Larry turned 13 this morning at 10:52 a.m. In honor of this day, I hereby change his name to The Teenager. I briefly considered changing my name to a four-letter word and daring my kiddos to swear, but I resisted and overcame.
Yesterday was an extremely trying day. I am in Limboland, stuck between not quite feeling well enough to do all I need to and not quite feeling ill enough to take to my bed until next week. My parents kindly brought home the children early yesterday afternoon and Moe was crying out with terrible stomach pains. He's had a sore stomach off and on for a few days and I knew he wasn't "stove up."
After seeing his flushed face and panicked expression, I decided to take him to the ER. The triage nurse was almost certain he had appendicitis, but the pain had faded by the time he was seen by a doctor, who thought it might be a kidney stone (unusual in a child, but not unheard-of). He needed to have a CT scan but that hospital's was down, so we were discharged and sent a couple of towns over to another hospital for the scan.
Thankfully, it was neither appendicitis nor a kidney stone but something called mesenteric adenitis, a fancy word for inflamed lymph nodes in his stomach. Rest and regular ibuprofen should do the trick. The doctors think it was caused by a virus, most likely the Influenza A he had two weeks ago. There is a slight possibility it was caused by celiac disease or cumulative dairy allergy, so if it persists we'll have to take him for further testing, but for now he'll have to be on total rest for a week.
Any ideas on how to tell an active 8-year-old he won't be able to hunt eggs with his cousins Sunday afternoon?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Comfort
I have been ill with a cough/fever/sore throat for a couple of days, and yesterday I felt so sick I asked my parents to take the children for the afternoon so I could rest. It turned into an overnight trip at my parents' request.
Late in the afternoon, I got a call from Larry.
"Hi, Mom. I was just calling to see how everything's going and to see if I can do anything for you. And to tell you I love you and hope you feel better."
My boy who turns 13 tomorrow, just checking on his Mama.
Geddy had a meeting but called to say he was bringing home dinner. When he came in, he handed me a bag from Burger King containing my very favorite fast-food dessert, Hershey's Sundae Pie. He had brought me the chicken fries I'd asked for as well, but the slice of pie was an unsolicited love offering.
Curly Sue and Moe called later to tell us goodnight. Moe, barely 8, had written a near-perfect essay on Ben Franklin while Curly Sue had researched and started a paper on Abigail Adams. I knew I didn't have to worry about them not doing their schoolwork for Nannie and Paw-Paw, and Nannie said they actually did more than they were supposed to do.
Mercy, my sweet family makes it very difficult for me to stay sick!
Late in the afternoon, I got a call from Larry.
"Hi, Mom. I was just calling to see how everything's going and to see if I can do anything for you. And to tell you I love you and hope you feel better."
My boy who turns 13 tomorrow, just checking on his Mama.
Geddy had a meeting but called to say he was bringing home dinner. When he came in, he handed me a bag from Burger King containing my very favorite fast-food dessert, Hershey's Sundae Pie. He had brought me the chicken fries I'd asked for as well, but the slice of pie was an unsolicited love offering.
Curly Sue and Moe called later to tell us goodnight. Moe, barely 8, had written a near-perfect essay on Ben Franklin while Curly Sue had researched and started a paper on Abigail Adams. I knew I didn't have to worry about them not doing their schoolwork for Nannie and Paw-Paw, and Nannie said they actually did more than they were supposed to do.
Mercy, my sweet family makes it very difficult for me to stay sick!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
For Misty
Misty, my longish-distance friend, is a fellow homeschooling mom who is tons of fun and loves 80s music. I was thinking about her as I watched the VH1 100 One-Hit Wonders from the 80s countdown. (A bunch of them had more than one hit, but I digress.)
Misty has five children, including a baby and a special-needs teen. Right now her husband is battling a newly diagnosed chronic illness and her baby was just diagnosed with mono. Now, I know tons of folks are going through tough times right now, but this is one of those break-your-mama's-back moments and if your prayer card isn't too full, please keep them in mind.
Whip it, Misty! Whip it good!
