All the Fun! Part II

When I sorted through my pictures for Part I of this post, I must have been interrupted, because I was missing a few pictures that I knew I wanted to post.  When I went back through the folder, I found many pictures that I wanted to post.  So, since the previous post is all wrapped up and finished, I'm adding a second part that is separate, for no other reason than that I found more pictures I want to remember. = )

Alice's ID, well, all her pictures actually, had a typographical error.  I found it super funny, personally.  Honestly, I was tempted to leave it and just let her be Alice Crockov for the rest of her school days.  Ultimately, we got it corrected, but I still find it humorus. 

I always think that it's my last year with MOPS, but I think since it is my primary social time, I just need to accept that I'm going to be in it a long while.  Technically I'm in MOPS next, for the official record, since all of my children are older than Kindergarten.  I love the theme this year!  It's "We go together" and it is all about kindling friendships and maintaining old ones.  So far, I've loved all the media they've produced.

I had 15 minutes to run into Aldi and then go collect someone from somewhere.  This is what a trip for one single item looks like in rush. lol.

Speaking of Aldi, they had these laundry baskets, for about half of what I'd priced them out for, and so I did it.  I completed step of one improving my sanity.  Now, I just lay the clothes in the basket for each child as they come out of the dryer, and if they need something, they know where to get it.  If the basket gets full before they hang up their clothes, I start getting rid of things.  

Eventually I would like to have a rack put in, like the inspiration I saw many years ago, but I will need to find a new home for the coats and ski pants. So, it may be a few years.

I bought the ingredients to make baclava to bring to Steve & Natalie's housewarming party, but simply ran out of time.  So, I made it earlier this week and brought her some to try.

For spirit week, leading up to homecoming, Emily planned out each of her outfits.  We found a huge flannel at a yard sale, but were able to borrow a smaller one from Natalie, which looked much cuter.  She also picked out some cute boots to wear with the ensemble.  Alice decided on Tuesday to join in on the fun, by requesting a 'country' hairstyle.  I was very happy that she wanted to participate!

The next day was college day.  I have a pile of Texas Tech shirts that my mom has collected for me over the years, just for spirit weeks, but Alice ended up wearing one of the ones from my regular rotation (every week is spirit week for me!)  Emily found a cute flannel when we went back to the thrift store for a piece of her Halloween costume.  She was so excited about it, she didn't want to wait an entire year to wear it, so she wore it over her tech shirt the next day.

Autumn is in full swing.  While the days were fairly mild, we took care of many outdoor chores, including the first round of leaf raking!  

They are looking for sign-ups for Trunk or Treat at the little ones' school.  Now that my crew is older, I feel like I can finally be on the giving end!  

I searched the internet to see what cool things they had to pass out (instead of just candy.) While they have some nifty and interesting things, I can't help but think about how much junk is being put into the environment for the sake of novelty.   I wanted an alternative, and thought of something to bounce off of my children.

I asked the craftier of my children if they would help me paint "dead rocks" to pass out.  When they heartily agreed, we swung by our favorite landscaping place, and bought an entire bucket for $2.

We washed all of the rocks, then started to paint.

Grace worked really hard, but eventually started getting sillier and more creative.   So, we have several rocks that stray from the "dead rock" collection, but I think they'll find good homes just the same.

Even with 4 of us working (mostly) industriously, we did not finish decorating the pile.  So, on day 2 of painting, we managed to finish them all off.  Juliet and the rock were both dead by the end.

A few of the rocks that received extra paint:

Grace helped me take out my dead garden vines earlier in the week, so this will be my final garden update for the year.  My porch doesn't look quite as 'orange' as my imagination suggested, but I love my 3 pumpkins that grew!!!

Now I feel like all of our events have been covered.  We have many things coming up on the calendar, hopefully I can get them in the blog a little bit faster.

later days

Growing Garden

My garden has been growing and producing lovely vegetables for a few weeks now.  It's still exciting to go out and pick things from our garden!

We had so many cucumbers ready that we started giving them away!

My second round of pickles was better than the first, but still not amazing.   My great aunt sent me a recipe, that I need to try before the cucumbers are finished.  I only have one plant still producing them.

We now have 2 cute pumpkins that are getting so big!  As September nears, I do worry about only having the two, but maybe the weather will hold, because all my vines still have flower blossoms on them.

One of my tomatoes finally turned red!!!  

I made it into a caprese salad. = )

Next year we are hoping to expand the garden, I would like to plant more pumpkins for sure, and maybe some other things too!

later days

Our Pocket Garden, Year 1

When it comes to mowing my lawn, I use a tractor type mower.  This means it is a pain to back into an area to mow it.  The area between our house and carport never looked all that great, and for 2 years now I've been wanting a garden, but did not want to "mow around" it.  

