Thinking and Seeing Things Differently

All my life I've seen things differently from most people. It's made friendships very difficult. Edith has been a real Godsend because she sees things about as oddly. I think that's what makes our version of school just a little different and a little more fun for the kids. It's a kind of what on earth will those crazy women think of next.

When I worked for the paper, I was always in hot water about what I wrote about. When I wrote for John Reiter, I always made him laugh. He loved the dangerous edges I found and the rock throwing a fair deal.

When John left Evansville, I started writing for Linda Negro, and she found nothing I wrote palatable. Personally, I find her likes and dislikes a bit pretensious - I mean applesauce is applesauce; it all tastes like muck anyway unless you make it from scratch, and few people know how. I remember reading
one of her reviews of a place in Dale, Indiana, Wyndell's, that
I've eaten in for 35 years. She reviewed what amounts to a mom and pop diner like a four star restaurant. It was hilarious and she took it deadly serious.

I'm different and my food likes and dislikes are on a different menu. So are my childcare likes and dislikes. So are Edith's.

I've wanted to write about this since Linda told me to stop writing about day care. I was offending the status quo and that was a sin against man.

But the status quo is pushing an agenda on the public that doesn't work, I lamented. It's a crime against kids and it's bleeding the parent's dry. Apparently that was too bad because advertising is a major $$$ contribution to the paper and childcare is not.

So for a long time, I've kept our differences to ourselves with the exception of doing our own thing.

Since I've been duly fired for being too something or other, I think it's time to launch a review of the real story of childcare. It's going to come out in bits and pieces because that's how I review most things - in little chunks.

You will find a link to two sites that contain rules for childcare licensing and a site for the specific rules for day care on the links list. They are interesting to read for the concentration on space and plumbing. If you get to the lighting and read 5o candle watt hours, think that we have 200 candle watt hours, 100 with the lights off. If you can't grow a plant, you can't grow a child. So look around most childcare facilities and watch the flowers grow!

Now the Garden School is not a day care. We decided ten years ago that the idea of school suited us a lot better than day care. And naturally, there is no category for us. We are listed as a licensed exempt center because we have a real kindergarten and a first grade classroom with licensed teachers. It's not on the books, so they came up with that.

The State of Indiana told us not to bother them with licensing us as an elementary school because the expense and time would not be worth the effort unless we added a second grade. We just don't have the playground for second graders.

I'm friends with Bob Mills who happens to be the consultant for childcare through the Welfare Department, but it took a long time. Bob has his own ideas on childcare and is usually a dreaded figure among directors. I invited him to the Garden School and he just loved us. He wanted me to get a day care license, but Edith and I want a school not a day care.

So here we sit in between with a place to grow for kids ages three through seven. We've been copied, however, by a place in Newburgh. Haven't been there yet.

In the next few weeks, I'm going to post a lot of things to think about. I hope you enjoy it.

Blood Drive

Thanks to the parents who participated in our first blood drive:

Susie, Tami, Rob, and Satsuki.

The Blood Center was delighted and promised to come back. These guys are wonderful.

They proceeded to ask the kids about blood, and Miss Rachel had already taught them about the parts of blood and why blood is important, so they answered the questions with real gusto and a sense of real knowing.

The kids found out that there are eight types of blood from Mr. Tom who was a nursing student, and they drew all eight kinds.

We will let you know the next time there is a blood drive - in advance.

Baby Boot Camp

It was truly baby boot camp today at the pool and all the kids got involved to make it truly memorable.

We are paring down the days until the end of the summer field trips to the pool. We had today, we have Friday, Monday and Wednesday, and then it's done for the summer, so like the days, we are trying to get all the non-swimmers to be swimmers, and the swimmers to be board hoppers.

Ben and Madison, our teen and pre-teen helpers worked like a couple of boot camp generals today while they encouraged Ty, Allan, Drake, Morgen and Briauna to jump, swim and make it to the ladder.

I thought Ty was going to die of delight. He's ready - just. He got his courage up and admitted he wanted to jump off that board more than anything. He just barely made the test in the shallow end, but we took him over anyway to watch the jumpers, and he said he'd like to jump in the deep end even if he didn't go off the board.

Ben coaxed him to jump out to him and swim. Ty did it, and as Ben moved back in the water, Ty swam a little further and a little more and finally he decided that he'd try the board because he was really swimming. These big kids worked these little kids so hard it was a real badge of courage for the little ones to keep it up. Someone's going to sleep well tonight.

Briauna was first to go off the board. She hemmed and hawed until she finally jumped. A really pretty guard named Kristen helped her by getting in the water and offering to catch her. It worked wonders. Briauna made all kinds of good decisions today. We were very proud of her.

Morgen S was certainly not to be undone by her friend, Briauna, and Morgen jumped with some coaxing and Miss Judy under the board to catch her. She did fine.

Then it was Ty's turn. He just walked off the end of the board as if it were the easiest thing in the world. In fact, his first jump was head first. He had a little trouble swimming to the edge, but after a half dozen jumps, he had no more trouble. He's a swimmer now!

