Did You Know . . .

Homeschooling allowed my children to explore topics that interested them. I had a friend ask me once why I let my kids pick topics to study like bats or otters or bugs. The beauty of letting kids study things that they were curious about is that they learned how to learn. All 3 of my kids are so resourceful. They can find the answer to just about any question in any topic. They can scan reams of material and pick out just what is relevant. They also know how to document their information in an organized way with illustrations. They learned that any topic, any knowledge, has value. Also, when they got to share what they learned with our family they became the expert. Imagine the joy of a 9 year old boy telling his big sisters and his parents stuff they didn't yet know about bats. These independent studies became a regular item on our lesson plans and I was always thrilled to see the end results of their work. The kids looked forward to these assignments because it was a break from math, science, history or English. What they learned about research will be used their entire lives. They may forget that bats use radar to locate food and that some whales use echolocation for communicating but they will certainly know how to find that information when they want to. I learned what made my kids tick, what made them smile, what made them curious and what made them cringe. I also learned not to take seriously the criticism of others.

Kudos Homeschooling Moms

I must preface this post, too. Without the loving, financial and emotional support of my husband, homeschooling would not have been the complete success and joy it was. I think that is true in lots of homes. It may not take a village to homeschool a family, but it takes a lot of tenacity and creativity. The homeschooling moms I know have both. Actually, most woman I know are tenacious and creative. That's how God created us. A homeschooling mom has to be mom, teacher, Principal, Superintendent, custodian, nurse, auditor, field trip advisor, curriculum specialist, purchasing agent, bus driver, cafeteria worker, hall monitor, friend, mentor, social director, technology expert and all around good gal. You don't get a day off or health benefits or paid vacations or prep time or a teacher's lounge. No wonder why moms don't homeschool! That's a lot of work with no perks - or so it seems. I am here to tell you that the work is manageable and the perks are many. The joy and satisfaction you get in really knowing your children, teaching them, loving them and training them in the way they should go is beyond wonderful. If I can do it, so can you. I celebrate every mom who has ever homeschooled, it's a tough job but it is also a gift of God to enjoy the good of all our labor. (Ecclesiastes 3:13 paraphrased)

Food For Thought

I must preface this post by saying I completely understand that homeschooling is not for everyone. There are times when a parent is not the best person to teach their child. I think our homeschooling was successful because my kids were willing and without special needs. I think if I ran into a situation where one of my kids had a special need I would have sent them to the public school and had a trained professional teach them what they needed to learn. With that being said, I encourage mothers to consider homeschooling as an option for their children. Most of the women I know are bright, resourceful, articulate, creative and loving people. Who better to teach your children. Don't forget when you buy curriculum, you get the answer books, there is no answer you can't find. How wonderful for a child to have their parents immerse themselves in their world. How wonderful for parents to know what makes their kid tick. My daughter liked butterflies, so we raised butterflies. My son liked frogs (yuk) and puppies so we raised frogs and puppies. My daughter loved reading and children, so she volunteered in the public school to teach children how to read. What a blessing for us to have known those things about our children and then share in their wonder and learning. I never tired of seeing their work and seeing the world through their eyes. It was a gift. That window of time has passed but the memories will stay with us until the end of time. Don't let the window close before you even consider homeschooling as an option. Chew on it . . .

10 Not 7

I have decided to count the years of homeschooling my 3 children as pre-schoolers. So when someone asks me how many years I homeschooled, I will say 10 years, not 7 years. My kids never went to pre-school. I couldn't imagine paying someone to do with my kids what I did at home for free. I had people ask, "Don't you think they'll fall behind?" Behind what, a 4 year old? They asked, "What about their social development?" 4 year olds can only be social for so long before they need a nap. "Aren't they bored?" Bored, with moi? "Aren't you bored?" With 3 kids?? Seriously, my kids and I had a grand time. We knew a bunch of "stay-at-home" moms and we got together at least twice a week in my backyard for play dates. One day the water company was looking for my neighbor who was at my house with her kids and the mailman told them she was in my backyard, "as usual." We did so many amazing things together and the kids and I learned so much. If you can do it, I encourage all moms to stay at home with your kids for at least a year before school starts. There is no one better for your children than you. If you can homeschool beyond that - even better. Homeschooling my children is the proudest and most enriching experience of my life. I know, because I did it for 10 years.

