Summer Fun - homework, friends and love!

"A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle." - Kahlil Gibran

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman
I can't believe it's August already!

Do your kids have gazillion homework? My kids have plenty!

just do the hoola...

play with the waves...

or just lay on (and in) the sand...

My youngest who’s going on 3rd grade has some optional homework.

I think the big mistake the teacher did was tell my kid that the homework is optional.
So guess how my little negotiator reacted to such instruction:

“Mom, it’s summer – it means all play and no work!
I think that’s why the teacher said OPTIONAL.
And I’m choosing NOT to do the homework.
My brain has to go on “stand-by”…”

My 3rd child is loaded with homework. The high school program that he signed-up for provided him with 6 thick reading materials and reports to complete before the school starts in September. He just found out from a friend from a neighboring town that the kids (even the ones taking AP classes) have no homework at all.

The neighboring town is pretty wealthy. In fact, when my 13yo visited a friends’ house yesterday, he was amazed on how HUGE the houses (mansions) are! So my 13yo believed that these high school kids don’t need to work harder because as he jokingly said,
“These high school kids are just waiting for their inheritance! (lol)”
(Or maybe our public school system is just advocates of homework during summer time!)


My 2nd child, 18yo, is enjoying his summer to the “T”. He just started working this week. He had concert/show last weekend and has another one today. It would be nice if he actually gets paid someday for these shows. Right now, he’s loving the fact that he’s performing. And we’re happy that he’s doing something he loves! He and I just had a conversation about relationships. He had a bone to pick and I, too, had a bone to pick! Funny is that we exchanged emails even though we are just in the same house. Sometimes, it’s better to write them instead of talking about it especially when moods can get in a way. A few topics we “talked” about”:- Relationship is GIVE and TAKE. One can’t just take and not give anything.
- If you only take from someone and not give anything in return, it is very tough on that person to be a part of your life, too!
- Not telling is the same as lying or hiding or concealing or deceiving.

My oldest, 20yo daughter, offered to drive me today. I had to run errands today to get some high school transcripts, financial scholarship and grants to the mail. And I’m so glad she offered! We had a great chat about her painting/art class, substitute teaching application, and friendships. It was great to know that she got together with some old friends and ironed-out some old differences.

Earlier today, I Instant-messaged my brothers in the Philippines – so far so good. Dad went on another dialysis treatment and Mom had someone helping her today!
(There’s this 12 hour time difference so I make sure I check it twice a day!)

So Life is definitely lovely. I’m in a lovely place. Everyone’s just passing on the LOVE!

Hopefully I can get my writing mojo back ... (Although I’m also busy right now with putting together our high school’s first newsletter for the school year!)
But for now, there are a few ladies to thank!

Pink Notes Diary passed on a Friendly Blogger Award (see sidebar for the button) which I share with all of you (of course!) . Here's the link to that specific post : http://www.pinknotesdiary.com/2009/08/blog-awards-3.html )

And I can’t believe I won the Motherhood necklace. It's totally incredible!

Do visit Bella Mia Jewelry . We bumped into each other through a wonderful site, http://www.themotherhood.com/ . This friend of mine not only makes hand stamped jewelry, she is also passionate about helping families go green with their adoption journey. (http://www.greenadoptions.com/)

The video that she put together showcasing the choosing of the winner just made me cry with joy! ( Please click on this post from Bella Mia Jewelry : http://bellamiajewelry.blogspot.com/2009/08/and-winner-is.html )

And while you're there, do shop around! I'm sure there's someone who would love to have one of her jewelries! (I'll post more about it to show-off my new necklace!)

So my dear friends, until next week...(I have to pack to visit some family friends...)

For now, let me leave you with some lovely quotes:

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.” – Anonymous

A few of my favorite quotes from Kahlil Gibran:

"Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror."

"Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother."

"Faith is knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof."

"If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were."

"Yesterday is but today's memory, tomorrow is today's dream.”

Everyday, I thank God for the blessings...