Fishing

As I shared yesterday we had plans to go fishing. We went, fished for about two hours, and over all had a great time. We are going to go again later this week.

Well, perhaps. It was good, but the kids were upset we got nothing, not even a bite. I told them we would try a different spot.

I did indeed get a license this morning. Getting the license gave Web-Princess and I something to talked about. We talked about how you have to pay for the license and how the state needed my driver license and social security number.  This shocked her some. She didn't understand why the state needed both.

I explained to her it's to make sure you don't owe the state any money, don't owe child support, etc.  I think mentioning child support triggered something in her. She immediately thought about parents taking care of their kids. I think she misunderstood somewhat what child support meant. However, her thoughts were thoughtful.

She said, "I think it's horrible the state charges people for a license and would stop people for getting one.  People can feed their kids if they were able to fish. Why stop them from being able to fish?"

This is how I know she misunderstood what child support meant.  She didn't realize it meant a parent giving money to the other parent for the child. She thought it meant caring for the child: food, shelter, clothing, etc.  She was horrified to think the state would stop someone from being able to fish and provide for their family, food, for "free" or cheap.

She knows enough to know catching fish is cheaper then buying fish.

15 On The Horizon

It's hard to believe that the boy, Superstar, will be 15 in a little over a week!  Where has my little boy gone? Gone is the sweet boy that worried about his "Toby Mommy" and here is the 6 foot and growing young man that *may* still may worry about his "Toby Mommy", but his truly isn't a little boy anymore.

Today, I had to do some traveling, because the one of regional park districts does not take reservations over the phone or online.  The parks closest to our home were already booked. The other ones that are maybe a 30 minutes drive from our home are owned by another park district and they only do reservations in person at their administration office.

We had 3 different shelter locations in mind that was owned by this park district. We did not get our first choice, but we got our second choice.  I think Superstar is happy. He wanted a playground near by for his younger cousins and something he could do.

His original choice had a sand volleyball court and tennis court.  His second choice was adjacent to the river so they can fish.  His second choice also has a splash pad so we told everyone to bring something to get wet in.



I spent the afternoon dusting off, untangling, and making sure our fishing gear still worked. We haven't used it in years!!! Many years!! It appears it is in working order.  Tomorrow, I will be taking the kids fishing and seeing.  They will do all the fishing themselves.  Seeing they are still both under the age requirement for a fishing licence and I frankly don't feel like getting a license tomorrow. Maybe I will -- they don't cost much. I will see how I feel about that tomorrow morning.

Oh and want to know what "Toby Mommy" is all about? You should ask me! Drop me line, leave me a comment below.

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Summer is here! Thank-you!

Summer is here. Yay! It's so nice to have BOTH my kids home all day long. I missed my boy so much sending him to school daily. I'm still praying and hoping that I can bring him home for the 2016-2017 school year and that my daughter will never have to go.

My daughter has expressed that she wants to be homeschooled so we will see what hubby has to say.  -- we are going to address and talk it over in the next up coming weeks.

In, the mean time summer is here and the kids are home.  Our days have been spend playing Catan, riding bikes -- Puggy has really been enjoying the bike rides. Our start to summer didn't start well.



First, we had to give up our dog Onyx. He was a good lovable dog and we miss him, but he had social and other traits we could no longer ignore and didn't have the resources to properly deal with -- so we had to give him back to the shelter.  We however got good news, from following the shelters FB page: We learned Onyx was adopted. So his stay at the shelter was very short lived. one week. We hope and pray daily that his new mom and dad were told about the struggles we had with him and will have the resources or skills to deal with it.  What he needs is training, social training, that we were not able to provide for him.

Second, our car broke down. It's always something. We have struggled this last 1.5 years with transportation issues.  -- I would be thankful once that is all behind us -- and it scary because the boy is months -- scratch that it's already June -- days away from being eligible to get his permit. YACK!!! That just hit me was I was typing this! I don't realize until this very moment we were so close. Wholly Smokes!!!!! That's unreal.

