cc week 14:

We're more than halfway through the school year, and it feels like it's flown by.  I don't have anything to compare our first year of CC to, except maybe some soundbytes of experiences I've heard from friends, but I would say that based on just what I understood, it is more chaotic and rushed than I'd anticipated, but I also feel it's a better fit for us than we anticipated.  We are not strictly classical education--we employ unit studies and Charlotte Mason ideas based on how the boys learn.  So it can feel a bit of a mess at times, but it also keeps it interesting for a scatterbrained, easily-bored person such as myself.  Lucas in particular is doing well.  Sometimes he needs a hug if he's struggled with something and sees me passing by, but most of the time he's alone and taking care of himself in his class, getting his own things out, following instructions as best as he can.  This group, more than any other he's ever been in, has both accommodated and challenged him.  I see him thriving, as much as he can, in a safe place.  Even though he's quietly expressed wanting to not continue next year due the weekly presentations or the chaos of kids not always following the rules, he still does really well once he's there.  Isaac is doing better each week, though he had quite a rough start.  There are also sometimes miscommunications between the leaders at our particular campus, but they are working those things out.  Sometimes the tutor has to leave abruptly to tend to someone or something, and I or other parents have to take over.  It's a little weird, but I enjoy it.  We all have some group teaching experience, but I guess I expected that I'd been sitting in the back or something and not so proactive in the class.  

One thing I'm happy to see is that once they decided to bring out the soccer balls, there was more structure to the playtime, and now my boys want to stay longer.  I think they were wary of all the wrestling and pushing and made-up games before.  

They were excited about their presentations this week.  They had to pick an "amazing place," and we scoured the internet until we came upon the Rainbow Mountains of Peru and China (Isaac liked the Peruvian ones, and Lucas liked the Chinese).  Many of the images online are enhanced, but we found more natural pictures to show.  Perhaps the enhanced images have led to a great increase in tourism traffic, and the Peruvian Rainbow Mountains especially have seen some damage as a result.  But the Andes in Peru are no joke--the mountain is higher than the tallest mountain in the U.S., and it is a 15-hour rushed trip in the freezing cold, not for the faint of heart.  The ones in China are in a park with bridges and paths, and I believe much more accessible.  

It's funny when the little ones try to do jumping jacks.

Combined science session.

Water and alcohol mixture.

Trying his hand at spreading the solution to see what happens.

Isaac presenting on Vinicunca, or the Rainbow Mountains of Peru.

Isaac enjoying some free-for-all soccer.

Lucas mostly kicked a ball around with his tutor.

cc, week 13:

Week 13 was a pretty fun week for us.  Our director just had her baby, so her husband brought the kids.  There were actually three dads there, which is uncommon, I'm sure.  I like it, because my boys really enjoy their presence and playing soccer with them after classes.

I didn't take a picture, but the kids were supposed to talk about their Christmas break and what they did or something they got for Christmas.  Isaac chose to bring this small pretend coffee maker I got him (the irony being that we don't drink coffee).  In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best idea, because if you don't know how to slide the coffee pot into the right place, it can leak water.  Isaac knows how to do it, but the rest of us didn't do it right, and it leaked water.

For art, we learned about Grandma Moses' paintings.  It's actually encouraging that she started so late in life.  If my hands don't give up, I sort of want to take up drawing someday.  The kids were supposed to draw a folk art scene with lots of details and things happening.  Isaac drew a robot birthday party, which was fun.  

The CC science experiments aren't that elaborate, but I'm not sure the younger kids need anything elaborate.  This one was a good one, where it showed that if you combine water with water, the volume increases, but if you combine water with alcohol, the volume doesn't go up as high, because like sand in pebbles, the alcohol finds its way between the water molecules.

After class, we had lunch, and then Lucas wanted to go home.  He doesn't like playing with the other kids because they are really rough and like to wrestle or push (and inevitably someone gets hurt).  I don't really like it either.  But one of the tutors got a soccer ball and asked Lucas to play with him.  So they kicked the ball around, and Lucas was happy.  I'd love to get the boys into a futsal/indoor soccer class.  It's challenging finding classes that will accommodate both, but Manny actually heard about this parkour class (for 5-11), and we might just do it next school year!

Drawing a busy folk art scene.

Robot birthday parties can be consider folk art, right?

Science experiment--mixing alcohol and water.

Lucas likes to have the same lunch every week--turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato on whatever kind of bread and fruits or vegetables.  At home, we usually have hot lunches, so this is something he likes specifically for the class.

