Okay so I am behind, but what else is new right? The months has been crazy fun and busy, but the fun is only starting as December is upon us and I am going to make it good. I am really looking forward to some fun projects with the kids this month. We are going to create a Christmas Bucket List next week for family night. The boys has already been coming up with ideas and I am looking forward to this weekend. We are decorating the house and getting the Christmas season started.
In the homeschool scene things are progressing well. Well, until Alex got sick today and now we are going to be doing a little bit of catch-up, but that's a whole other story. Lego class is almost done (YAY!), Art is in session until Christmas break, piano is amazing and he is doing so well, school work is moving at a wonderful pace, I really couldn't ask for more. I am going to start preparing a "mid-term" for lack of a better name for Alex. I want to see how much he is retaining. I realized we were WAY ahead in Spelling, so I decided to review all of the words we have had and then just before Christmas we will have a big test over them. Right now I have them broken up into 6 mini tests. Then, the ones he misses I focus on and then from those I will create a test for him. He is doing remarkably well right now and I hope it keeps up. He is being much more ambitious about reading and that makes this Mommy's heart happy. I am so glad that he is doing well and enjoying being homeschooled. She is a completely different child from last year...it's nice to have my happy and sweet boy back.
We had a situation a couple of weeks ago that was definitely a learning experience. At Lego class Alex and his partner had built a very elaborate alligator robot that opened and shut its mouth. When it came time to show his teacher, it quit working. He sat for a moment troubleshooting it, then he got up to get a tool and when he returned his partner had completely dismantled the alligator! Alex was FURIOUS! He was so upset with his friend and when he told his teacher, she basically told him to get over it and it didn't work anyway. Well, when I came to pick him up Alex's face was RED! He tried to explain to me what had happened when his teacher jumped in the middle of our conversation and started defending the other child and herself. I then stood up, looked at her and told her that I was talking to Alex and when he was done I would talk with her and she needed to wait her turn! I must admit, I got a few jaw drops from other parents, but this woman is really bugging me! Well, Alex finished telling me what happened. I recognized his feelings of anger (I would be mad too) and we discussed how sometimes we have to work as a team and sometimes people make choices that we don't like, and even though those choices affect us, we have to do our best to communicate with our partners and continue working together. Although this was not a fun experience for Alex, these are the experiences I want him to have. Team building, conflict, trial and error and other things that come up when dealing with other people. I then informed the teacher that I was not upset with what happened, but that as a teacher she should maybe consider listening to a child and recognizing their emotions rather than 'keeping them quiet". The other child that was involved came up and tried to apologize to Alex. Alex would not even look at this kid! Alex and I then had to talk on the way home about forgiveness and that saying sorry doesn't mean that the hurt feelings go away, but it means that they are acknowledging they did something that hurt you and they want to try and make it better. Alex the understood and this week, things were better between the two boys. I was so grateful for this teaching moment with Alex. You can't teach these things from a book. Even if he doesn't get much from the mechanics of the Lego class, the social experiences make it all worth it.
We have also been trying to keep our hands busy. We have been taking advantage of the pleasant weather here to play outside, go on nature walks, experiment and discover our own backyard. My Eric really loves life and definitely lives it to the fullest. I seriously pulled this kid off of the refrigerator after he got a running start and scaled the dang thing! I have been taking cues from him lately in our outside time. We have been looking at the little details. We watch butterflies collect nectar from flowers, watch ants build a mound, see how bees are attracted to yellow shirts, the leaves changing colors, the sunshine vs. the shade and so much more. I am loving being home with my kids. I hope they are building happy memories, because I know I am.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The Follow Up
Well, it is the morning after...in a lot of ways I am without words, but in other ways I have a lot of words. I try to be optimistic, but ti is hard. For the first time ever my husband rolled over in bed, looked me in the eyes and asked me, "What's the point?" That is a hard thing for me to swallow. I know what we need to do and what the point is, but I also know the feeling and the sense of hopelessness. I was optimistic for a few minutes this morning as I was reading that the popular vote was for Romney. I had hope that at least 50% of our nation was awake and aware and wanted more for our children...but then that happy bubble was popped. We must move forward, if we stand still we are only moving backwards. We have to fight for what is right, even if we stand alone. I will continue to arm my children and clothe them in the armor of God so that they can stand in these days and have the tools and knowledge to know that ONE MAN cannot destroy our family or our country...I won't let him.
Last night I spent a good chunk of time on the phone with my grandma. It was a hard conversation, very stressful. I wanted to give her all the hope in the world that things would change and the results would favor Mr. Romney. She was literally having palpitations and I can only imagine what she is seeing. She is seeing a country that has become something that is totally different than what she was raised in. She never once feared and always knew her country had her best interests and protection in mind, yet now she feels that is not how it is. She looks back and fears for what we are now. I look forward while snuggling my three children and fear for what is ahead. I know I should not fear, but I do.