Then low and behold, there's Drake perched up there on the board looking very fetching and like a big boy swimmer, and off he jumps. He certainly didn't want to be left out of the loop or off the board.

Next time the generals are going to go after Austin and Allan and Leah.

Aiden passed his test, but he's still a little weak for the long swim to the edge. He paddles OK, but he doesn't make any headway.

Faith passed her test as well, but she's still questionable as to whether she can actually jump, come up and then swim to the edge without some panic. We don't want to scare them; we want it to be a success.

It was a great day.

Grandmas and Things

Jack and William, better known as Wilbur, at Pounds Hollow during a family outing.

This is the stuff life is made from.

As a proud grandma of four, I can honestly say, it doesn't get any better. For all you young parents with kids - enjoy it. Make the best of these years because the reward is a whole lot more the second time around.




Wilbur with his nefarious head stand. He can actually do it. He can get both feet up and then he comes crashing down. He's a Mezomorph like his grandma. (Article about body types in the blog.)

***
An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.

"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a girl in the line said to the little fella. Embarrassed, the little boy dropped his head.

His grandmother knelt down next to him "I love your freckles. When I was a little girl I always wanted freckles, she said, while tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful!"

The boy looked up, "Really?"

"Of course," said the grandmother. "Why, just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles."

The little boy thought for a moment, peered intensely into his grandma's face, and softly whispered, "Wrinkles."

A Few More Pictures to Enjoy

Some of the children get tired on the bus going, and some get tired on the bus going home.

This time Micheal was trying to sleep sitting up. It happens.

Actually, they don't mind. A nap's a nap no matter what you call it.

But you can guess that when the bus pulled in for ice cream, the nap was suddenly over.









This is another swimming picure.

After the rock climbing pictures below, we were hot and tired. The kids were really very coy about the swimming. First it was a tiny wet spot on their shorts, and then there was this kinda wet shirt because, well, you know, and then there was this giant spot on the next kid that just needed a little competition until we all went in. Miss Rachel is someplace in there - probably under the water.





The view from the top of the mountain where the kids climbed. It looks really high, and it is.

That's Miss Rachel and Micheal J and Madison at the top.

How they got there is in the picture below.

This is marvelous for the kids.

Plan to come with us next week, and you can see the whole thing for yourself.



After you look down, you start to look up. This is the mountain the kids scaled. There is a cave at the top left. All the kids wanted to see it, so we let them all come up.

The rock climber in the picture is Jack Snyder.

Each child made the climb, and each one loved it.

Miss Molly was trained in rock climbing and repelling by the fire department. She was a volunteer in high school.





Thisis a kind of group climb. Parents and teachers are moving children across the rocks.

Ben, our teen helper, is out on a ledge.

The kids are allowed to go to safe zones where they can look out, but most of them are only interested in climbing, and that's a real child thing.

Some of the minor jumps from one rock to another were a major accomplishment for some kids.





This is the kind of thing we found at Garden of the Gods. It's a long way down, but most of the drops have a buffer of stones, so that a fall would have to be a direct act of neglect on the part of a teacher.

Although it looks dangerous, it really isn't. But it is very beautiful and truly interesting.




Miss Stacey with the boys. We are looking at the camera, but behind us, Camel Rock looms in the background.

You can see several states in the distance.

This was indeed an ancient sea, and the rock formations were once at the bottom of that sea, that's what makes it so interesting.







This is the Girl's Group.

We were at the start of the climb. They were more interested in playing on the rocks than standing for a picture.

No telling where the boys were.

Nice group shot. Lovely children - best group ever.

More Pictures for the Blog Thanks to Monte

We can all thank Monte Merkel for his help in getting this blog site up and running. He's the computer wizzard. Here are some of the pictures we've been taking. We want to share with all of you, and so often our pictures just sit in a box. Now, thanks to Monte and a new program at Blogger, we can all enjoy them.



Here's Devon at Grant's Farm feeding goats. If only we could have a goat! Goats are such wonderful beings.

Ty was enjoying his goat as well. There must have been a hundred little goats and kids to go with them. Each one was cuter than the next.

Lunch under the Arch. It was just beautiful, and so clean. The kids are enjoying a variety of sandwiches and fruit and chips and homemade cookies. It was a must see and must do!

Something for the Baby - To Give and To Get

Every day I get a slew of emails about what’s new on the market. I thought this was neat simply because so many of us stash stuff in shoe boxes and then lose them.

With the new trend in organization to the point of scrap booking a year’s worth of theatre tickets, here’s something fun and really useful. There's a ton of paperwork when baby comes home - birth certificate, medical insurance, social security forms, immunizations, doctor info, equipment warranties….Whew! What new mom has time to organize it all?

