Mike Sweeney

Last night Bob and Jacob went to the Detroit Tigers vs Seattle Mariners baseball game. They went to the game in hopes of getting Mike Sweeney's autograph. He is one of Jacob's favorite MLB players from the Champions of Faith DVD. Not only did they get his autograph, but Mike Sweeney took Jacob down into the dugout to meet some of the other Mariners players, through the tunnel, and back out onto the field. What an amazing experience for an 8yo boy who loves baseball as much as Jacob! This memory will certainly stay with Jacob and Bob for a long, long time. What a blessing!

Surgery & St. Vincent

We met with Dr. Hensinger today regarding Sarah's surgery. It looks like we will be able to schedule it in September. We also spoke with Philippa last night and St V's has officially waived the 6-month waiting period for Anna & Levi. They are ready for us to travel at any time! Bob had scheduled to have vacation time at the end of August, so it looks like we will be able to meet our new family members and hit the beach soon. At that point our dossier will be submitted and St V's will take over from there doing what they need to do for the kids to be able to come home. We can come home and focus on Sarah's surgery and her recovery. It sounds like the first 6 weeks will be the most difficult, but hopefully she will do well and recover quickly. Then will get ready to take another trip to St Vincent's to bring our new family members home!

Workboxes/Laundry?

So far having the laundry baskets upstairs in the hall has worked well. An amazingly simple solution to a messy and time-consuming endeavor. It is interesting to see how simple things can make a big difference. Just like the workbox idea. Such a simple thing has really streamlined and organized our day. This summer the girls haven't had items in their workboxes, and the boys have only had items in the first four or so boxes, but we get so much more accomplished when the work is prepared and ready for them to go. So simple yet so effective.

The topic of what to call workboxes came up on the workbox yahoo group. This response was my favorite: Wisdom or Knowledge boxes?

Proverbs 24:3 & 4

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is made firm; and by knowledge are its rooms are filled with every precious and pleasing possession"

I really like how the two things are so easily tied together. I think we will work on memorizing the verse and then the kids can choose which name they want to give their boxes.

Family Photo

Jill came over this morning after church and took a family pic. We wanted a recent one to send to the kids in St. Vincent. I am hoping to put our photo on a pillow case so they can get used to our faces!

Laundry

We are trying a new laundry set-up. I used to have laundry baskets in each bedroom and each person was responsible for throwing their own laundry in the basket each day. Each morning Jacob was to bring down the boys laundry and Jonah was to bring down the girls laundry. It worked well in getting the laundry from the upstairs to the laundry room. Then I read something about laundry in a big family and realized that while it was good to have the laundry in the laundry room, it was taking me a while to sort everything for each load and it created a huge mess in my little laundry room. Therefore, I took the suggestion of putting baskets in the hallway (instead of bedrooms) and having each person sort as they dumped their laundry in. Each basket is labeled with a tag that says either dark, light, or colors. I was hesitant to put laundry baskets in the hallway as it doesn't look very nice, but then I realized that really no one but us goes upstairs anyway. The boys in particular really don't have the space in their rooms for a big laundry basket. If this new system works I plan on purchasing some baskets that look a bit more presentable!

2009 - 2010 Curriculum

Jacob- 3rd Grade

Math-MUS/MOTL

Phonics-All About Spelling

Spelling-All About Spelling

Science-Animals and Their Worlds (Winter Promise)

Handwriting-Memoria Press

History-Memoria Press

Religion-Seton

English-Seton

Writing-Writing with Ease

Latin-Memoria Press - Latina Christiana

Reading-

Jonah - 1st Grade

Math-MUS/MOTL

Phonics-All About Spelling

Spelling-All About Spelling

Science-Animals and Their Worlds (Winter Promise)

Handwriting-Memoria Press

History-Colonial/Pioneer Life-variety of sources

Religion-Seton

English-Seton

Writing-Writing with Ease

Latin-start 2nd grade

Reading-Beehive Reader/Seton books

Sarah - Kindergarten

Math-MUS/MOTL

Phonics/Reading-Teach Your Child to Read

Science-Animals and Their Worlds (Winter Promise)

Handwriting-Catholic Heritage Curriculum

History-Colonial/Pioneer Life

Religion-CHC/Seton

Leah - Preschool

Speech Therapy

Preschool

Pool Fun

It was finally warm enough on Sunday to spend a little time at the pool. Unfortunately, the pool heater is broken and it has been a bit chilly, so the water was COLD!

4th of July

We kicked off our holiday weekend with going to the Fireworks in Manchester on Friday night. We went with the Browns. The kids had fun playing around while they were waiting for the Fireworks to begin. Everyone enjoyed the show, except for Leah. She cried and was glad when they were over! Friday afternoon the kids decorated shirts. They really turned out cute. Too bad I didn't get a picture of all of them. I don't think they will look so hot once they go through the wash. On Saturday, even though the weather wasn't all that great, the kids played on the slip n slide. Later in the afternoon we headed over to Jill's for hotdogs and hamburgers. We had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows and had s'mores. We capped off the evening by doing sparkles which all the kids loved.

Baseball Under the Lights

Last night the Blue Sox had a game against Northville that started at 7:30pm. When you are an 8-year-old boy it is a big deal to play a night game under the lights! Maybe for the coaches too :) They had lost against Northville at the Adrian tournament so they knew they were facing a good team. They played two 5 inning games. They played really well the first game and almost walked away with their first win of the season, but lost 16-15. The second game wasn't quite as good. The boys still seem to be enjoying the season despite no wins.

Jacob has a faithful fan following of his Grandparents and often Aunt Jill & Uncle Jim. Tonight they have a game in Carlton. This could be their night! Go Blue Sox!