A day in the life of a seven year-old may not seem like super excitement to some, but yesterday, to my Nixi, was a blast! Yes, the day might’ve started out quite mellow — me singing her Happy Birthday when she awoke — but by day’s end, at the Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant playground, the running, playing, jumping, and laughter was oh-so abundant.
It was a last minute plan that sort of just hit me the day before Nixi’s big 0 7 day. And contrary to what a lot of folks believe — that homeschool kids are introverts who have trouble making friends — my Nixi makes friends where ever we may go. She has a few kids she has bonded with and calls best friends. I knew I had to invite them, and I was delighted to hear they could make it. Nixi didn’t know, and I could hardly wait to surprise her.
So…the day moved on (tick-tock), and I created party favors on a shoe-string budget…while still trying to keep it all secret from my very observant young’n. I skirted around the truth when she quizzed me on what the jars were for, that I was painting outside. She wanted to come help, and it was hard to not let her. But the chemicals I had to use for the project weren’t safe for her to be around.
Needless to say, I finished the party favor jars (made from recycled/reused Starbuck’s Frappuccino bottles), Nico picked up a few balloons and the cake, and we were off to destinations unknown to Nixi. The party was a HUGE success, even though a few friends couldn’t make it, and I knew our daughter would remember this birthday for years and years to come. –Perhaps a lifetime.
*Here’s to impromptu gatherings! And making friends, no matter what your circumstances.*
— Home School Birthday Party Fun at Joe’s Crab Shack on Seawall —
When we arrived at the Rosenberg Library yesterday, we had no idea that the day was anything other than plain-old ordinary. However, to much delight, we soon discovered that we’d be celebrating the birthday of the man who made our lovely library possible — Henry Rosenberg.
Even though he’s been gone since 1893, it is because of his generosity that my Nixi is able to enjoy such a wonderful place as Rosenberg Library. I’m so happy that my daughter loves books and reading so-very much. When it’s library day, Nixi is always jumping (literally) for joy. I look back on my own childhood, and I wish I had been able to know the joy of visiting our local library. But, alas, it was not to be in my early years. Let’s just say I’m a late bloomer to frequenting the library and learning the vast resources available there.
The celebration of Henry Rosenberg yesterday piqued my curiosities about the man behind such a wondrous place; free to all…loved by so many. After further research, I learned that he had moved here to Galveston Island from his hometown of Bilten, Switzerland, when he was just a lad of nineteen years. Quickly finding success as a dry goods merchant, Mr. Rosenberg worked his way up to purchasing the dry goods business within three years, and set-about growing it into the largest dry goods business in Texas. Between 1851 and May 12th 1893 — passing at the age of 69 — Henry Rosenberg contributed thousands upon thousands of dollars to the growth of Galveston Island. In his Will, he left $400,000.00 towards the organization and endowment of what is today the Rosenberg Library.
When I stop to consider how much four-hundred-thousand dollars was back then, and how much it is today, I can’t help but be inspired by Henry Rosenberg’s generosity. It makes me realize what I could do to help out my community more and be a better help to to those around me — both near and far.
Celebrating the life of such a generous spirit, and singing him Happy Birthday to the theme of Curious George, along with the wonderful staff at Rosenberg Library yesterday, was a time we won’t soon forget. My Nixi received a gold medal for reading, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. She has come so far this past year with her reading. And her love of reading, and the fun times we’ve had at Rosenberg Library, I know must be contributed to one of the most enjoyable free things to do on Galveston Island.
I wanted to share the snaps we took of yesterday’s fun. I hope it inspires you to visit your local library, and see what you might learn about the founder and staff-members who are always there to help. Such simple pleasures in life are utterly priceless!
I never could’ve imagined doing water-sports back when I was six years old; let alone paddle boarding or surfing. I grew up inland, though I was never a land-lubber. But as I stood watching my daughter stand with ease on a paddle board this past Saturday, balancing upon Mother Ocean, I couldn’t have been more proud of her natural abilities.
Looking back to my own childhood, I realize now that I wasn’t quite the athletic type. I didn’t even learn to ride a bicycle until I was 10 years old! But once I did — feeling the wind blow through my hair…free as the breeze — I was hooked. And to this day, I still love riding my bike more than most things I’ve ever done.
As for my young daughter, I can hardly wait to see her gliding on top of the water. And soon after she’s paddle boarding, I hope we can introduce her to the art of surfing. Being island transplants — known as IBC’s (Islanders By Choice) — to our Gulf Coastal home, I feel our little-one will grow up knowing what it really means to blend with nature. And I too, will come to know Mother Ocean’s embrace like I was never able to when I was a child. Just as we are never too young to try new and daring things, neither are we ever too old.
