WW: January Beach

Weekend Fun, Birthday Edition

My two sweethearts. 

They say this tree looks like a bear?

I just love stairs.  

Resting before cake.  

In honor of Jeff's birthday, we took our annual hike at Indiana Dunes State Park.  This year, the weather was cooperative, meaning, no snow!  It was cool and windy, but that we can deal with.  This year, Jeff's uncle joined us, too.  We had a great day.  We had a filling lunch at Applebees, too.  And cake!  

Then today, his actual birthday, we had chili and cheesecake, after church.  We played a little Yahtzee, tossed the discs in the back yard, and enjoyed our quieter afternoon at home.  We needed it after yesterday!  

He rolled 5 Yahtzees on his birthday, in only 2 games!  

Beautiful kitty.  

Weekly Wrap Up, Week 3, 2013

Little notes written to remember each precious day!  (And they are all so precious!)

Weekends are for grilling.  It was 60 on Saturday!  

Monday the 14th...

Today, I decided that I must go see my grandma who is in the nursing home and has pneumonia.  I left the kids a super long list of school work and chores to do while I was gone.  I was also in constant texting contact.  I am relieved to report that Grams was up in her chair, all smiles, and even making some sense.  It was a great visit.  I am so glad it worked out.

Grandma and baby. 

Tuesday the 15th...

We had a solid school day today, including our new gym class.  The class is getting quite popular though.  I hope it is not too stressful for the teacher, having so many kids.  The church complained about some of the kids running in the halls to the drinking fountain today.  I wonder how long they will allow us to use their building.  *sigh*
After lessons, we did not do a whole lot, just some chores around the house.   Tonight was my bunco night.  I won a couple prizes!  It was fun to be with friends, too.

Jeff's early birthday present. 

Wednesday the 16th...

Today, we did our lessons in the morning, as usual, then I took Grace to art class.  I also had the pleasure of visiting with a friend while Grace was at class.  After class, Grace was in the mood to get her hair cut off!  I love her long hair, but know what a chore it is to keep tangle free, so I agreed to this cut.  It will grow back, eventually.  I think she is adorable with any length of hair.  Tonight is also AWANA.  Now that it is flu season, I am really starting to hope we can go without getting sick. Best thing about tonight was that it was still light driving to church!

I got my hair cut off last week!  

Thursday the 17th...

It's a beautifully sunny day!  Today, I got to "see" my dad's new home in TX via a Google Hangout video app.  I love technology when it works.  We also did our lessons, of course.  Grace has decided to test out of the rest of her math book.  If she can pass the tests 100%, I will allow her to skip a lesson.  The reason I bring this up is because for so many months we've been stuck in math with her.  Now all of a sudden she is ready to move on!  This encourages me to no end as math has always been so hard for her.  We shall see how far she gets.  Today we must go get food.  We are out of so many things.


Friday the 18th...

Loving the sunshine this morning.  Today we will finish lessons, do some baking, and then tidy the house.  Jeff's birthday is Sunday.  I am making a cheesecake, his favorite dessert. Should be a quiet evening after several busy ones.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Jenn

Wordless Wednesday: 8 inches off

Before

After

Weekly Wrap Up No. 2, 2013

These are the best days of our life.  I record them here so that I can remember them.

Mom's new house to be!  

Monday, the 7th...

Lessons are the main priority today.  Laundry is a strong second.  I didn't do much laundry over the weekend, so "Mount Washmore" grew quite a bit.  I am excited to report that our good health has almost returned.  I am a bit tired and still congested.  Ryan and Grace cough once in awhile.  I made a big meatloaf over the weekend and so we will finish it off tonight.  That makes my day a little easier.  We also worked on the living areas after lessons today.  The carpet got a nice sweeping.

The big news of the day is that Ryan got to build his new computer.  All the parts arrived, and he went to work.  It didn't take very long, and he made it look so easy.  Now it is working and he is enjoying his efforts.

She's getting more friendly!  

Tuesday, the 8th...

The sunshine is so welcome today.  We are joining a new homeschool gym class today.  Several good friends are already attenders, so we will be sure to enjoy our outing.  I am thankful for this opportunity.  A small church has offered this structured, free class for the last several years.  We get our lessons done before and after the class.  In the afternoon, I put two big chickens in the oven to roast.  I've got a new cooking system here.  One week, I make a HUGE pot of chili, which we eat on for a couple days.  The next week I roast two chickens.  The first night we eat roasted chicken.  The next day I make a HUGE pot of chicken and rice soup for lunch and dinner.  There is usually chicken left for another meal, too.  By switching up chili and chicken, my family doesn't seem to get tired of either.  I also bought a bag of mixed beans to make more soup this weekend.  Winter is for soup!

