I have never had much of a math brain, as some of you may remember. And yes, sometimes I wonder how I'm going to teach my kids calculus. Then again my kids will learn in such a way, that hopefully by that age, they will be independent learners with the drive to approach the subject without my help. Of course this might not be the case, and then we'll have to find a way. I'll either learn it with them, which would probably be good for me. Or we'll find a tutor who can do the job for me.
Or we'll ask Basketball brain (my husband) to try. While I don't have high hopes that he'll survive the homeschooling day, who knows, how easy it will be in a few years to work with my kids, after I lay the groundwork to success.
The Basketball brain is not a particularly patient teacher, although he generally speaks with much passion, when he does decide that it's time to teach a lesson about complicated matters of the life. He sometimes loses the attention of his students within the first minute of talking. I'm not trying to be mean here. Au contraire, my husband has taught some very important lessons, and I am grateful for that fact. But sometimes he is unable to shrink his explanations to the size where myself or the kids can actually swallow without choking.
This morning he tried to explain something about probability to me. It didn't make any sense to me at all. So he tried to rephrase is, make it easier, for my very tiny brain. But I still didn't get it. Yes, I'm that dumb! But what makes matters worse to me, is the fact, that he then said to me that this is pretty common knowledge... and not just that... it's also important to know it.
Well, I said, I guess I'm lucky to still be alive then. Now he's under the impression that I'll run out and educate myself about this subject. I have no intention of doing so. That is not to say that I never will. As a matter of fact, whenever it is time to teach such things to my children, I will probably be the first one to get the best available curriculum and then sit and study with them. Until then I guess I'll live by the motto: Ignorance is bliss. :)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
I could just post about the weather again...
...because after yesterday's snowfall, today is another one of those lovely spring days, that gets your hopes up. You love the blue sky, the sun, the pretty little green things popping up everywhere. Yes, this must be it. This must be spring! Let's see what tomorrow brings. ;)
I realize of course that writing about the weather every day may not be all that interesting to you, so I could write about friendship again, and about how I have the most coolest, kindest, caringest friends EVER, who take care of me when I'm sick with a swollen face and miserable headache. But then, I've been writing about my coolest, kindest, caringest friends quite a lot lately too. So maybe I'll spare you.
Or I could write about homeschooling, and how it's the greatest decision we've ever made, and how I will do this all the way through high school, even if that means, that I have to talk my kids out of school someday in the future. ;) But well, I've written about homeschooling a lot too.
Come to think of it... my blog is a big compilation of repeats. And one wonders, what on Earth are bloggers thinking, writing about the same stuff over and over, and in the process, hoping to entertain their readers... because once we stop entertaining our readers, what will we do?? Entertain ourselves? BORING!
So I guess, this is a post about nothing. Really just there to let you know, I'm alive... with a swollen cheek, less pain, and in a much better mood... and with the coolest, kindest, caringest friends ever. ;)
I realize of course that writing about the weather every day may not be all that interesting to you, so I could write about friendship again, and about how I have the most coolest, kindest, caringest friends EVER, who take care of me when I'm sick with a swollen face and miserable headache. But then, I've been writing about my coolest, kindest, caringest friends quite a lot lately too. So maybe I'll spare you.
Or I could write about homeschooling, and how it's the greatest decision we've ever made, and how I will do this all the way through high school, even if that means, that I have to talk my kids out of school someday in the future. ;) But well, I've written about homeschooling a lot too.
Come to think of it... my blog is a big compilation of repeats. And one wonders, what on Earth are bloggers thinking, writing about the same stuff over and over, and in the process, hoping to entertain their readers... because once we stop entertaining our readers, what will we do?? Entertain ourselves? BORING!
So I guess, this is a post about nothing. Really just there to let you know, I'm alive... with a swollen cheek, less pain, and in a much better mood... and with the coolest, kindest, caringest friends ever. ;)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
And winter is back... again!!
Spring was wonderful. Really.... all 7 days of it. My time at the coast? Lovely. Very warm and sunny. Blue skies all around. Temperatures in the 50s. It was heavenly.
This morning I woke up to big, fat snowflakes. Winter is back, and it's freaking me out.
As for my tooth issue. I had another sleepless night, and pumped myself full of drugs. This morning it seems the extreme sensitivity around my tooth is gone, although there is still some pain. But now it seems to move forward, and I'm afraid my sinuses are affected. My face is slightly swollen next to my nose.
I called Shady Lady's homeopath, who was kind enough to offer help. She wants me to take two different remedies, one of which I'm taking already. Shady Lady, you wonderful lady, thank you for buying me the other one.
Blue Eyed Boy will leave the house soon, so Toothless Fairy and I will just hang out for a bit. She's actually quite excited about the girl time with Mom. I'm glad I canceled my class. Lovely couch, here I come.
This morning I woke up to big, fat snowflakes. Winter is back, and it's freaking me out.
As for my tooth issue. I had another sleepless night, and pumped myself full of drugs. This morning it seems the extreme sensitivity around my tooth is gone, although there is still some pain. But now it seems to move forward, and I'm afraid my sinuses are affected. My face is slightly swollen next to my nose.
I called Shady Lady's homeopath, who was kind enough to offer help. She wants me to take two different remedies, one of which I'm taking already. Shady Lady, you wonderful lady, thank you for buying me the other one.
