The Homecoming Parade, that we almost didn't get to participate in, was actually pretty fun.
The boys and I hopped in the van ready to head to the high school so the van could be decorated for the parade. Not a full two blocks from home, it died and would not restart. We were already going to be late and this was not helping.
Dear one to the rescue! He drove his vehicle to where I was stalled and let me take it to the parade instead. Unfortunately he had vacuumed and washed my van but not his truck, which was in dire need of a good scrubbing.
The kids seemed to have a good time wrapping it all up in streamers and flags from different countries (it was the International Club that was doing the decorating).
As we started driving the parade route, the teacher who had bummed a ride with us, popped in a CD of German music that we were supposed to blare while we made our way along the route. It was awful! The cover said something to the effect of "German music for merry making and beer drinking." Not my cup of tea!
Along the way, all the folks who had come out to see the floats and prom court waved to us. I cheerfully waved back while anxiously awaiting arrival at the football field so I could turn the radio off.
We had the back hatch of the truck open and the teens kept taking turns sitting in the back. It's a little disconcerting trying to drive with the back end of the vehicle readjusting to the varying weights of the riders getting in and out.
Overall it was fun. The clouds that hung and sprinkled us a little as the decorating was going on, dispersed as we drove and by the time we arrived at our destination, the sun made an appearance. The clouds totally cleared from the sky and the game was played under the lights with a beautiful moon hanging in the sky.
And to top it all off, our team won the game!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Spirit Week
This weekend is homecoming at the high school our boys attend. So, besides having a half day today, and field day tomorrow (about 2 1/2 hours of fun and games) the students got to have a no uniform week. Monday was pajama day. I'm not sure when it became okay to wear p.j.s in public, much less school.
Tuesday was crazy sweater day. Our Jr. likes to shop at Value World and so he has an awesome sweater with lots of colors and a neat pattern. The frosh borrowed one of his dad's sweaters. Being that his dad is an accountant, it's not too crazy, but it was something he wouldn't typically wear so it fit the bill.
I don't remember what Wednesday was. I saw them both dressed for school and didn't notice anything amiss so maybe they just wore jeans.
Today was crazy hair and dress day. I tried to take a photo of the two of them but one wouldn't stay posed. It was too early in the morning and he not only did not want his photo taken, he definitely did not want it shown on my blog. A couple of the girls had fun helping their younger brother with his first crazy hair day. He went to school with about 30 little pony tails in his curly, red (freshly dyed) locks.
Their outfits matched the crazy label, too. Mixed patterns and unmatched socks and such. Tomorrow is field day so they won't have any classes, but I'm kind of wondering if they got anything done today. The outfits and hair would have kept me very distracted.
Hopefully next week it will be back to business as usual. Although the 9th grader already informed me that he will be on retreat one of the days so maybe I'll have to wait until the following week for a 5 day work week. I don't think I'll check the calendar until then.
Next up: Homecoming parade and I get to drive one of the vehicles.
Tuesday was crazy sweater day. Our Jr. likes to shop at Value World and so he has an awesome sweater with lots of colors and a neat pattern. The frosh borrowed one of his dad's sweaters. Being that his dad is an accountant, it's not too crazy, but it was something he wouldn't typically wear so it fit the bill.
I don't remember what Wednesday was. I saw them both dressed for school and didn't notice anything amiss so maybe they just wore jeans.
Today was crazy hair and dress day. I tried to take a photo of the two of them but one wouldn't stay posed. It was too early in the morning and he not only did not want his photo taken, he definitely did not want it shown on my blog. A couple of the girls had fun helping their younger brother with his first crazy hair day. He went to school with about 30 little pony tails in his curly, red (freshly dyed) locks.
Their outfits matched the crazy label, too. Mixed patterns and unmatched socks and such. Tomorrow is field day so they won't have any classes, but I'm kind of wondering if they got anything done today. The outfits and hair would have kept me very distracted.
Hopefully next week it will be back to business as usual. Although the 9th grader already informed me that he will be on retreat one of the days so maybe I'll have to wait until the following week for a 5 day work week. I don't think I'll check the calendar until then.
Next up: Homecoming parade and I get to drive one of the vehicles.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Adjusting
Today is the first day of the fifth week of school. So far the kids have not had a single full, five day week. For the high schoolers, this week will be no exception. Parent-teacher conferences are Thursday and so they have a half day.
How are we all adjusting to school? I, for one, can't figure out how I home schooled in the first place. It feels like all I do is run. I know we got school work done so the errands must have taken a back seat. I know the house cleaning did!
