Erin-Go-Blog

Happy Birthday Gussy!

2012-02-02T15:57:53.308-06:00

Six Things

2012-01-26T14:57:57.627-06:00

1.  I have been the crabbiest, crabby-pants for weeks now.  I'm surprised that my family hasn't staged a coup.  I need to work finding some inner-happiness/ peace/ contentment.  Very yoga of me, I know.

2.  Isabel left yesterday afternoon with my parents to visit my sister's family in Iowa.  I miss her.  I think everyone misses her.  I'm sure that she is having a fabulous time.

3.  We have a busy upcoming weekend.  Again.  Our winkle's Epiphany Party tomorrow.  Celebrate Gus' birthday a day late Saturday (he's turning 3!).  Sunday is our church's annual Soup Dinner fundraiser.  Busy.  Lots of eating.  Groan.

4.  I haven't taken a single photograph since the Sunday School Christmas Program.  I'm feeling guilty.  The camera is coming out this weekend.

5.  My pants are getting tight.  I asked Chris this morning if it was acceptable for me to wear pajama pants all day.  I can't wait for the box-o-maternity-goods to come from Iowa.

6. Operation Homeschool Week hasn't gone very well.  Do you think it has been less than successful because the teacher is the crabbiest, crabby-pants?  I do.

List

2012-01-18T14:13:58.227-06:00

(1) We were sick for Christmas.  We are sick every Christmas.  Advent viruses were triumphant in the end, despite us being fairly laid back the month of December.  I cooked frozen pizzas for Christmas Eve dinner.  I burned them too.  An awful meal to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Next year, I need put something nice in the freezer earlier in the month (when we are not sick) that I can reheat on December 24th.(2) I felt doubly sick at Christmas because I am pregnant.  Excited.  Nervous.  Scared.  Happy.  I'm due in the middle of August.  Chris is rooting for another daughter.  :)  The nausea is finally going away.  I can't wait for my appetite to return.  I haven't eaten really well in weeks.(3)  My Mom and Dad took care of us on Christmas Day.  I was able to take a long nap and wake up to a ham dinner.  Christmas was saved!(4)  We went to Michigan to visit with Chris' family between Christmas and New Year's.  We visited the Henry Ford Museum, reminisced while watching slides, ate too much, played with cousins and celebrated my in-law's 45th wedding anniversary.  Our 11th anniversary fell over our trip too.  We didn't realize it until lunchtime when someone else pointed it out.  Happy Anniversary!(5)  I've enjoyed our mild winter.  Those spring-like days in early January were awesome!  Our children, however, were desperate for snow.  It finally arrived last week.  The sleds have already made up for lost time.(6)  I've been very tired, but have somehow managed to continue running three times a week on the treadmill.  I hope to keep it up as long as I can!(7)  Spent a day/ overnight at a local indoor waterpark with friends last week.  We had a great time.  3 of the 4 kids fell asleep on the 25 minute drive home.  The rest of our day was lethargic.  I think that everyone was tired!(8)  Homeschool has felt sluggish.  Mostly due to me. We have had number of staccato-ed weeks due to other commitments.  Next week is the first full 5 day week we will have had since early December.  I'm looking forward to turning over a new leaf!Chris - went to the ordination of a college friend on Epiphany..  It seems all his good friends from college were there and he had a great time.  He is currently at Doxology.  I can't wait for him to return this evening!  We've all missed him!  I think that he is looking forward to getting back into a fuller schedule too.Claire - had her first swim meet the weekend before Christmas.  It was pretty fun!  She swam the 50 free.  Her goggles slipped off half-way through.  Bummer!  She has been very helpful and sisterly lately.  Maybe she sensed that I needed a bit extra help?  She's growing up!  :(Lily - has really taken off with her reading.  Right before Christmas I was always catching her with a nose in a book and it has been difficult to keep her bedside pile well stocked.  Yeah!Isabel - has been coloring, coloring, coloring.  And if she is not coloring, she is painting.  In her free time she has really wanted to learn to read, insisting that we do lessons almost everyday.  She is the youngest one I have taught.  She is doing really well...we will see! Gus - meanders from room to room, checking out what everyone else is doing.  He isn't great at independent play.  I try to keep him busy.  He likes to be read to and help out with chores.  He is my sidekick.  However if he isn't at my side, he's usually found trouble.  :)[...]

