First day of school!

Today was the first day of the new semester at co-op. I rather take this for granted. Holly's had plenty of "first days" between ps and part time school. Trevor, on the other hand, has been to preschool but never public school of any kind. He was very excited to gather together his box of pencils, glue, scissors for his weather class, sharpening everything that he could. It was really sweet!


We finished our regular (abbreviated) school work up and stopped at Subway to pick up lunch to celebrate.

There are over 350 families taking part this semester in 160 classes. It's really amazing, and it was fun to see faces that we didn't see last semester. Holly had her first class while Trevor and I did school work. He's resigned himself to my camera, and whenever he can, gives me a special look.


After being a little nervous about her photography class, Holly enjoyed it a lot. Trevor absolutely loved his weather class, and it was so nice for him to have three other boys that he's been friends with in other classes. He already can't wait for next week!

A little off topic, but this church recently redecorated its children's area. (We only attend co-op here.) This is just a part of it, but it's so creative and pretty that I wanted to share. You can see a little bit of the jeep on the far right--it's almost half of a jeep that sticks out of the wall several feet.


We were also supposed to attend a "reptile rescue" field trip this afternoon. We picked up our "snacks to share" and found the location (another church, there's one on every corner here). Although it had already been in progress for over 30 mins., the people were still sitting, listening to the presentation, and we could see small cages of animals in front--very far from the audience. It was an easy decision to not even enter, and we raced back to the car, breaking open the cookies and eating them on the way home. :)

It was an overall really great day, great way to start off the new classes. Tomorrow we'll be out of the house early again for Trevor's karate class.

Monday, Monday, a day in pictures

It was another spectacularly beautiful day (which makes up for the cold!).

Trevor (and Holly) had leftover pizza for breakfast. It doesn't get any easier than this!

I started reading while they ate, and when they were done, we moved into the family room.

The Wizard of Oz was followed by Bible time, and then the kids worked on their weekly memorization review together.
They drove me rather batty by doing it all in goofy voices-eeeeek! But they were happy!

They did math, got dressed, Trevor played Zoombinis and Holly checked e-mail. Trevor did spelling and is working on grammar here while trying to hide from the camera.

Yippee, lunch time!

I have NO idea what I was doing here, but it's a great face!

The kids did a lot of other work, and Trevor finally had time to make a car garage out of a box.

They worked on timeline notebooks, which are updated every couple of weeks.

After looking at several pictures, they designed ancient Greek urns.


Holly's is on the left; Trevor's on the right.

We definitely took over 40 pictures today. Robert can't believe how fast my camera uses up batteries. :) Tomorrow is our first day of the new co-op semester and is lining up to be a crazy day.

Ode to a toilet. And more.

Many of my blog friends have great lists--places they've lived, places they've visited, etc. I've only lived in a couple of cities, and I've never been anywhere THAT exciting. But there's one thing I've done in more places than any of you. I've thrown up everywhere.

I've always suffered from motion sickness, even as a baby. I have vague memories of Mom feeding me Dramamine before long car trip. Windy mountain roads? Can't do it, unless I'm the one driving. I'll even get that feeling if Robert backs down our short driveway too fast. But none of that is especially unique.

My sister will never forget the summer the two of us flew, by ourselves, across the country to visit our grandparents for several weeks. We were 8 and 10. I threw up at least four times, and Lori spent the majority of the flight running back and forth from the bathroom to get me more bags. (I would say "poor Lori," but it was probably pretty entertaining for her.)


There was the weekend Lori and I stayed with "friends." Both sets of parents went away for the weekend, and the five of us kids shared one babysitter. The babysitter took us to the park, and I spun for way too long. Back at the house, I began feeling sick, and as I ran for the bathroom, the other kids found glee in shouting to me which bathroom to use. "Go that way, go that way!" "No, use this one instead!" Momentarily puzzled, I stopped and threw up right in their living room. All over their brand new, brand spanking new carpet. This was early 1970s, and lucky for them, their new carpet was that pukey green shag color already. Served those nasty kids right, too.

I'm an experienced barfer. I could have been a professional--if someone would have paid me. I've thrown up in planes while others were boarding and they thought I was faking. When baby Holly and I flew once, I threw up so quietly that the little old lady behind me asked if I wanted to take my bag when I left the plane. (I politely declined.)

Even the thought of flying can make me sick. I've thrown up in the front yard before we even left the house.

