We've been busy the last two days, but nothing to write home about. Working hard at school. Today Violet mastered multiplying fractions. She learned about reducing fractions. Which is rather hard to do if you don't know your multiplication facts. But the thought of memorizing them brings her to tears, screams and whines. I can't take it, I can't make her do it. I'm hoping she will learn them through use. It is my only hope. Mr. Incredible says he never memorized his. Call me a freak, but I thought times tests were fun in school. Then again, I wasn't a very social kid. If I was doing math I didn't have to talk to anyone. And I was good at it and comfortable with it.
"Yes, but how does that make you feel?"
Well, I ... wait a minute, that's not what this is about. I'm just talking about the last 2 days here, not getting deep character analysis.
I tried to talk Violet into taking a kayaking class with Girl Scouts over the summer. It is one day, 5 hours, take a sack lunch and learn to kayak in a lake. She didn't want to. She said she'd be too nervous in a small boat by herself. I looked at the calendar and it was just as well. The week before was going to be really busy. And besides, I think I'm the one that really wants to learn to kayak. Maybe I could take it. Think I could pass for a 4th or 5th grader?
I've been trying to get some answers from someone who works in a State office for a client. Today she basically told me to stop calling her. She said she'd get back to me sometime after she meets with 2 higher ups who are "very busy men." That didn't sit well with me. For one, she works for us - my clients and me. We pay our taxes, they pay her salary. For two, "very busy men?" Give me a break. Show me a working mom who doesn't do twice as much on any given day than these supposed "busy men." Snort. I bet they take lunch hours. I bet someone else makes dinner for them. I bet they don't go to the grocery store, the laundromat, kids' carpool, or help with homework. If they do any of them, it certain isn't on the same day while working full time. Moms do that. How about my clients? Running a small business (female owned and operated by the way), attempting to make payroll each pay period, trying to stay afloat in difficult times. While managing their own families. They are busy. And my bosses. I couldn't even report back to either of the two who have assigned me this task (both women) because both are traveling for business and have been gone most of the week. Both have husbands and extended families with health and other issues to take care of even while they are out of state. They are busy.
Very busy men, my ass.
There's no such thing.
(And to all those men I've just offended....what are you doing reading a freak mom's homeschool blog anyway? That's kind of creepy. Stop it.)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Rained out
It poured on and off all day Saturday and all Sunday morning. We didn't know if they'd move the Family Outdoor Fun Day indoors. If not, even if it quit raining, there was going to be a soggy mess outside. We all voted to change our plans. We went to the Burpee Museum and the Discovery Center instead. If you are ever in the Rockford area, both are time well spent.
Mr. Incredible and Grandfather had never been to the Burpee. While we like the Burpee (well, I do more than Violet), we were trying to rush them along so there'd be time to go to the Discovery Center as well. Discovery is much more hands on and far more interesting if you are 9.
On the way home we were all hungry, but we also knew that Grandfather had a long drive home ahead of him and didn't want to be any later than he had to be. I mentioned that it was too bad we didn't have our local pizza place's phone number with or I could call and order a pizza for pick up. Mr. I. remembered that he had Goog 411 programmed into his cell phone. You dial 1-800-GOOG-411 and tell the computer the business name, city and state that you want. It will confirm the address of the business with you then connect you. The service is free. Our large cheese pizza was ready for us when we drove into town. It was awesome! I have to remember to program that into my phone too.
Today we were back to school. Violet had a swim lesson tonight. She is doing so well. I told her that she's welcome to continue through summer and into the fall (I'd like to stop next winter when we have to worry about snow and ice), but that she's already to the point that I'm happy with her swimming. My goal for her was to be able to pass the deep water swim test at camp. I think she can. She might have trouble with the treading water, but the swimming she can do. Last week they treaded water for 40 seconds and Violet said that was hard. I'm thinking she may have to do a minute at camp. I also feel her swimming is good enough for her to go off to a pool (with a lifeguard) without me or Mr. I along. (Not by herself of course, but with a friend's family I mean.) Violet wants to keep going for now.
