Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been slacking on updating so to make up for it here are a bunch of pictures!

FHE

So, as some of you may know (and others may not, I don't know who reads this!) I am the "ma" other FHE in the Singles Ward. It's fun because I get to come up with all the ideas, but yet not actually have to do the activities! Best of both worlds, IMO.

But man so I ever feel like a mom sometimes! I wonder if I can discipline my "kids"? That would be nice. Put them in the timeout corner.

Last night was a tough one, which I knew it would be. Without going in to details, let's just say I have to excuse myself for a minute. Haha. But really, the issue is people not listening. Or people trying to talk over me when I'm trying to explain directions. I actually had one person try and talk over me (hi, if anyone has heard me talk, I talk loud so to talk LOUDER then me, you must be yelling) and then after I was done talking go "wait, what are we doing next week?" I told them to figure it out themselves because I was not repeating myself.

So, the point of this post is - what activities could I do that would promote listening? I don't want to do a Simon says type game because then what would people do once they got out? They'd probably talk more so it would be harder of those who were still in the game to listen. I guess if I found something else for them to do once they got out, it would be okay?

I don't know. I've done team building stuff, I've done random fun stuff, I've done field trip type stuff. But I really feel I need to do a listening type of activity. I just don't know what.

Also, any other FHE ideas anyone wants to share would be nice!

Real blog update?

Doubt it. Nothing new is really going on in my life. Going to school, working, welcoming a new niece, planning FHE for the singles ward. The usual. I have actually almost been working at the same job for a year. Longest job I've ever had! Anyway, mom wanted pictures of Morgan so here is a link to my facebook album for her. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=503775&id=530560170&l=3705e4e75a

Animal Noises

Cute video of Spencer. Make sure your volume is on!

Happy Birthday, Kimmie!

Happy Birthday, Kimmie! Can't believe you're already three! I wish you lived closer so I could spoil you more, but this post (and a phone call later haha) is gonna have to do! So yes, happy birthday!

This picture was the weekend of her blessing. I don't think she liked that hat!





I believe this was her first Christmas.



First Birthday



Hockey game. She didnt like me much!



And sadly, this is the most recent picture I have of us two and this was in Portland for Davids Blessing!



Anyway, Happy Birthday, Kimmie. I love you and will see you in a couple of months!!

My bug dancing

I posted this on facebook a little bit ago but never here. So Enjoy! I will post soon with some new pictures!

Blogging from work.

So lately I have tried not to comment on people's status' on facebook because there is always that one person that is a jerk and thinks that their opinion is always right. Well, I hate to break it to them, but opinions can't be wrong.

For example - a friend posted if those "teach your baby to read" things were worth the money. Her son is 2, and won't sit down to read the flash cards and she was curious. I didn't a little research (like, two minutes to just see what age skill was reading) and found out that reading is a 3-5 year old skill and not to worry if they don't read before then. I told her that. I said that he is 2, and probably isn't interested in reading, so they "force" him into it when doctors say you shouldnt worry about it until at least 5. That could turn him off to reading, and learning, possibly which is what you want to avoid as a parent, right?

Someone else commented and said yes, they help you "read" but really it's just memorizing which isn't good. Someone else commented all like they DO work! We are so far behind in learning in the US so anything to help him get a leg up (im paraphrasing here) is a good thing. Ps most doctors don't know what they are talking about.

That PS part is what annoyed me. Now, I don't think the school systems are OMG AMAZING in the US, but I think a doctors know a thing or two. They don't know everything, no, but thats why they have their specialties. So, if someone is a pediatrician, they know a thing or two about age skills. That's their job. That's all they do is work with kids. That's one of the big things they are supposed to know.

Yes, there are exceptions to those. Hi, Emma was saying my name at like a year and a half, when most kids haven't been able to say it til at LEAST 3 years old. At 2, she is potty trained. Kimmie says my name also, and does a lot of things that are "over her age" skills but they learned them on their own and they were ready. Do you think that if Michelle bought Emma a DVD on how to go pee in the potty before she was ready it would have worked? She may have learned about it, but it wouldn't have taught her the right way. She was ready, so it worked.

I just think "forcing" your children to learn before they are ready is stupid and will do more harm then good. Your kid is 2, it's not important for them to read yet. If they are ready to read, they will learn. You need to help your children learn and get in the habit of school and what not, but you can't force them to do it. What's the point? So you can brag and say "HA, my kid can read?" Who cares.

If people realize that every kid learns at a different rate and to different methods I think we wouldn't be so "behind" on our education. If you look at other countries they have more of a individual program for the kids. They understand each kid learns differently and they focus on that.

With that being said, I still say my niece and nephews are the smartest kids EVER.