End of the School Year Brain Break
Posted by: Cori on: April 26, 2010
Like most public and private schools, we are wrapping up the school year… and it’s about time. As soon as the temperature begins to rise, Zac’s and Brook’s brains begin to melt. Cabin fever sets in so badly that we often take “unscheduled” days off from book and structured work in favor of outdoor activities and other outings.
We spent the first part of last week camping. The camp ground we stayed at boasted an “Educational Nature Center”. Therefore, I justified our little getaway with the whole “they’ll still be learning” thing. While there were some interesting things on display and some interesting facts to read, it was definitely lacking. Plus, Zac couldn’t have shown any less interest in the whole thing and Brook was a little freaked out by the once-alive-but-now-dead-and-stuffed animals that were on display. We took hikes on two of the days and called them “p.e”. On these hikes we were able to see and identify numerous animal tracks, which enabled us to also refer to it as “animal science”. And of course, all the plants and flowers… botany. What a well rounded educational experience.
But now that our latest outing has come to pass, we must return to our “real” education. I started tonight with Brook when I sliced our pizza (fresh from the oven) and began to ask her, “What fraction is this?”. Her response, “Please Mom, not tonight. It’s bad enough that I’ll be forced to study this stuff tomorrow.” Wow, she loves to learn… just can’t get enough of it.
While Zac’s and Brook’s brains are shutting down for summer vacation, my mind is gearing up for next school year. I’ve got a tentative schedule planned out and have been curriculum shopping. (I don’t buy box curriculum, instead opting for more eclectic, pieced together materials.) My head is full of ideas and possibilities. I plan to blog about my homeschool planning, hopefully including some helpful tips, links, etc. in the weeks to come.
We’re Back!!
Posted by: Cori on: April 15, 2010
Finally, finally, finally. We have internet. It’s satellite, it’s slow, and I hate it… but it’s better than dial-up.
So as I gear up to get back in the swing of blogging, I figured I’d give a run-down of the last 5 months. Here goes:
We moved. It sucked. I’m never moving again.
The holidays came and went. Uneventful… food, family, gifts, etc.
New Year’s came and went. We all stayed home together. Watched movies, played video games, screamed “Happy New Year!!”, then went to bed.
Following the New Year, we got settled in, continued homeschooling, and have adjusted quite nicely.
Brook turned 10. She’s still the same, nothing has changed but her age.
We’re still not completely unpacked and probably won’t be for a very, very long time.
Hmm… That about covers it. Yep.
Finally Moving but No Internet
Posted by: Cori on: November 18, 2009
So we are finally moving. Yes! Hallelujah! However, we do not have internet service at the new house yet. This may be my last post for awhile which totally sucks because I’m actually starting to get readers on this blog… amazing as that sounds. I will post as soon as I’m back online. I’m off to the dark ages, wish me luck.
Life Without Internet Sucks
Posted by: Cori on: November 6, 2009
Halloween, as well as October, has come and gone. We still have not got to move yet. My house is a disaster. I spent the better part of today looking for the packed up bowls and unpacking them… we have to have something to eat our cereal out of.
We had a death in the family and traveled 100 miles one way to attend the funeral. When we returned home, we had no internet! I had called my internet provider a month ago and scheduled the service to be disconnected on November 1st. I forgot to call them and notify them that we hadn’t moved and to please not disconnect us. It was totally my fault but it still took them two days to reconnect us. OMG! Zac and Brook were “Sooo bored!” and spent their days up my butt begging for entertainment. That was the longest two days of my life! But it’s over. Internet connection restored.
Now we are supposed to be closing on Thursday or Friday of next week. However, that is deer hunting weekend and Cray will not be home. So even if we close on our new house we will not be able to move until the following week. We may be all moved in by Thanksgiving… I hope.
Halloween Controversy- Revealing Costumes
Posted by: Cori on: October 29, 2009
This controversy is gaining in popularity each year… particularly with parents of daughters. Now, I will admit that some costumes sold in stores are one inch away from being “For the Bedroom Only”. However, these are adult costumes. These slutty duds are not made for children, so what’s the big fucking deal?!
If you see a costume in a shop that you feel is inappropriate, then don’t buy it! Problem solved.
