The Hand that Rocks the Cradle...

A Very Short Update

2010-05-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Wow! I just realized it's been a long time since I've posted on this blog! Yup, I'm still teaching and I still love it! I shall post something about my not-so-little students sometime. Ta-ta... until then...

Link: What is Your Child's Talent?

2009-10-31T08:20:00.001-07:00

Take this quiz and find out!

http://www.montessorimom.com/what-your-childs-talent/

Pics

2009-09-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

Cousin Natalie

Sporting a new look

Posing with his mohawk

Derek reading his book

Us

2009-05-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

"Whatcha lookin at?"

Pool Play

2009-05-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

Posing for a swimmer's magazine

Playing around

Attempting to catch the water

Strategizing

"Got it! Well... kinda."

Jude

Catie, Jolie, and Shelly

At the Park

2009-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Looking innocent

"Hmmm... I wonder what this would taste like if I put it in my mouth..."

"Whoops.. missed..."

I love this pic! His facial expression, the way his toes are spread, the position of his hands, etc. all match so perfectly well together. Adorable...

Before his first hair cut shots

My cute fat sunshine

Sand play

Shelly Belly

Reality?

2009-03-28T01:08:00.000-07:00

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with kids but I thought it was funny and wanted to share my joy... hee...

... And We're Still Here!

2009-03-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sensing a resurrection of my darling humble blog... however when, I know not. Someday perhaps soon. Until then KGFG--EWYDTYCMI!

Nawww...

2009-01-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Isn't he just adorable...

My Lil Fat Sunshine

2009-01-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

Here's my little sunshine man: Derek. He just turned 6 months on the 1st of this month so we've started our serious scholastic schedule=). He can sit up all by himself (cept for when he gets proud, sits up too straight and then topples over... heh) and he sat in the highchair for the very first time for dinner.

He's one bright child! He knows how to give a "hi-five" and only after about a week of training=). If you put your hand up and say, "hi-five" he'll do it with anyone--home members... non-home members... etc. It's "to tute!" Perhaps I'll take a clip of his smartness... perhaps.

A New Year's Wish

2008-12-31T04:11:00.000-08:00

May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

Summer Vacation

2008-12-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

Although this has absolutely nothing to do with winter, Christmas or New Years, I thought to post these pics from our summer vacation this year. (Notice the very obvious yet lovely tans we got ourselves. Unfortunately, I can't tell you where to find it too...hee...)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008-12-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

I know, I know... I'm a bit late on the draw here, but I've been busy=). Here are a few pics of the kids and I. There should be more on the way...

The wee Derek and I

Jude and I

Jolie, Shelly, Nicole and I

Time to... Say Goodbye...

2008-12-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Nope, not saying 'good-bye' to my blog, but rather a very special stage of my life. (Well, I've said my good-bye's already--for several months actually--but I guess this is an official one on my blog.)

To my darlingest Jude-the-Dude and Shelly-Belly:
You added a very memorable chapter to my life and one that I will always hold dear. Even though on a daily basis I'm only 2 doors away from you, I know I'm missing out on your feats of cuteness, intelligence, rascal-ness, and fun. But even though I'm letting go of all that dearness I know that you will make your new teacher very happy and very proud.
For me it doesn't matter if the results of my teaching showed up after giving you up (which just so happened to be around the time you started talking and expressing yourselves more fully... sigh). I'm just happy that you're a bunch of smart little sponges--and I know your other teachers are too.
By the way, I think the other teachers you've had are wonderful people--they just won't love you the way I do... ha-ha. But that's all right anyway because life is always changing, people change, circumstances change--but it's all good. Besides, I didn't say they'd love you less, just perhaps expressed and felt differently. =)
I love you both more than you'll ever know (and despite any comments from people who think it's silly to blog about other people's kids--I love both of you and on that topic that's all that matters to me).
~kisses always, Aunty Kirsty

Jude

2008-11-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

Isn't he just so cute?

She Said My Name!

2008-09-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

Today Shelly said my name! Well, it sounded more like "Tisty" rather than "Kirsty" but considering that my name isn't that easy to pronounce (I know some grown-ups that still have difficulty doing so), I think she's doing pretty good. So, it may have taken her two years to finally get to that stage (she turned 2 this month... I'll hopefully get some pics of it soon), but methinks it was totally worth the wait=).

