You Think A. Gallon Of Gas Is Expensive?
The other day when I was out running errands, it was unbelievable that I was excited to see gas for $2.54 a gallon, much cheaper than the $2.69 it was closer to my house. Then yesterday, when I was cleaning out my email box, I came across this email from just over 3 years ago. It made me laugh, so I though I would share it! Makes one think, and puts things in perspective.
Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 ......... $10.32 per gallon
Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 ....... $9.52 per gallon
Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 ............. $10.17 per gallon
Ocean Spray 16 oz $1.25 ......... $10.00 per gallon
Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 ........... $33.60 per gallon
Vick's Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 ......... $178.13 per gallon
Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 .......... $123.20 per gallon
Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 ............... $25.42 per gallon
Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 ................. $84.48 per gallon
and this is the REAL KICKER......
Evian water 9 oz for $1.49 ........ $21.19 per gallon.
$21.19 FOR WATER! ....and the buyers don't even know the source.
So, the next time you're at the pump, be glad your car doesn't run on bottled water, Scope, or Whiteout, or God forbid, PEPTO BISMOL or NYQUIL!!!! Just a little humor to help ease the pain of your next trip to the pump...........!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Just wait til you see the pictures!
I am on the old computer, the newer one (which is almost 3 years old) is in the shop, so I can't upload pictures, but I just had to share...
I should have known Will was into something because he wasn't in here clinging to my leg while I read my emails...well, I opened the office door and was assaulted by the smell of peanut butter. There in the hallway was Will, covered head to toe in peanut butter. I had noticed the jar on the picnic table earlier, but forgot to put it away! He had it everywhere, on himself, the carpet, the walls! I had Hannah run and grab the camera and snapped a few pictures...after all the damage was done. Em gave him a bath while I tried to steam the mess out of the carpet. It was certainly easier to get it off the walls, kitchen floor and picnic table (where his adventure began) than it was to get it out of the cheap berber carpet. The hall smells like peanut butter...I think it is all out of the carpet, but will have to wait for it to dry a bit and then try cleaning it again!
I am on the old computer, the newer one (which is almost 3 years old) is in the shop, so I can't upload pictures, but I just had to share...
I should have known Will was into something because he wasn't in here clinging to my leg while I read my emails...well, I opened the office door and was assaulted by the smell of peanut butter. There in the hallway was Will, covered head to toe in peanut butter. I had noticed the jar on the picnic table earlier, but forgot to put it away! He had it everywhere, on himself, the carpet, the walls! I had Hannah run and grab the camera and snapped a few pictures...after all the damage was done. Em gave him a bath while I tried to steam the mess out of the carpet. It was certainly easier to get it off the walls, kitchen floor and picnic table (where his adventure began) than it was to get it out of the cheap berber carpet. The hall smells like peanut butter...I think it is all out of the carpet, but will have to wait for it to dry a bit and then try cleaning it again!
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Days like this......
Occassionally there is a day when I feel that by having so many children I am cheating them out of something! This morning the boys (Grant and Jacob) needed to be up at the football fields to have pictures taken and for scrimmages. I got the chore of running to the picture location and then running between two different fields (at two different parks, at least they were only a few blocks apart). Jay was to take Emily up to dance, go and run some errands, and then go back and get her. Somehow I forgot to convey to him that he needed to return 15 mintues early to watch the routine she had been working on in her ballet intensive class. Apparently she was in tears because no one from her family was there to watch her! Jay said she cried the whole way home. Of course, I could try to put some of the blame on her, she should have reminded him when he dropped her off, but I really feel bad about the whole thing!
To add to my feelings of inadequacy, when I walked in the door from football, Hannah looks at me and says "did you ever go pick up a gift for Chrishauna? Her mom is supposed to be here soon to pick me up for the birthday party". DAMN.....I knew I forgot something.....I started to just put money in a card, when I was literally saved by the bell (or shall I say ring of the phone). Chrishauna's mom called and said she would be at least another hour....so Hannah and I hightailed it up to Kohl's and found a cute shirt, t-shirt and flipflops all marked down on clearance! Hopefully Chrishauna will like them!
I spend over an hour on the phone with my mom. I finally told her that I felt we should contact hospice (on the advice of my new friend from football) and after she cried, she actually agreed and said she would call them and at least hear what they could offer. No commitment to actually accept the help, but at least she is willing to get the information. Dad apparently had a really rough week and she is at the end of her rope. It looks like there is a possiblity for him to attend adult daycare 2 days a week, so that just leaves 3 days to be covered! I missed getting to kiss Hannah goodbye because I was on the phone dealing with mom.
Hannah called later and she got to the birthday party safe and sound and Emily up to the dance studio for a special overnight for the girls that took ballet intensive. Sophie is asleep. The boys are all playing, including William. You know I wouldn't trade any of them for anything!
Occassionally there is a day when I feel that by having so many children I am cheating them out of something! This morning the boys (Grant and Jacob) needed to be up at the football fields to have pictures taken and for scrimmages. I got the chore of running to the picture location and then running between two different fields (at two different parks, at least they were only a few blocks apart). Jay was to take Emily up to dance, go and run some errands, and then go back and get her. Somehow I forgot to convey to him that he needed to return 15 mintues early to watch the routine she had been working on in her ballet intensive class. Apparently she was in tears because no one from her family was there to watch her! Jay said she cried the whole way home. Of course, I could try to put some of the blame on her, she should have reminded him when he dropped her off, but I really feel bad about the whole thing!
To add to my feelings of inadequacy, when I walked in the door from football, Hannah looks at me and says "did you ever go pick up a gift for Chrishauna? Her mom is supposed to be here soon to pick me up for the birthday party". DAMN.....I knew I forgot something.....I started to just put money in a card, when I was literally saved by the bell (or shall I say ring of the phone). Chrishauna's mom called and said she would be at least another hour....so Hannah and I hightailed it up to Kohl's and found a cute shirt, t-shirt and flipflops all marked down on clearance! Hopefully Chrishauna will like them!
