Skating

Rebekah and I have roller skates. Then we move into a house close to a skating rink. It's like it's fate! So one Saturday we went in to see how we did. 

Just getting started....

Questioning our feet...

Rebekah just getting started - doing the roller dance.

I texted Don and had him come in to watch, and also take pictures.

We stayed for a good hour before we decided we were done. Then Rebekah decided she wanted a little daddy time before our big trip and walked him home. I stayed back in the car and stalked them. (Rebekah is wearing daddy's coat because although it was cold we drove and didn't bring a jacket. Nice daddy to sacrifice for his little girl.)

Ironically I was awful at skating when I was young. I'm not great now but I'm upright. It's actually kind of fun, as long as I go a slow Rebekah speed. Once she starts going faster, she's on her own!

Spring Break

We started off learning how to fly. I use to do this with my brothers at home. Granted, my brothers were much bigger than little Rebekah - or was I smaller to their smallness... either way the size difference seemed more pronounced now. However, Rebekah loved to fly. 

If you can excuse the unattractiveness of this, here's the flight in action:

We also went to the library to play. Rebekah built a castle. It's always princess stuff with Rebekah.

Except when it's superhero  stuff. Presenting SuperGirl! She is saving the world from me, the evil villain who has the power to put a deep sleep on everyone. (If only I had that power in reality.)

We also made sure we took a trip back to where it all started: Goldfish. Miss Pam made sure to measure Rebekah (when she get's to the picture above where she measures her height, Rebekah can have a job there as a swim teacher). Love Miss Pam. 

Proof that Rebekah has grown about an inch in since January. 

Rebekah was so excited to see Miss Haley. I wish I got that reunion on camera! After we got Rebekah suited up, even though Miss Haley had hit the showers, she got back in the water to race Rebekah. Love her!

Miss Pam came in to see her newly acquired swim skills. 

And Rebekah enjoyed being reunited with some old friends. This is little "Ruby Red" and Miss Kathy. Rebekah bonded with little Ruby pretty early on in her swim years.

However, our swim fun was cut short when a little swimmer had a little accident in the pool. Rebekah was NOT happy. 

She did perk up enough to get one more picture. Love this!

Then we had lunch with grammy. Rebekah didn't believe me when I told her she had a little messy face. So I took a picture to prove it. 

Our nights of spring break have been bonding times for Rebekah and Don. Here they are watching "The Auctioneer" by Roy Rogers.

We have also had swim time with dad. A little baseball action in the water. 

Then they lost said bat and just threw the ball around.

Of course daddy took her for a ride.

Love this:

Apparently Lindor wants me to continue to consume their chocolate even after the worm. So they sent me a few coupons. Unfortunately all I see is that worm... Time will heal.

We also had a swim meet complete with an award ceremony. Rebekah took 3rd place, Rapunzel too 2nd and Gracie took 1st. 

March So Far

Love the daily looking through Rebekah's homework. Found this gem:

Swim is intense. Rebekah has learned so much! She is pushing off the wall with her dolphin kick and breathing her swimmer way (apparently she was confused and thought she needed to hold her breath underwater and only breath when she came up. Once Coach Jennifer told her to breath in when out of water and blow air out making bubbles under water and it clicked.)

The backstroke push off is different and we are working on that, but this picture shows the age group she is swimming with. Such a huge difference! Although I will probably always see my baby no matter what age. And the look of intimidation on Rebekah's face is so apparent. Here's hoping I'm doing the right thing. Coach already is talking about Rebekah swimming in a meet in October....

Speaking of my baby, she likes to swim but loves to play.

Mid butterfly.

Ariel came to swim with us. Yes, that's her in Rebekah's flipper.

This was during church. I know I shouldn't have my phone out taking pictures, but Rebekah wanted to give this picture she drew to her teacher and I had to get a picture first. Jesus, Heavenly Father, and the angels including trumpets and clouds. Love it.

And then there was the time I went to the store and decided I needed something special so I got myself a candy bar. Upon opening it I discovered a little stow-away. This was God's way of telling me to find joy elsewhere. I may never eat another candy bar again. And yes, I messaged the company and complained. They called back within 30 minutes. They said this was a moth worm. Apparently it's all Walmart's fault. They can tell because of the number markings on the bar etc and so on. Trouble is I believe them.... Either way no candy or Walmart for me for a while.

Rebekah back at swim.

Swim and Kindergarten (in whom I am NOT well pleased, but that's *another story) is taking much of our time. We don't get out and play like we did before Kindergarten. Those of you with before school age kids - live it up while you can.

*A FEW OF MY KINDERGARTEN GRIPES:
      Little to no recess (I hear it's a winter / cold and wet thing. Here's hoping that will change come spring.) Right now the play computer games, watch shows, or play "go noodle" - kind of a dance thing. Ugh.
     Watch way to much shows. Without my knowledge (what ever happened to permission slips?) Rebekah has also been introduced to Polar Express and Finding Dory - it's only been 2 months - not to mention that both scared her and during the Polar she was told she needed to sit and be quiet and watch the show. Ended up putting her head down on her desk. I spoke to the teacher and during the second half of Finding Dory Rebekah found the courage to talk to her teacher and was given permission to go elsewhere with an aid and practice words. Glad she was brave.
     She has been introduced to Soda. I have tried very hard to keep that from happening, and yet thanks to public education it did.
     Screen time. Apparently they are a very pro technology school. Rebekah shares a chrome book and an iPad. Next year she will have her own. I agree with technology but I'm wanting Rebekah to learn to interact with people not just computers. I also feel kids get way to much screen time as it is.
     Grading system. Students are graded on how they are meeting the end of the year standard, 1 - 4; 4 being end of year. So, first quarter they should only rate a 1, second quarter a 2, etc. Which is entirely crazy; I believe students should be graded on what they have been taught. But here's the rub: sometimes they can get a 1 mid year and it's either the student isn't meeting standards or the standard hasn't been taught yet. That sound crazy to anyone else? I mean which one is it? Do I need to help my student or is the teacher behind? UGH!

