Em is just falling asleep at 11:43 p.m. after a long nap waiting for Coleman at boy scouts.  She can't stop eating bread and butter. She loves Thomas the Train and was delighted to check out Thomas magazines from the library.  She has great stories, and generous 'gramma', and several 'personal' friends.  She has great fine motor skills and today she drew an object, (animal or spaceship?) then colored it in, WITHOUT going out of the lines.  She is not yet 4 1/2.  She is also writing many letters and enjoying the new learn to read program I got (shouldn't have bought-too expensive), but she is reading many words and really excited about reading.  She was using the letter/word blocks today.  Reading aloud is going really well, tho we don't read as much as I did with K/C when they were small.  She absolutely LOVES to cut and we have to really pay attention, though she was funny one day.  She got a stuffed bunny from GW and loves it.  She was at the table  with her scissors saying "I am NOT going to cut you, bunny.  Mama, I am not going to cut this bunny)  Of course, she cut the tag off, but that didn't count....

Best get her into bed...

Michele

We don't 'do' Halloween for a variety of reasons, and haven't for many years.  Andrew still likes the date.

Coleman went to his friend's, ate too much candy and soda, and came home late.  Dad didn't really want to pick him up.... either did I.  I am pretty tired by 10:30.

Not doing Halloween is a chance to give your reasons for abstaining, which can be good.  We really just treat it like any other day.  And don't get people to the door due to our rural geographical location and locked gates.

A regular "where did the day go?" day ...  in no rigid order

• after getting up (usually 6:30), take the dogs out, let the cats out, make tea and/or coffee and try to get some personal devotions in.  If I am not too tired, I get up before the littles do (which I prefer).
• wake up Kiera  and sometimes Coleman and Dad, if they are not awake on their own
• get food together
• work on the dishes
• start the laundry
• everybody is getting something to eat and drink
• meet with Brooke on her days here
• family bible study / devotions (I have started the big kids on their own online devotional as well)
• work on math and grammar, drawing, writing
• work on household tasks (ie chores) make the bed
• try to check email and weather  on the computer if Coleman isn't on there
• get Toby in and finished with the bath (or baths) Get him dressed
• get Toby food and drink when he requests it
• pay bills, go to bank, stop and shop, including farm supply items (maybe 2-3 times per month)
• talk about the economy and other current events
• take Coleman to friends' to play
• work on topic study, science or geography
• keep working on the laundry
• trampoline
• reading out loud - reading program materials
• sweep the patio and sidewalks (maybe once a week)
• changing Toby - work on Toby's behavior program goals t/o the day
• work on positive reinforcement and teaching manners, character, and appropriate responses
• take the dogs out several times a day
• let the cats in and out : \
• clean up innumerable messes of all kinds (mostly Toby and Emily)
• computer time
• water the plants outside
• READ in between - all kinds of books, mags, mail, my notes, kids work, blogs
• take care of the animals outside
• go to do errands
• go to the library
• go to hs coop activity, every week or two
• food preparation
• coffee drinking : )
• go to Filly Fellowship (every other Friday) every Friday in summer
• get ready for football practice (or game) and go (3 days per week; game on Sat)
• go to Boy Scouts every other Wed night

I wonder how many times a day I  walk back and forth through our house .... ?  That better count as some exercise, I hope.

To fully describe all of this would take too long, and probably put most of us to sleep. 

Some exciting details include Toby's now proficient ability to take OFF the lids he loves to spin.  This can include items which still have contents, of which most end up all over.   Watching Toby is interesting if he decides to hang out by the front gate.  He also spends some time in his car seat every day, whether we are gone or not.  This is a favored place, though he is learning to sit in a regular seatbelt.  

Yesterday we went to the lake to meet our small homeschool coop at the group camp of one of the HSC whole state hs camps.  it was fun.  I met some new people.  Talked to an old friend. The kids had some fun in the water.  Alas, no photos...

It is always interesting to go places with my crew.  The dynamics are very unpredictable.  Toby and Emily head straight for the only small family on the beach.  Emily jumps right in to play with the family's two small children and their sand toys.  Toby begins pacing back and forth on the edge of the water.  The mom is sitting on a chair right in the water's edge. Em is still using two of their toys. They don't seem to mind ... too much.  I forgot our life jackets so had to watch them carefully.  And keep Toby from going too far or touching the mom on the way by..

wow over half of my post just disappeared before my eyes.  I didn't do anything...

