Stacey in MA
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Posts posted by Stacey in MA
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I am on day 3 with no coffee or soda. Phew! What a headache! I had no idea my body was that reliant on the stuff. Of course that makes no sense though, b/c I know I drank 2-3 mugs a day. It's not like I was unaware of people having a hard time without their morning coffee! I also had diet soda whenever it suited me - maybe a couple of times a week.
So I looked up caffeine withdrawal symptoms, and sure enough I have almost every one! I feel achy like the flu, I have had to be on perpetual ibuprofin for the headache, I've been grumpy (-ier than normal....!), and slightly nauseous.
I guess I just thought "Sure, I can stop drinking coffee if I want...no problem." And sure enough I can (I'm not "craving" coffee per se), but not without it affecting my life for a little while - phew! I hear the symptoms subside eventually, but as long as a week or 9 days!
Anyone ever been through this?
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We were only there for one day (as we headed down to Williamsburg VA), but we went to the Franklin Science Museum:
and the Natural Science Museum:
http://www.ansp.org/visit/directions.php
for FREE - my family of six! We live near Boston, and have a Boston Science Museum family season pass. It has reciprocal programs with many other science museums in the country. Do you have any similar season passes to science museums or aquariums? You should check online to see if there is a local place with a reciprocal program that allows you free admission to other places. All I had to do was show my Boston MOS pass at these other museums and they stamped our hands and we were in!
We've also used this feature at the science museum in Richmond VA while visiting there, as well as the small local museum at my mom's house in MA when we visit Grandma's. It's a great feature!
I have no advice on cheap hotels. I messed up and ended up at one that was much MORE expensive than I thought it was going to be (paperwork mixup)! It was a great location, awesome view, all of that, but more that a sane person should spend...
Good luck and have fun!
- Stacey in MA
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...but my skills have gone by the wayside, and I wouldn't be able to support our family like my DH does. I couldn't make the money he does at this point.
This is my comfort zone now, it's what I "do". I would have to re-learn the outside world, the job world, many things to re-enter. I wouldn't do it just as a fun choice. I'd do it if there were no other option for our family, but not just "because".
Were you asked to do this recently?
:-)
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Who doesn't? right?! ha! Thing is, even if I inherited new shelves, I wouldn't have any ROOM for them - no wall space left. If that's the case, maybe a new comfy reading chair or sofa?
For shelves, I have these:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60102152
Mine have the $20 door added on. I needed this particular one b/c it fits in the only space I had left - under a low window. I was so pleased to have shelves with DOORS finally! Cover that clutter! ha!
I also have a couple of the smalelr Billy bookcases like these:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90085702.
I use them for our library books and each kiddo gets one shelf for their particular books.
Maybe you could get each child their OWN bookcase or storage space? Something like these:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80135298
or something bigger like these:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40107872
Have fun! What a wonderful gift!
- Stacey in MA
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....to "Highlights High Five" (for 5 year olds). We have been enjoying that together and she likes getting something in the mail with her name on it! She has mentioned that it's "too easy", but yet she still enjoys it. The next step up would be Highlights.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000I0RKX2/interactiveda801-20
Good luck and happy shopping! :-)
- Stacey in Ma
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Sorry you're feeling badly. I'm sure I would feel the same exact way. And congrats also because....well, isn't that what you're supposed to say when someone gets married?? ;-p Hang in there...
For a gift idea, how about some of these bed and breakfast gift cards:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11122757&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
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Last year we spent a week in May in VA visiting Williamsburg. That was fun! There's a 6 Flags nearby, but wasn't open for the season yet! Lots of beaches though, and other historical things to see.
I have a desire to go to Canada - somewhere around where Anne of Green Gables is set!! That would be my choice if I were given one right now....
Isn't Laura Ingalls Wilder's home, or the setting of Little House on the Prairie in the midwest? That might be an interesting place to visit.... We have adored all of those books!
Good luck and happy vacationing!
- Stacey
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Just to clarify a few things.... We have quite a few unschooling friends and no problem with enjoying them personally. We don't usually talk schooling or method, though sometimes it comes up when someone is trying to plan an educational outing. No conflict usually though. I am usually VERY straight with my kids about how things are, though I must be careful about how much I detail I give them because they tend to unknowingly repeat things at inappropriate times. So I attempt to keep it as simple as I can.
