Rhiannon's Amazing 7th Birthday - New York Style

Rhiannon just had an amazing experience that I was blessed to take part in as well. Her 7th birthday recently passed and for her gift (and just because they wanted to) my parents paid for her and I to return to NY for a visit with them. Just the two of us boarded the plane for a 5 day vacation with my parents. My brother and his fiancée were also in town from California and we enjoyed being all together for part of the time.

Our weekend vacation began on a Saturday. We woke up and spent our last morning with Serona’s parents (who were visiting from Maine). They left for the airport about an hour before us. Poor Serona, Sirah and Ciaran had to say goodbye to the grandparents, mommy and sister all in the same day. We headed to the airport and had a nice uneventful flight to NYC. Rhiannon gave up her window seat so that another passenger could sit with his family but she still got glimpses of the city skyline from the plane. We landed, got our luggage and headed to my parents house for a quick hello and then off to our family reunion.

I am part of a big Irish family. Every 2 years we get together with our extended family. My grandfather had 11 brothers and sisters and our families get together. Between his brothers, sisters and their kin we number well over 300! It is amazing to realize you are part of a family that big. Even just my aunts and uncles and direct cousins and families number in the 30’s. So the day we landed was the day of the reunion. We raced to the reunion and arrived late but still there were quite a large number of people gathered. Rhiannon, who has not been to NY since she was 3, met her cousin (a girl 6 months older than her) and they were joined at the hip the rest of the weekend as if they knew each other their whole lives. We went swimming, jumped on the trampoline, listened to patriotic music and had a nice time visiting with family. We got lost on the way home, my brother and I trying to navigate a place neither of us has driven in the past 5 years (over a decade for me), but eventually we made it home.

Next day was a surprise wedding shower for my future SIL. She was very surprised and that was a lot of fun. Because my family is pretty fun and non-traditional it was a mixed gender shower and that was fun to see everyone and visit together. It was a very hot day and only one room in the house had air conditioning but we all managed and had fun. The bride and groom were obviously happy and it was nice to spend time with my relatives that I so rarely see. It was an all day affair with us returning home well after 10pm. My parents, brother, SIL and myself played a video trivia game until the wee hours of the morning after Rhiannon went to sleep.

Monday was a laid back day spent with just my brother, SIL and parents. After they left to catch a plane back to Cali, my dad and I took Rhiannon to the ocean. While this was not her first time at the ocean, it is the first time she will remember and was truly old enough to enjoy it. We took her to Florida as a baby and she has been in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as a small child. She saw (and touched) the ocean in Maine this past fall but it was cold and not a place where the waves really rolled in. So this was like a brand new experience to her. Rhiannon has become quite the fish this summer, really enjoying swimming and spending several days a week in water (pool or beach) for hours at a time. It was a lot of fun to see her reactions to the water.

The surf was a bit rough, it was later in the evening and only I was going in the water with her. Having not been in the ocean in awhile I did not trust myself to go out to far with her by myself. So we played in the breakers mostly. I was tempted to take her out past the first breakers but in the end chickened out and we stayed close to shore. I think we received much more sand because of this choice.

The tie breaker for me was the massive amounts of jellyfish that were in the water. Most of them were dead but I really did not want to deal with the possibility of her freaking out from the waves and the jellyfish at the same time. I could not believe how many dead jellyfish there were. As you stood there they crashed into your legs and you felt them. If you looked along the shoreline it was covered with hundreds of them. It was interesting to examine them and I even tried to encourage her to hold one (they had no tentacles at this point) but she would not. She did touch one which she thought was gross enough. I could not help but think that if Ciaran were here he would spend the remainder of his time at the beach collecting jellyfish in a big pit or something and then trying to dissect them.

We stayed at the beach for a long time enjoying the waves, cool breezes and ocean smells. To this day the ocean is still one of my favorite places in the world. I could always spend a lot of time there and did all through growing up. I do miss the ocean here in landlocked Minnesota and have a hard time calling a lake a beach. It was special to get to share the ocean with Rhiannon and see how much she enjoyed it as well (though the jellyfish definitely were a downer for her). It was special to be there with my dad too as we both share a love of the ocean. We headed home and played a family board game until Rhiannon was too tired to stay awake and headed to bed.

Tuesday was our big day (can you believe that) as we headed into NYC. This was the first time Rhiannon was in NYC (she may have been as a baby but she would have no memory of that). She was overwhelmed by how loud and busy it was and how much bigger everything was. We drove into Manhattan and she started getting overwhelmed in Queens before we even reached the city. My father dropped us off at the door of the American girl shop while he went to park the car. We spent the next several hours in the American Girl shop. Rhiannon loves the American girl books and dolls. She has read all the books (except Addy which I will not allow yet) and last Christmas received Felicity and Elizabeth along with much of their wardrobes. While at first I had a hard time with how much all of that costs she really plays with these dolls nearly every day and truly enjoys and appreciates the historical fiction part of them. She has read and reread the books more times then I can count. So it was very exciting for her to go to the store.

Her first reaction was not what I expected. She was absolutely overwhelmed and did not know what to do. You come in on the contemporary level which held little interest for her and just seemed like too much. There were too many people, too many dolls, too many outfits and way too much noise. We went upstairs to the second floor where the displays are smaller and the dolls are all the historical characters and there she settled in and became excited. She spent a good amount of time looking at each dolls display and time periods and just relaxed. She did not ask for anything and was just taking it all in.

The first thing she asked for was to find a matching outfit for her and her doll. She wanted one from the Felicity time period but the store does not sell any of the historical clothing for girls. Apparently they are too expensive to make and there is not a market for them, most girls prefer the contemporary clothes for both themselves and their dolls. We did manage to find a Grecian princess costume that was perfect for her. Fancy, historical, fun and it looked beautiful on her. We then made an appointment for her doll to have her hair done. This can take all afternoon (there were 28 dolls in front of us) and is first come first serve, so do it as soon as you get there. While we waited we of course browsed the store for a long time.

When her dolls hair was being done she got to watch and talk to the woman doing her hair. Her stylist was fabulous and really took to Rhiannon. She even offered to do Rhiannon’s hair in the same style as her dolls (this is not normally done). In the end Rhiannon and her doll, Elizabeth (Felicity’s best friend) looked nearly identical and both were turning heads and making people smile. There were many girls dressed up but the outfit Rhia picked was more like a costume and very fancy in comparison to a lot of the others. She picked the dress up princess outfit to be sure. We went to the top floor so she could get her picture taken with Elizabeth for the cover of American girl (a personal copy – not the actual magazine) and then made our final purchases.

Her grandparents were very generous and Rhiannon decided on purchasing Kaya and a few of her outfits. Rhia loves Kaya, Felicity and Elizabeth because they all love and ride horses (her other passion). She was super excited and I lost all will to argue about having a third doll when I saw her expression and desire. We have no barbies, no polly pockets and no Bratz dolls. We have said no to a lot and it is nice that she has something she loves so much that has so much meaning to her. Besides Kaya is a very different doll in clothing styles and everything (being the traditional Native American doll) and she has one major thing in her favor – no care hair as she needs to keep her braids in at all times.
We left the American girl store and headed to St Patrick’s cathedral. Rhiannon lit a candle and prayed for her grandparents and some other prayers. We walked her slowly through the cathedral answering questions and pointing out the beauty and history of the place. I always enjoy seeing and hearing her observations as well. We spent just a brief time there but it was long enough for her and for most people I would think. We headed over to Times Square then which I knew would be overwhelming to her. We went to dinner in the Marriot Marquis’ The View Restaurant. This is one of my personal favorite restaurants in all of NYC because of the view. The food is good, the service is excellent but it is seeing so much of the skyline of Manhattan that is truly special. The restaurant rotates very slowly so you can see all points of view from your table. The restaurant was a bit too fancy for Rhiannon as even their children’s meals were done extra fancy and did not taste the best to her. Dessert was a real treat for her though and she smiled so big then as they places before her 6 miniature ice cream cones, each with its own flavor of ice cream or sorbet.

Then we went to see the Broadway show Beauty and the Beast! It was amazing and incredible as you would expect from Broadway. It is magical to see everyone at their best. The best actors, the best musicians, the best lighting and sound technicians, the best stage directors, just the best of everything and it truly shows. The play was moving and touching and very well done. It stayed very true to the story, which was nice for Rhia to follow along with and be able to just relax and enjoy the show. We had fabulous seats, front row balcony seats. It was just too incredible to describe.

The entire day had been wonderful and amazing and a magical experience for all of us. Rhiannon was so grateful and realized how special it was and how blessed she was. She could not find words to express her thanks enough and still had not. She said it was one of the best days of her life. She certainly understands that it is a once in a lifetime kind of day, not an everyday experience, much like Walt Disney World was. She still talks about it and is still thankful.