Now that it's summer the river market is open! Yay! Our local town has a river market every Wednesday all summer long.  It's in the park adjacent to the river --hence the name.  The market is a mix of ready to eat foods: ice cream, coffees, pizza, humburgers, donuts, etc, fresh produce, bake goods, and other goods like home made doggy treats. Besides the vendors there is live music. various local bands play.  It's all free (unless you buy food, drinks, goods) and you are welcome to bring your own drinks. We don't always buy things, mostly don't -- but we always go, bring our chairs, water, and enjoy the music.  The boy was disappointed because his favorite band from last year is playing the week he's at BSA summer camp.

This last Wednesday was the first market of the year -- We decided even though the car was still broken down, at that point, we were going to go. We were all set to walk the 2 miles to the park, but hubby showed up last minute at home (got off early); so we took his car.  We don't like to drive his car, unless it's to work and back.  His car is having issues to and we are trying to get by with just him driving it back and forth to work -- no extra driving around.

I have been reading Trim Healthy Mama this week too.  I have been curious about it for a long while now. Quietly stalking, lurking, in the various facebook groups, their official facebook page, blog, etc. I decided to go ahead and get the book and see. The book I'm reading is the new book that just recently came out. I guess from what I'm reading they updated the book with newer information and made 2 books. The plan book the explains how it works and the cookbook that just has various recipes.  I have not looked at or have seen the cookbook so I have no opinion on it. I don't even have an opinion on THM right now -- but check back later.



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Summer Camp Disappointment

This would have been Superstar's 4th summer at Summer Camp.  Yesterday evening, we brought his things to the troop meeting point and packed the troop trailer with his gear. He chatted some with this fellow scouts and we left. The plan was to get up this morning take him to the troop meeting spot again. Say our good-byes and see him off for a week long Summer Camp.

Last night, while at our neighbor's house, he projectile vomited all over me and my neighbor's hallway. He did get to her bathroom but that became equally messy. We sent him home where he took a shower and rested. I stayed, even though my back side was a mess, and helped my neighbor clean up her hallway, floors and walls, and bathroom (same deal) -- it was everywhere.

I got home; asked him how he felt. Good he said! I took his temp over 100. Now what? Do I call and tell them? Do I wait and see how he is in the morning? Camp is 5 hours away, if I send him and he gets sick in the car, then what?  He has a fever so....

Long story short I texted the scoutmaster and decided to keep him home. Some of the other adults are going up Wednesday so if he feels better then he might go up.  He woke up this morning fever free. So I told him if he stays fever free all of today I will take him up tomorrow (Monday) he would miss the first day of activities but will be there for the rest. Well he did not stay fever free. So I'm not taking him up tomorrow.

I can't replace Summer Camp experience and I'm out the money we paid (several hundreds of dollars), but I can work with him on several of his merit badges this week. So that's what we are doing! He feels a little better knowing we are going to get merit badges done, but he's bummed out about missing Summer Camp and I'm bummed for him.  It was with a very heavy mother's heart that I made the call to keep him home.  It was NOT an easy thing to do.


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Summer Days

Hopefully your summer is going well.  Here it's been a cooler then normal and wetter then usual summer.  It's already after the 4th of July and we haven't done things like the pool, local lake/beach or even just some backyard water play. We even bought our dogs, Puggy and Onyx, a pool and have had it out only a handful of times because it just hasn't really been hot enough for it.

Saturday at the local fireworks displayed I wore a sweatshirt and pants and today we went out to the park, with friends, hoping to stay long enough to wade in the river some -- but it was cut short because of the rain. So we never made it to the river. Did get to chat with friends for about an hour before the weather got nasty.

Superstar is getting ready to leave for Summer Camp this weekend. He will be gone for a week. This is his 4th summer in a row doing Summer Camp.

Now with it already after the 4th of July I should start making plans for the fall.....

Things To Do:

• Give Superstar a standardized test
• Register Superstar for high school (we have decided not to homeschool him)
• Decided what I need/want to use for Web-princess for school
• Start making a plan

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Summer Fun On A Budget

One thing you learn quickly when you have a limited income and a tight budget is take advantage of community events, especially free events.

I'm blessed to live in an area that has weekly free live band concerts, free movies in the park, free weekly kids shows. Library that puts on a good summer reading programs, although my kids are to old for the summer reading program, but do enjoy helping out and running the games, crafts, etc.

The best part is these events are easy on the checkbook, building memories with the kids, and looking back they are going to say hey we did things.

We also take advantage of free community days at the local museums, botanical gardens, and other venues that normally cost money.

