Halloween move over, it's the Holiday Season

We couldn't have asked for better weather for trick-n-treat night, it was a mild fall night. The kids changed three times because they couldn't decide what they wanted to be....I'm really thankful that we have a handful of costumes aka "pretend dress up play" that we didn't need to buy any costumes this year. I was in the midst of making my sweet pea's costume (she wanted to be a peacock), but towards the middle of the month she decided she was just going to wear one of the "princess dresses" and my little man had already said he was going to be a superhero. ***Tip**** when the store costumes go on clearance, we typically buy one for each of the kids and either save it for Christmas or their birthday - they love playing dress up year round and they love getting stuff like that when they don't expect it.

Anyway, the kids had a great time, we only hit two streets. On one of the very last houses, I see this man hunched over in a lawn chair holding a candy bowl, I immediately knew what was going to happen, but before I could say a "peep" the kiddies ran over and thankfully he took it easy on them and only said "boo!"
They sure got a fright, but laughed so loud as the kids were leaving they shouted, "thank you scary man!" And really they don't see that - out of most of the homes giving candy out, maybe two or three were decorated or people in costume and it definitely could be that we happen to live in a neighborhood with more older residents than younger, but I remember growing up all the homes were decked out with scary decor and there were some I wouldn't even approach because I didn't want to get scared.
The kids ended the night only eating two pieces of candy and we had a great time with friends that joined us....it was a fun filled evening.
So, today after we hit the science center we quickly ran to the store and sure enough all the Christmas decor was out. My sweet pea looked at me and said, "when is Christmas, is it next week?"
Well not exactly! Do stores think the sooner they get the stuff out, the more things people will buy? If most are like me, by the time Christmas actually arrives, you are burned out from hearing the music and seeing all the holiday stuff that you want to hide.
I don't look forward to the holiday season in the slightest bit....I do think it is getting better now that we have children and children always think that season is a magical time, so I do find it getting better, but it's hard because we can't seem to make everyone happy, but besides running away for the holidays, I did bring it up with my husband as to what the plans were, which he said he wants to stay home again, so I think that is what we will be doing.
I did find some really great ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I'm hoping that I will have some spare time to work on these projects before the holidays.
One for Thanksgiving is making outlines of leaves and cutting them out - have the kids decorate them and then write one question on each leaf...such as "What are you grateful for, Which season do you appreciate the most, Is there someone at the table you have a reason to be thankful for, Is there someone not at the table you have a reason to be thankful for, and How do you show your thanks (gratitude)....."
So afterwards, you put the leaves in a bowl or jar and at dinner time, pass the jar around the table and each person takes a question and you answer the question. I know my kids will love this, they love when we ask questions at dinner time, so I knew when I saw this idea that it was something I'd love to do.
Last year, I had a jar and during the month of November we would write down things we were grateful for and on Thanksgiving morning, we read them.
The kids loved it so much, that afterwards the kids decorated a jar and turned into a thank you/wish jar - so we would write down things we were thankful for the day or a wish. My little man of course is just beginning to write out letters and such, but he would sit at the table and draw a line and tell me what he was writing. I think what they enjoy the most is looking back and reading what they write and of course when I get to the "lines," I simply interpret and then ask my son "is that what it says?" to which he will either say I'm wrong or right.
I also got some great DIY gift ideas that I'm excited to try out. And one of my goals this holiday season is to host a cookie exchange, I wanted to last year, but didn't get around to it, so I'm hoping this year to do it...so we will see how that goes.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!!!!

"Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight, make me a child again just for to-night!" - ~Elizabeth Akers Allen

Book Challenge Update....

Well we have hit day 60 and we have been in super charge mode and are up to 75 books...so 25 books left in 40 days....I think we can do it!!!! The kids were so excited to hear what we hit and I told them that as long as we hit that challenge, we will have a "shopping" spree (up to two books) to the bookstore.
I've order some books already for Christmas and have a couple more that I want to order via the kid's scholastic book order, but these are books that I pretty much pick out that I want the kids to learn, such as I'm ordering a Hanukkah book, a book about the meaning of "Christmas," and then there is a book about what's in my body and I also am ordering "The Story of Ferdinand" I loved that story growing up.
So when we go to the bookstore, they get to pick out any book, which I'm sure one will be on superheros and the other on princesses....oh the life of a child!
Once we are done, I'll take a photo of all the books we've read to get a visual...so far it's been hard seeing all these books laying around.

"He liked to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.” from Ferdinand the Bull

A Wasted Vote.....

