Time Flies When You're Having FUN!

Wow! Where has all the time flown off to? Perhaps it went south with the ducks and geese...Oh yeah! Not all the birds leave Arizona in the winter...and then we get the "snow birds"...Now I officially rambling. But it is true...time has gotten away from me. I titled this "Time Flies When YOu're having fun" because that is mostly what I have been doing. Fun! Of one type or another.

We changed out the ocean room to a pumpkin patch and falling leaves room and now it is already time to make into the snow room for the winter...or at least part of the winter I had hoped to make it a room full of snowmen and flakes...snowflakes, that is! So far, both time and energy have eluded me during the opportune hours for such a project!

Speaking of projects...I have been consumed with them of late. I hand-made a quilt for my youngest grandson's second birthday. I do this for each grandchild on that birthday. I try to go with a theme that they or their parents choose. Last year Girlfriend got a princess one. Mr. Boo's was a "things that go" theme, mostly with trains, planes, and trucks. There were some cars, hot air balloons, school buses, and bicycles on it too. Oh! And a skateboard or two! It took me a lot longer than I anticipated. Struggling with osteo-arthritis and fibromyalgia is not fun. Such handiwork has to be done in segments...when I can take the challenge. But, that all got done and arrived by his birthday. He seems to like it very much!

The next project I tackled was making Girlfriend a dollhouse for Christmas. I started off really cheaply with a small book case I purchased for one dollar at a yard sale. Then came the paint...four different colors to match a table and chair set she has which was custom made. Then Grandpa made a roof...then I bought tiles for the flooring...and a pink placemat for the bedroom carpet. then we made or bought (depending on the room) furniture for each room. So it now has a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, famil room, bedroom, and two more unfurnished rooms at the moment. Thinking about going with a laundry room and a parent's bedroom...but I may have to make the bed...can't find one...anyway, that is almost done. Just have to velcro the furniture to the flooring so it doesn't slip around and get broken or lost! PTL!

I also picked up a doll cradle and two high chairs at yard sales...all for under ten bucks! They are all wooden...so I painted them to match all the other furniture as well. Now the challenge is finding boxes so I can wrap them up!

And now I have a few projects for the adult children in my life. I cannot disclose those here, however, just in case one or more of them should decide to read this blog. Never have yet, but who knows? Those are all easier and less intense with the physcial aspects, but time-consuming none-the-less!

On top of all this, I have managed to decorate my home almost completely, and get my Christmas cards done for the first time in like five years or more! Ha!

Well, I did not intend to write an epistle of extraordinary lengths, but it looks like I have done so anyway! I shall try to be more accomodating to be faithful to write this blog...I have to say that Facebook is part of the problem, as I get on there and feel like I have displayed my events and overlook this blog. I shall do better...I shall do better...I shall do better... (I may have to write this on the board 1000 times!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS if I don't get around to blogging before then! AND HAVE A BLESSED SEASON OF JOY,,,not stress!

Out with whales and in with the leaves~

What a week! I really should say, "What a month!" It has been full of changes. We changed out our Science topic from the Ocean and its creatures to Chemistry and the study of Matter. That meant we had the sad task of taking down our ocean room and replacing it with pumpkins, leaves, and resemblences of fall. While I do not yet have current pix of the fall room, I will post some of the ocean one. While this new one is not as elaborate, it was fun putting together and designing. Three of my grandsons on Columbus Day painted the "wallpaper" and made some of the pumpkins.

As far as the Science goes, learning about matter, and atoms and the table of elements and protons and neutrons and electrons, etc. is really quite fun. Handsome has a kit from Academy of Science for Kids which has packettes with hands-on explanations and experiments. He finds them very intersting, I find them easy to use and teach. This appears to be a very good program. I never took Chemistry in school and while I picked up some of the info along the way, it is enlightening to me as well. I think I WILL try to memorize the table of elements...just to see if I can! (Maybe you can teach an "old" granny new info!)

Girlfriend is potty-training. She is so funny when she accomplishes her task. She beams and claps and points. And announces it to Daddy and sometimes Grandpa on the phone...

There are lots of tales to share...and I shall share a many soon. As for today, I just wanted to post something and some pictures now that I have my computer figured out!

The Power of a Moment

That's all it took...a quick moment of inattentiveness...I left the scene to get a different marker since the one we were using was running low. Girlfriend had been quietly coloring with her crayons at her own desk. Upon seeing me leave, she decided to follow, at which Handsome decided to move her desk slightly.

This created a reaction which concluded by them both pushing the desk across the room. This would not have been a big issue, had not a wayward crayon gotten lodged under the leg of the desk.

YES! In a brief moment of time, the light colored carpet was hued with a dark blue streak about four feet long!

So, I spent a good deal of the afternoon trying to remove the color. In the end, I did succeed, but if you look REALLY closely, you can tell that there has been some marking. Fortunately, most of us don't look THAT closely, and if we tried to, there would be too much action of little feet dancing or playing anyway!

THis, is the power of a simple moment!

The Baby Needs You

Girlfriend is well into her twos as evidenced by her antics. And now that Hunky is attending regular Kindergarten, she requires some extra attention at times. This is fine, even wonderful, to spend special time with her. However, sometimes she prefers that one on one time to be in the middle of Handsome's instruction time.