Blue Eyed Boy will leave the house soon, so Toothless Fairy and I will just hang out for a bit. She's actually quite excited about the girl time with Mom. I'm glad I canceled my class. Lovely couch, here I come.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ouch!
Yesterday I "developed" a tooth ache from hell. The strange thing was, that the pain was located near a tooth, that is dead. I had a root canal there about 5 or 6 years ago. I was fine for all those years... until yesterday. And what can I say? It is awful. Bring on the labor anytime. At least you get rewarded with a beautiful baby at the end. This tooth ache? Not going away... and not producing anything beautiful either.
I had a sleepless night, during which I pumped myself full of Tylenol and Ibuprofen every two hours. The fact, that I grind my teeth, doesn't exactly help the cause.
This morning I saw a dentist, who is ready and willing to operate. NOT! She ended up prescribing Vicodin (sp?) and an antibiotic. My first dose of Vico did not kick in until about an hour after I took it. Then I was almost painfree for just a little while. And not just that, but also I felt unbelievably happy. ;) Unfortunately this didn't last.
I have been in pain all afternoon, and the Vico doesn't do diddly for me. Or well, it does... I had terrible drowsiness and nausea going on this afternoon. And the pain never subsided. I finally ended up taking Tylenol again. At least it takes the edge off the pain, even though it never lasts long.
This sucks! I just want to get rid of this pain. :( I canceled my class for tomorrow, hoping that one of my friends can pick up Blue Eyed Boy for his class, so he doesn't have to hang around the house with me and Toothless Fairy all morning.
EDIT:
Thank you, lovely Herbi Faery for picking him up for me. :) This is for you:
I had a sleepless night, during which I pumped myself full of Tylenol and Ibuprofen every two hours. The fact, that I grind my teeth, doesn't exactly help the cause.
This morning I saw a dentist, who is ready and willing to operate. NOT! She ended up prescribing Vicodin (sp?) and an antibiotic. My first dose of Vico did not kick in until about an hour after I took it. Then I was almost painfree for just a little while. And not just that, but also I felt unbelievably happy. ;) Unfortunately this didn't last.
I have been in pain all afternoon, and the Vico doesn't do diddly for me. Or well, it does... I had terrible drowsiness and nausea going on this afternoon. And the pain never subsided. I finally ended up taking Tylenol again. At least it takes the edge off the pain, even though it never lasts long.
This sucks! I just want to get rid of this pain. :( I canceled my class for tomorrow, hoping that one of my friends can pick up Blue Eyed Boy for his class, so he doesn't have to hang around the house with me and Toothless Fairy all morning.
EDIT:
Thank you, lovely Herbi Faery for picking him up for me. :) This is for you:
Wardrobe Wednesday
Today I would like to introduce to you Blue Eyed Boy and his favorite orange hat. Throughout the years he's worn this hat with great pride, and his parents were grateful for it, because the color always stuck out in a crowd. The hat is no longer usable, but I have put it into our keepsake box. :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
And then... things just fall into place
A phone call, a conversation, a few laughs, some thoughts... and you know, that all will be well. :) So glad to be an adult. ;)
Could someone please try to leave a comment?
Odd request, I know. But I've received various e-mails from people, telling me they're unable to comment. I've changed my comments to allow everyone to comment and deleted the word verification (for now). I may just have to turn on the comment moderation.
But I'll also contact blogger about this problem.
So if you wouldn't mind terribly... please leave a comment here, so I can see if it works.
But I'll also contact blogger about this problem.
So if you wouldn't mind terribly... please leave a comment here, so I can see if it works.
Classical Education
Last night I joined a group of classical educators. They meet once a month in my town, and each month a different subject will be discussed.
I tend to be a very relaxed homeschooler, leaning towards the beauty of unschooling. Of course the unschooling approach hasn't really worked too well for us, so we brought a little bit of structure back into our days.
At last night's meeting I have met some pretty amazing people, who make their children's education their top priority. I thought I would be a little turned off by too much structure and too much forced learning, but to be quite honest with you, I was thoroughly impressed. These ladies don't force their children... they gently guide them. They passionately share their ideas, their books, their ways of handling things, and I returned home with a full page of book ideas, links, authors etc. I was able to look at some of these books, and I must admit, that I think I will try to bring even more structure into our own school life.
Why the sudden change of heart? Well, I recall more or less vaguely how I hated school. I remember having to memorize and recite "The Bell"! Anybody who knows that poem, knows how unbelievably long it is, and how it can mean nothing to you, if you don't know anything about poetry.
I never thought much of Shakespeare, although, of course I knew, that Shakespeare is a common knowledge "subject". I have not read a single Shakespeare story out of my own free will. I had to read one in high school, without ever being talked to about the why and how. It was the command, "Read this book. Then answer these questions."
Today I am an avid reader, but I still don't enjoy poetry much, and I cannot exactly pride myself in having read a whole bunch of real "must have read" books. If I could be able to bring my kids this kind of knowledge, this appreciation for important works of our history, I think I will have done an important job.
I believe I will spend some time reevaluating my approach, and adding a few things into our educational life, that I deem important. And I'll make a point of attending these meetings on a more regular basis in order to better be able to stay on course, and stay motivated.
Rooster X, you wrote on my FB-status, that you keep wanting to go to one of these meetings. I really suggest you do. I can honestly say, this is not a group of chickens clacking away. :)
I tend to be a very relaxed homeschooler, leaning towards the beauty of unschooling. Of course the unschooling approach hasn't really worked too well for us, so we brought a little bit of structure back into our days.
