Swimming lessons

We were given the opportunity to join our home school kid in with our local christian primary for swimming lessons.
At lunch time everyday for the past two weeks I've been diligently taking this child and more to the local pools and watching the splashing and the kicking and flapping arms.
It's been a real pain!! Right in the middle of the day, right in the middle of seeing Papa for his lunch break, right during child feed time.
So much so I've forgotten to take kids to their other events such as kindy gym and dancing. I am very unhappy with myself. *sigh*

Anyway...

It has been a pleasure to watch my son give it his all. He's been flapping those arms wild, crazy and strong. He's not going to pass this level this time but he's shown great character throughout the process.
With a joyful playfulness he keeps having his go.
He's even been in the deep pool and swam 10m & 15m freestyle with a board and also survival back stroke.

He told me yesterday (day 9) that it was too hard (survival backstroke).

He swam his one length then was asked if he wanted to go again. He said no. His Papa said have another go so he went in AGAIN and did that dreaded survival backstroke (legs only holding a board) and did it well. I could see the terror in his face being in that pool. You see the pride in his face when he gets out and realizes what he's just done. But I also saw him suddenly relax as he must've realised he wasn't going to drown and kept going.

I'm pleased with his efforts and the way he's been keeping at it, listening well and following instructions. It's good for this mummy to see..

Last day today *yay*

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Letting him...

On the weekend we visited a different church to our regular church. Our regular church had a night service the night before so Sunday was 'free' and we chose church.. ;)

It's a bit out of town.. We already live in the country so this is like rural lovely.. I loved it out there!!!

So much so I didn't want to return to town.. I wanted to go for a drive amongst the trees and sticks..

Hubby wanted to go to the animal farm to see if they had baby chickens.. Cos we've had a few deaths here lately.

Clash of two strong-willed-leader-type-people and all war was out..

I gave in..

I *submitted* (Christian terminology) my will (plans and hopes and desire) to allow the Man to guide our arvo plans... And thought it wasn't going to be as great as frolicking among the trees in complete peace in rural country.

Pleasantly surprised actually.

We had an enjoyable arvo. Lunch at the animal park, wander at the animals, watched a he-goat jump out of its pen *scary* (I dobbed), fed a baby lamb a bottle, teased the emu, stood in awe of these amazing colored and looking birds, bought a lamb....

We BOUGHT a lamb!! She's in our backyard. I'll tell you bout her in a minute..

Where was I? Oh yes... We laid upon the green prickle-free grass and watched our children play. Happy man, content wife, busy exploring children. I even picked up a bat and swatted at the totem tennis. I might have laughed like a Hyeena :D but I wouldn't publicly admit to such a foolish thing ;)

It was worth letting hubby decide the arvo's activity and we were all Blessed by such an experience.. And the insight I received was.. Satisfying.. Better than my plans.. And yeh I'm okay about admitting that ;)

Well Done Hubby xx

Okay.. So..
The Lamb...
As we left I packed Amalia (4yrs) into the boot and this baby lamb got plonked next to her. She was happy acting thinking she was awesome cos she was sitting next to the lamb. Her job was to keep the lamb happy and in the box if she could. Then the boot door got shut (7 seater patrol - she's in the back by herself) and the other doors got shut. Reality sets in.

Lamb jumps out.

I call out to her.. Are you okay?

Panic-stricken, voice raised "I'm not okay"

Swap with your...

And she's dived over the back seat on top of the other kids to get away..

Isaiah unclicks his seat belt about half-way through sisters escape and he's in the back tending to the sheep. haha

So the sheep has no name. Isaiah wants to call her Princess.. Papa says no.

Amalia wants to call her shampoo then proceeds to cackle with laughter. Shampoo the sheep Papa says. I like it. Yep. That's what we'll call her. Me?! NO WAY!!

Michael says that's Amalia's humor coming out and we don't want to crush it. I disagreed.

So we thought some more.. And Michael comes out with *****Shakina*****
(sh-er-car-na)
Which is about the Glory of God. There are several references to it, several variations of spelling and a few meanings or variations of it.

My Prayer is that through having Shakina we will receive revelation and insight into the Glories of God..

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Cheer Leaders

6yr old son says "I want to be a speedway driver when I grow bigger". I say yeah sure mate!! He totally could be a speedway driver. Nothing stopping him (except perhaps parents finances?!)

6yr old son watches the Royal Australian Air Force planes put on an air show and declares when I get bigger I'm going to fly one of them and then there will be 7... But don't worry about the money because he is going to pay for the plane with his OWN money. Yay!!

Hubby says to me that he might compete in heavy weight lifting and win. I thought nar, what ever, you couldn't do that!! I even looked at him 'like that'..

Then... The thought dropped into my head... If my son said what my hubby said I'd have replied yeah mate if you worked hard you could do that!!

But not for my husband?!?!

Why is it easier to build up some and easier to tear down others. Why can I encourage one easily but not the one who needs my encouragement the Most?

The stupid thing is.. My hubby works at the gym week in week out without fail. And no it hasn't always been a positive experience for the family.. In fact it was quite detrimental to the overall health and well-being of all of us for awhile there..

Yet he shows his character of strength.. The strong-willed, will not budge, completely focused man.

