I couldn't figure out why we had so many flies in the house. Ram has been using the flyswatter like crazy. Ram even hung a plastic baggie with water and coins in the basement from internet advice. They were worst in the basement. I wondered if someone left the door open or what happened.
Tonight I finally got around to washing the dirty diapers that had been sitting there for about a week. There were a bunch of dead flies on the top of the diapers. Then, as I got to the bottom of the pail, I realized why we had so many flies in the house! Gross! Gross!
The fly larvae or maggots or whatever they are, won't flush down the toilet-they are too light or whatever. So now I have a bunch of dead fly larvae in the basement toilet and a bunch of live flies all over my house.
Thankfully the diapers are all in the washer with lots of soap and baking soda. I think I got all the flies off of them before I put them in the washer-hoping to avoid the toilet problem in the washer.
The ironic thing is that I've been cleaning the house a room at a time and I've been so busy on that, that I got behind on laundry including the cloth diapers. When I cleaned the living room I took the diaper pail downstairs planning to wash the diapers and give the diaper pail a good scrub.
I've learned my lesson and I won't procrastinate on washing the diapers again-especially not in the summer.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Mini Vacation Day 2
We went to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory on Friday. This zoo is free, they just ask for donations. We got in traffic because it was near the MN State Fair, but we had a great day. They had a special butterfly exhibit that was really cool to walk through. We saw the animals and even saw the Sparky the sea lion show. This was a good size zoo for the Lambs at their ages.
Lamb 2 and 3 on a tortoise
They had a "play room" that was perfect for the Lambs. Lamb 1 constantly asks me what foods different animals eat. They had play food for the Lambs to feed the animals. Lamb 2 and 3 are feeding the tiger some steaks and bones. At the zoo we saw they feed the big cats horse heads!
Lamb 3 (with assistance from Papa) feeding grass to the zebra.
Lamb 2 wasn't quite tall enough to play in the water area (I don't know why they designed it that way!) but he was determined. The water area showed how/why it rains.
Lamb 3 enjoyed the play room even though he couldn't reach everything his big brothers could. He crawled through the tunnel and here he is watering the plants.
Lamb 1 planted a pretend flower garden and watered it.
Ewe with her 3 Lambs. Lamb 1 is holding his new animals from the gift shop. He claims the only part of the day he enjoyed was getting some new animals at the gift shop. We are in the gardens in this photo. After we saw the zoo then we played in the play room and finally we went to the gardens. The conservatory was fascinating and Ram and I would have liked to have spent longer there, especially in the room with spice plants and trees. The Lambs were done by that point so we were only able to do a quick walk through the gardens.
We rode the carousel. This carousel used to be down the street at the state fairgrounds. It is over 100 years old. Lamb 3 was tired and didn't enjoy the loud carousel.
Lamb 1 was old enough to ride by himself on the outside row of the carousel. Lamb 2 rode with Ram next to him. Ewe held Lamb 3.
Lamb 2 and 3 on a tortoise
They had a "play room" that was perfect for the Lambs. Lamb 1 constantly asks me what foods different animals eat. They had play food for the Lambs to feed the animals. Lamb 2 and 3 are feeding the tiger some steaks and bones. At the zoo we saw they feed the big cats horse heads!
Lamb 3 (with assistance from Papa) feeding grass to the zebra.
Lamb 2 wasn't quite tall enough to play in the water area (I don't know why they designed it that way!) but he was determined. The water area showed how/why it rains.
Lamb 3 enjoyed the play room even though he couldn't reach everything his big brothers could. He crawled through the tunnel and here he is watering the plants.
Lamb 1 planted a pretend flower garden and watered it.
Ewe with her 3 Lambs. Lamb 1 is holding his new animals from the gift shop. He claims the only part of the day he enjoyed was getting some new animals at the gift shop. We are in the gardens in this photo. After we saw the zoo then we played in the play room and finally we went to the gardens. The conservatory was fascinating and Ram and I would have liked to have spent longer there, especially in the room with spice plants and trees. The Lambs were done by that point so we were only able to do a quick walk through the gardens.
