Aug 26, 2008

Second Day of School

Between recovering from vacation drama and preparing for back to school I have not been up to blogging. But today is the second day of school and I am feeling good.

We homeschool, so obviously there is more work involved than just buying school supplies, and sending the child off to school with a full belly of breakfast in the dark of the morning. (One reason homeschool works for us: no early morning running off to catch the bus or walk to school--with me in tow). Micci's been doing great with our school routine: most of school is done in the morning before lunch. Yesterday was a success with handwriting and math exercises. Lorelei is doing pre-school work to keep her occupied and to make her feel part of school time. We started the school time with the Pledge. Lori held the flag while we recited the pledge, Mic held the flag today and I have been informed I am holding it tomorrow.

Mic prefers math over handwriting or reading. Yesterday we did handwriting first and math second. It worked, temperament-wise, but today I switched it math first, reading second. I also want to introduce new concepts or new things first and do reviews of prior knowledge second. Mic can print, but it's kindergarten level, now I am teaching handwriting: both form and neatness. Today I introduced place holders, equal, greater than, and less than, and adding larger numbers using place holders. Mic had lots of fun with place holders. I made a game board yesterday with pockets for number cards. So he had fun manipulating the numbers and learning about the ones, tens, and thousands (I didn't have enough room on the poster board for ten thousands, hundred thousands, and millions--boys LOVE those big numbers). Micci really enjoy the greater than and less than concept, because I told him they were like hungry alligators that only like larger quantities of numbers. He did insist on adding teeth to the signs.

Now Mic is playing some math games on the computer, while work on some more handwriting worksheets (and blog).

Labels: homeschooling

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Dec 27, 2007

It's that time again

Resolutions Baby!!

I make many of the same resolutions year after year...I dare to call them goals. Resolutions always seem to be easier to break than goals. Goals, for me, are more permanent and have annotated plans attached to them. Being raised LDS, goal setting is introduced and taught early and often. The idea stunk in...the application not always--goals for me end up in the same bin a resolutions: the I'll Get On It Tomorrow Bin.

Now, I am 30. I cannot deny (despite having two kids, two cats, and a mortgage) that I am an adult and I need to actually accomplish the goals I set for myself. (I can hear my Mom saying, "About time!!")

With out further ado (and procrastinating and grand standing), my 2008 GOALS!:

1. De-clutter my home (and keep it that way)
2. Organise my life: education, business, hobbies, head of house duties
3. Use my blog as a way to improve my writing rather than a verbal vomit vessel
4. See other knitters knit and showcase my knit patterns

I found two awesome sites this morning that I think I will find quite helpful. First, Unclutterer (found via Slashfood)and great tool from Good Housekeeping (found on Unclutterer) called 30 Minute Clutter Solution. Together with the Housebook I created last year and a dash (or more) of discipline and do believe I can clear my space this year.

As for this blog: my faithful readers (I heart you all) know I have been writing (sometimes I think this word is applied rather loosely) here for nearly 8 years and I have despaired at my lack of readership growth. Obviously the straight journal approach is not working. Not only that, but I feel that I am not exercising my writing muscle except for making sure there aren't any typos (even that I fail miserably)--so I am going to try to write in an essay format. I'll still share personal stories and anecdotes, but without the verbal vomit (my new favourite phrase).

I really, really want to feel the personal satisfaction of seeing other's knit up my original knitting designs. Still after all these years, P and Q: I want to be famouz.

Labels: cleaning, goals, holiday, homeschooling, knitting

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Oct 30, 2007

Tipping Over

I think I hate myself. It's not like I don't put enough on my plate, now I added one more thing. NaBloPoMo: the goal write a blog post every day for the month of November. LOL. I totally suck at NaNoWriMo, so let's try bite sized right? Right. I think I tried this last year, can't remember--and I think I failed after the third day. Someone go check--get back to me. (Which reminds me I need to do maintainance on the archives)

Let me see--I got homeschooling, knitting business to start up (that's like five things in one huge complex package), craft fair, Christmas, cleaning, reading, writing rash that always need an occasional itching, and Ravelry playing. I know I am leaving something out.