Honey, if you want to compete.. You'll win.. But no complaints of hunger thanks ;)

He says I want to build a chook pen.. And I think nar you can't do that! And he does it and I'm amazed (in my defense he's not so handy and a geek by trade).. And the chicken coop is AWESOME!!!

What a difference hey!! What I think doesn't always fly :( but I'm cool with that!!!


And here I am.. On the side lines.. Cheering him on...

Are you cheering yours on???????



"He makes, All things, work together for Michael" (modified song by our very own kids).

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What the NCLB Waiver Means for New Jersey

Scary stuff, folks...

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Thankful

Thankful for the uniqueness of my hubby...

* He misses me, even when he's only been gone one night

* Misses the children and I when he hasn't seen us for one whole day (he's home for lunch each and every day)

* reads a one year bible for children just about EVERY night (bible devotion) to the children whilst training them in self-control and comprehension

* finds ways to explain complex ideas/theologies in simple plain child language

* even at the end of a long tiring work day will find it in himself to color in with one coloring-in-princess - just because he loves her

* teaches an under-ager how to light a fire and lets him do so with rules

* goes onto medication for the benefit of his family

* goes off medication for the same reason

* has (mostly) confidence in my abilities to care for this place, raise and teach children 😊

* sacrifices things he likes for me... Like dum gadgets

* let's me use him as an ally in child training

* works everyday :) I mean 5 days plus a half day every two weeks

* works so I can buy scrapbook goodies....... I mean ink to print photos

* sacrificed gym time amounts and time of visits...

* takes one child out for errands as a mini-papa-date

* encourages children in areas they excell

* disciplines children - often (discipline means disciple)

* says the children can do just about anything.. Even drive speedway cars and fly royal Australian air force planes upside down and all sorts.

* puts up with ME

* thinks he's funny

* finally got over the trauma of having to do dishes as a child and does mine some nights.. With the children

* will go into the night and collect sweet goodies for me :D

* knows what I like best on my sub and always goes in to order it for me :)

* puts up with some terrible cooking with little complaining

* forgives me readily when I forget something he asked for on the shopping list

* would like to stuff me when I die on put me on the wall - no kidding.. (He told me)

* says he would be so sad if I died he would want to die too :(

* regrets stupidity on his behalf

* is really trying and succeeding in becoming the man he was created to be

* is doing really really well.. Even better than I thought and in many ways better than I imagined.

But Michael, your still a fur-ball with really big feet ;)
Xxx

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Blueberry Corn Bread

It is Memorial Day Weekend and while we pause to remember the brave men and women that have honored our country, we naturally want to eat that which symbolizes Americana.  Cornbread, is one of the first things that comes to mind.  Of course, I wanted to up the nutritional value, and with fresh blueberries purchased at the farmer's market, I was inspired!

Now that Isaac is nearly 10 months old, I am really starting to move him onto table foods and many of our meals are revolving around what he can eat with us.   Soft fruits and vegetables, and  breads and muffins (i.e. zucchini bread, banana muffins, etc.) are perfect transition foods for your baby, once they are chewing and managing  soft melt-able foods well.  I wanted Isaac to be able to eat small pieces of cornbread with us, so I pureed the blueberry's before mixing them in. By doing that, he wouldn't get any large unexpected chunks that he could potentially choke on.   If you aren't feeding a baby, you could place whole or chopped berries into the bread, but the puree makes the bread sweeter and also looks very pretty.

I'm happy to report that it worked wonderfully well as a recipe.  I had never heard of blueberry cornbread and thought naively that I had a novel idea. I can hear some of you laughing now, obviously, as my Google searched proved, this is not a novel idea.  However, I didn't see anything with a puree in it, which is perfect for a baby and is just as good for the big kids and adults. I do have to admit that this wasn't a big hit with Isaac, in fact it wasn't a hit at all.  He is just coming off of a bad stomach virus and is slowly getting back into eating.  Cornbread is a little coarse by nature and crumbles everywhere, so Isaac was a little overwhelmed by the texture  It was very frustrating to go through the trouble and have him not eat it, but I have to remind myself that teaching a child to eat is a process!  I still think cornbread is a great idea and I will try it with him again soon, maybe with some melted butter on it.   Yes, try and try at least 12 times applies to babies, too! 

As far as Sam was concerned I didn't want to "trick" him with the puree, which would have been hard to do anyways with the sharp contrast in colors.  He was busy in his sandbox and not interested in helping me make these, so I made sure to point out that the corn bread had blueberries in it, especially because blueberries are really hit or miss with him.   He loves most anything related to bread and gobbled them up.  Again, because he liked them so much I highlighted how good the blueberries were that were in the bread.  If you think your kid might pass on them definitely try to get them involved in cooking these with you.

Silicone Mold for Muffins

I made my cornbread in a mini-muffin tin and a  kid-tray of larger insect shaped muffins (see above).  I knew Sam would love eating a butterfly so I did this just for fun, don't feel like you need to purchase something like this.  Although, this could be a great hook to get your kid to try something they normally wouldn't.

I left some of my muffins plain.  The blueberry was an experiment after all.

Blueberry Cornbread

adapted from food.com

• Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
• Total Time: 35-45 minutes
• Serves: 10
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup honey 
• 1/2- 3/4 cup of pureed blueberries*
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup applesauce or 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise (I used the mayo)
• *Add as much or little blueberry as you want, there really is no rule.