I spend over an hour on the phone with my mom. I finally told her that I felt we should contact hospice (on the advice of my new friend from football) and after she cried, she actually agreed and said she would call them and at least hear what they could offer. No commitment to actually accept the help, but at least she is willing to get the information. Dad apparently had a really rough week and she is at the end of her rope. It looks like there is a possiblity for him to attend adult daycare 2 days a week, so that just leaves 3 days to be covered! I missed getting to kiss Hannah goodbye because I was on the phone dealing with mom.
Hannah called later and she got to the birthday party safe and sound and Emily up to the dance studio for a special overnight for the girls that took ballet intensive. Sophie is asleep. The boys are all playing, including William. You know I wouldn't trade any of them for anything!
Boy that was quick!
I couldn't believe it when in today's mail I found our official excusal from compulsory attendance letter. I just turned in our letter on the 9th! So now I just have to decide how long it to wait before approaching the district about accessing my own children. Now if that would just go off without a hitch!
I couldn't believe it when in today's mail I found our official excusal from compulsory attendance letter. I just turned in our letter on the 9th! So now I just have to decide how long it to wait before approaching the district about accessing my own children. Now if that would just go off without a hitch!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Perseid Meteor Shower
Circle this date: Friday, August 12th. Next to the circle write "before sunrise" and "Meteors!"
From spaceweather.com website: The Perseid meteor shower is underway. The shower's broad peak extends from August 11th through 13th--but August 12th is best. If you get away from bright city lights and watch the sky between local midnight and dawn on Friday morning, August 12th, you can expect to see dozens to hundreds of meteors. Check out the full story: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/22jul_perseids2005.htm
From CNN.com website: The Perseid meteor shower, an event that comes around every August in the late-night sky, is upon us again. Lasting for more than a week, the celestial show is forecast to peak on August 12, when astronomers say meteors should streak through the dark every two minutes or so.
That's not as bright a display as in years past -- the quarter moon may be too brilliant for some meteors to stand out, astronomers caution -- but that doesn't mean stargazers will be wasting their time.
"That's still a wonderful meteor shower and I recommend trying to see it," said George Lebo, an astronomy professor who is a visiting faculty member this summer at the NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
August 12 should be the zero hour for best watching, Lebo said in a news release from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "No matter where you live, the best time to watch will between local midnight and dawn."
The Perseids, which have varied in intensity and frequency over the years, are bits of space dust that enter the Earth's atmosphere at 132,000 mph, creating eye-popping streaks of light in the night sky.
They originate from the tail of the comet Swift-Tuttle, a heavenly visitor that hurtles past our sun every 135 years, leaving a new trail of debris in its wake. The Earth, revolving around the sun, routinely approaches the celestial flotsam and jetsam every July. Astronomers note an increase in meteor activity almost immediately.
Crossing my fingers that the RAIN and THUNDER pass quickly and the skys clear so we can go out and watch the meteor shower!
Circle this date: Friday, August 12th. Next to the circle write "before sunrise" and "Meteors!"
From spaceweather.com website: The Perseid meteor shower is underway. The shower's broad peak extends from August 11th through 13th--but August 12th is best. If you get away from bright city lights and watch the sky between local midnight and dawn on Friday morning, August 12th, you can expect to see dozens to hundreds of meteors. Check out the full story: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/22jul_perseids2005.htm
From CNN.com website: The Perseid meteor shower, an event that comes around every August in the late-night sky, is upon us again. Lasting for more than a week, the celestial show is forecast to peak on August 12, when astronomers say meteors should streak through the dark every two minutes or so.
That's not as bright a display as in years past -- the quarter moon may be too brilliant for some meteors to stand out, astronomers caution -- but that doesn't mean stargazers will be wasting their time.
"That's still a wonderful meteor shower and I recommend trying to see it," said George Lebo, an astronomy professor who is a visiting faculty member this summer at the NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
August 12 should be the zero hour for best watching, Lebo said in a news release from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "No matter where you live, the best time to watch will between local midnight and dawn."
The Perseids, which have varied in intensity and frequency over the years, are bits of space dust that enter the Earth's atmosphere at 132,000 mph, creating eye-popping streaks of light in the night sky.
They originate from the tail of the comet Swift-Tuttle, a heavenly visitor that hurtles past our sun every 135 years, leaving a new trail of debris in its wake. The Earth, revolving around the sun, routinely approaches the celestial flotsam and jetsam every July. Astronomers note an increase in meteor activity almost immediately.
Crossing my fingers that the RAIN and THUNDER pass quickly and the skys clear so we can go out and watch the meteor shower!
Planning meeting
Last night about 20 moms from the homeschooling group we are most active in had their annual planning meeting. It is unreal to look at the calendar and realize that there isn't one week without an activity. I think I will probably just shove the calendar in the face of anyone who dares to ask me about socialization.....yes, socialization is a problem for us....we spend way too much time doing it!
Some really cool activities are on the calendar....a Napoleon Dynamite party, teen halloween party, roller skating, bowling, all the park programs! We will be celebrating Chinese New Year, St. Patrick's Day, Madri Gras and Cinco de Mayo with special group gatherings that will include FOOD! There are going to be a couple opportunities for the horselovers in the group...a trip to a local racetrack and to the Kentucky Horse Park. And let me not forget our quilting club and altered book club!
There is a chance Hannah might get to take some classes in "cosmotology", learning from one of the mom's how to cut, color and perm hair. I even volunteered my hair for the "perm" class! I really hope the class is offered on a night that Hannah can attend!
I also tossed out the idea of a geography and biography fair. There seems to be enough interest, so now I just have to go about securing a location and getting the details out to everyone. For the biography fair, each child picks anyone, living or dead, and does a presentation about their life. The child choses how to present the information. The geography fair we would pass out passports and each participant could chose a stamp or sticker for the passport that would represent their country...people get passports stamped as they visit each country/display. Participants would prepare a display, write a report or
give an oral presentation ,maybe prepare representative foods or possibly a craft, the possibilities are endless. They would use resources like postal stamps, Currency, Embassy packages, Flags, Costumes and Folktales. The great thing about these two opportunities is that any age child can particpate and present their research to the best of their abilities. No competing!
