The two younger girls, Amy and I spent most of Saturday planting letterboxes in the woods about 30 minutes from our home. We had such a good time, hiking, collecting leaves and acorns, looking at snakes, etc. I've really gotten tired of the rain we've had during the last two weeks.
Everyone was in good spirits and enjoyed each others' company. Paige and Allie got to see a field of cranes and hundred of crows fly over our heads. During the walk through the second park, Paige and Allie decided that they wanted to do reports on their forest trips. They snagged some rocks, pine needles and pine cones to add to the already gathered leaves and acorns. When we returned home, both girls gathered paper, glue, scissors, and writing tools. They happily spent over an hour putting together their report and making a sample board.
On Sunday, Mike, Madelyn and I headed up to Mount Pleasant for a cheerleading stunt clinic. Madelyn is in the competition cheerleading team and this clinic works on throws, pyramids and tumbling. The coaches were surprised that Madelyn was already able to do the tumbling tricks. She did some back flips and was told that she isn't supposed to know those until she is two levels higher in competition.
Madelyn was made the flyer for her team, which means that she gets tossed into the air and caught by her team mates. She also gets to stand at the top of the pyramid and do various poses. Her team mates dropped her three times during the clinic. She was pretty sore by the time we reached home Sunday night.
While she was at the clinic, Mike and I drove around the area and did a little letter boxing. We planted a couple of boxes and managed to find a few. There aren't many boxes planted in the Mount Pleasant area. I'll probably plant several more in the spring when we return for another clinic.
I felt so much better after spending most of the weekend outside. The fresh air and exercise was just what I needed.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Kids!
Yesterday, my youngest girls played with Barbie dolls in the pool, which is still filling. It was extremely hot, so I let them wade and play while we tried to fill it to a reasonable height. Katie watched them and then mentioned to me that when she was 3-4 years old, Amy would only play Barbies with her if Amy was allowed to chose how they played. Amy is 5 years older than Katie and had just read The Diary of Anne Frank. Poor Katie was forced to play "Gas Chamber" with Amy. Their dolls were always hiding from the people who wanted to throw them in the gas chambers. Katie just realized that she had been playing holocaust.
I'm always amazed at the amount of carry-over from lessons or readings that my children bring to their play. After all these years, I should be prepared for these glimpses of learning, but they always surprise me. I should also do a better job of seeing what they are playing, especially when it's quiet.
I'm always amazed at the amount of carry-over from lessons or readings that my children bring to their play. After all these years, I should be prepared for these glimpses of learning, but they always surprise me. I should also do a better job of seeing what they are playing, especially when it's quiet.
Monday, March 14, 2011
I'm Bored....
Paige and Allie approached me several times today and said, "I'm bored. What's there to do?" These are statements that drive me crazy. I offered a few suggestions and the girls did go outside to play for an hour, but eventually returned inside due to the cold.
Once again I was told that they were bored. In frustration I threatened, "If you tell me you're bored again, you girls are going to scrub the floors." Two voices immediately chimed in, "Can we, please? "What floors can we do? Can we do them ALL?"
The youngest girls are happily scrubbing down the main bathroom floor with extreme joy and vigor. They are still saying that they want to do ALL the floors, but I'm not quite so optimistic. At least the bathroom will be cleaner and I have some peace and quiet.
Once again I was told that they were bored. In frustration I threatened, "If you tell me you're bored again, you girls are going to scrub the floors." Two voices immediately chimed in, "Can we, please? "What floors can we do? Can we do them ALL?"
The youngest girls are happily scrubbing down the main bathroom floor with extreme joy and vigor. They are still saying that they want to do ALL the floors, but I'm not quite so optimistic. At least the bathroom will be cleaner and I have some peace and quiet.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Another Dare Devil in the Family
Stephen and Alison have been the children who make my heart pound. Allie climbs huge trees, dives into deep water, and has little physical fear. She is shy around strangers, but loves to challenge herself with stunts. Steve has a great sense of balance and I refuse to watch him do tricks. He makes me nervous. He rarely gets hurt and manages to do amazing feats.
Yesterday, Madelyn decided to join their Dare Devil Club. One of Steve's friends came by to go snowboarding, but Steve wasn't available. The friend asked Madelyn if she would like to go instead. She came home stiff and sore from doing 5' jumps off a cement wall on her snowboard. Madelyn was a pretty good sport about her aches and pains. The following afternoon, the friend returned to go snowboarding with my kids. Madelyn went to try more tricks. When she returned home, her face was badly scratched in two places. She landed the 5' jump, but the snowboard slipped out from under her and cut her face. Poor kid. I'm hoping that she doesn't end up with scars across her check and forehead.
