In My Life This Month 3

So its been six months since I last did a "In My Life This Month" post. I suppose I should name it "Six Month Snapshot" or something. Thoughts???  Thank you to all my readers that have been checking in and been catching up on what we have been up to. I still get a kick out of the fact that people read what I write (and like it) It gives me warm fuzzies!  A lot can happen in ones family, in six months.  Things are forever changing.  I am getting better at accepting change and I can say that is only due to the fact that right now I feel like a boat without an anchor being taken along by the tide and the wind. 

On that note lets begin....


In our home school.....

Its just four weeks into the new school year and we are doing great!  I am feeling really positive about it too.  I have been working on being more disciplined with organisation.  This doesn't come naturally for me not to the degree that I have been anyway.  I am more naturally a "lets do what I feel like doing" or "it will be alright, no worries" type of person.  But with five kiddies needing my guidance and help with schooling I was in serious need of a system. 

I know I had this photo last time but I am pretty proud of myself about it!

 

One of my favourite things that some of the kids have done is discovering and learning the ancient Japanese art of Origami. (While it is actually only paper folding, doesn't the words 'ancient' and 'art'  make it sound so glamorous?)

 

So far we have made frogs and butterflies.  These frogs actually hop too!  Google is amazing!

I am inspired by.....SUMMER!  Oh how I love Summer!  Long summer days, hot evenings, cool drinks, swimming, and being outdoors.  Just to name a few!  Most definitely my favourite time of the year.

 

I love the vivid colours in this photo!  Unfortunately the grass is no longer green anymore due to the lack of rain.

 

I love how the sun makes the leaves on this tree glow!

 

Camping, my most favourite thing to do in summer!



 

Places we are going and people we are seeing....

 

Apart from our camping holiday we haven't really ventured too far a field this summer.  We had a day out at an International Polo game a couple of weekends ago.  I am pretty sure that we had set up camp right next to possibly the worlds flashiest horse truck. (Well actually they set up next to us)  I would love to know how they get and keep even the horse bit shiny and polished. It was cleaner and shinier than the inside of our van!  I wish I was brave enough to snap off some photos of it because it really was an eye opener.

 

We braved the rain while setting up but it soon cleared and boy did it get hot!



 

Part of Polo tradition  is that at half time the crowd watching ventures on to the field and if they find a divot they are suppose to put it back into its hole.  

 

 Jesse and I positioned ourselves at the corner for a time where we could get a great view complete with sound effects of the riders changing their horses, something that they do every four or five minutes.  They do this without even getting off the horse, they just jump from one to the other.

My favourite thing this month.....





 

Seeing my children enjoy what they are doing in school.  Tickles me pink!

Fluffy Lattes on the deck during morning break.

 

Check out my 'staff room!'



Love notes from my daughter!

What is working for us...

 

-Being more organised! 

-Having one of the kids bake every morning is helping me out a lot.  I love baking but having to do it on a daily basis can turn it into a chore especially when I have wee helpers that actually just want to eat the batter! 

-Incorporating computer based learning into our curriculum.

-Fitting in a workout in the afternoon.   I have been exercising for well over a year now and I can honestly say its become part of my lifestyle.  I don't feel right if I don't workout.  The kids are great and will look after Jesse so I can have my half an hour to myself if he isn't asleep.  Thanks kids!  I have just finished Jillian Michaels 30 day shred Challenge - Go ME!! My kids spent the last week counting down the days I had left of it and showered me with congratulations yesterday when I completed my last day of Level 3. Now I am off to find my next challenge!  Check it out here if you are curious. Thoroughly recommend it!! 30 Day Shred - Level one

 

What isn't working for us......

 

-The wind!!  For most of the summer the wind has been blowing the wrong way and straight in our backdoor.

Our lack of consistent water!  While this summer we have only run out of water once or twice because we have been super diligent at keeping an close eye on it.  Our vege garden is suffering from lack of rain and lack of water being pumped up from the farm tank.  I am frustrated!  You can't have abundant crops when you lack water!!

Flies!  I HATE FLIES!!!  I am convinced we have some kind of mutant strain of them here because they just don't DIE!!!

 

Question/thoughts I have.....

What will happen at the end of this year when Jamie finishes his studies?  What do I feel like eating?  (just being honest) Where can I find a pig?   How are we going to get through this next lot of birthdays coming up?   When do I plant leeks? 

