The Looney Lagoon

This morning's vid of Cavender

2009-05-09T11:56:00.004-05:00

Cav video

2009-05-05T20:22:00.003-05:00

Job Charts

2009-04-22T13:53:00.003-05:00

The boys got their new job charts this week. They are getting older - so more responsibilities! Thought the photos may be of use to some of our homeschooling buddies - or anyone with kids for that matter! I slip them ion plastic sleeves and they hang in our kitchen. The boys use dry erase markers to mark off the things they have completed that day.

Cavy Pictures

2009-04-22T13:24:00.001-05:00

2009-04-14T09:38:00.000-05:00

Cav n Family

2009-04-13T20:20:00.003-05:00

Funny Cavender

2009-04-08T22:25:00.002-05:00

Cavender

2009-03-12T19:55:00.002-05:00

Hangin' with biggest brother

Playin' with Mama on the floor

Sleepin' through his baby shower

Yes! We have been busy!!

2009-03-12T19:17:00.004-05:00

and here is why......

Its a boy!!!!

Cavender Rae born 2/21/2009

weighing 8 lbs 2 oz

Welcome home Cav!

Have I been on Vacation??

2009-03-12T13:18:00.002-05:00

Well NO - so much has been going on here that I completly BLANKED on my Blog! i will be back soon to update - I promise!!

Working on our Civil War Projects

2009-01-23T06:20:00.004-06:00

Hands of a Child Sale

2009-01-13T10:30:00.000-06:00

In the Hands of a Child

Kit Pack Sale Announcement

January 12, 2009
Dear Valued Customers,
Due to the new CPSIA law In the Hands of a Child, for the time being, is discounting our Kit Pack inventory in order to lessen our possible loss in the event that an exemption is not granted.

While we are still praying for this situation to work out for all small businesses we feel that it is in our best interest to lessen our possible loss. And what better way than to pass the savings on to you, our wonderful customers, who are praying with us through this difficult situation!!

Please help us clear our shelves and enjoy a 35% savings on all Kit Packs!! Savings will be automatic! Spread the word and help us empty the shelves!!

This sale will continue until our Kit Pack inventory has been exhausted, so purchases will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

Once they are gone, they are gone!

In the event the law is modified, In the Hands of a Child reserves the right to bring back Kit Packs in the future at full price without any discount, implied or expressed, during this sale.

Cannot be combined with any other offer, special, discount, coupon or sale. Super Member discount DOES NOT apply to this sale.Tax and Shipping not included in calculating discount price. Not valid toward prior purchases. No rainchecks.

Xmas 2008 - a bit of video

2009-01-05T19:17:00.003-06:00

Apparently i was getting ahead of myself - it was supposed to be 2008!!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Apparently i was getting ahead of myself - it was supposed to be 2009!

Ok so we've been home for a month now....

2008-11-25T08:28:00.002-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Some of the Florida pics

2008-11-19T21:07:00.003-06:00

You HAVE to see this......

2008-10-20T10:00:00.002-05:00

One Home <-------- click on it!!!!!

and another discussion with Cousin Barb....

2008-10-19T10:09:00.001-05:00

Cousin Barb and Mav - a discussion.....

2008-10-19T10:01:00.002-05:00

Finding Sarah

2008-10-14T16:14:00.006-05:00

Ok so I was here on vacation....roaming through a bookstore for some easy beach reading.

Sometimes things you are meant to find just POP out at ya. I was looking through piles upon piles and there was one book that i noticed right away. Maybe because I had seen similar (and read them) books in the past.

It was called "Moving On" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. For some reason I knew I was to buy this book. Years ago I read her other books.....you can find out more here: http://www.simpleabundance.com/

Well since her Simple Abundance days - many things have happened in her life. I felt that rang true with me as well and the title of this book I was caring around the store just really sunk in.

Standing right there in a store while my boys ran around me in circles, I realized it was time to Move On. I am sure most think it's been way too long...i should have moved past everything already. But I haven't. Not by any choice of my own really - it just happens 9or actually doesn;t happen) because you are so busy taking care of everyone else.

I have spent so much time making sure everyone else was ok - when all along - I wasn't taking the time to mourn my Moms passing. Instead I waited for her to come back.

You could ask me where I have been the past year and a half....I have no answer for you. I seem to recall buying a new home in the country - but none of the excitement was there. I vaguely remember trips, family holidays and girlfriend time...but was my heart in it? I THOUGHT so.....but I think I tried so hard that I even convinced myself. Now it's all a blur - as everyday has been since my Mom died.

