Lemon heads.
Yummy yellow candy's with a soft outer layer of sweet and tangy and a crunchy sweet and sour middle that sets your mouth to watering. :)
I'm enjoying them alone tonight.
It's relatively quiet in the house. It's 10:03.
Scott came home around 6:30 tonight. I was sitting on the couch in the living room with all the kiddos while Josh and I attempted to play at least one round of Mario party before dinner. I'd already thrown in eight chicken patties in the oven just in case the guys were hungry when they walked in the door. Wasn't up to cooking much tonight. The kids and I had been snacking all day on fruit, popcorn, sandwiches and a couple other goodies I got from my massive shopping spree at the grocery store yesterday.
Luckily, the guys weren't interested in eating anyway, hopefully not because of my poor dinner preparations.
Anyway, I was relieved to have a bit of a break.
Today was difficult. My plans for school time were barely covered, liked usual. I was frustrated and tired and my patience wore thin, faster today then most days.
The girls are wonderful. They are 2 and turning 4. Haven and Hailey. The cutest sweetest little blond girls you ever did see, but they are desperately in need of lots of attention and It's hard not to give them the mile that they want when I can only give them an inch most of the time. While I'm contending with that, the boys get jealous and start to whine and compete and then everyone starts yelling and whining and crying and running around and jumping on the furniture and falling and doing other things they know they shouldn't all in the frame of a few seconds conversation with one that's been graced with my attention and then the room starts spinning and my head starts hurting my ears begin to ring they all start fighting over getting a hot dog that I've prepared for each and every one of them and then I start to not give a crap about how THEY feel and then I BLOW!!! :[
I tell them how selfish and crappy they're acting. I couldn't believe it I say "HERE!!!! TAKE YOUR GOD DAMNED HOTDOG, SIT DOWN AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH!! EVERYBODY JUST SIT DOWN AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH!! Your driving me CRAZAAAYYYY!!!
Beautiful huh? :)
Everybody was quiet for a good half hour except the baby, who likes to talk over me and say my name sweetly and ask for things or change the subject when I'm reprimanding her for touching something she shouldn't be touching. She'll ask me "Ms. Jennie, what's that?" Or she'll just say my name to change the subject or to get me to say "what?" I ignore it now when she does it. Hailey nags and will have asked me for something three times before I can even say yes or no or even tune in while others are asking me for things at the same time.
I fight back the mental picture of kicking her across the room. :(
I imagine that she's made of rubber and giggles the whole time, even on the the rebound. :)
Of course, I'd never do it.
The boys aren't peaches and cream either and they're making more problems at times. Scott and Dave yell at the girls constantly and I think they've picked up the yelling from them and the times I get frustrated too. It gets so bad sometimes that they interfere with my discipline and I have to discipline them before I discipline the girls and then I feel like my moment is lost with the girls.
I don't want to harp too much on my problems with all this because i don't want to fall into a pit of discouragement and whining. All I know is I want to get better and I know they're are a lot of issues that I'm going to have to get through each day and I can't do it by losing my cool. I need to be an example. I need to think constructively and try not to take this kiddy stuff personally. The guilt trips they all like to take me on are the worst, and they leave me feeling inadequate and used up.
No longer. I need to keep my eye on the prize.
A peaceful home, a functional home.
For the most part the house is quiet and civil and I try to keep the kids content, happy and busy. Recently I've given the girls some crafts, bead work on fuzzy wire, chalk drawing on the little chalk board in the living room, stencils, "bubble party" on the kitchen table with smocks and trash bags for easy cleanup, movie time with popcorn, bath time with sister, and even "school time" and coloring to break the boredom.
The boys have school, video games and Legos in my room, hidden away from the girls. Sometimes I can send them out to play in the yard with the neighbor kids, which is a nice break for them.
I'm frustrated though, because the time we spent together, giving them my undivided and creative attentions, is lost right now. I'm afraid the girls are going to get into something that they shouldn't and I'm not keeping my eyes off of them for awhile.
The boys have lots of guilt laying material and I can't deny it. :( I feel like I can't be the mom I was to them, and it breaks my heart.
They use it against me. :(
I'm starting to take it personal and I'm getting really irritated with them, but none of the guilt they are giving me has any grounds for reality. They know I love them, they know i want to be with them. So I won't let it get to me. I'm going to make sure that we have a date every night. As soon as the dads get home from work. It'll be date time and we'll have a fun activity planned.
Yes, the boys need their time with us but they need to be not so selfish and learn to share their time, their toys, and their Mommy.
These girls don't have their mommy.
She has chosen another life right now that's not safe for them. They're dad has taken them out of that environment and needs a fresh start. He needs help and helping others is what's most important in life. It's a hard lesson but it's so important.
I told Levi today when he continued to whine that I "NEVER" give him hugs and kisses:
I asked him"Who's going to give these girls hugs and kisses?
I don't see their daddy doing it very much. (Levi looked thoughtful)
Their mommy isn't here...who's going to give them kisses and hugs? Are you?"
he shook is head fiercely and stopped with the same thoughtful expression and pouty lip
"Well, they need kisses and hugs too and I'm going to give them kisses and hugs because every child needs kisses and hugs."
He still protested and I eventually had to tune him out.
He'll get it, Josh does. He's patient for the most part and waits for me. He knows our quality time is coming eventually, even if it is during school time.
What really stinks that quality time with Scott is few and far between. He and Dave stay out working till about 5 or 6 most evenings and when he gets home he comes in and sits down at the computer and reads the news and then I bring him a plate and we chat for a minute before I go back to spend time with the boys.
Dave weakly corrals the girls who have obviously forgotten everything I've told them all day. Dave's learning to be consistent, but he's working from not just square 1 but negative 2. :(
There's going to be a lot of reprogramming to get Hailey on track.
Anyway, I'm done by that point.
After dinner I tidy up the kitchen quickly and go in my room with the boys to talk and cuddle and watch something on Netflix and tune out the squawking and crying in the rest of the house. OUR daddy comes in too , cuddles and talks with us and tries to watch our show or movie but eventually falls asleep after the first half hour.
I put the boys to bed after our cuddle and I let Scott sleep while I get online. :)
I really fought back the temptation to just veg tonight, but I promised myself I'd write something EVERY night to keep this virtual diary, as it's turning out to be, up to date. I hope that in a month or so I'll be able to see a marked improvement in the way things are around here. The girl's discipline, balancing homeschooling; and quality time with the family, Dave and the girls. It's necessary for them to feel at home too.
I'd like to get our taxes, house refinance, debts paid off and car issues taken care of as well.