Isaac joining in the Red Rover game.  He got hurt, but stayed with it.

Isaac enjoyed being with the kids.  Lucas is off to the side kicking a soccer ball around with the tutor.

misc post (optometrist and the kawaii culture):

I set an appointment with my optometrist of two decades, and unbeknownst to me, it turned out to be his very last day before retiring.  Manny's insurance coverage wasn't even ready yet for his frames, only the appointment, but we were busy other weekends, so I just chose this one.  So thankful I got to say goodbye and congratulations.  Two decades ago, I was a student in college in desperate need of new glasses.  I was wearing broken glasses that were taped together, I kid you not.  I don't remember how exactly I found him, but most likely I used yellow pages online or in an actual phone book.  His children were very young then and are now adults.  I of course have gotten married and had three children, with everyone in the family having been to his office.  Isaac of course came to the office only to visit as he hasn't needed to be checked yet.  We no longer live that close to his office, but I would never switch optometrists unless I had to.  Now I have to.  So I signed the farewell card and took a photo with him.  

  

I've been asked more than once recently why Asians like cute things so much.  I think the agreed origin is that Japanese teen girls started writing Japanese cutely in the 70s, and then came Hello Kitty  (and probably anime as well) promoting cute as an aesthetic.  I think Japan's cherry blossoms, kimonos, and natural scenery lent itself well to light colors and clean lines, which you can see in architecture and even in the foods, like sushi and dish presentation.  (More capitalist-leaning) places like Taiwan and Hong Kong were influenced by this aesthetic.  As for the actual question I had, which is why grown Asian adults like me like Sanrio, Snoopy, and other characters seemingly made for children.  My answer to that--and I could be wrong--is that Asians are generally under so much pressure to work to the bone and pursue education and climb the career ladder.  Things like Snoopy present a sort of simplicity, innocence, nostalgia, or escape (at least something very different) from those pressures in a simple, aesthetic way.  I personally didn't know anyone who liked Snoopy growing up as I didn't grow up around too many East Asians, but what personally drew me to him was yes the way he looked, but also the Peanuts story arcs themselves.  Sanrio was just cute to me and part of growing up without growing up.  I think it would be interesting to find out the reasons other fans are fans.

  

I've grabbed a Jolly Rancher from the bowl for 20 years.

Happy retirement to my optometrist of 20 years.

Presents from friends--Snoopy memo pads and Hello Kitty Cafe shirt.

I never could get Naomi to write characters, but she's doing kanji in Japan Club at school.  I never pushed my interest in Japanese culture on her; she just took to it.  Now she's too old for Hello Kitty, but I think she'll be back.  :) 

The 80s and 90s-era Sanrio characters and style are my favorites.

A sketch I made of one of Pochacco, one of my favorite Sanrio characters.

cc, week 12:

We returned to CC the week after we got back.  Thankfully we were all feeling a lot better, just some residual dry coughs for Lucas and me.  I was ready to not go if we weren't better.  If you are sick, stay home.  I once went into work sick and got two coworkers sick.  I felt so bad and learned my lesson.  Apple cider vinegar, lemon Ricola, elderberry gummies, and raw honey actually made my throat feel worse this time around, something that hasn't happened before.  The regular Ricola however was just fine, as were garlic (in hummus--I don't digest raw garlic well at all) and tea.  I made a lot of soup those first days back as well.  Thankfully we are all in the clear now, and Manny has still been spared.  

The presentation topic for the week was a historical figure or figures from our world history timeline.  Since it was right after the break, many parents said they kept their presentation prep easy.  I think we were the only family that came with props and costumes and did a full-on history report.  Many families talked about John the Baptist.  I'm a history buff, but even I encouraged the boys to do something easier, but they picked the Vikings and Egyptians, so more work but more learning.  Lucas focused on Leif Ericsson and read his report.  Interesting how Leif had learned of Christianity from King Olaf and originally intended to go back and spread the faith before possibly bypassing his target and ending up in what is now Canada.  Also, evidence shows he got to North America 500 years before Columbus (anything I can do to take Columbus' hero status down a notch is fine with me).  Isaac spent three hours cutting and gluing by hand his own collar for his costume (which was just an old white t-shirt of Manny's--I still tried to keep it simple).  He gave some quick, general facts about the Egyptians from memory, like where they lived, when, their language, pharoahs, and the pyramid.  We have a model pyramid Lucas and Naomi used years ago, and that was fun for him to show everyone.

