Our Family: September 2011

Now that school has started and we're busy, I'm working hard to maintain a routine at home. The girls come home from school, unload backpacks, pack lunchboxes for the next day, do homework, practice violin, tidy bedrooms and lay out clothes for the next day. The girls understand that if they have free time, I will encourage them to play outside, read, draw, play Barbies, help me cook dinner, or basically, do anything that doesn't involve TV. It's not that I think TV is bad. But, there are so many more enriching things for them to do. We have the same rules for the computer, DS, iPad and anything else electronic. If we can fit in a little time for electronics at the end of the day, fine. If we have homework and we can supplement it with information from the Internet, wonderful. I'm grateful for the Internet every time Cassie has a quesiton that I can't answer. And, while Saturday mornings might be reserved for cartoons, the girls don't spend endless hours staring at any kind of screen. If you know me, you know how much I rely on electronics. But, it's all about finding balance. I want the girls to recognize that technology offers tools to supplement, not consume their lives. And, I absolutely don't want them to miss out on life - whether it be the everyday or the extraordinary. Interacting with other people is the essence of life.

(As evidenced by the last post on her blog, Cassie does actually spend time thinking about all this. http://cassidy950.blogspot.com/ )

Then, along comes the show, "Pawn Stars." Now, this is one show that the girls are welcome to watch. Usually, it's on after Lacey's bedtime, so we watch with Cassie. This show is packed full of real life lessons. Let's start with history. In one evening, the show covered little known facts about Abraham Lincoln, the history of Buffalo Bill Cody, and the American Revolution. This show can also teach lessons about interpersonal relations and values. Here's what you might hear while we're viewing Pawn Stars:

Me: Okay, Cassie. Who currently has the upper hand?
Cassie: Oh, obviously the buyer. The guy who wants to sell needs $400 to get his teeth fixed. He's desperate and the buyer knows this so he can take advantage of the seller.

OR:

Me: Okay, who has the advantage in this exchange?
Cassie: This time the seller does. She knows she has something really unique that the pawn shop guy wants to get his hands on. And, she doesn't need the money so she can negotiate for a better price.

Other episodes teach about values:

Me: Who's going to win this time?
Cassie: I'm not sure. The guy selling needs the money and the buyer is willing to pay. But, he's not sure he wants to sell because the item belonged to his grandmother. Maybe sentimental value is worth more than money.

A couple weeks ago Cassie successfully auditioned for the youth orchestra. To celebrate, we all went to visit the local pawn shop. We explained to the staff that the girls love watching Pawn Stars and that they were first timers. The girls were free to roam the aisles and examine the jewels, DvDs, power tools, musical instruments and cameras. One cashier tried to interest them in a pink guitar. But, they were more intrigued by a woman who wanted to sell a necklace. They were thrilled to hear that familiar phrase, "What do you want to do, pawn or sell?" They also enjoyed watching the customer who kept grabbing my arm and exclaiming, "They have everything here!" Eventually, Cassie asked if they had any game cartridges for the Nintendo DS. Of course they did! The girls spent about 10 minutes mulling over the games before they selected one that was selling for $9.99. Since retail price is $29.99, we all felt pleased with the price. Well, Cassie was thrilled when the guy knocked $3.00 off the price. All in all, it was an experience that didn't disappoint. Ordinary can still be extraordinary.

Outside the local pawn shop

Tomorrow both the girls and I will begin a new school year. This is always a bittersweet time of year for me. I share the excitement of new friends, new clothes and new challenges. But, I'm always sorry to see our peaceful summer days end. The girls and I were reflecting on our best summer memories, and I decided to share some of the sounds that made our summer special. Here they are:

The way KatyAnn says "pizza;"

The whir of Cassie's pottery wheel, and the hum of the sewing machine as Cassie finished the curtains for the playhouse windows;

Lacey telling me that she didn't need any new school clothes because she had so many great hand-me-downs from Cassie;

Being woken by an incoming text on my phone that read, "Hi Gramma. I'm Gaby."

Hearing the Star Spangled Banner screeching through the sound system at the fairgrounds - Cassie and I were demonstrating knitting in the Home Arts Building at the county fair. When the music started, we pushed open the big sliding door in the building. Everyone who was in the building stepped outside to face the flag. For those few seconds, the many different people at the fair - the carnies, the vendors, the farmersand the spectators - were all united.

The girls reading aloud to dogs as part of the public library's "Read with Rover" program;

The earthquake and Hurricane Irene;

The sound of rain on the cabin's roof;

Outdoor concerts at Orkney Springs;

Silence. The leaking faucet in the kitchen has finally been repaired.