Classically Catholic

New Year in Ancient Greece

2012-01-23T16:29:00.000-06:00

After an extended break for the Christmas Season, we are back in the saddle with Hoplite Soldiers and Alexander the Great, touring Classical Greece. Listening to Tales of the Odyssey and The Iliad for Boys and Girls on Librivox while sketching the Parthenon was fun, but the kids got the biggest kick out of this History Channel intro to the mythological gods and goddesses. Sorry, no pics this week. Next week I promise to let you sneak a peak at the Trojan Horse and warrior shields we plan to construct out of cardboard and papier mache.

αντίο

Pro Life Generation Taking A Stand

2012-01-22T16:03:00.000-06:00

Once again we stand for Life. It isn't DC, but the message is just as important on the local level as it is nationally. I am proud of my fabulous husband and daughters who joined dear friends at the state capital to represent those who have no voice in the matter.

Praying for the day this American holocaust ends.

Praying for all who have been scarred by the lie

that has allowed the innocents to die.

Dropped Off The Planet?

2012-01-22T15:40:00.003-06:00

No, we haven't. Just fading into the background to deal with a virulent bug that has been keeping me down for the past 4 weeks. And that is nothing compared to the spiritual battle going on around here lately. We have been praying for: very young people who are battling cancer, an even younger one in NICU struggling to survive, a homeschooling mom recently diagnosed with leukemia, good friends dealing with life threatening auto immune disorders, fathers who have been unemployed for too long, and the prayer requests just keep pouring in. On top of that, the devil has been rearing his ugly head in our very own home, making sure we understand the full impact of Luke 12::53- "The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother..? " Well it really stinks. I believe our guardian angels are working overtime and this is only the beginning of what is yet to come. But life goes on. We roll up our sleeves, bend our knees, pray hard, and press on.

Paint Like An Egyptian

2011-11-18T12:37:00.001-06:00

~~Walk~~ Paint like an Egyptian, using a few tips from this site. Or you could mummify a cat-

sort of.....

Aren't they regal?

If a cat isn't your style, try your little brother or sister....

At least until they cry, "I want my mummy!"

After a full day of art projects you can alwaysEat like an Ancient Egyptian.

For Today's Lunch....

Try a stew made of barley, red wheat, and brown rice; all grains typically farmed in Egypt.

Thanks, Kimberly, for providing another yummy meal for our hungry students. I know Joseph probably did not store up carrots or turkeys for sausage, but it did add a nice flavor to the grain, and we are quite fond of our Jambalaya in the deep south ;)

Whew! I'm stuffed.

Ancient Egyptian Art

2011-11-12T22:55:00.000-06:00

How did the Ancient Egyptians associate art with life after death?

What is Frontalism?

Who was Ka and why is he/she/it so important to Pharoah?

Why is Lower Egypt further north than Upper Egypt?

Why do we love Fridays so much?

So many questions and so little time.

Your guess is as good as mine.

The Art of Science

2011-11-08T22:33:00.000-06:00

Or is it the Science of Art?

Difficult to tell when both are so amazing and fun! What happens if you drop some food coloring into a dish of milk? Not much, until a drop of dish soap is added to the mix. Why? It is our mission to discover.

Next, how about some Halloween candy chromatography? It only takes a few
Skittles and M&Ms to perform this yummy experiment.

Then there is always the fireworks in a glass experiment.

Science can be so beautiful, but don't forget to discuss How It Works.

Then have some fun.

Our Lady of Hope

2011-11-06T22:05:00.006-06:00

Isn't she beautiful? It is undeniable that she is full of grace. Mother of the Word, Incarnate, Our Lady of Hope, pray for us, that we may be a holy family.

Fall Gardenspot

2011-11-06T21:57:00.000-06:00

Presenting, for the first time ever, my fall garden....

This little guy is guarding the lettuce and radishes while his big brother watches over sugar snap peas.

Do you remember when the garden was first designed in the spring? My happy place finally came to life. We had to chop down the passion plant after the caterpillars took over,

but what a butterfly show we had last week! So many chrysalises! Charming, but bothersome. My sleeves were covered with critters after pruning back the plant.

The eggplants and peppers are still blooming from the summer crop. I love the south! If only the tomatoes had enough hours of daylight to produce in the fall. I wonder if a Gro light could help us produce plants indoors? Might have to give it a try, especially with the cost of tomatoes and other veggies these days. But the sunny gulf coast will allow us to grow carrots, broccoli. cauliflower, radishes, lettuce, spinach, and sugar snap peas in November, so I shouldn't complain. Thank goodness my family does not have to survive on produce from this garden. It is really more about being my quiet, happy place amidst the chaos of a large family. But my dear sister assures me that if we had to sustain ourselves on such a garden, we would make it work. I will trust her words of wisdom and continue to tend the garden as a hobby rather than a chore.

Falling Back on Sunday Rest

2011-11-06T18:00:00.000-06:00

Today was a day to enjoy! Wasn't it a breeze to wake up this morning? We used the opportunity to meet my daughter in time for Latin mass in the city. The girls loved wearing mantillas and chanting Latin hymns. The boys were unimpressed, until communion at the altar rail. Very cool, they all agreed. I love the sights and sounds of the high mass; the incense that carries our thoughts and prayers heavenward, the music of angels cascading from the choir loft, and the reverence....oh, the reverence which prostrates our souls before the Lord. It is the way we should always come before Him. While I was marveling at the statues and artwork adorning the tabernacle, my son was taken in by the sign forbidding blue jeans at mass. Funny what will catch your attention. We were all constantly thumbing through the missal to find our place throughout the liturgy, but the Signum Crucis, Gloria, Pater Noster, and Agnus Dei reminded us that it is all familiar if we focus. Thank you, Latina Christiana for helping us focus! We have attended a Tridentine Mass or two in Baltimore, but the prayers were spoken with such momentum that we could not keep up. The beautiful intonation of the high mass this morning was calming and awe inspiring. We left with a lilt in our walk and in our souls. After mass we took a short drive to dear daughters apartment, to whip up a hearty brunch of eggs, biscuits, tea and fruit. Lovely!

They have a lovely place complete with eclectic art in the living area, a diverse library in the front room, and a scrumptious assortment of Earl Grey in the pantry, but NO Coffee Pot!

I had to make a quick stop for a Mocha Latte, since English Breakfast Blend and Vanilla Chai aren't my cup of joe. Everyone took a moment to change into more comfortable clothes, then we spent the morning laughing, dining and drawing. There were a couple of feisty chess games in between.

It was sooooo relaxing. Amazingly, our sweet 16 sports enthusiast didn't freak out that her sister doesn't subscribe to cable TV even though it is football season! She just watched the play by play description on the Internet as we enjoyed the afternoon. It was a pleasant get together, but everyonel missed our other daughter who spent her weekend all alone in the dorm, studying.....

NOT! She was actually with a campus group eating junk food while watching the ballgame. Today she joined the college ministry from our local church for dinner.. I don't suppose she missed us nearly as much as we missed her. Overall, it was a beautiful day. Time to get back home, BBQ some pork chops, and see how the Ravens fared against whoever they played. Good night, ya'll.

Year of Milestones

2011-10-15T16:48:00.000-05:00

Wow, I am so behind the times! There are simply too many milestones to keep up with on the web log this year. We have celebrated landmark birthdays, a high school graduation, and a confirmation so far. I started off on my game with a post about our Sweet 16-er in January. Then life started rolling faster than I could keep up as we planned for a fabulous summer and a North Carolina camp experience. And I dropped the blogging ball altogether when Uncle Nick broke his hip. Time to play catch up now that Uncle Nick is back in Boogie Mode.

We celebrated a fabulous 18th birthday, right on the heels of a high school graduation.

It was such an exciting way to kick off the summer. These three gals made a fine 2011 graduating class!

And What a thrill to watch Dear Husband present the diploma as we celebrated the accomplishments of our middle child!

Everyone was excited that Father offered a beautiful mass in honor of the graduates.

Home schooling can be exhausting and the rewards are not always immediate. That is why it was especially validating for me to send another child off to college, well prepared, with a full scholarship in hand. This girl is going places!

It was an accomplishment-

for both of us.

Good excuse for a grand celebration.

Speaking of grand celebrations, we had a wingding of a party for the grandtwins' first birthday.

This was also the year that Queena turned 13. She celebrated her first hours as an official teenager with a sleepover spa party for mermaids. The decorations included mermaid art, streamers, and glittery fabric draped across the living room. Ice cream and cake were served upon sea shells. Facials, manicures, and lots of giggly drama went on until the wee hours of the night. Then the girls hugged pillows until late the following morning. Isn't 13 old enough for breakfast coffee? (Well in New Orleans, babies are weaned on coffee milk and beignets- aren't they?)

