Recently when H*****, a hs’ing mom, shared that her kids were fighting, all the time, and she knew that some of it was because she was tired, frustrated,….. I recommended that she might find some interesting tips in the book Siblings without Rivalry. Then on park day this Wednesday H***** told me that she had indeed picked up the Siblings without Rivalry book just as I had suggested and had started reading it. From the book she was identifying several items she was doing that could be causing the strife between her four, and was beginning to see how her actions could be causing the conflicts between her children. Well, on Thursday she shared how her one DD had taken another DD’s candy without permission. Normally this would have led to screaming, meltdowns, and lots of anger between the two girls but instead she had taken the books recommendation on how to handle it and was amazed with the results. H***** is now seeing that there is hope that things can be different in her home soon. I’m so happy for her, and for her children. I was once convinced that siblings always fought, always disliked each other unless some strange miracle had occurred and that it was just in their nature to be like that with each other. But change is possible.

Just like I believed that some folks seem to be born knowing that they want kids, can’t wait to have kids, and then there are others who do not reach that decision until much later in life, and some who decide to never have children. For much of my life I was in the later camp, at least until I visited my sister while on a business trip. Her two children at the time were 12 and 14yo, and oh my, did they get along. Just as one would dream siblings to get along. It was wonderful to watch and something that in my 20+ years had never, ever witnessed. You see, it had been 12 yrs since I had seen my sister or been with her family so this was the first time I was getting to see her family in action, and see the harmony.

Sometime during that weekend sis inquired as to why we had not started a family. My reply was simple; siblings fight with each other and with their parents, why just look at our own family, the one we grew up in. Fighting between us was very normal and we were not interested in bringing that strife into our lives. Wisely she recommended two actions; if you want to do things differently then your parents then read books and watch other families, and two, start by reading the book Siblings Without Rivalry. I soon picked the book up, read it from cover to cover, saw my family in the cartoons of ‘what not to do’, and decided that maybe, just maybe, we could raise our kids differently and maybe, just maybe they would get along. It took about another 5 yrs before ScienceKid came along, and 4yrs more for MilitaryKid to come. Very soon we needed to put the Siblings without Rivalry tips into action. Much too soon. I remember the moment as if it was yesterday. MK was just home from the hospital and was being held by Grandma. SK, just 4years old was sitting beside her admiring his new, little brother. Grandma quickly started to inform SK how this new baby brother was going to steal his toys, how his mom was going to direct all of her attention from him and shower it upon this new baby, and how he needed to be ready for all these changes. I stepped in-between these worlds and squelched such ideas. Not in my home. Not in my family. Never. That world would not be our world.

Whenever anyone mentions to me that their kids are fighting and not getting along Siblings without Rivalry is always the first book I recommend for them to read. Hopefully they will gain at least one tidbit that will decrease the strife. And so, that was why I recommended the book to H****, and why I continue to refer to the book whenever there is a little friction between my boys. Over the years I have had numerous folks mention to me that I am so lucky that my boys get along and enjoy each others company. No it isn’t luck folks. It is hard work and following what I learned in Siblings without Rivalry. I know that if I started parenting differently they would start fighting with each other. I know, I have first hand knowledge.

Oh this is funny! I can so relate to this. How about you?

Hat-tip to my WV friend Michele who is now living in Florida for passing this on to me. And to Frankie at Kitchen Table Learners for leading me through how to post this to my blog. Do turn UP the sound.

A friend sent me this link, and I got such a laugh just had to share. Actually the boys and I laughed together. If you have ever visited my state or even if you’d like a taste of the state via a song then please listen up. I’m from.

A neighbor called yesterday and asked if the boys would like to earn $15 each to backfill a 60′ water line trench. We really like this neighbor and they always make time to talk with our boys. Nice folks. I said yes and sent the boys over after school was done with shovels in hand.

An hour-and-a-half later the boys returned with $20 each and were treated to ice cream bars while there. Seems they were given a $5 tip each for doing such a great job. They had a good time too and I really wish there were more jobs around the neighborhood for the boys to do. They sure don’t need to be paid much but it does give them a sense of pride, and a job well done.

Earlier in the summer SK put little notes in everyones mailbox letting them know of his availability and interest in doing odd jobs. Just one job came from that but I guess we should do that again. Something for the weekend….

I purchased Ticonderoga pencils cause they are supposed to be the best.

