Today was one of those days that a homeschool mom wishes for. No, there was no house cleaning fairy that slipped in and magically turned the house into a spotless wonder. The food did not magically jump into the crock pot. The kids did not refrain from fighting all day. Or even most of it. They did not remember to clean up after themselves. Actually, school work is still on the table. There are Legos on the floor. Squinkies and Zinkies are too. And some cracker crumbs. I did not wash the supper dishes. There was an argument before breakfast. None of those seemingly magical things occurred here today, but what did occur was just as awesome.
Two huge awesome things, actually. On the same day. Isaac has been struggling to read for years. We tried a traditional approach. We tried creative approaches. We wrote words in sand or shaving cream. We played word games. We fished for words from our word wall. We used flash cards, rewards, incentives, whatever we could. We tried it all. Twice. Nothing made it click. Until today. He picked up his reader and read a story. No crying, no hesitation, no sounding out words even. It clicked. He did it. There were even new words. Then he turned the page and did it again. Oh, I cannot say there were no tears, because I could not help myself. He finished flawlessly reading his story, turned those big brown eyes to me and I could see his pride. Satisfaction of a job well done. The labor was difficult, but the instant those big, brown, joyous eyes locked onto my tear-filled ones was worth every second.
I have no idea why it was today. There was nothing special. Nothing different. Nothing new. We did the same thing for the thousandth time. It just clicked, and like a rusty flood gate opening for the first time the result was a deluge. It was one of those moments that takes my breath away, where the ah-ha look in their eyes overshadows any difficulties getting there. But the day was not over yet. I got another of those moments!
Faith has had difficulties at school for, well, always. We have succeeded with some, and not quite yet with others. Something we have been working on is correctly forming letters and numbers. She has quite a high rate of backwards or malformed letters and numbers. If she is directly copying something it looks great. Left to form them on her own and it is hard to read at best. One thing that we noticed, actually that Angel noticed, is that she writes numbers correctly in the units and hundreds place consistently, but the tens place is always backwards. Even in number with the same digits. She would add things like 32 + 23 and have a backwards 5 and a normal 5. I have been marking her answers as right but making her practice forming the number correctly. I have written over the backwards ones in red. We have used sand, pudding, chalk, finger paint and a variety of other media to practice. Same results- backwards numbers in the tens place. Ever single time. Despite me pointing it out she never noticed it before. It was like she could not see the backwards numbers. She would lament that they all looked the same to her.
Today she was practicing before a test. She wrote the multiplication facts on the dining room mirror for several sets of numbers from memory. Then she stepped back and looked at the mirror. She moved closer, nose almost touching the mirror. She stepped back again. She turned around and said, "Hey, does anybody notice something wrong here?" I looked up to check her facts. They were correct. She said, "No, I mean all these numbers. I think they are backwards!" She erased them and wrote them correctly. On her test not one number was written backwards. For the first time ever.
A second ah-ha moment. Only a few minutes after the first. Two of our toughest problems. In one day. Years of blood, sweat, and tears came before. Literally. With an Aspie who has ADD and another ADHD one there were literal blood, sweat and tears. For long stretches at a time it would occur daily. On my part. On their parts.
But today, today was a good day. Today was a win. We never gave up. We never quit. And finally, after so much struggle, there was the fruit of our labor. And it was sweet. I know that tomorrow we may be back to struggles, maybe even the same struggles. That is the way life is. That is the way homeschooling is. That is the way life with special needs students is. But days like today, moments like these, the looks of pride, of wonder, of understanding, they stay with you. Those are the moments I hide in my heart. The moments I cherish and ponder. The moments that I take out on days that are not good. On the days where we have head banging, scratching and biting oneself. On the days where the tears are not the good kind.
Days like today linger. Days like today allow hope to fester. They allow us to hold onto the idea of success when it seems so far away. They are gifts from God, miracles that show us to keep fighting the good fight. Testaments to hard work, prayer, and God's mercy and grace. And as I head off to sleep tonight, our success still fresh in my mind and heart, I will rest well. And that rest is the kind much needed during this battle. A rest filled with joy, with hope, with anticipation, with the promise of another win on the horizon.
Showing posts with label Homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschool. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
A Year End Review
Every year I take a look back at all that the year brought and share a few highlights. Sometimes I focus on just the good, sometimes I focus on the most memorable, and other times I focus on the things that I have pictures of on Facebook. That is my life in a nutshell. Sometimes good, sometimes simply memorable, and other times I can't remember it all unless I am reminded. On Facebook. This year i will try to do a little of each.
We started the year with a family party that lasted until 6 AM. For most of us. Like me, and the big kids. January also brought snow, and David's third birthday. We had many days off in the first half of the school year and tried to buckle down and get things done in the second half. But I had extreme morning sickness often, so it was hard.
February rolled around, and we were still trying to push through school. We had a a nice visit from Uncle Dave, however I spend some of it in the hospital. More morning sickness. But the rest of the time was movies, games, the Science Center, and Chick Fil A.
March was another long month of morning sickness and school work. My school work, school work with the kids, and observation hours. We started up our homeschool co-op classes again, and the CLP play held auditions and began practices. We did community service, and lots of it! The days were getting much nicer as we prepared to have our Easter cantata and celebrate Easter.
April brought Easter, Honk Jr., a cantata, Remembering Adam show, and more co-op classes. April for us is always a time of performing! Andy had a few shows, too. My morning sickness was easing up and I was headed into a nice spring and beginning of summer without any problems other than being busy and tired.
May started with Honk Jr at CLP, the end of co-op, shows for Andy, and yet another behavior specialist for Faith. We had a huge yard sale and took a trip to the Creation Museum. We also got to catch a movie at Sarah and Anna's outside. School was finishing up for the kids and we were scrambling to complete things before the end of the month.
June was a fun month, and quite busy! Andy had shows, we finished school, and took a few mini vacations. First up, though, was a fun family day at my dad's power plant learning more about what he does and what the plant does to generate power. Contrary to my high school belief, he is not a spy. Or is that what he wants us to think?? We got to see Tony in Cats, we did community service, and we celebrated Father's Day early because Andy and Isaac went to Sandbox Camp. We had our year end evaluations. That was only half the month! After Sandbox Camp we took the kids camping for 11 days! We also got to see a Curve game. During camp my nice trouble free time of pregnancy wrapped up and I was taken by ambulance to the ER with heat exhaustion and the beginnings of my high blood pressure problems.
We came home from camp on July first only to turn around and take the girls back to Pony and Swim Camp. The boys and I had some fun while hey were gone. The week after picking the girls up my blood pressure became enough of a problem that I was on bed rest. for most of the month. Missing birthday parties, VBS, and summer. I did sneak to Spirit Fest, and one day of VBS to ward off the unending, mind numbing boredom of bed rest. And the messy house that I could do nothing about. We spend some time doing school early to keep the kids occupied, and Angel became the head chef of the Raehl household. I had an overnight hospital stay, and we did not get to have a birthday party for Faith.
August brought more hospital trips, and I finally had enough bed rest. We had a birthday party for Faith the first weekend, and on our anniversary we had our sweet Micah! I was finally feeling better, and got an awesome gift, my sweet son! The SC Raehl family came to meet Micah, and I began to dig our house out from under about five weeks of bed rest. We enjoyed the rest of summer with a trip to Lakemont, a family reunion, and began to look towards the new school year.
September came so fast! We celebrated the month's birthdays, including a trip to Slinky for Isaac's birthday. I began the kids school in full force, and my observation hours, too. We had a few field trips, and Andy had several shows. the girls began taking baton lessons. We were still trying to catch up from my bed rest.
October was just as busy with baton, co-op, classes at IUP, choir in preparation for Christmas, and youth group meetings. I had more observation hours, and the countdown to my student teaching is on! Angel had her birthday party and then we went bowling.
November rolled around with more of the same activities, plus Thanksgiving! And of course, Black Friday! Although my crew was thinned a bit this year we had a blast, as usual. Angel really enjoyed her second year, and I still had to call Josh for directions.
December brought snow, Christmas, and the end of this looong year. It is the first time that we have reached our halfway point before Christmas, so we celebrate by taking a long school break to prepare for Christmas. We made tons of cookies, wrapped presents, decorate, and then ended up in the hospital with Angel and a severe stomach virus. But it is the end of the year, we are beginning to feel better, and soon 2013 will bring more surprises, more joy, and more laughter. We are ready, bring it on 2013!!
We started the year with a family party that lasted until 6 AM. For most of us. Like me, and the big kids. January also brought snow, and David's third birthday. We had many days off in the first half of the school year and tried to buckle down and get things done in the second half. But I had extreme morning sickness often, so it was hard.
February rolled around, and we were still trying to push through school. We had a a nice visit from Uncle Dave, however I spend some of it in the hospital. More morning sickness. But the rest of the time was movies, games, the Science Center, and Chick Fil A.
March was another long month of morning sickness and school work. My school work, school work with the kids, and observation hours. We started up our homeschool co-op classes again, and the CLP play held auditions and began practices. We did community service, and lots of it! The days were getting much nicer as we prepared to have our Easter cantata and celebrate Easter.
April brought Easter, Honk Jr., a cantata, Remembering Adam show, and more co-op classes. April for us is always a time of performing! Andy had a few shows, too. My morning sickness was easing up and I was headed into a nice spring and beginning of summer without any problems other than being busy and tired.
May started with Honk Jr at CLP, the end of co-op, shows for Andy, and yet another behavior specialist for Faith. We had a huge yard sale and took a trip to the Creation Museum. We also got to catch a movie at Sarah and Anna's outside. School was finishing up for the kids and we were scrambling to complete things before the end of the month.
