Exercise Challenge

Back when we just had one baby boy, we lived in an apartment, and I used to take him for a walk in his stroller in the neighborhood behind us.  It was made up of three streets.  I walked up and down each street and after awhile, got to know the houses and the people who lived there.  Since we lived in an apartment, I would day dream about living in one of those houses.  Now I look back and think that our family could never fit in one of those houses – they were on the smaller side.  How times change. 

I get a bit frustrated going for walks with our current two year old.  ;-)  He is not content to ride in a stroller.  He likes to ride his “bike” while I push his younger sis in the stroller.  The frustrating thing is that he likes to stop for “red lights” quite a bit.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that he sits there for at least two or three minutes.  He is content sitting there, looking around, while I’m about to boil over because my goal for our walk is to WALK.   And me calling a “green light” does not work because HE decides when the light turns green.  We make it around the block eventually and it’s more exercise that I would have gotten, so I try to calm myself with that thought.  It’s also good exercise for my older kids.  They get their scooter or bike out and go around the block about five times to mine and the little’s one.  ;-)

Darin and I have been walking in the evenings together.  Its really nice to do that because we’re away from the computer, t.v., and chores and can find a lot of interesting things to discuss.  Last Wednesday, he was at a hockey game with Jack, so I went on a walk by myself after I got the littles in bed, and the olders set up with The Lord of the Rings.  On the last half of the last lap, I was completely freaked out!  Some guy was following me.  Luckily, I had our little yipper dawg with me and she barked and barked and barked.  I picked her up and scooted out to the middle of the street and nearly ran home.  The weird guy followed me the whole way.  He was not a neighbor.  Bleh.  Praise God for His protection!  I’ll never go without Darin again!

Anywho…..I hope you all have had marvelous success in the last week!  Sign-in with Mr. Linky so we can go read your update.  Leave a comment so I’ll know you were here!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...the weather just couldn’t get any more perfect.  The high for today is supposed to be 83.  It’s probably in the upper 50’s right now.  So nice!

I am thinking...that I can’t wait to have a minute to listen to Curriculum Advice by Victoria Botkin.  As our family grows, my approach to school has to change.  There’s no doubt about that.  I’ve been praying about which way to go, and hope that God has led me to this resource!

From the learning rooms...Ben is working on a research paper this week.  I was an English major, so you would think that I could get him through it with no sweat, but man, is it a struggle.  He has his own ideas of how he thinks it should be done, God bless him.

I am thankful for...our growing family, which humbles me.  I used to think I was in control of all aspects of my life.  Now that I don’t have the time I used to have to exert that outward control (keeping a perfectly clean house), I’ve chilled a bit in the back patting.  ;-)

From the kitchen...chicken pot pie.  I try to cook things these days that I can puree into baby food for Sophia.  I puree the leftovers and freeze them in ice cube trays for later.  I was able to get some applesauce and peaches made for her this weekend. 

I am reading...same stuff I’ve been reading, only I added an online book of short stories.  It’s titled Across the Years by Eleanor Porter.

I am hoping...that I can make the right choices when confronted with frustrating situations.  I have a tendency to want everything to go my way, and when it doesn’t, I like to let everyone know.  ;-)  The last few years I’ve been working on my self-control in this area.  Yesterday the kids and Darin all agreed that I was the most patient person in the house.  It was nice to hear that, but I don’t want the praise to make me lax.

I am creating...organization, inspired by Emilie Barnes, and a plan for getting the skirt done that I started with Rachel is simmering.  Seems that every time I decide on a night to work on it, other issues come up!

I am hearing...Darin reading a book to Henry.  Henry's laughing because Darin is using a funny voice.

Around the house...laundry, pumpkins to bake, puree, and freeze or make into Pumpkin Butter, still working on getting the kids clothes changed over for fall.  I’ve finished with Jack, Lydia and Henry.  I’m half-done with Sophia, and need to get started with Ben.

One of my favorite things...baking.  Unfortunately it makes me fat. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...my cute little niece will be hanging out with us on Thursday.  I’m trying to work out a time to get together at the library with my pal.  Not sure what else the week will hold – plenty, I’m sure!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

To read other Daybook entries go HERE.

