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Ok, here is what I've been up to lately:
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let the girls know that the baby bird Jess found last week at book club is a pigeon and he is doing great! Jessie hand fed him for a few days and then I took over because she is out of town till Monday. At first I didn’t even want to look at the “filthy bird” because I generally don’t like birds, and this one sure was ugly! Especially with the bloody injury on his forehead! Ugh! Well, when I realized it was up to me to take care of this thing because Jessie loves rescuing all creatures, and just has to have this one as a pet, I reluctantly decided to try my best, not giving much hope to his survival, or my enjoying the experience. We once rescued a baby crow and he did great in our care for a few months and then we released him. He used to sit on my head. However this bird was bleeding! Yuck! Anyway, I gave in to the challenge and after searching the internet for orphaned pigeon care basics, I found a whole slew of people who LOVE pigeons and keep them as pets! Needless to say, supposedly they make great pets, become like family, and are lovable!(?) Of course there is the poop to contend with. Ah, An answer for that! There is a company that makes “bird diapers!” I haven’t put out the $19.99 plus tax to get my own bird diaper yet, but I may look into that in the future. Ok, the truth is that “Rush” is so funny! He comes running out of his cage with wings flapping to see me and trys to eat out of my hands! At first he only ate out of my closed fist and shoved his whole head and beak in- pecking and swallowing away. I fed him mashed up puppy dry food with warm water and baby rice cereal. This feeding method was very messy! At the end of a feeding, it was all over me, all over the bird and all over the floor or towels. The next day I taught him how to eat out of a bowl! Although I think he would prefer to eat out of my fist, thinking I’m his mom. He is doing great, and has his own play area-a play yard in which he can hop around, eat and go back inside his cage when he wants to. He is approximately 23 days old and he will soon be eating seeds and he will learn to fly at about 45 days old. Amazingly this ugly baby pigeon will one day be a beautiful bird-Uh, did I say that? Pigeons beautiful? His scab is slowly healing, and he is getting more feathers. Jessie gets home Monday and she will be in for a shock at how much he has changed. I guess we’ve bonded and I can actually say that I kind of like him. I’m teaching him how to find his balance and he loves the attention. Pigeons are very social birds. So, if anyone is interested after reading this long e-mail, you can view pictures of Rush at: http://moranpics.shutterfly.com Please pray that Rush continues to grow healthy! Thanks everyone! |
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Great article for the weary homeschool mom!
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We're taking a road trip to California tomorrow and not in the motorhome
"Brain Age" is a new "game" for Nintendo DS and it's for adults too!
It involves games like Sudoku and mind benders, along with readng out loud, simple math facts, and "exercise for your brain" activities.
You keep track of your high scores and earn "stamps" for daily training sessions. Then you are rewarded by receiving new "games" to try. It's really pretty cool and now I don't feel so bad about buying my 7 year old daughter "mindless" video games/equipment!
Check out the website and read the articles. For $20 I think it is a worthwhile purchase! http://www.brainage.com/launch/ |
so, I thought I'd tell you all about a fun new "game" for road trips, or daily "brain training!"|
I am in a slump! We just haven't had a good productive week of school!
I'm so task oriented that I only feel successful when I get a lot of things accomplished.
My girls and I are flying to Missouri next week for a wedding reception. I'm so excited, and hoping for some relaxing down time. That's the beauty of homeschooling, I guess...we can always pick up and go gung ho when we get back.
Am I the only one? Or does this happen to other moms out there? Why do we start to "wind down" too early in the year? Is it because of Spring?
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My daughters (well, my sons too) are bored! They haven't met any homeschooler's who they've clicked with.
Well, tonight, my 7 year old decided to start a "Kids Club"! She made a flyer and invitation, and the location is "up in my room". Well, we expanded on this idea, and beginning next Friday, we will be hosting "Kids Club" every Friday afternoon for a couple of hours, full of fun, crafts, play time, a book exchange, Bible stories, pizza and fellowship!
Also, while we were at it, we decided a "Friday Game Day" would be cool for the middle school and High School aged kids at the same time.
I'm really hoping this takes off. Our plans are to continue it into the summer too.
We're advertising on our homeschool newsletter and e-mail updates.