Grandma, here, being full of antics myself, came up with a "solution"...or so I thought.

"Girlfriend! I hear your baby crying! She needs you! Go get your baby and feed her!"
This worked for a few times, with Girlfriend taking off at lightning speed to care for her baby.

But! she was not to be outdone! Later that week, when she was in need of a time out, thinking quickly to avoid "the time-out corner" she yells out "Wait! I hear my baby crying! She needs me!"

AND as if THAT wasn't funny enough...THIS week, when I tried to use the same tactic, she looks at me and says "Gramma...that baby is just fine!"

The Adventures of Girlfriend and Handsome!

I promised to try to keep this updated and I am once again failing to perform! I think it is largely because I want to be clever or funny or meaningful. alas, there are some days, and even weeks, in which I do not feel funny, clever, or even meaningful...

I will however, blog about our recent field trips...I signed Handsome up for the homeschool program at the Science Center and we attended two classes so far. This last one had to do with magnification...using all kinds of magnifiers...water, lenses, microscopes, etc. It was really fun!

But we went to the AZ Museum of Natural History a few days ago. THAT was really fun! We got to see scenes from the Old West, pan for gold, lock ourselves in a jail cell, examine a stage coach, put together a Native American pootery puzzle,toured a mine shaft set-up and much more! And that was all just in the Old West section.

There is a section on Earth Science where we met Elivs, an alligator, and an alligator turtle who snapped at us through the glass aquarium. We saw the Universe models and the star system. We saw how houses were built before bricks and plaster.

The only "bummer" was that the fantastic dinosaur section was down for repairs. We got to see the "life-size" dinos, but they did not make their noises and movements like they advertise. Oh well. they were awesome anyway! And there were plenty of skeletons too!

I would post pictures, but I forgot my camera and had to buy a one-use type at the gift shop. Not sure if I can scan those or not. This new computer has a different photo program than I am used to, which is why I have not been posting. I will figure it out and get some up soon!

Anyway, life is interesting and different with just Handsome and Girlfriend. Hunky is in regular Kindergarten and doing quite well. Girlfriend misses him. It becomes a delicate balancing act to keep her occupied while Handsome receives instructions for school. She doesn't want to miss out on anything! I need her to self-entertain somewhat, with things I provide of course, and yet, I don't want her to feel lonely or left out. She needs some 1:1 time too. Getting all the topics and proper instruction done AND meeting her needs is quite the challenge. So far, we are managing it...I hope fairly well...

She loves going with us to the field trips and Science classes. So far, she is doing well with it all. I bring along her own special activity box to the classes, which helps a lot. These are things she does not get to play with elsewhere, so they are fresh and exciting!

Hunky comes home before I leave. He gets a snack...or two...or three! Sometimes the neighbor children, with whom he rides to and from school, stay to play for awhile.

All in all, I love my job! I love being with my grandchildren. I love the learning opportunities I have. I love passing on knowlege. I think I should have been a full-time teacher years all along! But then, I loved doing ALL the things I have done in my life...career-wise anyway. What a way to "retire" (which is what my last job called my departure)...AND NOW WE HAVE NEW ADVENTURES DAILY!

Somewhere Over the Rainbows!

Aren't children great? If only we could harness their energy and their imaginations to release for them later in life. I realize that not all of the energy is directed in the most appropriate places. Nor are the tales they spin full of accurate details. But what fun they are!

I have been substitute teaching the Rainbows...3 year olds through Kindergarten on Wednesday evenings at church for about 13 weeks. Last night was my last class. They made me promise to visit and bring some of my puppets back too. We had cupcakes and Capri Sun drinks and made some messess. The great thing here is that the janitor comes on Thursday mornings. He told me to just surface clean and he would do the rest. What a guy!

Actually, last night, we made more noise than mess. We made maraccas out of two plastic cups partially filled with beans, and duct-taped together! Works pretty well, but it can get loud! Especially with more boys than girls. So I told them a story and every time they heard the word "God" in the story, they got to shake their maraccas. One boy got a little carried away and I had to limit the amounts of shakes. Some of the other children got so enrapt in the story that they forgot to shake their maraccas! All in all it was a good night!

This class has made me laugh more times than I can count! Children say such amazing things. One night we were talking about listening and were playing a game where I made two statements about something...one of which was true and one of which was not. I said silly things to keep them laughing, but one girl totally cracked me up! I had said..."girls are pretty but they have purple eyes" and she corrected me about the eyes. So my next statement was "boys are strong, but they smell bad", to which she repleid "That's not right! Boys are not strong!" I couldn't help it! I lost it! But even the boys thought it was funny. Of course, they then wanted to inform us about HOW they get smelly...but that's another story!

I have delightful pictures of them showing me their muscles when the lesson had to do with being strong and healthy. I have silly pictures of them wearing a multi-colored wig...well they story was about Joseph's COAT of many colors, but I didn't have a coat...a wig, I DID have! They loved it! We have painted with paint rollers on butcher paper, painted with jello and glue, gone rock hunting in the parking areas, picked up trash on a "hike" in the parking areas, and made many interesting crafts! And oh, the stories I heard!

Don't worry! If your child was in my class, I did NOT believe everything I heard! In fact, on several occasions, I mentioned these tales to the parents who set the record straight and got a good laugh at the same time! Such stories like..."I have four dogs, three cats, a lizard, a frog, two rats, and fourteen fish at my house!" She actually has two dogs and that is all!