Directions:

1. 1
   Combine dry ingrients and mix.
2. 2
   Combine wet ingredients and mix.*
3. 3
   Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry and fold in gently. Take care not to over-mix.
4. 4
   Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes (adjust to your oven) if using an 8x8 pan.  15 minutes for muffins. 12 minutes for mini-muffins
5. 5
   Let cool and cut into 20 squares or remove from muffin tins.
   
   
   *If you want there to be a swirl in your cornbread pour blueberry puree in while almost done folding wet and dry ingredients.  If you want to pour puree on top of the bread and use a butter knife to swirl through.  If you are using a mini muffin pan pour a small dollop on top of each muffin and stir through with a toothpick.  

Some Tips on Improving Your Kid's Eating:

• Kids of all ages may have some difficulty with the texture of cornbread, as Isaac did. A different texture like this, can catch them off guard, and then they may refuse to eat it.  As you present cornbread to your kid, try to describe what it is going to feel like in their mouth, when they take a bite.  You might say something like, "This bread falls apart very easily so little pieces will go all over your mouth and might fall on your lips and chin.  The little crumbles melt quickly and are easy to chew."  If your kid seems nervous, you might say something like this first, "Let's try a little bite first, with some butter on it."  By taking a small bite, the texture won't be as overwhelming, initially.  Also, the butter will change the texture a little, making it less harsh.  This tactic can apply to any new or non-preferred food you are giving your kid.  

• As I have mentioned before, I am not a big fan of hiding food as purees in other highly desirable foods. It is necessary in some instances, and is appropriate in some recipes like the Blueberry Cornbread.  Since Sam liked the blueberry cornbread so much, I took the opportunity to use this as a door into eating fresh whole blueberries:
• I served Sam fresh blueberries the next morning along side his whole grain bagel, which he initially ignored.  It had been quite a while since he had them since they are so tart our of season.  I nonchalantly asked him to try a blueberry half way through our bagels.  He nonchalantly replied, "I am eating my bagel."  I gave him another reminder a few minutes later, to which he said, "I don't like blueberries."  I ignored this statement and calmly grabbed the cute little green carton of berries.  I looked in to the carton and acted like I was searching for something.  I knew I had his attention.  Then, I said, "Hmm, I wonder, if I can find a little baby blueberry in here?"  What a surprise (sarcasm), I did!  I pulled it out and put it on his plate, saying, "Oh, look at this cute little baby blueberry.  I am going to find one and eat one too!"  Next, I pulled one out for me and said, "Okay, let's eat this little baby blueberries." And, we did!  Notice, I didn't ask him if he wanted to eat it, I just set it up as an assumption (of course, he still might have said no). The blueberries were so sweet and ripe, I was fairly certain he was going to like them.  I then continued our little game, finding little boy, mommy, and daddy, blueberries.  In all he only ate 5 blueberries, but that was a success.  In fact, if he had only eaten one it would have been a success.  I will try and build on this the next time we have blueberries, trying to get him to eat more with less effort. However, he may very well refuse the next time, and if he does, I will try again. 

There were a few things that I think made this experience really successful:  I was giving him my full attention, we ate it together, and I remained calm.  I was prepared to be disappointed, but not discouraged!

The example above is just one example.  My hope is that you get the idea of what I was doing and adapt it to your situation with your kid!

Enjoy the grilling, swimming, and hopefully blueberry cornbread.  Happy Memorial Day! 

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Without love

If you can do all kinds of amazing and wondrous things but have not love it is meaningless..

What does it mean?

You know how you watch a movie and the chick falls for some amazingly loving hearted fella.. Then some rich dude comes along sweeps her into his rich world and she ends up choosing the money-less chap with the heart of love... I'm talking about that..

You can have everything in the world but if you lack the *love* part you have nothing.

Well.. I love my kids.. Loads.. I think we all know that right? And I love my kids so abundantly much that I want to teach them good habits and train them to be amazing people so that they can get through life with minimal hiccups..

I want my children to have the ability to get dressed, make their bed, clean their room and stuff so we can leave... All by the early time of 9pm.. I've been focusing on that..

But these kids arn't hearing me.. I say get dressed and come back to find kids playing with toys.. Or dawdling with a piece of rubbish being swooshed around the carpet like a car plane..

My words are being repeated more than necessary.. Until.. I crack.. And raise my voice.. To that high-pitch-squawk of a mother who just lost her cool, her battle with a meek and quiet spirit over cos she just struck out.. And the kids move.. They know mum means business..

And those words repeat through my head... If you have not love you have nothing..

What good is it to train these kids to achieve wondrous things if I do so without love..
What good is it to homeschool if I have not love...
What good is it to recycle, repurpose, compost, live by sustainable methods, buy local, support small business, give away great wealth, blog.. If I do so without *LOVE*

We know I love my kids.. They know I love them.. But my actions.. They need to line up.. For without that love.. There is nothing..

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Comment Rescue - Stay Classy, Cincinnati!

Anonymous is in BLACK and I respond in PURPLE.

Elizabeth, your blog only preaches to the converted, and I hope you helped your little virtual support group cope with the fact that your monopoly on political power will soon end. The News Journal did not note Mr. Palidori’s role as the National Education Association’s “campaigns and elections specialist.”

