It takes a village to raise a child? I've seen this village and I DO not want it raising my child.
Whenever I've read people's reasons for homeschooling I always would read these stories of young school aged children being abused at school. The stories would anger me and I always said if I saw these things happening to my child I would take action and probably home school.
I have blogged about this 'friend' of my son's before. I know I can be an overprotective parent and I don't think that's a bad thing. I didn't want to over react to a few incidents, I believe in second chances, I know they are boys with energy and we all know boys do stupid things sometimes. I made the decision to keep abreast of their relationship and I asked Noah about it from time to time.
Yesterday my son came home from school with a big scratch starting just below his eye to just above his mouth. He told me his friend Carson did it. He said Carson thought he tripped a friend of his, which Noah denies, and Carson came up, grabbed him around the waist and used a sharp rock to scratch him.
Through more conversations with Noah yesterday he told me all these stories of how he gets tackled by this boy, how this boy is almost controlling him at recess. We are meeting with the principal today to talk about it.
I go through these arguments in my head. Should I pull him and home school him. I want him to learn how to handle conflict. He's not mature enough to handle this conflict, he needs our help and protection. On and on it goes....
I want to give the school a chance to handle it, Noah enjoys his other classmates, and there is only 3 months left. He is already so lonely and bored in this town that I don't want to uproot him. Any words of advice from my friends??

Rootbeer floats/Power outages/Blizzard of 2010

Noah came home from school and said he wanted to make rootbeer floats for dessert tonight. So being the good mommy I am I bought the delicious ingredients and we went at if after Shabbat supper on Friday night.



Too bad daddy was working because they were foamy and delicious. I even spooned some of the foam and gave it to Samara. I suppose the fact that she clapped and kept opening her mouth for more indicated she too enjoyed the frothy goodness.



This brought back memories for me of being a kid and making these yummy floats. It was nice to share it with my kids.



It started on Friday night and didn't stop until Monday afternoon. The blizzard of 2010 hit and hit hard. Due to the gusting winds and cold temps my kids were pretty much trapped in the house for 3 days. They were going crazy and taking me along for the ride. Saturday night I decided enough is enough, we were going to McD's playland for a treat and to burn off all the energy.
Because of the weather we were the only ones in the restaurant. The kids were having a great time until the lights in the city went out. I was a bit nervous being in the restaurant alone with the kids, thank goodness I had my cell phone, I used it for light so we could gather our things and leave.
Well when the power goes out, out goes the furnace. It was chilly when we got home. Jay had candles going and blankets ready. Thankfully it only lasted about an hour. Unfortunately it happened again the next night.
As you can imagine will all the snow came tons of shoveling and snow fort building.



Can you believe we were grilling a few weeks ago, barely any snow. I was taking the baby out for walks in a sweater. Today I can barely open my door without snow drifts filling my boots. The kids are loving it though, and if it gets them outside and playing I suppose I can't help but love it too!

Spring 2010

" I hate going to school, it's so boring, all we do is sit in our desks, I'm not going."
Those are the words that come out of my 8 year olds mouth almost every morning. These words are followed by tears, and frustration. I, in turn get frustrated because I have to convince, motivate and then threaten, this child to get going so we won't be late. It's not a pretty picture most mornings...
This past year at school has been a rough one. I have received many calls from school about his behavior, he's been disruptive, he's been teasing some of the kids, and he can't seem to sit still.
No one wants to receive these kind of phone calls. I have reminded him almost every morning I drop him off at school to be kind, listen to the teachers, and it seems it's fallen on deaf ears.
After one of the phone calls from school regarding an incident on the playground I tried again to talk to him about what was going on. He said he is tired of always being the one to get into trouble. He again stated that he is very bored at school. I asked him what he was learning in math, he said counting by 2's and 5's. He said mom you know I learned that in Montessori years ago, he then went on to tell me it's too easy and you know I don't like things that are too easy.
At the parent teacher interview I was asked what I thought of his report card, I told then I was a bit disappointed because I know that Noah can do better. The teacher went on to tell me that at this point in the school year all the kids in the class get the exact same grading! WHAT?!?!
Noah was enrolled in Montessori for about 3 years before attending public school. He loved it there. The ability to focus and work on what interested him. To freely move about the classroom, to work with whatever friend he wished, tons of manipulative's to encourage learning. He had glowing progress reports and seemed very content.
I am very concerned about him. I don't tolerate bad behavior, nor am I trying to excuse it away by saying that he is bored. Acting respectfully, being kind, in my mind isn't an option. He is only 8 years old, and maybe he can't really put words to how he's feeling.... Oh, I don't know....

