Fat Tuesday

Manny was so geeked about having pazcki's for breakfast this morning ( and probably a little geeked up on the sugar, as well:) They are a "Fat Tuesday" tradition. We were writing letters for our pretend mailbox and he felt inspired to write "donut" on one, so he went and got the box of pazcki's to find out how to spell it. Works for us. ;) A pazcki is the epitome of a donut in my book.

We found this book at the library yesterday. Substitute "Ruth" for "Sarah" and you could have "Ella Ruth ( one of Gabriella's nicknames :) Gets Dressed". This book fits her to a "t" right down to the tea party at the end. :)
You gotta love it when your 3 yo is at Target and has no interest in looking at toys, just the clothes department. ;)

Daybook, February 14, 2010

Well, snowmen don't really HAVE to be white. ;)


George and Manny. Snow bathing?

Snow Angels!

We probably got about 6 inches.


Outside my window: Cloudy and cold. It's February!

I am thinking....Having lots of thoughts about Germany, lately. Probably comes from concordantly watching a documentary called "Kindertransport", listening to a book on cd about Jewish families in Italy during WW2, and reading a book about "Grand Duchess Elizabeth" of Russia, who was German. Whenever I read or watch things about the holocaust, or some of the other nutty things Germany imposed upon humanity, I start to get a despairing feeling about having German heritage. Maybe I am thinking too much about this, but is there some sort of defective gene that has this race takes things to extremes? Could I participate on a similar level in some sort of atrocity simply by being genetically too blind to the truth? In my own sense of right? Hmmm, yes, I can see that trait. Could it really go so far in a horrid direction with the aid of like minded peers? It's sort of unnerving.
Well, I guess, in all fairness, Germans aren't the only ones who have treated people badly. That goes across the nationality board. I suppose they are just the most infamous in this era.

I am thankful ....Sudafed again. It's been a sinus infection sort of week.

From the schoolroom..... Snow took over this week as we finally got a measurable amount. We made popcorn balls ( too sweet....you know, when they are still sitting in the ziploc bag and NO kids have devoured them, something is wrong. ;) Salt dough snowmen and did a "learn to draw" lesson on snow men, which was suprisingly interesting to the littles ( anything is better than math at the moment, I suppose:).

From the kitchen ... Sugar heart cookies just came out of the oven. Kielfe made yesterday already obliterated. :)

I am reading and watching and listening to:

Listened to:

A Thread of Grace

I'm having trouble sticking with this one. It seems to bounce around a lot. The story of a few Jewish families and the Italians who helped them during WW2.

It's growing on me. Almost done.

Reading:

The House at Riverton Kate Morton

And "Elizabeth; Grand Duchess of Russia" ( who became an Orthodox nun after her husband was murdered during the Russian Revolution)

Found this one at the library yesterday

Watched:

Kindertransport

As mentioned above, this one really affected me emotionally. I suppose it really did a good job at showing the normality of the lives of Jewish families before the Germans started on their rampage and then the jolt of being so brutally treated afterward. As a mother I could so empathize with the mothers who felt they had to ( and in doing so, saved their lives) send their children to England to live with families there. Dismayed feelings about how the Germans, in such recent history, treated people so inhumanely, rage that they were able to get away with it for so long, extreme pride in having some English blood, and wondering if I would have done the same as my fellow brits ;) ( taken in a refugee child for years and years). The individuals they interviewed were really so charming and interesting.
This was a documentary about the Kindertransport, which transported German Jewish children to families in England just before the war.

When the Levee's Broke (Spike Lee)

I've only watched the first act. This is a documentary about Hurrican Katrina. I found it well done and very interesting so far. I'll wait to pass judgment on it until I've seen the whole thing.

Well, I didn't imagine I would get loads of objectivity from Spike Lee, so I took most of the things that left me scratching my head with a grain of salt. The music, the footage and the overall documenting of a very disturbing event in American History were all well done. It does seem unthinkable that such suffering had to happen in the richest country of the world. Would I blame the government? No. I think if you expect the government to save you from anything you are in for a jolt. I wonder why more blame wasn't put on the American people, as I would venture that 99.9% of us were sitting in a nice, warm ( or airconditioned :) house with lots of food and water while watching what was going on down in New Orleans. I suspect in that case ( which was my own assumption) most thought there WAS somebody doing something. Very sad.
Around the house....I walked into the Salvation Army yesterday and found the exact curtain ensemble I needed for my room. A black and white toile valance and some lace curtains. Just like that. Love when that happens. I must apologize, because I am quite sure "Toile" has been out for a couple years now but I will never stop loving it or putting a bit of it in my decor.:)

One of my favorite things: A nice evening out ( or errand) with a couple of the kids. It never ceases to amaze me the great conversations and interesting chit chats we can have. And really, I mean that from the smallest to the oldest. What a blessing to have 10 of your favorite people sharing the same house as you!
(Well, in my case, 8 of my favorite people, but 2 of them are just a phone call away! :)

What will we do this week: Well, it's Valentine's Day today. I got invited to Rangoli for lunch by my Valentine and had a delicious mexican dinner with A and Z last night! Tomorrow is Presidents Day and I am bound and determined to go Ice Skating, although what that has to do with Presidents Day, I don't know. Tuesday is, of course, Fat Tuesday and Wednesday kicks off lent with Ash Wednesday. What a week!

