This week we studied hippos in school. We learned many cool facts about the second largest land mammal. We wrote one paragraph based on the book, The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown.
Luke and I worked on this together. I gave him the organization and he told me what to write as I transcribed it.
The most important thing about hippos is it is my favorite animal. It is true that when hippos nap under water, they come up when they need to breath. Hippos only live in Africa. Wow! They have teeth that weigh six pounds and are as long as my arm. But the most important thing about hippos is it is my favorite animal.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
I've come to the end . . . .
Of my Master's Program! I finished my last class on Wednesday. I am sure I was in about the easiest Master's Program--not that it diminished the accomplishment, but it certainly made it possible. I am just happy that it is over.
Everyone kept asking me while I was in school if I planned to work after I graduated. My answer was always yes! Then the economy happened, and I happen to live in one of the most fiscally irresponsible states. They cut many programs that were beneficial, but I guess expendable. They are still behind on their bills, and when the state didn't pay for the text books, they sent the bills to the districts. Almost all school districts are carrying debt because the state has not allocated the taxes to the districts.
So I'm left to wonder--why did the Lord want me to make a big push this last year and finish? I could have dragged this out another year--even two--and my kids would have been older when I student taught. My thought was that it was for the job--this would be a great time to find one--all teacher's contracts were up in every district--which would mean a lot of retirements. The perfect job was just waiting for me. This often happens to me, I get a little bit of inspiration, and I interpret the inspiration to mean what I want it to mean, when perhaps there are other reasons, better reasons, higher purposes. At least the Lord is patient with me, at least He knows I will follow the inspiration, then when it doesn't work out like I thought it was supposed to, He allows me to figure it out after the fact. Maybe I should just follow the inspiration without trying to figure out the "why" or what will I get out of this, and just do it. I certainly don't know all the reasons, and I am sure their are too many for my little brain and small perspective to understand. So I don't work next year--even though I thought that is what was "supposed" to happen. I feel I am supposed to keep trying to look for a job--I don't know why, and if I try to believe it's because I will land a great job . . . I might be wrong. I need to walk into the darkness--trusting the Lord. A lesson I am sure I will have to keep learning everyday.
Other news:
Luke: had a great time at day camp. It was three days of hiking in a creek. We are trying to have him build his endurance for hiking--this did it. The people who run the camp are wonderful. They are so down to earth, and love nature. We will try to do it again next summer. He also did soccer camp--which he loved! He wants to do soccer in the fall. It should be fun, and something I think we can do!
Anakin: Was very sad when Luke went to his nature class by himself. Because they are so close in age, I try to find activities that fit both their age groups. This one did not! As we dropped Luke off for an all day hike (9 to 3) Anakin was very sad and said, "I want my brother." I responded, "Do you need a hug." Then with a choked up voice, he said, "No, I need my brother." I immediately drove to my sister's house, and he stayed and played with his cousin for the day! We also climbed up a rock wall on Saturday! It's our goal to make it to the top by the end of the summer--I am sure he will make it, but me . . . We had a great time together. When we got home he picked a flower for me. I love having one on one time with my kids!
GG: finished her last speech therapy. She has aged out of the program. The speech therapist couldn't believe I know all the sound cues. When the speech therapist first came, he said his goal was to teach me how to work with her. I took that to heart, and now I think I can basically do what he did. He did teach me how to work with her! She has one more appointment with the OT. I am going to learn the brushing technique. It is supposed to help with her sensory issues. I will need to do it every two hours every day for one month.
She is going to public preschool next year. Because of the cuts, it will only be two mornings a week. She will receive one hour of speech therapy and one hour of Occupational Therapy. I don't know how she'll get the socialization ect that she needs in those two days when they are always pulling her out of class. At least it will be a set schedule at one location. Right now we're running around all over the place for her to receive her different types of therapy. I think I would like to find her a private preschool for the other two mornings. She does so well in a structured environment--me--I'm not structured. Anakin--has afternoon kindergarten. I'm not sure if I will try to have that changed. He really wants to have Luke's kindergarten teacher, and I am afraid to ask for too much. Maybe I need to call the principal and talk to her about the situation. She is a wonderful administrator, so she will try her best. They are starting all day kindergarten for fifty kids--which they will pull by lottery. If they call me, what do I say . . . This parenting thing is hard!
Today, I am at peace with this whole I don't have a job, why question. Hopefully it will last. Thankfully, I have the gospel in my life that allows me to know I don't know everything, nor will I in this life. It is a faith-based work. I just need to keep building my faith!
