Are We There Yet?

Yep, we are moving to a new house.

But the point of this post is to let all of you that read this blog, which I post to very infrequently, that I am trying to consolidate my blogs.

I am moving everything (albeit slowly) to one place.

The Daily Goon

While we had been loosely following The Well-Trained Mind, I've been meeting with more and more resistance from Camille. She was being pushed too hard, too fast. She loves learning, but she's tired of the repetetive drill. I finally reminded myself that one reason we are homeschooling is so that she will NOT be bored.

For now, we will drop some of the more rigorous work and give her time to focus on her interests. I've asked her to not read the same books over and over (though going back to an old friend can be comforting, of course). She and Rob ordered some Highlights geography and math subscriptions. This week t the library I will ask her to pick out books, fiction and nonfiction, on topics that interest her. We will continue with Story of the World, but perhaps at a more leisurely pace and with time to do more of the activities.

Chloe had a big day. She got to ride in her new "big girl car seat". It is still a 5-pt harness, but she can buckle it on her own, and it even has a cup holder! (She can't unbuckle it, unfortunately.) She had her first cavity filled (and didn't once complain). She also wrote her name in the dew on the car. Where'd my baby go?

Well, I had hoped that I would get a lot done today. Scrapbooks, a music review, leaves in the yard..these all need to be taken care of. But instead, I spent the day reading, doing a little scrapbooking, and hanging out with the kids. The girls spent the day making fairy houses out of odds and ends and wanted to show me all the ideas that they had. They came up with some fabulous creations! And my minor daily tasks will get done this week. They are not so overwhelming or importnat, and the girls' enthusiasm is certainly more interesting and important than those leaves that are not nearly done falling.

would have been nice.

Less than 24 hours after I had the yard perfectly cleared of leaves, it looks as though the yard has never been raked, ever. I just hope that this week will have another nice day that is free of activities so we can have another beautiful day of outdoor fun.

Today more than made up for yesterday. It was a gorgeous day. Apart from an early morning dentist appointment for me (easy go, no need to go back for six months), we had nothing that needed to get done...it was a holiday at my comany and we tend to not have activities on Friday to keep those weekends clear for traveling. The girls and I spent the whole day outside. I raked and swept (it already needed it even after last week's marathon yard work) and even cut the grass. We walked to the grocery store and lugged back lots of groceries including heavy stuff like milk and orange juice. Chloe had picked out the lunch recipe; we made bagel faces to eat. The girls raced tricycle and scooter around and around the pool much of the day while listening to their favorite music. All in all, a beautiful day.

Camille really did enjoy Young Sprouts today... I have no idea what this face was about. It is my face for today after most things that could go wrong did, including a live electrical wire down on the main artery from here to where we needed to go. Bah.

Camille had her final jazz class of the year today. Here's a closeup of the hairwrap that she did herself earlier. She put some in my hair too. She's also agreed to cut Rob's hair for him...

Chloe has worn out both Camille and me. I can't even string words together tonight.

Everything I say she contradicts. She has refused to help with anything and has demanded that everything be her way today. It's very tiring.

Have you heard the news? Not yet? Well, go have a look at the Fids and Kamily - Kids and Family Music Awards. The votes are due tomorrow, but we've submitted ours tonight. There were so many great albums from which to choose, that we had a really hard time picking our favorites!

I admit, I don't follow fashions. I have no clue. I wear what's comfortable and easy to buy. Cotton is prefered, usually in subbdued colors.

Chloe also follows her own style. The nurse at the pediatrician asked if Chloe could dress herself. I responded "Um, look at her, what do you think?"

No photos today. I spent the entire day holding a rake or a broom, not a camera. We did take a break from leaf moving and bathroom destructing to go to Lowe's, where I bought 6 hostas for $1 each, 3 $20 trees for $3 each, and a $25 Chinese dogwood (if I remember well, immune to the dogwood disease) for $12. We also stocked up on flower bulbs and pansies; unfortunately, those were at full price. Tomorrow will be a big planting day!!

I spent most of the day raking leaves in the backyard. I created huge mounds of leaves. The girls had a great time jumping. I would have felt great, except that looking up, I can't even tell which tree has lost any leaves. I'm in for a long fall.

Chloe's class at the botanical garden was about the desert. Chloe wanted to know who took a bite out of this plant. Later, she did get to try a taste of a prickly pear cactus (the "hip", I think, not a "pad"), and she really liked it.

It's not a great fall photo, but what can you do when you've got two kids who can't wait to get into dance class to see their friends. In the end, Chloe was disappointed because her friend (another tag-a-log) wasn't there. Camille found out that the jazz program will be putting on Annie. Not only will she continue with dance, but she'd like to try out for a speaking part....

To round out our trip to DC, we went to see Ralph's World perform at National Geographic. It was a wonderful show as always, but it was missing that added spark that Tommy provides. Poor Tom's back went out and he just couldn't make it. Get Well Soon, Tom!

Today we drove to Washington, DC to see ScribbleMonster perform live at XM Radio! The show was tons of fun, and our host Mindy was super friendly and wonderful with the kids. It was wonderful to meet ScribbleJim in person, too! Thanks all for a great show!

We went for a walk through the rainforest today at the botanical garden.

We had a nice morning at the beach near Warwick, RI. The girls collected lots of shells and sea glass.

We have a lovely day at a corn maze in TN. The maze was technically closed, so we were the only ones there...what fun!

We spent the day at this chateau, both in meetings and exploring the castle and grounds. Thankfully, it didn't rain. Leaving the busyness of Paris for a day was very nice.

Yesterday we went to hear "Laughing Pizza" perform. How often does a kids get to enjoy live music, chocolate milk and Pottery Barn Kids toys all at the same time?

My seven (for tw more days) year-old loves everything Ancinet Greek and Ancient Roman. Our museum had opening day celebrations for the new Imperial Rome exhibit yesterday. Gladiators, dinosaurs, emporers, ammenoties and olives. Who could ask for anything more?

Fall is in bloom at Fernbank Science Center!

Yep, we're at it again! Ralph Rocks at Disney MGM!

No, this isn't Ralph, but we did see some other stars hanging out near the theater where Ralph performed.

The garden was beautiful today!

Yep, we're at it again! Ralph Rocks!

Chloe and I went to the botanical garden today.

This week "homeschooling" is not the right term for where Camille has been learning. She's been doing the majority of her work in the car, at the "club" and in the bleachers of the swim club while Chloe has her lesson.

I have been playing with Paint Shop Pro lately. I am discovering lots of fun ways to edit photos!