Tammy's FAILblog!

Count on us to make a trip to WalMart an adventure...

"Wooooops!!! says the MomOnWheelZ!"

My children have found such interesting ways to take advantage of my wheelz...

A 70lb Staffy of one side, and a 50lb monkey with a life-long aversion to walking on the other. Had Destiny been with us, the three of us woulda been chasing her too! Can you imagine this wide-load coming at you?!?
LOLOL!!!

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I Am Inspired

One week ago today, I sat at a Beading Circle in honor of Destiny. These beading circles have been every Sunday afternoon recently, and my weekly strength fill-up at the pump. My friends host them, and my close friends (and future close friends, in some cases, join together to make Destiny Bracelets to sell to raise money for...Guess...Yup, Desty's meds!
Just the mere experience of being together inspires me. Anyway, last Sunday I happened to overhear these lyrics:

"And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance"

WOW!!! This spoke to me. Later, my friend, Annette, sent me the song...

WOW!!! I have been Inspired a lot lately. I have been building community. I have identified more and more with people that share common values as myself and my little family. This has been really fulfilling to me. I LOVE our old friends, and I LOVE our newer friends.

It's nice to know that I'm no island!!! ;-)

PS. Destiny and her friend enjoying the warm weather out back a few minutes ago...


Benny being eaten by a shark a few days ago...


Love from a Hunk surrounded by sharks, sting-rays and other aqualife...


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Take Chances and Get Messy!

Take chances and GET MESSY!!

That's what my daughter sang every time I came to check on her and her friend's "Magic Potion", on my counter, in my sink, on my floor...with EVERY spice and ingredient they could find!


No matter what anyone says, Destiny is absolutely BRILLIANT! She knew what I needed to hear to allow her and her lab assistant, Mila, to proceed with their experiment. Mrs. Frizzle has Desty's back!

Well, it's been quite an interesting several weeks!

Let me first show off some of my favorite things the kids have done in school lately...

Today we opened the Electronic Snap Circuit kit, and thus far Benny has made a lamp, a fan, a flying saucer, a quiet water siren, a fuse, a salt water detector, a multi-speed light fan, and now he's trying to build his own ideas.

This is a video clip Buck took shortly after he and Benny began the project - hours later, Benny knows much more about it than Buck or I do! (Sorry the camera is sideways here...)
Truly incredible!!

More amazing work today...





And last but not least...


Benny would only let me help him with the first couple of problems. He is planning to make his own equations tonight in bed!!

Baking Lesson (A.K.A "Patience Lesson")


Destiny rang the bell in her Homeschool Rock Climbing class, after a full night of seizures!!!



At Patchwork, these two guys are a riot! This is Benny and his friend, Cameron, playing together - Benny insists they don't have to do any "work"...he has no idea how much he really LEARNS by not "working"!!! Oh my goodness! - is he ever learning!


Check out Super Bunny!


Over the past few months, Super Bunny - oh, I mean Destiny! - and Mila have become good and frequent playmates. We live 2 houses away; her mom and I text when the girls need to release some energy and we're tired! A couple weeks ago, this was our front yard winter wonderland!

(Today their playdate was cut short because Destiny climbed a tree and got stuck...This child lately...turn your back for less than one minute, she has become a magnet to danger...)

Benny and I have had to struggle with some big topics recently, such as chores, the birds and the bees (we are reading IT'S SO AMAZING! right now, Ellen!!), and sadly, death, as we grieve the loss of a friend.

In a nutshell...


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Snapshots of "Benny and Destiny's World Homeschool"

It's no Secret - I love teaching my children and taking a 'non-traditional' approach to education. While schools are cramming academics into kid's brains (which they may or may not retain, much due to the ridiculous standardized requirements that teacher's are forced to meet nowadays), I'm nurturing and educating my kids in using a "child-centered approach".

Benny and Destiny both do some worksheets, but as much as we can, we learn three-dimensionally. For example, check out these clocks that Benny created, using specific requirements set by me...

