Field Trip Friday

Duckweed

I think I love field trips more than my kids do.  It feels like playing hookie but since we're not, there's no guilt. Science-related field trips are the best because they provide a hands-on kind of learning that's hard to get at home.

Yesterday, we went to Sheldon State Park.  I planned to leave early, allowing a little time for getting lost (my sense of direction is not my strong suit).  We did get a little lost (not my fault as it turned out) and arrived a little late for the tour.  Fortunately, we could still see the group on the trail so we were able to catch up with no problem.  We went on a nature hike and saw a lot of fish, birds and one turtle.  We also saw a lot of evidence of animal life.  At one point, we were looking at some tracks and our guide asked what could have made them. The kids offered ideas like beaver, fox, raccoon and Grace chimed in, "teddy bear".  I had to hug her.

The park used to be a fish hatchery and is full of side-by-side ponds.  Most are overgrown but they use a couple for fishing so the second half of our trip was a fishing expedition.  The last time I went fishing, I caught my mother-in-law's sweatshirt and it took us half an hour to get her untangled so I was a bit skeptical.  Yesterday, we used simple cane poles and, I have to admit, when I saw the wiggling pieces of worm our guide cut, I wanted nothing to do with putting them on the hooks.  But- I reminded myself that we are raising warrior princesses, took a deep breath and did what needed to be done.

The girls loved fishing and before long, were baiting their own hooks.  They didn't catch anything but I admired their persistence.  I was very grateful that one of the dads was there to help with everything.  I was having a hard time keeping Ella from eating the rocks, preventing the other kids from hooking each other and playing photographer all at the same time!

We'll definitely be back for more nature and fishing.  I think we'll bring expert fisher-woman Grandma Doyle next time!

Mr. Olson teaches us about the rocks and shells we're walking on

The space in the reeds was made by a large alligator sliding in and out of the water

"I see you, Mommy".  The park provided these binoculars for the kids.  Sophie mainly looked at me.

It's hard to see but the hole is an armadillo burrow.  They like to rest there during the day.

We didn't see an armadillo at the park but I saw one crossing Kingwood Drive recently.

The Dynamic Duo

Fishing or wood-working?  The kids liked the safety goggles.

Grace tries to show her pole who's boss

Sophie used an interesting technique of beating the water with her pole to get the fish.  No luck.

Ella and some little mommies

Joshua Sparks with "the big one".  Also, Angela and Grace.

John Sparks helps Sophie with her pole

This gator's about to have a snack

But Mia pins him just in time to save her little sis'!

Otherwise

Tara and Lawrence

My little sister Tara is very dear to me.  I know that's a strange thing to say about someone who's about to turn thirty but it's true.  She was born a week after my birthday the summer I turned 9 and I remember being so glad to FINALLY have a sister and that I was sure we were going to be best friends just like my Dad and my Uncle Rick, whose age difference is the same as ours.

Tara is a wife and mother now but I still feel very big sisterly about her -- protective of her, proud of her achievements etc.  Lately, I have seen a new side to Tara.  She is wistful about her time with her little ones and is anxious to be a good mother and to enjoy every minute.  The header to her blog (it's listed on the side of mine) is a quote from a country song by Trace Adkins, "You're gonna' miss this, you're gonna' want this back, you're gonna' wish these days hadn't gone by so fast".  (Tara is a bit of a sucker for sappy country songs, as am I.  I still think of her every time I hear Tim McGraw's "Don't Take the Girl"- and Dave Matthews' "Ants Marching", which isn't country or sappy but still reminds me of Tara).

Anyway, I thought I'd post one of my favorite poems today in honor of my little sis'.  To me, it's about being thankful for the little things that shape our days while acknowledging the fact that change is coming.  The poet's tone is a little sad and I can relate -- I'm not known as the traditionalist in my family for nothing -- but I think we can choose an attitude of hopefulness, one that embraces change. We can plan to write a new poem for each new chapter of our lives. Wonderful things come and go and other wonderful things replace them, with the ultimate wonderful thing waiting for us at the end.  I love you, Tara!

Otherwise

by Jane Kenyon

I got out of bed

on two strong legs.

It might have been

otherwise.  I ate

cereal, sweet,

milk, ripe, flawless

peach.  It might

have been otherwise.

I took the dog uphill

to the birch wood.

All morning I did

the work I love.

At noon I lay down 

with my mate.  It might

have been otherwise.

We ate dinner together

at a table with silver

candlesticks.  It might

have been otherwise.

I slept in a bed

in a room with paintings

on the walls, and

planned another day

just like this day.

But one day, I know,

It will be otherwise.

