tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:47:51 +0000The benefits and rewards of raising a family are so great that it is well worth the hard work that goes along with it! I believe that parents can encourage each other and learn from each other. On this page I'll post articles that I've found during my search for parenting ideas and issues. I will try to have a variety or topics that have interested me. I'll also try to post my own thoughts once in a while, time permitting! ;-)http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)Blogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-6941228682034537717Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:47:00 +00002009-04-01T21:55:03.290-05:00humourCheck these out:http://people.howstuffworks.com/animated-tattoo.htm , http://www.smellr.com/ , & http://www.expedia.com/daily/mars/flights-to-mars/Funny stuff!http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-first-day-of-april.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-485488326437523246Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:43:00 +00002009-03-21T13:43:59.685-05:00visionvisualizationlifehopeLife changes are definitely a good thing because they set the stage for achievement and growth. As with all beginnings, I will face setbacks and frustrations and not everything I set my hand to do will be the all in all. But I know for a fact that as long as I am striving to learn something new every day, what I experience will enhance my life. I feel like I am on my way to becoming the person http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/03/we-all-have-to-begin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-8091098791871994272Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:16:00 +00002009-02-19T09:19:15.667-05:00emotionsempathylearningchildrenfaithI never cease to be amazed by a child’s world. So often it is something that I take for granted. A child grows, a child learns, a child grows, a child learns…a child lives! Life is an exciting experience for children because every day they learn so much! We are also continuously learning as adults but the process for us is more tedious and difficult. Yet a child practically absorbs all the http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/02/learning-from-our-children.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-7491704478922756304Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:08:00 +00002009-02-14T14:15:03.608-05:00lifelearning stylesWhen God made the earth He could have finished it. But He didn't. He left it as raw material--to tease us, to tantalize us, to set us thinking and experimenting and risking and adventuring. And therein we find our supreme interest in living. He gave us the challenge of raw materials, not the satisfaction of perfect, finished things.He left the music unsung, the dramas unplayed. He left the poetryhttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/02/thots-to-ponder.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-2686318088925292962Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:59:00 +00002009-01-30T23:41:35.563-05:00parentingmanagementchildrenWell, as parents, we're qualified managers. I'm sure of it. I know I am. I might not have a sheet of paper stating that I passed a multilevel management course, but I know full well that I have the skills to pull the job off. Just the fact that I am a mother of five children, ages ranging from 6 to 14, and we manage to keep a daily schedule, get three meals on the table, keep the house clean, http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/01/home-level-management.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-7156675819936238389Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:19:00 +00002009-01-06T23:28:30.334-05:00teenscommunicationI have a feeling that my teen boy is relieved when I skip the "lecture" and say it in a word. I don't know why I never noticed this before...hmmm. It's all coming to me now.I suppose his imagination is active enough to know what to do when I say, "your bed"! And if I can keep myself from yielding to the temptation of elaboration, I will be giving him an opportunity to exercise his own initiative http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/01/teens-love-one-word-statements.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-3570247845003579131Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:50:00 +00002009-01-05T22:52:03.090-05:00photoshttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-new-years-to-all.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-5593442276765087750Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:03:00 +00002008-12-08T01:05:57.181-05:00cool parentsOur Little World: I've joined the blogging crowdOk, if you want to get to know a super mom, then keep an eye on that link. She might just keep me motivated enough to post more often on my own blog! Anyhow, she is a wonderful and beautiful mom, not just to her own kids, but mine as well. I love you and truly appreciate you Abi. Keep up the good work!http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/12/our-little-world-ive-joined-blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-3307982002226163150Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:51:00 +00002008-12-08T01:00:07.222-05:00childrenOf course there is a whole lot more about life that I love and look forward to, but when it comes to the crunch, those times when I feel like my heart is broken for one reason or another(like now), I look to my kids and see that God has given me an amazing mission. And determined that I am, I do not want to fail that mission.I want them to become the best originals they can be, not modeled after http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-kids-make-life-worth-living.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-8614045905156295858Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:58:00 +00002008-10-03T01:05:45.825-05:00the webeducational linksI've found some interesting sites to enhance the kids' school.I'll post a few here...I won't describe to much because it's way to late for me to be up (insomnia has hit) and I'm going to have some vigil time as I try to sleep. So, here they are:InteractivesCybrarian Kids' Educational Curriculum Sitefree art lessons from www.artyfactory.comThe Periodic Table of Videos - University of http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/10/cool-links.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-7788677441797957620Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:52:00 +00002008-09-27T01:02:23.547-05:00apartmentsnatureactivitiesexercisewildlifeHiking in the woods with my kids...That's one thing I love about apartment living, heh. Well, we happen to have one of the Don Rivers flowing nearby and the area is full of exciting hiking and walking trails. It's quite rugged and lots of fun. Today it was easy to forget that we've moved out of the suburbs to the city.What else?Gorgeous sunsets...our apartment faces west and today we saw the sky http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/09/hiking-in-woods.