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Monday, August 27, 2007 Even Old New York was Once Old Amsterdam  This weekend, Parker and I talked about the Netherlands. We explored the streets and canals of Amsterdam, looked at the churches, and talked for a while about the Anne Frank museum and who Anne Frank was. We watched videos about the tulip fields and how a windmill is used to crush wheat into flour. We also looked at how dikes are built to reclaim land from the sea, and the massive wind turbines and dam control programs that are used to keep the country dry. To boot, we saw a pirate and a Viking ship.Later, we used Google Sky to look at galaxies and the Crab Nebula (Parker's favorite). Labels: Homeschooling, Parker ------------------------------------------------
Friday, August 24, 2007 Million Versus Billion  Think about this:A million seconds is 11 1/2 days. A billion seconds is 32 years. The national debt is 9.8 trillion dollars. Labels: And We Are Rather Puny, Unbridled Hope for the Future ------------------------------------------------
Saturday, August 11, 2007 And Then Parker Said...  Kristin asked Parker what daddies are supposed to do. His response: Paint the walls, mow the lawn, ask lots of questions, and talk to the mommy. He's also starting to lose one of his baby teeth - the adult tooth is knocking and is ready to move up. It's a slow process, much like Zeus toppling and devouring Cronus, if Zeus and Cronus had been played by glacier. Parker refers to his new tooth as his first "female tooth". I guess he already understands that women are the more adult of the sexes ;) Labels: Parker, Unbridled Hope for the Future ------------------------------------------------
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too funny (my college roommate would shorten that to toof...but that is too punny) By , at 6:57 PM Star Wars Weekend  We braved the sweltering weather of the Florida summer to brave the one location that Florida residents routinely avoid like some sort of cursed ancient burial ground - Disney World. True to form, it was sweltering, and gave us an absolutely torrential downpour that ended our attempt at the Star Wars Weekend way early. We spent about two hours trapped in a theater with Jedi Mickey, catching only a glimpse of Chewie as he was whisked to the back (According to his handler, the Ewok that was with him got swept away by the flash flood).Parker wasn't as into it as I thought he would be. He didn't want to join the Jedi Training Academy, an interactive adventure where kids in the audience could duel Darth Vader. Later, parker solemnly told me he didn't need to be part of the training, as he was already a Jedi. He seemed pretty confident about it. We were soaked to the bone by the time we got through the park and back to the cat, riding a tram through a violent lightning storm that was certainly equal to any fireworks display we might have seen later that night. We then practiced some contortionist tricks changing out of our clothes and into our clothes from the day before, in the back of the van, taking breaks every eight minutes or so to hide behind fog-tinted windows as another tram disgorged another soggy mass of tourists who had reached their limits. I think my shoes dried out somewhere near Ocala. Labels: Art, Disney, Kira, Parker, Star Wars, Weather Dominator ------------------------------------------------
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Friday, August 31, 2007 And 1-2-Threeo, Now A Trio ... Speaking of Chalice Choir, I came late yesterday because of a gathering of moms I needed/wanted to attend. When I got there, pretty much the next song we started singing was "Like A River" which has an optional solo part. At the end, I'm singing with two other women in a trio for the solo, and all my insecurities are at the surface. I lack confidence when in front of a large group of people, and knowing that the Fellowship will probably have around 200 people isn't actually comforting. I guess this is a good time to work on it .... right? ------------------------------------------------
Everything's Possible At Chalice Choir practice last night, we started going over a new song entitled "Everything's Possible" that has a main solo, and the choral parts start with oohs and ahhs through most of it. Well, about halfway through the song, we start to sing actual words, and I realized while singing them that I didn't have the feeling behind it, and was only singing words. So, I decided, while the choir director was going over the men's parts with them, to go back and actually read the song's lyrics to know the sentiment behind the song, and sing with the appropriate emotion -- and I had to try desperately not to cry. It was such a heartfelt love song to a child, filled with the promise of unconditional support, I had a hard time getting back into the moment. So, of course, today I had to try and search for the lyrics to share, and found a version of it on YouTube. So, here it is to share with others; may you also have unconditional love and support throughout your life. Everything's Possible We have cleared off the table You can be anybody that you want to be Some girls grow up strong and bold Don't be rattled by names, by taunts or games, You can be anybody that you want to be Music and lyrics by Fred Small. Labels: Kristin, music, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism ------------------------------------------------
Monday, August 27, 2007 First Permanent Tooth Making Appearance So, about a week ago or so, Parker said something about his front left bottom tooth hurting. When I went to look at it, I noticed that behind it, it looked like another tooth was coming up. Well, yesterday, his baby tooth in front of it is loose!! I think he'll lose his first tooth soon, which is pretty exciting stuff around here. I'd been a little concerned, since the permanent tooth is coming up behind the baby one, but apparently it isn't unheard of, and the recommendations range from leaving it be to pulling the baby tooth. This can also lead to what is called "shark teeth", which looks more than a little disturbing. I think we'll go for the wiggling frequently manuever. He's eating an apple right now, so I'm sure that'll help. Labels: milestones, Parker ------------------------------------------------