 

Things that I am .... Reading - Waddi Creek by Kerry McGinnis                                                 

                                               - 1 Kings Chapter 6 to 8

                             Last Read  - Bloom by Kelle Hampton (a must read but seriously have a boxful                                                                                                 of tissues at the ready)

                              To Read   - ???  I don't have anything on the "to read' list at present, suggestions??

 

I am Cooking/Eating.....

-Lemon Slice, Chicken Salads, Chorizo Pizzas, Curries!!  I am in love with Indian Food.

 

I am grateful for.....An amazing husband, family, friends,and Healthy Children - especially after last summer!

 

I am praying for.....Gods provision and guidance I know I write this all the time but its our reality. We are in need of his DAILY provision. Jamie, as he begins his year of study.  Guidance as I launch a new ministry out into the community to assist new mothers this year - exciting as it is its also super scary!

 

Day in the Life Photos

 

This gorgeous wee man turned 1 in December. He brings such joy and laughter into our home. Before he was born it was hard to image our family being anymore cooler but it is so much better for having him in it!!

 

I love that my sweet girls still love to hold my hand!

 I have to be honest I hate it when they do this but they always have so much fun. I cringe inside at the thought of sand in the hair, in the clothes and being traipsed through the house!

 

I just love my house!

                                                

 

 

So how has your February been this year??



 

 

A glimpse into our Home School.

You all know how much I love to reflect don't you?  I am good at it, its part of me.  So as we launched ourselves into what is to be our 4th year of homeschooling, I have been reflecting on our journey. Of course I have.
So I thought that I would conduct a little interview on myself....

Q. Is home schooling all that you thought it would be?
A. No, it is much much more.  It still gives me warm fuzzy feelings watching my kids interact with each other especially the relationships between the older ones and younger ones.  Its very special.  They still fight and declare all out war on each other for looking the wrong way or accidently ankle tapping on the way past down or pouring themselves an extra 2mm of juice than the others.  But I do know that they are really good friends.  Like tonight, Jayden (10) and Thomas (8) are camped out on Caseys (12) floor - just for fun.  I love (most of the time) having my kids around me all day.  As school started for the rest of the country this year I was feeling sad when I thought of my kids being gone all day for five days a week.

Has your 'school' or the way you do school changed?
Yes it changes all the time.  I laugh (and cringe) at when I first started.  My very first day I had set up a timetable with periods and everything and all of them were suppose to do the same subject at the same time.  I hadn't allowed for the fact that I was spreading myself too thin, trying to do 3 levels of maths, or 3 levels of spelling and answer three lots of questions and entertain a four year old and two year old at the same time.  It was terrible and I cried on that first day because I yelled at one of the kids for finishing their spelling before the allotted time frame had finished. I mean come one how dare they!! Terrible terrible time.  But without those terrible times I guess I wouldn't of sort out ways to better our school.   I have dabbled in Unit Studies, followed the NZ Curriculum, done unschooling (interesting concept that - it may work for some but my boys wanted to build lego all day and play soccer and the girls well they made fairy houses) and used childrens books as a basis for schooling.  They all have worked, some worked well, some so so but every now and then I have a  need to have a revamp of how we are schooling, to mix things up a bit.  At present we are back to using a timetable but everyone (apart from the girls) is doing something different. (please be impressed - it took me ages to set that timetable out and colour-code everything and not have more than one person needing the computer at once. A total mission!!)

 

 

So what are you teaching them?

Sophie who isn't 5 yet is learning to read and do basic math.  I have the help from phonics programme on the computer.  She is very easily frustrated when her fives and three don't look like fives and threes!

 

Kaitlyn is coming along with her reading after a slow start - because she is such a day dreamer and would rather be out playing in the wind and building fairy houses than learning to read.  She is getting better at Maths and her writing is like she was born with a pen in her hand (as long as she isn't' day dreaming, that's when is starts to curve downwards and towards the bottom corner of page)

 

Thomas. Last year it was like he woke up to the fact that he actually knew stuff, could actually read and spell and do math.  Although he HATES having to write anything!  If I let him he would do all his work on the computer.  So this year I have incorporated a lot more subjects on the computer using programmes, YouTube and lessons found online.  I tell you, you can find a lesson, a game and a YouTube clip on anything!! He is now much happier until he has to write.

