Made It Through Monday

Finally back to work today. It was a bit of a relief to return to a normal routine. I was up at 4:30 (that's a.m. for you people who sleep until it's light outside) and at my workout in the great room by 5. Today I again tried the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It is a kick your tushy workout for sure, and I only worked the level one session. There are two higher levels that you progress through after doing the workout four or five times in a week, and you progress to the next level when you are ready. With the 30 day title, I interpret it to mean about 10 days at each level, so next time around I should be ready for level two. As I am mixing up my DVD workouts I have noted that this is not my favorite, but it is definitely challenging. And I am a sucker for a good, healthy challenge.

I didn't do much toward my own happiness today. Well I did write two blog entries, snuggled with the little boys as they fell asleep, and watched the new episode of House with Joe and our three oldest boys. But I stayed at work far longer than I liked (and finished), had to run to the store since Joe didn't get around to it yesterday (and picked up my coffee I was nearly out of) and didn't get home until the boys had already had their baths, had their stories and were just tucked into bed for the night (did I mention we snuggled for a bit?). A productive day I suppose, but I'll need to work on getting home extra early tomorrow.

Grandma Gann

My mother's mother's 89th birthday is today. She is one of the loveliest people I have ever known, and up until the past few years she has been my biggest cheerleader and has listened intently to every word I have spoken in her presence. If you know me well, you know what a feat that is, and I so adore being the center of her world if only for five minutes or a half hour at a time. Actually I am happy to share the bright beams of her attention with any of my family.

My earliest memories of Grandma are of me sitting in her lap while she told me interesting stories, shared how she and her brothers and sisters worked and played in her childhood, revealed her dreams, and always gave unwavering proof of her love of me by holding my hand in hers as she talked. I can remember her trying to explain to me that while my sister Anne was older than me, I could one day be bigger than her. I really didn't get it until years later remembering her words. I must have been only four or so. Other memories include the strong scents of her kitchen. Pumpkin pie spices and mincemeat always remind me of watching her baking when I was about five. The smell of mint takes me back to visits to her herb garden. The sound of her laughter takes me back to sitting in the kitchen watching her reading letters that her family or pen pals had sent her. I remember thinking how much I wanted to write letters to people. It seemed to bring such joy to her. Sadly, although I do write a lot, I do not write many letters. And funny that most of the letters I have written have been to her.

As I hit that confusing age of 13 our family moved closer to my grandparents. We would spend time in her garden as I shadowed her, weeded, harvested, and talked about all of her favorite flowers and herbs.  Afterward we would sit around drinking the sweetest sweet tea as she talked with me about things she had read or seen, and she would also give me some of the best advice I got in my life. Like how to make chocolate cake taste good even on the third day (serve it with pudding), how to decide if a man is husband material (see how he treats his mother and sisters), and how to get smarter (read, write, do puzzle and play challenging games like Boggle or Scrabble as often as you can).

I remember snuggling up in the softest quilts as I was growing up, too. I don't remember what happened to the quilt that she made for me, or the one she made for my doll when I was about seven or eight, but I can still picture their patterns and blend of colors. My mother also makes quilts, but I obviously had some gene defect because I have no skill with a needle, let alone the artistry required to be a quilter. I am very fond of the small lovey-sized quilts that my grandmother made for my four oldest boys. Each quilt she created had its own story, its own personality and matched the temperament of each boy who delighted in dragging it around as a cape or wrap, throwing it over a table or chair to create a tent or fort and later to have it draped over them as they napped.   

It has been very difficult for the past several years for me to see Grandma fade from her role as a vibrant, creative and witty spirit as she continues to slip in and out of the here and now. She is no longer at home, and when I go to visit her now, I am ever hopeful that she will find some comfort and recognize me as one of her "folks". I am delighted, ecstatic,  if she recognizes me for me. If I can get a giggle, or even a chuckle out of her, I feel my mission is successful. Even if she thinks of me as one of the neighbors she is so fond of, we have a good visit. January 11, 1921 was a very great day. Dorothy Ellen came to be a part of the world and later became the mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother to a bunch of lovely people I call my family. Mwwaah Grandma, I love you so.