This evening when I was putting her to bed she kept saying the word "party" (she says it without the 'r' in an Aussie-type accent) over and over again, so finally I said, "Shelly, close your eyes and have a party with Jesus in your dreams." She closed her eyes and said, "Je-us paaty. Men (Amen).” Then she wouldn’t settle down and kept asking for water and was putting her feet all over me, etc. so I went to check on her older brother and sister and when I came back she says to me, “Tisty (gasp… she said my name again!)… down… me.” I couldn’t resist and just had to come and snuggle up with her.

This afternoon Jude nearly gave me a heart attack! I was putting away some toys in his room and he ran off to the adjoining room where his parent’s double bed is. 10 seconds later I went to check and see what he was doing and he was standing on the very edge of the bed, holding on to his book shelf. (The bed isn’t against the wall aligned with the book shelf. Between where the book shelf ends and the bed begins there is still quite a bit of space. Hmmm… dunno if that was clear enough. Either way, it was enough to send me straight to the hospital due to cardiac arrest!) I didn’t want to freak out and tried to stay very calm till I made it to his side just in case my voice startled him, disrupting his ever so careful balancing skills. He didn’t seem to think it was such a big deal and just laughed a little mischievous chuckle. Such a little dare devil he is…

But he’s also a little sweet pooch. Recently, the few times I’ve put him to sleep in the evenings, first he’d start off being a rolly-polly and just would not lie still. Then he’d finally settle down in the oddest position at the very opposite end of the bed where he’d lay really still for a few minutes. Then he’d come over to me and give me a little “peck” on my cheek then bury his face against my arm and fall asleep. Sigh…

My toddy’s are getting so big… sigh, what to say? I love them? I do… I really do.

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

It is not easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time, and few accomplish it after the age of six. ~John W. Gardner and Francesca Gardner Reese

Children's talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives. ~Maya Angelou

The real menace in dealing with a five-year-old is that in no time at all you begin to sound like a five-year-old. ~Joan Kerr

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff

The New Lil Tyke: Derek

2008-09-19T13:41:00.001-07:00

Vacation pics

2008-09-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

Coffee?

2008-09-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

Shelly's words of association to the word "coffee" is "nummy-nummy" and "Tash!"

Don't ask me why=).

Hee...

2008-09-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

By Dave Barry, Miami Herald (back column)

One of these days, a police officer is going to pull me over for driving erratically. He will suspect that I am driving while intoxicated, but he will be wrong. In fact, I will be driving while being a little teapot.

I am often a little teapot while driving. This is because when my 20-month-old daughter is in the car, she demands to hear her favorite CD, "Traditional Children's Songs From Hell." At least that's what I call it. It's one of those CDs with those old songs that we are required by federal law to expose our children to, because they connect us with a time when we were a simpler, happier, much stupider nation. Consider "Old McDonald." It starts out fine: "Old McDonald had a farm." But then it goes to "E-I-E-I-O," as though the lyricist had a bunch of extra vowels he needed to get rid of before moving on.

Couldn't he have come up with WORDS for the second line? How hard is it to think of a line that rhymes with "farm"? For example: "Thresher tore off his left arm." Or: "Slept with six goats to keep warm."

But "Old McDonald" is Handel's "Messiah" compared with 'She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain," a song apparently written by somebody with a severe case of attention deficit disorder, as we see by the highly informative first verse:

"She'll be comin' 'round the mountain when she comes!

"She'll be comin' 'round the mountain when she comes!

"She'll be comin' 'round the mountain!

"She'll be comin' 'round the mountain!

"She'll be comin' 'round the mountain when she comes!"

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Will she be comin' "round the mountain? 2. When?

I am forced to listen to these brain-shriveling songs constantly when I drive. I'm so used to hearing them that sometimes I'll be halfway to the airport, singing, "The wheels on the bus go round and round! Round and round! Round and round!" when suddenly it dawns on me: Sophie is not in the car. I can play my own music, with intelligent lyrics! (Example: "I said na, na na na na, na na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na na!")

The biggest problem with children's songs is that many of them call for actions on the part of the listeners. My daughter, who is very strict, expects everybody to perform these actions. So if we're listening to "I'm a Little Teapot," and she notices that I'm using my arms for some frivolous activity such as steering, she will repeat, "Daddy do it! Daddy do it!" until I let go of the wheel and form my teapot handle and my teapot spout. I have discovered that I can, in fact, steer with my forehead, but visibility is a problem.

But the worst song, from a driving standpoint, is "Where Is Thumbkin?" This is the one where you sing about, and display one at a time, the various fingers on your hand: Thumbkin, Ring Man, Pointer, etc. As you can imagine, this can create misunderstandings in traffic when your fellow motorists see you holding up Tall Man.

