Making a Robot..Bug Bot...Kei's Cake...Pink Frosting..."GIRL'S NIGHT OUT" Cake...Clay Fairies...Wonderful Library Books...Kei's Pasta, full of tomatoes, squash, brocoli, carrots, cauliflower and onions...Kei's Chicken with Caribbean Jerk sauce...It was delicious.
And she wrote a story..a lovely story of a world of Numphs, Everas, Layus Elves.
Here is the ‘blurb’ she wrote for the back:
“They are all around us but only the warrior can see them and save them from evil. Come and learn the truth. Help the creatures of the land and save them too! We need you. See the world the place where dreams are true. Come let’s go!”
Doesn’t it just make you want to read it right now???!!!† It has 14 chapters and she worked on it all week.
"The Book of the Creatures of The Land: The Untold and Unkempt""The Everas"
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.† ~Confucious
We celebrated the first day of Fall with a swim party!† Heather hosted us and yes, the kids swam.† Since the weather has been about 18∞ above normal it was perfect weather for it!† It was a great day with great friends.
Fall Swimming....Piano PlayersTalking and Eating!Silly Kids
There was a full moon last week and Kei and I went outside and howled at it.† What??? Doesn’t everyone do that???
*OooOwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
We went to Early Works Museum this week to see a presentation on Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad. † It was amazing! She did about a 45 minute One-Woman show.† Wow!
"Harriet Tubman"
Afterward they asked if any of the kids had questions.† Of course Kei was the 1st in line.† We studied The Civil War last year and learned so much about the Underground Railroad.† It was great to see it ‘come alive.’
Then they had different stations they went to to learn about slavery, womens right to vote, and more about The Underground Railroad.
Kei playing an instrumentRoles of Underground Railroad
It was a mix of PS and HS kids.† Of course our kids already had big plans for after the show.† They love Early Works and have some ongoing scenario going on where some of them are Colonial shopkeepers and some are Pirates.† Roles were already assigned long before we arrived.† I love our kids!† They couldn’t ‘free’ play until the PSers were loaded onto their buses.† Then it was on!
Old General Store
When the Pirates stole from the store, Kei was ready with her trusty Cast Iron Skillet.
Photo by Heather Woods
It was a great day!
We are learning about Ancient India in History.† We saw pictures and videos of the ancient city of Mahenjo Daro.† It was really interesting.† Kei used different materials to make bricks.† The bricks of the city of Mahenjo Daro are still standing.† I told Kei I doubted hers would last 1 week!
Dirt and Sand Bricks
We get a Science Newsletter from† Home Science Tools that has a “Question of the Month”.† Last month Kei sent in a question and she was picked as the winner!† She got a tin of Thinking Putty.† We love Thinking Putty.† It is the coolest thing.
Pretty Putty....
Also I made a comment on a blog about how I would love to teach Kei to knit but hadn’t a clue.† One of my favorite bloggers, AmiMental, saw my comment and sent me an email that she just happened to have a Klutz knitting book that her daughter didn’t use.† She told me that if I didn’t mind giving her our address she would send it to Kei.† Kei got it last week and was so excited.† Not only did she send the book but also yarn and the sweetest card.† Aren’t blog friends just great???† I have met so many online friends that I just adore.† Thanks again Ami.
Box of Goodies...Happy Kei
A very good week indeed.
I can’t wait until next week when the weather is supposed to FINALLY get more Fallish!
“I love the fall. I love it because of the smells that you speak of; and also because things are dying, things that you don’t have to take care of anymore, and the grass stops growing.”
– Mark Van Doren
I spent my 20ís married.† Young, broke at first, silly, thinking I knew it all but in reality knowing nothing.† We lived like young, cool, hip twenty-somethings.† Had an awesome modern cool house that everything matched down to the napkins.† Had friends galore, partying like there was no tomorrow, living for the moment, not taking time to stop and look around, not appreciating all I had.
I spent my 30ís searching.† Grasping after the elusive love that I just knew was out there.† Supporting myself, working 3 jobs at times, making ends meet.† Moved to California with a boy who I thought would complete me.† Got a job at the coolest place on earth.†† Just knew I was a California girl trapped in an Alabama girlís body.† Living for the moment, not taking time to stop and look around, not appreciating all I had.
My 40ís were rediscovery.† Changing everything I ever thought was important.† Priorities changed, I moved back home, to where I belonged all along. †What a clichÈ right?† I had to travel to the other end of the country to finally realize that here is where I should be.
I then became the best thing I have ever been; a Mommy.
I finally trust in my God to know what is best for me.† All along He had this plan.† I wonder how many times he shook his head and wondered if I would ever get it.† When I pray, I thank Him for my journey. All the ups and downs and mistakes.† †I know that without it I would not be where I am today.
I finally understand that this moment is important.† †This flower, this butterfly, this starry filled night.† Who cares if there is dust under the bed or the pillows are all on the floor ?† I take Keiís hand and we dance in the kitchen not caring that our socks are dirty when we are done.† We roll around on the bed with Nomad not caring that the dog hair is flying all around us.† We go down to the creek and slip around in slimy algae not caring that our clothes are wet and yucky.† We watch movies all day long, snuggled on the couch, and not do one other single thing.† We speak with a British accent all day and let the dishes pile up in the sink.† When Kei is grown, these are the memories I want her to cherish.
I lay outside in the hammock last night and looked up at the stars.† I wondered if 40 years ago I lay in the same place, in this same house and looked up at the same stars and wondered where my life would take me?† Never would I have believed it would come full circle.† That I would end up here, where I began.
That I would be on this amazing journey with MY child, educating her at home. ††Living a life full of laughter and love and learning and secret handshakes and dances and made up songs and hugs and kisses and sad penguin waddles and laughing until it hurts and amazing friends and a church that is so important to us and a silly yellow Lab that we adore.
Today is my Motherís birthday.† She always wanted only one thing for me; happiness.† I think she must be in Heaven, smiling down, secure in the knowledge that finally, after all the twists and turns and drama and craziness of my life; she got her wish.
Happy Birthday Mother.
Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.
Wednesday night we had convergence at our church.† We don’t have enough room for all of us at our building so we go to The Princess Theater.† It was amazing as usual.† I love our church and it has made SUCH a difference in Kei and I’s life.† Truly.
Kei had gotten a new shirt/jacket that she had to wear.† I reminds me of a jacket I had in the 80’s!!† Wish I had kept things like that.
We started off having children’s dedications.† It was so sweet.† Kei and I participated in it a couple of years ago. Everyone in the entire place prayed for these amazing kids and their parents.† Then our band played.† Our band ROCKS!
We did some really cool things this week lesson wise.† We are working on fractions in Math.† Right now I am using Math Mammoth Fractions.† I also have Life of Fred which we love!
In Science we are doing Physics for 3 months.† We are learning about forces and energy.† I found a GREAT free download based on 2D Physics.† Kei plays with this for hours.† It is called PHUN. She told me the other day, “Mom I bet you $1 I can make a machine that writes a “K”.† She did and I happily paid her $1.
We are using Story of The World for history.† I started out using that, then last year we did US History up until reconstruction.† Kei wanted to go back to Ancient this year.† We love SOTW.† We have the audio version and she listens to the chapters.† We even listen to it in the car.† We also got the activity guide which is SO worth it.† We also use Evan Moor History Pockets. These are the coolest things we have almost ever done.† Fun, hands on projects.
For writing I make Kei do a report once a week.† She turns in a rough draft and I correct it and she redoes it.† It can be on any subject and she has to have 2 resources.† So far she has done cooking and dogs.† :)† I have never made her do a spelling program because she would make 100 and promptly forget how to spell it.† This† year we are using Sequential Spelling and we both really like it.† There is a spelling ‘test’ ever day but it takes us about 5 minutes.† It makes sense so she remembers it so much better.† I can tell such a difference in her spelling.