Crowds can make me sick too. In 6th grade, a friend and I did the March of Dimes Walkathon. Another mom drove us there. We waited in the packed lines at the fairgrounds, waited in the hot sun, waited for the walk to start. I couldn't stand it anymore and I threw up--all over the back of the woman who drove us. I'll tell you, people MOVED out of MY way then, and I didn't feel crowded after that.


In jr. high, I avoided the ultimate humiliation. As that feeling came over me, I dashed from the classroom just in time to reach a garbage can in the hallway.


I did something similar at work one day. I knew it was coming and threw up in a cup while riding the elevator down (50 floors, not fun). My only mistake was throwing the cup away, and as I fled my building, I threw up all over the street.

The two or three times that I've had a six pack to drink in one evening made me throw up too, but I am not sure that counts . . .


There was the time I threw up in a police car. But it's not what you think. I'd gone a few ride alongs, where you sign up to ride with a police officer for part of a shift. They were SO fun. The first two were with DUI cops, and we drove around the main roads pulling over drunks. The third ride along was with a patrol officer. He drove in and out of alleys . . . up and down . . . gas, brake . . . gas, brake. I'm getting butterflies just thinking about it. It was my last ride along. Even more mortifying was a few years later when I met the officer again through my work. You don't think he'd forget, do you?


When Holly attended ps, I went on a field trip with her class. On a school bus. Good thing I didn't eat a big breakfast. Good thing I was a quiet barfer. Good thing I had a bag. The worst part was having to get back on that bus to go home.

Before we moved here, we came down for a long weekend to check out neighborhoods. Robert drove. Around and around, up one street, down another. Big mistake. I lasted about 15 minutes and had to spend the rest of the afternoon back in hotel room.

Then there was my surgery a few years ago. Afterwards, they gave me a patch for behind my ear to minimize the nausea from the anesthetic. It worked. It worked really well. But before it started working, I threw up between the hospital and Robert's car. (Hey, that could've been worse.)

I've thrown up on a ferry or two, too. Even this past summer, I almost did, but thankfully we docked in time. I was quite green.

My luck didn't hold out. Later that week, we went whale watching for Trevor's birthday. We were on a boat with 30 people. We were traveling between islands, the water wasn't choppy. It was chilly, and I spent most time on deck. But I made the fatal mistake of using the bathroom, the little tiny bathroom below deck where I couldn't see but could feel that rocking, rocking, rocking. I went back up, sat in the bow and got horribly sick twice. My wonderful dh wrapped blankets around me and hung out with me while he got completely drenched from the waves. I think my mom's wonderful Mike kept Robert company, and my kids and mom stayed close for a while too. (It's not like I had my eyes open, so I really don't remember.) And while we saw a lot of really cool wildlife and had a fabulous boat ride (at least the first couple of hours), no, we didn't see any whales. But it was a day I will never forget.

So some of you have lived in many wonderful places. Some of you have travelled quite a bit. And I have my own special list. If only there was a demand for professional barfers. I'd be rich.

How I met my husband

It was Christmas 1990. I was working full time in Colorado, had no boyfriend at the time, and thought it would be nice to get a part time retail job for the extra money to buy my plane ticket home. The only problem was that no one would hire me, once they found out I'd be out of town from 12/24 on. My honesty was killing me, but I was pretty set against not lying.

I ended up at BEST Products. Do you remember BEST, a "catalog showroom" store? The assistant manager who hired me did so because she thought one of her managers might like me--REALLY like me.


Robert had been working at BEST for years, was the jewelry department supervisor, and going to school part time. He was my boss. He was fun and funny, always joking with everyone. He thought I was cute and had fat ankles. Within two weeks, he asked me out. "Maybe," I said. "Ask me next week." And he did.

It was a Sunday and we made plans to go out on Wednesday. I didn't want to go out on a weekend night--the short lived Brady Brides series was on Friday nights, and I wasn't going to miss that for anything! In the meantime, he asked if I'd like to go out with him that night too, for drinks or football or something at a friend's house. I turned him down. (Poor guy.)

When he came to pick me up, I was very impressed that he'd shaved right before coming over. I wore jeans. With holes in the knees. (I wonder why I was so reluctant?)

He took me to a very popular restaurant in a not-so-nice area of town. He was so full of nervous chatter that it was one of the very few times I have ever finished eating before him. I was just happy to eat without worrying about making conversation.

While we were talking on the way home, he mentioned he'd eventually like to get married and have kids. WOW, THAT was not something most guys would ever say on a first date, and it got my attention. Not that I really wanted to get married and have kids at that point . . .

