Every year I write a letter detailing what we did for the year, mostly so someday my children will remember, so this year I'm doing it again. I was going to print it out and put it in all my cards, but I ran out of ink and decided this way is more friendly for the environment. So, here's a quick recap of our year. Since this is public domain I will refer to my children by their awesome nicknames. My oldest daughter we call Pumpkin, my second daughter is Angel, my oldest son is Sunshine, and my youngest son is Yoda. There are reasons for all their nicknames, but that's not the point here.
We started the year with hockey for Pumpkin and Sunshine, then we went skiing. It was fun to get to ski with my three oldest, they are getting really good. Then we had a dance show where my Angel was stunning in jazz and ballet, then she got to dance with sister in a tap number. The end of March we loaded up the RV and drove to the East Coast. We had a blast at the ocean and visiting with family. We saw many historic sights and the children loved picking up some junior ranger badges.
We came home to a busy summer full of gardening and swimming lessons. We managed to do summer hockey of course and some school. We finished the summer with a trip to Washington state to visit family. We got to fish in Yellowstone Park and the children added to their junior ranger badges on the way home.
September was calm but we had to start some serious school. Pumpkin started third grade, reading is her favorite subject. Angel started second grade and really enjoys writing short stories. She got to start real art classes, she has some real talent. Sunshine decided he was ready for kindergarten, mostly because he wants to learn to read, although math is still really fun. Yoda is learning his colors, he likes yellow.
October brought family visits, balloons, and hockey of course. November we played and watched lots of hockey, more family visits, and Angel played an angel in A Christmas Carol. December started with hockey and ice skating in the backyard.
We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year.
God Bless.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
How to have the PERFECT Christmas
I was talking with my mother and she reminded me of something important, so I'm writing about it so you can remember too.
I've been seeing all these posts and ideas about how to have the perfect Christmas so I thought I would help you decipher them all too. Then, after you read all the suggestions and you read the responses where people try to make you feel better by giving examples of how they aren't perfect you can remember this helpful guide. We are not all perfect but that is part of Christmas so here's what you do. First, think back to your favorite Christmas experiences. Ok, now really do it. Now, answer the following five questions honestly.
1. Was the house perfectly clean?
2. Was the turkey or ham or whatever you ate absolutely perfect?
3. Was the centerpiece at the table Martha Stewart worthy?
4. Did everyone get exactly the correct and appropriate present?
5. Was every lightbulb on the tree working and in perfect placement?
If you answered, "I don't know." or "I don't remember." or "no." to any or all of these questions then you will realize that the perfect Christmas has nothing to do with the house, the food, or the decor. It has to do with what you do with whom. I find that my favorite Christmas times were all spent with people I love, but sometimes get frustrated with, and people who love me, and sometimes get frustrated with me. It is most important this time of year to remember that Christmas is not about being perfect or cleaning the house. So, go enjoy your perfect Christmas.
I've been seeing all these posts and ideas about how to have the perfect Christmas so I thought I would help you decipher them all too. Then, after you read all the suggestions and you read the responses where people try to make you feel better by giving examples of how they aren't perfect you can remember this helpful guide. We are not all perfect but that is part of Christmas so here's what you do. First, think back to your favorite Christmas experiences. Ok, now really do it. Now, answer the following five questions honestly.
1. Was the house perfectly clean?
2. Was the turkey or ham or whatever you ate absolutely perfect?
3. Was the centerpiece at the table Martha Stewart worthy?
4. Did everyone get exactly the correct and appropriate present?
5. Was every lightbulb on the tree working and in perfect placement?
If you answered, "I don't know." or "I don't remember." or "no." to any or all of these questions then you will realize that the perfect Christmas has nothing to do with the house, the food, or the decor. It has to do with what you do with whom. I find that my favorite Christmas times were all spent with people I love, but sometimes get frustrated with, and people who love me, and sometimes get frustrated with me. It is most important this time of year to remember that Christmas is not about being perfect or cleaning the house. So, go enjoy your perfect Christmas.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Holiday Magic is Nothing Compared to Everyday Magic
I hear a lot of people talking about the magic of the season about this time of year. It's great that people like to be happy in the winter and they should see miracles as magic, but they are neglecting the everyday magic that is all around. There are magical things that occur on a daily basis, and you don't have to wait for December. Here are some examples.
1. Lists. Shopping lists are especially magical, but any list has the potential for magic. Have you noticed how they disappear most when you are really frazzled and can't remember anything? They will also go missing on the days that you go shopping for last minute things because the store will be closed the next day. I find that I also lose lists the day before I take my car to the repair shop and have planned to stay home for several days. Lists have this magical power to remind us that what we think is so important is not actually that important.
2. Dishes. We have all had a day where we get up to an empty sink, eat breakfast, do the dishes, eat lunch and dinner out or at a friend's house, then when we get ready for bed the sink is full of dirty dishes. Why? I'll tell you, it's magic. That's the only thing that makes sense and you know it.
3. Chocolate. Everyone thinks chocolate is magic because it's so yummy, but it actually has telepathic powers. How else would your husband find the last two bites of the chocolate bar that you hid for yourself to eat after dinner? Think it through, he's always asking you where he's put his things and yet he can find your chocolate.
4. Goat heads. Those of you who do not live in the desert southwest you might know these hideous things. They look like this.
They don't look magical you say, and you are right, they look terrible. They are actually magic. There is no other way to explain why, after you've had a tractor remove the top foot of dirt from your yard, you can walk through the yard and still step on these things. As for trying to keep them out of your children's shoes, good luck with that. They stick better than brand new velcro, to everything. If you've ever stepped on a lego with bare feet you can begin to imagine what it might feel like to step on these. They are so magical that when you step on them in the dark with bare feet you will always be carrying something heavy, like a sleeping child, and you will be as far as possible from somewhere to sit down. FACT.
5. Socks. They are magical items. There is a reason Harry gave Dobby a sock. Ever put six socks in the washer? Take them out, put them in the dryer and when the dryer buzzes, how many socks are in the dryer? That's right, five. Why? Here's the real answer. Whenever someone in the magical world needs something it gets transfigured from a sock. The dryer is the place where the magical world gets socks because the warm socks are easier to transfigure. So, don't bother looking for lost socks, you will never find them again.
See holiday magic is just silly after you realize that there's magic all around you, all the time.
1. Lists. Shopping lists are especially magical, but any list has the potential for magic. Have you noticed how they disappear most when you are really frazzled and can't remember anything? They will also go missing on the days that you go shopping for last minute things because the store will be closed the next day. I find that I also lose lists the day before I take my car to the repair shop and have planned to stay home for several days. Lists have this magical power to remind us that what we think is so important is not actually that important.
2. Dishes. We have all had a day where we get up to an empty sink, eat breakfast, do the dishes, eat lunch and dinner out or at a friend's house, then when we get ready for bed the sink is full of dirty dishes. Why? I'll tell you, it's magic. That's the only thing that makes sense and you know it.
3. Chocolate. Everyone thinks chocolate is magic because it's so yummy, but it actually has telepathic powers. How else would your husband find the last two bites of the chocolate bar that you hid for yourself to eat after dinner? Think it through, he's always asking you where he's put his things and yet he can find your chocolate.
4. Goat heads. Those of you who do not live in the desert southwest you might know these hideous things. They look like this.
They don't look magical you say, and you are right, they look terrible. They are actually magic. There is no other way to explain why, after you've had a tractor remove the top foot of dirt from your yard, you can walk through the yard and still step on these things. As for trying to keep them out of your children's shoes, good luck with that. They stick better than brand new velcro, to everything. If you've ever stepped on a lego with bare feet you can begin to imagine what it might feel like to step on these. They are so magical that when you step on them in the dark with bare feet you will always be carrying something heavy, like a sleeping child, and you will be as far as possible from somewhere to sit down. FACT.
5. Socks. They are magical items. There is a reason Harry gave Dobby a sock. Ever put six socks in the washer? Take them out, put them in the dryer and when the dryer buzzes, how many socks are in the dryer? That's right, five. Why? Here's the real answer. Whenever someone in the magical world needs something it gets transfigured from a sock. The dryer is the place where the magical world gets socks because the warm socks are easier to transfigure. So, don't bother looking for lost socks, you will never find them again.
See holiday magic is just silly after you realize that there's magic all around you, all the time.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
What I say, and what I mean by it.
Since I've become a Mom I find myself saying things that aren't exactly what I mean. I mostly mean them, but not quite. Here's the secret code to what I say and what I mean.
1. "Oh, Thank you! It's my favorite."
What I mean: "Thank you, I might one day need to eat the pasta on this necklace so I will wear it often, especially when I might be stranded away from a restaurant for an extended length of time. You are my child and I love you."
2. "You have seconds, I'm not that hungry."
What I mean: "If I'm hungry after dinner I can find my own snack, if you are hungry after dinner you will whine and cry until I magically decipher the mystery food you are willing to eat that I am also willing to have you eat ten minutes before bed. So, since you are actually eating this, chow down! Also, you are my husband and I love you."
3. "How many times have I told you?"
What I mean: "I feel as though I've said this before but in my exhausted state I can't remember so if it's more than two or three you better just do what I say because I'm really tired and I want to be done disciplining you so I can go to sleep."
4. "How do I look?"
What I mean: "Is there any glaringly obvious stain that a blind person might notice in some embarrassing location on my clothes? Specifically check for hand prints on my butt please."
5. "I'm sorry I didn't get to that today. I will try again tomorrow."
What I mean: "While I was cleaning the floor for the fourth time in the same location while someone was sitting on my leg I realized that you had asked me to do the one thing that is almost impossible to do with four children in the house. That's right, make a phone call. So, instead of somehow managing to put them all in a padded playpen big enough for an eight year old and somehow making sure that they can't touch each other even though they all apparently have Elastagirl's super powers, I chose to not call the company with voice recognition software that puts me on hold an average of 45 minutes every time I call. Can you please do it? I'll give you a million dollars."
6. "I'll give you a million dollars."
What I mean: "I don't ask for help often, but if I make you laugh you might forget that you don't want to help me and decide that it might be a good idea to help me. Plus if I had a million dollars it would be yours."
7. "Is this clean or dirty?"
What I mean: "I wash the laundry, I fold the laundry, I put the laundry away, I will not also go around the house picking up the dirty laundry. News flash, there is enough dirty laundry in the proper place that I can actually wash two loads a day for about two weeks without looking for more. If you can't put it away, I can't wash it." My children are learning this one.
8. "Dinner is ready."
What I mean: "Set the table, sit down, and prepare to eat. Don't whine and say it's disgusting, don't look at me like I have two heads. EAT THE FOOD I MADE! And, clear your dishes when you are finished, thank you." My children are learning this one too.
9. "I'm going to bed."
What I mean: "I'm tired, I can't do any more tonight. I am falling asleep at the sink and I'm pretty sure I'll be washing these pans again in the morning because they aren't really clean. You can ask me for something but I am not very useful now, I'm going to bed to sleep. Good night my dears." Some people will likely never learn this one.
10. "What were you thinking?"
What I mean: "Wait just a minute while I try to figure out whether to laugh hysterically or cry uncontrollably. I'm not sure which one this warrants. I also know that I have to punish you but basically I have a feeling that the consequences of what you did might be self-limiting. I do remember that I am the parent and as such need to correct your bizarre behavior so wait while I come up with something suitable that isn't too hard to implement."
I'm sure I'll have more as the children grow up, but for now I think I shall document this so that when my children are older and in therapy they can read this and understand what I was trying to tell them.
1. "Oh, Thank you! It's my favorite."
What I mean: "Thank you, I might one day need to eat the pasta on this necklace so I will wear it often, especially when I might be stranded away from a restaurant for an extended length of time. You are my child and I love you."
2. "You have seconds, I'm not that hungry."
What I mean: "If I'm hungry after dinner I can find my own snack, if you are hungry after dinner you will whine and cry until I magically decipher the mystery food you are willing to eat that I am also willing to have you eat ten minutes before bed. So, since you are actually eating this, chow down! Also, you are my husband and I love you."
3. "How many times have I told you?"
What I mean: "I feel as though I've said this before but in my exhausted state I can't remember so if it's more than two or three you better just do what I say because I'm really tired and I want to be done disciplining you so I can go to sleep."
4. "How do I look?"
What I mean: "Is there any glaringly obvious stain that a blind person might notice in some embarrassing location on my clothes? Specifically check for hand prints on my butt please."
5. "I'm sorry I didn't get to that today. I will try again tomorrow."
What I mean: "While I was cleaning the floor for the fourth time in the same location while someone was sitting on my leg I realized that you had asked me to do the one thing that is almost impossible to do with four children in the house. That's right, make a phone call. So, instead of somehow managing to put them all in a padded playpen big enough for an eight year old and somehow making sure that they can't touch each other even though they all apparently have Elastagirl's super powers, I chose to not call the company with voice recognition software that puts me on hold an average of 45 minutes every time I call. Can you please do it? I'll give you a million dollars."
6. "I'll give you a million dollars."
What I mean: "I don't ask for help often, but if I make you laugh you might forget that you don't want to help me and decide that it might be a good idea to help me. Plus if I had a million dollars it would be yours."
7. "Is this clean or dirty?"
What I mean: "I wash the laundry, I fold the laundry, I put the laundry away, I will not also go around the house picking up the dirty laundry. News flash, there is enough dirty laundry in the proper place that I can actually wash two loads a day for about two weeks without looking for more. If you can't put it away, I can't wash it." My children are learning this one.
8. "Dinner is ready."
What I mean: "Set the table, sit down, and prepare to eat. Don't whine and say it's disgusting, don't look at me like I have two heads. EAT THE FOOD I MADE! And, clear your dishes when you are finished, thank you." My children are learning this one too.
9. "I'm going to bed."
What I mean: "I'm tired, I can't do any more tonight. I am falling asleep at the sink and I'm pretty sure I'll be washing these pans again in the morning because they aren't really clean. You can ask me for something but I am not very useful now, I'm going to bed to sleep. Good night my dears." Some people will likely never learn this one.
10. "What were you thinking?"
What I mean: "Wait just a minute while I try to figure out whether to laugh hysterically or cry uncontrollably. I'm not sure which one this warrants. I also know that I have to punish you but basically I have a feeling that the consequences of what you did might be self-limiting. I do remember that I am the parent and as such need to correct your bizarre behavior so wait while I come up with something suitable that isn't too hard to implement."
I'm sure I'll have more as the children grow up, but for now I think I shall document this so that when my children are older and in therapy they can read this and understand what I was trying to tell them.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Things I would have done today if I were still five or six years old
I sometimes wish I'd never grown up. Here are the things I would have done today if I weren't a grown-up.
1. I would have asked to use the cool new pencil, even though my old one still works well.
2. I would have walked right by the pile of laundry to fold, because I would have been imagining I were a fairy princess who wears flower petals instead of clothes.