At last night's meeting I have met some pretty amazing people, who make their children's education their top priority. I thought I would be a little turned off by too much structure and too much forced learning, but to be quite honest with you, I was thoroughly impressed. These ladies don't force their children... they gently guide them. They passionately share their ideas, their books, their ways of handling things, and I returned home with a full page of book ideas, links, authors etc. I was able to look at some of these books, and I must admit, that I think I will try to bring even more structure into our own school life.
Why the sudden change of heart? Well, I recall more or less vaguely how I hated school. I remember having to memorize and recite "The Bell"! Anybody who knows that poem, knows how unbelievably long it is, and how it can mean nothing to you, if you don't know anything about poetry.
I never thought much of Shakespeare, although, of course I knew, that Shakespeare is a common knowledge "subject". I have not read a single Shakespeare story out of my own free will. I had to read one in high school, without ever being talked to about the why and how. It was the command, "Read this book. Then answer these questions."
Today I am an avid reader, but I still don't enjoy poetry much, and I cannot exactly pride myself in having read a whole bunch of real "must have read" books. If I could be able to bring my kids this kind of knowledge, this appreciation for important works of our history, I think I will have done an important job.
I believe I will spend some time reevaluating my approach, and adding a few things into our educational life, that I deem important. And I'll make a point of attending these meetings on a more regular basis in order to better be able to stay on course, and stay motivated.
Rooster X, you wrote on my FB-status, that you keep wanting to go to one of these meetings. I really suggest you do. I can honestly say, this is not a group of chickens clacking away. :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Beautiful learning
I told my children, that after lunch I'd like them to pick a thing they want to do... an educational thing, please. Not too surprisingly they have both chosen a computer game. Toothless Fairy is playing a Critical Thinking game. We love the Critical Thinking books, and the computer game she has is both fun and educational.
As for Blue Eyed Boy, he decided to play the Hooked on Phonics game. He's building three letter words, and I hear him sounding out the words he's trying to spell.
In a little while we will go to New Seasons to buy some groceries. Then we'll bake muffins together, our math lesson for the day, if you will.
We're also measuring today's rain fall. It's a typical Oregon rainy day. It's coming down like long thin threads. We have a graph, on which we can record the temperature, precipitation and other things concerning the weather. It'll be interesting to create a pattern at the end of the year, where we will figure out the average temperature for each month, and measure the total rainfall, sunny days etc. Unfortunately we didn't start on the first day of the year. But hey, who said our year needs to be over on December 31st, right?
As for Blue Eyed Boy, he decided to play the Hooked on Phonics game. He's building three letter words, and I hear him sounding out the words he's trying to spell.
In a little while we will go to New Seasons to buy some groceries. Then we'll bake muffins together, our math lesson for the day, if you will.
We're also measuring today's rain fall. It's a typical Oregon rainy day. It's coming down like long thin threads. We have a graph, on which we can record the temperature, precipitation and other things concerning the weather. It'll be interesting to create a pattern at the end of the year, where we will figure out the average temperature for each month, and measure the total rainfall, sunny days etc. Unfortunately we didn't start on the first day of the year. But hey, who said our year needs to be over on December 31st, right?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday morning
I woke up at the usual time. 6:something. The fireplace was on. The fireplace is my heater, so it turns on every now and then. I'm amazed it didn't wake me up all night. I am a pretty light sleeper. I'm still sitting on my bed, 1.5 hours later. I'll have some breakfast in a little while, and will then hop in the shower. It's raining, so I'll pass on the beach walk I had planned today. I don't want to be wet on my drive home. But who knows, maybe I'll change my mind.
It was a wonderful weekend, and it reminded me that I was in fact capable of doing things by myself. A restaurant visit without anybody tagging along? Unthinkable at home. I don't even have the desire to do it, because I prefer to have a good conversation with someone, while enjoying my food.
Here, at the beach, where there simply is nobody to share my meals with me, I enjoy the peace and quiet. I like watching people... and sometimes I try to figure out who they are, where they're from and why on earth they would eat in such a place.
Yesterday I had breakfast at Pig'n'Pancake. All kinds of interesting people ate there. Tourists, elderly locals, three young guys (under 20?), a very fancy looking woman with her family, a construction worker and his body, three husbands (I can sense a husband from miles away!), a tourist family, whom I've seen in a Newport restaurant the day before, an old woman, guiding her frail husband... They all came together at this place... and it made me wonder, that while they all try to be something different... some cleaner, some dirtier, some fancier, some simpler... are they really just the same? (One of those useless question, which really don't require an answer).
I'm going home today, and I look forward to being with my family again. This trip was wonderful, and I will miss the ocean. I always miss the ocean, when I'm not there. But I'll be back soon. As a matter of fact, I will suggest a field trip to the ocean on the next sunny day. (Shady Lady, what do you say? Herbi Faery? You still reading my blog?) We could drive to Seaside in the morning, walk the streets of the town, hang out by the beach... maybe even drive down to Tillamook to the cheese factory, before we go back home?
Last night I talked to my kids on the phone. They are in anticipation of the "things" I bought for them... as both the Ogre and I always do, when we leave for a few days. Blue Eyed Boy has a little ritual of saying good night to me. He'll say "Good night, sweet dreams, suesse Traeume (sweet dreams in German), I love you." But last night he also said, "Don't let the bedbugs bite. No, really, I mean it. Don't let them bite you. This is serious."