And maybe a few date nights out with my wonderful hubby. :D Love him. He's working so hard. I'd rather be home then out in the world trying to get the money to support all this.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Inspiration
So many reasons not to write tonight:
It's 11:00 and I need to stay fresh for 4 beautiful children in the morning.
Haven (2), Haley (3), Levi (5) and Joshua (9). :)
To continue the list, I'm in the middle of a great documentary about Monty Python called:
"Before the Flying Circus. A Black and White Documentary." I'm watching it because I've never seen the Flying Circus but I love John Cleese, I love British humor,I want to discover the influences attributed to the work and would like to better understand and utilize my love for comical expression.
To continue my list of other things to do besides write:
I just found a great stash of candies I'd like to devour in secret. ;)
I want to read because I was so refreshed by my earlier reading in the afternoon and want to return to it.
Also, I could get on Face book and see what everyone else is doing.:(
No, I'll do all those things after. :) Besides, I'm acting as if I'm going to have thousands of readers and have this unrelenting pressure to "WOW" in the back of my mind. Why do I have to "WOW" at all? OK then, I will choose not to "WOW" tonight so that neither you nor I will be disappointed.
This isn't my voice. Like I said. I've been watching a documentary on the gang from Monty Python and my vernacular has been influenced by the lot! Pip pip cheerio! and I also had a bit of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on the side today with Josh and Levi.
One of their new favorites. :)
I recently signed on to Netflix again and it's been an extremely convenient distraction as well as a modestly used baby sitter for the little ones at times. But on the Eve of yet another possible procrastination I've decided to forgo it and discipline myself well enough to write anything I can before bed, whether i perceive it to be boring or not. I'll let you decide. Decide whether you'll return to hear more...
I am a horrible procrastinator. I hate saying the word or typing the word because it feels like a curse. So, from here on out, I will not describe myself as one. In hopes that I will not be one. In hopes that I continue to write and post SOMETHING each night before bed. Here's to being productive!
Cheers!
:)
I'm back.
I just ate 5 packages of gummy fruits.
2 dove chocolates with surprise life tips from Martha Stewart on the inside of each wrapper.
One says: "Instead of exchanging gifts, put money towards a family trip."
The other : "Choose party recipes that can be prepared in advance."
( Thank you Martha.)
1 large Reese cup
A Werthers chewy caramel
and a caramel Hershey kiss.
My tummy hurts. :(
Inspiring quote of the day from Terry Jones of Monty Python:
"(Prep) School left me with a fear of failing..I just thought everyone was going to be sooo clever, and so brilliant and so extraordinary. It took me a long time to penetrate that, to realize that it wasn't true."
Random Notes from the Pythoners:
"Anti-authoritarian"
Comedy: "Form of Exhibitionism."
On themselves: "Gigglers."
"Absorbing any and all comedy influences."
Not to self: I need to call my friend Sarah and wish her a happy birthday tomorrow even though her birthday is Tuesday, miss her. :)
It's 11:00 and I need to stay fresh for 4 beautiful children in the morning.
Haven (2), Haley (3), Levi (5) and Joshua (9). :)
To continue the list, I'm in the middle of a great documentary about Monty Python called:
"Before the Flying Circus. A Black and White Documentary." I'm watching it because I've never seen the Flying Circus but I love John Cleese, I love British humor,I want to discover the influences attributed to the work and would like to better understand and utilize my love for comical expression.
To continue my list of other things to do besides write:
I just found a great stash of candies I'd like to devour in secret. ;)
I want to read because I was so refreshed by my earlier reading in the afternoon and want to return to it.
Also, I could get on Face book and see what everyone else is doing.:(
No, I'll do all those things after. :) Besides, I'm acting as if I'm going to have thousands of readers and have this unrelenting pressure to "WOW" in the back of my mind. Why do I have to "WOW" at all? OK then, I will choose not to "WOW" tonight so that neither you nor I will be disappointed.
This isn't my voice. Like I said. I've been watching a documentary on the gang from Monty Python and my vernacular has been influenced by the lot! Pip pip cheerio! and I also had a bit of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on the side today with Josh and Levi.
One of their new favorites. :)
I recently signed on to Netflix again and it's been an extremely convenient distraction as well as a modestly used baby sitter for the little ones at times. But on the Eve of yet another possible procrastination I've decided to forgo it and discipline myself well enough to write anything I can before bed, whether i perceive it to be boring or not. I'll let you decide. Decide whether you'll return to hear more...
I am a horrible procrastinator. I hate saying the word or typing the word because it feels like a curse. So, from here on out, I will not describe myself as one. In hopes that I will not be one. In hopes that I continue to write and post SOMETHING each night before bed. Here's to being productive!
Cheers!
:)
I'm back.
I just ate 5 packages of gummy fruits.
2 dove chocolates with surprise life tips from Martha Stewart on the inside of each wrapper.
One says: "Instead of exchanging gifts, put money towards a family trip."
The other : "Choose party recipes that can be prepared in advance."
( Thank you Martha.)
1 large Reese cup
A Werthers chewy caramel
and a caramel Hershey kiss.
My tummy hurts. :(
Inspiring quote of the day from Terry Jones of Monty Python:
"(Prep) School left me with a fear of failing..I just thought everyone was going to be sooo clever, and so brilliant and so extraordinary. It took me a long time to penetrate that, to realize that it wasn't true."
Random Notes from the Pythoners:
"Anti-authoritarian"
Comedy: "Form of Exhibitionism."
On themselves: "Gigglers."
"Absorbing any and all comedy influences."
Not to self: I need to call my friend Sarah and wish her a happy birthday tomorrow even though her birthday is Tuesday, miss her. :)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Direction
Watching families on Extreme Home Makeover, people that are helping their community within a one mile radius and strongly effecting those even further, has been an inspiration.
One woman in a wheel chair was basically buried in her home by a continual clothing drive she managed for close to two decades. She did it to help the impoverished children in her neighborhood. They considered her Grandma. Notably, she was a black woman who helped children of ALL ethnicity's, not just her own.
This is the work that many are called to do. To live unselfishly, to use what one has as it wasn't their own. To die to oneself and what one thinks their life SHOULD be. I can't imagine that this woman anticipated her life as an old lady to be living in a home, surrounded by clothes and toys and dust and clutter as she maneuvered around in her wheel chair on one little pathway from front door to the living room, to kitchen and barely into the bathroom.
This generous outfit was conducted even without a good income. She was dependent herself and still gave up the few comforts she had to keep these needed items stocked in her home.
But there is never too little with the Lord. He will provide and "make it work together for good, to those that are called according to His purpose." He will tie up the loose ends and straighten out the crooked parts. No good effort goes unrewarded. He WILL throw you a bone if you are lost or weak, or wanting, but an effort has to be made.
