My life under the bus

Mondays ....

 

 

I had planned to show off my mini - update

but people bought some stuff!!!

So I'll have to divert to my kids humor

for filler.

 

 

My husband was nice enough to run out and

pick up two rotisserie chickens.

Of course with four boys the minute a

new food stuff enters the house

there is excitement.

 

 

One of my twins ran to the basement stairs

and yelled down to his brothers...

"HURRY UP -

 DADDY BROUGHT HOME DEAD CHICKENS WITH HONEY FLAVOR!!!!!"

uh?......ewwwwwww.....lol

Everyone pretty much stopped in their tracks.

Of course HE immediately sat down to his share of it!

 

 

It's survival of the fittest in the house....

or survival of those with the biggest mouth!

I've been concentrating on the house and making stuff

for a while - it's hard to keep up with everything.

Now we are talking about opening a restaurant,

*All Things Dead*.

Our menu?

Dead Chickens with Honey Flavor

Dead Lobster Salad

Dead Tuna with a Dill Dressing

Dead Cow Hamburger

Dead Vegetable Salad

( you see a theme here?)

I think I just killed my own appetite.

This would work great for my resolution to loose

wieght!

I love multitasking!!!

Happy Monday -

What are your plans for the week?

: ) , Patty

 

 

 

 

I Heart Macro Sunday 11/27/11

 

 

These scary things are in my

potpourri - I think they are lotus pods???

 

 

Tons of texture going on.

Plus it's freezing outside.

 

  

Did you survive the holiday?

I feel like the turkey drove the bus over me

then backed up..... a few times.

 

 

This was the last thing I took a photo of

before all hell broke loose.

I left one of my twins with a few potato's

and jumped in the shower.

I need to learn to give better direction.

In about 20 minutes the child peeled

THREE BAGS OF POTATO'S.

...and I'm not even exaggerating.

The pile of peels was astounding.

There wasn't even sweat on his brow.

I had to pull out the lobster pot to boil everything.

Everything else got overcooked from

waiting in the oven too long.

Here I was all prepared

and the lowly potato brought me down.

Next year the potato's are under lock and key.

The kids fingers are covered in band-aids

not even a whimper out of him.

 

Got some macro turkey bits you'd like to share?

Join in with

Studio Waterstone

 

Hope you had a safe and happy holiday!

XOXO, Patty

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

You can find me over at

Grateful Living

 

Have a Fantastic Monday!

 

 

 

One to One Computing Failures and Concerns

 

 

Hi my name is Patty Gasparino and I am very concerned about the movement to put computers in the hands of our youngest children.

 I believe children should learn as children and just because you can do something (or "everyone else is doing it") doesn't mean you should. Give my children a compass and a map before you give up and hand them a computer. I am not against technology - I use it every day myself  - but I don't think a 10 -11 year old needs to be tied - nor should be tied to a device.

I did a previous blog post *HERE*.

 

If you feel the same this page is for you! I will add to these links as I am able. 

 

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to contact me or send me a link at gasparino6@att.net

You can read my personal letters here -

How this started:

A Letter to Parents 9/19/11

A letter (speech) to the local BOE

 

You may join the Facebook group here : http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/267422293295907/

 

This page will also be permanently available by access to a page button up top in my heading - feel free to share this as a link! 

 

Links to Articles I have found informative: 

 

1. Questioning the actual value of what you get out of a tech driven education 

 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questions-on-value.html?pagewanted=1

Technology in Schools Faces Questions on Value 

Schools are embracing digital learning, but evidence is scarce that the expensive technology is improving educational outcomes.

Quotes from this article.

" Critics counter that, absent clear proof, schools are being motivated by a blind faith in technology and an overemphasis on digital skills — like using PowerPoint and multimedia tools — at the expense of math, reading and writing fundamentals. They say the technology advocates have it backward when they press to upgrade first and ask questions later."

...and technology is really not so money saving

"The district plans to go back to local voters for approval of $46.3 million more in taxes over seven years to allow it to keep investing in technology. That represents around 3.5 percent of the district’s annual spending, five times what it spends on textbooks."

