Sunday, May 29, 2011
Book Ban
I added another "Things I never thought I would say" to my list. I really didn't think it would come to this. I mean how ridiculous is it that this needs to be? Everyone is ready for school to be done, ready for a new routine. I understand. However there are still two more weeks left of school. Two weeks ago was just too early to check out of life and into fiction. There are still assignments to turn in, projects to do and turn in, big reports to write and turn in, piano music to practice, dance recital performances that could still use some practice, Scout things to complete before birthdays to reach goals, Faith in God things, Personal Progress goals. There are things to do with deadlines. There are things like piano and dance that we don't have to keep paying for if there really is no interest or going from an A to an F in school classes is a choice they can decide to live with, same with Scout advancement and Young Women's Personal Progress (these things aren't for me)...uproar...how could I be so mean just because they don't want to do anything right now but read fiction books and reading is educational? First it was Harry Potter that was banned last week (this is the third or fourth time reading the entire series). After hour long bathroom trips and finding books hidden under the bathroom step stool or a towel thrown on the floor, under pillows and blankets, and the not even hearing me ask if they have homework because they are too busy reading; we have now upgraded to no books unless required for a school assignment. I'm not anti reading. Really. I'm not necessarily pro negative reinforcement either. I'd let them spend a week or two obsessed with books -if they didn't have other responsibilities. I do realize there are worse problems that some families have. Still. I have to be the parent- no matter what the addiction is. I need a lock on my bookshelves. Just until summer break.
Monday, May 23, 2011
You spin me right round baby
We've had heavy rain storms all weekend and with the weather changing from cold to warmer it means tornadoes. A couple of Tuesdays ago. Saturday. Sunday. A trip to the pool locker room, a few trips to the basement, a few trips into the hall at church. Sometimes there are so many warnings I don't take them very seriously, I stay upstairs and watch. I have to admit it's kind of cool to watch a storm that could potentially become a tornado. (My unprofessional and non scientific observations over the years) First it's a little cooler day then it gets humid. Then the dark clouds start speeding in. You can see a stark contrast line of the blue sky and the black wall of the cloud. The sky turns an eerie green and torrents of rain fall. Gusts of wind blow the trees every direction and hail falls. The clouds move around. If it were to actually become a tornado you would see them swirl into a funnel- I haven't seen that yet. Afterward, you notice the birds are singing again and sometimes the clouds look like soft cotton balls, almost silky bumps, in rows like the bottoms of egg cartons, sagging like they are full and could sink to the ground only the sagging part is white and the rest is gray blue. It's really fascinating. Then a tornado actually hits somewhere close and it turns from fascinating to humbling. ...and fascinating and scary and fascinating and... grateful prayers that we are still alive, and prayers for those who lived in a part of town that just didn't need another thing to go wrong.
(click on the orange "somewhere close" for a link to pictures).
Thursday, May 19, 2011
If Walls Could Talk
"hey I found a new song that I added on my blog radio (the second song). Have you heard this one?" "no" "oh, you should listen to it (happy i found a song before my man of 40,000+ songs on his ipod)" "It's not really jumping out me. I'm surprised you like it. It sounds a little like Paul Simon." "What! No it doesn't! It's nothing like Paul Simon!" "Yes it does. It sounds like something off of Rhythm Nation." "NO! Not even! Bleh! I can't stand Paul Simon. :( His music makes me feel fat and bloated when I listen to it. I refuse to believe there is any resemblance at all." "I know that's how you feel about Paul Simon. That's why I'm surprised you like it." "I think it's a cute song. ...and it doesn't sound like Paul Simon." "A little bit." "doesn't."
* I need to clarify- it's not Rhythm Nation it's Rhythm of the Saints or something like that- Brian knows and said the correct title when talking to me and he also wants me to let you all know that he has 19,000 something songs not 40,000. ;)
* I need to clarify- it's not Rhythm Nation it's Rhythm of the Saints or something like that- Brian knows and said the correct title when talking to me and he also wants me to let you all know that he has 19,000 something songs not 40,000. ;)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
My Mother was a Genius
So. I've been reading this book that I checked out from the library lately about creative and mental growth. I think it's by Lowenfeld? Can't remember and I returned the book because I finished it and found it only half helpful. As far as a child's development related to art and what is age appropriate skills in art it was a great book.
