monkey platters and school at home
Sandra Dodd
I just got a happy e-mail that I'm sure the author didn't know would
disturb me. I feel a little like I'm aiding and abetting, and all of
those of you who sent suggestions and photos for the monkey platters
page are too.
The mom told me she had just discovered monkey platters and she and
her kids loved them. She was so excited she blogged about it!
I read the blog post and there's a photo, even, and yet I'm hesitant
to link it on the monkey platter page. I don't want to frustrate her.
But I'm a little agitated. Feel free to talk me down. (It's just a
little agitation, and I'll probably be fine within twenty minutes .
<g>)
Here's my response to her:
=======================
Thanks!
I hope you'll like some other parts of my site too. Much of your blog
post was about difficulties and avoidance, and there are other ways to
homeschool that pretty much eliminate both of those.
-=- We did have to lay some ground rules along the lines of sharing
and taking only your portion, but the girls are so eager to keep this
going that they are going above and beyond to be cooperative.-=-
I'll share three more pages and then I'll leave you alone about it. :-)
http://sandradodd.com/haveto
http://sandradodd.com/rules
http://sandradodd.com/food
Oh, and you mentioned language arts. I used to be a teacher of
language arts!
http://sandradodd.com/language/
Thanks for letting me know about your blog post!
Sandra
=======================
She's using the monkey platters to keep her kids at the table for
schoolwork, and limiting the food. Well... Still, it's better than
the situation before that (for her, maybe not for the girls! <g>)
Here's the blog post. Please don't respond in any strident way, if
you do write. Maybe she'll read the links I sent and soften up some.
http://crazyinalaska.blogspot.com/2009/10/food-distractions-and-monkey-platters.html
Sandra
disturb me. I feel a little like I'm aiding and abetting, and all of
those of you who sent suggestions and photos for the monkey platters
page are too.
The mom told me she had just discovered monkey platters and she and
her kids loved them. She was so excited she blogged about it!
I read the blog post and there's a photo, even, and yet I'm hesitant
to link it on the monkey platter page. I don't want to frustrate her.
But I'm a little agitated. Feel free to talk me down. (It's just a
little agitation, and I'll probably be fine within twenty minutes .
<g>)
Here's my response to her:
=======================
Thanks!
I hope you'll like some other parts of my site too. Much of your blog
post was about difficulties and avoidance, and there are other ways to
homeschool that pretty much eliminate both of those.
-=- We did have to lay some ground rules along the lines of sharing
and taking only your portion, but the girls are so eager to keep this
going that they are going above and beyond to be cooperative.-=-
I'll share three more pages and then I'll leave you alone about it. :-)
http://sandradodd.com/haveto
http://sandradodd.com/rules
http://sandradodd.com/food
Oh, and you mentioned language arts. I used to be a teacher of
language arts!
http://sandradodd.com/language/
Thanks for letting me know about your blog post!
Sandra
=======================
She's using the monkey platters to keep her kids at the table for
schoolwork, and limiting the food. Well... Still, it's better than
the situation before that (for her, maybe not for the girls! <g>)
Here's the blog post. Please don't respond in any strident way, if
you do write. Maybe she'll read the links I sent and soften up some.
http://crazyinalaska.blogspot.com/2009/10/food-distractions-and-monkey-platters.html
Sandra
Schuyler
I can understand why it would distress you. She's using monkey platters as a means to keeping butts on seats. I'm sure more people than Crazy in Alaska take away a moment's idea from your wonderful labyrinth of a website and ignore the hours and days of ideas that could also make their lives and their children's lives better. Because of your easily accessible webpage her children are getting in less trouble with their mom. That's a good thing. Because of a tool you made available, the mom is looking to solutions outside of shouting and time outs and contracts, or at least so many contracts, for any behavioural problems she may feel her daughters are exhibiting. That's a really good thing. Maybe looking once outside the behaviour she'll look again later. Maybe she'll open her mind even more. She knows where your site is now, maybe she'll come back looking for more ideas over time.
I would let this one slide off your back a little. 20 minutes of agitation may be more than it is worth.
Schuyler
________________________________
From: Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, 23 October, 2009 13:07:53
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] monkey platters and school at home
I just got a happy e-mail that I'm sure the author didn't know would
disturb me. I feel a little like I'm aiding and abetting, and all of
those of you who sent suggestions and photos for the monkey platters
page are too.
The mom told me she had just discovered monkey platters and she and
her kids loved them. She was so excited she blogged about it!
I read the blog post and there's a photo, even, and yet I'm hesitant
to link it on the monkey platter page. I don't want to frustrate her.
But I'm a little agitated. Feel free to talk me down. (It's just a
little agitation, and I'll probably be fine within twenty minutes .
<g>)
Here's my response to her:
=======================
Thanks!
I hope you'll like some other parts of my site too. Much of your blog
post was about difficulties and avoidance, and there are other ways to
homeschool that pretty much eliminate both of those.
-=- We did have to lay some ground rules along the lines of sharing
and taking only your portion, but the girls are so eager to keep this
going that they are going above and beyond to be cooperative.-=-
I'll share three more pages and then I'll leave you alone about it. :-)
http://sandradodd.com/haveto
http://sandradodd.com/rules
http://sandradodd.com/food
Oh, and you mentioned language arts. I used to be a teacher of
language arts!
http://sandradodd.com/language/
Thanks for letting me know about your blog post!
Sandra
=======================
She's using the monkey platters to keep her kids at the table for
schoolwork, and limiting the food. Well... Still, it's better than
the situation before that (for her, maybe not for the girls! <g>)
Here's the blog post. Please don't respond in any strident way, if
you do write. Maybe she'll read the links I sent and soften up some.
http://crazyinalaska.blogspot.com/2009/10/food-distractions-and-monkey-platters.html
Sandra
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I would let this one slide off your back a little. 20 minutes of agitation may be more than it is worth.
