Books we enjoyed today.
We had fun looking at and naming the sea creatures in this pack of cards.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Homeschool Log Thursday March 4, 2010
Austin
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio today. The last chapter. He's already wondering what he'll read next and I have a book lined up for him that I think he'll enjoy and will be a challenge to read but not overwhelming.
This afternoon we read some more of the article Flight to Adventure by Tay and Lowell Thomas, Jr. We enjoyed the pictures in this article showing daily life among the various people of Africa.
He also worked a little on the timeline.
He and Tristan did some woodwork over lunchtime. Tristan ended up with two wooden trinkets to give to his mother that he and Austin made together.
Amanda
Amanda read another chapter of The Cross and the Switchblade
.
This afternoon we played UNO
and Tristan (12) joined us. There was a lot of good natured competition between the two of them. Austin joined us for the last hand as well.
Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter from The Shack
this afternoon. There is so much to absorb as we read this book that I think we'll come back and read it again in six months or so. I had read the book before but still find myself pondering new thoughts and insights as we read.
We also read 2 Kings 13 and 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. We're using the Day by Day Kids Bible
. This is our second time reading through this version of the Bible for kids.
While reading a post at Hawai'ian Dreaming I came across a link to My Audio School. I checked out the site and liked what I saw. Here is one sentence from their home page - "Classic books, old-time radio theater, historical radio and television broadcasts and more make My Audio School a treasure trove for educators, parents and students alike." I think it is an accurate description of this site. So today both Austin and Amanda began listening to Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by James Baikie. Austin really liked it and Amanda didn't complain. They both listened to the first two chapters.
Both kids also went to the Gamequarium website and watched a math video and a Language Arts video.
This afternoon both Austin and Amanda spent time outside playing with their friends Holly(11) and Tristan (12). They are still digging caves and tunnels in the big pile of snow outside.
The kids spent the evening at Grandma's house as usual for Thursday evening.
Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio today. The last chapter. He's already wondering what he'll read next and I have a book lined up for him that I think he'll enjoy and will be a challenge to read but not overwhelming.
This afternoon we read some more of the article Flight to Adventure by Tay and Lowell Thomas, Jr. We enjoyed the pictures in this article showing daily life among the various people of Africa.
He also worked a little on the timeline.
He and Tristan did some woodwork over lunchtime. Tristan ended up with two wooden trinkets to give to his mother that he and Austin made together.
Amanda
Amanda read another chapter of The Cross and the Switchblade
. This afternoon we played UNO
and Tristan (12) joined us. There was a lot of good natured competition between the two of them. Austin joined us for the last hand as well.
Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter from The Shack
this afternoon. There is so much to absorb as we read this book that I think we'll come back and read it again in six months or so. I had read the book before but still find myself pondering new thoughts and insights as we read.We also read 2 Kings 13 and 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. We're using the Day by Day Kids Bible
. This is our second time reading through this version of the Bible for kids.While reading a post at Hawai'ian Dreaming I came across a link to My Audio School. I checked out the site and liked what I saw. Here is one sentence from their home page - "Classic books, old-time radio theater, historical radio and television broadcasts and more make My Audio School a treasure trove for educators, parents and students alike." I think it is an accurate description of this site. So today both Austin and Amanda began listening to Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by James Baikie. Austin really liked it and Amanda didn't complain. They both listened to the first two chapters.
Both kids also went to the Gamequarium website and watched a math video and a Language Arts video.
This afternoon both Austin and Amanda spent time outside playing with their friends Holly(11) and Tristan (12). They are still digging caves and tunnels in the big pile of snow outside.
The kids spent the evening at Grandma's house as usual for Thursday evening.
Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My Kitchen Counter
As I stood at the stove stirring the gravy for dinner I surveyed this disaster on my kitchen counter. How on earth, and why on earth did all these things land here?
Some of the things I can somewhat understand. The three sippy cups should be in the sink but at least they made it this far instead of ending up underneath a sofa or in the bottom of a toy box. The salt and pepper should be in the cabinet but again, I'm glad they are in the kitchen instead of some other strange location. The bowl with the lid on crooked is our sugar bowl - it should also be in the cabinet. The bread maker should be in the pantry. So should the slow cooker. But they are kitchen related.
