Quacking Up (Part 2 of "Prepare to Quack Up")

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen....

Nobody knows my...

...annoyance with Blogger!

There was some sort of glitch last night, and I wasn't able to post anything. This morning, Blogger wouldn't allow us to upload these video clips. Also, I feel the need to say Blogger five more times: "Blogger, Blogger, Blogger, Blogger, Blogger."

Okay, all better now. :)

WARNING: Finding royalty free music for free is nearly impossible, unless you like the sound of a 1991 Casio keyboard. Please turn your sound on...

...or, off.

So, without further ado, our video montage:

Video clip # 1: "How to Fish For Ducks."
Video clip #2: "100% All-Natural Cheetos Are Part of a Duck's Healthy Diet...Sorta."

Free Royalty Free Music by DanoSongs.com

*No Ducks were harmed in the making of this film.

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Prepare to Quack Up...Tomorrow

Nauseous.

Ear ache.

Phenergan side effects.

Any other excuse, besides admitting that I don't know how to upload videos to my blog (my computer systems administrator, Skyler, was out of pocket tonight).

Prepare to QUACK UP tomorrow, as the duck video will be making its appearance....I mean it.

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge
 Layla

Rebellious Home School Weekends (Part 1)

If there is one thing that I have been reminded of this week, it's to be thankful for the flexibility that home schooling brings. We have done year-round schooling for the past few years, and it has worked out very well. This year was a little crazier than usual (okay, a lot crazier), so we have been moving our "on" and "off "days to fit our ever changing schedules.

Normally, we stick to the regime very closely (usually three weeks on, one week off; with holiday exceptions). This year, we find ourselves working our days around spontaneous activities, friends, and summer fun. Yes, we are still getting our 180 days of school in, but I guess that I am learning to let go of my everything-must-be-perfectly-on-schedule out-look...FINALLY! This is not something that comes naturally to me, and is a big part of why I am writing this blog. We all need to cut ourselves a break, and not let life pass us by. I think that a lot of this new "rebellion" has to do with having a teenager. ("Rebellion" on my part, not my teen's.) As your kids get older, you start to realize how short time is. For me, this has meant panicking a little, and trying to figure out how many memories we can cram in before our time is up. So, now we must make a schedule. An itinerary for all things fun. This means we need to get up early on the weekends and....

~Screeching Halt~~ NO! Stop that. Put down the Home school magazines, calendars, over-views, planners, and S-L-O-W-L-Y walk away.

Move over Perfection, Fun wants to join the party!

So, here is Part 1 of our Summer Craziness Palooza!

(Yesterday morning/afternoon):

Yep, we did school.

                                 Played some Wii.

Sorted fish catchin' thingys.

They are pretty cool. Especially with the Posterize setting on my phone's camera. (I was feeling brave, and thought I would try to learn something new. Are you impressed? Oh, yay! I knew you would be.)

These are the ducklings & momma duck, who stole our hearts. I have a video of them that you MUST SEE! Stay tuned. I need my children to show me how to upload the video to my blog.

Pathetic?

Yes.

Enough about me: DUCKS

Seriously? How ADORABLE are they???

Okay, one more:

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I will (hopefully) be including a hilarious duck video, and some pics of the guys fishing.

We threw ALL common sense to the wind, and let the kids stay up and play video games, until they passed out from exhaustion. They had a friend over, and it was GAME ON! I think they went to bed around 2:45 A.M.. If I were not being so rebellious, I could tell you exactly what time they went to bed, but I was asleep. It was the first time that I have let them do that. (Not Tate, he is still too little to leave up without supervision. Plus, he was falling asleep at the Mario Kart wheel.) This will not be a trend in our house, but be warned...

...I am feeling a little rebellious. >:)

P.S. I did get up and cook a very healthy, homemade breakfast. (And in NO WAY did I allow Twinkies as a snack, yesterday!)

Here is my recipe:

I know, I know. I will be good tomorrow...I promise. (Maybe.)

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Spanish Class

So...

...we had Spanish class today:

THE END

I would like to thank my little ear infection, who made this day interesting.

I would also like to (truly) be thankful for the flexibility of home schooling.

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Father's Day 2011 (A Day Late, and a Dollar Short...but Rich in the Ways that Matter)

Hey, friends!

It's been a while since my last post, but here's to hoping that I can blog more than once a month. We are still in the midst of getting our home ready for market, but have made great progress.

I thought I'd tell you a little about our Father's Day weekend.

