I don't have boys. I have a dad, a brother, and a husband. They are my link to the male world. I admit at this point in my life the male world is a place that I don't spend much time.
My sweet darling, girly, girl Beth has a young friend named Z. (Yes, he is the same Z. who was a volunteer yesterday.) Beth and Z have developed the type of bond that makes you go "Oh their so cute!" Physically they could pass for a boy/girl twin set.
When we got back to Mrs. D's house yesterday, Beth and Z begged to be allowed time for a playdate. Mrs. D offered to drive Beth to karate so they could have a few hours together. I left to get the other kids to drama.
Later that evening I got the phone call. "Mrs. March, It's Mrs. D. I'm just calling to apologize for what happened today. Beth and Z were in the computer room and Z showed Beth how to get on Runescape. He helped her set up an account and everything. She is very proud of her character. It has a pink hat and a pink dress."
This made me flash back to another phone call I had shortly after Mrs. D left my home last July. "Mrs. March, it's Mrs. D. I'm just calling to say that I am really sorry. When we got into the car Z kept saying that he couldn't leave yet because she wasn't registered. It took me a while to understand what he was trying to tell me. Apparently Z set up an account for Beth on nick dot com."
Just for the record. My girls did not know nick dot com, club penguin, and several other websites before Z introduced Beth to them. They were nice proper technologically illiterate, book loving, homeschool nerds. All I can say is that boys are a bad influence!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Lets Shoot all the Volunteers!
Today six of the 4-H kids and two of the adult parents had the privilege of working with a local agency in town to perform community service. Meg, Jo, Beth and I were part of this group. We were joined by Mrs. D, her sons Z. and T. and another boy from the group T2. We were given the job of visiting the homes of some local elderly individuals and picking up bags of leaves that needed to be taken to the dump.
At house one there were no bags. No one answered the door. We called the phone number on the information paper we were given. We were then told by the caregiver that WE were supposed to rake the leaves, bag them and then take them to the dump! No one had told us that! We didn't have the right materials! But we wanted to do a good job so we took the some garbage bags and began to pick up leaves. The two rakes we had were garden rakes, not leaf rakes. We plowed on to the best of our ability and got most of the leaves out of the front and back yard. We also got the pile of old roof shingles loaded into the trailer. Expecting the next houses to go more smoothly we loaded into the van and traveled to house two.
At house two we found the expected pile of black bags with leaves. Except that these bags had been sitting there since 2006! As the kids tried to lift the bags they disintegrated leaving behind this rich black compost. I really think the best thing we could have done was to just put it into the lady's garden. But that's not what we were supposed to be doing. So we found some more garbage bags and scooped the dirt and loaded it into the trailer. Then we got to sweep up the big mess we made on the driveway. Not what we expected, but not too bad.
At house three we were met by a wonderful pile of black bags that loaded easily into the trailer. We were on a role! The trailer was full so we drove out to the dump and deposited our load. Then we took the kids to lunch. Hungry workers are not happy workers and this was getting to be a very full morning.
After a delightful meal we were energetic and enthusiastically proceeded to house four. Now we knew that house four did not have garbage bags to pick up. They had cut downs some trees and we were going to be picking up tree limbs. When we took the kids into the backyard we were a little worried. The nicely stacked and cut tree limbs we were TOLD were waiting to be picked up were actually all over the yard. Right were they had fallen when they were chopped down. Oh well, we will rise to the occasion! That's when the dog across the ally decided to make his presence known. He was a good size black lab. He had been barking constantly at us but since he was on the OTHER side of the fence we were not concerned. Well he felt we were not paying close enough attention to his verbal warnings to leave so he pushed his way under the fence and came tearing into the yard. He then began to stalk the kids as they were picking up the sticks. His hackles were up, his sharp white teeth were bared and he was doing his best to let us know we were on his territory and it was time to leave.
This is a good time to review my wonderful Dog Whisperer information with the kids, I decided. I told the kids to be calm and assertive, to ignore the dog and continue with their work. They were not to look at the dog (challenging it) nor were they to run away from it. Just keep working. I must say the kids did and excellent job of following the directions. However, Beth, Jo and Z are small enough that they were not very intimidating. The dog began to target them rushing up on them when they were bent over to pick up sticks and chasing them as they walked the wood to the trailer. I felt like this was too unsafe for them and had them get into the van and wait. (These ones are all under the age of 10 and probably don't weigh 100lbs as a combined group.)
The older kids continued working. Mrs. D went into the house and told the family that because of the dog, we did not feel this was a safe environment for the kids and that we were going to go. Another group would return and finish at a later date. The family did not like this idea and sent the high school age granddaughter out to deal with the dog. She got a garden hoe and began to chase the dog yelling and swinging. The dog got more wound up and began running around the yard dodging her, barking, growling and snapping away. This was not working out the way I had hopped. Then the gentleman whose house we were at came out with his gun. He proceeded to try to shoot the dog.
Now I don't know ANYTHING about guns. I've never shot a gun in my life. But there are some safety rules that I thought applied to gun use. For example, I thought you were never supposed to point a gun at another person unless you intended to use it on that person. At archery we have a rule that no one even puts their arrow on the string until after everyone is on the same side of the shooting line and away from the target. I was standing less then two feet from the dog. All of the kids were standing between me and the man and he was shooting AT THE DOG THROUGH A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS! I stood there slightly shocked staring down the barrel of the gun thinking "This is insane, this isn't happening, he's not really shooting that thing!" but he was.
After four shots he finally hit the dog which went back to its side of the fence. None of the kids had been hurt. But I was MAD! Of all the dumb, idiotic, dangerous, stupid, .......(help me out, I need some more words) things to do! He went back into the house. I am positive he never even thought about what he had just done.
Yes, we did fill the trailer up with the sticks of wood. When the trailer was completely full we took it to the dump. You couldn't even tell we had done any work there were so many sticks left! We did report the incident. I can promise you this group of volunteers will not be returning to that home.
Maybe I'm crazy but I just don't think volunteers like getting shot at!