Check out these number counting worksheets Desty did at the library the other day...

Here we all are studying away...

Benny doing more math...

Benny's favorite picture of himself at Patchwork School...

And some random cool assignments...






Both kids have authored and illustrated their own books, which have been digitized. I'd love to share these amazingly creative stories on here, but I haven't figured out how to attach PDF's to blogspot...if it's possible, please enlighten me...

A Few Books That We Are Enjoying
Burly and Grum and the Secret City
and
Beyond The Forrest (A Burly and Grum Tale)
by Kate Tenbeth
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
by Bonnie Bader
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV
by Jan Barenstain
Garbage! Monster! Burp!
by Tom Watson
Better Than You
by Trudy Ludwig
The SkippyJon Jones series
by Judy Schachner
And last but not least...
The Secret Zoo series!!!
by Bryan Chick

Of course, Benny's addicted to the Captain Underpants series and Desty wants to read anything about Love or Bunnies!





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Pride

Benny spent the day on a wonderful playdate with a new friend and his new friend's father. He made this new friend at The Patchwork School, and this was his first playdate from his new school, so it was pretty special!

This evening, on my way out to my first Patchwork School "Learning Dialogue", I gave him three assignments to do before bed.

When I returned, my son handed me this report...


I hope you can read it...it's pretty impressive!

We began studying Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 8th. Fortunately, Benny was so enthralled in the book, Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr., all 116 pages, before everything was put on halt on the 10th for Desty's five day hospital fiasco. He got so much out of it - he could actually imagine the sit-ins, the non-violent civil disobedience and the injustice of inequality - moseso because of his experience marching in Washington, DC and Chicago with ADAPT, and seeing those arrests. He'd get ecstatic over mention of the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol.

His understanding made my heart swell!

And last night, we were finally able to watch "Martin's Big Words". He had to put MLK, Jr.'s quotes in chronological order.


Halfway through, he asked if we could watch it a second time!

We still have a MLK, Jr collage poster to do, and both Benny and Destiny will be making a "I Have A Dream Cloud" this week.

Desty began school the day after she was discharged. Check this out...


And on Tuesday, she went to Patchwork School for 1.5 hours and learned enough to drive!



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I'm the Luckiest Mother in the World!

At 4:38 this morning, I lay on the edge of my bed with one child's arm and leg over me, and the other child sitting in the Purple Lover (my favorite rocking chair!), leaning within three inches of me, sucking down some Albuterol and Pulmicort from his nebulizer - works like magic! During these few minutes, I had this thought: "Oh my gosh, I'm the luckiest mother in the world!" Generally, not a common thought about me, but it's true! That doesn't mean that life as I know it is easy, or that it doesn't royally suck sometimes. But I have two kids that pump my heart, and we are able to do things that we shouldn't be able to do.

Such as attend The Patchwork School. I looked at this school last year but thought I could never afford it, and thus never pursued it. Well, in December, I pursued it and it was a match made in heaven, both financially (the scholarship they offered to us and philosophically! Literally a miracle from every single aspect.

Do you know how it feels to go from being told we are a major liability in public school thought, to being invited and actually told our family is an asset to a community?!?! Well, grand!!!!!

My intent was to enroll both kids into Patchwork two mornings per week. To give Destiny a group educational experience in a compassion-based, free environment, and to de-institutionalize Benny, and sort of 're-define' his self-worth.

Desty was able to visit the school last month, and she kept telling her big brother, "Don't be scared! This school is awesome!". Benny was reluctant, so I told him to try it for one month; if he didn't like it, I wouldn't send him.

Here they are on their first day of Patchwork School...


After one morning at Patchwork, my son decided to withdraw from Horizons (his charter school) completely! Now both Destiny and Benny will attend Patchworks on M/T/TH mornings and homeschool the rest of the time.

