tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65456874766891320342024-03-14T01:00:24.965-07:00Wild DandelionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-4760680075662861862010-02-28T13:18:00.001-08:002010-02-28T13:43:32.886-08:00The Joy of Reading.....<div>Whenever we are around kids who attend school, I am always amazed at how reading for them is often a chore, part of their homework, instead of the joyful pursuit that it is for my children (and me!). I will hear parents say things like, "Did you do your 15 minutes of reading yet?" or I will hear children complaining that they have to read! And, I remember being in school.....the books that I didn't chose to read, passages in a reading book that didn't interest me but were supposed to teach me some or another important skill, the books that were required. I still loved to read, but only when I could choose my own book (of course!). </div><div><br /></div><div>What a different scene in our house! My kids LOVE to read, hear me (or Mike, Maddie, or Amelia) read, and even listen to books on tape in the car. They literally beg me to go to the library! And you should see the scene if I say no. :) Books are a huge part of every day in our lives. So, here are a few pictures of us reading and enjoying books. I once saw this saying, </div><div>"So Many Books, So Little Time." I couldn't agree more!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Reading!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rfgUy56XI/AAAAAAAAAyw/bCA03_ETMCQ/s1600-h/P1070206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rfgUy56XI/AAAAAAAAAyw/bCA03_ETMCQ/s320/P1070206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443408846061693298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Leah has been LOVING dogs lately. She takes out so many dog books each week and has been learning about different breeds and other cool stuff about dogs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rffys3vRI/AAAAAAAAAyo/-KAA-zOZ3DM/s1600-h/P1070261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rffys3vRI/AAAAAAAAAyo/-KAA-zOZ3DM/s320/P1070261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443408836909579538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia is enjoying Highlights magazine, which we get each month. It is such a wonderful day when this magazine arrives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rffd0xGNI/AAAAAAAAAyg/GfmSRL9UO-o/s1600-h/P1070210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rffd0xGNI/AAAAAAAAAyg/GfmSRL9UO-o/s320/P1070210.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443408831305554130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here are SOME of our returns last week. Maddie and Amelia take out tons of books each week (sometimes biweekly) and they read each and every one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rffKZrfnI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ekGxNuGAzFI/s1600-h/P1070211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S4rffKZrfnI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ekGxNuGAzFI/s320/P1070211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443408826091667058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Some of my favorite books are cookbooks. I love to read them while I am in the kitchen. I also LOVE the day that Mother Earth News comes in the mail! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-23593999202090468632010-02-11T05:42:00.001-08:002010-02-11T06:03:20.947-08:00The Snowy Day....<div style="text-align: center;"><br />I got this random e-mail yesterday titled, "What to do with your kids so that they won't become bored at home in all of this snow." Are you kidding me??? Bored? At home? Home is where my kids long to be....all of the time. In fact, sometimes, I have trouble getting them out the door. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is a glimpse of what our home was like during our blizzard yesterday. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLq3Mke2I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/2_zma9dNPmg/s1600-h/P1070104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLq3Mke2I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/2_zma9dNPmg/s320/P1070104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983481142115170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">While the snow piled up outside, (just look at our gate buried in the snow!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLqg-88uI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Hx-LGZVTu54/s1600-h/P1070089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLqg-88uI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Hx-LGZVTu54/s320/P1070089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983475179418338" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia had to do the hourly measurement with the yardstick (20+ inches on top of 25 inches!),</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLUtqdJWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/GM8a9Q20MME/s1600-h/P1070069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLUtqdJWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/GM8a9Q20MME/s320/P1070069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983100625986914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">while Leah took some self portraits with my camera,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLUAwtCII/AAAAAAAAAx4/fHednjtFwl0/s1600-h/P1070070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLUAwtCII/AAAAAAAAAx4/fHednjtFwl0/s320/P1070070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983088572598402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ben played on his favorite, Club Penguin, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLT7wiI1I/AAAAAAAAAxw/sctIhv8Oz-s/s1600-h/P1070117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLT7wiI1I/AAAAAAAAAxw/sctIhv8Oz-s/s320/P1070117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983087229707090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and I tried a new recipe from a favorite cookbook.