Busyness!

I hang my head in shame here for such a long interval between my blog posts!  At least I would, but honestly, life has been very busy since the last post in February, that there is no shame, just a large family's busy life.

We finished out the school year with flying colors!  Esther and Elizabeth graduated from High School.  In one weekend at the beginning of May, they had their evaluations, SAT's, 18th birthdays, then the following Monday flew to Florida for a month long trip to visit their Grandparents before Graduation on June 4th.

Aren't the girls' just beaming in the above picture?  Oh, I have to explain about the surprise diploma we handed out.  Dale had finished up his Master's course,  the diploma came about a week and half before graduation.  So, of course I hid it and worked his presentation into the program.  And of course, I didn't mention it him!  Long story short, he was indeed surprised.  That is no small feat, let me tell you!

Oiy Vey.

While they were gone we went to Williamsburg.  It was WONDERFUL!  I don't know why we haven't made the effort to go before?  There'll be a whole different post on that trip later.  Also, during the twins' trip, I had three quilts to finish up for graduation presents.  One for each of the twins, and one for their friend who was graduating with them.  With all the busyness of the day I never even got pictures of them!  I think the other mom did, so I will email her and see if she can send them to me.  *Head slap*.  I guess the important thing is that I got them all done on time, which was a huge relief.

Those of you who have been on the blog before, or are familiar with the family, know that we have four birthdays we celebrate in May.  I also did a cake for Senior's night during the volleyball season.  Here are some samples of my playing around with confectionery:

This is the cake for Senior's Night at Volleyball.  The numbers on the jerseys are the numbers of the four seniors on the team.

This was for the twins' birthday dinner.  Their candles are their initials. The base was two 9 by 13's with horse heads carved out of two square pans of cake. 

This one is self-explanatory.  :)

This cake was lots of fun.  It was made for Boys' week at camp this year.  It is showing the go-carts spinning out and running into each other. The base is white cake, vanilla frosting dyed green.  The carts and wheels are made out of rice krispie treats covered with fondant, cones,  and the lettering is out of fondant.  Caleb helped me with the sculpting. 

This cake was made back in March for a Leadership retreat at camp.  Ephesians 5:15 was theme verse.  Don't worry, that is edible ink on the fondant. 

After graduation Dale and I went away to The Quiet Place in Naples, NY, to celebrate our 25th anniversary.  It was just what we needed after such a busy couple months of preparation! I was also still in college classes right up until the day before we left for our trip.  Thankfully we both survived. 

I hope to get back to more regular blogging.  I know, you have read that before.  Bear with me!  I'm a college student still, and the work isn't getting any easier!  But, blogging is fun, and I know certain family members like to see what we are up to (Hi Grandmother!).

Blessings,

Lisa 

Does That Come With Earplugs? Please?

We are nearly three weeks into our school year, and I've already learned to expect the unexpected.  Like, two hours before our very FIRST match of the season being told that Mr. Greene had to officiate and I was the head coach for the day.  Oh yeah.  I went from wicked excited to a bundle of nerves.  It wasn't as bad as I thought, though I felt like a bull in a china shop most of the time.  Some of my instinct on what to do when were right on, but I kept second guessing myself.  I need to trust and make the decision more quickly.  At any rate, despite winning the first game in the match, we lost.  The girls were tight, and got frustrated and soon discouraged.  I could watch their countenances falling and their playing go downhill as a result.  They would make an error, and they let it get to them.  They need to learn to let it go, and press on, and not allow themselves to get flustered.  That comes with time and experience.  We had our second game this past Monday up in Buffalo, NY.  We are in for a lot of driving this season as we are the new kids on the block in the league so we have to go to the away games, but they don't have to come to us because this is merely a probationary year.

They lost the match on Monday, as well.  But, overall, I saw improvement.  They seemed more relaxed, and yes they made mistakes, but there were some really good plays too.  They are growing and learning as volleyball season progresses. 

Last Friday was our school retreat.  What fun that was!  We spent the day with horses, hiking, playing, and eating.  And it counted as a school day.  It just doesn't get any better than that.

