tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112060282024-03-23T13:30:28.764-05:00WilliamBearNews from the life of William and MichelleMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-74572810111609001172009-05-01T16:38:00.003-05:002009-05-01T16:57:11.321-05:00Life slipping byI can't believe we are almost half way through 2009 already. We've finished the Spring Holy Days, and Pentecost is this month. I can't seem to keep up with life and all it entails these days. If I were juggling knives instead of responsibilities, somebody would have been maimed by now. <br /><br />I love the new hope and determination that Passover brings. I read a quote online this week that reminds me of how I feel at this time of year: "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." --Mary Anne Radmacher<br /><br />Don't know who Mary Ann Radmacher is, but that's how I feel most nights before bed when my ToDo list is longer than my Done list. *sigh* Whether that means I'm courageous or just pathetically unorganized I couldn't say. <br /><br />I can say I'm looking forward to this Sabbath. Another Sabbath to rest and recharge and reorient, getting ready to try again next week.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-63869028947261157162009-02-18T12:10:00.002-06:002009-02-18T12:10:03.925-06:00To Seed, or not to SeedI'm dreaming of embarking on a gardening odyssey. Like any quest worth the name, there are some obstacles in my path to self-sustenance. For example, I live in a third floor apartment. And I have never in my whole life managed to keep a plant alive for any extended period. <br /><br />But I want to try. <br /><br />And information like <a href="http://www.homesteadblogger.com/HSBFrontPorch/124670/">this</a> is helping me screw up my courage to take the plunge.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-14740676145561749552009-02-15T10:02:00.002-06:002009-02-15T10:02:00.947-06:00They really are blank slatesI read <a href="http://melissawiley.com/blog/2009/01/03/from-the-archives-duck/">this</a> post a while back by Melissa Wiley, an author and homeschooling mom, in which she details how she felt compelled to teach her kids to duck after an incident with a soccer ball at a park:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Suddenly a cry rang out: “DUCK!” Every person in the vicinity ducked out of the way of the large ball hurtling toward our group. Except my kids. All three of them (there were only three at the time) LOOKED UP AT THE SKY. I kid you not. “Where?” cried Jane. “Is it a mallard?”</span><br /><br />The fact that her children had no innate knowledge to help them distinguish evasive maneuvers from birds started her thinking about what other things she was just expecting them to know without teaching them.<br /><br />I keep running up against this same thing as a parent. You'd think I would learn at some point. I guess in ways I am getting better. But I still find myself expecting William to know things that I haven't taught him. And considering that he's homeschooled and spends most of every single day with me, I can't blame anyone but myself for his lack of knowledge. <br /><br />Kids really do come to us as blank slates, and we're meant to teach and, yes, train them. They can figure some things out on their own, but if left to their own devices all of the time, they usually don't end up where their parents want them to.<br /><br />I need to remember if William is somewhere I don't want him to be (like in Talkback-istan) to ask myself, "Did I show him another way? Is he looking for a mallard because I never taught him to duck?"Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-22285749471984486942009-02-12T09:49:00.005-06:002009-02-15T09:50:41.339-06:00If you like books, proceed with cautionI'm one of those people who rereads books I love. But I also love finding new books to read. I used to randomly pluck books from the shelf at the library. I discovered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Adams">Douglas Adams</a> this way. But you know, when you do that, every so often you pluck a real stinker. And I have this weird hang-up whereby I am unable to <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> finish a book once I start it. So I am currently loving <a href="http://www.readingtrails.com/">Reading Trails</a>. It's kind of like randomly plucking a book from the library shelf. Except it's not random. And you can't get books from there, you still have to go to your library. But it's kind of like that. Somehow. <br /><br />I like putting in books William or I have enjoyed and seeing what other books are linked to them. Directed randomness.<br /><br />But if you really like reading, you are forewarned. It can be pretty addictive.