After I got off the phone the boys were a bit perturbed because I had been on the phone and not as prompt with their dinner as they are accustomed to. I explained to them that I needed to talk to GiGi because she is worried about the election. Alex then asked about why she was worried. Then, I had to have a talk with my children that I had really hoped would wait until they were older. I tried to keep it simple and as non-biased as possible. Then I remembered that these are my children, MINE. I can teach them the way I see fit. Others don't have to agree with my politics, but guess what, I don't have to agree with theirs either. We must just tolerate each other and live in some accordance of harmony. I explained President Obama and Mitt Romney this way:
"The president has the belief that we should "spread the wealth". This means that everyone has all the same stuff. Everyone has the same amount of money, benefits, home, food...everything. Yet, not everyone has to work hard to get it. Only the people who desire to make something of themselves have to work. That means that when Daddy works extra hours at work that instead of us getting to have that money, some other family whose Daddy doesn't work gets to have it. The end result may be that everyone has no money because people will decide that it is not worth it to work hard if you don't get the return on your investment. Mitt Romney has a different idea. He wants there to be enough jobs for everyone. He wants everyone to work so that we can work together and help those that can't work or help themselves. He wants everyone to have success and to work towards that success for our entire country. He wants us to be free to make our own decisions rather than the government telling us what to do."
Alex, my very smart and profound little boy looked me straight in the eye and said, "That sounds like the war in heaven and Satan's plan and Jesus plan". After a moment of shock that he made that connection on his own, I asked him to explain that to me. He said, "Satan's plan was to make it so we could all get to heaven, but we wouldn't learn or grow because he would make all the choices for us. Jesus' plan was to let us make choices, even if it means that we don't all make it to heaven and that we have knowledge." I nodded and said that was an interesting connection he made. He then looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "I change my vote."
This morning Eric was the first one up (no surprise) and he asked who won the election. I told him that President Obama would continue to be our president. The sweet boy hung his head and pushed out his lower lip. Daddy then proceeded to scoop him up, squeeze him and tell him that everything will be okay. A while later Alex got up and I told him that President Obama was to continue being the president. He asked why. My answer was simply that whenever everyone voted, more people liked him. He then asked me, "Now, what's going to happen?" My answer was simply that I don't know, but I know we will keep living the way we live and doing our best to be good citizens and Christians. To which he snuggled in close to me and patted my arm.
All in all, I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I know that I am nervous and leaning on the Lord and his priesthood. I know that I will continue to love and teach my children. I know who I am and I know what I stand for. I know I can do hard things and that life is a hard thing, and as I told my sweet husband this morning, "We got this."
Last night I spent a good chunk of time on the phone with my grandma. It was a hard conversation, very stressful. I wanted to give her all the hope in the world that things would change and the results would favor Mr. Romney. She was literally having palpitations and I can only imagine what she is seeing. She is seeing a country that has become something that is totally different than what she was raised in. She never once feared and always knew her country had her best interests and protection in mind, yet now she feels that is not how it is. She looks back and fears for what we are now. I look forward while snuggling my three children and fear for what is ahead. I know I should not fear, but I do.
After I got off the phone the boys were a bit perturbed because I had been on the phone and not as prompt with their dinner as they are accustomed to. I explained to them that I needed to talk to GiGi because she is worried about the election. Alex then asked about why she was worried. Then, I had to have a talk with my children that I had really hoped would wait until they were older. I tried to keep it simple and as non-biased as possible. Then I remembered that these are my children, MINE. I can teach them the way I see fit. Others don't have to agree with my politics, but guess what, I don't have to agree with theirs either. We must just tolerate each other and live in some accordance of harmony. I explained President Obama and Mitt Romney this way:
"The president has the belief that we should "spread the wealth". This means that everyone has all the same stuff. Everyone has the same amount of money, benefits, home, food...everything. Yet, not everyone has to work hard to get it. Only the people who desire to make something of themselves have to work. That means that when Daddy works extra hours at work that instead of us getting to have that money, some other family whose Daddy doesn't work gets to have it. The end result may be that everyone has no money because people will decide that it is not worth it to work hard if you don't get the return on your investment. Mitt Romney has a different idea. He wants there to be enough jobs for everyone. He wants everyone to work so that we can work together and help those that can't work or help themselves. He wants everyone to have success and to work towards that success for our entire country. He wants us to be free to make our own decisions rather than the government telling us what to do."