I shall miss these children. But I am also glad to return to the world of the adults. It will not be so entertaining I am sure! It will have a different set of challenges and delight. And I shall visit these children often...along with puppets Ezra, Bubba, and Thing-a-ma-jig! And I might even show up in that Rainbow wig!

A Bubbly Day!

There is nothing quite like the giggles of little girls! And Girlfriend had her share of them today! She likes to be tickled lightly for a few seconds. But if I could capture a moment forever in my memory...it may well have been today. It all started when she discovered a bottle of bubbles! That may have been disconcerting had she been able to get the lid off and indiscrimently spill them. But, fortune was on our side, and she asked me to open them for her. We brought her little red plastic chair into the bathroom where I proceeded to open the bubbles. The name on the bottle said "Miracle bubbles." If one counts laughter as a miracle, then these bubbles lived up to their name!

They really were quite good as bubbles go...I was able to blow numerous ones from each single dip of the wand. And as I caught some on the wand, I was able to roll them over and over the wand, and then disperse them into even more bubbles. Girlfriend was delighted! She grasped for each one as it floated by, clapping and trying to pop them. She was oblivious to ones that landed ever so briefly on her head. She did, however, take note of the one that burst on her nose. She giggled even louder and then rubbed her sweet nose ferociously while reaching for more bubbles in the air. She probably could have done this for a very long time. Unfortunately, we had only our "recess" time from schooling. But what a recess!

Handsome spent his recess time building a house out of cardboard. He made a tiny table and television set to put inside. He got a hinge from the garage and made a door that actually swung open! He cut squares of green paper and then put stickers on them and put them on the walls for hanging pictures. He is quite a creative child! And all of this came from parts of a Creative Moments box! Guess that was another label with prophetic over-tones! Ha!

We had a bubbly day academically as well. Handsome had the best day ever as far as accomplishments go. He finished his math in record time and only missed one problem out of three pages worth! He knew the answers to the History and Science reviews. He also knew the answers to the music and health questions. Wow! And he seemed to catch on to the reading concepts well and proved it by reading new words without hesitation! We played a fishing for words game prior to the introducing the new concept. I took all his spelling words for the last few weeks as well as some new reading words and some familiar words and wrote them onto word strips that I cut into three-inch pieces. These were the "fish" once I placed paper clips on them. then from an old curtain rod, I made a fishing pole, complete with a way to reel them in! And, of course, a magnet for the hook. The game was, that if he missed the word, it would go into the "release" pile. If he corrctly read the word, it went into his "keep" pile. If the "release" pile was larger than his keep pile, he would have to write all the missed words. BUT if his pile was larger, then he did not have to write and also got to eat gummy worms! His pile had 23 and the "release" pile had 7. Good job, Handsome! (He doesn't particularly like to write words!)

So, I consider the day a success! And, oh yes! Hunky got a great report from his Kindergarten class today as well!

Yeah!!!!

Learning Is Fun!

I am learning all the time...the fun thing about homeschool teaching is that the resources are endless. There is no specifically guided curriculum limiting what angles I can research or teach from. I can explore many theories and ideas and opinions and discover the true facts and some little known ones about any subject I want. I have learned amazing facts about Science as well as many ideas. I have learned a lot about history and found humorous and serious things left out of many texts. I utilize the libraries and Internet. They are free (for the most part...I have had late fees at the library and some Internet sites do charge)and they offer a myriad of resources. I am having fun! (By the way, the local library set me up to get emails 2 days before things are due...and I also can "order"- "hold" any item I want from my computer and they will have it for me in a special place when it is available...very helpful people!)

Handsome is doing well. Today he earned a model airplane I had purchased at a yard sale as an incentive for studying the Wright Brothers. We have done that, as well as take a look at the Space program. Handsome thought it would have been incredible if the Wright brothers would have known that less than 70 years later, man would walk on the moon. One of them (my brain fails me at the moment!) did live to see jet planes and the atomic bomb.

We visited the Challenger Space Center yesterday. In addition to all the space information, they have a cockpit control panel from an airplane. That was Handsome's favorite thing. They even let him play with it, switching all the switches and turning all the knobs. They have cardboard space suits that you can take a picture with your head inside. I had to use my cell phone camera so I am not sure how well they turned out, but I will eventually try to publish them.

The history of aviation was the topic for our history class for this first couple of
weeks. We will soon move on into American History. So then, our Science topic is studying the Ocean and its inhabitants...and its features.

Today we learned about salt and fresh water. We did an experiment with salt water, letting the outside air dry it out and observing the salt left behind on the black paper...a lesson in evaporation...and we did an experiment from yesterday's lesson on tides and waves. We made a beach in a paint roller pan and made waves with a pencil and then observed whether the beach got washed away quicker with or without gravel added to the shore. Girlfriend helped make the waves. She thought it was fun!

For health class we are learning about nutrition. We had one week on posture and now we are learning what we should eat. Today Handsome made posters on vegetables and the vitamins they provide. Monday he did one on proteins. Now, if I could only get both of them to eat what they should! Handsome would eat mac and cheese or chicken nuggets everyday if I would let him...or maybe a hashbrown or two. Girlfriend nibbles on protein items and pasta...and then gobbles down everything once in awhile. Today I reiterated the need for vegetables and fruit. It is not that Handsome doesn't like them, it is just that he dislikes them for LUNCH. sounds like a reasonable excuse to me! Ha! But they do get all their vitamins!