She doesn't have to thanks to the Baby Briefcase – the fun, new and completely practical organizational system! It’s about $30.00

Invented by a Mom, the Baby Briefcase makes organizing vital documents hassle-free. Includes 15 pastel colored folders in a frosted sturdy plastic briefcase, with pre-printed and blank labels, a Thank You note tracker, convenient outside pen pocket and a fashionable framed photo pocket. Cute but not too frilly, this easily portable file is great for parents of boys and girls and is perfect for traveling or toting to doctor's appointments.

Something to Think About

When you think of all the possibilities of parenthood, childcare, and education, you think of all the ways it can go right, you think of your child as a future hero, you think of your child as a an involved, intelligent, altruistic man or woman who contributes brilliantly to society.

There are always a few bumps along the road to rearing a child, and even a few mountains to climb, but some people have it worse than others, because some kids are just not going to fit the hero mode. According to psychiatrists and psychologists, the worst disorder among children is called Conduct Disorder.

Here’s a profile I got from several sources:

Do you know someone who has been called ODD, and I don’t mean strange. I mean oppositional defiant? It’s a disorder that I think comes from confusion and inconsistencies of care.

In some ways, the experts say Conduct Disorder is just a worse version of Oppositional Defiant Disorder but recent research suggests that there are some differences.

Here’s the article:

“Children with ODD seem to have worse social skills than those with CD. Children with ODD seem to do better in school. Conduct disorder is the most serious childhood psychiatric disorder. Approximately 6-10% of boys and 2-9% of girls have this disorder.

Here is the Definition:

A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major society rules are violated. At least three of the following criteria must be present in the last 12 months, and at least one criterion must have been present in the last 6 months.

Aggression to people and animals, often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others, often initiates physical fights, has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun), physically cruel to animals, physically cruel to people, has stolen while confronting a victim ( mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery).

Destruction of property, has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage, has deliberately destroyed other's property other than by fire setting.

Deceitfulness or theft, has broken into someone else's house, building or car, often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid work, has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (shoplifting, forgery).

Serious violations of rules, often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before 13 years of age, has run away from home overnight at least twice without returning home for a lengthy period, often skips school before age 13.

The above problem causes significant impairment in social , academic, and occupational functioning.

So how are ODD and CD related?

Currently, the research shows that in many respects, CD is a more severe form of ODD. Severe ODD can lead to CD. Milder ODD usually does not. The common thread that separates CD and ODD is safety. If a child has CD there are safety concerns. Sometimes it is the personal safety of others in the school, family, or community. Sometimes it is the safety of the possessions of other people in the school, family or community. Often the safety of the child with CD is a great concern.

Children with ODD are an annoyance, but not especially dangerous. If you have a child with CD disorder in your home, most likely you do not feel entirely safe. Or, you do not feel that your things are entirely safe. It is the hardest pediatric neuropsychiatric disorder to live with as a sibling, parent, or foster parent. Nothing else even comes close. It is worse than any medical disorder in pediatrics. Some parents have told me that at times it is worse than having your child die.

Conduct Disorder and comorbidity:

It has been common in the past for people to think that conduct disorder is just the beginning of being a criminal. Up until the last few years, children with conduct disorder were often "written off.”

It is now clear that this is true only with a minority of cases. It is very easy to focus on the management of the CD child and forget to check the child out for other neuropsychiatric disorders.

A careful examination of children with CD almost always reveals other neuropsychiatric disorders. Some of the most exciting developments in this area of medicine involve understanding these phenomena. It is called comorbidty, that is the tendency for disorders to occur together.

It is very common to see children with CD plus another one or two neuropsychiatric diagnoses. By far the most common combination is CD plus ADHD.

Between 30-50% of children with CD will also have ADHD .

Another common combination is CD plus depression or anxiety. One quarter to one half of children with CD have either an anxiety disorder or depression.

CD disorder plus substance abuse is also very common. Also common are associations with Learning Disorders, bipolar disorder and Tourettes Syndrome.

It is exceptionally rare for a child to present for evaluation by a pediatric psychiatrist to have pure CD.”

Down and Not Running

For the past two weeks, my computer connection has been down and not running. To post a single entry, it takes nearly two hours. It should take five minutes.

I have lots of pictures and lots of stuff waiting.

Cheers today for Morgen and Briaunna who got on the board ready to jump, but lost their nerve and ended up going off the side of the deep end.

Our jumpers to date are:

Chip
Jack Hall
Vanessa
Audry
Dylan

Our big water end graduates are:
Briaunna
Morgen
Chip
Jack Hall
Leah
Peyton (first one)
Vanessa
Holden
Dylan

Next four:
Aiden
Alexa
Alan
Austin

Rain Ins and Rain Outs

Here are some pictures from last week:



It’s been a rainy week, but we’ve done a lot even so.

Monday we played tag with the weather. Our new bird cage is up and running, and the birds are slowly making the transition from one cage to another. We cleaned, we colored, we did inside games and a science game of “What’s in the box.” Miss Stacey and Miss Rachel made little bowls of Jell-O, pudding, pealed grapes and Cheerios and the kids had to identify by touch and smell and taste what it was. They loved it.

