It's Monday!!!

Monday was a wonderful day! I was awaken earlier than usual due to the notifications from the school that there was a one hour delay due to weather.  Since my boys are old enough to get themselves ready for school, once I delivered the message, I went back to sleep.  When I did wake up, I had to wake the youngest two up to begin our busy day.

The first stop was homeschool co-op.  This co-op began at the beginning of the school year, but I opted not to participate because I don't like classroom settings for my children. I am giving it a shot, because CJ really needs to get out the house and because they are having a science class and he loves science and physics.  Today was a little different though.  Class only met for about an hour, and then we all went to see a play.

This is the cast and some of the homeschool kids. 

This is Crystal decorating a leaf that she was supposed to leave on the wall, but she didn't want to leave it. LOL!

Here is Crystal with the cast.

The play was "Why Mosquitoes Buzz".  It was funny.  The children enjoyed it.  Afterwards, we stopped at the store for snacks and headed back to class.  Class time was over, so the children just ate and hung out for about an hour or so.

When we left the co-op, CJ suggested that we make lasagna for dinner. We stopped at Kroger, picked up food for lasagna, salad, and garlic bread, and went home and fixed it.  Shortly after, I took a quick nap and then it was off to the Y we went.  CJ had basketball practice at the same time Crystal had her first swimming class of the year.  What can I say, the girl is a natural.  The instructor taught her how to dive. She had no fear. She just did what she was told. She had to swim for her instructor, and I must say, she has really become a graceful swimmer.  I stayed with her the whole time so I didn't watch CJ's basketball practice.  By his account, we may be looking for a better fit for him in the sports department.  He's still young, so I will allow him to play whatever he wants at this age. At this age....my baby boy will be 10 on Wednesday.  I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday.

Overall, today was a wonderful, purposeful day. 

Late Night, Early Morning

     It has been 6 months since I last posted.  Those six months flew past.  There were many times when I wanted to post about exciting adventures or great news, but something else always grabbed my attention.  Tonight/this morning is the time for updates.

Mario, my oldest, has completed 3 years of public high school in 2 years. If he would have started high school on time, he would be graduating this year.  He decided to wait until he was 16 to start high school and now he is 17 and a junior.  He is on task to graduate next year at age 18! I am so proud of him.  In October, he got his first job (other than all the work he has done for me) at the movie theater.  He also obtained his learners permit in September, even though he has only driven twice since then. He has decided he wants to wait until he is 18 to drive. He has began to distance himself from the lovely girl that he was spending time with.  I am sad about it, but it is his life, so I keep my opinion to myself.  He is a good son and has a great head on his shoulders.  I just think she was a positive influence on him and the type of girl I would love to see my son with. Overall, I am very proud of him.

RJ, my not-so-gentle-anymore giant, is in the middle of his high school basketball season.  He is a freshman who plays JV and Varsity and he even got to start Varsity four times.  He is 6'6" and weighs about 245 lbs. This is his 3rd year in public school, and I am not happy at all with his grades.  Granted, this is his first year in high school, but he got four C's on his first report card.  He usually gets all A's and B's.  This is my child that gets me emotionally charged in not such a good way.  I love him dearly.  He is me in so many ways.  The only problem is, he is the me that I have worked so hard to change.  But I understand him so I love him with a special love. Some how, some way, I have to keep him from making mistakes I did. I thought I had life all planned.  Thank God I like challenges! BTW...his 15th birthday is in 6 days.

CJ is my main focus right now.  He will be 10 in 2 days.  He is the perfect mix of my two older boys.  He is my main focus, because he is home and he doesn't seem to be very happy right now.  It isn't his fault, I take full blame.  With my older boys, I always played board games with them and I always made sure they were signed up for plenty of activities.  They were always surrounded by other kids. I have not been the same way with CJ.  Life is different with the younger two.  They take a back seat many times.  I finally got CJ on a basketball team at the Y.  He doesn't know, but I also plan on taking him to a co-op that meets every other week.  Putting him in school isn't an option.  I have a good plan. I just need to stick to it.

Crystal is amazing.  She has taught herself how to read.  She kept using www.starfall.com and www.abcmouse.com, and by October, she was reading.  Now she is reading at a 3rd grade level.  I tried using www.reflexmath.com for her math, but she is clearly not ready.  I won't rush her. That is why I teach them at home.  When she learns to do math is not as important as her learning it when the desire is there to master it.  She is really into the Littlest Pet Shop right now. Tomorrow I will post a pic of the house she is building for her LPS animals.  She makes them clothes and she finds all kinds of neat things by watching Youtube.  She is a self-starter like I was at her age.  She is my breath of fresh air, because my none of my boys are that way.  I have to guide them through every thing. She has an idea, and she finds a way to make it happen. She got it from her momma! LOL!