Well, that's about all the exciting things happening around my parts. I did fail to mention that Hunky is enjoying Kindergarten and talks a lot about it when he arrives home.

Well, I shall attempt to blog more regularly...at least weekly as I have said before. I almost made it!

Keep smiling because it makes your kids think you have a secret! Ha!

A New Year of Challenges and Changes!

Hello, I know, I know...I keep promising to blog more frequently and then fail to fulfill the promise. Part of the problem truly was that my computer was on the blink...I really should say the "brink" of death...and it finally gave up the ghost as they say. I now have a new computer which eliminates that excuse.

Another problem is that I am the type of person who only occasionally blogs along or writes in diaries, etc, just for myself...or to get things out of my head. I am far more motivated when I know someone else is reading them and hearing me out. And since not very many comments are made, I assume that not very many people, if any, are reading me...thus, I am unmotivated... silly me! (That was a hint!)

Anyway, this is a new year...school year, that is. But since I am homeschooling my grandson and caring for my granddaughter, it is a new beginning for me as well.

Handsome is now in second grade. And I think I am beginning to understand him far better than I ever have! He loves Science...so I am trying to take his weaker areas and enhance them with his Science topics. For example...although we will be using several different Science topics, the main one throughout the year is Zoology 102, understanding the sea and its inhabitants, as well as all swimming creatures, etc. so, we decorated an entire room as the Ocean...painting murals (on butcher paper) and hanging stuffed animal whales, dolphins, sharks, etc. from the ceiling as if they are swimming in the sea. There are lobsters and octopusi, jellyfish and sea stars taped to the mural as well (paper ones, of course!) And nets (from a luau I held last year), and a border of paper sack style butcher paper to depict the bottom of the sea, upon which there is a wrecked ship! Still to come is bubble wrap for the top for air bubbles and foam...and somehow we are going to have some waves....

But I am having him write in a notebook...mostly just copying sentences I write for now...and decorate it with stickers relating to the sea. (Actually, he has a notebook for each topic in which we are doing similar things). Today we did an experiment about the surface currents with Cheerios and hair dryers making gyres in a bowl of water. So, he copied several sentences about the experiment. Funny thing, he doesn't complain about having to write his words or letters, etc. when they mean something about something he is interested in. I also took words that relate to the sea but still meet the level of reading words in his reading workbook for his spelling words. And today, he got 100% without complaining that they were just dumb words. Amazing! I hope he doesn't catch on to the fact that he is actually DOING spelling words and vocabulary words and printing and reading exercises! (Just kidding!)

He is also studying a little tiny bit about astronauts as his history topic for a couple of weeks because the public school he would attend covered Sally Ride and Neil Armstrong last year and we didn't. So, I made that more of a history lesson, but he wrote a few sentences about that too...and looked up some more info on the moon, etc. (We DID study the moon last year...and planets, etc). Next Thursday we are going to the Challenger Space Center in Peoria for a field trip. And we are going to the free aquarium at Cabella's on Wednesday due to our Science topic being fresh water vs. salt water that day...

Just before the start of school, we went to the Children's Museum and the AZ Science Center...on what is called a "Culture Pass"...free passes you can check out at the library...but you have to stand in line first thing in the morning in the heat...because each library has only one for each museum. And you can only get one per week and two per month! But I survived! And it was great fun!

We found out that the Science Center has homeschool classes about every 2 to 3 weeks at a reasonable price. So, the 25th is our first class! The topics vary, but keeping his interest in Science alive is most important. And they will cover the Ocean...in February, I think.

Hunky has started Kindergarten in a public School. We were unsure about the wisdom of that venture, but so far it seems to be positive for both boys.

"Girlfriend", as I am currently referring to her, has definitely graduated to the middle stage of the "terrible twos". I used to shrink at that term, but she has convinced me to renew it. As sweet and wonderful as she is, her opinions are heard loudly and clearly, especially her dislikes. Oh well. To keep her feeling special during school hours, I have created learning centers for her. She LOVES the texture table...Miondays is sand, Wednesdays is beans and macaroni, and Fridays is water!!!!
Tuesdays and Thursdays she gets "dress up" days with makeup and the whole bit. And then there is the store, with gracery cart and "real" food, and the kitchen with fabric textures for food toppings, and then the puzzles, art, stickers, etc. And she also has 1:1 time with me featuring the five sense...one each day...with a snesory bag full of something new to taste, touch, smell, see, or hear...depending on the day.

Well, Monday is Hunky's birthday and though he will be in school, we shall celebrate when he gets home...as well as a family and friends party tomorrow afternoon....

Well, I shall do my best to continue this blog at least weekly...please let me know if you enjoy...or even if you don't but read it anyway! Thanks..

Temporarily no pictures due to new computer needing to be downloaded for the program...perhaps tomorrow!!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Hi, Everyone! I realize it has been a long time since I was blogging away on here. Much has happened and I continue to think daily that I should update this spot.

I fail to be clever at this moment in time and also find myself waning in the creative recall of events that might be of interest...

So, I shall promise once again to try harder to keep things going here on this site...and your responses would help keep me motivated too!

