We're all HGTV-ish around here

So, Friday evening, as I'm bemoaning my ever-shrinking bookshelf space and other logistical frustrations in my living room/school room, Eric and I get into one of those conversations where the ideas really start flowing (from him, obviously -- I'm just good at complaining). He starts sketching. By Saturday noon, he has the materials. By Sunday evening, he's done (whatta man!), I've researched my web instructions on how to make something new look antique, and have started staining. By this morning, it was dry and moved in:

I am thrilled. He built me in a power strip on the top so I can add much-needed lighting, it divides the school area from the rest of the room and has shelves all around it. A homeschooling mom's -- and book addict's -- dream.

When we were out there working in the barn all weekend on it, it hit me -- the perfect idea for one of those reality TV shows. Whenever we're somewhere with cable, I love to watch those "transform your room in a day" shows. And lately, everyone keeps asking me if I watch some other cable show with this couple that has eight kids (sextuplets, I think?). So here we are in the barn, making a very large piece of furniture from scratch in the only free time we have managed to grab while five children are running their bikes over power tool cords, helping measure, asking continually to paint, just full of life and questions. THAT'S a reality show I would take the time to watch -- those HGTV decorators making those rooms "just so", on budget, on time, while taking care of that couple's eight children. : )

July Catch-Up

A lot can happen in 10 days, right? I mean, everyone is always telling us how we have five children and, my, my, how they must keep us busy. Well, July has proven them true.

First the sad news: the puppy only lasted six days. (Don't look at me! I was being supportive!) He apparently worked himself up enough one night and jumped the four-foot fence that seemed secure. He then, of course, headed where all animals seem to head around here, right for US 40, where he was struck and killed. The boys were pretty upset, especially Levi. I may not shed tears over animals, but I do shed tears over my children shedding tears.

Our obligatory fair-trip went well....highlights were how well our new red wagon worked out (does that count as a fair highlight?)...Sara's 2nd-place tractor pull finish (is there any money in professional kiddie-tractor-pulling?)...Leah enjoying the Ferris wheel for the first time. Here's a fun-loving boy at the top of a well-loved ride:



If it's fair time, it must be birthday time. Delaney gets a birthday well-spaced from the others, right smack in the middle of summer. Turning seven around here means you can invite a few friends to join in the celebration (Delaney's in the middle).



Last but not least, football practice has officially started. And to think, it only took 8 1/2 years!

You are not hallucinating

Look carefully, all ye people. Especially all ye former college roomates. Especially the Vet and the Ohio attorney. What is it you see?

Yes. It is. He's ours.

Here's the stats, for those who care about such things:

Black lab, 13 weeks old, found him through Craig's list from a family who does animal rescue (his parents were rescued by this family). So far, kids are still 3-2 in favor of him, although Sara shows heavy signs of bumping it to 4-1 soon. Leah is generally determined to live indoors for the rest of her natural life. Because, of course, he is and always will be an OUTSIDE dog. : )

They have named him Prince (after Eric's childhood dog).

P.S. If you look carefully, you can see the feet of the child standing on the chair next to Prince. There is no doubt who their mother is.

Musical Discernment, 101

We were in the van yesterday on a visit to family; one hour there, one hour back. We listened to a Christian music station most of the way. On the way home...

Levi: Mom! We heard that song. I think that's the same song we heard this morning.

Me: You're right...it is.

(A few minutes later)

Delaney: Mom! This song, too. We already heard this song.

Me: You're right...we heard that one earlier, too.

Delaney (after a few more that sounded awfully familiar): Mom, I think these radio stations play the same songs over and over.

Me: I think you're right, girl.

Delaney: Let's find something that sounds more mysterious.

What's been going on, you ask?

Losing...


Picking...


Celebrating...


Riding...


Winning!

The telephone game, our version

You may note, that I am getting this post in just under the wire before the date will turn to July, thereby accomplishing a grand total of TWO posts in June. I am sorry to have disappointed you, my adoring audience, but I have actually been busy writing other things this month (newsletters, VBS lessons) and have exited my computer chair as soon as possible each night. I make no promises about July. I also, for the record, have no idea why my paragraph breaks aren't working on this post.

Eric and I just returned yesterday from a little "get-away" trip to the Ohio homeschool convention, thanks to my dear parents who willingly cared for the kiddos.

Next we headed to the hills! We scoped out some good camping spots and trails, and hiked other trails that the kids won't handle for another few years.We had a great time, getting to drive, sight see, eat and just talk. The strangest feeling comes when we both go in together at the gas station convenience store and pick out our own drinks. We never get to do that, ever.

The nicest part of getting away by ourselves, of course, is the time it allows us to talk about life-things in-depth. Plans and questions and discussions that we really can't have at home can go on for hours without interruption. We enjoy this so much that we have a hard time coming out of that mode, even after we have retrieved the children (this is leading into my post title, by the way -- I had you lost, didn't I?). We need to re-train ourselves quickly, because while we aren't wearied anymore by endless diapering or toddler-chasing, the conversation round-robin around here can nearly kill you. I'll leave you with just one example from today.

Parents' discussion: the unlikelihood of travelling anywhere for 4th of July

Kid 1: "did you say Nanny's? When are we going to Nanny's?"

Kid 2, to Kid 1: "What day are we going to Nanny's?"

Kid 3, to Kid 4: "We're going to Nanny's TODAY!"

Kid 5: "I've got my backpack ready! Can I sit in the middle?"

Is that in your Bible?

So we're back in the routine of our regular devotions, now that we wrapped up our homeschooling year's study of Matthew. Each night -- generally -- Eric reads a short passage from the Bible and then the kids draw what they heard and remember from the passage on their own little white boards. Then each one gets to show his/her picture and explain it. They get pretty intense on these pictures! It's great to hear each of their descriptions, but Leah has been taking the cake lately:

After a passage on people getting baptized: "...and this is Jesus, and he can't see down in the rivah (river), and see the baptized, because he can't see with his eyes, because I didn't give him any eyes, because my marker was too big."

After a passage on Jesus healing and casting out demons, which is irrelevant because she was still stuck on the baptisms: "...and these are four little girls, and they're going to be baptized in the tomato juice." (she had used the red marker that night)

For your bonus, here's a recent pic of her with her sisters: