Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Little Women (My Own Meme!)


Last spring, Sweetling read some excerpts from Little Women in her Classics for Young Readers anthology. I remember, vaguely, reading the book sometime around 4th or 5th grade and not being impressed. In fact, I remember finding it rather dull and tedious to read. And Sweetling wasn't that taken with the excerpt she read either. But Mommy, who read the excerpts so we could discuss them, fell in love with the story. I told Sweetling how I hadn't liked it when I was younger. I explained for her, in more modern language, why Jo's sacrifice of cutting her hair was such a huge sacrifice for the time. I talked to her about how she would feel if her Daddy was gone for a year, and then became very, very sick. That perspective seemed to help her appreciate the story some more, but the original language and writing style still wasn't something that interested her. I, on the other hand, decided I really needed to reread Little Women. And then I never got around to checking it out of the library.

Last week at the library, I stumbled upon the volume by accident and brought it home with me. The edition I came across is called "The Whole Story" and has historical and cultural notes and illustrations in the margins to help a younger reader understand the context of the story. (Smurf, I would fail at the "More Victorian than You" game. I still had to look up "dress-circle" and "poplins". I can't find "tarleton" other than it being, i think, a kind of fabric.)

Yesterday afternoon I read the chapter "Jo Meets Apollyon". (And I also now need to read Pilgrim's Progress.) Some words that Mrs. March speaks to Jo really made me stop and think. Speaking of learning to overcome her own quick temper and hastily spoken words, she says, "I must try to practise all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example."

And I was forced to wonder, what example am I setting for my own children. What do they learn from watching me? And what do I daily model for them?

If you are a mother, and you are reading this, I'd love to hear your own reflections on this topic. Would you be so kind as to take a moment to write about this in your own blog, and leave me a little note to let me know you have done so? If you're not a mother, but have some thoughts either about what your mother modeled for you or what you might like to model for your children someday, I'd love to hear those as well. My own reflections are rather long, because I lean towards the verbose, but I'd love to read some other entries about this, whatever length or format suits you best! (I'm not clever enough to make a linking graphic for you to copy, so sorry! But you're welcome to either use my graphic or none or your own, or whatever.)

My first inclination is to dwell solely own my own faults and follies. But I want to be honest and productive in my answer. Though everyone has shortcomings, to take this as an excuse to beat myself up for what I am not doing, would be to miss an opportunity for true self-reflection. So instead, I'm going to begin with the beginning of our day, and think carefully through what I do and say.

First, I know I'm not the best at getting up in a timely manner. But, despite this, I usually have myself ready for school on time and have the basics of my morning housework done as well. Yes, there are exceptions to this when I'm sick, or when we all stayed up late, but those are exceptions not the rule. More importantly, my children now get up and start completing their morning lists without needing reminders. They are usually ready to begin the school day on time. So, I think I can say that I'm modeling the importance of getting up, getting ready, and getting basic responsibilities attended to first thing. And, on those days we fall short, we still get up, get ready, and get our basic responsibilities tended to and start school as soon as we can.

Sweetling and I both do our devotions in the morning. We used to sit and do them at the kitchen table together as we had breakfast. But now that Sweetling has decided to read through the Bible a chapter at a time, she takes her Bible and curls up on a chair in the living room to read her chapter. I still sit at the kitchen table with mine. I start my devotions by writing a list of seven specific things I am thankful for that day. Sweetling still loves to come and read my list each morning. Then I write down which scriptures I am reading, and I jot down a sentence or two about how the scriptures spoke to me specifically. Sometimes, I'll write a verse on a yellow post it note and stick it to the bathroom mirror, so that I can remember to reflect upon it during the day. I think I've set a good example for Sweetling, but I know I need to be better at helping Toa of Boy with his devotions. I need to find some way of working devotions for him into the busy morning.

I know during school that I model many different qualities. Independent learning is a big one on the list, and it is something that Sweetling has nearly mastered. The importance of reading is clearly evident in our house, not just during school time but all the time. And both Sweetling and Toa of Boy are blossoming in their love of books. Writing is likewise modeled and valued. I spend time on blogs and on creative writing projects of my own. Sweetling spends hours writing her own short stories and participating in discussions on Webkinz Insider. Toa of Boy keeps his own journal (with Mommy's help. He sounds out the first letter of each word, and I fill in the rest of the word.) Even though his last two entries were, "I D[on't] W[ant] T[o] D[o] S[chool]," and, "I D[on't] W[ant] T[o] D[o] J[ournal]," he is delighted with the ability to put his thoughts and opinions in writing.