For those of you who can handle controversial subjects from time to time, I do have another blog site that I take to occasionally...some subjects could be here...or there, but I am trying to keep this one related to CF and homeschooling pretty much... so, if you are interested in the other sides of me go to:

Charliwrites.blogspot.com

Hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July!

Everybody Never Always does that ALL the time!

Yeah, totally! Hey, take a breath! Come Up for Air!
(even though this is just a silly thought inspired by the "objectivity-challenged", the statement in the title is actually accurate...sort of...if you think about it...Everybody, all of humanity, NEVER ALWAYS does anything ALL the time...except maybe breathe, and that can be interrupted at will...I hope you don't breathe underwater) The "objectivity-challenged amuse me when I remember to not join their ranks, and not take them or myself, too seriously!

"Everybody" picks on me.
"Everybody" hates me, too!
"Everybody" knows my secrets,
And tells me what to do!

The whole wide world is against me!
Yes, every single soul!
I must be very important
To have them as a whole.

To have every human being
Take personal interest in me,
Seems a little ludicrous,
As my friends wish I would see.

My friends "never" treat me right,
Nor listen to what I say.
They "never" do what I ask,
Or give me the time of day.

But, yet, I AM invited
To go places I have been...
Suggestions, I myself, have made;
But I can't remember when.

And there's precautions my friend take
Because I told them to...
So, maybe, it's not frequently
But "never" should not do!

You "always" think that I am wrong!
"Always" say things that make me mad!
"Always" think the worst of me,
And make me look really bad!

You must have a lot of time;
Extra time on your hands.
No time to eat or sleep or work,
"Always" got to plot and plan!

Yet I see you living fine
With your family and friends.
So, maybe "always" isn't right,
And this eternity should end!

"All the time" you interrupt!
You "never" listen to me!
Perhaps the "you" I should address
Is "poor little old...ME!"

Now for the museum and...

Vacation is almost over!

It has been a wonderful time! I have had a chance to write! That is my first love when it comes to pasttimes. But I have discovered this week that I also love to take nature walks and take pictures, and observe wildlife and plant life. It seems that the allergies that sometimes plague me have taken their own vacation...or perhaps vanished (wouldn't that be marvelous?)and I have been able to enjoy the outdoors.

We visited the Biosphere 2 amd found it fascinating. The best scientific minds in their fields put this vision together, and still made some mistakes and miscalculations. The challenge of bringing together in one place, so many biomes, must have been overwhelming. The Rain Forest, desert, ocean, and other areas each had their own challenges. Though it is not what it once was, experiments are still taking place there daily. The focus of the experiments has changed, but the science is still amazing. The buildings and all of the technology that went into trying to duplicate Earth's atmosphere is more than amazing. Quite an adventure to say the least.

We also visited the International Wildlife Museum which is quite delightful in its own right. I don't believe I have ever seen so many insects and bugs in one place, not to mention all the animals from around the world. The only sad thing is that they are no longer alive...although there was a scorpion and some kind of insect that were alive in their glass cages.

We also visited U of A and the historic district of downtown. But I do think my favorite has been just walking the desert with my camera. I will admit to enjoying the pool as well.

Well, I would be less than honest to say that I do not miss my babies. TDH just graduated from eighth grade and is going to be helping me a couple days of week...
Jomo is just my quiet gentleman...Handsome is missing me, Hunky and Sister also...and I them as well.

Well, I must say I miss my doggies, too. Zeke and Teddy are being entertained by TDH, Jomo, and my son. But they miss us, I am sure. They don't eat well when we are gone. We'll be home soon...all my kiddos!

more vacation pictures

Notice the bee in the center picture!

What a nice vacation!

These are hard times for most everyone. We are being encouraged to spend wisely, take closer to home vacations, and cut back on splurges.

We are doing all of the above and still having a marvelous time on our vacation. We went to Tucson...only a couple of hours from home. We had "points" to spend on a vacation plan we purchased long before this recession. So, here we are at a lovely resort, with the cacti blooming, a wonderful room, enjoying each other.

I like to hike (well, "walk" really) and take pictures, so the above are from my walks around this campus. I didn't know that the cacti blossoms only open for one or two days and then are gone. Fortunately, I got lots of shots on the right day!

We visited U of A campus today along with the historical part of downtown Tucson. We went swimming in the oylmpic-size pool and met some very nice people. We played two games of Scrabble (one of super scrabble and one deluxe!) We each won one! We are reading books, and watching movies and TV together. We plan to go to the Biosphere 2 and a woldlife museum, perhpas tomorrow or Wednesday.

Last night another resort just a ways up the hill held a fireworks show in honor of Memorial Day and we were privileged to view it from our patio.

So far, we are having a relaxing and great time! We hope all of you are also!

More pictures of more fun and a graduation!

TDH graduated eighth grade last Tuesday! Too much for me to think I have a grandson starting high school! Wow! Where did all the years go?

Where did the month go?

Wow! I did it again! I let the whole month go, almost, without adding any blogs. And it was a busy month, too. As the pictures indicate, we have been horseback riding, swimming, mud-bathing, etc. Handsome is doing much better with his reading. He promoted to second grade!Hunky knows all his alphabet, both upper and lower cases, and many of the letter sounds. And he graduated preschool! And Sister is just as cute as any two year can be!

