gratituesday #212

For the first time in 2018, I am caught up on work.  WOOT WOOT  This is obviously the lifting of a huge back-of-the-mind weight off my shoulders.  Sure, that's a mixed metaphor of body parts, but you get my drift.

Our co-op is going exceedingly well.  Every mother is responsible, positive, and kind. In my years of co-op observation/participation, the truest measure of the co-op is its mothers, not its children.  Good mothers usually have good children, both of which make for a good co-op.

Our local library is such a rich resource.  I use a library book almost every week at co-op; we read physical books daily; we access audiobooks via overdrive every day; and "books on tape" narrate most minutes spent in the car. Just this week I used the new scanner for the first time - how easy and fast!  13 pages with the push of a button sure beats 1 page/minute on my machine at home! Even if I went to the library just to scan, I'm convinced it would be faster than one page at a time at home. :)

Hazel got to play her first 2 games of soccer 2 Saturdays ago.  Of the 4 Saturdays scheduled for soccer, only 1 has actually happened due to the rain.  It looks like we'll be bunching up double headers for the remainder of the season.  She has a great coach (knowledgeable, kind, encouraging), she had 3 friends on the same team, and she's enjoying the opportunity to meet new girls.

Rain.  We've had so much of it in Sept/Oct, and it's amazingly green around here.  In years past I've heard that a wet autumn means brighter colors on the falling leaves.  Wouldn't that be beautiful?

I had a "personal" meeting last night with a student who is struggling in life and confused about her educational pursuits.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to speak honestly and faithfully into the lives of students at crossroads.  It's a trust I don't want to waste.

We're going through a couple of great studies right now: Praying the Names of Jesus and The Hole in Our Holiness.  Both have provided great weekly small group discussions and truths to ponder daily.

The windows and doors are open right now letting in the delicious cool air.

Wes and Zeke are planning a camping trip soon. I'm excited for the memories they'll make outside and the memories the girls and I will make while they're away. Those BOGO Dairy Queen coupons we got in the paper this morning will come in pretty handy, I think. ;)

Unlike last time, Betty neither pooped nor peed in Petsmart this afternoon while there to get her nails trimmed.  Phew.

gratituesday

My intention is to keep gratituesday-ing.  I think it's an important practice/pause.  We'll see...

We're 4 weeks + 1 day into 2018/19 school year, and things seem to be going well.  Starting in August means we really love ourselves in April when we can surrender to Spring Fever without regret.

While we really just homeschool, we're technically enrolled in Epic online charter school.  This only works because we have an amazing teacher who believes learning should be mostly hands on for littler learners.  She's vetted our system and trusts our process (because she can track our growth on quarterly tests).  Essentially, we're doing minimally more work for maximum rewards; for us, that's objective measures (those tests) which reassure me that we're on track and - what's really the driving factor for me - the learning fund which pays for piano lessons and the occasional art class.  A free day at Frontier City or Dodgers game is just the icing on the cake.

This year will be our 6th as homeschoolers.  I'm glad to be more certain and confident in the steps we're taking.  Listening to newbs who're trying to figure everything out reminds me of the mental exhaustion that comes with uncertainty.  It's not like we've got it all figured out, but it's much less a mystery these days, and that is so nice.

The kids are at such fun ages!  They can do so many things that make life easier (e.g., make a sandwich, put away their laundry, wipe their own hineys, etc), but they're still so easily amused and easy going.  I love how they are usually up for most anything.  Maybe it's because they realize they don't really have a choice and so they just go with it???  Not sure, but that's a good skill too. :)

Although I changed my schedule at UCO this semester this year resulting in one class not "making," I have plenty of work to do right now.  Out of nowhere home studies and updates keep me busy enough to make up for the lost income.

I was up late trying to knock out some semester preparations when I lifted a book that had my phone inside which was plugged into the charger whose cord was behind a glass that got knocked over ONTO MY KEYBOARD spilling tea everywhere.  Panic stricken, I turned my laptop sideways to drain the liquid off the keyboard and used my robe to wipe off/mop up what I could.  I had just read a story about a lady who had spilled her drink on her laptop and how everything seemed to be A-OK until 10 minutes later when she got the blue screen of death.  I immediately backed up the stuff I was working on and started copying everything most important over ASAP before going to bed with thoughts of "...bet that won't be working in the morning..." rolling around on repeat while I fell asleep.  Thankfully, here I sit 4 or 5 days later on that very computer having lost nothing.  Some of the keys were a bit gritchy the first day or two, but even that seems to have straightened itself out.  Whew!  That was a close one!

