31 Days - Day 24

It was 80 degrees out today. It's just not right to stay inside on a day like today when it is going to get cold again on Wednesday. But, we have been making such good progress on school - we just decided to take it outside. Ah... was it nice.


Panda posing for the picture:Butterfly couldn't resist smiling for this one:
Even the cat wanted to join Ladybug in the school work. :)

31 Days - Day 23

After church we stopped at Braum's to get our milk. While Brian went in to get the milk...

Panda: "Mom, I'm thirsty."
Mom: "You'll live until we get home."
Panda: "You mean I won't live after we get home?" (said with a mischievous glint in her eye)

31 Days - Day 22

Panda lost her 2nd tooth yesterday. She would have been excited, but she doesn't know where it went. We are pretty sure she swallowed it. She said it was there before breakfast, but after breakfast it was gone. Her only concern was the tooth fairy. She asked if I could write a note to the tooth fairy explaining that the tooth was missing and see whether the tooth fairy would still leave a prize. I reassured her that the tooth fairy has seen this sort of thing before and I'm sure would understand that these things happen. She seemed ok with that. Now she just needs to go to bed on time, so the tooth fairy can visit...

31 Days - Day 21

Whoa - almost forgot to blog again! Isn't that a shocker!

Well, let's see... this morning we rushed around so that this afternoon we could have "Socialization Class". Some people call it "Friend or Group Therapy". We did this in combination with "Dessert Therapy". (more apple crisp, of course - with ice cream)

All is well now. :)

31 Days - Day 20

I'm over halfway there on this 31 day thing. Whew!

Yesterday, we had a fun afternoon. We spent time with another friend and learned how to lapbook. I had heard of it many times, but didn't really know what lapbooking was or how it could be used for our benefit in homeschooling. But, it was truly fun. I think the girls could really get into it and there are so many similarities to scrapbooking that I think I can get into it as well.

So, we tried our first one today. It was very basic. We did a simple addition lapbook for my younger two to practice their 1 to 9 addition facts. We cut, we placed stickers, we listened to music, we talked, and we had a lovely afternoon. But, when I went to put the book together, I found out I have no glue! Oops. I can't believe I have kids and do school here at home and have no glue. It has to be hiding somewhere, but I guess I'll go to the store and get some! I need colored paper too.

31 Days - Day 19

Grandpa's birthday was today. Since Angela was writing memories on my comments section from yesterday, I will run with it. :)

We are so very blessed to have what I would consider the best grandparents in the world. And we were also blessed to have been able to visit with them for so much of our lives. We still have two grandparents living.

Grandpa was a Lutheran pastor. I loved his dedication to serving God's people. I love the fact that my Grandpa baptized me, but when it came to my wedding, he kindly declined any part in the ceremony because he wanted to be there as "Grandpa". I loved hearing his stories about his trips to the Holy Land. I loved the time I was visiting them as a child and got pink eye and he was my "doctor". He made sure he did every set of eye drops faithfully. I, too, loved being called "Little One" even after I was an adult and married. I remember his smile because it seems like he was always smiling. I loved posing for pictures in front of the Nativity Scene that they set up each Christmas. Yes, the camper was fun to run around the circle of the house. At least, they always knew where we were by when the camper would rumble across the kitchen floor! I loved looking at all the woodworking he did. I loved that he wrote a book so that I have his words with me.

Those are just a few of my memories. I thank the Lord for the blessing my Grandpa was in my life. I look forward to the happy reunion we will all have in heaven someday.

31 Days - Day 18

Day 18 - well, that's pretty good. I didn't expect to make it 5 days, quite frankly.

It was another busy day. But then again, I don't think I know how to have a day that is not busy. The rest of the week is looking pretty crazy as well. I'm hoping I don't forget anything.

It's getting cold outside and I'm not looking forward to that, but thankfully it will warm back up for the weekend. I haven't turned on the heat yet and was hoping to keep it off a little longer. It's so nice to have lower electric bills. But, I am a wimp in the cold, so as soon as I can't stand it any longer the heat will be on.

Well, I have nothing exciting to write about tonight, so that's it.

31 Days - Day 17

I'm not sure where my day went! It started with Bible study and memory work with the girls all snuggled in blankets in my bed. It just seemed like a nice thing to do on a chilly morning. I would have grabbed more books and stayed there but the girls started getting goofy and wild, so I sent them to play for a few minutes which worked out because no sooner had I sent them off and I had about 3 phones calls for technical computer support. :)

We did more school work, lunch and chores and I had a few more phone calls.

Ladybug had choir tonight and we had a meeting right beforehand on a fundraiser that we can do to help raise money for the trip that we will now take in 2013. We are going to help deliver phone books to each residence on a route. That's a fundraiser I can get into - no door to door sales. Just dig in and do some work and get some money in return. We can work together on this one as a family.

While Ladybug was in choir, I went to the store. Manager's Specials for the win! I scored a bunch of ground beef on sale. It's so hard to find ground beef on special, so I was pretty excited.

After choir, I skype called a friend and then skype chatted with two more friends.