*Live the Life You Love* #NeverTooYoungToPaddleBoard #NeverTooOldToPaddleBoard #LearningNewThings #EveryDayAdventures #PaddleBoarding
–Fun…FREE Activities For Home School (or Traditionally Schooled) Kids–
In my last post, I wrote briefly about this past weekend…when we attended the Children’s Festival down in the Strand District. It’s a really fun time for kids of all ages, and very family friendly. Best of all, the festival is FREE! And even though this was our first year to attend, we certainly don’t plan on it being our last.
In the meantime — I wanted to share some of the fun moments from this past festival. The numerous booths and activities were enough to keep us busy for the entire weekend; though the event is only for one day.
The learning experiences that Nixi was able to be a party to, I feel, will stay with her for years to come. As for me…? I realized I’m absolutely no good at hoola-hooping, but I can still do the Lemon Twist; or an updated version of the old classic jumping toy I used to love as a kid. It was great to show my husband and child, that this middle-aged Mamma can still ‘cut-a-rug’. I look back on it, and I have to laugh. –As I feel I’ll do…for years to come.
I’m always trying to come up with new ways to exercise my daughter’s creativity. Being that she is six years old, she has a lot of input when it comes to our zany creations. One thing’s for sure — we always have fun coming up with new ideas.
I had been trying to think of a fun art project we could create from my Nixi’s hand and foot prints, but ‘the light bulb’ had continued to elude me. Finally, last week, the ‘light’ lit-up brightly above my head, and this Hand & Foot Print Family Tree was the result.
Using Nixi’s foot print as the trunk of the tree (which had to be painted, since we had no brown construction paper), we traced and cut enough of her hand prints from green construction/art paper, and labeled each hand (or, should I say ‘leafy tree branch’) with members of our immediate family from both my side and her dad’s side.
One thing I would have done differently — and might still add to the tree leafs later — is to also write the names of Mom, Dad, Bubby, Sissy…Grandma, Grandpa, etc, instead of just their call-names. It’s really no big deal if you do or don’t add real names to your leafs, because — as in our case — you can always go back and do it later. These improvisational art projects are pretty flexible that way.
On that note, we were very delighted with the outcome of our family tree creation. So, however you wish to carry out your process, you’re sure to have oodles of fun with your child…or children, and grand-children, too. I hope it inspires you to find new and different ways to create family keepsakes with your home schooler.
Thanks for stopping by. : ) Please comment and share your ideas and creations? We can all learn from each other. Blessings and .V.. (Peace), to you and yours!
*Supplies We Used*
-colored construction paper
-scissors
-Elmer’s school glue
-Crayola washable paints
-white poster board (paper backing for family tree), 11 x 14 inches
-paint brushes (though you can always use your fingers, too)
-pencil for tracing (better than using a pen or marker so you can erase)
VOILA…!!! Here is our finished result! We couldn’t be more pleased with our hand and foot print family tree. If you date your creation, you can always see how big your little one was at any age. It’ll be a wonderful keepsake-memory…always.
The other day…during outside playtime, my daughter Nixi and I discovered a baby snail stranded in the middle of our sandbox lid. It must’ve felt like no ‘mans’ land to the little critter– I’m sure he was almost bird feed.
It was a very daring snail rescue! –Nixi and I swooped-up our new class pet, created his habitat-in-a-jar, and named him Inch. –Though we’re calling him a ‘he’, we really don’t know for sure. Snails are difficult that way. : )
All in all…It was a fun day of learning to be kind to creatures more vulnerable than ourselves. Nixi and I came inside and examined Inch with our magnifying glass, while referencing her book about shells; which identifies the parts of creatures living in shells…including snails.
I thought it might be fun to share our little adventure in nature, with you-all out there in this great big world of wonder. Whether you home school your child (children), or your child (children) go the more traditional route, I hope our little snail, Inch, will inspire you to scout for your own class pet.
*Discover a universe of nature in your own yard. The world is an adventure….waiting to happen! –Free for all to enjoy!*
Introducing ‘Inch’ the snail
Inch’s new habitat at Mermaid Mansion
Veggie nets are great habitat jar toppers
1 Jar – twigs, clover, roughage scraps (lettuce, kale, etc), a dot of water, a rubber band to hold-tight-the-net-topper…and Voila!
Scoping out his new surroundings
Our new home school ‘class pet’
Inch was nearly bird feed
Curiosity is ‘afoot’
Inch is a curious little guy…or girl. We’re calling him a he.
