{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

This weekend we went on a beautiful nature walk near the local university.  It's a great place to bird-watch and walk along the water.

{happy}

I've been trying to find something to do with the other kids while the girls are at ballet class.  The studio isn't big enough to wait there, and there isn't really a place to play.  The parking is a nightmare, and many times I end up just letting them play on some kind of electronic device (my iPhone, the Leapster, or watch a DVD).

Today, while Ellie was at ballet class, I took the others down by the water, and they had a great little time!  If only we could keep Thomas from trying to climb up to street-level and run away.  He's not impressed by the sand yet.

{funny}

A funny little photo of SJ trying to fill up his tires with half an air pump, and T throwing a football which actually appears to be in-air in this photo!  The picture below also makes me giggle, thinking of the kids just playing their silly games in the backyard.  It's rare that they are all in one place, and it's fun to think about how they'll be pairing up more as the years go by...girls in their dreamlands and boys with their baseball bats!

{real}

  I was overdue for an oil change, and ventured out with all the kids yesterday afternoon to have it done at Wal-Mart while we shopped.  Took an hour and a half.  Then they tried to charge me extra money for no good reason, and we waited for manager after manager.  Had to feed the kids bananas, and oranges, and Juicy Juice.  They became monkeys, and SJ climbed on the side of the shopping cart and the whole thing fell on him!  What a zoo!  Finally they took a few dollars of my tab and I was outta there!  What a mess.

Overall, though, we're getting into our groove here, and I'm grateful to be making progress around the house and with homeschooling.  Slowly finding contentment in everyday life in our new home and new city!  Hope you are content just where you are right now, too.  Have a blessed day!

Happy, Healthy Learning and Living in 2012!

I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but it does seem to be a natural time to look at our goals and lifestyle and rethink the way we do certain things.  I'm going to try to follow this up with a "Monday Motivation" post each week.  Hope it works out, you guys keep me accountable!  Here's a summary of some things I've been pondering so far in 2012...

::Eating
We need to improve our eating habits.  One way is by curbing our fast food and restaurant outings, which tend to become frequent when we go through busy and/or stressful times for our family.  It's so easy to just grab a burger or chicken basket, but it isn't good for the pocketbook or the belly.  I'm going to have some more specific goals about this during Lent, but for now I'm going to try to cook more from scratch, work on healthy snacking, and try some weekend cooking and planning.

We have a Sprouts grocery store nearby (photo above) where there are lots of healthy snack options to buy in bulk.  We went on Friday night, and the girls enjoyed picking out different snacks, bagging them, and labeling them for checkout.  All of the kids love fruit (save for one who only eats apples and bananas), so we can try to keep a steady supply of that for snacks.

Another big help with curbing our fast food intake will be to remember bags of snacks and fruit when we go out for classes and activities.  The kids start whining, and if I don't have a plan in place we'll end up grabbing fast food.  We live probably 3 minutes from a great HEB for quick grocery trips, as well as two drive-thru restaurants that have more healthy options (BBQ and wraps/salads), so that can be a last minute go-to for food.  I'll be trying to add healthy side salads with dinner most nights or a large vegetable option.  We need to increase our veggie intake!  Putting small veggie hints in our fruit smoothies (which ALL the kids love) should help too.

Weekend grilling and smoothies--This weekend I made a bunch of fruit smoothies (frozen fruit, Simply Apple juice on sale, and ice in the Magic Bullet), and I put some of them in plastic cups in the freezer.  I was hoping they'd last several days, but it looks like there's only about half a cup left.  I guess I need to make more next time, and maybe invest in a large blender.  Steven grilled meat and chicken last night, and if we grill enough, we can use that chicken in salads, quesadillas, and pasta dishes over the coming days.  I know meal-planning would help a lot, but I haven't been too successful at that.  Best I have done is to have a general idea for a few dinner ideas in my head while shopping, keep staples for them on-hand, and then improvise as needed. I'm going to work on this!


::Exercise
This is a big goal for both Steven and me, and we're still working on the details to succeed at this.  I'd like to go to two Zumba Fitness classes each week (we have a studio just down the street), and one or more walks, jogs or rollerblading outings aside from that.  We found a nice hike and bike trail at the university nearby; it would be good to visit there weekly for exercise, nature study, and bird watching.  We have so many unique places within 5 minutes of our house, from the Zumba studio to the university, to several Churches and convents, and we need to take advantage of this!  The girls have started ballet classes, and hopefully we'll get Steven Joseph on a t-ball team this spring.  The kids are so active and spend a lot of time outdoors, so I don't need to worry much about exercise for them!

