Subscribe in a reader < or > Subscribe to Reaching Higher - Homeschool Blogger by Email

• Nov. 10, 2008
She's so Funny!

Sarah was practing her piano this morning.

A little later I looked at her and saw this.

When I asked her what she was doing she pointed out the following information on her music.  "Moderate and relaxed."  What a goof-ball!

Shannon

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 6, 2008
Trick or Treat!

We spent some time with our friends for Trick or Treating.  Here are some pictures of the kids in their costumes.

A bee, the Mad Hatter, an angel and Bob the Builder!

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 5, 2008
Poor Baby!

No, no one punched him.  This is what my poor boy looked like about 10 days ago!  I put him to bed the night before these were taken, only to have him wake up screaming about 4 hours later.  We finally determined that his ear was hurting.  So, I woke up and called the doctor before he ever got out of bed to make an appointment to bring him in since we were sure he had an ear infection.  Then we he came out of his room his eye was nearly swollen shut!  Needless to say I was glad I already had a doctors appointment!  We found that he did indeed have an ear infection along with a sty in his eyelid!  Poor kid.  Thankfully the antibiotics had both cleared up in a couple of days and our handsome little guy doesn't look like he lost a fight anymore!

Shannon

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Oct. 14, 2008
We're Done!!!!

Well, we have finally arrived!  I can officially say we are done with potty training!  I know, you are as amazed as Timmy is in the above picture, so are we!  This long awaited day has come upon us so quickly that we almost don't know what to do with ourselves.

It was only 4 weeks ago that we began potty training in earnest after our trip to the ER.  Let me just say that was not my choice for a jumping off point for potty training.  It was somewhat traumatic, not to mention expensive.  (We just got the bill.  Our portion, after insurance for 2 hours and an enema was $508.20!  I wish I got paid $250 an hour!)  Anyway, it seemed to be just what Timmy needed to get things rolling.

He has been in big boy underwear during the day for a couple weeks now and we have even had him in underwear over night for the past 5 days.  It is amazing how fast he went from, "No, I don't want to go on the potty chair." to "Mommy, I have to go potty."

Needless to say, we are very pleased to finally have diapers behind us.

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Oct. 13, 2008
Generosity

It is easy to wonder if your kids are picking up the lessons you are trying to impart on a daily basis.  For example, kids (like the rest of us) are self-centered by nature.  It is easy to see that on a day to day basis, it is harder sometimes, to see the generosity that you hope they are learning.  I now wonder if we don't help our kids to stay more in that self-centered mentality by not letting them in on the reality of daily life.

Here is an example of what I mean.  We are going through a financially difficult time right now, and have been for a few months.  (No it has nothing to do with the DOW or any of the national economic crisis.  Well, at least not directly.)  It is just a lean time.  One of our rental houses didn't pay 3 months of rent before finally moving out, leaving behind a lot of work to be done, and the other rental house we have is about two months behind in rent.  Needless to say these things have added up to create a bit of a pinch.  But we had not really discussed this with Sarah.  It wasn't something we were hiding really, we just hadn't sat down and talked seriously about it with her.  Well, tonight we did that.  Jay wanted her to be able to see what was needed so she could know exactly what to pray for and really see how God will be the one to have to pull us through this.

One of the things we have to do is get our now vacant property fixed up so it can be sold or rented.  When Jay began to talk about this Sarah's immediate response was, "What can I do?  I want to help."  I was surprised and proud at the same time at the quickness and seriousness of her response.  She was planning work days and schedules immediately.  That is when I realized, for a kid to have a more realistic, other-centered point of view in life, they really have to be let in on the real issues of life.  We do them a disservice by keeping the 'ugliness' of real life from them constantly, wether intentionally or unintentionally.  Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating telling our kids every detail of every situation, but I do believe there are times when we need to remind ourselves to give them information about things that affect our family.  That gives them more reason to think outside themselves and grows the character traits that 'verbal' lessons could never acheive.

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Oct. 6, 2008
Birthday Fun

It is Birtday season in our family.  We have 5 birthdays in our immediate family this month.  My nephew, my dad, Sarah, my brother and Jay. 

We kicked of birthday season this past week with a combined party on Thursday night for my nephew (who turned 1 on the 1st), Sarah (who turned 11 on the 3rd) and my dad who's birthday is also on the third.  (I am being kind, Dad, I won't share your age here. )  Here are the birtday 'kids'.  My nephew was not in the least interested in getting messy with his cake!

The above pictures is more than just Birtday kids but I thought it was cute.

On Friday, Sarah's actual Birthday, we met up with our friends and went to Baked Goods Pottery to paint some ceramics.  After our 'craftiness' we went to the park where I actually remembered to get out my camera!  Here are some pictures.