Since I neglected to report on specific antics and activities, I shall share mostly pictures and blog on my vacation...from which I am writing this!

Just feel like posting....

I just feel like sharing some scenes of our yards...to focus on the beauty of Creation and not on all the cutbacks and concerns. Enjoy!

Living in These Times!

In just a few days my husband and I will celebrate our anniversary! This year, with the economy being tested, and we in that same boat, thought hard about what to give each other. There really is nothing that I need. I have enough clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. In the past, I may have requested to add to my collections of such. But things do not appeal to me right now.

On the other hand, one of the joys I find is in gardening and making our yard beautiful. I love the feel of the dirt on my hands. I love the color of the flowers and shrubs. I love reaping the vegetables from the garden. I even enjoy the weeding and watering. So, I suggested to my husband, who was also having difficulty coming up with any suggestions of gifts for him, that we buy and plant an anniversary tree. When we bought this home, almost three years ago, there were two trees that the previous owners had planted that were not thriving, and did not survive. I had wanted to replace at least one of them. Previously, my attention had focused on the front yard. Now it was time to think about that tree.

And so, we did! We wanted one that was drought-resistant, colorful, and would eventually provide shade. So, we settled on a "Purple plum", (that is the common name). And so, we look forward to measuring it each anniversary, just like we would a child, to see how much it is growing! And, as my daughter-in-law pointed out, we are also "going green".

The boys and I set the butterflies free Friday. We opened the habitat in the back yard. At first, the butterflies just fluttered around, circling inside the habitat, relunctant to escape. And then one left the fold. And then another. Suddenly, the remainder flew up and out into the sky. They flitted around in the yard. One flew over the fence, but the others just hung out for a while. In fact, they let us catch them with our hands, briefly, but then flew off again. Handsome wanted to say a prayer that the birds wouldn't eat his butterflies. I feel that even God could not resist that little prayer. I have confidence that they will be happy and reproduce and live their fullest life span. He felt good about releasing them, as he worried about them in the habitat. So, we said good-bye with a prayer and watch every day to see if they return. So far, they have sent their friends of different colors, but have not returned themselves. But the boys are okay with that!

Today they made a mud hole and put themselves fully into it. Sister joined in as well. She didn't seem to mind this time. Such fun...and then the tub!

These are times of struggle...if one focuses on those issues. But I am grateful that I can focus on the flight and the plight of butterflies, and the growth of trees, flowers, and vegetables. For today...and tomorrow...one day at a time! After all, God provided first in a garden. Why should today be any different?

Sister is TWO!

Sister, formerly known as Baby Girl has turned two! It happened almost two weeks ago. Somehow this has made a big change in her attitude. She KNOWS she is TWO! She is still my sweet Girlfriend, but there is an obvious change, in her nap habits, in her opinions, and her challenges. She is learning to use the "potty chair" as well. She knows that is HERS!

I have posted these blogs BACKWARDS in terms of chronological order. But at least I am getting caught up.

Anyway, I really just wanted to post some pictures of her party!!

Enjoy!

Backyard Campout!

Last weekend Grandpa Steve, my son Matt, TDH. Jomo, Handsome, Hunky, and H & H's dad camped out in our backyard. We have two pine trees, so the setting appeared authentic! Matt brought his portable fire pit and guitar, along with his tent, camp stove, lanterns, etc. Grandpa set up our tent, bbq, cooler for food, lounge chairs, etc. The rules were: 1.NO GIRLS! 2.You cannot go inside the house except to use the bathroom! 3.Have fun! They cooked outside...Friday night's dinner, Saturday's breakfast and lunch. They made s'mores in the firepit, counted stars, looked for bugs, and sang silly camp songs. They set up the "pool" for Saturday and played games as well as on the gym set. The let their hair down, so to speak, and their imaginations go wild!

It was a good male bonding time! They all want to know when they can do it again...including the adults! The only thing missing, according to Handsome, was fishing! Maybe next time...we have an urban fishing pond not far from here...

Meanwhile, Sister and I (not Baby Girl, any more, remember! She is TWO!) went out to eat and then to visit some of my friends in the nursing home where I used to work. The elder ladies really love to see little ones. She was so good and fascinated by their walkers and wheelchairs...and of course, the facility dog, Freckles! Mom had a day trip out of town for her work, but returned in the late evening. Sister had retired to bed, but I stayed up to try my had at WII games. I tried that test where they give you a WII age based on strength, stamina, etc. and I gained one year on my actual age! Yeah!

Then Mom, Sister, and I went out to breakfast (I stayed all night with them) and yard sale-ing...how much more girl-bonding could you get?

Butterflies and Bean Blossoms!

We have butterflies! It happened yesterday while we were away! Our chrysalises birthed their butterflies! Three at first, and then two last night! 100% success!
Handsome and I named them, Flappy (he likes to stretch his wings! Nappy (he appears sleepy and moves little), Zappy (he flits from one side to the other of the habitat), Pretty (he has the most color) and Witty (escaped at least once!) I said "he" for each one, because Handsome thinks they are. We did not get into any discussions about that yet...the company tries to send a variety, but no guarantees of gender! They do tell you what to do if they lay eggs while in the habitat!

