Week In Review

This has been a busy week.

I have all but abandoned the

curriculum that had me 

giddy with excitement a few weeks ago.

After getting into it

and reading through 

the materials

it is just not me.

There are many reasons,

but suffice to say - 

the hunt continues!

I told you last week that 

R had written a letter to his old school mates.

At the request of one of my sisters...

we are adding letter writing to our weekly

lessons.  

So aunts and grandmas...

be patient and 

check your mail!

Each week a letter will be written to a different person.

It is an exciting addition to our lessons.

We officially signed A up for dance.

We chose the "hip hop/cheer/tumble" class.

Well actually, she did. 

And she LOVES it.

I captured a few pictures

through the glass.

They aren't the best, sorry.

(warm up laps around the studio)

notice the shirt!!  

Go Pack!!

stop for a couple of jumping jacks

 more jumping jacks

standing on their "x" spots

touchdown move!

We had a birthday this weekend.

 A turned the big 3!!

We started the day by getting up 

SUPER early to have everyone at 

another 8am basketball game. 

Then on to a football game.

Couldn't find a jacket that fit little man...

so we borrowed brother's.

He got a lot of laughs and giggles when I let him get down

and walk around a bit.

Makes me think of ET.

Let me out....

For those interested in keeping count

After this past weekend:

Blue Jays Basketball is 2-1

Wolfpack Flag Football is 2-1

We came home briefly to regroup. 

Then went to an eat-in theater to watch 

a private showing of

Beauty and the Beast.

(oddly no one else showed up to watch the 2pm showing)

That was a first

and 

AMAZING 

cause we could let the little ones wander

a little.

Then we took Ms. Priss to 

a habachi restaurant

which was NOT

like the ones back home

and it will probably be a one time visit to that one.

She passed out on the way home.

Then we had to wake her to do her cake

and presents.

Kitty pony tail holders that didn't make it through one church service without falling apart.

I stuffed the errant bow in daddy's pocket without telling him and he gave me the oddest 

look later when he found it.  (yep, he is a daddy of a little girl)

Everyone helped open gifts.

Hello Kitty (of course!!)

Made my your's truly!!

Strawberry Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream - YUMMY!

and a great way to KILL a diet!!

T is trying to figure out where his candle is and why he didn't get one!!

Looks like he is ready to dive in!!

Sunday we did a little "Sunday driving"

and stumbled upon this pretty site!!

This is a river on the other side of the 

Medina Lake Dam...

you will see what is left of Medina Lake below.

This is Medina Lake.

The white all around the edges is where the water USED to be!!!

Apparently they drained the lake right before the drought down here

to do some work...

BIG MISTAKE!

If you look closely the "debris" on the far side of the hill are:

docks and a pontoon!!!

We actually looked at some property out this way.  

It was beautiful!!

6.33 acres

in a planned subdivision 

with a pool and clubhouse...

wonder what will become of this.

Then Monday we got some much needed rain.

I, personally, LOVE the humidity when it comes.

Feels more like home!

We got a nice steady soaking most of the afternoon.

The kids and I actually sat doing their school work

at the kitchen table with the back door open listening to

the rain.

Then as I started dinner, they wound up on the covered back porch.

And silly me, uttered the words...

"Don't get wet!"

Yeah - fat chance on that one!

I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I didn't 

want to encourage them in their blatant disobedience.

But I witnessed my 

two oldest boys

using coolers and anything they could find

to fill up

the babies' empty turtle sandbox

then they hiked their pant legs up to their knees

and proceeded to stomp and squeal with delight 

as they took turns in the turtle sandbox that they turned into a kiddy pool.

(as much as a 7 yo and 5 yo boy squeal with delight anyways)

All daddy and I could do was just sit there and watch.

Eventually the baby girl got chilly and came in.

Then things got crazy and the boys

asked to go on the 

trampoline...

Hopefully I got some cool mommy points from the boys for this. 

I remember the joy of playing in the rain

when I was a kid.

Pizzas, Putt Putt, PE & PenPals

PIZZAS

We have added a new lunch "activity"

make your own pizza! 

How simple and how yummy!!

And the kids love it!!!

