Yes, I am still here. Life has just been tremendously busy. H had a WONDERFUL birthday. I have lots of pics to put up eventually. I really need to do two slideshows but they will have to wait a bit. We have had company all week, and are expecting more this weekend. Our church is having a psalm sing on Saturday so it is a full weekend coming up.
Lets see what new...
B is reading one of my favorite books as a child (the first of the Betsy/Tacy series). It's strange when your children reach a point where they are doing things you enjoyed as a child. I don't know how to explain it, but it's well, just an interesting feeling.
I have set up a responsibility chart for each of the children which is saving me alot of "words". I can just gently remind them of their charts and they are responsible for making sure they get checked off during the day. It has taken such a load off of me, and is teaching them to take responsibility. The things they check off are everything from their teeth getting brushed, their basic school subject, etc. My favorite one? The box that says "What can I do for you, Mother?" :) I found the neatest website that lets you customize your own charts, with pictures, different size fonts, and your own "chores" or responsibilities. Here is the link: http://www.dltk-cards.com
Today we are getting our schooling done, and I am going to be trying to spruce up the house to prepare for further guests. We also have colds in the house again.
A couple quotable quotes before I close:
H was showing a friend her new dolly from Nona..."It doesn't have a suckifier" (pacifier) so cute!!!
I sat down with D yesterday when I had a few minutes and started showing him how to sound out words. He had told me a few weeks ago something like this "I can't read books, I can't read the Bible, I can't read anything!" so anyhow, I started in on some basic phonics. He was so delighted. "I did not know learning to read was this much fun!" Awwww.
Welcome to Days At SpringMeadows!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
update
Just a brief update....only read this if you are interested in the everyday details and play by play at our house. :) We did it! We went in and got the carpet cleaner and brought it home. It was really not as bad as I had anticipated. S always has done the carpets in the past, but I was really motivated to get this done. We did everywhere that was carpeted (well not all the closets), which was the living room, schoolroom, hallway, playroom, and three bedrooms. Also, I used the attachment and did the boys mattresses and our couch and loveseat. THEN, I got so motivated to clean the house that I cleaned the three bathrooms and with the help of the children (and S when he got home) the whole house looks great! It feels so good. My back is telling me that I am not 20 anymore though.
Almost time for dinner. S made spaghetti for me, since I was so busy with all this.
Tomorrow is a special day here....my "baby" turns 3!
This and That Tuesday
Haven't blogged in a bit, so thought I would dash off a quick update from Green Acres...er, I mean Greenville. :) What have we been doing lately? Well, Saturday we enjoyed going over to some of our dear friends from church and spending a lovely afternoon with them and another family from church. The fellowship was sweet and we came home exhausted and yet refreshed from a fun filled afternoon.
The Lord's Day was filled again with mercies from the Lord as He fed us through His gracious word. We enjoyed having one of the single men from church over for the evening.
Yesterday was busy with school and all the duties that come with a Monday. I have started a new laundry system. The children are now doing their own laundry. Monday and Thursdays is the boy's day and Tuesday and Thursdays are the girl's day. They do their own from start to finish. Then I am just responsible for S and mine, as well as towels and misc leftovers. We will see how it works, but I think it will be good.
Since we were busy on Saturday we decided that Monday would be our Valentines Day. S had taken me out to dinner on Friday night (my dad came and watched the children, thanks Dad!) We do up Valentines day big around here for the children, and it has become a real highlight. I go to Dollar General and fill them "goodie bags" with toys and fun items for them. We have special desserts and decorate. They make valentines for each other. It has become such a fun family tradition. I took several pics so I hope to make a slideshow of our enjoyable evening last night. The shrieks and delighted giggles were worth every effort.
So today we are attending to our school this morning. This afternoon we are heading into town to get a carpet cleaner. I never would have attempted this years ago with only little ones. But, I have two strapping boys now to help me tackle the challenge. So, we are going to take a deep breath and try to spruce up our carpets later on today. P, don't laugh. I can do a few things mechanical....I am learning to sew aren't I? :) I will let you know how it goes. Hopefully we won't end up in a sea of bubbles.
That's all for now...
The Lord's Day was filled again with mercies from the Lord as He fed us through His gracious word. We enjoyed having one of the single men from church over for the evening.
Yesterday was busy with school and all the duties that come with a Monday. I have started a new laundry system. The children are now doing their own laundry. Monday and Thursdays is the boy's day and Tuesday and Thursdays are the girl's day. They do their own from start to finish. Then I am just responsible for S and mine, as well as towels and misc leftovers. We will see how it works, but I think it will be good.
Since we were busy on Saturday we decided that Monday would be our Valentines Day. S had taken me out to dinner on Friday night (my dad came and watched the children, thanks Dad!) We do up Valentines day big around here for the children, and it has become a real highlight. I go to Dollar General and fill them "goodie bags" with toys and fun items for them. We have special desserts and decorate. They make valentines for each other. It has become such a fun family tradition. I took several pics so I hope to make a slideshow of our enjoyable evening last night. The shrieks and delighted giggles were worth every effort.