June was a fun month, and quite busy! Andy had shows, we finished school, and took a few mini vacations. First up, though, was a fun family day at my dad's power plant learning more about what he does and what the plant does to generate power. Contrary to my high school belief, he is not a spy. Or is that what he wants us to think?? We got to see Tony in Cats, we did community service, and we celebrated Father's Day early because Andy and Isaac went to Sandbox Camp. We had our year end evaluations. That was only half the month! After Sandbox Camp we took the kids camping for 11 days! We also got to see a Curve game. During camp my nice trouble free time of pregnancy wrapped up and I was taken by ambulance to the ER with heat exhaustion and the beginnings of my high blood pressure problems.
We came home from camp on July first only to turn around and take the girls back to Pony and Swim Camp. The boys and I had some fun while hey were gone. The week after picking the girls up my blood pressure became enough of a problem that I was on bed rest. for most of the month. Missing birthday parties, VBS, and summer. I did sneak to Spirit Fest, and one day of VBS to ward off the unending, mind numbing boredom of bed rest. And the messy house that I could do nothing about. We spend some time doing school early to keep the kids occupied, and Angel became the head chef of the Raehl household. I had an overnight hospital stay, and we did not get to have a birthday party for Faith.
August brought more hospital trips, and I finally had enough bed rest. We had a birthday party for Faith the first weekend, and on our anniversary we had our sweet Micah! I was finally feeling better, and got an awesome gift, my sweet son! The SC Raehl family came to meet Micah, and I began to dig our house out from under about five weeks of bed rest. We enjoyed the rest of summer with a trip to Lakemont, a family reunion, and began to look towards the new school year.
September came so fast! We celebrated the month's birthdays, including a trip to Slinky for Isaac's birthday. I began the kids school in full force, and my observation hours, too. We had a few field trips, and Andy had several shows. the girls began taking baton lessons. We were still trying to catch up from my bed rest.
October was just as busy with baton, co-op, classes at IUP, choir in preparation for Christmas, and youth group meetings. I had more observation hours, and the countdown to my student teaching is on! Angel had her birthday party and then we went bowling.
November rolled around with more of the same activities, plus Thanksgiving! And of course, Black Friday! Although my crew was thinned a bit this year we had a blast, as usual. Angel really enjoyed her second year, and I still had to call Josh for directions.
December brought snow, Christmas, and the end of this looong year. It is the first time that we have reached our halfway point before Christmas, so we celebrate by taking a long school break to prepare for Christmas. We made tons of cookies, wrapped presents, decorate, and then ended up in the hospital with Angel and a severe stomach virus. But it is the end of the year, we are beginning to feel better, and soon 2013 will bring more surprises, more joy, and more laughter. We are ready, bring it on 2013!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Top Ten Tuesday- School Break
There are times that I find it is best to stop home school for a few days, or even weeks. This is for a variety of reasons, and can be a planned or unplanned break. We are on just such a break this week, and next. It was not planned. Here are the top ten reasons to take an unplanned break from school:
10. I knew the kids had clean laundry. They just could not find it in their rooms.
9. During my class I printed the syllabus. I then began to correct typos and grade it.
8. I had to dry off after a shower with a hand towel. Twice.
7. I lost the baby swing. In the living room. Thankfully, I was holding the baby.
6. I thought my head would explode if I had to hear "What? We are supposed to be doing school??" one more time.
5. I lost my checking basket which contains my red pencils and pens, stickers, index cards for daily reports, and my favorite pen. It is somewhere on my desk.
4. We had to have noodles for dinner four days in a row because I did not have time to cook or to go shopping.
3. We ran out of pancake mix.
2. I still have maternity clothing in laundry baskets in my room.
1. I have found myself more stressed and distracted than when I was at fire prevention day at the fire hall and forgot that I had a baby. I walked away from the seat to take a phone call. (Several people were there and watched him). When I came back I got a good deal of teasing about leaving my baby at a safe haven. (And I was only gone for not more than two minutes, and was still in sight of the seat, just distracted.)
10. I knew the kids had clean laundry. They just could not find it in their rooms.
9. During my class I printed the syllabus. I then began to correct typos and grade it.
8. I had to dry off after a shower with a hand towel. Twice.
7. I lost the baby swing. In the living room. Thankfully, I was holding the baby.
6. I thought my head would explode if I had to hear "What? We are supposed to be doing school??" one more time.
5. I lost my checking basket which contains my red pencils and pens, stickers, index cards for daily reports, and my favorite pen. It is somewhere on my desk.
4. We had to have noodles for dinner four days in a row because I did not have time to cook or to go shopping.
3. We ran out of pancake mix.
2. I still have maternity clothing in laundry baskets in my room.
1. I have found myself more stressed and distracted than when I was at fire prevention day at the fire hall and forgot that I had a baby. I walked away from the seat to take a phone call. (Several people were there and watched him). When I came back I got a good deal of teasing about leaving my baby at a safe haven. (And I was only gone for not more than two minutes, and was still in sight of the seat, just distracted.)
Friday, August 24, 2012
Noise Alert
In a household with children one can expect a certain amount of noise. Playing, fighting, laughing, crying, banging, crashing, clomping, squealing... In a household with children with Asperger's there are more noises at times, the constant noises or repeated words and phrases. A new babies bring their own kinds of noises- crying, cooing, the swing rocking, musical toys. All of these noises combined together create the symphony of our home, the beat we live by. And usually that is a great thing. Usually.
For some reason our summer is fizzling out, dying a slow painful death. The kids are bickering, dropping trash everywhere, fighting, not wanting to play outside, and screaming. One, or both, of our toliets overflow everyday. And the screetching by the one, or at times two, preschoolers has reached a new level of loud. This wakes up the baby, who cries. And then is over tired and cannot fall back asleep. Who keeps Mommy awake. All night long. And the preschooler is up bright and early. So Mommy gets no sleep. And has a headache. And is very irritated by the noise, good or bad, but mostly bad in the past two days.
The fun level is crashing quickly, the frustration levels are rising just as fast. And school is supposed to start on Monday for them, Tuesday for me. Usually at this point I am excited, energized, and so are the kids. We have crates full of new supplies, new materials, fun activities, and field trips planned. I am not organized, but that is nothing new. The house is cleanish, and the laundry is caught up. I even have food in the crock pot for supper.
The problem is the noise. Not the household noise, but the life noise that is blocking out my peace of heart and mind. My quiet time spent in reflection, digging into the Bible, and covering our home in prayer. It is the noise that fills my head, not the noise filling my house. The noise that is blocking my attitude of praise and thanksgiving, keeping me off balance and unfocused. My heart attitude sets the tone for my whole family. If I am frustrated, they are fighting. If I am joyful, we have laughter. I know this is a fact. I can see it in our lives.
As we begin a new school year, a new journey, with so many joys, I have to set aside the past school year with its problems and trials, all the frustration. I have to set aside myself, my lack of motivation, and my tiredness. I need instead to create a new attitude in my home, one of peace and joy, love and laughter.
Having so many things going on, that is difficult. New baby, new school year, new classes for me, those are all overwhelming when tacked alone, let alone all at once. So as we begin this new part of our journey, we will have a new commitment. A commitment of loving each other, of loving God, and of service to Him. And that new journey does not have to wait until we crack open our math book for the first time, it starts now. With a family prayer, a new Scripture to memorize, and planning our day to include quiet time and time to play and grow together. Please join me in praying for our family, our school year, and that I get some extra rest this weekend.
For some reason our summer is fizzling out, dying a slow painful death. The kids are bickering, dropping trash everywhere, fighting, not wanting to play outside, and screaming. One, or both, of our toliets overflow everyday. And the screetching by the one, or at times two, preschoolers has reached a new level of loud. This wakes up the baby, who cries. And then is over tired and cannot fall back asleep. Who keeps Mommy awake. All night long. And the preschooler is up bright and early. So Mommy gets no sleep. And has a headache. And is very irritated by the noise, good or bad, but mostly bad in the past two days.
The fun level is crashing quickly, the frustration levels are rising just as fast. And school is supposed to start on Monday for them, Tuesday for me. Usually at this point I am excited, energized, and so are the kids. We have crates full of new supplies, new materials, fun activities, and field trips planned. I am not organized, but that is nothing new. The house is cleanish, and the laundry is caught up. I even have food in the crock pot for supper.
The problem is the noise. Not the household noise, but the life noise that is blocking out my peace of heart and mind. My quiet time spent in reflection, digging into the Bible, and covering our home in prayer. It is the noise that fills my head, not the noise filling my house. The noise that is blocking my attitude of praise and thanksgiving, keeping me off balance and unfocused. My heart attitude sets the tone for my whole family. If I am frustrated, they are fighting. If I am joyful, we have laughter. I know this is a fact. I can see it in our lives.
As we begin a new school year, a new journey, with so many joys, I have to set aside the past school year with its problems and trials, all the frustration. I have to set aside myself, my lack of motivation, and my tiredness. I need instead to create a new attitude in my home, one of peace and joy, love and laughter.
Having so many things going on, that is difficult. New baby, new school year, new classes for me, those are all overwhelming when tacked alone, let alone all at once. So as we begin this new part of our journey, we will have a new commitment. A commitment of loving each other, of loving God, and of service to Him. And that new journey does not have to wait until we crack open our math book for the first time, it starts now. With a family prayer, a new Scripture to memorize, and planning our day to include quiet time and time to play and grow together. Please join me in praying for our family, our school year, and that I get some extra rest this weekend.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Memory Lane, The End of Another School Year
Once again here we are, wrapping up another school year. The years seem to stretch before me, being pregnant there are so many left, but having a middle schooler there are also too few.