At house one there were no bags. No one answered the door. We called the phone number on the information paper we were given. We were then told by the caregiver that WE were supposed to rake the leaves, bag them and then take them to the dump! No one had told us that! We didn't have the right materials! But we wanted to do a good job so we took the some garbage bags and began to pick up leaves. The two rakes we had were garden rakes, not leaf rakes. We plowed on to the best of our ability and got most of the leaves out of the front and back yard. We also got the pile of old roof shingles loaded into the trailer. Expecting the next houses to go more smoothly we loaded into the van and traveled to house two.
At house two we found the expected pile of black bags with leaves. Except that these bags had been sitting there since 2006! As the kids tried to lift the bags they disintegrated leaving behind this rich black compost. I really think the best thing we could have done was to just put it into the lady's garden. But that's not what we were supposed to be doing. So we found some more garbage bags and scooped the dirt and loaded it into the trailer. Then we got to sweep up the big mess we made on the driveway. Not what we expected, but not too bad.
At house three we were met by a wonderful pile of black bags that loaded easily into the trailer. We were on a role! The trailer was full so we drove out to the dump and deposited our load. Then we took the kids to lunch. Hungry workers are not happy workers and this was getting to be a very full morning.
After a delightful meal we were energetic and enthusiastically proceeded to house four. Now we knew that house four did not have garbage bags to pick up. They had cut downs some trees and we were going to be picking up tree limbs. When we took the kids into the backyard we were a little worried. The nicely stacked and cut tree limbs we were TOLD were waiting to be picked up were actually all over the yard. Right were they had fallen when they were chopped down. Oh well, we will rise to the occasion! That's when the dog across the ally decided to make his presence known. He was a good size black lab. He had been barking constantly at us but since he was on the OTHER side of the fence we were not concerned. Well he felt we were not paying close enough attention to his verbal warnings to leave so he pushed his way under the fence and came tearing into the yard. He then began to stalk the kids as they were picking up the sticks. His hackles were up, his sharp white teeth were bared and he was doing his best to let us know we were on his territory and it was time to leave.
This is a good time to review my wonderful Dog Whisperer information with the kids, I decided. I told the kids to be calm and assertive, to ignore the dog and continue with their work. They were not to look at the dog (challenging it) nor were they to run away from it. Just keep working. I must say the kids did and excellent job of following the directions. However, Beth, Jo and Z are small enough that they were not very intimidating. The dog began to target them rushing up on them when they were bent over to pick up sticks and chasing them as they walked the wood to the trailer. I felt like this was too unsafe for them and had them get into the van and wait. (These ones are all under the age of 10 and probably don't weigh 100lbs as a combined group.)
The older kids continued working. Mrs. D went into the house and told the family that because of the dog, we did not feel this was a safe environment for the kids and that we were going to go. Another group would return and finish at a later date. The family did not like this idea and sent the high school age granddaughter out to deal with the dog. She got a garden hoe and began to chase the dog yelling and swinging. The dog got more wound up and began running around the yard dodging her, barking, growling and snapping away. This was not working out the way I had hopped. Then the gentleman whose house we were at came out with his gun. He proceeded to try to shoot the dog.
Now I don't know ANYTHING about guns. I've never shot a gun in my life. But there are some safety rules that I thought applied to gun use. For example, I thought you were never supposed to point a gun at another person unless you intended to use it on that person. At archery we have a rule that no one even puts their arrow on the string until after everyone is on the same side of the shooting line and away from the target. I was standing less then two feet from the dog. All of the kids were standing between me and the man and he was shooting AT THE DOG THROUGH A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS! I stood there slightly shocked staring down the barrel of the gun thinking "This is insane, this isn't happening, he's not really shooting that thing!" but he was.
After four shots he finally hit the dog which went back to its side of the fence. None of the kids had been hurt. But I was MAD! Of all the dumb, idiotic, dangerous, stupid, .......(help me out, I need some more words) things to do! He went back into the house. I am positive he never even thought about what he had just done.
Yes, we did fill the trailer up with the sticks of wood. When the trailer was completely full we took it to the dump. You couldn't even tell we had done any work there were so many sticks left! We did report the incident. I can promise you this group of volunteers will not be returning to that home.
Maybe I'm crazy but I just don't think volunteers like getting shot at!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Passover
Tonight we celebrated Passover with our family and friends. This is a very special night for us. Everyone brings food to share and like any good potluck there were too many delicious choices.
Passover is an important time of remembrance. We remember that we were once slaves and we have been set free. We remember that God is our provider and give thanks for his provision. This year we also remembered my foster brother Omar. Omar passed away this year at the age of 31.
Passover is also a time of teaching. We are commanded to teach our children the truths of the seder. We are commanded to teach our children of the miracles that God did when he brought his people out of Egypt. There were fifteen children under the age of 11 at passover this year. Our family is growing! The youngest were a beautiful set of twins girls who came a month early just so they wouldn't miss this big event. Thanks Deb and Abraham for bringing all of your little ones to play!
Each year at Passover someone is chosen for a special inheritance. This is a custom that is kinda special for our family. It began the year my dad gave my mom a second wedding ring. The diamond was an inheritance from his mother given with the blessings of his father after Grandma had died. Grandpa told dad that he felt mom should have it. The following year it was my sister in law. My brother proposed to her at passover and gave her her wedding ring. The following year it was my husband. He got a gold coin. Then it was my brother's turn. Then it was Josh's turn. Josh was home on leave and returned to the Marines shortly after passover. He is still serving and we are very proud of him. Anyway, last night it was MY TURN! Yeah! I got a beautiful pair of amethyst and diamond earrings. (Amethyst are my birth stone. So I was born in___) Thanks mom and dad! Who's next year?
I hope you all have a wonderful Passover as well.
Passover is an important time of remembrance. We remember that we were once slaves and we have been set free. We remember that God is our provider and give thanks for his provision. This year we also remembered my foster brother Omar. Omar passed away this year at the age of 31.
Passover is also a time of teaching. We are commanded to teach our children the truths of the seder. We are commanded to teach our children of the miracles that God did when he brought his people out of Egypt. There were fifteen children under the age of 11 at passover this year. Our family is growing! The youngest were a beautiful set of twins girls who came a month early just so they wouldn't miss this big event. Thanks Deb and Abraham for bringing all of your little ones to play!
