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Bella- “Gillian, who are you voting for?”

Gillian-”That guy, McCain.”

Bella-”Why?”

Gillian- “I want to meet him, he can be my friend.”

Bella-” Aren’t you voting Obama? Cause, Obama will make better schools. Don’t you want better schools?”

Gillian-”Um, I think I will eat lunch”

Bella-”DOn’t you want someone who cares about the poor?”

Gillian-”I’m hungry.”

Mom-”Bell, Gilli can vote for whoever she wants.”

Bella- “But Mom, McCain isn’t very nice.”

Mom-”Well, if Gillian thinks McCain will make a goodfriend, she should vote for him.”

Bella- “But, I think Obama is better.”

This was an actual conversation between my 6.5 yr old and my 4 yr old on our way home from picking up the 4yr old.

I am very proud of my children. I am especially pleased to hear that they are fairly informed for such young children. Bella is quite upset that her sister is voting for the other candidate but at least they can discuss the rational behind their choices.

Tomorrow we will take the entire family out to vote. In a slightly off topic vote- I am a bit concerned with the decision to move our polling location. We recieved the notice last week- I am concerned that many people will be unable to vote becuase they weren’t aware of the change.

Edited to add-After watching a video of Barack Obama- Gillian has changed her vote.

Posted on November 3rd, 2008 by karen
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Isabella continues to have an interest in Laura Ingalls and her series of stories.

We are reading Little House in the Big Woods.

Bella has built several log cabins using lincoln logs. She has dressed as close to a pioneer girl as she could and continues to enjoy making up Laura like stories.

 

Today we learned about churning butter. You can learn about different ways to churn butter at this site.

Here is the recipe we are following:

Churning Butter
Little House Crafts & Activities

Supplies:

• Baby food or mayonaise jar
• whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Choose a day when it is not very hot outside, or do this activity indoors.
2. Working alone or with a friend so your arms do not get tired, put cream into the jar (approx one tablespoon of cream for a small baby food jar).
3. Start shaking! After fifteen to twenty minutes of vigorous shaking, you should have a lump of butter in your jar.
4. Enjoy it on a slice of bread like Laura did.

http://www.laurasprairiehouse.com/crafts/churnbutter.html

 

I also enjoyed reading this page on churning butter.

Bella is expanding her vocabulary. Bella isn’t impressed with the range of meat that the Ingalls ate and has said “gross” as we read about making headcheese and pig tail. I will admit that these do not sound appealing to me either.

We also made soup, a concoction of taters, turkey, broth, carrots and celery. While not a strict pioneer recipe, soup was a mainstay of the time.

We are also making Johnny Cake.

Johnny Cakes
Little House Crafts & Activities

Supplies:

• 1 cup corn meal
• 1 teaspoon raw sugar
• 1 tbsp. salt
• ½ cup water
• 1 lb. of bacon

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the corn meal with the salt and sugar.
2. Add water and mix until you get a nice paste. Form the paste into patties and set aside.
3. Fry bacon. Remove bacon and fry the cakes in the bacon grease until golden brown.
4. Wrap the patties in brown paper and then again in brown wax paper. 

From On the Banks of Plum Creek

http://www.laurasprairiehouse.com/recipes/johnnycakes.html

 

 

 

We are beginning to learn and research.

Here are some links

Laura’s Official Site

PDf site

Another Site   recipes and other fun stuff

And another site

I haven’t reviewed these sites- once I have looked over them with Bella we can add more information.

(While not a fan of worksheets they are sometimes fun- )

 

 

Posted on October 27th, 2008 by karen
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Erin turns one tomorrow at 9:38 p.m. Well, at least I think that is the official time. Maybe Chris knows? See, I was in what many call “labor land” and many details of her birth are fuzzy.

