Kids and Grades....

I recently had an opportunity to share some thoughts about homeschooling and grades. Wow! I have not given thought to grades since I was in college and took an American Culture class where the Professor stated we would all get A's in his class as long as we participated. When he stated that we all could not believe what we were hearing. Remarks were made and he defended his belief, what do grades mean. When you graduate do they look at your grades and say WOW! you got a 4.0, do you get a pay increase for graduating with a 4.0 and so on. Another professor stated he would rather have a C student taking care of him in the hospital then an A student. His rational was that rarely do you have a book smart person with common sense which is needed in life. I understood both of them and respected their beliefs. I worked my booty off to graduate with honors at the top of my class which I have to say has not given me any extra privileges though I'm sure it would have helped if I continued on but that topic is for a different time.

My thoughts on grades.

I had a daughter who would get upset and depressed if she did not get 100% on all of her school work. We took family skip days when she started getting stressed out. Her teacher and the school counselor were in agreement about the skip days. My son on the other hand was bored with school and most of his teachers thought he was lazy and that he need remedial classes, when in reality he was bored. How do I know that you ask, he aced his MEAP test and classes he liked.

My wee ones are homeschooled. Their homework is sent in and graded and emailed to me. They have no idea what their grades are nor do they ask. They get all A's but don't even know it. They simply get to enjoy their studies. They do not stress or worry about their grades. We concentrate on making sure they understand what is being taught. It makes our job of teaching easier and it is less stressful for them. It is a win-win situation for us.

In my opinion grades do not make a person and grades do not have to control a person’s outcome. There have been many people who graduated at the top of their class and they never amounted to a pile of beans and others who barely passed who have become very successful. They had ambition and the will power to succeed. Some extremely smart people I have known committed suicide because they could not handle failure and the need they had to be on top. One cannot help but to think this may have been focused on at an early age because of the stress to be at the top of the class. Many kids are bored in school for one reason or another which diminishes their ambition to learn. Everyone has their own way of learning that works best for them and schools are set up for kids who can sit at a desk quietly and work. For everyone else, it makes it a bit harder to learn. The main thing is not everyone who gets 'good' grades comes out on top and not everyone who barely passes is stuck at the bottom of dead beat job.

One step closer to becoming deliriously happy.

The Sweet Songs of Babies....

The joy of fussy kids! Are they really fussy or are they just singing songs out of tune? I have 9 babies and have not figured out the answer to this question.

Are their fits to get their point across or to drive you utterly insane. I know, they are learning at a young age which buttons to push to drive you nuts and which buttons push to get what they want. The have a photographic memory which holds the answers to these questions and they are able to retrieve the data at a moments notice to use it to get anything they want from you. They are cunning but oh, so lovable and fun.

The cute beautiful sneaky creatures that they are, so brilliant and deceiving a great combination! They fool you with those cute little checks that are so irresistibly pinchable and top it with sweet innocent smiles. The icing on the cake is all the kisses and hugs their unconditional love. One of their greatest gifts that they bestow on you.

With all that being said, I have figured out away to get them back a tad all in fun of course. I love to irritate them, bug them with hugs and kisses. Chase them and pick on them. Do all sorts of silly things which have the wee ones fussing and the big ones yelling "MOM". I'm the cunning devious mother who has way to much fun irritating them. A goal which I accomplish everyday according to them. LOL

We have lots of FUN everyday. There is not a day that goes by that kisses, hugs and I love yous are not passed out to everyone along with me bugging them. I would never trade the babies in for anything in this world. No matter how fussy they are, for if they were not here to drive me insane and irritate me who would do that and what would my life be like. mmmm wait minute, what am I saying. I would love to have a quiet life with no fussing fit throwing kids. If only I would of thought about that before I had kids. Just kidding; maybe!

To me having kids is one step closer to being deliriously happy!

Kids and Social Media...A Great Combination.....

There is a new social site created by three kids who wanted to make a change in their life. They wanted to start a business so they could move to the beach, start a charity, and create the life that they have been dreaming of.

