Random and Sporatic

Those words sum up my posting abilities here on our blog. Sometimes that's just the way it is with the non-essential things in life. They just get pushed out of the way and only returned to on a Random and Sporatic basis. Someday I'll get "with it" and post everyday or even every other day, or even once a week would be an improvement!! I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about NOT posting either. If I had a wide readership and was leaving thousands of fans hanging in the balance about the life of the Hayden family....well, then maybe. Since that's not the case... you get what you get.

I've been reading a really great book about inspiring children as creative writers. It's been such an eye opener for me as a teacher. Writing has never been a difficulty for me, I've always enjoyed it, but, alas, I have two children who do not seem to see the wonder of it all. Sophia definitely has the imagination for writing, so I know it's only a matter of time before she realizes the enjoyment she can have in writing. Caleb, on the other hand is not into the idea AT ALL. Such a pity, he has so many spectacular thoughts milling around in that ten year old brain! I found this definition thought it to be so true. A reason to write... The freedom to express your thoughts in print, while trying to invoke emotion and mood as if you were speaking to the reader. Throughout this book she gives countless ideas about exercises that you can do with children to get their brains into the idea of coming up with thoughts that express what they're thinking, whether it be abstract or concrete in nature (ie: a story vs. a report). One of those exercises is to have the children make up their own comic strip. It's a kid friendly idea that doesn't smack of "writing"! Great idea! I'll try it! However, I don't call it an exercise, I just say "Hey, let's write our own comic strips! You know, like the old ones we read from the boxes that we get from Grampa and Grammy!" Hurray! Hurray! They all say, and off we go to write our comic strips. It was fun, for me anyway. Caleb started out saying he was going to do one with at least 8 frames! Well, he ended up only doing 1 frame and was really rather discouraged about it, but that didn't last for long. His was really great!! Mine was unfinished because I had to feed the baby. Sophie's was good also, but she requested an illustrator next time. (cute kid) So here the are in all their glory, mine is still unfinished. (I could've taken the time to finish it, but then I wouldn't have time to write this post.)

Note: If you can't see well enough to read it, click on the picture and it will put an enlarged version on your screen.