September 25, 2009~Friday

I have a little night owl (Anna)keeping me company, so as she colors at the table, I am going to blog!! Maybe I should make myself a cup of tea...no. I will refrain!
Today was a bit rainy and gloomy when we awoke but refreshing after such a hot day yesterday. I started the laundry ad tidied the kitchen, then went to help Travis milk the cow. Meanwhile Emily watched the little ones and Ben unloaded the dishwasher.
We had a lot of laundry to fold, so Emily and I did that while Ben started on his math work(he is reading The Life Of Fred and thoroughly enjoying it). The Life Of Fred is a "math" book unlike any you have ever seen!
I confess to popping some Pillsbury caramel rolls into the oven. They were a .99 special at Sharp Shopper, and they were quite tasty!
Ben, Oliver, and Sam cleaned out the chicken barn and put fresh straw in all the nesting boxes. Oliver discovered 22 eggs in the hay barn! We are getting ready for some more chickens that a friend is giving us.
I helped Emily start a blog of her own, and she was busy with that for a while. When the boys came in we had lunch and got ready to go in town. We left for town at @ 3:00. Ben, Emily, Oliver, and Sam had choir practice. They are learning to sing Gregorian chant with a wonderful young man who has volunteered his time to teach the youth of the church!
After choir practice we went to some dear friends' home for delicious Butternut squash soup and homemade bread. We then went back to church for the St. Francis Novena which began tonight. After the Novena, we returned to the Adams' where the children performed a play for us. It was hilarious!
John Paul was attending a football game, and Will was at a friend's house, so we were in different directions tonight. I brought the little children home, and Travis went to pick up John Paul. He had a great time. Busy, Busy, Busy. I do love this quiet time at night.

September 20, 2009~ Sunday

We went to Mass at 11:30. Before Mass, the children had their first CCD classes. I had planned to drop them off, but Mary Margaret was feeling hesitant(to say the least). I ended up staying the whole time in class with her. Every time the teacher called on her, MM cried and buried her face in my skirt. Fortunately, towards the end of the class she began to enjoy being there. I think if I sit with her until she feels comfortable she will really end up enjoying the class.She already said she can't wait to go back!

After church we had two games: Ben's football game and John Paul's soccer game. Ben's team played his friend John Henry's team so Maggie (John Henry's mother and a dear friend of mine) and I had a chance to talk. Unfortunately, the kids were all fussy and worn out from our morning at church. The game was an exciting one, and we ended up losing by one touchdown.

After Ben's game I went home with Anna, and Travis stayed with the other children to watch John Paul's game. I used some of the time to organize a little "school" for 'Oliver and under.'

I took a big plastic box and filled it with school supplies, books, and crafty things. My plan is to spend an hour or two wit the little ones each day, reading and doing little projects together. As I write this in retrospect, the first morning went very well! We read some fun stories and then made decorated 'leaves.' The children were happy, and I was satisfied. In years past I have wanted to something like this for the little ones, but I just thought I could squeeze it in somewhere. I now realize that I have to plan the activities or they don't happen!

Back to yesterday! Travis came home and was disappointed that I didn't have dinner going yet. Whoops! So we had a good-in-a-pinch dinner: french toast and eggs. When dinner was over, Travis went to pick up ill from work, John Paul and I milked the cow, and Ben cleaned the kitchen. I read to the children(from a Little House Book) And ended up falling asleep in their room.

September 18, 2009 Friday

How is that for a captivating title? I'm afraid there might be more of that if I continue to chronicle our daily happenings. So if you would like to read a miniature Smithdeal family form Christmas letter every day, your wish has been granted.(nightmare?) Seriously, I can see how this could really bore folks, so if you see an ingeniously titled post with the date on it, you can skip over it to something more interesting ( I know you felt like you needed my permission to do that....) I am doing this for the benefit of our family and to aid my ever-growing -more -feeble-memory.
Here is what we did today:

Travis was finishing up the shelves for the Elkins. He came home @ 10 AM to pick up Ben (so that Ben could help) and to pick up some tools.
Emily and Oliver were at the Willsons' at a horse show. Will and john Paul were in school.
Sam, MM, Tommy, Anna and I cleaned up the yard and put away the books we got at the Staunton library book sale.
Collin came over with feed for Penny.
After school, Will went to work, and John Paul went to a football game.
I made a fire outside for the little children and we cooked beans, corn , potatoes, and sausage. Delicious. After the kids went in I had fun (like old times) making sparks on sticks and doing a "light show." I smell like a hotdog.