For Geography I put all the countries of the world in a big glass bowl.† She draws one out each Monday.† She does a COUNTRY REPORT 2010 that I made up and also looks up images during the week.† I want her to really see how the people live.† How the children live.† How they are like and not alike.† We have 2 of the most amazing books that we also use for Geography.† One is called What the World Eats. It is a fascinating look at what the average family in different countries spend on food and what they buy.† The other is our favorite.† It is Material World: A Global Family Portrait. I had it in my cart for months and finally just ordered both of them.† We love them. It really makes you appreciate what you have when you see how most of the world lives.
I also made a jar with about 200 random questions.† She draws out a question every day and has to find the answer online.† I think knowing how to search is really important.† It is one of her favorite parts of her day.
We are using Live Mocha for Spanish.† She has only done a few lessons but really likes it.† We do critical thinking about 3 times a week.† We are doing Monet in Art right now.†† We read a biography about him and read Linnea in Monet’s Garden and watched a video from Netflix.† I couldn’t homeschool without Netflix!† This upcoming week we are going to try our hand at water lilies.† I am doing the drawing along with Kei.† I have always sucked at drawing but I still am loving it.† I am actually learning some techniques that I never knew.† We also do some Photography.† I just give her an assignment and she shoots away.
Friday’s we don’t do ‘lessons’.† We have, what we call “Fun Fridays”.† This past Friday we went on a hike and a picnic.† We took Nomad.† It was a really awesome day.† The only ‘bad’ thing is that we hooked Nomad on a post while we went inside to the bathroom.† When we came out his empty leash was laying there!† We freaked out but finally got him.† Kei calls him Houdini Dog.
The Beginning“Ah-ah-AHHHH, ah AHH.....Bridge Over LiliesIf A Tree Falls in the Forest...Me & The DogMuscadine and Kei in the BackgroundRest Time..
After Flint Creek we went over to the Wild Life Refuge for our picnic and more hiking.
Hiking is Thirsty Work...Monet in the Making...
We didn’t see any ducks but we saw some beautiful cranes. Some of the telescopes are on the second floor so Nomad climbed his first stairs.† No problemo.† Coming down was a different matter.† He laid down and went on strike.† Finally we got him to come down.† It was so cute.
Looking....
Every time we go to the Refuge we take a “picture of Mommy and Kei on a rail post”.
Me & My Girl...
I think it is supposed to cool off a little next week.† I hope so.† I am so ready for fall!† Fall was always my Mother’s favorite time of the year.
Be blessed,
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.† Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.† The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.† ~John Muir
We had a great week even though the temperature is hovering around 100∞!!
The first of the week we went to Cullman to Ave Marie Grotto.† Actually we went to Cullman to buy Kei a Caterpillar Webkinz that she has been looking everywhere for.† Then we decided to go to the Grotto.
It is so fascinating there.† Kei hasn’t been there since she was 5 and she didn’t remember it except from the pictures. Their website says:
Known throughout the world as “Jerusalem in Miniature,” is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Begun as a hobby, with various materials he could find, and infinite patience and a remarkable sense of symmetry and proportion, Brother Joseph re-created some of the greatest edifices of all time.
It is mostly underneath trees so it wasn’t horribly hot.We talked to all the people working in the grotto and even talked to a man whose granddaughter goes to the Prep School.† It is grades 7-12.
I asked a lady if Kei could have her picture made with a monk.† She said, “Of course” and Kei whispered, “Mom this isn’t the Amish!”.† I didn’t know if it was some Monk rule about pictures!!
After the Grotto we walked around the Prep School.† They have a beautiful Catholic church that Kei had to check out.
When we were leaving we saw this doggie.† Of course Kei had to pet him.† When we got home I looked up the Prep School online and there was a picture of this same dog!!† It must be their mascot or something.† Wait…they are the “Saints”.† But it wasn’t a Saint Bernard….Hmmmm
We spent the next few days hanging around the house.† Kei swam and we cleaned up the HomeSchool room and cleaned out bookshelves.† I just can not bear to throw books away!!† Even when they are for K-3.† I mean, you just never know!!!
Kei had ballet lessons twice this week to make up for an earlier missed day.
I also got a shot of a wasp’s nest.† See the eggs?† I felt so bad knocking it down but it was in the building with my lawn mower and it was surrounded by wasps.† I apologized to the eggs while Kei laughed at me.
Wasp's Eggs
Today we decided to go on an adventure. Somewhere I had never been before.† I found this little town in Tennessee called Prospect.
The FANTASY: [From the webpage]
Prospect Historic Downtown
Entertainment museum (1890-1999), including a “silent movie” theater, a gristmill and an old-fashioned ice cream and pizza parlor. Free.
I mean come on!† Entertainment museum??!!!, gristmill!!!????, ice cream???!!!!, FREE???!!!.† We were so THERE!
We put Prospect, TN in our GPS and off we went.† After winding roads through very beautiful country, this is what we found.
The REALITY:
Empty with a For Sale SignLocked up Tight
By this time we were laughing so hard I had to pull over.† It was one of those silly things that just kept getting funnier and funnier.† We saw a cemetery and Kei said to pull in because we may as well see something while we were there.† We thought this must have been used for hanging.† Doesn’t it just look like a ‘Hanging Tree”?
Hanging Tree
We did stop and buy lottery tickets so I guess if we win the $82 million the trip will not have been in vain. We just went back to Athens and walked around their square.† It was really pretty and I had never taken Kei there.† She got a bottle cap necklace and some more silly bands.† And ice cream…there is always ice cream.
Ending up being a great day full of the best things: laughter, ice cream and jewelry.
Be blessed,
ìWandering† re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.î Anatole France
Kei loves plays.† She has always been a bit of a drama queen, not in a “I want it my way” kinda way but in a “over the top with her emotions” kinda way.
Her Kindergarten teacher recognized this.† She told me that I should get Kei into plays.† She said her daughter had done it and she thought Kei would love it!† She sent home a newspaper clipping for Dreamweaver’s Childrens’ Theatre auditions for “Jungle Book”.† Kei wanted to audition so I let her.
The first time she tried out she sang “Tomorrow” from Annie.† I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up.† She wasn’t nervous in the least.† She walked up there with her 6 year old self, in front of a huge room full of strangers and sang her little heart out.† She had to read lines and she not only delivered them perfectly but she even changed a word or two because, as she told me later, it made more sense that way.
She got her first role as a bumblebee.† In this play the kids stayed on stage the entire time.† Imagine 6, 7 and 8 years olds supposedly being still for 2 hours.† Kei didn’t move a muscle when she wasn’t supposed to.† Moms would ask me “How do you make her stay so still”? and I told them, “She just knows that is what she is supposed to do”.† She loved it so much.† My star was born.
Bumble Bee
Her next play was “101 Dalmatians”.† As always she knew the entire play within a couple of weeks.† She was a chihuahua . She spoke in a Spanish accent and was adorable.
Chihuahua
Then she did “Sleeping Beauty”.† She was a yellow rose and did a beautiful dance with other roses.
Yellow Rose
Next came “Pocahontas”.† This was a great play.† She was a raccoon and she LOVED this part.† She especially like the furry tail.
Raccoon
The next play was “Seussical” which we loved, loved, loved!† It was such a great story and the cast was amazing as always.† Kei was Cindy Lou Who.† She was very excited to have a ‘named’ part.
Cindy Lou Who
The last play she has done was “Wonderland”.† This was a great play also.† We had so much fun on this one.† Kei had 2 roles, a Red Pawn and a Dixie Chicken.† She also had a costume change that she had to accomplish in 1:32 and freaked me out.† She had to change leotard, tights, clothes and even a wig!† She made it every time.
Dixie ChickenRed Pawn
This morning Kei started acting camp.† It is a week long camp at the Princess and she was so excited.† She couldn’t even sleep last night.
Camp Princess
We have an amazing theatre group.† Dedicated, hard working people who do this because they love it; not for any monetary compensation.† Unfortunately they don’t have as much support in our city as they should.† I wish people would realize what a wonderful influence theatre is on children.
