Return to Oka Kapassa

Yes, even homeschoolers take field trips. Our latest one was to Spring Park in Tuscumbia, to see Return to Oka Kapassa. We saw dancers and crafts, and heard music and stories. I love going to this celebration because 1) it is close, 2) since we are not part of a big group of kids, my kids get to move from item to item as they choose and spend more time where they wish, and 3) this is geared toward 5th graders, so my kids get lots of attention since they are either older (more attentive and truly interested) or younger (cute preschooler).


Traditional dress
They asked the kids to raise their hands if they wanted to join in in the Friendship Dance. Notice that Luci is sitting on her hands!
Working with clay

I Painting My Finger-Ails

What Luci does when we are working on geometry...good thing it's easy to wash off.

Trying Something for Eczema

I've made something I'm calling Luci's Lotion for a spot of eczema on Luci's arm. Ever since she was ours, she's had little-bitty bumps on her trunk. They don't itch, and they are nearly invisible. But this new spot just started up on her inside elbow when swim lessons started (the cause?) and it itches.

Here's the recipe, from this site by Karen DeFelice:

Three tablespoons water plus four tablespoons Epsom salts plus 12 tablespoons coconut oil. (Susan's note: I put the water into a little saucepan and heated it up to dissolve the Epsom salts, then mixed them into the coconut oil.) The coconut oil is good for the skin anyway and it seems to counter the drying effect of the salts. Apply this liberally on the skin and it soaks in plus leaves the skin smooth and soft. Adjust the quantity of salts to your liking.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks, Dad!

The gas station has gas priced at a reasonable rate today, and is open--yesterday lights were on but no one was there, not even a vehicle from those operating the shop. So I'm not sure if it was even open yesterday. Usually it's packed.

I called Dad and told him the latest on the gas station. He called back a little later with this riddle for me:

What's the difference between a Homeschool Mom and a Pit Bull?

Lipstick!


Pretty high praise from a Democrat!

Dyslexia Can Be Fun!

Bet you've never heard that one before.

Yesterday we were in town and saw this sign:Bryan read it out loud to us:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Democrat!

We've been studying the upcoming election, can you tell?

photo from Amazon.com

It's Happening!

The Attorney General's office just called!! I am so stoked. They are, indeed, looking into Pirate's Corner (does anyone else find that name ironic besides me?).

I am all for free enterprise, and people earning money...but please, be honest about your gains!

Something's Going On!

Friday's scene:

Here's what we saw this morning on the way to church: The prices off the signs at our gas station, and.... baggies over the pump handles.

Last night around 7:30, they were still selling gas. This morning people were buying things inside the little shop, but no gas. WHNT-TV last night said that the gouging laws were in effect, but there was a lot of leeway in pricing....BUT those stations charging $5 and up were likely to see action from the Attorney General's office. It's nice to know that I did the right thing. It's good to be brave once in a while.

Original post on this topic: So Angry!

Proud American

This looks like a wonderful movie!


Click here for the trailer.

How Do You Know When You're Really Homeschooling?

This is today's Daily Focus message from my homeschool curriculum supplier, AOP.


By Their Fruits
Saturday / September 13, 2008

How long do you need to teach your children at home before you "officially" become a homeschool family? Like the tests that evaluate a child's academic performance, you can assume homeschooling has arrived at your house when the following are true:

You have more books in your house than groceries.

Your children show up for school in their pajamas.

Your house décor consists of time lines, maps, assorted craft projects, and half-finished science experiments.

Your trips to the library require a laundry basket to hold all the books.

Your refrigerator is perpetually covered in art projects and completed assignments.

Your children think reading history is best achieved while lying on your bed with the family cats.

Your kitchen pantry holds more school supplies than cooking supplies.

Your child's favorite classmates are his siblings.

Christians, too, have distinct marks that help us gauge whether we are growing more Christ-like. In Galatians 5:22 we read of fruits that should be displayed if we are truly following the Lord-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. As these fruits become more evident in our lives, we can trust the Holy Spirit is working to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). What about your life? Is there fruit that proves you're a follower of Jesus? "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16a).

Lord, thank You for the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Let my actions demonstrate Your love not only to my family, but also to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

So Angry!