And if you get

whole wheat (with fiber) english muffins

2% mozzarella cheese

pizza sauce (no fat, no sugar)

and

turkey pepperoni

its actually GOOD for them too!!

Our first go at it...

I let the boys make them for everyone.

(yes the boys need haircuts)

Mommy: "Smile"

L: "Cheese"

Mommy:  "Try again, smile, please"

L:  "Cheese"

Mommy:  "Ok, this time open your eyes please"

(Argh! Forget it!)

Whatever - you guys get the point!

The kids all enjoyed the pizzas.

So much we did it a second time and I let L

make her own this time:

Next up...

Putt Putt

We went out to Canyon Lake to explore

and 

took in a quick game of Putt Putt.

T helped retrieve everyone's balls.

Yes - that is a STEEP hill. 

We kept trying to get her to turn the club head around

but eventually gave up and let her do it her way.

Look at that form!  :)

Checking out the hole...

J telling me how much fun that was and

that he was going to do it again.

The ball retriever...

And the ball thief!

Do you know how hard it is to play

Putt Putt with a ball

obsessed 1 year old?

We had a good time - daddy and mommy were playing

in the beginning but

gave up quickly cause it is too hard to keep up with the 

chaos of 

4 little ones

3 swinging clubs

6 loose balls

and a 

1 year old who

decides he needs to 

be in the 

MIDDLE 

of all of it!

P.E.

The older 2 participate in a 

Homeschool PE class that we found.

We go almost every Monday 

and the boys really enjoy it.

There is a "coach" who leads all

the games and activities 

and then they get to have free time

before and after

the organized class.

And the cool part is it is 

all different ages (4-14)

and

all different skill levels

and

IT WORKS!

Here are a few pics from freeplay.

Its with my phone so they aren't the best

but if you look really closely

you can see the joy on their faces!!

THE BEST PART!

 and finally...

PenPals

When we left NC and R left his old school.

His teacher mentioned that he could write to his class

and they would write back.

So as a language arts exercise,

we took her up on that idea!

R made a list of the things he wanted to tell his class about.

Then he wrote a letter

using his best handwriting

and paying attention

to spelling, capitalization 

and punctuation.

I am KICKING myself for not scanning it in 

before we sent it!

I asked him what he wanted to tell them about

and fresh on his mind

was the roller coaster he has been going on

at SeaWorld.

I also suggested he tell them that we are homeschooling

and that I am his teacher.

He told them a little about what we do

and then I used this as an opportunity

to ask him if he liked homeschooling

(so he could put it in his letter, of course)

he said he did (phew!)

so he wrote what he liked about it.

His number one reason for liking

homeschooling:

Its a whole lot shorter than normal school!

(whatever, I'll take it!)

I got an e-mail from his teacher today 

and the class enjoyed his letter.

Some of the students are even writing him back!!

One final note...

Daddy introduced the boys to chess about a year ago.

It is a "belt loop" you can earn in scouts.

So daddy took that as an opportunity to teach them.

Since then - they have BOTH caught on amazingly.

And they were gifted with a nice wooden set

for Christmas.

J is way more into it than R though.

I have attempted to avoid learning.

Last night, my 5 yo roped me into a game though.

I told him he was going to have to teach me

and he was MORE than happy to do so.

He did a great job and was very informative and very patient with me.

I told him he was a great teacher.

He got a kick out of the fact that 

I was "his student".

And giggle profusely when I did made a move without considering

the consequences and he took my...

I have no idea what he took to be honest

but he thought it was hilarious when I took his (something)

and then he told me that wasn't a good idea 

and immediately took my (whatever).

I was all excited about my move

til he swiftly took my (whatever), 

in return

and I said 

"well that didn't last long"

and he busted out in a total sly giggle fit.

Wish I would have had a camera!

And yes - I got "schooled" at chess by my 5 year old!

Almost Like Home...

So you know the boys are playing sports.

R - Flag Football

J - Basketball

For the time being - the kids *have* to pick

ONE sport to play each season.

Yes - we make them,

much to J's chagrin!

He is not quite as aggressive

as R and doesn't seem to enjoy it

as much as R,

but then again - 

not many kids do!