So today we are attending to our school this morning. This afternoon we are heading into town to get a carpet cleaner. I never would have attempted this years ago with only little ones. But, I have two strapping boys now to help me tackle the challenge. So, we are going to take a deep breath and try to spruce up our carpets later on today. P, don't laugh. I can do a few things mechanical....I am learning to sew aren't I? :) I will let you know how it goes. Hopefully we won't end up in a sea of bubbles.
That's all for now...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Busy Saturday
I thought you would enjoy seeing the new table S and the boys made us, and the tablecloth I sewed. Those are napkins in the middle...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hurricane Digout
I. Really. Did. It. Yup, I really tackled the unthinkable. It wasn't like I had laid awake last night planning it. It's the kind of thing you have to jump on the second you feel the motivation hit...before it leaves again. I. cleaned. the. playroom. Yes, you read that right. I really, truly did. And even have "after" pictures to prove it. I should have taken before pics...no, it would have scared you. But, the problem is, I have the pics but can't show them to you, because I can't get them off my phone tonight. So you will just have to trust me on this one.
You see, when we moved all the rooms around back last fall, the playroom was set up. Only all the toys were just kinda stuffed in whatever bins, baskets, drawers might be available. So, then every bin, basket, drawer had migrated out again. You know you really have to do something when you are concerned for your child's safety when you send them in there to play. I mean, they do require those to stay evacuated for quite awhile after a hurricane has hit their home. I could give you the name or names of our hurricane(s), but I digress.
So there I was, I put the littles down for a nap, did a couple more things and then it happened. I jumped in with my goggles on. (Ok, I really didn't have safety glasses, but this a blog, remember?) Now, there is a method to this madness. You have to kind of decide you are going to start in one corner of the room and just work your way around, not looking up too often. Just keep your eyes down at the ground, cause if you look up, you will lose hope and despair that you will ever get done. It's kinda like labor, you can't think about the fact that you might have 500 more contractions to get through, you just have to focus on the next one. So, don't look up, that is unless you get car sick, which I kinda did.
Now lest you have a problem visualizing what I am talking about, everyone close your eyes. Now imagine thousands of little tiny pieces. Legos, duplos and blocks, cars and trucks, doll house stuff, dress up clothes, toy kitchen items, baby toys, game pieces, train set pieces...STOP, you opened your eyes. Ok, now let's add in dolls and doll clothes and the million pieces of cut up straws that your children enjoyed cutting and then filling bowls with to make "food". You get the picture? Now imagine going through each tiny items and finding its home, one at a time.
As we were digging our way out of this avalanche I had some nice company once they woke up. (Because this took me quite awhile, you see.) D was so excited when we found his toy airplane. "I just kept thinking of my plane. And when I found it, I stopped." You've gotta love that boy. Then of course H spills a bin of some little toys, which I told her to promptly pick up. As she is putting them away, she says "I'm almost there"..."Is this so hard?" Later on, you would have laughed as I was working so hard and she comes in and promptly drops a container of pushpins all over the floor. She cleaned those up too. But, on to more quotable quotes. H says to D "Me and Dbo are gonna be best friends." D replies, "That rubbers me up when she says that".
All in all, I am glad that I did it now. I even found some of my missing measuring cup set and a pyrex measuring cup. And you wouldn't believe the glob of dried out lotion that was hidden on the shirt of a dolly under the toy sink. Too bad, I did not find my mom's pyrex baking dish in there, and I did not find my crockpot that has been missing since we moved from Houston.
B has been the last couple of days making comments about "this is just our kind of house". I wonder if that means it gives her a secure feeling when she thinks about all that is happening at once. At least I hope it is a secure feeling and not some other feeling when she contemplates the activity here. This afternoon she came in as I was working and said, "This is our kind of house. Little ones all over the house, you trying to fix up the playroom, music on, Daddy just going outside, the boys down in the shop, and me just coming in..." The little sissy is waxing poetic. Remember that Maxwell House commercial "Our House". Maybe we should do an E rendition of that.
Well, tonight we have a nice clean playroom. DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! No, just kidding. Although they have been briefed on how to keep it that way.
Tomorrow is sewing lesson #2. My friend who is keeping the two littles plans on having them help her make gingerbread cookies, and has invited all the sewing class ladies and children back for cookies and tea afterwards...fun! Afterwards I plan on meeting up with S to do some grocery shopping.
Goodnight all.
You see, when we moved all the rooms around back last fall, the playroom was set up. Only all the toys were just kinda stuffed in whatever bins, baskets, drawers might be available. So, then every bin, basket, drawer had migrated out again. You know you really have to do something when you are concerned for your child's safety when you send them in there to play. I mean, they do require those to stay evacuated for quite awhile after a hurricane has hit their home. I could give you the name or names of our hurricane(s), but I digress.
So there I was, I put the littles down for a nap, did a couple more things and then it happened. I jumped in with my goggles on. (Ok, I really didn't have safety glasses, but this a blog, remember?) Now, there is a method to this madness. You have to kind of decide you are going to start in one corner of the room and just work your way around, not looking up too often. Just keep your eyes down at the ground, cause if you look up, you will lose hope and despair that you will ever get done. It's kinda like labor, you can't think about the fact that you might have 500 more contractions to get through, you just have to focus on the next one. So, don't look up, that is unless you get car sick, which I kinda did.