Schuyler
________________________________
From: Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, 23 October, 2009 13:07:53
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] monkey platters and school at home
I just got a happy e-mail that I'm sure the author didn't know would
disturb me. I feel a little like I'm aiding and abetting, and all of
those of you who sent suggestions and photos for the monkey platters
page are too.
The mom told me she had just discovered monkey platters and she and
her kids loved them. She was so excited she blogged about it!
I read the blog post and there's a photo, even, and yet I'm hesitant
to link it on the monkey platter page. I don't want to frustrate her.
But I'm a little agitated. Feel free to talk me down. (It's just a
little agitation, and I'll probably be fine within twenty minutes .
<g>)
Here's my response to her:
=======================
Thanks!
I hope you'll like some other parts of my site too. Much of your blog
post was about difficulties and avoidance, and there are other ways to
homeschool that pretty much eliminate both of those.
-=- We did have to lay some ground rules along the lines of sharing
and taking only your portion, but the girls are so eager to keep this
going that they are going above and beyond to be cooperative.-=-
I'll share three more pages and then I'll leave you alone about it. :-)
http://sandradodd.com/haveto
http://sandradodd.com/rules
http://sandradodd.com/food
Oh, and you mentioned language arts. I used to be a teacher of
language arts!
http://sandradodd.com/language/
Thanks for letting me know about your blog post!
Sandra
=======================
She's using the monkey platters to keep her kids at the table for
schoolwork, and limiting the food. Well... Still, it's better than
the situation before that (for her, maybe not for the girls! <g>)
Here's the blog post. Please don't respond in any strident way, if
you do write. Maybe she'll read the links I sent and soften up some.
http://crazyinalaska.blogspot.com/2009/10/food-distractions-and-monkey-platters.html
Sandra
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=- That's a really good thing. Maybe looking once outside the
behaviour she'll look again later. Maybe she'll open her mind even
more. She knows where your site is now, maybe she'll come back looking
for more ideas over time. -=-
Correct as usual, Schuyler. Thanks. I do feel better.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
behaviour she'll look again later. Maybe she'll open her mind even
more. She knows where your site is now, maybe she'll come back looking
for more ideas over time. -=-
Correct as usual, Schuyler. Thanks. I do feel better.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Cara Barlow
I find that a lot of people do what this blogger did - they pick up a little
bit that they integrate into their lives. It's not a bad thing - if she has
success with monkey platters, she may revisit your site for more "cute
ideas" and become interested in your other writing. Monkey platters may be
the thin edge of the wedge for that mom's understanding, or it may just make
those kids lives more pleasant in a small way.
*****
<<<Because of a tool you made available, the mom is looking to solutions
outside of shouting and time outs and contracts, or at least so many
contracts, for any behavioral problems she may feel her daughters are
exhibiting. >>>
There was an article in the NYT a few days ago about parents shouting.
For Some Parents, Shouting Is the New
Spanking<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22yell.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=parents%20shouting&st=cse%3E>I
have a friend who's a child therapist, and she occasionally implies
that
I'm "repressed" because I don't shout at my children or create a lot of
drama. At first I was offended, but then I noticed that when she makes
comments like that, it usually means she's recently yelled at her kids.
Best wishes, Cara
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
bit that they integrate into their lives. It's not a bad thing - if she has
success with monkey platters, she may revisit your site for more "cute
ideas" and become interested in your other writing. Monkey platters may be
the thin edge of the wedge for that mom's understanding, or it may just make
those kids lives more pleasant in a small way.
*****
<<<Because of a tool you made available, the mom is looking to solutions
outside of shouting and time outs and contracts, or at least so many
contracts, for any behavioral problems she may feel her daughters are
exhibiting. >>>
There was an article in the NYT a few days ago about parents shouting.
For Some Parents, Shouting Is the New
Spanking<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22yell.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=parents%20shouting&st=cse%3E>I
have a friend who's a child therapist, and she occasionally implies
that
I'm "repressed" because I don't shout at my children or create a lot of
drama. At first I was offended, but then I noticed that when she makes
comments like that, it usually means she's recently yelled at her kids.
Best wishes, Cara
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-I have a friend who's a child therapist, and she occasionally implies
that I'm "repressed" because I don't shout at my children or create a
lot of
drama. At first I was offended, but then I noticed that when she makes
comments like that, it usually means she's recently yelled at her
kids.-=-
I laughed. <g>
I'm sure you're right.
We have problematical neighbors behind us. There are elderly
grandparents (or one grandparent maybe now) and for a while one of
their grown sons, his several sons who grew to teens and started
having live-in girlfriends and their offspring, it seemed, were
violent and loud and awful. They were selling drugs out the back
corner of their yard (one or two of the teens), which is also the back
corner of our yard. The police were there a lot.
They were evicted. Not the grandparent owners, but finally after many
years the rest of them were scattered and told they couldn't live
there. A daughter came, the sister of the man who was there before.
She talked to Holly, was very apologetic about her awful other
relatives, and told Holly to feel free to call the police if she ever
saw any of the nephews/cousins/others from the last batch.
The house is way cleaner, they planted some garden, they cleaned out
the swimming pool which had become kind of a dump and rat den.
They've had garage sales and moved a junker car away.
She yells. LOUDLY.
She yells long. At her husband/partner, and at a kid who's there. So
the male people yell at the dog (a pitbull puppy, natch).
Yell, harangue, LOUD, shame, yell, "YOU NEVER..." and "YOU ALWAYS..."
and "WHY DON'T YOU..." and "I HAVE TO..."
I haven't called the police, because yelling "I'll kill you" or "I'll
hit you" is illegal, but yelling that someone else is stupid and lazy
and a screw-up isn't yet illegal, I don't think.
