Blissful Bee

The blog has moved...

2009-05-11T06:57:00.001-07:00

I decided, and Im not all that sure why, to change my blog address. I guess a fresh start felt right!!!

Anyway you can find me at www.karibarrera.blogspot.com

THANKS

My poor abandoned blog...

2009-01-06T07:07:00.002-08:00

OK, I admit it, I am a lame blogger. Im actually OK with that though. In order for me to be a good blogger something else in my life would have to give, and lately that something would be sleep. Trust me, as much as I enjoy draining my thoughts out onto my keyboard I much prefer sleep over just about anything. Lately actually, that would be anything!!!

Baby O is thriving, doing well and a ball of joy. He, however, does not sleep very much. He might take one nap a day, and then he is up at least two times a night but typically three. He sleeps with us and nurses throughout the night. I am super lazy on this one and just roll over, give him the breast and try to fall back to sleep. What I have noticed however is that even though I am sleeping while he is nursing (and sleeping) I am not sleeping well until he latches off and I can roll over onto my belly. My point is that even though he is up a few times and sleeps while nursing himself back to a solid sleep, I am not really resting until he get there, which means I am up for a couple hours each night. Im not complaining necessarily, I am simply explaining why sleep is so important to me these days. :-)

So, what else has been going on with us?

We are doing well, my husband still has a job which these days is a blessing. We are nervous, as most people are, and trying to figure out what we would do if we somehow lost our only source of income. The ideas range from selling the house and living in a camper while traveling the North American Continent (my idea) to saving every dime we can and hoping to be prepared should this horrible possibility actually occur (his idea). Basically, we are taking his route on this one. You never know though...

The kids are great, they are growing and learning and expanding their interests. Our oldest is really developing a love of art. He is still fencing, drumming, and working on his lessons, but art has become a fascination of his. He is actually a really talented and creative person. Rare for kids with his dx, but wonderful. My little guy is not so little anymore. He will be 10 this spring and is going through that lovely time known as the nine year change. I remember this with my older son. It is similar to the three year old thing, except with different behaviors but a very familiar level of parental frustration. He did get some bunnies this year to tend. That seems to help us get through the nine year thing and to develop a sense of independence and responsibility. I think it is working. We did lose one of them early on, which was a terrible blow to him, however a wonderful learning experience. I hope to never see that level of sadness in my son's face ever again. I just remember wanting desperately to say or do the right thing and knowing that this was one of those times where I could really only hug him and comfort him and express my sadness to him. I hope I didnt scar the poor kid. I guess we will find out in therapy down the road.

Our daughter is growing and becoming really independent. She is an interesting ride. Very strong willed, inspired and stubborn. She is creative and smart as can be. Her ability to be resourceful is almost scary. She will be a really great woman one day. Her complete honesty can be challenging sometimes, but mostly only because it is uncomfortable to not have her "perform" for the public. She either wants to hug you or she doesnt. It is that simple. She is learning to read right now. This is the second child I have gotten to teach to read. It is a really fun and exciting experience.

I am doing well. Trying to develop systems for our home to function smoothly. Im trying to have a good new year where I am in charge of my house and my multiple responsibilities as opposed to them being in charge of me. We'll see how I do. I figure if I use this blog as a way to record my progress and to keep my motivation maybe I will make some progress!!! :-)

Catching Up...

2008-11-04T11:04:00.002-08:00

Well, my efforts to hold myself accountable have been rather lame, at least for the posting portion of things. Im going to attempt to update things as we have been quite busy!!!

Stay tuned!

Sunday Staging Day

2008-10-05T10:53:00.002-07:00

Growing up in the restaurant/food service industry I am familiar with the idea of a staging area. An area where you have all your supplies and needs set up for quick access and a seamless feel to an event. You will have your coffee cups, your extra napkins, the service setups for the next phase of an event.

Well, I have decided that this is what I need for our life. A staging area, or beter yet, a staging day. A day where we get the house to a balanced level, I have materials gathered and ready for classes, projects, upcoming events and lessons. I have a master list of things that need to be done and all shopping or organizing done.

enter... SUNDAY!!

So, we spend Saturday much like a weekday, the kids have classes and volunteer work and we try to do some sort of family fun thing in the afternoon. So, that leaves me Sunday to get everything gathered and ready for the next week. I will admit to blowing the morning hours on coffee, chatting with my husband and goofing off on the computer, but now it is time to dig in!!

Here is the list...

Laundry all caught up and put away
Dishes done and put away
Dinners planned out for the week
Bathrooms cleaned
Floors all vacuumed and mopped
House dusted
Study cleaned completely
Porch plants all watered
Chicken Coop cleaned out
Bunny hutches cleaned out
Bed linens washed
Fridge Cleaned out
Butterfly unit planned and printed
G2's Harry Potter Exercise planned
M's craft materials gathered
Get performance ticket check ready to mail
Pay Bills
Charge Camera
Clean out my car
Buy paint for dining room

OK, so that should do it. Oh yeah, and Feed the Baby!!

I will change the color of each item as it is completed. I think green for GO will be a good choice.

Our week

2008-10-04T07:11:00.005-07:00

Well, I had tried to make entries for each day of the week, and you can see how unsuccessful that was. So I thought I would do a weekly recap instead.

So on Monday...

bosque hike to find tadpoles

science class at museum

jazz ensemble

Tuesday...

math homework for G1

Plant cell diagram G1

Spanish vocab work at G1

International Harry Potter cover activity G2

Make your own cover for HP book G2

Math G2

Frog LifeCycle mobil with M

Housework for Mom

Fencing

Jazz Ensemble

dinner with FIL and BIL

Wednesday:

Lessons at home

Math class

Library for lessons for G2 and M

Using a Thesaurus to expand vocab and writing tools for G2

Math lessons 9-11 for G2

Phonics lessons 6-12 for M

Library time to check out books

Great Grandma's for family dinner

Thursday:

Health with G1 (Body in Numbers)

Reading for G2

Free-play for M

LEGOS

drumming lesson for G1 and G2

fencing

Friday:

Hiking with RGRS to monitor 45 trees we planted last spring

housework

cooking with Maggie (pot of beans)

rock climbing

fencing

Then today we have...

Balloon Fiesta Watching

Pre-historic Preschool for M

Naturalist Center Volunteering for G1 & G2

Armory clinic for G1 and Dad

Greek Festival in the Afternoon

HOME!!!!

October Goals for our Homeschooling...

2008-10-02T06:54:00.007-07:00

I LOVE making lists, setting goals and mapping out a plan to success. I can sit and work out every detail of how to be at point B by a certain date. It is similar to my love of school supplies; that fresh, hopeful beginning. Ahhh, it is wonderful how a clean slate can inspire us!

Then there is the reality that if I spent half the time I use up with all my planning on DOING, I would really be a successful person. LOL Hey, at least I have half of the program down, maybe I will just continue to "fake it, till I make it."

Well, since I am using this blog as a way to hold myself accountable, I think I will try to set some goals on here and track our progress. It is irrelevant if anyone actually reads this, it is just the point of putting it out there and using the posts as a measure and deadline for our lessons and other family goals.

So, here goes...

October 2008 goals per child...

G1:

Math 7/6 he is almost finished with it, but we need to knock out a few more lessons to really be able to close the book on it.

Ancient Egypt the next civilization in the Oak Meadow 6 book

Continue to make A's in math class, doing homework and completing quizzes (without me)

Biology unit from Real Science 4 Kids along with lesson expansions (drawings and detail exercises)

Continue Jazz Ensemble

Continue Drumming

Continue Fencing

Flag bearer and Prayer leader at toastmasters meeting

Continue Science class

Volunteer at WRI and Nat Center

RGRS projects and hiking

Read a chapter a day of Redwall

Four units of health program

Complete Engineering Team Challenge

Attend theatrical performance

G2:

Harry Potter Guide book *finish lessons for Sorcerer's Stone

Read books for book club and participate in the games

Finish Chamber of Secrets

Dig into math, we are restarting Math 3 after being half way through it. We have a "hole" in our ability with this and the only way I can find it is by starting over again and taking it much slower. I will also research different math programs that might better suit him.

continue rock climbing

continue jazz ensemble

continue drumming lessons

Complete Biology from Real Science 4 Kids along with expansions

Continue working on SOTW History book, complete Egypt and next civilization in program.

Begin participating in toastmasters meeting

RGRS projects

Volunteering at Nat Center

Bunny responsibilities (ours and his bunny sitting responsibilities)

Spanish vocabulary, family, numbers, people...

Science class
Attend theatrical performance

Up to lesson 50 in Phonics program

complete life cycle studies and projects

begin unit on Autumn and the seasons

weekly painting project

RGRS projects

science class

Prehistoric Preschool

Work on cooking skills (math)

Help with all animal care

Early math activities

Geography practice with continents and animals who live there

explore some music instruments, trying to find one that interests her

attend a theatrical performance

learn to sew or knit (I will see what interests her more)

Im reading her list and I realize it sounds so sexist. But it is important to note that both the boys did the cooking and sewing when they were younger too. :-)

basically continue to be a cutie pie and being drug around town to all his siblings stuff!

Mom:

Yes, I have to have goals for me too, things I need to do that relate to our homeschooling success...

Teach butterfly unit to our science group

Lead and coordinate activities for RGRS

Organize our paint stuff for M

Feed the baby

Cut the boys hair

Make dentist appointments for me and the kids

Make Dr.s appointment for O and Me

Kids and I need to clear the summer garden beds

G1 and I need to repair the greenhouse door and plant some seeds for experiment

Clean out our homeschool supply closet

Clean out my art studio stuff

develop the next phase of G2's Harry Potter Curriculum

Lead the Engineering Team unit for October

develop M's next science lessons from Littlest Scientist books my mom sent

Make Halloween costumes

Decorate for Halloween

plan Thanksgiving and activites leading up to it

Make holiday lists for each child and figure out a budget

Help in launching Homeschool Art classes with the old Art Museum teacher

Develop writing club for young homeschoolers with a friend

maintain the house

change over clothing from summer to winter

OK, that seems like most things off the top of my head. Wish me luck. I will post a weekly update to keep myself on track.

(Yes my list is muddy with Mom stuff and lesson stuff, but that is just the reality of my life)

Monday = Science!

2008-09-29T05:47:00.005-07:00

Monday seems to be a great science day for us. We get together with a science coop in the mornings, not every week, but not on a regular basis. For the past three weeks I was teaching an Archaeology unit for the coop and Im happy to be able to just be home on this Monday morning. I love teaching units, but it also is a huge drain on our regular lesson schedule. I end up using a lot of the time I could be putting into my own kids lessons in order to put together a unit of study for the group. Unfortunately it is usually the teacher's kids who gain the least out of a unit. So, while Im happy to contribute and wouldnt have it any other way, I do recognize that it is something you have to keep in balance and not allow my desire to support the coop to take away from my own family and our needs.

Anyway, today we will be getting together with a friend in the bosque to study the life cycle of frogs. We have done this several times before, but it is so much fun, and the kids love getting out in nature and exploring. M will enjoy it, she hasnt reallystudied this before and so it will be a first for her. The boys will have fun finding where the tadpoles are and figuring out which stage they are each at. M will have fun drawing what she sees and seeing her friends. O will hopefully just enjoy the trees, he is a tree fanatic and just loves to sit and watch them blow in the breeze.

We will picnic in the bosque before heading over to our science class at a local museum. the boy's classes are today. the love all the fast paces experiments and M and O enjoy exploring the rest of the museum with me and their friends.

My goals for today are...

clean up the house this morning (dishes, study, laundry)

get everyone a decent breakfast

pack a lunch

have the kids review their biology chapter

read the Tadpoles and Frogs book to M

Remember my camera

head out to the bosque (frogs, lunch)

head to Science class

home for some math

G2 work on his Harry Potter guide

M do some art work about the frogs and the bosque

O take a nap (haha)

Head out to Jazz for G1

home/dinner by 6:30pm (chicken potpie)

hang out and exhale!

Here goes.....

Well, we did quite well today. I did complete my list of things I wanted to get through and the kids had a wonderful time in the bosque. We were not able to find any tadpoles, the season is off, but the kids still were able to learn a lot about the lesson. The older boys obviously already know a lot about tadpoles and the life cycle of a frog. We used to have a small pond in our yard in VA and we always had a TON of little tadpoles and frogs in it. They loved exploring them and watching them develop throughout the summer. Anyway, M and her friend did a great job with their life cycle books and seemed to really understand the order of how things happen. So, I count that as a great outing and a fun way to get out in the bosque for a nice morning.

The great suprise for the day was Dad meeting us in the bosque for our picnic. It was nice seing him in the middle of the day and getting to share some of the fun with him. He works so much it is hard to get to see him like that. I guess it is a good thing that he likes peanut butter and jelly roll-ups! :-)

Accountability!

2008-09-25T18:28:00.003-07:00

That is what I miss about writing in this blog. It is a diary of sorts and it helps me to be able to review our week and to look forward to upcoming opportunities. So, I am going to try to make time for this again. I know I can do it, it is just about it becoming a habit again.

So, it is good to be back, and Im looking forward to the motivation and accountability that comes from keeping this up.

Thanks!

Weekend Getaway

2008-01-18T08:10:00.000-08:00

We decided to load up the family and head down to Tucson to share our nie little guy with his Great-Grandma, Tata-Ish and his uncle. Of course Nana too, but she had been able to see him when he was born so it was more of a reunion for her.

The drive down was nice, and a bit of an adventure with a five week old infant. He did really well, only adding about an hour and a half to our drive time to stop for feedings and snuggles. We are really lucky to have GM and all his help. He is really great about keeping baby O entertained or just holding his little hands to let him know that he has someone right next to him. I will admit there were a couple moments that I thought we were nuts and that this was a mistake, but in the end it was terrific. On the way home he was happy and all things went smoothly. It was nice.

Tucson is lovely this time of year, as it is all year round. My mother has a beautiful home with a really relaxing and lovely yard. It is always nice to visit, even if just for a couple quick days.

The kids all had a wonderful time, playing with their uncle (he is only two years older than GM). ME explored the yard and collected some new sticks, pinecones and leaves for her neverending collection of cool stuff she finds on her journies. Baby O enjoyed the attention and all the warm arms to hold and love him.

2007-12-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Goals for 2008

2007-12-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

Last year GM and I sat down and set some goals for him and where we wanted to be with out lessons and fencing before the end of 2007. We also discussed what we would like to adopt or add into our scope of activities and such. Not only did he achieve these goals, but he surpassed them. He really didn't seem to have much faith in his ability to achieve the goals we set, and so it took some encouragement at first. I would show him when he was on target, or when he was moving ahead of the goal numbers. This really seemed to encourage him and he began to feel that he not only could achieve these goals, but that he could surpass them. I could see the pride and confidence grow in him and I have decided to do the same thing this year, but also add in GD to the mix, as well as the rest of the family.

I chose to set goals with the kids regarding their lessons, extra-curricular activities and their chores. Manny and I will be setting goals for our health, the kids health care, our family finances, our house projects, and for our family quality time. On the side I will be setting the goals along with my partner for Rio Grande Roots & Shoots, an important part of our lives and something that requires a great deal of planning.

Measuring our success...

Last year, with GM, I sat down and figured out where we would need to be at various times in the year in order to meet our final goal. The year as a whole is too overwhelming, but achieving small bites that range for about 6 weeks at a time, can be great. You get to see and celebrate your success several times throughout the year, and if you fall behind, you can see it happening before you are so far behind that your goal becomes impossible to achieve. So for each of our goals I will sit down and figure out our necessary progress in monthly intervals.

So, onto the goals...

House Projects

Landscape the front yard
Landscape the backyard
Furnish the porch
Finish the garage
Window in the dining room
Interior Drywall
New front door
New sliding door
Finish Wood floors
Stain wood exterior
Stain wood interior
Texture the ceiling
Lighting for the upper shelves of lounge
woodwork in LR entry
Enclose the HWH in new bathroom
Fix new bath faucet
Paint the study
Set up scrapbook closet in Guest room
Lighting in the foyer
glass in buffet door
handles on built-in doors in lounge
Organize storage

Lessons

GM
1. Complete 7th grade math
2. Complete 12 Chapter books (minimum 150 pages)
3. Early American History
4. Complete 7th grade L Arts
5. Science @Explora

GD
1. Finish 3rd grade math
2. Complete 12 Chapter Books
3. Native American History
4. Complete 4th grade L Arts
5. Science @Explora

ME
1. alphabet
2. simple words
3. Saxon Math K
4. Saxon Phonics K
5. Science @Explora

Art @ Museum
Science coop
RGRS
Jazz Ensemble
Instrument practice
Fencing/Gymnastics

Health

K
1. Lose 30lbs
2. Work on cardio
3. mammogram
4. Dentist
5. Genetic testing for hydrocephalus

M
1. Lose weight
2. Work on Cardio
3. Have a physical
4. Genetic testing for hydrocephalus

GM
1. tweak his supplements
2. review GF/CF diet
3. dentist (continue)

GD
1. Dentist

ME
1. Dentist

Baby O
1. Keep up on head checks

RGRS Goals

Complete 25 service projects
Coordinate First Annual Conference
Get T-Shirts Made
Meet with Dr. Goodall
Continue Prairie Dog sponsorship
Continue Bosque adopted space work
Complete at least two outreach projects
Develop ongoing fundraising project
Support and work with Youth Leadership group
Develop committees for future growth

The kids are still thinking about their other goals, so I will add them in when we have had a chance to sit down and iron them out.

O So Sweet!

2007-12-29T14:05:00.000-08:00

Great book for all parents

2007-12-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine lent me a wonderful book called Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child. I love this book so much. I found a copy of it at Wild Oats and I really enjoy thumbing through it. I believe it helped us through a recent bout with a colic-like gas issue. If you have had a baby with gas issues, you know how desperate you are to help them through it.

The great thing about this book is that it shares with you the medical advise from many perspectives including Conventional Madicine, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, Homeopathy, Acupressure, Diet and even gives tips for prevention and general info. You are able to read through the various styles and you choose whatyou feel works best for your family. It is just really helpful!!

Welcome Baby O!!

2007-12-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Well I havent written in a really long time. Basically ever since I found out that we were being blessed with another little one.

Welcome our new son, "O". He is amazing, healthy, and such a great eater! We are all enjoying our little guy and looking forward to a peaceful holiday season.

Santa Fe Fencing Tournament Y8-Y10

2007-04-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

GM had his first Foil tournament in Santa Fe a couple weekends ago. He was such a great sport and had a lot of fun. He even made some new friends. The kids who were from the NMFC were all really welcoming and nice to the DCF kids.

We are so happy with GM's fencing and all that it has brought to his life. I was really hesitant to let him start fencing, I pictured kids hitting one another randomly and coming home with bruises and hurt feelings. It is SO not like that! The level of control and honor that comes with the sport has really made this one of the best things we have ever chosen to do with him. He focusses, he shakes the coaches hand and says thank you after each class, he remembers to salute the opponent and the referee. It is such a sport of gentlemen, and ladies. :-)

So for this first Foil tournament, lets just say I was NERVOUS! I wanted it to go well for him, which doesnt mean winning, he could be in last place and still be thrilled, but just not humiliated. I was nervous for no reason at all. It went so well, and he really enjoyed the entire process. He even was able to win a few bouts, including one against a team mate who is really really good. So he was on top of the world. He ended up in fifth place, and was just tickled about the outcome!!