Now lest you have a problem visualizing what I am talking about, everyone close your eyes. Now imagine thousands of little tiny pieces. Legos, duplos and blocks, cars and trucks, doll house stuff, dress up clothes, toy kitchen items, baby toys, game pieces, train set pieces...STOP, you opened your eyes. Ok, now let's add in dolls and doll clothes and the million pieces of cut up straws that your children enjoyed cutting and then filling bowls with to make "food". You get the picture? Now imagine going through each tiny items and finding its home, one at a time.
As we were digging our way out of this avalanche I had some nice company once they woke up. (Because this took me quite awhile, you see.) D was so excited when we found his toy airplane. "I just kept thinking of my plane. And when I found it, I stopped." You've gotta love that boy. Then of course H spills a bin of some little toys, which I told her to promptly pick up. As she is putting them away, she says "I'm almost there"..."Is this so hard?" Later on, you would have laughed as I was working so hard and she comes in and promptly drops a container of pushpins all over the floor. She cleaned those up too. But, on to more quotable quotes. H says to D "Me and Dbo are gonna be best friends." D replies, "That rubbers me up when she says that".
All in all, I am glad that I did it now. I even found some of my missing measuring cup set and a pyrex measuring cup. And you wouldn't believe the glob of dried out lotion that was hidden on the shirt of a dolly under the toy sink. Too bad, I did not find my mom's pyrex baking dish in there, and I did not find my crockpot that has been missing since we moved from Houston.
B has been the last couple of days making comments about "this is just our kind of house". I wonder if that means it gives her a secure feeling when she thinks about all that is happening at once. At least I hope it is a secure feeling and not some other feeling when she contemplates the activity here. This afternoon she came in as I was working and said, "This is our kind of house. Little ones all over the house, you trying to fix up the playroom, music on, Daddy just going outside, the boys down in the shop, and me just coming in..." The little sissy is waxing poetic. Remember that Maxwell House commercial "Our House". Maybe we should do an E rendition of that.
Well, tonight we have a nice clean playroom. DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! No, just kidding. Although they have been briefed on how to keep it that way.
Tomorrow is sewing lesson #2. My friend who is keeping the two littles plans on having them help her make gingerbread cookies, and has invited all the sewing class ladies and children back for cookies and tea afterwards...fun! Afterwards I plan on meeting up with S to do some grocery shopping.
Goodnight all.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Brrrr!!
It's 17 degrees here this morning. Brrrr...these Houstonians aren't used to this! But, on to another busy day in our household.
Our dear friends from NC are actually getting ready to break ground on their house just about any day now. These are the ones that own the land across the street from SpringMeadows. They hope to be moved here sometime this spring. We miss them and are so excited. R is going to be doing his surveying work for the land and asked if the boys could help him, so they are standby to be ready for that. They were supposed to survey with him this morning, but it is just too cold for anyone to be on that hill. So he is going to see how much it warms up this afternoon. The boys are excited. Homeschooling at it's best! We are reading "Carry On, Mr Bowditch" for school, and so W was excited because Nat did surverying in the book.
In other news, the boys asked if they could sew after school and chores were done yesterday. So, we pulled out the two machines (Mom has loaned me one for the duration of the class) and they set to work. That little man (W) proceeded to make himself a pair of pants!!! I will take a picture and post it when I can. But, he has taken to this with amazing skill. J too is trying to make a skirt for me, but we had trouble with the machine and it slowed him down. All the children are very eager now. The girls would have been at it too yesterday, but I told them it was just the boys turn. We now have the machines set up in the living room, so we don't have to get them out everytime we want to use them. It is SEW busy around here.
Off to make oatmeal for breakfast....something nice and warm on a day like today.
Our dear friends from NC are actually getting ready to break ground on their house just about any day now. These are the ones that own the land across the street from SpringMeadows. They hope to be moved here sometime this spring. We miss them and are so excited. R is going to be doing his surveying work for the land and asked if the boys could help him, so they are standby to be ready for that. They were supposed to survey with him this morning, but it is just too cold for anyone to be on that hill. So he is going to see how much it warms up this afternoon. The boys are excited. Homeschooling at it's best! We are reading "Carry On, Mr Bowditch" for school, and so W was excited because Nat did surverying in the book.
In other news, the boys asked if they could sew after school and chores were done yesterday. So, we pulled out the two machines (Mom has loaned me one for the duration of the class) and they set to work. That little man (W) proceeded to make himself a pair of pants!!! I will take a picture and post it when I can. But, he has taken to this with amazing skill. J too is trying to make a skirt for me, but we had trouble with the machine and it slowed him down. All the children are very eager now. The girls would have been at it too yesterday, but I told them it was just the boys turn. We now have the machines set up in the living room, so we don't have to get them out everytime we want to use them. It is SEW busy around here.
Off to make oatmeal for breakfast....something nice and warm on a day like today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)