Yes, a small child can get you into trouble, and not just in a car. There is a house in our neighborhood that has a large plaster goose on the front porch. For reasons known only to her, my daughter LOVES this goose. Whenever we walk past it, she toddles up onto the porch and gives it a kiss, while I watch nervously from the sidewalk. Lately she has started insisting, with increasing vehemence, that I also kiss the goose. So one recent Sunday morning--I am not making this up--I found myself tiptoeing onto a porch belonging to complete strangers, bending over and kissing their goose. This kind of thing can lead to trouble.

POLICE OFFICER: Hold it right there, mister! Put your hands up and STEP AWAY FROM THAT GOOSE.

ME: You don't understand! I was just --

POLICE OFFICER: Wait a minute. ... You're the same guy I saw holding up Tall Man on the expressway!

But getting arrested is a small price to pay for the joys of parenthood. I know you parents out there agree. You're happy, right? Sure you are! If you're happy, and you know it, clap your hands!

I'd clap with you, but it hurts, with these handcuffs.

Still Alive...

2008-09-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's been aaaaages! Lots has been happening... what can I say? The toddy's are getting bigger than ever! The sad news is that I'm no longer their teacher... le sob. But the good news is that they now have a wonderful new teacher: the lovely Sarah. And I get to take care of the new lil tyke: Derek Jordan... Yay!

We just got back from vacation so everyone's looking quite... uh, tanned. Vacation was nice and the place was gorgeous... Praise God! It was toddy haven for Jude and Shelly for sure. I'll try to hunt down some pics and maybe I'll even find some of lil Derek.

Ciao for now...

Sleepy Time

2008-08-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

This evening Jude's parents went out so Tash and I took Jude and his sister Catie. Family time went by as usual but it was so cute when Jude was put in his bed! He crawled underneath his pillow and just stayed there. I pulled him out and put him on his pillow while I prayed with him and after that he went straight back under his pillow. He didn't go to sleep right away, but he stayed halfway under his pillow the entire time. To tute! He's such a good little guy...

Oh, and the other day I "tested" Jude for the first time to see if he knew his numerals and out of the 5 times I quizzed him, he got 4 right!

I'm working through the Peter and Jane Ladybird book flash cards with my toddy's and when I ask them to point to a certain word, they usually get it right. Shelly's already been doing the whole "pointing thing" but Jude just started doing it last week. Sigh... they're growing up so fast!

Toddler Sayings...

2008-08-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

Me: Shelly, can you say "I love you?" Ready...
Me: "I..."
Shelly: "I..."
Me: "...love..."
Shelly: "...love..."
Me: "...you!"
Shelly: "...me!"
Me: ummm... "you!"
Shelly: "...me!"

Sigh...

At the Park

2008-08-04T03:53:00.000-07:00

Shelly loved climbing up, down, and around and going down the slide.
Jude and I having a moment...Ready... Aim...
Slide!
Jude's main attraction at the park was all the sand around him! He just couldn't get enough!

Jude in the tunnel with a bit of sand on his face. (I wonder where he got it from... heh...)

Jude with the lovely Aunty Tash (and my pretty pink sunglasses).

Graduation 2008

2008-07-25T03:34:00.001-07:00

Here's Nicole doing ballet for her graduation presentation. Jude and Shelly did Psa.23:1-5 for their presentation. Unfortunately not too many pics were taken... le sob... but oh well. (Oh, and Jolie and Katie have also started going to ballet classes.)

An Interesting Article I Found

2008-07-11T03:16:00.000-07:00

Along Came a Teacher

by Gordon MacDonald, Leadership Journal, July 7, 2008

In the world we pay athletes and CEO's the big bucks. But it's the educator who contributes most to society. And, similarly, in the church there are some preachers who get all the praise and recognition. But it's the discipler of no more than a handful who builds saints.

This truth was reconfirmed for me today. From a box of family memorabilia has come a bundle of report cards that chart my passage through public school from kindergarten to 6th grade.

I read them this morning for the first time in 60 years. The cards dredge up a lot of past unhappiness for me. In kindergarten (PS 33 in Queens, New York) children received grades for such things as sitting correctly, using a handkerchief, ability to dress alone, working and playing well with others, and ability to express oneself. I got all S's, meaning satisfactory. I should have stayed in kindergarten.

4th and 5th grade (Fairfax School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio), were another story. My grades in arithmetic and spelling were U's for unsatisfactory. I received acceptable grades in geography and English. In the section called "note to parents," were these words: "Gordon would do much better if he applied himself…he is careless in doing his work and loiters away his time." In another report card, "Gordon still takes too long in getting started in his assignments. He is quick to find excuses for not getting his work done." Months later: "Gordon needs firm handling…his greatest failings are his inability to follow directions and lack of concentration."

