Boys are Too Easy! (a post from my drafts)

Bilbo had his party at the park yesterday.

Birthday parties are funny.  They can be a TON of work.  I've only been back in the State for a week and a day.  I am also 30 weeks pregnant!  A "ton of work" was not in the cards for me or this party.

Here's what I did: I made 4 dozen cupcakes and frosted them.  That's honestly just about it.

I bought some take-home bags and filled a pinata with candy.  I put one or two things in the take-home bags as favors, and counted on the pinata to fill the bags to a respectable and satisfying take-home for the boys.

I brought water and boxes of ice cream sandwiches.  I wouldn't have done the ice cream sandwiches but they were a special request of the birthday boy, and I didn't have to "work" for them.

The boys arrived and played soccer for about an hour.  Then they had water and at some point broke open the pinata, ate cupcakes and opened presents.  Then they ran relay races (I was sure someone was going to get sick running after eating cupcakes!)

That's it!  At this point in my life (being pregnant) I couldn't imagine doing anything but sitting in the shade drinking beverages.  But my boys seemed to deem this a great party and a lot of fun.

When I compare this to the craft-intensive, planned-party-game intensive, home-based-with-lunch-provided parties I've hosted in the past, I wonder why I would ever do anything else?!

Cake, candy, and a park:  boys really are too easy!

Deep and Prayerful Thoughts on Homeschooling

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in my living room with a dear friend and her truly lovely daughter while a whole bunch of grade-schoolers played capture the flag out on my front lawn.

Arwen was playing capture the flag because...she is a grade-schooler.  Yes, my mature and oldest 14-year-old daughter is still in 8th grade.  In about a month, that will no longer be the case.

The daughter of my friend sat comfortably in a chair as her Mom chatted with my sisters.  I noticed that the girl was happy to join in the conversation.  She was at ease, cheerful, and just a nice addition to the group of us (5) ladies in general.

I had been waiting for this moment, and I asked: "What are your plans for next year?"

This girl is 18 and graduating from high school this May.

"I'm going to Franciscan!"  She said with a big smile.

I just had to ask her about the application process.

I went to a college prep high school with a woman whose full-time job it was to help the students stay on top of application deadlines and to proof our entrance essays.  The school brought in representatives from colleges all throughout our Junior and Senior years.  We even had a class on "Tools for Success".   I cannot describe how seriously our college application process was taken or the incredible joy and relief I felt at being accepted at any college, much less the college of my choice.

What had this home schooled young woman done?

She had filled out transcripts and taken the ACT and done well.  She landed herself an academic scholarship to boot.  There hadn't even been a fee to apply!

No, she wasn't going to Harvard.  She was going to a faithful-to-the-Magisterium Catholic college where she might pursue a degree in mathematics.  She could get a degree in teaching or nursing and come away with a career (or at least the beginning of one) in four years.

Is it really that easy?

Was she isolated and depressed after her four years "at home"?  Nope.  She was a smiling little beam of sunshine who laughed as her mom expressed their mutual astonishment of how much MORE social they were once they decided to leave the school system and home school.

They laughed again as they admitted that there was a good deal of driving involved in being so social.  But it didn't seem to be a source of hardship.  They really just seemed to be so--happy--about it all.

Our afternoon was cut short (it was over an hour long visit) when the college-bound teen had to get to her afternoon work on time (she is a checker at a grocery store near their home).  The younger siblings were corralled into the family van and they were off.

----

Today Arwen is doing placement testing for a Catholic Great Books High School that is opening near our home.  She is excited about the challenge of "going to school" with diverse teachers and students.  Every child has their own educational, social and developmental needs for their flourishing.  I dearly desire the flourishing and happiness of my children.  I watch carefully to see how they are growing and what might "be good" for them.  I cannot provide everything.  Some gifts only God can give.  I can offer what I am able to in terms of opportunities or environments.

