An Evening With 5th Grade Boys

It was the last day of school.  First it was the after school bantering, good byes, hugs (well the hugs were not so much with the boys.)  Then we moved on picnic at the park along with a few other families.  Then taking four 5th grade boys to play golf.  Driving kids around listening is a great way to learn things!

Knowing it’s hard for them all to focus, I had them repeat after me, “Call Mrs. Sellers when we get done with golf.”  Then it was the phone call, “Uh Mom, we’ve done for awhile.  We kind of forgot to call with all the drama.”  Mmmmm, what was the drama?  I was certain it would be something funny.  Upon arriving at the golf course I asked about what they meant by drama.  The drama was just the way everyone played the last hole.

Upon arriving at our house, all four began playing basketball.  (Our toddler name for Steven was Mr. Perpetual Motion – guess it applies to most boys.)  Then it was cheeseburgers etc.  When I realized one boy had one 10 minutes left before he had to leave, I told them.  His response was, “Come on guys, let’s play shimmey!”  (Like hockey but on your knees.)  Perpetual motion again!

It was fun hearing the boys share about the last day of school – Things we never would have heard from our son even though he might have been thinking them.  One boy said the last day was kind of sad.  Sad to say goodbye to Mrs. Johnson, said to hear a fellow classmate answer the teachers question about what they learned about God this year.  This young boy had lost his mother as she passed away.  He shared that he learned that God did not cause his mom to die.  A couple of the boys said, “Yeah, I got tears in my eyes when he said that.”  I got teared up hearing them talk about it. 

I enjoy having my kids friends at our house.  It’s great getting to know their friends, it’s fun to see their interactions, and I learn things I never would have known!  I want our home to be a place where my kids want their friends to come.

Trisha

Girls, Fun, and Christ’s Truth

My daughters received an invitation today for five nights of fun and Christ centered learning from a friend.  This is so cool! 

One night is Spa Night were we’ll pamper ourselves and learn what “true beauty” is in God’s eyes.  The second time is Cooking/Baking Night when we’ll bake something yummy and learn a recipe for godly living.  The third gathering is a Sewing Night where we’ll do a small sewing craft and learn how we are God’s creative project for a purpose.  The fourth evening we’ll have some fun doing healthy activities and learn why it is important that we take care of our bodies so that we can serve Christ better.  The final evening is Campfire night where we’ll make Smore’s and worship God around our campfire and relect on a fun summer.

God bless the mom who thought this up and is inviting other girls and moms to join in the fun!

Trisha

Persuasive Letter

My son had an assignment to write a persuasive letter. The topic was to NOT let students choose their own seats. It was hilarious! I wondered how on earth he thought to write on this which I know he would NOT agree with.
The letter is addressed to his teacher. Some of what he wrote – “Have you ever felt like there is too much noise to concentrate on your work? Do you ever think your students aren’t focusing on their work either?”
“First of all, we won’t have much self-control and if we keep getting to choose where we sit we might never have self-control. I saw this because friends are usually hyper around each other. This causes more stress for you…Nobody can ever get a maximum of work done when people are yakkity-yakkin.” “If we don’t get serious about school then we might not get a good job or get into a good college. This could be very bad for our careers.”

I found out later the students were given the topic!

Trisha

Practicing Math Fact Will Be The Death of Me

I need to vent!  Practicing multiplication math facts with one of my daughters is going to be the death of me!  I think I remain patient 99% of the time that we regularly practice, but I suppose she can since my frustration.  She’s been working on math facts almost the entire school year.  She’s passed time tests for each number individually but when we review them all together she …she…blanks???doesn’t focus???has a brain freeze???I don’t know!!!

My other two were done with their “stuff” and were watching TV, so we moved to the dining room to go through math facts.  Hearing the TV was too much of a distraction so we moved upstairs.   Still it was difficult for her to focus.  I know with some of them she knows the answer.  Seriously how can she not know 2 x whatever? 

I’m told it’s all about repetition.  I’ve been told to pull out the facts your child doesn’t know well and only introducing those one at a time along with the ones they do know well. 

I’m beginning to believe it’s something else.  Could there be a memory issue?  A multiplication learning disability?  How can she know them, then not know them, when we’ve reviewed these a minimum of five times a week since October?!?  I feel like I need as much help as she does!!

Trisha

“Jay” Walking

I haven’t watched “The Tonight Show” in years…many, many years. Being the it was Jay Leno’s last show, my husband recorded it.

Tonight we finally watched it and in his segment “Jay Walking” he asked a grown adult, “What countries does the US border?” The guy’s answer, “Austrialia.” Seriously?! How does a person get past 4th grade and not know the answer to this question?!?!?!?!?! It’s so amazingly pathetic!

