Observatory

telescope diagram

I like finding clues around the house showing me what my kids are thinking about. I found this diagram today of one of the telescopes Daniel saw at the Whipple Observatory on Friday. I thought the reflection patterns were pretty good, and it turns out, they are pretty accurate.

Did you know we don’t have street lights here so there is better star gazing for the observatories? Well, now you know. It’s a great place to stargaze. Now Daniel and Paige can say they have been to an observatory, thanks to a good friend who took them. They were up so high on the mountain that they saw Mexico. The whole building which houses the telescopes can rotate. Just thought you’d like to know…

Timothy's bird house

This is a drawing Timothy has made of the birdhouse he wants to get for our backyard. He has a birdcage that he’s filled with birdseed, hoping to catch a new pet. In fact, the whole yard is littered with birdseed to attract future pets. He told me tonight that the bird could live in the birdhouse and then visit the birdcage now and then… it looks like he plans to leave the door open.

So, to wrap this all up in a neat metaphor, I’ll say that I’m grateful live in my own personal observatory and to be an observer of children. I try sift through all the information and words and behaviors and see what my children are trying to communicate. With the help of the Lord, proper focus and care and timing, simple observations of behavior or words can give me greater insight into the needs, hopes, and wishes of my children. A simple piece of paper, a forlorn sigh, a persistent wish or behavior… each a precious clue.

For Ms. Fascination/Repulsion

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc

This video is hilarious because it’s true about the reactions people have to us and the mythology about our lifestyle.

A friend told me she has a fascination-repulsion complex about homeschooling. Is it a compliment to my ego strength that someone would be so honest with me? She asked me to share what a day of homeschooling life looks like. Before I go on, I need to say that socially, I feel fascination/repulsion from people almost every day. I am aware that homeschooling makes most people feel uncomfortable. Perhaps through this honest post, you will see that while my life is not ideal, I LOVE what I do each day. So, sorry for a tedious post, but I’m doing this for a friend (or two):

Here is a day in the life of a homeschooling family

Paige (8th grade), Daniel (5th grade), Timothy (1st grade), Mark, age 3

6:30-7:45: We wake up and try to get ready. Paige has a first-day-after-braces hangover and we take longer at breakfast than usual. Paige and I make waffles and we wait for Paige to gingerly chew them. I throw some laundry in the machine.

7:50-8:10: Family scripture study. We read aloud, then we say the pledge. No time for singing this morning. We’re late!

8:15-9:15: I have a planning conference with Daniel to plan out his day. I made lists of assignments in their planners last night. Daniel chooses to do history first. He tries to read the chapter to Timothy, who is also studying ancient history, but Timothy is uncooperative. Tim wants history with me. I can’t do it now, so I set him to work with his calendar and then copywork. Meanwhile, Paige starts on algebra. Once Daniel finishes reading his chapter, I give him some oral review questions on history and then narrate a summary of the chapter for him to write in his history notebook. I teach Paige a 10 minute math lesson about absolute value and then she continues her lesson. I finally coax Mark to get dressed and I change his messy diaper. Daniel writes a journal entry. Timothy goes to his room for a Lego break.

9:15-10:00: Daniel practices piano. I fold some laundry (just a little… I try not to do housework during school). I help Paige review her chapter about the lymphatic system. Timothy and Mark play together. Daniel is very upset by his new piano piece so I take a break from science and play along with him on the piano. Pretty soon I won’t be able to help him at all in piano because he’s getting so good.

10:00-10:30: Paige and I finish our science review. Mark joins us and plays with stickers while Timothy finishes his copywork and Daniel reads the scriptures and takes a recess. Paige and Mark watch science videos on a CD rom. They watch lymphocytes in action and blood flow and I’m amazed at the technology that allows us to see inside the human body. Meanwhile, Timothy plays a math game on the Leapster. (I cringe a little over this. It’s still just a computer game, no matter how many numbers and things they throw in.)

10:30-11:30: Paige practices piano. Mark talks to me in the school room. That boy likes to talk. Daniel reads for an hour. I haven’t assigned him a book yet, so he gets to choose the book today. It’s a Hardy Boys morning. Timothy reads to me from a Curious George book on the couch. I never get tired of Curious George. I teach Timothy a math lesson. Mark wants a math lesson, so Paige takes him out of the school room and counts with him in his own math book. Paige begins her history chapter and summary on her own. Mark plays with tangrams while Timothy finishes his math assignmnent. We pull out the gummy candies to keep the little guys happy. Daniel tells me he can’t read the clock from far away. Well, that’s good to know. There’s another appointment we need to make.

