After a fun day @ Pumpkintown and making pottery, it is finally time to settle in and get some work done. Because of Kenny III's recent math aversion I have started allowing him to do 1 problem in each section, and if he gets it right on his own he is done. If it is incorrect he has to keep doing that section until he completes it, correctly, alone.
I just went over to get a drink from my water bottle only to find it empty. Kenny says to me, total deadpan "You may want to refill that. I get stressed out in times like these and use most of my water crying."
I had to walk away to keep from laughing at him! He has no idea how easy he has it! And, until a week or two ago, he always enjoyed math. Granted, it is getting more challenging, but I do not belabor a point. If he gets the concept, we move on.
At least he's always good for a laugh!!!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
See you in September
So here it is Labor Day, the unofficial end to summer. This is the beginning of my favorite time here on the East End. While we are sad to see some of our "summer friends" go home, I must admit I also breathe a huge sigh of relief. While I am cognizant, and appreciative, to the boost to local economy that tourists bring, I loathe the attitudes that oft times come with them. I am relieved to have our roads back and our beaches populated by locals. The water is still warm enough to enjoy, the sun is still shining, the farms are still producing...it's beautiful.
We school year round, but an annual tradition I am honored to continue is the "Back to No School Beach Day". When I first began homeschooling on the East End the celebration was held @ Wildwood. I remember that first year hanging with friends at the beach during the day, then taking my kids to Davis to pick peaches which we then came home and canned. In the part of PA where I am from peaches are done in August, the extended growing season out here is like a precious gift!! My kids eat more canned peaches than I can put up. If you have never had a summer-ripe peach in the middle of a bitter cold winter's day, please, come to my house. It is a treat not to be missed.
Shortly after the first day of public school my kids and I usually take a break from our schooling to head down to Florida for a few weeks. We become caretakers for my in-loves ever growing ranch, herd of horses, and my husband's grandfather (soon to be 97) while they take their annual vacation. This year, however, they will be coming here! It has been at least 5 years since my mother-in-love has been back up here, and I am so excited to share what is her favorite time of year also. They will be staying with us for a few days of their trip and we just can't wait to have them.
Enjoy fall, pick some apples, visit the vineyards, go clamming...get out there and experience the East End as it should be!!!!!!!
We school year round, but an annual tradition I am honored to continue is the "Back to No School Beach Day". When I first began homeschooling on the East End the celebration was held @ Wildwood. I remember that first year hanging with friends at the beach during the day, then taking my kids to Davis to pick peaches which we then came home and canned. In the part of PA where I am from peaches are done in August, the extended growing season out here is like a precious gift!! My kids eat more canned peaches than I can put up. If you have never had a summer-ripe peach in the middle of a bitter cold winter's day, please, come to my house. It is a treat not to be missed.
Shortly after the first day of public school my kids and I usually take a break from our schooling to head down to Florida for a few weeks. We become caretakers for my in-loves ever growing ranch, herd of horses, and my husband's grandfather (soon to be 97) while they take their annual vacation. This year, however, they will be coming here! It has been at least 5 years since my mother-in-love has been back up here, and I am so excited to share what is her favorite time of year also. They will be staying with us for a few days of their trip and we just can't wait to have them.
Enjoy fall, pick some apples, visit the vineyards, go clamming...get out there and experience the East End as it should be!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
School, School, School
There is a paragraph in Harlen Coben's book Darkest Fear that struck me: "School removes children from their warm parental cocoon. School teaches them to bully or be bullied. School teaches them to be cruel to one another. School teaches them that Mommy and Daddy lied to them when they told them they were special and unique."
I had a converstation with a friend the other day, while enjoying a restaurant meal with our combined 5 kids. It was a lovely meal, the kids were prefectly behaved and everyone had a good time. She was sharing with me that one of her friends told her she and her husband can't take their kids out to eat because they don't behave. This prompted a lengthy discussion about child rearing!