Happy New Year!!!

This year's New Year's Party theme was, "The Game is On". Family and friends were invited over to celebrate the new year's arrival with food and plenty of games from which to choose.
Food and snackies for the night included barbecue roast beef sandwiches, little smokies in sauce, chips, dips, cheeses, crackers, fruits with dip, flavored popcorns, triple chocolate cookie bars and Ritz crackers and peanut butter dipped in candy bark.










After the first round of eats, we decided to play Scene It , the Movies version. It's an interactive, and fun, DVD game. That was followed by a very friendly game of the interactive DVD version of Family Feud and then a Scene It, TV version round.









The Wii, Connect Four, Safari and Madagascar Fishing were a hit with the younger kids. When they weren't playing games, they were generally bouncing around.













Most of the older boys went off to play "Magic" cards, my sister and niece headed home to welcome the year in with my brother in law and the rest of us tried to get a game of Mad Gab in before the countdown.












As midnight approached, games paused and we watched Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest and the ball drop (an hour delayed) in Times Square, New York City. Dick Clark has been a tradition at our house since I was a kid myself.












After the horns blew to welcome in the year it was sparkles and bubbles and then some Black Eyed Peas (the food and the music group performing on the Rockin Eve progam).

The Christmas Blizzard

'Twas the night before Christmas, and Danny was a tired boy. After partying with Grammy, parents, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins his eyes were a bit droopy. But his stocking was hung by the chimney, and he was really hoping that all the teasing he'd been given about being on Santa's naughty list was not true.

Santa was tracked on Norad throughout the day Christmas Eve. Once Rudolph's nose hit the Pennsylvania area, the boys decided they didn't want to cut it too close and headed off to bed. It's a good thing that Santa Claus had Rudolph this year to guide his sleigh, because the heavy snow and hurricane speed winds were a real deterrence for their visit. Thanks to Rudolph's shiny nose he came. Santa came just the same. The foul weather and near foot of snow may not have stopped Santa from landing on our rooftop, but our blizzard made it impossible for my family to receive visitors or to venture out on Christmas Day, or Boxing Day for that matter. We were snowed in.

This is our air conditioner unit after we dug out the back door. Yikes, we couldn't get out the back door until it was dug out. Good thing our front door is much higher off the ground.

And this is the drift that locked us inside. It's more than 3 feet high, oh my!!!

It was just the seven of us and Joe's roommate (and longtime family friend) Derek for the day.










The boy's seemed to get everything they wanted and then some. It was (almost) comical watching the younger boys open boxes with clothing, Christmas Story style, and throw the well-intentioned garments over their shoulders in anticipation of a better packed gift. Brats!!!










After gifts were opened, I put the turkey in the roaster and then we enjoyed a brunch of cinnamon rolls, egg/ham/cheese casserole and oranges. After brunch, I put the ham into the oven and we spent some time hanging out, playing new Wii and DS games and listening one of Rick's new CDs, "Spirited Away". Very different.









We had a full scale dinner in the late afternoon/early evening. The menu: turkey, baked ham, mashed potato casserole, gravy, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, pumpkin and pecan pies. I think I was too busy either cooking or relaxing to take pictures of the food. But rest assured, we ate very well, but missed family that would have joined us if the weather had been better.

I hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Gann Christmas 2009

Lance, Jennifer, Jimmy and Tara

The Annual Gann Family Christmas get-together was a brunch the Saturday before Christmas at Uncle Jack and Aunt Shirley's house. We had biscuits and gravy and lots of other great treats. How did Tara get in so many pictures?

Daniel and Jack
Which way IS that train going?


The kids played several rounds of UNO.

Left: Devin, Janai and Tara. Tara only has one card. Did I hear "UNO"?