Beware of the bedbugs everyone... this is serious.
It was a wonderful weekend, and it reminded me that I was in fact capable of doing things by myself. A restaurant visit without anybody tagging along? Unthinkable at home. I don't even have the desire to do it, because I prefer to have a good conversation with someone, while enjoying my food.
Here, at the beach, where there simply is nobody to share my meals with me, I enjoy the peace and quiet. I like watching people... and sometimes I try to figure out who they are, where they're from and why on earth they would eat in such a place.
Yesterday I had breakfast at Pig'n'Pancake. All kinds of interesting people ate there. Tourists, elderly locals, three young guys (under 20?), a very fancy looking woman with her family, a construction worker and his body, three husbands (I can sense a husband from miles away!), a tourist family, whom I've seen in a Newport restaurant the day before, an old woman, guiding her frail husband... They all came together at this place... and it made me wonder, that while they all try to be something different... some cleaner, some dirtier, some fancier, some simpler... are they really just the same? (One of those useless question, which really don't require an answer).
I'm going home today, and I look forward to being with my family again. This trip was wonderful, and I will miss the ocean. I always miss the ocean, when I'm not there. But I'll be back soon. As a matter of fact, I will suggest a field trip to the ocean on the next sunny day. (Shady Lady, what do you say? Herbi Faery? You still reading my blog?) We could drive to Seaside in the morning, walk the streets of the town, hang out by the beach... maybe even drive down to Tillamook to the cheese factory, before we go back home?
Last night I talked to my kids on the phone. They are in anticipation of the "things" I bought for them... as both the Ogre and I always do, when we leave for a few days. Blue Eyed Boy has a little ritual of saying good night to me. He'll say "Good night, sweet dreams, suesse Traeume (sweet dreams in German), I love you." But last night he also said, "Don't let the bedbugs bite. No, really, I mean it. Don't let them bite you. This is serious."
Beware of the bedbugs everyone... this is serious.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Things to love, things to hate...
It is 1:42pm as I'm starting to write this post. I'm enjoying a small glass (cup) of wine, because I can. And I'm thinking about what to do with myself for the next 20 hours, 9 of which I will spend asleep. ;) And while Bridget Jones is stepping into every last puddle of complete embarrassment I reflect a bit and try to come up with some deep, intelligent things to say.
Or I could just create a list of things I love and hate about being away.
1. I love being alone.
2. I hate being alone.
3. I love looking out on the ocean, take walks in the sand without shoes.
4. I hate not sharing this little bit of joy with my kids right now.
5. I love watching any movie anytime.
6. I hate commercials and would like my DVR back.
7. I love to watch a group of sea lions hanging out on the pier in Newport.
8. I hate not to be able to share this with my kids.
9. I love going to bed whenever I want.
10. I hate not looking into blue eyes, hugging little bodies, being told just much I'm loved.
11. I love watching Colbert and Stewart and laugh my ass off about them.
12. I hate not being able to laugh with the guy I live with. ;)
Seriously, reader, I love my weekend. I'm not lying to you. And I will do it again. And then I will go back home, and love to be home, and enjoy my family... and realize why it is, that people have families. I love you, family.
Or I could just create a list of things I love and hate about being away.
1. I love being alone.
2. I hate being alone.
3. I love looking out on the ocean, take walks in the sand without shoes.
4. I hate not sharing this little bit of joy with my kids right now.
5. I love watching any movie anytime.
6. I hate commercials and would like my DVR back.
7. I love to watch a group of sea lions hanging out on the pier in Newport.
8. I hate not to be able to share this with my kids.
9. I love going to bed whenever I want.
10. I hate not looking into blue eyes, hugging little bodies, being told just much I'm loved.
11. I love watching Colbert and Stewart and laugh my ass off about them.
12. I hate not being able to laugh with the guy I live with. ;)
Seriously, reader, I love my weekend. I'm not lying to you. And I will do it again. And then I will go back home, and love to be home, and enjoy my family... and realize why it is, that people have families. I love you, family.
Friday, February 20, 2009
I love the Pacific Ocean
There is something about this place, that has me feeling very much at peace with the world. I used to like the ocean... any ocean really. But now I love it. I think it may simply have to do with the fact, that it's no longer the very crowded beaches at the Mediterranean sea I'm frequenting.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Weekend Getaway
I didn't use to get away much, when we still lived in Phoenix. Once a month... maybe. As a matter of fact my husband would complain if I tried to go out more often than that. The only thing he did was to play volleyball once a week. Of course he and I would go out together here and there. We had a fabulous babysitter (the kids' aunt, who would take them all weekend, so we could do whatever we wanted.)
When we moved to Portland, there was no more babysitter. Or well, there is one, but he's much more expensive than my sister-in-law. So I started going out by myself much more. I have more friends here, more hobbies, and of course I'm writing, so I go to critique group meetings. After growling at me a little in the beginning, my husband soon picked up on it, and started going out a lot more often too. It's good that way, and I think we both enjoy it.
