A midnight story

Today, I decided we needed to shake up our traditional school routine a little. I had come across this activity and decided it was worth a try! (the link to this activity is located at the bottom of this post). Here is the story the kids came up with:

                                                                           A midnight story

By, Mother, Cowgirl and Doctor (and guidance by me).

              Somewhere about midnight in an old over-grown graveyard, fog rolled across the ground, bats screeched in the night and wolves howled to the lonely moon. Dr. Von Doctor looked out the broken window of his lab, searching the abandoned graveyard for his creature; Franken-Butterfly!

                Detective Mother and Private I Cowgirl tip-toed around the tombstones. P.I Cowgirl stumbled backwards on a rock and bumped into Det. Mother. Det. Mother’s scream was mimicked by a cat in the darkness. PI Cowgirl grabbed a stick and swung it around, wildly into the air.

 “Be quiet!” Det. Mother hissed at PI Cowgirl.

                PI Cowgirl glared at Det. Mother and hissed back “I’m not the one who screamed!”

                Stick broke, Det. Mother and PI Cowgirl went silent.

Glancing around Det. Mother said, “Let’s just find it and get out of here!”

                All the while, Dr. Von Doctor had seen the comical display by the two intruders. “They are just what I need to fix Franken-Butterfly!” He decided as he snuffed out his candle and disappeared into the blackness of the graveyard.

                Frankin-Butterfly coward behind a skinny tree, hoping she wouldn’t be found. She whimpered in fright as a bat screeched high above her. She had never been out of Dr. Von Doctor’s lab before, but she knew she had to get away! She had to get away from all the monsters in the lab. Wherever she looked, tiny monsters looked back. They were everywhere; in all the test tubes and beakers. When she blinked, they blinked. The worst though, was the big monster stuck on the wall. It always seemed to be watching her. Just a little while ago it tired to attack her! She only went to the monster to make friends, but the dust on a shelf that she bumped made her sneeze. She didn’t think that was good enough of a reason for the monster to roar and to grab her! In fear, she lunged for the window, but the big monster beat her there! Turning and running, she crashed into the table. Books and bottles crashed to the floor. Like a scared cat, she looked around the room at the falling shelves and books. It was then that the big monster on the wall came for her. Feeling like her heart was outside of her body, she ran towards the window again. But before she got there the big monster was there again. Sliding to a stop, she lost her balance and fell into the arms of the monster. Instead of it holding her tight, she broke through its arms, glass shattered and she fell to the earth. Fearing the monster was not far behind, she ran and hid behind a skinny tree. She gulped in huge breaths of air, wondering what to do next. A cricket chirped behind her.

                “Eeeek!” She screamed as she barrelled forward.

                Not watching where she was going, Frankin-Butterfly crashed into the detectives. Rolling across the ground, a tombstone brought them to a stop. Dazed and confused, the trio staggered to their feet and fell down.

                Dr. Von Doctor heard the commotion and hurried in the direction of the sound. At the base of a large tombstone, he seen his beloved pet monster; Frankin-Butterfly and the two intruders, in a heap.

                Quickly he ran to Frankin-Butterfly’s side and knelt down. “I brought you a slimy dead fish,” he said, pulling out of his coat pocket. “Are you okay dear?”

                Frankin-Butterfly purred and rested her head on his shoulder. She decided, home with big monsters was better than the scary graveyard. She licked the side of Dr. Von Doctor’s face, happy to be safe.

