Archive for February, 2008

• Buns

  Date: 2008.02.28 | Category: Twins | Response: 1

  Me: How do you want your hair today? Clips? Ponies?

  Rachel: Just up like this. (wads her hair in the back)

  Me: Oh, you want a bun, ok.

  Rachel. Yeah. yeah.

  I comb it out, twist it up, put in the bun clips. Rachel feels it and begins her protest.

  Rachel: no. no, not this way…..

  Me: you said you wanted a bun.

  Rachel: Bun?!?!? You’re supposed to put a hotdog in a bun.

  I switched her hair to a ponytail.

• Losing Weight

  Date: 2008.02.19 | Category: Bible Study | Response: 0

  Colossians 2:20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

  Merely deciding to avoid the cookie aisle at the grocery store has not, cannot, will not, and does not provide any permanent change or weight loss or victory over indulging in sweets.  The only way to “restrain sensual indulgence” is through putting on Christ. See Colossians 3.

• In Search of…. a Preschool

  Date: 2008.02.02 | Category: Preschool, Twins | Response: 0

  I’ve started the daunting task of searching for a preschool. Not only am I trying to make a decision as to which preschool is best for the girls, I am also trying to decide if preschool is even necessary.

  Thursday I went to visit Christian Heritage Academy. Today they were hosting Preschool Snowflake Festival. We drove over there and stayed for 2 hrs. They had face painting, snowflake decorating, cookie decorating, interactive play, puppets, games and kindermusik. The open library had lots of comfortable seating and plenty of snow-themed books out for us to read. Older students along with parents, teachers, and board members were working each station. The girls really enjoyed themselves. Alot of work and organization went into making snowflake festival a success.

  However, I am not “excited” about sending the girls to CHA, except that they are opening a campus at the church. The location is convenient. I would categorize CHA’s curricular program as “normal.”  Although there were no worksheets, which I would say is “the old normal”, there were ample opportunities for experiential learning (the “new normal”).  When I think of a well-done early childhood room, I think of centers for learning science, math, language, reading, play, art.  I invision loads of books, manipulatives, puzzles, craft materials, themes. I think of child-sized furniture, and lots of things to look at that would be at their eye level.  I appreciate routines and manners. I crave visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory stimulation. I would emphasize music and movement, exercise, technology, and fun everywhere throughout the day. Teachers should love what they do and love 2-4 yr olds. One thing CHA has to offer is spirituality. I observed the teacher praying for a boy’s hurt knee. I observed the teacher leading in a prayer of thanks for the snack time. All of my expectations were met while observing CHA these 2 times.

  So with all the wonderful things going on in the classrooms, what is my hesitation?  I just don’t know whether or not CHA is “the place” for the twins.  Maybe it’s a matter of personal pride: I feel I can teach the girls what they need to know and be ready for kindergarten without the help of preschool.  We teach the Bible at home. They will participate in AWANA in the fall. They will have other opportunities for socialization. I am able to teach them problem solving, conflict resolution,  and the basic academics. I am motivated to read good literature to them.  So the question is this: Will we get a good return for our money? and, Do we have the money?  Is CHA preschool just “Play Shoppe” that we have to pay for?

  Tuesday I go to visit Language Stars.  I’ll be interested to observe the differences.