Each year at Passover someone is chosen for a special inheritance. This is a custom that is kinda special for our family. It began the year my dad gave my mom a second wedding ring. The diamond was an inheritance from his mother given with the blessings of his father after Grandma had died. Grandpa told dad that he felt mom should have it. The following year it was my sister in law. My brother proposed to her at passover and gave her her wedding ring. The following year it was my husband. He got a gold coin. Then it was my brother's turn. Then it was Josh's turn. Josh was home on leave and returned to the Marines shortly after passover. He is still serving and we are very proud of him. Anyway, last night it was MY TURN! Yeah! I got a beautiful pair of amethyst and diamond earrings. (Amethyst are my birth stone. So I was born in___) Thanks mom and dad! Who's next year?
I hope you all have a wonderful Passover as well.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thank You, Mrs. Hannigan!
After working hard to get the projects done for project fair I was pleased to accept an invitation to Mrs. Hannigan's home for some much needed socialization. Between us we have ten girls so imagine a tea party on steroids.
I would love to make a list of all of the wonderful things we accomplished today. I can't. I would love to recount all the stimulating conversation that we shared. I can't. I would love to list all of the plans we came up with to further our children's education. I can't. I would love to tell you that we got all of our 4-H meeting planned. I can't. I would love to recite the ideas we developed to save the world. I can't.
I do know that when I left I felt at peace. Pretty amazing with ten kids running around. Oh yeah, and the flood...you'll have to look at Mrs. Hannigan's blog to read about that one! But all in all when it was time to go home, I didn't want to, I was happy. It's nice to have person in your life who just helps you to feel content and that is what I experience when I spent the day with Mrs. Hannigan. Thank You!
I would love to make a list of all of the wonderful things we accomplished today. I can't. I would love to recount all the stimulating conversation that we shared. I can't. I would love to list all of the plans we came up with to further our children's education. I can't. I would love to tell you that we got all of our 4-H meeting planned. I can't. I would love to recite the ideas we developed to save the world. I can't.
I do know that when I left I felt at peace. Pretty amazing with ten kids running around. Oh yeah, and the flood...you'll have to look at Mrs. Hannigan's blog to read about that one! But all in all when it was time to go home, I didn't want to, I was happy. It's nice to have person in your life who just helps you to feel content and that is what I experience when I spent the day with Mrs. Hannigan. Thank You!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Yeah! We took 3rd!
I am so proud of the girls! They took third place at the project fair! Projects that were made by students in k-4th grade were not judged for the project fair. Since Meg is in 5th grade the girls were allowed to compete as a group project. It was really exciting for them to get this award.
I was very impressed with the projects that I saw. I'm glad that I didn't have to judge. The winning project was on Castles. The student had built a landscape on a 3 foot x 5 foot wooden board. There were mountains and valleys as well as the Castle itself. The wall that surrounded the castle was made from individually carved sticks of wood. It was impressive!
The students were orally interviewed by the judges as well. (Although I don't know that they realized it.) The judges did a great job of engaging each student and asking questions abut their project. Jo was so cute. When she was done she asked the judge if she had earned an A. The judge told her that she thought she deserved one. Then Jo asked if she won $1000 for her project. That sure caught me off guard. I don't know where she got THAT idea. The judge very kindly told her that no one was going to win that much money. Jo's project was not included in the projects for judging because of her age and since she did her project independently she didn't get to piggy back on Meg. She was a little disappointed.
Meg's favorite fact to report on sharks was their ability to actually turn their stomach inside out to get rid of food they didn't like. This was a big hit with the male participants especially those between the ages of seven and thirteen! One of the judges commented that she wasn't likely to forget that anytime soon either!
Once the judging was finished we got to enjoy a pizza dinner. Hmmm....I wonder what were gonna do next year?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I Bet You've Never Done Somthing This Crazy!
Maybe I was reliving my childhood. I had finished my 4-H leadership training and was working on putting together a 4-H based homeschool co-op. I was in 4-H as a kid and had a wonderful experience. I showed dogs...Alaskan Malamutes. So did my brother and sister. (Yes, we each had our own dog and we even did some sled dog racing but that's for another time.)
Maybe it was because three of the closest women in my life had all had babies in the last six months and I was feeling left out.
Maybe it was because I hadn't done any Christmas shopping and I was trying to figure out the "perfect gift" You know the one, the gift that stands out as the best gift ever!
Jo kept asking if Santa would bring her a puppy for Christmas. Jo has always wanted a dog. Whenever we are in public and she sees a person with a dog she goes over and starts talking to them and petting their dog.
Mr. March had said that we could get a dog after all of the girls were potty trained. Well they had all been potty trained for over two years.
So I got on line and started looking at puppies. I knew exactly what I wanted. A Newfoundland! They are beautiful animals and really good with children.
When I told Mr. March he said "Absolutely Not! They eat a horse a day!"
So back to the drawing board. Note to self dog must be small, very small! So I started looking at Pocket Puppies. You can't get much smaller then that. I'm sure they don't eat a horse a day.
I went a little neurotic looking at pictures of these little guys on the Internet and then trying to find one in my price range.
My mom was starting to get a little irritated with me because the only thing I could talk about was puppies. (Well everyone else was talking about babies. Did I mention I got TWO Nephews this year?)
Then Beth caught me looking at teacup poodles. She was in love. Can you get anymore girly girl then a tiny poodle puppy sitting in a teacup or wearing dress up clothes? These aren't dogs, their the ultimate girly toy!
I fell in love with a long haired mural blue Chihuahua. I had never seen anything quite like him. But when I talked to the breeder he had all ready been sold. Heartbreak!
The day after Thanksgiving my mom gave me a call. A woman in her area had two litters of Chihuahua puppies. Mom wanted to know if I wanted to go have a look. I asked Mr. M. if I could go with my mom to look at these two litters. He rolled his eyes at me, then said to go ahead. That means yes right? It's also understood I'm probably going to come home with one right?
Mom and I drove out to the breeders house. By the time we got there two of the puppies had all ready been sold. There were three left from the original five. I spent time playing with them and met the dams. The sire lived in Portland, Or. so I was not able to meet him. I was very impressed with how friendly the dams were and how comfortable they were with a stranger being around their babies.
I knew it was a little nuts but I decided to get two puppies. One for Jo and one for Beth. They were getting old enough to have a pet of their own and with four girls I figured two would be easier to share.
