deuce while daddy took Cody, and both boys wanted me to go with them.  They said that 'cute sells' and that whoever had me with them would sell more.  How smart!  I helped Deuce sell way more than Cody!

Now it was time for an outfit change and a ride in the van. 

This is how I spend most of my life, because we are always on the go! 

We went to Miss Dawns house for a cookout.  I love, love, love to eat!

I always snuggle up to Miss Sherry and Miss Dawn whenever I see them.  Mommy thinks I want to trade her in for one of them.  Really, though, I just snuggle up to remind them how nice it is to have a little baby.  I want them to get the itch to have more so I'll have friends my age when we get together.

After awhile it got a bit chilly, so we went inside.  I decided to play dress up....

Then, I played with a baby doll.  I love playing with baby dolls.  I get confused at church sometimes and try dragging real babies around by their hair.  For some reason, they don't like that very much.

Then I got to play with the big girls!  Kylie, Brianna and Emily are a lot of fun!

Daddy was supposed to change my diaper, but I didn't want to stop playing.  How many adults does it take to change one diaper???

Finally, PJ's and bed!

Now, to see if I can slip mommy's computer back into the living room without her know!  *shhhh*  Don't tell her what I did.  If she's found out I can work the computer, she'd start thinking about how 'advanced' I am an would probably want me to potty train.  I have a good thing going here- don't ruin it for me!

Am I the only one that thinks that this 'preschool' show looks terrifying?  My boys watched Franklin this morning, and before I could turn off the tv, this weird guy (looks like he came from the '70's) comes onto the screen and started just looking WEIRD!!!!  And what are those little animal creatures?  AND WHY IS MY 10 MONTH OLD MESMORIZED??????  Freaks me out.....  http://youtube.com/watch?v=ncnaZruRnr0  Isn't he SCARY???? 

We had a fun day at the children's mueum yesterday.  Ella loves going there and is getting big enough to play and have fun.  I did come home with a fantastic headache, but after a good night's sleep, I am feeling much better.   Good thing, too, because I have a LONG day ahead of me (what's new?, LOL) 

We have to leave in a little bit to go to basball practice.  Between both boys I have to be there from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm.  Anyone think Ella will go nuts being there that long?  Shawn hopefully will make it up there quickly so that I can bring her back home if she gets fussy, but he'll be at a meeting at work for the first half of the day. 

Well, I need to run and get a shower so that we can get out the door soon. 

starting with co-op first thing this morning.  We were down 2 teachers, but things still went rather smoothly.  The kids documented the growth of their veggies in the gardening class, made flavored popcorn in cooking class and played a couple of fun games in gym class. 

I am taking the boys to the local science museum tomorrow.  Hopefully we'll just have a nice calm trip.  We went last week, not realizing that the Dayton schools were out for vacation and it was crazy-crowded.  There was even a really rude lady that pushed right in front of Ella and my friend's daughter at the tidal pool.  Hopefully they are nearly empty tomorrow, LOL. 

I found out tonight that it is official-  I am the Miami County Homeschool Coordinator.  Yikes!  I wasn't nervous until it was official!  I hope I don't flub this up!

We have a new family member-  a very adorable, very tiny, very troublesome little kitty.  He has long, fluffy hair and is too cute!  Ella is insane over him.  She just wants to squeeze him until his little eyes pop out of his head, because she loves him so much.  Makes me think of 'Of Mice and Men' every time, LOL.   I'll put up a picture soon.

We do have a problem with Ella.  Her asthma is going crazy-  she is now wheezing all day.  She started choking and vomitting earlier today. *sigh*  I need to call the ped first thing in the morning.  I am really hoping that she isn't allergic to our new furry family member.  I don't want her on allergy medicine (I hate the thought of using meds when I could just change something in the environment, ya know?), but I don't want to make the kids give up the kitten.  What to do?

Well, Ella keeps banging on the keyboard, so I'd best get off of here.  She really needs to go to bed.

by Amy (www.birthblessed.com)

The rules are as follows...
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.



Seven Random Things About Steph

1)  I love the office supply stores...  I love, love, love picking out new school supplies.

2)  I like to watch the Teenage Mutant Nija Turles with my boys.  Don't ask.  :-)

3)  I can't remember the last time I could see the surface of my 'sewing' desk.  (Which has all sorts of messes, not just sewing messes, on it).

4)   I'm scared that our brand new kitten is going to create a *mess* somewhere in my house.

5)  I have never been on an airplane.

6)  I love to read blogs written by other mothers, but feel weird posting a comment on their blog-  almost like I am invading their privacy by being there, LOL.  Strange.

7)  I kept forgetting (all this 'school year') to sew Cody's patches on his Cubbies vest and just decided tonight to get them all sewn on.  He was thrilled, LOL....

Okay, I won't tag anyone else, because I always feel bad when I do.  If you want to copy this onto your blog, drop me a comment and let me know so that I can read your post.  :-)  I love these types of things.  Am I weird?  (None of my IRL friends are allowed to answer that, LOL).

and thought it was a cool one.  Don't worry, I won't tag you...  if you like it, just copy it onto your blog.  I know some people don't like to be tagged.

You Can Only Type One Word.

This is not as easy as you might think. Change the answers to suit you.  It's hard to use only one word answers. When you're done, post a comment so I can check out your answers.  Enjoy!