Tuesday, we looked at weather and watched a new National Geographic film about birds and how they fly. We had the rabbit man in to take away the baby bunnies. Two went home with Morgen. We pulled out a new French Book and learned how to say “There’s a dragon in my bed.” We sang French songs.

Wednesday, we went to the movies to see Robot. The kids were really good.

Thursday, we will …. To be posted.

Friday we will have a visit from the Fire Department in the morning and from the Blood Center in the afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00. Parents are welcome to donate.

Next week it’s swimming on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be posted.

Motherhood Club

Monroe, LA – Howard Publishing is the creator of an innovative program specifically targeting moms of all ages and stages of life known as “The Motherhood Club.”

It’s a book club.

The Motherhood Club was the brainchild of Chrys Howard and Philis Boultinghouse. Their desire in creating the Book Club was to eliminate some guesswork when it comes to selecting resources for busy moms.

The Club includes an informative website featuring tips from professionals (and professional moms!) as well as a column by a licensed family therapist, articles on mom-related topics, inspirational devotionals, and news on upcoming Motherhood Club events.

Beginning last June, the Club officially launched its membership initiative.

“We think it’s about time that moms are honored for doing the most important job in the world,” said Boultinghouse.

“Our heart’s desire is to provide not only a one-stop shopping resource for these busy moms with our in-store display, but a network of mom-to-mom support.

This support is available on three levels: our website where moms can chat with other moms and find much-needed information; large city events where moms can come together to be refreshed and revived; and local clubs where moms can gather in homes or churches.”

These are the Motherhood Club’s first eight books:

The Busy Mom’s Guide to Prayer (Lisa Whelchel)

Mom PhD (Teresa Bell Kindred)

The Power of a Positive Mom (Karol Ladd)

There’s A Perfect Little Angel in Every Child (Gigi Schweikert)

I’m A Good Mother (Schweikert)

Holding the World By the Hand (Schweikert)

Tight Squeeze (Debbie DiGiovanni)

The Miracle in a Mother’s Hug (Helen Burns).

Blood and More

For those of you who did not read our flyer on Monday, we are having the Blood Mobile at school on Friday between 2:00 and 4:00. We are letting the kids tour and asking parents and teachers to donate. There is currently a blood shortage in Evansville, and since it's bound to rain on Friday and Miss Sandy is busy with a State meeting, we thought it was a good plan.

The fire trucks will be here Friday morning as well to do a fire safety program.

Rain can be a very good thing.

A Look at Bodies!

Dr. William Sheldon (1898-1977) was an American psychologist who devoted his professional life to observing the range of human body types and what he came rightly to believe as human personality traits or temperament types.

Today, there are people who want to discredit Dr. Sheldon and say that he dehumanized people and pigeon holed them, but the truth is, he tried to explain why someone might be the way they are. Whys are important when you search for answers for children. I think his work is spectacular and right on target. It's also very funny.

Here is an article about William Sheldon’s work:

Through a meticulous examination of the carefully posed (front view, side view, and back view) photographs of some four thousand, decently but scantily clothed, college-age men, Sheldon became persuaded that there were three fundamental elements that, in various proportions, contributed to each person's actual physique or somatype.

He conjectured that there might well be some relationship between these elements and the three layers of the human embryo - the endoderm, the mesoderm and the ectoderm - and consequently gave the three elements that he held as contributing to ALL human physiques the names Endomorphy, Mesomorphy and Ectomorphy.

He devised ways of standardizing the measurement and numerical expression of the various degrees to which each of the three element was present in any individual person's physique.He came to see Endomorphy as being focused on the digestive system, particularly the stomach, Mesomorphy as being focused on musculature and the circulatory system, and Ectomorphy as being focused on the nervous system and the brain.

On this basis he came to recognize that individual human beings would all possess stomachs, muscles, and nervous systems, but would also differ, more or less, in the inherent focus of their bodies towards their stomachs, their muscles, or their nervous systems.He accepted that, in any population, there would be a few extreme Endomorphs, a few extreme Mesomorphs, and a few extreme Ectomorphs.

He saw extreme Endomorphic physiques as being rounded and tending towards fleshiness. He discovered that extreme Endomorphic body types are endowed with a far longer digestive tract than extreme Ectomorphic body types.He saw extreme Mesomorphic physiques as being large, bony, and tending towards a substantial and well-defined musculature.

He saw extreme Ectomorphic body types as being light-boned and tending towards a slightness of musculature. He also conducted a large number of surveys directed towards the investigation of whether there was any identifiable link between physique and temperament type. Sheldon's surveys led him consider that there were three basic temperament types or human personality traits that he labelled Viscerotonia, Somatotonia, and Cerebrotonia.

He saw extreme Viscerotonia as being associated with a love of relaxation and of comfort. Extreme Viscerotonics tend to be sociable "food and people" persons.

He saw extreme Somatonia as being associated with physical assertiveness. Extreme Somatotonics tend to be very keen on physical activity. Extreme Somatotonics also tend to be keen on competition in which they tend to expect to do well.