Two months later this guy hit double digits. 10!!!

What a difference between the boys and girls when it comes to birthday sleepovers! Just gave the guys lots of food, a bucket of Legos, and an alternate universe to conquer, and they were satisfied to play until 11:30. Then off to bed, because what would a sleepover be without a home cooked breakfast at 6:00 am?

REALLY???? Is it 6:00 am?

Thanks be to older brothers who took the gang out back for a morning round of something or other so I could sleep in a little longer. Then they started the eggs and biscuits while I pulled out the waffle iron. The aroma was enough to rumble Dad's stomach.

Are all these boys Catholic? YES, Dear, I think they are.Well, then, how about a morning offering and grace before they settle in for breakfast? Maybe we can even get in a meditation. How long did you say till breakfast?

It's no wonder that I love that man.

After refueling, it was time for football and frisbee on the front lawn until parents arrived to pick up the yawning players.

And the festivities continued as we celebrated another Confirmation. Her godmother and two sisters came to town to stand by her as she ratified the promises we made for her at baptism. It was great fun to see the girls fussing over each other's hair and make-up for an hour before the big event, even if it meant waiting until the last 5 minutes till I could get into my own bathroom to find a hair brush and lip stick.

Hurry up, Mom. What is taking so long? We are going to be late!

I miss having everyone at home (some days more than others). After the reception the teenagers poured into the house for a few hands of cards.

That is, until I shushed their laughter one too many times and they all headed home. What an old lady I am these days! Making the young people quiet down just because it is after 11 on a week night.

Sure, we will have many more first time experiences and milestones to log this year, but I will try to stay on top it from here on out. Busy family, busy mom, busy blogger. Now, to get back to the business of real life. Weeding the fall garden and cooking something healthy for dinner (especially after all that cake!).

Ancient Literature / History / Art Cycle (With Some Chemistry on the Side)

2011-10-14T19:27:00.003-05:00

Just a little light reading on the schedule this month:
The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Code of Hammurabi, and Till We Have Faces.
The kids have also virtually explored the Caves of Lascaux, the Gate of Ishtar, and the mysteries of Stonehenge.
In Art co-op we have designed our own cave painting shoe boxes,

crafted low relief sculptures with recycled styrofoam,

and molded animals out of terra cotta clay.

While the high school kids separated the H2 fro the O in Dr. Marsha's Lab,

the elementary school students grew borax crystals on my window sill.

I am really proud of the work the kids have been doing. They are also enjoying the beautiful fall weather and fun Fridays playing football on the lawn. Life is good, and I am thankful for the gift of home education- which allows me to enjoy every moment of it with them.

What Would Make Them Stop To Think?

2011-10-11T19:22:00.004-05:00

Ok, so I already posted this on Culture of Life vs. Death, but it is too good not to share with a larger audience.
HT to Little Catholic Bubble.

Even the guy with the Mohawk? - Wow!

Imagine that. Just a little courage and a few questions CAN make a difference.

Defending the Culture of Life

2011-10-02T21:26:00.000-05:00

October. It is the month of the Holy Rosary, the month of the Archangels and Guardian Angels, and the month that we celebrate the life of our own precious Dominic. We begin the month, as always, prayerfully standing for the unborn.

"May the angels lead you into paradise;

may the martyrs come to welcome you

and take you to the holy city,

the new and eternal Jerusalem."

Join us and all of those dedicated to defending the Culture of Life during this 40 days for Life. And take30 minutes to watch the Culture of Death take a U-Turn in the hearts of these young people.
HT: Little Catholic Bubble

Two Cute To Let Go

2011-09-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

The Grandtwins were here with big Brother for a whirlwind visit.

Can you believe they are walking already?

And I mean everywhere.
Guard the stairs and put the school books up higher.

These guys are on a mission to explore everything in sight.

Tug of war or football? Can't decide. How about Tug-o-Football?

They haven't decided whether to like the dog or not.

Maybe from the other side of the window.

Now you see them. Now you don't. I miss my grandkids already.

Hopefully we will have a longer visit in a few months.

Worth the Mess

2011-09-23T19:54:00.001-05:00

And boy oh boy, what a mess it was! Today we decorated cookies for the edible periodic table.

Chemistry never tasted so good.

Supermom, Kimberly, brought lunch again. Today's treat: navy beans loaded with garlic, onions, carrots and spices. Perfect therapy for all of the head colds going around. And of course, cookies baked with love (the most important *element* in every recipe) were for dessert. The kids picnicked outside while the counters were made ready for the afternoon project.

The real mess was yet to come: A collage that expresses a single word- an emotion or idea. Themes ranged from Precious, Sweetness and Glamour, to Travel, Hard Core and Sangfroid. GOTTA LOVE IT when the vocabulary words appear on art projects. Dear Son totally gets extra credit for that one!

The kids ripped into the pictures with mucho gusto. Thankfully dear friend, Candice, handled damage control by protecting the carpet from Mod Podge and shredded magazine debris. The boys worked outside so their mess was literally blown away by their awesomeness.

It didn't take long for the wind to chase them back inside.

The table was full, so our artists overflowed onto the kitchen floor.

Where they could spread out to put the finishing touches on their compositions. Here is Mr. Cool, himself, using blues to highlight his pics.

And the finished products.....

Magnifico!

Kitchen Chemistry and Fine Arts Fridays

2011-09-18T23:30:00.002-05:00

Fridays are fabulous when friends come together to learn the chemistry behind baked cookies, and the tricks of designing abstract still life paintings. Throw in pizza for lunch and everyone's happy!

While the high school students experimented with calorimetry at Dr. Marsha's domestic lab across the way, the younger students joined me in the kitchen to prepare Periodic Table Cookies. We discussed the role each ingredient played in making our display so yummy, using this Alton Brown-style lesson to understand the chemistry of baking. The cookies were a big hit, though a few disappeared mysteriously. (Time ran out before we had a chance to decorate the sweet squares, but there is always next week. After completing the Atom's Family Worksheets and this Element Jeopardy Game, we will color code and label each element with royal icing).

While the cookies were cooling and the kiddos were chillin, the teenagers returned home for lunch and art class. Homeschooling comrade, Kimberly, ordered tons of pizza and cheesy garlic bread for the whole gang. Now that's a mom who knows how to put smiles on everyone's face (especially those teenage boys).

Dear Husband connected the big screen TV to the computer for use as a homemade Smartboard for these Friday co-operative lessons. Now we can access any museum from cyberspace at a moment's notice. How cool is that?

Once the table was cleared and the spatulas were replaced with paint brushes, we gathered around the electronic "chalk board" in the living room, for a lesson in art history. Then the creative juices began to flow!

Each child chose a still life to sketch and used a ruler to straighten all of the lines in their drawing.

There was the option to curve every line (which seemed more popular with the girls who were painting farm eggs and milk in a pitcher).

Once the lines were adjusted and extended, the task was to paint every section with a hues limited to two complimentary colors, which could be used purely, combined, or shaded / tinted with black / white.

Fruit to be painted in orange and blue hues

Some students took their projects home to finish over the weekend. There never seems to be enough time.

Spring Mix in a Vase (in progress)

Flowers and Candles

Fridays are getting pretty colorful around here and I am loving every messy moment. More to come next time, when we will create expressive collages on the outside of our portfolios. What a way to round out the school week!

The Fine Art of Homeschooling

2011-09-13T21:22:00.003-05:00

This homeschooling family is tackling a subject that often falls by the wayside when the schedule is tight. ART! My secret to avoid neglecting those back burner subjects is simple. Invite a few families to join us each week. Nothing like a little accountability to put the pressure on!. In typical DIY fashion, we jumped right into a subject that we know very little about, and resolved to learn it together.
Week one was devoted to defining art and discussing why it is important for any given culture. Our studio time was spent designing our own personal logos which will eventually be digitally enhanced and applied to homemade art portfolios.

White duct tape and poster boards were used to construct these handy dandy carriers to hold 2 dimensional projects. Foam board would probably be more sturdy, but money and space are scarce these days. The poster boards came in a 10 pack from Wally World at a cost of $3.67. We picked up sketch pads and water color tablets from Hobby Lobby using 40% discount coupons. Not so hard on the budget, even with 5 kids to supply.

This week we hosted 5 families with a total of 14 participating kids. The number one goal was to have fun broadening our knowledge of fine arts terminology and creating Still Life Sketches Emphasizing Line, Shape and Color (Art in Focus).

From the looks of these smiles, I'd say it was a successful venture.

Next week we will wet the palettes with acrylic paint and venture into abstract designs. This is too much fun to be considered schoolwork. Looking forward to posting some samples of this gang's creativity throughout the year. Why don't you send us some of your own art projects so we can compare notes and share ideas? I'd love to see what other home educators are up to.

What Would Your Family Do?

