OUR FAMILY IS GROWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JANIE IS GETTING MARRIED!!! I won't say too much more as the date is not set...But I can fairly confidently say that Lucas has been pulled in, hook, line and sinker!!! Another little brother. Why am I excited?!?

In other news, as hard as I try, I am finding it difficult to fit school work in on a regular basis. Maybe I have priority problems. I guess I genuinely believe that kids need to be kids...and so if friends come over, or if they want to play outside, I'm happy for them to do so instead of making them sit and 'do' school. I was telling Bri the other day that their entire Language Arts/English 'requirements' for a grade year are met through regular summer library program attendance and participation in the summer book club. So, that's a good thing, I suppose. As long as this stuff gets fit in along the way...somewhere....

We're gearing up for a camping trip this weekend. Matt and Michelle (I wonder if there will be any other announcements any time soon from anyone else...hm??) are coming and Jane and Lucas should be there as well. Brad will come I think...perhaps his new friend will put in an appearance. Raiden, each night at bedtime, has been asking if I've thought of anything else to bring with us. He's been having some...challenges...lately trying to occupy himself without the TV, PC or XBox and is worried he'll be bored in the great outdoors for 3 days. As I extol the virtues of having balance in our lives, trying to avoid implementing communistic measures around the household electronic entertainment, he escapes to his room...to lie on his bed and play with his Tamagotchi . So, we are taking about 100lbs of board games, card games, dice games, water toys, campsite toys and snacks. Lord knows if we'll fit in the stuff we actually need. Like clothes. And bug spray.

Kori is off to learn about Victorian Tea Parties at the Museum tomorrow. She's pretty excited. The boldest, most abrasive, obnoxious boy I have ever met is enamored with Kori. Thank GOD we only see him at the library. And he doesn't go there to do library-ish type things...nooooo....he goes there to hang out. Loudly. Boldly. Obnoxiously. He told Kori he can't read. SO WHY HANG OUT AT THE LIBRARY!?!?!?!??! (Ok, the good Mom in me suggested that she should read to him...I only thought the evil thoughts.) As we left the library today, Kori noticed he was playing in the elevator. Up. Down. Up. Down. Gather some wayward children into the elevator with him. Up. Down. Exit the elevator as the Children's Librarian storms onto the scene and throws her arm across the doors with the authority and intimidation Navy Seals only dream about having. The other day Kori was at the Library, sitting at the same table as he was. I had to pull Kori out of the program room to explain to her that she was currently experiencing a "wrong place - wrong time" situation and if she did not remove herself, she would find herself unwelcome at other library programs because the Children's Librarian actually had begun to tremble and sweat due to the insolence of this boy. I suppose, pulling the positives out of the situation here, Kori and I are having some great 'parental guidance' type of discussions. She participates, I observe. We converse, I offer guidance and feedback. She goes back and actually does a pretty good job at putting into practice my suggestions and feedback. Now, if I were to just tell her she had to stay away from this kid, there would be problems. But today, I caught her explaining to him why his behaviour was inappropriate for the library. She told him, "Dillon, when you shout across the library like that, it's inconsiderate to the people who are in to read". And, "Dillon, if you're not here to read or go to the Program Room, then you should really go to the park". I especially liked, "Dillon, you need to sit properly in that chair before Maureen (the aforementioned Children's Librarian) sees you and speak to people with a polite tone of voice; my mom will get mad if call her 'HEY YOU" again...you can say 'Mrs. XX' to her until she invites you to use her first name." Oh, thank you Montessori. And I do believe God has heard my prayers...it is getting through to her!! Now, if I have to hear anymore about the $44 dollar silver chain he bought her at the pawn shop that he lost in his room (yeah, ok...right.) I'll scream.

The only other cool thing going on is that I've been spending a wee bit of time with a wonderful lady. She home schools her three boys - 15, 17 & 18. She is so creative and talented and inspiring. Such a positive person for me to be around. The reason I mention her is that she is into Artist Trading Cards. These are a form of artwork that is so versatile, it's amazing. A person makes a series (usually having a theme) of 9 cards. You then trade these cards - one for one - with others who have made their own set. You can use any medium you want as long as it is hockey card sized. Seriously, have a look on the net...ATCs are HUGE. It has been so long since I have had a creative outlet...I'm having a great time living vicariously through my new friend's creativity. Hopefully I'll get my butt in gear and return to some sort of creative endeavor that I enjoy...maybe my knitting.

I'm off to download pics from the camera. Check out the new photo album....I'll be back after the weekend to put up some camping pics.

