Season of Thanksgiving

When the Parays come for a visit, everyone gets so distracted by their excitement that little gets done, besides cleaning.  Somehow the boys did manage some school work on Monday but Tuesday was a bust.  

To occupy the time before they arrived, Chris made a great dent into building the retention walls for the back yard (in a light rain mind you). The boys helped some but preferred to keep asking if we should leave to pick them up.  They arrived later than we hoped (they were trying to get on standby for an earlier flight), but they were safe and sound and that's all that mattered. I had shopped via text message with Mae as they waited in Atlanta, so we had all the groceries waiting when they arrived. This meant we had nothing better to do than talk and catch up, which is all we wanted to do anyway.  FaceTime is a great way to keep in touch, but it can't compare with face-to-face for us.

Wednesday was another rainy day.  Mae and I went for a walk and did some bargain shopping, while Chris stayed home with the kids.  Chris was not working for a change, well at least not for pay.  He did replace the bath exhaust fan.  The kids did their own thing, playing games of all sorts. When they come for a visit, It is like favorite cousins coming together again.

We had special plans for the afternoon.  First, we had the traditional trek to Corbett's Burgers and Soda Bar for lunch.  Then we came back to the house and got all gussied up for the Winter Children's Concert at the NC Symphony.  Since our neighbor's had been kind enough to loan us a car, we all were able to join in the fun.  The Symphony was nice and Amber (her first visit) sat rather well once the program began.

Thursday was Thanksgiving and we did what most people do on Thanksgiving - cook and eat while the children play and eat.  I had made two pumpkin pies earlier in the morning so they had time to chill.  Then two loaves of pumpkin bread before starting on the main meal.  We got a 16lb brined turkey this year and it was super juicy.  With it I made a whole bag of potatoes mashed, green beans, special mac & cheese and stuffing. The turkey wasn't the only thing stuffed by the end of the day.

Unfortunately,  the kids (esp. Lance & Matt) are growing so fast that there wasn't enough food to provide leftovers for more than one meal on Friday. We have to try for a 20lb turkey next year!

To prepare for the leftover meal, Mae and I took off again, this time to hike Hemlock Bluffs and of course partake in more conversation.  While we were gone, the kids "helped" Chris move the bridge over the creek about the half the distance to its future home. It was no small feat but an activity messily enjoyed by all. They scared up what we think is a MudPuppy and one large Crayfish! It's great having our own little ecosystem to enjoy.

After our afternoon meal, Mae and I decided it was time for our Black Friday shopping, so we headed over to the computer. Going out on Black Friday is crazy, so we let our fingers do the walking on the internet.  We were quite pleased with some the deals we managed to get by the click of a mouse.  So we celebrated and finally made the time to watch "Pride and Prejudice" together.

After the sun set and the kids came in from frolicking outside we sat down to do some art projects: Japanese block prints and masks.  While making the masks out of egg crates, Lance earned a new nickname "Egg Boy".  Mae said when Lance hits the big leagues she's going to yell "Egg Boy Ignite" loudly from the stands.

It was hard to go to bed Friday night because the Parays would be leaving the house the next morning at 5am for their return flight, which meant once we went to sleep only Chris would see them again this visit.  But time flies quickly and it will only be a few months until we are together again.  I am so thankful for that and the relationship between our families that has grown over the years to be more than friendship. We are family.

SEEK

SEEK is a co-op we joined this fall. Last night was Family Night and Chris got to come and see a bit of what had been happening the last 13 weeks. Thankfully, my opinion and optimism for the co-op has not dwindled since my initial review.  The kids kept saying over and over again on Thursdays "Thank you Mom for singing us up for SEEK!".  What more needs to be said?  Well, I say a little more...

Amber ended up flourishing in her class and quickly didn't mind me leaving for the second hour.  By the end of the 13 weeks, she even chose to join in on craft time.  She is quite the little instigator/leader when it comes to playing her games and the other kids seem to enjoy her ideas.  She's made a number of friends.

Titus thoroughly enjoyed both his classes.  Titus' first class was "Community Helpers" where he met a police man, a doctor, firemen, pastor and others.  Sometimes it took some figuring out to understand whom he met in class that day (like the day he said he met the president and it was really the mayor). His enthusiasm to tell us was always wonderful.  His "Dramatic Expressions" (which he loved) was fantastic and they even put on a play at Family Night for us all to enjoy.  Titus was the "fire" in the old fable about the pig that would not jump over the fence.

(Click two photos below to see video)

Lance's fishing class has made him truly "Hooked On Fishing".  His passion was infectious and his brothers are now asking for their own fishing polls so Lance can teach them.  "Let's Play Sports" is what Lance likes to do most and there's no surprise he enjoyed that class as well.

Jared was just as excited about SEEK as his siblings.  For his first class, he enjoyed learning about all the different nuances of Thanksgiving in his "Celebrate Thanksgiving" class.  