Kei has blossomed in the last few years in the theatre.† She loves it.† I love it.† I love the kids she interacts with.† I love the adults.† It makes me sad that there seems to always be money for athletics but not for arts.
“All the world’s a stage” ~ Shakespeare
ìI believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.î ~Sir Laurence Olivier
July is speeding by like a flash.† Lazy, hot days have been the norm this past week.† I wanted to relax and not have somewhere to be every day.† I am so lucky to work from home!
Kei and I didn’t do much this week.† We hung out at home and she and Nomad played in water a lot.† When it is 99∞ in the shade there must be water involved.† As hot as it is, I will take it any day over cold.
Water Water Everywhere...Water Loving Doggie
Kei and Brit spent the night with Chan Wednesday night.† I almost lost and then almost killed Nomad.† Kei said she was never leaving me alone with him again!† He woke me up at 5:30 Thursday morning to go out.† I hooked him up on his run and stumbled back to bed.† I woke up about 8:00 and looked out and he was running around in the back yard LOOSE!† I almost fainted.† 2 1/2 hours he was running around.
I felt so bad that I brought him in and let him into my room.† He got into some medicine that I had dropped on the floor and freaked me out again.† I called the vet and she said he would be fine to just watch him.† While I was on the phone he crawled under the armoire which he is too big to fit under anymore and got stuck!† I almost never got him out.† I did manage to capture it on my camera.† Hey! I have my priorities!
Get Me OUTTA here!!!
My A/C went out late Wednesday and I think it was about 100∞ in my room.† Thursday the A/C guy came to check it out and I left Nomad outside.† He decided to eat my lounge chair.
The Chair that Was..
After buying a new A/C for $470 and paying $130 for the installation, it is finally not hot enough for a sauna in the house.
We are still reading “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” and it inspired Kei to get her microscope out.† She looked at creek water, a leaf and Nomad’s spit.
What could it be?
Kei has wanted that silly Pillow Pet for a month.† She has weeded gardens, dusted, cleaned bathrooms, picked up sticks from the yard, vacuumed, mopped and swept her little butt off for the money.† She finally got enough, $30.72, to order it from Amazon.† It came today.† She was a little excited.† I kidded her about it being for little kids but I really love how excited she still gets about things.† I think the world would be a much better place if all of us remembered our ‘childlike’ side.
It's HERE!!!Bailey the Bumblebee
The rest of the week we have spent reading, playing with Nomad and just staying cool.
Doggie KissesPlay Ball!Me and the DogNoble Nomad
Last week, Kei gave Nomad a Barbie doll.† She had long, beautiful blond hair.† Kei now calls her “War Zone Barbie”.† She is pitiful looking.† Nomad loves her.† He has chewed 3 of her fingers completely off.† Now that is true love.
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder..
Kei is still taking pictures.† She has a really good eye, something I don’t really consider myself having.
Self Portrait..Yellow Flower.. Orange Beauty
We need rain so badly. I hear thunder booming all around but only a few sprinkles.† Maybe tomorrow.
“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain
beat upon your head with
silver liquid drops. Let the
rain sing you a lullaby.”
Langston Hughes
The United States is the only country with a known birthday.† ~James G. Blaine
Happy 4th of July!† It is hard to imagine how it was for our forefathers back in 1776.† How they must have felt finally being FREE.† I am not a believer in war, however at times I suppose it is necessary to growth.
We plan on celebrating quietly.† We hung out outside in the sun and played with Nomad.† We swam and played some board games.† Tonight we are going to grill out and shoot some fireworks. Kei spent 30 minutes making this water chair.† When she finally got on it I asked her, “What is the difference in just having in on the grass”? and she showed me by falling off of it into the water.
Water Chair
Kei shot a few last night to get prepared.
Pre 4th Fireworks
Nomad has a new favorite toy.† It is an old Barbie doll of Kei’s.† He loves it and carries it everywhere.† Kei said she needed to find him a Ken doll and I told her it was probably better if he tried to chew the head off the female one…right?
Barbie Love
This is a contraption we made him for alone time play.† I think we should patent it don’t you?
More Barbie Love...
Kei has been playing with her Little Pets a lot.† She got this idea to pierce their ears.† My Momma loved jewelry and had tons of it.† Kei found earrings and went to work. I about cracked up when I saw the ‘finished’ pets.
Oh La La....
Here is Hopper with her new earring.
One earring bunny...
More HOLEY Pets…
Here they are having a race up the washing machine.
And the Winner is...
I am so glad my child is easily amused.
Kei has been getting my camera and taking pictures.† She told me she really wanted to learn more about Photography.
Here are a few of her shots.† I thought she did really well.
FeatherBeautyKei's Doggie
Kei and I have been having tea parties for years.† We wear flowery dresses, hats and drink from a hand painted tea set Kei made when she was about 5.† This was our 1st Tea Party in the new house.† We decided to have it in the rose garden.† I am always Miss Chamomile and Kei is Miss Sassafras.† Nomad was invited and he was Mr. Fluff.† We always speak in either British or very Southern accents. It was an interesting addition inviting Nomad.
Miss SassafrasMr. Fluff NOT cooperating...Mr. Fluff drinking his tea..Miss Sassafras and Mr. Fluff relaxing
Kei has been working on her treehouse.† It isn’t really a great tree for a treehouse. I tell her when I win the lottery I will get her a killer treehouse. Seth spent the night and he helped her work on it.† He put her in a seat.
Perched..Lookout
We also went swimming at Cathy’s and ate lunch.† We had such a great day!
Just keep swimming...
On the way home Kei saw a turtle in the road and freaked out for me to get it.† I just knew either me, Kei or the turtle was going to end up smooshed but we all made it home safely.† Kei let the turtle out in our creek.
Sniffing it out...
The next day we went bowling shopping and some of the kids did the bungee jumpy thingy.
Boing!!
Thursday Kei and I went to see Eclipse.† We really liked it and I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.† I think it was my favorite Twilight so far.† We also saw the trailer for Deathly Hallows!!!
Kei and Johnny chillaxing...
Kei is responsible for changing our fishbowl every week.† I told her only, ‘Make it beautiful”.† This is this weeks.
Art in a bowl...
I am loving our summer, our new doggie and my girl.† I am blessed.
ìDon’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.î† Winnie The Pooh
Saturday night.† Kei is at a party and I am sitting here listening to silly pooch bark his head off.† The barking….please make the barking stop!
Kei went to a Luau and she was all lualed out.
Aloha...Hanging Ten...???
Today was also Nomad’s 3 month birthday.† WalGreen’s were also having a “Bring Your Dog and Take Their Picture” Day.† Of course we were there bright and early.† Everyone was oohing and ahhing over Nomad and Kei was strutting around like a proud Mama.† The people at WalGreens said he was the best dog they had all day.† He jumped up and sat for his pictures.† All the other dogs were running around kinda crazy.† One lady told Kei she would have to come train her dog when Kei said “Sit” and Nomad sat. He really was the cutest thing in his bandanna.† Reminded me of when Kei was little and everyone would oooh and ahhh over her, but I never strutted, really, I didn’t….not much anyway
Kei and Nomad
When we got home we had to have a little party for him.† Kei put on his favorite song, “Who Let the Dogs Out” and they danced in their party hats.† I told her I wasn’t doing this EVERY month!!
Shaking it Doggie Style..
Kei has seen something on TV she MUST have.† It is a pillow pet [Do NOT click this link] and no matter how much I try to convince her it is for 3 year olds, she wants one.† I guess I should be happy she doesn’t want a push-up bra and a 6 pack!† I have told her that I was not giving her almost $30 for it so she made up a list of chores that she would do and get paid.† Her prices were ridiculously low so I had to adjust them to 2010 standards.† One thing is weeding which I DESPISE.† Yesterday she worked her little butt off weeding a flower garden.† It took her 2 1/2 hours.† She was supposed to get $3 but I gave her $5.† She was as dirty as she has ever been!† [You clicked the link didn’t you? Now you have that ridiculous song stuck in your head don’t you???]
