The Davidson Den

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried? Time with the Rackleys always does that to me. We had a nice surprise visit by Daddy Rackley himself about a week and a half ago. Between him and Paul, I am always doubled-over with laughter.

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it? I would probably pay my son for all the extra chores he has done lately...since he keeps reminding me of the exact amount we owe him. Nag, nag, nag...

3. Do you volunteer anywhere? Dude. I need volunteers over HERE!!

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it? I have lots of favorites, but I guess the one I obsess over the most is watermelon. I eat it quite happily, of course, using a spoon and keeping a salt shaker handy. And I eat a lot of it!

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large? Depends. I'd say it's pretty large on a purely surface-y level. But on a deep level, it's small, and I guess that's the way it needs to be. However, I'm rotten about keeping in touch with my good friends, and I really want to get better about that.

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go? We had a little family reunion about a year ago. It went fine, except it made me miss my Mamaw that much more. It was a weird sort of day.

7. When you're feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up? A hug and an encouraging word. That's really all it takes.

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer? Nope. Nor did I take one last summer. Or the summer before that. But I'm not bitter or anything.

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time? Probably dental floss. It's just one of those sample packets, but it stays in my diaper bag/purse...'cause you never know. (I'm weird.)

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far? Toy Story 3. Does that count as a "flick"? That's about as good as it gets, considering my husband and I have seen a collective five films in the theater over the past eight years!

11. Describe a perfect summer day. Sleeping late. (Never happens.) Daddy home with us. Relatives visiting. Morning swim. Reading an entire book in one sitting. (Never happens.) Naps. Fresh garden vegetables and cornbread. Homemade ice cream. Running and playing outside after supper and on into dusk. Fireflies. Crickets chirping. Cool breezes to end the day. *sigh* Oh, yeah, and the thermostat staying below 100 degrees outside with low humidity!

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!

Having gelato at Za Za's on Father's Day.

I'm participating in:

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Project 365: Week 32

Sunday, August 1, 2010

A dog from waaaay down the road ~~escaped~~ paid us a visit today. Noah was beside-himself-happy to take her home. I tell you, if Noah had had a tail, he'd have definitely been waggin' it. The boy needs a dawg.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Today's Farmer's Market was a scorcher, but we got some beautiful food!! I didn't get a picture of the okra we bought, but it was the purtiest okra I'd EVER seen.We got one of these cantaloupes, too. It was divine. The tomatoes we bought are still ripening on our counter. They are huge and gorgeous. I resisted the temptation to buy one farmer's 45-pound watermelon. Resisted with every thing inside of me. "Why?" you ask. Only because there was no room in my fridge. Doggone it.

I just have to tell you guys. You blessed souls who don't live in Arkansas. The produce our state grows is about the ONLY good thing about summer in Arkansas. We are having record highs. Like, not since ten years ago has it been THIS hot!! Tonight I walked by the thermostat at 11:45 p.m. Eleven forty-five, mind you! And...well...here's the proof.

Set for 74, but still registering 78...after nearly three hours of dark. All I could think was, "Lord, please give comfort to those who don't have air conditioning!" (I can't imagine.)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

After a very interesting fermented foods workshop tonight, which I will write about soon, I came home staaarving. This was my snack, sprinkled with Real Salt and eaten with a spoon. Oh, my.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Our church did a little Kids Kamp Tuesday and Wednesday this week. A few of the men taught about biblical friendship, coordinated games, food, activities, and swimming. It was held at a home about 45 minutes from town, so we carpooled. Here are my two big kids about to head out for their second day. They loved it!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

I made homemade soaked granola today. We don't eat boxed cereal. ANY boxed cereal. So the kids (and their daddy) are very excited about this special treat!

Friday, August 6, 2010

We attended a very fun, free event at a local library. It was called Lamanpalooza, Laman being the name of the library. They were giving away lots of prizes, including the coveted iPad. We didn't win it, despite our frantic race around the library to complete our required "Treasure Map." However, we got to climb in an ambulance and a fire truck, see some big ol' Arkansas fish, enjoy a great concert on the lawn, and eat some popcorn and popsicles. Praise the Lord it wasn't horribly hot. (By the way, the ticket Noah was holding was 7 numbers off from the winning ticket for the iPad! So close...)


As soon as we arrived we ran into my cousin and her sweet kiddos. This is Noah and Cousin N. on the ambulance.	.

Fishies.

Note to self: Three-year-olds can't smile on command.

I never figured out what this was about. Some form of creative dance??

Chillin'.

Saylor enjoyed the music.