We rode the carousel. This carousel used to be down the street at the state fairgrounds. It is over 100 years old. Lamb 3 was tired and didn't enjoy the loud carousel. 
Lamb 1 was old enough to ride by himself on the outside row of the carousel. Lamb 2 rode with Ram next to him. Ewe held Lamb 3.After we were done at the zoo, we missed an interstate connection. We don't know if we just missed it or if it was because of construction or what. It's difficult in an unfamilar part of the city. So we went way out of our way. We finally stopped for lunch and by then all 3 Lambs had fallen asleep. We drove back a more familiar way and made it to my Looper friend Lissa's house. Her girls are teenagers, but the Lambs enjoyed playing on her swingset while we chatted.
Ewe with Lissa
Ewe with LissaAfter a short visit with Lissa we went to Costco. We needed to stock up on rice milk and bought some other goodies including some gingerbread biscotti. We got take out from Panera Bread and headed home. We still got home very late, but we were able to do the zoo, visit with Lissa, and some shopping. It was nice to get away for a few days.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Mini Vacation Day 1
We received a flyer in the mail that we could have one free night at a Best Western in the Twin Cities area. I don't know how we got on their mailing list. Usually I just pitch stuff like that, but something caught my eye. The deal needed to be used before Labor Day. We were surprised that we could get a room for the first night we asked for. It really was completely free, not even pay tax. They had renovated recently and wanted people to know about their "new" hotel.
We left Thursday afternoon and drove to the Twin Cities. Lamb 1 complained most of the trip there and home that it was too long of a drive and he didn't want to go. Office Depot and Target had some sales so we went there first.
We ate supper at Don Pablos. All 3 Lambs ate really well. Lamb 3 really surprised me. He ate all my rice and cornbread and several of Lamb 2's chicken strips. Usually if a food is new to him he will refuse it until we basically force him to try it and he likes it. This time he begged for the food! He kept hinting that he wanted taco (he loves Ram's tacos) but I was afraid it would be too spicy for him. We rewarded the Lambs with a bowl of ice cream to share. All 3 found room for that!
We were surprised that the hotel didn't have a pool. The Lambs were disappointed to not go swimming. We ate a nice continental breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the zoo. We didn't realize that the zoo was very close to the state fair so we got in a lot of traffic both going and leaving the zoo. I'll blog about our trip to the zoo tomorrow. This was a real treat for us to go do something fun in the Twin Cities where there is so much to do. With a 4 hour drive to the Twin Cities, even if we get up early and get home late, there is usually just time to go shopping at a few stores and if Ram needs to visit someone do that. But with the free hotel room we were able to do both the zoo and shopping.
We left Thursday afternoon and drove to the Twin Cities. Lamb 1 complained most of the trip there and home that it was too long of a drive and he didn't want to go. Office Depot and Target had some sales so we went there first.
We ate supper at Don Pablos. All 3 Lambs ate really well. Lamb 3 really surprised me. He ate all my rice and cornbread and several of Lamb 2's chicken strips. Usually if a food is new to him he will refuse it until we basically force him to try it and he likes it. This time he begged for the food! He kept hinting that he wanted taco (he loves Ram's tacos) but I was afraid it would be too spicy for him. We rewarded the Lambs with a bowl of ice cream to share. All 3 found room for that!
We were surprised that the hotel didn't have a pool. The Lambs were disappointed to not go swimming. We ate a nice continental breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the zoo. We didn't realize that the zoo was very close to the state fair so we got in a lot of traffic both going and leaving the zoo. I'll blog about our trip to the zoo tomorrow. This was a real treat for us to go do something fun in the Twin Cities where there is so much to do. With a 4 hour drive to the Twin Cities, even if we get up early and get home late, there is usually just time to go shopping at a few stores and if Ram needs to visit someone do that. But with the free hotel room we were able to do both the zoo and shopping.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Lamb 2 makes me smile!
