Families Again
Families Again
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Families Again
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Bowling Green or Bust!
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Family

   This picture of JA is from the state competition.

Yep, tomorrow's the day! We're off to Bowling Green, KY for the International BB Gun Championship Match (IBBGCM)! Once again, John Allen qualified as an alternate on the team. There are two alternates, and they still shoot, only there is a separate category for them and their scores don't count toward the team score. They are there in case something happens to one of the regular team members. John Allen has been shooting twice a week during most weeks, and his coach recently said that he has improved more this year than any shooter that she has coached. She said it is because of the extra practices. We are about to go to Bend of the River one last time to practice before leaving in the morning. Tomorrow is registration and practice on the official range, then tomorrow night is the Opening Ceremony. Saturday they shoot two positions, prone and standing, and then take the test. Saturday night is the "Bargain Bar" a big trading post where they have pins to trade and other goodies that the other competitors from all over the USA bring from their state. It is always a fun time. Sunday, they shoot the last two positions, sitting and kneeling. I really don't like competing on Sundays, but this is the only match that does it. None of the other matches that we compete in are on Sundays. Sunday afternoon, the coach is taking all of the kids to Mammoth Cave before Closing Ceremonies and the awards!

It's always an exciting, nerve racking and busy weekend. Please pray for JA as he competes. He has really practiced and it would be great if he could medal in the alternate category this year.

Also pray for Joshua. Last year, before he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, we went to a restaurant after the Opening Ceremonies and Fireworks. The day had been long and tiring and he had a major meltdown. And I mean it was major. I'm just glad that it was close to closing and there was hardly anyone there. It was very embarrasing. Please pray that his medication will work, and we will make wise choices as to how to schedule our time with Joshua.

Pray for Sarah and her mom. Sarah's mom always comes to help out during times like this. They are planning on taking Joshua and Jacob to the pool at the hotel most of the time. Usually I am the one that takes JA and stays with him while he competes. Last year Sarah didn't get to watch him shoot at all. I had to call and give updates. It would be nice for her to be able to see him compete some this year. 

Anyway, thanks for all of your prayers. I will keep you updated (now that I have the laptop, maybe daily!) on how he's doing. If you want to know more about the IBBGCM, just click on the links above or here.


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Posted by tink38570 at 2:06 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, 2 July 2009 7:35 PM CDT
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Monday, 29 June 2009


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Posted by tink38570 at 11:53 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, 2 July 2009 7:37 PM CDT
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Family Adventures - Part I - The Virginia Safari Park
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Family

Summer always makes me think about vacations. Ah! The joy of family vacations. My family always took the best ones. At least I always thought so. Many of you would probably think that your family's trips were better. That's the thing about it. The memories that you have with your relatives are always the best. No one can take them away. That's why I always want to make my family vacations full of great memories. Unfortunately, some aspects are memorable in a bad way. For me, long trips always seem to be a practice in patience - especially with three boys. But, that's a post for another time.

Recently we had one of those memorable trips. Since Mom has been getting older, we decided we needed to take the 15 hour trip to NJ more than once a year. Usually we try to do something special while we are there. This past March, however, we chose to extend our trip home and spend an extra night in Virginia to explore that beautiful state. I had done some research and had found two places that I thought that the kids would love, but kept it a secret. Everything worked as planned. We spent the night at a nice motel (with an indoor swimming pool of course), got up the next morning, ate breakfast, and started to drive. The kids asked questions the whole time but our lips were sealed. When they finally saw the sign to The Virginia Safari Park, they burst with excitement.

