Is there nothing certain in life?

I’m just a little bothered by the fact that Pluto is no longer a planet (click here for Washington Post article).
My world has always had 9 planets. My son’s bedroom ceiling has 9 planets dangling from invisible threads in proper order. When they recently mentioned possibly adding 3 new planets to the list, I could deal with that. We discover new things all the time. But now they are taking one away, and it leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling. Perhaps I should just think of this as a new discovery, but for some reason, it just doesn’t feel right. **sniffle sniffle**

August 24, 2006 | Filed Under Rants, Moods and Attitude | 3 Comments 

The Kids Get Into MIT (Mechanics In Training, that is)

Giving a whole new meaning to putting a car on jacks…

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August 21, 2006 | Filed Under Parenting | 4 Comments 

Upside Down Sleepover

Giving a whole new meaning to Bedtime Routine

Upside Down Sleepover

August 5, 2006 | Filed Under Parenting | 5 Comments 

The Odds are Now 100% (I think…)

Today, I mailed my Notice of Intent to Homeschool letter to the county.

In Virginia, we are required to submit a “Description of Curriculum” along with our notice. Thanks to the wonderful support of VaHomeschoolers and the awesome Yahoo group for Virginia, I was able to get examples of what other people have done. I’m not sure who the original author of this particular description was, but I liked it, so I copied it and modified it slightly to meet our needs. The goal is to give the least amount of information necessary to meet the requirement.

The program of study I intend to use for Simon, Alvin and Theodores’s instruction will be an extension of our day-to-day life and learning, customized to follow their interests, using off-the-shelf curricula, the public library system, various internet resources, printed materials, field trips and hands-on activities to support the learning process. Through these methods, I will encourage their development of reading, writing and mathematics skills, among other areas of learning.

So there you have it. I’m “officially” a homeschooler (unless I change my mind). ;)

August 4, 2006 | Filed Under Homeschool Issues | 7 Comments 

Are they trying to tell me something?

Over the years, I’ve ordered a lot of parenting books from Amazon. I’ve also ordered a lot of educational books, books about learning disabilities, and a variety of toys.

Here is a sampling of books I’ve ordered in the last 5 years from Amazon:

Positive Time-Out : And over 50 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles in the Home and the Classroom

Liberated Parents, Liberated Children : Your Guide to a Happier Family

Siblings Without Rivalry : How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

Whining: 3 Steps to Stopping It Before the Tears and Tantrums Start

Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two-To-Six Year-Olds

I’m Okay, You’re a Brat: Setting the Priorities Straight and Freeing You from the Guilt and Mad Myths of Parenthood

Obviously, I have some typical parenting issues! Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that more recently, I started ordering titles about relationships and marriage such as:

The Commitment Chronicles: How You Can Stay Happily Married

So should I be surprised that Amazon keeps recommending THIS book to me in my “Gold Box” special offers?

Beyond Motherhood

Beyond Motherhood: Choosing a Life Without Children

They might be on to something.  The problem is, they’re a little late.

August 3, 2006 | Filed Under Parenting | 5 Comments