"Buggy" on Thunder the mule

Isaac on Thunder.  He also rode Ginger (who is definitely preggo, yay!).  I had a hard time getting him off when it was time for lunch.  The big kids were going on a trail ride after lunch, and Isaac kept asking "Can I ride the horse again?"  Oh boy.  Another riding addict is born!

Emiliee on Thunder.  She is used to horses.  She has a pony named Charlie, and I got to see her ride at the Fair back in August.

When you have a group of teens together, there is always some sort of tomfoolery.  This time it started with Benjamin (almost 6 '6") asking "Hey Mr. Greene, can I ride a sheep?"  He told him "sure if you can catch one."  Let the games begin!

What is good for the goose (sheep) is good for the gander (pigs).

By the way, that muck right in front of the kids spread eagle against the wall is knee deep liquidy goo.  They were waiting for Benjamin to chase the pigs out of the door on the right.   

This one got out, and then the chase was REALLY on!  

Playing on the fort.

This is a mini golf course (all 4 holes of it) based on the story of Jonah.  The devotional I did after lunch was on the book of Jonah, so I had the kids (Pre-k through 7th grade) sit in the boat.  It was called the USS Ninevah.  :)

Swinging!  Who doesn't love a tire swing? 

While we were at the fort, the older group came back from their ride.

Benjamin on King.  They look alike.  Tall and bony.  I don't know if you can pick it out in the picture but Benjamin is eating an apple.  Quiet a few of them were.  They must have raided the orchard on their ride.

We also had school pictures last Wednesday, so grandparents, be prepared to receive something new for your dartboards.

Today I got a new student!  Matthew is joining our little group.  He is 4, will be 5 in November, so he is almost exactly the same age as Isaac.  But let me tell you, he is a big boy!  Very tall, and quite robust.  I found out very quickly, that as hard as it is to understand Isaac sometimes, Matthew is even worse.  Also, his mom speaks a lot of Spanish at home because of her boyfriend, so apparently he knows a lot of his colors and numbers in Spanish.  Not so much English, though he does speak it fluently.  Except for colors and numbers, apparently.  No one told me I had to be bilingual for this job!  Good thing I took four years of Spanish in school.  

I quickly discovered that Matthew does not like to sit at a desk.  He does not like to color.  Or write.  Or sit still for a story.  He isn't big on crafts either.  Oh, did I mention his broken arm?  Thankfully his cast comes off next week, and then maybe I can get a clear evaluation on his fine motor skills, which seem underdeveloped right now.  He didn't break his dominant arm, but I am still giving him the benefit of the doubt, so to speak.  At any rate, I have figured that he is a solid pre-schooler.    So, for those keeping track, I have a sort of pre-preschooler, a preschooler, a K4 student, and a solid Kindergarten student.  Whew!  Anyone want to come help?  Oh, yeah... and I might be getting another one!  But that isn't certain yet.  

So, after a hectic day with a new student, and  Pre-preschooler underfoot, I was looking forward to getting home, putting up my tired tootsies for a few minutes, and enjoying some real quiet time.  

Not gonna happen.

The kids started band this week.  Oiy vey.  Elizabeth started on my flute.  I know, from experience, that learning how to blow into that thing so it makes some sort of pleasing tone isn't easy. Elizabeth is finding that out too.

Josiah is playing trumpet.  Or trying to.   

Caleb is doing surprisingly well with the French Horn.  If you think sounding like an elephant blowing his nose is good, anyway. 

Jerusha started the recorder last year in the second semester.  She is working on that, and learning to sight read this year. 

This classy guy, with the flood water chaps on, is playing a bass clarinet.  It is almost the same as a saxophone, except it uses a reed as the mouthpiece, and the saxophone doesn't.  He has his chaps on because he was going to work to help clear some land right after he practiced.  

Budding musicians.  Glad I'm learning sign language, because the ensuing din will probably cause permanent damage to my ears.

This Saturday we have a volleyball tournament up towards Buffalo, of course, but not as far as we went yesterday.  It will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  We have to leave early from school.  That means we'll be up bright and early... say 5 a.m. or so, on a day off. 

Goodie.  

Have a blessed day!