What I am referring to primarily is that DS has never really liked school work. He has (and always has had) a serious case of "the grass is greener". He thinks PS'd kids have it better. He thinks EVERYBODY has it better! He doesn't like to work very hard. And when his new buddy said something about how their family "doesn't do school", DS was curious and jealous. The other unschoolers we know don't do much table work, but they do do plenty of intentional learning. So this idea peeked his interest and envy!
Anyway, I have been pretty straight forward with this, and all of our other differences with other families. I usually explain it with "as your parents, we choose what we think is best for you and for us. Hopefully we will build a strong foundation, and when you are older you will be able to make these decisions for yourself".
I only posted about this issue b/c I was curious if others had a similar challenge with any of their DC. My DS would be happy to do anything except what he IS doing - KWIM? It's just a personality thing that I have had to wade through since day-one with this kiddo. It wears on me, and I need encouragement sometimes, and need to try and keep a new/fresh perspective often. The challenge also causes me to often think about why we HS so that I can articulate it on his level (not always possible), and whether it would ever be flexible (always come back to a "no" on that one). That's all...
Thanks, Stacey
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We recently had Sear Repair Service out to our house for a broken dishwasher and broken washing machine. I have absolutely no idea how much they make or what kind of experience/training, but the repair guy mentioned they were hiring. He was commenting on the economy and saying how weird it was that everyone was laying off, but they were getting busy, and being short-handed presently. I guess people are starting to repair more than buy new. Might be something to consider looking into...
Good luck and God bless!
- Stacey
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I am not a healthy/health food nut, but I have been trying to eat better this past year or so. I have lost 20 lbs since last summer! I am technically at a nice average weight now, but would like to go down another 10lbs before I feel completely satisfied.
My idea for starting to eat healthy (and diet, perhaps) is to start with a simple "spine" of food. It can be so confusing trying to figure out on the spot what is good or bad, OK to eat or not. So if you have some sort of baseline menu to start with, you can do no thinking when eating time arrives. Then you can tweek it along the way with other/extra foods.
I am a calorie counter. I have tried other ways, but can't stay true to a diet unless I am seeing the damage right on paper. If I eat well all day, getting in 1600 calories of healthy food, but then sneak in 400 calories of cookies at night, I can see in black and white, right away, that 20% of my calories for the WHOLE DAY came from junk that my body can't do anything with but make me heavier! And all in that small 3 minute time it took to wolf down those cookies! So I need to jot it down each day - accountability I guess!
Also, I was trained in my pregnant gestational diabetic days to eat 6 smaller times, instead of 3 larger. I still do that, so that's why you'll see I have 6 eating times.
Here's a quickstart place that you might consider:
Breakfast:
oatmeal (100 - 150 calories)
coffee w/ milk (50 cal)
Snack:
Banana (80 - 100 calories)
and Orange (50 - 100 calories)
or
some sort of smoothie with fruit, milk, ice, low-cal sweetener (about 200 cal)
Lunch:
Veggie Soup (200 cal)/ Crackers (150) / Salad w/ lowcal dressing (50)
(Meat soups can be high cal, as are creamed soups, so be careful)
Snack:
Pretzels (150 cal) with hummus (50)
or
Apple / Banana (150 cal)
or
Sunflower seeds (200)
or
Popcorn (50)
Dinner:
(Really varies....) One example:
Big salad with fruit, nuts, cheese (~200 cal). Grilled or baked chicken (150 cal) and another veggie side (50 cal).
I make chili in the crock pot often. Veggie chili is reasonably low cal and very healthy. Side of salad and also perhaps another fresh veggie. (Total of about 400 cal)
Stir fry with rice. Use mostly veggies, and add small amounts of meat for flavoring. (rice and sauce give you the big calories here - about 400 - 500 depending)
Snack:
bowl of frozen mixed veggies (125 cal)
or
some sort of smoothie (abotu 200 cal)
or
bag of popcorn (50 cal)
So, start with some idea like this, and do it every day. Branch out as you feel comfortable with what is OK, what is truely healthy, what is the right caloric intake for you. I discovereded that the sweets/junk I was taking in at the end of the day was killing me. I also discovered that I was getting WAY too much fat (most fats are about 100 cal/Tbsp), in general, by seeing all those calories in butter, cheese, many meats, and most dairy. So unnecessary, but yet I was taking it in! Now I eat MUCH less meat (it is an accessory, not the main entree), very little cheese, and fat free when I buy dairy like ricotta or yogurt.
