Learning to Read

Duchess really wants to read.  We've been using Alpha Phonics, but she doesn't seem to be catching on.  I don't think she is ready to start reading yet and I would like to put it away for a while.   She is not willing to wait.  She wants to read NOW!  So, I grin and bear (and repeat over and over) our reading lessons.

Today I asked The King if he could read with her.  They were working on the 'ad' word family.  She read aloud:  ad, had, dad, Tad, and then got the deer in the headlights look when she came to the word sad.  The King decided to give her a little hint, "If I'm not happy, I'm...."  Duchess beamed and loudly exclaimed, "Angry!"

The excitement of reading lessons doesn't stop there.  One day she and I were working on the letter P.   I said to Duchess, "The word purse starts with the letter p.  Can you hear puh when I say purse?  Other words that begin with p are pin and pad."  Duchess said, "Oh, I get it."  Then I asked her, "How about the word pig, what letter does that start with?"  She gave me the deer in the headlights look.  "I continued.  Pig.  What sound do you hear?"  She replied, "Oink, Oink."

What would I do without this girl?  She brings smiles to my face every day.

Prom

Prom was on Saturday.  Here is Jester with his date.  He is the only one of our seven children who attends school outside our home.  He transferred to the local public school in November, and seems to be doing very well.  He is taking advantage of all the extras of public school life.

After saying good-bye to Jester and his date, I asked Jouster, who has never been to a prom (and most likely will never go to one) if he felt bad he didn't get to experience this teenage 'rite of passage'.  He said, "Are you kidding me?  I'd rather save my money."

He was right about the money thing.  I didn't realize how much money people spent on prom until I saw first hand.  The prom attendees gather at the local Library to have a photo shoot  early in the day.  I couldn't believe the elaborate dresses, bouquets of flowers, accessories, tanned skin, artificial nails, and professionally done hair.  It made me a little sick to think of the cost some people put into the prom.  Does anyone remember that about 950 employees at a local plant here in town, lost their jobs just a few months ago?  Apparently prom is recession proof.  Watching a stretch limo pull up to haul a load of students to The Cities for a meal before the big dance made me realize how ridiculous and showy this event really is.

I couldn't help but think how much money was spent on prom in our town alone--The amount spent nation wide must be unfathomable.  Jester said he and his date went the cheap route...no flowers, she found an inexpensive dress online, he wore his own dress shoes instead of renting a pair with his tux, they chose to eat at a local restaurant instead of driving to The Cities, she didn't pay for an updo, no professional photos, no hotel room afterward (yes, hotel is now part of that rite of passage)  and neither of them paid the extra fee to participate in the grand march.  They still spent close to $400.  I wonder if those couples who spent two to three times more on prom had more fun than Jester and his gal?  I read on Wealth Junkie$ that if kids took the $1000 they'd spend on prom, invested it, and earned just 8% until they retired, they would have $37,000. 

I went to prom.  Yes, I had fun and I am certain my parents would have had a hard time convincing me to skip it and invest the money instead.  But now I think it would be fun if I had taken expenses from both my proms, and my date's expenses, and invested it.  I'd call up my 'could have been' prom dates when I turn 65, meet for coffee and talk about how much fun we could have had as teenagers.  I'd pull out a wad of cash and split that $37,000 (maybe not evenly since I was the smart one to forego prom and invest the money wisely).  Then we'd take the real loves of our lives on fun vacation getaways, or put the cash toward our snowbird campers.  I can guarantee you, none of us would then regret missing prom.  Now, if only I can convince the rest of my kids...

Because I Have Boys...

If injuries, blood, scabs or infection make you queasy...you may not want to read on.

Boys like to document monumental moments in their lives...like when they leave half their knee on an asphalt driveway while visiting friends in town.  As a mom of five boys, I've learned that certain things boys find cool can actually be quite disgusting.

Like huge scabs.  That smile was nowhere to be seen on the day of the injury...but now, the battle scar is something to be proud of.  Watching the changing colors of liquid oozing out of the scab has become a new form of entertainment for Scribe and his brother.  Hearing the excitement in their voices when they pour hydrogen peroxide on the wound and watch it foam out of control baffles me.  Boys.  Gotta love 'em.  (But I don't think I'll ever understand them.)

Spring Has Sprung!

I was out for a walk the other day enjoying nature.

I am so excited to see things growing.

Like my choke cherry tree.

and my lilac bushes.

My chives are ready to eat!

It won't be long before we're enjoying rhubarb.

After a long, dreary, colorless winter, spring with all it's new life and color is always a welcome gift from God.  

Look What We've Found...

This is the area of my garage where I store my canning jars and canning supplies.

And some other special things.  Duchess would love for you to see what we have stored in this box.

And so would Maiden...

Are you ready?

Baby kittens.  One of our farm cats got creative and found an empty box to use as a birthing room.  The boys had a fabric lined box set up for her, but she must have thought an empty box on a shelf was a better place for her youngsters.

This is The King's table saw.  The sawdust reservoir has a dual purpose.