To add to the excitement, I have been working with my friend Roberta (aka Granny) on developing a program in her gardens for homeschooling families. We are still working out the details, but it is really coming together. We firmed up the meeting dates, Fall: Sept 14, Sept 28, Oct 12, Oct 26 and Spring: Mar 22, Apr 5, Apr 19, May 3, May 17, May 31 and the time 1 PM to 3 PM and I think the price is right (cost will be $10 per child for the entire program), now I just have to come up with a description and "market" it to our homeschooling friends. Each week will include garden time and a garden related craft. The kids are even going to get their own garden plots!
Speaking of "marketing" Granny has offered the kids the opportunity of running their own business selling the produce they grow. So not only are we getting a gardening program, but also a lesson in economics, marketing and practical business experience. Of course it will be next summer before they have produce to sell, but the whole idea is appealling to my teens!
I am so excited about the upcoming "school" year!
Last night about 20 moms from the homeschooling group we are most active in had their annual planning meeting. It is unreal to look at the calendar and realize that there isn't one week without an activity. I think I will probably just shove the calendar in the face of anyone who dares to ask me about socialization.....yes, socialization is a problem for us....we spend way too much time doing it!
Some really cool activities are on the calendar....a Napoleon Dynamite party, teen halloween party, roller skating, bowling, all the park programs! We will be celebrating Chinese New Year, St. Patrick's Day, Madri Gras and Cinco de Mayo with special group gatherings that will include FOOD! There are going to be a couple opportunities for the horselovers in the group...a trip to a local racetrack and to the Kentucky Horse Park. And let me not forget our quilting club and altered book club!
There is a chance Hannah might get to take some classes in "cosmotology", learning from one of the mom's how to cut, color and perm hair. I even volunteered my hair for the "perm" class! I really hope the class is offered on a night that Hannah can attend!
I also tossed out the idea of a geography and biography fair. There seems to be enough interest, so now I just have to go about securing a location and getting the details out to everyone. For the biography fair, each child picks anyone, living or dead, and does a presentation about their life. The child choses how to present the information. The geography fair we would pass out passports and each participant could chose a stamp or sticker for the passport that would represent their country...people get passports stamped as they visit each country/display. Participants would prepare a display, write a report or
give an oral presentation ,maybe prepare representative foods or possibly a craft, the possibilities are endless. They would use resources like postal stamps, Currency, Embassy packages, Flags, Costumes and Folktales. The great thing about these two opportunities is that any age child can particpate and present their research to the best of their abilities. No competing!
To add to the excitement, I have been working with my friend Roberta (aka Granny) on developing a program in her gardens for homeschooling families. We are still working out the details, but it is really coming together. We firmed up the meeting dates, Fall: Sept 14, Sept 28, Oct 12, Oct 26 and Spring: Mar 22, Apr 5, Apr 19, May 3, May 17, May 31 and the time 1 PM to 3 PM and I think the price is right (cost will be $10 per child for the entire program), now I just have to come up with a description and "market" it to our homeschooling friends. Each week will include garden time and a garden related craft. The kids are even going to get their own garden plots!
Speaking of "marketing" Granny has offered the kids the opportunity of running their own business selling the produce they grow. So not only are we getting a gardening program, but also a lesson in economics, marketing and practical business experience. Of course it will be next summer before they have produce to sell, but the whole idea is appealling to my teens!
I am so excited about the upcoming "school" year!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Patty Cake, Patty Cake Baker's Man!
Here are two of the pictures for Will's 13 month photo session. He really loved playing with the fake apples! I was surprised that he left the hat on his head!
One of his favorite things to do at home it to completely empty the drawers and to take things out of the cabinets onto the kitchen floor. He is the first of my kids to ever do this. Isn't it funny that baby #8 could do something "new"?
Will now prefers to walk over crawling. He is pretty steady on his feet and is even starting to run! He is still so small that it looks funny when you see him toddling about.
Notification turned in!
Yesterday (Tuesday August 9) I drove over to the Board of Education and turned in our annual notification. I got a reciept from the woman who took our notification with the date on it, so the school district has 14 days to send us our excusal or to question our notification. So the waiting game begins! It is our first time notifying in our new school district, so I am hoping things go off without a hitch. We have never had problems in the past, so hopefully our streak continues.
Below is a copy of what I attach for each child as their "brief" outline and list of teaching materials. I change it slightly for each child (obviously the boys aren't in girlscouts and don't take dance classes and the girls don't play football and baseball). I believe that minimal complicance with the laws governing home education is in the best interest of the entire homeschooling community. I turn in notification for the kids that are over the age 6....so Jacob, Grant, Emily, Hannah, and Brett.
Information for Hannah Riesenberg
6. BRIEF OUTLINE OF INTENDED CURRICULUM FOR THE 2005-'06 SCHOOL YEAR:
As we embark on our fifth year of homeschooling, we plan to continue with the methods we found work the most efficiently for our family the past four years. We feel that we have made the necessary assurances for sections #5 and #8 that our home education will include the required areas and hours.
We will strive to have a curriculum that is interest driven; that is, based on the interests of our children. With our gentle guidance our children will choose what, when, and in what manner they will learn. We want them to be active participants in their learning, not passive receivers. It is our belief that through this process our children's self-esteem will be preserved, they will value learning, and they will be empowered to make decisions that are best for themselves throughout their lives.
We believe that the most developmentally appropriate curriculum for them is one based on their interests and needs. We feel we need to be flexible enough to change as they change. Because children do not naturally divide the world into subject areas (language, math, art, etc.), our curriculum will be inherently integrated. Our children may pursue their interests as in-depth as they desire and for as long as they remain interested (hours to months). We find that one interest will lead naturally to another or that many cohesive interests may be pursued simultaneously. We will encourage them to set goals and follow them.
Just as we have done in the past, when it is time for us to assess our children at the end of the year, we plan to collect our many journals, scrapbooks, photographs and projects to show all the interesting things we have discovered and the skills we have acquired in the process. We will reflect on what worked well and decide what things we may want to change for the future. This is our course of study. It is an after-the-fact curriculum.