Creativity and self-expression are valued, praised, and encouraged in their development. Toa of Boy will be the first to tell you that he is a great artist. Sweetling will agree that she is creative and unique and that she has her own style. And of course no one who has ever met me even in passing would deny that I'm one of those "creative types." Spontaneity, joy, and playfulness are also qualities that I readily, easily, and daily model. In fact, I asked Sweetling last night as I was brushing her hair after her shower, what sort of qualities she thought I taught by example. Her first response was, "that it's okay to be silly sometimes."

Thankfulness and recognizing the blessings in our lives is another lesson I think I'm managing to hand down. Yesterday morning, I was on the phone with Vaya. We were discussing how long we each had been without power after the windstorm last weekend. Vaya had gone without power for a week. I said that we had been very fortunate in that our electricity was only out for 26 hours or so. "Yes," added the Sweetling, who was as usual listening in, "and even then we still had a gas stove to cook on, and a phone that didn't need electricity to work, and hot water." I am pleased that rather than dwelling on the crisis of the storm, Sweetling immediately recites the many ways we were spared. It is our practice as a family, before each meal, when we give our thanks, we each find one new, specific thing to thank God for. I think there is great value in focusing on the many gifts we have, rather than dwelling predominately on what we have not.

Which then leads to how we share our blessings, and how we demonstrate compassion and kindness to those in need. This is one area I wish I was doing more regularly. It isn't that we don't do this at all. We pray for those who are going through hardships. Both children help select clothes and toys to put in give away bags when the charity trucks come through the neighborhood. Anytime I make a dish to take to church for a funeral, or a meal to deliver to a family who's experienced a birth or a serious illness, I try to have the children help in the preparations. When we're at the grocery store, there are specific deals I take advantage of just so that I can take the items to the church food pantry...and I'll ask the children to find the item on the store shelf, telling them why we are getting it, just so that they are participating in the sharing. Still it seems like all these ways are sporadic and infrequent. Not regular or routine.

I'd like to say I demonstrate good sportsmanship. And that's true to some extent. We are very conscientious about telling each other 'good game,' and meaning it, whether we win or lose. We congratulate each other for our successes, even if we haven't shared in the victory. Watching the Olympics, I made sure to point out to Toa of Boy how the athletes shook hands after the events, no matter how they had placed. And yet I also do dances of victory when I beat the Jedi in Wii Mariokart. So, still an area I can improve upon I suppose.

And sadly, there are many areas in which I demonstrate lack of follow through. Every summer, I give my children the chance to witness first hand what becomes of a garden when its neglected. And at least one week out of the month, my children have to go rescue underwear from a laundry basket downstairs, because I never got around to getting the clean laundry folded and in baskets to its respective owners.

Neither do I demonstrate punctuality. Oh, I try, but I'm also well-known for my perpetual tardiness. (I think I'm getting better, but I'm no where near consistently on time. Its so sad when as we leave the house, the five year old always asks, "We late, Mommy?")

But I overflow in demonstrating love for my children and my husband. I'm free with my words of affection and with gentle hugs, quick kisses, and playful tickles. We will never be the most punctual family, and we don't have the tidiest of homes, but we have a very caring family and a loving home.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Biblical Fruit Cake

Smurf, you'll at least love the title of the post ;)

I just finished reading Faraway Summer by Johanna Hurwitz. (Excellent historical children's fiction.) A young Russian-Jewish immigrant from the tenements of New York City spends two weeks of her summer on a Vermont farm with a Christian family as part of a charity run by the Fresh Air Fund. Throughout the stay, Hadassah Rabinowitz and Emma and Eleanor Meade become close friends. They learn to appreciate the differences of their backgrounds and find the many ways in which they are the same. There is a short appearance by the photographer Wilson Bentley, and a parallel between the uniqueness of each snowflake and the uniqueness of each person becomes a underlying theme of the book. Before Hadassah returns home to New York, Mrs. Meade, who has been struggling to learn and remember some basic kosher laws at meals, makes a fruit cake. She tells Hadassah that the "recipe" comes from the Old Testament and look up the references for each ingredient together.

I'm copying out the recipe here, just as Hadassah copied it into her journal. I think Sweetling and Pinky and Violet will love making this some Friday afternoon. (I am going to make a few changes to some of the verses and ingredients, but I'll note my changes after I share the original. And I'm lazy and didn't type out the chapters and verses.)