As we left the theater and headed home, we drove through Times Square so she could get the feel for the lights and neon and whole thing. It was very overwhelming, too bright and just too much for her. She asked to see the Statue of Liberty so my dad, bless his heart, drove pretty much the entire island to get a glimpse of the statue at night. We had a great view as we crossed the bridge back home. We got home well after 1am and I proceeded to pack for our early morning departure. After around 3 hours of sleep we arose and headed home to an eventful and hot ride home but safely we arrived to find Serona waiting for us with roses and went to pick up the other kids and spend some family time together.

It was very special to have that vacation with Rhiannon. Not only did we do so many wonderful and amazing things together but we got to spend time just us together. That is nice to do with each child once in awhile. It was nice that it was just us in some ways. We certainly missed the rest of the family but it was fun to just connect with her. It was also a break to be able to visit with my family as I only had her with me and she spent nearly all her family event time with my cousin. I am glad we had this opportunity together. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your generosity. Serona, Ciaran and Sirah thanks for giving us up for a little while and being such good sports about it. My two dear friends that took Ciaran and Sirah while Serona worked, thanks for making it possible. To the other friends who also offered to help out to make this possible, thanks so much. It truly was a special time that we all will treasure for years to come. I know Rhiannon will always remember this day.

Peace,
Tenniel

Family Fitness

We had a great night tonight as a family. It was inexpensive, fun and healthy and we were together. After dinner Serona and I played racquetball while the kids played in a basketball court and playground. After racquetball (and burning around 600 calories) we picked up the kids and took them rock climbing. Ciaran and Sirah both learned to climb the walls (first time for both of them) and Serona took a belaying class so he could belay for them as they climbed. The kids did awesome; each of them reached the top of a very high climbing wall and rang the bell. Sirah and I watched and cheered them on. It was a simple and great night filled with exercise and family time. Hope to do this more often.

Peace,
Tenniel

Pouring out the Rain

Song: Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey's Song)by Buddy Jewell

The moment was custom-made to order:
I was ridin' with my daughter on our way back from Monroe.
An' like children do, she started playin' twenty questions,
But I never could've guessed one would touch me to my soul.

She said: "Daddy, when we get to Heaven, can I taste the Milky Way?
"Are we goin' there to visit, or are we goin' there to stay?
"Am I gonna see my Grandpa? Can I have a pair of wings?
"An' do you think that God could use another Angel,
"To help pour out the rain?"

Well, I won't lie: I pulled that car right over,
An' I sat there on the shoulder tryin' to dry my misty eyes.
An' I whispered: "Lord, I wanna thank you for my children.
"'Cause your innocence that fills them often takes me by surprise."

Like: "Daddy, when we get to Heaven, can I taste the Milky Way?
"Are we goin' there to visit, or are we goin' there to stay?
"Am I gonna see my Grandpa? Can I have a pair of wings?
"An' do you think that God could use another Angel,
"To help pour out the rain?"

Well, I thought about it later on,
An' a smile came to my face.
An' when I tucked her in to bed,
I got down on my knees an' prayed.

Lord, when I get to Heaven, can I taste the Milky Way?
"I don't wanna come to visit 'cause I'm comin' home to stay?
"An' I can't wait to see my family and meet Jesus face to face.
"An' do you think, Lord, you could use just one more Angel,
"To help pour out the rain?"

Mmmm, can I help pour out the rain?

Grandparents

Serona's parents are here for a visit and we have been having a great time. We have had very HOT weather still, hovering in the low 90's most of the time. It has been a busy and fun week filled with things like: going to the pool (grandma even went down the water slides with them), riding bikes into town, playing at the park, taking walks around the pond, visiting the zoo, the arboretum, and the history museum.

The adults have spent lots of time sharing in wine tastings, good food, great conversation, golf and finishing up much needed to be done house projects and gardening. A few more days to enjoy each others company.

Peace,
Tenniel

Robin Update

We are still observing them daily but with the grandparents here we have put on hold blogging observations. The babies have nearly all their feathers now and we expect to see them leave the next sometime in the next few days.

One Opinion Matters

Too often people feel paralyzed by situations thinking they have no control over anything outside of themselves. We may get frustrated, angry or disappointed by something but never do anything about it. We convince ourselves that one opinion does not matter and one person can not make a difference. We see it over and over again as people feel more and more ineffectual in our society.

One of the areas I think this is most rampant is in the realm of customer service. In the day of big box stores and conveniences it seems customer service is nearly non-existent often. We have fought so hard for the bottom line we wonder where customer service went. It is not a hard surprise. But I will say there are exceptions though and if you look for and demand customer service you will receive it. But you need to expect it and be willing to fight for it (in pleasant ways).

Two personal examples from my own life these past few months can be seen. Just last month I was disappointed by a t-shirt display found at a local Target. I talked to the manager and shortly thereafter the tshirts were no longer on display at the store. I went through the channels but did so in a kind and respectful way, yet still firm about my beliefs and the reasons behind them. I have no idea if others felt the way I did or not and expressed their opinions or if it was just based on mine, but I was pleased with the results.

Just this week there was another example. We have a family membership at a gym/club. My kids spend some time in their kids center which has a big wide screen tv in the littlest kid room (primary ages 1-4), though sometimes older kids sit in there and watch TV too. This is the only room available to the youngest children and where many of them spend most of their time. There is also a wide selection of toys in this room. When I dropped my kids off they were playing Dora the Explorer, when I returned they were playing Shrek. I was surprised to discover that they were showing PG rated movies in a toddler room much less in any room in the child center. It is not the movie Shrek persay that bothered me, though I would not let my 2 year old watch it, and here she was watching it. Maybe you think it is a great kids movie and that is fine, I did not question the particular movie what I questioned was the policy of showing PG movies to children without their parents present.

For your information, this is the definition of a PG movie from the MPAA:

"This is a film which clearly needs to be examined by parents before they let their children attend. The label PG plainly states parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, but leaves the parent to make the decision. Parents are warned against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated movies. The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. However, these elements are not considered so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated film. The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children. Obviously such a line is difficult to draw. In our pluralistic society it is not easy to make judgments without incurring some disagreement. As long as parents know they must exercise parental responsibility, the rating serves as a meaningful guide and as a warning. "

Now we let our kids watch some PG movies, but we watch them with them or before they watch them. It is our responsibility as parents to decide what is and is not appropriate for our particular children. We take this seriously and we do different things for different kids. For instance our 5 year old can watch things we don't let our 7 year old watch because they are affected differently by different things. But the point is that as parents we are making this decision. By showing a PG movie in a child center you are removing the parents decision - unless you are going to have a policy that says it is your policy to make those determination what is and is not appropriate for all kids (including the one to four year old set).

I asked about the movie and its rating (which I already knew), I asked about their policy and then I went to find the manager on duty for the entire club. I calmly explained why I objected to a policy that allowed children to watch rated PG movies without their parents present or without their parents even knowing. The manager was very understanding and said he would talk to the child center. Today when we went I asked about what television programming would be on and they informed me that there was a recent club wide meeting explaining a new policy which states that only G rated movies will be shown in the child center. I was very pleased and made sure to take the time to thank them and tell them I was impressed by their responsiveness and their change in policy.

Now I realize that sometimes older children want to watch a movie and they may not be thrilled at G rated options. Still having a G rated only policy makes sense in an environment where young children are watching television without their parents present. After all the MPAA clearly states: "This is a film which clearly needs to be examined by parents before they let their children attend" I applaud my club for taking a stance on this and being responsive to my inquiry. I am very pleased with the customer service I received there.

Now I am just one person to be true. But I am one person who also represents likely opinions of others who would not say what they felt. If you have an opinion that is based in reasoning and you express that and make it clear to the right people chances are that opinion will be at least considered and perhaps even result in a change that you wanted to see. You will never know if you never say anything.

As someone who is not afraid to state my case and my reasoning I have found that often companies and individuals will atleast listen to you, and if your reasoning is sound often even do what you suggested. So please don't feel like you are just one person, because your opinion counts and if you expect that it will and act like it should it usually holds more weight. There may be a lot of people in this world but not a whole lot speak up and stand up for what they believe. Don't be afraid to try and if nothing happens at least you know you did all that you could on your end. Then you can decide what to do from there.

Just my .02 and experience,
Tenniel

Birthday Tea Party

For Rhiannon's 7th birthday I agreed to host a tea party for her and her friends and their dolls. This I must admit was a stretch for this non "girlie" mommy! But it came off wonderfully and very girlie. I put a lot more work into it then I thought I would but it was worth it to see what a fun time she had and how much they all seemed to enjoy themselves.

Rhiannon chose to send email invitations this year. We invited the girls and their favorite doll to come for some tea in their nice dresses. There was a cute picture of little dolls sitting together in a group in beautiful dresses that she picked out herself. The guest list was quite tough for her as I gave a strict size limit because everyone had to fit comfortably around the table. She ended up choosing several friends from her homeschool group and several from the neighborhood. Though there were more she wished she could invite.

Even as an adult these mixed group parties are a strain on me so I was a bit concerned about how it would go with the kids not really knowing one another. Even the neighbors she invited do not really know each other all that well. It was quite and took a little longer to break the ice but everyone got along really well and were playing nicely by the end. In many ways I think the kids handle this better than we as adults do.