7. LIST OF BASIC TEACHING MATERIALS:
Large personal library
Family video collection
Reference books (encyclopedias, thesaurus, dictionaries, atlases)Reference materials (textbooks, field guides, grammar books, timelines, globe, maps, etc.)
NewspapersMagazine subscriptions for both children and adults
Games (board games, cards, outdoor games, travel games)
Calculating and measuring tools (including rulers, calculators, calendars and watches)
Basic office supplies
Savings accounts
Art and craft supplies
A variety of musical recordings
Audiovisual equipment (VCR, DVD player, cameras, stereo, cassette players, CD players)
Manipulatives (blocks, legos, etc.)
Child and adult sized gardening tools
Home maintenance equipment
Sewing machine, fabric, patterns, thread
Community resources (such as community centers, museums, parks, festivals,stage performances, sports programs)
Parish resources
The extensive collection of the Clermont, Hamilton and Kenton County Libraries via library cards for each child
2 computers and over 20 educational computer programs
On-line services and the vast resources of the Internet
Regular dance classes
Pen pals
Scouting involvement (Girl Scouts Great River Council)
4-H involvement
Granny's Garden School
Travel throughout Ohio and surrounding states.
Family membership to Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and Cincinnati Zoo and reciprocating establishments
Park Programs sponsered by Clermont, Hamilton and Kenton County Parks
YMCA membership
The community of homeschoolers (support groups, e-mail lists, field trips and other gatherings)
Found items, nature, used book sales, and the knowledge and wisdom of generations past.
Yesterday (Tuesday August 9) I drove over to the Board of Education and turned in our annual notification. I got a reciept from the woman who took our notification with the date on it, so the school district has 14 days to send us our excusal or to question our notification. So the waiting game begins! It is our first time notifying in our new school district, so I am hoping things go off without a hitch. We have never had problems in the past, so hopefully our streak continues.
Below is a copy of what I attach for each child as their "brief" outline and list of teaching materials. I change it slightly for each child (obviously the boys aren't in girlscouts and don't take dance classes and the girls don't play football and baseball). I believe that minimal complicance with the laws governing home education is in the best interest of the entire homeschooling community. I turn in notification for the kids that are over the age 6....so Jacob, Grant, Emily, Hannah, and Brett.
Information for Hannah Riesenberg
6. BRIEF OUTLINE OF INTENDED CURRICULUM FOR THE 2005-'06 SCHOOL YEAR:
As we embark on our fifth year of homeschooling, we plan to continue with the methods we found work the most efficiently for our family the past four years. We feel that we have made the necessary assurances for sections #5 and #8 that our home education will include the required areas and hours.
We will strive to have a curriculum that is interest driven; that is, based on the interests of our children. With our gentle guidance our children will choose what, when, and in what manner they will learn. We want them to be active participants in their learning, not passive receivers. It is our belief that through this process our children's self-esteem will be preserved, they will value learning, and they will be empowered to make decisions that are best for themselves throughout their lives.
We believe that the most developmentally appropriate curriculum for them is one based on their interests and needs. We feel we need to be flexible enough to change as they change. Because children do not naturally divide the world into subject areas (language, math, art, etc.), our curriculum will be inherently integrated. Our children may pursue their interests as in-depth as they desire and for as long as they remain interested (hours to months). We find that one interest will lead naturally to another or that many cohesive interests may be pursued simultaneously. We will encourage them to set goals and follow them.
Just as we have done in the past, when it is time for us to assess our children at the end of the year, we plan to collect our many journals, scrapbooks, photographs and projects to show all the interesting things we have discovered and the skills we have acquired in the process. We will reflect on what worked well and decide what things we may want to change for the future. This is our course of study. It is an after-the-fact curriculum.
7. LIST OF BASIC TEACHING MATERIALS:
Large personal library
Family video collection
Reference books (encyclopedias, thesaurus, dictionaries, atlases)Reference materials (textbooks, field guides, grammar books, timelines, globe, maps, etc.)
NewspapersMagazine subscriptions for both children and adults
Games (board games, cards, outdoor games, travel games)
Calculating and measuring tools (including rulers, calculators, calendars and watches)
Basic office supplies
Savings accounts
Art and craft supplies
A variety of musical recordings
Audiovisual equipment (VCR, DVD player, cameras, stereo, cassette players, CD players)
Manipulatives (blocks, legos, etc.)
Child and adult sized gardening tools
Home maintenance equipment
Sewing machine, fabric, patterns, thread
Community resources (such as community centers, museums, parks, festivals,stage performances, sports programs)
Parish resources
The extensive collection of the Clermont, Hamilton and Kenton County Libraries via library cards for each child
2 computers and over 20 educational computer programs
On-line services and the vast resources of the Internet
Regular dance classes
Pen pals
Scouting involvement (Girl Scouts Great River Council)
4-H involvement
Granny's Garden School
Travel throughout Ohio and surrounding states.
Family membership to Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and Cincinnati Zoo and reciprocating establishments
Park Programs sponsered by Clermont, Hamilton and Kenton County Parks
YMCA membership
The community of homeschoolers (support groups, e-mail lists, field trips and other gatherings)
Found items, nature, used book sales, and the knowledge and wisdom of generations past.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Spanish
This really wonderful link came through one of the homeschooling lists that I am on http://www.spanishprograms.com/learn_spanish.htm that offers free spanish lessons! I am so eager to get NEW SPEAKERS for this darn archaic computer to I can listen to what is being said.
I have come to the conclusion, like it or not, that Spanish is going to be as important to my children as a good grasp of the Emglish language. The Hispanic population in our area keeps growing and in other cities that we have visited, I notice the influx of Spanish speaking families. I figure it is a language that will serve them well! My brother is a police officer and says Spanish is a must in his profession. A friend who works as an OB nurse says it is also a must for her.
A group of our homeschooling friends is trying to get together a weekly Spanish class. Something laid back, that involves games and songs. I really hope that it is offered at a time that we can attend.
We found a really fun workbook at Sam's. The only problem is that we know what the words look like, but not proper pronunciation! I took Latin in highschool and Jay can't seem to remember any of the Spanish he studied (or didn't study might be a more accurate way to put it!).
