I have spent the majority of the past two days laying flat on my back. Good thing my 'substitute' was still in town.
Apparently a UTI can flare into major pain in 24 hours, and then start contractions (especially if one is prone to pre-term labor). So, I have been laying around feeling pretty useless while waiting for antibiotics to take affect.
This morning I woke up feeling a thousand times better. Still spending the majority of time on the sofa. But, I was able to do lessons with the girls this morning. That felt good. Mom was able to leave to go home for a few days - she took K with her - and will be back on Monday.
I am now faced with restricted activity for the next couple of weeks - but at least I can get up and do things again.
Peace,
Amy
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Substitute Teacher
Well, a houseguest = less computer time. Not getting a chance to get on the computer since our guest room is also where the computers are.
My mom is up here visiting. She came for K's 4th birthday on Saturday and decided to stay long enough to go with the girls to their choir class on Tuesday. They really love involving her in their lives and she enjoys seeing what they are doing. I am very blessed to have such a supportive family when it comes to homeschooling.
It worked out well since I had one of my checks at the OB office today. She stayed home with the girls and did morning lessons with them while I went to the appointment and then ran a quick errand. By the time I came home everyone was settling down for lunch with all their 'organized' lessons completed. After lunch MB wanted Mamaw to help her with her science poster on salt marshes that she needs for her Wednesday Co-op, so I just got to watch from the sideline.
My mom, really played the substitute today. She was insistent that I get off my feet. Especially, after the midwife found that junior has dropped significantly, and with my tendency towards pre-term labor wants me to take it easy for at least the next two weeks.
My mom took over all child care duties for the entire day. It felt strange. To be watching the lives of my children, but not fully engaged or involved. To review their written work and hear about what they did as opposed to actually being a part of it. I wonder if this is what school would feel like for me?
I did make sure I managed the reading time tonight. At least it is something I can keep up with.
It was a good day and I am very thankful for the help. Kudos to all who support those that homeschool.
Peace,
Amy
My mom is up here visiting. She came for K's 4th birthday on Saturday and decided to stay long enough to go with the girls to their choir class on Tuesday. They really love involving her in their lives and she enjoys seeing what they are doing. I am very blessed to have such a supportive family when it comes to homeschooling.
It worked out well since I had one of my checks at the OB office today. She stayed home with the girls and did morning lessons with them while I went to the appointment and then ran a quick errand. By the time I came home everyone was settling down for lunch with all their 'organized' lessons completed. After lunch MB wanted Mamaw to help her with her science poster on salt marshes that she needs for her Wednesday Co-op, so I just got to watch from the sideline.
My mom, really played the substitute today. She was insistent that I get off my feet. Especially, after the midwife found that junior has dropped significantly, and with my tendency towards pre-term labor wants me to take it easy for at least the next two weeks.
My mom took over all child care duties for the entire day. It felt strange. To be watching the lives of my children, but not fully engaged or involved. To review their written work and hear about what they did as opposed to actually being a part of it. I wonder if this is what school would feel like for me?
I did make sure I managed the reading time tonight. At least it is something I can keep up with.
It was a good day and I am very thankful for the help. Kudos to all who support those that homeschool.
Peace,
Amy
Friday, September 15, 2006
Relaxed Thursday
In my frustration over how structured lessons went on Wednesday I decided to chuck to books into the middle of the table for Thursday and just have a relaxed day. These days always seem too be so successful for the way the girls learn that I wish we could go this direction all the time. But I am so worried about maintaining 'grade-level' (DH will not commit to hs more than one year at a time) especially with MBs reading that I feel like we have to push on those 'basic' areas in case she does go into school.
We got much more done yesterday than we have in a few weeks. The day was spent doing and reading what the girls wanted to - within reason.
Science
Earth Science - read about the layers of the Earth and colored a diagram of the layers
Boiled eggs and used them to explain "crust, mantle & core" of the earth
Electricity - Impromptu discussion on electrical shorts after I noticed that one of our outlets in the kitchen was shorting (darn alum wiring) showed it to MB and explained how we have to make sure electrical connections are always tight
MB worked independently with her electricity science kit and an old broken hand-held fan to make it work again.
Biology - Both MB and K did their daily insect hunt around our yard - finding two more writing spiders.
Math
~ Read a book on shapes to K. She practiced drawing circles and triangles on the white board. This turned into an elaborate picture story of all of us going on a treasure hunt.
~ Introduced solid shapes to MB. We made various sized cones from construction paper and then wore them as hats or noses. We also played ball while we talked about the sphere shape.
~ MB played with her geo-board, which led to a discussion on diameter and radius and how circles are measured.
~ K and I played pick up sticks (picking up amounts from one-to-five) with popsicle sticks.
Literature
~ "The Gingerbread Man" - MB and K chose this story to make-up a play for it. So today I read it aloud several times while they practiced acting it out with their props and saying their lines. We also read another version of the story just to compare.
Reading
~ MB read aloud the entire early reader: "Bugs, Beetles and Butterflies"
HIstory
~ We read aloud four chapters in Aztec Warriors: How They Lived
PE
~ Outside play after it stopped raining
~ MB rode her bike with a friend (and her mother) over to the library and back
So, we had what can amount to a full-day of school. Limited stress and everyone had fun. I am not running back to the books anytime soon. We have a spelling test today and that is the only mom-imposed, we have to do it, thing we are doing. Otherwise I am going to see what they ask for today.
Peace,
Amy
We got much more done yesterday than we have in a few weeks. The day was spent doing and reading what the girls wanted to - within reason.
Science
Earth Science - read about the layers of the Earth and colored a diagram of the layers
Boiled eggs and used them to explain "crust, mantle & core" of the earth
Electricity - Impromptu discussion on electrical shorts after I noticed that one of our outlets in the kitchen was shorting (darn alum wiring) showed it to MB and explained how we have to make sure electrical connections are always tight
MB worked independently with her electricity science kit and an old broken hand-held fan to make it work again.
Biology - Both MB and K did their daily insect hunt around our yard - finding two more writing spiders.
Math
~ Read a book on shapes to K. She practiced drawing circles and triangles on the white board. This turned into an elaborate picture story of all of us going on a treasure hunt.
~ Introduced solid shapes to MB. We made various sized cones from construction paper and then wore them as hats or noses. We also played ball while we talked about the sphere shape.
~ MB played with her geo-board, which led to a discussion on diameter and radius and how circles are measured.
~ K and I played pick up sticks (picking up amounts from one-to-five) with popsicle sticks.
Literature
~ "The Gingerbread Man" - MB and K chose this story to make-up a play for it. So today I read it aloud several times while they practiced acting it out with their props and saying their lines. We also read another version of the story just to compare.
Reading
~ MB read aloud the entire early reader: "Bugs, Beetles and Butterflies"
HIstory
~ We read aloud four chapters in Aztec Warriors: How They Lived
PE
~ Outside play after it stopped raining
~ MB rode her bike with a friend (and her mother) over to the library and back
So, we had what can amount to a full-day of school. Limited stress and everyone had fun. I am not running back to the books anytime soon. We have a spelling test today and that is the only mom-imposed, we have to do it, thing we are doing. Otherwise I am going to see what they ask for today.
Peace,
Amy
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Some "Home" Schooling
Our morning project. Doesn't it just look yummy? It was!!
MB helped me with everything but the chopping & slicing. Then while the rain fell outside and the temps hovered in the mid-'60s it simmered away on our stove. When I taste-tested it this afternoon it was so good that I changed my mind about freezing all of it and served it up for dinner tonight along with baked potatoes.
While I prepped the ingredients MB watched a National Geo show on Earthquakes. It seemed to really capture her attention and she asked to go to the library to find books on the 'inside' of the earth. Well, since I can't take EM to the library right now (is there such a thing as biblio-phobia?) we could not go today. But I did spend this evening prepping some on-line materials for us to use tomorrow. I am so pleased that our Earth study is taking off - even if she would rather do it out of order.
Unfortunately the day went downhill after lunch when I, gasp, brought out the lesson books. I don't know what I am going to do. After an hour of fussing and struggling I am exhausted. It isn't the work - when MB sits down to do it, she does it rather quickly. But, she must fight and argue and procrastinate before starting anything. She complains that K isn't doing the same work, K isn't working right that minute. And then when I go to work with K and get her started, MB complains that I am not right there with her. The girl has really become quite good at pushing my buttons.
We did manage to do the math lesson, do another page of spelling work and finish reading "What Makes Day and Night." The bare minimum.
Tomorrow is one of our 'relaxed' days. We have no planned lessons. We will work on our Earth project, there is an electrical project of re-making her hand-held fan that broke, and we still need to finish planning her "The Gingerbread Man" play that she has been working on since last week. We have most of the props ready, she & K just need to start actually practicing.
Peace,
Amy
Time Sucker
One activity out of the day. One hour, where the girls participate in a group activity. Who knew that it could literally suck the entire day away.
Yesterday started off well enough. We have fallen into a routine of preschool activities/morning chores in the morning so that K and EM can be included. We danced, built with blocks and played outside in the wonderful cool weather.