After purchasing these two puppies we went to Pet Smart to get food, dishes, leashes, collars and all of the other things you need when you have a dog. It was fun to take those two tiny little bundles into the store shopping!
While I was making dog food choices my mom got a call on her cell. She talked for a while and we checked out. In the car she told me that the person who called was another breeder. He had a black, long hair, male Chihuahua for sale. My heart stooped. I wanted a long hair. I tried really hard to be good. I had just bought two puppies I couldn't get another one! Mom smiled and said "Let's just go take a look." (Famous last words)
We drove to the guy's house and he welcomed us inside. The dam and sire were both on site. There were three puppies. The long hair black male and two short hair white females. He was so cute. He could fit in the palm of my hand and was just the tiniest ball of soft fuzzy black hair. It was even curly. He looked a little like the teacup poodle that Beth had fallen in love with. I kept looking at my mom and saying "I can't come home with three! One of the girls will feel left out." My mom being the Fairy Godmother that she loves to be bought two of the puppies. The black male and the smaller white female.
I think I was a little in shock at this point. We drove out to my parents house and got four Christmas boxes. Then we drove back to my house. I thought about each of the four girls, their personality and behavior and the puppies personalities that I had seen so far. I decided which girl would get which puppy.
When we got home I went into the house and had the girls all sit down on the couch. "Santa came early this year girls. I can't hide it from you so your going to get it tonight." I said. The girls were excited, their eyes were twinkling and reflecting the light from Christmas tree we had set up earlier that day. Mr. M, my dad, and my Uncle all stood behind the couch the girls were sitting on. Then I went back to the car. Mom had put each puppy in a box. We carried the boxes into the house and gave each girl her box.
I know that that is the memory I will probably always remember as my favorite Christmas moment. As each of the four girls opened a box with her very own tiny Chihuahua puppy inside. Their eyes lit up, they were grinning from ear to ear, and Mr. M took a VERY BIG BREATH!
He sat on the floor with the girls and gently picked up the puppies taking time to get to know them. In fifteen minutes he was covered in hives from head to foot! (He never told me he was allergic to dogs! He claims he's not that they're not dogs at all.) I have a really amazing husband. We still have all four of the dogs.
I bet you have never done something this crazy or stupid. Here's my Christmas gift to you. The next time you buy something you know your partner is going to freak out about, just smile and say "at least I didn't bring home four Chihuahua puppies!"
Don't forget, they're educational, after all they're a 4-H project!
Maybe it was because three of the closest women in my life had all had babies in the last six months and I was feeling left out.
Maybe it was because I hadn't done any Christmas shopping and I was trying to figure out the "perfect gift" You know the one, the gift that stands out as the best gift ever!
Jo kept asking if Santa would bring her a puppy for Christmas. Jo has always wanted a dog. Whenever we are in public and she sees a person with a dog she goes over and starts talking to them and petting their dog.
Mr. March had said that we could get a dog after all of the girls were potty trained. Well they had all been potty trained for over two years.
So I got on line and started looking at puppies. I knew exactly what I wanted. A Newfoundland! They are beautiful animals and really good with children.
When I told Mr. March he said "Absolutely Not! They eat a horse a day!"
So back to the drawing board. Note to self dog must be small, very small! So I started looking at Pocket Puppies. You can't get much smaller then that. I'm sure they don't eat a horse a day.
I went a little neurotic looking at pictures of these little guys on the Internet and then trying to find one in my price range.
My mom was starting to get a little irritated with me because the only thing I could talk about was puppies. (Well everyone else was talking about babies. Did I mention I got TWO Nephews this year?)
Then Beth caught me looking at teacup poodles. She was in love. Can you get anymore girly girl then a tiny poodle puppy sitting in a teacup or wearing dress up clothes? These aren't dogs, their the ultimate girly toy!
I fell in love with a long haired mural blue Chihuahua. I had never seen anything quite like him. But when I talked to the breeder he had all ready been sold. Heartbreak!
The day after Thanksgiving my mom gave me a call. A woman in her area had two litters of Chihuahua puppies. Mom wanted to know if I wanted to go have a look. I asked Mr. M. if I could go with my mom to look at these two litters. He rolled his eyes at me, then said to go ahead. That means yes right? It's also understood I'm probably going to come home with one right?
Mom and I drove out to the breeders house. By the time we got there two of the puppies had all ready been sold. There were three left from the original five. I spent time playing with them and met the dams. The sire lived in Portland, Or. so I was not able to meet him. I was very impressed with how friendly the dams were and how comfortable they were with a stranger being around their babies.
I knew it was a little nuts but I decided to get two puppies. One for Jo and one for Beth. They were getting old enough to have a pet of their own and with four girls I figured two would be easier to share.
After purchasing these two puppies we went to Pet Smart to get food, dishes, leashes, collars and all of the other things you need when you have a dog. It was fun to take those two tiny little bundles into the store shopping!
While I was making dog food choices my mom got a call on her cell. She talked for a while and we checked out. In the car she told me that the person who called was another breeder. He had a black, long hair, male Chihuahua for sale. My heart stooped. I wanted a long hair. I tried really hard to be good. I had just bought two puppies I couldn't get another one! Mom smiled and said "Let's just go take a look." (Famous last words)
We drove to the guy's house and he welcomed us inside. The dam and sire were both on site. There were three puppies. The long hair black male and two short hair white females. He was so cute. He could fit in the palm of my hand and was just the tiniest ball of soft fuzzy black hair. It was even curly. He looked a little like the teacup poodle that Beth had fallen in love with. I kept looking at my mom and saying "I can't come home with three! One of the girls will feel left out." My mom being the Fairy Godmother that she loves to be bought two of the puppies. The black male and the smaller white female.
I think I was a little in shock at this point. We drove out to my parents house and got four Christmas boxes. Then we drove back to my house. I thought about each of the four girls, their personality and behavior and the puppies personalities that I had seen so far. I decided which girl would get which puppy.
When we got home I went into the house and had the girls all sit down on the couch. "Santa came early this year girls. I can't hide it from you so your going to get it tonight." I said. The girls were excited, their eyes were twinkling and reflecting the light from Christmas tree we had set up earlier that day. Mr. M, my dad, and my Uncle all stood behind the couch the girls were sitting on. Then I went back to the car. Mom had put each puppy in a box. We carried the boxes into the house and gave each girl her box.