Well, the obvious solution finally hit me: put a garden in the spot I don't like to mow!

I put sand in the corners to kill off some weeds and shoveled 1.5 yards of cubic dirt out of my sister's truck when the weather was still trying to kill me.  I followed all the advice, from everyone.  We started some plants inside, and some plants outside, and bought the tomato plant already started.

All of the work and waiting was finally worth it, when we spotted our first baby cucumber last week!!

Billy's onions.

My still green tomatoes.  There are like 20 of them on there, but none are turning red!!

Our little sugar snap pea plants.

Well, it turns out our vines had more than 'baby' cucumbers.  We found some giants hiding under the leaves on the ground!  And now, we really have so many cucumbers, I don't know what we'll do with them all!  If any locals need a few, please feel free to stop by and help yourself!  

But we made a start with cucumber sandwiches and a side of cucumber!

And, excitement of excitements, we found a baby pumpkin on one of our vines!!!!! Then we found two more!!!!! I have images of filling my front porch steps with pumpkins from our very own garden!  We'll see how they do; my sister says they need a lot of water.

We've had enough success, that Billy is talking about making a couple of raised beds in the back, so that we have more room to grow things that need full sun.  

I'm just thrilled that we got anything! And hopefully you'll see a picture of our "orange" front steps come October. ; )

later days

Pumpkin Patch

This is the second year we've walked down to select our pumpkins. In nature study today we discussed seed dispersal, so we were able to tie it into our lesson even!! ; )

William and Emily took turns pulling one another in the wagon.

Picking out the perfect pumpkin!

I'm pretty sure herding cats is easier than getting my 5 to all look at me, and pretend to be happy, for a picture.

Individual pictures came out better...

...except for the twins who decided to fight about who would go first.  Then, they thought it would be fun to toss leaves up in one another's pictures to make it look "more like fall."  So, none of those pictures came out, and this was the best I could manage of them together.

It is nice to be able to walk to pick up pumpkins, avoid the crowds and have it tie into a lesson, definitely goes down as a triple win in my book!

later days

The First week of October

211th Day of Quarantine

68F

Started new Jim Carrey Biography.

Billy sanded, then Grace and I painted the back porch.  It was the final item on my summer home improvement list and I'm so happy that we had such a nice weekend to finish it off!

We also put away summer things, and got out winter things.  I need to winterize my car, but am still currently waiting to get it back from the mechanic.

leftovers or sandwiches

------

210th Day of Quarantine.

79F

We had pizza for dinner.

On the way to picking up pizza, I happened upon an estate sale.  I didn't get much, since they were closing, but they had soooooo many books (and so much other stuff) that I hope to return.

Finished book.  It was a good ending, but not a happy ending.

------

209th Day of Quarantine.  I do feel obliged to include today that much of society has reopened, and we are independently deciding to isolate.  There is no fear of the illness in particular, more fear of misinformation about the coronavirus, therefore, we cannot make a sound decision, and the best of all options is to stay put.

Today was cooler, but still coming in at 67F.  I am totally okay with this as an October temperature.

Grace's handwriting was just beautiful, I had to share!

Alice is quickly shifting from child to teenager, and I'm having so much fun with it. Whenever I say something it's either "soooo sarcastic" or annoying. She has no idea how flattering it is to me that she thinks I'm sarcastic!  She wouldn't say it any more if she knew, I'm sure.

My favorite is her current reaction to the way I say her name when I pull out her stick (for her turn to answer during lessons.) Apparently I was "too excited." So, after having a little fun with that, I tried to say her name as mundanely as possible. She didn't like that either. Apparently "too excited" is better than "bored."

For nature study, we did some pumpkin activities.  We guessed how much the pumpkin weighed (Juliet won), and voted whether or not it would float.  Then, we cut it open to see the seeds, and made some pumpkin seeds and I made a pumpkin pie. = )

For dinner I made some PF Changs Ramen mixed with some of the cheap stuff.  I thought it was pretty good, Billy really enjoyed it.

Tonight was our second mops meeting of the year.  I've switched over to the virtual group, and really enjoy it.

------

208th Day of Quarantine.

Somehow, we were gifted a second comfortable 69F day, in October!

For dinner we had sausage and beans.  Well, everyone but Billy who opted for candy instead.

Also, I'm reading the new Suzanne Collins book, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and it is really good.  = )

------

207th Day of Quarantine.

Today was a respectable 67F, and probably the last comfortable day of 2020.

In German we are learning some morning routine phrases, so I pulled up a German teeth brushing song that we enjoyed.  I managed to jot down the first chunk of it, before I was completely stumped and had to consult a real German.  Thankfully, she helped me get most of it squared away, and I wrote up a translation for us to use tomorrow during our German lesson. = )

For dinner we had tikka masala.