Wish us luck! |
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Selling on E-Bay can be really fun! I'm very new to this, but I can see how it can become addicting! I haven't made much money yet, so I don't really know how long I'll continue, but it is a fun hobby!
Someone posted a question on our homeschool newsletter..."How can I make money at home while homeschooling?" Well, I had to reply!
I love kids...that's one reason I homeschool...so, I also tutor! That's basicaly what I do all day anyway, so why not get paid for it--afterschool?!! You can charge anything---I charge $25.00 per hour, but I know others who charge $35. I have 4 kids that I tutor, so that's $400.00 extra income per month! Not too shabby!
Kids can make money while being homeschooled too! Well, the teenaged ones, that is. My daughter who is 15 works at our church on Wednesday mornings babysitting and earns $27 per week. She also babysits for people on weekends. Now this isn't a new concept, obviously, but she actually makes very good money!
People these days are willing to pay well to keep good babysitters. She gets at least $5 an hour per kid...usually the parents round up, and it's amazing that in 3 months she has saved over $500!!! She has "business cards" that she passes out at church. She also pet sits.
Hmmmm, what are some other ways kids can earn money? What ideas do you have?
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Oh my gosh! The puppies are 3 weeks old today and they are so cute! Their noses are turning black, they are learning to walk, and they had their first food at 2:00AM !
Tiffany is slowly and gently beginning to reject them--she really doesn't want to nurse much anymore. This is all normal I am finding out. Alarmed at first, I searched the internet and found out that beginning the weaning process at 3 weeks is exactly on time.
This morning, they actually rolled over on their backs to get a belly rub! I have a small heater set up near their laundry basket (their bed) and they are basking in the warmth!
Check out Tiffany's blog to hear her side of it! :)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tiffanymoran/
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It's a rainy, thundering Tuesday here in Arizona! The day didn't start off too well...kids bickering, messy house, disorganization...but it is ending wonderfully!
I baked chocolate chip cookies, started homemade spaghetti sauce in the crock pot for dinner, and we have a fire burning in the fireplace in our schoolroom.
I'm so glad that I am not out in this weather picking up kids from 3 different schools, or hoping that the bus doesn't break down. I'm so happy to be with my kids on a day like today!
This is what makes homeschooling so nice.
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A good friend of mine bought me a book that I want to reccomend to all you moms out there:
It's titled : "FINDING YOUR PURPOSE AS A MOM-How To Build Your Home on Holy Ground" BY: DONNA OTTO
I haven't finished reading it yet, but it is really great. I wish I had started my own home out with these valuable insights I have learned in the book, when I first became a stay-at-home-mom!
I love this quote from the book:
What is a home?
Home can be... an arcade, a theater, a museum, an office, a classroom, a laundry, a restaurant, a garden center or workshop, a storage unit or hotel or even a battleground.
Home can be all these things--in part. But none of these things are the essence of home.
Home is a place of shelter, safe and warm. It's a growing place, a teaching institution, first church, and seminary. Home is a hospitality center, a mission field. It's a base for traditions and memories, A place to return to with joy.
Home is a place where God lives. This home--your home--is holy ground.
Take off your shoes.
Donna Otto
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Check out this hysterical video! |
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If I could write all about last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I would. However, most people reading this would be bored! I will attempt to summarize it all best I can. My Aunt Pat, my mom’s identical twin sister passed away on 2/27/06 from lung cancer. She was 76. I barely knew her, yet spent a very fun week with her a few years back when she visited my mom in Last Wednesday I got to meet my cousin Kathy for the first time! She and her husband and their children ages 24 and 22 (I believe) were so sweet and fun to be with! After the funeral, I got to meet more cousins, their children and even grand-children! Although this was a sad event, so much good is coming out of it because I now have a whole new family that previously I had only dreamed about! I actually feel like there are now people related to me that actually care about me. I can’t wait to take my family out to |
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I am sitting in my hotel room...It is midnight Kansas City time. I'm very sad right now.
Tiffany did go into labor today. I returned home around 12:30pm after running last minute errands, picking up kids , dropping off kids and when I walked into my room, there was Tiffany happy to see me, shivering and with a little bubble coming out of her. I couldn't believe it! I first panicked because I had to leave for the airport in 3 hours...My next thought was, Ok, cool, I get to be right by her side, helping her deliver! If I could have cancelled my flight and left my mom to deal with her twin sister's funeral I would have, but of course I couldn't. . DH and DD were right there with me, DH forgetting to tell me earlier that Tiffany had nipped at him when he checked on her while I was out. Weird thing was that her temperature never dropped...