I have prayed hard and asked Him for a better attitude when it comes to opening my home to others. My husband (we will call him Scott ;) has a flooring business and we've hosted out of town flooring buddies of his so that he can maintain a reliable crew and hopefully help his friends make some needed cash. Those instances were beneficial mostly for my husband and I because it provided inexpensive labor and an on the spot crew. In that sense, there is little to complain about except for the loss of my personal comfort and privacy as I was the only woman/hermit in the house and we had some bachelor type issues to sort out that made me extremely uncomfortable. But this made me step up and exercise my need to break my fear of confrontation and slap down some house rules while they lived with us. One didn't survive but the other became a friend. :)
Now we have the opportunity to help a friend of Scott's that has found himself to be a single dad with two toddler girls in need of a stable home and assistance so they can get back on their feet.
It has been only 3 weeks and I have been blessed greatly. I've seen my imperfections , and I don't like them, but I am encouraged because I also see the work he's already done in me and in my family over the years and He's taken us a long way from where we were, even in the last three weeks!
Getting back to a simple unselfish giving life is a life of passion and blessing, pain and joy. It's alive!!! I see dead families come in to eat at my tables every night I work. (I have been a part time waitress at Outback Steakhouse for 12 years now.) Nobody smiles nobody talks, it's like the only thing they have in common is eating. I've noticed that if my tables are having an exceptionally good time together, they don't care if the food comes out late. They are content and enjoying each other, living in the moment.
I hope to see myself, Scott, and the boys when they are teenagers; talking and joking and having a great time together. I've seen this at my tables too, people! I'm a witness! Hallelujah! :D
Children are a driving tool God uses to better believing parents for the kingdom. They are THE responsibility, THE first commandment. "Be fruitful and multiply." Genesis 1:28 "Women will be saved through child bearing." I Timothy 2 :15
I want to keep my marriage happy so my children can learn to have a happy marriage too. I want to be emotionally and mentally mature to help them become the solid, responsible adults they need to be. I want them to choose Christ as the example, introducing them to Him by being the best example of Him, that I can be. This is my legacy.
This is HIS legacy.
More Scripture Father keeps comforting me with:
Proverbs 3:5-6
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
And we know that all things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to his purpose.
I Corinthians 7 :29-31
What I mean brothers is that the time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as those who have none, those who mourn, as they did not;those who are happy, as if they were not; those who would buy something as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world as if not engrossed in them. For this world in it's present form is passing away.
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
I Timothy 2:15
But women will be saved through childbearing---if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
One woman in a wheel chair was basically buried in her home by a continual clothing drive she managed for close to two decades. She did it to help the impoverished children in her neighborhood. They considered her Grandma. Notably, she was a black woman who helped children of ALL ethnicity's, not just her own.
This is the work that many are called to do. To live unselfishly, to use what one has as it wasn't their own. To die to oneself and what one thinks their life SHOULD be. I can't imagine that this woman anticipated her life as an old lady to be living in a home, surrounded by clothes and toys and dust and clutter as she maneuvered around in her wheel chair on one little pathway from front door to the living room, to kitchen and barely into the bathroom.
This generous outfit was conducted even without a good income. She was dependent herself and still gave up the few comforts she had to keep these needed items stocked in her home.
But there is never too little with the Lord. He will provide and "make it work together for good, to those that are called according to His purpose." He will tie up the loose ends and straighten out the crooked parts. No good effort goes unrewarded. He WILL throw you a bone if you are lost or weak, or wanting, but an effort has to be made.
I have prayed hard and asked Him for a better attitude when it comes to opening my home to others. My husband (we will call him Scott ;) has a flooring business and we've hosted out of town flooring buddies of his so that he can maintain a reliable crew and hopefully help his friends make some needed cash. Those instances were beneficial mostly for my husband and I because it provided inexpensive labor and an on the spot crew. In that sense, there is little to complain about except for the loss of my personal comfort and privacy as I was the only woman/hermit in the house and we had some bachelor type issues to sort out that made me extremely uncomfortable. But this made me step up and exercise my need to break my fear of confrontation and slap down some house rules while they lived with us. One didn't survive but the other became a friend. :)
Now we have the opportunity to help a friend of Scott's that has found himself to be a single dad with two toddler girls in need of a stable home and assistance so they can get back on their feet.
It has been only 3 weeks and I have been blessed greatly. I've seen my imperfections , and I don't like them, but I am encouraged because I also see the work he's already done in me and in my family over the years and He's taken us a long way from where we were, even in the last three weeks!
Getting back to a simple unselfish giving life is a life of passion and blessing, pain and joy. It's alive!!! I see dead families come in to eat at my tables every night I work. (I have been a part time waitress at Outback Steakhouse for 12 years now.) Nobody smiles nobody talks, it's like the only thing they have in common is eating. I've noticed that if my tables are having an exceptionally good time together, they don't care if the food comes out late. They are content and enjoying each other, living in the moment.
I hope to see myself, Scott, and the boys when they are teenagers; talking and joking and having a great time together. I've seen this at my tables too, people! I'm a witness! Hallelujah! :D
Children are a driving tool God uses to better believing parents for the kingdom. They are THE responsibility, THE first commandment. "Be fruitful and multiply." Genesis 1:28 "Women will be saved through child bearing." I Timothy 2 :15
I want to keep my marriage happy so my children can learn to have a happy marriage too. I want to be emotionally and mentally mature to help them become the solid, responsible adults they need to be. I want them to choose Christ as the example, introducing them to Him by being the best example of Him, that I can be. This is my legacy.
This is HIS legacy.
Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
More Scripture Father keeps comforting me with:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails.
And we know that all things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to his purpose.
I Corinthians 7 :29-31
What I mean brothers is that the time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as those who have none, those who mourn, as they did not;those who are happy, as if they were not; those who would buy something as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world as if not engrossed in them. For this world in it's present form is passing away.
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
I Timothy 2:15
But women will be saved through childbearing---if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jeremiah 29:11
Friday, February 12, 2010
Funny Hill Kid Quotes
Levi:
An hour before, I catch Levi with a bag or dried apricots. He's already eaten 5...
Later Levi calls me in the bathroom:
"Mom! Why do I keep pooping!?"
I say: "You've eaten too many apricots. Remember I told you, fruit helps you poop?"
"Yes," he giggles.
I say
"Just get it all out. It'll stop."
I think he thought he was going to poop his insides out.
He looked relieved.
Joshua:
He's 3 and we're playing outside in the front yard at a friend's house.
He takes a stick and dips it into the mud and then tastes it.
Then he says:
"Now I want to taste the back yard."
Levi calls me in the bathroom :
"Mom! Smell my hand!"
I take it and sniff and say "what does it smell like?"
he says "marbles."
?
