School's Out

...for the Super Bowl! I went to school in western PA and absolutely loved it there. During my freshman year, I was astonished to hear that local kids got a day off of school for the first day of deer season! :) Now, I read this from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

City schools to have 2-hour delay day after Super Bowl

Thursday, January 29, 2009

By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Monday because of the Super Bowl, Superintendent Mark Roosevelt said today.

Noting that Sunday's big game means a "late night," Mr. Roosevelt said the delay should cut down on student and staff absenteeism.

He said the district operated on a two-hour delay the day after the Steelers won the Super Bowl three years ago.

I love it! (Although I'm sure my mom and others think this is crazy!!) At least Pittsburgh realizes that students and staff will likely have a late night, win or lose! And one of the reasons I love homeschooling is the flexibility that our schedule gives us. We choose not to have schools on birthdays (yay!) but we do have school on other days that most schools do not (Labor Day, MLK Day, etc.). And we never have school delays due to weather, but sometimes due to doctor's appointments, late nights the night before, etc!

Thought of the Day . . .

Dinner Time!

True story from this morning: My kids were folding laundry (their morning chore before we start school) and my two-year-old son, Owen, decided to help. He pulled a bib out from the laundry basket, put it on, walked into the kitchen, and proudly yelled, "Dinner time!" What a character! He is too cute. I took a video of it and will have it up later today when I have more time! :) Enjoy your morning!

Bam!

While I can respect the office of the President of the United States, I am clearly and openly not an Obama suppporter. That being said, I think this story is just too good to pass up. Enjoy. :) And the "stimulus" package that was just passed? Ugh! Don't get me started. It's absolutely ridiculous and I don't think it will stimulate anything except the Democrats spending more.

Sweet (Steelers!) Lovin'!

I love, love, LOVE M&Ms. They have been a staple in my home since I was a kid (thanks, dad!) and now in our family, we always have some around for munching and especially for snacking on when playing cards.

But today I found that there IS a limit to my love! I looked into ordering custom M&Ms for our Super Bowl party and these are too cool! But at over $50 (total with shipping) for only 21 ounces, I had to pass them up. Yikes! Crazy. $50?!? I love the Steelers, and I love M&Ms, but today I found that my love is limited!

Focus

I am trying to narrow down the focus of my blog so I don't always post about completely random things (unless that's what my readers like!) and would love your help! Please take a second to vote (even anonymously!) on the poll to the right. Thanks for your input! Comments about what you would like to see more of are also welcome!

I Love Technology!

Except when I hate technology.Arrghh!! My computer crashed several months ago (please back up all of your photos!!)and I have been missing files ever since. Although the great company I used to fix my computer (Stone Computer) was able to restore a lot of my data, I am still finding that I am missing a lot.

Take for instance, iTunes. Great program, not so great if your computer crashes. My computer failed and I lost my iTunes. No problem, I figure. I still have my iPod so I will just transfer my songs from my iPod to my computer. Heres a tip: Apple doesn't let you do that!Apparently it is to protect the company from having everyone just copy each other's iPods. I don't know - but it is really frustrating me (and Brad, who has been trying to help me!)!

There. Rant over for the evening. I tell ya, if that's all I have to complain about, I have a very, very blessed life. But if you have any iTunes/iPod transfer tips, send 'em my way!

Happy Monday tomorrow, y'all!

Africa

We've been studying Africa for the school the past two weeks and while the kids have enjoyed studying it, I have really liked it! I have a huge desire to travel to Africa someday - once on a mission trip, and another time just to vacation and explore. Ah....maybe someday! Until then, I guess I will have to settle for Animal Kingdom at Disney World! Our trip is only two months away and we can't wait!

The top photo shows the African animals the kids made from homemade playdough last week - from the top left clockwise: a lion laying down, an elephant, a giraffe, and a zebra. The only thing they have left to do is paint them! Here is a photo from them working that day as well. We love to do art projects and science experiments on the bar of our countertop. There is just enough room for three barstools and three kids. :) On Monday, we begin studying Asia!