We are spending the week finishing things, finding things, putting together the portfolios, writing up next year's objectives, and doing final activities to complete the 2011-2012 school year. This year also includes re-writing the log book that got destroyed by the cats.
As always, there are so many things that we do that cannot fit in the portfolio. Sometimes we do huge projects, but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about the things that there is no section for, not rubric, no entry in the log book. We have overcome so much this school year, from the loss of our Hope, to the loss of pets. Major sickness in family members, struggles finishing some school work, and long days of extra to make up for the lost days. Also, each of the children have had personal conquests.
Angel hit a school year in which it was not longer all easy work. At the beginning of the year she would struggle with work and it would be the end of the world if she got a problem wrong. Never mind if it was not on a test and she could simply fix it. There was frustration, tears, anger, and more tears. Now, she was doing long division and realized during the checking portion that she made a mistake on a worksheet. She was frustrated, but she redid the work. Several times. Until she got it right. And there were no tears. Only a huge smile because she prevailed. I have always had so many reason to be proud of her, and now there is one more!
Faith's progress has been measured in leaps and bounds since she was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. At times it was super hard, and at other times it was easier, at least in comparison. This year has been full of changes for her. Her gecko, Liz, died. She lost her favorite Behavior Specialist, and several came and went quickly. The last was also very good with her, and just left us. But on a positive note, this does not only mark the end of her time with that Behavior Specialist, but of her services altogether. She has progressed so much in recent months that there is no more a Behavior Specialist can do for her, for us. We are handling any problems that come up, and there was a recommendation to limit her services so much that it was about the same to quit receiving them, and so we all agreed that was the best option. And so as we look toward the next school year we are simply using the techniques we have learned in the past 18 months.
Isaac. Oh, Isaac. He is good at so many things, and he keeps me on my toes. In school he is great at math, but not so great at focusing. Once I get his attention, I only have a limited time to work with him. We have been working on some other issues as well, like anger, attention to work, and thinking through his actions before acting. I have seen some progress in these areas. I know the struggle is real, because he does not just have focus problems in school, but even in things he enjoys. With charts, reminders, rewards, and patience we will prevail. And past experience with other active children in my life lets me know that they slow down a good bit after hitting the teen years. May not pay attention, but at least they start to sit still for longer.
David is growing so fast! He is not doing school yet, of course. However, Angel does activities with him. He has spend the past few weeks having a great time as Mariah comes over to play. They love to paint, play, swim, and watch Blue's Clues. He has been showing a lot of interest in letters and numbers. He learned how to swim. He even goes under water. He still loves anything firefighter, and even got to help Pappy put out a fire!
And as usual, they are not the only ones learning and growing. I have been trying to keep ahead of them in their school, do my own school, write VBS, and keep growing this baby. I have dealt with my biggest fear, the loss of my baby. I struggled so much through the miscarriage and for months after, and am pulling through now. I have relied heavily on the grace of God, and my husband's support. And I am doing OK. And I know that doing great lies ahead. I have gone through a fire and am going to come out stronger, closer to God, and while I may never know the purpose of my loss, I know that Hope's time with us, however brief, served a purpose, changed us in many ways, and will bring God glory.
Still so much to do to finish our year, but this time when I close that portfolio after the evaluation, I have even more than ever before that we have accomplished, and my heart is full.
We are spending the week finishing things, finding things, putting together the portfolios, writing up next year's objectives, and doing final activities to complete the 2011-2012 school year. This year also includes re-writing the log book that got destroyed by the cats.
As always, there are so many things that we do that cannot fit in the portfolio. Sometimes we do huge projects, but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about the things that there is no section for, not rubric, no entry in the log book. We have overcome so much this school year, from the loss of our Hope, to the loss of pets. Major sickness in family members, struggles finishing some school work, and long days of extra to make up for the lost days. Also, each of the children have had personal conquests.
Angel hit a school year in which it was not longer all easy work. At the beginning of the year she would struggle with work and it would be the end of the world if she got a problem wrong. Never mind if it was not on a test and she could simply fix it. There was frustration, tears, anger, and more tears. Now, she was doing long division and realized during the checking portion that she made a mistake on a worksheet. She was frustrated, but she redid the work. Several times. Until she got it right. And there were no tears. Only a huge smile because she prevailed. I have always had so many reason to be proud of her, and now there is one more!
Faith's progress has been measured in leaps and bounds since she was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. At times it was super hard, and at other times it was easier, at least in comparison. This year has been full of changes for her. Her gecko, Liz, died. She lost her favorite Behavior Specialist, and several came and went quickly. The last was also very good with her, and just left us. But on a positive note, this does not only mark the end of her time with that Behavior Specialist, but of her services altogether. She has progressed so much in recent months that there is no more a Behavior Specialist can do for her, for us. We are handling any problems that come up, and there was a recommendation to limit her services so much that it was about the same to quit receiving them, and so we all agreed that was the best option. And so as we look toward the next school year we are simply using the techniques we have learned in the past 18 months.
Isaac. Oh, Isaac. He is good at so many things, and he keeps me on my toes. In school he is great at math, but not so great at focusing. Once I get his attention, I only have a limited time to work with him. We have been working on some other issues as well, like anger, attention to work, and thinking through his actions before acting. I have seen some progress in these areas. I know the struggle is real, because he does not just have focus problems in school, but even in things he enjoys. With charts, reminders, rewards, and patience we will prevail. And past experience with other active children in my life lets me know that they slow down a good bit after hitting the teen years. May not pay attention, but at least they start to sit still for longer.
David is growing so fast! He is not doing school yet, of course. However, Angel does activities with him. He has spend the past few weeks having a great time as Mariah comes over to play. They love to paint, play, swim, and watch Blue's Clues. He has been showing a lot of interest in letters and numbers. He learned how to swim. He even goes under water. He still loves anything firefighter, and even got to help Pappy put out a fire!
And as usual, they are not the only ones learning and growing. I have been trying to keep ahead of them in their school, do my own school, write VBS, and keep growing this baby. I have dealt with my biggest fear, the loss of my baby. I struggled so much through the miscarriage and for months after, and am pulling through now. I have relied heavily on the grace of God, and my husband's support. And I am doing OK. And I know that doing great lies ahead. I have gone through a fire and am going to come out stronger, closer to God, and while I may never know the purpose of my loss, I know that Hope's time with us, however brief, served a purpose, changed us in many ways, and will bring God glory.
Still so much to do to finish our year, but this time when I close that portfolio after the evaluation, I have even more than ever before that we have accomplished, and my heart is full.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Confession Time
I have a confession. I hate cleaning. My house shows it. There are so many other ways I can find that are very valuable ways to spend my time. My school. Home school. Reading, games, puzzles, activities, crafts with the kids. Backyard fires. Long bike rides. Walks. Movie night.
When we do clean, it is with the kids too. They do dishes, laundry, sweep, scrub, vacuum, and dust. We work together to get it done as quickly as possible. And it looks like the kids helped. They are still learning.
There is always clean laundry stacked on the couch. And crafting remnants on the floor. And Legos everywhere. Game pieces on the living room floor, school work on the dining room table, and glitter all over. We have toys on the floor, books on the love seat, and movies stacked up by the DVD player. There is at least one fake bug somewhere in every room of our house.
You see, we live here. All the time. And we do school here. There are some hyper kids, some slow to complete task kids, and some kids who are much bigger and are just trying to enjoy the little ones while they are still little. And waiting for some little woodland critters to help has not yet paid off. So we dust in between subjects, scoop up toys so we can vacuum, and shift school work to eat together. Regardless of how clean, not or so clean it is, I always step on or hit the bugs, just in case...
When we do clean, it is with the kids too. They do dishes, laundry, sweep, scrub, vacuum, and dust. We work together to get it done as quickly as possible. And it looks like the kids helped. They are still learning.
There is always clean laundry stacked on the couch. And crafting remnants on the floor. And Legos everywhere. Game pieces on the living room floor, school work on the dining room table, and glitter all over. We have toys on the floor, books on the love seat, and movies stacked up by the DVD player. There is at least one fake bug somewhere in every room of our house.
You see, we live here. All the time. And we do school here. There are some hyper kids, some slow to complete task kids, and some kids who are much bigger and are just trying to enjoy the little ones while they are still little. And waiting for some little woodland critters to help has not yet paid off. So we dust in between subjects, scoop up toys so we can vacuum, and shift school work to eat together. Regardless of how clean, not or so clean it is, I always step on or hit the bugs, just in case...
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Truth About Socialization
When people hear that we home school, there are a few things they usually ask. Why?? Is that legal?? What about socialization?? I am often tempted to give a sarcastic response. "No, actually it's not legal, so please don't tell anyone!" Usually, because I am supposed to be setting a good example for my children, I answer honestly and openly. And maybe with more than the asker bargained for in some cases.
You see, my least favorite question is socialization. According to dictionary.com, socialization is "a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position". Nothing in the definition states that this happens by being in a group of their peers for over a decade. Actually, I think that the process of obtaining socialization took me longer because of peer pressure. I wanted to be cool. I wanted to fit in. Almost every stupid decision I ever made was a direct result of peer pressure. And it never worked. I was not cool. I did not fit in. And I felt like a sell out every time I saw an injustice and said nothing. Choose to be silent when seeing bullying. Knew my friends were taking up destructive habits, but said nothing. Did not say what I thought or believed because I did not want to be ridiculed because of my faith.