3. I would have eaten the last slice of pizza, without sharing, because I wanted it.
4. I would have watched the snow flakes fall outside instead of worrying about someone driving in the coming storm.
5. I would have had chocolate milk with dinner.
6. I would have worn my pjs all day because it was cold.
7. I would have drawn pictures on every page of my school work, just to make it prettier.
8. I would have asked for a hug from my Mom, even if I was in the bath and soaking wet.
9. I would have drawn a lady bug on my toe because it belonged there.
10. I would have been excited about using a new toothbrush.
I would have done all these things, so I can't really fault my children for doing them. Sometimes I need to remember that I would do it, if I could, or if I'd thought of it first.
1. I would have asked to use the cool new pencil, even though my old one still works well.
2. I would have walked right by the pile of laundry to fold, because I would have been imagining I were a fairy princess who wears flower petals instead of clothes.
3. I would have eaten the last slice of pizza, without sharing, because I wanted it.
4. I would have watched the snow flakes fall outside instead of worrying about someone driving in the coming storm.
5. I would have had chocolate milk with dinner.
6. I would have worn my pjs all day because it was cold.
7. I would have drawn pictures on every page of my school work, just to make it prettier.
8. I would have asked for a hug from my Mom, even if I was in the bath and soaking wet.
9. I would have drawn a lady bug on my toe because it belonged there.
10. I would have been excited about using a new toothbrush.
I would have done all these things, so I can't really fault my children for doing them. Sometimes I need to remember that I would do it, if I could, or if I'd thought of it first.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Making a phone call
Here is how my husband makes a phone call.
He says something like "I'm making a phone call." Then he goes in a different room or outside and he makes a phone call and he talks to the other person on the phone and he concludes his phone business. He returns to the house and he's happy because he made a phone call.
Here is how I make a phone call.
I say "I need to make a phone call."
At this point any of the following are possible:
I dial the phone, no one answers, I leave a message like this:
"Hi, I'm just calling to see what you wanted to do on Tuesday. NO! I don't want you touching that! So, if you could give me a call back when you get a chance. What! Why did you do that? Now he's bleeding! That would be great."
I dial the phone, the person answers, and I have a conversation like this:
"Hi, what time is the dinner? Can't you see I'm on the phone! Wait a minute. Do you need me to bring anything? Ahh, really? On the floor? Could you send me an email please, I have to go clean the floor before they get hurt."
I call a company with voice recognition software and this happens:
Pleasant lady with superficially always calm voice: "Please tell me why you are calling today."
Calm me: "Billing address"
Pleasant lady: "Did you say balance?"
Calm, slightly annoyed me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Please tell me why you are calling today. You can say, billing, current balance, past balance, or information on new account."
Calm, slightly annoyed, but still hopeful me: "Billing address"
Pleasant lady: "Did you say new account?"
Calm and slightly baffled me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Please tell me why you are calling today."
Calm but getting frustrated me: "Billing address."
Pleasant lady: "Did you say Billing?"
Happy me: "YES!"
Pleasant lady: "Your next billing cycle will begin on November twenty-first. You have a balance of zero dollars. Would you like to hear this information again?"
Frustrated me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Is there something else I can help you with?"
Hopeful me: "Change billing address."
Pleasant lady: "Did you say "Open charge account"?"
Frustrated me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Please try again, is there something else I can help you with today?"
Hopeful me: "Representative."
Pleasant lady: "I'm sorry you are having trouble, is there something I can help you with today?"
Frustrated me: "Representative!"
Pleasant lady: "I am having trouble understanding you. Please try again."
Frustrated but undeterred me: "Representative!"
Pleasant lady: "I can not understand your request, please try again later." Click.
Grumbling me: "Really!?"
My happy, noisy, helpful one-year-old: "Billing, representative."
Amused me: "At least someone understood me."
I decide to do things his way. I take the phone into the garage, I make a phone call. I complete the phone call, having had a lovely conversation, I return to the house. I find everyone running around with yogurt in their hair. I don't want to know so I don't even ask. Everyone takes a bath, I clean the floor. My husband comes home to find a clean floor and clean children. He says "Why did they take baths this afternoon?" I say "I had to make a phone call."
He says something like "I'm making a phone call." Then he goes in a different room or outside and he makes a phone call and he talks to the other person on the phone and he concludes his phone business. He returns to the house and he's happy because he made a phone call.
Here is how I make a phone call.
I say "I need to make a phone call."
At this point any of the following are possible:
I dial the phone, no one answers, I leave a message like this:
"Hi, I'm just calling to see what you wanted to do on Tuesday. NO! I don't want you touching that! So, if you could give me a call back when you get a chance. What! Why did you do that? Now he's bleeding! That would be great."
I dial the phone, the person answers, and I have a conversation like this:
"Hi, what time is the dinner? Can't you see I'm on the phone! Wait a minute. Do you need me to bring anything? Ahh, really? On the floor? Could you send me an email please, I have to go clean the floor before they get hurt."
I call a company with voice recognition software and this happens:
Pleasant lady with superficially always calm voice: "Please tell me why you are calling today."
Calm me: "Billing address"
Pleasant lady: "Did you say balance?"
Calm, slightly annoyed me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Please tell me why you are calling today. You can say, billing, current balance, past balance, or information on new account."
Calm, slightly annoyed, but still hopeful me: "Billing address"
Pleasant lady: "Did you say new account?"
Calm and slightly baffled me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Please tell me why you are calling today."
Calm but getting frustrated me: "Billing address."
Pleasant lady: "Did you say Billing?"
Happy me: "YES!"
Pleasant lady: "Your next billing cycle will begin on November twenty-first. You have a balance of zero dollars. Would you like to hear this information again?"
Frustrated me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Is there something else I can help you with?"
Hopeful me: "Change billing address."
Pleasant lady: "Did you say "Open charge account"?"
Frustrated me: "No."
Pleasant lady: "Please try again, is there something else I can help you with today?"
Hopeful me: "Representative."
Pleasant lady: "I'm sorry you are having trouble, is there something I can help you with today?"
Frustrated me: "Representative!"
Pleasant lady: "I am having trouble understanding you. Please try again."
Frustrated but undeterred me: "Representative!"
Pleasant lady: "I can not understand your request, please try again later." Click.
Grumbling me: "Really!?"
My happy, noisy, helpful one-year-old: "Billing, representative."
Amused me: "At least someone understood me."
I decide to do things his way. I take the phone into the garage, I make a phone call. I complete the phone call, having had a lovely conversation, I return to the house. I find everyone running around with yogurt in their hair. I don't want to know so I don't even ask. Everyone takes a bath, I clean the floor. My husband comes home to find a clean floor and clean children. He says "Why did they take baths this afternoon?" I say "I had to make a phone call."
Friday, November 15, 2013
Super Powers
It seems that every few months we get an illness in the house. I guess it's from the fact that we leave the house and touch things. I guess we have to keep doing this, although lately I am against it. This time it was a short but nasty stomach bug. Every time an illness enters the house we have the same conversation, it goes something like this...
Me: I'm tired.
My husband: Aren't you always tired?
Me: Yes, but now I think I'm ill too.
My husband: Hmm, but can you take care of the little one who is also ill?
Me: Can you help?
My husband: Yes, until there is a mess, I don't have mutant powers to clean up sick messes without also becoming sick. You are Wonder-Cleaning Woman.
Me: Not the super power I would have chosen if I could have chosen a super power.
Luckily this time there were only two little ones making messes at any given time so it was easier to keep things clean than if three or four had been making the messes. It also helped a lot that my husband, who was also ill, helped watch the smallest all day so that I could make sure the rest got where they needed to go. While I was cleaning the house at midnight I thought about some super-powers I would rather have...
1. Elasta-girl, you know you all want this one. So that when I'm sitting on the couch with a crying child I can still reach the ice pack in the freezer, the band-aides, or my caffeine.
2. Time freezing power. Imagine how clean I could make the house if they would just stop for a minute or thirty.
3. Teleportation, not necessarily of myself, although that would be cool too, but of stuff. Imagine you are somewhere and your child says those words "I forgot my..." Poof!! There it is, yeah Mommy! I'm thinking that would rock.
4. Mind reading. Limited of course, there are many people that I interact with and I just don't want to know what they are thinking. My children on the other hand, I want to know what they are thinking before they do something ridiculous. That way maybe I can do a better job of stopping messes before they occur.
5. Super-human strength. I'm thinking of those times when I really only want to make one trip in from the car but I have two sleeping children and four gallons of milk to bring in. If I had super-human strength I could just make one trip and get in bed so much sooner.
Happy super-power dreaming. Which one do you want?
Me: I'm tired.
My husband: Aren't you always tired?
Me: Yes, but now I think I'm ill too.
My husband: Hmm, but can you take care of the little one who is also ill?
Me: Can you help?
My husband: Yes, until there is a mess, I don't have mutant powers to clean up sick messes without also becoming sick. You are Wonder-Cleaning Woman.
Me: Not the super power I would have chosen if I could have chosen a super power.
Luckily this time there were only two little ones making messes at any given time so it was easier to keep things clean than if three or four had been making the messes. It also helped a lot that my husband, who was also ill, helped watch the smallest all day so that I could make sure the rest got where they needed to go. While I was cleaning the house at midnight I thought about some super-powers I would rather have...
1. Elasta-girl, you know you all want this one. So that when I'm sitting on the couch with a crying child I can still reach the ice pack in the freezer, the band-aides, or my caffeine.
2. Time freezing power. Imagine how clean I could make the house if they would just stop for a minute or thirty.
3. Teleportation, not necessarily of myself, although that would be cool too, but of stuff. Imagine you are somewhere and your child says those words "I forgot my..." Poof!! There it is, yeah Mommy! I'm thinking that would rock.
4. Mind reading. Limited of course, there are many people that I interact with and I just don't want to know what they are thinking. My children on the other hand, I want to know what they are thinking before they do something ridiculous. That way maybe I can do a better job of stopping messes before they occur.
5. Super-human strength. I'm thinking of those times when I really only want to make one trip in from the car but I have two sleeping children and four gallons of milk to bring in. If I had super-human strength I could just make one trip and get in bed so much sooner.
Happy super-power dreaming. Which one do you want?
Saturday, November 2, 2013
A New Way to Shop
Lately I've been using my limited computer time, without a lap baby, to shop. My husband and I sat down and budgeted our household purchases and noticed that we were spending lots of time, money, and gasoline to purchase everyday items. I spent about 15 dollars per month just driving to the store to buy things. This doesn't include my time actually buying them, or the pain and suffering I go through to shop with four children, or the incidentals that I have to buy to keep said children from killing each other. As we all know, no mother in human history has entered a Target with the intention of purchasing what is on her list and actually walked out with only what is on her list. It's humanly impossible to do, and if you can do it once, impossible to repeat. With these considerations in mind I started looking at options for obtaining things that we use frequently without leaving my house. I'd done this a few years ago when I was on partial bed rest with my second pregnancy and I found that there weren't many options, everything required huge quantities and the cost of shipping was crazy and I gave up. I wasn't hopeful this time around, but I thought that maybe times had changed so I started looking with hope. I came across Amazon Save and Subscribe. I'm sure that I am way behind the times and that most people have probably looked into this before me as I am not very tech savvy. Here's what I found. I'm sure everyone would see slightly different results because no one buys exactly what I buy but the prices were either slightly more, the same, or WAY less than I pay at the store. The selection of brands and quantities was much better and I found what I used to go to three different stores for in one location. We started our save and subscribe last month and here's why I'm going to keep doing it.
1. It saves me money. I have to pay the $80/year Amazon prime fee but I didn't drive to the store, that's a savings of $8 per month.
2. I don't have to hold my children by the hair while I read labels.
3. No need to wear clean jeans, I can shop in my pj's with a nice cup of tea.
4. There are more brands than two available for an item.
5. The UPS guy delivered my toilet paper to my front door, I didn't have to put it on my cart, put it in my car, and take it to my house.
6. Things come in really big boxes that my children love to play in and then I recycled. It's actually less packaging than if I made more trips to the store and had all those shopping bags.
7. My children can't talk me into buying anything because they don't know I'm shopping.
8. I don't have to talk to people. Yes, I might be slightly anti-social to strangers, they sometimes touch me or my children. I am not ok with that.
9. There are no free samples of food items that I would never actually let my children eat if they couldn't see them.
10. Did I mention that the Amazon website is open all the time, I don't have to waste daylight hours shopping.
All of this took some time to set up and you have to figure out your recurring schedule, that might need adjusting later, but it was worth it. The no shopping for the last few weeks let me spend time keeping my house cleaner and I actually managed to go two days without doing laundry. Also I heard an awesome joke from my second...
Where do cows live?
wait for it,
in Cowafornia!
So, in order to stay sane I'm having most of my groceries, non-perishables of course, delivered to my house by the nice UPS man. My children think it's great, they get new boxes with every delivery. Now to see if I can get rid of some of their other toys...
1. It saves me money. I have to pay the $80/year Amazon prime fee but I didn't drive to the store, that's a savings of $8 per month.
2. I don't have to hold my children by the hair while I read labels.
3. No need to wear clean jeans, I can shop in my pj's with a nice cup of tea.
4. There are more brands than two available for an item.
5. The UPS guy delivered my toilet paper to my front door, I didn't have to put it on my cart, put it in my car, and take it to my house.
6. Things come in really big boxes that my children love to play in and then I recycled. It's actually less packaging than if I made more trips to the store and had all those shopping bags.
7. My children can't talk me into buying anything because they don't know I'm shopping.
8. I don't have to talk to people. Yes, I might be slightly anti-social to strangers, they sometimes touch me or my children. I am not ok with that.
9. There are no free samples of food items that I would never actually let my children eat if they couldn't see them.
10. Did I mention that the Amazon website is open all the time, I don't have to waste daylight hours shopping.
All of this took some time to set up and you have to figure out your recurring schedule, that might need adjusting later, but it was worth it. The no shopping for the last few weeks let me spend time keeping my house cleaner and I actually managed to go two days without doing laundry. Also I heard an awesome joke from my second...
Where do cows live?
wait for it,
in Cowafornia!
So, in order to stay sane I'm having most of my groceries, non-perishables of course, delivered to my house by the nice UPS man. My children think it's great, they get new boxes with every delivery. Now to see if I can get rid of some of their other toys...
Friday, October 25, 2013
Autumn
My children and I were discussing the coming autumn season and I asked them what they liked about it. Here are some of their answers just because you needed to know.
1. I like that it is not so hot so now I can wear my pretty sweater.
2. I like pumpkins.
3. I like to crunch the brown leaves. Can we have a tree with leaves?
4. It means that it's going to snow soon, I want to go skiing.
5. Hockey games are starting.
6. I like that the cockroaches go away.
7. I like Christmas lights.
8. Do you think that the trees feel bad that they are naked?
Now you know, if you were also concerned about the trees' feelings you are not alone. May you enjoy the nice weather wherever you are. I happen to like the cooler weather and the changing leaves and the pumpkin flavored everything. I just never knew my children so agreed with me.
