Here are some of the things I was thinking about today.
The Cobb County schools started back up today. Today would have been Ryan's first day of 2nd Grade. Here are some of the things we did instead (in no particular order):
- We slept in until 9:00 (accidentally).
- Ryan played Age of Mythology for a while.
- Morgan read some books to herself and I read some books to her and to Sean.
- I read a chapter of The Odyssey to everyone (we're almost done).
- Brendan came home from work early and took them all to the store so I could have a little while to myself.
- Ryan had Taekwondo class.
- Everyone made their own dinner (we call it a Pick Up Dinner--you pick up whatever you want to eat and put it in your mouth!).
- We laughed and made up silly songs and generally had a nice time.
More of the same tomorrow (although with an earlier start time, I hope!). Oh funny--Kelly had the same idea.
Read about her day here. Sean, of course, is too little for school. I did take the time to make a list of the words he can say and sign, to include in his baby book (I did the same for the other two).
Sean can say:
- Mama
- go
- up
- apple
- uh-oh
- Ryan
- Mommy (different from Mama)
- Hi
- ice
- kick
- pbpbpbpbpbttt (I know it's not actually a word, but it kills me that this means car and truck, so I'm including it as a kinda sorta word!)
Sean can sign:
- Milk (when he wants to nurse)
- Bye bye
- airplane
- eat
- up
- "spin" (it's not the actual ASL sign, but it's a consistent hand gesture)
Consider that he is the slowest of my kids to talk. And consider that this little list of words is an extremely impressive list for a 13.5 month old. And then you will appreciate Ryan a little bit more. :D
Also, I think Sean's nickname is going to be "Brute Squad" (from
The Princess Bride ). He just muscles his way into whatever he wants, and your nerve-endings be damned! Example: When he wants you to read a book to him, he picks it up, toddles over, and clobbers you in the face with it.
What else? I did some writing, but have learned that I am not very good at writing and/or thinking under time pressure. :( That's okay. I'll either get better at it, or . . . I won't. And the world will still turn.
I'm beginning to get into organizing mode for our annual beach vacation. We leave in 11 days! This is also another good reason to homeschool--we can choose our "school year" and ours doesn't officially begin until September 1. And we can take our vacations any old time we please! Which is a Good Thing, since our friends are from a part of the country where they sensibly wait until summer is over before starting up with the school.
The kids are getting excited to see our friends and the beach. Me, too. But it's quite a bit of work, let me tell you. It will be easier this year, now that Sean is bigger and can eat some regular food. Yay. For. That.
Finally, I was saddened to learn of the death of the only remaining sister of my grandfather (who passed away earlier this summer). My grandfather was the youngest of 14; his sister was #13 in the line up. Oh, the stories of those fourteen, growing up on the farm in Idaho! Going to the one-room schoolhouse, being educated alongside Nez Perce Indian kids. The story of Aaron, Rex, and the flatulent horse (a featured story at my grandfather's memorial service!). How they lost the farm in the Depression.
I used to practice their names, to see if I could name them all. Let's see if I can still do it (very out-of-order):
- The 8 girls were Neta, Veda, Arla, Enid, Miriam, Mabel, June, and Janet (pronounced "Jeanette," who died today).
- The 6 boys were Richard, Pierce, Nye, Milford, Aaron, and Rex (my grandfather).
It is
really sad to know that they are all gone. My grandmother is the only surviving spouse (aka,
out-law ). Most of them had very long, happy lives, and all of them had loving families. And really, it doesn't get much better than that, does it?
And speaking of loving families, I'd better get back to mine now. Especially if I want us all to get going a little sooner tomorrow! Good night!
The Cobb County schools started back up today. Today would have been Ryan's first day of 2nd Grade. Here are some of the things we did instead (in no particular order):
More of the same tomorrow (although with an earlier start time, I hope!). Oh funny--Kelly had the same idea. Read about her day here.
Sean, of course, is too little for school. I did take the time to make a list of the words he can say and sign, to include in his baby book (I did the same for the other two).
Sean can say:
Sean can sign:
- Milk (when he wants to nurse)
- Bye bye
- airplane
- eat
- up
- "spin" (it's not the actual ASL sign, but it's a consistent hand gesture)
Consider that he is the slowest of my kids to talk. And consider that this little list of words is an extremely impressive list for a 13.5 month old. And then you will appreciate Ryan a little bit more. :DAlso, I think Sean's nickname is going to be "Brute Squad" (from The Princess Bride ). He just muscles his way into whatever he wants, and your nerve-endings be damned! Example: When he wants you to read a book to him, he picks it up, toddles over, and clobbers you in the face with it.
What else? I did some writing, but have learned that I am not very good at writing and/or thinking under time pressure. :( That's okay. I'll either get better at it, or . . . I won't. And the world will still turn.
I'm beginning to get into organizing mode for our annual beach vacation. We leave in 11 days! This is also another good reason to homeschool--we can choose our "school year" and ours doesn't officially begin until September 1. And we can take our vacations any old time we please! Which is a Good Thing, since our friends are from a part of the country where they sensibly wait until summer is over before starting up with the school.
The kids are getting excited to see our friends and the beach. Me, too. But it's quite a bit of work, let me tell you. It will be easier this year, now that Sean is bigger and can eat some regular food. Yay. For. That.
Finally, I was saddened to learn of the death of the only remaining sister of my grandfather (who passed away earlier this summer). My grandfather was the youngest of 14; his sister was #13 in the line up. Oh, the stories of those fourteen, growing up on the farm in Idaho! Going to the one-room schoolhouse, being educated alongside Nez Perce Indian kids. The story of Aaron, Rex, and the flatulent horse (a featured story at my grandfather's memorial service!). How they lost the farm in the Depression.
I used to practice their names, to see if I could name them all. Let's see if I can still do it (very out-of-order):
It is really sad to know that they are all gone. My grandmother is the only surviving spouse (aka, out-law ). Most of them had very long, happy lives, and all of them had loving families. And really, it doesn't get much better than that, does it?
And speaking of loving families, I'd better get back to mine now. Especially if I want us all to get going a little sooner tomorrow! Good night!