We are having pencil after pencil break its lead just after sharpening.  DSs split one lengthwise and the cracked lead is evident throughout its length.

Next trip to the store I’m buying the cheap-o pencils.

The boys think it is funny cause they get to constantly jump up and sharpen their pencils,  grrrr.

Finally we had our first full week of school. Actually it included our first full day of school too. I haven’t been much in the mood to post about it either. It just seems strange to have such a late start but that’s life. We had other life happenings take place.

This year MilitaryKid is in 6th grade. Meaningless, grades are, really, but I posted that so everyone would have an idea. Last spring in math I didn’t care for where he was. Mentally where he was with math. Oh sure, he finished his Singapore 5B book but I had been noticing for some time that unless I led him through every problem he really didn’t have a clue how to work them. He absolutely couldn’t do the Revision sections on his own which was a huge red flag for me too. This prompted me to print off Singapore placement tests for 3rd through 5th grade. He did fine on the 3rd grade test but the 4th grade one totally stumped him. I had MK take another popular math placement test which also showed that he didn’t understand fractions, changing fractions to decimals or decimals to fractions.

Immediately I ordered in a fresh copy of Singapore’s 4th and 5th grade workbooks. When we were at my Dad’s caring for him in his final days MK started working through the Singapore 4A workbook. He struggled. We referred back to the Key to Fractions books that I had also brought along to help him understand fractions. How to simplify them, how to convert from a mixed number to a fraction and back again. My fondest memory from those days will always be MK and I sitting on the sofa in my Dad’s family room, and Dad lying in the hospital bed placed parallel to the window wall. MK whispered since he didn’t want to wake his Granddad, ‘Math is not fun Mom.’ I hoped that my Dad might be listening although I doubted it since he was snoring away but I asked anyways,

‘Dad, MK thinks math isn’t fun. Please tell him that math is lots of fun.’ And on the cue, Dad shook his head up and down. It wasn’t just a little affirmative but a no-doubt-in-your-mind, yes. Figuring I was on a roll I asked,

‘Dad, would you please tell MK that he must study math and learn math really, really well cause he will need math.’ Dad again stopped his snoring and shook his head up and down.

And so we sat on that sofa and continued to talk about fractions and how to simplify them or multiply them. Everyonce in awhile I would say between my math explanations to MK, a directed statement to Dad, ‘Dad, MK is really understanding this. He’s learning how fun math is. Isn’t that great?’ And Dad would stop his snoring and shake his head yes. And back at home we continued to work through the Singapore 4A and then 4B workbooks helping to clear the cobwebs from MK’s brain and clarify his understanding that math can be fun and it is worth doing cause he will need it someday.

This past Friday MK finished a Revision exercise in Singapore 4B and yesterday he flew through another Revision exercise. He didn’t need my assistance to do these problems and he got nearly ever problem correct. One step backwards and two steps forward. A joy of homeschooling. We all know this, if our child isn’t getting a concept we can take the time to stop and make sure the foundation is well laid before moving on. Or take a few days or weeks or whatever it takes to make sure the tools they need are in their brains to use later.

And while MK might be doing a 4th grade math book right now he is truly a 6th grader, just getting what he needs. Someday he might feel like I do about math; it is easy and it is fun. Even calculus is fun and easy to me. But that wasn’t always the case for me although I didn’t know that until 2 weeks ago. Long story short, I came across my grade school report cards in my parents file cabinet. The one we were cleaning out in search of Dad’s Army discharge papers. I read through them. Oh my, what an awfully poor student I was. And there it was also; I was in the LOW Math group; I didn’t know my math facts; in 1st or 2nd or 3rd or 4th grades. Finally in 5th grade the remark was made that I was moved from the LOW math group to the low-middle group and while I was struggling to keep up with the other students I was enjoying the competition.

Somehow through all that a sure foundation in math was built, math facts and basic concepts learned, and I guess I must have also been permitted to stay at the level I needed before moving on. I do not remember ever struggling in math but rather I remember how easy Algebra 1 was, and 2 and geometry and calculus, and how other kids wanted me to tutor them through high school and college math.

So here we are. My fear is that MK will remember his struggles with math, but I also hope and pray that he will have a firm, solid foundation from these years so that Algebra and geometry and calculus is fun and easy too. And I hope that he remembers his Granddad shaking his head YES, Math is fun.

The guys were hesitant to take me on a mountain hike this summer after my knee injury in the spring. But I found a little mountain for us to hike; Mt Baker. It was only a mile to the top and only 1000′ of elevation change.

