It’s been a while since I’ve had a realio, trulio little pet update.  (If you don’t get the reference, go HERE. It’s a good poem, besides!) First of all, I must tell everyone that I have a wise husband.  We were scheduled to go on a field trip today to tour the county courthouse and see a mock trial, etc. But TGD requested that we cancel.  We did, and what a relaxing and profitable day it was!  Rachel took a much needed 2.5 hour nap.  I am very glad I didn’t have her awake and miserable all afternoon at the courthouse!  I was able to sort-of start on the portfolios if you can count bringing up the large three-ring binders from the basement and taking last year’s portfolios out of them as a start!

Yesterday, I got new glasses. I’ve kicked around the idea of these frames for the last few years. They are the ones without any frame at all–just a nose piece and legs. It mostly looks as if I’m not wearing glasses. I’ll have to get a new bio pic so you can all marvel at them. (Or, mostly not notice them.) 

I’ve been reading some of those Lamplighter books. They are reprints of stories from the 1800s, chock full o’ morals and goodness.  Words_Are_Things kindly loaned me three, and I’m on the last one. But, today, I got a great coupon from Vision Forum, and I ordered some for myself.  Probably the ones I was loaned are the best of the lot (all by EDEN Southworth), but we shall see!  I just love getting new books, especially when they are books in the mail! 

We finally made a decision on the pool, and the pool-digger-outer guy comes tomorrow. (It’s above ground, but the ground still has to be leveled.) Yes, I still wonder if it was a wise decision, but I can see so many opportunities to invite people over and things of that sort. Plus, my kids more than likely will always be pruney-skinned due to living in the pool. (Who needs gillyweed?) 

Baseball games have started, and since we only have one playing this year, we are attending the games of David’s team from last year, mostly to watch Jordan W. pitch.  They had a game last night against Port Matilda, the powerhouse team this year, and lost 11-1. Tonight, they played them again and went into overtime with a tie 3-3 score!  (But, they lost. Bummer.) 

A few days ago, Rachel (6) and I went out and took pictures.  I think these were her best shots. I made the daffodil one my screen saver.

You know how crazy things get at the end of the year?  Well, that’s how life is for two more weeks.  If God brings me to mind, could you pray about my patience as I assemble the older boys’ portfolios? (Our evaluation is Tuesday.)  For those of you who aren’t PA homeschoolers, the law in PA is that you have to turn in a log showing 180 days of instruction and what you did on those days and a portfolio showing samples of your child’s work for the year in all subjects.  This must be evaluated by a licensed teacher (at the homeschooler’s expense!) and then the evaluator’s assessment, any test scores and the log and portfolio must be turned in to the school district for review.  Plus, this year I have to make up my first high school transcript. I’ve got some samples to look at, but I still have to do it!

The play was a resounding, smashing, laugh-out-loud success! Friday night was technically good and very funny, but Saturday night, we had more fun.  Oh, the bloopers!  Props were missing and had to be brought onto stage in the middle of the scene (cleverly covered by the actors), lines were forgotten and uproarious ad-libbing went on, and everyone hammed it up, even the more reserved actors.  Oh, my. It was fun!  

And, to top it all off, my dear friend Linda (who claims she is not creative) made me this shirt and had all the cast sign the back.  Could I have a better memento?

I would post some pictures from the play, but I don’t think it would be right to post pictures of other people’s kids on the Internet without their permission. But, I can post a picture of my own!  Here’s Nathan as the stylish Charles.

So, what do I do next? Write a play for next year, of course!

P.S.–Lest anyone think that I am disparaging the fine work of the author of Shouting Valley, I am not.  Her play was the catalyst for lots of fun!

You know how they say that a bad dress rehearsal means a good performance? Well, then we should be up for a Tony!  I am going to eat a big bowl of ice cream, run a hot bath, and grab a book. 

Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Thursday night is the dress rehearsal! I’m getting really excited. It’s such a thrill to have everything come together and have it all work out well and be funny. Even when it doesn’t work out well, like when the air vents blow down some of the set walls, and one of the cast has to stand there holding it up while reciting her lines from Romeo and Juliet, it’s still wonderful! I have nine things written on my hand in ink so that I don’t forget them.  Yes, I do write on my hand!  I also bought the green beans which are to be snapped during the play, something I almost forgot to do. Yes, this play includes snapping beans as a major component.  As we’ve been saying all along, “It doesn’t matter. It’s a dumb play.” I’d love to get shirts made up with that phrase on it.

We ate at Backyard Burger tonight. I’ve never been there before, and it was delicious!  You order off the wall, just like any other fast food place, but they give you a number. When we were seated, they brought out our burgers and fries in baskets on silver serving trays!  I was so full. I don’t usually eat a big ol’ burger. Also, I had Pepsi, and for anyone who knows me, caffeine and I are not a good combination, especially since I’m all keyed up about the play anyhow.  I anticipate a very late bedtime!

I continue to have a great time playing Frisbee with whomever happens to want to play with me. I still can’t throw worth beans (green or otherwise), but I’m getting better.  Once again, playing in a skirt and sandals crimps the Ultimate Frisbee style, especially if one is in a white skirt as I was today! 

Got to go decorate for Michael’s birthday. We can’t find the crepe paper anywhere, so he’s getting Kids Cottonelle toilet paper with the little dogs and footprints on it as his decorations.  I just hope he isn’t traumatized for life or anything.

Happy Birthday also to WesJanson1138!

Lest you think I’ve abandoned Xanga Land, I thought I’d take a five minute chocolate chip cookie and tea break–five minutes only–to let you know how things are. First of all, my children are such a blessing to me.  The house was in a state of beyond chaos. It was actually filthy as well. (Someone forgot to remove his or her shoes, cleats, or whatnot and the evidence was everywhere!)  But, they rallied with me, peevish though I was, and cleaned the house well. It’s enjoyable, livable, and we can sit at the table!

Today was our last Apples of Gold, the ministry to preschool moms. God was very kind and did not tempt me beyond what I was able to bear in my irritable state by only having half of the kids show up.  It went very smoothly.  Easter was a delightful time at my mom’s house.  What fantastic weather! Resurrection Day should always be so lovely and sunny.

This week is a wild one.  We’ve got a number of things which if God brings to mind, I’d appreciate some prayers!

1.  AP things–it’s the second-to-last week of class, I have grading and assigning of grades to catch up on.  Plus, I’m operating under a fog of extreme embarrassment, having told the whole class (and some parents) that our reading selection was Catch-22 by KURT VONNEGUT!  (I realize this doesn’t mean much to most, but it’s Joseph Heller who wrote the book…)

2. Nathan and the homeschool orchestra perform their spring concert Tuesday night.  Nathan has a number of solos, so we’d appreciate prayer that he does his very best.

3.  The play, Shouting Valley, is this weekend!  Dress rehearsal is Thursday night, which will be the first time we’ve ever run through the whole play from start to finish.  Gulp!  Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 are performance times.  It should be a lot of fun, and it’s really a humorous play (after all our revisions!).

4. I go to the doctor tomorrow–that female kind.  Pray that I’ll think to ask the right questions and mention all my “symptoms.” 

Five minutes is up!  I’m getting faster with typing.