He saw extreme Cerebrotonia as being associated with a pronounced need for privacy. Extreme Cerebrotonics tend to be highly self-aware and socially restrained.

He considered that there was a strong correlation between body type and temperament type. According to this view, human personality traits are underwritten by human physical types. Extreme Endomorphs tend towards Viscerotonia, extreme Mesomorphs towards Somatotonia, and extreme Ectomorphs towards Cerebrotonia.

There may well be an association to be made between Dr. William Sheldon's work and the work of other psychologists - not least the work of Stella Chess and Alexander Thomas. Working in the area of child psychology in New York Chess and Alexander ultimately went on to classify the temperament types of their young charges as variously being "easy", "difficult", and "slow to warm up".

Sheldon wrote several books on the variety of human temperament types / human personality traits that are now out of print - a work by Chess and Alexander entitled Temperament: Theory and Practice is of more recent publication.

A Day for a Child

Yesterday we really out kidded ourselves. We all had a blast doing just kid stuff. We packed a kid lunch and took off on a kid style excursion – Miss Sandy’s bus. Every child I know likes the bus trip almost better than the field trip proper.

We went rock climbing at Garden of the Gods. I know it’s the new no no place because last year some kid fell. But he was with one of the Y groups, and they employ teens. Instead, we have rock climbing adults who have been trained in repelling. Miss Molly was a volunteer fire fighter and was trained by the department in rock climbing. She loved the sport.

Miss Molly, Mr. Tom, Miss Rachel, Miss Stacy and the Gentlemen fathers who came along, scaled some rugged territory and took every single child along to the top of the overhang where they got a great view and an adventure of a lifetime. Then they forged ahead through the poison oak, and shimmied down between the rocks back to the path.

Then, we were off to the lake. Every child waded up to his neck and then some. They had a real “swimming hole” adventure in the lake. It was warm, had a sandy bottom, and was shallow about 1/3 of the way across. The kids could have swum till dark. Lake water is easier to swim in than pool water, and the kids found their acrobatics a lot easier.

We literally dragged them out for lunch with the cries and pleas, “Can’t we go back; do we have to eat; can’t we swim again?”

The answer was, “We can’t take you for ice cream soaking wet.”

After lunch, we all headed back to EVV and stopped in Mount Vernon for ice cream sundaes. Morgen ate three probably because she threw her sandwich into the woods. She likes to share with the raccoons!

By the time we got home, the kids were pleasantly tired. They played beautifully the rest of the day. Edith and I went home to an early bedtime, Molly and the girls had a night on the town.

It was voted most popular trip. I don’t know a single other school that would allow any of the above, but we think these are learning experiences the children shouldn’t miss. They are child appropriate and pure fun, and our staff is in great shape, so why not enjoy it.

Miss Molly thought a family day up at the lake before summer ends would be a great day. The bus seats 55. It’s a 2 hour trip by bus, and a 1.5 hour trip by car if you drive like Miss Molly. Any suggestions?

Off the Subject

Now that there is a new world crisis, I was wondering what my readers might think of something I’ve suggested for years. As some of you know, my husband taught history for over thirty years. He’s taught the whole world from beginning to end. He is more interested in the politics of history than states and dates.

I’ve suggested that he write a column called Current Events for Dummies. Or something like it. Terry is really good at explaining very simply why certain parts of the world are in the shape they are, what kinds of people and events have made it that way, and what’s going on right now that will or won’t change the status quo. In real life, he's got one of those deep, low voices a little like Orson Wells. That won't show up, of course, but his writing is interesting and fun to read.

What do you think of a column about the reasons we have the problems that we do?

Would you read it?

Stacy Keel Wrote:

Stacy Keel wrote:

Attached is a copy of an e-mail I sent to Judy.

Stacy Keel wrote:
In the last couple of months I have really noticed a big improvement in Faith's drawing and coloring. I think she is doing great! Sometimes I don't realize how much she learns there at school until I hear her with her little friends. Last night she and Kayla (best friend from across the street) were sitting on the patio in the backyard playing "school" while Kayla's mom and I were breaking green beans. We were just listening to them and of course Faith was Ms Judy. She had an alphabet book and was explaining to the pretend kids what sound the letters made. Kayla's mom was really impressed and made the comment that Kayla's pre-school (Newburgh pre-school) was more of a socialization for the kids than an actual place of learning. I have been very pleased with what Faith has learned from your school and with the experiences she is having. I hope you enjoy her as well because you are stuck with her for awhile. All of you are doing a wonderful job and I'm glad Faith has you. She loves it there and it makes life so much easier when you know your child is happy.

I just wanted you to know that all of you are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I

Judy called earlier and apparently it was good timing because as she was sharing it with the other teachers one of the new parents came in and chewed them out about the way they did things there.

Anyway she asked my permission to post the e-mail on her blog and to give a copy to the parent that was unhappy. Just thought I would share it with all of you since you are familiar with the school.