It started with the hopes and dreams of a fishing trip, which were quickly canceled, after Oklahoma's 100 + degree weather.

I was also going to post some SUPER fantastic pics of Father's Day, ON Father's Day, but I was not feeling well.

So, I improvised.

Instead of the usual, cheesy snap-shots (which would have been okay), I bring you live pics of what Father's Day is really about: Teaching sons how to do manly things, like...

...roofing:  

Listening to fatherly direction:

Listening to staged direction:

(Brian, "Hey, take a picture of this" Me, "Click!" Me again, "What were you pointing at?" Brian, "Nothing.")

Um...Ooookay.

More building, teaching, and instruction in things of all-around manliness.

(But pausing to smile):

Here is what is happening under the porch.

(Because he wants to be like Dad):

Serving.

(Like father, like son):

Yep, they are working hard in the Oklahoma wind...

(I stole a pic of my neighbors' flag):

...because that's what good Father's do.

Teach.

Love.

Guide.

Grunt.

Happy Father's Day, Honey! You da man!

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity ..."
(1 Chronicles 29:17)
 

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

This Has Been A Test from The Emergency Broadcasting System

WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM FOR:

This:

This:

...and THIS
(If you really know me, and that I can only thrive in organized surroundings, then you know that I am about to OD on ice cream. Ice cream: This mom's drug of choice.)

I did manage to find my dining room table, this morning.
(I suppose this means that we will actually have to do school today.)
I also dusted and organized my bookshelves.

I guess you could say that we are fixing up the ol' nest. Anybody need a nest in OK?
(Shameless plug.)

We are in the process of painting, porch building, and putting our home on the market. Please stay tuned, as blogging will commence, as soon as I can find my sanity, or...

...a nap.

This Has Been A Test from The Emergency Broadcasting System (Please send help!).

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Books, Tea, and Fat Cats

A question I get a lot is, "What are you reading?" So, I thought that I would share a good book with you now and then. 

Here is a GOOD one:

Last summer, we had the pleasure of meeting the authors of this fine book (Ryan & Anna McKinley). They are a father and daughter writing team. I met the whole family, and they are ADORABLE. To find out more, go here:

http://www.thepiratebride.com/about/

My kids even had their photo taken with the authors!

We were honored with autographs!

(I should mention that Anna was only 11, when she wrote this book!)

How did I find out about this amazing tale? Just under the authors' names, is the name of a long-time, very dear friend of ours. An AMAZING artist named, Jerry Bennett. If you don't know him...GET to know him! His talent will blow you away. And, yes, we got a photo with him too!

I should mention that Jerry is the bald guy; not Darth Vader.

Jerry graced us with not only an autograph, but an illustration as well. WOO HOO!

(In case you didn't already know it, we rock. Don't believe me? Look closer...Jerry says so.)

You rock too, Jerry, Anna, and Ryan!

Jerry drew that little doodle, while talking to us, in about 30 seconds. I am not kidding! This is what he does all the time. This swashbuckling book is filled with his fun illustrations, and I will shamelessly plug all of them here: http://www.artistjerrybennett.com/

What most of you probably do not know, Tate (my youngest) has Tourette's. When I read to him, his tics go into double time. He LOVES to be read to, but I am never really sure how much he is actually hearing, or retaining. This was the first "big boy" book that he busted out laughing to. I nearly burst into tears because of this. It was PROOF that he was indeed paying attention to the story. Even while he lay wriggling in my lap the whole time, HE WAS ENGAGED in the story! *HappyMommaMoment*

I would also like to mention that all THREE of my kids (even my oldest) enjoy hearing this tale read aloud.

Read it, and then read it again. Tell your kids about Anna, and how they too can pursue their dreams. Encourage them to grab some paper, and write a story. You never know, they too might be an author before they hit the 7th grade!

And now, the tea:

I am sure that you have noticed my favorite home school coffee mug. But what you might not know, is that I have a favorite home school tea mug too:

You can get yours here: www.greathomeschooltshirts.com

When I am not drinking coffee, I am drinking the most heavenly tea in the world:

Teavana's Earl Grey Creme

http://www.teavana.com/

You have never had a decent cup of tea, until you have tried this. I PROMISE.

Yes, those are blue flowers. Aren't they just exquisite? The vanilla creme aroma is indescribable. (I wish the computer screen was scratch & sniff.) Add a splash of cream, and I am good to go!

Before my coffee, or tea, this is pretty much how I feel:

I cannot home school in this condition. Would you please pass the cream and sugar?

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla