Upward Basketball

The kids played Upward basketball for the first time this year and have just finished their season. They began not knowing how to dribble and they have come a long way. They both now say that basketball is their favorite sport. We bought a portable hoop for the patio and they are enjoying playing at home. Burn that energy!!! The Christian atomosphere that is a part of the Upward program was a blessing to them as well. Below is a link to a video clip of the kids playing, so check it out. Its the product of my four hour attempt to use our software for the video camera-let's hope I get a little better at it! Also, those of you who know Matthew Crabb- he is playing on our Matthew's opposing team, so look for him as well.

http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=15103&CID=171796

A lesson in advertising

Today Laurel learned a lesson. The kids have been asking for new webkinz for their end of school "celebration". I am trying to teach (and learn) a little patience and less emphasis on "things" but we got a flier in the mail about a consignment sale in town with webkinz for $5. That is really cheap. The bargain shopper in me came alive. I told them we would go ahead and check it out. So, this afternoon we headed out to the sale-everybody is getting a treat. Carter was excited to get in on the action. We arrived and found out they had only had a few. It was one of those fliers that was designed to get you in the door. Limited quantities. Sold out before the sale even is open to the public. Not that surprising after I thought about it. Maybe the flier said something about this, I really didn't look that close. Laurel brought it to me and asked if we could go. However, she was the most disappointed of the crew and not because she didn't get a webkinz. She was discouraged because "they said they would have webkinz for $5". A lesson in advertising and the need to read the fine print. I explained to her that businesses will offer something really cheap and only sell a few just to get you to come in and buy something else. We fell for it this time, but we didn't shop. We actually left immediately. I didn't even check out the boys shorts as I had planned. It was a good lesson. Laurel learned that advertisements are designed to get you in the door. The consignment sale sponsor learned that a woman with four kids in tow will leave without shopping if you disappoint her kids.

I love the Magic Eraser

Ever used a Magic Eraser? As I understand it its basically a sponge with some sort of cleaning element embedded in it. A friend of mine recommended this to me about this time last year. I have loved it. Clean the tub with it, wipe down walls, clean a fridge, its all purpose (for the frugal- cut them in half so they last longer!). One of its best features is that it will clean crayon off almost anything. This came in very handy today. You see we bought a new computer. We wanted XP back and so we decided to buy while Dell is still offering a choice (see our I hate Vista post in Feb). DHL delivered Wednesday afternoon. Two days ago, 48 hours before now. Moments ago Katey decided to make her mark on it. LITERALLY. Autographed the top. Lovely brown crayon marks. Now you see where I am headed. Wiped it off with water, nothing. A little warm water and dish soap, nope. So, I gave it a try. I was nervous, but it has worked on everything else. Magic Eraser saves the day! I don't have to welcome Tim home with news that another item has been damaged by our children, and this time an expensive one. The magic eraser can damage things, take some paint off the surface, dull a shiny surface, but this time: perfection. So next time you get a mural on the wall you didn't commission, try it. It will likely work.

In my dream world Walmart would have a drive thru

Tonight I needed a few things. Just those one or two urgent items to make it through to the next big grocery trip. Basically it was fish food. The poor frogs and fish haven't eaten since yesterday. They scurry around the fish bowl if I stand nearby. They are hungry. I am out of the carbonated water I like and we are low on milk. Just those things and we can make it until the weekend and the full shopping trip. So out I went with kids to Wendy's and a planned trip to Walmart (Mom doesn't cook when Dad has a night class!). I thought I could do it. I could run in with the kids for those few things. I approached the parking lot and I decided, NO! I will not subject myself and the end of our day to the normal Walmart adventure. I am strangely transformed when I enter this store with my kids. I talk us through the entire store with phrases like "Stop touching that! Don't push your brother! We aren't getting that! Stay with me! Use an inside voice!" I know people think I am a crazy woman. By the time I return to the car I often agree. So not tonight. Tim had already said he would stop on the way home. I hate to ask him to go to Walmart at 9:30, but tonight I will take advantage of having a good husband. He will rescue the fish and I will avoid the screaming crazy woman I turn into inside the retail giant. Why can't they just have a 20 items or less drive thru? Don't they know the value that Moms put on places that you DON'T have to unload the kids? Call in your short list, pick it up in 30 minutes. It would change my life. Yes, I am familiar with the typical level of customer service at Walmart, but I can dream can't I?

Dora shoes to the rescue

Nana and Papa bought Katey some Dora "crocs" for her birthday. You see Katey loves shoes, all kinds. Even as a baby she loved to try on shoes in the shoe aisle at Walmart. I would take her in for one pair, find them right away, but we would still have to try on all the others she saw. Payless...well lets just not talk about that. Remember: shop online- free store delivery, less torture. Leave a pair lying around, she will try them out. Hunting for our shoes has become commonplace around our house. As for her new favorite pair, for the last two days she has even worn them to nap. I draw the line at bedtime so at least for a few hours her feet can breathe. Love in a size 8.

Sorry! This blog is new to me...

A public apology. I had no idea that in order to leave a comment here you had to give over your firstborn. I have changed the settings to allow anyone to post a comment if you choose. Sorry to anyone who tried to post and was turned away by the settings (I would have been!). This thing is new to me. It really is just my attempt to document our lives for ourselves, friends, and family. Hopefully everyone can laugh along with us. Life is so much more enjoyable that way. Have a good day!

A little reflection makes for a good day

We are finishing up school. By the end of April our year will be done. Its been a crazy one. With the move, homeschooling, and a new job for Tim a lot of things have changed. However, when I look back over what the children have learned this year I am amazed. They have accomplished all the goals I set for them and more. Matthew began the year knowing his letter sounds and is now reading well. Laurel is writing neatly in cursive, finishing up "4th grade" Spelling, and continues to read very well. Both of them are doing well in Math after a curriculum change mid-year. I think I lost track along the way of all they were learning. The day in day out gets so crazy at times it is hard to see the big picture. Today as I sat down to plan out the rest of our year I see how far they have come. Yes, there are things that need review, of course. We'll do that in the coming weeks. It just feels very rewarding to look back and see what we have done together. I truly feel God has blessed us in our school. The progress is an answer to my prayers for them and our work together. I know tomorrow is another day. Tides may turn. It may be one of those days I wonder why God gave them to me when I can't even help them to see how to add double digits or put things in alphabetical order. But for today I feel blessed... I feel like a good Mom so I will enjoy it. Today my son knew that "dog" came before "fix" and my daughter could add 698+76 correctly. A good day!