Thursday, March 22, 2012
cute-isms
I haven't had much success lately posting videos directly on the blog, so I uploaded Bekah's video to YouTube. You can watch her do "Irish Dancing" (you can tell that's what it is by the Irish Dancer Arms) to the song "Personal Penguin" here.
I was showing the kids our seedlings this morning, telling them what each is.
When they saw all the little broccoli seedlings (like the one above), Bekah said, "can we pick it now??" Um, sure, Boo, but I don't think it will fill you up much!
I was chatting with Hudson before we dropped the kids off at the library so we could have our date. I told him he could choose a movie and a book to take home. He thought for a minute, and said, "where's the books?"
At lunch yesterday, I was reading Mary Poppins to the kids (for a tangent thread, read this). We were reading about a star who came down to Christmas shop with Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael, and the description of her didn't outright say "she was a star." So I told the kids that, and Hudson chimed in: "yeah! A ROCK Star!"
I was showing the kids our seedlings this morning, telling them what each is.
I was chatting with Hudson before we dropped the kids off at the library so we could have our date. I told him he could choose a movie and a book to take home. He thought for a minute, and said, "where's the books?"
At lunch yesterday, I was reading Mary Poppins to the kids (for a tangent thread, read this). We were reading about a star who came down to Christmas shop with Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael, and the description of her didn't outright say "she was a star." So I told the kids that, and Hudson chimed in: "yeah! A ROCK Star!"
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Learning to Love
Or how I went from this:
I've struggled with living in Buffalo since I moved here. No, I've struggled a lot longer than that. I wanted out of Rochester. I found my journal from college and complained in there about wanting out of Rochester. Basically "anywhere but here." That was my wish when I blew my candles out on my 26th birthday, that I'd be celebrating the next birthday in a new city. Um, Buffalo wasn't quite what I had in mind, but it was a package deal with the man of my dreams, so I took it.
and I don't regret that choice. If I had to go back and choose again, I'd still choose it.
but it doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer a relocation. Preferably someplace with palm trees, sunshine, and an utter lack of snow. Mickey nearby is a plus but not the reason for my choice of relocation direction.
For the past year or two, I've had huge ups and downs about it. Like HUGE. I kept trying to talk myself out of it...nope. Tried adding in herbs (like St. John's Wort) to help balance my hormones and emotions. Didn't help.
Finally, after we got back from a perfect vacation in the place I'm still longing to live and yet another HUGE crash, I knew what I needed to try next.
I needed to be thankful. I needed to worship. I needed to actually thank Jesus for everything.
I started my list like this:
~Thank you for the obnoxious dog next door. She barks day and night. And it's a loud bark. But because she's outside and a german shepherd, no one would break into our house. They'd be afraid she'd wake up the neighborhood (and possibly jump the fence and attack them). so we're getting the benefits of a watchdog, without having to take care of a dog.
~Thank you for winter. The frozen ground means we get beautiful bulbs in spring, and without it we couldn't have the variety of foods that can grow locally.
~Thank you for being close to a city with so many nationalities represented. I love food from different countries, and I can enjoy a bunch of them within a short drive from our house.
~Thank you for this old house. I fell in love with it and knew it was the house for us 5 years ago. It was perfect for us, and for now we can continue to make changes so that it continues to suit our needs.
~Thank you for the overcast skies that keep the winter days from getting too cold. It insulates us from drastic cold temps for most of the winter.
Since then, I've found it easier (most days) to find something to be thankful about in any of my frustrations.
And instead of griping to myself, to Josh, and to whoever would listen, I'm spending the time praising instead.
I don't want to sound all high-and-mighty, like I've figured it out. I just want to share how much my life has changed in this outlook. It's not on my own. I tried that in the first place. But by changing my gripes to praise, my heart is more content.
I still want to move to Florida. That likely won't change until we're actually there. But the point is, for the first time in my life (minus the 2 years in Turkey, when I adored where I lived), I'm content with where I live. I haven't moved. I'm still in the same city, with the same dark clouds over the skies, the same depressed economy and way too many laws. It's my attitude. My heart has changed.