Some things were not so great to me (as in a bit of eye rolling). The edition I ended up checking out was 1975. Besides being anti coloring book and no cute crafts like pilgrim hats and May Day baskets, there were also some very "hippie" ideas. For example every elementary school needs an art room that children can come and go as they please whenever they feel inspired to create, or that basically no instruction should be given- it is an emotional response and should never be discouraged; especially because not very many people will actually go into careers in art so they don't need to be taught technique (which is just the teacher's way of doing it) or things like proportion or balance and especially not color wheels. It also stressed the need for teaching aesthetics because there are so many ugly buildings and junk out there in the world. So, how do you teach aesthetics if you don't teach why something beautiful is beautiful for fear of stifling creativity? Another hippie thing in the book was the opinion that the way people decorate their homes is going to confuse future anthropologists, "What? I've found a neo-classical lamp that's been fitted with electricity? And over here we have a Baroque bureau, but in this room there is a refrigerator? They seem to value modern technology, but why are they stuck in the past?!" This book also said that it is often said by an cough cough older generation, that good design is timeless, "but no one is saying that anymore!" -OK So. Thinking about the 60's, 70's, and 80's, ...and 90's. Well, need I say? Are there words to say what I think about that last little bit? Too many drugs. Looking back, good design certainly is timeless; there are some nice traditional and contemporary things that have lasted and will stand the test of time.
The most "hippie" thing in this book was the theory that in jr. high when teens are concerned with their development and changing bodies, because of this, it would be good for them to begin drawing nudes in class at school. Really. I am thinking back to when I was in jr. high and about what a catastrophe that would be. There were people who could not even handle finding a national geographic magazine without turning it into "porn" (both extremes- those delighted and those disgusted). It went on to say that maybe it would be even better when they are in elementary school and bodies are still thought of as more matter of fact. I'm shaking my head. Even if a family walked around nude all the time at home, I think a child would feel very uncomfortable walking into school and then into the classroom to see a naked stranger standing/sitting, waiting to be drawn. There are times and places for nudity and public school just isn't one of those. So anyway, there were a few things that did not impress me about this book.
You are now probably wondering what this has to do with my mother. Well, there were a few things that were good about this book. An updated edition with less opinion might be good. The main thing I kept seeing repeated at all ages was that people create, they express themselves through art. Sometimes it's "good" sometimes it isn't, but we all do it. It's part of our social, emotional, and intellectual development, it's a reflection of how we relate to the world around us. This book mentioned that children should be encouraged to draw or paint after doing something very exciting for them like visiting the zoo or fire station and also to draw pictures about just regular day stuff too;and to get them talking about there art.
Here's one of the ways my mom was a genius. She made us keep a journal as kids just about every day. We could draw or write, but of course as little kids you mostly draw because writing and spelling skills aren't exactly mastered. I still have mine from 1982,83, and 84. I looked at them yesterday. There's a lot of "I had a good day today" and messy scribble drawings. Every once in awhile I took my time and did something nice, but mostly not. My art was pretty typical for my age and development according to the books I've been reading; nothing showing an amazing or artistically gifted child. My mom gave us that creative outlet or stimulation (knowingly or not?) and since it was our journal it was ours- to do something nice or not, no critiques or praises, just put it in a notebook for us. Everyone in my family is very creative and talented and into art. Maybe because of my mom. Thank you mom- ...and no pulling your hair out wishing you never did it so we would be discouraged from pursuing artsy "hobby" careers. ;) It really was a good thing to do.