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLTd929-I/AAAAAAAAAxo/HQqj4glV5S4/s1600-h/P1070116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLTd929-I/AAAAAAAAAxo/HQqj4glV5S4/s320/P1070116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983079232534498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, Mike and Amelia worked on her snap circuit kit,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLTPEy9WI/AAAAAAAAAxg/-YuJ4NMNdms/s1600-h/P1070096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QLTPEy9WI/AAAAAAAAAxg/-YuJ4NMNdms/s320/P1070096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436983075235100002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and we found lots of time to play games (Monopoly, Monopoly Jr., Cooties, etc.).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKSQc50pI/AAAAAAAAAxY/C_tFHAxLUB4/s1600-h/P1070093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKSQc50pI/AAAAAAAAAxY/C_tFHAxLUB4/s320/P1070093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436981958913151634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I just love when Leah and Ben take these amazing photographs! Their perspective is perfect!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKSOR8A5I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/6gfTLxygVao/s1600-h/P1070102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKSOR8A5I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/6gfTLxygVao/s320/P1070102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436981958330286994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ben took some time to create a truck for his dog. I love how he used empty ribbon spools to create the wheels!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKR_SPKYI/AAAAAAAAAxI/Wu47SFHlvHs/s1600-h/P1070110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKR_SPKYI/AAAAAAAAAxI/Wu47SFHlvHs/s320/P1070110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436981954305010050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And Maddie decided to create a bag to hold all of her tap essentials (after not having a brush and holder with her this week).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKRnBRq-I/AAAAAAAAAxA/N2v4T68sMIc/s1600-h/P1070114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKRnBRq-I/AAAAAAAAAxA/N2v4T68sMIc/s320/P1070114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436981947791420386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKRGg3vMI/AAAAAAAAAw4/8QQOfdVrxP4/s1600-h/P1070106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/S3QKRGg3vMI/AAAAAAAAAw4/8QQOfdVrxP4/s320/P1070106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436981939065568450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And I continuously watch my little lettuce plants grow and dream of the spring day when I am harvesting them for a fresh salad!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope your day was filled with passion chasing too! :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-24466343789756180872009-12-25T19:58:00.000-08:002009-12-25T20:24:27.452-08:00Homemade Holiday<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, in a very cultural way. Mike grew up Catholic, and I grew up Jewish. Now, we attend a Unitarian Universalist Church, which suites our family and the way that we want to raise our children. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anyways, celebrating all of these holidays involves lots of gift giving, all at a time when I am trying to simplify our belongings and declutter our home. So, we decided that Hanukkah would be completely homemade. What fun this ended up being! Maddie, in particular, immediately generated a list of people that she needed to make gifts for, thought about what each person would like, and got to work creating! Mike spent his share of time down in the basement working with wood and creating a fabulous work bench for the children (and something for Aunt Jen and Uncle Adam, which they will receive on Sun!), and I spent a lot of time in our new sewing room. I made a fleece blanket, an embroidered bag, and a stuffed animal for each of our children, a quilt for my mom, and other various gifts. There were also home dipped beeswax candles and ornaments, canned applesauce from a local orchard, yummy cookies, scarves, bags, drawings and paintings, bracelets, ...... all in all, a wonderful experience and the beginning of a new tradition.