Boil all the comments down, and it comes to this: Gordon doesn't fit into the system.

As I said, I felt a fresh hurt from deep inside myself as I read these report cards. They aroused memories of a generally unhappy childhood where members of my family struggled to be civil to one another. More than a few times I remember leaving a contentious home and walking or biking to school alone, crying all the way. It was a poor way to start most school days.

Each report card has the signature of either my father or my mother showing that they once read them. I remember a student or two who tried to forge their parents' names. I wasn't as daring. I always feared my parents' reactions. "You should be ashamed of these marks. You are better than this." Or they would say, "I don't understand it; you have such potential."

Ever heard this one? "You're not keeping your mind on your work; you've got to apply yourself."

Each morning during the two-week turnaround time I would count down the days remaining until I absolutely had to get one of their signatures. On the final day, just as I was headed out the door for school, I would shove it front of the nearest parent and say, "Could you sign this?"

The bad report cards would result in losing radio privileges (no TVs yet), after-school play time, and promises that my homework would be carefully, parentally monitored--which rarely happened because my parents were too involved with church work. Their stick and carrot philosophy rarely worked.

Truth be told, I rarely did well in any of my organized educational experiences. I simply did not fit the overly regulated, highly programmed classrooms. My temperament was that of an artist with his own agenda, his own way of seeing, and his own internal schedule.

Then in the 6th grade, the teacher's reports change. "Gordon works fairly well under pressure." Mid-term: "Gordon has been so much more helpful this period. He is beginning to grow up."

End of the year: "Gordon is usually manly and thoughtful of others…. It delights me to have him accept responsibility so well." My grades in citizenship, math, history, and geography were all S+.

Growth! The onset of maturity.

I remember my teacher that year, Mary D. Barbour, with fondness. She was tough, serious, demanding. But she was also quick to affirm progress and reward initiative. She must have intuited my uniqueness because she chose to teach into it rather than against it. I responded by giving her my best.

Every once in a while in the course of my education--both my Christian and my public education--along came a teacher (like Mary Barbour) who sensed my complex ways. Somehow she or he knew how to redirect me and cause me to give my best. They were the true teachers, the real disciplers, and I remember every one of them by name. Their fingerprints are all over me to this day.

Jude and the Piano / Really Old Pics

2008-07-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today while Jude was on the potty, I put our baby piano in front of him on a stool to keep him occupied. He promptly began to play--and WITH HIS EYES CLOSED! I was so not expecting it that I actually sat down in front of him to watch his display of utter cuteness! He had a very serene smile on his face while he had his eyes shut. It only lasted for about a minute though... then he went on to play with his eyes open, occasionally stopping to suck on the keys till I asked him to "spit the piano out."

I found some old and some really old pictures today and thought to post them here. (Since they're old, there aren't any pics of Jude.) It got me thinking and I realized that since coming here more than 5 years ago, I've been the teacher of 7 kids--all at different times, of course. It may not seem a lot for some people... but, my, how time passes! What I'd like to do sometime, is compile a list and even gather pics of all the kids I've taken care of, helped take care of, and taught throughout my whole little life (which started when I was 7 or 8). I think it'd be so much fun to see how big and grown up some of them are and to see what they look like=), what they're doing, etc. I think the oldest would be... gosh 16! Oh well, on to the pics:

Here's Kayc and I at the forest with Shelly as a baby. (I think this was the day that our home tried to have a barbecue at the forest but as soon as we got to there it started to rain... heh.)

Here's Shelly again as a baby. The little bow in her hair is barely hanging on...
I love this pic of Shelly! Doesn't it look like a "Dear God..." shot? Hee...

Check it out... here's Jolie as a baby. Doesn't Shelly look a lot like her?

Nicole and Gwen (who we had to give away eventually due to the unpleasant "surprises" she would leave in people's bedrooms under their beds or on their carpets, etc.)

Jolie and I attempting to enjoy what bit of snowfall is around us. (I think this was in 2007.)

The kids doing a clown show at an old folks home.

Graduation 2006: Nicole and I (I came to the M.E. to take care of her when she was just a baby... such a long time ago... sigh...)

My old kid's group (Khaled, Kyla, and Brian) during Graduation 2006... I think=).

Brian's alien birthday party a couple of years ago.

MY BABIES CAN REEEEEEEEEEEAD!!!