1. I like that it is not so hot so now I can wear my pretty sweater.
2. I like pumpkins.
3. I like to crunch the brown leaves. Can we have a tree with leaves?
4. It means that it's going to snow soon, I want to go skiing.
5. Hockey games are starting.
6. I like that the cockroaches go away.
7. I like Christmas lights.
8. Do you think that the trees feel bad that they are naked?
Now you know, if you were also concerned about the trees' feelings you are not alone. May you enjoy the nice weather wherever you are. I happen to like the cooler weather and the changing leaves and the pumpkin flavored everything. I just never knew my children so agreed with me.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Done today status updates
Now that we are getting near to the holiday season and people are feeling crafty I've been struck by how many of my friends on Facebook are awesome. I mean this in a good way, and most days I read their status updates and think "Wow, you are awesome." but lately I'm getting frustrated. When you read a status update like this:
Wow, what a morning, I saved three baby endangered birds, fed the homeless, and stopped world war three. I finished the laundry, the dishes, and dinner is almost ready, complete with pie and fresh bread I baked myself. Hoping I can win a Nobel Prize this afternoon so that I can use the money to save the baby seals. Smiles!!
You start by thinking, "well good for her, I am so happy people like her exist." You end up thinking "What the @#$%! All I've managed to do today is crawl out of bed and inject myself with caffeine." You've all had this happen, you know you have. Forty years ago you would have had to listen to this lady tell you how wonderful she was over a cup of tea and you could have gotten the satisfaction of at least imagining you could throw your cup of tea in her lap. Today, you have to also watch her pin really cute creative things on her pinterest wall while you try to find the right end of the band aid to open because you tried to cut paper with scissors. Now in all honesty, I am usually very much a do-it-yourself kind of person, I try to be handy and I like to build things and make things. In all reality though, I have a long list each day that I only occasionally finish, so I want to share with you my new response to these posts. It will help you remain calm and sane. You don't have to share it with others or even let them know you are doing it but it will help. When you see that one of your awesome friends has solved world hunger in less than an hour choose one of these status updates that you've totally accomplished, you can post them in your status, or just know that you did something important.
Here they are,
1. I fed people today, they ate it, and it was good.
2. Someone learned something because of me.
3. No one needed a band-aid or a trip to ER, because I intervened.
4. I found the funny in what someone else was saying and I enjoyed it.
5. I didn't finish the dishes because we finished reading the book together.
6. I stopped folding the laundry so that I could color a picture with my growing up too fast child. Yes, the horse was blue and green, those are nice colors too.
7. I won the tickle fight! (This one usually requires an exclamation point.)
8. I had lunch on a blanket with a stuffed animal in a dress, I don't know which was yummier, the sandwich I imagined was mermaid food or the water that I pretended was honey and milk because that's what the unicorns drink.
9. I wrote down what my cuties said today so that when they are gone tomorrow I can remember how they once were and remind them of the dreams they once dreamed. That way when life discourages them I can lift them up a little.
10. I laughed.
11. I totally enjoyed my dessert.
12. I fought entropy! (You might lose, but never stop fighting and calling it by it's true name helps too.)
13. I spent time noticing something natural growing around me.
14. I completely thought about spending time exercising.
15. I fell asleep after kissing my happy, healthy, slightly smudged children who still let me hug them goodnight.
If you do some of these every day, then when you see a new post from your friend you can post one of your own. Now, go forth and accomplish!
Wow, what a morning, I saved three baby endangered birds, fed the homeless, and stopped world war three. I finished the laundry, the dishes, and dinner is almost ready, complete with pie and fresh bread I baked myself. Hoping I can win a Nobel Prize this afternoon so that I can use the money to save the baby seals. Smiles!!
You start by thinking, "well good for her, I am so happy people like her exist." You end up thinking "What the @#$%! All I've managed to do today is crawl out of bed and inject myself with caffeine." You've all had this happen, you know you have. Forty years ago you would have had to listen to this lady tell you how wonderful she was over a cup of tea and you could have gotten the satisfaction of at least imagining you could throw your cup of tea in her lap. Today, you have to also watch her pin really cute creative things on her pinterest wall while you try to find the right end of the band aid to open because you tried to cut paper with scissors. Now in all honesty, I am usually very much a do-it-yourself kind of person, I try to be handy and I like to build things and make things. In all reality though, I have a long list each day that I only occasionally finish, so I want to share with you my new response to these posts. It will help you remain calm and sane. You don't have to share it with others or even let them know you are doing it but it will help. When you see that one of your awesome friends has solved world hunger in less than an hour choose one of these status updates that you've totally accomplished, you can post them in your status, or just know that you did something important.
Here they are,
1. I fed people today, they ate it, and it was good.
2. Someone learned something because of me.
3. No one needed a band-aid or a trip to ER, because I intervened.
4. I found the funny in what someone else was saying and I enjoyed it.
5. I didn't finish the dishes because we finished reading the book together.
6. I stopped folding the laundry so that I could color a picture with my growing up too fast child. Yes, the horse was blue and green, those are nice colors too.
7. I won the tickle fight! (This one usually requires an exclamation point.)
8. I had lunch on a blanket with a stuffed animal in a dress, I don't know which was yummier, the sandwich I imagined was mermaid food or the water that I pretended was honey and milk because that's what the unicorns drink.
9. I wrote down what my cuties said today so that when they are gone tomorrow I can remember how they once were and remind them of the dreams they once dreamed. That way when life discourages them I can lift them up a little.
10. I laughed.
11. I totally enjoyed my dessert.
12. I fought entropy! (You might lose, but never stop fighting and calling it by it's true name helps too.)
13. I spent time noticing something natural growing around me.
14. I completely thought about spending time exercising.
15. I fell asleep after kissing my happy, healthy, slightly smudged children who still let me hug them goodnight.
If you do some of these every day, then when you see a new post from your friend you can post one of your own. Now, go forth and accomplish!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
How many can you answer?
I told my husband that my children were asking more involved questions lately, that they no longer just asked why. I said that some of them were tough for me to answer. He thought I was joking, so I've written down their questions this week. It's only Wednesday morning but here's what I've got so far.
1. What day of the week will the world end on?
2. Do pteranodons have tongues?
3. Where is Radiator Springs really?
4. What does stupid fried mean? (He meant stupify)
5. If you were a mouse would you eat these crumbs?
6. Did they have cars back in the olden days, before TV?
7. Who invented the zipper and how many iterations did it take? (She loves the word iteration)
8. Why is the diesel engine louder than a regular engine?
9. Why does my left arm never fall asleep?
10. Why do they say "go to sleep" when you are supposed to be still?
I'm sure I'll have more this week, but I thought I would share so you can all ponder instead of doing what you need to do for the rest of the day.
1. What day of the week will the world end on?
2. Do pteranodons have tongues?
3. Where is Radiator Springs really?
4. What does stupid fried mean? (He meant stupify)
5. If you were a mouse would you eat these crumbs?
6. Did they have cars back in the olden days, before TV?
7. Who invented the zipper and how many iterations did it take? (She loves the word iteration)
8. Why is the diesel engine louder than a regular engine?
9. Why does my left arm never fall asleep?
10. Why do they say "go to sleep" when you are supposed to be still?
I'm sure I'll have more this week, but I thought I would share so you can all ponder instead of doing what you need to do for the rest of the day.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
What I'm Learning From My Big Toddler
My son is seventeen months old and he's been teaching me some valuable life lessons. There is a reason we call this one Yoda, he's wise beyond his months. I'm sharing so that his wisdom will be a gift to you too.
1. It really is ok to run EVERYWHERE, but laugh while you do it and don't stick out your tongue.
2. When you fall while running, which you may do, say "Uh-Oh" while laughing, this makes people respond to your laugh instead of laughing at your fall.
3. Stop what you are doing for airplanes in the sky and cool cars that drive by. Enjoy watching them.
4. Push the buttons on the printer and the remote with enthusiasm, don't push people's buttons, that's not nice.
5. When you do something right it's ok to tell yourself that you did a good job. It's also ok to tell everyone else.
6. When you need help ask nicely, always say please instead of screaming.
7. It's ok to make a mess with your food, share your mess with others so they can have the joy of washing.
8. Consider the day a success if you've had the opportunity to take more than one bath in the same day, preferably in the same hour, this means that your hair may not dry fully. That is ok too.
9. Be confident in how you look. Don't bother wasting time combing your hair or matching your clothes, a good smile will make others think you are cute in your current state.
10. Sometimes the best thing to do is to dance around in a circle and strike a pose, often with a leg or arm in the air. This tactic seems silly but can actually diffuse many troublesome situations.
See, I told you he was wise...
1. It really is ok to run EVERYWHERE, but laugh while you do it and don't stick out your tongue.
2. When you fall while running, which you may do, say "Uh-Oh" while laughing, this makes people respond to your laugh instead of laughing at your fall.
3. Stop what you are doing for airplanes in the sky and cool cars that drive by. Enjoy watching them.
4. Push the buttons on the printer and the remote with enthusiasm, don't push people's buttons, that's not nice.
5. When you do something right it's ok to tell yourself that you did a good job. It's also ok to tell everyone else.
6. When you need help ask nicely, always say please instead of screaming.
7. It's ok to make a mess with your food, share your mess with others so they can have the joy of washing.
8. Consider the day a success if you've had the opportunity to take more than one bath in the same day, preferably in the same hour, this means that your hair may not dry fully. That is ok too.
9. Be confident in how you look. Don't bother wasting time combing your hair or matching your clothes, a good smile will make others think you are cute in your current state.
10. Sometimes the best thing to do is to dance around in a circle and strike a pose, often with a leg or arm in the air. This tactic seems silly but can actually diffuse many troublesome situations.
See, I told you he was wise...
Sunday, September 1, 2013
grammar lesson humor
Before you call the psychiatrist and social services, please remember that she is a comedian who wanted to finish school as quickly as possible with minimal effort. This totally worked.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The results of vacation
We had a lovely two week vacation that cost more than we were planning and was more fun that we thought it would be. I think that was about normal. I was going to write about it because it was fun and the tow truck ride was an adrenaline rush; but I think I'm going to write about the aftermath, because it's more amusing and won't make you jealous.
When we were on vacation my husband and I decided to make a serious effort to focus on each other and our children and really spend time as a family. We did evil parenting things like making our children talk to us for half an hour between movies on the days we drove. We included them in deciding the activities for the day. When we had things go differently than planned we included them in the decisions about how to get back on track. We discussed ways to spend more time with them and how fast they are growing up. We really enjoyed getting to know our children and each other again. Then we got home...
When we got home we realized that our youngest, whom I shall now refer to as Yoda, had a stomach bug and we needed to take him to the doctor and get stool samples. Then we tried to start school and clean up the rv and do all the laundry and the dishes and deal with the two weeks of produce from the garden. While I was contemplating how to duct tape a plastic bag on Yoda's rear to catch the explosive exhaust (don't call child protective services I didn't actually do it) as I held him over the toilet for two hours, I thought that none of those articles about cherishing your children, keeping your house clean with one daily chore, and teaching your children Latin so they can take over the dental industry really understand what day to day parenting really requires.
This morning as I cleaned the nasty, slightly moldy lint trap in the washer, that requires the removal of three star-drive screws to access, I realized that there's no getting around the yucky jobs when you are a parent. My children may never take over the dental world, or take on the high stakes offices on Wall Street or be stars on Broadway, or however else you define success, but they will never see me shirk my duty as their mother. I hope they learn something valuable from watching me clean up the projectile vomit that has become a rather regular routine recently. I hope they learn that I love them, lots and lots, not just a little, and not just when they are clean and healthy, but all the time. I hope they learn how to love others under the same conditions. People are really actually quite yucky, we have all kinds of dirt, we have to love each other through all of that dirt.
So am I a failing mother because I forgot all those "one chore a day to a clean house" tips and my house is a complete mess because I spend four hours a day helping Yoda go to the potty so he can run away screaming "boy potty!" Nope, not going to claim it. I've been thinking about the good old days, you know when we thought we were just as good as all the other parents because our kids had clothes and food. I'm talking about the times when you were expected to keep your children alive, teach them right from wrong, make sure they mostly wore shoes in the winter, and ate food. Before self-help books that tell you how every word you utter is making your child guilty, depressed, self-conscious, or causing them to feel inadequate. Don't worry they will be millionaires because you made sure they knew their times tables at age 3, so they can afford therapy later.
Seriously, I learned a great many things from my vacation.
1. I need to put my phone, book, and child down. I need to talk to my husband more, he is a really awesome guy and I need to do fun things with him, not just dinner and a movie twice a year.
2. We need a smaller house. I don't need an entertainment room and a toy room and a workshop, I need to get outside and take my children to new places so they can be entertained and play in the world. A workshop would be awesome though.
3. I don't need new ways to store my injection molded Chinese plastic, I need less injection molded Chinese plastic. My children played with rocks, sticks, and logs for a week and cried when we left them. I am not buying them another toy EVER!
4. My children are smart and fun and I don't need to worry about whether they are reading or writing at grade level. I need to teach them to learn because it's fun, not because there will be a test at the end of the week.
5. I will say and do the wrong things, I will make them feel bad sometimes, I might even give them some sort of complex problem when they are older, but they will always know I love them. I will tell them every day and every night that I love them. Then, I will tell them when they wake up and when they go to sleep and I will probably do that until the day I die. That's a real mother's real job, making sure they know that.
So, my vacation was awesome, I will never catch up and that's great. We will go on another one and I will get behind again, but I'm going to see some of this beautiful world and share it with my family because that's more important than storage, clean clothes, and a clean floor.
When we were on vacation my husband and I decided to make a serious effort to focus on each other and our children and really spend time as a family. We did evil parenting things like making our children talk to us for half an hour between movies on the days we drove. We included them in deciding the activities for the day. When we had things go differently than planned we included them in the decisions about how to get back on track. We discussed ways to spend more time with them and how fast they are growing up. We really enjoyed getting to know our children and each other again. Then we got home...
When we got home we realized that our youngest, whom I shall now refer to as Yoda, had a stomach bug and we needed to take him to the doctor and get stool samples. Then we tried to start school and clean up the rv and do all the laundry and the dishes and deal with the two weeks of produce from the garden. While I was contemplating how to duct tape a plastic bag on Yoda's rear to catch the explosive exhaust (don't call child protective services I didn't actually do it) as I held him over the toilet for two hours, I thought that none of those articles about cherishing your children, keeping your house clean with one daily chore, and teaching your children Latin so they can take over the dental industry really understand what day to day parenting really requires.
