Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, We ate good and enjoyed the company of friends and family.  I hope that everyone had a chance to think about what truly matters in their lives today and gave thanks for all of those things.  I believe that thanks-giving should happen on a daily basis therefore, I continue to give thanks for all of my wonderful blessings, especially for my wonderful (sometimes stress-provoking) family!

~Blessings~

Sunshyne Is Officially A Junior Girl Scout

Here she is...My Official Junior Girl Scout!  She's waited a long time for this day.

Sunshyne has been a Girl Scout since she was six years old, starting out as a Daisy Scout.

She was completely estatic about getting her rededication paraphernalia ( ...and yes, that's the proper spelling).  She was so excited that I could hardly contain the excitement!

She's such a funny girl!

 

I had to hurry over to the Girl Scout Store to pick up her sash and troop number's.  She'll  be stunning in green and that's what it's all about.  Today I'll put them all together so that the next time I do a post about Sunshyne as a GS, you'll be able to see her in the full glory of her GS uniform...and maybe even a few cookies...hehehe...can't wait!

RJ's Starting Tot School!

                                                       Tot School with 1+1+1=1  

                                                 

I'm so excited to have found this wonderful learning blog for RJ. I guess it's more so for me because there's a certain element of accountability to assist me in "purposeful" play with him...you know on those days that I'd rather be laz'n around poppin bon bons. There's all kinds of good stuff on the website. I haven't got to all of it yet but that is one of the factors that makes it an outstanding resource, it keeps you coming back for more. Another comforting aspect is that there are dozens of other moms linked up to the site so that you can go over and check out what they're doing with their tots as well. Awesome, awesome, awesome! Anyhoo, today will be the first day that we will link up (provided that I can get my pictures up...can't be linkin up without photos on the first day). I've basically just organized RJ's learning area a little better and did a lot of "purposeful observing" this past week but it's where we started so I'll just share that...after all, all good things begin with a little organization, RIGHT.

But first let me introduce RJ...here he is tasting a blue Mega Blok...looks yummy!

(sometimes my camera phone like to make me scream...)

P.s don't you just love babies in these little footed pajamas!

Here is one of the shelves that I finally got "semi" the way I want it.  On the top shelf there is a wooden 1-5 number puzzle, a coin slot that I made with a Folgers coffee can, and a box of vintage ABC blocks.  I think you can see the other two shelves ok from this photo. 

Top shelf: wooden knobbed transportation puzzle, some wooden animal shapes in a tin container. The middle shelf has Mega Bloks and soft circus animals that make different sounds.  The bottom shelf contains a V-Tech tow truck with interlinking cars, and a teaching turtle. 

Here's a better view of both bookshelves....I hope.

(The very top of these shelves have stuff on them for older preschoolers.)

Here we have a knobbed Geranimals puzzle and a wooden clock on the top shelf.  The other two shelves contain activity mats.

The bottom cubby to the left contains an old wine gift box that contains shapes and other cool things to discover. The tray above that is currently used for noisy toys such as rattles.  The middle bottom cubby holds RJ's favorite ball and above that are his stacker toys.  The bottom right cubby contains RJ's favorite soft noise toy, a little green turtle like thing that makes a soft rattling noise and different textures on each side of it. Above that cubbie is a tray that contains five balls that have different textures and makes different sounds as well. 

This shot might be better...might not

Here he is actually attempting to stack the Mega Bloks...I was thoroughly impressed!

Well that's it for today, I have many learning stations set-up for him thru out the house but I'll get to those on some later posts, after all this is our first week...not to mention, I didn't feel like cleaning up the WHOLE house to get a few pics...hehehe.