We also finished up our human body paper models/diagrams.  It was really rushed, though, so I have to finish putting in Isaac's liver at home as well as a couple of organs on Lucas'.  

Three hours and ten very sticky fingers later, he finished cutting and gluing his Egyptian collar.

Isaac was appalled he had no liver.

Isaac's presentation.

He did well!

Reviewing our memory work with a game of Jenga.

Lucas' body.  I don't get to see his presentations (and he said it makes him too nervous if I'm there), but I heard he did great.  He didn't wear his Viking hat, though, since no one else was dressed up.  That is okay, because there's no solid proof Vikings really wore hats with horns.

back home/starting off the new year:

We had a couple of days before Manny went back to work and we started school again.  Naomi and I were still recovering from what seemed like a secondary infection.  The kids opened the presents we got them.  We didn't used to do Christmas here, but the kids had asked for that, so we just do a small thing.  I usually stay under $20 each for their presents, and sometimes I'll bake a cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday (not this year).  We also went to Ikea to get Lucas a desk and chair.  He had been staring to hunch over the old coffee table he was using with a hard step stool for his seat.  He really likes the new desk, plus there's now a little  shelf on the desk, so he can put his little things like gifts and trophies on display like he likes to.  

Manny also took the boys miniature golfing.  Isaac's first reaction was, "I've always wanted to go, but every time I ask, Mommy says no!"  I take them sometimes at the end of the school year to celebrate, if there's a coupon, but I like that the kids see some things as specially done for them by their father.

Isaac likes to keep busy with his hands, but isn't as into construction and model projects as arts and crafts.  So in our down time, he did a number of little projects like making a Viking out of Qixels and making homemade soap.  We have so many kits that friends and family have given us, and I'm making it a point to use them up as much as possible this year.

Speaking of this year, I usually try to have real, achievable goals, and am usually pleasantly surprised by how little positive changes beget bigger positive changes.   I am really working hard on listening without talking or trying to fill in long pauses (I've never had to do that in my life before now).  I know I have a long way to go.  So far I have held to making the downstairs clean each day before Manny gets home, having a clean sink daily, and making the bed daily (that was two years ago, but I'm still holding to it).  The kids help me more now as well rather than take my time and energy away from household chores.  It's not like it wasn't important to me--I worked really hard, but sometimes the circumstances really did not allow me to do more (and Manny just felt I was making excuses, but I am so not an excuse-maker).  I cut way back on messaging, answering texts and calls, social media, etc.  I also rearranged a number of things in our schedule, although we're about to embark on Isaac taking classes, but I'm trying to find things with a wider age range that perhaps he and Lucas can do together.  There's a lot of advice out there that women give women, but you have to listen to your husband if you really want to know what he wants.  That and really understanding his upbringing.  I wish I'd paid more attention to how he grew up.  Would have saved me a lot of guesswork and backfired efforts.

Time to check the stockings.

Opening presents (Naomi opened hers separately as she was still sick).

Getting a desk for Lucas at Ikea.  That's Isaac holding Manny's hand, but he's wearing Lucas' old sweater and jacket.  He's twisting his feet on purpose.

Making soap and Qixels.  He still likes pink a lot.  And he put flowers in the soap as well.

Lucas shared with him, so he made this one .  It wasn't easy with the little pieces; took almost three hours.  Lucas made a dragon.

Mini-golfing--just the boys.

happy new year:

I'm slightly behind with blogging, mostly because I've been busy, but also because we've been sick.  I think we came down with the flu, although we didn't have exactly the same symptoms.  Naomi and I seemed to have caught a secondary infection or bronchitis as well, maybe because we're the two with asthma.

We were able to get together with T.  His kids weren't feeling well either, so we went to Victoria Gardens sans kids on New Year's Day.  Unfortunately Hello Kitty Cafe was closed that day.  He was hoping to get something for the kids.  T. and I have been friends since college freshman orientation.  I guess I thought all this time that we were all friends, but only recently did I come to understand that T. is still more my friend, and so I have to be more aware of my interactions with him out of respect for our spouses.  I have been working more on myself, making changes that I hope will be beneficial to our family.

The last day we were at my in-laws', we had our annual lunch at Old Spaghetti Factory.  The kids enjoy the tradition, which I think began when Lucas was a toddler.  Good thing the boys were well enough to eat more, but Naomi still did not have much of an appetite.  I wasn't feeling that well either, but I tend to have a healthy appetite regardless.  I just try to order something a little lighter.  This time I had chicken with angel hair pasta and changed it from alfredo to a lighter marinara.  The kids love their spumoni ice cream.  Lucas said we have to wait a year to get it (but I did buy some when we got back).  The wait makes it more special, though.

