Lent is underway

The season of Lent is underway here. No more chocolate for me. (Offering it up many times a day right now since the only things that sound appetizing have chocolate in them. Ole Sparky must be working some OT on this)

Fratello Maggiore took the National Mythology Exam last Thursday. He said he did really well. When we reviewed the questions, he seemed to only miss one! We'll see when we get the official results, but nonetheless, I am so proud of my boy! He takes the National Latin Exam in mid-March, so we are now reviewing for that...

Fratello Piccolo is busy preparing for his First Holy Communion. We are reviewing the Holy Mass in preparation for that.

Half-Pint has taken a new interest in the alphabet, shapes, and numbers! It seems she is ready for more "preschool."

DH started his new job yesterday. He tells me he likes it, but it is noisy. So between jobs, he was spotted at the store buying ear protection. I guess that is a swell idea as I would like him to hear me sometimes :-)

More snow and ice

It seems I have done nothing but shovel a large driveway and de-ice two minivans for the last two days! I have sore muscles galore - and that is even with all the karate I do! It sure is cold out there, but it is a wonderful treat to come in and grab something HOT to drink when I am finished.
The boys are getting their work done. Fratello Maggiore is cramming in the last of his mythology prep so that he can study what he has learned all next week. His test is on Thursday. He is also very busy with fractions. Fratello Piccolo is doing a great job with calculating money and he has just aced this week's spelling test!
We are doing no school work tomorrow since we have eye exams and an overnight at a local hotel with friends. I will be scrapping with T and the guys and kids will be swimming and hanging out! It is a special treat for us in the middle of winter. I'll even treat them to doughnuts and juice. That is something we don't ever eat here since I insist on healthy breakfasts -- much to the dismay of my children! LOL

I am chatting with R, my "sister to another mother", who is gearing up for surgery tomorrow. We will be her prayer warriors and are going to storm heaven with get well prayers. I hope she can plan a trip here this year after she has recuperated - I'd love to be her host again!

Snow, snow, snow

I sit here watching the snow fall. I love that I do not have to leave the house and I can just enjoy the beautiful sight. I can wrap my hands around a hot cuppa joe and watch my yard transform into a fluffy blanket of pristine white. Then, when lessons are finished, I will witness that perfection invaded by children's boots and colorful sleds. Hot cocoa and hugs follow when everyone is once again inside and warming up after thrilling snow-play.

Our lessons will be short today. I want the kids to enjoy the snowfall and expend some of their energy. We love the snow here! We have to remember to make snowballs today and store them in the freezer until summer. Our science center allows free admission on summer solstice if each person brings in a snowball. :-)

Lesson plans for this week

Today marks our 133rd day of school this year. We should be done ("officially") in late April at this rate.

Religion
remains Faith and Life at home and CCD at church; getting ready for Lent to begin next week.

Math
Fratello Maggiore - Singapore Math 4: semester assessment + Key to Fractions Book 2: Multiplying and Dividing
Fratello Piccolo - Singapore Math 2: review of multiplication tables of 0,1,2,3,4,5, and 10. Adding and subtracting money

Spelling
Fratello Maggiore - My Catholic Speller Level C - Lesson 15
Fratello Piccolo - My Catholic Speller Level A - Lesson 14

Grammar
English for the Thoughtful Child
Fratello Maggiore - Language of God Level C - compound subjects and predicates + subject-verb agreement
Fratello Piccolo - Language of God Level A - Building sentences and parts of a story

Latin
Prima Latina and Exploratory Latin Review from American Classical League (Fratello Maggiore is preparing to take the National Latin Exam in March)

History
various sources on Ancient Greece and D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths; finish Old Testament history before beginning Ancient Rome

Reading
Fratello Maggiore - Greek Myths (in prep for the national mythology exam)
Fratello Piccolo - My Path To Heaven (in prep for his First Holy Communion)

Phys Ed
karate class - they are currently trying to earn their yellow belt in Shotokan

soccer in the kitchen?!

Yikes! I just caught all three of them playing a pick-up game of soccer in my kitchen. Sometimes I just wonder what gets into their minds...
And I am now curious as to who is on the opposing team -- the penne or the box of rolled oats?

Outside with them! Snow play seems like a great cure for this cabin fever.

ABCs of Housekeeping Meme

Aprons – Y/N? No
Baking – Favorite thing to bake: bread
Clothesline – Y/N? Yes
Donuts – Have you ever made them? No
Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day: Cook
Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze? Yes, in the basement. It never seems big enough. *sigh*
Garbage Disposal – Y/N? No
Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource? Recipe books
Ironing – Love it or hate it? Hate it. Fortunately, I don't have to do much of it.
Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it? Yes, in my desk
Kitchen: Design & Decorating?white cupboards, laminate countertop. butcher block island. White appliances.
Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking? Not having to work outside the house.
Mop - Y/N? Yes
Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine? washing machine, but I hardly wear them
Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check? Open the door.
Pizza - What do you put on yours? Homemade sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, pepperoni and onions!
Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? What is a quiet moment?!
Recipe card box - Y/N? No.
Style of house - Country ranch
Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N? Yes to tablecloth, no to napkins.
Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland? How about an organized toxic wasteland?
Vacuum - How many times per week? two or three
Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week? At least eight.
X’s - Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off? No.
Yard - Who does what? I tend the gardens, and dh does the rest.
Zzz’s - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed? try to make sure kitchen is clean and meat is thawing

a title for everyone

LOL - these just tickle my funny bone!

More Titles:
My dh: Imperial Majesty Jeffery the Sentient of Pigotts Sty
Half-Pint: Milady the Most Honourable MacKenzie the Charming of Bow under Bumpstead
Fratello Maggiore : His Grace Lord Anthony the Intractable of Much Madness upon Avon
Fratello Piccolo: His Most Noble Lord Adam the Euphonious of Fiddlehope in the Marsh