In the Stillness

It is 6:45 on Christmas morning.  I've been awake since about 5:00.  I've had time to drink some coffee and make the monkey bread.  The house is still silent and I am sitting in my rocking chair enjoying the lights on the tree.  All seems well in my world.

We went to Christmas Eve service at St. Mark last night.  Rachel has been attending youth there with Andy and playing the hand bells.  The bells played during the service, so we decided to support Rachel.

After church we came home and opened gifts from relatives and each other.  This is the first year we don't have a child in the house who still "believes" in Santa.  PK thought that meant we would just give them gifts from us on Christmas Eve and skip the morning Santa routine.  The kids and I set him straight.  Hannah even offered to pretend to believe if that is what it would take.

 

 

They were doing a recreation.  I have a photo of them in this pose when they were about 3, 5 and 7.  They really do like each other!

 

 

Hannah gave Holly her own chair.  Maybe that will keep her off of the real furniture.  Probably not, but we can dream.

 



I was surprised that the girls were willing to humor me and wear matching jammies.

 



 

Some kids are never too old to enjoy a good box.  Aaron made this into his airplane.  Love!!

 

 

I am beginning to hear stirring in one area of the house, so the quiet will soon turn into a whirl of ripping paper and giggles.  I might like those sounds just as much as the stillness of an early morning.  

A Day In the Life of a Homeschooler

It has been so nice to homeschool Hannah and have her home with me.  Most of the time she is cooperative and willing to learn.  Aaron is always quick to ask her what she does all day because he thinks she may not have to do her fair share of school work. 

 

We start each day with a list of the tasks Hannah needs to accomplish listed on a dry erase board.  When I actually write it down, I'm impressed with the amount we are able to cover in one day.

 

 



Mr. Gorf

Aaron is taking drama as one of his electives this semester and tonight his class put on a play called Sideways Stories from Wayside High.  It is based on the same title from a series of books.  Aaron played Mr. Gorf and he was phenomenal!!  I was so proud of him, it was all I could do not to stand up and cheer in the middle of his scene.

I had helped him with his lines, so I had an idea of the story.  However, he did not want me to come to any rehearsals and he didn't want to tell me anything about it because he wanted me to be surprised.

There were a few work days which allowed the students to learn about building the set and the preparation that goes on behind the scenes. 

 

 

This is the best action shot I took during the play.  His character possessed the ability to make the students do what he wanted them to do.

 

 

He was sweet enough to pose on set for a picture after the play.

 

He loved being part of this play.  He wants to perform it again and I want to see it again.  It was that good.  I'm hoping he will purse acting next year in high school.

Midnight Snack

PK often gets up during the night in search of a midnight snack.  I guess Hannah has caught on because I found this note from her on the front of the refrigerator when I got up this morning.



NJHS Induction

This handsome boy is all dressed up to attend his NJHS induction ceremony.  Even though he doesn't like school much at all, he is still one smart cookie!  Noelle was also inducted, but I failed to get a picture of the two of them together.  I'm sure that did not disappoint them!!

Lego Robotics

Aaron was on the Lego Robotics team when we were in Georgia.  Two of his friends, Coleman and Zac, were also on the team which made it extra fun for him.  When we moved here last year, I encouraged him to join the robotics team, but he said, "None of my friends are on the team.  They are all in Georgia."  Broke my heart every. single. time.

I was ecstatic when he announced that he was going to try the robotics team here this year.  He even invited two of his friends to join with him. 

Their competition was today.  They didn't place, but were awarded the judges trophy which signifies creativity, sportsmanship and team effort.  This was the first year the school had a team compete and their first year with a new coach, so there was definitely a learning curve.  Aaron enjoyed it and I was thrilled to see him being involved.

The team competing.  Aaron is on the right hand side with sunglasses on the top of his head.

A Viking, A Sailor/Marine and Did You Save Me a Pumpkin Muffin?

Today was Halloween.  Aaron and Hannah carved their pumpkins last night.  Hannah drew a cat and then traced it on her pumpkin.  After I reminded her to please try not to cut off a finger while carving, she let me cut it out.  Aaron is really into the Air Force Special Ops known as Pararescuemen or PJs and that was the inspiration for his pumpkin.  We bought Rachel a pumpkin, but for the first time she just didn't have time which means it wasn't a priority.  Carving pumpkins doesn't need to be a priority.  It is just bittersweet for me because she is so stinkin' grown up and her uncarved pumpkin is still sitting on the back porch.  Sigh.