For his second class, he (and the whole family when Dad read aloud) really enjoyed the book "My Side of the Mountain" and all the neat activities they did along with it; such as making moccasin shoes, building forts, meeting a Peregrine Falcon and more.  At Family night, they even but on a play/advertisement for a company that taught the skills they'd learned in the book.  Jared did an awesome job as you can see in video below. Like I always say he's my thespian in the making.

(Click pic below to see video)

For me, I enjoyed getting to know the homeschool mom's the most, be it while helping in Amber's class, participating in my "New Comers" class or at the park play-dates after SEEK each week the weather permitted.  Unlike other experiences we've had, this one was fairly stress-free for me too.  So much so that next semester (because I'm a crazy lady) I'm going to teach a class with my friend.  Stay tuned!!

P.S.  Despite the busy day and night daddy still made the time to read to everyone before bed.

Over the hill to OUR house Grandma comes!

Grandma came to visit this weekend to visit along with her friend Norm.  We kept the visit a secret so the kids were surprised and over joyed when they saw her get out of the car in our driveway on Friday.

After they gave her the grand tour and we got acquainted with her friend Norm, we decided we all needed to get out of the house for a bit and took them to hike at Hemlock Bluffs Park.  It was a beautiful day for hiking and talking.  When we got back, we unloaded some toys for the kids, including a Kinetex set that kept the boys busy for two hours before they had a fully working double Ferris wheel.

Following dinner, the boys made chocolate chip cookies with Grandma.

Saturday, the boys opened their official Christmas presents; The camo pajamas were a huge hit; Amber got right to "cutting" up her new veggies; but the biggest hit was having their own copy of the board game Blokus.  They got right to teaching Elaine and Norm how to play and once that game was done they leaned to play their other new games as well. 

After the excitement of presents and lunch, we all went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood.  Then we headed out to see a community performance of "Anne of Green Gables". Jared knew someone in the play and was anxious to go.  The play turned out to be a lot longer than we expected.  Amber, Titus and Lance only made it through until intermissoin then Chris headed home with them.  We called them when we were heading out and we all met back up at Corbett's for dinner.

Sunday morning, found the kids making cookies again with Grandma; this time molasses.  It was fun to watch her orchestrate all the kids into the process.  After cookies, Grandma brought out the art supplies and the kids all enjoyed time making ornaments and cards (incl glitter).

Since seats were limited in our van, Amber and I stayed behind and Chris took everyone to hike and tour Yates Mill Park.  It worked out great because the girl was too young to take the tour and I had wanted the boys to see the inside and how the mill works.  As a special treat, Norm taught them how to make corn pipes with the corn cobs they'd gotten from the mill when they got back home. 

(Click the pics above to see the videos)

As Sunday was our Anniversary, Elaine and Norm gave us a chance to sneak out to dinner, while they played more games with the kids.

With a long trip ahead of them, Elaine and Norm said goodbye Sunday night.  We were all very sad to see Grandma leave but at the same time very thankful for the wonderful time we had together.

Fall Ball

Chris volunteered to coach Jared's baseball team this season. This was Jared's first season of kid pitch and thankfully Chris was able to draft Jared's friend.  Kid pitch was a unique experience for everyone and the important thing is that Jared had a good time.  They even had a nice Pizza party at the end.

Fall ball was different for Lance as well.  Chris was an assistant coach again but with a new coach and all new players.  Lance's goal was to play something other than catcher and he achieved his goal; playing first base, a lot of short stop and doing a decent job pitching.  The leagues does not keep the kids on the same teams as Spring, it was odd having some of his friends playing against him.  It was a little fun sometimes though, seeing Lance keep a straight face as pitcher or catcher when he got an old friend on another team out.

The part that made things most difficult was the all the rain during the season.  Sometimes the kids would go 10 days without a practice or a game.  In fact, Jared's last game was rescheduled three times and finished with us all getting soaked in a down pour.  After being here through two rainy falls, the boys agree that maybe we should skip Fall Ball next year and do something else. :-)

Rabbit Day Book Review - October

I went to the library before vacation to pick-up two highly acclaimed books to preview for the kids.  While picking them up I noticed two books on display that looked interesting so I grabbed them too.  The books I intentionally picked up, despite many accolades by others, will not be reviewed here.  Ironically, the books I picked up by chance were worth the read.

Katerina's Wish by Jeannie Mobley is a story about immigrants, the American dream and life in a Colorado coal mine in 1901.  At first I wasn't so sure about the book.  I don't like books that put weight on "the power of wishes" or "luck", things I neither believe or wish my children handicapped into believing.  But the characters kept drawing me in, that I kept reading the book and I'm glad I did.  In the end, the author clears up the difference between passive wishes and active dreams by explaining; it's strong belief, that turns to conviction, that drives hard work that combines with opportunity, that leads to change.  It's the kind of book that leaves you thinking about what happened next for days.  There is a little innocent romantic scenes, even a quick peck on the lips but nothing immoral.  However, its that element that, for me, would make the book most suitable to middle high or above, it may also lend itself more to girls.  That said, it fits a beautiful niche that I have found very little in the way of living books till now and look forward to reading it again with my clan in the future.  The author also has this free guide to go with the book.

