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!