Within two or three weeks, we were having all night phone conversations. Except when I'd fall asleep.

Within a month, we'd picked names for our kids. Holly Lynn. John Michael.

Two and a half years later, we were married. He thought he'd pass out. It crossed my mind that he might bolt out the door. I practically ran down the aisle. I was just nervous. Of course.

Almost four years after choosing her name, our daughter was born. Holly Lynn. By the time our son was born several years after that, we'd changed his name a little. Not John Michael, but Trevor John.

Posting about this makes me think a couple of things . . .

I wonder what happened to Barb B____, the manager who hired me. She came to our wedding, moved to Fort Collins shortly after, and dropped out of touch.

I only worked at BEST for that Christmas season. But I wonder if I'd have met Robert anyway. I was good friends with Mancy, my boss from my full time job. In one of those interesting twists, in our metropolitan area of a million people, Robert lived directly across the street from Mancy, and they knew each other.

And lastly, somewhere in here is a pun about honesty and the BEST policy . . .


So, for my blogging friends . . . how did you meet YOUR dh?

It could have been worse

It could have been snowing. But it wasn't.


It was Robert's brand new car. Trevor was sitting right here. They'd JUST parked, Robert was out of the car, and incredibly Trevor wasn't out yet. The driver of the other car backed up quickly, C-RUNCH. Thank you, God, for watching over Trevor and keeping him from opening his door. So it definitely could have been worse.


Robert called me from the parking lot and asked me to bring the camera. I could have been going to the hospital. It definitely could have been worse.

We all went into the mall afterwards. Holly tells me that Aunt Lori was asking her how *I* would have felt if MY mom had followed me around with a camera when I was 12. (Gee, THANKS, Aunt Lori!!) Actually, Holly has been a good sport. At least she didn't hide!

We bought a couple of pretzels, and Robert consoled Trevor at Orange Julius. Trevor was still pretty upset. Even little accidents can be traumatic for adults, and he's just a kid. (I felt like Emily at the mall with my camera, but I did turn off my flash!)

When we came home, Trevor and Robert restocked our woodpile. Again.

Of course, while they worked, I didn't. I walked around with my camera. Just before sunset, everything was bathed in gold.


Two weeks ago, we experimented with Breakfast Burritos for dinner. Oh, they were so good! I made them again last week when Robert worked late, and they were all gone the next morning. I made them again tonight for dinner.

BREAKFAST BURRITOS

Per burrito:
1 potato
1 egg
1/8 lb. chorizo or sausage
cheese
1 tortilla, warm

Peel and dice potatoes; boil until tender. Scramble egg the way you like; I always add a couple of teaspoons of 1/2 and 1/2 for each egg. Fry sausage. Mix all together, and place in tortilla. Top with cheese and anything else you want (sour cream, salsa, etc.). Wrap well. Can wrap in plastic and reheat in microwave.

YUM!

* * *

So, not the best day ever. But it certainly could have been worse.

Finding the balance

Like all parents, hsing parents have to work hard at finding the balance. The inevitable "socialization" questions always puzzle and amuse me (and make me grit my teeth as I pretend to smile). Instead of having nothing to do, it seems there are too many things from which to choose. It's easy to spend too much time out of the house.

Shortly after we began hsing, Holly started attending a part time school, two half days per week. She was in second grade and had a wonderful teacher. The kids and other families were great, and we made many new friends. That was the year I learned how to teach Spalding (no small feat!) and was introduced to Shurley English (which we now use at home). The school was a great fit, a good balance with what we did at home.

Her third grade year was pretty good too. In addition to the part time school for both of these years, Holly played soccer 2x a week, took various art classes, swimming lessons, and we joined weekly hs park days, and more. Trevor went to preschool two days a week too. Again, we found our balance.

Holly's fourth grade class required more time on homework. She was also doing more work at home, and the two seldom meshed. We had to commit to one or the other--if we spent too much time doing the school's homework, what was the point of hsing? She dropped the school, and we subsequently dropped every single outside activity, except for AWANA. It was a change, sure, but a welcome one. It was a big relief, it was relaxing to not feel like we were always on the right. Our new balance was perfect.

But the scales always change, and the following year, we joined a co-op. Holly was in fifth grade, Trevor in second. It's a big co-op, really big--175 classes per semester, 350 families. (Some families take quite a few classes.) It offers a huge variety, math, science, language arts, foreign language, P.E., art and more, with classes usually of 12-16 kids, classes for Kers, all the way through 12th grade.