1 cup--Genesis 18:8 (butter)
1 cup--Psalms 19:10 (sugar)
4 whole--Jeremiah 17:11 (eggs)
2 cups--1 Kings 4:22 (flour)
1 1/2 cups-1 Samuel 30:12 (raisins)
1 1/2 cups-Song of Solomon 7:7 (dates)
1 cup--Numbers 17:8 (almonds)
1/2 cup--Genesis 24:17 (water)
2 tsp--Exodus 16:31 (honey)
1 tsp--Amos 4:5 (baking powder)
pinch--Leviticus 2:13 (salt)

Season to taste according to Chronicles II, Chapter 9, Verse 9 (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg.)
Take the first three ingredients and follow Solomon's advice, as noted in Proverbs, Chapter 23, Verses 13-14 (beat well).
Chop almonds and dates and add together with the other ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Pour batter inot a floured and buttered tube pan with a removable bottom.
Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Test with a toothpick to be sure cake batter has fully cooked. Cool in pan before removing.
This cake does not need frosting. However, if you sprinkle confectioner's sugar through a strainer, it will look as if sowflakes have fallen on the cake.


Having looked up the verses, I think I will make the following changes when I do this activity with the girls. First, I would never have gotten 'sugar' from reading Psalms 19:10. I'd have gotten 'honey.' But the verse that is given for honey, Exodus 16:31, is for manna which is described in the verse as being white and sweet as honey. So, I think I'll switch the verses for those two ingredients. Second, I'm thinking I'd rather substitute apples for the dates. So, I think instead of dates I'll use apples and use Proverbs 25:11. Lastly, I cannot agree that Solomon's advice in Proverbs 23:13-14 was to beat well. I'll find a different verse for that instruction.

I'm also considering concluding the recipe with either Psalm 51:7 or Isaiah 1:18.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Sites to Check Out

I'm reading others' blogs who actually, you know, followed the directions for the last memoir assignments. There are some cool sites out there. I'm making a list so that later I can go back and see them :)

The Homeschool Magazine --keep meaning to check this out. haven't yet.


Homeschool Freebie of the Day
--free is my favorite color

And while we're on that topic-- CurrClick--I've known about this one. I just keep forgetting to visit it. They have a weekly freebie.

And now I'm just going to plagarize BerryPatch:
# Art Projects for Kids (blog) Some of the projects on here are a bit too time consuming for me. The one just up is making a "painting" out of clay that requires glazing and firing it in a kiln. That won't happen around here. But there are some really fun & neat projects on there as well.
# No Time for Flash Cards (blog) EXCELLENT for the preschool crowd and a bit older. Hands on stuff. I can't recommend this one enough. Love it.

More links to look at--
Today's Creative Blog

Hillbilly Housewife--low-cost home cooking from scratch

I might add more. But I think i'll stop there.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A Few of My Favorite Things

(Cute linking graphic coming as soon as Sweetling makes one for me.)

Kisses from children and snuggles in mornings,
Pink-inked devotions and cocoa for yearnings,
Large picture windows and glad songs to sing,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Daffodils in springtime and gay leaves in autumn,
Homeschool and tickles and boppings on bottoms,
Blue eyes that lovingly look into mine,
These simple delights I do find so fine!

Squirrels in the backyard go leaping through treetops,
Christmastime carols and sunsets from hilltops,
Looking for fairies and gnomes in the woods,
These are the blessing that bring me good moods!

When the taters' raw,
But the meat is burnt,
And the crockpot goes unplugged,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bummed.

Panda Garden dinners and hot fudge from Heggy's,
Stoffer's lasagna and finding my car keys,
Cute bunny slippers with whiskers and tails,
Twitter and blogspot and getting emails!

Beating the Jedi when we race with Wii motes,
Gardens and roleplays and conservative voters,
Palin for President has a nice ring,
And these are a few of my favorite things.

Girls I lead in praise dance and teaching at VBS,
Hocking Hills and waterfalls and making a little mess,
Birthdays and butterflies and fuzzy Webkinz,
And I can't forget my fav'rite penguins!

When the sky is gray
On a winter day,
And some of my hairs are too--
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so blue!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Wind

Last week Toa of Boy prayed for wind. Now, Toa of Boy is required to say a prayer before each meal. He gives thanks for his food, and then he must give thanks for one other thing, a different thing for each prayer. I use the words "required" and "must", because that's what most of Toa of Boy's prayers have seemed to be. Something he is doing because Mommy says he should. But last week was different. Toa of Boy clasped his hands and bowed his head. "Thanks I'm having grilled cheese," he said, "and please make it some wind for flying kites. The End."

I was ecstatic. It was the first time, that I have been aware of, where his prayer has seemed like communication instead of a dutiful formula. As he ate his lunch, we talked a little about prayer and how God always listens to our prayer. He asked, "Its gonna be windy now, Mommy?"