------

206th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today is 58F.

We started our 8th week of homeschool, and homeschool is a lot like having toddlers, the days are long, but the weeks are flying!

We played a board game that I bought for my potential German classroom 15 years ago (and never used.) But today, I got to play it for the first time with my big girls!!!  Alice won, and they enjoyed the break from our usual German drills. = )

During science they created a webbed glove, based on one of DaVinci's models.

For dinner we are having a crockpot potato & beef in a wine sauce.  The house smells really good!

------

205th Day of Quarantine.

53F Was the high.

After online church, picked up groceries, in Billy's car, since mine is still in the shop.

For dinner we had the chicken Satay.  It wasn't as good at the restaurant's recipe, but not bad either.

------

later days

Almost the End of September

197th Day of Quarantine.

High today was 79F.

Kids spent night with aunt rocky.  Very excited to go.

Billy and I had a cheese and meat pack for dinner. While we watched Enola Holmes and The Boys.

-------

196th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 82F.

For our nature study, we decided to go to the "pumpkin patch."  In years past we've gone to uncle john's cider mill and enjoyed live music, rides, and a huge selection.  Today, we just purchased from our "neighbor" who sells produce on his front lawn. = )

Billy bought cider and donuts at the QD that we were able to enjoy on our walk back and at home.  The kids also made some fall 'masks' from an email that Aunt Wanda sent me.

For dinner we had a crockpot stew that made the house smell wonderful all day long!

Sarah took me to pick my car up from the dealership, who wanted to charge $5K for the repairs I need, and bring it into our favorite mechanic, who tends to shy away from my car after the month long saga a few years back.  He's supposed to call me next week with a quote.

------

195th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 77F.  There was a cool breeze reminding us all that it is truly autumn.

We have almost finished week six of our curriculum, so our routine is settled and we are all pretty comfortable with our day.

For dinner we are having tortellini with alfredo sauce.

I finished my book and now I don't know what to do with myself.  The first mops meeting of the year is tonight at 7, but I don't think I'm going to go in person.

It was great to see so many smiling familiar faces.  Not the same as being there in person, but at this point in 2020, it was still a welcome change!

-------

194th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was a respectable 80F.

I got up early, and Sarah met me at the dealership at 7:30 to drop off my car.  The ABS light is finally on full time, it has a little oil drip, and worst of all, my heated seat stopped heating. = (

Sarah beat me there, but I still waited outside the door for 5 minutes until they opened.  On the way home she took me by the QD so that I could get donuts for my crew.

Most were awake when I arrived home, and we were able to start our school day on time!

Juliet dressed all Ariel today.

In science the big girls made a hygrometer.  It's currently on the porch, we'll see if it works in a few days. = )

After a pleasant poetry & tea time, the kids played a live action version of "among us" [called "imposter" in roblox.] It's collectively their new favorite online game. 

One is the "imposter" and kills a victim, as they all mill about the house. Once a "dead body" is found, they have a meeting and vote who they think the imposter is. That person admits their role, and if they've chosen incorrectly, they have to move about again, and a new person "dies." It's fun to listen to their observations and politics.  And this is absolutely one of the best reasons to have 5 kids. = )

For dinner we had hamburger helper.  

My book was so engaging it was all I could do not to ignore my responsibilities.

------

193rd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was 75F.

William finished his 1st grade math review today and received his alien stuffie!

After school, I went to the thrift store with a load and then to FEDEX to drop off the recycling box from the kids' medicine.

For dinner we had cheesy chicken noodles.

I'm still reading through my Cormoran Strike book, and have been making the poor decision to stay up late to read it. = 0  

-------

Today is the 192nd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was 73F.

In science we attempted to make a "camera obscura" but I'm pretty sure that the tennis ball cannister that I procured lacked the opacity that we needed to make it work.

I ran to carl's to take a tub of cans.  The shed is still chock full of them, but at least now I am slowly removing boxes versus slowly adding them.  While I was there I got root beer and a snack for tomorrow.  I also got some bacon to attempt a "quick" recipe I saw online.

For dinner we are having Stouffer's lasagna and salad. 

------

Today is the 191st Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 67F.  We turned on the heater for the first time.

After church, I went to drop off recycling at Sarah's. She bought me sugar cubes!  I've been looking for weeks at the stores I actually go to, without success.  So, I'm very excited.

The grocery store was busy, as was the gas station.  When I went to the ATM that offers different denominations, I saw a sign that they are about to close it down mid next month. = (  I stopped at a garage sale, but didn't find anything today.

For dinner we had chicken fajitas.

------

later days