I was saying...that I have become used to getting inside stranger's personal circles.  Some don't seem to mind.  Others do.  I see the looks that wonder why I am tagging Toby and leaving Em behind (not too far) with K/C.  Occasionally, a friend.  He has no social stigmas and may hug you, grab your leg or somewhere else..., wipe his hands on you. sit on you, or (the ever present worry), run away.   I may face  a major meltdown by trying to change his intended pursuit.  Which will inevitably have a potential to bring on a meltdown.   I have done a few explanations  that flopped. One woman never said a word, just stood up, brushed off her pants and stomped off.

Back to the lake ... mom and kids move up on the sand with their gramma.  Em still has 2 of their sand toys.  She doesn't notice them leave.  K/C are getting after Em whenever she goes too deep in the water. The family leaves - they take their toys.  Em doesn't notice; she is writing in the sand with a stick now.  A mother strolls up with a toddler and 2 small children who go into the water.  They begin screaming with delite.  Toby begins to get upset, charging towards them.  I explain ... for the mom, not him, "The are just having fun, it's ok".  He doesn't get better. We begin the hike up the sandy hill to the van, taking Emily with us, calling to K/C as we go.  They are very wet now and cold and soon come up after us.  (The sandy hill is the bottom of the lake which is now just a large pond due to the severe drought ..)

We begin to search for clothes, finding only parts of leftover clothes from various other recent activities.  Em has already wet her first set of clothes trying to get to the campsite bathroom on time (not quite), so she wears Toby's shirt.  K / C both found some clothes and Toby never really got wet. 

I'll skip the rest of the story ..though it was interesting... it's late.  Take care, Michele

Kevin and Coleman are watching baseball on tv.  Kiera is in her bedroom with the door locked to get peace while she is blogging.  She has a trying time to concentrate around here when it is noisy.  She has finally taken to doing her math and other work in there too.

Emmy fell asleep early - wow, we went to the part and Kevin BBQ'd while Kiera and I watched the littles and Coleman played first with Dad and then with some friends.  Emmy played HARD, pushing the merry go round by herself and with some little person's help with quite a few kids on it. (She insisted)  Then running around the play structures with a borrowed paper plate mask with a kitty on it, playing kitty (pink, of course). 

I had an awesome opportunity to describe autism to three younger boys, about early teens I think.  I was happy they were interested.  

I just finished cleaning up Toby and Dad the kitchen after Toby spilled out the whole bottle of sea kelp.  A good healthy thing for him to be licking off his hands.  There was so much of it on the floor... Dad ? "What was that stuff?"  "Sea kelp" " I thought it smelled fishy."

Toby is eating cheerios right now (I hope) as I don't hear him... be right back... he's fine, just fascinated by a Fiji water bottle (small). It is square.  He can still spin it.. ... on it's bottle top, wow

Today, we had to really scrounge for hay for Sunny and I had to forage for the goats, so tomorrow is hay fetching for sure.   I worked quite abit on the house this morning as we went to Santa Barbara yesterday for Coleman's football game.   Man, it is very almost impossible to keep up with the laundry here lately.  If I get the loads in the garage all done, the bins inside are full (sigh), but well, it is part of the job description.  

I made lentil soup this morning from some sprouted lentils before Kevin and Coleman decided to BBQ at the park. So we'll have those tomorrow. 

Oh, and I did remember to check my oil today.  Will someone remind me to get it changed? I am trying to go out less, so it really isn't on my list anymore, but I better get it on there.   Living where we do puts a strain on your gas budget for sure.

Better get ready for bed.  Take care now,

Michele

I have been praying for my niece Justine, my brother Calvin's daughter, since she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at only 13 years old ....  at the end of the summer.

You can read her story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/justinehofland 

I have been so thankful she has had so many people praying and caring for her.  And for her family too.  People who care are trying to do fundraising things to help with the cost as the treatment will continue for a long time and it is a long trip to WA from MT and back.

I wish I were closer to my family so often and I wish I could do more to help them.

Well, I just spent almost half an hour reading my own previous blog posts.  Have you done that recently?

It was fun : )   I really enjoyed it.  I made myself chuckle.  I think we should all do this.  Especially Jenny when she forgets to proofread her posts... just kidding : ) 

Thank you Lord for this fun medium for sharing and remembering.