Not wanting to upset our balance much, we tiptoed in gently. Holly took an IEW-based writing class; Trevor took a class on Aesop's Fables. Their classes were at the same time one afternoon a week, a perfect balance to keep every morning open for school. The second semester, Holly got into a marvelous tae kwon do class, taught by a popular local Christian instructor, a former U.S. Olympian. Trevor took a PE class. Their classes were in the morning this time, but we'd rush out the door before 9, come back home and do a little school, eat lunch, and the kids would spend those afternoons at the ice skating rink. Class days were fun, and we balanced it out by fitting in more work on the other school days.

Last semester, I let Holly choose her class, and was surprised and pleased when she opted for Dance. Holly loved learning hip hop and had a blast at the recital at the end of the class. This time, though, I couldn't get Trevor into anything even close to the same time. Instead, he would play on the playground, or play cards with me. He was happy taking this break, and both kids once again found their balance.

The new semester begins next week. This is the first time both kids will be taking two classes each. We had orientation today and met the teachers, saw some familiar names on the class lists. Holly chose Beginning Photography, and she'll be posting those pictures on her blog. She can't wait to use Dad's camera. :) She's also taking a horse care class, which includes oral presentations and several riding "field trips" at the instructor's home (oh-so conveniently across the street from her regular riding instructor's place). Trevor is excited to take a weather science class and learn karate (can't you just see Spiderman leaping along the floor and jumping up with karate moves?!).

Two kids, two classes each this time. Spread out over two days. I'm not worried about balance. Okay, I am, just a little, but I know I can work it out. We spend a lot of time at home doing a lot of work, and this WILL be a nice balance, as I'll cut down on some of the routine things at home. The kids will appreciate the break; I think our days will be more balanced overall. At least for now.

Terrific Tuesday in pictures

We are having a great week. The kids and I ran errands for several hours this afternoon. First stop is the cleaners, and next is the library, where we go several times a week.

This picture is representative of our everyday life. Holly does whatever it is she wants to do (checking out library books).

Trevor runs around figuring out how he can change his DNA and become Spiderman. (I'm just thankful he's not leaping around on the floor like Spidey.)


Then to the grocery store and Kohl's. Holly's desperately in need of some new clothes. She's skinny with very long legs, and it finally occurrs to me to look in the jr.'s section. Wow! She tries on 17 pairs of jeans, and not one of them is too short! Our new Kohl's has wonderful dressing areas. Trevor lays on a big vinyl couch right outside Holly's room and plays Gameboy. The room is gigantic, with a big place to sit, and loads of hooks and a long rack to hang clothes.
Holly ends up with two pairs of jeans and four sweaters (which were less than $8 each). We've also been looking for a winter coat (her old one doesn't even come near her wrists, and she truly cannot wear it in public). Columbia coats were 70% off, and she finds one she likes, yippee!

So much for the camera. (But see what I mean, the poor girl has at least one hole in her knees.)

It's after 5, and we're heading home. In an effort to get Holly hooked on taking pics, I give her the new camera to play with. Hey, not nearly as bad as I thought for a profile shot, not bad at all!!!

I encourage the kids to take pictures of the passing scenery before the lighting changes.
We have a fast dinner of sloppy joes and hang out until American Idol. What's with the Fidel Castro guy anyway?

Book Review - Beauty Junkies by Alex Kuczynski

I don't know where I first saw Beauty Junkies: Inside Our $15 Billion Obsession with Cosmetic Surgery, but I specifically requested it from my library. The author is a reporter for The New York Times, and this is her first book.

I enjoyed reading it, in fact I was pulled back to it again and again. For me, reading this was a bit of a "guilty pleasure." It was interesting yet a little creepy, informative and easy -- fun -- to read. It's incredible what some people will do to conform to their perception of "beauty." It also made me wonder just where is "the line"--certainly an individual decision. Do you think surgery is "over the top"? How about dermabrasion or other less invasive procedures? How about waxing, expensive haircuts, makeup? Padded bras, manicures, plucking your eyebrows?

One cute quote near the end of the book: "No one can be perfect. Even trying to be just plain okay requires effort."

Egg candling experiment a bust

I've officially declared this egg experiment over. Has anyone used this (from the Zoology book) and been able to see anything worthwhile?

We had a very strong flashlight and thought we could possibly see the yolk (still not sure about that). We could see the air sac membrane, and there was something big like a giant air bubble floating on the top of the egg when held sideways. Maybe that's the yolk? It seemed ridiculous to have the kids draw a picture of what it looked like--it doesn't seem like it would change drastically enough for them to be able to recognize change through their drawings. In order to help the eggs "age," they've been on our counter top the whole time.

