Pre-Festival Concert #2

The second concert was a newer favorite: Mumford and Sons.  They have one album out, and every song on it is great (although I suppose I should add the parental language warning about the song Little Lion Man...Do NOT blast this song with kiddos in the house!)  This group hails from London, and the style of music is sort of a bluegrass/Irish/rock concoction.  This concert was at the Hollywood Palladium and was totally sold out and packed.

I'm sorry to say that the openers at this concert were rather dreadful.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I found out that the first opener had been featured on the American Idol rejects.  Not that he had an excruciating voice, just he wrote songs only a mother could love and his whole get-up was simply preposterous.  The second opener was a little better, but still--for a crowd of 4,000 people waiting to see a very talented and popular band, they just weren't up to par.

All was forgiven (though the scars remain) when Mumford and Sons got on stage and said "We hope you enjoyed [the opening bands] as much as we did." [wink, wink]

Anyhow, the performance was great, and it was tons of fun to hear thousands of people singing along to some great songs.  The four guys in the group are all great musicians, playing a variety of instruments: drums, keyboard, guitar, upright bass, accordion, banjo, mandolin.  The song where the lead singer was also drumming, and the bass player was playing while holding the upright bass above his head left me amazed.

Pre-Festival Concert #1: The Weepies

As a pre-cursor to the weekend of concerts coming up (countdown to Joshua Fest 2010!)  we've attended two concerts by some favorite bands.  First was The Weepies.  We were at the first concert they'd done in four years--having taken touring time off in order to start a family.  They have four albums (in order of release): Happiness (2004),   Say I Am You (2006), Hideaway (2008), and Be My Thrill (2010).

We had a great time at the concert--it more than lived up to my hopes.  You know how it is when you really enjoy a musical group?  Seeing them live can prove how great they really are, or it can destroy your view of them altogether.  (Similar, I guess to the book/movie relationship.  The recorded/live contrast can be great.)  Musically it was great, but it was also a lot of fun.  Steve and Deb are from California, and are warm, fun people.  It made for a great night.

When first appearing on stage, Steve was amazed at how packed the El Rey Theatre was.  He said something to the effect of: You don't understand...we've been in our living room for the past four years.  There are a lot less people there.  It was a night to remember; my fan-hood has been solidified.  I loved the background on the song Can't Go Back Now--it was written for their niece when she began to walk.  Here are the lovely lyrics (I was going to link the YouTube video, but the graphics are weird...oh hey, look, I linked them anyhow):

Yesterday when you were young

Everything you needed done was done for you

Now you do it on your own

But you find you're all alone, what can you do?

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on

'Cause you can't go back now

You know there will be days

When you're so tired

That you can't take another step

The night will have no stars 

And you'll think you've gone as far 

As you will ever get

You and me wak on, walk on, walk on

'Cause you can't go back now

And yeah, yeah, you go where you want to go

Yeah, yeah, be what you want to be

If you ever turn around, you'll see me

I can't really say

Why everybody wishes they were somewhere else

But in the end, the only steps that matter

Are the ones you take all by yourself

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on

Yeah, you and me walk on, walk on, walk on

'Cause you can't go back now

Walk on, walk on, walk on

You can't go back now

Here's a little video I took of one of their songs at the concert, (although the quality is a bit sketchy since it was done on my phone).

What Season is it Anyway?

I've proof that the plants are more confused about the weather than I am. From record setting heat to chilly days and nights in less than a week. The trees are convinced they are doing their job: letting their leaves loose right on schedule (thankyouverymuch).



(yes, that's about all the leaves we have. don't make fun of me. So. Cal. never made claim to amazing autumns.) But the bulbs are beyond bewildered. Is it spring already?

Iris and calla lilies in October? What is going on?

Nursery Rhymes With a Twist

Flashback to 1980...where bizarre combinations were all the rage. Let me introduce you to the tiny booklet: My Jesus pocketbook of Nursery Rhymes.




This small treasure includes all kinds of adapted nursery rhymes, but I have just the two best to share with you. The first, Little Miss Muffet, is kind of sweet, really.

Little Miss Muffet

Sat on a tuffet

Eating her curds and whey.

She's afraid of a spider,

She needs Jesus inside her

To take all fear away.

Aww. Right? The next, however, is a little funnier.

Wee Willie Winkie

runs through the town,

Upstairs, downstairs

in his nightgown;

What does he see?

The children don't have

time for Jesus;

They're watching TV.

Ouch! Strong feelings, anyone?

(this great bit of church history generously brought to you via my friend Sarah. Thanks Sarah!)

