In a School

Abby and Wade are attending  a new school this year, and I am just head over heels about it. Abby regularly  has to memorize poems, and literature, and recite them to her teacher for grade. I have no idea why I think this is a great way to educate, but I do. Something I can't explain. Maybe it is because her first poem that she had to recite was the "SELF DISCIPLINE POEM"
______
Self Discipline is the virtue we use to manage ourselves and the different parts of our lives,
It involves controlling our tempers, it involves controlling our wishes, it means controlling our appetites, it means controlling our egos, and even controlling our mouths.

Self Discipline not recognizing our limits. Not wanting not wanting too much too soon, and not reaching so far beyond our abilities that you are asking for trouble.

In short, self discipline means saying yes to the right things and no to the wrong things it means taking charge of yourself. And if you do so, you will find yourself a happier, healthier, better person.

______

I don't know. That is about all you need to do to impress me. I love the classical education format. They whole heatedly believe that memorization is a helpful skill, and practice it regularly. They start teaching French in Kindergarten, and Abby is already learning Latin as well. Since Latin is the base of many languages, I think this is so helpful. They are also very strict. So strict, that Abby has missed 4 assignment (for random reasons, mostly being, she wasn't paying attention, which is her biggest problem) and now she is getting after school detention.

Each child has to shake their teachers hand before they go home, and I just stinking love it. I am so grateful they got in. To be honest, I was on the fence, and I wasn't sure about sending them there at all. It is further away, I had to pay for expensive school uniforms, and Abby has large amounts of homework each night, and her spelling words are words that I still have trouble spelling. Sometimes I can't believe the the words on that list. But she is doing well, and excelling, and being more responsible (despite the missing assignments if you can imagine) and I just love it.

They just read Beowolf, and Abby is retaining so much history, it is astonishing. All about the Byzantine Empire. (?) Most of the material she is covering, I didn't cover until I was in High School. But I honestly believe that children have the capacity to learn much more than we give them credit for. And so does this school. They require it, they expect it. And I love it.

Pearl Girl

Abby gets into her fair share of trouble.
And my personal favorite consequence is banning of TV and all other electrical objects.
So, when Abby is banned from said objects, she turns to book making.

Doesn't EVERY kid?

No? I know.

She has made several books. One other one I posted HERE. If you haven't read it, it is VERY worth the read.

But she is at it again, and this time in CoLoR! 

PRESENTING: 

PEARL GIRL

The Dog Blog

We got a dog.

Abby wanted a bunny for Christmas.

It was all she wanted.

That was it.

I looked into it.

Supposedly, they are as much work as a dog.

So, we got a dog. (It's been a long time coming)

I wanted an adult dog.

But I was afraid of the baggage it might have.

Let's face it. ALL adults have baggage.

I changed my mind from wanting a full grown, full sized adult dog, to wanting a crate-able small dog that we could train from puppy-dom.

I'm nuts.

I regretted it instantly this morning when Abby woke me up at 6:30.

She got the talking to of a LIFETIME.

I doubt she will ever forget it.

Oh the lessons we learn.

We do NOT repay our mother for granting us the dream of our life by waking her up at 6:30.

So far, Mini Murph, is a mellow, sweet, loveable and stinky dog.

EVERYONE likes her,

except for the cat.

Who is going to have to get used to sharing.

Enjoy the pix.

Design Mind

Renting a house for the past three years has almost killed my design desires.

I LOVE decorating. Love. But, on our budget . . . let me just put it this way, there WAS no budget for decorating. And the fact that we couldn't paint walls or make changes was stifling to say the least. I would look at catalogs and try to be inspired for the "future" but let's face it, it just isn't the same. . .

Our "budget" hasn't really changed, yet. Probably won't for quite some time, but I am excited to start doing "projects" that can make a big difference, but not take a lot of money. There won't be any big purchases, but I am excited to be able to paint a wall, or a piece of furniture. To be honest, I don't think I have spent over $100 on ANYTHING but our couches in our house, and I am proud of that fact. Don't think that will be changing either, but as least I can do something little here and there without stressing the budget.

For Abby's birthday, I told her we could re-do her room as her gift. When you decorate, it is best if you pick a favorite piece and build around it. I wanted to try to pick out a new comforter or duvet cover to work around. Abby knows her momma's MO so, it had to be cheap, or on sale. We finally settled on this.

