Moms's Chat 4 All Moms

[previously Lee A]

...so we made it back home and camped the 2 weeks.There was a horrible storm on our way and 3 garbage bags of stuff flew off our truck(2 sleeping bags,6 pillows,my winter coat).We set up the tent and it was missing a critical part so we had to duct tape the poles together.Yes there was still some snow on the ground across the lake from where we camped.When we left the branches of our tree were bare and when we returned it was full and green and our grass grew big time.I mowed it once and it needs it again.We have cottonwood trees and the sticky seeds are tracking in...
I'm working lots,I barely had time to catch my breath.I cleaned 2 holiday trailers as 2 men and their families are staying in them.They arrived yesterday.I started painting the apartments yesterday...this is the most tedious job I've ever had.I've barely put a dent in the place and I have to give it a 2nd coat too.
Anyway the kids loved the holiday,I had to take Selena to town(1.5 hour drive as she fell and hurt her arm-it wasn't broke).We attended my youngest sister's wedding and that was nice.I found some 2nd hand clothes too but didn't try them on first and everything is snug...incentive I guess.So I ate carbs the whole 2 weeks and went up 5lbs and I've been back on track one week and the 5 is off.I'd really love to get off the yo yo and lose some real weight.
My kids all have bad coughs but their grandparents and another elderly couple all had colds when we saw them.
I'm exhausted too and just fall in to bed at night.I literally don't stop from dawn to dusk.
I'm glad to hear your kids are doing so well
My life changed overnight.My eldest asked me to buy her a bra,now she has requested deodorant and also asked me what is better when she gets her period,tampax or pads?
I was hoping all this would come much later
MIne are all at busy ages now too.I'd like to make it all stop for awhile...
Dayton's teeth need some work but it wasn't critical.They're unable to get to it until July.
Anyway I should run,hopefully your nice weather holds and you can get back to using that green thumb
Hang in there
TTYS

[MCmom]

We're in the middle of our first heat-wave. It's much nicer and cooler here in the basement. We haven't put up our air conditioner yet, so the house upstairs is like an oven. It doesn't help to open the windows, due to the high humidity. I'll be glad when we cool down about 10 degrees.

Everyone is healthy for the moment, which is nice. Leah has an annoying habit of getting up earlier than I want to be up. Today I had to tell her to let mommy sleep alittle longer. Thankfully, after trying to wake everyone up first (unsuccessfully), she settled down to playing her Nintendo DS quietly in the livingroom. This girl is one of the last to go to sleep, and the first to wake up.

The kids are currently with their Grandma & Grandpa, eating out at a fast food restaurant. Which means some quiet time for me. It's a nice, little break. I don't get them that much, so they're appreciated when they happen. My mom would take them more often, but I don't feel comfortable with her taking them to her house. If you remember Lee, she is raising my teenage niece and nephew (her grandchildren). Those kids are a bit out of control, due to lack of discipline & guidance.

Eating is okay. Could be better, but not out of control. I'm trying to eat healthy, one day at a time.

Lee - Camping with snow still on the ground??! That stinks that you lost all that stuff. It would have definitely put a damper on the trip for most people. I hope you all had lots of fun, anyways. (even if you were freezing without a winter coat)

I hate painting. That's why all the rooms in our house still need painting (6 years after we moved in). Someday I'll either get around to it, or we'll hire someone to do it.

That's good you're talking with your oldest DD. Having an open relationship, where she feels comfortable talking with you, is great. Sorry to hear though, that she's growing up way too fast. It's always way too fast for us parents. I bought Moriah (8) some sports bras. She doesn't have a chest yet, but I feel more comfortable with her wearing one underneath her summer shirts. Some of those shirts gape open around the neckline, and the sleaves can be too wide. She likes wearing them, b/c they make her feel grownup.

We recently got addicted to the "Heroes" TV series. I checked out Season 1 from the library, and we're watching the final episode today. It's funny, b/c I got it for me, and now my DH is addicted too. We joined Netflix, b/c we want to get Season 2 when it comes out in August. We already have it on hold. Now that we're part of Netflix, I get to watch other movies, and TV shows. It's cheaper then going to video rental places, and the videos come right to your home.

