June 11, 2009
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Slithery Negotiations
The end of a matter is better than its beginning…
Today, I’m thinking that Solomon was right. (Ecclesiastes 7:8) Although I enjoy the start of a school year, the anticipation of being DONE is overwhelming. Actually, all the little bits and pieces to do around the house feel overwhelming, too. And what is it about grey, muggy days that makes it feel like the whole house is filthy and gross?The next few weeks continue to be a frenetic carousel ride. Hop on a painted pony with me and see what’s flying by!
- The kids all need to finish their homeschool work. For Wit, that’s his 2,500 word paper on “Stupid Robert Frost.” Make sure you do not confuse him with the regular Robert Frost.
- Hunter has to do his 2,500 word on that [insert many varied adjectives here relating to politics, sexual preference, and more] Walt Whitman. He also has to read 10 more books. Did I mention this all must be done by June 17th?
- LibbyK has to write a 750 word paper on the start of the Civil War and slavery. She’s a quick writer (and a good one), so I have little fears she will complete it. She also knows that if the paper is not done by Sunday, she will not be attending a sleepover. Extra motivation is a wonderful thing.
- Gockle has to finish two health workbooks. These should go super-quickly for him.
- Teacherperson has to finish the portfolios for all four of them. Go, me.
And, in non-school bits:
- Gockle is planning to babysit the 7th grade science class snake over the summer. We weren’t really thrilled with the idea of a snake (a bull python?), but after he wrote a persuasive letter to us, we just had to cave. Here’s the letter written by 7th grade Gockle.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Ever since I was four, I have wanted a dog. And as you know I just got one. But she was too much of a hassle to keep. So we took her back but in an agreement that I would get a new pet for getting rid of Lucy. Well our mane idea for a pet was to get a cat. But we never got around to it. My problem is I would like a pet. The solution is Sid the snake. Sid the snake is the cardinal science room snake, and Mr. McAnnich has asked me to watch him over the summer.
My first reason I want the snake is my siblings have other pets but I do not have one. As I said before you agreed that I would get another pet but I still do not have one. And Sid does not need that much taking care of, all you need to do is change his bedding and water every couple days. And feed him ever two weeks.
My second reason I would want a snake is happiness, for both the snake and myself. I would be very much happier if I had a pet to have fun with. And with a snake I can guaranty that I will be a lot happier, hence forth having a good attitude. And on the snakes side there isn’t a place for Sid to stay over the summer. So if I take him in, I will be giving him a much needed home. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” That means if you are nice to the animals they will be nice to you.
Now what you have said to me is that you don’t want a snake because it is basically a snake. But there is nothing wrong with this snake at least. He is not big enough to do any substantial damage to me.
Now I would like to bring up some points. 1. This snake (if we get it) will have a home that it needs. 2. It will make me a lot happier, which will help in the long run.The Ghandi quote is what did it for me. And the bit about “substantial damage.”
Hey, this entry got too long. I’ll just have to tell you about the rest of my wildly exciting life tomorrow.
Comments (18)
Mary, the Ghandi quote did it for me too. Best wish with Sid!
Wow. He’s going to be one influential negotiator when he grows up.
Hey, what a great letter! Ghandi didn’t know he was going to be used as a debate tool…LOL
Rob used to have on of those. They got rid of it when Eric was born. They’re great snakes to have, just make sure they dont escape and hid in someone’s underwear on the floor (poor Mike)
Oh, I feel your situation – well the school and portfolio parts. This year is probably the earliest we’ve been done in years – all because we had to be done, because of our upcoming trip. May the Lord multiply perseverance and motivation in your house!
I would never have agreed to the snake, even though Gandhi is a favorite of mine. I detest snakes that are not in a zoo….behind glass and security doors. You are a better woman than I!
You never “have to cave”. ever.
Well, his interpretation of Ghandi was not, er, accurate, but it sure was heartfelt! I think this was good practice for him.
@not_buying_it -
Of course not. But, my husband and I were already leaning toward allowing him to have the snake. The other children weren’t too thrilled over it, which was what had been keeping us from saying “Yes” outright.
I love the new title…thanks for stopping by and catching up. I hope to be done with the schoolwork in a week or so – we’ll see. There seems to be a lack of motivation on my younger ones part. (My oldest has been done for almost 2 weeks!)
Oh, yeah. I can see why you haven’t assigned him a writing project. He’s written a mastepiece there!
And you know, you might just develop a real affection for that snake…they’re kind of cute, after all…
I’m so thankful that my state does not require portfolios, because I never seem to get anything like that done.
That was a VERY persuasive letter. Heck, why don’t you throw in a Wallaby or a Llama or something for good measure? That is a kid who needs a pet! (Mr. M. suggests you place the letter in a prominent place, like the refridgerator, for future reference since it has a guarantee of goodness and happiness.)
Oh wow…………y’all have much to do! Makes me tired just reading about it.
Have you ever told Gockle about pet rocks? They make marvelous pets; not much conversation, but very low maintance and no worry at all!
Loved the letter! Good luck with Sid.
You are a good mama! Even I have so far drawn the line at snakes. My hat is off to you. Love the letter I say buy the boy a pet monkey to be friends with the snake! (don’t think that is what Ghandi meant however.)
btw- I think that “caving” from time to time is very good and healthy.
That persuasive letter is awesome! I grinned the whole time. I’m glad he’s getting his snake.
Oh my goodness! I Used to write letters just LIKE that! I have a whole portfolio of them, they’re pretty hilarious. I just wrote like i was addressing the president and used all the long words i knew….It worked, too.
That letter is priceless! As anti-snake as I am, I can imagine responding as you did to the letter. In fact, the Ghandi quotation really struck a chord with me, both as a writing teacher (the power of quoting a great source with a well-chosen quotation) and as an animal lover. I think I’ll put the quotation on my Xanga pulse.
Steve (my husband) grew up in a home like yours….no pets. But it was his parents who didn’t like animals and they didn’t trust their 3 sons to care for a living being responsibly. It’s why I admire you so much for having at least tried the dog thing. Steve’s youngest brother has a salesman’s personality…he could sell water to a fish. He knew that he was a disappointment with few merit badges while his 2 older brothers were Eagle Scouts. So he took the merit badge angle with his mom and said he wanted a reptile care badge and therefore needed a snake. The mom was anti snake, which he knew, so they compromised on an iguana…which is what he wanted in the first place. Within about 2 mos of getting his iguana, he quit caring for it. My responsible husband then took over care until Iggy died. Zoom forward to this youngest brother going to college, getting an alligator, and then abandoning it in his parents’ home when he graduated while he moved in with his girlfriend (which doubly mortified the Christian parents). STeve’s parents drove the darn thing from MD to OH to the petstore where he bought the alligator, after putting up with it in their basement for 2yrs. Okay, now I’m just venting about an irresponsible twentysomething inlaw. Better sign off here!