Not getting it all done

Any homeschooling mother (and probably any mother) will tell you when you're "doing well" or getting all done in one area, other areas are going to slide. If you're really rolling with school work...your house is probably a mess and vice-versa. I try so hard to keep all of the areas under control, but something always slides. I haven't done wii fit in the better part of a month (nor have I walked the kids to or from theratre), but I am almost done with a book series that must have about 2500 pages, we're hitting the school work pretty hard, the house isn't a pig stye (although when I woke up this morning it was close), we are cranking in the yard, and we've done some really fun things recently that I finally found the time to stick some pictures on here.

We had a great day at the beach (and pool) yesterday with Tiffany and her kids, my parents, and Dot and Paul. I did get a speeding ticket on the way there though. Jonathan was trying to take a picture of it all so I could document it here, but I was pretty "shook up" (ask Tiffany to sing a song about that) about it and was afraid he might haul me off to jail so told him not to. (now I kinda wish I had a picture) The ridiculous part is I didn't even think I was going fast. I wasn't in a rush...not like I'm going to be this morning trying to get Madi to her well-checkup if I don't get my butt off of here and get going.







On Monday night we met our friend Dani (Hi Dani!) and her two beautiful boys down at Downtown Disney for dinner and ice cream. It was the second Monday in a row we had gone down there to meet friends...who's next?




The zoo on Saturday was great...the highlight was feeding the giraffes!!




The "splash park"...



On the animal hospital tour the kids even got to look at Xrays of some of the animals.


In the bathroom they even had samples of animal poop.




The yard...

Daybook

For today Sunday April 19.

Outside my window...it is dark, from the back windows you can look out on our wonderful outdoor living area.

I am thinking...about all of the work we got done this weekend and the spiritual enrichment we got as well-- Mike at the Catholic men's conference on Saturday and me listening to Scott and Kimberly Hahn speak on Friday night.

I am thankful...everything Mike did to make our yard look so much better!

From the kitchen...we had burgers on the grill tonight (outside of course). I don't have an official menu for the week yet, but we've got lots of food (we SAVED $97 at Publix today!!).

From the learning rooms...I can't wait to get back to schooling tomorrow...I hope to get A LOT done because the rest of the week is full of other things (appointments, the beach etc). We got these great DVDs from the library from the History channel about DECADES we watched the 1930s on the way to Jacksonville the other day, we plan to watch the 40s tomorrw (it is overdue) and then we also have the 50s. At the Zoo on Saturday we learned a lot and even got a behind the scenes tour of the Animal Hospital, we saw Xrays and the operating rooms and everything.

I am creating...a nice outdoor living area. I still haven't made that pillowcase that I mentioned last week.

I am wearing...a Tshirt of Mike's and sleeping shorts.

I am reading...still Breaking Dawn.

I am hoping...to get a weeks worth of school work done tomorrow.

I am hearing...Jonathan and Mike talking.

Around the house...it isn't too bad considering we focused all our time on the outside.

One of my favorite things...listening to the kids play...Jake and Madi were playing "dogs" tonight (apparently they had tons of dogs...they might've been dogs themselves I'm not sure) the dogs' names were Danny, Adam, Kris, Alexis, Madelyn, Aaden, Joel, Leah, John, and Kate. {Do any of those names sound familiar?}

I am going...to bed in a minute.

A few plans for the rest of the week...almost too full to think about so I'm just going to concentrate on tomorrow since we have nothing but schoolwork (and hopefully a visit with an old friend and her boys in the evening).

A picture thought...
I'll have more zoo and yard work pictures on here eventually.

A story in pictures...

Yard work

We have frantically been doing yard work with the ultimate goal of having less lawn and more planted areas... and a new patio area. We are headed out of town for a day and a half break and the yard work will continue in full force on Sunday!! Here are some pictures of the work in progress...






These clovers have quickly become my least favorite weed. They have these seed pods and when you pick them they frantically send out hundreds of seeds. They get all over your skin and clothes.

Easter in Pictures

Miraculously when we woke up on Easter morning, the stone was rolled away and Jesus was no longer in the tomb!


Mike's mother sends down money each year to be hidden in three special big eggs for each of the kids. The eggs have their names on them...you can only find your own. This year Jake found his first, then Madi, and finally Jonathan.






In the baskets...Madi got shorts, a shirt, and underwear; Jonathan got 2 pairs of shorts and socks; Jake got two of the Disney cars he collects, jammies, and socks, and they all got some candy, glue, and pencils.




The search for chocolate eggs. Madi found 19, Jonathan found 9, and Jake found 8...what does that tell you about females and chocolate?!





We started our Garden of the Good Shepherd sticker calendar to count the 50 days of Easter...


An Easter egg hunt with friends...






Trading candy after the hunt (we have a Halloween picture of the same kids doing the same thing)...


Spring Break camp...