I think not....the elections are drawing near and so you see all the negative ads and why the Democrats are better or why the Republicans are better, but neither is really addressing the issues or taking responsibility for their outcomes, especially if it is an unfavorable one.
You hear excuses like, "well I could have done it better had (insert political party) not stomped it" or "don't let (insert political party) in because they will destroy everything we've built, etc...etc...
I'm tired of hearing it, I'm tired of seeing it, I'm tired of it all. I hate discussing politics or religion with most people because what I have found is that it is usually the people who say they are "liberal" or "atheist" that will be the first to tune you out at the first signs of disagreement. I'm quiet and I don't make a lot of noise with my views, unless specifically asked, but I've observed this first hand and on more than one occasion. I'm neither Republic and I'm neither Democrat and therefore I stand behind those I believe will run the county, state, or federal government the best way while upholding the Constitution.
I'm open to listening to different views, hell, when different religious groups come knocking on our door, we don't slam the door. I listen to what people have to say because you never know when that will lead to something different or open your eyes and for that matter, change someone else because of the courtesy you have shown them by listening and they listening to you.
My ballot will cross party lines based on who I believe is going to do the best job based on what I've seen, read, and heard from sources other than mainstream media. I will be supporting Johnathon Narcisse for Governor because what he stands for aligns more closely to what I would like to see in this state. Will he win? Of course not, but I hope that he will get enough votes to shake things up and to get the attention that the people are tired of the same bucket of crap. Change starts at the bottom up and if the people don't demand change, then nothing will change. Is it so shocking that he wants to empower parents with regards to education choices or that it's blasphemy that welfare recipients should work (via community service or other) and get drug tested!!
So, I'm going to step outside of the box and vote for who I want, not who the lesser of the two evils are....

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein

"THE THOUGHT--To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony." - William Henry Channing

Happy Anniversary

My parents celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary today! Congrats to them - wow - it seems like such a long time and it is!
My parents are an example of two people who despite having challenges, disagreements, fights and all that comes with marrying a man in the military; they have learned to work through those to build a relationship that can survive those hard times. The have fostered a relationship of love, compromise, laughter, and happiness.
I've seen the fights, but I've also seen the love and it's those that I take away from -that makes me want a relationship that can stand up to life's challenges and know that I won't walk away alone, but rather I'll walk away with my partner hand in hand.
So, I work hard at being a wife and proud to say that...too often I see other woman treat strangers better than they treat their own spouse (and it goes both ways men) and that is sad. I try to tell my husband that I love him everyday, I put him up on a pedestal to let him know how much I appreciate him. So what do I get in return, someone who loves me and tells me so everyday.
Now, granted neither of us is perfect and we all make mistakes and we have problems like any other couple, but what we have learned and try to do is to work together. Marriage is compromise and when there is no balance and one is constantly taking, it puts strain on the relationship.
So, will I be one to celebrate 33 years of marriage with my hubby? Well, I hope so, but I like to focus on the present and we are together today and that is all that matters!

Happy Anniversary MUM and DAD!!!! Love you much!!!! Here's to all those who've found their "one"

“I don't wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone." - Javan

Funeral, Family, and Life.....

As I posted earlier, my great aunt passed away....she lived a full life and will be missed dearly. Her funeral was today and the service was nice, the priest kept calling her Mary, I couldn't tell if it was his accent in trying to pronounce Marilyn, but towards the end, it got better or I just heard it as it was...And as I imagine, the service was exactly how she would have liked it to be. The weather was perfect, the light from the sun cascaded on the multicolored window shooting specks of color in small areas of the church. As we gathered in the church, I would occasionally look around the room and realize that the death of one not only serves as a reminder of your own mortality, but also of those who are close to you.
I squeezed my little ones and the hugs you give are a little stronger and last a little longer. And your words are softer and kind. Life is unexpected and can't be predicted...and the moment you think you have it figured out, something happens.
Of course my children asked me questions, why did Aunt Marilyn die? Why were we at church? And why did they put her in the ground when heaven is in the stars?
And I answered as best as I could...family ties are strange in a way, our ancestors is what binds otherwise strangers together, it's the blood...the commonality of what runs through us.
And as I reflected on the dynamics of the family and how crazy all of us can be, it's a group of people I love and have wonderful memories.
Sitting in the back of my mind, is the little thought that things should be better than what has been going on....I have said that I can't force relationships and I want people in my life who want to be there - who shares the ups and the downs and the crazy inbetweens...that is what makes you stronger and binds you closer together. Granted some relationships can't be healed or fixed, but all I can do is put myself out there one final time....if it bites me in the butt well at least I did what I could and there is no shame in that.