The Unfortunate Pedometer Incident

It all began on Christmas morning - Nat King Cole on the stereo, everyone in their pajamas, Christmas paper all over the floor, the smell of pine (from a candle), and a happy family exchanging gifts. It was my turn to open presents and much to my delight I received a pedometer. I love counting and lists and keeping track of all sorts of things (I get this from my mother who knows exactly how many Christmas cookies she makes each year). The first time I used my pedometer it didn't register my steps properly - my fault. The second time I used it, it dropped (twice) and it didn't register my steps properly - not my fault. The third time I was bound and determined to get it right. I placed the pedometer in my hand (securely) and walked a distance that I was sure was 1.5 miles. As I walked I felt the little weight inside go up when I swung my arm forward. I was so sure it was working properly that I didn't even look at it until I got home. Much to my surprise it registered .75 miles. WHAT??!! I went over the route in my head. I went over the motions of walking in my head. I wondered what could go wrong. I then realized that it only counted 1/2 of my walk. Why? Ahh, because it counted on the up swing of my arm, not the down swing - only every other step. That is when the unfortunate incident happened. The pedometer fell . . . under my foot . . . six times . . . but I only counted it as three times . . . I feel better.

I Went Shopping Today At The Dentist

I love my dentist. He's a funny guy. And his hygienist is funny, too. Dr. D has a teenage daughter so we swap stories all the time. He's been following the Ugg boot saga as I see him every week for dental work (following one of my New Year's resolutions). So I told him I got a $40.00 refund and that my new friends at Ugg said I could keep the boots. I told him I was concerned that I would not be able to get my daughter pink boots as stores are already advertising their Spring/Summer lines. He turned away from the dental chair and plugged in Shoes.com on his laptop. My dentist started searching the world wide web for pink Uggs for my daughter. The hygienist helped, too. With a mouth full of spit, I sat in awe as they found boots for my daughter. Certain boot styles didn't have any stock left and others had stock but only in size 5 or 11. We found a style we liked, in the right size but in purple, not pink. Cute! My daughter is the queen of purple! They match mine exactly, except for the color. After spitting and rinsing I thanked Dr. D and the hygienist for their help. I assured them my daughter would be thrilled and thank them in person at her next visit. When I got home I told her all about it and pulled up the boots to show her. I said, "If it weren't for Dr. D's help, we would not have matching boots!" She said she'd be sure to thank him . . . was there a tone in her voice?

P.S. On The Pink Uggs

UGG! I mean, AUGH! I sent another email to the company that I bought my daughter's Pink Ugg boots from, reminding them that satisfaction was 100% guaranteed. They sent a response that didn't make much sense to me. It said, (and I quote) "send us some photos as to the boots one size larger than you received." Huh? So, I told my daughter they were dumb and she said, "Mom, why did you get me real Ugg boots?" To which I replied, "because you asked for them." (duh) She said, "But don't you know it goes against my principles to spend $100.00 on boots that I could get at Payless for $40.00?" To which I replied, "Augh! Now you tell me!" I said, "I wanted to get you boots that would last and that you would love. The ones at Payless won't last as long as the Uggs." "But," she said, "I may not even like Pink Ugg boots next year." To which I replied, "Augh!" When I checked my email later there was a response from my friends at Ugg. They said that they would give me a 40% refund and I can keep the boots! I can't wait to tell my daughter I can now buy her imitation Pink Ugg boots from Payless and I can keep the ones that are too small for her (but fit me nicely) and the best part is that we will have matching boots! I bet she'll be thrilled, don't you think?