2008-07-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

And yes, I know, I realize I just called them "babies"--but that's cuz they are my babies=). It's so cute cuz Shelly still doesn't talk so well, but she can point out words when I ask her to "point out the word that says....". Then the other day while I was waiting for Shelly to figure out the word "dog" Jude very promptly says "dog." (Course it sounded more like "dug" but just the fact that he got it was absolutely adorable!)
Sigh, they're starting to become such little rascals, but their adorableness and cuteness overrides all of that.

School Shots

2008-07-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Birthday Party

2008-07-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

Last week was Jolie's birthday party. There were arts and crafts, the whole saloon treatment (nails, hair, make-up, etc.) as well as yummy snacks and a big lovely cake! Everything was so pink and pretty... heh... Here are some pics from the event:

Here's Shelly with her self-applied make-up job. (What can I say, but every girl's got her own style.)

Here's Shelly again, showing interest and big sister Nicole's art project.

And the moment they all were waiting for: The Cake (which Nicole baked and decorated with her teacher)!!!

Would you just look at the determination on Shelly's face.

And that determination paid off--resulting in two handfuls of icing. YUM!

Jolie blowing out the candles.

Here's Jude. Somehow all that make-up/artsy/pink stuff didn't appeal to him. He was quite happy--in fact, completely overjoyed to spend his time in the nearby living room climbing on the couches, crawling into corners, repeatedly getting stuck in one of the shelves of the TV stand, rearranging the coffee tables, etc. (Doesn't he just look like a dude in this shot?)

But of course, as soon as the food arrived he was right on the scene!

For All You Parents

2008-06-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back. ~William D. Tammeus

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum

What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give. ~P.D. James, Time to Be in Earnest

Give me the life of the boy whose mother is nurse, seamstress, washerwoman, cook, teacher, angel, and saint, all in one, and whose father is guide, exemplar, and friend. No servants to come between. These are the boys who are born to the best fortune. ~Andrew Carnegie

Mother Nature is wonderful. Children get too old for piggy-back rides just about the same time they get too heavy for them. ~Author Unknown

The guys who fear becoming fathers don't understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man. The end product of child raising is not the child but the parent. ~Frank Pittman, Man Enough

When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out. ~Erma Bombeck

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

When you teach your son, you teach your son's son. ~The Talmud

If your parents didn't have any children, there's a good chance that you won't have any. ~Clarence Day

Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home. ~Bill Cosby, Fatherhood, 1986

In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything. You just need a lot of love and luck - and, of course, courage. ~Bill Cosby, Fatherhood, 1986

Just Some Quotes...

2008-06-20T03:54:00.000-07:00

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions. ~Author Unknown
(Yeah, we rock! Hee...)

If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job. ~Donald D. Quinn
(Well said, methinks.)

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. ~Author Unknown

Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more. ~Bob Talbert
(Haha... I thought this one was quite amusing--yet true!)

What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches. ~Karl Menninger

Teachers who inspire know that teaching is like cultivating a garden, and those who would have nothing to do with thorns must never attempt to gather flowers. ~Author Unknown

The secret of teaching is to appear to have known all your life what you just learned this morning. ~Author Unknown
(Yup... more often than not, that's something that describes part of "teacher hood" for me.)

P.E. Photo Shoot

2008-06-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I got the inspiration to take pics of the toddy's on the roof during P.E. time. There's only one word that can describe the experience: unsuccessful. Sigh... what to do... Here are a couple of the more decent ones though.

Yup, "unsuccessful" was definitely the right word.

Jude having a "sensitive" moment--with the little pink truck=).

The little "break dancer."

Here's a shot of Jolie (Shelly's older sister) and Katie (Jude's older sister).

From the Greatest Teacher Himself

2008-06-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Teaching and parenting are sacrificial callings, but I give you blessings and rewards that I don't necessarily give to others. There are so few with such love and sacrificial spirits, that I want to give you abundant blessings in order to encourage you and let you know how much I love you. You teachers and parents have something that no one else in the Family has--the blessings that come with the territory.
Children give you that inner reward when you see the victories in spite of the tests. Children can touch your heart and lift it, convict it, soften it, and encourage it like no others can. Have you ever felt down and discouraged, and a little child does something that gives you new hope? Children have a way of reaching right inside you and taking your worries away. The faith of a little child is powerful. It's a gift of God. And as you teach them, you partake of that gift and it becomes part of you.
You're training your children today so that they can carry the torch in the days to come, but I'm also training you for those days when I'll use you like never before. You might not feel very spiritual or more blessed, but you're fulfilling My will and a very important calling, and in the process you're becoming what I will need you to be in the Last Days. When the day comes, it's you who I'll call upon to carry out many of My specialized tasks of great importance.
Hold fast to your profession, My dear ones, and let no man take your crown, for the rewards are greater than you can imagine. You're working toward a future that is better than anything you could dream of!