This has been an exciting adventure. They came to us as fuzzy, bumpy little caterpillars and in just a day or two, moved up to the top of the container and hung upside down to become chrysalises. Only a bit more than a week and they are beautiful butterflies! They sat on my finger and Handsome's too. And one got out twice or two got out once...not sure! But they flew back unto my finger and then off into the habitat without further ado! I would like to release them by this weekend, but Handsome wants to keep them inside. They will only live 2 to 4 weeks either way. We are feeding them according to the instructions and they seem to be happy.

It is a wonderful experience to watch the metamorphosis of these splendid creatures! They are a symbol of hope, change, and beauty. God is good!

I have no picture right now, but we have bean blossoms in our garden also. What a joy to care for Creation!

Things are looking UP!

Look Up! Advice that I have frequently given out myself. It is always better to look up and trust in God. Sometimes, I look up and have the tendency to see clouds rather than the splendor of God. I guess that makes me a human being. Some of the things I enjoy about living in Arizona are the sunsets and the cloud formations created by the weather. I try to remind myself on days when the "clouds" of discouragement, fear, or anxiety try to manifest across my vision, that the "upside" of a cloud is marvelous. I have flown through many clouds in airplanes, total blankness, fog...(and I have walked through many in my paths in life), but I also had the wonderful experience of flying OVER a cloud and witnessing its magnificence. I called it the "upside" of a cloud. It was billowy and gorgeous in ways I had not observed from beneath. I thought it must be a beautiful day below. The pilot came on the speaker and announced that we would be descending into the clouds and that there was rain and stormy weather beneath us, so be prepared if this was your destination. It was mine. And he was right. From the ground, I never would have thought those clouds were beautiful. But from above, they were awesome!

It reminds me keep in mind that there is always a higher perspective. God has a different view quite often than our gloomy sight. I shall try to remember that lesson.

Handsome's situation is looking up as well. He had his eyes examined and it was discovered that he needs reading glasses...well, prescription lenses that he only needs when reading or doing close-up work. That may well have been an issue with the learning to read difficulties. There are many letters that resemble other letters, especially a, o, e, etc. I am hoping that this will help his confidence and ability to read.

Baby Girl is two now. And she knows it. What it is about being two that is different is a mystery, but it seems to exist! She suddenly does not need as much nap time, can "explore" more "efficiently", and has "mastered" the ability to climb. She has also discovered her verbal skills, which, actually, are quite developed and cute. However, she has also discovered the girlish scream of excitement and of demand! This has landed her in "time out" several times already this week! But she is still so cute! She sits in a "huff", but she sits. Then she looks so cute and says "I wanna get up!" It is hard to make her stay the two minutes, but I know if I give in now, there will be a price to pay later. As soon as she hears the timer go off, she says "Up now?" and takes off at my nod. I call her "Girlfriend" now, but I shall use her new family nickname of "Sister" for this blog from now on. "Baby Girl" doesn't quite fit any more. She did, after all, have an official birthday party.

Well, our butterfly babies arrived last Friday. The caterpillars have already cocooned and are becoming chrystiles (I know I didn't spell that right...will change it later...). Anyway, we can't touch them until they are all formed. Then we move them into the habitat we have prepared. Handsome is totally excited that we are "growing" butterflies. He wants to know how long we can keep them once they are birthed. We have to take everything one step at a time. We have another few days before we can move them. Then about a week to ten days before they birth. From there, we shall see what is best for them. It is exciting to watch this transformation in progress!

And I guess, we each in our own way, are a continuing work in progress. A handiwork of God. And as that, we must remember to LOOK UP! I will post pictures soon!

Can Anyone Out There Help??

Like I said before, originally this blog was to focus on homeschooling and CF issues. It has come to represent many aspects of my life. But today, we shall return to the original intent.

Can anyone out there help me get Handsome to read on the level he should? It seems that when it comes to reading, his brain does not retain properly. He seemed to be doing pretty well when I introduced long vowels. He seemed to "get it". But suddenly ALL the vowels turned long and now he reads every word as if it has a long vowel sound. We go over the rules daily. He seems to understand them. Until I put actual words on the paper for him to read. I have researched special needs programs, and had my sis send me some curriculum from CA. I admit, I have not had time to thoroughly study it...he was doing so much better when it arrived. But using what I have studied, along with various techniques gained from other books and studies, seems to only be temporary fixes. It concerns me that all his friends, even younger ones, can read MUCH better than he! Any ideas? I have tried the reward system...again temporary success...and some techniques to assist with common reading difficulties...but???

His parents think it is more focus-related. His CF meds are on the minimal side right now, so that should be better not worse. Yet this week...I am not sure we accomplished anything. I am feeling really discouraged and that perhaps I am not a good teacher at all. He is doing fine, even well, in math and loves science. Is this normal? He seems to not really care that much if he reads or not. He goes through spurts where he wants to play all the word games and computer programs and read books together for several days in a row, and then he just looses all interest and doesn't even want to try. This makes me think that he finds it so hard to concentrate that he gives up. I am not sure!

I made up a game with lots of action with words where the adults have different outcomes and have to do silly things to earn their spaces. He played it once with me, and once with his parents, Grandpa and me, and once with some neighbor kids. He won all three times and seemed to like the game a lot. But right now, he doesn't want to play it. Forcing him to would create even further disdain for the game. It reviews the rules, has "rebel" word attacks (words that don't follow rules,,,like friend, love, you, etc...) and towers of dominoes to knock down. Has elements of recognizing the shape and color and number words necessary for his math and science lessons.