2011-09-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

No cell phones, video games, TV, Facebook. How about no Internet at all? What would your family do with the free time? Maybe they would......

Take a hike together and appreciate the beauty of nature.

It could be fun to meet a new family or two along the way,

and maybe challenge them to a game of checkers....

or football.

They could toss the frisbee

and dive for a volleyball

Your kids might even decide to

Clean their rooms....

And make dear Mom smile ;)

But more than likely they would rather learn a new game.

Especially one that allows them to clobber a brother with a dodge ball

BOMBARDMENT!!!

The girls would also like to make a craft,

or learn a new dance move.

Dear son can cut a pretty mean rug as well.

When not pretending to be Tom Sawyer.

As much as kids like to dress up,

They should stage a play.

Maybe your child would prefer some
one-on-one time with a special friend?

Or a leisurely afternoon ride?

Think of all the possibilities...

Learning new skills

Climbing to new heights

Taking a chance...

Conquering a fear.

Mom and Dad ought to be right there with them

Exploring new things- together.

Let's zip right along and cut to the chase

Unplug, reconnect and make some real time to spend with your kids.....

Because all good things really do come to an end.

One day you could wake up to realize that your

middle child just left for college, and the nest

is emptying faster than you ever imagined.

My children are a gift from God;

I intend to enjoy the present.

Ancient History Weekly Plans

2011-08-28T22:57:00.001-05:00

It seems unnatural to begin the school year before Labor Day, but we will have a houseful of guests in mid September and every other kid on the block has been in school for a few weeks already. So we used last week as a trial run to get going on a few subjects. The first few weeks of lesson plans for Ancient History/Lit/Art/Science are available here.

*Note that they are incomplete. I will add assignments as time allows.

We are lucky to have a dear friend volunteer to teach Chemistry for the high school students this year. This amazes me because she doesn't even have a child in the class. Marsha is a generous soul with a Ph.D. in Chemistry- and I can't thank her enough! I will shadow her assignments with age appropriate experiments for the younger siblings who will be hanging out in her basement during class time. After chemistry, we will head back to our house for "recess" and lunch before beginning an Art / History class for all ages. Fridays will be busy with co-operative learning and lots of that socialization that homeschoolers supposedly lack.

Here is the textbook run down to clarify the lesson plan abbvreviations:

Religion:
Elementary Students: Faith and Life
High School Students: Didache Series Understanding The Scriptures

English:
Seton Grammar Workbooks (grade appropriate for each student)

Sadlier Oxford Vocabulary Workshop
Sadlier Oxford Writer's Workshop

Student Writing Intensive (second semester)
Seton Spelling and Phonics for elementary students

Math:
Math U See, Horizon Math, or Abeka Math Workbook
for Elementary students (different curriculum for different learning styles)
Saxon Algebra 1/2
Algebra II
Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications (Again, I have two students in Algebra II this year. One will take it slowly with a tutor and the other will use a combination Alg II / Trig text)

Science:
Apologia Chemistry for high school students
Select chapters from Matter and Motion for Junior High
Various Science websites and library books for elementary/ junior high students (see side by side comparison of elementary and high school chemistry that will be used for the co-op)

History / Literature:
Omnibus I and related readings for Junior high and high school students
Veritas Old Testament and Egypt, New Testament, Greece and Rome History Cards and related readings / worksheets/ and crafts for elementary students
Ancient Egypt History Pockets for elementary students
Kolbe Ancient Greek / Roman Literature Guides

Economics:
*High Schoolers took the Dave Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance course last year and were not able to complete the Economics study so we are following up with.....
What Ever Happened to Penny Candy
Bluestocking Guide to Economics
Free Market Reader
I highly recommend the Dave Ramsey course and the Economics books listed above. My college / high school kids have well calculated budgets and very specific financial goals for the future. Dear husband and I have learned a thing or two from their vibrant dinner conversations last year, concerning automobile sales, marketing hooks, and government spending.

Foreign Language:
Prima Latina (for the very young)
Latina Christiana I and II for elementary and junior high
*We used Henle Latin for first year High Schoolers, then allowed the kids to pick a language to study.
Prego Italian- the course of choice for this year.

ART:
And finally.....drum roll please........
The class I have been waiting for.....
Art In Focus
This is the perfect supplement to Ancient History. I lined up all of the history / religion / and literature chapters to coincide with the lessons contained in the first half of this book. The text is detailed, the illustrations beautiful, and the studio assignments should be great fun. I am so looking forward to having an excuse to convert my classroom into an art studio and to buy out the fine arts section of Hobby Lobby. I feel like a little child in a candy store! I hope to keep you updated with many pictures as the course progresses. Why don't you dab some pigment on your palette and join us! Ashley, where are you when I need you most??????

Gearing Up for Cycle I: Ancient History/ Literature/ and Finally- Focus on Art!

2011-08-14T13:14:00.003-05:00

The van is unpacked, the kids are scrubbed down from head to toe, and we officially killed the washing machine with cave sludge and camp debris. So it is time to gather the school supplies and switch into last minute ~~panic mode~~ planning mode. I am excited about our Ancient History and Literature curriculum, especially since we are finally concentrating on Art for an entire school year. And I found a fabulous resource for free printables at this site.
HT: Amy. Thanks!

Lesson plans will be posted soon, but first- a trip to the laundry mat. Ugh!!!! Looks like a shop lesson for kids.

BTW- I am incredibly grateful for a husband who isn't afraid to tackle a tricky repair in order to save big $$$$.

Note to Dear Husband: Thanks for coming home after a long day at the office to repair college student's car by the last twinkle of daylight, then tear this monster apart. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to keeping this family rolling along. Love you!

Fantabulous Family Vacation

2011-08-13T17:35:00.005-05:00

Looking for the best family vacation ever?

How about luxurious accommodations.....

Fine dining,

and an exciting itinerary
to satisfy everyone in the family?

After a morning of rockin with your girlfriends

You might like to relax in the whilrpool .

Or perhaps you'd rather a natural stone shower.

Of course there is always to option to enjoy both...

Some even prefer to forego the bath,

for a leisurely dip in the lake.

And when the children are resting,

you could sneak away for an afternoon cruise,

Enjoy a bit of theater....

Or simply ride off into the sunset

And enjoy the view.

That's what I'm talking about!

Too Clean for Comfort

2011-08-02T16:34:00.004-05:00

I bet you never thought I would say those words. After all, how can anything be too clean?

Well, I once knew a nurse that suffered terribly at home because she worked long hours in a sterile environment. She became sensitive to everything in the air.

Not that my house is a sterile environment. But after cashing in on a Groupon for 60% off of a total house cleaning, it is as close to immaculate as possible. With 5 kids away at summer camp, and Uncle Nick recuperating in a skilled nursing facility, the house is actually staying spic and span.

Fewer people= lighter meals, less laundry, less traffic, and cleaner floors.

And since it is summer, we are spending more time at the pool, so even the boys are cleaner.

I LOVE A CLEAN HOUSE!

So much so that my Dear Husband said he never saw anyone get such a charge over cleaning.

Not cleaning, my Dear, but having it cleaned.

That is the part that I love (especially when it can be done on this frugal budget). But even I have to admit, after weeks of enjoying the pristine kitchen, it was beginning to feel a bit like Stepford around here. I miss the excitement of a busy kitchen and everyone talking at once at the dinner table. I miss my kids. So the two youngest boys and I decided to mix it up a bit.

We messed up every counter in the kitchen

to mix up a feast fit for Cookie Monster.

What else was there to do on such a soggy day?

Goodbye, clean kitchen.

Goodbye, low carb diet.

Hello memories that two boys will always have,

of the summer when they were the oldest.

Restless Mind Syndrome

2011-07-17T15:47:00.096-05:00

Can't sleep. I've got restless mind syndrome. I just keep kicking random ideas around in my head until the wee hours, then fret about how difficult it will be to function the next day on little-to-no sleep. My mind races in a thousand different directions and I can drown in a sea of useless anxiety, while Dear Husband snores away, blissfully unaware of the spiritual battle taking place next to him.

Funny how my prayer life is more intense and heartfelt at 3 am. It always has been. I remember many nights when a nursing baby rocked in my arms to the rhythm of the rosary. Other times it would be a wheezing, feverish child on my shoulder, listening to the Ave Maria while percussion therapy opened his lungs to the night air. And when life comes hard at an adult child, the "bo-bo's" are more difficult to hug and kiss away -- "Little kids, little problems. Big kids..... Well, you know the adage.

More often the distress that finds me staring wildly at the changing numbers on the clock is more difficult to pinpoint. It is as though a stream of consciousness hits a sharp curve and the banks overflow. Again, there is that endless sinking feeling, until I remember to grab hold of His hand. Finally, in silent, intense prayer, I stop laboring over my inability to walk on water, the storm dies down, the sea calms, and I am re-centered.