There's a bumper sticker I've been eyeing for awhile now. It looks like this minus the glass:
When I first saw them, I laughed, that cynical laugh that said, "there's no way that will ever be on my car!" But then it became a longing, that I would actually WANT one on my car. Now I want to buy one. Maybe not put it on my car, but to hang on my fridge, which is actually a stronger statement because *I* will keep seeing it.
to this:
I've struggled with living in Buffalo since I moved here. No, I've struggled a lot longer than that. I wanted out of Rochester. I found my journal from college and complained in there about wanting out of Rochester. Basically "anywhere but here." That was my wish when I blew my candles out on my 26th birthday, that I'd be celebrating the next birthday in a new city. Um, Buffalo wasn't quite what I had in mind, but it was a package deal with the man of my dreams, so I took it.
but it doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer a relocation. Preferably someplace with palm trees, sunshine, and an utter lack of snow. Mickey nearby is a plus but not the reason for my choice of relocation direction.
For the past year or two, I've had huge ups and downs about it. Like HUGE. I kept trying to talk myself out of it...nope. Tried adding in herbs (like St. John's Wort) to help balance my hormones and emotions. Didn't help.
Finally, after we got back from a perfect vacation in the place I'm still longing to live and yet another HUGE crash, I knew what I needed to try next.
I needed to be thankful. I needed to worship. I needed to actually thank Jesus for everything.
I started my list like this:
~Thank you for the obnoxious dog next door. She barks day and night. And it's a loud bark. But because she's outside and a german shepherd, no one would break into our house. They'd be afraid she'd wake up the neighborhood (and possibly jump the fence and attack them). so we're getting the benefits of a watchdog, without having to take care of a dog.
~Thank you for winter. The frozen ground means we get beautiful bulbs in spring, and without it we couldn't have the variety of foods that can grow locally.
~Thank you for being close to a city with so many nationalities represented. I love food from different countries, and I can enjoy a bunch of them within a short drive from our house.
~Thank you for this old house. I fell in love with it and knew it was the house for us 5 years ago. It was perfect for us, and for now we can continue to make changes so that it continues to suit our needs.
~Thank you for the overcast skies that keep the winter days from getting too cold. It insulates us from drastic cold temps for most of the winter.
Since then, I've found it easier (most days) to find something to be thankful about in any of my frustrations.
And instead of griping to myself, to Josh, and to whoever would listen, I'm spending the time praising instead.
I don't want to sound all high-and-mighty, like I've figured it out. I just want to share how much my life has changed in this outlook. It's not on my own. I tried that in the first place. But by changing my gripes to praise, my heart is more content.
I still want to move to Florida. That likely won't change until we're actually there. But the point is, for the first time in my life (minus the 2 years in Turkey, when I adored where I lived), I'm content with where I live. I haven't moved. I'm still in the same city, with the same dark clouds over the skies, the same depressed economy and way too many laws. It's my attitude. My heart has changed.
There's a bumper sticker I've been eyeing for awhile now. It looks like this minus the glass:
When I first saw them, I laughed, that cynical laugh that said, "there's no way that will ever be on my car!" But then it became a longing, that I would actually WANT one on my car. Now I want to buy one. Maybe not put it on my car, but to hang on my fridge, which is actually a stronger statement because *I* will keep seeing it.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Jasmine and Math
I should post this on the homeschooling blog too, or instead, but it's too cute not to share with family so here it goes!
Jasmine's math problem was to add the three numbers you see in the bottom left of the picture, using "base 10" cards. She knows the steps but was hoping to find a different way to do it. Here's the conversation we had:
Abe had 1849 sheep, Amy had 2735 sheep, and Abagail had 3817 sheep. They decided they wanted to know how many sheep they had altogether.
Here are Jasmine's solutions:
They could stay up all day and all night and count them.
or
They could hire more shepherds; one for each sheep.
(I then told her that was okay, but how many shepherds are there??)
I love her, um, creativity!
Abe had 1849 sheep, Amy had 2735 sheep, and Abagail had 3817 sheep. They decided they wanted to know how many sheep they had altogether.
Here are Jasmine's solutions:
They could stay up all day and all night and count them.
or
They could hire more shepherds; one for each sheep.
(I then told her that was okay, but how many shepherds are there??)
I love her, um, creativity!
Friday, March 16, 2012
St. Patrick's Day dance
Jasmine and Bekah were in a little performance yesterday. They were so cute!!
