Thursday, November 30, 2006
Old entry explantion
As you have noticed the last 18 entries are completely out of order and context from the rest of this blog. I have moved entries over from another blog site I was using and quite unhappy with....well it was probably more myself I was disappointed with, because I just couldn't get the hang of it. So despite my extreme displeaser with AOL advertising on my site...I have sold out once again to corporate greed...all in the name of convience. Shame on me!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Moved entry #18
10 March 2006
Global Warming
It was 82 degrees in my yard today...in the SHADE! I hope this is not an indicator of what's to come.
Amy and Emily are winding down their visit, they will be leaving this Thursday. We have had a great time sight seeing and getting to know each other again. Emily has thoroughly enjoyed the yard and trampoline. We have had the chance to play in the snow and the sunshine!
We visited the Calvert Marine Museum last week and got to see seahorses up close. They have a large open tank of rays and skates and we watched them for the longest. It was as though they were playing with us. One of the skates just stayed still but would wink evrytime you looked his way. We also met Bubbles and Squeak, the resident otters. Talk about playful! The museum has large collection of fossils and bones which of course intrigued Retta. She was able to talk with an archaeology volunteer who was sifting through sand from the Miocene Period, looking for snail fossils...all the kids got to bring one home.
Musa has been busily working on his spelling. He came up with an idea that we could have daily IM sessions and by doing more writing it may improve his spelling. He is even using a dictionary. It is always to insightful to watch the kids come up with their own ways of learning.
It was 82 degrees in my yard today...in the SHADE! I hope this is not an indicator of what's to come.
Amy and Emily are winding down their visit, they will be leaving this Thursday. We have had a great time sight seeing and getting to know each other again. Emily has thoroughly enjoyed the yard and trampoline. We have had the chance to play in the snow and the sunshine!
We visited the Calvert Marine Museum last week and got to see seahorses up close. They have a large open tank of rays and skates and we watched them for the longest. It was as though they were playing with us. One of the skates just stayed still but would wink evrytime you looked his way. We also met Bubbles and Squeak, the resident otters. Talk about playful! The museum has large collection of fossils and bones which of course intrigued Retta. She was able to talk with an archaeology volunteer who was sifting through sand from the Miocene Period, looking for snail fossils...all the kids got to bring one home.
Musa has been busily working on his spelling. He came up with an idea that we could have daily IM sessions and by doing more writing it may improve his spelling. He is even using a dictionary. It is always to insightful to watch the kids come up with their own ways of learning.
Moved entry #17
20 March 2006
Odds and Ends
Musa discoered an old 5th grade math testbook and is having fun working his way through the problems. It has been a fabulous confidence booster as he finds he knows much more math than he thought. He has even set up a math journal and is happily tracking his progress.
Retta is enjoying the return of her bed. She has recently been fascinated with the birth process. She watches all the "baby-story" shows on TV, asks several times a day if I will tell her birth story. We have a friend who is a doula-when Retta found out she was ecstatic. She is planning an upcoming interview. We are headed to the library to check out some new books and videos about birth.
A few weeks ago we all went to a working dog show, put on by Fidos for Freedom. They are an all volunteer organization that trains and provides hearing a mobility dogs. We discovered that I do qualify for a mobility dog and will look toward that in the future. The volunteers spent some time during the presentation shwing how they train the dogs. Musa is convinced that he can train Elwood to be a mobility assistant. He is working hard on the training but so far Elwood is not looking too promising. Bella just shows up for the treats, we have to keep telling her she is not part of the training group!!
We are all slowly recovering from our house guests and viral illnesses. The last week of Amy and Emily's visit we all ended up in various stages of URI or GI illness. I am glad to be leaving it all behind.
Musa discoered an old 5th grade math testbook and is having fun working his way through the problems. It has been a fabulous confidence booster as he finds he knows much more math than he thought. He has even set up a math journal and is happily tracking his progress.
Retta is enjoying the return of her bed. She has recently been fascinated with the birth process. She watches all the "baby-story" shows on TV, asks several times a day if I will tell her birth story. We have a friend who is a doula-when Retta found out she was ecstatic. She is planning an upcoming interview. We are headed to the library to check out some new books and videos about birth.