Sunday School Christmas Program

2011-12-12T09:25:02.023-06:00

Messiah

2011-12-12T09:46:33.540-06:00

Bye Bye Northwoods

2011-12-12T09:02:09.286-06:00

Christmas Preparations

2011-12-06T15:32:50.097-06:00

Meal Plan

2011-12-05T16:19:10.974-06:00

1. Enchiladas, lettuce, fresh salsa
2. Mushroom Burgers w/ blue cheese mayonnaise, veggies
3. Pea Soup, bread
4. Chicken Wings, veggies, apples
5. Pork Chops, salad w/ apples, pecans and dried cranberries
6. Chili, corn bread

My Favorite Cleaning Product

2011-11-21T14:14:00.706-06:00

Parent Teacher Conference: A Personal Reflection

2011-11-19T09:08:37.768-06:00

1.  School overall has been going well.  We have been making progress and reading lots of books.  The girls and I went through a very hard time the first few weeks (months?), but we have worked it mostly out.  I had some pivotal epiphanies about my daughters, how they are very different from each other and how differently they learn.  Its tricky, this homeschooling thing we do.

2.  I, as teacher, have done a few things differently this year.  Namely. planning out our lessons and ordering books from the library on weekends.  Planning takes me about an hour to finish.  That hour of time saves me hours of time throughout the week.  I also make a very strident effort to only focus on teaching during the morning.  I try to not open my computer, turn off my phone and pretend that my home is calm, clean and organized until lunchtime.  By noon, the bulk of our lessons are done (math, English, Latin and piano) and the afternoon/ evening is housework, pleasure reading, science and history.

3. I need to start specifically spending more time with Gus and Isabel.  Not schooling them, but consciously sitting down and playing with them and reading picture books.  They are not completely ignored during the day, but I feel like my focus is only on the big girls.  I should come up with a few activities that would be special and enjoyable for them to do during the hectic morning hours.

4.  I, as mother and wife, have also done a few things differently this year.  I've been better about meal planning and preparation.  I want to further reduce the number of times I go grocery shopping every month (it is such a chore now--I never used to mind doing it!)  I've had a better system to get laundry done in a timely manner.  I have also been regularly running again since school started after a lazy summer off (3 times a week, usually in the afternoon during Netflix time).  I am a better person when I work out.  It seems paradoxical, adding yet another thing to my schedule to help me stay organized, focused and sane, but it works.

5.  The pace of our lives is busier than it has ever been.  I'm not sure why this year seems so drastically different.  We have something on the calendar almost every day.  Its crazy, but there isn't really anything we can cut out.  I can feel my heart quicken every time I flip the calendar to peek at our already packed December.

6.  I'm tired right now.  Keeping this pace is exhausting.  I need to specifically plan more 4 day school weeks and time away from [insert large, all-encompassing motion] all of this.

Art Project: Abstract Watercolor

2011-11-18T14:41:43.747-06:00

Sweaty

2011-11-18T15:07:40.760-06:00

My fellow patrons at Jo-Ann Fabrics this past Wednesday were all super-seamstresses.  The kind of women (like Jan or Gail) who could make something gorgeous on their sewing machines while simultaneously sleeping.  These women intimidate me.  They make my armpits sweaty while I wait 14 deep at the cutting counter.  They look at my cart filled with beginner notions and cotton cloth and judge me (I know that you do it Jan!).

On top of my insecurities, my four children were with me.  They were being very, very good, but it was the middle of the day on a Wednesday.  I was getting the "what are your obviously healthy, school-aged children doing home in the middle of the day" look.  I was getting the "are those all her children?" look and the "she's one of those people" look.