For Daddy, Mummy, Grandpa, and Grandma

2008-06-06T16:33:00.001-07:00

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."--Leonardo da Vinci

Fascinating quote, eh? I figured that that could just be the solution to my previous dilemma. Instead of getting into these huge detailed posts about my toddy's, I shall just put it all in point form--or perhaps in "Baby Reader" form (i.e. "Here is Jude. Jude is cute. Jude is happy. Jude is in the box. He likes the box. He likes it very much...")--to make it simpler for everyone... perhaps?
I'm sure I could have thought of more things for the toddy's here, but at the moment my brain isn't producing (maybe it's taking a nap or having a real-live conversation with someone in the next room... or it's totally shut down cuz today is our day off--either way, it's not here). However, when it returns to normal I should be able to think of some more.

JUDE THE DUDE--1 year and 5 months
Likes: "Playing" guitar and piano; being in corners and crawling underneath things (i.e. our computer table); hiding in clean sheets hanging on the line during P.E. time; Hunter (our pet Pointer); using all 5 senses while discovering; reading books; sitting for a very, very long time doing flash cards, picture facts, etc.--even math dots; hiding in our big cardboard box; multivitamins; drawing for a bit and then preferring to instead play with the markers or colored pencils for a rather extended period of time; Word and school stuff; eating everything on his plate and high chair; milk; tracing sand paper numbers and the alphabet (I'm pretty sure that if he knew how to communicate it to me, he'd tell me the names of each number and the phonetic sound of each letter)

SHELLY BELLY--1 year and 8 months
Likes: Doing puzzles, sorting (and all that "early learning/practical life stuff") all by herself; building things with her toys; Hunter (at a safe distance); baths; being such a grown up little woman; trying to talk; multivitamins; drawing; Word and school stuff; eating only certain things on her plate; milk; looking at pics and watching video clips of herself; saying "peees" whenever she needs to use the potty (or whenever she sees Jude on the potty and decides she wants to do what he's doing); tracing sand paper numbers and the alphabet (I haven't heard her say any of the numbers cept for "0" but she knows what each of them are and though she doesn't say all the phonetic sounds of the alphabet, she knows what they are); dancing and singing (though she can't quite talk fluently yet)

Just Some Pics...

2008-06-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

The little woman and the little big man: Check out the way they're sitting. It's the same when they take naps; Shelly's usually in these very neat feminine positions while Jude is usually sprawled out in these total guy angles... heh...

The "Widdle Skittles" were so into this cardboard box. I was originally going to keep it for no more than a week, and that was about 2 weeks ago... but they love it oh so much! Oh well... perhaps tomorrow when they're not looking I'll move it out=).

Here are my "Smarty-Pants'" doing puzzles.

In a State of... Not Sure What...

2008-06-06T04:18:00.000-07:00

The ongoing development of my toddys' intelligence continues to overwhelm me (with absolutely no credit to me... well, maybe just a wee bit... hee)! I can't even keep up with recording all of it! Okay, so I've barely written about their little feats (or even just about their personality cuteness), but that's cuz every time I start writing about them the list just never stops. Then I run out of time and tell myself that I'll finish writing it later, and before I know it, there's more to write about! Sigh... what to do...

Hee

2008-06-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

After putting her children to bed, a mother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. At last she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard her three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"

*******
A mother was telling her little girl what her own childhood was like "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods."
The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

*******

My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?"
I mentally polished my halo while I asked, "No, how are we alike?"
"You're both old," he replied.

*******

A little girl was diligently pounding away on her father's word processor. She told him she was writing a story.
"What's it about?" he asked.
"I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

From the Greatest Teacher...

2008-05-30T03:11:00.000-07:00

There is no sacrifice that you could make for Me or for My little ones that will not be more than repaid when I greet you here, take you in My arms, and thank you for everything. And that's not all. Think of all the little lives that you touch now that will be forever indebted to you for raising them in My nurture and admonition, training them up in the way they should go, bringing them closer to Me, and educating them sufficiently so that they will have all that they need to serve Me. You may not notice the rewards there on Earth or think that those you cared for and taught are grateful‚ but you will see everything clearly down the road‚ and you will be happy, I promise you.

HAHA! This is cute...

2008-05-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

A small boy is sent to bed by his mother...
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?"
"No. You had your chance. Lights out."
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water??"
"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"
[Five minutes later]
"Mommm..."
"WHAT??!!"
"When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a glass of water?"