Blogger Friend School - #106

Assignment:  Post your favorite fall recipe/recipes to share.  I love trying new recipes, do you? 

I absolutely love finding a good recipe.  One of my favorite resources for this is Tammy's Recipes.  Her family eats just like mine.  I think we've only made one recipe that my family was lukewarm about. 

Last October, a friend gave me some Pumpkin Butter she found at a little shop somewhere.  I grew up eating Apple Butter, but had never heard of Pumpkin Butter.  It was SO GOOD.  So this year I am going to make some for gifts, and for us to eat here at home. 

I don't have any pictures yet because I just started today.  I found a great pumpkin at SuperTarget for $4.99!  It was a good, dark pumpkin.  The dark ones are the best for canning and other recipes.  In the past, I have cooked the pumpkin in the pressure cooker, but today, I had my husband just cut the pumpkin into fourths.  Then I wrapped it in foil and baked the pumpkin.  Tonight I will puree the pumpkin in my food processor, then tomorrow I will make the pumpkin butter.  Here is the recipe I will be using:

Pumpkin Butter

3 1/2 cups fresh ground pumpkin or canned pumpkin purée
2 1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 lemon, juice and grated rind
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice

If using fresh pumpkin, mix with sugar, lemon, ginger, cinnamon and allspice in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature 8 to 10 hours

Transfer to a heavy saucepan, add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat, stirring often, for 40 to 60 minutes, to desired consistency. (With canned pumpkin, mix ingredients in heavy saucepan; bring to a boil and simmer on low about 20 minutes, to thicken.)

Pour mixture into hot, sterile, 6-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal with sterile, 2-part lids and rings, as manufacturer directs, processing 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Cool; adjust seals.

Makes five 6-ounce jars.

To find some other good recipes, go here!

Getting Organized

I love being organized.  Helps me feel semi-in control and on top of things. 

The last time I remember feeling semi-in control and on top of things was probably when we had only two kids.  Seems the third started a whirlwind that hasn't stopped yet. 

Since we welcomed our fifth into the world, it seems that most days I'm running from one fire to another around here.  I'll say to myself.  "As soon as I finish feeding Sophia, I'm going to read Henry that book."  Then Lydia will need help with her Math.  Then I realize it's time to fix lunch, then I say, "As soon as lunch is over, I will read Henry that book."  Then we eat lunch, then Henry has a stinky diaper, then Ben and Jack have taken the horseplay too far and someone has hurt feelings, then Lydia can't fit all the dishes in the dishwasher, so I go help her work it out, then Sophia gets into the cabinet with the plates and pulls them over and scares herself, so I go love on her till she feels better......and on and on and on.  This running here and there leaves me little time to THINK.  Doesn't that sound silly? 

But it's true.  My creative juices are as slow as molasses these days, so I'm turning to Emilie Barnes for inspiration.  I came across a copy of her Creative Home Organizer.  Emilie is a woman after my own heart.  She has a chapter for each section of our lives that is likely to need organizing.  She's got General Organization, Food Preparation, The Kitchen, Storage, Cleaning, The Garage, The Laundry, The Automobile, Finaces, Time Savings, Raising Children, Good Health, Sewing and Crafts, Plants and the Garden, Beauty, Moving, Our Wardrobe, Safety.  In each chapter, Emilie has used bullet points to list her tips.  LOVE bullet points.  It's very satisfying to me to be able to read her short, 2 -3 sentence point and decide if I need to tackle that particular tip. 