If you just make one new rule, try making it to work on eating raw foods - veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, some grains. Skip the processed stuff, or count it as "extra".
Good luck and congrats on your decision to try and get healthier! It's a process...hang in there!
- Stacey in MA
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I'm specifically asking regarding unschooled kids. In my area, there are SO many more unschooled homeschooling families than traditionally or classically homeschooled. Therefore, many of our homeschooling friends "do school" in a different way. My son asked me today about one of our friends, and why he "doesn't do school work" (a.k.a. table work). I had to do the dance around it a little and explain how all families choose what they think is right, and have different ways of doing things, different ways of learning things, etc. But it does seem awkward and weird to explain this. The fact is, even though I enjoy their friendship and love the kids having play time together, I disagree with their educational methods, and we won't ever choose to do things that way. But of course, I don't say this to DS....I try to spin some positive light on what they are doing so as not to sound critical of our friends.
Has this happened to you, and how did you respond to your DC? I'm looking for a more articulated answer to give DS.....
Thanks! - Stacey
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And YES, I can't understand why they didn't figure this out sooner! All the while, you were taking the drug and making the problem worse! URGH! Doctors....can't live with 'em, can't, well you know.... ;-p
My DS10 has a sulpha allergy too. (I found out later that my Dad is also allergic). DS's reaction was to the first dose, and pretty much right away. I would say with an hour or two, he was complaining and I noticed it on his tummy - red rash and hives. Dr. said the reaction will typically present on your body first in the location where it touches - so b/c DS took it orally and it ended in his stomach first, the rash began around his stomach area, then spread up and downward. I've since been told that sulpha allergies are pretty common. Maybe one of the reasons they don't use it all the time?
OK, gotta run - busy hollering at my kids! Ahhhh!!!
Feel better soon.....glad you found out what it was finally. No more sulpha for you!
- Stacey in MA
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FYI, we do use WWE, but I find the narrations are so LEADING and end up being simple. For those, I do require perfect everything - penmanship, grammar, summary.
But we also do another 1-2 narrations/week on whatever reading material we have. Sometimes these are simple history stories, and sometimes it's more complicated non-fiction historical books. There isn't consistency in the TYPE or TOPIC of material he's narrating. I think this lack of consistency may be difficult for him. Additionally, there are no leading questions as there are in WWE, so he can't always get his mind around what's an important main point, and what's a detail. (I'm answering my own question here - I need to assist him with those leading questions on the random readings). Perhaps I shouldn't require perfection in all aspects on these, but just work with him on getting the summary of the passage clear (forgoeing the grammar and penmanship). He's getting better at these - I have seen progress, even though he struggles much more with these. I think that fiction is much easier to narrate, but the fact is, he enjoys factual non-fiction books (i.e. history and science books), and doesn't enjoy much in the way of any type of fiction. But it's pretty hard to narrate those non-fiction books when they are full of "data" and details!
Anyway, thanks for the ideas.....
Another question though: He's also been bugging me about "book reports" and essays because all of his friends (all PS'd neighborhood kids) do book reports. That means they either read a fiction story and write up a 1 or 2 page summary, or they look up topics (think "whales" or "my favorite vacation place" or "cars" or whatever), regurgitate a bunch of misc. data, and submit that as their project. I think I have a good idea, but remind me why we don't do this sort of work? He feels left out, and I keep trying to remind him that we do school differently. Sometimes I try to compare something we do (say, narrations) to what they do (book reports) so that he can see that it's not that different. The fact remains that he is acutely aware of being "different" (a.k.a. homeschooled) and it drives him nuts. (I guess that is a whole other topic....ugh!)
Anyway, thanks again! for the thoughts, advice and listening to my ramblings! :-)
- Stacey
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Regarding narration for a 10yo: Do you require DC to properly spell and punctuate in a narration? Do you require precise or perfect handwriting and decent sentence structure? Or do you simply aim for good content, good summarizing practice, etc.?
