I just might have to find a Games Anonymous group.
I have always liked games and puzzles, but I haven't always had people around who would play with me.
My girl loves to play games with me! We have enjoyed "Buzz Words", "Clue", "Monopoly", "Pictionary Junior", "Chinese Checkers", and many more. We also love to have a jigsaw puzzle out on a table.
Now I live in an age that allows me to play against an impartial opponent. Computers. But I think they cheat sometimes.
My favorite types of games are thinking games.
I have done Sudoku puzzles a plenty. Solitaire is on my computer, but I have a version that has MANY different types of solitaire games. I don't have to get bored with one type.
Now, Kindle has put out several free games. I have enjoyed "Every Word", "ThreadWords", "Pirate Stash", and "Grid Detective". There are several others, but those are my favorite.
My niece just showed us a cool website - www.coolmath.com - Oh my! Now we are really in trouble!! There are hundreds of fun thinking games. Yes, they are in cartoon format, but they are not just for kids. I promise!
My kids have beat me on "Gluey" so far. I better see if I can catch up with them.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
My Blogging Partners
At our house, we are wanting to start using a different venue for our
journal writing. My children love to write short (sometimes strange)
journal entries, and have done so for several years.
We are going to begin having them do their 3-4 weekly journal entries on
their individual blogs.
My girl can be found at: http://icepooka-akidslife.blogspot.com/
My boy can be found at: http://thecreator-son.blogspot.com/
I will be closely monitoring these blogs (before each post), but that will
not guarantee that they are not strange! :-D We will not allow them to use
their own names, names of family members, or names of friends. If we do
post any pictures, we will be sure to get permission before posting a
friend.
We would love to invite you and your children to read and comment on their
blogs. It would be a great encouragement to them as they reach out on their
blogs to be more descriptive, more informative and possibly more creative.
If you have any helps, tips, or encouragements on how to make this easier or
better, please let us know. We are excited to learn.
Does this mean I should be blogging more, too??? Oh my!
journal writing. My children love to write short (sometimes strange)
journal entries, and have done so for several years.
We are going to begin having them do their 3-4 weekly journal entries on
their individual blogs.
My girl can be found at: http://icepooka-akidslife.blogspot.com/
My boy can be found at: http://thecreator-son.blogspot.com/
I will be closely monitoring these blogs (before each post), but that will
not guarantee that they are not strange! :-D We will not allow them to use
their own names, names of family members, or names of friends. If we do
post any pictures, we will be sure to get permission before posting a
friend.
We would love to invite you and your children to read and comment on their
blogs. It would be a great encouragement to them as they reach out on their
blogs to be more descriptive, more informative and possibly more creative.
If you have any helps, tips, or encouragements on how to make this easier or
better, please let us know. We are excited to learn.
Does this mean I should be blogging more, too??? Oh my!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Amazing Grace
I am a thinker. I am not much of a conversationalist. Okay, I don't think I am. My kids probably don't agree since they get the most of my daily words.
I also a very aware that I am living out my life in front of my kids and in front of my Father. All three of them (I guess Trinity makes it 5) call me out if I do not live what I say. Actually, that makes for precious accountability.
Then occasionally, my Father gives words that make me so humbled.
A few days ago, we were going through a math lesson with my boy. He can do the math, but sometimes it takes him a couple of tries to get it right. Sometimes. This was one of those days. So I began trying to emphasize how important accuracy is. (Because I am so right so often??)
I gave an example of Dad having to send out a bill for one of his computer repairs. If he overcharged the guy, the guy might notice. Dad would be gracious to correct the bill and the guy would pay the corrected price.
HOWEVER, depending on that customer and what all he had had to deal with that day, that customer had the potential to go out a say nasty things about how Dad had tried to "rip him off". I even explained that Dad had had no intention of "ripping him off", it was just an honest mistake.
So here is one of those times that I was using too many words, trying to make the point about how badly this situation could get out of hand. Trying to make the point about being accurate the first time is easier that apologizing and/or fixing it later.