BUT if I stick to this new goal--it'll be a good outlet. Perhaps even increase my readership so I'll get the hate mail I want so much. (All the cool kids get it.)

On Halloween news: kids costume are ready. Pumpkins and candy bought. I even have my costume. Something Anita Blake inspired. Smirk.

Labels: blog, daily rant, holiday, homeschooling

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Aug 6, 2007

Buckle Up on the School Bus

Funny how things don't get covered in the local news. At the end of this legislative session, Texas is now one of the states that will required seat belts on school buses. Apparently after Sept 1, 2010 Texas will be buying new buses with 3 point and shoulder harnesses and after 2014 all school buses must have seat belts.

I wonder if they'll be buying enough buses? What happens if the bus gets overcrowded? Will excess children have to find other means of transportation? If not, be forced to stand? How long will it take the buses driver to get the 4 and 5 year-olds buckled into a seat? How long to make sure every one is properly secured? How are they going to make sure they are all proper adjusted. Highschoolers are MUCH bigger than elementary students and vice versa.

I remember riding the bus in high school (previous schools were in walking distance) here in San Antonio--most times it was so crowded high schoolers were stuffed 4 to a seat and had to stand--this went on for the entire school year. No more buses were added--I think parents just started taking their kids to school because they didn't think school buses were sausages.

I am not against seat belts in a school bus. In fact, I have always wondered why school buses didn't have seat belts. As a parent of small children--it's difficult to get the kids fastened (and unfastened, btw)into their seat belts. Seat belts are often (esp. when designed by the state) confusing and hard to use for little children. The buttons themselves are tricky--esp., when used at least 6 times a day 5 days a week.

Given, the fact that I homeschool--doesn't matter...other kids ride the bus--will it be safe, comfortable, and efficient?

Labels: daily rant, homeschooling, politics, Texans

10:23:00 AM -- Email -- Link -- 1 Comments

Jul 25, 2007

Navel Grazing

I just deleted a post I was writing that was full of self pity and way too much introspection and a wee bit whiny. You can thank me now for coming to my senses.

I finished Clue #2 on my Mystery Stole 3 last night--pictures forthcoming. I know I keep saying how much I love this project--I just wanted to make sure y'all know it. Grin. I wish I could take a picture to really show off the beading--it's gorgeous.

Today was Jamey's day off so we did some errands and stopped off at Lakeshore Learning Store. Mic loves their catalog--he calls it his Dream Book. I got some things for his first year of "official" homeschool: an awesome font program to make hand writing exercises (plus loads of other things), a teacher organiser, a writing workbook, and a beginning reading workbook. I want to get a ton of other stuff, but I need to do some more planning. I wish we had a basement or a spare room--I would LOVE to put up posters and maps for the kids, but we have no wall space. (I am afraid to put up stuff in Mic's room in case he and Lorelei tear it down when they are playing in their room. I might be able to trust Mic now...perhaps.

Onward.

Mic loves pictures of dogs with things on their heads. Luckily my favourite blog, takes funny pictures of her dog everyday. Today we were surfing her back pictures and we came upon Mr. Studious, a picture of a dog reading a paper (check it out it's totally cute). Micci of course thought it was totally silly and funny. So I asked him, "Do you think it's a dog with man's hands or a man with a dog's head?" After a moment, Mic replied, "A man with a dog's head!" LOL

In case you were wondering, NO San Antonio hasn't sunk into the aquifer yet. Luckily, there's limestone between us and all that cavernous water. But man it feels like we are sinking--it's so wet and so muggy--half the time I feel like I am swimming. Thankfully my area hasn't flooded and my heart goes out to all those who ARE actually swimming.