At 11am we had a late morning, heavy snack (since breakfast had only been eaten at 9:30) to hold us over for the 12:00 choir group. By 11:30 we were in the car and headed over to the class.
I was golden - ingredients laid out to throw in the crockpot when we got home. MB's lesson books ready to be tackled while the little ones rested. Too good to be true.
The girls enjoyed the class. And, for me it helps that in this large, enormous mega church they have a full-size MC'D-type indoor play area complete with adult size tables that I can entertain the girls while the other is in her class. For an entire hour I sat, clipped coupons and talked shop with the other mom's. When class was over we let them play for another 30 minutes, because well - it is only 30 minutes out of the day and I was having fun too.
So, now it is 1:30, we are getting hungry. We are on the side of town with the warehouse store I have a membership to and I need/want to get a couple items (4 to be exact) while we are there. The girls are really good about it and we are able to run in and pick up exactly what we need and check out. It was only when we had gotten back out to the car and I had everybody strapped in that it registered to me that I had just paid $60 for 4 items (one at $25 and the other three below $3.00 each). Huh - give me the receipt I say to the child that had hijjacked it to get the stamps on the way out. Yep - the cashier had rung the $25 item up twice.
So, back inside to wait in line at customer service and to wait while the customer service person found the cashier to say - yes we only purchased one of the said items. Everyone was really nice about it and I got my money back - but it was just another hassle.
Stopped by the gas station for the warehouse store so I could fill up my gas tank at pre-Katrina prices. I had to get the slowest pump I have ever had. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get 16 gallons into my tank. My hand was in a permanent cramp from trying to hold the trigger, because of course the locking mechanism was gone.
It's after 2:00, we have had no lunch, there have been no naps and I still have to get dinner in the crockpot. So, it is time for a drive-thru lunch. We pick it up and while the girls eat I get dinner thrown together and heated up. The Brunswick stew stuff can wait until the next day to be made.
At 3:30 everyone is fed, EM is down for her nap and K has developed a glazed look which means that she might actually nap. I just want to lay down, in quiet. Hey- doctor's orders at this stage. MB sits with me for a few minutes while we look up some question she had about suspension bridges - then I admit that we are just not going to get to our lessons today. So, she had a free hour to find something quiet and constructive to do.
I know that there is education all buried in that day - but in some ways it is like a day lost. I am still on Tuesday in our admittedly skimpy lesson plan book. And, really who knew that a one-hour class was going to take 4 hours out of our day.
Peace,
Amy
Yesterday started off well enough. We have fallen into a routine of preschool activities/morning chores in the morning so that K and EM can be included. We danced, built with blocks and played outside in the wonderful cool weather.
At 11am we had a late morning, heavy snack (since breakfast had only been eaten at 9:30) to hold us over for the 12:00 choir group. By 11:30 we were in the car and headed over to the class.
I was golden - ingredients laid out to throw in the crockpot when we got home. MB's lesson books ready to be tackled while the little ones rested. Too good to be true.
The girls enjoyed the class. And, for me it helps that in this large, enormous mega church they have a full-size MC'D-type indoor play area complete with adult size tables that I can entertain the girls while the other is in her class. For an entire hour I sat, clipped coupons and talked shop with the other mom's. When class was over we let them play for another 30 minutes, because well - it is only 30 minutes out of the day and I was having fun too.
So, now it is 1:30, we are getting hungry. We are on the side of town with the warehouse store I have a membership to and I need/want to get a couple items (4 to be exact) while we are there. The girls are really good about it and we are able to run in and pick up exactly what we need and check out. It was only when we had gotten back out to the car and I had everybody strapped in that it registered to me that I had just paid $60 for 4 items (one at $25 and the other three below $3.00 each). Huh - give me the receipt I say to the child that had hijjacked it to get the stamps on the way out. Yep - the cashier had rung the $25 item up twice.
So, back inside to wait in line at customer service and to wait while the customer service person found the cashier to say - yes we only purchased one of the said items. Everyone was really nice about it and I got my money back - but it was just another hassle.
Stopped by the gas station for the warehouse store so I could fill up my gas tank at pre-Katrina prices. I had to get the slowest pump I have ever had. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get 16 gallons into my tank. My hand was in a permanent cramp from trying to hold the trigger, because of course the locking mechanism was gone.
It's after 2:00, we have had no lunch, there have been no naps and I still have to get dinner in the crockpot. So, it is time for a drive-thru lunch. We pick it up and while the girls eat I get dinner thrown together and heated up. The Brunswick stew stuff can wait until the next day to be made.
At 3:30 everyone is fed, EM is down for her nap and K has developed a glazed look which means that she might actually nap. I just want to lay down, in quiet. Hey- doctor's orders at this stage. MB sits with me for a few minutes while we look up some question she had about suspension bridges - then I admit that we are just not going to get to our lessons today. So, she had a free hour to find something quiet and constructive to do.
I know that there is education all buried in that day - but in some ways it is like a day lost. I am still on Tuesday in our admittedly skimpy lesson plan book. And, really who knew that a one-hour class was going to take 4 hours out of our day.
Peace,
Amy
Monday, September 11, 2006
Walking
I live in a suburbia world. I have always lived in a suburbia world. A southern suburbia world at that. And, what do I mean by that? Well it is to live in individual neighborhoods that are built as islands upon themselves. Sidewalks are rare and there always seems to be a busy road just outside the immediate confines of the neighborhood. Grocery stores are generally just around the corner, but you can take your life in your own hands if you don't drive a car to get there.
I have been jealous of my sister who lives in the 'suburbs' of a large metropolitan area on the northwet (I noticed this typo, but figured that it also worked so I left it ;) ) coast. She lives in a neighborhood, with sidewalks, grocery stores, library and video stores all along sidewalks and within short walking distances.
We lucked out in our neighhborhood, finding out after we moved in that if we are willing to trek a short distance through some woods and walk along wooden boards put down each year to bridge the muddy area - then you can walk to the library. I love it and we enjoy doing just that - as long as it isn't boiling hot and I am not pregnant. It does limit us to some degree how many books we can check out - which probably isn't that bad of a thing.
Well this summer we watched as the town built a sidewalk along the main road outside our neighborhood. It's purpose is to connect our area with the old downtown. A neat idea, but I will have to build up my endurance to be able to walk the nearly three miles and then enjoy my visit downtown. But, what it does connect us to is a local grocery store (which I use a lot anyway) and the Dollar General, which I use even more. It has been to hot and I have been to wimpy to try it out, until today. I didn't have to have anything, but it was so beautiful that I decided that today was the day to take a little field trip.
We had a lot of fun. The girls rode their bikes and I pushed Em in the stroller. We discussed bike and road safety as we went. Passed several others using the same sidewalk and just enjoyed the hour trip. We did buy the light bulbs we needed for the lamps on each of the girls' beds and I picked up some more soft drinks while they were on sale.
So, now we can walk to the grocery store and the library. If they will just build a bridge over the 4-lane w/median highway then we could also walk to the local lake and park. And, that would be perfect.
So, lets see we covered Health & PE with the trip to the grocery store. We also covered math for both, spelling for MB and reading/science together for MB. K and EM worked with playdoh; K making her letters that we have covered so far and EM just exploring the world around her. School had the normal amount of wheedling and whining. Come on - can't you all just be excited and thrilled about spending your day doing what I want you to do.
We spent a lot of time outside and the girls worked together to build a castle in the sand, complete with a muddy moat to surround it. Then the play just disintegrated into muddy play. Lots of fun for everyone.
I managed to get caught up on all our laundry, and enjoyed watching the clothes dry in the cool breeze for the first time in a couple of wet, humid weeks. We cooked a pork roast in the crockpot until it just fell apart - so we ended up flavoring it with Eastern NC BBQ sauce and having BBQ sandwhiches - mmmm so good. The girls, not quite that adventerous yet (I have not even taking them to a real pig pickin' yet) had burgers on the grill.
I also bought this today:
A Karma Baby Pouch
I am so excited. It was pretty much the last must have on my list for this baby. This is a replacement for a bulky, padded sling that I hated, yet used for the prevoius three. This time I was determined to have a comfortable sling/pouch. I think I will be using it alot.
Now, I can concentrate on stockpiling diapers.
Peace,
Amy
I have been jealous of my sister who lives in the 'suburbs' of a large metropolitan area on the northwet (I noticed this typo, but figured that it also worked so I left it ;) ) coast. She lives in a neighborhood, with sidewalks, grocery stores, library and video stores all along sidewalks and within short walking distances.
We lucked out in our neighhborhood, finding out after we moved in that if we are willing to trek a short distance through some woods and walk along wooden boards put down each year to bridge the muddy area - then you can walk to the library. I love it and we enjoy doing just that - as long as it isn't boiling hot and I am not pregnant. It does limit us to some degree how many books we can check out - which probably isn't that bad of a thing.