For me majority of the work happened beforehand. Yesterday was the big shopping day gathering all the supplies I needed. I decided to purchase little teacups and saucers for each of the girls to use at the party and take home as their gifts. I went to many stores and finally ended up at Goodwill where I found them. We also picked up some little pink satchels from the wedding aisle in the party store and some candy and little trinkets to put in the cups. To each satchel we attached the girls nametag and it made seating set, the cups pre-chosen and gave the girls an easy way to keep track of their items.

This morning I was up early baking, preparing and setting the table. I also made Rhiannon her yearly flower crown. Each year we make the kids a crown of fresh flowers to wear on their birthday. A fun tradition that we all look forward to. It is easy to do. You gather a selection of fresh flowers, some floral wire and floral tape. You size the floral wire to the child's head and then snip it off (sometimes you need to roll two wires together to make a wider headpiece). Then you lay the stem of the flower on the wire and use tape to wrap around the flower and the floral wire until it is secure and then repeat until the crown is done. In the beginning it took about an hour now I can do one in under 30 minutes. They are beautiful and the kids love them.

The table was set, the house was relatively clean, the flower crown done, the food finished and the girls arrived. They began by playing with their dolls and all Rhiannon's American girl clothes and horses and other doll supplies. After a bit of that they came to the table for the first course of our tea. I made little tea party menus that sat at each girls place setting and here is the text - there were fancy little images and nice fonts on their actual menus.

Welcome to Rhiannon's 7th Birthday
Today's Menu

Drinks
Pink Lemonade
Hot Flavored Teas
Water with lemons

Sandwiches
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Cucumber and Cream Cheese

Sides
Honeydew Melon
Strawberries

Desserts
Rose Cupcakes
Sugar "Cakes"
Triple Chocolate Cake
Candy

The sugar cakes were actual sugar cookies (in american revolutionary time they were called cakes) that the girls got to decorate themselves with different colored frostings and sprinkles and candies. The rose cupcakes are pictured above. They were easy though time consuming to make. The rose part is fruit by the foot separated and wound around the top to shape a rose. The leaves were made by twisted fruit roll ups.

I was surprised that many of the girls did choose hot tea, I thought it would be all lemonade. I was further surprised when several asked if I was serving green tea, which I then brewed. Initially, I brewed all sweet fruit flavored teas and of course we had pink lemonade as a stand-by. As expected the PBJ went much faster than the cucumber cream cheese sandwiches, though several did try them. Of course dessert was the preferred course.

In between the courses the girls played outside in the yard, visited the robins nest, played American girls, played dress up, drew on the chalkboard and played hide and go seek. The younger two, Sirah and Ciaran, were entertained by our wonderful babysitter who did an excellent job just spending time with them and keeping them from trying to attend the party. They of course also received their share of the treats.

After dessert, and a singing of "Happy Birthday", Rhiannon opened gifts. She received many wonderful gifts and she appeared to enjoy them all and be thankful. I never did like the whole opening of gift thing at a party but we do it and I always breath a nice sigh of relief when it is over and went over without a major issue coming up. She was thankful to everyone and the girls ended their time with more American girl doll play, learning the minuet, and playing hide and go seek. The last girl left at 5:30, nearly 4 and a half hours after the party begun!

It was a great time and Rhiannon appeared to enjoy herself. It ended up more expensive and more time consuming than I initially thought but it was a special day and one that I think built a memory in her mind. I love those moments when I can see Rhiannon enjoy being a little girl, instead of growing up too fast so those moments I treasure. I think I had as much fun as them, even though I was the hostess. Hopefully I did a good job, since that is not high on my skill set. At least little girls in 2-4 grade are relatively easy to please and have a short memory.

After they left, I did a quick pickup, a quick dinner and then packed the kids into the car to go to a friends house for another cook day for our dear friend who just got out of the hospital. Our homeschool group has organized several cook days for her so people can come together and maker her several items or dishes at a time. We finally arrived home after 10 and ready for bed after a very busy but wonderful day!

Going to bed exhausted,
Tenniel

Robins Day Two

First thing this morning the kids got up to check on the robins and were happy to report they are doing just fine. I came out a bit later and snapped this photo. We noticed much more activity today with the robins continually looking for food and making more noises. They also appear to already have more feathers than yesterday. They still look so helpless and have a cuteness to their own.

Today we got glimpses of the father robin as well as the mother. We watched them work together to gather food for the babies and the father brings the food to them more often. We noticed the father is thinner and a slightly different color than the mother. Also the father has a different way he approaches the nest. He flies directly under the deck but lands on the rail next to the nest, looks around and then flies into the nest. The mother is still making two full circles around before flying under the deck and into the nest. We think in general the father is spending more time with the nest during the day than the mother is. In the evening the mother is still sleeping on the nest.

Rhiannon had a birthday party today and the girls all took turns looking at the robins nest and several went back over and over again to visit them. Our kids spent much time looking at the robins and the first thing they tell someone is about the robins nest and take them out to see the baby robins. It is great to see them so excited about robins. This morning Rhiannon and I spent quite a bit of time reading up on robins online and learning all we could. Tomorrow we hope to get to the library to get out some books specifically about robins.

Horseback Riding

This past weekend Serona took Rhiannon horseback riding with one of his co-workers. Ms. B as we will call her was very generous and kind with Rhia. She taught her to care for horses and let Rhia help groom the horse and then she got to ride. She was excited and enjoyed herself. She rode in a European style saddle and trot by herself in a ring. She also got to ride bareback some and she really enjoyed herself with that.

Rhiannon really has an enjoyment of horses that I think is here to stay for awhile. She had a special time being able to enjoy riding so much and being up close with horses. I have a feeling many days of horses are in our future.

Robins Day One

We have decided to keep a daily log of the robins until they fly out of the nest. For those new to this post we found a robin's nest under the corner of our deck and have been observing it since before the eggs were laid.

Today the eggs hatched. We checked the nest at 6:30am and discovered that two of the eggs had hatched and only one remained. Later this afternoon we discovered that the last egg had hatched and we took these pictures and some video clips.

Rhiannon made the observation of how the mother robin approached the nest had changed. Now she flew around in two circles observing for predators before approaching her nest. She also appeared to be keeping a close eye on us as we looked at the nest. I will not let the kids touch or disturb the nest in any way so we have to climb up to get a look at the babies.

The kids were not surprised at how the babies looked because they had seen pictures before. I think if we had not known ahead of time they would have been surprised that the babies were not soft and cuddly and cute. Instead they were prepared and excited for them. They especially enjoyed seeing the babies open their beaks.

Tadpoles and Robins

Well it has been an exciting weekend here for our animal watching. Both of our tadpoles got their back legs on Friday afternoon and early this Monday morning two of the robins hatched out of their eggs!

The kids are about as excited as can be. We had anticipated the eggs hatching midweek so what a pleasant surprise to wake up this morning (very early if you are wondering) to discover that two of the eggs have hatched!

Days of watching birds and tadpoles will fill our week I am sure. The kids are excited. Well back outside.

Tenniel

Shopping the perimeter

When you grocery shop where do you spend the most time? For me, when I am good, we try to shop the perimeter which means majority of our food comes from the outside aisles of our store. This being produce, refrigerated and frozen sections for us (as we skip meat altogether). We do get a few items from the middle but try to limit the amount we get from there.

Take yesterday for example we went grocery shopping and spent most of our time in the produce aisle. When the kids were real little I started the produce "treat". As kids always ask for something I told them as their "treat" they could pick any one thing from the produce section (fruit or veggie) bagged candy does not count! Then I stuck to it. We tried and discovered we liked mangoes, papayas, blackberries and lots of fresh pineapple! It works great and sometimes you come home with interesting selections. Yesterday's treats included cherries (Sirah), watermelon (Ciaran) and green beans (Rhiannon - no joke). Sometimes it is normal things like bananas and oranges but the kids have learned I am probably buying them anyway so don't tend to choose them. We shop for a lot of items in the produce section especially in summer when fresh veggies actually can be a centerpoint of our meals and snacks!

Our only middle of the store purchases yesterday included: flour, cold cereal (I concede to this for my convenience, taco shells and tortillas, black beans, box of pasta, and bread. Everything else was fresh ingredients (except the bags of frozen veggies I keep on hands for lunch - do they count as fresh?). I have learned that the secret of shopping on the perimeter is fabulous. It does two main things for you. First it forces you to eat more whole foods and natural foods as you skip most of the processed and packaged meals. Second it forces you to eat healthier. Look at your shopping pattern the next time you go in the store. Do you spend more time on the outside or going up and down all the aisles in the middle? If you decrease your middle time you will find you eat healthier and often tastier meals and they are cheaper. After all the bag of cherries I bought on sale yesterday was cheaper than a bag of chips and I had a cart full of fresh fruit and veggies (some though not all organic) plus all my staples and we came in under 100!

Even better I can not tell you how many times my kids have asked today "Mom can I have a piece of fruit?" Enjoy the fresh bounty of summer and use fruit as treats use veggies as main dishes or atleast main accompaniments and shop the perimeter. Give it a try!