Dirty Work..Weeds Be Gone!YUCK!
We got some corn and beans from the Farmer’s Market and Kei shucked the corn.† I think she loved doing that because she feels all farm girlie.
Ah Shucks...
Kei has been swimming in her pool often.† Even though it is a little crooked.† I really should have put some sand under it since the yard slopes so much.† Oh well…next year….
Handstand...
She also has loved her tire swing even though I am afraid she will slam into the big oak tree.† She was on it with her bathing suit on and I just could see her body wrecked on that tree.† Of course the fear didn’t prevent me from capturing the moment on film digital.
Just Swinging....
Chan spent a couple of nights and they played in the creek, played in Kei’s room, played with Nomad,† played Rock Band and swam.† I was exhausted just watching them.
Doggie Love...
We also ran over to Bridge Street to pick up my PowerBook…again.
Kei and Chan
Kei is still loving her dance classes.† She seems to be really learning a lot because the class is small and they work one on one with them.
Just a little further...
Kei is ready to start school back so I think we will do that in a week or so.† I am so excited about it!† I know it’s early but we just love learning!† I can’t believe I started homeschooling when she was in 2nd grade and she would be in 5th grade the coming year.† I just want her to SLOW DOWN!
As we move into July soon, the days are getting hotter, everyone is moving a little slower, we are eating more ice cream, the A/C is running constantly but life is still sweet.
“The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I do not mean that if you are good you will be happy; I mean that if you are happy you will be good.“††††† Bertrand Russell
Today is officially the first day of summer.† However it has been SUMMER for a while now. The days have been hot with summer showers popping up to make things even more muggy.
Nomad is growing like crazy.† Chewing up everything in site.† He jumps up on us with delight and we both have battle scars to show for it.† I got his nails clipped but at $8 a pop, I MUST learn to do it myself.
We bought him a pool.† He loves it.† At first he started picking up his water bowl and carrying it around, spilling everything in it.† We knew he needed water especially outside.† So we found a metal bucket that was too big for him to carry around now.† But he would try to get his paws in it.† So we found a larger container…same thing…he would try to get into it.† So we gave up and bought him a little swimming pool.† It is kinda gross because he gets into it all dirty and then drinks it but hey! we are talking about an animal that licks its butt!
Splashing...
He is officially [in our world, which is the only world that matters] the WORLD’S CUTEST DOG.† It must be announced in capital letters to show just how cute he is.† There are days I want to kill him [but there are days I want to kill Kei too] but we do adore this crazy pooch.
What???!!!????Swimming is fun but tiring...
Friday the 18th was National Picnic Day.† We celebrated by going to the “River Park”.† Liv had spent the night and we loaded up Nomad and his ‘stuff’.† Seriously I feel like I have a baby in the house!† Fun was had by all.
Happy Picnic DaySliding is FUN ..really...it is....
For the first time Kei was able to get onto the swingie, rollie, thingie.† She was happy.
All in all a good day, albeit hotter than hot!
Kei, Ka and Krazy Nomad
Kei and Livvy washed the dog.† I helped…some…
Gotcha....Come baby..this won't hurt a bit...
We ran to the Dollar Tree to spend about $30.† Has anyone ever gone into the Dollar store and spent only $1?????† Kei and Liv once again proved they are still little girls at heart.
Giddy Up...
We also went to see Kung Fu Panda this past week.† We love going to FREE movies!
Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting...
Kei and I had a dryer meltdown and had to move the old dryer to the alley [we have a BIG yard] and get the new one out and around to hook up.† After much sweat, brainstorming, screaming, kicking, cussing talking sweetly to it, we got ‘er done.† We were very proud of ourselves!
This way..NO this way...
Sunday we met Daddy, Marlene and Eddie at Cracker Barrel for Father’s Day Breakfast.† After church Kei and I decided to go to Bridge Street.† I had to take my laptop back because the DVD wasn’t recognizing the ..well the DVD.† Then we went to see Toy Story 3.†† We had HORRIBLE seats but were excited about seeing it.† Kei has always loved Toy Story.† She was about 3 and I took her to Toys R Us and told her she could have 1 toy.† She wanted Buzz Lightyear.† She decided when we moved to still keep him.† The movie was so sad.† I mean I cried…CRIED, not just sniffled.† Kei just rolled her eyes at me like she does.
Then we went to Orange Tree Yogurt. That place lures you in with promises of 45¢ an ounce yumminess.† After putting peanut butter yogurt, a few little sprinkles and a little bit of caramel topping we had $4.79 worth of yumminess!
“Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more?”
— Bev Adams
It has been HOT.† Boiling, sweating, drenched-as-soon-as-you- walk-out-the-door, hot.† Complaints of how cold our Alabama winter was seems a long lost memory.
Liv spent the night with Kei and they had a blast.† They spent hours playing in the “creek” behind our house.† Or our ‘river’ as G calls it.† They were soaked, the dog was soaked, they all smelled like wet dog and creek….good times.
Creek FunSilly, Giggly Girls
When they finally got cleaned up they baked a cake.† They each decorated 1/2 of it.
Yummy Goodness
After dinner we took Nomad for a walk. I have walked, ridden, ran and skipped over the ‘concrete bridge’ a million times.† We used to ride our bikes over it BEFORE there was a fence.† I would KILL Kei if she ever tried anything like that.
Bestest Friends
After the walk they needed ice cream.
Yummy Ice Cream
Of course, after sticky ice cream, they needed a night time swim.
Who Needs a Bath???
I had 2 little girls that slept very soundly that night!
We got up early to go to some garage sales.† Liv had never been to a yard sale!!!† We had to remedy that quickly!
Bargains Galore!
We went to a yard sale out in Trinity and on the way back passed hay bales.† Liv had never climbed on a hay bale so I quickly made an illegal turn and parked the car!
HEY! It's HAY!
I enjoyed having Livvy here so much.
Saturday morning Kei and I went to Cullman to meander around.† We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and tried to find Southern Accents to no avail!† We went to the Cullman Farmer’s Market which we love.† On the way home we stopped at a nursery/antique shop.† Kei went head to head with a rooster.
Cock-a-doodle THIS!
She was also very angry that they had a statue of David with a GAP Tshirt on.† I told her we were in the country and maybe they were offended by his nakedness.† She thought that was the dumbest thing she ever heard.
We also saw a place where old school buses go to die.
Lonely Buses...
When we got home I relaxed in the hammock and Kei played with Nomad.
AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhGrrrrrrr
Sunday we went to church and afterward went to Eddie’s house for Nomad’s 1st River Run.† Nomad was NOT happy on the ride out there.† First he was in his little crate and he was having none of it.† Then we let him out and he still barked so loudly he about made me deaf!† We decided he wasn’t a traveling dog which made† us sad.† At Eddie’s we got in his car and Nomad laid on the floorboard and didn’t utter a peep!† Maybe he just doesn’t like Suzuki’s!
We had a wonderful day with Eddie and Nomad loved the river. Kei promptly dubbed him a river rat <of course that is what Johnny Depp was called in Chocolat and if you know Kei you will understand THAT>
Kei and Nomad the River RatMy girl and my doggie...
We also ran by Hollywood Video which is going out of business and bought a few things.† One was “Marley and Me” which we have seen before.† However, we saw it before we got and fell in love with a yellow lab.† It was so much funnier because we have been there this time around.† Also so much more heart breaking.† Kei, who has never really cried at a movie, just went outside after it was over and hugged and hugged Nomad and cried her heart out. Poor baby girl.† She does love her doggie.
All in all a great weekend and now it is Monday….
The start of a new week, filled with possibilities!
As June moves into the 2nd week we are having a wonderful summer so far.† There have been a few bumps in the road but things are mostly smooth.
Nomad is getting so big.† He is still not potty trained, but doing better.† Kei has been so good with him.† She has him trained to sit and also to remain in his crate† until she gets his lease on him.
