Grains of Sand

As a kid, I remember getting out the dictionary and looking up all sorts of miscellaneous words just for the fun of it.  So, as mother and teacher I couldn't understand why the kids disliked dictionary work so much.  By dictionary work I mean that I would give them a word and they'd have to look it up in the dictionary.  At first it was challenging for them and I received a lot of attitude and tears when I told them it was time to play 'find that word'.  But, after they began to fully grasp alphabetical order and the progression it takes to find a particular word, I thought the lessons would become a lot more fun.  I was wrong.  So, I dropped it. Imagine my surprise and delight when the kids asked where the dictionary was this morning.  They wanted to look up the word idiot (ok, admittedly not the most delightful word) because a friend told them what the definition was and they wanted to verify the facts.  What ensued was a half hour g...

This is our little girl in a picture.  She is a combination of sugar and spice and everything nice (as seen by the little yellow Squinkie ).  But, she is also slugs and snails and puppy dogs' tails (as described by the Lego figure and his weapons). When we found out at delivery that our third child was a girl, there was a momentary thought that flitted through my mind of pigtails and dresses, nail polish and dances.  Something we hadn't had the pleasure of enjoying with our first two boys. In some things Megan is all girl.  Like when it comes to touching critters of many sorts.  Toads, frogs, caterpillars or snails.  She is rather squeamish.  However, she is all boy when it comes to wearing dresses or having her hair put up in pigtails.  "No, mom" is often heard when given a choice to wear a dress.  "No, just a barrett" is heard when I ask if she'd like me to put her hair in pigtails. She set up this 'scene' in the picture the o...

FOR TODAY March 26, 2012 Outside my window... the grass is greener, the robins are building their nests and the water is frozen in the birdbath.  All under a clear blue sky and bright sunrise. I am thinking... that no matter how much you'd like it to, time marches on. I am thankful... for little distractions. In the kitchen... chicken chili for lunch and honey garlic chicken for dinner. I am wearing... a gray long sleeve top with my purple plaid pajama bottoms.  I am creating... a list of spring cleaning chores I'd like to accomplish by May 1. I am going... to enjoy a pizza party today to celebrate our last day of bowling league. I am wondering... if I will always be a skeptic. I am reading... The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins I am hoping... we get some final quotes from contractor's this week. I am looking forward to... summer vacation.  Only 9 more weeks to go! I am learning... what it's like to live without my dad.  It's bee...

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (Ecclesiastes 3:4) ♥ 

We completed our first training session with Milo last week.  I thought he was a pretty good dog until we arrived at class.  That's when the well behaved dog went into super canine mode.  He was hit in the face with all the smells that are inherent to a facility dedicated to all things dog.  He couldn't stop sniffing and pulling on the leash which in turn made him hack and cough because of the lack of air and pressure on his neck.  Then when you compare Milo with another pupil in the class who is training to be a service dog, it was all over.  That dog just sat patiently with his owner while Milo was pulling and tugging, coughing and hacking and sniffing.  Milo is a pretty social dog (yay!) so he was very interested in the other canines around the room.  The pulling and tugging turned into a steam engine force sled pull when he saw another dog he wanted to greet.  Then there was more hacking and coughing.  That was just the first...

FOR TODAY March 12, 2012 Outside my window... a wonderful spring rain to wash away all the winter dirt. I am thinking... of my handsome husband back at work after a weekend off that included a birthday. I am thankful... for every day, every hour, every minute and every second. In the kitchen... menu plans and cookbooks, grocery lists and an art project. I am wearing... a red t-shirt!  It's been a long time since I was able to wear just a t-shirt in the morning.  I'm feeling a spring fever coming on! I am creating... lists of digital pictures I want to print for the photo album. I am going... to organize and declutter the bedroom today.  Out with the old and in with the repurposed! I am wondering... If the birds could be any louder?!  They are just singing and making such a commotion this morning.  I guess we're all enjoying the spring rain. I am reading... hmmm, not really anything right now {gasp!} I'd better remedy that.  Just mi...

My husband and I went out to dinner the other night.  During the lovely uninterrupted adult conversation (can you tell we went without the kids?) I mentioned that in Italy men are typically very brazen in their admiration of a female who catches their eye.  Not like in the United States, or should I narrow that down and say, not like my husband whom I had to call to invite on our first date.  (How very brazen of me.)  I had read that it is not uncommon to receive a heart shaped pizza if you've caught the eye of the server in a ristorante. Fast forward to the end of our delicious and large meal.  I asked our server for a box for the leftovers and this is what I got: Two roses complete with leaves! Now, I'm not saying he had eyes for me but I thought it was a wonderful coincidence that my husband and I had to chuckle over.  And really, isn't it a lovely piece of art.

FOR TODAY March 5, 2012 Outside my window... the sun is awake and shining brightly making the frost on the trees sparkle.  It's beautiful. I am thinking... that I am fearfully and wonderfully made to handle a lot of stress. I am thankful... for the beauty of nature. In the kitchen... a weekend of rest and relaxation is rearing it's ugly head today with life's clutter on the counter.  I see a screwdriver, daily planner, crayons, cd's, paintbrushes, an ipod, math book, story books and legos. I am wearing... a very colorful ensemble.  Candy striped pajama pants with a red fleece pullover on top of a pink t-shirt.  I match, but in a clown sort of way. I am creating... a space for books in my bedroom.  My husband and I repainted an old bookcase this weekend that will be a nice addition to our bedroom.  I am going... to smile at a stranger today and have many tradesmen treking through the house. I am wondering... how to eat o...

Logan's Civil Rights Movement timeline and Ethan's 1950's salt dough bomb shelter (left is an above ground view of shelter and right is what it might look like inside). Our study of 1950's Abstract Expressionism top two pictures by Logan and then Ethan and Megan's study of China includes a painted cherry blossom tree and a dragon.  (E on the left and M on the right.) Ethan and Megan's titanic diorama's from the beginning of the school year. Ethan's titanic complete with icebergs. Megan's titanic with iceberg.

Isn't that so true.  I know I enjoy getting letters in the mail.  I'm going to sit down and write a note to someone and let them know I'm thinking of them.  I'm going to place that note in an envelope with postage and mail it snail mail.  Will you join me in putting a smile on someone's face?