I can give many examples of home schoolers that I know that do not feel the crush of peer pressure. Who stay true to themselves, their beliefs, and their faith regardless of circumstances. Mainly, I see my oldest daughter. Who she is. Who she is becoming.
Angel does not feel the need to impress anyone. She does what she enjoys, regardless of who finds that popular. She wears what she likes. She watches, or does not watch, things based on her preferences and beliefs. She forms her own opinions. Strongly. Her taste in music is not the same as her friends. Or her taste in books, games, activities, or how she feels about school. We are more alike than she will want to admit. But by middle school I had already felt the pull of peer pressure shaping who I was, even though I was strong. She does not. I have seen her decline opportunities with friends because she wants to spend time with extended family. Or at church. I have seen her not participate in activities because she felt that something about those activities was wrong. She sings, dances, and acts because it is fun for her. She performs dances to praise music for church that she choreographs herself because she enjoys it. She participates in youth group, joins her father onstage, and is actively involved in community service. Not because it is what her friends do, but because she finds meaning and enjoyment in those activities.
And yet, despite not caring what others think of her, we can not go anywhere without someone calling out "Hey Angel!" or "Look, Angel's here!" The post office, the bank, the playground, the park, swimming, restaurants, grocery stores, the library, even in our back yard. She knows people everywhere we go. Just tonight we were running at the local school track, just the two of us. We get out of the van , and hear "Angel!!" There were only a handful of people there, and most of them knew her. Children, parents, teachers, coaches.
I am convinced that this happens not despite her being true to herself, but because of it. You see, she learned something already that took me until the beginning of twelfth grade to discover. It does not matter in the long run who likes what you do if you do not. It does not matter what others think of your faith if God is not pleased. It does not matter what others think of you if you are not happy with who you are. She is very comfortable with who she is, and that appeals to others. Spending time with a variety of ages makes her comfortable talking to her peers, their parents, and any siblings. She is kind, likes listening to people, and enjoys serving God and others. I know that she is this confident in who she is because she has been given the freedom of home school. Freedom to help choose what she learns, and how. Freedom to excel, or take some extra time. Freedom to interact with her great grandparents, uncles, younger siblings, friends, parents, coaches, teachers and even those people who ask if we are sure our children will have enough socialization.
You see, my least favorite question is socialization. According to dictionary.com, socialization is "a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position". Nothing in the definition states that this happens by being in a group of their peers for over a decade. Actually, I think that the process of obtaining socialization took me longer because of peer pressure. I wanted to be cool. I wanted to fit in. Almost every stupid decision I ever made was a direct result of peer pressure. And it never worked. I was not cool. I did not fit in. And I felt like a sell out every time I saw an injustice and said nothing. Choose to be silent when seeing bullying. Knew my friends were taking up destructive habits, but said nothing. Did not say what I thought or believed because I did not want to be ridiculed because of my faith.
I can give many examples of home schoolers that I know that do not feel the crush of peer pressure. Who stay true to themselves, their beliefs, and their faith regardless of circumstances. Mainly, I see my oldest daughter. Who she is. Who she is becoming.
Angel does not feel the need to impress anyone. She does what she enjoys, regardless of who finds that popular. She wears what she likes. She watches, or does not watch, things based on her preferences and beliefs. She forms her own opinions. Strongly. Her taste in music is not the same as her friends. Or her taste in books, games, activities, or how she feels about school. We are more alike than she will want to admit. But by middle school I had already felt the pull of peer pressure shaping who I was, even though I was strong. She does not. I have seen her decline opportunities with friends because she wants to spend time with extended family. Or at church. I have seen her not participate in activities because she felt that something about those activities was wrong. She sings, dances, and acts because it is fun for her. She performs dances to praise music for church that she choreographs herself because she enjoys it. She participates in youth group, joins her father onstage, and is actively involved in community service. Not because it is what her friends do, but because she finds meaning and enjoyment in those activities.
And yet, despite not caring what others think of her, we can not go anywhere without someone calling out "Hey Angel!" or "Look, Angel's here!" The post office, the bank, the playground, the park, swimming, restaurants, grocery stores, the library, even in our back yard. She knows people everywhere we go. Just tonight we were running at the local school track, just the two of us. We get out of the van , and hear "Angel!!" There were only a handful of people there, and most of them knew her. Children, parents, teachers, coaches.
I am convinced that this happens not despite her being true to herself, but because of it. You see, she learned something already that took me until the beginning of twelfth grade to discover. It does not matter in the long run who likes what you do if you do not. It does not matter what others think of your faith if God is not pleased. It does not matter what others think of you if you are not happy with who you are. She is very comfortable with who she is, and that appeals to others. Spending time with a variety of ages makes her comfortable talking to her peers, their parents, and any siblings. She is kind, likes listening to people, and enjoys serving God and others. I know that she is this confident in who she is because she has been given the freedom of home school. Freedom to help choose what she learns, and how. Freedom to excel, or take some extra time. Freedom to interact with her great grandparents, uncles, younger siblings, friends, parents, coaches, teachers and even those people who ask if we are sure our children will have enough socialization.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Top ten reasons why I love to home school
In any random order, not the order of importance!
10. Those days when we stay in our jammies all day.
9. Sleeping in on yucky days.
8. Cuddling all the kids in my room in the morning.
7. Starting the day with devotions and prayer.
6. Watching my children as they play together during breaks.
5. Catching that "ah ha"moment when understanding dawns for the first time. Every time.
4. Seeing my children work together at school, around the house, and as they help me.
3. Co-op classes that allow all the kids to get together to learn and play, and the moms get a bit of a break.
2. Reading aloud a great book, sipping hot chocolate.
1. Growing closer to each other and closer to God.
10. Those days when we stay in our jammies all day.
9. Sleeping in on yucky days.
8. Cuddling all the kids in my room in the morning.
7. Starting the day with devotions and prayer.
6. Watching my children as they play together during breaks.
5. Catching that "ah ha"moment when understanding dawns for the first time. Every time.
4. Seeing my children work together at school, around the house, and as they help me.
3. Co-op classes that allow all the kids to get together to learn and play, and the moms get a bit of a break.
2. Reading aloud a great book, sipping hot chocolate.
1. Growing closer to each other and closer to God.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Great Expectations
All those years ago on the beginning of our homeschooling journey I had a set of expectations. They are currently at war with the reality of my life.
I pictured long nature walks. Sitting by the fire while I read great books and we all sip hot chocolate. Field trips to museums, plays, concerts, zoos, and gardens. Vacations in the off season. When book work was necessary I pictured the kids at desks with pencils and stickers. Baking cookies, preparing for holidays, setting the table with the kids in their little aprons bustling around helping out. There was a bit of glitter and some fairy dust sprinkled in the air.
And reality comes crashing in. There are whole days blocked for school work when I spend more time picking dice out of noses with tweezers than reading. I am on a first name basis with several workers at poison control. There is never a sharpened pencil to be found and the pencil sharpener, my nice, new, electric pencil sharpener, has paper jammed in it. I have two children who have either stabbed or cut up their desk chairs. If we get to go on a walk we take hours to get ready, have to pack a lunch, take extra clothes, and can not find any left shoes. When we do leave someone is always missing a necessary article of clothing. Many field trip venues are enjoyed by my crew, but none quietly or calmly. And there literally is glitter sprinkled everywhere. And cereal.
With my husband I knew that life would be an adventure. The adventure we are on is not quite the one I had pictured. There are days when I feel that instead of children I am herding goats. Stinky, smelly, messy, odd-stuff-eating goats. I literally have butt prints on my bathroom mirror. Footprints on the walls. Something orange stuck to half of the blankets in the house. The dirty laundry is taller than me, and we have an entire couch filled with folded clothes. We do not have gourmet meals because I am not very kitchen-y. That has rubbed off on all of my children.
I get stressed out, overwhelmed, and overworked. And then this happens:
I pictured long nature walks. Sitting by the fire while I read great books and we all sip hot chocolate. Field trips to museums, plays, concerts, zoos, and gardens. Vacations in the off season. When book work was necessary I pictured the kids at desks with pencils and stickers. Baking cookies, preparing for holidays, setting the table with the kids in their little aprons bustling around helping out. There was a bit of glitter and some fairy dust sprinkled in the air.
And reality comes crashing in. There are whole days blocked for school work when I spend more time picking dice out of noses with tweezers than reading. I am on a first name basis with several workers at poison control. There is never a sharpened pencil to be found and the pencil sharpener, my nice, new, electric pencil sharpener, has paper jammed in it. I have two children who have either stabbed or cut up their desk chairs. If we get to go on a walk we take hours to get ready, have to pack a lunch, take extra clothes, and can not find any left shoes. When we do leave someone is always missing a necessary article of clothing. Many field trip venues are enjoyed by my crew, but none quietly or calmly. And there literally is glitter sprinkled everywhere. And cereal.
With my husband I knew that life would be an adventure. The adventure we are on is not quite the one I had pictured. There are days when I feel that instead of children I am herding goats. Stinky, smelly, messy, odd-stuff-eating goats. I literally have butt prints on my bathroom mirror. Footprints on the walls. Something orange stuck to half of the blankets in the house. The dirty laundry is taller than me, and we have an entire couch filled with folded clothes. We do not have gourmet meals because I am not very kitchen-y. That has rubbed off on all of my children.
I get stressed out, overwhelmed, and overworked. And then this happens:
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Change-R-Us
We are in the middle of a remodeling project. I say middle with much optimism. Very much optimism. We are pulling up carpeting, ripping off wall paper, sanding wood work and installing a light in the living room. For the first time in my married life I will have a living room light. Now, of course, when I say we I really mean Andy is doing the “work” kind of work. I am doing the “picking paint colors kind of work”, and let me tell you, that is hard!
