Educational TV

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

Sounds of Summer

 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.

The playhouse curtains

Cassie knitting at the fair

A summer picnic

Lacey at the fair - she loves cows

Cassie's impressionist drawing - Best in Show

Lacey reading to the dog

Orkney Springs

Cassie sewing

Hurricane Irene

Picking raspberries

Cassie and Gaby

American Girl Place

It's All About Gaby

Gabriela arrived on August 13th, just a few days early.  We were up at the cabin and didn't get to meet her until a few days later.  Gabriela is just beautiful.  She is a healthy and peaceful baby. 
 Cassie was so happy to finally meet Gaby.   She had set aside a pile of books to read to the baby at their first meeting.  And, Cassie read, even though Gaby was asleep during our entire visit.  Ever since Cassie started speaking, she has called Gladis "big sister."  Now, Cassie is thrilled to be Gaby's aunt.  She has specified that she wants to be called "Tia," which is Spanish for "aunt."  Cassie has established a "Gaby fund" and is saving money to buy Gaby an American Girl doll.  Cassie has already gotten Gladis to promise that Gaby will spend Halloween with us.  Cassie told me that she can't wait until Gaby is 4 or 5 years old so that they can have a real conversation.


Lacey was really fascinated by all the baby stuff - the pink and white bassinet, the tiny hats and mittens, and Gaby's tiny bracelet.  I gave her my camera and let her take pictures of everything.  I was a little nervous about letting Lacey hold the baby.  So, I let Lacey slip her arms under Gaby, next to mine.  It was at that moment that Gaby chose to release some gas.  Boy, was Lacey every surprised.  She told me that it would be okay if I wanted to put Gaby back in "the cage" now!

Gaby in my arms

Cassie reading to Gaby

Sleeping Beauty



Gaby and her "Tia"



The 3 girls

The 4 girls

Happy Mom

7lbs, 6 oz, 20 inches long

"I can't wait to hear her voice!  Which American Girl doll should I get her?"

School Supplies

Last Saturday, I decided to take advantage of Virginia's "tax-free weekend" and shop for school supplies.  In preparation for the big event, I had downloaded lists of required supplies from the school's website.  The girls and I then sorted leftover supplies and verified that we could recycle some.  This wasn't going to be too expensive!  We headed to Target, confident that we'd find well-stocked aisles and the best prices. 

First, I whipped out the list for first-graders.  "24 yellow sharpened pencils. . . There's no way Lacey is going to use 24 pencils!"

"No, Mom, she won't," piped in Cassie.  "Remember, the teacher is going to tell her to dump the pencils in 'the bin.'"


Ah, yes, "the bin."  Several years back I discovered that having colorful school supplies made Cassie a little happier at school.  Sparkly pink pencils seemed a small price to pay for my kid's happiness.  Then, we learned about "the bin." This is the community repository, where supplies are made available for students who either don't bring in their own or lose theirs.   Cassie handled this masterfully, politely explaining to the teacher that her mother didn't allow her to share!  There was no way she was letting those pretty pencils out of her hands.  I had no problem with this because Cassie goes to school with a full inventory of supplies and doesn't need to take anything from the bin.  Well. . . we are trying to instill in Lacey the importance of following rules.  So, I dodged about 15 grabbing arms and retrieved two dozen pencils.


"Okay, Lacey needs scissors with a point," I continued.


"Remember, Mom, we have a lot of scissors at home," reminded Cassie.  Oh, my, the scissors!  A couple years ago, Cassie arrived home from school, upset because she had been chastised by the teacher for not completing an assignment. She explained that she had loaned her scissors to another child and couldn't finish.  When I asked why she loaned her scissors, she said that she hadn't wanted to, but the teacher had scolded her for not sharing.  So, I bought a second pair of scissors.  By the end of the year, I'd sent in a third pair of scissors because both children seated next to Cassie had lost theirs.  So, we have plenty of scissors at home.  Cassie also routinely collects unclaimed pencils and crayons from the classroom floor.  She stores all these in a bag in her desk and offers these to classmates who always need to borrow.  I admire her resourcefulness.


