Ahhhhhh.....

That's the sound of the relief of having cleanly shaved legs. I finally mustered up enough courage to shave my weed wacker injury as it was healed nicely and the scabs were gone. No pain, no cuts and no blood, YEAH. And man does it feel good and smooth.

OK, so it's Thursday night and the week is almost over. That's another Ahhhhhh. All three children have done very well in their studies and are continuing to progress. Jessica has conquered her Math and Language Arts programs in that she knows what she has to do and it's spelled W-O-R-K. She has a friend that's introduced her to some books other than Nancy Drew. Now don't get me wrong, I loved a good Nancy Drew, but when you're reading two of them in a day it's time to get some other literature into the mix. She's become such an avid reader that this morning we found one of the lights on in the van from when she had to read on the way home from church last night.

Chace has turned our backyard into a paintball/airgun course and has even painted some of the objects camouflage. Once he has an idea in his mind it's hard to stop the flow. As the weeks go on, I see that he wouldn't fit the mold in the classroom environment. For example, his Math assignments have 3 dimensional numbers and various doodles and drawings around the edges.

Julian and I had a mother/daughter afternoon that started at the park. From there we did a little shopping and on to the house. She painted my nails and I painted hers. Then we enjoyed ham and cheese omelets and a game of Sorry---she won. I love her personality when it's one on one. She's different without Chace pestering her every breath or when she isn't trying to be just like her sister. I snapped a few pictures of her and will include them.

We've ended tonight with a family game of hide and seek, in the dark. The person that's 'IT' gets to carry a flashlight. Chace stays close to base because he doesn't like to be the one searching in the dark. Bella, the kitten, spoils hiding spots often and Julian tries to hide with other hiders. I on the other hand am usually getting some sort of house work accomplished while I'm either counting or hiding. Since we count in the garage I was able to get one of tomorrow's loads of laundry started. For the last round, I was able to bring downstairs a folded load of dish towels and wash clothes and get into the kitchen just as Jessica was coming out of the garage to search. I even made it to base for the first time. As with any play in the dark there were a few minor injuries and the older cat got bumped around a couple of times; but everyone is fine and the game continues.

OK, now I'll add another picture of a new toy we're trying out in the back yard. It's definitely a hit with our family but I don't think the ducks like it.

A sister does her sister right.

Julian decided, today, that 'we needed to hurry and go shopping because tomorrow is Jessica's birthday.' I needed to go out so that worked for me and Julian was right on with her ideas for Jessica. Chace on the other hand was admiring many things, things that HE would like to own. Or at least previously he wanted to own, but right now they would be good for Jessica's gift from him. She would really like it, Mommy, he would insist. On the chance that the birthday girl might read this prior to opening her gifts from her siblings that's all I'll write on this topic.

Chace, Julian and I are heading to church shortly for youth parent's night. William and Jess are already there. The younger two get to stay in daddy's office and hang out while William and I are invisible parents to a middle schooler. Actually Jessica and most of her friends are gracious enough to acknowledge our existence in their presence.

I'm ready for bed and so is Julian; she had gymnastics today. She was the only pupil there so got worked REAL hard and is exhausted. Her coach indicated that she needed to move to the intermediate class as she was beyond the beginner class. This especially after her one on one session today.

Chace, Oh Chace decided to use his pocket knife recently and guess what happened. Yes, he cut his hand. It isn't bad but I'm watching it like a hawk. He has to soak it everyday and twice if I'm really on it. He says it doesn't hurt, I believe him, I'm just not in the mood for it to get infected. I'll keep you posted.

September where are you going?

It must be about mid September because Jessica (who turns 12 on the 17th of September) keeps checking the mail and searching for packages. She received her first package this morning. Then, later this afternoon the UPS truck backed into our little street right in front of the house. Even parked the truck, but nothing. Then even later, another truck came onto our road, only to tease her. Waiting isn't a fun game.

Tonight my husband has taken the three children with their saved up money to purchase a Wii. They've been saving for many months and probably would have had it much sooner had each not been side tracked by various worldly goods.

Me---I'm on my way to my First Place bible study; the one my boss runs. I'm certain that I have not been a good girl this summer and will find those results to be certified the moment I step on the scales. To think I've probably put back on all the weight I lost. Well, hopefully not all of it.

My leg wound is healing and the scabs are coming off. I desperately feel the need to shave but will hold off a little while longer. At least, in that spot anyway.

So the tubs have been removed from my living room and we've gotten the house back in order. I also took a big load of stuff to my former Preschool Director and thusly opened up another nice space in the living room. Our next accomplishment will be to get the rest of the old desk out for bulk pick-up. It's a flat surface that regularly is accumulated with stuff. And it's hiding my well organized school book cases.

Four of our 5 painted lady butterflies have come out of their metamorphosis. The kitten tries to play basketball with them; they're not interested, at least not as interested as she is.

OK, now I should really get ready for the bible study. Let me find the least heaviest clothing I own.

Long schooling has begun, officially.

