It's been a while

Well, it has been a looooong time since I posted anything. I'm sure that anyone who used to read this (not that there were many) have long since abandoned hope of new material. And who can blame them? Certainly not me.

Why exactly did I quit posting? I think it is the lack of time, and lack of anything interesting to post. See---this post is proof!

Of course, too much time has passed to try to catch up. Perhaps I will just begin right here and now. You can fill in the blanks.

Emily applied for a spot in a national science program. She had also applied last year and made the semi-finalists--the ones who got a phone interview. However, she did not make the final cut. Their loss. She sent in another application this year, and I believe it was even stronger. However, we have not heard anything and the days keep passing by. I guess that means that they are not interested. I am disappointed, as I know she is. But, maybe this is just not the program for her. Next year she will be eligible for a completely different program, one that is probably more suited to her strengths. So, we shall try that.

Anna has grown so much! She is now volunteering at the library and they just love her there! This summer she will travel to New Mexico to participate in a Girl Scout program there. I am so excited for her! And proud! It's hard to believe that whe is so grown up. What happened to my baby?

Humorous writing

Emily wrote this for her Literature class. A word of explanation: They had studied Benjamin Franklin, who often wrote under pseudonyms. Their assignment was to create a pseudonym of their own and write a letter to the editor.


Character Description

Fiona Fretter: Fiona worries about everything (as you can probably tell). Every little thing bothers her and in her book, everything matters, no matter how minute. She is also accusatory toward the people that she believes are behind the problem.



To my kind Editor,

I have several matters of deep and precise concern to present to you. Some of the important issues of this community are being ignored and overlooked. Our mayor and city council members do not take these problems seriously and their lack of attentiveness contributes to the serious nature of these matters. So, I am forced to take action and present these devastating and otherwise depressing concerns to you.

For instance, someone with a sharp pencil could turn around and poke your eye out. Then we would have a bunch of blind people running around and bumping into each other! Another concern is that road construction workers could get run over with a bulldozer because they didn’t look both ways. I feel that flattened construction workers would not look very appealing to visitors to our fair city.

Leaves are a big, messy problem, as well. People could hide in big piles of leaves and jump out and mug you. Hair brushes can be used as weapons. Someone could knock you over the head with one and kidnap you.

All of these potential hazards need to be addressed. Therefore, the police force needs to be drastically increased. We need more officers on the force for traffic and to deter criminal activity.

Signed,
Fiona Fretter

Take Your Kid to Blog Day...

These poems are supposed to be in diamante (diamond) form, but I couldn't get it to turn out that way. So you will have to use your imagination. Anna wrote these for a poetry workshop class she is taking at our homeschool co-op.


Winter
nippy,crisp
freezing, numbing, piercing
frosty toes, parched throats
blinding, boiling, scorching
hot, sunny
Summer




Merle
brave, courageous
unflinching, daring, enterprising
adventurous, bold, timid, bashful
trembling, quivering, fearing,
afraid, scared
Addy

(This poem is about two characters from the book The Two Princess of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine.)

Sick kids

Blah! Both of the girls are sick this weekend. I think that is a first--to have both of them sick at the same time. They both seem to have some kind of stomach flu. Not very fun, especially for them. I just hope that I don't get it, too. I have to teach at co-op tomorrow and our Girl Scout meeting is tomorrow night. No time for me to be sick!

Take Your Kid to Blog Day...

Up today is Emily's response to a question in her science book. Here is the question:

Galileo faced a very difficult decision in his life. He was convinced by science that the heliocentric system was correct. Nevertheless, his church said that it was wrong and threatened to throw him out of the church if he didn't recant his belief in the heliocentric system. Galileo, in obedience to his church, agreed to publicly recant his belief, even though he knew it was right. Did Galileo make the right choice, or should he have stayed true to his science and been thrown out of the church?

Emily's response, which she worked on for quite a while: "I do not think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. Different people have different ideas or beliefs. In my opinion, what Galileo did was right. He could have kept arguing and fighting the Roman Catholic Church, even though it would get him nowhere and he would be kicked out. Instead, he stopped protesting but he still collected data because he knew he was right, despite the negativity around him. His belief in God was so important to him, he stopped promoting the heliocentric system, even though he knew he was correct. It's really hard for me to give up on an idea, especially if I strongly believe I'm right. Imagine how it was for Galileo. He was scorned and mocked for having a different viewpoint than others. Yet his love for God and the church proved more important than anything, so he publicly recanted his belief in the heliocentric system! Galileo is a role model for me because of his determination and strength in difficult situations."


In addition, I will let them answer the questions from Jennifer's meme. Anna first:

Something I do well is art and math.

Something I'd like to improve on is cheerleading and learning about God.

My favorite food is mac and cheese, pizza and grapes.

Three words that best describe me are annoying, kind to others, and happy.

My happiest moment is when I went to Disney World.

The most important thing in my life now is my family and Jesus.

Were any of the answers surprising? I was surprised that she mentioned cheerleading. She took a cheerleading class at the Y a few years ago, but hasn't really done anything since. I'm not sure why she described herself as annoying. I don't think she is any more annoying than any other kid, although her sister might sometimes disagree. The rest of the answers don't really surprise me.

Now Emily:

Something I do well is English and acting.

Something I'd like to improve on is my attitude.

My favorite food is pizza, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and cucumbers.

Three words that best describe me are caring, outgoing, industrious.

My happiest moment is when I went to Alcatraz.

The most important thing in my life now is God, family and church.

I was a bit surprised that Emily said she needs to improve her attitude. Not that it isn't true at times (she is 12, after all), just that she admitted it! LOL I was also a bit surprised at her happiest moment. I figured she would have said when she was baptized last year, but I guess her mind was on a different track--probably because she heard her sister's answer.

So, that's it for our Take Your Kid to Blog Day. You can go over to Blest with sons to read what other kids are doing and saying.

Updated to add: When Emily read my response to her answers, she said, "Oh, I wish I had said that. That really is my happiest moment. I was just thinking about all the trips we've taken." So, consider her answer changed.

Take Your Kid to Blog Day...

Written by 9-year-old Anna: an acrostic poem

S unny days come to life
U nder the big, blue sky
M eadowlarks flying in the wind
M ischievous squirrels playing in the trees
E verlasting beautiful breeze
R apid winds finally die down

Happy Birthday, Anna!

Happy 9th birthday to my sweet younger daughter. Anna is such a wonderful part of our family. She has a cute little smile and a happy nature. She is so soft-hearted, always wanting to make sure that those around her are happy. She has a nurturing spirit that just draws people to her. She loves God and does her best to help others see His love for them.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl. I love you.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Emily! She is 12 years old and becoming quite a wonderful young lady. She is so smart and talented in so many ways. She is happy and gregarious and a joy to be around. Most of all, she loves the Lord and looks for ways to serve Him. She goes out of her way to make people of all ages feel comfortable, included, and loved.

Happy Birthday, sweetie. I am so proud of the young woman you are becoming. I love you!