Tenniel

Grilling Dinner

With the heat being so high here in the Twin Cities 90's and up we have been into grilling this week. Our grill also has a griddle on it so the other night I even made scrambled eggs on the grill!

Tonight's dinner was simple and delicious. This was just the right amount of food for me and the kids.

Grilled Veggies and Tempeh
1/2 eggplant
1 small zucchini
1 red pepper
1 package of tempeh

(cut in rounds or slices appropriate for grilling)


Simple marinade

1/2 c olive oil
basil
oregeno
garlic salt
pepper

I just brushed the veggies and tempeh with the marinade instead of soaking them and grilled until cooked. Simple, delicious, little cleanup, and the kitchen is still cool!

Robin's Nest

We have a real treat this year. We have a robin's nest set right underneath our deck. The robin family has built their nest in the corner of our deck. If you look closely you can see the nest through the floorboards of our deck. You can place a chair right underneath it and see inside to look at the eggs.

You even have a fantastic view of mama robin sitting on the nest from our family room couch.

The robin has laid three eggs and the kids are so excited to watch the nest each day and see what happens. Based on what we have read and our estimation on when the eggs were hatched we should see the babies born sometime next week! The kids can hardly wait.

I am proud of them. They have been so good about only looking at the nest and never touching it. They have had friends over who have encouraged taking the nest down for a better look but the kids were firm about not touching the nest which is still undisturbed. They spend quite a bit of time just looking at the eggs and trying to catch glimpses of the mama robin rolling her eggs or incubating them.

We have been learning some interesting things about robins. Their eggs are really quite blue and they typically lay 4 eggs, one each day until they are done. We believe our robin is done laying eggs because it appears that she has started incubating them. According to what we have read the robin usually waits until the last egg is laid before beginning the incubation process so the eggs will all be born in close proximity to one another.

We talked tonight about what the hatching process will look like and how it will be for the chicks. We talked about what they are going to look like and saw some pictures. Not what the kids expected. Then we talked about how the early weeks will go for the robin family.

It is quite exciting here and is even receiving more attention than the current tadpoles and the plethora of grasshoppers they have managed to catch over the past few days.

I love summer!
Tenniel

Summer Movie Camp

Many movie theaters offer free kids movies on day a week for the summer. They are generally movies that were in the theater last year - but still good movies. The best part - the kids get to watch a movie for free on the big screen in air conditioning. Check out your local theater to see if they are participating. I know that AMC theaters offer a program as that is the program we attend. It is a nice break now and then.

Summer Dinners

Dinner is much more fluid and interesting in the summer. We eat at all different times and in all different styles. Yesterday was an outdoor day filled with the sprinkler and backyard play and the kids did not want to come in so I decided to be fluid.

Dinner began with ice cream cones on the deck. Nothing better than that is there for a first course of dinner? Then I made some lemonade and set out a blanket on the deck and brought out tall glasses of lemonade, a big bowl of edamame and some cut up tofu. No plates or silverware. Cleanup was super easy and the kids were about as happy as could be about eating tofu and edamame since they had ice cream and lemonade first.

What are you having for dinner tonight?

It Takes a Village aka Support Group

Somedays I am frustrated by the times in which we live and the isolation that comes so commonly with living in suburbia. Part of me thinks I would really enjoy farm life and more community based life. I would enjoy the companionship of doing my tasks and responsibilities with other women and my kids having other kids to play with.

We live in a time and an area where you really need to make your own communities, often not based on location but on common interests or intersections of life. Don't get me wrong we live in a nice neighborhood and get along with our neighbors well. We share lawn mowers, snow blowers, power tools and help each other out. We get together for wine, grilling and bonfires with more regularity than many neighborhoods. We enjoy each others company, having fun together and always willing to lend a hand when it is needed.

Yet this is not the type of community I am talking about desiring. I am talking about a community of people who you work and live life together with. Women I can cook, clean, craft, mend and watch kids together with. A guess what I am looking for is a women's circle of sorts. A group of women that support and help each other out and form a sort of extended family for my kids. Something regular and dependable.

I have pretty much accepted that what I envision or desire is not likely to happen. I have made efforts and attempts with some friends and acquiantances over the years and it never seemed to be the right fit or the right time. Sometimes I feel like a person not in connection with our current times. I think this type of group has a hard time working given the distances of many of our self-selected communities and the differing values and demands on families now. So we have to create communities sometimes in unexpected or unusual ways.

Still I have found an outstanding community in our homeschool support group. I am continually amazed at the group of families that has been joined in this group. I have met some incredible women through this group. We have over 75 families in our group. I do not know all of them and naturally I have developed closer relationships with some I see more or have more in common with. Still that big network is always available to us.

Our homeschool group has seen so much fruit in the past years and in many ways we have received more support and truthfully given more support through this community than through some churches. When there is a need, whether it be for prayer, support, help or even physical items it is continually met. We have witnessed and felt the strength of this groups prayers in very real and tangiable ways. Still it has never seemed to be draining. What is given is given from the heart in generous and unselfish ways. There is something so powerful in seeing a community rally around one of its members.

Just last night we organized a meal prep for a dear friend who is currently in the hospital. She has been hospitalized for over a week now and is still looking at more time there, she has three small children 16 months-8 years. When she returns from the hospital she will have a very restricted diet that requires extensive meal preperation time. As a group 10 of us got together last night at a mutual friends home and we made around 10 recipes for her from soups to sides, main dishes to desserts, just some starter food she can keep in her freezer.

All the supplies were gathered and recipes with specefic instructions written. Each person started doing some prep work for one recipe. It was crowded at times in the kitchen but overall it worked really well - we had most of the food prepped and just waiting for the oven within an hour and a half. We got to a point where we had more people then we had work left. Everyone did some work, we even had two young teens there helping out. It was rewarding to see how much we could accomplish and how much time and energy our small effort could save our friend.

In the middle we took a break and prayed for our dear friend, for her healing, comfort and strength. We prayed for the work of our hands to be successful and healing to her and for so many other wonderful things. As I stood in a kitchen full of people rallying around our friend I was just struck by how blessed I am to be part of a group like this. I am continually reminded of what a special support group I am a part of and to not take it for granted. I am continually touched by the serving and giving hearts of my fellow Christian sisters and brothers.

Our family has been on the receiving end of support many times over through this group. When Rhiannon had her surgery this winter people rallied around us in prayer, making meals, helping with our other kids and even doing our laundry! Want to support someone in an unusual but very loving and serving way? Show up at their house with laundry baskets and take all their dirty laundry and return it the next day with clean folded clothes! Twice this happened to me this past year and I can not express how touching and helpful it was. To this day Serona and I still talk about it and what a blessing it was. I will pay it forward someday.

So if you are reading this from our support group. Thank you! Thank you for being a blessing to my life and so many lives around you. I do cherish you. Sometimes the support comes in helping in real physical tangiable ways. Sometimes it comes through giving a homeschool tip or curriculm suggestion. Sometimes it comes in just being a person who can have empathy in what we are going through. Sometimes the support is a gentle but firm correction or reminder when we walk astray. Sometimes the support is just a smile or a phone call to say hello. Sometimes the support is reaching out to me when I am new or have been absent for awhile. There are so many ways we can and do support one another as homeschooling moms. If you have a group you are part of that helps support you and you cherish, take a moment to say Thanks to them.

There are so many struggles we all face throughout our lives. Having a group of supportive people around you helps so much. As homeschooling parents we have different demands and challenges and it is so special when we can find a group to help us through those times. It is even more satisfying when we have the opportunity to bless others through the gifts we have been given as well.

If you are not part of a support group of any kind, I encourage you to find one. Whether it be your community, church, neighborhood or fellow homeschoolers. Having support in place when you need it is so helpful. But having an opportunity to serve others from your gifts is special too. We were not designed to be solitary creatures, there is a reason we have a desire for companionship and community. We can not do everything on our own and it does take a village to raise a child and I contend to raise healthy adults as well!

Peace in Him,
Tenniel

Television and Screen Time

Recently a reader posted the following comment:

Terri Henderman said...I'm new to homeschooling and my children at just slightly older than yours. I originally chose to homeschool becuase of that my children were mimicing from other children at school ( who got it from the television). I utilize the internet to help with teaching and therefore have filters to help protect my children. I keep haveing the same old problem with the television though. I don't think its completely "evil" so I dont want to get rid of it and its hard to preview and watch everything before or with my children.

Have you had issues with this? What do you think about television content? Post a blog about it.. I bet we'd all like to read.

In order to answer this question I need to first make an important distinction for everyone to understand. To me there is a difference between television (cable, satellite, digital, local) and "screen time". Screen Time includes television but it also includes watching movies, dvd's, computer games, and internet time. All the time our kids spend in front of a screen. Our family chooses not to watch television at all (with extremely rare exceptions like the olympics, presidential debates and ingurations). However, my family does have its fair share of "screen time" including plenty of movies.