My sweet son said, "But why do people have to be so mean?" He knows the real reason. Man is sinful and very, very selfish. Even Mom. Even Dad. Even those who love us most. We try to start every day as being "a brand new day with no mistakes in it." (Anne of Green Gables) Unfortunately, our sins and their consequences tend to follow us into each new day.
I was getting so good at this explanation of how badly our mistakes can make other people treat us. I was even getting pictures of those people who have whispered about me, those people who still carry some type of grudge, those times that I just blew it. I was in that gravel pit of "here I am again and why do I keep doing that".
All of a sudden the heavens opened up. Light radiated out. Warm love beams engulfed me.
The one who should condemn me first and most of all; He loves me. He has given everything He has (including His cattle on a thousand hills and His most beloved Son) to draw me to Him. HE lets me start each day new with no mistakes in it. He did not make me to live in a gravel pit. He has made me a city set on a hill. He has called me His own! His promises even fit today that has mistakes in it.
I was so humbled. This is all something that I have "known" but I suppose I hadn't really OWNED.
I hope my son heard a tiny portion of that golden voice that rang down from heaven. It has been singing in my heart since that time.
God's grace is truly amazing!
I also a very aware that I am living out my life in front of my kids and in front of my Father. All three of them (I guess Trinity makes it 5) call me out if I do not live what I say. Actually, that makes for precious accountability.
Then occasionally, my Father gives words that make me so humbled.
A few days ago, we were going through a math lesson with my boy. He can do the math, but sometimes it takes him a couple of tries to get it right. Sometimes. This was one of those days. So I began trying to emphasize how important accuracy is. (Because I am so right so often??)
I gave an example of Dad having to send out a bill for one of his computer repairs. If he overcharged the guy, the guy might notice. Dad would be gracious to correct the bill and the guy would pay the corrected price.
HOWEVER, depending on that customer and what all he had had to deal with that day, that customer had the potential to go out a say nasty things about how Dad had tried to "rip him off". I even explained that Dad had had no intention of "ripping him off", it was just an honest mistake.
So here is one of those times that I was using too many words, trying to make the point about how badly this situation could get out of hand. Trying to make the point about being accurate the first time is easier that apologizing and/or fixing it later.
My sweet son said, "But why do people have to be so mean?" He knows the real reason. Man is sinful and very, very selfish. Even Mom. Even Dad. Even those who love us most. We try to start every day as being "a brand new day with no mistakes in it." (Anne of Green Gables) Unfortunately, our sins and their consequences tend to follow us into each new day.
I was getting so good at this explanation of how badly our mistakes can make other people treat us. I was even getting pictures of those people who have whispered about me, those people who still carry some type of grudge, those times that I just blew it. I was in that gravel pit of "here I am again and why do I keep doing that".
All of a sudden the heavens opened up. Light radiated out. Warm love beams engulfed me.
The one who should condemn me first and most of all; He loves me. He has given everything He has (including His cattle on a thousand hills and His most beloved Son) to draw me to Him. HE lets me start each day new with no mistakes in it. He did not make me to live in a gravel pit. He has made me a city set on a hill. He has called me His own! His promises even fit today that has mistakes in it.
I was so humbled. This is all something that I have "known" but I suppose I hadn't really OWNED.
I hope my son heard a tiny portion of that golden voice that rang down from heaven. It has been singing in my heart since that time.
God's grace is truly amazing!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Friends Along the Way
One thing I like about this time of year is how easy it is to make time to walk. My favorite form of exercise is walking. During the summer the kids sleep in, Dad heads out to work and I have time to walk while the world is still cool and quiet.
In the past couple of weeks I have been noticing that the few people I pass have noticed me. This week I have noticed that I am pushing myself out the door to make sure I am out on the road in time to see a few of them.
I have no clue who these people are, where they live, what they do, what they like. Yet, it brings me joy to smile and wave at them in the mornings and there are at least two who break into a grin and give a big wave.
There is the jogger friend. She is always heading down the road when I am heading up. I always want to say more, but I know that a smile and a "Good morning" are enough. I don't know where she starts or ends. I know that if I catch her after she had come up the steep hill, she is flushed and winded and her wave isn't quite as enthusiastic. Imagine that!
