Winter Cleaning

Well, last night; I attempted to download some new snow pictures and some cool pictures of Taliesin and Nathanael making homemade playdough; but, for some unknown reason, there was an error. I have not tried again today. But I hope I can get the error straigtened out soon enough. Tonight is Taliesin's Christmas program and party at his dance class, so I want to post pictures from the fun! Today, we're having a cleaning day! With my research papers and Kelsey's finals, the past couple of weeks, the house has really gotten ahead of us. I'm sure the dust mites have been happy and right at home! LOL. So today, while Taliesin and Nathanael are playing, I'm cleaning the house - in a good, winter cleaning! It looks so much better! And I feel so much better. I tend to get a little on the groucy side when the house gets too far ahead. (Another of my pet peaves - LOL).

Kandy

Okay, this is nothing about Christmas - and not very jolly, either

What are your pet peaves? You know, those things that really get under your skin. I have two or three that really bother me. My BIG pet peave is double standards. You know, like this is the standard that I have set for you, but I have a different standard for myself or for this person over here. My first pet peave leads into my second pet peave - generalizations and stereotypes. You know, like all girls love to cook and clean house and all guys love football and fixing cars. Pet peave number one and pet peave number set the stage for pet peave number three - arrogance.

That said, I've been having some interesting conversations about male/female stereotypes and opinions lately. Most of them have been very light-hearted and respectful. Although others and I may not agree, our conversations are generally speaking nothing that would offend the person of the opposite viewpoint. That is, until yesterday. As regular blog readers know, Taliesin and Nathanael are in dance class. In fact, next week Taliesin has a dance program coming up; so I will be posting some fun pictures when I get them. (Of course, Taliesin has also begun karate, and Nathanael will begin karate in February. And Taliesin has basketball in January and February. And, of course, Taliesin has been in many, many art classes - and that doesn't count children's church). Anyway, it seems the one that most people question is dance class. Somewhere along the line, despite the fact that there are probably almost as many male dancers as there are female dancers; many people find dancing (particularly, ballet) feminine. Oh, well, people have their own opinions, I guess. But yesterday, at one of our monthly activities that I will leave unnamed; Taliesin was excluded from a dance activity because he is a boy. The person who is planning this activity gave her reason as boys are more difficult to work with than girls. Well, I can tell you from first-hand observation that all of the young children at this activity are typical young children. The boys are no wilder than the girls or vice versa. They are typical five and six-year olds who have a hard time sitting still and being quiet. These are skills that improve with age; but at five and six, it's difficult for the kids to retain self-control for long periods of time. But the fact that an adult would exclude a five-year old child from something he is interested in based on gender is really just too much for me. I have contacted the leader of the organization and will take it farther if need be. I just cannot understand why it is such a problem to not discriminate. I can honestly say that if Taliesin saw the other children his age (even if they are all girls) performing and he was not able to, it would upset him. Perhaps other boys would not be interested, and that is fine. But, in our family, we do not discriminate on the basis of gender or age or any other reason.

I'm sorry to interrupt the happy Christmas postings with something negative; but our happy Christmas time was interrupted by this and I felt it something important to include on the blog.

Kandy - student of theology, even though I have been told theology is a man's area.

Fun Activities

I promised a picture of Dorothy, the tree frog, a few posts ago. I finally got somewhat of a picture of her. It's difficult to get her in view of the camera, since she changes colors with her environment. I tried today to get a picture of her on top of her castle, but it didn't work out that well. This is the best one so far. :^)

Painting Christmas Tumbleweeds

The Bus Ride. Taliesin and Nathanael see the school bus come to pick up the kids down the street everyday. They would always say, "Mom, I want to ride a bus." Okay, then. We took a bus ride to the mall a few months ago. And yesterday, we just took a city bus ride around to each bus stop and then back to ours again. This is Taliesin on the bus ride. (Nathanael fell asleep).

Today was the first snow of the season. Taliesin and Nathanael are having lots of fun!

Kandy

Cookies with Santa

This past Friday, Taliesin and Nathanael attended a yearly event - Cookies with Santa at our public library. They had lots of fun. And this was the first year that Nathanael would sit by Santa Claus. :^)

Kandy

... With Bows of Holly...

This is a picture of a raven decoration Taliesin found at an after Halloween sale. He wanted to put it on our silver Christmas tree.

When Taliesin put his raven on the Christmas tree, Nathanael decided he needed to put his pink stuffed duck on, too.

Taliesin decorating a milk container to put his Christmas tumbleweed in.

The Christmas tumbleweed - ready for decorating.

Kandy

We Interrupt this Christmas Blogging...

...to bring you an important announcement. :^)

Taliesin went to his first karate class yesterday evening. He loved it! It is definitely a lot of physical activity, which is especially good this time of year when we cannot get out and play as much. Next month, he begins basketball. Then in February, Nathanael has a karate class. Since this class is just a one-month thing through our Parks and Rec. for the city of Salina, I'm looking into affordable karate classes, just in case Taliesin wants to continue after this month is over. I found one that is $45.00 per month. So that may be an option.

Today, Taliesin and Nathanael got their monthly paycheck from The Buyer's Guide. Last month, you may remember, they bought Dorothy, their tree frog (still need to get some good pictures of her). Today, they opted for toys. Taliesin bought a Darth Vader action figure and a Mr. Potato Head Spudtrooper. Nathanael opted for toy trucks (his favorite).

And last night I finally saw Twilight. You have to remember, I have not read the book yet; so I'm not sure how close the movie is to the book. But I loved it! Kelsey thought it was boring. But I enjoyed it a lot. Now I definitely want to read the whole series!

...And now back to our regularly-scheduled Christmas decoration blogging....

Kandy

Deck the Halls...

I love Christmas! It's my favorite holiday! Taliesin and Nathanael have been having a blast decorating the house for Christmas - espcially Taliesin, my artist. LOL. Over the next few days, I am going to attempt to post pictures of their decorating. For today, this is our newest Christmas tree. It's around a $100 tree that we got for $20 at an after-Christmas sale last year. It's very pretty - prelit, and gold. Taliesin calls it our beautiful golden Christmas tree.

Kandy