2.27.2008
She did it!
I am beginning to suspect all elaborate and special systems of education. They seem to me to be built upon the supposition that every child is a kind of idiot who must be taught to think. Whereas if the child is left to himself, he will think more and better, if less "showily". Let him come and go freely, let him touch real things and combine his impressions for himself... Teaching fills the mind with artificial associations that must be got rid of before the child can develop independent ideas out of actual experiences.Anne Sullivan
2.26.2008
Tuesday Truthful
What does your serenity spot look like?
I'm ashamed to say that mine is looking bad. My swing has needed recovered for about two years, and weeds are growing like crazy, while all my pretty plants are either hibernating or dead. Not very serene. I bought some new fabric, last year. I'm really wanting to work on this so that once it's warm I can come out and sit with my memories, and relax.
Unschooling music
Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art.
Charlie Parker
We've been told time and time again, that one must have a teacher to learn to play the violin/piano/guitar. I wonder to myself why? If we can LIVE it, we can create it. All of my kids sit and play on these instruments, none of them receive instruction against their will. None of them play on demand. But they love sitting at the piano and tinkering, holding the violin and figuring out the notes. Josh played the trumpet for a year before he said that he'd like a teacher. The important fact was that he had a desire to learn, and we found a good teacher, and he did learn (enough to figure out the Star Wars theme by himself lol) He also quit when he felt he had learned enough. He wants to fiddle with the guitar for a while. I love that they have the freedom to pick up what they want. I remember being told I had to learn the violin, when I wanted nothing more than to caress the cello. The cello had a beautiful, deep sound, but never was I allowed to touch it, because my hands weren't 'right'. I'm still sad about that, and as soon as I have a little pile of cash and a good cello in front of me, I'll spit in the proverbial eye of my music teacher and learn how to play. Without someone telling me how to do it.
Charlie Parker
We've been told time and time again, that one must have a teacher to learn to play the violin/piano/guitar. I wonder to myself why? If we can LIVE it, we can create it. All of my kids sit and play on these instruments, none of them receive instruction against their will. None of them play on demand. But they love sitting at the piano and tinkering, holding the violin and figuring out the notes. Josh played the trumpet for a year before he said that he'd like a teacher. The important fact was that he had a desire to learn, and we found a good teacher, and he did learn (enough to figure out the Star Wars theme by himself lol) He also quit when he felt he had learned enough. He wants to fiddle with the guitar for a while. I love that they have the freedom to pick up what they want. I remember being told I had to learn the violin, when I wanted nothing more than to caress the cello. The cello had a beautiful, deep sound, but never was I allowed to touch it, because my hands weren't 'right'. I'm still sad about that, and as soon as I have a little pile of cash and a good cello in front of me, I'll spit in the proverbial eye of my music teacher and learn how to play. Without someone telling me how to do it.
2.25.2008
So Far Awaaaay......
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more????? It would be so nice to.....
oh.
ahem.
didn't see you there.
teehee!!
So, I'm WAY behind. Part of this is because my dad had an appointment maybe two weeks ago? At this appointment it was discovered that his carotid artery had an 80% occlusion, and he needed pretty quick surgery to place one stint (or maybe two) This was extremely scary in light of his heart attack four years ago, in which several stints were placed in and around his heart. So....I didn't really feel like blogging, in fact, I spent most of my time online researching various ways to treat, various side effects, etc etc. Not really emotionally healthy, but it was what I needed. Plus the kids got a GREAT anatomy lesson watching mom stim on grandpa's health (a little autism joke thrown in for fun lol!)
Anyway, I'll try to catch up. My dad did pretty good, had to stay in the hospital a day and a night, had some bleeding issues, but no signs of stroke or clots. He does have to be pretty careful, the doctor did an excellent job (got to see before and after shots) and the internal carotid looks like brand new. The external looks like crap, and the stint actually is blocking it. However, this is okay because that mostly supplies the head outside of the skull, and the internal is the important part (ahem, brain and all) Most amusing was the doctors and nurses looking at my dad's skull. Let's just say he's had a rough life. His sister blew him up with a heater when he was about eight, but when he was four or so, he was run over by a car and nearly died. So he's had three holes in his head where they did craniotomies. He was very worried about how the blood supply would affect that as well, for all of happening fifty some-odd years ago. He's a cool guy though, and I was a wee bit scared/terrified myself.