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-62991822968157228082009-01-23T11:31:00.002-06:002009-01-23T12:10:39.375-06:00Bullets--William was able to get all the way down to the floor in his middle split at gymnastics on Wednesday. I was surprised. They had a conditioning-heavy class, doing 100 pushups and situps and these inverted pullup things on the parallel bars. Crazy. All in all I'm very pleased with the new gym. <br /><br />--Coaching basketball is fun so far. We have seven on our roster now, which will come in handy. At our first game our only girl couldn't come, and one of the guys got sick half way through, so we had to finish the game 4 on 5. In spite of this, we were able to rally and come from behind to win. 10 to 7. Defense appears to be our strength. It's certainly not offense.<br /><br />--School is coming along nicely. Ish. I've been able to spend some time scheduling this week, which helps.<br /><br />--Still haven't really gotten back in the running groove since the half-marathon. I guess my priorities are elsewhere right now. Trying to decide if I want to sign up for the race again next year.<br /><br />--Already beginning to gear up for deleavening. I'm actually looking forward to using it as an opportunity to declutter William's room. And maybe mine a bit too.<br /><br />--Still want to hike, but it's looking like it will be later rather than sooner.<br /><br />--Sabbath's almost here. Yea for rest and renewal!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-68481354457641205672009-01-12T20:47:00.003-06:002009-01-12T21:02:32.281-06:00Je voudrais...I have a hankering to travel. Not with checked baggage and free peanuts. <br /><br />I want to hit the road. But not in a car. I want to embark on an adventure in self-powered travel like <a href="http://familyonbikes.org/blog/">this</a> one.<br /><br />I've been thinking and reading about hiking a bunch recently, and planning some hikes for the not to distant future (hopefully). And the more I think about it, the more impatient I become to get out and do it. Apartment life does not suit me. I want to spend time someplace that has more trees than people. I want to sleep somewhere where road noise is not my lullaby. I want to carry all my possessions on my back like a turtle, and make my home wherever the ground is flat enough to pitch my tent. I want to spend the night somewhere with stars instead of streetlights. And I want William to experience it all with me.<br /><br />I know what I want. I just haven't figured out the how of it all yet. But where there's a want, there's a way, right?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-12202833363328878392009-01-05T13:21:00.001-06:002009-01-05T13:23:48.307-06:00Jane Austen does facebookI love Pride and Prejudice, so <a href="http://www.much-ado.net/austenbook/">this</a> made me smile.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-57940077066085996792008-12-18T10:54:00.003-06:002008-12-18T11:25:55.544-06:00insert meaningful title here<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2135608660056769362yeiejQ"><img src="http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/4536/2135608660056769362S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="Pullover" style="margin: 10px 10px 0pt 0pt; float: left;" /></a>This week was the end of term at gymnastics, so parents got to go on the floor and take pictures. Crystal has the fancy schmancy camera that can capture action shots. Mine is no longer fancy, or schmancy, so I took video clips.<br /><br />I want to take gymnastics. Why do kids get to have all the fun?<br /><br />I also want a spring flooring throughout my dream house.<br /><br />And a foam pit.<br /><br />Here's a little clip of my favorite "trick" William has learned so far--the pullover.<br /><embed src="http://p.webshots.com/flash/smallplayer.swf?videoFile=http://videoserve.webshots.com/video/27030/3067371690056769362QtfNJM_v_0.flv&audio=on&displayImagePreview=http://videothumb31.webshots.com/thumb/27030/3067371690056769362QtfNJMstill_002_0.jpg&videoPageUrl=http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3067371690056769362QtfNJM&autoPlay=false&shareLink=http://cards.webshots.com/ecard/personalize?photoId=3067371690056769362%26source=v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" quality="best" allowscriptaccess="always" height="350" width="425"></embed><br /><br /><a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3067371690056769362QtfNJM">Last pullover</a><br /><br />And here he is vaulting to a handstand--on an itty bitty kid-size vault.