Spring is here

Yesterday the weather was beautiful. The temp was 75 by noontime. I actually shed a few layers of clothing. We opened up the windows to let the fresh air in. Our neighbor behind us called to see if the kids could come pick up the sticks off her back lawn again. She had asked them 2 summers ago to come help out and they each get $2.00 a piece for doing this. R says he's kind of tired of it, but I figure it won't hurt him any to help a neighbor. Well he was also able to help out in her basement turning some water knobs and got an extra $2.00. Not much, but more than if he didn't.

I also went visiting teaching with my new companion last night. I used to visit her, but requested she become my companion since my old companion's schedule just didn't work with mine. We had an enjoyable visit together also visiting with our 1st sister. I'm hoping this will continue to work out. She really needs reactivation.

Well last night dh asked me how the kids' school was coming. Always a subject I try and avoid with him since he feels that I'm too lax. I'm under the idea that a child will learn according to THEIR ability and with occasional pushes from me, will learn at the best rate they can. Sometimes I feel that dh is still too much ps minded and that the kids are way behind in some of their studies. My comment is "who decided at what level each age should be at". Well the government did. My thought on that is, a lot of kids can do at the same level, but there are some kids either ahead, or behind due to their learning abilities. I try and work with this and encourage, but I feel if their brain isn't ready for something and you keep pushing it, eventually they're going to stop learning and hate it. That's how I felt about school growing up and I don't want that for my kids. I know I need to push a but, but sometimes I feel he wants me to push too much.

He also mentioned that fact that our oldest dd N needs to really practice on her prayers. She will be in the young women's group the end of Aug when she turns 12 and she still refuses to say them at home. She used to say the food prayer all the time, but now S does. So I guess I need to sit down with N and figure out why she doesn't want to say them. My personal thought is, not everyone is comfortable saying prayers for everyone to hear. But I guess I need to at least find out WHY she's this way.

Anyway, so with all this talk from him, I have a lot of things to figure out how we'll change our schedule. He commented on how much actual DVD's and videos that kids are watching and my comment back was that our dd N learns more when she's watching than just reading. He's concerned also about her reading. Again my thought on this is a child is born curious, just let that curiosity go where it wants(as long as it's good) and help it out occassionally. I do check out books for her on food, animals and other science stuff. Guess I need to sit down with her and find out how much she's retaining.

So anyway, I guess I need to get my butt going and get more actual lessons going. Wish me luck I can keep it going enough to satisfiy dh. I understand his concern, I just wish he would be a bit more relaxed. We'll see. :)

Karie
www.kariesplace.robertcity.com