Homeschooling rocks...just sayin'

Some days, homeschooling is a chore. Nobody wants to practice penmanship or do math or read about ancient Greece. Those are days we're just happy to get through to dinner time.

But other days, it's glorious. Today is a good day. The children are reading their lessons and laughing about writing persuasive papers. We even giggled at Latin pronunciation this morning. (Did you know there's no W in Latin?)

Just look at them, sitting there like perfectly normal children! Tomorrow might not be so great, but I'm going to enjoy this moment.

Girls' Night In

What happens when the big kids go out to the movies with Dad? Girls' Night In! My eight-year-old daughter and I get to do girlie stuff, like color pony pictures, do our hair and paint our nails. We might even watch a movie in our jammies.

I love nights like this. It's a chance to spend time with just my little girl. She's always lots of fun, but there's something special about having time for just the two of us. She is full of laughter and great ideas and she's growing up so fast. I need to treasure these moments.

Horses and Little Girls

A long time ago, I heard someone say that a girl's first love should be a horse. Horses can be affectionate, patient listeners and they never tell you that your feelings are silly. A lot like dogs, I think.

My youngest daughter is a horse girl. She likes to ride, but I think her favorite part of the lesson is the time before and after the actual instruction, when she can snuggle her horse's nose and talk to him. He nudges her pockets for treats and nuzzles her hand when she brushes him.

Whether she goes on to be a great horsewoman or not remains to be seen. In the meantime, she is saving up special memories for her future. (And, of course, she gets to wear pink boots.)

Best Idea I've Had Lately

Sometimes my ideas work and sometimes they don't. This one is a winner. I've had vacation scrapbook supplies sitting around for months. Okay, years. My perfectionist tendencies kept me from starting. You know how that goes-if I can't do it perfectly, why start?

Time to get over it! To be frank, it wasn't going to be perfect anyway. So, here's the idea--turn the children loose with photos, scrapbook paper, glue sticks and stickers. The only rule is that they have to leave room to label who's who and where they are.

It looks like, in less than an hour, our 2008 Grand Cayman trip will finally be documented in a finished scrapbook! These scrapbook pages won't impress the experts, but I'm thrilled to pieces and they will mean more to us in the future than any "perfect" page I could create.

Have you had any great ideas lately?

The Tooth Fairy

My youngest daughter lost her first tooth yesterday morning. It was rather anti-climactic. When the older children lost their first tooth, there was a bit of excitement and maybe some tears when there was a bit of blood involved.

This time though, my "I'll do it myself" kid came into the kitchen and said, "I don't believe it. My tooth fell out." That was it. No need for hugs from mom. No need for a cold wet cloth to bite. Not one tear.

So, last night we got out a little bag (leftover from a party we went to last month) and carefully put the very tiny tooth in it. It went under the pillow and this morning she woke up to...apparent disappointment. Yep, she seemed to think that two quarters was not up to the Tooth Fairy's reputation. Turns out, she was expecting a toothbrush and a bit more cash.

So now I'm looking for ideas. I'm not into upping the ante for a demanding child. I refuse to be played by a six-year-old. However, I'd like to be creative about this and offer something that makes this right of passage a memorable event.

I read a clever idea on the internet this morning. It involves a note from an international tooth fairy and coins from other countries. I kind of like that. Although it will require a bit more work on my part, I think it might be worth it.

So, now I'm open to suggestions. How have you handled the Tooth Fairy at your house?

Flu Shot Day

My children and I went to the doctor's office this week for our flu shots. You might think that they would dread this day, but thanks to a little bribery, it wasn't too bad.

My deal is this: behave for your shot and you get a treat afterward. "Behave" is defined as holding still, not kicking the nurse and no excessive whining. A tear or two is tolerated, just no tantrums.

Before--



After--




It helps that there's a Walmart across the road from the doctor's office.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday--Ode to Jackson Pollock

This is my son's artwork for the SC State Fair. It's his Ode to Pollock-Part 2.

Jackson Pollock was an American artist, known for his unusual techniques.

Having a Bad Day?

My five-year-old daughter put this drawing on her bedroom door the other day. It's a growling tiger who says, "Go away." I'm not clear on what the 5000 is, but I suspect that it's a reward for turning in trespassers.

I asked her if she was having a bad day. She said, "That's because my brother was bothering me." Sweetie, I'm pretty sure that road goes both ways.

