Outside my window… the sun is starting to set behind the mountain after another busy day.
I am listening to… the hum of the air conditioner. It’s quite around here right now since the baby is sleeping, Twinkle Toes is reading, and our other 4 children are all at the Rink with their Daddy! I might actually have a few free minutes to complete this post – I’ve started it a few times this week and never got very far!
I am thinking… about colors! We finally have chosen cabinet, tile and granite colors, now we just need to make some decisions on the stone, paint, and wood floor colors. Oh, and not to mention light fixtures. . . This has been HARD!
I am thankful… that we have Captain’s (and possibly Rascal’s!) 3rd Grade testing behind us! I knew that Captain would need a little extra guidance so I scheduled a private testing session for him, but when we were on our way I started noticing he was MUCH more nervous than I thought he was. When we arrived I told the tester that I was wishing I would have signed both my boys up to be tested together. She said it wasn’t too late, and that if I wanted Rascal tested she could test him as well, it would just need to be done at the 3rd Grade level as well. (Rascal technically just finished 2nd Grade.) I wasn’t sure he was ready for that, but on the positive side, if he did well, I wouldn’t need to have him tested next year! PLUS, I then had to pay less per boy for the actual testing fees. Captain was immediately much more relaxed and had a big smile on his face, while Rascal was looking at me wondering “WHAT JUST HAPPENED!” lol! He was a good sport though and the boys actually enjoyed the testing. We celebrated with a couple
I am hoping and praying… that the boys scored well on the testing. We will find out in a couple weeks. At least it will give me a better idea of what we need to focus on next year.
From the kitchen… we are still loving our grill
From the learning rooms… stacks and stacks of books! I had to take everything off the storage shelf so the Heating and Air guy can run some duct work along the back wall later this week. My house is quickly falling apart!
Living the Liturgical Year at Home… it has been so busy around here that our little extra celebrations have been cut way back. However, tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (one of our favorites, as well as the patron of our Home School) so we are determined to have a little celebration after morning Mass & Benediction! You can find lots of suggestions over at Catholic Cuisine!
I am creating… Summer Bingo sheets for next week! So far this has been our favorite summer program yet and it is working just wonderfully for our family. It *really* helps to keep in mind the schedule for each upcoming week! Some of this weeks “assignments” included “Illustrate a Picture of Blessed Kateri on her Feast Day” and “Read a picture
I am reading… The Well-Ordered Home: Organizing Techniques for Inviting Serenity into Your Life
Our little Rose… wasn’t sure what to think of her first time in a little swimming pool, but she is already standing up (when leaning against something) and LOVES her little RaZ-berry Teether.
Noticing that… Snuggles has not left the house without Woody
Around the house… this week the rough plumbing and electrical went in, which means we are one step closer to having a kitchen again!
On keeping home… Does any one have any tips for me? I’m starting to feel like a total failure at the moment. . . Our house is such a dusty cluttered MESS!
One of my favorite things… my little Rose and her many facial expressions!
A look at our plans for this week:
Monday :: A Farewell Potluck for the college bound High School Graduates, including my sisters JoAnn & Mary (the twins). We are sure going to miss them when they leave next month.
Tuesday :: Bunco (I won the prize for the most wins!)
Wednesday :: Doctors Appointment (Routine Weight Check) for our little Snuggles (He gained 2 pounds!!)
Thursday :: Captain’s State Required 3rd Grade Testing
Friday :: Mass & Benediction followed by a visit to the Coffee Shop for Carmel Frappachinos! 😉
Saturday :: Heating and Air system connected to the addition
Sunday :: Mass and (hopefully!) REST
A Picture thought I am sharing:
It was taken on the 4th of July as we were getting onto the freeway!
Rose is soooo cute! I hope your boys scored well on the test.
God Bless.
Rose is standing??? oh my. I can't even get our Little Lamb to sit up yet. She has started just recently to eat food other than milk.
Keeping house during construction…yikes that is a hard one.
God bless.
I hope it's the photo, and not a sunburn…….adorable as can be and cannot believe she is already standing up. Did the time really go by that fast or is she that far ahead of the norm ….perhaps it is a little of both….:)
I noticed the pantry…love a big pantry! And had to LOL – real hard – when I imagined the look on Rascal's face about having to take the test as well! Poor fellow! The tests are done. Big relief!
Grace ~ Thank you!
Josette ~ I will have to pop over to your blog and see if you've posted any pictures of your little one lately! I bet she is darling!!
Anonymous ~ It's just the photo (and maybe her legs being a little pink from the cold water?) and not a sunburn. She really is quite ahead of the norm for her age, but the time is also going by so very fast. I wish it would slow down a little bit!
Patty ~ Another funny thing about yesterday. . . As I was trying to calm Captain down, I told him that there were lots of people praying for him. After the testing, when I asked how it went Rascal responded, "It was sort of hard, and nobody knew to pray for ME!"
I am new to your blog but totally obsessed. I thought I would comment that our little Helen turned four a few weeks ago and she too has been carrying Woody everywhere. He is lost every other day so I spend hours every other day looking for him.
Jessica,
Rose sure is changing – but as cute as ever!
As for the house cleaning during construction – just give up and offer it up! The mess is hard for me too when we have a project going, and I just have to try and let it go.
~Angela
Thank you for sharing!
Please accept this award for your wonderful blog!
Many Blessings,
Melanie
oops forgot the link 🙂
http://www.homesteadmel.com/3/post/2010/07/premio-dardos-award.html
Hi Jessica!
I love your blog!
Keeping things clean and organized during construction…thats a hard one. I'm a big fan of plastic rubbermaid boxes-they stack and have lids to keep the children's exploration under control!! :)Sometimes I label them for ease. But don't all moms use rubbermaid boxes? 😉
One recipe suggestion for your grill is marinade for your meat. My favorite (and easiest :)is to use Kraft Sundried Tomato salad dressing and chicken breasts. Yum! For ease of clean up- I just put the chicken and the dressing/marinade in a ziplock bag for however long it needs to marinade (depends on the marinade and the meat you use). When it is time to grill, I just pull the meat out of the bag right at the grill and then I don't have a platter to clean!
This time will pass by quickly, and then you will have a beautiful **spacious** area for your family! Just keep reminding yourself that and the mess won't seem so bad!! 🙂 Plus its a fun adventure for the kids!
I just purchased the *Well Ordered Home* and is sitting there waiting for me to open it. Soon, I hope!
Anyway, I can't believe that rose is standing up!!!!! I've been mia lately on the blogosphere. A bit overwhelmed I'm afraid. We are still working on wrapping up our school year before the next begins. We are working with an OT for Little Man and he is making little strides with his gross motor skills. He rolled over for the first time today!!!!
As always, thank you for sharing little bits of your days with us.
May God bless you, Jessica.