By the completion of the project we will have refinished the hardwood floors in the dining room, both living rooms and the hallway. There will be fresh paint in the same rooms. And the furniture will be in the room it belongs in. Unlike our current random couch placement. Or book towers in every room. Or chairs in odd corners.
More than the work work, the picking colors work, the moving furniture work (also not me), the hardest part has been with Faith. She has a very hard time with change, which we know is a part of her Asperger’s Syndrome. Knowing where it comes from only helps us to understand. It does not make it easier for her or for us. She has a fit over each layer of wall paper. Each section of carpeting. Each knocked out section of drywall. Each ceiling block that is removed. Every strip of carpet tacks, which she calls carpet attacks and is waiting for them to, well, to attack.
We are also working on switching bedrooms to spilt up the girls. Which starts with getting rid of toys to move the toy room to a smaller room. My bedroom to the attic. The boys to my room. Faith to the boys room. And Angel gets to stay put and spread out a bit. And that way no one is in Faith’s space. But until then our entire house is in upheaval. Except for the bathrooms. They get to stay the same and are too small to store things in. The kitchen is not getting changed. Yet. But it has a nice corner for storing books in boxes. Or furniture. Or ladders.
Our whole house is like that Bert and Ernie book about how the fish ended up in Bert’s favorite cowboy hat. And yes, I do have a book for everything. I think that one is under the china cupboard.
By the completion of the project we will have refinished the hardwood floors in the dining room, both living rooms and the hallway. There will be fresh paint in the same rooms. And the furniture will be in the room it belongs in. Unlike our current random couch placement. Or book towers in every room. Or chairs in odd corners.
More than the work work, the picking colors work, the moving furniture work (also not me), the hardest part has been with Faith. She has a very hard time with change, which we know is a part of her Asperger’s Syndrome. Knowing where it comes from only helps us to understand. It does not make it easier for her or for us. She has a fit over each layer of wall paper. Each section of carpeting. Each knocked out section of drywall. Each ceiling block that is removed. Every strip of carpet tacks, which she calls carpet attacks and is waiting for them to, well, to attack.
We are also working on switching bedrooms to spilt up the girls. Which starts with getting rid of toys to move the toy room to a smaller room. My bedroom to the attic. The boys to my room. Faith to the boys room. And Angel gets to stay put and spread out a bit. And that way no one is in Faith’s space. But until then our entire house is in upheaval. Except for the bathrooms. They get to stay the same and are too small to store things in. The kitchen is not getting changed. Yet. But it has a nice corner for storing books in boxes. Or furniture. Or ladders.
Our whole house is like that Bert and Ernie book about how the fish ended up in Bert’s favorite cowboy hat. And yes, I do have a book for everything. I think that one is under the china cupboard.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Animal Spirits
Sometimes at our house it seems like the school is open 24/7. We have school with the kids, my schooling and Andy’s. Andy and I try to keep it separate, but there are times that he is in one room, I am in the other and the kids are watching a movie. It is that or never sleep. And I still feel as if I never sleep. When I am overworked and overtired, my dreams become quite, well, quite strange really. I am sure no one can even imagine that!
Last night, for example, after the kids were settled in bed I wrote a paper, read a chapter and did my text problems for that chapter. I am not really a huge math fan, so that was hard. And yet I am a perfectionist, so it was really hard. I finally got to sleep around 1AM after studying square roots. No matter what I dreamt, there were square roots. We were all at the beach swimming, and I had square roots leeches. We were hiking at camp, square root leeches.
This brings me to the totally unscientific conclusion that if mathematics had an animal spirit, it would be none other than a blood sucking leech. Language arts would be a wise old owl. Wearing reading glasses, of course. History would be a Galapagos turtle. One of the elders. Science would be a platypus; part theory, part belief, part science, part myth. And those parts are always fighting.
And now, time for school. we are going to have a little leech, a little owl, and one big platypus over today. Don’t want to keep the natives waiting!
Last night, for example, after the kids were settled in bed I wrote a paper, read a chapter and did my text problems for that chapter. I am not really a huge math fan, so that was hard. And yet I am a perfectionist, so it was really hard. I finally got to sleep around 1AM after studying square roots. No matter what I dreamt, there were square roots. We were all at the beach swimming, and I had square roots leeches. We were hiking at camp, square root leeches.
This brings me to the totally unscientific conclusion that if mathematics had an animal spirit, it would be none other than a blood sucking leech. Language arts would be a wise old owl. Wearing reading glasses, of course. History would be a Galapagos turtle. One of the elders. Science would be a platypus; part theory, part belief, part science, part myth. And those parts are always fighting.
And now, time for school. we are going to have a little leech, a little owl, and one big platypus over today. Don’t want to keep the natives waiting!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Blame It on the Parents
All of these years we have had the same, shall we say, interesting situations occur in and around our home, and other places we frequent. I have been thinking that these oddities are a side effect of our homeschooling adventure. In the past few months I am beginning to question this hypothesis. I now think I should blame the parents in this particular household. Not to point any fingers, but I am leaning to the male parental unit as the instigator in many cases.
For your reading pleasure, here are the top oddities that are NOT the result of homeschooling, but of parenting. You may feel free to infer which are my husband and which are myself. I am hoping at least one is very easy to decipher. Sadly, it is not #9.
14. When looking for my son we look on the ceiling.
13. We have all gone in public in costume. Not at Halloween.
12. We all have a written list of our superpowers.
11. At the first snowfall the children built a ziggurat instead of a snowman. They used empty containers ranging in size between a trash can and a bowl, which has never returned.
10. At a Christmas party my eldest daughter organized the children into a circle for circle time. Then had a game for them to play. She did not have a craft prepared, but she later said she thought of one after time to open presents but no one was interested.
9. My toddler sings his name. And whatever he happens to be doing. For instance: "David. Farting. DAV-ID. is FART-ING. DAVIDISFARTING!!!!!" Repeatedly.
8. When told we were going to have a healthy snack my children all said: "Alright! Ice Cream!!!"
7. When in public my children line up and follow me like little ducks. With quacking included.
6. There was a fake mustache stuck to the steering wheel of my van for weeks. It relocated to the dashboard, then disappeared.
5. We have at least 6 rubber chickens in a variety of sizes. They have names. And only one is a performing chicken.
4. The mustache was later found frozen to the driveway.
3. Science is everywhere, from the grass growing in the bathroom sink to the mushrooms growing in the basement. However, I can not grow a houseplant on purpose to save my life.
2. My family frequently bursts into song and dance. Even in public.
1. For Christmas my daughter asked for a dragon and a Barbie. She got both, and an attack bat, which is her favorite.
***Some say ODD, but I like to say FUN!!***
For your reading pleasure, here are the top oddities that are NOT the result of homeschooling, but of parenting. You may feel free to infer which are my husband and which are myself. I am hoping at least one is very easy to decipher. Sadly, it is not #9.
14. When looking for my son we look on the ceiling.
13. We have all gone in public in costume. Not at Halloween.
12. We all have a written list of our superpowers.
11. At the first snowfall the children built a ziggurat instead of a snowman. They used empty containers ranging in size between a trash can and a bowl, which has never returned.
10. At a Christmas party my eldest daughter organized the children into a circle for circle time. Then had a game for them to play. She did not have a craft prepared, but she later said she thought of one after time to open presents but no one was interested.
9. My toddler sings his name. And whatever he happens to be doing. For instance: "David. Farting. DAV-ID. is FART-ING. DAVIDISFARTING!!!!!" Repeatedly.
8. When told we were going to have a healthy snack my children all said: "Alright! Ice Cream!!!"
7. When in public my children line up and follow me like little ducks. With quacking included.
6. There was a fake mustache stuck to the steering wheel of my van for weeks. It relocated to the dashboard, then disappeared.
5. We have at least 6 rubber chickens in a variety of sizes. They have names. And only one is a performing chicken.
4. The mustache was later found frozen to the driveway.
3. Science is everywhere, from the grass growing in the bathroom sink to the mushrooms growing in the basement. However, I can not grow a houseplant on purpose to save my life.
2. My family frequently bursts into song and dance. Even in public.
1. For Christmas my daughter asked for a dragon and a Barbie. She got both, and an attack bat, which is her favorite.
***Some say ODD, but I like to say FUN!!***
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
CurrClick, Here I Come!
Finally it is official! I am a publisher on Currclick.com, with a whopping one title to my name- Firefly Publishing. And I even sold one- to my mother. LOL
This has been something I have thought about for a while and never have felt prepared enough, good enough, ready enough, brave enough to do. Thanks to a hard push from Andy and a few good friends, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see what they thought of me at Currclick to begin. In all honesty, I was amazed that I was welcomed aboard. I am not sure why, because if I thought it was good enough for my own children, someone else had to think the same.
And now, as I try to do school for myself and with the kids, I will try to continue to write more. I have lots of ideas, stuff already partially written, scraps of paper, and co-ops I had planned on turning into lapbooks or unit studies. Somewhere. I am excited thinking about all the possibilities.
Next up- a unit study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Which I have as a VBS, but it needs some work to switch over to a unit study. And needs retyped because it is on a floppy disc. Which might mean I am old. My first work is on one of those huge floppy discs. And there are some that were only on a word processor in the pre-computer time. Which does mean I am old. Or at least I lag behind technology a bit. Yeah, let’s go with that one!!