More school tomorrow. And I have an early morning update call with my boss who hinted she had more work to assign me. I've had a few days off, so that is a very good thing.
Mr. Incredible and Grandfather had never been to the Burpee. While we like the Burpee (well, I do more than Violet), we were trying to rush them along so there'd be time to go to the Discovery Center as well. Discovery is much more hands on and far more interesting if you are 9.
On the way home we were all hungry, but we also knew that Grandfather had a long drive home ahead of him and didn't want to be any later than he had to be. I mentioned that it was too bad we didn't have our local pizza place's phone number with or I could call and order a pizza for pick up. Mr. I. remembered that he had Goog 411 programmed into his cell phone. You dial 1-800-GOOG-411 and tell the computer the business name, city and state that you want. It will confirm the address of the business with you then connect you. The service is free. Our large cheese pizza was ready for us when we drove into town. It was awesome! I have to remember to program that into my phone too.
Today we were back to school. Violet had a swim lesson tonight. She is doing so well. I told her that she's welcome to continue through summer and into the fall (I'd like to stop next winter when we have to worry about snow and ice), but that she's already to the point that I'm happy with her swimming. My goal for her was to be able to pass the deep water swim test at camp. I think she can. She might have trouble with the treading water, but the swimming she can do. Last week they treaded water for 40 seconds and Violet said that was hard. I'm thinking she may have to do a minute at camp. I also feel her swimming is good enough for her to go off to a pool (with a lifeguard) without me or Mr. I along. (Not by herself of course, but with a friend's family I mean.) Violet wants to keep going for now.
More school tomorrow. And I have an early morning update call with my boss who hinted she had more work to assign me. I've had a few days off, so that is a very good thing.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Not so far behind
While I'm not exactly caught up, I'm not as far behind as I usually am.
I am waiting for answers from other people for everything for work. I have plans for homeschool for the coming week. Granted they aren't formal or even well thought out, but I can wing it with what I've got. I placed the order from Rainbow Resources I've been researching for a week or so. I have a few Girl Scout things to do, but nothing urgent. And I need to get our camp forms sent in, but I have time.
My father-in-law is staying with us this weekend. He had a meeting in the City today. Tomorrow we are all supposed to go to an outdoor family fun science fair. The forecast is for thunderstorms and rain. Not sure that we will actually go. We probably will. We'll probably get wet.
What I ordered was some more Young Scientist Kits. Violet wanted a couple of Mind Bender books. And we're going to try Novel Thinking. I ordered Charlotte's Web and In Their Own Words: Abraham Lincoln.
I know, a few weeks left to go in the school year probably isn't the time to place a new order. But, I have the money now. Who knows what will happen with our jobs by fall. And Violet was enthusiastic about trying some of it now. That may be gone by September.
Strike while the learning iron is hot.
I am waiting for answers from other people for everything for work. I have plans for homeschool for the coming week. Granted they aren't formal or even well thought out, but I can wing it with what I've got. I placed the order from Rainbow Resources I've been researching for a week or so. I have a few Girl Scout things to do, but nothing urgent. And I need to get our camp forms sent in, but I have time.
My father-in-law is staying with us this weekend. He had a meeting in the City today. Tomorrow we are all supposed to go to an outdoor family fun science fair. The forecast is for thunderstorms and rain. Not sure that we will actually go. We probably will. We'll probably get wet.
What I ordered was some more Young Scientist Kits. Violet wanted a couple of Mind Bender books. And we're going to try Novel Thinking. I ordered Charlotte's Web and In Their Own Words: Abraham Lincoln.
I know, a few weeks left to go in the school year probably isn't the time to place a new order. But, I have the money now. Who knows what will happen with our jobs by fall. And Violet was enthusiastic about trying some of it now. That may be gone by September.