 



 

Jayden. Schooling Jayden is mostly a breeze.  He does his work and does it well. He is really enjoying reading and chemistry at the moment.  We have been looking at elements and the periodic table. He especially was quite fascinated by Hydrogen and how flammable it was (again YouTube has amazing hydrogen explosions) and was in utter disbelief when I showed him a clip of the Hindenburg disaster! Watch it here He couldn't understand why people were stupid enough to use hydrogen!! 

 

Casey.  Like Jayden, Casey is relatively easy to guide through his work. He too is liking the fact that there is a bit more computer work.  Both Jayden and Casey are really into the World War Two at the moment and can't read enough about it. In fact I got a whole pile of war books out of the local library which earned me a telling off from the librarian.  Every morning I am getting a running commentary of what they have read about it.  He is enjoying Geography and is doing a lot of map work. (gets that from his Mother - I love maps)  

 

 

*Note the cool map in the background

 

The younger kids have been looking at life cycles and so far have covered frogs and butterflies.  If you want an annoying funky butterfly lifecycle song stuck in your head -listen to this Butterfly Song!

You can thank me later. not!  

 

 

  So yeah schooling has developed over the three years to what works for us and our family.  School is from 830am to 1230pm. Everyday one of the kids is on baking duty.  I have two independent bakers, one semi-independent, and two wanna-be-independent-but-aren't-yet bakers. Who ever is on for the day is responsible for baking something for morning tea before school starts.  Yes we have to bake that often!

 

Its amazing what comes out of the kitchen when I am not paying attention!  Banana Cake with blue icing, thanks Casey!

Would you ever consider sending them back to school?

For now no.  We definitely feel this is what we are suppose to be doing.  There are of course some days when I feel like I need my head read and would quite happily send them off out the door.  Casey has made slight mention of going to school but only a certain one and that is not even a possibility at present. I am so pleased we are on this journey together. Our kids have seen us walk through some tough things but all this has made our family strong.

 

How do you get your housework done?

Ha funny!! Somehow it does....everyone pitches in and does their bit in the morning.  Jamie always vacuums for me, he is good like that.  The thing with homeschooling is that the house never stays tidy.  Its really mission impossible.

 

 

 

The crock pot and I are great friends!

 

 There is nothing like tutus, gumboots and sibling love!

 

Jesses favourite thing is to chase the ducks and chickens!

 

 So there you have just a wee glimpse into our home schooling days. Its not perfect I know, but it is good. It is us.



 

A Moose in the Driveway!

Some may be wondering a little about the title of this post. Given that here in New Zealand we have no moose.  But the title is my new favourite say, my catch phrase if you please.  Its what I say out loud to myself or to whoever is with me when ever I maybe about to hit a speed bump (or pot hole depends how you look at it).

 

 

So let me tell you how this new saying of mine came to be.

It was Christmas Day and we were driving home at night from my sister in laws/ best friend house, it was late and it was dark. The kids were tired and chocca full of yummy Christmassy food as was both Jamie and I.  We were just about to turn down our road and I turned and I said to Jamie "What would you do if there was a moose in our driveway?"  Now I don't know if this is a good thing but he is quite used to my random questions and statements that I make, so he didn't really bat an eyelid and just said "I don't know? But it would be kind of random wouldn't it?"  Well yes and it would be very very highly unlikely that we would ever come across a moose in our driveway.  Like I am talking about being 99.9% sure that that would never happened. (As much as that would be kinda cool being that Jamie is an avid hunter and a lover of all things Alaskan) Hmmm he didn't know what he would do because he wouldn't be expected it, would he?  We left the conversation there and I noticed that five out of six of the kids were asleep and history tells me that waking kids up to get them out of the car and into bed is not a pleasant experience. Ever!

 

 So I said to Jamie "Right lets do this. Instead of expecting the kids to all wake calmly and walk into the house and put themselves to bed without a word of any sort... Lets expect at least four kids to cry, one to discover that their legs don't work anymore and will require carrying,  at least two of them will discover something bleeding and require plasters. All of them will need a drink and then to go to the toilet. At least half of them won't know where their Pyjamas are and will need another drink.  Someone will be itchy somewhere and need cream.  Maybe um two will need spew bowls because they feel sick (one may even vomit) and another two will need a banana because they are hungry.  Some will want the hall light on and some won't.  At least someone will ask for a story even though its like four hours past their bedtime.  And another will want a another drink of water and then spill it in their beds which require a complete pyjama and bed change.  IF we expect all that (and that's more likely that the above will happen than finding a moose in the driveway) if we expect all that and we can ready ourselves to deal with whatever comes our way in a calm and peaceful parent way. Anything less than the above will be a pleasant bonus! Amazingly only about half of that happened AND we totally ROCKED the whole bedtime parenting thing that night with peace and oodles of patience.  Like I mean totally ROCKED IT OUT!