We will be doing more tournaments in the future!! It was such a positive experience for all of us.

Rio Grande Roots & Shoots site is up!!

2007-03-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

I finally got our site up and running! I still need to edit it, so ignore the poor grammar and spelling issues! LOL

www.riogranderootsandshoots.org

Farmer Monte Makes a good point!

2007-03-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

The other morning I was having my coffee, checking my email and a morning talk/news show was on my TV. The lady announced that organic may be out, and local may be in. I about choked on my coffee and a big sense of "oh crap" came across my heart! I watched as much of it as I could, hoping it was one of those teaser announcements where they later say, no, actually you want local organic foods, not just local. I was saddened when no, that was not the result. In fact all they focused on was the pollution issues of transporting produce and foods. Okay, I am not for pollution or fuel consumption, but I am definitely not for feeding my kids produce and meats that are coated with pesticides or for our local farmers to be encouraged to not worry about what they are using in their farming practices. I'm all for the local farmer, if I could buy everything local, I would, and really do strive for that goal, but I cant say I would choose conventional over organic just because it was local.

So here is what Farmer Monte had to say on the matter, he is far more eloquent and since he is a local organic farmer, he is right in the middle of this new debate....

The Local vs Organic Debate

Ok, so when you are a produce nerd like I am, you get a little excited when food becomes a national issue. So I got giddy as a school girl last week when I saw that the cover of Time magazine was a huge picture of an apple.
But then I was quickly let down when the label on the apple said “Forget Organic, Eat Local.” Shoot, I thought to myself, now we have got someone (or a group) trying to separate two things that are not mutually exclusive. So let’s break down the debate.First off, I think the article is pretty much junk. The intensive research that the author did to reach his conclusion that we should all forget Organic, was to eat one Organic apple and one local conventional. He thought the Organic one was a bit mealy, and the local one crisp. So, he then brings the jury back and proclaims local should reign. Very scientific work from Time mag. Impressive.And I am not saying that local should not reign, but I want it to be Organic local. And with that, I would/will take regional Organic over local conventional any day of the week. I know that we might have some disagreement among the members on that, which is fine, but as a business owner, I cannot waffle on our bottom line. LPO’s stance needs to be concrete and consistent; so, therefore, we choose AZ or CA Organic over conventional produce from Belen.But I would love to get members feedback, so we are going to put a survey up on the web site this week for members to vote on and then I will let you know the tally next week. And the question is this, assuming quality and price to be the same, would you choose CA Organic over NM conventional? An interesting debate for sure.And since I have another half page to fill I will walk through my logic on why I would take the regional Organic. It can be summed up in two words, market forces. Economics prove that all markets and suppliers in a market are capable of changing. They can mutate and survive.Meaning that the factory who once made Beta Max video tapes, changed over to produce VHS and for the most part it was no big deal.Well I see the produce world in much the same way. We need to create incentives for growers to change. So that if a conventional producer reads enough articles about the big increases in Organic sales, they might be enticed into transitioning into cleaner farming. And when that happens on a large enough scale, then we will get a new and improved food industry.What happens if we dilute the demand for Organics by continuing to support a farming practice that we do not agree with just to say we buy local? What have we really accomplished?Do we really feel better about the introduction of chemicals into our environment as long as they are used locally? It seems to me that we want any conventional agriculture far away from our communities. Not in it. I am philosophically opposed to chemicals on food. Local or not. Finally, my last beef with the article is that it does not take into consideration the huge strides in farms that are both local and certified Organic. It does not have to be one or the other...we can (and do) have both happening.LPO is a microcosm of the small Organic farms that are popping up all over the U.S. Due to the relative low start up costs (elbow grease is still free) of a 2 to 5 acre market farm, we are seeing a huge increase in certified Organic production. A 40% increase in acreage in 3 years.In addition to the number of new farms and their diverse make up (many women and minority owned), farmed acreage by existing farms are going up, meaning that the marketplace is increasing for farms who do not sell to huge retail stores. All in all, a bright Spring for the Organic movement and all its growers….and consumers.
Have a great week, Farmer Monte

Dairy Free and loving it!

2007-03-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I wouldn't really say that GM is "loving it" but he is dealing with it quite well. I really hesitated about taking him off of the dairy, but WOW am I glad we did. He is certainly happier, but the huge thing that has improved is his ability to EAT!!!

GM used to have a diet that basically consisted of a variety of combinations of bread and cheese, also some chicken nuggets etc. It was a SHORT list. Once we removed the gluten he did expand a bit, but mostly just in that he would now eat grilled chicken instead of breaded. He did pick up a lot of focus and was far less frustrated. So that was a great difference with the gluten. However with the gluten it did take months (about 6) before we really were able to see this change.

We removed the dairy (casein) about three weeks ago. He misses his dairy, but, he is now eating other foods. He ate and sort of enjoyed pasta (gluten free of course) he has NEVER been able to get pasta into his mouth because of the sensory issues and its texture. He is willing to eat kosher hot dogs, not the best food out there, but it is an expansion, he is eating corn and loving tacos!!! He even ate two scrambled eggs for breakfast yesterday. Something that a month ago would have had him gagging at the thought of it. Last night when he went to the coop and got his free piece of fruit, which he usually gives to his little sister, he ATE IT! He did have Dad take the skin off of it, but he said it was delicious! I am just blown away by how quickly his range and ability has expanded.

So what does this mean? Honestly, I think this is huge, and not just for nutritional reasons. Basically GM has struggled with sensory issues all his life and through the years he has really gathered quite the tool box of coping mechanisms. However his oral sensitivity has always been really a challenge and it has only seen moderate improvement in the past 7 years. We did get some huge improvements when he was about 15 month - 2 years old. This was when he wouldn't eat anything and so the expansion into the dry crunchies and eventually all the dairy and bread items was viewed as an improvement. However it leveled off and there we sat. My hope is that with this visible improvement to his oral sensitivities, he must be having some relief from the sensitivities that he has been coping with for all these years, bringing him some relief from the tough job of being "normal". Hopefully this will ease the struggle to filter through all the reactions his mind and body want to have to all these sensory issues and he can either rest a bit, or use that energy to bring strength to other areas or interests. I think his load is lighter.

Overall this has made one of the largest differences that we have seen in years!

Truck Shopping

2007-02-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

Well, my husband has wanted a truck since I met him fifteen years ago. He drove a really horrible old Toyota Supra for years that smoked and was so bad that I couldn't even ride in it when pregnant because it leaked so much exhaust into the cabin area that it made me sick and concerned for the baby. Everyone who actually worked for him drove FAR better vehicles and still, he didn't complain (too much). We bought a used Volvo station wagon and I drove that with the baby while he drove the toxic mobile each day commuting in the DC metro area. Then we finally got a larger vehicle for him to use for work, but the gas was so expensive for it that he gave it to me with the boys and one more on the way, and he drove the old Volvo, which by this time had a lot of issues of its own. But still, he did it because it made sense and it was what we could afford. That one finally died and we ended up buying another one that was less than the repair cost of the first one, so he was set again (sort of).

Finally we moved and when we got here he treated himself to a 1976 Ford F150, all green, and dubbed "the Hulk". While fun, this puppy gets maybe 10 miles to the gallon and has left him stranded here and there about town. The other Volvo died too, so now here we are ... truck shopping!

My only issue with this is the fuel economy. It's not the cost, its the environment that concerns me, so we have agreed to go with a flex-fuel or bio-diesel vehicle that will at least be less of an environmental nightmare!

I hope he loves this thing, he will be driving it for a LOOOOONG time!!! :-)

Homekeeping quiz

2007-02-16T18:38:00.000-08:00

Aprons – Y/N?
No, I dont usually use one

Baking – Favorite thing to bake:
Bread

Clothesline – Y/N?
Not right now, but will in the spring

Donuts – Have you ever made them?
no

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day:
Dishes

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?
Yes, a standup in the pantry

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?
Yes

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
Usually the internet, other people's blogs

Ironing – Love it or hate it?
I love it periodically

Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?
Oh yes. In the kitchen by the back door.

Kitchen: Design & Decorating?
Eclectic and fun

Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?
vaccuuming

Mop - Y/N?
No, Im a hands and knees gal

Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
Does anyone even have these anymore??

Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?
I used the window until the bulb blew out, now I use the door

Pizza - What do you put on yours?
Pepperoni, tomatoe and onion

Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Read a magazine or play around on the computer

Recipe card box - Y/N?
Yes . . . not that I actually use it.

Style of house -
Ranch style southwestern

Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?
Yes, on holidays and special occasions

Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?
We dont use chemicals, but it isnt organized either

Vacuum - How many times per week?
Five if Im having a good week, 0 if Im not

Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week?
Between 7 and 10

Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?
Yes I do, my friend Kathy and I email our lists and updates to one another each day

Yard - Who does what?
I do the gardening, Dad does the heavy labor, GM tends the chickens

Zzz’s - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Hmm, I dont have one specific, but perhaps I will start one. Oh, I do start the dishwasher!!!

We "heart" fencing!

2007-02-16T07:55:00.001-08:00

On a really great note, GM is really doing great with his fencing. Even the coach told us last night that he is doing really good and improving steadily. Im so happy that he has found something that really motivates and suits him so well. He fits in fairly well with the other guys and has a good time with them at practice. He is definitely the youngest in his group, but that is good for him as having younger kids with more energy doesnt really set him up for success. He is too distracted by the silliness, and cant focus on the lesson or the coach.

He got several really good touches last night on one kid and seemed to hold his own with another who is really quite good. He certainly left feeling really good about himself and how he did, and THAT is the goal! So Woohoo!!!!

Update on our choices with GM

2007-02-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

Okay I feel I have had enough time to absorb and process this new advice and have decided that we owe it to him to give it a try. Simply because it may make a great improvement in his daily life and we cant keep that potential from him. I will be really keeping an eye on things and watching for that point when the interventions have become more of a hindrance than the diagnosis is. I know it exists, but we havent come across it yet.

So we have been Casein Free for over a week and he didnt starve to death, so that is a good thing. I made him some delicious brownies which really boosted his idea of how this was going to be, and he likes the Rice Dream Vanilla and hasnt complained once about it not being "real milk". We did find a cheese substitute which we have managed to melt quite nicely for a quesadilla or pizza and that has helped tremendously. The first pizza was a huge flop, but the second seemed to go over fairly well. He hasnt had pizza in the way others eat it in so long that I dont think the comparison is still there and that helped out a lot. Although he did really love the Rice Crust frozen pizzas from the coop. :-(

We will do this for a while, and begin the Diflucan for yeast either next week or the one after that. We might visit with family next week and I dont want him to be an emotional mess from yeast die-off, so it depends on what we do with those plans. His stool has been much better lately, so Im hoping that the gfcf, enzymes and probiotics are helping with the yeast already and we can have the Diflucan come in and kick it's butt on out of there! :-)

Once we have done these two things, then I will start him on the fish oil and the Curcumin, along with slowly starting his other supplements, followed after by the Methyl B-12 injections. I want to be sure this is the right route first and feel I need more time to research and process the info I receive.

DAN! Dr. Visit

2007-02-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

In my search for a Dentist who works with children who have special needs and particular issues with their oral senses, I stumbled upon a DAN Dr. in Santa Fe. I feel that I have done searches for this in the past years, but never found anyone; but there he was. So I called expecting to get the usual five-eight month out appointment, and BAM, they had an opening the very next day. So we hopped right on it!

I typed up my usual information sheet which outlines our therapeutic history and our strides. Also including his current diet and our current concerns. Thank goodness because when I got there they were a bit upset that I didn't have the 18 page history packet that they usually send out to new patients. Not my fault obviously because the appointment was from the day before, but none the less I am bothered that the DR didn't have it to review. Although my little two page sheet was of some help (minimally).

So we go, and he is the usual eccentric, way too smart, egotistical, socially challenged specialists we are accustomed to seeing. All that aside, they are usually the best and they know their stuff! So we sit down and he begins to ask why we aren't Casein Free yet, I knew this would be the hit I took walking in the door, and I knew it was going to be the beginning of us taking that next step, so that was all good. Then he began explaining to me that he wanted GM to begin the Methyl B12 regimen. This is a shot every three days of 3cc of Methylcobalamin. It is administered by me and the concept is that it will help us to make another leap in function. Read here for more info.

He then proceeds to ramble off a list of books for me to read, and research for me to do and gives me a prescription for Diflucan for yeast and writes a few supplements down for us to begin at home.

So, that was that.

He did say something that resonated with me, because it is true, and it gave me some hope that this man is indeed experienced with what he is talking about and that he could become a good resource for us. He said that "you are the expert, I am just the facilitator for what you want to do for your child, you tell me what the next step is". I agree with this wholeheartedly and have always known that while we see this specialist and that therapist, in the end, it is the parents who are driving the bus, making the choices and navigating their child through this forest of options and theories. So having him recognize that, gave me hope that this guy might be okay after all. But the jury is still out. I haven't decided yet.

Driving home, my mind is just reeling. I'm asking myself questions like, how good is "good enough"? How far do we go before we can say, we did all we could? At what point is the balance between intervention and obsession? Can continuing to intervene actually make enough difference to make the realities of the intervention (shots every three days) worth it? At what point do the interventions actually become more life inhibiting than the diagnosis? If we didn't do the shots, is there this whole different level to GM that we would be keeping him from reaching? Could this be the bump that puts us into meaningful friendships, love and marriage? Is it possible that we have become so accustomed to who he is that we can no longer see the potential that could exist for him? Or as he said it, "which parts of me are the Asperger's, and which parts are just me"? It used to be easy to see, it used to be easy to point out what areas concern us, but now it is much harder, like needing a microscope to see clearly instead of it being obvious to the naked eye.

So now I am trying to determine our motivation, and our choices as to how far we choose to go. I know that until I make this determination I cant make a decision regarding the choices before us (methyl B12, hyperbaric O2 treatments). It is a process, an ongoing, often life-changing process.

Menu Planning

2007-02-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is WAY outside my box!!! But I wanted to try to see how long we could go without grocery shopping and on how little we could live (grocery wise). I really didn't do any grocery shopping in January, with the exception of milk and bread. I wanted us to eat up everything in our pantry (for the most part) and our freezer. We were able to go all of January this way! So now I have a clean freezer and a clean pantry. I made a list of what food I wanted to buy based on my Nourishing Traditions book and our regular family favorites and I went to Costco. The Albuquerque Costco has a surprising amount of Organic food, much more than my old store in VA (although maybe they do now). So I bought a lot of our food in bulk at Costco, and the rest at Walmart (UGH) but I had a gift card to use up and only bought their organic stuff so hopefully I did my little part to promote organic purchases from the Titan store. It was hard for me though!!!! Anything else I can get at the coop.

So I was able to get all our shopping done for the entire month of February and sat down and did the menu planning for the month. I feel like a cafeteria lady... today's lunch will be pasta with cheese and apple slices..... LOL But hey, until we can get into the habit, it will have to work.

I want to be more frugal with our monthly spending, especially in the area of groceries. I watched a show "Kids By the Dozen" and the Jeub family feeds a family of 13 with a household income of less than $40,000.00 per year. They live off less than that. Now they do live in CO and I don't know about the cost of living scenario, but we don't live far from them, so hey, surely we can do this with our tiny family of five!!!

I like the menu planning too because it takes the "what's for dinner tonight" question out of my head. I can actually just know that tonight is salmon with rice and veggies, and somehow it takes the dread out of the chore for me. I don't have to think, I just have to do! I like that. It seems that it is the thinking part that gets me tied up in dread and procrastination. I'm learning........

Anyway, I love this so far this month, and I'm excited to see if we can make it. I just have to keep ME out of the cheese and I need to bake about two loaves of bread per week to meet our needs.

Wish us luck!

The Family Closet

2007-02-01T14:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have had an ongoing battle with laundry. Yes, that somewhat benign thing that everyone else on the planet does without much thought or worry, has been known to kick my butt on a regular basis. It is sad, but true. BUT NO MORE!!! I have a secret weapon, I have knowledge handed down to me by other, more experienced mothers who have fought the laundry dragon and come away victorious!!!!

First, what was my issue, where was this sort of assembly-line scenario falling apart. First you gather, then wash, then dry, then put away. Isn't that how it goes? Well i had a few extra steps in there... I had gather (I'm good at that one) and wash, then I have sit and start to get that weird smell, then wash again, then dry, then fluff because we forgot it in there and everything is all wrinkled, then put in big pile on chair in bedroom, let rest.... dress from this pile until you cant remember if parts are clean or dirty, and then wash all the pile again. This brings us back to gather, the part I'm good at!!!

Okay, its ugly, but there it is, my not so streamlined version of a laundry assembly line. So, where is the back up? It comes from two places, first if my husband gets involved it can throw me into a terrible backspin that has been known to cause years of laundry hell. I kid you not! There was the removal of wet clothing to dry one shirt incident of 2003 that left us behind and continually screwed for over a year! So there is that....

Then there is the whole folding, hanging, putting away thing. I hate it! I feel so defeated by it and I basically avoid it like it is some sort of terrible manual labor that involves pick axes and a lot of sweat. But why? Oh yeah, because I will fold them and put them away and then in a little one's attempt to find that perfect shirt they will end up all over the floor, where they are then napped on by the dog! Frustrating? YES!!!!

So if I can get that end of things situated, I could then dry fast, and therefore wash faster (without the weird smell) and then we are back to gathering (the part I'm good at)!!!!

Well, a wise mother of sixteen posted on her site about the family closet (insert sound of angels singing here). Yep! One closet for the entire family. Not only one closet, but NO DRESSERS! Freedom! (again with the angels). So here is what we do and why...

Once closet for five people

the clothes range from ME to GD to GM to myself and then my husband
Below the clothes on the floor are two bins, one for kiddy socks, one for adult socks
everything is hung on hangers, including t-shirts. This keeps us from keeping clothes we don't wear because they aren't hidden in a drawer, it also makes it so the kids can see exactly which one they want and we don't end up with clothes on the floor.
the only clothes not on hangers are underclothes and pjs. These are in my closet in drawers below the hanging clothes.

This is why it is great...

All the laundry in one room means it is easy to put away
hangers only makes it VERY fast to put away
clothing in one room means everyone dresses in there, so laundry is already gathered
bedroom closets in the children's rooms are free for toys, and special things they want in there (personal storage)
no dressers frees up space in each child's room so they have more room to play
I keep a couple bags on the floor (the paper ones with handles) one for donate, one for outgrown and needs to be stored; this really helps me not over accumulate and keep things streamlined and uncluttered.
I keep clothes that are in the cycle (outgrown by one, but about to be worn by another) on the shelf above the soon to wear child's clothes, this prevents forgetting about them and finding them when the second child has already outgrown them too.

Mommy is sane! I win! I am victorious! I wouldn't even claim victory if I hadn't been doing this for quite some time now. It has been a couple months and the system has not failed me yet. I don't even have to think about it. EVERYTHING is right there. It is so simple and obvious.

First Family Stitches

2007-01-29T14:51:00.003-08:00

Well, it happened. That day you know will come when you are holding that little bundle in your arms but you try to not think about it. That first big boo-boo that sends you off to the hospital, covered in blood and someone is coming away with stitches. It turns out that a head wound can cause quite a bit of bleeding!

All is well, our GD is home and resting and enjoying a nice ice cream treat for his trauma. He was so brave and strong, and didnt move at all during the stitches. He had a CT Scan and all came back looking good.