14 to 4 Overnight

2011-07-13T15:45:00.002-05:00

We had everyone together for the big birthday bash

......and then it started.

Almost overnight we went from a household of 14 to 4.

Uncle Nick took a nasty fall and is recuperating in a skilled nursing facility until his physical therapy is complete. Anticipated discharge: the end of summer.
The grandsons and their mother left to visit friends and relatives in Maryland for who knows how long. If the economy is more promising in the Northeast, the visit could turn into a permanent move.
We delivered 1 son and 4 daughters to Camp in North Carolina.

That means we are a typical American family of 4 until the first week of August.

Sort of.

I don't remember how to cook for 4.
The washing machine is in shock now that we are doing laundry twice a week instead of twice a day.
I mopped the floor yesterday for the first time this week.
Haven't had to wash the table cloth more than once a week either.
It takes about 20 minutes to clean the entire house, because it is staying clean longer.

It is like living in the twilight zone. Eerily quiet, amazingly peaceful, and CLEAN. I miss my kids at camp, but Wow! I could get used to this. With a child leaving for college every two years, I suppose this is a foretaste of the not so distant future. There are still a gazillion projects to complete, letters from camp to answer, and lessons to plan for next school year. So I can't complain of boredom. But on the brighter side, I did promise myself a mani/pedicure as a reward for taming the jungle garden. There are also two white rockers on the porch and a chilled bottle of wine in the fridge just waiting for Dear Husband's arrival. And is that a plain white canvas I hear calling my name? I may actually get a chance to answer that call very soon.

Wahoooo!

Eutrapalia at its finest.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

2011-07-13T14:46:00.002-05:00

There is a task list posted on the kitchen white board, listing all of the projects that should be completed before the start of next school year. These are the things that nag at me daily, but there just isn't time to it all, so I save them for summer. Rooms to be rearranged, walls to be painted, closets to be organized, attic storage to be sorted, gardens to be tamed, lessons to be planned, and a ceiling that should be re-textured to hide a water stain. It is an endless list of chores that breed new chores. Painting the walls highlights how badly the baseboards need a coat. Moving the furniture leads to spring cleaning the dust bunnies and repairing scratched flooring. Working inside turns my attention away from the disorder outside.

It was during vacation Bible school week that I found myself with a little time on my hands. So I decided to tackle the garden-turned-jungle. After all the weeding and pruning it was time to blow the debris into piles for bagging. Once the back yard was finished, I cut through the house with leaf blower in hand to tackle the front yard.

That is when I had the idea to use the leaf blower inside. Hmmmm! I could blow the dust bunnies under our bedroom furniture to smitherines, without having to move seriously heavy furniture and scratch the wood floors. Brilliant! Did it work? Like a charm. But I will warn you- DON"T try this at home, at least not when your sons or dear husband are watching. There is a Tim the Toolman in all of them. Can't resist a power tool that can do the job of a boring old broom. And you'll be dusting everything from the baseboards to the ceiling fan for hours afterwards.

Opening Day at Two Fun Camps

2011-07-11T06:41:00.001-05:00

After a whirlwind tour of some of Carolina's most beautiful waterfalls, we packed up the teens for a month long stay at Camps Kahdalea and Chosatonga. Dear son was up with the sunrise, so I brought him to the boys' camp first. The counselors had just gathered for breakfast when he surprised them by arriving so early. Luckily his cabin counselor is a friend of the family, and very understanding.

Once he picked his bunk and gave his brother a quick tour, we said an unceremonial good-bye.No hugs, no mushy stuff, just "See ya." Then I was off to get the girls moving for opening day at Kahdalea.

When we entered Kahdalea, it was like entering the Shire.

We were greeted by a babbling brook

Passed a vine covered gazebo

And fully expected to see Pippin and Meri peak out of this tree, which could walk away at any moment.

The girls were especially excited when they were greeted by cheering counselors, like Dear Daughter.

Things were really cranked up when a bus load of kids arrived, and the jambalya was discovered in the luggage compartment.

The girls met their cabin counselors.

Then we hiked up the hill to the cabins. I needed an inhaler by the time we reached this one.

Lots of hugs and happy good-byes as I left the sisters to have the time of their lives in North Carolina.

Then it was time for Grandma and me to hit the road with two disappointed young boys, daydreaming of the day when Chosatonga would be theirs for the summer. Maybe in a couple more years. I am not ready to send them, just yet. But there is always Family Camp at the beginning of August, when we will take Dad on the winding road to paradise for a long weekend. Oh the stories they will tell around the campfire that weekend. I cannot wait.

It is going to be a quiet summer at home.

Gone to Carolina

2011-07-10T21:59:00.006-05:00

Summer Fun has officially begun! It was a 10 hour ride in a van overstuffed with 4 trunks, 6 backpacks, 6 sleeping bags, one suitcase, assorted hanging clothes, 8 pillows and blankets, 2 boxes of groceries, 2 adults, 4 teenagers and 2 children. I thought the doors would pop off when we arrived at our heavenly destination. The sounds of bickering teens and restless young-uns gave way to ooohs and ahhs as we wove around the foothills of North Carolina. Dear Daughter, the summer counselor, met us at Camp Kahdalea with squeals and hugs. Then we packed her up for a two day hiatus with the clan.

Our cabin was called Bear's Den,
and this is the view from the loft window.....

The kids spent the evening exploring the trails
and coating themselves in red clay.

We had some time to settle in, discuss sleeping arrangements, and set a few kids outside to camp for the evening. That lasted until 3 am. After two came in for extra blankets, I called the third in for the night. There will be plenty of time for overnight outings during summer camp. Besides, after a long day's drive and a full day of sights to see in the morning, we needed some rest.

First stop in Pisgah National Forest was Looking Glass Falls....

It was a delight to run along the rocks while the falls misted our faces. Then a few of the kids got serious about exploring the ~~landscape~~ waterscape.

It was cold and slippery, but well worth the time.

Grandma enjoyed the view from a dry, safe distance.

But I couldn't resist the up close and personal tour.

Then we rallied the gang together to sun themselves dry on this rock,

Before piling in the car to drive over to Sliding Rock.

There is an underground mountain spring

fueling this natural waterslide,

at a rate of 11,000 gallons a minute,

downhill for 60 feet, over smooth rock

It was AWESOME!

INVIGORATING!

BREATHTAKING, literally.

Did I mention that the water temperature was in the low 50's?

Again, Grandma found the perfect spot to enjoy the fun,

from a dry distance.

While we slid down the rock over and over again...

Until lips turned purple and we had to take a breather.

The water was frigid, but the smiles were warm and happy.

Except for those too cool to smile.

Must be time for lunch. After a short break to refuel,
we were off to Devil's Courthouse.

Now we were assured the hike would be short and sweet.

NOT.

Those are stairs at the bottom of a steep trail. Once Grandma found her spot to rest, she agreed it was worth the effort to see the falls at Devil's Courthouse.

Especially when the show began.

These crazy guys are about to take a 45 foot jump to the base of the falls. Apparently they come as a group twice a week. There is always someone attempting the leap for the first time. It apparently takes most a good 20-30 minutes to muster up the courage for that first jump. Others just don't stop to think about it.

Oh, to be 20 again.

No Thanks.

I'll keep my gray hairs and wisdom, if you don't mind.

Dear Daughter admits that she made the jump the week before we arrived. She's been sworn never to repeat the jump in my presence, or in the presence of her siblings. Be still my heart. I can feel more hairs turning gray as I think about it. Time to make her watch the Youtube videos documenting the ER visits from Devil's Courthouse accidents.

As the crowd below counts down, fool number one takes the leap.

Luckily no one needed a 911 call while we were there. We watched a few guys take the plunge, and decided that my kids would be allowed to jump from this rock instead...

But the water was ever colder than Sliding Rock,

so some of us sat it out.

Time to round up the mermaids after they swam through the falls

And head back to Bear's Den for hot dogs and smores.

And a mud facial.

Or whatever that was...

Rest assured, we all slept well.

Will post opening day at Camps Kahdalea and Chosatonga tomorrow.

Meanwhile, you might be interested in this video of some guys taking the Devil's Courthouse Falls plunge. DISCLAIMER: I do not recommend this stunt. No matter how many times a week these guys practice,there is always a chance that it will go wrong.

My Gardenspot

2011-06-15T20:54:00.005-05:00

Do you remember when we had a design contest to layout the new garden?

And the winner was dear daughter, the starving college student:

It began a bit on the dry side, with nothing but an idea, some pavers, and alot of dirt.

And it grew into a beautiful courtyard style garden for my morning meditations.

And it grew...

And grew.....

And gave me something beautiful to share with my grandsons,

Who love to pick green beans before their time.

