Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!  It's a blessing to be able to celebrate the birth of our Lord until Epiphany, the Feast of the Visitation of the Magi.

The Krondak/Ganzel/Burris Families gathered in KC on the Plaza for a pre-Christmas celebration.  Had lots of fun visiting with cousins, aunts, uncles, great-aunts & great-uncles, grandparents & great-grandparents.  We were even blessed to be able to attend Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel in KC, MO, which is the church where Sophia was baptized.  Msgr. William Blacet is going strong at 90 as pastor...WOW! 

We took a nice break after returning from traveling and getting ready for Christmas here at home.  Put up our tree and nativity, baked up a storm, exchanged goodies with neighbors, and prepared to just be at home for Christmas.

Michael read at 5 PM Christmas Eve Mass and Sophia sang in the youth choir (in the choirloft with the other kiddos:) at the same Mass.  Michael also sang in the MidNight Mass Choir. 

It is a blessing to be able to be at home for Christmas.  We were not in a hurry to be anywhere on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning/day.  With that said, I do miss seeing family on these very important of days.  But the kids had all day to play with toys, I could cook at my own convenience, and on the Eve we got to track Santa on Norad and get cookies and milk out in a lazy way. 

I made crockpot Lasagna for Christmas Eve, a lot of bread machine panettone bread, and a rib roast on Christmas day.  I must admit kids ate alot of sweets and goodies both days!  We also made up single layer round birthday cakes for the big kids to decorate for Jesus' birthday. 

Nicholas finally started feeling better on Christmas Eve, but now Alex & Will are congested (but no fever, thankfully).

Here are some pix from our Christmas holiday:

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Merry Christmas

Christmas Greetings 2011

Dear Family & Friends,

Hope this Christmas letter finds you and your family healthy and enjoying all of the pre-Christmas excitement - parties, more parties and sugar.

The Krondak family has had a year full of school, house improvements and some traveling to visit family.  Here is a little update on our kids:

·         Sophia, 8 1/2, has become a proficient reader and is mastering the art of cursive handwriting.  As always, she is a big help to her Mom.  She made her First Holy Communion in May.  She continues to like to draw and color.  Her summer activities included coach-pitched softball and a lot of toad-catching.   

·         Will, 5 3/4, has officially become a part of our Divine Mercy Academy as a kindergartener.  He has a good head for math and is improving every day on his pencil skills.  He is our big-idea guy.  He usually brings big, complicated plans to Mom for her to execute - right now!  This was his first year to participate in TBall during the summer.  He had a great time playing on the team and wearing all the cool baseball gear.

·         Nicholas, 3 3/4, is in that awkward stage where he wants to do everything his big sister and brother do, but he isn't quite old enough yet.  This summer he did get to take swim lessons like the big kids.  Nicholas still loves to play with the Little People and his little Pirates.  He also has a cute little singing voice.

·         Alex, 16 months, is a busy toddler.  He's close to graduating from the crayon-eating class to the crayon-sorting class.  He's recently discovered his pointer finger and is slowly developing word skills to replace shrieking.  He is a cute little boy with beautiful blue eyes.

Some of the house improvements we've accomplished this year include a new AC unit in the spring and new roof with guttering, soffit, and fascia in the fall.  We also undertook a couple of bedroom re-models.  Sophia moved into a girly pink room, while the boys moved into the big blue room complete with their bunk beds set up. 

We also went to Michael's 20th high school reunion.  Michael enjoyed seeing all his classmates from Immaculata High School.  They had a great turnout and the reunion was very enjoyable.  We are planning on going to more reunions.

Emily's Dad, Frank, recovered well from his open-heart surgery in January.  Michael's parents, Bill & Anita, celebrated 40 years of marriage in June and his grandparents, Mike & Betty, celebrated 65 years in August!  We visited Wichita, Leavenworth, Pawnee City, Lincoln, Colorado Springs and even got to visit Michael's sister, Sara, in Las Cruces, NM.  Our parish, St Elizabeth Ann Seton, completed a year and a half long building project.  We are officially in the new beautiful church. 