Sunday, August 26, 2007 Scouting or Similar I've been thinking a lot lately about finding some kind of Scouting group for Parker, since he's getting to an age that it seems appropriate. Growing up, I was a Girl Scout, and Jeff was a Boy Scout. And yet, nowadays, I don't think I like the concept of Boy Scouts, considering their well-publicized stance on exclusion based on religion or sexual orientation. Girl Scouts still has the motto: For Every Girl, Everywhere with the only limitation being one of gender. And so, I've been investigating alternatives out there, though none seem as well established, at least not here in Florida. The ones we've come across are: Camp Fire USA, Earth Scouts, Navigators, Roots & Shoots, and Spiral Scouts. All of these are co-ed, which I don't necessarily think is a bad thing. Of course, none of them are established here in Gainesville, which means if we want an alternative, we'll have to start it. Of the options, I'm leaning towards Earth Scouts, using Roots & Shoots within it. I guess the next step is to talk to Jeff about them all, and then see if there is any interest in local families. I'm hopeful to find something great, but hesitant because I know it is a lot of work. The easiest thing to do would be to just suck it up and join the Boy Scouts regardless of our reservations, but when have we done the easiest thing? Labels: community, homeschooling, Parker ------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 How To Determine What Books Are Too Difficult I found this very informative post on an Amazon book discussion about choosing books for young readers. "Here's an easy way teachers decide if a book is too difficult for the student. It's the "Rule of 5." Have your son read one page from the book and count the words he can't read on one hand. If he counts 5 or more, the book's too difficult for him." Labels: homeschooling ------------------------------------------------
Teaching (and Learning) Life Lessons While visiting PHAT Mommy's blog, a site I sometimes visit for inspiration, ideas, and just to spend some time, I came across a link from her site entitled "27 Skills Your Child Needs to Know That She's Not Getting In School". Intrigued, I went ahead and visited the link, and found a good list of skills that I'd like to give my children in life. Of the ones they mentioned, I think we're already working on several, and need to be more proactive on others: 1) Financial: Jeff and I haven't specifically worked on this with Parker, though we've been talking about allowance recently. I think this is one of those really important ones that we still feel a little crippled by -- we've talked off and on about investing, but are still clueless enough to continue to not move forward with this. 2) Thinking: We do a lot of reading and discussing things out, so I think we're at least on the right track here. Perhaps we're still at too young an age to explore this more fully? 3) Success: I can't help but think this is something that is cultivated, not taught, and that the root of it is self-esteem. We are trying to instill the best self-esteem possible in our children, and hopefully this will be reflected in motivation and passion. My personal opinion is that procrastination is a learned problem. I know that I am a procrastinator, and part of that is due to fear of failure for some things, and the fact that it doesn't take me long to do others, and why do it before the due date or you'll be given busy work (the latter was learned very early for me in school). 4) Social: Being an "attachment parent" has led to really focusing on the social aspects, especially positive discipline, learning to express feelings instead of using hurtful actions, working together, sharing, etc. We use a lot of compassion/love talk, and although we do have occassional issues, especially with the two as siblings, they do pretty well in other settings. There is always continued work to do, especially in modeling how to resolve situations where feelings overshadow facts. 5) Practical: Oh, we're all learning this at the same time. I think it is an advantage to being home with the children -- they get to see what is involved in "keeping a house". Now the car part is also valuable, but we're not equipped to teach that. 6) Happiness: It feels that this is where our focus has switched lately, and it is also linked inextricably to the other categories. We've become much more involved in our community, including finding a spiritual home for our family (we became members this past Sunday of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville -- neither Jeff nor I have ever been members of an organized "church" of any kind before, so this is a pretty big step!). We (Jeff and I) are trying to be more in the present, and not so much worrying about the future, but that is harder, especially as a homeschooler, I think! All in all, I think this is a great list to provide food for thought. I don't know that all of them can be taught as much as modeled, though, but luckily we still have a bit of time. Labels: community, family, homeschooling, Jeff, Kristin, spirituality ------------------------------------------------
Monday, August 20, 2007 Heard Around These Parts, Part 1 Jeff, after jumping around because he ate Kira's 'magic beans': "I'm pooped!!" Kira: "Daddy, go on the potty!" Labels: cute phrases, family, Kira ------------------------------------------------
How Not to Make Playdough We found a recipe for no-cook playdough that called for: 1-1/4 C. flour 1/4 C. salt 1-1/2 T. oil 1 C. boiling water drops of food coloring We made it, and found ourselves continuing to add flour to it to make it not sticky. And then, after playing with it for a while, it started to stick to fingers and the paper-covered table again. This led to us adding more flour, and hand washing, and finally, a big, huge mess. Obviously something went horribly wrong. We've made playdough with a similar quite successfully, but I've since lost the recipe. I guess we'll be back on the hunt for a good one ... a less messy one hopefully. Man, I wish we didn't have wall-to-wall carpeting!! Labels: homeschooling ------------------------------------------------