I'm so blessed, that Zane was able to take off of work (we had already planned it even, as I was heading south for a conference) So, I was able to meet my dad and mom up at the hospital early, and stay until he had been moved into a room.
2.18.2008
Pinewood Derby, builder of men
"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be."
Martha Washington
One of my peeves of scouting is the pinewood derby. I have no problems with the competitive nature, the idea that only certain boys win, in fact, I like that better than the idea that EVERYONE gets an award, flooding out any meaning in achievement. However, I am completely annoyed by the parents (I can't even say dads, this is the first year out of our nearly seven years of scouting that I've come across a mom who did this) who take OVER their child's car because they can't do it "good enough". The parents take this block of wood, cut out a cool shape, sand it smooth, paint it over, finely sand the wheels, attach and lube, and don't forget, weight it down to within 1/10th of an ounce of the limit. There is even a website, telling you HOW TO WIN....and need I remind you that the pinewood derby is for boys under ten??? Very rarely do the boys have a choice. I've heard parents legitimize this, by excusing it "I was going to let him do the next step, but he was doing it wrong", by excusing the child "He wanted it to look a certain way, and just couldn't do it"or by excusing the process "He really needed to win to feel good about this".
Anyway, out of all this, came Sam. He did his car himself. He did not lose a finger, and used the handsaw himself. He spent nearly an hour sanding it smooth. He painted it all by himself, and then rubbed on his little stickers....unevenly it's true. But when he was done, he had a car he was PROUD of...he had a splinter in one hand, a raw spot on the other from sanding, and a huge sense of accomplishment. It did not matter in the slightest that he did not win, because he had so many great memories of me sitting beside him, and him explaining his process to me. He was a wonderful sport, cheering all the cars, congratulating the winners, and came home beaming. That's the definition of a real man. We've got the good beginnings of one in him.
Martha Washington
One of my peeves of scouting is the pinewood derby. I have no problems with the competitive nature, the idea that only certain boys win, in fact, I like that better than the idea that EVERYONE gets an award, flooding out any meaning in achievement. However, I am completely annoyed by the parents (I can't even say dads, this is the first year out of our nearly seven years of scouting that I've come across a mom who did this) who take OVER their child's car because they can't do it "good enough". The parents take this block of wood, cut out a cool shape, sand it smooth, paint it over, finely sand the wheels, attach and lube, and don't forget, weight it down to within 1/10th of an ounce of the limit. There is even a website, telling you HOW TO WIN....and need I remind you that the pinewood derby is for boys under ten??? Very rarely do the boys have a choice. I've heard parents legitimize this, by excusing it "I was going to let him do the next step, but he was doing it wrong", by excusing the child "He wanted it to look a certain way, and just couldn't do it"or by excusing the process "He really needed to win to feel good about this".
Anyway, out of all this, came Sam. He did his car himself. He did not lose a finger, and used the handsaw himself. He spent nearly an hour sanding it smooth. He painted it all by himself, and then rubbed on his little stickers....unevenly it's true. But when he was done, he had a car he was PROUD of...he had a splinter in one hand, a raw spot on the other from sanding, and a huge sense of accomplishment. It did not matter in the slightest that he did not win, because he had so many great memories of me sitting beside him, and him explaining his process to me. He was a wonderful sport, cheering all the cars, congratulating the winners, and came home beaming. That's the definition of a real man. We've got the good beginnings of one in him.
2.14.2008
You know you're old when.....