Hope you find time this Advent to spend some quiet moments with Jesus as we prepare to celebrate his birthday. 

10 Strange Facts About Me

This is my creative writing project for myself today.  (Read:  my 10 minute break.)  Thanks, Debi, for the idea.

1.  I can wiggle my ears.  Just discovered this was a unique skill in my house.
2.  We don't put up our Christmas tree until the 4th Sunday in Advent.
3.  I love jalapeno chips and coca-cola.
4.  I nurse my babies into toddlerhood.  Perhaps not strange to my readers, but odd in the culture.
5.  I like to read fantasy adventure fiction.  Nothing dark or scary though.
6.  I have the urge to buy lots of dishware, but not the space.
7.  I've been to Dachau, a German Concentration Camp, twice, but never to the Grand Canyon.
8.  Every May and June, I have the itch to travel oveseas.
9.  I'd like to live in Italy.
10. I have the strange knack for remembering birth dates and historical dates.

Divine Mercy Academy - Year in Progress

At the beginning of the new school year, we instituted a few changes in our homeschooling.  Some little things and some big things.  Here is an update on how it is going thus far.

One of the BIG changes was where we do school in our house.  Up to this year, we did school daily at the kitchen table with schoolbooks stored on the kitchen counter top and some of the couch work in the living room.  This year, we have three school desks in the basement in a little class area.  The school area is working great!  We have utilized our space better for storing books, displaying work, and doing work.  It is nice to have the designated school area and the rest of the house our living space.  The kids and I (contrary to what my mother thinks;) spend a great deal of time in our house.  It's nice to have a space that is not a school space - for the non-school times. Redundant, I know.  Sorry!

Up at 7 AM.  --- Well this lasted for a little while.  Currently week 11, and I haven't gotten up at 7 AM for weeks.  We are usually up between 7:30 and 8 on a normal basis.  This is still giving us enough time to get school started by 9:30ish.

Kid's Daily Devotional --- working out as a good read-aloud for Sophia.

Mom's shoes on ASAP in the morning --- doing this everyday keeps me ON TASK!

Trying to get school started daily at 9, 9:30 at the latest --- depending on what else is going on in our family, we are making this happen.  Some things just can't be avoided: bill paying, grocery shopping.  When these happen, school usually starts at lunch time.

Read Alouds at the couch upstairs, then downstairs for seat-work --- doing most of our work downstairs.  We retreat to the table upstairs if I need to start a video for Alex or Nicholas.  

I've also instituted homework...oops, I mean evening work --- did this for a while, but it just wasn't working for us.  School needs to happen during the day for us.

• Alex --- Boy, he is a shrieker.  When he wants something, cover your ears!  We try to get lots done while he is in a good mood in the morning, then even more done while he is napping.


• Alex...the Desk Dancer --- still working on this one....


• Nicholas --- he has his own desk (that Alex likes to sit at, esp. if Nicholas is already there).  He colors the All About Reading page daily.  Listens in on what everyone is doing.  Occasionally plays independently upstairs, which usually means he is making a mess in the bathroom with water and toothpaste.  He doesn't want to be far away from everyone else.  So, we manage....

Some of the new curriculum we are using this year:

• Blood and Guts AND The Body Book --- Enjoying both of these texts, esp. the Blood & Guts.  I really thought she'd be all over the Body Book as we cut out and paste together different paper body parts, but it can be quite involved at times, which intimidates her. 
•  Story of the World --- Makes this history loving Mother happy that Sophia is really eating this one up.
• Catholic National Readers --- This was a frustrating one. Using these as Daily Read-Alouds for language arts. After getting some advice from my consultant on how to handle her FAST-WORD SKIPPING reading out loud, beginning to see these as a valuable tool now. 
• Miquon Math. A little math enrichment --- working nicely.
• Piano lessons for Sophia --- already into Primer B.  I think she is enjoying this, even though she complains about having to practice.  I've noticed she has started to sing more at Mass also since taking lessons.
• All About Spelling --- Sophia flew through Level 1.  We will be starting Level 2 next week.  I anticipate she'll complete Level 3 by the end of this school year. 