Anyway, when I opened the book and read Sarah's words...I knew I had found someone who understood. Someone who had been there...even though her loss wasn't the same as mine.

Not word for word for word...but this stopped me in my tracks:

"Consider the aftershocks at either extreme of life's spectrum.....The event will Strip you of the familiar....We do not feel or look like ourselves. Even if we still answer to our names, we begin a wrenching process of seperating from our previous identities. Think of it as psychic identity theft. We have been snatched, mind and body, from all that was customary, from the person you were just yesterday."

Anyway - I am reading the book - and have realized it is time for me to get back into real life - back to the land of the living...

I mean ... HELL...that is what Mom would have wanted...now if she would just help me figure out HOW to go about doing that!

Hi PawPaw!

2008-10-09T10:30:00.002-05:00

Ahhhh Vacation!

2008-10-05T14:01:00.003-05:00

First the Mississippi Bridge - and then the river...
Then the BEACH!!!! woooohooooooo!

So we made it safe and sound and are having a great time! i will try to keep everyone updated here with any photos we take!

Needed a good laugh tonight...

2008-09-21T22:33:00.002-05:00

Kalterman Family Reunion - The funniest home videos are here

Levi - new hockey season

2008-09-21T20:31:00.002-05:00

Sooo Levi tried out for a traveling hockey team and made the team. They had their first game today...and they had a blast! Of course I forgot my camera - so my friend Marie sent me a couple she got of Levi. How awesome are the new uniforms!!??

2008-09-11T14:24:00.000-05:00

Obviously I have lost my mind

2008-08-25T12:57:00.005-05:00

Our rescue had to take in 25 bunnies yesterday that came from a seizure in Tennessee. I don't know all of the circumstances - but I had to drive to Texarkana and pick the whole bunny crew up. It was a very tiring raod trip - though I did get to go alone! Yay!

Anyway - now I have 11 more than I had before - a grand total of 21 bunnies!!!! All but three are living in the Bunny House for now and I am working on getting more cages and hay and food etc!

For now - here are the photos I have to share...

A walk to the pond!

2008-08-17T06:31:00.009-05:00

We started our walk by checking out some really funky clouds - even spotted a rainbow!

When the boys saw the pond - immediately - they were IN!

Busy Catching minnows and frogs!

Rockne began to check out the water...

And Boscoe just relaxed in the sun...

THEN.....it was all over...Rockne was off!

He was freakin' hilarious! He had a blast!

Levi - Hockey Summer League

2008-08-05T22:41:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

4th of July

2008-07-14T21:33:00.009-05:00

4th of July fun in the backyard!!!

Bunny Rescues

2008-05-10T22:25:00.005-05:00

Our first two wild cottontail rescues!

Finally - the babies!

2008-05-10T22:12:00.006-05:00

We have 7 babies - and man they are growing up fast! Their mother, Lily was dumped by some fool in a cemetary. One of our foster parents picked her up and 2 days later she had 7 sweet little girls!

What happens when theboys play with your camera

2008-03-14T20:39:00.004-05:00

For some reason this reminds me of all those old Bigfoot sighting films!

In the kitchen makin' playdough!

2008-03-08T07:11:00.002-06:00

Snow Day

2008-03-06T08:20:00.010-06:00

It began to snow late last night!

2008-03-04T18:55:00.010-06:00

It's March and it Finally decides to snow!

A little hot chocolate after the cold fun!

I will post todays pics as soon as I can!

Make Mine Chocolate - click on the bunny!

2008-02-22T09:46:00.003-06:00

Spread The Word....

2008-02-06T08:30:00.000-06:00

http://www.marscandykills.com/

Meet Hopper

2008-02-05T19:59:00.001-06:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Recent PODS with our homeschool group

2008-02-05T18:44:00.000-06:00

If you give a Mouse A Cookie POD

First Aid POD

The Great Corndog Caper

2008-02-05T08:41:00.000-06:00

Every morning for about the past 3 years I have been awakened each morning by the words

"Mom I'm hung a reeeee"

A couple mornings ago things changed. I awoke to

"Mom I am not going to bother you. I will make my breakfast myself"

So I let him.

About 10 minutes later I hear the smoke detectors going off! As I ran into the living room - I am confronted by smoke pouring out of the kitchen - my new kitchen!!!!

I hear Levi yell

"THE MICROWAVE IS ON FIRE!!!"