He has swam with her too.† He didn’t completely love it but I think it is because he didn’t feel safe without a way to get out.† I mean how much would you like to be thrown in a water filled container over your head with smooth sides and no way to climb out?† Even with Kei right there he was like, “Rut ro, I am not really sure about this water thing!”
Nomad the Water Dog
When he started swimming she said, “Wow he is really dog paddling” and I was like, “well duh”.
Dog Paddling
We have both been reading “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” that came highly recommended by Esther.† We are loving all the nature aspects of it.
Kei reading about Callie Vee
We went to the free movie at Monaco Pictures.† It is so awesome that they do that all summer for the kids in the area.† We saw “Hotel for Dogs” which we have seen before and loved.† We met some of our bestest friends there.† Here are a few pictures from outside the theatre at the fountain.
Kids at Bridge Street
Silly MomsMommy Bags
Constance always paints faces before the show and she let Kei borrow her Fairy Wings.† Beautiful!
My Little FairyKei
After the movie we took my laptop to the Apple Store. Wow!† I love that store.† We have always been “PC” girls but I am seriously thinking about changing to Mac’s.† My laptop will be $310 to fix and my great boss said to “put it on the card”.† He is the best!
After lunch at Steak and Shake <yummy> we went back to the Apple Store for me to actually drop off my laptop.† Afterward we went to Kei’s favorite candy store, “The Chocolate Crocodile” She spent 10 minutes searching for the perfect truffles.
French Mint Truffle
Last night we had a huge lightning storm.† Our power went out about 2:00 AM and was out until 3:15 AM.† Complete silence and dark are very scary things.
Summer days…
A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.† ~James Dent
Ahhhh June…full of possibilities and adventures waiting to happen.† I love June 1st.† It is the ‘start of the summer’, a time when anything can happen.† The days are longer, the nights are warmer, lightening bugs roam at night, pools glisten in the sunlight, laughter rings out in back yards.
Of course reality is: the lawn mower is broken, the pool has a leak, the dog is pooping in the yard every 2 feet, there are more flies and mosquitoes than lightening bugs.† But still…the possibilities are there.
We met some friends for lunch in Huntsville.† We went to a place called Bento Box. Kei and I discovered Bento boxes when she was in K.† I would send her creative, healthy lunches in her cute little Bento Box most days.
Kids @ Bento Box
My nephew spent the night with us.† He is 14 and I have a horrible habit of finding a million things for a big, strong dude to do when he is here.† He is great at moving heavy things!† He and Kei found some time to swim.
Kei and Seth
Kei put on a play with Nomad.† She was Minnie Mouse and he was her doggie.† She was going to name him Pluto but decided it would confuse him for her to call him a different name.† God love her.
Minnie and her dogFinal Bow Wow
She also found some time to play Barbies. She puts on plays with her Barbies <go figure>.† I remember Summer days playing Barbies on this very patio.† I love that life has come full circle.
Barbie Girl
On Wednesday we headed to Esther’s to make RoamSchool T shirts.† We did this 2 summers ago.† I can’t find the actual picture but this is right after it.† Esther what were you thinking having this many kids at your house!!!?????
Kids TShirts 2008
It is amazing how much they have changed.
Kids TShirts 2010
Kei hard at work.
Kei TShirt
I am sad to report, that at the ripe old age of 9 weeks, Nomad has a Monkey on his back.† We are working with him to fix this problem.† There are probably support groups out there.
:/
All in all, a wonderful start to our “Days of Summer”.† Hopefully there will be much more to come.
Eddie, Seth, Katherine and Heather came over yesterday to help us in our yard. Eddie had bought us some plants and herbs. He showed me how to clean out a bed and plant. I am constantly amazed with my pleasure in digging in dirt. Eddie said it is because we come from a long line of farmers!
We first planted some herbs; parsley, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Kei planted most of the herbs after Eddie showed her how.
HerbsVincaColeus
We also planted 20 Glads.† I can’t wait for them to start coming up.† After all that work, Eddie and Heather left.† Since it was their anniversary the kids stayed for the rest of the day.† Seth helped my clean out a flower bed that was in yucky shape.† He worked his butt off digging up a dead rose bush.† At one point he came up to me and pointed to his “Hobbit Feet”.
There and Back Again..
We spent the afternoon outside.† The kids swam for a bit, I read in the rose garden, and Nomad frolicked!† Late in the afternoon Kei and Nomad put on another play.† She was the sun and Nomad was a flower.† I sure hope he loves having crazy costumes put on him.
We woke up today to rain.† We took Nomad outside, he put his little puppy paw on the grass, turned around and peed on the patio!† We have a Diva Dog I guess.† After church Kei introduced him to the wonders of Disney Channel.
Important Stuff
I can’t believe tomorrow is Monday once again.† The middle of May.† How quickly time goes by.
The 2nd anniversary of my Mother’s death came and went. I laid in bed on the eve of her anniversary in the same room she died in. I thought it would really upset me to be in there and while I didn’t sleep much, it wasn’t a ‘freaking out’ restlessness.
I remember that night. My brother and I spent the night here. We knew Mother didn’t have long. It was a horribly long night. They had hooked her up to a breathing machine and I spent most of the night on her floor listening to her struggle to breath. My 2 aunts stayed late. When they left it was just my Daddy, my brother and I. I finally got on the couch and spent all night back and forth from the den to her room. I talked to her and held her hand and touched her face. I remember looking at the clock at one point and it was 3:00 AM. That is such a lonely time. I remember thinking “I don’t know if I can exist in a 3 am that doesn’t have my Mother in it”.
We woke the next morning early, around 6:00. Eddie and I knew that she was almost gone. I called my aunts to ask them to come. They got here around 7:30. We all sat around her bed talking to her. All of us except my Daddy. He couldn’t handle it. It made me think of the line from “Steel Magnolias”, “I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby’s hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am.” My Mother breathed her final breath at 8:03 AM on May 10th. I walked outside and was surprised to see the world moving on. The sun was out, birds were singing, flowers blooming and my Mother was dead. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life.
But time marches on. We are living in her house. We are loving living here and I have discovered I actually like yard work. I have never done it. I grew up with 2 brothers who did the yard work. When I was married my husband did the yard work. Since then I have lived in apartments. But I enjoy it. I am learning, slowly about flowers and shrubs and just yard stuff.
Nomad is adorable. We are loving having him in our family. I never thought I would ever be a ‘dog person’ but I love him. Kei is wonderful with him and we don’t even mind the 3:00 AM potty breaks. He is the cutest thing.
A girl and her dog
Isn’t he just beautiful??
Awwwww
We had Brit and Cody here for a few days and had a blast.† Kei and Brit gave Nomad his first bath.† The girls loved it, Nomad not so much.
They played games, sang, talked and gave Nomad tons of attention.
Rub a Dub Dog..
Kei and I put up a Stage Curtain for outdoor plays.† Her and Nomad put on their 1st of what I am sure is many plays.† Nomad had 3 roles, a lion, an alligator and a bunny.† I was cracking up.
Hippity Hop BarkFinale
I love living here.† I love our yard.† I love sitting in the rose garden and reading in the swing.† I love waking up early in the morning and walking outside and everything is crisp and lovely.† I love watching the birds and squirrels and bunnies and chipmunks.† I love the feel of the cool clovers on my bare feet.† I love watching my sweet girl running with her dog.† Life is good.
We got Nomad yesterday.† Nomad is the dog Kei has wanted since she was old enough to ask for a puppy.† We have never been able to get a dog because of where we lived.† Now we can.
We have looked at many, many dogs.† None was “Nomad”.† My brother’s friend has some Lab mixed puppies.† We love Labs so we told him we would be interested in a male.† He said he would save us one but didn’t send a picture.† It was ‘assumed’ we would take him, but Kei really wanted to see him first.† He sent a picture last week.† Kei opened the email and promptly said, “That is Nomad”.