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But, Santa is another story. I worried that he and his elves would bring more of the toys that we are trying to stay away from. I was pleasantly surprised this morning.....his elves did a wonderful job of knowing our family's wishes! It was a quiet Christmas day (no battery operated toys!) filled with new crafts and hobbies....wood working for everyone, more bead work for Maddie, painting for Ben, a snap circuit for Amelia, and lots of dog related things for Leah to fuel her new passion. Thankfully, there was lots of time for sledding too!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It has been a lot of work (and some headaches late at night when my eyes hurt from staring at fabric).....but it was worth it. Our goal of simplicity in the new year has already begun!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SzWKjnPRuGI/AAAAAAAAAww/fFLXEQXEyo8/s1600-h/DSCF4028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SzWKjnPRuGI/AAAAAAAAAww/fFLXEQXEyo8/s320/DSCF4028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419390071043373154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My hands guiding my mom's quilt through the machine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, and a big thank you to my parents....who really listened when I said no more plastic dolls, battery operated cars, etc. Instead, we are seeing the Wizard of Oz tomorrow, the Philadelphia Orchestra in the winter, and The Lion King on Broadway (CAN'T WAIT!!!) in May. Thanks, mom and dad....for listening to my wishes and for all of the thoughtful gifts!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-79743264316590874272009-11-19T19:32:00.000-08:002009-11-19T19:55:39.041-08:00Art 101<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>I love art museums (ok...museums, in general)! So, it really drives me crazy to hear homeschoolers (not unschoolers, mind you) talking about trying to fulfill an art "requirement!" This should not be a task at all, as I see it. It is FUN to visit art museums and to create artwork at home. And, we are so fortunate to live near a really wonderful, small art museum....</b></span></span><a href="http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>the Brandywine River Museum</b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>. What a beautiful place to spend a morning (and into the afternoon as it turned out...yeah for having no schedule!). Our local museum is filled with fabulous art work, especially from the Wyeths, wonderful childrens' programs, and a beautiful river to hang around after our visit. I mean, really, you can't come to the Brandywine River Museum without hanging out on Miss Gratz and Helen, the resident cow and pig statues that reside outside of the museum and beckon my children to climb on them! :)</b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOrDjpwmI/AAAAAAAAAwI/pDzZRVyBZbQ/s1600/P1060124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOrDjpwmI/AAAAAAAAAwI/pDzZRVyBZbQ/s320/P1060124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406024535556866658" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A view of the river on this dreary and beautiful November day. One thing that I love is viewing the river in all seasons. In the summer and warm months, we picnic out here (ok, we actually picnic year round, even at times in the snow or rain), in the fall, we view the leaves turning crimson, and in the winter, we see the shadows of the leafless branches in the water. We notice how the current is moving, and we always know if it has rained a lot from the level of the river. We definitely feel at home out here. </span><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOqy_e_gI/AAAAAAAAAwA/BaJi1-SoSA8/s1600/P1060121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOqy_e_gI/AAAAAAAAAwA/BaJi1-SoSA8/s320/P1060121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406024531110198786" /></a>My lens was partially covered in this picture, though I think it looks pretty neat this way. Here, all four of my explorers are sitting on Miss Gratz, the cow.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOqnE6cZI/AAAAAAAAAv4/iFiJpdF_uZg/s1600/P1060125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOqnE6cZI/AAAAAAAAAv4/iFiJpdF_uZg/s320/P1060125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406024527911743890" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Another beautiful view of the river, with a railroad trestle in the distance. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOqM80v2I/AAAAAAAAAvw/8fWSQIuTHvw/s1600/P1060128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SwYOqM80v2I/AAAAAAAAAvw/8fWSQIuTHvw/s320/P1060128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406024520898494306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I feel so lucky to live in the Brandywine Valley! After spending a fun morning at this museum, we took a small detour on the way home through the Brandywine Battlefield, where Washington's troops fought (and lost) a battle against General Howe and the British troops on Sept. 11, 1777. Very cool stuff!</span></b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-2485197301979950962009-11-12T19:58:00.001-08:002009-11-12T20:05:59.885-08:00November 12th in Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ3GhSuEI/AAAAAAAAAvo/HJ2IXq5OSZ4/s1600-h/P1040808.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ3GhSuEI/AAAAAAAAAvo/HJ2IXq5OSZ4/s320/P1040808.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403433193604036674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our resident computer expert.....Amelia! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ2sNlpCI/AAAAAAAAAvg/yDxQHfKetac/s1600-h/P1040798.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ2sNlpCI/AAAAAAAAAvg/yDxQHfKetac/s320/P1040798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403433186542068770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fashions for Felicity by Maddie!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ2R0IvQI/AAAAAAAAAvY/UihnMbVplWI/s1600-h/P1040777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ2R0IvQI/AAAAAAAAAvY/UihnMbVplWI/s320/P1040777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403433179455995138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lots of Guess Who? playing with Ben and Leah.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ2AFIH3I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/CMgrW3iYHfA/s1600-h/P1040775.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvzZ2AFIH3I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/CMgrW3iYHfA/s320/P1040775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403433174695419762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A successful trip to the dentist in the morning led to the acquisition of these vampire teeth. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Self-photography by Ben.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Of course, there was also quilt and blanket making, reading, dancing, webkinz playing, jewelry making, healthy eating, and a trip to the library</span>. </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> All in all, a beautiful day!</span></span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-52871401575723350972009-11-11T19:54:00.001-08:002009-11-11T20:13:56.244-08:00Follow Your Passions......<div>In our house, we spend our days "Chasing our Passions!" So, here are some of our current passions.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIQW8jTlI/AAAAAAAAAu4/PoKCu-CwM3g/s1600-h/P1040692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIQW8jTlI/AAAAAAAAAu4/PoKCu-CwM3g/s320/P1040692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061992579878482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike has started brewing his own beer! His first batch was just bottled and so far it tastes great! We also are fermenting some local apple cider...lots of fun and good gifts for our "Handmade Holiday!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIQNZ-VcI/AAAAAAAAAuw/bvR7E-ZHJaE/s1600-h/P1040693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIQNZ-VcI/AAAAAAAAAuw/bvR7E-ZHJaE/s320/P1040693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061990018930114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIP4YPgSI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5KJbZNlN7yw/s1600-h/P1040695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIP4YPgSI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5KJbZNlN7yw/s320/P1040695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061984374522146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Books are a passion for all of us in the Rehrman household! Amelia is very passionate about "Katy Kazoo" books, Maddie is enjoying the "Animal Ark" series, Ben and Leah love just about anything that I read to them especially the Arthur books and anything about ducks (for Leah). I am loving "Water for Elephants," and Mike is finally working through (my favorite) Harry Potter series. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIPZhSDuI/AAAAAAAAAug/2JVv9vckouA/s1600-h/P1040694.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIPZhSDuI/AAAAAAAAAug/2JVv9vckouA/s320/P1040694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061976090939106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We are especially passionate about each other! I LOVE spending each day with my children. What a gift!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIPG6x5mI/AAAAAAAAAuY/vfhyq9-r55E/s1600-h/P1040696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuIPG6x5mI/AAAAAAAAAuY/vfhyq9-r55E/s320/P1040696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061971097609826" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuH0L3U6zI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/T2dRIK5_Ao8/s1600-h/P1040702.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuH0L3U6zI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/T2dRIK5_Ao8/s320/P1040702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061508568836914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I have always been passionate about cooking and eating good and healthy food. Now, I am convinced that to keep the "piggy flu" away, we must feed nothing but healthy food into our bodies! Here is some beautiful swiss chard that I bought from our neighbor, who has a greenhouse. I normally would have this coming from our own garden, but the deer got there before we could! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHz47qalI/AAAAAAAAAuI/WLjPopko4Vo/s1600-h/P1040704.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHz47qalI/AAAAAAAAAuI/WLjPopko4Vo/s320/P1040704.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061503486749266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I combine that beautiful swiss chard with ground flax seeds, goji berries, blueberries, cherries, bananas, and anything else that seems yummy and healthy to create a FABULOUS smoothie! Ben, in particular, drinks this ALL DAY! You know what they say? A smoothie a day keeps the doctor away!