dragonfly days

scenes from the weekend.

This weekend: garage cleaning, movie watching, picking up our new to us piano (!!!), music playing, bead making, biking, playing at the park, grocery shopping, game playing, a first break up :(- which meant crying, treat making, helping neighbors, etc.

On the list this week:

• back to a light summer school schedule for Jack, he just does better with some structure to his days.
• a bbq at the neighbors
• baseball
• A big birthday for my man! 40!!! And I need to plan something!!
• getting the older kids on a "won't drive mom batty because we are out of school and bored" schedule.
• play- lots of play- lots of fun.

What is on your list?

scenes from the weekend.

This is our first experience with a dance recital. I get it now. I get what everyone has said about the exhausting week leading up to the performance. It was a long weekend.  After his final performance Saturday night, he looked at us and asked if we could please go home. We did, after ice cream, and the boy put himself to bed. And has put himself to bed every night since.  It was fun and he still wants to do it, but we are so glad last week is over.

This week :

• only one baseball game and no practices! Yay for easy!
• school is out for the older kids.
• that is seriously all I have on my list.
• I could be in denial though.
• I also should probably take the overdue library books back.

Here is to summer!

the garden

Today we:

• had phone call about our online school plans for next year- more about those to come.
• watered the gardens
• practiced playing baseball
• played with a friend
• tried new foods
• had dessert
• bought solar eclipse glasses
• ran long overdue errands
• did lots of laundry
• did a light homeschool day
• made necklaces
• went for a walk
• cooked  a new dinner
• enjoyed the views.

 

 

scenes from the weekend 5/13

Mothers Day brought flowers. 

This weekend was:

• short
• the last rugby game. They lost, but did much better than the last time they played this team.
• lunch  with the grandparents
• redbox and pizza date night
• breakfast for mother's day with the smoke alarm only going off 3 times. ;)
• the hubby running errands with me to keep me company
• dinner with grandpa
• a late night walk with the hubby during which we saw the most amazing shooting star
• time in the hammock relaxing.
• menu planning
• planning for the week trying to get all my ducks in a row.
• laundry

 

This coming week is:

• beginning of baseball for Jack which means practice Mon(maybe more), and games Tues and Thurs.
• dance- two classes, two dress rehearsals and two performances.
• end of year swim party with our online school.
• the solar eclipse.
• the end of year lacrosse party
• end of year school projects galore.
• family in town this weekend.
• planning phone call with online teacher

I am thinking that school will be light this week. I try to keep my schedule so that we aren't that busy or out of the house that much.  It kind of bugs me, but we are going with the flow. We'll do what we can to have enough downtime to make it livable.  I ran all my errands this weekend to try and make it possible.  The laundry is caught up.  The menu is planned. Any paperwork is already filled out and in my planner.  All I need to do is get glasses for the eclipse. Yes I am kicking myself for not buying them last week at the visitor's center when I saw them. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day. I am so thankful for all the mother figures in my life and all that they have shared with me.

 

 

Scenes from last week

I did not mean to disappear for a week. Life happened. Life was full. We were trying to soak it all up. I think we did our best.

Here is last week in pics, at least from Thursday on:

We went to the indoor trampoline place with our friends. Loved this. It totally wore him out.

He mostly played dodge ball, which is the only explanation I have for his facial expression.

Another morning we spent some time at the park.

Do you see that look on his face. Priceless.

Some of our favorites at the street painting festival.

On the list for this week:

• soaking up some more time with our friends before they leave.
• dance classes
• practices
• getting a baseball jersey
• fun and fitness
• planning for a birthday next week!
• science fair prep
• back to a light school schedule
• park day

What's on your list?

