Manners and Media

We have had quite an adventuresome summer thus far! Yesterday we went to the Phoenix Childrens Museum where we wore out all three kids and their cousin, known on this blog as TDH, who is fifteen. I knew that with the new "amazing maze" the museum recently installed, I would definitely need help keeping track of everyone! But, as they say, "fun was had by all".

After several hours of this fantastic fun, we drug ourselves to the car...the kids were so tired, they did not protest the departure. However, it was not meant to be! Approaching the car, I noticed it was leaning to one side. We had a flat tire! So, back inside we went, given the outside temp was well over 100 degrees! The kids did not complain about this either! One more (at least) time around the maze! TDH felt certain he could change the tire, so I let him attempt it. But, given the heat, and the fact that the spare was a barely-inflated donut, I decided to let Grandpa bail us out instead. We ended up trading cars with Grandpa which only required switching out the car seats. And then the final departure transpired.

There was little conversation on the way home and I thought perhaps they had fallen asleep. I think they spent their remaining energy attempting to stay awake. Girlfriend did fall asleep once at home near her bed.

And then today...I realize that we have entered the world of media savvy, when the boys were playing secret clubhouse. "We need a password", Handsome states.

"How about I'm sorry dot com?" offers Hunky. As in Imsorry.com I couldn't help but chuckle. I guess the emphasis on apologizing to each other for less-than-kind actions is wearing off on them! And the time spent in simple computer instructions apparently is "taking" also! This suggestion caused an inaudible (to me) discussion and some kind of compromise. Those boys can be so very funny!

Girlfriend is getting cuter and more independent by the day! She was very "up" on what to do at the museum...and she did not allow any older kids push her around or steal the objects she waited patiently to get a turn with.

She, also, is "up" on the media of computers. She can independently play one of the games in purble land. And needs only minimal help with two others. Kids these days! Good thing this "granny" keeps up with the times...sort of...well, I try!

I WILL post pix of our great time at the museum really soon! Watch for them!

Summer Daze

I think that is what it must be...I am in a daze...it is hot, and the natives are restless! Not that they are overly acting out anything...they aren't. But it IS summer. And restlessness comes along with it. When it is so hot in the back yard, with no shade, that one cannot safely even use the above-ground pool (sunburn danger), there is nothing else to do but get restless.

Oh, we plan things...yesterday we painted with stamps and brushes, strung beads, and made donuts. We also play educational games daily, along with reading books, and a small amount of "school" work. We sing songs, and play hide and seek, master obstacle courses, and watch videos, not mention play the WII. We have gone to the park and the fountain when the sun was a bit gentler.

We have a "bean contest" going on...each child receives at least one bean for every good deed they do, including participation in planned events, volunteering for clean ups, and showing kindness to each other (and me!). When they get to 200 beans all together, we go on a real outing, like to the Children's Museum, or Science Center, or bowling, movies such. We definitely will stick with inside events. The child with the most beans gets to choose the place of the outing...when possible. I haven't told them yet, but there will be other "unearned" outings when time and money coincide and cooperation reigns as well. Better save that "trump" card for later.

Handsome and I planted tomatoes and watermelon, both of which are doing well. He waters them faithfully and protects them from the wind and scorching sun. Our goldfish are all still doing well also. Amazing! They are at least 3 months old or more, and with proper food and water changes, they are thriving! The lady at the pet store said they would not survive without a full tank set-up with all the pumps, etc. They are in bowls. And doing well.

My hunt for curriculum is about over. I found most of what I needed from Ebay or local sales. Even found some specifically desired books at thrift stores! I did order new math workbooks through Ebay and found really good deals.

Well, that is about all of the update for now. I know this is not very creative, but it is too hot to be overly creative!

We will write more when life gets more exciting!

The Hunt is On!

I like adventure! I have been known to make my own adventures out of the simplest of things or events! Sometimes those end up being more exhausting than exhilarating, but they were adventures just the same!