"Maybe not right now," I said, "and besides, we can't go kite flying today. Maybe we should pray for wind this weekend, so that we can go kite flying when its windy and Daddy can come too." It was decided this was a good course of action, so we both bowed our heads again, and prayed for a windy day over the weekend, so that our family could go kite flying.

"It's gonna be windy this weekend, Mommy?" was the immediate question. "God's gonna make it windy?"

"I hope so," I replied. "God always listens to our prayers, and He loves us very much. But He doesn't always give us everything we ask for. Just like when you ask Mommy for something. Sometimes Mommy says 'yes!' And sometimes Mommy says, 'not right now, but you can have that later.' And sometimes Mommy says, 'no, I don't think that would be very good for you.' When we ask God for something, sometimes God says 'yes!' And sometimes God says, 'not right now'. And sometimes God says, 'no, that wouldn't be the best thing for you to have.' But whatever he answers, he answers it because he loves us."

::Note to my readers--

Half of you are now upset that I didn't immediately name it and claim it. That I show I lack of faith by not immediately telling my boy that of course it would be windy. To these, I must politely answer that God's plan is not our plan, that His ways are not our ways, that even Jesus in the garden prayed, 'not my will, but Yours be done.' I do not question whether God *could* send the wind. I do not question whether God hears and answers our prayers. But I humbly bow before his Sovereignty.

A few of you have taken the opposite point of view. What about all those times when it clearly, to us, seems best that God answer our prayer by fulfilling our request? How is letting a loved one linger in sickness despite our prayers for healing in our best interest? To these, I must also humbly answer, I don't know. I do not pretend to understand why some prayers seem to us to go unanswered and unheeded. There are wiser ones than I that wrestle with these same questions. There are times when God doesn't seem to make sense. There are times when circumstances seem bitterly unfair. And you would be correct in that assessment. There are times when my prayers consist solely of loud, lengthy complaints and arguments with my Creator about the ills and injustices of circumstances. And those of you who know me in real life know what a perfect fit I can throw when I don't get my way. For those of you who don't know me in real life, I am quite perfectly described by the nursery rhyme--There was a girl who had a curl right in the center of her forehead/ And when she was good she was very good/ And when she was bad she was horrid.

But in the end, I am always left with a choice. I can choose to trust in God and in the sovereignty and goodness of His plan, or I can choose not to trust. I choose to trust. Sometimes I choose to trust because I can look back on and remember many, many times before where my situation has seemed hopeless and cruel, and yet God worked it for the good. Sometimes I choose to trust because I can remember the promises He has given us and been faithful to fulfill throughout the ages. But sometimes I trust only because I would rather face the uncertainty of with the certainty of a loving God who is control, rather than go through my trial without the shelter of his protection and grace. And so, I choose to trust, and I choose to believe.

Having had my little soap box time for the day, I'll get back to the wind story--

That night at dinner, I shared Toa of Boy's prayers with the rest of the family, and we prayed again for wind over the weekend. Later, I talked with Mamma about his prayers, and I asked her to pray specifically for wind this weekend.

Friday came and went. Saturday came, and the day was pleasant and sunny. A gentle breeze ruffled the trees in our backyard. The Jedi saw the trees moving out back, and thought we could perhaps go kite flying. I disagreed. Having attempted to fly the large kites before, I knew they needed a steady, constant wind to stay aloft. The two of us stood at the kitchen window, looking out the front of the house at the neighborhood, and agreed that there was not enough continual air movement for the kites would to do well. We said nothing of our discussion to Toa of Boy.

Sunday started with the air heavy and humid. But as we left church, the wind snatched Toa of Boy's Sunday school paper right out of his hand. In a flashing flutter of movement, the paper was carried up and unto the church roof. There it danced on the shingled surface, caught where the upward sloping roof joined the flat vertical surface of the taller gymnasium's wall. It jitterbugged past the A and the Y of the large letters of our church's name before being caught in a downdraft and spun back down towards us. We were all helplessly watching its path, and for a moment thought that we could catch it and return it to its traumatized owner, who had not been silent about its departure. But alas, the wind threw it beyond the tall fence that corralled the giant air conditioner. Many people, for now the event had grown beyond the concern of our immediate family, peered anxiously through the slats of the high partition, trying to see where the paper had landed. We could not spy it in the grass inside the enclosure, but there arose speculation as to whether a thin person could squeeze through the space between the church wall and the galvanized steel fence post. I examined the space, and was pretty certain I could fit, if only just barely. But, I also caught a glimpse of the paper. It was pressed to the concrete slap in the belly of the noisily whirring beast within. I could possibly squeeze past the safety of the perimeter fence. I could certainly reach my arm through the ventilation space in the metal housing of the unit. I might even be able to stretch my arm far enough in to reach and retrieve the lost paper...but that assessment was a little questionable. In the end though, sanity prevailed and we headed home minus one Sunday school paper.