As our daughter Nixi began to approach school age, my husband and I figured we’d go the traditional route and enroll her in school. Until one day, as I sat with my 3 1/2 year-old in the office of her prospective preschool, I realized that it somehow felt all wrong. The principal came-across as cold and unfeeling, not the least bit warm in her interaction with my child. It alarmed me to rethink it all. That was the day we began our journey into homeschooling; casually, without even realizing it at first.
I remember the school calling me up on the phone, questioning me as-to-why I had not sent in my daughter’s enrollment papers. I quickly told the school administrator that I had decided to keep my daughter home for another year. I was not sending her to their school. She clearly did not approve of my decision, but…since it really wasn’t any of her business, I did not succumb to her prying. It all turned around for us that day, and I started ordering books on homeschooling and un-schooling. I was intrigued by it all: the idea of keeping our daughter home to learn in a non-traditional way. I felt passionate about helping my daughter develop a deeper love of learning than most kids are allowed to reach in public schools; though there are exceptions in every case scenario…I must admit.
Two years later, I can’t say it hasn’t been a challenge to do things differently this time around, but I can say…it has been quite an adventure! Being a late-in-life homeschooling mom is someplace I never thought I would be at this age. And…I must admit, homeschooling isn’t for everyone. Even I have my days when I wonder if we are doing the right thing…schooling our 5 year old in a non-traditional way. I worry she might be lonely at times…for other kids her age. I worry she might get really sick of my company; me being her constant companion, teacher, mother, friend.
Then I see her with other kids, with other people, and I realize she doesn’t have one ounce of trouble blending into any situation. She is a very outgoing child. She makes friends where ever we go. I watch her just being a kid, while many of the other ‘traditionally educated’ kids stand back and seem almost fearful of being free…being kids.
It’s times like this when I realize the freedom and room to grow…to learn, we are giving her by teaching her in such a relaxed environment. Because she has developed a love of learning (especially reading) on her own, I feel she will not tire of it as she grows older, and into more difficult curriculum. She will already have-come to associate learning with freedom and no stress; unlike kids in traditional learning situations.
As a child, I remember liking kindergarten–recess especially–and that’s about it. I found school terribly confining and boring, stressful and traumatic at other times. The constant need to fit-in and be accepted was a real drain from my creativity and concentration; my entire ability to learn. And even though I did finally get through school, I cannot look back on it all and say it was a good experience. In fact, it was the opposite.
The old saying “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”, stays constant in my reminder-to-self when I do have my weak moments of doubt. I remember how, even though I sat in the classroom physically, I was not there mentally. So the teacher was teaching, but my thoughts were a million miles away…wishing I could be anywhere but there in school. This is something I never want my daughter to experience: that desperate need to escape, feeling like you are in a prison-of-sorts. In my memories of school, from K to 12, that’s exactly what I felt 99% of the time.
Not until college, when I went voluntarily, was I excited about learning. I cherished each and every moment I spent in my college classroom. I loved just being a part of the experience that was higher learning. I finished all my classes with flying colors, my first go-round in community college. Later in life, when I was already a mom of two, I enrolled again in college. Just like before, I loved being there. It was what learning was supposed to be, in my eyes. I blossomed in so many ways in my efforts towards my AA in English. Not only did I maintain a 4.0 GPA, but I also ended up serving two years in student government, and contributing to the campus literary magazine.
These memories of ‘learning on purpose’ and loving it, are what keep me trying new…fun ways of teaching my daughter. –Ways she does not even realize are lessons, because she has fun in her educational efforts. It is true, kids are like sponges when it comes to learning. Our little-one loves books, she loves reading, word games, numbers too. It’s all fun for her; not a chore, an assignment load she cannot bear at such a young age. I feel that kids are given too much burden when it comes to lessons and homework in the public school system. It takes the fun out of learning.
As for our preschooler-turned-kindergartener, we hope to keep learning fun for her all through her school-aged years. We choose to let her remain a child, without all the pressures of fitting-in and growing up too fast. In an age of too much seriousness, stress, and pressures for children to grow up too soon, I feel Blessed that we can be here to guide our daughter. I feel so-very fortunate that she can learn…for the love of learning. After-all, living a full…abundant life (in my opinion) involves remaining forever young and seeing each and every thing around us as a lesson to be learned. Learning is everywhere we go — the world is our playground. We just have to be allowed to embrace it with an open mind…and open arms.
Seems like just-yesterday, we were welcoming our little Nixi into this world, and now…she’s five years old. My…how time flies when you’re having fun and chasing a little’n at the ripe ‘young’ age of 46! : P Even though my Nixi leaves me feeling quite exhausted most days, I find it invigorating just-the-same.
