Homework for Parents

As if I don't have enough school work to do already, Emma came home with an assignment for me (yes, ME) a few weeks ago.  It was actually kind of neat and I had a little while to think about it (but I have a horrible memory and could only come up with a few things!).  

Here was my assignment:

Homework for Parents????? Yes, it's true! Our class is learning that things in the past are different than they are now.  We would like to hear how things have changed since you were in first grade.  We would like for a parent for grandparent from each family to write a paragraph about what life was like when you were in first grade.  Please focus on things that have changed.  When I thought about this topic, I realized that a lot of technology we have today did not exist when I was in first grade.  Your assignment is due on Tuesday, December 4th.  Yes, they may be turned in earlier.  Grades will not be give on this assignment.

And here is what I turned in:

When I was in the First Grade
By: Mrs. Elliott (Emma’s Mom!)

When I was a kid going to school was a lot like it is now - I had lunch, recess, P.E., and even time at the library.   We recited the Pledge of Allegiance every day, had science and math but… a lot of things are different now than they were when I was in school!  In the first grade, I went to Belvedere Elementary School and my teacher’s name was Mrs. Davis.  I didn’t get to ride the bus – I had to walk a VERY LONG way to school, even when it rained (and snowed)!   We only had pizza on Fridays, but I always packed my lunch those days because it wasn’t very good!  We were just beginning to learn to read in the first grade – we weren’t great readers like all of you are now!  And computers? We didn’t have computer lab until at least the 3^rd grade because I don’t think computers existed yet!  If we had to do a project about something we couldn’t just look on the internet for the information, we would have to go to the library and find all kinds of books on what we wanted.  And then we had to write EVERYTHING with BIG, FAT pencils!  

I know it kind of just ended, but I wasn't sure how to end it since it was only supposed to be a paragraph and focusing on the differences and they are only 1st graders.  I'm surprised I came up with these things because I barely remember them - I have a few more memories of elementary school altogether, but not of just the first grade.  I hope I pass!

The TSA Screening & Pat Downs

Let me start off by saying that my opinion is based solely on the fact that I have flown a total of 2 times in my entire life and that the last time was 9 years ago, November 2001. I was on a small plane headed to Freeport, Bahamas, and by small I mean there were 3 seats on each side of the plane.  But this was still right after 9/11 and I was still a little very scared to be on the plane - but more so of the fact that there was turbulence than of a security threat. 

I am understanding of the new regulations (even though I think it can lead to further violations elsewhere) and this is why:

• If someone came into a room full of people and said that someone in the room had a bomb strapped to them that was not made of metal - I'm pretty sure everyone would be willing to do whatever in order to prove that they were "free and clear".  Let's move that situation to the airlines - who wants to blow up in an airplane? If there is a possibility that someone could get on an airplane with me that has a bomb on them - THAT is a violation of my constitutional right just as much IF NOT MORE THAN proving my innocence. I would rather go through imaging if it meant that my flight was safe.
• The airlines are offering us a service and they have a responsibility to keep us safe - plain and simple.  As the terrorists get more creative - the TSA is going to have to increase its security to match them.

But I also disagree with the regulations for a few reasons but let me share in all CAPS that my first reason for agreeing with it SHOULD OUTWEIGH ANY DISAGREEMENT IN MY OPINION.

• Apparently this imaging is new and not well tested - I wonder how many smokers are complaining about this? Since when do people care that something is not well tested about its long term effects - OH, only when they don't like it. And how many times does the FDA approve something and then realize 20+ years later that its not good for you after all? (OK maybe that didn't help my argument in the way you'd think). I'm not saying that we shouldn't care about the long term effects - please don't take this the wrong way.  I think members of the tea party people are using this as a reason for their "cause".  Further testing should absolutely be required! 
• This is a violation of my constitutional right - well so is being blown up at 20,000 feet.  'Nuf said.  
•  I don't agree with the private pat-down rules.  You can request a private pat-down yet there is no one else to supervise the pat-down and no video tape to make sure nothing inappropriate is done.