::Laundry
I feel like I have somewhat of a handle on the basic house stuff, although I could very well be back to frustration level with it in another day or two!  But the laundry is my arch-nemesis and always has been.  I can get it washed but never put away.  I'm committed to purging our clothing.  We purged a lot of belongings, mostly toys and adult clothing, when we moved.  But the kids' clothing is taking over the living room.  I'm working myself up for this.  You can see it is time to get things under control... (this is all kid clothes)

::Homeschool
I've been in a real rut for the past maybe 2 years.  I think it started around the time I got pregnant with Thomas and lost my vision and motivation for our Charlotte Mason Alphabet Path year.  We've stuck with most of the Mother of Divine Grace (MODG) program and lesson plans for last school year and this school year, but I think I'm ready to venture out on my own again next school year.  We are happy with Math U See, and MODG's recommended Abeka Science, Geography and History.  I also love the recommended reading books for a more "living" approach to history.  I'm sensing that we'll stick with Math U See, but move to possibly the Story of the World or the Catholic Connecting With History program and Apologia for science next year, along with adding Latin (probably Prima Latina).

The MODG language arts program was just not working for me and the kids.  It consists of The Writing Road to Reading intensive phonics and spelling program, Primary Language Lessons, and a handwriting workbook for 3rd grade, and 100 Easy Lessons and a handwriting workbook for 1st grade.  I've also been substituting the Funnix online reading program for some of their phonics instruction.  My girls just haven't been progressing as I feel they need to with reading and writing.  I have been worried that if they ever needed to be enrolled in school, they'd be terribly behind in these areas.  I know that they will get there eventually and the Classical and Charlotte Mason models of education encourage a slower progression of reading with lots of dictation and copywork, and we've done that too.  But I have been feeling like they need some of the nuts and bolts and repetition that a more standard educational model would give me.

Enter the Seton workbooks.  For Mary Clare, I bought Reading, Phonics (MCP Plaid), Spelling, Vocabulary (Wordly Wise), English, Handwriting, and Religion.  Ellie has started Phonics (MCP Plaid), Spelling, English, and Handwriting workbooks in addition to her Funnix reading program.  In just the three weeks or so we've been using these, I can already see improvements in their reading and writing.  But most importantly, I have gained some confidence and feel like I'm giving them a more thorough program and am not as worried about gaps in their education.  I think by the end of this year we'll be able to get them where they need to be, and I'm so happy about that.

Girls were reading to SJ in the corner.  This is our front room, the "piano room," 

with all the kids' books and my sewing desk and prayer altar on the other side

I think we're also closer to finding some music instruction for them, which has been on my heart for a very long time.  Hopefully we can start some piano or violin lessons for them next month!

::Prayer
I saved the best, and hardest, for last!  I keep saying how we're really spoiled here with Catholic churches and convents all around.  We don't have many outside obligations and should be able to grow more in our faith during this time.  Our parish and homeschool group consists of very devout families who are always encouraging and challenging each other.  I know I need to find a spiritual director, and I'd like to venture to one daily mass each week.  I'd also like to start praying the Rosary more often with the children and teach them the Rosary prayers they don't know yet.  I'd like to continue to work on praying the Divine Office (on my iPhone) in the morning or evening, and slowly get back into journaling and quiet time.  Baby steps will be my motto for all of this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So to end, I'm going to start my first Monday Motivation Post!  I'm going to try to imitate what Crystal does on Money Saving Mom each week and join on her blog link.

Monday Motivation

10 Goals for January 23-29

Prayer and Community

1. Pray the Divine Office at least 3 mornings.

(For non-Catholics this is just reading scripture, mostly the Psalms, and is the same readings for Catholics all over the world)

2. Pray a decade of the Rosary with the children.

3. Set up our house blessing with Fr. Bill and invite a few families.

Health

4. Attend two Zumba classes.

5. Take a nature walk with the children.

6. Plan at-home dinners each night. (Mon-Pasta Bake, Tue-Crockpot Roast, Wed-Homemade Pizza, Thur-Crispy Cheddar Chicken from Pinterest, Fri-Leftovers, Sat-Grill, Sun-out?)

Home Management and Homeschool

7. Tackle Mt. Washmore in the living room.

8. Donate a large bag of children's clothing.

9. Get in 4 mornings of homeschool and visit a Classical Conversations program (2 families who do it together).

10. Write encouraging notes to the children and Steven in their "fridge pockets."

 

The girls saw these on a show, made of one sheet of printer paper.  
They made one for everyone in the family, and we've all been finding sweet little notes!  So cute!

Junior Livestock Show

Last Thursday afternoon we met Steven at the Jr. Livestock Show in a neighboring town.  We watched children showing pigs and then walked through the areas of other animals being shown that day...cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, turkeys, and chickens.  I didn't get any photos of those areas; I was chasing and strolling the toddler.