I've started off with the General Organization chapter.  I made a list of the items that I feel I need to accomplish around here.  Of course that list is currently in limbo somewhere, so now I've decided to make another list and post it here where I can't lose it.  ;-)  When I finish this list, I will move to the next chapter and so on until I've finished the book and then probably will need to start at the beginning again.  No, no, no.....surely not!  ;-)

Here's my list of things to do:
1) Provide yourself with a notebook - either loose-leaf or spiral-bound, and small enough to carry around with you.  This notebook will become your "master list" - a single continuous list that replaces all the small slips of paper you're probably used to.  Use the notebook to keep track of all errands, things to do or buy, and general notes to yourself about anything that will require action.
     I started this, but like I wrote, I can't seem to find that blasted little thing.  So I guess an addendum to this task would be to find a place to keep it so that little hands have no access to it.  This notebook is replacing that "mental list of things to do" that I keep telling everyone about.  ;-)

2) Keep a daily "to do" list.  Make up a new one each morning and include tasks you specifically hope to accomplish - deadlines and appointments, as well as items from your master list.  Give each task a priority number - 1, 2, 3.  Do all the 1's first.
     I've been working off that "mental list."  Thing about that is that sometimes that list gets 'misplaced' as I'm running around putting out fires.  Then when I remember it's usually too late to do what needed to be done.  I hope having something written down keeps me more focused.  Of course, since I lost my little notebook with this written in it, I totally forgot about doing this until now. 

3) Buy a plastic bin for the coat closet and in it, put gloves, scarves, winter hats and other small but important items.
     I've kept these things in my bottom dresser drawer but have always hated that.  I've bought the bin, and just need to make the transfer.  This will be a good thing because I will have to get rid of some VHS tapes to make room for the bin.  Woohoo!  So long, Lion King.  LoL

4) Set up an emergency shelf out of reach of small children.  Equip it with flashlights, candles, matches, a first-aid kit, and an index card with emergency phone numbers.
     I have all this stuff, but it's scattered throughout the house.  Time to bring it together!  Something I want to add to the list is an address book.  The only address book I have now is on my computer.

5) Emilie writes, "I have kept a mini-notebook for several years which I call 'The Lord Provides.'  In it I've listed everything that has been given to us as gifts and from whom.  Also listed are things we have found and items donated to us.  It's beautiful to see how the Lord leads others to meet our needs and desires."

6) Make sure you have copies of all birth, and marriage certificates.
     I need to get the kid's birth certificates!

Exercise Challenge

Still exercising and keeping sugar to an almost zero existence in the house.  Last week I made brownies for the kids (yes, yes, yes - I had one!) when Ben had a friend sleep over, and last night I threw some of them away!  Brownies never last long enough to get old enough to throw away in our house! 

I don't know if I've lost any weight.  I haven't gotten on the scale, and really don't want to.  I do know that my clothes aren't falling off of me yet, so I still have some work to do.  ;-)

My next goal is to get to bed earlier so I don't drag around and become unproductive.  Sometimes when I'm tired from staying up too late, I have the tendency to gravitate to the computer and stare at my email.  I would like to not have days like that.  Not only am I tired, but I get less done, which affects my "wig-out" levels.  Less wigging out over minutiae would be a good thing.  ;-) 

This exercise challenge is good, and I appreciate you ladies that are still huffing and puffing along with me.  I don't know if I would be making so many other positive changes in my day-to-day life without the encouragement.

Sign-in with Mr. Linky so we can read how you did last week.

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...we’re walkin’ on sunshine around here.  It’s cooled down nicely and twice daily walks are becoming the norm.  I love being spoiled in this way.  Texas is so HOT in the summer!

I am thinking...about Sarah Palin.  My thoughts go in so many directions.  I disagree with her life choices, but as a sister in Christ, I cannot be completely turned off by her.  We are all on the road to sanctification – we are all on different parts of the road.  My prayer is that God would reveal to her His plan for the family and her role in it.  I didn’t always get it.  It took me awhile to understand it.  A friend sent me the link to a really good article.  It’s a long read, but REALLY worth it.  It cuts "the Deborah argument" down at the knees.  Here it is: But What about Deborah? Why the Example of Deborah Does Not Support the Candidacy of Sarah Palin

From the learning rooms...lots of praying and questioning going on right now as I consider our future direction.  Am I putting the emphasis on the correct areas?  That’s my big question for God lately.

I am thankful for...my husband and children.  Without them I would not call out to God as I should.  Their presence in my life has made me a better person.

From the kitchen...looking forward to see if I can sneak Creamy Cauliflower Soup by the fam this week.  I’m going to puree the cauliflower and see how it goes.  