<br /><embed src="http://p.webshots.com/flash/smallplayer.swf?videoFile=http://videoserve.webshots.com/video/27674/3033925610056769362lygKBO_v_0.flv&audio=on&displayImagePreview=http://videothumb35.webshots.com/thumb/27674/3033925610056769362lygKBOstill_002_0.jpg&videoPageUrl=http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3033925610056769362lygKBO&autoPlay=false&shareLink=http://cards.webshots.com/ecard/personalize?photoId=3033925610056769362%26source=v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" quality="best" allowscriptaccess="always" height="350" width="425"></embed><br /><br /><a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3033925610056769362lygKBO">Vault to handstand</a><br /><br />I'm so glad he gets to do gymnastics because it's so fun for me to watch. :)Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-16952986567771068012008-12-09T09:08:00.004-06:002008-12-09T10:06:13.810-06:00Winning isn't everything...thankfully<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4X_ZoBAuhF52XgdRgCfzC5hvNjvJ24DRjRiAGWWvsl6349u8Iha8bltxj9aMGu4V5hR5hUDXruzmHH2wCqsC6v-znRdK3l-d_72aqtnMfzSq45EcJ5r4bJGgywLINj1soUqs3Q/s1600-h/IMG_9135.JPG"><img style="margin: 10px 10px 0pt 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4X_ZoBAuhF52XgdRgCfzC5hvNjvJ24DRjRiAGWWvsl6349u8Iha8bltxj9aMGu4V5hR5hUDXruzmHH2wCqsC6v-znRdK3l-d_72aqtnMfzSq45EcJ5r4bJGgywLINj1soUqs3Q/s320/IMG_9135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277809036792662722" border="0" /></a>Sunday the boys had a flag football game. We won't discuss the final score. Let's just say the boys are learning to do their best, and have fun, and not worry about winning. Plus, they have a good coach this time around, so they are learning some basic plays and getting a chance to play every position. <br /><br />William still doesn't focus very well during the games, poor guy. I wonder when that will click for him. He's a bit of a contradiction in that he likes to win--really wants to win. So that's competitive, right? But then, he doesn't have that fire to compete, really hustle and work that I always associate with being competitive. So basically, he wants to win, but doesn't understand the formula that leads to winning. I have to keep telling myself that he's only been doing sports for a year, and he'll figure this stuff out eventually. <br /><br />Not that I want him to become obsessed with competition, but I want him to participate with an understanding of what is most likely to bring success. And hopefully still retain the ability to say the better team won when he loses. And hopefully learn to not say that when he wins.<br /><br />This parenting thing keeps me on my toes. I'm constantly asking why I expect what I do from William, and have I given him the instruction he needs to meet those expectations. Sometimes I think I have him figured out, and then he just blindsides me with some completely unexpected perspective. He really does come at things from a different angle. <br /><br />Back when I was first looking into homeschool, I came across the concept of a <a href="http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Visual_Spatial_Learner/vsl.htm">visual-spatial learner</a>, and it's pretty scary how well it describes William. Some of the key attributes are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thinks primarily in pictures. </span><br />William likes a movie better than its book counterpart because he can see what it looks like.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Relates well to space. </span><br />He's always been able to make really cool 3-D representations, whether out of legos or cardboard and tape.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is a whole-part learner. <br /></span>He doesn't want just part of the picture. He's always trying to tie things together. He learned over 100 sight words easily by the age of 2, but struggled with phonics when I tried that with him at 4.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learns complex concepts easily; struggles with easy skills. </span><br />This is a super frustrating one for me as a mom and a teacher. Things that seem like a no-brainer to me, and most of the world, really baffle him and require extra explanation. Ugh. I really need to remember to be patient with him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sees the big picture; may miss details. </span><br />This can also be frustrating. Especially when it comes to completing tasks like, oh, say, tidying his room. He thinks it's tidy, but he's missed details like the fact that you can't see the top of his dresser, and his closet is a disaster area.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Doesn't write quickly or easily. </span><br />So true of William. His handwriting isn't even close to resembling a 3rd graders.