It made for quite an adventurous afternoon. I hope our last for quite some time!!!

Roots & Shoots Watermelon Mountain Animal Refuge Trip

2007-01-29T14:51:00.002-08:00

Yesterday was a nice day, but very busy. We woke up and got ourselves out the door by 9:15am to head way north to the Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Refuge. A wonderful no-kill shelter that houses many dogs, cats and even rabbits. They have a nice facility that is growing and serving the community. The kids each brought some stuff to donate from the refuge's wish list and the volunteers were kind enough to take the kids on a tour of the facility and share with them some of the important work that they do. It was great to see the kids get so excited to see the animals and especially some of the tiny guys who's faces lit up when they got to touch a cat or see a newborn puppy. It was a nice morning.

We then went to a friend's house to visit. They live way out there so it worked out really well to tie the two together. The kids had a blast and I got to hold a baby for most of the afternoon. :-)

Then off to Grandma's for dinner. It was a really full day, but a lot of fun!!!!

2007-01-29T14:51:00.001-08:00

Scientist Fair was great

2007-01-29T14:51:00.000-08:00

Our Science Coop Scientist Fair was a great success today. There were about thirteen scientists profiled and presented by the children and everyone really seemed to have a good time. We had Galileo, Jane Goodall, Goddard, Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver and Louis Pasteur among others. The boys did a nice job with their projects and GD even presented his to the group. He was very proud of his project and enthusiastic about Carver. He is still just amazed that he made more than 300 different things out of peanuts. :-)

We then went to GM's Science Class at the museum and he had a great time learning abut Polymers while the rest of us played with the experiments in the museum. GM and GD are forming a nice friendship with two other boys who are new to homeschooling and whose family we have known for years. So that is nice too. Im glad to see them branching out a bit and expanding their circle of friends.

Im afraid the winter colds have hit our family even giving ME walking pneumonia last week, plus an ear infection. I felt really bad for her, but, as always, she was a trooper and is on the mend. We are having one of those years where you gt everything that comes down the lane. It seems like we get that way every few years. This year I think it has a lot to do with the construction in our home, the rise in fumes and dust and the exhaustion of the chaos. Once our systems were worn down by that, we didnt stand a chance. Lets hope it is better next year.

Living the good life...

2007-01-23T06:40:00.001-08:00

I'm really overwhelmed today by how lucky I am to have this life. I can not even express how at peace I feel raising my kids, in love with my husband and homeschooling our family. I know it is Corny and your not really supposed to say it, but I simply cant imagine my life being any different. I cherish the privilege of being able to stay home and be a mother to my family each and every day. I love that I can choose what we learn about and how. So many people say "oh you homeschool, I always thought about it, but I just could never do it" and I am realizing that I could never NOT do it. It would be unbelievably difficult for me to consider sending my kids to school. For me that is worse than the little extra effort of homeschooling them.

We have struggled and dealt with issues of health and finances in our almost eleven years of marriage, but we have always had the luxury of one another and the security that comes with that. We have always made decisions, including really difficult ones with our family as the center of the vision. I really feel like these simple days are the real heaven in life. Listening to them running all over the house, chatting under the covers to one another at night, laughing and screaming. Watching my husband grow from a young guy to a responsible man who is the leader and the strength that I always knew he would be. All of it is just glorious and, for me, it is perfection.

I am a very lucky woman, living the life I have always dreamed of. It is simple and common, but that is part of the beauty. I appreciate it and I am very grateful.

Cryptids, Chemistry and Robotics!

2007-01-22T14:48:00.000-08:00

Today was a big science day for us. We finished up our unit on Cryptozoology with our science coop and the kids all got to make their own cryptids and take pictures of them in scale that will be very funny once developed. Of course i forgot my camera, so I'm lame. But a friend has them all and we will see them next week I'm sure.

After a couple hours of that we headed to the science museum for a fun class on chemical reactions. Definitely a favorite subject for GM. This was all wrapped up with an hour long LEGO Robotics Lab session which lets just say was a big hit!!!

It was a great day, although ME seems to be coming down with a cough. She is taking it easy and resting now while the boys have their quiet time.

Our electrician is coming tonight to finish up the garage (crossing my fingers) and then we will just chill out for the evening. The boys do have some reading to do, but other than that we aren't doing lessons today.

I am looking forward to a show on TLC tonight called Kids by the Dozen. I am so fascinated by people with a huge family. I love watching the logistics of it all. I don't even know why, but I really get into it. The only problem is that it makes me want more kids. LOL

Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver

2007-01-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

Our Science Coop is having our annual "To Know a Scientist" fair at the end of January. A date that with our travels has managed to sneak up on us at a rapid pace. Initially I was going to have the boys choose their own scientist. Last year GM did his Grandma who is still a working Chemist, and GD was too young to participate. It was a great project and I loved how it helped him learn about what it is that Grandma does. However, this year, as he crosses over from a grade three setup to more of a grade four, I want him to have to read a biography and write about someone who has had a larger impact on our culture and society. So I gave him the choice of a few, and he chose Thomas Edison. He began reading The Childhood Biography of Thomas Edison and we went to the library where we found a few other books to use in his research.

The Importance of Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison A First Biography
Lifetimes Thomas Edison

He is pretty interested in it and has done a good job digging into the reading. This is his third chapter book for the month, which I am over the moon about! Anyway, this will be a first big project that we have decided to take seriously and I'm excited to see how it progresses!

GD is doing George Washington Carver, mainly because he loves peanut butter. :-) He has a nice short biography to read and we will work on his project presentation portion together. The kids don't necessarily have to present their projects, but usually they get asked a lot of questions, so it is good to be fully ready. He seems pretty happy with it and comfortable with the scope of things. Last fall he did his science fair project on how fast he could eat brownies with different toppings and it went really well. He learned a lot about the process and had fun telling his friends about how he got to eat brownies. :-)

Family Getaway... Taos, NM to Denver, CO

2007-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

A few months ago we planned a short family weekend getaway to Taos, NM. I had never been and the kids were definitely missing the snow of the east coast. So we found a place up in Taos Ski Valley where snow would be a guarantee and where after all the chaos of our lives under construction, we could finally have some really great family time together.

We went up to Taos on Friday evening, in the midst of what was supposed to be a HUGE snow and ice storm. Luckily we checked it out and nothing too bad was to hit Taos until after dark, and mostly on Saturday. So off we went.

Taos was adorable, well what I got to see as we drove past it on our way to the mountain. I really want to go back there and explore in the spring or fall when we can shop and eat and play some more.

We got to our cabin just after dark and realized that it was really far from anything except the store that it sat directly behind. I was really unhappy and we asked the people to move us closer to the village and they luckily were able to. this made a big difference in the quality of our stay, especially as the 18 inches of snow began to fall for the next two days. We didnt have to drive anywhere, we could walk to tubing, restaurants, and fun locations. We could explore and come and go really easily.

Saturday was just the best day I have had in a long, long time. We woke up, went to breakfast at Tim's Stray Dog Canteen where they have a WONDERFUL breakfast burrito smothered with red chili that will warm you up from the inside and then headed out to play and explore a bit.

The area is incredible with snow everywhere, deeper than I had ever seen. We walked to the ski lifts and played around a bit there, checked out the little shops and watched the people as they rode around on the ski shuttles that take them from their cars to the lift. It was really fun and cool.

After searching around for a good place to play, we found a great open space with uninterrupted snow and decided to go play there. It was up to my husbands waist!!! Well that is how far he sank, so you know it was deeper because he packes a lot down to fall in that deep. The kids were a lot lighter, so they were able to only sink in to about their thighs. We had to literally crawl to move. It was a blast!! We decided to make a fort under a picnic table that was level with the snow (the top of it was level with the snow). We thought we could make a fort beneath it but even after a lot of digging we couldnt all fit under it. The snow was just too hard to budge. We played around there and then decided to move over to another area in the trees, and out of the ind. We laughed so hard, I couldnt breath. We all kept trying to tackle my husband, but we couldnt get him down! the most fun was throwing the kids. Exactly how your throw them in a pool, we could throw them through the air and they would land in a puff of snow. they LOVED thi, but would be stuck like turtles on their backs. It was just a hoot!!!

That evening we went tubing on the small mountain bottom. Even ME was flying down the hill all by herself. I felt like a little girl again. Running and flying down on the tube on my belly. I cant remember the last time I got to do that. It was such a blast and such a fantastic way to spend an evening with our family.

All the people were just so nice and helpful. We went to get dinner at a little Pizza place called Crossroads and I asked if they would cool Grey a wheat free pizza I had brought for him, they were more than happy to help. So the whole family got to enjoy pizza together and laugh about our day.

We wrapped up our first night with a movie I brought called Millions. We all really enjoyed it and quickly passed out from a long day of play!

Sunday was beautiful, it snowed like crazy and we got to spend another day outside playing. It was significantly colder though. About 4 degrees, before the wind and -6 or so with it. We took a warm up break and played some games in our room before heading back out for more fun.

Monday we had to pack up for Denver and enjoyed our last yummy breakfast at Tim's. We will definitely come back to tTaos Ski Valley. The people were so incredibly nice and our stay was just the perfect combination of fun, excitement and relaxation. We had many hot chocolates, snow angels, and battles to last us until next year. I cant wait to go again!

Denver, Colorado

2007-01-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

My husband had a business trip in Denver which meant he had to be there all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. We was set to fly out of town on Monday evening and would be returning late Wednesday. So my wheels got to turning and since we were to be in Taos for the weekend and Denver is about five hours north of Taos, how about if we all drove up on Monday. He was off for MLK day, so it would be perfect. Plus the hotel would be free since it was for a business trip. We would pay for the upgrade to a larger room, but basically this was Denver on hardly any money! TERRIFIC!

So I packed a few extra outfits for our trip and we were off! The plan was to spend the days touring Denver and having fun in their museums and such. Plus getting to see a different city, stay in a hotel and enjoy the majestic Rocky Mountains while covered in snow! It was really a nice getaway.

We made great time from Taos up to Denver. Leaving around 11:30 am from the snow COVERED mountains in Taos Ski Valley and driving north we made it to Denver by 4;30pm. The weather cooperated and the snow and ice covered roads were at least in the valleys where it was flat and you could use the 4x4 and get some traction. All was great.

We arrived at our hotel, got checked in and headed upstairs to take showers before heading to the Aquarium for dinner and a tour. The Downtown Aquarium in Denver is open until 10pm and has a discounted admission after 6pm. Something I was happy about when we realized how small it was. Even with the discount it was 10.00 a person, and the whole aquarium takes about 45 minutes to see. So I was happy not to have paid their full rate. However it was a WONDERFUL aquarium. The kids loved it, they got to pet some stingrays and see so many cool things. GD was stoked that he got to see Seahorses, something he saw an entire traveling exhibit of in Baltimore, but doesnt remember. ME got to see a Sea Turtle which she loved and GM just had such a great time throughout the whole thing. It was definitely a favorite of all of ours!

Better yet was dinner!!! they have a restaurant that is up against the aquarium, something that is fairly common these days, but the food was just delicious! The margaritas were even better and they had so much food that GM could eat and enjoy! He even got to have a rice crispy treat desert that you could paint with colored powdered sugar water. He was really happy, and so was I! They all got cool souvenir cups to being home and we all laughed and enjoyed one another throughout our dinner. I love times like that!

I highly recommend the aquarium and the restaurant. Both are a bit pricey, but we just had the greatest time. Even after the day's long drive. It was fun way to kick off Denver, especially since it is right next to downtown, which is just beautiful at night. Denver was off to a great start!

The US Mint, Denver Co

2007-01-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

As soon as I realized we would get to be in Denver, I wanted to take the kids to the Mint to see them making our money. I was so excited and got online right away to make our reservations for a tour. We got in at a good time (9am) and were set to enjoy a nice morning in downtown Denver and we would get to see the mint. WOOHOO

Well, have you ever had one of those things that you are so excited about turn out to be just a nightmare? Well, this was one of those things. It started out great, we were up early and I had read the directions online and was ready to tackle driving in downtown Denver. I was able to use the hotel business center to print out our reservation passes and we were set! We drove straight to the mint without missing even one turn. Yeah, I'm proud!!!!

But hmmm, where do you park? Um, let me drive around this block here and see... "oh there's a lot"! But as we sat waiting for a LONG time to enter the lot I realized that they were triple and quadruple parking the cars, so when someone came to get their car, they had to move ALL the cars in that area to get to it. We weren't budging, and we had to check into the mint a minimum of fifteen minutes prior to the tour. So I was able to back out of there and look for another lot, further away. Mind you it was about 6 degrees outside, but hey we were used to it by now. I drove around, nothing.... drove further.... nothing... Got a spot! HAPPY DANCE, everyone out of the car, we have to run.... then I hear a voice.. "you cant park there, that is reserved, something I would have known if it weren't for the four feet of snow blocking any signage. Everyone back into the car... were sooo late by now! But the gentlemen at least pointed me to another spot that I could park in. So we drove over there and parked. I had to prepay five dollars, which I didnt have and so the mad scramble for change in the car began. We got it! So then we filled the darn machine with our change and off we ran, slipping and sliding all the way!!! Im running, yelling, grumpy and stressed at this point. We were freezing cold and we had to run three and a half blocks to get to the gate. Im so darned incontinent at this point that Im practically wetting my pants with every stride! UGH!!!

So we make it there. "Sorry lady but yo have to wait until the 10am tour." Geez, Louise!!!! So luckily there is a gift shop we can go into to keep warm. Now, I may be spoiled, but I am used to the gift shops of governmental tourist spots as being really nice. They usually have marble here and there, nice people in vests to help you, a lot of cool souvenir stuff that you remember from when you were a kid. But this wasnt quite like that. This was literally a trailer parked next to the mint. It has strange stuff to buy and a saleslady who pretty much wanted nothing to do with smiling at us. Im sure she is used to people coming in to keep warm, so I get it. In the 30 minutes that we waited in there, we ended up finding some fun stuff to bring home, and a gift for my brother. Maggie broke a piggy bank by dropping it, which I had to then pay for. But we were warm at least and we would all be happy once we were in the mint and getting to enjoy all the cool things inside.

Finally we had to line up outside the gates, but because we missed our reservation time, we had to wait until everyone who had a 10am reservation was let in, then we could go in. It was just so cold! But finally we got to enter through a LOT of security. The guards got a kick out of my kids simply not knowing how to do the whole security check thing. But I guess they really havent ever done it before. We havent flown in years and they probably dont remember the last time we did. One guard was laughing because GD walked around the metal detector and was marveled by all the machines. It was pretty cool to them!!!

Once inside the fun began!!! fifteen minutes of pointing to machines that you couldnt see what they were doing and a nice lady trying to explain it all. We were surrounded by really cool stuff that it turns out, you REALLY can not touch!!!!

Inside I was just laughing. I thought this is such the example of one of those days filled with good intention that is just such a bust, all you can do is laugh! We did learn some cool facts about coins and GM is now more excited about collecting all the state quarters and the new Presidential gold dollars that start this Presidents Day, so it was all good in the end!

Until we marched back through the cold to our car only to find a ticket on it. Apparently way beneath the snow there was a sign that said it was for monthly parkers only. How a person is to know this I have no idea, especially when the number sticking up out of the snow had a money slot on the big $5.00 per day sign.

What I will do to get my kids to see something cool!!

By the way, no pics because you cant take a camera to the mint. But Im sure you can just imagine how lovely we looked! LOL

The Denver Children's Museum

2007-01-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

After our morning at the US Mint we headed over to the Children's Museum. It was a really cool colorful building right off the highway and directly across the parking lot from Six Flags Denver, which GD was drooling over. :-)

It cost the four of us just over $25.00 to get in, and adults do have to pay as well. When I walked in and saw the gift shop area, I immediately thought, "hmm everything looks like baby toys" but that was it. We first got to play on the firetruck and inside of the fire prevention space. The kids all enjoyed that and we had fun taking silly pictures. But again, I was noticing that GM was quite bigger than the other kids, and that eveyone was basically smaller than ME, who is newly four. they had this really fun room that we wanted to check out, but it was only for kids under age four, so we couldnt go in. :-(
So we were off to the upstairs which is where the majority of the museum was located. It was really nice. they had a lot of great fun things to do and play with, and of course everything was interactive. I was so bummed though because everything had age limits on the entries, ages 4-8 was the majority of the space. ME and GD had a ball playing in the nature room. It was really cool, with animal costumes and differnt habitas to play in. It was done so nicely. But, there were so many mom's sitting around with their infants on their laps and sort of giving the bigger kids (within the age limits) the stink eye as they ran by. I was so annoyed. They have a HUGE room downstairs for infants to roll around in, so go there! Well this is what I thought. GM of course didnt do anything in this space because it was not for his age or size. I was just so bothered that I was following their age limits and getting the stink eye and they were just sitting their chating with each other on some sort of infant playdate in the middle (literally the middle) of the playstructure. UGH!!!!!

Okay, enough of my grumpiness on that. The museum had a great grocery shopping play
area that they all enjoyed and ME and GD made some great paintings in the Arts area. It is a really great museum to visit if you have young, young children. It was PERFECT for ME and I was thrilled to see her having so much fun. GD loved it too. He is so young at heart that he was just eating up the imaginative play areas and the fun of just running about with other kids.

GM was so mature and nice. He helped ME and GD to have a good time and helped me when the two of them wanted to be in different areas. He would help me to keep an eye that GD (king wanderer) wasnt roaming off while I was with ME. It is terrific that he is becoming so mature and able to be of so much help to me. He was also really mature about not being able to really do anything here. I can see him being upset about not being able to climb on this or do something, but he really handled it well. For a while he played int he Thomas train section with a bunch of three year old kids making them super tracks to drive their trains on. LOL It was cute!!!

If in Denver, check it out if you have small children. It is clean, well stocked and the layout makes it easy to keep an eye on multiple children. Which I am always grateful for. :-)

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2007-01-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

Wednesday morning we headed over to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. This was a key destination because of GM and my work in the local museum, and my lifelong love of museums. This did not disappoint!! Your greeted by a large TRex skeleton as you walk in the door. Of course this set the tone for the morning. This museum has three levels of exhibits, set up similar to the Air and Space Museum in DC. A center hall with exhibit rooms off to either side. Each with its own theme etc... This is nice because you can sort of clean your palette as you need to go out into the main hall before drifting into another exhibit.

We decided to start off with the Space Hall. It was wonderful! We were greeted by a wonderful and informative volunteer who let the kids hold a meteorite and explained to them how to tell if it is really a meteorite or just a hunk of lead (striped burn marks from entry into the atmosphere). He also showed us a short video of a meteor spotted in Texas that ended up landing in New York and hitting someones car. This was a hit, of course!!!

This particular area was FILLED with hands-on interactive activities for the kids. Programming a robot on mars, making impact craters in sand by shooting lead balls, computer programs that let you make stars, planets or black holes, dress-up areas where little ones can dress up as an astronaut and use tools to collect moon rocks. Just a wonderful and interactive experience. GM was in heaven, and ME and GD had a blast too! Definitely a great place to start!!

We then checked out the main hall and met up with a guy called Mr Bones. He had these huge puppet dinosaurs, made of wire and painted foam. A sort of cross between a puppet, a costume and a marionette. They were really spectacular.