This morning as I cleaned the nasty, slightly moldy lint trap in the washer, that requires the removal of three star-drive screws to access, I realized that there's no getting around the yucky jobs when you are a parent. My children may never take over the dental world, or take on the high stakes offices on Wall Street or be stars on Broadway, or however else you define success, but they will never see me shirk my duty as their mother. I hope they learn something valuable from watching me clean up the projectile vomit that has become a rather regular routine recently. I hope they learn that I love them, lots and lots, not just a little, and not just when they are clean and healthy, but all the time. I hope they learn how to love others under the same conditions. People are really actually quite yucky, we have all kinds of dirt, we have to love each other through all of that dirt.
So am I a failing mother because I forgot all those "one chore a day to a clean house" tips and my house is a complete mess because I spend four hours a day helping Yoda go to the potty so he can run away screaming "boy potty!" Nope, not going to claim it. I've been thinking about the good old days, you know when we thought we were just as good as all the other parents because our kids had clothes and food. I'm talking about the times when you were expected to keep your children alive, teach them right from wrong, make sure they mostly wore shoes in the winter, and ate food. Before self-help books that tell you how every word you utter is making your child guilty, depressed, self-conscious, or causing them to feel inadequate. Don't worry they will be millionaires because you made sure they knew their times tables at age 3, so they can afford therapy later.
Seriously, I learned a great many things from my vacation.
1. I need to put my phone, book, and child down. I need to talk to my husband more, he is a really awesome guy and I need to do fun things with him, not just dinner and a movie twice a year.
2. We need a smaller house. I don't need an entertainment room and a toy room and a workshop, I need to get outside and take my children to new places so they can be entertained and play in the world. A workshop would be awesome though.
3. I don't need new ways to store my injection molded Chinese plastic, I need less injection molded Chinese plastic. My children played with rocks, sticks, and logs for a week and cried when we left them. I am not buying them another toy EVER!
4. My children are smart and fun and I don't need to worry about whether they are reading or writing at grade level. I need to teach them to learn because it's fun, not because there will be a test at the end of the week.
5. I will say and do the wrong things, I will make them feel bad sometimes, I might even give them some sort of complex problem when they are older, but they will always know I love them. I will tell them every day and every night that I love them. Then, I will tell them when they wake up and when they go to sleep and I will probably do that until the day I die. That's a real mother's real job, making sure they know that.
So, my vacation was awesome, I will never catch up and that's great. We will go on another one and I will get behind again, but I'm going to see some of this beautiful world and share it with my family because that's more important than storage, clean clothes, and a clean floor.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Jokes from my 6 year old
My second daughter is a delight. All my children are of course, but she seems to have been placed in our family to make us laugh. She is the smile that we all share either with her or at her, and she usually takes it well. She lives in a different place, a place of magic and mystery where we only visit from time to time because she lets us in. Here's a few of the things she's shared in the past few months.
Q: Where do pencils go on vacation?
A: Pennsylvania
Q: What did the wolf say to the other wolf?
A: HOWWWLLLS it going?
Q: What do you call a dog at the beach?
A: A hot dog.
Q: What do you call a witch at the beach?
A: A sandwitch.
Q: What did the dog say when he stepped on the sand paper?
A: Ruff!
Q: Why do cows wear bells?
A: Because their horns don't work.
She usually hits me with them first thing in the morning, her delivery is perfect, and if she gives me one that isn't funny she doesn't get discouraged at all, she just tries again the next day. It's really been great watching her come up with these. I'm thinking she has a future, a future doing something that makes people happy.
Q: Where do pencils go on vacation?
A: Pennsylvania
Q: What did the wolf say to the other wolf?
A: HOWWWLLLS it going?
Q: What do you call a dog at the beach?
A: A hot dog.
Q: What do you call a witch at the beach?
A: A sandwitch.
Q: What did the dog say when he stepped on the sand paper?
A: Ruff!
Q: Why do cows wear bells?
A: Because their horns don't work.
She usually hits me with them first thing in the morning, her delivery is perfect, and if she gives me one that isn't funny she doesn't get discouraged at all, she just tries again the next day. It's really been great watching her come up with these. I'm thinking she has a future, a future doing something that makes people happy.
Friday, July 12, 2013
educational aps for android
So I started this several weeks ago and totally got distracted so I am finishing it so people can actually have the information. There are four basic categories, math, reading, both, and fun, I will do math first.
Math aps we have tried:
Math Open
Simply Fractions
PuppyMath
DragonBox
Math Open is nice, it lets you have multiple users and set the grade level. It goes from preschool to fifth grade. I don't remember the price but nothing I bought was more than $5, except for Dragon Box. It's fun, for the preschool level I have to help my son a lot, but for the first, second, and third grade levels the girls do well on their own. It's also fun because it gives them stars for each level they complete, one star if they passed but didn't do well, two stars for average, and three stars for all of the questions right. This means that even though they finished a level I can make them go back and get three stars. It's not really flashy but if they have a choice they choose this over a workbook page.
Simply Fractions is a great tool to use to help them visualize fractions. You don't have to have strong reading skills for this one and some of them my son can play. The full version was $1.99 and totally worth it I feel. There is also Simply Fractions 2 for older elementary it was $.99. The graphics aren't really fancy but they are way better than I can draw and for my daughters it has made fractions very easy. Simply Fractions 2 has adding mixed fractions and comparing fractions that are challenging and fun at the same time. Sometimes they compete to see who can get more right answers. There's also a memory equivalent fractions game that my oldest enjoys.
PuppyMath is a favorite of my girls. It's a little silly and it just does addition but it's fun. They give you addition problems and for every one you get right you get a letter, when you get one wrong you lose a letter, when you spell PUPPY you get to see a picture of the game designers' puppy. It's fun because you can tell them, show me three puppy pictures and then play a different game, or you can have them test themselves, can you get five puppy pictures in ten minutes, stuff like that. And the pictures are cute.
DragonBox is a little pricey, I think it was either $6.99 or $9.99, either way it was totally worth it. It teaches your child Algebra without them knowing, plus I must admit it's fun to play. It let's you create different users so you can track each child. My son likes it too and I only have to help him a little bit. It's a great game because it's challenging to my eight year old and still something my four year old can play with. Also, they give you stars too so I can make the girls go back and get three stars on every level.
Strictly word aps like reading and spelling:
Booksy
PowerVocab
Word Search
Spell Me Right
My Spelling
Word Drop 2
Bubble Wubble
4 Pics 1Word
Booksy is fun and educational, it's for young readers, first and second grade level. It does have reading comprehension tests and it lets you set up multiple users. The books are a little expensive but you can buy more than one at a time and the content is fun. It's also good for them to do on their own because it will read to them if they don't know a word. It's great for my four year old and my daughters like to use it to amuse the baby. He loves the sounds that it makes, some of the books also are very interactive and play animal sounds or musical instrument sounds.
PowerVocab is challenging for my eight year old but there are different packs you can get so maybe I should get one of those. You need to have the sound on to play this game because it sounds out the words for you. You need to be a pretty strong reader to play without getting frustrated but it will teach you some neat words.
Word Search is just that, a bunch of word search puzzles. If you get a puzzle right you can unlock new puzzles. It's easy to use and if you like word searches it is great.
Spell Me Right is fun and they have different packs for children and adults so if the pack you have is too easy or hard, get a different one. It's a fun game but you do need to be able to read pretty well or you will get frustrated. It's helped my spelling.
My Spelling is fun. It allows you to set up different users and put in your own spelling words then you can play hangman with your words. It's fun. My children all like it. It does take some time to set up as the parent but then they learn to spell and the robot voice is cool.
Word Drop 2 is a fun game. It's like Boggle with letters falling from the sky. You can make a word with any letters on the screen, they don't have to be touching. There are bonus letters and you get six new letters every time you make a word so if you don't make long words the screen fills up and you lose, but it's fun and there are several different ways to play, timed, puzzle (un-timed), and super speed.
Bubble Wubble is probably not worth getting. It's slow and you have to have the sound on to play. It says a work and then you have to pop the floating bubbles to spell that word. It's ok, it's a little too easy for my two oldest. My four year old likes it because he likes to pop the bubbles.
4 Pics 1 Word is fun but probably too advanced for a early elementary student, my daughter does enjoy playing with me though.
Kevin Bradford aps have both reading and math in them. They are set up by grade level, aren't very expensive, and have neat graphics. We have the preschool, first, and second grade ones. They are fun for the children to play, seem true to grade level and are pretty easy for the children to navigate. I recommend these games. There's also a Kevin Bradford 101 Kids Puzzles that all my children like. The music is kind of groovy too.
There are also preschool games that we enjoy, basically anything from Intellijoy. Some of the full versions are expensive but for my son the lite versions are good enough to start and then if he really likes the game I get the full version. There are puzzle games he likes by Intellijoy.
Fun games that also help with learning physics.
Red Wrecker
Building game
Red Wrecker is a neat puzzle game and some of them are challenging. It really makes you think and work on spacial problems. If you have a child that has trouble with how things move or how things relate to one another this is a great game. It's more physics than math but it's fun and worth the time spent playing it. Be careful though you might start and not want to give them the tablet back!
Building Game is hard and fun. You have a crane and you have challenges that you have to solve. It's fun. There are different scenarios you can get so if you get frustrated with one, try another one.
I might add more later, but this is what we play with now.
Math aps we have tried:
Math Open
Simply Fractions
PuppyMath
DragonBox
Math Open is nice, it lets you have multiple users and set the grade level. It goes from preschool to fifth grade. I don't remember the price but nothing I bought was more than $5, except for Dragon Box. It's fun, for the preschool level I have to help my son a lot, but for the first, second, and third grade levels the girls do well on their own. It's also fun because it gives them stars for each level they complete, one star if they passed but didn't do well, two stars for average, and three stars for all of the questions right. This means that even though they finished a level I can make them go back and get three stars. It's not really flashy but if they have a choice they choose this over a workbook page.
Simply Fractions is a great tool to use to help them visualize fractions. You don't have to have strong reading skills for this one and some of them my son can play. The full version was $1.99 and totally worth it I feel. There is also Simply Fractions 2 for older elementary it was $.99. The graphics aren't really fancy but they are way better than I can draw and for my daughters it has made fractions very easy. Simply Fractions 2 has adding mixed fractions and comparing fractions that are challenging and fun at the same time. Sometimes they compete to see who can get more right answers. There's also a memory equivalent fractions game that my oldest enjoys.
PuppyMath is a favorite of my girls. It's a little silly and it just does addition but it's fun. They give you addition problems and for every one you get right you get a letter, when you get one wrong you lose a letter, when you spell PUPPY you get to see a picture of the game designers' puppy. It's fun because you can tell them, show me three puppy pictures and then play a different game, or you can have them test themselves, can you get five puppy pictures in ten minutes, stuff like that. And the pictures are cute.
DragonBox is a little pricey, I think it was either $6.99 or $9.99, either way it was totally worth it. It teaches your child Algebra without them knowing, plus I must admit it's fun to play. It let's you create different users so you can track each child. My son likes it too and I only have to help him a little bit. It's a great game because it's challenging to my eight year old and still something my four year old can play with. Also, they give you stars too so I can make the girls go back and get three stars on every level.
Strictly word aps like reading and spelling:
Booksy
PowerVocab
Word Search
Spell Me Right
My Spelling
Word Drop 2
Bubble Wubble
4 Pics 1Word
Booksy is fun and educational, it's for young readers, first and second grade level. It does have reading comprehension tests and it lets you set up multiple users. The books are a little expensive but you can buy more than one at a time and the content is fun. It's also good for them to do on their own because it will read to them if they don't know a word. It's great for my four year old and my daughters like to use it to amuse the baby. He loves the sounds that it makes, some of the books also are very interactive and play animal sounds or musical instrument sounds.
PowerVocab is challenging for my eight year old but there are different packs you can get so maybe I should get one of those. You need to have the sound on to play this game because it sounds out the words for you. You need to be a pretty strong reader to play without getting frustrated but it will teach you some neat words.
Word Search is just that, a bunch of word search puzzles. If you get a puzzle right you can unlock new puzzles. It's easy to use and if you like word searches it is great.
Spell Me Right is fun and they have different packs for children and adults so if the pack you have is too easy or hard, get a different one. It's a fun game but you do need to be able to read pretty well or you will get frustrated. It's helped my spelling.
My Spelling is fun. It allows you to set up different users and put in your own spelling words then you can play hangman with your words. It's fun. My children all like it. It does take some time to set up as the parent but then they learn to spell and the robot voice is cool.
Word Drop 2 is a fun game. It's like Boggle with letters falling from the sky. You can make a word with any letters on the screen, they don't have to be touching. There are bonus letters and you get six new letters every time you make a word so if you don't make long words the screen fills up and you lose, but it's fun and there are several different ways to play, timed, puzzle (un-timed), and super speed.
Bubble Wubble is probably not worth getting. It's slow and you have to have the sound on to play. It says a work and then you have to pop the floating bubbles to spell that word. It's ok, it's a little too easy for my two oldest. My four year old likes it because he likes to pop the bubbles.
4 Pics 1 Word is fun but probably too advanced for a early elementary student, my daughter does enjoy playing with me though.
Kevin Bradford aps have both reading and math in them. They are set up by grade level, aren't very expensive, and have neat graphics. We have the preschool, first, and second grade ones. They are fun for the children to play, seem true to grade level and are pretty easy for the children to navigate. I recommend these games. There's also a Kevin Bradford 101 Kids Puzzles that all my children like. The music is kind of groovy too.
There are also preschool games that we enjoy, basically anything from Intellijoy. Some of the full versions are expensive but for my son the lite versions are good enough to start and then if he really likes the game I get the full version. There are puzzle games he likes by Intellijoy.
Fun games that also help with learning physics.
Red Wrecker
Building game
Red Wrecker is a neat puzzle game and some of them are challenging. It really makes you think and work on spacial problems. If you have a child that has trouble with how things move or how things relate to one another this is a great game. It's more physics than math but it's fun and worth the time spent playing it. Be careful though you might start and not want to give them the tablet back!
Building Game is hard and fun. You have a crane and you have challenges that you have to solve. It's fun. There are different scenarios you can get so if you get frustrated with one, try another one.
I might add more later, but this is what we play with now.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Mom-Shower vs. Dad-Shower
This is mostly for my husband and all the other husbands out there who, like him, sometimes travel for work and come home to a clean house, clean children, and a stinky wife.
You may have seen a really funny post on Facebook or somewhere that explains the differences between the way men shower and the way women shower, it's mostly true. I don't have link to it, but I should. It fails to point out the differences between the way mothers and fathers shower so I am going to clear that up for you.
There are two basic ways that fathers shower. First, the father may get the luxury of showering while everyone is asleep, say in the morning or late at night. In this case the father gets to shower however he wants because there is no one awake to bother him. The second way that the father can shower is while people are awake, if he does this he will say "I am going to shower now." This is the same as if he were to say "It is now time to pretend I am not in the house and pretend that the bathroom does not exist because I am THE DAD and if you bother me while I am showering you will feel my wrath for the next ten years." He doesn't have to say all this, he just says "I am going to shower now." and everyone else translates it in their heads automatically.
