Homework!

I was telling Tim tonight how nice it is when he is home to help with homework.  Jack is multiplying and dividing decimals.  He just finished a book project yesterday.  And he has an E square project due in May.  I have read Katie's and Molly's E squares in the past, and am befuddled by the whole process.  Katie is doing an "I-Search" project on Florence Nightingale.  Timmy is doing a project on Iowa - shoe box-type thing, and written report.  Megan is doing a character doll project from a fairy tale (she has, in second grade, by far, the most projects this year).  Colleen is in a school play at the end of the month, about community workers.  Fortunately, I don't have to make a costume, since she is a "damsel in distress" being rescued from a burning building, and therefore, has to wear only her Sunday best.  Molly is in a middle school play in May, but I haven't been hit up for costumes or accessories so far (phew...).  And, Shane's homework, due the day after tomorrow, is to make a lion out of a toilet paper tube and assorted craft items from around the house.  His picture is to be the face of the lion.  Fortunately, I have a plethora of assorted craft items, and we made the body out of a paint roll (fluffy!) painted brown, with clothes pins for leg, and twine for a tail.  Not sure what we will use for the mane, yet.  Holy Cow. 

I am thinking that if I were brave enough to home school this crowd, we would all be studying the SAME thing.  For instance, we could do, say, Africa.  Katie could do the I-search on the continent, Molly could do some kind of project involving African music or culture.  Jack could research the agriculture, Timmy could do a diorama, illustrating some African customs, Megan could make a traditional doll, Colleen could learn a dance or a chant, or something, and Shane could still make his lion out of assorted craft materials around the house!  Hmmmnnnn....................

Words

Last night,  I was sorting through a myriad of white socks, in several different sizes, in an attempt to find enough matching pairs to fit 16 feet this morning.  I was simultaneously flipping channels and came across a comedian who was pretty much making fun of everyone in the universe - race, color, creed, no exceptions, were fair game.  A lot of his act was funny.  Then he started making fun of people with cerebral palsy, people with Down Syndrome, and people who are physically handicapped.  This made me a little sad, and a little mad.  Just lately, the word "retarded" has gained popularity.  Kids, adults, movies (Napoleon Dynamite - which was a funny movie, by the way), and musicians (Black-Eyed Peas) are all using the word retarded to mean that someone/something, is just really stupid, really screwed-up.

From Webster's Online Dictionary:

Main Entry: re·tard·ed
Pronunciation: ri-'tär-d&d
Function: adjective
sometimes offensive : slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress

As a parent of a child with Down Syndrome, I flinch a little when I hear this word tossed around in a flippant, or mean way.  My kids are not allowed to use it in that way - but, then again, they know what it really means.  They all hear it, though.  I told my 10 year old today, when he told me that his friend called him retarded, that it comes out then as an insult to both him, and to his little brother, who has Down Syndrome.  I don't believe Timmy's friend meant to insult either of my boys, I think he was joking around like kids do.  But it does concern me that so many people use this term in this way.

Mick is funny.  He does goofy things, and probably always will.  But, he isn't stupid.  And, his extra chromosome pretty much assures that he won't have a mean bone in his body.  I would much rather my kids be sweet, kind and loving, than smart, cool, and popular if it means they have to insult other kids to reach that status.  Sigh.

What to Expect....

Timmy and I were at the library checking out books, when I overheard the lady next to me asking the librarian to look up What to Expect When You are Expecting.  There were no copies available, and several checked out and already on hold.  I told her that I had a copy at home she could have if she wanted it, so she and her husband followed us home.  Upon entering our house, they were greeted by Mick, in a less-than-clean diaper (Katie was babysitting, but "didn't notice that he was stinky")  Welcome to parenthood, the good, the bad and the smelly!  They appeared to have a sense of humor, luckily!  I gave her the original book, plus "What to Eat when You are Expecting", What to Expect the First Year, and What to Expect the Toddler Years.  As well as A Child is Born, which is old and has some pretty graphic childbirth photos, but also has some awesome photos of babies in utero, in various stages of development.  Of course, this pretty much guarantees that I will be pregnant within a month.  But.........I already know it all, anyways!!!  And, I am officially old.  She is 22.  This is her husband's first duty station, and he looks like he is about 15.  I remember those days like they were yesterday.  Where the heck does the time go?

 

Lamps and stuff...

Lamps in this house have short lives.  They seem to get knocked over regularly, and we are always replacing bulbs.  And not a single lamp has it's original shade, I bet.  Anyhow, I just finished rewiring one of my favorite floor lamps.  I did learn, the hard way, that it is wise to unplug said lamp before attempting this task, and I am still seeing blue spots.  BUT, I did it!  It has occured to me just now that we have a neighbor who has an absolutely beautiful, and very large, tiffany floor lamp in her living room.  I don't think my kids will EVER be allowed to go into her house!!!!!!!

I am also in the process of building a full sized loft bed for Colleen and Megan to sleep in.  They share a full bed now, but with all four girls in one room, we need to maximize the space available.  Not to mention that stuff disappears under their bed now, that is usually outgrown by the time they find it!  I bought plans off the internet, took them to Lowes, and bought the lumber and hardware today.  I planned to go to the woodshop here on base and have the guys there help me to cut the wood and drill the holes etc.  Actually, and I am ashamed to admit this, but my plan was to play the "Oh, silly me, this is my first project, and I don't know what I am doing" card, in the hopes that they'd do it all for me so I could just take it home, sand, paint and assemble it.  But, no.  The manager of the shop went over the plans with me, and made several suggestions for changes that would make the bed safer and more durable (he's from a family of 8, and knows how important it is that it be sturdy because of the wear and tear it is likely to take).  By the time he was done explaining the modifications to me, it was too late to make any cuts, so Tim and I will go back tomorrow, and hopefully, we can kick it out so that I can spend this week finishing it and fixing up their little corner of the room.  Tim is going out of town for two nights this week, and that is the best time for me to do my projects.