Hyancinth

In our glee of finding crocuses today, I also spotted a couple of wee hyancinths waiting to burst out with the joy that I felt today. My guess is that this photo is about 200x magnification of what was in our garden.

Quilt

I don't know why it is, but whenever I have started a quilt for the kids, it takes me years to get the project to completion. Yesterday, when I had the house to myself yesterday, I did a burst of sewing on Sofia's quilt-top. Here is a sneak peak of what it is going to become her quilt... hopefully sooner than later.

Random Updates

Well, life is running along here.

I wanted to let people know (if you read my blog - hi sister Lisa) that in our Christmas letter we mentioned that I was hoping to go back to school this coming fall. While I still have my sights on a higher degree, the time-frame and the direction have again changed. No sour grapes here. Just wondering about the path that I am on.

We optimistically watched more snow melt today. We have many green shoots pushing their way through the soil in our back yards. And the kids are enjoying bikes, scooters, and mud-puddle swings. Anna is even trying to get the courage to use her roller-skates.

So, there is my little newsie update.

Twice in one day

This quote has come across my path twice today: on a blog and in Sunday school.

Vocation... the place where our deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
-Frederick Beuchner

Research Paper for Homeschool

We are entering a season of research papers in our homeschool.

I had intended to do this with 9yo Caleb, and 6yo Anna has expressed interest in doing one too. I decided that I would also do a research paper, so that not only will I be telling Caleb what to do, but will be able to show him and walk through the process.

In a rather random way, I've ended up with a homeschool buddy whose son is also going to do a paper. What is most perfect is that she will read Caleb's work and I will read her son's work.

There are some phenomenal resources online to help with writing research papers. The primary source http://www.studentsfriend.com/aids/curraids/reports/report.pdf

Other resources that I have found:

http://www.infoplease.com/homework/t1termpaper1.html

http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/00_Introduction.asp

http://www.ipl.org/div/teen/aplus/

http://www.factmonster.com/homework/t2picktopic.html

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/writing.htm

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/research-papers/writing/2123.html

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/writing/index.asp?topic=Research

I'm hoping to keep posting on our progress as we go along. Our next stop on our journey will be a visit to my favorite local library.

from church this morning

During Lent at church, we are remembering some of our legacy as Methodists by studying John Wesley's Three Simple Rules. Pastor Arlene included this Wesley quote this morning, and I dolled it up to print out and keep it in front of myself and our family during our pre-Easter season.

Sofia turns four

Here is the cake that I made for Sofia's birthday... Can't quite get my head around the our 'baby' being four years old.

At the Recording Studio

Caleb and I got to go to the UMA recording lab this week to help our friend Pam with a class project. Isn't my budding musician so handsome?

My birthday - or - falling in love with my life

I woke up thinking in math terms. 4 times Caleb = 36. 12 times Sofia = equals 36. Anna times Anna = 36. And when Sofia turns 4 in 9 days, Caleb times Sofia will = 36. Seriously. That's what I woke up thinking. I had no idea a number could be so cool, but I have to tell you I am pretty excited about being 36. My MIL commented later, when I told her about this, that 36 squares are so fun to work with when you are quilting, too.

anyhow. I had a terrific birthday today. Thank you to everyone for you well-wishes and greetings. I felt so loved and blessed.

My day began with birthday cake in bed. Three kids and one husband came in at 6:30 with three HUGE whoopie pie's from Big G's. They gave me my presents (two very cool mugs) and we ate our birthday cake and drank coffee.

One of the things on my mind was that I wanted to spend the day celebrating all that God has given me, and that meant, on a practical level, playing with the kids.

When I got up, the girls and I made a super-duper marble run.

Marc's mom and Dad called to sing Happy Day.

My Dad called to say Happy Birthday.

Then we went out to play in the snow. Boy is it deep! I only made a few slide runs before I was soaked to the bone and cold, but I love playing in the snow. This summer I am going to watch for snow-pants and long john's in my size so that I can play without getting so cold next winter.

Anna reminded me, as we were agreeing how cold we were, that I needed to get a new license. My drivers license expired today. So, we all got ready to go to Augusta (about 20 miles south) to go to DMV and renew my license. I know what you are thinking. DMV with three kids?! DMV with three kids on your birthday!? Well, I prayed all the way. The kids were great and patient, we only had to wait a half hour, and the man that served me stopped what he was doing and sang Happy Birthday to me.

Got a message from Marc's sister and her husband singing Happy Birthday, and telling us that their baby (19weeksold) is a boy! Yay for Caleb, a little boy to have around!

As a thankyou to the kids for being such good sports about the DMV trip, we got McDonalds for lunch. This is not necessarily my favorite thing to eat, but I have to admit that I love the immediate 'super-hero' status that I achieve with the kids when I turn in at the Golden Arches.

We came home and indulged in some HGTV while we ate (okay, I indulged, the kids endured). Sofia and I took an unplanned nap snuggling under a flannel blanket on the couch.

Woke up and played with my watercolors.... haven't done that for a while and have been wanting to recently.

Then it was time for a babysitter to come so Marc and I could go to a tango class sponsored by a group that we are involved with in town. Had fun at the social. Really appreciate the people that we have gotten to know in Waterville.

After dancing we went to You Know Who's Pub, where our friend Raffi was playing acoustic guitar. I sat in the pub with my best friend and listened to some terrific music, and was just overwhelmed with how full my life is.

Message from brother wishing happy birthday (and bragging about warm weather).

I am falling in love with my kids, my husband, and our little city. I love being in Maine (right now) and I am full of anticipation about what this next year of my life will hold. I can't believe I get to live this life.

Valentines Cheesecake

This is the most involved cheesecake I have ever made (I've been making them for about ten years). It is a dark chocolate cheesecake (recipe found at Diana's Desserts). I finished with the decorating this morning, and can't wait to eat it at our Valentines Dinner with our friend Pat and Sarah.

Happy Valentine's Day!