science

I am so glad that Darren is home on Fridays! This is the day that our science experiments are scheduled. Usually I can handle a first grade science experiment, but this week, things got a little beyond me. You know, it wasn't beyond me too much, I just couldn't figure out how to strip wire. Of course, I was using kid scissors. That didn't help. So here's a picture of our solenoid (sp?). We used it to make a mini railroad signal. Nothing catches Jason's attention like science + trains! I think I got a little nervous, like maybe this is out of my league when we realized that the ends of the batteries could get pretty hot. The gist of this is to see that the battery/wire combo makes a magnet.

Oh, and by the way, here's our cute baby and her big sister (with a belt on her head... don't ask.)

update

So last week I posted that we were going on a radio station tour. Sorry it's taken so long to update you faithful readers. Here's the scoop: it was lame. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time being with our friends, going out to lunch, being away from the homestead, but as for touring the station? Lame. It would have been better if we were in the group led by the lady who knew what she was talking about, however, our humble little group was led by the receptionist. Not the Pam Beasly type, more like the Britney Spears type. Her big emphasis was on the awesomeness of the prize room (it's the room where contest winners get to pick out their prizes... get it?). She also was into explaining what kind of music each station in their family of 4 stations plays. She also had the nerve to insult the moms of our group by telling the kids that we probably weren't familiar with the rock or pop stations in their group, but rather the oldies station. Excuse Me! Just because I don't dress like Britney, it doesn't mean I don't know about Britney, er... I digress... Anyway, when we had the opportunity to talk to a DJ one of the moms asked if she had some sort of formal training, or school requirements for being a DJ. You see, we are a SCHOOL group, coming to the station for INFORMATION and EDUCATION. But alas, the DJ's answer was no. Instead she told us the awesome story of how she formed a roller derby league, got the rock station as a sponsor then pestered the station manager into letting her try out being a DJ. Guess, what? Because of her amazing deep voice and charisma, she was hired! What a lesson for the kiddos: there is no skill necessary for working at a radio station, all you have to do is start a roller derby league! Anyway, I was able to give Jason an impromptu lesson on radio waves, antennae and the like as we drove home.

Jason wrapped up his ancient Greece studies last week. We are just finishing a few projects. He made a cool mosaic placemat and learned to identify and draw Greek columns. We also spent time last week watching the inuaguration and talking about the Barak/Lincoln/MLK Jr. connection. He is learning to play the recorder so you can imagine that sound. It's not pleasant. But we have to sacrifice for the sake of the arts, right? Cameron is no longer concerned about being in "kindergarten" she just wants attention now, now, now, NOW! Hayden continues to be perfect. She gained a few pounds and grew an inch this month so I am reassured that I do know what I'm doing with a newborn.

january

Will someone please explain to Cameron that the month of January is supposed to be spent indoors, around a fire, sipping hot chocolate? We have units on snow and snowflakes that to her little mind must think this is imaginary because such wonders do not exist here. Yesterday the kids and I spent most of the afternoon outside. She got so hot while playing that she ran inside and dug out her bathing suit and begged me to help her put it on. Tomorrow the forecast calls for rain. We'll be on our way to a radio station tour and our car will get a nice bath. I'm attempting to also take the kids out to lunch tomorrow... I'm sure a blog report will follow soon.

CPSIA

UGH! Have you heard about this? I just received my t-shirt from The Happy Tomato which I won in a contest. The owner/creator/artist, Stacia, wrote me a personal note to let me know that she may be unable to sell children's clothing due to this new law. I have been reading other crafter's websites that detail how this new law would affect their pricing. Imagine trying to buy a handmade burp cloth for $300?! The gist is that because of the lead scares now all children's products are subject to mandatory lead testing which is very expensive! The link above is from the company I use for homeschool history kits. We love these projects and now this company is on the brink of shutting down due to new regulation. This could affect so many people and businesses, including second hand stores and libraries. Want more info? Here's a link to a CNN article.

contest

I'd really like one of these Ergo baby carriers so this blog post is one of the ways I can enter the giveaway. These things are the best as confirmed by a few of my friends so I'd really like to get my hands on one. If I don't win this I'll order one soon. I like baby carriers but hate the strain on my neck and back. These carriers distribute baby's weight more evenly across the hips and have very padded straps for comfy support. Sorry to advertise here, but if you want to enter also, just click on the Jolly Mom link on the right to find the giveaway info.