Misty has five children, including a baby and a special-needs teen. Right now her husband is battling a newly diagnosed chronic illness and her baby was just diagnosed with mono. Now, I know tons of folks are going through tough times right now, but this is one of those break-your-mama's-back moments and if your prayer card isn't too full, please keep them in mind.
Whip it, Misty! Whip it good!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
School update
I haven't written about school for awhile. To recap, we tried hard to make Georgia Virtual Academy work for us first semester but couldn't manage it. We parted ways amicably, us with a better sense of where our learning gaps lay.
Right now, we are working on getting familiar with the bigger picture of mathematics. Larry is continuing with Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra, which right now is review for him. He and I are reading Romping Through Mathematics together and making pages for his math notebook -- we're learning about square and cube roots at the moment. He is finishing up in Vocabulary from Classical Roots B, after which we will (finally!) get started in The Latin Road to English Grammar and Wordly Wise 7.
Using literature from Sonlight 6, he is working on perfecting the five-paragraph essay. He chooses an aspect of each novel -- for instance, characterization in Young Fu of the Upper Yangtzee -- and writes a draft, which we go over together and then revise for a final markup.
The littles are using several workbooks each. Horizons Math, Wordly Wise, k12 Spelling, Exercises in English and Vocabulary Workshop should be finished within the next month. Then, we will start working in Sequential Spelling, more Wordly Wise and more Horizons Math. I plan to purchase Teaching Textbooks 4 to use in tandem next year. We are keeping math notebooks for the littles, too, using books about math to learn new concepts and writing and solving our own word problems.
After much fretting about history, I chose Mystery of History because of its strong Bible concentration and because it includes levels of assignments for each of the children's ages, meaning I can use one program for all three children. Because Larry is working in Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science, I can modify science to include all three as well, with Larry taking the lead on lab work and including the littles as "lab assistants." In addition, we have several biology resources, including health and nutrition, with which to supplement.
Hopefully, all I will need to purchase for next year is the TT4 set, freeing up some of the budget for basic art and school supplies. I guess that's one advantage of switching gears mid-year. I love being able to combine subjects for everyone as well because the children challenge each other and come up with some really great thoughts sometimes just by discussion.
Now, if I can just keep my nose out of all the cool homeschooling catalogs that keep appearing in my mailbox...
Right now, we are working on getting familiar with the bigger picture of mathematics. Larry is continuing with Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra, which right now is review for him. He and I are reading Romping Through Mathematics together and making pages for his math notebook -- we're learning about square and cube roots at the moment. He is finishing up in Vocabulary from Classical Roots B, after which we will (finally!) get started in The Latin Road to English Grammar and Wordly Wise 7.
Using literature from Sonlight 6, he is working on perfecting the five-paragraph essay. He chooses an aspect of each novel -- for instance, characterization in Young Fu of the Upper Yangtzee -- and writes a draft, which we go over together and then revise for a final markup.
The littles are using several workbooks each. Horizons Math, Wordly Wise, k12 Spelling, Exercises in English and Vocabulary Workshop should be finished within the next month. Then, we will start working in Sequential Spelling, more Wordly Wise and more Horizons Math. I plan to purchase Teaching Textbooks 4 to use in tandem next year. We are keeping math notebooks for the littles, too, using books about math to learn new concepts and writing and solving our own word problems.
After much fretting about history, I chose Mystery of History because of its strong Bible concentration and because it includes levels of assignments for each of the children's ages, meaning I can use one program for all three children. Because Larry is working in Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science, I can modify science to include all three as well, with Larry taking the lead on lab work and including the littles as "lab assistants." In addition, we have several biology resources, including health and nutrition, with which to supplement.
Hopefully, all I will need to purchase for next year is the TT4 set, freeing up some of the budget for basic art and school supplies. I guess that's one advantage of switching gears mid-year. I love being able to combine subjects for everyone as well because the children challenge each other and come up with some really great thoughts sometimes just by discussion.
Now, if I can just keep my nose out of all the cool homeschooling catalogs that keep appearing in my mailbox...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
An unexpected vacation
I'm pretty sure if we ignore the signs we need to slow down, God makes it happen anyway.