Here's a closer look.  Not only do we collect sawdust in here,

but baby kittens too.  This mama didn't want to use the ready made birthing box either.  

Life on the farm.  We love it!

 

Prince Charming's Hair

Prince Charming had his first haircut when he was two years old.  He did not like it.  Not one bit.  It was a very traumatic experience for him, he kicked, screamed, and cried the whole time.  The King had to hold him down and the haircut was not one of the best.  We decided the next haircut would wait until he was a little older.

At 31 months of age we decided it was a good time to try again.  He had quite a mop of hair on his head.

When we went to South Dakota for Easter, we took him to The King's favorite barber.

Prince Charming was not impressed:

This is him watching the barber and contemplating whether or not he wanted to participate in such a horrifying activity.

He got as far away from the barber chair as he possible could.  Doesn't he look traumatized at the thought of a haircut?

He watched Squire get his hair cut.

And then he watched Scribe.

Next up was Grandpa.

And Daddy.  But Prince Charming did not participate.  We tried three times to get him into the barber chair.  Too much kicking and screaming.  The barber suggested we give him half a beer and try again later.  We decided the haircut could wait.  Those golden locks weren't so bad.  Maybe when he's a little older...

Five days later, after a day of playing outside in the hot sun, I told Prince Charming his head wouldn't get so sweaty if he had a haircut.  He was afraid it would hurt.  I told him he'd like it better than getting his fingernails clipped.  He thought about it for a while and decided he was willing to to give it a try.  Unfortunately, it was 8:00 at night and not many barbers were readily available.   

 I didn't want to wait for him to change his mind, so I pulled out the scissors and started cutting.

This time there was no crying, kicking or screaming.  Just a little boy who sat still, smiling through the second haircut of his life.

Here he is.  My little boy, who really looks like a boy now...no more baby look for Prince Charming.  (I think I might cry.)

New Addition

The King of my castle excitedly came in the house on Saturday, "Hey honey, want to come outside and see what I got for you?"  Oh, was I ever excited.  Great White is causing us a lot of problems and I thought maybe he had gotten me a new vehicle.  As thrilled as he was, I expected to see a Cadillac Escalade sitting in the driveway with a HUGE bow on top with and a big tag that read, For The Queen of my castle.  Nothing is too good for you.   I couldn't get out the door fast enough.

Instead, this is what I saw on the lawn: 

He was grinning from ear to ear and said, "It's a new addition to our tractor family.  Don't you like it?"  He had made an attachment for the lawn tractor.  He went on to show me the places he had welded, and how he made it into a three point hitch.  "This will work so good in the garden."  I tried not to show my disappointment.  But when you are expecting this:

It's a little hard to swallow this:

Thank you honey.  I love my new digger cultivator thingy.  I'm sure it will bring me many years of happy gardening.  (Now, can we talk about replacing Great White?)

Easter and a New Recipe

Here are my Middles and Littles on Easter Sunday.  Aren't they cute?  My Big Guys are getting older and are beginning to spread their wings.  They have plans of their own, which don't always include our family.  Posing for cheesy family photos is not usually part of their plans.  After looking at this picture I realized I will be seeing more and more of these with 'just five kids'.  It looks like way too small of a group, doesn't it?

Anyway, enough of my pondering life.

I have a recipe I'd like to share with you.  It's called Crazy Crust Pizza.  I first had this when I was a little girl and we were visiting friends.  I remember my mom commenting on how quickly the meal came together.  I was reintroduced to this when friend of mine recently made it for us.  I have a new found love for this EASY recipe.  If our whole family is around, one pan is not enough.  But if it's just The King and I with The Middles and Littles, we have plenty.

Crazy Crust Pizza

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt (if you are using salty meat such as seasoned sausage, cut back on this)

1 tsp oregano

½ tsp black pepper

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

Combine and mix well.  Pour batter into a greased 10 x 15 baking sheet (with sides).  Spread evenly.  Sprinkle your choice of toppings over batter:

I've been using ½ pound bulk Italian sausage (cooked and drained), one small onion, chopped; ¼ to ½ cup sliced black olives; and 4-5 medium sized mushrooms, sliced.  You could use pepperoni, Canadian bacon or ground beef.  Additional veggies would be good too.  Just don't overload the batter with toppings.  This is a soft thin crust and I've found that less is better.

Bake at 400° for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven, spread one cup of pizza sauce evenly over top and sprinkle with 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for about 5 more minutes, or cheese is melted and bubbly.  Cut and serve.

Quick, easy and delicious.  Enjoy!

 

Work Out!

Sharing a photo from Duchess' homecoming.  I love this one of her and her Daddy.   There is a special bond between these two, she is his little sidekick.  She loves to be with him one on one.  If he goes to town to run errands, she is buckled in the vehicle before he has a chance to find his wallet.  If he's working outside on projects, she's by his side handing him tools.  If he's out for a walk checking out our property, she's walking right along side of him.  She loves her daddy.

She's also brutally honest.  Last night The King was relaxing after our evening meal when Duchess came up to him and rubbed his belly with her hands.  She lovingly said, "Dad, I think you should work out after every lunch." 