Saturday, August 18, 2007 Making a Joyful Noise Today, I joined about 26 other members and friends of UUFG in the Chalice Choir Retreat. I'd been debating on whether or not I could commit to the time that will be involved in being part of the choir -- meeting Thursday nights from 7:45 to 9:30 pm, getting to Fellowship by 10 am on Sundays, and performing with the group during service. My reasons for not feeling sure I can commit is how it isn't fair to Jeff. If I am doing this, it means that, especially during Fellowship, he is responsible for the kids. I know from experience that it isn't terribly fun, and you can't necessarily hear as much of the sermon then, especially if you are in the Window Room in the back, since often adults will go back there to just talk (and the kids are loud enough). So, I figure I'll do this for a little while, and then re-evaluate a little later, maybe the end of September, unless it is obvious before that that this won't work out. I do know that I enjoy singing again in a choir, and I feel a release in doing so. It is also nice to be doing it while expressing my spirituality, singing songs that often move me as well. One of the songs we are doing tomorrow is entitled "Because You Live" by composer Adolphus Hailstork, and it is just beautiful. Here are the lyrics, which are based off of a poem written by Bessie Stanley entitled Success (it is often referred to as a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson for some reason): To laugh often and much To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children To earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of friends To appreciate beauty To find the best in all others To leave the world a little better whether by a social condition or a garden patch or a healthy child To know even one life has been easier because you live This is to have succeeded. Labels: Kristin, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism ------------------------------------------------
Friday, August 17, 2007 "I Don't Know How You Do It" Just the other day at playgroup, I was talking with my good friends about the start of the school year. Everyone around us is thinking about the first day, filling their supply lists, going to "Meet the Teacher" days, changing their schedules to fit the school schedules (these three moms all have their children in schools with different start times: from 7:45 AM to 8:15 AM all the way to 9 AM), trying to plan what to do about after-school activities including our own playgroup that has been around for 5-1/2 years. There are ads on TV for back-to-school sales, talk about how many schools aren't bussing all school kids to their schools on the news (because of Charter Schools, apparently), and a nervousness/excitement in the air all around. I am apprehensive already about traffic, since it seems everyone I know will be driving their child to school. All talk seems to be about school starting — it seems a force in and of itself! Talk about our choice to homeschool lately seems to always be a topic that is driven by concern - what curriculum will we be using, how will we know Parker is learning what he needs to, what about socialization, how can we do it when kids drive us crazy sometimes, what about your business, etc. It is probably odd then, that I don't worry so much about those things. What I do worry about is children learning the wrong things without proper guidance, which I think the current atmosphere of overcrowded classrooms of same age peers encourages. (I read Lord of the Flies in school. I think it isn't too far-fetched to think that some of this same type of interaction occurs in bullying, name-calling, intimidation, and exclusion that happens in school.) Everyone is always concerned about socialization, and may even choose school because of socialization fears, but there are plenty of ways children learn to be social. And when they aren't limited to same age interactions, like they are at school, they learn how to act with multi-generational communities, they see good and respectful interactions modeled by adults, etc. What I also worry about is the need to "teach to the masses". Honestly, I prefer if I learn at my own pace, and do not need to wait for others to catch up or not completely understand something before moving ahead. I don't think it does young children, who already have impulse control, emotional control, and other control issues to be so frustrated over learning so early in life. Learning should be a joyous adventure, not tedious worksheets, time limits, and constant distraction. (Seriously, how many of you studied well in large loud groups in college? Wasn't the library an optimal place because of the quiet? Or in your own room when your roommate(s) weren't there?) Think of how loud your own children can be without 10-20 other friends around. Now, imagine them all in a single room, needing to be organized, cooperative at all times, sharing, and learning. That's what I don't know how to do. This post inspired by Stephanie of Throwing Marshmallow's July 17, 2006 post entitled "I Don't Know How You Do It" at Life Without School, an online homeschooling community. Labels: community, homeschooling, playgroup ------------------------------------------------
Friday, August 03, 2007 Follow-up to Parker-love Yesterday's exclamation was the first time to really see that type of behavior in Parker. He has several other girl friends and holding hands and all is often part of friendships at this age, but this was .... different. There was a kind of possessiveness involved which was a little creepy to see. I don't know. He seems to have forgotten her name today, which I'm fine with. Labels: milestones, parenting, Parker ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, August 02, 2007 Parker loves Alivia Oh man am I in trouble!! We had our homeschooling group yesterday, and Parker told Alivia that he loves her, she kissed him, and then they did everything together holding hands or with their arms around each other. We got in the van at the end of the day to leave, and he told me "Alivia's dress was really pretty". When we got home and I was talking on the phone with my sister, he told me to tell her that he loves Alivia. AAACCCCKKKK!!!! Five-and-a-half!!!!!! I am not going to survive parenthood. Labels: community, homeschooling, milestones, Parker, playgroup ------------------------------------------------
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