We have been busy getting ready since then, toys and food and treats and information.† I know nothing of dogs.† Yesterday was the day.† We had plans of going to Wal-Mart to finish up buying a couple of things for him.† Kei wanted a WELCOME HOME banner.† Well my brother called early and said “I have the dog, come meet me”.† Kei was beside herself with excitement.† Imagine Christmas, birthday, and Halloween all rolled up into one.† She quickly made† a sign and put on the front door and we were off.† On the ride over she sang a little song.
Well I got lost <imagine that> but finally we arrived at our rendezvous spot.† Kei bounded out of the car to see her “Nomad”† It was puppy love at first sight.
Our 1st Look at Nomad
When we got home she told him all about his new home.† He loved his Welcome Home sign.
Welcome Home
We brought him in where his bowl was ready.† He promptly had to drink and eat.
Yum Yum
It was a great day full of Nomad love.† He seems to be a very sweet puppy.† He was good and pretty much slept most of the day.† He would be running around in the yard with Kei and just lay down and fall asleep.† It was so cute.
Grrrrrrrrr
Kei had an online Science class in the afternoon.† She and Nomad learned all about Einstein and relativity.† Nomad wasn’t so interested.
E=mc snoozed
Kei found time to spend a couple of hours in her pool.† I am so glad we were able to put it up this year.† It was a beautiful day for swimming.
Water Water
After swimming for Kei and playing and sleeping for Nomad they were both tired puppies. It was time for a nap.
Nap Time
I dewormed Nomad.† No biggie.† But did you know after deworming they poop WORMS!† Lots of worms.† But Kei and I persevered…. barely.
Nomad’s first night was pretty good.† He slept in a basket by Kei’s side of the bed.† She and I got up and took him outside 3 times.† Which was not so bad.† At least it wasn’t January, in the snow.
So on May 5th our little family of two became 3.† Life is good.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.” – Milan Kundera
Yesterday was my birthday.† My birthday excites Kei much more than it excites me.† I woke up and she had put balloons in the bathtub and written a Happy Birthday note on the mirror.† She is such a blessing to me.† She got me my favorite candle and plants for the yard.† She also drew me sidewalk art.
The Best Card Ever
We spent the day outside.† It was so beautiful and I read in the sun and she played.† Our roses are so gorgeous.
Beauty
I got many Facebook Happy Birthday wishes, phone calls and visits.† My sister in law brought over the most awesome present.† I had an old bathing suit that was my Mother’s that I wanted to ‘frame’ somehow.† My sister in law owns a frame shop and she framed it and it looks amazing.† I just cried when I saw it.
Momma's Bathing Suit
My awesome, amazing boss sent me a G4 PowerBook.† I have wanted a laptop forever!† I was so excited and jumping up and down.
Last night we went to see the play, “The Wizard Of Oz”. Our friends Matt, Jake and Chandler were making their acting debut.† We rode with Gina and kids and had a great time blabbing catching up.† I think I was doing most of the blabbing, sorry Gina. ;)† We met The Amoses, The Woods and some of the Crawfords at the theater.† The play was awesome!† We loved it and were very impressed with all our friends skills especially the amazing Winged Monkey King!
Kei and ChanKei and JakeKei and Matt The Winged Monkey King
Afterward we went to Moes to eat.† It was so yummy but I got so full!† They give so much food! It was an amazing birthday!
Our girls
What homeschoolers do after they are finished eating.
USA Chips
A lovely day.
On a different note, WE HAVE FOUND NOMAD.† But more about that later.
100 Posts.† I started this blog when my Mother died.† It helped me so much in the first few days/weeks/months.† I don’t keep† it like I should.† I write sporadically at best.† This is my 100th post and I wish I had something earth shattering to share, some wisdom to impart to the 2 people who read this.
But I don’t.
Life goes on, soon it will be 2 years that my sweet Mamma died.† 2 years, it seems impossible that it has been that long.† Things change, my Daddy has remarried to a wonderful woman who I love.† I still miss my Mother every day of my life.† Kei still tells me at times I call for her when I am falling asleep.† We are living in her house.† She would be tickled pink that we are here.† I wish she lived here with us, but that wasn’t God’s plan.
Kei bought a candy making kit on clearance after Easter.† It looked like something that would be a huge mess to me.† She was outside playing and decided she had to make candy NOW.†† I warned her that it probably wouldn’t look like the candy on the box.
Getting Ready
She did it all by herself and I was amazed how it turned out!† It was beautiful!
Yummy!
The roses are blooming here.† It is so strange how I lived here when I was younger and visited here every day of my life almost, but I have never really noticed how beautiful the roses and flowers are.† I guess ownership <however loosely> makes you more aware.
Beautiful Rose
There are about 15 rose bushes scattered everywhere.† Mother always loved roses.† They are amazing.
Rose with Ladybug
We celebrated Earth Day by going on a Wildflower walk.† I love this place but this year there wasn’t much water and the kids didn’t get to splash around much.† We then went to a nearby park and ate lunch at Taziki’s Greek Restaurant.† It was YUMMY!
EArth Day Hike
There is the coolest house made of twigs and limbs.† We wondered who built it?
House Made of Twigs
All in all a good week.† We were invited to go camping next week and are so hoping we will be able to go!
It has been beautiful here the last several days.† Kei and I have both loved being outside.† We threw a rope over a tree and she made a swing, which promptly became a horse visiting mystical lands.† I love listening to her play.
Ride "em Cowgirl
A few days ago 2 dogs wandered up.† At first I was very leery of them, strange dogs and such, but they were so sweet.† Kei played with them for over an hour.† I got their name and number off of their tags and called their owners.† They came to pick them up but Kei still had time to get some Puppy Love.† We are still planning on getting a dog as soon as her play is over.
Loving the doggies
Speaking typing of the play, it is week after next.† Kei is loving every minute of it as usual.† She has several roles in this one and one is a Dixie Chicken.† She is one of Humpty Dumpty’s backup singers! †† It is going to be a great play.† We also have been helping on the scenery.† The irony of not painting MY OWN HOUSE and then painting scenery doesn’t escape me. :p
Cluck CluckHumpty Dumpty's Wall
She also got to try on dresses.† They have TONS of dresses at DreamWeavers and she was in heaven.
Well Christmas has come and gone.† Thanks to the coolest friends in the world, we had an amazing Christmas.
We left Santa cookies and milk.
Ho Ho Ho...
We then spent a very restless night.† Kei could not sleep because she was so excited.† She started at 1:00 am asking me if she could just sneak down and check and I said no.† She asked me every 30 minutes until 5:30 when I finally said yes.† I have to have a bath before I function <hey some people need coffee, I need my bath!> so we have started a tradition of her opening her stocking on the bathroom floor while I am waking up in my bath.
Kei got everything on her list!† And more!
Wonderful Christmas
We went to Eddie and Heather’s for Christmas breakfast.† Daddy and Marlene† came too.† We had a yummy breakfast casserole, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, orange juice and coffee.† Then we opened presents.† Good times were had by all!
Kei and I came home she played for hours while I took down the tree! I know, I know, but I was sick of that puppy.† So down it came.
Then we went to Marlene’s for Christmas dinner.† We met her son and his wife and their adorable little girl.† Everything was delicious and it was a nice night.† You know, traditions sometimes change.
Saturday we went to Laura’s for traditional Christmas dinner.† The food was excellent and the company was awesome.† I laughed so much my stomach hurt.† We love you all so much!
Suzette had everyone over to her house for our !st Annual Homeschooling Christmas dinner.† We had the best time ever!† We had fajitas and beans and rice and tons of sweets.† We also played Trivial Pursuit.† It was a great time with great friends.† Suz, you are the best.
Trivial PursuitMore Trivia
We spent New Year’s Eve quietly at home.† I had given her an early birthday gift and she played Wii sports for hours!
I played WoW with Carla and a friend from Canada.† We laughed so much and had so much fun.† Here is a screen shot of Carla and I waiting on Paul to figure out how to get me on a zeppelin that I was 7 levels too low to go onto.† It is a hilarious story but you have to play WOW to understand. :)† Yes we did it!
