Hello March

March, already?! Sure, February is a short month, but still, where does time go? To say that I'm looking forward to March because it's a spring month, would be strange, as we've had spring for a long time, or if you consider temperatures, we've had summer already for awhile. Summer will for sure be here to stay here in March, so the picture is accurate for my climate and the weather is beautiful, warm, some days hot, but not as bad as in the "true" summer months, June, July, August, and September. October is then beautiful as March again, where it's nicer to spend the days outside.
We've had a busy weekend, or the whole last week was busy to say the least. The normal stuff going on, but also I've been without computer as Cassie has been working hard on her presentation and final Science Report that was due on Monday. For you that don't really know about these Science Projects, it's a big deal, and the final grade depends on it a lot. The project I think is worth about 200 points, and there are many factors to consider and to keep in mind. It's a lot of work, and our printer has not been working were well, and now decided to not work at all, which added more stress as we had to go to the library and when we didn't finish in time to go there, we had to go to Staples and print it out on Sunday. More about her project in a separate post.

 Here the preparations to put the board together, before printing all the pictures.

If the weekend was stressful, then yesterday for sure didn't start any different. First I spent the most of the morning with cleaning away the leftovers from the science project here at home, as our kitchen looked much like a chemistry lab, and there were jars, solutions and material everywhere. The dining room was filled with paper scraps from cutting and taping the index cards etc onto the Presentation Board, so the house was a mess. Add the normal messes that comes after a weekend that you haven't had time to clean up all the time. Having two soon 4 year old's turning the house up side down everyday, doesn't help..

Cleaning away our chemistry lab..

Copper Sulfate solution made this glass into a blue sculpture. At the bottom of this glass a surprise was hiding! These two crystals had grown at the bottom without us knowing, as we had finished the experiment with this solution.

When Cassie came home in the afternoon, I had to take the girls into town for Cassie's allergy shot and thereafter straight to the dermatologist with them. This was all in the same area, so I was sure that we'd be able to get to both appointments without a problem. Well, it wouldn't have been, if the car didn't decide to give up on me! I have had no problems with my car at all, and as I know next to nothing about cars, I freaked out a bit wanting to turn the car on, and all I heard was a scratching sound and all red lights went on!! What?! Tried again, and again but nothing.. Called Chris, that luckily was off work and home with Ben, what it could be, and he thought that it's the battery for sure, which also would make all the other lamps turn on. He went to drop Ben off at our friends house, and then came to help me out. Meanwhile, I had to cancel the dermatology for the girls, and call the Honda Dealership in town to see if they were still able to help me out and get me a new battery, as we were close to 5pm at this time. Also called a towing truck that came to help jump start the car, which was needed to get to the dealership. Chris had meanwhile gotten there, and he drove the Honda and I took the VW to the dealer ship to get a new battery. Luckily they were able to give good help fast, and even if we were there 5 minutes before closingtime, he was still very helpful and fixed the battery. From there, Chris went home with the girls to pick Ben up, and I took the VW to go directly to my Citizenship class. I didn't have time to eat anything as I was just in time for the class, so I was pretty starving when I came home at 9.45pm.

Ben had a big meltdown, with too much happening in a short time with everything being stressful, and he was wanting me, and luckily he was alright and had stopped crying when I came home, and was sitting with Chris on the sofa reading a book when I came. After a little snuggle, he soon went to sleep, and Isabella as well.

I was pretty beat myself at this time, and after watching some news I soon was off to bed myself. So, now I hope that the rest of the week will go smoothly and with less stress!

Online Classes

I have had a few years where I've felt like I've put myself on the back burner to say the least, with the work schedule that my husband has, it's not been easy to do much for myself. So, starting this year, I really felt that it was time to try to do something for myself.

I actually started taking two photography classes online and also a "Enhancing Language Development in Childhood", that our library was giving out for no cost, just to put your library card number, where you normally would put in your Credit Card number. Really good classes were/are offered, and so many different to choose from. I was really excited about learning more about getting better taking pictures, all the terminology used by photographers, and to be able to implement them or a few things. Also to actually know my camera better, as there is many functions that I don't use on a daily basis. Well, the photo classes actually needed certain programs downloaded, and I just set to the side to take care of that, and it didn't happen in time, and because I didn't participate within the first two weeks one class was starting, I was kicked from the classes. Upsetting, yes, but on the other hand, I can take them any time, they go on for about 6-8 weeks, and then you get a certificate, and I can sign up for another one later on.

But, I'm still enjoying the language development class, even if it's a lot to read, and my time is limited in front of the computer, I still enjoy it. There is plenty of things one can do to help the kids to be more vocal and encourage using new and "big and fancy" words. All to broaden their vocabulary. It has also a lot to do with how you use your own language of course - the parents are always the best role models!

Now considering that I'm starting to study for the Citizenship test, it might have turned out for the better that I didn't continue with the Photography classes. As I don't want to do something half done, I want to do what I do right and well, and this way I have more time for doing just that.