This park is more than a zoo, here you get up close and personal with the animals. First, you pull up to a drive through window and purchase your tickets. Along with your ticket you get buckets (I'm talking buckets, not just bucket) of feed to take on your journey. You are allowed to open windows and open sliding doors on vans, but you must remain seated at all times and not leave your vehicle. After that, you go through two gates, and your adventure begins. There were emus, ostriches, llamas and all different kinds of deer and antelope. Most just kept munching their grass or stayed huddled in groups until...they spotted the buckets. Then, whoosh, we were surrounded! Animals of all sorts sticking their heads in the windows and practically jumping in through the one sliding door we had opened! Jacob (3) took one look at the mad herd, screamed and got as far away as possible. Joshua (8) was fascinated but terrified, so he followed Jacob into the back seat. John Allen (12) and I were laughing hysterically, while Sarah, who was driving, kept trying to figure out how to navigate the van through the mess. And that was just the beginning! Eventually, after breaking through, we were able to drive on, only to see elk, zebra, bison and more of the aforementioned mammals and birds. One pesky emu kept chasing us and sticking his head through the window for more food every time we stopped. Joshua did relax enough to be able to feed the animals - until a camel stole the bucket right out of his hands and ate the rest of his food! The ever wary Jacob, however, stayed his distance, but finally calmed down enough to be able to enjoy watching the feeding frenzy. 

Finally, well over an hour (perhaps two) later we pulled into the main building's parking lot. The gift shop was fabulous and we bought some great souvenirs, then went off to the second half (yes, I said second half!) of the park. The second part is a walk through mini-zoo with monkeys, a petting farm, kangaroos, turtles, snakes, tigers (safely in cages of course) and a great walk through aviary with the birds flying and walking around freely. This is where John Allen was in his glory. He loves animals. He kept trying to coax the beautiful birds to come to him so that he could pet them. One colorful bird kept creeping almost to within arms reach, but never quite there. John Allen thought that he had made a friend. Apparently, so did the bird. The bird wanted to cultivate the friendship and became quite upset when JA started to leave. We had all exited the building and thought that JA was behind us when we heard a terrible scream. I ran back in only to find the bird, feathers flaring,  pecking at his feet and legs. Finally, I had to stand between the love struck bird and JA and walk slowly to the door until we could finally escape.

Needless to say, that was a day that we will never forget. The pictures we took were fabulous. All on our cell phones since we had forgotten our digital camera. Unfortunately, we got new phones soon after that and found that the salesman had not transferred the photos like he said that he would. We have the old phones and can see the pictures, but don't know how to transfer them to our computer. Anything you see here I downloaded from the park's website. If you click on The Virginia Safari Park logo at the top of this post, or on any one of the highlighted links, they will take you straight to the park's web page. If you are ever in Virginia, The Virginia Safari Park is worth seeing. Just make sure you have a camera!Smile

In my next Family Adventures post, I'm going to talk about the next day of our Virginia trip - The Virginia Museum of Transportation. And, yes, we did buy a new camera (thank you Wal-Mart!). Check back soon, and I'll see you next time!


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Posted by tink38570 at 12:23 AM CDT
Updated: Monday, 29 June 2009 11:24 PM CDT
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009
The 2009 Homeschool Planner
Topic: Homeschool Product Review

Scene One - Panicky Homeschool Mom - A Month Before School Begins:

  • I'm homeschooling Danny this year. That makes four kids!
  • How am I going to keep everyone straight?
  • What about scheduling?
  • What about lesson plans?

Scene Two - Harried Homeschool Mom - Two Months Later:

  • Johnie, you're going to have to use the computer to find that capital. Wait a minute. Debbie's using it for her book report.
  • We really need a new computer but we're never able to stay on budget.
  • No, Danny, I don't know the name of that other library book, but you'd better find it. It's due today!
  • *Ring, ring* Hello. I'm sorry Honey. No I don't know what we're having for supper tonight. Could you just pick up a pizza on the way home? Yes I know that we've already had take out three times this week, but I just can't seem to get everything done. This homeschool group planning has really bogged me down. I just don't have time to plan a menu. 
Scene Three - Calm, Organized Homeschool Mom - Four Months Later:
  • Debbie when you get done looking that up, it's Johnie's turn to use the computer. Until then, I think there's something about the presidents in our Schoolhouse Planner.
  • Only two more months, kids, and we should be able to buy that new laptop. I'm sure thankful for the Schoolhouse Planner's Budget Sheets.
  • Danny the list of your library books is posted on the refrigerator on the Schoolhouse Planner's library items list. Check it out, please, and see when they are due.
  • *Ring, ring* Hello. Yes Dear. I think I'm going to try that new Chicken and Rice recipe I found in the Schoolhouse Planner. What? Oh, no need to pick up anything. I used one of the grocery lists from my Schoolhouse Planner and have everything we need. I love you too Dear. Bye
  • *Ring, ring* Oh, hello Babs. Yes, everything is planned for the homeschool group tomorrow. I used the Co-op planning list from my Schoolhouse Planner. I wanted to ask if you got yours yet? Yes, isn't it wonderful?! Since I received mine, I have been so much calmer. Not as much stress. And the kids are calmer, too. Since using the homeschool schedulers from the Planner the day is so much easier. Oh, yes, the lapbook section was worth it all! Have you tried that July recipe... 