Anyway, contractions progressed but then we saw two legs and tail coming out! No sac, and the little puppy seemed stuck! We had the vet on the line and she said not to worry, maybe try helping it out...I pulled, DH pulled, finally puppy #1 plopped out into my hand!
He seemed big and strong! We carefully tied a little piece of red yarn around his neck later on...We called him "Big Red". Next after 30 minutes or so, an extremely tiny little baby boy came out , but unfortuneately was stillborn. We tried to do everything we read to get it to breathe, but to no avail. Very soon after another puppy came out, and he was smaller than the first, but bigger than the 2nd, and Tiffany knew that "Tiny Tim" (the 2nd)was dead...she didn't try to lick him or anything. So we then had "Blue Boy", "Big Red" and dead "Tiny Tim".
Soon after, little "Baby Girl" was born. She was just as small as "Tiny Tim", but seemed strong. Strange thing was that there was a small hole or cut on her back with blood coming out. We imediately called the vet and she said maybe a puupy scratched her, maybe the mommy nipped her when biting off an umbilical cord...we waited...
Oh backing up, "Blue Boy" and "Baby Girl" were actually out of Tiffany, but there umbilical cords were still attached to the placentas in Tiff! Vet said cut the cords and wait for placenta. Placentas never came...well she ate some of it...I don't know...
I knew time was running out for me...I had to pick up DS from Community College and get to my Uncle's house to catch our plane.
Tiffany had water, 2 hot dogs, and many contractions. At 3:18 "Purple Boy" was born. I was supposed to be at my Uncle's house at 3:30.
"Baby Girl" still seemed so weak compared to all her brothers. I had to leave...so sad to leave Tiffany who laid her head on my leg during labor...she only wanted me. This just makes me cry. I had to leave my baby, but thank God I got to help her and a couple of babies were born into my hands. I think this delivery was very hard on Tiffany..Never will she go through this again!
DH and DD drove Tiffany and puppies to see the vet since he won't be able to do it on Thursday. Tiffany's milk wasn't completely in of course, so DD is supplementing with formula if needed. "Baby Girl" may have Spina Bifida and most likely won't make it. DD is trying to feed her from a bottle and trying to keep her warm. I'm so sad about possibly losing this little girl.
Tiffany is snappy at DH and DD...she just wants me, her mommy. I won't see her till Friday night and feel so sad. She's my baby!
This is all I know tonight. Well, Thursday AM technically. I'll update tomorrow after my Aunt's funeral.
Please pray for "Baby Girl" and Tiffany.
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She's panting (on and off) has very soft stool (she's gone 4 times in the last 4 hours) and she's shivering! Oh my gosh! I'm so nervous! I really think I'm having an anxiety attack and I just needed to vent somewhere! I am leaving in 3 hours to hop on a plane and I'm terrified of flying!
Now to top it all off, Tiffany has been acting strange. She's due in 6 days, but I read they could deliver 5 days early! To top that off, DH is flying out of town tomorrow! We both won't be home till Friday night...
DD is in charge...first litter for her to help deliver!
Ok, I'll calm down...the vet is close if there is a problem... |
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Our homeschool day went great today and I have the lesson plans done for the rest of the week during my absence.
I saw this prayer on homeschool encourager and thought it worthy of printing.
Prayer: Lord help us to keep our eyes on You--on Your vision, Your plans, and Your purposes for our family. Anoint our imaginations that we might "see" the future and put these impressions into writing. Help us during the day-to-day challenges to remember we are on a path You ordained for us and for our children. Amen |
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It turns out that this won't be a productive week. My Aunt just passed away last night. She is my Mom's identical twin sister. She was 76 and had lung cancer. So, I'll be flying to Kansas City with my Uncle, Mom and brother.
I've never had a family member die. I didn't know this Aunt too well, but it really hit me a little too close to home. I can't imagine losing a twin! I also don't understand the whole "viewing" thing. Why? Who wants to see their loved one lying in a coffin? It's especially creepy to see someone who looks identical to my own mom. I probably won't even look. And what about my mom viewing what she may look like dead? It's just bizarre and morbid to me.