Happy 2010 on WOW!
The 3rd was my beautiful girl’s 10th birthday and she was SO EXCITED. She is such a blessing in my life and I thank God for her every single day.
Sweet Child of Mine
She told me she was going to be the Big ONE OH!
10th Birthday
We went to church and then we went to IHoP.† This is the 6th year in a row we have gone to eat breakfast on her birthday.† The waitress’s all sing to her and she loves it!
Happy Birthday!
Then we came home and Daddy and Marlene came over.† Marlene had made Kei a beautiful birthday cake. It was yummy too!
Yum Yum Yum
Then she opened my gifts.† She loved everything ….
but nothing as much as the Johnny Depp bag I found for her.† I took 5 pictures and they were all blurry because she kept jumping up and down!
Kei & her future husband
Eddie, Heather and the kids† came over and brought her a Zhu Zhu complete with a house.† She loved it!† Later on that night, she was playing with it and I was on the computer.† Everything got very quiet.† I said “What’s up?” and turned to look at her.† She had her Zhu Zhu dangling from her hair!† She said, “I was laying on the floor and he just backed up and ran over my hair!”.† Only Kei.† I got one wheel out but I could not get the other one.† We called Jerri and went to her house for assistance.† Everytime you touch the dang thing the wheels would turn and it would make crazy noises.† Jerri and I were laughing so hard we were crying.† We finally got out all but about 10 hairs and we just had to cut it out.
Zhu Zhu of Death
Kei said, “Please don’t blog or Facebook this Mom”, but…it was too good to resist.
Now we are in the middle of a huge FREEZE! It is cold, I mean COLD, didimentionCOLD?† My Southern blood isn’t up to this kind of weather.† We are in the house and not going out until the temperature hits at least 40!
So, here we are….2010.† Hang on tight because the best is yet to come.
Kei loves Halloween!† Almost as much as Christmas and her birthday.† Remember when we actually looked forward to birthdays?
We started the Halloween week by going Trunk or Treating at our friends church.† We had a great time.
Then Kei made a witch nose and finger with Play Dough.
I'll Get you my Pretty..
Saturday morning [Halloween] we went to our church for a Halloween celebration.† It was awesome!† We ate hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and all the trimmings.† Our church rocks!
Epic Corn HuntEpic Train
When we got home my brother brought us a pumpkin.† We then carved it.† Ok I am not the best carver in the world.† Kei wanted a vampire.† What she got was…a big mouthed something or other.† She did better on the eyes and nose than I did on the mouth!
Vampire?
Saturday night we got Kei decked out in her Mother Nature costume and were off to get candy!† Some of the people around here really get into the Halloween spirit so there were spooks, Mass† Murderers, scary music and fog at every turn.
Mother NatureDon't fool Mother Nature
When we had collected our fill of candy and half freezing to death we went out to my brother’s house where he had a Scavenger Hunt for the kids.† Heather and I drove the kids around to various locations for clues.† You haven’t lived until you have been to a graveyard on Halloween night with a full moon!† Also did you know some people put lighted crosses on graves?† I couldn’t believe it.† The kids loved it and the only complaint was that it was too short.† Thanks Eddie for inviting us!
“Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain so yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a young and a callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow–follow, oh-oh.” -† Try to Remember, Lyrics by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt
I can’t believe it is already the middle of September.† Where does time go?
We are in full swing with homeschooling.† Loving it with very few meltdowns by either of us.
We missed the “Not Back to School” picnic and the 1st skate day because Kei was very sick.† We both hated missing it.
We did go bowling which was fun.† I got to see some people I hadn’t seen all summer.† Kei broke 100 which is a 1st for her.
She has been in a coloring mode lately.† Every night after dinner she colors and colors and colors.
We are learning about Kingdoms, etc.† Even though I think it is a little silly.† I mean how many times have you been asked for the Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Genus or Species of a mushroom???† Kei has memorized all of them which is more than I know.†† We did an experiment about “Opposable Thumbs” and it was a hoot.† She had to try to do all these things with her thumbs taped down.† Some she accomplished but it took forever and some she could not do at all.
I love homeschooling.† I love spending so much time with Kei.† I love learning right along with her.† I have learned relearned so much!† We are doing American History and I have never been so fascinated by Explorers and the first settlements.† In a perfect world we could go to visit Jamestown after studying about it.† But…with the internet that is almost possible.
Kei is now working on a play about Virginia Dare. She is convinced that the Indians got her and they all lived happily ever after.† She still believes in that…..
We have been studying about Native Americans the last couple of weeks.
Today Kei and I went on a bike ride to gather wood for a fire since the weather has been so awesome. She saw some berries that she had to stop and pick.
She knew that Native Americans used berries and such for dye so she decided to make a picture using her collected berries. She got a rock and started pounding the berries into pulp. The color was amazing.
Then she got paper and preceded to make a great picture.
Obviously, flies love berries too!† Then she got a great idea! “Mom, can I paint on my legs with this?”. I, being the cool mom that I am, said “Of course”, thinking she would paint a flower or something similar.
The Declaration of Keilee
After a bit, I told her to go inside and jump in the tub. I then called my brother, nature boy extraordinaire, to ask him what this berry was. He wasn’t sure, so I looked it up online, found out it was Pokeweed and called him back to tell him. He then told me it was poisonous!
I freaked out and called Kei’s doctor. I went in the bathroom and scrubbed her off with soap, then made her get out and I put rubbing alcohol on her legs and arms and gave her Benadryl. The nurse on call finally called me back and said she wanted me to call the poison control. I got a sweet lady who told me that Kei would be fine and I did everything right.
Sheesshhh, I bet the Native Americans never had to deal with this kind of thing!
We did learn something interesting which I shared with Poison Control; the Declaration of Independence was written with Pokeweed ink and it was used often during the Civil War as ink in letters the soldiers wrote to home. She told me I had taught her something today.
We had a deal.† She cleaned the outside of the fridge.† This involved taking tons of pictures, drawings, and our HUGE daily calendar off.† She rarely has chores of this type.† I helped her get ready and went outside to read.
It has been crazy hot here the past few days.† Summer has definitely reared its head.
Kei put on a fashion show for me today.† She loves putting clothes together.† Then she insisted I photograph her as she posed and spun around.† Remember how much fun dress up used to be?
Then last night, we had a fire.† Of course it was about 90 degrees but it was still beautiful.† We didn’t have any marshmallows so Kei roasted a stick.
We spent delightful days at our friends new house at Smith Lake.†† The house was incredible.† Over 7000 sq. feet, on the lake front and beautiful.
I could stay there forever and Kei had all the rooms assigned as if we lived there by the time we left.† Complete with a homeschooling room of course.† An amazing house.† Imagine waking up, walking into the kitchen and being surrounded on 3 sides by floor to ceiling windows with a lake view.† The pool was great and Kei worked on her divingskillz.† She stayed in the water for hours and hours.† I swear she is part mermaid.
It was just what we needed.† Of course I got horribly blistered.† Why is it I lather Kei in sunscreen and then half way put it on myself!!!!?????
I have traveled across the United States and lived in San Francisco. I have spit off the Golden Gate Bridge and worked for a company that won an Oscar. I have laughed and loved and cried. I have lost a brother and a mother. I have been a wife, a sister, an aunt, a friend.
But none of those things compare to what I am now…a Mother. I never knew how this would feel. I never understood the saying “I would die for you”, not really. Now I do. I never understood wanting so badly to give your child the world. Now I do.
She delights me, amazes me, frustrates me, makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts, makes me cry, teaches me, makes my heart overflow with love, refuses to clean her room, never stops talking, drives me crazy, fills me with a miraculous joy, lights up my life.
She loves to bake, to dance, to sing, to perform in plays, to read, to play video games, to watch silly reality TV, to eat, to pretend, to swim, to be outside. She prefers mushrooms to chocolate. She loves to snuggle and still believes hugs from me will fix any hurt.
