Thursday, August 30, 2012

One Down

nine more to go.

Here is a sneak peek.


I had this brilliant idea. Instead of me writing in the boxes each lesson or pages Josh needs to do each day I thought he could write the days lesson or pages he completed. He already knows to do one lesson per day or how many pages to read so it might save me some redundant work but also keep him on track. He is pretty self motivated when it comes to his schooling. Some of the other kids need a little more direction.


A tip with using Sonlight. Hate reading out loud? I kind of do. I can not sit still for more than two minutes with kids huddled around me reading them a book before claustrophobic feelings swoop in. What I do is have the kids read a Sonlight core a few grades below their grade level so they can read the 'out-loud' books themselves. It has worked for years and years. I also have about 6 different Sonlight cores being used at one time because of number of kids needing the books. I also stagger the kids who are using the same core as another sibling. Not all the kids like Sonlight. I have three who would rather read a literature book and answer questions in a notebook than read Sonlight books. So they do that.

I do not have the kids read all the books listed or do all the memorization stuff. I highlight the books I want them to read.


Ah, the States. I started this last year but never got past the first week. Never too late to start over.


This is a fun pile of books. The rest of Josh's school books are in his room.


and totally cool!!!

I found ten different composition writing tablets for the ten I am writing schedules for.


Tomorrow it is onto Anya, Naomi, and hopefully Grant's schedules.

~~~~~~~~

Funny.

Do you notice the pretty light switch plate on the table by the composition books? Based on the picture and the fact that I posted about the light switch yesterday you can deduce that it was actually yesterday that I created this post.

Elementary, my dear Watson.

So tomorrow you will have to see what actually I got done tonight!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

A Treasure Found

Jeff came across this old light switch in a box labeled 'free' somewhere around Waseca.

He snatched it up before anyone else could because he knew I would love it.

I was SO pleased!!

I do LOVE it!!


Now I am sorry My Little Pony, it has been swell saying goodnight to you for all this time but it is time for you to move on.

I know you were put there by sweet little Lily...

Gee, don't look at me with those sad pony eyes.

No, my mommy heart is not made of stone but you need to move on.

OK, you do not have to share your Christmas presents with me.

Yes, I will miss you.

I will think of you often.

I promise.


This is pretty!!

It has the perfect vintage garden look.


Now I wonder how long it will be before one of My Little Pony's sticker friends shows up compliments of my sweet Lily Pie...

and Jeff,

YOU MAJORLY ROCK!!!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Personal Property: Do Not Use

unless you store your pictures on mom's computer.

Ok.

Technically this is not 'mom's computer'.

It is the family one but it is just in mom's room.

My real 'mom's' lap top is in for repairs.

Expensive repairs.

I am saving up to bring my precious back home.

So this computer is temporally mom's computer.

"How can that be!" the peanut gallery shouts.

Well, because...because I am the mom.

So all picture are fair game...

And on mom's blog they go.

P.S.

As these pictures below show

Messing with the Frye boys will only lead to pain.

Much pain.

You mess with one

You mess with all.

Just a friendly warning.

I do not want to say "I told you so".

now boys the tuff thing only works if you don't smile...







Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Hunt Continues?

No More!!

Well, I gave up on looking for the printer/copier cord.

~sigh~

Jeff hunted around for a new cord and found one at Radio Shack

but it did not work.

Maybe the printer did not work?

It worked a few weeks ago.

When I had the cord.

~sigh~

It was not in the budget to buy a new printer/copier.

~sigh~

Some helpful person suggested I write the schedules by hand...

~What?~

I could have a few years ago but not anymore.

Um...

Let's see...

Ten children I was to write a weekly schedule for.

Up to eleven subjects (depending on the child) for a five day school week.

Twelve weeks per each child.

PLUS a second Sonlight reading schedule for about half of the ten and some of other more independent school children.

I am not real good at math but I figure it adds up to about a zillion schedules.

Ha.

It was NOT a quiet evening at our house.

That was a night to give the neighbors something to gossip about.

Today, Jeff brought home a copier/printer from Goodwill.

It was only ten dollars!

Yeah!

BUT

It did not work!

Gee whiz!

ARG!!!!!

But guess what!!!????

The cord on the Goodwill printer works on my printer with the lost cord!!!!

WE ARE IN BUSINESS!!!!!

You are my printer hero, Jeff.