Driving home, we noticed a line of dark clouds on the horizon. The Jedi and I discussed what would be quickest for lunch. If we were going to fly kites, we only had a brief window before the storm front completely moved in. We sent the kids to go get playclothes on, and I packed three healthy lunchables with ham slices, braided honey pretzel twists, and half a banana in a tupperware sandwich container. We grabbed water bottles, put the kites in the van, and headed out. (There are way, way too many trees and power lines in our area to fly kites.) The kids ate their snacks on the way, and we drove back up the road to a small local park. We got out of the van, and headed to the outfield of one of the parks two adjacent baseball fields.

By this time, the wind gusts were so strong neither of the kids could carry their kites into the field. The wind was just trying to blow them over. I jested that we could tie a string to the kids themselves and fly them, and my teasing wasn't far from the truth. We got Toa of Boy's kite in the air, where it thrashed violently at the end of its line and quickly became a lethal weapon. It ducked and dived and bucked and threatened to decapitate anyone caught along the length of its now horizontal tether. Sweetlings kite immediately ripped free of its sparring and, like some poor animal caught in a trap, tried to tear itself to pieces to get loose from its earthly tether. The Jedi managed to wrestle it back to the ground in one piece, and walked back to the van, keeping the kite in a tight bear hug till it could be safely stowed away.

Toa of Boy decided to be considerate, and share his tasmanian devil of a kite with his sister. Sweetling took hold of the kite string, which she eventually found despite the cloak of hair whipping around her face. Toa of Boy ran to dodge death by dancing around under his dangerous kite. I was watching Toa of Boy, and trying to call out life saving instructions to him like, "Come back! No No! Don't come straight to me--the string will slice you in two! Go around! No! Don't spin around!" While I was preoccupied imparting my words of wisdom, the string pulled free of Sweetling's hand. Suddenly I found myself kicking off my sandals and running full tilt across a field in pursuit of a kite hellbent on the ultimate escape. I managed to pounce cat-like on the spool that was jumping across the grass playing out string as it went. At this point, the Jedi returned from securing Sweetling's kite in the van. He surveyed the scene and decided we perhaps had had enough kite flying for the day.

As we all hiked back to the van, one of us collecting her shoes on the way, the Jedi spotted one unfortunate bird who attempted to take wing. He didn't see the creature's final destination, but could tell from is failing struggles that it was not headed in the direction it had intended to go. We paused on the lee side of the van to watch the cloud race across the sky in a manner not unsimilar to time-lapse films. As we drove back around the baseball fields, we noticed a large section of the outfield fence that had been ripped from the ground, the posts at its base shattered. Toa of Boy wanted to know if they could play on the playground for a little while. For some unknown reason, we parents agreed to this request. We were quickly disabused of this notion by the bits of parking lot gravel turned into stinging projectiles in the torrent of the wind.

Driving home, whirlwinds of leaves swirled across the street and around the van. The first of the small branches began to splinter from their parent trees. I thought once we reached home, we would just go about doing our regular Sunday routines. So, I sent the kids to pick up the school room and their bedrooms while I swept and mopped the kitchen floor. I went downstairs, threw the laundry from the washer into the dryer, and grabbed the vacuum cleaner. I was on my way out of the laundry room when the dryer stopped. I paused, thinking for a minute I must not have set it correctly, but into the silence came the beeping of multiple UPS systems crying out for electricity.

I don't know what most families would do first when the power goes off. Wait a moment to see if it comes back on perhaps? Start gathering flashlights just in case it doesn't? Call the power company? Turn on a battery operated radio? None of those things happen first in our family. In our family, without any words being spoken, everyone heads for the computers and begins the shut down process as soon as possible.

When all the systems had been shut down and the UPS's silenced, I moved the breakables off the living room window sill. Though, sadly, I thought Toa of Boy's small plant would be safely protected by the thick upright between the panes. I was wrong. Toa of Boy thought we could water the carpet, and the plant would still grow. Mommy had make firm injuctives against carpet-watering. Since vacuuming wasn't an option, we placed to small chairs in-front of the spilled plant, to protect against small feet grinding dirt into the carpet.

We watched the fury of the winds for another three hours. We listened in awe, and not a little fear, at the loud cracking of the largest limbs raining down around the community. We expected thunder and lightening and terrific rainfall, but received not even as much as a sprinkle, nor any thunder besides the shot-like snapping of the wood.