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHzWHqrvI/AAAAAAAAAuA/hPqB8eHrbuU/s1600-h/P1040705.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHzWHqrvI/AAAAAAAAAuA/hPqB8eHrbuU/s320/P1040705.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061494141857522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHzC-6mvI/AAAAAAAAAt4/fT0J-cliTEQ/s1600-h/P1040722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHzC-6mvI/AAAAAAAAAt4/fT0J-cliTEQ/s320/P1040722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061489004878578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Spending time laughing and reading on the sofa. What a way to pass the day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHy4CwdbI/AAAAAAAAAtw/h3pHc50JXVs/s1600-h/P1040749.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvuHy4CwdbI/AAAAAAAAAtw/h3pHc50JXVs/s320/P1040749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403061486068200882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And I leave you with Ben! He was taking pictures of himself under the blanket for a LONG time! This was the funniest of the bunch. What a spirit that boy has!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, chase your passions! Let all the wonders of the beautiful world be your teachers! Long live life learners!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-82551805960462218852009-11-03T19:09:00.001-08:002009-11-03T19:18:47.717-08:00Scrabble Time<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amelia and I like to play Scrabble. It's been amazing, really, to watch Amelia spell. She is a wonderful speller, though she does not love to read (incidentally, she IS a great reader). Let me clarify....she doesn't love to read books (except joke books!). She loves to read anything on the computer! She is WILD about the computer! And, because of this passion, she is wild about spelling and typing (and she is darn good, too).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, today, when she wanted to play Scrabble, I got excited. It is really fun to play first games like Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land with your children. But, for me, I REALLY enjoy playing games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Mancala, and Sorry! It is so much fun! And, as with everything, the learning that comes with each of these games is extraordinary. Today, Amelia was using a calculator to keep score, doing mental math, using a dictionary, not to mention creating really cool words....her highest scoring word was "Ninja." :) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm so glad that my children are not learning dictionary skills by being forced to look up words on a worksheet. Much more fun (and REAL) to play Scrabble!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDwoUQbz-I/AAAAAAAAAto/OLJjNVD3gXg/s1600-h/DSCN0735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDwoUQbz-I/AAAAAAAAAto/OLJjNVD3gXg/s320/DSCN0735.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400080528640298978" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-20522714421038444762009-11-03T18:59:00.000-08:002009-11-03T19:09:20.643-08:00Autumn<div style="text-align: center;">Walking through the woods at <a href="http://delawarenaturesociety.org/">Ashland.......</a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvOPa3f2I/AAAAAAAAAtg/Cs48xxooDmQ/s1600-h/DSCN0727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvOPa3f2I/AAAAAAAAAtg/Cs48xxooDmQ/s320/DSCN0727.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400078981153652578" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Climbing our favorite tree....a beautiful, Japanese Maple.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvN4YligI/AAAAAAAAAtY/TYhUeN-Dwi0/s1600-h/DSCN0693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvN4YligI/AAAAAAAAAtY/TYhUeN-Dwi0/s320/DSCN0693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400078974970071554" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Making yummy, healthy <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html">treats</a> to share with friends. Leah's sweet hands.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvNTww15I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/bItELlQPilw/s1600-h/DSCN0659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvNTww15I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/bItELlQPilw/s320/DSCN0659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400078965139363730" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Carving Jack-O-Lanterns.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvNPCy0pI/AAAAAAAAAtI/mQXu88uaVEo/s1600-h/DSCN0632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvNPCy0pI/AAAAAAAAAtI/mQXu88uaVEo/s320/DSCN0632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400078963872813714" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvMzK-SuI/AAAAAAAAAtA/osKqVLmoeA0/s1600-h/DSCN0589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SvDvMzK-SuI/AAAAAAAAAtA/osKqVLmoeA0/s320/DSCN0589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400078956390927074" /></a><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-446137811941940882009-11-01T04:26:00.000-08:002009-11-01T05:09:20.790-08:00A trip to Millers......On Friday, we took our quarterly (or so) trip to Millers' natural food store....one of my favorite places. It is an Amish run natural food store.....no electricity, gorgeous scenery, lots of horse and buggies.....and super prices on bulk grains, seeds, and dried fruits. Always a wonderful time!