I am reading...the same stuff I was working through last week.  ;-)

I am hoping...to be able to “do it all” this week.  (as De’Etta from Choosing Joy would say….::SNORT::)

I am creating...a plan for when some friends come over to hang out at our house on the 31^st.  It’s a yearly event that we all greatly look forward to.  Chili, hot dogs, flag football.  Fun.

I am hearing...Ben cleaning out the silverware drawer, Henry hacking away with some scissors on a piece of paper.

Around the house...we had Darin’s family over on Saturday evening for some birthday celebrations and I feel so good about some cleaning I was able to get done before they came.  Darin took Henry, Lydia and Jack to the Fire Department’s Open House Saturday morning and while Sophia slept and Ben mowed the lawn, I was able to get some deep cleaning in a couple of rooms done.  What a relief that was!  The good news:  as I was cleaning, I realized that things weren’t as bad as I had been imagining….not including my bedroom and master bath.  ;-)

One of my favorite things...getting enough sleep so that I wake up bouncing around the house accomplishing things.  I am a nightowl and tend to stay up too late.  

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...trying for the Pumpkin Patch again this week.  We had to cancel last night because one of our sweet friends was sick.  

Tonight is mine and Darin’s date night!  One of these days we’ll get to actually go somewhere on a date night.  For now, we rent a movie and eat some ice cream and crash on the couch.  No computer, no chores, no organizing school stuff….just making time for each other.  It’s nice when I can stay awake for it.  LOL!

Here is a picture I want to share with you...
My Mom cuddling with Sophia after she was born.  

Blogger Friend School - #105

Memory Verse: Matthew 28: 20 - Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

Intro: Never Leave Home Without It (Marketing Credit:  American Express) Diapers, bottles, wipes, bibs, pacifiers, extra clothing, cell phone, PDA, ipod, iphone, credit or debit cards … what would you never leave home without?

Assignment: In the memory verse Jesus tells us that He will never leave us, not even at the end of the world.  He assures us in this verse that He will be with us and that means through everything we go through in life.  I thought it would be interesting to write about the things we would never leave home without.  For some it might be baby needs, others it might be a gym bag and bottle of water, and for some  it might be your Bible and a notepad or small journal, maybe even your son or daughters favorite blankie!  I’d like for you to write about something that you would never leave home without.

I usually try to leave as much at home as I can.  I really hate purses and if I can, I put my debit card in my back pocket and go!  I usually leave the diaper bag in the car to have on hand in case of emergencies.  I do not carry it around with me unless we're going to be gone on an all-day thing.  No cell phone, no bottles, if someone needs extra clothing, they're out of luck....no hand sanitizer.....no PDA......we have an iPod, but mostly use it here at home for audio books......I guess that's it!  ;-) 

The down side to all of this is that I don't know how many times I've washed my debit card, or lost it because I took it out of my pocket and put it....somewhere???  Once I found it under my 2nd son's bed.  He thought it was one of those fake credit cards that we all get in the mail.  Fun!  Is it just my kids, or do yours call dibs on those fake cards?  Ya know, I didn't have that kind of entertainment as a kid.  ;-)  Anyway, that was the most nerve wracking loss because it took almost a week for us to find it. All that time, my husband would shake, shake, shake his head at me when I had to ask him to use his debit card.  I don't know how many times I have said, "If you had put your spelling book on your shelf, WHERE IT BELONGS, you would know where it is."  sigh.  Sometimes we need to learn our own lessons, eh?  ;-)

Sowing Good Seed

From Elsie's Children - Book 6 of the Elsie Dinsmore Series.  How important it is to read books such as this that encourage us to be Godly parents.  Lydia and I go to Starbucks or Marble Slab every Sunday and read a chapter together.  :-)

The mother had to teach patience meekness and forbearance by precept and example, ever holding up as the grand motive, love to Jesus, and a desire to please and honor Him.

Such constant sowing of the good seed, such patient, careful weeding out of the tares, such watchfulness and prayerfulness as Elsie bestowed upon the children God had given her, could not fail of their reward from Him who has said, 'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap'; and as the years rolled on she had the unspeakable joy of seeing her darlings one after another gathered into the fold of the Good Shepherd; consecrating themselves in the dew of their youth to the service of Him who had loved them and washed them from their sins in His own blood.

