Kids Just Love School

It is amazing how quickly the newness of school has worn off. One day the kids are jumping out of bed at the speed of light and running out the door to school. And the next they are pulling the covers over their heads and hiding instead of getting dressed.

I think it has to do with the change in the weather. On the days when the temperature has dropped significantly, they tend to hide under the covers in the morning. But on warmer days, they seemingly pop out of bed like toast from a toaster. And I have to admit that on the cold fall days I am even guilty of avoiding waking in the morning. Nothing feels as good as a warm toasty bed on a cold morning.

And to think that we are only one month into the school year. Sigh, it's gonna be a long year.

Teaching Someone To Read

In my last post I mentioned that I have my 12 yr old nephew living with us. Well I have the wonderful pleasure every night of helping him with his homework. And as a result I have found out one thing......he can't read worth a darn.

So, I sit patiently, and listen while he reads aloud from his homework. And I try very hard to be patient while I correct him. But it is not easy sometimes. I want to smack him upside the head when he repeatedly rushes through sentences. Or guesses at words instead of taking the time to sound them out and get them correctly.

But a school teacher I am not. That why I am looking for a little help from my readers. I am searching for either a computer program or a website that helps build reading skills. I don't know what kind of response I will get, but any suggestions will be appreciated. Lord knows I need all the help I can get.

It has been a few months since the last time I posted. It has been a crazy year and an even crazier summer. I am so happy that the school year has begun again. And that my house is once again a quiet place.

As usual my home became a refuge for other family members children for the summer. And as a result we now have my nephew living with us. He came to stay for a few weeks and has now enrolled in school here. And it is a good thing that he is here. His mother has been hospitalized for the last two months and now the family is being evicted from their home in a few days. And to make matters worse, the home that they were going to move into was burned to the ground by an arsonist. So, we found ourselves in a position of do we let him be homeless or take him. The choice was pretty obvious if you ask me.

But the summer did not start all that well. My oldest niece and her infant daughter that were living with us, moved out. On her 18th birthday she left the house and has not returned. She quit school and chose to live the party life. And by that I mean that she hangs out with her friends, smokes weed, drinks and thinks that life is grand. I hated to let the baby go, because I am so attached to her. But short of a court order I can't force her mother to let us keep her. So, as heart breaking as it was we had to let the my niece go and live her own life.

So, we are down to being a family of seven again. Which is a huge difference from being a family of ten. The house is a lot cleaner and a heck of a lot quieter. So, I guess I can be thankful for the small changes that happen. All of the kids will be in school this year, ( my daughter starts preschool next week.) And all I can say is what a beautiful thing that is. I love my life!

My How They Love Their Donuts

Nine police officers in a small town in Michigan have a new claim to fame. And no it is not arresting a famous criminal or solving a crime. They now own the town donut shop.

When the owners of the Clare City Bakery were ready to throw in the towel, it was the cops to the rescue. All nine officers from the city police force chipped in and bought the business that had been in operation since 1896. And since it's Grand Opening on July 1, 2009, it is quickly becoming a hit. They have a line of merchandise with logos like "You have the right to be glazed" and "handcuffs and cream puffs". At this time the officers have no intentions on leaving their full time jobs. So, they hired a manager and some students from the local High School.

So, I bet your wondering where I am going with this story. Well, since I am on vacation this week, I plan on loading the kids into the car and taking a long drive into the countryside of Michigan. Clare is only a 3 hour drive for me. But for the donuts and merchandise I think it would be a fun trip.

So, if you ever happen to be in the Bay City area of Michigan take the short jog over to Clare and pick up some handcuffs and cream puffs. But don't forget you have the right to be glazed!!!

Visit The Cops & Doughnuts Website

How Quickly They Forget

Good Grief!! It is amazing how quickly my son forgot about his recent tongue injury. Today he was ready to start bouncing on the trampoline again. I reminded him about his stitches and all he could say was, "I am all better mommy. I can play on the trampoline again. I promise I won't get hurt!!!!"

Oh Lord it is gonna be a long summer!!

Accidents Happen

When you are a parent the first lesson you learn is that accidents do happen. And in my house we have had an over abundance of them lately. And last weekend was no exception.

On Friday evening my 5 yr old son was playing at the neighbors house. Bouncing happily on the trampoline with not a care in the world. Then it happened......his chin made contact with his friends knee. And he split his tongue wide open. Of course it took stitches, four of them to be exact, to sew up the cut in his tongue. And then the fun really began.

For the next two days it was a non-stop battle to get him to stay hydrated. He refused to eat or drink. And after two days we had to return to the hospital. We begged and pleaded and finally were able to get him to drink. But only after threatening to give him an IV. He was not pleased with being forced to drink. But we finally won the battle.

So, it is Wednesday and he is doing so much better. Though his speech has taken a beating. He struggles to talk clearly because of the swelling. But it is great to see him bouncing all over the house with his sister. Chasing after each other without a care in the world. And the best part is watching him eat and drink. I never thought I would be so happy to see him drinking and eating.

My Children's Obsession

Lately my children have developed a new obsession. They have found a bird nesting in a hanging basket off of my deck. I was going to plant some new flowers in it this spring, but it has found a new purpose now.

My children spend hours sitting in chairs around the deck talking to the bird. They pause every now and then to ask me how much longer before they can see the baby birds. Then they ask questions like where's the daddy bird. Now try and explain that to a 3 yr old and a 5 yr old. I found it simpler to just say that the daddy bird will be back when the babies come. Or I tell them that he is out looking for food. Sometimes I think it would be easier to explain nuclear physics to them.

They will understand the concept one day. But in the mean time we will sit and wait patiently for the sound of little birds chirping away.