Well this summer we watched as the town built a sidewalk along the main road outside our neighborhood. It's purpose is to connect our area with the old downtown. A neat idea, but I will have to build up my endurance to be able to walk the nearly three miles and then enjoy my visit downtown. But, what it does connect us to is a local grocery store (which I use a lot anyway) and the Dollar General, which I use even more. It has been to hot and I have been to wimpy to try it out, until today. I didn't have to have anything, but it was so beautiful that I decided that today was the day to take a little field trip.
We had a lot of fun. The girls rode their bikes and I pushed Em in the stroller. We discussed bike and road safety as we went. Passed several others using the same sidewalk and just enjoyed the hour trip. We did buy the light bulbs we needed for the lamps on each of the girls' beds and I picked up some more soft drinks while they were on sale.
So, now we can walk to the grocery store and the library. If they will just build a bridge over the 4-lane w/median highway then we could also walk to the local lake and park. And, that would be perfect.
So, lets see we covered Health & PE with the trip to the grocery store. We also covered math for both, spelling for MB and reading/science together for MB. K and EM worked with playdoh; K making her letters that we have covered so far and EM just exploring the world around her. School had the normal amount of wheedling and whining. Come on - can't you all just be excited and thrilled about spending your day doing what I want you to do.
We spent a lot of time outside and the girls worked together to build a castle in the sand, complete with a muddy moat to surround it. Then the play just disintegrated into muddy play. Lots of fun for everyone.
I managed to get caught up on all our laundry, and enjoyed watching the clothes dry in the cool breeze for the first time in a couple of wet, humid weeks. We cooked a pork roast in the crockpot until it just fell apart - so we ended up flavoring it with Eastern NC BBQ sauce and having BBQ sandwhiches - mmmm so good. The girls, not quite that adventerous yet (I have not even taking them to a real pig pickin' yet) had burgers on the grill.
I also bought this today:
A Karma Baby Pouch
I am so excited. It was pretty much the last must have on my list for this baby. This is a replacement for a bulky, padded sling that I hated, yet used for the prevoius three. This time I was determined to have a comfortable sling/pouch. I think I will be using it alot.
Now, I can concentrate on stockpiling diapers.
Peace,
Amy
As busy as last week was, it turned out fairly well. We had really good events to attend and had lots of fun. But, I was wiped out by the end of the week.
Everyday, lately, it seems I am reminded of the fact that my girls are growing up. I know I keep writing about it, but everytime I turn around it is another thing that makes me stop and go hmmm. I constantly think of this house as a chaotic realm of the preschool set. Yet, MB is doing her level best to remind me that she is almost seven now, and "not a little girl." Yes! She is still my little girl, but I will let her believe she is growing up. One of the good things about this stage is the increasing ability to actually help around the house, while the desire is still there. We have reworked the chore chart for MB and K to recognize the fact that they have more capabilities this year than last and for the first time have enacted allowances.
And, since I want to make this whole chore thing as simple as possible so I can stop hearing "I can't do it" a few new products have made it into our cleaning closet. One product isn't so new. My mom remembers one of her chores, in the '50s, was to run the "Bissell" in the dining room after every meal. I used to love to use the 'Bissell" when we went to visit my grandmother. It was lightweight and didn't make the horrible noise that the vacuum did. So, now we will have one of these when my mom comes up this week:
MB and K really enjoy mopping the floor also. Much, much more than I do. But, I could never put thi on their chore list because I also had to go behind them mopping up the water puddles left by trying to finagle the squeeze mop and bucket. So, how can a 7-year-old and a 4-year-ol mop?
So, how does this all play out in my whole simple, frugal life plan I am working on. Well, the Bissell could be considered both simple and frugal. It will cut down on how many times I have to pull the heavy, electric vacuum out each week. It is also old-fashioned and as simple as they come.
The Swifter, I admit is not frugal and the amount of waste it can produce staggers me. I view this as primarily a "learning" tool for the girls. We will use it for awhile and then go back to the old-fashion mop. I tried it last night, and it left the floor clean enough, although I will still have to mop now and then to really get the shine I want.
So, why share this mundane thing about cleaning tools for my girls? Because it is all a part of the homeschooling experience for us. They could be gone to school all day and I would have 4-8 hours each day to clean in relative peace and quiet, with them getting very little exposure to how to maintain a house. But, I don't have those hours to clean during the day when things are not getting pulled out right behind me. Helping around the house is, right now, entertaining to the girls and an important skill I wish I had picked up.
What is in the average day of this homeschool family. The basics - a little school, playtime, cleaning and cooking. Life doesn't get a lot more basic than that. The important thing I am finding is that as the girls have gotten older, it is more and more important to include them in on the household chores as much as we incorporate more and more school into their days. It is a constant reminder that life, real life, cannot and shouldd not be broken down into school and home. As an adult, working outside the home and as a SAHM, I have spent more time engaged in practical life skills than debating any historical and scientific theory.
I love learning and what I have learned over the years. Learning is in fact, entertainment for me. But, what I do around the house is basic life. The psychologist Maslow presented the Hierarchy of Needs as a foundation for self-actualization, which is questioned by some, the logic of it cannot be dismissed. We cannot begin to learn and examine ourselves until our basic needs of life are meet.
Fortunately, we can have many of our 'basic' (organic life, food, housing) needs meet by society or technology. Maybe. Maybe in theory. But isn't it so much more gratifying to be able to meet those needs ourselves. And, that is where esteem needs become important. Self-esteem is related to how much we feel that we can do and contribute to our community and what we can do for ourselves. It is that child's I can do it !! excitement. My girls receive so much more(intrincially) from a chore well-done than from a school page well-done. Work around the house is seen as actually accomplishing something of value.
School work is of value, very high value to me in fact. But, the girls are still too young or not engaged enough to understand that value. A large tower built with blocks during free time is just as exciting to MB as a perfect page of math. The girls are "concrete thinkers" to borrow a term from Piaget. Basically, in our house this means that it is a whole lot easier to get them to do 'chores' than to sit down and want to study out of a book or on the computer. They will get there and we will not stop encouraging and exposing. In the meantime, I will buy tools that help them learn how to do the chores around here, just as I buy science books and math books, crayons and pencils.
Peace,
Amy
Everyday, lately, it seems I am reminded of the fact that my girls are growing up. I know I keep writing about it, but everytime I turn around it is another thing that makes me stop and go hmmm. I constantly think of this house as a chaotic realm of the preschool set. Yet, MB is doing her level best to remind me that she is almost seven now, and "not a little girl." Yes! She is still my little girl, but I will let her believe she is growing up. One of the good things about this stage is the increasing ability to actually help around the house, while the desire is still there. We have reworked the chore chart for MB and K to recognize the fact that they have more capabilities this year than last and for the first time have enacted allowances.
And, since I want to make this whole chore thing as simple as possible so I can stop hearing "I can't do it" a few new products have made it into our cleaning closet. One product isn't so new. My mom remembers one of her chores, in the '50s, was to run the "Bissell" in the dining room after every meal. I used to love to use the 'Bissell" when we went to visit my grandmother. It was lightweight and didn't make the horrible noise that the vacuum did. So, now we will have one of these when my mom comes up this week:
MB and K really enjoy mopping the floor also. Much, much more than I do. But, I could never put thi on their chore list because I also had to go behind them mopping up the water puddles left by trying to finagle the squeeze mop and bucket. So, how can a 7-year-old and a 4-year-ol mop?
So, how does this all play out in my whole simple, frugal life plan I am working on. Well, the Bissell could be considered both simple and frugal. It will cut down on how many times I have to pull the heavy, electric vacuum out each week. It is also old-fashioned and as simple as they come.
The Swifter, I admit is not frugal and the amount of waste it can produce staggers me. I view this as primarily a "learning" tool for the girls. We will use it for awhile and then go back to the old-fashion mop. I tried it last night, and it left the floor clean enough, although I will still have to mop now and then to really get the shine I want.
So, why share this mundane thing about cleaning tools for my girls? Because it is all a part of the homeschooling experience for us. They could be gone to school all day and I would have 4-8 hours each day to clean in relative peace and quiet, with them getting very little exposure to how to maintain a house. But, I don't have those hours to clean during the day when things are not getting pulled out right behind me. Helping around the house is, right now, entertaining to the girls and an important skill I wish I had picked up.
What is in the average day of this homeschool family. The basics - a little school, playtime, cleaning and cooking. Life doesn't get a lot more basic than that. The important thing I am finding is that as the girls have gotten older, it is more and more important to include them in on the household chores as much as we incorporate more and more school into their days. It is a constant reminder that life, real life, cannot and shouldd not be broken down into school and home. As an adult, working outside the home and as a SAHM, I have spent more time engaged in practical life skills than debating any historical and scientific theory.
I love learning and what I have learned over the years. Learning is in fact, entertainment for me. But, what I do around the house is basic life. The psychologist Maslow presented the Hierarchy of Needs as a foundation for self-actualization, which is questioned by some, the logic of it cannot be dismissed. We cannot begin to learn and examine ourselves until our basic needs of life are meet.
Fortunately, we can have many of our 'basic' (organic life, food, housing) needs meet by society or technology. Maybe. Maybe in theory. But isn't it so much more gratifying to be able to meet those needs ourselves. And, that is where esteem needs become important. Self-esteem is related to how much we feel that we can do and contribute to our community and what we can do for ourselves. It is that child's I can do it !! excitement. My girls receive so much more(intrincially) from a chore well-done than from a school page well-done. Work around the house is seen as actually accomplishing something of value.