 

this week in school

 

This week we finished up our unit on ocean animals. Here are some of the things we did:

• Ein-o Marine science discovery tank.
• Fish body part puzzle- picked up in the Staples dollar bin
• Learning page ocean unit
• lots and lots of classifying ocean animals
• compound words
• syllables
• fractions
• greater than and less than
• addition
• subtraction
• venn diagrams
• graphs and charts
• mapping the oceans
• alphabetical order
• life cycle of a salmon
• body parts of a crustacean
• gardening
• hiking
• butterfly catching
• animal care
• playing with lots of friends
• dance
• legos, lots of legos
• reading: more Garfield and Einstein

Today Jack told me he wanted to be a theoretical physicist like Einstein.  At least we know something in sinking in!

scenes from the last week

Shell sorting activity.

Learning about penguins.

Sunday craft, ribbon mobile.

A visitor?!?

We had a free weekend- no rugby, no lacrosse, just free time.  We all needed that. Zac, Jack and the girls went for a day long hike. I treated myself to lunch, then came home to clean and organize my project space while watching a classic film. Loved every minute of it.

Today the weather was gray and a bit cold. I did my weekly errands then came home and forced everyone to watch the Muppet movie with me. I miss the old Muppets. This was close, but not quite.

On the list for this week:

• dance classes
• fun and fitness
• rugby practice and a day or two of lacrosse.
• A long weekend for the kids
• Easter!!
• Art festival
• car show(?) for the boys
• park day
• rugby game
• some major housework.
• getting the chicks moved out into their pen.
• library
• potting some plants.

And I think that is all.  Oh, and enjoying the weather to the fullest.

scenes from the weekend 3/18

 

 

We had another trip away this weekend. I hope that it's the last for a while, but alas it sounds like we might have another one this week. I'm thankful that Steve is working now, otherwise we would have two days away this week and multiple games on one day.  We are a little travel weary. This weekend we hit a bad storm coming back and let's just say I'm thankful I wasn't the one driving.  We also spent some time with my family. Jack collected a bunch of seeds from my dad, the seed guy, and is looking forward to planting his garden box. This year he is shooting for all flowers. I'm good with that.

On the list this week;

• Zac and I are celebrating our 18 year anniversary Monday.
• Prom for the boy
• Which means renting a tux sometime during the busy week and getting the corsage
• back to dance
• lax and rugby practices in full
• Except for the boy who is working almost every day this week.
• rugby games start, two this week
• park day
• plant the rest of the gardens- seeds and cold weather crops
• library
• learning- hitting the ocean big time in hopes of being done with it for a bit.
• make granola, bread
• projects- garland, get the walls decorated in my room

What's on your list?

 

 

 

scenes from the weekend 3/12

Okay, scenes from the weekend and the big Monday.

Some kitty love.

Chocolate chip banana bread and blackberry banana bread

Painting the horrid paneling in the bedrooms.

new peeps

Not pictured- the lacrosse games gone wrong, date night, garden work, hiking and rock collecting, an older boy getting a job(!!!), and lots of good weather.

On the list this week:

• Spring break! Everyone is off school and Zac is off work.
• Which also translates to project week: garden, painting, chick tractor
• lots of time outside enjoying the nice weather.
• rugby and lacrosse still
• another date night hopefully
• The Lorax- really want to see this. It's one of my favorite Seuss stories. 
• Sleeping in. Please?....pretty please? 

And that's all. It's enough though.  Right now my bedroom is torn apart. We'll probably end up sleeping in the living room. Yes, I think that list is enough.

scenes from the weekend 3/04

On the way to the lacrosse tournament in Las Vegas. When we pulled into a parking spot at the fields I realized I left my camera at home. Sigh. Hate it when that happens.

Like the shirt?

The team did so good. These girls have heart. They might not win many games, but they always cheer each other on and have something good to say. They never give up.

The yummy felt string I bought.  And yes I am kicking myself for not getting more.

At a very late dinner post tournament. I looked across the table and the boys were watching a basketball game on one of the tvs. It cracked me up.

