Do I really care?

On one of my homeschooling groups, there is a buzz about an upcoming Dr. Phil show where he slams unschooling/homeschooling. I don't usually watch Dr. Phil and I probably won't watch his show on unschooling. Yesterday though, I did watch a few minutes while on the treadmill. He has this "Dr. Phil house" and he chose the following people to live together; a white supremist, a black woman who hates white people, a thin person who hates fat people, a fat man who hates thin people, a gay person who hates straights, a straight who hates gays, etc. The camera follows their every move. Its so unethical its not funny. Dr. Phil watches the footage and makes comments about the people's behavior. It creates such an unhealthy environment for these people, I can't see how any healing can take place. Dr. Phil obviously wanted to exploit these people. You probably watch more Dr. Phil than I do, but I've seen enough. I'm sure his anti-homeschooling show will be more biased BS.

The truth is I don't care what other people think of my family's lifestyle. I know my children are learning and growing wonderfully. One day they will go out into the world and they will demonstrate their strengths.

I'm so proud of my cub!

I know unschooling is working. DS11 has been enjoying an online game and last night he had a devastating defeat. He had his low moment, taking time to feel and express his disappointment. This morning he got back up on the horse. He began researching online to solve his dilema. Then he developed a plan to test his solution, taking care to protect his assets. It's important for him to know his solution will work and be the best for the situation. He has demonstrated how to use curiosity with caution. I know he has become a problem solver. He overcame a tragic event in his eyes, and decided not to give up. And all of this I learned from watching him play an online virtual role playing game.

The weekend can't come soon enough.

Yesterday we spent all afternoon away from home, enjoying a homeschool gym class and art time with some friends. I introduced the group to Artist Trading Cards and it seemed like everyone liked the idea. After art class is was time for me to run to work, so needless to say, my house isn't getting much attention. Today I was going to catch up, but the only thing that got cleaned was the van, and I wasn't responsible for that. The boys did that for me. I woke up with a touch of something intestinal. I'll spare you the details, but I'm feeling weak and drained. I have to work again tonight so I'm trying to rest up. The boys are keeping busy playing Legos,chess and wiping their noses. (They have colds.) I hope tomorrow we'll all wake up feeling better and kick things into high gear. Maybe the sun will come out too. Hmm, time to find one of my favorite Beatles Songs. I think that will pick me up.

An unschooly day

I love autumn and I love being home to enjoy it. Today we chose to play chess, and carve virtual pumpkins in preparation for carving the real ones closer to Halloween. We also read the first several chapters of THE END, the 13th and final book in the series of Unfortunate Events. DS11 made movies with his video camera, and we watched his old movies and marveled at how big Yumi has gotten. We called grandma to tell her about our weekend. We did crack a textbook, but the two math lessons seemed like common sense to DS11. We just looked them over while eating noodles for lunch. I actually love Mondays. We don't have to leave the house unless we want to. Its so important to take these days to follow our passions.

Questions

As a homeschooler/unschooler, I've always encouraged the boys to ask
questions. Asking questions leads to understanding. Questioning things can also bring needed changes. I've always told them, there is no bad question, but some do seem better than others. For example, yesterday these goodies were asked;

"Mom, how many colors are there?" My answer- "Infinite, I think. When you think about the many different shades you can make. Of course there are colors we can't see as well." I bought watercolor paint so we can practice mixing colors and on our
list goes the book about how our eyes see light waves.

"Mom, how much is a hundred googles?" My answer- "A lot. Actually, if you really want to know, a google is a 1 with one hundred zeros behind it. Now put two zeros behind that."

"Mom,what are the Killing Fields?" My thought- why did I leave the history channel on!! My answer- "Well, the Killing Fields were a genocide, a dark time when thousands of people were killed."

Of course often I'll answer questions with another question. I also like to keep
index cards around so we can write down the questions we don't have answers for right away.

"Mom, why does the top of Wisconsin actually belong to Michigan?" This index card question will remind me to pick up a book on Wisconsin or Michigan history.

I survived the Sleep Over!

My oldest just turned 11 and per his request, we threw a sleep over party. We've done these in the past, and after each one I swear I'm not having another. These parties usually mean 8 boys, in the basement, jacked up on cake and ice cream, playing video games all night long. The first time I tried to get them to settle into their sleeping bags, it was 10:30. I don't know what I was thinking. I sent down my husband at midnight and he rechecked them at 1:30. They were still all going strong. I couldn't make it and I passed out. My husband last checked them at 3:30am and then gave up himself. Although they were all chipper when I fed them cinnamin rolls for breakfast, I'm sure they went home and had crabby afternoons. Thankfully, I didn't receive any angry phone calls from parents. I've told myself, its just once a year.