The days fly by ( I've only had one nap) and then comes pick up time. From 3:00 p.m. until up to 10:45 p.m. we do dinner and then homework. My poor sixth grader is having quite an adjustment. We are drying lots of tears.
I wish there was a way to make it easier as we are all exhausted by the weekend. It's still only September and they are counting the days until Thanksgiving break.
I have not baked, I have had hot chocolate with a friend only once and the book reading has come to almost a complete halt, although I did use my Barnes and Nobel birthday gift card and bought three new books so I hold out hope. And, you can tell how much writing I've done if you look at the date of my last post.
I have, however, been to Mass almost every day. I visit my mom and dad, do laundry and cook dinner so we can eat at 4 0'clock.
I am enjoying the quiet during the day. It gives me energy for the evenings.
I suppose I will fall into a routine. For now, I take it as it comes and keep smiling.
How are we all adjusting to school? I, for one, can't figure out how I home schooled in the first place. It feels like all I do is run. I know we got school work done so the errands must have taken a back seat. I know the house cleaning did!
The days fly by ( I've only had one nap) and then comes pick up time. From 3:00 p.m. until up to 10:45 p.m. we do dinner and then homework. My poor sixth grader is having quite an adjustment. We are drying lots of tears.
I wish there was a way to make it easier as we are all exhausted by the weekend. It's still only September and they are counting the days until Thanksgiving break.
I have not baked, I have had hot chocolate with a friend only once and the book reading has come to almost a complete halt, although I did use my Barnes and Nobel birthday gift card and bought three new books so I hold out hope. And, you can tell how much writing I've done if you look at the date of my last post.
I have, however, been to Mass almost every day. I visit my mom and dad, do laundry and cook dinner so we can eat at 4 0'clock.
I am enjoying the quiet during the day. It gives me energy for the evenings.
I suppose I will fall into a routine. For now, I take it as it comes and keep smiling.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Surprise!!
That's what I got July 29 at about 4:00 p.m. after being with my mom and sisters for a lovely birthday lunch in Novi.
My sister drove me home and when she pulled into the drive way I was greeted by A LOT of guests waiting to wish me happy birthday. I was so shocked I sat in the van with tears running down my cheeks. My sister said, "I think they're waiting for you to get out!"
As I focused farther and farther into the crowd and I started realizing just who came to help me celebrate turning 50, I became even more overwhelmed.
It was awesome to see siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends from church, other friends and neighbors all gathered in my back yard.
Apparently it was a month long effort by my dear one and the older kids. Wayne made a list and told the girls to make it happen and let him know how much it was going to cost.
I found out one of my daughter's friends stored quite a bit of the food at his house even though it was Ramadan and he was fasting! What a guy.
Other neighbors pitched in by hiding the necessary tables and chairs, grill etc in their back yard. Some friends loaned Wayne a canopy to keep the sun off everyone.
The kids and their significant others pulled it all together including grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and when it was over, I did not have to lift a figure in the cleanup! Another gift.
It was an amazing party and I'm grateful to be so loved. Thanks everyone!
My sister drove me home and when she pulled into the drive way I was greeted by A LOT of guests waiting to wish me happy birthday. I was so shocked I sat in the van with tears running down my cheeks. My sister said, "I think they're waiting for you to get out!"
As I focused farther and farther into the crowd and I started realizing just who came to help me celebrate turning 50, I became even more overwhelmed.
It was awesome to see siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends from church, other friends and neighbors all gathered in my back yard.
Apparently it was a month long effort by my dear one and the older kids. Wayne made a list and told the girls to make it happen and let him know how much it was going to cost.
I found out one of my daughter's friends stored quite a bit of the food at his house even though it was Ramadan and he was fasting! What a guy.
Other neighbors pitched in by hiding the necessary tables and chairs, grill etc in their back yard. Some friends loaned Wayne a canopy to keep the sun off everyone.
The kids and their significant others pulled it all together including grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and when it was over, I did not have to lift a figure in the cleanup! Another gift.
It was an amazing party and I'm grateful to be so loved. Thanks everyone!
Alone time? What's that?
I still need to change my profile but we had a big change happen August 21. All of the younger children went to school outside of the home.
Our oldest child was born a little more than 28 years ago. In the years following her birth, I can count the number of days I have been alone in the house. And, in the house we currently live in, I can count it in minutes!
That's a lot of years of not being alone!!