In November of 2007, for the first time, I took an entire weekend off. I packed my bags, rented a hotel room and left my family for two days. At first I was a little worried about the solitude. What would I do for two full days without my kids? But it proved to be unnecessary to worry. I LOVED my time alone. I am of course an early riser, so I didn't actually sleep in. But I would turn on the TV, watch a while, go back to sleep for a bit... have breakfast eventually... I took a walk at the beach... in the rain... and nobody complained to me about how awful it was.
I had dinner at a restaurant and met a couple of very nice and interesting people.
On Sunday I returned home to my family, who was anxiously awaiting me. They were so happy to see me. And I was truly happy to see them. I knew I'd do this again.
And I did, in June of 2008. Completely different weekend... summer... solitude... and oh so wonderful. I loved every minute of it.
I knew... I'd definitely do this again.
And I will... today. :) My bag is packed. I will teach a class at Village, then drive home, grab my stuff and leave. Three days this time. A gift from my husband for Christmas. I'm excited to go, because I know it will, again, be a perfect weekend, and I will afterward return home happy and relaxed, and my family will be glad to have me back.
You should try it. It works! ;)
When we moved to Portland, there was no more babysitter. Or well, there is one, but he's much more expensive than my sister-in-law. So I started going out by myself much more. I have more friends here, more hobbies, and of course I'm writing, so I go to critique group meetings. After growling at me a little in the beginning, my husband soon picked up on it, and started going out a lot more often too. It's good that way, and I think we both enjoy it.
In November of 2007, for the first time, I took an entire weekend off. I packed my bags, rented a hotel room and left my family for two days. At first I was a little worried about the solitude. What would I do for two full days without my kids? But it proved to be unnecessary to worry. I LOVED my time alone. I am of course an early riser, so I didn't actually sleep in. But I would turn on the TV, watch a while, go back to sleep for a bit... have breakfast eventually... I took a walk at the beach... in the rain... and nobody complained to me about how awful it was.
I had dinner at a restaurant and met a couple of very nice and interesting people.
On Sunday I returned home to my family, who was anxiously awaiting me. They were so happy to see me. And I was truly happy to see them. I knew I'd do this again.
And I did, in June of 2008. Completely different weekend... summer... solitude... and oh so wonderful. I loved every minute of it.
I knew... I'd definitely do this again.
And I will... today. :) My bag is packed. I will teach a class at Village, then drive home, grab my stuff and leave. Three days this time. A gift from my husband for Christmas. I'm excited to go, because I know it will, again, be a perfect weekend, and I will afterward return home happy and relaxed, and my family will be glad to have me back.
You should try it. It works! ;)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
And a second post... Wardrobe Wednesday
I'm hooked... I love Wardrobe Wednesday...
And for this week I decided to use this cute little picture of my daughter in the fall of 2006. She's wearing the Halloween princess costume I made for her. And I just love this picture. She's just so darn cute!
And for this week I decided to use this cute little picture of my daughter in the fall of 2006. She's wearing the Halloween princess costume I made for her. And I just love this picture. She's just so darn cute!
Yes, we do in fact homeschool...
even if there is not too much mention of it on my blog. Originally I had planned to write much more about homeschooling, but the fact is, it would be the same posts over and over... plus, at heart I'm really an exhibitionist who wants to share all the gory details of her life with the rest of the world.
Plus, and I'm ashamed to admit this, I keep forgetting when something is really worthy to talk about. Just recently my son said something truly fabulous that blew us all away. I swore I'd write it down to share with all of you... Well, and then I forgot. And now I still have no clue what it was he said. Poor kid. He'll be the guy growing up to be an adult and not knowing a thing from his early childhood, because his mother forgot everything.
It seems the only thing I remember is, when my daughter announced that we had to buy fetish cheese, rather than feta cheese.
So, yes, we homeschool, more or less actively. ;) (May I just mention at this point, that, as I'm typing this, I hear birds chirping outside?? It's spring, yipeeee!!) The plan is to follow a curriculum regularly, but really we don't. And I've decided that's a good thing. Not following a curriculum too strictly has opened up a bunch of possibilities, and we love to use them.
I do, however, try to follow one book a little bit. It's part of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, which you may have heard of. The books are called "What your (enter your child's grade) has to know". Last night, after wiggling my jiggle at belly dance I went to the bookstore (THE BOOKSTORE!!! I LOVE THE BOOKSTORE!). Homeschooler let loose at the bookstore... imagine the consequences. Even with my teacher discount I ended up spending $65. But oh, the books I bought.
So, back to the subject (do I seem a little scatter brained today?). I bought the 3rd grade version of the book, which is filled pretty much with an entire curriculum. I love these books, because they include stories and poems, little history, math, social science lessons etc. I can use it with the kids any time I like. And because the kids don't view this as work, they enjoy the book and what it has to offer. We don't follow one book at the time. We simply take out the books, see what strikes our fancy, and then do the "work".
Of course I also bought two art books, both of which I loved just looking at them. In my mind last night I already saw myself talking about the various paintings, and then using the second book to create our own paintings. It will be an art studio at home. How cool! The books literally give step by step instructions, and since especially my daughter loves to create art, I have great expectations, that this will have been one of those genius purchases. :)
Yes, we homeschool, and I cannot say often enough, how glad we are to have made this decision. For now my kids love it as much as I do. I can only hope that they won't some day decide that they'd like to give public school a try, although it might be a good experience for them (in a "wow, this is terrible, we'd like to stay home again" kind of way... Please don't feel offended, public school parents... this is just my very own humble wish and has nothing to do with your brilliant children. Please don't hate me!!). As far as I'm concerned, I'm in this for good. I'll do this all the way through high school, if my kids wish. But I will not be standing in their way, if they do decide to try something else. We shall see what the future holds for us.