There are three basic ways the mother showers and they are all significantly different than the father's ways. First, the mother may take a quick and quiet shower while everyone is asleep, but she will do this with an ear out of the shower in case someone wakes up because this could be catastrophic if others are startled awake by the commotion. I do not have the guts to do this unless my husband is home.
Second, the mother may take a shower while showering a child. This is often a result of whatever happening caused the child to need a shower or the mother has reached the washing point. That point at which she cannot stand her own smell and has decided that showering while a child pinches her toes is preferable. She will usually end up with all the children in the shower with her and a huge mess on the bathroom floor.
Third, the mother may take a sneak shower. This is often done while her husband is home. She will wait until everyone is occupied at some seemingly harmless and time consuming task, then she will quietly stop folding laundry and sneak in the shower. Here are some likely scenarios:
1.Mother turns on the water, someone comes in bleeding, mother turns off the water sighing.
2.Mother turns on the water, multiple people come in to the room asking to shower, mother washes them and turns off the water sighing.
3.Mother turns on the water, husband enters the room, "Are you really going to shower now?" Mother turns off the water sighing.
4.Mother turns on the water, no one comes in the room, she gets in the shower, still no one, she puts the shampoo on her hair, door slams open, someone is bleeding. Mother turns off the water sighing.
5.Mother turns on the water, no one comes in the room, she gets in the shower, still no one, she washes her hair, she shaves one leg, as she starts the other one she hears crying and screaming. She turns off the water sighing.
6.Mother turns on the water, no one comes in the room, she showers, washes everything and shaves her legs, she gets out, she dries off, she goes in the kitchen to find every single dish dirty and mud on the floor and towels in a pile. When she is done cleaning the mess she needs a shower.
So when my husband gets home after a week of travel and asks why I haven't showered since he left I say "I'm a coward." Now when you see me and I stink you know why.
You may have seen a really funny post on Facebook or somewhere that explains the differences between the way men shower and the way women shower, it's mostly true. I don't have link to it, but I should. It fails to point out the differences between the way mothers and fathers shower so I am going to clear that up for you.
There are two basic ways that fathers shower. First, the father may get the luxury of showering while everyone is asleep, say in the morning or late at night. In this case the father gets to shower however he wants because there is no one awake to bother him. The second way that the father can shower is while people are awake, if he does this he will say "I am going to shower now." This is the same as if he were to say "It is now time to pretend I am not in the house and pretend that the bathroom does not exist because I am THE DAD and if you bother me while I am showering you will feel my wrath for the next ten years." He doesn't have to say all this, he just says "I am going to shower now." and everyone else translates it in their heads automatically.
There are three basic ways the mother showers and they are all significantly different than the father's ways. First, the mother may take a quick and quiet shower while everyone is asleep, but she will do this with an ear out of the shower in case someone wakes up because this could be catastrophic if others are startled awake by the commotion. I do not have the guts to do this unless my husband is home.
Second, the mother may take a shower while showering a child. This is often a result of whatever happening caused the child to need a shower or the mother has reached the washing point. That point at which she cannot stand her own smell and has decided that showering while a child pinches her toes is preferable. She will usually end up with all the children in the shower with her and a huge mess on the bathroom floor.
Third, the mother may take a sneak shower. This is often done while her husband is home. She will wait until everyone is occupied at some seemingly harmless and time consuming task, then she will quietly stop folding laundry and sneak in the shower. Here are some likely scenarios:
1.Mother turns on the water, someone comes in bleeding, mother turns off the water sighing.
2.Mother turns on the water, multiple people come in to the room asking to shower, mother washes them and turns off the water sighing.
3.Mother turns on the water, husband enters the room, "Are you really going to shower now?" Mother turns off the water sighing.
4.Mother turns on the water, no one comes in the room, she gets in the shower, still no one, she puts the shampoo on her hair, door slams open, someone is bleeding. Mother turns off the water sighing.
5.Mother turns on the water, no one comes in the room, she gets in the shower, still no one, she washes her hair, she shaves one leg, as she starts the other one she hears crying and screaming. She turns off the water sighing.
6.Mother turns on the water, no one comes in the room, she showers, washes everything and shaves her legs, she gets out, she dries off, she goes in the kitchen to find every single dish dirty and mud on the floor and towels in a pile. When she is done cleaning the mess she needs a shower.
So when my husband gets home after a week of travel and asks why I haven't showered since he left I say "I'm a coward." Now when you see me and I stink you know why.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Laughter
Here's a list of things I laughed at over the last week. I'm sharing so that you can laugh too.
1. Me: What did the soldiers eat in the Civil War?
(My four year old): Hard attack!!
2. Despicable Me 2
Ok, I know I don't see many grown up movies, in fact the last one I watched in the theater was Act of Valor (which you should see, it was AWESOME!!!) but I am a well versed critic of animated G and PG rated flicks. This one was as good as the first. Arguably better because it had more Agnes in it and she is just too cute. Oh, and I want me some minions.
3. While getting dressed for Fourth of July my four year old son looked at me quite seriously and said, "Mom, your shirt is very pretty and you look very pretty." I looked at my husband and he said, "Ditto." Yeah, my children don't know what that means.
4. We spent most of a day cleaning the girls' room because it was bad, when we finished my six year old looked at me and said, "Gosh Mom, now it's time to get busy cleaning your room huh?"
5. It's actually been raining a lot lately and it was really raining last night. My son comes in and says to me, "It's raining so much, I think we might wash away!"
6. My 15 month old has learned the word mine, but he's a fourth child so he doesn't really understand what it means. He yells mine and throws whatever is in his hand. His brother gave him a tennis ball and he threw it and yelled "Mine!" His brother looks right at him and says, "I do not think that word means what you think it means."
7. My phone auto typed brainless instead of vegetables. So I said "Do you want me to bring some brainless from the garden, they are fresh?"
8. My second daughter and oldest son were arguing in the car. This is what we heard:
son: No, you did it.
daughter: No, you!
son: Mom, she hitted me!
daughter: it's HIT not HITTED!
son: well, you did.
9. Mom, I love pumpkin flowers, they are like stars that fell from the sky and landed on a vine and became flowers and turned orange and yellowish.
10. It's the end of the world! I can't find my shoes.
Did you look in the closet where they go?
Why would I look there?
1. Me: What did the soldiers eat in the Civil War?
(My four year old): Hard attack!!
2. Despicable Me 2
Ok, I know I don't see many grown up movies, in fact the last one I watched in the theater was Act of Valor (which you should see, it was AWESOME!!!) but I am a well versed critic of animated G and PG rated flicks. This one was as good as the first. Arguably better because it had more Agnes in it and she is just too cute. Oh, and I want me some minions.
3. While getting dressed for Fourth of July my four year old son looked at me quite seriously and said, "Mom, your shirt is very pretty and you look very pretty." I looked at my husband and he said, "Ditto." Yeah, my children don't know what that means.
4. We spent most of a day cleaning the girls' room because it was bad, when we finished my six year old looked at me and said, "Gosh Mom, now it's time to get busy cleaning your room huh?"
5. It's actually been raining a lot lately and it was really raining last night. My son comes in and says to me, "It's raining so much, I think we might wash away!"
6. My 15 month old has learned the word mine, but he's a fourth child so he doesn't really understand what it means. He yells mine and throws whatever is in his hand. His brother gave him a tennis ball and he threw it and yelled "Mine!" His brother looks right at him and says, "I do not think that word means what you think it means."
7. My phone auto typed brainless instead of vegetables. So I said "Do you want me to bring some brainless from the garden, they are fresh?"
8. My second daughter and oldest son were arguing in the car. This is what we heard:
son: No, you did it.
daughter: No, you!
son: Mom, she hitted me!
daughter: it's HIT not HITTED!
son: well, you did.
9. Mom, I love pumpkin flowers, they are like stars that fell from the sky and landed on a vine and became flowers and turned orange and yellowish.
10. It's the end of the world! I can't find my shoes.
Did you look in the closet where they go?
Why would I look there?
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Fourth of July
I love the Fourth of July, it is the only time I truly enjoy summer.
Our Founding Fathers were interesting people. If you look at any one of them you might think, "wow, what a neat person, I would have enjoyed talking with him." Or "I would not have liked him at all, I disagree with his choices on so many issues." I'm sure that there were people who knew them all that felt the same way. So, if these people were just average people, some wealthy, some not so wealthy, why do we remember them? Why do we speak of them as though they lived next door? Why do we still refer to their letters and writings as though they were there to guide us as a textbook of sorts? Why do we include their letters and writings in our textbooks?
We still consider the Founding Fathers important because they did something that was crazy and heroic at the same time, perhaps crazier than heroic in the beginning, which is what led us all to believe they were originally heroic. They were selfish, radical, revolutionary in the strictest sense, and also loyal and charitable. I've heard people say that the Revolution was about taxes, and it was, but when you stop there it makes it seem so childish. They were not simply telling the king, "we don't want you taking our money." They were saying so much more.
There were many grievances against the king, which the Founding Fathers laid out in the Declaration of Independence, these are the most commonly discussed today.
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
But there were many more, arguably more worth fighting against:
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
Are they all relevant today, probably not, are many of them relevant today, yep. Did the Founding Fathers go to war over taxes? A little bit yes, a little bit no. They went to war because the king refused to listen to their repeated appeals to act fairly toward them. If he had listened our history would be different and we would likely not have any fireworks today. However, he didn't listen so we say "Happy Birthday" to the best nation on earth and We the People remember that in 1776 a small group of courageous men, supported by women of course, decided that enough was enough. The states made a great union and protected future generations from tyranny and cruelty. As Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government," Hence, the people did the work, not a king, or a protector, the people. So go people!
And today thank the Founding Fathers for having the audacity to do what was right and to stand up against tyranny.
Our Founding Fathers were interesting people. If you look at any one of them you might think, "wow, what a neat person, I would have enjoyed talking with him." Or "I would not have liked him at all, I disagree with his choices on so many issues." I'm sure that there were people who knew them all that felt the same way. So, if these people were just average people, some wealthy, some not so wealthy, why do we remember them? Why do we speak of them as though they lived next door? Why do we still refer to their letters and writings as though they were there to guide us as a textbook of sorts? Why do we include their letters and writings in our textbooks?
We still consider the Founding Fathers important because they did something that was crazy and heroic at the same time, perhaps crazier than heroic in the beginning, which is what led us all to believe they were originally heroic. They were selfish, radical, revolutionary in the strictest sense, and also loyal and charitable. I've heard people say that the Revolution was about taxes, and it was, but when you stop there it makes it seem so childish. They were not simply telling the king, "we don't want you taking our money." They were saying so much more.
There were many grievances against the king, which the Founding Fathers laid out in the Declaration of Independence, these are the most commonly discussed today.
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
But there were many more, arguably more worth fighting against:
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
Are they all relevant today, probably not, are many of them relevant today, yep. Did the Founding Fathers go to war over taxes? A little bit yes, a little bit no. They went to war because the king refused to listen to their repeated appeals to act fairly toward them. If he had listened our history would be different and we would likely not have any fireworks today. However, he didn't listen so we say "Happy Birthday" to the best nation on earth and We the People remember that in 1776 a small group of courageous men, supported by women of course, decided that enough was enough. The states made a great union and protected future generations from tyranny and cruelty. As Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government," Hence, the people did the work, not a king, or a protector, the people. So go people!
And today thank the Founding Fathers for having the audacity to do what was right and to stand up against tyranny.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
trying again
Ok, so someone, http://everydaytrish.com/ said that we should think about what makes us happy. I am taking this as a personal challenge because I really don't like summer. I need to stop thinking that way I know, but I'm trying. On swim lesson weeks I really don't like summer. I don't really like swimming particularly because I usually get sun burned. Also, Monday I lost my hat, my green hat, that I really liked. So yesterday was sad because of all this stuff that I didn't like.
I woke up today to the sound of rain! I think this was God's way of telling me to stop whining. I decided that today would be different. So I started looking at the things that make me happy.
1. RAIN I know, for the majority of the country this is not a big deal, but I live in the desert. We run outside whenever we think it's raining just to make sure it's actually rain and not just an errant forest fire plane dumping on our house..
2. Tomorrow is the 4th of July! I love this holiday, not just for the BBQ and fireworks but because we do live in the greatest country on earth and we should remember that.
3. Despicable Me 2 opens today, I'm so going tomorrow. I know I mostly watch animated children's movies, but if this one is as good as the first I am ok with that.
4. I got a new hat, instead of noticing that it's not green, it's purple, I am going to focus on the fact that the brim is bigger and I should not get sunburned, this is extremely superior.
5. My baby slept in his bed for 7 hours last night (non-congruous so don't get jealous). This means he wasn't kicking me. He's 15 months old and he kicks hard. I still let him in my bed though because he's an awesome cuddle bug.
6. I have enough tomatoes from my garden to make butter chicken tonight for dinner. I will post the recipe because it's AWESOME. Really it's the only reason I grow tomatoes, I have 12 tomato plants this year.
7. 4 out of 5 of the books I want for school next year are on sale! This is great because I can't really justify one of them because it's small and at the library, but it's been checked out since the beginning of May and isn't back yet so since it's on sale I'm buying it.
8. My four year old has kept his room clean, mostly by himself, since Memorial day.
9. I got to elliptical for 32 minutes yesterday, and I think I might get to again today.
10. I had the last slice of apple pie for breakfast. It was great!
May your day be great even if it's only in a little way.
I woke up today to the sound of rain! I think this was God's way of telling me to stop whining. I decided that today would be different. So I started looking at the things that make me happy.
1. RAIN I know, for the majority of the country this is not a big deal, but I live in the desert. We run outside whenever we think it's raining just to make sure it's actually rain and not just an errant forest fire plane dumping on our house..
2. Tomorrow is the 4th of July! I love this holiday, not just for the BBQ and fireworks but because we do live in the greatest country on earth and we should remember that.
3. Despicable Me 2 opens today, I'm so going tomorrow. I know I mostly watch animated children's movies, but if this one is as good as the first I am ok with that.
4. I got a new hat, instead of noticing that it's not green, it's purple, I am going to focus on the fact that the brim is bigger and I should not get sunburned, this is extremely superior.
5. My baby slept in his bed for 7 hours last night (non-congruous so don't get jealous). This means he wasn't kicking me. He's 15 months old and he kicks hard. I still let him in my bed though because he's an awesome cuddle bug.
6. I have enough tomatoes from my garden to make butter chicken tonight for dinner. I will post the recipe because it's AWESOME. Really it's the only reason I grow tomatoes, I have 12 tomato plants this year.
7. 4 out of 5 of the books I want for school next year are on sale! This is great because I can't really justify one of them because it's small and at the library, but it's been checked out since the beginning of May and isn't back yet so since it's on sale I'm buying it.
8. My four year old has kept his room clean, mostly by himself, since Memorial day.
9. I got to elliptical for 32 minutes yesterday, and I think I might get to again today.
10. I had the last slice of apple pie for breakfast. It was great!
May your day be great even if it's only in a little way.
