A Persuasive Essay

As I was cleaning out a pile of my oldest son's school papers (so we have been out of school for a month...don't judge me!), I came across this assignment. It is a persuasive essay he wrote on the merits of reading for 20 minutes a day. I found it very educational...and persuasive. Get ready to be persuaded...

"I think that reading 20 minutes each day should be required for 4th graders. There are several reasons why reading for a third of an hour each day should be mandatory.

The first reason is that reading helps build neurons. The more neurons you have the better college you will get in to. And every kid wants to go to a good college.

The second reason is that reading sparks imagination. If we want to have flying cars in the future, we will want our future leaders to have enough imagination to make that possible.

The third reason is that reading can give kids something to do. Most kids spend their time in front of the television watching the same show over and over and over and eventually it gets really, really boring. But with reading there is always a new book so it stays interesting and never gets boring.

All in all, reading 20 minutes a day should be a requirement. It is a smart thing to do. It would change the world for the better."

Amen my boy. Amen.

Lovin' the Sunnin'

Is "sunnin" a word? I needed something catchy that rhymed with "lovin"...

Ah, summer. How I love, love, love summer. I am a vitamin D sunshine ray girl all the way! I don't even mind the heat or the fact that I sweat alot during this time of year. I'm just so grateful for fun summer dresses and skirts, popsicles, watermelon, cute kids and no school. No responsibility. No packing lunches or doing homework or lectures about responsibility. Love it.

But we have done a couple of things that are worth sharing.

First is the fabulous morning chore routine. Here is how things unfold:

When the kids wake up, they are not allowed to turn on the TV, play, eat, or breathe until their beds are made, their rooms are clean, and they are dressed.

Next we eat breakfast.

While eating breakfast, we each read 2 verses from the Book of Mormon (for a total of 8-12 verses depending on how many "extra" verses mom tries to sneak in) and we practice "The Living Christ" that our family is memorizing this year. (A fabulous challenge from our bishop extended to each family in our ward this year! I've heard a 4 year old recite the entire thing and get teary eyed when my 6 year old recites her paragraphs. It has been such an amazing experience for us individually and as a family...)

After breakfast, the kids brush their teeth, do their hair, and do an "extra" chore. If they do this extra chore without any complaining, they get paid for it. If they complain, whine, or moan, they still have to do the chore but they don't get paid for it.

Next we rotate through practicing piano, reading for 15 minutes, and doing some type of math activity for 15 minutes. And then they are done...free to roam and play and eat popsicles to their hearts content. Unless the poor unsuspecting souls get dragged someplace by their mother...or "tricked" into an educational activity disguised as a "fun project".

Add to the mix a splash of swim lessons...

Adventures with friends and the cousins we adore...

Bake at 80 to 85 degrees for roughly 3 months...and voila. Summer Delight.

P.S. If you are looking for some other fun stuff to do this summer, may I recommend the following:

a) Build Your Own Country

This gem of a book leads kids through a fun journey of inventing their own country. Along the way, they learn lots of things about geography. Kids get to stake claim to their new country, decide on a language, flag, currency, type of government, etc. We do a little bit here and there but it is lots of fun and lots of cool new "hands on" stuff to try. Right now my kids are each trying to decide what type of government they want...democratic, socialist, communist. Fascinating stuff. Stay tuned...

Day One: Deciding what land to claim for their countries. JC staked himself a claim out on the front lawn under a shade tree on a nice bit of grassy lawn. He marked off his new country with stakes and rope and then I made them get out the measuring tapes to calculate area and perimeter of their new countries. MC and his friend staked out some land on the side of the house...lots of sun but very grassy.



Next the boys went to work designing their flags.



b) Top Secret Adventures by Highlight magazines. This is a fantastic learning experience for children of all ages. Every 6 weeks you get a "Top Secret" learning kit where children have to take an adventure through a country solving the who, what, where, and why of a mystery. It comes with a beautiful book about the country, an activity book that they have to use to figure out clues, and a puzzle. It is a bit pricey but ALL 3 of my children adore this series. Just a note...the activity book that comes with the kit is the only one you get. I called to see if you could order extra activity books and you can't. I always make a copy of the activity book so all of my children can have their own experience.

c) Check out summer reading programs at your local library. My kids love the summer programs. They are doing a "Mystery" program and a "Out In The Park" program...lots of fun. And I signed up for an adult reading adventure this summer.

d) If you live in Utah, then check out enjoyutah.org. Lots of fun, new places to go and see. I am really looking forward to seeing one of Utah's ghost towns,  Camp Floyd, Saltair, Antelope Island, and the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. We love to visit our "annual" stomping grounds but try and make it a point to discover several new places as well. I spent some time online exploring places I really wanted to take the kids to see and printed out the information about that specific venue. I put them in a notebook that I pull out when I am trying to plan our week and see where we would like to go next. Any time I hear of any idea or come across a place, I just tuck it in the notebook. That way I have all those ideas for quick reference at my fingertips.