Conversation tonight while reading a book to Lamb 2:
Ewe reads: What is your favorite part of your church family?
Lamb 2: Everything!
Ewe presses for an answer: I'm glad you like everything, but can you think of one specific thing?
Lamb 2: Going up to communion to get blessing.
I was surprised that he didn't answer Sunday School or visiting with his friends (both children and adults). This is the Lamb that I have the most trouble with in church, including while we go up to the communion rail. Can you imagine when Lamb 2 is old enough to receive communion instead of just a blessing? It makes me so happy when we are all up at the communion rail with all the company of heaven. I think of all our relatives that are in heaven (many that Lamb 2 never met on earth). I get teary-eyed just thinking about it!
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. (Sanctus)
Ewe reads: What is your favorite part of your church family?
Lamb 2: Everything!
Ewe presses for an answer: I'm glad you like everything, but can you think of one specific thing?
Lamb 2: Going up to communion to get blessing.
I was surprised that he didn't answer Sunday School or visiting with his friends (both children and adults). This is the Lamb that I have the most trouble with in church, including while we go up to the communion rail. Can you imagine when Lamb 2 is old enough to receive communion instead of just a blessing? It makes me so happy when we are all up at the communion rail with all the company of heaven. I think of all our relatives that are in heaven (many that Lamb 2 never met on earth). I get teary-eyed just thinking about it!
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. (Sanctus)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Family update
*Our babysitter, Graceann, was able to come babysit today. The last time she babysat was around Christmas time. I was very thankful for her help, especially when she took all 3 Lambs to the park. They did play doh for a long time too. They haven't done play doh for a very long time. She is homeschooled (high school) so it looks like she may be able to come back more regularly now. This is Ram's long day visiting people so I was thankful for another person over age 5 to talk with for the afternoon too. Lamb 3 seemed to do ok with her too. I was afraid he might not remember her and get scared. It helps that I stay home while she is here. Hopefully I can get lots accomplished while she is here.
*When I taught in IN, I had laminated prayers for my classroom. I found the mealtime prayers (from the catechism) but I have looked everywhere I can think of without finding the morning prayer. I finally gave up and I needed to type up the evening prayer any way so I typed them both (without laminating) and hung them up. I hate it when I can't find something I want. Then I want to drop everything and clean out things until I find that thing I'm missing. Life doesn't work that way for a mom though.
*Tonight we are going to a wrap up for a visit your local park program. We will take a picnic supper. I made a photo book with photos from the parks. This was not required for the program, but it will be a nice memory for the boys when we are in the middle of a MN winter. It was a great idea-free to go to your local parks. I had no idea the small town 7 miles away had 7 parks. It was a good thing they gave us a map or we never would have found a few of the parks. The Lambs enjoyed going to the parks. Lamb 3 even cried when we left the last park. We had a slow start because I sprained my foot early this summer and then we were gone a lot in June and July, but we were able to go to all the parks before the deadline tonight. The weather has been cool and it will be nice for tonight even though it is very humid.
*Ram and I listened (we didn't call in) along with 10,000 other Minnesotans to Senator Klobachar's tele-town hall meeting about health care last Sunday. If you care to listen it is on her website here. One of the several things that she said that I didn't like is that "her" plan would save us 50 billion dollars. She has no concept of how much debt this country is in. 50 billion is about half a percent of 9 trillion. Plus she kept saying that Medicare was important to her because her parents are on Medicare. So what? Is she volunteering to have the same health care plan as us? When I tried to call her and leave a message, her voice mailbox was full. I'm in the process of writing her a letter. In the letter I am going to encourage her to read every word in whatever health care bill the Senate comes up with plus read every word in the Constitution.
