Simple Woman's Daybook

For today Tuesday August 24, 2010.

Outside my window...the world is winding down, cooling off, and settling in for the night.

I am thankful for...prayerful friends.

Around the house...2 babes lay sleeping, 3 cats are prowling, and a to-do list is awaiting.

From the kitchen...freshly ground wheat flour is soaking (fermenting) on the counter in preperation for cream cheese pastries that will be made tomorrow. A glass jar of kombucha likewise is fermenting yet another tasty culture.

I am reading...Teaching Montessori In The Home by Elizabeth G. Hainstock and Montessori Play and Learn by Leslie Britton. I thought we were already a pretty Montessori friendly household but this book has provided ample ideas that I am currently implementing that will make Savannah even more independent (read: my life easier ;). And suprisingly there is insight for Archer's age as well.

I am creating...peace and order around the house, a candle-lit chandelier to go over the table on my back porch, and a schedule for our 2 new co-op groups.

I am going...to bed eventually tonight!

One of my favorite things is...neatly trimmed, clean, unpainted toes. Most people are appaled by toe nails in the nude peaking out of sandals. But I think it's simply sexy.

A few plans for the rest of the week...carpool (I have finally reached soccer mom status with the typing of that word. Maybe I will wear heels tommorrow to compensate ;)and a trip to Dallas with the kids to visit family. Poor Mark has to stay at home.

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

The End of an Era

I have spent the last five years on a glorious adventure full of travel, family, and discovery with Savannah. As a stay at home mom we had opportunities to travel year round and during the week when things are less crowded, in seasons where temperatures are pleasant, and time is not an issue.

Here are just a few of our stops along the way.

Horseback riding with Mr. Ed

One in numerous trips to Colorado

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dinosaurs at The Heard

Train adventures

The Texas State Fair

Hanging out with grandparents and great grand parents

Visiting cousins

Extended Christmas breaks

Fun shows

Field trips

More trains

Chicago

Museums

Discovering history

And making dreams come true

And the list goes on with play dates with good friends and fun locations, lots of time spent traveling to see cousins, grandparents, and great grand parents. But this era ends this week with the onset of kindergarten. I know "onset" makes it sound like a disease that has come upon our family but it is life altering. I had no idea when I started on the journey of parenthood that the preschool years would be so enchanting. Every adventure held new ideas for Savannah to explore, creatures to discover, cultures to embrace, and history to experience. So, there is a hint of mourning at the thought of her education occurring somewhere else. And for the sake of honesty I'll admit there is a bit of mourning for the loss of the lifestyle I have grown to love that is now at the mercy of someone else's schedule.

Archer I fear will have a much different experience through his preschool years. We will be home now and there is a chance that he will not get to know his cousins that live far away as well. And he will not have the sweet memories of spending the night at his great grandparent's house as often. Memories that Savannah and I share. Will he learn as much through just a couple of trips a year relegated to summer and spring break?

Such thoughts leave me tempted to yank Savannah out of school and hit the road with curriculum in tow. But the truth is we love her school. She thrives in this school beyond my expectations.

So, I don't know how this year will play out. And I don't know what my new life will look like. But I do know we are where God wants us to be and that is all I really need to know.

My Little Man

About Archer:
He enjoys walks on the beach, mountains, cities, in the country, neighborhoods, and anywhere else you are willing to take him.
His favorite way to spend his day is outside and he is not the least bit affected by 105 degree weather.
His hobbies include swinging on the front porch swing with his family, singing Kindermusik songs with mom, giggling at his goofy sister, and devouring new-found table food.
His dislikes include cutting his latest tooth and being woken up in the nursery at church by another crying baby.
His current goal in life is to catch one of the cats wondering around the house and get their fluffy body into his mouth much to his mother's disgust.
For more information on this handsome little man check out his facebook page. JK ;)

Creative Cowgirl

Savannah made a cowgirl outfit from a fisherman's hat she picked out in Jefferson for a cowboy's hat, a Princess Leia belt redesigned as a cowgirl belt, Snow White gloves as work gloves, and work boots as cowboy boots. She was very proud of self-made costume. She only wished we had cowgirls here in Texas.

Perhaps I should spend a little less time educating her on foreign cultures and bring our education local! We will be visiting a cowgirl museum in Fort Worth soon to mend this failure on my part.