Paige asked me tonight...
"If Adam and Eve hadn't sinned, would we still have to brush our teeth?"
Humm???
Would our teeth still be dirty?
What do you think?
It's Been a Long Time
5 weeks ago
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
3 Weeks Down, 33 More to Go
I probably shouldn't have titled this post that way. It sounds like I want the school year to be over, when that isn't the case. It is hard to believe that we have officially done 3 weeks worth of school. Of course they are always learning, even if it doesn't count as an official week to put down in the books.
There has been a bit of a learning curve this year. The biggest is having two addition students. We are still working on the schedule to get everything in that needs to be covered, figuring out what they can work on by themselves, what can all four do together, what can "M" and Drew do together, and what can Paige and Clay do together and what do I need to individually do each one. We are figuring some things out, a lot by trial and error. I figure by week 34, I'll have it all down. The second challenge is just that we are still figuring out "M" and she is still figuring us out. Authority is a new thing to her, so getting to realize she has to do what I ask, not just what she feels like. She still wants a lot of attention, like wanting me to watch her do everything including erase a letter. I still am learning what all she knows, since I haven't had her from birth or even close to that time and I wasn't around during her few months in Kindergarten, I still am not sure what she has mastered and what she hasn't.
But despite the challenges, we are learning, and I believe we are having fun (of course that may depend on what day you ask the kids).
Today was a day that was rewarding with the older two. (I won't mention the morning with the younger ones) Paige has a few science experiments she is working on, including testing pollution, freezing water and starting a compost pile. She is most thrilled with the compost pile, which she began today. I like it because she is cleaning up leaves from the yard and taking care of all my kitchen scraps. Clay was asked to write a story in first person point of view. So now he is excited to begin a series on "The Monkey Brothers", which is the name of the club he and some other boys started. He published his first story this afternoon and he already has a fan. Paige was delighted with it and said she couldn't wait for the next one to come out.
Some days are hard and there is a temptation to call the school and enroll them all, but that isn't most days, and there are even days like today where they are excited to learn and use their knowledge or skills. I love those days!
There has been a bit of a learning curve this year. The biggest is having two addition students. We are still working on the schedule to get everything in that needs to be covered, figuring out what they can work on by themselves, what can all four do together, what can "M" and Drew do together, and what can Paige and Clay do together and what do I need to individually do each one. We are figuring some things out, a lot by trial and error. I figure by week 34, I'll have it all down. The second challenge is just that we are still figuring out "M" and she is still figuring us out. Authority is a new thing to her, so getting to realize she has to do what I ask, not just what she feels like. She still wants a lot of attention, like wanting me to watch her do everything including erase a letter. I still am learning what all she knows, since I haven't had her from birth or even close to that time and I wasn't around during her few months in Kindergarten, I still am not sure what she has mastered and what she hasn't.
But despite the challenges, we are learning, and I believe we are having fun (of course that may depend on what day you ask the kids).
Today was a day that was rewarding with the older two. (I won't mention the morning with the younger ones) Paige has a few science experiments she is working on, including testing pollution, freezing water and starting a compost pile. She is most thrilled with the compost pile, which she began today. I like it because she is cleaning up leaves from the yard and taking care of all my kitchen scraps. Clay was asked to write a story in first person point of view. So now he is excited to begin a series on "The Monkey Brothers", which is the name of the club he and some other boys started. He published his first story this afternoon and he already has a fan. Paige was delighted with it and said she couldn't wait for the next one to come out.
Some days are hard and there is a temptation to call the school and enroll them all, but that isn't most days, and there are even days like today where they are excited to learn and use their knowledge or skills. I love those days!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Next Stop: Sullivan, IN
After 3 nights in Kansas, we got back in the car to visit both of my grandmothers in Sullivan, Indiana. The land began to look more and more familiar. Corn fields were becoming more frequent and the humidity was rising. Oh my goodness was the humidity high? We stopped in Illinois for lunch and I was sweating just sitting there. The first morning at my grandma's house, I tried to take video and the camera fogged up! I thought maybe I had weakened in my dry California climate. I grew up in the humidity, but I didn't think I could take it. I was told by several that this summer has been one of the worse ever! So it wasn't just me. Needless to say, I was happy to go back to the dryness I was growing accustomed to. Anyway, we arrived in Sullivan on August 3rd and stayed 3 nights. There we spent time with both my grandmothers, my mom, my sister, and aunts, uncles and cousins. The kids had a great time playing with the children of my cousins, some sort of cousin to them, not sure what you would call them. I was happy to be back in Sullivan, a place a visited all of the time growing up. I indulged myself with Grandma's strawberry preserves (about a spoonful on every bite!)
My aunt bought all the kids a water gun to play with at my grandma's house. They loved it and it felt very nice on the hot day!
My aunt and grandma. So good to see family.
Stay tuned...next stop Indianapolis
All the kids love playing Grandma's piano. And Grandma loves hearing them. No matter what they sound like! This piano was given to my grandma from her father when she was a young girl. I use to play it all the time when I would visit. Maybe "play" is the wrong word. I would push the keys and make some noise. I never did learn how to play anything beyond "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Happy Birthday to You"
My mom brought Legos for the kids to play with while we were visiting the grandmas. My kids love Legos, so many hours were spent creating.