Everyone kept asking me while I was in school if I planned to work after I graduated. My answer was always yes! Then the economy happened, and I happen to live in one of the most fiscally irresponsible states. They cut many programs that were beneficial, but I guess expendable. They are still behind on their bills, and when the state didn't pay for the text books, they sent the bills to the districts. Almost all school districts are carrying debt because the state has not allocated the taxes to the districts.
So I'm left to wonder--why did the Lord want me to make a big push this last year and finish? I could have dragged this out another year--even two--and my kids would have been older when I student taught. My thought was that it was for the job--this would be a great time to find one--all teacher's contracts were up in every district--which would mean a lot of retirements. The perfect job was just waiting for me. This often happens to me, I get a little bit of inspiration, and I interpret the inspiration to mean what I want it to mean, when perhaps there are other reasons, better reasons, higher purposes. At least the Lord is patient with me, at least He knows I will follow the inspiration, then when it doesn't work out like I thought it was supposed to, He allows me to figure it out after the fact. Maybe I should just follow the inspiration without trying to figure out the "why" or what will I get out of this, and just do it. I certainly don't know all the reasons, and I am sure their are too many for my little brain and small perspective to understand. So I don't work next year--even though I thought that is what was "supposed" to happen. I feel I am supposed to keep trying to look for a job--I don't know why, and if I try to believe it's because I will land a great job . . . I might be wrong. I need to walk into the darkness--trusting the Lord. A lesson I am sure I will have to keep learning everyday.
Other news:
Luke: had a great time at day camp. It was three days of hiking in a creek. We are trying to have him build his endurance for hiking--this did it. The people who run the camp are wonderful. They are so down to earth, and love nature. We will try to do it again next summer. He also did soccer camp--which he loved! He wants to do soccer in the fall. It should be fun, and something I think we can do!
Anakin: Was very sad when Luke went to his nature class by himself. Because they are so close in age, I try to find activities that fit both their age groups. This one did not! As we dropped Luke off for an all day hike (9 to 3) Anakin was very sad and said, "I want my brother." I responded, "Do you need a hug." Then with a choked up voice, he said, "No, I need my brother." I immediately drove to my sister's house, and he stayed and played with his cousin for the day! We also climbed up a rock wall on Saturday! It's our goal to make it to the top by the end of the summer--I am sure he will make it, but me . . . We had a great time together. When we got home he picked a flower for me. I love having one on one time with my kids!
GG: finished her last speech therapy. She has aged out of the program. The speech therapist couldn't believe I know all the sound cues. When the speech therapist first came, he said his goal was to teach me how to work with her. I took that to heart, and now I think I can basically do what he did. He did teach me how to work with her! She has one more appointment with the OT. I am going to learn the brushing technique. It is supposed to help with her sensory issues. I will need to do it every two hours every day for one month.
She is going to public preschool next year. Because of the cuts, it will only be two mornings a week. She will receive one hour of speech therapy and one hour of Occupational Therapy. I don't know how she'll get the socialization ect that she needs in those two days when they are always pulling her out of class. At least it will be a set schedule at one location. Right now we're running around all over the place for her to receive her different types of therapy. I think I would like to find her a private preschool for the other two mornings. She does so well in a structured environment--me--I'm not structured. Anakin--has afternoon kindergarten. I'm not sure if I will try to have that changed. He really wants to have Luke's kindergarten teacher, and I am afraid to ask for too much. Maybe I need to call the principal and talk to her about the situation. She is a wonderful administrator, so she will try her best. They are starting all day kindergarten for fifty kids--which they will pull by lottery. If they call me, what do I say . . . This parenting thing is hard!
Today, I am at peace with this whole I don't have a job, why question. Hopefully it will last. Thankfully, I have the gospel in my life that allows me to know I don't know everything, nor will I in this life. It is a faith-based work. I just need to keep building my faith!
Monday, June 28, 2010
My Seven Year Old
I really love this kid!
The boy who loves camouflage, spies, hippos, science, magic, and has an amazing imagination. I love how his heroes are the 2,000 warriors! I always tell him, he is a modern 2,000 warrior in training. I've been really impressed at how well he has worked with our little girl. Finding games and activities that she enjoys doing with him. Having her speak a lot! What a joy. I certainly have spent the most time with this boy!
I am sure we have read over 5,000 books together!
We have mommy me time together--so fun!
One of the most amazing thing is to watch them develop. This is one of our stand by crafts. Dots and toothpicks. It reminds me of tinker toys. When we first started doing this, he would just stick dots at each end of the toothpick and make weights. Now look at the incredible structure he makes!
Can't wait to see what happen when he is not longer a modern warrior in training--but actually a modern 2,000 warrior!
I just love this kid--even when he totally frustrates me!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
PJ's the best part of Summer School!