Moriah got the appliance for her teeth put in this week. This will fix her top two front teeth. Next, she'll get an appliance that fixes the roof of her mouth, which is currently too narrow. All in all, it will cost us $1430. We put $500.00 on it, so we now have a balance of $930.00. Yes, it's expensive, but it makes me feel good knowing that Moriah is having the work done. I needed extensive work done as a child, and my single mom couldn't afford it. That's why I have a severe overbite, and crooked teeth. It's nice knowing that my child will not grow up with problems like that. It's worth the extra expenses. It just means that my DH will have to slow down on buying electronic items. He's ready to go out and buy us a new LCD TV, and ours isn't even 2 years old yet!

Hey, at least you lost the 5 lbs! It's been then adding on to it. I've heard that maintaining your weight, is much better than going way up and way down on the scale.

TTYL!

Mary

[previously Lee A]

...well I'm still not done painting,a few days I was needed in the shop and a few days I had to quit early because I had the kids while DH went to the dentist(he's now wearing dentures).It'll cost appx $2000ish and we'll be paying $300 a month until they're paid up.Plus I'm off weekends,so that means I've painted,roughly,45 hours and I still have 2 bedrooms,a hall and underneath all the bunks in 4 bedrooms.Then I get to do the 2nd coat.Also my employer's have changed the color scheme in a couple rooms so that'll take a bit.
It's actually been physically gruelling and I dislike prep the most(taping,puttying etc...).It's purgatory and I don't blame you for putting it off.

Ouch for Moriah's teeth but like you said,it is worth it.I never went to the dentist from the time I was 11 to 21 which was just as well because the dentist was just filling all my teeth and I suspect they were still good and didn't need it.
Who needs electronics anyway?

So the kids TV we had gotten them at Christmas bit it and we'll have to return it tomorrow.I'm very discouraged with quality these days...

It's been busy with the kids with school.Some nights I've even helped Chey finish typing up some assignments so she can get some sleep(she does homework right from afterschool with a break for dinner).Today her father and I helped her build a spaghetti tower for her science fair tomorrow.

My house is a disaster and I get outside every couple of days because the lawn is going crazy.

Yes Chey's very open with me and the school supplies TMI and I get to hear it.sigh...she says to me yesterday "come on mom you liked boys when you were my age?" I didn't answer but just smiled.We've always dressed the kids modestly as well and they've worn different kinds of undertops.If Chey is like me she won't need a bra until she graduates LOL

I find I maintain if I'm too busy to eat/snack regularily.On a weekend when I have more access to food the scale goes up.I wish I had me time to hit a gym or a new house with a basement(dreams).

That's nice that your kids got to go for a bite with grandma.I agree with your stand.You have to watch who could influence your children(family included).

It's never hot enough here to warrant A/C.We even shut the door if the breeze is too cool.I feel for you

Well I should straighten up a little and then head to bed.It would be nice to get more than 5 hours sleep for a change.

Hang in there

[MCmom]

The big "finale" for Bible quizzing was this past weekend. It was an overnighter, at a fancy hotel about 2 hours north of us. Elijah's team just missed making nationals (3rd place), but Moriah's team came in 2nd for her division, and her team is planning to attend nationals next month. It is a huge event, held for all the top Bible quizzers in the U.S., in Missouri. It's about a 12 hour trip south from us. It's a week long event. The church is going to cover most of the expenses, otherwise we couldn't afford it. I may or may not be going along with Moriah. Plans are still in the beginning stages. Everything has to be decided sometime soon, since it's only a month away. Exciting stuff.

I took the kids to the park today, the first time this year. They had a nice time playing. I met a lady there from my church, so we had a nice time talking. It's good to have adult conversation, since I don't get it all that often.

The kids are getting a week off from school, before starting summer school. They're not in any hurry to get started on it. I'm getting educational videos from the library for Leah. She seems to learn well that way. She's learning, albeit slowly, but still learning.

