A Full Week of School

This week, we have tackled everything. And I mean everything!!! You know it's bad when you have to sit and watch a Pre-Algebra CD to explain it to your daughter. Seriously, who uses this as an adult unless you are an engineer????!!!! This week has been unusually fun. I had to really talk to Spencer this week. You know the whole "I'm going to hold your shoulder and talk directly into your eyes" routine?? I finished and started to leave the room for the kitchen and Jack pipes in with "You go girl" which in turn had me respond with, "you mind your business and get back to work" which in turn had Scott, Erica and I in the kitchen in stitches!! It is those kinds of things that make us survive right now. Today is a shorter day since they worked so hard Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. And we have sat watching out the window for Hurricane/Tropical Depression Fay. The wind has been nice and we have had some rain. Right now, there is one small hint of blue skies I can see between the gray clouds. And I'm pretty sure the umbrella on the table might blow away!!! Anyway, off we go! Scott has been home today working with us and I'm pretty sure if we don't go somewhere, he is going to go stir crazy!! :)

Rachel and Meredith

Well, I think Spencer and Jack have found the girls they want to marry some day!! I never thought I would see the day when Erica would have her friends over and the boys would follow them around; totally infatuated with them! Rachel is the goofball one with an incredible sense of humor and Meredith is the younger (Erica's age) who Jack has taken a liking to!! It was hysterical. At one point, Rachel was laying on the couch watching the Olympics and I walk in and find Spencer snuggled next to her "keeping her warm" playing Nintendo. Seriously, I walked out of the room cracking up. Particularly the next morning when Rachel was still asleep and he PACED the floor waiting for her to get up. And he was fixing his hair and wearing his nicer clothes! LOL!!! And Meredith is so patient with Jack and tenderhearted like Jack so he just appreciates her!!! I guess Scott has his work cut out for him raising these guys to Godly men. I think they are going to keep him busy - what do you think???

Erica is 12!!! AAAAAaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

Well, this is our last year before we have to say we are living with a teenager. I feel really, REALLY old right now. I'm sure you reading this might even feel older since you remember her when she was a baby!! Some of you even chased her around the house when she was two. Some of you even changed her diapers!!! AAAaaahhhhh!!!! We celebrated her 12th birthday with homemade cake and homemade chicken pot pie! This meal is Erica and Spencer's favorite meal -- so Spencer was equally happy with her choice! We also had two of her friends over for two nights last week. Meredith and Rachel stayed with us while her parents were out of town. What fun with a house full of people!!! The boys showed Erica some love. Early in the morning, I had to take Spencer out to specifically get Erica the webkin he wanted her to have. She loved the alligator! Anyway, it was a great day and I can't believe this is her last year before she is a teenager. Do you realize she will be able to drive in four years? I mean really. Think about that!!!!

The Beginning of Our School Year

Last week, we began getting our feet wet with homeschool. I tackled a few subjects at a time to see how long it would take them to complete certain things. It wasn't too bad. And then I would add a few things each day and we hit a wall. I realized the kids don't know when it will end and they assume this will last until we light the candles for light at dark!!! LOL! So, you know me .. I threw together a spreadsheet listing all their subjects and what needs accomplished each day for the week. It is amazing how much better they do when they can make choices about what they would like to do first and then second and they can highlight as they finish their work and see their accomplishments!! Erica has cried the first three days at different times for various reasons. The vocabulary is too hard ... the math has too many problems ... "I have to read two chapters???" It has been kind of funny to watch. You realize they really are doing a lot of work and they can do it, too! It has been a lot of fun to watch. We have had good times and we have had some bad ones .... but I think we are getting a little better at it all together, all around :) Pray for us when you think of us!! We really do want this to be enjoyable for everyone! And we are looking forward to our trip in September/October ....

Carly's First Birthday ... Computer Crash

You really have to see the change from one year to four years!!
Sorry ... I just found this and had to post it so you can see the change!!!! Sniff .... sniff ... sniff .... I'm over here walking down memory lane while Scott is in the kitchen muttering words under his breath at his computer .... his computer crashed this evening and well, he is NOT a happy camper at this moment. He has lost all his files I think .... I could have told him he has lost his marbles a long time ago but I don't think now would be the time to make jokes ... his "financials" are on it .... we have "financials???"!!!!! LOL!!! I'll stop ... it is NOT a laughing matter but I mind as well crack jokes about it than have two of us angry and frustrated, right?? Sometimes I just crack myself up :)

Happy 4th Birthday Carly!!!

Well, once again, we celebrate another birthday for little Carly who isn't so little anymore! Can you believe it? This is my very good friend, Dana, and her daughter, Carly. We celebrated her birthday at Chuckie Cheese with pizza, games and dancing! WELL, Carly didn't dance so

much but she sure enjoyed watching everyone else dance!! Their family stopped by last night and what I love most is Carly immediately goes to my pantry wanting marshmallows! That is our little game and then a drink, and a snack ... and usually she ends up with a popsicle!!! Isn't she just beautiful?? Her personality matches the twinkle in her eye. I do believe she has the most spunk out of all of us!!!

Erica's First Homeschool Endeavor

Erica attended the Red Cross Babysitting Course the last week of July! It was for three FULL days!! She attended from 9am to 4pm and had a small graduation ceremony the last day! She is fully certified and we are so proud of her. What was amazing is how she walked into the class not knowing one person and just did it!! I left her there sick to my stomach thinking about how I threw up before every first day of school, before every prom, every time I made a job change and when I found out I was pregnant the first time!!! Fear can control every ounce of our body if we let it and yet she just walked in and did it!! She made some friends and met some really nice girls. We considered this to be her first endeavor for our year of homeschooling!!!

Future Olympians???

Can kids from Florida become Olympic gold skaters??!!!!!?? Well, at this rate, we only skate when we are out of town or during the Christmas season at the civic center! Either way, they make me laugh when I watch them skate! And to think they rarely fall down!!! Walls tend to help :)