A new stove

Saturday we went to Lowe's to pick out a new stove. Sunday morning we spent the morning cleaning, so they could deliver the new stove. Now you are wondering why we needed a new stove.

Honestly, we've talked about getting a new one for a couple of years. One of the burners sparked when you turned it on, for quite a few years now. Then last spring, or summer, John and the girls had to try an experiment with aluminum foil. It left melted aluminum foil on my favorite burner, even though I was told it would not do that.

The final straw occurred last week. John told Chloe to store her bag of popcorn in the stove to protect it from the humidity in the house. Then he told her that may be a bad idea and she had to remember it was there. Well, no one informed me of any of this until after the fire. Yep. Small fire in the oven. Did I panic? You bet ya! Did Chloe? Not at all. She came right into the kitchen, grabbed the can (not an actual fire extinguisher, but easier to use), and put out the fire. Then she realized what was in the oven and fell apart. lol  I totally blamed John.

And that is why we have a new stove.

Today, I had to get a new military ID. I am the lucky one who only got six months before needing to get a new one when we had them made last year. But we had the chance to see John for a few minutes and that always makes my day.

We came home by way of our favorite RV place. They finally (after 1 1/2 year) have the floor plan we saw at the RV show two years ago. I wanted Jesse to get in it again. She keeps saying the ones we are looking at are too small. But that is what we want. I also found her complaints rather amusing considering we were all on our bed last night watching TV.

School was finished early today. We took an hour break, then headed up to the classroom to clean. So many things have been left out lately and it was driving me nutty. After cleaning, we had a foosball tournament. Chloe beat me, but just by one point. Then she and Jesse had it out. I'm not sure who won their match.

Family conversations

I believe I've complained a few times to John about the girls not quite doing what they are suppose to with their school work. I believe I've also complained a few times about a lack of time to grade papers and things.

We have spent the last few days discussing school, with John. Last night we finally sat down together, all four of us, to discuss school. I started out by showing John the schedule I make for the girls. I usually schedule school, at least, two weeks out, so I can order books from the library. He finally got what I've been saying regarding the girls not doing tests when they are suppose to. It is clearly written out on their schedules. He finally turned the questioning to the girls, where it should have been.

After our discussion, we are making changes to our school. First, we are changing when we do school work. We are going to a six-week on, one-week off schedule. However, we are making Monday "fun" day. In other words, we are doing all the fun subjects on Monday: art, geography, Spanish, home ec, etc. Then in September we'll add in the Homeschool Mondays at the zoo. John has agreed to have school on his days off.

Honestly, I'm not sure if this will work or not. It seems like I tried this a couple of years ago and it didn't go well. I am hoping since John now sees all of our problems, with school, he will be more helpful on his days off.

Secondly, John told me he'll grade all the tests. Yes!! I am hoping, and I told him this, that he will keep is word on this one. I would love to not have to worry about that. I mean with the household, school work, taekwondo, theater, science classes and everything else my time is scarce. I know this will help and take a huge burden off my shoulders.

On another note, Jesse received a letter in the mail today, from the library. She has been nominated for the President's Volunteer Service Award. She is very excited; she had no idea. There is going to be an award ceremony in August and she is really looking forward to it.

Experiment

Here in the Morgan household we have been running an experiment since March 24th. Yep, for an entire month now!! So, you're wondering what the experiment is, right? Well, I hope so since you are still reading. lol  Anyway, we have been experimenting with washing all of our dishes by hand. I know!! Crazy! But the reality was I was washing many of our things by hand anyway: pots, pans, Disney cups and whatever would not fit into the dishwasher.

This led us to a question. The dishwasher manufacturers keep telling us that their dishwashers are more eco-friendly than hand washing. Well. What kind of hand washing? Did they leave the water running the entire time they were washing? Did they fill a sink, with water, then wash? Just how did they determine this? I don't do any of the above. I only have the water on to rinse the dishes once they are soapy.

Also, the dishwasher runs for three hours!! Three hours?! That seems excessive. Surely, I was not washing dishes for three hours! I wasn't. I assure you. I tend to wash them after each meal, though in the morning there are more from snacks after dinner. So, while my oatmeal is heating in the microwave I wash those few snack dishes. Then after breakfast I was those dishes.

I haven't found it difficult or time consuming. Now, there are days, when after dinner, there are quite a few dishes needing to be washed because I cannot always get to them after each and every meal. But overall, I have found it easy and not really any different from any other day.

John is now, half joking and half not, talking about selling the dishwasher and using the space as a pantry for our canned items. Wow! That would be wonderful. :)

A First!

Monday morning I left my post as Mother and Homeschool Mom (and Taekwondo instructor). I left those positions for two days! Yes, I left John alone with the girls, and the dog, for two entire days. I went to Charlotte to take my Dad to his appointments Monday and Tuesday.

When I arrived home last night, everyone was still alive and the house had not been totally destroyed. However, it was noted to me that an hour-and-a-half before my arrival, the house was a disaster, "it was all hands on deck" to get it cleaned up. :)  I did notice the dishes in the sink were still wet when I came in, but I was grateful they were washed.

Of course, John had to live up to the "fun parent" persona he has created from himself. He bought them more LEGO mini figures, Chloe "glasses", Nestle cookies for lunch on Monday, pizza for dinner on Monday, electronic putt-putt all day Tuesday, and Firehouse Subs for dinner Tuesday. Truly I cannot compete with him. I also found this on the breakfast bar:

John's new deli sign

There is no competition, he wins! :)

NOTE: I added photos of the new bar stools below.