My To Do List

Do you make lists? I love to! I am a list check-er and would be lost without my "to-do" lists. Here is what is on my most recent list (in no particular order!). . .hopefully all to be accomplished between Friday and Saturday!

• Make snacks for Riley and Quinn's Bible quizzing practice
• Fill out my kids' photo order forms for cheerleading/basketball
• Call my dentist about a bill
• Do some paperwork & stuffing folders for our church's upcoming children's clothing resale
• Edit the invitations (via Evite) for my 15-year high school reunion
• Order our Super Bowl party cake and balloons
• Call Disney and make dinner reservations for our vacation

And oh yeah...school, laundry, change diapers, make meals, clean up from meals, and go to toddler gymnastics. I wouldn't trade any of it. (Okay, well...maybe the diapers!)

P.S. - Hey honey - want to take over any of these items for me?! :)

Typical

We had a typical day at our house today. Not sure if that is good or bad - I guess it depends what you are looking for! Other than a few too many temper tantrums from our resident two-year-old (which I do have on video and are too funny!), all was well! (Plus we had a quick dinner with my dad today instead of at home!) Here's what a typical Wednesday looks like at HappyGoMommy's house:

• I wake up at 7am and try to catch some of the morning news before jumping in the shower.
• My kids wake up and hop in my bed to watch cartoons. They get ready (including making their beds and straightening up their rooms) and we eat breakfast at 8:30am.
• Chores follow from 9-9:30 - anything from putting away dishes to folding towels - we all help out!
• 9:30 - School starts! We get out a toy bucket (we have three rotating ones) for Owen and let him play while we work on handwriting, spelling, language arts, math, science, geography, art, music, Bible, & reading. We take a 15-minute break sometime in the morning to run around and sometimes have a snack.
• We eat lunch at 12:15 and then head to our weekly homeschool co-op. I teach once a month, the other weeks I catch up with my fellow homeschooling moms (you know who you are!) :) while our kids are in class. My friend, Jenn, organized this co-op a few years ago and we love it! We are very thankful for this time to be with other homeschoolers and friends. The kids have a different topic each week (science, reading, art/music, games).
• 3pm - We head home! Free time for the kids. Brad is usually home by then and we catch up on our days before both trying to get in some work for the day.
• 5pm - We start getting ready for dinner before the kids are out the door for Awana. I usually have a few helpers in my kitchen with me. :) They love to help me cook and are generally willing to help set the table as well.
• 5:30 - Dinner as a family. Pray, talk about our day. Try to eat and not be silly (a hard task for some in our family!!).
• 6pm - Either Brad or I take Riley and Quinn to Awana. It isn't too close to our home, so we usually hang out at the library while they are at Awana or run errands. Whoever doesn't go cleans up from dinner and plays with Owen in the evening at home (usually me and I LOVE this time!).
• 8:30 - The kids are home and we read before bed. Lights out by 9 for the kids - usually it's 8:30!

That's our day in a nutshell! Wednesdays are different because of having to leave for co-op early. I like days that are less busy better! But at least we only have one busy day like this!

Inauguration

Like most Americans and others around the world, we have been watching history in the making today as Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President. While I certainly (absolutely!!) don't agreee with his policies, I can certainly understand and respect the significance of this day. We watched the ceremony as part of school today, and the kids asked many questions. They've decided that they want Brad or me to become President so that they can live in a house that has a bowling alley, swimming pool, and movie theater! :) Silly kids! And Riley added that she has heard "too much!" about elections, rallies, Presidents, and politics in the past few months!

And of course, what would a day be without a funny line from Quinn? We were listening to Rick Warren give the prayer and about halfway through the Lord's Prayer, Quinn said "Hey mom - that's a pass I do in basketball!"

"What are you talking about, Quinn??" I asked.

"That man just said 'chest pass ' and I do that in basketball."

