Today is a day homeschoolers dream about! The kids all slept in (till 8:00!) and I had a whole hour and a half this morning to catch up on email and get the animals fed and watered. After everyone had breakfast the kids all went about their work diligently. First the little kids and I sat in the living room with a book and cd and they each followed along as if they knew what they were reading. Then we went back to the kitchen for spelling BINGO. No one complained when one filled a card before the other, and no one balked when I told them they could not yet eat their Reese's Pieces markers.
Kenny worked on a 20 problem subtraction page while Kyleigh did a 20 problem additon page. I had no idea Kyle knew how to write her numbers, as it is not something I taught her! Both kids got all of thier questions correct and were so excited about choosing their stickers! And of course eating their treats.
There is no greater source of pride for me than to watch my children master a skill for the first time. They are so proud of themselves, and couldn't wait to tell Daddy about their accomplishments! And an added bonus, because of their discipline it is only 11:00 and we are done schooling for the day! Except Jessie, she has another hour or so depending on how many subjects she chooses to tackle.
We have lots of errands to run then we get to relax for a bit with a program at the library. And we are inviting friends for supper, which would be the perfect end to a perfect day...now if only tomorrow would be so idyllic :)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Uh-Oh those Summer Nights...
On Tuesday, July 1st, our oldest daughter turned 11. We are not a family that does birthday parties any more elaborate than a family cake, so the kids tend to get some pretty great gifts. This year, I bought 4 tickets to see Grease on Broadway! I know, I'm a great mom :)
We decided to take an early train so we could gawk at the excess of Times Square and have a leisurely meal. We were also meeting my sister and brother in law who came in from Philadelphia for the day. But of course, the best laid plans... apparently there were brush fires near the tracks in Brentwood that day so we didn't end up getting in to Penn Station until nearly 4:30pm. Due to our delay I hailed a cab rather than walk the 14 blocks; and dear husband very politely requested she and I not take the subway alone (but that's another post!).
So we met my sister at Toys R Us, and poor daughter was having complete sensory overload and an uncharacteristic case of the "I want that"'s; but we left without a purchase and all is well.
A friend had told me earlier in the day about restaurant row, which seems really obvious now but was previously unknown to this farm girl. It was like Mecca! My sister and I walked up and down with our tongues hanging out just imagining all the possibilities if it had just been she and I. While dear daughter have a wide pallate, it was hot and she was tired so we played it a bit safe.
We chose The Joshua Tree, which had a crazy Prix Fixe offer: a glass of wine, soup or salad, any entree, dessert, coffee or tea.... for $25.95!!!! Jackpot!!! We got a chicken Marsala with steamed broccoli, a NY Strip topped with Stilton over broccoli rabe and roasted fingerling potatoes, and a grilled shrimp risotto . The risotto was underseasoned, but perfectly cooked. Everything else was delicious. The children's menu ($6.95!!!) offered JR penne with grilled chicken and a side of onion rings along with a drink and dessert!!!!
Oh, the dessert. Included with our meal was a trio of homemade sorbets; pomegranete-blueberry, mango and coconut...heaven in a frozen dish. We also shared a chocolate fondue platter with rice crispy treats, bananas, strawberries and marshmellows for dipping...incredible.
We then walked the block and a half to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre for the show. Anyone alive the the 70's has to have memories of belting out one of those iconic songs to the sounds of a scratchy record player. The show was exciting from start to finish, although the talent was more of an off Broadway caliber. If you recall, this show was cast via an American Idol like television show, and that is kind of obvious. The actors are talented, no doubt, but this is Broadway and expectations are high. Speaking of American Idol, the part of the Teen Angel who counsels Frenchie to go back to High School is being played by Taylor Hicks. He has definitely had some voal training since his own American Idol days and his performance was great. But there were some harmonica parts written in which were clearly an afterthought once he was cast. A phenomenal musical performance, but not congruent with the overall tenor of Grease.
I got front row mezzanine seats on my daughter's birthday for more than $40 less than rear mezzanine prices. If you are fortunate enough to find excellent seats at a great price I would definitely recommend this show, it was entertaining and engaging and we found ourselves smiling A LOT!!!!! But don't pay Broadway prices for the show as it is currently casted, wait for the movie :)
We decided to take an early train so we could gawk at the excess of Times Square and have a leisurely meal. We were also meeting my sister and brother in law who came in from Philadelphia for the day. But of course, the best laid plans... apparently there were brush fires near the tracks in Brentwood that day so we didn't end up getting in to Penn Station until nearly 4:30pm. Due to our delay I hailed a cab rather than walk the 14 blocks; and dear husband very politely requested she and I not take the subway alone (but that's another post!).
