Life on Planet Caddick

Hard to believe that this looker is starting high school in August. Yep, no longer my little baby boy - now he's all growing up and stuff. Any ideas on how to stop that? Anyone? Well, if you think of something let me know! Now, when he started talking about getting a high school experience I freaked. Then I thought, well, ok. Let's learn about the school he would go to. During the weeks of my sleuthing I learned 1. His high school is the worst in the district for passing those tests I don't agree with. 2. Gang violence is very common (three lockdowns in the two weeks I was investigating - one involved a gun). 3. Both the parents and students seem to be ok with these situations. All of these factors made the whole idea seem stupid. But... Let's face it, I was already struggling with his math (and it's pre algebra), so I also knew something was going to have to change this year. So he's getting his experience without the gangs, guns, and apathy. In ...

It's been a long time since we've visited the main mouse at his Florida home. About three years. Last time we went Zach was shorter than me, he wasn't a teenager, and it was much cooler! This time we made the trip in May instead of February. Big difference. While I really enjoyed the one day we spent at Blizzard Beach I don't know if it was worth roasting the rest of the days. This time we got to stay at Bay Lake Towers. People, it's right across the street from the Magic Kingdom! We asked for theme park view and enjoyed the fireworks every single night sans crowds and screaming kids. Awesome. The view from our balcony.  We were also there during the Epcot flower and garden show. This year I got to see so many cool topiaries. Some of my favorite characters in bush form. Yep, you can't beat that! Phineas & Ferb topiaries! The new Fantasyland was open. And I made the boys ride the Ariel ride. She's so my girl, I had to! I didn't g...

I've been so bad about blogging, and there has been so much going on lately. Not just here on our planet, but everywhere. So, I'm working on many blog posts. Family trips, school plans, how I feel about national news (which I usually stay away from), and pretty much randomness. Random is what I do best, so why mess with a good thing? =) Because I have so much writing to do I will leave you now. But I will give you some random pictures to hold you over until I'm back with all the goodies! These are all from either Monday Mugging or Thank Coffee it's Friday (TCIF) which I try to participate in every week. I'm running out of mugs though (wink wink)! This one happens to be hubby's!

So, I ventured back into the kitchen to make some more soap. I'm sharing because I want to remember exactly what I did - yay for all of you! First of all, I don't make pretty soap. That's because I hot process in an old crock pot. It's kind of hard to make swirls and fancy things when the soap usually ends up gloppy. I've tried, I've failed, I've decided it's not worth it. Since I make soap just for us, it doesn't have to look good - it just has to work good. =) I like to use things other than just plain distilled water when I make my lye solution. I've made soap using coffee, and pumpkin ale. I don't know why I like using different liquids as bases, but it makes it fun for me (plus I get to say I made Spiced Pumpkin Ale Soap - sounds fancy!). This time I brewed some mixed berry green tea. Also, I made up a new recipe because I was running low on some oil. I never use fancy expensive oil because I like to be able to just grab more w...

Not really a whole year of updates, but at least two months! When did I get so bad at blogging? Who knows. But we did do some stuff in February (I mean stuff where I actually took pictures!). First we celebrated the 14th birthday of this guy right here. What? Yep, he used to be this adorable blonde haired blue eyed cuddly cutie pie. He's still pretty awesome, but I don't think that I'm allowed to say he's a cuddly cutie pie anymore. Am I? Teenage boy rules - I don't know them!  He wanted to go bowling, so we did. On his birthday (a Tuesday), in the middle of the day. Yep, homeschooling really does rock!  Goofballs, one and all... This here is our little homeschool group. The all boys club! Then we went to Georgia, where I was able to snap a couple pictures of my niece. Apparently I caught her just being a teenage girl - but I don't know those rules either!  Shhh  she's sleeping Forward on to March! Well, March ha...