Friends Around the World

I'm really excited about this new series that the Friend magazine is doing this year.  Each month there is a 2 page story of a real child from a particular country, a paper doll, plus a two page "bulletin board" with activity ideas.  Yay for free geography curriculum!  I'm getting started late on this so I don't know yet if I'm going to start doing it with the kids now or wait until next school year.

I've decided to put it all together in a big book so we have everything in one place.  You can either photocopy all the resources for Friends Around the World from the monthly magazine or print them out online here.

For the cover, I photocopied this image smaller from the January issue (I couldn't find the image online.)  The envelope at the bottom holds our passports.  Every month includes a little animal "stamp" to glue into your passport.

I have 4 sheets of construction paper for each month.

So here's what January looks like.  The first page of red (not pictured) will probably get a map and/or flag of Mexico added to it.  The 2nd and 3rd page has the story of Mahonri and Helaman from the coast of Mexico.

Page 4 and 5 have the bulletin board with a craft suggestion, shrimp taco recipe, facts about Mexico, and a family history activity (it looks like some months will also have a writing assignment-just a question to answer.)

Page 6 and 7 are blank right now.  The envelope in the top corner will hold our completed paper dolls (be sure to print them on card-stock.)  I'll paste our family history activity in the rest of the space ("Mahonri and Helaman were named after people in the Book of Mormon. Do you know where your name comes from? Ask a parent to tell you stories behind any special names in your family.")

I think it will be fun to study geography and other cultures with the background of the Church.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a global church so I think it will be exciting for the kids to "meet" other kids their age in far off lands that share their same religious beliefs. 

Horrible Dating Memories

I was fortunate enough to meet Hubby when I was only 18.  I say fortunate because I was not cut out for the dating scene! And when I hear of others' experiences with dating and boyfriends and such I realize how lucky I am to have skipped all the potential heartbreak and drama!

I didn't go on very many dates.  By not-very-many I mean only two or three other than the school dances that I went to (and at those dances either I asked the guy or a friend told the guy to ask me.) 

Boys just didn't like me.  It kind of sucked. Of course that's all water under the bridge now.

I found myself thinking about a few horrible dates I had, though and thought I would share.  There's nothing profound to be learned from this. (Ok, maybe there is.  But I'll worry about thinking of the lesson in all this once my kids get to dating-age.)  Just a bit of entertainment so please feel free to laugh along with (or at) me.


1. Senior Ball
I was desperate for a date.  The guy that I had gone to a few dances with had asked out some other girl (I had jealousy issues over that!) and I didn't know who to ask.  My friend, Maria* was in need of a date as well.

I had a freshman friend, Amy, who had a senior brother who went to another high school.  Amy convinced her brother and her brother's friend to go with us. I knew the brother and did not want to go with him (I was a jerk) so we figured that he could go with Maria and I would take my chances with his friend that I had never met.  I don't think I met him at all until the night of the dance (maybe once?)

Turns out the friend was a 15 year old sophmore.  He was obviously just there for the food and to do a friend a favor.  He was nice and didn't balk at my attempts at making him a prop for pictures, but he made no effort to treat this like a date.

The brother drove us (another girl and her date came too so we had 3 couples) in his parent's minivan.  The sophmore insisted on sitting in the front seat.  Then when we got to the prom, he was so tired from doing 4H stuff at the fair all day that he fell asleep at a table after a couple obligatory and awkward dances.

It was all so lame.  I wish Maria and I would have just gone stag and had fun!


2. My first almost-boyfriend
After high school graduation, I started attending a junior college and joined my brother's group of friends.  I started flirting with one guy, Justin, and he asked me out on a date.  We went to dinner and then to a movie and had a really fun time.

On the date he was putting out some very clear signals. I thought there was a lot of flirting going on and he put his arm around me a lot that night and held my hand during the movie.  The next Sunday he even came to my ward to sit with me and put his arm around me and stuff like that.

I thought I finally had a boyfriend!  This guy was totally into me!

