More of my boys

Could they BE any cuter?

My boys

These are the reasons I am filled with joy!

Babel and multi-tasking

My husband and I watched Babel last night. Okay, I used to be a major film buff, but over the past couple of years, I've realized that it takes a lot for me to sit and pay attention to a movie. I don't know. I didn't used to be this way. I loved the movies, but either I've got way more things I'd rather be doing or I feel like I have too much to do to sit and watch a movie or movies just aren't as compelling to me as they used to be or I've grown a little more discerning in my tastes or I hate knowing I can't get those two hours back no matter what, that I just don't watch that many movies anymore! I'm sure it's a combo of all these things. Anyway, I actually sat down and watched Babel and focused only on the movie while desperately trying to ignore the messy house and other random things vying for my attention. I've realized (hopefully not too late) that chronic multi-tasking has not made me more efficient (quite the opposite) but more certain that I have to re-learn how to concentrate on only one thing at a time. Perhaps I need film therapy? Anyway...

Despite its graphic nature, I found Babel thought-provoking. There are four loosely related stories unfolding in different parts of the world and although the film didn't always work for me, I keep thinking about the film. (So many movies are entirely forgettable.) So, this is refreshing to me. Although despite its overt themes of isolation and misunderstanding, I'm left with this message:

Never go to Morocco and leave your children with the illegal nanny. (Those of you who have seen the film will know what I mean.) Seriously, what was she (the nanny) thinking?

Saw this on Yahoo today

What many believe to be the only painting of Jane Austen will be auctioned in New York in April by Christie's, a relation of the English author and owner of the picture said.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

...Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,Christ in every eye that sees me,Christ in every ear that hears me.

So, we had some friends and family over for dinner. So what if we did eat tacos! We had Guinness and green sprinkles on the cupcakes!

Who knew?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

Jet Lag, Super squirrels and reading aloud

So I Sprung Forward and I feel like I have jet lag. It's only one hour! How can this affect me so badly every year? Anyway, Luke and I finished listening to The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall yesterday. It's just the kind of book I would have loved when I was a girl. So, overall, it was a total girl's book, but Luke seemed to enjoy it despite there being four girls as main characters. I figured that the one boy character, Jeffrey would balance it all out. I don't know. Today, we started listening to The Mistmantle Chronicles: Urchin of the Riding Stars. Now, I think this is more his style: squirrels with swords! Right now, he's enjoying listening to books more than reading them. Should I be concerned about that? Or, is it just a phase? I do realize that most of the books in his library are just a little above his reading ability, but not above his listening level. I don't want to make a big deal of it, but I am a little concerned. He's surrounded by books, but I hope not buried by them. Listening skills are important and I remember how much I loved it when my teachers read to the class. My mom didn't read to me much when I was kid, but once she read Pinnochio to me and my younger sister and I still remember it to this day. I don't know why she didn't continue reading to us. My mother also installed a reading light for me so that I could read in the upper bunk without disturbing my sister. I hope that Luke will have fond memories of me reading to him. I guess I just want him to love reading and books as much as I did as a child.

Books are so much a part of our life. I won't worry.

Night time prayer and Narnia

Yesterday I bought Luke his first children's prayer book. I thought it would be nice for him to have his own book to take to church. Do you know what is so heartwarming? I could hear him saying his prayers after I tucked him in bed.

Luke and I are listening to The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall on unabridged CD. This gives me a break from reading aloud and we can listen together. I usually read to him at night before bed. We also listened to Focus on the Family Radio Theatre's A Horse and His Boy. It was wonderful. It was like listening to a movie! Although I've read all the Chronicles of Narnia to Luke, I think this type of audio drama makes it come alive more for him. He might have been a little too young (age 6) when I read the Chronicles of Narnia. So, I'm going to check out more radio theatre for him.

My sweet little Sammy has recently learned to say "cookie". However, whenever he says "cookie" it sounds more like "cooggee". It's cookie with a "g" sound. It'll be sad when he starts saying it the right way. When Luke was a lot younger, he would say "hopter-topter" because he couldn't say "helicopter". I just wish I could hold onto their childhoods a lot longer, but I have to just enjoy each day and try to remember all the cuteness.

On another note, the snow is melting and I'm not sure I've ever been this excited about Spring coming. It feels like it's always winter, but never Christmas, but the spell is breaking!

I was about to shut down the computer, but...

Besides everything else, I mainly wanted to use this blog to chronicle our adventures in home-learning. It's so exciting to be learning side-by-side with my kids and I cherish the opportunity to see my son all day. I can't imagine what it would be like for him to be gone all day at school. I mean, I'm sure I would adjust just like most mothers, but I see it as true blessing to be around all day. I've homeschooled my older son from the beginning and it keeps getting more exciting.
For instance, a few days ago, son #1 decided he wanted to write a book and you know what? He's writing it. After several pages, he said that he felt "caught". I didn't know what that meant, but I figured out that he had "writer's block". How many seven year olds get writer's block? I had to chuckle.

The snow is beginning to melt at the Cozy Conifer Cabin and we look forward to all kinds of adventures in our back yard. We can finally fill the bird feeders and hopefully Rocky the Raccoon will stop eating the birdseed long enough for us to attract some birds. Life is full of possibility and I'll share it with you.

Let's Get this Party Started!

Okay, finally, I'm ready to start. Can I just say that this is so exciting? I know, I know. Everyone has a blog these days and I'm just late to the game. What you'll find here is a little hodgepodge of everything from homeschooling to movie reviews to recipes to book reviews etc.
I actually can't believe that this message will post. (See my first post...truly compelling, I know.)

Tonight, there was a lunar eclipse...pretty cool for the few seconds I saw it in my rearview mirror. The moon appeared red. I made French Toast for dinner. I don't know what it is about having breakfast for dinner... pretty good day and it's time for lights out at the cozy Conifer cabin. Hopefully more interesting things to follow......

The Bad Beginning

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