A little background:

My husband was one of those who excelled at school, he too struggled with boredom at school. I have heard countless stories from my mother -in law about how she had to make countless trips to the Principal's office to hear how Jay was acting up at school, tripping kids as they walked by his desk, etc.
It wasn't until one teacher pulled him out of class, put a camera in his hands that his behavior started changing. The school made a developing room for him, taught him how to use the chemicals and he started developing his own photo's.

Anyway through all this jumbled rambling what I am trying to say is we are looking at alternatives forms of education for our kids. Homeschooling has come up many a time and I think we will go ahead with it right after the move this spring. I feel a level of excitement and a level of dread all at the same time. I really believe in homeschooling and all the benefits it has. I have found great curriculum's that involve lot's of projects and hands on materials.
The city we are looking at moving to has a strong homeschooling community. The local university has afternoon science clubs just for homeschoolers and many of the parents have get together's for their kids.
We have informed the children about this, Noah especially is so excited.
I received another phone call from the school the other week. His teacher was calling to inform me that Noah is doing so much better. I told her some things we were doing at home to help keep him stimulated and busy. She then went on to tell me about a conversation she had with Noah a few weeks ago. She said he told her he was afraid of moving, and he felt nervous. She then said she asked him again the other day how he was feeling about the move and this time he told her he was really excited because he was going to be homeschooled.
That made me feel really good. I know there will be good days, bad days and lots of growing pains, but I feel it's a gift that I can give to them.

Where has my baby gone???

It feels like it's gone by in the blink of an eye. She is no longer that curled up little newborn with the bobbing head who slept 15 hours a day. Now my little girl likes to be free to crawl around the room, pulls herself up to standing position. I see her flirty smile come across her face when her daddy or brothers come into the room. She is clapping her hands, she sings, she babbles and she melts my heart hourly.
I get a few glimpses of that tiny baby when I am about to lay her down for her nap, she snuggles in and starts sucking on her lips.........so sweet! These past 8 months have flown by but I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Funny Friday

Jacob came up to me and hugged me the other day, he then grabbed my tummy and said, " oh, I love this belly, it's so scrumptious, it reminds me of play dough." What can I say....???

Jacob

Today my littlest man is 6 years old. It's hard to believe it's been 6 years already. When I look at Jacob I now know what sweetness looks like in the flesh. My little boy, who really isn't so little anymore, has a heart that loves and accepts people just as they are. He loves doing things for the people he loves. If daddy has a headache Jacob gets a cold cloth and turns all the lights off so daddy will feel better. When I was pregnant with Samara he would massage my back and help me put my socks and shoes on. He offers to change Samara's diaper and does all he can to make her laugh. His older brother means the world to him, even when they fight he is so concerned that Noah and him make peace before bed and he drinks in any affection his brother will throw his way.He is a sensitive boy who thinks deep thoughts and has lots of questions about this world and why things happen.
Jacob loves with his whole heart and because he loves like this he also gets hurt very easily. He is a shy boy until you get to know him then his crazy, wacky, loving personality shines and he is a people magnet. This is a little boy who enjoys being silly and making people laugh. He strives for peace in a sometime chaotic house. His laughter fills our house on a daily basis, he is quick to forgive, quick to give hugs and kisses and always ready to tell you he loves you. This little boy stole my heart 6 years ago and he is treasured beyond words.
My biggest wish for him is that he continues to be his sweet little self. That the tenderness that is in his heart towards his family, friends and God will grow and mature. I also pray for wisdom for him as he navigates his way through this world, that he would be protected, guided and inspired to reach his full potential.
I love my Jacob. Happy Birthday to the sweetest 6 year old I know!

Boys will be boys...

They had been sitting in the house most of the day, glued to the T.V. Rain was the excuse of the day as to why they couldn't go outside and play. I went along with their reasoning, for a while, but the onslaught of " He kicked me!" , " I didn't mean to hit him, my fist accidentally connected with his face." I couldn't take it any longer so I gave them a choice either get your tiny butts outside or go lay on your beds in total silence. To my shock and disbelief (not really) they opted to go outside. Finally some peace and quiet, a good time to check my email/facebook etc...
A few minutes turned into about 20 minutes, no one had come in complaining of being teased or physically harmed so I thought I should go check on them. This is what I found...