Anonymous, my "little virtual support group" thanks you for validating our concerns. I do find it ironic that you credit concerned Delawareans who blog independent of each other and whose views been exiled by many mainstream media outlets as having a "monopoly on political power."

I laughed out loud when reading your statement "And the disastrous and horrific media campaign perpetrated by your action fund shows that Voices endorses dirty politics." Actually, the mail pieces weren't "dirty," & cited FACTUAL stats about a "disastrous" school district.

Sure the stats might be accurate.  Our secondary schools are of deep concern for me.  But, the stats ignore the educators who are working hard in Christina to address them nor do the stats tell you anything about the great things that happen in CSD.  Off the cuff - there's our nationally recognized drop-our prevention program,  our model early childhood center,  Delaware's first PUBLIC Montessori program opening in CSD this fall, our BOARD'S commitment to the Eastside Community which will result in the expansion of the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center into District Office Space at a subsidized cost to their organization...

I loved every one I received, and voted in a SB election for the first time in my life.

FANTASTIC!

What's "horrific" is YOUR performance.

We are all entitled to opinions and I encourage you to exercise your right to vote again next year.

Also, why do bloggers keep calling Harris' op-ed an "apology"? 

I can't speak for other bloggers, so you may want to pose this question to them.  My statement was that "IF" it was an apology, it sucked. 

I don't think it's an apology in any way, shape of form. I think its a middle finger.

It may very well have been.  I've spoken with Mr. Harris and even invited him to comment here on C&E1st.  Greg, please feel free to chime it - was your column meant to be interpreted as "a middle finger?"

As to "monopoly," Harris is clearly talking about political campaigns, and calling out Jack P for not stating his role in said campaigns. Harris states his role. 

Go back and read it again.  Perhaps the Journal edited it, but this is what was printed, "The News Journal did not note Mr. Palidori’s role as the National Education Association’s “campaigns and elections specialist.”

I can see why you bloggers are going ape shit.

I wouldn't classify my response as "ape shit." I do enjoy delving into words and exploring what words say about people.  It's a strategy I employ here every now and again.

Harris is telling you his org is here to stay, and with time, will build a movement that has the audacity to demand you do better by Delaware's kids. 

He's welcome to stay.  Although, I suspect that when the trough runs dry, many of our transplants will move onto the next big thing.  As far as demand that I "do better by Delaware's kids," I'm proud that I advocate best practices and not "the next new thing." I believe in stability, in educators, in classrooms, in meaningful professional development, and if you think you can do better, please move into my nominating district and put your children in my schools and then run for my seat.

Only an inbreeder would knock someone for moving to DE from a different state!

Actually, I was knocking his election record, not his relocation.  Stay Classy, Cincinnati!

May 26, 2012 9:26 AM

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Number One All Time Post!

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C&E1st Responds to V4DE Exec. Dir's NJ Letter

Sadly, I found that I was wrote this reponse that it took a bit of snarky turn. I apologize for that.   It's just difficult to take a newly-christened organization seriously when it's first big endeavour was politicize school board elections in Delaware! I know that times are changing and change is coming and you either need to get off the track or jump on the train... but I just can't do either.  I believe that school board elections are sacred.  And if I end up as flast as a pancake, sobeit.  The BLUE below - those are my comments.

On May 16, The News Journal published a letter by Jack Palidori making several allegations against the organization I direct, Voices 4 Delaware Education. The News Journal did not note Mr. Palidori’s role as the National Education Association’s “campaigns and elections specialist.”

Greg, I don't think it was the News Journal's responsibility to "out" Jack Polidori - and that's Polidori with an "o" - as an elections specialist.  In fact, the same could be said for you - a former Cincinnati, Ohio politician with his own Wikipedia page.

The NEA, through its state affiliate, the Delaware State Education Association and related PACs, is likely the biggest contributor to political campaigns in the state. We respect their right to share their voice, but frankly in education policy for many years, it’s been the only one.

No, dear.  NEA is not the only voice in education policy.  There's DPTA, DSPAC, DSBA, PIC, DOE, Charter Network, Chamber of Commerce, Rodel, Vision Network,  Ed Voters of DE (oh, right, your organization ate theirs); you get the idea.  In fact, rather than add a voice to the educational landscape - one could presume that you snuffed one out...

So, we hope they respect our right to speak up on behalf of other citizens, including students, parents and community and business leaders.

Really?  Again?  PTA, DSPAC, DSBA, PIC, DOE, Charter, Chamber, Rodel, Vision, Rotary, the Gov. Council for Exceptional Persons... 

Being a new entrant into a political environment dominated by one voice, Voices anticipated that the natural reaction of the current monopoly would be to attempt to discredit and marginalize us, including questioning our legal standing.

Of course you expected it - you sent hate mail to voters - to education voters - voters who take the time to learn about their candidates and make a concentrated effort to hit the polls in school board elections. In DELAWARE, geographically not the smallest state, but in degrees of separation, we're almost as inbred as Cecil County, Maryland! 

We hope the affirmative response by the Delaware Elections Committee and Attorney General’s Office addressed those concerns. 

It may be legal, but it's not ethical.  I think one of the biggest differences between your organization and all the others that have a voice in education policy in Delaware is that we can see who is supporting those organizations, who is on their boards. THEY OPERATE IN SUNLIGHT! Your backers hide in the dark.  And that's just SHADY.

But this is not about “us versus them.” There will be times we agree and times we won’t.