I do realize Rebekah is being challenged way more here than her last school so that is good.

We visit grammy as much as we can. This trip included a trip to Dairy Queen. Rebekah ate her entire meal (minus the french fries), apparently swim is making her hungry, and she also found she had room for ice cream.

Sundays are home days. We play games, legos, and as always play around with my phone. 

Rebekah's favorite:

She also liked this one.

And who doesn't like donut headbands and glasses?

Love the look here.

We also found one that shoots an image of a unicorn rock star practically anywhere you like. Rebekah had to pose.

Then the unicorn had to pose.

Spring break starts tomorrow! Here's hoping we can "sleep in..."

February Books

True story of 3 babies born right before liberation of Mauthausen. While I found the book interesting I found the author's style distracting. She needed to get out of the way and let the events speak for themselves; as it was it read almost overdone. But truly an amazing story of survival.

An amazing portrait of Grant. It was a huge book: I ended up listening to most of it through audio while I did my daily chores but at the end I had to stop multitasking and simply sit and listen. I came very close to tears at the end. There was so much information about the civil war but the reformation period afterwards was incredible to read about. So much I didn't know. He truly fought the good fight. Highly recommendable. 

Not sure what I think about this book. It was hard to read with all the foulness, whether it be internal (experiences) or external (language etc). Where there redeemable qualities? I think so. But definitely not love at first sight. So, maybe worth it... if you want it to be. 

I liked the information in this book but I don't necessarily like the way the author presented it. He spent a lot of time pointing out how unprepared and unqualified Truman was when he took office, so much that I felt the overwhelming need to defend the man. As the book continues the author shows how Truman was the right man at the right time (YAY!) and yet look how unqualified.... (Grrr). I simply don't believe he was unqualified. One can go to the best schools and have the best degrees and still not be qualified. Just because the man didn't go to college doesn't mean he wasn't educated. Not to mention he served very strongly and respectably in government offices and even in his WWI military command experience! To the author I say give the man the credit he deserves and stop trying to make him look "cooler" by tearing him down so you in your gloriousness can lift him back up. He's already a great man without your help. Sheesh! This book also dealt a lot with the bomb which was good and yet horrifying to learn about.

A pretty good junior fiction book, however it was pretty dark including a sadistic bully and a WWI veteran with two people who died and one person lost an eye. The story was well written and I was very engaged. 

I saved this one a while ago and it came in the same time as the previous book. It was only then I realized the books had the same author. Well written and actually pretty intense at times. Both of these I wonder at the "junior fiction" category. It seems to me this would be on the older side of junior even though the main character is a junior.

Great children's historical fiction story about segregation. Very well done.

Mind - blown. Wow. So much is in here! Very well done and I even enjoyed the author's humorous insights to the irony of things although some may find it doesn't have place in a historical account. Very very worth while. 

Hard story about a very young teenage girl who was raped at a party and all the high school bullying / harassment, etc that happens. Lots of symbolism. Was it realistic? Possibly. I seriously have a problem with the only one who sees any red flags and tries to reach the girl at all is the art teacher. Really? But it's amazing what happens (or what doesn't happen) when one ceases to communicate. Up to us to make sure that line always stays open. (That's me seeing this book from a mom perspective.) 

This was really worth while. It's moments like this I wish I could write much better than I am able and give this a review it deserves. The book was highly interesting since the look at FDR came from a different perspective than usual. The idea that trials are given us to help shape us into the person God needs us to be is throughout this book. I've read so much about the depression and WWII to know that FDR was "the right man in the right place at the right time." His ordeal with Polio changed  and helped him become that right man. Good book. Highly recommendable.  

This book is related to The Glass Castle, a fact I didn't understand when I put it on hold. I'm not sure if that fact would have changed my mind about reading this book but it came in and only then I noticed the author... but already had the book so jumped in. I liked the beginning of the book where it just talked about Lily. However when the daughter was born (Rosemary - the mom from the other book) I had a hard time not analyzing everything that happened with her and how it turned her into the mom she was in The Glass Castle. Which leads me to over analyze everything I do with Rebekah.... So, not my favorite subject. And while I'm being honest, I don't really care for the author's writing style: I know she is capturing the individual spirit of who she is writing about but it tends to be so harsh at times it turns into a chore to read. The only person I connected with or liked from the book was Lily's husband and yet I can't even seem to remember his name. Jim was it? There's also a part about "Mormon's" in there that isn't too complementary. I didn't like how it was touched on (magical underwear, etc), but that was the least of the books problem. Some people live crazy lives. Glad mine life is somewhat normal.

This was really fun until it wasn't. I loved the plot line: man born in late 1500's has genetic mutation that causes slow growth. The options are endless! I was enjoying the story immensely until the last few chapters when the author seemed to run out of vocabulary and decided cursing would have to do. Or perhaps he needed more words to sale the book to his publisher or something. Or wanted to reach a different audience? All the sudden the "f" word was ridiculously prevalent. Very sad. By the time it happened I was invested and didn't want to simply stop so I ended up trying to self edit while I skimmed the last chapters. Very upsetting.

Rebekah:

Really cute story about making a new friend and living life to the fullest. Love the relationship with the dog too.

The series is really great for younger kids. The girls are fun, not too much drama, and good values. Colored pictures on every page. Who could ask for anything more.