Happy Birthday!

We celebrated Duchess' 7th birthday today. 

 

The only items on her birthday list were Tootsie Rolls and an American Girl Doll.

She really wanted Sonali, "Because she is Indian just like me."

She was very surprised to see that she actually got what she wanted.

She 'just knew' we couldn't afford Sonali.

Tonight she said to me, "Am I in a dream?  I can't believe I got Sonali for my birthday.  I must be in a dream."

I feel the same way about you, my dear.  I can't believe you are part of our family.  Am I in a dream?

Happy Birthday Duchess.  We love you!

End of a Season

Another season of my life has come to an end.  After 2 ½ years of nursing, Prince Charming is finally done.  Many people told me he was too old to still be nursing, especially when he would stop to have a little conversation with me, or finish on one side to say, "Other one."  He vocalized when he wanted to nurse by asking, "Ninny mama?"  

I didn't care what others thought.  I could have nursed him forever.  It is something I have really enjoyed doing with all my children.  I loved the time that I was able to 'just sit' with my little ones and give them my undivided attention.   

Now that my baby days are over, it's hard to think that I will never experience this again.   Even though I am sad, I am thankful that I was able to do this with all my children, both birth and adopted.  I am even more thankful that God has made it possible for me to be home with my children to do so.  I feel so very blessed!

 

Mom's Sick Day by Guest Blogger Duchess

Last week Mama had a horrible cold.  All she did for one whole day was lay on the sofa and sleep.  Maiden and I took really good care of her.  We brought her water when she asked, and more tissues when she needed to blow her nose (which was a lot).  When she was sleeping very soundly, we took a lot of pictures of her.  

That piece of striped fabric on her forehead is a sample of what she'd like to use for living room curtains.  Maiden wet it down and used it as a cold compress for Mama's feverish forehead. 

Here she is from another angle.  Every time she turned her head or rolled over we would take another shot.  Mom said I couldn't put them all on the blog because it would be too boring. The other poses she wouldn't let me post are the zoomed in shots of the redness around her nose and the up the nose shots.  I think she's a little prideful for not wanting those posted on the internet.  Mama thinks our viewing audience will appreciate her pride just this once.

Mom was having a hard time breathing through her nose so her mouth was hanging open.  We didn't like how the pictures turned out with her open mouth, so we put the fabric over it.  Then Maiden decided to brush Mama's hair.  I didn't think it was a good idea, but Maiden never listens to me.  She dug the brush into Mom's scalp which made her wake up.  Maiden always ruins our fun.  That's when Mama saw we were using her camera, and made us put it away.  That was the end of our fun for the day and why I don't have more pictures to show you.  I hope you liked my post.

Have a good day!

Duchess  

Making Maple Syrup

After doing some research, and going on a maple syrup field trip, we decided to try tapping our own maple trees.  We have no real 'maple syruping' supplies so we purchased items we thought 'might' work at Menards and constructed our own.

This hole was drilled a little larger than the taps we made, so a lot of sap leaked out of the tree overnight.  The King found an alternate tap that fit the hole better so we won't lose as much sap.  This tree has been producing about two gallons of sap in a 24 hour period.

This is our old maple tree and because it is so large, we were able to tap it three times.  However, because it is old, it is not producing as much sap.  I think we have gotten about two gallons out of it in an entire week.

Being a homeschool mom, I had to make our syruping into a school lesson.  First, we had to figure out the diameter of trees.  A tree needs to be at least 10" in diameter to support one tap.  Diameter can be found by the circumference of the tree (at about 4½ feet from the ground) divided by pi (3.14).  

Next, I had them figure out how much syrup we would get from our 2½ gallons of sap.  The ratio is 40:1, so it was very easy for them to figure out the final amount.

The sap looks a lot like water coming out of the tree.  Here it is just beginning to boil.

Boiling after two hours.  Beginning to reduce and turn color.

It is a very steamy process.  I have a vented range hood and this is how it looked most of the time running on high.  I had to keep wiping it down to keep the condensation from dripping into the syrup.  One positive point:  My range hood hasn't been this clean since I purchased it.  We definitely need to make maple syrup once a year just for the benefit of a good cleaning.

This is after four hours of boiling.  Getting darker.

When it had reduced down to about 3-4 cups, I put transferred it over to a sauce pan.  This was the point I could not leave it. When we went on the field trip, the guide told us how quickly it could boil over at the end.  I didn't use a thermometer or a hydrometer to see when it was truly done.  I figured if Native Americans could make maple syrup without those items I could too.  Once the syrup started foaming uncontrollably, I turned it off.  The rules say that once the syrup is 7° over boiling, it is done.  My rules say when it gets really foamy, it's done.  

Here is our final product.  We ended up with 2 cups of syrup, making our ratio 20:1.  All the kids thought it was the greatest thing to make 'homemade' syrup from our own trees.  Even the oldest two, who prefer maple flavored corn syrup, thought it tasted mighty good.  When we finished, one of the younger ones said, "That really tastes like maple syrup!"  Hmm...I wonder why?