tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326298302024-03-14T03:14:30.303-04:00Slightly Crunchy Catholicmelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.comBlogger682125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-49149859135971127442015-10-06T22:15:00.000-04:002015-10-06T22:17:04.752-04:00Updates---Jack!Jack's 5th grade school picture....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLs8O3yrIMo/VhR_svgEu3I/AAAAAAAAQ9U/wgNcn185-58/s1600/Jack%2B2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLs8O3yrIMo/VhR_svgEu3I/AAAAAAAAQ9U/wgNcn185-58/s400/Jack%2B2015.JPG" /></a><br />
Alllll the pictures I took trying to get that picture...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFdxc9Sy4tU/VhR_5LmTN2I/AAAAAAAAQ9g/okxNBv1o4Jc/s1600/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B166.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFdxc9Sy4tU/VhR_5LmTN2I/AAAAAAAAQ9g/okxNBv1o4Jc/s400/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B166.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iK_CDh6TMlw/VhR_45PP0cI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/Mp5RzVbhWeo/s1600/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B169.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iK_CDh6TMlw/VhR_45PP0cI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/Mp5RzVbhWeo/s400/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B169.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-beJWcl4jhV0/VhR_6s0pvrI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/CqxMx-x0fuk/s1600/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B170.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-beJWcl4jhV0/VhR_6s0pvrI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/CqxMx-x0fuk/s400/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B170.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0dyZXdJTrQ/VhR_7Csu8SI/AAAAAAAAQ9w/t5T_FD7BP84/s1600/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B171.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0dyZXdJTrQ/VhR_7Csu8SI/AAAAAAAAQ9w/t5T_FD7BP84/s400/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B171.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqNsCbE-iMQ/VhSAJmCe4rI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/8xgV-BzsRkY/s1600/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B172.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqNsCbE-iMQ/VhSAJmCe4rI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/8xgV-BzsRkY/s400/camera%2Bdump%2Boct15%2B172.JPG" /></a><br />
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Getting a picture of this child is a nightmare. He will not make a nice face. You have to distract him and sneak up on it. <br />
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Jack is in fifth grade this year, and tomorrow is his 11th birthday! I can't believe he is that old. He was only 2 when I started this blog! He is doing very well. We are still enrolled in Mother of Divine Grace, and still adapting their curriculum for him. I would say, very generally, that he is on about a 3rd-ish grade level. Maybe late 2nd grade in math. We have backed up a bit and kind of mostly starting math over with Math U See. It is too soon to tell if that will help. He still goes to speech and OT, though he is down to two hours a week now. He plays baseball with Miracle League...he takes piano lessons...he attends PSR classes at our church (with my husband). As he gets older, we see more issues with anxiety cropping up,,,I will maybe blog more about that in another post. He still loves trains, love Legos, loves Pokemon, jumping on the trampoline, playing the Wii, riding his scooter...this summer he learned how to skate and now he loves to go to the skating rink. He is my sweetie. Love this boy. melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-11025336928205560302015-10-05T21:40:00.000-04:002015-10-05T21:40:15.658-04:00updates...Maria!So...I am very conscious of the fact that I am now blogging about an adult child. But I want to share a little about the latest goings on of my sweet oldest. Maria graduated! She is in college! Big things, big things. Oh, I could write many long posts about all the adjustments this involved, but suffice to say we are very proud of her, and we miss her very much. I don't want to name the school she is attending, for creepy-stalker reasons,,,if you know me through other arenas you probably already know where she is. But she is at a good Catholic school. So, creepy stalkers, start searching Catholic schools for all the Maria's...she will graduate before you finish, haha!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkI7rST0XwU/VhMmGQcVFWI/AAAAAAAAQ8w/oLJbs57JpGc/s1600/11058398_746613348782196_3987308351798970352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkI7rST0XwU/VhMmGQcVFWI/AAAAAAAAQ8w/oLJbs57JpGc/s400/11058398_746613348782196_3987308351798970352_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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She is majoring in theater with a minor in theology. She is involved in soccer and choir and swing dances and having a lot of good fun. Hopefully she is studying a bit too...mid-terms approacheth. Can't wait to have her home for a nice long Christmas break. melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-44702411895641729272015-10-03T12:42:00.001-04:002015-10-03T12:42:27.679-04:00I know I keep saying this, but....I really, really want to get back to blogging! I have so much fun looking back through the archives at all of our adventures. I am really going to try this week to start up again. <br />
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Let's start with back to school pictures and updates, how about that? I will post an "update" on all five kiddos, one for each day this week. And I'll start off today with my nephew, Kain,,,so many of you have prayed for him over the years and ask about him. He is 15 now. 15!!! Can you believe it? He was 6 when he first made an appearance here, back at the beginning of this blog! I won't share too much because he is a teenager and I want to respect his privacy, but...he is really doing much better. He is still living with my parents, and is happy there and in high school now and right now things are blessedly ok on that front. His high school has a vocational training type of program and they are thinking that would be a good thing for him in the second half of high school. He is also getting confirmed this spring!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbdRvAFfNmg/VhAE72yupyI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/Osrek2Co0dc/s1600/11223769_735753143201550_8889365485868018459_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbdRvAFfNmg/VhAE72yupyI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/Osrek2Co0dc/s320/11223769_735753143201550_8889365485868018459_o.jpg" /></a><br />
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Here is a very poor picture to share with him in it, lol. He went with us to Familyland in August. He is making a goofy face here, because he does that for All The Pictures. And most of my other kids look kind of dorky because I told them to say "FAMILYLAND" instead of "CHEESE" and discovered that "cheese" is the word of choice for a reason. But it's the only recent picture I have handy with Kain in it! <br />
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Next time, updates on Maria~melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-46454043551317467992015-07-05T08:50:00.002-04:002015-07-05T08:50:20.608-04:00Answer Me This, and yes, I'm still aliveHellooooo! I keep thinking I will use the summer "break" to get back into blogging, and lookie at that date in the corner of your screen, it is JULY already, and I have not blogged once! So, this seems like an easy and fun way to jump back in...I am joining Kendra at <a href="http://www.catholicallyear.com/">Catholic All Year</a> for Answer Me This. I have no photos...I'm afraid it was all I could do to make myself jump back into posting...photos next time! Here are this week's questions!<br />
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1. How did you celebrate the 4th of July? <br />
Oh,,,this is the question of the moment in our house. I am writing this the morning of the 4th. I have attended fireworks shows for every 4th that I can remember. Even with a husband that works weird shifts, and a house full of little wandering people, we attend the fireworks show, because it is what we *do*, and in years my husband can't make it my parents have been there to kid-wrangle. It is less than ideal though. If you go to one, you know what I mean. You have to arrive a couple of hours ahead of time and chase small, bored children in the humid, mosquito-y evening, trying to keep everyone contained and happy until it is FINALLY dark. Then you have to spend an hour trying to make the four mile journey home afterwards. And to make it even more fun, my Jack *hates* traffic and pretty much has a Rain Man style meltdown in the car each year on the way home. So. This year I tentatively suggested *not going*. And everyone jumped at it. My parents are staying home. It takes them two hours to get home after fireworks, and turns out they hate that. My husband is working the today, and he doesn't really want to go. My teenager, usually the queen of "but that's the way we ALWAYS do it", doesn't care about going. The littler kids just care about doing snakes and sparklers at home. And as much as I love the show....I feel kind of over it until my kids are at least old enough for me to set up a camping chair for myself and enjoy the pre-show concerts and not have to keep my 3yo away from the street. So, this year...we are home. It will be a simple day this year, just us, and a yummy dessert, and pizza for everyone not doing a Whole 30, and fireworks in the street. <br />
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2. Do you sunburn easily?<br />
Oh yes. Very. My husband is half Jewish, and so he is actually rather olive-skinned...one of my kids has inherited this...Henry, the boy in my header photo. The rest of us are a pale, freckly bunch. Because of this we usually go to the lake or pool at 4pm.<br />
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3. Hot dogs. Yay or nay?<br />
Um, Yay! Love hot dogs, especially on the grill. All beef, preferably. I know they are not healthy...but they are a "Jack-food", one of the few foods my autistic son will actually eat, so they are a staple for him. The rest of us eat them far less often...maybe once a month for a desperate quick lunch.<br />
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4. Have you ever personally set off fireworks?<br />
Sure, every year. I thought pretty much everyone did, but I guess not. lol. My neighbors have been setting off fireworks all week, which is pretty annoying, frankly. But we do set them off on the 4th. Yes, they make me nervous. My husband loves it though. <br />
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5. Have you ever jumped off the high dive?<br />
No. I kind of have an issue with heights. <br />
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6. Do you do anything weird in your sleep?<br />
Hmmmm. I do talk in my sleep. My mom says I did it most nights as a kid. I don't think I do it a lot anymore. I did a lot of weird things in my sleep as a kid, actually. I used to sleepwalk, and I would wake up in random places in the house. My mom says once I came downstairs and started moving furniture around. :)<br />
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Ok, that was fun! Looking forward to seeing everyone's answers! Answer in the comments if you like, or on your blog.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tS3kq7UMmmA/VZknefemPII/AAAAAAAAQxE/5shr7m9x0vc/s1600/Answer%2BMe%2BThis%2Bsummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tS3kq7UMmmA/VZknefemPII/AAAAAAAAQxE/5shr7m9x0vc/s320/Answer%2BMe%2BThis%2Bsummer.jpg" /></a>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-53521200211940202382014-12-30T14:08:00.000-05:002014-12-30T14:08:37.343-05:0012 in 2014Well, howdy! I'm still here, and actually, I would really like to start blogging regularly again. Now that the baby (who, btw, is now 2 1/2!) goes to bed at a decent hour, I actually find myself with some *alone time* several evenings a week...so I actually might have *time* to do some blogging! I thought an easy and fun way to start off would be linking up to <a href="http://www.houseunseen.com/2014/12/12-in-2014-link-up.html">Dwija's</a> end of the year post.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKj-YtrRGrw/VKLnq-BjHjI/AAAAAAAAPVo/KXUdfiOqx5g/s1600/12%2Bin%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKj-YtrRGrw/VKLnq-BjHjI/AAAAAAAAPVo/KXUdfiOqx5g/s320/12%2Bin%2B2014.jpg" /></a><br />
Anyway, I will just run this up quick and dirty without much commentary because I am already late to the link up! I am just grabbing these from facebook because that is what is easiest, though if I had time, this is would be a neat excuse to go through and neatify your entire collection of pictures for the year. These pictures are chronological, though there seems to be a dearth of decent pictures from early in the year for some reason..<br />
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We will start with my beautiful oldest daughter, Maria...she is off to prom in this picture. If you homeschool and wonder if your child will get to go to dances and such, well...Maria has been to a few! <br />
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Tessie turned 6 in May, and had a "flower birthday". <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWl-fKYjFn8/VKLtrz7r0iI/AAAAAAAAPWo/07Nu7FQwjhg/s1600/1409182146285.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWl-fKYjFn8/VKLtrz7r0iI/AAAAAAAAPWo/07Nu7FQwjhg/s320/1409182146285.jpg" /></a><br />
And the day after, Mary Claire turned 2. This is her birthday donut breakfast, but she later had a "very hungry caterpillar" theme going on.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBZjVj6MVAs/VKLuEelD_dI/AAAAAAAAPXA/TuuLGSgN4z4/s1600/1409182172047.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBZjVj6MVAs/VKLuEelD_dI/AAAAAAAAPXA/TuuLGSgN4z4/s320/1409182172047.jpg" /></a><br />
camping in August! Jack, Tess, Henry, and Mary Claire in the cabin.<br />
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just a cute picture of Maria and Mary Claire, the oldest and youngest. They are very close and have such a sweet relationship.<br />
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Hiking on our camping trip, Mary Claire and Henry. <br />
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Maria's 18th birthday was in September. We had a Dr. Who/Impossible Astronaut party! <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LWczB8KErc/VKLxguwAK_I/AAAAAAAAPYA/Q1NAXkNTwOk/s1600/10604459_587988311311368_4419932637726944679_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LWczB8KErc/VKLxguwAK_I/AAAAAAAAPYA/Q1NAXkNTwOk/s320/10604459_587988311311368_4419932637726944679_o.jpg" /></a><br />
The corn maze in October, Henry, who turned four this year...<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuwTst7YjkE/VKLwvzFEcFI/AAAAAAAAPX4/9cFWyAu83lo/s1600/10560560_604151553028377_2864831194615670658_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuwTst7YjkE/VKLwvzFEcFI/AAAAAAAAPX4/9cFWyAu83lo/s320/10560560_604151553028377_2864831194615670658_o.jpg" /></a><br />