Plus, and I'm ashamed to admit this, I keep forgetting when something is really worthy to talk about. Just recently my son said something truly fabulous that blew us all away. I swore I'd write it down to share with all of you... Well, and then I forgot. And now I still have no clue what it was he said. Poor kid. He'll be the guy growing up to be an adult and not knowing a thing from his early childhood, because his mother forgot everything.
It seems the only thing I remember is, when my daughter announced that we had to buy fetish cheese, rather than feta cheese.
So, yes, we homeschool, more or less actively. ;) (May I just mention at this point, that, as I'm typing this, I hear birds chirping outside?? It's spring, yipeeee!!) The plan is to follow a curriculum regularly, but really we don't. And I've decided that's a good thing. Not following a curriculum too strictly has opened up a bunch of possibilities, and we love to use them.
I do, however, try to follow one book a little bit. It's part of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, which you may have heard of. The books are called "What your (enter your child's grade) has to know". Last night, after wiggling my jiggle at belly dance I went to the bookstore (THE BOOKSTORE!!! I LOVE THE BOOKSTORE!). Homeschooler let loose at the bookstore... imagine the consequences. Even with my teacher discount I ended up spending $65. But oh, the books I bought.
So, back to the subject (do I seem a little scatter brained today?). I bought the 3rd grade version of the book, which is filled pretty much with an entire curriculum. I love these books, because they include stories and poems, little history, math, social science lessons etc. I can use it with the kids any time I like. And because the kids don't view this as work, they enjoy the book and what it has to offer. We don't follow one book at the time. We simply take out the books, see what strikes our fancy, and then do the "work".
Of course I also bought two art books, both of which I loved just looking at them. In my mind last night I already saw myself talking about the various paintings, and then using the second book to create our own paintings. It will be an art studio at home. How cool! The books literally give step by step instructions, and since especially my daughter loves to create art, I have great expectations, that this will have been one of those genius purchases. :)
Yes, we homeschool, and I cannot say often enough, how glad we are to have made this decision. For now my kids love it as much as I do. I can only hope that they won't some day decide that they'd like to give public school a try, although it might be a good experience for them (in a "wow, this is terrible, we'd like to stay home again" kind of way... Please don't feel offended, public school parents... this is just my very own humble wish and has nothing to do with your brilliant children. Please don't hate me!!). As far as I'm concerned, I'm in this for good. I'll do this all the way through high school, if my kids wish. But I will not be standing in their way, if they do decide to try something else. We shall see what the future holds for us.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Questions, Questions, Questions.
When you don't know what to write, but you really feel like writing, questions are a good alternative to long, elaborate blog posts. :) Me? I have plenty of questions... lots more questions than answers, as a matter of fact. But maybe you can help?
1) Why can't "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe not host something a little cleaner, that is just not so damn painful to watch?
2) What's the purpose of a show called "Man vs Wild" or something like that, during which every single time you get to watch the not unattractive host eat some sort of worm/caterpillar thing?
3) How do Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert get away with some of their incredibly cruel jokes... when I have to watch every word I say?
4) Why did I use to love swim centers with huge slides as a kid and couldn't care less about them now? Is it an age thing?
5) Why is the first joke people crack about Germans about Nazis? And why are these people surprised when I am insulted?
6) Who came up with the incredibly awful idea to create a show called "Destroyed in Seconds"?
7) Why do I lose 9lbs and then simply stop losing???
8) Will the Toothless Fairy ever grow teeth? (Well, no, she won't, that's why we have to see the dentist about the surgery she's going to face in a while).
9) Why are writers born to be procrastinators?
10) Why hasn't an automated clean the kitchen system been invented a long time ago?
11) And finally... PLEASE... why do we have to have teacher coffees at Village Home at 8:45am? We're homeschoolers. We don't do 8:45am!!! Didn't you read the memo???? ;)
Well, it was a lovely day.... I experienced friendship, young love, good food, and "gentle overnight relief" which by the way is anything BUT gentle. It's big, fat pain... and crap... and you don't want "gentle overnight relief". Trust me. I know.
I shall now read some blogs... and then knit more hats, because I'm the hat knitting queen. Pictures will follow.
1) Why can't "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe not host something a little cleaner, that is just not so damn painful to watch?
2) What's the purpose of a show called "Man vs Wild" or something like that, during which every single time you get to watch the not unattractive host eat some sort of worm/caterpillar thing?
3) How do Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert get away with some of their incredibly cruel jokes... when I have to watch every word I say?
4) Why did I use to love swim centers with huge slides as a kid and couldn't care less about them now? Is it an age thing?
5) Why is the first joke people crack about Germans about Nazis? And why are these people surprised when I am insulted?
6) Who came up with the incredibly awful idea to create a show called "Destroyed in Seconds"?
7) Why do I lose 9lbs and then simply stop losing???
8) Will the Toothless Fairy ever grow teeth? (Well, no, she won't, that's why we have to see the dentist about the surgery she's going to face in a while).
9) Why are writers born to be procrastinators?
10) Why hasn't an automated clean the kitchen system been invented a long time ago?