Trisha

TRAVELING WITH TODDLER

A few days ago I saw my neighbor sitting in a chair in her driveway while her kids played in the front yard. I walked over to talk with her. I asked how she was doing (thinking oh how nice to be sitting outside relaxing.) Her response, “I’ve been trying to pack and as I put things into the suitcase the girls are taking things out!” I had forgotten she was preparing for a trip. She continued with, “I couldn’t take it any more so we came outside!” So…she wasn’t sitting outside relaxing but out of exhaustion! I do remember those days! So many things to pack. I remember thinking it was easier just to stay home! I also remember coming home from a trip, struggling to get my kids back in their routine, and promising I wouldn’t leave home overnight again until they were done with naps!
Children (and moms) find comfort in a routine.

Trisha

Parenting Books

Today, I heard about 10 minutes of an interview with the author of a parenting book. The book was “Parenting is a Contact Sport – 8 Ways to Stay Connected to Your Child.” I was intrigued by what was shared – (for the 10 minutes I heard) – Much of a child’s behavior is related to the connection between parent and child. I thought of Josh McDowell’s often quoted statement, “Rules with out relationship, equals rebellion.” I also thought of a conversation earlier today with a friend who said how incredible helpful the book “Have a New Kid By Friday,” had been to her.

I think we can gain so much from reading different parenting books. Depending on what we are dealing with something help better than others. I thank God for the amazing number of resources we have available to us to help us in this parenting journey. My mother often reminds me that she had none of this available to her when I was a child. We are blessed indeed!

I recently read a great tip with something I had been struggling with. My daughters have not made it a priority to read their Bible in the morning. I occassionally asked them if they had read, but wasn’t sure how I should approach this. I read in a parenting book that this parent would occassionally reward their child, if they had been regularly reading their Bible with a gift of another resources to encourage their relationship with Christ. That’s it! I thought. After talking with my husband, we announced at dinner that we would occassionally reward regular Bible reading with a gift of their choosing such as a book devotional, study guide etc. Since our son had been doing this, we said he could choose one now. We didn’t mention that our daughters hadn’t, just that our son had.

A few minutes later one of our daughters asked if they could get a “Chosen Girls” book if they were reading their Bible. Yes! Thank you Lord for direction in parenting!!

I also determined that I do need to regularly ask or see if my daughters have read their Bible. I decided they need to know that I think it’s important enough to ask them regularly. Afterall, I ask them about their homework on a regular basis!

“Have a New Kid By Friday”

First, there are a million things, okay, not a million, but a lot of things I’ve thought about the last couple days to blog about…setting Mother’s Day expectations, Entertainment and the Christian – teaching from Summit Ministries, funny conversation with a girlfriend, and Have a New Kid by Friday.

Have a New Kids by Friday, is what I’m choosing to write about today.  So, there’s a book by Kevin Lehman called, Have a New Kid By Friday.  This is also the title to the key note talk he gave for the National Hearts at Home Conference in March.  I was listening to the CD of the talk on my way to pick up my kids from school.  He talked about his principle of 1) say it once 2) turn around  3) walk away. 

I realize that once again, my son must be playing on the playground as many of the students are out of the classroom and both my daughters are in the car.  As I approach closer to the school, I begin to pray, Lord, give me wisdom on the consequence for my son.  He KNOWS he is suppose to come to the car first and ask permission to play.

I get out of my car and see him playing Four Square.  He sees me.  I say let’s go.  He asks, “Can I buy a sucker?” (the older kids are selling them for a fund raiser.)  Thank you Lord – a natural consequence!!  I respond with, “No, you didn’t ask permission to play so you do not have the privilege to go now and buy a sucker.”  His response, “Fine, then I won’t say anything the rest of the day.”  This is repeated two more times as he gets in the car.  I say nothing.

He gets it!  Thank you Lord for natural consequences and divine wisdom!  Now, please have him remember this the next time he is tempted to play first before asking for permission

Trisha

Just for Fun – Pun Answers!

Have you been waiting with excitement for these answers??!?!? The answers follow each question.
What happened when the temporary visitor gave a random answer to the question?
The guest guessed!
How do you get in a car crash?
Your brakes break.
What sound will an adult with a stomach ache make?
A growing groan.
What should you do if you tend to eat too many sweets?
You desert the dessert!
What’s the toughest road to ride?
A coarse course!

Now, are you smarter than a 5th grader?

If not, you’ve got lots of company!!!

Just For Fun – Puns

My 5th grade son, loves to bring home English challenges. Here’s one for you to try…
What are the puns?
What happened when the temporary visitor gave a random answer to the question?
How do you get in a car crash?
What sound will an adult with a stomach ache make?
What should you do if you tend to eat too many sweets?
What’s the toughest road to ride?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!