At some point I'm going to have to get brave and watch the kids do their tricks, but I'll wait until I'm feeling brave.
Yesterday, Madelyn decided to join their Dare Devil Club. One of Steve's friends came by to go snowboarding, but Steve wasn't available. The friend asked Madelyn if she would like to go instead. She came home stiff and sore from doing 5' jumps off a cement wall on her snowboard. Madelyn was a pretty good sport about her aches and pains. The following afternoon, the friend returned to go snowboarding with my kids. Madelyn went to try more tricks. When she returned home, her face was badly scratched in two places. She landed the 5' jump, but the snowboard slipped out from under her and cut her face. Poor kid. I'm hoping that she doesn't end up with scars across her check and forehead.
At some point I'm going to have to get brave and watch the kids do their tricks, but I'll wait until I'm feeling brave.
Friday, October 29, 2010
I'm So Mean
Almost all of my children had employment of some sort at our last home. With the current job market, my kids haven't been able to find jobs at our new location. My enterprising son, Joe has solved his cash-flow problem by gathering bottles and returning them for the deposit. He started small by just gathering bottles he saw on bicycle rides, but has developed a route that he does each day. A normal day will net him about $5.
In addition to gathering bottles, Joe is dumpster diving now. So far he's gathered 3 working video games for Wii or PS2, a working radio, 4 umbrellas, a replacement wheel for his bike, and some watches and jewelry. I've been allowing his "hobby" as long as he washes up very well when he gets home.
Last week, a friend went to Joe's best dumpster and gathered up the bottles. Joe was upset, but I explained that the bottles are up for grabs. He doesn't own rights to the bottles in the dumpster until he collects them. Later in the week, Joe's friend explained that he couldn't get the bottles any more because his mom thinks that I make the kids pay for their own school books.
What? I know that the mom believes that I'm too tough on my children because they do chores. But making them purchase their own school supplies seems pretty extreme. After some questioning, we realized that she learned that I had made one child pay me $25 towards replacing their math book. The child had destroyed a hard-cover math textbook by carelessness, something along the lines of abusing a library book. This was a 3rd offense for this child and I wanted to make a strong impression.
Now the neighbor believes that I'm unreasonable. At least Joe will have a steady income until he finds employment.
In addition to gathering bottles, Joe is dumpster diving now. So far he's gathered 3 working video games for Wii or PS2, a working radio, 4 umbrellas, a replacement wheel for his bike, and some watches and jewelry. I've been allowing his "hobby" as long as he washes up very well when he gets home.
Last week, a friend went to Joe's best dumpster and gathered up the bottles. Joe was upset, but I explained that the bottles are up for grabs. He doesn't own rights to the bottles in the dumpster until he collects them. Later in the week, Joe's friend explained that he couldn't get the bottles any more because his mom thinks that I make the kids pay for their own school books.
What? I know that the mom believes that I'm too tough on my children because they do chores. But making them purchase their own school supplies seems pretty extreme. After some questioning, we realized that she learned that I had made one child pay me $25 towards replacing their math book. The child had destroyed a hard-cover math textbook by carelessness, something along the lines of abusing a library book. This was a 3rd offense for this child and I wanted to make a strong impression.
Now the neighbor believes that I'm unreasonable. At least Joe will have a steady income until he finds employment.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Slug Bug Revisited or Car Rides with Kids
When I was growing up it was common for my siblings and I to hit each other, while shouting "Slug Bug!" whenever we spotted a Volkswagon Beetle. We also tried to get semi trucks to blow their horns by pumping our arms up and down vigorously when we were in front of a semi truck. My children are not so easily entertained.
After viewing the recent Volkswagon commercials, my boys are hitting people when they spot ANY VW on the road. Madelyn learned about hitting people when P.T. Cruisers are spotted. She shouts, "P.T. Cruiser Bruiser. No hit backs!" Joe prefers to hit people for the "Hummer Bummer."
The kids are pretty good about not hitting the youngest girls or adults, but Madelyn, Joe, and Steve are getting Katie and Amy a lot. Today, Amy introduced her own game. She shouts, "Jeep Beep!" and pushes gently on someone's nose. Amy got Madelyn 5 times on the way to Walmart today, much to Madelyn's chagrin. Paybacks are sweet!