Some of the local libraries also over bilingual storytime. I am hoping the library near our home will offer this opportunity this year. I need to check into it the next time I go and visit.
This really wonderful link came through one of the homeschooling lists that I am on http://www.spanishprograms.com/learn_spanish.htm that offers free spanish lessons! I am so eager to get NEW SPEAKERS for this darn archaic computer to I can listen to what is being said.
I have come to the conclusion, like it or not, that Spanish is going to be as important to my children as a good grasp of the Emglish language. The Hispanic population in our area keeps growing and in other cities that we have visited, I notice the influx of Spanish speaking families. I figure it is a language that will serve them well! My brother is a police officer and says Spanish is a must in his profession. A friend who works as an OB nurse says it is also a must for her.
A group of our homeschooling friends is trying to get together a weekly Spanish class. Something laid back, that involves games and songs. I really hope that it is offered at a time that we can attend.
We found a really fun workbook at Sam's. The only problem is that we know what the words look like, but not proper pronunciation! I took Latin in highschool and Jay can't seem to remember any of the Spanish he studied (or didn't study might be a more accurate way to put it!).
Some of the local libraries also over bilingual storytime. I am hoping the library near our home will offer this opportunity this year. I need to check into it the next time I go and visit.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Dad home, but not doing well
They sent Dad home from the hospital. He isn't doing too well. Mom said he is really hallicinating and also complaining about buzzing in his ears. She is going to talk with his doctor on Monday to see if any of the meds could be to blame. He was restless during dyalisis yesterday, not a good thing, since it makes it take longer.
She really wants to go back to work on August 15th. She needs to go back to keep their benefits in place and to support their standard of living (much higher than most). I know her going back to work will mean my life spiraling more out of control. I just hope we can hold it all together. All she does is cry or yell at me when I call.
The ray of hope is that I met a mom(Glenda) on Jacob's football team that is a public health nurse who happened to go through something almost identical 2 years ago with her own father (although her dad had liver cancer not multiple myeloma). She is going to bring me some resource information. Hopefully mom will be willing to accept the help that is out there!
They sent Dad home from the hospital. He isn't doing too well. Mom said he is really hallicinating and also complaining about buzzing in his ears. She is going to talk with his doctor on Monday to see if any of the meds could be to blame. He was restless during dyalisis yesterday, not a good thing, since it makes it take longer.
She really wants to go back to work on August 15th. She needs to go back to keep their benefits in place and to support their standard of living (much higher than most). I know her going back to work will mean my life spiraling more out of control. I just hope we can hold it all together. All she does is cry or yell at me when I call.
The ray of hope is that I met a mom(Glenda) on Jacob's football team that is a public health nurse who happened to go through something almost identical 2 years ago with her own father (although her dad had liver cancer not multiple myeloma). She is going to bring me some resource information. Hopefully mom will be willing to accept the help that is out there!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
State Fair!
We were so excited that Emily got to take her work to the State Fair for the Clock judging. We left early and got up there in plenty of time. Unfortunately the darn stroller, which had served us well for the last 3 1/2 years, fell apart in the parking lot! I carried Sophie and we managed to get Emily checked in. It was unbelievable how gorgeous and creative some of the entries were! Emily went through the testing (to see how knowledgable she was about the topic) and judging. Although she scored very well, she wasn't picked in the top 4! She was really disappointed, but we kept reminding her that she was the best in her county and that there was nothing to be ashamed of! Her picture is gorgeous and I couldn't wait to get it home and hang it up (it is now proudly displayed in our dining room!). Hannah and I made notes and wrote down some projects we really want to look into for this upcoming year (like designing interiors) because the things the kids brought in to be judged were just so neat! We also saw a gorgeous quilt a girl made using homespun flannel and we are definitely going to try to find some of that fabric to work with this year!
We decided to walk around the fair...after all we had paid $5 to park, $4 to get in (thanks to it being 1/2 price day) and probably used $20 in gas to get there! We had to rent a stroller for Sophie since she would not walk (another $7 down the drain). It was in the mid 90's and the sun was brutal!
We meandered around the fair and bought a $10 lemonade...yes you read that right....$10 for a LARGE lemonade...OK it was 1/2 gallon, but it was ONE FLIPPING LEMON in some water...it SUCKED! At least we had the container to refill with water!
We went into one of the expo buildings and Hannah, Em and Sophie were THRILLED with all the free junk they got. The best of our freebies was over 200 FREE postcards which we can use to send to our penpals! We ended up buying a mop (one of those AS SEEN ON TV ones...ended up getting one free) and a couple of pop up laundry baskets. We had so much stuff that we couldn't fit it in the basket on the back of the stroller....I won't need to buy a coloring book for at least a year!
Before we left we went to see the butter sculture! It was a cow, calf, little girl and a HUGE icecream cone sculpted completely from butter....2000 pounds of it to be exact! It was really COOL!
We opted to wait and get lunch at Cracker Barrel on the way home. We figured we knew the food would be good and it was MUCH CHEAPER than eating the crappy food at the fair!
Hopefully one of the kids will make State Fair next year with 4-H! Next year I will put the good stroller and a wagon in the trunk!
We were so excited that Emily got to take her work to the State Fair for the Clock judging. We left early and got up there in plenty of time. Unfortunately the darn stroller, which had served us well for the last 3 1/2 years, fell apart in the parking lot! I carried Sophie and we managed to get Emily checked in. It was unbelievable how gorgeous and creative some of the entries were! Emily went through the testing (to see how knowledgable she was about the topic) and judging. Although she scored very well, she wasn't picked in the top 4! She was really disappointed, but we kept reminding her that she was the best in her county and that there was nothing to be ashamed of! Her picture is gorgeous and I couldn't wait to get it home and hang it up (it is now proudly displayed in our dining room!). Hannah and I made notes and wrote down some projects we really want to look into for this upcoming year (like designing interiors) because the things the kids brought in to be judged were just so neat! We also saw a gorgeous quilt a girl made using homespun flannel and we are definitely going to try to find some of that fabric to work with this year!
