Saturday, November 30, 2013
ABC Family 25 Days of Chrismtas
A favorite around our house is to print out the movie schedule for ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. We circle the movies we'd like to watch and look forward to having a fire and curling up around the TV to watch some funny Christmas movies. Enjoy!
A funny...
Little c is about 2 here and pretending to be pregnant. I love how she knows how to hold her tummy like a real pregnant person for a photo!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Another thought provoking forward from my dad...
Little c is really, really likeable. I haven't met anyone who fails to become her friend. Adults have told me she inspires them with her favorable qualities. Let's just say other people in our home may not have exude that some likeability. And I work HARD on helping this other 'person' understand friends, strangers, truly everyone prefers to be around positive people rather than negative people. My dad thought this article might help her and I think it's a great list of ways to be like-able.
Enjoy...
Be Likeable
Enjoy...
Be Likeable
Monday, November 4, 2013
Apple Orchard with Homeschool Friends
Our weekly home school group went to Dierdorff's Orchard in Waconia to pick apples and have some fall fun. The kids picked so many apples and then played together for a few hours. It never ceases to amaze me how much fun this group of kids can have with essentially no toys or playground. A few of the older boys put one older girl and a younger child in wagons and competed in a race against each other. The younger kids played on the pile of hay for hours. Big C spent about thirty minutes watching the horses in the field. They are creative and imaginative with very little 'props'. Such a neat group of multi-aged children. Their latest favorite is Capture the Flag -- with teenagers and five year olds playing together. Big C even sewed up some flags for each team and made ribbons for the kids to wear so people can see who is on which team. I love it!
If I had lots of extra money...
I'd give it to a little place in Minneapolis called Leonardo's Basement. Gosh is it cool!
Leonardo's Basement
Leonardo's offers classes for kids and teens. Actually, adults too.
I love that they make their classes so open-ended. There may be a project or goal but they won't tell you step by step how to get to completion. There is no right or wrong way to do anything at Leonardo's Basement. Activities are kid directed while being adult supervised. In my opinion that's an equation for a good education!
And they allow your children to play with things you might not allow at home. My girls were pumped to get to use real glue guns. They also could use as much glitter as they wanted on their creations. The basement also has sewing machines, ovens, a huge computer lab, and two resident guinea pigs.
Their little slogan from this summer was Helping Kids Fail, Since 1998. Let me tell you about the stares your kids will get wearing these shirts at Target. Who wants kids to fail? I do! And so do the people who run Leonardo's Basement. I want my girls to learn how to find solutions to problems that appear to have no solution. And I applaud when their first try doesn't work. I applaud even more when they attack the problem again from a different angle. Failure is part of life and I want them to have the experience of things not working out and to learn perseverance in the face of obstacles.
I think Leonardo's Basement is a special place and it's worth the drive for their unique classes.
Leonardo's Basement
Leonardo's offers classes for kids and teens. Actually, adults too.
I love that they make their classes so open-ended. There may be a project or goal but they won't tell you step by step how to get to completion. There is no right or wrong way to do anything at Leonardo's Basement. Activities are kid directed while being adult supervised. In my opinion that's an equation for a good education!
And they allow your children to play with things you might not allow at home. My girls were pumped to get to use real glue guns. They also could use as much glitter as they wanted on their creations. The basement also has sewing machines, ovens, a huge computer lab, and two resident guinea pigs.
Their little slogan from this summer was Helping Kids Fail, Since 1998. Let me tell you about the stares your kids will get wearing these shirts at Target. Who wants kids to fail? I do! And so do the people who run Leonardo's Basement. I want my girls to learn how to find solutions to problems that appear to have no solution. And I applaud when their first try doesn't work. I applaud even more when they attack the problem again from a different angle. Failure is part of life and I want them to have the experience of things not working out and to learn perseverance in the face of obstacles.
I think Leonardo's Basement is a special place and it's worth the drive for their unique classes.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Sarah Learns: On Dying
I read a great article on The Guardian .com this morning about dying and the regrets of people who are on their death beds.
Check it out...
On Dying
It might help you live a better life today!
Fortunately I haven't had too many people I love pass away yet. Even so I feel like the funerals I've attended have been such a gift to me. They have reminded me to live. Be present; forget about the troubles and hurts of the past and not worry about what's to come. Just be happy for the right now because it's the only guarantee.
Check it out...
On Dying
It might help you live a better life today!
Fortunately I haven't had too many people I love pass away yet. Even so I feel like the funerals I've attended have been such a gift to me. They have reminded me to live. Be present; forget about the troubles and hurts of the past and not worry about what's to come. Just be happy for the right now because it's the only guarantee.
My Sweet Baby is 10!
They grow up too darn fast! I miss having a baby so much but I am glad I appreciated that time. Each age has challenging aspects and amazingly sweet parts. I can't believe my tiny (5 lbs 13 oz) baby went from this:
so fast!
10 Things about Big C I Love:
1.) She is incredibly sensitive. Certain songs on the radio make her cry as well as seeing abandoned stuffed animals in toy stores. Watching her one year video was of no interest to her because she said it would make her too sad.