Brief recap… I attended our homeschool groups fall pumpkin day at a local farm (Harvest Hollow). We took a very bumpy hay ride around the corn fields and ponds on Thursday. Friday morning I woke up with my usual “may this be it ot not” contractions. I didn’t get much sleep, so I asked Chris to stay home so I could rest. I fully expected Chris to go in for a half, since false labor had worken me up for weeks. Around 11:30 I thought it wise to take a trip to a pharmacy to pick up last minute supplies. I stopped at Big Lots and ate a huge chocolate bar all by myself, and it was heavenly. I returned home feeling tired and achey.

So fast forward to 5:15ish. I had taken a beautiful bath in candle light and envisioned the birth and was having contractions but nothing that seemed urgent or regular for the last fotry-five minutes. I asked Chris to call my midwife and she arrived around 6. By this time labor was in full swing but I refused to accept it due to the many false starts I had experienced since September. My midwife checked me and I was around a 4, so it was up to me whether she stayed or left. I told her it was o.k. to leave. I was chatting and laughing between contractions and felt fine. She thought it wise ro at least set up her equipment. (smart woman!)

By 7:30 I was beginning to need to concentrate and really focus during contractions. I did get a break in between them, but they were closer together and much stronger. I remember asking to get in the shower, which while it felt good, it wasn’t quite the relief I was hoping for, so I ran a bath. Still, the bath wasn’t quite right either. The water felt good, but it didn’t cover my belly and if anything, it intensified my contractions. My midwife showed me how to moan and roar through the contractions. I remember saying “come out baby, please come out” several times as well as “I can’t do this”. Thankfully my midwife gently but firmly told me I was doing it and recommended I get out of the tub. 

Now, sometime between my taking a shower and before getting in the tub, the girls came into the bathroom and I kissed them goodnight. I am not sure what they were thinking or if they really understood that I was having a baby that night. The girls were very sweet and Chris helped keep them entertained while I was in labor.

As I stood to get out of the tub I could feel the baby moving down. I stepped out and sat on the toilet thinking I needed to go to the bathroom but what I wa really feeling was the pressure of a baby descending. I think I said something about the baby coming. My midwife told me to get off the toilet and try the birth stool but as I went to get up, my water broke and the baby started coming out. The birth stool felt awkward and weird and as I tried to sit, the babies head was coming out, which made sitting awful. I said “something wrong”, which looking back nothing was wrong but sitting on a stool with something coming out of you, sure feels wrong.

So, Chris and my midwife supported me as I stood and pushed my baby out. I don’t remember holding my baby, but I know I was. The baby came so fast, infact, I don’t think I really pushed, she just came out.

The next thing I knew I was being helped to my bed, an umbilical cord between my legs and a wet baby in my arms. *laughs* I wish I could have seen that.

As I lay on the bed, I was in awe- maybe shock is a better word. I kept saying “I did it” over and over. It took several minutes before I could see my babe, really see who had been living inside of me for nine months and I just assumed I would look down and see boy parts, I just knew I was having a boy. Well, no boy parts to be seen, we had a girl. I looked at Chris and asked if we could change the name we had chosen to Erin and our Erin Carly was there as beautiful as anything.

Erin’s year on this earth has transformed our whole family.

Roughly a year later, we returned to Harvest Hollow to pick out our pumpkins.

Frist Birthday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on October 18th, 2008 by karen
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Which would you rather do: Build bridges or put up walls? 

Posted on October 15th, 2008 by karen
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Again, I am happy to share with you the following paragraph from Exchange Everyday.

Teaching Without Hurting
October 10, 2008

A half truth is a whole lie.
Yiddish Proverb

In her new book, Don’t Get Upset! Help Young Children Manage Their Feelings by Understanding Your Own (Redleaf Press), Tamar Jacobson offers this commentary on discipline:

“Children love their mamas and papas. So why do we hurt children to teach them? For example, when they are very young, and they learn to curse by imitating the group of adults they adore, why do we wash their mouths out with soap, put pepper on their tongues, or inflict other such punishment? Why can’t we, instead, hold young children close and seriously, earnestly, tell them that we love them and that when they use those curse words, it makes us all feel unsafe?
Young children need adults for their survival. They need us to approve of a nd love them, to guide them with kindness and compassion so that they will grow to be humane. Thinking of those innocent, trusting, yearning, curious, mischievous, needy eyes, I wonder why we hurt children to teach them.”