I also have been thinking that I must just not be inmuch of a writing mood lately.  I don't know why.  Because during every day, I think ooh!, great thing for a blog post.  Or gotta get a picture for my blog.  But then it just doesn't make it over here.  This is sad.  But don't worry about it (smile).  Just move on ...

I have in the meantime, met some awesome people on their blogs.  I love the kids blogs.  Young people are awesome.  My kids are awesome.  I wish we were all perfect but we aren't.  They are still awesome.  I LOVE my kids : D 

I hope I will post those photos soon.  I have some of Coleman's football game to help him put on his blog.  And a picture of Toby today where he is actually LOOKING AT ME.  It is so cool.

Talk soon, May the Lord bless us with truth and grace,

Michele

Wake up tired .... too many late nights in the last week.  Kids have gone to bed late too, which means it is SO hard for Kiera to wake up and get going.  Coleman rarely sleeps very late.  Kevin does if he spent alot of time up during the night, which is often, and he doesn't have an early a.m. appointment.  As it approaches fall-winter, I will go to bed earlier and so will the kids. Dad won't....

Take the dogs out.  Drink water. Make a cup of tea.  Make coffee.  Open the blinds when it is light.  Sit down with bible, journal and book and lately, computer.  Pray. Read the bible and devotional, write in journal, and read and/or blog.

Think about .... who needs prayer, what the kids need to do, what is a priority on today's schedule and things to do list.  Go to the bathroom (sometimes I drink 2-3 glasses of water when I get up, then tea...)  Have some coffee, wake Kevin or the kids if I need to.  Go back to what I was doing or take care of Em and Toby if they wake up.  Perhaps make some toast.  Let the chickens out.  I was feeding Sunny and the goats but lately I have let them go hungry if Kiera is late.

Get the kids going.  Coleman has been more self motivated since our new reinforcement program.  He really works hard to get his appointed tasks done.  Kiera has a hard time staying on task and getting going, but she does a really good job at what she does.  

Bible study.  Dad has been joining us more often which is really nice.  We have been studying in Romans, though I take days off to study a devotional and its topic or do a shorter amount of verses so we can look up more word meanings and record them (vocabulary).  Dad goes to work between 8 and 9:30 usually.

Start working.  Get the dishes done.  Lately I wait for Kiera or Coleman's help as they are in training.  Do our household chores. Em puts away the clean silverware.  She also takes off Chuckles' (conure) cover and checks his or her? food and water. Start laundry routine (which doesn't end until bedtime).  Take care of the dogs, cats, and chickens.  We have also had chicks. 

We usually then do math next (last year we did Saxon plus Key to Decimals and various other practices).  We also do Easy Grammar, but not every day.  Spelling is/was Bob Jones - I still need to order the ones for this year. I used a different one for Coleman for part of last year.  This year I may switch to AVKO or use it in conjunction.  I could probably use Spelling Power for Coleman. 

There is usually a round of jumping on the trampoline or backyard baseball in there.  I also have had a lot of watering to do.  I do alot (too much) of watering by hand.  I have (had) some tomatoes, tomatillos, dill, parsley, purslane, potatoes, beans, peas, beets, lettuce, squash, cucumber and watermelon (these haven't really done much, no fruit).  There are also trees to water and the areas of the grass which aren't getting enough from the sprinklers.   

We use alot of historical fiction reading books.  We did Story of the World with a small group coop for two years, but Kiera and I didn't like it.  Coleman reads the books for free reading....  Kiera does not like history textbooks, so I use a lot of different ways to study history.  We did a short study of California missions last fall.  We also did a water conservation study last year.  This year we will again study emergency preparedness, physics, biology and reproduction.   We will also be doing more writing and composition practice, using a variety of methods rather than a specific program.

This year, we will probably use more videos and computer applications for all areas of learning.

We used to work all morning, then meet Brooke during mid day for our therapy for community and behavior training (now consultation/therapy) session 2-3 days per week.  Other days we have Filly Fellowship on the other side of A.G. in the country.  Coleman goes and sees his friends there (brothers of the Filly girls) or goes to visit  his friend.  We will do errands during the waiting time or on the way back.  Coleman has his video game time. Then we usually have some type of sports practice (baseball, basketball or football) or cubscouts.

In the months when it is light longer, Kiera usually works with her horse Sunny after Coleman goes to practice.  In the colder months, she has to do it earlier in the day.  This usually takes her 1 to 2 hours, depending upon if she rides. 

After sports practice, we usually have something to eat.  We may have eaten earlier as well.  Then we wind down and get ready for bed. 