I haven't written much about Will's Kindergarten year, so I'll remedy that now.  Up until this year, he has been very reticent to use a pencil to write with or draw with; forget coloring all together!  He would have rather used a pencil to form an airplane or use as a sword.  Since, school has begun I have seen a great improvement in his abilities.  He'll - mostly willingly - do his handwriting and math.  He colors a new letter page daily.  He's even experimenting some with colors, although he doesn't get over-excited about shades.  He's forever informing me that he wants to color the picture what color it's supposed to be!  No coloring horses green for him!

 

He rhymes very well.  We haven't started on reading proper yet.  I'll start that up after Christmas.  Just working on pre-reading skills so far.

 

In math, he is working on counting and adding, which he is doing extremely well.  I've given him his own addition flash cards to work with. 

 

The kid loves caramel - just like his mom.  So, this week I've been using it as a carrot to help him memorize his prayers.  So far, so good.

 

Will can be a hand-full.  I'm thankful he isn't in a classroom of 20 kids.  He couldn't survive.  He needs to be moving all the time.  I am seriously impressed by his math skills.  He's going to be a smart little guy. 

 

I love all my kids.  Still thankful to be able to homeschool - even when it is a challenge.  Say a prayer for me!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...Oct. 26, 2011

Outside my window...it's dark and cold out. Autumn has arrived with the changing colors of the leaves, cooler weather, a little frost, maybe some snow soon.

I am thankful for...a fun evening with my family yesterday: pizza and Captain America DVD.

From the learning rooms... Sophia is working on cursive and multiplication facts, Will is really improving with his pencil skills and he is flying through his math really well. No longer worried about Sophia's reading skills. She has become quite the independent reader.

From the kitchen...meatloaf and mashed potatoes plus apple crisp for dinner tonight. Perfect weather for it.

I am wearing...jammies.

I am creating...mental Christmas lists.

I am reading...Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Princess of Mars.

I am hoping...fair trick-or-treating weather.

I am hearing...the baby's sleepy music and Father & Daughter playing cards before bed.

Around the house...we are awaiting the rest of the new guttering, fascia & soffit to be installed:)

One of my favorite things...the smell of coffee in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...leading Sophia's Little Flowers meeting on Saturday, carving pumpkins on Sunday.

Here is a picture I'm sharing...All Saints Eve Preview: One Captain America, One Green Lantern (costumes are interchangeable, so we'll see who is actually who on the big night), Sophia as the Egyptian Princess who drew Moses (Alex) from the water.

What's New at Divine Mercy School

Last week marked the beginning of the 4th year of our homeschooling adventure. It hasn't always been easy or fun, but it has been rewarding. I love the fact that I am the person who is influencing my kiddos. Most of my own childhood memories revolve around school so I'm happy to be giving this gift to my kids: childhood memories of their family and learning together.

We've changed our schooling for the better this year. Michael suggested moving school from the kitchen table to the our carpeted basement area. I was hesitant at first because so much of my life is in my kitchen. My husband usually has pretty good ideas, so I decided to give it a try. We moved both of our little school lift-top desks downstairs, acquired a third desk for Nicholas, rearranged a bit of furniture and posted school stuff on the walls in our new space. Poof - a new classroom. We also added a new gate to the bottom of the stairs to keep the one year old downstairs with us. We truly live in a gated community now;)!

Here are a few other of the new things we are trying:

• Up at 7 AM. In order to make this happen, I put my coffee maker on a programmable timer. I figured if my coffee was already made when I got up, it would be easier for me to roll out of bed. It's working so far.


• Kid's Daily Devotional. Sophia and I have been doing this in the morning. It's a short meditation on a verse from one of the daily Mass readings. So far, so good.


• Mom's shoes on ASAP in the morning. Truly means I'm ready for school and getting things done when I put my shoes on. Not just sandals, but the lace up type. Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference.


• Trying to get school started daily at 9, 9:30 at the latest. This helps as Will is now doing Kindergarten. Sophia is in 3rd grade. Nicholas and Alex are along for the ride, but they are going to be two very smart pre- and pre-pre-schoolers!