Sarah got to spend the night with her friend on Friday night and on Saturday we celebrated her Birthday with Jay's mom.  We went out to dinner and spent the evening at her house. 

I can't believe that Sarah is 11 already.  I am sure just a few days ago she was still Timmy's age!  It is unbelievable how fast time flies by!

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 13, 2008
Potty Training --- FINALLY!!

Okay, I promise this is the last 'potty' related blog for quite some time, but this is our life right now.   I apologize for giving you more information than you probably care to know!

Well, it is official, potty training is underway in our home.  After the potty excitement we had at the beginning of the week I was afraid that our 'reluctant to train' son would become a 'not on your life' kind of potty trainer.  However, much to our surprise and delight, he has used the potty at least twice each day this week and usually every time he needed to go.  He even told daddy that he needed to go Wednesday night at church!  That was exciting!  We are obviously still a work in progress (he has amazing bladder control and he knows how to use it!) but we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, Praise the Lord!

We look forward to our last 'potty' related post being the one where we say, "We're Done!"

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 8, 2008
Our trip to the ER

It finally happened.  I have said for a while now that I was sure Timothy would have us in the ER at some point.  It's just that I always figured it would  be for a broken bone or something of that nature.  Well, before you read on I should warn you that it was of a much more 'intestinal' nature than that.  So, you have been warned, if you continue reading you will have to deal with some potty talk! 

All weekend Timmy has been complaining of tummy pain.  He didn't have any fever and he would be fine one minute and holding his tummy in pain the next.  We thought on Friday that he might be constipated so the doctor suggested a mild laxative.  It seemed to 'get him going' some but the pain did not seem to go away. 

Finally today, when I was prepared to call the doctor first thing, Timmy got up and acted normal for the first time in 4 days.  He wanted to eat and had breakfast lunch and a snack.  (He hadn't eaten that much all weekend.)  The only unusual thing was that he woke up dry and clean.  At first I thought this was a good sign.  However, when he was still dry and clean when he woke up from his nap at 3pm I decided to call the doctor.

Doctor's advice:  take him to the ER for an x-ray.  So, we piled in the van and headed to the hospital.  First thing we got sent to the pediatric ER where Timothy was thrilled to find fish everywhere.  There were paintings of Rainbow fish on all the walls.  Then there was a huge aquarium filled with tropical fish and one "Nemo" clown fish.  That could not have been more perfect as Timothy is currently on a Finding Nemo kick.

They x-rayed Timmy's tummy (which he thought was pretty neat) and they found  a "gigantic gas bubble being held in by a lot of poop."  Okay, you were warned.  Those were the doctor's words, not mine.  The treatment:  enema.  Timothy was a trooper.  He didn't flinch or even make a sound while the doctor administered the enema and he laid very still for about 3 minutes after it was administered.  And then it began.  We could tell it was working and frankly it was terrifying him.  [In the way of explanation, apparently going to the bathroom was causing him a lot of pain over the weekend so he had been holding it.  Whenever the urge to go hit him we would hear one of three phrases; 'my tummy hurts', 'I'm going to spill' (that's Timmy speak for I'm going to throw up) or 'I'm scared to death' (which is a line from Finding Nemo).]  So suddenly he started squirming and saying he was scared to death and we could tell he was desperately trying to hold it.  Of course he could only hold it for so long before the flood gates were opened.  While he had a pull-up on at the beginning of this episode, it was evident that would not be sufficient so we moved him to the potty convieniently located in the room.  Here's the only bad part of the night.  While he used the potty, it was a pretty traumatic experience for his first time.  Please pray that he has not been traumatised too badly.  His desire to use the potty was non existent before this episode.  We are hoping thing haven't been made worse.

Well, if you're still reading I hope you haven't been grossed out by our story.  All together we were only in the ER for 2 hours which is pretty amazing from what I hear.  Also it was a pleasant experience (despite the unpleasant part. ) We were only in the waiting room 15 minutes.  There was a TV with kids videos in the room we were in.  And the doctors and nurses were great with Timmy.  I was kind of afraid the experience was too good and might make him want to go back!

Now he is sleeping peacefully and hopefully life will resume it's 'normal' course tomorrow.  We appreciate your prayers that this ordeal is at an end.

Shannon

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 6, 2008
Wooly Worms?

My daughter, catcher of creatures, has a new hobby.  We have a wild morning glory vine that grows over our fence.  One day when her friend was over they were out looking at it and found 30 wooly worms.  I say wooly worms but I am not quite sure what they are.  Most of the time when you say wooly worms you think of the brown and black striped ones like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

picture from jenijenitripod.com

Ours however are all solid in color and range from a creamy off white color like this (only ours don't have the antennae things this one does) :

picture from whatsthatbug.com

To a darker rusty orange color like the one in the first picture.  What we do know is that they are voracious eaters!  Now I know why that morning glory vine had so many holes in the leaves.  Sarah goes out and picks leaves off of it every morning to put in the butterfly habitat she has the worms in and the leaves are all eaten by the time she wakes up the next day.  It is amazing to listen to as well.  If you hold the habitat near your ear you can hear them munching away.