DS is about at grade level (Gr 4) for spelling, has never mastered punctuation/capitalization (so plenty of mistakes0, and is a lefty (so his penmanship has always been a challenge). I have been inconsistent about requiring proper spelling, punctuation and neatness during narration work. Sometimes I only have time to make sure he's summarizing well, and other times I make him correct all errors - content and structure. He REALLY balks when I request he corrects grammar and structure. He claims we already do handwriting work, and grammar, so why do we have to do it here? I tell him, of course, that's it good practice.
Bottom line is that I know that I get the bottom line. I know I need to be more consistent, though, requiring the same standard every time. Which way should I go with this - forget about grammar during narrations, just focusing on getting the narration/summarizing done properly? Or should I also require the grammar to be correct?
Thanks for your help!
- Stacey in MA
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FYI, there is still a mention of one's child's name in your original post. Thought you'd want to know and eliminate it....
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I want to vote, but.... DH won't let me download any files to this computer since it's technically a work laptop. Is there a way you can post the files to youtube and let us play the links right off of youtube? And also, is there any way to vote online, or is it only a paper mail-in vote?
Congrats! That is so exciting for you guys! When would the final performance be - in the summer? Cool...
:-) Stacey in MA
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I'm the magic mama here too, so I can relate.... ;-p
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He learned how to pull the stool up to the sink himself, and just started splashing away one day! At first I was adverse to the idea, but he was so persistant, and when he was up there, he was content for quite a while. So I made sure there were no knives in there, and let him go to it! It made a mess, but nothing a big bath towel can clean up! A few plastic toys or cups in there help out.
If you don't like the idea of the stool and the sink, how about just letting him take a tub in the middle of the day while you and one of the other DC sit in there with him? You could do some school work on the bathroom floor while he splashes around!
Good luck! Right there with ya....:-)
ETA: Also, FYI, we don't fill the sink right away. What we do is stop up the sink, then let the water trickle into the sink. Eventually it ends up full enough, but he REALLY enjoys capturing the water in a cup or bowl as it's coming out of the faucet! Amazing how these little things fascinate them so much, and buy so much TIME! ha!
Also, another thing that DS2 loves lately (since the weather has been a little nicer) is going for a bike ride on the back of my bike. He did it a little last year before the cold weather, but I don't think he remembers. But now that's he's been reintroduced, he's HOOKED! Very cute, and keeps him happy for an hour at a time....
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We use the student book, teacher book, CD and video. I would NOT have continued if not for the DVD. I didn't take Latin, so it was new to me last year with DS doing it. I was a bit confused, and the DVD really brought it together for me. I was just saying to DH recently that the DVD is great b/c it helps me get the pronunciations in check. Of course, I can attempt to figure them out, but to be sure, it's nice to hear her say them. The instructor on the video is so pleasant, and DS (who is a reluctant learner in general) enjoys it.
We only Latin 2x/week. On day 1, DS goes through the lesson on the video by himself (and I catch what I can if I'm in the roomm). On day 2, DS and I go through the week's lesson on CD (the song, the prayer, the Latin saying, the vocab, the conjugations, etc.). Then I go over the grammar section with him, and he finishes by doing the student workbook pages for that lesson. It's been a good routine for us. It could be more, but it's been enough - if that makes any sense...
Good luck! - Stacey in MA
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We also use Singapore for DS9. He "suffered" math through 3 different curriculums in the beginning before we found Singapore to work for him. He could NOT tolerate all of the repetition in the other programs. Singapore is noted for being brief, which is just what DS9 needed. Good match for him.
Now, my DD7 did NOT do well with Singapore. She was so flustered and frustrated. It moved too quickly from topic to topic, without any review of the old topics, and didn't have enough quantity of practice on each topic. We moved her to Saxon, and she did MUCH better. She was the opposite. She NEEDED the repetition, reinforcement, and sense of accomplishment from getting lots correct.
Singapore does NOT really spiral either (Saxon does, to the point of annoyance!), so your DS is not getting the daily reinforcement of the older concepts. Some kids need it, some don't. My DS HATED extra reinforcement, but my DD absolutely wanted and NEEDED it. Perhaps a curriculum switch might work for him? Maybe not Saxon (though it's a good solid program), but some other that spirals will help him?
Anyway, just some thoughts from me. Good luck! It's tough to figure out...