(My Mom Jean on the left, and Aunt Pat on the right.)
My daughter who is 15 will be babysitting Tiffany and we'll be praying that she doesn't go into labor without me. Technically she has 7 days to go.
Just my thoughts... |
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It's been a busy week. I am looking forward to school tomorrow becasue we had a few too many days off last week! We need some productive days this week, because soon, like in 9 days or less, I will be very distracted with our new puppies!
Check Tiffany's blog for new updates daily! http://homeschoolblogger.com/tiffanymoran
Our camping trip went well, and the kids participated in a class Friday morning where they learned about various plant life, soil differences, wildlife, and best of all they got to disect owl pellets! We've never done that before and Sara's pellet had 3 skulls in it! (no pic's cuz I forgot my camera).
I wanted to reccomend two websites to everyone that I use frequently. The first is probably well known and has helped the kids I tutor for reading tremendously. It is www.starfall.com. Well worth checking out!
The other requires a membership fee, but it is so awesome! It is a site that has a library of books that can be read aloud while on the site; an animated voice actually reads it to your child. Or your child can choose to read the book themselves. Also, new members get to pick a book for free as a gift for signing up. I can't remember how much the fee is, but it is well worth it. My daughter loves to have a book read to her when mommy is braiding her hair, or when mommy is busy with something else. Check out www.onemorestory.com
ENJOY!!
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I started a homeschool camping group last September. It's been fun arranging plans to camp around Arizona. My younger kids and I are leaving today to go to the Superstition Mtns. to the Lost Dutchman State Park.
Only a couple of families could camp this time, but on Friday morning there is a "Desert Detectives" class for the kids and we have maybe 15 kids attending. I like to make our trips educational and visiting the state parks the kids can earn their "Jr. Ranger" badges. They just have to learn about the state park and fill out a fun worksheet and then pledge to help keep the park clean..It's really fun!
I'll post some pictures and if you're interested, especially if you live in Arizona, you can visit our Yahoo group!
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That’s right, I’m going to be a grandmother! It’s so exciting! This will be the first litter…yep, my baby, Tiffany is prego! She actually has her own blog site to journal all about this major event. Check it out! http://homeschoolblogger.com/TiffanyMoran/
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The younger kids and I had such a great time today! We went to the Estrella War XXII. It is a annual event nearby which combines many "kingdoms", and "lands" during Medieval Times-- (600AD-1600AD) There are battles, archery, marketplace shopping, demonstrations, etc., etc. It is put on by the "Society for Creative Anachronism" http://www.sca.org Very incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in Medieval garb! Sara really got into it, hence the picture of her in her peasant dress...
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Today started off not so great. Christopher is my difficult child. He has ADHD, and if you really want to know about that part of our life, go to our website http://laughterandtears.com . Today he went to the Homeschool P.E. class while I went grocery shopping. He was playing two- hand-touch football-. He is grouped with 8-12 year olds. Well, I guess he is the oldest and biggest. He was trying to stop a kid who had the ball and just so happens to have a nasty mouth on him- I’m sorry to say, and pulled him by the hood of his sweatshirt. Well, it ripped. The dad was there watching and sure enough he- the dad- made a huge scene. Chris was too rough. The kid didn’t get hurt, but the dad was fuming that his son’s favorite sweatshirt got ripped. Chris and this kid have gotten into it—well, really the kid has been calling Chris names like “El Gordo”, “fatso”, etc. He’s a tiny 8year old. Chris replies sarcastically. The dad was there to watch Chris. I guess he made the asst. coach who is a mom cry because he threatened to “shut down” the A.I.T. program. He told Chris that if he had been 18, he could get arrested for assault and battery. Ok, first response was –I’m so humiliated! Chris is at fault! My dh and other ds and even my friend who was there watching the whole thing were supportive of Chris. However, this is the type of thing I go through all the time. I’m so tired of it. Is there any one else out there with ADHD kids who goes through similar things? I always take things so seriously. Here are a bunch of kids playing football, and a kid gets his shirt ripped. Big deal. He didn’t get hurt…I need to relax.
Please pray for me. |