Jack, St. John Vianney for All Saints' Day. Jack is now 10 years old! <br />
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Mary Claire as St. Kateri<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlZoLK7S3LY/VKLvxz24lzI/AAAAAAAAPXw/BJtYnycWLTg/s1600/11391_610576919052507_441603802401292318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlZoLK7S3LY/VKLvxz24lzI/AAAAAAAAPXw/BJtYnycWLTg/s320/11391_610576919052507_441603802401292318_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Mary Claire on my mom's horse at Thanksgiving.<br />
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Merry Christmas Eve pajama shot! For those new to the blog, a run down, left to right back row is Jack, age 10; Maria, age 18; Mary Claire, age 2. In front is Henry, age 4, and Tess, age 6. <br />
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Thanks for visiting, come back in the New Year! melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-6737555955397926402014-08-04T10:14:00.000-04:002014-08-04T10:14:12.657-04:00Dear Maria, week 8 and 9...one last long one!Friday, July 25- So, when I left off, Meme had taken the gang overnight to her house and Dad and I went to that concert. Today, I planned to take advantage of everyone being gone and work on the Great and Terrible Upstairs. Not long after I got started though, Meme called and said that Jack was sick. Because, I make plans and God laughs. He was running a low temperature, but he was wheezing and coughing terribly and not eating at all....always on a Friday! They always get sick on the weekend! So, I spent the rest of the day at the urgent care clinic and the pharmacy and all that fun stuff. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPbAuHRzGOc/U94l4POvlrI/AAAAAAAANLo/Ip60jWo6Wvw/s1600/10565066_560656107377922_2178879364273373647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPbAuHRzGOc/U94l4POvlrI/AAAAAAAANLo/Ip60jWo6Wvw/s320/10565066_560656107377922_2178879364273373647_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Saturday, July 26th- Today we cleaned at home. I'm afraid most of the days in this letter will read like this. I'm on a whirlwind of lysol and Mr. Clean erasers around here. I'm trying hard to finish the whole house before we leave, but as you know these things always go more slowly than I hope, and my kid help is in Ohio, lol. Dad helps with the kids when he can, but he has his hands full chainsawing broken trees right now. I worked on the playroom some more, and here's a picture of Mary Claire putting her baby doll to bed. <br />
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I am moving furniture around and rearranging some things. It's driving Tess insane. She does not like what I am doing *at all*. And she comes back into the room later and rearranges things to her liking as best she can. <br />
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Cleaning and organizing means finding fun stuff sometimes though. Here's Tess in a nightgown I dug up from some Too Big Clothes Boxes. She loooooves this nightgown!<br />
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Sunday, July 27th- I've ordered the last of the school books! I wanted to get things ordered in time for them to arrive before we leave. <br />
Today we went to mass of course, at St. Stephen's since Dad is working this weekend. Jack came too. He is doing a lot better, though still coughing.<br />
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Here's Henry reading an I Spy book. Whatever room I am cleaning in is THE place to hang out!<br />
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Monday, July 28th- Jack and the gang spent the day digging up the backyard. He says they are digging to Canada. I ordered some assorted clothing to, to make sure everyone has enough to get through a week of camping. In a weird, random find, I got the girls two long old fashioned white nightgowns on a great sale. They can wear them for St. Lucy's feast day in December! I tried to find some last year, but they were pricey.<br />
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Tuesday, July 29th- Bowling today. Jack just loves bowling day. He takes it very seriously. Here's some bowling pictures. Isn't Tess cute in her pigtails?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxdTvZpnw80/U94l14bQQxI/AAAAAAAANLE/jXCED4SxV94/s1600/10421956_562496227193910_993452701156228936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxdTvZpnw80/U94l14bQQxI/AAAAAAAANLE/jXCED4SxV94/s320/10421956_562496227193910_993452701156228936_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Keeping Mary happy with M&M's...<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YuW8WM3xzqg/U94kg2_H1VI/AAAAAAAANK8/uBUPVKdb3Hs/s1600/14+-+2" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YuW8WM3xzqg/U94kg2_H1VI/AAAAAAAANK8/uBUPVKdb3Hs/s320/14+-+2" /></a><br />
Wednesday, July 30th- Kid quotes...<br />
Jack to Tess- "Can you make a snowman come to life?"<br />
Tess, laughing- "No, Jack! You know you have to have a magic hat to do that!"<br />
Today, therapy for Jack, and cleaning cleaning cleaning. <br />
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Thursday, July 31st- I begged Dad to take Jack, Tess, and Henry to the library before he left for work, just to get them out of the house for a while. They have been left to their own devices, entertainment-wise, all week so I can clean, and I planned more of the same next week, so I thought it would do them good to go do something.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-Z8N6xW8Sw/U94l4iZjojI/AAAAAAAANL0/hOG3k7c0dyQ/s1600/1794535_563427017100831_3944082488413240266_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-Z8N6xW8Sw/U94l4iZjojI/AAAAAAAANL0/hOG3k7c0dyQ/s320/1794535_563427017100831_3944082488413240266_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Here's Mr. Squirrel! He was watching me in the bathroom. Like, really close by, just watching for a looong time. Frankly, it was a little weird.<br />
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Friday, August 1st- Stair guy!! Big excitement! The stair guy came and broke up the front stairs with a jackhammer! He was actually supposed to come yesterday but it rained. Here's a before picture, just so you can remember how bad they had gotten. See Henry in the door? <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATKbwwtdpf0/U94l3MM84KI/AAAAAAAANLc/5S3i2coIRpw/s1600/10514665_563688803741319_8155266712211868561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATKbwwtdpf0/U94l3MM84KI/AAAAAAAANLc/5S3i2coIRpw/s320/10514665_563688803741319_8155266712211868561_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Saturday, August 2nd- Broken up stair rubble. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jf2Swzjc2Hc/U94l3fI2hoI/AAAAAAAANLg/Rq_oKY70uv4/s1600/10533375_563760940400772_6041624350057934534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jf2Swzjc2Hc/U94l3fI2hoI/AAAAAAAANLg/Rq_oKY70uv4/s320/10533375_563760940400772_6041624350057934534_n.jpg" /></a><br />
This was *after* he had taken a load to the dump. It's amazing, really, how much there is! Dad is off this weekend, and I am....cleaning! haha! Finally finished upstairs. Here's a picture of my big helper. He lost his pants. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-NvDaf0lIs/U94l15w2SnI/AAAAAAAANLM/U47ZhR_hmXw/s1600/1017569_563787373731462_9199630307286118478_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-NvDaf0lIs/U94l15w2SnI/AAAAAAAANLM/U47ZhR_hmXw/s320/1017569_563787373731462_9199630307286118478_n.jpg" /></a><br />
He is really a big help. He vacuumed all along the baseboards for me, and was cleaning windows and such. He's a good little worker! Do you know I am STILL finding dried beans up there from when that room used to be our schoolroom and Jack was a toddler and dumped his beanbox all over the floor?<br />
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I have also finished the kids' bedrooms. We moved Tess's bed and made room for moving Mary Claire in at some point.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y8wU2gn8qM/U94l14IgodI/AAAAAAAANLI/z2djqg9ORBU/s1600/10455427_564324263677773_6184229378400102842_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y8wU2gn8qM/U94l14IgodI/AAAAAAAANLI/z2djqg9ORBU/s320/10455427_564324263677773_6184229378400102842_n.jpg" /></a><br />
I had Jack climb up into your bed and strip the sheets and blankets for washing. Good thing, because they were dusty! He also found Henry's missing water bottle and a box of cheezit's, Miss I'm Not Eating in My Room.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaR8M9H44JU/U94kg4JE4iI/AAAAAAAANK8/ijwYyu60HaQ/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaR8M9H44JU/U94kg4JE4iI/AAAAAAAANK8/ijwYyu60HaQ/s320/14+-+1" /></a><br />
I cleaned out your nest. I didn't bother with your stuff in your cabinets and all, but I moved out the furniture and swept it all out. I emptied your closet and moved the stuffed animals out. Don't worry, your bunnies and tigers are still there. The others have moved out though to the playroom. I should warn you now about the closet. A while ago, one of the big closet shelves fell down in the laundry room. It's the one that held my clothes and some of Dad's. Dad has to get some bigger toggle bolts and put it back up. In the meantime, I moved my clothes to your closet and some of Dad's to the boys' room. It is very temporary. Dad will put the shelves back up when we return from camping. Also, we moved Tess's dollhouse to the playroom and moved the dress up clothes in. My plan is to make a nice little dress up area in there...install a low rod to hang outfits on, some cute baskets for playsilks and such...and I want to get some nice baskets for the top shelf for your things. <br />
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Sunday, August 3rd- Latin mass and potluck today. Also, cleaning was planned. Yes, on a Sunday. It has become necessary. But, on the way to mass I started feeling badly...very nauseated. Lasted all day. No, I don't think it's what you are thinking, lol. But, that combined with the fact that Mary didn't sleep well and so I only got five hours of sleep...I was not in good shape for cleaning. <br />
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Today is Monday, August 4th, and I'm getting ready to mail this letter. This will be our last one! I thought of sending one right before we left, but this one is going out so much later than I thought, and we will see you in person soon, so I think this will be it. This week will be pretty much me trying to get as much cleaning done as I can before time runs out on me, bowling on Tuesday even though I don't have time for it, therapies on Wednesday, packity pack, pack on Thursday. Friday, we leave, bright and early! We're all very excited! We usually arrive sometime right around time for the Saturday mass...we have never gone to the Saturday mass because, well, I think only once have we gotten there before it starts, and even that was just barely...and I was always afraid how Jack would take, "Ok, we have spent two days driving here in the car, now get out and go to mass!" lol. But, probably while you all are at mass we will be checking in and eating dinner and just getting settled. Can't wait to see you! <br />
All For! <br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-74260182200256628942014-07-31T10:11:00.001-04:002014-07-31T10:11:41.788-04:00Dear Maria, week 7Catching up!<br />
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Rest of Thursday, July 17th<br />
Soooo, after swim lessons, we came back home and the idea was to leave right away. But, being us, we did not. We left two hours later. We dropped the dog off at Meme's and papa's on our way out of town, stopped at a playland McDonald's halfway there, and arrived at our hotel around 11pm. Since we had one person less to consider for sleeping arrangements, Jack slept on the foldout sofa by himself, and he was quite happy with that. Dad and Henry slept in one bed, Tess and Mary and I in the other, and after Mary fell asleep I moved her to the crib. Grandma and Grandpa were in a room right next door to us. Mary and Henry had fallen asleep toward the end of the trip.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5PkMaGJy1Nk/U9pFAPB_zqI/AAAAAAAANJw/exJOb3pUvOU/s1600/10559691_557146691062197_6967094067001084585_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5PkMaGJy1Nk/U9pFAPB_zqI/AAAAAAAANJw/exJOb3pUvOU/s320/10559691_557146691062197_6967094067001084585_n.jpg" /></a><br />
When we got to the hotel, Henry *stayed asleep*, which was unbelievable. Mary, however, woke up and cried until 1am. Sigh. <br />
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Friday, July 18th<br />
I'm trying to remember what we did, exactly, on this day. Dad took the kids swimming, and I took Mary to the grocery store to get a few things for our room. We had Imo's with Aunt Sarah and her gang. Mary ran *hard* into a table and hurt her nose. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctOBmisXUDU/U9pE_Xpbz8I/AAAAAAAANJk/GQDhuxDOS_Q/s1600/10489963_557511921025674_430346028554150003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctOBmisXUDU/U9pE_Xpbz8I/AAAAAAAANJk/GQDhuxDOS_Q/s320/10489963_557511921025674_430346028554150003_n.jpg" /></a><br />
This picture doesn't do it justice. It was taken the next day when it was looking better. It was really swollen. Afterwards we went swimming again in the hotel pool with Megan and Carly. Henry swallowed a bunch of pool water and vomited in the pool, and again at the side of the pool, making us very popular. So at that point we called it a night. It was great to see your cousins. They are growing up so fast, beautiful girls. Henry really took to Megan, and Tess, while she adores them both, seemed to play a lot with Carly. Nick was there too, though he didn't swim...it was good to see him before he leaves for college! Oh! I know something else we did. We drove out to Dad's aunt's house to visit...I knew there was something...<br />
Here's random hotel photos...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epDtnRETu0A/U9pE84kLFcI/AAAAAAAANJM/FegFtrz0bq8/s1600/10402820_557351501041716_2250949457240879029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epDtnRETu0A/U9pE84kLFcI/AAAAAAAANJM/FegFtrz0bq8/s320/10402820_557351501041716_2250949457240879029_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Mary eating breakfast...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81CeM_AQczw/U9pIDXj7bUI/AAAAAAAANKc/GB4ggbPkOP8/s1600/10463064_557359021040964_546282622014668141_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81CeM_AQczw/U9pIDXj7bUI/AAAAAAAANKc/GB4ggbPkOP8/s320/10463064_557359021040964_546282622014668141_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Coloring and such...<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yI8G4Yfq64k/U9pIDWRaYjI/AAAAAAAANKk/d2vB8XhaiJk/s1600/10563030_557358991040967_2380732931597690589_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yI8G4Yfq64k/U9pIDWRaYjI/AAAAAAAANKk/d2vB8XhaiJk/s320/10563030_557358991040967_2380732931597690589_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Like the hair sprig? I will probably have to cut her bangs before we see you again. They are getting in her eyes now, and she WILL NOT leave anything in her hair to keep them back. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkpntgg4mbU/U9pFAyAyZlI/AAAAAAAANJ8/_u_g7I9kYiU/s1600/9263_557362021040664_3291835275242308081_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkpntgg4mbU/U9pFAyAyZlI/AAAAAAAANJ8/_u_g7I9kYiU/s320/9263_557362021040664_3291835275242308081_n.jpg" /></a><br />