After viewing the recent Volkswagon commercials, my boys are hitting people when they spot ANY VW on the road. Madelyn learned about hitting people when P.T. Cruisers are spotted. She shouts, "P.T. Cruiser Bruiser. No hit backs!" Joe prefers to hit people for the "Hummer Bummer."
The kids are pretty good about not hitting the youngest girls or adults, but Madelyn, Joe, and Steve are getting Katie and Amy a lot. Today, Amy introduced her own game. She shouts, "Jeep Beep!" and pushes gently on someone's nose. Amy got Madelyn 5 times on the way to Walmart today, much to Madelyn's chagrin. Paybacks are sweet!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Cranky Neighbor's
This summer, I realized that most of my neighbors don't speak to each other and call the police on each other all the time. Mike and I decided that we were not going to get involved in all the neighborhood drama. Instead, we would try to be good neighbor to everyone. It didn't work.
The family (I'll refer to them as Jill) who lives behind me doesn't speak to three other people on our block, and the three families involve the police in all their squabbles. Her family recently began to have problems with the house across the street from them. The neighbor (I'll refer to them as Jack) doesn't like children and calls the police when Jill's children write on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk or ride bikes and skateboards in the street. Jill's dog has entered Jack's yard which is yet another problem.
Monday night, Steve had returned from the skateboard park with his friends. He and his friends were skating on the sidewalk in front of my home. Jill's children and their friends were skating in the street in from of Jack's home. Jack called the police on Jill's children stating that they were blocking traffic. My children were called inside a short time later, due to darkness.
Half an hour later, a policeman arrived on my front porch and asked to come in a speak with me. After he entered the house, he asked how many children I had. After I responded he behaved in a threatening manner. The police man towered over me and spoke loudly (the kids could hear him upstairs in the back bedroom.) He stated that Jill had told him that MY children were blocking traffic on the street and that their skateboard ramps were also blocking traffic. We don't own any skateboard ramps or rails (Jill does.)Jill received a ticket for her dog during their interview, because the dog was not restrained. He stated that no skateboards were allowed anywhere in the city, except at the skate park. There had been multiple complaints from several people that my children were blocking traffic with ramps. If the police received any more complaints all my children and I would be sited with tickets ($150 each.)
I explained that we didn't own ramps and that my children were on the sidewalk. He stated that he would not take my word about my children's actions and that
I had received my only warning. He then took my license number for future verification on the children involved. Continued to drone on about my liability for approximately 15 in an aggressive manner. By the time he left, I was crying. I had been treated more like the owner of a meth-house whose children had just mugged a 99 year old crippled woman than a mom whose child was supposedly skateboarding in the wrong location.
After calming down, I checked the city ordinances in our small town. Skateboards are not allowed on the streets, but are allowed on the sidewalks, except in the down town area. I don't live downtown. After Mike came home, I explained what had happened.
He went to the police station the following afternoon to speak with the officer. He learned from the officer at the desk, that two complaints were made by ONE person (Jack) and that the policeman who visited me had said that it was my children, and that I had agreed that it was my children who were in the street on the next block.
Mike spoke with the officer about the visit to our home and that I only have 3 children who skateboard. My children were in front of my house. The 10-12 on the neighboring street were not mine. Mike mentioned the ordinance that states that skateboards are allowed on sidewalk as long as they don't impede pedestrian traffic. The officer said that anytime children are on sidewalks they are blocking the sidewalk. He also reiterated that if children were skateboarding in my area, I would be ticked.
The chief of police walked past Mike and the officer. Mike asked the chief if he could speak with him, because he was getting no where with the other policeman. The chief of police said that my kids could ride their skateboards on the sidewalk in front of my house. After he left, the original officer stated that the ordinance gave the police a "lot of discretion in regards to skateboarders" and that he would issue my family tickets if another complain comes in about skaters in my area.
I'll be attending the next several city commission meetings and getting into contact with the commissioners about this law. Any time an officer is allowed to give a ticket to someone who is following the law, there's a problem. Laws should be relatively black and white. Policemen should not be allowed to be judge and jury. My neighbor (Jill) is no longer a person who I respect. I would like to sell our current house and move outside the city.
Mike and I spent a lot of time reading about the police department and the ordinances in our town. The biography on the officer who visited my house stated that the favorite part of his job is serving the community and working with people.
Today, Jill's children were skateboarding on the sidewalk and road in front of my house.