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is not well-organized. </span><br />Not sure I can pin this entirely on the visual-spatial thing, because he could have just learned it from me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learns best by seeing relationships. </span><br />He tries to tie things together all the time. Sometimes, the things aren't linked the way he thinks they are, though, and he comes to a wrong conclusion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learns concepts permanently; is turned off by drill and repetition. </span><br />He puts elephants to shame. Honestly. And he gets frustrated when he has to do something over and over to the point that he loses focus and it begins to be pointless to have him continue to repeat it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Develops own methods of problem solving. </span><br />I remember when he was about 5 months old, he pulled up on our coffee table and tried to grab a toy that was on the other side. He stood there for a couple minutes trying to reach with first one hand, then the other, but it was just beyond his finger tips. So then he tried to climb up on the table, but fortunately hadn't learned that trick just yet. I was just watching him, wondering if he'd give up and turn his attention somewhere else. He stopped for a second and just looked at the toy, then dropped to the floor, crawled under the table, and pulled up on the other side. Success! I knew I was in for a wild ride.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is very sensitive to teachers' attitudes. </span><br />This is so very true of William. He can read people's emotions well. He knows when I'm impatient or frustrated with him, and he does not respond well to it. He becomes emotional when he senses emotion. He is also hypersensitive to the possibility of making people angry or disappointing someone, and reacts emotionally to that. I'm really working on having him control his emotions right now, and trying to explain to him that when he splats tears and angry words all over people, they are going to react negatively. That doesn't mean they are permanently mad at him or they don't like him. Explaining doesn't work super well for him though--he needs to experience it and build trust in people.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Generates unusual solutions to problems. </span><br />Standardized tests are not his cup of tea. I plan on testing him regularly because I want him to have practice enough that he can do well with them. But multiple choice tests with only one correct answer can be tough for him because he sees aspects of "correctness" in more than one answer quite often. And if I can get him to explain himself, he's using good logic. Just not common sense.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Develops quite asynchronously. </span><br />He took his first steps the day before he turned 9 months. But he still can't stand still.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is a late bloomer. </span><br />I think this is definitely true for him socially. He's always been a bit socially immature. He's grown up quite a bit in this past year, though, and I'm trying to help him grow up some more.<br /><br />In January I took the plunge and started William in league sports at the JCC even though he protested mightily. He hated basketball, soccer, football--you name it. He cried. He threw temper tantrums. It wasn't pretty and it made me tired. Then in April I threw gymnastics into the mix. More of the same emotional responses. But through this year he has grown up so much. He <span style="font-style: italic;">has</span> learned more emotional control. He's learned some tools for dealing with bullies. He's learned to run into a group of people that he doesn't know, and look to the coach for what to do. He no longer complains before every class and game that he doesn't want to do it. <br /><br />So yes, so far all of his trophies are for participation only. But winning really isn't everything. Just getting my upside-down little guy in the game is a victory in my book.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-18605366570036142102008-12-03T13:43:00.002-06:002008-12-03T13:56:33.693-06:00Blah-gingWhat to say? Life goes on. Homeschool, work, activities. Shop, budget, oil change. Just normal stuff going on here. <br /><br />I guess there were a couple events of note that didn't get blogged about yet. I ran the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. It went a lot better than I expected. I had intended to run the whole marathon, but it was hard to find the time to put in the long runs before the Feast. So when I hurt my leg (I think a pulled quad) at the Feast playing soccer, it just helped me make the decision not to do the full. I'm glad. I was actually able to enjoy the half--the last mile wasn't so much fun anymore--and my recovery was pretty quick. I was surprised. Haven't really gotten back into the running so much since then though, which is sort of stupid. This is <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> time to run here in San Antonio, and I'm missing it, after almost dying of heat stroke more than once trying to run through the summer here. I really need to get back to it. It's cool that I'm actually starting to miss it.<br /><br />I use "actually" a lot.