Monday, May 25, 2009

Disney and Nick.

It's always important to keep an eye on what the kids watch on TV or what they are looking at on the computer. That often requires to watch shows with them. I can remember suffering through Teletubbies and some of the others. I enjoyed watching Arthur and Bear in the Big Blue House. Even now, watching Hannah Montana, I Carly, or The Suite Life of Zack and Cody hasn't been too bad. What can be sad is that when you put them on the bus or they decide to go out and play and you're sitting there still watching those shows. You don't realize it until an hour later that you're still watching the kids' shows and there are no kids around.

1st Communion

What can I say. It was a wonderful time even though we were promised that it wouldn't rain. The coordinator said she had an arrangement with God. I guess the drizzling that it was doing all morning doesn't qualify. The church was packed, it was warm, and you couldn't take pictures, but other than that it was great and our family was together. All f the kids looked great and we had a wonderful meal at the Chateau. I tried remembering what mine was like and all I could remember was the procession into church that began in the high school parking lot and ended in the middle aisle. I was dressed in a white suit. You know, the kind that you can't use for anything else. Time goes by quick and you take it all in.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Slumber Party

I did it. I survived my daughter's slumber party. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. Six 10 year- olds running around and screaming. It started at 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon and finished around 11:00am Sunday. There were several games outdoors, making sock puppets, monkey bread, pancakes and banana splits. My head was spinning as all of them talked all the time. I wouldn't have been able to add a word in even if I needed to. I think they watched a movie and played some game called "truth or dare". I didn't ask any questions as I didn't want to know the answers. My only involvement was at midnight when I gave the "don't make me come down there speech" as it was time for them to fall asleep. A great group of kids having fun and not making what little hair I have left turn more gray. I would say a good time had by all !

Saturday, May 2, 2009

School Bus Education

The future of education is not in the classroom, but on the school bus. We need to forget about veteran teachers, new textbooks, or renovated buildings. We need to put our money into school buses !
The reason I say this is that when I ask my children how school is, they tell me stories about things they saw or heard on the school bus. It also seems that the principal has visited the school bus more than she has their classrooms.
Instead of helping them with their homework I find myself answering their "school bus" questions. Why did the principal come onto the school bus and why did the bus driver raise her voice. My answer is consistently the same,"because children are bad".
Who would have guessed that education is better served in a mobile classroom during a 20 minute ride?

Friday, May 1, 2009

Softball Practice

An interesting place to spend some time. Young girls learning the game and putting it all together in anticipation of the beginning of a new season. The latest "softball fashions" are on display. I did what I could to help my daughter with some instruction on throwing, catching and hitting. Despite my advice, she is doing very well.
It's fun to watch the coach pull it together as he shows them the basics and the girls are discussing what happened in school or what the latest gossip was. They seem to be having fun and if nothing else they are building confidence, self-discipline and self esteem. It works for me.
We do our best to support our kids as they learn and improve and try never to forget that it's about having fun. They have plenty of time to solve world peace and hunger later !