Cheers

Summer Is Shaping Up

Summer is really here. Bri's regularly taking Fridays off of work. 30 degrees plus today. Thank goodness for air conditioning! I don't remember it being this hot when I was a kid. But then again, I didn't have to vacuum every 10 minutes after a dog who was blowing her coat. And so it goes.

We have cleaned up and moved the school shelf. I should get a picture up for you peeping Tom's who just can't help themselves. The kids have had their annual check-up (they're growing well, thanks...we need to think about the Chicken Pox vaccine) and their semi-annual dental check-up (Kori is a poster child for dental hygiene, Rai needs a bit of help and will have his molars sealed in Sept.). Kori has grown about 7 inches since March '05. Can you believe that?! We are spending more time outside. We are filling up the calendar with activities to attend. The kids are happy with their daily routine of school work. I really think that June should be the start of our official 'school year'.

So, here's how the summer is shaping up: In July, we begin attending the local Library Program Days. The kids will also participate in the summer Book Club - in which I hold them to the highest standard of work. It is some of the only work they actually have to produce and present, so they might as well approach it with consideration and purpose. Serendipitously, I registered for the Library Programs without causing a conflict with the Museum Programs the kids want to take in. However, there will be a couple of busy days. Please pray for good weather so Bri can take the bike to work on those days. The last week of July, Kori will attend a week of Brownie Camp. Add in a few camping trips - we're looking forward especially to Charleston Lake, a few beach days, a visit from Grandma Maddie and Dr. Gerald, maybe a much anticipated movie and a bit of fishing...Not to mention a wedding (congrats Paul & Lisa!) and a visit to the farm for Kori; it's looking like it could be a great summer!!

In other news, I am trying to lend some leadership to encourage some regular, local Home schooling support and networking. We are blessed to have many wonderful, insightful, supportive, intelligent and talented ladies in the area who are all interested in some regular contact. We had a lovely Coffee & Chat evening at the end of May. Six families attended a casual Beach Day at St. Lawrence Park last week. There is another Coffee & Chat in the works for early July as well. I hope to have a good momentum built up for September (perhaps a Not-Going-Back-To-School Picnic...hmmm!!) and I hope that it will carry on through the winter.

Check out the pictures; drop us an email; Love & Laughter to all.

O, The Frustration

Sometimes I wish my kids were mind readers. That way, they would know I really meant what I asked THE FIRST TIME. I'm losing what little patience God gave me. I think it's payback for my long-gone-teenage-antics. I don't even have to apoligize to my mom....she just knows that I'm sorry. I am really, really, really trying not to yell. Really. And I'm not a spanker...so that's out too.

And what is it with the inherent need to buck the system? It's a control thing right? I know they are their own little people. I try to let go of the control. I explain the purpose of the things we do. Fo example, I cannot feed people all day. The hydro bill, for starters cannot handle having the fridge opening and closing like that all day long. If Kori could sleep as long as she wanted, and Raiden could eat every time he didn't want to put some work into something, I'd be feeding people, literally, all. day. long. Rai would want something when he got up at 6. And then Bri would want a coffee at 6:30. And then Kori would eat at 9ish when she got up and thay would look good to Rai, so might as well make something for him too. And then Bri is home at 10:30 for lunch. But, can't feed the kids...they're not very hungry yet....So then at 11:15, they'll start..."I'm huunnnnggggrry....when's luunnnnnch??" So. Feed them again. School work after lunch is too hard, so Rai better have a snack...and when he's done, well, Kori thinks that looked pretty good. So I'd better make her something. But only after I cleaned up Rai's snack. By then they'd better go out to play. Feed them a snack when they come in. Oop. Now Brian's home...snack and more coffee. Dinner. Clean up. Bed-time...but wait...better have a snack....Rai's sleeping, Kori's still reading...it's 8:30, a whole hour since she's eating her snack. Better have a little something before she shuts out her light. Brian' emerges...penguining in the fridge...Better eat. Coffee would be good too. See??? It would never end!!!

So I try to explain my reasoning...show everyone that I ask things to be done and guide the activities 'round here to include everyone, take care of everyone's needs, keep the household running, respect everyone's need for free time, privacy, etc. I actively try to let the kids have the control of their lives...(ok, well lately, I have been) but there still needs to be a mutual respect of our family unit, right?

Arrgh. This parenting thing was easier when you only had to figure out the front of the diaper.

Happy Spring

Happy Spring!!

On the advice of my conscience, I have decided to get back to the blogging. At least a bit. Hopefully I can stick with it...I'm also trying to better my typing skills...so that means blogging without looking at the keyboard....much.