But I don't mind. One son planted zucchini and yellow squash in his section. Another planted green beans on the side. I planted herbs, onions, garlic, peppers, okra and tomatoes along the front row. Dear grandson just watched and waited for something to sprout. We watered every plant till the budget cried "Uncle," then God graciously sent us a rain that magically brought forth abundant fruit . He is good that way, isn't He?

So I broke down and bought a rain barrel to capture some of that magic from heaven.

The garden is finally paying for itself in both produce and therapeutic value.

But this little guy.....

Is working diligently to bring the garden

back to this.....

But we aren't gonna let him. Today my boys had a caterpillar hunt and did unspeakable things to the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar and his clan.

By the way, did you know that the okra plant made such a beautiful flower?

We shall have a fine gumbo in the pot by the end of the week, with fresh tomatoes, bell pepper, okra, basil, parsley, green onion, garlic, and shrimp. I guess we will have to make a trip to the seafood market to get the fresh catch on Friday morning. Another memory to share with my grandsons! Shopping at the fresh market, picking fresh produce, teaching them how to make a Roux....

Captain Bob style. Sorry Emeril, no two hour gumbo for us. It will simmer all day. And hold the sausage on Friday. We are old school Catholics by choice. Save that sausage for left over chicken in a gumbo when you get tired of red beans and rice on Monday. Mmmmm, mmmmm! Is it only Wednesday?

Re-Centering

2011-05-17T22:37:00.003-05:00

Wrapping up the school year, moving college kids out of the dorm, standardized testing, attending baseball/softball games, travelling to hockey tournaments..... Yes, I'd say our schedule is a little out of balance.

Too much of this.....

And, *ugh!*

This....

And eating like this......

And not enough of this.....

Or this.....

Or especially this....

And we all started feeling like this....

So, I made the executive decision to call my nine year old son to the sidelines, after two hours of baseball practice, and told him to gather his gear. We were going home. The coach and other parents were bewildered to say the least.

"Where are you going when practice isn't over yet?"

HOME, to have dinner with my family and to resume our regularly scheduled life.

"Do you mean there is life outside of baseball?"

There is at my house. My husband and my dinner are waiting. See you at the game. Maybe.

Or Maybe Not.....

A Viral Situation

2011-05-17T22:31:00.000-05:00

I love seeing my kids on the ball field /hockey rink, enjoying time with the other children and learning to give their best. Nothing can beat the team building experience and character building potential that sports offer. It is admirable that the coaches volunteer their time and talents for the kids, especially after a long day at work.

Case in point: Dear daughter has the best coaches in the softball league (in my not-so-humble opinion). These guys have extreme patience, self-control and a nack for motivating flighty,whimsical, highly emotional 12 year old girls.My twirly-whirly ballerina/drama queen has learned more than how to swing a bat from these two gentlemen. She loves her team, loves the sport, and has more confidence than ever. I have learned a thing or two about being a more effective, more positive parent from their example. It would be an understatement to say that I am grateful for their contribution to youth sports in our community. I honestly appreciate the efforts of all the volunteer coaches in our city.

However, I do not enjoy listening to out of control parents belittle their own children for not having the perfect pitch or batting stance. It is especially difficult to watch as young kids are hammered with criticism in front of family, friends and strangers, when all they want to do is play the game. I've experienced the frustration of watching a hockey coach play his three best players to the point of extreme physical and mental exhaustion, while very capable, well rested players sat on the edge of the bench, waiting for a chance to be part of a team. What's a mom to do in these situations?

Well, not long ago, this mom totally lost it at a 10 & U baseball game. This is the first age bracket for kid pitch ball, when the new pitchers just do their best not to bean the batter. The coach's son was trying his absolute best to make his dad, the coach, proud. His form was striking, his concentration intense, yet he still couldn't throw that perfect pitch. I don't think anyone short of a professional ballplayer could have pleased his coach that evening. The child was beaten down with criticism upon criticism as he suck it up and refused to let that tear fall down his cheek. Tiger Mom might have been proud of that dad. I, on the other hand, let him have it. Had to go to confession the next day.

Is this what I want my kids to learn from their experience on the field? Is it worth missing months of family dinners for my children to learn poor sportsmanship from grown men who argue vehemently with 16 year old umpires? What is the cost when my kids watch their own mother lose her composure at a little league event (or anywhere else for that matter)? Still, I do not want them to learn that our family quits when the world gets difficult.

Something to pray about.

I left it up to Him to provide direction. Sure enough, the answer was as plain as a soaking wet fleece (or should I say, fever drenched sheets). Do you know how long it takes for chicken pox to run through a family our size? About half a baseball season.

Funny thing, though. Dear Daughter with the exemplary coaches, had the virus over the Easter break and never missed a game. The boys, on the other hand, had a delayed incubation period and are still home recuperating. We should be back in time for the last couple of games, but in the meantime we had some down time as a family to watch a few movies like Forever Strong. It gave us quite a bit to talk about. Because in our family, baseball is not a #1 priority. It is a means to grow closer to the real #1. I was glad to find out there are other sportsmen out there with the same priorities, putting the sports hero back in his proper place in our society.

Very Inspirational and Highly Recommended By Our Family:

Bored in Mass?

2011-04-27T22:05:00.005-05:00

Swank Night On The Town

2011-04-09T23:13:00.002-05:00

We were quite the socialites this weekend. Friday night we enjoyed the Out of Africa event at La Maison Gautier. Then on Saturday evening we watched Uncle Nick make his debut as a duke at the Starlight Ball.

He especially enjoyed the limo ride to the ballroom.

The King and Queen were quite pleased with their court.

Everyone received a boutonniere/corsage at the door.

Local dentists escorted the maids and dukes to the stage.

Even our family dentist participated.

And my friend from Winn Dixie was there with bells on.

Isn't he a cutie? He is friendly and helpful at the supermarket, too.

Supervisor Darlene thinks Uncle Nick needs to come out of his shell.

I don't know.

What do you think?

He boogied on the town till they shut it down.

A night to remember.

Miracles In Action

2011-04-09T22:56:00.006-05:00

Friday Night we attended the Out of Africa fundraiser at La Maison Gautier, where we dined on grilled tuna, Swahili shrimp, and a New Orleans favorite, Bananas Foster. The silent auction was great fun. Dear Husband and I were high bidders on a number of interesting items, including these handmade crafts from Kenya....

And a quilted bag sewn by refugees from the Rwandan genocide. ~~Sewing~~ Sowing Peace is the mission of women who quilt side by side with those who were once their mortal enemies.

The beauty of this bag exceeds the colorful patterns, because it was stitched together with heroic love. I will remember their testimony every time I use it. Lord change my hardened heart to love enough to join them when we pray, "As we forgive those who trespass against us."

The most unique purchase was this Nativity Set made from banana leaves.

Isn't is fabulous? It may remain on display throughout the liturgical year. I can't stop admiring the handiwork.

Local businesses also donated items for the silent auction. My dear friend solicited a donation from a local business for a Fleur De Lis Basket and a rocking horse. They were more than generous.

I battled for this whimsical hammock swing.....

and won.

Now my girls are arguing over who gets to use it first. What makes them think I'm not going to beat them to the porch? The boys want a Jedi version. Maybe we can manage a DIY rendition in Republic Red.

Now it is time to balance the checkbook. I am not doing such a great job staying within budget this month. But at least these purchases were for an excellent cause, don't you think?

I Am Psyched!

2011-03-22T08:29:00.006-05:00

Psyched for Spring!!!

Boring.....

Nah...

Still not right

The garden is being transformed to look more like a New Orleans Courtyard (against numerous protests from my pragmatic son-in-law).

Yes!!! Thanks DD for your design ideas.

Let's do it!

The house is being transformed to look more like a home and less like a classroom. Pics to come in April.

And we are all being transformed by the renewal of our minds. It is Lent and we are working on those transformations of the heart so necessary each year. It is time for our 30 40 day make-over and some of my favorite ladies are getting together every week to discuss progress and set backs.

available from Amazon.

And the teens have their own plans for growing in virtue. Photos on the way! I know you can't see the heart transformation directly, but you will be able to see the smiles on every one's faces after Abbeyfest and Camp Joshua.

It is normally burnout season at this point in the school year, and I am trying my darnedest to keep it positive. Not doing such a hot job with some, but for the most part it is paying off. Our attitudes are also being transformed by a goal we are working toward. Maybe I should spray some Old Spice around the living room to keep everyone smiling. Let's ~~party~~ parody....

In case you missed the original.....

Shark!!!!!

2011-03-11T21:26:00.009-06:00

A few months ago, my son-in-law brought this big boy home specifically for the biology students. I wrapped him (the shark, that is) in plastic, and tossed him in the freezer to save for Lab 17, Chapter 19: Bony and Cartilaginous Fish.