The family (I'll refer to them as Jill) who lives behind me doesn't speak to three other people on our block, and the three families involve the police in all their squabbles. Her family recently began to have problems with the house across the street from them. The neighbor (I'll refer to them as Jack) doesn't like children and calls the police when Jill's children write on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk or ride bikes and skateboards in the street. Jill's dog has entered Jack's yard which is yet another problem.
Monday night, Steve had returned from the skateboard park with his friends. He and his friends were skating on the sidewalk in front of my home. Jill's children and their friends were skating in the street in from of Jack's home. Jack called the police on Jill's children stating that they were blocking traffic. My children were called inside a short time later, due to darkness.
Half an hour later, a policeman arrived on my front porch and asked to come in a speak with me. After he entered the house, he asked how many children I had. After I responded he behaved in a threatening manner. The police man towered over me and spoke loudly (the kids could hear him upstairs in the back bedroom.) He stated that Jill had told him that MY children were blocking traffic on the street and that their skateboard ramps were also blocking traffic. We don't own any skateboard ramps or rails (Jill does.)Jill received a ticket for her dog during their interview, because the dog was not restrained. He stated that no skateboards were allowed anywhere in the city, except at the skate park. There had been multiple complaints from several people that my children were blocking traffic with ramps. If the police received any more complaints all my children and I would be sited with tickets ($150 each.)
I explained that we didn't own ramps and that my children were on the sidewalk. He stated that he would not take my word about my children's actions and that
I had received my only warning. He then took my license number for future verification on the children involved. Continued to drone on about my liability for approximately 15 in an aggressive manner. By the time he left, I was crying. I had been treated more like the owner of a meth-house whose children had just mugged a 99 year old crippled woman than a mom whose child was supposedly skateboarding in the wrong location.
After calming down, I checked the city ordinances in our small town. Skateboards are not allowed on the streets, but are allowed on the sidewalks, except in the down town area. I don't live downtown. After Mike came home, I explained what had happened.
He went to the police station the following afternoon to speak with the officer. He learned from the officer at the desk, that two complaints were made by ONE person (Jack) and that the policeman who visited me had said that it was my children, and that I had agreed that it was my children who were in the street on the next block.
Mike spoke with the officer about the visit to our home and that I only have 3 children who skateboard. My children were in front of my house. The 10-12 on the neighboring street were not mine. Mike mentioned the ordinance that states that skateboards are allowed on sidewalk as long as they don't impede pedestrian traffic. The officer said that anytime children are on sidewalks they are blocking the sidewalk. He also reiterated that if children were skateboarding in my area, I would be ticked.
The chief of police walked past Mike and the officer. Mike asked the chief if he could speak with him, because he was getting no where with the other policeman. The chief of police said that my kids could ride their skateboards on the sidewalk in front of my house. After he left, the original officer stated that the ordinance gave the police a "lot of discretion in regards to skateboarders" and that he would issue my family tickets if another complain comes in about skaters in my area.
I'll be attending the next several city commission meetings and getting into contact with the commissioners about this law. Any time an officer is allowed to give a ticket to someone who is following the law, there's a problem. Laws should be relatively black and white. Policemen should not be allowed to be judge and jury. My neighbor (Jill) is no longer a person who I respect. I would like to sell our current house and move outside the city.
Mike and I spent a lot of time reading about the police department and the ordinances in our town. The biography on the officer who visited my house stated that the favorite part of his job is serving the community and working with people.
Today, Jill's children were skateboarding on the sidewalk and road in front of my house.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Terrible 5's and 7's
Paige and Allie have been getting into a lot of trouble the last week. They are doing things that I didn't expect them to do. Here's a sample:
* Relieving themselves outside, behind the shed with the neighbor's daughter.
* Playing in the road, where they are not allowed.
* Disobeying me by taking their breakfast outside to eat on the front sidewalk and breaking the bowls.
* Throwing rocks and dirt into the neighbor's pool, with help from the neighbor's daughter.
None of these things are beyond normal childhood behavior, but both of my girls are old enough to know better. Today's naughtiness was too much. While cleaning their bedroom, they threw trash and toys out of their window (tearing the screen) onto the roof, which is below their window. You would think that with 7 children in our family that there would be a time when there would be no more surprises.
* Relieving themselves outside, behind the shed with the neighbor's daughter.
* Playing in the road, where they are not allowed.