So, now my quest is for curriculum. Oh, I know I could go the easy way out and just get a whole series that encompasses ALL topics in one big bundle. But, first of all, those tend to be expensive, or...boring!...or BOTH! Besides, one of the advantages of homeschooling is the ability to customize the learning to fit the needs and interests of the child. Handsome is not a child with few interests, nor one that would be satisfied with mundane curriculum...And neither am I!!

So, the hunt in on! It began when I made a simple pnone call to a long-time friend who homeschooled her two kids into high school. Where, or where, is that TEACHING Tools store on the west side? Apparently...on the EAST side! But the conversation led to my discovering that there would be a curriculm fair at a college on the east side on a Saturday that I could actually accommodate!

And find, I did! A much desired Science Book was available for about a third (or less) of the price of new. This one is used, true, but absolutely no markings of any kind, or much signs of usage, other than the luster of the outside cover is waning! Wow! Great find! One down!

I continued on and found the History/Geography book of choice. (I had made a list from previous experiences and online resources coupled with advice from more experienced homeschoolers.) A few marking, yes, but in pencil and easily erasable! That one was about 1/5 of the online price! The map skills book was not found, so I can still be a seeker! And I got two reader books about the historical topics related to the text book! Two down!

I also found most of the Language Arts/Reading materials that we will need. I tend to supplement those with my own worksheets or some from other resources along the way anyway. Those were a total of about 10% of the retail price! Three down!

I found a wonderful big book about the human body with full color pictures and cool explanations! What a great buy! And there was a book of puzzles of all the continents! Handsome loves puzzles! A great way to sneak in extra geography!

And, for incentives, I have been having a "bean jar" where Handsome earns beans for every subject daily which he then "cashes" in to "buy" a prize. He has really scored this year! From a jr size wheelbarrow, a gears marble game, a legos crane, to smaller things like games, and whoopie cushions, he has earned quite a lot of loot. At the beginning of the school year, he got an Air Hog pressure engine airplane that I had gotten at a yard sale a very long time ago! He loved it, but alas! It finally crashed one too many times! And I have been unable to find any online or at yard sales. But, there were TWO at this curriculum sale, still new in the box! Unfortunately, I didn't notice immediately, and one got away...the smaller one just like he had had before! But, I was able to get the twin-engine one for only a few bucks more than the lady in front of me paid for the smaller one! Yippee! Handsome will be so excited...but that is a summer secret!

Well, I still am hunting for the math curriculum that we like. And the health book. And an additional Science kit...along with books about art and artists, music, and computers! And, yes, that map skills book too!

All this hunting gives me plenty of ammunition for "needing" to go to yard sales and such. And the online hunt is fun too! Ebay, here we come!

The End of a Journey

All good things must come to an end. At least that is what they tell me! And so, our saltwater aquarium days have finally ended. We lost the fish! Then we lost the snails! And finally, Mr. Crab succumbed to the perils of my lack of knowledge! So, Handsome has decided not to pursue this any further. We considered raising tadpoles into frogs. But, I think we have decided to just move on. Our Science topic of choice (supplemented with many others) for the upcoming school year is Botany. Perhaps we will have better success with a terrarium! I do have a garden and Handsome has some plants...hm... I will post pictures of our aquarium efforts as soon as I find the cord to the camera! It DID move with us, I KNOW! But it is hiding somewhere! Come out! Come out, wherever you are!

Jumping for Joy

Wow! School is out! I should be jumping for joy...if I was a real teacher...you know, one of those in public school, who gets at least a semi-vacation. I AM jumping for joy, but not for vacation. I have new plans for the summer, including some summer school moments, outings, and crafts.

I went to a curriculum fair yesterday and found some of our desired curriculum at really good prices. We have the bulk of Science, Reading and Language arts, and History/Geography under control. Now I need to find the math books and one health book,a map skills book, and some fine arts books...found them online...just looking for even cheaper! Bargain hunting is not only a hobby of mine, but it makes me feel good about myself! It makes me jump for joy!

But, where has the year gone? It seems only yesterday that I was devising strategies to motivate an eight year old. I was preparing Science projects and lessons for a series now completed. It seems like just a few short moments ago, I was reciting the mulitplication tables, spelling rules, and parts of speech. Now we have moved on. Oh, I will be reciting those things again, along with others, but there will be new dimensions, and topics, and information.

