Hello 10th Grade!

I love that Taylor & I can research different curriculums and specific classes, tailoring them to fit exactly what she wants for her school year. Since it is the high school years, we are choosing to stick to a somewhat tradition course load. This year's schedule is:

• Dennison Geometry- video lecture w/super easy to follow guide, plus bookwork/tests
• 101 Series Chemistry- God's Chemical World, lectures & bookwork/tests/labs
• Compass Classroom American History- Dave Raymond teaches via video lessons, workbook
• Transparent Language Spanish 1- complete online lessons with voice recall
• Apologia Health and Nutrition- Exploring God's Creation in text
• Band/Clarinet & Swing Band/Bass Guitar- SCCHE Co-Op
• Literature & Composition 3- Novel Studies w/Total Language Plus/Memoria Press
• EP Bible & Apologetics- Taught by both, Mr & Mrs. Giles

This seems like a rigorous schedule, squeezing in 9 credits this year, but honestly, she gets the lessons done much quicker than sitting in a traditional classroom, so it all pans out with time to spare! She even scheduled in "light" days on Tuesdays and Thursdays because those are my days off and we like to go do hands-on stuff, museums, field trips, picnics, exploring parks, basically just spend some time together (with some learning added in, of course). Plus, on Thursdays, she has 3 hours of band at St. Charles Christian Homeschool Education Co-Op with Mr. Duss. She has done band, playing clarinet but this year she will join the swing band with her bass guitar! She has been taking lessons from her Dad and is ready to play some jazz! 

I am perplexed at how this baby of mine, can possibly be a sophomore...time flies when you're having fun, bring on 10th grade!

Tis' the Season

This holiday season flew by again! Tay and I scheduled the week leading up to Christmas to be as organized as possible. The weather threw us a curve ball, causing us to cram all the errands into Tuesday, my only non-snowy day off. They claimed that a blizzard of the decade was on the way! We knocked out the errands and then planned a day of baking AND BEING SNOWED IN, on Thursday. That part was kind of exciting for us!

We woke up on Thursday and began baking sugar cookies, pecan balls and chocolate crinkle cookies. I made my traditional Coquita concoction, so the drunken raisins could soak a bit. Bubby woke up and helped make chocolate covered pretzels and pb crackers candies. The snow did fall, although definitely no record-breaker, and the doggos got to enjoy some playtime outside...Milo came back in with sparkles! They both turned out to be good taste-testers too! 

We got all the presents wrapped (Tay even wrapped all my tiny gifts in a special way!) and finally felt like I could breath a sigh of relief...bring on Christmas!

I was about to go to bed, when Tay came in, asking to open the gift that Allison and Andrew sent. Blake has just got home from work and she just couldn't wait until Christmas Eve! They are so sweet, they got the kids both a gift card, us a doggy snack phone attachment, to get the doggos to look at us for pics! lol! They also got us a cool board game to try out, and an electronic lighter/fire stick, which drove the kids and dogs ears crazy even though Billy and I couldn't hear it. 

New Year's Eve 2021

It's New Year's Eve and we are so ready to par-tay!! Okay...maybe just fix some food and play a game later..lol. It's just how we roll on NYE, the kids are here, we are happy and chillin' and cannot imagine having to take off our pj's and leave the house. We lame and we are okay with it!

I did have to run to the store, so Tay and I made a little trip through Scooters Coffee to sneak in a bit of energy, to get us through the day. We spent much of the day, snuggling with the pups and relaxing. We had big projects, working in the basement the day before so we deserved a day to relax. We eventually made a couple dips (one was a black-eyed pea dip for good luck) and then ran to grab some chicken for the kids. We were really craving The Chicken Coop but unfortunately, they had to close due to their cook being in a bad accident, that's awful. Anyways, we settled for Lee's Chicken, we love their pickles, even though they were out of them, but Tay got her chicken pot pie and Blake just got tenders, woohooo...fancy dinner tonight! On the way to Lee's, Tay and I saw Grace church all lit up with their Christmas display so we pulled in to take a look. It was on our to-do list for the holiday season and we never made it there, so why not?! It was really cool and quite amazing really! The cutest part was a car pulled out and two little toddlers got out and started dancing around the parking lot..how sweet! 

After dinner, I cuddled on the couch with Millie and Milo, while Billy and I got caught up on YellowStone. Then I read through an herbal remedy book and even took a suggestion from it and made a tea for my scratchy throat. I also used the wooden log piece that Diana gave me for Christmas, as a natural coaster...it really bumped up my nature-loving streak..lol! 