I'm realizing all my pictures are in the hotel and car. That's annoying! I guess it's because, 1. I'm distracted when we are Out and About, and 2. I can't see my phone at all well enough to take outside pictures with it. <br />
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Saturday, July 19th<br />
Today was the reunion. It was very nice to see everyone, very hot. The old people sat under the pavilion and kept saying how cool it was while I fought off heat stroke chasing Henry and Mary around the park, ha! It really could have been hotter, but still...it was plenty hot. And the splash park wasn't open, so. We were just hot. <br />
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At the end of the day, Dad and I were briefly sitting in the shade with Mary when this woman came up and told us Henry was running around naked from the waste down and covered with poo. Seriously. Dad went running to get him, and I took him to the bathroom to clean him up, and then because we weren't hot enough we all traipsed all over that enormous dang park trying to find his missing clothes and shoes. We couldn't find them anywhere. Later that evening I went to Target to get more sandals for Henry because they were the only shoes I packed. <br />
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Sunday, July 20th<br />
The plan for the day was to go to mass and then go with Aunt Sarah and the girls to Grant's Farm. We have never been there before, and so I was thinking something the size of the animal safari places around here. Wrong-o! It is huge. Like going to an amusement park or something. So by the time we got there, there was a huge long line of people waiting to get in. So, we left and went to a playground. The kids were disappointed. Oh! But on the plus side, Henry remembered where he left his clothes! We went back to the park and they were still there, right where he said they would be. I never did find where he actually pooped though. His clothes were clean. Hmmm....mysteries...<br />
We also got a chance to actually sit and chat with Aunt Sarah, which had not been easy with the usual chaos that follows us around.<br />
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Monday, July 21st<br />
Headed back home today. We made a stop on the way.....<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BtCZDhSPwkA/U9pE-21GzYI/AAAAAAAANJg/0SnCViIzajY/s1600/10489685_558856840891182_1671904488209965357_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BtCZDhSPwkA/U9pE-21GzYI/AAAAAAAANJg/0SnCViIzajY/s320/10489685_558856840891182_1671904488209965357_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Sorry. Thought about sending some, but I purposely have avoided sending chocolate thinking it wouldn't send well in this heat. We will stop on our way home from Familyland anyway I'm sure.<br />
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We stopped on the way out at a Catholic bookstore and let the kids pick some things. <br />
Tess got this Blessed Mother doll. She has food in her mouth, hence the cheeks.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHBt1s4uPoA/U9pE8xSRBMI/AAAAAAAANKQ/kLKWxvHwDSI/s1600/10345821_559135504196649_5256411688804562118_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHBt1s4uPoA/U9pE8xSRBMI/AAAAAAAANKQ/kLKWxvHwDSI/s320/10345821_559135504196649_5256411688804562118_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Henry got this David figure.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfNGgKyGPsQ/U9pE9mPII2I/AAAAAAAANJU/QQ6XoK1PBTY/s1600/10451693_559135937529939_2840829690036364353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfNGgKyGPsQ/U9pE9mPII2I/AAAAAAAANJU/QQ6XoK1PBTY/s320/10451693_559135937529939_2840829690036364353_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Mary got a few books, of course, because I was picking for her, ha!<br />
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Jack got a Veggie Tales DVD.<br />
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We also got assorted medals and holy cards. While I was in there, one of your service corp gang called asking me if I had any prayer requests. I was checking out at the bookstore, and I was so surprised I couldn't even think of much intelligent to say!<br />
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Tuesday, July 22nd<br />
Back home, and we just settled in. Laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning out the van.<br />
Here's Mary in the fairly clean playroom. She loves the hand weights and holds them up to her eyes and says, "peek a boo!" <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88mLccd4dFk/U9pE-WVpIwI/AAAAAAAANJc/azjHK_fxfJM/s1600/10488079_559851980791668_6130576209320937576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88mLccd4dFk/U9pE-WVpIwI/AAAAAAAANJc/azjHK_fxfJM/s320/10488079_559851980791668_6130576209320937576_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Wait until you hear how many words she has picked up! So many! And when you change her diaper she says, "Ewwww, I tinky!" Meme taught her that, hehe.<br />
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Wednesday, July 23rd<br />
I made a list of all the cleaning chores still needing to get done before we leave for Familyland and spread them out on my calendar. My plan is to do the cleaning before we go, and when we get home I will work on the paper piles and such. While I was cleaning, some a storm came through, and wow, it was like something out of The Wizard of Oz. I was in the playroom cleaning and could see the trees outside the window bending over and stuff flying by. And we lost a huge branch of the Giant Branch Shedding Tree, of course. But we also lost this...<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5Xme1fVEtQ/U9pEjns56vI/AAAAAAAANJA/5IoYAuOgevI/s1600/CAM00905.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5Xme1fVEtQ/U9pEjns56vI/AAAAAAAANJA/5IoYAuOgevI/s400/CAM00905.jpg" /></a><br />
One of the Tessland trees. It is very damaged, as you can see, and will have to come down. It also took out several fence boards, but thankfully that damage is just cosmetic and easily fixed, and in the meantime the fence still keeps everyone in! Driving around town you can see lots and lots of trees and branches down, damaged roofs, etc. <br />
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Thurday, July 24th<br />
Today is concert day! This is the day of the Steely Dan concert...remember I bought Dad tickets for Father's Day? Meme kept all four kids OVERNIGHT. Wooowww.... it felt sooo weird. Here's me being sad after dropping them off. Sad in my big empty van...<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJZgcB1bFUM/U9pE82l5N5I/AAAAAAAANJI/5TS7ql31nXg/s1600/10394084_560215200755346_7931255405754219450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJZgcB1bFUM/U9pE82l5N5I/AAAAAAAANJI/5TS7ql31nXg/s320/10394084_560215200755346_7931255405754219450_n.jpg" /></a><br />
But then we had fun! Here's dinner at the concert. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--81bvO4RQIc/U9pE_28koSI/AAAAAAAANJ4/gbcftTvd4yE/s1600/10514735_560239550752911_137247213546990323_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--81bvO4RQIc/U9pE_28koSI/AAAAAAAANJ4/gbcftTvd4yE/s320/10514735_560239550752911_137247213546990323_n.jpg" /></a><br />
We sat on blankets in the grass and it was fun, especially once the sun dropped behind the hill and wasn't beating down on my back. I feel like I'm getting old to be comfortable sitting on the grass for four hours though. <br />
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So, that was week 7! This was your off week, but you didn't call us, boohoo! Last I head from you was when you left a message about your tetanus shot! So, hope you are having a good time, this is, let's see, your week off between the third and fourth fest! <br />
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Love, <br />
Mom<br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-43715162364104811212014-07-27T23:43:00.000-04:002014-07-27T23:43:31.123-04:00Dear Maria, week 6Soooo...I am way behind now! Totally missed a week! This is actually week 7 now. See,we went to St. Louis, and I didn't get a letter out before we left like I'd hoped...But, let's pretend, shall we? I'll see what we can remember. Facebook will help. It's week 6. *cue flashback music*<br />
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Friday, July 11th<br />
Well, this was a red letter day in family history. We had An Incident. See, I found some Sharpie damage...I had my sharpies way up high, but someone climbed the shelves and got the basket down. And someone decorated the floor...<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9D4u06Vym8/U9WuxiwUJFI/AAAAAAAANHo/fTD1H9x4WWs/s1600/10561529_556129477830585_6143037745277429773_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9D4u06Vym8/U9WuxiwUJFI/AAAAAAAANHo/fTD1H9x4WWs/s400/10561529_556129477830585_6143037745277429773_n.jpg" /></a><br />
and the siding...<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RB0tPAZ9H_E/U9XFaLqqgUI/AAAAAAAANIY/jwDaQM9yy0k/s1600/10487225_556129447830588_8989503549381909152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RB0tPAZ9H_E/U9XFaLqqgUI/AAAAAAAANIY/jwDaQM9yy0k/s400/10487225_556129447830588_8989503549381909152_n.jpg" /></a><br />
and the table...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1UZQn0spx0/U9WuxYMxzuI/AAAAAAAANHk/t2SnJqvpJn0/s1600/10556449_556129434497256_3523394488905954386_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1UZQn0spx0/U9WuxYMxzuI/AAAAAAAANHk/t2SnJqvpJn0/s400/10556449_556129434497256_3523394488905954386_n.jpg" /></a><br />
and after intense negotiations and waterboarding I found the guilty party.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DV0slFtPPV8/U9XFaE0q5JI/AAAAAAAANIU/IOo492-iWnI/s1600/10400874_554458674664332_8700700848594716994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DV0slFtPPV8/U9XFaE0q5JI/AAAAAAAANIU/IOo492-iWnI/s400/10400874_554458674664332_8700700848594716994_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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Don't look into the big brown basset hound eyes. It's a trick. He went to bed without dessert.<br />
You know how when you are a kid and you think your parents love to get you in trouble? Well, that's not true. You'll see. It sucks having to punish your kids. This face just about killed me. <br />
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Saturday, July 12th<br />
I got nothin here. It was a Saturday. So I'm guessing some effort at cleaning was involved. Judging from my facebook post the following day, I'm going to guess it didn't go well.<br />
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Sunday, July 13th<br />
They took the hose and filled the sandbox up with water. Like, it's a pond now. All the sand I bought is just a mess all over the yard, and the sandbox is now a mosquito hotel. And here's the sad truth. I didn't even care. They were playing happily. Outside. Together. So, whatever. When I called them in, they were covered from head to toe in muddy sand. And it was getting too cold to use the hose. So I filled the giant pitchers with warm water, called them up on the deck one at a time, and dumped the water over their heads. Bedtime!<br />
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Monday, July 14th<br />
Wandered out to the muddy hole that used to be a sandbox and found Jack's history book, along with a bunch of ruined wooden trains and tracks. Awesome. <br />
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Tuesday, July 15th<br />
Weird Al came out with a new record. According to Facebook, that's all that happened that was noteworthy. <br />
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Wednesday, July 16th<br />
The world came to an end, because it was JULY and in the FIFTIES. Seriously. The kids were frrreeezzzing to death at swim lessons. Craziness. Also, I took Tess to get girl haircuts, finally. Tess told the hairdresser to cut her hair like Rupunzel. I picked my hairdresser's brain about beauty schools. We went out for froyo afterwards, of course. I got caramel pretzel, and she got pink with every fruit rainbowy topping they had. It was disgusting. Even she didn't like it, and made me trade. I couldn't even it it. Yuck.<br />
<br />
Thursday, July 17th<br />
Last day of swim lessons, hooray! They are freezing, can you tell? And later that day, we were off to St. Louis! <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hV1DCYwxWmE/U9Wv9eW5X7I/AAAAAAAANH8/dp-CMKKVpw4/s1600/10389480_556939221082944_3756963543497355849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hV1DCYwxWmE/U9Wv9eW5X7I/AAAAAAAANH8/dp-CMKKVpw4/s400/10389480_556939221082944_3756963543497355849_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Random bonus little sister pics...because there weren't many pictures in this one...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VPX78onJtM/U9Ws-NDQq3I/AAAAAAAANG4/yp9Wi15OF3o/s1600/CAM00874.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VPX78onJtM/U9Ws-NDQq3I/AAAAAAAANG4/yp9Wi15OF3o/s400/CAM00874.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3aw3xesJhI/U9Ws-GzJDKI/AAAAAAAANG4/P-VzmujWuRY/s1600/CAM00873.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3aw3xesJhI/U9Ws-GzJDKI/AAAAAAAANG4/P-VzmujWuRY/s400/CAM00873.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtUWsQQVY2Q/U9Ws-CmBTEI/AAAAAAAANG4/5Hg5WOj-KT4/s1600/CAM00881-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtUWsQQVY2Q/U9Ws-CmBTEI/AAAAAAAANG4/5Hg5WOj-KT4/s400/CAM00881-1.jpg" /></a>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-3055991256030191852014-07-14T20:05:00.001-04:002014-07-14T20:06:32.962-04:00Dear Maria, week 5Week 5! That means we are halfway through summer. Boy, I really thought I would have gotten more done by now. Sigh. Well, let's see...this week...<br />
.............................................................................................<br />
Saturday, July 5th...<br />
Well, after a busy end of the week last week, the kids all slept in. haha! Of course not! But, Dad was off this weekend and we did have a pretty quiet weekend at home. I got some groceries in the house, and that was the most exciting thing that happened all day. <br />
<br />
Sunday, July 6th...<br />
We went to Latin mass, but didn't stay for the potluck. I felt all socialized out still, and so we just came home and had pancakes. I started decrapping the playroom. Soooo slow going. Since Mary and I are sleeping in there on these hot summer nights, I can't ever get in there when she is asleep. The other kids don't help much either. Tess keeps arguing with me about organization...she doesn't want this play food with her other playfood because it is byoodibull princess food and she wants it with her dolls...that sort of thing. And Henry gets very excited and digs through my piles of stuff I'm picking up. Dad took them to the splash park for a while this afternoon, so that gave me a bit of uninterrupted time, but just enough to make a dent. That room is atrocious and has been a dumping ground for months. <br />
<br />
Monday, July 7th...<br />