In addition, I thought you would get a kick out of Faith's Uncle Will's comments - he usually cracks me up. I thought his comments were pretty accurate.

Humans under the age of 15 should be covered in dirt regularly, or they're not exploring enough.

Probably also applies to humans over 15 as well, of course."

A boy is a noise, with dirt on it." Same for girls, only more so.

The first time I stepped into the school there, it was abuzz withyoung scientific minds, each discovering his or her universe at his or her own pace. I stood there a while soaking it in -- our white-collar jobs are so sanitized and sterile!

Judy came up and asked what I needed; I took a while to respond and finally said "What a WONDERFUL noise." She was glad to hear it, but added that I'm one of the few who thinks so.

The purpose of having kids is NOT for the convenience and comfortof the parent. (At least not until they can do chores, of course. :)

Stacy

The Garden School's Curriculum

I was stunned this morning when a new parent came into school and complained that her child did nothing at school but watch TV. The child reported that during the day, he watched videos.

It’s always important to ask children what they do during the day. Sometimes they remember, and sometimes they don’t because a child is a creature of the immediacy.

FYI, for other parents who believe that our curriculum begins and ends with TV, today we had breakfast on the patio, came in for circle time and Bible stories that was followed by art – we painted deserts. Every piece of artwork done at school must have the child’s handwritten name on it. If a child cannot write his name, he is responsible to raise his hand and ask for help. If a child doesn’t do either, that’s his choice too, and we throw out nameless papers.

We played soccer in gym class, had a science lesson on rocks and rock formations, created a volcano which erupted all over the yard, and then stayed outside for a short recess. I read a story called, "The Stupid's Step Out." It's a funny story that makes them laugh. I read it because one of the kids was upset about being called a name. We talked about name calling and how unkind it is.

We had marinated and barbequed chicken and Italian sausage cooked on the grill, our own garden grown zucchini that I hand breaded and deep fried, we had oranges, watermelon, green grapes, bread and butter, a rice and bean and cheese casserole, tater tots for the hard to please and milk. Jackie Snyder had an apple.

We played about 30 minutes outside and came in for a history lesson on rocks. History? We started with all the primitive formations like Stonehenge, The Easter Islands, and some places in the Middle East.

I reminded the children of the Bible quote about building your house on rock. Then I showed them some examples of houses and villages that have been around about 4000 years.

We looked at the pyramids and reminded the children of something they learned earlier, that the tallest building in the world was the pyramid before 1900. We simply did not have the technology. We talked about the Laseau Caves and about ancient cave art – done on rock about 40,000 years ago.

We ended our lesson with Mount Rushmore and stories about the four presidents who grace that “rock.”

Tomorrow we will go to Garden of the Gods.

We think it’s a good curriculum and the children are learning. But it’s real hands on, and hands on can’t be done from a chair. Too many parents have a deodorized notion of childcare where the children sit spotlessly clean around darling hand painted furniture in a shining clean room doing work sheets. You can accomplish that for about 35 seconds. You should see our hand painted furniture.

In an environment like that two things are happening: The teachers know nothing about childcare and their time and effort is being put into the room not the child.

If you want a hospital for your child, there are facilities available where children never go outside and if they do, it’s a concrete base and nap time is ¾ of the day. Or try Le Petite Academy where the national standard is comparable to dry storage.

Edith and I have been in this business since just after the flood. We are not eager to make a great name for ourselves or win the “Mrs. Clean” award for childcare. We are spending our knowledge packed years on the children because they are our most important cultural asset.

As Miss Molly said, “I’m giving my life to children because I love them.”

Morning Sickness

Every day, I get about ten "up to the moment" news releases and promos for new products and new books. Some of them are worth sharing. This one is. Besides being current, it's funny. I remember when.

Seven Survival Strategies for Morning Sick Moms A new book by "morning sickness maven" Miriam Erick provides the tools you need to satisfy cravings, suppress nausea, and maintain good health--and she does it with a welcome dose of empathy.

Boulder, CO (June 2005)--So...you're pregnant. In the days before the stick turned blue, you imagined you'd spend these early months fielding congratulatory hugs, mooning over tiny outfits, and savoring carefully balanced, nutrient-filled, folate-rich meals. But someone forgot to tell your body. Your soft-focus dreams have come up against a far less pleasant reality: gagging in the bathroom at 2 a.m., praying you'll make it through your business meeting without having to bolt, desperately rummaging through the pantry for something--anything--you can keep down for more than five minutes.

"Though some people tend to make light of morning sickness, it is no joke," says Miriam Erick, M.S., R.D., a registered dietitian at The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who is known to her patients as the "morning sickness maven." "It is truly debilitating. A severe case can disrupt a woman's career and family life and even threaten her long-term health. For such women, the old 'crackers and jell-o' mantra isn't going to cut it."