Daddy is coaching both teams.

Team Names are:

Team 2

&

Team 4

Yeah - the Y got REALLY creative with those!

So, 

naturally,

coach took it upon

himself to name

the teams.

The flag football team, of 7-8 year olds, had no choice.

The basketball team, of 5 year olds, got to vote.

At the last practice,

J's basketball team

all got to bring to the table

their suggestions...

their jersey colors are

Duke Blue.

So the 5 year olds came up with:

Spurs 

(after the local pro basketball team)

Cowboys

(no explanation needed)

Blue Dragons

(no explanation available)

Blue Jays

(understandable)

They widdled it down to:

Blue Dragons

&

Blue Jays

then they got to vote.

Blue Jays won!

(there was one vote for Blue Jay Dragons)

So J's team is the Blue Jays.

R's team...

well

like I said

the kids had no say.

Why?

Because coach is an 

NC State grad

and has given way too much

of his money to the 

NC State Athletics dept

over the years.

Coach requested

red jerseys.

Then "TOLD"

the kids that we were the Wolfpack.

Figured there wouldn't be many

of those out here.

Our first flag football game,

I am sitting enjoying watching the 

boys in red and hollering 

for the Wolfpack

(quite a different experience than what we are used to - 

I have been to literally almost every single 

NC State Wolfpack  

home game in the last 

15 years!!!!!)

So here I am hollering for 

my replacement 

Wolfpack Football

team

when the parent beside me starts hollering

for 

the Devils...

then a few minutes later

he yells for...

the Blue Devils

I about jumped out of my skin

with excitement!

(I know, it doesn't take much!)

So here I am

in Texas

1500 miles away from 

MY

Wolfpack

and of

ALL

the team names these

kids on the other team

could have chosen...

they chose 

the Blue Devils.

So, of course,

I had to share my 

excitement

and 

explanation

with the parent hollering

for the Blue Devils.

Then today,

we were playing a different team

and I overheard a conversation behind

me.

The coach of the Blue Devils

was relaying the events of the previous week

to another parent and 

I heard him talking about

our "new"

Wolfpack team

and how he

had heard that 

the coach (my hubby)

had recently moved from 

NC and were grads of

North Carolina State 

(sounded weird when he said it like that)

And, yes, I spun around and said

"that's me!"

So even though

I am 1500 miles away

from 

my 

beloved

Wolfpack...

I still get a little piece of home

while hollering for my Wolfpack

as they play

the Blue Devils

twice this winter.

Flag Football Wolfpack

1-1

Basketball Blue Jays

2-0

Here is a picture of the Wolfpack in action last week.

I forgot the camera this morning so no pics of the Blue Jays yet.

4 kids and an 8am game - I am lucky I remembered all the kids!

Girl Stuff and Boy Stuff

Girl Stuff...

Our daughter is growing up in a house full

of stinky BOYS!

She plays with 

Monster Trucks

(pink ones)

She was addicted to the 

SpiderMan cartoon

(thanks to her daddy for fueling it!)

for a bit.

But we are trying to even out

all the testosterone in this house

with a little extra dose

of estrogen.

Her latest obsession

is 

Hello Kitty 

(I think I have discussed this previously).

She was inundated with

Hello Kitty items

for Christmas.

So we have finally decided to start her in 

dance classes.

Luckily the studio nearby

has allowed us to try 

out their two classes for

her age to see what she likes.

She did the ballet/tap/jazz class 2 weeks ago.

Then yesterday we took her to the other class at this studio:

Hip - Hop/Cheer/Tumble.

This one was WAY more energetic for our little

"wild thing".

But it was WAY more crowded.

Didn't get any pics of that one - it was a bit chaotic with

all those little girls in there and 

parents in the waiting area.

Then I captured this gem at

Jackson's basketball practice 

a few weeks ago...

I really have no words for this picture.

Now on to the 

Boy Stuff

The boys got a set of Kinects for 

Christmas a few years ago from their 

godparents.

They hadn't played with them too much

til we moved out here

and started this whole 

"homeschooling thing".

So they got a 

Roller Coaster 

set for Christmas too.