Since I think Terri's question revolves around television that is what I am going to focus on here. I have been TV free for 13 years now. During this time I have owned a television set but have not paid for any sort of television service nor have I watched local free network channels. I started this before I was married and Serona adopted it when we got married and we have continued it in raising our children. We do own a pair of bunny ears that we take out every few years for major events we feel it is important or enjoyable to watch. However our children have had very little television exposure.

This past year while watching the Olympics Rhiannon (soon to be 7) was astonished that her grandparents in NY were watching the same thing at the same time. She also could not understand why we could not pause the action for her to take a bathroom break. That is how rare TV watching has been in our home.

My reasons are many and they are personal reasons. They work for me, they work for our family, they may not matter to you or work for your family. So what I say in this post is my opinion and I am sharing it because I was asked - skip it if you want, read it if you want. That being said I have some pretty strong feelings that we have made the best decision for our family and my language will at times be strong - that does not mean I think everyone need make the same choices.

I first stopped watching television because I found it to be a waste of valuable time. I was a freshman in college and I watched people around me spending lots of time watching television in groups or individually. I did not find it very enjoyable in general and there were so many more interesting things to do in college besides all the things I needed to do - like study and competitive debate.

While in college the internet took off and I also began reading newspapers and magazines more for debate. I realized how I could get more thorough and less biased information through these mediums in quick and efficient ways and the pull of the need to watch the news to know what was going on became null. Once I stopped I realized how much time this freed up. I was filling my time with much more useful and interesting things.

After doing this for a few years when I went back and tried to watch television I found nothing interesting on it. I also saw the dowhill slide it had taken. I was not subject to the frog sitting in the frying pot syndrome rather it was like a slap in the face at how the standards had decreased and over the past few years seemingly disappered altogether. I found that I saw things that other people did not or was bothered by things that others thought were just fine because they saw them day in and day out.

Our first year of marriage we found how much we loved this freetime that other couples filled up with the television. We read together, we played board games, we went on dates, we had great conversations, we took walks together and many other things that engaged us together and filled our time. We made lots of memories together. When we wanted some movie entertainment we rented a film that we wanted to see. We knew what to expect (if we wanted to) and enjoyed watching something together that way on our own schedule and by our own desires. We were never subject to the flipping to see what is on and settling for something.

We had kids soon after we were married and our feelings grew even stronger. As I looked at what was offered on television I just was completely against going back to watching it. I found it easy to find good children's videos for the few times I wanted my kids to watch television. I could easily watch them with my kids or before my kids because it was not all the time and we had the time to do it together or for me to do it ahead of time. The few tv programs that I thought might be worth my kids time I could prewatch on video and see the exact episode they would see before them. Better yet they were not exposed to any commericials or advertisements. We filled the rest of time reading books and playing with toys and then board games instead.

As they got older they did learn about what they were missing out on. We discussed it and our reasons for not having them watch television. We explained how we let them watch movies instead for their screen time and then they were seeing things they enjoyed that were appropriate without annoying ads. We could watch on our schedule and the things they wanted. I have always been open with our kids about why we make the decisions we do (in age appropriate discussion and timing)and I found they were responsive to this.

Have their been downsides? I suppose my kids have suffered a little teasing and a little lack of entertainment knowledge in comparison to their peers. They don't know who the purple dinosaur is, Rhiannon did not understand who the PowerPuff girls were when her friends played a game, and Ciaran has not watched typical superhero cartoons. However, if we watched television they would not have watched any of that anyway as I would not have allowed it because it is at best a waste of time and at worst teaching things I don't want them to know or model yet. These downsides pale in comparison to the benefits we have from our no television policy.

Do I think television is evil? No. Do I think television is valuable? On a very rare occasion yes. Do I think television is a waste or inefficent use of time? Most often, yes. Do I think my kids should watch it? No. There are many more valuable things for them to do with their time. Even including screen time I would much rather have them watching a pre-selected video which I can either prescreen myself or use a trusted sources like Kids In Mind to get a general idea before we watch it together and talk about anything that comes up immediately as we see it together.

Besides the time waste issue I have three other main reasons for not having my kids watch regular television. First, it is allowing someone else to teach my kids morals, behavior and attitudes that I object to as the norm. I think this is at the heart of Terri's question to me. Television tend to depict families, parents, and authority in unkind ways. Television tends to promote behavior, choices and attitudes in children that I do not want my children or any family member to model. Any you do not know it until you see it on the screen or don't see it on the show but rather in your kids if you do not watch it with them. If we want to help our kids see positive role models in television, try to older television shows like Little House on the Prarie and the Waltons (both available on DVD). Or better yet turn the set off and let them see you and their siblings positive behavior. Let them spend time with some families who exhibit the values you want in your kids. Read good books that teach these behaviors and values. If they are not watching it, they are not modeling it. Of course you will have to untrain and reteach what they have already learned, but that is easier to do without a daily diet of the values you are trying to unteach.

The second reason is you have very little control over the television. For all the rating systems, show explanations and parental controls you still are subjecting your family to what is on at any given time and are more likely to settle for something just so you can watch something then you are if you preselect ahead of time. Even if you find a good program - each episode varies greatly and you do not know the content until you are in the middle of it. Even if the show is great the clips for upcoming shows may presnet your children with material completely inappropriate for them. All the CSI type ads in family programs is disturbing and some of these are the least offenders. Having not watched it for so long I was shocked at what the upcoming show clips show and present to young children who are watching another program that is "geared to them" - complete loss of control.

The third reason is the advertisments. I could write a whole book on this and others already have. Why expose my kids to advertisments over and over again and teach them to be disatisfied with what they have and always wanting for more. Why give the products and companies I don't see as valuable free time trying to convince my family they are great? A DVD skips this problem entirely. So does TiVo I will concede.

Much of what I have said I disagree with other than waste of time and content can be answered with a TiVo type device. Not that I am recommending them but I suppose if you love TV they would answer some of the concerns of watching TV with young children. Personally we still find it better to just keep the thing turned off altogether.

If you think I shelter my kids that is your opinion and you are entitled to it. We do prescreen what they watch, they are young. We will continue to do it because it is our responsibility as parents. We let our kids watch a wider variety of movies and probably have the only kids their age I know who can regularly answer trivia pursuit star wars movie edition questions correctly. We have made the choices we see best for our kids and I am sure you make the ones best for your own. I just encourage you to think through the choice you have made and make them intentionally.

I don't think you can control the influence of the television on your child without regulating it in some way. If you see behavior in your child that you do not like and you want to correct then you need to correct it. Some may say you need to continue allowing them to watch it so they can learn to overcome it. I would not. You don't cure an alcholic by having him go to the bar every day. If you want to eliminate things from your child's behavior then you probably need to eliminate the source. That may mean taking the time to watch everything with your child or prewatch it or it may mean restricting or limiting the time they watch things or in some cases eliminating it all together.

I will say my kids do not think television is evil. We do not teach them that it is. We do not think it is evil either. However in our life television has little to no place and that works really well for us. The kids are well adjusted and they still get more "screen time" then I think is ideal. A post for another day though.

Just my .02
Tenniel

Grandparents visit

We have not fallen off the earth. My parents are visiting from New York and we are just spending lots of time with them and enjoying the little time we have together. We have spent lots of time at the pool, playing games (Zingo is the current favorite), doing puzzles, eating ice cream and other treats, and many other fun things. We have spent an entire day at the MN Zoo and another entire day at the Mall of America enjoying the rides. We watched fireworks and have just enjoyed each other's company. What a blessing to have two weeks for my kids with their grandparents, not to mention for Serona and I as well. Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Frog Update

Well it is official we have raised a frog! Ciaran received tadpoles for his birthday from friends in April. Today the final transformation was made to frog for one of those tadpoles. The kids really enjoyed watching te proccess from tadpole to rear legs, to front legs to froglet losing his tail, to being a frog.

We are still not positive what kind of a frog this is. We are guessing some sort of tree frog as he was climbing up the side of the terrarium without falling. We still have two other tadpoles left that have not made the metamorphisis yet.

Ciaran is just so excited and even the rest of us are getting in on the excitement.

Frog Update

The past two days have been exciting frog days here at our house. Yesterday one of our tadpoles finally got his back legs! We have had the tadpoles for just about 2 months now. We are down to just 4 - so we are watching the other three closely to see if we can see the transformation as it happens.

Ciaran being our local expert on frogs looked at the tank in the morning and said "Mom I think that one is going to get legs, those bumps are real big". He went off to VBS and upon his return we discovered that the tadpole had indeed grown his two back legs! Very exciting after watching them for 2 months.

This morning our neighbors came over bearing another gift. A Cope's tree frog, bright green. The little girl (about Sirah's age) was super excited. So we transferred the tadpoles from the terrarium (I had just transferred them there this morning) back to the fishbowl and put the tree frog into the terrarium. Ciaran immediately headed outside to find some bugs for his new frog.

Ciaran is positive it is the same frog we had a few weeks ago and released into the neighbors backyard (where it was discovered). Who am I to argue? He could very well be the same frog. It is definitely the same kind of frog. So once again we have a frog for awhile.