Right: Joe, Dylan, and Devin

The Heat Is on

Summer is here. The calendar and the heat advisory that is now in effect shows that my favorite season has arrived. What do I love about Summer? I can think of many things. Here are my top ten.

10. Having weeks and weeks to get my act together
9. Being able to read a book from start to finish in a day
8. Cooling off in the pool.
7. Going to the lake in the middle of the week when it is not crowded.
6. 4th of July picnics and fireworks
5. Sleeping in until after 7, at least until the second week in August arrives
4. The big family vacation
3. Day trips on any day of the week
2. Sharing meals out on the patio
1. Spending hours and hours each day with my family. I can't seem to get enough hugs once school starts.

Did I ever mention before that I love Summer?!?!

Counting the Days

It is time to get it together. I have a wonderfully long Summer Break coming soon. Usually I spend the first week or so just chilling out in recovery of the school year...not this time. I have no stress from which to recover. Well nothing other than the high work load, and that will end when my contract days are done. It has been a very good year. I've been blessed at work with great kids, great parents, and better yet, great friends to work with every day. I almost don't want it to end. I am losing a teacher from my team this year. She is moving on with her military family. So I will savor her company while she is still here. The school year ending is almost always bittersweet.

So on for, "How am I not going to let the summer pass without getting out of it all that I want?" First I must reflect on my past summer habits. Five years ago, I had a very stressful year of work. I was in a contract and had to endure a very tough year. It took me the last months of my contract and the first two weeks of summer to get a new contract in a much better work environment. I spent the rest of the summer on recovery. The last three summers I have kind of fell into the same pattern...and not properly planned for the summer. I did plan a family vacation and a few trips to the lake, but I did not get to any of my summer's agenda.

This year I am going to have a much bigger and broader plan. I am not going to plan every day down to the last minute of detail, but I am going to set goals for days and weeks. So where to begin? My plans are to sleep in from time to time, but I will also rise early to enjoy the coolness that only morning brings in the summer season. Early morning rising also usual means a more productive day for me, so if I have a day of tasks or somewhere to be, I will be up as soon as the sun hits the horizon.

I am going to read a lot this year. I have no babies or toddlers to care for minute by minute anymore, no lesson plans to create, time on my hands and a very long list of books I want to read. I have the Twilight series on the top my list. I have ordered the books, so will have my own copies to share with family, friends or students after I finish them myself. I also have to read the next Shopaholic books. Enjoyed the first one so much, I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series. I will search for recommendations when I finish with those, but have considered reading the Harry Potter books...probably a too tall order for my summer, but something I am considering. What do you think?

During the first week I am going to work on closets. I have a friend that will be working on hers as well.It is always nice to have a buddy when working on projects. We have committed to a closet a day on the first week after school is out. I also have a Twitter friend that has agreed to work on intense decluttering with me once our break begins. I think getting all of that out of the way at the beginning (and I don't see it taking more than a week or so- you do believe me, right?), leaves me time to plan other outrageously fun activities for the summer. Last year we didn't get to the lake much because it rained what seemed to be every other day until August. We squeezed in a few lake trips, but did get rained on every time we went out. The running joke last year was that I got my workouts putting the cushions off the patio furniture every time it rained and then back on again as soon as the rain clouds passed. Who wants to sit on wet cushions, right?

I have yet to even begin to plan our "get away from it all" vacation. I usually have an idea by now where we are headed, and generally when we will go so Joe and any of the older boys that are interested can arrange their schedules for time off. This year we do have family that is planning to head this way, and I don't want to be out of town when they come so I am waiting to hear when they are headed here. As far as planning the actual trip, I can usually do that within just a week or two. I prefer to drive and see the sights since we have some time off. Or, I should more accurately say Joe does the driving. I am the navigator. We sometimes reserve a room before we leave home, other times we stop when and where we are done for the day. Every trip has its own unique memories, although our trips are frequent enough they start to run together in my mind. This is definitely a great thing. I love that my kids are getting so many great experiences, and I really enjoy the chance to travel so often.