<br /><br />The Big Bryce Thanksgiving was fun. It was cool to see most of the family there. I'll get to see the one missing sibling this month when we all go camping. This is also <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> time of year to camp in Texas.<br /><br />I've been researching and doing some preliminary planning for a hike in March. It should be fun. <br /><br />William's doing great in gymnastics and football. By great, I mean he is participating in a mostly positive attitude most of the time. And, I suspect, enjoying it more than he is willing to admit. I'm vacillating between nervousness and excitement about switching to a new gym. I hope the move pays off in increased focus and discipline in William. He's hoping to learn to do a back flip. That would also be cool.<br /><br />William has shown a renewed interest in the piano, which he is practicing right now. He comes up with some interesting original compositions. He's also getting back into learning French, but that is more my doing than his. He'll thank me for it later. Hopefully in French.<br /><br />Time to go give my budding Chopin some pointers.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-88472151377941354512008-11-12T22:34:00.001-06:002008-11-12T22:36:22.406-06:00Sweet dreamsWhen William and I prayed tonight, he prayed for everyone in the Church and in his family and all of his friends to have a good sleep and not have any bad dreams. <br /><br />He's got you covered.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-88081031037900057432008-11-05T19:39:00.002-06:002008-11-05T20:06:53.794-06:00I love this picture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B34So8F6dqgPAZdYu5WUOtklta_sLRZBS5gazXn805m3OfYjjtDqEuIurpIC-RdyCZCEFdHF5z-Ub4G067QJBwDuZn_Z4zTqT-Kt_aYD9I1aoFpwh6ELmYEDEAxztfzKbOHMSQ/s1600-h/IMG_8189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B34So8F6dqgPAZdYu5WUOtklta_sLRZBS5gazXn805m3OfYjjtDqEuIurpIC-RdyCZCEFdHF5z-Ub4G067QJBwDuZn_Z4zTqT-Kt_aYD9I1aoFpwh6ELmYEDEAxztfzKbOHMSQ/s320/IMG_8189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265356254448071634" border="0" /></a><br />This picture cracks me up. It kind of sums up William and ball sports right now. Just not quite connecting. We're still working on it. I continue to have high hopes that someday he will grow up and beat me in basketball. <br /><br />He's doing great in gymnastics though. Well, sort of great. He's learning cool tricks, but standing still and not poking people when you're bored waiting in line don't seem to be sinking in as fast as handstands and such. When he's not driving me crazy, he makes me laugh a lot. And smile. And want to take pictures of him. Then he can't smile a normal smile and we cycle back to driving me crazy. <br /><br />I think there are lots of cycles in parenting. Cycles and ups-and-downs and balancing. Hmm. Parenting is actually a lot like gymnastics. <br /><br />But maybe I should wait until I have a finished product before I talk too much about my parenting ideas.<br /><br />Yesterday we were reading a book for school. I've started recording all the books that I read to him. That way, I only ever have to read them once. But yesterday, I'd been reading for a long time and my voice was getting tired, so William stepped in to read for a bit. Before he would start however, he required me to choose the "male voice" option in GarageBand, telling me, "I'm a man, mommy."<br /><br />Not quite yet. But probably sooner than I'd like. Maybe I should go beat him at basketball while I still can.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-76329559113375219182008-10-31T12:16:00.002-05:002008-10-31T12:27:22.322-05:00What's the opposite of letdown?I usually come home from the Feast and struggle to get back into the routine of everyday life. I'm determined not to do that this year. I think I need a new phrase to be coined as an alternative to "post-Feast letdown." Something that fits with the renewed determination and excitement I had after this Feast.<br /><br />post-Feast kick in the pants?<br />post-Feast supercharge?<br />post-Feast fire-up?<br /><br />I haven't figured out what to call it yet, but I'm going to make the most of it while it lasts, and hopefully make it last all the way to next Feast.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-8960020944699086982008-10-06T17:58:00.003-05:002008-10-06T18:28:13.172-05:00WeirdnessOn two of my last three runs I have been bitten by an ant. At approximately mile 5. On my neck. ?? Seriously, I am not that slow (Jonathan) that an ant could chase me for 5 miles, then climb to my neck and bite me. And this is on two different routes, so it's not like I'm running through the same ant hill. I think I only didn't get bitten on the other run because I only went 2 miles. I'm now officially afraid to run 5 miles.<br /><br />Also, people all over the US are calling me worried that my car warranty is about to expire. Weird.