A mother's heart I have. As I went out this morning to the nearby pond filled with duckweed and pond scum. I climbed out on a rock, holding a tree branch with a big bucket and sifted through the muck to get some "fresh" pondwater for the tadpoles and tree frog. Carrying the bucket of water back I thought about how much I love my kids and what I do now that I never thought I would ever do.

More updates to come as the frogs grow.
Tenniel

Local Homeschoolers receive Congressional Award

Two local homeschoolers, both now in college, are receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal for their volunteer work for ALS.

Jaymes Grossman, 18, and his 16-year-old sister, Jansina, today will receive the nation's highest award for volunteerism by young people at a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

"They are great kids," said their mother, Karen Grossman, who home-schooled them.

The siblings will receive the Congressional Award Gold Medal for completing more than 400 hours of volunteer service over two years. The family, including dad, Glen Grossman, left for Washington on Tuesday.

Read more.

Summer Days

Summer days have a rhythm all of their own. This summer especially we have spent little time in the car. We are a one car family. In order for me and the kids to have the car for the day we have to drive Serona to and from work. This means getting up early and double gas money and mileage. So we have been experimenting with not having the car often. It has been easier than I thought.

We still get out quite a bit. Just yesterday, sans car, we went to two banks, the library and the pool. We walked a good bit and we rode the bus some. The only downside was we had to follow someone else's schedule to a point as we were limited by the times the bus ran to and from our destinations.

We are able to do many things without a car due to where we live and our willingness to walk, bike ride and use public transportation. Yes it is easier to drive, but sometimes it is nicer when we walk or bike and it is certainly better for our health.

Of course I always grew up this way. I am from New York and even when we lived in the suburbs as I got older we still walked, biked and took the trains often. To this day my father, and many of my relatives take a train and sometimes a bus every day to work. So I appreciate and respect public transportation. I also appreciate that we choose a home in a walking friendly neighborhood. Groceries, banks, library, post office, ice cream, and so on all are bikable for us. For that I am thankful.

We are still doing usual summer things: beach, pool, sprinkler, parks, hikes, nature walks, library, reading, catching frogs, playing in the yard, biking and so on. In many ways not have the car has freed us to do these things more.

Occasionally I miss the car as I can not decide. Let's go to the zoo, arborteum, Fort Snelling, or the museum today and then just go. Still all in all this is giving us a freedom to just be at home and enjoy what is right here with us and decreasing our need or even desire to eat out. Hope you are enjoying your summer as well.

Peace,
Tenniel

Workspaces

Homeschooling is interesting because you will work in a variety of spaces. Just this past year we found we worked primarily at our kitchen table, our library table, the kids desks and montessori tables. In reevaluating our spaces for this upcoming year we made some changes.

We are big fans of the "freecycle" movement. Email or message boards where you list items you no longer need for free and people need to only pick them up. Over the years we have utilized these many times both to give away and to receive. This past week we freecycled our Montessori tables and desks and we received a traditional school table similar to this one.

It is large, about 6 foot by 4 foot and it takes up a good chunk of our schooling space. Still it makes the room look and feel cleaner to have just one table instead of the 4 items we had before. It serves the purpose of all of those and we can all sit around the table at the same time with plenty of space. Tonight we played board games and colored on it. It was perfect. A good height for the kids and high enough for Serona and I. Due to the shape everyone could see the board game better and their supplies were at hand when they wanted to color.

Of course we will still end up at the kitchen table from time to time, I mean it is right next to the food and where I prepare the food which I feel is what I do all day long during the school year. The library offers a nice quiet spot for a kid to escape to from the chaos of their siblings. Yet this new workspace offers the multi-functionality we wanted in a workspace and the benefit of everyone being able to comfortably sit and work at it at the same time. I'll report back in a year.

Where do you work?
Tenniel

Why Field Trips

I often get asked why I take my little kids on so many field trips and why we have memberships to all the museums now while they are young. There are many reasons we do this while our kids are still young, I will list some of them here.

We Love It - My kids thrive at museums, field trips and all the people think I am crazy to take them while they are young. Ask my kids where they want to go today and you will hear things like "The arboretum!" or "Fort Snelling!" or "Oliver Kelly Farm!" along with the usual library, beach, pool and park. When we are there they have a great time whether it is working the farm chores, making a nail at the blacksmith, identifying flowers, seeing their favorite animals, learning about science, history or whatever else we are doing that day. I have many great pictures of them doing things most people take older kids to do when they are as young as two. One of my favorite pictures is of Sirah threshing wheat while Ciaran is tossing manure and Rhiannon and stomping down the hay pile at a field trip to the Oliver Kelly Farm - they were 2, 4 and 6 at the time. They just plain have fun.

They are Impressionable Still - Perhaps part of why they think it is fun is because they are so young and still get excited about what I get excited about. They don't know any better some might say. They are not experiencing these places for the first time with a bunch of peers who tell them "this is lame" or "why do we have to do this?" to form their impressions for them. They are experiencing it with me who can gear it to their interests and help them form new interests in it. They get to explore at their pace and at their interest level and I can give positive direction to something new if they get bored. I also have the freedom to decide how long or short we stay at any given place based on my kids needs and interest level at the time. So they don't have to spend hours at something they hate and leave to soon at something they love (though we usually do leave before they would choose to).

They Remember It - Yes my kids are young but they remember these experiences and places far more than you might think they would. When they are very young it usually takes one experience or thing they did to remind them but even as young as 4 they are asking to go back again and again because they remember they had a fun time. This says to me these are things to do again. Experiences my kids love and remember and ask for again.

They Learn From It - They have learned so much more from field trips and museum visits than all the books we read. To be sure we often complement the two together, which mutually reinforce each other. Still I can not count the number of times I have heard "Remember when we did x" while learning a lesson in a book. Or they will come forward with some crazy tidbit of information and I ask "Where did you learn that?" and they say "Mom, don't you remember when we were at Fort Snelling and we did this?" Whenever we can why not learn in life? Field trips and museums offer this opportunity so easily and for our family with so much fun involved.

Real Life Experiences - Think back to your own schooling. What is the first memory you have of history or science? I bet for many of you it involved an experiment or nature experience for science and for history a character dress up, or field trip. That is because we remember our experiences more than what we read when we are little. The hands on experiences stick with us through our lives. Starting this while they are young gives them years of life experiences. We are planting the seeds now for a lifetime of harvest. Teaching them to enjoy it and love it while we still have a significant influence in their interests and desires.

They Build On It - The more we go to a location the more the kids get out of it. If we return to the fire station each year they learn something new each year and reinforce in their memory what they learned the year before. Each visit to the science museum allows us to build off the last one, see and discover new things and learn more about what we already knew. The kids feel comfortable there and free to learn instead of having to experience everything in this moment because it is their only opportunity. They have confidence we will do the same thing again or something similar to it.

Membership Pays For Itself - We are members at our local science museum, history museum, children's museum, arboretum and zoo. We use all memberships regularly. Typically we will use each membership monthly at least, often more than once a month depending on the season. For a family of 5 a typical membership pays for itself in two or three visits and everything on top of that is essentially free. It also has the benefit that you have many fun family experiences available for "free" to you throughout the year. Once you have paid for your membership you can visit a place without worries about how you will pay for it. I even buy my kids treats at the location more frequently because I did not just spend $40 to get in the door. We have asked for and received memberships for holidays and birthdays. This is one of my kids favorite gifts to get because it keeps giving the whole year long.

They Create Keepsakes - My kids usually bring a sketchbook, pencils and crayons with us. Many times they will make a drawing at a location of something they enjoyed or liked. Then we will add that drawing to their history or nature notebooks. When Rhiannon was at the history museum she really liked the rocket experience so she drew a picture of a rocket and we added it to her history timeline. When Ciaran was at the zoo he drew a shark and we added it to his nature notebook. We can go back and compare his notebook drawing from when he was three and when he was five because we have gone so many times he eventually picks the same thing to draw. Sometimes we purchase postcards or stickers or some small token from a particular location. Sometimes it is just our pictures. Still they are creating keepsakes through these field trips.

Developing Appreciation - By doing so many field trips and museum trips we are helping to develop an appreciation of field trips and museums and experiential learning in our kids. For us a field trip is not about the "novelty" of the trip or experience but rather another way to help our kids develop an appreciation for learning in life. It is yet another training ground for becoming lifetime learners with a passion for finer things. The consistency of this in our kids helps them to see that we can enjoy the same things over and over again if those have a lot to offer us.

Homeschooling Makes it Easy - Homeschooling gives us the freedom and flexibility to do so many hands on experiences and trips. We have the time, we have the mobility and we have the flexibility in our schedule. Due to family generosity and our own financial priorities we have the financial means to do so as well. Homeschooling also makes it easier because our kids are used to learning in many different ways and different locations.

Mom is the Coordinator - Okay I have such a passion for these types of experiences that I work on the field trip committee for our homeschool support group. We have over 70 families involved with a wide range in children ages and interests. This past year we offered many interesting field trips for the kids and parents to enjoy. Together our field trip committee worked to offer field trips that interested the very young to the older students while focusing primarily on our elementary age group. I figure if I believe all this I should help with it, so I do. It also makes it easy to get tours and discount rates for locations when you have a large group of people, which we almost always do.