Chewing more than I can bite

I've started another blog on Yahoo 360. I know I haven't really done too much with this blog. Why start another one? Ask DaVinci. He knew all about starting projects before others were finished. Geniuses tend to do this, don't you think?

We had a gorgeous day out in the fall sunshine. We created a Letterbox event for our homeschool friends at our local park. I just love cool, crisp fall air in my
lungs. I hated coming home to a house that still needs my attention.
The dishes, and laundry will wait right?! The Harvest Moon will be out
tonight!

Here's something else to pick you up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Bear Hugs out to You!!

Morons

I've read this morning that Republican Rep. Frank Lasee wants to arm teachers in schools with guns. I feel like I'm living in the Twilight Zone! How do these morons get elected? I know they are voted into office by fellow moronians. I just forget, now and then, how many morons I have to coexist with. I really don't understand how people can think this is a good idea. Teachers want to teach. They don't want to be prison guards. Its just another reason why I'm so thankful we homeschool.

2 times 7

"I know what 2, 7 times is mom. Its 14." DS7 announced this fact to me while I was paying for orange juice in lane 3. He was sitting on the
bench,waiting patiently. I asked him how he figured this out. He told
me he counted every other lane all the way down to lane 14. Don't you
love when they figure this stuff out like that!

No one would believe me if I told them

My son is reading the dictionary, his own choice. I was finishing up my
chocolate fix when I looked over and saw him curled up on the couch,
nose in the middle of the dictionary. I know he prefers to read
non-fiction, but the dictionary? Of course I said nothing to him and
left him to his own enjoyment. I'm sure if I had asked him to look up a
definition, he would have bawked. I'm confident taking the unschooling approach of leaving the dictionary stratgically out on the end table was the better way to go.

Recharged

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to have a night away with my husband. We very rarely get this opportunity. We attended my cousin's wedding, and it was just what we needed. Its easy to take for granted the foundation of our family,(our marriage),when we are busy with work and kids. Spending this time together without the usual distractions really renewed and recharged us. I have to make it a priority to plan more getaways for us!

Today it was back to unschooling for the boys and I. Being away from them, even for just one night, made me really grateful to be able to share so much time with them. DS7 and I read a great book, I Spy Shapes In Art by Lucy Micklethwait. She has you use famous works of art to find shapes. DS7 loves the I SPY books and Where's Waldo. This book offered him an addition benefit of reviewing great works of art. DS7 liked the Pop Art the best.

We also spent the afternoon at the park. We looked for hiding places for our Letterboxes and wrote clues. In a few weeks, we are inviting our homeschooling group to help us hunt for them. I love any good reason to be outdoors, especially on a sunny, warm fall day.

I did manage to bake some bread today too. We are trying a Ranch flavored bread because the boys love to dip everything in Ranch dressing. It smells fantastic, but we haven't tasted it yet.

I want to share one more thing today. I read this poem on a box of tea. Its written by Diane Loomans, from Full Esteem Ahead.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.

Zombies Ate My Neighbors

I really do like when my children develop a passion, but when do you question whether passion has become obession?

Both of my two cubs have gone through the usual boy passions of transporation, construction, arachnids and insects. The older offspring followed his father into a love of role playing video games, but until a few months ago, my younger son was my Uno buddy. Uno branched off into several other great card games, and I was sure I'd have a kindred soul to enjoy my love of games of the non-electric variety. Then one day, I was asked why I didn't enjoy playing video games.

As I thought about my answer, I remembered years ago, BC (before children), I enjoyed playing a video game called, "Zombies Ate My Neighbors." In the game, you run around trying to rescue people and dogs from Zombies, Werewolves, man eating plants, snakeoids, giant ants, chainsaw Texans, ooh aah dolls (think Trilogy of Terror with Karen Black), Martians, mummies and sea monsters. Your only defense to start with, is a squirt gun, but you collect other weapons such as silverware (werewolves and silver don't mix), soda pop (I guess monsters don't like carbonation), magic potions, weed whackers (good for the man eating plants), and shoes that make you run faster. The game really is quite creative as you work your way through the different levels. DH and I have always thought it would make an excellent movie.

As I recalled my joy of playing Zombies Ate My Neighbors, I wondered where this old game had gone to. I found it weeks later looking for something else. It was hidden away in the dark, unfinished part of the basement in a place I would never look for it. I presented the find to my family with great excitement. Little had I known what was yet to come of this discovery.

We hooked up the game and DS7 plugged in. He became passionate about playing. He'd work up a sweat even as he jumped around with the controller in his tight grip. To my amazement, he far surpassed my abilities in rescuing babies, cheerleaders, tourists, soldiers, and Fido. He switched from weapon to weapon, knocking down the undead left and right. DH found cheat codes online so our little Zombies Ate My Neighbors Wizard could move right through the different levels, experiencing bigger and badder monsters. Soon, he didn't use the cheat codes anymore. Then the day finally came when he mastered all 48 levels. I thought the passion would have run its course and he'd be onto the next new thing. I was wrong.