Anybody bothering you at your place?

Things Can Get a Bit Scary Around Here

Yesterday was one of those days when I remember that I don't live in a Disney movie, where all the critters are cute and friendly. I had been outside with the children, watering plants, when my five-year-old daughter started swinging on the playset. She said, "Mom! There's a spider!"

To be clear, that's not unusual. We have lots of spiders around the house, most of them are no trouble and they help keep the fly population down. This time, however, when I went to see the spider, my daughter said, "I think it's a black widow." Uh-oh.

First, let me say, I'm proud of my little girl's ability to identify dangerous spiders. Second, let me say, "EEEEEWWWWW!!!" I attempted to smash the spider between my flip-flops. Unfortunately, it then disappeared. Hopefully, it fell on the ground and died. Hopefully.

Later, the drama continued. My older daughter went to the chicken coop to check on the girls. It's been pretty hot lately, and chickens don't do well in excessive heat, so she wanted to be sure everyone was okay. She came back a few minutes later and said, "There's a snake in the chicken coop. It's just a black snake, but it's pretty big."

First let me say, I'm proud of my daughter's ability to identify a non-venomous snake (and not scream when she saw it). Second, let me say, "EEEEEEWWWWW!!!" As luck would have it, Superhero Dad had already left his office and was on the way home. He went out to the coop, searched the area thoroughly and...the snake was gone.

So, that's life in the country. How are things at your place?

Valentine's Day

PEZ dispensers for everybody! I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that my children had never had PEZ (PEZ company )candy before today. Okay, so giving your children candy isn't necessarily the mark of a good parent, but really? They've never had PEZ?! It seems like such a part of my own childhood that I can't believe I've never shared it with my own brood.

I also learned that, in spite of the increase of prices on so many things, I was able to buy a dispenser and refill candy for each of my three children for about $7, total.

And, to top it off, PEZ candy is made in the USA. Sweet.

Our Christmas

Our Christmas tree, with it's blue holly bow--

Snuggling with Daddy on Christmas Eve--

Hot chocolate, anyone?

Yes, that's my daughter, very excited about getting her very own copy of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Nothing says "Christmas" like a wild-eyed cousin--

So, how was your Christmas?

Our Library

Once a week, we go to the library. Since we live in the country, it's about a 30 minute drive. Last week it was a very foggy trip, but we made it.

It's a small library, but has a very nice children's section. The variety of books and movies is good. I let them each pick one movie a week and as many books as I can carry. For their DVD choices, my son usually picks a National Geographic special about animals and my youngest daughter loves Magic School Bus. Their book choices are about the same, with my son looking for animal books and my daughter is in a Maisy Mouse phase.

The only fly in the ointment is the new "children's computer". My son still heads straight for the stacks and picks out books. He may play a little on the computer, but prefers the chance to explore the library.

My daughter, however, now wants to spend her time on the computer. The games are great, educational and all, but we have a computer at home. I really want her to spend her time exploring the books. So now I have to decide, do I make her avoid the computer altogether, let her play, or find a compromise? She's four, and strong willed. We call her "Miss Independent". I think I'm in for a battle.

Maybe Daddy can go with us next time....

Going for a Walk

I love to walk to the mailbox with my children. When we lived in the suburbs, that wasn't so exciting--you know, down to the end of the paved driveway and back. But now that we're in the country, it's a grand adventure.

Especially when there are puddles begging to be stomped in.

Great weekend around here

I had a great weekend. I cleaned house on Saturday, then went to an auction with my husband on Saturday night. Sunday, we went to church where my seventeen year old daughter and I kept the nursery. We got to take care of two cutie-pie boys, both about two and the brand new sister of one of the boys. She spent the entire time in our arms and didn't fuss at all.

After having a great lunch at home, my daughter and I had a "girls' afternoon out". We hit the bookstore and Bath and Body Works. It's fun and a little scary to negotiate a new kind of relationship with her. She's closer to being an adult than to childhood. She's becoming a great companion.

While we were gone, my husband and two younger children picked bullaces, which are wild grapes that grow around here. I'll be making jelly later this week. Mmmmm...

Have a good week, bloggers!

Actually got work done this morning

I made a simple clutch handbag this morning and I just love it. I managed to get it done between making tea, making beds and refereeing disputes between my two youngest children. Had to keep the three year old from beating up her big brother. She's lucky he doesn't hit girls--much.