e) Check out citydeals.com for great coupons and deals on fun places to hang out. We have bought tickets for more than half-off on things like indoor rock climbing, laser tag, our favorite local bakery, the Dinosaur Park in Ogden, etc. I stash some away for those "rainy" days when you don't have anything to do.

f) I have become a passionate "letterboxer". Anytime we leave on an adventure, I check letterboxing.org or atlasquest.com to see if there are any letterboxes in the area we will be visiting. I have a little bag with our notebooks and stamps that I just keep tucked in the trunk of our car...that way we always have a little treasure hunting to remember our adventure by. On atlasquest.com you can even enter the starting and ending location of your family vacation and it will show you all the letterboxes to find along whatever route you'll be taking. Great way to break up a long car ride! And you can find these letterboxes all over the world!!!!

g) Ride your bike when you can. We tuned up all the bikes, bought new helmets and locks, attached a sassy little basket to the front of my bike and we have been exploring our little town. We ride to swim lessons, the library, the park, or just head out for biking adventures. It has been a great opportunity to really teach my kids about bike safety and etiquette, get some great exercise, and see our town from a new perspective. It has been a great experience!

h) On Monday night we gave each of our children their very own copy of the General Conference issue of the Ensign. We wrote their names really big on the front and challenged each of them to read the number of articles they are old to earn a special date with mom or dad. My 6 year old spent ALL day yesterday reading the first 6 talks in the magazine. It was funny to watch her walk into swim lessons or see her in her booster seat with her nose planted firmly in the Ensign. And this morning I spent an amazing 20 minutes snuggling in my bed going through each article and discussing what she read. While she is a great reader, she did not understand most of what she read. But she understood very important things and shared some of those thoughts and feelings with me this morning. Thank you to our bishop's wife for the wonderful idea! It has been a great experience to see my children reading the talks from General Conference...or reading them out loud together!

Are you burned out yet? One more little note on an already too lengthy note...the things I have mentioned in this particular blog work for me. It has taken me lots of years to understand that just because something sounds like a great idea doesn't mean it is a great idea for me personally or how I function best as a mom. I don't do well staying at home. I love getting out and going and exploring. But I also know moms who are fantastic at home and do amazing things there. Every mom is different and you have to really play around with things to find what works for you, your parenting style, and your stress level. And you may put a system in place and spend the summer tweaking it. Parenting is trial and error and failure and success. And sometimes what works great for a couple of weeks suddenly doesn't work and you have to tweak and revamp things. All good...all part of the learning curve that never seems to go away as a mom. I love to read other moms ideas and see what they are doing...then I love to chew on it for a bit and see what is practical and what is "dreamy". And then I tweak and stew and tweak and experiment and along they way some great things have the opportunity to happen. So...get on your blog, leave me a comment so I know where to go, and share what your ideas are for this summer.

And if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a popsicle.

Live Long and Prosper

Raise you hand if you have ever secretly, or not so secretly, longed to do this:

Oh come now...don't be shy...Sarah? Taylor? Todd? Get those hands up. Well, do I have an adventure for you.

Right here, in our itty, bitty part of the state, we have a space camp mission to rival The Enterprise. JC was invited to a friend's birthday party last winter at this space center and he is HOOKED! OBSESSED! DRIVING ME CRAZY WITH NON STOP TALK ABOUT SPACE MISSIONS! And I let him go...if for no other reason than to buy myself a few hours of peace and quiet from the constant space chatter. But I digress.

Welcome to the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. It is a place of true adventure and wonder. While I am not anywhere near a "trekkie", I have to admit that I am saving my money for a mission of my own. It is a child's dream!

JC attended an overnight space camp with 3 of his best friends this week. Here is how it went down...they all packed themselves a sleeping bag, pillow, toothbrush and some clean underwear and showed up at the space center where they were ushered into a large gym and given their instructions and assignments for the night. There are several ships they can be assigned to and then each person chooses which job they want to do aboard the ship. JC was assigned to the Voyager and received the assignment as Right Wing Officer. They board their ships using a real transporter and find their stations. The ships are AMAZING!

HB entering the transporter to the Voyager.

The boys coming OUT of the transporter aboard the ship.

JC and his friend's stations aboard the Voyager. Each person has a laptop where they perform their "duties" and respond to the situations they are given...that affect the entire crew and ship.

Another look at one of the consoles on the ship.

Looking forward at the big screen in front that shows the overall picture and what is happening where.

The boys chilling in the captain's chair in the middle of the ship.

My darling friend up in the captain's lounge.

MC making the climb up into the captain's lounge.

