Karen Klein

I can't watch the following video without crying. I managed to get through the entire 10-minute version of middle school students verbally abusing bus monitor Karen Klein as it circulated around Facebook the other night. I'm just so saddened and disgusted at how children behave in schools, on school buses, playgrounds, and at other school-related functions. It sickens me how abuse like this can go on. I blame parents for not teaching better values. I blame schools for not cracking down harder on child perpetrators of abuse. I blame society's view of "bullying" as a rite of passage instead of calling it what it is - child-perpetrated harassment and abuse.

This case of child-perpetrated elder abuse went viral, partly because it was so heinous and partly because many of us are still from a generation when children were taught to respect their elders. While I am not of the mind that people automatically deserve respect simply because of their age or position (because I know that argument will be raised), I absolutely believe that no one deserves to be humiliated, berated, abused, harassed, mocked, and hurt like this woman was. Ever.

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This is why my children will never be in public school again. And I am relieved to hear an adult admit that ignoring the bullies does NOT make them stop. It doesn't - ask any kid who has been bullied. Once you're selected as a target, you either beat them at their own game or you're going to suffer as long as they decide you're going to suffer. Of course, if you retaliate, then you get in trouble. THIS sort of thing is the result of kids being taught that bullying is a rite of passage. THIS sort of thing happens to children (and apparently bus monitors and drivers as well) on buses and in schools every day.

How long are we going to accept this?

Hoopcrafting

The hubby has been busy making some hoops for me. I'm giving some thought to decorating them all pretty and maybe doing a giveaway to spread the hoop love. Only problem is...I really, really hate taping hoops! Of course, this might be due to the fact that I'm really, really bad at it.

These are both 100 psi hoops, 37" and 35" in diameter. I love the 37" one. It's preferable for neck and off-body hooping, in my opinion. The weight difference is substantial from the standard 160 psi hoops.

I finally decided to buy some Hoopnotica DVDs for myself and actually keep them this time. Ha! I gave one to my niece and, while I have no regrets, I think I need some better instruction than I can find on YouTube. The kids are really picking up quickly. Little G is doing some crazy awesome off-body stuff, while Reezle is trying to perfect getting from halo to waist more gracefully. I'm so impressed with them! I love that hooping is something we all really enjoy. Now, if only I could get my husband to hoop...

Yeah, probably not going to happen.

Gobble

Imagine looking out into your backyard and seeing a turkey.


That's exactly what's been happening here for the past few days. Perhaps he heard we don't eat turkey? Heh. File this under Things You Don't See In The City.

A Rare Glimpse of The Red-headed Woodpecker

According to Wikipedia, "The red-headed woodpecker is listed as a vulnerable species in Canada and as a threatened species in some states in the US." Imagine my delight when I found this little guy on our feeder!


And then, just a day or two later, he was back!


Very cool. And I think Reezle appreciates the fact that I now get just as excited as she does about our feathered visitors.

Meditation

Over the past few months, Reezle has been asking me more and more frequently about meditation, how to meditate, when to meditate, and for what reasons people choose to meditate. I explained that the reasons are many and vary by individual. Personally, I meditate to work through difficult issues, to train my mind, to relieve stress, and to promote overall health. I also meditate on positive goals. She liked this idea.

A couple of days ago, randomly, I walked into a quiet living room and found this.

She maintained her pose and intense (yet calm, relaxed) focus for over half an hour. I didn't say anything until she was finished, and then I asked what she meditated on. "Just a flickering flame," she replied.

Cool.

Things That Make Me Happy by Little G

Little G spent some time writing a lengthy list of things that make him happy. When he finished, he asked if I would please share it on our blog. How could I say no?

Things That Make me Happy

by Little G

1. Family dinner from [local pizza place]
2. Playing chess
3. Hopping on one foot
4. Singing
5. Adele singing Set Fire to the Rain
6. Orange juice
7. My nutrition drink
8. Bananas
9. Cats
10. Watching Regular Show
11. Cheese mustard sauce (daddy's homemade chip dip)
12. Pizza with just sauce
13. Dad and Mom
14. Stickers, my big fur ball (our cat, Sticky
15. Gray Kitty (his beloved toy kitty)
16. Lillina (another toy kitty)
17. Love from my mom
18. My mom
19. Twizzlers, the twist you can't resist!
20. My notebooks
21. Weekend mornings
22. My human body encyclopedia book
23. Chicken Soup for The Cat Lover's Soul
24. My iPod
25. Mom's iPad
26. Mom playing Glow Hockey
27. Grandma
28. Chocolate covered grapes
29. Chocolate covered strawberries
30. Chocolate covered raisins
31. X and Os, a.k.a hugs and kisses!
32. Panera
33. Making cookies
34. Stuffed animals
35. My LG smartphone (an old, non-smartphone w/battery removed)
36. December 25th and 26th
37. Playing with my computer
38. Playing with my red phone (same phone referenced in 38)
39. Playing with my Sudoku game
40. Veggies!
41. Fruit salad
42. Salad

Map Boy

The little dude took to his composition book for a drawing marathon last night before bed. This is what he came up with. This mama is mind blown. He didn't copy, trace, or even draw with a map beside him - this came completely from memory.

And I love how he numbers all of his composition book pages, ha! It's really nice to know that he was paying attention during our homeschooling and got this much out of it. As usual, I am super proud of him!

PS: OMG, what!? It's June!