Oklahoma therapists/counselors are privy to a national pilot program resulting in 28 free continuing ed credits, and the training is actually really informative.  The goal is to increase adoptive/foster competent professionals across the nation, and the material is just so good.  I'm so glad it's worth the time invested.

Perennials.  I'm hoping our investment this year will pay off next spring.

Hazel had her first soccer practice last night.  This is our first foray into team sports, and it should be an interesting experience. :)  The beauty is that we're playing at the Y (hoping to avoid the most serious club team-type play), our coach is a close friend, and Hazel has 3 good buddies on the team.

I'm reading through 66 Love Letters by Larry Crabb, and it's providing an interesting walk through the 66 books of the Bible and the themes that run throughout.  I love just about anything that highlights God's creative ability to intricately weave His inerrant word using 40ish humans over thousands of years that is as applicable today as it has been at every point of history.  Incredible.

Our neighbor calls us when her mobile pet service is calling on them so that Betty can jump in and get her nails trimmed in a trailer across the street.  Not only is it convenient, it's proven very helpful in figuring out that Betty's nails had remained too long before we got her and now we can course-correct the issue (that would otherwise lead to skeletal issues in her legs) by getting her nails trimmed every 2-3 weeks.  We've already got her back feet in good shape, and her front paws are on their way.

The Stallings, some dear friends of 20 years, are moving to Wisconsin tomorrow.  It has been a possibility for years, but it has all actually happened in a startlingly short amount of time - 8 days from accepting the job to actually leaving.  40+ friends were able to gather Saturday for a "see ya later" party, and I was doing just fine (not really thinking about it) until the end of the night when Rachel hugged me long and hard and then pulled away with tears in her eyes.  I know it won't change MY day-to-day interaction with her since we haven't lived in the same city since college, but it's hard to see a good friend do hard things so far away.  Rachel said she'd told Monty that she'd be back in OK for our shared birthday in a few months, and I'm looking forward to it already.

Speaking of looking forward to it, after not having flown anywhere since 2013, I've made plans that include flying TWICE in the next two months!  I'm beyond excited.  I'm headed to Chicago with a couple friends in September to catch a live recording of a podcast and eat a good meal or 2.  That's literally all we'll have time for as we leave town Saturday morning and will be able to eat lunch with our families after church Sunday morning!  Wes and I have booked an anniversary trip to Oregon in October, and I'm beside myself with anticipation.

turkey time

In case your Thanksgiving dinner didn't turn out quite as delicious as you'd planned, maybe you can take some tips from these turkeys:

formal letters

The kids' writing classes at co-op learned about formal letters this week and put their knowledge to good use (namely flattering candy companies in hopes of some free candy). :)

wide open wednesday

 We attended a Wide Open Wednesday at The Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum this morning and really enjoyed ourselves.

The kids favorite exhibit was hands down the triptychs in the Great Hall.  They were astounding! "Take our picture, Mom! They're huge!"

seek and ye shall find

 Most fall mornings we can hear the faint sounds of a marching band rehearsal.  I realized it must have been the high school closest to our house, so I called their band department and talked to a super nice assistant director.  He invited us to attend a rehearsal, and we took him up on his kind offer this morning.  After we found the band, we found some yummy bagels too. What a lovely morning of discovery. :)

longhorns

 The longhorns were in town for the rodeo, so we needed to pay them a visit.  It's not everyday you can look a longhorn in the eye (unless you're a longhorn rancher, I guess).

MawMaw is always teaching, and she took the opportunity to show the kids the loading chute.  Two were more excited than one to test it out.  :)

1! 2! 3! JUMP!

OK.  Let's try that again.  1! 2! 3!

Hold on to your MawMaw's hand and sort of slide to the ground! Jump!

dodgers

This year we've enrolled in a local online public school.  Because we chose an awesome teacher who recognizes the value of what we've been doing, our day-to-day will not change a smidge.  The only real changes will be some assessment, some cash for piano lessons, and some extra opportunities.

Our first event was a Dodgers baseball game.  It was the kids' first chance to see a baseball game, and they soaked it in.