Living Room Remix

Perhaps the record setting heat yesterday addled my brains, but I could take no more of the sameness and monotony of my home design. The filthy smelly curtains have been ripped down and the furniture rearranged. That, and the fact that the weather calmed itself back down, has me feeling so much calmer. (breathing a sigh of relief)

Back to School

Enough slacking already, it's past time for me to acknowledge that school is in full swing again.  This week is our home school's fourth week, and Timothy's third week of high school.  Everything is already starting to settle in, from the inevitable adjustments in schedule, structure, and curricula at home, to the decline in spirits of my teenager who has just realized that even with better teachers and less hormonal swings, school still requires responsible behavior and decisions.

Timothy seems to be adjusting to life on the high school campus fine.  Chris and I met his teachers on Monday night (Back to School Night) and found that he has:
   1 amazing teacher (Geography)
   1 very good teacher (Health)
   5 good/standard teachers (Band, Spanish, Science, Algebra, English)

The hard part is simply trying to help Timothy learn how to help himself.  How to not feel overwhelmed and put a little effort into getting through high school.  He's such a smart guy, but he really doesn't like school...except the social part.  (I haven't taken any pictures of him since I'm still bleary eyed when he leaves in the morning. Sorry. But take my word for it--he got a hair cut and looks quite handsome.)

School books--just a sampling. :)

It always surprises me that regardless of how much planning time I put into the home school year, it is always immediately apparent that some adjustments are needed.  I'm adding in a first grader this year (Audrey's kindergarten year was a little less formal) which has shaken things up a bit as far as scheduling the day goes.  I had some time this weekend to reorganize our history schedule, since all of my desire to use a pre-made schedule couldn't make up for the fact that my kids would be much happier (and learn much more) with some minor changes.

Looks more tranquil that it is--imagine leaf blowers, sirens...

Everyone has had a change in math and English, which has prompted Melinda to look for places to do her work that will help her to eliminate stress.  The adjustment in English has been small and easy for her, but math has really thrown her for a loop.  We are pressing on, however, since I made the change in order to help them adjust to how math is presented in brick & mortar schools (at this point we are planning for Melinda and Andrew to attend Valley Christian next year).

If there is to be a mess, let it be with books.

Andrew has done great with all of his changes.  He had a big change in English and Math, but he has adapted well.  He is currently reading The Fellowship of the Ring (of his own choice) which is something I've never done...he's almost done and loving it.  The thing Andrew has to work the hardest at this year is eliminating careless mistakes in his math, and being responsible in completing all of his work on time.

Audrey made sure to finish her K workbook before moving on.

Audrey is loving school.  Every once in a while she sighs about a specific task, but overall she is eager to do more than required.  She is speeding through her science and history especially.  She loves being read to and loves having a schedule just like the big kids.

Did I mention I'm actually doing better at cooking too?

As far as organization goes, I'm using a method similar to what I used last year: binders with weekly checklist/schedules for the kiddos, schedules for me (used rather loosely) and weekly folders for organizing some of our work.  We've been much better about timelines since I've organized them better, and maps are getting done regularly thanks to the Story of the World Activity Guide.  

I actually have "Completed Work" binders set up.

All of the kiddos got haircuts before getting pictures taken.  Most shocking of all is Andrew's hair cut, since his hair was so long before.  What a handsome guy!

End of Summer Garden Update

Before I jump into planning a fall garden, I thought I'd do a final update on this year's gardening adventure. There have been some things that have done great and some that haven't, but I've learned so much overall that I can't help but be pleased.

One major thing I've learned: this place could make a full-time gardener feel worn out...there's SO much to be done!

I've cleaned up the herb garden, and even half empty it is better than the ivy that was living there last year (and which, I am pleased to say, has not tried to make a comeback.)



The pineapple basil really took off. I cut it back some, but it's still big, and now it's flowering too.



Tarragon, boxwood basil, lemon thyme, cinnamon basil:












The artichoke plant was done for the season, so I cut it all the way down, layered compost over it, and already it is getting ready for the next go round.



Outside of the herb garden, I am still harvesting tomatoes, the basil and flat leaf parsley are thriving, my bell peppers have hung in there, and some of my melons are still attempting to grow--although they have struggled all season long. Soon I'll be giving these raised beds a layer of compost and getting them ready for some peas, carrots, and lettuce.












My little chipper shredder made starting new compost pile a breeze. Finished compost is really an amazing thing.






Oh, and a new discovery! My little baby apple tree has one little apple on it! Yay!