what we do

Lovin' big brother reading to lil'bro and lil'sis

This weekend we were a bit home bound - Ryan was working so the kids and I decided to capitalize on the home time and work on some crafts and projects we've had sitting here for a while.

We're big fans of the Olympics, winter in particular. Jon just loves it - more than the other two - he's decided he wants to be a snowboarder - we've tried to explain that we don't really live in an area that is conducive to snowboarding, but we could start off by skateboarding. He fits the skateboarding look - lanky, droopy drawers, long hair. So even if he can't balance on the board, he at least looks like he can. Blend if you will.

If you know Jon you know he asks a MILLION questions, he never quite got out of that "why?" phase. Which is a good thing for life-long learning, but can be trying when you just want to get through something. In any event, I have a friend who home schools her 8 children, yes you heard me 8. They are wonderful kids and a wonderful family, and run like a well oiled machine. She has a blog that she posts all sorts of goodies, menus, projects, homeschooling items, etc. One of her recent posts included a Olympic lapbook, that discussed the history of the Olympics through our current winter Olympics. Knowing Jon likes the background on things - I thought this would be perfect. You couldn't beat the price either - $3.75 for the .PDF file - download, print and you're ready to go. So I hopped on and purchased and we decided Saturday would be the day to start. Now, Jon had the misconception that we'd hammer out the whole thing in one day - when I explained that this could take a full month to complete he looked at me like I had two heads. After we started, he figured out that one day was not going to be enough to complete this book. Even though I knew that, I didn't know what I was getting into either.

We sat and read the directions, glued our folders together, prepping our base and then dug in. We started with a history of the Olympics. Innocent enough, but after the first sentence, we had to stop and talk about "sacred truce" and discuss the difference between sacred and secular. Then we had to discuss mythology and the Gods, an overview. Then as we read through the timeline, Jon started asking why the dates went forward and backward. So we had to take some time to discuss BC vs. AD. and explain Latin and also how the dates go forward at one point and then backward at another. At this point we're about an hour into it, he's still hanging on so we continue. Then we had to discuss roman numerals - so I found a converter online for him to see what the letters stand for and how to create numbers with them. Not easy. Who knew this one page would cause so many questions!

Eventually we got to learning about the Greek culture, which I always find fascinating since it's part of my and my family's heritage. We learned about their culture, politics and family life. It was just perfect for Jon and we then cut out our hard work and glued it to our board. One of like 12 for that particular board. This might take longer than a month.

We have our science fair today, and swimming ends this weekend, I think we'll be able to dedicate a couple of hours each day to working on our lapbook and our goal is to have it done before the next winter Olympics. Kidding. It's been fun, a learning experience for me and Jon, and I'm excited he's interested at all. What do the other two chickens do while we're working. Well Drew has become my little artist, I can hardly keep him in paper, so he was drawing Olympic events, snowboarders and the torch and such. Penny enjoyed working on her cutting skills and likes to cut confetti- which may sound silly, but she's learned to hold the scissors correctly and just about has enough hand strength to cut with one hand, which is no small feat for a new 3 year old. She's more of a color-inner, vs, her own artwork, but I am sure that will change in the next few months - Jon and Drew were around three when they started to draw people and things that actually looked like people and things.

That's it in a nutshell, a relaxing day that included a bit of learning and of course some awesome time together.

One of the best parts of my day, when Jon gets home from school. Love that boy.

Thanks!!!

Penny's first day

Today was Penny's first day of school.  I was a bit nervous, only because she woke up at 5:30 and didn't fall back asleep until after six.  She got up for good around 7:20 - as did I  - it was a LOOONNNGGG night.  Anyway -so we got her ready and off we went.  Drew was so excited he waited by the door for nearly 20 minutes constantly asking - "can we go, can we go, is it time?"  This is a good thing.  So we went to school, met up with our friends Paige and Charlie and off to class we went.  Penny went into her class with no problems and was a pro at going to "school."  She soon set her place as the alpha female and male of the class and had a really good day.  The director of the program has deemed her "Captain Penny" because she is a girl that knows what she wants, and won't be pushed around.  From what I gather she didn't do any pushing either - so that makes me pretty happy as well.  

Big girl all ready to go!

Brand new shoes! (Thanks Silly Papa!)

Backpack, check. Baby dolls, check. Purse, check.  Yep, I'm ready to go!

CHEESE!

Sweet Girl and her baby!

She is a pretty tired girl right now, so it will be early bedtimes for all my chickens this evening. They are watching the movie Camp Rock (gotta love those Jonas Brothers) and some popcorn as a treat and then it is off to la la land.  I've got some painting to do - Leslie comes tomorrow to photograph, I have one done, one almost done and one that I am just not sure I'll get done.  I would rather err on the side of taking my time - there is always next week.

