We had a full week of school! Rob was home on Monday--working from home, and on Tuesday I must confess I wandered around a bit feeling a little bit lost. But I got a lot more done this week, and the kids seemed to have an overall good week at school. And somehow the school district worked it out so the kids still get a whole week off for Spring Break, and Memorial Day.
So far our study hall has been working. I think the kids like the break between school and homework, and they are working through their homework fairly quickly. Even Caleb (my toughest homework kid) is doing a good job with it.
I am hoping spring is here to stay. I am tired of the really cold winter we've had here, and it's nothing compared to the rest of the United States. I think the kids are getting andy and want to get out and do more too. Hopefully, we will do some Saturday trips soon. It's been a while since we've been to the beach or to the zoo.
The boys are doing well overall.It's all about Minecraft, YouTube and mods these days. We work out a balance of work and play and overall I think there are worse things they could be doing with their time. Now that the weather is warming up and its staying light longer, I know that they'll love to go out and spend some time on their bikes.
Beth is doing well and adjusting to young women's. Although she does complain when I assign her reading homework for her class. She is pulling good grades and juggling her friends and family. She is very, very 12 though. Dramatic, self involved and always thinks she is right. But she is also caring and loving and goes out of her way to help others.
Have a great week!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Snow, Snow and Snow Again!
We had another week of no school, lots of snow and crazy kids at home. This week another storm hit and instead of two inches of snow, we got four and then some ice. We were lucky and didn't lose power. The kids were out on Wednesday and Rob came home early, right before it started snowing, so he was fortunate enough to miss out on the commuting mess.
He just missed the mess of everyone leaving and cars being abandoned and the entire debacle of trying to drive in the snow in traffic. Yes someone caught their car on fire trying to drive up a snow covered hill. Then Rob spent the rest of the day watching the traffic cams in the area and chuckling to himself. It wasn't the most productive of days for him.
The kids had fun sledding (though the last storm was a bit better--this snow was more slushy) building an igloo and having fun not going to school.
Tomorrow they head back on their first snow make up day for the storm two weeks ago. I don't know when or how we're going to make up the last week of school. Seven days in a year seems a bit extreme. I'm just glad spring is nearly here. We are going to be back up in the 70s this week, and I want it to stick around for awhile.
There really isn't much family news since our week mostly consisted sitting at home. Hope you all have a great week!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Teleporting to the Museum
Caleb has advanced to Bear in Cub Scouts. And that means more family activities. It's actually easier in some ways because we do most of the stuff anyway throughout the year. I had planned a photo scavenger hunt to one of the museums we visit on a fairly regular basis. But the kids through up a revolt and protested. (We'll do it later.)
The boys just wanted to sit at home and play Minecraft, ALL DAY LONG! It was a beautiful day, warm, sunny, and just plain nice. So Rob convinced the boys that at the art museum they had installed a fixture that would actually teleport them. They had to be careful though so they didn't end up with the dragons.
Off we went to the art museum. We mostly visited the African, Egyptian and Ancient Rome galleries and didn't wander into the Romantics (my favorites). Then we went outside to look at the outdoor installations. The willow house that used to be there is no longer. I miss it. We hiked around and got lost (not really) and had a great time.
This next week is a big week. 100 days of school, Valentine's day and possible snow. Again. Jacob doesn't want it snow simply so he can do his celebrations. The other two don't want to go to school. Right now the forecast is jumping all over the place, and we shall see what actually happens again. I'm prepared for the storm, so we'll eat if it snows or if it doesn't. And in the end that's all that really matters. The term ice has been mentioned. I don't mind ice as long as I don't lose power. So here's hoping, we don't lose power.
Have a great week!
The boys just wanted to sit at home and play Minecraft, ALL DAY LONG! It was a beautiful day, warm, sunny, and just plain nice. So Rob convinced the boys that at the art museum they had installed a fixture that would actually teleport them. They had to be careful though so they didn't end up with the dragons.
Off we went to the art museum. We mostly visited the African, Egyptian and Ancient Rome galleries and didn't wander into the Romantics (my favorites). Then we went outside to look at the outdoor installations. The willow house that used to be there is no longer. I miss it. We hiked around and got lost (not really) and had a great time.
This next week is a big week. 100 days of school, Valentine's day and possible snow. Again. Jacob doesn't want it snow simply so he can do his celebrations. The other two don't want to go to school. Right now the forecast is jumping all over the place, and we shall see what actually happens again. I'm prepared for the storm, so we'll eat if it snows or if it doesn't. And in the end that's all that really matters. The term ice has been mentioned. I don't mind ice as long as I don't lose power. So here's hoping, we don't lose power.
Have a great week!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Six Saturdays in a Row
Last week I posted about how we might just get some snow. The great news is that it came. The kids had school canceled on Tuesday and they haven't been back yet. It started snowing late Tuesday and so Wednesday was a day full of sledding and going out and coming in and a ton dirty wet socks and pants that needed to be washed and cared for.
It was awesome to finally get to see my kids go sledding for real. They were so focused on that they didn't build a snowman (plus they did that a week ago in the half inch of snow we got) or get into a snowball fight. Wednesday was fun and awesome. Thursday we headed to a nearby park with some great hills and the kids went sledding again. It started to warm up a bit on Thursday and things started to melt, so on Friday there really wasn't any snow to play in. But still no school. It was like the kids got an official winter break, even though it was unscheduled.
I think nearly everyone is dreading heading back to school this week. Every day should be a snow day. Since it is Ground Hog's Day, and it has been predicted that we have six more weeks of winter. So maybe we'll have another snow day this year. When I told Caleb he scoffed at me, and told me I was silly for thinking about it. But it's what makes life fun, right?
I just got called to be the Beehive Advisor. It should be fun to work with Beth. I really like everyone I'm going to be serving with and it is going to be fun. So far Beth is cool with it, excited even, but I keep waiting for the moment that I'm no longer cool to be around. (I hope it doesn't happen, but I was a fickle teenager, very fickle.)
The kids had a great relaxing week at home. Rob even stayed home on Wednesday, and he made pancakes. They were great. It's been a good week overall, really focused on family without the stress of homework or other silliness!
Have a great one!
It was awesome to finally get to see my kids go sledding for real. They were so focused on that they didn't build a snowman (plus they did that a week ago in the half inch of snow we got) or get into a snowball fight. Wednesday was fun and awesome. Thursday we headed to a nearby park with some great hills and the kids went sledding again. It started to warm up a bit on Thursday and things started to melt, so on Friday there really wasn't any snow to play in. But still no school. It was like the kids got an official winter break, even though it was unscheduled.
I think nearly everyone is dreading heading back to school this week. Every day should be a snow day. Since it is Ground Hog's Day, and it has been predicted that we have six more weeks of winter. So maybe we'll have another snow day this year. When I told Caleb he scoffed at me, and told me I was silly for thinking about it. But it's what makes life fun, right?
I just got called to be the Beehive Advisor. It should be fun to work with Beth. I really like everyone I'm going to be serving with and it is going to be fun. So far Beth is cool with it, excited even, but I keep waiting for the moment that I'm no longer cool to be around. (I hope it doesn't happen, but I was a fickle teenager, very fickle.)
The kids had a great relaxing week at home. Rob even stayed home on Wednesday, and he made pancakes. They were great. It's been a good week overall, really focused on family without the stress of homework or other silliness!
Have a great one!