Someone's Growing Up!

I can honestly say I have had this same fight for the past 4 years. It's the odd morning when my 7 year old son will get out of bed, on time, put a smile on his face and get ready with no trouble.
We have had all out yelling wars in the morning trying to get this boy from his warm bed to school on time. I have gone in with the best of intentions, put a sing-songy voice on, gave him multiple reminders that it's time to arise and start the day. It's not long, say after 10 reminders, that my patience is at a low as I see the clock continuing to move ahead and my lazy son is still trying to get out of bed.
I have grounded him, taken away favorite toys, nothing really seems to work, or work for long anyway until we are back to square one.
Since our daughter has been born my husband has taken on the glorious role of getting our son out of bed in the morning. For a while, due to the novelty, he would get out of bed no problem making me think he reserves his truly wonderful behavior for yours truly. I would be drowsy in bed, from an eventful night of breastfeeding, listening to the happy voices of my kids and husband getting the day started. Well, at least I am getting a sleep in, I think to myself.
One morning I am awakened to the impatient voice of my husband once again telling our son to get a move on. This morning the voices aren't too happy, a little smile comes across my face thinking to myself now he knows what my mornings have been like for too many years.
Later that day when my son returns from school my husband informs him there are going to be some changes around here. He then informs him, and me for that matter, that an alarm is going to be set in the boys room. It is going to be our sons responsibility to get up, dress himself, brush his teeth all before 7:45am. If this isn't done on time he will be grounded after school from playtime with his pals. After his teeth are brushed he is to get his dad up to make him breakfast.
Well, let's just say I had my doubts.
Our boy has been doing this for about a week now and he is doing great. I heard him this morning, as the whole house was asleep, he turned off the alarm, got himself dressed, teeth brushed and went and woke daddy up to make him breakfast.
I'm proud of the boy and grateful to my husband for pushing him to grow up a bit and get some things done himself.

I'm Frustrated....

I blog for many reasons, I like that it records the daily going on's in our family, it's great for looking back on memories, and I enjoy expressing myself this way. Today is about expressing frustration... My oldest son is in grade 1 public school. Each and everyday he comes home I search through his bag to get his schedule book. The teacher and I use this book to communicate, if I have a question I write it down in this book and if my oldest son has achieved something great in school or got himself into mischief she tells me through this book. You get the drift, right?
This past Friday I came across a insert stating that my son had climbed a fence and because this was against school policy he will be missing a week's worth of recesses. That is 15 recesses in one week. Now I am not one of those mom's who thinks her son does no wrong, trust me I am all for punishments that fit the crime, but this one has me scratching my head.
I am trying to remain objective but the more I think about it the more I get frustrated and upset. I believe all kids, especially boys, need physical activity, once all that energy is drained they are better equipped to sit and listen, to be calm because all the ants in their pants are gone. Part of me wonders if this punishment is going to make the week harder on him because he won't have fresh air all day, no running and shouting, it really bothers me. What bothers me more is they didn't discuss with me, his mother, if this type of punishment is alright. Frankly it isn't..... okay I am getting all riled up again.:O) Breathe Jody!!
So tomorrow I will be chatting with his teacher and expressing my thoughts towards this punishment. I guess we'll see what happens. It's days like this I wish homeschooling had worked better for us. (sigh)

Who Knew.....

I went to the hospital the other day to pre-register for my upcoming stay. I was given a tour of the mother's ward, looked in on rooms and had some questions answered. Upon leaving the nurse handed me a booklet on what to expect with my hopsital stay, and some other reading on what to expect with a new born, etc... it was a great review.
I came across one subject that I found quite interesting. It mentioned that after the baby is born it is important to hold the baby, skin to skin, against your chest so bonding can take place - I agree with that and did that with my two boys. The one thing I read, which I have NEVER heard before is that they believe it very important to leave the baby unbathed until breastfeeding has been established. WHY?? , WHAT?? I could see doing the inital feeding, but after that my boys were always bathed and then handed back to me. I decided to look around on the web about this and came across an article by some OB's stating that vernix helps ward off infection and protects the babies skin from the elements. They stated not to wash it off but better yet rub it into the baby and refrain from bathing for a few days.
Who knew? I mean honestly I thought that vernix was there to protect them while in the womb, but wouldn't you know God, in all his wisdom, had multiple uses for that protective coating.... makes me shake my head and smile. Needless to say I won't insist on a bath for her for a few days.