Sure enough - I round the corner into the kitchen and walk into the STINKIEST smoke ever and see more of it billowing out of the microwave. As I run to hit the stop button - out of the corner of my eye - I see Maverick in a corner with his fingers in his ears - looking terrified!

So I stopped the microwave - fire went out - and start waving the dishtowels under the smoke alarm...all the while choking to death on the NASTIEST smelling smoke ever!! By this time Mav is in tears - yelling that he is sorry.

I open the microwave and can barely identify what is left of a corndog - no stick mind you - it went up in flames!!!

So we have smoke everywhere - the 9 year old having a heart attack from the sound of alarms and excitement - and the 6 year old corndog killer is crying and trying his best to hide in a corner.

I did what any good mom would do...

I ran to find the camera!!

A Challenge....

2008-01-23T06:21:00.000-06:00

OK we haven't seen a roadrunner since the last posting and of course the kids have moved on - we will have to revisit the roadrunner theme at a later date.

I have always wondered if there was SOMETHING that I could do with all these darn plastic grocery bags that keep collecting around here. Since we don't have recycling out in the boonies - I thought for sure I could think of something creative right???

Well Maverick uses them for kites and parachutes - and I have to say - they work pretty well - especially on a windy day! I cannot tellyou how many times he was entertained at soccer or track practice by a simple plastic grocery bag!

Anyway - I found this link this morning - and I am sooo going to have to try this: gooseflesh: Plastic bag Yarn now how cool is that??? Anyone wanna try it?!

OK THEN I went a hunting and found this: Triumph International Japanese Bra that Lives Double Life as Bag - bLavish ok WHO wants to try this one out??? LOL

Ok I could be online all day finding stuff for this challenge - but somebody has to take care of these kids of mine!!

Anyway - my challenge to anyone who is out there reading - What creative things can you think of to do with those darn plastic grocery bags???????

Beep Beep

2008-01-20T10:55:00.000-06:00

Since we have moved here - we have seen roadrunners constantly! Well the boys and I always seem to think its the same one - but there has to be more than one right?!
This morning Levi was out bright and early and spotted our feathered friend clos eup to the house! He came in to tell me and of course asked the typical great questions like:
What do roadrunners eat?
How can we keep them around?
Do they mate for life?
What do their eggs look like?

So here we are in front of the puter together reading about roadrunners!
WOW! Great birds! I never knew! And we are definitely going to find a way to keep them around!

1. They eat rodents and bugs
2. They eat snakes and scorpions
3. They mate for life
4. They coo and clack
5. They lay yellowish eggs - many apparently!
6. They build really big nests - low or on the ground - we will have to be on the lookout!
7. Did I mention they eat snakes and scorpions!!!!???

Sooo - we are on a mission to make our place ROADRUNNER friendly! We will let you know what happens!

Happy Sunday everyone!

2008-01-15T13:25:00.000-06:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

I must be a complete IDIOT!

2008-01-08T11:13:00.000-06:00

Or I am just getting old! I have wasted 1/2 the day trying to set up my new iPOD that I got for Xmas! Whats worse is - thats just the time I have spent TODAY! Notice I said that I recieved it for Xmas - well it is now January 8th!!!
I never knew I was so technically challenged!!! I thought I was ahead of the game - but I have realized after this whole iPOD mess that I am sadly just messin' with things beyond my capabilities! So I officially feel old and outdated...now that's just CRAP!
Well on a happy note - i DID figure out how to add a YouTube video to my blog - that's got to count for something right????!!!!!

I adopted a bunny!

2008-01-03T10:42:00.001-06:00

adopt your own virtual pet!

2008 Goal List

2008-01-03T10:28:00.000-06:00

I thought that instead of the usual resolutions for the new year - which never get done - that I would start a GOAL LIST.
1. Have a better year than last year!
2. Blog more often
3. Find some normalcy
4. Write those letters I need to write
5. Plan out Grammas Garden
6. Paint Maverick's room
7. Paint MY room
8. Get all photos OFF my puter and in to Kodak for prints
9. Take a sabbatical
10. Construct our Nature Hut
11. Get our homeschool/computer room in working order
12. Save up money for a baby
13. Do the paperwork for adopting a baby
14. Slow down
15. Drink more coffee! :O)

ok I figure thats enough for now! If I think of anything else I will add it later. What are YOUR goals for 2008?

Happy Tuesday!

2007-12-18T06:50:00.000-06:00

Houston, we have..........YELLOW!