I tried to keep a straight face as I told Quinn that Rick Warren had just said "trespass," not "chest pass." Though they do sound similar! :) I thought my kids knew the Lord's Prayer; I guess we still need to work on it with Quinn!

Super Bowl Bound!

The Steelers are headed to the Super Bowl once again and we couldn't be more thrilled!! The game yesterday was fabulous - though nail-biting at times - and we've been been excited ever since! Brad has already designed the invitations for our Super Bowl party and we've been working on all the details - too fun!! We had a great party three years ago (our souvenir? Owen!) and are looking forward to a repeat win!

So, who's your favorite Steeler? Hines? Ben? Troy? Here's my favorite Pittsburgh Steeler! And yes, Brad knows I have a crush on him! It's Coach Tomlin - the new coach of the Steelers and he's turning out to be pretty darn good! :)

All the Way Around the World . . .

There is a great Steelers game set for tomorrow at 6:30pm! The Steelers play the Ravens in the AFC Championship game and if they win, they are headed to the SuperBowl!!! YAY! As you root them on from wherever you are, check out this video (sorry I can't get it directly on my blog)!! Steelers fans are everywhere!

Toasty Tootsies!

I promise I have more than just funny words from my kids, but I couldn't resist this one from Quinn tonight. :) I gave the boys baths tonight and when Quinn stepped in, he thought the water was too hot. I tried to explain to him that the water was just right when he blurted out "Okay, mom...two toasted feet comin' right up!"

Laugh Out Loud!

From the mouths of babes:

Owen, today at lunchtime: "Mommy, more wok-a-woni?" His sweet, cute word for macaroni!

And another laugh out loud moment: Today I was explaining to the kids about the plane crash in the Hudson River. I told them about the birds in the engine, the plane landing in the water, etc. I explained how it was a miracle and that God protected them because no one was killed. Quinn's response? "Even the birds?" I had to tell him that I wasn't sure, but that the poor birds were likely dead. :(

And today is also our sweet nephew's 3rd birthday! Happy birthday, Ryan!! We love you bunches & bunches!!! Miss you, too!!

Overheard . . .

...at our house last night from a certain five-year-old:

"Hey! When I took off my clothes tonight I found out I had on two pairs of underwear!"

Why this same child didn't realize it during the day when he used the bathroom is beyond me!

Back Again

Yes, friends, I realize that it is 2009 and that my last post says "Happy Thanksgiving!" I am sorry!! Thanks for my reminder, Meghan. Love ya! ;) So in light of that, I will be posting away for the next 30 days! That's right, a post a day from yours truly from now through Valentine's Day. Just thought I'd give you something to love. . .

I have lots of photos I want to add to my blog, as well as some blog maintenance I need to work on, so for today I will just leave you with this - five random facts about my day so far!

1. I got to sleep in an extra 1/2 hour as I was waiting for a call from the doctor for Owen & they were late in calling. I'm not complaining; I loved the extra sleep!
2. I spent way too long at the pediatrician today with my is-it-bronchitis-or-is-it-pneumonia son, Owen. They're not sure, so we're trying to get him better quickly with lots of medicine. The plus side? All three of the kids were very well-behaved at the doctor's office, and I got see three sweet babies there, too (including twins!).
3. We've had tons of snow dumped on us today and because of that, all of the activities we had scheduled for this afternoon and evening were canceled - YIPPEE!! I got to sleep in AND we get to stay home the rest of the day? Sweet! I love days/evenings when we can stay in, watch it snow, play games, read, and snuggle!
4. School is going well and keeping us busy. We are studying Africa right now and learning all about the country, its animals, and its people. It's fun!
5. We're going to Disney World!! Just confirmed!! YAY! There will be 11 of us going, including my parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and our family of five. I CANNOT wait! I haven't been in years and am so excited to see it through my kids' eyes!

That's it for now! Off to watch it snow and play more games with my kids. I may even go snow-blow again - it's become my new favorite chore!