11) And finally... PLEASE... why do we have to have teacher coffees at Village Home at 8:45am? We're homeschoolers. We don't do 8:45am!!! Didn't you read the memo???? ;)
Well, it was a lovely day.... I experienced friendship, young love, good food, and "gentle overnight relief" which by the way is anything BUT gentle. It's big, fat pain... and crap... and you don't want "gentle overnight relief". Trust me. I know.
I shall now read some blogs... and then knit more hats, because I'm the hat knitting queen. Pictures will follow.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Blast from the past
Rachel wanted to hear a story from my past, and who am I not to deliver? While some might think, that a German girl who got pregnant at 19, didn't have any fun in her life, the true Germans know, that this means nothing!! Although I must I admit I never tried drugs, which my husband thinks of as criminal. The opportunity was there. As a matter of fact, every Sunday afternoon my friend and I hung out at this "coffee shop" with a bunch of Italian guys, who dealt with drugs. I guess I can consider myself lucky that I was sick the day the police came to search the place. ;)
My friend and I did get into all kinds of trouble, and it is rather surprising, that I came out of it alive and well.
It is the summer of 1990, and the yearly fair in my friend's town was taking place that weekend. My friend and I decided to camp on the local campground. It was so much easier to return home late and possibly bring with us a couple of guys. (I'm actually shuddering at the thought, who we brought with us the first night!) At the age of 15 we were not permitted on the campground without adult supervision. But clearly the campground attendant didn't care enough when we were unable to produce proper ID. She had us fill out the forms, on which we wrote that we were 18 and from far away. And people from far away can't just go home quickly to pick up their ID, right?
The first night was a complete disaster. We brought back two French guys (we lived only a few minutes away from the French border), who would not stop touching us. Surprise, surprise, little innocent small town girl. You think you can bring back a guy and then have him go to sleep next to you? Pulease!! But this sweet, innocent little girl wasn't little at all, so I kicked them both out, when they tried to steal our virginity. A girl must have priorities... and losing her virginity on a campground to a French guy she'll never see again was not exactly what I had envisioned for the experience. Of course I hadn't envisioned the actual event either, but at least I liked that guy.
The second night we partied until 3am. We'd had too much to drink, and obviously, being German, no car to drive to the campground in. Which was a good thing of course, or we might have spent the night in a small cell rather than the campground. On our way to the campground a car kept passing us by, turned around in the distance, drove past us again. Two guys looking out at us. I was wearing a hooded sweater, so I'm only assuming it wasn't too clear that I was a girl. Still we were scared, and finally my friend came up with the genius plan to pose as couple and kiss. And so we did... We French kissed until the guys in the car apparently decided it was no longer worth it, driving past us, checking us out.
As for me, I realized that night, that I was most definitely not a lesbian. But it did go on my bucket list. "French kissing a girl"... check! :)
Sunday afternoon I returned home, and went straight to bed. My parents... well, I think they must have suspected something. But they never said a word. Maybe they really were blissfully unaware of my actions those days. Did I really look that innocent???
The fact is, we were lucky to get away that night. The street to the campground was dark and empty. Nobody would have heard or seen anything, had those guys snatched us.
Happy to be alive...... Happy Sunday everyone. :)
My friend and I did get into all kinds of trouble, and it is rather surprising, that I came out of it alive and well.
It is the summer of 1990, and the yearly fair in my friend's town was taking place that weekend. My friend and I decided to camp on the local campground. It was so much easier to return home late and possibly bring with us a couple of guys. (I'm actually shuddering at the thought, who we brought with us the first night!) At the age of 15 we were not permitted on the campground without adult supervision. But clearly the campground attendant didn't care enough when we were unable to produce proper ID. She had us fill out the forms, on which we wrote that we were 18 and from far away. And people from far away can't just go home quickly to pick up their ID, right?
The first night was a complete disaster. We brought back two French guys (we lived only a few minutes away from the French border), who would not stop touching us. Surprise, surprise, little innocent small town girl. You think you can bring back a guy and then have him go to sleep next to you? Pulease!! But this sweet, innocent little girl wasn't little at all, so I kicked them both out, when they tried to steal our virginity. A girl must have priorities... and losing her virginity on a campground to a French guy she'll never see again was not exactly what I had envisioned for the experience. Of course I hadn't envisioned the actual event either, but at least I liked that guy.
The second night we partied until 3am. We'd had too much to drink, and obviously, being German, no car to drive to the campground in. Which was a good thing of course, or we might have spent the night in a small cell rather than the campground. On our way to the campground a car kept passing us by, turned around in the distance, drove past us again. Two guys looking out at us. I was wearing a hooded sweater, so I'm only assuming it wasn't too clear that I was a girl. Still we were scared, and finally my friend came up with the genius plan to pose as couple and kiss. And so we did... We French kissed until the guys in the car apparently decided it was no longer worth it, driving past us, checking us out.
As for me, I realized that night, that I was most definitely not a lesbian. But it did go on my bucket list. "French kissing a girl"... check! :)
Sunday afternoon I returned home, and went straight to bed. My parents... well, I think they must have suspected something. But they never said a word. Maybe they really were blissfully unaware of my actions those days. Did I really look that innocent???
The fact is, we were lucky to get away that night. The street to the campground was dark and empty. Nobody would have heard or seen anything, had those guys snatched us.
Happy to be alive...... Happy Sunday everyone. :)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
I'm a flirt...
