Thursday, November 01, 2007
Kira Kitty and Park Ranger Parker
Last minute costume changes made this a stressful night, but I think it came out fine!
Parker, originally planning to go as Robin Hood, changed his mind to go as Luke Skywalker again when I was getting materials to make costumes. As luck would have it, right before going out, we couldn't find his black dance pants needed for his costume, so he agreed to wear the great Park Ranger costume his Oma and Grampa brought back from Alaska for him. Presenting Park Ranger Parker:
Kira was originally going to go as Curious George to Jeff's Man with the Yellow Hat, but decided she didn't want to do that either, on the day we went to get outfit supplies. Instead, she decided she wanted to be a cat. We convinced her to go as a black cat, as I knew we had black dance pants for her, just recently hand-me-downed from a friend. Introducing Kira Kitty:
We found the top at the Goodwill -- it is originally one of those skin-tight shirts, sized 10 girls (can you imagine??), and the tail is a boa, tied around her. The ears -- well, they were supposed to be something easy, and instead they took quite a while as I ended up making a head piece instead of just ears. Still, it made her look more like a cat, no? Hopefully you can't tell what it is made from ...
For Jeff, we abandoned previous plans for him to go as Little John to Parker's Robin Hood and also the Man with the Yellow Hat to Kira's Curious George. So, it so happened that his coworkers were going as Alice in Wonderland and as "Evil Alice", so he and I brainstormed, and decided to make him the 3 of Clubs from the Queen of Hearts' deck of cards, notorious for "Painting the Roses Red". Considering it was done in record time, I think it came out great!
With all of the craziness, we actually had to wake Kira up to go trick or treating, and both kids were exhausted just walking around our neighborhood. So, it should have been a sign when we started out like this:
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Sunday, September 09, 2007
Like A River ...
Following up to how the trio went, it went well, though I apparently wasn't loud enough (wow. I think there are a number of people who will be surprised to read this!) at first. I was honestly so preoccupied with how Parker was doing at home, it was kind of an out-of-body experience.
Today was also the Water Communion at Fellowship, and I didn't even pour the virtual waters for our travels. In retrospect, I wish that I had, and will next year, for sure. It was really a neat service, I just wish Jeff and the kids could have been there.
Afterwards, money flowed from my pocket at Mother Earth Market, as I pursued nutritional supplements, gluten-free items, and other items (like Bach flower essences for Mama). Very, very expensive trip.
Labels: community, health, Kristin, Unitarian Universalism
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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
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Wednesday, August 22, 2007
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
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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
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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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Thursday, June 28, 2007
A non-Cook Volunteering Food?
So, I'm volunteering, through our Fellowship, to help provide food for our local IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network), and this is the first time I'm bringing something. I'm supposed to bring coleslaw and dessert to feed 16 people, and I want it to be flavorful and healthy, without being typical. I'm thinking of bringing two types of coleslaw, so that people can have a choice, and want a dessert that is rich and healthful. Now, gotta figure out something that I can do!!!
Edited to add: Finally decided to make simple coleslaw -- use prepackaged slaw and store-bought dressing. Not happy about it, but with the short time I have, it is the best option. Now the dessert -- we opted to make ambrosia with fresh whipped cream and also pistachio salad, again with fresh whipped cream (essentially, same fruit, same whipped cream, different preparation!).
Labels: community, Kristin, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, volunteerism
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Friday, January 19, 2007
I'm just so .... tired.
I hate not having any time for myself anymore. I have totally over-extended myself, and I can't see how to slow everything down!
I essentially am working full-time, but my own hours, which means whenever I can find the time. I have my kids to care for as well. And Parker has classes two days per week for several hours. And we're members of 6 or 7 social groups (I've honestly lost track) which often have overlapping events that I feel we need to get to. I'm sure you are thinking, "Oh, woe is Kristin", and that the simple solution would be to cut some of the groups/activities, but how do I choose?
I have friends in these that I really don't see maintaining the relationship outside of, since that's when I get to see them. And some of the groups kind of are interconnected, so if I dropped one, it would be odd to drop another. And I'm a leader in two of them, though I just passed on leadership of another (whew!). And, I don't want to hurt feelings or feel like I'm "dissing" my friends.
I'm trying to cut back on the work, and we're upping our rates to that end, and taking on fewer projects. But last year, we made as much with our business as Jeff's work salary! (Now, he makes okay money, but it isn't spectacular, so it isn't like an option would be to quit his job with its enormous benefits and just do our business).
I've considered cutting Parker's classes, but he enjoys them, and it is time that is set aside where I cannot do anything else or think about anything else, which is really a good thing. Besides, where else is he going to learn tap and ballet, and have the opportunities that the art classes or science classes or even Spanish have, where I can actually be involved too, or observe if I choose?
But I know it is out of control, too, since there are days that I'm trying to figure out how to get to several events, bring food, and arrange for time where Kira can nap if she needs to (she's intermittent in her desire to completely forego napping).