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My #2 and #3 were both hopping out at 16 months. Scared me to death!! So I added the crib tent at that point, but they both freaked out to harshly for me to feel right about it. They weren't used to it. So I moved them on to the mattress on the floor. (different times - they're 2 yrs apart). I had to gate the doorway and make sure toys were cleared properly at bed time so they wouldn't be stepped on or played with in the middle of the night. It worked OK, but worried me b/c they both were so young. Both girls did indeed get up plenty at night, wander their rooms, hang out at the gate at the door, play with toys, etc. It was a bit of a challenge.
Fast forward to #4, I put the crib tent on from day 1, and he's used to it now at 2 years old. In fact, when I put him in, he reaches up to try and help me zip it! :-) I don't know why I didn't do this with the other 2 in the first place. I think it was because we had a mini crib, and I had to move them from the mini crib to a full sized to attach the tent (which aren't made in mini crib size), and then only to have that not work - ugh!) I plan on keeping him in there for probably another year.
About the safety of the tents: I had read a few online entries way back when about some crib tent tragedies. It bothered and concerned me, of course. BUT, there are also CRIB tragedies out there, bed tragedies, bunk bed tragedies, etc. There are dangers with all kinds of things - everything really. I weighed the dangers at the time, and decided that the liklihood and dangers of letting baby climb up and jump out was bigger and more eminent than a freak crib tent accident.
Anyway, good luck! What a challenge it is....
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Just dump all of those ingredients in there and turn it on. Dinner is done for you for in a few hours! My DD4 hates it, but my older 2 love it, and so DH and I! Last time I made it, I used turkey ham, which (I'm hoping?) made it a touch healthier. Still tasted awesome!
I either make cornbread or breadmaker-bread to go with it, and maybe a salad. Yum! I know what I'm making for dinner next! ha!
:-)
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I bought the set of 24 for $22, but MAN were they worth it! So sturdy, and great colors. Those are the "good" ones we keep set aside that only the big kids can use on history papers and such.
We have a box full of other mixed brands - RoseArt, Crayola, and Prang. The Prang ones are pretty decent for the price, if you can find them. I think the company might be going out of business? The other ones ALWAYS break, ESP. when you sharpen them. The Prangs aren't as bad about those tips breaking as the Roseart and Crayolas are. Very frustrating. When they're being sharpened, you know when it breaks and the sharpening has to restart, the kids have learned to say "Must be a Roseart one!" They look and say "Yep, it's a Roseart!". Too funny...
Happy pencil buying!
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I was quite worried too. But it all works out in the end. And you don't have to find your way the minute the baby is born. You can take baby steps and work out each problem as it comes. Yes, you'll get behind, but you'll find new "systems" and ways to catch up and keep up. You'll trim the fat off your schedule, you'll get your older children to start helping with the extra dishes and laundry. You'll figure it out. You are superwoman! Didn't you know that?? hee hee!
Kids Happen - herding cats - yep, that's funny! hee hee! What a mental picture. And yes, BTDT too! Definitely... herding cats.....
When I keep comparing all the little annoyances or frustrations to the really BIG thing - LIFE, a human LIFE! - it's no contest! We definitely have our moments of insanity, but I bet we would even if it were still 3, or 2 or even 1. The importance of having these little kiddos outways the chaos by miles.
We are considering deeping our insanity to #5....we'll see!
Good luck to you! Don't worry. Just focus on the joy and ignore your friend as if you are the wise old sage who knows better.....
:-) Stacey in MA
Main TV just died.... time for HDTV or NOT?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
I could take it or leave it. DH was gung-ho to get it, and isn't usually gungho about stuff like that, so I let him w/out protest. I don't find it too "special" quite honestly. If we didn't have it, my quality of life wouldn't go down! ha! So if money is an issue or even a consideration, don't feel like you're majorly missing out if you end up not getting one.
Also FWIW, I DON'T like huge TV's! Our newest is a 37" and I personally think it's too big. I would have preferred the one size down. I think there's a web site you can go to where you plug in some data and it tells you what TV is the right and comfortable size for your room. Google it and see if you can find something like that.... I remember finding it AFTER we had purchased ours. Would have been useful before hand - ah well!
Happy TV shopping!
- Stacey in MA