Imagine Dear Husband's joy when I began defrosting last night.

This bull was not going to fit into the 5 gallon bucket I had originally chosen for an all night soak.

DH did not appreciate my second brilliant idea:

The MASTER BATH, of course!

It made perfect sense to me.

Am I the only one who thinks he was being totally unreasonable?

Apparently so.

Plan C:

A makeshift garden tub fit for a bull shark, kept safely in the garage (away from the cat, raccoons, and other neighborhood critters).

He re-hydrated beautifully.

Say Cheese!

The girls were totally into it. The boys, not so much. Go figure.

Miss Pre-Med was in town for Spring Break. She skipped a trip to Pensacola with her friends in order to hang with the family, and lead our Biology lab. That's my girl!

But the future doctor found a lesion. It was pretty disgusting and we lost a student or two, maybe three......

to nausea at this point.

So we moved on to the circulatory system.

If you would like a copy of the dissection guide and post-lab questions that we used, follow this link.

If you would prefer a virtual shark dissection to the real deal, follow this link.

Overall, it was an educational experience they will not forget. Dear Husband, on the other hand, would probably like to forget it. He's waiting for us to get back to a focus on history and literature. No more surprises in the freezer (or bathtub) would be just fine with him. And isn't it appropriate that this lab date fell on the first Friday in Lent. Luckily it did not deter anyone from enjoying the fish fry dinner this evening.

What's Your Happy Place

2011-02-19T17:59:00.005-06:00

This is mine.

Working through the winter blahhhs and homeschooling burn-out by daydreaming of summer in the mountains. Can't wait! 2funcamps.com

My fabulous, Catholic, pro-life pediatrician, and very good friend, with her beautiful children.

Hat tip to her for these gorgeous pictures.

King Valentine

2011-02-15T14:25:00.000-06:00

2 bouquets of heart shaped balloons...

One honoring sweet memories we've already made:

From the day we met....

To the birth of each child,

and other highlights along the journey.

And the other bouquet anticipating memories yet to be made:

grandchildren to be born,

milestones to reach,

anniversaries to celebrate...

Told you I was totally spoiled.

Secret to a successful marriage:

Share a common goal that is bigger than either of you.

And keep your eye on the prize.

This Little Piggy Missed The Market

2011-02-13T10:47:00.001-06:00

After this dissection, the kids are ready for anything!

Did you ever think they would be smiling this much?

Scientists in the making, everyone of them.

If you would prefer a virtual dissection, this site is excellent. There is even an online quiz for follow up. We loaded the site onto the big screen and used it as a lab manual. Tried to follow the lesson step by step, beginning with anatomical regions.But we did have a bit of trouble with the wireless mouse, so there was a frustrating delay. The kids were troupers as they waited patiently for the moms to float around the room with hard copy dissection plans to help them identify the organs of digestion.But we worked out the technical difficulties in time for the respiratory and nervous systems. It was the most informative lesson, so far. I don't know how the remaining labs will measure up (star fish, earthworm, grasshopper, clam, etc....). Maybe the shark will catch their interest.

Be Not Afraid- Lead A Prayer Driven Life

2011-02-11T17:13:00.008-06:00

Pope Benedict's General Intention

February 2011:

That the family may be respected by all in its identity and that its irreplaceable contribution to all of society be recognized.

Missionary Intention:

That in the mission territories where the struggle against disease is most urgent, Christian communities may witness to the presence of Christ to those who suffer.

With that in mind.....

"There's a little light inside us all.....let it shine! Sharing a bit of my heart from Africa, hope you will join us in April. "

Join Miracle At Mogra on FB

Mr. Bonejangles

2011-02-07T09:11:00.006-06:00

Friday lab was fabulous. We continued with the dissection labs (Kidneys this week) and added to our paper models from The Body Book. Now I know my model looks a bit anorexic, and she seems to have a touch of osteoporosis. It was mentioned that she could benefit from some lamination therapy.

Can you imagine the surprise when my dear friend and lab partner showed up for Friday's class with this special gift in hand?!

A laminated skeleton model complete with moving joints. And that is not all. She even labeled and colored various body systems which can be layered and attached to the main frame with velcro. How cool is that?!

Circulatory System

Digestive System

Respiratory System

Let's put it all together.

What do you think? Is this not the coolest model any homeschooling mom ever owned?

And it even comes with a handy dandy storage system....

I cannot thank you enough,

Kimberly@ Saint's Faith, Hope, and Charity,

for this labor of love. It will be well used over the years.

Happy Birthday, My Dear

2011-02-06T20:36:00.002-06:00

Like last year, we are celebrating Dear Husband's birthday on Superbowl Sunday. Of course, this year's game isn't as exciting as cheering on N'walin's Dawlins in 2010. But the day is no less special.

It is the day we celebrate the blessing he is to our lives.

He is loyal, romantic, hard working, loving, and mine.

I know, I know, I am totally spoiled.

Love You, Dear.

Chasing Away The Winter Blues

2011-02-03T16:39:00.005-06:00

With daydreams about our summer plans in Brevard....

Hey, why don't you join us in North Carolina? I can't think of a better place to practice the virtue, Eutrapalia!

Please visit our website for photographs, information, applications or a copy of our last newsletter:

www.Kahdalea.com or www.Chosatonga.com

Real Kids • Real Adventure • Real Growth • Real Value • Real FunFor over 40 years, Kahdalea, and later, Chosatonga have been offering high quality, child-oriented mountain camp experiences for our youth.
Kahdalea & Chosatonga is committed in providing trained staff of the highest character and ideals in a setting of Christian values.
2500 Morgan Mill Road, Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-6834
Check it out at 2funCamps.com

Forever Friendships

2011-02-01T14:26:00.009-06:00

Several years ago, when we moved back to the south, I prayed fervently for my kids to meet some terrific new friends that would help make the transition easier. Shortly after we settled in, I met a couple of women from a group appropriately named Charity Homeschoolers (emphasis mine). They invited us to a pool party. My daughter described them best when she said....
"They are the most light-hearted, interesting, wholesome, art-infused, music-loving, outdoorsy, intelligent, crazy people I have ever met. Though incredibly close-knit, they are wonderfully open and welcoming to outsiders. ... In addition to being charitable and interesting, they have one more element that sets everything off. They are so in love with their faith that their actions are infused with authenticity. It's contagious."

Poor unsocialized home schoolers?????

I think not.

My husband and I have spent a couple of our best "date nights" hanging out with our kids' friends and their wonderful parents. Don't think for a minute that our girls were too happy about babysitting while Dad and I went to open mic night without them. But we made it up the next month, by taking them with us to the open mic night.

A few of these guys and gals won a competition to perform at Atlanta Fest. Cody's debut CD, "Colors Left Unseen," is in production. I'll be posting a hot off the presses link just as soon as it has been mixed and mastered. You can bet these boys are going to make a beautiful mark on this world as they share their God given talents with the rest of us.

Enjoy a sneak peak at their creative shenanigans.

Then, if you haven't already, pray for wholesome friends for your children.

God cannot be outdone in generosity.....!

These kids are the greatest. Truly an answer to a mother's prayers.

Reality TV? Really?

2011-01-24T19:06:00.010-06:00

Republished from The Culture of Life vs. Death:

Seems like the marchers are getting younger each year. Is it that I am getting older and the crowd just looks younger? Or could it be that this generation realizes they are the true Survivors. They have survived a 38 year spiral into the Culture of Death, and are fighting back in the name of their brothers, sisters, and peers who are unable to fight for themselves. And which networks are going to cover this Reality? You can bet the mainstream media will downplay the March, as they do every year. But we will be watching EWTN and FOX with the hope that one day, very soon, it will not be necessary to protest this American Holocaust.

Two of my children were present at the Walk for Life in Louisiana on Saturday.

And two more joined some of their very best friends for the March in DC today. At least one is attending the National Pro-Life Youth Rally after the March. Can you tell I am a little bit envious?

They Stand for Truth & The Culture of Life. Rock on, kids! I am proud of you all. Now go give the networks, and our legislators, a Reality Check!

Thanks, Jen and Katie, for the pictures.

You Are Never Too Old.....

2011-01-22T23:36:00.002-06:00

For the Children's Museum:

Who wouldn't want to stand inside a bubble,

Test their reflexes in an automobile simulator,

Or "make groceries" at Winn Dixie?

They always want to be the check out clerk.

I believe they think the cashier gets to keep all the money.

I can't believe sweet 16 cut off a 2 year old in the line.

Little Miss Innocent.

Will do anything for King Cake.

Time for a cafe break.

He remembered to say grace.

But must have forgotten his wallet.

Short order cooks loving their jobs.

Time for the next stop....

Snow White and the Cleaning Dwarf

Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum...

I like a guy who clean sweeps the house.

And she finally gets her own room.