 

So on the list for this week:

• No trips out of town. Amen.  I am putting down roots for a couple of weeks.
• lots of lacrosse- in town though. We think. Not quite sure. One game is iffy. The other game is set. Plus there is one game for varsity that I would like to watch since they are up against the champs.
• hip-hop, tap, etc.  The usual.
• work on painting dresser. I am hoping that the weather is good and the wind dies down a bit.
• rugby, lacrosse, the usual. Only maybe a little change. The girls lacrosse coach made a deal with Alex to get her back on the team, even if she is splitting time between rugby and lacrosse. They need a goalie bad.
• afternoon out- either the swimming pool or The Lorax movie. We'll see.
• Learning- more science projects, killer whales, and fish- any kind of fish.
• We'll also take some time to pick out a science project for the upcoming science fair.
• Research worm composting.  I think this will be a good spring time project. Because what is one more project?
• Plan for the month.  We have a busy month. Chicks will be here by next week.  The garden needs to be planted, painting inside needs to be done, we are building a tractor for the piggys and the new chicks, lacrosse is going full time, rugby games start, and did I mention Jack is starting baseball? Yes it will be a busy spring.  I need to stay on top of the schedule and planning.

What's on your list?

monday

No this pic is not from today. It has been cold and overcast. I miss the sun.

So today's post is brought to you by phone calls you don't want to get:

"Hello, Steve has had an accident  during class. We filled out an accident report."  Umm...hello.

Everything is fine now. I had just realized that I had missed a call from Steve when his teacher called and started out like that.  Wish he would have start out with, "Everything is fine."

Today was filled with meltdowns- mine and his, missed classes, library fines- ouch, cold weather, and more meltdowns. Not sure if someone is getting sick, going through a growth spurt, or just being plain ol' ornery. I think we have all the different members of the household in one of those three states.  Whatever it is I hope Tuesday brings better weather, physically and emotionally.

And now on to the positives:

• we did get school done, even Spanish. Bonus points for two science experiments and making a science notebook.
• we made the p.e. class that we've missed for many weeks.
• laundry- done, folded and put away
• dresser- handles off and primer coat started.
• new library books-- someday I will tell you about trying to convince Jack that we weren't buying the Garfield book at the library, but paying fines. It involved me saying, "this isn't a bookstore, they don't' sell books" while handing my debit card to the librarian.
• Everyone else got where they needed to go. It felt like an accomplishment today.
• And we made it through another day and will try again tomorrow.

 

 

scenes from the weekend 2/26

Two posts in one day! Yay me!

A friend of ours who was doing some heavy work down by the river found this guy and brought him to us. He knew we would want to see him and get to know him a little better.  It is a red eared slider.  Not native to our area.

We were able to watch the boy play lacrosse. He did AWESOME!  We weren't able to make it to Talisa's games, hers were out of town but they played awesome too! So proud of these kids.

 

We have been getting the gardens ready and collecting supplies. Hopefully the gardens will be planted soon!

Had a bit of a scare Friday. Alex was injured during rugby practice. It looked broken, luckily it wasn't. But she did break a fair amount of blood vessels in her foot.  So a couple of days of icing, elevating and salves seems to have done the trick. It's looking much better now.

On the list for this week:

• french cooking class
• tap class
• hip hop
• lacrosse in Vegas
• play at the high school
• lacrosse in Vegas again, yes again. Two different days. Sigh.
• birthday parties
• yard work
• oh fixing and painting my dresser- it's on the back porch I don't have a dresser until it's done.
• But even when it's done I need to paint the wall where it goes-- see forcing myself to do it.
• I'm itching to sew something out of felt
• the post office. Ahem. Someone I know still hasn't sent those Christmas boxes. Sigh.
• Clean to the boys room. Ugh. Prepping for operation paint kids room over Spring break.

That's all. Writing it out doesn't seem too bad. Thinking about Vegas twice in one week, seems bad. I'm sure we'll enjoy it. :)

 

scenes from the weekend 2/19

Jack and I are back from our vacation. I will be posting about that over the next few days.  We got back in late Friday night.  Saturday we spent the day running from a rugby tounrament to lacrosse and back again.  Today, we've just been trying to recover from it all.  Jack even took a nap.  It's been a long, fun week. So glad to be home, but still trying to get the ground under our feet.