Odds and Ends

2008-05-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

Here's Jude on the keyboard. He's a Sagittarius so all that musical talent just comes naturally. =)

Here's Shelly on the keyboard. (She's also been gifted in the musical department but more along the lines of dancing. I'm convinced that she's going to be a really good dancer when she grows up as she loves watching dancing and tries to mimic what she sees.) That thing on her head is actually a little boat of some sort for tiny stuffy animals, but she insisted on wearing it as a fashionable hat. Okay, so she was sick in this pic so I think that sorta clouded her sense of fashion... heh.

I know this pic is quite the blurry one, but this is Jude and his kisses. He grabs you with all his might and bestows on you one (or several, depending on how much he likes you) passionate, slobbery smooch! Totally adorable! Funny though, I've only seen him do it to girls.

And one more tidbit: He's totally potty-trained! At least with me he is... hee.

Oh, and that's my pretty pink room.

Poor Little Sickies...

2008-05-19T04:50:00.000-07:00

I have these video clips of awesome displays of intelligence by Jude and Shelly (Shelly doing puzzles by herself and Jude playing guitar), but alas, somehow I cannot upload them so I shall have to settle for pics... sigh...

The toddy's have been sick lately so as far as the schedule we've been taking it easy. The brave little souls, though, have still been cheerful through it all... bless their little hearts.

Here are some shots of a little activity Shelly and I had. What better thing to do for a quiet afternoon than to get into Aunty Kirsty's cupboard and try on some of her sunglasses and hair accessories! Yee-haw! Of course that wasn't the only thing (we did puzzles, played with toys, read books, etc.) but I didn't bother to take pics of the rest. (Although we somehow lost the "hair" pics.)

Shelly is a total little girl! She loves mirrors, her shoes, lip gloss, sunglasses and the like... hee!

Quote

2008-04-29T03:13:00.001-07:00

"There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children... one is roots, the other wings."

-Stephen Covey

A Little School Update

2008-04-27T04:33:00.001-07:00

My toddy's are both still one-year-old, but they're both oh so very smart--at least I think so... heh. They luuuv doing their pre-writing exercise books. Of course I have to hold their hands as they write, nevertheless it's something they really enjoy. They can tell when I'm reaching for their writing books and they look up at me with these expectant faces and go and eagerly sit at the table and wait.

They've also been doing the sandpaper numbers and alphabet and it's something that falls under the category of favorites for them. Recently I've noticed Shelly tracing letters and making her own sounds whether it be a poster, my shirt, or the "Casio" sign on my keyboard. Jude tries the same thing when I have him on my lap while I show him his sight-reading words.

The Math dots aren't too popular, but we do them anyway.

For learning Arabic, I show them this Arabic CD that shows each of the Arabic letters (as well as sounds it out). I hardly know Arabic myself, but hopefully this should help both them and me... heh. I also occasionally play the tracks from the Arabic "Pimsleur" course while they're playing. And since eventually they'll be learning French (the other kids are taking both Arabic and French classes), in the afternoons I usually do their picture facts CD's in French.

My voice versus "Mrs. Picture Facts" woman's voice

2008-04-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

I just noticed something about my toddy's... When I put on a Picture Facts CD, it isn't long before they want to get up and wiggle away, whereas when I read picture facts to them myself on the computer they sit nice and still. Even Shelly (who generally has a difficult time sitting still) will stop whatever she's doing and come sit with Jude on my lap to listen. Oh well...

From the Greatest Teacher Himself

2008-04-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

64. All of you who are involved with children in any way are worthy of commendation--whether you teach the spiritual principles or the practical aspects of their education. I have gifted each teacher in a different way, and I bless all of you who pour into My children. There is not one specialized calling in the care of children that is higher than the other. In all that you pour into them--whether spiritual or practical--you are teaching them My ways, being a sample of My love, and guiding them aright.

(God's Greats! [#3478])

Look at the little big guy!

2008-04-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

My little big guy knows how to catch a ball now! I'm so happy! He's so smart and picked it up in one day! (Shelly also knows how to catch a ball and also learned it one day... sigh, I wish I was as smart as they are.)

Bits and Pieces

2008-04-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we ventured outside the property and spent some time exploring the outdoors instead of the usual P.E. time on the roof. We found a caterpillar's nest with the most hairy little things that I've seen at one time in my life! Jude didn't seem to enthused about the whole scene, but Shelly was so enthralled and couldn't stop saying "Wow..." (I wish I had a camera to document stuff like this... sigh.)
Then we went and watched "Elmo's World--Babies, Dogs, and More!" (which is something that is a rare occurrence) and Jude just could not stop laughing for about 3 minutes straight. It was so cute cuz his laugh sounded so... genuinely sincere. (Oh for a camera for moments like this... sigh, again...)