<div><br /></div><div>I spent a lot of money! $277 to be exact. But, is this really a lot of money??? It seems so when I am writing the check to pay them (and by the way, I love that I can't use my debit card there). I bought lots of organic flours, seeds, nuts, and dried fruits, not to mention a case of organic bananas (much cheaper than buying bunches and bunches). These ingredients will become our smoothies in the morning, our bread and seed butters for lunch, and delicious stews and soups for winter dinners. </div><div><br /></div><div>I make almost everything homemade, and I love it! I know exactly what I put in our food and what went into making it and even who had their hands in it (me and my children!). So, it might be a whopping $277 for groceries for one day....but think of the savings as I am buying so very little processed food (we all love tortilla chips and some other staples that I haven't tried making yet). Instead of boxes of cereal (bad for the earth, bad for you!), we make our cereal with cheap organic oats ($.85 a pound!) and lots of nutritious toppings. The savings is there, not to mention our health!</div><div><br /></div><div>(Warning: I will now step onto my soapbox :) </div><div>I have been amazed and astounded lately as I see what some people eat! When Maddie was attending school, she would talk about the children who bring "Lunchables." I fully believe that these "lunches" should be against the law! The list of ingredients is as long as the Constitution and just as confusing! :) I always say to my children, "If you don't know what it means, don't eat it!" We also talk about how all food comes from the sun. If you can't trace it back to the sun, don't eat it! </div><div><br /></div><div>When we are out and about, I see children eating crackers filled with hydrogenated oils, fast food (heaven help me!), artificially colored stuff (WHY???), and other "food" items that are not nourishing and actually harmful! What happened that we think this is the way to feed our children???? </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, while we were watching the Addams Family at my parents' house (a Halloween special), there were commercials. My children are not used to seeing commercials because the only shows that they ever watch are on public tv or a tape. So, they were mesmerized....and I was feeling very critical. As you watch these commercials, it actually makes you feel like goldfish crackers are a healthy choice to feed to your children (and that Lysol bleach is the best thing to clean your toilets.....it even said that it was "pediatrician recommended".....WHAT???). They really make it convincing! It actually makes me (sort of) understand why some people think that cheerios for breakfast, luncheables for lunch, and frozen dinners for dinner are healthy. I said, sort of.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok....I'll get off of my soapbox! This is obviously an area that I feel passionate about! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here, instead, are some pictures of the WHOLE foods that we purchased at Millers and one of the yummy, healthy foods that I CREATED (key word, I think) when we got home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy, healthy noshing, everyone!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-vjijXbI/AAAAAAAAAs4/fvo_0iSoT_8/s1600-h/DSCN0573.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-vjijXbI/AAAAAAAAAs4/fvo_0iSoT_8/s320/DSCN0573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399110883746209202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Three of the many bags that we purchased at Millers.....organic, raw pumpkin seeds, organic coconut, and organic sunflower seeds.....YUM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-vbSTtcI/AAAAAAAAAsw/ODk_yEa0TA0/s1600-h/DSCN0571.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-vbSTtcI/AAAAAAAAAsw/ODk_yEa0TA0/s320/DSCN0571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399110881530590658" /></a>Delicious granola made from the organic oats, raisins, and seeds from Millers, along with some of <a href="http://www.swarmbustinhoney.com/">Walt's delicious honey</a>!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-vCyVA6I/AAAAAAAAAso/UtzAJucqAmc/s1600-h/DSCN0567.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-vCyVA6I/AAAAAAAAAso/UtzAJucqAmc/s320/DSCN0567.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399110874954007458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Always must walk on the wall on the way into Millers. A must! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-u93jodI/AAAAAAAAAsg/y6uUn-1S_5E/s1600-h/DSCN0579.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Su1-u93jodI/AAAAAAAAAsg/y6uUn-1S_5E/s320/DSCN0579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399110873633759698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A very bad picture of a very good thing.....raw, organic pumpkin seeds! Delish and nutrish!