Meet my walking Buddy

This is my walking buddy Liberty. Named Liberty for we added her to our family in July just over 3 years ago when she was 3 months old. She's now 3 1/2 years old and she was "supposed" to be an Australian Shepherd. The lady we had gotten her from as a puppy swears she is. Normally they are alot fluffier. They do have the spotted coat and sometimes will have blue eyes. As a puppy she could have fooled us. Well if she is or if she isn't she's a sweetie. She is such a good girl with the kids, she thinks she is one of them. I can't say the walk word without following through. I have tried to walk as often as I can to get exercise. In addition to going up and down my stairs all day and night. So Liberty and I will go for a walk this morning for 30 minutes around our neighborhood. I listen to my Ipod and she enjoys all the sights and sounds outside of our family compound.

Lego Skeleton Man

Last night my husband created "Skeleton Man". Our family enjoys playing with Lego's. My husband and son especially do. From the time I woke up this morning my son was showing me all that he thought was cool in the Lego magazine. He really likes Star Wars and Knights especially. There was a time when we allowed him to watch Sponge Bob. Our daughter liked Sponge Bob and we thought it was pretty harmless, she's moved on since then. Our son was younger then. As he's getting older, some of the comments Sponge Bob makes, he repeats. So his sister said, "No more Sponge Bob until you're 20". Maybe when he's a little older and knows what not to repeat we'll let him watch it again, if he wants to then. Skeleton Man's head is made from "Squidward's" house from the Sponge Bob show.

My Bubble Blowing Boy

I'm glad that my son, who likes to instruct all peers his age of how to play with a gameboy, still likes to blow bubbles! He is a smart little guy and it's so funny to watch him instruct his friends, he really does well, he's a good teacher. For that, he has lots of patience, it's very sweet to watch. I see in other areas he's not as patient. He even helps his big sister get to new levels with the gameboy. I occasional get a glimpse these days of the boy he is and the boy he will be.

The Egyptian Mask

Today I helped out in my daughter's 6th grade class. They made Egyptian masks for their Egypt study they are currently doing. It was a lot of fun to help and take pictures and watch all the students. Each child had a partner that applied the cast type material to their partners face. Then they tended to them by cleaning up any drips, reading to them while they waited to dry.... I went around and photographed them so they could see how they looked. They will decorate them on Monday. I look forward to seeing the final project. Afterwards they looked like pretty messy, I told one of the girls that it looked like a cake blew up in her face (really) They cleaned up very nicely though :)

Next week they will take a break from Egypt and study the brain. The teacher has a lot of interesting things she shared with me for that study. They will also disect a sheeps brain (you probably didn't want to know that) I will not be volunteering that day.

**See the "Bangles" Walk like an Egyptian video below. This song reminds me of the kids. I will probably do a CD slide show for them. When we show the Egyptian study photos I will have to include that song. On that note, last years Science camp the theme song was Queen's "We will rock you". It was done really well, but I told my daughter I remember that song from when I was in 7th grade! She now has it on her IPod.

Our School has been a blessing

My daughter and son have now been in school for just over a month. Both are loving school and doing well. I couldn't be blessed with a better teacher for my little guy. His teacher is a Christian and does so well with 21- 4 year olds! She has a full time aide that works with her as well. These ladies know how to handle a group of little ones so well. We are so blessed for this first school experience. My daughter's teacher is not your normal stereo typical teacher. She is very out of the ordinary, I'm sure her class will be too. She reminds me of the "Magic School Bus" teacher if you are familiar with those books. My daughter likes her teacher and for that I am grateful.
I am a part of a Moms in Touch International group which meets once a week, to pray for our particular school. Quite a few of the schools have a MITI group in place, it's just a matter of going to the web site to see if your child's school has on in place. Their web site is: www.MomsInTouch.org if anyone is interested in getting information. It brings me great peace knowing that I can meet with other Christian Moms that are also praying for their children and our school and it's staff. So many that have been involved with our school have noticed the difference. One teacher pointed out why, because Moms met to pray for our school. I am so thankful for God's hand on our school.
I have been praying about school for next year. My little guy is in a Early Learners K-4 1/2 a day now. Next year he will go to K-5. My daughter will go to Jr. High. I had thought I wanted my son to go to a Christian School. As much as I know a Christian School can benefit him, this school is also doing so in other ways. Our school is not your average public school. They do not do worksheet busy work, they do not follow the norm. They are a pioneer school that does things different. They also place strong emphasis on reading and writing. Each classroom has a couch and a comfy area where the kids go to have reading group. They probe deeply into books and into the thoughts of the author. I just can't say enough about the school. I am happy with it so my son may very well remain. Thankfully we have 1/2 and full day K-5 available next year. I have asked his teacher her opinion of the 1/2 verses full day. I wanted to only do 1/2 day, I thought surely from a teachers viewpoint she would have strongly encouraged full day. I was excited to hear that she feels a child has no business in school full day at that age. Obviously if it is possible, she herself has a K-5 child that must attend all day due to her schedule. She feels they should be running and playing and having a good time. I tend to agree with that, I just needed to know that he wouldn't be at a disadvantage academically to his peers. I am reassured of my choice. I pray for God's provision to make that possible!
My daughter is another story, she will be going from this wonderful school into the Lion's Den of Jr. High. No seriously, that's just my opinion as her Mom :) I have heard positive stories of the Jr. High that we are zoned for. They are begining to out weigh the negative. The more I put myself out there and find others in my similar situation, the more encouraged I am. My daughter wants to go to the school she is zoned for as well. I will have to check into it to see if there is a MITI group for that school. If not, I guess I will have to start one! I have to continue to remind myself that God loves these little ones even more than I do, which I can't comprehend. He has His hand on them and is paving the way. I continue to pray and he is keeping them in His care always. Whenever certain things happen that I don't think would be the way I'd like them, I think but God I prayed for this...... He doesn't always answer the way we want Him to. His ways are definately above ours. I have stories of how he has answered prayers already this school year in a much cooler way than I could come up with!