* Disobeying me by taking their breakfast outside to eat on the front sidewalk and breaking the bowls.
* Throwing rocks and dirt into the neighbor's pool, with help from the neighbor's daughter.
None of these things are beyond normal childhood behavior, but both of my girls are old enough to know better. Today's naughtiness was too much. While cleaning their bedroom, they threw trash and toys out of their window (tearing the screen) onto the roof, which is below their window. You would think that with 7 children in our family that there would be a time when there would be no more surprises.
You Caught What?
Madelyn rushed into the house, yelling for me to come outside. Quick! She had caught a sick squirrel at the neighbor's house and the children had placed it into a 10-gallon aquarium. I went outside with my camera to see if she was pulling my leg. She wasn't. The squirrel looks ill. His fur is falling out and he isn't moving very much. I told all the kids to not touch the squirrel again, while I checked what to do with it. The internet suggested calling animal control. We called animal control and they won't do anything about a sick squirrel. So the kids are taking the aquarium to a local park to let it loose. No dogs are allowed in the park and the kids were afraid that it would get attacked by a dog.
Monday, March 1, 2010
It's MY Anniversary
My two youngest girls have been asking how many days until my anniversary. Yesterday was the big day. Mike too the day off and we spent a leisurely day around the house after returning from church. We went out to eat at a local diner just two blocks from our home.
While we were lounging around the house in the afternoon, Paige informed Mike that it was Mom's Anniversary. What did he get me? Mike mentioned that it was his anniversary also. Allie became very indignant on my behalf. "Dad this is Mom's special day. You can have your anniversary on another day."
The girls and I discussed what an anniversary celebrates, but I don't think that totally understood. The two girls decided that it was MY anniversary in the morning and after supper it was DAD'S anniversary.
While we were lounging around the house in the afternoon, Paige informed Mike that it was Mom's Anniversary. What did he get me? Mike mentioned that it was his anniversary also. Allie became very indignant on my behalf. "Dad this is Mom's special day. You can have your anniversary on another day."
The girls and I discussed what an anniversary celebrates, but I don't think that totally understood. The two girls decided that it was MY anniversary in the morning and after supper it was DAD'S anniversary.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Mom's Afternoon Away
Saturday, a friend invited me to attend a Stamping Up card party at her mom's house. We made two cards and I resisted the impulse to purchase supplies for another hobby. I already have drawers of scrapbooking supplies and a closet full of material for sewing. Our house is too small and there isn't enough time for another hobby.
After returning home, I proudly displayed my crafty work to my captive audience of family members. Then it hit me. I was behaving like the proud 4 year old showing off her latest drawing! I guess that I'm still a kid a heart craving the support of my loved ones.
Making the cards allowed me to be creative in without much skill. The women chatted and laughed. Yummy food was available. It was a much needed break for me.
When I got home, I was greeted by a newly shoveled driveway and sidewalks. Paige and Allie were dressed up in fancy dress having a tea party with Katie. Joe and the girls baked cookies for the tea party. Katie was so helpful! She entertained the little girls, took everyone outside to burn off excess energy, and got my driveway cleared out. And most important of all did it cheerfully and willingly.
It was a wonderful treat to get out of the house alone and spend time with adults in a social situation. I came home glad to see my crowd and energized to tackle the housework.
After returning home, I proudly displayed my crafty work to my captive audience of family members. Then it hit me. I was behaving like the proud 4 year old showing off her latest drawing! I guess that I'm still a kid a heart craving the support of my loved ones.
Making the cards allowed me to be creative in without much skill. The women chatted and laughed. Yummy food was available. It was a much needed break for me.
When I got home, I was greeted by a newly shoveled driveway and sidewalks. Paige and Allie were dressed up in fancy dress having a tea party with Katie. Joe and the girls baked cookies for the tea party. Katie was so helpful! She entertained the little girls, took everyone outside to burn off excess energy, and got my driveway cleared out. And most important of all did it cheerfully and willingly.
It was a wonderful treat to get out of the house alone and spend time with adults in a social situation. I came home glad to see my crowd and energized to tackle the housework.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Another Activity on the Schedule
The two boys have wanted to take karate or some kind of martial arts class for years. Tuesday night they got their wish. Kate, Stephen, Joe, and Madelyn are all taking Tang Soo Do at our local Y Center. They go twice a week for on hour. The best part is that the class is free!!!
