Tonight while we were driving back from Target, Mia asked, "Mommy, do God and Jesus know karate?"  (I think she was trying to get a grasp on the power of God)

A couple of weekends ago, Access had the chance to partner with World Vision for our Do Something Good campaign by assembling and sending 300 Caregiver Kits to equip and encourage local volunteers caring for those living with AIDS in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.  Many friends, neighbors, and coworkers came to help with this hands-on project; even our Access kids were able to participate by drawing or writing encouraging notes to the volunteers serving on the front lines.  Emi wrote in her crude 1st grader handwriting, "WE WILL HELP.  WE LOVE YOU."  Children are amazingly and
refreshingly direct.  Many of us adults sat around the table, scratching our heads, twirling our pens, searching for words of encouragement, flipping through the Bible for scripture verses; somebody even tried passing his note off as if it were from a child, for lack of the right words.  Thanks to all the supporters and friends, we were able to raise over $6000 for the kits.  Here's their video if anyone is interested in how the World Vision Caregiver Kits are used.

Project "Learning at Home Can Be FUN" has backfired. 

Over the summer, I had all these grand plans for them to do workbooks, learn new reading and math skills, learn a little piano, maybe even read through the children's Bible... 

The kids could not have been any lazier, all they wanted to do was play, snack, watch TV, and occasionally destroy the house.  I couldn't get them to be academically productive at all.  They did, however, "produce" plenty of scrap paper, by way of carelessly leaving scribbled or crumpled papers all over the floor, joined by trails of triangle bits that were by-products of their paper snowflakes.  How many snowflakes does a child need, for pete's sake?  Do I need to mention the self-reproducing Pixos that seem to show up every time I bend down to clean the floor? 

Anyhoo, I wanted a fresh start to the school year.  Out with old habits, in with boot camp!  Thus, Project "Learning at Home Can Be FUN" came about.  We gave them an exciting work area with plenty of storage for toys, paper crafts, and homework.  We created a separate computer area so they could play (educational) games.  I am still in the process of redecorating so that their room looks like a "fun" room to study in.  A couple of nights ago, I had some extra time so I gave them each a mini piano lesson.

We might need to tweak our project.  Just an hour ago, Emi came into my office crying that she didn't want to go back to school.  Instead, she wants to stay home with me and be homeschooled. 

Our new project is going to be: "Going to Public School Can Be FUN!"