HB and MC chilling on the captain's couch. This is the job I would want...not because I want to be responsible for an entire crew's lives and livelihood but because I want the lounge, couch, and comfy bed.

Live long and prosper my little trekkies.

This is a look into another ship at the space center called the Magellan.

Each ship is assigned a space mission. Outside each ship is a "control" room where every job is being monitored and "responded" to. So the whole thing is happening in live time and every decision the kids make on board is immediately played out. It is an incredible learning experience. Not only are they being asked to apply what they know about science, astronomy, and space, but more importantly, they are learning how to work as a team, how their actions can affect those around them, how the decisions they make can have positive or negative consequences, problem solving, learning how to make and implement decisions, learning how to trust their instincts and each other, leadership skill...I could go on and on (maybe I already have). Not only is the space center a technological marvel, but the experience is truly life changing.

So,  next time you're in town, come on over. We'll take a little trip to the moon.

Nothing Lasts Forever...Dang It

I remember when my oldest was a newborn. In a blink, everything had changed. I was no longer teaching or working for the district. I was exhausted and emotional and trying desperately to adjust to how different my life had suddenly become. JC wasn't eating well and I didn't know how to help him. I was a little bit of a mess...OK, I was a BIG mess.

One day a friend came over to see my new baby. She held him and looked at him and said, "Oh, enjoy every moment. It goes by in the blink of an eye." I sat there...I'm sure in a pair of something made out of fleece...and thought she was insane. Truly insane. Or I was insane. This was not going fast. This was the house where time stood still and it was never time to sleep. If this was fast, shoot me now.

And then I blinked.

Suddenly I had 3 children finishing another year of elementary school. Today JC finished 4th grade, MC finished 2nd grade, and HB is done with kindergarten. Since HB was already done with school, she and I went and spent the day at the children's museum yesterday. We rode the train and held hands walking down the street and played all day long. And somewhere in the middle of the day I looked over at my daughter and realized this would be the last "day" I would have HB all to myself. Next year she would be in 1st grade and attending school all day. It really did go by in the blink of an eye. And there is a big sadness egg sitting on my heart tonight.

Watching my sweet children grow up is such a joy. But I will be honest...we always hoped and believed there would be more children after HB. Chris and I weren't ready to be done and it has been a year of transition and change as I try to understand and accept what it is that the Lord needs and wants for me. But I won't lie...it has been hard. I didn't think we would be at this place in our life so soon. Suddenly I'm asking myself what I want to do when I grow up. And it is exciting. And scary.

Being a mother of young children is absolutely exhausting...physically, emotionally, spiritually. It demands everything you have. There are so many hard moments and so many exhilirating wonderful moments. There are diapers and bottles and long nights and tiny fingers and sweet smiles and lots of giggles. There are days that go on for an ETERNITY and weeks that disappear. It is such a strange, amazing time of life! Whole months have just vanished this year...and there are so many incredible memories.

And so in the great circle of life...I've become that friend. I will come and snuggle your newborn baby and with genuine tears in my eyes, I'll beg you to enjoy every single moment because it will go by in the blink of an eye.

Life is so amazing.

Part 3 of The Vacation...And It's a Wrap!

A wrap...as in, "this is it". Not a wrap that you eat. Or wear. Who knew the word "wrap" had so much potential?

Let's see...where were we...3 very hot days at Disneyland, not throwing up on the teacups, Space Mountain a dozen times, $5.00 cups of frozen yogurt...ah, yes. Thursday night we said farewell to the happiest place on earth and headed for MY happiest place on earth. San Diego.

Oh how I love San Diego. And oh how I love the people that live in San Diego. We spent 2 glorious days hanging out with our family, sitting by the beautiful pool, eating chips and amazing salsa, shopping for bridesmaid dresses online, watching Angeline Jolie keep some serious heiny (movie night), and just loved being with the people we love and adore. The boys and girl were in serious cousin heaven. HB and her darling cousin were attached at the hip...they moved from the pool to the huge jetted tub in the master bathroom, back to the pool, bubbles in the master bath, pool, etc. And at night, all the cousins would fall into an exhausted heap, sleep a few hours, and be up bright and early to start it all over again. MC had a miserable time coming home after our vacation. He was very quiet in the car the whole way home and after arriving home late Sunday night, I walked into his room and found him sitting on his bed. I sat down next to him, put my arm around him, and asked if he was alright. He buried his face on my shoulder and started sobbing. "I miss my cousins. I want to go back to California!" It was so sweet and utterly heartbreaking. I feel so blessed that my children are growing up with aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents that they yearn to spend time with. Those relationships are SO priceless to me...and I know how much those relationships bless their lives now and how enriched their lives will continue to be in the future!