Next - both girls needed two compsition books each.  Parents have been repeatedly reminded that teachers prefer plain composition books.   Okay.  I confess.  We don't do plain.  Well, Lacey was pleased with yellow marbled covers and snatched two.  But, sadly, Target's supply of composition books was limited.  Cassie didn't see anything she liked.  We eventually went to two other stores to find acceptable notebooks.  But, before you label me insane for doing this, I will explain that the composition books are used on a daily basis.  And, if a book with an attractive cover makes my kid smile and feel a little happier about being locked in school all day, I'll spend a little extra time finding the right books. 
Meanwhile, we continued to dodge carts and customers who were madly pawing through the bins of supplies.  The aisles were so crowded that we decided to park our cart a few rows away and try to squeeze our way through the rows of supplies. 

"Okay," I continued, "Lacey needs SIXTEEN GLUE STICKS?!  What?  Are they going to be papering walls with the glue sticks?  And, Cassie needs four."  As I pushed through aisles, feeling like I was at some sort of international bazaar, I suggested that the girls go select their pencil boxes.  But, wait, there were about 15 different styles and we had to try to determine the specific style each girl needed.  A "pencil pouch" for Cassie, not a "pencil box," because apparently the fifth grade textbooks are thicker and take up too much space in the desk to accommodate a pencil box.  And, for Lacey, "a pencil box no larger than 5 x 8 inches."  We eventually selected acceptable pencil containers.  About that time, I managed to identify a Target employee and verified that the store was SOLD OUT of glue sticks.  I guess every teacher in the county is asking students to bring in 16 apiece.

Now, some of you might feel compelled to point out that I could order school supplies through the PTO.  I wouldn't have to do anything except write the check.  But, why would I want to deny my kids the opportunity to participate in this cultural ritual?



Finally, I sent Cassie in search of 3x5 index cards and actually placed Lacey inside the cart to avoid physical injury.  We then dashed toward the checkout lines where I was informed that my grand total was $32.05.  I'm not kidding.  I was feeling immensely pleased with myself when Cassie reminded me about the miscellaneous supplies.  These are the things that are not included in teacher's miniscule budgets. 

The fifth graders need to provide a box of Kleenex and a gallon size box of ziplock baggies.  The first graders need to provide Liquid handsoap; a gallon size box of ziplock baggies; 2 boxes of "Puffs Plus Kleenex;" unscented baby wipes; and paper towels.  Parents are informed that teachers have specifed particular brands for some items because these brands have been found to be the most reliable.

I can't be the only parent who finds these requests just the slightest bit annoying.  Let's start with the need to blow noses.  Now, I completely understand why teachers need tissues.  But, my family is accustomed to wiping their noses with cheaper brands of tissues and everybody is just fine.  And, by the way, have you ever tried to clean a pair of eyeglasses with a greasy "Puffs Plus?"  So, I think the cheaper brand that we have at home will work just fine.

The liquid handsoap and baby wipes are for students to wash their hands.  What's the problem with soap and water?  The teachers will tell parents that it takes too much time to let students get up to wash their hands.  Sure, I understand this.  Meanwhile, we are constantly emphasizing that students need to be "green" and "save the planet."   So, let's flush those baby wipes.

In closing, I have to share that because Lacey never owned any personal possessions before, she is a hoarder in the making.  In her bedroom she has a collection of sales receipts, price tags, menus, junk mail and anything else she can get her hands on.  Once something is HERS, she does not want to let it go.  Understandably, Lace is absolutely enamored with her new school supplies.  She spreads them out on the floor several times a day to admire them and counts to verify that SHE HAS MORE THAN CASSIE!!  (Those 16 glue sticks pushed her over the edge.)  I just can't wait to see what happens when the teacher tries to take away Lacey's 24 new pencils and place them in THE BIN!