2007-12-17T17:02:00.000-06:00

OK on to the next project - our BRIGHT and CHEERY new living room color!
I will let you know if we (meaning Mike) ever get done painting!

Levi's room

2007-12-17T13:52:00.001-06:00

One project down - a million more to go!!!

2007-12-15T09:02:00.000-06:00

Making colorful snowflakes!

Mavericks Castle and the last night of Hanukkah!

Family Addition

2007-12-12T13:03:00.000-06:00

Make a slideshow!

Happy Hanukkah & the Xmas Tree

2007-12-06T11:33:00.000-06:00

Yes I know I am so far behind - haven't even posted Halloween yet!!! But here are the boys on the first night of Hanukkah and decoarting the Xmas tree! Happy Holidays!

We have a new ornament on our tree this year! I was wandering through a store and came upon this little lady that SOOOOOOO reminds me of Mom! She has a center seat on the tree!

Working on Levi's new room

2007-11-18T14:26:00.000-06:00

Oh I just love to paint! NOT!

But with my friend Susan's help - the first part went by fast!

Cosmic Caverns

2007-11-18T05:43:00.001-06:00

On our way to the caverns -
we stopped at Stumpy's for lunch!

Then it was off to check out the caverns!

My Crazy World

2007-11-12T11:38:00.000-06:00

Ok so my life has been spinning out of control for some time now. What is a girl to do? What I would have liked to do was crawl into bed and never come out!! But of course - in the MOM world - you just are not allowed to do that!!!
As most know - we moved into a new place - well barely anything has been unpacked and the place has been a disaster. I have been BEYOND overwhelmed - to the point of tears. Not to mention I am off my ADD meds - but thats a whole other story!
So...
I rejuvenated yesterday by going out with the girls and seeing a movie and cruisin through bookstores etc. It was nice retail therapy! I awoke this morning feeling MUCH better and ready to start a new day - aka get on with my life!
I was trying to figur eout a way to tackle this crazy house without killing myself or anyone else around me. Remember in school when you were taught about Word Webs or Story Webs? Well that came to mind and gave me a great idea! Why can't that brainstorming method work for housecleaning/unpacking as well!!??
So I printed off a Word Web - not that I couldnt have just written one on paper - but this is so much more organized looking! LOL
I started with my printout - which I grabbed from here: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/cluster_web3.pdf

I filled in the TOPIC area with "Living Room" - I figured it would be the first room to tackle. Then in each circle I wrote 3 things that needed to be done in that room. My list was something like this:
Take books to shelf, cups to kitchen, pillows back on couch,
Clean bunny cage, Move other bunny cage, put away bunny supplies,
Open windows, put away DVDs, put away dress-up clothes,
Vacuum carpet, sweep tile.

I was set and ready to go! With it written out this way it seems to kick me into gear AND keep me focused on ONE room!
Well all went well this morning with the new PLAN and I was done in less than an hour!!!!
YAY ME!!!!!

Levi's Hockey Game

2007-11-05T23:00:00.000-06:00

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

What happened at the Convention?

2007-11-03T23:26:00.000-05:00

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

Attempting to do a bit of catching up...

2007-10-04T22:20:00.000-05:00

Maverick doing his sorting/fine motor work

The WRAP master! LOL

Levi and Boscoe sleepin'

OK now Blogger is giving me a hard time - so I am quitting for the night!!!

Awwwwww Relief! (at least for now)

2007-09-09T07:42:00.000-05:00

Hi all!
Well the big move is OVER! (do a little dance)
And here we are living among boxes because now I have no desire whatsoever to unpack.
Oh well - it will happen - someday - right?!
I think it could be possible to have TOO MUCH happen in one year - 2007 will always be stuck in my memory - even though it has gone by so fast that I feel like I missed it!

To all my friend out there who have been looking for me or waiting to hear from me - if you could see me at this moment you would laugh! I am sitting in a room FILLED with boxes - I am in the back corner with my laptop and my coffee. I am plugged in through DIAL UP - holy cow and no one could find me here if they tried!

If you need to get in touch - the best way is my cell phone (not that I have great service out here in :no where land" - or through email - I check it every so often.

Anyway - just a note to all those out there who wondered what happened to me and the crew - we are alive and kickin' - just surrounded by cardboard!

Its Final!

2007-08-23T08:25:00.001-05:00

After a long 5 month struggle - we are now the owners of a new home!! Yippee! Here are a few pics that we have - not thatyou can see much - but at least you can see SOMETHING!

Here is a shot of the front from the gravel drive way coming onto the property.