In the mean time, I have three little minds to care for all summer...well, most of it anyway. They have a trip planned to see the other grandparents for a week, and I must take some time to assist in the miraculous process of seeing my newest grandchild born. She is due towards the end of July. My, how time flies!

There have been days when the year seemed to drag on as well; days when I thought we would never get through certain topics or exercises. Girlfriend had her moments; especially during the potty-training days. Handsome had his struggles like any other child; voicing his opinions of topics he would rather not attempt. But he can ask the most marvelous questions in topics of interest. He has been the reason for many side tracks onto the computer to find an answer to a fantastic question beyond my present knowledge. He keeps me learning and researching...more stuff that makes me jump for joy.

And the days when Girlfriend did not want to take a nap, but her own body betrayed her desire. She begged me to lie down with her. Then she hooked her arm into mine, cuddled up and with her beaming smile said, "You're my faaavorite gramma!" Nothing melts my heart more. Now, I realize that she may have been hoping for a nap reprieve, but I also know she does love me and was so precious in trying to express it. Moments like that make this job worth everything!

And now I will have privilege of having Hunky in my care as well. Keeping him busy after his great Kindergarten year in public school, will, no doubt, be challenging!
But he's my funny man! And he wants to learn. So, we will have a great summer!

Yes, it would be nice to have the summer off like "real" teachers do, but what would I do with myself? And where would I get those cuddles and questions? The more I think about it, the less a summer off sounds good. After, all, my grandchildren are what really makes me jump for joy! And the summer affords me the opportunity to see TDH and Jommo, too, perhaps quite frequently...and little Mr. Boo, too! They are all growing up too fast!

With all the jumping for joy I have to do this summer, perhaps I can lose a little more weight!

The Great Escape

Somewhere, out there is Lizardland, there is a large lizard...using the term "large" witth reference to the "type" of lizard he is. I say "he" because of the size and the adventurous spirit. He may well be a grandfather lizard, currently sharing his tales of adventure with his grandchildren.

Speaking of grandchildren, that is where this adventure begins. With MY grandchildren who discovered this lizard in their backyard. As boys do, they chased the poor creature until he ran between the sliding patio door and the screen. There he waited, panting, and scared, I suppose, wishing the boys would go back inside.

Hunky squealed with delight and shouted "There he is! There he is!" I, in my ignorance of the lizard's plight, opened the door. Hunky screamed "Grandma! You're gonna kill him!" Once I learned of the situation, I gently pulled the screen back a bit. The lizard scampered away as fast as he could go. (And that was pretty fast!) The boys chased after him, only to discover he was hiding under the barbeque. We discovered this by noting his tail protruding from beneath the barbeque!

Believe it or not, the patience of the lizard withstood the curiousity of the boys, and they finally gave up staring at the barbeque. Eventually, they came inside and the lizard dashed off to tell his tale...dragging his tail behind him! (I had to put that in!)

And so goes the ongoing saga of lizard life in the desert! I do wish saltwater fish faired as well! That's another story for another day!

Two New Neighbors for our Sea World

Well, we finally did it! After thoroughly cleaning the tank, we successfully got a clean report on our saltwater aquarium. Even the nitrates are right! Wow! And I didn't even have to add the clams...

So, now we have two new tenants. Both are damsel fish. The store was out of blue damsels, and Handsome did not want to wait til Monday...so...we have one black and white striped damsel, and one black with two white spots. They are supposed to be compatible so we will see! I will post pictures soon...I promise. Anyway, the striped one seems to be brave and is checking out its new environment, while the other one is hiding behind the filter sponge. It is not stuck...just easily frightened. Hopefully, they will survive and be content. Eventually we hope to add one clown fish...and that will complete our community. We have a snail still, and a baby snail...and at least one crab. All these are survivors of original purchase!

Handsome is also growing tomatoes! He is a natural care-giver when it comes to plants and animals! He is so excited that he has green tomatoes on his vine. Me, well, I already knocked one off of my biggest plant...oh well!

Pictures will be coming of our tank...and maybe the garden and some others too...hurry back!