 

2.From the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Developement 

 http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb11/vol68/num05/One-to-One_Laptop_Programs_Are_No_Silver_Bullet.aspx

 

Educational Leadership:Teaching Screenagers:One-to-One Laptop Programs Are No Silver Bullet

 "Overall, however, most large-scale evaluations have found mixed or no results for one-to-one initiatives. After five years of implementation of the largest one-to-one initiative in the United States, Maine's statewide program, evaluations found little effect on student achievement—with one exception, writing, where scores edged up 3.44 points (in a range of 80 points) in five years (Silvernail & Gritter, 2007)."

 

3. Educational Software - Undistiguished curriculum and unproven results

Software Boom but Lagging Results

4. Article from New York Times about schools getting rid of their computers. 

 ‎ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/education/04laptop.html

Seeing No Progress, Some Schools Drop Laptops - New York Times

A handful of schools are abandoning one-to-one computing programs as educationally empty and worse.

 

5.Questioning the actual value of what you get out of a tech driven education 

 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questions-on-value.html?pagewanted=1

Technology in Schools Faces Questions on Value 

Schools are embracing digital learning, but evidence is scarce that the expensive technology is improving educational outcomes.

 

6. Failed expectations of One to One 

 http://www.districtadministration.com/article/one-one-computing-has-failed-our-expectations 

One-to-One Computing Has Failed Our Expectations | District Administration Magazine

 

7. Ironically many of those making the technology don't give it to their children or educate them in a school that is tech driven 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html

At Waldorf School in Silicon Valley, Technology Can Wait

The Waldorf School’s computer-free environment has become a draw for parents at high-tech companies like Google.

 

 

8.This article talks about the way computing changes the way you think and retain information. Computers do not make us better thinkers - a very interesting read.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/11/01/researcher-technology-might-be-returning-us-to-stone-age-thinking/

 Quotes from the comments section - very interesting! 

" Why do I have to learn any of this stuff when I can always ‘Google-it’ if I have to find out."

" Never did we think that providing her with a laptop,   and broadband access 24×7 would also factor into it/cripple her."

 

9. Effectiveness of computer programs tied to teacher buy in 

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/02/16/11-programs-only-as-good-as-their-teachers/

One-to-one computing programs only as effective as their teachers | eSchool News

A compilation of four new studies of one-to-one computing projects in K-12 schools identifies several factors that are key to the projects’ success, including adequate planning, stakeholder buy-in, and strong school or district leadership.  

 

10. Prep necessary for a program 

 http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2008/01/23/3laptop.h01.html

 1 to 1 Learning 

Building and sustaining a computing program does not happen overnight. 

 

11.Maine dropped 6 points this year from 21 to 27 in their state ranking in education  ( our school is pushing Maine as a success story)

http://www.edweek.org/media/ew/qc/2011/QualityCounts2011_PressRelease.pdf

 

 

11. N.Y. Times opinion page - interesting debate

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/sunday/sunday-dialogue-using-technology-to-teach.html?scp=4&sq=techology%20dialoge&st=cse

 

12. The decline of children being children and it's consequenses

http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/10/all-work-and-no-play-why-your-kids-are-more-anxious-depressed/246422/#.TpcvY2sRz_4.email

 

13. What if the secret to success is allowing failure?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?_r=1&hpw

 

14. A very interesting documentary on our current education system

http://www.racetonowhere.com/

15. Yet another school system that says no to computers.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Texas-School-Waits-To-Jump-On-Tech-Wave--133567398.html

 

Once you take a bite of that apple you can't go back.

A quote from a friend! 

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale 

 

Thanks for stopping by please feel free to contact me or let me know if a link does not work for you !

Patty

 

 

Thankful Thursday 11/10/11

 

 

Well it's a thursday in November so I am feeling

like I should be doing a thankful post...

 

I am thankful after almost 8 days

 our powercame back on.

 Although I hauled logs, cooked in the fireplace,

and bathed in a bowl - I do still love electricity.

 

I am thankful for the white duct tape

 I found in the basement.

I have no idea where it came from

- but when your 8 year old comes to you

 5 minutes before the bus

 with his month old shoes and his feet hanging out the front -

white duct tape rocks.

 

 

I am thankful for small treats.

I don't get myself much but saw these

 at a local discounter and brought one home.

Apparently my husband got to it first.

