Ugh. Yes... it's been crazy busy around here. I exercise an hour and a half to two hours most days, Sydni got her school stuff from K12, so we started in on that... big disaster. I hope "actual school" goes better. Actually, Syd is really far behind, and her reading is testing at about a 4th grade, second month level, and her multiplication tables need a lot of work, so last night we started working on her 6 times, and we'll do one a day, and test her, and she'll get them. She's really got the 6x down today. I was proud of her, since we only worked on them for about 20 minutes last night. I am thinking we'll work on 7 or 8 tonight. I need to print her out a multiplication test, timed, and have her run through it and let her see herself getting better day by day. I was just really concerned about her, because when we did the first test, she insisted that she had to have a times table, that she always got one at school, and that she didn't have to memorize them. That sent me over the edge a little bit...well, that and her snotty attitude. Did NOT appreciate the snotty attitude. Jerry and I had a good chat with all of them about attitude, and acting like we're going to do home school like they did "regular" school. We aren't. And I don't know if they realize, but the expectations are probably going to be higher. I plan on working with them all extensively in their spelling, as it tends to be a weak subject with all of them (seems like anything that requires memorization is!) I thought we'd work on it firs thing in the morning for about 10 minutes, and last thing in the afternoon, for another 10 minutes. And maybe another 10 minutes before they go to bed (because that will cement it in their heads as they sleep) I have been working with Shabree on her times tables as well. She loves being ahead.
Sammi hurt her knee last night. We have a 12:30 doctor's appointment, because it STILL hurts this morning, and she's having trouble walking on it. Some kid slammed into her in the jump house, or on the slide, not sure, I wasn't there to see it. Last night was National Night Out, and the local park was having a BIG celebration, but I was just SO tired, I just took Alex home and rested. Actually, I started cleaning out the office we're going to use as a school room, so it wasn't THAT restful, but I got to open up the new computer we got from the school, and while it's not assembled yet, I took it out and had a look at all the pieces and parts, which was FUN.

Ooh... Alex just crawled in here, and I can smell... be right back...

Okay, that's done. You gotta love it (not) when a 14 month old lifts your shirt to help herself to your milk supply.
Sammi had speech therapy today...she's getting MUCH more understandable these days, and she has a ton more words in general. She said McDonald's yesterday clear as a bell, it was kinda funny actually. But we ended up eating at Burger King instead anyway, and never did make it to McDonald's. Maybe today (IF we don't buy any food! The fast food places are KILLING my budget!)
I gotta get some shopping in today as well. We need food.
I had to buy a new battery charger for my really good camera. I haven't been able to locate the charger in months, and I HAVE looked. I finally decided it would just be easier to buy a new one for under 20 dollars off Ebay than to deal with not having it, plus the new charger will come with an extra battery, so that'll be handy to have. I've lived with only one battery, but it's definitely nicer to have two. It should be here in a few days, hopefully by the weekend. I've just been taking pictures with my little camera, which does an okay job, and is better for taking places anyway. But I do miss my big camera, especially when I want to do something staged, because it does take nicer pictures overall. Anyway, it'll be nice to be able to use it again. I'm fairly sure that battery charger is probably in the desk out in the living room... but I haven't been able to find it when I've gone looking. I should have known better than to take the charger out there in the first place!
Looks like Shabree might finally be registered for home school, though I've gotten no messages about receiving her things. I'll be pretty excited when those arrive! Syd's boxes were pretty cool (and heavy!) There was a ton of stuff for her AND me in there. I just wonder if we should be looking at putting her back into fourth grade maybe? Though she was doing all right on the 5th grade stuff she was doing... I've got to go to Wal mart and get a wireless usb card for that computer so it can connect to the internet.
Well, I am going to get going, to take Sammi to the doctor. Her knee doesn't look swollen, but she can't walk on it, so thought it would be prudent to have it looked at. Hopefully it's all right.