School work is of value, very high value to me in fact. But, the girls are still too young or not engaged enough to understand that value. A large tower built with blocks during free time is just as exciting to MB as a perfect page of math. The girls are "concrete thinkers" to borrow a term from Piaget. Basically, in our house this means that it is a whole lot easier to get them to do 'chores' than to sit down and want to study out of a book or on the computer. They will get there and we will not stop encouraging and exposing. In the meantime, I will buy tools that help them learn how to do the chores around here, just as I buy science books and math books, crayons and pencils.
Peace,
Amy
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Long-Weekend blahs
I have some quiet time this morning I feel like I need to post, although all I really have are a bunch of random thoughts floating around.
Today is the 10 yr anniversary of Hurricane Fran hitting this area. I wasn't living here at the time, having moved down for a year to live with my parents after college. This storm is still kind of the benchmark around here for severe weather, mainly because it was the first time that many realized how destructive a hurricane could be inland. It is a benchmark of sorts for me because it was shortly after the storm that DH, who was living here at the time, and I decided that we were going to get married and I made preparations to move back up here. It is amazing to believe that only 10 years have passed. We are married, have owned a home for 8 years and have three, almost four children. Some days it feels almost like a lifetime had passed.
I hope everyone else had a pleasant holiday. My nesting instinct kicked in and I was a grump until I could get everybody on the same page as I that this was the weekend we were going to clean some of the clutter up. I did manage to move around some toys and stuff that had stacked up around and in front of the fireplace, so know we can have someone come in and clean our chimney before this winter. I am trying to pull together a box of toys to take over to my in-laws house so the children have more toys over there to play with. Not to mention clearing out some of the things we have around here.
I don't feel ready for another week. Especially a week in which all the activities seem to get started at once. Today we have choir, tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment, science co-op and soccer, thursday we are going to a wildlife class on spiders. I am glad we did some hibernation last week, but am still looking forward to Friday. At least we have already started school and seem to have a somewhat stable routine.
Time to go psyche myself up from the post-holiday/long weekend blahs.
Peace,
Amy
Today is the 10 yr anniversary of Hurricane Fran hitting this area. I wasn't living here at the time, having moved down for a year to live with my parents after college. This storm is still kind of the benchmark around here for severe weather, mainly because it was the first time that many realized how destructive a hurricane could be inland. It is a benchmark of sorts for me because it was shortly after the storm that DH, who was living here at the time, and I decided that we were going to get married and I made preparations to move back up here. It is amazing to believe that only 10 years have passed. We are married, have owned a home for 8 years and have three, almost four children. Some days it feels almost like a lifetime had passed.
I hope everyone else had a pleasant holiday. My nesting instinct kicked in and I was a grump until I could get everybody on the same page as I that this was the weekend we were going to clean some of the clutter up. I did manage to move around some toys and stuff that had stacked up around and in front of the fireplace, so know we can have someone come in and clean our chimney before this winter. I am trying to pull together a box of toys to take over to my in-laws house so the children have more toys over there to play with. Not to mention clearing out some of the things we have around here.
I don't feel ready for another week. Especially a week in which all the activities seem to get started at once. Today we have choir, tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment, science co-op and soccer, thursday we are going to a wildlife class on spiders. I am glad we did some hibernation last week, but am still looking forward to Friday. At least we have already started school and seem to have a somewhat stable routine.
Time to go psyche myself up from the post-holiday/long weekend blahs.
Peace,
Amy
Friday, September 01, 2006
A Taste of Fall
Thanks to a cold front that moved through on Wednesday and the remaining cloud cover from Ernesto moving through last night we are left with a wonderful taste of fall weather. The highs today are only supposed to be 72, and even though it is damp it feels wonderful outside. The girls did such a great job this week completing their schoolwork that today is a no-school-day and they can do their own projects all day. Of course, the fact that my back is killing me and I want to work on some of my own projects doesn't have anything to do with it ;)
With how I have been physically feeling all week the house has seemed to fall into total disrepair and I would like to repair it in some form, as long as I can hold up. The weather really has me yearning to get in the kitchen and do some large cooking or baking. I can hear my shawl I have been trying to knit speak to me from the bag it has been relegated to for the month of August. So, I have no idea what I will choose to do with my time today.
On a good note, after two days with some really heavy rainfall I checked under the house and the crawl space is dry!! The pump system DH installed is really working - Yeah!!! This means that we might be able to work on some other projects shortly.
Taking hold of our financial situation and trying to employ more frugal/simple living strategies has been wonderful this summer. Although, we have not lowered our debt as quickly as I might have hoped for, we have managed to prepay the ob office and have put away quite a bit for the upcoming hospital bill and car insurance which will both probably some due at the same time. I feel comfortable that everything else will eventually fall into place.
I don't know why, but I am really looking forward to winter this year. I don't feel stressed out at all by all the upcoming events. I just sat last night in the family room and thought about how cozy our house is in the winter. How much time we just spend being in that room and enjoying our time together. I love our large family room - living space layout. One room, one living area. Cuddles in front of a fire, delicious smells from the kitchen wafting over and the fact that I can heat the area with one small space heater.
Probably enough rambling for the day. I am just feeling really positive for the moment and enjoying it.
Peace,
Amy
With how I have been physically feeling all week the house has seemed to fall into total disrepair and I would like to repair it in some form, as long as I can hold up. The weather really has me yearning to get in the kitchen and do some large cooking or baking. I can hear my shawl I have been trying to knit speak to me from the bag it has been relegated to for the month of August. So, I have no idea what I will choose to do with my time today.
On a good note, after two days with some really heavy rainfall I checked under the house and the crawl space is dry!! The pump system DH installed is really working - Yeah!!! This means that we might be able to work on some other projects shortly.
Taking hold of our financial situation and trying to employ more frugal/simple living strategies has been wonderful this summer. Although, we have not lowered our debt as quickly as I might have hoped for, we have managed to prepay the ob office and have put away quite a bit for the upcoming hospital bill and car insurance which will both probably some due at the same time. I feel comfortable that everything else will eventually fall into place.
I don't know why, but I am really looking forward to winter this year. I don't feel stressed out at all by all the upcoming events. I just sat last night in the family room and thought about how cozy our house is in the winter. How much time we just spend being in that room and enjoying our time together. I love our large family room - living space layout. One room, one living area. Cuddles in front of a fire, delicious smells from the kitchen wafting over and the fact that I can heat the area with one small space heater.
Probably enough rambling for the day. I am just feeling really positive for the moment and enjoying it.
Peace,
Amy
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Moment of Awareness
I had moments yesterday when I realized that my children have spent this summer growing and crossing over different development points in their lives. It was like the clouds over my eyes lifted for the day and oh my gosh - my girls have grown up.
MB at 6.5 (7 in december) is really, really a girl now. My child, whom I thought would end up in dred locks because of her absolute hatred of having her hairbrushed, now gets up and dressed (in an outft that matches) then spends 10 minute doing her hair. I find her during her downtime practicing dance moves in her bedroom - real dance moves, cheorographed danced moves she has learned from friends. Computer time is no longer Nick Jr and Dora the Explorer CD-Rom - its doing on-line mazes and watching movie trailers on Yahooligans. And, shh, we haven't had a meltdown in days.
K turns 4 in two weeks, but she will let you know that she is not three. And truly she is not a three-year-old. I imagine three as being an older toddler and young preschooler. She looks older than even four most times, the child is independent to the point where I wish she would ask for more help. And developmental clinginess that I sometimes relate to this age is absolutely unapparent. She dresses herself, as I am not allowed to help, with pretty good success. I absolutely loved the outfit yesterday - summer print shorts (tourqouise & pink), black and orange halloween t-shirt and most of the day a blue polka dot fleece hat. I don't know why outfits like this just tug at my heart but they do. The sense of individuality that they promise for the future. But to watch her yesterday in this outfit, sitting at the computer working independently on her "schoolwork" - just made tears come to my eyes.
EM has lost her 'babyfat' and developed her language to the point that we can carry on pretty good conversations. At four months shy of two, she has totally entered in to the whole "I do it myself" mentality. Sometime this summer she crossed over from being my baby to becoming my toddler.
And, it wasn't that just an awareness that the girls have grown up. It was one of those days that I can say "yes, we have made the right decisions. We are going on the right road for us." It wasn't a postcard homeschool day - but I can see it working. I really wish I could set up a hidden camera to catch these days so that I can share it with dh and other family members. The three girls sitting together and working on a mega block castle, A rousing game of Twister before we start the school day, MB and I curled up cracking jokes while we study Uranus, MB helping K understand patterns and helping her to make patterns with stickers for K's math, watching the caterpillar work on its chrysalis/coccoon, science kits spread out across the kitchen table, EM calmly playing with her stacking blocks or scribbling on paper (like her sisters), the sound of K playing actual songs on her lap harp. Of course I have pulled the high points from the day - but still. It was messy, it was loud and there was no schedule and no homeschool 'method' at work. I loved it.