Blake came down, we asked if he wanted to play a game and he said, "Sure"...so UNO it is! Dad and Blake, both, were really agitated by Mine and Taylor's inability to "play right"...so we mess up a bit...big deal, we eventually caught on! We laughed til we almost cried at Bubby's cocky attitude and bossiness and Taylor's gestures as she used her hands in a circle on the table to help her recall the direction the circle was going! lol! Dad kept changing the rules on her too...it was crazy and I'm not even sure who won. After the game, it was almost midnight...Blake got back online with his friends while Tay and I ran out on the back deck to ring in the new year...watch the fireworks and drive the poor pups crazy while we blow a horn and bang a pan! It's tradition! We were pleased to stay awake long enough to usher in a new year! 

Black Friday Tradition with My Girl

Tay and I look forward to our special early morning Black Friday shopping day each year. We planned it out the night before, based on what stores open at what time and mostly, on what time we could get to Chic fila for our breakfast recharge..lol. 

We woke up extra early but it was hard to get moving, so we ended up leaving the house at 6ish. It was starting to get light outside so we were a tad bit disappointed in ourselves but decided to play things by ear, having no time restrictions. We really had nothing in particular that we were shopping for either, so that made us extra chill this year. We got to Walmart, the parking lot was surprisingly full! We looked through all the sale stuff and ended up just buying Dad some jeans and some AA batteries..we are so boring. lol. 

We grabbed bfast and sat in the warm car, eating in the parking lot of Target, our next stop. It looked so crowded, we almost felt like backing out but went on in. We found a couple little gift items but nothing much. The line was down by the time we checked out too so that was awesome! 

We went to Michaels, then the mall. We had never gone to the mall on Black Friday before so that was new...it was bustling with shoppers and pretty awesome to see. Tay got a couple things from Hot Topix and Earthbound. I felt like we barely got anything, but Tay mentioned that she felt like our shopping morning was a win, I'll take it! One thing that her and I agreed upon, is that the mall arcade is not what it used to be...such a let down with the grabber machines, no attendants, no tickets, no prizes. But that's okay, we still had a wonderful morning together and a free day ahead. Happy girls! 

Thanksgiving 2021

I used to menu plan and start cleaning and cooking, days in advance but I feel like we have this down to a science and no longer need the big prepping. I had the ingredients bought the week prior and it worked out great since we had to work on Wednesday. We moved dinner time to 3pm, so there was no big rush that morning, we got up and started cooking and even the kids pitched in...Blake made the green bean casserole and Tay made the cheesy potato bake. We actually got dinner done early and ready to eat by the time Diana & Danny walked in. I do need to remember to bake the desserts the day before, because cheesecake and buttermilk pie DO NOT like to be cooked on a lower rack, below the turkey...oops. The juicy turkey, all the fixins' and fresh baked rolls made up for the dark bottomed desserts..lol.

Billy said grace, we ate to our hearts content, thankful for our blessings. Aunt Sissy brought a bunch of scratchers for us to try our luck at. Turns out, we will have to focus on our blessings because none of us got lucky. We cleaned up the plates and Blake immediately cleared the table and broke out the Aggravation game. We brought up the 6 player version so we could all participate, it sure makes a difference having the extra people constantly plucking you off the board and sending you back home! The added "aggravation" sure gave us lots of memories of Mom and how upset she would get, she was out to get ya! And SO WAS DIANA!! She couldn't reach the board so she would point her finger with vigor and she directed us where to land her marble! She was more worried about taking us off than winning and getting herself to safety..lol! We were laughing and shouting and having the best time ever...it was the longest game of Aggravation ever. It took over 2 hours for Diana to bring in a win! The guys continued playing just to see who came in 2nd, 3rd, etc...Blake was a sore loser, coming in dead last..lol. 

The boys headed over to Aunt Susie's house with a turkey dinner delivery. She was happy to get the Thanksgiving meal without having to come over, possibly driving in the dark. It really was a blessed day to be thankful for. 

A Different New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve began with Blake at the oral surgeon at 7:30AM for the extraction of 6 molars. He needed his wisdom teeth removed and we tried to have it done before Christmas but it turned out that he had two other molars that weren't in yet and in the way. After speaking with the ortho, we were back for all 6 of them to be removed. It is a bummer that it happened on New Year's Eve, but we are glad to get it over with. Blake did great and hasn't done any fun stuff to video and share! The only silly thing he did was when the nurse asked us which one of us would like to pull the car to the door for him, Blake says, "I could drive." We are all like, "No Way Buddy!". lol. Blake spent the day napping on the couch with Dad keeping an eye on him. I ran to get Blake's pain meds and Tay went to her friend's house.

Once Tay was back home, we eventually figured out a dinner plan...we decided to pick up some dinner from The Chicken Coop. We ordered extra mashed potatoes and gravy for Bubby and I mixed up some bread pudding with vanilla sauce while Billy went to grab the food. It was a great choice, food was great and we didn't have to cook! Win Win! 