This morning, a gallon of regular gas was $3.99, and 3 hours later it was $5.35!! (Wednesday at noon it was $3.48.) I can understand the 50 cent jump, but 1.36 even before Hurricane Ike hit?!

I was angry, and I had my camera with me and took this photo, and sent it to our newspaper, local news station, and FoxNews channel, too (wanted to cover all bases!). Another viewer's photo actually showed up on the tv tonight. I also called our Attorney General's office. WHNT said that $5.35 was the highest of anywhere in the Valley--or, to be more correct, the highest that they've heard about from complainers like me.

Here's what was on WHNT's site tonight. I am glad!


Attorney General Troy King Vows to Enforce Price Gouging Law
September 12, 2008

(MONTGOMERY)- Attorney General Troy King said that Alabama's price gouging law was triggered and went into effect with the Governor's declaration of a state of emergency earlier this afternoon. General King has vowed to use the resources of his office to enforce it. With gas prices across Alabama being reported to have reached or exceeded five dollars per gallon in some cities and with hundreds of Alabamians calling the Attorney General's Office to report rising prices, Attorney General King warned unscrupulous businesses that are seeking to profit illegally at the expense of Alabamians that these practices will not be tolerated. ...story continues here.

D.A.D.D.

That stands for Dads Against Daughters Dating. John wants to join!



We went to a meeting at church Wednesday night about drug use in our county. M.A.D.D. and S.A.D.D. were mentioned, and so was the fictional group D.A.D.D.

The meeting was eye-opening. Two young ladies told their tales...both good girls who made one wrong choice that led to the completely wrong path. It just takes one "yes" when you should have said "no" to end up an addict, or an even worse fate, dead.

One thing brought up was that, according to DHR, we are responsible for providing a roof over the kids' heads and feeding them. Everything else was optional and not a "given." If you need to take something away, then do it, don't be afraid to act.

They also said that if you can keep your child clean until age 17, then the chances of their brains becoming addicted fall sharply. There's something about the developing brain that makes it so susceptible to addiction to drugs of any kind.

We have a great resource in our county. If you need help, here's a place to start.

John told the boys it was an affirming time for their mom because the people in charge of the meeting told us all to keep having family dinners together, to spend more time with your kids, to know where your kids are and don't be afraid of embarrassing them--you might be saving their lives.

Thanks, Mom and Dad for not being afraid to embarrass us as we were growing up. You were great examples (still are!). The boys do not fight in the van anymore because they know I will pull over to get out of the van and do some stretches. Now, seeing your mama doing jumping jacks in public is enough to shame you into being quiet and getting along with your brother! (You should'a seen me at Walmart the other day! I'm sure I'm on some security camera video somewhere. Check out YouTube.) Certainly not afraid of embarrassing them or myself.

We also talked with the boys and they know that if they don't say "no" when offered drugs or drinks, they will have their mama to contend with. They know they can tell the so-called friend that they are more afraid of their mother than they are of that "friend." And that the friend should be afraid of her, too. I don't mind that mama-bear reputation at all.

Never Forget

Girders in the shape of a cross, preserved from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, stand over the site of the attack.

Photo and caption borrowed from Moments of Silence Mark 9/11 Anniversary on msnbc.com

Today in School

Bryan wanted to try on Dad's uniform. Looks pretty good! Could use a haircut, though, don't you think? JT is learning to use a compass.
Luci's lesson plans called for her to be cute. She passed!

Some School Stuff

Our favorite way to store crayons. (Don't worry, Nana--it's a plastic jar.)
I found several learning games at Wal-Mart this week. They were cheap, so I got several. They are all simple, colorful, and perfect for preschoolers and Kindergartners. Here's one:


Luci having fun "doin' my skoo-work."
Showing off her folding skills. I handed Luci about 10 kitchen washcloths that just came out of the dryer, and Luci folded them and put them away. Can you tell she's proud of her work? I think she has chocolate on her mouth. (Takes after her mother!)
JT today. Cute, cute boy. Bryan kept busy on the computer most of today--he's in the background.

I Will Survive...Homeschooling!

The Homeschool Song, lifted with permission from Laurie's blog. This is much more fun to read if you sing it to the tune, I Will Survive! That has the added bonus of making your kids think you have officially "lost it" and they will give you a wide berth, which is nice since homeschool moms don't get much quiet time.

