Elf Who?? Elf Louise!

On Friday, we went to San Antonio to volunteer at Elf Louise with the homeschool group. Yes, there are groups around here, but the kids (and I) just really like the kids and moms in that group. This was wonderful, we had a great time. So, what is Elf Louise? It is a toy drive. The general idea is that after they receive the toy donations, the volunteers get an envelope with the children's names and ages. With that information we get to "go shop" the toys and then wrap them. They have the toys organized by age groups and the older kids are organized further into boy/girl rooms. It was great to see the kids actually think about what these children would want. There was one young boy (10yr I think), that would pick up something, and then change his mind before he even got out the door. I commented on how good he was, and his remark was "Well, I have lots of brothers and sisters, so I know what little kids like." We were the only ones there at first, but after 2 1/2 hrs, all the tables were full with volunteers. It warms my heart to see people helping others. We were there a few weeks ago to help get set up. Hallmark donated pallets of wrapping paper, we were unwrapping the boxes and boxes of wrapping paper. I had no idea it would be such a big operation. One of the ladies in charge, said they were serving 25,000 children, this year. Wow!!

The first freeze of the season

Well, it says it is 35*, but the sun is up now, so it is warming up (the time zone isn't set on the thermometer it's really two hours later). And, yes, it really is 63* in my house-gotta love old houses. My kids were so excited to see "white ice" on the trampoline they jumped out of bed to play in it...silly! But yet, another "benefit" to homeschooling, while our neighbors were leaving for school, my children were playing. I love it. Even though I don't understand wanting to be cold.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Every year, I have grand ideas of things I'd like to do w/my children. And every year, I put things off until it it too late. So, I've decided, when I have an idea, I call someone and invite them. That way, I am committed, and I won't back out. For some reason, I don't mind backing out of obligations w/ my children, but dread doing it w/ others...That is why I've decided to put myself on the spot. I will be better about that! Anyway, on Friday we had a few friends (ended up 25 children!) come over and decorate gingerbread houses and cinnamon ornaments. It was alot of fun. The best part for me, was that I didn't feel like I had to entertain anyone. And I was so busy helping w/ the ornaments, I didn't stress about Josh's house still being brown, or the fact that more candy got eaten than put on the houses. I did ask if I could help him, but I was told "No, it is perfect the way it is...It doesn't snow in Texas." But as soon as that was said, one of the girls that were here, said "Oh Josh, let me help you...." that twerp, said "Okay, what are you thinking?" She made him a gingerbread man to stand outside the house. His house was a Halloween house. But, really what did I expect? A house full of friends and candy?!? I am surprised anything got done. He found his house right after Halloween, and asked why all gingerbread houses had to look the same. So I told him it was fine, if he wanted to get and save it for Christmas...really, it was only "saved" for a month...can you believe it?

Brandon and a friend made a house, too, in true 13 yr old boy style...with an outhouse! Maybe we spent too much time out at Pioneer Farms.

I did buy a couple of houses from Ikea, but gave the to the our guests to decorate. After the dust settled, I realized there was one more for Brianna. We set it up on Saturday, and were going to finish decorating it on Sunday, after church. I didn't even think about it, until Sunday night, when I didn't see it anywhere. The boys didn't know where it was, so we assumed Ron had thrown it away because it was just on the island, w/out any decorations. Monday, I found remnants of it under the island. When Ron got home we all questioned him. Nope, not him....the culprit had to be the DOG! Checkers is the only one "tall" enough to have gotten it. That is way out of his character, though. Josh is just get a kitten (well, teenager), maybe they worked together?!?

Funny Brianna

This little girl keeps us laughing! She is so fun to be around (and she is around ALOT). A couple of days ago, Brandon was cooking something..as he does often, when she asked to taste. So, begrudgingly, he let her. Well afterwards, he jumped on her "You're supposed to use your teeth, not your lips!" To which she replied..."I DON"T HAVE ANY TEETH!!!"

(I cannot find a the picture that shows her toothless, right now) She is missing 5 teeth...including 3 of her top.


Yesterday, Josh was checking his email, and blarred out "DON'T READ MY EMAIL!!!" To which she replied..."I CANNOT READ!" (This is a bit of an overstatement...she's getting there...very slowly, though).

When I get irritated in a playful way, I "GRRR" at the kids. Brandon was acting like a 13yr boy (if you can imagine), when I "GRRRed" at him. Brianna walks by and says..."Ha, Ha, you got at GRRR."

No Betty Crocker here!

I get on these kicks when I want to know I can make things from scratch. Not that I will continue, but I want to know I can. Last night, I told Brandon I was going to make eggnog he said, "Enough with the homemade stuff! Don't you remember the katchup?" That was my last try, a couple of weeks ago--it would've been better, but I "improvised." And, just now, Brianna wondered into my bed (it's early), and I told I made eggnog for breakfast, and her respnonse was "Does it taste like eggnog?" Now, that made me laugh. She is still asleep, and has the sense to ask the right question. If she'd asked does it LOOK like eggnog, I would've had to say "no." But it does taste like it. It was a lot more work, but cheaper, and just as good. But the boys will be the judge of that, I guess...probably in about 3 hours. This a before and after. Nobody has tasted the eggnog, it kinda deflated, I guess. It started a full gallon, ended, about a quart...so, it is not cheaper to make it...lesson learned. They are all afraid to taste it.

Retirement

Brianna and I were talking about my grandpa the other day. She was asking what he does all day. I explained that he is very busy, working on his new house, helping out at his church, he does a bible study at a jail, he is starting a new business, and does lots of volunteering. After going through all of this, she said "Oh yeah, he's retired...I want to be retired...but I have to get a job first!" It was great...she is 7, and grandpa is 83!

Witte Musuem

I decided to do more with my children. That was one of the reasons we decided to homeschool. Well, I haven't been great, or even good about it. I always have made an excuse...time, money, gas, disobedient children. Well, enough is enough. There will alway be excuse NOT to do something. That said, I now have "something" planned every month. This was the first month of planning. We went to the Witte Musuem in San Antonio. The musuem is having an Leonardo Di Vinci hands on exhibit. They (we) all learned alot. They were able to build bridges, test out a catapult, learn about early batteries...yes battery, water pumps,a cannon...Leonardo even came up with the portable multi gun...now known as a tank! That man was a genius! The exhibit let us touch and see "how" and "why" it works. They also have a three story science tree house. In the science house they learned about pullies, were able to produce a weather/news cast, downstairs, they washed their hands, and then "saw" what was left...gross! They have a real mummy in glass. You can build a wall with hyroglyphics and see if it can survive an earthquake. All this and more. It was a perfect place to take kids. Not alot of "just look, don't touch." The best part...w/a group of 10 or more children...only $4! That includes the Di Vinci exhibit. I didn't get great pictures because I don't know how to turn off my flash.