Let me tell you what "Benny and Destiny's World School" involves the first couple of months! - on top of my reading/writing/math/social studies curricula, Benny is in an agriculture program on a farm, a science class and a Lego Robotic class. Both kids are going to Homeschool P.E. and Homeschool Rock Wall Climbing at the local Rec Center, plus they are enrolled in Saturday classes each month at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Did you hear Benny dissected a chicken wing and a cow's brain last month at the Denver Museum? Pretty cool for a second grader!

Playdates with Benny's friends from Horizons will be the best! Sleepovers are on the calendar, as is bringing his friends along to museum classes!

And after one morning, he talks about kids at Patchwork School by name!

Patchworks School ROCKS for Destiny, as well! Destiny was NOTon her best behavior, but they were incredible at working with her, not as a child with special needs, not as a 'medically fragile' child, nor as a behavioral problem, but just as a kid (Diastat ready too!) They are about freedom within safe limits, not control nor manipulation to get her to comply with a system. It's really wondrous!!

When I picked Benny and Destiny up at 12:30, Desty quickly fell asleep in my lap...and slept for hours...ya, public school is not for her...

Yesterday was Benny's last day at Horizons. It is sad. Horizons is the only public school option I'd consider, and we already miss some friends. If our lives were different - it'd be a good fit. But, I know too well now, that life is fragile...and I have to weigh my future regrets...

TA-DA!!


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Bringing in the New Year With A Heart-Full of Thanks!

I sit here in a room at Little America in Wyoming, watching Phineas & Ferb with my super happy boy, my daughter, our "Bucky" and my dog.

It's New Years Eve, I think, and I am feeling the urge to post. Most people are looking forward tonight to the possibilities of 2012 and committing to resolutions. I'm not so into that sorta thing. I see life in 2-day segments. I am so focused on surviving and thriving in the moment - my simple brain just cannot absorb much else!

Every New Years I just feel grateful. It's like having 2 Thanksgivings a year in my head, and it's wonderful!

We are just ending a fantabulous!! vacation in Utah. Of course, I'm thankful for the people that made our time there both possible and so very special.

But there is so much more. Here is a quick, not-very-well-thought-out, list:
- I'm thankful NOT to be working!
- I'm thankful for the addition of Tank, my very loved baby cow!...my personal psychiatrist and best friend!


- I'm thankful for pictures and the power of memory.
- I'm thankful for the opportunity to be so involved in my children's education!
- I'm thankful that they want that kind of relationship with me.
- I'm thankful for the great opportunities available to us...and for scholarships!!
- I'm thankful that Destiny has a diagnoses, so we have some answers.
- I'm thankful for the hope of treatments for my D.
- I'm thankful for technology giving me so many support networks.
- I'm thankful for our accessible van.
- I'm thankful for my IPad!!! And BoxWave Stylus'!!!
- I'm so thankful for the many new friends I have made in 2011.
- And for long-time friendships!
- I'm thankful for Buck's somewhat odd position in our family! I love this new pic!


- I'm thankful for good child care givers, and really need to clone them!
- I'm thankful for life, love and that miracles happen every day in our family.

I feel very blessed tonight!



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Location:Bringing in the New Year With A Heart-Full of Thanks!

I Belong In The Zoo!

Is it possible to enjoy a miserable time? I think it is....

Yesterday I took Benny and his friend to the zoo. They played in a warm class, doing tie-dye, touring the tropics exhibit and learning about VENOM!

For two hours...

This is what I did...

LOLOL! My friend, the boy's mom, gave me a way out of taking them because it's been such a sleepless week for us, but the crazy person in me said, "Oh, thank you! But don't worry - we're going no matter what! I planned for Dest to be tended so I can take the boys. Benny needs me too..."

And no matter what I meant!

Immediately after dropping the boys off at their class, I almost fell asleep on a toilet in the men's bathroom - don't ask! ;-)

It was so cold and uncomfortable, my bones hurt, I was so tired, etc., but I kinda felt like I was doing something naughty, and THAT, my friends, was cooooool! No one was there - I pretended we snuck into the zoo......