Notice the gentle slices lovingly placed back in the box...

uh ....I mean notice how satchsquatched ripped the top off...

Was that necessary???

Completely manhandled the whole thing,

no finesse,

I am thankful for what's left.

 

I am thankful I get to go into my boys classrooms.

Today I corrected papers and

filed them into the kids mailboxes.

Well except for the ones without names.

I gave those back to the teacher.

When I got to the car I realized

I hadn't given my son any papers...

awesome.

Nothing like throwing myself under the bus.

 

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Thursday!

XOXO, Patty

Gasparino Alert System

 

I am on a letter writing campaign.

Third week of school five phone calls,

two pick ups and one sick day.

( ...and you were wondering why I don't work?)

I needed a better system.

This is what I've worked out. 

 

Dear Mrs. School Nurse,

 

I am thinking it might be useful to begin using a "Gasparino Alert System" much like Homeland Security.

Let's call it *G.A.S.* for short. 

This will statistically average out the chances of an actual Gasparino attending school or visiting the nurse on a single day.

This will replace the "Stuff on the Bus and Pray" system as it has been found to have too many flaws and be ineffective.

 

Red = Gasparino actually sick and staying home

Red Orange = Gasparino may or may not have - rashes/coughing/upchuck noises from bathroom ( possibly getting sick - but could be faking)

Orange = Gasparino may have symptoms such as "my finger hurts" and "there's a red spot on my leg"

Orange Yellow = Gasparino uses statements like "I didn't get any sleep my brother coughed on me all night" and "The racoon in the garbage kept me up"

Yellow = Gasparino forgot lunch money at home

Green = Gasparino Mother is going out within a 50 miles radius and is no way making that @*&%#$@ drive to pick any of them up today

 

 

Based on this system today would be a

*Red Orange* day ( I was sick yesterday and am trying to get another day out of it subcategory) 

 

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this new system.

 

Sincerly, Patricia Gasparino 

 

Yes it's all true and yes I sent it.

Nurses need to laugh too.

Happy Wednesday!

I might even squeeze in a bead table post

 if I don't have to pick up anyone at school.

 

 

 

Why I Get Nothing Done ....

 

 
*Caught and released yesterday!*

 

I often wonder where my time goes-

( and yes if your wondering I may be delusional

to think I actually have any)

I think

I've figured it out.

This is about how I explained it on Facebook.....

Four kids and a mini van.

I took 2 them for their instruments,

(one promptly admonished the store

owner about the parking situation

 and bad store front location) 

ran 2 very short errands

and took all 4 to McDonald's.

Then told them I needed 1 thing in Michael's.

I believe it actually took 2.3 minutes.

They were completely out of control

 in the store slapping each other

with the "Decorate it Yourself" foam swords

 and making virulent fart noises -

reminscent of 1,000 walrus' on the cabbage diet-

if I hear one more bodily function

( faux or real )

 I am going to loose my mind!

Kids shuffled to car with "embarrassment speech".

Silent drive home ( genius actually ).

Arrive home and within 3.5 seconds

 my youngest is banished to the upstairs

for annoying the be-jesus out of everyone downstairs.

Everyone downstairs is 

 whining about how they can't come up. 

Meanwhile *plotting his revenge* - my youngest

who weaves annoyance like a

 fine Italian tapestry maker- 

  went in the recycling.

I ( again delusion-ally)

was happy he was keeping himself busy

and proceed to cook dinner.

 

 He got out all the cardboard tubes,

taped them together,

and stuffed the whole eight feet 

into the stair way.

 He begins to send marbles down

into the playroom then whispers

through it  "...Anybody miss me?"

....when I asked him to stop

and leave them alone

he proclaimes " ...but I'm not downstairs!"

 .... I am going to be bald in another week. 

Now I am listening to the ones downstairs

 scream upstairs " He's whispering at us!!!"

I think this all happened within 3 hours.

Now you know why mothers eat their young.

Happy Thursday!

Patty : )

 

Giving Thanks ~

 

 

 I have posted this story before - but I am and will always be grateful for it's out come.

 Thanksgiving is supposed to be about giving thanks which is defined as an expression of gratitude. Gratitude for where we live. Gratitude for what we have. Gratitude for those around us.