Some Mama Time

There is always so much to do being a homeschooling mama, wife, friend, sister, daughter, soccer mom, housekeeper, head chef (as I like to think of myself), and child of God...no reason particular reason why that came last.  I'm so busy all the time that I often have difficulty balancing it all.  I find myself giving some things 80% while others get 20% and still others will get less or more of my time.  I always feel as though I'm stretched way to thin...which would be great if we were talking about my weight...but I'm not so that is definitely a bad thing.  The topic of mommy time usually comes up in some of the women's magazines that I read but unfortunately I haven't run into any of those articles lately.  Nevertheless, Mama's Time (as I call it) is EXTREMELY important!  It should never be taken for granted or underestimated.  This is our time to do things for ourselves and regenerate so that we are actually useful to our families.

Trust me...Mama knows best on this issue!  I have underestimated the power of this time in my life a time or two.  For example, the past several months I've only taken my Mama Time once a month.  MISTAKE!!  with a new toddler lurking in my home, oh honey I need a break every other day.  Realistically though, once a week is more like what I should be aiming for. 

This time doesn't have to be expensive, sometimes I have my time without even spending a dime or leaving my house for that matter, although I highly recommend leaving the house.  There's just something about getting away from the norm and seeing something different.  I like to leave and just go to Border's or Barnes and Nobles to look through the books, sit in a big comfy chair and bask in the delight of doing something WITHOUT my kids (as bad as that may sound...oh well).  I may go out shopping and only spend money on myself no matter how small or big the amount...because I'm worth every cent.  This is not "oh there's a sale on kids pajamas" time, or let me just stop off really quick to pick up hubby's dry cleaning.  This is a few hours that are completely and utterly dedicated to YOU.

Some other things to do:

~Get a pedicure/manicure

~Go to a movie

~Pretend to be a professional photographer, grab your camera and go capture that prize shot

~Go have an overpriced gourmet cup of java (somewhere you don't normally go)

~Go have you makeup done at Macy's or Sephora...somewhere

~Walk through your downtown and window shop

~Go buy yourself a beautiful bloom that you don't normally get (or a whole bouquet)

~Go to the farmer's market and see what delicious organic treat you can find

~Go see a play, symphony, or ballet with your girlfriend

~Go someplace fancy and order dessert first...naughty girl

~Go for a long drive and listen to grown-up music for a change

The point is to do something fun that you will enjoy, that's just for you.  Give yourself a chance to decompress and regenerate so that you can fully give to the folks in your life that mean the most to you.  That's exactly what I'll be focusing on probably more than once this week...it's been rough.

Blessings,

~Claudea~

My "Dear Abby" Letter

I'm not the go-to person when it comes to "social savvy-ness" admittedly, so forgive me if this post is a little off color.  I just know how I fell in certain situations and what I think is fair and unfair.  I'm always keeping my eye out for real-life learning situations and I think this is one of them.  The only problem is I'm unsure if what I teach is what should be taught.  Something happened with my beloved Sunshyne this past weekend that has been bothering me and I'm struggling with how to deal with it.  Perhaps some of you could help me with my issue in a "socially savvy" way.  So here's my letter:

Dear Somebody:

The kiddos and I were invited to a friend of ours home for dinner on Sunday evening.  They live right down the street from us and we've known them for about three years now.  My daughter refers to the little girl that lives there as her BFF.  Sunshyne has spent most of her free time with this little girl over the past year and a half and invites her to everything that she is involved in.  So now that you have a little history, I'll move on.  As we are sitting at the dinner table, the conversation shifted to what the children did during the weekend.  The little girl begins to tell us about what she did and said "I had a sleepover and Maria* (another girl that lives down the street) came over, we had a girls night," and smiled.  When Sunshyne heard that, a very sad look came over her face and she looked at me and made a quiet grunting noise.  I looked at her and shook my head slightly to imply not to let on that she feels down about what was said.  The girls mother quickly changed the subject and we continued on with our evening. 