Studies To Go

My little scholars

There are two things that drive me crazy about homeschooling (not enough to quit!) First, there's the "home" part.  I am not a homebody.  I love home as a place to come back to but I'm more of a get out and about person.  The second hard thing is not being around other adults on a regular basis.  I love getting together with other homeschoolers but don't do it often enough for me so, when I get too stir crazy and need a little adventure, I take our show on the road.  On colder days like today, we mostly end up at Barnes and Noble.  Today, when I told the kids we were going to B & N, they were ecstatic.  They packed their backpacks with no prompting and actually brought everything they needed!  

I like homeschooling at B & N because they have a big table in the kids' section where we can spread out, there's a train table for Sophie and Ella, there's Starbucks and of course, plenty of new reading material.  The drawback is the hit to our checking account for the new, fun educational things I always find!

Sophie's backpack- I don't know why but the pigeon cracks me up

Working hard so they can move on to reading and playing!

Ella crawled around and checked out everything she could reach

We were at B & N for about two hours and Sophie entertained herself at the train table the whole time.  Her imagination amazes me.

Littlest Pet Shops

Our kids play with about four things- their dress-up clothes, their blocks (a great investment), the princess castle they got for Christmas and their Littlest Pet Shops.  I have to admit, I love Littlest Pet Shops and would have had a collection of my own had they been around when I was growing up.  All of the kids own some but Madeleine has the most extensive collection with 51 total, all sporting their own very cute names.  (The fact that she can remember all of their names makes me suspicious when she can't remember her vocabulary for Spanish class!)  

I love that my big girl is still little girl enough to enjoy adventures with her pet shops.  In fact, when she got a Target gift card for Christmas, her first thought was to check the toy section for new friends for her collection.  Her little sisters like nothing better than to be invited into Madeleine's sanctuary to play with her toys and Madeleine, being a great big sis', extends the invitation often.  This of course warms my heart.

Lucky girl- she has too many friends to hold!

Mia, Grace and Madeleine having an adventure

The Pet Shops on a boat bound for somewhere

Baby Booties

Ella's Booties

Ella finally outgrew her first shoes, a little pair of Robeez she's been wearing since she was six months old.  They've been like Harry Potter shoes, magically expanding along with her.  The day has come to say good-bye though.  I will store this piece of her history with all of our other memorabilia in the one large closet we have.  I carefully open the door and toss the shoes in while holding back the other precious things lest they come tumbling into our bedroom.  

I know people who write blog posts chronicling the messy corners of their lives.  I won't be doing that but, now you know, the closet is there, it exists, it is waiting for me...

Gainfully Employed

Chris and I are blessed to be able to date often.  This is because we have a live-in babysitter.  For about a year, Madeleine has been taking care of her sisters for us on occasion.  We started her off in training, with Grandma Doyle there to provide support in case she needed it.  Before long though, she was flying solo.  I always put Ella to bed before we go and then Madeleine is on her own to entertain her sisters for an hour or so until bedtime.  

Madeleine is also the sole employee of North Houston Sports Products (Grandpa Doyle's business).  She does pricing and inventory and is not only paid in cash but in meals at Chick-Fil-A as well.  So Madeleine has been a wage-earner for awhile.  

A few weeks ago though, she was thrilled to get her first "real job" when our neighbors asked her to babysit.  Madeleine had a hard decision to make because her middle school social was the same night.  She really likes this family though and didn't want to lose their business by referring them to someone else so she decided to take the job.  (Chris and I were surprised and impressed).  I asked Delores if I could come over and take pictures and embarrassed poor Madeleine a bit but, hey- it was my baby's first real job!  I'll be there with my camera her first day working at Starbucks and the day she opens her animal shelter, and her first day as a flight attendant and with her first patient as a pediatrician....

Mom's Night In

I belong to the St. Angela Merici Society at St. Martha's church, a group of homeschoolers who meet for field trips, play days and, once a month, a Mom's Night Out.  I've been going to Mom's Night Out for a few months now.  It involves the rosary or Mass, dinner and conversation about homeschooling.  Because we've been having it in a classroom at church, it has felt a little school-ish for me and really, Mom's Night Out should be a break from school, so I volunteered to move it to my house.  We had nine ladies last week and had a wonderful time.  I provided beverages which included wine -- come on, we ARE Catholic!  And everyone else brought the rest of the meal.  We said the rosary in front of a fire in our living room and prayed for our special intentions, our husbands and children and especially for God's will regarding our choice to homeschool.*  We did a little get-to-know-you activity inspired by Catalina Garcia that had us all rolling.  

My friend Misty told us that her parents (who have migrated from Canada for the month to stay with them) asked her what she does at Mom's Night Out and she said, "Eat...and complain."  We laughed.  "No, seriously, who else can we complain to who won't tell us to put our kids back in school?"  Good point.  We are committed to homeschooling but on my bad days, I know that I have no idea what I'm doing, that my theme song should be John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" and that I am definitely crazy!  Who understands that better than my fellow "crazies"? Thank you all!

