All work and no play...due to some yucky weather...

Today was a day off school and so it was a good day to finally get the year end books finished. The best part was that Ladger agreed to do Rory’s school with him so I’d be able to work in the office without interruption. So I had a great morning. And I was amazed at how quickly Rory got his work done for Dad. I need to pay attention to how he worked that little bit of magic.

Well, I’ve been wanting something for a long time but since I have one that ‘works’ I’ve been putting off this purchase for a long time. But finally I decided it was time for a new…vacuum cleaner. We got a SEBO upright that I just love!!! Of course the novelty means I’ve probably vacuumed every day since I got it.

Rory’s been taking some skating lessons. His second one was today and while we were at the rink, it started snowing and blowing and I just knew I wasn’t going to be heading out to town that evening to a girlfriend’s birthday dinner. I think that’s one thing I find difficult about living in a rural area in the Canadian winter. The weather seems to have a habit of creating havoc with the 'fun outings'.

Rory's teacher told me...

Rory's Kindergarten teacher was reading a story about a zebra who was doing some braying. A little boy spoke up and said, "I think that story isn't true because zebras can't pray!" And Rory pipes up, "Don't you know that nothing is impossible with God".

In response to comments...

I'm still having problems commenting on my own blog *sigh* Anyhow, Elise asked what science kits I'm using. I'm really not that particular and just have been trying out some different ones. The after-Christmas sales were a great place to stock up on a few. I love it because science was a real hit-and-miss endeavor. I have some good materials - just seldom got around to them. I didn't like how it was going and since this age is mostly an introduction to things, it really doesn't matter to me that we hop around from topic to topic with no rhyme or reason. But these kits are a big hit. We've done one dinosaur dig and we just watched a dinosaur documentary on TV and now it's Paxton's turn to 'unearth' a T-Rex tonight. (I usually just get what I can find for the best price). And I used some mini-labs science materials called Slinky Science for the electromagnetic stuff and building an electric motor. Now I just got a new one called SmartLab: Secret Formula Lab. It looks like a little chemistry set with test tubes and Rory wants to start it tonight but I'm holding out for tomorrow.

I haven't been buying toys for the boys when I shop - I used to do a little 'impulse' buying but now I'd much rather spend that on these kits. That feeling was reinforced when I went through the boys room and gathered up two large boxes of toys that the boys never play with.

Science is the best!!

We've all been learning about magnets, electricity and motors. I bought a couple of science kits for the boys in Saskatoon. And they are enjoying them so much! We made a boat with an motor yesterday and today we've been learning exactly how magnets work and how that force makes the electric motor work. I just loved the look on even Paxton's face when the motor we put together actually worked. No wonder homeschoolers get hooked on homeschooling. The awe of discovery is a very exciting thing.

We've worked through about half the booklet of experiments already and we're waiting for the rechargeable batteries to get recharged so we can go at it again. Rory must have hugged me about a hundred times to say "Thanks" for getting such a fun school project for him. And I...well I don't mind a day of science myself. Are those batteries recharged enough?

Fun and Shopping in the same sentence?!!

I actually DO like shopping. I had almost forgotten what it feels like to hit a mall with nothing but time on my hands. I usually have my boys with me and it is a 'necessity only' endeavor. Usually, it's a chore in my week and not one that I particularly enjoy all that much.

But Ladger went to a farming conference in Saskatoon Monday and I thought it would be fun to go with him. After all, every time he goes he comes back raving about this great restaurant or that nice hotel, etc. (We did really enjoy a meal at Chianti!!!) So we left the boys with Grandma and Grandpa and off we went for a little mini-holiday. And I went shopping. Of course, I went to a couple of music stores before I hit the mall and I was impressed with myself that I found my way around with only a map.

And I found some great sales! That of course makes it all inexpensive...ha! Anyhow, we got back to Swift Current missing the major blizzard that hit a huge region including Saskatoon. Today I was supposed to go to town, but due to nasty weather I stayed home.

My prayer this morning...

I've been working at having a Mary heart in the business of a Martha week. That is, I can get so busy preparing for our worship team on top of all the regular things I have to do that I can neglect spending time with the One who is the reason we worship in the first place. I'm also working at not getting tense about all the details coming together, especially when practices don't work out or some of the team has to cancel out and that kind of thing.

So today it's time to put away the music and pull out my Bible for some serious Mary time.

May 0ur worship be about You alone. Not about the notes. Not about the musicians. Not about the harmonies. Not about the rhythm. Not about us at all. But we offer all we do and all we are and ask that we be empowered by Your Spirit to move us all into an awareness of Your presence and filled with an awe as we proclaim your glory.

Time to post...

I just have to post something. That picture of myself scares me every time I sit at the computer. It's time for it to move down the page!!!

It's almost midnight and I really ought to get to bed. It's not like I'm not tired. But I just finished December's entries for the farm's books and I guess I'm a little pumped up and ready to go. And I love the quiet and solitude of the house - I don't get a lot of that most days.

A little bit more work and it's off to the accountant's I go - heigh ho!

Paxton's chicken pox are getting better by the day. Apparently he's not infectious at this point so we took the boys to a farm sponsored bowling and pizza party. Rory beat me. It's not that I didn't try. But they made us do these wacky things like stand on one foot, bowl backwards, etc.

Actually, he's turning out to be a little competitive. A year ago, when he was in soccer, he stood on the field and may not as well have been there for as much as he got into the game. But now that competitive spirit seems to have suddenly kicked in - the good with the bad. We got a new family game this Christmas: The Settlers of Catan. It's labeled for ages 12 and over but we've been teaching Rory to play and he loves joining Ladger and I for a 'grown-up' game. But so far he's finding it frustrating when he loses. The day he wins, we will never hear the end of it!

Well that should just about do it. I may not see me the next time I get on the computer and that'll be a relief. *grin*