tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post1654065276504782641..comments2024-03-22T14:46:37.849-04:00Comments on A Fly on Our (Chicken Coop) Wall: Me? Bitter About School Starting the First Week of August? No. Never. TToT Week 112 Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-25014313492326753202015-08-11T20:27:40.686-04:002015-08-11T20:27:40.686-04:00That hiking trip looked like fun. It is fun to se...That hiking trip looked like fun. It is fun to see pictures of places near where my grandmother was born. <br /><br />For those 4-H kids who have 4-H animals, who stays and takes care of their animals while they are in school. Here the 4-H's kids practically live at the fair, day and night. The fair is the highlight of the year's work!<br /><br />Perhaps this area is one of the rare places where school goes until the end of the second week in June and starts up again after Labor Day. The ending date sometimes goes later if we had a lot of snow days. We have many hilly roads and not much snow equipment nor budgeting for sanding the roads, so when we get a bad storm the schools shut down until things begin to melt and it is safer to drive. We get a very wet snow here, so not only does the snow pile up, it ices up.<br /><br /><br />Pat Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00760779673175109204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-63480820486202510822015-08-11T16:05:05.495-04:002015-08-11T16:05:05.495-04:00Thank you! Good luck to your kids!
The theory is ...Thank you! Good luck to your kids!<br /><br />The theory is that kids who don't take three months off for the summer will retain much more information and teachers won't have to do so much review work at the beginning of each school year. The summer is cut to about 7 weeks, but they get 2 weeks off in October and again in March/April. Christmas break is at least 2 weeks long as well. Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-70161876877326327692015-08-11T16:02:06.590-04:002015-08-11T16:02:06.590-04:00Wow. That is odd. There are plenty of people here ...Wow. That is odd. There are plenty of people here who want school to start after Labor Day, but I don't see it every happening. <br /><br />First day was today, and while they weren't happy about going (except for the new kindergartener), they were happy with their teachers. Phew!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-72808552981838119672015-08-11T14:06:23.093-04:002015-08-11T14:06:23.093-04:00Beautiful photos and congrats on the kids making t...Beautiful photos and congrats on the kids making the teams. We have tryouts next week, I hope they go well too!<br />What is a balanced calendar? The kids actually go all year??The Plagued Parenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879046456397171159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-14612137732656648752015-08-11T09:17:03.025-04:002015-08-11T09:17:03.025-04:00I am equally vexed by the start of school, etc. He...I am equally vexed by the start of school, etc. Here we have a state law that prevents public schools from starting before Labor Day (lobbied for by tourist industry), but COLLEGES have already begun by then, so everything gets shut down anyway. It's so ridiculous.<br />But I'm glad your tribe has a great start to their year with good teachers, friends and soccer tryouts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-31315102667509251442015-08-09T20:49:16.300-04:002015-08-09T20:49:16.300-04:00They could. They don't want to.
No joke!! We h...They could. They don't want to.<br />No joke!! We haven't had a schedule that ended that early in a long time. Now, once games start, this schedule will be out the window, but it's nice while it lasts.<br />Yes, all high school soccer is in the fall.<br />Good times. Good. times. :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-42340617508392069712015-08-09T20:47:42.946-04:002015-08-09T20:47:42.946-04:00It really isn't any fun at all.
It is a great...It really isn't any fun at all.<br /><br />It is a great park. People say Indiana is just boring, flat corn fields, and while that is true for some of the state, we have lots and lots of beautiful scenery, too.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-27293349283699642942015-08-09T20:46:36.654-04:002015-08-09T20:46:36.654-04:00Ha! Good. :)
I imagine you would lose track of ti...Ha! Good. :)<br /><br />I imagine you would lose track of time. No reason to know when school is starting. I do have to pay attention, and yet every single time, the kids' birthdays just sneak right up on me. (I know, that would never, ever happen in Riley world!)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-14200027872781167782015-08-09T20:45:26.351-04:002015-08-09T20:45:26.351-04:00It is so very awesome. Walking to activities is aw...It is so very awesome. Walking to activities is awesome, too. <br />Hiking is wonderful. Who says your kids aren't old enough? Ours have been hiking since they were born. Those that can't walk are in a sling/carrier on an adult, and those who can, do. Distance of hike depends on the children, but I've always been surprised at how far they can go and still have fun.<br /><br />Germany seems to have several things right when it comes to kids.<br /><br />Thank you!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-21194170735157997322015-08-09T20:15:57.166-04:002015-08-09T20:15:57.166-04:00Why can't everyone squeeze all their school da...Why can't everyone squeeze all their school days into the space between Labor Day and Memorial Day? They could if they tried. Kyle starts a week from tomorrow, and Emma starts on the 20th.<br />No way, all your kids are done with activities by 7:30 every night! The stars were really in alignment for you on that one.<br />Are boys and girls soccer played at the same time? Our boys play fall, girls spring.<br />Kyle told me one time last year that I won the "oldest mom award" in his suite. I was thrilled.<br />Dyanne @ I Want Backsieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04946323852124525597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-33281545287614931722015-08-09T19:35:01.687-04:002015-08-09T19:35:01.687-04:00I too am horrified about the thought of August sch...I too am horrified about the thought of August school in the Northern hemisphere! But I love your Clifty Falls pics. What a place to spend some time.Lady Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17050899813793376037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-23928275888184072492015-08-09T19:07:18.802-04:002015-08-09T19:07:18.802-04:00Nope. Don't sound bitter at all!! ;)
Wow...b...Nope. Don't sound bitter at all!! ;)<br /><br />Wow...back to school already. Now that both boys are no longer in school...you kind of lose track of days and months. If it weren't for Riley reminding us of all the "special occasions" in each month...pretty sure I would never know what day/month/season it would be. Well...except of course if it were to snow or something. <br /><br />@dkotuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18395598913393994830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-46836466668827779552015-08-09T17:09:49.109-04:002015-08-09T17:09:49.109-04:00Having a kid that can drive sounds awesome! We ar...Having a kid that can drive sounds awesome! We are lucky enough that Lily can walk to most of her appointments and activities, so the only one who needs to be carted to her gazillion appointments each week is Miss Violet. Your hiking trip sounds wonderful. Can't wait for all the kiddos to be old enough to go hiking with them!<br /><br />I'm so glad Lily's home from school in that heat (persistent high-90s to triple-digits here in Germany for the last weeks). Your school schedule is indeed weird! In the meantime, Violet enjoys the awesome outside activities in her kindergarten for another week :-)<br /><br />Have a wonderful week, Christine!Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11787379336749043051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-65819649517534561912015-08-09T15:37:39.778-04:002015-08-09T15:37:39.778-04:00Aw, Val. You're sweet.
