Honey Do

Doug made the mistake of mentioning Friday that this was the last weekend before the start of college football. (Translated, this means that for the next 3 1/2 months or so, our lives will be ruled by the SEC schedule and/or programming available via rabbit ears.) Carpe diem, so they say.

We've been planning on moving Matthew in with his big brothers before baby's arrival, and it was necessary to make room in the closet (as well as provide some organization).

Doug had plenty of enthusiastic helpers who were fascinated by hammer and nail.

By Sunday afternoon, our Presbyterian blood was showing: the contents of the closet were arranged "decently and in order."

Matthew even spent his first night with the brothers. Although it took a while for everyone to settle down, it went much better than I had expected.

School: Week Four

The boys were going through detox after a long weekend with the grandparents, and I thought about sending them packing.


My mother claimed that as guardians they were not too indulgent and that the boys were wonderful for them; then she had the audacity to suggest that maybe I was not patient enough.

I think that only partially explains things.

It was definitely not one of our finer weeks, but we managed to learn and few things and survive with all bodies intact (can't say the same for my mind).

The week started off well (school-wise at least) when we made Japanese flags (really, how hard can a red circle be?) and counted 1-5: ichi, ni, san shi, go. Our other projects, however, we not so successful: the paper cranes were impossible to fold, my attempt at miso soup failed when I discovered the miso paste was rank (I still have lots of seaweed, though, should anyone need any), and my tempura was only so-so (I actually pulled Doug aside and told him if it wasn't edible we'd order pizza after the kids went to bed).

Faux sushi saved the day, however. Andrew explained, "Boys in America only like sweet sushi. They do not like to eat bladder worms that turn into adult tapeworms and make you sick." He'd been reading about a Japanese man who consumed raw trout and ended up with a 28-foot tapeworm.

Next week can only be an improvement.

The Great Escape

My parents were gracious enough to sit on our urchins for the weekend while we escaped to Asheville to have a belated 10th anniversary celebration/last hooray before baby.


Since our last childless getaway was nearly 2 years ago (right before Matthew's birth), I'd have been perfectly happy at the Super 8.


Instead, however, we stayed at this wonderful B&B, blocks away from bustlin' downtown.



There was an inviting front porch to savor afternoon drinks or early morning coffee.

There were beautiful fountains scattered amongst the gardens not to mention a most fabulous breakfast, even if it wasn't served until 9 am (in my life with small children, that's snack time!).

It was so enjoyable to not have to have a plan. The only item on the to-do list was to find a pair of dress shoes for Doug's hard to fit feet which we managed to accomplish in one stop.

I can't remember when I've enjoyed being outdoors in August so much. There was no humidity and the high was about 80; it was perfect. We wandered about town, perusing interesting shops, dining outdoors, and most of all, people watching.

There were numerous dogs in strollers, and even one older lady sporting a visor printed, "Mulligan's Mother" with a large, furry white dog in tow. We got to see a man dressed as a nun riding an extrordinarily tall bicycle. We watched an interesting juggler who tossed knives and flaming torches. We talked with random strangers, and exchanged reviews of restaurants and happenings.

A lady in a fancy children's shop tried to push a kangaroo care shirt in which small babies, especially preemies, are worn inside the mother's shirt for the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. I'm sure this is a helpful practice (particularly with preemies), but I had to laugh at the thought of the boys' reaction. I could just see them saying, "Why are you stickin' the baby in your shirt, Momma?"

And no visit is complete without a stop at Mast General Store. I had to have a Cheerwine and we got candy for the boys. Andrew & Stephen were thrilled with their whistle pops. Matthew got a twisty lollipop which he insisted on holding by the top and licking the stick.

We tried numerous times to show him the correct way of holding & licking, but he would shout, "no" and go back to his warped way of "eating."

Matthew was especially taken with Papa, and it doesn't appear that anyone really missed us....hmmm, maybe we should take advantage of this?!

Suspicions Confirmed

I've always suspected, but now I know it is true: they don't have enough sense to come in out of the rain!

During a shower last week, Andrew and Stephen headed outside to witness the water running through the ditch.

Unfortunately, the shower was brief and the ditch was dry; never fear, however, there is always the drain from the downspout.

Stephen declared, "Momma, we are having a lesson on how the water leaves the house!" Thatta boy, always learning!

They floated leaf boats and made lots of mud.

Shortly thereafter, Matthew awoke and went to investigate. He was leary at first

but it didn't take long for him to join in on the fun, repeatedly throwing his beloved Puppy to the ground with an enthusiastic shout.

Poor puppy, a victim of water boarding.

Needless to say, everyone required washing afterwards but what fun they had!

School: Week Three

I've always thought one of the big advantages of homeschooling was the flexibility. Case in point: last week.

At least two mornings the big boys got notions of decorating their vehicles. I don't remember the specifics of the plans, but it involved copious amounts of masking tape and lined notebook paper. They spent well over an hour on their machines thus forcing a delay to the start of school.

But it was all good. They were happy; I managed to clean and putter a bit; and we still got our book learnin' in for the day.

When we finally got around to it, we concentrated our study on Appalachia, and Doug so helpfully pointed out that it was not a country. Really? Glad I finally know that. We read Lauren Mills' The Rag Coat along with several Appalachian books by Cynthia Rylant.

Andrew (left) and Stephen (right) created their own quilt squares ("Joseph's Coat of Many Colors")

while Matthew made a crazy quilt (I thought that was rather appropriate considering his personality).

The boys were quite taken with the idea of coal mines, dynamite, and tools. To further their educational experience, I simultaneously quilted and serenaded them with "Workin' in the Coal Mines" and "16 Tons" while they dug in their own mines in the backyard. Stephen even turned a race car into a canary (which died, of course).

