Alright. She's in public *gag* school. Granted, it's a charter and it's Montessori, but still. It's public. I'm REALLY struggling with this one folks. Really really struggling. However, she seems to be doing well, and, I have to admit - albeit grudgingly - I think it's good for her to learn how to behave in a group. I also have to admit that I failed her in that area. If/when we resume homeschool, we'll be living a much more structured existence. I'm forcing myself to adhere more to a schedule myself, so I can be in the routine and prepared for it.
On a lighter, more optimistic note - I started, today, taking Garcinia Cambogia. We'll see if it lives up to the hype. It's supposedly great for increasing your energy - I think I can feel that lol - and it's supposed to be a pretty great appetite suppressant, as well as changing the way your body processes the food you eat, and how much fat you produce. We shall see.
Alright - I'll update more later. So far, I think we'll let Stevi finish out the month at school, as long as she is still liking it. Maybe I'll let her go until Christmas. We'll see.
Bye folks!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Conflicted . . .
Well, last week I enrolled Stevi in Monticello Montessori Public Charter School. We had a really rough week the week before, struggling with getting the work done, focusing on what we were doing, and just getting along in general. However, after having her in school for a week, I'm no more at peace with the decision than I was when I enrolled her.
I spent a very rough night the Friday before, and when I took her to school, was nervous all day. Stevi's feedback on the whole thing is, overall, kind of negative. She keeps getting in trouble because she's very talkative, which doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me (somewhat) is that the teacher seems not to have much patience or liking for Stevi. I do understand, she has 29 students she has to teach in a day, but regardless, I expect my child to be treated well. I also understand no one is going to be as patient with her as I will, and maybe this is good for her to learn early.
However, as I'm contemplating sending her back this week (and I've essentially decided I will. And then decided I won't. And then I will. And then I won't.), I'm really struggling with the decision. Stevi says she doesn't want to go back. Should I really make her? Or has either one of us really given this a chance? Do I want her to like it? I don't think I do, and if that's the case, am I influencing her not to like it? Is that fair? Sheesh.
People keep telling me this will be good for her. It's going to be good for her to learn how to deal with other kids, how to play nicely, etc. But I don't think she plays meanly to begin with. She is definitely strong-willed, and I think this would help her temper just a bit, but I don't know how much of that I want to go away. Not to mention we found this wonderful co-op and only had the chance to go one time before we decided to do the Montessori school. I think that was going to be a huge help to her in getting along with other kids. Not to mention the fact that getting along with kids isn't the skill she needs, it's getting along with adults that will help her throughout her life.
BLEH. That's all I can really say about it. BLEH, I have decided, though, if I do keep her home, we are going to be totally revamping the way we do our school day. No more getting up whenever, starting around the time we lay the baby down, etc. Nope. It will be up at 7:00, morning routine, get dressed, eat breakfast, get started. Then hopefully we can be done by the time we lay the baby down. And I really think we can, too.
Anyway, I'm still ruminating, but I'll write when we make the final decision.
I spent a very rough night the Friday before, and when I took her to school, was nervous all day. Stevi's feedback on the whole thing is, overall, kind of negative. She keeps getting in trouble because she's very talkative, which doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me (somewhat) is that the teacher seems not to have much patience or liking for Stevi. I do understand, she has 29 students she has to teach in a day, but regardless, I expect my child to be treated well. I also understand no one is going to be as patient with her as I will, and maybe this is good for her to learn early.
However, as I'm contemplating sending her back this week (and I've essentially decided I will. And then decided I won't. And then I will. And then I won't.), I'm really struggling with the decision. Stevi says she doesn't want to go back. Should I really make her? Or has either one of us really given this a chance? Do I want her to like it? I don't think I do, and if that's the case, am I influencing her not to like it? Is that fair? Sheesh.
People keep telling me this will be good for her. It's going to be good for her to learn how to deal with other kids, how to play nicely, etc. But I don't think she plays meanly to begin with. She is definitely strong-willed, and I think this would help her temper just a bit, but I don't know how much of that I want to go away. Not to mention we found this wonderful co-op and only had the chance to go one time before we decided to do the Montessori school. I think that was going to be a huge help to her in getting along with other kids. Not to mention the fact that getting along with kids isn't the skill she needs, it's getting along with adults that will help her throughout her life.
BLEH. That's all I can really say about it. BLEH, I have decided, though, if I do keep her home, we are going to be totally revamping the way we do our school day. No more getting up whenever, starting around the time we lay the baby down, etc. Nope. It will be up at 7:00, morning routine, get dressed, eat breakfast, get started. Then hopefully we can be done by the time we lay the baby down. And I really think we can, too.
Anyway, I'm still ruminating, but I'll write when we make the final decision.