We decided to walk around the fair...after all we had paid $5 to park, $4 to get in (thanks to it being 1/2 price day) and probably used $20 in gas to get there! We had to rent a stroller for Sophie since she would not walk (another $7 down the drain). It was in the mid 90's and the sun was brutal!
We meandered around the fair and bought a $10 lemonade...yes you read that right....$10 for a LARGE lemonade...OK it was 1/2 gallon, but it was ONE FLIPPING LEMON in some water...it SUCKED! At least we had the container to refill with water!
We went into one of the expo buildings and Hannah, Em and Sophie were THRILLED with all the free junk they got. The best of our freebies was over 200 FREE postcards which we can use to send to our penpals! We ended up buying a mop (one of those AS SEEN ON TV ones...ended up getting one free) and a couple of pop up laundry baskets. We had so much stuff that we couldn't fit it in the basket on the back of the stroller....I won't need to buy a coloring book for at least a year!
Before we left we went to see the butter sculture! It was a cow, calf, little girl and a HUGE icecream cone sculpted completely from butter....2000 pounds of it to be exact! It was really COOL!
We opted to wait and get lunch at Cracker Barrel on the way home. We figured we knew the food would be good and it was MUCH CHEAPER than eating the crappy food at the fair!
Hopefully one of the kids will make State Fair next year with 4-H! Next year I will put the good stroller and a wagon in the trunk!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Art
The girls really embrace any art project you throw at them, of course Emily winning first place at the county fair for her artwork probably is evidence of such enthusiasm.
Yesterday we were at a yardsale and found three beat up old chairs. They were only $1 each, so the girls asked if they could get them and paint them. They even convinced their dad to go out and buy primer for them yesterday. They have been working on them off and on since then...I can't wait to see how they turn out!
Ironicially, over the past two days I have received through some of my email contacts, links to some great art sites. I spent about and hour today going through and compiling the details for some I would like to try. It is a pretty eclectic list, but I think the kids will have fun exploring the projects. You never know, if I get ambitious, I might even invite some of their friends over to explore the projects with us! For the most part, they use inexpensive supplies, most of which I already have laying around in the craft closet!
Here are a couple of the websites that I particularly liked ideas from:
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/Linda-Carle.htm
The girls really embrace any art project you throw at them, of course Emily winning first place at the county fair for her artwork probably is evidence of such enthusiasm.
Yesterday we were at a yardsale and found three beat up old chairs. They were only $1 each, so the girls asked if they could get them and paint them. They even convinced their dad to go out and buy primer for them yesterday. They have been working on them off and on since then...I can't wait to see how they turn out!
Ironicially, over the past two days I have received through some of my email contacts, links to some great art sites. I spent about and hour today going through and compiling the details for some I would like to try. It is a pretty eclectic list, but I think the kids will have fun exploring the projects. You never know, if I get ambitious, I might even invite some of their friends over to explore the projects with us! For the most part, they use inexpensive supplies, most of which I already have laying around in the craft closet!
Here are a couple of the websites that I particularly liked ideas from:
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/Linda-Carle.htm
http://www.theteachersguide.com/Artlessonplans.html
http://www.teachartathome.com/stainedglassflowers.html
I just love that their are so many fun ways to help the kids enjoy art and learn at the same time. Nothing to me is more boring than just looking at a picture, but the idea of exploring a technique with a little history tossed in really appeals to me! Of course I have always been drawn to the art of Jackson Pollock!
I can't wait to see what direction these ideas lead us in. Maybe Emily will have something spectacular for the fair next year, or maybe one of her siblings will give her a run for her money!
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Dad is back in the hospital
My dad was transported back to the hospital via ambulance. He got up from his nap and was complaining of severe numbness in his left arm and leg and he was drooling. Mom thought he had another stroke, but they did a CT when he got to the hospital and they don't think it was a stroke. Possibly it was a bad reaction to some of his medication. He is running a fever, so they are keeping him for observation. Prayers would be much appreciated!
My dad was transported back to the hospital via ambulance. He got up from his nap and was complaining of severe numbness in his left arm and leg and he was drooling. Mom thought he had another stroke, but they did a CT when he got to the hospital and they don't think it was a stroke. Possibly it was a bad reaction to some of his medication. He is running a fever, so they are keeping him for observation. Prayers would be much appreciated!
Tea Party
Emily decided that she wanted to have a tea party for her birthday and that she also wanted to have a slumber party. We ended up postponing it a few weeks from her birthday because she was at camp the week of her birthday and we had baseball games last weekend! Finally we decided on July 29th! We combined the ideas and had a "celebrity" tea slumber party! We asked that the girls come glammed out in their hollywood best (boas, glitter, etc). When they got here, we had everyone decorate straw hats to wear to the tea!
Before we had our tea we went over some tea party etiquette (check it out http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/etiquette.html) and then we served tea, tea sandwiches, muffins, veggies, fruit, hummus and pink lemonade. The girls had a BLAST! It was funny to watch and listen to them as they tried to behave like proper young ladies! One of the girls, Amanda, really took to Sophie and kept making sure she was included and had enough food to eat and tea to drink, it was so cute!
Following tea, they played a few party games and opened presents. Then the girls made picture frames. We sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Emily and had cake. Following cake, the girls played more games. Two of the girls couldn't spend the night, one was picked up at 10 PM and the other closer to 11 PM, so we only had 4 extras stay the night (taking the household count to 14!). The girls were giggly and silly and had a dance off and then watched some movies! I finally yelled upstairs at 4 AM that is was FINE if they stayed up, but could they PLEASE use inside voices!
The girls were still asleep when the moms started to arrive to pick them up at 10:40 AM! At least they got about 5 hours of sleep! Most of them grabbed donuts as they headed home!
Emily was so THRILLED with the party! It is so neat as they get older and take ownership in planning things. I heard Em and Hannah talking about "next year" already!
Emily decided that she wanted to have a tea party for her birthday and that she also wanted to have a slumber party. We ended up postponing it a few weeks from her birthday because she was at camp the week of her birthday and we had baseball games last weekend! Finally we decided on July 29th! We combined the ideas and had a "celebrity" tea slumber party! We asked that the girls come glammed out in their hollywood best (boas, glitter, etc). When they got here, we had everyone decorate straw hats to wear to the tea!