Lee - It seems like you have to spend a pretty penny to get the better electronic items. If it's cheap, you're taking your chances with quality. Not that we haven't taken our chances before. Sometimes you pay less, and hope for the best.

I rented the "Nancy Drew" movie made last year, and watched it with the kids. I thought it was good, and plan on buying it sometime this year. I don't often like movies enough to want to own them, but this one made the cut.

My DH is exercising regularly. That's great for him. Now if only I could get inspired by it...

Mary

[previously Lee A]

....so I'm still in the throes of painting.The new color theme is red.blue,yellow and green windowsills,feature walls,doors etc...I was honest and said I didn't care for it but the boss wants a *happy* environment for the men.It's going to be a bit of work as it's not covering the beige very well and I have to do many coats.I'll be glad when it's over.I have to have the necessary areas done as the men may return within the week but I can go in and do trim etc...when they are at work.

I'm off tomorrow as it's the girls award ceremonies.Chey is on the honor roll again.Afterschool I'm helping supervise a party for Selena's choir windup.

That's great that your kids did so well with the bible quizzing.
Chey reads the bible(and everything else)avidly and would enjoy a group like that.Although we don't attend church(maybe one day we will)we do alot of reading,grace when we sit as a family for a meal etc...and there's alot of content on TV as well these days.That's wonderful that the church will support your endeavour.

We'll watch Nancy Drew after it's been out awhile I'm sure.We recently took *A Knight's Tale* out of the library and enjoyed that.

The store won't allow the return of the TV but we've contacted the manufacturer and it sounds like they will do something.When I buy cheap I expect the item to make it at least a year .
We will get them better ones down the way when we actually have room in their rooms.They have 13" TV's for now.We've paid good money for stuff and been dissappointed too.It's a shame how downhill quality has gotten in recent times.

That's great your DH is exercising.My DH is getting out of shape being off work for 2 months.He did actually go mow the lawn the other day(shock).He takes the kids fishing alot but I think that's more relaxing than anything.

I haven't been to a park in ages.Once DH is back to work I'll go back to part time and be able to do more stuff like that again.

Anyway I should get to bed and get my 5 hours.Sheesh I need to work on getting to bed earlier.

TTFN

[MCmom]

It's hot, warm, hot, warm here. We're in the middle of "hot" right now. It's going to be warm in a couple days, just in time for us to go to "Great America." A theme park with lots of rides. This is our annual trip. The kids are super excited, and I'm just wanting to get it over with. It's about 45 minutes to an hour away, and alot of work. We'll probably get there when they open (10 am), and leave when they close (9 pm). My days of roller coaster enjoyment are over. It's a good thing I'm going with a friend who will go on any ride there. She makes it easier for me. When I used to go with my DH, he wouldn't go on any rides.

July will be a busy month. Elijah has a week of camp, and Moriah has a week of Bible Quizzing (Nationals). Elijah's 10th birthday is July 25th. We're going to celebrate it early due to camp and nationals. I asked him if he wanted to celebrate it early or late, and he preferred early (not surprisingly). I've already picked him out 1 Nintendo DS game, and a clock/radio. I'm going to get him one more DS game. Those things are not cheap. I'll ask my mom to get him a store giftcard, so he can pick out a toy. He still likes action figures alot.

Lee - Does "happy" equal "circus colors?" LOL I'm more for serene, natural colors myself.

Congrats on Chey making honor roll!

One of Leah's favorite movies is, "Dragonheart." It's an older movie, and not a favorite of mine. She's watching it as I type, and I'm trying not to pay attention to it. I thought it was good when I first saw it, but now after it's been replayed so many times, I'm ready to throw it away.

My DH swears by products made by "Sony." He wants everything we own to be made by them.