Though we did a slow and steady approach to our schooling this year, yesterday marked the first official day on the full routine schedule. The children have taken nicely to their requirements and are impressing us with their desire to maintain good grades. And thus the year is off and running.

I realized another reason I needed to make an entry on this blog...the last entry had my leg injury in all it's glory and that was quite gory to see as you entered my blog world. I'll look for another picture to add that isn't quite as gruesome. OK, so how's that?

It's time for the rest of the schooling day; piano, a reading of Tom Sawyer and then punctuation BINGO, does anyone have some quarters?

Some promised pictures

My weed wacker injury.




My pretty girl looking so good in her new glasses.




My classy family cooling their armpits.




Jessica on the phone yet again.




Look at that my Pretty Girl, my Diamond in the Rough and my Peanut Butter.

Ike take a HIKE!!!

When people board up for hurricanes they sometimes paint notes. That's the best I could come up with, I pray he won't be close enough to read any notes in Broward County.

Anyway the Long's are back from their final summer fling---we went to Orlando and did the Disney thing, Magic Kingdom to be exact. We picked a great day to go, the weather was nice and the lines were low. The longest we waited was to see Micky and Minnie and they are worth the wait. We rode everything we wanted to and some different rides from when we went in May. I love that all three of my children enjoy and are tall enough for roller coasters. And we found out this time around how wonderful their First Aid station really is.

For whatever reason we've become the accident prone family, with minor injuries mind you. OK, so mostly just me but the others too, a little bit. I got my shin last week with the weed wacker, OUCH, 13 times. I also dug around in my toiletry bag and found my uncapped razor---that one really was minor but any time I sweat at MK I noticed it. William got clawed, accidentally, by me. Jessica bumped or scraped herself two times and Chace had new shoes that rubbed blisters on both feet. Then there's Julian who fell and banged up her knee pretty bad.
I had packed bandages but no where near enough and we ran out at the park. Upon entering the MK First Aid Station we were treated like royalty and practically got our tickets price worth of bandages. And no one laughed at our flimsy reasons for all of our injuries, now that was nice.

OK, now you, too, can stop laughing at us and starting praying for us and all these waves heading our way. We're in a newer home and this one has metal storm shutters, we just have to figure out how to put them up. William swore we wouldn't stay home for any storm over a Cat 2. Providing we have electricity we will continue to update on our status as we can.

Happy Labor Day

We started our day early and accomplished a whole lotta stuff. The first thing on our list....sunrise at the beach. We surprised the children, telling them William and I had an early meeting and they had to go with us. They grumbled even when we told them they could wear their jammies to the meeting. Reluctantly they got out of their beds and crawled into the van. Our meeting place was vague enough that it really wasn't until we pulled into the parking garage that I heard Jessica say, "We're at the beach." You see, within the last year or so, the city has remodeled the boardwalk and built the parking garage. The children and I have been and we love the work they did. Unfortunately, I knew it would take something to get my husband to check it out. With a water play area and a nice play ground it's easier to pull the children from the beach and get them closer to the van. Plus they love getting rinsed now and I felt certain my husband would appreciate the results. So we head to the sand---not the water---Gustav and Hanna really have the water brewing too much for us. Once the sun is up the children head to the play area and eventually mom and dad join them. We're slightly disappointed that the water isn't turned on but pacify ourselves by getting breakfast at a nearby eatery. After breakfast the kids are wanting to get one of those bike things that seats the whole family. The problem with a good sunrise is it's too early for everything else. The bike store is closed but alas, the water is turned on, woohoooo. Some of the (two older) children tried to play it cool but not for too long. Shortly after Julian walked through the maze and had her Tinkerbell jammies soaked, the other two ran in and joined the fun. It was fun to watch them interact with each other and enjoy the area all by themselves. After 2 hours of fun it was time to dry off and go home.

Once home William and I hop back on the --getting the school curriculum organized and schedules made-- wagon. The children were no where to be found. Hmmmm. Now, many hours later, we've got the master schedule on paper and the book shelves are looking more organized.

Earlier this afternoon we took the children to see Long shots, a good movie.

Now for the weather, it's crazy. Today we had no rain, that was a change from yesterday's deluge. Gustav seems to be out of our hair. Hanna isn't sure what she's going to do and then there's the other 4 waves that are being watched. Ike was named while we were in the movie. We know because William has 'cone on your phone' and he got the text message during the movie. Wednesday afternoon we had planned to go to Orlando for one last summer trip. That is still not fully decided and might not be until Wednesday.

By the end of the week Jessica should have her glasses. She rec'd her first birthday gift, already, a cell phone from mommy and daddy. I know, I know, she's only 12 and how old was I when I got my first cell. I know, I know, when is she away from mommy and daddy, rarely. I know, I know, I got all that. And she got her cell phone.

So tomorrow it's back to work, and the same for Wednesday. Hopefully Thursday we'll be with Mickey Mouse and then that just leaves Friday to contend with. Another week gone, the first week of September under our belts. Fall must be somewhere around the corner but it sure doesn't feel like Fall.