After we left I asked Sunshyne how she felt about her BFF saying that she had a sleepover.  She said she felt sad because she didn't invite her over for the girls night.  I told her that I would feel sad too.  I haven't really said anything else to her about it but talked it over with my hubby and he said something may have happened between them that I don't know about.  I don't think so, just like Sunshyne is BF with BFF, I'm pretty close to BFF's mama so I think something somewhere down the pipeline would have seeped out.  Anyway, like I said before all I know is that my little girl was hurt by the situation and I'm MAD.  I don't know about you but I feel all kinds of primitive STUFF when it comes to my kids.  I was sitting there with a smile on my face but my mind was looking a little more like "Whatthe#*&#*@**....and &%#$@&&#***....We're LEAVING!!!" However, that's not the Christian-like way to think, so I regrouped and continued on gracefully with our evening.

I think that I handled the situation "okay" but it seems like there is something to be taught here and I'm missing it.  Maybe something about feelings or how to handle a situation.  I think that my feelings are getting in the way of being able to figure it out though.  Please Help!

Well, that's my Dear Abby letter, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Signed
Primitive Reactions in Texas

* name has been changed to protect the innocent

Passport To India

My students (I love saying that) and I started a new add-on to our history curriculum this semester.  It is a free adventure provided by Mission India and Sonlight Curriculum which provides families the opportunity to explore India from the comfort of their own home.  How great is that!  It's called My Passport to India and you can still sign up to view all the videos Just click here to view the trailer.  The start date was October 5, 2010 but we didn't begin viewing our videos until yesterday.  Here's the overview:

About My Passport to India


Join Mission India and Sonlight Curriculum for My Passport to India, beginning October 5, 2010!

During this 5-week program, you will:

◦See and experience the real India - without ever leaving your neighborhood!


◦Explore India's incredible, diverse culture, people and places


◦Enhance your homeschooling with unique educational resources


◦Meet the people God is using to bring the Gospel to India's 400+ million unreached


◦Discover how you can reach boys and girls in India with the love of Jesus by supporting Children's Bible Clubs!


We are still accepting registrations - sign up today!

The videos are lead by our tour guide Chris and are available every Tuesday and Thursday of each week throughout the five weeks.  There are activity suggestions and discussion topics to help engage the kiddos.  There are even suggestions from participants to help children identify with the culture and lifestyle of the Indian people. 
 
My kiddos were shocked by some of the images they saw and the stories they read.  I was happy to see my children react in such a compassionate manner.  Yesterday's activity was for them to create an inexpensive product for them to sell and make money.  The money will then be used to send to the Children's Bible Clubs for India's children.  How great is that???  Children actually have an opportunity to get involved personally and lend a hand. 
 
Personally, I'm enjoying learning about a different culture, I've always been fascinated with diverse cultures and people.  Learning about the foods they eat and their traditional dress.  Their everyday lives are intriguing so I'm content with just watching and learning to be honest. 
 
I hope you join us on the incredible journey...see you in India:)
 
Blessings
~Claudea~

The Beauty Of Homeschooling

Friday, a couple of Sunshyne's new neighborhood friends came over to visit (they attend public school).  They came in and greeted us, and then headed into the classroom.  I went into the kitchen to begin preparing dinner and when I came back to check on them, about 30 minutes later, they were all working on different "school" subjects, math, reading, and cursive writing.  It was one of those moments when the clouds open up to reveal the sun shining through and you hear the beautiful sound of a harp playing in the distance.  Yeah, I was shocked too... not really.  It's one of the beauties of homeschooling to find children in the "classroom" working on projects or honing in on skills that they enjoy.  It's all about accessibility, it's fun!  The children stayed in there for hours, when they're mother came down to pick them up they were super-excited about the things that they'd done and wanted to show her all of their work.  I could tell that she was impressed and I proudly observed her taking account of all the cool stuff in my classroom.  It feels good to know that learning can and should be fun, that kiddos would do it just because, IF it wasn't made to feel like a chore or that they didn't have to compete for attention or status.  I love seeing learning in it's raw state.  It was definitely a beautiful thing!  It'll be great to get a new camera so that I can share exciting moments like that.

Do you have any similar moments to share???

Blessings,
~Claudea~