 

I had the opportunity to meet Tamar Jacboson over a year ago. I couldn’t agree with the above paragraph more. As a parent, you receive so many conflicting messages, from letting our children cry themeselves to sleep to not cuddling them because we want children to be independent. If your heart is telling you to hold your child close even when the world seems to think rocking a four year old is a bad idea, please continue to do so because in the end, children grow up so quickly and they need the time to just be children.

Thank You Tamar!

Posted on October 11th, 2008 by karen
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On Wednesday, we will join Gillian’s class on a trip to the college lodge. The SUNY Fredonia College of Education Early Childhood Students will lead the class into the woods for a day of hiking and exploring.

We will pack a lunch, Erin’s frame backpack and head out.  Pur camera’s lcd screen is wonky,so I hope to have pictures to show but that may not be the case.

 

Here is the college lodge. I haven’t been to the lodge in many years, well since our Medieval Re-enactment Club days. I don’t believe that club exists anymore.

 

Posted on October 6th, 2008 by karen
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With the election one month away I decided to research the election and children.

We will read: Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type and Duck for President this week. (not related to the election but we are taste testing apples and voting this week, so check back for our results.)

I found one site, but haven’t fully read it, (so enter with caution), that has an interactive site for young children (k-3).

Bella will write about her thoughts on what makes a good president, as well as what she would do as president.

In general, we are talking about facts, opinions and being a person who chooses to stand up for their beliefs. Sounds like thick stuff for a 6.5 year old but not really. At 6.5 Bella already understands that being mean to someone isn’t necessary just because you don’t agree with them. It is sad that many adults still are learning this lesson.

Bella will go with us to vote, I wonder who she will vote for? (as well as Gillian and Erin)

Posted on October 5th, 2008 by karen
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Having three young children means very many things, 1) I can tell you where the cleaner public restrooms are all along route 17/86, 2) I can pick up several large trays of platters, 3 loaves of bread and carry a 20lb child all at the same time and 3) I know where the best playgrounds and parks are in Chautauqua County.

 

Now if you have googled the words restrooms and found this blog, trust me, I have no desire to discuss where to find these restrooms and if you googled how to carry large trays of food while carry a 20lb gorilla, I can probably answer you questions fairly effectively- buy yourself a mei tai and place baby gorilla on your back and away you go. The carrying food part is actually easy once your hands are free. (see this link for what a mei tai is besides a drink) ANd no, I am not referring to my human baby as a gorilla, nor am I calling your gorilla a baby.

Now, if you are looking for a review of local parks and playgrounds and found this blog, you are in the right place. I will attempt to set up a detailed listing of the parks we have visited and a list of the good, bad and just bleh.

 1. Russel Joy Park

Location-

Features- Hiking trails, creek bed, tennis and basketball courts, rental pavilions, picnic tables and some grills, playground for ages 2-10.

The Good- The park is well maintained and free from glass, graffiti and garbage. The playground is relatively new (within 5 years). The trails are well maintained, with new bridges across the creek.

The Bad-  Nothing to report.

The Blech- Nothing to report.

2.Barker Street Playground

Features- Small pavilion, picnic tables and benches, two play structures, basketball court.

The good- The play structures are in good condition, with new swings added in the last two years.

The Bad- There have been broken glass (bottles) and graffiti on the pavilion and play structures.

The Blech-

3. Lambert Street Playground

Features- Small pavilion, sand box, two play structures, swings

The good- well maintained and new equipment added

The bad-

The Blech-

4. Laona Playground

Features- One playstructure, swings

The Good- quiet park

The Bad-

The Blech-

5. Gardener Street

6. Lakeside Park, Mayville New York

Features- two play structures, swings, on Chautauqua Lake

The Good- The playstructure seems to be new, maybe within the last five years. The structure itself was very unique, with many different ways to climb, move and strecth. Fabulous design, especially for the older children.