Tess and Jack started swimming lessons today, yay! Tess was very excited. Dad stayed with Jack and Mary Claire while I took them to their lessons. As soon as we got there, Tess got an attack of "I'm shy" and kept hiding behind me, and so I wondered if it was going to work at all. But in the end she went with the other two kids in her group and seemed to do just fine...mostly they practiced swimming with the pool noodle. Jack's class is after Tess'. This year is his first year in a group class. All the private lessons were taken when we registered, so I decided to give it a shot. He did fair. He was pretty distracted when the instructor wasn't working directly with him, kept grabbing at the kickboards and things at the edge of the pool, wandering off, etc. But his instructor is patient and sweet, and I think it will work out ok. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB_aiKF1scc/U8RuDixO6MI/AAAAAAAAMnw/jdwbyYAsVtk/s1600/tess2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB_aiKF1scc/U8RuDixO6MI/AAAAAAAAMnw/jdwbyYAsVtk/s400/tess2.jpg" /></a><br />
Here's Tess waiting for Jack to finish his lesson. This swimsuit is too big and kinda stretched out for her, but she insisted on wearing it today for some reason.<br />
<br />
The rest of the day we were home. It was the hottest day so far I think, 93 I think? So we were inside pretty much. Jack is still finishing up his math and cursive, so we did that, and we made more book snacks....<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vijsyM4CU2E/U8RemCfH2aI/AAAAAAAAMmk/slCO5-zlSS0/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vijsyM4CU2E/U8RemCfH2aI/AAAAAAAAMmk/slCO5-zlSS0/s400/14+-+1" /></a><br />
These are from Tess' new phonics program. <br />
<br />
Impromptu couch wrestling match I got caught in the middle of...<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiTpaRU1mjo/U8RemBQrtHI/AAAAAAAAMnE/Aoopg5993M8/s1600/14+-+7" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiTpaRU1mjo/U8RemBQrtHI/AAAAAAAAMnE/Aoopg5993M8/s400/14+-+7" /></a><br />
Mary started it...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_RiYwIDgbJE/U8RsAxDfZvI/AAAAAAAAMnY/UiWRrfdq9zA/s1600/14+-+10" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_RiYwIDgbJE/U8RsAxDfZvI/AAAAAAAAMnY/UiWRrfdq9zA/s400/14+-+10" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyBA7BwKNFM/U8RemDKIzdI/AAAAAAAAMnE/vUCQE7YHQQQ/s1600/14+-+8" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyBA7BwKNFM/U8RemDKIzdI/AAAAAAAAMnE/vUCQE7YHQQQ/s400/14+-+8" /></a><br />
Didn't take much time for everyone to pile on though...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KE1s0CI-tLQ/U8RemGnQtOI/AAAAAAAAMnE/29AnobQqwVM/s1600/14+-+5" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KE1s0CI-tLQ/U8RemGnQtOI/AAAAAAAAMnE/29AnobQqwVM/s400/14+-+5" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYGtcBwKq9o/U8RemJNyfII/AAAAAAAAMnE/2lpvaJxoJQs/s1600/14+-+6" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYGtcBwKq9o/U8RemJNyfII/AAAAAAAAMnE/2lpvaJxoJQs/s400/14+-+6" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Pdq1bpsQqI/U8RemMOQ_3I/AAAAAAAAMmk/-K_r_YSKBfA/s1600/14+-+3" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Pdq1bpsQqI/U8RemMOQ_3I/AAAAAAAAMmk/-K_r_YSKBfA/s400/14+-+3" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgfsF9eWXQw/U8RemJv8dbI/AAAAAAAAMmk/wF36VVavo9I/s1600/14+-+4" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgfsF9eWXQw/U8RemJv8dbI/AAAAAAAAMmk/wF36VVavo9I/s400/14+-+4" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KkoD5jyOA-k/U8RemMA4MbI/AAAAAAAAMmk/PkpqSjMqqHc/s1600/14+-+2" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KkoD5jyOA-k/U8RemMA4MbI/AAAAAAAAMmk/PkpqSjMqqHc/s400/14+-+2" /></a><br />
Still trying to work on the playroom...it's pretty ugly.<br />
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Tuesday, July 8<br />
You called today! Um..swim lessons happened...oh! We went bowling, That's what else. No pictures because dad had my phone. But we went bowling with some homeschooling friends, and then went to the park afterwards. The kids had a good time. Jack just loves to go bowling. The park, not so much. He gets bored quickly and then wants to go. But Tess and Henry had a ball. I need to bring something to the park for Jack, something to keep him busy. <br />
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Wednesday, July 9<br />
Swiiiimmmm lesssooonnnsss,,again! Dad was off. I worked on the playroom some more. I had my last health class. The End. Some days there's just not much to tell! <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv3bbkojd30/U8ReVGikSlI/AAAAAAAAMmU/WgRaSUdifN4/s1600/14+-+4" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv3bbkojd30/U8ReVGikSlI/AAAAAAAAMmU/WgRaSUdifN4/s400/14+-+4" /></a><br />
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Thursday, July 10<br />
Library day! We went to a magic show, and did the usual library stuff...except that I dropped $54 on damaged books. I just feel like I could buy a lot of books for what we pay in fines. Sigh. OH, and also..swim lessons. I do have a funny poop story to tell that I posted on facebook though!<br />
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Mary Claire is in the bathtub. I was clearing the dinner table (I can see the bathroom very well from the dining room(. She started screaming like she was scared to death. I ran into the bathroom to find her trying desperately to climb out of the tub. What was she so terrified of? her own poop! haha! I guess it's been a while since she pooped in the tub and it freaked her out. Then she watched on with fascination as I drained, cleaned, and refilled the tub, and now she is playing happily again. I took great pains to keep Jack from finding out though. Last time that happened he wouldn't use that tub for months.<br />
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I'm going to end this letter here, with poop. Next Thursday is when we leave for St. Louis. So I think I will stop here and mail my next letter on our way out of town. <br />
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Sending this with some little goodies. We love and miss you, of course! August is nearly here!!!<br />
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Love, <br />
Mom and the gang<br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-27083978776944851342014-07-05T13:33:00.000-04:002014-07-05T13:33:14.164-04:00Dear Maria, week 4Is everyone surviving these loooong weekly posts? Just a few more! <br />
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Dear Maria,<br />
<br />
Helloooo! By the time you get this, it will be about one month until we finally see you again! You are about halfway through the summer now. It's hard to believe, yes? Next week I will send a care package with some special halfway done goodies....so if there is anything you would like, or anything you are running low on...<br />
<br />
So, this week....I was not good about keeping up with this letter daily, so this is from memory, with the help of facebook...<br />
<br />
Saturday, June 28th...Oh, the drama! The angst! Henry fell and split his chin. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2FJE8vY0A8/U7g2L__4_TI/AAAAAAAAMlo/a7YzHNETY8I/s1600/henry+chin.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2FJE8vY0A8/U7g2L__4_TI/AAAAAAAAMlo/a7YzHNETY8I/s400/henry+chin.jpg" /></a><br />
No wound pictures, sorry.<br />
It is tiny, yes, but surprisingly deep and the edges were gaping. He had pulled a pillowcase down over his body and was running around, you see, so when he fell he couldn't catch himself. This all went down while I was at the store grocery shopping. Dad texted me at the store and said, "Hey, where do we keep the gauze?" haha! So, here I am at walmart and Dad is sending me pictures of Henry's chin and we are trying to decide what to do about it. Dad had to work that evening, and I desperately had to finish getting groceries. I had put it off for a couple of days and we were desperately out of everything.So...long story short, he ended up being a bit late for work. I finished shopping, went home, we bathed Henry because we knew he wouldn't be able to have a bath for several days once he was fixed up...can't get stitches wet...and I took Henry to the ER. They ended up just gluing and steristripping him, and he handled it very well. I promised him a candy bar from the vending machines afterwards, and he was very impressed with that. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocCWk0lzNx4/U7g2L3eZ1gI/AAAAAAAAMlo/BZVNNu3DD2M/s1600/Henry+chin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocCWk0lzNx4/U7g2L3eZ1gI/AAAAAAAAMlo/BZVNNu3DD2M/s400/Henry+chin2.jpg" /></a><br />
Sunday, June 29th...Our birdies survived a big rainstorm, but their home wasn't looking so good. Today was the feast of Sts. peter and paul, so that's what we named them! They got so big so quickly, every day they looked noticeably bigger. Here is one of them looking ready to try and fledge again! Nothing much else today. Mass, of course, and Dad worked. pray for Dad. They are short staffed and he has been working himself to death. I hope they get some help soon.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcmkCyXADEk/U7gzgwzH37I/AAAAAAAAMk0/tYr1fGwPQUk/s1600/14+-+11" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcmkCyXADEk/U7gzgwzH37I/AAAAAAAAMk0/tYr1fGwPQUk/s400/14+-+11" /></a><br />
Monday, June 3th...Our hottest day, in the 90's, and So. Very. Humid. Our birdies fledged! First one, and soon after the other. Here one is in the yard...the Mom was nearby scolding me from the fence. I didn't see them after this. Goodbye, peter and paul! <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7wWJuVa9G0/U7g2L-d0pzI/AAAAAAAAMlo/paQcfY0_Ctw/s1600/fledged+birdie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7wWJuVa9G0/U7g2L-d0pzI/AAAAAAAAMlo/paQcfY0_Ctw/s400/fledged+birdie.jpg" /></a><br />
In other news, we stayed cool with icecream....<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4lKf_-1BfE/U7gqWpEncTI/AAAAAAAAMkY/7q-ILJlKXUw/s1600/14+-+9" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4lKf_-1BfE/U7gqWpEncTI/AAAAAAAAMkY/7q-ILJlKXUw/s400/14+-+9" /></a><br />
fudgsicle face...<br />
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And board games inside....<br />
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And goofy themed snacks...<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNchQjtL2JU/U7gqWsuGsHI/AAAAAAAAMkY/yytgpIr95TU/s1600/14+-+8" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNchQjtL2JU/U7gqWsuGsHI/AAAAAAAAMkY/yytgpIr95TU/s400/14+-+8" /></a><br />
Tuesday, July 1st...the big news of the day...I talked Dad into watching Dr. Who! He loves it! It's very slow going, because we can only watch it twice a week while he is off, but it's been fun. Today was also movie day, and I took Jack, Tess, and Henry to see Kung Fu panda 2. <br />
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Wednesday, July 2nd...Just a day at home. Jack had therapy, and I had my health class that evening. No one hacked up anything this time. Instead, they all (except Jack( fell asleep on the couch and had a nice catnap before bedtime. So. Long, long evening for me. <br />
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Thursday, July 3rd...Well, this day was so beautiful, weather wise...we had a cold front! The high was around 80, and it was loooovely. I had the brilliant idea to take advantage of it and go berry picking, but because of our bad night we weren't even all awake until 9.30, and if you don't get out there early they are sold out. So, we ended up meeting some St. Gabe friends at Gully park. It was a lot of fun. When we were heading out, Jack talked me into playing in the gully, and they loooved it...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r1JFhpXIh88/U7gqWuzb2UI/AAAAAAAAMkE/PFVQ61HweCE/s1600/14+-+2" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r1JFhpXIh88/U7gqWuzb2UI/AAAAAAAAMkE/PFVQ61HweCE/s400/14+-+2" /></a><br />
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..so fun, trying to catch waterbugs, throwing rocks. What is it about kids and throwing rocks into water? <br />
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Friday, July 4th...Of course, this was a big day! Here's a Jack quote, first off...<br />
<br />
Me.."The Fourth of July is America's birthday."<br />
Jack.."Does that make the other countries cry?"<br />
Me..."Um...no...why would they cry?"<br />
Jack..."Because it's not their birthday."<br />
<br />
Meme and papa came over and we had breaded and skillet fried tilapia, veggies, deviled eggs, potato salad, baked beans, fruit kabobs that the littles made....<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Avd1Vk0avxg/U7gzg4HnZkI/AAAAAAAAMk0/N3hAQmU5f50/s1600/14+-+5" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Avd1Vk0avxg/U7gzg4HnZkI/AAAAAAAAMk0/N3hAQmU5f50/s400/14+-+5" /></a><br />
No meat. Ice cream cones, like last year, remember these?<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHx_Urg5UNk/U7gqWrg9gGI/AAAAAAAAMkY/3srvuuslgfM/s1600/14+-+6" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHx_Urg5UNk/U7gqWrg9gGI/AAAAAAAAMkY/3srvuuslgfM/s400/14+-+6" /></a><br />
And a sugar cookie flag instead of a flag cake...<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8vxg71t9Dk/U7gqWoYLtjI/AAAAAAAAMkE/ECF-V0nB2Kc/s1600/14+-+4" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8vxg71t9Dk/U7gqWoYLtjI/AAAAAAAAMkE/ECF-V0nB2Kc/s400/14+-+4" /></a><br />
We all commented about how scandalized you would be that I used red grapes instead of strawberries. Well, there's a good reason. I had plans to get some strawberries at the store after we went to the park on Thursday, but they kids got all wet and muddy. So, we came home, cleaned up and such, then went back out to the store...and they were SOLD OUT. I was crushed. But there was NO WAY I was going to another store, ha! So, red grapes it was. <br />
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The kids wore their painted tshirts to fireworks and the girls got a lot of attention for their little matching outfits. They were very sweet. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MMNSQRt8X2k/U7gqWrfFTmI/AAAAAAAAMkE/ETnxW52XkWc/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MMNSQRt8X2k/U7gqWrfFTmI/AAAAAAAAMkE/ETnxW52XkWc/s400/14+-+1" /></a><br />
We missed you a lot. Meme kept saying how weird it was that you weren't there. She brought the puppy and the kids were just in orbit over him. And, well...I'm thinking again about getting another dog. I know it's crazy, I know I'll regret it, but Jesse had so much fun with another dog around. He was just grinning from ear to ear. <br />
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We were wondering how your 4th was. It was the last day of the 2nd fest, right? That means you are off this week, enjoy! We love and miss you a bunch and can't wait for August! I hear that Mary Claire is awake, so I'd better wrap this up and mail it off while I can. <br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-88590808367779209432014-06-27T22:17:00.000-04:002014-06-27T22:17:15.923-04:00Dear Maria, week 3Friday, 6/20...<br />
Well, today was our last day of VBS. We survived another year. I got some hysterical video of Jack dancing. Krystina lead the music, and did a nice job!, and during parts of the songs she would tell the kids to use their favorite dance moves...well, Jack took her very seriously and developed this kind of charging move. Here's some pictures, but they don't do it justice...<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lE8iJl99SQg/U64glVROtYI/AAAAAAAAMic/guWT8wLGjJI/s1600/14+-+9" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lE8iJl99SQg/U64glVROtYI/AAAAAAAAMic/guWT8wLGjJI/s320/14+-+9" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6pfFp8H1uc/U64akwARPBI/AAAAAAAAMhg/wN4_Mgi_WIM/s1600/14+-+4" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6pfFp8H1uc/U64akwARPBI/AAAAAAAAMhg/wN4_Mgi_WIM/s320/14+-+4" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwP6EVs0KCk/U64gledq1mI/AAAAAAAAMic/JipgPhpjhdA/s1600/14+-+7" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwP6EVs0KCk/U64gledq1mI/AAAAAAAAMic/JipgPhpjhdA/s320/14+-+7" /></a><br />
