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!

Elevator Buttons

What is it that kids are facinated with elevator buttons? C

Can I push the button? No, it’s my turn?

What’s the thrill? Do you remember wanted to do this as a kid? What is it really?

Trisha

Women Are Amazing

One Flaw In Women  

Women have strengths that amaze men. 
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, 
but they hold happiness, love and joy. 

They smile when they want to scream. 
They sing when they want to cry. 
They cry when they are happy 
and laugh when they are nervous. 
They fight for what they believe in. 
They stand up to injustice. 

They don’t take “no” for an answer 
when they believe there is a better solution. 

They go without so their family can have. 
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. 

They love unconditionally. 
They cry when their children excel 
and cheer when their friends get awards. 

They are happy when they hear about 
a birth or a wedding. 
Their hearts break when a friend dies. 
They grieve at the loss of a family member, 
yet they are strong when they 
think there is no strength left. 
They know that a hug and a kiss 
can heal a broken heart. 

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. 

They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you 
to show how much they care about you. 

The heart of a woman is what 
makes the world keep turning. 

They bring joy, hope and love. 
They have compassion and ideas. 
They give moral support to their 
family and friends. 

Women have vital things to say 
and everything to give. 

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, 
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH. 

Please pass this along to all your
women friends and relatives to remind them just 
how amazing they are.

Spoiled Milk, Anyone?

Years ago a neighbor sold me on milk from cows that aren’t given hormones.  She sold me after tell me how her son went into early puberty and blamed it on the milk.  Well, I’m not sure that was the sole reason for early puberty.  However, since then we get our milk (for our kids) from Oberwise (and delivered!).  I first just bought the milk from the grocery store then I learned it was actually less money to have it delivered!  The number of half gallons determines if it is less than the grocer.

Well  on to the offer of spoiled milk…Our milk gets delivered on Wednesday.  Some how we managed to COMPLETELY forget about the milk delivery.  Neither my husband or I remembered it until Sunday morning!  The milk had been sitting in the cooler on our front porch since Wednesday!  Normally, we would have had a rinsed contained to put in the cooler but we still had additional milk for the kids left over from the extra I bought for our 12 Easter weekend guests.

This  morning, when we did need milk, I went to the basement thinking we would have a lot of milk and may need to cancel delivery of milk this week.  When I took the last half gallon of Oberwise milk from the downstairs fridge I was surprised that it was the last of the milk.  Even then it didn’t dawn on me that maybe we didn’t get the milk Wednesday.  My husband saw the empty container on the counter and realized we didn’t get the milk on Wednesday! 

So, spoiled milk anyone?!

Trisha