Somewhere over the rainbow...

That's where I've been... at least that is where I wanted to be today. We had an arctic blast that blew through last night and with it came some sort of pollen that has taken its toll on me! I woke up congested, stopped up, and sporting a serious headache... which in my favorite turn for the morning wound being a migraine... oh the fun. We managed to finish about half our school work in the morning... the unassisted part. Then I went and layed in the tub... for I don't know how long while the boys watched a little movie (oh how I love using that sparingly so that when I need it, it works).

Thankfully, I'm back up and functioning at near 100%.

But I suppose that really doesn't explain my long absense this week from the blog. Well, I'm working on a little project, you see. Oh, is that clammering I hear? Do you want to know???

It's a reading list. Wow... exciting I know... but really it is a really fun project to work on. I've collected several 'list books' of children's literature and I've been pooring through them coming up with lists for the different levels. Along with my own personal use, I will be using it in a joint venture with a lovely friend of mine. NO, I can't tell you about said venture as of yet... the kinks are no where worked out... but hopefully in time you will be able to benefit from this!

A Tail that Wasn't

On Saturday Daddio took the family on a little date.

The boys and I worked all week on a read aloud of the Tale of Despereaux, and upon finishing Daddio took us to the movie.

While at times the subject matter in the book was rather dark... we really enjoyed the book. And to be honest we were really looking forward to the movie. Although, I was rather unsure how they were going to deal with some of the content.

Well, as it turns out, they skipped over anything that was of a darker nature, changed the story line, added characters, changed the gender of a character, even changed the nature of the characters (including the patronage). All of the symbolism from the book is gone. In its place is a nice movie. It has cute parts, funny parts, and then it's over. Snookie thought that the movie and book were two completely different parts... as in the book was part one and the movie part two.

The boys take on the book and the movie... they liked them both. Daddio enjoyed the movie as well. For me, I was disappointed, it was cute, but the film makers should have changed the name because it was a different story. (Plus the seats in the theater SUCKED!)

But a big thanks to Daddio for getting us out of the house for a movie and dinner.

And if you want to know why the title of this post has the word tail instead of tale... read the book!

History

Over the last few nights, once the kids are tucked away in their beds, we flip on the TV to watch the HBO special - John Adams (we rented it from Netflix). What an extraordinary film!

Paul Giamatti stars in this sweeping Emmy winner for Best Miniseries that chronicles the astonishing life of founding father John Adams: revolutionary leader, America's first ambassador to England, the first vice president and the second president. The iconic cast of characters includes Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), George Washington (David Morse), Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane), Benjamin Franklin (Tom Wilkinson) and many more. (Netflix review)

This is one area of history is so important to teach in the schools, but is so POORLY taught. This film does an amazing job of setting the scene, and then drawing you into the personal lives of these quite amazing people.

I have to say, that my favorite story line is that of John and Abigail. GO... RENT THIS FILM! It is worth the time it takes to watch all 3 DVD's!

Feeling TIRED!

Wow... while I posted on Saturday poor Daddio was either passed out in the bed or making another trip to the bathroom. Like some many out there, he came down with the dreaded stomach bug of horror! Thankfully the vomiting only lasted Saturday, and his fever subsided on Sunday (on Saturday it got all the way up to 103!).

Since then I've kept my eye on everyone, looking, watching, waiting for the first signs of illness... I personally have a very weak stomach when anyone else is sick and must try to contain any illness with as little clean up as possible due to my own mess making issues. Thankfully I feel that I was able to keep the house under quarantine, between high powered cleaners and clorox wipes I was able to keep everything clean, and no one else seems to have been affected by the plague!

With all of the cleaning (still, I know, I have issues with germs), I've worn myself flat out! Today, though is Wednesday, and I've specifically designed Wednesdays to contain very little or no activity outside of the house... which means I can take a nap while the boys take a nap without worry! Woohoo!

Feeling Resolute!

This has been the first year that we, as a family, put pen to paper and formed a Family Resolution! Each person picked a virtue of sorts to focus on, and few items to reach for. So for your reading pleasures...

Daddio: Self-Control
-Complete 2 more CPCU tests (a profession designation thingy for insurance people)
- Read more/watch less TV
-Undisclosed weight loss by birthday (look fly by August)

Momma: Gentleness
-Reorganize menus/recipes/grocery lists so that all are GF
-Read more
-Loss 10 lbs by my birthday (look a little more fly by March) (so far I've lost 12 since Sept)

Bobcat: Perseverance
-Work harder in school
-Read the New Testament Reading during family bible time (currently reads the Gospel for us)
-Learn to ride bike
(one handed handstand like Luke Skywalker)

Bubba: Obedience
-Read more books
-Learn more about space
-Read the Holy Gospel during family bible time
-Make First Holy Communion
-Learn to ride bike
(forward flip in the air... no hands)

Snookie: Patience
-Become a better reader
-Learn to ride bike

Family:
-Rosary: one decade daily, one full weekly
-Monthly Confession (we always fall just a little short on this one)
-Camp at a new state park
-Spend more time with a ministry

Resolutions

MommaLlama has the list and will post the New Year's resolutions we drew up as a family last night. I will share a couple of my favorite suggestions that didn't quite make the cut:

Bubba: Learn a new trick. Like, maybe a front flip without touching the ground.
Bobcat: Learn to do a one-armed hand stand, like Luke Skywalker.
Snookie: Stay in a hotel.

It's good to have goals.

He's Here!!!

You have to go see the latest photo of our friends in the Valley.

Have you ever seen a more lovely pregnant mother? Dad and big sister are looking pretty fly, too! This is going to be one beautiful baby! Truly, that photo brought a tear of joy. Echoing Nicole's comment, there has never been a child more loved and desired before his creation. We can't wait to visit for the baptism!!!