She can go on at the same volume for like ten or fifteen minutes.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
that I'm "repressed" because I don't shout at my children or create a
lot of
drama. At first I was offended, but then I noticed that when she makes
comments like that, it usually means she's recently yelled at her
kids.-=-
I laughed. <g>
I'm sure you're right.
We have problematical neighbors behind us. There are elderly
grandparents (or one grandparent maybe now) and for a while one of
their grown sons, his several sons who grew to teens and started
having live-in girlfriends and their offspring, it seemed, were
violent and loud and awful. They were selling drugs out the back
corner of their yard (one or two of the teens), which is also the back
corner of our yard. The police were there a lot.
They were evicted. Not the grandparent owners, but finally after many
years the rest of them were scattered and told they couldn't live
there. A daughter came, the sister of the man who was there before.
She talked to Holly, was very apologetic about her awful other
relatives, and told Holly to feel free to call the police if she ever
saw any of the nephews/cousins/others from the last batch.
The house is way cleaner, they planted some garden, they cleaned out
the swimming pool which had become kind of a dump and rat den.
They've had garage sales and moved a junker car away.
She yells. LOUDLY.
She yells long. At her husband/partner, and at a kid who's there. So
the male people yell at the dog (a pitbull puppy, natch).
Yell, harangue, LOUD, shame, yell, "YOU NEVER..." and "YOU ALWAYS..."
and "WHY DON'T YOU..." and "I HAVE TO..."
I haven't called the police, because yelling "I'll kill you" or "I'll
hit you" is illegal, but yelling that someone else is stupid and lazy
and a screw-up isn't yet illegal, I don't think.
She can go on at the same volume for like ten or fifteen minutes.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
Maybe send her this link to that video on a scientific studie about limiting foods and how
it does the opposite she wants to accomplish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNA3zltptmk
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
it does the opposite she wants to accomplish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNA3zltptmk
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anne Mills
Dear son William is turning six on the second of November and does not have many friends.
We are pretty isolated, having moved recently to Stansted Mountfitchett, near Bishop Stortford, in the uk and i was wondering how I could make his birthday ''memorable'' without a birthday party full of people ? I must admit that the idea of a intimate birthday with just us is a warm thought but i keep thinking about it wondering how to make it special.The first year of his life I had made a ''pièce montée'' (tall cake) and partied with his friends in South Africa, the second year was similiar and since then we have had no birthday party. Inviting a few friends that we know is possible but i am afraid they might not come and William might be desappointed because they live quite far. I also am afraid to ask them as they are without car for most of them.
My concern is that i want to make a beautiful house, decor, cake and mini fête or even a party, but the date is coming and I am not sure to get everything done; while nursing William and his sister Julia and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.
If other families could share their expertise with me it would be great :-))
Anne
To: [email protected]
From: Sandra@...
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:30:41 -0600
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] monkey platters and school at home
-=-I have a friend who's a child therapist, and she occasionally implies
that I'm "repressed" because I don't shout at my children or create a
lot of
drama. At first I was offended, but then I noticed that when she makes
comments like that, it usually means she's recently yelled at her
kids.-=-
I laughed. <g>
I'm sure you're right.
We have problematical neighbors behind us. There are elderly
grandparents (or one grandparent maybe now) and for a while one of
their grown sons, his several sons who grew to teens and started
having live-in girlfriends and their offspring, it seemed, were
violent and loud and awful. They were selling drugs out the back
corner of their yard (one or two of the teens), which is also the back
corner of our yard. The police were there a lot.
They were evicted. Not the grandparent owners, but finally after many
years the rest of them were scattered and told they couldn't live
there. A daughter came, the sister of the man who was there before.
She talked to Holly, was very apologetic about her awful other
relatives, and told Holly to feel free to call the police if she ever
saw any of the nephews/cousins/others from the last batch.
The house is way cleaner, they planted some garden, they cleaned out
the swimming pool which had become kind of a dump and rat den.
They've had garage sales and moved a junker car away.
She yells. LOUDLY.
She yells long. At her husband/partner, and at a kid who's there. So
the male people yell at the dog (a pitbull puppy, natch).
Yell, harangue, LOUD, shame, yell, "YOU NEVER..." and "YOU ALWAYS..."
and "WHY DON'T YOU..." and "I HAVE TO..."
I haven't called the police, because yelling "I'll kill you" or "I'll
hit you" is illegal, but yelling that someone else is stupid and lazy
and a screw-up isn't yet illegal, I don't think.
She can go on at the same volume for like ten or fifteen minutes.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau Windows 7 : Trouvez le PC qui vous convient. En savoir plus.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/181574580/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We are pretty isolated, having moved recently to Stansted Mountfitchett, near Bishop Stortford, in the uk and i was wondering how I could make his birthday ''memorable'' without a birthday party full of people ? I must admit that the idea of a intimate birthday with just us is a warm thought but i keep thinking about it wondering how to make it special.The first year of his life I had made a ''pièce montée'' (tall cake) and partied with his friends in South Africa, the second year was similiar and since then we have had no birthday party. Inviting a few friends that we know is possible but i am afraid they might not come and William might be desappointed because they live quite far. I also am afraid to ask them as they are without car for most of them.
My concern is that i want to make a beautiful house, decor, cake and mini fête or even a party, but the date is coming and I am not sure to get everything done; while nursing William and his sister Julia and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.
If other families could share their expertise with me it would be great :-))
Anne
To: [email protected]
From: Sandra@...
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:30:41 -0600
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] monkey platters and school at home
-=-I have a friend who's a child therapist, and she occasionally implies
that I'm "repressed" because I don't shout at my children or create a
lot of
drama. At first I was offended, but then I noticed that when she makes
comments like that, it usually means she's recently yelled at her
kids.-=-
I laughed. <g>
I'm sure you're right.