So we met my sister at Toys R Us, and poor daughter was having complete sensory overload and an uncharacteristic case of the "I want that"'s; but we left without a purchase and all is well.
A friend had told me earlier in the day about restaurant row, which seems really obvious now but was previously unknown to this farm girl. It was like Mecca! My sister and I walked up and down with our tongues hanging out just imagining all the possibilities if it had just been she and I. While dear daughter have a wide pallate, it was hot and she was tired so we played it a bit safe.
We chose The Joshua Tree, which had a crazy Prix Fixe offer: a glass of wine, soup or salad, any entree, dessert, coffee or tea.... for $25.95!!!! Jackpot!!! We got a chicken Marsala with steamed broccoli, a NY Strip topped with Stilton over broccoli rabe and roasted fingerling potatoes, and a grilled shrimp risotto . The risotto was underseasoned, but perfectly cooked. Everything else was delicious. The children's menu ($6.95!!!) offered JR penne with grilled chicken and a side of onion rings along with a drink and dessert!!!!
Oh, the dessert. Included with our meal was a trio of homemade sorbets; pomegranete-blueberry, mango and coconut...heaven in a frozen dish. We also shared a chocolate fondue platter with rice crispy treats, bananas, strawberries and marshmellows for dipping...incredible.
We then walked the block and a half to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre for the show. Anyone alive the the 70's has to have memories of belting out one of those iconic songs to the sounds of a scratchy record player. The show was exciting from start to finish, although the talent was more of an off Broadway caliber. If you recall, this show was cast via an American Idol like television show, and that is kind of obvious. The actors are talented, no doubt, but this is Broadway and expectations are high. Speaking of American Idol, the part of the Teen Angel who counsels Frenchie to go back to High School is being played by Taylor Hicks. He has definitely had some voal training since his own American Idol days and his performance was great. But there were some harmonica parts written in which were clearly an afterthought once he was cast. A phenomenal musical performance, but not congruent with the overall tenor of Grease.
I got front row mezzanine seats on my daughter's birthday for more than $40 less than rear mezzanine prices. If you are fortunate enough to find excellent seats at a great price I would definitely recommend this show, it was entertaining and engaging and we found ourselves smiling A LOT!!!!! But don't pay Broadway prices for the show as it is currently casted, wait for the movie :)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Vacation
We are taking a vacation to the beach... silly, right? My cousin is graduating from Ocean City High School so my whole family and some long time friends are renting a house for a week. There are not enough beds for everyone, it is a 5 hour drive and I have to board my dog...all to go to a beach exactly like the one we have a few miles down the road? I must be nuts.
I am taking all of our bikes and very much looking forward to riding every place we need to go. It will be nice to sit on the front porch and see the ocean rolling along, and there are dolphins jumping every morning just after sunrise. The boardwalk will provide limitless entertainment for the kids as will their cousins and honorary cousin. I will have other grown ups around in case I feel the need to shower without an audience or, God forbid, take a bike ride alone! I really enjoy my sister, and it will be nice to sit on the beach with her like we used to do as kids. Ironically, in the 8 years I have lived here my family has never visited in the summer! Apparently the thought of battling Long Island traffic in the summer does not appeal to them. Funny how I always manage to get to PA a few times each summer unscathed...
Anyway, I am making lists and trying to figure out how to pack up everything a family of 4 (no Daddy this trip) will need for a week, including bicycles. I also have to take a 2 month supply of Monavie and Tastefully Simple products to everyone I will not see again till August! I hope to come home with significantly less, but somehow that seems unlikely!
Summer has arrived, I can't wait to enjoy every minute!