Can it really be that easy? Can there really be an amazing thing like the The Old Schoolhouse's (TOS) 2009 Schoolhouse Planner? I have to answer YES! YES! YES!


Oh, ok, I know the above scenerio sounds like "Leave it to Beaver", but being a homeschooling mother (or father Wink) can be stressful. You have to make sure you have lesson plans, and a grade book, and book report forms, and a schedule, and...and...and! When I first started, I looked all over the internet and downloaded everything I could get. Then I would have to remember which file I stored it all in! Boy, I wish I would have had the Schoolhouse Planner back then. I even wish I had it before then! The Homeschool Planner was written by homeschool parents from suggestions that came from homeschool parents. It has everything you can think of whether it has to do with homeschooling or not. The table of contents(pdf) itself is six (6-SIX) pages long! And, listen to this. When I first downloaded all of those lesson plan forms, schedules, etc. I had to print them out, then fill them out, then put them in a binder, etc. With this downloaded e-book, you can fill everything out right on your computer and then print it out or save it for later! But, let me quit talking about it and show you.

There is a Calender section with timely homeschool articles, resource lists and easy recipes (yes, I said recipes) for each month.



There is a Miscellaneous Educational Information section with all kinds of helpful information from homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike.


There's the great, ready to type on, Homeschool Form section with 77 (Seventy Seven!) different forms. Many, like the Nature Journal and the Library Item list, can be used by non-homeschool families as well.

Perhaps the most surprising section is the Household Forms section. This one would be worth the price all by itself. There are over 40 forms in this section. Anything from household chore forms to budget forms to menu planning lists. All, of course, can be typed on straight from the computer.

 

 

I know, this sounds too good to be true, but, don't take my word for it, click here and check out the table of contents(pdf) yourself. After you check that out, you can find more information by clicking on any one of the links above or here and you will go to TOS's Homeschool Planner page.

Remember, I told you from the beginning that I would be honest with you about anything that I review here. I would not have thought about buying this until I actually was able to see one for myself. However, after seeing it, I love it and am looking forward to using it this school year. The Homeschool Planner is one of those items where you have to buy it, see it and use it before you are convinced. For some, the price of $39 might scare them away from trying something new. First of all, I can assure you that the Planner is worth it. Second of all, the planner comes with a money back guarantee. So, don't like it, you'll get your money back! If you order before July 12 you even receive all of the 2008 Planner excerpts for FREE! So, what are you waiting for? Whether you homeschool or not, TOS's Homeschool Planner can help you get organized and quit being stressed. Go over to The Old Schoolhouse's website and check it out.

 

 

 


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Posted by tink38570 at 12:38 AM CDT
Updated: Wednesday, 24 June 2009 10:37 PM CDT
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Off to the Carnival Again
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Blog Carnivals!
Blast From the Past Blog Button - mom
 
No, I'm not at a real carnival, but at another blog carnival. But, they are almost just as fun as the real things! This time it's the Blast from the Past carnival hosted on Debbies Digest. Please join us at the carnival and have some fun! Just click on any of the highlighted links and remember to not eat too much junk food.

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Posted by tink38570 at 8:07 PM CDT
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