Today I found the energy to go for an hour-long walk along the ocean; pushing Baby in her jogger…all the way…for over an hour round-trip. I should feel drained, but I don’t! Instead…I feel like I actually accomplished something today. In fact…this whole week, since Sunday when Baby turned 5, has been a very pleasant…but busy, change to our regular everyday; which I admit has become quite monotonous.
One thing most folks know about me, if they know me at all, is that me and ‘monotony’ do NOT mix. I long for change…adventures anew, each and every day. I long to wander this vast globe of opportunity, and see the things many have yet to see. Still, I am stationary…for now! I keep telling myself, ‘Your days a-comin’ little lady! Your days a-comin.’ I look so-very forward to the rest of my life.
Seeing my youngest child growing so fast, my oldest with a child of her own (my only grandchild), and my son in the Army…away and very missed, reminds me I really don’t have all the time in the world. But for now…I am sharing some pics from her 5th Birthday Party. I hope it brings a smile to your face, and some joy to your heart. I know seeing them again, certainly made me smile. : ))
Enjoy!!
Somebody Spotted the Deviled Eggs!! It’s the Birthday Girl!!!
My grandson Jaidenn and great granddad Nick
Pizzaaaaaaaa!!!
Sharing new toys with big Sissy Mia, and nephew Jaidenn
Blowin’ out the ‘5’ candle
Pouty Face Jai
Nico working the pinata
Birthday Princess whacks the 1st pinata
My oldest daughter, Mia, and my Grandson Jaidenn whack the pinata
Candyyyyyy at LAST!!!
On to the second pinata. Jaidenn and Mia get the first whack.
…then the birthday girl gets her turn.
Aaaaaand…we have CANDY & Cookies!!!
After party stroll to Pleasure Pier — they were CLOSED! The birthday girl was VERY upset! : /
One Man Band on Galveston Seawall
Strollin’ Into the Sunset on Seawall of Galveston Island
Finally…we took the plunge and went to Pleasure Pier here on Galveston Island. The day had been packed full with early morning shopping at Galveston’s Farmers Market; where I shopped for a client as well as myself. Then we stopped in at Taco Cabana for a bit of brunch. That’s when the bad behavior started with Baby. She suddenly developed a bad attitude…with me! Not Daddy, but only with me.
Cooling Off Beneath the Water Ride
I’m still not sure what I did or didn’t do to make her feel indifferent towards me. I guess when you’re together every minute of every day, you tend to get on each others’ nerves at times. Being a homeschooling Mom isn’t so easy! It takes a LOT out of this forty-something mom. So…a bit of fun was the solution we figured might cure the problem. It did…for a little bit (not very long…I might add), then it stared again: the whining, pulling away, not being happy over anything at all that we tried.
Seahorse Carousel at Pleasure Pier
Perusing Pleasure Pier with Baby
That’s when we said “Enough is enough!” After 2 hours of sweating in 110 index temperatures and too much struggling with our preschooler, not to mention we were forced to pay $3.50 for a bottled water (there are NO WATER FOUNTAINS at PLEASURE PIER), we headed for the exit. Of course, this didn’t make her any happier, and we heard it all the way to the van. Instead of going home, we decided to head to East Beach and check out the tide pools that seemed to have flooded the beach the night before. I had been wanting to get a special sea life shot to submit to a local mag, and we needed to hear the ocean waves and feel the cool breeze of Mother Ocean. In short– we needed a hug!
Pirate Discovery — A Bucket O’ Clams…and Seashells too.
So there we were, at the beach. Still, Baby was fussy. I was at my end with her, and Nico was just passing it off as best he could; reading her stories inside the van. Soon after, it seemed we might have some peace and quiet…at last! That was until we decided to head for home. We went around the Seawall until we were well past Pleasure Pier; since she wanted to go back and ride some more. I was barely getting around by then; with my previous injury still not fully healed. My knee was feeling a sharp pain going right through it. I was definitely not up for any more walking!
Riding along in Peniki, the backseat was quiet and the day was much cooler as evening closed in. It seemed all would be better for the rest of the day. Then we stopped off at the store for some last-minute grocery items, and much-needed libations. Lo-and-behold, as soon as Nico got out of the van to go into the store, Baby started screaming to go with him, and he was going to let her too…until he realized he’d need to visit the restroom while inside the store. So…again begins the tantrum.