Peace,
Amy
MB at 6.5 (7 in december) is really, really a girl now. My child, whom I thought would end up in dred locks because of her absolute hatred of having her hairbrushed, now gets up and dressed (in an outft that matches) then spends 10 minute doing her hair. I find her during her downtime practicing dance moves in her bedroom - real dance moves, cheorographed danced moves she has learned from friends. Computer time is no longer Nick Jr and Dora the Explorer CD-Rom - its doing on-line mazes and watching movie trailers on Yahooligans. And, shh, we haven't had a meltdown in days.
K turns 4 in two weeks, but she will let you know that she is not three. And truly she is not a three-year-old. I imagine three as being an older toddler and young preschooler. She looks older than even four most times, the child is independent to the point where I wish she would ask for more help. And developmental clinginess that I sometimes relate to this age is absolutely unapparent. She dresses herself, as I am not allowed to help, with pretty good success. I absolutely loved the outfit yesterday - summer print shorts (tourqouise & pink), black and orange halloween t-shirt and most of the day a blue polka dot fleece hat. I don't know why outfits like this just tug at my heart but they do. The sense of individuality that they promise for the future. But to watch her yesterday in this outfit, sitting at the computer working independently on her "schoolwork" - just made tears come to my eyes.
EM has lost her 'babyfat' and developed her language to the point that we can carry on pretty good conversations. At four months shy of two, she has totally entered in to the whole "I do it myself" mentality. Sometime this summer she crossed over from being my baby to becoming my toddler.
And, it wasn't that just an awareness that the girls have grown up. It was one of those days that I can say "yes, we have made the right decisions. We are going on the right road for us." It wasn't a postcard homeschool day - but I can see it working. I really wish I could set up a hidden camera to catch these days so that I can share it with dh and other family members. The three girls sitting together and working on a mega block castle, A rousing game of Twister before we start the school day, MB and I curled up cracking jokes while we study Uranus, MB helping K understand patterns and helping her to make patterns with stickers for K's math, watching the caterpillar work on its chrysalis/coccoon, science kits spread out across the kitchen table, EM calmly playing with her stacking blocks or scribbling on paper (like her sisters), the sound of K playing actual songs on her lap harp. Of course I have pulled the high points from the day - but still. It was messy, it was loud and there was no schedule and no homeschool 'method' at work. I loved it.
Peace,
Amy
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Rest, Water, Rest
I have come to the belief that false labor is a huge misnomer. It is not false, it is not painless and having actually had the complications of pre-term labor - twice and premature rupture - once, it is mentally exhausting. I generally get to the 34 week mark before it hits, but hey my uterus is primed and ready - it knows what to do at this point. So here I sit, at 32 weeks, and it has started. Thankfully I've been here. I am not freaking out as much as I did with the first two, but it is still literally a big pain.
Every afternoon around 3-4pm it starts, and I know it is because I have been going all day - even though I am trying very hard to get off my feet every 30 minutes or so. I drink enough water that I could rise the Titanic and basically have to 'go' after each "contraction." My main goal at this point is to get everyone to 7pm alive and to try to get some form of food on the table. Once those two goals are met I try very hard to move to a nest on either the sofa or the bed and just generally keep an eye on things.
We are spending much more time reading together, since there really isn't anything else to occupy my time in the evening. K has fallen in love with Robert McCloskey's Make Way For Ducklings and I have just about memorized that story. MB and I are reading through How To Eat Fried Worms because she wants to go see the movie and I told her we had to read the book first. Since it is above her reading level, she helps me while I do most of the reading. But, for every chapter I read she has to read me a chapter out of one of her library books. We made a 'pinky promise' and everything, so that is going well.
Other entertainment around our house this week has been an $8 electricity science kit I picked up. Give MB a couple batteries, some wires, a few alligator clips, a small light bulb and buzzer and she will entertain herself for hours. OOOh what cheap Christmas presents I could devise. She and K are even working on a plan to build a mega block castle and have lights and doorbells.
We also have a new caterpillar, I have never seen one these colors and need to look it up. K has decided that this is her caterpillar and is using all of her 'maternal' instincts in the care of it. I just have to be careful that she doesn't 'maternal' it to death.
So that covers reading and some science. Math is progressing - for both. I am thinking more and more of just selling the Saxon stuff I picked up earlier this summer. MB really likes her Horizons workbooks over the Saxon stuff - and shoot her 1st grade Book 2 is more challenging than what we have covered in Level 3 so far. Latin is moving slowly, I think it will pick up some speed as we all get more used to it. She still seems excited by it, but can only absorb and do so much in one day. We now only have two more planets to study in the Solar System, thanks to the Astronomers High-Council (or whatever it is called), before we move into Earth Science for the whole next year. History-wise the Mesoamerican study is about as interesting to MB as any history has been so far, which isn't saying a lot.
K and I have settled into a routine of doing Rightstart Math 3 days a week and TOPGTR 4 days a week. So, far she is breezing through and I definetly feel like I am getting that look: "mom, why are you asking me all these stupid questions?" But, I am learning with MB not take anything for granted - so we are moving through each and every lesson - even if it only takes us 5 minutes.
Okay, enough rambling. Em is awake and wanting breakfast.
Peace,
Amy
Every afternoon around 3-4pm it starts, and I know it is because I have been going all day - even though I am trying very hard to get off my feet every 30 minutes or so. I drink enough water that I could rise the Titanic and basically have to 'go' after each "contraction." My main goal at this point is to get everyone to 7pm alive and to try to get some form of food on the table. Once those two goals are met I try very hard to move to a nest on either the sofa or the bed and just generally keep an eye on things.
We are spending much more time reading together, since there really isn't anything else to occupy my time in the evening. K has fallen in love with Robert McCloskey's Make Way For Ducklings and I have just about memorized that story. MB and I are reading through How To Eat Fried Worms because she wants to go see the movie and I told her we had to read the book first. Since it is above her reading level, she helps me while I do most of the reading. But, for every chapter I read she has to read me a chapter out of one of her library books. We made a 'pinky promise' and everything, so that is going well.
Other entertainment around our house this week has been an $8 electricity science kit I picked up. Give MB a couple batteries, some wires, a few alligator clips, a small light bulb and buzzer and she will entertain herself for hours. OOOh what cheap Christmas presents I could devise. She and K are even working on a plan to build a mega block castle and have lights and doorbells.
We also have a new caterpillar, I have never seen one these colors and need to look it up. K has decided that this is her caterpillar and is using all of her 'maternal' instincts in the care of it. I just have to be careful that she doesn't 'maternal' it to death.
So that covers reading and some science. Math is progressing - for both. I am thinking more and more of just selling the Saxon stuff I picked up earlier this summer. MB really likes her Horizons workbooks over the Saxon stuff - and shoot her 1st grade Book 2 is more challenging than what we have covered in Level 3 so far. Latin is moving slowly, I think it will pick up some speed as we all get more used to it. She still seems excited by it, but can only absorb and do so much in one day. We now only have two more planets to study in the Solar System, thanks to the Astronomers High-Council (or whatever it is called), before we move into Earth Science for the whole next year. History-wise the Mesoamerican study is about as interesting to MB as any history has been so far, which isn't saying a lot.
K and I have settled into a routine of doing Rightstart Math 3 days a week and TOPGTR 4 days a week. So, far she is breezing through and I definetly feel like I am getting that look: "mom, why are you asking me all these stupid questions?" But, I am learning with MB not take anything for granted - so we are moving through each and every lesson - even if it only takes us 5 minutes.
Okay, enough rambling. Em is awake and wanting breakfast.
Peace,
Amy
Monday, August 28, 2006
Conversation
We were supposed to go to the beach this past weekend to celebrate my dad's b-day. We did not make it, at the last minute I decided that we needed to stay home this weekend. There were things that needed to be taken care of before we took our household on the road. My parents understood and we will be heading down this coming weekend instead.
One of the things with my husband and I is that we are not big conversationalist. We have never been. The most comfortable thing about our relationship since the beginning is that we never felt the need to have a conversation just to entertain each other. We could each go off and do our own thing and then come back to center and everything was great. We match in this regard. We had our conversations, but it wasn't the be all and end all.
Fast foward to several children later, a full-time job, homeschooling, chauffering to and from activities, and suddenly there are no more conversations at all. There is no time. Words, phrases are spoken to each other only for the need to relay information. Topics for conversation get shuffled back to the recesses of the mind for later, when there is more time, when I have more energy, etc.
Without the conversation we lose touch with who our partner is, what changes are occuring in him/her. Major decisions are made by one because we don't have time to double check with the other. I have never thought that I needed these conversations, you know just put the kids to bed and sit and talk about the day, political occurrences, etc. But, if we can't talk about those things then how can we talk about the big things like, family finances and personal feelings.
Summer is the most stressful season for us. DH works two jobs during the summer and is busy at both, I tend to be traveling with the kids from one family member to another. When we do see each other, both of us are so burned out by conversations with other people that we just can't get in gear to give each other anything on that front. So, can we just say that conversation in our household had taken a backseat to summer time life.