It was on sale in the Pottery Barn Teen Catalog. It was the only item we got from the catalog, and I had a $25 off coupon. That always helps. :) It is not my favorite color scheme (HELLO 80's!) But someone has a mind of her own, and decided she LOVES blue (my least favorite) and didn't want any more PINK! I decided I could handle this aqua color over a navy, or baby blue, and liked the beachy pattern since we are going to be oh, so, close to the beach.

We have a kid transitioning from crib, to bed, and since Abby wanted to "grow up" and out of her room, that was going to involve some purchases. I have been super inspired by THIS website as of late, and decided that I could re-do some pieces for her to make her room just the way she wanted. Just click through some posts and you will be inspired too! You will never look at an old dresser the same way again!!

I started scouring Craig's List for some used furniture and found some great pieces I thought I could work with.

I got a desk:

PRICE: $20

A dresser: Hers is going to Kaylie's room. No more changing table or crib!

Price $60

The dresser came with a framed mirror for the top, which I am going to be making into something like this:

We also got a few accessories:

A round chair, perfect for reading books: Target $29. It folds up and is going to be a perfect cuddle spot and will replace the tea party table and chairs that are currently in her room.
And this peace sign at Home Goods $9. (Notice there is one EXACTLY like it in the picture below, and I didn't even notice it before I bought it!)
It is just a start. We are still missing a bed and bed frame, but since I haven't been able to find anything I like, or anything cheap, I think I am going to do something like THIS and do it in a Black background with white polka dots. (Watch the video to get inspired!)

I am hoping that her room will turn out looking something like this:

I love the light and airy look, so, I am going to have to steer clear of any more black accents, but, I think so far, so good! I will keep you posted on project updates. I told her this would be my first priority when we got there, so, stay tuned!

The Happy People of Pennsylvania

Abby is working on a state project for her class. Gotta love the 4th grade. One of the pros, and cons, of her teacher this year is that they don't have a lot of homework. The pro is that she does most of the work for her big "projects" at school. They are given time, they work on it little by little and they learn to do these projects on their own, instead of having their parents do it for them.

I like that part.

The part I don't like is that when she is struggling in class, I have no idea about what to help her with because we don't have homework coming home.

I don't like that part.

For her state project Abby chose the state of Pennsylvania. Not Utah (where most of our extended family lives), not Washington (where she has lived most of her life and more extended family lives), not Oregon (where she was born), not California (where she loves to visit).

PENNSYLVANIA.

I have nothing against Pennsylvania. But could not for the life of me figure out why she chose Pennsylvania.

When I asked her, why? She said, "Because that is where Hershey's Chocolate is made." No lie.

I have no idea where she gets that from.

Anywho, last night was the first time I saw this project. Or the paper associated with the project. She was "working on it" which included nearly 40 minutes of changing font colors and sizes. (She does NOT get that from me) I finally told her that she needed to actually finish WRITING the project before tweaking the fonts.

Peter helped her print out the project last night, and it had a very colorful flag on the front. I figured it was probably the state symbol. It did occur to me that it was a rather bright flag and that it was a "little much" for a state flag, but didn't really give it a second thought.

This morning, as Abby was preparing for school and happily chatting about her fortune cookie from the day before and and asking me if I saw her report. "Mom, did you see my report?" "Yes, I did Abby, it looks great!" "Do you like the flag on the front? I have no idea why, but it is called the g*y flag of Pennsylvania!"
My eyes immediately darted to the image on the top page of her report, and I saw this.

The g*y flag of Pennsylvania

My instant reaction was to laugh out loud. But, decided against crushing my creative daughter's artistic eye. "Abby, " I said. "You can use that flag on the front of your report, but you CANNOT tell ANYONE it is called the g*y flag of Pennsylvania!" She looked at me with curiosity. "Why not?" I had a quick discussion with her regarding the term and the symbols at hand, and then, once she was busy with making her breakfast, ran into the bathroom to have a good laugh with Peter.

Gotta love the happy people of Pennsylvania!!!

Sidenote: In order to find this flag on-line, I had to scroll through at least 30 copies of the CORRECT flag of Pennsylvania in order to find the one that Abby thought was artistically sufficient for her paper.

Happy Easter

Translation:

A bunny

A bunny is the best thing yet.

A bunny is the bestest pet.

A bunny's nice to have around.

A bunny never makes a sound.

So if you ever get a pet.

The bunny is the best pet yet!

by, Abby.

Someone wants a bunny.

That same someone is not getting a bunny.