Pictures I'm sharing....Vignettes from the past week.

Daybook, February 8, 2010

Super Bowl fare

The Wii, was of course, a popular pass time on Saturday.
Gabriella with her new page boy doo (I guess it is growing on me ;)
Transformers were the name of the game.....even though Astro Boy has become Jed's new obsession ( hard to keep up with things)
Nick and Peter playing a mean game of Candy Land!
Alan and Noah
Anne, Dyl, Naomi and Tim existing in each others presence
Charlie
David

Outside my window: Cloudy and cold, but the buzz is that we are expecting 6-10 inches of snow tomorrow.
I heard on the news the other day that we've had a third less snow than last year while the south keeps getting battered with storms. Huh.

I am thinking....I feel like I have a hangover this morning, even though I've never had a hangover or drank a drop of alcohol yesterday. Too much partying this weekend. ;)

I am thankful ....helpful kids.

From the schoolroom..... Started science notebooks last week for zoology unit. A good one for a range of ages like we have here at the Vrazo homeschool.

From the kitchen ... Super Bowl winner: Cuban Crostini ala Bobby Flay ( not my favorite chef, but he CAN cook ;) Loser: Bbq meatballs. Too sweet. :(

I am reading and watching and listening to:

Listened to:

A Thread of Grace

I'm having trouble sticking with this one. It seems to bounce around a lot. The story of a few Jewish families and the Italians who helped them during WW2.

Reading:

The House at Riverton Kate Morton

And "Elizabeth; Grand Duchess of Russia" ( who became an Orthodox nun after her husband was murdered during the Russian Revolution)

Found this one at the library yesterday

Watched:

Heavens Fall

Another great movie that I had never heard of before I chanced upon it at the library. The story of the "Scottsboro 9". Great acting, gripping story, although I'll admit not a "feel good" movie. It really left me rather dismayed after watching it.

When the Levee's Broke (Spike Lee)

I've only watched the first act. This is a documentary about Hurrican Katrina. I found it well done and very interesting so far. I'll wait to pass judgment on it until I've seen the whole thing.

Around the house.....I put new hardware on the kitchen cabinets which are very dated, but I must admit, very easy to clean ;) It does help. Thanks Neana! ;) ( she always has good id-ers about that kind of stuff)

One of my favorite things: A trip to the library, with no littles ;) ( Well, I like going to the library with whoever, but it IS hard to find things for myself when you have a few squirmy chicks who aren't at all interested in anything in the adult non fiction aisle. :)

What will we do this week: Just the usual. I'm hoping catechism will be cancelled due to the snow. Not that I don't like taking the kids to catechism, I just don't relish another 2 hour car ride because of crummy road conditions! Tim, Dyl and Al are heading to the Red Wings game on Thursday.

Pictures I'm sharing....Birthday pics were an afterthought.....just as all were getting ready to go. LOL!

Daybook, February 1, 2010

Manny, reading his -D Pirate book :)
My yum-o-licious birthday breakfast!


Outside my window: Dark, and another inch or two of snow on the ground. Funny how such a small amount made a 45 minute drive into a 2 hour one last night. :(

I am thinking....starting to think about lent.

I am thankful .....for 4 wheel drive

From the schoolroom..... We're into collages and" how to draw" books this week.

From the kitchen ...not my doing, but Chef Dylan made some outrageously good crepes for my birthday breakfast. A feta and vegetable one, cream cheese and blueberry filling and creme patisserie, (custard and strawberry glaze). Ooo la la!

I am reading and watching and listening to:

Listened to:

The Night Journal

Which was very good, and even though a secular book had a strong moral message in it. Pleasantly surprised.

Reading:

The House at Riverton

Watched:

"The Monarchy" narrated by Dr David Starkey

Very well done, informative and interesting. I'm thinking of using it to supplement World History for the older kids.

Around the house.....I could write what "should" be happening around the house. Do you bother to clean before 10 boys are coming over or wait until after? ;)

One of my favorite things: a little fuzzy headed boy

What will we do this week: Somehow, I got it together enough to plan a little birthday party for one of my children! Birthday celebrations have been a bit sparse lately. :) Jed's birthday is on Thursday and he will have some of his buddies ( and their brothers :) over for a celebration on Saturday. Dentist appointment for Manny ( he did great!) Birthday trip to Target ( tried to find a Toys R Us, but that was a fail) for Jed.

Pictures I'm sharing....

From the peanut gallery

Manny "I don't like my name anymore!"

Me "Well, what name would you like better?"

Manny "ICE!"

Pause.

"Well, that's ok, I will just keep being called Manny."


Good choice! ;)