Dorothy's portrait in progress.  

Wednesday, the 9th...

Today is the busiest day of the week.  Lessons are going well.  Ryan is about to finish Algebra 1.  He is really enjoying math, Latin, history, and writing this year.  The other two and I are chugging along in our Sonlight readers, loving every moment.  Great Expectations can be a challenge.  Sometimes I am reading aloud and don't know what I even just said!  It takes a little thinking at times, but it is so good. Art class resumed today.  I really love Grace's art teacher.  She started a new project today, as well.

AWANA was not too difficult.  It is a denial of the flesh for me, as my flesh would rather be at home at all times!  My girls make it worth it.  

Building in the kitchen.  

Thursday, the 10th...

The clouds are here, but it's still warmer than usual.  I find that I am less congested and less tired.  The kids are all well, too.  Now we just try to prevent the next attack!  Today, we stayed home and got a lot of school work done.  Then we put away all the things that find their way into our living spaces.  I made two loaves of herb bread.  My,  we can eat a whole loaf in one meal!  The kids went back to karate tonight.  Jeff and I went to Costco.


Friday, the 11th...

We finished our lessons for the week, then we dusted, swept, and cleaned everything in sight.  Tonight is small group here at the house.  It will be a blessing to meet with our friends for prayer and Bible study.

This weekend, we'll do a little more helping my parent's pack, as they close on their house in a few weeks.  We also have church, Sunday school, choir, and youth group on Sunday.

Have a great weekend!
Jenn

January Thaw

We're in the middle of a January Thaw, and I could not be happier!  It's in the 40's with sunshine today.  I put my down jacket away and went outside in only fleece.  It's supposed to get even warmer this weekend, although we'll have rain with it. Maybe it will be dry enough to play a quick round of disc golf anyway.  The birds are all singing, too.  They, more than even me, love this change in the weather.  We still have February, the coldest month of the year, to endure.  But, we're gaining in light and winter can't last forever.  Hooray! 

Weekly Wrap Up, 2013, No. 1

The start of a new year!  

Finally well enough to enjoy the snow.

Monday, the 31st...
Not the New Year's Eve I had hoped for.  I'm still sick, still on the couch.  Jeff had to work, too.  Ryan went to a big new car show with his granddad. The kids and I did our best laying low.  They've been so helpful.  Grace made tonight's pizza from scratch.  The dishes have been kept up.  Laundry, too.  We allowed the kids to stay up until midnight.  Jeff and I turned in around 10:30.  I awoke at midnight to fireworks and squeals of delight.  I realized they have never stayed up and didn't know about the fireworks that our neighbors always shoot off. 

Such a good dad. 

Tuesday, the 1st...
It truly is a happy new year with Jeff home!  Grace made us wholegrain blueberry muffins for breakfast.  I'm still sick, but now feel like living again.  I'm thankful for all the mercies of the past year, and praying for more this year!  Food was simple today, again.  Leftovers are king when mom is sick. Jeff made us an incredible quiche out of leftover pie dough saved from Christmas and leftover roasted chicken.  I must be feeling better since food is sounding yummy again.  One other fun thing to include about today.. Jeff took the kids sledding! 

Her favorite spot for a nap these days. 

Wednesday, the 2nd...
Jeff was back to his office today.  It felt like a second Monday.  I managed to drag myself out of bed to make him breakfast.  Thankfully he got the coffee maker all set up last night.  The kids asked to be awakened at 7:30 this morning so that they could watch PBS.  I debated about making us do lessons, but really, I needed one more sick day.  Today's weather was a surprise to me, as it was 9 degrees  when I got up, coldest day since February 2011.  Dinner was homemade marinara over pasta with steamed broccoli. 

Thursday, the 3rd...
It was easier to get up this morning.  We happily attacked our school books, too.  We decided we'd try to get a full day of lessons done.  It always feels good to be back in our books after such an indulgent period of time.  I pushed myself a little more today.  We made pumpkin muffins and decided to have breakfast for dinner.  In the evening we celebrated a special birthday of our little friend.  She's now six!  Amazing! 

Hooray for snow! 

Friday, the 4th...
More lessons, then was off to see Mom's new home. (I'll post a picture soon.) Today is the inspection.  I'm thrilled for them.  God is so faithful.  Tonight is a lock-in at church for Grace.  Otherwise we'll be snug inside enjoying a quiet evening.  The weekend will be spent putting away the rest of Christmas.  Might even get the sweeper out!  Shocking, I know.