The bad news is that there's no one-size-fits-all cure. The good news is that you can learn from Erick's wealth of experience in discovering what does work for the moderately nauseated as well as the sickest of the sick. Her new book, Managing Morning Sickness: A Survival Guide for Pregnant Women (Bull Publishing Company, 2004, ISBN: 0-923521-82-8, $16.95), provides proven remedies, nutritional guidelines, and safe, nutritious recipes.

This book also covers the triggers and possible causes of morning sickness, presents the latest research on drugs and other treatments, discusses the effectiveness of acupuncture, holistic, herbal, and homeopathic treatments, and more. Real-life case studies from the author's experience in hospital practice will help readers see that they are not alone--a realization that can come as a huge relief to women who are (insensitively) told that "it's all in your head."

Here, excerpted from Managing Morning Sickness and from Erick's website, morningsickness.net, are some tips on understanding, coping with, and defeating morning sickness:

Try lemons. "Eating lemons has been noted as a remedy for seasickness," says Erick. "In my clinical experience, I've observed a strange but real therapeutic effect of lemons. You can sniff them, suck on them, or sprinkle them with salt and lick them. Lemon is a fragrance that works about 99 percent of the time! Not only is it effective in relieving nausea, it has been proven to relieve depression."

Track your triggers. If you chart your episodes of nausea or vomiting, you are likely to discover patterns that reveal contributing factors. Do certain smells make you nauseated? Taking medication, eating, or drinking at certain times of the day? Being exposed to heat or humidity? Hearing loud noises? Being "jiggled" by a husband who tosses and turns in bed? As you can see, there are many potential triggers for morning sickness. Only by identifying them can you take defensive action.

Realize that bland isn't always best. It's almost a cliché to suggest tea, toast, crackers, and jell-o. It's true that for many women, bland foods are the answer. But others find success with such unlikely choices as "fireballs" (cinnamon candy), tater tots, sour cream & onion potato think might work, no matter how odd it might seem.

Consider food categories...and trust your gut. Women seem to crave certain tastes/textures when they're feeling sick. Maybe the thought of sweet food makes you feel "green" but the thought of something tart is bearable. Pay attention to these preferences and give your queasy stomach what it wants. Managing Morning Sickness provides an extensive list of foods to try, broken down by taste and texture.

For instance: * Salty: Mashed potatoes with salt and parmesan, tomato juice, hotdog * Bitter/tart/sour: lemonade, lime juice sprinkled on apples, salsa * Earthy/yeasty: pumpernickel bread, hummus, asparagus * Crunchy: raw zucchini, crisp bacon, taco shells * Spicy: gingerbread cookies, chili peppers, seafood cocktail sauce The above list is just a tiny sampling. The book also provides a wealth of menus and recipes categorized by these physical/sensory food attributes.

If junk food appeals to you, don't feel guilty. Many women believe that if they consume anything on the "do not eat" list, the baby will immediately suffer. Although it is true that a pregnancy will benefit by better eating habits, in morning sickness, it is a very different game. What's the benefit of eating well, vomiting, and having to take anti-vomiting medication rather than eating a few junk foods, foregoing medication, and not vomiting? It's a game of trade-offs.

Consider "alternative" remedies. One study from Italy seemed to suggest that the Sea Band, an antiseasickness wristband with a bead sewn in that supposedly exerts pressure on a nerve connected to the vomiting center in the brain, was helpful in alleviating sickness. Managing Morning Sickness reports on other remedies such as hypnosis, acupuncture, and foot reflexology. Common Western herbs such as cilantro, ginger, and peppermint and Eastern remedies like xiao hui xiang (small fennel), Jie Zi (brown mustard seeds), and pu gong ying (known in the U.S. as dandelion) have been found effective-but consult your doctor before taking any substance.

Finally, be glad you weren't born 60 years ago. "As bizarre as it sounds, in the early 1940s a woman who suffered from bad nausea and vomiting may have been given injections of her husband's blood, with the theory that there was something inherent in the spouse's blood that could reduce the problem," writes Erick. "This was not medical management from voodoo men but rather a practice from the United States, if you can believe that!"

Though it may seem small comfort, women who suffer from severe and unrelenting morning sickness deserve what Erick calls The Purple Heart of Motherhood.

"No one's going to pin a medal on you, so you need to honor yourself," she advises. "Nurture yourself as best you can. Take a break from housework. Eat what you can keep down and let everyone else fend for themselves. Insist that restless sleepers bed down elsewhere until the baby is born. And always keep in mind that no matter how terrible you feel, it has to be over in at least nine months. That may not be much to cling to, but Purple Heart Mothers will take whatever they can get." chips, and raw carrots and celery sticks dipped in vinegar. Quite simply, try whatever you

About the Author:

Miriam Erick, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and nationally known perinatal morning sickness nutrition specialist. Her work in the field spans over 15 years at a major Boston medical institution. An author of three books on the topic and a well-traveled public speaker, Miriam also works directly with sick, hospitalized women with severe morning sickness.

