Tuesday we drove about 2 1/2 hours to the Wildflower walk. It's an annual get together of homeschoolers. We had a lot of fun and I didn't even over-do it. It was a wonderful walk through the woods identifying wildflowers. Then we hung out at the museum center where the young, enthusiastic man explained about weapons of the past and hunting and basically a lot of neat things about the area. I was very impressed! We all learned something from that! I am planning on taking about $10 for books the next time we go, probably sometime in the summer.

After that we had a picnic lunch in the park. The kids played and us mom's chit chatted. It was VERY nice! Then I went to L*'s house and the kids played while I looked through her impressive collection of books. I bought "Sing, Read, and Write" for my youngest and they both played with it today. I had a great visit! We got home about 10:30pm and I crawled right into bed. I was too tired to even email poor L* to let her know I made it. Hubby emailed her though and then let me sleep in until 10 the next morning. That was a nice surprise!

Sunday was a nice day. We drove over an hour to a friends house for an Easter dinner and egg hunt. The kids had fun! They each recieved a nice "bubble net" and a bottle of bubbles. We still have plastic egg halves all over the house. I am tossing them as I go along.

I am starting to declutter the house. I am in the process of making a huge box for the thriftshop, one for making paper, and one for pieces of toys and puzzles that are missing pieces. I also need to clean the pantry and find out how much food we really have. I do NOT believe the kids when they say "there is nothing to eat" anymore. I opened the pantry door and was assaulted by an array of pasta. Hence, the food inventory. I am also going to sort the toys and clothes. I can "do" the clean part, never a problem there... It's the organized. I tend to get overzealous LOL. I have my timer ready to use each time I start organizing. You'd be amazed at what you can do in 15 minutes!

I went on a shopping spree today! Yep, me and $20 ripped apart Wal-mart. I actually had a lot of fun though. I started out with not a plan, a cart, yes... a plan... not really. I grabbed a cart and headed for the school supplies. Do you know they have folding rulers now? I thick I measured every book on the shelf, my arm hairs, the hooks... I was drawing attention so I quit somewhere around the erasers. I also pressed the button on all the alphabet books. They were these cute little books with buttons. I pressed 'z' on the first one and it said "Z. what begins with Z?" Then palyed the entire alphabet song tune. So of course, being juvenile, I pressed all the Z buttons and ran from the isle giggling. The uppity lady wasn't amused but that is okay. I had fun.

I picked up cat food... I forgot, we needed that. Then I went to the sewing/ fabric section. I learned a lot there from the nice lady working the section and then she left me to my own idea's. I browsed all the pattern books. There are a few patterns that I want to buy for myself, a couple that I would love to make the boys, and some very cute frogs that I want to make the boys for the frogs thematic unit study. But I stuck with one pattern that I am going to use to make an outfit for myself. It was $10. Then I bought a self-healing cutting mat, a seam ripper, and elastic for the boys shorts. I was asked where to find things and what different prices were. Tell me honestly, do you think a woman in shorts, a tanktop, and sandals sitting at the pattern section browsing through the books... do you REALLY think that lady works at Wal-Mart? Well, I really should. I knew where the stuff was (except the speaker cover material) and even some of the prices. I swayer, I should really get a job there. I did great today!

Then I ran back to school supplies and found graph paper for oldest son to practice math. After that, I went grocery shopping. I bought snacks and bread and frozen veggies. Spaghetti squash is on sale for .77 a pound. I bought two and a few more foods we really didn't NEED but since I am still having trouble cooking some days, I figured I would grab them.


$122 later I was finished. Hey, I know how to stick to a budget! There is a 20 in that number *grins*

I had a nice drive over the cherohola skyway. I always enjoy that beautiful drive home. When I did get home I unloaded the car and gave the boys their treat. I really felt a lot better. A nice 45 minute drive each way, a couple hours of wandering in circles, and impeding traffic by going slow for once, is the best way for me to relax. I don't really enjoy shopping but if I have a plan... I can wander, price compare and set off every noise maker in a store. Sometimes I just have to make things fun since life isn't always ready to had over fun and joy in a gift wrapped box.

V has long since left. She only stayed a week. I have been working on getting the house spring cleaned. I am also the "earth day" person for the woldflower walk. I am nervous. I haven't idea of what to do. I think I'll have the kids make "litter bugs" from egg cartons. That sounds easy enough. I have to get the tires rotated and balanced. I might have a free sewing machine soon. If that doesn't work out, I am running to Wal-mart! I have a few designs of clothes I can make. I also have a few quilts that I would like to make. I am also trying to figure out if I can even fix mine.

I bought 4 theme units from schoolexpress.com ($2 each) and we're working on dinosaurs right now. I just reviewed grades. A's as usual. And I even printed out "report cards". I don't see what they find so great about report cards but, if they want them, I'll print them. I still need to find a rain gauge.

They found a catapillar nest yesterday. They are still fascinated with it. Right now they outside learning as much as they can about the catapillar nest and what they eat.

Yesterday V went to the doctor and was sent to the emergency room instead. They didn't have enough doctors. Always the efficient way to get health care, the emergency room wait was nearly 4 hours. They saw her, doped her up and sent her home. Love Tenn Care! She came back early this morning much easier to deal with and worried sick about her health. She is sleeping now and will probably remain sleeping for some time. She needs it so I am just going to let her.

Yesterday hubby went for a job. He was gone for quite a bit. The boys were excellent while he was gone. Once home, they self destructed. It was like they could hold it in no longer. We occupied our time by watching TV, sharing sherbet and reheated food, and trying to teach them how to knit. Just think... Thursday, my life will be much easier as I will be going to the doctor, getting a "new to us" washer and dryer, and then I can clean this tornado path when I get home. It will hopefully get easier from then on.