I recently asked a frequent flier his opinion on the new regulation (part of his opinion: "I've seen the actual scan of a screen, and it's really not a naked picture of someone. There are shadows and shapes discernible, but you can't see the person's flesh. I compare it to getting an MRI or CT scan") and he led me to a respected blog which led me to an article on how the Israeli's conduct Airline Security and I absolutely think that the United States needs to adopt something similar identical.   You can check that article out here.  What are your opinions? What would you do? Would you refuse? Would you go through, no hesitation?

Family "chip" In

I almost drove myself off a cliff a few weeks ago, almost ran off somewhere far far away, almost dropped the kids off at a strangers doorstep only to bail - do you get the picture? The kids were DRIVING ME NUTS!!  I don't know what it was but their behavior had me going crazy - it was the worst it had been in a long time.  Hannah is in the midst of the terrible 3's and Emma is approaching tweenhood - attitude and all.  It seems like I'm always on them for something and it's draining and exhausting.  I always talk of doing more positive reinforcement, but it never lasts longer than I want.  So I finally put my words into action and we created those "buckets" shown above.  All it took was some creative thinking, a trip to the dollar store and some supplies from the craft closet, plus my supply of poker chips (hence the family "chip" in).  

Here's the lowdown:

• They earn a token for GREAT behavior.  It has to be something worth earning - helping someone out with something without being asked, coming home on green from school, using manners without suggestion consistently, doing what they're told the first time without a fit, you get the picture
• They lose a token for bad behavior.  Coming home on yellow or below, back talk, hitting or any other aggressive behavior, throwing a fit, etc.
• Their ENTIRE bucket gets emptied for lying.  

If you noticed, they each have a bucket and then there is a family bucket.  Matt and I decided we needed to spend more one on one time with the kids and I really needed some alone time with Emma to hopefully steer the attention seeking bad behavior into attention seeking good behavior.  Wednesday nights are now for our individual dates with the girls.  Matt and I will swap weeks with the girls (one week I'll go with Emma and he'll go with Hannah, the next we'll switch).  Based on how many chips they have earned throughout the week determines our "date".  A certain amount for ice cream, a certain amount for for dinner out, etc. etc. Then each of their buckets get dumped into the family bucket and once the family bucket gets full - we'll do something super spectacular as a family and since it takes a bit longer to fill that one up - it'll be bigger than usual!  

Emma has embraced the idea and tries her best to earn tokens!  Hannah doesn't fully understand the concept, but still loves getting tokens!

 

Turkey of Thanksgiving

Each year (OK, for the second year now), we sit down with the kids and talk about what we're thankful for!  I made another turkey since I couldn't find the one from last year and on each feather we took turns writing something we were thankful for. 

Emma is thankful for:

• Heather (yes, she wrote my name, but then wrote mommy under it)
• Sister
• Love

 You can see how much her handwriting (and spelling) has improved in just one year from last year!

Hannah wrote a bunch of H's on her feathers then translated to me that she is thankful for:

• Grammy
• Her Friends
• Mommy
• Daddy

Emma was pretty salty that Hannah didn't list Emma - it was funny!

Daddy is thankful for:

• Good health for us
• Being able to take care of our family
• A loving and caring wife (as he rolls his eyes, just kidding...)
• When they listen, the kids 

He had to explain the last one several times.  He is thankful for the kids WHEN they listen - that one was funny too but if you've experienced our household the last week or so, you'd be thankful too!

Finally, Mommy is thankful for:

• Daddy's job 
• Our health 
• Our salvation through Jesus

In the middle of the turkey, I usually try to list a scripture that is about Thanksgiving.  This year is Psalms 100:

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

What a beautiful scripture!  I love how it shows how and and why we should come before with Lord with Thanksgiving and reminds us of God's enduring love and faithfulness.  

What are you thankful for this year?