Much Ado about Hair

This morning, Abby had a hair bubble. You know, the kind that when you pull your ponytail back in a rubber band (or elastic, you choose) and it kind of bubbles. I mentioned it to her, and, exasperated, she said, "Can you do it?"

When I want to blow her hair, and she groans, I remind her that I would give ANYTHING to have someone blow dry my hair every day. She stops, but I relish the times right now when she WILL let me touch her hair, because I know that time is short. And I will take advantage of it now.

She brought a brush to me, and I brushed her beautiful naturally highlighted hair carefully as to get all the "bubbles" out. Do you know one time someone asked me if I highlighted my 5 year old daughter's hair? Um. No. I put the elastic in. . . a little (A LOT) higher that she normally does. She likes it at the nape of her neck. I wasn't really paying attention. Just doing it like I would normally do. When she walked into the bathroom to look at it, I admired my handy-work. It was cute. It bounced. It looked cheer-leader-esque. I liked it.

She returned from the bathroom a few minutes later.

Her hair was pulled back, to the nape of her neck. I smiled, and laughed out loud. "Ha!" You didn't like it! She said, "it was like clear up here!" Pointing to the very top of her head. I smiled, and laughed in my head. I am grateful. Very very grateful. Her look is plain, and not overstated. It is her, and that is okay with me. I hope it always is.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After I dropped Abby off at school Wade insisted he wants a smoothie at Costco. Peter did my Costco run yesterday, and I informed Wade that we would not be going to Costco. He said, "But you are a GOOD mommy!" Inferring that good mommies do exactly as demanding 4 year olds want. I must admit. Guilty as charged.

He then told me he didn't like my hair. It was messy, uncombed, and up. In a pony tail.

He said, "Your hair doesn't look pretty". I didn't object.

A short time later, I got out of the shower. My hair was wet, but combed, and down. I walked into the living room and Wade said, "Your hair looks pretty, mom."

Who knew kids would develop their likes of hair so early?

Life by Chuck E. Cheese Photos

I love Chuck E. Cheese Photos. It started with the Chuck E. and Me pictures when you are riding in the car. That was one of Wade's favorite rides as a baby, and he didn't even know he was "posing" for a shot.

When Kaylie started visiting Chuck E. on a regular basis, I make sure she gets a ride with Chuck E. too.

Abby started my collection, because she is obsessed with the sketch machine.

She took this one, and I have had it on my fridge ever since she brought it home. She snagged Kaylie for this one.
It is one of my favorite pictures of them. Even of the ones I take with my actual camera! I think it is because Kaylie has no idea what is going on, I had no idea it was happening, and the joy on Abby's face is priceless.

Abby got in the machine last night for this one.



And Kaylie was forced in by me for this one. Believe it or not, I was supposed to be in the shot, but she was moving like a wet dog out of the tub, I couldn't get a great shot.


I know I haven't kept all of the pictures over the years, but I wish I had. I think they are a great way to document our fun.

Abby the Author

I love seeing what talents our children acquire. I love to try to let them explore and develop their talents, and I am hoping, in some way, to push them in the right direction to fuel their passion.

With Abby, I don't have to try much. She will waltz into the kitchen and grab a pile of papers and my stapler, and disappear into her room. I am not sure how long her creations take, but eventually, she emerges with a final product.

I am always excited with anticipation. I think I better start meeting with publishers. Anyone know one?

This one is called, MISS PIGGY PIG. Enjoy.

How adorable is THAT.

What amazes me is her different angles on the drawings!

Forgive that girl's left arm. Her mom has long arms.

I will take any guesses on what is inscribed on that mirror.

Indeed.

Wasn't she chic?

How daring!

You're never too old to be a model! (Notice the Project runway heading)

Thank heavens she has her values in check. Can you believe how adorable those piglets are?

Of course she did.

Holiday Obsessions

Abby gets obsessed with Christmas. Every. Single. Year. Out of all my kids, she is the most obsessed with material objects. She always has been. When she was little and bored in the back of the car, she would obsess about something and get stuck on it.

For example.

We would be driving and suddenly hear: "Birthday cake?"

We would ignore her and keep talking or whatever and she would say, "Birthday Cake?"

We would look at each other and start laughing, and she would say, "Birthday Cake?"

Almost as if she asked for it enough times eventually, she would get it.

We finally just made up a song about all of her favorite things and start singing it. "Birthday Cake, Sucklebus (popsicle), Donut, Donut, DONUT! lalalala!"