Right now I am praying very hard that God grant me the wisdom to know where Arwen will be happiest, where she might best flourish during her high school years.  It is a decision we will make together, with her father.  Many details still need to unfold.

As a final note:

I have tried over and again to write a bit on this (for me) huge decision.  Every family, every child, is so different that it's hard to share on the internet without desiring to go on and on about all of the details and nuances that come to play in these particular circumstances.  Some might wonder why I'm even considering one option or another.  Many people are simply prejudiced for or against one option or another.  When I write for an unknown and world-wide audience I am tempted to answer all of the objections I anticipate.  I really can't do that: this post is already too long.  In the end, this will be a prudential judgement that we make for Arwen alone (not for all 9 of our children at once).  It is also a decision that can be reversed or changed.  Whatever we choose, we will choose for the good, and if information is gained once the decision is made, we can change that decision.

I'll keep you all posted...we will have to make our decision by, well, the start of the next school year:).

You don't have too long to wait!:)

  

PHFR: Spring is Here!

{Pretty}

I'm officially declaring it Spring.  It snowed here last Friday morning, and I have photo evidence of that, but the gracious Lord spared us from ever setting eyes on it!  By three in the afternoon it had all melted.  That was when we returned from our Southwest journey.

Since then, the weather has only gotten warmer.  We decided that mid-April was the acceptable time to move the rabbit hutches out of our garage.  So, it's official: it's Spring!

{Happy}

Still.  So, so happy to be home!

With our tulips not-yet-blooming...

 Today I took my "primary grades" crew and headed out to our picnic table with our workbooks.  Schooling out of doors is so heavenly after 6 months of winter.
 

Counting down the pages left in our workbooks--Bilbo has 10 pages left in his speller!  That's about two weeks of work, but as he said "If I do more than one page a day..."  Yep! Summer's a-comin'!  (I didn't point out what he has left in his math workbook!  One hates to discourage;))

{Funny}

Legolas and Eowyn have been taking turns telling me all the plans they have for their little brother who is due in June:

Legolas: "I'll feed him".

Eowyn: "I'll get him juice with a top!"

Legolas: "I'll share my toys!"

Eowyn: "I'll share my baby (doll)."

Legolas: "I'll help him play with the dog."

I'm just going with it.  I hate to tell them that all they'll be able to do is look at him sleep for a good while.  Babies do grow fast, and this little guy has a bright future ahead of him!:)

{Real}

I bribed Aragorn and Gimli with mini-chocolate bars that were leftover after filling Bilbo's pinata for his birthday party this Saturday.  They folded laundry for them.  

Yes, I resorted to bribery to get housework done.  And that is how I'm getting it done in my third-trimester.  Judge as you will. :)

Bunnying

I think we're pretty much through the freezing temps for the season.  I'm not sure what that means for everyone else, but for me it means the rabbits can move OUT of our garage!!! Hurray!!!

I have this weird little thing about my garage.  I like it to be clean and organized.  I like to sweep it out regularly.  The thing about me is that I like strange jobs, like cleaning bathrooms, but hate normal chores, like dishes.

Bunnies are a great excuse for me to work outside and get some fluffy cuddling in.  My mom thinks the rabbits are fat, smelly, and dirty.   For me? It's like therapy!!

This little rascal got out of the fencing I put her in.  My husband caught her--can you tell he doesn't enjoy handling them? lol

The fencing for the outdoor pens got all rusted over the winter (we didn't really bring it in--lesson learned).  I'll work on replacing it soon.

Clearing out leaves and general debris from the backyard to make room for the hutches:

All of these rabbits are about 1-year-old.  They are shedding like crayzee after the winter, but I know that will stop once the winter coats are gone.