The Middle Girl Child

So, this is typical of my middle daughter. I used to describe her as a toddler as "high maintenance." But as she got older, she got to be more self reliant and independent and less demanding (lower maintenance -but somehow not). She listens to and takes advice as long as it is solid. She takes instruction well and is able to incorporate constructive instruction quickly. Her needs are pretty simple (but somehow not) and her wants few. So, when she asked for pink UGG boots for Christmas, I was happy to accommodate her. I searched the web for authentic UGG boots and found a site that could deliver before Christmas, in the size and color she wanted. They arrived to my door, from Australia, via Shanghai. Just the boots, in a beat up box that looked like they traveled around the world. I was excited when she opened them on Christmas morning. She jumped up and put them on - or should I say tried to put them on. They were too small. Augh (or should I say UGG)! 2 days after Christmas I emailed the company and told them to send me instructions for exchange. They emailed me back and in broken English told me they "shut down factory for now" and unless there was a "defeat" they could not help me. Augh! So, I figured I would find an UGG store in NJ (or PA) and see if they could exchange them, but since they are pink and not a "stock" item, no one will exchange them. And that is my middle daughter for you, low maintenance - but somehow not.

Walk Much?

So, even though it is about 25 degrees outside, the sun is shining and I decided to go for a walk. I figured out why the pedometer was not registering my steps. I had it clipped to my jacket under my winter coat and it couldn't bounce up and down in between the two coats. This time I clipped it to the waist band of my sweatpants. With these hips 'a-swingin' there would be no doubt that it would register. I walked down the hill (resolution #4 - to challenge myself) and began to worry if indeed the pedometer was registering. I didn't want to unzip my coat so I shimmied it up, lifted my sweatshirt, pulled at the waistband of my sweatpants and tried to see the numbers. However, my cold and clumsy fingers let go of the waist band and it went snapping back into place causing the pedometer to fly off and hit the ground. I kid you not, I can't make this stuff up. When it hit the ground the back popped off and the battery fell out and rolled down the pavement. I fumbled around, got the whole thing put back together, back to 00 and 00. "Okay," I tell myself, "I'm about a third of the way, whatever it registers from here I'll divide by 2 and times by 3." I clipped the pedometer to the top of my outside jacket and I started walking again. I saw in the street a copy of Thursday's newspaper which my daughter writes for. Her latest article is on the top of the front page. I figured if it was in the street and it's Sunday, it must not be wanted. Should I take it? Really, I'd just be picking up litter, who would scold me for that? I'd love an extra copy of her article. As I bent down (no one around to spy me) to pick up (it's very quiet) the newspaper . . . 3 DOGS RAN OUT OF NO WHERE BARKING UP A STORM! I jumped up and the pedometer went flying off my coat, hit the ground, the battery fell out and I am back to zero. Again, I must ask, why doesn't the universe want me to know how far I've walked???

One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward

Augh! I've had it with treadmills and decided I was better off walking outdoors on real pavement. I grabbed my hat, gloves, scarf (thanks family for these nice Christmas gifts) and put on my winter coat and went out for a walk. I made it to the end of the driveway when I remembered the other nice Christmas gift I got, a pedometer. I went back inside and put on my pedometer. I checked with my techno-geek daughter to make sure I was using it properly. Off I went. I walked my usual way until I realized how windy it was and then headed off in a different direction. I thought, why not walk down the hill like I used to before the new development was built (the development is windy because they removed the beautiful white birch forest, not one white birch was saved, thus the wind whips through there unhindered). As I walked I remembered how I used to push my 3 kids in a big Prego double stroller. I strapped my son in the seat facing me so I could keep an eye on him. I put my middle daughter in front because she was nosey and my oldest stood in the middle in the basket, directing me (some things never change). When I got to the bottom of the hill it occurred to me that going uphill was never as much fun as going down hill. I trekked back up the hill . . . huffing and puffing . . . up my driveway. . . breathing heavy . . . into my house . . . sucking wind . . . I could not wait to see how far I went and how many steps I took . . . I took off my coat . . . my throat is soar . . . I looked at the pedometer . . . THE STUPID PEDOMETER ONLY REGISTERED 244 STEPS AND .10 MILES! Why doesn't the universe want me to know how far I've walked???