They haven't been to class since before Christmas, so they were, um, a little lost, buut they picked it up well and had a really good time, and I know this helped motivate them to get back into it, now that Chicken Pox have left the building and we're home from Disney.
(I still like run-ons).
First they sang "Molly Mallone."
"she died of a fever"
"crying, 'Cockles and Mussels!' Alive, alive-o!"
First position...
third position...
fourth position...
um....
After dancing we came home, ate a quick dinner, and went to the Shriners' Circus! I didn't take many pictures but did happen to get one good one of Jasmine's favorite part (she wants to do this!)
During intermission, we let the kids get "Tatoos" (that's what the sign said. They spelled it wrong last year and never fixed it!!!
I noticed after the fact that Bekah's hearts have, um, bullet holes in them. Jasmine saw that and decided it was from Cupid's arrow. Much better than what I thought....
They haven't been to class since before Christmas, so they were, um, a little lost, buut they picked it up well and had a really good time, and I know this helped motivate them to get back into it, now that Chicken Pox have left the building and we're home from Disney.
(I still like run-ons).
First they sang "Molly Mallone."
"she died of a fever"
"crying, 'Cockles and Mussels!' Alive, alive-o!"
First position...
third position...
fourth position...
um....
After dancing we came home, ate a quick dinner, and went to the Shriners' Circus! I didn't take many pictures but did happen to get one good one of Jasmine's favorite part (she wants to do this!)
During intermission, we let the kids get "Tatoos" (that's what the sign said. They spelled it wrong last year and never fixed it!!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
books
My kids love to read.
It makes me so happy to see that!! As a lifelong bookworm, one of the sweetest sights is of my kids reading.
It makes me so happy to see that!! As a lifelong bookworm, one of the sweetest sights is of my kids reading.
the sight from a few days ago:
*happy sigh*
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
If you give a Boo a clock
If your mother gives Bekah a clock for a birthday present
And it shows cool pictures of the moon, the Earth, and the planets on the ceiling
You'll need a good place to put it.
So you'll rearrange the bedroom.
And you'll realize it's a lot bigger than it's ever looked, so you'll take pictures.
And you'll thank your mother for purchasing the clock.
And it shows cool pictures of the moon, the Earth, and the planets on the ceiling
You'll need a good place to put it.
So you'll rearrange the bedroom.
And you'll realize it's a lot bigger than it's ever looked, so you'll take pictures.
And you'll thank your mother for purchasing the clock.
Friday, March 02, 2012
A month-long week
1. Hudson apparently didn't have the chickenpox when the girls did.
2. I've been very tempted to write a long post about life, but I'm afraid no one would read it, and then when I sit down at the computer I completely forget that I was even considering it.
3. Hudson has more spots than Bekah did. Not sure how it compares to Jasmine, since neither of them would let me count.
3. I have big dreams for new things in my photography world, but I have no idea how to make them work. I bought a picture of someone else's kids for my portfolio, but it's huge and there's nowhere to hang it on my wall.
4. The kids chose fingerpainting as their end-of-school activity this week.
5. I still give up too easily.
6. I'm so thankful it's the weekend.
7. Anyone want to cook dinner for me?
8. I submitted a picture for a contest. I don't expect to win...especially when I found out there were over 2600 entries. But it was still fun to try, and I'm excited that I finally submit often enough that I don't think about it most of the time after the fact!
2. I've been very tempted to write a long post about life, but I'm afraid no one would read it, and then when I sit down at the computer I completely forget that I was even considering it.
3. Hudson has more spots than Bekah did. Not sure how it compares to Jasmine, since neither of them would let me count.
3. I have big dreams for new things in my photography world, but I have no idea how to make them work. I bought a picture of someone else's kids for my portfolio, but it's huge and there's nowhere to hang it on my wall.
4. The kids chose fingerpainting as their end-of-school activity this week.
5. I still give up too easily.
6. I'm so thankful it's the weekend.
7. Anyone want to cook dinner for me?
8. I submitted a picture for a contest. I don't expect to win...especially when I found out there were over 2600 entries. But it was still fun to try, and I'm excited that I finally submit often enough that I don't think about it most of the time after the fact!
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