So the countdown begins. Not because I need the break, but because it is coming nonetheless. I want to spend some time with family and friends, and to make our home a place where we can enjoy each others company. I want to be ready to make it a summer that at the end I will feel as if I lived it well.

Reconnecting with Facebook

In my latest blog, I shared my experience with the social networking site Twitter. I wasn’t using Twitter long, and was really enjoying connecting with family and some friends from my groups when I pointed out what I liked about using Twitter to my oldest son Joe. He let me know that it looked like Twitter was a simplified version of Facebook. “Facebook? What is Facebook? Isn’t it a lot like My Space? Isn’t it another one of those online hang outs for kids, but more so college kids?” I had had friends that had invited me to join, and people from my list serve groups were joining and writing about how great it was. There were even people on Blog Talk Radio shows talking about connecting to their group or fan pages. I had been unsure. My son told me I needed to check it out myself. I directly got on it and signed up for an account, invited a few people, and soon found my sister and a few of my cousins. It wasn’t long and I found a few more friends and family and I was hooked.

Is it addictive? No more so than Twitter. I guess that is my elusive way of saying, YES, it can be, and big time. Facebook is a social networking website, and reportedly growing at this point by about a half a million new profiles opening up each day. The group that is growing fastest is the over 30 crowd. Since I have joined Facebook, I have heard it referenced over and over again in the media. It has been the topic of discussion with family and friends. My class and I were watching the Channel One news program shown at school, and it was covering a story about high school kids giving up Facebook for lent. Of course many of the kids in my class have to be very close to their cell phones as they like to send texts before they can even get out of the school building at the end of the day. But even they are buzzing about their parents, and even a few of them, having Facebook accounts.

So what do I like about Facebook? I love having the ability to connect with friends and family. I can see what is going on in their lives and share what is going on in mine. I send out updates by answering the question, “What are you doing?” and now the recent question, “What’s on your mind?” All of my friends should be able to see my update, and will have the opportunity to comment as well. I can send people I have connected to, known as my friends, messages only they can see to their inboxes, or write on their “wall”, and then they, or anyone else that sees their wall, can see my message. I can comment on my friends’ updates, and comments can continue for as long as there is an interest. My friends and family can keep track of me in real time, or just check in for updates from time to time. I can join and support a cause with a real life impact, find friends from past or present schools, jobs or other groups in which I have been a part. There are groups and (fan) pages that allow people with similar interests to find each other and to connect through wall posts or discussion groups on the pages.

I like the many applications that can be used. The types of applications are really diverse. There are quizzes that are fun to take and tell you things like what your theme song is. There are a wide variety of games and simulations that you can challenge your friends and others on Facebook to play. I have tried out an application that allows me to identify my relatives that are on my friends list, and how I am related to them. There are more practical applications, like ones that let my tweets on Twitter update my Facebook as well. Send someone a drink, or a hug, or chocolates…all virtually, and all in fun. Well then it is also possible to have someone throw a snowball or shoe at me, or me at them. Good thing it is a virtual throw, and that it’s my “friend” sending it my way, or receiving it with a smile.

I am now feeling a bit of angst. While I love the Facebook that I signed up for those many weeks ago, Facebook has changed the format of the site (again, so I hear) and now everything seems to be a jumbled mess instead of the simple set up I started using. And when I used to have no problem finding my applications that are not actually a part of Facebook, I find that with the “new” format it is not easy to find them. I’m sure that I don’t like it at all, but with my Blackberry application on my phone( I loaded mine the day before the new Facebook came out) I still get the organization of the January through mid-March Facebook format that I am used to using. That does make me happy. Within the entire jumble of information, I am still staying connected to my friends, looking at pictures and reading updates and enjoying the many groups I have chosen to be a part of and applications that I have decided to use.