*Ram turned in our boxes we put together for LLL Global Care Packages today. I volunteered when we moved here to be the chairperson for our tri-parish for this program. They have changed the directions several times for this program. Some years we put together boxes for new mothers. Most years we did boxes for school children. I remember even helping with this program when I was teaching in IN. So I have been involved several years. They recently announced they are no longer doing this program. In a way I'm thankful to reclaim a part of my room that kept the supplies while they were gathered from the churches. I'm also thankful because I don't have to figure out new rules each year. But I'm sad after so many years and what I thought was a great program. Lamb 1 helped as soon as he could walk. Our church needs programs like this to make it helping people in other countries more personal. I know there is a lack of funds and personnel, but it's too bad. I hope and pray that they can do this program again.
*This morning I wrote out a schedule for Lamb 1 with clocks (Target $1 find). As I read the schedule to Lamb 1, he had a question for everything. Why do we have to do school? Why math? Why schedule? It would drive a teacher crazy. I'm preparing him for a schedule because there will be a few things that he has to do without Lamb 2 like handwriting. He hates to do activities without Lamb 2. Many will stay the same as they have been for years at our house like 3pm snack time. I'm trying to prepare him mentally for a schedule even if we don't follow it exactly each day. Thank goodness he is going to be homeschooled, he would hate a school schedule and drive the teacher crazy. At least if he drives me crazy, I'm already half way there because of raising him the last 5 years!
*I have thought about a lot of blog topics recently but freezing corn, canning beets, making zucchini cupcakes etc. has taken priority. Hopefully I can post photos from our park program wrap up tonight soon.
*When I taught in IN, I had laminated prayers for my classroom. I found the mealtime prayers (from the catechism) but I have looked everywhere I can think of without finding the morning prayer. I finally gave up and I needed to type up the evening prayer any way so I typed them both (without laminating) and hung them up. I hate it when I can't find something I want. Then I want to drop everything and clean out things until I find that thing I'm missing. Life doesn't work that way for a mom though.
*Tonight we are going to a wrap up for a visit your local park program. We will take a picnic supper. I made a photo book with photos from the parks. This was not required for the program, but it will be a nice memory for the boys when we are in the middle of a MN winter. It was a great idea-free to go to your local parks. I had no idea the small town 7 miles away had 7 parks. It was a good thing they gave us a map or we never would have found a few of the parks. The Lambs enjoyed going to the parks. Lamb 3 even cried when we left the last park. We had a slow start because I sprained my foot early this summer and then we were gone a lot in June and July, but we were able to go to all the parks before the deadline tonight. The weather has been cool and it will be nice for tonight even though it is very humid.
*Ram and I listened (we didn't call in) along with 10,000 other Minnesotans to Senator Klobachar's tele-town hall meeting about health care last Sunday. If you care to listen it is on her website here. One of the several things that she said that I didn't like is that "her" plan would save us 50 billion dollars. She has no concept of how much debt this country is in. 50 billion is about half a percent of 9 trillion. Plus she kept saying that Medicare was important to her because her parents are on Medicare. So what? Is she volunteering to have the same health care plan as us? When I tried to call her and leave a message, her voice mailbox was full. I'm in the process of writing her a letter. In the letter I am going to encourage her to read every word in whatever health care bill the Senate comes up with plus read every word in the Constitution.
*Ram turned in our boxes we put together for LLL Global Care Packages today. I volunteered when we moved here to be the chairperson for our tri-parish for this program. They have changed the directions several times for this program. Some years we put together boxes for new mothers. Most years we did boxes for school children. I remember even helping with this program when I was teaching in IN. So I have been involved several years. They recently announced they are no longer doing this program. In a way I'm thankful to reclaim a part of my room that kept the supplies while they were gathered from the churches. I'm also thankful because I don't have to figure out new rules each year. But I'm sad after so many years and what I thought was a great program. Lamb 1 helped as soon as he could walk. Our church needs programs like this to make it helping people in other countries more personal. I know there is a lack of funds and personnel, but it's too bad. I hope and pray that they can do this program again.