SOMEbody enjoyed the popsicles a little TOO much!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

It was Membership Appreciation Day at our zoo. So we braved the heat. All for the unlimited free rides on the train and the carousel. My kids didn't even know there WAS a carousel because their mean mommy always avoids the extra cost! Atticus was so proud of himself sitting atop his horse, he wouldn't even let Paul TOUCH him. Until, that is, the ride actually started. Then he changed his tune real fast!

Gabe kept saying, "Yee haw!"

Sneaking a shot...

This was, by far, Saylor's favorite thing to do at the zoo.


I'm pretty sure this was the only shade in the whole zoo.

Tiger wouldn't turn around for the camera. Reminds me of someone else I know...

Atticus is fascinated lately with these guys. "Chomp! Chomp!"

This is Molly. I photographed her several years ago, and it is still one of my favorite pictures. Isn't she photogenic?

We had a great time, though we were all HOT (with a capital H-O-T), tired, and hungry by 11:30. Members got free meals, too. Just do me a favor and don't even ASK what we ate. The point is, I was grateful for it today. Grateful. Because, did I mention we were HOT, tired, and hungry?

And then tonight, my man and I celebrated our anniversary with dinner out.

Whew! That was one photo-intensive week. I wonder if anyone else had anywhere near as many animal pictures as I did. Very doubtful. See for yourselves at Sara's.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Eleven Years

Eleven years ago right about this time, I was standing with my handsome bridegroom in my hometown church about to become Mrs. Paul Davidson. Eleven years ago I had no idea what my life was going to look like TODAY, but I was game. I only knew I wanted to be hand-in-hand with a crazy, button-pushing, non-singer who had (still has) the best laugh ever.

Eleven years ago, I was worried about what the flowers in my hair looked like. Now I have a better perspective on what's really important.

Eleven years ago I had no idea what eleven years would feel like. It feels good.

Eleven years ago today I married my best friend.

The best friend who's going to be mad at me if he finds out I'm blogging today of all days! But then again, he's at the office getting ready for a big out-of-town trial. (So sad.) Is this what happens to people after eleven years and four children?! Ha! Actually, we ARE having a dinner date tonight, so y'all don't go to worrying about us or anything. There will be celebration, merriment, good food, and two people...

...still in love after eleven years.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Plan

Curriculum. I love it. I'm addicted to it. I buy too much of it. I hoard it. I need help. (Seriously.) Do I USE it? No, not really. Not the way I'd like to. Not the way a classroom teacher GETS to. (I know--I WAS one.) A homeschooling mom of four just doesn't get to be the classroom teacher who's buried down inside of her, itching to get out. She has far too many things going on to allow her escape. Things like making more diaper-wipe solution for the 1000th time (because the 3-year-old keeps stealthily squirting it all out) and moving the laundry basket of "things that don't belong in this room" to the room in which they belong...over and over and over again.

So. When someone asks me about curriculum, I falter a bit. In fact, I avoid the question whenever possible. But today? Watch out, world...I'm bravely facing my fears head on!! Perhaps pitifully, I'm using a blog hop to help me solidify the pseudo-plan I've come up with. You know. The one that works for today. The one that will inevitably be turned completely on its end in...oh, say...five weeks, give or take. But the bravery is very real TODAY. And so...I'm taking advantage of it. Sorry if it bores most of you to tears, but it simply must. be. done.

The Plan for Noah (Third Grade):

Sonlight Curriculum--This will include reading, some spelling and vocabulary, some grammar, Bible, and history.
Shurley English--The best way to learn grammar in my ever-so-humble opinion.
SRA Spelling--SRA really knows how to do things.
Math Solutions--Games, literature-connections, etc. (I heart Marilyn Burns.)
Investigations in Number, Data, and Space--More math, inspired by Math Solutions (What did I tell ya?)
Occasional piano lessons (by Mommy) and weekly guitar lessons (not by Mommy)
Draw, Write, Now--Handwriting and drawing lessons

The Plan for Saylor (Kindergarten):

Bright Beginnings--Finish up (...for goodness' sake)
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons--(Lessons 41-100) This is the way I taught children to read from my first year of teaching until now! It works.
THEN Sonlight Curriculum--same as above
Investigations Math--same as above
Occasional piano lessons (by Mommy) and weekly ballet lessons (not by Mommy)

The Plan for Gabriel (age three):

Speech Therapy (all on our own most likely)
What Your Preschooler Needs to Know, Book 1

The Plan for Atticus (age 21-months):

Somehow keep him occupied with whatever works while we're doing all-of-the-above.

*taking deeeeeeep breath*

Of course, I will also attempt library story times, trips to the zoo, trips to area museums (when they're free or close to it), the occasional field trip to farms, post offices, and the like. I say "attempt," because...ahem...that's all I can promise. What I DO know is that there will be all kinds of game playing...