Creativity
I don't know who thought of this scout activity, but it's really good. Each boy receives a raw egg and wraps it in their choice of materials to protect it. When the egg is dropped from quite a height, the boy finds out if he's kept the egg safe or not. Here's the image of Peter's egg making the journey. It didn't break!
It's Tough Being a Bona Fide Swedish Princess!
Recuperation
Monday, my day off, has meant sleep during the last many weeks. But today I have the energy to be active. Yay! It's a real treat to allow myself a day with very few "have-to's."
Anniversary Meal
This Monday, September 23, marks the fifth anniversary of Peter's adoption. Last August 18 was the 8th adoption anniversary for the other five children. Because this year is five years for Peter, we chose to celebrate closer to his date, and last night the children prepared a festive Ukrainian meal.
Paul baked bread and made varenyki, which are dumplings filled with potato or sauerkraut. Adam deep-fried some delicious potato pancakes, while the girls prepared multiple plates of crudite. David's job was the punch, which isn't Ukrainian, but is a tradition at special events in our family. Its hallmark is the floating pomegranate seeds. Peter helped set the table, since he arrived shortly before the meal started because of participation in his first-ever cross-country meet.
Jonathan had shopped earlier in the day (between teaching classes!) in Ukrainian Village near the Loop. He bought several desserts, cabbage rolls, and pickled herring (which many children chose to eat first).
After some very difficult months, it was rewarding to spend a pleasant evening with good friends and family. The children reveled in the event, as often happens when we serve Ukrainian foods.
Better Design
For a long time, we would ask the children in turn to clear the dishes after supper. Starting with Paul, we'd work down the kids by age. The problem was that someone was invariably gone to a game or music lesson, and would therefore be skipped. It was difficult to keep track of whose turn was next, and every time the meal ended, the children would argue vehemently that it wasn't their turn to clear.
Recently we assigned each child to a specific day of the week. Anyone who misses their turn clears on Sunday. I wish we had done this years ago. Haven't had a fight over dishes since the new system began.
Bottle Band
The St. Luke's Bottle Band performs at our church tomorrow evening, one in a series of events celebrating our church's 100th anniversary. Paul Phillips, the director of the group, asked me to participate as a guest violinist. I've followed the Bottle Band for years, and it's very rewarding to have an opportunity to perform with them.
It's been a long time since I played my violin, but the skill has returned enough that I will do an adequate job tomorrow night. Like many other activities that were easy in one's youth, it feels odd to have difficulties with something so familiar.
As a teenager, I waterskied well enough to do slalom. My older boys don't believe me, since I can't get up on TWO skis now. Fifty extra pounds and weak arms don't help! And the challenge now for playing violin is the bane of most people over 40--bifocals!
Another Blog
My sister-in-law also writes a blog. Her post today is amazing. Check it out:
http://sticksstonesnpaperstew.com/2013/09/12/youre-not-supposed-to-be-in-the-house/
An Old Axiom
Over the years, I've often heard parents say that their teenagers are rude at home, but perfectly friendly with non-family members. Well, it's TRUE!
Finding Calm
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green. He leadeth me,
the quiet waters by.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
The quiet waters by.
- to BROTHER JAMES' AIR
Pesky Stuff
Our house generates mounds of stuff every week--mail, school papers, recycling, clothes, dishes, etc., etc. I've figured out how to handle most of it, but one category still stumps me. Those pesky little items that don't have a home, but don't lay flat like papers can. For example, a lone button for a coat, too large to lie flat. Or a pair of old dance shoes that can be given to another family with a younger child. Or a broken cell phone that appeared in our house that no one will admit to taking.
I've heard that a junk drawer works for this stuff, but we don't have a spare drawer available. Any other ideas? I'm good at handling the flat papers, but the three-dimensional objects are a pain!