Monday, September 9, 2013
What a slow week!!!
And by slow, I'm absolutely only talking about school - hah! It's been completely insane! We had Stevi's birthday party on Saturday, Labor Day on Monday (so we skipped school), Stevi was sick Wednesday (throwing up all day long, poor thing), and then we finally caught up on Thursday and Friday.
I also had a gal come over to the house for a lesson in gluten-free baking. A friend of mine is a pastry chef who just found out she has Celiac Disease, and hasn't ever baked anything gluten-free before. Poor thing lol. It's been close to 4 years for me, so I'm pretty used to it, but she was pretty thrown for a loop! So she came over and we made brownies. While they were baking, we did TurboFire HIIT 25, and I just about died. I've been doing pretty well with the exercising, usually working out every other day, at the very least.
Then, Friday, we had to get our cakes ready for Stevi's party, so there was that whole thing. So basically, we missed two days last week and it's her actual birthday today, so i'm not making her do school today either.
We are, however, going out to our homeschool co-op, which I'm super excited for. Stevi is, too, for the record lol. We are going out to one of the gal's homes who happens to live on a farm!!! So we are checking out baby goats today. Woot WOOT! She's gonna love it. I've gotta make some cupcakes today though, hopefully before we get out there (yeah right).
Anyway, I'll do some pictures out at the farm and post later on. :) Yay for Co-ops!!!
I also had a gal come over to the house for a lesson in gluten-free baking. A friend of mine is a pastry chef who just found out she has Celiac Disease, and hasn't ever baked anything gluten-free before. Poor thing lol. It's been close to 4 years for me, so I'm pretty used to it, but she was pretty thrown for a loop! So she came over and we made brownies. While they were baking, we did TurboFire HIIT 25, and I just about died. I've been doing pretty well with the exercising, usually working out every other day, at the very least.
Then, Friday, we had to get our cakes ready for Stevi's party, so there was that whole thing. So basically, we missed two days last week and it's her actual birthday today, so i'm not making her do school today either.
We are, however, going out to our homeschool co-op, which I'm super excited for. Stevi is, too, for the record lol. We are going out to one of the gal's homes who happens to live on a farm!!! So we are checking out baby goats today. Woot WOOT! She's gonna love it. I've gotta make some cupcakes today though, hopefully before we get out there (yeah right).
Anyway, I'll do some pictures out at the farm and post later on. :) Yay for Co-ops!!!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
New day!
Well, we are just about to head to the last Active Neighborhood Kids' Club for the year. I'm so relieved. I know, I know, it's awful. Stevi has loved it, and honestly I have too! I'm just ready to have that commitment off the table. I'm ready to start focusing on my crochet business again. I'm ready to have a little more time to keep the house halfway decent.
I think it will be nice to be back to a normal schedule. We've got Story Times lined up at the library, so that will be fun. The last one was super-awesome, Stevi loved it. I'm sure the whole "fairy" theme helped lol. But it will still be awesome. I'm going to make sure we go to as many of those as possible. I love it, she loves it, and best of all! It's FREE. Free wins. Every time.
So we are about to transition into our Winter Mode. Hopefully Ryan's work doesn't slow too much, and hopefully mine picks up enough. We'll be alright, but I hate uncertainty.
On a slightly redundant note - http://roadkillgoldfish.com/2013/08/26/dear-daughter-let-miley-cyrus-be-a-lesson-to-you/#comments. I love the way this mom wrote this. I know, I ranted about Miley yesterday, but I really am disturbed. And the worst is, I don't believe this girl even has a clue how awful she just appeared. She'll take the criticisms that have come as "haters" and not realize that most (if not all, from what I've seen) of the adults criticizing are actually concerned for her. This girl is, literally, screaming for attention. So sad.
Makes me happy my girl is home, safe, with me, where at least if I can't prevent her from seeing everything, I'm there to explain it and why it's wrong.
I think it will be nice to be back to a normal schedule. We've got Story Times lined up at the library, so that will be fun. The last one was super-awesome, Stevi loved it. I'm sure the whole "fairy" theme helped lol. But it will still be awesome. I'm going to make sure we go to as many of those as possible. I love it, she loves it, and best of all! It's FREE. Free wins. Every time.
So we are about to transition into our Winter Mode. Hopefully Ryan's work doesn't slow too much, and hopefully mine picks up enough. We'll be alright, but I hate uncertainty.
On a slightly redundant note - http://roadkillgoldfish.com/2013/08/26/dear-daughter-let-miley-cyrus-be-a-lesson-to-you/#comments. I love the way this mom wrote this. I know, I ranted about Miley yesterday, but I really am disturbed. And the worst is, I don't believe this girl even has a clue how awful she just appeared. She'll take the criticisms that have come as "haters" and not realize that most (if not all, from what I've seen) of the adults criticizing are actually concerned for her. This girl is, literally, screaming for attention. So sad.