I finally made it to the cutting table after 10 or 15 minutes of waiting and constantly being stared at by the judgmental-sewers.  I was sure that they all had noticed the sweat rings developing on my dark shirt.  I needed help picking out interfacing.  The woman working, a effortlessly hip youth named Elisha, looked at me like I was from Planet Have-Too-Many-Kids-Moron.  "I'm new here.  I don't know anything.  You're going to have to ask my manager, Diane.  She's back in Yarn."

ARGH!

My kids were starting to lose it at this point.  "Are we almost done?"  I was irritated and ready to be done myself.  I thought that this entire errand would take 10 or 15 minutes.  However, unbeknownst to me, everyone in the metro-Milwaukee area was buying crafties at Jo-Ann Fabrics on this particular Wednesday.  Gus bit Isabel out of frustration (how is that even possible?) and the girls started arguing about something stupid, like which fabric was prettier.  I think I said BE QUIET! in a mean, quiet voice for the gazillionth time.

I found Diane.  She told me which interfacing I needed.  I got back into the monsterously long line for the cutting counter, and the sweat started really dripping because of my areobic activity pushing the cart in circles around this place.  I asked myself "why is the heat up so friggin' high in this choatic, disorganized craft store????"   And then we made eye contact.  A skirt-wearing woman got in line behind me.

"I had four children too.  They are such a blessing.  This is my youngest.  The time goes so fast.  You really have to treasure these moments."

Grrrr.

Elisha cut my stupid interfacing.  I proceeded to the check-out where my children were immediately drawn to the impulse candy section like insects to a bug-zapper.  I think that the entire event may have actually transpired in slow-motion like I remember it.

"Geeeettt aaaawaaayy froooomm thaaat stuuuffff!"
 "Moooommmm, caaan weee geeet theeeeeseeee?"

[Candy spills all over the floor.  Judgemental-sewer rolls eyes and looks on disapprovingly.  My armpits gush.]

Braatens

2011-11-14T13:12:47.824-06:00

Meal Plan Monday

2011-11-07T08:50:51.300-06:00

In an effort to be more efficient, I've decided to try grocery shopping and meal planning for two weeks instead of one.  Eventually I'd like to stretch the time period to 3 or 4 weeks.  I'll see how it goes.

1. Lentil Soup, bread
2. Macaroni and Cheese, apples and salad (Pam Anderson is awesome)
3. Italian Wedding Soup, bread
4. Reuben sandwiches
5. Cheddar Bacon Ale Dip, homemade pretzels, veggies
6. Smoked Pork Steaks, BBQ sauce, roasted brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes
7. Hamburgers with onion jam, salad
8. Chicken Parmesan, salad
9. Split Pea Soup, bread
10. Fish, baked french fries, coleslaw
11. Angel Chicken, brown rice, veggies
12. Enchiladas, salsa, shredded lettuce, cilantro
13.Onion Soup, bread, fruit, veggies
14. Pot Roast, potatoes, carrots, green beans

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T12:08:24.634-05:00

Owl Pellets

2011-10-31T10:18:50.585-05:00

My kids have a fascination with owls.  All of them.  We get all sorts of books about owls.  The big girls love the Ga'Hoole series and the little kids love the book about Owls by Gail Gibbons.

A friend gave us some owl pellets and Lily, my flower who doesn't like getting her fingers dirty, couldn't wait to dig in!

"Mom!  I found another skull!  A femur!  Look at this bone!"

She found 3 skull in her pellet.  They were carefully washed, dried and now rest with her other treasures.

Meal Plan Monday

2011-10-24T12:05:12.381-05:00

1. Moo Shu Pork
2. Roasted Corn Pizza w/ cilantro, lettuce and salsa
3. Lentil Soup, bread, apples
4. Deluxe Grilled Cheese, veggies w/ dip
5. Chicken Noodle Soup, pumpkin pie
6. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
7. Cajun Clam Chowder, bread

Breakfast recipes to try:
1. Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
2. Sun-Dried Tomato Jam

Pumpkin Farm

2011-10-22T19:41:42.048-05:00

[...]

