NYC Homeschool Parent Support Groups and Resources

Mommypoppins article

Students go to head of the class with homeschooling - wtop.com

Students go to head of the class with homeschooling - wtop.com

Spring cleaning time, folks

I found this lovely article on where you can donate all that extra stuff in your closet:

http://slideshows.momtourage.com/momtourage/2009/02/countdown_to_clutterfree_close.html

for old gowns, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses - http://www.glassslipperproject.org/

old sneakers - http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/

business suits - http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

coats - http://www.onewarmcoat.org/

got clothes in great shape - http://www.freecycle.org/

stuffed animals - http://www.projectnightnight.org/

hope this comes in handy

Long time no post

Wow, we are mid summer already.. when did that happen?

It has been quite a year

The adults stories:

Will has been working for Business week for almost a year, and loves it

He's been using his company perks extensively

He's currently attending one of his computer geek fests (in Boston no less) with some ARG friends

He had a stroke of bad luck when he caught the chicken pox from God knows where. He suffered through it for two weeks and, got himself a few new marks and, a couple of new nicknames from moi but, came through it intact.

I took a few college classes and passed them all. Still need like 7 classes to get my AS. It's a good thing I like learning.

Decided on Christmas break I would renew my real estate license. So I did that.

Got hired by Prudential Douglas Elliman of Bayside

Currently setting up my business in my new profession, love it

The kiddies stories:

The are getting so big :(

Both did very well academically in school this year. Gail is moving up to second grade this fall and Christopher is going to Kindergarten.

Gail was in a ballet recital, received tons of awards in school, is an avid reader of chapter books, loves to watch tv and play computer games. This summer she is in day camp and is having a blast with all the new friends she has made. She continues to be a really patient and caring big sister to her brother (when they are not yelling at each other that is).

Christopher is an active and curious little imp. He drove his teachers crazy. He is a fresh little boy at times and just loves to talk your ear off. He is happy to be home with his mommy this summer since camp decided he was too much for them to handle (after only being there one day). So now he spends his day making friends at the park, playing too many computer games and making his mommy laugh.


Soon to come posts about:
free movies in the park
Astoria Park pool
Getting out of the city and attending a good old fashion county fair
5 yr old birthday parties
Annual BBQ parties
new cocktail recipes
fights about school placement with the Board of Ed
Real estate success and horror stories
feelings about the ending of summer
and whatever else the summer had to offer

Christmas, and teaching values the Kathy Lee Gifford way

This Christmas is hard cause they understand so much more.

Chris the other day got in trouble for writing on our computer screen with crayon. I told him why did he do it and what if he broke it, then we couldn't use it anymore yada yada.. he says to me in all seriousness and frank, quite sweetly too, "Don't worry mommy Santa will just bring us a new one". You have never seen a more stunned look on my face. I said "no he wont" all annoyed.. as too which Chris asked "but why?" looking all confused.. So how to explain to this little kid now that Santa does not bring you all you ask for, that you should work hard for what he does give you, and you should always try to take care of your neighbor in the process, etc.. esp when they get more than they could ever imagine from all the people we exchange with. Needless to say he didn't get it!

So I went scouring amazon for Christmas books. I mean first I had to decide what to teach them. We are trying to raise them Christian, Greek Orthodox (big, big into Jesus) but very Americanized (less fasting, less church going, less praying etc..) I mean I was looking for something age appropriate to incorporate Jesus Birthday (Nativity scene- reason for the start of)/ Saint Nicholas-Santa (the start of the gifts & charity)/ the magic (the season, lights, trees, ornaments, etc..) I had to buy 3 different books!

So this months family lessons will be interesting. Now how to keep all the presents from spilling out of the closet is another story. And how to convince all my relatives to return some of the gifts they bought us, or save them till our birthdays.

Maybe I should introduce the Kathy Lee Gifford Christmas Exchange rule into our household? only 3 gifts per person at Christmas and save the big parties and tons of presents for our birthdays. I mean she has a point it's Jesus birthday not ours!

Care Packages

Found out about this site sent to me by my god sister in Greece that I wanted to share:

http://www.iocc.org/giftsofheartfaq.aspx

How to set up care packages for kids/ people in need.
Such a good idea.

Was wondering if anyone was interested in preparing some care packages ? If is was kept small and just a few people donated some care packages I would pack them all in one box and pay for the shipping. Or if we got something bigger going (say with the help of a certain fraternity) I might be willing to drive down and bring a large amount of care packages to IOCC head quarters in Baltimore.

Let me know if anyone might be interested in doing this.

Thanks
Pennie

Pig Anatomy Test, Halloween Update

So it is a little calmer around here. Back to the weekly routine for now.

Had my study group over, and aced my anatomy test. Now I am waiting for my results on the written Bio test and World Civ paper.

For Halloween, Christopher was a dragon. He so cute. Gail was Strawberry Shortcake complete with hat and red wig. She was a perfect esp. with her own freckles. We went trick or treating over by my cousin Dinas and Nicks place out in Jackson Heights. They really like to do it up out there. Chris was sick and later that night told me his ear hurt. So he got to stay home the next day & we went back to doctor for yet another check up. As of monday he's been much better and back to school. I will try to post Halloween pics over the weekend.

Gail received her first report card she did well on every subject, esp Math- hum another computer science major in the making? I mean she looks like, smells like, acts like, and giggles like her father so why wouldn't she get the Math gene too? :)

I noticed the other day Christopher has an accent. He was singing "if your happy and you know it.." but it sounded more like if your "huppy and you know it" . I should really be taping this kind of stuff.

We had lost our dvd recorder a while back. We still have no idea what happened to it. I've been sad. But I will wait till Christmas I am hoping Santa will be kind to stupid people.

More later. ..time to think about what to make for dinner.