For what seemed like an eternity, I waited for him to come out to the van while Nixi cried…screamed…kicked me from her seat (I was sitting in the back with her)…told me to go away…said she was leaving to go with Daddy, you name it, she said it. I was about to break; or so I felt, when the tears began streaming down my face. I was completely beat by the day–exhaustion was setting in on so many levels. Still she cried and screamed at me to stop crying. I didn’t want to swat her, because it never seems to help much. So I cried….and cried…and cried some more.
Deciding to call Nico and see what was taking him sooo loooong, he answered to say he was on his way out of the store. Hurraaaay! He could see my state when he got out to the van. He knew I’d reached my limit with the little’n for the day. Reaching over to show his support, he told me to just take some time for myself when we get home and he’d handle Baby. I didn’t argue. In fact, I was too tired to even answer. I felt quite numb by then.
So, we got home…the fits continued, and he took over, for a little while, but not for long. It’s funny how Dads, as great as they are, are not always equipped to patiently handle young attitudes. I was back on the job a very short time later. I finally got her to talk to me, and it seemed she just wanted what she wanted, and that was that. Her wristband from Pleasure Pier had been cut off her wrist…by Daddy, and she was completely heart-broken over it. So…what else is a mom to do? Tape it back together, and pray for peace.
By day’s end, when Baby finally fell asleep after I struggled with her in the shower, I had a sip or two of wine and fell in; glad the day was over and all was quiet…at last! Which just goes to show–Life is fun when it’s fun, but we all gotta pay the piper. My ‘piper’ just happens to be four!
Blessings & .V.. to All
Carousel — First Ride
Arrival at Pleasure Pier
First Round Carousel Ride
Childhood Discoveries — Nixi’s First Time on a Carousel
Peace!! .V.. from Pleasure Pier
She’s Driving ALREADY?!
Backseat Driver
Enjoying the Ride
Mad-Hatter’s Tea Party
Getting Dizzzzzzyyyyy!
Man…! Was it HOT in that Tea Cup! I guess we were the ‘tea’.
Father’s Day Weekend — Rain Forest Cafe’ Jungle Water Ride
Last Saturday was the usual work-day for Nico. But for me and Baby? It was Mother & Daughter fun in the sun day! We spent all day, from around 10 a.m. ’til around 6 p.m., walking the Seawall (stinky seaweed and all), enjoying snow-cones and food truck Mexican food (was quite good!) along the shores of our new hometown — Galveston Island.
Then, when I was feeling quite heated and not so great, we ducked down to the beach and stayed ’til it was almost time for Hubby to get off work. Baby met some new little friends from Ethiopia, who were visiting family in Houston. The nice lady I talked with–the mother of Nixi’s playmate–was enjoying her trip to G-Town from her home in Washington D.C. It was nice talking with her, and even better than that…Baby had someone to play with; since she’d been quite cranky for most of the day. I think boredom sometimes gets the best of us all.
So we waded through the seaweed, attempting to enjoy the cool waters of the Gulf. I have to admit, even though seaweed is great for the garden, it’s not so fun to feel brushing up all over you. It’s a bit of a creep-out factor. : / Needless to say, we’d had a very full day by the time we got home and Nico arrived. But…we weren’t done yet!
Being-as it was Father’s Day weekend, we decided to shower (which actually did wake me up), and head out to eat at a local place on the seawall that I had been wanting to try….for years! Tortuga’s Mexican Kitchen, dining beneath the palm thatched palapas…seeing the goings-on (crazy…at best) along the seawall, the margarita (no doubt) was a very enjoyable experience. The service was very friendly, the food oh-so-tasty, and the cool ocean breeze and ‘entertainment’ (episodes of honking horns and road rage on Seawall Blvd, and drunk tourists on trolley bikes) was just what I needed to end a very packed day.
Still, we didn’t head for home. Instead, Nico wanted to take Baby to Rainforest Cafe’…just a short distance down Seawall; so off we went to the place we’d been when Baby was too young to even remember. Nico wanted to buy her a little toy, since the last time we’d passed by there, Baby had spotted the toy carney, and threw a great fit when we didn’t stop to win her one. What she didn’t know, and couldn’t understand at her age, is that we had no money…at all. That was why we had opted to go for a stroll along the ocean, just to break the monotony of being broke in a town with so much (things that cost….more than we had) to do.
Either way, Daddy made it up to Baby…and then some. We even got to go on the Rainforest Jungle Water Ride (not sure if that’s the correct name for it?), which was so much fun! We want to go again…as soon as we possibly can. All in all, staying home for vacation isn’t so bad after all. And, when the fun is all done, we can come home to our cozy little caravan abode.
Blessings to All, that you have a wonderful vacation…or staycation this year; wherever you may be.
Forty Something Parents 