I Just Paid $6 For A Bag Of Chips

Plans for Friday Start to pack Kori as she leaves for Woolsey on Sunday. Get Nuk to the salon for 11:30. Finalize Bri's contract job: give back the box and pick up cheque. Make plans for beach day on Sat with Pete, Teresa and baby Sepp (April 12/06, 6lb9oz). Ray's Reptiles at the Library: July 26, 2-3pm FREE, so register!

Thursday Busy day. Did a whirlwind tidy up of the house, kids and dog in preparation for Madeline's visit (Brian's Mom). As everyone was saying their hello's, Nuk puked on the floor. I hate it when God uses me to get his jollies. Took the kids for a late grocery shop. Focused on whole foods, less junk and chemicals as Rai has been having some pretty serious stomach problems. Kids played outside with friends a lot. Rai went to the library for a Chess Club program. I pulled him early as the supervision went to hell: Summer Student had to chase 3 10 year olds around instead of guiding the program...so the other 15 kids sort of lost their focus and got a little silly. The 3 10 years olds were found int he elevator punching each other and trying to recruit others. Kori was amazed to see them physically removed from the building. Now she believes me when I tell her those particular kids are lacking in parental guidance. Thinking of pulling kids from remaining library programs. Had a good chat about my thought in the car on the way home. Kids agreed: Library is no fun when others are acting out. Lunch at Eastsides with Madeline. Shopping afterward at the Mall...kids brought home new stuffed animals and chocolate. Thank you Grandma Maddie!! It is officailly the weekend as Brian is off, although on-call. He takes his yearly holidays throughout the summer by booking off all the Fridays he can. Works out well as the only other time he takes off are the kids' birthdays and a day or so at Christmas. I have officially given up on makin gthis blog fancy, so please forgive formatting, spelling and graphic mistakes. Just be thankful I've posted an update. Oh, bought new lipstick as my current fave melted. Stupid thing. They don't even make it with the nice smell it had anymore.

Wednesday Good day with the kids. I have banished the XBox and TV until polite manners resurface. Rai did his book report. Both did some independent work while I cleaned up. That is working out to be a good system: Eat, get ready for the day, chores, independent work while I clean up. Library program for both kids. Kori had an attack of 'boy crazy' and accomplished nothing, remembers nothing. Even after we talked about making good choices for ourselves before attending. NOT liking that Dillon kid. Surprised the kids after dinner with circus tickets. Dad and I took the kids. I lined them all up (Dad included) on the couch before we left and was very clear that there would be no food/drink treats AT ALL due to Rai's stomach problems. Sat on the floor instead of in the bleachers this year. Still hot as an oven. Good show overall. Came home with a baloon, an overpriced twirly, light-up thing, a light-up-your-mouth thing and Kori's face painted. Kori's little friend ended up buying a bag of cotton candy and the two of them plowed through it while I took Rai to the bathroom. Saw Kristen who was sporting a newly pierced lip and an entourage of loyal friends. Kids had to sit on th efloor up front by the ring for the second half...if I was braver I would have run up and taken a pic of them and all their little buddies. Ran into the kids' hockey-game buddies Alexis and Darian with their wee sister Willow. Brought home a big dose of brown-eyed baby fever from the ciurcus.

Tuesday Attempted more camping laundry. Finally everything is put away. I hate being lazy and unmotivated. Caught up on some email. Made a good dent in the kids' summer reading. Neighbours in the two units next to us are moving. That could be a mixed blessing. Won't miss the thumping on the master bedroom wall as the beagle next door runs circles and yips in his crate. Won't miss cathcing people releiving themselves on my outside wall and fireworks at 12am when the neighbours two doors down host a gathering.

Monday Lazy day. Did some reading with the kids and bathed my feet like, 30 times in cool water and baking soda. Went way overboard on the anti-itch cream. Laundry is piled 3 baskets high. I hate washing sleeping bags. I have a wierd looking sunburn on my chest. The kids had a blast camping and want to know what they can do now? I told them laundry. They called me un-cool. Booked Nuk in at the doggie salon to have her nails done on Friday. Looking forward to it as she doesn't mind the car too much since I bought her a doggie-seatbelt.

6 Degrees Of Seperation

Ever watch the movie? It's on my list of things to do. They say that everyone on the planet can be conected within 6 degrees of seperation...ok, I'm going on heresay, but it's a cool theory.

I got to thinking how things go in circles...especially in this weeny-teeny town....

My sister is Janie, who is best friends with Brenna, who's mom is Kim who has worked a the Y for a long time, where I used to work. Incidentally, Brenna used to work at the Y too...AND Brenna's man Paul is best friends with Lucas, my sister's FIANCE. (I got to say 'fiance'...hehe).

I could probably come up with more....but it's after 11 and I'm going to bed. Perhaps I'll add more as I come up with them. And one last deep thought for the evening...why is there no spellcheck in this silly blogger???

6 Degrees Of Seperation

Ever watch the movie? It's on my list of things to do. They say that everyone on the planet can be conected within 6 degrees of seperation...ok, I'm going on heresay, but it's a cool theory.

I got to thinking how things go in circles...especially in this weeny-teeny town....

My sister is Janie, who is best friends with Brenna, who's mom is Kim who has worked a the Y for a long time, where I used to work. Incidentally, Brenna used to work at the Y too...AND Brenna's man Paul is best friends with Lucas, my sister's FIANCE. (I got to say 'fiance'...hehe).

I could probably come up with more....but it's after 11 and I'm going to bed. Perhaps I'll add more as I come up with them. And one last deep thought for the evening...why is there no spellcheck in this silly blogger???

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.