The back porch
Bunny Cottage!

View from one of the sides

From the woods
Thats all I have for now - when we get in there and halfway settled I will take more photos!

Dallas Morning News Article

2007-08-08T00:05:00.001-05:00

A couple years ago I was asked to write something about my special needs son for the Dallas Morning News. I came across the poem I wrote today - along with a photo. I thought I would put it on here to share!

You asked me what the world should know about my child.
You asked me what he is to me.
You asked why he is special.
You asked me who he is.

I have one thought - one single notion

He is charmed.

My son is real magic.
His force is wild.
His effect is delightful.
His spirit is loud and it is bright.
He is filled with captivating wizardry.
And this -
can make you laugh from the bottom of your belly.

Look at my child.
Let him cast his spell.
His are eyes filled with alluring power.
One wave if his magic wand and you are entranced.

You just have to look to see the enchantment.
You just have to glance to see the laughter.
You just have to peek to see the tricks up his sleeve.
You just have to gaze to see the stars shine.
You just have to watch -
and you are bewitched.

Unless you come close -
You cannot know his magic.
You cannot experience his enchantment.
You cannot laugh at his tricks.
You cannot see his stars.
You cannot feel the sprinkle of faerie dust.

The world should look a little closer - a little deeper.
This is no illusion.
This is real magic.

This is Maverick.

Zac, Mav, & Levi

2007-08-02T20:57:00.000-05:00

Pyramids

2007-08-02T20:08:00.001-05:00

Diggin' for treasures...

HELLO!

2007-07-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

want

MOM

back!!!

Crazy

2007-07-21T10:55:00.001-05:00

A big apology out to my friends who haven't heard from me lately! Things in our life are a little nutty right now - I hope to be able to do more updates soon - wishful thinking!

Big hugs to everyone!

Everybody Sing It: "At The Car Wash...uh!"

2007-07-07T12:10:00.000-05:00

4 kids 4 days

2007-07-03T10:40:00.001-05:00

Let's try Carrot Cake

2007-07-02T19:40:00.000-05:00

Catching Up

2007-06-07T13:11:00.001-05:00

Some fossil Hunt photos!
OK so there was more SWIMMING going on than there was fossil hunting!

The Adventures of AmySue and Nancy

2007-06-02T23:43:00.000-05:00

All we wanted was a couple hours of hanging out at the book store. What we got was...well...another odd night out.

Let's go to Hastings - they don't close til 11 and we can have some coffee at the new Cafe there too!

Ok lets go.

So we we're off. A nice quiet drive down the road to the new bookstore. Walking in of course we are excited - BOOKS! So we wander around happily.

I didn't find the book I came in for - but of course I found others. Nancy was off exploring the music area and I ended up in the "regional" section. Thats where I put down all the books I had been carrying and picked up a great looking hardback all about the county we will be residing in for awhile.

Hey lets see what yummy drinks they have in the Coffee Shop! 20 Minutes later Nancy had a concoction that she didn't like AT ALL and I was busy comparing tattoos with the elderly lesbian women at the closest table! Got my drink then

Got major ATTITUDE from the chick at the counter when I asked to get something else for Nancy to drink! Did I say MAJOR attitude? Seems everyone we talked to in the store knew she was in a bad mood - so tell us WHY she still worked there???

Anyway - the lesbians wanted to know where I got my tattoos and discuss them some more - so we stopped at their table for a couple minutes to discuss our addiction.

We say goodbye and walk off toward the check out counter when Nancy turns to me and says "Who the hell does SHE think SHE is - hitting on MY bitch!!!!!!"

I about peed in my pants.

Lets go check out - OH we can get teacher discount cards - what a great idea! No one knew what the procedure was for the discount cards - they wanted my drivers license and SS number!!!!!!!!! The homeschooler ended up with a Hastings Teacher Card and the Certified Public School Teacher got...........DENIED!!!!! LOL

How in the HECK do you get turned down for a teacher card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Nancy! Not only was she denied - it took the chick a good 1/2 hour to get all th einfo in the computer so she could turn Nancy down...sheesh!

Stores closed - heading home.

OH! THERE IS SOMETHING WITH BIG EARS SITTING ON THE CURB!!!!RRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrr - imagine the car flying into the next street and turning around...then RRrrrrrrrrrrr - turning around again to see if we can find the strange creature hanging out on the side of the road.

Looking looking looking looking..........