Strike while the learning iron is hot.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Hopscotch Cake
Violet made cake number three on her way to her Piece of Cake badge. It was a hopscotch cake. She made the cake from scratch yesterday. Today she cut the cake into rectangles, arranged it, made buttercream frosting and decorated it. Well, I helped some. Boy, oh boy, that was my first cake from scratch and I definitely see why they invented cake mixes!
As you can see we found a tray to make the cake on, instead of the Mickey Mouse tray, and it didn't fit! It was actually the second tray we tried and it was still too small. We said that it was representing part of the sidewalk that had settled.
It is hard to tell but the rectangles each have a number on them. She used a cookie cutter for the number templates. She used candies to decorate it. Not sure if I want to eat quite that much candy, but hey, you do what you got to do.
As you can see we found a tray to make the cake on, instead of the Mickey Mouse tray, and it didn't fit! It was actually the second tray we tried and it was still too small. We said that it was representing part of the sidewalk that had settled.
It is hard to tell but the rectangles each have a number on them. She used a cookie cutter for the number templates. She used candies to decorate it. Not sure if I want to eat quite that much candy, but hey, you do what you got to do.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I am a winner
Last night was the Girl Scout Adult Recognition dinner. We nominated our service unit mentor for the Thanks II Badge and she received it. It is the highest recognition an adult volunteer can receive. Only one other volunteer received it last night (no one received it last year). The other lady led the outdoor overnight training I took a couple of years ago. She's really, really good and totally deserving of it as well.
It was a fun night. I ate too much. I clapped and cheered for the award recipients. I hugged everyone afterward.
I even won a door prize! I had been kind of hoping for the $50 gas card, or the Girl Scout blanket, but my prize was even cooler. It was, in fact, a cooler. It is an insulated wine bag. It has plastic wine glasses, a cork screw, a cutting board, and cheese knife in it. It fits 2 bottles of wine (yes, but what will everyone else drink?). And you take it to the outdoor symphony.
I know what your thinking...when was the last time Freakmom went to the symphony? I know, but it is cool. Plus I was thinking. I take it to a really conservative homeschool picnic sometime and pop the cork. Maybe take a friend with (and arrange to have one of our husbands drive us and pick us up). Get more than a bit tipsy and let the comments fly!
Okay, I won't but a girl can dream.
It was a fun night. I ate too much. I clapped and cheered for the award recipients. I hugged everyone afterward.
I even won a door prize! I had been kind of hoping for the $50 gas card, or the Girl Scout blanket, but my prize was even cooler. It was, in fact, a cooler. It is an insulated wine bag. It has plastic wine glasses, a cork screw, a cutting board, and cheese knife in it. It fits 2 bottles of wine (yes, but what will everyone else drink?). And you take it to the outdoor symphony.
I know what your thinking...when was the last time Freakmom went to the symphony? I know, but it is cool. Plus I was thinking. I take it to a really conservative homeschool picnic sometime and pop the cork. Maybe take a friend with (and arrange to have one of our husbands drive us and pick us up). Get more than a bit tipsy and let the comments fly!
Okay, I won't but a girl can dream.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Whiny Day
Please tell me that all 9 year old girls whine a lot. I know they do, I just want some external validation that it wasn't me, wasn't her, wasn't what I had planned. They are just hard wired to whine.
It was cold and rainy today. In fact, the high was only 42F. Just miserable weather. No wonder she felt miserable. Nothing we tried to do made her happy. We had to stop math twice because it kept bringing her to tears. It wasn't too hard. Maybe it was too easy. I think it just irritated her. It was an introduction to percentages. It seemed to offend her to have to write both the fraction (10/100) as well as the percent (10%). Maybe it just went against her moral math convictions.
She tried making tissue paper fish. You cut out the fish shapes (2 pieces), decorate them and glue them together (all except an opening). When the glue dries tomorrow, she'll stuff the fish with toilet paper and glue them shut. She probably used too much glue. The marker ran. But although she whined through it she claimed it was fun.