We stepped in a little late and didn't realize that they were finishing an earlier game that had been rained out, so it was a little confusing when after an inning of play, the game was over. :)

While the teams were taking their places half way through the first inning, they played the song Shout to get the crowd excited.  It came as really no surprise that Pearl's dancing antics made an appearance on the jumbotron.  We were all on there actually, but the rest of us were mainly sitting behind her as she enjoyed putting on AND watching the Pearl show. :)

After the first game, the field crew came out fixed up the field, so the kids entertained themselves for about 45 minutes. :)

Our "seats" were on the lawn which were perfect family seating.  There's really not a bad seat in this ballpark, and the extra room to run around/lie down/play with hats/dance was a bonus.  

We made it one inning into the second game before we were ready to leave. :)

photo phriday: picnic read alouds

first day of school

Homeschool certainly has its perks. :)

When everyone else *finally* returns to class, it means we get the town back to ourselves - at least on weekdays from 8:00 to 3:00. :)  It's funny how spoiled we get to no lines and having places all to ourselves.  We were literally the only non-employee people at Main Event. :)

I decided to surprise the kids with an ultra-fun first day activity, and they were thrilled.  The bigs had both been before (to birthday parties), but this was Pearl's first time, and they were so excited to show her around.

We rounded out the first day by heading to Stringtown to play with cousins.  I bet they wish every day of school could be this fun.

hummingbirds

The kids - Hazel especially - have been begging for a hummingbird feeder for what seems like ages. Ever since a Wild Kratts episode set their hearts aflutter for the tiny birds, they have been tenacious in their pursuit for a feeder of their very own.

I looked around casually but decided I wasn't overly excited about spending $20+ on an interest I wasn't sure would last.  However, Big Lots.  We were on the hunt for something else but exited with only a little red strawberry shaped feeder in our hands.  I couldn't argue with $4. :)

I had tried to prepare the kids that our hummingbird feeder would likely not be the hummingbird haven depicted on Wild Kratts - something like 10 different birds in a few minutes - but their enthusiasm was undaunted.  I didn't even know it was considered "too late" in the season to put out a feeder in an unknown (to the birds) location, but sometimes ignorance is a blessing, no?

We made our syrup ("Mom!  You can find a recipe on the computer!") and hung the feeder post haste.  I'll be John Brown if we didn't have a couple of birds within half an hour!  What a pleasant surprise!

Can you spot our first visitor?

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peace out

We wrapped up our year of co-op with a giant program/celebration.

First the whole lot of them said a verse together.

The littles sang their songs first,

and then the 6-7 year olds had their turn.  Zeke took his motions very seriously.

They each received a little certificate that they loved.

Most of all they loved that MawPaw came to share in the revelry!

After an intercession with refreshments, an art show, and a slide show, the "old people" (8 and up) put on a play about the first 16 presidents.

Hazel had a couple of speaking parts and did an awesome job!

zoo day

Some zoo days are more educational than others...

when doves don't cry

I'm consistently amazed at the super cool things to be found in our own backyard.

Who knew OKC was home to the National Pigeon Museum?!?

I know you're thinking that a musty room full of stuffed birds sound like a rollicking good time, but it was actually very fun!  Our co-op descended on the pigeon museum and took it all in.

You would seriously not believe the variety of pigeons that exist in the world.  There were some with curly feathers all over their backs, some with fluffy feet, and one as big as a chicken.  I loved the ones with feathers gathered around their necks making them look like 18th century European monarchs!

The coolest thing I learned was that pigeons and doves are the same thing.  Mind blown.

Zeke LOVED holding the pigeons and took every opportunity to hold a bird.

The groundskeeper even released some homing pigeons for us to watch, and in honor of Prince's untimely demise, someone played held their phone aloft to play When Doves Cry.  It was inappropriately hysterical.

dress up day

Today at co-op the kids were invited to dress up in the clothing they'd wear if they were doing what they want to do when they grow up.  Zeke held true to standard form as a "worker" but opted to accessorize with Chucks.  That's a choice I can get behind.  Hazel followed her Halloween dream and dressed as an autograph collector; I'm not sure how well that pays these days, but maybe it will have picked up by the time she's grown.  Pearl made an unconventional choice and said she'd like to be "Little Red Hoodington;" she explained that she'd like to walk around and give people cookies.  Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all....

governor's mansion: ten minute tour

photo phriday: library distribution center