"Live your life and forget your age" Norman Vincent Peale
So I get a phone call from an older couple I know...I won't mention names. But we were talking about Valentine's day, and I asked how they were doing, after all, they are in their fifties and should have this down by now. So, the great news is that it's all about the heart and the groin....the man went in this morning to see his cardiac surgeon, and the lady, this afternoon to her GYN for a pap smear.
Man, you can't laugh any harder than that.
Happy Valentines day!
So I get a phone call from an older couple I know...I won't mention names. But we were talking about Valentine's day, and I asked how they were doing, after all, they are in their fifties and should have this down by now. So, the great news is that it's all about the heart and the groin....the man went in this morning to see his cardiac surgeon, and the lady, this afternoon to her GYN for a pap smear.
Man, you can't laugh any harder than that.
Happy Valentines day!
2.11.2008
I should be sleeping....
No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. ~Carrie Snow
Had a long day...not necessarily a bad one, just lots of emotional ups and downs. We invited a friend over to play, and turns out she has the flu, so the girls and I were both really disappointed. They had even cleaned their room, and set up the play room with lots of fun crafty stuff. Anyway, some good came out of it, it hasn't been so clean in a while ;-)
Good news was that we had invited another friend over to play as well, and we got him AND his big brother. So we had a great day, hanging out with an extra three year old and his big bro. And dangit. I forgot AGAIN to give him his birthday present. He's been three for a month now. sigh. I know he'll like it because he loved Avari's version so much that he played an extra half hour in the tub this evening lol!
Evening was really cool, lots of playing, even roughly was fun for me. Played Guitar Hero III with three guys I really like (even if Seth powned me...cut me a break man!) Avari's sweet voice calling "Come on Aden, let's play together!"Emily and Rachel gathered in a corner, heads together giggling. Sam and Dan playing power transformers, and agreeing that 'candy transformers' were allowed, but only if their names were not 'formal names'. Breanna giggly and happy, running from room to room, watching everyone be happy (she likes happy) And Zane, wandering from room to room, stepping in where he could, standing back when he wanted to, just being a good unschooling dad. He also rearranged some computers around the house so that the boys have a higher processor in their room.
Nothing is sweeter than ending your day by rocking two toddlers, sweet-smelling, fresh from the bath. I was privileged with the chance to read a few stories, and snuggle with their warm bodies under a really cool car blanket. I get to sleep in peace tonight, much like my baby Avari, who is a baby, no longer.
Had a long day...not necessarily a bad one, just lots of emotional ups and downs. We invited a friend over to play, and turns out she has the flu, so the girls and I were both really disappointed. They had even cleaned their room, and set up the play room with lots of fun crafty stuff. Anyway, some good came out of it, it hasn't been so clean in a while ;-)
Good news was that we had invited another friend over to play as well, and we got him AND his big brother. So we had a great day, hanging out with an extra three year old and his big bro. And dangit. I forgot AGAIN to give him his birthday present. He's been three for a month now. sigh. I know he'll like it because he loved Avari's version so much that he played an extra half hour in the tub this evening lol!
Evening was really cool, lots of playing, even roughly was fun for me. Played Guitar Hero III with three guys I really like (even if Seth powned me...cut me a break man!) Avari's sweet voice calling "Come on Aden, let's play together!"Emily and Rachel gathered in a corner, heads together giggling. Sam and Dan playing power transformers, and agreeing that 'candy transformers' were allowed, but only if their names were not 'formal names'. Breanna giggly and happy, running from room to room, watching everyone be happy (she likes happy) And Zane, wandering from room to room, stepping in where he could, standing back when he wanted to, just being a good unschooling dad. He also rearranged some computers around the house so that the boys have a higher processor in their room.
Nothing is sweeter than ending your day by rocking two toddlers, sweet-smelling, fresh from the bath. I was privileged with the chance to read a few stories, and snuggle with their warm bodies under a really cool car blanket. I get to sleep in peace tonight, much like my baby Avari, who is a baby, no longer.