Her work in obstetrical nutrition also covers high-risk pregnancy issues including eating disorders, multiple pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, vegetarianism, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, and severe morning sickness (called hyperemesis gravidarum). As an educational affiliate of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Miriam has successfully led physician luncheon groups at two national ACOG meetings on the topic of morning sickness management.

Miriam has appeared on CBS This Morning with Paula Zahn, as well as several local Boston television stations. Comments from Miriam appear frequently in women's and childbirth magazines. She is an editorial board member of Fit Pregnancy, received the 1996 Ross Award in Women's Health (from Abbott Laboratories and the American Dietetics Association Foundation), and is a "Who's Who in America." Her book No More Morning Sickness: A Survival Guide for Pregnant Women was awarded the prestigious "Pyramid Award" for excellence in medical writing in 1995 by the New England chapter of the American Medical Writers Association.

About the Book:

Managing Morning Sickness: A Survival Guide for Pregnant Women (Bull Publishing Company, 2004, ISBN: 0-923521-82-8, $16.95) is available at bookstores nationwide, major online booksellers, or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 929-3811.
For more information, please visit morningsickness.net.

Cowboys are Fun

Here is something Edith and I just laughed out loud at.

Cowboy's Guide to Life

What we both liked so much about it is its ability to be applied to our jobs and everyday life. A lot of these really hit home, create double meanings and bring on funny memories.

Your fences need to be horse high, pig tight and bull strong.

He’s talking about consistency. If they know they can’t get over you, under you, around you, or through you, they’re just going to settle down and enjoy it.

Life ain't about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

That’s for sure. Every time you think you think you’re flying high, there’s something or someone to remind you that the ground is still there and still rock hard.

Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

Every time 5/3 comes over looking especially nifty in their clean pressed suits, ties and knee high socks, I tell them, “Yes, you can do something for me. You can get us a grant." They usually leave very quickly after that. Funny about money. If you can't make it in your own basement, you won't be happy until you make it in someone else's.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

Tell that to the bankers. Ever pull out a stump? I did it once, and ended up making a pond. We also had a grandma who pulled stumps for a living. If you ever want to test being in shape, consider Linda. She is in her mid sixties and can still pull a stump by herself!

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Only if you’re frightened of flying insects.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

That’s what I keep telling the kids.

Meanness don't jest happen overnight.

That’s what I kept telling my mother.

Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads

This is what I’m going to start telling the kids.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

This is what Miss Molly needs to start telling the kids.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

Ever seen a grudge? I think that’s our art project for the day. Draw a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Tell that to the Courier and Press.

Every path has a few puddles.

Puddles are neat. Does anyone know that the Emilio Regio program has raincoats and boots as part of their uniform code?

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

When you come to the Garden School, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Tell that to the Bishop, the refer him to unsaying, whispering, and wallowing.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

Don’t believe it. Come spend a day with us at school.

Don't judge folks by their relatives.

Especially me.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

MMMM.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Yep. See Mrs. St. Louis for instructions.

Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

The child’s red badge of courage for sure.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

A lot like crying.

The easiest way to eat crow is while it's still warm, 'cause the colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller.

Tell that to Award Winning Editor Bruce Baumann.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Unless you’re in the sand box then it’s onward and downward. “Anyone speak Chinese?”

It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

No, but you have to be at least six.

Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

Depends on whether Miss Judy has demanded your medal.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you shave his face in the mirror every mornin.'

Won’t go there.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

In my case, it would be my new raccoons. I have two, you know. Miss Vivie has introduced me to them. They live in her tree.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Yep.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Again, refer this to the Bishop. It might prove you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it in.

Especially Meistro. Anyone want to start a weekend cat sitting roster?

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Tried that once. Yoga came in real handy.

Never fry bacon naked.

Edith thinks this is especially funny. Will somebody ask her why?

The Cave Trip

The cave trip was outstanding. The children were beautifully behaved. I was impressed with how nimble they were on the steps. I always am. There are 300 + steps that wind down through deep holes. The cave shafts that can be seen from the stairs are remarkably round and quite dramatic.

One of our parents had the new awakening nightmare that suddenly she was really scared. Claustrophobia nailed her staunchly in the will. But she continued on. One of the other guests asked about earthquakes, and the ranger said that we probably wouldn't feel it down there. I wondered about the New Madrid Fault giving us a good shake, and interesting, so did Miss Molly, but we tucked that nightmare into our back pockets and continued on.

The cave is really quite interesting, but this time it seemed sterile. It’s dark and mysterious, but the 128 living species that inhabit it remain remote, unlike the species that inhabit a forest. I suppose there are some things to be grateful for.

Living so close to the cave means the children should experience it if at all possible. Today we will talk about the earth, caves, rocks and formations.

While we were in the cave, I mentioned to Morgan S that I was sure she should stay in the cave and be the bat girl. She was absolutely delighted. She advanced on an unsuspecting ranger and said, “Miss Judy said I can spend the night here; could you leave the lights on for me?” Morgan is just wonderful.

Next stop? It’s Garden of the Gods in Illinois. It’s a shorter trip. You can use the link on the links column right here on the blog.