I know that that is the memory I will probably always remember as my favorite Christmas moment. As each of the four girls opened a box with her very own tiny Chihuahua puppy inside. Their eyes lit up, they were grinning from ear to ear, and Mr. M took a VERY BIG BREATH!
He sat on the floor with the girls and gently picked up the puppies taking time to get to know them. In fifteen minutes he was covered in hives from head to foot! (He never told me he was allergic to dogs! He claims he's not that they're not dogs at all.) I have a really amazing husband. We still have all four of the dogs.
I bet you have never done something this crazy or stupid. Here's my Christmas gift to you. The next time you buy something you know your partner is going to freak out about, just smile and say "at least I didn't bring home four Chihuahua puppies!"
Don't forget, they're educational, after all they're a 4-H project!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
What's Your Funniest Homeschool Story?
This month for our parent support night we had a writing competition. Moms and Dads were challenged to show off their writing skills and share their funniest homeschool stories. Then they had to present the story to the other parents. Extra points were awarded for the use of props.
I haven't laughed so hard in a looonnnnggg time. One story was entitled "Peace and Quiet" if you homeschool you know just the title was a joke! Another began with the concerns expressed by the four (public schooled) older brothers when they found out their mom was going to homeschool their baby sister. (She is a late in life child and a good fifteen years younger then her sibs) Mom and Dad then proceeded to act out various phone calls from the school. "Mrs. B. your son brought a hunting knife to school and while we know that he didn't intend to use it, he has committed a crime." "Mrs. B. your son was in an altercation and has been suspended" "Mrs. B. your son has been baned from the bus" Ultimately Mrs. B. has decide that she can't do any worse then the Public School did. The stories went on and the laughs continued.
I also got a rare incite into the lives of the parents I educate with. It was so fun to see this side of them. Many shared how the writing project was good for them to experience a writing project from the "student" side again.
Cash prizes were awarded for the first three places. Judging was done by all those in attendance. Each person received one ballot and cast their vote at the end. Congratulations to the winners! Sagemommy took first! To see my contribution...Check back tomorrow.
I haven't laughed so hard in a looonnnnggg time. One story was entitled "Peace and Quiet" if you homeschool you know just the title was a joke! Another began with the concerns expressed by the four (public schooled) older brothers when they found out their mom was going to homeschool their baby sister. (She is a late in life child and a good fifteen years younger then her sibs) Mom and Dad then proceeded to act out various phone calls from the school. "Mrs. B. your son brought a hunting knife to school and while we know that he didn't intend to use it, he has committed a crime." "Mrs. B. your son was in an altercation and has been suspended" "Mrs. B. your son has been baned from the bus" Ultimately Mrs. B. has decide that she can't do any worse then the Public School did. The stories went on and the laughs continued.
I also got a rare incite into the lives of the parents I educate with. It was so fun to see this side of them. Many shared how the writing project was good for them to experience a writing project from the "student" side again.
Cash prizes were awarded for the first three places. Judging was done by all those in attendance. Each person received one ballot and cast their vote at the end. Congratulations to the winners! Sagemommy took first! To see my contribution...Check back tomorrow.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Project Fair Insanity!
Yep, it's that time of year again. When I sit back and want to hit my head against the wall. I was not going to procrastinate this year. I was going to start our projects for project fair early. But in spite of my best intentions, here it is only three days left and we are cramming to get our projects done!
Meg is doing her project on sharks. She has been working independently so far which is a big help. Beth is doing her project on dolphins. Amy is doing her project on plankton. She is needing my help on just about everything. How many four year olds decide to do a report on PLANKTON??? Jo was going to do her report on whales but then she decided to do it on the chukar.
We spent most of today getting information for the reports. Then we went to the craft store and got clay. They girls who are doing ocean reports are working together to make an ocean diorama. Jo is taking the chukar and quail in. We haven't even started on the posters yet. Oh.. and my printer isn't working! Can't wait to see how this all works out.
Meg is doing her project on sharks. She has been working independently so far which is a big help. Beth is doing her project on dolphins. Amy is doing her project on plankton. She is needing my help on just about everything. How many four year olds decide to do a report on PLANKTON??? Jo was going to do her report on whales but then she decided to do it on the chukar.
We spent most of today getting information for the reports. Then we went to the craft store and got clay. They girls who are doing ocean reports are working together to make an ocean diorama. Jo is taking the chukar and quail in. We haven't even started on the posters yet. Oh.. and my printer isn't working! Can't wait to see how this all works out.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Not Just a Family Scrapbook
- I got spoiled this weekend! It was my grandmother's birthday. The last few years my mom, aunts, and grandmother have had a scrapbooking party. Jean a Creative Memories consultant has hosted the party. Jean (www.mycmsite.com/jeannibbe) and her husband go out of their way to provide a warm relaxing atmosphere. The food and drinks keep coming and the Creative Memories store is open! I had nine hours of uninterrupted scrapbooking time. Wow!
Scrapbooking can be used for more then just organizing and preserving family memories. The same skills you use to scrapbook can create incredible portfolios for your kids.
As more homeschool students become college bound, colleges are looking at more then just transcripts to decide who makes the cut. A well designed portfolio can help get your child noticed.
It's never to early to start working with your children on their portfolio. Help them to take ownership of their own books. Six year old Beth loves to scrapbook. When she found out she wasn't coming with me this weekend her parting comment was "Don't forget to take pictures so that I can scrapbook them when you get back!"
When I develop pictures I always get doubles. Then Beth and the other girls pick through and choose their own pictures to scrapbook. They enjoy cropping the photos and arranging them in their own books. Then they journal about the photos. This is a fundamental part of scrabooking. At a minimum you should include the names of the people in the photo, the date, and the location. The more information that is recorded about the photos the better you will remember the event. Journaling is also a wonderful opportunity to develop writing skills. (See, your sneaking in language arts with out even trying!)
The fun part is when you include graphic design. This is not necessary to a good scrapbook or portfolio. I have seen beautiful books done with only photos and journaling on basic white paper. But for those who want to get creative the graphic design element is a place to play. Have fun and be creative. There are multiple websites and books available if you want to get some ideas.
