Forgetting to Remember

As I started school with my daughter this morning I noticed as she filled in her calendar notebook today was Tuesday, September 11.  I said "hmm, it's a Tuesday again", thinking back to that fateful Tuesday. I then sat down with her at the table and showed her pictures on the computer of the Twin Towers and explained what happened that Tuesday.  She was born more than 4 years after that September day.  She has no remembrance and until today no real knowledge of what happened but it was time for her to know.  I explained about the airplanes and buildings and the loss of life.  She needs to know so that the day will always be remembered.

I was thinking later about the significance of today as I saw the updates to my friend's Facebook statuses.  Most were about where people were and what they were doing when they heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center or on the importance of remembering the events that happened that horrible day 11 years ago.  It made me stop and think about the other days in our country's history that were so bad that many people can tell you where they were depending on what event you ask them about.

For my Grandma's generation it was Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.  She could probably tell me where she was at that time.  She would have just turned 16. It was a "date which will live in infamy" according to President Roosevelt. And for that generation I am sure it was.

For my Mom's generation it was the assassination of President Kennedy, November 22, 1963. She has told me about that day.  She was 10.  It had an affect on her and all those that remember hearing about it.

For my husband it was the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986.  He was in school watching it live on TV. He was 8.  I was 6 at the time and don't really remember it.  I remember hearing about it but I don't know if it is actual memories or that I have heard about it.

I was thinking about these events in our history and wondering when they became common dates again.  When did people begin to forget and stop associating that date with the event that happened?  I know those closely effected by them will never forget, but when did the rest of our nation forget those important things?  Did people forget to pass along the information? When did they become something that was just taught in history class at school?

I know I don't think about Kennedy on November 22nd each year, nor the Challenger at the end of every January.  I actually had to look up those dates.  I knew Kennedy was shot in November but didn't know the day.  The one day that I do remember every year is December 7.  My husband thinks I am a little weird for remembering it but I do every year.  The reason: my Dad.  My Dad was in the Army for 24 years.  He is a huge military history buff. He knows more stuff about wars, weapons, generals, and other military stuff it is crazy.  I remember from a young age knowing what Pearl Harbor Day was.  He talked about it.  It was something that was important to him. Yes, it happened 10 years before he was born but he learned about it and made sure us kids knew about it.

I am wondering if that our culture will ever forget to remember what happened on 9/11.  Will it become just a normal day?  I hope not.  Our country was forever altered on that day.  It needs to be remembered.  It must be remembered.  So, I told my daughter about it today.  I answered her questions. I will do my part to make sure the next generation will know about September 11, 2001.

Veggie Tales DVD Giveaway!

I have another giveaway from the wonderful people over at Veggie Tales.

Today we had the opportunity to watch Veggie Tales newest complication DVD. Little Once Can Do Big Things Too!

This DVD includes 3 fun shows: Pistachio: The Little Boy Who Woodn't, Lyle the Kindly Viking, and Dave and the Giant Pickle. And 3 silly songs I love My Lips, Larry's High Silk Hat, and Where Have All the Staplers Gone.

We love Veggie Tales.  Once again they have made a fun video that kids of all ages will enjoy.  My kids enjoyed watching this video too.  I know we are glad to have it in our video library.  It will be available in stores beginning September 15.

GIVEAWAY!

Yep, Veggie Tales is going to give one of my readers a copy of this great new DVD.  All you need to do is leave a comment and tell me who your favorite Veggie is and why.  

This giveaway will end Tuesday, September 18. 

Also, check out my last post for a chance to win a 3-2-1 Penguins DVD. 

3-2-1 Penguins! Giveaway!

I had the opportunity to review the complete first season of 3-2-1 Penguins! from the creators of Veggie Tales.

The story is about 8 year old twins Jason and Michelle who are staying with their grandmother for the summer.  While there they discover a tiny spaceship and 4 penguin toys.  They ship and penguins come to life and have the kids help them solve problems around the universe.

This DVD is the complete first season as it appeared on TV. It includes 13 episodes. Each episode deals with a character trait or value that the kids need to learn or are having hard time showing.  Some of the themes are taking turns, being lazy, envy, giving, compassion, complaining and more.

My Thoughts:

I really liked this DVD.  Both of my big kids were excited when I put in for them.  They had watched some of the episodes on NBC's Qubo on Saturday mornings.  I really like how the episodes deal with different issues that are relevant to my kids.  

Tiger Boy age 4:

I like it.  I like Zigel. It is funny.

Sugar Plum age 6:

I really like it is funny.  Zidgel and Kevin are not real smart.  Michelle is my favorite person.  I like the song.

3-2-1 Penguins! will be available on September 15, 2012.  

You can enter to win it free here.  The giveaway ends Monday, September 17.  All you need to do to enter is leave me a comment saying what your favorite thing about Veggie Tales is.

Random Thoughts

A few random thoughts....

1. I might need to plan and stick to a schedule with my kids.  I have often been lazy and we just kind of go with the flow most days.  I am seeing that is not really working.  I think it might be harder on me than them.

2. When I plan the above schedule I want to include some one on one time each week with my kids.  They all crave my undivided attention a lot and I think knowing when they get mommy all to themselves might be cool to them.

3. I am loving our curriculum this year.  I know I already said that in another post but seriously it is great.

4. I need to write my blog posts about the Veggie Tales DVD reviews.  Soon.

5. I got to go shopping by myself today.  4 hours of bliss by myself.  It was so nice.

6. I bought new towels for the bathroom today.

7. I am really needing to get the pictures ordered for Copper Top's baby book. I am 8 months behind. Poor third kid.

Prize Drawing Coming Soon

Hey I have the opportunity to review two new DVDs from Veggie Tales.  Check back in a day or two for a chance to win one of these great new DVDs.

2 Weeks Done (almost)

Tomorrow we will finish up our second week of school.  It is going so well this year. Sugar Plum is doing much better at working independently.  We still have a ways to go but she is getting tons better. We have had fun so far. I am really enjoying Adventures in My Father's World from MFW.  It is lots of fun and so informative. Sugar Plum is learning a lot and really enjoys the read alouds. 

We had fun making a flag craft as we learned about the flag and pledge.

Tiger Boy and Batman

My nephew comes 3 days a week for preschool with us while his mom teaches school.  He is with his grandma the other days.

Monkey getting into trouble.

All 3 kids learning together.

Monkey loves to color

We learned all about Christopher Columbus and his 3 ships.

We pretended to sail the ships across the Atlantic Ocean.

So far it has been great school year.  Sugar Plum is taking PE and Art at our local Christian school.  She has been to PE twice now and is really looking forward to starting Art next week.

First Day!

We are back to school.  I am excited about this year.  We are using My Father's World curriculum for 2nd Grade for Sugar Plum and I am super excited about it.  She is already in love with making the US history notebook.  I have great hopes for a wonderful year using this curriculum.

Sugar Plum and Tiger Boy

Sugar Plum 2nd Grade

Tiger Boy Pre-K

Monkey

Hard at work

Causing Trouble

Writing 

Phonics

It has been a great 3 days so far.  Our biggest challenge is Monkey getting into the workboxes and messing with things.  Here's to a great year!