She would get so stumped that she would finally stop repeating the thing that she wanted.

It was awesome. Peter and I are pretty talented at times.

Anywho.

Abby is obsessed. Once again.

Last year it was a Zhu Zhu pets.

The year before that, it was a Robot Dog.

I wish I could remember what it was before that, because it is ALWAYS something. EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR!

This year it is PENBO.

Conicidentally, she had an assignement at school called Persuasive Vocabulary Commercial Project.

Serious?

Abby was BORN for this.

Her commerical on the back reads:

This robot Penguin is cute, funny, and talkative. It's so cute everyone will be bothering you to play with it! (A number one reason someone should NOT buy something... it will make other people bother you! :) You'll love this cute and fun toy following you around. Everyone should get it and hve it in their house! Buy one soon because Penbo wants a caring friend!


Penbo is a lotta dough. Mommy refuses to buy Penbo. Abby still thinks that if she talks about Penbo enough, she will get it. Mommy refuses to buy Penbo based purely on Abby's obsession with it. Abby will open all of her Christmas presents Christmas morning, and there will be NO PENBO. Mommy has already TOLD Abby that Penbo costs $$ and mommy only spends $$$ on Christmas and so, if mommy bought Penbo, then Abby would only get Penbo and one or two other things. Mommy tried to convince Abby that would NOT be fun for Christmas. Mommy doesn't think it worked, but Mommy will NOT have Penbo under the tree. Abby will NOT be getting Penbo from Mommy.


(buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, she might be getting it from G-pa and K-lo)

Does anyone else get these?

I got this in my e-mail in box the other day. . . .


Hello mommy how are you. can I go to www. iloverobots.com. to see Penbo. ( a cute penguin robot that has a little egg with a chick that comes in and out of the egg. the mommy plays with it!) P.s its on my Christmas wishlist.

Just wondering. Pretty sure I will be getting a few more e-mails just like it between now in Dec 25th.

Making Good out of Bad

My husband has to work on Saturday. Once a month usually. Yesterday, while he was away, there was a tragic accident. Jaxon killed Abby's fish. Now, with that statement, you might think, "That doesn't SOUND like an accident" but, I think it was. The fish (which we have had for over a year now) lives in Abby's room and Jaxon barely ever pays any attention to it, but for some reason, yesterday, Jaxon decided he was going to "play" with Abby's fish. I will spare the gory details here, but let's just say there were lots of tears shed. LOTS. Abby quickly reminded me that Jaxon also killed her LAST fish, too. (The girl is a steal trap)

A fish is about the only pet on the list of "Abby's List of 500 Desired Pets" that we are willing to venture into right now. And so, to try to make things better, I told her that I would take her out when daddy got home for a little girl's day out. (A completely great way to get out of the house with any kids accept for Abby) Peter came home and since it was time for Kaylie's nap, Abby and I headed off to "run errands" while the boys hung out at home with the sleeping baby.

Our first stop was lunch. (You better believe I am going to make a girl's day out include LUNCH!) We decided to get salads at Paradise Bakery and as we were sitting there chatting over lunch, a serious revelation came upon me. She is growing up. You know, you know how it just *SNEAKS* up on you? Day after day after day and all of a sudden you notice, WOW. They aren't really that little or young anymore! And, I actually quite like engaging in small talk with her! (Which revolved ENTIRELY around the game 'Frontiereville' which her dad was letting her watch/play with him.

I started to laugh a little because she is just so animated when she talks. I nonchalantly got out my phone and took a few pix, and just couldn't stop because they were just such a perfect expression of her 9 year old face. So much expression, and so much animation. Since it seems like I blinked, and she is nine, I wanted to recall this little "moment" of our bonding, and her willingness to just chat the afternoon away over lunch.

She uses her hands a lot when she talks. Makes it hard to talk and eat.

Although it may seem like some of these are posed, they truly aren't. She was seriously mid sentence here.

I have seen this face so much. She used to make faces like this when she was a baby. But now I don't see them as much anymore. Unless I take pics mid sentence.

This has to be my favorite. Because, it is hilarious. And so, so, Abby, you can see the slight shake of the head when talking. (Who on earth is she looking at anyway?)

Doesn't look like she is making much progress with that salad does it.

I love this look, because it is so unassuming.

Describing something with her hands.

Does she even CARE about her salad? I think not.

Okay, maybe she does.

Thanks for lunch Abby, I hope we have lots more lunch dates.