MaryC

[previously Lee A]

...well I completed the apartments the day before the guys arrived.It doesn't look too bad but I'm with you on neutral colors.I'm so happy to return to part time.DH starts work tomorrow morning.Since I'll be getting up before 5am I'm going to start exercising in the mornings before the kids wake up.I''ve been holding steady at 155.I've stayed LC and had some minor cheats here and there.Mainly I haven't been snacking or eating at night(because I worked 8ish hour days I never even had a break at work)hence why I haven't really been putting onanything.I want to be back in shape though and tire of love handles,thunder thighs and cankles.

Selena's Bday is at the end of Aug and she is requesting a Nintendo DS.We'll probably allow it.Chey wants a PSP for her Bday in Nov.That's more expensive but we'll see.I considered getting DH a PS3 for his Bday but I read on the box that it doesn't play the PS2 games so it wasn't worth it to me.I do have to get another PS2 at some point because the one we have now stopped playing blue games.

I took the kids to a fair recently.It was Dayton's 1st time.He had so much fun.Him and Cody went on all the kiddie rides.I gave Chey and Selena tickets to go on their own(they were always withing my sight)but I was very surprised that they went on all the scary rides.Watching my kids upside down screaming their brains out from a great height was a little unnerving for me but I bore it.I'm glad they aren't saddled with my fears.

Oh when we were back home visiting,a chopper crashed in a residential area.All the passengers died and they also hit a pedestrian.This happened 2 blocks from my brother's house.My SIL said they could see the guys and wondered why they were flying so low.They even smiled and waved at her kids.My boss still teases me about getting on a chopper but it is quite unlikely that I would.

We don't have too many hot days here.It did reach 30c a couple days last week but today a high of 20c is predicted.It's nice to have some spare time>i need to address the yard and get caught up around here.

Have fun at all your upcoming events
GTG
2 girls want the PC and they are hovering over me LOL

[MCmom]

This month is crazy month as predicted. I'm getting Elijah ready to go to camp on Monday. He will be gone from Mon. (14th) to Friday (18th). Then Moriah leaves on Sunday (20th) to go to Bible quizzing nationals. She returns on Saturday (26th). I'm still not sure about her going. She's never been gone for that long before. She did go to a sleepover for one night, but that's it. I'm even more unsure about it, since she was crying late last night, about going alone and being nervous. What to do, what to do. I'm going to talk to the married couple who are in charge of quizzing, and who will be taking the children. Maybe they can help to alieve my fears. I know they are good people, and are completely trustworthy. We'll see...

The hot weather is settled in for good, until the end of September, possibly early October. Some days will be less hot than others, but never cool. We're going to try to survive without air conditioning, since everything is so expensive these days.

The trip to the amusement park went fairly well. Although, next time, we're going earlier in June, since it was crazy busy. The lines were long for most of the rides. We waited until the last week in June, due to scheduling problems with the lady I go with from my church. Elijah's feet hurt at the end of the day, and was crying on the way to the van. I believe it was due to having to stand so long in the lines. Never again.

Lee - Sounds like another computer is needed! We have 2 computers, but only one has internet access. So far only one is needed, since my children aren't computer users yet. Elijah is turning 10 this month. We'll see when he discovers the wonders of the WWW.

We made sure to buy the PS3 80gb since it is backwards compatible (can play PS2 games on it). It's $100.00 more than the 40gb, but worth it to us. We have a PS2 also, and sometimes both game systems are used at the same time. It helps to have 2 consoles with 3 kids and 1 big kid.

30c is normal for us, 20c would be highly unusual (except for overnight temps.) It's days like this that I look forward to October.

Losing weight will be a constant struggle for me, one I've come to accept, but not with contentment. I don't have any set plans, but will face each day as it comes. I'm not going to accept being overweight, but at the same time, will try not to be miserable either. Another, we'll see...

Glad to hear that everyone had fun at the fair!