It was crazy hair/shoe/hat day. I'm afraid I didn't do it justice,,,usually you are in charge of that. I ran out of time. Shocking, I know. So, we settled for wearing our slippers, see??<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GCk3pRS7ck/U64ak68XVEI/AAAAAAAAMhg/_m2rX7dctkc/s1600/14+-+3" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GCk3pRS7ck/U64ak68XVEI/AAAAAAAAMhg/_m2rX7dctkc/s320/14+-+3" /></a><br />
All except for Henry. One of his slippers was missing. So he wore a helmet from the dress up trunk instead. <br />
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I am WORN OUT. But it was a fun week. I had some good help in our group, and all the kids had fun. Even Mary had fun in the nursery. Here she is with a car,,she says, "Vroom! Vroom, honk!" really loudly!lol<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpu4ITR6Nwk/U64glf_OTpI/AAAAAAAAMic/NfeL7l5cSw0/s1600/14+-+10" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpu4ITR6Nwk/U64glf_OTpI/AAAAAAAAMic/NfeL7l5cSw0/s320/14+-+10" /></a><br />
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Saturday, 6/21...<br />
Just a Saturday at home...some cleaning, but never enough. Grocery shopping...I took Tess and Henry along and we got happy hour afterwards. Long overdue baths. pizza and movie night...we are watching How To Train Your Dragon, because that's the movie we missed last Tuesday. I forgot to tell you, we got your letter yesterday! It was so good to hear from you! I will try to remember to include Meme's address too. Her birthday is July 13th, if you get a chance to write her. How are your meds holding up? Spending money? It will be time to send your allowance when I mail this letter. Let me know if you need anything! <br />
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Mary Claire is talking more and more! She is very negative, which is all very two-ish. She says, "No,I not...Don't...uh-uh...stop..." lol. She copies everything she sees and hears from the older kids. Yesterday they all went running out to the backyard pool, and Jack said, "Last one there's a rotten egg!", and Mary jumped up and went running after them yelling, "EGG, EGG, EGG!" <br />
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Tess loved your little note for her. She was mad at me a little for ripping the envelope when I opened it though. So I told her that I would open your next letter very carefully so I could give her a nicer envelope to keep her note in. <br />
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Oh! Meme has a new puppy! I will tell her to write to you and send a picture so you can see him while he is still tiny. I still haven't seen him in person yet. We have been trying to go to the lake with them since Father's Day, but first we were sick, and now they are sick...<br />
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Sunday, 6/22...We went to Latin mass today. jack was in rare form. His mass behavior is just getting worse and worse, no matter which mass we go to. It was the feast of Corpus Christi, so there was a procession after, and don't you know he was just THRILLED about THAT! We packed our bathing suits and food and such and drove out to the lake right after mass. It was a great day, but very crowded. I won't go on a weekend again! <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCNxMF6MFdw/U64akzqt_FI/AAAAAAAAMhg/xoyH2iXcBF8/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCNxMF6MFdw/U64akzqt_FI/AAAAAAAAMhg/xoyH2iXcBF8/s320/14+-+1" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjcLeuJM5Rc/U64ak8u789I/AAAAAAAAMhg/lkQlLAoRC7c/s1600/14+-+2" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjcLeuJM5Rc/U64ak8u789I/AAAAAAAAMhg/lkQlLAoRC7c/s320/14+-+2" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXX7w5LHOi0/U64gleb5mWI/AAAAAAAAMic/qUee6WnrSic/s1600/14+-+5" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXX7w5LHOi0/U64gleb5mWI/AAAAAAAAMic/qUee6WnrSic/s320/14+-+5" /></a><br />
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The high note was when we were loading up. It was so crowded, and we were trying to load up and keep eyes on all the kids and Jack said he just Absolutely Had to Go to the Bathroom. Right Now. Well, dad was down on the beach gathering stuff and keeping and eye on Tess and Henry who were still swimming.And I was putting stuff in the van and needed to stay with Mary who was already in her car seat. I could just barely see the bathrooms from the van. So I did something I rarely do.I let him go to the bathroom alone. I was very uncomfortable about it, I worry about his safety in public bathrooms, so I was watching anxiously when I caught site of him walking down the hill to the van...with no swim trunks on. Uh huh. Well, he had a rash guard on, thank God, which kinda sorta covered almost everything, but it was pretty obvious he had nothing on underneath. And I just laid my head on the van and sighed. cuz what are you gonna do? He had his trunks in his hand. They had gotten twisted up and he couldn't get them straight. Goodness. <br />
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Monday, 6/23...mostly a day at home working on STUFF. Tess had dance, her last class of the year. I almost didn't go. It was a struggle getting out the door for many reasons, not the least of which was that Henry and Mary had fallen asleep, and it was pouring buckets. There was an accident on the highway, and we got there seriously late. Like, stupidly late. But it was her last class,so I wanted her to be able to go and say goodbye and all. Well, she fell asleep in the van on the way and got all weird when I woke her up to go in, and she wouldn't dance or anything, just sat on the chair sucking her fingers. So. That was the last day. And that's when I decided we aren't going back until she really wants to do it, you know? <br />
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Tuesday, 6/24...The day I lost my mind. I'm not even kidding. The kids have been pretty much having a free for all since we finished school...no schedule or anything, and as usual it starts getting a little Lord of the Flies around here. Have you read that yet? Remind me to put it on your list, you will love it. Anyway, I took them to see Kung Fu panda at the movie theater,<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ez9iKMqyxY/U64kKZ-VQEI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/E9RE-jSJ_6s/s1600/10500274_546334352143431_2026254807819970091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ez9iKMqyxY/U64kKZ-VQEI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/E9RE-jSJ_6s/s320/10500274_546334352143431_2026254807819970091_n.jpg" /></a><br />
and then after that they literally spent the entire day running around making each other scream on purpose all day long. Just, feral children, really. So, I got ticked off and realized I needed to take some control back. I sat down with some postits and made a little schedule...kinda like our school schedule, but much looser, no times or anything...more like an order of events, really. I gave them time twice a day to help mom with chores, time for crafts, read alouds, some fun stuff, little screen time, etc. And it is working fabulously! Big difference. Of course, many days we have something fun to go and do and so we don't do everything on the board, but at least there is plenty there for when we are home. Jack calls it the "slavery board". ha! <br />
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Wednesday, 6/25...We were at home all day and tried out the new schedule, and it was lovely. I did have an evening class. Me! I sat in your room and had an adobe class! It was a parent's version of the health class you will be taking in the fall...great stuff. To take this two hour class while dad was at work, I fed them dinner early, set them up with a movie, and hoped for the best. I had to come out a couple of times, but it wasn't too bad. Well, afterwards I found out that Jack had hacked up the edge of the counter with a butter knife. A butter knife!Also, he cut the clothes off of Tess's Boo doll. Enter next destructo phase. <br />
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Thursday, 6/26...Today we went to the library. I haven't told you about the library shows, you know those Thursday afternoon shows they do? The first week was a juggling show..and today's show was a Didgeridoo show. It was pretty good. They were getting pretty distracted at times, and it felt like the guy was trying to teach them about everything, you know? Like, save the planet, don't be a bully, and eat fruits and vegetables...dude, it's an hour long show, pick a topic already! But the music was cool, and overall it was very fun. <br />
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Friday,6/27...I'm supposed to mail this today! But you called last night and needed some things, so I will send it tomorrow after I go to the store. We have been taking it easy today. Dad has been working horribly long hours,,,he is really fried. They have hired some more help, so once they are trained and working hopefully that will get better. Oh! Dad found two little robin fledgelings in the yard, right under the bathroom window near the air conditioner. There was a third dead one nearby, and so of course we were worried about Jesse or the cats finding them. So, dad nailed that birdhouse onto the pine tree by the bathroom window for them. Well, it was too small. We left the front open and kind of put them in there, but they are very active and they fell out. So,then we got a small box and duct taped it to the tree, see?<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqg1vXuRJNA/U64f2Oi5cvI/AAAAAAAAMiI/JSb-1tocwvU/s1600/14+-+8" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqg1vXuRJNA/U64f2Oi5cvI/AAAAAAAAMiI/JSb-1tocwvU/s320/14+-+8" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4iLofAK8XFE/U64f2AtPEOI/AAAAAAAAMiI/hAqnacB7Y-I/s1600/14+-+6" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4iLofAK8XFE/U64f2AtPEOI/AAAAAAAAMiI/hAqnacB7Y-I/s320/14+-+6" /></a><br />
See the birdie there in the corner? He's in front of the duct tape so he is kinda hard to see. The other guy is in there too. You can see them from the bathroom window. The mom has been coming by to feed them. So far they haven't gotten out. Eventually they will I guess, and we will just have to hope they learn to fly quickly. They are very cute, and very LOUD. Henry loves them. He also is really into collecting bugs lately...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s37euWM2Zf4/U64kKY8yDpI/AAAAAAAAMjU/REjZse2xOX4/s1600/10514744_547130888730444_6112312960647305519_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s37euWM2Zf4/U64kKY8yDpI/AAAAAAAAMjU/REjZse2xOX4/s320/10514744_547130888730444_6112312960647305519_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Henry's bug house. <br />
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Well, that's it for this week! We managed to get Tess back into another swim lesson, and this time it is paid for too, and it is the same session that Jack is in. So, it actually worked out well. It will be a lot easier to have them go on the same mornings. Next week, more of the same, but also the Fourth of July on Friday already! A meatless fourth of July? Yikes! I'm curious to know if ya'll stay meatless on the fourth, lol. We will be. We debated doing another penance, but you know, I really like to save that for when I have no choice, like when we are eating with other people or something. It doesn't seem like much of a penance when you ditch it when it gets hard! Still...the Fourth with no ribs...seems unAmerican...<br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-87092093302470142822014-06-19T13:08:00.000-04:002014-06-19T13:08:43.547-04:00Dear Maria, week 2...sort of...Hello! I am writing week 2 but I haven't mailed week 1 yet! haha! Well, see, I sent a letter a week ago with your shoes and stuff, and then also I never managed to get the week 1 letter printed off! I am out of colored ink and wanted to just print it at the library. We are going to the library this afternoon,so I can print it then. And I figure it works out well to mail it on a Thursday...we will be leaving for familyland ourselves on a Friday morning, so this way we can just mail our last letter right before we leave. <br />
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So, week 2...well, we managed to get Jack mostly well again. He is still coughing a lot, especially when he is running around, but that is to be expected for a while. Sunday was Father's Day...I was hoping you might have gotten to call home. Dad had to work, but we had brunch and all before he left. We gave him concert tickets and the kids colored cards and such, and we packed him some goodies in his lunch bag. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8u-hKhFrNI/U6MUjPDU3mI/AAAAAAAAMfU/TwARMfIH5Sc/s1600/14+-+2" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8u-hKhFrNI/U6MUjPDU3mI/AAAAAAAAMfU/TwARMfIH5Sc/s320/14+-+2" /></a><br />
Mary was so cute...she worked for a long time on her picture!<br />
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I had a major Mom Fail on Monday. I took Tess for her swimming lessons and she was not on the list. She was on a waiting list, remember, and they called and said they could get her in the session that started on Monday. I didn't realize that that wasn't . confirmed until I paid for the class...I thought I could just pay on the first day, not that I had to make another trip to the rec center to drop off a check. So, she didn't get to start after all. It was very disappointing. She is still on the waiting list, and hopefully she gets in another session. <br />
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Tuesday we were supposed to go the Malco movie again...but we didn't make that either. Dad had worked very late and I just didn't have the heart to wake him up. The kids didn't really realize they were missing out on anything. We just filled up the giant wading pool instead and they have been happily playing in that. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obG53EVpRls/U6MYTA_PVPI/AAAAAAAAMgY/huJL9Ud2hjo/s1600/12379_542362339207299_2267078923896355915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obG53EVpRls/U6MYTA_PVPI/AAAAAAAAMgY/huJL9Ud2hjo/s320/12379_542362339207299_2267078923896355915_n.jpg" /></a><br />
And also, popsicles. Lots of them.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-B8yiC5usc/U6MYTD5RgsI/AAAAAAAAMgc/bPhHvn30hrM/s1600/10410181_542358345874365_9005120371136341218_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-B8yiC5usc/U6MYTD5RgsI/AAAAAAAAMgc/bPhHvn30hrM/s320/10410181_542358345874365_9005120371136341218_n.jpg" /></a><br />
Wednesday, yesterday, VBS started! I am Jack's group leader of course. We have a big group of kids this year, twenty kids in Jack's group alone. Tess is with the kindergarten group, and Henry with the preschoolers. Mary Claire is in the nursery. Here's a couple of pictures! <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yD9Ic6mXRu4/U6MUjOgfR8I/AAAAAAAAMfU/CO2nrc1wGnU/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yD9Ic6mXRu4/U6MUjOgfR8I/AAAAAAAAMfU/CO2nrc1wGnU/s320/14+-+1" /></a><br />