2.09.2008
Ahhhh....lazy days
There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. ~Sylvia Plath
Not really, but when I found this in my sink I had to laugh. It seems like my calendar has been full since New Years eve, and it's starting to affect my brain. All month I've been losing a week....last weekend I was upset about Josh's birthday being around the corner, and it was a week away, all this week I've been worried about the Blue & Gold banquet as well as our homeschooling group anniversary party, and it's NEXT week, and the week after that I've got a conference that i was stressed about yesterday. I hate to wish away an entire month, but this month would be the one I would.
It is my fault. Someone mentions something fun, and I have to be there. Someone needs help and I say sure. I'm giving up volunteering for Lent, I've decided. March should be nice, it starts off with a bang (scouts have a five mile hike that starts a few hours away) and a full day of orienteering, but the rest of the month is empty except my birthday and my moms. And those don't require parties!!! Just a nice dinner....no cake, no favors, just fun with family and friends. ahhh. I just need to learn to let go (and not sign up for anything) Yay for Lenten disciplines.
Not really, but when I found this in my sink I had to laugh. It seems like my calendar has been full since New Years eve, and it's starting to affect my brain. All month I've been losing a week....last weekend I was upset about Josh's birthday being around the corner, and it was a week away, all this week I've been worried about the Blue & Gold banquet as well as our homeschooling group anniversary party, and it's NEXT week, and the week after that I've got a conference that i was stressed about yesterday. I hate to wish away an entire month, but this month would be the one I would.
It is my fault. Someone mentions something fun, and I have to be there. Someone needs help and I say sure. I'm giving up volunteering for Lent, I've decided. March should be nice, it starts off with a bang (scouts have a five mile hike that starts a few hours away) and a full day of orienteering, but the rest of the month is empty except my birthday and my moms. And those don't require parties!!! Just a nice dinner....no cake, no favors, just fun with family and friends. ahhh. I just need to learn to let go (and not sign up for anything) Yay for Lenten disciplines.
2.07.2008
So, Emily's birthday was delayed due to snow (in December). So we agreed that after new years would be a good time, because so often her birthday gets lost in the holidays. Mid-January, was good, but wait! Rachel's birthday is next month, why don't we just have hers as well?! Okay...I think to myself, this has potential to go wrong when the date actually rolls around, six WEEKS later.
When their plans were confessed to a friend, she joked that her birthday was two days later, she could join in...and voila! It happened. Then another friend didn't get a party the previous fall, soooo she was added in as well. Said birthday included TWO nights of sleep overs at various houses, a trip to the new Hey Days, and dinner at HideAway Pizza. Not to mention a really awesome birthday party with LOTS of people, and a cool safari theme, complete with take away buckets with compasses, games and candy.
2.06.2008
Meet the family
So, here are the kids in order
Avari, two
Daniel, four
Samuel, six
Rachel, eight in two weeks!
Emily, newly nine
Breanna, ten years old for now
and Zane Joshua, 13 TODAY!!!!
2.04.2008
Painting
"Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things" Degas
All things are well done when done with color....the girls needed just two things...several rolls of butcher paper and all the paint in the house.
Dan is looking cute, I don't think he knows why I'm snickering though....
Or other alternative designs...Bre really really likes to mix (paint, food, etc)
Rachel says HI! This was for all the airplanes passing overhead. There were a lot this day, bright sunny day in the middle of January.2.03.2008
Favorite Superbowl Commercials
First of all, when pushed to a choice:
Giants: Sam, Dan, Rachel, Josh and Dad
Patriots: Mom (feeling lonely, but Avari will cheer with me "Go Pickerwiots")
No one: Emily (teehee)
No care: Breanna
Careerbuilder.com at 6:24
Planters nuts 6:37
Sobe, with the Thriller lizards
Dan LOVES the daytona commercials
Tom Petty at the half-time. OMG. No words to say how much we love him
Cars.com at 7:30
Bud light, at 7:53
Coke at 8:05
Coke at 8:13 (bipartisan)
Dang it, final score is 14 to 17, Giants. Sigh. I'll have Giants on my forehead tomorrow.
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