MaryC

[previously Lee A]

I hope your kids fared well with being away for camp and the bible quiz and...
Elijah
Selena is already plotting her Bday for next month.
We go to town about once a week to the outdoor waterslide.There is picnic tables and whatnot.She wants fast food,friends and cupcakes and later that evening a cake with Daddy.
My husband is working 15+ hour days,I'm back to part time but still trying to adjust to the 4 kids all day thing.We do lots of activities but there is still a bit of scrapping that punctuates throughout the day.
Right now the kids are having a funeral for a moth.Selena cried half the night because she feels she was a *bad owner*.Our kids are always collecting snails,grasshoppers etc...but it beats having a hamster

It is so hard keeping this little place in order,it's somewhat overwhelming when I think about it.Twice a week we go to the library.We've started going for coffee after library on Tuesdays at a mother of 7's house.Her DH works 10 hour days and she HS.The kids are wonderfully well behaved.They are Catholic and Church is the hub of their world.She never showed any reaction when I stated we don't go.She'll find out soon enough that if she wants to discuss theology that I read my bible faithfully.

So the kids did well in school.Selena doesn't have letter grades yet but had excellent efforts in all areas.Chey made the honor roll and had 10 A's and 6 A+'s.Cody did finally manage to get all her alphabet recognized.She took an extra course in school.Dayton has begun actually reading and I'm contemplating putting him in K but he doesn't listen very well so I'm hesitant.He still has the odd tantrum when he's tired too.I'' approach the school and see how they feel about it.

I hope you are holding up...summer has been relatively cool here(it's been 2C in the mornings but by afternoon it gets to 20C).We've had a few 30C days but not many.

So I was exercising faithfully since the 8th.I fell offlast weekend because we had company from out of town.I went off plan slightly(had 2 buns with my burgers and a couple more small indiscretions).I'd had the scale down to 152 from the 155 where it's been sitting.I was back working out and on plan all week and the scale is reading 160.I,too,struggle just to maintain.But I do know that if I ever gave up I'd easily put on a ton of weight.Tho' I like to believe i am strong and in pretty good shap,I'm fooling myself.I played soccer with the kids last week and it almost killed me.I know I could step up my exercise to the point that it actually causes me pain or at least perspire profuself.Before when I was thin I exercised a few times a day...so I know that's what I'm lacking.

Anyway I have a disorderly house calling me...
let me know how things went
TTFN

[PreciousOne]

Hi I am new to the thread!

I'm a SAHM to Alexander (May/12/2005). I'm a housewife to Magnus (together since '96, married since '99). I'm a transplanted Buffalo, NY in Sweden since 1997. We also have an English Cocker Spaniel named Rain who's 6 and such a loverboy!

I look forward to getting to know you all better!

[previously Lee A]

We seldom see a new face in here which I still believe has alot to do with the threads location.

I think I saw you post before?

Mary and I aren't really in here regular but when we do get in we have a lengthy post that makes up for lost time.

You'll have to let us know a little more about yourself.

I've never HS but do place a lot of emphasis on learning at home.

We have a dog too.Her name is Scamp and she is 2 y/o

She drives me crazy sometimes...like last week she pooped in the house.I'd let her out before we left and made sure she went.We were only gone 2ish hours and she did it in the living room where she isn't even allowed to go.She did it on purpose because we left her.So it's back to being left out or crated when we go.I can't go mind games, much less from a dog.I know one day she'll *grow up* and this'll be a thing of the past.

What does your son like to do? My boy Dayton is 4.He's watching Open Season on a DVD and his favorite things to do are technical in nature(puzzles,building blocks etc...)

Do you miss the States or is Sweden *home* ?

My grandmother moved to Canada from Sweden when she was 11 and never made it back but she said it was relatively the same.

Anyway gotta run...
look forward to hearing more from you

[MCmom]

Lee, if you want to move the thread to a new spot, go right ahead! I don't mind. I can move it too, if you let me know where it would be better off.

Moriah (8 yr. old) went to Bible Quzzing nationals for a week, and had a great time. She didn't get homesick at all, and probably could have been gone for another week or so. Meanwhile, I was worried sick about her, and wanted her home ASAP. This was the first time ever that she was gone more than one night. She is too independent for me.