Before we had our tea we went over some tea party etiquette (check it out http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/etiquette.html) and then we served tea, tea sandwiches, muffins, veggies, fruit, hummus and pink lemonade. The girls had a BLAST! It was funny to watch and listen to them as they tried to behave like proper young ladies! One of the girls, Amanda, really took to Sophie and kept making sure she was included and had enough food to eat and tea to drink, it was so cute!
Following tea, they played a few party games and opened presents. Then the girls made picture frames. We sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Emily and had cake. Following cake, the girls played more games. Two of the girls couldn't spend the night, one was picked up at 10 PM and the other closer to 11 PM, so we only had 4 extras stay the night (taking the household count to 14!). The girls were giggly and silly and had a dance off and then watched some movies! I finally yelled upstairs at 4 AM that is was FINE if they stayed up, but could they PLEASE use inside voices!
The girls were still asleep when the moms started to arrive to pick them up at 10:40 AM! At least they got about 5 hours of sleep! Most of them grabbed donuts as they headed home!
Emily was so THRILLED with the party! It is so neat as they get older and take ownership in planning things. I heard Em and Hannah talking about "next year" already!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
OK I am a bit behind reading the comments left for my posts....my pal Lea tagged me with the following questions on 7-14....OK only took me 10 days to read the comment....
Q: What is your favorite night-time snack? My favorite treat is one of those shaved iced snocone things....preferably with some sickeningly sweet flavored topping. If you mean something I could grab out of the cabinet it would be chips and salsa/cheese.
Q: If you could choose 3 comfort items to take with you for a year on a desert island, what would they be? Q: Why did you choose each item? Comfort items would be one of my grandmother's handmade quilts (I can feel the warmth and love when I am wrapped up in it), a journal with pen (for putting my thoughts down on paper...heck with a year to myself I might just compose that book I have always wanted to write), and an endless supply of fresh brewed sweetened ice tea (do I really need to explain this ...I am gonna be on a HOT island and I will be THRISTY!). And although you didn't ask, you must know that I would have to have a RAZOR with my because I can't stand HAIRY ARMPITS! but I don't see the razor as a "comfort thing" it is a necessity!
Q: What is your first memory? Helping my brother (who is 3 years younger than me) chip his front tooth out on the slide in our backyard. Wonderful big sister that I am, I tried to push him up the ladder and he cracked his mouth on the top step! That or him throwing my favorite babydoll (named Baby) into the tile glue when my parents where finishing the attic in our house and ruining her hair...they both happened about the same time! My mom had to use a razor knife to cut the glue off Baby's head!
Q: What is your favorite night-time snack? My favorite treat is one of those shaved iced snocone things....preferably with some sickeningly sweet flavored topping. If you mean something I could grab out of the cabinet it would be chips and salsa/cheese.
Q: If you could choose 3 comfort items to take with you for a year on a desert island, what would they be? Q: Why did you choose each item? Comfort items would be one of my grandmother's handmade quilts (I can feel the warmth and love when I am wrapped up in it), a journal with pen (for putting my thoughts down on paper...heck with a year to myself I might just compose that book I have always wanted to write), and an endless supply of fresh brewed sweetened ice tea (do I really need to explain this ...I am gonna be on a HOT island and I will be THRISTY!). And although you didn't ask, you must know that I would have to have a RAZOR with my because I can't stand HAIRY ARMPITS! but I don't see the razor as a "comfort thing" it is a necessity!
Q: What is your first memory? Helping my brother (who is 3 years younger than me) chip his front tooth out on the slide in our backyard. Wonderful big sister that I am, I tried to push him up the ladder and he cracked his mouth on the top step! That or him throwing my favorite babydoll (named Baby) into the tile glue when my parents where finishing the attic in our house and ruining her hair...they both happened about the same time! My mom had to use a razor knife to cut the glue off Baby's head!
Here is one of Emily's pictures from her portrait session on her birthday! It is hard to believe how grown up she is starting to look!I have always called Emily "brown bear" as a nickname because she gets so tan, even through SPF 30! Our native american heritage is apparent in her coloring and her facial structure. She is a BEAUTIFUL child but she carries herself in such a way that it isn't "obvious" that she knows it. She is taken aback whenever anyone comments on how pretty she is!
So there is the FIRST PLACE WINNING girl! I am so proud of her...and it has nothing to do with her being first place! It is her gentle nature, her loving spirit, her sense of fairness...there are so many things that make me proud of this beautiful child of mine!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
County Fair Awards Ceremony
Saturday July 23 7 PM
Clermont County Fairgrounds
I think I posted earlier about taking the kids out for the 4-H judging. Well last weekend we got letters in the mail for Grant and Hannah saying they were invited to the awards banquet, meaning their projects had finished in the top 5 in their catagory. I thought it was really weird Emily didn't get a letter, she had entered the same catagory as Grant and her work was far superior (Em is an artist through and through). She was really disappointed, I even checked with our advisor thinking her notice must have been lost in the mail or something, especially given the fact that we had moved and the letters had been forwarded. Despite the fact that she wasn't getting an award, I insisted that she go to the ceremony to support her brother and sister, even when she was invited to spent the night at her friend Ali's house.
We got to the fairgrounds and it was UTTER CHAOS! I dropped the kids + a family friend off at the building they were using for awards adn went and parked the monster van in the closest spot I could find. By the time I got back, the kids were registered and we were scrambling to find seats. Hannah came walking up to me and I noticed she had 2 numbers on her tag, indicating she had won in 2 different catagories....WAIT A MINUTE...she only entered ONE project! The light goes on, and I realize that maybe EMILY REALLY DID WIN! I rush around, trying to find someone in charge to confirm my suspicions! Turns out that they mistakenly used Hannah's scoresheet to score Emily's project! Hannah is so excited she RUNS and gets Emily and drags her over to the winner's area!
If it wasn't enough that she actually won....turns out she took FIRST PLACE and qualifies to take her project to the STATE FAIR to be judged! Grant finished 3rd in their catagory and Hannah came in 2nd in hers! Pretty great for our first 4-H/county fair experience! The kids are really pumped up about completing MORE projects for next year's fair!