As instructed, we waited a few days (okay, we waited 10 or 11 days). We looked at the eggs today and could not see that ONE single thing had changed. Since it's not time consuming, I can hardly call it a colossal waste of time--but it's a huge waste of effort and frankly, I'm sick of having two eggs in a bowl on my usually-cleared off counter!

Holly and I tossed the eggs into the sink. I was momentarily terrified when Trevor began drawing what he saw (whatever THAT was), but he said he just wanted to draw it, he didn't care that I'd gotten rid of the egg. Whew!!!!

I do not like this part of science at ALL. Any experiments that seem to have the potential for teaching something end up to be one giant headache for me--or so it seems! This is exactly why I'm counting on Robert to take over science for Holly next year as she moves into higher level stuff.

Bah!

* * *

Actually, the rest of the day is going very well! We've stayed in all day, had a really great school day, more relaxed than usual for a Monday. The kids were thrilled when I told them to go clean their rooms for 10 mins., and I'd have a surprise. I was surprised they kept guessing food! I played Off Road Fury (racing games) with them on PS2, not our usual after lunch activity. :)

Since Robert went out to lunch today, I knew he wouldn't be hungry. He just called to ask what we're having for dinner. I tried to put him off and finally had to admit I'm planning pigs in a blanket, macaroni and cheese and canned fruit. It's not often that I can make him laugh out loud, but he found that to be absolutely hysterical. I honestly don't know what I'll be eating, but I have a feeling I'll only be making that dinner for Holly and Trevor, lol!

Super Sunday

It was yet another snowy day. Although I'm still grumbling a little about it, I think I've resigned myself to this weather. Brr!

Holly and I went shopping for her at the mall today, although we didn't find much. Robert and Trevor went out somewhere too, and when I came home, Robert had a present waiting for me.


He bought it sort of as a joke, and apparently the price was right. He bought me a new camera a year ago for Christmas, but it always freaks me out to have to put the new software on the computer and DO anything differently. (Rather silly, since they are all HPs.) I have never used the new camera. In November, I told him he should wrap it up and give it to me again, so he took the camera and started using it--not like he takes pictures of anything!

Of course, immediately my camera began acting up, opening and closing when I wouldn't expect, shutting down, etc. It wasn't that big of a deal to me because I didn't want to deal with anything new--but I could still bug Robert about me NOT having a good camera. :)

Holly's Beginning Photography co-op class begins next week. She needs to use a digital camera, and she can't use my camera that's not dependable. Poor kid, how frustrating would that be? So I told her she could use Robert's "new" camera. I'm so generous!

Robert is too, and now I have a new camera also. Thank you, honey!!!!!

He also bought a photo printer. One more thing to freak me out if I have to think about it. He can have that all to himself, though. Oh, wait, I suppose I'll tell Holly that he'll share that with her too. (grin)

While we were at the mall, Robert baked a razzleberry pie.


Okay, YES, he baked it, but it was a frozen Marie Callender's pie. You didn't hear any complaints about that here though!

I fixed the old standby Pork Chops with Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup and rice. We had sauteed mushrooms and one of my favorite spinach salad recipes.

SPINACH SALAD

1 bag of spinach, cleaned
5 slices of bacon
3 T. bacon drippings
2 T. currant jelly
2 T. orange juice
2 T. cider vinegar
1/2 c. sliced almonds

Put spinach in serving bowl.

Fry bacon until crisp, remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 3 T. fat in bacon pan, add jelly, orange juice and vinegar, stirring well. Just before serving, heat to boiling, and then pour over spinach. Toss well, add almonds and crumbled bacon.

* * *

We are ready for a new school week. I'm very happy that we have 92 school days done and 80 left to go. While I plan out a detailed weekly schedule, and I in general plan to complete a year's curriculum within a year, I don't plan out a whole year's worth of scheduling. (Whta purpose would it serve? I'd rather move at the kids' pace, whether it's more quickly or more slowly, it really doesn't matter.) Looking over their subjects, we are more than halfway through everything except history. But that's to be expected, since the book is 42 chapters, and we only do one chapter per week. I could plan a few "crunch" weeks coming up; however, if I do that, then we'll start the school year with a new book, and it's easier to get my first choice of library books if we're on an "off" schedule. This has been a really terrific school year, everything running smoothly, in a good routine. It's good to start the week and keep that in mind!