http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams Live Simply ~ Laugh Often ~ Love Deeply Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:49:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Nathan, Emma and I just watched this excellent video on the recommendation of Danielle Bean.  It is well worth your time! (In case you're wondering what happened to Gregory, he watched the first couple minutes then wandered outside to play.  Can I tell you how wonderful it is to have outdoor ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/27/a-video-to-watch/ Our first week of school is going very well.  I'm really pleased with how things are progressing, and even though we're doing a lot more, it seems to be going much more smoothly.  Emma is also enjoying school a lot more now, and likes having the additional subjects (namely history, ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/27/first-week-of-school/ In case any of you are wondering, I've decided to forgo the money (and the hassle, testing, meetings, and paperwork) from the state and do our own thing this year.  We won't be joining one of the local homeschool charters, rather we'll be filing an R-4 and establishing a private ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/22/charter-decision/ We've moved and mostly settled in, and all is well.  We're very busy though, and I think we're only going to get busier.  We start school on Monday, and Matt and I are stepping up the pace on house projects...  and then there's still a baby to be cuddled and ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/20/were-here/ Last night I absent-mindedly did something and it turned out to be quite a painful experience.  I had broiled a frittata in the oven and taken it out to cool on the stove.  I was about to cut a kiwi for the kids and was thinking about what else I would cut ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/13/ouch/ Just a few more days until our move.  The packing is going well, and I've started doing some cleaning as well.  We'll be moving on Saturday, then I'll come back on Monday or Tuesday and finish the cleaning.  The carpet is scheduled to be cleaned on Wednesday morning and then ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/12/just-a-few-more-days/ I just read The Milkman, by Carol Foskett Cordsen and illustrated by Douglas B.Jones, seven times in a row to Gregory.  I think he likes it.  And better yet, I like it too.  It has a nice rhythm to the rhyme, the illustrations are fun (a sort of 50-ish advertising ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/08/the-milkman/ Emma had her last day of swimming lessons today (and she can do something that looks something like the freestyle stroke now - yay Emma!) and I brought a picnic lunch for after her lesson.  As I sat on the grass watching the kids, Emma and Gregory decided I needed a ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/07/crown-of-what/ The two things I like least about the whole post-partum period (and when exactly does that period end? Hmm) are the residual pregnancy weight and the emotional ups and downs.  The weight part is frustrating me right now because I've been at the same weight for almost two weeks.  It ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/08/07/post-partum/ If I have to ask the question, the answer probably is yes, isn't it.  Here's the situation.  My sister is getting married on September 20th.  It is a rather un-traditional wedding and will take place at a private campground 30 minutes outside of Willits, CA.  (Those of you unfamiliar with ... http://vanderbrew.com/rutabagadreams/2008/07/31/too-ambitious/