We are enjoying this little miracle of God's creation.  If anyone can tell me exactly what they are I would appreciate it.

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Aug. 27, 2008
Children at Play

I have been thinking a lot about kids playing lately, I am not sure why the subject has been on my mind, but it has.  Last night I read this in an article and it made me think, so I thought I would share it with you.

There is a danger in these days of much educational effort that children's play should be crowded out [or what is the same thing] should be prescribed for and arranged until there is no more freedom of choice about play than about work.  We do not say a word against the educational value of games (such as football, basketball, etc)...but organized games are not play in the sense we have in view.  Boys and girls must have time to invent episodes, carry on adventures, live heroic lives, lay sieges and carry forts, even if the fortress be an old armchair; and in these affairs the elders must neither meddle nor make.

Charlotte Mason

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jul. 8, 2008
A day at the playground and a dirty face!

Recently we took the kids to the playground.  It was a beautiful day and they had a great time.  The only downside was Timothy taking off his new sandals that we inadvertently left there, never to be seen again.

We even had some upside down fun!

A couple days later we were at Daddy's softball game.  It had been very dry for quite a while and the field and areal around the bleachers was exceedingly dusty.  Well, what would be more fun for a 3 1/2 year old boy?  On top of just having the dirt to play in he had even brought along some Bob the Builder toys.  He sat in the dirt for a full hour and played.  (This time included making 'dirt angels' and picking up dirt and dropping it on his head.)  This is the 'after' face.

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jun. 7, 2008
Picture Updates

Well, I finally got some pictures in my slideshow that I have wanted to put there for a while.  One is a picture of Sarah with her two paintings that she entered in the art show this year.  The one that won is the picture on the right of the yellow crocuses with the purple and green background. 

The other two pictures are ones my mom took of the children's musical.  Sarah is wearing the lab coat and playing "nurse Zelda".

The new pictures are the final 3 in the rotation after the Florida pictures.

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jun. 5, 2008
More Critters!

We have had much rain in these parts lately and no free days that were dry enough to cut the grass.  (Well the front yard had been cut once but that was it.)  Needless to say, the Amazon rainforests had nothing on us.  Timmy couldn't go out in the back or we would lose him, and he is a tall 3 1/2 year old!

Well, Wednesday was the day.  Jay pulled out the lawn mower (I really thought he would need a brush hog!) and mowed all day long.  In the process, however, he found some new residents for the aquarium.  The first time he knocked on the door he told Sarah to bring out a jar and this is what she brought back in. 

We call him Chubby!  The next knock at the door had the same request and this time a new creature.

Okay, I know there is a terrible smudge on the aquarium but this picture cracks me up.  It makes me want to put a caption on it that says, "Let me tell you how I can save you 15% or more on auto insurance."

The next two times Jay knocked on the door Sarah picked up the jar before even finding out what he wanted and sure enough, in came two more lizards.

So we currently have an aquarium full of amphibians (reptiles?) at our house.  And many prayers that those lizards don't find a way to crawl up and out of the top of the aquarium!

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jun. 3, 2008
Livin' Inside Out!

Well the musical was a fantastic success!  The kids did a marvelous job!  It is so fun to see the result of all their hard work.  (And to see them stand still for the first time...ever!  It is a supernatural phenomenon I think, but kids who have never before been able to stand in one spot for more than 10 seconds at a time can suddenly stand still and even smile for 30 minutes when they have an audience!)

Our musical was titled Livin' Inside Out In An Upside Down World.  The message was about what it means to follow Christ in a fallen world, the fact that what God calls us to looks inside out and upside down compared to the ways of the world.  I just love it when you can find a program with fun kids music that can even convict the hearts of the adults who listen.  It was an excellent message.

And of course, it was made extra special to our family because of Sarah's part.  She had kept it a virtual secret from her dad.  He knew that she had a part and was singing but he didn't know what songs (except one small part she had in a song that we had done in church before).  How we kept him from ever hearing her sing for 5 months is beyond me but we did, and he was surprised.

It was a great time.  Everyone Sarah had invited got to come so that made it even sweeter.  Then we took all of yesterday off to veg' out!  Somehow I managed to read The Hobbit in its entirety and Sarah got over 100 pages into The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring.  Actually, I guess she didn't veg' out all that much because this is a whole new level of reading for her.  Tolkein wrote a little more heady stuff than most children's authors of today so she is using lots of brain power to read it!  She has decided she wants to watch the movies.  I have always told her that she has to read the books before she can watch the movies so she dug in.  She needed a little encouragement through the first two chapters (and we are talking long chapters, she is used to 8-10 page chapters, not 18-30 page chapters!) but once the story grabbed her she started chugging along.  It looks like we will have to find a 3 hour block to watch the first movie this weekend!