So there are some of our reasons for doing field trips with our kids. We started when Rhiannon (our oldest) was just shy of 4 and have been going strong since. I can remember being at a fire station field trip when Sirah was just shy of two weeks old. She was in the sling and the kids were having a great time. Of course I think that was easier after she was born then when I took them strawberry picking and to the farm when I was 8 and 9 months pregnant. What was I thinking? They remember it and that first trip to the farm was the one that started their love for the farm and Rhia's love for horses. So it is all worth it.

Making Cleaning Fun with Kids

I am the first to admit I hate cleaning. I think I always have. I have repeatedly in my life tried to have a change of heart and have never managed to do it. I have gotten better at it over the years and our house is fine.

Yet I do not want my kids to grow up feeling the way I do about housework so I am really trying to be better, atleast for them. As in many other areas of life, my kids are often the motivation that finally pushes me to just do it.

With summer here and homeschooling responsibilities off our shoulders now is the time to make this transition. Yesterday we managed to have a fun time implementing some of the techniques recommended by Fly Lady, a free online self-help for messies like me.

We decided to the the "Home Blessing Hour" she recommends together. During this hour you do the following tasks, in about ten minute increments:

* Vacuum
* Dust
* Mop
* Polish Mirrors and Doors
* Purge magazines
* Change Sheets
* Empty all trash

To make it more fun I wrote the tasks on small pieces of paper and let the kids take turns choosing them - then we ran around the house together for 10 minutes doing as much as we could. Their favorite tasks were polish mirrors, windows and doors and mopping. Yes I said mopping!

I tried something different and they loved it. For our mopping time they all changed into bathing suits and I got a big bucket of water and some big rags. They dipped the rag in water and sat on them and scooched around the floor on their bottoms. They had a blast doing this and got wet and my floor got cleaner in the process. Not perfect mind you, but much better than it was 10 minutes ago. In 10 minutes they did our kitchen floor and entry way. I helped with a rag to get the corners and stubborn spots. As a reward and to rinse off they ran in the sprinkler.

When we polished the doors and mirrors they all loved the squirting part and the reward was the biggest helper/hardest worker got the "reward" of helping me wash the outside windows with the hose. Ciaran won that reward and Sirah and Rhia both said next week they would work harder so they could do that.

We set a timer and did as much as we could in that amount of time. The only one we kept going a bit longer was making the beds so we could finish the task. I think they liked knowing that it was only going to be a short time on each task. We also broke it up with some playtime and the sprinkler so our hour took two hours to get done but the kids had playtime in the middle and enjoyed it and look forward to doing it again.

We did some silly things and talked about ways to make it fun as well as how nice it was to have everything done and how nice it felt to be clean.

We also started a project, turning our office into a guest room and have been working on it a bit at a time with the kids help. Well I have spent the morning indoors and need to get outside on this beautiful day!

Tenniel

Drama Camp Performance

Well we have been running all week and have not done daily updates. Drama camp wrapped up tonight after 5 full days with a performance. The kids did an awesome job under their director and music maestro. It really is amazing how much they could accomplish in such a short time. Rhiannon really had fun and played her part well. She came back ready for the next one.

We enjoyed a nice cast party and bonfire in the chilly Minnesota air - only to head back outside for another bonfire with our neighbors. Only in Minnesota does a nice crisp and very windy 55 encourage a bonfire evening in June. It feels nice to have all the windows open instead of air conditioning for a change.

Well more full recap to come later after a nice relaxing evening of unwinding for us.

Peace,
Tenniel

Target Attitude T-shirts

In our local target, and I guessing many Target's throughout the country there is a new line of t-shirts for very young children (18months to 4T) - here is a sample of the slogans on these t-shirts.

Chick Magnet
It's My Brother's Fault
I've decided to put myself in charge
It seemed like a good idea at the time
My grandparents don't spoil me they are just very accomodating

This is a long one all on one shirt:
Toddle Laws of Property
If I like it its mine
If Its in my hand its mine
If I had it a little while ago it is mine
If it looks like mine its mine
If I think it is mine it is mine.

Then these three jumped out from the little girls section (4-12)

Girls Only Want Boyfriends who have great skills
Heck Yes (Napolean Dynamite)
A for Attitude Warning May Answer Back (with a halo over an A with wings)

I have seen many of these and worse tshirts in the adult and teen section for a long time and while I never liked them never really bugged me either. However, for small children that is another story. What 2 year old shouldn't wear a shirt that says Chick Magnet and what four year old girl should be without a tshirt about boyfriends? What child of the ages 2-6 should be without tshirts against parents and siblings?

I understand I do not need to buy it and I did not. However, I also know that I don't need to just accept that this is the way things are now everywhere I go. I am a customer as much as the next person and my opinion should count too.

So I spoke with a store manager, who was very accomodating and helpful and understanding. I explained that I understood it was a corporate issue and not their fault but that I would like to complain to the person that I should. He found the information I needed and also assured me that the store would send a letter on my behalf as well documenting my concerns with specefic item numbers. The softline purchaser was also in town today and would be showed the items I objected to.

I applaud the customer service I received in the store. I came home and called corporate. My experience was fine, though I do feel a bit dismissed by them and wondering if anyone will do anything. I will also follow up with a written letter. I encourage anyone else who feels these tshirts go to far to contact your local store managers (if they are in your store) and call and/or write Target about these items.

The customer service number is 1-800-440-0680, follow the prompts about store merchandise and ask to speak with a supervisor when you call - I eventually got transferred to one. List specefic items and the reasons you are unhappy with them. The shirts I listed above, many were from the Now and Zen line of clothing (though not all) so I mentioned them specefically and gave the lines from the shirts I objected to.

Perhaps nothing will be done, but perhaps something will. By sitting quiet I just acquise and accept it. By standing up and speaking out in a respectful and positive way I may eventually affect change or at least let them know that some of us do not just accept and love these changes. And we still spend money and they want to keep us as customers.

Just my .02,
Tenniel

Drama Camp Day Two

Today was day two of Rhiannon's drama camp. Today was my day off from the carpool so I did not attend at all. Here is a description of the days events according to Rhiannon. How accurate it is I have no idea. But I have empathy now for parents who try to get out of their kids "What did you learn in school today?" which I have never really experienced before. Here is her account.

They opened the day with prayer. They went over their lines in their individual charachter groups. Rhia (a mouse) practiced her lines with Cinderella and she said it went well.

Then they played some games. Some of the games they played were.
Follow the Drama - Their teacher said here is how you do x in drama and they all repeated it after her and did it themselves. For example Shout out in drama voice, in underwater voice, etc. The kids did this activity all together in a big group.

They also played a game she can't remember the name of which actions called things like Fox in the Hen House, Rooster on the hen house, food on the table, monkey in the tree, backpack, and bunk beds. These were all motions or actions that they played.

They learned about important things about being an actor. They worked on stage voices, practiced their song, and learned about the importance of being quiet and following directions on stage.

They talked about how the play would go and they practiced their lines all together by all the kids sitting in straight lines and sat quiet in prep work for sitting behind stage. That was hard for the kids. Rhia said she was thinking "I gotta go, I gotta go run, go play, go potty, go scream, I gotta go."

She said it was hard sometimes to be quiet and not laugh at the funny parts but how it was important so the people in the audience can hear the performance and not just them laughing.

She seems in good spirits and really enjoys the light up teeth she got as a gift there today. They also celebrated one of her friends birthday's today so they got additional treats which she always enjoys.

Not too long before it will be her writing these blog posts not me :)

Peace,
Tenniel

Remember Reading?

I need to remember to read to my little ones more. Rhiannon was the one always pushing to be read to as she grew up. Now she reads herself and I find myself reading less to my younger two. I hate that a day can pass without me reading a storybook to one of them! This from me, who used to read an average of 10 storybooks a day. How did I fall out of that positive habit? More important how do I get back into it?

Remember what worked for me and do it again. It worked when I had three set reading times a day, not by the clock but by the rhythm and activities of our day. Then the kids each pick a story and I pick a story and we read them. Plus I get to read all my favorite kids storybooks again. Rhia may not want me to read her "Quick as a Cricket" and "Sailor Moo" but Ciaran and Sirah love them. There are so many good books to read, and then read again and again and again to them. Plus reading on the couch with my preschoolers is absolutely one of my favorite things in the world to do. So I need to just stop what I am doing and read.

I also need to remember to say "Yes!" whenever they ask me to read and stop what I am doing (within reason) to read them a short book. Just about anything else can wait to instill a love of learning and some snuggle time with my kids. I find the more often we read the more often they ask to read. Also the more often we go to the library the more they ask.

I sat today with Sirah for about 30 minutes while Rhiannon was at drama camp and Ciaran was taking a rare nap and just read to her. What a pure joy it was. Reading books she enjoys and taking the time to look at the pictures and enjoy the simplicity of the stories. Today we read:

The red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear by Audrey Wood
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Water Hole by Grame Base
Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth
I Love You with all my Heart - Noris Kern

She loved these stories and I loved sharing them with her. We also looked for Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon - one of her absolute favorites but we could not locate it. Anyway read with your little ones. They love it and you will too.