Did you know that both Voices's backers and the "union" all signed onto the RTTT MOU? (Me? Still Proud of that Big, Fat, NO!)

Voices believes Delaware can be a national leader on education, but we also believe that to get there, change is going to be incredibly hard and it will require outstanding leadership at all levels.

And the disastrous and horrific media campaign perpetrated by your action fund shows that Voices endorses dirty politics in order to silence anyone who might disagree - including a freakin' stay-at-home mom (like me.)

As a state, Delaware has a great plan and the leadership and resources to implement it. Its strategies have been validated at the highest levels.

No, no, no. Great Plan?  I never thought that, hence my big, fat, no vote to the RTTT MOU!  Resources?  Try a temporary four-year grant with a three-year spend down of federal resources and then a pass off onto cash-strapped locals... No.  And those strategies have not passed the litmus test as far as peer-reviewed research and efficacy.  In fact, longitudinal data on the "models" show only pockets of success - NOT overwhelming or even middle-whelming success.  Pockets, baby, don't hold many children!  And I need to educate all of mine, not just the ones that fit in your pocket or the deep pockets of your slimy backers.

The Obama administration, for example, rated Delaware’s education plan No. 1 in the nation, while awarding the state $119 million for its implementation.

Delaware and Tennessee share that honor.  And everyone knows that Delaware got the Biden bump.  The plan, itself, was nothing more than a re-spew of Ren10 and Chicago's turnabout disaster... And we all know that that is where Arne Duncan crawled out of the woodwork...

The state’s education plan raises academic standards so that our kids can compete with the best in the world. It seeds or builds upon innovative strategies to ensure students reach these standards. A major component of the reform work is to improve teacher effectiveness. This includes rewarding the state’s most capable teachers, and developing professional learning communities within which teachers learn from the successes of their peers.

For this one, I will defer to DSEA and CEA.  Only my teachers in the classrooms can tell me if these programs will work.  Do they believe that financial rewards will make them better teachers?  Do they feel that PLC are benefiting children in the classrooms?  Do they have better suggestions that we've simply never listened to?  Teachers - feel free to chime in!

The plan also includes strategies to turn around the state’s lowest-performing schools via Partnership Zones, which are spurring innovation. Some of the PZ schools, for example, have redesigned their curriculums to allow for deeper, project based learning. Parents who are frustrated by standardized tests and teachers who don’t enjoy teaching to the test are now welcoming changes that allow students to develop deep content knowledge. Students enjoy engaging in projects rather than sitting passively behind desks.

PBL - that's debatable, without the intense multi-year training required, PBL is a failure for both teachers and students.   PBL takes much more than an PD session or two and it's so early in implementation in PZ schools that it's much too soon to determine its effectiveness.  Add to that, I sat in on a meeting in January when DOE as much as admitted they were take-it-or-leave-it-folks when it came to PBL.  Heck, they offered to let CSD take it out of the Glasgow plan.   


As far as those who are frustrated by standardized tests - show me where Delaware laws and/or regulations allow a parent to opt their child out of DCAS.  SHOW ME! Mike Stetter in DOE is on record stating that the only exemption is a medical exemption.  Families can't opt out of the test if their child is frustrated nor can they simply opt into methods that "allow students to develop deep content knowledge." A totally uninformed statement by you, Mr. Harris.


You may be right about students enjoying engagement rather than passive sitting - I call that lecture-based curriculum delivery - which is the norm in comprehensive schools.  But, I challenge you to research other models of delivery such as the one employed by the Lab School of Washington D.C. that has educators teaching children each concept through at least three senses in an arts-based program.  While the D.C. school is geared to students with ADD/HD, it's local charter start-up is showing that the model applies to all students not just those with IEPs and 504s. And while no intervention is one-size-fits-all, systematically deploying methods like PBL across domains and locations only squeezes out time and room for other delivery models.  

Parents, Do you want your child to attend a PBL-school?  Would you prefer to send them to the PBL magnet school that has fully developed its teachers and is producing results?  Or do you seek to see all of your schools adopt PBL half-heartedly?   

Another focus is to build a top-notch early childhood development system. Brain development research shows that early learning, from birth to age 5, is the most important phase of a child’s development.

You are so funny, Greg! For decades, early educators and researchers have been telling us about brain plasticity and child development, begging for funding to for educational systems that tap into this rich opportunity to educate our youngest ones.  While RTTT has created an arm to address this well-known fact, investing in early childhood development was not a brainstorm moment.  And it's actually pretty shameful that it took until 2010-12 for the state and federal government to actually recognize the importance of the young mind.

The education arm is designed to increase public engagement in education, including voter turnout in school board elections. Earlier this month, less than 1 percent of eligible voters participated in school board elections that determine who manages hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. We need to change that.

Actually, Greg, I appreciate this.  You Super PAC's hate mail campaign did one important thing for local elections - it spurred Delawareans to hit the polls if for no other reason than to say no to decrepit campaign tactics.  Voters who normally would have ignored school board elections felt compelled to fight back and send a resounding message - and did they ever with an 0-3 for your c4.

Through Voices’ advocacy arm, we will support progressive educational legislation, as well as do what we can to recruit and support well-qualified citizens to run for school boards and the Statehouse.

"Recruit and support well-qualified citizens to run for school boards" because we can all see that Voices and its secret backers don't believe that the run-of-the-mill-parent is well-qualified.