Josh's new knock knock jokes:
Knock knock
Who's there?
Who's.
Who's who?
Can't you tell the difference?
What did the pear say to the other pear in the love booth?
We make a good "pair."
On the way to dropping me off at work Levi looks at the clock and says
"2:36 is my middle name!"
( ..................?= hilarious)
Later I ask Josh if he knows what my middle name is, he says "Frankenstein."
An hour before, I catch Levi with a bag or dried apricots. He's already eaten 5...
Later Levi calls me in the bathroom:
"Mom! Why do I keep pooping!?"
I say: "You've eaten too many apricots. Remember I told you, fruit helps you poop?"
"Yes," he giggles.
I say
"Just get it all out. It'll stop."
I think he thought he was going to poop his insides out.
He looked relieved.
Joshua:
He's 3 and we're playing outside in the front yard at a friend's house.
He takes a stick and dips it into the mud and then tastes it.
Then he says:
"Now I want to taste the back yard."
Levi calls me in the bathroom :
"Mom! Smell my hand!"
I take it and sniff and say "what does it smell like?"
he says "marbles."
?
Josh's new knock knock jokes:
Knock knock
Who's there?
Who's.
Who's who?
Can't you tell the difference?
What did the pear say to the other pear in the love booth?
We make a good "pair."
On the way to dropping me off at work Levi looks at the clock and says
"2:36 is my middle name!"
( ..................?= hilarious)
Later I ask Josh if he knows what my middle name is, he says "Frankenstein."
School Day/ Februay 12 : Dreaming of Summer
Josh:
Spelling:
summertime
dismissal
vacation
library
sailing
pond
swimming
pleasure
frogs
mosquitoes
sightseeing
gardening
baseball
watermelon
lemonade
picnic
perspiration
camping
sunglasses
grandparents
barbecue
daylight
sunshine
thunderstorm
vocab:
humidity
Independence Day
leisure
Quiz
Corrections
Language page:
Proper use of "Its" and "It's" review
Proper use of "themselves" and "himself."
Understanding that "Theirselves" and "Hisself" are not words.
Proof Reading and writing in story form.
Write a story about Summertime using spelling words.
Reading:
The Magic Tree House Series
Ghost Town at Sundown #10
by Mary Pope Osborn
Levi:
Brain Quest Flash cards warm up
Sequencing:
building a snowman/ washing a dog
opposites:
First and Last
Full and empty
math: adding and subtracting gum balls
reading:
StarFall.com (using at and an)
small reader books
science:
gravity
Bill Nye video
Lunch
Bill Nye the science guy
HouseHoldHacker videos
making glow in the dark eggs
Math: using fractions of an inch
new measurements of length:
centimeter
decimeter
millimeter
hectometer
kilometer
Planets
Spelling:
summertime
dismissal
vacation
library
sailing
pond
swimming
pleasure
frogs
mosquitoes
sightseeing
gardening
baseball
watermelon
lemonade
picnic
perspiration
camping
sunglasses
grandparents
barbecue
daylight
sunshine
thunderstorm
vocab:
humidity
Independence Day
leisure
Quiz
Corrections
Language page:
Proper use of "Its" and "It's" review
Proper use of "themselves" and "himself."
Understanding that "Theirselves" and "Hisself" are not words.
Proof Reading and writing in story form.
Write a story about Summertime using spelling words.
Reading:
The Magic Tree House Series
Ghost Town at Sundown #10
by Mary Pope Osborn
Levi:
Brain Quest Flash cards warm up
Sequencing:
building a snowman/ washing a dog
opposites:
First and Last
Full and empty
math: adding and subtracting gum balls
reading:
StarFall.com (using at and an)
small reader books
science:
gravity
Bill Nye video
Lunch
Bill Nye the science guy
HouseHoldHacker videos
making glow in the dark eggs
Math: using fractions of an inch
new measurements of length:
centimeter
decimeter
millimeter
hectometer
kilometer
Planets
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
School Day 2/10/10
Magazine
Math
butterflies
clean
reading
Lunch
Video and notes on solar system
Excellent video
Our galaxy the milky way
scale
Excerpt from:
The Solar System
model and mobile kit
First Planet: Venus
"The rocky Planet of Venus is the second closest planet to the sun.
Unlike Mercury, Venus can be seen quite easily in the night sky. In fact, it is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and the moon!
Quick facts:
Distance from sun: 62.2 million miles
Surface temperature: 896+ F
Time to orbit sun: 224.7 days
Number of moons: 0"
Atmosphere is made of Carbon Dioxide.
Gravity is 100X the strength of Earth.
"The thick spinning clouds that make up the atmosphere of Venus trap in the sun's heat, making the surface of the planet scorching hot - so hot it can melt lead."
New favorite website
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Electricity/ Lightening
Fire Works
No More Kings
Three Ring Government
American Revolution
Benjamin Franklin
The Constitution
Special Treat: Survivor Man
Math
butterflies
clean
reading
Lunch
Video and notes on solar system
Excellent video
Our galaxy the milky way
scale
Excerpt from:
The Solar System
model and mobile kit
First Planet: Venus
"The rocky Planet of Venus is the second closest planet to the sun.
Unlike Mercury, Venus can be seen quite easily in the night sky. In fact, it is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and the moon!
Quick facts:
Distance from sun: 62.2 million miles
Surface temperature: 896+ F
Time to orbit sun: 224.7 days
Number of moons: 0"
Atmosphere is made of Carbon Dioxide.
Gravity is 100X the strength of Earth.
"The thick spinning clouds that make up the atmosphere of Venus trap in the sun's heat, making the surface of the planet scorching hot - so hot it can melt lead."
New favorite website
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Electricity/ Lightening
Fire Works
No More Kings
Three Ring Government
American Revolution
Benjamin Franklin
The Constitution
Special Treat: Survivor Man
Monday, February 8, 2010
School Day/Febuary 8th 2010
Record some of Joshua's dreams
New word: Dictate
Sentence: Joshua dictates his dreams to me.
Three dreams recorded successfully and posted.
Josh and I watch Les Shroud Survivorman: Canyonland Utah
Josh takes a minute to find it on the map.
Joshua says "My idea was a suquest."
No honey, your idea was a success.
New word and use: Success
How do you spell success? success
That's right, use it in a new sentence:
"My brain lamer is a success!"
Good, what's that from?
It's from Super Mario cartoons
OK...let's get back to Mr. Stroud...
Use video as spring board to teach survival science:
*5 W's to gage odds of survival:
Wood: for shelter and fire
Weather: right conditions?
Widow Makers: falling things, animals
Wigglies: poisonous insects, eatable insects
Water: major player for survival
survivor tip: Use what you have, don't sit idle. (Life lesson)
*What does the cowboy term "ledged in" mean?
