For Today

How's the weather... we're still being teased here in Anchorage; one minute the sun is blazing brilliantly, the next there's a chilly breeze sending us running for our sweaters. The blue skies are so beautiful though, I just know this summer will be the best ever.

School days... Oh, the agony! The sun is out and the great outdoors is calling--but we WILL learn to read before this school year is over. It came so easily to Andrew, but the girls are not into it at all. I was a late reader in first grade, too, but once I started reading there was no stopping me. So, still trying to keep that positive attitude. As far as Andrew goes, somedays I just feel like he has outgrown his dear old mom. That boy's brain is huge! He is loving long division right now, and seems to have gotten past his struggles with math.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner... Had a late start this morning; breakfast was hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter on whole wheat slices, and pineapple chunks, followed up with a glass of soy milk. The kids are enjoying almonds, frozen tropical fruit mix, and lemonade for lunch, and eating their picnic on the deck as they play in the mud. Dinner will probably be chicken spaghetti, made with the leftovers from the roast chickens Paul made on Sunday. I'm planning to bake up a batch of shortbread cookies for dessert.

I am wearing... chocolate-brown yoga pants, a summery green and brown sleeveless blouse, my polar fleece sweater when the breezes blow, and sneakers.

I am reading..."Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger's Syndrome," a book written by a 13 year old boy about his experiences as a person with Asperger's, and tips on how to cope with childhood and teen experiences.

Around the house... Put together bunk beds for the kids this weekend. I am ready to replace that washing machine any day now, with all the mud that comes with springtime in AK. We will be signing off on the new flooring this week, and hopefully moving forward soon in getting the house back together after the Great Washer Flood of '10.

Favorite tip of the week... I read this one in the calendar my mom brought home from her trip to Bend, visiting Wes and Liz and their baby. "Choose a special time just for storytelling, like when the moon is full. Light lots of candles and share stories. Use a box filled with story starters. For instance, 'I remember when I got lost...'" I remember when I got lost; I was 7, and we were shopping at the P/X at the base in Germany; I was fascinated by the lingerie section, and looked up and my mom was GONE! So, I did what any reasonable 7 year old on the loose would do; I examined all the bras, then moved on to checking out the lipsticks in the makeup section. Whaddya think, I think my kids will love that story.

Plans for the week...take it easy, take it slow. Enjoy the sunshine whenever it peeks out, hug the children, rake the yard, and maybe visit a greenhouse for something pretty for the garden.

For Today

Outside my window... springtime in Anchorage! Aaah! Smells like...melting dog poo. Yuck! Now is the time of giant mud pies and melting snow berms. Today is a cloudy, cold day, with sprinkles of rain now and then.

I am thinking... about the socialization issue lately. It's one that keeps coming up, and it really gets under my skin. The idea that because my kids are homeschooled, they aren't getting enough socialization, just really drives me crazy. My kids can carry on a conversation with people from 1 to 90 years old. They have friends, and they play well with them.

From the learning rooms... Almost done with the O word families. I think Amy is closer to reading than Sarah, but both are really bored by the rote memorization. It's so exciting when something clicks and they recognize words on their own, though. Andrew is working on colonization for Social Studies, and astronomy for Science. I wish these clouds would blow away for a while, since he is supposed to be observing the night sky, looking for constellations and planets.

I am thankful for... this may sound funny, but I am thankful for every darned thing that has fallen apart in my house--and there's been a lot of it lately! I'm just seeing it as an opportunity to clear away the old and make room for the new. I'm hoping most of all that as we repair damages and remodel, we will be that much closer to someday selling and moving. We outgrew this old house a long time ago.

From the kitchen... Fried up some corn fritters and some "French Breakfast Puffs" (basically, doughnut holes) yesterday. It still smells yummy in my house.

I am wearing... a turquoise knit blouse over a long sleeved white t-shirt. Jeans and sneakers.

I am reading..."Children: The Challenge" and still reading Little Pilgrim's Progress aloud to the kids at night.

Around the house... Decluttering like mad! Andrew and Taylor's dresser collapsed yesterday, so that will have to be replaced now. It was all particle board, anyway. I took a bag of outgrown boots and shoes to the donation bin, along with a bag of clothes. We picked out the flooring for the house, but we still have to call the crew to come pull up the rest of the old stuff. Hopefully the next time I write, that'll be done and over with.

One of my favorite things... When kids have their little revelations. I love hearing them say, "OH, THAT'S what that means!"

A few plans for the rest of the week...nothing special. Everyone's finally cured up from the bug that hit us, we're planting the seeds for our garden and anxiously waiting for the snow to melt away. Girl Scouts on Tuesday, roller skating on Wednesday. That's all, folks!

Outside my window... Sunshine slowly melting the drifts of snow into mud.

I am thinking... If I had just one day a week alone in the house, how much I could accomplish!

From the learning rooms... Standardized testing this week for Andrew, and on to the O word families for the girls.

I am thankful for...Serendipities; when things that should be catastrophes just keep on working together for good, I feel so grateful. Case in point, my broken washing machine that flooded the house. Finally, the construction that I have been waiting for years to be completed is going to get done. Paul has already knocked the walls out of the laundry area so that we can open the kitchen and living room areas up more.

From the kitchen... Salmon steak for dinner tonight, with oven baked home fries.

I am wearing... jeans and a purpley 3/4 length sleeve shirt...but wonder of wonders, in size 14 for the first time in ages!

I am reading...Little Pilgrim's Promise, out loud to the kiddos.

I am hoping... for someone to offer to take these kids off my hands long enough for me to clean something and have it stay that way for more than half an hour.

Around the house... let's see; my flooring is only halfway ripped up and we're waiting for the demolition to be completed so our new flooring can be laid. Did you hear about my washer? The rinse cycle switch malfunctioned, and it poured water all over my house. All the flooring Paul and I had worked so hard to lay had to be torn up, some drywall will have to be replaced, and of course I have no washer now. Yes, 6 kids and no washer! But here's more serendipity; I get to go to my Dad's house and enjoy the pure bliss of peace and quiet for a few hours while I do laundry and visit with him. It's all good.

One of my favorite things... Getting skinny again...in time, I hope. I've discovered Kundalini yoga, and I really enjoy it. I'm not so big on the aerobic workouts, but they're a necessary evil I suppose. I wish I had the enthusiasm for running, but the best I can work myself up to is a fast walk. I recommend "Walking Off the Pounds" and RaviAna's Kundalini Yoga to anyone interested; those are the workouts I like the most. And the book "When Food Is Love" made a big difference in my eating habits.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Moving forward on the reconstruction of my house, possibly a trip to the movies with the kiddos to see Alice In Wonderland...kids are enjoying Wednesday outings to go roller skating...we'll see what unfolds beyond that.