I learn about these things via Facebook, local newspapers, and flyers around town. How has your summer been? Do you have community events you can be taking advantage of?

And don't forget the standard stand by. A good day at the play ground. My kids being teens don't care to really play at the play ground, but do enjoy Geochaching and hiking in general.

Jupiter, Venus, and the Moon

Photo Credit Earth Sky

Last Friday night while at Friday Night Flix, a local free movie in the park event, we noticed Jupiter and Venus near the crescent moon in the western sky.

I knew they were planets, my son (who is 14 today, Happy Birthday) knew they were planets. We knew they were Venus and Jupiter but we were in disagreement over which was which.  My daughter and husband, who was with us, didn't know which was which either so we settled it by me grabbing my phone!

I found this cool app Star Tracker for the phone.  You point your phone at whatever you are looking at in the sky, as if you are going to take it's picture, and the app will tell you what you are looking at.  I loaded the app, open the app, pointed it at the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter and it revealed that my son was right and I was wrong!  I had my planets mixed up. Once we settled which was which I let my son and daughter play with the app. They had fun pointing it at everything.  Even at 14 and 13 little things like that still amuse them, at times.

Superstar, my son, noted the sun according to the app, was below the moon. The sun had gone down for the night and the app even when you point the phone low enough will show you what's below the horizon. This discovery of course made him question: If the sun and moon are both in the west why are we only seeing a crescent moon?

By this time we were in our car driving home, from our event, I was driving and trying to explain, but my words were making it more confusing for the kids. So my husband took out his phone googled it and found an answer. What he found was basically saying what I was trying to say but clearly in a less confusing way. Sometimes I fumble around for the right words or examples.  Who knew a family outing to watch Jurassic Park would turn into an astronomy lesson?


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Hello, Teenage Years

So it's a beautiful, sunny, cool day here in northern Illinois.  The local park district puts on summer children program. It's weekly event with a series of performance ranging from story telling, to music, to magic shows.

Today's performance happens to be a magic show.  So, I asked the kids, I mean my teens, if they wanted to go.  I know they are above the target age range of these shows, but it's a magic show, it's free, and who doesn't like seeing a live magic show?

Well it turns out my teens don't.  I don't know if it's because they are above the target age range and they don't want to go because the show is meant for little kids or if they really are not interested in a magic show. Sigh..... 

Go Fund Me

It's the height of summer, softball games, swimming, picnics, and hot lazy days are here.  I'm starting to plan out my next school year and waiting for IHM conference in a few weeks. I plan on buying several of the items I need at the used book sale. I hope I'm able to get what I want.

This time of year brings up money!!  It takes money for curriculum, money for supplies, money to homeschool.  Everyone it seems is in the same boat: limited funds to go around.   It seems that for some it's tighter then it has been in the passed or a new trend is popping up and I'm just out of the loop.

I have noticed this week at least 3 different homeschooling families started a Go Fund Me page and are asking for money to buy school supplies, buy groceries, build a school house, or whatever else they need. I'm taken back by these fundraiser pages.  I never would have thought to start a page asking for money for school supplies, money for groceries, or anything else.

Some will argue that it's no different then public schools doing fundraisers, but to me it seems different. I don't know; something about it just is not sitting right with me.  What do you think?

Summer IS Over!!

Today is labor day, thus summer is over!! Well for many summer may have been over for while with the dawn of back to school time. I was going to start school here 2 weeks ago. I was set to go and everything, but hubby told the kids they didn't have to start school till after labor day and well that just trumped mommy's plans! The kids even told me so "Daddy's the principal and the principal is the teacher's boss, so you have to listen to daddy: No school until after labor day!"

We'll be starting off small this week the focus will be math, science, and world history. Next week I'll add in some spelling and grammar, and then a few more weeks after that I'll add some US history, writing, and reading.  I'm really looking forward to this school year more so then in years pass. I think it's because I've found my groove in some ways.

I can't believe that summer is over! It went bad pretty fast. Between the 3 kids, weekly gathering with the homeschool group I started and talking to my sister via the computer all the time I just got burned out on blogging itself.

I'm looking forward to this Friday! I've made arrangement for the kids to work at a Real archaeological dig! So exciting! I'm ll be posting pictures and blogging about that for sure!