Some things were not so great to me (as in a bit of eye rolling). The edition I ended up checking out was 1975. Besides being anti coloring book and no cute crafts like pilgrim hats and May Day baskets, there were also some very "hippie" ideas. For example every elementary school needs an art room that children can come and go as they please whenever they feel inspired to create, or that basically no instruction should be given- it is an emotional response and should never be discouraged; especially because not very many people will actually go into careers in art so they don't need to be taught technique (which is just the teacher's way of doing it) or things like proportion or balance and especially not color wheels. It also stressed the need for teaching aesthetics because there are so many ugly buildings and junk out there in the world. So, how do you teach aesthetics if you don't teach why something beautiful is beautiful for fear of stifling creativity? Another hippie thing in the book was the opinion that the way people decorate their homes is going to confuse future anthropologists, "What? I've found a neo-classical lamp that's been fitted with electricity? And over here we have a Baroque bureau, but in this room there is a refrigerator? They seem to value modern technology, but why are they stuck in the past?!" This book also said that it is often said by an cough cough older generation, that good design is timeless, "but no one is saying that anymore!" -OK So. Thinking about the 60's, 70's, and 80's, ...and 90's. Well, need I say? Are there words to say what I think about that last little bit? Too many drugs. Looking back, good design certainly is timeless; there are some nice traditional and contemporary things that have lasted and will stand the test of time.
The most "hippie" thing in this book was the theory that in jr. high when teens are concerned with their development and changing bodies, because of this, it would be good for them to begin drawing nudes in class at school. Really. I am thinking back to when I was in jr. high and about what a catastrophe that would be. There were people who could not even handle finding a national geographic magazine without turning it into "porn" (both extremes- those delighted and those disgusted). It went on to say that maybe it would be even better when they are in elementary school and bodies are still thought of as more matter of fact. I'm shaking my head. Even if a family walked around nude all the time at home, I think a child would feel very uncomfortable walking into school and then into the classroom to see a naked stranger standing/sitting, waiting to be drawn. There are times and places for nudity and public school just isn't one of those. So anyway, there were a few things that did not impress me about this book.
You are now probably wondering what this has to do with my mother. Well, there were a few things that were good about this book. An updated edition with less opinion might be good. The main thing I kept seeing repeated at all ages was that people create, they express themselves through art. Sometimes it's "good" sometimes it isn't, but we all do it. It's part of our social, emotional, and intellectual development, it's a reflection of how we relate to the world around us. This book mentioned that children should be encouraged to draw or paint after doing something very exciting for them like visiting the zoo or fire station and also to draw pictures about just regular day stuff too;and to get them talking about there art.
Here's one of the ways my mom was a genius. She made us keep a journal as kids just about every day. We could draw or write, but of course as little kids you mostly draw because writing and spelling skills aren't exactly mastered. I still have mine from 1982,83, and 84. I looked at them yesterday. There's a lot of "I had a good day today" and messy scribble drawings. Every once in awhile I took my time and did something nice, but mostly not. My art was pretty typical for my age and development according to the books I've been reading; nothing showing an amazing or artistically gifted child. My mom gave us that creative outlet or stimulation (knowingly or not?) and since it was our journal it was ours- to do something nice or not, no critiques or praises, just put it in a notebook for us. Everyone in my family is very creative and talented and into art. Maybe because of my mom. Thank you mom- ...and no pulling your hair out wishing you never did it so we would be discouraged from pursuing artsy "hobby" careers. ;) It really was a good thing to do.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers every where. You are awesome. :)
Today my family gave me gifts- a puppy (Henry pretending to be a puppy), an email of a chimpanzee saying "You're the best mom ever, baby", lots of hugs, a few sweet handmade items (picture frame, wooden bag, button bracelet), flowers, and a special card. William's first grade teacher had them fill out a fill in the blanks letter. It says:
The top 10 reasons why I love my mom
10 I love my mom because she reads me ----------fordananed. (Ferdinand)
9 I love my mom because she helps me ----------work.
8 I love my mom when she makes me laugh by ---------reads. Me Fordananed. (reads me Ferdinand)
7 I love my mom because she taught me how to ----------Make rickrispe treets. (make rice krispie treats)
6 I love to hear my mom sing---------AVAtAr (I don't sing that but he loves the animated series Avatar)
5 I love my mom because she finds time to-----------Play! (written in very big letters)
4 I know my mom cares because she ----------she givshugs (she gives hugs)
3 I know my mom is smart because she ----------nose all math prblums. (knows all math problems)
2 I love mom because she works so hard at --------tacing car of me (taking care of me)
1 I love my mom because she's the BEST MOM EVER!
Isn't that sweet? :)
Today my family gave me gifts- a puppy (Henry pretending to be a puppy), an email of a chimpanzee saying "You're the best mom ever, baby", lots of hugs, a few sweet handmade items (picture frame, wooden bag, button bracelet), flowers, and a special card. William's first grade teacher had them fill out a fill in the blanks letter. It says:
The top 10 reasons why I love my mom
10 I love my mom because she reads me ----------fordananed. (Ferdinand)
9 I love my mom because she helps me ----------work.
8 I love my mom when she makes me laugh by ---------reads. Me Fordananed. (reads me Ferdinand)
7 I love my mom because she taught me how to ----------Make rickrispe treets. (make rice krispie treats)
6 I love to hear my mom sing---------AVAtAr (I don't sing that but he loves the animated series Avatar)
5 I love my mom because she finds time to-----------Play! (written in very big letters)
4 I know my mom cares because she ----------she givshugs (she gives hugs)
3 I know my mom is smart because she ----------nose all math prblums. (knows all math problems)
2 I love mom because she works so hard at --------tacing car of me (taking care of me)
1 I love my mom because she's the BEST MOM EVER!
Isn't that sweet? :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
For music fans
I stumbled upon something new - or new to me anyway, that's kind of fun. Remember a long time ago I posted about blogotheque? I found something kind of like that for Minneapolis, only a little different. I like the french one better, but it's kind of fun to see "local" spots. they might be "local" bands too, but I'm not sure. This one I think is at the stone arch bridge on the Mississippi River, I think; and this one is the band I was looking up when I discovered this site. The song I was looking for was this one which happens to be filmed in the Twin Cities too. The first and third I don't recognize where they are filmed.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May the Fourth Be with You
May you all think fondly on your favorite Star Wars memories for a few brief moments on this Star Wars Day. :)
Henry is dutifully playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii. Being a child in the 80's I do have a bit of nostalgia for the classic Star Wars movies- fond memories of it just being a part of life. I think my favorite Star Wars memories though, are when my boys offer to use the force to get the door for me at stores...with automatic doors, that commercial during the Superbowl, and someday I think I will add to that list that every immodest outfit Henry sees he declares, "Oh, that looks like a slave outfit" thinking of "slave Princess Leia" when she is chained to Jabba the Hut. Which is better? Calling her "slave Princess Leia" or "Naked Princess Leia"? Henry used to tell me he wished he had the naked Princess Leia Lego like his friend. It took me awhile to figure out what he was talking about. I am wishing we skipped that part of the movie & could delete that character from our video game. No, actually, I think that if I don't make a big deal out of it with him we will be able to move past this... someday, un-scarred.
Other than Star Wars on the mind we have had a pretty busy last couple of weeks since I last blogged.
Thank you to all the comments I recieved about my "ugly" post. I went back and reread it and I don't think it was as ugly as I made it sound. I might repost it, but we'll see- it's kind of fun to have a small little group that read it before I took it down, ha ha. Maybe I will email it to those of you who are sad you missed it. I really don't think it was mean or anything. Just personal and emotional I suppose. Glad I have great friends who love me. Sorry I didn't say thanks sooner. Like I started to mention that last couple weeks got kind of busy.
At first I thought I was having a nice quiet week making a present for my grandma and grandpa because I found some pictures I thought went well together and because I was feeling a little guilty for not making my far away family home movies of us to watch. I also was making my dad a birthday present for his 60th birthday party. I was pretty excited and wished I could have gone because my mom actually wanted to throw a party. She never does that. She doesn't like parties and entertaining. She made up clever invitations and everything! She made them look like obituaries in the paper. Some people were fooled which is sad ...and kind of funny at the same time. The people who thought they were real just looked at it and didn't read it. Also, as my husband pointed out- who leaves a real obituary at your doorstep anyway? In honor of all this I decided to make my dad a "guestbook" with pictures and people could write their memories or thoughts or draw or doodle or tape notes or pictures in it. My parents said they liked the gift. It just made me wish we lived closer.
It ended up I would be closer for a few days- I got word my grandpa (dad's dad) passed away. I was sad, but honestly for only a few seconds and then just felt very much that he is happy. That he can be busy and working again. He had Parkinsons for a long time and has been bed ridden for quite awhile. I left with Henry for the funeral and was happy to hear that everyone else in the family seemed to feel the same peace with his passing on and the same strong feeling that he is happy.
