I have decided that my kids need more writing practice in their lives so I started with a little intro into poetry, using a simple book my sister gave me years ago.  Chad and Alec did fine, even seemed to enjoy what we did.  Carmen, a.k.a. toadgirl, did not do well.  Anything new, she balks at and turns into a beast.  I hate that.  I'm patient and helpful but to no avail.  It's not pretty.

Anyway, Monday of this week, my sweet husband announced that he was going to the beach.  It was a beautiful day so we all stepped up the pace and finished our schoolwork earlier than normal.  Todd packed a lunch and we headed towards the ocean.  We were only gone about 1-1/2 hours, as Todd had to work that night, but we walked on two beaches and did some bird watching.  On one of the beaches, there were at least 3 dozen beached jellyfish.  Unbelieveable!  My younger two kids are still very interested in jellyfish and were fascinated, turning over the jellies with sticks for inspection.  Jellyfish creep me out but I keep my opinions to myself.  Todd and I saw a kestrel fly by and Chad saw several species of coastal birds.  The wind was fairly cold so we ate in the car while watching the water and headed back home around 3:00.  A terrific beach break.

So, yesterday, I told the kids were were going to write about our picnic at the beach.  They looked at me like I had asked them to walk barefoot on hot coals.  (I guess I don't do enough writing practice with them.)  Alec gave his typical "smart-alec" remarks but then asked if he could draw a picture to go with it.  Absolutely!  I said that sometimes a picture can inspire the words or sometimes the words inspire a picture.  He ended up drawing a very detailed, colorful picture of himself on the beach with the waves, birds, jellyfish, etc.  And his story was pretty good, with an illustrated title.  I was so proud of him!  In the life of a homeschool mom, where so many ideas and projects don't go as planned, it's such a joy when something goes well!

After hearing me praise Alec, Chad said to me, "Um, Mom, my story isn't going to be as involved as Alec's, o.k?"  Then I felt guilty.  I told Chad that he didn't need to do anything like Alec; he could write it anyway he wanted to.  I said that he and Alec are two completely different people and, of course, your stories would be different.  How does one praise one child without making the others feel like dirt?  My 13 year old son sometimes feels inferior to his younger brother in certain subjects and I always try to point out that he doesn't need to be like Alec.  Just be Chad.  And Chad's story WAS Chad's - written with his special brand of humor and intelligence.  I was very pleased and I think he was happy with it, too.  Another successfull ending!

And then there's toadgirl.  I did my best to help her write a few sentences about her time at the beach.  She balked.  I got frustrated.  I tried to be patient, kind, (and, no, I didn't call her toadgirl) but firm enough to let her know I wanted her to make an attempt.  Nothing but toadness.  Sorry, that's the best way to describe her attitude without using harsher words.  She always apologizes later for this behavior and I always forgive her but also ask her to remember the next day NOT to behave in this manner.  I guess it's the "phase" all my kids have gone through at this age.  She's definitely been the hardest to deal with.  Oh, Lord, I hope I can cope.  I just, you know, expect her to respond and act like her older brothers do but she's not them and she's only 8.  I need to find what works with her.  She is smart which works against her at times when she encounters something she doesn't understand.  She frustrates so quickly, even before I have a chance to explain something.  Then the attitude goes down the drain.  Then my patience wanes.  Prayer, that's what I need to do.  More of it.

Anyway, our little writing assignments have been fun and I think one a week is good for us.  Maybe I should ask Carmen to give me a writing assignment.  Hmmmm ... I may have something here!