I am trying to be fun and creative. I spend a lot of hours studying different approaches to teaching reading, and a lot of time on the computer and at the library. Most weekends find me spending at least half of my available time working on this. IT IS FRUSTRATING!!! I looked into the Sylvan learning programs but not only are they expensive, but they focus around rewards, which seems to only be temporary. Handsome has been known to be able to read an entire book in a week, by repetition and daily reading, only to forget most of the words after a week of not reading that specific book. So, it seems he is memorizing the words temporarily and then forgetting them after he reads for his parents. Does anyone know if this is a behavioral/focus issue or indicative of a serious learning problem?

He seems to be understanding math just fine, although he recently started writing some of his two-digit numbers backwards again. I feel like such a failure. I have never been so challenged! I spend so much energy on this! I have taught many children to read, and some adults as well. But I am a failure at my own grandson's schooling. HELP????

Bugs, Insects, and Creepy Crawly things!

It's a good thing I had a son of my own before I took on these grandsons! MY son brought home things like lizards, bugs, and an albino rat he named Princess. I hope it is not TOO unlady-like of me to admit that I liked Princess. She had a personality. If she liked you, she let you know with cuddles and squeaky quiet noises. If she didn't like you she had her way of showing that as well, though I shall spare you all the details. Let's just say if you were not liked...you knew it! Unless, of course, you refused to touch her at all. Who knew rats had personaliies?!

In our current study of science, the topic is insects...focusing on the winged insects and winged bugs. They are not necessarily the same. And, we found out, everything dubbed a "bug" by common folk like myself, may not even be a bug OR an insect...just a creepy crawly thing...or a crawly thing, not so creepy, depending on one's perspective on such creatures! I am sure they all have perfectly good names, scientifically at least, but I am not that much into bug-like names.

Anyway, today's assignment and experiment required our capturing an insect. We took it a step further and caught three. One common housefly. One small bee. And one larger fly (not as big as a horsefly, though...not sure exactly what it was. He shall be referred to as the Big Fly for the purposes of this blog.) In catching these insects, with the help of a butterfly net, we also got a wonderful specimen, albeit...dead....of a baby fly. He was caught in the top of the net. He must have had a heart attack or something, as his final pose was with wings aloft, spread in flight...as if he just stopped in motion. It is quite a nice specimen, although we did not mean to take out any baby flies!

The experiments were like this: Put the insect into a container where they still have air and then into the refrigerator. These cold-blooded creatures gave the boys a first-hand show of death and resurrection! Just in time for Easter! Ha! Anyway, we found also that the bee took longer to revive than the flies. Not sure if it is because he was slightly larger than the fly, or because he is a bee. We shall have to research that. That is what we get for doing more than the original assignment!

The next activity was called the "Lazurus Experiment". We took the Big Fly out while he was still groggy enough not to fly away, and "drowned" him in some water. The warmth of the water awakened him quite rapidly and he put up a good fight. Eventually, though, he succumbed to the water. The book said they could stay submerged for up to four minutes, but I was content with just one. He then lay on the paper towel, looking very dead. Then we put the salt on him as instructed in the book. Then we blew it off. In minutes (not seconds...unless it was like, 59) he began to revive. He moved very slowly with his antannae first, and then his legs, and finally, his wings. He had been through so much with us, that I coaxed him out of his jar and onto my finger. He did not fly away. I place him on the back of a patio chair, although he wanted to stay on my finger. He sat there for quite awhile, but eventually flew off. I can imagine the stories he will be telling back in his fly home and community tonight!

We still have the bee and the other fly. Handsome wants to make the fly his pet. He fed it something sticky before I left. I did not ask what. Somethings are best left to the boys. The bee will probably die. I thought about trying to save it, but it has struggled so much because the boys put it in the refrigerator and out about six times! I think he may as well move on! Ha!

We also caught a red wasp. At least that is what it looked like. It escaped the net before we could get the container in position. I would have liked to examine it to see exactly what it was. Lucky for him!

We have ordered butterfly larvae and it should be arriving soon. We do have the habitat all ready and waiting. These actually CAN be pets I hear. Wow! Thankfully, neither boy caught a butterfly today.

I brought the net home with me. It is mine. Lucky insects! I think I really like Science after all! Who knew!?

I Can Be Creative...for now!

Last year I made Easter baskets for my daughters, including my daughter-in-law, my grandchildren (those under the age of 7) and a few other people. This year, I got consumed making my granddaughter a quilt for her second birthday, which we will celebrate this weekend. This is a tradition I began a few years back...on their second birthday, they get a handmade quilt from Grandma. Baby Girl is getting pillows as well. On their third, they get a homemade book called "Stories From Grandma's Heart" which is a complilation of stories I have written for children in my life over the years. The younger ones have more stories as they have the newer ones also.

I love doing things for my family and friends. All of my grandchildren (except for Mr. Boo who isn't yet two) have quilts. Their moms have saved them for them. Everyone over three has a book. But I am finding it more difficult to maneuver my fingers over the quilt pieces, especially for the hand-stitched parts. I hope I can continue my traditions.

I should go to bed and get more sleep! But, instead I lay awake creating more stories and designing quilts in my head. Sheesh!!!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!