1. Where is your cell phone? van

2. Who is your significant other? Shawn

3. Your hair? mess

4. Your mother? Carolyn

5. Your father? Ronnie

6. Your favorite thing? bath

7. Your dream last night? none

8. Your favorite drink? coffee

9. Your dream/goal? peace

10. The room you're in? dining

11. Your fear? many

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? ???

13. Where were you last night? bed

14. What you're not? patient

15. Muffins? blueberry

16. One of your wish list items? ???

17. Where you grew up? Dayton

18. The last thing you did? nursed

19. What are you wearing? clothes

20. Your TV? news

21. Your Pets? *ugh*

22. Your computer? slow

23. Your life? Blessed

24. Your mood? Hyper

25. Missing someone? Yes

26. Your car? minivan

27. Something you're not wearing? hairclip

28. Favorite Store? Gymboree

29. Your summer? busy

30. Your favorite color? purple

31. When is the last time you laughed? now

32. When is the last time you cried? Yesterday

33. Who will/would repost this? Heather?

yummy.. what a combination.  I think I am trying to burn off my taste buds, LOL.  We just got back from the Right to Life and instead of cleaning (which is what I should be doing-  my house is a disaster) I decided to eat junk and play on the web.  I am a top notch mom, LOL.

I have been trying to get paperwork together for the boys' applications for summer camp this year.  You know what's weird?  They want a letter of reccommendation for each boy.  How, please tell me, do you write a letter of recommendation for a FIVE year old?  What do you write?  "He gets along well with others, and as of last week doesn't pick his nose anyore."????  And, it's kind of awkward asking people to write these letters.  Think about it-  when you ask someone to write one you are assuming that they think as highly (or even higher, LOL) of your child as you do.  What if they don't?  What would they say?  "Sorry Steph, I cannot in good conscience write this for Deuce.  I do not think he is ready for science camp."  ???  So, is it putting someone on the spot to ask them to do this?  I hope the people I asked didn't do it just to be nice.

I have been re-doing my schoolroom lately.  Trying to get a better flow in it, ya know?  I should've posted b4 and after pics (of course, then ya'll could witness first hand what a mess my schoolroom was, LOL).  I found some nice cheap (my favorite) items at Walmart to use and am enjoying putting it all together.

Okay, now for some random pics of the kids (because we can never ave too many pics, LOL)

This is Deuce at the Creation Museum...  goofy kid.....

Deuce with one of his best friends, Fynn....

Deuce and Cody at the Creation Museum

I think I offended her, LOL....

Easter morning, trying to open one of her eggs... 

I just love this pic....

Dancing because she finally got the egg open.. she LOVES to dance....

Again, I offended her, LOL....

Okay, now to go do something productive!  :-)

and I know you all are wondering what could keep me from blogging-  has she fallen off of the face of the planet?  Is she just too busy to blog?  Has she really done nothing worth blogging about?  Are the kids holding her hostage?  Is the mess in her house so bad that she cannot find the computer?  Or has she simply forgot about her blog?

Rest assured, I have not forgotten about my blog. No, the reason I have not blogged in awhile is, well, I have developed an addiction, to....  *hangs head in shame* ...........  Webkinz.  Yes, those adorable little stuffed animals that my children have talked me into getting for them have beome my new favorite toy.  Specifically, the arcade games at Webkinz World.  I earn money for my kids by playing all sorts of fun gaes, with my favorite being Cash Cow.  I have discovered that I am not the only mother with this same strange addiction, LOL, so I do feel better about it all.  So, all of my free time (FREE TIME!!!????  I have free time?????) has been spent playing. 

We have actually been as busy as ever, LOL.  We had a fantastic field trip to the Creation Museum.  Oh man!  If you get the chance to go, get there as fast as you can!  That place rocks.  My favorite part was the 'Men in White'.  Really neat.  Because we went as a group (Community Co-op) we were allowed into the museum at 8:30 in the morning (they don't open until 10) and so we didn't have to battle any crowds.  That was wonderful!

Our co-op has some new classes this quarter (cooking and gardening).  The kids are growing all of the ingredients to make a salad together.  I like the idea of a project that will teach them patience.  They can see progress, little by little, from one week to the next and look forward to seeing the end product. 

A friend called me the other day and asked me if I would be willing to accept a nomination to replace her as our Homeschool County Coordinator for the next school year.  I would be responsible for finding speakers for the monthy meetings, help new homeschoolers with the 'getting started' process, and be a go-between if there is a problem with a superintendent and homeschooler in our county.  Ummmm, I said yes, LOL.  I was told by 5 friends today that I am crazy (as if I do not have enough to do right now), but I am very excited about it.  Please pray that, if the board chooses to elect me, that I am up to the job.  I don't want to mess anything up, ya know?

Well, Ella is sleeping and I need to go do some dishes before bed, so I had better run!  Ta-Ta for now! 

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE! 

This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.

This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program.  Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking.  Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included!  For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports. 

To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/  and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it.  And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it.  And good luck!  The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg.   And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win.   Yay for free stuff!

We tried Ella's dress on her tonight, mostly because I promised Aunt Pam a picture, LOL.  Cody brought me the dress and, I kid you not, Ella started clapping and dancing and crawled right to me to grab the dress.  She is sooooooo girly, LOL.  Now, this is not the full outfit- it is missing her sweater (white with purple flowers) and little lacey socks.  But I think she's adorable either way, LOL.

I've been tagged!!