goof off week, days #3,4,5

Day 3
We went to the ceramics shop. This brings back wonderful memories for the 3 oldest; we haven't been since Roo was born. Everyone picked a piece to paint. Poor Roo was done in lightening speed, so we set about re-painting his dragon. He faithfully repainted that thing until the colors were just right. He now has a beautiful patchwork dragon. The others were carefully painting their Father's Day presents. Oh my, after 2 hours I was beyond bored. So now ~I'm ~ the one whining "when can we go?" This is what happens, I suppose, when you get older!

Then we went to a friend's home for Rosary. This is when I realized that I misscheduled the goof off week. Pooh and Tigger were anxious to get home and 'do some work' Pooh is taking a class at the local Community College. It is only 5 1/2 weeks long, but they squish a whole semester's workload in. Tigger was in his last week of an online essay class. He had to write 3 essays this week. Bad planning on my part. Sorry!

Day 4
Pooh and Tigger are mostly working, and Piglet, Roo, and I are goofing off. It just isn't the same without them! Too, I remember yet another reason that this was a mistimed so-called at-home-vacation week. Pooh's graduation party is on Saturday. We've done virtually nothing but send out invites. Panic!

Day 5
We are preparing for Pooh's graduation. She has lots of great ideas...LOTS. Well, this was a day of work and paring down the ideas.

Even though the end of the week was less fun than the beginning, I am still glad we 'goofed off'. We need to plan it better, but I can't wait until next time!

-kanga

goof off week, day #2

Feed the Ducks!

We went to Feed the Ducks at the Arboretum. Roo and cousin X. found out that, yes, ducks and geese will peck at you if you don't move fast!

Piglet and Tigger enjoying the day.

Kanga and nephew A.

Me and A. watching the wildlife.... kids and animals!

Tigger and Piglet's favorite animal to feed, the squirrel. They did get him to come very close, only to be scared away by Roo and X.

Afterwards we went to the 'Cows' and I took more pictures. Enjoy!

Pooh is finished!

Yes! She handed in her very last High School assignment to me today. WOOHOO!
She is done with HS, She is done with HS..... I am singin' now.
I am so proud of her, and soooo relieved for me. I am looking forward to one less educationally dependent child.
Next week, we are planning our in town vacation. The plan: do some things we never have time to do, including and especially goofing off!
I'm so glad she finished, I'm so glad she finished ...sorry, singing again.
Next Saturday we are having a graduation party, so she is done in the nick of time.
I better get busy planning our goof-off week!

pick pics...help!

We need help choosing graduation pictures for Pooh. Sorry about 3 of them being turned! But, which one do you like the best? sorry, no formal poll, just leave a message! Thanks!
a)
b)
c)
d)

e)
f)

cousins

The cousins, A. and J., came to visit while their mom was at a wedding out of state. A. stayed overnight and the next night J. also slept over. Apparently, he was pretty excited to be a homeschooler for the day and he energized Roo and A. to do school too. However, we normally do not start school in the 7 o'clock hour before breakfast.

While they were here, we laid 3 pallets of sod. Mostly me, Tigger, and Piglet, while Pooh made us lunch and lemonade. These 3 guys were very excited at the beginning, but then it digressed into them making forts and moving rock. Though, we do need them to move lots of rock! Pooh took them to the pool to cool off. This picture is after the pool and bath, but obviously I am just taking a quick break from the gardening. Whew! It was a lot of work, but the backyard looks good now!

Roo sure loves his cousins. Well, we all do, but it is especially wonderful for him to have kids his own age ready to play in ways that he wants. You know, hours of endless make-believe and silliness in a way that is impossible for those of us who are all growed up. I am so grateful that he gets to share his childhood with all his cousins!