I Will Survive (the first year of homeschooling)
Originally written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris
Originally performed by Gloria Gaynor
Mercilessly altered with apologies by Natalie Criss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First I was afraid
I was petrified.

Kept thinking I could never teach

'Cause I'm not certified.

But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,
so now I teach my kids at home!

We study math
and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear
with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of
Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we're nuts,
but they don't even bother me

Come on,
let's go walk out the door.
We're on the road now,
'cause we're not home much anymore
My friends would laugh
and say we'd be unsocialized.
I heard one mumble
that I'd give up by July.

Oh no, not I!
I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we'll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.
and I'll survive.
I will survive.

It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart.
Decided to attend
a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms
who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,

And so do we!
My kids are cool!
They're not those chained up little people
stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by
and just expect us to be free
you'd better call ahead first
'cause we're probably busy.

One of Those Days

Today I took the kids to the Army base to get our ID cards renewed. 75 miles away. One way. My card expires next week, Bryan's at the end of the month, and JT has never had a card, but he's eligible. So, off we trotted this morning. Early.

We get to the office and the lady tells me we need our Sponsor. That's the military family member--and John was not with us. Frantic, I get Bryan to call John, who just happens to be in Huntsville today--usually he's not--and he was only a few miles from us. Good! The last few times I've been in this office, John has been overseas and the pile of papers I always carry with me have sufficed. I had no idea he was actually needed here. John said he was glad that *somebody* needed him!

While we are waiting for John, Luci demonstrates to the entire assembly of soldiers that she understands the nature show we saw the other day--a DVD from Netflix which shows animals on the Serengeti giving birth. She tells, rather loudly (of course), how JT was born--"JT! That baby was bornded like when Mommy popped you out!" Now we have about 10 troops deciding they never want to have kids.

JT now has a migraine--he's eaten things with corn syrup the past few days, and it's showing. He is pale. He is upset that we are breathing, but we have no intention of stopping.

John gets there, our number is called (finally!) and we discover that when Daddy entered the information on the kids that Bryan's eyes are listed as green (they're blue), JT's eyes are listed as blue (they're green) and, according to Daddy, Bryan was born in a totally different year. And now JT is looking as green as his eyes.

The cards are in hand, John is on his way with TVA business, the kids and I are on the way to the commissary for groceries. Luci, surprisingly, is the best behaved of the bunch. JT is not looking well. After a very quick trip, we head to the PX for lunch and then to the car. JT got sick in the parking lot (thank goodness it's not in the car). I give JT Nyquil (not Feingold approved, but it works for him), then buy a bucket at the PX for the long trip home. Thankfully it's not needed.

Next time, how about I call you to come along for our adventure? Any takers? John definitely does not want to be in on our shopping/errands trips.

Please Vote

Here is a survey, being taken by Costco Connection. It is asking,

Should parents be certified to home school their children?

Yes or No

I don't care how you vote, but please do vote. If you know me well, you know that I am a certified teacher--I was one of the last groups to get a permanent teaching certificate in the state of Texas. College degree in education, taught for 7 years (Kindergarten for 2 and 3rd grade for 5). But none of that helped me teach my own kids in my own home. I had more paperwork in public school, and dealt with crowd management--I'm pretty good at that. But none of that prepared me to teach my own kids. Teaching in a classroom is more like trying to hit 30 bulls-eyes with buckshot. Homeschooling is like “Extreme Tutoring.”

I voted NO. Because certification isn't what is needed. A passion for your own children's education is what is essential. I have quite a few homeschooling friends who didn't make it to college and are teaching their children much more than any public or private school could.

I guess I really do care how you vote.

Homeschooling Truths

These are from GreatHomeschoolTshirts.com.

Oh, Good Grief

Last night, Luci and I saw Mina from Sprout's Good Night Show make a penguin. It involved a toilet paper roll. This morning, I'm looking up the directions on the internet, and told Luci to "go get the toilet paper roll off the bathroom counter." Here's what she came back with: And here's the penguin we made with that newly-empty t.p. roll:

Luci's Weekend

We got a pool--it seemed plenty big until JT got in.
Splash! Luci got some new clothes and had to wear all of them one hot morning,

on the way to get the newspaper. She was quite

sweaty when she got back into the house.