Another "marshmallow" video - My Vlog (updated)

This is my marshmallow challenge video.  It all stems from a challenge laid down by Heather at NoteFromLapland (explained here).  Please watch the video in full and follow all the instructions.





As you have now watched the video, consider yourself "tagged" if you want to join in.  Child #3 wanted a go and here is his attempt:  

We intend to move on to cream crackers and cheesy wotsits so expect more vlogs from us in the very near future.

Extras:
I was having issues with YouTube whilst trying to upload the first vlog so I used Facebook Video.  Of course, now all my Facebook friends have see my pathetic attempt and some have joined in, also getting their children involved.  From this has stemmed a Facebook group (Marshmallow Squeeze) where you can post your videos and join in the fun!!

Dear "not computer people"...

*WARNING* Another homework rant coming up...

Child #3 has ADHD.  Everyone knows that.  The school know, they are supportive in our control methods and they are lenient to a degree (firm but fair) with regards his behaviour.  I'm happy with that and I have a fairly good rapport with his teacher.


He is 10 years old and in Year 6 and every single week we have the same battle over homework.  He arrives home on a Monday evening with approximately 12 pages of worksheets to be completed by Friday morning.  There is both literacy and maths worksheets.  Jake has a bit of an delay with reading - he's never really grasped it but is improving - so everything has to be read to him, with him and explained in detail.  He does about an hour's homework a night (which I think is MORE than enough, to be honest - he's 10, for god's sake, not studying for A-Levels) but still doesn't complete all the worksheets.  He's been getting a little bit stressed recently saying that his teacher gets angry with the people who don't finish their homework or don't hand it in on time.


I work full-time and I'm studying for a degree therefore I need some study time for myself (approximately 28 hours a week at the last count - which equals four hours a day, after work, after the evening meal, after "family time, after "homework time"... you can see where I'm heading, can't you?).  


I've written her a letter.  It may sound like a bit of a rant but I think she has to take in to consideration that this isn't all about her "targets"; it's about my sanity and my desire for a happy family.


Dear Mrs C
Jake has tried very hard with his homework this week and has spent over an hour every night trying to complete it.  
In my opinion, and taking in to consideration his attention span through his ADHD, I believe this is ample.  He is very concerned that you will be disappointed that he has not finished it.

As a working mum and also studying for a degree myself, I do not feel that it is productive for us as a family or for Jake to try and make him concentrate for longer each evening, and also eat into my own personal study time.

If you feel that you need to discuss this with me further, please let me know.  I do not monitor my child's development by his S.A.T. results but through how he is progressing with a learning disability - one which we are trying hard to control through praise and reward - and not relying on medication and negative attitude.

I appreciate your understanding with this matter.  My main concern is that Jake has been saying that you "shout" or "tell him off" if/when he doesn't hand in his completed homework on a Friday but, in the same respect, this is a 10 year old's interpretation of the situation.

Kind regards
Mrs Angry


I actually don't care that this sounds patronising and ranty.  I don't want my son's memories of his final year at primary school filled with stress, homework worries and S.A.T. results.


Linked posts:
Long division can just "Chunk" off
Yr6 homework - present tense, past tense

Long Division can just "Chunk" off!

Tell me how you would work out this sum?

• 1386 divided by 6

I know how I'd do it.  I'd write the number six on piece of paper, draw a bracket around it and then a short line stretching out to the right.  Then I'd write 1358 below that line.  I divide 6 into 13 (write 2 above the line, note the remainder 1, carry the one over to the 8 to make 18).  I divide 6 into 18 (exactly 3 - write it above the line).  I divide 6 into 6 (exactly 1 - again, I write it above the line).  Answer?  231.  That was easy, wasn't it?


Picture the scene - child #3 comes home with maths homework and, as you already know, homework is a bone of contention in our house, but I settle down to despair at him and tear my hair out talk him through how to work it out.


I show him the above method of working out long division and he doesn't understand,
"Mum, we don't do it like that.  We do 'chunking'."
"Eh?  What's 'chunking'?"


He draws a long line on the paper, writes 1386 at one end of the line a 0 at the other.  Then he makes "rainbows" of sums and answers, subtracting each answer from 1386 (and subsequent answers) as he goes along, until he reaches zero.  Then he adds up the numbers that he's written in the rainbows.  Fifteen minutes later he arrives at the same answer I've managed to calculate in about 30 seconds.


He tried to explain it to me but my. brain. would. not. compute.  I felt old but was convinced my method was better, faster and used less brain power - winner all round.  Child #3 disagreed and gave me a withering look.  

Chunking is explained here for those who feel they may need to learn about these things - as long as you are young enough to digest the information...




