Skip to main content

Beauty and fun


We made frosted sugar cookie bars and delivered them to a few friends. Don't worry we washed our hands and kept our visit short. 

And enjoyed yet another chilly walk. 

I'm in awe of the beauty around us. 

Homeschool is a bit of a joke at our house. It's why I don't do homeschool on a regular basis. 

I'm not an organized person. I don't like being on a schedule. I don't like controlling (or attempting to control) what my kids are doing all day.

Except for electronics. I'm kind of a tech-time control freak. And a lot of homeschool involves using a computer. 

So, needless to say, it's been a rough start. 

But I'm not so naive as to have thought that it would be easy. 

And I do recognize the benefits of stepping back from learning when necessary to just have a little fun. 

Or a lot of fun. 

Today was one of those days. We didn't go bowling, or out to the movies. Or even out to lunch. We didn't even leave the house this afternoon. (Brant took the oldest two to the market and library this morning to pick up the books I put on hold.) 

We made a music video! 

I'll admit I'm probably the one who had the most fun. But I think that since my mood was easy, the kids relaxed quite a bit too. 

Besides what kid doesn't have fun when their mom directs then to jump on her bed? 

We'll try again tomorrow to get a little learning in. 

But if not, there's always virtual Disneyland rides! 

Comments

  1. MaryMarch 18, 2020 at 8:31 PM

    Loved the music Video. No more monkeys jumping on the bed, lol
    Letter writting is a good thing. Use their words, put it in writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina CrowtherMarch 18, 2020 at 8:48 PM

      Yes! Letter writing is for sure on our list! haha. That's part of the problem though, I sometimes write list, but I look at them more as suggestions, not must do's... We'll get some written though!

      Delete
  2. Mellissa March 18, 2020 at 8:42 PM

    We actually did really good today with school. No fits for once! Of course, this required some negotiations and conpromises, but it was a good day. We even got art, music, and PE in. We will be working on our music video tomorrow! 😁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina CrowtherMarch 18, 2020 at 8:47 PM

      YOU are more the homeschool mom type! And you're doing beautifully! I can't wait to see your music video! Love you Sis!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I forgot

Somehow I forgot I made this blog... can you believe it? I guess I got busy with my schooling, and life. I stopped posting on my extra instagram account that kind of went with this blog, because it's too hard to keep up appearances and stay involved in social media when one of my main goals is to not be on my phone or social media as much. Ha!  But, I thought I'd written some stuff throughout the pandemic, and when I went looking for that stuff on my other blog I couldn't find it. Enter this blog! So weird that I forgot about it. I guess it was my therapy during Covid! haha. Fall of 2020 I started going "full time" with my master's program, which was 6 credits instead of the usual 3 I'd been doing. It was much more busy, but so good.  And I'm done! I graduated in July! I have a Master's degree in Child and Family Studies! So cool. And yet... here I am. Being mom. I'm not complaining- I mean this IS what I want to do. But, somehow I guess I didn...
1 comment
Read more

REALLY. Hard. stuff.

I'm sitting by Reagan's crib, holding her hand as she falls asleep. It's nearly 10:00 pm, but she had a late nap. And she climbs out of her crib, so I'm opting for this solution tonight.  I hate pigs. I already did, but I do even more after tonight.  The county fair starts this weekend, and they needed to have a vet bill of health before they could enter the fairgrounds. (Christopher and Derek are raising 4-H hogs). So, they needed loaded into a trailer to go visit the vet for a few minutes.  I went out to take pictures. They'd already been trying for a while, and I'd fed the little kids and hid inside as long as I dared.  I didn't get a single picture and ended up jumping in to help.  These pigs are big. And stinky. And gross. AND dumb.  It took FOREVER to get them in- plus help from friends who already had their pigs in a trailer. (I kid you not, after two hours of squealing, fighting and snarling George literally walked up the ramp, into thei...
7 comments
Read more

Maintaining intimacy in marriage (after kids)

This is the big presentation I've been working on for my intimate relationships course. It focuses on emotional intimacy, and I share a lot of cool research and advice. Watch the vide if you'd like! Also, I typed up my Top Five tips separately, so here you go! 1.      1.  Communicate! Take a course on communication if you want. Read a book if you want- but it will make a great deal of difference if you know how to successfully communicate with your spouse. Talk about everything! Small topics such as new trends, social media, homework, housework, chores, and the news. Big topics such as finances, feelings, plans and hopes. Talk about your day at work, his day at work and the kids’ days at work. Don’t wait until you have alone time to talk- kids need to see you talking too! Talk at dinner, talk through text or email, talk at bedtime. This is an important one if the physical side of your intimacy is suffering as well- talk about your desires, fears and worries when i...
2 comments
Read more

For parents, during quarantine

I pulled myself together enough this morning to let my kids dye some Easter eggs.  Don't worry. This blog post isn't about ideas for activities or things to do with your kids during quarantine.  Nor is it about enjoying this time we have at home with our families (though I don't disagree with that sentiment).  This post is to tell you that you are not alone.  I saw something on Instagram a bit ago that talked about the storm. For some people, this whole thing is just a sprinkling. For others, it's more of a storm. And for others still, it's a freaking hurricane. The idea was that we can still enjoy our sprinkling, while not downplaying the devastating effects of the hurricane in other's lives.  At my house, it's a sprinkling. With a bit of thunder and lightening. And some wind.  I've mentioned before- that we're okay. We're safe at home, we have an income. We have food, toilet paper and the internet.  But, let m...
8 comments
Read more

Raising independent kids

This is a picture of my daughter Anna, age 3, barefoot. She and my older daughter (7- also barefoot) and I walked around the lake yesterday. There were some REALLY tough spots. I'm talking trees to climb over; slippery slopes, etc.  It was an exercise in building resilience and confidence. Each time we faced a fork in the trail, I let them choose which way we should go. Each time we passed an obstacle I raved about how hard that was, and "we totally did it!"  I gave them the choice to turn around and go back the easy way. Almost to the end, Anna caught a ride across the lake on a kayak with big brother. Rebekah and I made it the whole way!  I hope they remember how empowered they felt. I hope they recognize and internalize that they can do hard things. I hope they see me as a cheerleader and coach.  I was talking with my friend at the lake yeah, while the kids were off kayaking, fishing and enjoying themselves. She mentioned how they were so independent....
1 comment
Read more

Finding yourself in motherhood

I'm writing a book.  This is one draft of one portion of one chapter.  I want your feedback.  Anybody who comments and tells me what they think can have a free, signed copy of the book once it's published. ;) ... .. . Years ago, when I was a new mom, I attended a class during a women’s night. The presenter talked about the importance of putting your shoes and socks on first thing when you wake up in the morning; and putting on make up and doing your hair. As I listened I remember taking note that I’d have to try better at that (all the while my subconscious was thinking, “Are you freaking kidding me? That’s never going to happen! I can barely drag myself out of bed to kiss my husband goodbye before he leaves for work, praying that the baby will keep sleeping!”) I will forever be grateful for my friend who sat next to me. She was a seasoned mother of six children, whom I admired and looked up to. She leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I never do that. It just matter...
9 comments
Read more