Voices is a young organization, and rather abruptly inserted ourselves into Delaware’s political arena. We will only get better at what we do and develop our capacity to support change agents who are willing to run for political office. As long as education rates are lagging in the state, Voices will help elect advocates who have the best interests of our schoolchildren at heart.

You really believe the manure that the Delaware business community and your $$$ backers are feeding you, don't you?  So, tell me: what would happen if, along the way to educational policy domination, you determined that one of your elected advocates had parted opinions with your founders on just how to address the best interests of our schoolchildren? Would you toss that advocate under the bus to appease the money men or would you step up and support your advocate?

The May 8 school board elections are now behind us, and we congratulate the winners. What’s important now is that we forge ahead on our shared goal to ensure that all Delaware students, from pre-school to college, are given a world-class education.

If this was an apology, it sucked.  And it's pretty hard to forge ahead hand-in-hand with Voices when you know that just around the corner is another election for school board - mine.  And while I still have a yearning to return to full-time motherhood while my children are young enough to appreciate it, your c4 has certainly inspired me to want to run again!  Thank You for that, I'll be giving it careful consideration over the next eight or so months.  It could be an amazing race - given that I have spent three years publicly sharing my thoughts and views on this blog.  What a treasure trove for your super PAC.  They wouldn't even need to take my comments out of context!

'Til we meet again... Hoping things are grand in Cincinnati!

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4:21 AM

And I'm awake and out of bed...

And cold...

Bathing a 2yr old who pooped in his nappy...

At some insane hour of the night...

That allowed the poop to burn his bum...

And is in pain...

As I ran the bath water I couldn't help but notice how it needs tidying up...

A job for tomorrow...

Then I begin to wonder through other parts of the house...

The kitchen...

The laundry...

It all needs some serious attention..

As it always does..

And I often give it...

But right now.. At 4:21AM I am tired and thinking can I not get a full nights sleep without waking up? Can I go through a night without having to bathe a child or change a poop nappy? Can I not roll over in my own bed without discovering I'm wedged between a man and a child?

Then I pray.. That I FEEL that doing this for my children is a blessing...

Because serving others really is...

And one day... In the not so distant future... They will be all grown up... And my home will be empty again.. And I can sleep all I want and all I need... With these nights as forgotten and insignificant times...

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Kilroy articulates the latest edu-scam reform...

WTF! More BS education jobs for taxpayers to fund

And be sure to read Steve Newton's comment in response to the post...

As my students would twitter:  SMH...

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Why Become a Birth Boot Camp Instructor?

As our first workshop approaches, we are getting so excited!  The Birth Boot Camp materials are amazing, easy to use and understand, and all original.  Indulge me as I tell you a bit more about what sets Birth Boot Camp apart from other childbirth education programs.

The Birth Boot Camp Instructor training workshops will be hands-on.  Most of the book-learning will be done before coming to the workshop and the Study Guide will be completed.  That will give us a chance to focus on learning the curriculum, how to run a class, take them through relaxation exercises, and ultimately, how to become a great Instructor. 

Just a reminder:  If you have given birth without medication and breastfed your baby for at least one year, you are invited to become a Birth Boot Camp Instructor.  Check out the requirements here.

The response towards the Student Field Manual has been awesome.   The Field Manual is laid out to supplement the weekly classes -- additional information and things to discuss between partners and care providers.  There are lots of reminders for partners, so they have a quick reference during labor. Each couple that takes a Birth Boot Camp class also receives the Breastfeeding Class:  The Ultimate MRE on DVD, taught by lactation consultant, Mellanie Sheppard. 

Sarah Clark (aka Mama Birth) and I wrote the Instructor's Manual and we are so proud of it!  It is so functional, providing Instructors with a detailed outline of the curriculum and games.   We have made teaching so easy!

Birth Boot Camp utilizes the technology available to us by using video and online classes. These are available to Instructors and students alike.  As part of their workshop fee, Instructors are given several supplemental video resources to use in their classes.  I've always enjoyed inviting visitors to class (doulas, chiropractors, etc.), so Birth Boot Camp created videos with various professionals answering a number of questions about their profession and how their services can help achieve a natural birth.  Instructors are encouraged to bring in local resources or use the Birth Boot Camp videos.  Other interesting topics include Babywearing and Cloth Diapering 101.  Instructors should use their discretion as to what videos/visitors their class would benefit.  Use just one video or use them all.

Instructors will also receive all the Birth Boot Camp birth videos with their workshop fee.  We anticipate updating videos periodically.

Birth Boot Camp created a website especially for Instructors. This is where they buy their Student Field Manuals, breastfeeding DVDs, and supplies to run their business.  It also provides links to stay current on the research and evidence as well as printables for the games.  We want Instructors to feel supported on their journey in helping other couples achieve a natural birth, and will foster that community through the Birth Boot Camp forums on the Instructor website. 

The workshops are filling up for September and November.  If you are interested, you do need to allow yourself plenty of time to complete the reading and the Study Guide.  You are encouraged to take notes as you do your reading, as the Final Exam (taken at the Workshop) is open note.  We recommend allowing 6-9 months to complete your reading and Study Guide.