Up too high from water. You could climb down but not climb up. To be stuck high on a ledge.
*Who are Butch Cassidy, the Paiute and the Anastasie?
*Utah and it's capitol as well as terrain or topography.
Topography: "is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those of planets, moons, and asteroids. It is also the description of such surface shapes and features (especially their depiction in maps)." (Wikipedia)
*Survival tip: We must be aware of our surroundings in order to build a home. Les has to research the area in which he intends to survive and film, so that he understands the dangers therein. He prepares himself.
Look up Utah in States and Capitals Notebook.
Complete penmanship and character page.
School Skills:
#Have Joshua take notes next time we watch Survivor Man so that he can answer Q's at the end of the video.
Make this a common occurrence to establish good note taking skills.#
Math: Review averaging, mixed numbers and fractions. Complete Work page in Arithmetic Work book Grade Four.
Converting Kilometers to feet:
Les Stroud hiked 48 km's.
How many feet or miles is that?
*Language/ Creative Writing: Using Proof Reading Skills
Write 5 sentences about a time that you were afraid.
Underline each subject one time and each verb two times. Check to see that you have used correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Copy your sentences in story form in Creative writing Notebook.
Joshua's completed story:
"One day, I was scared. All the lights and electronics were shut off. We couldn't heat up our food, we couldn't heat up our house.it was boring because we couldn't watch any movies. It was very cold in the house. We had to put on blankets. In a few hours the lights turned on."
Mad Libs: Review Parts of Speech
Mad lib:
Reading time: The Magic Tree House series #22: Revolutionary War on Wednesday
History Lesson in 3rd Grade reader/ Quiz on Constitution
Levi's school day:
Levi: "Mom, you know bees kill humans."
Videos on bees: Josh watches too
Great Website: www.kinderplans.com
Honey Bees - Life Cycle
Honey Making(the song on here is a bit annoying...we turned down the volume)
They use a centrifuge to extract the honey.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Cool video of butterfly metamorphosis
Levi : "I'm interested in wolves!"
* find books on wolves when we return library books
*Review Numbers 1 -40 (count on 1-100 chart)
*Levi's Kindergarten Basic skills work book:
*Trace and Write Zero then the word zero
*Review concept of zero/ How many things do I have in my (empty) hand? zero
*Review subtraction with pieces of candy( after lunch)
subtract to get zero
*Review Letters in Alphabetical Order with Connect the Dots
Reading: Abeka/Little Book #6 with the monkeys
Review sounds and letters: Pp Ii Ff Aa Hh Oo Ee Bb Uu Gg Ll Cc
read words and blends
lo
log
lot
loss
Cc
ca
cap
cat
cab
sentence:
Fill it up, Cal.
New word: Dictate
Sentence: Joshua dictates his dreams to me.
Three dreams recorded successfully and posted.
Josh and I watch Les Shroud Survivorman: Canyonland Utah
Josh takes a minute to find it on the map.
Joshua says "My idea was a suquest."
No honey, your idea was a success.
New word and use: Success
How do you spell success? success
That's right, use it in a new sentence:
"My brain lamer is a success!"
Good, what's that from?
It's from Super Mario cartoons
OK...let's get back to Mr. Stroud...
Use video as spring board to teach survival science:
*5 W's to gage odds of survival:
Wood: for shelter and fire
Weather: right conditions?
Widow Makers: falling things, animals
Wigglies: poisonous insects, eatable insects
Water: major player for survival
survivor tip: Use what you have, don't sit idle. (Life lesson)
*What does the cowboy term "ledged in" mean?
Up too high from water. You could climb down but not climb up. To be stuck high on a ledge.
*Who are Butch Cassidy, the Paiute and the Anastasie?
*Utah and it's capitol as well as terrain or topography.
Topography: "is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those of planets, moons, and asteroids. It is also the description of such surface shapes and features (especially their depiction in maps)." (Wikipedia)
*Survival tip: We must be aware of our surroundings in order to build a home. Les has to research the area in which he intends to survive and film, so that he understands the dangers therein. He prepares himself.
Look up Utah in States and Capitals Notebook.
Complete penmanship and character page.
School Skills:
#Have Joshua take notes next time we watch Survivor Man so that he can answer Q's at the end of the video.
Make this a common occurrence to establish good note taking skills.#
Math: Review averaging, mixed numbers and fractions. Complete Work page in Arithmetic Work book Grade Four.
Converting Kilometers to feet:
Les Stroud hiked 48 km's.
How many feet or miles is that?
*Language/ Creative Writing: Using Proof Reading Skills
Write 5 sentences about a time that you were afraid.
Underline each subject one time and each verb two times. Check to see that you have used correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Copy your sentences in story form in Creative writing Notebook.
Joshua's completed story:
"One day, I was scared. All the lights and electronics were shut off. We couldn't heat up our food, we couldn't heat up our house.it was boring because we couldn't watch any movies. It was very cold in the house. We had to put on blankets. In a few hours the lights turned on."
Mad Libs: Review Parts of Speech
Mad lib:
Reading time: The Magic Tree House series #22: Revolutionary War on Wednesday
History Lesson in 3rd Grade reader/ Quiz on Constitution
Levi's school day:
Levi: "Mom, you know bees kill humans."
Videos on bees: Josh watches too
Great Website: www.kinderplans.com
Honey Bees - Life Cycle
Honey Making(the song on here is a bit annoying...we turned down the volume)
They use a centrifuge to extract the honey.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Cool video of butterfly metamorphosis
Levi : "I'm interested in wolves!"
* find books on wolves when we return library books
*Review Numbers 1 -40 (count on 1-100 chart)
*Levi's Kindergarten Basic skills work book:
*Trace and Write Zero then the word zero
*Review concept of zero/ How many things do I have in my (empty) hand? zero
*Review subtraction with pieces of candy( after lunch)
subtract to get zero
*Review Letters in Alphabetical Order with Connect the Dots
Reading: Abeka/Little Book #6 with the monkeys
Review sounds and letters: Pp Ii Ff Aa Hh Oo Ee Bb Uu Gg Ll Cc
read words and blends
lo
log
lot
loss
Cc
ca
cap
cat
cab
sentence:
Fill it up, Cal.
Josh's very short scary dream
One day I went outside with a rifle
I saw ten million zombies coming into the court
I was so terrified I peed in my pants
Then! I shot a couple of zombies and ran inside the house
Then the zombies broke down the door and they ripped my veins out and chewed on them like speghetti
The end.
This is the end... this is the end...
P. S. I was a military soldier.
I saw ten million zombies coming into the court
I was so terrified I peed in my pants
Then! I shot a couple of zombies and ran inside the house
Then the zombies broke down the door and they ripped my veins out and chewed on them like speghetti
The end.