Kenny and I have always taken our kids with us to restaurants, church, shopping...wherever. We explain where we are going and what the general parameters of acceptable behavior are, and we expect them to comply. For the most part, they have always been well behaved in public. And of the times we had to leave, it was usually because we had asked something of them they were not equipped to give. Either it was too late, we had done too much or they were just not in the mood.
This is the approach we take to schooling as well. My 5 year old was recently listening to her sister's geometry lesson and wanted to learn it also. I could not find any 1st grade geometry so I printed out a page on triangles. In one easy lesson she learned isosceles, right and equilateral triangles. The child can barely say the words, but she knows how to identify the shapes!!
My son has been going to the skate park @ Stotsky. I thought he was too little (48", 42lbs) but he has proved to be quite proficient. And I am very pleased to report that in our experience the older kids are watchful and respectful of the youngers. This is a lesson we strive for in our schooling. Olders yield to the youngers, what a beautiful picture to watch.
As we wind down our school year it is a time of reflection. What worked, what didn't, what books will we use next year, what trips will be repeat and what will we avoid. I really hate this time of year. Self examination is not my strong suit, and it is uncomfortable to admit my role in some of our schooling failures. However, I know that next year will be easier and better and I feel very blessed to be able to watch my children grow and succeed.
I had a converstation with a friend the other day, while enjoying a restaurant meal with our combined 5 kids. It was a lovely meal, the kids were prefectly behaved and everyone had a good time. She was sharing with me that one of her friends told her she and her husband can't take their kids out to eat because they don't behave. This prompted a lengthy discussion about child rearing!
Kenny and I have always taken our kids with us to restaurants, church, shopping...wherever. We explain where we are going and what the general parameters of acceptable behavior are, and we expect them to comply. For the most part, they have always been well behaved in public. And of the times we had to leave, it was usually because we had asked something of them they were not equipped to give. Either it was too late, we had done too much or they were just not in the mood.
This is the approach we take to schooling as well. My 5 year old was recently listening to her sister's geometry lesson and wanted to learn it also. I could not find any 1st grade geometry so I printed out a page on triangles. In one easy lesson she learned isosceles, right and equilateral triangles. The child can barely say the words, but she knows how to identify the shapes!!
My son has been going to the skate park @ Stotsky. I thought he was too little (48", 42lbs) but he has proved to be quite proficient. And I am very pleased to report that in our experience the older kids are watchful and respectful of the youngers. This is a lesson we strive for in our schooling. Olders yield to the youngers, what a beautiful picture to watch.
As we wind down our school year it is a time of reflection. What worked, what didn't, what books will we use next year, what trips will be repeat and what will we avoid. I really hate this time of year. Self examination is not my strong suit, and it is uncomfortable to admit my role in some of our schooling failures. However, I know that next year will be easier and better and I feel very blessed to be able to watch my children grow and succeed.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I'll take what's behind door #3 Monty....
Ask me what Kenny got for his birthday. Go ahead, ask me!!!
A NEW FREAKIN' CAR!!!!!!!!! Not just any car; a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8...for whom does that happen?!!
About a year ago, our boss, Gary, asked me if Kenny would like a new motorcycle, or to have his restored. He wouldn't. When the new Challengers came out, Gary knew Kenny had to have one. When Kenny was in his late teens he had a black Challenger, and Gary remembered how much Kenny loved that car. We talked about it a bit and a plan was hatched.
Finally, in the past month or so, we were able to track down a few Hemi Orange; 6-speed automatics. We finally found "the one" in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Gary was heading down to Concord, NC for the race this weekend and decided to stop at the dealership on the way. He got a speeding ticket trying to get there before it closed and once he arrived the dang thing was in the body shop!!!!! He called me in a panic trying to find another one before he headed back home. Oh, and did I mention this HAD to be a surprise? We work in a fishbowl!!
I called every dealership I could find from PA to NC. Finally, a kind salesman in NC took pity on me and searched the dealer database. He found 3 cars; 2 in NC and 1 in WV. Apparently there are plenty of black, pearl and red. You want the regular coupe? No problem. But try to find a Hemi Orange, SRT8 with every option offered and you are SOL.