Turns out, though, that he was a just big fat jerk and was leading me on.  I found out pretty soon after that Sunday that he was doing the same thing with another girl (or two-the details are fuzzy now.)  There was nothing between us and there never was.

I was so hurt and angry!  I remember I confronted him about it in a text. I felt like such an idiot for falling head-over-heals for the first guy who gave me an ounce of attention. 


3. Ice Skating
About 5 months after I graduated from high school, my friend Emma (who's two years older than me) and I decided we wanted to go on a double date to the ice skating rink.  She asked her boyfriend-not-boyfriend (they were totally a couple but she didn't want to be because she was preparing to be a missionary) but I couldn't find anyone.  It was the day of our date and I was desperate (do you sense a pattern here?)

So Emma made a call to a guy in our large group of friends at college that had recently come home from his mission. I had not met him before so was going to go on a blind date.  I don't think Emma even told me his name.  Not long after she told me she found me a guy, she called me back to say that he backed out.  This jerk stood me up!

I was left with only a couple hours to find someone or cancel the date.  I finally asked Josh. Josh was my friend from high school and coworker.  We got along really well but our entire friendship consisted of goofing off during Seminary (scripture study class before high school every morning) and goofing off at work (Baskin Robbins.) He was also a year younger than me, still in high school, immature, and I was not interested in dating him at all.

I don't know how I phrased the question when I asked him to come with me, but I must not have made it clear that this was technically a double date with another couple.  Because he brought his male cousin (who I think was his same age/maturity level or younger.)

That was pretty awkward to be there with 2 teenage boys with Emma and her 20-something year old boyfriend-not-boyfriend.  It was fun but still, not what I had in mind.

Best part is: the returned missionary who stood me up was Hubby!  We didn't put the pieces together until after we were engaged.  Turned out he had returned that very same day (or the day before?) that Emma called him.  She didn't realize that he hadn't been home for a few more days.  So when she called, he was in "missionary mode" which told him that one of the sisters was in need, so he should say "yes" and help.  But then he realized that he hadn't had any time to see friends and family and adjust to life at home yet.  Also he thought, "Oh, crap!  I've known nothing but missionary life for the past 10 months.  I'm not ready for girls!" 


So what's your worst dating story?

*All names have been changed.

Small Table Time Update

Today was awesome!  Again, the girls completed most of their school work at the kitchen table before 11 o'clock.  That just left math facts practice (Xtra Math), free reading, and literature (we read and discussed One Fine Day and sponge painted pictures of trees.)

After lunch we played a landforms and bodies of water matching game, made a sundial, and planted some root vegetables in a special planter so we can watch the roots grow.


At one point this afternoon I was sitting in my rocking chair, cuddling the boys and playing hangman with Secundus using her spelling list words.  It was so relaxed and fun!

School was fun today!  That's how it should be!  I haven't smiled this much on a school day in a long time.

Why didn't I try this sooner??  Oh, I know; because I'm stubborn and prideful.  I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for guiding me to try this change.  He knew what was best for His children and has been trying to tell me that for months.  I am thankful that He is so patient with me!

I'm a "Table Time" Convert

It seems like for a lot of homeschool families, what I'm gong to call "table time" is an everyday occurrence.  Meaning for large portions of their school day, the whole family is gathered around the kitchen table doing workbooks and such all at the same time, with Mom flitting around from child to child and assisting as needed.

I've always resisted that idea, though.  And here's why:

1. I have a perfect little kid-sized table in my awesome school room.  That's where I figured most schooling would take place.

2. I loathed the idea of cleaning the table after breakfast, dragging the school books to the kitchen, and packing it all up and putting it away to have lunch.  To put a finer point on it, until recently, we would wake up to a messy table every morning that hadn't even been cleaned from dinner the night before.  So usually, we would clean it just enough so we could eat breakfast and leave the dried on spills and sticky spots to be tackled later.  Not an environment conducive to learning.

3. I thought one of the benefits to homeschooling was curling up with your math book in any comfy couch or bean bag chair you wanted anywhere around the house.