We've been here before. We feed our children's passion, making their passions our own to enjoy the experience with them. At one point in my life I could have named every Thomas the Tank engine train friend, explained how diggers and backhoes work, and amaze you with my spider trivia,(my favorite being, you are never more than 3 feet away from a spider.)

Now for awhile I re-embraced Zombies, but for me, its run its course. I keep waiting for the day DS7 will decide this game is tomorrow's news. I guess that's the hard part about letting your child follow his interests. I feel like he's seen and done everything there is to do with the game. I feel its time for him to move on and grow into another passion. I guess I have to step back and let him figure that out for himself. Its all about his timing, not mine.

Orienteering

Motivation can move you further than you know. We went Orienteering this past Saturday at a beautiful Wisconsin state park, Blue Mounds. In Orienteering you use a topographical map to navigate a course, finding markers along your path. You punch in at each marker and serious competitors like to run the course as quickly as they are able. Our family likes to take our time however, enjoying the scenery. We had hiked the same park a few weeks ago and DS7 almost didn't make it. He had tears in his eyes and his little legs wouldn't take him another step further. This time however, he was out in front for the entire duration of our hike. I think the movitation of finding the markers made it more fun for him.

DS7 has never been a huge fan of hiking despite the fact DH and I have taken him into the woods since his birth. We've been using the hobbies of Orienteering and Letterboxing to make our family hikes more enjoyable for him.

Yumi

This is Yumi. She is now 17 weeks old. She has the gift of purr. No matter how sad you feel, once she climbs onto your lap and starts to purr, your worries melt away and your heart is wrapped around her. She has taught us that love has no limits.

Getting back to our unroutine

I know its not really fall yet according to the earth's positioning, but since back to school time is here, it feels like fall. For us, back to school means back to family. While most of our neighborhood friends are attending school, we get to spend more time together, the boys and me. It feels so wonderful to have them back!

Since returning from our trip up north, we've been getting back to the "unroutine" of unschooling. Rather than follow a schedule, we simply try to fill our days with activities that interest us. Of course there are still distractions like dentist visits and my work schedule. I seem to have a huge mental list of "should do", "would like to do" and "would love to do." Its becoming a question of discipline and balance. I remind myself we need to nourish our souls and take care of our bodies. We can't do it all. We do need down time.

Its hard to allow for down time though when you know time goes by so quickly. Because of this, I find myself gravitating to the "would love to do" list. The lawn needs mowing but isn't it fun to watch our Yumi play in the grass? She won't be a kitten forever. We really should clean up and organize our bedrooms, but the sun is shining and its 70 degrees! All too soon it will be below zero and dark.

I'm the type of person who would rather live life like its our last day. The beauty of unschooling allows us to learn from this full lifestyle. I just have to let go sometimes of the doubts, walk in the grass in my barefeet, look up at the clouds and take a deep breath.

Countdown to the Road Trip

Only 3 more days until we pack the car and we're off, over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go! DH can't take off from work, but since I'm off while the pool is drained and resurfaced, I'm taking the boys to the north woods. I'm looking forward to getting away from our summer doorbell, but I'll miss DH tons! I wonder if the boys will go through friend withdrawal or be too distracted to notice.

I hope they enjoy exploring the woods around Grandpa's house and fishing on his boat. I hope the drive goes well. It will be a long ride for us. I'm packing the books on CD and portable DVD player.

I need this trip to reconnect with my boys. They've spent so much time playing with PS friends. When we get back, they'll have one last weekend and then school starts. That means our Heavensville Homeschool can get back to longer days rather than shorter ones. I've always viewed our homeschool being 24/7, 365 days a year. Learning doesn't just happen between the hours of 8-3:30, Monday through Friday. But our style of learning at home changes when friends are over. There's a group dynamic. When its just us, the peer pressure influence is gone and the boys have more freedom in their choices. I'm looking forward to getting back to that.

Give a Little Bit

I've recently been feeling down because of the lack of humanity on this planet. I'm going to pull myself out of it by singing this song today. I'm going to sing it all day long. Join me!

"Give A Little Bit" by Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson

Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my love to you
See the man with the lonely eyes
Take his hand, you'll be suprised

So I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my life for you
So give a little bit
Give a little bit of your time to me
Now's the time that we need to share
So send a smile, we're on our way back home
ooh yea yea
We gotta feel it
Yea yea yea yea...
Ooo
Don't you need to feel at home
Ooo you gotta feel it
Yea you gotta want to
OO you gotta sing, we've come along way tonight

So give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my life for you
Now's the time we need to share
So send a smile, we're on our way back home
Yea come along too
Yea we gotta feel it
Cause I need to feel at home
Come along too
Such a long ride
oo come a long way
Such a long ride
Come a long way
Sing it tonight

Sleep, beautiful sleep...