Alex, my very smart and profound little boy looked me straight in the eye and said, "That sounds like the war in heaven and Satan's plan and Jesus plan". After a moment of shock that he made that connection on his own, I asked him to explain that to me. He said, "Satan's plan was to make it so we could all get to heaven, but we wouldn't learn or grow because he would make all the choices for us. Jesus' plan was to let us make choices, even if it means that we don't all make it to heaven and that we have knowledge." I nodded and said that was an interesting connection he made. He then looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "I change my vote."
This morning Eric was the first one up (no surprise) and he asked who won the election. I told him that President Obama would continue to be our president. The sweet boy hung his head and pushed out his lower lip. Daddy then proceeded to scoop him up, squeeze him and tell him that everything will be okay. A while later Alex got up and I told him that President Obama was to continue being the president. He asked why. My answer was simply that whenever everyone voted, more people liked him. He then asked me, "Now, what's going to happen?" My answer was simply that I don't know, but I know we will keep living the way we live and doing our best to be good citizens and Christians. To which he snuggled in close to me and patted my arm.
All in all, I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I know that I am nervous and leaning on the Lord and his priesthood. I know that I will continue to love and teach my children. I know who I am and I know what I stand for. I know I can do hard things and that life is a hard thing, and as I told my sweet husband this morning, "We got this."
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Election Day Fever
Alright so as much as I hate to discuss politics over the internet, I had to post about this election as it is being handled in our home. We have been trying very hard not to sway our children one way or the other and to let them form their own opinions...and believe me, they have them.
A few weeks ago we watched the last part of one of the debates. After watching the 20 or so minutes of it Alex decided that he wanted President Obama to win and Eric said he wanted Governor Romney.
When I asked Alex why he thought President Obama would win he said (direct quotes):
1. "He has brown skin and that is different from me"
2. "He is a good talker"
3. "He is a fan of the ladies"
4. "He's already president"
When I asked Eric why he thought Governor Romney would win he said (direct quote):
1. "He looks like me"
2. "He has a Red, White and Blue tie"
3." He is handsome"
4. "He has a nice smile and smiles a lot"
Well, out of the mouths of babes. Now, before you go on judging me and my household, let me tell you that we watch our speech very closely when it comes to politics and "hot-topics" such as race, religion, etc. This is what my children have picked up from discussions on TV, church, friends, home and school. I think it is interesting to see what they see through all of this, and how much appearance takes a role in elections.
Well, then I asked them what they would do if they were president of the Untied States.
Alex:
1. "Clean the Roads"
2. "Make less traffic"
3. "Clean up the White House"
4. "Have them make less candy"
5." Have resturaunts make more terrific food"
Eric:
1. "Clean the Road"
2. "Make it so cars don't stop in the middle of the road"
3. "Give the White House a hot tub"
4. "Make people smile"
I think those are pretty fun goals! Can you tell that we have been stuck in traffic a bunch the last two days? Well, that is our stance on the politics in this house. Now I sit and painfully and anxiously watch the votes roll in. I won't tell you where I stand, other than that my stance is that everyone exercise their rights and vote according to their own conscience that that they make an informed vote that they are not ashamed of. If you are going to stand for something, stand proud and strong. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? All I know is that I am tired and I am ready for bed!
A few weeks ago we watched the last part of one of the debates. After watching the 20 or so minutes of it Alex decided that he wanted President Obama to win and Eric said he wanted Governor Romney.
When I asked Alex why he thought President Obama would win he said (direct quotes):
1. "He has brown skin and that is different from me"
2. "He is a good talker"
3. "He is a fan of the ladies"
4. "He's already president"
When I asked Eric why he thought Governor Romney would win he said (direct quote):
1. "He looks like me"
2. "He has a Red, White and Blue tie"
3." He is handsome"
4. "He has a nice smile and smiles a lot"
Well, out of the mouths of babes. Now, before you go on judging me and my household, let me tell you that we watch our speech very closely when it comes to politics and "hot-topics" such as race, religion, etc. This is what my children have picked up from discussions on TV, church, friends, home and school. I think it is interesting to see what they see through all of this, and how much appearance takes a role in elections.
Well, then I asked them what they would do if they were president of the Untied States.
Alex:
1. "Clean the Roads"
2. "Make less traffic"
3. "Clean up the White House"
4. "Have them make less candy"
5." Have resturaunts make more terrific food"
Eric:
1. "Clean the Road"
2. "Make it so cars don't stop in the middle of the road"
3. "Give the White House a hot tub"
4. "Make people smile"
I think those are pretty fun goals! Can you tell that we have been stuck in traffic a bunch the last two days? Well, that is our stance on the politics in this house. Now I sit and painfully and anxiously watch the votes roll in. I won't tell you where I stand, other than that my stance is that everyone exercise their rights and vote according to their own conscience that that they make an informed vote that they are not ashamed of. If you are going to stand for something, stand proud and strong. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? All I know is that I am tired and I am ready for bed!
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