THERE IT IS! Sitting on the curb - on the side of the road - was the cutest RED FOX with HUGE ears!!!! We pulled over - of course to catch him RIGHT! and he took off back to his world in the forest. He looked just like TOD from The Fox and The Hound.

Watching out for cute little animals the whole way home - laugh some more - then go to bed!

Dear Mom,

2007-05-29T04:02:00.000-05:00

It's 4 a.m. and I can't sleep. My thoughts keep wandering to you.

The kids and I are staying at your house with Dad. Mike came in town today - he will be taking Levi back home with him and then they will head to Ohio for a wedding. It is very strange being in your house without you in it. It seems so quiet and still - until the boys get to running in circles around the kitchen island!

There has been no early morning talks over coffee and boy do I miss that! Remember when we used to go out and sit on the back deck to have our morning coffee? We would just stare out at the lake and enjoy quiet of the calm water.

Dad is hanging in there - though I know he is torn up inside. But he keeps pluggin' along. We find ourselves talking about the strangest things - such as where we plan to put your cookie jars or what the hell are we supposed to do with a $300 wig !!!!!!!!!

Maverick keeps talking about you - he tells us how you are watching us and that he hears you. Levi has stayed pretty quiet about it all - though he did tell me he didn't want to make Pawpaw sad by talking about you. Boy they miss you!

We all do.

Can you see my wiggly tooth???

2007-05-26T12:08:00.000-05:00

Mav and his first WIGGLY tooth. Also a photo of the cool tooth fairy pillow we made!

A Day at the park with Mav and Zac

2007-05-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

Mom

2007-05-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

Mom - I don't know what I am going to do without you! . Keep a watch over the boys - they miss you so much. I will take care of Dad - so do not worry!I miss our talks and laughs already.

Learning All About Goats

2007-04-22T16:54:00.000-05:00

A Thought

2007-04-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

Don't ya hate it when you are angry over something for a long time - like years - and ONE DAY you come to realize you have spent an awful long time being frustrated/pissed/perturbed over something that in the BIG scheme of things - really didn't matter!???? What a waste of time and energy!!

A funny from Leigh

2007-04-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine sent this this morning and it just cracked me up!

A precious little girl walks into a pet shop and asks, in the sweetest little lisp, between two missing teeth, "Excuthe me, mithter, do you keep widdle wabbits?" As the shopkeeper's heart melts, he gets down on his knees so that he's on her level and asks, "Do you want a widdle white wabbit, or a thoft and fuwwy bwack wabbit, or maybe one like that cute widdle bwown wabbit over there?" She, in turn, blushes, rocks on her heels, puts her hands on her knees, leans forward and says, in a tiny quiet voice, "I don't think my python weally gives a thit."

I am Iron Man - who are you?

2007-04-10T18:49:00.000-05:00

http://www.superheroquiz.com

Inventor. Businessman. Genius.

Buddies

2007-03-27T09:20:00.000-05:00

Levi and his buddy Aden

Mav and his buddy Hammy

I'm ridin' in my car...

2007-03-26T14:44:00.000-05:00

Say NO to Easter bunnies!

2007-03-23T19:34:00.000-05:00

A week after Easter, the candy will be forgotten.

Sadly, so will the rabbit.

This Easter, remember: A rabbit is not a toy.

If you're not ready to give him ten years of your life, you're not ready to give him as a pet.

www.makeminechocolate.org

Ocean Search

2007-03-16T10:46:00.000-05:00

Searching for Sea Creatures. How many did you find?

Feedin' The Birds

2007-03-16T10:30:00.000-05:00

For the Love of Mav

2007-03-02T20:31:00.000-06:00

I had all these pictures still on my camera that I hadn't unloaded yet - am I the only one that does that??!!! LOL So here are the latest (off the camera) of Maverick and Boscoe! Here is Mav hard at work doing one of his morning jobs...

Next you can see the precious pictures of Maverick and Boscoe sleeping!

Then here is the BATH BOY!

Have a HAPPY weekend!

Playing Catch Up

2007-03-01T17:52:00.000-06:00

Ok who knew it would be so tough to get caught up after my Mom's Retreatment! Honestly - my suitcases just got put away TODAY! LOL

We have been busy - doing what I am not sure - but we have been really bisy since I got back from my trip! Well we have actually been doing alot of moving stuff around. Yes I got a wild hair again - plus two new rabbit hutches we had to set up! So we did that - PLUS - the boys decided to move rooms AGAIN! Hmmm wonder where they got THAT from???!!!

I have had no time to load anymore pics from my camera - but I will leave you with one of my favorite photos! Ahhhhhh I miss the beach!

