The beginning of the end

As most of you know, I'm homeschooling Caden this year. It has its ups and downs, but the really fun part is that reading is just starting to click! I thought this was a good thing.

Shann and I frequently spell things to each other. For awhile, the kids have enjoyed trying to guess what we're saying, but last night, Shann spelled b-u-t-t to me, and Caden sounded it out!
He was extremely jubilant over this fact, and his joy was compounded since we don't allow the kids to use this term!

I'm not sure what we'll do now, as I'm pretty sure Shann and I are not up to spelling backwards!

Yikes! A Crazy Day at the Zoo!

The pics from our day can be seen here!
http://gardocki.blogspot.com/
Thanks for doing this post, Jay!

Irritable Bill Syndrome

How can a person who I see at a maximum of 4 minutes per week make my blood boil so? Bill works at our library. And Bill always seems to be irritated. Irritated at my very existence, yes, it seems so. But he is really miffed at the fact that I ask questions, reserve books, and sometimes have fines. The other librarians do not seem to take it as a personal affront when I return a book late, but Bill treats me like a tattooed video-game playing teenager, instead of the adult book-reader that I am.

I was in the library yesterday, picking up a book I'd reserved. I had already received a call that my book "The Giraffe that walked to Paris" was in. I gave Bill my name, and asked him to see if my book was in (knowing that it was). One only needs to pivot 90 degrees to view the reserved bookshelf. But Bill insisted that he have my library card to "open my account" first. I suppose he wanted to see my 'standing' with the library so that he knew how to treat me. He told me with disdainful relish (or so I imagined) that I had a fine of $1.60. Now, I KNOW that I paid said fine last week to Bill himself. I remember it clearly. I told this to Irritable Bill, but he said, after looking over his spectacles at me, that he would 'just leave the fine on my account'. I don't know why Bill would do this, except for the fact that he does not believe me. After all, I do look rather like the book-burning, 'liar about library fines' type.

I haven't decided what to do about this small fine which I refuse to pay twice. I'd really LIKE to call one of the kind librarians and tell on Irritable Bill, but perhaps that would be uncharitable, and I'm not sure what it would profit me. Suggestions?

A Wolf and a Mermaid...oh my!

Reward Plate

Our craft at the last MOPS meeting was a 'reward plate'. The idea being that if a child has been especially obedient or kind, they could get to eat dinner off of this special plate! A fun idea. I told Caden and Alyssa about this on our way home, and both of them were excited!

But then awhile later, this sound drifted down the stairs: "Alyssa, if you don't give that to me right now, you will not get the reward plate!"

So the idea had to explained again. A lot more clearly.

New hair cut "like Gwenny's"

You know how when you're ready to get a hair cut, you want it NOW? Thats how I've been feeling about Alyssa's for the past couple of days. So this afternoon, we cut about 4 inches off! She was Very excited to have hair like her cousin Gwen!

Isaiah 42:10 Sing a new song to the Lord...

Alyssa has told me she likes to sing songs (that she makes up) and dance with God in her room time. Today in the car, she favored us with one of her new songs.

"God, I love you so much.
God, I love you so much.
God, I love you very very much.
God, I love you so much.
(Mama, God likes it when you talk to Him, sing to Him, and dance with Him.)
God, I love you so much."
(Etc, etc, etc. Starting to not be such a new song).
Then after many minutes of this, she ended with:
"Satan, I don't like you. You're ugly and weird."

Myrtle Beach Pool

I don't know why I've been inspired to finally complete the pictures of our Myrtle Beach vacation on this cold and rainy day...maybe fond memories of warmth. Here are a few pool shots. We seemed to have this pool to ourselves for the most part. So much so that we were a bit miffed if we had to share it!Uncle Ryan and Reid
Kind Alyssa
Poppy's 'MO'
Ahh - the infinity pool overlooking the ocean. One of our favorite hangouts.
Shann's 'MO'
Note Reid taking a drink.
From foreground (for those unfamiliar with the family): Shann; Poppy, Shann's Dad; Sharra, Shann's pregnant sister; and Grammy, Shann's mom.
We miss you, sweet warm sun and lazy days by the pool!

Its decided

Sorry to all you hopefuls out there, but Caden has now announced that he will marry a girl named Alice. I think that will narrow the field by quite alot. No, we don't know any Alices.

Daniel Boone's Homestead

A couple of weeks ago, we went on a field trip to Daniel Boone's homestead with our Homeschool Group. The night before we went, I went online to find out a little bit about Daniel Boone so we wouldn't be totally in the dark. But, turns out, he was barely mentioned. Instead, the interpreter talked a lot about the Revolutionary War! He asked the group if anyone was studying it. Caden loudly announced that, no, we aren't. Too bad he wasn't feeling a bit shy just then! After the talk, we did a little militia training. Here, I'm helping Alyssa hold the musket.

I think daydreaming was looked down upon for those in the militia.

Caden with his good friend Caleb. They were definitely ready for some action!

My friend, Jen, and her little boy, Noah.

Well, Daniel Boone, whoever you were, you had a very pretty farm! :)

Indeed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8fSjtPLuBQ&feature=related

Philadelphia

Last weekend we took the train Philadephia with my mom and dad! We ate lunch in the Reading Terminal Market. No one got pictures of this, but it was very fun. We'd seen that market on Man versus Food on the Food Network and had to try the sandwhich the host had at this place! Pork, cheese, and brocolli Rabe. Very good. We also had a couple of great Giros!

Lots of fun pictures with these game pieces in this square!

Trying to push it over!

Sitting on a bingo piece.


I didn't recognize this wheelbarrow piece...maybe monopoly?

Definitely monopoly!

We also walked through the Historic district and went into a few of the buildings around Independence Hall. By the time we got back to the train, we were tired! Lots of walking! Unfortunately this sweet picture is very blurry, but I still had to include it! This is on the train going home!

Apples

We went apple picking on Friday with lots of warm homemade applesauce in mind! Peeking through the hedge! Caden rejected many of the apples Grandma picked, declaring "I am a particular one"!

Lissy tries to haul the cart down the row... A bit easier with Grandpa's help

Lissa takes a break to eat one.

How many did we pick, anyway? 10 bushels??? Ok, no, I guess just 2.

The washing, cutting, boiling, smooshing/straining, jar filling, boiling and cooling seemed to stretch ON! Caden helped too!

BUT, we did have Some entertainment!

And we made 35 quarts! That should last us awhile! Yum!

Myrtle Beach Park

A morning at the park in Myrtle Beach! Feeding the turtles.

Trying to keep my balance while others help me lose it!

Spiderman on his web.

Reid has the best ride of all!

G & G

G & G has been on our calendar for weeks, and finally the day came yesterday! Grandma and Grandpa were coming! All day long Caden and Alyssa asked how long until they came. I used all sorts of time measuring implements, such as "as long as your YMCA class", or "as long as Roary the Racing Car show", etc. Caden declared that they must be hitting many red lights. Then about 15 minutes before they arrived, he decided time must be going backwards!
We're so happy they've finally come!
Soon I'll be posting some pictures from our apple picking this morning. Right now we're in the midst of applesauce making, so I must go help!