If Little Sally is attempting to select the Lil’ Bo Peep-Show costume or the Lil’ Red Riding Ho ensemble, tell her “NO!” and move on. Problem solved.
If you absolutely can not find a suitable costume for Little Sally (which I doubt) you can always create a unique and age appropriate costume by combining costumes and/or using what you already have in the closet. Thrift stores are great places for gathering clothing to create a one of a kind costume. Really, how many Hannah Montanas do we really need running from house to house, gathering candy? With a little imagination, ingenuity, and creativity it’s super easy (and cheap) to make your own costume(s).
With other alternatives to “Look Like a Hooker” costumes, I don’t want to hear anymore bitching on this subject.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Jam the Pencil Sharpener
Posted by: Cori on: October 29, 2009
How come Brook cannot sharpen a pencil without breaking the lead and getting it jammed in the sharpener?
So, we have this wonderful pencil sharpener that is like those in school. Since we homeschool, we must have a school-like pencil sharpener mounted to the wall. (Next, they’ll want school-like desks bolted to the floor).
This is how it happens… every damn time:
I go to sharpen a pencil only to discover that Brook has, once again, broken a pencil lead off in the damn thing. This child is incapable of sharpening a pencil without reeking havoc on the sharpener. On top of this, she never tells me that she has done it, again. When she hears my aggravated comment of, “Ugh, not again”, she responds with, “Oh, yeah. I broke the sharpener again.”
Jeez, really? I hadn’t noticed.
If you’ve ever had to dislodge a jammed pencil lead from the jaws of a pencil sharpener, then you know what a pain in the ass it can be.
I’m here to tell you the top secret way to dislodge this pesky lead that is seemingly determined to stay put.
Step 1: Cuss at the thing and/or situation. It doesn’t really do anything but it will make you feel better.
Step 2: Remove the pencil shavings catcher cup thingy.
Step 3: Cuss all the shavings that just spilled all over the floor.
Step 4: Rush to get the broom and dust pan to clean up the newly created mess before the dog scatters it and tracks it all through the house.
Step 5: Yell at the dog for getting in the mess.
Step 6: Wrestle the dog into his crate to avoid any further messes… only to create a further mess while doing so.
Step 7: Proceed to sweeping up the scattered pencil shavings and disposing of them into the garbage can.
Step 8: Grab a toothpick.
Step 9: Cuss while your cleaning up the spilled toothpicks from the counter and floor because the toothpick manufacturer clearly does not believe in gluing the damn box together.
Step 10: Insert the toothpick into the pencil sharpener as if you’re going to sharpen it.
Step 11: Wedge the toothpick between the jammed pencil lead and the part that sharpens the pencil.
Step 12: Turn the crank backwards, increasing speed as needed, as you slowly pullout the toothpick.
Step 13: Continue step 12 until the lead and toothpick fall out.
Step 14: Replace the pencil shavings catcher cup thingy.
Step 15: Sharpen your pencil.
Step 16: Let the dog out of his crate.
Ta-daa! Thank you, thank you! No applause please! Oh, a standing ovation, aren’t ya’ll sweet!
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Disclaimer:
Results may vary. I make no guarantees that this method will work with all pencil sharpeners or any sharpeners other than mine. I make no guarantees that this method will work each time or anytime. You may not execute this method perfectly the first time. It does take practice.
Halloween Controversy- Halloween Parties VS Harvest Parties
Posted by: Cori on: October 28, 2009
This one seems to be a big topic in regards to public school. Though Zac and Brook are now homeschooled, this was not always the case. Plus, I attended public school through my entire student career. I’ve had my share of class Halloween/Harvest/Fall parties, both as a student and as a parent, therefore I can comment on it. 
The majority of public schools have taken to calling the parties “Harvest” parties or “Fall” parties. As if by avoiding the word “Halloween” really changes anything. “A rose by any other name…”, right?
Well, apparently this little switch-aroo with words has reduced the number of complaints schools receive from “outraged” parents. “Little Johnny attend a Halloween party?! Absolutely not!… Oh, it’s a FALL party? That’s fine then.”
Come on people, seriously?
So they changed the name of the party. Does that mean the decorations, refreshments, and games have changed, too? Um, no. The classrooms are decorated with the same old pumpkins, ghosts, bats, skeletons that were used when they still called it a Halloween Party. There are signs that even read “Happy Halloween!” for crying out loud. NOTHING is different.