I want to get away, I wanna fly away.....

We decided to treat ourselves this past winter. No, no fancy trips to an exotic, foreign, WARM climate, not this year. We decided to pack up the munchkins and head west a few hours to a city that actually has something to do on cold winter days.
I booked us in at a kid friendly hotel, we were lucky enough to get the Spider man theme room which rocked my boys world. Our hotel had water slides, X-box, and free breakfast the next morning. What more could we ask for?? As for me I went for the Super Walmart, yes small things amuse me, but when your from a "city" (and I use the word generously) where NOTHING is going on or open past 8pm a Super Walmart is the bomb.
So we packed up our mini van, decluttered it before hand, installed the portable DVD players, had everyone buckled in, coffee's in their trays when it happened. My battery was D.E.A.D. (AUGH!!-stupid van) So after a lot of grumbling and complaining we unloaded the cargo and reloaded it into my hubby's truck. I believe it is fair to say at this point we are stressed out, the kids are at each other, and our coffee's are cold. (blah)
So we stop by Tim Horton's (a local coffee place) get two large Cafe Mocha's to go and we hit the road. Here is a picture of my little guys, all grins because we are finally on our way.





Despite a rocky start we had a great weekend. The kids went water sliding with their dad while I took pictures and tried to stay dry. We played X-box, ate take out, broke up two fighting kids... ah yes, not terribly relaxing for us parents, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery.
Here are some more pics of my boys enjoying their weekend in what they refered to as the "Greatest days EVER!!"

"Lost Adventures of Childhood" - presented by W5

Unfortunately I wasn't able to remember that this documentary was being broadcast on a particular night because I really wanted to view it. I went to W5's web site and read a bit of a summary of the show and saw tidbits of it on the nightly news. The show focuses on today's children, the over scheduling, the technology driven society that is being created, and at what expense.
This is a topic so close to my heart because I see a problem happening with today's kids and mine aren't exempt. I don't over schedule my boys and maybe if I wasn't feeling like a beached whale about to give birth, maybe I would have. My kids are involved in something twice a week and that is plenty for both them and us. My problem is the technology side of things. T.V, Nintendo, Wii.... yes it's sad, and I really felt like we tried as parents to fight it, but we caved and most days regret it.
Balance is the key, I know it, we all know it, but some days when you feel too tired to come up with wonderful and exciting ideas to satisfy all the, "Mom, I bored", demands T.V and Nintendo don't seem too harmful. I need more balance and more energy and I know once this little princess makes her debut things will go back to normal. (at least they better)
Today we had a warm, wonderful wet spring day. So warm in fact my youngest was outside wearing flip flops and shorts. My oldest son and his friend came home after school and made a bee line for his room to play Nintendo. The first beautiful day of Spring and these little rug rats want to stay inside... NO WAY! I told them all to go outside and figure out something to do. Within minutes a football was being thrown around, mud puddles were being splashed in and my heart swelled. This is what kids are supposed to do. Go get wet, fall in the lake situated in the middle of the driveway, just go do something physical!!
We all remember "back in our day" how we used to play. Leaving the house, bike riding all day, back by nightfall. At least that is how I grew up ,and mind you it was in a small town, but I think it's fair to say we all experienced a great deal more freedom then our kids do today.
Another point made in this documentary was how today's parents are "marinating in fear" due to school shootings, abductions, pedophiles, etc. They stated the scheduled play dates, kids having to carry GPS systems with them, or cell phones so parents can contact them whenever needed, are hindering their development. My response to that is what are we supposed to do??? These fears are real, they are apart of today's sick, twisted world and most of us would rather err on the side of caution then to have something happen.
Being a parent is like wearing your heart outside your body. You are vulnerable in a way that you weren't before you had kids. So how do we give our kids the chance to be free without potentially costing them their safety and our peace of mind? I'm still trying to figure that one out.
I have talked to many of my friends, friends whose kids are in their teens to friends who have toddlers at home and the common thread is we all want better for our kids then what the status quo is. I suppose answers will be come as problems present themselves and maybe that is all we can hope for. To meet each challenge head on and do our best to guide these little treasures until they can properly decide for themselves.

I'd do anything for these rug rats...