If you haven’t signed up for Facebook yet, I challenge you to give it a try. Find a few friends or family members to be your friends, or find your whole crew from your past and present. If you can’t find someone on the Facebook people search, you can send them an invitation through e-mail to join you on Facebook. Spend some time getting the hang of sending updates out, and try out new things as you feel you are ready.

Cousin Fun

My sister Anne and I formed a plan to get the kids out of the house and do some shopping. We took them to a Chuckie Cheese that had JC Penney's very near. The kids had fun. We got to shop a good sale. Win, Win!

A Year of Blogging

I have enjoyed the opportunity to blog my experiences and thoughts over the past year, and it is encouraging that others are enjoying reading it as well. Many of you are coming back again and again. Thank you for sharing my journey.

Over the next year I am going to work on simplifying my life and keeping focused. Every year it seems I am a bit more organized than the year before. But I still seem to have so many things going on, so I want to prioritize and then get rid of things that I truly do not, and will not, have time to do. Then I will streamline my time so that I can actually focus on the things that I do think are important. Scheduling time to do what is important for me and my family is my goal. Not just to say it, but to actually carve out a time and do it.

Things that are new I am trying this year;
*Twitter-lots of fun connecting with family and FLYFriends
*Facebook-connecting with cousins mostly at this time
*Focus on one plan-my plan

The things I want to do more regularly this year;
*Spend time with family- immediate and extended
*Family play day at least twice a month
*Game night at least once a month-we have times where game nights are frequent and then a pause
*Get fit- I have really let this one go over the past year

Things I want to keep doing this year;
*Blog
*Take trips-short and long, with family
*Get rid of clutter as it comes in, or as I re-prioritize-at home and work
*Routines-at home and work
*Read
*Pray
*Love
*Budget resources
*Save for rainy days, fun days(birthdays, trips and Christmas) and retirement days

Starting a Happy New Year with Fondue and Clue

My sibs and I met for a day of fun, without anyone else for the first time in seven months. There were many reasons why we postponed celebrating birthdays this year, starting with the fact that I was out of town on mine.

We enjoyed cheese and chocolate fondue with a game of DVD Clue in between. My younger sister won. Our time together was great, and too short as always. I ended up staying two hours later than I had planned.

Another Day of Melting

I could get used to this. The other day I was wishing that the patio furniture was still out, and today I am feeling the same way. The melted snow left a vision of brown grass on the lawn. I could get used to the warm, but since winter is only a week old here, I am not holding my breath. I ended up taking a walk, but it ended up being a bit muddy with all the melting happening.

Anne and Kevin left today and the house was quiet for about three hours until Joe and Steven returned from their time away. Joe was visiting his dad with a few of his siblings and Steven was visiting with his Grammy.

A Wet White Day

Joe left very early this morning to visit his dad in Oklahoma and left in the middle of a thunderstorm that soon turned to ice and snow storms. I was thinking we may be in trouble as soon as it was light because the rain that was coming down was freezing as it was so cold on the ground. Often that is what happens before the power lines go down and we are out of electricity for hours or sometimes days. Since we bought the new generators after last year's ice storm, I think we may never have to use them. It is funny/strange how that is how it works sometimes.

While we enjoyed the snow coming down, my sister and I pretty much just sat around and visited. The weather let up just in time for the road crews to clear the roads before my son Joe had to go to work. The boys were trying out more of their new Wii games and we watched new movies.

It's Time to Celebrate

The morning of Christmas Eve has arrived and the boys were up early again! I had to make the jello salad and the cherry cheesecake early enough to chill for the dinner this afternoon while they were eating breakfast, so I started that right after I showered and dressed this morning.

We spent the afternoon at mom's for a dinner and the little kids did a gift exchange. We had 19 there for dinner, including all 10 of Mom's grandkids. Mom topped off the day by giving herself a gash on her finger as she was getting the meat off of the turkey after dinner. Joe had just sharpened the knife when he did the carving before dinner.

We made our gift deliveries before and after going to Mom's and we didn't get home until well after dark. The boys didn't get to their cookie or countdown surprise until after nine p.m. The surprise was Jan Brett's The Night Before Christmas, of course. This version has many wonderful surprises in the pictures on the sides of each page.