Like Tess' braids? She loves them. She was annoyed that she got a green tshirt though, because green is not a girl's color, she says. I told her no one got pink shirts, and all the kindergarteners have to wear green...I don't think she really believed me until she got there. The theme this year is Weird Animals. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HN1tUFAy_Ow/U6MUjMPII5I/AAAAAAAAMfU/rO-Sycdr-jw/s1600/14+-+4" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HN1tUFAy_Ow/U6MUjMPII5I/AAAAAAAAMfU/rO-Sycdr-jw/s320/14+-+4" /></a><br />
Henry had an unexpected attack of shyness when we arrived and didn't want to stay with his group. He spent the opening songs curled up in a ball on the floor. But once things got underway he was ok. He is excited about going back tonight. Tess of course had a lot of fun. Mary even handled the nursery ok. Jack, however, is having a hard time. He gets very weepy and upset during the opening and closing songs, he gets irritated whenever we have to wait for anything, and he keeps doing things that annoy the other kids,,,getting in their space or showing off...you know the drill.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCuePETMfjw/U6MXA7YeJAI/AAAAAAAAMf4/ZXSMM9-ElI4/s1600/14+-+5" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCuePETMfjw/U6MXA7YeJAI/AAAAAAAAMf4/ZXSMM9-ElI4/s320/14+-+5" /></a><br />
Jack being annoyed.<br />
Today is Thursday...we are going to the library for a family performance...jugglers! That's at 2. Then we will come briefly back home and go back out for VBS. <br />
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Ok, closing up this letter so we can get out of here. We are missing you and hope to hear from you soon! I'm sure this has been a tiring week for you, the first Fest. We love you lots! <br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-82781404158312566092014-06-14T16:15:00.001-04:002014-06-14T16:15:22.152-04:00Dear Maria, week 1Dear Maria,<br />
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Today is Pentecost Sunday. You called and asked me to send your sneakers as soon as possible because you needed them to work in the stables. There will be a surprise inside. Tess and Henry got to work making you presents today. Henry made you a bracelet and a picture. Actually, he made part of the picture and told me what to draw for the rest. Tess wrote you a letter and made you a Valentine. In June. I asked her what her letter said, and she started singing the words to the My Little pony theme song,,,so make of that what you will. Tess was still running a fever, so I went to Pentecost mass all by myself. Dad went to LifeTeen mass with Jack. He said that they did the intentions in several different languages, read by different poeple of course, and Ms. Krystina read one in Swahili. Msgr. did one in Latin. We agreed that if you had been home you could have done the Latin one! We had a white and red dinner...white chicken with red pepper "tongues of fire", white rice, and 12 fruits fruit salad. Strawberry cake for dessert. The top had a bigger cross on it, but then some little booger got to the cake and picked the berries off. Ahem. <br />
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Oh, and we had little white powdered donuts for breakfast. Jack said they were the "best donuts ever." <br />
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And, just like that, it's Friday, June 13th. Not so good with the daily writing this week, eh? I've been having trouble getting pictures from phone to blog, most annoying. And also there has been so little to tell you. Everyone has been sick. The End. Jack's asthma started acting up badly this afternoon and so I ended up taking him to the after hours clinic, and he has pneumonia! So...my weekend now involves Trying to Keep Jack out of the Hospital. He has to have nebulizer treatments every four hours around the clock, so dad and I are taking turns getting up tonight. He is on a strong antibiotic, and steroids, which he of course threw up like he does...but the antibiotic stayed down. He got lots of attention at the clinic. First, he was hacking and carrying on like a 70year old chain smoker. Then, he threw up all over the waiting room floor. And when this woman came to clean it up he said, "I'm very sorry I threw up all over the precious floor." haha!He was very chatty with the nurses and kept saying, "Have you ever been to Bangladesh? Do you know why sharks have gills? Do you know what the capital of Ecuador is?" They were cracking up. But it all got very serious when the doctor decided he had pneumonia. We are to go the ER tonight if he gets to breathing too fast and hard. And if he's not a lot better by tomorrow afternoon we are to go back to the clinic. <br />
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Oh! And Mary Claire had her shots today, too. Looks to be a looonngg night, lol. <br />
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Other than all the excitement at the clinics today, we have had long slow days of trying to get everyone well again. We missed the Tuesday movies and a trip to the lake because someone was always sick. I told you we would pay for our healthy winter! Jack did go to the library for a presentation on Albert Einstein. Dad took him, and said he handled it very well! So that was good...you never know how he will handle things like that. But he does better and better. Even autistic kids grow up. <br />
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If I can get my pictures to cooperate, I will mail this tomorrow when I go to the grocery store. I hope you got your package. It was supposed to arrive by today. You got an Ipsy bag today, and your books came in the mail. I will mail them with this letter. I know the first Fest starts tomorrow, right? It's so weird to think of you doing all the Fest stuff there while we are here! Making smores...family dance night...the Fatima processions...we are so looking forward to it! The kids keep asking when we are going. They just don't get why you are already there and we are not! We all miss you, and I'll start another letter this weekend. Busy week ahead, if everyone stays well enough...Tess starts swimming lessons, and there is VBS too! <br />
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Update before I print and mail...Jack is doing much better. Still sick, but not in danger of going to the ER anymore. Yay! melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-8257747200225089542014-06-14T16:08:00.001-04:002014-06-14T16:36:04.465-04:00Dear Maria, an introductionThis was originally written on June 7th. I have been having terrible trouble uploading pictures from my camera!<br />
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Today, Maria has left us for Catholic Familyland. I have written before about our vacations there. Well, this summer she is working there as a member of their service corp. Today, I put my baby on a plane and sent her to Ohio for TWO WHOLE MONTHS. And, I didn't even cry. Until I was in the parking lot and saw her plane flying away. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4o0QtAb1YN8/U5ORa4sJNpI/AAAAAAAAMWs/LPx8IyGp2nQ/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4o0QtAb1YN8/U5ORa4sJNpI/AAAAAAAAMWs/LPx8IyGp2nQ/s400/14+-+1" /></a><br />
Okay, so it was probably not her actual plane. I have no way of knowing. Remember the good old days when you could walk your loved ones to the actual gate and watch their plane fly away? No, instead I had to leave her at the security check. Sigh. But, it *could have been* her plane, and that made her seem so far away all of a sudden. This feels big, you know? A big step. Not even a first step. See this picture? <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R0PNueYJUjI/SGDjg7gdg5I/AAAAAAAAAmY/KsMKgZfNd0c/s1600-h/IMG_0936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R0PNueYJUjI/SGDjg7gdg5I/AAAAAAAAAmY/KsMKgZfNd0c/s320/IMG_0936.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215418523364197266" /></a><br />
This is from a post way back in 2008, when she actually left me for the first time, the first time she went somewhere besides her grandparents' house, the first time she had Entire Life Experiences that I was in no way a part of. And of course, there have been many more since then. But this is the biggest. So, I am nauseous, a bit, and will probably stay that way until I know she has been picked up at the airport and is with Trusted People. There she will stay until we take our own vacation at Familyland again in August,,,then she will come home with us. <br />
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So, this post is the first in a series I am going to do every week. See, Maria is really very close to her sibs. She is Second Mom around here...or as Jack calls her, Mom Junior. And they adore her. I know she was conflicted about missing a whole summer of their lives...VBS, Father's Day, fireworks, trips to the lake... And we have so much we want to share with her. But she will have no cell phone, no internet,,,she will get to call sometimes, but mostly we will communicate by writing snail mail. I thought a neat way to keep her informed of all the crazy around here as well as blog more often would be to make a weekly sort of journal entry, complete with pictures, print it all off, and mail it to her. Hopefully she will send us newsy letters *back* too. <br />
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So I will work on this entry nightly all week an post on the weekend. I also have a couple of birthday posts in the works. In the meantime, there's this bit of oddness. After I dropped Maria off at the security gate, I wandered around the airport, getting a scone and coffee, finding a bathroom, texting back and forth with Maria as she found her gate and such...I was reluctant to leave until she was boarded. While wandering I found the chapel. <br />
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This is it, I guess. A bench? I thought I'd see a generic nondenominational deal like they have in the hospitals, but this was all I found, a bench and some funeral flowers. There were several locked doors, maybe they opened up to something else? Anyway, across from these benches were several bookshelves, all at kind of right angles with each other. There were various religious books and bibles, and something struck me as so weird, I couldn't help taking a few pictures....here's what I found...<br />
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Two protestant Bibles, actually, there was one on a small table by the door. This was very expected...this is Tulsa airport, right in the Bible belt. <br />
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One Catholic Bible.<br />
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Two Books of Mormon. Book of Mormons? Mormii? <br />
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A Talmud, in Hebrew, and what looks like the equivalent of our missals...I don't know what Jews call these...they look like daily prayer books<br />
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Two AA books..<br />
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Some kind of Tibetan prayer book...this actually looked the most interesting to me, because it was both unfamiliar and yet still in English! <br />
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And EIGHT Korans, all in Arabic! Wow! <br />
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Complete with prayer rugs!<br />
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Aaaanyway,,,if you are a Muslim traveling through Tulsa, Oklahoma, looking for a place to read the Koran, in Arabic,,,,airport got you covered. prayer rug and all. <br />
melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-40520976325514426082014-06-04T09:55:00.002-04:002014-06-04T10:02:03.779-04:00Tour de Parque, the final dayWell, I kind of left this hanging a bit...<br />
The six and final day was kind of just a serendipitous add on. Jack had a baseball game that Saturday, and his baseball field just happens to have a park next door. We always visit after his games. <br />
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Jack plays baseball with Miracle League, a league for special needs kids...so, fittingly, the park next to it is designed especially with special needs kids in mind. It is a neat place!<br />
unfortunately my pictures did not really turn out well at all. Go see pictures of this park here at <a href="http://http://www.adventuresintheozarks.com/2014/04/rotary-adventure-park-in-springdale-ar.html">this blog</a>, she has some great ones! You can just, you know, imagine my crew on the equipment, lol...<br />
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I have a backlog of birthday posts to get up. Now that we are pretty much done with our school year, I hoe to have those up quickly! <br />
melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-66656856377023384532014-04-25T22:29:00.000-04:002014-04-25T22:29:14.596-04:002014 Tour de Parque, day 5Ok, so...we have reached Friday, and today we went to a park Tess has been begging to visit. These pictures are from Wilson Park. Wilson Park is a sprawling place with a city pool, ball fields, and several playscapes, but in this house Wilson Park means one thing,,,the castle. <br />
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This is what makes the park unique and worth the visit. This castle is made out of stone and sculptures and bridges, and also sports winding moat/creek.<br />
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The creek is what gets me into trouble with the other moms, I'm afraid. You see, I let my kids wade in the water. As far as I can tell, it's not prohibited. The moat is only a few inches deep and very accessible, very much a part of the playscape, you know? It's right in the middle. It is begging to be splashed in. And it is part of why my kids love to come here. We come planning for wet feet (except for Tess, who always manages to get wet to her neck). <br />
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The other moms don't seem to let their kids do this, as far I can tell. In fact, they spend a lot of time trying to keep their kids *out* of the water. I would never fight this battle with all my kids. If I didn't want them to get wet, I would simply go to another park. I mean, why fight that battle, you know?<br />
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So, when we got to the park, we were alone, but very soon a couple of other moms/kids showed up, and the issue began...their kids wanted to wade like my kids were doing, but their moms told them no, and so their kids fell apart, wash, rinse, repeat, the entire time we were there. <br />
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I felt badly, I really did, and I considered telling my kids to stay out of the water, but that's kind of why we were *there*, you know? It seemed pretty unfair to make them stop doing something I told them was ok just because another parent had a different decision. Was I wrong? Tell me, honestly!<br />
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In any case, they needn't worry about our intrusion again any time soon. This park is nowhere near us, and wrangling a bunch of little kids around slippery rocks and water is pretty daunting, safety-wise, so we don't come here very often. <br />