We just posted the location of the workshops through 2013 on the website.  There has been interest in the workshops being held across the country, but we are not in a position to do that at this time.  We have a whole team of people involved in the training workshops and are not able to shuttle them across the country just yet.  Maybe one day.  In the meantime, Dallas-Ft. Worth is very easy to travel to, and we've tried to make it as affordable as possible. 

The application process is super easy.  Simply fill out your application.   After approval, pay your deposit (or full price for a discount), get your login for the Instructor website, download your Study Guide, and get to work!  Our certification team is awesome and is available for questions at contact@birthbootcamp.com.

See you at the Workshop!

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Making Meals Positive: Part 3 - Ending on a Good Note

Sam's place setting after lunch.  He did eat most of his food, but I didn't get into a
battle over eating the crust or his last piece of cantaloupe.  We ended on a good note!

This is the last installment of the series, Making Meals Positive.  Originally, I was thinking there would be four parts, but I think I can wrap it all up in this post.  As I have stated previously, I strongly believe that positive meal times are an essential part of improving your kid's food variety and volume.  Be sure to check out part 1 and part 2 of this series, if you haven't already!

Ending on a Good Note 

Let's imagine that you are having a relatively stress free meal with your kid (I did say relatively!)... Maybe they haven't ate as much as you would like... You have to decide whether to encourage more eating or be done.  When you begin to notice your child is losing interest in eating take a minute to think if it's worth encouraging another bite of food.  Sometimes this is all it takes to send a toddler or preschooler into whining or tantrums.  Often it is best to just end it before there's an opportunity for negative behaviors to begin.  I know, that goes against the sage advice of our parents generation that comes from the clean plate club!  As parents we often want to push for just one more bite to make sure their bellies are full (and then another bite and another).  However, it is a risk that frankly isn't worth taking.  They may not take the bite anyways and now your kid may be walking away from the meal aggravated and mad.  It is very important to try and end on a good note so that they can leave feeling good and thus have a positive association.  

I have to admit this is kind of a dance, sometimes our kids try to weasel out of a meal to get back to playing or because they are distracted.  In these cases they may need some more encouragement.  Finding the balance can be difficult.  It's as if there is a window of time that you can end the meal positively, but have still done some gentle encouraging to eat some more or try a bite of something else.  It may take some experimenting on your part.  Pay close attention to how your kid responds to requests to eat more so you can judge better on when a meal is over.  When you see the moment: your kid has eaten enough and they are still content, wrap up the meal quickly.

What is enough? I hate to see a kid quickly shove a few bites of whatever in to their mouth just to be able to get down from the table.  They hardly chew it and the ends don't justify the means.  Unless, you are worried about caloric intake or weight, it isn't teaching your kid anything to eat one or two more bites mindlessly.  Also, we want to teach our kids to stop eating when they are full, not when their plates are empty, as many of us adults do.  Their body may be giving them very legitimate signals that they don't need to keep eating, and that is a good thing!  We want them to respond to that so they don't become over-eaters.

Although I want you to respect when your kid is done eating and end on a positive note, I don't want your kid to try, and dare I say, manipulate you!  It is reasonable to expect a child to sit 15-30 minutes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and 10-15 minutes for a snack.  I would avoid going over 30 minutes, especially with baby's and toddlers, it is just too long for them to be stuck in a chair and focused on eating.  If your kid is spending too much or too little time in the chair slowly increase/decrease by 2-3 minutes each day or week, depending on how stressful it is to make this change.  

Make sure you briefly and simply acknowledge any accomplishments they made during the meal (ex: "I really like how you licked that pea tonight./I enjoyed eating dinner with you./Good job on dinner tonight.)

Most importantly, try to end things while your kid is content, especially if you are dealing with a "picky eater" or a child that struggles to get through meals.  At the same time, don't beat yourself up if you think you made a wrong move and it all ended with whining or yelling.  There are times when we can do everything on our end and they will still end up having a tantrum.  Hey, it won't be long (just a few hours, actually) before you have another shot to try and end it on a good note!

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Live blogging Darius Weems event at DSD

Shout out to Christina's PIO for representing our district today at the Darius Weems event at the Delaware School for Deaf, a statewide program hosted by CSD!

Darius is a 20-something diagnosed with DMD, a genetic disease that is both debilitating and terminal. Darius lost his older brother to DMD. Today is the first time that Darius is visiting a school for the deaf. But, his story speaks to all people with disabilities. While he's never met JZ or had a video on MTV, he' working to raise money for research into DMD. He's the subject of the movie, Darius Goes West. In addition to spreading awareness of duchenne muscular dystrophy, Darius is an accomplished rap artist! And he's an awesome musician!

Special Accolades go to the Senior Class at DSD for donating all the funds they raised for their senior class trip to Darius's organization:

The Movie Accompanied by eleven best friends, Darius Weems, a fifteen-year-old living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), leaves home for the first time in his life. The rowdy crew sets a course for California where they hope to convince MTV to customize Darius's wheelchair on the hit show, Pimp My Ride. Darius Goes West has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people of all ages all around the world.
The Movement
Darius Goes West is more than a film. The continuing story of Darius, his crew, and the tens of thousands of supporters they have met in their travels can be experienced on this website. This site is continually updated with short videos, blog posts, and innovative initiatives that aim to affect a cure for DMD.

DGW is a registered 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. All proceeds benefit Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.