And, just for good measure, a couple of our other species of pet:

Puppy love:

 

Just ignore the random messes in the background of these pictures.  Arwen took them and she's not nearly as vain as I am about my housekeeping. ;)

Cat naps:

Legolas is the king of falling asleep anywhere at nap time.  He was actually asleep without the pillow and blanket when I found him (and Reina) on our back room floor.  I supplied the pillow and blanket because I just couldn't bear to watch him sleep on the floor!

I know everyone is sick of hearing about my pets.  I have other posts saved in my drafts.  It's just easy to whip up a post about bunnies.  Things like pregnancy and home schooling and facing high school decisions take more time and consideration to blog about.

Time.  That's what gets me.  So, for today, it's bunnies:).

Home Sweet Home!

Do you know that I love my messy, scraggly little yard and hapless attempts at gardening?

Outside my Window:  A dusting of snow and big, bright sunny skies!  I took Reina on a walk this morning and it was chilly!!  Refreshing, crisp, and oh-so-heavenly to walk the pavement of my little neighborhood again.  There really is something about home!

I am listening to:  Legolas on his wheely bug, rolling on our hardwood floors.  Galadriel and my (sainted) husband setting up a game of Stratego.  We're (re)discovering all of the old favorite fun things we left behind to go and explore the Southwest.

Funny Kids:  Yesterday afternoon we arrived home from our 24-hours-of-driving journey home after a month visiting our family in New Mexico.  Legolas (who turned 4(!!) on our month away) ran around for a while and then came up to me and exclaimed: "I like this new house!"

Eowyn took one look at her wooden kitchen set, opened her arms wide and RAN toward it saying: "MINES!!!"

This morning Gimli declared: "Mother, I'm disappointed.  TV coverage of the Master's doesn't begin until 3:00."  Ah, the trials of being an eleven-year-old boy.  (He was met with a blank stare from his Mother as she tried to process what he was even talking about.)

Thankful:  

For safe travels!:

It's worth noting that this family had never traveled further than the (about) nine hours in the car touring the Southwest last Spring.  We flew to Phoenix, rented a van, drove to the Grand Canyon and then up to the Four Corners region of NM where my in-laws live.  It was a grand journey.

This year we opted to drive the entire distance (almost 1400 miles one way).  While my in-laws generously help with expenses, flying there and then renting a 15-passenger van for a month costs...way too much.  So, one month ago, we loaded up and started to drive.   We logged 6 hours one day, 12 the second, and finished it off with 8 hours on the third day.  We pretty much repeated the journey on the way home.  Two nights were spent in a hotel each way.

For health:

 On the way out, Galadriel threw up in the hotel.  On the way home, Bilbo did.  I think it was just junk food and fast food combined with too much driving.  Neither had any repeat incidents and no one else got sick.  Thank heavens no one got sick in the car!

For home!:

There really is something about sleeping in your own bed and waking up in your own home and resuming your normal routines.  I'm such a hobbit.  Give me my hole in the shire and my eleven meals a day (Arwen's going to correct me on that) and I'm a happy lady.  Then again, what would life be without the "there and back again" adventures of life?!  And so I also add

for loving grandparents!

I really do love home, but it would be completely ungrateful of me to fail to mention the gift of having in-laws who love us so much.  They feed us and put up with our messes joyfully!  They are always so sad to see us go.  I'm always surprised that they aren't relieved to get back to peace and quiet and cleanliness (the things I often long for).  My in-laws are in their late 70's and early 80's, but in remarkably good health.  I am thankful that they have these times to forge friendships with our children and pass on a heritage to them.


Plans for the week ahead:  

Let's see...there's unpacking and laundry.  There's that thing we do called home schooling....

Grocery getting and meal planning...

it's going to be an adjustment getting back into the groove of running this household!

A third-trimester doctor's appointment for me (yay!--except I might refuse to be weighed)

Archery club for Arwen.

Basking in the comforts of home.


Around the House:

I noticed that our rabbits have gained significant weight while we were gone.  Rabbits need to have their food regulated or they'll eat to obesity.  I had my Dad feeding our bunnies every other day while we were away.  My Dad reminds me of St. Francis.  He loved taking care of the rabbits and, from what I can tell, he enjoyed feeding them well!

