great america family day:

Manny's company rented out Great America for its employees a couple of Saturdays ago.  Short lines for the rides and longer lines for the free food, but it was all great.  This was the first time we had to leave Nacho with someone, and my friend took him for the entire day.  I was so busy with everything I didn't even have time to shower on Friday or on Saturday morning.  It wasn't the way I wanted to see Manny's coworkers or see my old ones again, but I was pretty happy (if just to get a break from taking care of the puppy).

Nacho did really well at my friend's house.  She has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy.  Both are not fixed yet due to their age, but they also weren't mature enough yet to mate (but she still kept an eye out just in case).  The dogs played together, napped together, and went on a walk together, though Nacho was tired and didn't make it far.  He was thrown off his schedule, like a baby, but I'm glad he went and got some people and puppy socialization.  And I am indebted to my friend for taking him for the day so that we could have our family time.

Overall, the day went better than last year.  We ate first.  Dippin' dots for breakfast?  Yes.  Then off to Subway, since the Panda Express line wasn't moving.  Isaac is now big enough to ride some more rides, and he was so thrilled.  One of them is like a swing ride that goes round and round, but you can control the angle of your car with a handle.  Manny felt sick riding with him.  Manny was already under the weather, so he didn't want to get on again.  Naomi would have gone on it with him, but she'd already gone to another ride.  So, I went, as long as he promised not to maneuver anything.  He kept his promise, but it was still a bad idea.  I get severe motion sickness.  I was pretty much nauseated for the rest of the whole day and couldn't even eat.  That was kind of a bummer.  You know how much I like free food.  We barely made it to the dinner lines, because we had to make good on a promise to go on the Star Tower, the slow rotating ride that takes you about 200 ft up.  They actually cut off the pizza line right as Isaac and I got there, but the man in front of us told them I was part of his family.  Even though I denied it, they let me go ahead anyway.  Isaac wouldn't have had anything to eat for dinner if they didn't let us in, since he usually doesn't or won't eat any meat. 

Isaac enjoyed meeting the characters and getting candy, too.  It seems like yesterday the older two did that, and now they've outgrown it.  He enjoyed meeting the characters and getting candy, too.  It seems like yesterday the older two did that, and now they've outgrown it.  But the boys got their fill of fun in.  Maybe Lucas not so much, since he is sort of at that in-between age where he feels too old for Planet Snoopy but too young and afraid for the bigger rides. 

Last year we brought Naomi's friend for a last bit of fun before she moved to Texas.  This year, two of Naomi's friends from church joined us.  They stayed for the free admission to the Haunt event (the 13 and over scary nighttime event).  I really did not want Naomi to go and had forbidden her in the past, but Manny took the girls.  The girls' parents were actually okay with it.  I hope it wasn't because they trusted our judgment.  I guess it worked out, because the girls stayed out of the haunted houses, and whenever people jumped in front of them, Naomi and her friend weren't really scared by it.  I think they took the approach of, "What do we have to fear?  It's all fake stuff."  Maybe that's not so bad when it comes to Halloween.  You can only protect your kids from the gory images so much, before you just say, God is bigger than that, it's not real, and there's nothing to fear.

I couldn't figure these guys out, but I think they are actually silicon wafers (computer chip wafers) dressed up.

Dippin' dots, the breakfast of champions.

Isaac was just a little bit short for this, but he was the only one game for the wing photo.

Snoopy and donuts--so cute and fun.

Manny and Isaac are in the center here of this fast swing ride.  Isaac having a blast, and Manny soon to be sick.

Up on the gondola ride.  These things always scare me, but I'm willing to go for the kids.

Put on his Flash costume for the festivities.  Isaac always gave a hug first.

Lucas on one of his favorite rides.

Isaac proud to be able to ride alone now.

Still one of Isaac's favorite.  There was a little girl dressed up as Supergirl in front of him, so they had the whole DC thing going.

We only got in line for three characters.  After that it was time for rides!

Isaac was upset, because I told him to keep his arms inside the ride.

First time on this mini drop ride.  He loved it.

Lucas and The Flash.  Naomi and her two friends were at the roller coasters.

I always have to take a photo with Snoopy!

Lucas decorated a cute pumpkin.  Isaac didn't want to leave the playground yet, but they closed this area, so Isaac was sad.  Lucas shared it with him when we got home.

This flying pumpkin ride is too slow for Isaac (just right for me), but our whole family can get on.