This has been something I have thought about for a while and never have felt prepared enough, good enough, ready enough, brave enough to do. Thanks to a hard push from Andy and a few good friends, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see what they thought of me at Currclick to begin. In all honesty, I was amazed that I was welcomed aboard. I am not sure why, because if I thought it was good enough for my own children, someone else had to think the same.
And now, as I try to do school for myself and with the kids, I will try to continue to write more. I have lots of ideas, stuff already partially written, scraps of paper, and co-ops I had planned on turning into lapbooks or unit studies. Somewhere. I am excited thinking about all the possibilities.
Next up- a unit study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Which I have as a VBS, but it needs some work to switch over to a unit study. And needs retyped because it is on a floppy disc. Which might mean I am old. My first work is on one of those huge floppy discs. And there are some that were only on a word processor in the pre-computer time. Which does mean I am old. Or at least I lag behind technology a bit. Yeah, let’s go with that one!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Another Awesome Book, Brought to You by BookSneeze!
The heavens Proclaim His Glory: A Spectacular View of Creation Through the Lens of the Hubble Telescope is the newest book I received from Thomas Nelson Publishing through Book Sneeze. It was complied by Lisa Stilwell. I had read a description of the book and thought it looked interesting for school. Wow, was I ever impressed! There are awesome pictures paired up with quotes, poems, and Scripture proclaiming the glory of God. The pictures were awe inspiring, the text fitting. Several times I was moved to tears! I felt in awe of the majesty of our Creator! The book fosters a tone of worship while being informative.
I passed the book on to the kids, the real test! They loved the pictures. Angel kept remarking about the clarity of the photos. She also liked how well the text was included in the book. Just to show how much she liked it, to type this blog I had to sneak it from her- she fell asleep reading it.
Everything about this book from cover to cover can be highly recommended. I fell in love with the book as soon as I saw the cover and was not disappointed through the last page. If you are interested in outer space or are teaching astronomy in your home school, you should have this book.
I passed the book on to the kids, the real test! They loved the pictures. Angel kept remarking about the clarity of the photos. She also liked how well the text was included in the book. Just to show how much she liked it, to type this blog I had to sneak it from her- she fell asleep reading it.
Everything about this book from cover to cover can be highly recommended. I fell in love with the book as soon as I saw the cover and was not disappointed through the last page. If you are interested in outer space or are teaching astronomy in your home school, you should have this book.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Why I Do What I Do
I have begun to think a lot lately about what I do and why. In so many different senses. Why do we make the choices we make daily? Why do we home school? Why do we go against what everyone else is doing? Why do something when it is hard? The inevitable ‘Why me??’ And, ‘Why do I blog about it?’ I suppose I have been hit with all the "going wrong" that has been happening around here. Things break. People get sick. Children whine. Mothers cry. Dads get angry. Parents can begin to disagree. Money only goes so far. Tempers can flair. That is the way this fallen world works.
I was having a series of unfortunate events. I began to get into a rotten mood. When you are the mother, you are the heart of the home. Your feelings flow to those around you. You need to choose to use that for good and not turn to the dark side. So fitting, because those feelings and reactions are just that. The dark side of life. The underbelly. If you allow those thoughts to control you and lead your heart away from the truths that can be found in God, well, you ARE on your way to the dark side and you are taking your family along for the ride.
Then I began to ponder in my heart the whys of life. Not the bad why is this happening to us whys, but the whys that are deliberate, because there is a flip side to the why me coin. It says why not me. So instead of giving that coin a toss and focusing on all that negative, I began to ask different why me questions. Why are we following this path? Why are we blessed beyond measure? Why do we have less struggles than some?
It is a matter of perspective. Sure, things have been bombing around here lately, but everyday we are warm. Everyday we have clean water. Everyday we have food. We have each other. We have the love of God. What more is there?
And as for that whole why do I blog question, well, I have discovered it is for me. It has been an outlet for years. A way to connect, to reach outside of our home. And to view inside of others. But also, as I was beginning to get discouraged, it was my light, my way back to focusing on the important things in my own life. Seeing where we have come from. How God has provided so far on this journey. And I have begun to laugh at the struggles that seemed daunting, the challenges that the me of yesteryear have faced. And in my heart I looked at that girl and thought- Honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet!!
I was having a series of unfortunate events. I began to get into a rotten mood. When you are the mother, you are the heart of the home. Your feelings flow to those around you. You need to choose to use that for good and not turn to the dark side. So fitting, because those feelings and reactions are just that. The dark side of life. The underbelly. If you allow those thoughts to control you and lead your heart away from the truths that can be found in God, well, you ARE on your way to the dark side and you are taking your family along for the ride.
Then I began to ponder in my heart the whys of life. Not the bad why is this happening to us whys, but the whys that are deliberate, because there is a flip side to the why me coin. It says why not me. So instead of giving that coin a toss and focusing on all that negative, I began to ask different why me questions. Why are we following this path? Why are we blessed beyond measure? Why do we have less struggles than some?
It is a matter of perspective. Sure, things have been bombing around here lately, but everyday we are warm. Everyday we have clean water. Everyday we have food. We have each other. We have the love of God. What more is there?
And as for that whole why do I blog question, well, I have discovered it is for me. It has been an outlet for years. A way to connect, to reach outside of our home. And to view inside of others. But also, as I was beginning to get discouraged, it was my light, my way back to focusing on the important things in my own life. Seeing where we have come from. How God has provided so far on this journey. And I have begun to laugh at the struggles that seemed daunting, the challenges that the me of yesteryear have faced. And in my heart I looked at that girl and thought- Honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet!!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Is this all because we were early??
On Friday the kids and I loaded up the van for an outdoor adventure of epic proportions. We had jackets if it got cold. Sunscreen in abundance. Snacks and water. Picnic lunches. I remembered napkins and diapers, the bee sting kit and wipes. Extra clothes. The stroller. We really had everything we thought we could possibly need. After threatening everyone if they didn’t go potty, grabbing one last snack and pouring my coffee, we left on time, which for us is 15 minutes late. But my unsuspecting offspring were surprised when I told them we were going to be early. I told them we needed to be there a half hour before the event start time. After having to explain to Isaac what "being early" means, we were well on our way to having a great day. No one was fighting or spitting at each other. No one was taking off their clothes or tossing shoes everywhere. They were happily munching on cereal and sipping their hot chocolate. David napped a bit on the way. I did not get lost. Not even a bit.
The day went really well. We saw and did everything we wanted to, sometimes even getting to play a game or visit an exhibit twice. There were all kinds of things to see and do. We played outdoor PA bingo, ran obstacle courses, and discussed which animal used to be wearing which pelt. We played a game as an insect, did tribal drumming and dancing, and talked about recycling. We learned about natural resources and conservation, waterways, and animal tracks. We looked at bird nests and caught Swedish fish in a polluted/unpolluted river display. We even went geocaching and fishing. We saw live barn owls and alive at one time insects. We had a nice picnic lunch. Awesome field trip. After walking all over from about 9, by 3 we were trudging back to the van, all commenting on how wonderful the day had been and how excited we would be for next year. No melt downs, no break downs, no injuries, no damage caused by my kids or to my kids. And we still had a cooler of nice, cold drinks and some chips waiting in the van for the ride home.
If this were a movie this is where the mood music would subtly slip towards the minor chords. We got to the van, loaded up all our stuff and people. I got in and found my keys. Cranked up the van to hear the telltale click-click-click of a dead battery. No problem. I got this covered. I have jumper cables. We hiked back up to the main building and got a van to meet us in the parking lot. We walked back down, this trip resembling the Israelites in the wilderness instead of my excited kids of about 30 minutes ago. It was hot. They were tired. We even had camels- not sure who spit first but three of them we going at it like crazy. Isaac learned the hard way why you should never spit into the wind. We were not a pretty picture. We got there a couple minutes before the van, so we pulled out our cooler, the chips and a blanket. Had a little picnic right there in the shade of a bush in a field of little flowers. So sweet.
The van came to rescue us, and the kids cheered. Two guys jumped out and hooked up the jumper cables and you could hear their van die a slow, painful death right there in the field beside poor dead Bessie. But they had a set of walkie talkies and more help soon arrived. A huge truck came and jump started the camp van, and then helped out poor Bessie. We let her charge for a while, then it was time to hit the road.
At this point, it is kind of like the movie Australia. It could end fine here. Warm feeling in your heart, despite the obstacles faced by the beautiful (hey, why not, I am telling this story) heroine and her dutiful crew. But no, the screen quickly changes from black to the next scene and you are gripped by the drama as yet more obstacles arise to deter the fantastifirical heroine in her attempt to prevail against all odds yet again.
After driving about 15 minutes, all the lights were fading and the speedometer started spinning in a complete circle. I know Bessie, and there was NO WAY she was going over 120. Ever. Plus, the radio went out, which really bothered the kids. Then the a/c. Great. Now I am traveling down the highway going who knows how fast (people were passing me so I felt I was doing okay) with the windows open, three kids singing four different versions of God Is Bigger Than the Boogieman, and my cell phone dying. We were out of drinks, out of snacks, out of patience, out of battery power and out of our minds within 5 minutes. Thankfully we were close to a mall. We got one last panicked call in to Andy to come rescue us, then we went completely dead. At the mall. With whiny kids, no money, and no way to contact anyone.
I got out of the van and couldn’t even have a good rant because the windows were now stuck down. I lifted the hood, kicked the tire for good measure, and paced while I ranted in my head. I got back in the van after saying "Well, this can’t be worse!" David threw up.
Isaac woke up, looked around, and said "Is this what happens when you are early?" It does to me.