• Read Alouds at the couch upstairs, then downstairs for seat-work.


• I've also instituted homework...oops, I mean evening work. This is just a little review of some the things they were working on in the morning. Math worksheets, handwriting or cursive worksheets, flashcards, etc. Just a little work to reinforce what they did in the AM.

Now it isn't all rainbows and lollipops. Here are some of the things I'm dealing with:

• Alex. One Year Old. Enough said. Well seriously, the boy wants to gnaw on every crayon and pencil he finds. Hence, writing instruments are being highly policed.


• Alex...the Desk Dancer. Boy can he climb....and quickly! Working diligently to change his habits.


• Nicholas likes to answer Will's school questions. I've been setting him up with an "educational" video the past couple of days in the guest room, which is also in the basement. That is only going to last so long though. Got to figure something else out for him.

Some of the new curriculum we are using this year:

1. Blood and Guts AND The Body Book. Both are going to be very fun, hands-on anatomy texts for Sophia and any little boy who might be listening.


2. Story of the World. History with an activity book. :):):)


3. Catholic National Readers. Like the McGuffey Readers ... only CATHOLIC. How cool is that?


4. Miquon Math. A little math enrichment.


5. Piano lessons for Sophia.

Hopefully, I'll update again soon with how these changes are working out.

Alex

"Little" Alex turns 1 today. Here are a couple photos. More to come....

summer 2011

Summer 2011

May

May has been a seriously busy month for us: First Communion, Zach's Graduation (trip to Wichita), Homeschool Track & Field Day, Cabin-camping with friends, and now bedroom redecorating.

I've already posted regarding Sophia's First Holy Communion. The next weekend we traveled to Wichita for a quick visit for my oldest nephew's college graduation. Congrats to Zach! Go for that MS ASAP. Had a nice visit with my sister, brothers, parents, and other family members we don't see that often. (PS we live in NE - it's just north of KS)
Zach the Grad with some of his fans.

The Wednesday following that trip, the kids participated in the annual Track & Field Day. Sophia was even interviewed for the local news. Sophia, Will & Nicholas each ran, jumped, gunny sack raced, kicked soccer balls, and threw softballs. It was ALOT of fun - and a bit chilly. I led a group of six 5 & 6 year old boys.
5/6 year old boys at the Track & Field Day.
Will is in the gray hoodie on the left.

The next weekend our friends Matt & Dawn Sauer brought their crew of five daughters to hang out with us at the local lake. Kids fished - didn't catch anything, girls got all gussy-ed up at the local beauty college as part of Sophia's early BDay party, and lots of kids were almost blown away by gale-force winds. Luckily, no one blew into the lake. Nicholas did take a little swim, but thankfully he had his life-jacket on.

Lucy, Clara, Sophia, Anna & Mary after hair-dos.

Sauer & Krondak Kiddos:) with their
candy necklaces (AKA warrior beads).

This Memorial Day weekend we've been switching bedrooms for the kiddos. Will and Nicholas are moving into the bigger "blue" room and Sophia is moving into the newly painted purple room. Talk about alot of work, but it will be well worth it in the end.

Will's TBall game. Team sponsors: Adams & Swanson Funeral Home!

Summer is in full swing. Swim lessons and Library reading program start in a week or two. Multiple Tball games a week. Hello, Summer!

Sophia's First Communion

This past weekend was Sophia's First Holy Communion. It has been a good, long year of CCD preparation and school at home to get her ready to receive our Lord, Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity, in this beautiful sacrament. It was also May Crowning at church AND Mother's Day. Sophia and the other little Communicant, Amy, got to carry up Mary's crown together, then placed it on together;).

In front of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes before Mass.

As you can tell it was a little breezy outside.

Both sets of Grandparents came for the special day.

Amy and Sophia with Fr. Mark Seiker.

She was quite done with pictures by this time - as you can tell from the teary eyes.

She justed wanted a snack, MMMOOMMM!

All smiles as she poses with the decorated brownies.