That afternoon I mostly spent packing or conked out.  I love the dogs.  I wish we had a dog, although my boys don't seem to like dogs as much as Naomi and I do.  Maybe that would change if we had one, I don't know.  My brother didn't really like our dog very much growing up, but my dog was a constant source of comfort for me.  For whatever reason, dogs (and often babies) seem to like me.  Other adults, well, that depends.  Also relaxing was sitting in front of the pond and swinging in their new swing while watching the pond.  Isaac wanted to swing big and for a long time, but Lucas and I weren't feeling so well after that.

I'm looking forward to 2018.  I went through some depression in 2016, and 2017 was a tough year emotionally, but yet one of great reflection and growth.  I will continue to work on myself, not let circumstances and people stunt my growth, and look toward the hope and identity I have in Christ.  I have been feeling a lot better, because I'm learning how to be more proactive and less reactive, kind of like I used to be before so much brought me down.  But once you get really low, you don't have anywhere to go but up, so I'm ready to climb.  Onward and upward!

With T. at Yardhouse.

I love Grandpa's koi pond.

They installed a swing in front of the pond.  The boys and I rode it till Lucas and I felt nauseated (Isaac was fine as usual).

Isaac doing a word search with Manny at Old Spaghetti Factory.

Lucas says he makes that face to hide his teeth.

Spumoni ice cream!

It's a tradition.

Chuy rubbing against me.  Dogs are the best.

goodbye vegas / new year's eve visit with my parents:

We left Vegas on the 30th.  I felt it was a successful trip despite my getting sick.  I'd wanted to visit Bachi Burger after some friends posted about it.  It was yet another restaurant featured on
"Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," though I didn't know that at the time.  I just liked what I'd seen of the Asian fusion and specialty burgers.  You could get ramen there, but we didn't get any this time.  We got there at opening and were seated in the corner.  Come to think of it, we were seated in the corner at most of the restaurants we visited.  I didn't mind, though.  I like the privacy.  After that we drove home.  I actually can't remember the rest of the day.  Probably just spending time reuniting with the kids and giving Manny's parents and sister the rundown of our trip.  I was pretty sick by then and probably rested.

The next day we went to see my parents.  The kids got to open more presents and have some Chinese food.  I was glad to have some vegetables and chicken soup.  The kids were still coughing as well.  Manny was spared from illness, thankfully.  My brother was home with my parents after months of fighting for him to be released due to mistreatment, like their doing nothing about the bedbugs that were plaguing him at the boarding home or increasing his medication to the point that the current psychiatrist said they would have grounds to sue (but going against the government is something not too many attorneys want to do).  He had been nonverbal for months, but is now finally talking again.  My mom also told me a number of other things, including my dad's brother dying of cancer, my dad having an illness, but they wouldn't tell me what, and some other things that really bothered me.  Manny also doesn't say much to my parents when he's there.  I think I was really stressed out by the time we left.  My mom and I then talked some more on the phone when we got back, and I was unhappy toward everyone and everything.  Lucas and I were super tired and sick, not a good combo.  I truly regret my attitude and behavior that evening and sort of ruining New Year's Eve for everyone, except Isaac, who just tried to continue with the countdown celebration on his own.  It wasn't a good way to end the year, but I still felt like I was making some positive changes overall.  I feel new motivation, not just the usual resolution motivation that burns out after January, but I'm developing new and better habits.  I'm working on myself and trying to be a better listener and wife and mom.  There are a lot of poor choices that I cannot undo, but I choose hope for the future, even when people around me keep reminding me of the past or seem to give up on me.  Last year had some highlights and moments of tremendous joy and growth, but I am looking forward to this year being different, better.

Duck steamed buns.

I got the Miyagi-san burger.  Looks plain, but was very good.  I thought the green tea would come hot, but it was iced green tea (still good).

My parents folded the napkins so pretty!

Lunch.

Construction trucks for Isaac.

Jacket for Lucas.

Beanies and art set for Naomi.

Gong-gong twirling Isaac.

2017 was a rough year, but we finished strong.

My mom loved the homemade banana nut bread Manny's dad made.

Back at Manny's parents fora  prime rib dinner.

Happy times enjoying sparkling cider before the storm.