Winners

Great answers everyone. It seems 2 people know their English grammar rules. And the winners are...


Elizabeth


Heather


Go forth and correct other people's grammar with confidence! If you'd like to know why none of the sentences are grammatically correct see the corrections in the previous post. Thanks for playing!

New Happenings

We are well on our way into this new school year. Lots of changes for us! We have done the proverbial "cut the apron strings" from private education. I guess it wasn't much of a choice since our old school moved even farther away, and I am not willing to make the daily 3.33333 hour compute. After last school year's trial run of homeschool for about 2 months, it was decided that Ben- despite being an excellent teacher and achieving great results- had to get back to his day job. The girls are all attending Reagan Academy in our little city of Springville. Total driving time there and back is 15-20 min.! Nostalgia for the 6 years of driving into North Orem every morning and afternoon? Uhhh- no! Although, Benny and I still drive into Orem every MWF for his preschool. This new school, Learning Dynamics is good, but admittedly we miss Challenger's preschool.

Nani is in 3rd grade and her teacher, Mrs. Lewis, is wonderful! To ensure for myself that she would be okay in this new environment, I'll be in her classroom a lot as room mother. Mia is in 7th grade and she's enjoying the newness of everything. Except for being thrown into advanced Orchestra. But, just as we expected, she has risen to the challenge. Jasmyne is in 8th grade and wishes more of her church friends also attended Reagan. She and Mia have orchestra together as well as their lunch time. We're keeping our fingers crossed that we have made the right decision.

Alright... for all you know-it-alls... or not. Here's a back-to-school quiz for ya. Listed below are several sentences. Decide which ones are grammatically correct in Standard American English. Post your answers in the comments section. At the end of the week I'll post the answer key, and the winner gets... drum roll... title of Grammarian Purist (boasting privileges and rights included).

1. Kathy and me arrived first.
   
2. I ain't seen 'em. Ain't is an informal contraction of am not, are not, and is not. It is not part of formal standard English.
   
3. Whom shall I say is calling? Who is used when it is the subject of the sentence like in this one; whom is used when it is the object of a verb or preposition.
   
4. It don't matter to me.
5. We been here a long time.
6. That man was kind to my sister and I. Hypercorrection of the the rule you and I.
   
7. Someone left their umbrella here. You may not end a sentence with a preposition.
   
8. We was right. Verbs must agree with their subject in person and number. Was should be were.
   
9. If the weather was warmer, we could have a picnic. The verb 'was' is in the subjunctive form in this hypothetical if-then statement and should be replaced by the verb were. For example, If I were you... instead of , If I was you...
   
10. They did it theirselves. Correct word for the dialect theirselves is themselves.
    
11. I'm right, aren't I?
12. That's me in the photograph.
    
13. Nobody gets nothing for free. You may not have two negatives in the same sentence.
    
14. She is smarter than him. After a copular verb use the nominative case. i.e. She is smarter than he.
    

Memories...

I got this great idea from Cindy, a high school friend of mine.

Here are the directions:
1. Add a comment on our blog of a memory or two that you and any one of us (individually, not collectively) had together. It can be anything fun that you remember. It doesn't matter if you knew us a little or a lot or not at all, just put any memories you have.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, we'll leave our memory of you in our comments. Try to keep it going on your blogs, too.

This is fun! We are eagerly looking forward to your memories!

Independence Day/Lake Blanche

(photos found here)

Our celebrations for the 4th of July were a little bit different this year. Instead of enjoying the day watching our grass grow, grilling up burgers, and gazing at the night's splendor- my first choice in celebrating this day- we embarked on a backpacking trip to Lake Blanche up Big Cottonwood Canyon. For the full nightmarish story and all the gory details... ahem, I mean for the extremely enlightening story talk with me privately. I am extremely proud at the brute strength my husband and children have. There's only one incident of a meltdown that I am aware of. Here it is. When the 3rd day came around, and we made our way down the MOUNTAIN, the first glimpse I had of our parked van brought uncontrollable tears down my face. A single thought kept repeating itself over and over again in my mind, "It's over...we don't have to do that again!" I sat inside the vehicle stunned and mute. Then I heard our captain announce, "That was a baptism by fire. We will do this hike every summer." What followed was a ghostly stillness. (crickets...)