Monday, June 24, 2013
A Day With My Oldest
My daughter was having trouble controlling her temper. She arguably has many stress causing reasons for this, namely her three younger siblings. I read a little story about a man who made his son hammer nails into the fence whenever he lost his temper and then take one out for every day he didn't. I don't have a fence so I got a scrap of 2x4 and a box of nails. I told my daughter that when her board had no nails we would spend a day just the two of us. She was hovering consistently around six or seven nails for several weeks until one Thursday when it jumped to 23. Then, my lovely daughter made a decision to not lose her temper. She removed 23 nails in a row and kept them out. So, last Saturday she got a day with me.
We started our day with a two mile run. She kicked my butt. I think we both learned how good it feels to not quit on something. We did intervals the last half mile and we were exhausted.
After our run we went to buy new underwear for her. It seems that she's been needing some for a while but didn't want to buy it with her brother there. I tried to explain that he's four and really wouldn't know what we were doing but it was a big deal to her. This really made me think that she is growing up. We had a nice discussion about how much boys stink and boys her age are silly. It's funny because they didn't used to be any different from girls, but I guess that is another sign that she's getting older.
Then we met the rest of the family for Monsters University. AWESOME!!! I am a big Monsters Inc. fan even though I've seen it about a hundred times I still enjoy it. This was arguably better. And the short before the movie you ask. Can you say "show-off"? That was an amazing short, the skills of those artists at Pixar are simply awesome. Needless to say my children loved it too.
After the movie we all went out to sushi, we laughed, we cried, we fed the baby wasabi, it was a typical lunch at sushi. Then we watched my four year old eat more than a normal four year old. That boy can pack it away. I'm thinking his food fund might trump his college fund. I really hope he gets a scholarship.
Then my daughter and I went to tea. It was lovely. We had two hours to eat way too much yummy food and drink way too much delicious tea and talk about everything that has her worried about the future. Then we talked about her career plans and what she wants to do after college. I was glad that visiting me made the list, she's going to leave me way too soon.
We stopped by the bookstore on the way home because a new book is the best way to end a great day. She talked me into a whole American Girl series, but they were used so I think I got off easy. We spent the last two hours of the day reading side by side, it was lovely. I hope I can reward her with a day again.
We started our day with a two mile run. She kicked my butt. I think we both learned how good it feels to not quit on something. We did intervals the last half mile and we were exhausted.
After our run we went to buy new underwear for her. It seems that she's been needing some for a while but didn't want to buy it with her brother there. I tried to explain that he's four and really wouldn't know what we were doing but it was a big deal to her. This really made me think that she is growing up. We had a nice discussion about how much boys stink and boys her age are silly. It's funny because they didn't used to be any different from girls, but I guess that is another sign that she's getting older.
Then we met the rest of the family for Monsters University. AWESOME!!! I am a big Monsters Inc. fan even though I've seen it about a hundred times I still enjoy it. This was arguably better. And the short before the movie you ask. Can you say "show-off"? That was an amazing short, the skills of those artists at Pixar are simply awesome. Needless to say my children loved it too.
After the movie we all went out to sushi, we laughed, we cried, we fed the baby wasabi, it was a typical lunch at sushi. Then we watched my four year old eat more than a normal four year old. That boy can pack it away. I'm thinking his food fund might trump his college fund. I really hope he gets a scholarship.
Then my daughter and I went to tea. It was lovely. We had two hours to eat way too much yummy food and drink way too much delicious tea and talk about everything that has her worried about the future. Then we talked about her career plans and what she wants to do after college. I was glad that visiting me made the list, she's going to leave me way too soon.
We stopped by the bookstore on the way home because a new book is the best way to end a great day. She talked me into a whole American Girl series, but they were used so I think I got off easy. We spent the last two hours of the day reading side by side, it was lovely. I hope I can reward her with a day again.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Summer
So I often get depressed in the summer. I know this is strange because most people find the winter depressing. I think they are crazy. The winter is way more fun, there's hockey and skiing, and snow, and cold and it's just so darn nice out. Summer is not my friend. I don't like heat, I don't like sun, it gets a little much for me. So, I've started doing things I enjoy and forcing myself to like summer. I'm almost to the point where I can tolerate it, if it doesn't last too long. A friend of mine starting writing about things that make her happy here http://everydaytrish.com/ this made me think that I need to work on that, especially in the summer. This summer is no different so I am trying to focus on what makes summers not so bad.
Here's what I came up with to start out my looking on the good side of things.
In the summer I can grow my own food. It's really yummy. Now before you get all upset because I grow my own food and you don't or can't or whatever, let me give you the disclaimer. I mostly tell my uncle what I want to grow and he tells me exactly what to do and I do exactly what he says and I get food from my yard. The work level is not zero, but it's not that hard. Oddly enough I am actually finding great joy in watching things grow. We have two grapevines and they are really fun to manage. I actually have to plan out where they are going to go and wait for them to grow and tie them up and wait and move the ties, it's really relaxing and I have a reason to get out of bed before it gets hot every morning.
I'm not saying I am enjoying summer, let's not go crazy, but I am enjoying growing food. That's fun. So, there's one reason to enjoy summer. Oh, and all you people who say ice cream and frozen desserts are reasons to like summer, let me just point out that you can eat those all year, and I'd rather have a chocolate chip cookie any day.
Here's what I came up with to start out my looking on the good side of things.
I'm not saying I am enjoying summer, let's not go crazy, but I am enjoying growing food. That's fun. So, there's one reason to enjoy summer. Oh, and all you people who say ice cream and frozen desserts are reasons to like summer, let me just point out that you can eat those all year, and I'd rather have a chocolate chip cookie any day.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Standardized Testing
A few weeks ago my husband and I started discussing standard tests and what to do about them. We are undecided about how to deal with standardized testing. It's becoming very common for colleges and universities to look at these tests as a measure, sometimes the only measure, of a student. In order to prepare my children to be successful in college I probably need to teach them to pass standardized tests. Does that mean that I need to make sure I cover all the information they are likely to see on these tests or do I have to teach them how to take tests well? These seem to be two different skills. One is the ability to remember and regurgitate information, the other is more of a problem solving psychology. My husband and I have been debating what to teach, when to teach it, and how much emphasis to put on it.
So, that's what I wrote when I realized I was out of tea, I went into the kitchen to get more when I noticed that the dishwasher was ready to be unloaded. I started unloading the dishwasher as my sons walked by in their cute house shoes (think Spiderman and lightning McQueen shoes). I stopped to take a picture on my phone. I went to post the picture and my phone died, I need a new battery. I went into the bedroom to plug in the phone and noticed my bed wasn't made. This is the only chore I do every day so that I feel as though I did something, also so I don't go back to bed. I made the bed and realized that I hadn't finished sweeping the bathroom, stopped to sweep the bathroom and noticed the trash can was full. I took the trash to the garage and washed my hands in the kitchen sink where I noticed I hadn't finished unloading the dishwasher. I finished the dishwasher and saw my tea cup, which was not full. I refilled my tea and remembered that I hadn't finished my entry about standardized testing. Maybe I should teach my children how to focus, or multitask.
In an ideal world standardized testing would test how well students can learn and teach themselves new ideas because ideally this is what we are striving for as people. To be able to learn in any environment and knowing how to learn are really the keys to a successful life I believe. Then we can talk about how to define success, but that's another entry altogether. Anyway, I still don't know what to do about standardized tests, anyone have any thoughts?
So, that's what I wrote when I realized I was out of tea, I went into the kitchen to get more when I noticed that the dishwasher was ready to be unloaded. I started unloading the dishwasher as my sons walked by in their cute house shoes (think Spiderman and lightning McQueen shoes). I stopped to take a picture on my phone. I went to post the picture and my phone died, I need a new battery. I went into the bedroom to plug in the phone and noticed my bed wasn't made. This is the only chore I do every day so that I feel as though I did something, also so I don't go back to bed. I made the bed and realized that I hadn't finished sweeping the bathroom, stopped to sweep the bathroom and noticed the trash can was full. I took the trash to the garage and washed my hands in the kitchen sink where I noticed I hadn't finished unloading the dishwasher. I finished the dishwasher and saw my tea cup, which was not full. I refilled my tea and remembered that I hadn't finished my entry about standardized testing. Maybe I should teach my children how to focus, or multitask.
In an ideal world standardized testing would test how well students can learn and teach themselves new ideas because ideally this is what we are striving for as people. To be able to learn in any environment and knowing how to learn are really the keys to a successful life I believe. Then we can talk about how to define success, but that's another entry altogether. Anyway, I still don't know what to do about standardized tests, anyone have any thoughts?
Friday, May 31, 2013
What I'm learning from Angry Birds!
Ok, so I am a little slow. I did not get Angry Birds as the first ap on my smart phone, mostly because my phone doesn't have enough memory. But, before you condemn me as not at all relevant to your life, we bought a tablet. My daughter begged my husband for Angry Birds and he installed it for her. So I started playing with her. In case you've never played this game it is touted as a physics game where you fling different birds at structures in order to kill pigs. There are all kinds of birds, bomb birds, fast birds, split apart birds, boomerang birds, etc. My husband recently grew concerned at how much time my daughter and I spent playing this game together and he asked me what I thought she could learn from it. Here's what I came up with....
1. Sometimes you save more time by just starting over when you realize you can't win.
2. Sometimes you have to wait and see what is going to happen, don't move on too quickly.
3. Sometimes you might think that your efforts are in vain because you feel as though you haven't accomplished anything, but you may have just given the one who comes after you the perfect set-up.
4. We all have different talents, yours will fit a certain situation perfectly.
5. Sometimes you hit a wall. Sometimes this is the only way to succeed.
6. Sometimes you will lose, it still feels good to give a pig a black eye. (I am not advocating violence.)
7. Sometimes you do more damage when you disappear.
8. Sometimes the little things are the hardest to deal with.
9. Sometimes it is more important how you attack a problem than it is how hard you hit it.
10. Sometimes you just need to spend time with the ones you love, it really doesn't matter what you do together.
Now, you know.
1. Sometimes you save more time by just starting over when you realize you can't win.
2. Sometimes you have to wait and see what is going to happen, don't move on too quickly.
3. Sometimes you might think that your efforts are in vain because you feel as though you haven't accomplished anything, but you may have just given the one who comes after you the perfect set-up.
4. We all have different talents, yours will fit a certain situation perfectly.
5. Sometimes you hit a wall. Sometimes this is the only way to succeed.
6. Sometimes you will lose, it still feels good to give a pig a black eye. (I am not advocating violence.)
7. Sometimes you do more damage when you disappear.
8. Sometimes the little things are the hardest to deal with.
9. Sometimes it is more important how you attack a problem than it is how hard you hit it.
10. Sometimes you just need to spend time with the ones you love, it really doesn't matter what you do together.
Now, you know.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Shh, it's a secret
I was at the doctor with my son this weekend, don't worry he's on the mend, and I read an article in a parenting magazine. I know I shouldn't do this but it always makes me smile. I am sure that these people that write these magazines mean well, they are probably really trying to help people, they are also trying to sell magazines. I'm sure that the marketing department would get upset if they were brutally honest in these magazines. The article I read was titled "Common Causes of Stress for New Parents". I'm sure that many of their points were valid, however they left some stuff out. I'm sure that it's stuff they couldn't write about because it doesn't really sell magazines, but as I sat there reading the article I was rewriting it in my head, so here's my article.
Why Parenting is Frickin Hard (Mom, don't say frickin!)
When you first bring home your wrinkled, crying bundle of joy you will probably start to feel overwhelmed within the first week. You will ask yourself many things such as "Is he eating enough? Are these diapers the right size for her? Is he too hot? Why is she crying now? Did I get a boy or a girl?" among others. Some of these questions you will be able to answer during daylight hours after about three consecutive hours of sleep, some you may never answer. Also, your concerns and questions will depend on how you came about acquiring your child. If you had a nice regular labor and delivery you will have hormones in your body that you don't want and you will be filled with alternating urges to laugh, cry, scream, and giggle. If you had an emergency c-section you might be questioning yourself, your doctor, and all your previous decisions while also thanking everyone and everything that your baby is alive. If you had a scheduled c-section you are probably right there with the emergency ones, only your calendar might not be so messed up. If you adopted you are probably feeling immense pleasure that this one baby was created just for you to love. While you stare at their perfect features wondering how you came to be so blessed as to be the parent of this miracle you are starting to wonder if you knew what you were doing when you signed those papers. Don't worry, they say, you'll figure it out.
Here's a news flash, no matter how you became a parent you will, if you are any good at all, question your sanity. You will also feel as though you are making a mistake. Sometimes you will cry, not because you did something wrong, but often because you did something right. You will argue with people you love because you are tired, you will argue with people you don't know because you love your child. It's all normal. This creature that just took over your life is worth it. They will cause you stress you never imagined. Stress is caused by lack of sleep, questioning your abilities and decisions, changes you made to your life to allow this creature to take over your house and your heart, and changes in your relationships with others. Some of these stress inducing changes you saw coming, some will hit you on the side of the head like a two by four. When they surprise you they will be harder to overcome. You will often feel overwhelmed and that's normal too. If you have any extenuating circumstances you will feel all alone because you will be sure that no one else is going through what you are going through. HAHAHA. Ok, I'm done laughing at you now, but lately I've heard it all. "No one knows what it's like to have an illness with a newborn." "No one knows what it's like to have constant chronic pain and not be able to nurse or rock my baby." "No one knows how sad I am that my husband is so far away and missing these first months with our son." "No one knows what it's like to have this happen, this wasn't my plan." "I didn't really plan to have this child, it wasn't in the schedule right now." "No one knows how tired I am, I feel as though I'll never be myself again." You are not alone. Someone somewhere is saying the exact same thing. Right, so we've established that you aren't alone. It will not be easy to talk to others about your troubles, even if they are having the exact same ones because you will be busy trying to be the best parent you can be. That's ok too. Take time to breathe and realize that the main cause of stress for most good parents is the fear that if they mess up they aren't just messing up their life they are messing up the lives of their children. Now realize that if this is your fear you are a good parent.
Why is parenting so fricken (Mom don't say fricken) hard? The real reason is because we want to do the best we can and there's no way to know if we are doing it. In school we get grades and there are right answers. There's no grade for parents, there are also very few right answers. You try, you know you all do, you compare your children to those of your friends. You try to figure out if your son is better behaved than the one at the next table. You listen to parents in the public bathroom to see if their child is potty trained before or after yours. You ask perfect strangers leading questions to see if your children are superior to theirs. "So, how's your baby sleeping?" As though you could somehow determine that you are doing a good job. Don't worry in about 20-30 years you might know if you did something right or wrong. Doesn't that help?
