A day for waiting

How did we spend our Sunday? The girls decided early today they wanted to try making doughnuts from the Bread cookbook. We now know there is a lot of waiting for doughnut dough to rise. They started this morning before lunch, and finally cooked them tonight just after five. I understand why homemakers had to be homemakers back in the 19th century, everything to so long to finish. They were terrific. Just what we need, to know how to make doughnuts at home. lol

On that same note, if you are a fan of The Little House on the Prairie books check out "The Wilder Life". I haven't read it, but a friend of mine is reading it. It is written by a woman who grew up loving the Prairie books. This book melds her love of the books with her life. My friend is loving it.

 Today was the first day, in awhile, the girls were able to jump on the trampoline. So while dough was rising, they would go jump for a bit. I think they had a pretty good day today. And tonight is some of their favorite shows.

2009 Closes (almost)

I can not quite believe another year has come and gone. I remember when I was young Mom would always tell me to enjoy being a child, because "when you are older times goes by much faster". She was right. It hadn't dawned on me, until I was listening to the news the other day, an entire decade has passed since the "Y2K" scare (not that I was scared, or worried). Really? Ten years? Wow! Of course Jesse had to pipe it, "It hasn't been ten years for me." That's my girl.

This year will be more challenging for us. Many things are changing in our household, but I know we will make it through this year as well as we have in the past. That sounds like we are having problems. We're not. Just John's job and the issues and struggles it brings. He is adjusting, but there are some things happening we have NO control over that will make this year more difficult.

Anyway. On to what I can control. John and I have been doing a lot of talking about the girls lately. Socially, that is. For some reason over the past year, our homeschool group meetings/outings have slacked off to where they are, well, non-existent. I know others are still getting together, but the group we were with has...died. So, my objective this next semester is to make, or find, a new one. I really want to the girls back out there with their friends. So, I'm trying to figure out the how and when. Wish me luck; I'm going to need it.

School is going quite well. Both girls did very well this past semester. Warning: I AM going to brag (it is my blog ya know). LOL  Jesse made a 101 in spelling and a 97 in math. Chloe made 102 in spelling and 96 in math. I still have not figured out their history grades and everything else is excellant or satisfactory. Their reading skills have improved a lot too this year. Not just the ability, but the understanding so they can use info from one subject and relate it to another. Jesse is really improved on this and amazes me with her recall. Chloe will get, I mean she is just in first grade. I'm proud of both of them.

Rosie, the puppy, is not so much a puppy anymore, but she is still a bit nuts. She loves to play! And she will finally bark. She'll knock something over, it will make a loud sound, then she'll turn and bark at it. See...she will bark! She whimpers too (like right now while I'm tyring to type).

I hope all of you (especially the lurkers here) have a happy, and safe, New Year's.

Things that relax me

I am trying to take more time to do things that help me relax. I haven't been stressed really, but not overly happy. I guess with homeschooling, homemaking, and everything else going on I just haven't taken any time for myself lately. I used to go to Mom's Night Out on Mondays, not every Monday but at least a couple of times a month. However, no one has really been going lately with the exception of Bridget but her schedule has been sketchy too. I used to think I needed more adult conversation, but lately it has become more evident I just need to do things I want to do.

I love to crochet but honestly in the summer I just can not bring myself to do it. It is warm enough without a growing blanket on top of me. So, I've been reading. Yep! Reading books that look interesting to me instead of being school related. I have read quite a few recently. Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott I loved. They were written in the late 19th century but I found some things hold up through time. The Little Black Book of Secrets was enthralling from the beginning. I just could not stop reading that one. And yes there is a trend here that the books are all from the juvenile section. So many good books I never read growing up.

I loved reading when I was young (Chloe's age), then I...well, I don't know exactly what happened. Somewhere in elementary school I became very intimidated by the library. Not sure why. The "big kid" section terrified me for some reason. So that is when my fun reading stopped. I did not pick up the habit again until college. Then I read a lot, when I had time. When the girls came along I read to them all the time when they were small. Now, they can read themselves so I am free to read what I want again. It has almost been like a weight lifted off of my since my adventures in books has returned. I do love a good book! I hoped, when I was pregnant with Jesse, to have children who love to read. I was teased a good bit by my co-workers at the time because every payday I'd go by books at the bookstore. A small fortune spent, but as I watch them now reading the books they have picked out on their own I know it was worth what I spent and so much more.

TKD last night, a bragging moment...

The way our class schedule works for Friday night is the girls' class is first then mine. After the girls finish their class, they sit in the chairs and watch me or talk to their friends or read. Last night Chloe took a few of her books to read. One of the moms is a wonderful lady, Mrs. Nancy, who comes and watches her, now, 16 year-old. She is so sweet and always asks the girls what they have been up to in school and out (yes, she knows we home school and she thinks is great). Well, last night she apparently asked Chloe to read to her. I'm not sure if she really believed Chloe could do it. Chloe just started Kindergarten in July but she's been working on her reading since January. Well, just about the time Chloe finished reading the book we were taking a two-minute break from sparring. She called across the room to me, She just read to me. The whole book. Its a level 3. The only word she didn't know was "bought" and that's a hard word! I think she was a little shocked but mostly impressed. I have to admit I was very proud. Mrs. Nancy is not easily impressed, her two boys are brilliant! Really!