We took the weekend off from family engagements and we tried to jump start our communication again this weekend. We untangled some cross communications and made some committments to each other. We also managed to find someone to watch all three of our kids and made it out to a nice sit down dinner. Something we will not be able to do again in the near future.
But, we also learned that conversation isn't just nice entertainment. It's necessary.
Peace,
Amy
One of the things with my husband and I is that we are not big conversationalist. We have never been. The most comfortable thing about our relationship since the beginning is that we never felt the need to have a conversation just to entertain each other. We could each go off and do our own thing and then come back to center and everything was great. We match in this regard. We had our conversations, but it wasn't the be all and end all.
Fast foward to several children later, a full-time job, homeschooling, chauffering to and from activities, and suddenly there are no more conversations at all. There is no time. Words, phrases are spoken to each other only for the need to relay information. Topics for conversation get shuffled back to the recesses of the mind for later, when there is more time, when I have more energy, etc.
Without the conversation we lose touch with who our partner is, what changes are occuring in him/her. Major decisions are made by one because we don't have time to double check with the other. I have never thought that I needed these conversations, you know just put the kids to bed and sit and talk about the day, political occurrences, etc. But, if we can't talk about those things then how can we talk about the big things like, family finances and personal feelings.
Summer is the most stressful season for us. DH works two jobs during the summer and is busy at both, I tend to be traveling with the kids from one family member to another. When we do see each other, both of us are so burned out by conversations with other people that we just can't get in gear to give each other anything on that front. So, can we just say that conversation in our household had taken a backseat to summer time life.
We took the weekend off from family engagements and we tried to jump start our communication again this weekend. We untangled some cross communications and made some committments to each other. We also managed to find someone to watch all three of our kids and made it out to a nice sit down dinner. Something we will not be able to do again in the near future.
But, we also learned that conversation isn't just nice entertainment. It's necessary.
Peace,
Amy
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Planning for Fall
Earlier this summer I spent time and made up one of my relaxed, pseudo-plans for our curriculum and so on. It was kind of a jolt knowing realizing that I wasn't homeschooling just one this year, but two. Well, this past month it has been extracurricular activities and with a lot of big decisions for us to make. Because, we don't have to fund time and money for just one anymore, now there are two. Pretty soon I will be needing to purchase one of those big white board calendars where everyone has their own color - yeah, right.
Physically and financially we just could not see continuing to keep MB in a competitive gymnastics track for the fall. They wanted to bump her up to three nights a week, and she is already complaining about the two. She wanted to play soccer again which would be another evening plus Saturday mornings. And, we had to start thinking about K, who gets shuttled around to everything, but rarely gets to participate. It was looking more and more like I should become certified as a taxi driver and we needed to plan for another loan on the house.
So, after discussions with, well everyone, this is our game plan for the extras:
MB - Intermediate Gymnastics - 1 night per week
Soccer - 1 night per week, plus Saturday games
Homeschool Choir
K - Beginner Piano Lessons - 1 hr per week
- Homeschool Choir
She chose to drop gymnastics so we are going to look at our community resources for little, fun preschool sporty programs to fill in here or there.
We also have our weekly homeschool science coop that both will participate in.
I think this is enough for right now. We will fill in with field trips as we can. And, after junior arrives my mom will be taking on some of the homeschooling duties for me for a little while. I do feel so very blessed that i have a mom who supports what we do so strongly. I don't feel that much fear about missing too much in October/November.
Well, today we get to spend most of the day here at the house, so I am actually going to see what I can accomplish. I am going to try very hard to stay away from the computer.
Peace,
Amy
Physically and financially we just could not see continuing to keep MB in a competitive gymnastics track for the fall. They wanted to bump her up to three nights a week, and she is already complaining about the two. She wanted to play soccer again which would be another evening plus Saturday mornings. And, we had to start thinking about K, who gets shuttled around to everything, but rarely gets to participate. It was looking more and more like I should become certified as a taxi driver and we needed to plan for another loan on the house.
So, after discussions with, well everyone, this is our game plan for the extras:
MB - Intermediate Gymnastics - 1 night per week
Soccer - 1 night per week, plus Saturday games
Homeschool Choir
K - Beginner Piano Lessons - 1 hr per week
- Homeschool Choir
She chose to drop gymnastics so we are going to look at our community resources for little, fun preschool sporty programs to fill in here or there.
We also have our weekly homeschool science coop that both will participate in.
I think this is enough for right now. We will fill in with field trips as we can. And, after junior arrives my mom will be taking on some of the homeschooling duties for me for a little while. I do feel so very blessed that i have a mom who supports what we do so strongly. I don't feel that much fear about missing too much in October/November.
Well, today we get to spend most of the day here at the house, so I am actually going to see what I can accomplish. I am going to try very hard to stay away from the computer.
Peace,
Amy
Monday, August 21, 2006
Whistle While You Work
I have not been AWOL. I just picked up a very fast turn-around job an spent every early morning and evening focused on getting it done as quickly as possible. So, computer time has been limited, cleaning time has been limited and finishing the b-day cross-stitch project has been limited. But, what I managed, proudly, not to limit was the time I focus on the girls.
One of the reasons I go back and forth so much about working from home and trying to increase the number of contracts I pick up each year is that I become way to absorbed in the projects. I get the project and totally sink into 'working woman.' Working woman isn't bad. She is great for her client. But Working woman goes to bed at night feeling guilty and wondering what she has missed during the day. Working woman is the reason I decided to give up the full-time job and be home.
But, this time I did manage to a great degree of success to put the project on the backburner everyday while my kids eyelids were open. I will tell you it was easier to complete the project that way then have at least two kids hanging on my leg and tugging me away from the computer.
But, while I enjoyed the project - it was easy and using my creative marketing skills that are growing rusty, I did come to the realization that it is still not time to build a new business, it is not time to go out and hunt down new work. Well duh, you are due in like 2 months! True the money would be nice, but the children are at the age where flexibility is required, and a deadline really puts a cramp on that. So - four more years, maybe five. I'll keep plugging away doing my work for my 'special' clients that I only have to worry about every few months.
What else is going on? Well we have had some really good pantry meals! I love not going shopping so often. We don't have something in the frig, freezer or pantry - then we are not eating it. And, we are eating so much better! And because I know what we have an are willing to put a little effort into it, we actually have treats. Last night mommy had chocolate cravings, and viola MB helped me make a batch of fudge with three ingredients that I almost always have on hand - chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. I got my fix and we have treats to last us at least a week. Just think about what a candy bar, times three of us for 5 days would cost. (no, we do not eat candy bars everyday and no we don't keep a lot of treats around the house, generally. But, every now and again they are fun to have.)
Uh-oh, starting to hear rustling from the other end of the house. Have a great day!
Peace,
Amy
One of the reasons I go back and forth so much about working from home and trying to increase the number of contracts I pick up each year is that I become way to absorbed in the projects. I get the project and totally sink into 'working woman.' Working woman isn't bad. She is great for her client. But Working woman goes to bed at night feeling guilty and wondering what she has missed during the day. Working woman is the reason I decided to give up the full-time job and be home.
But, this time I did manage to a great degree of success to put the project on the backburner everyday while my kids eyelids were open. I will tell you it was easier to complete the project that way then have at least two kids hanging on my leg and tugging me away from the computer.
But, while I enjoyed the project - it was easy and using my creative marketing skills that are growing rusty, I did come to the realization that it is still not time to build a new business, it is not time to go out and hunt down new work. Well duh, you are due in like 2 months! True the money would be nice, but the children are at the age where flexibility is required, and a deadline really puts a cramp on that. So - four more years, maybe five. I'll keep plugging away doing my work for my 'special' clients that I only have to worry about every few months.
What else is going on? Well we have had some really good pantry meals! I love not going shopping so often. We don't have something in the frig, freezer or pantry - then we are not eating it. And, we are eating so much better! And because I know what we have an are willing to put a little effort into it, we actually have treats. Last night mommy had chocolate cravings, and viola MB helped me make a batch of fudge with three ingredients that I almost always have on hand - chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. I got my fix and we have treats to last us at least a week. Just think about what a candy bar, times three of us for 5 days would cost. (no, we do not eat candy bars everyday and no we don't keep a lot of treats around the house, generally. But, every now and again they are fun to have.)
Uh-oh, starting to hear rustling from the other end of the house. Have a great day!
Peace,
Amy
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Better write fast
MB has returned to us and life will, I guess eventually begin to take shape again. She returned Sunday afternoon, with my mother who stayed until this morning. We took yesterday as a field trip day and went to visit The Museum of Life and Sciences, which I have a membership to, but have yet to visit this entire summer. They had even opened the new wildlife/wetlands section and we just had not been.
The trip was very good, and it was nice to not have a 'baby' for a change. Em really enjoyed going, she loved the butterfly house and watching the 'fly-flies' as she calls them. The train ride scared her, as it did my mom and I. Never have we ridden that thing so fast, do not know what the hurry was. Em walked alot, although we had the stroller there. By the end I wanted to be the one riding in the stroller.