Meeting up with the girls.  Naomi got in line and picked up some capes for the boys.  Yay!  Isaac pretends his feet are little kitty cats, so he put on in the photo, too.

pumpkin patch:

We went to the Pumpkin Patch with some friends from the Moms (and Dad) group two Fridays ago.  I've had to pass up a few trips for the puppy, but this one would only be for a couple of hours, so he would be okay in the crate for that time.  We still had to leave early so I could get back to feed Nacho and let him out to go potty, but we had our fill there.  Plus, it was rather warm.  The last time I went I think was 7 years ago with Naomi and Lucas, and it was much colder then.  It was also far less crowded.  Since the drought, it's been quite warm.  And I guess schools come to the patch for field trips now.  We're seeing temps in the 80s still in October.  So, instead of being up for hot chocolate like last time, Lucas wanted a lemonade.  He didn't want to get a pumpkin, so I just a sugar pie pumpkin for Isaac.  I'm going to cook it and another pumpkin soon, so his little pumpkin family on the table will be no more.  We aren't carving or painting this year.  I'm just not up for it, but I am up for making pumpkin goodies.  Isaac was happy to see the sunflowers on the hay ride.  Sunflowers are his favorite flowers, and he hadn't seen huge stalks of them until this visit.  My boys are older than a lot of the other kids, so we were only together for a little while.  It's usually the same few families who participate in the outings.  I don't mind it, because I like smaller groups, but I know that it's sometimes disappointing for those who lead the groups or work hard and even spend funds to run the events.  Some of the events have a great turnout.  I just think it's just a matter of different families with different needs or priorities, especially in our area which is already a constant revolving door of people coming and going, moving in and moving away.  I've been here for over two decades now, and it still doesn't feel like "home."  But it is my children's home, and while I am much more choosy now about what we do, I do try to have special days like this when they can enjoy visits to neat places which will become a memory on which they can build.

My boys.

Giant tractor hay ride.

Look at those sunflowers!

Fun times with friends (missing four other kids in the photo).

Isaac picking a pumpkin.

Found one!

Being silly in the pumpkin.  Couldn't convince Lucas to get in with the little kids.  He's 10 now, so he's outgrown a lot.

cc weeks 6 and 7:

I don't have any photos from Week 6.  I think that was the week we got Nacho, and I was super tired.  But I made it through, and Isaac was very cooperative that day.  After Week 6, the community had a week off where we had Tutor Training.  The boys had to go with me, but they were very well-behaved the whole time.  Then we were on again with Week 7, which means that instead of visual art for Fine Arts, we are now learning how to play the tin whistle (kind of like how we learned recorder in elementary school, but sped up, and with 4- and 5 year-olds versus older ones).  I was a little apprehensive, but the kids were stellar students.  They got all the parts of the whistle down in no time, the positions, and everything else they were learning.  It helped to use a song to a familiar tune and a Simon Says game to teach them.  

Now that we are past the first six weeks, I am amping it up when it comes to review time with more complex games and focused review.  The kids are doing pretty well with it so far.  I change the games every two weeks.  I originally planned every four to six weeks, but I'm finding that I myself am too excited to try the next thing.  I will bring back the games later on in the year or when we're rained in.  

I don't know how other people feel about the lead learner approach with Classical Conversations.  It's true in homeschooling we often learn right along with our kids.  Latin, for example, is completely new to me.  But I think it is a huge advantage to me to have the background I do in history, music, math, and science.  Many times last year, the parents were questioning how to pronounce the historical or geographical terms or were unfamiliar with the music theory, and I was able to help.  I'm not saying I'm better, but I think it's crucial to get it right before teaching something.  I have learned a crazy amount about teaching through my experience as a tutor, and I do really enjoy it.  All that trivia in my head is finally being put to good use, I'm out of my comfort zone, and I am able to be creative with a flexible audience!  

Isaac presenting on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The director put out some bugs for our animal nature walk (since there aren't too many

 animals behind the building apart from birds sometimes flying over or ant colonies).  It was helpful for the kids to see some magnified details to record and draw.

Time for tin whistle!

misc (sunday school, nacho's vet visit):

Adding to my busy weekend, I taught Sunday School.  I didn't receive the material until Friday night, and I was out almost all of Saturday, so I had just Saturday night and Sunday morning to prepare (in a daze from another night of interrupted sleep), but it worked out okay.  I did a very easy craft.  The only issue was that Isaac wanted to stand by me during story time and refused to sit down with the other kids.  My helper took it over, and I took him to another room.  Thankfully he came around.  We returned in time for me to do the song, prayer, and craft.  

It's still a lot of work having a puppy where I'm doing almost all the caretaking, but it's getting a little easier each week.  Nacho had his first visit to the vet (with us) last week and got his shots and microchip.  He did not want to go into the vet's office at all.  I'd never seen him like that, refusing to come out of the crate and pulling away from me on the leash.  But then the assistant gave him a treat, and he was putty in everyone's arms.  They said he was really easy, and didn't even flinch during the shots or chipping.  They took him in the back for that, so I didn't see what went down.  They cut his claws for me, too, which I was so glad about.  I also had to pick up two types of medicine for him.  The parasite medicine is fine, but I'm a little concerned about Triflexis (a combo heartworm and flea medication).  I guess I'll monitor him and hope he's not one of the French Bulldogs that would have an adverse reaction.  