I Walked 2 & 1/2 Chapters

So, I went to the gym to walk. Now that we don't have Bart anymore, I have no incentive to walk outdoors. Treadmills make me dizzy but I guess I like to be warm more than I don't like to be dizzy (that sentence makes me dizzy). So, I got on the treadmill and began to walk. I had grabbed a book before I left the house so I had this book in my hand. I realized I needed one of those book holders. I had to stop the treadmill and go and find one. Grrrrr, I hating stopping the treadmill because it messes up the counting of time and distance. I grabbed the book holder put it on the treadmill, pressed On and began to walk. After reading 1/2 a chapter I picked up my book to see how long and far I had gone. Apparently, I didn't hit Start, which you must do in order for the treadmill to begin to register your time and distance - grrrrr - I hate that! So, I hit start. 10 minutes and .55 miles later my nose began to run. I had no tissues. I had to stop the treadmill and grab a tissue, grrrrr. Did I mention how much I hate that? I got back on the treadmill, pressed On and Start and began to walk again. I walked through another chapter when the book began to slip out of the book holder and I quickly, keeping my balance, grabbed the book before it fell and in doing so I also grabbed the emergency stop cord and the treadmill came to a screeching halt and my time and distance went back to zero - GRRRRR, I hate that! So that is why I told my family I walked about 2 and a half chapters at the gym and when my son went to ask me what that meant I looked him right in the eye and said, "Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr."

Observations

Observations:

Blogs written at 2:30 a.m. sound better at 2:30 a.m. than they do at 9:00 a.m.

My "gym" clothes shrunk over the holidays.

I think I got bitten by a spider and am having an allergic reaction because my whole body is puffy.

Return clerks have very little humor.

Having the flu is boring.

Making snowflakes is not boring.

Dead moles in the attic stink (I assume they stink in the basement, too).

Holiday company is wonderful.

Holiday movies on snowy nights is wonderful.

On January 4th the gym was crowded with folks sticking to their New Year's resolutions - the dentist office on the other hand was empty except for me, hence my observation that I am the only one making a resolution on better dental hygiene.

Parenting teenagers requires finesse.

I need more finesse.

Lists are fun, hence Jolly Old St. Nick.

Draft Resolutions - Subject to Change After I Come Down From My Chocolate High

New Year's Resolutions seem to be a problem for so many. Well, not for me. I always have stuff I feel like I need to work on. I think people who don't make resolutions must think they are perfect. Well, let me tell you som'thin', only God is perfect. If you think you're like Him, you probably are as far away from him as you can be. It's one of those things - the more you learn about Christ, the more you see the need to learn even more about Him. One step forward, two steps back.

Anyway, my rough draft for my 2010 resolutions as scribbled on a pad at 11:32 p.m.
The first item is to learn new words.
The second item is to listen more, use less words. Why is there always irony in my
resolutions?
The third is to lose weight
The fourth is to challenge myself -that goes hand in hand with #3
The fifth is to get a job . . .hmmmm. . .another challenge
The sixth I can't read so The seventh is to work on my penmanship
The eighth is to get a flat stomach and The ninth is to memorize this scripture, "Nothing is impossible with God."
So far, it's all good (or all God) only time will see.

I'm coming down from my chocolate high (number ten, no more chocolate highs), so I better go to bed now. It is 2:49 a.m. and I should be sound asleep - that is resolution 11 - sleep better and 12 is to wake up in good spirit praising and worshiping God.

Lastly, I want to create an atmosphere of love and peace and joy in my home for the people I love the most in the world, my 3 amazing children and my beautiful husband whose birthday is today (hence the chocolate cake at midnight).
God bless you all (all 2 of you who read my rants - I love you both). Peace.