Moms Retreatment

2007-02-19T12:58:00.000-06:00

I cannot express it enough - EVERY mom should have a retreatment - at least once a year! What a great way to recharge, wind-down and become stress free! If you do not think you deserve it - then think again. Mom's are the most overworked individuals on the planet - they are also the most underpaid! Even with being overworked and underpaid - most of us wouldn't trade it for anything!!!! Heck I know I wouldn't! BUT...you DO need to stop and rest at some point! You DO need to find some quiet and get to know yourself again. You DO owe it to yourself and your family to take care of yourself - even if its for an hour a week! How can you take care of all of them if you feel frazzled all the time!??!

Anyway, I just returned from my sabbatical. My best friend turned 40 - so we had to celebrate - right?! OH AND WE DID! Me and a bunch of girls went away to a B&B for a week. YES - the husbands took charge in all of our homes for the whole time we were gone!! And as far as I know - all kids are accounted for!
I can't even begin to explain the fun we had. I haven't laughed like that in ages. It brought back childhoos memories of slumber parties - ok minus the Jello shots! There are SOME things I cannot add to the blog - I mean - this IS a family show right???!! Here was our morning view...

And the great decorating fiasco...

Too bad the photos aren't better - we really did a much better job than it looks! Well - we had FUN and that is what counts! Plus Kris was surprised when she showed up that night! AND even though the goats ate our happy birthday sign - we still managed to give the place some OVER THE HILL atmosphere! Below is the birthday chick in all her glory! Did I mention that we laughed til our sides hurt??

Oh and there is me too - on the floor while playing games and doing Jello shots - lovely photo isn't it?

OH and there was lots of FIRE! And many drinks by the fire! Which led to people doing silly things! and playing silly games!

Believe it or not we had some sober fun as well! We read books, took naps, shopped and got new tattoos! On one of the nice weather days we hiked down ther river! There is a photo of th enew damn that was built since the last time we were there! It was a beautiful day -and we found fossils and quartz pebbles - and a headless snake! I didn't realize how relaxing it was to just wonder through the water! It was great!!

I will leave you with one final picture. It seemed to be the running joke for the week - our 7 Dwarves Door (look where the doorknob is!) and a few of us peaking out! Hi Ho Hi Ho!

Ohhh it was fun fun fun - please take the time to have some Mom fun!

It's A Girl!

2007-01-31T11:56:00.000-06:00

Flounder went to the vet and got all checked out and she is fine - thank goodness! Here you can see Levi's lovely photography!

Poop Everywhere!

2007-01-28T13:07:00.000-06:00

Yes you read that right! I woke up this morning and Flounder (our newly rescued bunny!) had put his bunny poop everywhere! Messy little sucker! So I had to tweek his cage setup so we will see if it works better. Gosh I hope so - he is so dang cute - but I don't need a mess like THAT every morning! Tomorrow is his first vet visit - and I just hope all is ok with him. Until I took a bunny class last week - I had NO idea there were so many things that could hurt a bunny just by being outside! Besides predators - there are flies and bugs and parasites that can make your bunny sick and even kill him!!!! So if you EVER feel you cannot take care of your pet anymore - PLEASE find a new home or a humane shelter for him - DO NOT just drop him off somewhere outside - you are sentencing him to death!!!!

Our Pet Center

2007-01-27T19:08:00.000-06:00

Our new Pet Center here at the Looney Lagoon! I used

my old IKEA shelving to create an area in our house for our smaller family members. You can see the fish tank on one top shelf and on the bottom shelf lives Levi's Geckos. Then you can see our newest member - Flounder - at home in his new pen and then Happy in her blue cage. Oh and the last photo is of the Betta Fish and Dinosaur plant!

Workin' Away

2007-01-25T18:36:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to stop by and add a few photos of the boys working this week! Have I said lately how blessed I am to have them in my life???!!! Attutudes and all - I wouldn't trade them for the world!

The last photo is of Mav and His Tooth Fairy Trap! LOL

Xmas 2006

2007-01-18T21:09:00.000-06:00

See? I told you all I would get to the Xmas photos!! Santa wrote the boys a thank you note.

And you can also see the photo of the tree and gifts BEFORE they were attacked!

Don't ask me where the Hanukkah photos are - because I have no clue!