Isaac helping me set up the tables for snack.

Nacho likes the heat that comes out from under the fridge and will sleep there.  Not sure if that's safe,  so I make him go to his doggy bed.  Pardon our fridge from the early 90s on our tiles from the 70s.  I don't have much say in that.

Lucas enjoying his kale chips.  Yes, sometimes I give him fast food, too, and I won't let others make me feel guilty about that.  Everything in moderation, right?

The look Nacho gave me when I told him to go to his bed (and not my lap).

Isaac's soccer class with the bigger kids (he's the little one in the middle).

comic con:

I have not made it to a "major" comic con yet, but this is my second year going to a free one at the library, which is still very exciting to me (and hopefully less crowded).  Back in the day when I liked this stuff, there weren't that many kids let alone other girls who did.  It was considered something for nerds.  This is probably how I ended up with so many male friends at the time.  Thankfully, my best friend C. (still my best friend) also liked comics and anime and video games.  Now, it's quite common--probably thanks to Disney making a lot of things more mainstream--for kids to know these characters and movies.  Naomi and three of her friends went.  I drove one of them, and the other two came with their moms, so I talked to them for a while before going off to look at the exhibits.  I wasn't one of the tag-along moms.  I wore an old Captain America shirt.  Naomi borrowed my Chun Li shirt.  They had some really cool tees there, including several Asian-themed ones, but I didn't want to spend too much.  We were there for three hours.  I had things before and after, so we couldn't stay for the entire event.  Still, we had a lot of fun, and I got a break from the puppy and boys (thank you, Manny!).

Here we have Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, and more.

Cap and I go way back.

I recognize this character, but I don't know his name.  I liked the glowing eye.  If anyone knows, let me know!

I met Kaitlyn Dias, who voiced Riley from Inside Out.  She seemed really nice.  I had her sign a card to Lucas, since he really liked that movie.  

Leia and R2 taking a photo with Little Rey.

One of the fully-functioning vehicles that day to bring back some childhood nostalgia for me.  The interiors were decorated as well, and they had the lights flashing for some time.

A DeLorean like the one from Back to the Future.  I took a Boomerang video of the flux capacitor, but somehow failed to save it.

This Darth Vader was so hilarious.  He kept telling me to stop laughing.  Three Stormtrooper cosplayers passed by, and one of them said, "Hey, Boss!"

Who ya gonna call?

Girls taking a picnic break.

Animation demo by Ru Xu, a graphic novelist.

Me with a few other adults watching "R.O.D." (Read or Die).  I still like anime, though I'm out of touch with it and don't have time to watch much of anything anymore.  The girls were off with another mom.  Like I said, I was actually there for me.

The girls didn't want to take photos, but did it for Snorlax!

heir to the crown workout and meet-up:

I recently did a 30-day Revelation Wellness challenge to improve my physical and spiritual health.  It concluded with a cardio-fusion workout and meet-up last Saturday morning.  We watched the workout on a big screen this time and followed along with our usual instructor.  My favorite part of the workout has to be the fact that the instructor, an author, speaker, and former bodybuilder, quotes Scripture while we work out.  The second favorite part would be the drumsticks.  The movements remind me of Taiko drumming, which I've always wanted to do.  I can't at the moment, since the closest rec class is held on Sundays.  Plus, of course, I have the kids and dog to care for, but it's on my mental bucket list.  I have been falling behind in workouts due to my busy life with a new puppy, but hopefully I'll be back on track soon.  In the meantime, I do exercise as I go about my day and try to stay at least moderately active.  There's an app that takes you through a workout in 7 minutes, which is helpful as well, and Lucas will do those with me.

After the workout, I had another event to attend with Naomi and her friends, so I missed the main talk/lesson.  Nevertheless, it was a great time, and I got to enjoy some healthful snacks and meet a few people, including a grandmother who is a personal trainer.  She just came to work out for fun in between clients.  She was very fit, and it was intimidating being her partner during the workout, but she was as nice as can be.  She had to leave and isn't pictured in our group photo below.  Our instructor (not the founder one) is the same instructor who led my other workouts.  She is a friend and does this all for free, despite having three kids, including a baby, keeping her busy most of the time.     
I learned a lot about myself, a lot about God, through the 30-day challenge, and feel that I am recovering, re-creating, and restoring my mind, heart, and body.  There is so much wrapped up in the 30 days of exploring and treasuring what it means to be a daughter of God.  Their motto is Love God, Be Whole, Get Healthy, Love Others, and it really is a good reminder for my life right now, not identity through some political affiliation or racial lines or financial class or even as a wife and mother.  My identity in Christ comes first.

Group workout and meet-up.

Exhortations to strengthen us.

Book that goes with the study.

Healthful snacks prepared by our instructor.  She is amazing.  Peanut butter quinoa balls were so good!