Well, that's it for now.. 

I asked Kevin to take k / c to this presentation at the Clark Center in A.G. this Friday night at 7 p.m.  I have watched some of the television programs and have liked them.  The event is free.  I invited Kevin's mom and dad too. I will stay here with Toby and Em though they are offereing FREE childcare... and a children's program for ages 6-10.  How they are pulling that off I am not sure.  Perhaps with the help of local church volunteers.

It is called Amazing Discoveries in Revelation's Prophecy.    Dead Men Do Tell Tales

Clark Center, 487 Fair Oaks Ave, Arroyo Grande CA 93420

Emmy  has a 'gramma'.  She does all sorts of things.  She once died after swallowing a coin.  She has lots of things we don't have and quite a few of the things that we do.  Emily does all kinds of things with her 'gramma'.  Whatever is going on in Emily's world often includes her 'gramma'.   We all listen carefully now to Em's stories ... Emily has lots of Thomas stuff at gramma's, like a swimming suit, a lamp, shoes, oh, all kinds of things.  So funny ...

The other morning, we were sitting on the sofa for bible studies and Coleman and Emily were playing with legomen.  At one point, Coleman good humouredly called her a 'copycat'.  Emily looked at me and said "Copycat?!"  Ha Ha Ha!  Oh, how she laughed.  She thought that was just hilarious!  And of  course, we all had to laugh too... at her.... she was so funny!!

She is always imagining... always.  And now, she is always cutting...

She cuts up all kinds of stuff.  Her dolls, their clothes, anything.  We are in protection mode and hiding our important papers.  Luckily, she has stayed safe overall, mostly cutting her own things ...whew!

More on Em later...

Kevin has taken Coleman and some of his sports friends and their dads (and Kiera) to the Lake with the big boat.  Actually, I don't know which lake they went to... It was Dad's idea for Coleman's birthday (Aug 1), though I am not sure that Dad doesn't have the more fun.  He went to a lot of work to go - that's for sure.  I just hope they are safe and having fun.

Happy Birthday Coleman !

Love You

Mom

UPDATE:  They came back from the lake safe and sound and just slightly burned, though Dad seems to really be suffering from his bad back.  I am so glad they had fun!

Kiera and Coleman really had a good time at VBS last year.  They went to St. John's Lutheran.  They had a pretty well organized program.  K/C enjoyed the 'back in time' feel of the 'marketplace' and doing old worlde crafts and things like that.  Kiera truly especially enjoys the singing.

This year Kiera and Coleman are in different groups and we brought Emily.  The theme is The Power of God and Emily is a "Quark".  The groups are all different things like Electrons, Beakers, etc.

She had a lot of fun yesterday and I hope she does well today.  She really hasn't done anything like this before as we don't attend regular church and she stays home for preschool.  She loves kids though especially little girls.

Kiera and Coleman are having a good time again.  Coleman really needs things to balance out all of his sports activities and I am glad he is having fun.   A girl from Filly Fellowship is also attending and it is always nice to have a familiar face or two.  

It is great to have this since we probably can't take a vacation.  I pray that they learn things that stay with them for good. 

UPDATE:  I wish I had a video of the Sunday performance.  Emily tried so hard during the singing, with the hand motions and everything, and in between, she stood there, awed, with her hands over her cheeks, just trying so hard to maintain herself.  So cute!  Kiera loved it - she just loves to sing!  Coleman at one point didn't want to perform, but he did and I am proud ; )

TOBY EATING HIS FIRST MARSHMALLOW ( A word picture)

1. Take it
2. squeeze it
3. put it on the floor
4. pick it up
5. squeeze it
6. taste a tiny taste
7. take another 2 tiny bites
8. throw it down
9. pick it up
10. s-l-o-w-l-y stuff the whole thing in

How about pink?

I need pink.

The pink one. I need it.

The pink one, I dink. (think)

The pink book, the pink sandals, the pink kitty underwear !

The pink doll clothes, the pink shoes....

EMILY LOVES PINK!!    : )

Emily was so cute with her friend Bobbi at Mimi and Grandpa's house yesterday.  I wish everyone we know and love could have seen her.  We also had a tea party for her on her actual birthday (june 2) last Monday which she also really enjoyed.  I think she got too much stuff tho... we didn't give her a toy present as she got so much already...

She absolutely loves anything pink and teensy weensy things so she got a LOT OF PINK!

I hope to add the pics tomorrow..