Oh boy!

Today we were doing math and Lewis said "Mom, I don't like math".  So I tried to explain to him how important math is in every day life and that he needs it.  He said "I know, I get it, but this is boring.  I need more of a challenge".  Oh boy. 

In case you're wondering, the math program we're currently using is considered slightly advanced and the K level is more like 1st grade.

So, what do I do?  Order another level and see if he's challenged?  Is he bored or restless?  So hard to tell.

Both boys are really enjoying the new phonics program we have called "Explode the Code".  We have workdbooks for each boy and it's fun to see William embracing schoolwork too.

We had a fun playdate this afternoon with some friends - lovely weather today!

And in the big news- my dishwasher is fixed.  Hallelujah!  Though I did receive a stern warning from my landlord not to let water get in it again.  Ugghhhhh.

Today's three things-
1.  I am thankful for my dishwasher.
2.  I am thankful for sheets dried on a clothes line.
3.  I am thankful for people with integrity.

Cold - the viral kind

With the change of weather from cold to warm to cold again- we've all got colds.  Sinus clogging, sneezing, coughing, snotting, sniffling colds - we're a commercial for NyQuil.  Fun.  Currently it's not too bad, a little under the weather but not down for the count - I'm hoping it stays this way and then gets better soon.

This week's state we're focusing on in school is Tennessee!  Woohooo my home state!  The boys don't think they want to live there either but think visiting Graceland looks fun - good grief.

In other news, my landlord showed up today without the technician he was supposed to bring to fix the dishwasher and proceeded to tell me I have to pay for the repairs because it's my fault it doesn't work due to the water infiltration.  Now listen, I don't speak Italian well under the best of circumstances but get me upset and I make absolutely no sense (not so much in English either).  I'm sure I underwhelmed and confused him with my attempt to say "no way am I paying for that" - let the games begin. 

Here are Wednesday's 3 things-
1.  I am thankful for Usborne books.
2.  I am thankful for washable markers.
3.  I am thankful for bleach.

What the....?

So, I'm walking by the window and suddenly stop to look out because something strange caught my eye- and what do I see?  SNOW!  In Naples?  Strange things are going on folks.  I realize it's not nearly the amount of snow the east coast (U.S.) is currently enjoying but it's something.  Of course exactly one hour after it started it was all gone and the sun was shining again.

And in the "saw that one coming from a mile away" category, my stupid dishwasher is broken again.  I've only used it once since it was "repaired" and not one drop of water infiltrated the electronics.
 
Lo ho detto così.  I told you so.

Buona notte!  Good night!

Where did the time go?

First, let's all say a little thank you that today's post isn't "day titled".  Unfortunately today's title comes from the amazing fact I just haven't had the time or brain power to sit down and write.  When I first began this blog I thought I would sit down at night after tucking the boys into bed and write.  But wow, brain damage sets in around 7:30 and I'm too tired.  So I thought I would write in the morning, but by the time I consume two cups of coffee to reverse the previous night's brain damage I've got too much to do to take time to write.  This is harder than I thought.

In my last entry I stated we were off to the Commissary, but that was delayed due to weather.  Strange, I know.  It started to really rain just as we were walking out the door and knowing that we had to leave the house the next day for art class I decided to cancel our outing and do it Thursday.  The boys were much happier with this decision and we all settled in to game of Monopoly Jr..  Thursday's art class was interesting.  The project was to paint a flower using finger paints and your feet.  Both of my boys apparently have texture issues and refused to take off their shoes and have their feet covered in paint.  Such weird kids.  They'll cover themselves head to toe with mud or sand, but paint? NO.  They opted to use their hands instead -still cute.

On Saturday we did a bit of local exploring.  We hopped in the family mini-van and just drove around to see what we could find.  It's nice to do this on the weekends because the traffic isn't so bad.  I'm always amazed at the ancient ruins "just around the corner".  We're driving along and boom - a Roman Amphitheater I didn't even know was here.  That night we watched a video rented from the library about Sicily.  I was surprised to see all the Greek ruins still intact on Sicily.  We're looking forward to our trip and seeing a few of these.  The boys are looking forward to playing in the snow on Mt. Etna.

Thankfully my dishwasher was repaired today.  And you want to know the kicker?  The repairman told me the circuit board was shorting out due to - wait for it- water infiltration.  huh?  Now, I hate to be the voice of reason here, but a dishwasher by its' very nature has to get wet!!!  He told me I needed to make sure that water from the draining board of my sink didn't leak down into the top control panel.  I looked, taking in the layout of my kitchen and said "Impossible!"  put an accent on the last "e" and it's Italian for- impossible.  The sink and the dish drain area are directly above the dishwasher.  His suggestion?  Put a dishtowel on the edge to soak up any run away water.  Good grief.  Needless to say Paul heard this explanation and said "We'll put a bead of caulk around the exposed areas and no more water".  Smart man I married, I think I'll keep him.  I'm 100% positive that water infiltration is not the problem but I'll wait until it stops working again to learn how to say "I told you so" in Italian.

And now I'm off to do some reading and go to bed.  I'm currently reading "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom and I love it!

I made this  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/brisket_baby/  two weeks ago and it is fantastic - I suggest you try it.  We ate it as sandwiches on fresh bakery rolls with sweet potato fries - yummmy!

Wednesday again!

I hope all my entries don't have day titles, how boring.  But, it's Wednesday again and here I am posting and I couldn't think of anything else to call it.

I'm glad I didn't promise daily updates (did I?) because it's harder than you think to post things daily about your daily life.  Life can be pretty boring and routine and I'm sure you don't want to read anything boring or routine - in that case you may want to look for another blog to read.

1st- the good news - both of my boys still have all of their teeth (despite their efforts to lose them in crazy accidents).  2nd - the bad news - maybe not for long.  William took a tumble while using the potty and fell in!  No, I am not kidding.  The stool he was standing on slipped out from under him causing him to lurch forward - he tried to catch himself but missed so one of his arms went into the toilet.  The poor little boy hit his mouth on the toilet seat and busted his lips up pretty good and knocked one of his front teeth out of position.  It wasn't wiggly so we didn't rush to the dentist.  But, one of our dentists attends our church and took a look at his tooth and thinks he should come in to be examined further.  It has turned very grey and the concern of course is that the tooth is dead and needs to come out.  We're going in next Tuesday to have it examined.  Lewis, not to be outdone by his baby brother, took a tumble in the playroom the other day and whacked his mouth on the train table!  Big fat busted lip, but no signs of tooth damage.  Why are they doing this to me?  Boys.

I'm busy planning trips for our last year here in Italy.  As I said before, we're heading down to Sicily with Paul February 4-13.  He has a training exercise for work and we're going to tag along.  In April I think we'll go to Umbria for a week and tour all the cute little towns like Assisi, Orvieto, Puglia, Deruta.  It was much easier to convince Paul to do this as opposed to a cruise, imagine that.  Anyone want to join us?

Today we're off for an exciting adventure at the Commissary, I can't wait.  This is the good/bad side of homeschooling.  I love having my kids with me all day, but I don't love having them with me for all of the things I need to do in a day.  Luckily the bakery sells pretzels so we get two of those and that keeps them busy and quiet for at least three aisles.  You don't want to know what the rest of the shopping trip is like.

Oh, my dishwasher is still broken.  Did I tell you my dishwasher has been broken since August?  uggghhh.  and secretly I blame it all on my sister-in-law Gretchen who had the audacity to open the door!   What was she thinking opening the door?  She was here visiting in July and opened the door!  Then it started acting funny and in August quit working all together.  oh, wait, you're supposed to open the door?  Well then, I guess it's not Gretchen's fault after all.  I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that they screwed the decorative face plate on with non-coated screws that are rusting and that said screw is very close to the place where the electronics would be that make the stupid thing work?  Anyhoo, it's been a long process.  It was broken, then mysteriously started working again and then mysteriously stopped working again.  The technician was due to come on Monday or Tuesday of this week.  And what day is it?  ugghhhhhh.

Time to get moving this morning - two cups of coffee and I'm starting to feel somewhat human.

Have a great day!