Tomorrow (or today, depending on when you read this) is my birthday - it is simple phrase - one that my dad would say all the time - either he is senile or hopeful, but alas most of the time tomorrow was not in fact his birthday.  It is however mine.  I will be 32.  I have to say that I really don't freak at birthdays, I enjoy them. I like who I am, and like wine, I get better each year.  I like the way I look, I just think age is a good thing.  I suppose you should ask me that when I am 42.  I digress... The last couple of years I have deemed the two weeks prior to my birthday as "Annakah," kind of like Hanukkah or Chanukah (however you like to spell it), but not religious in anyway and really not of much importance to anyone except me and my immediate family and few friends who get sucked in (so please do not be offended, I am not making light or a mockery of the Jewish faith in any way, shape or form). I don't ask for much, just about 14 days out of the year to be mine, all mine.  I'm not a selfish person, just silly and I love presents.  So tomorrow will official end of Annakah, and I will have to wait until next year, but that is the beauty of birthdays they always come back next year!

I hope you all have a great weekend and next week I'll have some new stuff to share!!!  Thanks!

Firsts and food

Yeah School!

So today was Drew's first day of school.  Now he's attended school in the past, since he was about 21 months old to be exact. He had attended a mom's day out program and loved it (as did I!).  But this year Drew is in bonafide preschool - he goes Tue/Thurs. and also attends lunch bunch, immediately following school.  It gives mommy a nice loooonnng break.  Drew was THRILLED to get up, shower and get ready for school.  He picked out his clothes, got his backpack just right and couldn't wait to leave.  

Shiny new backpack!

He had a great day at school, but for whatever reason he and his little buddy Paige wouldn't smile for ANYTHING.  So I had them do what comes naturally...pout.  So when they are 18 they can look back and laugh.

  

Pouty pusses

Now we're happy!

Penny and I ran some unnecessary errands and upon returning home Drew tells me that I shouldn't put Penny down for a nap because he wants to see her - awww, big brother missed his baby sister.  So they played famously the rest of the afternoon.  Jon came home from school and had a great day as well and tells me - mom you shouldn't have to cook dinner for us, you work so hard, maybe you should call the pizza man.  Ha!  While I would like to believe that my six year old has such tremendous empathy and to answer him by saying "Finally someone understands!"  I realize this is his ploy to get take out pizza.  Jon could eat pizza morning, noon and night, so I see right through his tricks.  So as a compromise we ate frozen pizza.  

On the job front - Ryan will be starting his new job on Monday. It is for a local GC - called RLTurner.  He is thrilled, as am I.  This is not just a job because he was laid off, it is a great opportunity for him personally and professionally.  I am so proud of him and his abilities and his amazing work ethic - it paid off and then some.  We are truly blessed - we relied on our faith to carry us through this challenge and outcome couldn't be better.  This is truly the year of faith for us!

Okay, I need to tuck my chickens in, I have four paintings downstairs all in the process of being painted, three more to start and I have my fabulous friend Leslie coming to photograph as many as I can get done by Friday!  Busy night for Annie!  Here is one that I did last week for my cousin, it was a quickie, she is a demonstrator for Uppercase Living and she did the baby expo downtown this past weekend - so I made her a sign for her booth.  

Anyway - enjoy and thanks! Oh and one final picture - I have tomatoes a plenty - I will be making more salsa and sauce soon!  But for now, enjoy this salad - now I haven't acquired a cow, so the mozzarella is store bought, but the tomatoes and basil are straight from the garden picked!  MMMMM!!!!

Life

Life, kind of a dramatic title, but it fits.  I found out this morning I did not win the t-shirt contest at Jon's school.  I lost by a disappointing 30 votes.  Actually its pretty funny - so they asked three people - two of the others didn't pan out.  So the PTO scrambled, found another and then created a basic logo with the name of the school in circles.  Simple and to the point. Their design won!  I believe I was misrepresented because my logo was actually suppose to go on the BACK of the shirt not the front and lets be honest other than myself and the people who are from that town in southern Illinois that have the world famous albino squirrels, who wants to wear a big squirrel on their chest?  Ah, but I digress. ;o)

In happier news, today is the first day of school!!! I am so excited for Jon - I thought I would be more melancholy, but it was time.  He'll do great and I know he needs the break from me and being home.  The fights between he and Drew were increasing daily - our days were beginning to resemble WWF Raw by 10 am.  So we all get that much needed break and what is that I hear???  NOTHING, silence, Drew and Penny are playing happily in the basement.  Ah peace...

Traditional Front Step Shot

Totally un-artistic backpack shot

For anyone that hasn't seen Jon lately, yes he is growing his hair out and yes he has guitars on his shoes.  He has informed us he would like a guitar for christmas - ah my little artist.  I always hated that long hollywood hair - a la Zach and Cody style - but for some reason it suits Jon and his personality.  When I trimmed his bangs earlier this week, he informed me - "Mom, don't cut too much off - okay you're done now."  Nice - if it is the worst battle to pick - I don't mind consenting on this one.  Good luck my little boy on your first day of first grade!

So ever curious where and how I work?  Ryan captured me in my element - it is so glamorous and it will may you all awestruck I am sure!

Yes, I do all my work on the couch, I have my little cart with my paints and that is where the magic happens!  Yes, I am sporting a french braid on the top of my head to pull my bangs back. Yes, the pony part of the braid stuck STRAIGHT out the back of my head.  Ryan asked me "So, what's going on with your hair?"  Nice - for better for worse, buddy, for better for worse.

Thanks!  Tomorrow is PICTURE DAY!!!!!