This morning we are trying to get back on our schedule. Housework this morning, I have gotten the floor swept and vaccumed, 2 loads of clothes washed - one on the line outside, dishwasher emptied and the beds made. MB pulled out the sharks teeth and shells that she collected at a museum down east with my mom. Then the microscope came out and she has been examining cheek samples from all of us, including the dogs.
K and Em are doing a little parallel play with the blocks, and I am trying for a change to actually get on the computer to do some 'house paperwork.'
Peace,
Amy
The trip was very good, and it was nice to not have a 'baby' for a change. Em really enjoyed going, she loved the butterfly house and watching the 'fly-flies' as she calls them. The train ride scared her, as it did my mom and I. Never have we ridden that thing so fast, do not know what the hurry was. Em walked alot, although we had the stroller there. By the end I wanted to be the one riding in the stroller.
This morning we are trying to get back on our schedule. Housework this morning, I have gotten the floor swept and vaccumed, 2 loads of clothes washed - one on the line outside, dishwasher emptied and the beds made. MB pulled out the sharks teeth and shells that she collected at a museum down east with my mom. Then the microscope came out and she has been examining cheek samples from all of us, including the dogs.
K and Em are doing a little parallel play with the blocks, and I am trying for a change to actually get on the computer to do some 'house paperwork.'
Peace,
Amy
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Laying Low
With MB gone and visiting family, our need to be out of the house has reduced dramatically. And, I am enjoying it. I can't really admit that anything grand is actually getting done. I am working on a cross-stitch project for a family member's birthday with lots and lots of shading. Who knew there were so many shade of white and light beige. The side beneft is that very little money is getting spent on things just because we are out and it is easier.
K has been in Magic School Bus heaven. Watching and re-watching the videos whenever I let her. We have been able to read together the specific books she wants to hear and just let her play with all her Little People toys that she is thrilled to have out of storage. Yesterday afternoon she had a whole medieval village going spread out on her bedroom floor. And in the bathroom ahe had made a water park out of plastic containers for Barbie to play in. Her imagination process is really, really fun to watch and be a part of.
Last night, though, she started asking when we were going on a field trip again. To K, a field trip does include trips to the grocery store, library or whatever other errands we need to do. I guess it is time to get her out of the house. We have a pile of stale bread waiting on a trip to the lake to feed the ducks - so we will probably do that today. The library would be nice to, but EM has a screaming fit everytime we walk through the doors so that will wait until this weekend we daddy can be home.
Speaking of little EM who is getting bigger everyday, it is time that I at least pull out the little potty and have it as bathroom decor again. A few times this past week I have found her sitting on the big potty, fully dressed and diapered, smiling like she is the best thing. Diapers have to be covered with a pair of shorts, otherwise I find the diaper laying somewhere else in the house. She is also only allowing me to change her diaper standing up - that's fun since I can barely bend over. Anyway, I will let her potty train herself, but I refuse to get frantic about it since we really only have a couple of months before junior arives.
Junior is doing great. I had another ultrasound on Tuesday as a follow-up to our first at about 19weeks. That one had a shadow on it that they wanted to re-check later in the development process. I never really got it, but basically the doctor told us that it is something that can show up at certain points of development, generally not something to be concerned about. Anyway, everything is okay!! We did find out that he takes after his daddy's side and has a huge head, measured two weeks larger than the rest of his body. In the ultrasound picture I have you can even see how big this head is. My mother was so-o-o-o sympathetic - "it's not like its your first child"
The biggest blow was being told that it is time to start every other week appointments. I am not ready for this yet. Except for the nursery, which we are still using and the crib which we are finally not using, we have nothing. Infant clothes - nada, because "of course three is enough and we are not having anymore. take those clothes to Goodwill." So, we have a crib, baby blankets and car seat. I need a bassinet, diapers and baby sleepers. I want a new sling - I hate my old one as it is so bulky. I really need some time to start trolling the thrift stores and childrens re-sell shops again. I also need to start cutting some cash out of each paycheck to pay for these things.
Time to head on with the day.
Peace,
Amy
K has been in Magic School Bus heaven. Watching and re-watching the videos whenever I let her. We have been able to read together the specific books she wants to hear and just let her play with all her Little People toys that she is thrilled to have out of storage. Yesterday afternoon she had a whole medieval village going spread out on her bedroom floor. And in the bathroom ahe had made a water park out of plastic containers for Barbie to play in. Her imagination process is really, really fun to watch and be a part of.
Last night, though, she started asking when we were going on a field trip again. To K, a field trip does include trips to the grocery store, library or whatever other errands we need to do. I guess it is time to get her out of the house. We have a pile of stale bread waiting on a trip to the lake to feed the ducks - so we will probably do that today. The library would be nice to, but EM has a screaming fit everytime we walk through the doors so that will wait until this weekend we daddy can be home.
Speaking of little EM who is getting bigger everyday, it is time that I at least pull out the little potty and have it as bathroom decor again. A few times this past week I have found her sitting on the big potty, fully dressed and diapered, smiling like she is the best thing. Diapers have to be covered with a pair of shorts, otherwise I find the diaper laying somewhere else in the house. She is also only allowing me to change her diaper standing up - that's fun since I can barely bend over. Anyway, I will let her potty train herself, but I refuse to get frantic about it since we really only have a couple of months before junior arives.
Junior is doing great. I had another ultrasound on Tuesday as a follow-up to our first at about 19weeks. That one had a shadow on it that they wanted to re-check later in the development process. I never really got it, but basically the doctor told us that it is something that can show up at certain points of development, generally not something to be concerned about. Anyway, everything is okay!! We did find out that he takes after his daddy's side and has a huge head, measured two weeks larger than the rest of his body. In the ultrasound picture I have you can even see how big this head is. My mother was so-o-o-o sympathetic - "it's not like its your first child"
The biggest blow was being told that it is time to start every other week appointments. I am not ready for this yet. Except for the nursery, which we are still using and the crib which we are finally not using, we have nothing. Infant clothes - nada, because "of course three is enough and we are not having anymore. take those clothes to Goodwill." So, we have a crib, baby blankets and car seat. I need a bassinet, diapers and baby sleepers. I want a new sling - I hate my old one as it is so bulky. I really need some time to start trolling the thrift stores and childrens re-sell shops again. I also need to start cutting some cash out of each paycheck to pay for these things.
Time to head on with the day.
Peace,
Amy
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Who wants to see old pictures??
Well, a month ago I promised pictures from our trip to the beach. I finally found my cord to connect the camera and computer. So, I am ready to go.
These are the girls preparing for the 4th of July parade in my dad's neighborhood. Notice, how MB so conviently covers my step-niece's face so I can use this picture.
This is the sound that is about a block from Dad's house. Across the sound, and the high-rise bridge, is Atlantic Beach. The girls love to go an play at the sound because they can walk out on several sandbars, dig for crabs and shells along the shore line and get in the water without large waves crashing over them.
EM loves the water. At the sound she would go and lay down right in the surf. At the pool we have to keep an extra close eye on her because she will dive right out of her floaty.
This is K in the pool. She has done well this summer. She will put her head all the way under, blow bubbles and kick her feet. But, but she will not leave the steps and screams if anyone tries to touch her. We decided that maybe swimming lessons would not go so well this summer for her.
I have very few pictures of MB. She just doesn't stay still enough for us to get pictures anymore.
That was our trip in July. Pretty much the highlight of our summer so far.
Peace,
Amy
These are the girls preparing for the 4th of July parade in my dad's neighborhood. Notice, how MB so conviently covers my step-niece's face so I can use this picture.
This is the sound that is about a block from Dad's house. Across the sound, and the high-rise bridge, is Atlantic Beach. The girls love to go an play at the sound because they can walk out on several sandbars, dig for crabs and shells along the shore line and get in the water without large waves crashing over them.
EM loves the water. At the sound she would go and lay down right in the surf. At the pool we have to keep an extra close eye on her because she will dive right out of her floaty.
This is K in the pool. She has done well this summer. She will put her head all the way under, blow bubbles and kick her feet. But, but she will not leave the steps and screams if anyone tries to touch her. We decided that maybe swimming lessons would not go so well this summer for her.
I have very few pictures of MB. She just doesn't stay still enough for us to get pictures anymore.
That was our trip in July. Pretty much the highlight of our summer so far.
Peace,
Amy
K loves her hermit crab. She takes it out to play, making these elaborate out-of-cage homes for the crab using her little people paraphinalia. Last night after she had gone to bed I got the biggest chuckle when I went into the girls' bathroom.
She had set the crabs up so that they could read while they were awake during the night. (The crabs overnight in the bathroom because they are nocurnal)
The reading material she choose for them:
Peace,
Amy
She had set the crabs up so that they could read while they were awake during the night. (The crabs overnight in the bathroom because they are nocurnal)
The reading material she choose for them:
Peace,
Amy
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Quick trip - not painless
I took the girls down to the beach to visit my family yesterday. MB is staying with my mom for the week and attending a science day camp. We were going to spend the weekend visiting before I came back on Monday. That was the plan anyway.