But with this being our first year of having two official students, it has become clear to me that something needed to change. Basically everyday this school year I have felt half crazy. For whatever reason, the girls hardly ever want to work at the school table, unless we're doing a group project.  So with them and their books spread all over, it is such a struggle to stay on top of the girl's assignments and make sure they are staying focused and not wasting time between assignments.  I am overwhelmed and wondering if maybe I was expecting too many things from them.  Our school days are running way longer than I thought they should and we weren't fitting in enough time for fun stuff.  Plus, Tertius hasn't been getting much preschool attention at all. 

I was finally ready to try something different. 

So this morning as soon as breakfast was done, I cleaned the table while the kids got dressed.  When they finished getting ready for the day, they arrived back in the kitchen to find their baskets of school stuff and a jar of sharp pencils.  Tertius even sat up with us and scribbled in a workbook for quite a while until he got bored and went to play in the living room.  Quartus was also nearby in his highchair eating breakfast. 

It worked wonderfully!  The girls stayed remarkably focused and transitioned from assignment to assignment quickly.  No pulling teeth!  No nagging!  No chasing down distracted children!  No frantic searching for lost spelling lists!

They were able to complete all of their assigned work for the day well before lunch time.  We even had time left before lunch to do science and an art project (which I had prepared and set up on the school table so it was waiting for us ready)! 

I realize one good day might be too soon to tell, but I'm already convinced that this is a great way to do school for our family. 

I'm a Mormon, and That Isn't Bad

I found out a few months ago that an acquaintance that I knew from our last ward (congregation) "left" the Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and had the records of her and her family removed.  She is officially an ex-Mormon.

She started a blog where she shares her thoughts on Mormonism and why she left.  I skimmed several of her posts and now my mind is swimming with a multitude of thoughts.

Her blog is her personal space where she has the freedom to say whatever she wants regarding religion or any other topic.  And this blog is my space.  So today I want to share a couple of my thoughts on Mormonism in response.  She'll probably never see this and I don't really care if she does.  Whatever I say probably wouldn't change her mind, just as what she posted hasn't changed mine.  So that isn't my aim.

But perhaps someday someone will google my religion and stumble upon what I have to say about it, and maybe something I post will speak to them and give them something they were searching for.

I could share my testimony of the Church, the Book of Mormon, or prophets.  And perhaps I will another day.  But right now, I'll keep it simple and limited to the thing that stood out to me the most as I read this woman's criticisms.

By their fruits ye shall know them.  IF the Church is one big fraud, then is it doing me any harm by being a member?  NO.  

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is such an incredible humanitarian organization that has done so much good in the world.  And on a personal level, I know that I am a better person, a more productive member of society, and have more peace in my life when I adhere to its teachings.

Also, I could never ever let go of my conviction that Heavenly Father is a fair and loving God.  And IF Mormonism is wrong, I know that He still loves me anyway.  And in the afterlife He will not fault me for trying to find Him and follow Him in the best way I knew how.

Happy and Proud (A Baptism Dress Tale)

Today I worked on making Primus' baptism dress. Really, I'm just adding lace and embellishments to a blouse and skirt she already owned.

At one point I had her try on the blouse and wanted some extra input on where to place those flowers on her collar.  So I called Hubby over and asked for his opinion.  He immediately covered his eyes and asked, "Before I even look at it, tell me what you want from me.  Do you want my honest opinion?  Or do you want me to say something to make you happy and proud?"

Smart man!  You can tell we've been married for a few years.

I just wanted him to tell me where to put the darn flowers-I didn't even need his ego stroking this time.  So as I chuckled and hesitated with my answer, Primus very sweetly whispered, "Happy and proud."

Well, daughter, Daddy and I can tell you sincerely that the blouse is beautiful!  You did an excellent job helping me pick out the perfect accessories, buttons, and trim.  So you should feel happy and proud!

But more importantly, you should feel happy and proud of yourself for making the decision to be baptized and take this step on the path to Eternal Life with your Heavenly Father.  Daddy and I are extremely happy and proud of you.  And I know that your Heavenly Father, who loves you with a perfect love, is happy and proud of you, too!