http://www.createteachshare.com/2014/09/ready-print-go-halloween-edition.html

The resurrected goldfish

One of the things I love most about paradise is; there is rarely, if ever, a dull moment!
      For some, unknown, reason, Doctor decided he needed another pet - his 5 month old cat Trapper, the 5 other cats and the family dog Duce were not enough. No, now he needed a goldfish! After lengthy discussions with both him and his father, it was decided; on our next trip to the city we would get him a fish.
Excitedly, yet as gently as a child can be, Doctor put his new goldfish into the prepared and waiting aquarium. The weekend finished as per norm and Monday dawned in the same old fashion. A considerable amount of attention was diverted from schoolwork and given to the new fish who didn't seem to be fairing too well. I readied Tires and Butterfly and ushered them to the van for school. I hadn't been gone for more than 3 minutes when my cell phone loudly played it's designated 'home' ring tone. "Oh no." I grumbled. "I'm already late, I can't go back because Buddy decided he wants to go for a car ride!" I sighed heavily and answered my phone "hello? --- hello?" Doctors soft and quivering voice responded, "mom, what does it mean when a fish is floating upside down with its eyes open?" "Honey,"I started but hesitated -- should I lie and tell him it's asleep and spare his broken heart for a little while or should I break the news so his tender hopes wouldn't rise? The car jostled over the uneven gravel road as I silently mulled over my dilemma. "It's dead honey! I'm sorry!" His sobs ripped my heart out of my chest. "We will get you another one" I promised. "Just don't worry about the fish until I get home! Are you going to be okay?" Between his grief he sobbed out "I--Dunno."
Grateful that the situation was not more serious than it was, I finally arrived at the school, greeted teachers, kissed my babies and made the return for home, not quite sure what I'd be coming home too...it certainly was not what I was expecting that's for sure!
As I entered the front door I was mauled down by a herd of kids. Buddy, all wide-eyed and alarmed was the first to speak "da fish...ou' wa'er...poopy butt...toi'e'...f'owers...f'ush!" Then he attempted to mimic the sound of a flush and wildly demonstrate the swirling water in a toilet bowl. From the time we had invested in potty training and his alarm, I deduced that in his small mind the fish was trying to use the pot but did not survive the venture.
With eyebrows raised I surveyed the guilty faces and asked "who wants to make that into full sentences for me?"
Doctor started "you said the fish was dead, so I put it in the toilet --"
"F'owers! Fish! poopy butt!" Buddy interrupted.
"Flowers?" I questioned
"Mother did it!" Doctor was quick to inform.
"They were very tiny!" Mother piped up, in self defense.
"Fish - poopy butt!" Buddy informed again.
"It all went down okay!" Cowgirl added.
"Fish - poopy butt!" Buddy said, just to make sure we had heard. By now I had this horrible, gut wrenching feeling that this was going to have a negative impact on our efforts to potty train!
Time enough passed for Buddy to resume potty training when 4 new fish and a snail made their homes with us. Right off, two fish died and the kids mourned the deaths of their beloved 12 hour acquaintances.
"Flush them," I instructed in the general direction of mourners. "But no flowers this time!"
Dad arrived home, and after being mobbed in affection life resumed.
The dull roar abruptly exploded into a heightened cacophony.
"Water! We need water now!" "Quick! Get a bowl or a cup!" "Where's the water?"
I called out "What's going on?" As I made my way to the riot Buddy barreled into my legs.
"Buddy got the fish out of their tank and is running around with them!" Someone shrieked.
"What?" I asked as Buddy shoved past me.
With cat-like reflexes I caught Buddy by the shoulder and turned him around. My eyes widened with alarm as they focused on two small fish tails peeking out of his little fists. Cowgirl had seen them as well, the cacophony increasing. I took notice of the lifeless state of his prisoners and informed the raging mob "they're DEAD!" Mournful wails erupted and we're quickly silenced when Mother said "but there are fish in the tank!" Confused eyes darted from face to face to face as everyone tried to process the given information.
Dad, being so wise, asked "who put the dead fish in the toilet?" A meek voice answered "I did." "Did you remember to flush?" He probed further. "I forgot" the same small voice admitted. An agitated groan rippled from most members of the family.
With fish now flushed and hands well washed I sat on the couch to recomposed myself, vowing to never buy another goldfish!

From one turkey to another... :/

The smell of cooking turkey danced a ballet around the kitchen. I stood at the stove, stirring the gravy when Tires came running through the entrance and skidded across the floor on his knees. With both hands grasped in begging formation he cried out in his most dispirit and longing voice "I'm hungry mom!" I took notice of the chocolate cake batter splattered on his shirt and face and chuckled at my little 'Oliver Twist'. "It's almost ready" I tried to reassured him. "I'm hungry mom!" He continued to beg. At long last the potatoes were mashed and the table was set. Above the constant dull roar of children learning the art of reverence we prayed and, much to his great joy, began dishing up. I took hold of the leg and jerked to free the drumstick. Much of the thigh came with it. Tire's gasped and awed at its glorious sight. I asked him if he wanted it. he nodded enthusiastically, like a starved rugby player, "Uh-huh!" He replied. "Can you eat it all?" I asked. Again, he replied "Uh-huh!" I shrugged and set the meat on his plate. His face, mixed with emotion, reflected hunger of a thousand wolves and the awe of a new father. The wild animal in him dominated and eagerly he tore into his prize. Piece by piece and bite by bite, the heap slowly dwindled to the bone. Satisfied, he sighed and leaned back in his chair. I stared at his plate, suddenly fearing his teen years and my requirement to keep him fed.

Butterfly hugs

I stood at the grill flipping pancakes and rotating waffles in the waffle maker, it was that kind of an evening. Music blared through my buds, right into my ears, with the intention of drowning out the chaos of seven wound up children. The lyrics from my favorite German pop/rock song tossed me onto the breeze of nostalgia and carried me back 16 years to my time in Germany with my Oma. I hardly took notice of the batter seeping from the over filled waffle maker as I remembered the beautiful sights and the tempting smells. I groaned, agitated that I had spent so much time dreaming of a future filled with small children instead of living in the present, never once did those fantasies resemble the evening I currently lived. The word WHY mulled around in my thoughts as I continued my mundane task. All though my body language shouted 'stay back' my sweet Butterfly put her arms around my middle, rested her head against my ribs and looked up at me with the same sweet blue-green eyes I had known and loved for almost 7 years. My heart thawed as my arms returned the hug. Remembering why I desired this life so much and how much I truly did love it, I turned off the music, determined to live in the present and make the most of its sweet gift.

Getting to know us.

As I've already posted, I am a mother of 7 - the oldest is 12 and the baby is not yet 1 1/2. My babies are (by nickname); Mother, Cowgirl, Doctor, Butterfly, Tires, Buddy and Belle. -- 4 girls and 3 boys! What a blessings they each are too me! Mother, Cowgirl and Doctor are homeschooled while, for this year, Butterfly and Tires are in public school (they have speech delays and can gain extra help there...yaddy, yadda, ya) and Buddy and Belle keep me running between fragment sentences and math equations. Each day is a joy and a prayer answered. At the present moment, I have nothing of great interest to say and since I've been informed that the chicken coop is ready, our little 6 week old house guests (Shelly and Yokeahontis) are ready to move out of our schoolroom and into their own private quarters. I must get them moved before Doctor gets home, as Shelly has become his little 'lap-dog' during class time and I know he won't be pleased with this change. --> for the record, when I began this homeschooling adventure, I didn't have the slightest clue that the kids would become so attached to incubated chicks.