Brian told me a little later that Panda had another cute observation. I bought him some coffee while I was at the store. I found a new flavor that he has enjoyed - Starbuck's cinnamon - he said it's tastes kind of like a holiday blend. I set it on the counter as I went to pick up Ladybug. He found it as Panda walked into the kitchen. She saw his reaction and said, "Well, it looks like someone is spoiling you."

31 Day - Day 16

Oh, good grief. This is why I normally do NOT blog every day. I can't think of enough to write about every day. I guess my blog could be a cure for insomnia. I'm getting sleepy just trying to think of something to write.

So... if you are bored, blame my sister, Angela. Angela, if you are bored - too bad! You asked for it!

I did read a funny uncyclopedia entry for bassoons today. I thought about sharing the link, but parts of it were not very nice, so I won't. Here's an excerpt, though, for your entertainment (or at least for my entertainment):

"The bassoon is known for its lovingly soothing sounds (for fans of flatulence) and its incidental use as a lethal weapon. It is approximately 3/10 of a league long and weighs about 2 stones. If thrown correctly (this is known as the "perfect pitch"), it can drop large game animals."

31 Days - Day 15

Do you want to know the real reason I'm a night owl?

I do enjoy staying up later, it's true. It's supposed to be my time to unwind. I don't do mornings well. I wish I did. But, here's an example of how most nights go in my house and it has been particularly bad tonight (as you can see by the time of this post):

The kids are finally in bed after bouncing out of bed no less that 17 times.... (on a good night, actually tonight may have been a really good night - I think it was only 6 times) Lights were left on throughout the house. I get up to shut them off and go back to bed. Someone gets up to go to the bathroom. I get up again to shut off the lights they left on. Now the puppies bark because they woke up when someone went to the bathroom. Hubby decides to let them out. (that was nice of him) Hubby forgets about dogs and falls asleep in the chair downstairs. I get up to let the puppies in, because they are now barking at all the neighbor dogs and anything else that might move, and I have to turn off the lights AGAIN. May as well make the rounds to check on the sleeping children. (wow, they were really asleep this time...) Go back to bed, start to unwind... again... Hear a loud noise that sounds like someone has just tried to enter the house through a window and has tripped over the 43 things that the kids most likely left lying around the house. Get up and hope that whoever entered will kill me before they try to kill my children. Hope that they are wounded bad enough in tripping that I can call 911 in time. Discover that it is only my clumsy husband tripping over the 43 things left around the house. Because... he just remember that he didn't let the puppies back in... which I already got to. He goes back to bed. I go back to bed. I get back up to turn off the lights he left on so he wouldn't trip over the 43 things left on the floor. I go back to bed. Unfortunately my heart is still racing after the thought of someone breaking in. And, I'm a bit ticked that I had to shut off lights again. Oops. Now I have to go to the bathroom. Well, you would too, if you'd just had the dickens scared out of you. Back to bed again. Now I have to try to unwind... again.... Bummer, I forgot to brush my teeth...

31 Days - Day 14

Well, this won't be too exciting...

I put in an 11 hour day at the hospital today. We have a weekend class this weekend and I went in early to help a co-worker with a power point presentation. Yay - one of my favorite jobs - computer help! :) I really enjoy that.

So, if you need me, I will be catching up on my email and going to bed so that I can help finish the class tomorrow.

31 Days - Day 13

I had some requests for the "perfected" apple crisp. I'll do my best to post it because it is my modified version of a recipe. So, your mileage may vary. :)

Apple Crisp

3 large gala apples (that's the kind I used)
1/4 C. water
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 C. sugar
1/4 C almond flour
1/4 C butter (melted)

Put apples in a baking dish, sprinkle with spices, water and vanilla. Work sugar, flour and butter as for pie and sprinkle over apples. Bake until apples are done, about 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Now, here's my little trick. I made this once and there was quite a bit of liquid left from the water, vanilla and natural apples juices. I saved the liquid and used it to pour over the apples the next time I made this. I only added the sugar, flour and butter mixture on the top. Oh my - it was sooo good!

31 Days - Day 12

Yup, I'm here. I didn't miss my post for this evening. But I don't have a clue what to blog about again. I'm too lazy to go get my photo card and reader or I could just do a wordless Wednesday.

I have perfected (or at least what I consider perfected) an apple crisp with almond flour. Oh. Yum.
Have you ever been so hungry for something that you can smell it (when it's not there)? That's what my problem is right now. I think I'll be making another batch of apple crisp tomorrow. I have plenty of apples. :)

Well, that's a rap/wrap/whatever. I posted something, so that counts. Hee hee! Good night!

31 Days - Day 11

Thoughts from the 5 year old

Panda: "Mom, I read a word in my writing book last night"
Mom: "Oh, really? What word was that?"
Panda: "Let me show you. (opens writing book) Is this word 'octagon'?"
Mom: "Yes it is! Very good!"
Panda: "I don't even know what that word is, so that's pretty impressive."

31 Days - Day 10

Whew - cutting it close tonight again. I had my technical support hat on and then was enjoying the company of friends when my friend's daughter asked if I had posted on my blog for today. They got rid of me that way... (hee hee) (It WAS 11:30 p.m. ...)

Here's a picture for your enjoyment: