tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20096947233970036242024-03-13T09:31:26.154-05:00Two Times the Fun (and Then Some)my life with twins plus oneMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-58475598275748908002017-08-13T07:15:00.002-05:002017-08-13T07:15:34.057-05:00You Have Arrived.Colonial Williamsburg.
Jamestown Settlement and Powhatan Village.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Traveling backward and forward in time as we visited living history museum after living history museum exhausted our feet and filled up our brains. We learned new things and reinforced previous understanding by walking the streets and encampments and engaged the people around usMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-13876433601559017882017-08-09T20:12:00.002-05:002017-08-09T20:12:54.495-05:00Little Pink Houses/Ain't that America
On we drove on this crazy field trip we have been on. It was not a long drive, and the kids managed a snooze through an entire state. Perhaps it helped that that state was Connecticut and is pretty much only a blink wide. But they still slept. I had to force them to wake up to wave at New York as we drove by.
We almost wished for another couple of days on the road so that we could have Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-77240956958936297452017-08-02T06:44:00.000-05:002017-08-02T07:24:50.794-05:00Oh, the Places We've Gone!A quick stop for lunch on our way to Boston left us with some great inspiration for the next leg of our adventure.
And an adventure it was.
It was a nonstop, action-packed, cousin-filled, crazy three and a half days that somehow felt like both a blink and a lifetime at the same time. I can't explain it.
It began with lobster and steak and s'mores and a "driveway-in" movie.
The next dayMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-4553032504708315092017-07-27T21:26:00.000-05:002017-07-27T21:31:57.321-05:00Life is a Highway
So I got this brilliant idea to culminate our school year with a field trip road trip that would highlight some of the US history we have been studying this past school year. I started planning and getting excited and adding destinations, and before I knew it, it had become a monster.
I am super crazy excited to see all the sites (and all the friends and family along the way).
Or maybe I am Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-38876535034273572032017-02-28T10:04:00.000-06:002017-02-28T10:07:59.113-06:00Inadequate.You've seen the pictures in the homeschooling journals and blogs.
You know the ones I'm talking about.
The ones with the beautiful homeschool classrooms. The ones with the kids feeding the family chickens, digging in the garden. The ones with boys and girls all dressed in adorable anoraks and wellies tromping through the forest of their backyard or neighborhood woods.
Maybe you, like me, look Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-61344991556842223702017-01-29T17:18:00.003-06:002017-01-29T17:43:10.913-06:00If I've been giving you the cold shoulder...
Hello there, old friend. I never tire of this view. Simple. Beautiful. Home.
Let's not discuss whether or not this picture was snapped from a moving vehicle while crossing the Poplar Street Bridge. We all know that construction plus rush hour means nobody was really moving anywhere very quickly anyway.
And it's not like my T-Rex arm was doing me much good on the steering wheel.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-26298864497738025612017-01-23T19:46:00.000-06:002017-01-23T19:46:02.688-06:00Ordinary
Today was pajamas and mismatched socks. Long baths and hot cups of coffee. Today was Harry Potter and Star Wars and board games and donuts.
Today was reading books and cuddling and making slow motion videos and laughing until we cried.
Today was puzzling until our puzzlers were sore, then taking a break for a bit and puzzling some more.
Today was arguing and losing our tempers and having Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-28817504504370968592016-12-19T20:42:00.001-06:002016-12-19T20:42:04.908-06:00Christmas ChaosChristmas has got me like...
For some reason, I feel like time is moving at twice its normal pace this Advent season. I can't explain why, but everything feels hectic and more complicated than usual. As a result, I've been feeling frustrated more than I'd like to admit.
Despite all that, we have been managing to have some pretty amazing days and spending quality family time together. Check Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-72909619692236693792016-12-11T11:37:00.001-06:002016-12-19T20:45:08.965-06:00Two Weeks of Advent
Somehow the Advent season always sneaks up on me. I think I am going to be prepared for all of its wonderful craziness. And yet, every year, November 30th rolls around and I realize that somewhere, hidden in the boxes of holiday decor is the wooden Advent calendar. The one with all those neat little doors to open and reveal a family activity for the day. The tradition I, in a moment of Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-85259720810652374332016-09-18T19:36:00.000-05:002016-09-18T19:36:54.207-05:00T-rex Rocks a Side Pony (in which I use the words "schwannoma" and "brachial plexus")
So lately I've been thinking a lot about the plight of our friend the Tyrannosaurus rex. He seems like such a grumpy guy most of the time, but can you really blame him?
I mean, with arms like that, he isn't exactly the life of the party, and even mundane every-day tasks would be so difficult for him. Let's face it, our arms are pretty useful. And we just sit back and take them for granted, Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-18501249683286219762016-08-18T09:41:00.000-05:002016-08-19T08:53:01.354-05:00Loving My Thing 1How can "pig headed" be a good character trait, Mommy?
You asked me that question a while back after a discussion about how God can use all the the aspects of our personalities to glorify him, how even the parts of ourselves that seem bad can have a positive flip side. I'm afraid that lately you've been hearing words like "stubborn," "bossy," "mouthy," and "argumentative" roll off my tongue a Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-13661428158142047742016-06-03T20:57:00.000-05:002016-06-03T20:57:10.722-05:00When it's hard...
Friends, you know I like to keep it real. And I'm going to be honest with you here. I'm sure this is going to come as a real shock to you all.
Being a mom is hard.
I mean it. It's really hard.
The day in, day out of the job of raising small humans. The never-ending piles of dishes and laundry. The non-stopness of it all.
And that's not even the crisis times. That's the Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-56682030714670775192016-05-17T17:11:00.001-05:002016-05-17T18:08:02.121-05:00Thankful
My current view isn't too terrible. The cat is cute and cuddly. I like the photo on the wall. The shelves are piled with some books I'll be reading shortly.
And best of all, I don't have to see this:
Yeah.
This was actually the "cutest" of a few pics, according to my darling (and honest) hubby. So. I'm looking and feeling pretty fantastic right now.
Thank you, oral surgery.
I don't Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-83422168867388162192016-05-11T19:56:00.003-05:002016-05-11T20:23:02.746-05:00Another Wednesday...already
Time flies when you're having fun.
Or when you're just so freaking busy you can't see straight.
But it's all the same thing, right? I mean, this whole being an adult thing...it's mostly about being busy and hoping we can at least enjoy what it is we are busy with.
I don't think I've had time to be bored in the past 10 years. And it just keeps getting busier.
And so I wokeMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-5969390926733164262016-05-04T19:16:00.002-05:002016-05-04T19:16:28.941-05:00What are We Doing Wednesday?It's Wednesday, so...
What are We Doing?
Back when we were in preschool and kindergarten/1st grade, we used to schedule Field Trip Fridays. You see, by the end of the week, my schedules and plans and dining room had become quite a mess. I needed a scheduled day each week to be unscheduled. To take the burden off and to just cut loose and have fun.
I am a fan of the idea of unschooling, Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-52225539291180470262016-04-11T21:33:00.001-05:002016-04-12T12:51:49.228-05:00Raising Gentlemen and Wild ThingsI know exactly where the Wild Things are.
They are tucked into their beds right now pretending to be asleep just long enough for me to not be listening at their door.
Then the Wild Rumpus will begin.
www.jillheupel.com
"Begin" is the wrong word. I should say that the Wild Rumpus will pick up where it left off. Because let's face it, my life is one continual Wild Rumpus with this group of Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-32552103783724105882016-02-29T16:44:00.005-06:002016-02-29T16:52:36.031-06:00Meg's Homeschool Day in the Life with a 6 year old and 8-year-old twinsToday I've linked up to the folks over at Simple Homeschool for their "Day in the Life" series of posts.
So, here's my "Day in the Life" with my 3 Wild Things, my 8-year-old twins, and their 6-year-old brother.
I like to try to keep things flowing and flexible. My active and silly boys keep me on my toes, and I want to allow them to explore what they love and to foster in them a love of Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-56854816654913392442016-02-10T16:30:00.000-06:002016-02-10T16:39:20.001-06:00Forty.Yikes.
According to some, I am now officially "over the hill." Although, there appear to be several other proverbial hills that I will hopefully have the honor of going over along this crazy journey called life.
So, I am standing here at the precipice of this hill. And I have to say, I am enjoying the view.
Behind me are years of insecurity and self-discovery, years of sleepless nights and Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-24417417331267543412016-01-11T16:58:00.000-06:002016-02-15T06:58:05.861-06:00Embracing their Unique Learning StylesI told the little artist to read and write his phonics words.
His brain interprets "write" very differently than mine does.
Sigh.
At least I know his comprehension is pretty high.
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-40133854883713889932016-01-06T20:55:00.000-06:002016-01-06T21:21:24.379-06:00Sprinkles, Sprinkles Everywhere!Our tree is still up. We were listening to Christmas music just yesterday. Around here we like our Christmas to linger at least until Epiphany.
It's just too much fun to end it all early.
Besides, then we would miss out on the chance to dump all our leftover sprinkles on the Epiphany Cake.
And every kid needs a few more sprinkles in his life. Every grown woman could use some extra sprinkles,Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-41358833902027933132015-12-22T04:28:00.001-06:002015-12-22T04:28:05.503-06:00December 15
When the sun went down, we headed out on a Christmas lights scavenger hunt. We drove through several neighborhoods, a drive-through display, and found THREE different houses with lights choreographed to music. Even though we never found ice skates, carolers, or a nutcracker, it was a fun adventure!
December 16
It was a day to deliver the Christmas cookies! We made a listMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-45765128838191891632015-12-16T06:56:00.001-06:002015-12-16T06:56:35.257-06:00The best way to spread Christmas cheer...We are still trucking along on our countdown to the birth of Christ. This was a week loaded with crafts and music, movies, lights, and goodies.
December 8:
The symphony orchestra here put on a family-friendly Christmas concert. So we went. We tapped our feet and bobbed our heads as they played. We sang along to the sing-along bits. We might have even sung along (although much more quietly) to Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-67106121709357591952015-12-09T23:36:00.001-06:002015-12-09T23:46:07.004-06:00Bah HumbugI love sharing our holiday traditions with you all during this time of year.
We craft, we sing, we see lights, and we learn about Jesus. We take really cute pictures and post them to this blog or to Facebook. If I did Instagram and Twitter, I'm sure there would be sweet and funny things posted there, too. I'm too much of a curmudgeon to learn new(er) social media, however, so we are limited to Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-18785800052213054562015-12-08T13:39:00.001-06:002015-12-08T13:39:33.617-06:00Let the countdown begin!It's that time of year again, and we are SO. EXCITED.
We like to take the days leading up to Christmas as a time to prepare our hearts to worship Jesus and thank God for the greatest gift He has given us, His Son. We also like to sing at the top of our lungs and have more than a little bit of fun along the way.
Here's how we spent the first week of Advent this year.
December 1:
We hauled Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2009694723397003624.post-12952051847860975932015-11-04T21:29:00.000-06:002015-11-04T21:51:01.616-06:00Public Speaking...sort ofSo my boys have been working on memorizing a poem to perform in front of an audience. This was our first attempt at this kind of memorization and public speaking, and they have been pretty nervous about it.
A few weeks back, they each picked a poem (or 2) to practice. We kind of have a thing for Shel Silverstein, so they all gravitated toward his books. They've got good taste. And very mature. Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218677706673649316noreply@blogger.com0