They have been 

BEGGING to 

build it.

Daddy and I have been resisting because it says it is 

for 9+ years

and just knew that it was going to require

adult assistance.

I finally gave in and R worked DILIGENTLY 

at it for a couple of hours in one afternoon.

Then when R was at football practice, 

J decided to try his hand at it...

Yep - 

this is my 5 year old

constructing a roller coaster

said to be for 9+ years!!

I had to help a *tiny* bit with the track.  But

unfortunately with the help of 2 younger

siblings,

we lost the last piece of track, so we

were never able to actually see it in action.

(And I haven't taken the time to scour the

laundry room and playroom for it.)

And since then, it has been slowly dismantled 

by said younger siblings.

We will try it again in a few weeks and hopefully locate that last piece.

Incompetent Nincompoops & My Inner Redneck

One of the perks of this move to Texas

has been the opportunity to do 

things with the kids, we have not

yet had the opportunity to do.

My mother-in-law flew

in for a visit.  

Wound up being an unexpected

short visit

but we packed more fun and 

excitement

into this weekend.

My husband said it was like a 

mini-vacation

and we put poor

Grammy on the plane

WHIPPED!

But those are the

best kinds of visits,

right??  

Our Friday started off with a 

visit to a new urgent care.

We have visited a very highly

recommended pediatrician

but it is a 30 min trek

and I just CAN'T do that.

So we had to hit up the new urgent

care around the corner when

the baby had a coughing 

fit at lunch due to all the crud in his sinuses

and drainage.

We checking into the urgent care shortly after noon.

In my concern for his breathing,

it never dawned on me to 

sign my daughter, A, in

while we were there 

and have her ears looked at.

Since she was complaining the day

before but hadn't since.

REALLY long story short...

2 hours and $100 later

we walked out with them

faxing 2 prescriptions

to our selected pharmacy.

Daughter had massive double ear infection.

Baby had minor ear infection.

Went to the pharmacy and somehow 

they only received one of the prescriptions.

So I picked up the one I could,

then had to go back to urgent care to get a hard copy.

Cause for whatever reason no-one there could

talk to a pharmacist!

Defeated the WHOLE purpose of faxing.

Got back to the pharmacy only to find out

that the incompetent nincompoops at the

urgent care wrote the WRONG name 

down for the baby.

No wonder the pharmacy couldn't find

the scrip for MY child...

there wasn't one!

 UGH!

After all of this - I couldn't wait on the second scrip.

So we decided to come back and get it later.

After we got Grammy from the airport,

we grabbed a late dinner

we went back to the pharmacy to get the 

baby's meds.  

I am not a pharmacist,

but when they are diagnosed with the same

thing and the baby's meds are more

expensive 

than my daughter's...

it raises a flag.

Come to find out

the wrong dosage had

been prescribed to my daughter. 

She was prescribed 1/4 of the 

dosage she needed.

2.5 ml vs 2.5 tsp

minor typ-o 

BIG 

consequences when it comes to 

MEDS!

It took 30 minutes to straighten this out with

the urgent care staff!

Once again -

incompetent nincompoops.

So after all that fun on Friday.

Daddy and the older boys were

up and out of the house by

7:15 Saturday morning

headed to J's 

first basketball game.

Daddy coaching by default.

They won.

Then home to get the rest of us

and off to game #2 for the day.

R's first flag football game.

Daddy coaching by choice.

They won.

(Daddy likes to say that he is undefeated.)

Then later that afternoon

Daddy and I took the older two boys

to our first ever

Monster Jam!

I have to admit that

a little of my inner redneck came out!

(I only have a little - promise!)

First and foremost it was

AMAZING

to 

see the shear excitement 

in those boys eyes as

they 

lit up 

and

 the total joy.

Here are a few pictures 

of the excitement.

R's Favorite Truck

J's Favorite

Mommy's Favorite

(cause I found out a NC boy was the driver!!)

Chick driver!!!  Whoo hoo!!!

You should have seen the entire (sold out!)

arena get on its feet and holler when 

this truck flipped over.

RIDICULOUS!

Yep - I got all dressed up to go to the Monster Truck Rally!!