TED

What's on the menu

cooked and in the fridge steel cut, organic oats; season to taste whole-grain cereal (various brands, some with sugars added) Eggs (cooked to order) Veggie stew cooked every few days and in the fridge for reheating Bruschetta made fresh every few nights pasta (you pick your ingredients) Salad (you pick greens or fruit or both) Sandwich (tomato, cheese, or pb&j.) Mom's fave pastry and jelly desert. (mmmm! just the fruit jelly, no sugar added!) Organic, whole grain Basmati rice (ready to heat, in fridge) Beans (various types) (ready to heat, in fridge) Smoothies (occasionally) So far, this has kept everyone satisfied for a few weeks, and only occasionally have I had to throw in an organic pizza. The best part is everyone just eats as they get hungry and I don't have to cook big meals every night. So far it is working. (And, shhh! Dad has been avoiding meat, on purpose. I caught him!)

It's so exciting....

Jewel has made explosive progress in her language skills the last few days. She has said about 20 new words and even two sentences. It is so fun to see. She also has been singing Happy Birthday. It sounds like "Ha Day to You" but is super cute. And, Trevor poured his own milk. I let him try after he said, "Mom, I'll be really weelly Care-ful ful ful." It was too sweet to resist. He also has gotten much better at sitting on the toilet long enough to go "a big poop" as he says. Which is of course great for me. And, today, he insisted on playing the drums and is quite the natural. He even made sure to hit every cymbal. Taylor is progressing very rapidly in his drum lessons lately also. He found his groove, I guess, because he is flying through skills. It's all so much fun. And tomorrow we meet the new homeschool group.

Day 13, or the end before the beginning....

I started this post weeks ago, and (partly because of holidays) have not finished it. We have, it seems, reached a point in the development of this game where our plans are failing to meet our expectations. I feel that the game is getting away from my original ideas a bit too far, and is not quite right. We discussed it and Taylor agreed that it could use a bit of "rewriting" and that it would be fine to start over with his character. So, that is what we will do. When we return to regular play and posting, the game should move faster, be more student led, and have more detailed character development, among other changes. So, for now, please stand by. Thank you.

tiny tidbit...

Jewel says "Oh no" in the cutest way. And, she reads books to herself. (I'll try to get a video.) Trevor is testing everyone more than ever. He just makes you prove that he can't do something. It is still exhausting. But, on a positive note, a reward of time at the park has convinced him 3 or 4 times to poop in the toilet lately, so it feels like progress. Taylor is home from the woods and actually put his laundry away without being reminded. Trent is studying, still; and bragging about beating everyone in Magic. And, although silly little posts on this blog are sometimes fun, having to track the game (school stuff) and post it while I create it is not exactly fun. But, I have to create as I play, because I don't know what to expect. And I don't want to start the blog in the middle and I don't want to start over (well, Taylor wouldn't like that). I am really close to sorting it all out. I have created 4 mini-games to play during the main game play. Hmm, I thought I had more to say...Oh yes, Jewel just reminded me. I kind of whine about things sometimes, but today I was reminded of how most days our kids make us laugh all day. Trevor climbing, and Jewel learning words (and shocking me with new words) and Trevor with his newest cute phrases and interesting demands. And, oh those faces they make. Taylor is a horse of a different color for sure and so so funny. It's nice to have so much smiley feelings about parenting. It helps to balance the "i don't want to go to bed" crying and the "I have to slam the door again" defiance and the "what kind of teen will he be" worries. Peace.