Off in the distance we could look at the lakes we enjoy kayaking on.

Nothing like having lunch at what feels like the top of the world.

The high peaks of NY are off in the distance but we sure felt high here too.

Yep, it sure did feel like we were on the top of the world.

Off in the distance is Mt. Marcy, the one MK, SK and I hiked last summer.  The one SK split his head open on.  The peaks we want to hike again.

So here we were having a leisurely stroll around the pond. Truth be told we went into a little cove area and while I explored the edge of the cove MK fished, SK paddled slowly, and DH read.

The cove was gorgeous without any evidence of man’s interference in its life.

Then I noticed that the guys were all hanging around this spot, excitedly they were calling me over to them. What could be so exciting? It was just a log sticking out into the water with stuff growing on it. Right? I had seen that often enough in nature. A tree falls over and vegetation starts growing in the tree-rich nutrient matter.

Of course I was wrong. This log held much more than mere vegetation.

As I got closer the guys pointed out the maple tree starting to grow in the end of the log.

Then they pointed out the pitcher plants, and the sundews. My boat wouldn’t stay still enough for me to photograph the sundews so you’ll have to take my word. We would NOT get out on the log or touch these delicate plants for a picture.

There were more and more pitcher plants. Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a cavity filled with liquid known as a pitfall trap. Flies are attracted to the liquid and there they stay. Ummm, lunch. There were pitcher plants everywhere.

But the real treat, the real surprise was the orchid.  At least we believe it is an orchid however I haven’t found the plant on orchid lists.

This unique plant, the only one we spotted on the log was there for us to admire. The boys were the ones to find all these plants and I admired how they had reminded me to not touch, to not disturb the plants. They went on to tell me that this was a unique habitat with several different zones. How fun to see them do the teaching.

At least we think it is an orchid. Anyone know for sure?

If you ever come across such plants leave them be. Do not touch them or disturb their habitat or worst yet, pick them, or dig them up to transplant them into your yard. Your yard may not be the correct habitat for them and Nature will suffer for sure.

One day on our vacation to northern NY state this past summer, we decided to spend a leisurely day boating around our pond. MK took his fishing poles and SK paddled him from one spot to another. MK didn’t catch anything this day but that really didn’t seem to matter to the boys. We could hear them chatting, and just enjoying each other’s company.

We saw lots of ducks, loons (impossible for me to photograph) and geese.

We also saw an eagle fight an osprey, what a sight!

Remember that photo of DH reading? Well, this is the just the spot where I caught him reading. Relaxing. How dare he! LOL!!

I on the other hand am just relaxing and watching MK fish:

What better playground for kids? The kids love to explore this rock island even if it isn’t that large of an island.

But we left this spot and continued our venture along the unpopulated side of the pond.

What a big, beautiful pond to kayak on.  There really are only a few other folks out enjoying the water on any day so you really feel like it is your own pond.

Little did we know what was around the next bend in the pond or what we would find in a little cove. Stop by tomorrow to see.

Just because one is out camping is no excuse for not having a birthday cake to eat on one’s birthday. This one is not from scratch but here’s how we made one on our camping trip for the birthday girl. The key is to make sure you bring along the ingredients. Before leaving home we pack oil, crack eggs into a big jug and of course the boxed cake mix. Everything goes into the bowl and we mix away.

The other essential is a SPIDER.

A SPIDER? That’s what I said when DH told me to buy one before a camping trip many, many years ago. It is a cast iron pot with these funny little legs on the bottom. The legs, well, you’ll see what their purpose is soon.

The SPIDER gets greased quite well, and heavily. We don’t want this cake to stick when it is finished. Then the batter is poured in:

Now comes the tricky part, the non-scientific part, the ‘I-hope-and-pray’ part. A few coals are placed in a circle:

Too many and the cake will burn. Too few and the cake will be wet on the bottom. The SPIDER is placed over these coals and more are placed on top.

Now you know why the SPIDER has little legs; so it sits just above the coals.

The lid has a lip so the coals stay on the lid and do NOT fall in when it is lifted off. Now, we must wait and wait and wait. And wonder, are the coals heating the cake batter evenly? Is it burning in one spot? Oh, what is going on inside that pot?

Patience.

Finally we can lift the lid and see our cake!

It may not be the prettiest cake, but it sure tastes great. Just ask SK, he ate a piece in one bite.