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Ok, so, this technically would end our Tour de Parque week, but it just so happens that Jack has a baseball game early in the morning with a cool park next door, so....see you then! <br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-49056502541585959902014-04-24T19:22:00.000-04:002014-04-24T19:22:07.062-04:00Tour de Parque, day 4Day 4 was cancelled due to thunderstorms. Booo, Day 4. We had a good one planned today too, kite flying with friends and everything. I guess I should be glad that we have had such good weather overall. Anyway, we rescheduled this particular park day for an Ascension Thursday picnic with our homeschool group. So, in the meantime,,,I will be honest and say it was a nice break! :) We finally did our home Easter egg hunt between storms in the backyard. The kids did a hunt at my parents' on Easter day and we have been waiting for a Dad Is Home opportunity all week. Also, we have an opportunity to be out at other parks on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend! Bonus Days! This is, of course, assuming the weather holds...Sunday is looking iffy....<br />
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Irrelevant picture of Tess and Henry bedded down in the play tent last night. Immediately after the lights went out, Tess decided it was "too dark" and bailed. melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-29075892530366144032014-04-24T19:12:00.001-04:002014-04-24T19:12:50.053-04:00Tour de Parque, day 3<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LR5ZneBVat0/U1mZ7mreH6I/AAAAAAAALJE/aMUKFx-noFc/s1600/14+-+7" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LR5ZneBVat0/U1mZ7mreH6I/AAAAAAAALJE/aMUKFx-noFc/s320/14+-+7" /></a><br />
Wednesday marked day 3 of our tour around all our favorite parks. Wednesday is a busy day. Jack has therapy from 10 to 12. We have PSR from 4:30 to 6. And, it was Henry's birthday! But, we were determined to carry on. We did donuts and presents in the morning before Jack's therapy, birthday cake afterwards, and then after PSR we picked up Henry's choice of dinner and took it to Cambridge Park. <br />
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Cambridge is a long favorite of ours. We used to live in this neighborhood, and so we spent a lot of time at this park. It's at the end of a quiet cul de sac...every time I bring someone to this park, they are surprised,,,they never even knew it was there. It has a trail built by some long-ago Eagle scout that circles a quiet pond, a couple of playscapes, picnic tables...and bathrooms! Always a plus, bathrooms. No fence, but it is in such a little quiet corner that you hardly notice. <br />
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It was a nice visit. The kids found new friends to play with, Jack dragged out the scooters that were still in the van from the previous day, and they actually got ridden this time. The weather was perfect, a not-too-cool Spring evening at the end of a warm day. Maria was at the teen Bible study at church, and John was at work, so it was just me and my little people. We stayed until the sun set and then it was time to go pick up Maria. <br />
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See you for day 4! <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmVFqxE22JM/U1mZ7o18bdI/AAAAAAAALJE/SGRWyVfgv90/s1600/14+-+5" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmVFqxE22JM/U1mZ7o18bdI/AAAAAAAALJE/SGRWyVfgv90/s320/14+-+5" /></a>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-55964790838869910072014-04-24T11:23:00.000-04:002014-04-24T11:29:44.311-04:00{p,h,f,r} Henry's 4th Birthday edition! Linking up with the Mommas at <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/">Like Mother Like Daughter</a>...<br />
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Yesterday was Henry's birthday!!<br />
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{pretty} birthday boy. I know he's a boy. But he *is* pretty. Look at those big brown eyes, as I try unsuccessfully to get him to smile nicely for the picture..."please Mom, can I just go play now??"<br />
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Happy birthday to my sweet newly-minted four year old. What can I say about Henry at age 4? Henry has always been my sweet-natured, easy-peasy guy. He is uncommonly gentle and kind, shares readily, is almost always cooperative and reasonable...weird, for a preschooler, right? He has fiery and melancholic Tess and often uncooperative and unreasonable Jack for older siblings. The three of them are joined at the hip all day, best friends, and Henry is the sweet peacemaker of the group, so much so that I am always trying to watch that they don't bulldoze him (coughcough, tess, coughcough). <br />
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{happy} birthday presents...the pile is bigger than he is! Though we do birthdays bigger than Christmas, it's not quite as excessive as it looks. That's a tonka truck in that giant box. One of the presents is a stack of picture books. And there are some smaller sibling gifts in there. <br />
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{funny} attempts to get a decent picture of him blowing out his candles...<br />
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As is our tradition, he woke up to birthday donuts and got to open presents right away...<br />
Henry is super affectionate and often still climbs into my lap to snuggle and asking to "play with you hay-uh (hair)". He still loves vehicles of all kinds. He wanted a "camping birthday" today. I'm not sure what exactly he was expecting on a weekday, lol, but here's his {real} picture of his camping cake (h/t <a href="http://http://showerofroses.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-campfire-cake.html">Jessica at Shower of Roses</a>). It was a very easy cake to make and came out very well!<br />
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Then Mary Claire found it....<br />
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The present rundown, just clipped to the bottom of this post for posterity...<br />
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Notice the playtent. The plan was to let them "camp" overnight in the boys' room. Only Henry made it through the night in there. The duplos are from Tess and Mary Claire. The train is from Jack. And Maria got him the baseball helmet to go with his new T ball set. Not pictured, a bike helmet from Meme and Papa(my parents) to go with his first bike!!! <br />
Also not pictured (because they were opened a different day), Hot Wheel tracks from Grandmom (my grandmother) and a check from John's parents that we are pooling together with Tess and Mary Claire's birthday money to buy lumber for a playground John is building! We actually bought the kit (all the stuff minus lumber) with their birthday checks *last year*, thinking we would buy the lumber over the summer. Then John lost his job and was unemployed for a few months, and ah, it was no longer the best use of resources, lol. So, we have had the kit sitting in the garage ever since. Now we can finally get the lumber and build it! <br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-8190992743441210702014-04-23T12:18:00.000-04:002014-04-23T12:18:15.147-04:002014 Tour de Parque, day 2You will be heartened to know that we survived another day's adventures. Mondays are very busy for us, but Tuesdays are better. So, Tuesday we went to Murphy Park. This park is next door to a library in an nearby town...once upon a time this was *our library*. We never lived in this town, but they have a lovely children's collection, and at the time we belonged to a co-op in this town,,,so we frequented this library, and often this park, every week. <br />
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Immediately upon arriving at the park, I remembered my issues with it. It is very sprawl-y. And busy. With water. And a busy nearby parking lot. When Jack was a toddler, I spent a lot of time trying to keep him out of the parking lot.<br />
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Since I have 1. an autistic son that is prone to wandering, 2. a three year old also prone to wandering, and 3. a one year old that is, you guessed it, prone to wandering, I was very busy and kinda stressed at times. <br />
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But, DUCKS! There are ducks to feed. The only place, we know of, to feed ducks around here. So we brought Cheerios and fed the ducks. (I apologize, the duck pictures were taken with my rarely used "real camera", and apparently someone has blown their nose on the lens or something, because the pictures taken with it are all blurry.)<br />
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Also, trails for riding scooters and such. So, we brought the scooters and ceremoniously dragged them around the park, but no one ever actually rode them. Of course. <br />
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We packed lunch, which of course always makes a park visit much more fun. And friends met us, so that always makes it more fun too. <br />
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On the whole, it was more work and stress than yesterday's park, but the boys weren't abducted and Mary Claire didn't manage to drown herself in spite of her best efforts, so it's all good. <br />
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melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-9173178834429187782014-04-22T19:20:00.000-04:002014-04-22T19:20:46.228-04:002014 Tour de ParqueI had this brilliant idea...one I am already regretting. You ever have an idea like that? An idea for something fun, something you know the kids will enjoy, and you know it will be a challenge to pull off, but you know it will be worth it, so you jump in with both feet, and then like 10 minutes into it you think, "Ummmm.....why was this going to be fun again?" Yep, like that. <br />
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So, my brilliant idea is our 2014 Tour de Parque. No, that's not a real thing. At least, not until now. If you google it, nothing will come up. I don't think. Maybe my blog will, after I publish this. But my Tour de Parque idea started when Tess was complaining one day that we never go to any "fun parks". And it's true. We don't make any regular homeschool group park days. With Jack's therapy and our full school days and our other activities, it is all we can do to visit our neighborhood park anymore. And there's nothing wrong with our neighborhood park. But they remembered other parks, parks not so close to our house, that we rarely visited anymore. So, since we are still on Easter break this week, my brilliant idea was to visit a different park every day. A park not close to our house. A fun park. <br />
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Sounds good, right? Well, just to clarify the obvious, this idea means that *every day I have to leave the house*. Not just to run Jack to therapy, or run Maria up the road for something, but pack a diaper bag and a meal (or at least snacks) and dress all five kids down to their shoes and put them in the van and drive somewhere every single day for a week. And, of course, even though we are not doing school this week, we still have our usual activities of therapy/PE class/dance/piano/PSR/grocery shopping/baseball/mass. So. <br />
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This was the first day. Monday. Johnson Park. One of my favorite parks on this weeks list because it is FENCED IN. Why, oh why, aren't more parks fenced in?? This park is very near Tess' dance class. When Maria took dance a couple of years ago, we visited here every week. I would bring the little kids here while she was at class. But now, one big person drives just Tess down here for class each week, so we rarely go. But Tess asks to go *every time* we drive by. So here we are. Well, everyone but Mary Claire, who was napping with Dad at home. <br />
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Pluses--the fence, of course. Big pavillion with sidewalks suitable for chalk drawing. Basketball court for big kids. This bench swing that we are all enamored with. <br />
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Minuses- poor drainage. It had been raining earlier in the day and large puddles were still under most of the swings. My kids immediately soaked their feet. Of course. If you look waaaay off in the distance, you can see Henry, ankle deep in water puddled around a tether ball. Sigh. <br />
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Also, no bathrooms. Why, oh why, would you want a park with no bathrooms? <br />
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So, we came here Monday evening on the way to dance class, after the rain but before dark, and the kids were happy. They are thrilled with our little adventure. <br />
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So I guess it's worth it.<br />
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How hard can one week be, right? melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-17502528631584303652014-04-22T18:40:00.000-04:002014-04-22T18:40:11.739-04:00Happy Easter!! Alleluia!!Just a quick hello and an Easter picture. We have something fun going on this week I want to post about. I'll be back late tonight! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1BercjRNs8/U1bvJ69R9YI/AAAAAAAAK6o/FnHFWHh4690/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1BercjRNs8/U1bvJ69R9YI/AAAAAAAAK6o/FnHFWHh4690/s400/14+-+1" /></a>melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-14714506431498388952014-01-30T14:28:00.001-05:002014-02-01T19:32:00.172-05:00On boysLast week I was in walmart (big shock, yes?) and I was second in line. The cashier was very pregnant, and the woman in front of me started questioning her about her baby, the way women will do...when are you due?, how many kids do you have?, etc. The cashier said she had three girls and was pregnant with her first boy. She said she was scared to have a boy, because she had no experience with them. And the woman in front of me started on a tirade about boys...how much easier girls were, and that she should have stopped with the three girls. Can you imagine? Who the hell says that to a pregnant woman? Can you picture my restraint, back there by the beef jerky, resisting the urge to ram her with my grocery cart just to get her out of earshot of the poor momma? And it was having an effect, you could see the cashiers face drop, and she looked like she was going to cry. I am not an outgoing person, really. I am not a "chat it up with random strangers" person. Just not in my comfort zone. I kinda suck at it. But when it was my turn to check out, I just blurted it out..."You should ignore all of that." And she looked at me, all confused like, so I stammered some more, remembering why I don't talk to people,,,no eloquence in real life, me. "That woman. Just ignore all of that. I have three girls. And two boys. And brothers. And a husband that loves his momma. You will be glad you had that boy. Boys are very different than girls. But they are so much fun, and so sweet. And they love their mommas so much." And I don't know if it made any difference to her at all. She still looked kinda freaked out by the whole thing. I wish I had time to really tell her how it is. Because I love my girls. I really do. Girls have their own kind of loveliness, in tutus and scented markers and baby doll strollers, and later in teaching them how to be young women. That sounds really hallmark-y, but really, there's a *lot* to teach our girls, and it is beautiful, to teach them, both expressly and through example, how to navigate growing up. <br />