Our good friends, Mary Kate & Ron Tejral, made the trip up from Stillwater, OK. We've been friends since we met them at OSU while Michael was a grad student. We had a great time visiting and letting the kids get re-acquainted. 9 kiddos between the two families!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...4-5-11

Outside my window...The sun is shining, the sky is blue, looking forward to spring coming and staying!

I am thankful for...birds singing. It always lifts my spirits.

From the learning rooms (this week)...for Sophia: ordinal numbers; for Will: beginning MathUSee primer and Little Angels Reader A. Real School for a big boy.

From the kitchen...re-learning how to make healthier, whole grain pancakes, that my kids will want to eat.

I am wearing...nothing special, but I have my shoes on!

I am creating...my summer schedule - in progress.

I am reading...Inkspell by Cornelia Funke and an abridge version of Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.

I am hoping...for a good school day.

I am hearing...the kids listening to the end of The Magician's Nephew audio story.

Around the house...I'm babyproofing as we have a crawling almost 8 month old!

One of my favorite things...is a good cup of coffee (repeat - I know:)

Here is a picture I am sharing...

My Alma Mater, Wichita State University, won the NIT Championship last week. Here is my tribute to the Shockers! Some of my best memories from my childhood include watching the Shockers play with my Dad!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook

Started this last Tuesday, tried to continue on Wednesday,

finishing up... For Today 3-5-2011

Outside my window...it's growing dark. It was a pretty sunny yet cool day. We are all looking forward to spring weather. Mind you, not the mud, but definitely the warm weather.

I am thankful for...Sophia's independent reading really beginning to take off. Nicholas figuring out the potty!

From the learning rooms (this week)...adding new sounds: silent consonants. If they are silent, are they really "added"? No matter - they are sure helpful to know!

From the kitchen...a day of left-overs and a lunch of Book-It pizza with the above emergent reader:).

I am wearing...jammies.


I am creating...a little girl's room - in my head.

I am reading...Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Am also studying The New Age Counterfeit in our church bookclub.

I am hoping...spring portraits.

I am hearing...the aquarium filter, the furnace kicking on and off, and a nursing baby.

Around the house...I'm prepping for Ash Wed. and 6 weeks of Lent. I actually have lenten "decorations."

One of my favorite things...watching a movie with my husband.

Rate yourself as a cook....

At my recent Pampered Chef party, the consultant asked us to introduce ourselves by rating ourselves in the kitchen (1-10 - 10 being the best). Off the cuff, I rated myself as a 9/10 as I introduced myself. I really wasn't meaning to be arrogant, but it probably sounded that way.

Seriously, I've been "cooking" now for 11.5 years. I sure hope I'm good at it. I don't serve gourmet meals or anything fancy, but I do serve nutritious, tasty meals - three times a day. I think I know my way around the kitchen and can get a good meal out in a timely manner too.

Leave a comment on how you rate your KITCHEN-ability!

Simple Woman's Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

For Today Feb. 22, 2011

Outside my window...the sun is shining, but it is still cold. I literally just pushed a couple of my kids outside to burn off some energy. They didn't stay out too long.
I am thinking...about my summer schedule, which seems to be filling up QUICKLY!
I am thankful for...StoryTime at the Library.

From the learning rooms...adding a new sound: soft g in ge, gi, gy. Wow - how a few sounds can really expand your ability to decode words.
From the kitchen...I'm planning turkey-mac skillet.
I am wearing...a long sleeve Tshirt and jeans.
I am creating...an independent reader.
I am reading...Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Am also studying The New Age Counterfeit in our church bookclub.
I am hoping...for success in losing some weight in the next couple of months.
I am hearing...bored kids.
Around the house...Sophia and I are planning the decor in her "new" room.
One of my favorite things...is coffee with whipped cream.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Pampered Chef party on Thursday.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...my volcano cake & the 5 year old!

Simple Woman's Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY Tues., Feb. 15, 2011

Outside my window...the sun is shining, the snow is melting, birds are singing. My screens are actually open it is so warm and beautiful.

I am thinking...of a troubled friend who needs some prayers right now.

I am thankful for...the beautiful day. A respite in winter.

From the learning rooms...adding a new sound: soft c in ce, ci, cy. Wow - how a few sounds can really expand your ability to decode.