Because I was so relaxed and utterly enjoying paradise, I really didn't pull out my camera. I'm ashamed and embarassed that I don't have ANY pictures of our amazing San Diego family...except the youngest one. I couldn't stop taking pictures of her. We spent an afternoon on the beach...most of the pictures taken in San Diego were taken that day. The only CA natives that would join us were Chris' fabulous brother and picture perfect niece. The others all opted out! And so I present...a slideshow. Enjoy.

This free slideshow design made with Smilebox

Things That Make Me Happy

HB takes a a dance class. And it is everything a dance class for a little girl should be. Miss Mindee is a dance teacher who believes in the beauty of each of her dancers. She understands that beauty starts inside and radiates on the outside. Every little girl is a princess in this class. They wear poofy pink skirts and tiaras and pink slippers on their feet. They dance with bubbles and wands and you can always hear giggles and laughing. I want my daughter to feel beautiful and have confidence in herself and the amazing things her body can do. I want her to feel the pure joy of doing something she loves. I love that she is learning amazing technique and skills in a format that is pure fun and happy. I love that she will never wear an inappropriate costume, learn adult dance moves, or dance to music that is crude and degrading. I have seen so many dance "recitals" at different studios here in Utah, especially in Utah County, that turn the innocence of childhood and feminity into something base and distasteful. And I don't understand why parents would allow their daughters to participate in something that flaunts all the wrong things about dancing and being beautiful. I am so grateful to Miss Mindee and her dance room that feels like pure magic. I am grateful that every class celebrates these amazing little girls and the power of their physical and emotional abilities. I love watching HB dance. I love dancing in Miss Mindee's dance room (yes, occasionally I can't resist and come join in the Strawberry Shortcake festivities!)

I have a dancer's heart...

P.S. All of the above photographs were taken by Heather Adams. She can be reached at  heathernadams@gmail.com or check out more of her beautiful work at heatheradamsink.blogspot.com

My Montage 5/16/11 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's Still a Small World After All...Part 2

The crash in the kitchen was a combination of chair & plastic cups. No children or dishware were injured although there was a tiny bit of scolding...and maybe a little timeout. But why dwell...

PART 2 of the Vacation of Wild Abandon

We went to Disneyland. (Cue music...) We spent 3 days in the "happiest place on earth...if you are younger than 12 years old and don't mind the heat and crowds and price gouging". Don't get me wrong...I totally get why people love Disneyland...but I also realized that in my more "mature" years, it is not my ideal vacation. Give me a beach, some chips & salsa, and a comfy chair and I'm  happy. But I'm getting ahead of myself...Disneyland.

Finding Nemo submarines...pretty cool. And the kids kept talking about cool Uncle Clark and how he got to ride submarines just like they were...I'm sure they are exactly alike!!!

To infinity...and beyond!

"Off With Your Head"...ah, the good ole' days!

Looking at the fast rides...

One of my favorite shows...Bug's Life complete with 3D glasses, a bee sting in the middle of the show, and slimy things.

Cute kids hanging out in New Orleans square.

When you wish upon a star...

Tinkerbell and another fairy...I can't remember her name. I feel so ashamed.

California Adventure...I love this park...my children just wanted to hang out with Pirates and  Indiana Jones in Disneyland.

Waiting for the bumper cars...my kids are maniac drivers. We may make them wait until they are 25 years old to operate any machinery.

Zip lines...at California Adventure. There is no end  to the kind of fun you can find!

It was in the 90's the 3 days we were there! So hot for Anaheim...we took advantage of every splash pad and mist sprayer we could find.

I love Disneyland at night when it is twilight and all the lights come on.

It really does look magical.

Manuvering the crowds...

Trying so hard not to throw up on the teacups...although I'm sure I wouldn't have been the first.

Meeting the mouse!

And his charming girlfriends...I tried to ask her how things were going with her and Mickey and what was his deal with getting married and commitment...but she was mum on the subject. Matter of fact, I don't think she said anything. Poor mute.

I don't care how long I live or how old I get...this will always be the most frightening bad man in the whole world. I love the Jedi Academy show...but it still scares the bee-jeebies out of me with Darth Vader shows up in person.

This is my second favorite bad man. And children FIGHT these 2 with plastic light sabers.

When the music starts pumping, my children start dancing...no matter where  we are...or who is watching...or what outdoor restaurant you are sitting at.

Autotopia...more scary driving.

I love going anywhere with my family. I don't like $5.00 corn dogs or $5.00 tiny bowls of frozen yogurt but I'm learning to deal with it. It was a jam packed, action filled 3 days and we played hard. The boys LOVED Space Mountain...I think they rode it at least half a dozen times. HB and I hung out in Fantasyland alot...we loved the princesses and more "gentle" rides.

And so ends "Part 2" of the adventures...we have one more part to go. Stay tuned.

P.S. The video right after this post was shot at Disneyland where my children broke into spontaneous, unrehearsed dance routines in the middle of dinner one night.