This past weekend, we took a road trip to Grandma's and Uncle Chip's. Sleeping away from home is always a challenge for us because we are such creatures of habit. We need a fan and our own pillows and blankets, our soft mattresses, etc. We had a wonderful time visiting everyone, but we were sleep deprived.

Upon returning home, DS10 and I had to head right back out to spend the night at the hospital. DS10 needed to have a sleep study done. This was an experience I do not wish to repeat. It seemed like they had 100 wires hooked into my son. The ones on his head were glued on and in the morning had to be disolved off. In his sleep he kept pulling off the oxygen tube until they taped it to his face. I was balled up on a cot next to his bed and every time a wire came off I was awakened by them coming in to hook it back up. Niether one of us could have gotten much sleep.

Monday night I was so grateful to be back in my nest! I slept long and deep and realized what a gift a comfortable bed is.

Hi Maija!

I've just been reminded by my favorite SIL that I've neglected this blog once again. Summertime does pull me away from the computer. This isn't a bad thing however really. Here's what we've been up to since recovering from Strep throat:

Garage Sale!! We hid away from the heat in our basement going through container after container of toys. This sure did cure my "afluenza." The boys made close to $100.00 and I freed up several containers for storage. My long term goal is to bring organization to our basement.

We've also been working on a project for H.E.A.R.T.S- Homeschoolers Educating And Reaching out Through Service. We've been turning in cans for money to buy school supplies for needy families. We don't use many school supplies ourselves as unschoolers. We seem to be able to reuse what we have.

We installed a basketball hoop and we're all enjoying it. I had to convince DH to allow us to spoil him with this gift for Father's Day. He didn't want us to spend that much on him, but when I pointed out its use for "homeschool P.E", he reconsidered. It was more of a project putting together and cementing it in than I thought it was going to be, but being unschoolers we figured it out. Of course having a DH with an engineering background helped! Now the family hangs out on the driveway when dad gets home from work. I have yet to win at Horse.

Our DK (dear kitten) is quickly becoming a DC (dear cat). She is turning out to be a brute. Her favorite kitty fight club move lately is a head lock on poor old Kita. I'm feeling guilty now for exposing my senior citizen cat to a young wild thing. Kita has lost weight though which she needed to do.

As far as my soap box, I'm upset the circus is coming to town. I don't believe animals should be chained up and whipped for our entertainment. This circus even has an elephant which breaks my heart.

I'm also upset about spanking. Its the anniversary of my life changing moment at the WI State Fair. Years ago I witnessed a man beat his son at the fair and it awoke in me a desire to stop child abuse. Last week I witnessed a mother spank her naked daughter's butt because she wouldn't put on her swimsuit. It broke my heart. I'm ready for an anti-spanking law.

Many people say child abuse education is the key, not laws. I've been asked, "As a homeschooler, how can you say you want the government making parenting decisions for you?" The way I see it, education and child abuse are two separate things. Law currently prohibits us from spanking the obnoxious person in front of us. You'd be arrested and made to register as a sex offender if you spanked anyone under the age of 18, unless of course, they are on your tax return.

Parents have the right to establish their own discipline, but slapping your kid across the face or the butt is not discipline. I'm so sick of Right Wingers trying to use the Bible to justify it. They need to learn Hebrew and learn the true definition of "the rod."

As a Christian myself, I prayed about how to help my DS behave. He was strong willed and time outs didn't seem to phase him. After prayer, God didn't lead me to spank him. God told me to give my son a mission, a job, a responsibility. Redirection really does work. DS went from troublemaker toddler to responsible helper. He thrived on the direction and it gave him self esteem.

Well, I suppose this is plenty of blogging for now. I'll get down from the soap box and actually pick up a literal box of soap to wash clothes. Peace and blessings!

Happy 4th of July!

I am spending the holiday in pain. I don't understand why, but I'm always getting sick on the weekends. I now have strep throat. It erupted over the weekend and I had to wait until Monday to see the doctor. He took one look and wrote the prescription, doing the culture was "a technically", he said. Before I was home from the office, they had called and said it tested positive. Now I'm waiting for the rest of my family to fall ill.

Sometimes I think God allows me to get sick so I appreciate my health more. Its so easy to fall into a rut. When you are brought down by disease, you really appreciate how being healthy allows you to get the most out of life. When I was unable to sleep and my tonsils were so swollen even breathing was a chore, I remember telling God, "Please heal me and I'll never complain about cleaning my home again. I'll do it with joy because I will have the health to accomplish it." Believe me I'm very thankful for the blessing of Azithromycin!