We have problematical neighbors behind us. There are elderly
grandparents (or one grandparent maybe now) and for a while one of
their grown sons, his several sons who grew to teens and started
having live-in girlfriends and their offspring, it seemed, were
violent and loud and awful. They were selling drugs out the back
corner of their yard (one or two of the teens), which is also the back
corner of our yard. The police were there a lot.
They were evicted. Not the grandparent owners, but finally after many
years the rest of them were scattered and told they couldn't live
there. A daughter came, the sister of the man who was there before.
She talked to Holly, was very apologetic about her awful other
relatives, and told Holly to feel free to call the police if she ever
saw any of the nephews/cousins/others from the last batch.
The house is way cleaner, they planted some garden, they cleaned out
the swimming pool which had become kind of a dump and rat den.
They've had garage sales and moved a junker car away.
She yells. LOUDLY.
She yells long. At her husband/partner, and at a kid who's there. So
the male people yell at the dog (a pitbull puppy, natch).
Yell, harangue, LOUD, shame, yell, "YOU NEVER..." and "YOU ALWAYS..."
and "WHY DON'T YOU..." and "I HAVE TO..."
I haven't called the police, because yelling "I'll kill you" or "I'll
hit you" is illegal, but yelling that someone else is stupid and lazy
and a screw-up isn't yet illegal, I don't think.
She can go on at the same volume for like ten or fifteen minutes.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau Windows 7 : Trouvez le PC qui vous convient. En savoir plus.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/181574580/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
we have had the same problem for years. we live out in the woods<no neighbors> my DD abarie always has a big extravaganza.she had her 10th BD, a luau @ r club a few weeks ago. she invites everyone from all her classes. <dance, baton, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming, co-op , the bikers& the club.> my DS jesse will be 14 CHRISTmas eve. no one wants 2 go 2 a B'day party any time during the holidays. and 2 make it worse he's antisocial. jesse does solo activities <guitar, golf...> i know he feels i favor abarie. even if i did a B'day party any other time <june,july... like CHRISTmas in july..... who would i invite?> good luck. would love 2 hear comments.
Sandra Dodd
Maybe a child would want to visit friends for his birthday and if the
other mom's willing, they could have the party at her house. So the
travel obligation falls on the birthdaying mom, not the "guest mom,"
and she can be at the party without needing to drive.
Maybe for an only or isolated child a good celebration could be going
to another town to go to a movie (or two!) and dinner at a kid-
interesting place (Casa Bonita, in Denver, for example), or maybe a
museum or a musical or an amusement park (harder in January) or big
indoor play place or just somewhere (even in your own town) to stay at
a hotel with an indoor pool.
I was surprised and impressed the last time I was in Minnesota. Holly
and I stayed in two different hotels, neither very expensive at all,
but they had kitchens with microwaves, stoves, ovens, pans and dishes
and a dishwasher. They were set up to really, truly cook!! And
indoor pools and indoor gathering places with trees. So that's a
January possibility.
Oh, three hotels. One didn't have a kitchen, but it had an indoor
water park. That one was in Duluth.
There's a hotel in Albuquerque that's slowly (TOO slowly) creating an
indoor water park. They're taking forever. It was to have been one
of the activities for my "coming soon" Monkey Platter festival. We'll
settle for a pool party, but someday...
Sandra
http://sandradodd.com/festival
http://sandradodd.com/suss
other mom's willing, they could have the party at her house. So the
travel obligation falls on the birthdaying mom, not the "guest mom,"
and she can be at the party without needing to drive.
Maybe for an only or isolated child a good celebration could be going
to another town to go to a movie (or two!) and dinner at a kid-
interesting place (Casa Bonita, in Denver, for example), or maybe a
museum or a musical or an amusement park (harder in January) or big
indoor play place or just somewhere (even in your own town) to stay at
a hotel with an indoor pool.
I was surprised and impressed the last time I was in Minnesota. Holly
and I stayed in two different hotels, neither very expensive at all,
but they had kitchens with microwaves, stoves, ovens, pans and dishes
and a dishwasher. They were set up to really, truly cook!! And
indoor pools and indoor gathering places with trees. So that's a
January possibility.
Oh, three hotels. One didn't have a kitchen, but it had an indoor
water park. That one was in Duluth.
There's a hotel in Albuquerque that's slowly (TOO slowly) creating an
indoor water park. They're taking forever. It was to have been one
of the activities for my "coming soon" Monkey Platter festival. We'll
settle for a pool party, but someday...
Sandra
http://sandradodd.com/festival
http://sandradodd.com/suss
Robin Bentley
On Oct 24, 2009, at 8:35 AM, nymodels2@... wrote:
Though he may not be the kind of kid who enjoys big parties, you can
make his day extra-special for him, on his terms. You still could have
a celebration in July - make it his "half-birthday."
Seeing Jesse as a person whose needs are different from your
daughter's means you can find what is dear to him and do it. Maybe
it's a day playing golf with his family. Maybe it's a concert
featuring his favorite artist. There are *so* many possibilities other
than a party.
It would help not to label your son with "antisocial." It shuts down
all sorts of possibilities for who he might become.
Robin B.
> we have had the same problem for years. we live out in the woods<noFrom what you've written, *I* feel you favor Abarie.
> neighbors> my DD abarie always has a big extravaganza.she had her
> 10th BD, a luau @ r club a few weeks ago. she invites everyone from
> all her classes. <dance, baton, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming,
> co-op , the bikers& the club.> my DS jesse will be 14 CHRISTmas
> eve. no one wants 2 go 2 a B'day party any time during the holidays.
> and 2 make it worse he's antisocial. jesse does solo activities
> <guitar, golf...> i know he feels i favor abarie. even if i did
> a B'day party any other time <june,july... like CHRISTmas in
> july..... who would i invite?> good luck. would love 2 hear
> comments.