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-31173490903087886612008-09-27T09:19:00.003-05:002008-09-27T09:26:41.550-05:00The Incredible Lizard Hunters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TikmsxImVYrQ4CmUxf_z1pIPWK_V8iHERDs0XoKIswiFdhRjdH_KtCjiz7cGTUcpeMz-55afr6YU3PxhymOQlKn0ODrBIToXz2OUzzei7SbTj-7mXwXWYdW_-FOHYCySpOP_EQ/s1600-h/IMG_9017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TikmsxImVYrQ4CmUxf_z1pIPWK_V8iHERDs0XoKIswiFdhRjdH_KtCjiz7cGTUcpeMz-55afr6YU3PxhymOQlKn0ODrBIToXz2OUzzei7SbTj-7mXwXWYdW_-FOHYCySpOP_EQ/s320/IMG_9017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250707093627561282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprZB4dNhcYPg9CmPgQleP3y6fW-k4EttHvjal4LZzd9HCxlFZAy_Ctbw53IaKOe-Kn3nX0VPuMfYWfqfQmXBLF0VpQ1adr-6fPkGPqbHPVDEIgRPaDRgid9lKuCA_-jMxPSy7uQ/s1600-h/IMG_9028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprZB4dNhcYPg9CmPgQleP3y6fW-k4EttHvjal4LZzd9HCxlFZAy_Ctbw53IaKOe-Kn3nX0VPuMfYWfqfQmXBLF0VpQ1adr-6fPkGPqbHPVDEIgRPaDRgid9lKuCA_-jMxPSy7uQ/s320/IMG_9028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250707098993952290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nnPXWnhxzfa0RQwU587B01rVuk44hZXWm8suce2zfo2VzSzcYtyWy9jbJr8L2S0RgQo_etGnL8D6uBZ_CEWQ0ie5TVsSt6sqnbr3t5XlyxwVnVuDRg2RAvlYEwCa0s7e9BK52A/s1600-h/IMG_9030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nnPXWnhxzfa0RQwU587B01rVuk44hZXWm8suce2zfo2VzSzcYtyWy9jbJr8L2S0RgQo_etGnL8D6uBZ_CEWQ0ie5TVsSt6sqnbr3t5XlyxwVnVuDRg2RAvlYEwCa0s7e9BK52A/s320/IMG_9030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250707103072654642" border="0" /></a><br />Jarek and William have been terrorizing the local lizard population these days. In Jarek's defense, I think William is the driving force behind their recent activities. Last Friday they captured 5 geckos, which they were allowed to keep for a couple hours, then had to release. Then on Sunday we enjoyed a San Antonio special--late September swimming--and they found several anoles. They were so happy with their catches that they even willingly consented to pose for pictures with them.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-46434996278072294402008-09-19T15:22:00.002-05:002008-09-19T15:28:20.594-05:00Random nostalgic cuteness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2e9FgAEfXkV11WYQ9dEeAjcJKQo8ZqeQXOl1bJt-ALLE-hvDzkDC2S2_5rS1wf_Qxy1jpEknFSIM7gu-LTjYaz1Dp8GNLhxd2gYJ7C4OgoUyJtIEEOR-TZaIoyRjBqZNCGwRVMw/s1600-h/pics_090.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2e9FgAEfXkV11WYQ9dEeAjcJKQo8ZqeQXOl1bJt-ALLE-hvDzkDC2S2_5rS1wf_Qxy1jpEknFSIM7gu-LTjYaz1Dp8GNLhxd2gYJ7C4OgoUyJtIEEOR-TZaIoyRjBqZNCGwRVMw/s320/pics_090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247831757612369282" border="0" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-6600429937395279092008-09-13T08:35:00.002-05:002008-09-13T08:42:12.427-05:00Responding to commentsI never know how to respond to comments. Do you answer in your own comment section? Do people come back and check the comments for a response? Do you go comment on the other person's blog? I don't know the etiquette, not being a frequent commenter myself.<br /><br />So...<br /><br />To Summer: William is 8.<br /><br />To Stacey: The boys miss you too in case you couldn't tell by their response to my yelling "Hi Stacey" last night. They were playing legos in Jarek's room and came running when they heard me so that they could tell you hi too. :)<br /><br />To Anyone: Feel free to educate me on proper comment-response procedure.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-39093479712621759872008-09-11T19:16:00.002-05:002008-09-11T19:19:31.473-05:00OverheardWilliam: "You're a pretty good artist. It would be neat if you became famous. Then you could make the whole family famous. Did you know our family is already sort of famous?"<br />Jarek: "Yeah. From Bryce Canyon!"<br /><br />William: If you get the yogurts with the pink lids they send 10 cents to these guys who are trying to stop breast cancer. You know why the lids are pink? Because only women get breast cancer. You know why only women get breast cancer? Because only women can make babies. Men can't make babies.<br />Jarek: Yeaaaaaaa! Whack!<br />(I can't explain the whack, but that's what he said. I also promise that I explained breast cancer more accurately to William than what he seems to remember.)<br /><br />Life is never dull around these two.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-3220112422049373622008-09-09T10:54:00.002-05:002008-09-09T11:17:36.975-05:00Busy daysOne of the touted advantages of homeschooling is the flexibility of your schedule. You can do school in your pajamas! You can sleep in and start school at noon then stay up late and...I don't know...whatever people do when they stay up late. <br /><br />One of the purported disadvantages of homeschooling is the lack of "socialization" which I think people use to mean a lack of interaction with people outside of their family, even though in my college anthropology course I was taught that the family is the primary agent of socialization. But that's another story.