Elijah went to church camp for 5 days, and had a great time. This was his 2nd time going, so it wasn't as hard on me. We celebrated his 10th birthday when he returned home. He got some Nintendo DS games, a skateboard complete with safety gear (helmet & pads), and a new clock/radio for his room. He got a Toys-R-Us giftcard from his grandma, and I expected him to pick out a few action figures. Instead, he got a starter kit for his Nintendo DS (case, headphones, car adapter, etc...) He's growing up way too fast.

Now I'm off and running getting ready for the upcoming school year. I'm tossing out stuff, and making lists of new things to buy. With Leah being included in this school year, it's going to be interesting. She'll be in kindergarden, and will have to be taught completely differently than Elijah or Moriah, with her language problem.

Lee - 30C with high humidity is way more normal than 20C. My DH put up our air conditioner, so we could sleep comfortably at night. It's way too hard sleeping being hot and sticky.

A funeral for a moth??! Sorry, I find that amusing. I don't allow bugs or insects inside the house. One time they did bring in a caterpillar, but I made them release it the same day. I didn't want to take a chance on it dying. I'm still trying to get over the deaths of the crabs we had a year or two ago.

I hear you on feeling overwhelmed with trying to keep everything in order. I have to just do a little each day, and it helps me to feel a bit better. I try to keep it all in perspective, which may or may not help (depending on the day).

My kids tend to get along for the most part. I've known siblings who got into it with each other all the time (not saying your kids are like that), and it drove me up the wall. My DH and I are very big on everyone getting along. If we see the smallest conflict, we encourage the kids to work it out, and to to give each other a hug. It may not work when they're teenagers, but it's working now.

Congrats on the kids doing well in school! I'm a big fan on waiting until kids are ready, for schooling (regarding Dayton). Or you can always give it a try, and if it doesn't work, wait till the next school year. It's so hard knowing what's the right decision all the time. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. With Leah, I feel like I'm starting parenting all over from the beginning. In some ways, she's so different from Elijah and Moriah. Why can't they all be the same!!!!

As for me: exercising
eating healthy - sometimes sometimes
sometimes I feel , othetimes

They say a dog matures when it's around 4 or 5 years old. Our dog, Sasha, is 3 yrs. old now, and she gets a little better with each year. We seriously thought about giving her away several times, in the last 3 years. Having a pet is like having another child.

PreciousOne - How cool to move from one country to another. I've never been outside of the U.S. It would be a dream to travel anywhere. Maybe someday...

MaryC

[previously Lee A]

glad to hear you are surviving summer.We are in a hotspell right now and consequently my DH is on nightshift starting tonight until it rains.The activity in the bush may start a fire,it's a wonder that the bush isn't shut down.

It's been 35C but it won't last long I'm sure.
They opened a splash park in town and we get there every day now.

Despite the heat I'm still trying to exercise.I took a week off due to TOM last week and plus my employer went on a holiday and I cleaned her house and tended her garden,greenhouse and llamaas(sp)so I was hot and tired anyway.

Plus I've been given some extra book keeping responsibilities so my work days are longer.

I'm happy your kids fared well.Mine are begging to go to camp and would love
nothing more than for us to send them off(but we won't).Despite their fighting they can't stand to be without one another and I firmly believe in them working it out and hugging too.I need to have a school supply shopping day too.Good thing my DH is working steady

Dayton already towers over kids his age,he can look after himself in the bathroom,dress himself(even do up zippers).He reads alot of words.He said the other day "why is there an e in front of yes?"
I said it spells the word "eyes" and he said that didn't make sense.
He is ready but it's actually easier for me to take him to work than it is to have him in K and do the amount of volunteer time the class requires of me.

So I've been skipping outside with the kids.This in an effort to up my cardiovascular.I'm walking alot more now and would like to buy a bike since my car isn't reliable and I've had to walk to work also.

Chey bought a PSP with the babysitting money she saved up.Selena is looking forward to a DS for her Bday in a couple of weeks.
I have to take Dayton to the dentist Tues and hope that goes well.

