The Week Before School Starts

Our week did not start off on a happy note. We were all to go to HBU for their family Back to School picnic on Monday evening. However, the boys were just not behaving (and not just a little bit) and we couldn't justify bringing them after our Monday of not listening. Needless to say the boys were not too happy. After continuous not listening, hitting each other, pushing each other, running around the house, etc., I had them write up "I am sorry for my behavior." Henry was allowed to trace over my dotted line letters to write his, and he signed his own name. Josiah had to copy it from a paper where I had written it out. Henry did as assigned. Josiah decided to add to his. His first copy had a frowny face with "No Mommy" on it. When I told him he would have to do it again (with a better attitude) he tried to make the frowny face into a smile. No such luck. So he wrote it out again and then immediately drew a picture of me which he titled "the baddest Mommy ever." That'll bless your heart. :) At least he gave me pearls.

Since they lost TV/iPad/Computer for most of the week, Josiah did more crafts. He made a Raphael turtle puppet totally on his own. It was quite impressive. He's yet to use it. I think he just likes to make things sometimes. He also commissioned me to make him an Uncle Wiggily outfit. He has been wearing that all week long and it comes with a fake British accent. One night, Josiah went to bed before Henry and Henry immediately put the outfit on and kept calling me Ms. Jane (Fuzzy Wuzzy, the muskrat lady housekeeper) all night. We need to make him his own costumes!

Saturday morning we made the mistake of allowing the boys to be awake unsupervised. :) Josiah wakes up so early and we are so tired! He and Henry made Todd and I breakfast. They got hamburger buns, spread mustard on them, put sliced turkey on it, and topped it with Greek yogurt "frosting." My stomach turned just looking at it, but Todd won father of the year and cut it in half and ate it. I pretended to when Josiah was out of the room and threw pieces away bit by bit. They each ate a few bites of their sandwiches and then the trashcan got the rest. Josiah tried to do it again this morning. I came up to the table with Josiah getting the mayo, mustard, and rolls out. I quickly stopped it and got him a bowl of Cheerios.

Since we're finally mostly unpacked, as well as starting a new school year, we instituted new chores for the boys. They rotate weeks, but one will run the dustbuster after every meal, while the other puts the silverware away from the dishwasher as well as sets the table for dinner. They started off the week doing their jobs with enthusiasm, but after a couple days, they wanted to do each other's job. Good thing they'll get the chance to do that tomorrow. :)

Saturday morning Todd took the boys to see the new Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue movie. It was Henry's first movie theater movie and he said they both did really well. Henry got up and walked around a bit, but also sat and ate a bunch of popcorn. Now, of course, Josiah wants to buy all the figurines.

This past Tuesday, we had our orientation for our Classical Conversations homeschool group. The group had 12 families registered that night (but I think more just joined), so that is a good size. We have mostly younger kids, so Josiah's class has 7 children - 6 boys and 1 girl. They meet on Fridays from 9am-1pm. Everyone eats lunch together to foster relationships between parents and kids. They also take field trips together which is something we're definitely looking forward to doing. I'll write more on that after he starts this Friday.

And so Caroline gets some face time, too... Her latest this week is that she's learned how to shake her head "no." Unfortunately, she has confused shaking her head and nodding her head. She has been shaking her head "no" for everything, so it's been a week of training her to shake AND nod. I can always ask her if she wants her blanket (which is always "yes") as a test if she's understanding the whole shake and nod thing. She also has figured out how to open door handles which has made for some quick baby-proofing. She gets in our bathroom all the time and wants to brush her teeth. Ever since she knocked her teeth out and the dentist gave her a toothbrush, she's been a brushing champion.

She also loves to make a frowny face, then a happy face, frowny face, happy face. She tries to get you do it with her. Henry used to do the same thing when he was little. She's a cutie.


This coming week should be an exciting week with school starting. I've been working on developing a schedule to get in all the material for both Josiah and Henry. Henry's going to work on writing his letters, counting, and a little activity book based on children's books to read.

And I couldn't resist another picture. This is the boys trying to look mean and then nice/funny.


And one more of Caroline. I hope this isn't the look she gives us when she turns 15.