This is the end... this is the end...
P. S. I was a military soldier.
Joshua's Dream #1/ Joshua's Wedding
Joshua's dream, typed by mom (word for word): (He'd kill me if he knew I posted this)
One day I went to a school.. no this is how it really started I went to a school when I was done I went to my locker. This karate girl said I'm going to come over to your house tomorrow. and I said : "Really?" and she said Yes! :)
And I said OK, well, see you tomorrow I guess.
Dad picked me up and I asked him if a girl was coming over to our house tomorrow.
He said yes.
When I got home I went to bed.
and mom said "You have a long day tomorrow! Goodnight!" and I said "good night!?"
I woke up the next morning (I'm still in my dream mom, as soon I closed my eyes I snapped open to my dream.) I put on my robe and you said that someone was waiting the back yard for me. I got some clothes on and went out the back door.
I saw a wedding group (party). All of a sudden I had husband clothes on(you mean groomsmen clothes)
You know what happens next....(What does happen next?)
You know...The "i do's..."
If your wondering what happens next.. I scream and run to the front door. And I went inside and I slammed it. and I was panicking. And Mom said what's the matter josh? I said, "I'm a husband now!" and I ran to my bed and shoved all the covers on me. And then I woke up.
P.S. I really liked that kiss. :D
One day I went to a school.. no this is how it really started I went to a school when I was done I went to my locker. This karate girl said I'm going to come over to your house tomorrow. and I said : "Really?" and she said Yes! :)
And I said OK, well, see you tomorrow I guess.
Dad picked me up and I asked him if a girl was coming over to our house tomorrow.
He said yes.
When I got home I went to bed.
and mom said "You have a long day tomorrow! Goodnight!" and I said "good night!?"
I woke up the next morning (I'm still in my dream mom, as soon I closed my eyes I snapped open to my dream.) I put on my robe and you said that someone was waiting the back yard for me. I got some clothes on and went out the back door.
I saw a wedding group (party). All of a sudden I had husband clothes on(you mean groomsmen clothes)
You know what happens next....(What does happen next?)
You know...The "i do's..."
If your wondering what happens next.. I scream and run to the front door. And I went inside and I slammed it. and I was panicking. And Mom said what's the matter josh? I said, "I'm a husband now!" and I ran to my bed and shoved all the covers on me. And then I woke up.
P.S. I really liked that kiss. :D
Josh'a Dream/ The fox prince claims his bride...
One day I woke up, as a fox prince.
I was 14 years old.
I went to my Dad. I asked him if I could go outside and play, but I lied. I wasn't going outside to play. I really wanted to go find a girlfriend. So... I went through the forest. One guard spotted me and He told the King. The soldiers went out into the forest looking for me. I hid behind a big rock.I saw civilization, I sat there and thought for a minute and considered going into the castle at the other side of the woods. I asked a bird, where is the other castle, the fox castle? Everybody was pretty much a fox in the kingdom. The birds had no castle. There castles were the trees. Just the foxes were able to go into the kingdom among the humans.
As I thought, I cleaned my rust colored coat.
So, I went to the other kingdom and they said I could stay there for a little while. I stayed for a couple days and then went out in search of another town. I was still on the hunt for a female fox. I wasn't sure why, but I felt I needed to for my happiness. mY father was going to die today and i felt i needed to find a queen to help me in my succession.
I don't think these humans were used to being around foxes that talked. Many were uncomfortable even though they knew many of us could talk.
So I went to a small town were they allowed ships to come into port to be fixed. It was a vibrant town, with good economy and beautiful homes. I went to court and stumbled upon a beautiful auburn colored female fox. She looked perfect for me.
It didn't take too long to see that she had a boyfriend. He was dark, brick red, and muscular. He walked from the main building into the court where she stood. He looked furious at me , probably because by this time I had sauntered over and started speaking with her. Walking towards us, I could hear him challenge me to a wrestling match.
"Brawn against brawn, skill against skill!" he shouted.
Immediately he pounced and caught his sharp claws into left arm. I swung at him with my right paw and clawed him in the cheek. He yelped and kicked me hard with his back legs and I flew into a flag pole that stood 5 feet away. I regained my stance and lunged at him and tried to aim for his beady eyes. I clumsily swung and missed and he knocked me hard against the cobbles. I stood to my feet while he chided and berated me and I could see from the corner of my eye that the beautiful girl fox was quickly losing interest as well as good temper and to ensure another wonderful conversation with her I summoned all my strength and bulldozed the larger fox to the ground knocking him out cold.
What does every princess do when a hero wins the battle? She ran over and kissed me.. And said I have been waiting for a strong smart fox prince like yourself! I told her I have been searching for a princess just like her. Now lets return to the castle because my father is going to die and he intends to put the kingdom in our care.
The end.
I was 14 years old.
I went to my Dad. I asked him if I could go outside and play, but I lied. I wasn't going outside to play. I really wanted to go find a girlfriend. So... I went through the forest. One guard spotted me and He told the King. The soldiers went out into the forest looking for me. I hid behind a big rock.I saw civilization, I sat there and thought for a minute and considered going into the castle at the other side of the woods. I asked a bird, where is the other castle, the fox castle? Everybody was pretty much a fox in the kingdom. The birds had no castle. There castles were the trees. Just the foxes were able to go into the kingdom among the humans.
As I thought, I cleaned my rust colored coat.
So, I went to the other kingdom and they said I could stay there for a little while. I stayed for a couple days and then went out in search of another town. I was still on the hunt for a female fox. I wasn't sure why, but I felt I needed to for my happiness. mY father was going to die today and i felt i needed to find a queen to help me in my succession.
I don't think these humans were used to being around foxes that talked. Many were uncomfortable even though they knew many of us could talk.
So I went to a small town were they allowed ships to come into port to be fixed. It was a vibrant town, with good economy and beautiful homes. I went to court and stumbled upon a beautiful auburn colored female fox. She looked perfect for me.
It didn't take too long to see that she had a boyfriend. He was dark, brick red, and muscular. He walked from the main building into the court where she stood. He looked furious at me , probably because by this time I had sauntered over and started speaking with her. Walking towards us, I could hear him challenge me to a wrestling match.
"Brawn against brawn, skill against skill!" he shouted.
Immediately he pounced and caught his sharp claws into left arm. I swung at him with my right paw and clawed him in the cheek. He yelped and kicked me hard with his back legs and I flew into a flag pole that stood 5 feet away. I regained my stance and lunged at him and tried to aim for his beady eyes. I clumsily swung and missed and he knocked me hard against the cobbles. I stood to my feet while he chided and berated me and I could see from the corner of my eye that the beautiful girl fox was quickly losing interest as well as good temper and to ensure another wonderful conversation with her I summoned all my strength and bulldozed the larger fox to the ground knocking him out cold.