The views were breathtaking! The fishing bounteous. The water ice cold and exhilarating. Come one and all for our trip next year!

Lake Blanche

• Vicinity: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Twin Peaks Wilderness Area
• Elevations: 2700 ft. gain/loss, Trailhead start: 6,320 ft.
• Distance: 6.64 miles (round trip)
• Walking Time: for a family of 6 with full packs 5 hrs. up and 3.5 hrs. down
• Info: Geologic attractions within Lake Blanche Basin, 3 sister lakes- Blanche, Florence, and Lillian, only a mile away are picturesque Sundial Peak (10,320 ft.) and Dromedary Peak (11,170 ft.), a carpet of wildflowers along the trail
• Interesting facts: If you visit the link to Lake Blanche you'll read a few advisories. One is to not do the hike in the dark. We finally reached the lake around 10:30 pm. We had our headlamps on, but not until we saw the trail on the way down did we realize what a feat it was to have stayed on the path in the dark. Another advisory is to take plenty of water. We had about an hour left of the hike up, and we were down to almost nothing in just a single water bottle. Again, in the pitch dark we found the stream feeding Lake Blanche. Water has never tasted so good! Finally, it is advised that those physically fit attempt the hike. Other hikers marveled at how Benny and Nani made the trek.
• Wisdom gained: 1. Down with materialism, all we need is water, food, shelter, dry clothes, and chocolate. 2. If anybody wants to marry our kids they will be required to go on a baptism-by-fire-backpacking trip with our family. After this if they still want to get married then they'll know what's in store for them- moments that take your breath away, stay on the path and all will be well, having light will dispel darkness, and a helping hand when someone falls reveals beauty along the journey.

Click here for more photos.

Thoughts

America the Beautiful
My home, sweet home.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words... I think so, too. Viewing these photographs, much can be understood about the feelings I have for my country. I cherish family values, patriotism, and freedom.

Home is defined as, “...a place where something flourishes, is most typically found, or from which it originates.” America is my home by every definition of the word.

It is the land of opportunity. Is it any wonder that the iconic phrase “American Dream” is synonymous with equality, democracy, and material prosperity? When hope is planted within its fertile soil, even amongst thorns of obstacles, one’s pursuit of happiness can come into fruition. As an immigrant to this country, I have experienced this blessing first hand.

It is the home of the brave. America produces people like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Henry David Thoreau, Joseph Smith, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Sandra Day O’Conner. These people are notable throughout the world, and their significance stand as examples for all to follow. Furthermore, heroes in the armed forces, past and present, have and do willingly sacrifice their life for all that is America.

It is the country’s credence, “In God we trust”. I uphold this precept. However extreme its people’s actions may become, or devastating its threats I can have confidence that my homeland is divinely guarded to remain a safe harbor.

I am awed by the genius of America’s Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence. I stand in wonder at the land’s vast magnitude of splendor. I am amazed that despite horrific events, America’s resilience is unshakeable. I am honored and humbled to call myself an American, and respectfully offer my thank you to all who, “...And more than self their country loved!”

Crazy Girl

Yesterday I was playing with my friend Sierra. We made a fashion show with our American Girl dolls. After that we played in the sprinklers and got crazy. Then we went to dry off. CC and I said, "Hi boys!" Colton, CC's brother, came rushing towards us. He grabbed my swimsuit. I said, "Oh no!" We ran upstairs. Colton got me and scratched my face. Now I have marks all over my face. We got ready to go over to my house.

We helped my mom do some planting in our yard. Then we went to The Trolley and had dinner. CC and I were attacked with the giggling fits. My mom and Mia were embarrassed of us- especially me because I have a very obnoxious belly laugh. We brought CC home and then us girls watched Surf's Up. It was a great play day.



Written By
-Nani Carson

The First Day of Summer Break

On Monday I went swimming with Sienna, Mia, Dad, Jazzy and Benny. I jumped off a diving board and after that I laid down beside the pool. I went where the sun was and wanted to get a suntan, because I was cold. Then I was chased by Sienna. I got too wild and got a cut in the center of my hand. So, then I saw a boy that hurt his back and an ambulance came. After that I got a band aid. I also got a favorite snack that was cotton candy.

Before going to gymnastics, my mom took everyone to Panda Express. It was a nice day.

Written By
-Nani Carson