4 to 1

I've done it, twice! I took all 4 boys out by myself! The first time was a week ago. We went to Wal-Mart to get some pull-ups for our trip to my parents house. We went in, got what we needed and walked out. Well, there were two minor incidences. 1. G ran to the toy section 2 aisles over without permission. 2. J threw a minor fit at the register because I wouldn't buy him "green water" A.K.A. Mountain Dew.

Today I had to go pick up a temporary insurance card for S since I haven't received his regular one in the mail yet. There is a bill that should have been covered but somehow wasn't so now I need the number off of the card to give them so they will charge the insurance. Anyway, I loaded the boys up in the van, drove there, went in, waited in line (the boys were very fidgety in line but there was no one behind us so it wasn't a very big deal). It was a relatively quick trip. We got back in the van, and drove home.

Overall they were pretty good and both trips were successful. I don't think I'm ready for a full on shopping trip with all four of them yet but we'll get there eventually. Hehe, though I think I'll continue to avoid it at every opportunity.

Took a walk

My first walk through the neighborhood! We moved here 6 months ago but this was the first time I walked around the neighborhood. I took the boys with me, M & G walked or "Le Parkour" ed, and J & S rode in the stroller. We only walked around a couple of blocks and it was only about 20 minutes but it was nice to get out. I need to start getting some regular exercise! The evenings have been pretty nice lately so maybe I will try to get in at least 2 or 3 walks a week to start out with. Tomorrow night won't work because we have church but hopefully Thursday will, Friday we will be at a Homeschool park day, I have no doubt I will get in my exercise then!

A lapbook about Music!

Inside the book we have a page with different kinds of musical instruments, you flip that up and there is a picture that says "Music makes me feel..." and drawings of the different feelings we can get from music. Then in the center there is a page with pictures of 9 different Composers and you have to guess who they are, then lift up their picture flap and their names are underneath. On the left side it says "Types of Music" and we listed some of them, and on the right flap it says "I hear music..." and we listed lots of places that we hear music. On the back it says "The most important thing we can do with music is Praise the LORD!"

It was a lot of fun to make, though the boys fought a little over who got to do what. Next time I definitely want to have them each do their own. Since we are going to the butterfly exhibit next week I think that will be our next lapbook project. I'm not sure when we will do it though, maybe after we get home.

Our first lapbook

I have been teaching the boys about music this week. We have talked about how we can use music to praise God, and about different types of music. M's favorite is Rock music, none of the others claimed a favorite though.

Today I printed out a whole bunch of pictures pertaining to music, and I dug out a few file folders to make a music lapbook or file folder book. I have never done this before but seeing as how its the latest homeschooling craze I thought we should give it a try! I figure since this is our first attempt we will just do one and all work on it together. Then maybe later on we'll do individual books. One for each kid. Maybe I will help J with one to give an example for M & G and they can make their own. But for now, I think one for all to share will be good enough. I'll try and post a picture tomorrow when we are finished with it.

If we get too carried away with this lapbooking business I'll have to break down and buy some more file folders! I thought we had a box of them but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I did find a small stack of them and I'm wondering if thats all that's left of the box. We bought it a few years ago so it is possible we used them all up.

Overwhelmed

Yes, its true. I do get overwhelmed being a mother of 4 energetic boys. Sometimes I feel like the whole house is spinning around me. Have you ever seen a cartoon where a character is standing in the middle of the street and cars are flying by on both sides and the character is spinning around in the middle? That's how I feel. I can't keep up with them!

I'll be taking care of one in the living room and next thing I know another one is opening and closing the garage door, and another one is sneaking ice out of the freezer. I go to the bathroom for less than 2 minutes and when I'm done there is screaming coming from their bedroom. I fix supper and only one will eat it, or another day all but one will eat. The house is cleaned to almost spotless one day and the next day it looks like a tornado hit!

Seriously, I can't keep up. If I get all of the laundry done one day I find the hampers full to the brim the next day. I have about two dozen cups for them and they ALL end up dirty each day. I have started hiding some of them so that they are forced to wash out cups themselves when they want a drink.

I am so tired. I get a little bit of a break tomorrow, but only because I'll be in the dentist chair getting a root canal.

Father in Heaven, Thank You for my boys. Thank You for trusting me with them. I know I am not the perfect mother, and I could never hope to be, but I ask You to please help me be a good mother. Help me to keep my head screwed on straight. Help me to know what the right thing is and to do it. Help me to teach my children to love You. Lord, I want nothing more than to see my children grow up to love You and serve You with their whole hearts. Please bring that about in there lives I pray, In Jesus Precious name. Amen.

Foreclosure

Its so sad to drive through town and see all of the homes for sale. I hear all the time of people who either lost or gave up their homes. So many people were so excited that they could afford new, nice, big homes, just a few years ago. And now people are so short on money they are struggling to just buy food. House payments are so high even couples who both work can't afford them!

I understand and feel sorry for the people who just got in over their heads without realizing it, but on the other hand there are people out there who were just not wise and didn't think things through before buying. There are even some who were just plain being foolish even though they knew better. I can kind of understand what its like to do that too. There have been times in my life where I went ahead and spent money that I couldn't really afford to spend just because I wanted to have something "right now". Of course I later regretted it, as many are regretting buying houses they couldn't really afford.

I hope and pray we can buy a house one day, I also pray that God will give us wisdom in doing so. Its a big thing to do and I don't want to get in over my head and end up with regrets.

Attic

Yesterday I FINALLY! got the "too little/big" clothes sorted. All of the clothes that I am saving for the boys to wear when they grow into those sizes. I gave away a few things but I saved a lot. J and S should be well clothed as they grow. M and G on the other hand are going to need a whole new wardrobe once winter hits. They are only one size apart now! G is really catching up, I figure when they are teenagers G will pass M. We'll have to wait and see though.

Anyway, today Dh put them all up in the attic, I feel better about them being up there than in the garage. He also put the maternity clothes in the attic too. I told him they could be the furthest out of reach since I don't know if I'll ever be pregnant again but even if I am it won't be anytime soon if I can help it.

A friend who just got married in June found out she is expecting! I am so happy for her. I told her they would have to come over and have dinner with us and I would let her browse my library of pregnancy and baby books. That reminds me, I have to get back one of my breastfeeding books from a friend. Anyway, I would loan her some of my maternity clothes but she is a much thinner person than I am. Oh well.

Now I know its late but Dh and I are going to watch Facing the Giants. He hasn't seen it yet and I would really like him to. I'd better go now or we'll never get to it!