Fall Trek

2011-10-20T21:47:40.370-05:00

Each fall our family takes a day trip west to the marsh to see the geese and cranes as they fly through Wisconsin on their way south.  Our first stop is in Teresa, Wisconsin to the Widmer Cheese factory.  It is very small and unassuming, but they make the best brick and cheddar cheese!These are the brick cheese curds (cubes).  I feel 9 again when I eat them.  We also bought a six year white cheddar that we are saving to eat with friends who are coming to visit soon.  I feed all my house guests cheese.  What can I say?  I'm a cheese-head at heart.Our next stop is the Horicon Welcome Center.  We read the displays, watch the liberal environmentalist video clips and chat with Harold.  Harold volunteers at the Center to answer vistors questions. We see him every year.  I'm not sure why he remembers us.  Crazy couple with lots of kids?  Maybe we are memorable.Then on to view the marsh!  There is nothing particularly special about the marsh, but it is big and there is a lot of water, reeds, muskrats and birds.  Its a marsh!We walked on this floating boardwalk through the marsh this year.  Our family gave it mixed reviews.  I think we will return to our usual trail next year. We made the kids pose for a picture.  They were thrilled about looking into the setting sun. On the return trip we stop at an orchard to stock up on apples and cider and arrive home to a time-baked meal.  A perfect fall tradition!2010 20092007/ 2007[...]

Future Pastor?

2011-10-17T09:33:41.389-05:00

Meal Plan Monday

2011-10-17T09:23:39.048-05:00

1. Cauliflower Gratin, applesauce, salad
2. Potato Leek Soup, bread
3. Chili, corn bread
4. Omelets, smoothies
5. Pulled Pork Sandwiches, coleslaw
6. Pizza
7. Roasted Chicken, potatoes, green beans, blueberry bread pudding

Meal Plan Tuesday

2011-10-11T13:47:46.634-05:00

So, I'm a day late.  Sorry about that. One of last week's meals is repeated in this list because we have been sick and our appetites have been quiet.

1. Gyozas, stir-fried veggies
2. Reuben sandwiches, veggies and dip
3. Chicken, Broccoli, and Wild Rice Casserole (yuck!)
4. California Soup, fruit
5. Pork Chops with Bacon and Cabbage, brown rice
6. Hot Spinach Dip with bread, veggies and apples
7. Beef Roast, baked potatoes, salad

Baking to-do this week:
1. Banana Scones with Brown Sugar Glaze
2. Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Pattern Play

2011-10-04T15:08:21.111-05:00

Meal Plan Monday

2011-10-03T11:52:18.005-05:00

1. BLT's, applesauce
2. Italian Wedding Soup, bread
3. Cornish Pasties, salad
4. Baked Potatoes w/ toppings, salad
5. Gyozas (wrappers here), stir-fried veggies
6. Pizza, applesauce

Misc.

2011-09-30T09:00:35.515-05:00

It has been busy around here.  Each week is a circuit of school, library trips and piano lessons.  I have been planning menus and lessons each weekend, which dramatically helps the week run more efficiently.
I have been trying to fix up the Northwoods bathroom since June.  I have kicked it up a notch the past few weeks, and I see the project's completion on the horizon.  Currently the walls are primed and the cabinetry and trim have all painted the same creamy white as the kitchen cabinetry.  Orange walls this weekend!  I still have to buy some new hardware.  I am experiencing a sort of crisis between choosing polished chrome and antiqued bronze. Stay tuned for before and after pictures!
Claire started Swim Team this past week.  She dove off of the blocks for the first time yesterday.  I just about died anticipating the worst.  She dove off like a pro.  She loves swimming and has already has made friends with a few of the other 9 year old girls on the team.

Comments (0) - Read and Add your own Comments