That's been me the last week or so. That's away without leave, for those of you who didn't grow up in the military. I have indeed been away from the blogging world. What have I been doing, exactly? I'll show you.
Here I am the night before school got out finalizing my educational and vocational training for my children during the summer. It's not as complicated as last year, but they still have to clean their rooms, read scriptures, do a predetermined school subject, an outside chore, an inside chore, a relationship-building activity with a designated brother, and practice their instrument. It's actually going pretty well so far.
Speaking of instruments.....
I've purchased, nay, invested, in a violin for this sweety. Last year he had a train wreck of a school loaner to work with. They wouldn't let him keep it for the summer, so in order to keep up with his lessons, he's been entrusted with this little beauty. I've been assured by the sales guy that it will last him his whole life, unless he decides to go professional. It had better, is all I have to say. This boy is so naturally diligent and hardworking that I don't doubt he'll get decades of use out of it. Can't you see how thrilled he is?
I call this picture "Happy Father's Day- Just Don't Kiss Anyone"
Instead of feasting on breakfast in bed, my poor husband spent Father's Day morning in urgent care with two of our boys. All three had strep throat. The next day, two more succumbed. I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank whoever exposed our family to this. Hmmm, after five office visit copays and rounds of antibiotics for everyone, what can I ever do to truly express my gratitude? I've got it- I'll just wait till we have someone with pinkeye or head lice. Then I'll get my revenge (I'm rubbing my hands together, cackling with an unholy glint in my eyes)
I've been boating with my girlies. Here are some of the cuties I teach on Sundays. I sooo love these girls.
And I've been schmoozing the neighbor's puppy. Too cute.
I've also spent a lot of time hunting and riding at a ranch outside of Tucson, Arizona. Sure, it was 100 years ago, but it's been real to me!
The sequels to These is My Words got here, and I've been a ranching widow all week.
It should be ready tomorrow.
10 comments:
Your idea for summer school is going to save my children from a fate worse than their mother having a full time job! I am copying you SHAMELESSLY and with gusto. Thanks for all the thought you put into my childrens' well-being. I love you for it!
I really need to know how you enforce the schedule without going insane yourself. Please explain. And then market it. And may you live forever a rich woman.
They just have to get their stuff done before they can go out and play. If I catch them outside playing, I ask them in a sugary sweet voice, "So, have you finished your stuff? If they haven't, they get an extra chore. Woo hoo!
I thought you were just lollygagging around recovering from your stressful exhausting overseas ordeal. I should have known better.
Will you please email me more details on your schedule? We are looking for some structure (after we move of course), but haven't had any great ideas yet. Do you have a chart? I love charts. I also am totally fine with shamelessly copying any ideas you supply. (o:
Hello - we meet again! It's been awhile. People have an uncanny knack for posting a lot when you are out of town and it has taken me this long to catch up with all you bloggers and all your lives!
So your trip looks so amazing. I'm still not sure what it is that lets you take these amazing trips! But kudos for you for both taking them and being able to post about them and share them with all us other punks at home ( or Disneyland as the case may be). Anyway, my favorite picture of you is the one where you were at the restaurant at the salty sea and you are looking so darn cute and fun in your swimsuit - really beautiful. That salty sea air was doing somethign to you skin cause you looked marvelous!
Welcome home - I will shortly be adopting your ways of motherhood - you should patent it quick! Very nice. I actually do some pretty similar stuff with my kids - you have to or you and they go insane - but sadly, I have not gotten around to enforcing much of anything this summer due to trips and illnesses. But sadly for them, this here is a new week!
So nice to have you back! Thank goodness I already have my children entrenched in our own summer schedule. It is going so well that my 10 year old now speaks german fluently and has potty-trained my youngest, my four year old is an expert at sweeping, mopping and vaccuuming, he of course is reading at a 5th grade level and my little 2 year old is reading quite proficiently as well and has just mastered the art of scrubbing the shower. It is a good thing we are doing so well or else I might feel a little guilty that my kids in reality are lounging around in the pj's with their mom until noon-because it' SUMMER!
Well, alright we did it for a few days and we are now on a schedule but it was fun for those few days!
YOu are AMAZING!
Can't wait for the cake recipe! Love ya-N
Ha! That's a good one Noelle, fluent German, eh? I work my urchins hard, but we stay in bed until 9:30!
I'm also looking to shamelessly steal some summer ideas. I've got a few, but your "relationship-building" have me intrigued! What are they...will you share?
I was JUST trying to decide what to read next, having just finished "The Secret Life of Bees" (which I really liked and would recommend). I LOVED These is my words, so I think this will be my next read!
I bow down to you, oh mighty mother. :)
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