 

I made our traditional Halloween dinner, roast and pumpkin muffins.  Yummy!

 

 

Aaron wore a set of PK's old cammies.  He debated with his younger sister as to what he actually was.  She called him a soldier to which he took great offense.  Obviously, the uniform says Navy and these are the cammies his dad wore when he was with a Marine unit.  Sheesh, sister, get it right.

 

Hannah was a Viking.  I loved the simplicity of her costume.  She had everything except the helmet, sword and shield.

 

 

Every Viking needs a dragon, so Holly was a dragon.  She was thrilled.

 

 

PK was his usual wizard and I was a scarecrow.

 

Hannah and her friend Emily had decided together that they would go as Vikings.  They were adorable.

 

Aaron and Hannah had their annual candy swap after they made the rounds.

 

Not only did Rachel pass on pumpkin carving, she missed out on trick-or-treating.  She wouldn't have actually gone door to door for candy, but this is the first year she didn't even dress up.  It was the last home football game and the band had to play.  I'm not sure the powers that be realize what a damper this was on my Halloween traditions.  She texted about 10:00 that they were leaving the game and on the way back to school.  When I picked her up she said, "Did you save me a pumpkin muffin?  It just wouldn't be Halloween without one."  I guess some traditions are appreciated!





 

Homecoming

I picked Rachel, Lori and one of their friends up after band a few weeks ago.  When they got in the car Rachel began to excitedly tell me that Andy had asked her to homecoming.  Wait!!  What?!?!  A boy wants to take my daughter to a dance!?!?  Be cool, mom, be cool....

I have heard Andy's name many times in conversation over the past year.  At the end of the last school year when we still thought we were moving, he had given Rachel a going away gift.  It was a bag that had several different objects and a story that related each one to moving or changing or our walk with God.  It was really thoughtful.  Rachel had also mentioned Andy's youth group several times and we all tried his church one Sunday morning in what seems to be our unending search for a new church home (Guess that is another blog post).  He came up to us that morning, introduced himself and welcomed us to his church.  Not too shabby for a teenage boy.  He also assisted with communion that morning.  I liked that he was involved in his church and not just filling a pew because his parents made him get up on a Sunday morning.  He is in the band and they are both in Forensics together.  When I took Rachel and Lori to celebrate Rachel's birthday, Lori and I teased her about Andy, but the girl claimed they were just really good friends.  Whatever.  I'm not new. 

On the day I had picked the girls up, Rachel had Forensics after school and before band rehearsal.  Rachel was working on writing her speech and Andy was practicing his monologue with someone else.  Rachel said she wasn't paying attention to him, but when he got to the end of his monologue he stayed in character and said, "I have one more question.  Rachel, will you go to homecoming with me?"  Awwww.  So adorable.  I couldn't believe he asked in front of everyone. 

Rachel has been going to youth group with Andy at his church for the last several weeks.  His dad takes them and his mom is already there, so she brings them home.  The first week they picked Rachel up, Andy and his dad came to the door.  I wasn't here, but they talked to PK for a while.  Again, I thought that was respectful.  At least he didn't just text her from a block away and let her know they were almost here and expect her to run out to the car.  He still gets out of the car each time they pick her up for youth and walks to the door to get her. 

I've never liked being called, "Mrs. Ray."  It just makes me feel old.  I understand it is out of respect and my kids call adults Mr. or Mrs. So and So.  However, when this boy greets me as Mrs. Ray, I feel the respect and hope there is an ounce of fear mixed in and I like it.  Mwahahaha  (evil laugh)!!  I'm thinking about having him address me as Your Royal Highness, Mrs. Ray.  I'm kidding....maybe....

So, Rachel was asked to homecoming and accepted.  She needed a dress.  This meant we were going to have to go dress shopping.  I like to shop, but this child out shops me.  When she was dress shopping for the eighth grade formal we went to eleven different stores.  In the end I didn't care how much we spent on a dress as long as we could just get one and be finished.  Rachel and I were reminiscing about that shopping experience in the car while Lori was still with us.  Rachel was telling her version and made it sound awful that we had to go to so many different stores and then Lori piped up and said, "Well, I doubt that was your mom's fault."  Oh, how I do love that goddaughter of mine!! 

