August 20, 2009
[A note: I started this post on June 14, 2009, and finally was able to finish it today. That explains the time differences, if anyone would have noticed them!]
I hope I never forget those afternoons last May when we were going without air conditioner. (We mostly made it until June, by the way, but I’m not strong enough to do without when it’s getting up over 90 degrees every day!) I’d be trying to get the girls down for a nap, and it seemed so hot, and just a little breeze would come in through the open window, and it felt so cool and refreshing…how I praised God for those little breezes! Read more...
August 19, 2009
Don’t worry, we won’t be doing this every day. But it’s fun for the first week. 
Day three of homeschooling included…
more reading
and collages
I hope you can see how much glue was required for this. There wasn’t much more paper added after this point. Next time, I’ll follow my better judgement and use a glue stick.
August 19, 2009
Day one was mostly tracing letter “c” and reading lots of “c” books. And a trip to get ice cream to celebrate. And science with Daddy:
spaghetti bridges
That has nothing to do with “c”, but Craig had to test the experiment he was doing at school the next day.
But day two included…
Dress up
Samantha climbing (that starts with “C”!)
And caterpillar cookies!
It was a delicious day!
August 16, 2009
We start tomorrow with “official” homeschooling. I thought it would be fun to let grandparents, et alia, follow along, so there is a new page (you should see it at the top under the title) devoted entirely to Lucy’s little projects, my lesson plans, the books were’re reading, and the like.
Before you get too excited about it though, remember that Lucy is only two. So “homeschooling” at this point is going to focus on a letter a week (with themed books, crafts, snacks, etc.), a saint or two a week, and lots of playing and being two. But I’m hoping that getting an early start on the structure (!) of organized (!) home learning will pay off when we get to quadratic equations and the like in a couple of years (kidding, only Craig thinks that will really happen). Read more...
August 14, 2009
[In the car, on the way home from Craig's work]
Craig: Lucy, were you good today? Did you help mommy?
Lucy: Yes! I pushed Samantha down!
Jury is out on how or why that was “helpful”.
August 8, 2009
Happy feast of St. Dominic, especially to those of you affiliated with the Order of Preachers! (And those of you with O.P. leanings!) Here is the little prayer from our Picture Book of Saints:
O God, let St. Dominic help Your church by his merits and teaching. May he who was an outstanding preacher of truth become a most generous intercessor for us. Amen!
August 8, 2009
This is a great story, a beautiful witness, so I thought I’d post if even though Craig sent it to some of you already.
By William Wan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
They’ve been mistaken for Jedi-wannabes headed to a Star Wars convention. They’ve been investigated by police, approached by strangers, gawked at from cars and offered gifts of crumpled dollar bills and Little Debbie snacks.
After trekking along more than 300 miles of dusty Virginia country roads and suburban highways, six Franciscan friars reached Washington on Tuesday, having seen it all during an offbeat modern-day quest for God. Read more...
August 7, 2009
This is a movie worth seeing. For me, it pulled up a lot of good and bad memories, and I could just watch babies being born all day. It’s really amazing to see. I tend to gasp when this squirming little one suddenly comes out, even though I know it’s coming.
Anyway, if I knew someone who thought they didn’t have time to research birth choices, I would recommend this movie, and hopefully by the end of it they would realize they had to find time to do this sort of reading and research. I found the discussion of the difference between the artificial hormones doctors use to induce labor and the natural hormones women get for and from labor particularly interesting. Read more...
August 6, 2009
Craig has started teacher orientation again. This summer flew by, especially since we were out of town most of the month of July. His return to work, and my non-return, have raised a number of questions for me again. ”Can we really afford to live on one income? Why did we get such a nice car so now we have those payments to keep up with? Where can I spend a few less dollars? Can I really handle two little girls all day?” Read more...
August 5, 2009
[The background of the computer comes up with one of those pre-loaded picturesque scenes of mountains]
Lucy: We have to get me one of those mountains!