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The Odd Irony of the Public Response to indecent Adult Behavior

Last week, the NJ published this story:  http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120510/NEWS/120510035/Teacher-arrested-plucking-student-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome&nclick_check=1

Below is a sampling of the comments that the story received:

• Oh Please, kids have way too much power these days. I'm sure Ms. Saunders did what was necessary.
• I agree...kids are ignorant...I don't blame her
• Agreed. He made a comment about another teacher and wouldn't apologize. Where's the respect
• Damn kids these days..they need to bring back paddling.. these kids are out of control have no respect..teacher do not get paid enough to put up with the disrespect then the parents are disrespectful ..crazy .. I would shake that teachers hand and say good for you.

Today, the News Journal publishes this one: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120514/NEWS/305140037/Kindergarten-teacher-arrested-soliciting-officer?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome&nclick_check=1

While the comments are still light, here is what the public is saying:

• Last year that was my little cousin teacher
• THIS IS MY SONS TEACHER, I SWEAR TO GOD....
• I wonder how many other children he succeeded in abusing.

A Very Different Sentiment?  Why?

In the first story the child is a 12 year-old, in the second the child is a 13 year-old.  While common sense eventually prevails to a degree on the comments section of the NJ's first story, it's important to note that writers were quick to defend the adult in the situation and blame the child. But, they are several comments that spew vitriol towards the victim in this story.  Why?

The light response to the second story stokes a very different flame - adults appalled at the behavior of the suspect - the adult.  No one is quick to impugn the 13 teen-year old for her poor decision, for putting herself at risk, or for having parents who are inept in parenting her.  No one suggests that she was at least partly at fault or that she asked for "it" - whatever "it" was going to be.

The difference between these two stories is that the 13 year-old from the second story doesn't exist.  The suspect was "creeping on" a fictional character played by a police officer engaged in an undercover sting.   There is no child to blame in the second scenario, just the creepy kindergarten teacher. 

And this particular juxtaposition of situations illustrates a very concerning trend.  When a child is a participant, willing or not, in a crime perpetrated by an adult against that child, many in the public are quick to attack the child and reticent to blame the adult. Yet, it is the adult who is familiar with the laws that guard behavior pertaining to children.  It is the adult who is morally and developmental more mature than the child.  It is the adult that must make a value decision and he/she is presumed by the definition of human cognitive development to have the skills or knowledge to do that.  When we act quickly to blame the child, 2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17 and all the ages in between, we send a message to all children that they too will come under scrutiny if they bring forth crimes that have been committed against them.    As a society, we are compelling their silence and allowing the adults who commit crimes against children, as the kindergarten teacher may have towards this fictional child, to continue to violate the trust of children.

It's time to evaluate ourselves and our community.  If our children cannot depend on our society to have shared moral thread, who among us will protect them?

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Learning around here:

Written middle of may

This past week has been extremely different to the usual everyday..

The Papa was home for an entire week plus an extra few days to 'take care of me' and 'take care of me' he did.. And then some..

For a man who has been emotionally scarred since early childhood for being made to do jobs like washing dishes has suddenly been healed by such a crises resulting in a sudden out pouring of practical hands on help.

Dishes done, kids made to do jobs, good attitude charts filled to the brim and ready to be redeemed, an assortment of other domesticated household chores completed.

Practical hands on learning done by most of the children in the joyous occasions of life..

Like the wormery, gardening, chooks and ducks, exploring the pine Forrest, mini-4wd expedition, cooking experiences and reading. Doing maths by rolling a dice for a six and taking ones turn at the chocolate eating table until the block is gone. Spending around 5 minutes playing duck duck goose with 3 small children in a mini-lounge because it is one kids Favourite games... Apparently.
Or hiding behind a pine tree while playing hide & seek with a bunch of cheaters ;)

Some of the most amazing times have included asking where the baby is cos she'd been a bit too quiet for a bit too long to discover that one-mini-mummy-aged-4-yrs has changed a poop nappy, smothered pajamas upon her, filled up her night time bottle and plonked her into bed.

Or watching a series of home videos from when we had one child, two children and three.. Wow!! Two kids was HARD WORK!!!! It was that third that came and mellowed our family out and blessed us beyond measure.. Evening out the chaos with a peacefulness unique from a sweet child. In stating that my first was a head strong toddler... Kinda like a pig headed man bent on getting his own way no matter the cost to those around.. But waay cuter!! The second a clingy, demanding, independent, high-needs child.. Who eventually became 2... Then 3... Before finally settling down around 4... 2 yr olds have nothing on 3 yr olds I tell you!!!

I got to witness the driving abilities of one very young child.. At age 6.. Who talks of being a speedway driver when he's bigger..

See wild horses in the bush for my first time IN Australia (only seen em in NZ), a line up of 18 spitfires crossing the road and watching hubby attempt at starting a fire using sunlight and the bottom of a convex tin can because SOME body (not me) left the gas burner behind and we had no matches..

Our dog received a giant bone as a special gift of being a good hungry dog.. And fresh meat daily!! What's with that! And what's with trying to be an inside dog after all this time of being an outside dog?

I enjoyed getting Miss 4 to prepare lunch but was astounded by how much one asks if this is 'ok' and 'what about this?' and 'I want this here' reminding me of the vast differences from child-to-child.

Overall it was an enjoyed time with hubby, papa & the rest of the family...
Until next time..

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