Katie and Madelyn wanted to take the class for exercise and I'm glad that they are learning some self defense skills. Several minutes at the beginning of the class were spent discussing how the girls could use their skills to protect themselves. All my children forgot the instructor's name. When I asked his name, the kids stated, "We're supposed to call him Sir."
Katie, who has scoliosis, thinks that the class will be really good for her back. She fences and delivers papers. Both of those activities put a lot of strain on one side of her back. Tang Soo Do uses the muscles on the opposite side of her back.
Paige and Allie want to go to the Y on Tuesday and Thursday evening also, so I will probably be working out on those evenings and sending the girls to a pre-school tumbling class, which is also free! Gotta love those free activities!
Katie and Madelyn wanted to take the class for exercise and I'm glad that they are learning some self defense skills. Several minutes at the beginning of the class were spent discussing how the girls could use their skills to protect themselves. All my children forgot the instructor's name. When I asked his name, the kids stated, "We're supposed to call him Sir."
Katie, who has scoliosis, thinks that the class will be really good for her back. She fences and delivers papers. Both of those activities put a lot of strain on one side of her back. Tang Soo Do uses the muscles on the opposite side of her back.
Paige and Allie want to go to the Y on Tuesday and Thursday evening also, so I will probably be working out on those evenings and sending the girls to a pre-school tumbling class, which is also free! Gotta love those free activities!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Out of the Mouths of Babes
I always have the children put on their swimwear under their clothes when we head off to the Y Center to swim. Yesterday, I forgot to pack underclothing in the gym bag. Allie and Paige were very upset that they didn't have underwear. It took me 5 minutes to talk Allie into wearing her jeans without underwear for the trip home (all of 10 minutes). She loudly kept asking, "You want me to be naked under my jeans?"
As we are walking into the lobby, a gentleman of advanced years was complimenting me on my wonderful large family. Allie turns to him and loudly announces, "I don't have any underwear on! I'm naked under my jeans." Then came the kicker. "Mommy is naked too!"
I don't blush easily, but I'm sure that I did that time.
As we are walking into the lobby, a gentleman of advanced years was complimenting me on my wonderful large family. Allie turns to him and loudly announces, "I don't have any underwear on! I'm naked under my jeans." Then came the kicker. "Mommy is naked too!"
I don't blush easily, but I'm sure that I did that time.
Monday, November 24, 2008
It's Too Soon...
We woke up to big, fluffy flakes of snow falling gently to the ground. And staying there. Not melting as it reaches the ground. The snow is really beautiful. But, I'm not ready. The garage needs to be more organized. I really want to park my van in the garage this winter. The roads were very slick and I slid through a couple of intersections on our way to swimming this morning. The children are excited. Choruses of "Can we go sledding after lunch?", "It's it a SNOW day?", and "I get the good snow shovel!" could be heard throughout the morning.
When we returned from the library and swimming, Madelyn ran outside to shovel the snow. She managed to make our first snowman this year. Somehow, I just can't match their excitement. I must be getting old. Joe went outside after lunch to finish shoveling off the driveway. They are always so excited to shovel at the beginning of the snow season. By January the tune will definitely change. I need to enjoy this while I can.
When we returned from the library and swimming, Madelyn ran outside to shovel the snow. She managed to make our first snowman this year. Somehow, I just can't match their excitement. I must be getting old. Joe went outside after lunch to finish shoveling off the driveway. They are always so excited to shovel at the beginning of the snow season. By January the tune will definitely change. I need to enjoy this while I can.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Nationalities
For some strange reason, my children have been very interested in the countries where our ancestors lived. I've always thought of myself as an American, but my grandparents were from Germany. My mom's parents spoke German in the home when they didn't want my mom to know what they were saying. My mom was born in 1940, so being German wasn't something that you announced with pride to your neighbors. My father was mostly German, but his mom was a little English, Irish and Scottish.
My husband is a mixture of Swedish, Polish, Dutch, and French. He's about 1/4 each. Somewhere in his mother's line is a Native American grandmother.
I explained to my children that they were Americans, but they were not satisfied with that comment. So then I started naming all of the nationalities. My 13 year old son stated, "So we're mutts." Yep, that's us. American mutts.
My husband is a mixture of Swedish, Polish, Dutch, and French. He's about 1/4 each. Somewhere in his mother's line is a Native American grandmother.
I explained to my children that they were Americans, but they were not satisfied with that comment. So then I started naming all of the nationalities. My 13 year old son stated, "So we're mutts." Yep, that's us. American mutts.
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