Yes, the four who caught 'flu were in various stages of sickness for a whole week. You know what else? Between the illnesses and the weather, we spent a whole week inside, at home (except for my brief outings for "sick" food and library books/movies) resting and just being together.
The way it worked out, I never had the bulk of work because someone always felt at least well enough to help out. G's co-workers kindly told him to stay the heck at home and keep his germs to himself and the anti-viral made a big difference to everyone except Curly Sue (who turned out to be very, very ill for a couple of days).
So no, it wasn't the sun-yourself-by-the-pool kind of vacation, but it was a break from all but the most pressing work and a chance to really, truly rest -- something that we all needed. Even I got enough rest because G's days were better than his nights, so when I slept very little to care for whichever one(s) needed me at night, I was able to take long naps in the afternoon when G could hold down the fort.
I am very thankful I never got sick. Our school schedule was suspended for the week, so I had lots of time to read and finished a couple of good books. I'm on a true crime kick right now and just got done today with London 1849: A Victorian Murder Story, about a couple who murdered a friend for his money. Michael Alpert wrote much more about everyday life in that era, almost like a history book rather than a typical crime account, and I found it fascinating.
Lizzie Borden didn't really kill her father and stepmother. Her illegitimate brother did it, according to author Arnold Brown. I didn't care for Brown's style of writing -- it reminded me of your hairy-eared great-uncle who won't ever get to the point in his long story, with a lot of "more on this later" and "we'll talk more about that in later chapters" and "this was important, as you will see." I didn't finish it, just read the first few chapters and skimmed the last few, because life's too short. (Also, I wanted to prove to a certain brother that I don't actually like or finish every book I start!)
Lucky I didn't finish, because that gave me time to discover Erik Larson. I started The Devil in the White City, which is an amazing historical account of the architect Daniel Burnham, genius architect behind the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and serial killer H.H. Holmes, who used the fair to lure victims to his "castle." I'm looking forward to finishing this one and exploring more of Larson's books.
One thing my brother got right is that I can't just have one book going at a time. Joseph Wambaugh's The Blooding is on my list for tonight, and because I can't just read blood and guts all the time, I also plan on cracking open Sari Solden's Women With Attention Deficit Disorder. I recently finished her Journeys Through ADDulthood, which I found extremely enlightening.
(Oh yeah, and I also got a chance to see Duke get crushed by Villanova in the NCAA tournament. Sweet!)
Yes, the four who caught 'flu were in various stages of sickness for a whole week. You know what else? Between the illnesses and the weather, we spent a whole week inside, at home (except for my brief outings for "sick" food and library books/movies) resting and just being together.
The way it worked out, I never had the bulk of work because someone always felt at least well enough to help out. G's co-workers kindly told him to stay the heck at home and keep his germs to himself and the anti-viral made a big difference to everyone except Curly Sue (who turned out to be very, very ill for a couple of days).
So no, it wasn't the sun-yourself-by-the-pool kind of vacation, but it was a break from all but the most pressing work and a chance to really, truly rest -- something that we all needed. Even I got enough rest because G's days were better than his nights, so when I slept very little to care for whichever one(s) needed me at night, I was able to take long naps in the afternoon when G could hold down the fort.
I am very thankful I never got sick. Our school schedule was suspended for the week, so I had lots of time to read and finished a couple of good books. I'm on a true crime kick right now and just got done today with London 1849: A Victorian Murder Story, about a couple who murdered a friend for his money. Michael Alpert wrote much more about everyday life in that era, almost like a history book rather than a typical crime account, and I found it fascinating.
Lizzie Borden didn't really kill her father and stepmother. Her illegitimate brother did it, according to author Arnold Brown. I didn't care for Brown's style of writing -- it reminded me of your hairy-eared great-uncle who won't ever get to the point in his long story, with a lot of "more on this later" and "we'll talk more about that in later chapters" and "this was important, as you will see." I didn't finish it, just read the first few chapters and skimmed the last few, because life's too short. (Also, I wanted to prove to a certain brother that I don't actually like or finish every book I start!)