Story-time Tips

I have a lot of pet peeves regarding bad story-time readers.  I'm no expert, but I've attended and participated in many story-time activities over the years.  So I know what I like and what seems to keep my kids' attention the best.  And I'm working to teach Primus to be good at it.  She's picking it up fantastically and at only 7, I think she is already better than a lot of adults I've seen!

If you are going to read aloud to a large group of small children, please do the following:

1. Let the story speak for itself.  I get so annoyed when story readers change words or stop after every sentence to add commentary.  The author, editor, and publisher put a lot of work and many hours into putting the exact words they wanted on the page.  Just leave it be and enjoy as is.

2.Clearly define the place you want the children to sit.  If the parents are there, then they need as much direction as the kids!  You'd think it would be obvious, but the best place to sit is directly in front of the storyteller.  Yet almost everytime we attend storytime at our local library, there is a parent or two who come late and sit with their child on their lap far to the side and almost behind the librarian.  Then the child can't see the book as it is being read!  The librarian always flashes the page to everyone before she turns to a new page.  But by the time she moves it slowly from the kid on her far left side, all the way to the kid on her far right side, she's lost most of the kids' patience and attention. 

3.  Learn to read upside down.  It's tricky to find a comfortable way to hold the book so you can see and read it while all the children can see it at the same time.  If you can hold the book in front of you and read it upside down, then you'll have nothing to worry about.  (Related to the flashing-the-page-problem discussed in #2.)  Another possibility is to type up the entire story ahead of time and tape it to the back cover. 

4.  Speak loudly.  I took the kids to a Dr. Seuss story-time once at Target.  The twenty-something reading the book clearly did not want to be there and was talking barely over a whisper.  No one could hear her.  I was so close to standing up and volunteering to do it myself.  It was torture. You've got to keep the kids interested and engaged.  If they can't hear you, that's not going to happen.

5. Do voices.  I am horrible at coming up with different voices for different characters and am actually pretty self conscious about it.  But it's not that hard to at least figure out a high/sweet/feminine voice, a low voice, and a normal talking voice.  Again, this is about keeping them interested and engaged and making it easier to follow the story.

6. Be familiar with your story.  Read it over a couple times to yourself so you can use the proper inflection and emphasis where it makes sense.  Inflection and emphasis are important.  Monotone is the worst thing you could do.  Basically, just don't make it sound boring.

7.  Enjoy it!  If you're having a goodtime, your audience probably will, too.

My plan to be a better mother...

I like to think of myself as a pretty good, laid-back mother.  But the reality is that I'm strict, unreasonable, and just awful sometimes, especially when I'm stressed out. 

How would I react if my nieces and nephews' babysitter or teacher acted the way I do?  Ouch.  That's a painful thing to think about.

I would want these precious children's caregiver to be more gentle, more patient, more kind, more fun, more relaxed, more loving.

My kids deserve a better mother.  This is how I'm going to make that happen...

1. Make personal morning and evening scripture study and prayer a priority.
2. Whenever I am stressed or worried about something, turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer first.
3. More diligently study and apply the 12 Steps.  This includes getting back into my nightly Step 10 journal.
4. Get more sleep.  Go to bed earlier.
5. Print out this blog and post it several places so I can read it over and over again.

Notice how none of my list says anything about doing more crafts with the kids or baking more cookies or anything like that?  Those superficial things aren't going to make me a better mother.

Boyd K. Packer, an apostle of the Lord, said, “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."  Also, the Lord says in Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

To be a better mother, and really a better person, I need a fundamental change of heart.  I'm stuck in a pattern of bad attitude and bad behavior (much like an addiction.)  I need to turn to my Heavenly Father and ask for His grace.  Through the Atonement of His son, I can become closer to Him.

And the closer I become to Him, the more gentle, patient, kind, fun, relaxed, and loving I will be.  I won't change overnight, but I know that I can get better with my Heavenly Father's help and guidance.