After seeing the animals, we went to the exhibit hall to see all the 4-H projects made by children in the area.  There was quite a variety!  Photographs, dresses, flower arrangements, baked goods, canned goods, quilts, purses, and more.  It was fun to walk around and see the different items, look at the ones which won awards, and brainstorm projects that Mary Clare could do next year.  4-H is for ages 8 and up, so Ellie still has a bit longer before she can participate, but MC looks forward to joining in the fun!  Maybe next year we'll plan ahead to see more of the show, dress more "for the part" (we were some of the few not in jeans and books!), and take the children to the carnival area.

Mary Clare's 9th Birthday

From the time we first started talking about moving, Mary Clare was insistent that she would have her 9th birthday party with her friends back home.  She had been planning to have a board game party at my parents' house with a few girl friends. 

But since my mom was very sick all week, we ended up having the party at our favorite park in "the woods," still bringing some games as well as scooters and skates to enjoy at the park.  When they won a game, they got some pennies to get candy out of Ellie's new gumball machine...all the kids loved that!

Since it no longer had to be a drop-off indoor party, we had some siblings join along.  The night before, we stayed with the K family, who were so generous in helping us pull everything together, offering their serving platters and even putting together party bags about a half hour before it started! 

Party was at 10am, and Mary Clare and I rushed out to the store at 8am to buy all the goods.  We were really able to pull things together quickly!  She had a fun morning; it was a totally gorgeous day, and we were grateful for her sweet friends who were able to come and celebrate! 

Even though she'd been sick, NeNe still was able to have a candy stick bouquet with personalized tags for Mary Clare.  There were lots of colorful candies, fruit, and presents!

The kids had some races in the tennis courts and played Guesstures (charades). 

 The littlest ones seemed to enjoy the candy the most!

 

SJ really wanted to help put on the candles, but big sis wanted to do this all herself!

Happy Friends!

It was so windy, it was hard to keep the candles lit!

SJ enjoyed going off on his own and continually scaring Mommy when I couldn't find him!  Over and over again, "You MUST stay with people you know!"

The skate park is a fun place to hang out!

 

Hmmm, I always seem to have a photo of Baby with a slice of pizza.

Checking out the checkers game...

And a sweet big sister to help with little Thomas!  She even babysat the kids the night before while we went to a very late dinner date with her parents!  Thanks, Johanna!

The birthday girl opening all her fun gifts...everything from craft and bead kits to bath soaps, to inline skates!  What a special day!

Mary Clare, you are a bright girl with some very big aspirations.  Right now you are really hoping to go to medical school and be a pediatrician.  Today while in Target, you were commenting on how fun it will be when you're a mom and get to decorate a nursery for your baby (only a baby girl, that is, but I say that God will give what you need!).  I look forward to walking along the journey with you.  Whatever you become, I know you will do some great things for God.  May He guide your steps and lead you to his perfect will.

{pretty, funny, happy, real} Aquarium Edition

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

(again please excuse the poor photo quality!)

{pretty}

 

The girls had science classes today, so I took the boys to the Aquarium while their sisters were in class.

Beautiful boys, beautiful fish, beautiful day.

 {happy}

This was the lone "success" from the plaster molding kit we worked on earlier this week (the consistency was not right and the others were all ruined).  He is very proud of his painted fire hydrant and thanks the K family for his birthday gift! 

 {funny}

 Steven Joseph was really fascinated by the underwater diver presentation.  He kept standing in front of the diver while others were watching and trying to take pictures, so I had to keep reminding him to kneel down!

{real}

Wouldn't it be really great if all public restrooms had step stools like this?  And water fountains too.  They're mostly all built for adults, so we are always having to lift the kids up to wash their hands or drink from a fountain.  Maybe I can start a campaign to include children into the accessibility requirements of public places!  It's so hard to deal with multiple small children in public restrooms, and this would make it one bit easier!  I know I once posted a photo on the blog of the kids and me in a Kohl's restroom where they had a mini-potty!  Genius!  Our pediatric dentist has one of those, too!

Grateful for a fun morning with my boys, educational enrichment for my girls, new friends for us all, and feeling that we're finally settling into our new city.  It's still not quite "home" yet, but we're getting closer.

Monday Daybook

On a late Monday night,

I find myself:
::Noticing God's glory
Sitting in a quiet house, after a fulfilling day.  We had amazing weather today, breezy and sunny, and our homeschooling day went fairly well.  I breathed in the ocean air and spend some time just sitting outdoors.  The kids, too, found it a great day to work and play outside.  It was nice and relaxing to be home after a full 5 days of traveling and dentist, doctor, birthday and friend visits. 
 


::Listening to
The wind chime outside and my ticking clock on the shelf.  It's rare I have a moment to hear these things.  Tonight the noise at the dinner table was almost too much to handle.  That's why I love being up late at night!  Many times I've had a fussy, teething baby on my lap so I couldn't blog.  But tonight I am alone.

