Under pressure (cue the music)

Mm ba ba de
Um bum ba de
Um bu bu bum da de

(Yeah, I had to look the "Mm bas" up. If you don't know what I'm talking about, listen to Under Pressure on iTunes.)

As I'm trying hard to rally the troops (and myself) for a strong winter/spring of homeschooling, I find myself overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed by the weather (brrr...) and the curriculum and the self-imposed need to get it right, because this is my daughter's education we're talking about. After literal hours of poring over expensive curricula and fancy worksheets that those mom's create, I'm done.

If Eleanor were returning to school after a lengthy Christmas break/snow days, I wouldn't criticize her teacher or the possibly crappy, possibly quality worksheets or lesson planning. I would just let it be. The tweets and Facebook posts from my public teacher friends remind me that this is a difficult time for all teachers. Everyone wants to hibernate for a few months. And, dear Lord, public school will be in session until July at this rate.

Press on we will.

I ordered some more early readers and phonics work books. I put some good books on hold at the library. (Have you ever read the classic Winnie the Pooh tales by A.A. Milne? They make me happy.) I downloaded some free games on TeachersPayTeachers (because I'd rather read my own books in the evening than create cute graphics.) I cut our math lessons to minimize frustration. We'll get through until spring. Everyone is on daffodil watch around here ;)

(P.S. I really do like winter. I like the slowness and the darkness and the coziness. I'm just not super motivated to achieve.)

(P.P.S: Go Panthers! Go Chargers! <--- believe="" blech.="" br="" can="" i="" just="" t="" that.="" typed="">

Bookish ideas

Well, the Kansas City Chiefs just broke my heart after they threw away an amazing first half and sizable lead to the Indianapolis Colts (what the heck happened?!?), so I figure my neglected blog and books will be a nice distraction.

I read some books in 2013. Thirty-three to be exact. You can track me down on GoodReads, if you're interested in exactly what I read. Among my favorites were (Forgive the lack of links. You can search http://www.indiebound.org to find books locally and support local book sellers, or you can find all of these on Amazon):

Non-fiction:
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Zealot by Reza Aslan
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Fiction:
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (sci-fi)
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (historical fiction)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (mystery/page turner)

Honorable mention:
Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (young adult)

LEAST Favorite:
Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Favorite kid's book:
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

MOST Favorite:
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Alloway Files by E.J. Roller (full disclosure: my good friend authored this book. I'm almost finished, but not quite. I love it on many levels. It's great AND I know the author AND I have a signed copy. Favorite all around!)

I read SOME of the books on my 2013 reading list, but not nearly as many as I would have liked. I am a sucker for classics, and 2013 was lacking in that department. Moving from the 2013 to the 2014 list are: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I'd like to add some Russian lit, Graham Greene, and some Evelyn Waugh in 2014. I also see G.K. Chesterton popping up on some of my favorite Catholic blogs. I'll see what I can fit in!

I really enjoyed non-fiction and I want to make room for it in my future lists. Parenting books and education books are pretty applicable to my life at the moment, and I'm lacking biographies. Biographies seem like a must for a well-read person, right? Oh, and poetry. I'm so intrigued, but  overwhelmed. Where does one start with poetry? Helpful comments appreciated.

Wrapping up the Game of Thrones series is high on priority list, too.

A succinct list of what I want to read in 2014 is proving difficult. I can't hold myself to a list this year. Too many good books and whims pop up. Just this morning I opened an email from my competitive father proclaiming that he will read more that I will read this year. It's possible, but I like a good a challenge! We will see where the libraries take me. :)

Happy Reading in 2014.

2013 in Review

It always takes me a little bit to register a new year. I don't think there is anything magical about a day on a calendar, but once the holiday hub-bub has cleared, it's nice to remember and reflect on good and bad things from the previous year.

• We all enjoyed the milestones from 4 1/2 months to 16 1/2 months with our sweet Eve. Rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, teeth -- it all happens SO fast. I savor the moments of her babyhood (now toddlerhood).
• 10 years! Since high school, that is. I had a blast reminiscing with classmates.
• We went to the beach as a family of 4 (plus my parents). We had so. much. fun. and the girls did great. We'll be headed back in 2014 for more fun in the sun.
• Eleanor played the piano. Lessons began in May, and it's been fun to watch the process of learning music.
• First trip to White Water. It was a hit. 
• We moved! ... across town. It was a whirlwind of boxes and late nights. We love our new house.
• Eleanor started school! She continues to wow us with her accomplishments. Math and geography are by far her favorites. We really like the Classical Conversations program.
• We officially became a homeschooling family. We talked about it for years (5, exactly). A better decision has never been made.
• Sisters! What a special relationship they have. I love watching them play and giggle and even their fussiness is funny (sometimes).
• The year of make believe! Eleanor loved to make believe - dragons, princesses, super heroes, waitresses, fairy tales - you name it, and it goes on around here. I don't see this ending any time soon.
• I made a few new friends and a few moved away. I'm happy to have the new ones, and so sad about the relocation of the old ones. Maybe we will have some fun places to visit in 2014!
• We end the year with a 5 1/2 year old (WHAT?!) and a 16 month old, 2 dogs, 1 cat and a partridge in a pear tree.

In 2013 we were most thankful for family and good health. I pray that 2014 will be a good year.