I almost forgot about your 'helpful' suggestion the other day.

But I do think the neighbors will gossip about this one for years.

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mom

Happy Birthday Ekie!!!


Happy 11th birthday Ekie!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We had a 'small' group tonight for part of Ekie's celebration.

Ha ha!

Yes!

In most families eight kids is a biggish birthday party.

Here at our house it is a quiet vacation.

But the absence of the older kids did not mean less love for Ekie!

The seven bigger kids came just in time to eat cake.

Their timing was 'spot on'!





Grace in her birthday clothes from Grandpa and Grandma.


Ekie in her birthday outfit from Grandpa and Grandma.


Mom's (that's me!) outfit for Ekie. She is SO fun to buy for!


Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Sunday, August 26, 2012

What Do You Think of That!

I am pleased.

Yesterday at the Farmers Market I sold seventeen out of the 18 breads I made.

That was nice!

I also sold (at the Farmers Market) this cute dress I made last week!


Little by little thanks to some kind individuals and our Farmers Market sales Grant is getting closer to his Ghana mission trip financial goal!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Still Looking...

for my printer cord.

I guess it just disappeared into thin air.

So if it looks like I am just procrastinating with the school planning

I am not.

Really.

Honest.

It is the printer cord.

I think the dog ate it.

Oh.

That is right.

We do not have a dog.

Well, I still have the weekend.

No need to panic yet.

On to my dresses!

These are the two I made tonight.

This first one is a size 2-3 so as you see it it a little small for Lily but it is SO cute!!!



It is a kind-of light green taffeta with black velvet textured designs.




I LOVE it.

It was a remnant I bought somewhere so it was only long enough to make a small toddler size.

Can you imagine it with a black long sleeve shirt and tights?

Very pretty.


Here is the one I made with the fabric from the garage sale I mentioned yesterday.

This is a size 5-6 so it is a little big for Lily.


It would work well as a summer dress or a winter dress with something under it.


I know the ribbon that I put around the bottom is black and not blue. I would have preferred blue but it works I think. The flash makes the black/blue contrast a little greater that what it really is.


P.S. imitation crab meat is one of the best imitation things ever created. Just thought I would mention that.

P.S.S. If you want to witness me sounding very stupid come to my house 'all official' looking with a clipboard and ask me political questions.

Just leave my earshot before you start laughing hysterically please.

I cry easily...


Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

A Group of Angels

I sold my last four yards of cute Heidi Grace angel fabric last week in my Esty fabric shop.

Pretty cool!!

I had a scrap smidgen left.

In hind sight, I could have just sent it along to the customer instead of cutting it off the four yards she bought. I did not think of that at the time.

But since I had already cut it I thought I could use it in a skirt!

I added a little of this.

I added a little of that.

And walla!

An original,one of a kind little girls skirt!!


Very sweet.


I also had enough of this fun orange floral fabric leftover from some sundresses I made to make two identical skirts.


I thought this lace trim added to the hem was all this skirt needed.


I bought this fabric this past weekend at a garage sale for the Waseca Marching Jays.

It was only 25 cents! I think it will make a super pretty girls dress.


This dress will be my Wednesday night sewing goal.

I will see if I can get it done. Jeff and Elena will be going to a Manic Drive concert in Austin tonight so I might have to make this my Thursday evening sewing goal.

We will see!

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Fish and Corn

What a special treat this meal was!

Thanks once again Barney's!!


Fish, corn, and bread compliments of Barney's.

I seriously could eat this meal every night.


Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

P.S. The ring suckers and licorice ropes were a hit!!!

Monday, August 20, 2012

School Schedule Planning?

Um...

Well...

I can not find the printer cord so I am at a school schedule planning stand still.

It is around somewhere.

I think.

Fortunately for me, I know where the sewing machine cord is.






Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Helpers

My helpers mixing


The loaves


My secret sample

Shh...don't tell

I do not really want to share.

Very tasty!


Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Friday, August 17, 2012

Two Up and Coming Chefs

The girls ate well tonight!


Grilled pizza sandwiches



Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

More Time Please...

I will see what I can create with these combos

I have a few ideas...




But so little time




To be continued...

Warmly, A Dragonfrye Mommy