The girls bickered and teased each other the entire way down there. We had to stay at my mom's house because my dad's is being renovated and they are living in the extra apartment right now. Mom's house is small, and step-father gets a little testy with noise that children make. Not a great set-up all around.
I get to the house with a raging headache, the temp is near 100, with heat indices much higher. Inside my mom's house feels like an oven (even with the ceiling fans going), she has sweat dripping down her face. I ask why she isn't running the ac, and she goes to check the thermostat and it is set at 87 (by my SF). This is one of my pet peeves - the house is my mother's and she pays every utility bill, yet SF complains if she runs the ac. Of course this is the man that puts on long underwear when the temps hit 50. Anyway, I tell my mother that SF can get over it because I am pulling the pregnancy card. So SF and I spend all of friday night doing a little dance changing the thermostat.
The girls continued arguing over this and that. They never could, each, find their own personal space without someone else barging in. We tried to take them swimming, but on the way over a thunderstorm blew in. Which they were upset about. Bedtime was a nightmare, K and MB argued over sharing the full-size bed, which led to MB getting a good size bump on the side of her head, and me having to go to W*lm*rt at 10:30pm on a friday night during tax-free weekend for children's pain reliever. When I got back EM had managed to escape from the port-a-crib for the third or fourth time and my mom had given up. EM continued to get up about every 2 hours all night long.
This morning they all woke up whiny and if possible in even more sour moods. And finally after yet another sisterly squabble, I packed the two younger ones up in the car and we came home.
Ahhh, home. It sure felt good to get back here.
Peace,
Amy
The girls bickered and teased each other the entire way down there. We had to stay at my mom's house because my dad's is being renovated and they are living in the extra apartment right now. Mom's house is small, and step-father gets a little testy with noise that children make. Not a great set-up all around.
I get to the house with a raging headache, the temp is near 100, with heat indices much higher. Inside my mom's house feels like an oven (even with the ceiling fans going), she has sweat dripping down her face. I ask why she isn't running the ac, and she goes to check the thermostat and it is set at 87 (by my SF). This is one of my pet peeves - the house is my mother's and she pays every utility bill, yet SF complains if she runs the ac. Of course this is the man that puts on long underwear when the temps hit 50. Anyway, I tell my mother that SF can get over it because I am pulling the pregnancy card. So SF and I spend all of friday night doing a little dance changing the thermostat.
The girls continued arguing over this and that. They never could, each, find their own personal space without someone else barging in. We tried to take them swimming, but on the way over a thunderstorm blew in. Which they were upset about. Bedtime was a nightmare, K and MB argued over sharing the full-size bed, which led to MB getting a good size bump on the side of her head, and me having to go to W*lm*rt at 10:30pm on a friday night during tax-free weekend for children's pain reliever. When I got back EM had managed to escape from the port-a-crib for the third or fourth time and my mom had given up. EM continued to get up about every 2 hours all night long.
This morning they all woke up whiny and if possible in even more sour moods. And finally after yet another sisterly squabble, I packed the two younger ones up in the car and we came home.
Ahhh, home. It sure felt good to get back here.
Peace,
Amy
Thursday, August 03, 2006
I am never going to be one of those homeschool moms. You, know the ones that are super-organized, the house is always ready for the white glove test (our house doesn't even pass the white shirt test), every child ready and attentive at the school table at a certain time.
I have figured out that on the days that I become obsessed with the house, the girls end up taking a certain initiative with their own learning. At the end of the day I look around the house, and, hopefully, I can see my accomplishments for the day. But there is that nagging voice within me, "So, what did the girls do today? What new thing did they learn?" Okay, they do learn something everyday. But, some days I don't want the public to know what they learned - kwim.
The other days it becomes all about the school. The more exciting, and enthralling it is - the more our house looks like a level 3 disaster area. I can't see or show what has been accomplished that day - but my heart knows it.
I am learning to just live. Do what I can, what needs to be done for sanitary, health reasons. There are days it is good to forget the textbooks and the lesson plans, and let life be the teacher. Just as there are days it is fine to forget about the kitchen until all the little ones are in bed, so that they can see how important they are to me. Of course, here soon, I will probably be in that phase of life where very little gets done, except a lot of nursing.
Monday, we had a "good" school day. Checked off that list - yeah, way to go.
Tuesday, we had a so-so day. MB did a few things at K's gymnastics class. K and I did a few informal things. Then we just vegged, the heat dragging on us.
Wednesday, I just got so sidetracked with household stuff and the neighborhood children were over - school just kind of went out the window. It perked up a little bit in the afternoon when the vet came by in his 'mobile' vet clinic and did Ginger's spaying. He gave my girls and the neighborhood children a tour of his 'office.'
Today we are meeting our homeschool group for a swim at a friend's neighborhood pool. Then I need to do a few things around the house before we leave, again, tomorrow. Back to the beach to drop MB off at mom's house for a week. MB's education next week will be provided by the environmental/ecology day-camp she is going to attend.
I could spend the time next week, working on an organizational/time-management chart for us. But, really, why waste my time. I know I won't stick to it. I know that life will take over, my children will demand, and get, autonomy in their educational path. I guess I am getting comfortable with this blend we are creating. It just doesn't look like anyone elses', and it is not supposed to. That makes it slightly uncomfortable for me. I don't have anyone else forging the path in front of me. Am I an educational slacker or a whip carrying headmistress? Or am I both? (Before anyone flames me for either of those two decriptions - just let me say I see value in both unschooling and structured home-ed. I just struggle with the two ends of the spectrum, personally neither feels comfortable for us). The problem is I don't know where the path is taking us - where we are going to end up. The journey is great fun, but we have determined our destination yet. Without a destination in mind, I feel as though we are meandering. And, maybe, at the age of my children meandering is fine. I just don't know.
Okay, enough homeschooling free-thought writing.
I have set myself up some goals for this months - one of which is to plan our birthday/christmas giving for this fall. Yesterday, I got a gift from my mom. She used to do a lot of cross stitch, but because of her arthritis she hasn't been able to do much. I am going to be the recepient of her huge collection of supplies. So, some people on our gift list will be getting a few simple corss stitch gifts this year. Yeah on the cost.
Time to feed the masses
Peace,
Amy
I have figured out that on the days that I become obsessed with the house, the girls end up taking a certain initiative with their own learning. At the end of the day I look around the house, and, hopefully, I can see my accomplishments for the day. But there is that nagging voice within me, "So, what did the girls do today? What new thing did they learn?" Okay, they do learn something everyday. But, some days I don't want the public to know what they learned - kwim.
The other days it becomes all about the school. The more exciting, and enthralling it is - the more our house looks like a level 3 disaster area. I can't see or show what has been accomplished that day - but my heart knows it.
I am learning to just live. Do what I can, what needs to be done for sanitary, health reasons. There are days it is good to forget the textbooks and the lesson plans, and let life be the teacher. Just as there are days it is fine to forget about the kitchen until all the little ones are in bed, so that they can see how important they are to me. Of course, here soon, I will probably be in that phase of life where very little gets done, except a lot of nursing.
Monday, we had a "good" school day. Checked off that list - yeah, way to go.
Tuesday, we had a so-so day. MB did a few things at K's gymnastics class. K and I did a few informal things. Then we just vegged, the heat dragging on us.
Wednesday, I just got so sidetracked with household stuff and the neighborhood children were over - school just kind of went out the window. It perked up a little bit in the afternoon when the vet came by in his 'mobile' vet clinic and did Ginger's spaying. He gave my girls and the neighborhood children a tour of his 'office.'
Today we are meeting our homeschool group for a swim at a friend's neighborhood pool. Then I need to do a few things around the house before we leave, again, tomorrow. Back to the beach to drop MB off at mom's house for a week. MB's education next week will be provided by the environmental/ecology day-camp she is going to attend.
I could spend the time next week, working on an organizational/time-management chart for us. But, really, why waste my time. I know I won't stick to it. I know that life will take over, my children will demand, and get, autonomy in their educational path. I guess I am getting comfortable with this blend we are creating. It just doesn't look like anyone elses', and it is not supposed to. That makes it slightly uncomfortable for me. I don't have anyone else forging the path in front of me. Am I an educational slacker or a whip carrying headmistress? Or am I both? (Before anyone flames me for either of those two decriptions - just let me say I see value in both unschooling and structured home-ed. I just struggle with the two ends of the spectrum, personally neither feels comfortable for us). The problem is I don't know where the path is taking us - where we are going to end up. The journey is great fun, but we have determined our destination yet. Without a destination in mind, I feel as though we are meandering. And, maybe, at the age of my children meandering is fine. I just don't know.
Okay, enough homeschooling free-thought writing.
I have set myself up some goals for this months - one of which is to plan our birthday/christmas giving for this fall. Yesterday, I got a gift from my mom. She used to do a lot of cross stitch, but because of her arthritis she hasn't been able to do much. I am going to be the recepient of her huge collection of supplies. So, some people on our gift list will be getting a few simple corss stitch gifts this year. Yeah on the cost.
Time to feed the masses
Peace,
Amy
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