"We seem to be going through a period of nostalgia, and everyone seems to think yesterday was better than today. I don't think it was, and I would advise you not to wait ten years before admitting today was great. If you're hung up on nostalgia, pretend today is yesterday and just go out and have one hell of a time." - Art Buchwald

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Update: I did reach out and put myself out there, just saying that I think we should sit down and move past all the drama, how we were both guilty of acting in inappropriate ways, but at this point, not interested in discussing anything, moving past this yes. I can't force anything and I won't - I don't know how to move past anything if we don't discuss the issues we have, so if the time comes when and if she is ready to move forward and actually discuss things, I will be there.

Early Education forum

I received an email yesterday inviting me to attend an early education forum at the school...I think early education is important, so I went. The First Lady and Governor were there and it was the first of their "Milk Party" campaigns - it was not so much a forum, but a chance to tell us how grateful we should be for the current preschool grants and that if his opponent gets in office, the preschool grant will end.
Considering myself an independent and really not liking either of our candidates, I hate when politicians bash the other opponent, to me it comes off as tacky. I understand that the election is close, but seriously a forum to me is an exchange of ideas...he took questions/comments from two people in the room. It wasn't a forum and seriously if there weren't a campaign would he even be at the school?
The early education preschool grant for four year olds is a hot topic, some people feel tax money shouldn't be paying for preschool programs, but I think it boils down to how it is presented. First, it is referred to as the Universal Preschool Grant...well how does the state define "universal?" This can mean many things to different people and this is where the issues begin to rise...does universal mean free and available to all, does it mean affordable and available at reduced cost, or does it mean a subsidy or tax-break? And if tax money shouldn't be spend on preschool programs what about the tax dollars that is allocated for high school students to take college courses, you could make the same arguements.
We did get the preschool grant with both our kids, however, I knew nothing about the grant until the school informed us of it and all they said, was fill this form out - it is a first come, first serve basis and how it was explained to us was if your preschooler went 1/2 time then tuition was free, if your preschooler went all-day then you paid 1/2 of the tuition. So I am a supporter of this program, not because my children were able to partake, but because I believe that early education is important, it gives children a boost in their self-confidence, what they are learning, and so much more.
The montessori trainer gave the Governor a book on the Montessori philosophy and studies and mentioned that early education is not just in jeopardy, but that education as a whole and that montessori could answer and fix some of the issues, but no one listens....I hope he reads the book.
Studies show that a montessori education leads to children with better social and academic skills and children who come out of a montessori education are 96% more likely to graduate high school....the wait list at the school is two years. Doesn't that say something...that more and more parents want this type of learning for their children, but again the state isn't listening otherwise if they were, there would be more montessori schools.
My faith in the public school system has dwindled every year and why do I love the montessori philosophy? Because it focuses on the classical view of learning...that people learn from what they are doing...key word....doing.
The official theory of learning that most public education is built upon focuses on memorization, drills, exercises, tests and that you're not learning unless you can be seen working and not to mention that instead of our children learning they come home learning what they are NOT good at...it is a self-esteem breaker.

The montessori school provides opportunities to learn everything that is around the student, my sweet pea can tell you every part of the apple...not because the teacher read a book, but because every student took in an apple and everyday they did something different from washing, to peeling, to cutting, until the last day of the week when they made applesauce. My children love telling me what work they are doing, what they have learned and coming home to show me....that is learning and by starting at a young age it fosters that sense of empowerment and love for learning early on, which I think is important. Is montessori for everyone, probably not, but I think it would be a whole lot better if more schools began practicing under this philosophy.

Okay...off my soapbox for now.....

“Neither comprehension nor learning can take place in an atmosphere of anxiety." - Frank Smith

Day 47 of Book Challenge

Update 10/18/10: Day 53 and we are now on 58 books....not much more to go!!!!

I thought I would update our book challenge....we haven't been good about keeping track on a board, but I have been keeping track myself.
We are on day 47 and we have read as of tonight 41 books....so we have 53 days left to read 59 books....I think we can do it especially if we read four books like we did tonight. My wee man checked out a book from the school library a book we really enjoyed, the message is great and I think I will put this on our wish list of books. The title is "Cat, you better come home" by Garrison Keillor, it was such a fun book and the illustrations are great....my favorite line from the book is "If other cats could only know to hang their hats on the status quo, and make the best of what they've got, And to be who you are and not what you're not." I think it's a subtle, but important message to children.
We also read "Colors, the rainbow of the natural world," "The Great Toy Escape" by Disney, and another recent favorite, "SkippyjonJones," by Judy Schachner. The kids really enjoy SkippyjonJones and it's such a fun book.
What are some of your favorite children's books?

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him." - Maya Angelou