::Clothing myself in

A t-shirt filled with memories.  My LaVida shirt which I believe dates back to early high school.  On the back it says, "One love celebration*Feelin' free throughout every united nation*ONE BRIGHT DAY."  There are many memories tied to this shirt...Galveston beach youth group trips, college computer lab and getting my first email account...LaVida...TheLife.

::Giving thanks for
Two lovely phone calls with local homeschooling moms.  Connections are starting to happen and I trust that we are going to find our little niche with fun activities and some good friends here soon.  Also giving thanks that the dental work for the girls is done, and that Steven Joseph got a great report from the cardiologist, so we don't have to go back for a year!  Praise God!

::Pondering prayerfully

Enjoying my children and our homeschooling days.  I've been in a rut for a long while, and I need to change things up.  I need to set a positive tone.  I need to let them paint and create and give them opportunities at home to do things that are exciting and meaningful.  I need to remember our Alphabet Path year and the excitement those days held.  Can you tell I've been with Charlotte Mason friends recently?

::Turning the pages of this book
Oh, when will I get back to reading?  I read a dyslexia book recently, but haven't read a for-fun book in awhile.  By next Monday, I'll find something on one of these shelves!


::Creating by hand
The girls started making adorable felt dolls like this at their homemaking club "back home" on Friday.  They have a lot to finish, and I am going to make it a point to help them, and to finish some of my own sewing projects.  I'd like to: applique the stockings, embroider the stockings, make a tree skirt, and make a bed skirt for our master bedroom.






















::Learning lessons in
Patience.  Aren't we always?  I was such a patient person before having children, and even with one and two children.  From the moment the kids get up, there are messes and fighting and whining, and I need to take a deep breath and realize that a spilled breakfast, a broken glass, or an elaborate craft. 


::Encouraging learning
They painted today, and we tried to complete a plaster mold craft kit this morning, which didn't go as planned, but we tried.  We're working on spelling and grammar and handwriting and enjoying these new workbooks right now.  I'll be re-working our curriculum for next year over the coming months.  This week the girls have a science class through the aquarium, and they've been doing a lot of bird watching.  Lots of science and nature opportunities here!























::Carefully creating rhythm
Trying to get back into an earlier bedtime and earlier wake-up.  Adjusting nap times for baby who had switched to one, but today took two, naps.  Starting our schoolwork after breakfast before crafting and games and play around the house can happen.  But making sure there is time to create, both art and music.  Today, a moment of sweet guitar songs.  Working on music plans, maybe violin.  They are enjoying the handbells they got from their godparents, and still playing silent night on the piano.  It makes me smile.
 

::Begging prayers
For Leroy, our friend Gordon's father, who passed away today after a battle with cancer.  For Hans, our sweet little friend who had a radioactive treatment for his cancer last week and is waiting to be released from the hospital.  What suffering that kind of isolation must be for a child!  For my parents, who have had some health issues.  And for the family of little Aimee, friends from our old dance school whose 3yr old daughter was hit by a car and killed in front of their home two weeks ago.  Please offer a prayer for their family, friends, and also the young driver of the car.


::Keeping house
Our new home is easier to keep.  We have lots of tile floors, more storage, and less stuff.  We've kept the playroom clean for a few days, and I've gotten a new Rubbermaid Reveal spray mop that has a duster/sweeper attachment.  I'm really liking it!

::Crafting in the kitchen
I pinned a bunch of recipes on Pinterest today.  Hoping to try some new recipes this week after being gone for 5 days and eating out or at others' homes.  I believe tomorrow will be "No Peek" (stew meat over mashed potatoes), a recipe of Steven's family.  Then I'll be trying some new ideas after that!  Looking forward to using the feta cheese and sundried tomatoes :-)

::Living the moments
Making a point to read books more with the little ones.  I love those moments.   This was a moment with a new board game last week.

::Living the liturgy
We prayed tonight with the boys, it's been awhile since we've prayed with the kids at night.  Maybe a family rosary decade after dinner?  Sunday Mass back home yesterday was beautiful.  I love the Latin Novus Ordo Mass.  I feel the universality of the church so much there.  I miss Annunciation.  But our new church home here is beautiful too.  It is a very small and close-knit community, and offers many opportunities for growth.  Really, this whole city offers so much Catholic culture and opportunities for the sacraments and spiritual growth.  There are about 5 Catholic churches within 10 minutes of us, a spiritual center, and 2 convents.  And within 20 minutes, at least double that!  It's a gift that we have yet to fully take in, but I pray we will.

::Planning for the week ahead
Tomorrow will start our new school week, since today was catch-up.  Wednesday is science class.  Thursday the 4-H Fair to attend with Daddy.  Maybe we'll attend daily mass on Friday, and maybe a walk on the beach this weekend?  I've got to call our priest to set up our house blessing, and hope to invite some friends over soon.