So what’s the point of protesting and boycotting “Halloween” parties in public schools? What did you really accomplish? That’s right, not a damn thing. It’s still a Halloween party for all intensive purposes that just happens to be referred to as a Fall party.
Sounds to me like some parents just didn’t have anything else to bitch about this month.
Hayride From Hell
Posted by: Cori on: October 19, 2009
So, some of our friends invited us out their farm on Saturday for food, games, a hayride, and just an all around good time.
The festivities started at 2, so I assumed by nightfall the party would be winding down and we would be home before it got too cold. Boy, was I wrong.
We ate, we laughed, we played games, we roasted marshmallows, etc. The day was cool but not uncomfortable. It started getting later and later but still no hayride. “Maybe they decided to exclude that part of the festivities”, I told myself even thought I could plainly see the tractor with two trailers hitched to it, parked in the pasture. Regardless, I was hoping that my assumptions were correct because it was getting cooler by the minute and were underdressed for a nighttime hayride.
Wrong again. At dusk, I heard the tractor fire up. All the children in attendance, Brook included, began running down the driveway with big smiles and excited eyes. Sure enough, pulling to the driveway was our friend, Jed, sitting high on his tractor and pulling two trailers filled with hay.
Trying to stay positive, not wanting to poop on anyone’s parade, and hoping this would be a short ride, I followed Cray and the kids to the hay trailers.
Once everyone was loaded, away we went. Keep in mind that the take off was not slow and easy, but pedal to the metal, all out, floor it! So as we’re flying down the gravel road with farmer fast and furious behind the wheel, I’m trying to hang on for dear life while hanging on to Brook to keep her from flying out the back of the trailer. There’s no seat belts on a hayride!! This was also not a smooth road we were barreling down, but a rough, bumpy, country road. Every bump felt like my ass bone was being rammed into my spine. It hurt!
About 10 minutes into the ride, we come to a “T” crossing where the gravel road meets a blacktop highway. Even though there was a clear and bright “STOP” sign, this driver was not stopping. He whipped out onto the road pulling his helpless cargo right into the path of an oncoming car. The very next gravel road to the left was our route, all though I don’t think it was planned. Jed took this road without even letting off the gas.
I was beginning to wonder if this devil tractor even had brakes when all of a sudden and with no warning, Jed slammed on the brakes, squalling tires and sending us lurching forward. He then yelled, “Anyone gotta piss?!” as he jumped off the tractor and headed into the trees. A few guys and one woman followed suit. Apparently someone did have to piss.
Once the full bladders had been emptied and Jed had resumed his position at the wheel of death, we were off again. By this time it was dark and becoming increasingly colder. I had no idea where we were or how much longer we were going to be trapped on this hayride of horrors but I was so over it.
About 20 minutes and several twists and turns after the potty break, we come to another screeching halt. There was no more laughing and no one was having fun anymore. Jed stood up and confirmed what I had been suspecting, “Fuck! I’m lost! Does anyone know where the hell we’re at?!” Oh, good grief! I just wanted to cry. Then from the back trailer, someone confirmed that they knew and proceeded to give directions. I don’t know this extremely knowledgeable man, but I’m forever in his debt for getting us out of the dark zone.
Knowing where he’s going again, Jed floors it and off we go. By this time I am freezing. My feet are so cold they’re aching. I’m trying to wrap my jacket around Brook and myself best I can to keep us warm. I’ve also got to pee!
Because I was figuring that there would be no more stops until the end, I was caught completely off guard when Jed slammed on the brakes again. Seriously, does this guy only have two speeds, fast and stop?! UGH! The reason for this stop? The fucking muffler fell off the damn tractor! I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried.
We’d been on this runaway hayride for 2 hours, it was pitch black, we’d had a close call with a motor vehicle, we’d gotten lost, we were freezing, kids were starting to whine, whiplash was spreading like the plague, and now for the duration of the trip, we had to inhale the nauseating fumes of diesel exhaust.
Finally, finally 20 minutes later we seen the light of their house appear. This was the best thing ever and I was not alone in this feeling. Everyone began to clap and cheer… safety and warmth were within reach. Once we came to a stop, we all baled out and headed for the fire.
