I just want to take a moment to be happy about all of the homeschool groups available in this free country of ours. I enjoy different aspects of the ones we are involved in, and the people are just great. We have already gone to 2 potlucks to "get the year started." We had so much fun.
My current passion: investigating raw foods. No, not sushy. It's a lifestyle way of eating in which you don't cook your food, and by not doing so, preserving the enzymes. Now, translating that into what to make for your family...hmmm. I'm reading the book The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose. Loving that book. It gives you practical ways of accomplishing this lifestyle, but not going crazy. Like, have ice cream and cooked foods for goodness sake. We must live life after all! I highly recommend it. It will change your outlook on food.
Now is the time of year not only for homeschooling, but for Awanas, specifically Cubbies. Cubbies are the "preschool" kids--one and two years before kindergarten to be exact. I'm studying the curriculum, making out a schedule, and generally preparing myself for this year. We will literally have something going on 4 nights a week. Woo hoo! I am looking forward to it. Does it feel like fall already? On our way home from the park today, we tried to count how many trees were already turning. There actually were some! Happy almost fall, and to a productive, fun, learning-filled season!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
'Twas the night before...
School! In our district, regular kids go back to school tomorrow. Poor them. We are the irregular ones...or not? Homeschooling is becoming more and more mainstream. We have already started his official 2nd grade year.
When he realized that the neighbor kids were going to be gone all day, his response was, "That stinks."
I replied, "That means we get the neighborhood all to ourselves!"
He said, "But they have to be in school all day!"
I remind him of this when he's complaining of school work and chores at home. He's got it so good! I was nervous last year, as the first day of school drew near. Was I doing the right thing? This year, I am fully sure we are. Everyone does what is right for their family, and this is certainly right for us.
Today was the NBTS (not back to school picnic), which is always fun. This group is a group of mainly unschoolers (see Mama P or Lifedreamed for those of you who don't know what that is). This group has always been so nice, eventhough we don't necessarily unschool. I even invited someone from church who is considering homeschooling, and they dove right it taking care of her. What great people!
We're gearing up for St. Louis this weekend! My sister's bachelorette party will be there. It will be a fun time. Dueling piano bar, Trader Joes, heaven.
When he realized that the neighbor kids were going to be gone all day, his response was, "That stinks."
I replied, "That means we get the neighborhood all to ourselves!"
He said, "But they have to be in school all day!"
I remind him of this when he's complaining of school work and chores at home. He's got it so good! I was nervous last year, as the first day of school drew near. Was I doing the right thing? This year, I am fully sure we are. Everyone does what is right for their family, and this is certainly right for us.
Today was the NBTS (not back to school picnic), which is always fun. This group is a group of mainly unschoolers (see Mama P or Lifedreamed for those of you who don't know what that is). This group has always been so nice, eventhough we don't necessarily unschool. I even invited someone from church who is considering homeschooling, and they dove right it taking care of her. What great people!
We're gearing up for St. Louis this weekend! My sister's bachelorette party will be there. It will be a fun time. Dueling piano bar, Trader Joes, heaven.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Gardening Habit
It seems that a lot of you out there are having a bad harvest. Well, here's the solution: only one food at a time. Yes, it seems a bit of a time waster, but it's worked for me 2 years in a row! Last year was the mother load of lettuce, this year it's cucumbers. (Anyone out there need cucs, by the way?) I have a little 4x8 ft raised bed garden, so if one plant takes over, it's curtains for all the others! I also planted a tomato plant and strawberry plant. The tomatoes are still green, but I have picked 2 yellow/red ones thus far.
I didn't think I'd enjoy gardening, but scavenging for weeds is quite fun. I love picking the food, um, cucs. It's amazing how fast they grow. I want to plant some kale and some "fall crops," but fail to know what they are exactly. What do I do with my strawberry plant? It's produced nothing, but still looks beautiful. Green leaves, not even dying! In general, do you just let everything go back to seed? Give me your gardening wisdom, all ye gardeners.
On another note, I thought I'd share with you the spiritual journey I've been on lately. I just read the book Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. I'm still digesting it. He basically takes the New Testament and lives it. It sounds simple, but would anyone raise their hand to live in a leper colony? Or, live with the homeless out in the park? Did you know that Jesus was homeless? He stayed in peoples houses, yes He did. He loved the unlovable...am I doing this, too? Yikes. Sometimes I even struggle to be nice to my kids! Seriously give it a read. I'm going to be checking out his other books, too.
What more can I do for my community? It's not enough just to bring people to church. Who wants to wake up early to be just one more place in their week? I need to be Jesus to them. Form a relationship. So you know what I'm doing? I'm having a block party. A good ole fashioned block party. I don't know half the people on my street...isn't that sad? 50 years ago, we'd be in a out of each others homes, borrowing flour, kids running across the street, playing. Why can't we have some semblance of that again? Where is our community roots. So, mid Sept., in the midst of sister's wedding, soccer, boy scouts, and Awanas, we'll be partying. I'm not the best organizer, so I lean on the Lord for wisdom to pull this crazy thing off.
I didn't think I'd enjoy gardening, but scavenging for weeds is quite fun. I love picking the food, um, cucs. It's amazing how fast they grow. I want to plant some kale and some "fall crops," but fail to know what they are exactly. What do I do with my strawberry plant? It's produced nothing, but still looks beautiful. Green leaves, not even dying! In general, do you just let everything go back to seed? Give me your gardening wisdom, all ye gardeners.
On another note, I thought I'd share with you the spiritual journey I've been on lately. I just read the book Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. I'm still digesting it. He basically takes the New Testament and lives it. It sounds simple, but would anyone raise their hand to live in a leper colony? Or, live with the homeless out in the park? Did you know that Jesus was homeless? He stayed in peoples houses, yes He did. He loved the unlovable...am I doing this, too? Yikes. Sometimes I even struggle to be nice to my kids! Seriously give it a read. I'm going to be checking out his other books, too.
What more can I do for my community? It's not enough just to bring people to church. Who wants to wake up early to be just one more place in their week? I need to be Jesus to them. Form a relationship. So you know what I'm doing? I'm having a block party. A good ole fashioned block party. I don't know half the people on my street...isn't that sad? 50 years ago, we'd be in a out of each others homes, borrowing flour, kids running across the street, playing. Why can't we have some semblance of that again? Where is our community roots. So, mid Sept., in the midst of sister's wedding, soccer, boy scouts, and Awanas, we'll be partying. I'm not the best organizer, so I lean on the Lord for wisdom to pull this crazy thing off.
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