But why the fishing rod. Actually it's a broken fishing rod with all it's little pieces laying around it.
Then there is the daycare log book, with a pair of scissors on top of it. And the little green notebook is one of Doug's record books. And the cell phone holder. I'm not at all sure why any of these items are on the kitchen counter next to the stove. It's like there is some kind of magnetic force pulling all the random misplaced objects onto my kitchen counter. I I just hope I don't make a mistake and stir a few nuts and bolts or random sheets of paper into my gravy one day.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Homeschool Log Wednesday March 3, 2010
Austin
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio this morning. He was planning to read two chapters today and finish the book, but one of his friends was here today and they were in a hurry to go outside and play in the snow so he only read one.
He also added another design post to his art blog.
This afternoon we finished reading the article Admiral of the Ends of the Earth by Melville Bell Grosvenor and began the article Flight to Adventure by Tay and Lowell Thomas, Jr. Both articles are from The National Geographic Magazine.
His friend Tristan (12) was here a lot today and they spent a lot of time on the computer as well as outside.
Austin found one of Doug's old Weird Al
cassette tapes and has nearly driven the rest of us insane with it. He has a small cassette player that he bought at a yard sale two summers ago and it is being used a lot right now. I finally had to ask him this afternoon to please give it a rest for awhile. If I hear "I think I'm a Clone Now" or "Stuck in a Closet with Vanna White" or "This Song is Just Six Words Long" one more time today I'm going to . . . I'm going to . . .I don't know what I'm going to do. My brain has gone numb.
Amanda
Amanda read a chapter from The Cross and the Switchblade.
She posted a description on her blog of the fun they are having in the snow. She took a couple pictures to show what they are doing.
We played UNO
for about 30 minutes this afternoon. She has developed a fascination for this game. It's fine with me, I love playing card games and before she would rarely play with me, so I'm enjoying it while I can.
Her friend Holly (11) was here for a little this afternoon and Amanda also talked on the phone to her friend Sierra (9) for awhile this evening.
Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter from The Shack
this afternoon and also Joel 3, 2 Kings 12, and @ Chronicles 24.
Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio this morning. He was planning to read two chapters today and finish the book, but one of his friends was here today and they were in a hurry to go outside and play in the snow so he only read one.
He also added another design post to his art blog.
This afternoon we finished reading the article Admiral of the Ends of the Earth by Melville Bell Grosvenor and began the article Flight to Adventure by Tay and Lowell Thomas, Jr. Both articles are from The National Geographic Magazine.
His friend Tristan (12) was here a lot today and they spent a lot of time on the computer as well as outside.
Austin found one of Doug's old Weird Al
cassette tapes and has nearly driven the rest of us insane with it. He has a small cassette player that he bought at a yard sale two summers ago and it is being used a lot right now. I finally had to ask him this afternoon to please give it a rest for awhile. If I hear "I think I'm a Clone Now" or "Stuck in a Closet with Vanna White" or "This Song is Just Six Words Long" one more time today I'm going to . . . I'm going to . . .I don't know what I'm going to do. My brain has gone numb. Amanda
Amanda read a chapter from The Cross and the Switchblade.
She posted a description on her blog of the fun they are having in the snow. She took a couple pictures to show what they are doing.
We played UNO
for about 30 minutes this afternoon. She has developed a fascination for this game. It's fine with me, I love playing card games and before she would rarely play with me, so I'm enjoying it while I can.Her friend Holly (11) was here for a little this afternoon and Amanda also talked on the phone to her friend Sierra (9) for awhile this evening.
Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter from The Shack
this afternoon and also Joel 3, 2 Kings 12, and @ Chronicles 24.Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.
Childcare Photo Journal Wednesday March 3, 2010
We used these cards today at circle time and had fun talking about the different pictures. It's meant to be a memory game but we didn't use it that way today.
Books we enjoyed today.
Childcare Photo Journal Tuesday March 2, 2010
This poor little guy could not seem to sleep at nap time. Finally around 5PM he completely conked out. I took this picture and then carried him to his crib where he could sleep comfortably.
