Monthly Archives: August 2009

08.07.09
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Annoying is Normal

On the way back from the pool the other day, Fritz and Billy were making Neighbor Girl crazy. Fritz was talking in an old man voice (he learned it from his father), and Billy was talking in his “Billy-Bob-Joe-Bob” country bumpkin voice (I do not know where he got the name or the voice…probably from his father). Neighbor Girl was actually offering them candy if they would stop it, but annoying her was worth so much more than a few lousy Smartees.

As they went back and forth, only a few times breaking character to laugh at how funny they found themselves, she finally pleaded, “Speak normally!”

From the front of the van, I couldn’t help myself and chimed in, “Oh, but they are speaking normally!”

08.06.09
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Ten Minutes

“Go get the phone,” I told Fritz as I was putting Peter’s shoes on so we could leave for VBS. He dutifully ran for it. “Answer it!” I yelled after him. Normally my kids fetch the phone and let me answer it, unless the special ring indicates it is someone they know. There was no special ring, and I had no idea who it was, but I knew if he didn’t answer it, it would be sent to voicemail before it got to me.

“Hi, Dad!” I heard him say. So glad I sent him for that phone!

We talked for just ten minutes – I had to go. But as I drove to church, I realized I had a smile on my face, and the day, rainy and cool though it was, seemed so lovely and bright.

All because of ten little minutes.

08.04.09
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But he was born yesterday…

I have finished lesson plans for my 1st grader, my 3rd grader and my 4th grader. They were fairly easy, since I have done those grades before.

I pulled up the 4th grade lesson plans to use them as a template for Fritz’s lesson plans. After saving with a new name, I made my first change: delete FOURTH and change it to SIXTH.

I have a sixth grader.

When did THAT happen?

08.04.09
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More Baby Signing Time, please

The last thing a baby with 5 older siblings needs is more toys. I think we bought Mary the Baby Signing Time videos (Vol I and II) for her 1st birthday.

She loves them.

She watches one or the other every day. And she uses the signs, too. {As an aside, there is not much point to having your baby watch these videos if you don’t too. Mary was signing “ball” a few weeks ago, but I had had my nose in a book during that lesson and had no idea what she was saying.}

These short (30 minute) videos are a fun introduction to sign language. An adult (Rachel Coleman) shows the proper way to make the sign and gives a hint to help you remember it. Then you see children and their parents making these signs too, all while a catchy song is being sung. Two dozen signs are covered in the video which is entertaining for all ages.

I only wish I hadn’t waited until my sixth kid to get these. Mary’s 2nd birthday is coming up in a few months, and I will be getting her the original signing time for older kids. If Signing Time is a favorite of yours, which volumes do you like best?

08.02.09
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desperate measures

The squirrels figured out how to open the bird suet feeder.

They chewed off the bread bag twisty-ties I used to secure it.

They somehow managed to remove the paperclip I fastened there yesterday.

If they foil me on this safety device, I will set up a video camera to catch them in the act.

Note: I bought that combination lock at Staples. You push the dial between the four directions: north-south-east-west, and you can set your own code. It helps if you have a sentence to remember your combination: Ethel Works Whenever She Wants New Stuff. The combination can be as long as you want. Bill needed four locks for his gear, didn’t want to have keys that would get lost, and didn’t want to have to remember different combinations. These locks helped greatly.