When my boys were very little I had 4 under 5. I was grateful they were healthy. I was also very tired and many days only grateful for sleep. The year my oldest was 5, my twins were 3 and my littlest 1 I was particularly exhausted. Many days were really about survival . One particular morning  I had locked myself in the bathroom to splash my face and brush my teeth .

Like any other day Justin (who was three ) knocked at the door,

 " Mama !!! Mama !!!".

 Let me state here my twins were speech delayed - they loved cooing to each other but had trouble with everyday words. I breathed deeply and probably was a bit cross,

 " I'll be out in a minute !".......

 Was a minute too much to ask ???.........

" MAMA !!! MAMA !!!"

 He was getting cross with ME !

" Just a minute - please !".

 Justin wouldn't take no that day , " MAMA !!! POISON !!!" ......

My heart sank - I knew immediately something was terribly wrong.

I flung open the door and Justin raced ahead to our dining room where Devin (who was one at the time)  sat in the corner eating out of a bottle of Ibuprofen . As I grabbed him and pulled what I could out of his mouth I could feel my entire body shaking. I must have gone on automatic pilot as I rinsed out my baby's mouth and dialed poison control.

My prayers where answered that day by the lovely lady on the other end. I knew the bottle was almost empty. I had pulled 5 or 6 out of his mouth. He would have to have eaten over 25 to require a trip to the emergency room. Did I mention this was a few days before Christmas that year ? The nurse on the other end said, " Merry Christmas Mom - he'll be ok.". Other then a bad diaper or two he was fine - I however - was a mess.

I will forever be grateful for a three year old Justin , who barely spoke, but on that day knew the word "poison" and knew he had something important to say. I remind him now and again that he saved his brother from getting very sick. Of course these days they fight constantly and he might like to forget !

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving - What are you grateful for ?

XOXO, Patty

 

 

New Friends

 

 

( Is it me Fred - or does this tank make my butt look big ? )

We have a few new friends at the house. These are African Dwarf frogs. My sister in law raised these five in her classroom and they were looking for a new home. I can truly say I've found something more difficult to photograph then four boys - five frogs. They have the added bonus of floating around looking like they're dead ( which apparently is just something nifty they do ). The first day I kept getting called in to do body checks. Here's a tip - if you blow on them and they move they are still ALIVE.

 

 

Of course kids being kids they want to take them out and walk around with them........ I of course have no need of finding the poor little guys shriveled up anywhere. Nothing worse then frog jerky. I keep going in to count them. Not that I'm paranoid or anything. They also keep asking which ones are getting "married".......that's code for " Will there be any little frogs coming along soon ?". Apparently the females are larger. We have one quite a bit larger then the others so I am guessing she's a female. I guess if conditions are right anything is possible.

 

 
 
  They seem to really enjoy staring at themselves or sitting on each other. They are pretty cute in an amphibious sort of way : ) ...... I think they are staring at me. I'm off to get a nice new plant for them to frolic and hide in. What are you up to this week ?

 

Happy Tuesday !

Directional Guidance

 

During our road trip this weekend we all got to meet the other woman in my husbands life - his GPS. He has to travel to a lot of different job sites during the day hence she appeared to help him out. Apparently he can program it in all sorts of languages and accents but they are all " women". This is probably old news to the technically savvy but what do I know ? I travel the same circle everyday so have no need of such devices.

Mr. Bus programmed the device, clicked her into place and we were off. In about 2.5 seconds the questions started.

Where is that voice coming from ?

Who is that talking ?

Is she telling Daddy what to do ?

Isn't that Mommy's job ?

Is "she" putting Mommy out of work ?

Moooooom....are you out of work ?

Was she ever in work ?

We are her work.

Is Daddy paying her ? 

I think he owes Me money !

Why is dad giving YOU money ?

I don't think he's paid Mom in years.

This all took place in the .4 miles it took to get to the end of our road ! The rest of the trip went the same.

He didn't turn !

She said to turn !

He's not listening !

He doesn't always listen to Mom.

TURN !!!

...are we lost ?

...are we there yet ?

DID YOU EVER TURN ?

I'm hungry.

Seriously - I am glad I don't need a GPS - I somehow sense it would not make my life any easier! What do you listen to in the car ? I say turn up the radio !

Happy Thursday ! Patty