I am taking all of our bikes and very much looking forward to riding every place we need to go. It will be nice to sit on the front porch and see the ocean rolling along, and there are dolphins jumping every morning just after sunrise. The boardwalk will provide limitless entertainment for the kids as will their cousins and honorary cousin. I will have other grown ups around in case I feel the need to shower without an audience or, God forbid, take a bike ride alone! I really enjoy my sister, and it will be nice to sit on the beach with her like we used to do as kids. Ironically, in the 8 years I have lived here my family has never visited in the summer! Apparently the thought of battling Long Island traffic in the summer does not appeal to them. Funny how I always manage to get to PA a few times each summer unscathed...
Anyway, I am making lists and trying to figure out how to pack up everything a family of 4 (no Daddy this trip) will need for a week, including bicycles. I also have to take a 2 month supply of Monavie and Tastefully Simple products to everyone I will not see again till August! I hope to come home with significantly less, but somehow that seems unlikely!
Summer has arrived, I can't wait to enjoy every minute!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wish List Item #12
12. If my kid's only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can possibly teach him what he'd learn in school, please understand that you're calling me an idiot. Don't act shocked if I decide to respond in kind.
I was sitting at East End Arts Council this afternoon waiting for my oldest daughter to finish her Art class. My 4yo was sitting with me reading a library book...yes, actually reading a book. An early reader, but still reading. As people were coming and going they were quite amazed, which was a little astonishing to me. And while I would love to take credit for having produced such an "advanced" child, I really had little to do with her progress. Sure, we talk about letter sounds, and I read to the kids, but she did most of the work all on her own.
Now, I also have a 6.5yo who is not reading, and shows very little interest. He has recently been inspired by the See More Readers written by Seymour Simon, but even that is sporadic at best. However, this child retains nearly everything that is read to him, and has a wide knowledge base. He remembers King Sargon from his sister's Story of the World lessons when he was only 4! And has since found considerable commonality between Sargon and Moses...who would have thought?
Homeschooling allows us the ability to let our kids be kids in their own time and in their own way. Oh how I wish my two little ones were on the same page and I could teach them both the same lessons at the same time, but that just isn't so. They learn completely differently, and I am blessed to have the freedom to nurture each of them, right where they are.
I was sitting at East End Arts Council this afternoon waiting for my oldest daughter to finish her Art class. My 4yo was sitting with me reading a library book...yes, actually reading a book. An early reader, but still reading. As people were coming and going they were quite amazed, which was a little astonishing to me. And while I would love to take credit for having produced such an "advanced" child, I really had little to do with her progress. Sure, we talk about letter sounds, and I read to the kids, but she did most of the work all on her own.
Now, I also have a 6.5yo who is not reading, and shows very little interest. He has recently been inspired by the See More Readers written by Seymour Simon, but even that is sporadic at best. However, this child retains nearly everything that is read to him, and has a wide knowledge base. He remembers King Sargon from his sister's Story of the World lessons when he was only 4! And has since found considerable commonality between Sargon and Moses...who would have thought?
Homeschooling allows us the ability to let our kids be kids in their own time and in their own way. Oh how I wish my two little ones were on the same page and I could teach them both the same lessons at the same time, but that just isn't so. They learn completely differently, and I am blessed to have the freedom to nurture each of them, right where they are.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Horse Crazy
I grew up in the middle of Lancaster County amid vast expanses of farmland. My family had the same dairy farm for dozens of generations until me. I was an active member of FFA and have done my share of cow milking... and tipping but that is another story.I have been extremely blessed by my friend Barbara. Not only is she a wonderful friend to me, she is a horse person and has taught my children a love and respect for horses that I am not sure i could have imparted in them. I also have in-laws that are horse people, and are wonderfully encouraging to the children.
So now my daughter is at the point in her life where she wants a horse of her own. Partial lease of someone else's horse is no longer acceptable to her. I, of course, preached the virtues of being grateful for what you have, but to little avail. She is not ready for a horse, I am not ready for a horse, we do not need a horse.
Should you pass me in the store, or call to say hello, please take a mintue to tell me that we do not need a horse! Remind me that I have 3 children, 2 fish, a tortoise and a really big dog...all of which poop and need to be fed. Remind me that my darling husband, who does not really want me working at all, has asked me to work another day during the busy season. Remind me that we live on an island full of beaches and beach activities, and that I may like to visit them once in awhile. Remind me that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, look forward to taking a decadently long vacation to Florida in the fall... where I spend 2 weeks taking care of 3 kids, 4 dogs, 8 horses and my husband's 95 year old Grandpa.... Oh, nevermind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)