*This morning I wrote out a schedule for Lamb 1 with clocks (Target $1 find). As I read the schedule to Lamb 1, he had a question for everything. Why do we have to do school? Why math? Why schedule? It would drive a teacher crazy. I'm preparing him for a schedule because there will be a few things that he has to do without Lamb 2 like handwriting. He hates to do activities without Lamb 2. Many will stay the same as they have been for years at our house like 3pm snack time. I'm trying to prepare him mentally for a schedule even if we don't follow it exactly each day. Thank goodness he is going to be homeschooled, he would hate a school schedule and drive the teacher crazy. At least if he drives me crazy, I'm already half way there because of raising him the last 5 years!
*I have thought about a lot of blog topics recently but freezing corn, canning beets, making zucchini cupcakes etc. has taken priority. Hopefully I can post photos from our park program wrap up tonight soon.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I caught the Lambs...
Tonight we were late getting to bed after a long afternoon at the county fair, making supper, and taking baths. The Lambs were upset with me because there was no time to read books. Their bedtime is 8pm and they didn't get to bed until 9:30pm. I sent them to do one more thing to get ready for bed. They didn't do it. I caught Lamb 1 "reading" the best he could to Lamb 2. They were so cute sitting in my chair just like I read to them. But they were told to do one more thing and then go to bed. Since they didn't do that, they were in trouble. I hate being a mean mom when they do something like this and are so cute!
We have had a busy weekend. Yesterday evening we finished going to the rest of the parks for that program that ends on Tuesday. Today we went to the county fair and Lamb 1 participated in his first tractor pull, Lamb 3 looked like he was going to win the diaper derby but another girl beat him, and everyone enjoyed petting the animals and all the other fun at the fair. Tomorrow we have church, a parade to watch in the afternoon, and at 7pm one of our senators is calling for a tele-conference about health care reform. Plus we were given a huge bag of corn yesterday and somehow I have to find time to deal with that. Finally, I have to try to get our photos together and make up books for the boys for the park program by Tuesday. The Lambs have all had a lot of fun and lots of fresh air, but too many late nights. I'm already dreading tomorrow morning to get up for church.
We have had a busy weekend. Yesterday evening we finished going to the rest of the parks for that program that ends on Tuesday. Today we went to the county fair and Lamb 1 participated in his first tractor pull, Lamb 3 looked like he was going to win the diaper derby but another girl beat him, and everyone enjoyed petting the animals and all the other fun at the fair. Tomorrow we have church, a parade to watch in the afternoon, and at 7pm one of our senators is calling for a tele-conference about health care reform. Plus we were given a huge bag of corn yesterday and somehow I have to find time to deal with that. Finally, I have to try to get our photos together and make up books for the boys for the park program by Tuesday. The Lambs have all had a lot of fun and lots of fresh air, but too many late nights. I'm already dreading tomorrow morning to get up for church.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Our family schedule
When we visited some friends that homeschool earlier this month, we saw their schedule in the kitchen. She basically wrote down from the time the children woke up until bedtime what their routine was including which child had school and which child had computer time etc. I thought this was a great idea. Lamb 1 loves routine and I think homeschooling him will go better if we have a schedule. It was important to me to schedule in time for MY things. Here's what I came up with. It's pretty detailed. I know that we won't follow this schedule every day, but here is the goal for days that we are home. This will be the schedule Monday-Saturday so we are free to take a day off each week to travel with Ram to visit someone or go shopping out of town, etc.
8-8:30 Ewe read, Lambs play
8:30-9 Morning prayer, calendar, breakfast, get dressed
9-9:30 Math
9:30-10 Five in a Row story and activity, read aloud one My Book House story
10-10:30 Lamb 1 Handwriting (probably won't take the whole 1/2 hour)
10:30-11 Ewe computer time (FINALLY!), Lambs play
11-11:30 Go to post office, outside time if weather ok
11:30-12:30 Make lunch, family devotions, eat lunch, vitamins and cod liver oil for Lambs, clean up
12:30-? Lamb 3 nap
12:30-1 Reading/Phonics
1-1:30 Memory (Bible, Catechism, hymn), Bible story
1:30-2 Lamb chore time, Ewe housework, Lambs get ready for rest time
2-3 Lamb 2 rest time, Lamb 1 quiet time and listen to books on CD, Ewe declutter house time
3-3:30 Snack, Latin
3:30-4 M,W,F Music, T,R Art
4-5 Lambs play, Ewe nap?