I've been a little surprised at how much the kids (even the one year olds) have enjoyed these flashcards that someone gave us. We reviewed them today at storytime and most of the kids seemed interested and engaged.
Music we enjoyed today.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Homeschool Log Tuesday March 2, 2010
Austin
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio and is planning to read the last two chapters tomorrow.
He and his friend Tristan spent a lot of time together today. A lot of their time was spent playing games on Austin's laptop.
Austin read another chapter of Pinocchio and is planning to read the last two chapters tomorrow.
He and his friend Tristan spent a lot of time together today. A lot of their time was spent playing games on Austin's laptop.
He also worked on the timeline for awhile. Right now he's working on measuring and cutting the construction paper strips we will need to construct the timeline.
This afternoon we played One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Go Fish
. It's a new card game (new to us anyway) that someone gave us and he wanted to try. It's very similar to regular Go Fish
. He enjoyed it but I don't think it's going to be a favorite.
. It's a new card game (new to us anyway) that someone gave us and he wanted to try. It's very similar to regular Go Fish. He enjoyed it but I don't think it's going to be a favorite.He watched more MacGyver
episodes. I think he's watching season three now. He can never simply sit and quietly watch these shows. He yells, laughs and talks to the screen the whole time - very entertaining for everyone around him.
episodes. I think he's watching season three now. He can never simply sit and quietly watch these shows. He yells, laughs and talks to the screen the whole time - very entertaining for everyone around him.Amanda
Amanda read chapter three of The Cross and the Switchblade
by David Wilkerson. When she finished the chapter she told me it's starting to get interesting.
by David Wilkerson. When she finished the chapter she told me it's starting to get interesting.This afternoon we played UNO
. I suggested we play points this time but she wasn't interested so I didn't push it.
. I suggested we play points this time but she wasn't interested so I didn't push it. Her friend Holly (11) was here this evening for a couple hours and they had a wonderful time together as usual.
Austin and Amanda
We read another chapter from The Shack
this afternoon. We also read Joel 1 and 2.
this afternoon. We also read Joel 1 and 2. Both kids went to Gamequarium and watched Math and Language Arts videos.
It started snowing this afternoon and both kids along with thier friends who were here today went outside for awhile. They took shovels, hoes and other tools out to the big snowpile in the parking lot and were digging tunnels, ditches and caves in it.
Chores, taking care of their pets and helping with the younger kids rounded out their day.
Homeschool Log Monday March 1, 2010
Austin
Austin read another chapter from Pinocchio today. He chose this book to read but he's looking forward to being finished with it and starting another one.
A new post was added to his blog.
Austin helped me make macaroni and cheese for lunch. Since we made a double recipe I had him practice some math by figuring out how much of each ingredient we needed.
He also spent about half an hour working on the timeline we want to put in our downstairs hallway.
Amanda
Amanda read chapter 2 from The Cross and the Switch Blade
by David Wilkerson. She also updated her blog in true preteen fashion - with pictures of her new clothes.
Austin and Amanda
We read one chapter from The Shackby Wm. Paul Young. We also read 2 Kings 10 and 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:7-12.
Since both kids just got new clothes I helped them sort through their old ones this afternoon. We finished Austin's but Amanda has more that we need to go through. Since Amanda is a pack rat (like me) she has a lot of clothes to go through. And it takes awhile because we have to have a discussion about each item and where it should go. And a proper good-bye has to be said to it. It's a long and tiring process.
Both kids did their chores, took care of their animals and helped with the younger kids.
Austin read another chapter from Pinocchio today. He chose this book to read but he's looking forward to being finished with it and starting another one.
A new post was added to his blog.
Austin helped me make macaroni and cheese for lunch. Since we made a double recipe I had him practice some math by figuring out how much of each ingredient we needed.
He also spent about half an hour working on the timeline we want to put in our downstairs hallway.