Part of it is that even when I tell Jeff that I'm getting burned out, he can't even offer suggestions or give his opinions, because he's probably feeling similarly, between his job, our business and the kids.
Labels: community, homeschooling, Kristin, simplicity, sleep, stress
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Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Bartering for Services?
We are in contact with a mosaic artist who needs all sorts of promotional work done, with no budget (as most of our clients seem to be ... feels kinda good, though, helping a new entrepreneur!!). We were thinking of providing her with our services for equivalent value of her work .... we've only briefly mentioned it, and need to think more of how it would work.
We also are in the process of starting a branding project with a Commercial Contracting service, and were thinking of bartering our services for "Handyman" type services .... again, not sure how it would work.
Labels: community, Union Design Photo
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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
We Were Robbed
Where we live, no one locks their car doors. Well, at least before last night, that is.
On the way in to work this morning, Jeff noticed that his backpack, which he'd left in the car, was completely unzipped and splayed open in the back seat. He called me and asked me if I had gone in the car last night looking for something. I hadn't, obviously. I asked him if there was anything else awry, and he said the CDs were still there, but he wasn't sure if the money that had been in the console was missing. He went and checked, and there was one penny left. We don't know how much was in there, but it wasn't much.
Now, our van, they also apparently got in to, and there is where they "got us". We had brought in the portable DVD player that is normally always out there, but the extra screen we had purchased for Kira, and all the wires for it, were gone. I don't know if that was all that they took (I guess the fact that it is all that we noticed as missing is a good thing).
I'm a bit more paranoid, though, because I haven't seen my wallet in weeks (Jeff and I suspect that it was accidentally thrown away ... loooong story!), so I've been checking for any activity on the one card that was in there.
But us being robbed isn't the worst of it. Not by a longshot. We called the police, and they came here AMAZINGLY fast .... probably because they were still in the neighborhood! 20 houses in our immediate neighborhood were hit. Some of the things that were stolen include collector's knives and TWO firearms. Yep, there are now thieves out there with more guns. And, to be fair, I am not anti-gun as much as I am anti-bullet. Still, I'd bet dollars to donuts that those guns were loaded... Jeff said it is a good thing we didn't notice anyone out there last night!
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Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Local Education
In Newberry proper, there is 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school.
- Newberry Elementary is recognized as an "A" School in 2004, 2005 and 2006. (according to their website), and yet is listed as a school that did not "adequately make yearly progress" towards meeting standards for the past 3 years, and is eligible for school choice for all students going there.
- Oak View Middle School is a "B" school.
- Newberry High School is listed as a "C" school, and joined the "did not adequately make yearly progress" this past year, but is not yet eligible for school choice.
Alachua County has 24 Elementary, 7 Middle, and 7 High public schools. Not sure about private.
So, if the elementary to middle to high schools go from A to B to C, it seems the foundation needed to continue improving isn't even there (if you believe these measures are fair and valid).
Labels: community, homeschooling
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Monday, November 06, 2006
Decision Made
We will be officially homeschooling next year. I am actually much more excited about it now, because I've found a whole group of moms and we're starting to do it now together.
Labels: community, homeschooling, Parker
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Monday, October 30, 2006
Politics and Voting
Locally, we aren't active at town meetings, primarily because they start the city council meetings at 7 pm, and our kids are still awake and kids aren't really "welcomed" there, but not specifically barred. We are somewhat involved, as we've worked on three political campaigns in the past year here, and are going to be working on two more at least, maybe three. One of our friends here is VERY involved, and so we're well aware of what issues are going around. We also have TV broadcastings of local government board meetings, so that helps us know what is going on.
We will definitely be voting, and we go the day of so that the kids can go with and know it is a civic duty. I'm always appalled at how FEW people are voting! Seriously, it is the thing that makes our government work, and to know that people just won't be bothered to know what is going on and make their voice heard just pisses me off.
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Tuesday, August 08, 2006
What I LIKE About Summers
Jeff working 4-days/week instead of 5.
Swimming
That's it. The rest of the summer-related things, we seem to get year-round anyways here.
Labels: community, Florida heat
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Monday, July 10, 2006
Crazy Busy July
I can't believe how busy my life seems to have become -- my calendar just seems crazy! I am actually looking forward to mid-August, when Parker's classes end and everyone else is starting to get crazy with the start of school! We still haven't signed Parker up for preschool, and the closer we get to that time, it seems the less likely we are to do so, especially with the classes he's taking at O2BKids.
So, for me --
1) I'm still doing lots of work on our business, including a conference brochure, the birthday party company still, an architecture-related international service, and a couple of others. We have one client who is refusing to pay us right now, and they owe us about $600!! I'm very "put out!".
2) I am still effectively running the playgroup for Kira, which involves keeping about 10 moms, working and not working, organized enough to keep regular meetings. We've just completed our first complete 2-month rotation, and people are even more excited about it than before (before the whole group was going to just peter out, so this is awesome!).