Other things you will want to include in your portfolio: - List of Books
- ReadField
- TripsProjectsSportsService
- GroupsVolunteer
- HoursHobbies
Contact the admissions department of the colleges you are interested in to get a more detailed description of what they are looking for.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Friday Forum and Other Co-ops
Today we have Friday Forum. It is a Homeschool Co-Op that meets once a month. There are around forty families or so that participate. Some of the classes that the March girls participate in are cooking, karate, drama, speed stacking, painting, and science. This doesn't even begin to cover the list of classes that are available.
For us this is a very special day to get together with friends and enjoy learning experiences together. It is also a nice way to sample classes that are offered in the community. If the girls find something they really enjoy we can then sign up for more involved classes.
One of my favorite parts of Friday Forum is the mom's break room. I get to be in a room with a bunch of other homeschool moms and some really yummy snacks with no kids! It is a blast. We talk about resources, challenges we are facing, and celebrate our triumphs. I love listening to stories the veteran moms share. Some of these amazing ladies have been homeschooling for fifteen to twenty years.
I also enjoy teaching classes. This year I teach the Jr. and Sr. High School Cooking Class and assist with the Karate Class. It is very interesting to be teaching my friends kids without their moms around. I get to see a different side of them and they develop a relationship with me outside the mom's friend stereotype. I guess we become real people to each other. This is really important when you understand that these are also my children's best friends. I really enjoy getting to know their true personalities.
If you homeschool I hope that you have a co-op that you can participate it. They are and invaluable resources.
If you don't belong to a co-op look around and see if there is one you can join.
If that's not working out start your own. The number of homeschoolers who would like to be in a co-op is far higher then the number of co-ops available.
Starting your own co-op is not that hard. The first step is to find a location that is willing to let you meet. Try different churches in your area. Sometimes granges work out as well. If you have a fairly small co-op that is just getting going you can even meet in some one's home.
Invite a few homeschoolers you know to join you. You may need to run an ad in you local support groups newsletter or post on a local homeschool e-mail group.
Have a planning meeting with the other interested parties. You will need to decide how often you group will meet and what your focus will be. A small group that is just starting out may just focus on science or history. I hosted a small Latin and Art group for a year in my home. We would get together twice a month and do different Latin activities. Then we would have an art class. There were three moms and twelve kids ranging in age from thirteen years to three months. This was really wonderful accountability to keep us getting our Latin done.
Make sure that ALL parents understand what their responsibilities are. One person may be the lead teacher and the other keeps an eye on the younger ones. Or you may plan to alternate the teaching responsibilities. Then make sure to be accountable for what you have agreed to do. Nothing will kill a co-op faster then parents who don't follow through on their obligations. (Yes, this does happen!)
The more adults you have participating in your co-op the larger your talent pool is. Mrs. Tosetsofbooks used to be an accountant and would be willing to share her skills with a math class. Mr. Blownheadgasket is a mechanic who is willing to teach and automotive class. Mrs. Hiphop is willing to teach a dance class. You get the idea. Just because we are parents doesn't mean we don't have other useful skills to draw on. After all, I'm sure Mrs. Blogger would love to take over your writing class.
Over time you may need to have someone act as treasurer. Supplies cost money and a very small amount paid out by the co-op members can go a long way for purchasing for the whole group.
Snacks are also an important thing to consider, especially if you have younger children participating and you will be meeting for more then 45 minutes. We are so blessed to have a retired Chef who is also a homeschool dad. He provides wonderful snacks each month and even keeps track of all of the food allergy information.
I hope this gives you some ideas for forming your own co-op. If you do start one post about it. I want to hear how it's going! If your all ready in a co-op that is doing some amazing stuff make sure to post about it. I'm always looking for new ideas!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Do You Listen to Your Kids?
I know my first response would be "Of course, I'm with them all day. They're the only people I talk to."
But I've been reading Coach Your Kids for Life by Londa Harpster and I really spent some time thinking about this. I don't like the realization that it forced me to make. I have gotten into the habit of tuning my kids out. I mean how long do I have to listen to them talk about Club Penguin? I can feel my brain turning to mush just thinking about it.
Londa points out how important it is to really listen to our kids. To stop what we are doing, make eye contact and really listen as they prattle on. To ask questions that lead to (gasp) more information then I ever wanted to know. This were the relationship is built. This is when our kids develop the trust in us to let us know what they are thinking and feeling. If my kid knows I'm willing to listen to her talk about green scribbles that she made on paper then she will know that she can come and talk to me about deeper issues she may be facing.
It's about capturing the child's heart. I know that I want to know the heart of my children. I want to know what makes them feel alive so that I can encourage them to follow their dreams. I know that God has placed the seed of his plan for their life in their heart and I need to help water those seeds so they can grow to their fullest potential.
So my goal is to really work this week on taking the time to stop and listen to my kids. To show interest in what they are telling me so that they will learn that I am a rewarding place to share their thoughts and feelings. Otherwise I'm teaching them to go someplace else for their relational fulfillment.
Londa will be speaking at the CAPE Homeschool Conventin on May 3rd. If you want more information you can look at http://www.yakimahomeschool.com/ or here is a link to her book.
But I've been reading Coach Your Kids for Life by Londa Harpster and I really spent some time thinking about this. I don't like the realization that it forced me to make. I have gotten into the habit of tuning my kids out. I mean how long do I have to listen to them talk about Club Penguin? I can feel my brain turning to mush just thinking about it.
Londa points out how important it is to really listen to our kids. To stop what we are doing, make eye contact and really listen as they prattle on. To ask questions that lead to (gasp) more information then I ever wanted to know. This were the relationship is built. This is when our kids develop the trust in us to let us know what they are thinking and feeling. If my kid knows I'm willing to listen to her talk about green scribbles that she made on paper then she will know that she can come and talk to me about deeper issues she may be facing.
It's about capturing the child's heart. I know that I want to know the heart of my children. I want to know what makes them feel alive so that I can encourage them to follow their dreams. I know that God has placed the seed of his plan for their life in their heart and I need to help water those seeds so they can grow to their fullest potential.
So my goal is to really work this week on taking the time to stop and listen to my kids. To show interest in what they are telling me so that they will learn that I am a rewarding place to share their thoughts and feelings. Otherwise I'm teaching them to go someplace else for their relational fulfillment.
