Back in the saddle!

It's exhausting, but also rewarding. It's always nice to step away from things, and come back to them. After my kids were gone for two weeks, it's nice to have them home!

So some of the things I've done since they been home: run the dishwasher at least 10 times (I ran it twice while they were gone!)

Did six loads of laundry (they even came home with all clean clothes).

Made lots of food! Went shopping almost every single day because I always forgot something at the store. Watched my sister's kids twice. (I totally offered while my kids were gone to watch her kids, but somehow she needed it more when my kids were home.)

Went to the Library--an exhausting experience--Gypsy Girl is an escape artist in the Library. She has even gone out the doors.

Went to church with the three kids (Mike went early for meetings)--I thought I would be late, but I was actually 10 minutes early.

Started home summer school. We've done M&M counting and sorting, M&M science experiments, reading, writing, and a lot of fun math. Still working on one class.

Gotten lots and lots of hugs, and given lots and lots of hugs. Comforted my kids, taught my kids, snuggled with my kids, and enjoyed having them home.

The work load is amazing--but so are the rewards!

They're Back!

The kids arrived safely Friday afternoon--after three weeks of not seeing their cousins it was time for cousins to play together! (Cousins were out of town for one week, then my kids were out of town for two weeks. 1+2=3)

I Don't Feel Like Blogging

I really don't feel like blogging--maybe it's the 10 one page papers I need to write. Or perhaps it's the 7 page paper, presentation, book report, and take home final. It could be that my kids are gone, so there is nothing to write about. So for the next two weeks, I am leaving the blogging world to feast on the academic world.


I'll be back---I promise!

It's Quiet Here

I'm back in school, for two weeks of intense study. My children are at my parents, so it is quiet, sometimes gloriously quiet, and sometimes too quiet.

I do miss my kids--I really do! On the other hand, the quiet is refreshing. It is calm and the house is clean. The only time it is too quiet--the night! Meaning when I try to fall asleep. Then I have to make lots of noise, so I don't hear every little bump in the night.

Video Games helps get us through the day

My boys came up with a great new game: "Kill the Bosses"

As part of their work job, they cleaned the kitchen floor. They do this with scrub brush, washcloths and a bucket of soapy water. Any stain on the floor became a boss, and they needed to defeat the bosses as they cleaned the floor. I came in to help them finish the job--they were very happy to have someone else on their team.

I took the kids to my parents in upstate New York. They will be staying there while take two classes in two weeks. Usually it takes me two semesters to get through two classes, so I love this intense class schedule. To help get us through the trip: I broke each portion of the trip into levels that we had to overcome.

We had seven levels:

1. Getting to the bus terminal. We were actually early, so we got a lot of bonus points.
2. The bus ride. Gypsy Girl got ansy, and wanted to walk around, but we were able to overcome even that boss!
   
3. Getting checked in and through security, then getting on the plane. (We fly standby, so there are always obstacles to getting on!)
4. Our first flight from O'Hare to Philadelphia. We had the seats, but they were all middle seats all over the plane. Luckily, two people changed their coveted aisle and window seat, so we could sit together. Level 3 completed!
5. Our layover in the airport: Mike was actually working that day, so he met us at the plane and helped us transfer. We got to eat together, and see the crew room.
   
6. Our flight from Philadelphia to Binghamton. We actually sat on the tarmac longer than we were in the air. The boys were so cute because they knew we had to pray to help get over that obstacle of waiting to take off!
7. The drive from the airport to my sisters house. (I wanted to see her new house, and she was going to take them to my parents the next day.)
   

Amazingly we made it. The flights were completely full, but somehow we got on. I flew home yesterday. We are housing kids for Youth Conference tonight. Then school starts on Monday. It should be fun. I miss the kids like crazy, and it is even harder because they won't talk on the phone to me. I'm hoping once school starts that I'll be too busy to notice the quiet, clean house.

Some Bread and Some Goodbyes!

Today was the boys last day of school--actually, the school was opened for an hour and we went to visit the boys teachers and deliver some yummy bread. I forgot my camera--so no pictures, but we dropped off 14 loaves of bread.

Luke: Classroom teacher (two loaves)
Music and Gym teacher (one loaf) (same teacher)
Art Teacher (one loaf)
Literacy Teacher (one loaf)
Librarian (one loaf)

Anakin: Literacy Techer (one loaf)
Music Teacher (one loaf)
Classroom teacher (two loaves)
Full-time Aid (one loaf)
Librarian (one loaf)

Both kids: Principal (one loaf)
Office Staff (one loaf)
I feel very blessed that my children had so many wonderful people in their life.

I was a bit skeptical as we went around visiting their teachers. Was Luke actually enjoying this activity? He is painfully shy, and sometimes these things are difficult. But as we got into the car, he said, "Mom, can we do this every year for our teachers?"

What did I get myself into?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Recipe

Chicago Trip Part 4: Millennium Park--The Crown Fountain

We are nearing the end of our fabulous trip. After visiting The Cloud, we walked down to The Crown Fountain. All the kids had a blast playing in the water. Anakin loved when the head would spurt out water, and he placed his foot in the exact spot to be splashed. Anakin waited patiently two times for the water to spurt out. There is such a wonderful feeling in the park: families are enjoying themselves. We met and spoke to other visitors and locals alike.

After the Millennium Park, we walked to The Art Institute of Chicago. We went to the Impressionist wing and saw Monet's, Manet's, and most importantly Seurat. Luke had learned about Pointallism in school, so I wanted him to see the real thing. Gypsy Girl slept through the entire museum tour (a tender mercy of the lord). We felt like great parents because people were commending us on bringing our kids to the museum. We went to the basement of the musuem where they had a nice hands on exhibit. It was the end of a wonderful day.

We had McDonalds for lunch, got our luggage, car, and drove home! (The hotel let us store our luggage after we had checked out.) We were home and unpacked by 4pm. We had enough time to go to the grocery store, bathe, and get ready for church.

Usually after a day trip to Chicago, we come home exhausted--but this was wonderful and relaxing. I think we want to do this again!

Other news: the boys have Father's and Sons this weekend. I take a State Certification Test on Saturday. I've been doing practice tests, and my weakness is Illinois History. I start school on Tuesday. The kids go to grandmas and grandpas for two weeks starting Thursday, and Mike and I are being a Mom and Dad for Youth Conference (I think) on the 12 & 13. June is looking to be a very busy month--but then again I like it that way!