Though he may not be the kind of kid who enjoys big parties, you can
make his day extra-special for him, on his terms. You still could have
a celebration in July - make it his "half-birthday."
Seeing Jesse as a person whose needs are different from your
daughter's means you can find what is dear to him and do it. Maybe
it's a day playing golf with his family. Maybe it's a concert
featuring his favorite artist. There are *so* many possibilities other
than a party.
It would help not to label your son with "antisocial." It shuts down
all sorts of possibilities for who he might become.
Robin B.
Robin Bentley
>And I meant to add, "and who he is right now."
> It would help not to label your son with "antisocial." It shuts down
> all sorts of possibilities for who he might become.
>
Robin B.
[email protected]
***i do not favor abarie but she is my only girl & so different from her 3 older brothers. it's not that i favor her it's just that abarie enjoys all the "fun"stuff that i enjoy.
***jesse calls himself "antisocial" like my DH. they do not like being around people. like my DH jesse looks much older than he is & is big 4 his age. he can't relate 2 his peers. when i met my DH he was bouncing @ a bar <since he was 14,looked 18> owner of bar was his best friend & BF DD was my friend. jesse can only relate 2 adults or little kids like his dad did.
there is no where special 2 go CHRISTmas eve.... & hard 2 make a 1/2 yr B'day special w/out a party<which he wouldn't like anyway> yrs ago i thru my DH a surprise B'day party & he hated it. different folks different strokes
***jesse calls himself "antisocial" like my DH. they do not like being around people. like my DH jesse looks much older than he is & is big 4 his age. he can't relate 2 his peers. when i met my DH he was bouncing @ a bar <since he was 14,looked 18> owner of bar was his best friend & BF DD was my friend. jesse can only relate 2 adults or little kids like his dad did.
there is no where special 2 go CHRISTmas eve.... & hard 2 make a 1/2 yr B'day special w/out a party<which he wouldn't like anyway> yrs ago i thru my DH a surprise B'day party & he hated it. different folks different strokes
Anne Mills
That is inspiring and i feel i might be able to build into it through the years..
Anne Mills
To: [email protected]
From: nymodels2@...
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:35:05 -0400
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
we have had the same problem for years. we live out in the woods<no neighbors> my DD abarie always has a big extravaganza.she had her 10th BD, a luau @ r club a few weeks ago. she invites everyone from all her classes. <dance, baton, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming, co-op , the bikers& the club.> my DS jesse will be 14 CHRISTmas eve. no one wants 2 go 2 a B'day party any time during the holidays. and 2 make it worse he's antisocial. jesse does solo activities <guitar, golf...> i know he feels i favor abarie. even if i did a B'day party any other time <june,july... like CHRISTmas in july..... who would i invite?> good luck. would love 2 hear comments.
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau Windows 7 : Trouvez le PC qui vous convient. En savoir plus.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/181574580/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anne Mills
To: [email protected]
From: nymodels2@...
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:35:05 -0400
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
we have had the same problem for years. we live out in the woods<no neighbors> my DD abarie always has a big extravaganza.she had her 10th BD, a luau @ r club a few weeks ago. she invites everyone from all her classes. <dance, baton, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming, co-op , the bikers& the club.> my DS jesse will be 14 CHRISTmas eve. no one wants 2 go 2 a B'day party any time during the holidays. and 2 make it worse he's antisocial. jesse does solo activities <guitar, golf...> i know he feels i favor abarie. even if i did a B'day party any other time <june,july... like CHRISTmas in july..... who would i invite?> good luck. would love 2 hear comments.
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau Windows 7 : Trouvez le PC qui vous convient. En savoir plus.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/181574580/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenny Cyphers
***I must admit that the idea of a intimate birthday with just us is a warm thought but i keep thinking about it wondering how to make it special.***
I sort of got birthday partied out. Chamille had lots of big parties until this year, she's 15 now. She didn't want a party at all, she wanted to go to a concert. Margaux has had one traditional big party with lots of kids. On other years, we were out of town on vacation, went to a street fair with one friend, went to a local amusement park, went to another local children's attraction, or had a small family party. She recently turned 8. Her birthday usually coincides with Labor Day weekend, which is usually the last big go out of town weekend before school starts up here. Her friends are rarely available around that time and so we have done other things.
You could take him to his favorite restaurant and then on a fun shopping adventure to pick out his birthday gift, or you could plan an all day outing of biking and picnicing, or take him somewhere to do something he's never done before, like ice skating or archery, or some other thing that he's seen or heard of but never tried.
I had to get over thinking in terms of big party with lots of friends and start thinking about a special day just for the birthday person.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I sort of got birthday partied out. Chamille had lots of big parties until this year, she's 15 now. She didn't want a party at all, she wanted to go to a concert. Margaux has had one traditional big party with lots of kids. On other years, we were out of town on vacation, went to a street fair with one friend, went to a local amusement park, went to another local children's attraction, or had a small family party. She recently turned 8. Her birthday usually coincides with Labor Day weekend, which is usually the last big go out of town weekend before school starts up here. Her friends are rarely available around that time and so we have done other things.
You could take him to his favorite restaurant and then on a fun shopping adventure to pick out his birthday gift, or you could plan an all day outing of biking and picnicing, or take him somewhere to do something he's never done before, like ice skating or archery, or some other thing that he's seen or heard of but never tried.
I had to get over thinking in terms of big party with lots of friends and start thinking about a special day just for the birthday person.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenny Cyphers
***That is inspiring and i feel i might be able to build into it through the years..***
What does this mean? I read this several times, and the post in which it was responding to and I still have no idea what this is about or what you are trying to say. Could you please say more and explain.... thanks
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
What does this mean? I read this several times, and the post in which it was responding to and I still have no idea what this is about or what you are trying to say. Could you please say more and explain.... thanks
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anne Mills
I love this ideas of doing something special tailored to his true desire ...
