Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Moving On Through Our Summer Wish List
Geesh....I keep starting new blog entries, then get interrupted and don't get back to finish them. It is time for a new entry. I apologize.
Three weeks and counting until we start school, August 21. We've been crossing more things off of our summer wish list. Last week we got through two things.
1. Have friends over. Jen had her friend over for the afternoon, they ended up going to the American Girl Doll club at the library. I'm still counting it. 
I love my children, I enjoy other children. I don't like having to provide supervision to other people's children. I'm always afraid I'll offend someone. But I want my children to be able to play with their friends at our home, so I'm praying for wisdom each time. Another thing that stresses me is that two of the girl's friends have food allergies or intolerances. I want to be respectful and helpful for these girls, without making them feel odd. So I remain prayerfully planning for more friends to come over. Liz needs some gentle teaching on socialization with others, but I've not been excited to disrupt our order for this. Selfish, I know.
I really have to work at providing good socialization for my children while homeschooling. I'm such a loner, I love being all together in our home. Playing, reading, swimming and laughing together. I believe that my children are learning to get along well with others through interacting with their siblings. This sounds great, until Liz gets with a group of her peers. She then tends to go from one child to another, asking them to be her friend. Of course the other children look at her strange. My husband dislikes this behavior, and wants her to have more interaction with children her age. And I agree that I must work harder at having other children in our home for playdates, seeing it more as a loving act for my children than a burden. (Pardon the digression)
2. We went to a local amusement park called Adventureland. We do this every other year. It was so hot on Friday when we went. It felt like 100 degrees. But we persevered, and enjoyed the day. They have a lot of great rides for children Liz and Grace's age. We all went on a huge inner tube water ride called the Raging River. The second time through Liz got drenched.
Jen was a peach, enjoying a few rides with Grace to keep her safe.
Here she is with Liz on another ride.
We all rode in a gondola type ferris wheel. Here's a shot of Grace, I love the wonder on her face.
One thing that Jen was working on this summer was to work on her sewing projects.
Grandma and her diligently worked on the pj's each time she was there.
Here is Grace modeling her's.
~~~~~I have more to share, but I must wait for another post, the real world beckon's me to it. Wishing that all your days are filled with the grace and knowledge the Lord,
Linda
~*~ Share a Blessing!
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cre8iveMom
Those are great pictures! It looks like you all have really been enjoying your summer!
~Cindy
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Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - Thanks
Posted by Pattycake
For your encouraging comments on my blogs! (Both Pattycake and Maranatha).
I know that your Pattycake comment was a while back now, but I haven't been keeping up with responding to people very well. It seems I'm always checking my blog and dashing off. It seems like summer is 5 minutes long, and so much to do.
Just wanted to let you know how much you've blessed me!
Deb
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Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - great post
Posted by quietcajun
Your Jen is such a wonderful big sister... not unlike my Kaitlyn!
Those are some really great pictures.
Sounds like a wonderful summer so far
~*~ Permanent Link
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Titus2woman
LOVE your pics! I too am having a very hard time getting it all done and bloggin' too... It's always a joy to catch up with you though! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
~*~ Permanent Link
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - The S word...yikes
Posted by Majormom
Socialization...yikes! That's a tough one to find a balance in. I leaned more to friendships with other families than one on one between kids. The one on one when they were young, especially with girls was a major pain for me. Now that my daughter is in high school I can see the importance for a "kindred spirit" in her life now. When she was young it was more of a cat fight than a friendship. I wish I had all the answers on this issue. I do believe that socialization among kids the same ages is highly over rated unless it is supervised and I didn't want to be bothered with it...sigh...again I say sigh. Hugs, J
~*~ Permanent Link
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - I was going to say that, too ...
Posted by Anonymous
I was going to say what MajorMom said, we try to focus our social times on *family* times -- getting together with another family -- rather a child with a peer ... we've missed some opportunities where the other family was really NOT into that - wanted us to drop of our kid with their same-aged kid or visa versa, but for the most part we've been able to spend nice time getting to know the other family, all the kids playing together and the parents sitting and talking ...
and with the "will you be my friend" thing we have tried to steer our child who is prone to that just to remember that all of those friends can be her friends, and not to look for the "my best friend" ... or the one-on-one will YOU be MY friend setting ...
fun pictures, you have a lovely family!
kim in MI - muckfootmom, apparently I'm not logged in, but am too lazy to do so now that I've got this all written, LOL
~*~ Permanent Link
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TrainingHearts
Your day at Adventureland sounds fun!
I want to share that I too struggle in the same area with socialization. I have the same feelings are really worry about offending others. ....maybe it's because I have been offended?? Anyways, one of my goals this year is to really try to find some kindred friends for my daughters that will help them mature and behave rather than misbehave. I know that the Lord will guide me in the process. We are starting this Friday by visiting a family for an afternoon :) She has two girls the same ages as my two older girls and I know that we will all enjoy being together. I'm slowly working into this and plan on inviting the moms with the daughters to make the experience a little easier.
~*~ Permanent Link
Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - I think it is normal for kids
Posted by ThreeLittleLadies
Liz's age to ask other kids to be their friend. It is part of the learning process. My girls ask other girls this and it seems to work for them. Maybe if Grace is asking kids who are older...that might be awkward if somehow they've been socialized to think this is not normal...
I love your pics. You have such sweet girls.
Carol
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Thursday, August 3, 2006 - Fun times :)
Posted by kindredspiritMom
I admire your willingness to step out of your comfort zone...I am the same way about wanting to just hang out with my kids. I have one highly social child that make this impossibe for more than a day at a time!! God will give us wisdom, grace and strenght.
Much love,
Michele
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Thursday, August 3, 2006 - Socializtion or NOT
Posted by ktneis
I just had 6 weeks of socialization for my kids. They had to learn how to get along and compromise with kids and to help them respect our home and privacy. I know they need to be subjected to others but I prefer it more controlled and a little at a time. Now that they are back home in the country we have no friends next door so they love the peace and quiet and they are back to loving their siblings with out the distraction of friends. I love this part of being in the country.
~*~ Permanent Link
Thursday, August 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Honeybee
Ya gotta love "the list"!! We have completed ours with the exception of the lemonade stand, which was supposed to accompany a garage sale that dear husband banned me from having. We're thinking about a plan B, but since we've started school, I'm not sure how that's going to happen. Not much motivation on my part for the dreaded "watch your child get rejected as he roasts in the sun" day. See how optimistic I can be??? :)
~*~ Permanent Link
Thursday, August 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OurHomeSweetHomeschool
We are starting school on the 21st too. :o)
I still have things on my list to finish before we start though.
Happy schooling!
Be wise & win souls,
Theresa
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