Look at what these Polish mosquitoes...

... have done to my son!

Kind of like the guy from the MAD comic book... or at least his left side.

 Dude, I am *serious* ya'll, these mosquitoes here are killer...killer! They leave whelps unlike any I have ever seen and the bites last for.ev.er. Kacio has bites on his face that have been there since the 2nd week we got here (to be fair, he was scratching them, but still). I am trying to find some tea tree oil to dab on their blankets and sheets to keep the mosquitoes away but can't seem to find any online... into the trenches tomorrow to scope some out, because dude. Dude.

Speaking of keeping mosquitoes out. The mosquitoes are  in because we have to keep the windows open all day to let the house warm up. That's right, warm *up.* It's warm outside, 60's and 70's, perfect Fall weather, but the house holds the cold from the nighttime so well that the house is freezing during the day, especially downstairs where no one is really living, and now where we do our schooling. These thick walls mean that the winter will be warm without breaking our budget but right now they are doing the opposite of what we want.

School!!! School is going fabulously, FABULOUSLY! And I don't even particularly like that word, but there is no other to describe it. We have our room set up and it is wonderful and cozy and just right. I cannot wait to share pictures (soon, my pet). The children are loving it as well. It has been so hard trying to do any school with all of our things strewn about the house, never in their own place and in between whatever else was going on, but not anymore! Can you tell I'm excited?! I am excited because for all the naysayers and my own personal doubtful voices (more than one), it seems as though this is all going to work out swimmingly.


Speaking of swimmingly, is it possible that this is in fact a dinosaur bone that was at the bottom of some sort of lake or other body of water and my children have just unearthed it whilst digging their "traps" in the side yard? Is it possible? Or is that just a calf bone that someone threw out into the side yard. Which is worse? Which is more interesting? You decide. Neither would surprise me.

Adelina in her new fancy "twirly skirt" that I just finished up and made her wear today. So perfect for Fall!!

Speaking of calf bones...about the third week we were here we were given half a calf from Martin's uncle who is a farmer and does indeed raise his own animals. (We are still working our way through what must be about a 5th of a pig in our fridge). Our freezer, small in stature, belonging to the SZRON 125, is full of veal bones and veal roast. I have made two soups form the bones so far, rather tasty, but I have yet to finish off the rest of that veal roast so if anyone has any favorite veal recipes, lay 'em on me, I'm open to anything.

And lastly, speaking of the SZRON 125, guess who is getting a new fridge?  *This* guy (pointing to myself).

Woo! Hoo!  No more going to the store every other day because we can only fit one fresh vegetable, one thing of cheese, some cold cuts, and beer in the fridge. Also, no more excuses about cooking or lack there of (I made a killer Rosol today...from scratch... Babcia would be proud). I can't wait for a crisper drawer! And a freezer! And...and.... a higher surface to place family photos so Kacio can't reach them to throw them in the toilet! 

It's been a good week... and tomorrow we are going to our first Sklep Plastyczne...I am excited ya'll. Art and Craft store. I'm giddy with excitement.

P.S. I am most certain that my change in attitude and renewed vigor for life is directly related to the way school is going. So wonderful. Any and all homeschoolers out there will know how good a solid day of work and play can be, when you feel like you are finally, for real, "doing it."

Gratuitous shot of Lina twirling in her skirt. She hasn't stopped all day. And Kacio "brushing his own teeth"  aka... eating toothpaste.