11:30-12:00: Daniel works on math in the school room while Paige works on a history essay in her quiet bedroom about the unfortunate rise of Hitler in Germany. Timothy and Mark head outside. I indulge and look at the computer. More friends bragging announcing on Facebook about all the canning/food preservation they have accomplished. Guilt. Denial. Ok, I’m fine now, and acknowledge that I, too enjoy the affirmation that comes from writing about one’s day on the internet. We didn’t finish school by noon as planned, but that’s ok. There are 5 more hours after lunch before we have to be anywhere.

12:00-1:00: Lunch. We always take an hour for lunch. It’s essential to my happiness. While waiting for pasta to cook, the kids watch a DVD and sort through coins from my bank. If you have coins from a foreign country, Daniel is a collector. We eat, then do the breakfast and lunch dishes.

1:00-2:00: Daniel finishes math and spelling. Paige works on Writing Strands. I read to Timothy from history, his final (and favorite) subject. Mark watches Curious George. I update the homeschool club list.

2:00-3:00: I put Mark down for a nap. Paige finishes writing, does a German lesson on the computer and studies her spelling words. Daniel is finished with school, so Timothy and Daniel begin their free time. 4-5 hours of free time is what I try to give my children each day. It’s not possible for Paige to have this much, though.

3:00-4:00: Paige reads. Timothy uses his 15 minutes of computer time on Lego.com. Daniel and Timothy keep playing together. Mark sleeps. I correct math problems and read.

4:00-5:30: Paige and I paint with oils. Mark and Timothy join us for a little while. Daniel works on his animated computer programming. Dad comes home.

It’s 5:45 now and I’m going to post this. Basically, this is what we have planned tonight:

6:00-7:30: Paige goes to ballet. We have a friend come over. Our other friends were sick or too busy to play today. I make dinner.

7:30-8:30: We get the kids ready for bed.

9:00-10:00: I make lists for tomorrow and read.

Things to remember:

1. I worked into this schedule gradually, one child at a time. I built my curriculum and goals over time. I’m always trying to improve.

2. I believe in providing a religious education, teaching many subjects, working together, providing opportunities to pursue interests and talents, and allowing lots of unstructured play time.

3. I limit t.v. and computer time.

4. To me, parenting and teaching and family life are hard to distinguish from one another. They all blend together in my days.

Tomorrow I’ll listen better

M.R.

Mark has been grumpy all day. And I have been typing, sewing, shopping, and cleaning instead of walking with him, holding him and easing his troubled heart most of the day. Tonight was better as we snuggled together to read bedtime stories. Tomorrow I’ll respond more promptly to his needs. Duh. It took me all day to figure that his grumpiness and my busy-ness had a correlation.

“Fathers and mothers are too absorbed in business and housekeeping to study their children and cherish that sweet and natural confidence which is a child’s surest safeguard and parent’s subtlest power… Happy are the boys and girls who tell all things freely to Father or Mother, sure of pity, help, and pardon; and thrice happy the parents who, out of their own experience, and by their own virtues, can teach and uplift the souls for which they are responsible.”

-Louisa May Alcott, Eight Cousins

My own brand of Motherhood

I am learning that Motherhood isn’t a narrow, restrictive road, and even more important, this path is full of vantage points to my own talents and interests. Overall, my experiences in raising my children have allowed me a greater outlet for my “self” than I ever imagined.

It’s all about making my Own Brand of Motherhood, and trusting that my particular talents and interests were taken into consideration when God sent these children to me. And trusting that He will guide me, often minute by minute, in this journey.

Mom and Mark Minerva Teichert ran a ranch and raised children. As a painter, she almost always had a mural in progress, hanging on her living room wall. She’d paint in her free minutes, many of which I am sure she had to sacrifice to find. As she studied the scriptures and church history, which were the topics of her paintings, she became a scripture scholar. She used this knowledge as she taught her children and grandchildren. Her paintings provided income, but also a larger legacy. Her paintings still help define Mormonism to the world.