Tune in tomorrow for part two of our melodrama "Why I Am Never Early"
The day went really well. We saw and did everything we wanted to, sometimes even getting to play a game or visit an exhibit twice. There were all kinds of things to see and do. We played outdoor PA bingo, ran obstacle courses, and discussed which animal used to be wearing which pelt. We played a game as an insect, did tribal drumming and dancing, and talked about recycling. We learned about natural resources and conservation, waterways, and animal tracks. We looked at bird nests and caught Swedish fish in a polluted/unpolluted river display. We even went geocaching and fishing. We saw live barn owls and alive at one time insects. We had a nice picnic lunch. Awesome field trip. After walking all over from about 9, by 3 we were trudging back to the van, all commenting on how wonderful the day had been and how excited we would be for next year. No melt downs, no break downs, no injuries, no damage caused by my kids or to my kids. And we still had a cooler of nice, cold drinks and some chips waiting in the van for the ride home.
If this were a movie this is where the mood music would subtly slip towards the minor chords. We got to the van, loaded up all our stuff and people. I got in and found my keys. Cranked up the van to hear the telltale click-click-click of a dead battery. No problem. I got this covered. I have jumper cables. We hiked back up to the main building and got a van to meet us in the parking lot. We walked back down, this trip resembling the Israelites in the wilderness instead of my excited kids of about 30 minutes ago. It was hot. They were tired. We even had camels- not sure who spit first but three of them we going at it like crazy. Isaac learned the hard way why you should never spit into the wind. We were not a pretty picture. We got there a couple minutes before the van, so we pulled out our cooler, the chips and a blanket. Had a little picnic right there in the shade of a bush in a field of little flowers. So sweet.
The van came to rescue us, and the kids cheered. Two guys jumped out and hooked up the jumper cables and you could hear their van die a slow, painful death right there in the field beside poor dead Bessie. But they had a set of walkie talkies and more help soon arrived. A huge truck came and jump started the camp van, and then helped out poor Bessie. We let her charge for a while, then it was time to hit the road.
At this point, it is kind of like the movie Australia. It could end fine here. Warm feeling in your heart, despite the obstacles faced by the beautiful (hey, why not, I am telling this story) heroine and her dutiful crew. But no, the screen quickly changes from black to the next scene and you are gripped by the drama as yet more obstacles arise to deter the fantastifirical heroine in her attempt to prevail against all odds yet again.
After driving about 15 minutes, all the lights were fading and the speedometer started spinning in a complete circle. I know Bessie, and there was NO WAY she was going over 120. Ever. Plus, the radio went out, which really bothered the kids. Then the a/c. Great. Now I am traveling down the highway going who knows how fast (people were passing me so I felt I was doing okay) with the windows open, three kids singing four different versions of God Is Bigger Than the Boogieman, and my cell phone dying. We were out of drinks, out of snacks, out of patience, out of battery power and out of our minds within 5 minutes. Thankfully we were close to a mall. We got one last panicked call in to Andy to come rescue us, then we went completely dead. At the mall. With whiny kids, no money, and no way to contact anyone.
I got out of the van and couldn’t even have a good rant because the windows were now stuck down. I lifted the hood, kicked the tire for good measure, and paced while I ranted in my head. I got back in the van after saying "Well, this can’t be worse!" David threw up.
Isaac woke up, looked around, and said "Is this what happens when you are early?" It does to me.
Tune in tomorrow for part two of our melodrama "Why I Am Never Early"
Friday, April 23, 2010
Funday!
Yesterday we all needed to take a school break. We have been working hard and that means we were all tired and the house was a huge mess. So we decided to clean up instead of do school for a day. So we rearranged furniture. Now, rearranging furniture is not cleaning. We are not finished. And I hate to say it, but I do not think that I like the new living room look. Which is hard to say for sure because I have a loveseat in front of my fireplace, a rocking chair in my hallway, an entertainment center that is on the way out in the middle of the room, and the new to us entertainment center not fully loaded, as it were. But even after the aforementioned furniture is in place, um, not sure. Which I hate to say, mostly because the furniture is heavy and I have been dragging it with Angel’s help. She might revolt if I move one more thing. SOOOOOOoooo, what does that have to do with fun you may ask? Nothing, but it is my blog so I added that bit just for me.
Today we are going to try something really adventurous. Any of you who ever were in my youth group for any amount of time know that this could easily lead to disaster. I, along with my brave husband, am taking my kids… (dum, dum, DUMMMMM)…Bowling!! Now, that may not sound to disastrous to you, but then you may have never seen me bowl. I do not bowl badly. I earn an EPIC FAIL (which I hear in a deep voice in surroundsound) at bowling. I get excited if I knock down A pin, let alone all of them. Which I have only ever done a grand total of ONE time. And it was totally unfair that that one time it was not counted. I mean, ANYONE can get a strike in their own lane. I got a strike in the NEXT lane, which in my estimation should have been double the points seeing that it it about twice as hard to do on purpose. Which I did not do, but that was besides the point. My ball knocked down all of the pins. Usually a good thing. With points involved. BUT NO. I had to try again. And even if those points HAD counted I would have had to do the same at least 30 times to catch up to the next worsest score. Add to that the time I threw the ball backwards, well, you get the idea.
But at least no one was ever hurt when I bowled, unlike mini-golf or volleyball. However, the time I broke that poor girl’s arm at volleyball I was not even playing, so you can hardly fault the ball for that. Come to think of it, I at mini-golf, it was not the ball either. That was totally the fault of the club thingy. And I have only ever maimed children of youth leaders. So, if you are a youth leader who is planning on taking your children bowling in PA tonight- don’t. I obviously cannot control myself in a sport that involves me moving and a ball, so you have been warned. Stay home. Or bowl at your own risk. Or more accurately at the risk of your children, so I guess that totally depends on how much you love them, or if you happen to have any spares. (Notice how I worked in that nice bowling pun…)
Today we are going to try something really adventurous. Any of you who ever were in my youth group for any amount of time know that this could easily lead to disaster. I, along with my brave husband, am taking my kids… (dum, dum, DUMMMMM)…Bowling!! Now, that may not sound to disastrous to you, but then you may have never seen me bowl. I do not bowl badly. I earn an EPIC FAIL (which I hear in a deep voice in surroundsound) at bowling. I get excited if I knock down A pin, let alone all of them. Which I have only ever done a grand total of ONE time. And it was totally unfair that that one time it was not counted. I mean, ANYONE can get a strike in their own lane. I got a strike in the NEXT lane, which in my estimation should have been double the points seeing that it it about twice as hard to do on purpose. Which I did not do, but that was besides the point. My ball knocked down all of the pins. Usually a good thing. With points involved. BUT NO. I had to try again. And even if those points HAD counted I would have had to do the same at least 30 times to catch up to the next worsest score. Add to that the time I threw the ball backwards, well, you get the idea.
But at least no one was ever hurt when I bowled, unlike mini-golf or volleyball. However, the time I broke that poor girl’s arm at volleyball I was not even playing, so you can hardly fault the ball for that. Come to think of it, I at mini-golf, it was not the ball either. That was totally the fault of the club thingy. And I have only ever maimed children of youth leaders. So, if you are a youth leader who is planning on taking your children bowling in PA tonight- don’t. I obviously cannot control myself in a sport that involves me moving and a ball, so you have been warned. Stay home. Or bowl at your own risk. Or more accurately at the risk of your children, so I guess that totally depends on how much you love them, or if you happen to have any spares. (Notice how I worked in that nice bowling pun…)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Coming out of the colset, so to speak...
It is the time of year where I beging to think, in a mild panic, about portfolios, especailly the preparation of portfolios. I even begin to dream of portfolios. They dance around mockingly, sort of like derranged sugar plums, beconing me to turn the pages which are either stuck together or blank. Every year I get to the point where I am not sure if we did enough work, learned enough stuff, or did enough school. So even though I have been seeing our progress in the completed work, I get to be concerned about how much is left. We buckle down to finish strong. We find work we set aside to do later for one reason or another. I put together book lists, field trip logs, and video lists. Finish lap books and unit studies. Try to make something managable out of my jumbled log book, which is, um, around here somewhere. I know in my heart and in my head that the best thing to do would be Just Do IT! The whole year I could be all organized. Have all of this started and just add to it as we go. And that is always my attention. I start well. I have binders for the portoflios, and smaller binders for videos, websites, books and a fieldtrip log. I begin to add things as we go. But then, IT happens. Life, school, and the most wonderful thing about the freedom in the life we have choosen- field trips!Most people assume, of course, that when you HOME school you are, well, home. I have even had people make comments about this as though we perhaps store our children somewhere (the closet seems lovely ANY time of year) and pull them out to do school, putting them back when we are "finished" for the day. They don’t go out of the house, don’t play with other kids, don’t know how to act when given the opportunity for freedom. It makes sense on some level. It is right there in the name even. HOMEschool. But that is not the case. (And I can’t get the closet door to stay shut- too many of them in there…)
The biggest problem all my organization runs into is the field trip. We are going along well. Getting work done. Keeping paperwork up-to-date. Then our routine is disturbed by a trip that has been scheduled. We put aside what we are doing to finish on another day. But that other day already has plans for school work or another trip. So it gets pushed further down the list. Things pile up while we are busy living a homeschool life. And so in the spring I find myself trying to find, finish, polish, and even start over on some of these things.