Here we are doing school. We all sit on the floor with our little desks. Luke is writing his story: "Diary of a Larva" and Anakin is working on his story of the Life Cycle of a Butterfly. After the egg went through all of his stages and turned into a butterfly, the butterfly went into outer space. It won the race. After it won the race, it went into the ice galaxy. He destroyed the bad guys base at ice galaxy and then joined the good guys. Some science turned into science fiction--not bad! GG sticks around while we do school, and listens to the stories. It's fun! It is amazing how one hour of school in the morning helps to ward off boredom!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Bored of summer so we started school!
The common quote from my oldest, "I'm bored!" He even said, "At school at least we have something to do." So this morning we started school. That's right school. We learned all about butterflies. We made graphic organizers of their life cycle, and did a craft. We are even set for tomorrow's school. Calendar, writing (Diary of a Butterfly based on Diary of a Worm), silent reading, and a great butterfly craft. It should be fun.
Not to be outdone by my kids, I also started class: yes, I did. It is my last class to finish off my Masters. I am almost there! I just need to stay on target.
Not to be outdone by my kids, I also started class: yes, I did. It is my last class to finish off my Masters. I am almost there! I just need to stay on target.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
My Five Year Old
Why is it when kids get to be so much fun--we send them off to school? Five is such a great age--they can actually carry on a real conversation with you, they have great memories, and they are just so much fun to hang out with! Then we send them to school--well this five year old is such a sponge--he soaks up all information quickly! He even knows how to remember big words. He just repeats them to himself over and over again until he remembers them. He loves math, outer-space, running, swimming, smiling and exploring in mud. What a great kid! He wants to be a gymnastic coach and a swimmer when he grows up. With his great mind, he'll probably do great because he will understand the physics behind every single swimming stroke and tumble. Last night when his brother was annoying him. He goes, I'm nicer to Luke than he is to me, isn't that right Mama. At the precise moment that was true. He loves his brother so much.
As soon as we noticed that GG was not up to speed on her speech and interaction with others, I asked the boys to help me out, talk to her, play with her more. My five year old went right into action. One night after preschool he brings a photograph home. He goes into her room and says, "Miss GG here is a picture of me and Miss Kris." He has continually included her, played with her, talked to her. I am proud that he is such a great big brother. Wow--what a kid!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
My Little Girl
Here are some nice shots of GG. She is doing great! We have her in speech therapy and she also works with a developmental delay therapist. We are still waiting for Occupational Therapy. Hopefully once that gets started it will help her with her sensory issues.
She is amazing during therapy: she is always trying really hard to use form her words correctly. Even at home, when I work with her, you can tell she is really concentrating. I think once her sensory issues work out we are going to notice what a silly, bright, funny girl she is. She is already teasing me with colors--trying to say that green is purple--what a tease.
This is her last week at her preschool. I think that preschool/daycare was absolutely amazing for her. It gave her something that I couldn't give her at home: a structured schedule and wonderful girls her own age. It has truly been a blessing in our lives that we found such a wonderful place for her! I am so sad to have it end for her, but I know with crazy summer comings and goings it wouldn't really work out to drive her to and from the facility.
It is hard to go to those meetings and have people say what is wrong with your child, but at the same time without their input, we wouldn't have seen her growth! We have two more meetings to go to with the public school to see if she is eligible for the preschool program. They have one program that really concentrates on language development--which would be wonderful for her.
She still kicks us out of her room when she needs alone time, saying bye over and over again. She continues to love to dance, sing, and watch Backyardigans. She also loves water, and she is quite the daredevil on our slip and slide (which we now need to replace.) What a fun child to have in our lives! We are truly blessed with this little girl!
She is amazing during therapy: she is always trying really hard to use form her words correctly. Even at home, when I work with her, you can tell she is really concentrating. I think once her sensory issues work out we are going to notice what a silly, bright, funny girl she is. She is already teasing me with colors--trying to say that green is purple--what a tease.
This is her last week at her preschool. I think that preschool/daycare was absolutely amazing for her. It gave her something that I couldn't give her at home: a structured schedule and wonderful girls her own age. It has truly been a blessing in our lives that we found such a wonderful place for her! I am so sad to have it end for her, but I know with crazy summer comings and goings it wouldn't really work out to drive her to and from the facility.
It is hard to go to those meetings and have people say what is wrong with your child, but at the same time without their input, we wouldn't have seen her growth! We have two more meetings to go to with the public school to see if she is eligible for the preschool program. They have one program that really concentrates on language development--which would be wonderful for her.
She still kicks us out of her room when she needs alone time, saying bye over and over again. She continues to love to dance, sing, and watch Backyardigans. She also loves water, and she is quite the daredevil on our slip and slide (which we now need to replace.) What a fun child to have in our lives! We are truly blessed with this little girl!
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