Tenniel

Drama Camp

Well I wore my "I'm blogging this" t-shirt so I suppose I really should follow through. Especially since one of the students asked me "Are you sure you are really blogging this?" so here is my blog at the end of a tired day.

Today was Rhiannon's first day of drama camp. It is a camp run by a mom in our homeschool support group and I think she has approximately 30 students (or so it looked) ranging in ages from 6-13 I think. The first two days are being held out at her farmhouse, the last three at a coffeshop with an upstairs theater. The kids are doing a play that looks at a wide variety of fairy tales and the moral lessons found in each of them.

Rhiannon had to learn and recite a few lines for her first audition. Since Rhiannon was just shy of four years old she has been begging to be up on stage performing. She took Irish step dance lessons and performed in a big college auditorium but she has always wanted to act. It is the side that takes after Serona, not me to be sure! I recall two times I tried theater and neither was a success, once was required I think in 8th grade and the next time I went kicking and screaming to a tryout with a friend. She got the lead and I did not get cast (no shock as it was a musical - I can not carry a tune). Serona on the other hand is a born actor and has had many opportunities to use his talents. I can say honestly (not biased) that he is very talented and it is just that his priorities and calling have moved him from this talent that you have not heard of him :)

Anyway I digress. The camp began with a prayer (nice part of being part of a Christian support group) and some discussion of how things would go. The kids had to say their memory verse (a line from the song they all need to learn) and they received a little bag to carry all their supplies in. Then they all learned the main song together and practiced that several times. They gathered together in a group and played an ice breaker game. Each child had to take turns being an animal (for example a frog, lion, turtle, horse, etc) in the middle of a big circle of each other. They were supposed to feel free to be silly and get into character. It was fun to watch. Each child went and then tapped another child with the name of the animal they were to be. Everyone was smiling and laughing and they did a good job. They seemed much looser and less nervous after this.

Then the kids were called inside in small groups for individual auditions. The auditions themselves were done with each child and the play director and music director only. This was a relief to Rhiannon who was concerned she was going to have to audition in front of everyone. While the kids took turns for their auditions (singing a piece of a song, reciting a memory verse and running some lines from the play they all memorized) the other kids were outside playing games. Games like Simon says to practice listening to directions. This system seemed to work well. I left right before lunch and they were still doing this.

Ciaran and Sirah simply could not take any more time there. They were truthfully good sports, after an hour in the car and then several hours roaming around the yard of a big farmhouse being told they could not join in with this big group of kids they had lost their patience and needed some attention. So we left for a few hour break. They both took short naps and we stopped for ice cream at one of their favorite ice cream shops (a big help to be sure) we returned in better moods.

When we returned the kids were all split up into little groups working on their lines. The play's scenes are divided by the different character stories (Jack and the Beanstalk, Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella, etc) so the kids were working in their character groups. Everyone seemed to be working intently and well behaved. I stayed for just a bit while they finished up. I ended up with an extra child in our carpool and we headed home with a full car listening to the musical score for the play on the car CD player and talking about the day and their parts. I had a 6, 8 and 9 year old in my car. They all seemed positive about the camp and were interested in listening to their songs and talking about their parts.

At first Rhiannon was a bit saddened that she got a "small part" but quickly recovered and described her character as "hilarious" and began working on some character development with Serona tonight. We talked about how young she is and how this is her first performance and how she should be excited about the opportunity. By the end of the evening she seemed much better about the whole thing and excited for her role and the things she needed to learn. She was enjoying applying herself to this role and seeing all that she could do with it and how much more acting she would be doing then just the words she was saying. She was excited tonight before bed. I am so thankful Serona was the one to run lines and work with her as he could really reach her and help her see things much better than I.

Rhiannon will be playing a mouse in the Cinderella scene. Her and one of her friends , another girl her age, will be the mice and I am sure they are perfect for the role, they will be very cute. She has one whole song to learn for the chorus plus part of a song for her scene and a few solo lines. She was learning how to appear like a mouse today and ways she could act like a mouse in her movements and actions without words. She also tried to think through what her character would think and feel and how to hold herself to express that.

The length of the days may be a bit much for Rhiannon, we will see how tired she is at the end of the week. The days are long, especially for a bunch of homeschoolers not used to those long stretches. Add to the length of the day the commute - nearly an hour each way! She is excited and enjoying herself so far and drama camp day one is a success!

Peace,
Tenniel

Tree Frog

Ciaran could not be happier. Not only do we have two dozen tadpoles swimming around here in our home but now we have a tree frog as well. I have not lost my mind and agreed to a permanent new pet. I am however a soft hearted pushover of a mom and agreed to let him stay for a few days before we release him back into the wild. Had it been any other kind of a frog and I would have said no, let him play a bit and released him but tree frogs are different for Ciaran.

It was a tree frog that started all of this frog stuff for our family. We were on a camping trip and the kids were catching frogs. Ciaran was particularly good at it - he was three years old. He caught a tree frog and no one else was able to. Since then it has been all about frogs. I kept waiting for him to outgrow this but have now accepted it is unlikely to be outgrown and we have embraced frogs much the way we embrace and celebrate Star Wars in our home.

Back to the current tree frog. Our neighbor came over with a gift for Ciaran. He did ask me first before he showed Ciaran. Our neighbor went to grill his dinner tonight and to his surprise discovered a tree frog on his grill. He though of Ciaran and brought it over, everyone knows of his love for frogs. We had a terrarium in his closet and brought it down to use. Serona and I agreed he can keep the frog for a few days to observe but then he will have to release him. The terrarium will be fine for a short time, there is good water spots and climbing and hiding spots for the frog and we even agreed to buy a few crickets (a large stretch for Serona and I) so we can keep him for a few days. So Ciaran is estatic and his sisters are in on it as well.

They all got a turn to hold the frog and then have spent many long stretches this evening just sitting in front of the terrarium watching the frog. I pray we picked up a female and not a male as it is mating season and listening to a tree frog call all night might push me a bit.

This was a wonderful cap to a great day. We had friends come over to play this morning and early afternoon and the kids got to go on an exploratory hike and they even drew a map of the area they were exploring.

We missed out on our homeschool group first hike of the season. I organized a weekly playtime for the group this summer alternating weeks between hike days at local parks and beach days at local beaches. Good turnout I am told, 10 families and they had fun together. Looking forward to the next one.

I finally hear the sounds of silence now so I am off for some reading time for me. I am currently reading Book Two of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. The kids current read alouds are Zooman Sam by Lois Lowry and Redwall.

It's My Birthday

Well I am 32 now. I had a wonderful birthday. It started the evening before with a "gift" from my neighbors. We live in a practical joke neighborhood, we have good fun with each other. In the month of may there were three birthdays. The first one received a teepeeing of his car - complete with Napolean Dynamite quotes written all over his window and a carful of blown up balloons. The next birthday received a yard full of 300 colorful pipecleaners wrapped around popsicle sticks. My birthday was the last and I received a house and yard wrapped in bright yellow CAUTION tape (think police tape) and outlines of bodies drawn on my driveway along with a big sign on my garage door that said "Caution it is Tenniel's Birthday Caution". To someone passing by it looked like our house was taped off for the scene of a crime until you read the sign. It was funny and I left it up the whole day (we discovered it before bed the evening they did it).

Then each of my children gave me a dozen roses! Ciaran picked white, Sirah picked pink and Rhiannon chose red - yes three dozen roses - wow! Serona bought me a beautiful matching necklace and bracelet with silver Celtic knots and beautiful black stones from Scotland. They are really something special. I also received a handknit Irish sweater from Ireland from my parents and some wonderful cards and cash gifts from various family members. It is tradition in my Irish family to call and sing "Happy Birthday" so I received quite a few of those fun phone messages. One of my favorite things on a birthday! My neighbors also gave me a wonderful Raspberry Sage candle and a bottle of Minnesota Cuvee Chardonnay that I am really looking forward to opening.

The kids and I spent the day at the MN arboretum, one of my favorite places to go and a membership that I use birthday money to purchase each year. We went with a neighbor and her daughter, who is just a bit younger than Sirah. We had a nice time and the kids enjoyed wandering around, even when I got us lost :) Ciaran found his first toad of the day which was very exciting to him and everyone wanted turns with the toad who we let go after a few minutes. We had lunch there and enjoyed the rest of our afternoon.

Ciaran had a tball game last night so we headed to the field for that. It is fun to watch him play though the kids are definitely still learning. At one point he was playing a field position that gets no action at his age (short stop) his coach asked him what he was doing and he said drawing rainbows in the sand. Atleast he was honest. At another point a boy hit the ball and did not think it went far enough so ran into the field and kicked it further before heading to first base! The things they do :)

We came home and uptaped our yard and I talked took some family phone calls. We had to postpone my birthday dessert (strawberry shortcake instead of cake) because it got too late. All in all a great birthday.