Em gets to go to State Fair on August 4th! If your the praying type, say a little prayer that she does well!
Saturday July 23 7 PM
Clermont County Fairgrounds
I think I posted earlier about taking the kids out for the 4-H judging. Well last weekend we got letters in the mail for Grant and Hannah saying they were invited to the awards banquet, meaning their projects had finished in the top 5 in their catagory. I thought it was really weird Emily didn't get a letter, she had entered the same catagory as Grant and her work was far superior (Em is an artist through and through). She was really disappointed, I even checked with our advisor thinking her notice must have been lost in the mail or something, especially given the fact that we had moved and the letters had been forwarded. Despite the fact that she wasn't getting an award, I insisted that she go to the ceremony to support her brother and sister, even when she was invited to spent the night at her friend Ali's house.
We got to the fairgrounds and it was UTTER CHAOS! I dropped the kids + a family friend off at the building they were using for awards adn went and parked the monster van in the closest spot I could find. By the time I got back, the kids were registered and we were scrambling to find seats. Hannah came walking up to me and I noticed she had 2 numbers on her tag, indicating she had won in 2 different catagories....WAIT A MINUTE...she only entered ONE project! The light goes on, and I realize that maybe EMILY REALLY DID WIN! I rush around, trying to find someone in charge to confirm my suspicions! Turns out that they mistakenly used Hannah's scoresheet to score Emily's project! Hannah is so excited she RUNS and gets Emily and drags her over to the winner's area!
If it wasn't enough that she actually won....turns out she took FIRST PLACE and qualifies to take her project to the STATE FAIR to be judged! Grant finished 3rd in their catagory and Hannah came in 2nd in hers! Pretty great for our first 4-H/county fair experience! The kids are really pumped up about completing MORE projects for next year's fair!
Em gets to go to State Fair on August 4th! If your the praying type, say a little prayer that she does well!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Football, football, football!
Apparently we missed football camp, but we were fortunately still able to sign Grant and Jacob up for football. This organization looks phenomenal and the boys are REALLY excited! Of course it isn't going to be as "easy" as last year. The boys don't practice at the exact same times, but the field is less than 2 miles from here!
For Grant: Mon., Tues and Fri. 6:30pm to 8:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am to 11:00am
For Jacob: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur (6:30 – 8:30) until school starts, and M, T, TH (6:30 – 8:00) after school begins!
Think maybe I should pitch a tent at the fields???
The fun begins on Monday July 25th!
Apparently we missed football camp, but we were fortunately still able to sign Grant and Jacob up for football. This organization looks phenomenal and the boys are REALLY excited! Of course it isn't going to be as "easy" as last year. The boys don't practice at the exact same times, but the field is less than 2 miles from here!
For Grant: Mon., Tues and Fri. 6:30pm to 8:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am to 11:00am
For Jacob: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur (6:30 – 8:30) until school starts, and M, T, TH (6:30 – 8:00) after school begins!
Think maybe I should pitch a tent at the fields???
The fun begins on Monday July 25th!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
GTC Bakehouse Tour
Tuesday, July 19 at 11 AM.
The GTC Bakehouse will give a tour of their bakery for young homeschoolers on Tuesday, July 19 at 11 AM. Come see how really good bread is made! This is an artisanal bakery, not a bread manufacturing plant, but younger people will still need close supervision around industrial-size mixers and hot ovens. They are on Montgomery Road north of Reagan Highway. The bakery and retail store are in the same place, so you can buy bread to takehome if you like.
To break up the lazy days of summer, we decided to join the younger homeschoolers on the bakery tour. The people who worked at the bakery were a very interesting and eclectic group (think pink hair, green hair, extensive body art and piercings). One of the employees even had her tiny daughter (and absolutely cutie!) there with her! What a cool and accepting enviroment to work in! They gave us a great tour. It was amazing the number of loaves they make by hand each month and the quantity of flour they go through. The girls and I thought it was funny because the flour came from Con Agra foods ...we had been right next to Con Agra's headquarters in Chicago and had no idea what type of products they made...well apparently LARGE bags of wheat flour would be on the list!
At the end of the tour we got to sample bread. Emily, Grant and I were in heaven, we LOVE BREAD! My favorite, cranberry walnut! They gave us a focassia (sp) bread to take home with us. They had made up 12 loaves and there were only 4 families there, so as we were leaving the gal who lead the tour handed my family the extras! Free bread! What more could I ask for!
Following the tour we went to the park for lunch. It was so HUMID we only stayed a short time....eating quickly and then feeding crackers to the ducks!
Tuesday, July 19 at 11 AM.
The GTC Bakehouse will give a tour of their bakery for young homeschoolers on Tuesday, July 19 at 11 AM. Come see how really good bread is made! This is an artisanal bakery, not a bread manufacturing plant, but younger people will still need close supervision around industrial-size mixers and hot ovens. They are on Montgomery Road north of Reagan Highway. The bakery and retail store are in the same place, so you can buy bread to takehome if you like.
To break up the lazy days of summer, we decided to join the younger homeschoolers on the bakery tour. The people who worked at the bakery were a very interesting and eclectic group (think pink hair, green hair, extensive body art and piercings). One of the employees even had her tiny daughter (and absolutely cutie!) there with her! What a cool and accepting enviroment to work in! They gave us a great tour. It was amazing the number of loaves they make by hand each month and the quantity of flour they go through. The girls and I thought it was funny because the flour came from Con Agra foods ...we had been right next to Con Agra's headquarters in Chicago and had no idea what type of products they made...well apparently LARGE bags of wheat flour would be on the list!
At the end of the tour we got to sample bread. Emily, Grant and I were in heaven, we LOVE BREAD! My favorite, cranberry walnut! They gave us a focassia (sp) bread to take home with us. They had made up 12 loaves and there were only 4 families there, so as we were leaving the gal who lead the tour handed my family the extras! Free bread! What more could I ask for!
Following the tour we went to the park for lunch. It was so HUMID we only stayed a short time....eating quickly and then feeding crackers to the ducks!
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