Here's the real answer to whether or not you are doing it right. Does your child know, deep down, that you love them? Do you make a decision based on whether or not it's the best for your child? Do you honestly try your best to show love to your little one every time you are together? Then you are doing something right. Let the stress go so that it doesn't get in the way of loving your miracle. Easier said than done huh? Yep. It is hard to do, it's also worth trying to do. The laundry and the dishes will always be there, those little two legged mess-makers will leave someday, if you are a good parent, and you will not be able to hug them every morning or every night. Hug first. As my six year old reminded me, "Hugs are the only thing that when you give one you get one at the same time!" She's a genius and I'm sure it's not my fault!
Now stop crying and go hug the wee one and the not so wee one and don't worry so darn much. (Mom, don't say darn!)
Why Parenting is Frickin Hard (Mom, don't say frickin!)
When you first bring home your wrinkled, crying bundle of joy you will probably start to feel overwhelmed within the first week. You will ask yourself many things such as "Is he eating enough? Are these diapers the right size for her? Is he too hot? Why is she crying now? Did I get a boy or a girl?" among others. Some of these questions you will be able to answer during daylight hours after about three consecutive hours of sleep, some you may never answer. Also, your concerns and questions will depend on how you came about acquiring your child. If you had a nice regular labor and delivery you will have hormones in your body that you don't want and you will be filled with alternating urges to laugh, cry, scream, and giggle. If you had an emergency c-section you might be questioning yourself, your doctor, and all your previous decisions while also thanking everyone and everything that your baby is alive. If you had a scheduled c-section you are probably right there with the emergency ones, only your calendar might not be so messed up. If you adopted you are probably feeling immense pleasure that this one baby was created just for you to love. While you stare at their perfect features wondering how you came to be so blessed as to be the parent of this miracle you are starting to wonder if you knew what you were doing when you signed those papers. Don't worry, they say, you'll figure it out.
Here's a news flash, no matter how you became a parent you will, if you are any good at all, question your sanity. You will also feel as though you are making a mistake. Sometimes you will cry, not because you did something wrong, but often because you did something right. You will argue with people you love because you are tired, you will argue with people you don't know because you love your child. It's all normal. This creature that just took over your life is worth it. They will cause you stress you never imagined. Stress is caused by lack of sleep, questioning your abilities and decisions, changes you made to your life to allow this creature to take over your house and your heart, and changes in your relationships with others. Some of these stress inducing changes you saw coming, some will hit you on the side of the head like a two by four. When they surprise you they will be harder to overcome. You will often feel overwhelmed and that's normal too. If you have any extenuating circumstances you will feel all alone because you will be sure that no one else is going through what you are going through. HAHAHA. Ok, I'm done laughing at you now, but lately I've heard it all. "No one knows what it's like to have an illness with a newborn." "No one knows what it's like to have constant chronic pain and not be able to nurse or rock my baby." "No one knows how sad I am that my husband is so far away and missing these first months with our son." "No one knows what it's like to have this happen, this wasn't my plan." "I didn't really plan to have this child, it wasn't in the schedule right now." "No one knows how tired I am, I feel as though I'll never be myself again." You are not alone. Someone somewhere is saying the exact same thing. Right, so we've established that you aren't alone. It will not be easy to talk to others about your troubles, even if they are having the exact same ones because you will be busy trying to be the best parent you can be. That's ok too. Take time to breathe and realize that the main cause of stress for most good parents is the fear that if they mess up they aren't just messing up their life they are messing up the lives of their children. Now realize that if this is your fear you are a good parent.
Why is parenting so fricken (Mom don't say fricken) hard? The real reason is because we want to do the best we can and there's no way to know if we are doing it. In school we get grades and there are right answers. There's no grade for parents, there are also very few right answers. You try, you know you all do, you compare your children to those of your friends. You try to figure out if your son is better behaved than the one at the next table. You listen to parents in the public bathroom to see if their child is potty trained before or after yours. You ask perfect strangers leading questions to see if your children are superior to theirs. "So, how's your baby sleeping?" As though you could somehow determine that you are doing a good job. Don't worry in about 20-30 years you might know if you did something right or wrong. Doesn't that help?
Here's the real answer to whether or not you are doing it right. Does your child know, deep down, that you love them? Do you make a decision based on whether or not it's the best for your child? Do you honestly try your best to show love to your little one every time you are together? Then you are doing something right. Let the stress go so that it doesn't get in the way of loving your miracle. Easier said than done huh? Yep. It is hard to do, it's also worth trying to do. The laundry and the dishes will always be there, those little two legged mess-makers will leave someday, if you are a good parent, and you will not be able to hug them every morning or every night. Hug first. As my six year old reminded me, "Hugs are the only thing that when you give one you get one at the same time!" She's a genius and I'm sure it's not my fault!
Now stop crying and go hug the wee one and the not so wee one and don't worry so darn much. (Mom, don't say darn!)
Friday, May 17, 2013
What I cannot do
AAAHHHH.
There are some things I just can't do, and that is ok. Right????
We get this feeling that as mothers we are supposed to be able to do everything, then we meet other mothers who actually can do everything. If you are like me you also meet other homeschool mothers that make those other totally competent mothers look like slackers and you start to wonder why you don't just crawl under a rock because you would make a better snake than mother. Now breathe! That's an order.
Ok, I feel better. There are some things I just can't do, here are a few of those things along with my solutions:
1. Keep my house clean.
Instead: I sing a song, usually "Mess maker, mess maker, make me a mess" to the tune of Matchmaker from Fiddler on The Roof. Try it, you can make up the words as you go.
2. Grow plants in my house.
Instead: I visit my Mom, she has some awesome house plants. I look at them and think that someday I'll buy a grow light, and a timer, yeah right.
3. Keep my car clean.
Instead: I keep the driver's seat clean in hopes that my husband will not notice.
4. Follow a recipe.
Instead: I manage to make something edible from leftovers and whatever is in the house, which backfires as people request these meals again, then I have no idea what I did.
5. Sing.
Instead: I use funny voices to disguise the fact that I really cannot carry a tune. Good thing all my children seem much better at this than I am.
Hopefully this will help you all feel better about your week and make it possible for you to have a lovely weekend!
There are some things I just can't do, and that is ok. Right????
We get this feeling that as mothers we are supposed to be able to do everything, then we meet other mothers who actually can do everything. If you are like me you also meet other homeschool mothers that make those other totally competent mothers look like slackers and you start to wonder why you don't just crawl under a rock because you would make a better snake than mother. Now breathe! That's an order.
Ok, I feel better. There are some things I just can't do, here are a few of those things along with my solutions:
1. Keep my house clean.
Instead: I sing a song, usually "Mess maker, mess maker, make me a mess" to the tune of Matchmaker from Fiddler on The Roof. Try it, you can make up the words as you go.
2. Grow plants in my house.
Instead: I visit my Mom, she has some awesome house plants. I look at them and think that someday I'll buy a grow light, and a timer, yeah right.
3. Keep my car clean.
Instead: I keep the driver's seat clean in hopes that my husband will not notice.
4. Follow a recipe.
Instead: I manage to make something edible from leftovers and whatever is in the house, which backfires as people request these meals again, then I have no idea what I did.
5. Sing.
Instead: I use funny voices to disguise the fact that I really cannot carry a tune. Good thing all my children seem much better at this than I am.
Hopefully this will help you all feel better about your week and make it possible for you to have a lovely weekend!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
My son's first T-ball Game
Last Thursday my son played his first T-ball game. Let me start by explaining that the rest of his team has played about ten games by this time, but we were out of town so we missed those games. Yes, I am ok with missing them. I was sad, but now that I've been to a game, not so much.
At the beginning of the season they used the T to let the children hit the ball but as the season progressed they've now gone to the coaches giving each player five pitches. My son did not know this of course because we didn't know. So they made my son the lead-off hitter. Right. He didn't hit the pitch his first time at bat but he didn't let that bother him and when the coach told him to run to first base he ran as fast as he could. Now the whole team bats and no one counts outs and then it's the other team's turn to bat. Remember my son was the lead off batter, this means that unlike everyone else, there's no one on base in front of him. So of course when they told him to run to second he stole third. Why did he steal third, not because he wanted to score a run, because the pretty girl on the other team was playing third base. Yeah, that's my son. He waited of course to run until he absolutely had to and then didn't really step on home plate, but he turned back to smile at the girl as he ran to the dugout and almost ran into the kid coming up to bat.
The bottom of the first inning my son played first base. He was the best first baseman ever, just ask him. The coach told him where to stand and so he concentrated on standing there. My girls started cheering for him before the pitch, he looked angrily at us and said "Shh, you are distracting me!" so we had to stop cheering. He played first base like a pro, fielded the ball, got a couple kids out, wondered why they still got to stand on the base, threw the ball at the back of the coach, and didn't tackle his teammate. More on the tackling later. All in all a good first inning, don't worry there were only three innings.
Second inning he went up to bat first again, this time he hit the ball on the fourth pitch and ran his little heart out to first base. The little girl was playing right field, I saw him start over that way but then decided he didn't want to be too obvious. He didn't bother stealing a base this time around because all the other fielders were boys. Also, because she was in right field the run to the dugout from home plate was safer. He played out field during the second inning and only touched the ball once, but he did not tackle anyone.
Third inning he hit the second pitch and ran to first, beating the ball that was actually thrown well to the first baseman and the smile on my son's face made the entire hour worth it. I thought he was going to steal third again but the little girl was playing center field so he stayed on second a bit longer than he should have smiling at her. Then he got to play third base. This was his favorite because the little girl was the lead off batter so he got to talk to her when she was on third. After she left he played in the dirt the rest of the game. I figure that was pretty good for a four year old, he didn't play in the dirt until the last ten minutes of the game. Here's hoping every team we play has a pretty little girl for him to talk to, otherwise there's going to be a lot of playing in the dirt!
After the game we all told him how great he was and I asked him what he thought of T-ball. "Well Mom, I'm pretty sure we won. I think the other team didn't run as fast as we did. Mom, are you proud of me? I didn't tackle anyone. Then, when that other kid tackled the other guy I told them that you don't tackle in T-ball." Now I love my son and I enjoy a good baseball game, perhaps more than some people. I must say though if he's not that into T-ball next year we might try a different sport. I can watch him play in the dirt at home.
At the beginning of the season they used the T to let the children hit the ball but as the season progressed they've now gone to the coaches giving each player five pitches. My son did not know this of course because we didn't know. So they made my son the lead-off hitter. Right. He didn't hit the pitch his first time at bat but he didn't let that bother him and when the coach told him to run to first base he ran as fast as he could. Now the whole team bats and no one counts outs and then it's the other team's turn to bat. Remember my son was the lead off batter, this means that unlike everyone else, there's no one on base in front of him. So of course when they told him to run to second he stole third. Why did he steal third, not because he wanted to score a run, because the pretty girl on the other team was playing third base. Yeah, that's my son. He waited of course to run until he absolutely had to and then didn't really step on home plate, but he turned back to smile at the girl as he ran to the dugout and almost ran into the kid coming up to bat.
The bottom of the first inning my son played first base. He was the best first baseman ever, just ask him. The coach told him where to stand and so he concentrated on standing there. My girls started cheering for him before the pitch, he looked angrily at us and said "Shh, you are distracting me!" so we had to stop cheering. He played first base like a pro, fielded the ball, got a couple kids out, wondered why they still got to stand on the base, threw the ball at the back of the coach, and didn't tackle his teammate. More on the tackling later. All in all a good first inning, don't worry there were only three innings.
Second inning he went up to bat first again, this time he hit the ball on the fourth pitch and ran his little heart out to first base. The little girl was playing right field, I saw him start over that way but then decided he didn't want to be too obvious. He didn't bother stealing a base this time around because all the other fielders were boys. Also, because she was in right field the run to the dugout from home plate was safer. He played out field during the second inning and only touched the ball once, but he did not tackle anyone.
Third inning he hit the second pitch and ran to first, beating the ball that was actually thrown well to the first baseman and the smile on my son's face made the entire hour worth it. I thought he was going to steal third again but the little girl was playing center field so he stayed on second a bit longer than he should have smiling at her. Then he got to play third base. This was his favorite because the little girl was the lead off batter so he got to talk to her when she was on third. After she left he played in the dirt the rest of the game. I figure that was pretty good for a four year old, he didn't play in the dirt until the last ten minutes of the game. Here's hoping every team we play has a pretty little girl for him to talk to, otherwise there's going to be a lot of playing in the dirt!
After the game we all told him how great he was and I asked him what he thought of T-ball. "Well Mom, I'm pretty sure we won. I think the other team didn't run as fast as we did. Mom, are you proud of me? I didn't tackle anyone. Then, when that other kid tackled the other guy I told them that you don't tackle in T-ball." Now I love my son and I enjoy a good baseball game, perhaps more than some people. I must say though if he's not that into T-ball next year we might try a different sport. I can watch him play in the dirt at home.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
gold stars
This is meant to be an encouragement to other mothers so if you think I'm better than you, well, you are wrong!
I bribe my children. I said it. I do, I pay them for chores, I take them out to lunch and I promise them trips to the frozen treat store of the year down the street (it's been four different ones since we moved in 8 years ago). I never thought they would start bribing me, but they did.
My eight year old daughter is concerned with fairness, don't worry she knows life isn't fair. She said one day that it wasn't fair that her brother got paid for chores because he's 4 and she didn't get paid for chores until she was 6. I made an offhand comment that I don't get paid for anything anymore, unless you count hugs and kisses. She went away and came back with a plan.
She said that she didn't have enough money to pay me for chores, and it was clear to her that I didn't want money anyway, otherwise I would still be working so she would pay me in gold stars (stickers) and I could use those for things like back rubs, radio time in the car, and other stuff. I asked her what I could get gold stars for doing, did I get them for dishes, laundry, and sweeping up after my children. No, I did not. I got them for these things:
(list made by my three oldest)
5 stars for a hug
1 star for a real compliment
15 stars for ice cream
20 stars for going out to lunch
100 stars for a field trip
a bazillion stars for playing cars (you can guess who added that one)
5 stars for a good dinner
10 stars for reading a story
15 stars for telling a made up story
20 stars for a story from when you were little (when anyone in the family was little)
Now I know what is important to my children. I know what matters to them right now and I know what they think they need from me. I also know that any day I earn a star is a good day. Also, I need to work with my son on his numerology, but that might wait a few months because it's fun to hear him say "bazillion".
Now, go earn some gold stars people!!
I bribe my children. I said it. I do, I pay them for chores, I take them out to lunch and I promise them trips to the frozen treat store of the year down the street (it's been four different ones since we moved in 8 years ago). I never thought they would start bribing me, but they did.
My eight year old daughter is concerned with fairness, don't worry she knows life isn't fair. She said one day that it wasn't fair that her brother got paid for chores because he's 4 and she didn't get paid for chores until she was 6. I made an offhand comment that I don't get paid for anything anymore, unless you count hugs and kisses. She went away and came back with a plan.