*Pam Miller told us about something she and her family do with the fifth Glorious Mystery of the rosary.  With each Hail Mary, they offer a different flower for Mary's crown.  We tried it with our girls this week and they loved it.  I couldn't believe they could think of so many different flowers- red roses, yellow roses, white roses... 

Wintering in Texas

I know this is ridiculous but whenever I come downstairs to a cold morning, I get very annoyed.  It's not that I hate winter.  I'm a Virginia girl at heart and we get our share of ice and snow but after living in the Houston furnace for most of the year, I feel entitled to mild, coatless, flip-flop weather from November to April.

Last Friday was one of those perfect days and since Fridays are light homeschooling days for us, I took the kids out for a picnic and playtime.  They wanted to go to the "mystery" playground, a wooded park with lots of trails and a nearby lake with a boat launch.  Of course, they were drawn to the water and since it was so warm, I let them wade.  Now that I am a veteran mom, I realize that when I let the kids wade, it is completely pointless to tell them not to get their clothes wet.  Someone inevitably falls "by accident" and if I call their bluff, the fun is ruined.  Sophie was the fall guy this time.  She was soaking wet with her raggedy little skirt hanging halfway down her calves.  Surprisingly, her sisters didn't follow her lead and stayed dry-ish so we were able to spend time on the playground before packing it in until the next beautiful Texas winter day!   

The "Skirt Brigade" aptly named by Aunt Martina

Ella mid-flight.  She loves, loves, loves to swing!

A Life Uncommon

Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom,

No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from

Fill lives with love and bravery and you shall lead

A life uncommon.

JEWEL

On Tuesday, we witnessed the ultimate fruit of the Civil Rights Movement when we inaugurated the first black president in our nation's history.  Two days later, on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, thousands of people marched on Washington to defend the civil rights of the unborn.  One would think that a man who would not have been an equal person under the law as recently as fifty years ago would be a champion for the most basic civil right- life.  But no.  Barack Obama's voting record makes him the most pro-abortion president we have elected.  Under his administration, our tax dollars will fund abortion to third world nations*, reasonable state laws requiring parental consent and waiting periods will be struck down** and attempts will be made to strong-arm religious healthcare establishments into participating in what they believe is an evil act**.  If you supported Obama, I wonder if you were aware of his extreme position on this issue.  

I  grew up in the shadow of the Pro-Life Movement.  I was two and my brother was six-months-old when the Supreme Court passed Roe v. Wade.  My mother wept because the endangered babies were as real to her as we were.  She got involved right away in protesting the decision.  She and my father opened our home to unwed mothers -- I think we had thirteen "big sisters" over the years -- and I cannot remember a time when there weren't pro-life signs and models of developing babies in our home.  (In 2002, when Chris and I miscarried our son Ethan at 13 weeks, he lay in my palm looking just like one of those models, perfectly formed.)  

The Pro-Life movement used the same strategies that the Civil Rights Movement had -- peaceful protests, marches and sit-ins.  In the 1980s, Randell Terry started Operation Rescue, a movement encouraging civil disobedience through massive sit-ins where people formed human chains blocking access to abortion clinics.

My mother was arrested over a dozen times and went to jail three times on charges of trespassing and blocking traffic.  In the spring of 1992, she and my 73-year-old grandmother were incarcerated for 24 days in Buffalo, NY awaiting trial for blocking access to a clinic.  Their 6th amendment rights were clearly violated, but because of their political position, most people didn't care.

When the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act passed, the penalties for peaceful protest skyrocketed, and my mom who still had three children at home, channeled her energies into sidewalk counseling and volunteering at places like AAA Women for Choice in Manassas, VA. Unlike the sad and lonely choice abortionists offer, AAA supports women in choosing life by providing clothing, baby equipment, food and money for medical bills.  

There's no way of knowing how many babies my mother and her friends saved over the years, but undoubtedly, there are men and women alive today because of their sacrifice, witness and real, tangible help.  

So many people talk and talk.  How many walk and walk?  Yesterday's marchers did, MLK did, my mom certainly has.  I try to.  To me, that's the measure of  "a life uncommon".

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...I set you apart for my holy purpose. 

JEREMIAH 1:5

Ella Christine Doyle at seven months

When did her right to life begin?

Would you believe that former state senator,  Barack Hussein Obama voted four times to defeat the "Born-Alive Infants Protection Act", a bill that would have provided the same kind of care to abortion-survivors as to premature infants?  That means that we now have a Commander-in-Chief who's okay with infanticide.  I'm not sure how that fits with his words Tuesday about "the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness".***

Mary Ann Kreitzer.  No babies will die on this table today. 

Me outside the Alexandria jail in 1980.  My dad's behind me wearing the very stylish sweater.