And Sandra asking his friend's mom is very likely to appeal to her.I will suggest indoor playground too.
Ouf ! I feel excited now and can see the opportunity to offer something ''memorable''.
When I was growing up, school ''friends'' in primary school were used to very special parties, in large homes, unlike our tiny appartment in old Paris.I grew up thinking it was me whom was not popular but looking back it was more likely the area was populated with a different kind of crowd.
It is great to use the opportunity, try and be present and conscious in creating something anew.
Anne
To: [email protected]
From: jenstarc4@...
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:02:15 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
***I must admit that the idea of a intimate birthday with just us is a warm thought but i keep thinking about it wondering how to make it special.***
I sort of got birthday partied out. Chamille had lots of big parties until this year, she's 15 now. She didn't want a party at all, she wanted to go to a concert. Margaux has had one traditional big party with lots of kids. On other years, we were out of town on vacation, went to a street fair with one friend, went to a local amusement park, went to another local children's attraction, or had a small family party. She recently turned 8. Her birthday usually coincides with Labor Day weekend, which is usually the last big go out of town weekend before school starts up here. Her friends are rarely available around that time and so we have done other things.
You could take him to his favorite restaurant and then on a fun shopping adventure to pick out his birthday gift, or you could plan an all day outing of biking and picnicing, or take him somewhere to do something he's never done before, like ice skating or archery, or some other thing that he's seen or heard of but never tried.
I had to get over thinking in terms of big party with lots of friends and start thinking about a special day just for the birthday person.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau! Découvrez le Windows phone Samsung Omnia II disponible chez SFR.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/175819072/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
And Sandra asking his friend's mom is very likely to appeal to her.I will suggest indoor playground too.
Ouf ! I feel excited now and can see the opportunity to offer something ''memorable''.
When I was growing up, school ''friends'' in primary school were used to very special parties, in large homes, unlike our tiny appartment in old Paris.I grew up thinking it was me whom was not popular but looking back it was more likely the area was populated with a different kind of crowd.
It is great to use the opportunity, try and be present and conscious in creating something anew.
Anne
To: [email protected]
From: jenstarc4@...
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:02:15 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
***I must admit that the idea of a intimate birthday with just us is a warm thought but i keep thinking about it wondering how to make it special.***
I sort of got birthday partied out. Chamille had lots of big parties until this year, she's 15 now. She didn't want a party at all, she wanted to go to a concert. Margaux has had one traditional big party with lots of kids. On other years, we were out of town on vacation, went to a street fair with one friend, went to a local amusement park, went to another local children's attraction, or had a small family party. She recently turned 8. Her birthday usually coincides with Labor Day weekend, which is usually the last big go out of town weekend before school starts up here. Her friends are rarely available around that time and so we have done other things.
You could take him to his favorite restaurant and then on a fun shopping adventure to pick out his birthday gift, or you could plan an all day outing of biking and picnicing, or take him somewhere to do something he's never done before, like ice skating or archery, or some other thing that he's seen or heard of but never tried.
I had to get over thinking in terms of big party with lots of friends and start thinking about a special day just for the birthday person.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau! Découvrez le Windows phone Samsung Omnia II disponible chez SFR.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/175819072/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anne Mills
just that by the time William is older - 10 ish- he will have enough friends through his activities. Now he only know a couple of friends from our home-ed group.So I feel more confident that he will experience the party-type of home celebration when it will mean something.
Anne Mills
To: [email protected]
From: jenstarc4@...
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:10:04 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
***That is inspiring and i feel i might be able to build into it through the years..***
What does this mean? I read this several times, and the post in which it was responding to and I still have no idea what this is about or what you are trying to say. Could you please say more and explain.... thanks
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau Windows 7 : Simplifiez votre PC ! Trouvez le PC qui vous convient.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/181574580/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anne Mills
To: [email protected]
From: jenstarc4@...
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:10:04 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
***That is inspiring and i feel i might be able to build into it through the years..***
What does this mean? I read this several times, and the post in which it was responding to and I still have no idea what this is about or what you are trying to say. Could you please say more and explain.... thanks
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Nouveau Windows 7 : Simplifiez votre PC ! Trouvez le PC qui vous convient.
http://clk.atdmt.com/FRM/go/181574580/direct/01/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
carnationsgalore
> She's using the monkey platters to keep her kids at the table...Back in my early school-at-home days, I did something similar. I needed to keep the kids interested in staying at the table to do all their worksheets, so I purposefully told them to stay in their pjs, gave them a drink, and made up silly names for myself as their teacher. I'd adopt another persona so they didn't see me as 'mom' but rather as 'teacher'. I wouldn't let them eat during school-time because it was too distracting. Instead, I used food as a reward for completing their work. I felt it was so different from traditional school and thought it was great homeschooling. Schools use gold stars, stickers, recess, and all kinds of little rewards for good behavior. I wish I had made that connection at the time.
Bribery is thought of as bad. Rewards are good. In this situation, is there a difference between the two?
Beth M.
Sandra Dodd
-=-Bribery is thought of as bad. Rewards are good. In this situation,
is there a difference between the two?-=-
Bribery can be a crime, and the word has a bad connotation.
Withholding food as punishment or providing food as reward is the way
they trained lab rats in the 1970's when operant conditioning was all
the rage (as on Lost, with the bear cages). Because we're hoping our
children grow up and become adults and parents (unlike those bar-
pressing trained rats, which moved on to some other lab after the
psych 102 students had circussed them up some), creating issues about
food is a Bad Idea. <g>
Some of what people call "bribery" is absolutely normal and sensible
behavior. If I want Marty to drive me somewhere because my leg is
hurt, I'll offer to take him to lunch, or to make a dinner he
especially likes. If one of you gave me a ride somewhere, I would
probably offer to pay for gasoline. I don't see that as bribery.