I have a child begging for the PC so I must run
I'm not worried if we move or not but if we do let me know
GTG

[MCmom]

I'm finally taking a few minutes to post. It's so easy getting caught up in the end-of-the-summer-got-to-get-everything-ready-for-school craziness. Leah will be my biggest challenge. I have to find the best way to teach her. I've been picking materials up in stores, ordered her a CD on-line, and put holds on a bunch of things from the library (will be picking up tomorrow). I'm experimenting to find out which works best for her. We put the words on the TV screen for her (at her insistence), when watching movies or TV shows, which is helping her learn to read. She started teaching herself, and now I'm working with her. One of Leah's favorite games is "how do you spell..." (fill in the blank). She still babbles half the time, but is trying SO hard to talk like everyone else. Her retention skills are very good, so she doesn't need for me to go over and over the same things with her. Overall she's a smart girl, it's this whole "language processing disorder" that's throwing a monkey wrench in things. If I can work around/through that, then we'll be good. Her 6th b-day is coming up on Sept. 21st. I got her a Princess Peach DS game, a Veggie Tales movie, and today I got her a Leapfrog Read & Write pad. I found it for an amazing price of $9.00. Now I just have to get some books for it. This is yet another way I'm trying to help her learn.

We're having warm days, cool nights, and no rain. All the grass/plants outside (with the exception of weeds), are looking brown. I think winter will start early this year. It's odd to have chilly nights in August.

I told Leah's teachers that I would be homeschooling her, and then I received a letter in the mail informing me what school Leah would be attending, along with her teacher's name and room number. What??!! I called and told them yet again, that I would be homeschooling. The woman that answered said she would "try" to get it straightened out. Hello?? First, I didn't register Leah, and second, it's not even required by law for a child to attend kindergarten. A child must attend school starting at 1st grade. I think it's just another way for the school system to coerce me into putting Leah into public school. Leah's teachers weren't happy to hear that I'd be homeschooling her. Somehow they think that Leah being put into a class of 30 children (2 teachers), is better than her receiving one-on-one instruction.

Speaking of mail, I also received a letter informing me that I've been selected for jury duty, starting Sept. 8th. That's the beginning of the school year!! I only hope there will be no trials that week, so I don't have to put school on hold. It will be so not fun sitting in a room at the courthouse, waiting to see if I'm selected. This will be my 2nd time being chosen for jury duty. The last time was before I got married.

Lee - That's great Dayton is learning to read. He'll be ahead of most children in his kindergarten class, when he attends. Some children don't learn to read until the 1st or 2nd grade.

Putting children in school IS alot of work. I won't be missing any of the fundraisers, requests for volunteers or donations.

I'll look into switching our thread, once things have gotten into a routine around here. Right now, I'm still getting everything organized for the school year. This is my 1st time teaching 3 kids instead of 2. I'm a bit nervous, but looking forward to the challenge. Being a teacher is like a full-time job for me.

Congrats on getting out and exercising! The kids are begging me to take them to the park tomorrow. Elijah got a baseball bat and some baseball gloves from his grandma, and he wants to try them out. I'm sure I'll be the pitcher, being the only one who can throw the ball straight.

MaryC

[previously Lee A]

...sorry I've been absent.I knew it'd been awhile since I checked in but didn't realize it had been this long.I just got back from taking Dayton to the dentist.He had a decay line in his front four teeth and 2 were basically brown but his smile is white now.Selena had a tooth break and I took her last week and they pulled it.When she was 3 she had an abcess, they filled it and did a baby root canal.Well that was the tooth that broke because the one underneath pushed on it.Amazingly, that is the only dental work she has ever had.She is still free of cavities.They all go in for cleanings next month and Cody and Chey get a check up. that they are also cavity free.Cody had 6 fillings a year or so again.She'd had perfect teeth and then they went south, they were decaying from the inside out.My DH did get his dentures.That cost $4000 ish but we are on a monthly payment plan.

