Today is the first day of public school. My kids and I were hanging out together passing the morning the way we always do and Sarah noticed a school bus pass by the window. She realized that meant school was back in session and for the first time ever she seemed interested in going.
I have already made up my mind to homeschool her (and the boys, of course) so for a split second I wondered..."Am I doing the right thing?" In approximately 3 nanoseconds a solid, unyielding "YES" resonated throughout my entire being. Yes, this is the right path for our family. No one is going to be a better teacher for my kids than ME.
To make Sarah feel more official, I made a big deal about all the "school stuff" we did today. For example, the letter of the day is "B" and the color is blue. So we made blue play dough and banana bread. We rattled off every "b" word we could think of (well, almost all of them!). And we filled back packs with blue objects and Sarah went to school (aka-her room) and passed along her knowledge to her baby brother. It was such a good day!
**I am abandoning my post and switching gears...I have to share this story:
While I was writing this I had many thoughts going through my head. I planned on getting really in-depth about the misconceptions of homeschooled children (they are unsocialized freaks for example), and how the drive to homeschool is built-in...I was just stopped in my tracks. Patrick came and tugged at my shirt and he excitedly said, "I made Jesus". So I came and looked at his mound of play dough and sure enough there was a cross made by pressing a plastic knife through. He said he wasn't finished yet and started making blood spots and wounds.
I am honestly not sure what to do with this? This has been happening for months: he is fascinated by the crucified Jesus. I don't remember how it even started, but one day I explained what happened to Our Lord (the story of His Passion basically). I have walked into the room and seen Patrick standing under the crucifix, starting intently; several times he has even started crying because of Jesus' injuries. Another time I caught him in his room. When he saw me he had a look on his face like he was busted. Ususally this would mean there was glue in his hair or something was broken, but when I checked things out he had climbed onto a chair to reach the crucifix and brought it in his room to stare at it. He thought he was in trouble for touching it; all I did was walk away and leave him to it. He kept it for a long time and when he was finished (with whatever his little mind was doing) he simply put it back in its proper place-no damage, no swordplay...nothing improper at all.
Wouldn't be amazing if I am raising a priest!? :) But I don't know what to say to him. I get uncomfortable...I am making a promise to myself (and my kid!) that I will start praying for guidance. Hopefully when things like this happen God will take over and give me something wise to say instead of just standing there like an idiot and not taking advantage of chances to teach. I am taking a guess, but maybe God is helping me come back to Him through Patrick? I don't know...but it is working.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Markers Part.....Oh Forget It, I Lost Count
I rebuke Wal-Mart and their 20 cent school supplies!
Those kids are always 1 step ahead of me, no matter how much I plan in advanced to avoid such situations. I was thoughtfully putting crayons in ziplocks and writing names on the bags with Sharpie because I am a genius and I know doing so will prevent fights when they decide to use the art supplies.
Meanwhile........
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Naps are for Weenies
Two days ago the baby decided he was sleepy very early in the day-9:45 am. The older kids were in a rare state and actually playing together nicely so I decided it must be a gift from God and took the opportunity to rest. Naturally, after only about 2 minutes Sarah came into the room asking me something and I silenced her in a rush and gave her strict instructions to "do whatever; just don't bother me".
So she went into Luke's room with Patrick and they were talking amongst themselves; it is not uncommon for Sarah to use the baby's room as a nursery for her dolls so I knew that was what they were doing. For 45 blissful minutes I snuggled my little guy and smelled his fading baby scent.
I never heard any arguing, crying, objects smashing into the walls, or furniture being dismantled. I was a little unnerved, but I was enjoying the peace and I was afraid to interrupt the play because they almost NEVER interact together for that long without incident.
Luke opened his eyes and squirmed and so our siesta was over. Hours passed and eventually I needed to go into Luke's room for something. This is what I saw:
I had already started cleaning when I snapped the photo-it was much worse. Anyone who knows me knows I have a touch of OCD: all of the clothes are organized according to size and season. Not anymore. The crib is usually quite inviting with stuffed animals and cozy blankets (as nobody ever sleeps in it). It was was stripped bare to the mattress and covered in cookie crumbs. The tiny jackets and cute clothes which need to be hung are kept neatly in the closet in order from smallest size to biggest and, of course, season. They were scattered all over the floor and about a dozen hangers were snapped because they tried to swing from them on the closet rail. What really scares me is they were able to completely ransack the room so swiftly and silently. I honestly was fooled into thinking they were playing house.
My 45 minute rest cost me a days' worth of work. I realize that the children are old enough to know better-they know that tearing stuff up like that is NOT okay. However I didn't know how I should react since I clearly told them to do whatever they wanted as long as they didn't wake Luke and I up. So the next morning we started re-organizing the clothes, putting the crib back together, and getting the diapers back on the shelves. Each time they asked to get into the pool I answered, "We can't play in the pool today because we have to clean the baby's room that you destroyed." Believe me, they asked literally every 3 minutes. But I never gave in. Finally order was restored and we could do something fun. I'm hopeful my technique worked at least a little because I heard Sarah telling Patrick if he messed up his room "mommy will be mad and then...no pool!"