2.) Big C has a strong will. Probably stronger than anyone I've ever know. She will not be easily convinced of anything and stands up for her beliefs. Although I find this a struggle to parent, I hope it will come in handy as she grows up.
3. A dare devil! She is a wild, fearless downhill skier. Being home alone at night does not even scare her. Next she'd love to learn to scuba dive. Diving down to the bottom of the unknown ocean floor is no big deal to her.
4. Reading is her favorite thing to do. She learns so much from reading books, magazines, articles on the Internet. She has an amazing ability to remember what she reads.
5. She loves to be a part of a team more than the actual pursuit of the sport. And she's a great team member. Soccer is her favorite sport and it has nothing to do with the actual sport. She just loves to encourage, support, and rally around a group of people striving for the same goal.
6. Big C is happy to be alone. She likes to play upstairs in her room and do her art or Legos, all the while listening to a book on c.d.
7. She is witty and funny. Her sense of humor is dry and often times other children don't get it. For example, when coming upon what appeared to be an animal's tail on a walk she said "That cat needs to go to the retail store".
8. A lot of her friends are boys. She tends to share more common interests with the boys and recognizes girls tend to harbor more drama.
9. Big C is good at standing up for herself. She is not afraid to tell a doctor he is late or to call someone out at airport security. Authority is not important to her.
10. She is awesomely honest. Sometimes to my chagrin but she owns it.
We love her so much and feel so proud she is our sweet ten year old daughter!
to this...
10 Things about Big C I Love:
1.) She is incredibly sensitive. Certain songs on the radio make her cry as well as seeing abandoned stuffed animals in toy stores. Watching her one year video was of no interest to her because she said it would make her too sad.
2.) Big C has a strong will. Probably stronger than anyone I've ever know. She will not be easily convinced of anything and stands up for her beliefs. Although I find this a struggle to parent, I hope it will come in handy as she grows up.
3. A dare devil! She is a wild, fearless downhill skier. Being home alone at night does not even scare her. Next she'd love to learn to scuba dive. Diving down to the bottom of the unknown ocean floor is no big deal to her.
4. Reading is her favorite thing to do. She learns so much from reading books, magazines, articles on the Internet. She has an amazing ability to remember what she reads.
5. She loves to be a part of a team more than the actual pursuit of the sport. And she's a great team member. Soccer is her favorite sport and it has nothing to do with the actual sport. She just loves to encourage, support, and rally around a group of people striving for the same goal.
6. Big C is happy to be alone. She likes to play upstairs in her room and do her art or Legos, all the while listening to a book on c.d.
7. She is witty and funny. Her sense of humor is dry and often times other children don't get it. For example, when coming upon what appeared to be an animal's tail on a walk she said "That cat needs to go to the retail store".
8. A lot of her friends are boys. She tends to share more common interests with the boys and recognizes girls tend to harbor more drama.
9. Big C is good at standing up for herself. She is not afraid to tell a doctor he is late or to call someone out at airport security. Authority is not important to her.
10. She is awesomely honest. Sometimes to my chagrin but she owns it.
We love her so much and feel so proud she is our sweet ten year old daughter!
Friday, November 1, 2013
We NEED Dads
Speaking of dads, my dad sent me an article written by George Will. The article was interesting but what he most wanted me to see was the statistic on how many children are being born to single mothers in our country.
Get Ready...
41% of American children are born to unwed mothers
53% of Hispanic children are born to unwed mothers
72% of African American children are born to unwed mothers
We both thought the numbers would be high but were shocked at how high.
We need dads. As a society, how can we be o.k. with these statistics? Don't women understand how necessary dads are to raising well adjusted children. Don't have sex with men who aren't going to stick around. Protect yourself and really protect any children you might bring into the world from the sad consequences of life without a daddy.
Here's some statistics about the importance of dad's in children's lives:
Quotes from www.childwelfare.gov
1. A number of studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities. Toddlers with involved fathers go on to start school with higher levels of academic readiness. They are more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations associated with schooling more readily than children with less involved fathers.10
2. The influence of a father's involvement on academic achievement extends into adolescence and young adulthood. Numerous studies find that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with better verbal skills, intellectual functioning, and academic achievement among adolescents.11 For instance, a 2001 U.S. Department of Education study found that highly involved biological fathers had children who were 43 percent more likely than other children to earn mostly As and 33 percent less likely than other children to repeat a grade.12
3. One study of school-aged children found that children with good relationships with their fathers were less likely to experience depression, to exhibit disruptive behavior, or to lie and were more likely to exhibit pro-social behavior.21 This same study found that boys with involved fathers had fewer school behavior problems and that girls had stronger self-esteem.22 In addition, numerous studies have found that children who live with their fathers are more likely to have good physical and emotional health, to achieve academically, and to avoid drugs, violence, and delinquent behavior.23
If that's not enough, here's some more evidence:
1. Fatherless children are at a dramatically greater risk of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, suicide, poor educational performance, teen pregnancy, and criminality. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Survey on Child Health, Washington, DC, 1993
2. Fatherless children are at dramatically greater risk of suicide. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Survey on Child Health, Washington, DC, 1993.