That, on top of listening to these two seven year old boys chat away about things that'd alert the FBI, really made a miserable time FUN and worth it!

It was a little bit of 'normal', if I dare say.


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Stickmen and Homemade Space Shuttle

Draw a STICKMAN! Seriously - did you enjoy that as much as I did?! (Make sure you clicked the link ;-) for your adventure! Cheap and simple entertainment! Here's my big headed stickman...

Our study of the rainforest ended, and now we are in space. My logic is that in order to study the solar system, 'ya gotta have a way to get there...thus, Destiny needed a Space Shuttle! Between Buck, Destiny and I, we engineered the "Destiny 5" (hey man, in kindergarten, this IS logic!)

This video took place a couple of weeks ago. Today, here are both kids just before our launch to the moons!


Next step: making paper mâché of each planet! This one's gonna be as much a lesson for teacher as student! I accept all advice on this craft... ;-)



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Location:Home!

Some Fun Happenings Despite Difficult Times

The Sunday before last, we had home school with big brother, Benny. It was our big butterfly lesson.

We first transferred our Cocoons from their jar to their Butterfly Habitat net.

We then glued butterfly coloring sheets onto construction paper, cut the butterflies out, painted half, folded it symmetrically and VWALA! We had symmetry!

We then drew symmetrical lines down our faces!

We also created butterfly life cycles!

We had such a neat learning experience! Benny points out symmetry all over the place now.

After two and a half weeks of raising our butterflies from larva, it was time to release them to the world. This was Destiny's job, and she did awesomely! Watch this video...

Benny went on a 3-day, 2-night field trip to Keystone Science School with his class.

He had a wonderful experience and came home talking up a storm! He couldn't really remember what he learned but he definitely remembered hiking for nine straight hours (LOL - Ya Right!) and all of the fun games he played with his friends! Oh my goodness! - the child REEKED something fierce upon his return! YUCK!

Many of you know that our family has had a difficult few weeks. Destiny's cold triggered the progression of her Dravet Syndrome and we spent much time in Urgent Care and Children's Hospital.

Today, though, we went to Watercolor Wednesday at World of Wonder Children's Museum and had a great time! Pics!...




Tomorrow evening I will have Wi-Fi back at our house, making blogging much easier! YAY!!


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Field Trips and Girls Basketball

SCHOOL OF LIFE

We went on a family field trip yesterday morning to our local fire department. Seriously, it may be one of the best things we've ever done - it could not have been a more meaningful experience for each of us.
I laugh...and I cry...Three of the five firemen on duty knew my sweet Little Destiny!


The firefighters/EMT's were incredible wonderful to give each of us what we needed.


Destiny spent nearly the entire hour in the Ambulance, getting familiar with all the gadgets, and doing a bit of play therapy in there. She also learned about calling 9-1-1.


Benny got recognition for being the Super Big Brother, and too often, usher for the firemen when they arrive at our house. He was all over every vehicle, asking very complex questions about each and every tool.  He soaked it all up like a sponge!


I was able to present a clear picture of who we are — HAHAHA - when we're not in crisis mode, give them (and even dispatch) valuable information about our needs, and also ease some of my concerns.

Glorious!!

Before going, we created the following (very cute!) list of ten questions:
1) Do you really have a dog here? (no, but they're working on convincing the chief! ;-)
2) Do you have a family? (yes, they are just regular guys...48hr shifts)
3) Do you ever feel afraid? (yes)
4) Do you ever help the policemen? (Quite often)
5) Why do firemen always come before the Ambulance and paramedics? (They have EMT's on every firetruck and all of the same equipment to do everything an ambulance can except transport)
6) Do you feel sad when you see someone hurt? (yes, but usually they can help them, and that makes them happy!)
7) Can we ride the fire pole? (LOL they want a fire pole, too!)
8) Can we go in the firetruck? (Absolutely!)
9) Do you ever get lost going to a house? (no)
10) What happens if you get two calls at once? (the next closest crew goes to the second call)


And, I just have to share this video of our Basketball Team!





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