After thawing out enough to walk, we said our goodbye’s, got into our safe and warm car, and headed home.
Outside temperature: 36 degrees
Even though this was not a haunted hayride, no boogeymen jumped out of the dark, no howls from ghosts and goblins, no chains rattling; this was still the scariest Halloween event EVER!!
Where’s Zac and Brook?!
Posted by: Cori on: October 16, 2009
I know the premise of this blog is supposed to be my family. Zac and Brook, in particular. But here lately, I’ve ventured into other topics. There is a simple explanation for this… Zac and Brook are giving me nothing to work with.
There’s nothing exciting, amusing, nor entertaining happening with the little boogers. Come to think of it, things are exceptionally well… Ok, now I’m starting to worry. This not natural. Something’s amiss. I started this blog because they give me such great material to work with. Lately, nothing.
Well, we have all been rather preoccupied. When we FINALLY get into our new house, we may or may not have internet for awhile. If we do, it will not be anything faster than dial-up. So to compensate for this possible life shattering travesty, they’ve been socking up as much internet as possible. Brook surfing the net. Zac glued to the Xbox 360 controller. I guess this would be the most logical explanation for lack of blogging inspiration.
The weekend will be filled with Halloween festivities, grocery shopping, errand running, etc. Being in close proximity to one another with no distractions will probably produce some sort of something I can use. We shall see.
But, I assure you they are fine. Neither one of them is gagged, tied, and stuffed in the nearest closet. I haven’t even threatened them with that in awhile. It’s looking good, real good.
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Holding my breath.
Halloween Controversy- Halloween is Satanic/Evil
Posted by: Cori on: October 16, 2009
Even though this one pisses me off beyond belief I still have to chuckle a little at the stupidity of some people. Now I’m not going to go into great detail on the origins and history of Halloween because this post would definitely become a novella, at the very least. But, there are a few points I would like to address:
1. Halloween is derived from Samhain. Samhain was/is a festival held at the end of harvest season. It also marked/marks the end of the Celtic year. Feasts were/are made in remembrance of dead ancestors (i.e. “Feast of the Dead”) and as a declaration of life continuing on (i.e. “The Circle of Life”).
2. Yes, Samhain/Halloween is of Pagan origins. However, Paganism is not the worship of the devil, Satan, Lucifer, or any other “evil being”.
3. Satan/the devil/Lucifer originates from the Abrahamic religions (i.e. Christianity). This evil-doer does not have a thing to do with Paganism or the Celtic Holiday of Samhain. Never did and never will.
4. While I’m sure some crazy, sick people use Halloween as a time to participate in Satanic activity, I can assure you that this is not the norm nor is it condoned within the Pagan community… or any community for that matter. Also keep in mind, the ones that do participate in Satanic activity and/or consider themselves Satanists, do so year round. After all, a Christian is a Christian all year round and not just on Christmas, right?
5. Now that we’ve cleared up the Pagan origins of Halloween, let’s take a peek at the Christian origins of this “evil” Holiday… All Saints Day. Now, if you are a Christian, then you should know all about this. If not, here’s a little info: All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1st (the day after Halloween, just in case you were confused). This Christian Holiday is to honor all of their saints. That’s right, DEAD saints. See, Christians also honor their dead at this time of year. Moving on, this Holiday is significant to this post because it is all called “All Hallows”. Therefore, the night before All Hallows is “All Hallows Eve”. Keep simplifying “All Hallows Eve” and we end up with HALLOWEEN!
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Keep in mind this is an extremely simplified history of Halloween. There is tons of information to be found on the web if one wishes to research further.
Now that I’ve concluded my little demonstration… I would like to end with a little word of advise. This advise does not only apply to this topic but can be used in everyday life regarding a number of issues:
If you do not know about something, have not researched, base your opinion on what you’ve heard, etc. then please do not attempt to comment on it. You will be easily identified as uneducated on the subject and thus, quickly dismissed.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
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- DenzelWM: Dear Friends, Happy day-after-haloween! Today the real scares come when all you one night standers find out you just got a nasty case of herpes. :D
- Cori: Oh, yes. And not just my children but every child that trick-or-treats to their home. A lot of church leaders recommend that their congregation do thi
- nathanbriscoe: People are peddling information about Halloween to your children? That's too bad because you don't believe the same things!
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