Snow and lack of water

I have been trying to curb my whining. At 32 years old I am sure it is annoying to everyone so I try to count my blessings instead.

1. I am thankful I have a job. (Even it is means I have to drive in snowstorms at 6 in the morning)


2. I am thankful it snowed (because without a well pump there is no water and I could melt to snow to make water to use to flush the potty)


3. I am thankful I read and memorized all the little house books as a child (so I can think about how bad it could be)


4. I am thankful to have wonderful friends who come over even after a long day of getting ready for 6" of snow to say "yep, looks like the well pump is dead."


5. I am thankful for friend who understands that I really want a flushing potty but I will wait until tomorrow, with good grace, because I know Mr. Fix-it Man was up at 1 am to push snow.


6. I am thankful for my plumber, who is off spending the money he earned off us in November replacing all the pipes in the house, so that I could catch a quick visit with my friend.


7. I am thankful that it is March and the snow can't last much longer.


8. I am thankful that the well pump decided to go now rather than in Aug when we'd be at Pennsic.


9. I am thankful that my kids helped me shovel and melt snow today. We actually have the driveway clear!!


10. I am thankful for Hubby who stayed with the kids this morning rather than have them catch a ride with my boss to me at work in the snowstorm.

OK it does feel so much better to be thankful than whining. I challenge you to think of 10 things that you are thankful for when the world seems very heavy.

Mr. Bunny

We are pleased to announce our new family member, Mr. Bunny.

He is 10 weeks old and a very laid back kind of bunny. The kids have been great with him, very gentle and responsible. In fact a new sense of maturity has taken over Boyo. He was up yesterday before I got home from work in the morning (I do an early shift at work that gets me home at 8 am or so.) And not only was he up but he had gotten breakfast and gotten dressed. He had also feed the bunny. I couldn't believe it! Of course it was another 30 minutes before Girlie put in an appearance.

Phenomenon

I had heard of this phenomenon. This older child helping younger child learn. I knew some families depend on it to get everyone schooled or just to survive, but I knew eventually it would happen in my home but I thought it would be later and in math.





But as I sit here loading pictures of our new (first ever) pet into the computer I realize this phenomenon is happening upstairs on the sofa. Boyo and Girlie have sat down together to practice Girlie's reading. I love hearing Girlie read and Boyo is not pushing or butting in. He is guiding and only giving the word if she doesn't know or mispronounces it. I am amazed and feeling the love as it were.

Little Travelers

I found this cute movie about 2 girls who visited the British Isles at the library. Girlie watched it and was amazed. The girls in the movie narrate their adventures as they travel though Scotland, England and Ireland. They also visit Aran Island (my favorite segment).

After we had to return this DVD to the library, we requested the other 2 movies that they have made, Bali and Japan.

Right now the kids are upstairs watching Japan. I love how fun these DVDs are. They are just at a kid level and a wonderful introduction to the country. Because the girls in the DVD are the narrators there is a little bit of difficulty understanding their voices some times. But when compared to my kids it isn't too much of an issue. I wish they were captioned though.

I just checked their blog and they are in the process of making one about Iran and probably Germany.

To order these cute movie or check out trailers, go to: Little Travelers

Playdates

Boyo and Girlie has a playdate with BFF and her brothers the other day. As we were pulling into their lot, Boyo announced that he loved going to BFF's house because it was the "best place ever." When I pressed him on why he likes it so much I discovered a few important things

1. Boys are different that girls.


2. Boys, when put in groups of more than 1, will play war. (though they seem to play it with imaginary friends too)


3. War games are very important to male child pecking order and social structure.


4. I have stunted Boyo emotionally because even though he has all the swords he could want; he didn't have guns, or bombs, or know how to blow a bugle call to charge.


5. Easter Eggs that break when you throw them release "sharp-nal."


6. Boyo looks pretty darn cute in a WWI helmet.


7. Most homeschooled boys know, in theory, how to make gun powder and they all would like to try.


8. Most homeschool moms answer the question of "can we make gun powder?" with one of 2 answers. A) Why don't you talk to Dad about that? or B) Well that would be an interesting experiment but Homeland Security might get upset so we better wait until (insert some time far in the future or a location where it might be more acceptable).

I would have loved to get pics of the boys playing but I was enjoying Mommy time with BFF Mom and I forgot my camera.