My aunt bought all the kids a water gun to play with at my grandma's house. They loved it and it felt very nice on the hot day!
My aunt and grandma. So good to see family.
Stay tuned...next stop Indianapolis
On to Kansas
After two nights in Albuquerque, NM, we headed to Jathan's sister's home in Kansas. There we spent 3 nights. The kids enjoyed the big yard, playing with cousins and the go carts.
As we traveled to Kansas we went through Texas and Oklahoma, stopping in Oklahoma for a picnic lunch. The landscape was definitely changing from the interesting mesas to dry flat land used for farming then to the green landscape of Kansas.
During our time in Kansas, we were able to do a lot of visiting. Jathan played a lot of basketball with his 18 year old nephew and we all played some board games. The kids were amazed at the huge hay stacks that were taller than they were. From the distance "M" said she thought she could jump over them. Once she saw one up close and saw how much taller it was than her, she realized it was different.
Unfortunately, I didn't take much in the way of photographs and the ones I did take have "M" right in the middle of them, so I can't post them. I did take lots of video, so the memories will stay alive.
As we traveled to Kansas we went through Texas and Oklahoma, stopping in Oklahoma for a picnic lunch. The landscape was definitely changing from the interesting mesas to dry flat land used for farming then to the green landscape of Kansas.
During our time in Kansas, we were able to do a lot of visiting. Jathan played a lot of basketball with his 18 year old nephew and we all played some board games. The kids were amazed at the huge hay stacks that were taller than they were. From the distance "M" said she thought she could jump over them. Once she saw one up close and saw how much taller it was than her, she realized it was different.
Unfortunately, I didn't take much in the way of photographs and the ones I did take have "M" right in the middle of them, so I can't post them. I did take lots of video, so the memories will stay alive.
Before Our Trip Continues
I know that my story of our trip out East has taken a long time. I still have only covered the first stop of our multi-state excursion, and we have been home a month. But that month has been full, so here are just some random things going on in our lives...
1) Most of the first two weeks after we returned home was getting ready for school. As a Homeschool Mom, every year is different and new to me, but this year especially is new and different. First, the younger two joined a charter school. "M" had to in order for me to school her at home and Drew did because I thought I could use some help with him. So this involves learning a new system and having other people involved in the schooling. The benefits are a huge amount of resources and help if we need it. So we are testing the waters with it. I didn't want to enroll all kids before I knew what we were getting into. There are some potential down sides, so we will see. Another difference this year is I went from 2 students to 4. I am still getting use to arranging my day in order to have individual instruction time with each. It is a bonus that they are close in age (grades K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd), I have combined a few subjects.
2) We had "M's" birthday. She is now 6. So instead of two 5 year olds, we have two 6 year olds, atleast until the end of October when Clay will turn 7, then we will have every age between 5 and 8. Our family has a policy that you get a party on your odd birthday and do a fun family thing on your even birthday. However, this being "M's" first year with us, we decided to have a party. So we had a Mexican Fiesta. It was a bit of work, but I think all had fun. I think we had close to 20 kids.
3) School started. Of course that goes with #2. So far, so good. We are 2 weeks in, just 34 to go! No really, I am enjoying it, a lot.
Our family is still adjusting, although, I think we are adjusting well. A few weeks ago we had our monthly meeting with the social worker and I met with the CASA worker. It brought back the realization that "M" is still not legally ours. It is hard sometimes remember that. I can't imagine our family without her, we are to the point, that honestly it is hard to remember life with out her. So as you think of us, continue to pray. It isn't over until the adoption finalization, that could still be months. Well that is all for now, I think I will post some more vacation stuff.
1) Most of the first two weeks after we returned home was getting ready for school. As a Homeschool Mom, every year is different and new to me, but this year especially is new and different. First, the younger two joined a charter school. "M" had to in order for me to school her at home and Drew did because I thought I could use some help with him. So this involves learning a new system and having other people involved in the schooling. The benefits are a huge amount of resources and help if we need it. So we are testing the waters with it. I didn't want to enroll all kids before I knew what we were getting into. There are some potential down sides, so we will see. Another difference this year is I went from 2 students to 4. I am still getting use to arranging my day in order to have individual instruction time with each. It is a bonus that they are close in age (grades K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd), I have combined a few subjects.
2) We had "M's" birthday. She is now 6. So instead of two 5 year olds, we have two 6 year olds, atleast until the end of October when Clay will turn 7, then we will have every age between 5 and 8. Our family has a policy that you get a party on your odd birthday and do a fun family thing on your even birthday. However, this being "M's" first year with us, we decided to have a party. So we had a Mexican Fiesta. It was a bit of work, but I think all had fun. I think we had close to 20 kids.
3) School started. Of course that goes with #2. So far, so good. We are 2 weeks in, just 34 to go! No really, I am enjoying it, a lot.
Our family is still adjusting, although, I think we are adjusting well. A few weeks ago we had our monthly meeting with the social worker and I met with the CASA worker. It brought back the realization that "M" is still not legally ours. It is hard sometimes remember that. I can't imagine our family without her, we are to the point, that honestly it is hard to remember life with out her. So as you think of us, continue to pray. It isn't over until the adoption finalization, that could still be months. Well that is all for now, I think I will post some more vacation stuff.
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