What a lucky Mama I am

I'm thankful. I'm thankful I had all of my kids in synagogue with me tonight. I'm thankful for the sarcasm they throw at me when they are together, because usually that means at least 2 of them are in on it which means they are bonding, lol! I'm thankful for the congregation at our synagogue, a group of people that never ever stop making us (and everyone) feel welcome and part of the TS family. I'm so very thankful to have been privileged enough to watch my youngest read out loud to the congregation, a feat that surprised many--I think especially him! I am blessed, I am loved, and I am truly thankful.

The newest Hands of a Child Semi Annual Freebie is here!

This is a full lapbook project from Hands of a Child, based around the book "The Big Snow," the grade recommendations are K-2.  Go to Hands of A Child online Enjoy!

writing shouldn't be this hard!

Now I bet you thought this was going to be a post about the kids and struggles with getting them to write. Well nope! Its all about me, how 'bout that! I'm challenging myself (yes, the voices in my head are at it again....) to blog much more. I guess if I'm measuring against my more recent track record for blogging I'm not up for too much of a challenge but I'm actually going to set--dare I say it--goals.  




I'm back. Be ready. Be prepared. This is going to be profound. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Hey, ya never know....

Healthy eating habits

Really, seriously, I am working on changing our eating habits. Stop laughing. I bought wheat bread instead of the usual paste--uh, I mean white bread. I've gotten the kids used to it before and figured it was high time we started again, especially since homemade has consisted of ripping open the resealable freezer bag of whatever frozen delicacy was available for dinner. At least there was some cooking going on, right?

Today I got home from dropping the kids off at Sunday school to find Stefan making Zachary an egg, cheese, and bacon sandwich. (or, as Z calls it "egg, cheese, and HEAVEN sandwich") On whole wheat toast. Which Zachary would not eat cause it "tastes funny." Those two boys whined that I need to buy white bread because wheat bread is gross.

I said, "We need to get healthier, wheat bread is so much better for you!"
Stefan replied, "This coming from the woman that walked in the house with a box full of fried sugar dough covered in more sugar, calling them breakfast!" (otherwise known as Munchkins.........................................)

Hypocrisy? Nah, just gotta keep them confused.

Natural learning

Why in the world do I ever doubt the idea of natural learning? "Doubt it", heck I go through times when I rail against it, running wildly through the house "WE HAVE TO GET THE BOOKS OUT!" in my panicked state. Yet time and time again I see the kids all learn more, about everything every day, then they learn about specific things when bogged down by bookwork.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a text-book-basher, no siree not me! Okay, maybe I am a little bit but only certain textbooks, and only some of the time. Hey, if there's one thing I'm consistent about, its being inconsistent. Seriously when there is an issue that someone is stuck on, or a skill that is glaringly missing, out come the books.

Creative natural learning (that's what I'm calling it from now on) works, period. D has been a reluctant writer for SO long. Wait did I say reluctant? Oh laughing out loud laughing out loud (lol just would not cut it there). Hmmmm, a better word would be an ihatewritingdon'tmakemedoit writer, or thisistorture writer; I'm sure you get the picture. I know he is incredibly intelligent and mature in his thoughts and have just wanted to find a way to help him break through the self imposed writer's block he has created. Plain and simple, the one thing that has worked is well, plain and simple. Arguing takes so much energy yet its the one thing he resorts to time and time again. I finally have realized that arguing was just another stalling tactic! I know I know, duh, right? Finally he is beginning to acknowledge that only by actually writing can he progress. I edit here and there, and as long as he understands why the changes need to be done (whether grammatical, spelling, phrasing, sensical--lol just checking to see if you're paying attention), he can use my suggestions.  Here and there, he is writing pieces that he is impressed with himself. Long process, long learning curve for both of us-but when he writes his first mega-novel, the payoff will be worth it. Oh oh oh, you know I'm only kidding there, the payoff is worth it already in seeing that wall chip away bit by bit.