Our daffodils are about 6 inches out of the ground, but not blooming yet.  I'm so excited for Spring!!

Yesterday, within minutes of our arrival, our neighborhood friends came running over to play.  A joyful homecoming.

Looking Ahead:

Bilbo is about to turn eight!!  This perfect little boy wants a fishing pole, tackle box, and some painter turtles for his birthday.  I'm totally up for the fishing gear...and I'm going to think about the turtles!

 (Front Yard "There")

(And "Here")

Monday Morning Daybook::Gathering my Thoughts

Outside my window:  Clear and crisp.  A perfect Spring morning with 70's predicted all week.  It's in the 30's with clouds, rain and snow predicted back home.  I get homesick when I am on an extended visit to my in-laws, but honestly, the weather is helping me on that front!

 

Lessons learned:  If you ever go to the Southwest, and are not from there, take this advice:  know that it is VERY VERY dry!  So, lip balming is not a once-a-day activity.  Nor is using lotion optional.  Two or three of my girls developed bad rashy sores from dry skin before I got serious about using Vaseline and Vaseline-based lotion on them.  Aragorn's hands were cracked and bleeding again last night, so I lubed him up in Vaseline and put socks over his hands.  Better this morning.  Geez.  Serious dryness.  

#doggieheaven

 I'm sending Arwen out to get better pictures.  I am a terrible photographer and I'm just going to admit it!

Plans for the week:  Let's see...laundry and packing, shipping boxes home ahead of us so we have less to travel with as we make the trek home later this week.  Soaking in sunshine and enjoying the last meals with the kids' grandparents--meals I am not planning or cooking!  Trying to remember to count my blessings while I'm here, but I might just post about trying to eat healthily while eating out for a MONTH!!  And not so much my eating as my 5-and-under crew.  Let's just say I've gotten a little more heavy-handed in ordering for them, because what toddler will ever choose chicken and broccoli over mac-n-cheese?!

On that note: Do you know that eating out as a family of ten (and prego Mom) is a super great evangelistic tool?  I had to laugh last night as the waitress asked "Are these all you-guyses?"  She was bagging up our boxes of take-homes, so I thought maybe she meant the food...I said "yes".  She asked if we were planning on going for more.  At that point I realized she meant children.  "Due in June!" I said.  She congratulated us and we left her a nice tip.

Looking Ahead:  Baseball season starts up pretty soon, and my husband is coaching Gimli this year.  Aragorn has moved up to an older league.  Arwen wants to play softball, and for that matter, so does Galadriel.  We have to look at schedules, and due dates, and see what we can make happen.  For that matter, I need to see if softball would overlap with swimming lessons (and Galadriel has aspirations of joining swim team this summer).  Did I say we weren't going to keep doing this to ourselves??!!
One thing I know: Rosie gets to play soccer next fall and no one else gets to do anything!!! (#herturn)

[Arwen is reading over my shoulder--she just casually mentioned "hashtags are out of fashion"--#teens, #Iamoutoffashion!]

[Arwen also said I've "posted way too many pictures of that rug".  Now that I can explain: it's my view from the couch and if I were to use an old-fashioned hashtag, I'd label it "third trimester y'all"!]

I might add to this post later, but I want to get another one off before we trek back home.  Here's to a good start to the week!

Welcome to my {Southwest} world

You've seen enough shots of this view from my back porch.  I took this one this morning on my phone (my only camera for blogging these days, sorry).  

The kids were out golfing before Mass.  

Reina spotted me:

And ended that photo session.  

I got some more from the front yard this afternoon:

So not my grassy midwest yard!

 Lots and lots of pine-coney trees.

 Lots of "zia" signs around these parts.

And when the skies are blue...wow.

 Now today is an outdoor day!!