<br /><br />Somehow my homeschooling story is turning out be to scripted a bit differently than the sterotype. <br /><br />The flexibility of my schedule has made it possible for me to sign William up for two gymnastics classes, a flag football class and a boy scouts type group, plus speech therapy. None of which are attended in pajamas. Sadly. And all of which involve interaction with people outside of our family. And all of which significantly reduce the flexibility of my schedule. <br /><br />But it's good. I like our days. We're out of the house pretty much every single day, and the anti-social part of me gets tired of that sometimes. But I like what we do. I like watching William learn things I don't have the energy or equipment to teach him. I like having deep talks while we drive to activities. I like squeezing in a trip to the library every time we go in that direction. <br /><br />I think one of the biggest advantages of homeschooling <span style="font-weight:bold;">is</span> flexibility. Flexibility to find what works for your kid and your family. Flexibility to change your mind about what works--day to day, or year to year, or on the spur of the moment. Flexibility to make education and learning a continual process that is a part of all aspects of life. Flexibility to make your schedule as busy or laid back as you and your kid need it to be.<br /><br />Right now, we're choosing busy days.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-30847559031057347182008-09-01T15:23:00.001-05:002008-09-01T15:24:06.131-05:00Not the vegetableWilliam came and flopped on me today and told me, "You'd make a good balance bean."Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-8300502019680248792008-08-30T21:18:00.003-05:002008-08-30T22:16:25.671-05:00An interview with WilliamThis interview is making the rounds on several homeschooling blogs. I thought it would be fun to do with William. I was right, even if I'm not sure what he means by all the answers. :)<br /><br />1. What is something your mom always says to you?<br /><br />"I love you infinity infinities. I win."<br /><br />2. What makes mom happy?<br /><br />"Being respectful, polite and obedient."<br /><br />3. What makes mom sad?<br /><br />"Being unpleasant, being unpolite and being unobedient."<br /><br />4. How does your mom make you laugh?<br /><br />"Jokes...you tell some pretty good jokes."<br /><br />5. What was your mom like as a child?<br /><br />"I still am a child, mommy."<br /><br />(I clarified the question.)<br /><br />"Moving around...you were moving around, right? And you went and visited Christ's tomb."<br /><br />6. How old is your mom?<br /><br />"31 years old"<br /><br />7. How tall is your mom?<br /><br />"5' 6"...is that right?"<br /><br />8. What is her favorite thing to do?<br /><br />"Be on the computer all day...hehe...right? You are on the computer all day, so it must be your favorite thing, right?"<br /><br />9. What does your mom do when you're not around?<br /><br />"Usually cleaning."<br /><br />10. What is your mom really good at?<br /><br />"The piano and guitar."<br /><br />11. What is your mom not very good at?<br /><br />"Being bossy."<br /><br />12. What does your mom do for her job?<br /><br />"Uh...she's an administrator."<br /><br />13. What is your mom's favorite food?<br /><br />"Cheese."<br /><br />14. What makes you proud of your mom?<br /><br />"Um...she's the best mommy in the world and a good snuggler."<br /><br />15. What do you and your mom do together?<br /><br />"Watch movies."<br /><br />16. How are you and your mom different?<br /><br />"Um...(long pause)...she plays Astropop and I play Civilization III on the computer."<br /><br />17. How do you know your mom loves you?<br /><br />"She does really nice things for me."Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-17735839493047906642008-05-20T08:10:00.003-05:002008-05-20T08:17:38.333-05:00Rave reviewI tried out a new pancake recipe this morning that I got out of the Amish cookbook I bought during our stay in Ohio. William typically praises things by saying, "That wasn't too bad." or "I sort of liked it." He's all about playing his cards close to his vest, that one. But these pancakes got the following rave reviews:<br /><br />"These taste like unleavened!"--Uncle Larry's unleavened pancakes that we ate while staying with them for the DUB a couple years ago have been William's standard for pancake excellence ever since.<br /><br />"If the Days of Unleavened Bread were called the Days of <span style="font-style:italic;">Leavened</span> Bread, I would have the best time of my life eating these pancakes every day!"<br /><br />"If this was all the food we had in the house, I would still eat these!"