Exercise Challenge

I wasn't as faithful with the no-sugar thing as I should have been, but love getting out and running around with the kids and getting some exercise with them. It's a lot more fun that sweating it out with a video at 10 o'clock at night. :-) But it's a fun challenge - I work at being active with them - not just standing around watching them, and it's been a great way to connect. I do still workout with the three older kids using the Leslie Sansone videos a couple of times each week, so I feel as if I'm gettng some good exercise.

No weight loss this week, but all in good time, right?

Sign-in with Mr. Linky and let me know how you did last week! :-)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...rain today!  And we’re supposed to be getting temps in the low 80’s, high 70’s for the next 10 days at least.  Woohoo!

I am thinking...that I am so grateful for Homeschool Share.  I do not have the time or creativity to come up with my own lapbooking stuff for Henry – or any of the other kids for that matter – and I’m so thankful for all those Moms that do, and share their ideas on this site.  And Amy Pak from Homeschool in the Woods.  I use her history lapbooks with the older kids.  They are just too cool.

From the learning rooms...a couple of weeks ago, the boys were going to go to work with Darin so they could go to the annual Flag Football Game.  It was canceled because a few key guys were sick.  It was rescheduled for today, but now is canceled again because of the rain and the boys are ANTSY.  It’s going to be another one of those days when I’m going to have to sit on them a few times to get their brains to come back home.  ;-)  God bless them.

I am thankful for...CVS!  I bought about $65 worth of stuff (pads, deodorant, shampoo and hair gel) for around 8 bucks yesterday.  The Extra Care Bucks program is so worth the effort!  If you want to learn more, go to CVS 101.  If you have questions about it, please feel free to ask me.  

From the kitchen...I don’t know yet.  I made Chicken Lasagna for lunch yesterday and it was so good, I can’t stop thinking about it.  Love leftovers.  ;-)

I am reading…World Mag, St. Bartholomew’s Eve by Henty with Darin, Ishmael with Ben, Elsie’s Children with Lydia, The Trojan War with Jack, Luther for Ben’s schoolwork (I try to keep up with what the kids read.  I’m mostly successful in this area), and Nuya Nuki for Lydia’s schoolwork.  I pick up More Than Dates and Dead People when I can.  I love to read!

I am hoping...that the election turns out like I want it to.  ;-)  It is SO hard to think that God may have other plans than I do.  My biggest prayer lately is that God would help me to be at peace with His plan.  Every now and then I’ll hear a juicy tidbit on the news and start to mildly hyperventilate.  MUST…..CALM……DOWN! 

I am creating...I don’t know.  I feel like there’s so much I want to work on, but have so little time to devote to those things that I let myself become overwhelmed to the point that I do nothing.  I need to finish cutting out the skirt that I started with Rachel.  I enjoy my knitting with the dishrags, and I’m working on a cross stitch project.  It’s huge.  I’ll never finish it.  Starting to hyperventilate again…….MUST……..CHILL!  ;-)

I am hearing...Jack eating breakfast, Sophia crawling through the kitchen saying, "mama mama mama,"  Ben yawning and Henry turning the pages of a book.

Around the house...still lots of laundry, still dirty bathrooms.  One of these days the house will be spotless and I’ll be crying over missing my babies.

One of my favorite things...Fall.  The chilly breezes, the smell of firewood burning in the air, raking leaves, cooking soups and muffins…..I’m in HEAVEN.  We have a lawnmower that bags that we could use to suck up our leaves for us and make that job a snap, but I reject interjecting machinery into that beloved fall chore.  I love to get out and work my arms and legs and back (ow!) in raking leaves up.  But we have about a month to go before we have to worry about that job.  The leaves are still green and firmly attached to their branches for now!  Ahhhhh, Texas.  J

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...going to the Pumpkin Patch with my pal and her kids….we tried the lake last week and it started raining and blowing when we got there, so we came here instead.  The house was a wreck.  How embarrassing.  ;-)

Nothing else in the plan….we’re going to just be home.  Love that.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
January, 2007

To read other Daybook entries go HERE.