Then off to Egypt for some fun with the Mummies. They had three real mummies on display. One from a wealthy woman, one from a poor woman and another that I cant remember the specifics about. It was interesting because you could really see the difference money could buy when it came to your mummification. We also learned about the urns that your organs would be held in and the various amulets that would be wrapped up in the linens. Apparently the Egyptians thought that your mind and soul were in your heart, so a scarab would be placed above the heart, but the brain was thought to be useless and was simply tossed away!

The Prehistoric life hall was terrific. They did a great job of really focusing a lot of space and money on life before the dinosaurs. This was great because GM and I are spending time talking about this along with our Creation unit. A lot of times places with jump right into the dinosaurs so this was really fun to check out. GM even seemed to really begin to see the growth of diversity on the ocean floors and how that lead to the evolution of animals leaving the sea and heading to land. So that was a nice discovery for him.

We had a nice lunch in their TRex Cafe and headed over to the gift shop for a souvenir before heading out to get Dad. His day was short so our plans to go to Hammond's Candy Shop were blown, but this was okay. We will save it for next time, and this also meant we could head back home sooner and not have as much night driving in the winter elements.

Overall this museum was probably the best thing we did in Denver. The kids all three loved it, I loved it and we all really felt like we came away having learned something new. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was the HUGE amount of space, on two different floors dedicated to dead animal dioramas. The stuffed animals in their fake habitats etc... It seems that should be a zoo thing, unless they are extinct. Anyway, it was a HUUUUGE portion of the museum, and a waste of space and time. It seemed outdated and like the museum could really teach the same things, but in a much better, more exciting and interesting way. In the end you leave feeling more sad for the animals than that you had learned about them. I bet they update that over the years, and bring that space more up to the levels of their other exhibit halls.

Third Grade Creation Myths

2007-01-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

In looking forward to what third grade had in store for us the idea of hearing a variety of creation myths from cultures around the world really resonated with me. So I sat down and did some research on some of the different varieties of creation myths and thought a bit about things such as the Big Bang theory etc....

Working at the local museum, I found a wonderful book called "Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story". I bought it and the two other titles that follow in the story of how life on earth came to be from a scientific perspective. I love these books, although at times they stray into more science than I see necessary, they are beautifully written with a true storytelling feel. They really connect to the child because they come from the perspective that this story is everyone's story and that we are all a part of the universe. This is a perspective that I like because I feel it brings in a foundation of brotherhood, empathy and responsiblity for our planet and the other people, animals and plants that live here.

So using this as a background for our unit, I then decided to bring in the creation myths from the various cultures. Below is a breakdown of what we are doing and some examples of GM's work.

We have a Geological Main Lesson Book (images above). It is a huge book measuring 16X20 and spiral bound. We use this for our "scientific perspective" book. So in here we are entering pictures and writings which come from the Universe book and other ideas that we come across here and there. Eventually this will grow into multi volumes as we begin studying the continents and their biomes... then getting more into the people who live there and their cultures... from here we move into history.

Some of the Creation Myths we have done, or will do include:

Raven : A creation story from the Pacific Northwest about how the Raven brought the sun to the people.

How the Tewas Found their True Home: Local Southwestern Creation Myth

The First Day of Creation: A Jewish creation story

Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon and Stars Began. Another local Native American Creation story

Japanese Creation Story

Pangu and the Creation of the World: A Chinese Tao story of the creation

the Dreamtime: An aboriginal Creation Myth from Australia

The Story of Olorun: A Yoruba story of the creation (West Africa)

No need to classify or define..A Rant

2007-01-11T08:41:00.001-08:00

I have noticed in the homeschooling world that many people really feel the need to classify their style or their approach to homeschooling. Almost like without a label of some sort they lack definition. I understand this process in group settings when we are tryng to find the like-minded family; Are you an unschooler, a religious based homeschooler, waldorf, Enki, Eclectic????

I find it really hard to believe that any family could be completely one style. Isnt homeschooling about your family? Isnt it about finding your way and not just following the way of a group or a style? I know that with some religious based programs it is important to follow a set program, and I guess that is the exception. But I almost consider that a completely different type of homeschooling. It is more about choosing a different set path than it is about creating your own path. I could be wrong, and again there are exceptions. But overall I would say that this is what my experience has shown.

I have yet to meet anyone who is a complete unschooler. I know people who associate themselves with this style, but they still add in a little of this or that. I dont know anyone who is completely Enki, or completely Waldorf or any other thing for that matter.

Of course classifying has its uses, but here is my issue...

When you allow a title or a style to define you and your homeschooling, you can easily lose your way. When you try to follow any one style too closely you begin to view the success of the program and your adherence to it as the success instead of the growth of your child as the success. Does that make sense? When we make working a style or program the priority or our theories of education to blur our vision of what our child needs, we lose. Worse yet, our kids lose.

I have my thoughts, opinions and theories about how I want my kids to learn, what I want to use and how I want to go about it. However i also have three children. The ideal in my mind may not be the ideal for each of them. I have to be sure that I am not allowing my need to meet benchmarks or be Enki, or be this or that to cloud what matters. Am I meeting the needs of my child? That is the mantra, that is the goal. Not to be Enki, not to be an unschooler, not to be whatever. To be GM, GD and ME's mother and to try my darndest to help each of them grow to be happy, healthy, educated and inspired people.

So if that means that in October we had to unschool, and in January we are back to Enki, and we throw in some Saxon Math and a bit of reading what would be called literary trash by the Classical Ed folk, then so be it. I try to stay true to my vision, but I cant allow my vision to equally not meet my child in the way the school systems guidelines wouldnt. Sometimes our vision for our children can blind us to their actual needs.

Anyway, in writing this blog and thinking about things and how they are or are not working for us, I needed to get that off my chest. Yes, if you need to define us, we are an Enki family in that we really live a life inspired by the foundation guides. I love them and find them to be incredibly inspirational to me and my journey with my children. However, I doubt we really look like one. We dont make choices based on "is this or that Enki" I couldnt care less. However I believe that it needs to be "us". Is this or that a part of what we want or need for our family? Sometimes that falls into an Enki framework, and sometimes it doesnt. It is essential that it falls into our families framework, first and foremost.

After that, its all just names and ideas. The only benchmarks, activities, outlines etc that we need to follow are the ones that work for our families. Leave what doesnt work behind and face forward to finding and doing what works best for you.

Could Gluten-Free actually be working??

2007-01-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

In returning to our lessons after the holiday break I have noticed a large improvement in GM's ability to get through his materials without issue. He hasnt really ever struggled with doing his work correctly, it was just that it took him so long to do so. We would move through some things quickly, but reading and writing were really slow and often required a lot of encouragement from me.

In talking on the phone with a friend of mine who also has a chld with Aspergers I realized that I am no longer having to nudge him to keep him focussed. I used to have to say "focus" time and time again, just to get through a basic lesson. I havent had to say it to him once in the past two weeks. I used to really have to do this when he was reading, and especially if he was reading something of any length. Now I am telling him to read two chapters at a time and he is doing it without even a grimace or the need for me to tell him to focus again.

We have been gluten-free for about seven months now. In talking to my friend I realized that maybe, just maybe it is the new diet that is helping us through this particular area of challenge. I kept thinking that he just hit a point of maturity, forgetting that the diet could be actually helping us in some way. But in thinking about it, I have to say that Im thinking the diet is what is supporting him right now. He is being far more positive about his fencing too. Just over the break he didnt even want to show anyone his "moves" because he gets so shy about it and then when it was time to return to fencing, he seemed uninterested. But then we went last week and even though the kids he bouted with were at least thirteen years old, he came away from it all happy and positive. This is rare for our little Eeyore. He was telling me about how that big boy got a lot of touches on him, but he got a few on him too and that he was really proud of his improvement. He actually said "Im proud of my improvement". Also when asked if anyone wanted to stay for open gym and practice a bit more after class he was the only one who said yes. Another sort of "off character" thing for him. He is usually pretty ready to go after the 1:15 class.

He is also getting up and making his own bed EVERY day, without asking. Also cleaning up his room, without drama.

I dont know, maybe it is a combo of maturity and the diet, but I have to wonder. Could this be due to the benefits of being gluten-free??

All I know is that we wont be going off it anytime soon!!!!

Our Holiday Photo

2007-01-08T16:39:00.000-08:00

Cryptozoology

2007-01-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

Today was our first day back with our science coop. One of the mom's has this unit and is presenting and letting the kids explore the world of Cryptozoology. They loved learning about the many different ways that you can describe the sighting of a lake monster or of a Yeti or even just a kangaroo. The kids got to listen to many cryptid descriptions while sketching what they heard. It was a lot of fun. Some of our friends from VA who have very recently begun homeschooling came today too and got to meet some of our other friends. Plus we had a couple other new families join in the fun.

The boys both enjoyed the morning and ME had a lot of fun playing in the play-doh and visiting her friends. Afterwards we came home and sat down to work on some math and the boys each got to pick their books to read this week. GM chose another chapter book and GD chose an expanded form of The Gingerbread Man. He loves that story!

Tonight my Brother-in-law is supposed to come over to play LEGOs with the boys and my husband. They have really been looking forward to this as they really enjoyed their playtime with their uncle last week. GM made a cryptid to show him and GD is working on something up there that I havent had the honor of checking out.

Week 1

2007-01-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

This first week of 2007 has been just wonderful! I am so at peace now that we have the bulk of the construction behind us and we can look forward into this year without the stress and pressure of all that chaos. We were able to have company a few times, enjoy family time and get a lot of stuff done regarding our lessons and maintaining the house.

Currently our daily schedule has been ...

Coffee/computer (I check email, and send a message to a friend back east who trades to-do lists with me)
make our beds
clean up the house
breakfast/clean up from breakfast
lessons
lunch
free time/quiet time
independent practice work (math and reading)
fencing or company
dinner
family time (game night, movie night..._
bed

This next week I will try to get our yoga and movement back in place and continue with the progress we made this past week.

GM finished his chapter book he bagan on Tuesday and GD has only one chapter left. Both made terrific progress with their math and their main lessons. GM is currently studying the creation of the earth and universe via a wonderful book called Born with a Bang: The Universe Tells our Cosmic Story in conjunction with the reading and working of various cultural and religious creation stories. GD is loving learning more about the animals of winter and working some of the Enki winter nature stories. ME has even been trying to get in on the action with making little books about colors and animals that she likes. She doesnt know her letters yet as she is way too busy exploring the world around her, but she is definitely growing interest in things of that nature. Maybe she will be ready to learn some letters in the fall, but we'll see.

Anyhow, fencing is going great, and GD has asked to do some boys gymnastics again like he did in VA. ME wants to take a dance class for traditional Mexican Folk dancing. So in this new year I have decided to give it a whirl and support them wanting to be active in something outside of the home. I usually make them wait until they are older, but they both are so excited about it that I think I will see how it goes for this winter/spring season.

Oh yeah, we went to see Night at the Museum on Saturday with Grandma and it was so fun! Great movie for the whole family to enjoy together!

Fly Away Home

2007-01-05T20:02:00.000-08:00

Well we just had the most wonderful family movie night watching Fly Away Home. I highly recommend it to the few of you out there who may not have seen this movie. We all cried and just absorbed what a wonderful story it was. Having raised a dozen chickens this year (not the same thing, but still)I think it touched us all the more. The two weeks of having them live inside of our house when a sudden cold front hit our area didnt hurt either.

Anyway, GM is outside now in the dark, 15 degree weather spending time with the girls in their coop. He asked Dad to come with him so he could hang out out there and hold them for a while. Im happy to see that it touched him in some way. GD cried with me, but I ALWAYS cry at movies! I just get lost in them. It seems that GD does too.

I dont think any of us will look at a flock of migratory birds in the same way.

I just loved it!!!

PS. ME is out there now too. She wanted to give one of them a hug. :-)

Operation Migration

Back to Basics...

2007-01-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Well Im blissfully (no pun intended) enjoing the simplicity of our regular life. The basics of getting up, making the beds, doing our lessons, cooking dinner, watching a favorite show or playing a game with the kids. I have been looking forward to this for so long that I am really aware and happy to be back to normal.

Our lessons for today look a little like this...

Journaling
GM also needs to make an entry from the chapter he read last night into his reading journal
Math (each boy will do some math this morning)
GM will enter "Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon and Stars Began" into his Good Book
Both boys will do a reading comprehension exercise
Both boys will read the next chapter from their readers
GM will make an entry into his Geo Book about the planet formations
GD will do another Headsprout activity (he loves those things)
GD and I will read a nature story together from Enki
GM will write a letter to his penpal (his much neglected penpal)
ME will hang out and do some crafts on the floor while we work on these things

So that is the goal for this morning. Everyone seems to be taking to getting back into the groove really well. I think they have been craving it!!! I know I have!

Holiday Prayer

2006-12-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

Beyond the beliefs of any religion,
there is the truth of the human spirit.
Beyond the power of nations,
there is the power of the human heart.
Beyond the ordinary mind,
The power of wisdom, love, and
healing energy is at work in the universe.
When we can find peace within our hearts,
We contact these universal powers.
This is our only hope.

Tarthang Tulku

The sixth member of the family.

2006-12-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well, now that things are beginning to settle down for us and the winter holidays are kicking in, Im in a space where I am really wanting to get back to the basics of what matters to us. The heart of the matter, as noted in previous posts. I have really learned a lot about myself during this time of transition and construction. I had to really challenge a lot about how I do things and really push myself to keep going. It sounds silly I know, but it was really challenging for me to follow through with this many projects, to wake up and work hard all day until I passed out that night, for months on end, with weekends being the worst of them all. I dont mind hard work, but this was crazy. I realized that I can accomplish a lot in a day, and that I can really pull things together when I need to. I also learned that I have a lot of character issues to work on. I need to really not procrastinate so much (big surprise there) I need to stand up for myself better and let my thoughts and opinions be known. I also confirmed that I have painted WAY too many houses and that this needs to be my last!!! LOL

I think the most important thing that I realized is how tied I am to my home. Ironic when you know how much I have moved in my life (over 40 times). I love my home, no matter where it is or what it looks like. I love being home and fixing home up. I have a truly symbiotic relationship with my home. I figured this out when my home being in true chaos sent my brain into true chaos. I couldnt sleep, we couldnt eat right, we basically had to just dig in and work our tails off to get it done before we could ever even hope to get back to a feeling of equilibrium. I was grumpy, frustrated, emotional, and dancing on the edge of a breakdown on a few occasions. I know this sounds dramatic, but it is true. Having my house THAT torn apart was really very hard on me. The worst part was that I couldnt quit, or take a break from it. If we took a break it was just prolonging the time of chaos. I obviously couldnt jump up and say nevermind either. LOL

This is all a good thing, because now, more than ever, I can see how our home can be a wonderful and positive energy for us. Now that I know how it can effect us, I can make that effect a positive one. I can create that space where we will live our lives, build our memories and dream of our futures. I can create that supportive environment that really does nourish us and helps us to be the best we can be. My housework isnt just about cleaning, it is about supporting my family, their hearts, their moods, their strength and their confidence. It's not just chores, it is love.

The heart of the matter when it comes to my home is that it is the sixth member of this family, and it is the container for our lives. It is a living energy and while it can really destroy our moods and perspective, it can also support us in our dreams and our emotions. It is up to me. That is my job as a homemaker. Not to clean so that people can come over, but to create and support that sixth member of the family so it can in turn, support us.

Zoo...Bosque...Poodles...

2006-12-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Last week was wild. We started our week off with our visit to find Australian animals that live at our local zoo, followed Wednesday by a visit to the bosque with our Roots & Shoots group and topped off with ME's Pink Poodles in Paris birthday party. It was quite the week!!!

Im looking forward to getting back to normal this week. We had our Science Coop planning meeting and winter party today. It went well and it sort of kicked off our holiday season. We wont have Science again until after the new year. The break is nice although we miss our friends.

This week we will be getting back into the swing of life. Hopefully easing back into lessons and getting our house ready for the holidays. Decorating for all the winter festivities. Im really looking forward to all of it!!!!!!

Australian Animals

2006-12-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

Our little homeschool science coop wrapped up my unit on Australian Animals today with a trip to the zoo to discover all the wonderful Australian Natives we have living here. It was cold, really cold, but we had a great day. The kids did a wonderful job with drawing and writing in their Safari books and finding great animals. The cold winter-like days of December, January and February always seem to bring us such funny animal encounters when we go to the zoo. Today we had a snow leaopard literally get up on it's hind legs and wave his front paws at us as we waved to him, a kookaburra laughed hysterically along with the kids and one of the koalas was actually awake and the kids got to see him walking around and hop from one branch to another. It was a great day to visit the zoo.

I will admit I am also happy that my unit is now complete. We are a coop so each family does a unit and while it is a lot of fun, it is also a lot of work. I was lucky though and was able to use the framework for the African Animals unit I did last year and just revamped it with Australian animals instead. It is a fun unit which is really about the biomes of a particular continent. We learn about the biomes of that continent and then about the animals that call each one home. Australia was actually very interesting and has a very unique evolutionary history that explains why it has such wildly unique animals. I really enjoyed getting to learn so much more about it.

A day to exhale...

2006-12-02T17:10:00.000-08:00

Well, today I was so incredibly unproductive that I can only say that it must have been a much needed exhale. Im bummed that I didnt accomplish much (anything), but boy it sort of felt good. :-)

GM and I had to work this morning at the museum. It was a nice and quiet morning, several families came in and GM was able to show them and hold two of his favorite snake friends. That is a successful morning as far as he is concerned. I was thrilled that we were able to take in some math and knock out quite a few lessons to get "caught-up". Math is really the only subject that I really feel is important to not mess with or jump around in. It is also my weakest subject, so this may all be due to some sort of lack of confidence on my part. Who knows? Either way, GM loves it and flew through lesson after lesson and we got excited to dig back into our regular lessons as soon as we can.

My husband has been working on replacing the mantle in our living room and our wonderful contractor is finishing the closets in our kid's rooms. So clearly we arent in a settled state quite yet, but this is like having tiny little projects going on compared to the previous few months.

I am excited to get to finish painting the kid's rooms and getting them settled into their new space. That is HUGE!! I have been feeling so guilty about how they have been having to live in chaos for so many weeks on end, and believe me, you can see it in their behavior. Unfortunately I just dont know how to make it better without just digging in and getting it done. Were almost there... really....

ME is having her birthday party next weekend and she is all excited about that! Pink Poodles in Paris is her theme. She went poodle crazy a couple months ago after getting one as a gift. She has officially gone "girly" on me and is all about pink, sparkles and puppy dogs. It is so funny.

Anyhow, I thought I would update as we continue our journey back to normal. :-)

My life has not been my own!

2006-12-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

There just is no other way to describe it. My life has been nothing more than a long, long, long to-do list and the only way to regain control over it is to finish the list. I am having the hardest time with the whole thing. I feel like I set up my life to be really simple, uncomplicated and by all means not filled with to-do lists, yet here I am.

We have been under FULL construction for a few months now. It has really been very hard on all of us. Worth it? yes, it really will be; but WOW I didnt foresee the amount of chaos it would bring into our lives.

We are getting closer to normal everyday and especially lately. We have about 6 or 7 large in-house projects to complete and then the interior of the house will be settled. The yard and garage will take a bit longer. Im hoping by Christmas.

I really have missed getting to write in this way. I have barely seen my computer, much less gotten to sit and type on it. LOL

Anyway, we are getting closer and closer to normal and I am even hoping to get back to lessons on Monday. We really miss it and need it!!!!