Jem started twitting with me when she was 8 years old. She instantly fell in love with it and wanted to learn more about social media, blogging, and about our business. She wanted to blog so away she went and the domino effect happened with the other two kids who were 6 and 10 at that time. As a blogger myself, I find it hard enough to get people to read your blog; can you imagine how hard it is to get people to read blogs from kids. I came up with an idea while I was blogging for Saronti, a children's website, I thought how great would it be if this site had an area for my kids to blog. The owner of the site thought it was a great idea, so we did a feed and she published their blogs. I will never forget that day, the kids excitement and sense of accomplishment to see their blogs published on Saronti. It was very exciting to me as a parent because who would have read or even published a kids blog. It is no longer a pain staking task to get them to write. They write about all sorts of things from dinosaurs to whats going on with them. It is a way for them to express themselves as individuals.

Jem still was not satisfied and eager to learn more; wanted to help with business. One week she made enough money to pay for the majority of the babysitting fee for there special babysitting day. From that point on, there was no stopping her. We had a family meeting and she announced that she wanted changes in her life and she was ready to do what she had to move to the beach. Jem asked if she could start a business to help make money to move. The other two kids again jumped on the bandwagon which bought about the birth of their business.

They love connecting with kids from around the globe. A social site was created with their help so they could meet more kids and make a difference in the world. Connecting with kids from other parts of the world/country is a great learning experience for kids. They can learn how other kids live, what they think about, and what they have in common. They can also play games with educational value, practice their writing skills with blogging, learn to put what they think and change it into thoughts, create groups to voice their opinions and make a change/difference in the world. Kids connecting with kids to make the world a better place. Who says social media has to be just for adults.

There are so many teens and adults who are on social media sites these days but what about the kids? I know there are virtual worlds for the kids but there isn't nothing quite like this. The kids who created this site made it so you can blog, create groups, chat, upload videos and pictures, get free things, forums, educational games and create your own profile. The security is very high and everything is very well monitored so the kids can have a safe and wonderful experience.

Social media has made the world a smaller place and has forged relationships that we normally would of not had the opportunity to have. It plays a role in every aspect of life today from the mommy blogger, to the actor, to news media, corporations, churches, and even some schools. Social media has made it easier for people to connect, whether it be for business or for friendship. Technology has come such a long way over the years.

Hang Out Corner

My Happy Place.....

I wanted to share my happy place with you. It is a place that I visit with family and friends. Even a picture of my happy place can calm me and bring peace to my soul. My happy place is the beach, the ocean and the waves. The ocean is so tranquil, calming and magnificent but at times can be the scariest most intimidating place on earth.

I love to watch the waves hit the sand and deposit gifts from the ocean. Gifts of shells fish and yes, let’s not forget debris. The ocean sings joyous stimulating songs to the souls who love her. She invites everyone that visits her to take in her unending beauty, play in her yard but she commands respect from everyone. She has will always continue to teach us about life and at times she gives up her secretes but she still stays mysterious, dark and cold. She is strong, powerful and fearless. She can rage her anger and turbulence like no other but the same time calm and relax the turbulence within a person. Astronomically amazing she is.

I just recently realized how much I love the ocean at night. The water is so black and the waves are white the combo make an extraordinary chillaxin dual. The smell of the water and wind blowing while you are sitting on the beach in the dark is a great place to release your inner struggles and rejuvenate your soul. I long for a house on the shore of the ocean with deck overlooking the ocean so I can sleep hearing and smelling the ocean. One step to becoming deliriously happy.

Chore Chart

Chore Chart~ some people were asking what we do as far as chores go.

Base Pay $1.00~We give this no matter what they do during the week.

Chores do not include your bedrooms. You must keep them clean daily.
$0.25 load dish washer unload washer take out garbage garbage to the road folding laundry & putting away sweep back deck washing cabinets washing bar stools wiping furniture off leaves hanging up clothes cleaning glass

$0.10 picking up the living room taking out recycle dusting vacuuming wipe down walls wipe down doors putting away shoes taking laundry to the laundry room getting the mail

Schedules Love Those Beautiful Schedules

Have you ever stopped and thought that this world runs on schedules. You have to schedule appointments for everything and anything; you have work schedules, sleep schedules, workout schedules, and school schedules, church schedules the list goes on and on and on. You get the drift.

Schedules love those schedules. They work fantabulous for the most part. Allowing you to accomplish more in your day then you ever thought you could. I have found that I have more time for work, kids, pleasure and play if I stick to my schedule. Who would not love that? This week we stated a new schedule worked great the first day. I have more time than I thought I would have. Kids loved it too and responded well to it. I'm so deliriously happy that the schedule is working.

