Snapshots in Time

How important it is to spend time with your children and grandchildren

Tag Archives: children


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ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE !

“Can Do” Attitude

OR

“What Can You Do For Me?”

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We have always been faced with choices and these choices we make all have consequences. In “The everybody gets a trophy” generation however well-intentioned it may be, the bar has  continually been lowered. When I hear that honor nights have been cancelled for those students that have studied hard to achieve academic excellence, trophies and medals are given to every participant in a sport, it is just an indication of how low this bar has been lowered. Questions are raised such as: Why practice so hard? Why study so long? The last thing we want to do is discourage our children from doing their best! We should want them to appreciate the benefits of hard work and determination to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams!

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The best quote and most memorable one hung in my classroom over the chalkboard. It read: “If you think you can you will……If you think you can’t you won’t”. Self-reliance and determination should not be left for our schools to teach. They should be “taught” at home at a very early age. Our children will face many challenges in life and all to often we hear them say “That’s not fair” and instead of tackling the problem they face they  “give up” or wait for someone to do it for them.

The whole concept of this post can be applied to many of the problems we face as a society. Perhaps if we embrace these concepts instead of waiting for someone to give or do things for us we would be much better off.

candoatthttp://www.sgintime.com

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WE “CAN” BUILD IT !

“In the long run, men hit only what they aim at.

Therefore they had better aim at something high.”

Henry David Thoreau

 

Our journey through time together has created many educational and memorable experiences. There is no doubt that our mountain does stand out as we look back and reflect upon our journey. Although we knew it would be one of the most challenging additions to our layout, we approached it with the same enthusiasm and creativity that had been characteristic of our layout thus far. Its peak, ridges,  plateaus, and rock coloration were extremely detailed and realistic. We were happy with our work and yes……WE DID BUILD THAT!

When he looks back to the experience we shared, I am confident that he will count the many obstacles we overcame among the many he will most certainly overcome in the future. I want to be there to catch him if he falls, advise him should he ask, and provide him with love and support always. This was but one more of the “snapshots in time” we hold so dear and will remain in our hearts forever.

 

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RAILROADS TO ROCKETS!

“Life is divided into three terms, that which was, which is, and which will be.

Let us learn from the past, to profit by the present, and from the present, to live

better in the future.”

                                                                                                                                                 ~William Wordsworth

                                                                                                                        

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Samy and I continued our discussion about the railroads, life in America at the turn of the century, and of course our latest expedition to visit the general merchandise store located in the center of the town we live in. This hardware store has been in operation since 1900 and still looks the same today as it did at the turn of the century! We were interrupted by the unmistakeable sound of a train whistle and the sound of the wheels against the track. The gates went down, the lights began to flash and the bells went off. We looked in the distance toward the bend in the tracks and sure enough we saw the bright light on the front of the engine. The train made a brief stop next to the station where we were standing and we were treated to an extreme close-up of this enormous engine! The experience of being able to see and hear this great workhorse “up close and personal” was a thrill for both of us.

“Wow, that was awesome,” Samy said, as we watched the train pull away until it disappeared into the distance and we could see it no longer.

“It was almost as though they knew we were waiting here,” I answered.

“One hundred years from now another grandfather and grandson might come here to watch the train,” Samy commented as he looked up at me.

“Maybe…..and I hope they have the same experience we have had together.”

I knew that regardless of the century, there was no one I would rather travel through time with than my grandson. There are some things in this world that are “timeless” and he possesses every one of them. Perhaps one day he will stand with his grandson and share the same privilege I have known. The future holds many challenges and it is incumbent upon all parents and grandparents to prepare our children for it. It is my sincere hope that we never forget the things in life that really matter!

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CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN !

Mountains are symbolic to “challenge” and there was nothing my grandson and I liked more than a good challenge. He had demonstrated his ability to see things in his “mind’s eye” and create them from there. Children show these creative and imaginative abilities when they are given opportunities to use them. We felt as though we were standing on the summit of a mountain we had just climbed.