Lucky I didn't finish, because that gave me time to discover Erik Larson. I started The Devil in the White City, which is an amazing historical account of the architect Daniel Burnham, genius architect behind the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and serial killer H.H. Holmes, who used the fair to lure victims to his "castle." I'm looking forward to finishing this one and exploring more of Larson's books.
One thing my brother got right is that I can't just have one book going at a time. Joseph Wambaugh's The Blooding is on my list for tonight, and because I can't just read blood and guts all the time, I also plan on cracking open Sari Solden's Women With Attention Deficit Disorder. I recently finished her Journeys Through ADDulthood, which I found extremely enlightening.
(Oh yeah, and I also got a chance to see Duke get crushed by Villanova in the NCAA tournament. Sweet!)
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A visit from Influenza A
Four of the five of us are sick. I am fine, except a little tired from monitoring fevers, breathing treatments, coughs, liquids and meds. We are lucky to have tested positive early on, so that everyone could start an anti-viral within the first 48 hours.
Based on Curly Sue's progression, today should be Moe's peak, and tomorrow or Friday should be Geddy's and Larry's. I hope to remain well, of course, and plan to work on some school and home-related projects. I also brought home books about Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper for "light reading" on this gloomy, rainy day.
Onward and upward!
Based on Curly Sue's progression, today should be Moe's peak, and tomorrow or Friday should be Geddy's and Larry's. I hope to remain well, of course, and plan to work on some school and home-related projects. I also brought home books about Lizzie Borden and Jack the Ripper for "light reading" on this gloomy, rainy day.
Onward and upward!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Frugal things
I'm trying to do five frugal things every day, not only to help our budget but also to remind myself to be thankful for what I have. Yesterday, I:
1. Shopped at Goodwill for spring and summer clothes for Curly Sue. I bought two pairs of capris, four dresses, four skirts/skorts and five shirts for under $50. Name brands are American Girl, Gymboree, The Children's Place and Polly Flanders, so I can't fathom how much I actually saved. She loved all the pieces and was already sorting them and matching them with pieces she already has to make cute, trendy outfits. (She couldn't wear about five things I bought, so I'll return those next week.)
2. I skipped shopping at BJ's because we didn't need anything, though I usually go there to kill time during DD's dance classes and I always buy something.
3. I picked up an inexpensive soda from Dollar General (where I went to buy the one loaf of bread we needed) instead of having a frozen coffee from Starbucks.
4. We accepted an invitation to my parents' house for dinner (my dad's famous St. Patrick's Day reuben sandwiches) instead of eating out as we normally do on Tuesdays.
5. I decided to bake homemade treats for my small group girls for tonight instead of buying treats at the grocery as I normally do.
No, these things aren't earth-shattering, but I am working on my attitude of thankfulness for the Lenten season. Also, I hope to make a donation representing my foregone indulgences around Easter.
1. Shopped at Goodwill for spring and summer clothes for Curly Sue. I bought two pairs of capris, four dresses, four skirts/skorts and five shirts for under $50. Name brands are American Girl, Gymboree, The Children's Place and Polly Flanders, so I can't fathom how much I actually saved. She loved all the pieces and was already sorting them and matching them with pieces she already has to make cute, trendy outfits. (She couldn't wear about five things I bought, so I'll return those next week.)
2. I skipped shopping at BJ's because we didn't need anything, though I usually go there to kill time during DD's dance classes and I always buy something.
3. I picked up an inexpensive soda from Dollar General (where I went to buy the one loaf of bread we needed) instead of having a frozen coffee from Starbucks.
4. We accepted an invitation to my parents' house for dinner (my dad's famous St. Patrick's Day reuben sandwiches) instead of eating out as we normally do on Tuesdays.
5. I decided to bake homemade treats for my small group girls for tonight instead of buying treats at the grocery as I normally do.
No, these things aren't earth-shattering, but I am working on my attitude of thankfulness for the Lenten season. Also, I hope to make a donation representing my foregone indulgences around Easter.
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