So we're off and running with a new approach to homeschooling. The driving force and re-motivation are a result of a few of Brian's suggestions. As well, I am trying to make Kori feel more a part of the family. Because her emotions are driving a wedge between us and her. Please say a prayer. Really. I don't think I"ll make it through puberty if her dramatics now are any indication of things to come. And, just for Rai, we're going to make him into a better reader. 'Cause he wants to read like Kori. Apparently noone has told him yet that he's reading wonderfully; with comprehension and fluency and inflection. At least, noone who actually matters has told him yet. I am supposed to, apparenlty, wave my magic wand and make this reading mastery just happen...because he certainly wants no part of any kind of "reading practice". I have discovered that if I put mapping work in his schoolwork binder, he sometimes needs to do his schoolwork at 6:15 am...on a Saturday. And, funny enough, he reads those pages well enough to complete the exercises. I told him that my strategy of benign neglect would pay off....he just doesn't see it yet.

So, onward and upward toward summer. Hockey is done. The award banquet was this evening. Special entertainment was provided by Brockville's finest young alternative rockers "Days Ransom"
(http://www.myspace.com/daysransom). Punchy alternative, for those that are interested...Loud, for those that are not.

Kori is gearing up for another summer at camp. Ok, it's just a week...but still. Camp Woolsey. ( http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/woolsey/index.htm) She had such a good time there last summer. And it seems they have their act together. I tried seeing about perhaps sending her to our Guiding Area Camp in Picton, however, our Area is disorganized and unreliable. So, she's off to the Ottawa Area camp.

So that's where we are. Kids are working on math, lit, history, geography; we started music lessons!; and some other stuff that I should probably classify somewhere but don't. Brownies and Beavers are still going strong. Kori did a session of private swimming lessons and excelled . As part of their literature studies (doesn't that sound impressive?!) they are both taking part in a literature program run through the Public Library. The kids read a selection of Canadian books from the last year or so and at the end of the session vote for their favorites. Votes are counted nationally and the winning selections are awarded the Blue Spruce, Silver Birtch line of awards. Kori and Raiden are enjoying the book selections so far. They are not enjoying the synopsis I am making them do after they finish a book. But hey, I compromised and they recite, I write.

I SO have to go and kidnap my husband...maybe we'll get around to trying to make vodka daquaris...

Cheers

I Can't Believe I'm Considering Going To A Garage Sale

So, I'm thinking of going to a garage sale. Or 2. And then I got excited and wrote down about 9 that I could go to. I'll let you know how it goes. Everything says "Saturday, 8am" and that's pretty early...for a Saturday. Ok, for going out any day...but still. We'll see if the neighbours stupid Fr*#$&^ beagle is barking agian at 5am as has been it's habit this week...yes, all week. It was getting pretty old by today and I was contemplating a nicely worded letter to the property managers, and THEN...get this --> I calm down - somewhat - about the pre-dawn canine serenade only to have the neighbours pack up and go out...leaving the dog at home. Of course, the thing begins to bark and howl and yip and whine until they came home 62 minutes later. AT WHICH TIME they exit their vehicle and immediatly undermine my b!tchy neigbour letter writing tendencies by indulging my children with fresh donuts!! What the heck is up with that?! Nice neighbours my a$$....oh and please, cute, polite, nice neighbour children, please, please watch for our poor little kitty cat as it has run away...and now the two dogs we own have nothing to chase up and down the hallway and bark at until all hours and they are miserable and lonely.

Wow, was that a tangent or what?! If the dumb dog wakes me up, I might as well drive by a garage sale or two. If I sleep in, well, that's good too.

In other news, Rai has begun hockey and after a small misunderstanding (regarding the other players using Raiden as a "statue to crash into by purpose!!") was cleared up, he had a pretty ok time and is looking forward to his next ice time. He's pretty stoked...and is fairly, um, strutting in all his gear. Pictures next week...please stay tuned.

So, highlights of the week....began to organize Homeschooler's Rec Swim Time, Dad's Birthday dinner, Brad pulled some lady out of the river, we did our reading all week, the optometrist popped out his plastic eye to show Raiden and Kori did not vomit (yes, really), Spring Clean of the kitchen in anticipation of my mother in law's visit in early November, Family Date Night in Kingston (Bri earned almost a basketful of Brownie points with that one!), kids are asking to begin school-book-work, new EQ expansion out, and I did not nap all week even after being up at 5am 5 days in a row. Oh, and I didn't yell too much. At this rate, next week will be superb!!