Topographical features, landforms, mountain streams, vocabulary, scale, imagination, and creativity all come to mind when I think back to that day. The blessing that is my grandson is what I am thankful for every day. The titles we value the most are “Grandson” and “Grandpa.”


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Build a Bird House!

A SIMPLE BLUEBIRD NESTING BOX

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There are many things you can do with your children and grandchildren. Building a bird house or a bird feeder is a gift that keeps on giving. They are simple to build and I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t enjoy watching our colorful feathered friends. You can make it as simple or as complex as you want and you are limited only by your imagination. The lessons learned and the time spent with your children or grandchildren are priceless! I have included some links below just to help you get started.

http://allcrafts.net/woodworking/birdhouses.htm

http://ana-white.com/2013/04/plans/kids-kit-project-2-birdhouse

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-birdhouse/

 

 


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Snapshots in Time: Dreams Do Come True

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He was dressed in his deep red suit trimmed in white with a wide black belt. His almost white hair and beard flowed majestically from his face and his spectacles were perched just low enough on his nose to allow him to see over them. His shiny black boots contrasted with his red cap and matched his belt perfectly. We watched as he sat in his plush red velvet chair in anticipation of receiving his young guests, much the same way you might imagine a king would receive his subjects. Today Santa would listen to requests from all children regarding their wishes for Christmas. Today he was royalty to all who came and made their wishes known to him!

Together we had worked very hard to make our layout a reality. My grandson was dreaming about that spectacular engine we had seen and he planned to ask Santa for it for Christmas. Would Santa make his dream come true? Would all of our hard work pay off? Only time would provide the answers.


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Snapshots in Time: Longing for Time to Move More Slowly!

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When we were young children we really had no obligations and time seemed to pass more slowly. When our parents or especially our grandparents made time for us, it validated something we already knew. They were quite possibly the only people who fully understood the concept of time itself!  As Grandparents, it is understandable why we wish to make time slow down. We live in a world that has become very fast-paced and we sometimes neglect the things in life that really matter. Looking back on our lives we come to the conclusion that some things should never be neglected. Perhaps it is for this reason we realize what a blessing our grandchildren really are! They are our link to the future and we are their link to the past and there is nothing greater than spending time with them now…in the present ! Become the pilot and make the precious time we have with our children and grandchildren overflowing with memories and experiences they will never forget!

http://www.sgintime.com


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Snapshots in Time: “Missing The Boat”

 

 

 MISSING THE BOAT  –  PART ONE

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It was the early nineteen hundreds and a man was planning to make the journey from Europe to America to establish a home for himself. When he arrived at the dock he found out that the boat had sailed long before his arrival. He was extremely disappointed and did not try again until years later. This is the first version of the story.
There is another version where this same young man does not miss the boat and on the voyage to America, he meets a young woman, falls deeply in love with her and they are later married. They settle in America and raise six children who in turn have children of their own.

To be continued…


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Snapshots in Time: Apple Does not Make The Best Things in Life?

 

ARE THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE MADE BY APPLE ?

 

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I overheard a group of 7 – 10 year old children talking about what they received for Christmas. Several of them had received the latest and greatest video games, a couple had received i-pads and each was saying how great they were for playing games. What impressed me the most was the one boy who said rather proudly “I didn’t want any of those for Christmas.” “What!” the others replied. The young boy laughed and said confidently, “A few months from now when your games are replaced by a newer model or broken, my soccer ball and cleats will still be in great shape and so will I.”

Needless to say, I was very impressed. Not only was he willing to risk the peer pressure, but he displayed the wisdom seldom seen in our young today. He managed to turn the conversation about tablets and video games to sports. It became apparent to me that much of what was being said by these children was what they thought the others would want to hear.

And No I am not anti-electronic devices. They have their place and when used appropriately can be very educational. We do however replace actually playing sports with playing games, exercise with sitting on the couch, creating and imagining with clicking and touchscreens. We at the very least need to listen to this young boy and strike a healthy balance. While I am at it parents, the next time you absolutely have to “text” someone, pick up the phone and actually call them!

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/                                                                                                              http://www.sgintime.com