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald is according to the jacket a book written "in the tradition of From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler", except this book is actually worth reading.  The book centers around two girls, that couldn't come from more opposite backgrounds, that meet accidentally and team up to solve a mystery.  The background of the main character will require parental discussion, she is extremely poor and raising herself.  Her grandfather has just died and her mother is a genius stuck in the world of her formulas.  The other girl is just as alone, except her parents are super rich movie stars.  Yet despite their situations both girls have generally good attitudes.  The author does a nice job of developing their friendship.  The girls accept each other without judgement, which allows both their strengths to help solve the mystery.  There is a significant amount of art taught, especially regarding Raphael and art forgery.  The girls must also use a wide array of resources to research their mystery, that is real and useful.  Additionally, there is a surprising amount World War II history (incl. Hitlers obsession with art, The Mounument Men and Berga POW/Concentration camp).  The author appears to have thoroughly researched all aspects of her book.  One other item I enjoyed was that though this is a secular book, the priest in the book was portrayed as highly intelligent and compassionate.  I found myself thinking about this book for a long time.  However, due to the girls family situation, and the war scenes I think this book best for middle school age and above.  I'm coming up with quite a list to read in a few years.

Red Falcons of Tremoine was the boys History Read-Aloud with Chris this month. This book is definitely worth the effort to find, it was big hit with the boys and Chris.  From a parents perspective the character lessons are invaluable.  From the boys perspective the adventure and suspense (everyone had trouble figuring out what would happen next) made them keep begging for one more chapter.  The story is set at the time when Richard the Lionhearted was away on crusade (c. 1175).  To tell much of the plot would give the beginning away, so I won't say more than we so enjoyed the authors writing style I am searching for the one other book she wrote.  I hope to add it to our reading schedule when we get to Cromwell.

Bluffton:  My summers with Buster Keaton by Matt Phelan was the suggested read at the library this month.  I was a little hesitant because its a big 200 page cartoon (excuse me as the librarian corrected me a "graphic novel" - uh hem).  As the title suggests its a biography of American actor Buster Keaton who started on Vaudville and worked his was into the "talkies".   However, other than a quick epilogue at the end, the book focuses on a his summers spent in Bluffton, MI as a child.  Jared and Lance both ended up choosing to read it.  I'll give it that it is nicely illustrated but I wasn't thrilled.  Perhaps I'm biased because I worry this is the new trend in "reading" books.  That said, the great "they" say we should read some books just for enjoyment and I guess it fills that void, but I won't be putting it on my book list as a book I must read again with the littles.

Lance had a rough start with his independent read this month.  He started reading Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Vining but he disliked it so much I told him he could stop trying.  He had a hard time articulating what he disliked so much but it centered around the attitude of the main character.  I had chose this book because it was another highly acclaimed book and though I noticed when I read it that the main character had a bit of an attitude at the beginning, his attitude did improve.  That said I wasn't going to push him to read a book he found distasteful; if he just thought it was boring he'd still be reading it.  However, that threw my reading plan for him off a bit, so I grabbed a tried and true favorite off the shelf:  Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary  I had read this to him when he was young and he enjoyed reading it himself again.  Like Homer Price it centers around the everyday adventures of a young boy.  Basically, its a well written, harmless, enjoyable comedy about life's everyday occurrences.

Jared is currently reading The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman he should finish this weekend.  It's another highly acclaimed Newbery award book.  It is an easy read.  It's a tale about doing what's right even when someone doesn't appreciate it.  I also like the subtle message of the importance of doing your school work; the prince in the story never learned to write so when he's kidnapped no one believes he can be the prince.  Personally, I could take or leave the book.  It made my list because I thought it complemented the book Lance was suppose to read, and I couldn't find much else at Jared's reading level for this time in history.  That said Jared is enjoying the book and he keeps asking to read another chapter, and that's always a good thing.

In addition to the book I assigned Jared to read, he suddenly pulled off our shelves the Jigsaw Jones Mystery books by James Preller.  I had forgotten about these.  This month he has managed to read through all eight that we have, on his own accord.  These are innocent books about a second grade boy who's made a job out of solving his classmates mysteries.  He has a good relationship with his older brother, which is nice an parents will appreciate the humorous salute to the old fashion detective talk.  The great "they" say you should be exposed to books; below, at and above your reading level.  This fits the bill for "below", his assigned "at" and read-alouds with dad "above", so I guess we have our bases covered. 

Speaking of bases, Titus managed to find two neat illustrated baseball books at the library this month.

Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Ulberg   This book tells the story of how baseball umpires started using sign language.  If you are more adventurous than me you can incorporate a number of free lessons plans to make this a true unit study

Streak: How Joe DiMaggio became America's Hero by Barb Rosenstock  This is another nice baseball biography.  My favorite part was laughing as I tried to get the boys to say his last name correctly.