Makes me happy my girl is home, safe, with me, where at least if I can't prevent her from seeing everything, I'm there to explain it and why it's wrong.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Really???
I'm kinda stunned. I was browsing my Facebook this morning while enjoying my morning coffee when I came across this: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/26/there-is-really-nothing-theblaze-can-say-about-the-miley-cyrus-performance-on-mtv-last-night-that-will-smiths-family-didnt-already-say/.
Really, the Smith's faces say it all, but if you do watch this performance, like I did, please PLEASE keep your kids in the other room. This girl was a Disney star literally like 3 years ago!!! This - THIS - is why my daughter is not and will never be in public school as long as there is a breath in my body.
Folks - I don't have an issue with Miley Cyrus personally. I think she is a sad, mixed up little twit who grew up in Billy Ray's shadow and long ago surpassed his 15 minutes. Sadly, all she's done since then is objectify herself and make herself little more than something for boys to look at while they . . . well. You know. Sorry to be crude. But she seems hell-bent on making her image more "adult" . . . and doesn't realize she's making it "adult" in the porn sense of the word.
One day she will most likely look back on this performance with embarrassment. Sadly, no one told her that a girl "humping" looks freakin' ridiculous. She's completely un-feminine in this performance . . . it's just sad. I don't know, I hate the thought that these are the "role models" a lot of our young women are growing up looking at. Why can't there be someone who is just confident because she has something to be confident about? Not because she can take off her clothes and airhump a foam finger?
Seems to be too much to ask. I wish there was someone little girls could look at and say . . . "Wow, she's really amazing! She's smart, takes care of her family, has a husband she loves and treats well, and she's so happy". Instead of "oh, she's so pretty! I want to dance just like her!". I guess that's what moms are for. Hopefully enough of them have moms who care more about them and their husbands than do their careers.
Sorry. Ranted a bit. I just feel sad for the upcoming generations of girls who are out in the dark for positive role models. Hell, half the women/girls today can't even spell "role model".
Here's hoping we're not halfway there in a handbasket.
Bye!
Really, the Smith's faces say it all, but if you do watch this performance, like I did, please PLEASE keep your kids in the other room. This girl was a Disney star literally like 3 years ago!!! This - THIS - is why my daughter is not and will never be in public school as long as there is a breath in my body.
Folks - I don't have an issue with Miley Cyrus personally. I think she is a sad, mixed up little twit who grew up in Billy Ray's shadow and long ago surpassed his 15 minutes. Sadly, all she's done since then is objectify herself and make herself little more than something for boys to look at while they . . . well. You know. Sorry to be crude. But she seems hell-bent on making her image more "adult" . . . and doesn't realize she's making it "adult" in the porn sense of the word.
One day she will most likely look back on this performance with embarrassment. Sadly, no one told her that a girl "humping" looks freakin' ridiculous. She's completely un-feminine in this performance . . . it's just sad. I don't know, I hate the thought that these are the "role models" a lot of our young women are growing up looking at. Why can't there be someone who is just confident because she has something to be confident about? Not because she can take off her clothes and airhump a foam finger?
Seems to be too much to ask. I wish there was someone little girls could look at and say . . . "Wow, she's really amazing! She's smart, takes care of her family, has a husband she loves and treats well, and she's so happy". Instead of "oh, she's so pretty! I want to dance just like her!". I guess that's what moms are for. Hopefully enough of them have moms who care more about them and their husbands than do their careers.
Sorry. Ranted a bit. I just feel sad for the upcoming generations of girls who are out in the dark for positive role models. Hell, half the women/girls today can't even spell "role model".
Here's hoping we're not halfway there in a handbasket.
Bye!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Today's adventures . . .
Today has been pretty awesome, I have to say. We had Stevi's Active Neighborhood Kids' Club this morning. It's this seriously awesome activity our Parks and Rec department had going this summer. The kids get to go play in the park with a big group of other kids for about 90 minutes, and they are doing awesome games. Games we used to play, like Red Rover (my wrists still ache when I think about that one lol!), Duck Duck Goose (awesome), Bubblegum Bubblegum in a Dish, etc.
She loves it. I love it. While she does it, I take the baby in the Moby Wrap and we walk around the park (it's about 3 miles if you go around 3 times). Baby falls asleep, Mom gets Me Time. Then I crochet while we wait for Stevi to get done. I'm working on a blanket right now, since Lando (our pit) loves to demolish ours. Jerk. Lol.
