THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE!

Sometimes you wonder if people really care. So many folks including myself are so busy trying to stay busy... we can't see the person right in front of us that is trying to be a help, be a friend, a good neighbor. I have been in awe realizing how awesome people can be... and how God provides often through our peers and family.

I know I have shared how much I love our new families at the daycare but I must note some special moments. Theo's mom saw how we could use a cozier reading area and went right to making us the best pillows to wrap around our little cove. The other day our dumb safety gate crashed again and her husband measure out, drilled, and installed an awesome support to hold our gate secure! Everyone is plenty busy with their own lives... it was such a lift though to see people taking time for me and the kiddos!!!

This week the swing set decided to give way and being that a lot of kids are on the set at once the plastic 2X4's decided it was time to call it quits. It was not the most expensive set but moderately priced from Toys R Us... I was so disappointed and so were the kids. I asked several men for advise but realize it is a bigger task to fix than we can handle at the drop of a hat. Bart says he'll do it when he's off in July but hates to spend much money. WELL, Sunday we were working outside and my neighbor John was staining his fence right behind the swing set... he got my attention and sweetly offered to just fix the stinkin thing for us!!!! WHAT?? Someone really would do this... what could I ever do in return... honest??!! HE says I have my own workshop right here and I should have enough scrap lumber. HOLY CRUD!!! HE says he can have it done in a week... "It will be a fun project for me.... only thing is I get to take a swing too." I COULD CRY I AM SO RELIEVED!! His wife I have written about before, Diane... she is one of my heroes too!!

PEOPLE ARE GOOD AND THEY DO CARE!

Keeping them interested...

Over the summer we have more kiddos than during the school year and I promised myself I'd stick to structure to ensure success. So far I have heard only positive things but it IS ONLY JUNE;) For any of you who have a child or several-- some of our ideas may work for you too. The LIBRARY has served as a big resource... movies, music, and of course books on every topic you can think of!

* find a resource on SCIENCE experiments for kids
* pick several topics that you could spread over a couple weeks
* use the internet to add to your topic- let them help
* make/create some keepsake from the topic you studied
* keep a binder or folder of your tracings

We talked about Explorers first here... we checked out some books to OF COURSE I needed to get educated too! I had them collect objects from outside that remind us of this part of the country. We next worked on maps of each of their towns, so they tried hard to note certain features and places to go that were unique. Any kind of HUNT can be loads of fun, role play that concept of exploration. We have foil wrapped gum coins that we pretend is pirate treasure. For a science concept we looked at water sanitation/filtration. When EXPLORING our daycare helper's backyard we gathered a water sample from her pond and the kids added items from the ground to dirty the water further. Our pitcher sat over hours and hours getting clearer as the filth settles this is often stage two in the greater process of recycling our waste water. Using tracing paper from the grocery store, I had our oldest kids trace some icons like a old ship, a compass, gold and such. Toward the end of the week I rubbed coffee and black tea bags on the maps to help age them and then we burnt them around the edges after they were all dry.

The next week we talked about Native Americans and had a great time with this topic! The library books were fun for kids of all ages to look over. We gathered large sticks from outside and talked of all the uses they could have. Inside we painted them and hot glued on colored feathers. I tried to have them come up with several dances for rain, harvest, and for buffalo. Remember, "Ta-tahn-kah" from Dances with Wolves?? Their were hand gestures to communicate between other tribes (like universal sign language) noting the "Chief," warning for "White man," and for "lies." I expressed the conflict that there used to be with the Native Americans and overtime how it is changing. Several knew of ways other Americans are trying to help some reservations. We role played the different identities you might find in a tribe... Medicine Woman/Man, the CHIEF, the Father of many children, and the top Hunter. There are so many objects to trace from books. If you have played pick up sticks we found a similar game the Native American children played even back in the 1400's. REFER to the photo... past out arrows/straws evenly and have your family take turns tossing your arrow in hoping to cross on top of another straw(s). You collect up these straws and increase your stash the more straws you land on/touch. The winner has the most: )

Our Diverse World was next in focus. On our wall we have displayed the continents and picture of children from certain regions. These are from the teaching store and are easily available. On some of the large prominent countries we talk of some of the customs, common foods, beliefs, and the climate. On some there are obvious things to note from trouble with the government, natural disasters, troubling diseases and how we can show compassion toward many that suffer. I use my book from Compassion International to help them see the realities of other children's lives. One day we focused on those that are disabled and on ways they adapt and overcome. We drew and traced different devices that are helpful and learned about canines that are trained to help them succeed in their environment. We discussed the many ways war vets might have become disabled. There were certain populations we chose to study like the Arab/Muslim population, Eqyptians, and African Americans. The kids expressed physical differences yet talked too of how much likeness we all have. The history of the African American people was rough, slavery was not something kids think about. Slowly we learn about the first Presidents as we go through our main topics.

New Kiddos have joined us

Ben and Brea are from Josh's school. We have been enjoying their company these last two weeks and as well a local Physician's kiddo while she awaited her new nanny. Sara has been good help this summer while we have lots to accomplish and enjoy. We have weekly themes for learning and fun. In the next post I will share some topics and such. We went to Sara's property to visit animals and gather a sample of water for a demo on water treatment which we studied.

Kira has loved mowing on the Walker and was even mowing with her Grandpa out in Wellington tonight! Speaking of Walker... Bart has been so blessed to have worked thru the last temporary shut-down and will be off for three weeks after the 4th of July while many others are having 6 weeks without work. His dept. is off the least to ensure parts continue to get shipped since many are not buying new mowers. We pray everyone can adjust to the challenges this time has brought on.

Moments to Remember

We were invited over to the Lalicker's... Kira had a great time especially on their new swing set and on a tramp with her cousin. Dearest Bethany does some funny things... the photo stinks but shows her funny yoga position with her feet and her hands conveying some unique greeting to her Aunt Susie. When Travis was a baby her would do strange Star Trek thing with HIS TOES.

Kira has been having cranial-sacral massage done by a friend of Grandma Ruth. She has been so generous to us and so flexible to work on Kira in the midst of the daycare setting. We try to keep it calm and quiet but it's tricky. After the Therapist left I snapped some photos of Kira spontaneously setting up and doing massage on her own favorite poodle. Oh yes Kira has been having a rough spell again with her gut. She has spent lots of time avoiding food and bonding with the potty and some good books. We just got approval for a Gluten-sensitivity test done by Entero Labs in Texas. I am confused that somehow even after getting the insurance to respond in approval of the test we will still have to pay since this will be out of network. We started working on this test since January of this year. Our insurance system needs major reform! Bart got another denial for his Bipap machine which we have been working on since January as well! I was tearing up hearing that Grandma Walker was sharing her concern for him and trying to figure out if they could just help buy this machine for us! We keep hoping the system will work with us. We will talk to the Lab Monday and know more so soon and before we know it this will all be more clear and I'll know better how to help Kira. If you haven't heard me chatter lately... I've been noting how Kira has been having weird reactions to mosquito bites and even human bites... she had this bite from Brecksen that turned into a crazy rash for a month. She has had immune issues, dental issues, and digestive issues from the get go. ANY ideas outside of Celiac Disease anyone??? She will be under GA for dental surgery on the 30th of June at Children's Hospital. Grandpa Dave will be with to help since Bart can't get out of work and Grandma is recovering from "Drop Foot" surgery herself!