We are still here!!!

2006-10-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

We are still out here, alive and well! I promise. We just have been fully focussed on our lessons and the house construction and havent had a bit of time or energy for anything else. Even our local friends have been neglected in our frenzy to stay afloat right now.

So please keep checking back for updates coming soon. I just need to get through this time and then I will hopefully be back to my old chatty self. :-)

A Day in the Life...

2006-09-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today we really began our full lesson cycle. I thought I would post our day, just to share with those who are curious and of course the family and friends who are checking in from tie to time.

So today we...

got up had coffee (well, I did)
Tended the chickens
Made and ate gf pancakes
Cleaned up the kitchen and did our morning chores
went for a walk around the neighborhood
Did our yoga and movement activities for a start to our day
Wrote in our journals
GM did some math
GD and I read the first part of Little Falcon
GD read the first chapter of Mouse Tales
GM read another chapter of his third grade reader
We read How The Tewa's Found Their Way Home.
Went to the park
Went to the store for some new Good Books and a new Learning Candle
Went to the Farm for our veggies
Came home did our independent study work
Made dinner (grilled salmon and fresh salad)
Read GD the second half of Little Falcon

Tonight we will play a game and the kids will hear a story from Dad. Likely another Jataka tale. Then it is off to bed by 8pm. (Im hoping)

Another reason to support your local CSA

2006-09-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

From Farmer Mopnte of Los Poblanos Organics

Contracting Network

I will remember this year (and when a farmer says year, we really mean growing season, fyi) for many reasons, but mainly just for two—the growing season and the expansion of a network.This year’s growing season has been the best that I have yet to see in NM. Granted it is only my 4th one here, but still it is a year that I have been waiting for since March 2003. We have had some good growing years up until now, but no amazing ones. And as I look at the contents of this weeks box, it is hard for me not to smile.For some reason or another the stars have just been in alignment this year for LPO. A large part of me knows that it is just Mother Nature cooperating with us with climactic conditions. But there still is that small part of my hubris that wants to claim that we might actually be learning something throughout our trials and tribulations. Shoot, the two are not mutually exclusive, so maybe both are happening. Hopefully so.Besides all the good that seems to be pouring in from the fields, our network is expanding. Well, maybe that sounds misleading. When I think of something expanding, I think of expanding ones distance. But we are actually shrinking our network’s distance, so maybe we are in essence contracting our network.We are attracting the eyes of more local growers as viable way for them to easily and effectively distribute their Organic produce. And by we, I really am referring to you, the members. I have very little to do with it, but it is through your support that allows us to move (eat) large amounts of produce, which entices local growers to team up.You see, as a mid scale grower (maybe 10-100 acres) you run into a marketing dilemma. And that is this, you are too big to effectively sell through Farmers’ Markets. Those markets alone cannot sustain the financial burden or move enough product for a farm that size.So that leaves the grower with having to wholesale their produce through what is called a clearing house. And many times, the clearing house will not sell it to the final consumer, but to a retailer or possibly yet to another wholesaler. What ends up happening (as we all know) is that there is then constant pressure for the grower to drop their prices. A very pride swallowing act for any grower to have to do. And a terrible cycle that needs to be relieved of its duties whenever possible. And through a tight local network of growers and ranchers, everyone wins.So why then is it different when LPO becomes the wholesaler, you might be asking? And it is a good question. The first important point to look at is that we are not a trucking company. We act merely as a distribution hub for local growers. They bring it to our cooler, we pack boxes right there, and then you get it that week. Simple and tight. It is almost a straight line from the farm to your casa...more or less. But you get the point.The other important factor to look at is the overhead issue. The larger the wholesaler, the larger the overhead, which in turns leads to increasing prices for consumers, and decreasing profits for the grower. There is Food Industry Economics 101 in one sentence. And I honestly do not know if our overhead could be any leaner than it is right now. Not without losing sanity.And being a grower I know how it feels to haggle with someone over price, so we do not do it. We ask the grower what price they would like to see, and 9 times out of 10 it is totally reasonable. For growers know that it is through that “reasonable” price where they can sell the most product. The free market is a beautiful thing at times, and actually can promote a win-win situation for all the parties involved. Very sweet.
Enjoy, Farmer Monte

Success disguised as failure

2006-09-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been working so hard to get to begin our lessons on Tuesday the 5th. I think I became fixated on it and lost sight of the fact that while I do need a good start date, I also need to remember to choose what is best for us and our family. The house has been ripped apart and I am working on getting it back together.

Initially I felt that if we didnt start on full blocks this Tuesday that I was starting off on the wrong foot and that I was already sort of failing. However, the truth of the matter is that because I am able to see what we need and address it, moving things around to set us up for the best possible beginning, I actually think this choice was a big success. I have kicked myself in the past for holding fast to a date or an outing because I felt we needed to do it, even though my heart told me it wasnt the best choice for us. Then it all goes woncky and I am like " I knew this wasnt a good choice for us, why didnt I listen". So this time, I listened.

We are doing some of our practice work, and our reading so we are getting in the flow, but we will not start our lessons full on until next week. I need these extra days to finish getting the house together and to allow myself the time I need to feel that I can fully turn my attention back to our lessons and our rhythm.

I have downsized a LOT of our things and the relief is enormous! I even donated a lot of our old linens. WOW that was hard. I dont know why, but it was really hard for me. I even woke up this morning thinking I had made a mistake, but I know it was the right thing to do. Wedding gift linens that dont fit our bed, old character sheets that the kids got as gifts and we never use, and the hardest, the cowboys linens from their first big boy beds. That one is still hurting me a bit. :-( In the end though, we have to really downsize. I CANT maintain all this and be successful in the things that matter to me, homeschooling, and creating a nice homelife for us. It is just TOO much! I really need to continue this and change my outlook on "things". I feel so much guilt in getting rid of things that have served us in our lives. I feel that I owe it to them to provide them with a nice home and keep and care for them. I know, Im crazy, but that REALLY is how I feel.

Anyway, we are all feeling good around here (except that Grey and Maggie have a stomach thing going on) and the mood is improving with each bag of donation and load of laundry. Im excited now for us to really get started next week. That is how I want to feel, not frantic and pressured!!!!

In the groove again

2006-09-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Wow, the past few weeks have really been insane. Worth it, but really just overload, every day!!!! My goal was to get the inside of our house done (ish) by today so we could start our lessons. Here we are, and with the exception of putting some things back together and away, we made it! It has really been a race to the finish. I have been pretending in my mind that we are on an episode of Trading Spaces or one of those shows where you do a ton of projects in one day to meet the deadline. It sort of worked. :-)

So we are moving right along and really enjoying the results of everything. The lights in the kitchen are wonderful, I can finally see in here. The countertops rock and Im loving the new space they give me for things like baking and having my laptop near by with my coffee. I fel like it is my domestic headquarters now. LOL I can bake, clean, pay bills, have coffee and work from the heart of the house. I love it. We got the viga in and stained and it is wonderful. One thing I really insisted on was haveing a viga in our home. I just couldnt imagine living in New Mexico without one. A viga is basically a large column that is a tree without bark. They are beautiful and SO New Mexico. Due to the fact that our home will have more of a Northern New Mexico style , we had to use a square cut viga instead of a round one to go with that style. The round is more of a pueblo style, so it would have looked awkward and forced. So square it is, but I still love it!!!

Anyway, on to today and this week...

I am having my coffee and reviewing my plan for today until about 9am. Then we will start our day with a walk, well I will just list it...

Walk around the neighborhood
Begin lessons with our journal writing
While GM does math I will read "Little Falcon" to GD
Indep Reading
Play a game together
Lunch
Go to the Bosque for a nature exploration afternoon
Home
Quiet time
Practice Time (math work)
Free time
Make track molds from local animals
Dinner
Evening Rhythm

We arent doing a full lessons day today, because we do better easing into things a bit, but tomorrow will be better, with movement and the beginning of the Geo block.

I will write later to see how we did.

Mayhem...

2006-08-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

That is the only way to describe our home right now. We have finished with the demo portion within our living space, but havent begun the rebuild portion, so it is a disaster around here. This weekend we will hopefully get a lot done! We need to..

Get the tile glue up off the entry way floor
Remove and re-lay the wood floors
Fix the drywall on the ceilings where we took out walls
Put in the new beam and wall topper (after staining)
Put the house back together after all this

I want us to start our lessons on Tuesday morning. Im nervous that we will still have too much chaos going on around here, but hopefully if we can meet these goals we will be okay and able to begin on track.

I wanted to update the blog, Im sorry I havent been writing much, but I literally havent had enough time in a day to do all the work I am neding to do. So unfortunately my blog has suffered.

Harvesting Peppers and Theatre

2006-08-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Our peppers are growing by leaps and bounds! Unfortunately all the rain will make them quite mild, but these beauties will be perfect for chili rellenos! Nice size and easy to stuff with whatever we want! Now to just get a working range before they loose their freshness. They are all organic, and lovely! Unfortunately an enormous squash bug infestation took out all of our pumpkins and cassava melons! Howver the watermelon is looking quite wonderful! I may open one up for snack later this morning.

As I have posted before attending live theatre productions is a major priority for our family and for the kids. I like to attend about one a month (on average). The Popejoy Hall Schooltime Series is a terrific way to get to take the children to a great live production for a good price. Many of the productions are also performed in the evening for a much larger price and a much longer presentation. The schooltime series is $4.00 per seat and the show runs usually for just an hour. Making it easy for the ME's in the bunch. I just ordered tickets for eight different productions which I felt would be fun for the kids. Now I need to look at their evening series and add in some of the full performances of things that are not offered during the day. I usually only take the boys to the full productions, only because they usually run about an hour before the intermission and then an additional 45 after that. It is just too much for ME. Although by this spring she may be ready.

In the context of the threads which are important to me, theatre is a really big one. I want the kids to not remember a time when they didnt attend live theatre productions and I want them to feel the energy of imagination and artistry that goes into bringing everything together for a full performance. They have loved some and not cared for others, and that is fine. Its about the experience of the moment and taking in what the performers are giving, right in that moment. It can be really inspirational and because it is live I feel it is a form of entertainment that touches them on a much different level than watching a stage performance which has been recorded. It is just important. Really important!

Thank goodness for erasers!!

2006-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have been reading and planning and thinking and digesting for a bit now and I think Im on to something. My goal is to streamline our lessons to work in a way that we are covering multiple topics and covering many subjects at the same time. So having the boys doing different things is NOT streamline! In fact it is really a lot of juggling.

Obviously they will be doing different levels of lessons, but I can juggle that. Having them doing completely different topics however, not so easy.

So I have now got it down to a smooth way of working with both boys on their independent levels. My panic about having to really split things up has passed and I am back on track!

After a LOT of erasing!!!

First and Third dont go together

2006-08-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

As easily as second and K/1. I have been planning to cover a lot of things with the boys together, but in really looking at it and in trying to determine what will be best for them, I now know I am going to have to really do a lot of different things with them. A lot together still, but there will be full lessons that are meant for GM and some that are for GD. GM is ready to really dig into a lot of grade three material and GD just isnt ready for it yet. He is so enthusiastic about his grade one materials and still has such a hunger for learning that I dont want to overwhelm or flood him with materials he just isnt ready to digest yet. I know that they guage this on their own and can take from it just what is right for them, but I also know that if consistently faced with material that is just undigestable, the child will close that door and lose some of their hunger.

I think I will try to do some seperate blocks with them (one on one) for the first few blocks of this year and if I see that GD is ready to participate (on his own level) with what GM is doing, then I will combine them for a few things. GM can certainly benefit from participating in some of GD's blocks, but at the same time he needs material that nourishes him right now. This is a big year for him and I want to really allow him to fully explore the materials he is developmentally ready for.

September 4th

2006-08-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Well, ironically when I backed out our schedule of blocks for this year and counted backwards from when I want us to be done, put in our breaks and such it turns out the best day for us to begin our lessons is September 4th. The day after Labor Day. I had to laugh at how it falls on the traditional first day of school for most. Although the kids in Albuquerque are ALREADY back to school. Unbelievable but nice too. Now the museum's are less crowded and the normal balance of kids being around the neighborhood during the day is restored.

Anyhow, that is the big change. I wanted to wait until October when the construction should be finished, but with so much to do in Third Grade and with GD now entering fully into First grade material I think I will want to get a full block done before the construction is done and then take a break to move the kids into their new spaces. Continue with the second block after that and wrap that up before Thanksgiving and ME's 4th birthday.

Joseph Austin

2006-08-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

Well, after a long labor and forming process. Long mainly due to my anticipation and excitement, the countertops are poured and they are GORGEOUS!!! I told Joseph (the guy doing them for us) that I just cant believe that we get to have these beautiful things in OUR home, and it is so true, I cant believe they are ours to keep. :-)

I drew these countertops out over a year and half ago, while still living in VA but struggling with the decision to buy or not buy Manuel's childhood home. The kitchen was essential, as it is in most homes, but in this house it is literally the center of the home. So it had to really work for us. I have wanted concrete countertops for over 7 years now, but could never afford them. Some women love diamonds, I love things like this for my home. I wont set foot into a mall or a hair salon, or worse yet a nail salon!!! But boy, give me some concrete countertops and I am on top of the world!!! LOL

So anyway, here is the deal! Joseph totally rocked this job, he listened to what I wanted, and although unconventional, he was fully on board and really added a lot to the project. He suggested moving the faucet, and adding or stretching a curve here and there. He really took the time to hand smooth them and give me that handwork and sculpted look I wanted. His friend Dana came and helped him to hand pour and finish them (until 2am). It was so fascinating. They really are artists in what they do and I HIGHLY recommend contacting Joseph if you have any concrete needs in the Albuquerque area!!!

Joseph Austin 505-261-3683

The Great Peach Adventure!

2006-08-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I forget the curiosity of a three year old child. How that is possible I dont know because ME is the most curious child I have met, and FAR more curious than her brothers EVER were!!!

So why was I surprised when yesterday her brother (GD) came walking down the hall telling me in a sad voice that ME had put his peach in the toilet. This was a brand new peach, he got about two bites out of it so far. Mind you these are the super yummy Colorado peaches that I had just picked up from the farm. So that makes it a double bummer.

I no sooner called out her name when I heard it....yep! She flushed the toilet!!! I ran.... peach was gone and the water level was rising!!!

Luckily I got to the back of the toilet in time to stop the water, but now what???

Lets just say that my husband is quite clever! He removed the toilet from the floor and used a shop vac to blow the peach out of the turning portion of the lower toilet parts. It didnt come flying out or anything but it did unlodge it enough to put a wire hanger down it and stab the peach, pulling it back out.

Thank goodness it wasnt in the plumbing!!!!

Small blessings....

Comments fixed...

2006-08-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I got a few that were advertisements and I thought I made it so I needed to approve them, but apparently I broke it. LOL

Anyway it is back on and hopefully working now.

Self-Directed Play and Introspection

2006-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Another thread that is really important to us and will definitely be included in our Enki Web activity is the importance of self-directed play and it's roll in self regulation, calming, and introspection.

i grew up an only child and really had very long periods of time where I played alone and quietly. Lost in my imagination and my thoughts. I really feel that this was a great gift in my life. Of course i wished I had siblings etc, every kid does, until they have them. LOL But really I think the extent of my creativity, thoughtfulness and ability to gain wisdom from my experiences and those of others comes directly from this aspect of my childhood. Of course there are other factors, but this is one I CAN bring to my children. Their alone time is far more limited due to siblings, but I really want to mindfully create opportunities for them to just free play, explore and imagine.

I remember being a little girl and playing with my Barbies. I didn't just do their hair and make them talk about their clothes. This was elaborate imaginative play that I can STILL remember storylines from. I would make entire "movies" as I called them, some would last for a month or so, and others just an afternoon. I had to build the sets, create the characters, choose their voices and styles. It would often take days just to get set up for the actual play part. The blessing here is that my Mother would allow for me to keep these huge "sets" set up in my room, so I could build and build and explore something through to the end, allowing the river to run its full course.

In looking back at this type of play I can see how it helped me to really explore the limits of my own mind and to really create an inner dialog that would carry me through many of life's curves and bumps. I want to give this opportunity to my kids.

So how?

Well currently and for as long as I have had the children, we have allowed a great deal of free play, supplying the open ended toys that allow them to get lost in their little worlds and to not feel that they had a time limit on it. It has been regarded as part of their job, and respected as an essential part of their childhoods. However I can see how having the boys sharing a room can really break up their individual styles and sets them up to really not have their own inner dialog develop. They are playing together and bending and communicating with one another throughout. This is terrific in its own right, but not the goal for this particular thread. (It fits into another)

We are renovating the house and while the boys will likely still want to sleep together, they will have their own rooms and their own spaces to build, explore and play while flowing with their individual stream of consciousness. I know they have very different styles and appreciate their ability to meet in the middle, however they aren't fully exploring themselves with this right now. I really hope having their own space will help with this.

Also we will continue to allow for the time to play in this way to exist. Giving them a free day each week to really just get lost in themselves, as well as the quiet time each day to play in their rooms uninterrupted and open ended.

This gives us three lesson days a week, plus the one day of coop. Together we will have four days of "learning" in a format that is conventional, and then we will have this free day, likely it will be Friday. There is still practice on this day, but the mornings are free.

Right now most of our days are open ended like this, because we are on a break, but I want to be sure to include it into our week, and to recognize it as a priority in our plans and expectations for each week.

Folding in our afternoons

2006-08-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

I have struggled with our afternoons and trying to bring in practice time and project times (baking, painting, or crafts). After our conference call today I was really thinking about how or why our afternoons are so unproductive.

I know part of it is that I get tired and so it is too easy to just not do anything but allow for a long amount of quiet time or self-directed play. But also it is because it isnt folded into our rhythm. Initially I thought I really needed to work on that this fall when we get our lessons rolling again, but now after thinking on it for the afternoon I believe that I will begin to fold this in beginning this week. Even if it is just something simple like some practice sheets, or a simple summer craft. I know our mornings are pretty solid, so it will be easier for me to add those in later.

I think this will help us to review some things from last year, and gear us up for the coming lessons this fall, help prevent burn out by folding it in slowly, as well as helping me to iron things out without feeling like I am messing things up if I dont have it all "together" from the get-go.

We have had a really nice break, taking it easy and allowing ourselves to unwind from all lesson style activities. I am looking forward to starting the boys on their practice work and having them brush up on their skills, gearing us up for this fall. It will be pretty easy to start, especially with all the practice activities that we now have from Enki.

So for now I will begin with practice time. We have a lot going on this week with the house renovations, so this will be a good starting point for us. I believe I will start them both off with math practice. We will do that this week and switch next week to writing/handwriting practice. I will also begin folding their reading time into things again. We have slacked off our daily reading over the past few weeks so I want to get back on that train and keep those skills strong.

While I think it is important for skill development and mastery, I really am more interested in the self-discipline and regulation that comes from having something of this nature become a part of their day, and assisting them in forming good habits.

As things come together with some of the in-house renovations, we will begin to bring in more crafts and painting. While GM does Origami quite a bit, and GD draws almost daily, I would love for them to get to explore areas that maybe they dont naturally feel drawn too.