Then we got home, made and ate lunch together, and put the baby down. She isn't feeling very well today, I don't think. She's been asleep now for about 2 hours. Not usual for her. We have done Stevi's math today (we're working on currency), and I'm just about to sit down with her to read Chapter 5 in Charlotte's Web. We are then going to discuss Tenses (past, present, and future), and which one C.W. is written in. Then we'll talk about Author Point of View, and we'll discuss whether C.W. is fact or fiction. I'm so excited to be going through this journey with Stevi.
I met another homeschooling mom at the park today. It feels so nice to be meeting like-minded mamas who know how important it is to be integral in their child's education. I am so happy we made this choice, and while there are definitely days which are harder than others, I can't imagine sending her off to be without me all day long . . . Just can't do it.
On that note, have a wonderful day! I'm off to read with my baby! Oh, and then we're going to the library for a Fairy-themed story hour. Yep. Love this.
She loves it. I love it. While she does it, I take the baby in the Moby Wrap and we walk around the park (it's about 3 miles if you go around 3 times). Baby falls asleep, Mom gets Me Time. Then I crochet while we wait for Stevi to get done. I'm working on a blanket right now, since Lando (our pit) loves to demolish ours. Jerk. Lol.
Then we got home, made and ate lunch together, and put the baby down. She isn't feeling very well today, I don't think. She's been asleep now for about 2 hours. Not usual for her. We have done Stevi's math today (we're working on currency), and I'm just about to sit down with her to read Chapter 5 in Charlotte's Web. We are then going to discuss Tenses (past, present, and future), and which one C.W. is written in. Then we'll talk about Author Point of View, and we'll discuss whether C.W. is fact or fiction. I'm so excited to be going through this journey with Stevi.
I met another homeschooling mom at the park today. It feels so nice to be meeting like-minded mamas who know how important it is to be integral in their child's education. I am so happy we made this choice, and while there are definitely days which are harder than others, I can't imagine sending her off to be without me all day long . . . Just can't do it.
On that note, have a wonderful day! I'm off to read with my baby! Oh, and then we're going to the library for a Fairy-themed story hour. Yep. Love this.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Mom time
Can I just say how happy I am that my 6-year-old (7 next month!!!) is such a great kid? I've been feeling for awhile that I needed to get back into working out. Not just walking, or doing my 20-30 minute workouts (which I've stubbornly clung to even when I'm not eating right), but my full-on P90X workouts. I loved how strong I was getting when I was doing P90X before, and I just decided to start up again. So today, I scheduled a P90X/TurboFire hybrid (I love TurboFire because most of the workouts are only 30 minutes, which fits great because of the 17-month-old lol).
Enter Stevi (6yo). She is awesome. As I type this, my fingers are a-trembling because I actually got to finish P90X Chest and Back for the first time in probably a year. She has been playing with Sister, entertaining her the whole hour-long workout. I feel AWESOME.
On a less self-centered note - School is going great this year. I looked up the core standards for 1st grade, and Stevi is well on her way to more than half of them being met already. So we're just sort of moving forward in a natural progression. :) She's great. She has already learned the Pledge of Allegiance (took her a day lol). We are learning about Colonial America, math is going great although I think she is bored, so I think we're going to move on to money today. She has addition and subtraction down pat.
Anyway, I am loving our independent study model. I think, for us anyway, it's well worth not having a curriculum outlined. It's definitely taking more of my time than the online public did, but that's alright. I didn't homeschool so as not to spend time with her - hah!
Also, we are reading Charlotte's Web, and I'm so excited to watch Stevi get into it. She's loving the book, and even wanting to read me the story instead of sit and have me read it to her. I've got a keeper!!!
Later folks! Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Britt
Enter Stevi (6yo). She is awesome. As I type this, my fingers are a-trembling because I actually got to finish P90X Chest and Back for the first time in probably a year. She has been playing with Sister, entertaining her the whole hour-long workout. I feel AWESOME.
On a less self-centered note - School is going great this year. I looked up the core standards for 1st grade, and Stevi is well on her way to more than half of them being met already. So we're just sort of moving forward in a natural progression. :) She's great. She has already learned the Pledge of Allegiance (took her a day lol). We are learning about Colonial America, math is going great although I think she is bored, so I think we're going to move on to money today. She has addition and subtraction down pat.
Anyway, I am loving our independent study model. I think, for us anyway, it's well worth not having a curriculum outlined. It's definitely taking more of my time than the online public did, but that's alright. I didn't homeschool so as not to spend time with her - hah!
Also, we are reading Charlotte's Web, and I'm so excited to watch Stevi get into it. She's loving the book, and even wanting to read me the story instead of sit and have me read it to her. I've got a keeper!!!
Later folks! Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Britt
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