Thankfulness

Besides the fact that I was a bit on the run down side yesterday, and that I was fizzling out at 7 p.m., our family's Thanksgiving was great.

I think the highlight of my morning, and maybe my week, was when my youngest son Daniel, while we were dancing to one of the songs on a Christmas video the boys were watching this morning, stopped and said, "Do you know what I'm thankful for? ...For you Mommy!" I told him I was thankful for him as well, and gave him a big hug as we continued our dance. He is a very cuddly loving boy, and I am so blessed to have him reminding me every day that I am loved.

Another highlight was Wednesday evening. The boys helped to prepare pumpkin pies for the Thanksgiving dinner. Each of them worked on each step, and as we doubled the recipe, each one completed a pie in the end. Raymond set the timer and they both waited for the first high heat to complete and then helped with peeling eggs, opening olive cans and loading the dishwasher while they waited for the pies to finish baking. They were so proud as they announced to all who came for dinner that hey had made the pumpkin pies.

My grandma came for dinner along with my mom. The first moments with Grandma were a bit rough as she didn't know where she was although she has shared many Thanksgiving dinners with us here. She didn't recognize my family until we sat down and spent some time talking about time we had spent together in the past. She asked if Raymond used to be called Ray Ray. Once she got into the moment she seemed to really enjoy the visit. I got a couple of great pictures of her, this one with my youngest son Daniel.

It was too warm in the house with the roaster, oven and stove top going to enjoy a fire all day, so I waited until the they were off right before dinner, I had already opened the window in the kitchen and we had a nice fire in the fireplace during dinner. My nephew Alex also came for dinner. He is also a regular for holiday celebrations. Joe did his usual after dinner entertainment and had Mom laughing so hard she was crying. I almost cried laughing at my mom laughing. It was great.

The evening was here before we knew it and it was time for guests to get home before it got dark. As I said before I was worn out very early. We spent the evening after guests left watching the traditional cartoon favorites and I did my traditional napping on the couch as they watched.

Balmy November Beginning

November has come in with the most amazing weather. It took a bit of time for the thick fog to lift from the landscape Saturday morning, but once it did there were clear blue skies overhead and a bed of prickly cushion underneath as a half dozen kids, one big sister and some adventurous parents set out on a hay ride to enjoy the multiple hues of the season in the early autumn afternoon.

It was planned that we would enjoy hot cocoa after the trip, but it was much too warm when we returned to even consider drinking something that would warm us further, and we ended up picnicking with pizza on the patio while the kids played, mostly outside. A couple more neighbor kids joined in the play as the afternoon went on, and it was a party atmosphere until dinner time. When it was time for friends and cousins to go home, there were some long faces, and not one kid ready to call the day done, including the ones that live here.

A Place to Plan

Five Days until Halloween, One Month until Thanksgiving and Two Months until Christmas

So next Friday is Halloween, and the little kids are going to enjoy cousins coming over Friday and Saturday. I am planning what it is we will do for a fun day next Friday and Saturday with the kids.

In the meanwhile, the Countdown has started. I am making a list of things I need this week. My first goal is to set up a Christmas Planning Center. This is the one thing I have never done more than make shift at the dining room table, a space in the closet and even the bedroom floor. I hope that putting a planning/gift wrapping/card writing/scrapbook making/working area will make my preparations go more smoothly this year as well as give me a productive work space for other goals. I measured for a table in the corner near my desk, and I hope to pick one up today. One of the downfalls of my office area is that there is really no space to work since the computer takes up much of the work space. A table will create a wrap around work area. I think it is also important to have the Christmas planning/work area close by my computer as much of my ideas and resources are right there.

So the things I have added to my shopping list are amaryllis bulbs to start, the table (that can also double as an extra dining table when we entertain inside or outside), fun foods for next week's cousin fun days and Raymond still needs a costume.