The boys were watching Madalorian, so Tay & I decided to try the TACO CAT GOAT CHEESE PIZZA GAME. It was hilarious, we had a blast! The boys kept shushing us and Blake was getting mad because we were having too much fun aka "being loud and annoying" lol. Eventually, we got everyone to join in, we all had fun playing it. Then Dad taught us how to play rummy, which was taxing for him..lol! Blake caught on easy, Tay and I struggled a bit but hung in there. Blake and I ended with a few hands of Uno...which I won! woo hoo! 

Time went by surprisingly quick, especially since we had been up super early for the surgery. Before ya knew it, it was almost midnight! The rain had changed to a solid sheet of ice outside, we had to put the gate up to protect the dogs from falling on the deck and then the clock struck midnight and as Taylor blew her little paper celebratory horn, Milo joined in! Howling like crazy..lol! This was the first year that we didn't have foods, activities and games planned or watch the NYC countdown ball drop, but that's all alright. We got Blake taken care of, spent some time together and said good bye to 2020, hopeful for what 2021 will bring! 

Joyful Christmas Eve 2020

Blake came down upon Taylor's request, she has been ready to open presents since she woke this morning..lol! I'm so happy that she is down here with me, still excited for this fun stuff! We gathered in the living room, while Dad read Luke 2:1-14, telling of the good news of Jesus' birth, the reason for the season! Then we said a prayer over our blessings we were about to receive and asked God to help us bless others with our gifts. 

We all naturally just started by giving Milo & Millie their presents first. Millie was so excited to rip into hers, revealing her very own sqeaky slipper that was stuffed with a filled hoof! Now, maybe she won't need to steal Bubby's! lol! She loved both items and went running around wildly. Meanwhile, Milo was lounging lazily on the couch and gently nuzzled his gift while Bubby held it up to him. He is so lazy that he started to lick the filled hoof inside without bothering to unwrap it. lol..Blake said no no no, and made him get up and actually open it..lol. Millie ran crazy with her bone while Milo quietly chewed on is all evening, silly doggos!

Next, we opened a special gift that came from Wichita...Andrew and Allison sent the kids each a Target gift card, which they are both super excited about! Then, there was the cutest cloth gift bag inside, that happened to match both kids' pajamas..lol. Inside, was a hand-tied Chiefs fleece blanket! Such a sweet and cuddly warm gift! They got Dad some awesome Black Rifle Coffee, that supports Veterans and I got this lovely book of prayer that is so pretty I would like to set it up as decor! They are so thoughtful!

Blake opened a pro pc tech tool kit, to further his career and help him with his project tomorrow. He also got a floating shelf for his room and a poop knife (don't even ask..lol) from his friend Noah. He got a pair of shoes and some clothes and some sprite soda...which confused him a bit. Taylor gave him a yellow Adidas hat he had been wanting and then when he opened his final gift, he realized why he got soda earlier...he got his own mini fridge for his bedroom..lol. He has been asking for one for years and I always laughed it off because no kid needs a fridge in his room, he doesn't come downstairs enough as it is...none of that has changed but he did get it..he's a good kid and I'll just have to lure him down for something other than thirst..lol. 

Tay got the mini mic that she has been wanting and a mini wacky waving tube guy for her desk..lol. She got a genuine feather pen with ink to practice calligraphy, a motion face washing brush & cleansers (she's a sucker for that kind of self care stuff!), some tall black boots,and some stuff to decorate her room! Blake got her an adorable yellow "Bee Kind" sweatshirt that she loves! 

Dad got some wireless earbuds, some rum that I couldn't pass up because it was called "The Kraken", a couple history books- 1776 & Miracle in Philadelphia, and some Jefferson small batch bourbon- which went along with the history theme. We also got him a patriotic grunt style tee that has the flag and the word "relentless" on it...it was soooo fitting for him and will look great during his podcast..lol!

I got a beautiful One Year Chronological Bible...the entire story in order and waiting to be read...I can't wait! Billy got me a super nice document/photo scanner too, that will help with organization and sharing family photos! I also got the shower foot scrubbie thing i wanted and the ornament book of Jesus' names...love all my gifts so much! 

I gotta say, this year I really felt this incredible joy while we were all opening our gifts. I wasn't trying to stay organized or keep track of which gift was opened first or by who, no trying to clean up as we go...just pure fun of gift giving, making trips into the kitchen for snacks, refills of home made coquito with drunken raisins & time together. Taylor got out her wacky waving tube man and batteried him all up to see him dance. He blew straight up, stayed, then collapsed, to never get back up again. I was bummed that he was a disappointment and immediately jumped on amazon reviews to prove to her that others said he was awesome...trying to justify buying such a silly gift. The very first review said, "tube man has become a friend for life...someone you can really count on cheering you up when feeling down", Tay looks at him laying lifeless on the table and says, "seems to me, I'm the one having to lift HIM up" I cracked up til I cried! He is being sent back but it was all worth those laughs.