 

Her first rugby game. They made her team captain. One of the other teams named her Woman of the Match. She did awesome! And we actually understood someof the game! :)

It was fun to be back at the lacrosse sidelines. Talisa was on a scoring streak.

Then she took a turn playing goalie. Looks like there may be a new position in her future.

On the list this week:

• the dentist...again. Hopefully this will be the last for a while.
• dance classes...someone really missed these last week.
• a day off for the big kiddos... of course they still have practices.
• library...yikes we have some books that REALLY need to get back
• homeschool...hoping to get into a light schedule post vacation. Maybe delve deeper into some of the things we learned on vacation.
• project life-- need to catch up on this and really want to get last week done while it is fresh in my memory.
• catch up on the laundry- leaving three sporty teens at home in charge of their laundry for the week is not a good idea. It's a  stinky one. :P 
• Park day. Looking forward to chillin with the homies. :)

 

What's on your list?

 

 

scenes from the weekend 2/5

 

On the list for this week:

• dentist- me
• doctor- Steve for the foot
• dance- tap and hip-hop
• rugby
• lacrosse
• lacrosse games
• roller skating Valentine party- looking forward to that.
• Doing Valentine's for the party

What is on your list?

 

scenes from the weekend 1/29

Three little babies made an appearance Friday evening. 

I'm in a little bit of a mood.  We have a child experiencing some hiccups on the road of first love and I'm just a bit baffled by the whole situation. I really will never understand the way some people go about things. I wish I did. Truly, I wish I could understand why some people do the things they do and where they are coming from. Unfortunately, I've been on both sides of this problem and I really don't understand.  The only thing I do understand is that they are doing the best they know how to at this time, which is not a lot of consolation when it involves your kid.  It makes me feel sad for everyone involved.

On the list for this week:

• tap
• p.e.
• hip-hop
• library run
• art and poetry festival- need to work on the project for this.
• rugby
• lacrosse
• planning- I planned a little trip for me and the boy and I need to get cracking! I need to start gathering stuff and get some lists going.
• I was thinking swimming this week, but Jack has a bit of a cold so I think we will go to the museum or a movie instead.
• Valentines. I need to get cracking on this also. Can't leave it until the last minute like I usually do.
• park day- as long as Jack is better.

I am going to try my best to take advantage of my downtime this week. Right now I am in a mood to circle my wagons. Anyone else get that way?  I  feel bad that they have been hurt and want to protect and coddle them for a bit.  Being teens I'm sure they won't go for it. But I think an evening of games, or watching a movie together can go a long way.  Especially if throw in some ice cream. 

On another note, I've started watching Downton Abbey. How did I miss this? I think it is brillant. 

 

 

random musings

It's becoming a Wednesday thing. :)

• I finished another layout in Project life. I am really enjoying getting our pictures printed out and part of our story down.  It feels good. :)
• Our guinea pig is about to give birth any minute.  
• Tomorrow we get to visit with the doctor about turf toe.
• Today we didn't have any appointments or classes that I had to go out for. It was wonderful. I baked muffins, made a great dinner, worked out about five hours earlier than I usually get to, we pulled out the art supplies and played. It was very nice. I need to be sure to schedule these type of days.
• My husband is starting a new hobby, more on that in a few. 
• The series of shark books we found at the library this week are very popular around here. Perfect for a shark-obsessed beginning reader.

 

scenes from the weekend 1/22

Glad to have hubby back home.

A separate cage for the piggy.

A shopping trip turned lunch out for Zac and I with a couple of kiddos.

Can you guess what he wants to start doing this year?

What most of Jack's money is spent on.

Last week was a long, hard week. Seriously. Everyone gets thrown off when hubby is out of town. So glad to be on the flip side of that. 