The Duties of Parents #2

I'm diggin' the J.C. Ryle sermon I came across online titled The Duties of Parents.  In it, he gives 17 hints for parents.  I've been reading one hint at a time and then mulling and praying over it for a week or two before I go to the next hint.  Here is #2:

Hint #2. Train your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.
I do not mean that you are to spoil him, but I do mean that you should let him see that you love him.

Love should be the golden thread that runs through all your actions in dealing with the child. Kindness, gentleness, tolerance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys—these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily—these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart.

Most persons, even among grown-up people, are more easily led than they are to be pushed. There is that in all of our minds which rises up against compulsion; we straighten up our backs and stiffen our necks at the very thought of a forced obedience. We are like young horses in the hand of a trainer: handle them kindly, and they will learn quickly, and in time you may guide them with a piece of thread; but treat them and use them roughly and violently, and it will be many months before you get mastery over them—if at all.

Now children's minds are cast in much the same mold as our own. Sternness and severity of manner causes them to be unresponsive and to back away. It shuts up their hearts, and you will wear yourself out trying to find the door. But only let them see that you have an affectionate feeling towards them—that you really desire to make them happy, and do them good—that if you punish them, it is intended for their good, and that, like the pelican, you would give your heart's blood to nourish their souls; let them see this, and they will soon be yours to mold and shape. But they must be wooed with kindness, if you ever hope to win their attention.

And surely reason itself might teach us this lesson. Children are weak and tender creatures, and, as such, they need patient and considerate treatment. We must handle them delicately, like frail objects, lest by rough handling we do more harm than good. They are like young plants, and need gentle watering—often, only a little at a time.

We must not expect everything at once. We must remember what children are, and teach them as they are able to bear. Their minds are like a lump of metal—not to be forged and made useful all at once, but only after a succession of little blows of the forger’s hammer. Their ability to understand what we are teaching them is like the small opening of a wine bottle: we must pour in the wine of knowledge gradually, or else most of it will be spilled and lost. Our rule must be, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, a little here and a little there." The hard stone used to sharpen knives does its work slowly, but frequent rubbing will bring it to a fine edge. Truly there is a need of patience in this training of a child, for without it nothing can be done.

Nothing will compensate for the absence of this tenderness and love. A minister may speak the truth as it is in Jesus, clearly and with all authority; but if he does not speak it in love, few souls will be won. Likewise, you must set before your children their responsibilities to God—you can command, threaten, punish, and try to reason with them—but if love is missing in the way you treat them, then your labor will be all in vain.

Love is the one great secret of successful training. Anger and harshness may frighten them, but they will not persuade the child that you are right; and if he often sees you angry and harsh, you will soon cease to have his respect. A father who speaks to his son as Saul did to Jonathan, saying. "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?" [1 Samuel 20:30], that father who speaks like this cannot expect to retain his influence over that son's mind.

Try hard to maintain your child's affections. It is a dangerous thing to make your children afraid of you. Anything is almost better than the coldness and bitterness that will come between you and your children, because they are afraid of you. Fear puts an end to openness between the parent and child—fear leads to concealment—fear sows the seed of hypocrisy, and leads to many lies. There is a great deal of truth in the Apostle's words to the Colossians: "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. [Colossians 3:21] Do not ignore his advice.

Blogger Friend School - #104

Assignment: Have you done something crazy in your homeschool?  Do you fingerpaint with your toes?  Do you let your children do your hair?  Do you wear your pajamas during homeschool?   Oh, the list is endless, but it’s up to you and how much fun you want to have.

Well, I guess I'm no fun cause I can't think of one wacky thing we have done during our school hours.  Although I wonder what *I* would look like to a fly on the wall during school.  I know that I have literally banged my head on the table in sheer frustration, turned beet red while biting my tongue to keep from saying the wrong thing and tried, more than once, to cook dinner, talk on the phone, hold my baby on my hip and do a spelling test all at the same time.  Clowns are not the only ones able to do a juggling act.;-)