And he has a chance to build something cool.

Let's end the day with something sweet.

A real cafe with real beignets.

Quick, before Mom realizes this is my third one!

A ride on a real streetcar this time.

Sure beats walking in the city.

A great week to turn 16.

16 Is Sooooo Sweet!

2011-01-22T22:58:00.001-06:00

Isn't she sweet, Miss 16 candles?

Her friends and family made the day extra special.

Even her BFF came down from Maryland to celebrate with us.

We played Jeopardy to see who knew her best.

The girls were very secretive about their clues.

We watched some football....

Then played our own game.

More girls than guys for the most part,

But they didn't seem to mind.

Go long.....

I'm open!

The Mighty Ducks showed their support.

What more could a 16 year old want on her birthday?

I don't think so.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

2011-01-07T15:50:00.004-06:00

Technically I am not ready for more football. With the exception of last year's Super Bowl, I never could see the fascination with any sport, unless a child of mine was playing. However, while everyone else is watching the game, I'll be organizing the house(winter cleaning), tweaking the curriculum (mid year re-eval), and practicing new hobbies (photography and charcoal sketches). I am incredibly ready for the free time to play with a new camera and challenge the creative side of my brain. In the meantime, here is an old post to fill the blogging void......

Confessions of an Organized Homeschooler

Hello, my name is Suzanne and I am a control freak. Now this may be news to some of you, but my husband and children have known this dark secret for many years now. They have collectively sought help, but to no avail. They are doomed to live with a choleric perfectionist, till death do us part (or till legal age, in the case of my minor children). I tried to develop a twelve step program for the condition, but it was too organized and micromanaged to counteract my controlling tendencies. And now I see the same traits in a couple of my children. They are schedule makers and list checkers, with clean rooms and bossy attitudes. It is difficult for a born organizer to comprehend how the free spirited bohemians of the world cope. I’ve witnessed my own flesh and blood sleep through buzzing alarms without a care in the world, amongst a pile of dirty laundry and dessert bowls. They can rise at the crack of noon, sniff a shirt to see if it can be worn a third time, then dig through a heap to find the match to a favorite shoe – all without a tinge of anxiety. How do they manage? I will never know. No, I am destined to make the bed as soon as I rise, smooth all of the wrinkles out and arrange the pillows just so, before moving on to the next room to analyze it, organize it, and Mr. Clean it to the max. An orderly house and an orderly schedule make for an orderly mind! The thought of beginning a school day at a table decorated with soggy Cheerios, toast crumbs, and yesterday’s funny pages, sends chills down my spine. Just can’t do it. So we begin each day with a thirty minute cleanup. At least with 7 children and 1 adult divvying up the tasks, it should only take thirty minutes to spic and span the place. It works in theory much better than in reality.

In a typical homeschooling household, dear children grace our presence 24/7. The sink is never empty and Oprah will just have to wait. There are pressing matters at hand. We make the time to pray together, clean together, eat together, clean together, learn together, clean together, play together, oh yes and did I mention clean together?

We clean our bedroom and the living room, the kitchen and bath.

We clean the laundry and the baby, and in between we do our math.

We clean the table before science, and clean again so we can eat.

There never seems to be an end to this neurotic cleaning feat.

We have our checklists and our zones, each person responsible for his share.

And there are checklists for our grammar, for brushing teeth, and even hair.

We check off history, Lit and Latin, then we take time out for spelling.

And Mom checks her spiritual program to do it without yelling.

All done in perfect charity, at least that is the goal,

And when its not, we pause it all, for a lecture on self-control.

Check the clock before dinner, because Dad is coming home.

Time for each to pick up books and then tidy up his zone,

So when he waltzes through the door he finds us neat and calm and shining

- Ok, maybe not, sometimes we’re tired, and loud and whining.

Though it isn’t always obvious, the seeds that we are sowing

Are those that bear good fruit, as our future saints are growing

The Reason- For Everything

2010-12-23T17:16:00.004-06:00

In case you need a reminder, this is the only reason for every season......

Let's do have a party!
God bless you and your family this holy season, and always.

HT Lisa

Exploreum Fun!

2010-12-17T15:35:00.009-06:00

We've been babysitting for the past two weeks and it has been a different sort of homeschooling adventure. How can anyone concentrate on the books with these cuties around? You must be resourceful in order to juggle baby boys and Italian 101.

So I made an executive decision....

TIME FOR A FIELD TRIP!....

Science at the Exploreum, anyone?

Lucky day- half price family membership promoted by the local radio station. Of course, we still had to be creative about the feedings, but it was a learning experience on more than one level.

We performed virtual surgeries

Played around with MRI's and Visible Bodily Systems

Rode on a Virtual Roller Coaster

And had a private Chemistry Lab Demo (since we were the only ones in the Science Center on this Wednesday afternoon)

The "Chemist" volunteered to do his presentation after he got a good look at dear daughter, the Science major.

But she was only interested in his chemicals

and his potential for creating explosions.

BOOOOM!

Then we played around with optical illusions

And dancing magnetism

Pullied around a bit...

And made a little music

It Was A Day Well Spent.

Look Into My Eyes....

2010-12-17T14:56:00.005-06:00

Said the cow to my bio students........

" This is so coooool!!!!" (heard repeatedly throughout the morning)

Follow this link for your lab report sheet, if you would like to join us.

Or conduct a virtual dissection,

if your table top is an aqueous humor-free zone.

KT is home on break, so we recruited her to facilitate the lab.

Biology major today, home educator tomorrow.

*This is the daughter who stares at the steam escaping from the pot while cooking dinner, because she is pondering the whys of sublimation.

Removing the fatty tissue to observe the muscle tissue

Cornea, lens and iris - check!

Now to remove the retina, oh so carefully....

My kids are so ADOS- Attention Deficit ....Oh Shiny!

Calling All Brainiacs!

2010-12-10T13:39:00.006-06:00

Sheep Brain Dissection

10:30 Today

Awesome!

No squeamish girls at our table.

Reviewed the CNS and PNS on the big screen.

Anatomy identified

Worksheets labeled

Mission accomplished

I found a simplified version of our dissection manual online at Home Training Tools., and we watched this Youtube video of a neuron (computer simulation).

Cleaned it all up in time for lunch. Thanks, Kim for the fabulous crab and corn chowder. Delish! Though the kids were a bit concerned that the mushrooms resembled gray matter, just a bit. Tee hee

HT to Sheri for the pics!

Have A Beautiful Advent

2010-12-06T11:54:00.003-06:00

HT to Nancy, my lovely sister-in-law.

Lichen Those Spores and Spirogyra

2010-11-18T21:18:00.002-06:00

We are wrapping up the botany section of Biology and have used quite a few You Tube resources to supplement the textbook. Dear husband connected a computer to the big screen TV so our class can watch videos, view enlarged slides and read notes that I cut and paste from Internet resources onto class presentations. It works as a fabulous electronic chalk board. For instance, when studying aquatic food chains we watched this clip from Vermont Public TV.

We learned more about the lichens we found on our nature walk from a video by Mille at Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center. And I found this great site for algae and bacteria images.

Thanks to Kimberly and Marsha for teaching the younger students while Biology lab is in progress. They are having a blast with their own Life Science projects.

Friday is Science Day- TGIF!

Record Keeping

2010-11-04T23:17:00.005-05:00

Record keeping is a huge issue for this control driven homeschooling mom. I need to know that deadlines are being met and milestones are being reached. I'm not much of an unschooler- except for the occasional field trip to anywhere because we need a break, or a "follow your passion because it is important" moment here and there. A well ordered house, well planned lesson, and well kept grade book are on my to die for list. So today I am sharing a new find: Engrade.com. The advantages of using Engrade are:

No more averaging grades at the end of the quarter.
Assignments posted on the calendar are in the grade book, whether or not they've been completed. Accountability!
No longer relying on Mom's memory to keep up with 6+ students' assignments at a time!!!
Placing an M in the empty space of the grade book means the assignment is Missing. Automatic 0 until it has been completed. Talk about making the kids nervous. Maybe they won't to blow off my assignments in the hopes that I won't notice, after all.
Students and teachers can see averaged grades on a daily basis, to know how they are doing.
Each child may access only his/her grades.
There is a section for attachments and creative resources. Make your own flashcards or review materials. Post for your class or for the public. Maybe throw in an educational video that you found online. I may use this feature for our Biology co-op.

Loving nifty little free online tools to make this homeschooling experience more efficient! And here is my template for reporting those grades, once Engrade has averaged them.

Name of Homeschool : Grade ? Report Card

2010-2011

Student:

DOB:

Address:

Subject	Quarter 1	Quarter 2	Quarter 3	Quarter 4	Average
Religion
Geometry
Biology
American History
American Government
American Literature
Grammar and Comp I
Italian I
Music
PE
Art

With Mary Our Mother

2010-10-26T20:14:00.003-05:00

HT to Jennifer at Conversion Diary.