There's more here:
http://sandradodd.com/bribery
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
is there a difference between the two?-=-
Bribery can be a crime, and the word has a bad connotation.
Withholding food as punishment or providing food as reward is the way
they trained lab rats in the 1970's when operant conditioning was all
the rage (as on Lost, with the bear cages). Because we're hoping our
children grow up and become adults and parents (unlike those bar-
pressing trained rats, which moved on to some other lab after the
psych 102 students had circussed them up some), creating issues about
food is a Bad Idea. <g>
Some of what people call "bribery" is absolutely normal and sensible
behavior. If I want Marty to drive me somewhere because my leg is
hurt, I'll offer to take him to lunch, or to make a dinner he
especially likes. If one of you gave me a ride somewhere, I would
probably offer to pay for gasoline. I don't see that as bribery.
There's more here:
http://sandradodd.com/bribery
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
emiLy Q.
> Oh, three hotels. One didn't have a kitchen, but it had an indoorThat's where we were this past week for my daughter's sixth birthday!! It
> water park. That one was in Duluth.
was fantastic, she loved it. We stayed overnight the night before her
birthday and had two 4-hour opportunities at the waterpark, then lunch out
at Red Lobster (she wanted seafood). That night at home we carved pumpkins
and had a cake.
We're having her closest friend (and his mom and brother) over for a
mini-party where we'll do another cake and a homemade pinata.
-emiLy, mom to Delia (6) & Henry (2)
http://www.TheECstore.com
Sandra Dodd
-=- That one was in Duluth.
-=-That's where we were this past week for my daughter's sixth
birthday!! -=-
What a cool coincidence! <g>
I think it can help for a family to do what they would do if they had
tourists visiting them, even if it's not someone's birthday, once in a
while.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
-=-That's where we were this past week for my daughter's sixth
birthday!! -=-
What a cool coincidence! <g>
I think it can help for a family to do what they would do if they had
tourists visiting them, even if it's not someone's birthday, once in a
while.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Heather
My ds recently turned 14. He doesn't have many friends right now. He's
kinda drifted away from the friends he has had. Interestingly, most of them
have ended up back in school. Anyway, he has become passionate about
speedcubing over the last 6 months. So for his birthday we planned a
rubik's cube meetup in Phoenix. We live in Tucson so its about a 2 hr
drive, but we haven't found any "cubers" in Tucson yet. We made a rubik's
cube birthday cake. It turned out very cool (but was hugely time
consuming). Only a couple people ended up coming to the meetup, but it
didn't matter. They still had a blast solving rubik's cubes for several
hours.
heather
tucson AZ
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kinda drifted away from the friends he has had. Interestingly, most of them
have ended up back in school. Anyway, he has become passionate about
speedcubing over the last 6 months. So for his birthday we planned a
rubik's cube meetup in Phoenix. We live in Tucson so its about a 2 hr
drive, but we haven't found any "cubers" in Tucson yet. We made a rubik's
cube birthday cake. It turned out very cool (but was hugely time
consuming). Only a couple people ended up coming to the meetup, but it
didn't matter. They still had a blast solving rubik's cubes for several
hours.
heather
tucson AZ
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
that is awesome Nic!
Alex Polikowsky
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alex Polikowsky
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenny Cyphers
***just that by the time William is older - 10 ish- he will have enough friends through his activities. Now he only know a couple of friends from our home-ed group.So I feel more confident that he will experience the party-type of home celebration when it will mean something.***
Or maybe he won't or won't want to. For my own 13th b-day party, only one friend showed up. It was really upsetting, but my parents made it fun anyway. I'd rather invite one friend that I know will show up and enjoy celebrating a child's party then have what happened to me.
That's one reason I stopped focusing on having a big bash and doing something that is more about the individual child and what might feel special to them. I've met families that only do family parties for religious reasons, no presents, no big hoo haa, maybe a special meal as acknowledgement.
It's about what your family creates for special moments that your kids will remember, not necessarily what you think they will be missing based on a preconceived notion of what you think it should be.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Or maybe he won't or won't want to. For my own 13th b-day party, only one friend showed up. It was really upsetting, but my parents made it fun anyway. I'd rather invite one friend that I know will show up and enjoy celebrating a child's party then have what happened to me.
That's one reason I stopped focusing on having a big bash and doing something that is more about the individual child and what might feel special to them. I've met families that only do family parties for religious reasons, no presents, no big hoo haa, maybe a special meal as acknowledgement.
It's about what your family creates for special moments that your kids will remember, not necessarily what you think they will be missing based on a preconceived notion of what you think it should be.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
My favorite birthday was my 13th. My family was moving from Oklahoma to California and my Mom and I were bringing the last of our stuff to California by car. She hid small birthday presents in the car and about every hour she would suggest I look in a different place and pull out the gift I found there. Then we stayed over in a hotel with a pool and had a very nice dinner in a fancy restaraunt. I had my Mom ALL TO MYSELF. I am really glad we are having this discussion. I now have many more ideas for my kids birthdays that do not include the traditional party.
Tiffani
Tiffani
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jenny Cyphers" <jenstarc4@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 8:19:42 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] tips on jazzing things up and preparing birthday
***just that by the time William is older - 10 ish- he will have enough friends through his activities. Now he only know a couple of friends from our home-ed group.So I feel more confident that he will experience the party-type of home celebration when it will mean something.***
Or maybe he won't or won't want to. For my own 13th b-day party, only one friend showed up. It was really upsetting, but my parents made it fun anyway. I'd rather invite one friend that I know will show up and enjoy celebrating a child's party then have what happened to me.
That's one reason I stopped focusing on having a big bash and doing something that is more about the individual child and what might feel special to them. I've met families that only do family parties for religious reasons, no presents, no big hoo haa, maybe a special meal as acknowledgement.