In this stage of my life I am most fulfilled as I work in my own home. As a wise friend commented this week, it’s not about finding fulfillment doing “grown-up” things away from home. It’s being centered at home that makes life most fulfilling. So, these days, I am defined almost always as a mother, but find adventure in incorporating my other interests into my day. These personal interests can actually enhance my ability to mother my children and be a good community member.

It bothers me that EVERY TIME I go to one of my doctors she asks in a very concerned tone, “So, are you still homeschooling?” and then seems amazed to hear that I play the violin (away from home!), pursue other interests, and I don’t feel wasted by my lifestyle, raising four children.

Mothering and Personal Happiness are not Mutually Exclusive, Dr. W.

This week, I have studied Shakespeare, read some Jane Austen, worked on food storage, laundry, and countless other things. I haven’t done my nails, whitened my teeth (the kit’s in the bathroom), or finished my book (which I began in June).

It occurred to me this week as I finished up some laundry and dishes that I am living the fairy tale backwards, becoming Cinderella after I met my prince. Studies show that women work more after they are married than before. You may be thinking I’m moving in a negative direction with these thoughts, but no, rest assured. I believe in the backwards fairy tale. Long live the Backwards Fairy Tale Life!

I believe in work, and the absolute necessity of it because it combats my selfishness. Of all the traits that I work hard to tame, vanity and selfishness are at the core. Being a wife and mother and loving it is so helpful as I try to improve my character and talents.

It also helps that Mark, Timothy, Daniel, and Paige are so absolutely cute and good. And these small people will do great things.

Mom and Mark

Post-Edit Addition:

I sweat bullets over this post, and I still don’t have it right. For instance, I didn’t fully express my innate fulfillment motherhood brings… even without the extra curriculars. Kids are so fascinating and enlivening. They make me want to be a better person. In my case, this means a person who doesn’t seek accolades or affirmation from anybody but my Heavenly Father.

Because He sees what I do and how I try.

It’s not easy being Three, by Mark

2008-10-24 Park 07

I woke up and ran outside, excited to see the mushroom in the grass that we found yesterday. Oh, no! someone had smashed it! I cried and ran to Mom’s room where she was reading. I could hardly tell my story, I was so upset. Mom poured me some Cheerios and told me another mushroom will grow in the grass someday.

An hour later, I asked, “Should we plant the mushroom pieces so it will grow into a new mushroom?” “Plants need sun and water. We can pour the water!”

Then Mom told me something about spores and that mushrooms are fungi, not plants.(Just when I think I’ve got things figured out, my world turns upside down.)

Later, we were reading scriptures. I was so bored. I asked, “Why do we have to read scriptures every day?” Mom said, “Because the prophet said so.” Then she started singing, Follow the Prophet and so I decided to sing with everybody. When the song was over, they started reading scriptures AGAIN! So I said, “I want to sing more songs!” After a while, we sang again; any song I wanted. I chose Popcorn Popping, Jingle Bells, and Little Drummer Boy! I love that rum-pum- pum- pum song.

I played outside, ate pancakes for lunch, and played outside some more. Then I dressed up like a Cub Scout. Daniel let me wear all of his stuff. I looked good!

Mark in Scout uniform 001

I had to go with Mom and the kids to piano lessons. I was so tired. I tried to fall asleep in the car, but it didn’t work. I was so sad about everything. My Bobby doll was missing. My shirt was dirty. Mom found my Bobby and put my cactus shirt on me.

Later, after piano lessons were over, Mom bought me some orange tic-tacs and that made me happy.

Tonight at the church a girl found me in the hallway and asked, “What are you doing?”I said, “I’m waiting to go to the beach… Have you ever been to the beach?.. Have you ever slept on a crab?” She just giggled and walked back to mutual to tell her friends what I said to her.

Life can be so confusing. And what in the world is August? Mom keeps saying I have to wait until August to go to the beach.

Reminisce part two: Being Present

Flower watercolor by Paige Ross

Resolved: I will include more of our art on this blog.

I went visiting teaching today, which means I sat in the homes of two amazing women from church and checked up on how they are doing, shared a spiritual thought, and sat back and learned from them.