She said that she didn't have enough money to pay me for chores, and it was clear to her that I didn't want money anyway, otherwise I would still be working so she would pay me in gold stars (stickers) and I could use those for things like back rubs, radio time in the car, and other stuff. I asked her what I could get gold stars for doing, did I get them for dishes, laundry, and sweeping up after my children. No, I did not. I got them for these things:
(list made by my three oldest)
5 stars for a hug
1 star for a real compliment
15 stars for ice cream
20 stars for going out to lunch
100 stars for a field trip
a bazillion stars for playing cars (you can guess who added that one)
5 stars for a good dinner
10 stars for reading a story
15 stars for telling a made up story
20 stars for a story from when you were little (when anyone in the family was little)
Now I know what is important to my children. I know what matters to them right now and I know what they think they need from me. I also know that any day I earn a star is a good day. Also, I need to work with my son on his numerology, but that might wait a few months because it's fun to hear him say "bazillion".
Now, go earn some gold stars people!!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
a week in...
OK, so we are a week in, and 2200 miles down. So far it's been a great trip. The only problem is that the awesome gas heater in the trailer broke. I'm sure we could fix it but since we are plugged in we bought an electric one. Not so nice, but not bad. We got to see the aquarium and airplanes. The jets fly over our camper for about two hours every night. At first the jets were a neat novelty, now they are getting annoying. We drive the Chesapeake bay bridge today and saw dolphins swimming by, it was awesome. Then we saw downtown Norfolk which was fun to walk around. We are off to Williamsburg tomorrow so we need to get an early start.
Friday, March 29, 2013
trip
We are leaving on our trip today, I'm not ready, but I had to make sure I could add blog entries before I left. Why? So I can document this expedition! Just in case we get eaten by a shark, which id's my son's main concern. Don't worry, if I get eaten by a shark you will find out.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A New Study
You might read the news on your computer or your phone and see all these stories about new studies. Many of these studies are things that people investigate in order to help others better understand humanity. While I applaud the point of these studies, to better understand people, I am appalled at how the results are used. I sometimes flip through parenting magazines while I'm waiting at the doctor or some place without my children. There are studies in those too. All these studies got me thinking, so I went to look at a few of them. It's not easy to do. If you investigate where these studies are being studied and look at the actual data you might stop reading the news about studies. First, let me say that many of these scientific studies are actually surveys done by well meaning "soft" science people. As an engineer I am a little upset by these being called studies. What it is really is a survey and lets be honest how many people answer all survey questions 100% honestly all the time? I'll tell you, it's not 100%.
So, look at a study. It's not easy to do, but you can sometimes find the source paper, make sure it's a study and not a survey. If it's a survey you can probably just consider it interesting. If it's a study, a real scientific study where they observe things and collect actual data look at the variables they use to come to their conclusion before changing your behavior. Let me give you some examples.
Milk causes obesity in 74% of children.
Really. Ok, let's see, the study said that children that drank whole milk or 2% were more likely to be obese than children that drank less than two servings of 1% or skim milk every day. Now, if you read the study they don't consider the activity level of the children, what else they eat, or any other variable that might impact obesity. Hmmm. Interesting isn't it? So based on this study I should stop allowing my children from drinking 2% or whole milk, right? Well, not so fast because some studies show that children that drink milk have better bone densities than children who don't drink 2%.
What's best in the study may or may not be what's best for your child. My children are not statistics, they are children and so I am going to be their mother to the best of my ability. So, next time you read a study realize that what's best in the study isn't really what's best in the real world.
So, look at a study. It's not easy to do, but you can sometimes find the source paper, make sure it's a study and not a survey. If it's a survey you can probably just consider it interesting. If it's a study, a real scientific study where they observe things and collect actual data look at the variables they use to come to their conclusion before changing your behavior. Let me give you some examples.
Milk causes obesity in 74% of children.
Really. Ok, let's see, the study said that children that drank whole milk or 2% were more likely to be obese than children that drank less than two servings of 1% or skim milk every day. Now, if you read the study they don't consider the activity level of the children, what else they eat, or any other variable that might impact obesity. Hmmm. Interesting isn't it? So based on this study I should stop allowing my children from drinking 2% or whole milk, right? Well, not so fast because some studies show that children that drink milk have better bone densities than children who don't drink 2%.
What's best in the study may or may not be what's best for your child. My children are not statistics, they are children and so I am going to be their mother to the best of my ability. So, next time you read a study realize that what's best in the study isn't really what's best in the real world.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Seriously about gone!
We are leaving, we aren't leaving, we need to be ready now, but not right now...
You would think that the uncertainty of possibly leaving to travel across the country with four children and a 32 foot trailer would drive me crazy, but I'm excited. You would think that agreeing to teach high school chemistry at the home school group next year would mean that I'm already crazy, but I'm looking forward to it. You would think that spending three days cleaning my closet, it's 95 square feet and is the only on in the house, and still not being done would make me insane. I'm excited, the shelves are going to work! All the stress in my life is totally manageable. I'm doing great. I just completely freaking out, on the inside, because Saturday I have to have both my girls' hair in buns. Simple you say well here's the problem.
My oldest is almost eight and her hair is fine and curly and so the keeps it short. It's about chin length, with bangs. How do you put this in a ballerina bun? With nine pounds of gel. Then, a four minute spray with super hold hair spray. Next, you put berets. Then, you pray. Count on about 45 minutes.
My second daughter, in age, is six and her hair is lovely. It's about two inches past her shoulder, all one length, and curly, and thick. It takes me ten minutes just to brush it. And her hair is so heavy that it pulls itself out of pony tails. On top of that she hates to have her hair combed. Yippie!
I can't wait until Saturday.
Ok, now that I got that out of the way I feel so much better. Please think of me around 2 on Saturday and send happy hair thoughts my way.
You would think that the uncertainty of possibly leaving to travel across the country with four children and a 32 foot trailer would drive me crazy, but I'm excited. You would think that agreeing to teach high school chemistry at the home school group next year would mean that I'm already crazy, but I'm looking forward to it. You would think that spending three days cleaning my closet, it's 95 square feet and is the only on in the house, and still not being done would make me insane. I'm excited, the shelves are going to work! All the stress in my life is totally manageable. I'm doing great. I just completely freaking out, on the inside, because Saturday I have to have both my girls' hair in buns. Simple you say well here's the problem.
My oldest is almost eight and her hair is fine and curly and so the keeps it short. It's about chin length, with bangs. How do you put this in a ballerina bun? With nine pounds of gel. Then, a four minute spray with super hold hair spray. Next, you put berets. Then, you pray. Count on about 45 minutes.
My second daughter, in age, is six and her hair is lovely. It's about two inches past her shoulder, all one length, and curly, and thick. It takes me ten minutes just to brush it. And her hair is so heavy that it pulls itself out of pony tails. On top of that she hates to have her hair combed. Yippie!
I can't wait until Saturday.
Ok, now that I got that out of the way I feel so much better. Please think of me around 2 on Saturday and send happy hair thoughts my way.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
T-Ball Practice
Saturday was a crazy day, we woke up 4 hours from home, in an overpriced hotel, and drove through wind and snow to get to t-ball practice, went to a baby shower (girls only), then collapsed on the couch. We were four hours from home because we went to buy a new to us car that is wonderful and fun for the whole family, but we were all tired by the time we got to t-ball at 11 am and it was snowing so those of us not on the field were cold and in a sour mood. Now that I've set the stage let me explain the practice itself.
This was my son's first ever t-ball practice. He's been playing hockey for two years, he is fairly coordinated and can run. He is also four, just barely.
First thing he got to do was practice throwing the ball. This was fairly successful, he's done it before in the kitchen during a blizzard so he hit the coach near the glove almost every time. Then he went to batting practice.
Batting practice was different than throwing. My son has never hit the ball off a t before in his life. This did not slow him down and he was fairly successful at the practice station they set up near third base. He hit the ball twice and chased it down twice before the coach convinced him to hit the ball and stay there instead of going and getting it. His third and successful hit earned him the right to go to home plate and hit the ball. There were several other children set up to field the ball so when it was his turn he got to hit the ball and run the bases, here's what happened.
First hit was a line drive between second and third base, no one fielded the ball. A small boy with a red jacket watched it roll past his foot. Then a big kid went and got it, none of the coaches or parents really noticed this though, we were all watching my son. My awesome, slightly big for his age four year old running as fast as he could right past first base. He didn't even get near stepping on it. He ran out about 6 feet into the outfield before the coaches could turn him toward second, which he also didn't consider stepping on. He then ran past second and around, never leaving the grass. He turned about two feet past third and stopped at the practice batting station after the outfield coach told him to "go back to where you hit the ball." The hitting coach told him to "go step on the black thing where you hit the ball." He ran to home, looked at the t, gave the coach a "grown-ups are nuts" look and got in line to hit again. That's right, he hit a great ball, ran really fast, and never touched a single base. He had a huge smile on his face.
Then came his second hit, it was amazing, I don't remember where it went, I was busy praying he might step on a base. He ran fast, he missed first again. He got mad at the kid who tagged him without the ball. He stepped on second base to avoid another player who looked as though he might tag him. He stepped on third because there was a coach in his way. He sped home and stopped agonizingly short of home plate. Two out of four is better than none so we call it a success.
We thought batting practice was the best but the girls and I noticed that every ten minutes or so my son would stop and check out his shoes. He has some really nifty red, yellow, and black running shoes that I bought him just for t-ball and he likes them almost as much as he likes his jock, which is a different story that will stay in the family. He spent much of practice looking at his new shoes. He was looking at his shoes when he was playing right short stop, that's the made-up t-ball position between first and second, and the ball rolled right by his foot. He saw the ball. He picked up the ball and put it in his glove. He looked at the coach who was pointing to first base so he ran to first base. The coach said "throw it." So he did, when he was no more than 18 inches from the first baseman. Then, after completing his job, he returned to right short-stop to check out his cool shoes.
After practice we all got in our new car. "How was practice?" I asked my boy. "It was great Mom, no one hit me in the penis." Well then, that's about all I can say about that. Hoping to get an explanation I asked, "Why did you keep looking at your shoes?"
He grinned, "Mom, these shoes are great! They run fast, and slow!"
Yeah, I can't wait until next practice.
This was my son's first ever t-ball practice. He's been playing hockey for two years, he is fairly coordinated and can run. He is also four, just barely.
First thing he got to do was practice throwing the ball. This was fairly successful, he's done it before in the kitchen during a blizzard so he hit the coach near the glove almost every time. Then he went to batting practice.
Batting practice was different than throwing. My son has never hit the ball off a t before in his life. This did not slow him down and he was fairly successful at the practice station they set up near third base. He hit the ball twice and chased it down twice before the coach convinced him to hit the ball and stay there instead of going and getting it. His third and successful hit earned him the right to go to home plate and hit the ball. There were several other children set up to field the ball so when it was his turn he got to hit the ball and run the bases, here's what happened.
First hit was a line drive between second and third base, no one fielded the ball. A small boy with a red jacket watched it roll past his foot. Then a big kid went and got it, none of the coaches or parents really noticed this though, we were all watching my son. My awesome, slightly big for his age four year old running as fast as he could right past first base. He didn't even get near stepping on it. He ran out about 6 feet into the outfield before the coaches could turn him toward second, which he also didn't consider stepping on. He then ran past second and around, never leaving the grass. He turned about two feet past third and stopped at the practice batting station after the outfield coach told him to "go back to where you hit the ball." The hitting coach told him to "go step on the black thing where you hit the ball." He ran to home, looked at the t, gave the coach a "grown-ups are nuts" look and got in line to hit again. That's right, he hit a great ball, ran really fast, and never touched a single base. He had a huge smile on his face.
Then came his second hit, it was amazing, I don't remember where it went, I was busy praying he might step on a base. He ran fast, he missed first again. He got mad at the kid who tagged him without the ball. He stepped on second base to avoid another player who looked as though he might tag him. He stepped on third because there was a coach in his way. He sped home and stopped agonizingly short of home plate. Two out of four is better than none so we call it a success.
We thought batting practice was the best but the girls and I noticed that every ten minutes or so my son would stop and check out his shoes. He has some really nifty red, yellow, and black running shoes that I bought him just for t-ball and he likes them almost as much as he likes his jock, which is a different story that will stay in the family. He spent much of practice looking at his new shoes. He was looking at his shoes when he was playing right short stop, that's the made-up t-ball position between first and second, and the ball rolled right by his foot. He saw the ball. He picked up the ball and put it in his glove. He looked at the coach who was pointing to first base so he ran to first base. The coach said "throw it." So he did, when he was no more than 18 inches from the first baseman. Then, after completing his job, he returned to right short-stop to check out his cool shoes.
After practice we all got in our new car. "How was practice?" I asked my boy. "It was great Mom, no one hit me in the penis." Well then, that's about all I can say about that. Hoping to get an explanation I asked, "Why did you keep looking at your shoes?"
He grinned, "Mom, these shoes are great! They run fast, and slow!"
Yeah, I can't wait until next practice.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
A Funny Story
On Tuesdays my children and I often go to our favorite restaurant for lunch. We sit there and eat and I tell them a story. They like it when I make up silly stories and we have some favorites. They like the broccoli monster stories and Princess Turtle stories and a few others. We have a fun time and sometimes they tell me stories they make up. I love this part of my week and actually sometimes look forward to it more than the children I think. We've been doing this for over a year, not every week of course, but almost. We are regulars you could say. The workers know us, the other patrons know us, and even the nice guy who cleans up our mess every time says hi now. A few weeks ago we went for our Tuesday lunch. As we waited for our food I told a "scary" story to my children. These stories aren't really scary of course, but they have some element of the unknown or suspense in them. At the table next to us sat a nice older couple discussing the afternoon. The woman got up to leave and the man simply sat there. "Why aren't you getting up?" the lady asked. The man just looked at her "I'm waiting for the end of the story of course." As though he couldn't understand why she wasn't. So they sat there and listened to the rest of the story for about ten minutes. My children then thanked them for listening and they thanked us for the story and away they went. Last time when we went to lunch at our restaurant we sat down to start our story, just as I said "Once upon a time..." a man sat down at the next table, slightly out of breath. "Have I missed the beginning?" He asked. I looked over to question what he was talking about and it was the man from before. "I saw you in the parking lot and had to hurry so that I wouldn't miss the beginning of the story, please don't let me interrupt." He said and waved his hand for me to continue. I told the story of the day, a little self-conscious because of the extra audience and when I finished he thanked me and my children again for letting him listen. Then his wife laughed and said "When our children were growing up they used to beg for stories and he would always read books. He would get upset because he didn't feel that he could make up good stories. He actually called his son and told him your first story. And was trying to remember every word of this story to repeat it to his son." I was totally flattered that he thought so highly of my stories. My children thought it was neat that he still told stories to his grown son. This started my children down the "When I grow up" train of thought. As we were leaving the man asked if we would be there next week because he had missed us the week before. Now, in addition to my children, there is someone else who wants me to go out to lunch on Tuesdays.
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