Me, I changed the name of my business, because it is going in a new direction.  My business is now called Comforting Touch Mobile Massage.  I am now in search of 2 therapists that will work with me. We will now specialize in massage parties and also corporate massage. No more nickels and dimes.  I used to go to a home to do a 30 minute massage for $15. No more.  I have set new standards for myself.  I now have a website, www.comfortingtouchmobile.com.  I am really excited about the direction my business is taking.

Right now, I am planning a trip to Houston, TX.  Mario, RJ, and I are going to drive there for the NBA All Star basketball festivities.  We are all super excited about it.  We are leaving in 8 days.  At first I felt bad that I wasn't taking the little ones, but now I am ok with it.  My big boys and I are going to have a great time!

It is almost 3 am, so I guess I will try to get some sleep.  We are going to see a play in the morning.

A Fun-filled Weekend

On Saturday, CJ, Crystal, and I went to the Kentucky Horse Park.  It was fun. We had never seen horses perform in person.  Crystal even got the chance to ride a pony. The kids got their faces painted, and Crystal got her picture taken on a pony. CJ refused. He was worried that he may break the pony's back! LOL!!!

On Sunday, we all went to the church where Mario attends with his girlfriend.  They were having a dinner and a fun tent for the kids outside. I was so proud of all my boys because they all volunteered to help with running of the tent, set up, and tear down.  

Ballet Under the Stars

Today's highlight was taking Crystal to Ballet Under the Stars.  It was very impromptu.  I woke up from a nap at 7:30pm, looked in the Lexington Family Magazine for what was going on today, realized I highlighted the ballet which started at 8pm, and we went.  Of course, she now wants more ballet lessons. And I believe I will sign her up. A friend of mine sent me information on auditions for a children's choir today.  So, between gymnastics, ballet, choir, and piano lessons, I think her plate will be full! LOL!!
On another note, I am a massage therapist and I own a mobile massage business.  I am sooooo happy because my business is really picking up.  It will allow me to make twice the money I am making in half the time! My goal is to do at least 9 massages a week. That would be ideal for me.  What is really exciting is more of my clients are requesting that I massage their children.  That really excites me because I ultimately want to have a pediatric massage practice within a year. There is still so much for me to do, but I'm ready for the challenge!
I am so happy right now.....

Apple Camp Day #2

Today at Apple Camp, CJ and I edited his movie using iMovie and created his first film. It is only 90 seconds long, but it was really fun putting everything together.

Day 3 is on Saturday, August 11th. They will show all the movies the campers made. We wont make it, because we have a family gathering at Cumberland Falls. It's probably for the best though, because CJ won't even watch his own movie even though everyone keeps telling him how good it is.

Mommy/ CJ Day!!!

Sooooo, I woke up yesterday morning and my mother informed me that CJ had Apple Camp. She signed him up months ago and I had totally forgot. It was so cool! Here is a description of the camp:
          Apple Camp for Kids

At Apple Camp, kids ages 8–12 will learn the ins and outs of iMovie and how to make their own films. The free three-day session, held at the Apple Store, leads up to an Apple Camp Film Festival where campers debut their masterpieces.

Yesterday was the first day and they drew a storyboard, made their own theme music using Garage Band, and their homework was to film their movie.  Here are a few pics from the class....

I was so proud of CJ.  He tends to be painfully shy, but he jumped right in on creating his storyboard.  He changed it quite a few times, but it felt so good to see him using his imagination.

After camp was over, we went to lunch at Saul Good's restaurant and instead of crayons with the kids meal menu, they gave us these little wikki-stix. We asked for an extra pack, and decided he would use them in his movie. We talked about what he wanted to do for the upcoming "school year" (since we are unschoolers, we don't do "school" nor do we have "breaks").  It was a lot of fun. 

The next stop was Disc Replay. There is a wrestling video game he got about a year ago, but didn't get to play because it kept messing up. I took it to Disc Replay and for $1, they cleaned it. I offered to buy him an additional game since I only spent a dollar on him, but he refused. He said he just wanted his game and he wanted me to save my money because I might need it later.  :)

I love my baby boy!!!

Just Another Sunday

My eldest son, Mario, is unofficially dating (she can't have a boyfriend until she's 16) a girl whose grandfather is the pastor of a church.  He asked me last night if I would take him to church, so Crystal and I decided to attend the service too.  It was a good word.  He spoke on living your truth.  After church, Mario's friend left with us as we headed back to the Half-Price Book store with more 50% off coupons.  We also ate at Chipotle. When we got home, Crystal made perfume with the kit I bought her today at HPB. I thought the perfume was rather stinky, but she seemed to like it.  The rest of my day I will watch the Olympics and sleep.  Mario is reading the RL Stine book he bought, RJ is staying overnight at a friend's house, and the younger two are spending time with my mother (who lives with me).  I am in my room, alone, and happy :)