This weeks plans:

• bread making class for Jack
• P.E. if the weather is good, otherwise we'll just hit the library
• tap class
• endodotist for Steve-  finish one and discuss the other
• hip-hop class
• guitar- hopefully. We have to switch things around for dance.
• girls pref dance for Steve
• call sports med doc and try to get Steve in.
• Rugby
• Lacrosse, at least for Talisa.
• A day trip...maybe. I need to see if some of the angst and whinyness that has plagued our house goes away by then.

Things I hope to get done:

• another project life spread
• a system to organize project life weeks in waiting
• Apple Pie muffins via Finding Joy in my Kitchen
• movement everyday.
• some Valentine planning
• start reading, Mindset for Moms
• Finish reading,  A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.

What is on your list?

 

scenes from the weekend 1/15

I don't know why this pic won't post right, but it's kind of funny sideways too. :)

This weekend: Battle of the bands in support of our favorite guitarist-- they did awesome! Recovering from a looooong week with very little sleep. Baseball and lacrosse at the park.  Staying up too late again, running errands, driving class with the teens, birthday parties, and cleaning.

 

On the list this week:

• rugby
• lacrosse
• dance
• park
• Zac is off.
• no dentist- always a good start
• project life-- every time I try to start I find I am missing one thing. I vow to get it started this week.
• homeschool- make paper and penguins are on the list this week
• movement- I lagged at the end of last week between being busy and no sleep. Won't let that happen again.
• Lacrosse tournament- tis the season
• rugby meeting
• Guitar lesson
• I'm thinking some kind of surprise field trip is in order one afternoon this week.

What is on your list?

scenes from the weekend 1/8

This weekend: family in from out of town-- family we haven't seen for about 13 years! We had a fun time rockin' out Friday night. We stayed up way too late. Date night last night. Today was a day to catch up on housework, practice driving with the teen boy and try and finally get those Christmas card pictures taken. I think we'll get them done by Valentine's day!

So on the list for this week:

• reading test for Jack- as part of k-12 we are supposed to do this.
• p.e.- yay for having p.e. back!
• lacrosse- in full swing
• concussion test for lacrosse
• guitar lesson
• hip-hop class
• Moms Night Out!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I am excited?
• Dentist- to take care of the rest of the cavities. Ugh.
• Oral surgeon- to get a consultation on the tooth.
• park day
• battle of the bands with our favorite guitar teacher. :)
• learning- Jack's request: penguins, Africa, and legos. My request: Spanish, math and reading.
• Getting started on my project for the One Little Word, finally chose one!
• I've also decided to do Project Life this year. I am starting with last week and can't wait. I am excited!

What's on your list?

 

looking ahead.

This is the new years post. I hate to say resolutions, because well I don't like that word.  And I tend to do this a couple of times a year, usually at the beginning of each season.  But like everyone else change has been on my mind the past few weeks.  I haven't yet come up with my word for the year. I have a few in mind, but I haven't had the time to sit down and journal or meditate on them yet. Hopefully soon.  So on to the changes...

• learn how to play the ukulele. So excited about this one. I got my ukulele tonight and already have two chords and three notes learned. Now to practice, practice, practice so I can make a song. :)  BTW-Isn't it pretty? The writing on it is the word peace in all different languages.
• Daily movement. So far this is going strong. In fact I've been doing for a couple of weeks now. 
• Have a monthly date with each child. Zac and I decided we needed to do this. We have already had one and it was a blast. Mainly just a go to the coffeehouse and talk kind of thing.
• Volunteer more.
• Read more. I go through periods of reading way too much and then not reading anything at all. I haven't read any books, other than to Jack, for months now. Time to get back in the habit.
• Create. I want to create something- art, journal pages, jewelry, embroidery, whatever at least once a week. This should be easier now that I got my "studio space" aka the other desk in the dining room, organized and set up today. More on that tomorrow.
• get back in the kitchen. This fall was crazy busy and our eating habits suffered a bit. Not much, but I miss our from scratch foods. So I will be making time to work those back into the schedule. 

There are more, but those are for me to know and you to guess. ;)  Also I am doing a 365 type thing this year on Instagram. If I ever figure out how to link it here I will.  Looks like I may need to revive my flickr account.