Four generations of Pro-Life ladies at the US Capitol 

in support of pro-life legislation, summer 1997

Madeleine has already had several opportunities to defend her pro-life position to her classmates.  I admire her fiery spirit and have no doubts about where she gets it!

*The Mexico City Policy was introduced in 1984 by Ronald Reagan.  It was overturned by President Clinton and reinstated by President Bush.  It stated that the US government could not provide funding for family planning services to clinics or groups that offered abortion-related services overseas.  President Obama signed an executive order today to overturn it so, despite the fact that most voters do not agree with it, our tax dollars will go to fund abortions in foreign nations. (www.abcnews.com/Politics/International/story)

**See the Freedom of Choice Act (www.en.wikipedia.org/Freedom_of_Choice_Act)

Incidently, on November 12, 2008, Francis Cardinal George, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops stated "those who support FOCA must realize that if Catholic hospitals are ever required to perform abortions, the bishops will close every one of them; no one would be hurt more than the poor."  

***For Obama's record on abortion go to www.nrlc.org/Election 2008/obamarecord0608

Off the Beaten Path

A few Sundays ago, we arranged to meet some friends for a geocache adventure.  Geocaching is treasure hunting with a GPS.  My sister-in-law Jes brought the sport to our family when she gave my brother his GPS a couple of Christmases ago.  We finally got our own last Father's Day and have had much fun with it ever since.

Chris planned our route, choosing two caches, neither of which was a trinket cache. Knowing that that's a big motivator for the girls, he made up a story about Indian princesses who had hidden beads in the caches.  He secretly planted the beads when we found the caches and the girls were thrilled.  They held onto their beads as if they were precious treasures. It was amazing to see how something so small gave so much joy (I'll have to remember that when I'm shopping for Christmas next year).  

For me, geocaching is mainly an excuse to go tramping around in the woods- something I've loved doing since I was little (although not all the caches are off the beaten path.  Last summer we found one in the open in downtown Woodstock- very tricky).  

When we geocache, I occasionally have fun playing navigator but mostly I like following along. There are over fifty caches hidden right here in Kingwood.  And now that we've introduced our friends to the sport, we might have some company.  I wonder what their name would be- Four Canadians? The Moose Patrol? Rock Doc y Las Chicas? We'll see!

Planning out the route

Anna, Clare & Mia- Good Buddies

The huddle to see what's in the cache

Searching for Cache #2

Chris writes in the tiny, soggy  log book "Frodo Seven & Friends"

Hat Heads

Five Hat Heads

My friend Misty and I get our little homeschoolers together for Craft Day once a month. Today, we made hats.  At first, I thought the project might be a little ambitious for my girls but they surprised me.  They've never sewn before but Mia got the knack of it right away and sewed most of her hat herself, even adding extra buttons on the rim.  Grace needed a little more help but managed to sew some buttons without sticking herself or her mama.  Sophie had a hard time focusing on the crafts because of Misty's heavenly playroom but she got a hat of her own anyway.  Craft Day is at the Doyle house next month.  I'll start planning tomorrow- the bar's pretty high!

 

Anna did a great job sewing everything herself

Grace sewed a few stitches and a couple of buttons- with help- and then did a terrific job modeling the final product

Mia's not sure if it's a hat or a bag!

Mia talked sewing all the way home and wanted another project right away.  I pulled out some mending that's been waiting at least two years for my attention.  She got right on it.

Hats off to Madeleine!

Last weekend was full of talent-appreciation opportunities for the Doyle family.  As I said in my "Running" post, we spent Sunday cheering on our friend Ralph in the Houston Marathon. Saturday night, we had the privilege of seeing Madeleine perform in her Regional Choir concert. We're new to Regional Choir but apparently, it's a big deal to be selected for it. Students receive practice CDs in August and start preparing for auditions.  Madeleine auditioned in November and was one of only three students from SMMCS to make the choir.  She was the only one to make the more competitive mixed choir.  She spent a couple of months practicing with her music teacher, Mrs. Zoeke, and then attended just two practices with the choir as a whole before performing Saturday night.

I didn't know what to expect but came away completely impressed.  There were three different combinations of choirs there and each performed three or four songs.  Madeleine's choir performed last.  My favorite piece was a wonderful rendition of Billy Joel's "Lullabye". Madeleine's favorite, "He Never Failed Me Yet" was about how God is always there for us.  It was one of several religious songs.  The selections surprised me because the choir was comprised mostly of public school students. Madeleine's school was the only private school there.  Only in Texas.

Madeleine is already talking about next year and hoping for a solo.  I'm thinking about how much fun she'll have performing in high school musicals in a few years! 

The trio from SMM Cristina, Madeleine & Bayley

Grateful girls with choir director, Mrs. Zoeke

Madeleine's friend Shirley came for moral support

Madeleine and her biggest fan at the after-show celebratory dinner

Madeleine took this picture of me and her mini-me