And some more...
From The National Fatherhood Initiative
1. Children in father-absent homes are almost four times more likely to be poor. In 2011, 12 percent of children in married-couple families were living in poverty, compared to 44 percent of children in mother-only families. -- Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Children’s Living Arrangements and Characteristics: March 2011, Table C8. Washington D.C.: 2011. - See more at: http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics#sthash.BAQzk5Op.dpuf
2. Even after controlling for income, youths in father-absent households still had significantly higher odds of incarceration than those in mother-father families. Youths who never had a father in the household experienced the highest odds. -- Source: Harper, Cynthia C. and Sara S. McLanahan. “Father Absence and Youth Incarceration.” Journal of Research on Adolescence 14 (September 2004): 369-397. - See more at: http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics#sthash.BAQzk5Op.dpuf
3. Being raised by a single mother raises the risk of teen pregnancy, marrying with less than a high school degree, and forming a marriage where both partners have less than a high school degree. -- Source: Teachman, Jay D. “The Childhood Living Arrangements of Children and the Characteristics of Their Marriages.” Journal of Family Issues 25 (January 2004): 86-111. - See more at: http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics#sthash.BAQzk5Op.dpuf
I understand that every relationship might not be as simple as a woman choosing to have a child without a father present. Divorce happens, not necessarily at a woman's choosing, there is abuse and drugs and alcohol. I empathize with these women. Call me old-fashioned, but I think a woman should marry a man before they have children. I don't think women should have intercourse with a man to whom they are not married. If they are, I think they should be using lots of protection to protect themselves.
Get Ready...
41% of American children are born to unwed mothers
53% of Hispanic children are born to unwed mothers
72% of African American children are born to unwed mothers
We both thought the numbers would be high but were shocked at how high.
We need dads. As a society, how can we be o.k. with these statistics? Don't women understand how necessary dads are to raising well adjusted children. Don't have sex with men who aren't going to stick around. Protect yourself and really protect any children you might bring into the world from the sad consequences of life without a daddy.
Here's some statistics about the importance of dad's in children's lives:
Quotes from www.childwelfare.gov
1. A number of studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities. Toddlers with involved fathers go on to start school with higher levels of academic readiness. They are more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations associated with schooling more readily than children with less involved fathers.10
2. The influence of a father's involvement on academic achievement extends into adolescence and young adulthood. Numerous studies find that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with better verbal skills, intellectual functioning, and academic achievement among adolescents.11 For instance, a 2001 U.S. Department of Education study found that highly involved biological fathers had children who were 43 percent more likely than other children to earn mostly As and 33 percent less likely than other children to repeat a grade.12
3. One study of school-aged children found that children with good relationships with their fathers were less likely to experience depression, to exhibit disruptive behavior, or to lie and were more likely to exhibit pro-social behavior.21 This same study found that boys with involved fathers had fewer school behavior problems and that girls had stronger self-esteem.22 In addition, numerous studies have found that children who live with their fathers are more likely to have good physical and emotional health, to achieve academically, and to avoid drugs, violence, and delinquent behavior.23
If that's not enough, here's some more evidence:
1. Fatherless children are at a dramatically greater risk of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, suicide, poor educational performance, teen pregnancy, and criminality. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Survey on Child Health, Washington, DC, 1993
2. Fatherless children are at dramatically greater risk of suicide. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Survey on Child Health, Washington, DC, 1993.
And some more...
From The National Fatherhood Initiative
1. Children in father-absent homes are almost four times more likely to be poor. In 2011, 12 percent of children in married-couple families were living in poverty, compared to 44 percent of children in mother-only families. -- Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Children’s Living Arrangements and Characteristics: March 2011, Table C8. Washington D.C.: 2011. - See more at: http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics#sthash.BAQzk5Op.dpuf
2. Even after controlling for income, youths in father-absent households still had significantly higher odds of incarceration than those in mother-father families. Youths who never had a father in the household experienced the highest odds. -- Source: Harper, Cynthia C. and Sara S. McLanahan. “Father Absence and Youth Incarceration.” Journal of Research on Adolescence 14 (September 2004): 369-397. - See more at: http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics#sthash.BAQzk5Op.dpuf
3. Being raised by a single mother raises the risk of teen pregnancy, marrying with less than a high school degree, and forming a marriage where both partners have less than a high school degree. -- Source: Teachman, Jay D. “The Childhood Living Arrangements of Children and the Characteristics of Their Marriages.” Journal of Family Issues 25 (January 2004): 86-111. - See more at: http://www.fatherhood.org/media/consequences-of-father-absence-statistics#sthash.BAQzk5Op.dpuf
I understand that every relationship might not be as simple as a woman choosing to have a child without a father present. Divorce happens, not necessarily at a woman's choosing, there is abuse and drugs and alcohol. I empathize with these women. Call me old-fashioned, but I think a woman should marry a man before they have children. I don't think women should have intercourse with a man to whom they are not married. If they are, I think they should be using lots of protection to protect themselves.
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