Morphing Into Scientists

2010-10-25T19:03:00.001-05:00

Who needs television? My kids just spent the afternoon watching caterpillars slither out of their spiny skins, oozing silver chrysalis goo. You never saw such excitement. I didn't realize how fast it would happen. We found the butterflies in the garden, hovering over a Passion plant. The boys picked off a few caterpillars and dear daughter stocked the terrarium with leaves and water. Within a day they could observe eggs on the leaves and two of the caterpillars entered the pupa stage. I guess the kids are becoming little scientists, just like their older sister (the Bio major who loves Chesterton). Go figure. I love homeschooling.

Homecoming Queen

2010-10-25T12:51:00.001-05:00

Rarely does a girl like Aldridge, who has Down syndrome, get an opportunity to win such a coveted honor as homecoming queen. But there's a special bond between Amanda, a senior at Tupelo High, and her fellow students. They've learned from her over the years and included her in many activities.

Muster Up Some Courage!

2010-10-18T17:34:00.006-05:00

"Where's your chewin tobacco? I heard all you southern belles chewed tobacco."

Well that Union soldier got everyone in the crowd riled up for a good battle. It was a beautiful day for the Fall Muster and Beauvoir was the perfect setting.

All the boys wanted were replicated weapons, but they had to settle for kepis.

They were all in line for this soldier's demonstration of loading and firing his weapon.

Of course Gina wanted a hoop skirt and belle gown.

She was rather disappointed in the drab colors and plain Jane dresses. But she did find a belle or two wearing pink. We bought her a crocheted hair net to complete her own costume.

How about a bird's eye view of the battle?

We picked up a few ideas to design our own props and costumes for the homeschool encampment. Mr. 14 Year Old, the perfectionist, decided he would have to be a Union Officer since they were the most "uniform" of all the re-enactors. He couldn't deal with the hodge podge uniforms of the grays. He is busy cutting up an oatmeal canister to make canteens for his men. And the younger boys? They are shooting it out in the backyard.

Brother against brother.

We'll be reading The Red Badge of Courage and watching a few movies so they can get a feel for the real tragedy of this (and every) war.

Glorious Day for Pond Scum

2010-10-12T20:58:00.009-05:00

What's the perfect cure for fidgety students on a glorious fall afternoon......

I call it Science.

They call it Fantabulous!

We barely put our catch on the table long enough to hose down the scientists, when Dude, the kitten, went fishing.

He had an unexpected shower before scooting off to drier ground. But we did manage to save the water plants and guppies.

And there are a couple of new geckos, tree frogs, and toads in the terrarium.

Add that to the crickets and the meal worms, and we have a nice little food chain going. Our ecosystem is getting more and more interesting by the day.Now to think of an interesting way to get those fidgety humans to concentrate on the bookwork tomorrow.

Money and Your Teens

2010-10-11T18:13:00.002-05:00

Whenever American Government rolls around in our 4 year cycle, we try to include an Economics course for the high schoolers. This year we've been graced with a neighbor who has a passion for living debt free. She has graciously agreed to teach a beginners' Economics course for a group of home schooling teens. So far they've been watching a DVD series specifically designed by Dave Ramsey for teens. They are also reading What Ever Happened to Penny Candy and The Bluestocking Guide to Economics by Richard J. Maybury. I cannot tell you how interesting our dinner table conversations have been since the girls have been taking this course. Wish I had heard a Dave Ramsey lecture or two at an earlier age. My husband and I do believe in living within our means, and taking our commitment as good stewards of material goods seriously. We have tried to pass it on to the kids. But there is something magical about listening to common sense from an expert, then having the advice validated by the callers on his radio program, that adds impetus to the message. We highly recommend the program for your family. It only takes a few baby steps. What have you got to lose?

Well, maybe a %$#&*load of debt. Go for it!

Biology Labs Updated

2010-10-10T22:42:00.001-05:00

Finally! The Biology Lesson Plans, including adaptations for grades K-12, have been updated. There are a few empty time slots left for "catching up" as necessary. I do have a tendency to over plan and slip the schedule on a regular basis. Seems like 20 years of homeschooling would have cured my delusions about covering EVERYTHING on schedule. Oh well, it is an obsessive - compulsive personality flaw. Thankfully, my poor family is very patient with me.

I added more details than usual since Good Science, which is referenced for most of the K-6th grade experiments, may be out of print. In order to avoid copyright issues, I tried to link to outside sources for similar experiments when possible.

I would appreciate your feedback as the plan will be tweaked and pruned from time to time.

History and Home Economics

2010-09-18T19:18:00.004-05:00

What do these things have in common? Sewing costumes for re-enactments of course. Our dear friends in Maryland inspired this endeavor.

Here is my tween, trying her hand at a Civil War period dress.

We haven't actually begun to cover the Civil War yet. We are still plodding along the Oregon Trail and studying the California Gold Rush. But since these costumes will take a while to come together, we will sew as we go. Meanwhile, a Westward Expansion Lapbook is in the works. Who knew history could be so much fun!

The Last Hoorah!

2010-09-12T15:49:00.001-05:00

We enjoyed a Labor Day holiday at the my sister's Hacienda. It was a weekend filled with too much food, too much wine, too little sleep, but lots of wonderful family time.

The kids enjoyed the animals, the rock star competition, and just hanging with their cousins.

The big kids played some Texas Holdem, some rowdy Left Right Center Dice,

and there were some serious winners...

The younger players competed for candy bars. Sweet!

Overall it was a very cool Labor Day.

School Is Back In Session

2010-09-12T15:42:00.004-05:00

Our noses are now back in the books and the calendar is already filled to the brim. The first Biology co-op class went very well. The kids dissected flowers and learned to distinguish monocots from dicots.

Then they spent a little time becoming re-acquainted with the microscope.Thanks to Sherie for the pictures!

Next week, as the high schoolers continue studying leaves and photosynthesis, the younger kids will sprout seeds and track plant growth. Before long we will have the aquarium gurgling in the corner next to the terrarium. I sense a life science lapbook in the near future. More pictures to come. What are you doing to kick off the school year? I'd love to hear about it.

Favorite Devotions

2010-09-03T22:59:00.000-05:00

I've Been Tagged -by Kimberly at Saint's Faith Hope and Charity, to share My Favorite Catholic Prayers in this meme:
~Step 1: Name your three most favorite Catholic devotional prayers, and explain why they're your favorites. (The Liturgy and the Sacraments are off limits here. This meme is only interested in people's favorite devotional prayers.)
~Step 2: Tag five bloggers you admire and ask them to play this meme.
~Step 3: Tell the person who tagged you that you've completed the meme.

Unfortunately, I have been slow to respond. Maybe I'm feeling guilty about neglecting my favorite devotion. I love adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It is better than psychotherapy for identifying areas in my life that need attention, and it is more refreshing than a day at the spa. Not that I've ever spent a day at the spa- but I imagine it would not compare. So why do I neglect such a gift? Probably because going toe to toe with my selfishness is work. Hard work. It is tempting to avoid going there- just like it is easy to skip a trip to the gym. But a spiritual workout kicks my rear in gear better than Body Combat ever could. So it is time to be more faithful to weekly holy hours.

The second fave would be the rosary. It is the only prayer I know that adapts to every situation. Meditating on the life of Christ really clarifies things. After all, what could I possibly live through that He didn't? I've prayed it in times of great joy, during labor and delivery, in times of great trial, and in times when there are no other words. I've prayed it alone, with all my family, outside of abortion clinics, in churches, in my car, and on the beach. All the joys and sufferings imaginable are contained in those Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious mysteries.

Third favorite is the Angelus. I read once that all of "the demons who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls" cringe - and then flee from the words that brought about the Incarnation. What a cool way to turn around a day gone haywire!

So now I'm tagging Jen's Pen, Planted and Blooming, Mair's Momilies, Catholic Mom in the Country, and Walk Wonders.

Thanks Kimberly, for the opportunity to get those priorities realigned.

Dry, Parched, and Refreshed

2010-08-16T21:05:00.004-05:00

Midway through the cleaning, teaching, refereeing, and wondering why it is we do this over and over and over....
(Like chasing the wind, it seems so futile)
I surmised that I am tired.
And the school year hasn't even really begun.
Then a cheerful message from Kimberly lifted my spirits.

I am not alone.

So I surfed on over to see her plans for a trek with her family to the beautiful Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. Fascinating!
Not just their plans, but the woman behind them.

And while I was in that melancholy twilight, between wonder and despair, I drifted over to Holy Experience. Wow! Couldn't be any closer to my heart. Talk about putting it all into perspective.

God bless the holy women who inspire me to keep moving heavenward!