Christopher Robin and I exchanged a few text messages. The power was out in her neck of the woods as well. (I really think I get points for not saying in her neck of the hundred acre woods.) I jokingly mentioned how sad I was to not be able to vacuum or do laundry. I also speculated that if the power stayed out, evening church would be canceled, and I could stay home and play games. So, now you all know. In a time of crisis, I can be that petty and selfish. Sure enough, a little while later our youth pastor called. The power was out on a very wide reaching scale (and church was canceled. If I were a better person, I'd be feeling a little guilty.) The Jedi went out to the car to listen to the radio, but several of the local stations weren't broadcasting. That was an eerie, end of the world type of feeling. Pulling up a news network on his phone, he learned that hundreds of thousands were without power across several counties.

Realizing now the full scope of the situation, or what we thought was the full scope at the time, now we began to take emergency precautions. The Jedi gathered lightsticks and battery-less flashlights. Fiona the Webkinz snake got looped through the handles of the fridge and freezer to remind the family not to open either one. Sweetling raided her multiple sets of walkie-talkies for 9volt batteries for the weather radio. I looked through the pantry to come up with a dinner I could put together without using anything in the fridge...since I thought the power would be back on in a few hours, and the refrigerated foods would be fine if we just kept the door closed to keep them as cool as possible. My stovetop was gas, so at least I could do some cooking. And, Toa of Boy learned that both the wii and the computer and all the lights needed electricity to run.

We spent the evening playing games together. As it grew dark, we each activated a light stick. I passed the Jedi in the hall and he said, "I feel like I should be starting an EVP session." At 8pm, the Jedi decided we should rescue the ice cream from the freezer, and consume as much as possible since it wasn't going to last much longer. We all gathered around and had an ice cream feast at the table. Toa of Boy and Sweetling decided they wanted to camp out in the living room, so we got out the sleeping bags. We tucked Toa of Boy in, and Sweetling read by the light of a glowstick till it was her bedtime. The Jedi left our bedroom light on, so that we would know when the power came back on during the night.

The next morning I woke up sometime between 6:30 and 7. It was hard to say exactly what the time was without the big glowing numbers on the alarm clock. The Jedi was dressed and ready to leave for work when he got the call that there was no power there either. Upstairs, both of the kids had wakened early. Since it was still dark, the Jedi decided he wanted to drive around and see how extensive the outing was for himself. We all scrambled to get dressed so that we could go with him. A few business centers were powered, and we bought a paper and cold medicine for Toa of Boy. We also sat in a line that began in the right lane and gradually inched its way into the gas station. Toa of Boy played on the game boy while we waited for our turn to fill up the tank. The paper was citing that 90% of the area had lost power, and that it could be 3 to 5 days before the electricity was restored.

Back at home, we began making more long term plans. We also had a forest down in our yards that needed attention. And I had a dishwasher full of dishes that needed cleaned, and a dryer full of wet clothes that I thought I should do something with. But I think I'll have to save the details of "the day after" for another post. My tummy is rumbly and it is past time to start dinner.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Something New



Something new. Something new. (Something borrowed, something blue.) You know, maybe I shouldn't try to do my writing at the end of the day.

The biggest new thing we're doing this year is that we have joined a co-op. We've never participated in one of those before. Mostly because our schedule always seemed so full, the thought of adding something to it had no appeal. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Ok, it might have appealed to the Sweetling, but it didn't appeal to the Mommy. As far as the Mommy was concerned a co-op meant extra fees, extra driving, extra commitments...since the parents have to sign up for something...extra work, and a whole day away from our chosen curriculum. So, pretty much, a lose-lose situation.

BUT, this year, we've joined a co-op that's made up of families all using the same curriculum we are using. So now, instead of the co-op being a burden, its a huge help. Instead of losing time away from school, we're gaining time...since some subjects will be almost completely covered during co-op.

Today (Thursday) was our co-op "kick-off" party. We walked into the cafeteria, and though both children had been waiting and waiting for co-op, both children became shy and nervous. Toa of Boy *clung* to me, absolutely petrified. In response to his repeated questions, I had reassured him over and over again as we walked from the van to the building that I was not leaving him, that I would be with him the whole time. Yet still he clung to me tighter than a velcro monkey. I don't think he's done that since our first month home from Guatemala. He refused to look at anyone or anything, but just buried his face in my shoulder. It struck me then, he would never, ever have been ready to go to a traditional school this year. As well adjusted, confident, and out-going as he normally is, he obviously still has anxiety separation. Forcing him to go to kindergarten on his own away from home might have only intensified his fears.

