Handwriting

So, here's a question for you all. Are your children learning "printing," like you learned to print? Luke's school's method of teaching handwriting is much different than what I learned and frankly, it drives me crazy. Mike informed me that even my printing is not "printing" but a lot like cursive. But, it is how I learned. I can VERY clearly remember those letter examples lined up near the ceiling on these big cards. The biggest differences are between a's and k's.

I figured this called for a little research and I discovered that there are different handwriting plans for teachers.

Check it out here:
Free Handwriting Fonts for Teachers

It looks to me as though I was taught the Jardotty font. Luke, I believe, is learning the Print Clearly font. It reminds me very much of the way all the foreign exchange students printed in high school. Maybe our small rural school was behind the times (20 odd years ago....).

A New Blog

Hello all!

Just wanted to let you know about my newest blog: The Pressure Crock. It focuses on cooking and such. Take a look if you'd like!

Missing Money

The good kind! Woo Hoo!

So, I heard about this website called missingmoney.org and one evening I thought I'd check it out. It searches 39 states for unclaimed property. Every state has one of these unclaimed property divisions, it's just a process of finding your state's. I went through and checked every state that I've lived in for unclaimed property in my name. Nothing. Nada. Zip. But then, I search for Mike's name.

Tada!

We find that in North Dakota he has an amount over 100 dollars in unclaimed property. Nice!

A little research shows that it is from an energy company in Texas. The best explanation is that it was a deposit for an apartment that Mike was in when he co-oped down there. Often, the next batch of co-op students would take over the previous season's co-op students' residences; to save on down-payments and such and to make life easier. Mike had given the energy company his North Dakota address but there was a type-o in it. Thus, it never got delivered to him.

Until now!

Mike got a check for 120.16 dollars in the mail today. Nice!

So go check the websites for your names - just in case.

I didn't forget...

Abby's birthday! It was last Sunday and she felt so special! She kept telling everyone "Happy Birthday!" We explained that it wasn't their birthday. She replied, "but it's MY birthday!"

Here are some pics of my lovely four-year-old daughter on her day.

Rallying The Politicals

Yesterday was a first for me. I think it is good to experience "firsts" even if you are in your 30's *wink* *wink* Mike and I went to a political rally. We both grew up in North Dakota and for some reason (maybe it's the 3 electoral votes it has or the harsh winters), very few, if any Presidential candidates did any campaigning there. On a side note, my dad said that if they did come thousands and thousands would show up and I believe him!

So, who did we go see? Nobama! But the "mavericks" themselves, McCain and Palin! I can't take credit for the "Nobama" because we saw it on some buttons you could purchase there. Anyway, we went, loved to hear them speak in person. Well, Mike got to see them speak. If I ever hear him complain about being tall again, I'm going to remind him of this experience. They spoke about the economy, about American workers, about the flood here in Cedar Rapids and what needs to happen with Federal government. Pretty much the same thing you here every night on the evening news. There were some protesters, that was pretty cool. We saw them on the news at 10 and apparently they just wanted the "peacefully" make there position known. Yeah, if I wanted to be peaceful protester, for some reason I don't think I would start screaming anti-Republican ideals in a Republican rally. Call me crazy for saying that. No arrests were made. ;)

My last note, McCain and Palin are much shorter in person!

Enjoy the pictures. I uploaded them through blogger so you should be able to click on them to see them larger.

The Darndest Things

That's what kids say anyway.

Last week we were all eating lunch. It was one of Luke's days off of school, so he was there with us too. Luke speaks up and says, "I just can't believe it, I JUST can't believe it! I'm a person, a REAL person." Now, call me weird but I've had those same thoughts too. Although, I believe they came to me much later, like high school. So I said to Luke, "Yes, you are. And isn't cool that God made you to be a real person?" I know the philosopher Descartes said "I think therefore I am." But along the lines of C.S. Lewis and others - the only reason we think is because God gave us that capability.

I also took Abby to the doctor. She was having quite a few potty accidents and it just did not seem right which led to me suspecting an UTI or bladder infection. At the doctor's office, the doctor asked Abby if it hurt to go potty. Abby replied, "Well, sometimes it feels like I'm trying to push a baby out of my tummy." I think the doctor was slightly shocked/amused that she said this. I simply shrugged my shoulders and said that she must have heard me mention it. Thankfully, Abby is just fine and she hasn't had an accident since we went to the doctor.

Cowboy Luke

Luke had a great birthday last Saturday. I'm sorry that it has taken me this long to post! We had a very busy day: opening presents, baking, decorating, and eating a cake, playing with the neighbors, going to the Playstation and then ending the night over at a neighbor's house at a bonfire. Whew! And the next day was about the same, including us finally dedicating Libby at church.

Luke received a gun and rifle for his birthday. He told me that it was the best present EVER. He was "dead" serious about them and spent the day shooting the "bad" guys and deer. Here are some pictures. And yes, if you are wondering, the cake was commissioned by Luke - he made a drawing instructing me on how he wanted it. His words when he saw it: "oh, cool!"

Tomorrow's Snacks

Since Luke's birthday is Saturday, I am in charge of bringing snacks for the first week of school. Tomorrow they will celebrate Luke's birthday so that means I get to bring cup cakes. I haven't made these before but Luke picked them out. They are called Cream Filled Cupcakes and I got the recipe from (where else?) Allrecipes.com. I made up the chocolate icing but the "hostess" decorating idea came from the website.





I think they are adorable!

First Day of Kindergarten

It is official. Luke is truly a Kindergartner now. Yesterday was his first day back at Holloway House where he also attended preschool. We chose for him to go there instead of public school because we really loved the program. He will most likely attend public school next year but I'm leaving room for God to move in my heart in regards to homeschooling. Anyway, I digress, here are are some pictures from that morning.





After I picked him up, he got interrogated, er, questioned by me in regards to what he did the whole day. He apparently really liked lunchtime and rest time, oh, and snack time. Typical boy, thinking with his stomach! He also was upset that it wasn't supper time. Apparently, when he heard the term "all day" he thought that meant he'd come home right at supper time. After all, that's what Daddy does!