 

So what's with the moose then?  My "moose" is all the unexpected things that could possibly go wrong that could potentially ruin your plans, make you late or steal your peace.  "Moose" can come in all shapes and sizes. Like your child's need to go to the bathroom 57 times while you are out. Or wet pants, spilled drinks, tomato sauce on the new dress.  Its the children who decide to swim in a mud puddle just before bed or the child who rings up from Grandmas late at night and wants to come home. (both of those have happened to me recently) Its the tantrum over the wrong shoes, its the poo explosion, its the scraped knee and the super heavyweight fight over whose pants are whose. 

 

These are the things that we parents deal with on a daily basis.  Sounds exhausting doesn't it. 

Um cos it is!!!!

 There is a saying that goes

"Expect the worst and hope for the best"

I used to think that sounded morbid but now I think its giving some great advice.

While obviously we can't plan for everything little thing to go wrong but my point being, that if we continually have expectations of everything going perfectly to plan all of the time then we are going to be sorely disappointed, our tail will be in a spin, we will lose our cool, our knickers will be twisted,  we will throw our toys out of the cot and maybe even slam a door or two.

And then comes regret.  We feel regret and guilt at losing our cool at our precious children over seemingly small things (but happen to be big when we aren't expecting them).

 

Pause and Breathe

(and again if necessary)

We are learning to do this. If we hear something break, an epic fight breaks out or a thud where there shouldn't of been a thud, we find ourselves saying "moose in the driveway, moose in the driveway"  It gives us a chance to pause, breathe and then go check out whatever crisis is occurring.

 

 

God knows I am not perfect at this, not by a long shot.  The thing with kids is that they are kids, things don't go to plan when kids are involved. They are still learning to be, to fit and to function in this world.  I know some might disagree but come on, be truthful. It would be some superhero family that could get out the door on time, with no yelling, no reminding of shoes, lunches, bags, reminding of time, of feeding of pets or sibling fights about who is sitting where and who sat where last Wednesday.  I tell you, if you expect a "moose" or two, expect something unexpected you may pleasantly surprise yourself at your ability to react in peace and patience.

And really who wouldn't want to be that parent??

 

"Moose" aka face paint

 

"Moose" aka Muddy shoes

 

"Moose" aka Wee girls attempt at tidying the linen cupboard.

 

 



 

Enjoy your week, Moose and all!! xx

Photo Favourites!!

Saturday is such a great day isn't it? It's one whole day filled to the brim with wonder and promise. "What are we going to today?"  And rather than get all serious on a Saturday, I thought I would put up a few of my latest photos that I consider my favourite.  Actually I probably should call them my favourite favourites because the in the former group there are way too many and if I used them all I more than likely would bore you to tears.

So here we go..in no particular order.

 

Family Bush Walk...

 

I still get such a kick out of my kids wanting to hold my hand while we walk. (OK so the boys not so much). It warms my heart.

 

And they all belong to me.  LOVING this photo!!

 

So big so fast!

 

We are presently totally obsessed with puzzles around here and large ones at that.  This puzzle is 500 pieces. It took this sweet girl five days with minimal help from me and her brothers. 

She has the patience of a saint!!

 

We have been reading a book called 'A Salmon for Simon' lately.  Its Sophie's favourite.  I nearly know it off by heart.

 

"He sat on a dock and fished. He sat on a rock and fished. But Simon still didn't catch a Salmon, he didn't even see a Salmon"

I thought this photo could of been straight out of the book except we were fishing for Carp, but the point being - We didn't catch a thing!!!

 

 

Gorgeous Sophie and 'Pippa'!  Friends. 

 She is currently working on us at getting our own dog.

 How this could be comfy, I don't know?

 

About to try his hand at fishing......I love his smile!

 

A pause in the shade to take in the Flora.

 

..exquisite really!

 

We are so blessed to live in a country that is so beautiful and that one doesn't have to venture too far to experience it.  I am thankful that my children have opportunities to fish, to climb trees and to hold my hand and be together.  I am thankful that my children are happy and healthy!  Couldn't really ask for more than that, could I.

 

"Life moves pretty fast.

If you don't stop

to look around once in a while

you could miss it."

-Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller

 

Now go have a blessed Sunday!!