And, even though the four of them are in school, the older ones have not yet returned to the college campuses, and so I have still not experienced 'alone' time. However, I have had some time to myself. What have I done? Cleaned.
I have a week and half left before every is gone for at least a little while every day. I want the house to look great (and a little less lived in) when I decide to put my feet up and read a good book, or watch a video. (That's another thing I can probably count fairly easily- the number of videos I have seen all the way through.)
I am looking forward to having company over for hot chocolate or tea and being able to have a conversation with a friend. I hope I still speak adult.
I am looking forward to going to the library and bringing home some books that don't come from the middle school shelves.
I am looking forward to napping, baking, writing, shopping and rediscovering me.
I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to alone time. We shall see.
Our oldest child was born a little more than 28 years ago. In the years following her birth, I can count the number of days I have been alone in the house. And, in the house we currently live in, I can count it in minutes!
That's a lot of years of not being alone!!
And, even though the four of them are in school, the older ones have not yet returned to the college campuses, and so I have still not experienced 'alone' time. However, I have had some time to myself. What have I done? Cleaned.
I have a week and half left before every is gone for at least a little while every day. I want the house to look great (and a little less lived in) when I decide to put my feet up and read a good book, or watch a video. (That's another thing I can probably count fairly easily- the number of videos I have seen all the way through.)
I am looking forward to having company over for hot chocolate or tea and being able to have a conversation with a friend. I hope I still speak adult.
I am looking forward to going to the library and bringing home some books that don't come from the middle school shelves.
I am looking forward to napping, baking, writing, shopping and rediscovering me.
I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to alone time. We shall see.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Proud Mom and Dad
Son, Josh, graduated from Air Force ROTC Field Training on Sunday.
He was in Alabama and Mississippi for one month with very little contact with the outside world. The contact he had was in the form of mail and the bus trip from Alabama to Mississippi and back. Other than that it was 33 days of entrenchment.
My dear one and I were able to fly down to be with him on graduation day. It was an impressive ceremony and you could certainly see how well trained these cadets are.
It was a little intimidating being there because I witnessed all the saluting and stiff walking that was going on. At one point the color guard got yelled at (over the loud speaker) because a tassel on the Red, White and Blue was touching the ground. She fixed it rather quickly and continued her march.
It was a wonderful couple of hours filled with many, many stories. I figure since he was gone for a month, he'll likely have a month's worth of stories to tell so that should keep us gagging or laughing for a while.
Proud of you, Josh!!
He was in Alabama and Mississippi for one month with very little contact with the outside world. The contact he had was in the form of mail and the bus trip from Alabama to Mississippi and back. Other than that it was 33 days of entrenchment.
My dear one and I were able to fly down to be with him on graduation day. It was an impressive ceremony and you could certainly see how well trained these cadets are.
It was a little intimidating being there because I witnessed all the saluting and stiff walking that was going on. At one point the color guard got yelled at (over the loud speaker) because a tassel on the Red, White and Blue was touching the ground. She fixed it rather quickly and continued her march.
It was a wonderful couple of hours filled with many, many stories. I figure since he was gone for a month, he'll likely have a month's worth of stories to tell so that should keep us gagging or laughing for a while.
Proud of you, Josh!!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
You know you're camping when . . .
...the paper plates blow onto the ground and you brush them off and use them anyway.
...you have to walk 100 yards to use the bathroom or shower and you do so willingly.
...you smell like campfire smoke for 5 days even after a showering on each of those days.
...your children spend hours together with no electronics and actually get along really well.
...your 16 year old plays Yahtzee with you and you use real dice and a score card that you have to fill out yourself.
...breakfast is eaten on the bed because the picnic table is wet from last night's rainfall.
...the s'mores taste better than ever, dripping with melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows.
...you take the time to enjoy the sunset.
...the bug noises keep you awake the first night and lull you to sleep on subsequent nights.
We had a great time, but boy is it good to be home.
...you have to walk 100 yards to use the bathroom or shower and you do so willingly.
...you smell like campfire smoke for 5 days even after a showering on each of those days.
...your children spend hours together with no electronics and actually get along really well.
...your 16 year old plays Yahtzee with you and you use real dice and a score card that you have to fill out yourself.
...breakfast is eaten on the bed because the picnic table is wet from last night's rainfall.
...the s'mores taste better than ever, dripping with melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows.
...you take the time to enjoy the sunset.
...the bug noises keep you awake the first night and lull you to sleep on subsequent nights.
We had a great time, but boy is it good to be home.
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