What does every princess do when a hero wins the battle? She ran over and kissed me.. And said I have been waiting for a strong smart fox prince like yourself! I told her I have been searching for a princess just like her. Now lets return to the castle because my father is going to die and he intends to put the kingdom in our care.
The end.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Teaching Day / February 6th 2010
It's Friday morning and I wake up feeling overwhelmed.
I've been working at the restaurant for days and I intend to take advantage of my break; to write, clean, organize and round out my school time with the boys. The laundry needs to be folded and sorted and the clutter is really starting to get to me.
On top of this, there is a possibility that my friend Sara and her boys are coming over today for a much needed play date and I would really like things a little more put together. Thank God I went to the grocery store yesterday...
I've put the house on hold because I've been working more to help pay down our credit card bills. Mostly unnecessary retail therapy, but $400 should be paid down fairly easy. I gave my credit cards over to Scott so that I wouldn't be tempted again. It's hard to turn down spending, what appears to be, free money. Sometimes you're bored and you want to get a pretty new thing or buy someone a present on the strange months when it seems like everyone is having a birthday and you just don't have the money to buy even ONE present. No more. I'll pay them off and and keep them open for credit purposes only. If I have birthdays on the way I'll set aside money before hand. No brain-er right?
Right now, I'm relying on my school books to set a standard of curricula. On my work days, I've given Josh assignments to complete and he's been quite responsible but I still want to be part of the learning process. I feel out of touch and time constrained when I have to plan work in the mix.
It's not totally bad but i know it IS boring for Josh.
What I really want to do is explore Joshua's interests and have him learn semi-untethered to any specific curricula. Math and Writing being the concrete subjects, I think there is a wide margin of exploration when it comes to everything else. I'm not the smartest person in the world but I know my interests and I know how to research and teach myself and I'd like to encourage those basic skills in Joshua and Levi, that way they can be life long learners. I think Reading and writing will have to be the key while I can't be there to monitor their progression.
Thus far their interests and abilities are making themselves known.
Josh is nine years old now, going on ten in April.
He has a greater grasp of whats important. He 's learning to be considerate, responsible, and to set priorities and he also understands that Momma needs help too at times. Our relationship is getting closer and the lines of genuine effective communication are open. I use to get irritated and just say, "Because I said so" won't work with smart boys like mine. I explained to him today that I get impatient with him sometimes because I see all the work we have to do for the school year and I get overwhelmed when he takes entirely too long getting his work done or when he tries to get out of it altogether.
I showed him his math book and all the work pages in it to re-emphasize how much material must be covered for his fourth grade year. I told him that the necessity of the repetitive exercises, are to keep the information fresh in his mind so that he doesn't lose it. He says he won't lose it and already knows how to do everything on the current page. I told him that if he can get 100% on his work page, I will skip all pages with the same type of problems and we'll move on to something new, with only a little review now and then of the previous material.
He liked that idea but it turns out he needed a refresher and I reiterated the importance of doing your work carefully and knowing the material.
My Little Engineer:
Lately Josh is making it more certain in my mind that he has a gift for engineering, just like my Dad. My Dad is an electrical engineer and testifies that Joshua is definitely mechanically inclined.
Later in the day we were talking about Bush Gardens and the Swings that spin in a circle high over the roof tops. He was imagining a big screw going through the middle of the swing machine that allowed it to wind up and down and spin at the same time.
Lately, my Ma in Law told me that at the boy's last sleep over with her, Josh set up a metal frame for the air mattress they were to sleep on, in 5 minutes flat. She just handed him the parts and instructions. Lego's, one of Josh's favorite toys, has more than brought out his aptitude for reading diagrams and following directions. He also has an interest in warfare tactics and cooking. We recently looked up soldier rankings so he could understand the different levels of command. The Internet is so great for answering spur of the moment questions, and aren't most that way? It's the answering of them that we can't be lazy about. I encourage Josh to get up and go to the computer when these golden opportunities for learning pop up.
Levi is also very detail oriented, tactile, smart and hilarious. He's turning into a little man and sometimes I can tell that he shirks responsibility but I'm encouraging him to make the transition now. He has to. Josh was getting irritated by the fact that Levi wasn't held accountable to reasonable expectations. Josh has been a big clue as to Levi's big boy potential. Josh was starting to get resentful of Levi and I, because I wouldn't expect my baby to do much more. Now they have equal share in the cleaning and it's solved a lot of discord as well as brought a lot of Levi's new development to light.
Levi still has some baby like cuddly features though. He'll take his "night night " and rub the satin corners between his toes and I have to discourage him from sucking his thumb every now and then but all in all he's proving to do well in school and has a desire to read. He's picked up on the phonics curricula I have through A Becka, very easily.
So here's my day with a lot of flexibility for exploration and discussion. I usually wait for the kids to kick it off, who, are always on the search for some kind of amusement:
After breakfast, Levi, (my 5 year old) starts some knock knock jokes that don't make any sense:
"Knock Knock" who's there?
"Banana" banana who?
"Bananas aren't you glad say banana?" actual quote
(Note to self: I've been checked out so long, I need to correct this sloppy speaking.)
I ask my oldest to say the whole joke so that Levi can repeat it correctly.
Josh does well, maybe a little to many banana scenarios but he nails it. He's getting so much better verbalizing his thoughts. I had to tell him to take it slow and use as many words as possible.
We'll have to practice some more but I think Levi understood how the joke was supposed to go and I gave him a quick version and let him know the punch line: "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"
Levi: Big Smile
This is an easy joke to start memorization skills in young ones, besides using poetry and song. A funny joke book for kids will make memorization fun. Many provide limericks and tongue twisters as well. :)
The furnace in the hallway cuts on and the boys run to it to get toasty.
10:00 am
Josh sits down at the kitchen table and starts his Math page:
Subtracting Fractions with Common Denominators, Word Problems, Long Division, and Writing Remainders as Fractions. (A part of the 4Th grade A Becka work text)
He needed a little review on writing remainders as fractions, and he needed a little help with the word problems but he did very well over all. Math is one of his strong suits. The Abeka Arithmetic Curriculum make it very easy to teach.
Levi and I were sitting on the couch and cuddle ready. We have "night night" his little teddy bear blanket with the blue satin trim. Lately I've been using night night as a teaching tool. A puppet if you will, with his very own voice and personality. Sometimes he can be hilarious but other times he can be all business, but he's a soft teacher and knows that Levi is a very smart little boy. Levi seems to be more relaxed and willing to play school time with night night instead of me, but with night night, we found that Levi can not only count to 30 but he can count to 70 on the number chart, with no help from night night and me. He seems to want to impress night night and considers him a companion. I've used him to keep Levi company while he does his school papers and it can be really fun. I don't let night night "wake up" until we start school, so it really is a treat when it's school time.