3) I am now on the board of MOMS Club here, doing the newsletter, and helping as we sister a new group. It has actually been really fun, and I've already learned a lot more about my community.
For Jeff --
1) He's as swamped with freelance as I have been, as well as trying to revamp our entire website including a complete portfolio -- it is quite the undertaking!!
2) His work may be in for some upheaval, though I can't talk about it yet, since it doesn't go public until the end of the week.
For Parker --
I love this boy!! He can be a pain in the neck, but he's so sweet, so smart, and so full of energy!
He's really great with all of the family he's been meeting (though at times he's TOO friendly with strangers. I really need to work with him on a healthy distrust ...)
His big thing is that he absolutely WILL NOT let me cut his hair. I had to cut his bangs recently, but that was all he'd allow. I should have known this was coming with all the fussing he often does about it.
He totally loved having my mom (his Oma) come for a visit, and to go with them to his Great-Granny's house.
Of course, that means that I'm having to deal with him stealing my cell phone and calling them every chance he gets and him constantly talking about going to visit them or them coming here.
Parker mostly loved spending time with his 12-year old second cousin, Ross. They really had lots of fun and Parker talks about going back to see him.
That's them at the fireworks on the 4th.
Kira --
She's become such a firecracker! She's very smart -- I think moreso than Parker! She says lots and lots of words, uses a fork/spoon, already remembers/reads books, and is a pretty darn happy girl (until it is sleep time).
More than that, she ADORES her Grampa (my dad). Oh my goodness, I've never seen a child take to a non-parent like that! She often ran to him instead of to me! I loved it.
She also favored my mama, but not nearly the same. Still, it was a nice reprieve for me.
She was much more shy meeting the extended family, like her Great-Grandma Morris (Jeff's grandmother) above, and her Great-Aunt Kathy below.
She always seems to have a serious look on her face, like Parker did. It is almost like she is trying to completely digest and comprehend the world before she's 2!!
Okay, I'm including the following out of obligaton:
I have some videos I have to download from my camera to share. As much as I adore my kids, more and more I feel like we're done. Maybe I'll change my mind -- I'm only 33, and they are only 4-1/2 and 17 months. We'll see.
Labels: community, family, homeschooling, Jeff, Kira, Kristin, milestones, Parker, Union Design Photo
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Friday, June 23, 2006
Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum
Here in Florida, there is now universal Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) offered. Makes me kinda wonder when it'll become mandatory. Jeff and I have pretty much decided not to do it with Parker, even though his 3 close friends will be going to various pre-Ks. The question we are most often asked is what curriculum we plan to do this year for his education, which I find a little odd for 4-year olds.
So, no, we are not planning on any formal curriculum, though we do get the Brighter Vision Learning Adventure boxes each month (Parker asks EVERY DAY if there is a new box in the mail for him!!) which are really cool. I just take what we normally do in a day and figure out a way to make it into a life lesson. And, of course, we are doing additional things now (like his O2B Kids classes) that help with socialization and learning to listen to another adult.
I also keep track of what he's learned, is learning, and keep making sure he's progressing:
communication: reading, telling stories, describing pictures, logical progression, (need to work on writing and drawing), computer skills;
mathematics: logic/order, shapes, addition, subtraction, sets, time, (need to work on fractions);
motor skills: puzzles, legos, gross motor movement (Karate class), spreading peanut butter, playdough, (need to work on writing, drawing, scissors);
independence: dresses self, uses bathroom on own, washes self (for the most part), starting to feed self (getting food from fridge, etc.) and pour own drinks, (can't think of anything to work on -- independence isn't an issue around here!!);
social skills: participates in classes three days a week, participates in playgroups two days a week, plays with sister every day (working on sharing and NOT fighting), initiates play with others at park/mall/etc., can play well on own, understands waiting, taking turns, standing in a line, working on listening/patience, still working on best ways to express/handle emotions (having younger sister makes this harder, as she's just getting into expressing emotions!!).
Labels: community, homeschooling, Parker, playgroup
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Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Really Blessed with Friendship
I have been trying to figure out how I can convince my husband to go ahead with homebirth, because we live about 20 to 30 minutes (depending on traffic) away from the hospital, and I completely understand his fear of "what if" and not being able to get to the hospital in time. Today, at our little playgroup meet-up, one of my close mom-friends offered for us to come to her house and have a homebirth there!! She lives within 5 minutes of the hospital. AND an acquaintance of mine, and good friend of hers, has had a previous homebirth and has offered to come for support, if that is what we choose to do! I am really excited with this prospect, as I was thinking I would have to just accept that we'd have to consider a hospital birth (because of how uncomfortable my DH is with the "what if" factor). AND this friend would be able to help entertain my son with her own son, during the whole thing!
I'm just feeling so blessed with the friends I have, who are so willing to support my decisions!
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