We set a day to go shopping and Rachel invited Lori to come along.  It was like bringing along a little voice of reason.  We tried a couple stores with no luck and ended up at the mall.  The mall happens to be one of my least favorite places on the planet, but that's where the dresses were.  It was a very successful trip.  We found the dress, shoes and jewelry at the mall and paid less for the total package than I thought we would pay for the dress.

The big day arrived and Andy's dad brought him to our house.  We took some pictures at the house

Rachel is trying to figure out what to do with the pins on the boutonniere and I am quite certain Andy is wondering how to be a gentleman while at the same time refusing to let her stick him



 

Love the expression on Rachel's face in this one

 



and then PK took them to a more scenic location for a photo shoot.  My favorite part about the pictures is they are having fun.  They weren't afraid to be silly and enjoy themselves. 

This is the thinking pose.  They are thinking of ways they would like to pose for pictures.

 



An action shot of their handshake

 



I like this one because it looks like they are performing in a musical

 





This one is my favorite.  I think because they are just having fun.

 

After the photo shoot, PK dropped them off at the restaurant where they met up with another couple for dinner.  Andy's dad picked them up from the restaurant and dropped them at the dance.  I find the fact that neither of them can drive which requires parent involvement to be reassuring.  Andy's dad brought Rachel home after the dance.  PK, Hannah and I waited up for her to get home.  She had a wonderful evening. 

 

My favorite part of the entire night was after she was home and changed.  Rachel, PK, Hannah and I all piled in Rachel's bed and looked at the pictures and listened to the details of her night.  I'm glad she had such a nice time.......even if it did have to involve a boy. 

CPE

The entire reason we have experienced our most recent move was for PK to participate in the CPE program.  That meant a year split in training between Portsmouth and the Hampton VA.  A ceremony was held today to recognize the chaplains who completed the program.  Hannah and I attended in order to celebrate our favorite chaplain.





Field Trip Friday

Hannah and I finished our second week of school with our new Field Trip Friday.  Each week we are going to explore or do something fun in our area.  I received an email from our state homeschool group sharing information about a website called Homeschool Movie Club.  They choose a movie and post free curriculum to accompany the movie. 

The latest release, Dolphin Tale 2, coincided with our Field Trip Friday.  I didn't tell Hannah what we were going to do until she was almost finished with her school work.  She was thrilled!  She loves animals and science.  I had printed out a bunch of the information and activities and placed it all in a binder which meant she would have additional work.  I'm never quite sure how she is going to receive that.  Her words were, "This is going to be so much fun because dolphins are my favorite.  They are so smart!"  I showed her the pages she needed to read and the activity she needed to do and she excitedly jumped right in. 

We will not be doing all of the curriculum the website had to offer, but I chose the parts I thought would offer the most for Hannah. 

We will probably plan a few more of our field trips around the movie.  Two trips on my list are a local aquarium we have yet to visit and a dolphin watching tour.  I failed to take a picture today, but we had a wonderful time.

Camping

It has been a while since we have done a family camping trip.  We had one free weekend on the calendar, so we took advantage.

Hannah and I headed out early Friday afternoon and set up camp before PK and the other kids arrived.

The weekend was a bit warm, but Rachel has a band competition every weekend until November and then Aaron and Hannah have something scheduled the first two weekends in November. 

This was also our first time camping with Holly.  That was an experience.  It was like having a toddler along.  Someone had to have an eye on her all the time.

 

We had a beautiful view of the water through the trees.

 

What would camping be without a fire and smores?  It was really almost too hot to enjoy the fire, but Aaron especially liked playing with the fire.

 



 



 

 

A dragonfly visited our campsite and landed on PK.  Hannah thought that was cool and then it landed on her.

 



 

 

The boys packing up the tent.  I have to admit I like setting the tents up much more than I like taking them down.  PK and Aaron have the ability to pack them tightly enough to get the back in the bags.  I never can.

 

 

Holly was excited to be home.  She parked herself on top of the gear as we unloaded.