Z is for zzz.

The sound of Z. I loved a little pre-reading/phonics sound song when my kids were little. It was good for them to hear the sounds of the letters and associate words that started with those sounds. When thinking back to the song, I was interested to see if it is still available. It is, and is even online on youtube. There is the classic version and even an updated version with newer words/pictures and even “hidden” letters within the pictures. It is all done very well. I do wish however that all of the sounds were done very concisely.

What I mean is this, when teaching children the proper sounds, we have to be careful to say the sound without the added “uh” sound that can often precede or follow the proper sound. I like how carefully the singer made the “f” sound and not the “ef” sound in the new version of the song. I noticed however that the n, m, and v all had the extra sound (en, um, vuh.) I am sure it is hard to sing all the way through that song and not lose some of the concise sounds. But I do know too that it is important to precisely state each sound, from aaa to zzz.

Y is for Year Ahead.

The new school year started today. It is my daughter’s first day of public school. High school. I can’t say that I am particularly happy about it, but we let it be her choice. She will be gone all day for classes and volleyball. On the flip side of that, my son has decided after three years to return to homeschooling for his senior year of high school! He is taking outside classes three days a week, one day at a homeschool co-op and two days at a community college. The other two days will be for classes at home and homework. He is also planning on playing basketball.

Our year ahead looks rather crazy indeed!

X is for eXhausted.

Which is what I feel living in a house of teens! They have to be places early. And they want to stay up late. And they want to be a part of every activity! It is enough to wear a parent out! At least when they were little, they went to bed at 8pm. But I know that soon enough the kids will be gone and I can catch up on all my rest. I may even be wishing I was a little more eXhausted then!

W is for What Next?

Which is what I am wondering what is ahead for our family. We have been through some family stresses, my daughter enrolled in public school, is going to play volleyball for the school and also made a club team, my son UNenrolled from public school and is going to homeschool-including dual credit courses at a community college, I have to help with a homeschool group on Mondays for him to be involved, he is going to play basketball….

whew, what next?

Z is for Zillions of gift ideas.

It seems everywhere I turn this season, there are zillions of ideas for gifts. But the best gifts are the ones that fit the recipient. As for my family, they don’t want much. Actually, my daughter and husband both asked for something simple! They asked for iTunes online gifts. This makes it easy for me and them both! I can simply get them a gift card to access the iTunes Store and then they can go in and make the selections they want!

I also found an offer on the Facebook iTunes Fan Page. I am going to send it to my husband. If you sign up to become a fan, then you can download 20 free songs!! This is better than sifting through the zillions of gift ideas out there to find the perfect one!

Y is for Year End.

I can’t believe another year is nearly over. This year has been pretty hard for our family but it has gone by pretty quickly in a way too. Hopefully this new year will bring more peace, happiness and new things for our family. The Year End is a time to look ahead and hope for a better tomorrow.

X is for X-ray technician.

I’ve seen this advertised on tv recently. It is a good job and one that seems like there is a need for. I think it might be something my daughter might like. I know she’d be good at it. It doesn’t seem to take too long to get trained and then you can find a job with a hospital or doctor’s office or clinic. I think X-ray technician might be a good job.

W is for Weekend.

I think every one of us looks forward to the weekend each week. My daughter is especially looking forward to this weekend. Her friend who has moved two hours away is coming down for the weekend. They have been trying to get together since early October and this is the first weekend that has been available to them both. I know it will be a great time for them both!

Z is for Zero.

Which is about how much brain I feel I have working right now. I have been helping put together a summer program for our church kids. It is my fourth year to help with this. It should be running rather smoothly. But I keep dropping the ball on details and things I was supposed to have done to help things come together. I know it will all work out, but I just have so much on my plate that I feel my brain is working on zero power!

Y is for Year End.

At least it is the year end for the public school system. Kids and teachers alike are gearing up for the summer holiday months. Excitement is in the air. Kids are having lots of “fun” days at school. Teachers are not assigning homework. Everyone seems fairly giddy at the school year’s end!