Updates

The Project: Nearing completion and starting to feel a little more real. Sometimes when I choose to do a large project or make a big commitment, it feels a little surreal. This project has felt that way until recently. I've often thought of it as a "someday" thing - like someday I'll finish it, someday I'll actually have to call it done, someday people will see it and judge my talent by it. However, as it seems like it'll be done in about a week or so, someday is coming up pretty stinkin' quick! And that makes me nervous. As long as it isn't done I can still change it. I can still tweak it and try to fix the things I perceive as mistakes. But the moment I say I'm finished, there's no going back - that's it.
On the upside, I'm very much looking forward to reading again. I haven't read for pleasure in months. I've read for school and I've read things like recipes and tutorials, but I've not just sat and read a book since March.

Buntings: The male is sitting on the bird feeder right now, but the female hasn't been seen in over a week. I suspect she's gone and I blame the cat (who also obliterated an entire family of squirrels from my front yard).

101 Project: I've been working on a few of these, but just haven't gotten around to posting about them. Look for a 101 post next week, if you're interested.

Health: I've lost 2 lbs this week - the healthy way. We've deviated from the SBD a couple times, but for the most part we've stuck with it pretty well. Mr. Wonderful is really sick of salads, so I've been looking for other lunch ideas for him (he's kinda picky, so it's tough) and that seems to be helping.

The Boy: He's doing very well with school, although I'm struggling a little with the school itself. We originally enrolled him for three years, 10-12. However, because we're homeschoolers he would have to take a test to opt out of the 9th grade classes. No problem, except that those tests are expensive and if he should happen to fail one, he'd still have to pay to take the class. It actually cost less for us to enroll him for the full four years than for him to be enrolled three years and take the required tests. He's okay with it, though, and says he's looking forward to getting more subjects.

Scooter: As always, she's either got her nose in a book (usually a field guide of some kind) or she's exploring outside. She's really into rocks right now and has been obsessively collecting interesting or fossilized rocks. She's doing well with her schoolwork, too, and recently had a "light bulb moment" about multiple-digit multiplication. It's so much easier now because she finally gets it. This is something we've struggled with for years and the last week or so has been much, much more pleasant when it comes to math time.

Pibb: He's been very interested in WWII lately, so we've spent a fair amount of time talking about different planes, tanks and other military weapons and strategies. He's been responsible for the breakfast and lunch dishes for a while now and he's getting better about making sure they're actually clean instead of just dunking them in the water and calling it good. Last week he asked if I'd teach him how to do the laundry, too. Of course I said yes - I love it when they like to do chores.

Midge: Midge is our little artist. He loves to color and draw. Mr. Wonderful's mom bought each of the kids a Moleskine notebook and Midge has filled his with drawings of everything from ninjas and zombies to trees and flowers, as well as self-portraits. He's struggling with reading, but is getting more confident. For whatever reason, he's convinced himself that he can't do it and that has slowed us down quite a bit. I'm certain that he can read, he just needs a little more time to be sure of it himself.

Pookie: My little Lovey... he's very affectionate and sweet, although he's got a little temper when he wants to. He's been spending a lot of time with Legos lately and has come up with some pretty amazing creations. He has a hard time getting the tiny ones apart, though and often asks Scooter for help. He's been learning his letters and is getting quite good at recognizing his name (his real name and his nickname), as well as some of the rest of our names. He loves to sort things by color (or other means) and will often sort bags of candy or beans. It's hilarious to watch because he gets really serious and won't let anyone help him or eat any until he's done.

So that's a brief overview of what's going on in my life right now. If there's anything you're curious about or want more information on, feel free to leave a note in the comments and I'll see what I can do.