Xmas Eve 2006

2007-01-17T17:13:00.000-06:00

I thought it might be about time to put up the Xmas Eve photos! I MIGHT even get to the Xmas photos too! (someday)

First the boys wrote their note to Santa and put cookies out for him as well. Then Levi got the carrots ready for the reindeer. Looks like Boscoe was helping too! Later we hung out and ate cookies and the boys opened CRACKERS and goofed off! It was a nice relaxing night - the boys even heard SANTA when they were trying to fall asleep!!!

Dinosaur Hunters

2007-01-16T19:46:00.000-06:00

Dinosaur hunting at the Heard Museum!

Ramblings...

2007-01-14T19:39:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you guys, but this whole kidnapping thing makes me nuts! I never wanted to be the Mom who watched over her kids like a hawk. Bt how can I not be that person? What if I took that chance and sent the boys to play in the front yard alone - for even 5 minutes - and they disappeared!!?? Things like that go through my head all the time! I will find myself running to pee as fast as I can so the boys aren't out of earshot or eyeshot for that matter! Why should I have to worry about my kids in OUR OWN backyard!!?? Oh heck - I still check on them in the middle of the night to make sure all is well. I think I saw too many made-for-TV movies in the 80's and 90's. THEN having a special needs child just makes it THAT much harder! Mav doesn't get WHY he has to stay close or WHY he cannot just go home with that stranger. I know that is why I am here - to keep him and his Bubba safe - plus I think - if all my worrying keeps them secure and able to enjoy THIER childhood - then it's worth it. Right?

Busy Week

2007-01-13T09:41:00.000-06:00

We apparently had a busy week - I didn't get to post as much as I would have liked. Now I might just have a ton of time since we are about to get ICED in for the weekend! Here are some photos of Levi and Maverick getting some of their work done. This week we did many things which included meeting every day for Circle Time after we finished our morning jobs. We worked on our calendars and discussed what was to happen each day then we would finish Circle Time with our Daily Yoga poses.

Levi worked in his Explode the Code book and Math book while Maverick practiced tracing and worked on number relationships. Maverick also exercised his fine motor muscles while lacing boats onto an ocean. While Levi watched a movie about the Allosaurus - Mav worked in the sensory tub with different colored water.

Another late start

2007-01-10T13:16:00.000-06:00

Once again - we got started late - but that is the beauty of homeschooling - we can do it anytime!! Maverick ran a fever in the middle of the night - which is so unlike him - so we were up til all hours. This morning he is fine though! Maverick still had time to practice shapes and work in the bean bucket! He made me dinner and dessert! After doing Language and Math, Levi listened to some music on his FP3 player and decorated his history notebook.

Hockey

2007-01-09T17:37:00.000-06:00

OK Levi walked in last night after getting fitted for his gear - and tried it all on to show me. Talk about shock when I saw how GROWN UP he looked!

Monday

2007-01-08T18:27:00.000-06:00

We woke up late this morning - very strange for us - I know! One of the kids was rarin' to go when I said that it was time to get the day started - but the other one - well - we won't even go there! Mav worked on his fine motor skills by working on mazes and Levi worked on his handwriting a bit. Levi also worked on a USA puzzle today and we went over the 50 states. I was so proud of Maverick and what he has retained about shapes lately - he just whipped through his work and laughed and giggled the whole way! The boys worked on their Travelers journals and hung out with Happy Bunny. All in all it was a very nice day. Happy got to run around and get to know us better and we got to enjoy each others company.

Ice Cream Party

2007-01-07T09:44:00.000-06:00

Ahhhhh! It's Sunday morning - usually I would be getting dressed to get out of here - Sundays are usually Moms Day Out - but Mike is working so here I am! We are all still in our jammies and just hangin' out - even though we all know it SHOULD be national cleaning day around here! Last night I used bribery! Yes I completely bribed those boys of mine - I am guilty! If you all could have seen their bedroom - you wouldn't blame me one bit! I told them if they got their room picked up PROPERLY then they would get a surprise. Well the room got clean and we had an Ice Cream Party!

Maverick did it!!

2007-01-04T20:54:00.000-06:00

I almost forgot to post a very important photo from today!! Maverick made this jet plane all by himself! Way to go Little Man!

PawPaw's Peanuts

2007-01-04T20:33:00.000-06:00

What a lazy day! We didn't get started until late and then I realized I had completely forgotten to put their work in their workboxes! Go Mom!!! So we caught up on some other stuff we needed to do around here - like get our journals together for our AHSOM Travelers and clean the bunny area! The boys DID however come across the HUGE bag of peanuts that PawPaw had left at our house and the little geniuses came up with their own fine motor skills activity!