There is the motorcycle guy. He has a wife and little one that see him out the door in the morning. He seems to be kinda laid back until he gets on his motorcycle and then he sounds like he is late for work. :-D
There is Rick who works at a ranch down the road. He is also hired by our landlady to water and tend the yard at our house. He seems shy and reserved.
There is the guy that drives the black car. He is always taking a lady to work. He is cheerful. She never notices. I think they just car pool. He rode his bike to work one day, but I think these hills were more than he bargained for, but he was friendly that day, too.
There is the herd of cows down near where I turn around. They aren't all that friendly, but I enjoy seeing them and watching them while I walk.
These week we actually got some rain!! We got close to 1 inch. Lately that is a LOT. Now two more of my friends left me notes. A little cottontail rabbit, that I have seen many times, crossed the road during the night. His little, muddy foot prints went all the way across the road. So cool!
A little deer also crossed the road and left his tracks. I could tell it was little because the stride was short.
I don't always count the Guinea Hen as a friend. She just goes running off, yelling and shaking her head at me. :-D
Silent, quiet friends, but they make me smile as I start my day.
In the past couple of weeks I have been noticing that the few people I pass have noticed me. This week I have noticed that I am pushing myself out the door to make sure I am out on the road in time to see a few of them.
I have no clue who these people are, where they live, what they do, what they like. Yet, it brings me joy to smile and wave at them in the mornings and there are at least two who break into a grin and give a big wave.
There is the jogger friend. She is always heading down the road when I am heading up. I always want to say more, but I know that a smile and a "Good morning" are enough. I don't know where she starts or ends. I know that if I catch her after she had come up the steep hill, she is flushed and winded and her wave isn't quite as enthusiastic. Imagine that!
There is the motorcycle guy. He has a wife and little one that see him out the door in the morning. He seems to be kinda laid back until he gets on his motorcycle and then he sounds like he is late for work. :-D
There is Rick who works at a ranch down the road. He is also hired by our landlady to water and tend the yard at our house. He seems shy and reserved.
There is the guy that drives the black car. He is always taking a lady to work. He is cheerful. She never notices. I think they just car pool. He rode his bike to work one day, but I think these hills were more than he bargained for, but he was friendly that day, too.
There is the herd of cows down near where I turn around. They aren't all that friendly, but I enjoy seeing them and watching them while I walk.
These week we actually got some rain!! We got close to 1 inch. Lately that is a LOT. Now two more of my friends left me notes. A little cottontail rabbit, that I have seen many times, crossed the road during the night. His little, muddy foot prints went all the way across the road. So cool!
A little deer also crossed the road and left his tracks. I could tell it was little because the stride was short.
I don't always count the Guinea Hen as a friend. She just goes running off, yelling and shaking her head at me. :-D
Silent, quiet friends, but they make me smile as I start my day.
Monday, May 9, 2011
A Maniac
I am one of those people that begins thinking at the second the alarm clock goes off. It is quite strange. Well, in my head it is pretty normal.
We are beginning the three week count down of school! Woo Hoo! I need those 10 weeks off. I'm not sure if they do or not. Of course, the last 3 weeks of school isn't all that is going on. Orchestra and Co-op have finished, tap has dress rehearsal and recital still coming, three home school meetings, and then regular life in between. All of that happens in the next two weeks.
I should be concentrating on getting it all done, finishing those math books, wrapping up those research papers, getting to our places on time, and all those other good things. Instead, my brain went off on the maniac stream this morning.
I now have a list of the 9 rooms in this house, the six sections in each of the kids' rooms, and the 9 new subjects for school next year. Now I can plan out what parts can be cleaned and reviewed during my 10 weeks between school years. It made sense this morning. Now I am thinking that I must be obsessive or something.
But, if I don't plan it out, I will be half way through my time off and I will have twice as much that needs doing.
Because I obsessed over this early this morning, I can now be happy in knowing that our music/craft room will get a full week of attention in the near future. I can go off merrily today to get our schooling done for today and a violin lesson this afternoon.
Ah! Maybe being a maniac isn't so bad after all!