After the Pledge and songs and prayer together, we divided into groups by grade to go to our classrooms. Sweetling headed off with the fifth graders and I went with Toa of Boy and the kindgergarteners. In kindergarten, we sat at a table together and colored with our brand new school supplies. Toa of Boy shared his crayons. (Toa of Boy got over his fears as soon as he met the cute little blond girl in his class.) We teachers chatted a little with the kids, trying to gently draw them out and get them comfortable. It was a nice half an hour.

In the meantime, Sweetling's class put away their supplies and played Hangman on the chalkboard. Sweetling went first in the game. Her word was "duplicate." No one guessed it. The next girl chose "enchilada" as her word. The class guessed that. Then a boy went up and chose "maniac" as his word. That eventually stumped the class. As the game was progressing, the boy decided to draw a maniac hanging from the hangman's giblet. At one point he put huge ears on his stick figure. Sweetling asked, "Are those mouse ears?" Another girl chimed in, "Who is he? Dr. Two-Brains?" I'm so glad Sweetling is in a like-minded group of children. She's going to have a great year. (For those of you who don't know, Dr Two-Brains is one of the villains on Word Girl, Sweetlings favorite show.)

One of the mom's organized some carnival type games with prizes, and we all went outside. I worked on of the tables, and Sweetling and Toa of Boy stayed together to play the games. Then we all went inside for pizza. Yum :)

I have pictures, but they are still on the camera. I'll ask the Jedi to grab those for me tonight. Then I'll edit my post to put the pics up.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Pinky's Video

One of Sweetling's bbf's put this up on YouTube. There has been a host of giggling at my house while watching it.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Routines



Now, those of you who know me know that Routines and I don't always get along. Mind you, I have nothing against routines. In fact, I think routines make things run so much more smoothly. Its just that I struggle to follow them. And I get exasperated when the routine breaks down (at which point I want to immediately give up and just go read a book.) I've slowly come to realize that maybe the problem is that I make my routines without regard to this little thing called reality. Believe it or not, just because I *want* something to happen in a certain way, doesn't actually mean that it *can* happen in that way. My routines have been working a lot better since I've stopped trying to fit achieving the moon and all the stars in the sky into ten minute increments. I also need to give myself permission to "fudge" a routine on a day when life happens. Just because I missed cleaning the bathroom this morning, doesn't mean that I'm an utter failure and that I should just toss in the towel on the entire rest of the day.

I have two main ideas I want to explore in my post today. (Well, that's my intention. I'm probably going to get sidetracked and put in one main idea and several fragments of other thoughts.) But, the two main thoughts I want to cover are pretty straightforward and directly related to the topic. And yes, you can gasp in surprise. Me? Relevant? Straightforward? Who'd have thought? I want to cover what we are doing, but I also want to explore what we aren't doing, or what I might like to do differently.

So far, each of Miss Jocelyn's assignments have been exactly what I need, exactly when I need it :) This week is now exception. I had just redone our school schedule yesterday, and this morning as I was going about my morning stuff, I was really thinking about Sweetling's schooling. Sweetling has always been a very private, independent person. She loves working on her schooling independently as well. Oh sure, last years and the years before, she used to love to sit on my lap as we would read together. And last year she used to like me to read the history stories outloud while she had the webkinz act them out. But this year, this year, oh this year. This year she has been doing practically everything all by herself. This year, on Sunday I put together a two page itinerary for her assignments for the week. On a daily basis, I *maybe* get to work an algebra problem or two to illustrate a concept. I check in with her periodically to see how's she's doing. And I go over her stuff with her at the end of the day, or at the beginning of the next day, to help her with anything that she's missing (which is about diddily-squat). And she seems to be thriving and flourishing in this system. But the Mommy? I'm not ready to let go to that extent. Its not that I don't think she's ready to be so independent and so self-sufficient. She clearly is. But I miss doing school with my little girl!!!!

Mind you, I didn't set up the schedule with the intention of making her go off and work by herself and just check off assignments as she completed them. Not at all! I set it up so that we would go over a lesson or two for half an hour or so together, and then she would have independent work time for about an hour to complete assignments while I did some school with Toa of Boy. Then Toa of Boy could go play while I did some more school with Sweetling. And so on back and forth through the day. But that's not what wound up happening. Sweetling took hold of the schedule, took hold of her lessons, took hold of her assignments, and assumed ownership and responsibility for her learning. Which is wonderful. Fantastic. Amazing. Exactly what she needs to be able to do...when she's a young lady. A young adult. Several years from now. Later. When she's almost all grown up. Much later. What she is doing now, is exactly what my goal is as a parent, as an educator. I just wasn't ready for her to realize it so soon. I had just taken the training wheels off her bicycle, so to speak, and I was ready to run along side her, to steady her and catch her...but she's taken off and is cruising confidently down the street. And I need to let her go, to let her succeed and do this on her own. Oh sure, I'm still standing and watching her and calling out encouragement to her and then talking with her about her ride each day. But I want to know, when did she grow up so soon??