I allowed for hills, humps, and bumps to interfere with our schedule. For the most part we are flexible; we can bend twist and re-do our day for the interferences that feel the need to knock me or the kids off schedule. Though, when I have to schedule an appointment and we get stuck sitting waiting two hours past our appointment time, the other me wants to come out and visit. Even I'm scared of her.LOL Anyways, Thinking to myself, I'm not getting what I need to get done and Anessa isn't either because she is at the appointment. We are so far behind that we will never be able to finish what we wanted to accomplish today, all because someone was behind on their schedule. Then, I wonder how they are ever going to catch up. The nerve of these people. Who does there scheduling anyway. They obviously have no idea how to schedule or did they quadruple book for the day. The waiting room was packed with kids and grumpy parents because everyone was waiting for so long. A few smart people came in and walked right back out. I bet they got charged for the missed appointment.

How would they like it if I showed up two hours late for my appointment time because I was running behind schedule? They would look at me and laugh and tell me I owe them for a missed appointment. HMMM fair I think not. I wanted to give them a bill for mine, Anessa and the kids’ time and the money it cost to sit in office.

We all have schedules that we follow to some degree and things happen that are not in our control that changes our schedule. I understand that, I just would like to be treated like my time is important too. That I might have a schedule and things that I need to do too. Yes, we have to allow for people to get behind because of emergent things are happening but when there is nothing emergent and you have so much staff that they are falling over each other. One has to wonder what’s going on. I take issue especially when it happens at the same places all the time. I think next time, no I will next time hand them a bill demanding to be compensated for lost time and money because they are unable to stick to a schedule. I will also be nice and offer my services on how to be more efficient with time and scheduling. Obviously they need some help.

Jump On The Bandwagon And Choose Earthdays Over Birthdays

WOW!!! Have you noticed that is what most parents say when they realize their wee ones are having a birthday? We are faced with not only with our children having a birthday but that means we have another year to add to us. Of course us as parents have long since stopped having birthdays and don't like to be reminded of such nonsense. OK well, at least I have. Yes, my babies keep increasing their age by numbers but the older kids have jumped on my "ban-wagon" and stopped keeping track of how many years have flipped by. Let’s correct that I have just gotten some of wee ones to jump on now. Love my parental influence.

I have 5 babies that will be having birthdays this next month. I'm happy they are here to enjoy them but I think we should throw the age and birthday thing out the door. I have called my birthday my "Earthday" for years. I never have to think about my age until someone asks me and it always happens. How old are you? How old are your kids? You don't look old enough to have that many kids and you surely are not old enough to be a grandma, another word that I don't use. LOL I get asked this because I was blessed with looking young and acting even younger. Mostly because I refuse to grow up or grow; won’t use the other word.

I guess if society as a whole was not so stuck on the age thing and everything was not centered on having fewer wrinkles and being young I could handle it. I have had this age issue since I was 13. Yeap, when I turned 13 I decided to stop having the birthday thing and stopped telling people how old I was. Seriously at times I have forgotten. Of course until I have to flip out my drivers license or at my doctors office. Yes, here I'm sitting in the office and they announced my birthday to everyone and continued to do the same to everyone. I happened to be the youngest there and the most applaud or the one that has a big enough mouth to say something. Well, did they get a huge ear full from me. I even told them that I would refuse to go back if they kept this up. They have since stopped doing this. I thought it was just wrong. If I wanted everyone to know my freakin age I would plaster it to my shirt. NOT.

Even though I gotten many compliments it doesn't matter because at some point people start saying you’re too old for this and that. They attach age to everything even if age has nothing to do with what is going on with you or the situation.
When I first started having kids I got harassed because I was a baby having a baby by most standards. Then I got told I was too old to have a baby and how did I expect to carry my child's luggage to their dorm room, nothing like a slap in the face. I had years to go before I would even turn 4....well you know what I'm trying to say. On the other hand, many use age as an excuse not to do something. I can't go back to school, change jobs, have kids, move, etc. because I'm too old. Everyone is an age critic.


Don't get me wrong I'm thankful to be here because I'm not ready to be pushing up the daisies yet. But for us chronologically challenged people and for society as a whole I think the world would be a better place if we got rid of the age stigma. If people just looked at people for who they are and for the knowledge that they posses, instead of attaching an age to it. My personal step to becoming deliriously happy creating happy thoughts and free from age restrictions.