Enjoy you day and remember to "live upright in this upside down world!"

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• May. 31, 2008
Musical Weekend

Well, after 5 months of hard work the big weekend is finally here.  I am currently sitting in a local bread shop trying to regroup after a night of very little sleep before our final practice. 

The children's choir musical is Sunday night.  The kids have worked long and hard and despite many nights when I thought we wouldn't all make it to this day alive, here we are!

I am so excited to see it finally come to fruition!  There is this excitement  at the beginning when you first find the music and it has the perfect combination of fun and a great message.  Then comes the work...and you begin to forget what a great program it is.  Now that the time has finally come I am so happy that others are finally going to get to see and hear the words to the wonderful songs the kids will be singing!

Then of course there is the parental pride issue!   Sarah is making her big debut this time.  She of course has participated in our musicals in the past but this time she has a major role and several solos!  Needless to say we are really excited about that!

Well, I am beginning to wake up now so I had better seize the moment and go set up our practice.

Enjoy your weekend!

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• May. 17, 2008
OUCH!!!!!!!

You know it is never a good sign when your child runs into the house past you yelling, "Mom!  I fell face first on the concrete!"  Sarah was riding her scooter this evening and managed to fall on her face, literally.  Not a scratch or bruise anywhere else.  Here is a picture.

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• May. 16, 2008
Little Critters

Ah, spring has sprung, finally!  And with spring comes critters.  Now I am not talking bugs but slightly larger critters and my daughters desire to care for them.  So, when she found a turtle in the middle of the road that only had 3 legs and 1 stump out came the aquarium and in went the turtle.  We think it is probably best for creatures to stay where God put them so we only had the turtle for a few days and then put it right back where we found it but it was fun while it lasted.  We named it 'Gimpy'.  We had never watched a turtle eat before.  It was a noisy salad eater!  Here are a couple pictures.

And digging in the garden she found a ring neck snake.  Needless to say this one did not stay in the aquarium any longer than it took to get the pictures.

Our home is now critter free again!  Till the next sunny day...

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 25, 2008
Art Contest and Basketball Finale!

What a fun year for Sarah!  Basketball season is finally over and it was a great season.  Sarah's team won all but their very first game!  The last game was a great back and forth battle but they ended up winning by 10 points.  It was a lot of fun.

Tonight was the annual art contest.  The competition was pretty tough this year.  Sarah entered two paintings, "Crocuses" and "Stormy Sky".  Her "Crocuses" painting won the children's choice award.  We were very proud.  She has really advanced in her painting skills.  Hopefully I will have pictures up in the next few days.  My camera is broken so I have to wait to get pictures elsewhere.

It has been a fun time of activity in our home but I am glad to see the schedule start to slow down.  (Maybe I will have more time to blog!)

Shannon

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 3, 2008
Basketball 3

Well, the 6th game of the season and our 5th win in a row!  The Lady Sting are on a roll!

This week the score was 42-16 and the girls played so well.  Their coach worked hard to get them to play as a team.  He wouldn't let them shoot a basket this week unless the ball had been passed at least 2 times.  It is so much fun to watch them progress in their ability.

Only 2 more games to go of the season.  Go Lady Sting!!

Shannon

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Feb. 25, 2008
Bible Quizzing and Basketball

Wow, what a long day we had Saturday!  But it was a good day!

We started by leaving our house at 6:45 am.   Now, I realize that for some of you that is no big deal, but around our house the only one who ever gets up that early is my husband so this was a big deal for us.  We met up with our group and travelled to AWANA Bible Quizzing.  It started at 8:30 in the morning.  Sarah quizzed in the third T&T book and her team took 2nd place!  (Of course 2nd place is never good enough, I wish you could have seen their faces when they knew they had either 2nd or 1st place.  When they announced them in 2nd their faces were sort of half smiles like, 'yeah that's good, man we really wanted 1st'!)  But we were proud of them.  They did an excellent job.

Sarah also had a basketball game at 5:15 pm.  They ended up winning again 32-24, but boy were they tired.  Sarah got pretty banged up this time.  She got knocked down in practice, knocked down again during the game and got her foot stepped on a few times.  But she played through the pain and was able to contribute. 

Needless to say she fell asleep in the car on the way home and again in the recliner.  We thought we were going to have to carry her to bed!  But we have all recovered our sleep deprivation now and we are looking back on a very fulfilling weekend.

Shannon

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)