From the kitchen...I'm planning pork stir-fry tonight.

I am wearing...Tshirt and jeans.

I am creating...a potty-trained 3 year old - hopefully!

I am going...to the Doc. office in 30 minutes with a sick almost 5 year old. Fever now for three days and a cough. Pretty miserable kiddo.

I am reading...Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Also started the Abolition of Man by CS Lewis

I am hoping...for good weather this weekend for a fun birthday party for above almost 5 year old.

I am hearing...birds singing outside.

Around the house...I really need to get some cobwebs cleaned up. WOW! Plus sort LOTS of papers to file or trash.

One of my favorite things...is coffee with whipped cream.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Fire Station Tour/Birthday Party. Bake and frost a volcano cake on Thursday!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...my little 6 month old:

the simple woman's daybook entry

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/


FOR TODAY February 3, 2011
Outside my window...it is dark and cold. Seriously cold.
I am thinking...about how to get my almost 5 year old to stay in his bed to go to sleep. Minimally, he gets up 7 times after I put him in bed, to tell me he can't go to sleep. What is a Mom to do?
I am thankful for...my kids. I most likely complain too much, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
From the learning rooms...we have been reading about the Solar System, just started reading aloud King of the Golden City (in prep for 1st Communion), starting the sounds "aw", "au", "wa", "squa", "all", and "al", and finishing up rounding to the nearest thousand and ten thousand chapter. Just started using a pencil grip (actually 3 different kinds today). Preschooler is just having fun with letter sounds and counting to 10.
From the kitchen...nothing exciting. Wanting to make Turkish Delight. Thinking alot about making chocolate-zucchinni (sp?) muffins.
I am wearing...fleece PJs.
I am creating...hopefully a reading family.
I am reading...A Wrinkle in Time. Seriously enjoying Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle with Sophia.
I am hoping...for new dining table this year.
I am hearing...Oscar's dinner: crickets. (He's the gecko!) The furnace kicking on.
Around the house...lots of clothes to fold and put away. Maybe tomorrow.
One of my favorite things...whipped cream in my coffee.
A few plans for the rest of the week: picking up Will's Bday invites/announcements tomorrow. Planning for my first Altar Society meeting as President - YIKES! Help me, Lord!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My Dad, Frank, and my kids the day before his open-heart surgery. Precious!

I’ve been thinking a great deal recently about the time of my life before I was married. I was in my early 20s living at my parents’ house, going to college and working, hanging out with friends at the Newman Center (Catholic center on campus), just “waiting” for the rest of my life to start. I’d known for many years that I wanted to get married and have a family. At the time though, there weren’t many dating “prospects” being offered to me. I struggled with a lot of indecision about school and what I would do with my life if I never married. Honestly, I felt heartbroken that I might never marry. It came to a head one day as I was driving to work. I finally told the Lord that if He wanted me to be single…Fine, I’d be single for Him and happy. I felt a lot of peace after that “giving over” to God – fully trusting that His will would be sufficient for me. It wasn’t long after this incidence that I met Michael and the rest is history, so to speak.

I guess I’m writing this reflection for my college age friends and family. We so often times in life, especially at that early/mid twenties age, can’t see where life is taking us. This is the golden opportunity to place each day into the hands of the One who loves us the most, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Trust that he has a perfect plan for you, whether we “like” it now or not. But while we are waiting for “life” to start, walk with the Lord daily. Pray, go to church, serve others around you. Give of yourself and the irony is that you’ll realize your “life” really is happening every day. This practice of waiting on the Lord will also set a beautiful precedent for you in later life.

As a 30-something married mother of four now, I can further see that this “waiting” happens throughout our lives. Even after we were married, the long expected family didn’t happen overnight. We had to wait a full four years – with ever so many tears – for that first baby to be born into our family. Even now with a full house of 4 very busy little people, sometimes I feel like I’m stagnant at this time doing the same tasks over and over. BUT the reality is we are all racing toward the finish line. I pray to be found worthy at the end of the race. I pray the same for you.

I think this song, While I’m Waiting by John Waller, says it all. Blessings to you!