Simple Woman's Daybook

For October 20, 2008...

Outside my Window...it's crisp and sunny...just gorgeous. I think it's warmed up substantially since William took the dog out this morning and came in squealing, "Break out the cocoa and crank up the fire--I can see my breath!!"

I am thinking...about birthday and Christmas gifts. I know it's time to break out the holiday planner when my brain starts whirring like this. It's just too much for me to keep straight between now and the end of the year.

From the learning rooms...We're already on Week 6 of Adventures?! Will will be covering New Netherland/New York in colonial times for history and Jesus the Bread of Life in Bible. I need to find a glass Coke bottle for the yeast experiment in science. (Yay--a trip to Wegman's!) Katie's letter of the week is X (with a minor in "K" at her insistence) so we'll be looking at foxes and reading the pertinent Aesop fables.

I am thankful for... Ray Bearden.

From the kitchen...I'm in the mood for chicken and rice for dinner. I don't feel like anything fussy.

I am wearing...black sweats and a blue shirt. And honestly, it just feels wrong. I need to unpack my warmer red shirts.

I am reading... Stand Up For Your Life by Cheryl Richardson. I've been allowing far too many little irritations to drain my energy over the last year. This book is great inspiration for clearing out what you don't want in your life to make room for more of what you do want.

I am hoping...to really connect with some key people this week.

I am creating..."page kits" for the many, many scrapbook pages I hope to complete in Massanutten.

I am hearing...Katie is talking to herself ("Oh my goodness, what happened here? The twins should always sit together! I think we should call the FBI." I couldn't make this stuff up if I wanted to.) Will is asking me if I've seen his arrows. Now Katie is singing a song about the "F! B! Eye-eye-eye-eye!"

Around the house...laundry is already humming along. I want to run the vacuum through the living room and school room after lunch. If I have enough apples, I would like to make apple pie jam this afternoon.

One of my favorite things...when Scott laughs.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...No activities scheduled (beyond the typical swimming, TaeKwonDo, ballet, writers' workshop and church) but I'm in the mood to check out a museum or something in D.C. Will still wants to revisit the pumpkin patch. (Big maybe on that.)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Scott (my third child) rough-housing with Will on the giant beanbag (nicknamed the Tumor). When Scott lands, it launches Will about three feet in the air. A good mother would not let them do this.

Please visit Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman, to read more Daybook entries.