So, Sweetling. Sweetling is working on her own. I put on her assignment list for today to check out Growing in Grace. I think what I need is to help guide her in ways that she can be independent, projects and learning activities that she can just *do*. Because she's completing her regular school work in about three hours each day, and she needs some educational, but independent and self-initiated stuff she can do for a couple of hours each day. Mind you, she already loves to read non-fiction books and mysteries. And she loves to write short stories on Webkinz Insider. So, she doesn't need a lot of other activities on her plate. I just want to give her a few more menu options for her day.

This then, is what our daily routine looks like:


6:30-7:00. I wake up. I hope. I'm not much of a morning person.
6:30-7:30 Get my shower, get dressed, transfer a load of laundry.
7:00. Sweetling wakes up. She is a morning person. She has breakfast with the Jedi and jumps into her morning routine. Makes bed; feeds fish; feeds gerbil; brushes hair; gets dressed; takes her vitamin; reads her devotions.
7:30-8:00 I get my morning routine done OR I sit down and do my devotions. My morning routine is clean bathroom, unload/reload dishwasher, clean any pots left to soak from last nights dinner, shine kitchen sink, clean off kitchen table+ counters+ stove, plan dinner, clean off desk.
8:00 Sweetling is usually finished with her morning routines. She now has an hour or so of free time, during which she reads or hops on her computer. She also fixes herself a morning snack during this time.
8:00-8:30--I either sit down and do my devotions, or I do my morning routine (depending on which I did first at 7:30.)
8:30-9:00--Toa of Boy wakes up sometime in this range. Toa of Boy, like me, is not a morning person. He needs a little snuggle time on the couch. Then I help him through his morning routine. It's...make bed, go potty, clean white table in living room, have breakfast, take vitamin, do calendar with mommy, brush teeth, get dressed. When he's finished, he watches PBS kids or Dora or Diego for a little while.
9:00--Sweetling her formal curriculum.
9:30--I work some algebra problems with her, unless she tells me that the lesson is too simple and she already understands it, thanks anyway Mommy.
10:00--Toa of Boy is now fully awake. We start school with him, doing math first--cause he needs to start with something hands-on, then handwriting, and journal.
11:00ish--Monday and Tuesday, I get to do Music or Science with Sweetling. (Science just means I get to read over her shoulder as she reads the online lesson screens). On Wednesday or Friday, I'll start Toa of Boy's language arts lessons with him.
12:00-1:00- LUNCH
1:00--Sweetling's history. Again, if she'll let me, I'll camp out beside her at the desk while she checks out the online portion of her lesson. But more often than not, she goes and does the lesson and the reading and the activities on her own. I'll surf blogs on another computer.
1:30--Toa of Boy does phonics with me, followed by his devotion readings...once we get the book.
2:30--We're wrapped up with formal lessons. On Monday we do art. On Tuesday we go grocery shopping. On Wednesday we go to the library. On Friday, Sweetling has her God's Girls Bible Study Group that meets at our house.
4:30--We do our afternoon routines. The kids pick up their bedrooms, anything they left in the living room, and clear off their school desks. Toa of Boy takes any recyclables to the bucket. Sweetling puts away extra school supplies. Mommy cleans off her desk, straightens the living room, sweeps the kitchen, and starts dinner.

Also, Thursdays are co-op days. Tae Kwon Do happens on Tuesday and Thursday night ( Sweetling, the Jedi, and I are all enrolled in class. A new beginner's class starts on Sept 22nd. I'm going to check out the times and the age ranges and consider enrolling Toa of Boy.) The adult praise dance team meets on Tuesday. (I go straight from Praise Dance to Tae Kwon Do on Tuesday night). Wednesday nights and Sunday nights are church activities. Saturday is our Sabbath/Day of Rest. We hang out and do family activities. Sunday morning is church services, and Sunday afternoon we sort and start laundry and get our weekly housework done.

So, that's my schedule. That's what we do. In theory.

What I'm hoping to glean from responses and from reading other people blogs are some ideas for Sweetling's "menu" for free, independent study. I'm really pleased with how Toa of Boy's school is going. His day seems to have just the right blend of structured instruction time with Mommy and playtime. And I'm really pleased with how Sweetling's school is going. She has just blossomed into this beautiful, amazing, mature young lady. I just want to have a nice variety of options for her to explore through the year.

Thanks for stopping by and reading all of this! :)