The boys have spent the better part of the summer putting their skills to USE in our lives. Through baking, building, gardening, helping and exploring their daily lives. I love this style of learning and living and will certainly encourage it as much as possible. This practice time, as I mentioned, is about habits, regulation and discipline. Helping them to feel the confidence of mastery in a format that isnt necessarily natural to them. I can recognize the importance of this and want to support it via this afternoon practice time.

A Slow and Patient Fall

2006-08-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

I decided last Spring to have a really slow and mellow fall this year. IT is so easy to get caught up in all the opportunities and to lose sight of just being home. Mind you, I am the most home based person I know, I really resist leaving home, and it has to be something REALLY good to get us to go. But even still there are a lot of great things in the fall. Lots of festivals, fun class like opportunities and social plans.

So this fall we will not sign up for anything that will mess up us having at LEAST three cosectuative days a week at home. This doesnt include the occasional field trip to a farm or something, but nothing on a regular basis. We chose not to sign back up for Explora this fall, but may revisit that choice in the spring. The kids love it but it falls at a really hard time for us.

We need at least three consecutive days to do our lessons and get our rhythm really rolling. We rock when our rhythm is set and we are flowing through our days. I love that feeling!! I long for it right now with all this house chaos. I really am wanting this to be over, and it barely has begun. I really dont like feeling so torn between all these obligations. It is not how I like to live my life. I know a lot of people thrive on having a long list of to-dos and people say you get more done when your busy, but that only works for me for about a week. Then I crash and burn!!!

Take this Zookeeper thing this week. It is AWESOME!!! I love it, the kids love it and GM is thriving with it. BUT it is killing me at home! I am having a hard time with being up at 5:30 and getting everything together to entertain and feed the two little ones for three hours, and packing GM his snack (cant have the provided one) and being sure we have gas to get throught the 40 minute drive each way. It isnt terrible or anything, but I am TIRED when we get home. The fact that it has been raining everyday for two weeks might not be helping matters. LOL

Anyway, this reminds me, that right now during the "oh look at that" phase of homeschooling, we are opting for the "oh, home is great" perspective! Sticking close to home and enjoying the pace of life that we thrive in. As we roll with this and our rhythm is solid we can add in things that really inspire us. It will be a great way to spend the rest of 2006!!

Off our game

2006-08-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

Well, while yesterday was a really great opportunity and a lot of fun for all the kids, it completely through us off our rhythm. The afternoon was basically a blob of inactivity and disequalibrium. The kids were tired, and more importantly, I was really tired too. So while they were being normal tired kids, I just didnt have the patience to handle it or redirect their energy in a positive way. GM and ME ended up in an arguement and the house ended up a mess.

I want to be able to take advantage of all these cool things, but they do take a toll on us at home. The option isnt to not do them, I already opt out of things that are semi-cool. What needs to happen is that I need to find some sort of a reserve of energy to be able to hold the energy in this house together, even when Im tired.

Im aiming for today to be better. I am passing on a park day we usually try to do, I think the animal park will be enough for us today. Then we will come home and try to swing into lunch and quiet time. I cant wait until the construction is done, when the kids have their own spaces, things like quiet time will be so much easier, and productive. Im sure GD and ME would likely nap if they were in their own space, and GM would play solitaire or play legos for a while.

Please DO feed the animals!

2006-07-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I am quite happy and excited to report that the zookeeper day was really terrific. When we got there GM and his friend were both happy and looking forward to going. We joined the rest of the group (mainly older kids 10-12 yrs old) and the leaders in the overlook house. He wasnt shy, and didnt even look back to say goodbye. He was in with the group and ready to start the day.

The other Mom and I walked around with our younger kids and shared some snack etc.. They had a good time too. At one point we saw the boys walking along with some animal food off in the distance. they looked to be chatting and enjoying the day, although the food looked a bit heavy. :-)

After class GM was still really connected and even told me some things about class (usually conveying a story right after, or in direct reply to a question is hard). He even talked on the phone to his Dad and shared stories.

So, today he got to feed the raccoons, the deers, the wolves and he cleaned the glass partition in the javalina house. He said he even got to pet one. He played a game of charades (Oh, what I would have given to see that) and someone guessed what he was (a llama).

The ride home was a bit wild, but they earned it. It is a 3 hour class and they were ready to wind down.

Im really happy with today, and Im really looking forward to tommorow.

NOTE: We did do an Epsom Salt Bath before going this morning, GM even says it helps him to stay calm and centered.

Junior Zookeeper

2006-07-31T05:34:00.000-07:00

This week GM will be participating in a program just outside of town where he will get to learn all about the care and support of local animals that have been rescued from one thing or another. There are bears, mountain lions, wolves, lots of birds, elk, and of course reptiles.

Im a little anxious about it, as it is his first things since the new diet changes that he will be doing without me standing near by to help center him.

I find it interesting to see how much more difficult it is for me to let go of this anxious feeling than it is for him. I wonder how many of us Mom's continue to think we are needed to help center our kids when they have actually matured, or had developmental breakthroughs. When really they are fine and we just have to start to feel comfortable with this new stage. I wonder a lot how much I assume about what he can and can not handle.

I guess today we will see. He has a friend who is going too, which could be a good thing, or not. It depends on how they are able to focus when together. They both are really playful when they are together, so this may be good for them. They both have a strong interest in the subject, and the entire thing is an outdoor program. Two big plusses on their side. :-)

I will update this afternoon!

Recent Pics...

2006-07-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

2006-07-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

We have EGGS!!!

2006-07-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

What an exciting weekend we had!!! GM came running in the house cupping something in his hand like it was made of gold or something. He came in our room and opened his hands to reveal a beautiful little egg!

HURRAY!!!!!! We were all so excited!!! Since then we have gotten five more. We know that one of the Barred Rocks and one of the Rhode Island Red's are laying. Renji and Scarlet!!! Maybe others too, we arent sure, but today we witnessed those two trying to lay their eggs in the roosting boxes.

This is a really wonderful thing for GM. He has raised these twelve birds since they were a day old, and now after all the work, we are getting eggs. He is so proud. I am thinking of letting him sell the extras as a way to earn some money for himself. We dont do allowances and such, so this could be a good way for him to learn about responsibility and the rewards of seeing something through.

They are all organic birds, only fed organic feed or organic vegetable scraps. They have a large yard with a tree they love to roost in and a super nice coop that they enjoy very much. I'd say they are the happiest chickens Ive ever met! :-)

I know Im a nerd, but it just makes my heart so happy to think of hi going out each morning to gather that day's eggs for the family. Its just perfect.

What are we using??

2006-07-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

I did get a comment on the last post asking what we use and/or the book we used as a guide, and a couple emails with the same questions.

The book has a site called www.enzymestuff.com It is very helpful to read through most of the info that may apply to your situation. Also there is a yahoo group you can join from that site and Karen (the author) will answer your questions directly. Also www.danasview.net is very helpful and she is terrific about answering questions.

We currently are using AFP Peptizyde chewables, Zyme Prime chewables, and occasionally No-Fenol Chewables. These are the enzymes.

For yeast we are using GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) which I add into our smoothies and another dose in the afternoon for GM. In conjunction with that we are adding zinc to our smoothies to help boost the yeast/gut healing treatment. Magnesium will be next.

GM loves the taste of the enzymes, which is no small feat. He is very picky about food and texture etc, so the big concern about how to get it in them has not been an issue at all. They do make a powdered form which would be good in a smoothie or such, but the chewables are very portable and we can take them with us when we are out and about without any trouble or big t-do.

I hope this helps. :-)

So, how are those enzymes going???

2006-07-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Well, initially I was a bit concerned that I may be doing things in the wrong order, not having his gut fully healed before beginning the enzymes. BUT, after contact from Karen, who wrote the book I am using, and Dana, from Dana's view, and a consult with a Naturopath, I am feeling really good about it. Better yet GM is feeling really good! Is it miraculous? Maybe, maybe not. It is hard to tell when we are only a week and a half into it. However, we have seen some wonderful awakenings in him, and I will joyfully take any little morsel I can get! Some examples are....

We went to the park yesterday and I didnt have to (not even once) guide him through a social situation that he didnt understand or calm him from an emotional breakdown. Something that is usually a very frequent need at open play situations. He participated in a ball game (on his own) meshed in with the kids and eventually even had them interested in his favorite pass-time (using a rock to widdle a stick to a point). I observed him just walking around talking with his other friend, not just running about in an aimless silly over stimulated manner.
At the farm yesterday he picked up and bit into a strawberry!!! Oh yeah, a real fruit that has a leaf on it and little seeds all over it. He says he didnt like it, but still he actually put it into his mouth, which was HUGE!!
He has noticed and pointed out a sunset, even commenting on its beauty and calling out certain details about it (how the rays come through the clouds).
He has expressed interest and confidence in wanting to do some wood carving. Confidence hasnt been too big around here lately, so hearing him say things like, I thik I can do that, and such is big.
He has been helpful around the house, voluntarily. Even stopping in mid play to help Dad bring in some bags from the car, or volunteering to go with Dad to the hardware store, and to help me do some measuring at the furniture store. Not something he usually wants to do.
He loves the enzymes, and takes them with enthusiasm. He gets them out of the fridge, gets them out of the bottle and eats them happily! He has taken on a (limited amount) of responsibility with taking them at the right time etc... (All self initiated)
He is complaining a LOT less, and is much less negative. His little sister is still driving him a little nuts, but NOTHING like before.
He is recognizing the change in himself and wants to feel good like this. Even requesting an Epsom Salt bath before going to Grandma's tonight, so he can have a "good night".
We arent doing our lessons right now (through the transition) but he is reading on his own more often (Ive caught him reading a book on Egyptology, and some magazines) and he is writing more on his own too, making notes in his notebook that he keeps in his Adventure Pack.
He has demonstrated more confidence with his social skills, talking to others with more confidence. He took his money to Farmer Monte and asked to get a bag of food for his chickens, and told him about how they laid two eggs already. Normally he would really clam up in this situation and I would have to step in to keep the other person for getting really uncomfortable.
He has developed more of a sense of humor, which is coming from a better ability to "get it" and make connections. He is finding humor in a lot more places now.
He is asking questions that are more relevant and positive in nature. "How can I do more with my day", "Can I help with ME and GD to keep them happy"....

Plus more, but this is an example of the many improvements we have seen since beginning with the AFP Peptizyde, Zyme Prime, and the No-Phenol. This is in conjunction with being gluten free for two months, and continuing, also drinking a smoothie which contains all organic fruit, soy yogurt, Flazx Seed Oil, zync, protein powder, GSE and the occasional spinach and carrots.

I believe the smoothies help a lot with getting his body the much needed nutrients it lacks, but until we began the enzymes we really only noticed the die off from the yeast and the detox. The enzymes made an immediate change and have really helped us with encouraging him to WANT to feel good, instead of WANTING to feel badly.

I will continue to post our progress, but right now I would put this on our list of therapy choices that have worked for GM, right along side of the sensory integration therapy he started at 15 months old, HUGE strides!!!!

Serenity!

2006-07-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well a new friend (thanks Kat) suggested that I create one space in our home that is really a retreat away from the chaos of construction. I was ignoring my room for last each day because I think I thought it was selfish to put the tiny amount of energy I had into something that wasnt a part of the mayhem. I hadnt been making our bed or keeping the toys out or even putting the laundry away in an orderly way. But when Kat mentioned that I realized I was doing it backwards, instead of thinking it was wrong of me to use that little energy I had left to do my own space, I realized that it was BECAUSE I wasnt creating that space to rejuvenate. So I did it! Yest I got rid of a bunch of stuff, took out a table in my room that seemed to be just a junk gatherer, washed all our linens, made our bed, dusted everything (the fan, the curtains, the windowsills and our baseboard heaters). It was GLORIOUS! Both my husband and I slept like we havent slept in weeks!!! My husband's last words last night before starting to snore were "wow I love these sheets". LOL

It is important to take that time to create atmospheres that feed our souls and help us find our center again. I know that, but I forgot! I was so caught up in the chaos that I lost site of the very reason we are even doing this renovation. We are trying to create a home that nourishes us. Obviously in that process I need to honor the objective, not just wait for it to begin once the house is done!

Thanks Kat for the reminder, and for helping me remember how important it is to feed myself first, so that I may feed everyone else appropriately!!!

Hangers!!!

2006-07-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

After sorting through a tremendous amount of clothing today and getting rid of four trash bags full (to donate) I came to a revelation! Well, a revelation for me at least. :-)

The largest part of my housework struggles come from dishes and laundry, because they are never ending. However my other issue with laundry comes from the kids having to dig through their drawers to find things, I have tried to hang as much clothing as possible on hangers to keep this from happening, but not enough!

I really dont like to fold laundry. there are times when I am fully caught up, that I enjoy neatly folding our laundry and putting it into clean frewsh drawers, but I can count on one hand the amount of times THAT has happened!!! Plus I tend to fold all the laundry and put it on a dresser or something to "come back to" and of course it is on the floor, being walked on, and Im stuck washing it again!!!

So, with the exception of underclothing, swimsuits etc... We are going hanger only!!! It will be so much easier to get through those last two steps of doing laundry (folding and putting away) if all I have to do is put it on a hanger and hang it!!! Plus then we can see what we have easily, and the younger kids wont be pulling everything out to get to one shirt at the bottom of the pile.

Im so hapy about this, and the fact that I got rid of so much stuff!!! SIMPLIFYING!!! :-)

The nutrition thread...

2006-07-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

Our family has really embraced the need to focus on our nutrition over the past year. This has been a long time coming because something in me was really dreading beginning to walk this path, probably because I knew it would have many steep hills, and long dry valleys. However I have somehow managed to surrender to it and embrace the need we have to really focus on nutrition and the relationship we have with our food. It wasnt an overnight thing, nor was it a "tomorrow we will start our new..." we slowly began making small changes by choice and seeing the results.

For us, food can be a very political and even a spiritual issue. More so every day. I really believe we do place a vote every time we pick up our forks. It is such an essential and basic need we all share, and how we choose to address this need can have very large impacts on the world we live in. Just look at the growth of organic foods, I actually saw a commercial (well the tail end of it) the other day for Wal-Mart Organics. I about fell on the floor. They arent starting to focus on that market because of their environmental consciousness, they are answering all those forks who call for organic foods to be on their tips.

Anyhow, so through pursuing our desire to really get rid of all the chemicals in our lives, and breath easier we have evolved into an almost completely organic family. From there we have chosen to also really think about the path our food takes to get to us. What is going on with the seasons, are we eating foods that have to come from the other side of the world just because it is off season?? How about supporting our local environment and supporting the river and the desert with its many water issues? How can we make choices that better support what we really care about, the "essential energy" of our food choices?

We started out by only shopping at the coop and occasionally at the larger stores in town when we needed something the coop didnt have. Then we began to wonder what it was that the coop didnt carry, and why? So we now shop mainly at the coop. Before we moved here I found out about Los Poblanos Organics, the local CSA. We joined right after arriving here in town. Best choice we ever made regarding our food. Now we can get our milk, eggs, veggies, fruit, beef, chicken, salmon and bread there if we so choose. All direct from the farmer and at wholesale prices. WooHoo! I also mentioned in an earlier thread our need to eat our foods without processing. We try to eat only whole foods and to buy just base ingredients. Making most everything from scratch. It calls for a baking day, but I love it and the kids love helping with it so...

Okay sorry, I get all excited about this now! Here is my list of essentials...

Responsible consumerism with our food choices, buying local, in season foods as direct from the farmer as possible. Moving up the teared system to the local coop before heading to the chain Whole Foods stores.
Eating Organic, including our meats, raising our own eggs, and making our foods from scratch.
Special diet issues; GM and my diet of being GF, and soon to be CF. Tying in enzymes and supplements to help him work toward his optimum functionality. (Which by the way, are working really well).

This has been a lot to undertake and probably the reason why it took me so long to embrace it. However I feel it is really the largest part of my roll as a Mother. To provide a healthy diet that really supports and nourishes my family, while making choices that support the environment. I really do feel good when I can do this for us.

The issue: Snacks and lazy days!!!!

You will win or lose this quest with snacks. It is hard to have a yummy snack on hands that is really going to always fit within the above essentials. I am really getting better at trying to keep snacks on hand that suit us, and bringing them with us on outings so we arent forced to buy something on location that really doesnt work for us.

Also lazy nights. We are really under renovations over here and trying to not just grab a burger isnt easy. Well it is easy for GM and I because we dont eat them, but it is hard for my husband and the other two kids. I am going to try to start making some meals and freezing them so that on those crazy or lazy days we can just pop something in the oven and still meet our goals, without the hard work.

The Heart of the Matter

2006-07-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

There is a section of one of the Enki guides that deals very much with getting to the heart of the matter. With Enki this is in relation to the various subjects. Why do people do circle, or movement, or math, or Language Arts??? Beth breaks it down to the "essential energy" of the matter and really helps to bring great clarity to the topic.

With the threads I was talking about the other day, this is what I am trying to accomplish. I want to really identify the essential energy of what i am doing in my life and for my family and through recognizing it, make the effort to honor and nurture it.

Is there an essential energy to housework?

Yes, I believe their certainly is. For me that energy is coming from a need to provide my family with a home environment that nurtures us and supports our efforts. I am trying to look at each room and figure out how can i make this space really support us. Is their too much stuff and it is overwhelming to be in? Do we need better seating or lighting for comfy snuggled reading, or a set of good chairs for the kids to sit at while doing their writing, or a sink that fits my stones in it so I can clean them properly? I want to be sure that the choices I make in our home will set us up for less frustration and more success in our tasks. Of course it is important to me for it to be a beautiful space. I am very visual and having balance and beauty around us is very important. I also spend a great eal of my life and the lives of our chilren within our home. This is our starting point and our ending point, and on most days. our entire point. :-) We play here, we relax here, we nurture ouselves when we are ill, we eat, we entertain, we LIVE here. So of course this should be a wonderful space. My mother is a wonder at making wonderful spaces from hardly anything, I was able to learn a lot growing up about how important it is to surround yourself with beauty, no matter where you are. She could turn an old apartment into what looked like a big house by just taking the time and adding into it her love and her energy. So Im not talking fancy, or costly, just lovely and a space you want to be in.
Another aspect of the essential energy of our home is tradition. The creation of ritual around our regular tasks and lives. It is important to me that the kids feel a sense of importance in the simplicity of our lives. That they view our home as a part of our family and the choices we make for it, as important and having an impact on their lives. Dinner is served here, on this holiday we...., the tooth fairy always leaves the gem here.... things of this nature. A reverance for the daily. It is my honest belief that a lot of people view the home as last in their lives, and often feel that the glory in life is found outside the home. While I agree that a lot of amazing success and glory can be found outside the home, it is also my belief that the ability to recognize it when it comes stems from having a respect and understanding of home as the foundation for our lives. We never make decisions about career that will negatively effect our homelife, and when things turn that way, we pull back and reorganize so that home and family are again number one. So anyway, Im getting off track here, but having a reverence from what some people may feel is mundane, or routine, helps to build a respect for the home as a foundation and an essential platrform for success and joy.

So, in thinking it through now, I feel I have three main points or that the "Essential Energy" of housework and homemaking are...

A means to nurture and support our family. Creating simplicity and a true usefulness with the choices we make for how to set our home up.
Surrounding ourselves with beauty to inspire and feed our souls.
Traditions and reverance. Creating a sense of importance in what we do within our home to allow us to honor this space as essential to our lives and our happiness.

