We brought home the tree which needed to thaw.
Decorating the Tree
Taking a Break to Play Tennis
They RARELY play the Wii because the older boys prefer PS3 by far.
I thought the younger two might like to play the Wii for a change.
The Christmas Tree is Done!
(Note the black cat on the left)
The Living Room Ready for Christmas
In the evening, we watched the Nativity Story with hot chocolate and popcorn, and earlier in the day, while I was making apple crisp and biscuits, we watched Mr. Bean Merry Christmas.
Family Pictures with faces here:
http://parentingfreedom.com/2008/12/15/weekend-in-pictures-private/
These movies were watched this weekend by some or another.
I had been looking forward to seeing Horton Hears a Who for the first time, especially for the pro-life message. I felt they diminished that as much as possible, and I was sooooo not impressed with the nasty kangaroo and her pouch schooling. Argh!!!
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/05/crisp-body.html
“The teen disappeared on Oct. 13 after arguing with his parents over a favourite Xbox video game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. They had taken the game away from him because they felt he had become obsessed with it and his many connections in the online gaming community.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/537519
I wasn’t going to comment on this, as I have no intention of judging these parents. I see this more as a parent/child communication problem rather than a video game problem. It is so important to listen to our teens. Prevention would be best, so if your children are young, establish boundaries long before gaming gets out of hand. I think problem-solving is the best way to handle video game conflicts. In our home, we have always had the rule that Mature-rated games are not allowed. I don’t find the Teen-rated games to be too bad. Our video gaming is done in the living room, and I think it is a modern way of children playing together. The tragic story of Brandon Crisp reminds us to connect with our teens, and to be there for them, so they won’t feel the need to flee.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:50 PM in »
Parenting General,
Video Games |
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Pictures on my camera:
The monster spider (bottom right)
and nest of babies (top left) in our shrub
The tiny toad N14 found while mowing
Some Journal Notes:
PS3 SingStar: We got this last weekend. It is the coolest karaoke system. It has a limited song store, and will never have hymns and children’s songs, but it is really fun (maybe not for the listeners!)
If you CAN’T sing and love EIGHTIES music, then come visit us on weekend evenings. 
Library Craft Time
Ready for School: The three youngest were anxious to start, so they have already done some subjects. N14 has been working on Calculus for a few weeks. (The far right sidebar has updated homeschooling schedules by grade.)
I asked B9 what book he was reading now, and he said his Bible and Bible study book. I said, “Well, that is supposed to be for all year, a chapter a day.” He said, “But I like it the best. It is the most interesting.” There I am, arguing with my son about him reading the Bible too much. LOL
Both B9 and C7 have read a ton of books already this summer. N14 read some good ones as well.
Shopping Trip in M’ton: I find it very annoying that the “Back-to-School” clothes are all short-sleeved. Parents have to buy new clothes for the children in August and then again a short time later when it gets cold. (I only bought long-sleeves.) Speaking of the weather, we had an unusually rainy summer, but the forecast for the next few days is hot and sunny. Maybe we should postpone our back-to-school plans.
Soccer: B9 and C7 enjoyed playing soccer this summer. The score of B9’s final game of the jamboree was 1-0, and it was B9 that scored the only goal! He was pretty happy.
During the other jamboree, I had to laugh at C7’s coach who told the girls on the team to “STOP SOCIALIZING!” LOL Isn’t that why they tell “us homeschoolers” to get involved in organized sports? 
It is pretty funny to see C7 picking flowers or chatting away in the middle of a game.
Video Games: This summer, each boy was allowed an hour before 10 AM and an hour after supper. I didn’t want video games to affect our short summer. Next week, I expect we will go back to them each having one hour after schoolwork/chores are completed, and more on the weekends.
Vacation Bible School: The three youngest children and I have been going to VBS this week. During classroom time, a helper and I have nine three and four year-olds (including L3). We do a craft, color, and have a snack. To keep them occupied, I always do several fingerplays which they love. I am also responsible for game time for the 3’s, 4’s, 5’s, and 6’s. I try to make sure the games have no losers, and that everybody gets to play most of the time. We are doing great. Lots of laughter and fun. Tomorrow is the last day.
Health: There always seems to be a health challenge in this house. I wish I had more energy to do what my mind wants me to do. Being told I had ADD explains a lot of my tendencies.
Chore Charts: Although things can get out-of-hand pretty quickly around here, the children are very helpful and will do chores when I ask. I would prefer for them to have more of a predictable routine though. I have new chore charts on order that I am looking forward to using. I will share pictures and links later.
S.P.A.M Attacks: I have been getting a ton this past week on my site. Yuck. I prefer nice comments.
Website: The main purpose of shutting down my old site has not helped get my information out there like I expected. I am disappointed that my most important pages are still not being used in Google.
Television: I am glad there have been new Jon and Kate + 8’s all summer. We have also enjoyed some of its reruns. The only other thing I have been watching is some FOX news.
Books: I always have a few on the go.
I just finished this and found it to be really good: Parent in Control
. I love the author’s understanding of the difference between discipline and punishment. I’ll have to post some quotes later on. I am reminded of the parents and children at VBS. When I hear them talk, I am certain they would not understand a home that is free from punishing children.
I am reading Waiting for His Coming by Lewis Neilson. (I am of the amillennialist persuasion, but I don’t care to debate.)
I am reading a book on the mind/body health connection. I did one of the exercises, and found it quite interesting.
And, *gasp* I am also reading a Catherine Cookson book.
Hmmm: Definitely odds and ends in this post. I can’t think of anything else I want to share right now. Have a great weekend.
Thursday, August 21, 2008 7:45 PM in »
Journal 2008,
Video Games |
1 Comment
I think we are going to go pretty much media-free for the next couple of weeks. That means generally no TV, no movies, no internet, no Facebook, no computer, and no video games for the children and me. I am not going to be too crazy about this. For example, if we have kids over, and it seems appropriate to play the Wii, than so be it. I also want to go to the theatre to see The X-Files when it comes out. I think I will check my email only once every couple of days, but not visit blogs, etc. I may use the computer to prepare the homeschool schedules for the coming year.
Summer is going too quickly. In the future, I doubt my children will ever say to me that I should have let them play more video games and watch more TV.
See you in a couple weeks!
Anyone else have boys who didn’t miss a word of the E3 conference this afternoon?
That’s what I thought.
Anybody know what I am talking about? Hey, you checked the category!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:41 PM in »
Video Games |
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C6 made a terrific croquet set out of K’Nex. I was playing with her in the middle of the living room floor and said, “This is just like the Wii!” I suspect a lot of people in the future will relate playing a ‘”real” sport with having played the Wii.
Earlier today, N14 and I laughed over this video clip (found at School@Home).
http://www.youtube.com/v/_iYBmAVuBns&hl=en&fs=1
Monday, July 07, 2008 5:13 PM in »
Video Games |
1 Comment