She also worked on her totem pole. She drew pictures of our pets on strips of paper and glued them around a paper towel tube. She still has to draw "Peanut" one of her gold fish. She tried twice today and couldn't get her right. On the top she chose to cut out an owl from cardboard. Not 100% (see no fraction given, she's right it is silly) why she wanted an owl on top. Possibly because the owl that occasionally hangs out on our roof. Maybe just because owls are cool.
I'll take photos when the projects are complete. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and in the 50s. I'm hoping for less whine. I really should scrap the school plans and figure out an Earth Day project to do. Will I lose my status of "Good Homeschool Mom" if I don't?
It was cold and rainy today. In fact, the high was only 42F. Just miserable weather. No wonder she felt miserable. Nothing we tried to do made her happy. We had to stop math twice because it kept bringing her to tears. It wasn't too hard. Maybe it was too easy. I think it just irritated her. It was an introduction to percentages. It seemed to offend her to have to write both the fraction (10/100) as well as the percent (10%). Maybe it just went against her moral math convictions.
She tried making tissue paper fish. You cut out the fish shapes (2 pieces), decorate them and glue them together (all except an opening). When the glue dries tomorrow, she'll stuff the fish with toilet paper and glue them shut. She probably used too much glue. The marker ran. But although she whined through it she claimed it was fun.
She also worked on her totem pole. She drew pictures of our pets on strips of paper and glued them around a paper towel tube. She still has to draw "Peanut" one of her gold fish. She tried twice today and couldn't get her right. On the top she chose to cut out an owl from cardboard. Not 100% (see no fraction given, she's right it is silly) why she wanted an owl on top. Possibly because the owl that occasionally hangs out on our roof. Maybe just because owls are cool.
I'll take photos when the projects are complete. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and in the 50s. I'm hoping for less whine. I really should scrap the school plans and figure out an Earth Day project to do. Will I lose my status of "Good Homeschool Mom" if I don't?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tour-a-rific
Today was our library tour. It went far above and beyond my expectations. I thought they'd spend 30-45 minutes and talk to the kids about the library, maybe show them where the stuff was kept. The head librarian from the children's department talked to them, took them to all the departments and had them meet with lots of employees for almost an hour and a half! The kids got to go behind the circulation desk and check out then in a book. They met with representatives from all over the library who told them what they do and showed them how they do it. There were several people who weren't working today or else our tour might have lasted until closing time!
The kids (and moms) left with a much better understanding of what libraries and librarians do. The also learned what volunteers can do. And they learned what is required to become a librarian. When we were wrapping up the ladies asked the kids who would like to work in a library when they were older. All 5 girls raised their hands. The two brothers declined. We suspect they are holding out for bigger bucks than you make in a library.
Violet also had her swim lesson tonight. She's still doing great and really enjoying them. She's going to continue with lessons at least through June.
The rest of the week we are home and have no appointments! Except for me, on Wednesday night. I'm attending the Girl Scout Volunteer Awards dinner. But that will be fun. My mentor is receiving the Thanks II Badge. I have to go cheer for her.
Gack, I have nothing to wear to a fancy dinner. I wonder if I can wear the same dress I wore last year. Even if anyone recognizes it they shouldn't say anything about it. They are all Girl Scouts after all.
The kids (and moms) left with a much better understanding of what libraries and librarians do. The also learned what volunteers can do. And they learned what is required to become a librarian. When we were wrapping up the ladies asked the kids who would like to work in a library when they were older. All 5 girls raised their hands. The two brothers declined. We suspect they are holding out for bigger bucks than you make in a library.
Violet also had her swim lesson tonight. She's still doing great and really enjoying them. She's going to continue with lessons at least through June.
The rest of the week we are home and have no appointments! Except for me, on Wednesday night. I'm attending the Girl Scout Volunteer Awards dinner. But that will be fun. My mentor is receiving the Thanks II Badge. I have to go cheer for her.
Gack, I have nothing to wear to a fancy dinner. I wonder if I can wear the same dress I wore last year. Even if anyone recognizes it they shouldn't say anything about it. They are all Girl Scouts after all.
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