Labels: daily rant, homeschooling, Kid Antics, knitting, Mystery Stole 3, weather

4:16:00 PM -- Email -- Link -- 1 Comments

Apr 30, 2007

Not much to say??

Today I realised I hadn't blogged in quite a while. I've been really busy knitting, graphic design and coding. Nevermind monster size kid messes....sigh.

We bought Hooked on Phonics (HOP) over the weekend at Half Price books and Micci started the programme today. He LOVES it--and I tried ot get him to just work on it for 15 minutes like they suggest, but I think all total we spent HOURS. He's just so excited. Sometimes he gets frustrated if he makes a mistake...and he'll withdraw inside himself. It's challenging trying to draw him out and reassure him and not get frustrated myself. He's even teaching Lorelei the ABCs using the HOP cards.

Friday night L. had a Girls Nite In party. It was so wonderful to relax with the gals. I gotta see if we can do this more often.

Phisto has been spoiling me by sending me more Stephanie Plum books...they're complete trash--lovely addicting trash. I LOVE these stories--they're just so fun. I keep wanting to call her up when I read a particularily funny passage--but wait I can't she is either a) asleep or b) at work.

Going to the Gals Nite in made me miss my own Gals---I am still trying to get to know new gal pals and sometimes I wish I had the ease of conversation I have with Quimby and Phisto. Esp. since these group of friends are all friends since high school---just like me and the Gals. Sniff.

On the knitting front: I've been working on several secret projects--which like Stephanie says--sucks when you have a blog. I did finish Lorelei's shawl I started the week before WHIBSIB--once I download my camera I'll post a pic. After Jamey watched me work on 4 project yesterday--all before 2 pm...he remarked that I needed to work on concentrating on ONE project. Yeah--Mr. ADD--I'll work on that. He's always full of wise advice like that. I am also trying to resist the urge to buy the yarn and start knitting on a Clapotis. I keep telling myself that I need to finish a project or two before I can justify that.

We've been having plenty of rain--LOL--today it rained cats and dogs and I swear I saw some hamsters and gerbils as well--maybe even a guinea pig. It's all good for the aquifer.

Let's hope life doesn't overwhelm me again and I don't go so long posting next time.

Labels: books, daily rant, homeschooling, knitting, weather

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Jan 4, 2007

Something else public school kills

Do Schools Today Kill Creativity?

Here is the link in case the video doesn't play. It's a 20 minute video so sit back and relax.

This is a very interesting video about the state of public education today....it's also quite funny.

Labels: homeschooling

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Dec 26, 2006

Looking Forward

Now that Christmas is past--now I have time for reflection and action. I've been thinking a lot about my resolutions. Getting organised and having a clean house is of course on the top of my list--just like it is every year. But this year it's doubly important. One I officially start homeschooling Micci (since this fall he's of the age to go to Kindergarden.) and two as my memory gets worse and worse, I need to be fiercely organised to help me keep track of things. No joke, I asked Jamey three times in 5 minutes, as we were wrapping Christmas presents, which present Lorelei was giving Micci. I would have asked a 4th time but stopped myself just in time, because I remembered that I had already asked that very same question already...but I still didn't quite remember and had to think HARD which present it was. I put something down and seconds later I forget where I put it.

Before any of you guys give me all your ideas, I already have a system in place--I just need to implement it. I got my notebook and room of the day and everyday chores planned and written out. I just need to follow through and give myself a routine. I think I may even have to go OCD about it--like a blind person relying on their system to get around.

As for homeschooling--I do intend to have a more relaxed approach and watch Micci closely to determiine what style of teaching works for him. He already started on his ABCs and writing and he already knows his numbers and can count to 102 and is now beeginnign his addition. We got some neat education tools for Christmas this year and both kids can count pretty good to 10 in Spanish.

Mainly getting organised and uncluttered will make me a happier and better Mommy instead of the ferocious FEP monster.

Labels: daily rant, homeschooling

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