I didn't really know him very well (I never felt I got to spend time with him the way the grandsons did- he would take them to work with him and let them drive the backhoe :( but not me because I am a girl- grr; but mostly because-) he kind of fit the classic cowboy stereotype of strong, hardworking, honest, and... not very expressive or a "real talker"; still he was kind.
It was good to see so many cousins I never get to see & I also got to attend my little sister's graduation. :) I am so proud of her! She finished her Bachelors at a University and graduated cum laude! Yay Emily!
(For pictures of my grandpa , dad's party, & pictures of my sister courtesy of another sister's blog)
I enjoyed spending time with family and they introduced me to their latest favorite you tube find of "Kid History". The link is to the first one and then there are also 3 more episodes. Henry has been quoting from the episodes quite frequently and I think it's pretty funny. Hope you enjoy watching it.
Happy May. I love you all.
Henry is dutifully playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii. Being a child in the 80's I do have a bit of nostalgia for the classic Star Wars movies- fond memories of it just being a part of life. I think my favorite Star Wars memories though, are when my boys offer to use the force to get the door for me at stores...with automatic doors, that commercial during the Superbowl, and someday I think I will add to that list that every immodest outfit Henry sees he declares, "Oh, that looks like a slave outfit" thinking of "slave Princess Leia" when she is chained to Jabba the Hut. Which is better? Calling her "slave Princess Leia" or "Naked Princess Leia"? Henry used to tell me he wished he had the naked Princess Leia Lego like his friend. It took me awhile to figure out what he was talking about. I am wishing we skipped that part of the movie & could delete that character from our video game. No, actually, I think that if I don't make a big deal out of it with him we will be able to move past this... someday, un-scarred.
Other than Star Wars on the mind we have had a pretty busy last couple of weeks since I last blogged.
Thank you to all the comments I recieved about my "ugly" post. I went back and reread it and I don't think it was as ugly as I made it sound. I might repost it, but we'll see- it's kind of fun to have a small little group that read it before I took it down, ha ha. Maybe I will email it to those of you who are sad you missed it. I really don't think it was mean or anything. Just personal and emotional I suppose. Glad I have great friends who love me. Sorry I didn't say thanks sooner. Like I started to mention that last couple weeks got kind of busy.
At first I thought I was having a nice quiet week making a present for my grandma and grandpa because I found some pictures I thought went well together and because I was feeling a little guilty for not making my far away family home movies of us to watch. I also was making my dad a birthday present for his 60th birthday party. I was pretty excited and wished I could have gone because my mom actually wanted to throw a party. She never does that. She doesn't like parties and entertaining. She made up clever invitations and everything! She made them look like obituaries in the paper. Some people were fooled which is sad ...and kind of funny at the same time. The people who thought they were real just looked at it and didn't read it. Also, as my husband pointed out- who leaves a real obituary at your doorstep anyway? In honor of all this I decided to make my dad a "guestbook" with pictures and people could write their memories or thoughts or draw or doodle or tape notes or pictures in it. My parents said they liked the gift. It just made me wish we lived closer.
It ended up I would be closer for a few days- I got word my grandpa (dad's dad) passed away. I was sad, but honestly for only a few seconds and then just felt very much that he is happy. That he can be busy and working again. He had Parkinsons for a long time and has been bed ridden for quite awhile. I left with Henry for the funeral and was happy to hear that everyone else in the family seemed to feel the same peace with his passing on and the same strong feeling that he is happy.
I didn't really know him very well (I never felt I got to spend time with him the way the grandsons did- he would take them to work with him and let them drive the backhoe :( but not me because I am a girl- grr; but mostly because-) he kind of fit the classic cowboy stereotype of strong, hardworking, honest, and... not very expressive or a "real talker"; still he was kind.
It was good to see so many cousins I never get to see & I also got to attend my little sister's graduation. :) I am so proud of her! She finished her Bachelors at a University and graduated cum laude! Yay Emily!
(For pictures of my grandpa , dad's party, & pictures of my sister courtesy of another sister's blog)
I enjoyed spending time with family and they introduced me to their latest favorite you tube find of "Kid History". The link is to the first one and then there are also 3 more episodes. Henry has been quoting from the episodes quite frequently and I think it's pretty funny. Hope you enjoy watching it.
Happy May. I love you all.
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