A few weeks ago we all went to a working dog show, put on by Fidos for Freedom. They are an all volunteer organization that trains and provides hearing a mobility dogs. We discovered that I do qualify for a mobility dog and will look toward that in the future. The volunteers spent some time during the presentation shwing how they train the dogs. Musa is convinced that he can train Elwood to be a mobility assistant. He is working hard on the training but so far Elwood is not looking too promising. Bella just shows up for the treats, we have to keep telling her she is not part of the training group!!
Moved entry#16
30 March 2006
Newcomers
We can honestly say that we have Eastern Bluebirds nest building and preparing to create life right in our own little yard! A few weeks ago Musa noticed a bluebird sticking her head out of one of the houses the kids built, but then they seemed to disappear. Today the happy couple were happily moving in, busily taking nesting materials into the house. We have tried for several years but we have never been able to attract them. The wooden houses and all the precious little hands that worked so hard making them...must have made the difference. What an honor.
The yard came alive today with big bumble bees, butterflies and moths. Spiders are crawling about, the trees are blooming....our eyes are itching. We spent the last several days digging in the garden, planted a whole garden box full of different sunflowers, planted our red and green lettuce, kale, brocolli and brussel sprouts. We are going to spend our rewards certificate from the local nursery and plant some berry bushes.
The cycle of the seasons continues on...
We can honestly say that we have Eastern Bluebirds nest building and preparing to create life right in our own little yard! A few weeks ago Musa noticed a bluebird sticking her head out of one of the houses the kids built, but then they seemed to disappear. Today the happy couple were happily moving in, busily taking nesting materials into the house. We have tried for several years but we have never been able to attract them. The wooden houses and all the precious little hands that worked so hard making them...must have made the difference. What an honor.
To many people reading this post it may seem quite absurd that in this crazy hectic world full of angst and heartache...that one could get so excited about a bird. I make no apologies. Nature is my cathedral. Trees, grass, insects, wildlife and water are my children's' classroom and textbooks. I challenge anyone to write and deliver a lesson plan that would teach as much and create as much conversation and wonder as those two little beautiful birds did today. It makes it so exciting to see what tomorrow will bring.
We also have the Brown Thrashers back and I believe I saw a Cedar Waxing today. I always love this time of year. All the birds are migrating again. It is fun to see the different kinds stop by the feeders. The Brown Thrashers have these enormous beaks, I love to see them drink water.The yard came alive today with big bumble bees, butterflies and moths. Spiders are crawling about, the trees are blooming....our eyes are itching. We spent the last several days digging in the garden, planted a whole garden box full of different sunflowers, planted our red and green lettuce, kale, brocolli and brussel sprouts. We are going to spend our rewards certificate from the local nursery and plant some berry bushes.
The cycle of the seasons continues on...
Moved entry #15
08 April 2006
Botanical Gardens
We met Anna in DC and visited the Botanical Gardens. There was a coffee exibit we wanted to see and this would be our first trip to the Gardens. I must say it was truly beautiful. I was afraid the kids might find the whole thing boring..but they actually had a great time. All of the orchids were blooming and were just stunning.
The coffe exibit was so well done. It is a black and white photo journal of the coffee farms and growers around the world. Stunning photography...he managed to capture the souls of these people...although done in B&W it was as though you could smell the regions. I was particularly taken with the Guatemala pictures, of course.
After wandering through the gardens we walked over to the Native American Museum to have lunch...what a fun place with great food. The menu is geared toward the regions of North America Indian's and the foods they harvested. Fabulous eating in front of a large cascading fountain.
The subway ride home during rush hours is always as interesting as the rest of the day. Didn't know if I was going to make it to the truck, about 200 yeards away my legs almost gave out. I managed to get there with Musa and Retta chanting, "Just keep walking, Just keep walking." I was very happy to sit down.
I am so glad we did this. It has provided me with a few more images to escape to in my head when I need to get away from the real world.
We met Anna in DC and visited the Botanical Gardens. There was a coffee exibit we wanted to see and this would be our first trip to the Gardens. I must say it was truly beautiful. I was afraid the kids might find the whole thing boring..but they actually had a great time. All of the orchids were blooming and were just stunning.