I've been working at the restaurant for days and I intend to take advantage of my break; to write, clean, organize and round out my school time with the boys. The laundry needs to be folded and sorted and the clutter is really starting to get to me.
On top of this, there is a possibility that my friend Sara and her boys are coming over today for a much needed play date and I would really like things a little more put together. Thank God I went to the grocery store yesterday...
I've put the house on hold because I've been working more to help pay down our credit card bills. Mostly unnecessary retail therapy, but $400 should be paid down fairly easy. I gave my credit cards over to Scott so that I wouldn't be tempted again. It's hard to turn down spending, what appears to be, free money. Sometimes you're bored and you want to get a pretty new thing or buy someone a present on the strange months when it seems like everyone is having a birthday and you just don't have the money to buy even ONE present. No more. I'll pay them off and and keep them open for credit purposes only. If I have birthdays on the way I'll set aside money before hand. No brain-er right?
Right now, I'm relying on my school books to set a standard of curricula. On my work days, I've given Josh assignments to complete and he's been quite responsible but I still want to be part of the learning process. I feel out of touch and time constrained when I have to plan work in the mix.
It's not totally bad but i know it IS boring for Josh.
What I really want to do is explore Joshua's interests and have him learn semi-untethered to any specific curricula. Math and Writing being the concrete subjects, I think there is a wide margin of exploration when it comes to everything else. I'm not the smartest person in the world but I know my interests and I know how to research and teach myself and I'd like to encourage those basic skills in Joshua and Levi, that way they can be life long learners. I think Reading and writing will have to be the key while I can't be there to monitor their progression.
Thus far their interests and abilities are making themselves known.
Josh is nine years old now, going on ten in April.
He has a greater grasp of whats important. He 's learning to be considerate, responsible, and to set priorities and he also understands that Momma needs help too at times. Our relationship is getting closer and the lines of genuine effective communication are open. I use to get irritated and just say, "Because I said so" won't work with smart boys like mine. I explained to him today that I get impatient with him sometimes because I see all the work we have to do for the school year and I get overwhelmed when he takes entirely too long getting his work done or when he tries to get out of it altogether.
I showed him his math book and all the work pages in it to re-emphasize how much material must be covered for his fourth grade year. I told him that the necessity of the repetitive exercises, are to keep the information fresh in his mind so that he doesn't lose it. He says he won't lose it and already knows how to do everything on the current page. I told him that if he can get 100% on his work page, I will skip all pages with the same type of problems and we'll move on to something new, with only a little review now and then of the previous material.
He liked that idea but it turns out he needed a refresher and I reiterated the importance of doing your work carefully and knowing the material.
My Little Engineer:
Lately Josh is making it more certain in my mind that he has a gift for engineering, just like my Dad. My Dad is an electrical engineer and testifies that Joshua is definitely mechanically inclined.
Later in the day we were talking about Bush Gardens and the Swings that spin in a circle high over the roof tops. He was imagining a big screw going through the middle of the swing machine that allowed it to wind up and down and spin at the same time.
Lately, my Ma in Law told me that at the boy's last sleep over with her, Josh set up a metal frame for the air mattress they were to sleep on, in 5 minutes flat. She just handed him the parts and instructions. Lego's, one of Josh's favorite toys, has more than brought out his aptitude for reading diagrams and following directions. He also has an interest in warfare tactics and cooking. We recently looked up soldier rankings so he could understand the different levels of command. The Internet is so great for answering spur of the moment questions, and aren't most that way? It's the answering of them that we can't be lazy about. I encourage Josh to get up and go to the computer when these golden opportunities for learning pop up.
Levi is also very detail oriented, tactile, smart and hilarious. He's turning into a little man and sometimes I can tell that he shirks responsibility but I'm encouraging him to make the transition now. He has to. Josh was getting irritated by the fact that Levi wasn't held accountable to reasonable expectations. Josh has been a big clue as to Levi's big boy potential. Josh was starting to get resentful of Levi and I, because I wouldn't expect my baby to do much more. Now they have equal share in the cleaning and it's solved a lot of discord as well as brought a lot of Levi's new development to light.
Levi still has some baby like cuddly features though. He'll take his "night night " and rub the satin corners between his toes and I have to discourage him from sucking his thumb every now and then but all in all he's proving to do well in school and has a desire to read. He's picked up on the phonics curricula I have through A Becka, very easily.
So here's my day with a lot of flexibility for exploration and discussion. I usually wait for the kids to kick it off, who, are always on the search for some kind of amusement:
After breakfast, Levi, (my 5 year old) starts some knock knock jokes that don't make any sense:
"Knock Knock" who's there?
"Banana" banana who?
"Bananas aren't you glad say banana?" actual quote
(Note to self: I've been checked out so long, I need to correct this sloppy speaking.)
I ask my oldest to say the whole joke so that Levi can repeat it correctly.
Josh does well, maybe a little to many banana scenarios but he nails it. He's getting so much better verbalizing his thoughts. I had to tell him to take it slow and use as many words as possible.
We'll have to practice some more but I think Levi understood how the joke was supposed to go and I gave him a quick version and let him know the punch line: "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"
Levi: Big Smile
This is an easy joke to start memorization skills in young ones, besides using poetry and song. A funny joke book for kids will make memorization fun. Many provide limericks and tongue twisters as well. :)
The furnace in the hallway cuts on and the boys run to it to get toasty.
10:00 am
Josh sits down at the kitchen table and starts his Math page:
Subtracting Fractions with Common Denominators, Word Problems, Long Division, and Writing Remainders as Fractions. (A part of the 4Th grade A Becka work text)
He needed a little review on writing remainders as fractions, and he needed a little help with the word problems but he did very well over all. Math is one of his strong suits. The Abeka Arithmetic Curriculum make it very easy to teach.
Levi and I were sitting on the couch and cuddle ready. We have "night night" his little teddy bear blanket with the blue satin trim. Lately I've been using night night as a teaching tool. A puppet if you will, with his very own voice and personality. Sometimes he can be hilarious but other times he can be all business, but he's a soft teacher and knows that Levi is a very smart little boy. Levi seems to be more relaxed and willing to play school time with night night instead of me, but with night night, we found that Levi can not only count to 30 but he can count to 70 on the number chart, with no help from night night and me. He seems to want to impress night night and considers him a companion. I've used him to keep Levi company while he does his school papers and it can be really fun. I don't let night night "wake up" until we start school, so it really is a treat when it's school time.