Dear Lord, Please don't ever tease me with a nap again. It's just not right. Amen.
So she went into Luke's room with Patrick and they were talking amongst themselves; it is not uncommon for Sarah to use the baby's room as a nursery for her dolls so I knew that was what they were doing. For 45 blissful minutes I snuggled my little guy and smelled his fading baby scent.
I never heard any arguing, crying, objects smashing into the walls, or furniture being dismantled. I was a little unnerved, but I was enjoying the peace and I was afraid to interrupt the play because they almost NEVER interact together for that long without incident.
Luke opened his eyes and squirmed and so our siesta was over. Hours passed and eventually I needed to go into Luke's room for something. This is what I saw:
I had already started cleaning when I snapped the photo-it was much worse. Anyone who knows me knows I have a touch of OCD: all of the clothes are organized according to size and season. Not anymore. The crib is usually quite inviting with stuffed animals and cozy blankets (as nobody ever sleeps in it). It was was stripped bare to the mattress and covered in cookie crumbs. The tiny jackets and cute clothes which need to be hung are kept neatly in the closet in order from smallest size to biggest and, of course, season. They were scattered all over the floor and about a dozen hangers were snapped because they tried to swing from them on the closet rail. What really scares me is they were able to completely ransack the room so swiftly and silently. I honestly was fooled into thinking they were playing house.
My 45 minute rest cost me a days' worth of work. I realize that the children are old enough to know better-they know that tearing stuff up like that is NOT okay. However I didn't know how I should react since I clearly told them to do whatever they wanted as long as they didn't wake Luke and I up. So the next morning we started re-organizing the clothes, putting the crib back together, and getting the diapers back on the shelves. Each time they asked to get into the pool I answered, "We can't play in the pool today because we have to clean the baby's room that you destroyed." Believe me, they asked literally every 3 minutes. But I never gave in. Finally order was restored and we could do something fun. I'm hopeful my technique worked at least a little because I heard Sarah telling Patrick if he messed up his room "mommy will be mad and then...no pool!"
Dear Lord, Please don't ever tease me with a nap again. It's just not right. Amen.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Last Thursday my hubby and I packed up the truck and headed to South FL for our niece's wedding. On Friday the five of us donned our swimsuits and went to the beach first thing in the morning. Just us, towels, sunblock, and the beach-that is definitely the happiest I can get (okay, okay...Disney World is a tie).
The rest of the weekend passed; visited family and went out to eat quite a bit. The wedding was on Sunday and our plan was to leave early Monday morning as Rick had to work that night. I dressed the kids and they looked extremely cute in their fancy clothes. I made sure to take lots of photos so I would always remember just how sweet they were at this age.
Five minutes before we left the wedding venue I looked down at the table where I had laid my phone literally two minutes prior...GONE. We had no choice but to give up searching; it was obviously stolen and not coming back. I bawled the entire way back to my mother-in-law's house. Sobbing like I haven't in a very long time. It wasn't the loss of the $500 iPhone, not the money that was lost in apps and music. It was the pictures. All of them just....gone. My youngest child's memories from the time of his birth...just gone. Like they had never happened. I am an idiot and haven't backed up my phone in ages so there is no way to recover them. The only pictures I have of precious moments with my baby are on Facebook. There were so many on my phone that I never shared on Facebook-his first smile, first tooth, first skinned knee, first EVERYTHING. We never think we will forget, but we do. All those little moments that make up motherhood. Siblings sharing hugs, chocolate-covered faces, playing in the rain. Things that would not interest your "friends" online, but that meant the world to you as a mom. They fade in your memory; that's why we take photos. I have not gotten over it yet.
Thanks to that loser taking my property I was also locked out of my e-mail and Facebook accounts. So there I was: no phone, no e-mail, nothing! Literally completely cut off from everyone! I didn't know what to do-I was used to constantly being connected. I had become one of those people who are dependent on technology-I don't know anyone's phone number or e-mail address by heart; in the past I could recite dozens of contacts...not anymore. My phone contained my ENTIRE life. It was a wake-up call. When I laid down at night I would pray, "Please God, I NEED my stuff back-bring it back!" After the fist couple of nights my prayer changed to, "Thank you God for forcing me to realize how I have been managing my life. I wish you could have picked a cheaper way, but...thanks."
After days of pleading with Yahoo they agreed to grant me access to my account. From there I was able to get into my FB and look at the pictures that I no longer have. I was taught a valuable lesson: BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS!! Once they are gone they are GONE-forever. Also, while it is fun and convenient to be connected at all times, it is all too easy to get wrapped up in it. That week without the ability to be online was awful! I felt lost!! But my kids and I spent more time together. Don't get me wrong-I spend ALL of my time with my kids. However, it was different because I knew there was no use in wandering over to the laptop. I didn't have a phone to turn on and zone out with. So our time was uninterrupted. I don't spend much time online at one sitting. It's too dangerous in this house. But I do check my phone a lot...maybe out of boredom with the daily hum-drum, maybe because I am lonely. Whatever the reason, I never thought much of it until I wasn't able to do it and I saw how much I accomplished.