It was too hot for pinto beans and we were plum outta okra, but I whipped up a skillet of Bill Bailey Cornbread. I admit that I am rather a cornbread snob which I blame entirely on my parents. My dad hates dry cornbread and my mom is a great cook who always made this moist recipe. And surprisingly, even with our dairy & eggless substitutions (like homemade tofu yogurt), it is still delicious.

Bill Bailey Cornbread

1 c. self-rising corn meal (I prefer yellow)

8 oz. plain yogurt

8 oz. cream style corn (real corn in cornbread!)

1/4 c. oil

1/4 c. buttermilk

2 eggs

dash of salt

1 T. sugar (Doug's addition)

Combine all ingredients. Bake in a 9" cast iron skillet for 45 minutes.

Weekend Fun

At this stage in the pregnancy stage (at particularly combined with the season) Mom's just not a lot of fun, and so the boys live for the weekend. I think they spend their week counting down the days until Saturday when "daddy doesn't have to go to work and can play with us all day."

While Doug enjoys his change of routine, I don't think he's sad about returning to the office. He declared this evening, "These kids wear me out!" Hah, I thought. Tell me something I don't already know.

We did enjoy an early morning family trip to the park for a mosey along the river (I'm glad I can blame my slow speed on the kids) and a romp on the playground. For his part, Matthew enjoyed throwing rocks.

The highlight, of course, was snacks.

I truly feel that it is important for moms everywhere to always be prepared with food and water, wherever they may go, even if to the mailbox,

no matter what time of day or what has just been consumed:

Someone will always be hungry and thirsty.

School: Week Two

Bonjour, mon ami! Or something like that at least. We traveled to France with Madeline and her 11 little friends, and the boys issued no complaints over the lack of male presence in the story. Stephen actually memorized most of the story and was found on several occasions "reading" aloud.

Being known for their food, I thought it only appropriate that we try some French cuisine. I had planned a whole meal but we only got so far as the bread. (That's the most important thing anyway). Stephen helped prepare the dough...

which I shaped and baked.




Our schedule was a bit altered this week due to various medical appointments, but we also had bonus science lessons roaming the halls of our local children's hospital.


Other mornings we spent our post-study time exploring the great outdoors. Here is the silly little fellow who always says "eeeeese" when I pull out the camera.


He also spent a tremendous amount of time exploring a leaf.


Andrew found a blue jay feather.

Stephen stretched his legs.

Andrew soaked up some important Vitamin D.

And Stephen practiced calling 911.

I'll consider it a productive week.

School: Week One

Knowing that we will be facing a fall break of unspecified length, I thought it best to try to get in a groove as early as possible. The students were eager especially when you begin the session with a sweet treat. Forget indelible pencils; try an edible one instead.

We are trying a set of books called Five in a Row that base geography, art, math, social studies and other subjects around a children's literary classic. This week we read The Story About Ping. For some reason (I think because the duck receives a swat to his backside) Stephen would run out of the room when we would start the book, and on Friday finally declared, "I don't want you to read about Ping because we have read it for many years."

One day we acted out the story complete with props like the "wise-eyed boat"

and a rubber-Ping and penguin-turned-"dark fishing bird."

Thankfully there are no photos of the fishing boy with the barrel on his back. I couldn't talk either of the boys into that role and was forced to tie a basket on my back with a scarf that barely reached around my bulging middle.

Continuing in our China theme, we practiced with chopsticks (courtesy of my dear husband who sacrificially got take-out one day for lunch) and had a homecooked Chinese meal: stirfry with beef, snow peas, bamboo shoots; egg rolls (not bad for my first attempt though our mustard sauce was HOT); and fortune cookies.

We're using Saxon Math 1, and the boys loved counting when it involved building (and destroying) towers.

The third "R" may prove to be our most difficult subject. Andrew agrees with Pooh: "This writing business, pencils and what-not, overrated if you ask me." The boy can describe in great detail the ins and outs of vehicles and vermin, NASCAR and a chambered nautilus, but please don't ask him to write his name! Apparently, that just might kill him.

Thankfully the weather was warm and Matthew was able to roam the fenced yard while I sat by the doorway with eyes and ears alert. Although he likes to participate, neither the boys nor I always appreciate his contributions to our work.

So it seems we will all be learning this year: reading, writing, and 'rithmatic for the boys; patience, juggling, and self-sacrifice for me. This should be an adventure.

World's Longest Yard Sale

In the six years that we have lived in Chattanooga, it seems I've always been nursing and/or pregnant when this time of year rolls around. Seeing as the route passes just a few miles from our house makes it even harder for this gal who has yard-sale genes through and through.

So unless my husband has mercy on me for a while Saturday morning, it seems I will miss another sale. I'll just console myself with my past yard sale, flea market, and estate sale finds.

Wooden Bench:

originally from Charleston, SC, battered and worn

I love the saw marks and nail holes

Happy Apple

what a fun toy and it looks at home with my "paraPoohnalia"

Yellow Cabinet:
the bottom portion was purchased a perpetual yardsale in my hometown, and my dear father constructed the hutch to house our microwave and cookbooks in a former apartment

White Kitchen Cabinet:

I fell in love with this piece and my cash-carrying folks loaned me the money to purchase it

Old Vegetable Bin:

the perfect storage container for our plethora of Matchbox cars, trains, and wooden track

Demi Lune Table:

cute even if it's not practical

Floor Lamp:

one of my grandfather's better finds

especially since the bottom lights up

Explosives Crate:
got this at the same sale as the bench and it's perfect for housing my very-forgiving pothos

Assorted Flower Pots:

one of several that serve as beautiful & functional storage

Here's to the thrill of the hunt.