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But boys...they have a loveliness of their own (don't tell them).<br />
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They are intense and grubby, sweet and sweaty, throw themselves madly into everything they do. <br />
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You dress them and scrunch up their curls around their ears and brush their teeth in the mornings, and at the end of the day you scrub all that intensity of living their day off of them...<br />
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washing sweaty, matted hair, cleaning dirt out of their ears, food off their faces. <br />
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They fight each other for pure sport, in a way that would destroy the sensitivity of most girls, rolling on the ground and calling names and teasing and wrestling. <br />
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They destroy and they build, sometimes all in the same day. <br />
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They hide rocks in their pockets and collect bugs in old lunch meat containers, not to take care of the "baby bugs" the way girls do, but just to collect them and forget them until you find the smelly containers in the laundry room weeks later, forgotten. <br />
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And they love their Mommas in a pure and carefree way that girls cannot. Because our girls are learning from us, picking and choosing what they like and don't like in the examples we present, and this is necessary for them to do, and by the end of it all they will likely be surprised by how much they like after all, once they have lived long enough to get some perspective. But it's a long and painful process in the meantime. <br />
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But boys don't have that same baggage. They just love their mommas. <br />
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I guess she'll have to figure all that out on her own.melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-21744497995392334032014-01-22T12:00:00.000-05:002014-01-22T12:00:40.515-05:00Yes, you *can* homeschool your autistic child.See how I worded that all clever-like, so the search engines could find it? This is a very long post. I'm sorry about that. I thought of breaking it up, but just decided it would be easier for those searching for information to find it all here. There are links to our journey of diagnosing Jack in the side bar. Please leave a comment if you find your way here and this helps you! Come back too. I'm doing a photo essay of a day in the life of homeschooling Jack, and I hope to have it up in a few days. <br />
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So, almost exactly four years ago Jack was diagnosed with autism. I remember it well, because is was just after Ash Wednesday, and I remember thinking how appropriate it was, to go through this trial during Lent...this dying to self, dying to my expectations for my son, dying to the illusion of control over my children's lives. It is like a death, you know? I cried a lot that first year. Anyway, Jack was five years old at the time and due to start kindergarten the following fall. We had been planning to homeschool him because we were already homeschooling the older children. But the diagnosis threw me for a mental loop. His therapists and other people "in the know" that we talked to discouraged it. Basically their argument was that we might get away with homeschooling a normal kid without screwing them up too badly, but there was no way we would be able to meet Jack's needs. One therapist I talked to told me she was very supportive of homeschooling in general, but not for autistic kids, because they needed to be in school to learn social skills. I was scared. I was overwhelmed and didn't want to make him worse. I knew he would need lots of help to become as functional as possible. Could we meet his needs? I wasn't even sure what his needs *were* anymore! <br />
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The timing of his diagnosis was a blessing. He was too old for most of the day programs in our area. They were geared towards toddlers and preschoolers, and since it was the February before he was to start school, the feeling was that it wasn't worth the time to get him started somewhere that school year, that we should just start private therapy and then enroll him in school with an IEP. This bought me time to wrestle with our decision. I even made an appointment with someone to get an IEP started. I didn't keep it. I was resisting, all passive-aggressive like, even then. And then I started asking around, and reading, and wondering if we could do this after all. I really didn't want him to go to public school. It wasn't because I was sure we could do a better job for him. It was a heart thing. I was planning to have him at home, you know? He would homeschool like my others. That's what we *do*. And I just couldn't make the leap to putting him in school. In the end, I homeschooled him that year because homeschooling is our default. We would homeschool him until I saw it wasn't best for him. <br />
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I wasn't really liking what I was hearing from the schools anyway. There is an elementary school in our area that has an autism classroom with a good reputation. But we were not zoned for it. I was told I could fight this, I was told how to fight it, but I was also told it could take months, even a couple of years, to win that fight. I was told "they" wouldn't consider him a priority for that room because he was not disruptive enough...that he would probably be put in a room with an aide at his side to help him. And he would be taken out for therapy. And I thought, "So...what are they going to do that I'm not doing, exactly? Aren't *I* already at his side, helping him? Aren't *I* already taking him to therapy? Lots, lots and lots of therapy? Like, five hours a week of therapy?" I stewed, and I waffled, and I hemmed and hawed. And then...I did nothing. I just did nothing. <br />
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The school year started and Jack stayed home. I didn't really *do* kindergarten with him. He could already read anything and everything. He could count, he knew all his numbers and shapes and such. He knew lots of things, because he's Jack, and that's what Jack does, he accumulates information, and I wasn't really sure what else to do with him. He had the attention span of a chicken. I tried to read to him. I tried to do crafts and such with him. He hated all of it. I kept driving him to therapy, and we spent the year getting him started with writing and using scissors, working on sensory issues, and mostly just giving him plenty of time and space to mature some more. We worked on potty training. We spent several weeks learning to wash our hands. We worked on toothbrushing, and memorizing our address and phone number, and we hoped and prayed the neighbors wouldn't call social services when he scaled our privacy fence wearing nothing but a tshirt and a smile in the middle of the school day. I had no idea how to address anything beyond the motor skills and sensory issues. He couldn't discuss anything he read, he wouldn't color his math worksheets. I wasn't sure where I was going to go with him. But I did know that this was better for him than school. Because one thing I *did* do was to go to an autism support group meeting that fall. The topic was "back to school". And every parent there had a horror story. Every. One. Bullying. Being kicked off the bus. Schools refusing to follow through on the IEP. Parents fighting, fighting, fighting for what their kids needed. And I thought, "Who needs that?" So I kept on. Not because we were accomplishing great things, but because the alternative didn't look any better. <br />
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The following year, first grade...Jack made HUGE strides in his motor skills and in his communication abilities. Therapy (PT, speech, OT) was helping. He didn't (and doesn't) always like to go, but it helps. For my part, I enrolled in Mother of Divine Grace and put Jack in their special services program. Our consultant is a former special ed teacher. She is also a homeschooling mom with a special needs kid of her own. That was a rough year. I was pregnant with Mary Claire allll that year, from September to May. That was the year that everything with my nephew came to an ugly head and he ended up leaving us to live with my parents. That was the year Maria started high school, in MODG's legendary 9th grade curriculum. It was a Rough Year. I cried a lot. A lot. I had a hard time dealing with the reality of Jack's diagnosis. John and I fought all the time, about Jack, about Kain. Academically, Jack did ok. He was able to handle the curriculum, though we worked at a half pace through the math book. This was due more to his inability to sit and focus and write than his ability to actually do math. He had a lot of difficulty narrating, discussing what he was reading. I would read a short story to him, and ask him comprehension questions, and he would tell me about legos, and dumptrucks, and spiders, the moons of Jupiter...anything else but what we were reading RIGHT THEN. We used to joke that he had the right answers to the wrong questions. And we pressed on. I would model the narrations, model how to illustrate them, and move on. I thought, "He'll never be able to do this." We tried Cub Scouts, which was a fail, and park days were often a disaster. Social skills were a bust, but at least he wasn't being bullied or mistreated.<br />
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Second grade was better. Kain was out of the house, though still in our lives and in our hearts, always. Maria was enrolled in some online classes with MODG, which helped take some of the burden off of me. And I wasn't pregnant. Jack made HUGE progress in his ability to write...like, the actual physical act of writing. Suddenly, a kid who wouldn't even pick up a crayon was drawing detailed pictures and writing things he had memorized from his beloved books in sidewalk chalk all over the privacy fence. We continued therapy. He tested out of PT, and he nearly tested out of speech. We would read Saint stories, and history stories, and he would give me one sentence, something very vague, like "He loved God". He finally finished the first grade math book. But the writing was still difficult to do for any length of time, so we split up the second grade phonics book over two years. He received the sacraments through much blood, sweat, and happy tears. <br />
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And this is third grade. His best year yet. He is in the second grade math book, and finishing up that phonics. But otherwise he is using the third grade curriculum as written. We are still enrolled with MODG, and my consultant still cheers us on, helping us adapt, reassuring my fears, putting things in perspective. He writes easily now, and he is even learning cursive. He complains about having to do school every. single. day. But he does it. He now narrates and illustrates his stories, probably on about the same level as Tess (my kindergartener) narrates hers,,,two or three sentences. His social skills are still poor, but we are working on it. He learns a lot from heavily supervised interaction with his many siblings. Really. A lot. They love him, they tease him, they fight him for toys, and he learns how to manage these things, and that's saying something. We seek, and occasionally find, opportunities for him to socialize, but it is not usually a good experience. I am teaching his PSR class this year, and he needs constant redirection and supervision. Other 9 year-olds are not particularly kind or patient. This reinforces our belief that he will not learn good social skills from a classroom full of them. Jack will always be autistic, and he will always have trouble socializing. For Jack, his siblings will be his friends and support, and "social skills" will mean learning to sit next to strangers at mass and making eye contact with the cashier at Walmart. He needs to learn certain social skills to function in public. That will be enough.<br />
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His attention is still horrible. And that is where homeschooling shines. Today, he did his memory work while doing laps around the dining room table with his nerf gun, shooting bullets on the dry erase board. Then he sat down to do phonics, read his science, and then left to go jump on the trampoline. He was having an especially difficult time concentrating today, so we took lots of breaks and didn't finish up until after rest time this afternoon, but most days he is done by lunch. I know how to motivate him. I know he will do anything for a chance to read the Mario Wii Wiki site, do anything for a handful of Hershey kisses. I know when he needs a push and when he needs space. When he masters something difficult, we are both elated, and when he struggles, I'm right there struggling with him. I have learned, from watching my special needs nephew struggle, once these kids are middle-school-aged adapting the curriculum translates into "dumbing it down". No one is sitting by Kain's side anymore everyday, pushing him to the next step. They just push him through, even when he literally does nothing but take up space in a desk in some of his classes. I don't want that for Jack. No one wants him to succeed more than I do. Jack is diagnosed "borderline retarded". Success for him may not look like success for typical kids. I just don't know. I have no idea what Jack is capable of. I can't wait to find out. <br />
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We don't even consider public school anymore. If your autistic child is in public school and doing well, then that's awesome. I am in no way looking to knock what is working for you. If he is in public school and it could be better, but you can't handle homeschooling him, I totally sympathize. Dig back to that second grade year and read some about my nephew. I'm right there with you. But if you are interested in homeschooling, if you think it might be worth trying, I'm here to tell you, it can work. You aren't alone. There are lots of us out here, doing this crazy thing, homeschooling our quirky, crazy, awesome children. There is help for this, there is support for this. It's not easy. Not easy at all. But you can do it, and you can do it well. melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32629830.post-6287689693887817902014-01-17T21:38:00.000-05:002014-01-17T21:38:16.469-05:00um...Merry Christmas?I am such a slacker blogger. I really, really, REALLYREALLY want to post over here more often. Ima gonna try. Truly. In the meantime, <br />
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Happy 2014!melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637174816423519588noreply@blogger.com1