--hmm...I'm sure this made sense to him?<br /><br />"What if the Days of Unleavened Bread were called the Days of Pancakes! Then we could just eat pancakes every day--Amish pancakes!"<br /><br />So...I guess he liked them. Amish pancakes may replace unleavened ones as the pinnacle of pancake success.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-33553955900283626152008-04-29T07:57:00.002-05:002008-04-29T08:05:43.115-05:00My current earworm.<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l9R4vZhPVaw&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l9R4vZhPVaw&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />I have no idea why guava jelly would be rubbed on a belly, but ukeleles make me happy.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-26356004681763636632008-04-05T14:23:00.002-05:002008-04-05T14:40:11.522-05:00Week in reviewSunday<br />-William and Jarek's first soccer game of the season. They lost. That extends their losing streak to nine since they lost every game in their basketball season. They've now had plenty of practice keeping a good attitude while losing. I hope they get to practice good attitudes when winning sometime.<br /><br />Monday<br />-Made an appointment for William to take a free trial gymnastics class at the only local-ish gym I could find that offered boys' classes. The last time he took gymnastics, he got caught in a traffic jam on the balance beam, and in his boredom decided it would be good to pinch the bottom of the little, leotard-clad girl in front of him. He was only three at the time, but still...I'm taking no chances. A boys' class it is. Assuming I like the place. And can afford it.<br /><br />Tuesday<br />-I can't remember Tuesday, so it must not have been important.<br /><br />Wednesday<br />-Ran at a track with JB, Crystal, Jarek and William. The adults did most of the running, while the boys chased each other through the bleachers. I ran my fastest mile since college, and Jonathan almost made himself puke. Good times.<br /><br />Thursday<br />-First real soccer practice for the boys' team--which is the two of them plus four little girls. Their coach is really good. There was no pinching.<br /><br />Friday<br />-William enthusiasticlly informed me: "Mom! I know why I don't think of space ships or Star Wars when I sing the Star Wars music! It's because I CAN'T THINK when I'm singing!!" I love his Eureka! moments. <br />-William complained at dinner that I hadn't cut his hamburger into "steak fingers." Jarek then offered to do it for him, to which William replied, "You're the best friend ever."<br /><br />Saturday<br />-We actually left home early for a change, but William informed me in the middle of the downtown Austin traffic jam that he thought he was going to throw up. So we ended up turning around and coming straight back home.<br />-He started crying on the way home, and I thought it was because he was going to be sick, but he informed me he was crying "because we have to miss church." After I told him that we didn't want to get our friends sick, he said, "Yeah. I don't want to give Indiana a puking disease. He always gets these." Preserving the integrity of Indy's digestive tract seemed to comfort him somewhat about missing church.<br />-He fell asleep about 2 minutes after that conversation and slept all the way home.<br />-He's still sleeping.<br />-I hope he feels better soon.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206028.post-10765220773112656562008-04-01T14:07:00.002-05:002008-12-09T00:30:54.221-06:00The Story About the Butterflies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOb8NdpOag7L5X2Yc-MOxgh6p0R19NLds46XAg03fLTBEhH8lepcYM7ZhrIZcRLxJV3CrDLSb8oe27fV8ZDFXNn7O9wuzmut5_WaDha_u935C-A1YM-VxDp_SgLE8C1BR_OPoBg/s1600-h/IMG_8075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOb8NdpOag7L5X2Yc-MOxgh6p0R19NLds46XAg03fLTBEhH8lepcYM7ZhrIZcRLxJV3CrDLSb8oe27fV8ZDFXNn7O9wuzmut5_WaDha_u935C-A1YM-VxDp_SgLE8C1BR_OPoBg/s320/IMG_8075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184359864249428530" border="0" /></a><br />by William<br /><br />We ordered some caterpillars. There were six of them, and they were half an inch to an inch long. They came in a tiny container with yucky stuff on the bottom, paper on the top and pictures of butterflies on the lid. We had a butterfly house as well. They grew bigger in the container because they ate a lot of the yucky looking stuff. It was a week before they started spinning cocoons. When they became cocoons, we had to drive somewhere in a car for about five hours. One of the cocoons was vibrating while we were driving up there, but it didn't hatch while we were driving up there. We stayed at the place where we were going for three days. The cocoons hatched on the second day and we released them all on the fourth day.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07524508352922982899noreply@blogger.com2