-kanga

flu

Something might be wrong with me, but when my kids are sick I love them a little bit more.
So, Tigger was the first one to get it. He didn't really let us know that he was sick, but after practice and a game (16 points, no less) he was wiped out. Then he let on that he isn't feeling well (fever, bones ache, tired, etc). Pooh was just bedridden and HOT! Roo woke up early yesterday with what I originally thought was a bit of a temperature...'til I took it...103! Yikes. We went to the Dr. (thanks to my sis A-L who was wise and emphatic that I take the kids in)
'Twas almost impossible to get an appointment. Roo got in first and a positive flu diagnosis was made. Tigger's doc was double-booked all day, so was every other doc in the office. The nurse found one in another office (last double booking in Austin, I think!?) These 3 are now on Tamiflu, which should help shorten the sickness and reduce the symptoms. Piglet has, what I think is, a general cold.
Ah, but the part about loving them just a bit more. They are quiet (rare in the hundred acre wood!), thoughtful (when not asleep =)), snuggly (well, maybe not Tigger), and warm. Maybe I am understating the warm part, and maybe it wouldn't be so nice in the summer....but I haven't been cold in days! But seriously, I do love my lil sickies. They aren't complainers and how many more chances do I have to mother them? I don't know, so I'm making the most of it!
kanga

Basketball, January18 -19

The Varsity Girls defeated HCYA-Blue of Houston 47-26 to win their second straight Victoria Homeschool Invitational Tournament.
[SATCH] (Conroe) 60-32 Royals win!
Cobra Athletics (Victoria) 74-25 Royals win!
[HCYA] (Houston) 47-26 Royals win Tournament!

Pooh #3 is starting point guard and Piglet #10 is awesome sub-extrodinaire! Piglet's best game of the tournament was against Victoria, when she scored 7 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 rebound. Not bad for a 13 year old playing High Schoolers! Pooh had a great tournament also, even if most of what she doesn't show up in the "stats". Last year was a fun stats year for her, but this year she helps them win, helps the younger players grow, and bonds the team. She is team glue, and the games were all pretty even. This tournament, she averaged about 8 points, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3+ rebounds, and add a couple of blocks. I think she is really relishing her last year of High School Basketball with another 1st place in a Tourney.

The Royals varsity boys claim third place of the Victoria Homeschool Invitational by defeating CHSA 63-60.
Cobra Athletics (Victoria) 86-22 Royals win!
[HCYA] (Houston) 42-45 Tough loss.
[CHSA] (Houston) 63-60 Royals win!

Not too shabby without their head coach. And these teams that they are playing are legit, like the Houston teams normally plays 5A public schools and play them competitively. Tigger is starting point guard for the boys team. He really helped them win the 3rd place with 23 points (12 if 16 from the free throw line, 80% from the field),3 assists, 4 steals, and 6 rebounds. Yes, it's true...he wanted a win, especially after the stinging 2nd game loss. The above picture is Tigger in dribble mode. He was taking a lot of abuse from the other team. Oh well, years of soccer taught him to love contact (ahem, fouls, that is =)).
In addition, the boys claimed the tournament's coveted Christian Character Award for the first time.
This is the worst of the pictures but the guy driving the lane for a runner is Tigger. And it worked! Many points off that manuver.
Check out the website http://royalsathletics.org/ Pooh is the #3 on the top of the home page =)

pooh's birthday

18 years ago, today, at 3 in the morning, a beautiful baby girl was born.
She changed my life. She expanded my heart. She made me understand what it is to give of yourself until it hurts....and still love. Love until my heart wants to burst.
We didn't understand what having a baby would do to our lives, our marriage, our souls. We just knew that we loved each other and wanted to expand that love. And, boy! does a child do that!
Some memories......
newborn: she was skinny, red, and dark haired. she came 5 weeks early.

toddler: she pudged up, and had curly blond locks.

preschooler: she had a interminable smile, very happy!

ballerina:she wore a pink leotard and had loooong legs.

first ski trip: she fell and I made her ski the whole way down (20 min !) when I checked her at the bottom, her goggles were busted and so was her cheek....but she got down.
recent ski trip: she can ski.....fast and fun....any run!

homeschooling: nature walks, reading aloud, history on the trampoline, a feild trip to Germany :-), watching her learn and grow in maturity, having talks anytime.

big sis: 'it was the best of time, it was the worst of time' just kidding! Pooh is a good first child who loves to help her younger sibs....usually appreciated.

teenage: so glad to have skipped the daughter/mother divide that often happens when girls are teenagers. To watch her mature into the young lady that she is now, and to have this open loving relationship is a blessing beyond words.

This post will have to be edited and embellished later. I am boohoo-ing so hard that the tears are interfering with my eyesight and the headache with my thinking.

She is too complex to express.
I love you, Pooh!

your mommy forever,
kanga