so...

I am so glad that I decided to make a blog about our family. I suppose I could have just made a powerpoint, but when I take the time to look back a year at the pictures and videos and read what I said, it just amazes me. Time is flying by, well, changes are flying by. I was sitting here trying to remember what I did before school, now I see. Games, paintings (although we have done that recently), video games with Taylor, more science experiments, a lot of stuff that I need to find more time for if this is going to work. We have at least been playing the school game. I haven't started blogging about it on the other blog yet, mostly because I never dreamed I would go back to school with the babies so young, so I thought I would have time to make that blog a professional site, and I don't see the point in trying that right now. The game is really ready for me to at least write a draft of the book that would explain how to make your own, but I am not. I don't even know how to predict when I might be able to start. Maybe never. Taylor is learning and the game is super fun and I am saving my notes, so maybe when I am too old to study physics, or wherever I end up, I will write it. For now, the knowledge that I created it and it works is enough. I am also totally thrilled with a final addition. I was given a lesson planning book and it worked perfectly to record and plan our daily accomplishments. So, I spent two hours filling it in, instead of working on homework. So, I will load pics tomorrow and study spanish ahora mismo.

oh, wow..

so, anyone know what yesterday was? we totally missed it until today, just busy I guess. So, no letter this year. strange. but, that's how it went down. i suppose that is progress? anyway, Happy Birthday Baby Ethan! we love you!

halloween...

We really do love Halloween, and we went to two parties (the usual two) the Saturday before it. I totally skipped the trick or treating mission, because I had some laundry and cleaning to do and a bunch of homework to catch up on. I have to admit I managed to slack off (relatively, mostly due to other obligations) for about two weeks and I am paying for it. Trevor had some appointments, Taylor has been keeping me busy, and I had to participate in some social occasions (they always take so much out of me), but things are going to even out for a bit. I am dreading the holiday break because I am going to be so busy, but I am looking forward to new classes. I have pictures to load and others to scan, maybe a video, too. Hmmm, maybe tomorrow, maybe late tonight, we'll see.

fun week...

Jewel refused to wear tights this week. She cried and said, "don't want the big slippery socks, get the little socks!" Later she informed me that she has a baby in her tummy! Too funny! Trevor said he learned to "dial 611 in case of an demergency" and that "Kenny the Shark" (a show on discovery kids) is 'the bomb'", exact words! ha ha. The best/worst thing we heard this week was when Jewel told me, "I not a baby, mama, I big." We also went on a field trip with Taylor and the homeschool group to Petco. Now, we are trying to convince Taylor that he doesn't need a pet tarantula and trying to convince Dad that we really want a rat or two. We also played three days of our new game. We are still working on the manual, but the game is really sorting itself out nicely. Taylor loves it, but he keeps trying to make it super complex, and I have to keep requesting that we keep somewhat simple. He has really great ideas though, and never fails to amaze me. We still have to finish the new board, so we just started playing on the old one. The "battles" and "skirmishes" are going well, but I want to tweak the scoring system. Saturday was "make a mess" day, while I tried to focus on homework, now I still have homework to finish and I have to clean the house. And then, there's this (in reverse order)...

just time for a tidbit...

so, taylor was evaluated and we've been told he is working at a ninth grade level overall. he is higher in math and lower in writing, but... of course, that is great, but i wonder what it really means. it is irrelevant really, will he be ready for college one day? yes, does college in any way represent "learning"? hmmm. i wonder, but regardless, college is what it is and he will have to be ready and able to handle it, because it isn't going to change. i am confident he will be ready and able in time to go when he is ready. oooh, look, a twisty sentence. ha ha also worth noting for posterity, there is a fridge full of healthy meal options for the week, and all of my "due" homework (and midterm) are finished. so, i am studying and cleaning, and glad that the babies are safe and happy at mimi and big daddy's. i hope i can get all the important cleaning finished, because the week runs more smoothly that way. (this is pretty much the continuous mindset anymore, keep the machine well-oiled) i have also registered for next semester, and i am so proud of my restraint. i have two science and two math classes that i really must take to stay on track, but i wanted to take spanish 2, also. it will be fresh in my head and i just hate to wait, but i have decided to study the online exercises on my own until next fall and take it then, because i know trent will be so busy at work this semester. i only have three classes planned then anyway. it also allows taylor to study with me longer before i have to focus on passing the class, too. i will have to pay to have the online account extended, but i won't need a new book, and i can work on the current account for one year with or without a professor. hopefully this will allow next semester to be manageable as far as homework is concerned. it is really hard not to just cram the class in and get it over with, but i'll force myself to make this sacrifice for the sake of my family. at least i am still in "heaven" with two math classes and i finally get to take biology with dr. brannan, i have been looking forward to this. ok, enough nerd talk (trent has been singing "she's a super geek, super geek,she's super geeky, owww" at me for days) and on to cleaning, oh and The Game (taylor would wait no more, understandably). i'll blog about it soon.

after school care..

I don't want to go to school...

Life, today...

I can tell that the professors are getting worn down by all the bad students. They started the semester with patient minds and, understandably, they are fed up with the excuses, whining, and inability to "get it". I can see where they are coming from, it bothers me and I only have to witness it, not really "deal" with it. Aside from that, and the 53% on my algebra quiz, things are going as good as I would ever hope for. I am holding A's in all my classes right now. I am only waiting for one big grade, my speech for public speaking class. The "routine" isn't completely stable yet, but I am working it out. Taylor is in the middle of an extensive annual evaluation by a teacher at his old elementary school and tests of his abilities are always so interesting to me, so I am looking forward to the last part of it tomorrow. As usual, I have a few tests next week, so I will spend the weekend kind of cleaning, but mostly studying. I am really glad I am not a neat freak, I would have to sacrifice my grades to keep up right now. I will try to make time to post a few more videos and pictures this weekend, but no promises. But, there are some funny things that the kids have been doing. Trevor and Jewel are always saying the funniest things. Trevor caught a toad and then pouted for 2 hours because, "that frog was my best friend, and your being mean" and "he won't die, he likes it inside". He also said that "Taylor is being a bad brother, he won't let me have it". Jewel, besides the constant asking to go to either "mimi and papi's", "mimi and big daddy's", or "daydodo beach", has just learned more and more words and copies Trevor's mannerisms. Right now, they are chasing each other around the living room. Taylor and I are enjoying this year's "school" thoroughly, and we have finally started finding serious time to work on the game again. Hopefully we will start playing soon. Trent is working all the time now, but he does get to stop by the house during the day sometimes, so the season isn't at it's busiest yet. And, we know what to expect with that. So, all is well in our little house.

playing catch up...