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-8869205673752826132Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:40:00 +00002008-09-17T23:10:24.720-05:00bloggingMay was my most active month. While you're waiting for me to post some new stuff, go ahead and review interesting tidbits you may have missed ;-)http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.htmlhttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-meantime.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-456148161393333294Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:40:00 +00002008-09-17T22:48:28.975-05:00bloggingIt's been over four months since I've posted. I've never been very consistent with this blog...though I get excited about my ideas for it. This is why I have never kept a diary.But things may change.We have moved and started a new chapter in our lives. We've got our own apartment and I am having so much more time with the kids. Since this blog is supposed to be a parenting blog...I hope this willhttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/09/back-once-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-5846390204497827606Wed, 07 May 2008 17:54:00 +00002008-05-07T13:23:48.633-05:00teensparentingcommunicationproblem solvingMy oldest is now 13 and I am finding out that my communication with him has had to evolve a bit. He is not the child of a few years back. All of a sudden he is taller than me. Boy, time has flown by; it seems like just yesterday he was the animated two year-old running around everywhere.I've had to make a shift in my attitude towards him and treat him as a team player in our family. Now, when an http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/05/problem-solving-with-my-teen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-1474290483015839720Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:21:00 +00002008-04-03T13:44:05.463-05:00creativitybrain developmentparentingearly childhood educationI am fascinated by neural connections. In fact, the human brain is an amazing creation that never ceases to amaze me. As a mother and teacher, knowing what's going on in my kids' heads and in my own head, for that matter, helps me to understand the "why" and "how" of our personalities.Knowing about the brain also keeps me motivated to make each minute in my kids' lives as well as my own life, http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/04/neural-connections.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-2998217861570664526Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:57:00 +00002008-02-03T14:04:15.335-05:00communicationchildrenNote: I found the following snippets while looking through old files on my computer. These are from back in the day in Africa...aah the simple life! ;-)Funny Things That Our Kids Blurt Out The other day I was telling Brandon (4 years old) a bit about all the relatives that he hasn't met yet. I told him that I would get out some photos and show him his uncles, aunties, and grandparentshttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/02/kids-have-best-humor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-8201559634172685529Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:17:00 +00002008-01-15T17:06:23.124-05:00They grow so fast...when I think back over the years, I smile. We've been to Heaven and back together; they've always been my angels. Life has been really good, even through the hurricanes in my life and I have to say that my children have played a big part in pulling me though.Anika and Ryan, turned 8 years old last week. I still remember when I was holding my little cherubs in my arms. They http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2008/01/they-grow-so-fast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-131989661070252369Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:00 +00002007-12-13T22:02:03.015-05:00seasonsphotoshttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/12/snow-angels.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-164594634973972899Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:22:00 +00002007-12-13T22:03:40.300-05:00motherhoodphotosrelaxationI've never been much of a game player. I grew up on nature walks, arts and crafts, playing with animals, and lots of reading. But recently, I've discovered the joy of playing games; especially with good company.I recently wrote that mommies need to stop once in a while to get beautiful and have some fun. Well, I think that getting together with friends for a good game night is also a good way to http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/fun-times.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-8707394948601927831Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:40:00 +00002007-11-27T12:48:12.660-05:00eventsParenting is definitely and exciting journey. As I reflect on past years, I see that I've learned a lot from my mistakes and experiences. I've cried and I've laughed; I've taught and I've learned. And it's not over yet.As I start a new year of life, my prayer is that I will continue to take everything that life is offering me, not to miss a moment in time, and that I will be all that my kids, http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-start.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-3335414676625902838Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:48:00 +00002007-12-13T22:02:33.918-05:00seasonsphotoseventsIt snowed.The first snow of the season. It was symbolic...starting a new year of my life as white as snow, all past mistakes forgotten. :-)P.S. just a little clarification...in an earlier post I mentioned snow. I supposed that was sort of like the first snow except that its chemical constitution more resembled slush! Definitely not http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-my-birthday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-3237233283746137381Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:27:00 +00002007-12-13T22:03:17.595-05:00activitiesfallphotosautumnhttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/fun-in-hay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-3769345682720601879Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:11:00 +00002007-12-13T22:04:20.564-05:00photosWe also got to tumble about in the hay a bit with the kiddos, after picking apples. Fun, fun!I'll post the photos tomorrow.:-)http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-531614858582580196Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:56:00 +00002007-12-13T22:10:54.749-05:00activitiesapple pickingphotoshttp://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/more-photos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411256163533101058.post-720110674073537700Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:19:00 +00002007-12-13T22:11:20.204-05:00activitiesapple pickingphotosI suppose apple picking is just one of those things that is a tradition up north. I remember doing it often as a kid...but my kids had never experienced it. Having grown up in Africa and Brazil, such activities were only read about in books. So when Steve and I met up with some other families in the area to pick apples, I was excited for them!!Here are some pics from that fun day. I have to warn http://thevivacious7.blogspot.com/2007/11/apple-picking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Petra Laila)0