She is smart, caring, beautiful; inside and out, inventive, curious, kind, a champion of the underdog, intuitive, a dreamer. She refuses to use plastic bags, she believes in causes, she wants to change the world. She believes anything is possible.† She is such a good God girl, she has so much faith.† When I listen to her prayers I am so touched by the things she prays for.
She sees the world as a wondrous place and almost every day she claps her hands and jumps up and down with excitement. She believes in fairies and magic and Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. She makes me believe in them also. She has a definite sense of right and wrong. She absolutely hates to hurt anyone feelings. She is not just a “glass half full” kinda girl; she is a ìgive me some water and I will fill it upî kinda girl. She refuses to say bad words; which, to her, is butt, dang, crap. I call her my little nun.
She could have her leg cut off and refuse to cry.She wants to be tough; she thinks she has to be tough.This is not something I have taught her, it is just who she is.She thinks she must take care of me, and I tell her I am the one taking care of her.However, in some of my darkest moments she is there like a light beckoning me to her.I couldn’t have survived my Mother’s death without her.
She can be wise beyond her years one minute and playing with her dolls the next. She is a beautiful mix of young and old. The sound of her laughter is the sweetest music I have ever heard.
I am her teacher, but she has taught me so much.She has taught me how to be completely unselfish, how to love unconditionally, how to put someone else’s well being above my own.She is my life, my world.
I love you so much my baby girl. To Pluto and back…
K loves water.† She loves to swim, to splash, to dive, to go underwater, to just sit with water all around her.† She takes hour baths and uses her mask in the tub!† I swear the kid is part mermaid.
She isn’t able to put up her pool this year and at first she was so sad.† But, being the creative kid that she is, she has made adjustments.
One day she played all day on her Water Slide:
Kei Water SlideSliding
Then she made some sort of train/water track.
Kei Train
Then we went on a Wild Swim with our HS Group.† It was awesome.
Rope SwingChillin' n Relaxin'
Then yesterday she made a Water House.
Water House
Thank goodness the rain has left for awhile because she is enjoying every wet second of the SUN!
Times are hard, not just for me I know.† But times are hard for me.† The entertainment business is slow right now.† I work in that business.† I am a single mom.† I homeschool.† Times are hard.
I have felt very down the last few days.† This is very unlike me, I am such a glass is half full kinda girl.† The glass has felt empty lately.
Then…she does something so delightful and I realize this is what it’s all about.† And we will make it through.
We have been learning about the Middle Ages and watching Xena.† Kei LOVES kick butt warrior girls but she hates Xena’s outfit.† She said “She would never wear something like that!”† She is such a Nun.† [Personally, if I looked like Xena, I would wear that too!]
We had a pretty good weekend.† Actually Kei had a great weekend.† I had a worrying weekend.† I try not to worry about things but it is so hard sometimes.† I watch K play and think “I wish I was 9 and had no worries”† Now I know there are too many children who do have hard lives and worry about things but I try so very hard not to let K’s life be like that.† There is time enough to worry when they grow up.
After church on Sunday we went to Daddy’s and Katherine [my niece] wanted to spend the night.† The girls played outside, played Operation,
Steady Hands!
they played in Kei’s sand box that she has outgrown but we can’t bear to get rid of:
Fun in the Sand
I sat on the balcony and read my Maximum Ride books!† My sweet Gina & Co. had brought them by for me Sunday.† Thanks Esther for picking them up at the library!† I love these books.† They are great for adults and kids.† I mean what is not to love about flying kids!
Monday the weather was semi nice.† Mostly sunny which is unusual lately.† Seth [my nephew] came over for a while and the girls played outside.
Laura had so graciously invited us over to grill out.† My California friends crack up when I say “grill out”.† They ‘barbecue”.† I try to tell them that barbeque is a sauce you put on meat.† Not all grilled food is barbecued!† Here in the South, we GRILL OUT!† Anyway the food was yummy!
Today was a good day.
It’s strange, because I am so broke, things are looking dismal for our company, but it was a good day.
Money has always been unimportant to me. It has become important through not having any.
Today Kei played outside for hours and I read my Harlan Coben book. I love him. He is smart and witty and such a great writer.
I am reading The Whipping Boy to her and I read some of that also.† It is a great book and we are both enjoying it.† We started the Middle Ages Monday and have tons of resources for that time period.† It is one of my favorite times.† She made a Wanted poster for Prince Brat.
Now I am getting things together for chicken fajitas for dinner. Yummy and easy.
Tonight we are going to watch the American Idol results show!† Go Adam!!
I awoke this morning to SUN Glorious SUN!† For a minute there I wasn’t sure what it was.† It was great to see it.
I was on the computer checking emails, reading blogs, doing the usual morning stuff when this appeared on my stairs.† I had to video it, I mean, what else could I do!? How does she know who Ozzy is? No clue! [Yes I realize you can see me in the mirror ;)]
Then we went to Wilson Morgan Park for a play day.† We both had fun. K ran and played and giggled and pretended.
Then she played with Coco, Regina and Anna’s dog. She loved him!
Us moms sat on a blanket and just talked for hours.† It was awesome!
Now its time to watch American Idol!!† The Finals.
At least it is good for domino stacking.† I can’t imagine the people who stack millions of Dominos.† Kei was screaming because hers kept falling and she only had a few.
Or creating a BARBIE Town in the middle of the den.† You don’t think she actually plays in her room do you?
Start of the weekend, school’s out, work is finished.
Now…not so much.† I work from home so I am pretty much available 24/7, Kei is homeschooled, the weekend is just the weekend.
But Friday was beautiful!† It has been so rainy and yucky here.† I am so tired of soggy ground, dashing everywhere with something over our heads, wet everything!
Kei made the most of the day.
First, she planted a garden.† Ok Ok I realized afterwards you can’t plant anything in a container that doesn’t drain!† I am going to fix that.† I am new at this “Country Girl” stuff ok?
Then she found what we thought was a lizard but on further research decided was a salamander.† Regardless, she loved it.† She kept it about 30 minutes and then started feeling bad and released it.
Then, she played in the sprinkler. Well she played in 3 sprinklers because she couldn’t make up her mind which one was best!
Then it was time for a little rest.
She spent the rest of the day reading and running around.
Then she insisted on making dinner “all by herself”.† She bakes quite often and is very careful but her dinner was going to involve chopping….lots of chopping.† She begged and promised to be careful so I agreed.† She made me sit outside where I was listening for the sound of fingers being cut off but all went well.† It was a delicious dinner and she was so proud of herself!
We had vegetable stir fry, leftover pasta salad and for desert…Grape and Banana Kabob with whipped cream.
Then Kei hit pay dirt and got an almost brand new Groovy doll, sleeping bag, bed and chair for $3 total!† Kei loves garage sales, me, not so much. I like the sales, I just hate finding them.† If they were all lined up together I would like them more.
Then we went to Cade’s baseball game.† Cade and Kei are like brother and sister.† Kei is NOT† a sports girl.† I tried to give her a crash course in baseball 101 [since I spent every minute of my growing up years at the ball park] but she still was a little confused.† Of course so was Jerri, Cade’s mom.† I was cracking up at both of them.† They are so silly.
They we came home and Kei worked in her flower garden.† Kei loves nature, Kei also loves mud.† Where there is mud, there is Kei.
Now Kei is out playing with the neighborhood kids.† There are tons of them running around.† That is one thing I love about living here, there are always kids to play with.† Last night when I grilled the pork tenderloin, I threw some smoked sausages on the grill.† So all I have to do for dinner is cook some onions and green peppers. Yummy!
We just went back to Athens and walked around their square.† It was really pretty and I had never taken Kei there.† She got a bottle cap necklace and some more silly bands.† And ice cream…there is always ice cream.
Now Kei is out playing with the neighborhood kids.† There are tons of them running around.† That is one thing I love about living here, there are always kids to play with.† Last night when I grilled the pork tenderloin, I threw some smoked sausages on the grill.† So all I have to do for dinner is cook some onions and green peppers. Yummy!