From the Greatest Teacher Himself

2008-04-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

29. There is great satisfaction in teaching a child the scriptures and the will of their Father in Heaven, and then watching that child go forth and preach it, teach it, live it, use it.
30. That will be your greatest reward as teachers and parents. Oh, don't get Me wrong. There are other rewards aplenty heaped up here for you and your labors of love. But all of them will pale in comparison to seeing the full effect of what your time, blood, sweat, and tears accomplished in the life of that child you helped to care for, to teach, and to raise. Your greatest joy, like My joy in welcoming each of My children Home, will be to see how that life you helped to guide onto the path of My will accomplished great and glorious feats in My Name.

31. The training you pour into children is never wasted. The time you give to them is invested in eternity. The truths you impart to them will be remembered in their hearts, and will be the foundation on which they build their life. What they build on it through their decisions, choices, and actions may stand or it may crumble. But that foundation will always be there, strong and unshakable, ready for them to build on again when they discover the works of their own hands have come to naught.

(God's Greats! [#3478])

Don't they just look smart...

2008-04-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Here are my little toddy's building little towers. Just ignore my commentary and focus on the intelligence being displayed.

Toddy video clip

2008-04-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a clip of Shelly copying a Hi5 dance. And yes, I admit to being a fan of the program (and I know I'm not the only one...hee). Besides it reminding me of good ol' times, I get a real kick out of a bunch of young people looking very animated (and sometimes too animated) on cam and being happy about it. Okay, fine, so they get paid to do it. Either way, it's fun to watch--and my toddy's like it. Makes for a good time-filler which we all enjoy... heh.

From the Greatest Teacher Himself

2008-04-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

19. Sometimes the mountains you climb aren't such a treacherous challenge. I am faithful to never give you more than you are able to bear. But what I love and admire about you is your yieldedness to scale the mountain of caring for, teaching and raising My children that I have for you. This is a great form of love that I receive from you that is very dear to Me--priceless and beyond earthly description. You are My brides who live My Words of love in 1Corinthians 13, who hold up love as the greatest thing in giving your lives to Me to care for My children. I love you. Great is your reward in Heaven.

(God's Greats! [#3478])

Tribute for Teachers

2008-04-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

I thought to make a little section, dedicated to all our brave and wonderful teachers who sacrifice, love and give their lives daily for children that may not even be their own. Being a teacher myself, and having taught different age groups in my short little life, these quotes have renewed my vision for what an awesome and integral responsibility--and honor--it is to teach kids, as well as helped to encourage me through the rougher days. So if you're a teacher, this section is dedicated to you.

I admire you.

P.S. In posting this mainly for teachers, I am not in any way overlooking the parent's part or sacrifice in raising their kids. That in itself is a vast and overwhelmingly immense topic that I don't dare to speak of because I've never been a parent before. However, some of the posts do apply to both teachers and parents--especially if you're a "teacher parent." All that to say, there wouldn't be any teachers if there weren't any parents, so keep em' coming! =)

Snow, snow, snow!

2008-04-01T15:58:00.001-07:00

A little blue bundle

Jude (not with his parents... heh)

I don't usually go frolicking in the snow with an umbrella, but it was snowing and Shelly didn't like the flakes on her face, thus the umbrella.

A little Eskimo

Christmas 2007

2008-04-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

The lil Santa's

More picture blasts from the past

2008-04-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

Shelly belly

Picture blasts from the past

2008-04-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

Zee not so wee Jude

To My Toddy's

2008-04-01T01:54:00.000-07:00

Jude and Shelly, this blog is all about you and just for you. I know that neither of you know how to read yet... and even when you do, this may not make very much sense to you--and when you do reach the age when it may mean something, for all I know, with the speedy development of the evolving high-tech world, blogs just may be lost somewhere in the archaic past along with battery-run toothbrushes, PDA's and microwave ovens... oh well... I know your Daddies and Mummies will enjoy reading about you and and those memories that I get to experience with you as a result of their sacrifices (especially the sacrifice of letting you go and leaving you in my care and the care of others).
All this to say, even though you both are just one aspect of my life, it is a part that I enjoy (and yes, sometimes it's even a breather from my other duties) and feel blessed to have. You may not be perfect--just like me--but you're perfect toddy's--and I love you so, so, oh so very much!

~kisses, auntie Kirsty