... I said to the Shady Lady yesterday (and added quickly, that I never flirt friends' husbands!!), which led us to share stories about our pasts, the guys we met, the way we dressed, and the silly things we did. The Shady Lady has quite the shady past, I must say, and I truly enjoyed listening to her stories. ;)
Of course my own crazy years had an end, when I found out at age 19, that I was pregnant. I vividly recall going to a dance club one last time and not being able to enjoy the loud music or the smoke, worried about that little human being inside me.
I did do some wild partying after splitting up with my ex-husband, but then I got together with a guy 13 years older than me (he was 35), and he was... well... old... and simply wouldn't let me party. One night I came home and had to explain why the hell I was so late. How's that for being all grown up???
At barely 23 years old I was a little girl again, who had to answer my "father's" questions about where I'd been and why I came home so late. When we finally broke up (I dumped him after 2 years of hell) I lived a little... for about 6 months, and along came another guy.
I've been married to this other guy for 9 years, we have two children, and I certainly don't do a whole lot of partying these days. And I don't miss it terribly. But I will admit, that every now and then I like to go out and dance and flirt. My husband knows this (heck, he's reading my blog!), and I think he knows that my flirtatious side is harmless. As a matter of fact I'd love for him to go out and a flirt a little. We're stuck with each other for life... Does this mean we don't get to have eyes anymore and must look only at each other? I most certainly hope not.
And as long as no guy like the one below crosses my path I think I'm save from the ultimate temptation............. (Shady Lady, I know the face you're making right now)
Of course my own crazy years had an end, when I found out at age 19, that I was pregnant. I vividly recall going to a dance club one last time and not being able to enjoy the loud music or the smoke, worried about that little human being inside me.
I did do some wild partying after splitting up with my ex-husband, but then I got together with a guy 13 years older than me (he was 35), and he was... well... old... and simply wouldn't let me party. One night I came home and had to explain why the hell I was so late. How's that for being all grown up???
At barely 23 years old I was a little girl again, who had to answer my "father's" questions about where I'd been and why I came home so late. When we finally broke up (I dumped him after 2 years of hell) I lived a little... for about 6 months, and along came another guy.
I've been married to this other guy for 9 years, we have two children, and I certainly don't do a whole lot of partying these days. And I don't miss it terribly. But I will admit, that every now and then I like to go out and dance and flirt. My husband knows this (heck, he's reading my blog!), and I think he knows that my flirtatious side is harmless. As a matter of fact I'd love for him to go out and a flirt a little. We're stuck with each other for life... Does this mean we don't get to have eyes anymore and must look only at each other? I most certainly hope not.
And as long as no guy like the one below crosses my path I think I'm save from the ultimate temptation............. (Shady Lady, I know the face you're making right now)
Friday, February 13, 2009
VOTE, PEOPLE, VOTE!!!
The Shady Lady is standing beside me with a whip in her hand, forcing me to make you all vote for her hairy armpits. I swear, I have nothing to do with that. I'm innocent.
Her picture is #3... and you must admit... it's a hairy situation. ;)
Oh, the link to more hair than you ever wanted to see:
A Reservation for Six
(Okay, so Shady Lady is not here... but she's still threatening me!)
(Okay, so she's not threatening me!)
Her picture is #3... and you must admit... it's a hairy situation. ;)
Oh, the link to more hair than you ever wanted to see:
A Reservation for Six
(Okay, so Shady Lady is not here... but she's still threatening me!)
(Okay, so she's not threatening me!)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wardrobe Wednesday? I'm in!!
Okay, so Kelly's doin' it, the Shady Lady is doin' it... and I'm sure a whole bunch of other people are doin' it too. And since I love to follow a trend (not) I'll be doin' it too from now on.
Well, since I'm never afraid to make a fool of myself... and I've been dying to show a picture of my handsome husband, I will share this little treasure with you:
Okay, so it's not exactly a wardrobe per se... but how can you not love two adults in the snow, who were unprepared for the event of snow falling from the sky? I was pregnant with my son, and we drove into the snow with our daughter. Only 2.5 hours north of Phoenix there was plenty to be found.
But, as I mentioned... we were unprepared, and because we didn't want to drive back home... and we also didn't want to get wet, we put these lovely hats on. Mine is a pair of long johns... just in case you were wondering. :)
Well, since I'm never afraid to make a fool of myself... and I've been dying to show a picture of my handsome husband, I will share this little treasure with you:
Okay, so it's not exactly a wardrobe per se... but how can you not love two adults in the snow, who were unprepared for the event of snow falling from the sky? I was pregnant with my son, and we drove into the snow with our daughter. Only 2.5 hours north of Phoenix there was plenty to be found.
But, as I mentioned... we were unprepared, and because we didn't want to drive back home... and we also didn't want to get wet, we put these lovely hats on. Mine is a pair of long johns... just in case you were wondering. :)
Home Sweet Home
Yes, I moved again... the second time within a year, and unfortunately "blogger" is unable to import the content from my typepad blog, which blows big time. This means I'm starting over. Obviously I saved a file of all my old posts, because I simply cannot, will not get rid of them. If you ever want to read an old post again, do let me know, and I'll be happy to post it again.
Thank you for following me here. I will update my Blogroll and other things in the following days.
Welcome to my new home. :)
Thank you for following me here. I will update my Blogroll and other things in the following days.
Welcome to my new home. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)