Londa will be speaking at the CAPE Homeschool Conventin on May 3rd. If you want more information you can look at http://www.yakimahomeschool.com/ or here is a link to her book.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
How to Raise a Hen
One of the writing activities that we do each day is journaling. The March girls all have their own notebooks to write in. There are very few rules. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are not evaluated in their journals. This is a time to just put thoughts on paper. In the early stages the books are mostly full of pictures. Actually, some of the books are just scribbles. The girls were about two when they got their first journals. Sometimes I would scribe their thoughts for them. A lot of these first journals are just list of words. They eventually became stories over time. Anyway, Jo wrote this piece about how to raise a hen before she got the egg she carried around for a month and a good six weeks before Omelet, Frittata, and Souffle came to live with is. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do!How to Raise a Hen
by Jo March
First you take one egg from a hen. Next you heat the egg but do not cook it. Next you wait for a few days. Next you will have a chicken. Next you take care of the chick. Next you feed it. Next you water it. Next you keep it warm. If your hen is a boy you will use it as an alarm clock. If it is a girl you will have more pets to take care of. So keep your chick healthy and happy. Keep it away from cats and killer dogs and mouse traps. Make sure the chick is safe and warm and healthy and happy. When it is big enough to leave the house or go on a walk or live in the barn you could visit your hen. I hope you take care of your pet.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Poached Omelet
This year we are studying biology for science. We have covered a variety of different animals over the course of the year. An on going project has been the bird identification notebook. In the fall we put three different bird feeders in the back yard. One contains small seed food, one contains black sunflower seed, and the third contains suet. Over the winter we have enjoyed a large number of visitors. I love looking into my backyard and seeing quail and mourning doves flocking under the feeders. The most common visitors are House Finches. This spring some American Goldfinches have started to visit.
This is my favorite book for identify bird that show up at our bird feeder! The pictures are awsome! I also like that it is realavant to Washington State.
So during this study of birds, Jo got it in to her head that she wanted to hatch a chicken. I found an incubator in a science catalogue and got all ready to buy it when Mr. March declared "NO MORE PETS!" I tried to point out that this was a science experiment not getting pets but he didn't seem to see the difference. I found a video of an egg hatching on youtube and hoped that would satisfy her.
Then we had 4H at a friend's house. Now this friend lives on a mini farm and has chickens. Jo was in heaven. She spent most of her time out with the chickens and collected some eggs. She brought one of the eggs home and very carefully kept it wrapped up in paper towels in a Tupperware container. She explained to everyone who would listen that she was hatching a chicken. She even packed it and took the egg to Grandma's when she spent the night. Four weeks later the egg still hasn't hatched (of course) and I'm starting to worry about the smell if it breaks.
So last weekend we went to Big R to get some fencing supplies. I DID NOT know that Big R was giving away 500 baby chicks to the first interested families. Jo was in love. She kept picking up the little chicks and just gazing at them. Now, I know that Mr. March said no more pets. I don't disagree with him. But how come I have to be the bad guy and say no? Every time Jo asked for the chick I told her she had to ask her dad. He put his foot down, he can break her heart. She was so cute. She very carefully explained how much the chick was and promised to feed it and water it and clean it's cage. After all Meg has a parakeet. So I'm sitting there watching and waiting for him to say no and what does he do? He glares at me and starts putting chick feed and supplies into the cart while the salesman is boxing up the little thing. So that is how Omelet joined the family.
Jo very carefully scrubbed out an old aquarium that was in the garage and got it all set up for Omelet. We put the food and water container into the tank with the special chick liner. Everything was all ready for the new occupant. Gently, Jo put the little chick into it's new home and it promptly went and climbed into it's water dispenser. This was the special kind that they sold us at the store. I'm sitting there looking at this little chick thinking, this doesn't look good. I don't think it's supposed to be swimming in there. It's going to freeze. But I got the girls out of the room and just tried to give it some space. When I checked on it a half hour later it was still upright but all of the lower feathers were soaking. I was beginning to worry that this might not work out so well. I left it alone. When I checked the next time the poor little thing was completely soaked. I pulled it out of the water dispenser and put it under the light. It just laid there. This was really looking bad. Meg got a washcloth and put it in the microwave then tried to warm the little guy up. He was just laying on the wash cloth. I knew he was not going to make it through the night.
I took Jo into my room and warned her that her new pet might not live. She burst into tears and cried and cried. I just sat there feeling so helpless. Here she was trying to show that she is grown up and can take care of her pet and the stupid thing is trying to drowned itself!
When I got her calmed down. I went back and looked at the little thing. It's eyes were closed, it's feathers were all soaking wet, it's legs were stretched out and it was smaller then my thumb! There was no way it was going to make it through the night. I gently picked it up and took it into my bedroom. I turned the space heater on high and just sat their hold the little thing up to the heat. It was so small I could hardly feel any weight in my hands at all.
I sat there for over an hour. Slowly the little feathers started to dry out. Then once in a while it would open it's eyes. Finally, it started to sit up an look around. When it tried to jump out of my hands I felt it was ready to go back into it's cage. I took the water container out and left the little chick sitting under the heating lamp.
I went to my computer and googled Raising Chicks. So here's the important tip I learned: When using a chick watering container put marbles or small bits of gravel into the water. The chicks will stand on top and drink the water and not drowned. I wish the guy at the store would have mentioned THAT!!!! Omelet made it through the first night. The next day Mr. March and Jo went BACK to Big R and got Omelet two new friends because he was lonely! So now we have three baby chicks in our home.
Actually, I should mention, they were out of chicken chicks. Omelet is actually a Chukar and he was joined by two quail. Their names are Frittata and Souffle.
This is my favorite book for identify bird that show up at our bird feeder! The pictures are awsome! I also like that it is realavant to Washington State.
So during this study of birds, Jo got it in to her head that she wanted to hatch a chicken. I found an incubator in a science catalogue and got all ready to buy it when Mr. March declared "NO MORE PETS!" I tried to point out that this was a science experiment not getting pets but he didn't seem to see the difference. I found a video of an egg hatching on youtube and hoped that would satisfy her.