The Bad-

The Blech-

Just as a note, this park is right on Lake Chautauqua and there isn’t a fence surrounding the playground, so if you have a runner, you may want to either have an extra set of hands available to help or chat with your children about staying in the play strcuture area. The playstructure has a “wall” around the perimeter, but it is more to keep the wood chips in, then to keep kids from escaping.

 

General Safety Notes When Visiting a Playground

1. Walk around the playground to get an idea of the space.

2. Check the area for broken glass or other debris

3. Check the equipment- note any concerns- sharp edges, nails or screws coming out, etc

4. Report any concerns to the local officials (in most cases, the parks and recreation department)

5. Be wary of playstructures where equipment seems to be tightly packed, one on top of each other. There should be what is called a “fall zone”, which is an area from the end of a piece of equipment to the beginning of another.

6.Be concerned if the amount of “pack” under the play structure is thin or you can see ground/dirt. 12-16inches is the recommended pack amount.

Please note- this site/blog is intended as information only, it is not mean’t as professional advice. Also note, I have not reviewed the recommendations that i have made, these are based off of “memory” and will be updated as I review current safety regulations.

Posted on September 26th, 2008 by karen
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According to Wiki-

The Springs
When the city was young in the 1800’s people would come to Saratoga not only for the racing but also for the springs. The natural mineral springs were believed to have healing powers and people would come from all over to drink or bathe in the waters. The Lincoln Baths was one such place people would go to be treated with the waters. The bath house has since been transformed into an office building, but still exists and can be visited to this day. The spa treatments also are being continued in a new bath house in the Spa State Park called the Roosevelt Baths. Springs can be found all over town. Most of the springs are marked by a small covered pavilion with the name of the spring across the top for all to see. Some however are just a spigot in a rock where the water flows out. Many of the springs are famous for their distinct taste. Some taste of regular water and some taste strongly of a certain mineral such as sulfur. Some people even bottle the spring water to take home. The springs give the town character and a history that is very unique.

List of the Springs:

Big Red Spring, Charlie Spring, Columbian Springs, Congress Spring, Deer Park Spring, Empire Spring, Geyser Island Spouter, Geyser Spring, Governor Spring, Hathorn #1, Hathorn #3, Hayes Well Spring, High Rock Spring, Old Iron Spring, Old Red Spring, Orenda Spring and Tufa Deposits, Patterson Springs Peerless Spring, Polaris Spring, and State Seal

We only visited the Geyser Spring and Hayes Well Spring. In the coming weeks, we will begin to explore water more in depth.

I have updated the montage.

My Montage 9/18/08

Posted on September 21st, 2008 by karen
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We are in Saratoga Springs for Chris’s residency. We took a short drive to Saratoga Springs State Park. The girls played in the creek (spring?) and watched water bubble out of the ground. We plan to head back tomorrow.

My Montage 9/18/08

 

While at Bob Evans (still pronounced Bob Mevans, in case you were wondering) Gillian looked over at the table acorss from us and counted- “1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 people at the table”. This is a new development for Gilli!

Erin is saying “what’s that?” and pointing to all kind of things. She can also say- “push” and will poke and push you (not sure where that came from). She continues to adore books and will sit and read her book with you (this is to say that if you decide to read the book to her, she will take away and point to pictures herself).

Isabella is continuing to learn new site words. She is really starting to take off with the whole reading thing (laughs….you’d think I could phrase her reading knowledge, understanding and development better, but eh, it’s been a long day). She is missing some of the daily interactions with other children and her behavior shows it. Unfortunately, we have missed several get togethers due to illness.

I have begun to put together Bella’s first homeschooling quarterly. I have “tested” her math skills and reading, as well as reviewed narratives, anecdotals and other documents. I am very pleased with our documentation and assessment, it is much more indicative of her skills/abilities and we tailor is as needed.

 

Posted on September 18th, 2008 by karen
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