I've been so busy too.We're switching from Excel to a new software program that is specifically tailored to logging companies.I'm the lucky one in charge of setting it up,learning it etc...Once I get used to it,it'll be faster but there is so much involved in setting up. Every few weeks my employer has me clean her house.i do their vehicles and any trucks in need of doing too.I also learned how to wash the exterior of a big truck and trailers(dangerous and time consuming).

It has been busy with the girls at school.I was hoping for free time.My exercise regime got away from me,I turned 42 last week,I made a beautiful chocolate cheesecake(had 2 pieces) and I'm still up 7 lbs.I've been on plan but recently added fruit,tomatoes,granola.I realize these are higher carb but I'm trying to optimize nutrition and balance it with exercise.

I took a picture of myself last Jan. in front of the Christmas tree in a bikini.I haven't change one iota since.I'd like to get down at least 20 lbs by the new year and try that photo again.We were watching home movies and the girls remarked on how skinny I was mere years ago and get this,just 3 years ago my hair was way less gray than now and they said,"you looked so young Mom".
Yikes,maybe I will break down and get my hair done.

I can't recall if I told you I befriended a mother with 7 kids who home schools?

Well the kids are home from school.We go to the library every Tues.and on Wed I take Dayton to playgroup.

Yeah gotta love the system.Leah sounds like she's doing awesome.It's great that she's involved in her own learning process.
Gotta run but I'm going to make an effort to get in here more.

Hang in there

[MCmom]

Lee! Was the cheesecake sugar-free? Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. I haven't made it in awhile, b/c like most of my "favorite" things, I tend to want to eat the whole thing in one sitting.

I was beginning to think our little thread was done. I was a bit sad, b/c we'd been posting for quite awhile. It's always sad when things come to an end.

We recently got DSL, instead of dial-up for our internet connection. It's such an improvement, I wish we'd done it years earlier. We're paying the same price, too. Now we get to watch videos, and do everything much quicker. All those years wasted. Oh well, better late than never.

Leah got roped into a "childcare program" at my niece's highschool. It's a 10-week program, to teach highschoolers what it's like to teach pre-schoolers. Technically, Leah is not a pre-schooler (with her being 6), but since she only turned 6 a couple weeks ago, they let her participate. My mom paid the $30.00, and now Leah goes 3x's a week. It's not so bad really, I just didn't want Leah in anymore "programs." This is it!

Tomorrow night, Elijah (10) and Moriah (8) are going to our church's annual hayride and bonfire event. I just have to drop them off, and pick them up. They went last year and had lots of fun. In a year or two, Leah will be old enough to go. I could go with her this year, but I'm allergic to hay, and I'm not much for bonfires these days.

Speaking of allergies, tis the season for allergies-out-of-control. I've been completely miserable this week. I have to take tons of pills just to keep it somewhat at bay, and feel sick in the process. It doesn't help that this is the time of year to switch the clothes around, from upstairs to downstairs, and vice-versa. I'm not the only one, my mom had to go to her Dr. to get an allergy prescription, b/c she was miserable as well.

We haven't turned our heat on yet, but it will be running by the end of the month. With everything skyrocketing in price, we're holding off for as long as possible. Not that we've really needed it, but we've had some evenings it might have clicked on (if our house wasn't so well insulated and our heat was turned on).

I've pretty much been eating "healthy." With all the b-days done for the year, and the holidays a month or two away, I'm being very good. I don't know how much it will help with losing weight though, since I have a feeling I'd have to keep my carbs very low, and exercise to boot. I'm still working on that exercising part.

Speaking of dentists, our whole family 6-month check-up is coming up. Since we drive 30 minutes over to the next city, it's much easier to all do it together. We're currently making payments for Moriah to get her two front teeth straightenend, after that they will be widening the roof of her mouth. It's already been priced together, and we make payments with no interest. Thankfully.

Lee - I vaguely remember you mentioning the mom of 7, who homeschools. I don't know if I could honestly be able to HS 7 children. I have my hands full with 3 most days. Maybe if the children were well spaced out, and the older children helped with the younger.

No bikinis for me, not ever, no way, no how. I shudder at the thought.

MaryC