surviving

That's my truthful answer for the common question, "so, how are you doing?" This past week the kids and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what our new normal looks like. We started school on Monday. Jason knew what to do and I think he was glad to get a little structure back in his day (even if that structure included writing assignments!). Cameron was confused and frustrated. She decided that she is now in "kindergarten". Her version of kindergarten is a class in her room with mom as teacher, lots of play, games and songs. Normally I wouldn't have a problem with this but her class is intolerant of interruptions from big bro or little sis. Hayden continues to operate like clockwork, eating and sleeping in 3 hour cycles. So all this made our school day stretch over 6 hours, with LOTS of breaks rather than our usual 3 hour efficient school time. The beauty of homeschool is that we can get our work accomplished at our pace so I need to relax my uptight attitude and accept this new normal.

Another thing I need to get used to is the amount of time it takes to get 3 kids out the door. We take a walk every day to get the mail (and honestly I make them walk around the block to wear them out!) Once I get on kid dressed with socks, shoes and sweatshirt, another has a problem, accident or distraction that takes 5 minutes to solve. One day Jason waited outside for 15 minutes before the girls and I were ready to go. Get used to it kid!

We gave Hayden her first bath. As you can see, she didn't like it. She still doesn't like it, several bathes later.


At least she had her dad close by to rescue her with a warm towel.


We also took the kids to the park this week. This is the strange January phenomenon of the Central Coast: the coast is actually warmer than the inland areas. For instance, today it was 80 degrees in San Luis and it reached almost 70 inland. Both are warm temps but we're always shocked to have "shorts weather" in January. I was talking to a woman at the park and told her that we spend more time at the park in the winter than we do the summer because I'd rather be out in 60 degree weather rather than 90-100 degree heat. The kids had a lot of fun because we picked up Darren for his lunch break and had him join us for play. I don't have pics of Hayden because she looks the same in her bucket seat whether we're at the park or at home (and perhaps that thing about the third child being under-represented in pictures is really true)!



I'm trying to get myself back into my "normal" activities too so I can feel like more than just a milk maid. I fired up the dreadmill for a few walks this weekend and got my scrapbooking supplies out. I'm even trying to take a precepts class at church. I'd like to be able to add a few more hours to my day (hours spent awake or asleep, I'll take either at this point) but I know eventually I'll feel like I'm back to normal... whatever that is! I'm not Supermom, just call me Survivormom!

wii are grateful

Get it? Yeah, we got a Wii for Christmas. It's pretty fun. Jason is slowly becoming an expert and will soon defeat us at every game. It's hard recovering from giving birth and watching everyone compete without you. The few times I got up to bowl my body screamed at me to sit back down. Maybe this week will be different. I took a 15 minute walk on the dreadmill this morning. I kept trying to push the incline button down as it seemed as though the walk was ridiculously tough. I soon realized that 3+ weeks of laying around will atrophy your legs so even a simple walk will feel like an uphill hike.

Hayden continues to be practically perfect in every way. She has figured out that day time is when you stay awake and night time is when you sleep. I think she's brilliant! Her jaundice is clearing up nicely and she is gaining weight. She wakes up every 3 hours to eat which means that she gets up at 2 am and 5 am. So technically you could say that she only wakes up once at night to eat but I consider the 5am feeding night also. By the time I get up for the 8am I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I need to remember to set the coffeemaker timer at night...

Yesterday was my first day on my own with the kids. The morning went well, I actually showered before 10am. I foolishly attempted to shop with them and even more foolishly tried 3 stores. There are not enough snacks in the world to make it through 3 stores! I miss Darren a lot, not only because he can cook but also because it was nice to have another adult to talk to. I had forgotten how long a day can be without company.

I have been spending the last few evenings working on the piles in every room. In our house the presents get integrated in stages. First, they make it to the designated room. Then, the tags get taken off and finally everything finds a home. As I spend time doing this I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for all the gifts we received this year. We are loved by friends and family and even if these gifts were not given it would be obvious by all the support we received during this month. Thanks to everyone who surrounded us with love and prayers for Hayden. We are grateful!