So now to figure out how to get there!!!! Well, I really think the earlier thread regarding needing less will help us out in the simplicity and functionality of our home. We are trying to make choices to add things into our home that support the need for storage, for everything to have it's space, and to help with beauty and surrounding ourselves with inspiration. We are also trying to create spaces that support our needs for tradition or reverence. Although a slow process, it is coming along.

I need to harness this energy and use it when I am cleaning my house, remembering that I am not just doing chores, but I am moving within the energy of our home and supporting my family in a way that shows them love and helps us all feel nurtured and cared for.

Im inflicted!!!

2006-07-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true! I have a severe case of procrastination. If I had to list one thing about myself that I really dont like or enjoy, it would be my extreme procrastination. I do everything at the last moment, I cant even imagine doing it until right up against the deadline. Im like this with bills (hence the idiot account) with cleaning, and with going places, well with everything. When I think about how much easier and full my life would be if I just didnt put everything off until the last minute... Im floored.

See the problem with being a procrastinator isnt that you do everything in the last minute, heck I think sometimes I work best in a crunch, but it is the paralyzing effect on your brain and your ability to do anything. It isnt that "Oh yeah, I will deal with that tomorrow" it is constantly thinking about, dreading, dragging out chores or whatever until you are so exhausted by it you cant even face actually tackling the task at hand. I know that sounds dramatic, but it is really the truth.

Case in point; we moved all the boys stuff into ME's room (which she doesnt use) so we could take down two walls in our house, no biggie right??? Well, now that room is CHAOS, and I mean really insane. It has been this way since last Friday, the kids are bouncing off the walls because they dont have anywhere to unwind and feel at peace, I am beyond exhausted just from thinking about how I am going to make this whole thing work, and I am sitting here at my computer typing about it instead of going in there and just DOING IT and moving on with my life. I have had dreams about it, I have reached the point that even walking in there makes my blood pressure rise (I know this because when my blood pressure rises, my teeth hurt). UGH!!! I need help!

Oh I have tasted success, and I know the glory in just getting something checked off your list, believe me I have a LONG list, and I do accomplish a lot in a day, but things like this, things that somehow slip into that "crazy lady" part of my brain, just freeze me in my steps. I allow it to realy take over my life and then NOTHING gets done because I am in this strange mode of inability and exhaustion. I wonder if it is a nutrition thing having to do with energy sometimes, or if Im just a nut job??

However, I have now admitted I have a problem and I plan on taking it on, facing it and moving on with my life!!! I will get my iPod out, listen to Donna Simmons second grade lecture and move some tail. I have found that if I am listening to something on my ipod or talking on the phone (something I never do anymore) it entertains that weirdo part of my brain that freezes me up, and allows my body to just move through it until, BAM it's done. I guess it is a mental thing after all!!!

Please tell me other poeple (besides me, and a couple of ladies I know) are inflicted with this insanity!!!!

Generation Renovation

2006-07-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

No, we havent fallen off the planet, but we have been sucked into the renovation black hole. Im hoping to be spit out the other side some time this fall. Currently we are working on the renovations that are inside of the house we are living in. The addition is coming in a week or so, and lets just say chaos definitely creates chaos!

Projects this week...

meeting with the countertop guy and finalizing the design
electrician (dear friend Sal) fixing the electrical issues that come from ripping down two walls.
Also installing recessed lighting in the dining area
Meeting with the contractor and finalizing the design for the addition
Removing the front closet and the wall between the entryway and the hall.
Fixing all the floors from the wall removal
Removing the tile floor from the entry way.

So basically Im coming up for air here and there but my current obsession is with sucking up all the drywall dust that has taken over my ENTIRE world!!!!!!!

Anthropomorphism!!!

2006-07-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

UGH!! I was so annoyed the other day when writing about how I tend to give inanimate objects personalities because although I studied it in depth in college, I COULD not remember the word for it! ANTHROPOMORPHISM!!!!!!!!! Huge exhale, and relief. Dont you just hate it when you KNOW something, but your maternally stressed and starving brain cant remember the darn word!!! Unfortunately I wasnt the one who remembered it, I kept walking around the house trying to remember it, annoying my husband who then asked someone at work (with a well fed brain) and now, I have relief! Thank you Polly for helping those of us who have lost 2/3 of our vocabulary to childbirth.

Freedom

2006-07-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

This is a newsletter entry from Monte Skarsgard, our CSA farmer. I really enjoyed this entry and asked his permission to post it here on my blog to share with those who dont get the benefit of his weekly musings. Enjoy!!

A tragic thing happened to a close friend of ours recently. He and his wife were just relaxing outside and taking in the beautiful summer morning. The next thing you know, they were flying down the road to get their puppy to the vet. The puppy was struggling after having a seizure.Luckily, they got her to the vet on time and she was already coming out of her scary seizure when they arrived. The vet said that she would be fine, but wanted to keep her to run some tests to try and determine the cause of this episode.Later that afternoon, the vet called with the news. “All of her blood looks to be fine. She has no genetic problem. No sign of chronic seizures. But there was one thing in the tests that alarmed me. She has a high level of toxicity in her liver. Is she around a lot of fertilizers?” Gulp.It seems that in an effort to have the prettiest yard on the block, the dog inadvertently got sick from the use of a popular fertilizer, Miracle Gro. You know which one I am referring to...that fertilizer that looks like Kool Aid. Yes, that one.So why bring this up? Why highlight a family’s tragedy? Well, I truly think that we need to examine this and look at the implications that it has for all of us. And for our animals and children.Enter my low profile soap box. The Mini Cooper of soap boxes, if you will.To begin with, I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to sell Organic cut flowers and people routinely say, “who cares if they are Organic? It is not like you eat them??” That is usually accompanied with a weird look, by the way.The truth is, though, that we should all care about every aspect of our lifestyles being free from harmful chemicals, and not just remain vigilant about those that we eat. A toxin is a toxin whether we get it from our oranges, or from our bare feet as we run around in the grass. Our bodies do not differentiate. Never have and never will. And make no mistakes about it, we are under attack. There are chemicals all around us. Your neighbor has Chem(ical) Lawn come and blanket their yard. City employees stroll the medians with backpacks spraying Round-Up to kill weeds. And dryer pad companies use cute stuffed animals to mask the fact that you are coating your clothes with chemicals. It is a flat out assault.And so because of that, we must take control of what we can control. Gawd knows that there is enough out there that we cannot control.So here is what I am getting to. We are living in a great time in history. The same science that brought us the chemical revolution, the “Green Revolution,” has caught up with itself and is now questioning its efficacy. With that, Organic systems are starting to match the production levels of those (un)conventional growers. Furthermore, the veil of ignorance has been lifted on the harmful effects caused by these chemicals that were once thought to be benign. We as a nation know too much to sit idly back and claim that the intelligence was not available. Ignorance may at times be blissful, but it does not mean that we will never have to suffer the consequences of our actions. Or inactions as it may be.So here is my hope on this Independence Weekend. My hope is that we all may find the path to living a healthy lifestyle. Because in the end, a healthy community is just the mere sum of the health of its inhabitants. No special equations, just grade school arithmetic. Sum of the parts.Lastly, the great part is that as we construct a healthy community, more people will join us in the effort. Almost like the snowball being rolled from a hillside gathers momentum and mass. So keeping with that analogy, we will pretty soon become an unstoppable Organic snow man or snow woman. And that will be awesome!

Happy 4th fellow Patriots, Farmer Monte

Screen time...

2006-07-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

In the effort to need less, one addiction I have is for screen time. I am the only one in the family who really has to fight the urge to check my email, or watch last night's Daily Show. So my new thing is to try not to have any screen time between the hours from 9am to 9pm. That is not far from where we are now, accept for the computer. The laptop has made it very easy for me to check in on things here and there. I want to really see if I can improve my laundry and housekeeping skills if I can focus even a fraction of the energy I use "checking in". We'll see, but I think overall it will be a good thing.

The kids are easy, they dont crave screen time, except for GD, and with him it is a movie thing. He has ALWAYS been in love with movies. I swear the child will work in the movie or theatre industry some day. It is a passion for him. So he will have some movie time here and there, but it is not a MUST for him. the boys do get some computer time on one of the weekend days. They love to play Zoo Tycoon, or roller Coaster Tycoon. I dont mind that so much, it is fun, non-violent and I must say they sure do know a lot about what those animals require to survive. Is it within what I really want for them? No, but it isnt against it either.

So that is another way that I am trying to "need less".

Gathering all the threads...

2006-07-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned on Monday I am feeling a bit like we have a lot of threads just sort of flying about in the air. Some are old and I can let them go, while others are continuous and need to be woven into our lives in a way that is meaningful and complete, and still others are relatively new. All together trying to gather them up and find how they best fit into this tapestry has become quite the preoccupation of mine. I am currently in a conversation with a few other families about how we are trying to gather our vision and priorities in a way that sets us up to be more mindful in our daily lives. It has been good for me to try to illuminate what it is I am doing and why, and to try to really search out areas where we can simplify things.

So as I am thinking on them I will post them here...

Need Less: This one is first because it flows throughout everything else. I am trying to have this in mind when making all other decisions. I am trying to really be mindful of what we buy and bring into our home as well as trying to clear out what is already here. I struggle with this because I definitely tend to assign personalities to inanimate objects, so parting with some things is really hard and I usually have to look the other way. This is especially true for anything that has served our family, to get rid of it feels so disrespectful. I know Im a crazy lady, but I really do feel guilty about even thinking about how I need a new car that is better for the environment. Our car has served us so well, never breaking down, keeping us comfortable, trecking us safely across country and back many many times. It isnt it's fault it is a gas guzzling car. I feel so guilty about using something up and then just releasing it. Oh God, Im probably going to be some crazy old lady surrounded by all this random stuff I cant part with because I feel too guilty. LOL

So in the interest of needing less here are my priorities, some things we already do, some we are working on, some we will always have to work on:

Clean out the STUFF!!! I want everything to have a place, and get rid of the concept of "junk drawers" or storage, with the exception of holiday regalia and baby clothes.
Buy base ingredient foods. Buy rice for rice and rice flour, buy cream for baking and making butter, buy peanuts for snacks and making peanut butter. I want to use less packaging and certainly less preservatives.
Toy simplification, get rid of the disposable toys (broken, poor quality) Keeping only the toys they play with regularly (stuffed animals, legos, playfood and board games)
Chemical free living (cleaners, yard, bathing, detergents, garden)
Downsize clothing collection (way too many clothes that dont fit us)
Work out our transportation issues for dh. Get a hybrid or E85 vehicle for him.
Ride our bikes more. If I can get my leg muscles up, I could bike to most places we love to go, however it will require my riding tandom with GM while pulling a bike trailer with ME and GD in it (180 lbs of kids). Sooo, Im working on it.
Use less electricity!!! Im bad at this, and need to really focus in on it. Improve our passive solar use.
Use less water!!! We do well with this, but can certainly improve.
Borrow and trade more, rather than buying. (tools etc..)

There are more, and as Im going through the house today, Im sure I will think of more. That is the point. I want to be mindful of these values, and then really set up priorities to support them.

Slowly I will gather the threads we want and cut loose the ones that are tying us up in knots. It is a long, ongoing process, but one that I really do want to be present within. Im trying...

Abundance

2006-07-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

We had a really nice morning today. GM and ME and I spent a quiet, long morning outside. GM played in the chicken yard for over an hour before deciding to build a sandcastle tunnel on the playground. ME played with her little duck animal thing GD got her last night at our big Target outing. I watered the gardens, pulled some weeds and sat in the shade with my coffee enjoying watching them play so quietly. It was silent except for the birds. What a great way to wake up the day.

GD was sleeping in, he is growing right now and seems to be alternating with GM on the sleeping in thing. Yesterday GM slept until 9am and today GD slept until the same time. They go to bed at a good time, but the growing has them working hard in their sleep so they just need that extra time. I never wake them. I never have. I guess I should say that I am lucky not to have kids who if they sleep until 9am wont go to bed until 11pm. They still go to sleep at around 9pm, some days later, some days right at 9pm.

Anyhow, it was a nice morning, the kind of morning I would love to have each day. It is nice to get a glimpse of what Im after here and there. It helps me to keep moving forward with my efforts. I just loved sitting out there soaking in the time with the kids so engaged in their own things, the morning breeze blowing by and a great cup of coffee. Does it get any better than that??? It doesnt hurt that our garden is looking TERRIFIC right now. We have had some rains that have really encouraged a lot of abundance!!! In fact while sitting there watching the moment I kept thinking of that word... abundance... the garden, the kids, the breeze, the coffee, the sunshine, the quiet... it was an abundant morning.

Park time...

2006-07-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was the first park day of the summer fro us. We chose to hang low on free, unstructured play until GM's detox process leveled off a bit, and boy am I glad we did. He had a really hard day. At first he was so happy to go and I was pleased with the balance in his anticipation (I didnt tell him until we were packing our lunches) he seemed happy to go, but not hyper about it. So that was one area of improvement.

He had a good time at first, just getting to say hi to his friends etc. But then he was having a really hard time integrating with the other kids. They were there before us and had a game of sorts going, including a couple kids he isnt too familiar with, and he felt like he was being ignored. He wasnt, but this is where his negative mindset take him. They dont like me anymore, they dont want me to play with them, they wish I wasnt here......

So finally after several attempts and a few tears, he made his way into the group and found a way to play with them. So this was good for a while, and he was laughing and enjoying the interaction for quite some time. There was the issue of the little kids, he struggles with little kids and doesnt seem to have an understanding of them being in a different stage than he is. He gets very frustrated with them, and confused when they throw sand at him, or break down his sand castle etc... It should be noted he is terrific with little kids on a general basis, it is the four year old range that confuses him. They seem tall, they talk, they seem to be "with him" and then the sand flies or someone stomps on his castle and he just breaks down. This happened a few times, and finally he just went into full melt down. Crying , went to the car to go home, wanted to leave so badly. It was so sad to see him so angry. He, of course wasnt able to just contain the particular incident, it had to snowball into how "all" little kids "hate" him, and how they wish he wasnt alive, and how they just want to hurt him..... Yeah, I know!!!

While I also wanted to take him home and snuggle him and help him to understand (yet again) that they are really still very much itty bitty kids, but in bigger kid bodies etc... I decided it was important for him to choose to stay. I wanted us to leave on a good note. I wanted to help him walk through the frustration and experience the turn around of events. Luckily, his friends (the kids in the 7-9 age range) were sad that he was so upset, and they came together and came to GM and asked if they could help him rebuild his castle, and that they wanted to help him feel better. They were empathetic, telling him, "yeah, that stinks when that happens, but...." It was beautiful! I was so happy for him. He was of course oblivious to this wonderful gesture and couldnt get off of how little kids were sent here to destroy his life, but I asked him to stop and breath for a moment and take notice of the blessing. Here are your friends, who love you, reaching out to you to support you and to help you to feel better. Enjoy that, and let them support you. Which he did! It was so great, they all started working on the castle, and laughing and having fun, even some of the little kids came to help. I was thrilled! Until his brother lept through the air right on top of it! Hey, it isnt a Lifetime Movie!!!!

He had a giant scream, and then all the kids started jumping on it, and encouraging him to do the same, even the Mom's were like, "Go, GM" he did it, he laughed and enjoyed it a bit. Although with a bit of grumpiness underneeath.

The real beauty moment was when we were driving home, I was talking with him in a very un-enki yet mother of an Autsitic child manner.... "Wow, GM isnt it wonderful when things seem so down and you realize that you have the love and support of your friends to help you get through it." He was like yeah, that really helped me. Then .... he said it.... "And when they are down I can help them feel better too." Oh yeah! Empathy!!!! Reciprocal relationship!!!! Connection!!!!

Do you hear the angels singing!!!! LOL I sure do!!!

Of course later in the day, he again began to wollow in the negativity of those darn "little kids". But it was brief and things mellowed out. However, in the full picture, although rough riding, the day brought some real growth and hopefully we will be able to move through more things like this.

I am so grateful for the children, who came together without adult coertion and decided that GM was important to them, and that they could help him. Talk about your blessings!

Tuesday, continuing with Baby Steps

2006-07-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, just a quick list to get my head straight for the day.

Garden, water, weed, and redirect more vines from the watermelon and pumpkins
Tend the animals
Check in with the Enki online group (during my coffee time)
Waffles for the kids, smoothies for GM and I
Pack a lunch for the park
Park time with friends
Pet shop to get pinkies for Oreo, and crickets for Phillup (yeah it spelled that way)
Pick up our veggies and milk from Los Poblanos
Home
Storytime (reread the story from yest afternoon)
Paint more of the wall in the yard
find the countertop guy's phone number
Bake gf cookies with GM
Date night with GD (dinner and target)
Read more of my Enki guides, also review doing the Enki Web activity
Check in with the Enki online group
Sleeeeeeeep. :-)

Okay so that is the rough outline. Im trying to be sure that I am touching on each of my priorities. No morning walk today, park instead, also no movement due to our several hours of outdoor time. I need a chart of a key system for making sure I am touching on each of the things I want to within each day. However as goofy as this is, it is working for me. LOL

Baby Steps...

2006-07-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it is Monday morning and here I am on this darn computer! Anyway, it is my coffee time (a part of my rhythm I dont seem to miss very often).

So I am really having a hard time with juggling the many facets of my life right now, the kids, the house maintenance, the renovations, the garden, the baking, detoxing GM and myself, the cooking, the reading and research, the ......

I decided to try to track myself and my day for a week of trying to combine all these facets. Obviously the number one thing is the children, so I want to be certain that they arent falling through the cracks of all this other stuff I have going on. the other things will need some attention each day in order to move forward with the things I want to achieve this summer. So unfortunately for anyone who reads this, I will be logging my babysteps on my blog. It is a stange form of accountability, and it allows me to look back on it and see where I fell down, and most importantly how I got back up.

So for this morning (pre lunch)

Breakfast, start some bread to rise ME and I made some homemade gluten free waffles topped with the butter we made this weekend. She really enjoyed mixing the batter and watching for the green light on the waffle maker. It was fun to do with her, and she really did do a good job, she didnt slow me up at all. I also made a smoothie protein drink for GM and I, ME and GD are not big fans, but since they eat all the ingredients whole, I dont worry about it. They ate while I made some bread. One full loaf and three mini loaves which work really well for larger grilled panini style sandwiches.
Morning Walk Well, this was cut short because we took our dog and he was just too hard to keep with us while trying to sing our songs and do our movement. We did do a little balance walking on the curbs, and we found some nice plants to explore.
Get bread baking Done
Dishes I did this before our walk so I wouldnt come back to all those baking dishes, plus I had to do two dishwasher loads, since we didnt do them last night. On a side note, if you havent already, please investigate what dishwasher detergent you use, it can actually be the most toxic thing you use in your home, effecting what you eat and the air your breath. We use Seventh Generation, I love the green apple! It makes the whole kitchen smell YUMMY!!!
Call the countertop guy Im trying to find the magazine that has his number in it...
Start laundry from the weekend started!
Paint one of the portions of the wall in the yard (just too excited about that) Have the kids help Well I got a good stretch done with one coat. I really love the way the color is looking. It is SO much better than the grey concrete color it was before. I also covered the top of the kids playground with soe fabric i like better than that shocking blue color it was. It was really bothering me. The kids helped for all of eight minutes, so I only got to do a bit before having to come in and be sure they were being okay inside the house. I'll do more tomorrow.