We've gone mobile and other news.

I have updated Catholic Christian Homeschooling so that when you visit this blog from a mobile device you will see a mobile version of the blog! I hope that you will enjoy and be sure to give me your feedback on it!!

In other news: We are STILL plugging away with our studies. We have math and spelling work to finish up and if everything goes well we should be done with those subject by the end of the month.

This weekend we are participating in a charity walk: "Rock the Curve Walk" for Scoliosis.  The little girl that founded the Northern Illinois Curvy Girl Group is a dear friend of my children. Her family is a member of our church and she and Superstar were in the same 1st grade class when Superstar attended public school.  We are very happy to be supporting Julia and all the curvy girls this Sunday via the walk. We raised over $100 in sponsorship for the walk. My family and friends are just awesome! Now we just have to hope for beautiful weather.

Speaking of weather what is it like in your neck of the woods? At the beginning of the week we had temps approaching 100. However we had a huge storm front that came through here Wednesday night dropping the temps down into the 50s! It's been so cold here yesterday and today that I'm actually wearing sweat and a sweater! I'm really not complaining because we do NOT have A/C so I'm truly thankful for the cooler temps! It's wonderful really!!!

Happy Summer!
Nikki

Riding His Bike

Last Night, thanks to DH's patience, 9 year old Superstar finally learned HOW to ride his bike. DH took Superstar down to the local forest persevere where they got to practice just the two of them; or so they thought! A deer did end up jumping out in front of Superstar, because it was startled.

Last Night, Superstar came home and showed me what he could do on the bike path across the street from our house. I was going to take video last night and post it, but my camera battery was dead! So I took this video this afternoon! Enjoy!

He can NOT start on his own, nor can he really do turns right now. However we are still really proud of him! We have tried several times over the years but he just never got it. Looking back at it now I can't help but wonder if his toe-walking was stopping him from riding.

So last night was huge for us!! With more practice he'll get better including starting on his own. Right now to start him we have to hold is bike and give him a good "push".  Now it's time to get web-princess to master it!

Actually I have to say, I'm glad that Superstar, being older master this first. I remember my brother, who is 1 year younger then me, learned how to ride first and it made me angry! Superstar's personality, at times, reminds me of my own and I just know it would have not been good if Web-princess learned first!

Free Concert in The Park

Our local park district has several free concerts, events, at the outdoor music shell. On Wednesdays' afternoons they have a FREE program called "Imagination Station" that is geared especially for kids.  Today's performance was put on by ScribbleMonster.

It was really, really, warm today, but the kids still had a good time watching and participating in today's concert. Afterwards we went to BK with our friends for some water and indoor out of the heat play.

I was able to find a YouTube Video of one of ScribbleMonster's songs. Enjoy!


Next Wednesday's FREE performance is going In Capable Hands Juggling Company. Below is a demo of In Capable Hand's that I found on YouTube. (I think it's so cool to be able to see them live for FREE)

Web-Princess Skiing

We have a local competition water skiing team. This team offers "learn how to ski clinic" several times over the summer. The clinics are "cheap". The only cost is the $7 per child for their insurance charge. Web-princess had two goes at it today. The first time she got a little scared. She didn't even get to hold on the the rope, because she was a little freaked out.

We let the other kids go and 2 hours later she was given a second shot at it. She didn't make it up, but at least she let the boat pull her. They were going to give her a few more tries on that go, but she was done. I'm proud of her and glad to see her even give it go! Superstar did NOT get to go today, because of his foot giving him issues this week. However there will be another learn how to ski clinic at the end of July so we are hoping he can go then.

For your enjoyment the video of Web-princess second go!

Web-Princess practicing her form on the "stage".

Here are some still of her in the water:

Freaky Fun: Summer Reading

Today was "Freaky Fun" day at our local library. We are participating in our library's summer reading program and on Thursdays they are having special activities to do in conjunction with the summer reading program. Todays activities were sponsor by our local children's museum.

The kids got to make slim, make a pig's lung inflate and deflate. They got to make rattle snake eggs, witness  some optical illusions, play with bugs, and watch a chemical reaction between ammonia and PH paper.  It was a good hour at the library. In addition to the fun, seeing that it is Dairy Month, a local 4-H group was there raffling off a cooler of dairy items. To enter I just had to write my name on a piece of paper and be at the library at the time of the raffle.