We do 180 days of school work. Plus field trips, which is different from public school in that they count their trips as days. We could, but want to keep learning instead of putting it aside. So we finish. And sometimes even go beyond with a labook, unit study, or by checking out a whole bunch of books or videos to learn more about what we were studying. I know we could be ‘done’ with less work, but we enjoy learning. I will have a kid come find me to log onto a website to find more info, drag a school book after me to hear that one more time, be asked to read a ZooBook yet again, or be asked more questions than I know the answers to about something we are studying. So we look it up together and keep learning.
As for not being around other children, my kids play sports, do dance, are in plays, puppet team, drama team, and go to Good News Club, Sunday School, Children’s Church, Bible Club….. Sometimes we even let them out of the closet to have their frinds come over. And the home part, well, here is a completely incomplete list of the places we have been this school year, not even counting the entire month we spend at the beach. Here goes: Camping, Family Fun Day- twice, Community Days, Fundraisers (that they planned and helped lead), Lakemont, Idlewild, Flight 93 Memorial, MagiQuest (twice), Ripley’s Aquarium, panning for gems and dinosaur bones, boating (twice), fishing at the beach, fishing in PA, craft events (several times), Harvest Parties (2), Game night (many), Co-ops (about 8), Parades, Cantatas they performed in (2), Hershey, Harrisburg, the PA State Capital, The PA State Museum, Batfest at Lincoln Caverns, A Chinese New Year Party, plays, the Science Center, movies, parks, hiking, geocaching, train watching, more than one library, and several friends houses. And there are more to come. If only we STAYED home once in a while, perhaps I could get the house clean…
The biggest problem all my organization runs into is the field trip. We are going along well. Getting work done. Keeping paperwork up-to-date. Then our routine is disturbed by a trip that has been scheduled. We put aside what we are doing to finish on another day. But that other day already has plans for school work or another trip. So it gets pushed further down the list. Things pile up while we are busy living a homeschool life. And so in the spring I find myself trying to find, finish, polish, and even start over on some of these things.
We do 180 days of school work. Plus field trips, which is different from public school in that they count their trips as days. We could, but want to keep learning instead of putting it aside. So we finish. And sometimes even go beyond with a labook, unit study, or by checking out a whole bunch of books or videos to learn more about what we were studying. I know we could be ‘done’ with less work, but we enjoy learning. I will have a kid come find me to log onto a website to find more info, drag a school book after me to hear that one more time, be asked to read a ZooBook yet again, or be asked more questions than I know the answers to about something we are studying. So we look it up together and keep learning.
As for not being around other children, my kids play sports, do dance, are in plays, puppet team, drama team, and go to Good News Club, Sunday School, Children’s Church, Bible Club….. Sometimes we even let them out of the closet to have their frinds come over. And the home part, well, here is a completely incomplete list of the places we have been this school year, not even counting the entire month we spend at the beach. Here goes: Camping, Family Fun Day- twice, Community Days, Fundraisers (that they planned and helped lead), Lakemont, Idlewild, Flight 93 Memorial, MagiQuest (twice), Ripley’s Aquarium, panning for gems and dinosaur bones, boating (twice), fishing at the beach, fishing in PA, craft events (several times), Harvest Parties (2), Game night (many), Co-ops (about 8), Parades, Cantatas they performed in (2), Hershey, Harrisburg, the PA State Capital, The PA State Museum, Batfest at Lincoln Caverns, A Chinese New Year Party, plays, the Science Center, movies, parks, hiking, geocaching, train watching, more than one library, and several friends houses. And there are more to come. If only we STAYED home once in a while, perhaps I could get the house clean…
Friday, April 16, 2010
Getting Back on Track
This were going well around here. School getting done in a reasonable amount of time. An *almost* clean house. I was keeping up with the laundry as well as could be expected with this crew. Waking up with Andy was doing wonders for all of us. Then they started this sickness we couldn’t shake. For three weeks there was someone sick. Daily doctors visits. David in the hospital for a couple of days. Laundry piled up. School work went undone. The house got messier because I was using all my spare time to sleep. Then came Easter. Which meant more time off school, a busy schedule, candy fueled kids, and for some reason a messier house as we played the catch up game at school. How we can all be doing school for a few hours and the house is instantly a huge mess I am not sure. And we are starting to dig our way out from under the mess, the dirty laundry, the mountian of unfinsihed school projects and forgotten school work. So I am back to blogging!
We decided to hustle our school work along and have already finished science. We were so close and it feels sooo good to have something done. On to history. We will finish that in a few weeks, and have the last few weeks of bookwork include only math and language arts. What a joy to have more time to play outside! And with the sunshining we are looking forward to playground days and trips to the lake to go fishing. Camping out in the backyard and long hikes in the woods at Grandma’s house. Ahhh, summer is on it’s way!
And speaking of summer, and odd thing has happened here. Isaac has begun to wear clothing. Oddly enough after an entire winter of seeing him in shorts and no shirt he has decided to usher in the warmer weather with long pants and a long sleeved shirt. All black. With green frog rainboots and a black cowboy hat. And a light saber. He calls himself the space cowboy. Even moment of his free time he and Faith are building an obstacle course in the back yard for their spaceship. To practice flying. So when they fly in outer space they can easliy avoid meteorites, other spaceships, and missiles. All while screaming YeeeHaaa!! And Faith, of course, has been wearing brown pants, an inside out off white shirt (it was white but we are going on day 3), and a long flowing brown hooded robe. The customary outfit of any Jedi in training.
Angel has been spending here time with a book. She curls up all over the house or yard, which ever is Faith and Isaac free, and reads. And has an apple. Or chocolate. If it is not her book, it is her DS. And David loves her DS because she has Nintendogs. He follows her around barking at her no matter which game she is playing. To him, all dogs are Max. So he calls her puppy Max. Her puppy’s name is Daisey. And he pets the DS. And barks at it. Even when it is turned off.
Now that he is over being sick, he has been running all over the house terrorizing everyone and everything. He took a toy from Isaac and ran from him. As Isaac caught up to him, David threw himself to the floor and played dead. Very dramaticaly. Have no idea where he gets that. Yesterday he began talking more. Well, that’s not accurate. He was talking a whole lot, but yesterday he finally settled on the English language a little more as opposed to the Klingon-Chinese blend, neither language being one that I am fluent in. He said BE-MAN-NUM-A. In a loud and strangly deep voice. It sounding like he was trying to mind control me, and what with his sister being a Jedi, that seems likely.) Repeatedly until we gave him a bemannuma. Which he rubbed on Isaac’s head before eating. Isaac didn’t seem to mind beacuse, as he said, he does use apple shampoo, and banana and apple make a good kabob. David has also said cheese (chee), Cheerio (cheerio), cracker (crackie), chocolate (chocky), and numanum (any food). He can also say our names, night night (ni-ni), I love you ( i lalala eww), bye (bye-bye-bye-bye-bye) and duck. I think he means duck. He might mean bath. Ohh, and NO. He uses that one a lot. As a filler or some sort of vocal coverall . It goes nicely with everything at 15 months. (Notice a vocal pattern here? He likes food.)
We decided to hustle our school work along and have already finished science. We were so close and it feels sooo good to have something done. On to history. We will finish that in a few weeks, and have the last few weeks of bookwork include only math and language arts. What a joy to have more time to play outside! And with the sunshining we are looking forward to playground days and trips to the lake to go fishing. Camping out in the backyard and long hikes in the woods at Grandma’s house. Ahhh, summer is on it’s way!
And speaking of summer, and odd thing has happened here. Isaac has begun to wear clothing. Oddly enough after an entire winter of seeing him in shorts and no shirt he has decided to usher in the warmer weather with long pants and a long sleeved shirt. All black. With green frog rainboots and a black cowboy hat. And a light saber. He calls himself the space cowboy. Even moment of his free time he and Faith are building an obstacle course in the back yard for their spaceship. To practice flying. So when they fly in outer space they can easliy avoid meteorites, other spaceships, and missiles. All while screaming YeeeHaaa!! And Faith, of course, has been wearing brown pants, an inside out off white shirt (it was white but we are going on day 3), and a long flowing brown hooded robe. The customary outfit of any Jedi in training.
Angel has been spending here time with a book. She curls up all over the house or yard, which ever is Faith and Isaac free, and reads. And has an apple. Or chocolate. If it is not her book, it is her DS. And David loves her DS because she has Nintendogs. He follows her around barking at her no matter which game she is playing. To him, all dogs are Max. So he calls her puppy Max. Her puppy’s name is Daisey. And he pets the DS. And barks at it. Even when it is turned off.
Now that he is over being sick, he has been running all over the house terrorizing everyone and everything. He took a toy from Isaac and ran from him. As Isaac caught up to him, David threw himself to the floor and played dead. Very dramaticaly. Have no idea where he gets that. Yesterday he began talking more. Well, that’s not accurate. He was talking a whole lot, but yesterday he finally settled on the English language a little more as opposed to the Klingon-Chinese blend, neither language being one that I am fluent in. He said BE-MAN-NUM-A. In a loud and strangly deep voice. It sounding like he was trying to mind control me, and what with his sister being a Jedi, that seems likely.) Repeatedly until we gave him a bemannuma. Which he rubbed on Isaac’s head before eating. Isaac didn’t seem to mind beacuse, as he said, he does use apple shampoo, and banana and apple make a good kabob. David has also said cheese (chee), Cheerio (cheerio), cracker (crackie), chocolate (chocky), and numanum (any food). He can also say our names, night night (ni-ni), I love you ( i lalala eww), bye (bye-bye-bye-bye-bye) and duck. I think he means duck. He might mean bath. Ohh, and NO. He uses that one a lot. As a filler or some sort of vocal coverall . It goes nicely with everything at 15 months. (Notice a vocal pattern here? He likes food.)
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