Amanda
Amanda read chapter 2 from The Cross and the Switch Blade
by David Wilkerson. She also updated her blog in true preteen fashion - with pictures of her new clothes. Austin and Amanda
We read one chapter from The Shack
by Wm. Paul Young. We also read 2 Kings 10 and 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:7-12. Since both kids just got new clothes I helped them sort through their old ones this afternoon. We finished Austin's but Amanda has more that we need to go through. Since Amanda is a pack rat (like me) she has a lot of clothes to go through. And it takes awhile because we have to have a discussion about each item and where it should go. And a proper good-bye has to be said to it. It's a long and tiring process.
Both kids did their chores, took care of their animals and helped with the younger kids.
The Son She Loves
Why do we have a system where less support is provided for a family trying to care for their own child than for a foster family to care for the same child?
As a foster/adoptive parent myself I appreciate that support, but how much less need would there be for foster families if the parents were provided with the services needed - sometimes desperately sought but denied.
A mother tonight is trying to deal with pain of having her child placed in the foster care system because she loves him enough to make sure he gets the care he needs. The immediate need is for his safety and the safety of those around him.
He has had a long history of hospitalizations, several cut short because insurance ran out. One time in particular I remember, he had to be sedated so that he could be taken to the car, and all the while staff was telling the family he no longer needed hospitalization. He was in a residential placement, but was suddenly sent home several months before the projected date.
At this point his family sleeps, when they can, behind locked doors.
When his mother asked again for help from the Dept. of Social Services (specifically for residential treatment) she was told there was no help available due to budget cuts. However a therapeutic foster family can be paid for his care, along with respite care for that foster family, free childcare provided for the foster family, free treatment options, and eventually residential placement if the therapeutic family proves not to be a viable option. Which, at this point, we all know is going to happen. At least all of us who have worked for the last three years trying to provide all the help and stability for him that we could.
In the meantime, mom goes home, made to feel like a horrible parent, to wait for the call saying her child is now going to live in someone else's home. After all these years of struggle her attempts to provide the best she could, to find the help they both needed, and the scars of her fight, are being treated with contempt. In her head she knows she has tried to do everything possible yet her heart aches and she feels beaten down.
"We can't help you" rings in her ears. "How can you give up your own child?", "You're going to have to pay child support." You may not see him for a long time." "It may take years to get custody back if you do this."
Tonight I'm praying for a reprieve, for a way, for an opening of eyes, ears and hearts. I'm praying for strength, wisdom and comfort for this mother and her son. I'm praying for a mother to be able to keep the son she loves.
As a foster/adoptive parent myself I appreciate that support, but how much less need would there be for foster families if the parents were provided with the services needed - sometimes desperately sought but denied.
A mother tonight is trying to deal with pain of having her child placed in the foster care system because she loves him enough to make sure he gets the care he needs. The immediate need is for his safety and the safety of those around him.
He has had a long history of hospitalizations, several cut short because insurance ran out. One time in particular I remember, he had to be sedated so that he could be taken to the car, and all the while staff was telling the family he no longer needed hospitalization. He was in a residential placement, but was suddenly sent home several months before the projected date.
At this point his family sleeps, when they can, behind locked doors.
When his mother asked again for help from the Dept. of Social Services (specifically for residential treatment) she was told there was no help available due to budget cuts. However a therapeutic foster family can be paid for his care, along with respite care for that foster family, free childcare provided for the foster family, free treatment options, and eventually residential placement if the therapeutic family proves not to be a viable option. Which, at this point, we all know is going to happen. At least all of us who have worked for the last three years trying to provide all the help and stability for him that we could.
In the meantime, mom goes home, made to feel like a horrible parent, to wait for the call saying her child is now going to live in someone else's home. After all these years of struggle her attempts to provide the best she could, to find the help they both needed, and the scars of her fight, are being treated with contempt. In her head she knows she has tried to do everything possible yet her heart aches and she feels beaten down.
"We can't help you" rings in her ears. "How can you give up your own child?", "You're going to have to pay child support." You may not see him for a long time." "It may take years to get custody back if you do this."
Tonight I'm praying for a reprieve, for a way, for an opening of eyes, ears and hearts. I'm praying for strength, wisdom and comfort for this mother and her son. I'm praying for a mother to be able to keep the son she loves.
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