Then we had 4H at a friend's house. Now this friend lives on a mini farm and has chickens. Jo was in heaven. She spent most of her time out with the chickens and collected some eggs. She brought one of the eggs home and very carefully kept it wrapped up in paper towels in a Tupperware container. She explained to everyone who would listen that she was hatching a chicken. She even packed it and took the egg to Grandma's when she spent the night. Four weeks later the egg still hasn't hatched (of course) and I'm starting to worry about the smell if it breaks.
So last weekend we went to Big R to get some fencing supplies. I DID NOT know that Big R was giving away 500 baby chicks to the first interested families. Jo was in love. She kept picking up the little chicks and just gazing at them. Now, I know that Mr. March said no more pets. I don't disagree with him. But how come I have to be the bad guy and say no? Every time Jo asked for the chick I told her she had to ask her dad. He put his foot down, he can break her heart. She was so cute. She very carefully explained how much the chick was and promised to feed it and water it and clean it's cage. After all Meg has a parakeet. So I'm sitting there watching and waiting for him to say no and what does he do? He glares at me and starts putting chick feed and supplies into the cart while the salesman is boxing up the little thing. So that is how Omelet joined the family.
Jo very carefully scrubbed out an old aquarium that was in the garage and got it all set up for Omelet. We put the food and water container into the tank with the special chick liner. Everything was all ready for the new occupant. Gently, Jo put the little chick into it's new home and it promptly went and climbed into it's water dispenser. This was the special kind that they sold us at the store. I'm sitting there looking at this little chick thinking, this doesn't look good. I don't think it's supposed to be swimming in there. It's going to freeze. But I got the girls out of the room and just tried to give it some space. When I checked on it a half hour later it was still upright but all of the lower feathers were soaking. I was beginning to worry that this might not work out so well. I left it alone. When I checked the next time the poor little thing was completely soaked. I pulled it out of the water dispenser and put it under the light. It just laid there. This was really looking bad. Meg got a washcloth and put it in the microwave then tried to warm the little guy up. He was just laying on the wash cloth. I knew he was not going to make it through the night.
I took Jo into my room and warned her that her new pet might not live. She burst into tears and cried and cried. I just sat there feeling so helpless. Here she was trying to show that she is grown up and can take care of her pet and the stupid thing is trying to drowned itself!
When I got her calmed down. I went back and looked at the little thing. It's eyes were closed, it's feathers were all soaking wet, it's legs were stretched out and it was smaller then my thumb! There was no way it was going to make it through the night. I gently picked it up and took it into my bedroom. I turned the space heater on high and just sat their hold the little thing up to the heat. It was so small I could hardly feel any weight in my hands at all.
I sat there for over an hour. Slowly the little feathers started to dry out. Then once in a while it would open it's eyes. Finally, it started to sit up an look around. When it tried to jump out of my hands I felt it was ready to go back into it's cage. I took the water container out and left the little chick sitting under the heating lamp.
I went to my computer and googled Raising Chicks. So here's the important tip I learned: When using a chick watering container put marbles or small bits of gravel into the water. The chicks will stand on top and drink the water and not drowned. I wish the guy at the store would have mentioned THAT!!!! Omelet made it through the first night. The next day Mr. March and Jo went BACK to Big R and got Omelet two new friends because he was lonely! So now we have three baby chicks in our home.
Actually, I should mention, they were out of chicken chicks. Omelet is actually a Chukar and he was joined by two quail. Their names are Frittata and Souffle.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Ok Mrs. Hannigan, I'm Blogging!
When my dear friend Mrs. Hannigan blogged about my one and only blog post I was forced to create a whole new blog to respond. My other blogs are a work in progress and I am enough of a perfectionist that they may not ever get published. So this is my random thought get it done blog.
There! Now I have two blogs written even if they are on two different blog spots.
So to meet the cast.
I'm Mrs. March. I've been a homeschool mom for six years if you only count the "school age" years or for ten years if you believe that homeschooling starts at birth. I love to read and like to think that I can write but in truth it is much easier to read someone else's works then to come up with your own. I am also very involved with our local homeschool group. My version of Mrs. March's charitable works. This brings a lot of characters through my life and I'm sure that I will share the best of them that I can.
Meg, my oldest, is ten right now but will be eleven this May. She loves to read and hates to write. Her mathematical skills passed mine when she was eight. She is only 1/2 an inch from passing me in height. Her current love is drama.
Jo, true to her namesake is all tomboy. She is the fire cracker that the family tends to revolve around. Her great love is the wii. (Not my fault, I didn't buy it!) Nothing comes easily for Jo, she has had to struggle for every achievement she has ever made.
Beth, is the queen of girly girls. She loves ballet as well as tap and jazz. She wears princess pink as often as she can. Everything comes easily to Beth.
Amy is the golden haired baby of the bunch. She is as far from her namesake as can be! She has no fear. She is always in the middle of any upsets.
Mr. March goes off to war every day. After a difficult time in the trenches, he goes to the local recruitment center and trains future warriors. (He's a Sensi at the local dojo.)
So there is the basic list of characters. I'm sure that more will enter over the next few days.
There! Now I have two blogs written even if they are on two different blog spots.
So to meet the cast.
I'm Mrs. March. I've been a homeschool mom for six years if you only count the "school age" years or for ten years if you believe that homeschooling starts at birth. I love to read and like to think that I can write but in truth it is much easier to read someone else's works then to come up with your own. I am also very involved with our local homeschool group. My version of Mrs. March's charitable works. This brings a lot of characters through my life and I'm sure that I will share the best of them that I can.
Meg, my oldest, is ten right now but will be eleven this May. She loves to read and hates to write. Her mathematical skills passed mine when she was eight. She is only 1/2 an inch from passing me in height. Her current love is drama.
Jo, true to her namesake is all tomboy. She is the fire cracker that the family tends to revolve around. Her great love is the wii. (Not my fault, I didn't buy it!) Nothing comes easily for Jo, she has had to struggle for every achievement she has ever made.
Beth, is the queen of girly girls. She loves ballet as well as tap and jazz. She wears princess pink as often as she can. Everything comes easily to Beth.
Amy is the golden haired baby of the bunch. She is as far from her namesake as can be! She has no fear. She is always in the middle of any upsets.
Mr. March goes off to war every day. After a difficult time in the trenches, he goes to the local recruitment center and trains future warriors. (He's a Sensi at the local dojo.)
So there is the basic list of characters. I'm sure that more will enter over the next few days.
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