Day 5 and surviving!

It seems that we have managed to make it through our first 5 days of our challenge. It took everything in me not to stop at Starbucks on the way to the office today! We seem to have detox'd off of the computer and tv. Isaac didn't quit yesterday or today. This is the weekend so we will play that by ear. They both seem to be happy with the 30 minutes of Arthur (the cartoon on PBS) a day.

This week.

We got to bring Granny home yesterday. She has never been so happy to be out of a place. Too here her tell it they food was awful, the care was substandard and she is lucky to have survived. (In all honesty...the place was fine!) She will be staying with Dad and Carol to finish her recoup'ing. She is doing really really well. she seemed to sail through with out much of an issue. She will start pt/ot next week. The nurse said that her blood pressure is good and does not think she will need to be seen by nursing at all. The surgeon said she is healing nicely and doesn't have to see him again unless an issue rises.

Isaac worked on finishing his grammar book and worked with Larry on inductive reasoning for math. Don't worry I had to ask too...it is how to figure out patterns of number using a figuring formula. He also finished up his "invention" for the Invention convention for ELP. He has a kitchen gadget that is much like a leatherman tool but it has a spatula, slotted spoon, ladle and salad tongs on it. He will present it to the class and his family next week!

Isaac also got on early birthday present this week. Mom was remiss and didn't hide it properly and he tripped on it. It was a series of workbooks teaching how to draw different things such as comic book characters, cars, and one for Manga. I will add a couple of pictures of his best work. He did pretty good! ALL FREE HAND!



He also has this one. unfortunately it cut off in the scanning. But just the bubble!



Julia is Julia. She had a great week at school. Mrs. Carolyn said that Julia gets along with everyone and is so friendly. This is such a suprise to us as she is not one to be overt with her feelings (such as hugs and kisses) she seems so shy to us. Isaac was always so friendly with strangers and Julia is much more cautious. So it is nice to see that she is making friends!

Julia'ism for the day:

The kids had a little mini waterfight in the living room yesterday. Larry was sub'ing today. When he came home I had to immediately leave to go pick Granny up to bring her home. Well Larry calls and says that he said to Julia:

Daddy: Julia why is the carpet all wet"

Julia: "Mommy peepee'd"

Daddy: "should I spank Mommy"

Julia: "Yea Spank Mommy"

10 days and and beyond!

Well I only have a quick minute to post about the family. We are on day 3 of our 10 day challenge. It is going so well that we have decided to expand it to 14 days! It is really nice to have a family that is actually "present" lately. Isaac feels that he might die and has "quit" 3 times in 3 days...we keep reminding him that this home is not a democracy and he will continue on! With storming feet and slamming door he continues to go tv free and game boy/wii free! He is reading and playing board games and we made cookies (from scratch) yesterday. We are actually bonding! Wow what a concept!

Monday...I took cupcakes (from scratch...all that spare time now) to Julia's school it was pretty great...once again she was the Bell of the Ball! She is sad to see her birthday go for the year. She has been singing happy birthday to herself for three days now! She had speech on Monday. Speech is going well. She refuses to add endings to her words so she sees Tracey the speech therapist. Who plays great games with her. Of course Julia chats up a storm and has no problems with the fact that nearly no one understands her!

What would be a blog without the most recent Julia'isms.

"Julia where did you get that dress?"

Julia: "On Ebay"

That would be any outfit she is wearing...and all though her mother enjoys a good ebay find not ALL her clothes are from there.

"Julia how old are you?"

"NINE!!"

Ohhh They grow up so fast!

Fun Birthday!

We had a really nice day today! It was full of food and family and fun! It was pleasent weather and the kids even decided to swim for a bit! I drew up a montage of the day...I hope it posts!


My Montage 4/20/08

Click on the picture to view!

Today 3 years ago....

Julia Grace Martin was born 3 years ago today! I can hardly believe that she is 3....It seems like we were able to savor every last moment of the first three years of Isaac's years. Julia's I think we blinked and she is 3.

She is so much fun! She loves to tease her brother until he screams! She is such a girley girl...but loves to hang out with "the boys" in the front lawn (Isaac's friends) riding their scooters, skateboards and doing it all in her princess high heals and plastic jewels!

So today we are having a little birthday party! We are serving Taco's, rice and beans and I made my grandmother's green chile. She has chosen Dora the Explorer as her theme and I took on the task of making cupcakes with frosting all from scratch (yea over-achiever)!

Every year it is hotter then Heck outside...so this year we decided to have a small pool party! Would you believe the weather is predicted to be mid-80's perfect park weather...not pool weather! **sigh** Never fails!

I will post later with pictures and all the excitement from the day!

the 10-Day challenge!

I was watching Oprah the other day and she was asking families for 7 day to unplug and see what could be lived without...computers....Starbucks? Restraunts? Online Shopping...the list goes on and on.

After discussion with my family we decided to give it a go! We are going to unplug for 10 days! Starting on Monday April 21st. We want to get through Julia's birthday before giving it all up! I searched oprah.com and found her letter!

Anyone up for joining the Martin's in a challenge. The rules are easy! I am posting the letter that Oprah had on her website it reads as follows:

Dear Family,

Thanks for agreeing to live with less for a week. Your challenge starts now!
This week, you will be eating at home every meal. No more eating out, no more
takeout. And you have to eat your leftovers. If you throw food in the trash,
you've got to 'fess up. For one week, you're going to give up the bottled water
habit. Get a water filter—time to get to know your tap. No more disposable
plates, cups, napkins or paper towels. Try cloth—you might like it! For
entertainment, you'll have to rely on each other. For one week, I'm asking you
to give up your iPods and video games, and your computers only get turned on for
homework. TV is limited to one hour per night—one TV only. That thermostat is
going way down…to 69 degrees. If you get cold, put on a sweater. Give your
washing machine a break—try to wash only clothes that are TRULY dirty. When you
leave a room, lights out. Ditto for fans. When you're done using an appliance,
unplug it. Don't forget your computer and cell phone chargers too. Showers are
going to be shorter—eight minutes max. Use a kitchen timer to help you keep
track. Want to go shopping? Head to your closets. That's your wardrobe for the
week. The mall is off-limits. You final challenge—no buying anything other than
food for seven days.

Good luck,Oprah

Here we go!

Well here is the first of what I hope will be many blogs that tell family and friends about the day and the life of the Martin's.

We are not a hard group to figure out! We have two children Isaac (soon to be 10) and Julia (soon to be 3). we homeschool Isaac and Julia goes to a wonderful Montessori preschool part time! Larry (the Dad) Is a certified Montessori teacher but is currently subbing and going to college! I (The Mom) am a Hospital Social Worker that works 16 hour hover night shifts so that I can be home during the week with my family!