The kids and I were in the back room making slim. We just finished up and decided to go see who won the raffle. As we were leaving the back room, Maryanne our children's librarian, said. "Nikki, Nikki _________."  To which I replied "Yes?". (It's a good thing I have a good relationship with the children's librarian).  Maryanne "You won the cooler of dairy!, I'll let them know you are still in the building!"

Maryanne was a few steps in front of us, but got there to tell them I was still in the building. They then presented me with the cooler and took our pictures for the local newspaper. They took Superstar's and Web-princess's name as well seeing they were in the picture with me.

So we won the dairy cooler which contained:

1. 6- 6oz of Yoplait Yogurt
2. 6- 3oz of Danimal Smoothies (Strawberry-Kiwi)
3. 8oz of strawberry cream cheese (Philadelphia Cream Cheese)
4. 1 lb container of Sour Cream
5. 1 lb container of  Cottage Cheese
6. 8oz container of land-o-lakes light butter spread
7. 7oz package of Kraft shredded "Mexican" cheese
8. 7oz package of Kraft shredded mozzarella cheese

The kids were thrilled to have won! They especially love the danimal smoothies. We don't get them often, but the kids do enjoy it when I'm able to "treat" them with some danimal smoothies. Web-princess was over the moon with being able to win some cottage cheese! Cottage Cheese is her favorite food and it's already gone! The kids (and I) ate it up for snack when we got home.

I have to run to the store either tonight or tomorrow. I can use the sour cream and Mexican cheese for tacos. If I get some bagels we can use up the cream cheese. (Not much else I can do with  strawberry cream cheese). Not exactly sure what to do with the shredded mozzarella cheese? Do you have any suggestions?

Pizza Hut Book-It for 2010-2011

Posting about Barnes and Nobles Summer Reading program earlier reminded me that enrollment for Pizza Hut Book-It 2010-2011 is NOW Open.

In addition I have also noticed that several of the bowling allies, for Kids Bowl Free, are now open for registration. There are still some that have not open up yet, So don't be too surprise if the bowling alley of your choice is still not open for registration.

Kids Bowl FREE every day all summer long

With it being mid-April most of us are winding down our school years. We have just over 30 days left not counting Sundays or Saturdays. Seeing the school year is winding down many are looking to summer.

Do your kids like bowling? Are you wanting something they can do every day without breaking the bank? Well you can take them bowling EVERY day ALL summer long for FREE! Thanks to Kids Bowl Free.

If you registered for Summer 2009 then you WILL have to re-registered this year. If you weren't able to participate last year because a bowling alley was not near you then check out the list this year. There are MORE bowling allies this year then last year. As a matter of fact for me I have a choice of 6 local bowling allies where last year I only had 1. That's for this area...I can't promise the same in yours, but it's worth looking over the list of bowling allies.

In addition to the kids bowling free, a family pass that allows parents bowl too and be bought for ONE time fee of $25.  Not only that but you still will have to pay for the shoe rental, unless you have shoes of your own. What that rental fee is dependent on your local bowling alley.

Just to note: Registration is NOT open yet, but the site said it will be SOON!!! I imagine it will be within the next month, because Summer is fast approaching!

Once you find your bowling alley's page on Kids Bowl Free you can bookmark it. You can also find kids bowl free on Facebook or on Twitter @kidsbowlfree as a means to stay update on the latest development from Kids Bowl Free.

Free Movies @ the Theaters

If you are bless to have a Kerasote Theater near you then my MIGHT be able to enjoy FREE movies @ the theaters! Here is a link to a PDF from Kerasote outlining what movies are available, when they are available, and what you have to do! I've done this last year and I can tell you from experience be there as soon as the doors open. Seeing it's first come first serve.

Teaching Us To Paint

DD wanted to teach everybody "how to paint". She is being her cute adorable self in this little 2 minute video. As always with my videos the sound isn't the greatest so you may need to turn up the volume on your PC, just remember to turn it down when you are done.

Kids Bowl Free Every Day All Summer!

WOW!!! Your kids can bowl free, every day, all summer long! Check Out: kidsbowlfree.com We are blessed to have a bowling center near us that is a part of this program. I hope that you have the same! Let's go bowling!!!