One friend told me about her goal to be more “present” instead of distracted during her activities in her work and with her children and husband. What a great goal! She noted that many of us are addicted to multi-tasking, to the detriment of all we try to do. If we were more “present” in our work and relationships, we would find more success.

I thought about this idea all day long. As a mother, I have to multi-task some things. I can’t tell my children to “take a number” all the time. However, I can eliminate some of the non-essential, addictive things that make me less than “present” like checking e-mails first thing in the morning instead of working on my primary goals for the day, or trying to make lists while I play trains with Mark (of which I am guilty today).

Which reminds me of my Reminisce post from Sunday. Another reason I (and so many others) love the past is because these were simpler times. So here’s a paradox: to rekindle some of the simplicity of the past… (wait for it) we need to be more “present” today. (ba da boom!)

Jam

I made jam today. It tastes so good and it makes my family happy.

Sleep sweet, nor fret

children-ring-around-roses

Today we entertained lots of neighborhood kids at our house. Late in the afternoon, my next door neighbor, Maria brought me some lemonade. We sat in my living room and dressed Barbies with the kids.

The day was full of small blessings like that. It’s remembering these comfortable blessings that makes all the difference when I look back over my day, which was truly a mixture of successes and shortcomings, good and bad news. I’m wrapped in a soft shawl and I feel peaceful.

I have loved this poem for years. I just discovered it is part of the Association of Unity Churches Home Blessing. I couldn’t find the author’s name. It matches my mood tonight.

My heart, The sun hath set.
Night paths With dew are wet.
Sleep comes Without regret;
Stars rise When sun is set.
All’s well. God loves thee yet,
Heart, smile, Sleep sweet, nor fret.

Girls’ Camp Eve

Paige is off to Girls’ Camp this week. I was asked to write the usual “Dear Daughter” letter to Paige to open when she is at camp. Letters from home are always a good idea. Good heavens, I still have every note my mom wrote to me.

I have to admit I don’t want to write the letter. I want to be up at Girl’s Camp. I’d rather be singing songs around the campfire with her and hiking in the pines than sitting here trying to think of the right thing to say. But since I can’t go, I’ll get to work on that letter.

Study this picture for a minute and you will see my firstborn, my companion, my helper, my friend, my hero, my doll to dress and care for, my young woman to be proud of, and the ONLY one with whom I can share Pride and Prejudice movie nights at home. I hear her playing the piano as I write this. She plays better than I do now. She is like her dad in her steady, calm demeanor. She welcomes her brothers into her room all the time and lets them fiddle around with her sparkly, sweet smelling, soft, and cute belongings. To Mark, Paige is a special confidante. I find the two of them often sitting on her bed together talking about topics obviously chosen by Mark. Paige is very patient. Her artwork is stunning and she dances like an angel. She is a faithful at studying her scriptures and writing in her journal. I can honestly say I have never seen her behave disrespectfully to anyone.

Paige came when I was 21 years old when I didn’t know anything. I know even less now, and I think she’s catching on to this truth, but she still gives me hugs every night before bed and thanks me for the meals I prepare.

Along with my assignment to write a letter to Paige, I must also come up with an adjective which describes her to print in a program after camp. Just one adjective? Now, that’s hard. Here are some words that describe Paige: graceful, pure, gentle, unselfish, talented, artistic, patient, generous, loving, steady, sweet, quiet, faithful, obedient, intelligent…

Will a longer list make it any easier to choose just one?

Probably not, but if anyone deserves a long list of positive adjectives, it’s our Paige.

Tough stuff

When my children were babies, I did everything I could to protect them. As they get older, I see that my need to protect must also be balanced with their need for experience. This means I am learning to allow things like bb guns & baseball injuries into the equation. I’m still here with the bandaids and a hug. And I’ve given a lot of these this week.

Daniel had two days of Cub Day Camp and I got to go with the scouts on the first day. We were up on Mt Lemmon and the pines were as rejuvenating as the scouts were exhausting. I loved being up there and watching the boys learn to work with knives and shoot and try their hands at leather craft. Daniel is a good kid. I couldn’t be more proud of him for his conduct at camp. And yes, Daniel, you earned your whittling chip and can own a pocketknife now!

Timothy wasn’t hurt in this t-ball collision, but it looks spectacular, doesn’t it?

See, he’s fine.

And so am I.