The coffe exibit was so well done. It is a black and white photo journal of the coffee farms and growers around the world. Stunning photography...he managed to capture the souls of these people...although done in B&W it was as though you could smell the regions. I was particularly taken with the Guatemala pictures, of course.
After wandering through the gardens we walked over to the Native American Museum to have lunch...what a fun place with great food. The menu is geared toward the regions of North America Indian's and the foods they harvested. Fabulous eating in front of a large cascading fountain.
The subway ride home during rush hours is always as interesting as the rest of the day. Didn't know if I was going to make it to the truck, about 200 yeards away my legs almost gave out. I managed to get there with Musa and Retta chanting, "Just keep walking, Just keep walking." I was very happy to sit down.
I am so glad we did this. It has provided me with a few more images to escape to in my head when I need to get away from the real world.
Moved entry #14
13 April 2006
Methods and Choices
So much to blog and so little time............
Retta showed up at the kitchen table this morning with her bicycle helmet on her head, a notebook and an ink pen. "Mom, how do you spell, precious?" She wrote it down in the notebook. "Okay, spell tiger." "Now, spell nominate." This went on until she had a long list of words. She sometimes does this most of the day. She has a notebook almost filled with words. She says she is learning to read..."first I have to know how to spell all the words, then I will know how to read them." I resist the temptation to try to "teach" her to read. I know she is capable of doing this on her own and it is a fascinating process to watch unfold.
I asked her about the bicycle helmet and she said she was wearing it, "Because it is comfortable." She asked me if she wore it to school would the teacher make her take it off. I told her I couldn't say for sure, but most likely she would be told to remove it. To which she replied..
"Mom. I would hate that, I need more choices, even though I am small, I am a human and all humans need choices. If my life feels better one day because of a helmet, then I need to make that choice. How could you make that choice for me...you don't know what is inside of me. If I need to do art, right at this moment, then I should be able to do art! I know when it is right. I would hate school for not letting me do art when I want, or if I needed to stop a minute and hang my head upside down on a chair...sometimes that is the only way my world looks normal...people should have more choices."
I replied that I agreed.
Musa commented on the spelling issue relating he needed to learn how to read the words first and then learn to spell. (which he is working on lately) It makes no sense to him the way Retta is approaching reading. He did remark how great it is that they have both had the freedom to learn it their own ways.
So much to blog and so little time............
Retta showed up at the kitchen table this morning with her bicycle helmet on her head, a notebook and an ink pen. "Mom, how do you spell, precious?" She wrote it down in the notebook. "Okay, spell tiger." "Now, spell nominate." This went on until she had a long list of words. She sometimes does this most of the day. She has a notebook almost filled with words. She says she is learning to read..."first I have to know how to spell all the words, then I will know how to read them." I resist the temptation to try to "teach" her to read. I know she is capable of doing this on her own and it is a fascinating process to watch unfold.
I asked her about the bicycle helmet and she said she was wearing it, "Because it is comfortable." She asked me if she wore it to school would the teacher make her take it off. I told her I couldn't say for sure, but most likely she would be told to remove it. To which she replied..
"Mom. I would hate that, I need more choices, even though I am small, I am a human and all humans need choices. If my life feels better one day because of a helmet, then I need to make that choice. How could you make that choice for me...you don't know what is inside of me. If I need to do art, right at this moment, then I should be able to do art! I know when it is right. I would hate school for not letting me do art when I want, or if I needed to stop a minute and hang my head upside down on a chair...sometimes that is the only way my world looks normal...people should have more choices."
I replied that I agreed.
Musa commented on the spelling issue relating he needed to learn how to read the words first and then learn to spell. (which he is working on lately) It makes no sense to him the way Retta is approaching reading. He did remark how great it is that they have both had the freedom to learn it their own ways.
Moved entry #13
Acceptance
Don't grumble! Don't stew!
some critters are much-much,
oh, ever so much-much,
so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!"
Dr. Suess
That is why I say, "Duckie!
Don't grumble! Don't stew!
some critters are much-much,
oh, ever so much-much,
so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!"
Dr. Suess
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