Standardized tests bas...Aw, Val. You're sweet. <br />Standardized tests basically, but don't get me started on our standardized tests. I'm not a fan.<br /><br />That sounds good! I'll have to give it a try, seeing as how we have plenty of both to eat.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-5521976773105750972015-08-09T15:36:14.227-04:002015-08-09T15:36:14.227-04:00Big bummer. Especially when we have had some chill...Big bummer. Especially when we have had some chilly summers like we have had this year. Swimming just isn't such a big part of summer anymore. Ridiculous!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-64593503890204176872015-08-09T15:35:17.443-04:002015-08-09T15:35:17.443-04:00Lucky you!Lucky you!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-60926424038248983352015-08-09T15:35:06.450-04:002015-08-09T15:35:06.450-04:00Hahaha!!! Don't think I haven't thought of...Hahaha!!! Don't think I haven't thought of that!! I have several homeschooling friends, and I have always been jealous of that exact thing. It is the only reason I want to homeschool. :)<br /><br />Funny you should say that. We saw a snake swimming right in front of us. The girls squealed, but it just swam away and we continued with our hike.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-66382272531940418392015-08-09T15:33:06.258-04:002015-08-09T15:33:06.258-04:00It seems odd to be sending them.
My kids' sch...It seems odd to be sending them. <br />My kids' schools haven't gone balanced calendar, and it's because there isn't proof that it works. They also haven't gone the route of requiring computers and online books, either, because it hasn't proven that kids learn better that way. (Have I ever mentioned that I love our schools?)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-81473568448015147842015-08-09T15:29:27.174-04:002015-08-09T15:29:27.174-04:00Ha! I'm not! There really are a number of clif...Ha! I'm not! There really are a number of cliffs/water falls in the park.<br /><br />One would think, but not everyone. Giant is a planner by nature, so it can sometimes be a bit stressful for him to be spontaneous. <br /><br />A friend of mine who has to plan every minute of her vacations just asked me to teach her how to vacation without plans. We'll be taking some day trips, since she is one of my friends whose youngest is starting kindergarten.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-80149873440601897952015-08-09T15:27:22.610-04:002015-08-09T15:27:22.610-04:00We did. Thanks.
I can't believe it either. Ev...We did. Thanks.<br /><br />I can't believe it either. Even after quite a few years of early- to mid-August starts, I'm still not used to it. I don't think I ever will be.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-91313988949548403222015-08-09T07:51:58.297-04:002015-08-09T07:51:58.297-04:00I love visiting your blog. I was looking for Phoe...I love visiting your blog. I was looking for Phoenix's driver's license at the top of the list. I always wondered about "year round" school. How is the learning retention measured? Standardized tests? Anyway, I'll try that zucchini and tomato recipe soon. I do something easy with the two. I layer sliced zucchini, tomato and more zucchini in a casserole dish, squirt in some Italian dressing and top with shredded cheddar. Bake for awhile until bubbly. It's really good. I can't believe Cuckoo is in Kindergarten!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-54082873841796798872015-08-09T06:02:08.434-04:002015-08-09T06:02:08.434-04:00I couldnt believe it when you said last week that ...I couldnt believe it when you said last week that they were returning so early... I always thought it worked as you had said about later into june ... bummer... Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11630958840521397718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-74729372597037924322015-08-08T20:17:16.872-04:002015-08-08T20:17:16.872-04:00I remember hating the thought that school might st...I remember hating the thought that school might start going into the summer, like you describe here. The school board would bring up the idea and drop it, to my relief at the time.<br />:-)<br />Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07162949369536716651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-83142264595912370242015-08-08T19:41:34.263-04:002015-08-08T19:41:34.263-04:00So, is it wrong if I go against you and say that a...So, is it wrong if I go against you and say that as a homeschooler, I am gleefully happy that school starts next week, because then all the parks and zoo and lakes and libraries will be empty and ALL MINE! ;) ;) Actually, we started our school year this week, but we take lots of days off for fun summer activites and trips. <br /><br />Looks like a great time hiking! My husband loves creek-hiking, so we go sometimes. It's fun, but I can't help but imagine all the snakes and other creatures swimming around us in the murky water. lolAmelia Bentruphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289052534608175705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-66252327864766220822015-08-08T17:08:35.984-04:002015-08-08T17:08:35.984-04:00It seems so odd to hear of kids going back to scho...It seems so odd to hear of kids going back to school mid summer. I agree with you though that if they went later in the early summer it would make more sense. Does it actually help to have the shorter breaks?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17664909801454351135noreply@blogger.com