This blog post was written for Workshop #12 - What has made you feel a little old this week? - run by Josie at Sleep Is For The Weak

My Plog, my marketing ideas for the pop world and a funny from the Urban Dictionary

I had some *fantastic ideas last night and mused about them on the way to bed.


The first was that I should conduct a Plog - a Picture Blog (see what I did there?  It's like doing something connected to Twitter where you just replace the first two letters of any word with "Tw").  Anyway, as I took pictures of my toothbrush (which needs replacing as it's knackered. And orange), my make-up bag (who really wants to see all the slap I put on to look half decent?) and my son's lunch box (no, ma'am, there is no cake in there at all.  It's just a figment of your imagination) I decided that my life is so much like other people's that it's not going to make an interesting Plog.


So my next bright idea was to try and contact Jedward's marketing people (and what a fantastic job they're doing at the moment) to suggest that their next cover should be in collaboration with MC Hammer and it should be U Can't Touch This.


Finally, I decided that I would copy one of the status games on Facebook.  You have to navigate to the online Urban Dictionary and type your name in the search box at the top right hand corner of the screen.  Then copy and paste the results to your Facebook status (or in the comments box here if it's easier).

1. nickie

usually extremely dominant,,,

has been known to hate hannah montana,

has absolutely incredible boobs, will knock you off your feet with just one stare, has been known to be commonly red headed. also tends to be one of the most incredible people you will ever meet.

Jane: wow, who is that??

alex: I dont know but she looks like a nickie..

2. Nickie

A name or nick-name most commonly used for girls. It is a non-slutty way of spelling the name but is usually attributed to blonds and they tend to have large boobs. For some reason they usually tend to enjoy video games and tea. They are also very cute but are independent.

"Hey I asked out that girl over there but she said no." "That sucks what was her name?" "Nickie" "Oh well than obviously she's to good for you."

Hhhhmmmm I don't know whether to be impressed by the accuracy or that I actually did this and I should really get on with some work...




*fantastic ideas at night should be ignored


Picture Credit:
John Marchan on Flickr

It ain't no Band Aid but it's better than I thought it would be... Helping Haiti (incorporating Bloggers for Haiti)

I'm sorry - that has to be the longest blog title in 2010 but it's necessary.


Today was the media release of Helping Haiti - the charity single organised by Simon Cowell to raise money for the plight of the people in Haiti after the recent earthquake.  I need say no more because, unless you've been living under a stone for the last four weeks, you'll have heard about it.  If indeed you have been living under a stone then clicking this link will enlighten you further.


I struggled to understand why the song "Everybody Hurts" (originally sung by R.E.M.) was chosen until I re-ead the lyrics and saw this line:

Sometimes everything is wrong.  Now it's time to sing along.

Pardon me for being cynical, but isn't this a bit... um... patronising?


Anyway... the positives...  100% of the proceeds of this charity single are going to be split 50/50 between DEC (The Disasters Emergency Committee) and The Sun's Helping Haiti appeal - so it's all going in the right direction.
(And kudos to R.E.M. for forgoing the collection of royalties for this release but why are they not singing on it?)


You can hear the single at the Sun Online's website, it is released for download next Sunday (7th February) and is on general sale in the shops the day after (8th February).  The singers that have taken part include Leona Lewis, Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, Jon Bon Jovi, Susan Boyle, JLS, Westlife, Michael Buble, Joe McElderry and Kylie Minogue.


And so for the second part of this blog.  

EnglishMum (@EnglishMum) wrote a blog post on 16th January about a JustGiving page that she had set up for Haiti appeal.  She included information about the donations going towards ShelterBox who provide "rescue kits" like in the picture.  Each box costs around £500 and, because of the amazing generosity of her readers, her fellow bloggers and their readers, the current total of donations stands at £3994.50 and is rising - that's almost 8 boxes!!!!  You can donate too by clicking on the link on the widget below:

 

A "Golden" Moment

I've just been driving three boys - aged 10, 11 and 12 - to the local leisure centre so that they can go swimming. I had the radio tuned to the local station and was listening to the presenter announce that the travel update and news would follow the next song.

The opening bars of one of my favourite 80's songs drifted from the speakers and I started humming along quietly.  As the chorus approached I heard a murmuring of lyrics from the back seat of the car... then, all of a sudden, I was treated to a chorus of voices singing:

"GOLD! ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOUR SO-OOOUL. 

YOU'VE GOT THE POWER TO KNOW, YOU'RE INDESTRUCTIBLE... 

ALWAYS BELIEVII-IING..."

Ah, kids of today - they know a good song when they hear one.