Molly the Barn Owl and Homeschoolers

Carlos Royal did a live narration today for homeschoolers. Here is a clip of that narration.



I had meant to make a post about when this was going to be BEFORE it happened but I didn't get a chance to do that. Carlos didn't read off all of kids names, but the question "What are owls allies?" or something like that came from Superstar and Web-princess. Superstar and Web-princess thought it was so cool that Carlos answered their question! The narration starts about 3 minutes into the video clip. (I think it's more like 3 minutes and 25 seconds in).

The above is the recording of the live narration he did for homeschoolers. If you want to watch Molly Live you can do so by visiting Molly the barn owl and her owlets here on Catholic Christian Homeschooling or you can visit Molly The Barn Owl on Ustream.

Superstar Update: Toewalking/AFO

Today we seen the orthopedic surgeon for another post surgery follow-up. Long time followers of my blog know that Superstar had surgery around Thanksgiving 2009 for ITW (idiopathic toe walking).

We decided for treatment we would do surgery. So he has been recovering nicely from surgery. Walking was tough and hard just 10 days after surgery with the cast on, however he did it and has not stopped since then! We are so proud of him!

After the cast came off Superstar was given AFOs to wear. He STILL has to wear the AFOs, however we were told he could go up to 4 hours per day without them. Currently he has been wearing them from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed. So it's nice to know he can go some time during the day without them.

Today we were given the okay for any sport that Superstar wants to do! For some sports he can't wear his brace so if he did that sport activity that day it would count towards his time without the brace. Today we were told that it looks like there will NOT be a second surgery. So that was good news. Today we were told that he will NOT need physical therapy! We see the doctor again at the end of June so that might change, but the surgeon is confident that he will NOT need physical therapy.

Today we got told that we can get an adjustment done on his AFOs to allow the ankle joint to articulate, move. Currently his AFOs do not allow for that movement, but that will change this Thursday. We will go in and they will adjust his AFOs and put a hinge at the ankle to allow it to move. I'll post pictures of that later this week.

To top of today's post I've added a video of Superstar walking and running up and down our hallway. Looking at the video of him walking in his cast made me realized how far he has come the last few months!

UPDATE: I also wanted to update and show some pictures of him standing WITHOUT his brace. This is SO MUCH different then back in June before surgery. BEFORE surgery he could NOT put his heels down on the ground even if wanted too!

He's outside now in his socks! I don't care! We just realized this is the first time in his life that his heels have touched grass! (when walking). He's going to be 9 in a few short months, and so it's just amazing! I asked him how does it feel to have walked and have the grass touch your heels? His response "GREAT!!!!!!!"

First Holy Communion

Today was Web-princess First Holy Communion. Everything went well and over all I was very pleased with the day. She got to do the prayers of the faithful this year just like her brother, Superstar, last year.

The picture of her receiving is not the greatest because we are NOT allowed to use flash during Mass. We happened to be seated on the side that's why I was able to get that shot. It was not easy kneeling and taking the picture. My knees today hurt too. I normally I don't mind kneeling, but the kneeler on the side (the chairs) were we were sitting are much different then the kneelers in the pews. They hurt my knees, but oh well!

After Mass we were able to get pictures of Web-princess with several family members.  In addition to pictures with family we were able to get Web-Princess's picture with Father B.

Of the family pictures we were able to get one of my favorites is of Superstar and Web-princess together. I can't believe how much taller Superstar is! I'm often taken back by the height difference between the two of them because they are only 10 months apart. Superstar has pretty much always been a "head" taller then Web-princesses. Of course before he always stood on his toes. Perhaps that's why I'm more shocked lately.

DH and I also got our picture taken with Web-princess. We are so proud of her! This year was nice because I was able to sit back a little bit more, although the kids did need help every now and then. It was also bitter sweet because Web-princess was our baby. This will be the last time we will celebrate a first communion in "our" house. Sure I have nieces and nephews that will go through this, but it's really not the same.

I've also have included a picture of my Mom and my Step-Dad. This is because I wanted to point out that Mom and I were NOT wearing the same clothing unlike last year! LOL I don't think I could have lasted another year with her and I wearing the same clothing! LOL

Over all it was a good day! After Mass we hang, got pictures with family members, got Web-princesses gifts bless and then went home. At home I had a roast waiting for us in the crock-pot and a small chocolate cake for dessert.

DH, the kids, and I ate and had cake. Now we've put or feet up, and are chilling. I've check on Molly too. It looks like owlet number 4 could arrive today (if it hasn't already).

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. Mass will be earlier then normal because the Bishop will be there. In addition to Mass we might to to a train show. Superstar LOVES trains.

Well that's it! Thanks for allowing me to share Web-princess' first communion pictures with you! Have a good Palm Sunday! (One more week to Easter!)

More On Molly The Barn Owl

I don't have the exact time or date or anything like that but I've learned that Carlos Royal has been taking questions from various homeschoolers throughout the country and will be doing a live Q and A soon. He has been collecting the questions and will be answering them live.  When I have a time and date I will let you know.

For those of you that have just tuned in you can find more info about Molly the barn owl by visiting Carlos' Blog: Molly's Box. There he has some FAQ about Molly, what time McGee (her mate has visited), and what he even brought the family to eat.

We have been watching Molly and have been enjoying it. In addition I also found an PDF, thanks to the Molly Chatters At Ustream, of a Barn Owl book that can be downloaded and printed as needed.

Watching Molly The Barn Owl

Sometimes sitting around the computer can be tough, that's why I'm thankful we have the computers and TV that allow us to hook up the the TV to the computer. So what's on the computer screen shows up on the TV. The kids enjoy setting on the couch much more then trying to squeeze around the computer.

Our TV was bought in 2003 so it's not like it's super new. Our computer is a few years old too. It just so happens they both have s-video capabilities and we just connect the 2 with a s-video cable. In addition we connect sound with a sound cable that connect into the computers headset output and into the TV's left and right sound input.

You really can't see the connection I mention above, they are both connected into the back of the TV and that back of the computer. The wires in the front are for the playstation 2 or the VCR. We could connect the VCR in the back, but would have to unconnected it anytime we wanted to use this set up with the computer. So for us it's better to connect the VCR into the front as needed.

We only have 2 video inputs in the back of the TV and only one has th s-video option. So we use that for the computer and the 2nd on in the back for the DVD. Then the one in the front for either the playstation 2 or the VCR. Whatever we are using at the time. We don't have the computer connect to the TV all the time, it's just easier to leave the wires connected and use them as needed then to try to reach behind there.

Right now we are watching Molly the Barn Owl that way. In the past we have done things like virtual dissection.