Puzzling

     So we got out our one puzzle, as an effort to have some family time, without TV or wrestling (Earth day and all).  As it turns out, however, Aaron has a huge addiction to puzzles and he is a wizard with them.  The first night as I was cleaning up dinner or putting the kids to bed, or some helpful task, he and Ian went from gathering the pieces for the edge to having them all put together.  I was devastated!  I wanted to help. Ha ha!
     I lost interest then, feeling overwhelmed by the 1500 piece picture of South Africa, Blue water and scenes of the Big 5.  Aaron kept on.  He could not be pulled away to play with Benji downstairs.  The next day he sat there when he got home from work, and could not keep from plugging pieces in one by one, planning his strategy and executing it with precision.  On Saturday I lay reading the Scarlett Letter on the couch across from him, and he asked, "Aren't you going to help?"
"I don't really want to..." I answered honestly.  "Isn't my reading next to you like being together?"
"I wanted to do it together!"
"No thanks."  He never missed a beat while we spoke.
     A few days later I began picking up a few pieces as I would pass by.  Then one night Aaron was downstairs playing with the boys and I couldn't stop, I powered together the big 5 and was heading for the continent when I heard Aaron coming up the stairs, running late for a meeting.  Yikes!  Uh--dinner!  That night he ate and ran.  Oops!

Castle

The show Castle on abc is my one show I watch devotedly. As well as Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I enjoy Jamie's take on food very much & met him in South Africa as the Naked Chef. I have to close my eyes during opening credits as they show some grisly bodies. I love the interplay between Castle and Kate.

The Scarlett Letter

I somehow managed to escape the Scarlett Letter in school. Which is fine by me. I just finished it on Saturday. I cannot imagine having to read that in Jr. High, or maybe even High School unless in an AP class.
The plot and twist were interesting, but the minister was not very believable as a character. And the fact that the woman willingly stays in a place where she is degraded is weakness in my mind instead of strength. The freakiness of little Pearl, is disturbing and perpetuated, I think by her Mother's overdone seamstress work.

So Much Life!

So much has happened since I was last able to post. We emerged out of unemployment, but have yet to get our first paycheck. Aaron is filled with spending dreams after many months of saying "no" to ourselves. Dave Ramsey is keeping us in check. I reserve my generous nature, in secret anticipation that we may yet be in our predicament again.
I think I have always been a saver. I bought candy with all my allowance at times, like the next kid, but over all I have always felt the need to collect my money for something truly deserving. I love to be generous to friends in need or projects I resonate with, my generosity is in fact only matched by my stinginess at perceived waste of resource.
I hoped a bit, in our season of preparing to move, for new adventure--however trying. I am almost at peace again to stay completely. The casualties of the mad packing rush bear testament to my fervor. A return address stamp ($18), a set of rechargeable batteries ($6) and a Thomas DVD ($15). I do apologize for this--waste in its own right. The latter two were inadvertently sold with a $1 DVD player at our garage sale. AHHH! Could be worse, but not for a four year old. Who occasionally remembers with fresh intensity of tears.
My hope is certainly renewed, and I am thankful, each day is filled with so much life: choices, difficulties and at the very least at the end of the day sweet repose! What more could I ask for? Yea-even the chance at a new tomorrow.

Internet Academy

First day slogging through orientation, which is all text on a white background of steps to get started. Then a quiz (open site) on the steps.

Waiting and "refreshing" to get our submission back with comments so we can start classes which also haven't popped up. I finally call it a day and we do writing and a math worksheet.

Family Meetings

We have had several successful family meetings lately.

1. Meal behavior expectations
2. After school til bedtime schedule
3. Chores aka helping out Team Royce

I think it is essential to consultant parenting, with the stipulation that parents can over rule in the end. Then when the newness wears off we can point to the document and it is holding up--each of our signatures bearing witness to our agreement.

The Sneaky Chef

I have been using the cookbook The Sneaky Chef to get vegetables and other super foods into my kids, particularly one kid. And it is working, but I am also noticing that I am feeding them more chocolate chips to hide my veggies... hmmm, net health benefit?

Turkey burgers are the current family favorite, most other foods get the verdict (even if he liked it), "It's okay but I'd only want it--once a week/month" etc. In other words, please don't ask me to eat this leftover.

Because I ask for his feedback on food Benji seems to think I will actually adhere to his specs. He is surprised when after a tiring day meatballs from a previous meal reappear in Spaghetti, when he specifically allotted them a once a month status and he is eyeing the family meal agreement with disdain.