It's as Simple as That

I hear it often enough. If you want to get something accomplished...just do it. That sounds simple enough. Just get up, grab the bull by the horns and go for a ride. Yeah! That's just how it works. NOT!

So how is motivation to just getting up and getting the job (whatever it may be) done created? By getting up and getting started. Taking the first step. Agreeing that working for a set period of time and then you can be done is all that is needed. But then comes the question, what is it that will motivate my first step? What is it that motivates me to get started? In reality, it is not the same for all. What may motivate me to get the house in top notch order is that I know I will be having visitors soon, or the motivation to keep my grades updated daily is that there are parents that watch as every grade is made available online. But you know, as I have worked to create routines in my everyday life, much of what I do is no longer motivated by what other people are expecting from me, but more from the habits that my routines have developed. These habits have made living in my home, or working within my career much more pleasant as I have a time set to get things done.

I have also been better at learning to delegate. Letting go of control is not an easy feat. I have to remind myself that the world would not end if I did not exist and that things can be done well enough in ways that are not "my" way. One thing I have learned is that you can't delegate what you don't already have under control. I have to jump in to get the area at a level in which I would like it to be maintained, with or without some help. I also have learned that we do a service to our children to teach them by working alongside of them as they are learning a chore. Once they have proven competency then they can work under less close supervision, but I think I need to be doing something of equal contribution to the family and not simply off enjoying a cup of tea and reading a novel or surfing the web. The older boys in my house have learned to team up in just about every chore they have so the job will go more quickly, usually to get out the door or off to a shared activity.

So all motivation, I believe, comes from habits, and habits come from routines. Those things that are not done routinely are usually done to make the routines go more smoothly, or the motivation comes from going through the routines and just seeing what needs to be done next.When the routines stop, it all seems to stall out. Instilling motivation in others comes by sharing the chores and making it a team effort.

Sun Day, Son Day, Sunday

What is better than enjoying a day with the boys? Not much in my book. I think my boys really enjoy each others company, big and small. I think the older boys go to great lengths to include the younger boys in many activities, too which is really nice to see. As a mom to kids from 4 to 25, I know they definitely belong to each other.

The boys had a nice day. Part of it was spent in front of the big screen with video games, and part was spent outside catching bugs, riding go carts, picking persimmons, grilling dinner and just hanging out.

Sheila's List

Reading has always been a favorite activity for me. As autumn is approaching I have found that I have a slew of books on my reading list. I am trying to be able to recommend books to kids in my Literature class, and I am somewhat out of touch with what they are reading now. So much new literature has been written since my older boys were in middle school. I have read a few, but not as many as I should. Right now I am reading the novel Fairest written by the author Gail Carson Levine who also wrote Ella Enchanted. I am also reading Hatchet with my students at school. I had read it about 15 years ago when Joe first hit middle school. I also have other Gary Paulsen titles in our collection including Brian's Hunt, Brian's Winter and his newer book The Voyage of the Frog. Naturally I have more experiences with novels boys enjoy, but I need to get in touch with some of the literature the girls are enjoying.

I know I am an expert in the preschool to intermediate age literature. In fact I have quite a collection, and get regular updates from Amazon and Scholastic on what is new.

Raymond is still finding plenty to read in our home collection. He has read most of the Magic Tree House series, and I am trying to get him to read some of the other classics (Encyclopedia Brown, Mouse and the Motor Cycle, etc.). He is reading Chocolate Fever to us this week. It is a newer title he ordered from Scholastic last spring, and he is just now reading it. He is very unimpressed by his school library and keeps bringing the same books home over and over. We also keep buying new titles he is interested in reading.

Daniel has adored Dr. Seuss since early last spring. We get a few titles by other authors read every day, but he keeps coming back to the Dr. Seuss titles. He has surprised himself lately by how much he can read. He will ask, "Does that say _____?" He then gets excited that it actually does more often than not. He is also "reading" pages of Hop on Pop and Go Dog, Go.