I started calling the dealers and struck out with #1; while it was listed in the dealer directory as Orange, the car they had was actually black. The car behind Door #2 was nearly fully loaded, but it didn't have GPS. Not a deal breaker, but I decided to press on. Behind Door #3 was a guy, in a garage, in Hickory, NC named Bucky. (I can't make this up!!!) He was very nice, confirmed that they had the car, that it was inside with the hood up and had never been driven. I asked if they were tacking on a premium because (oh, I forgot this detail) the production lines have been shut down and this car is not being made right now. He assured me that no, his dealership was not assessing a premium on top of the sticker price. (LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!!!) But it wasn't too terrible, and Kenny really does deserve the best.
Gary happened to have been driving to Asheville the day I found the car, and so he and his fiance stopped there on there way back through the following afternoon. He picked up the car, drove it back to Concord and then trailered it home.
The look on Kenny's face this afternoon as he saw the car for the first time, and then realized it was for him? Truly priceless.
A NEW FREAKIN' CAR!!!!!!!!! Not just any car; a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8...for whom does that happen?!!
About a year ago, our boss, Gary, asked me if Kenny would like a new motorcycle, or to have his restored. He wouldn't. When the new Challengers came out, Gary knew Kenny had to have one. When Kenny was in his late teens he had a black Challenger, and Gary remembered how much Kenny loved that car. We talked about it a bit and a plan was hatched.
Finally, in the past month or so, we were able to track down a few Hemi Orange; 6-speed automatics. We finally found "the one" in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Gary was heading down to Concord, NC for the race this weekend and decided to stop at the dealership on the way. He got a speeding ticket trying to get there before it closed and once he arrived the dang thing was in the body shop!!!!! He called me in a panic trying to find another one before he headed back home. Oh, and did I mention this HAD to be a surprise? We work in a fishbowl!!
I called every dealership I could find from PA to NC. Finally, a kind salesman in NC took pity on me and searched the dealer database. He found 3 cars; 2 in NC and 1 in WV. Apparently there are plenty of black, pearl and red. You want the regular coupe? No problem. But try to find a Hemi Orange, SRT8 with every option offered and you are SOL.
I started calling the dealers and struck out with #1; while it was listed in the dealer directory as Orange, the car they had was actually black. The car behind Door #2 was nearly fully loaded, but it didn't have GPS. Not a deal breaker, but I decided to press on. Behind Door #3 was a guy, in a garage, in Hickory, NC named Bucky. (I can't make this up!!!) He was very nice, confirmed that they had the car, that it was inside with the hood up and had never been driven. I asked if they were tacking on a premium because (oh, I forgot this detail) the production lines have been shut down and this car is not being made right now. He assured me that no, his dealership was not assessing a premium on top of the sticker price. (LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!!!) But it wasn't too terrible, and Kenny really does deserve the best.
Gary happened to have been driving to Asheville the day I found the car, and so he and his fiance stopped there on there way back through the following afternoon. He picked up the car, drove it back to Concord and then trailered it home.
The look on Kenny's face this afternoon as he saw the car for the first time, and then realized it was for him? Truly priceless.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Blah, blah, blah...
I have had enough of this terrible, horrible, no good, very bed weather. Saturday was just a tease, making all this rain unbearable! We have plans, and they do not include getting soaking wet every ten minutes. Even the dog hates it, not to mention his smell. He us not normally a smelly dog, excluding his emissions. But rain + dog = very foul smell.
I need sunshine. I need the beach. I need warmth!!!!
We are doing a total East End treasure hunt tomorrow, from Montauk to Hampton Bays and all points in between. We are gathering some friends and seeing all the sights. We are going to the beach if it kills us, and the kids WILL like it!!! Summer must arrive, and I am going to will it into existence!
I need sunshine. I need the beach. I need warmth!!!!
We are doing a total East End treasure hunt tomorrow, from Montauk to Hampton Bays and all points in between. We are gathering some friends and seeing all the sights. We are going to the beach if it kills us, and the kids WILL like it!!! Summer must arrive, and I am going to will it into existence!
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