Interview With My Boys

This is an interview with my boys. I got the idea from a fellow bloggers site and thought it seemed interesting. I interviewed them separately so I could get their answers without the other's influence. Here goes..


Big Son

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOM ALWAYS SAYS TO YOU?
- I Love you

WHAT MAKES MOM HAPPY?
- being good

WHAT MAKES MOM SAD?
- being bad

HOW DOES MOM MAKE YOU LAUGH?
- kisses me

WHAT WAS YOUR MOM LIKE AS A KID?
- like me, we were both kids.

HOW OLD IS YOUR MOM?
- 34

WHAT IS YOUR MOM'S FAVORITE THING TO DO?
- go to restaurants

WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO WHEN YOUR NOT AROUND?
- do laundry
(that's me the laundry lady)

IF YOUR MOM BECAME FAMOUS WHAT WOULD IT BE FOR?
- making a cartoon
( huh??)

WHAT IS YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT?
- loving us
(my sweet boy)

WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO FOR A JOB?
- housework

WHAT IS YOUR MOM'S FAVORITE FOOD?
- fish

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR MOM?
- when she does everything I say
(you wish buster..)

IF MOM WERE A CARTOON WHO WOULD SHE BE?
- Fred Flintstone
(thanks buddy...NOT)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WITH MOM?
- We play mini golf

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM THE SAME?
- we both do chores

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT?
- by our age

HOW DO YOU KNOW MOMMY LOVES YOU?
- she tells me all the time

WHAT DOES YOUR MOMMY LIKE ABOUT YOUR DADDY?
- she likes kissing him
(ain't that the truth..)

WHAT DO MOMMY AND DADDY LIKE TO DO TOGETHER?
- go to Chinese restaurants

WHERE IS MOMMY'S FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?
- Boston Pizza's
(I am noticing a theme here, we do do more than eat)


Little J

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOM ALWAYS SAYS TO YOU?
- clean your room

WHAT MAKES MOMMY HAPPY?
- If I clean my room

WHAT MAKES MOMMY SAD?
- I don't know

HOW DOES MOM MAKE YOU LAUGH?
- I don't know
(ouch.. that hurts)

WHAT WAS MOMMY LIKE AS A CHILD?
- I don't know that either.
(your killing me here kid)

HOW OLD IS YOUR MOMMY?
- 24
(ok, that's better)

WHAT IS YOUR MOM'S FAVORITE THING TO DO?
- watch T.V

WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO WHEN YOUR NOT AROUND?
- watches T.V by herself
(man I sound pathetic..nice image to leave with my kids.)

IF YOUR MOM BECAME FAMOUS WHAT WOULD IT BE FOR?
- you'd get penny's and make them into gold.

WHAT IS YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT?
- playing games with me.

WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO FOR A JOB?
- keeping the baby healthy by eating healthy foods.

WHAT IS YOUR MOM'S FAVORITE FOOD?
- Rice, chicken, cooked carrots and peas, and that's it.

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR MOM?
- that she is almost done being pregnant.

IF YOUR MOM WERE A CARTOON CHARACTER WHO WOULD SHE BE?
- Sponge Bob.

WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR MOM DO TOGETHER?
- cook and mini golf.

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM THE SAME?
- we have the same skin color.

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR MOM DIFFERENT?
- your a girl, I'm a boy.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR MOMMY LOVES YOU?
- because she's my mommy.

WHAT DOES YOUR MOMMY LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR DADDY?
- that she's married to him

WHAT DO YOUR MOM AND DAD LIKE DOING TOGETHER?
- to play kissing games at night.

WHERE IS YOUR MOM'S FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?
- Medicine Hat, AB
(um.. ok)

Art Appreciation

My husband loves classical music. He especially loves Opera. Usually after a long, stressful day he will take some time to sit, be quiet and listen to some of his favorite artists. Now this is something I have grown to enjoy over time, and there has been many a night that I have fallen asleep to Pavarotti playing lightly, there is nothing more relaxing.
We have wanted to instill a love for the arts into our children. While surfing on youtube the other day my husband found a little piece that captivated our youngest boy.
Hope you enjoy it...

My crazy kid

It is almost a nightly routine for us, my oldest comes out of his room complaining he can't sleep. We usually allow him some quiet time in his room to calm his thoughts and settle down. On this particular night as he was in his room having some quiet time I slowly opened the door and this is what I came across.




Noah has this thing about standing on his head, as you can see :O)
A priceless moment!