New Computer on Order

Our current computer is on it's way out. We have a new Dell on order and should be back up and running by the first of October. I haven't tried to check e-mails yet, but will put that on my to do list. I am looking forward to having a more updated system. I'm sure we haven't been aware of what we've been missing.

Children's Journal

I just read the "Motivation for Moms" on my Blog. They talk about doing a journal of what is around you. I have a journal for each of my children. I don't write in it on a daily basis, just when something extra important has happened in their life. I will give them their journals when they graduate High School. I'm guessing it will be more than one journal each by then. I write it in a form where I am talking to them about what had happened that day. So many times they do or say something that you just never want to forget. Also memories of trips and first days of school, parties etc...

Computer Down

In case some of you are wondering where I am, our computer has been down since the begining of September. We cannot get online with it at all. Right now I'm using our laptop, but I can't access e-mail with it yet. I believe I probably can, but I haven't done it in hopes of the main computer recovering. I don't think that that's going to happen, it may be time for an upgrade once again. Just wanted to update on my whereabouts. TTFN

Party Tips for Children with Food Allergies

Party Tips for Children with Food Allergies, So All Guests Feel Included

I am not promoting "Divvies" This is from an article at www.amazingmoms.com. I thought this may raise awareness of food allergies and children.
Recently, I was introduced to Mark and Lori Sandler, owners of Divvies
"Made to share!" and parents of a child with severe food allergies.
I've planned and/or hosted over one hundred kid's parties and until
our conversation, had never thought of accommodating food allergies,
nor, the ramifications of my over-sight. Shame on me! The thought that
there were children not being invited, or permitted to attend a party because of there allergies, broke my heart. You don't need to make the same mistake. I'm excited to be offering a safe and delicious alternative, as well as
providing tips so that children will no longer be excluded.

Over 12 million people in the United States have to choose their foods carefully because they have severe food allergies. One out of every
twenty five kids has food allergies. Strictly avoiding allergens is the
only way to stay safe. Food allergies should not hold anyone,
especially kids, back from having fun and feeling included!

Steps you can take for a safe and inclusive party:
Provided by Lori Sandler owner of Divvies "Made to Share"
Allergen Safe Treats! peanut free, tree nut free, egg free & dairy free.

Communicate with parents and guests directly in advance. Being prepared
as best you can, will eliminate a stressful situation during the party.

Maintain an appropriate sense of confidentiality. Show respect for
an individual's privacy as best you can in this very social situation.

Work together so everyone feels safe and included. Understand what
foods must be avoided, and which are safe so there are no surprises.

Being prepared by speaking directly with your guest or parent will make
you a better host. Ask for assistance if necessary, but do all you can to
make your guest feel "welcome, expected and included".

Many times, people with food allergies are served last because their meals
must be prepared separately. You will really touch someone's heart if you
go the extra mile to make sure this does not happen!

While planning your party, ask your guest's parents for delicious,
safe menu ideas.

Welcome your guests with food allergies to bring along their own food,
and encourage them to bring enough to be shared. This way your other
guests will learn than allergy-free foods can be delicious, too.

Designate an allergy-free area at the table. This will comfort your guest
with food allergies.

Make sure your guests do not trade food. When guests leave and return
to their seats, ask that they do just that -- return to their own seats!

If a child is food allergic, make sure a responsible adult is watching out
for that guests' safety during the party.

Consider including Divvies gourmet popcorn, cookies, candies along with
alternatives to food, in goodie bags. Divvies fun foods are made
without peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk.

Order individually wrapped cookies and rock candy for party favors and add the large box of sweet popcorn, which comes with individual bags and
a scoop for serving. This adds a fun and festive touch to any party theme!
Let them eat cake!
Now Divvies is shipping their delicious allergen-free cupcakes and frosting.

My comments on the above article:

I am not suggesting that someone go out of their way and spend extra money by shopping through "Divvies". We have, at times brought our own "special treat" to parties, either myself or my husband or both are usually present. My son is still a little guy. He knows about his allergy but can't read yet and still needs Mom and Dad to be his advocate. In fact my daughter's birthday this past year, my son had his own special cupcake. The rest of the guests had cake. Costco makes awesome cakes, I needed a huge one, so he was told to stay away from the cake. We watched him like a hawk. I can just appreciate taking into consideration, especially when children are under lets say 7, that they need to be in a safe environment. If able, discuss with guests beforehand if there are any food allergies that you may need to be aware of. Just a little FYI :)