It's about what your family creates for special moments that your kids will remember, not necessarily what you think they will be missing based on a preconceived notion of what you think it should be.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
Most of our kids' birthdays involved parties. It helped that they
shared friends pretty much. And there were some adults who would come
(godparents and my regular friends of the season like SCA students, or
parents of their friends). Still, sometimes one of them (Holly
usually) would opt for a day with a friend instead. And a couple of
times Holly was the chosen friend for another kid's birthday, and they
would spend the day at the mall or at Cliff's Amusement Park.
Sandra
shared friends pretty much. And there were some adults who would come
(godparents and my regular friends of the season like SCA students, or
parents of their friends). Still, sometimes one of them (Holly
usually) would opt for a day with a friend instead. And a couple of
times Holly was the chosen friend for another kid's birthday, and they
would spend the day at the mall or at Cliff's Amusement Park.
Sandra
Nancy Machaj
***
we have had the same problem for years. we live out in the woods<no
neighbors> my DD abarie always has a big extravaganza.she had her
10th BD, a luau @ r club a few weeks ago. she invites everyone from
all her classes. <dance, baton, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming,
co-op , the bikers& the club.> my DS jesse will be 14 CHRISTmas eve.
no one wants 2 go 2 a B'day party any time during the holidays. and 2
make it worse he's antisocial. jesse does solo activities <guitar,
golf...> i know he feels i favor abarie. even if i did a B'day party
any other time <june,july... like CHRISTmas in july..... who would i
invite?> good luck. would love 2 hear comments.
***
My birthday is dec 19, and my brother's is dec 9. We always had
parties, and people came. Granted, christmas eve is not a good party
night, but to say that NO ONE, not one person, not ever, wants to go
to a party during the holidays, is flat out wrong.
Then you say that that even if you held a party another time of the
year, who would you invite?
A better question is: Who would HE invite? maybe one person? maybe
his guitar teacher? maybe you could offer to host a dinner with any 3
people (or more) he want to invite and it could be any meal he wants.
maybe hed invite a teacher, a friend and a relative? maybe hed want
to help plan the menu? maybe you could take him for a golf lesson at
a special place with a pro or maybe ask HIM what his fantasy birthday
would be like and find a way to make it happen or a version of that
happen.
Nancy
--
Nancy & dh Buzz
dd Zibby 2-16-04, Henry 9-14-07
chicago, il, usa
http://happychildhood.homeschooljournal.net
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
we have had the same problem for years. we live out in the woods<no
neighbors> my DD abarie always has a big extravaganza.she had her
10th BD, a luau @ r club a few weeks ago. she invites everyone from
all her classes. <dance, baton, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming,
co-op , the bikers& the club.> my DS jesse will be 14 CHRISTmas eve.
no one wants 2 go 2 a B'day party any time during the holidays. and 2
make it worse he's antisocial. jesse does solo activities <guitar,
golf...> i know he feels i favor abarie. even if i did a B'day party
any other time <june,july... like CHRISTmas in july..... who would i
invite?> good luck. would love 2 hear comments.
***
My birthday is dec 19, and my brother's is dec 9. We always had
parties, and people came. Granted, christmas eve is not a good party
night, but to say that NO ONE, not one person, not ever, wants to go
to a party during the holidays, is flat out wrong.
Then you say that that even if you held a party another time of the
year, who would you invite?
A better question is: Who would HE invite? maybe one person? maybe
his guitar teacher? maybe you could offer to host a dinner with any 3
people (or more) he want to invite and it could be any meal he wants.
maybe hed invite a teacher, a friend and a relative? maybe hed want
to help plan the menu? maybe you could take him for a golf lesson at
a special place with a pro or maybe ask HIM what his fantasy birthday
would be like and find a way to make it happen or a version of that
happen.
Nancy
--
Nancy & dh Buzz
dd Zibby 2-16-04, Henry 9-14-07
chicago, il, usa
http://happychildhood.homeschooljournal.net
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kristi
> Some of what people call "bribery" is absolutely normal and sensibleI would call that showing your appreciation, which is not bribery or rewards...more of a "thank you so much for helping me, I truly appreciate it."
> behavior. If I want Marty to drive me somewhere because my leg is
> hurt, I'll offer to take him to lunch, or to make a dinner he
> especially likes. If one of you gave me a ride somewhere, I would
> probably offer to pay for gasoline. I don't see that as bribery.
andrea catalano
When i was a kid, my parents planned a special day for the birthday child. It could be a party if we wanted, but more often it was an outing of our choosing that we all would participate in (a hike, apple picking, trip to a museum, favorite restaurant...) and would include some fun extras, like a stop at a favorite bakery on the way or at a great look out point off the road. If we wanted to, we could invite a friend or two. This special day could happen any time near the birthday day -- it needn't fall of the day itself, which made scheduling easier. On our actual birthday day, we could choose our favorite meal for dinner and would open family presents. Birthdays always felt special and fun, and truly reflected who we each were at any given time.
andrea
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
andrea
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ed Wendell
and don't stop just because your child is a teen ;) I remember being sooooooo disappointed when I was a teen and I came home from school and my mom had decided I was old enough (14 or 15?) to not have to have a celebration / recognition - no "Happy Birthday" ;( she was a stay at home farm wife - she could have baked a cake or fixed my favorite supper. I kept waiting for her to say something but she never did, so when I finally dropped a huge hint she made light of it.
We do special things for each other on our birthdays. Not grandious but special in some way - this year for me it was a musical card with a certain song that had a special memory connection to it for us.
We have had a couple of parties here at the house for Zac but mostly it is a family affair.
Lisa W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We do special things for each other on our birthdays. Not grandious but special in some way - this year for me it was a musical card with a certain song that had a special memory connection to it for us.
We have had a couple of parties here at the house for Zac but mostly it is a family affair.
Lisa W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]