I really do try my best to engage with my children: we build hotels with blocks, finger paint, bake cookies, all of those fun things. But this past week I went through clothes, caught up the laundry, cleaned closets. Simplified.
I did replace my iPhone. (YIPPEE!) But now it will just be an awesome, fun phone...not a distraction from the things I am trying to avoid in my life.
The rest of the weekend passed; visited family and went out to eat quite a bit. The wedding was on Sunday and our plan was to leave early Monday morning as Rick had to work that night. I dressed the kids and they looked extremely cute in their fancy clothes. I made sure to take lots of photos so I would always remember just how sweet they were at this age.
Five minutes before we left the wedding venue I looked down at the table where I had laid my phone literally two minutes prior...GONE. We had no choice but to give up searching; it was obviously stolen and not coming back. I bawled the entire way back to my mother-in-law's house. Sobbing like I haven't in a very long time. It wasn't the loss of the $500 iPhone, not the money that was lost in apps and music. It was the pictures. All of them just....gone. My youngest child's memories from the time of his birth...just gone. Like they had never happened. I am an idiot and haven't backed up my phone in ages so there is no way to recover them. The only pictures I have of precious moments with my baby are on Facebook. There were so many on my phone that I never shared on Facebook-his first smile, first tooth, first skinned knee, first EVERYTHING. We never think we will forget, but we do. All those little moments that make up motherhood. Siblings sharing hugs, chocolate-covered faces, playing in the rain. Things that would not interest your "friends" online, but that meant the world to you as a mom. They fade in your memory; that's why we take photos. I have not gotten over it yet.
Thanks to that loser taking my property I was also locked out of my e-mail and Facebook accounts. So there I was: no phone, no e-mail, nothing! Literally completely cut off from everyone! I didn't know what to do-I was used to constantly being connected. I had become one of those people who are dependent on technology-I don't know anyone's phone number or e-mail address by heart; in the past I could recite dozens of contacts...not anymore. My phone contained my ENTIRE life. It was a wake-up call. When I laid down at night I would pray, "Please God, I NEED my stuff back-bring it back!" After the fist couple of nights my prayer changed to, "Thank you God for forcing me to realize how I have been managing my life. I wish you could have picked a cheaper way, but...thanks."
After days of pleading with Yahoo they agreed to grant me access to my account. From there I was able to get into my FB and look at the pictures that I no longer have. I was taught a valuable lesson: BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS!! Once they are gone they are GONE-forever. Also, while it is fun and convenient to be connected at all times, it is all too easy to get wrapped up in it. That week without the ability to be online was awful! I felt lost!! But my kids and I spent more time together. Don't get me wrong-I spend ALL of my time with my kids. However, it was different because I knew there was no use in wandering over to the laptop. I didn't have a phone to turn on and zone out with. So our time was uninterrupted. I don't spend much time online at one sitting. It's too dangerous in this house. But I do check my phone a lot...maybe out of boredom with the daily hum-drum, maybe because I am lonely. Whatever the reason, I never thought much of it until I wasn't able to do it and I saw how much I accomplished.
I really do try my best to engage with my children: we build hotels with blocks, finger paint, bake cookies, all of those fun things. But this past week I went through clothes, caught up the laundry, cleaned closets. Simplified.
I did replace my iPhone. (YIPPEE!) But now it will just be an awesome, fun phone...not a distraction from the things I am trying to avoid in my life.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Chasing Batman
Two days ago we took my younger cousin back-to-school shopping at Target. We ran into someone we know from church and he pointed to the ceiling and said, "Look!"...so we looked. There was a huge black bat flying frantically around in the corner.
Patrick immediately screamed, "BATMAN!!" and ran across the store. I had to grab the baby (who now weighs more than a quarter of my own weight!) and run after him while dragging Sarah by the arm. I got nervous because Patrick was out of sight, but it didn't last long since I could follow the shrieks of "BATMAN! LOOK!! BATMAN!!!" When I caught up to my son the bat had clearly realized it was in his best interest to vanish because it was nowhere to be seen. It really made Patrick's day. :)
Patrick immediately screamed, "BATMAN!!" and ran across the store. I had to grab the baby (who now weighs more than a quarter of my own weight!) and run after him while dragging Sarah by the arm. I got nervous because Patrick was out of sight, but it didn't last long since I could follow the shrieks of "BATMAN! LOOK!! BATMAN!!!" When I caught up to my son the bat had clearly realized it was in his best interest to vanish because it was nowhere to be seen. It really made Patrick's day. :)
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