Then we will come in for lunch....

Lunch time Buffalo hotdogs for ME and GD, GF Quesadilla for GM, hummus and gf crackers for me.
Storytime (another of our Jataka tale storybooks)
Get the kids started on a project unless they want to help me in ME's room
Quiet time (read more of my Enki foundations guide for the book study Im participating in)

From there Im not sure... More to come!

I made butter!

2006-07-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Im a HUGE nerd, but I did it! I made two different kinds of butter this weekend. I was so giddy about it too, geez!!!!

Basically I took two little half pints of organic heavy cream and put it into the Vita Mixer and paddled and blended it until the whey pulled away and BAM, butter!!! So then I made one have a little bit of sea salt, and the other has local honey. Im so darn happy with it and how yummy it is. The kids were quite impressed with me. LOL I believe we will be adding this to our Sunday baking and kitchen time. It was just too fun. Also a bit cheaper than regular organic butter in the stores.

Now Im just waiting for those birds to start laying and WOOHOO we will be off and running!!!!

On a side note, I also made gluten free tortillas that were terrific, and some corn tortillas from corn I ground myself (in the Vita Mixer). Mmmmmmm

My husband was laughing and teasing that I could go back in time, I said only if I could take my Vita Mix with me!!!! :-)

Monday...

2006-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well it has been quite the eventful weekend. Unfortunately the one big thing we love to do each year fell through the cracks, but for good reason.

We were very busy on Friday getting the garage emptied out and finishing building and filling the shed. GM got to help Dad a lot on the building of the shed, and seemed to have a pretty good time with it. It was basically a big snap together sort of project, but with LEGO boy, it was a hit!!

Saturday we walked around the house and yard thinking out the details for all the renovations, how many plugs in here, will we continue the wood floors into the kids rooms, should we replace all the windows in the house, or just try to clean and reseal the ones that we have??? Also on Saturday we had our first contractor come out and talk with us about what we want. He is working up our bid, we had another (an old school friend of my husband's) come out on Sunday.

On another note a new yahoo group got rolling for Enki users. Im so happy to have this new support and a sense of community. I think it will really help me with some questions, or just feeling like others are in or have been in a similar space as I am. The group is private, and only for people who are Enki book owners, but that is good because we can really dredge through our questions and thoughts without feeling like we may be misrepresenting Enki to those who dont have it, or possibly coming up against some copyright issues. There is also a sense of comfort coming from the fact that we can name our kids names, or talk about the towns we live in etc without feeling strange or too open to those with different intentions.

Dh starts his new job today, this has been a big thing in our lives that I havent really been able to write about, but he was offered a position with a company that he was working for via another company. It is a great opportunity for him, and he is really excited about it, although the transition made him feel uneasy. He didnt want to hurt anyone's feelings where he was working or leave them feeling like he somehow hurt them. He really likes the guys he was working with and has a lot of respect for them, I think the thought of them being upset with him made him feel uneasy. But, in the end they totally understood that he couldnt pass it up, and have been great to him. So things feel better and he is definitely resting more comfortably.

So, what is going on this week...

Finish our blueprints for the house projects
Move the boys into ME's room so we can demo theirs for the new dining area
Paint the wall that is around our yard
Read each day, do our morning and evening rhythm
Tend the gardens (we got all the fall plants in this weekend)

Those are the big things, I will post more on the daily later.

HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!!!

Well, let me clarify...

2006-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

I think I need to clarify my plans for this summer. We will continue our Enki throughout!!! However I will not be introducing new topics or lessons within a "lesson" format. So basically we will be continuing..

Morning rhythm
Yoga
Movement (continuing to add new songs and movements so we are in full gear by this fall)
REading summer nature stories at bedtime
Reading our Jataka tales as a family
Independent reading (GM from his Waldorf Reader, GD from the books of his choice)
We are doing a Cultural Art series this summer in Santa Fe. So this will be the craft portion for us right now, however it is a great program with tinwork, weaving, retablos etc.
Math will be via experience, mainly in cooking and construction but also in some family games.
Adventure Bags: We got each of the boys a nice canvas bag that hangs cross shoulder from Williamsburg a few years ago. GM calls it his Adventure bag, he keeps some paper for spontaneous Origami, some pencils and a nice mini sketch pad I got him. He takes it with us everywhere and will often stop and make notes. Im happy to see this spontaneous writing from him and will be letting that unfold naturally a bit this summer. I see the seed is there and growing, so I want to be certain not to smuther it out with too much formalization. GD writes continuously, so his seed is in full form and will be ready this fall for his first grade lessons on writing etc...
Watercolor painting. We will be beginning to explore wet on wet watercolor painting. GM loves to do this, and with the warm weather it is the perfect time to be outside on the porch painting.
Evening Rhythm

So I guess when I say we arent going to be doing lessons, what I mean is we wont be doing any formal "blocks" we will be using this time to explore, and experience. We will be mindful of our time and pulling our rhythm together. Along with all the other stuff I listed in the previous post, health, house, rhythm, garden etc....

Having the rest of the first Grade materials now available will be a terrific help to me with both the first AND the third grade planning. Being able to see the nuts and bolts of the daily process will help me to better form what I am planning for third grade. Im very excited about this coming year. I feel so much more prepared and I feel that taking the summer to re-read the Foundations Guides and reading through the books again and again will help me to really feel good this year, instead of feeling like I am barely a minute ahead of the kids with my planning. This will be a big relief. With the house stuff done too, I will be able to focus all of my being to the kids and what we are doing with our time together. I can hardly wait. I cant stand feeling like my focus is so divided. Getting the house stuff done, and spending the time with planning will hopefully really help to support me and my health. I feel that the areas that we fell behind on this year stemmed from my own exhaustion and burn out. So I am trying to be realistic and mindful of setting myself up in a good position for potential success.

Garden update

2006-07-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well the garden is coming along pretty well. I love being out there pulling weeds, watering, and moving watermelon vines or cassava melon vines so that they grow inside the garden rather than in the paths. I really feel so good when Im out there. It is my meditation time. I can just focus on what is happening out there, and spend time with each plant, rather than thinking about all I have to do today, I can have some time just focussing on what is right in front of me. I love the clucking of the chikens and the smell of the moist soil. It is just such a wonderful time in our day. We have suffered some sad attacks this year. We lost several wonderful plants to cut-worm, and one of our Big Max pumpkin plants was under seige from squash bugs. GM realized how much the chickens love to eat them and now enjoys picking them off and feeding his birdsw with them. I cringed at first and thought it was a terrible idea, until they killed one of our plants, then I became a lot less concerned about how they go, just so long as it is chemical free, and effective. I cant do it, but he has no problem with it.

We have some wonderful super tall sunflowers growing out there right now, they are already much taller than I am, and still growing. A few of the shorter ones are starting to give us flowers, but most of them are still stretching for the sun. We have some terrific sugar baby watermelons, cassava melons and an abundance of basil which requires constant trimming. It is so much fun to see how much each thing grows in just a day.

This weekend we planted two varieties of carrots, some tomatillos and some lemon cucumbers. Over the next few days we will get our corn, more pumpkins, more sunflowers, beans, squash and more tomatoes.

The garden is all organic, we got our soil from Soilutions and built raised beds to help maintain the soil and depth. We are growing everything from seed, so when somthing dies it is so sad to see, plus the need to plant on a staggered schedule becomes even more important.

We do have a little hobby greenhouse, well technically it is a hot house (no artificial heat source). It is a six by six little house that sits out in the garden. Right now it is just TOO HOT to plant anything in there. I think I will get a sun cover for it so we can start getting some more summer use out of it. Mainly we hope to use it this winter to grow some letuuces and possibly see how long we can keep tomatoes going. It will be an experiment.

The girls are doing great! We enjoy them so much and love taking care of them. I water them each morning and GM is in charge of feeding them. They are lucky enough to get all organic feed from Los Poblanos and we only give them vegetable scraps from organic foods, and the occasional squash bug. :-) They have so much room to roam and play that so far, we havent had any pecking order issues. This was really important to me because Im weird and want happy birds, all of them. I know it is just their nature, but I figure if it is possible to have them all happy enough to not feel threatened, then yeeha!!! We also havent had to clip their wings. Another thing I just wasnt "feeling". We will have to build a larger (taller) fence to the one side because our neighbor has two German Shepards who may enjoy a chicken snack should one fly over the fence. They do have a great tree in their yard, and have recently taken to roosting in it. That just tickles me!!! So cute!!!!

We are building their nesting boxes right now from some great wood we found in the garage during the clean out. We could be getting eggs antime in the next few weeks! I can hardly wait!!! They will be so fresh and pure, and just perfect for our whole foods, fresh from scratch eating habits we are trying to accomplish.

Not only is this a terrific way for Mom to have some meditationesque time, and a wondeful way for us to support our eating habits, but it is a terrifc learning space as well. It isnt amazing to the kids that these great plants grow from seeds we started in little tiny pots, but that is good. My husband and I are more amazed because we grew up in the grocery store generation. The kids think it is cool, but are sort of like "yeah, of course that is how that grows". Precisely the way I want them to see it. So when in a store they can see something and relate to how it is actually grown, or raised, or baked. Having and tending a garden with some little chickens really nourishes our family on many important levels! We love it!!!

In the swing of summer!

2006-07-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so for a while here we will not be doing our lessons anymore. I am realizing that the pull of summer is just too strong for me to battle. Noting, that this doesnt mean we arent learning, it just means we arent sitting and doing our lessons anymore for a bit. Instead, we are digging into what we have been learning over the past year. GM did a lot of measuring in the garage this weekend, as well as some hammering, and demoing of some walls. He was learning about why it is so hot in the garage where there is no insulation vs in the house where there is. Also we are reading daily, and gardening and planning and playing. GD is reading wonderfully and exploring his imagination while playing with ME. They are in the full swing of free-ranging imaginative play. ME is all about being the helper! She stayed with us in the garage while we worked almost all weekend. She is a trooper and loves to be a part of whatever we are working on. She had a great time finding things and playing with them in her little imaginary world. It was fun to have her with us out there.

So what will be the plan for the next few months??

Health: Getting GM on his enzymes and trying to heal that leaky gut issue while dealing with some yeast die-off issues. Also continuing our GF diet and beginning to look more into removing the cassein as well. Moving the entire family closer to a whole foods diet, remaining organic and trying to further our goal of buying our foods directly from the farmer, for freshness, and a direct relationship with our food.
Renovations: We want to have completed our renovations on the house before Octrober 1, 2006. That is the goal, and yeah, it is a big one. We have a LOT of work to do, and not a lot of time to do it in. This will be a major theme to our summer and having the kids involved in each step of the way, will make it more fun, and a great learning experience for them as well.
Planning: I want to complete reading through my Enki guides and resources and really have a good plan for heading into our next focussed lesson time, which will be in mid-October. We will be doing other lessons before then, mainly finishing up the tail ends of things from this year, but our next "year" will begin shortly before Halloween. This is my plan, but we will see, I can and likely will tweak it some more.
Gardening: We are planting our fall beds now, and will continue to plant right through the fall. This is a daily activity for us, spending about one hour each morning outside tending the plants, watering, and weeding. Also in this time we tend the chickens and fill the feeders and bath for the doves. (currently we have over 40 morning doves who spend the morning and early evening with us). Also we have the gardening class that GM does every other week.
Responsibility: I want to really bring in more responsibility to our children and our family this summer. This will stem from establishing a healthy rhythm. Which is a huge part of our life.

So that is my focus, it feels good to see it all written out and to feel pretty good about our ability to accomplish it. So, now Im off to do the laundry! WooHoo!!!

PS. I will get the info on Enki and my 3.5 year old up on the blog very soon, either today or tomorrow. I apologize for the delay, just so much happening right now.

Epsom Salts and Lavender Tea

2006-06-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I did my reading and decided that an Epsom Salt bath and some herbal lavender tea would be a good way for us to end GM's day. He readily agreed to it. He really wants this gluten out of his system, he WANTS to feel good. He soaked (laying down) in the bath for twenty minutes (the time most sites said was appropriate) then got out and wrapped up in a towel and went to lay down on his bed.

I decided to make him an herbal tea and added some lavender to it. I made the tea and then let it cool a bit so he would drink it. Now I have tried this in the past with NO SUCCESS!! However I went in and explained to him that this tea would help him to rest tonight and that it is important for him to drink it to feel better. I also said he may not love it, but it isnt disgusting either. He said okay and drank it. He said it wasnt too bad. I had to have him drink it within five-ten minutes so he wouldnt drag it out all night and he did it! I am sooooo happy right now. Then he said he wanted to just have some quiet time in his room alone for a bit to finish his resting he started in the tub!!!! I was really happy to hear this, and immediately gave him his space!!!! YIPPY SKIPPY!!! :-)

Im so happy to end today on a good note! We're going to get through this and move into a whole new level of joy in his life. It's all about finding that joy!!!

When things fall apart

2006-06-29T14:14:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I did well this morning. The kitchen is clean, the kids had breakfast, I made a nice salad for my husband and got the boys to get their room picked up. However we are in need of a big family hug. My son is having a hard time and having one of us feeling so out of sort has just thrown us all off our rhythm. I am exhausted. I am having to breath in patience at every turn and try to keep telling myslef that he will get through this, and that we will be better off once we come out the other side of this transitional time.

However, I am kidding myself if I think we can try to move through our days as though we arent in the middle of a difficult time for our family. No it isnt huge, or life shattering, but it is demanding the attention it needs. So I have decided to give into it. We are all going to spend our afternoon in my big bed, in our jammies, snuggled up to watch a movie together. We can all snuggle up and feel comforted by one another, while not having to really communicate or cooperate. I think sometimes when things feel like they are falling apart, these are the times when you really need to pull them in closer. It is a short period of time when we can just grab up our family and say "lets all just snuggle". So I am declaring this afternoon.... Snuggle Time! :-) The boys are excited, and are picking out a movie that they want to share with Mommy and ME. GM asked if we can have some popcorn, I figure sure, why not, its a party afterall!!

On another note, yesterday when GM and I were talking about some of the difficulties we are having right now, GM said to me that he really doesnt ever want to have gluten again. He wants it out of his system too. I just hope we get the results I have told him we are going for. He knows we need to give it six months from the last time he had gluten to see if it works, but still lets hope we know sooner!

Thursday

2006-06-29T08:19:00.001-07:00

Well, I am doing research this morning on how to help my son through this gluten detox period. He is a mess, truly a mess and I cant stand to see him so miserable and not be able to help him through it. I will order him some enzymes to help break the gluten and cassein down and get them out of his system faster. He havent yet cut out cassein because we need to get through this stage one first. Although if it will cause another detox period like this, I may wish we had just gone cold turkey to get to the other side faster. This is hard, not the diet, that is going great, but the emotional roller caster that he is on is just really hard right now.

So for today I plan to...

order the enzymes we need
find a naturopath here who can help us with some of this
make lavender waffles for the kids
Bake a loaf of bread for grilling sandwiches
Clean the kitchen (kids outside in yard playing)
Clean the living room (kids still oustide in yard playing)
Make a grilled Salmon salad for lunch with Dad
Clean the front room (office) - Quiet time for the kids (games, legos and reading)
laundry, laundry, laundry
Crabcakes for dinner for Dad, ME and GD (gf breaded fish for GM and me).
Evening rhythm (game time, put the bedroom to sleep -chores-, storytime wih Dad)

That is the plan and I will update as the day moves along, probably after lunch.

Also I will hopefully get to post about the new math and some preschool stuff tonight. Maybe.

Santa Fe Arts Alive!

2006-06-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Museum Hill in Santa Fe, NM does a terrific summer program which is free to the public. We fell in love with it last year, but we are really excited about all the great projects that this summer has planned. Each project is completely free, and taught by true artisans, most of which are featured at the world renowned Santa Fe Spanish Market. So you are really learning a craft by a true practitioner.
This week I invited two of our cousins and my sister-in-law to join us for the day. We drove up to Santa Fe this morning to learn about tinwork and make a project. All the kids made one, including my SIL and myself. It was a fun thing to do, and set to the backdrop of the Santa Fe mountains, it makes for quite a day. GM was quite grumpy unfortunately, I think we are literally in the throws of detox with the gluten. It has been really difficult for him to be anything but negative and hyper. However he did get it together in the end and was able to make it into a nice day. Im not sure if I will invite others in the future, it seems we just have more fun and do better when it is just us and GM isnt so frazzled. I was hit in the gut today by that whole "should we medicate" question. I just hate to see him so upset and negative while everyone around him is so happy and having so much fun. It is really painful to watch, I cant imagine feeling that way soooo often. It crushes my heart. Not that we are going to medicate, but man, I hope this diet can help him to just feel good. For goodness sakes, he is a little boy, these should be fun days.

One for the River

2006-06-28T21:26:00.000-07:00

Our Roots & Shoots group sponsored an event this year called "One for the River". This was the event's sixth year, however the previous coordinator needed to step down and asked our group to take it over in hopes of getting more children involved. We really had a great day.

So what is One for the River? It is a day of gratitude and reverance for the river and the community that it supports. It is about taking time out of our busy lives to come down to the bosque and bring a little water from home to "give back" to the river during the hottest and longest time of the year (longest days that is), summer solstice.

We all came down to the river, both R&S families and other community members; and brought water from our homes. The morning began with each family adding some of their water to the main bowl and saying where they brought it from and who they are. Once we all contributed to the bowl the kids then took the bowl around the bosque and spread it out around the trees. This was followed by a pilgrimage to the rivers edge where a Shaman said a blessing and asked each person to take a moment to say thank you to the river before pouring their water in.

This was followed by my introducing our R&S kids and having them march our peace dove around the bosque to the sound of traditional native american flutes playing. It was great. They all took it so seriously and were so proud of their dove.

This was then followed by people sharing stories or art work that they made to share that morning. Almost every family had at least one child who chose to make something and share it. They were terrific.

After all the One for the River ceremony was over, our group stayed in the bosque for a nature playdate and our end of year party. Our group does not do "recognition" however we did receive a wonderful letter and certificate from the Roots & Shoots headquarters and Dr. Goodall herself. I was so happy for the kids I made copies of them and gave each family one to keep at home. I also made them cd's with music that supports our goals in R&S. It was a lot of fun. the kids were happy, and I loved having them all get to play in the bosque. They were having so much fun exploring, climbing trees and playing with the sticks and things they found. From the youngest little itty-bitties all the way up to the Mom's and Dad's. It was a nice way to spend a Saturday morning.

Fiber Farm Monday Morning

2006-06-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

Monday morning we hopped in the car and headed out to Edgewood for a tour and discussion on Fiber Farming. This ties in really nicely for GM's "theme" for third grade. We were able to pet and feed a lot of great animals including Llamas, Alpacas, goats, sheep, donkeys, dogs and a wonderful Angora bunny. The kids were able to see the difference between the animals who were recently shorn (? sheered?) and were able to feel the different fibers from each animal in bags where they could really get a sense of the texture. The farmer there took them through the history of fibers and all the various ways of making thread or yarn. They also showed a varitey of ways to work with the thread such as knitting and weaving. They really did a terrific job of showing how you can farm for fibers and live a nice life. the farmer also explained the difference between milking goats and fiber goats, as well as allowing them each to get out in the various yards and interract with the animals. We all really loved it. This is another one of those activities that is great for all three kids. No matter what the age, they all loved it, even Mom.