5-6 Make supper, eat, clean up
6-6:30 Lambs play, Ewe housework
6:30-7 Clean up
7-7:30 Story-one their choice, MWF one Science, TR one History
7:30-8 Get ready for bed, T,Sat bath, prayers
8-9 Lambs in bed, Ewe correspondence time (pay bills, write letters, etc.)
9-10 Ewe computer time
10-11 Ram and Ewe Compline and Together Time
11PM-8AM Everyone sleeps!
I've already started to follow parts of this schedule. I will try harder to stick to the schedule once we begin homeschooling Lamb 1 in Kindergarten in September. Getting Lamb 3 closer to this schedule has really helped both of us sleep better. Ram and I have enjoyed doing Compline together. We haven't spent the whole hour together every night, but having it scheduled makes it easier for us to both take a break from computer or work or whatever. Some nights we have had wine and cheese or other snacks. Most nights it's just nice to take a break and talk to each other. I wish I would have thought of Together Time a long time ago! I haven't followed my computer times strictly, but this will also help that Ram will know when I want the computer plus I won't waste ALL day on e-mail and blogs! And I haven't made it to bed at 11pm every night yet, but that will be better to get to bed earlier and get up earlier too. I'm sure we'll make changes as we try it, but overall I'm very happy with my plan.
8-8:30 Ewe read, Lambs play
8:30-9 Morning prayer, calendar, breakfast, get dressed
9-9:30 Math
9:30-10 Five in a Row story and activity, read aloud one My Book House story
10-10:30 Lamb 1 Handwriting (probably won't take the whole 1/2 hour)
10:30-11 Ewe computer time (FINALLY!), Lambs play
11-11:30 Go to post office, outside time if weather ok
11:30-12:30 Make lunch, family devotions, eat lunch, vitamins and cod liver oil for Lambs, clean up
12:30-? Lamb 3 nap
12:30-1 Reading/Phonics
1-1:30 Memory (Bible, Catechism, hymn), Bible story
1:30-2 Lamb chore time, Ewe housework, Lambs get ready for rest time
2-3 Lamb 2 rest time, Lamb 1 quiet time and listen to books on CD, Ewe declutter house time
3-3:30 Snack, Latin
3:30-4 M,W,F Music, T,R Art
4-5 Lambs play, Ewe nap?
5-6 Make supper, eat, clean up
6-6:30 Lambs play, Ewe housework
6:30-7 Clean up
7-7:30 Story-one their choice, MWF one Science, TR one History
7:30-8 Get ready for bed, T,Sat bath, prayers
8-9 Lambs in bed, Ewe correspondence time (pay bills, write letters, etc.)
9-10 Ewe computer time
10-11 Ram and Ewe Compline and Together Time
11PM-8AM Everyone sleeps!
I've already started to follow parts of this schedule. I will try harder to stick to the schedule once we begin homeschooling Lamb 1 in Kindergarten in September. Getting Lamb 3 closer to this schedule has really helped both of us sleep better. Ram and I have enjoyed doing Compline together. We haven't spent the whole hour together every night, but having it scheduled makes it easier for us to both take a break from computer or work or whatever. Some nights we have had wine and cheese or other snacks. Most nights it's just nice to take a break and talk to each other. I wish I would have thought of Together Time a long time ago! I haven't followed my computer times strictly, but this will also help that Ram will know when I want the computer plus I won't waste ALL day on e-mail and blogs! And I haven't made it to bed at 11pm every night yet, but that will be better to get to bed earlier and get up earlier too. I'm sure we'll make changes as we try it, but overall I'm very happy with my plan.
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