We are beginning the three week count down of school! Woo Hoo! I need those 10 weeks off. I'm not sure if they do or not. Of course, the last 3 weeks of school isn't all that is going on. Orchestra and Co-op have finished, tap has dress rehearsal and recital still coming, three home school meetings, and then regular life in between. All of that happens in the next two weeks.
I should be concentrating on getting it all done, finishing those math books, wrapping up those research papers, getting to our places on time, and all those other good things. Instead, my brain went off on the maniac stream this morning.
I now have a list of the 9 rooms in this house, the six sections in each of the kids' rooms, and the 9 new subjects for school next year. Now I can plan out what parts can be cleaned and reviewed during my 10 weeks between school years. It made sense this morning. Now I am thinking that I must be obsessive or something.
But, if I don't plan it out, I will be half way through my time off and I will have twice as much that needs doing.
Because I obsessed over this early this morning, I can now be happy in knowing that our music/craft room will get a full week of attention in the near future. I can go off merrily today to get our schooling done for today and a violin lesson this afternoon.
Ah! Maybe being a maniac isn't so bad after all!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Mama of the Day Award
I won! For one day.
Little Girl has really been wanting to set up the tent in the backyard. I like the idea, but I am not willing to sleep out there most nights. I have to get up in the morning by 5:50 and get Daddy's breakfast. He could probably survive one morning, but don't tell her that.
I would have to be the one to sleep out there with her. Dad won't. My Boy won't stay out there after dark. So that leaves Mom. I will do it during the summer.... I think.
I came up with a satisfying compromise. We set it up this morning and it will come down on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. In the meantime, they are doing school out there, can picnic out there, make it their EPF HQ, and whatever else they can devise. We did make sure we both have walkie talkies, too.
In the first hour I had to redo the two ends (at separate times, of course), Deliver water and popcorn, and install a fan. Nothing like roughing it!
Take a second look at these two pictures and try to tell me that boys and girls aren't all that different! And these were taken in the first 15 minutes outside!
She was still getting it all situated and he was settling in to his history reading.
I wonder what other adventures they will concoct out there in the next couple of days. It sure is fun winning every once in a while. The best part of winning is when all sides win at the same time!!
Little Girl has really been wanting to set up the tent in the backyard. I like the idea, but I am not willing to sleep out there most nights. I have to get up in the morning by 5:50 and get Daddy's breakfast. He could probably survive one morning, but don't tell her that.
I would have to be the one to sleep out there with her. Dad won't. My Boy won't stay out there after dark. So that leaves Mom. I will do it during the summer.... I think.
I came up with a satisfying compromise. We set it up this morning and it will come down on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. In the meantime, they are doing school out there, can picnic out there, make it their EPF HQ, and whatever else they can devise. We did make sure we both have walkie talkies, too.
In the first hour I had to redo the two ends (at separate times, of course), Deliver water and popcorn, and install a fan. Nothing like roughing it!
Take a second look at these two pictures and try to tell me that boys and girls aren't all that different! And these were taken in the first 15 minutes outside!
She was still getting it all situated and he was settling in to his history reading.
I wonder what other adventures they will concoct out there in the next couple of days. It sure is fun winning every once in a while. The best part of winning is when all sides win at the same time!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Knock, Knock
Hello!!! Any one home??
Thankfully, I am at home (my favorite of all places).
I will make excuses and say that I have not done any blogs since last OCTOBER because.... (fill in the blank).
The real excuse is I don't like getting caught back up on my blog. Or I don't always have cool pictures to put with my blog.
How about if I just pick up and say, "Hello!"
I am hoping to get back to the blogging. Really I am.
And tomorrow I get to help put a roof on our cabin at the ranch. That should be interesting.
Thankfully, I am at home (my favorite of all places).
I will make excuses and say that I have not done any blogs since last OCTOBER because.... (fill in the blank).
The real excuse is I don't like getting caught back up on my blog. Or I don't always have cool pictures to put with my blog.
How about if I just pick up and say, "Hello!"
I am hoping to get back to the blogging. Really I am.
And tomorrow I get to help put a roof on our cabin at the ranch. That should be interesting.
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