</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-73672657882410518012009-10-31T07:40:00.000-07:002009-10-31T08:13:43.656-07:00HOME school???<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In our family, we usually say that we "unschool" or "learn naturally" or some other term....really, anything other than HOME schooling works for me. To me, as I've posted before, homeschooling implies sitting at a table at home and doing predetermined curriculum. For me, this is NOT the point of keeping my children out of school. I want them to live in this world...to be a part of it...rather than learning about it from textbooks in or out of school! So, here is a little taste of our living and learning from the last week or so. Enjoy!</span></span></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxSpLY2SdI/AAAAAAAAAsY/zHwqI9PQAQ8/s1600-h/DSCN0531.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxQ4qWSTfI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/r77UZALwbFc/s1600-h/DSCN0499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxQ4qWSTfI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/r77UZALwbFc/s320/DSCN0499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398778987681041906" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Looking for Wooly Bear caterpillars in the garden!</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxQ4GylL0I/AAAAAAAAAsI/u-UJbi4KdJc/s1600-h/DSCN0497.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxQ4GylL0I/AAAAAAAAAsI/u-UJbi4KdJc/s320/DSCN0497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398778978136043330" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We spot a caterpillar!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxQ3wuitzI/AAAAAAAAAsA/ekxCfYavsr8/s1600-h/DSCN0491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxQ3wuitzI/AAAAAAAAAsA/ekxCfYavsr8/s320/DSCN0491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398778972213524274" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxOl5mMwmI/AAAAAAAAAr4/C8kcix9iUho/s1600-h/DSCN0559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxOl5mMwmI/AAAAAAAAAr4/C8kcix9iUho/s320/DSCN0559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398776466333549154" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Doing pumpkin activities with friends!</span></div></span><div><br /></div><div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Hanging out at historical Valley Forge park. We attended a fabulous homeschool day there! We are so lucky to live in this very beautiful and historical area.</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxOk1k1xYI/AAAAAAAAArg/mPprigHNiMk/s1600-h/DSCN0520.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxOk1k1xYI/AAAAAAAAArg/mPprigHNiMk/s320/DSCN0520.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398776448074237314" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Valley Forge!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxOknWv0uI/AAAAAAAAArY/t1wybDU54vE/s1600-h/DSCN0533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxOknWv0uI/AAAAAAAAArY/t1wybDU54vE/s320/DSCN0533.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398776444257030882" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Climbing on a cannon at Valley Forge!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxN-LIuVJI/AAAAAAAAArQ/e9X1W0h2HYg/s1600-h/DSCN0541.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxN-LIuVJI/AAAAAAAAArQ/e9X1W0h2HYg/s320/DSCN0541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398775783846990994" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Leah playing her new "Penny Whistle" that she bought at VF. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxN9xTed7I/AAAAAAAAArI/_3qdXFYB-GI/s1600-h/DSCN0510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxN9xTed7I/AAAAAAAAArI/_3qdXFYB-GI/s320/DSCN0510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398775776912766898" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> Maddie creating a beautiful fairy home in the woods behind our house.</span></span></div></span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxN9u-li2I/AAAAAAAAArA/dUX-5AYd5F0/s1600-h/DSCN0503.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SuxN9u-li2I/AAAAAAAAArA/dUX-5AYd5F0/s320/DSCN0503.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398775776288279394" /></a>A fairy home created by our wonderful neighbor, Leslee. We helped adorn it with berries from the woods.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I feel so lucky to spend every day with my children! It is a wonderful journey. And, what a contrast to September....a month of missing Maddie daily and wondering what she was up to, a month of carting her back and forth to school and living by the clock, a month of being disgusted by what she was learning and how she was learning it. Enough of the negative! Our life is so positive! I love exploring this beautiful world with my family! Unschooling rocks!<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-16010489755983103402009-10-20T18:13:00.000-07:002009-10-20T18:42:48.223-07:00A Little John Holt Inspiration....<div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Among the many things I have learned about children, learned by many, many years of hanging out with them, watching carefully what they do, and thinking about it, is that children are natural learners</span></span>."</div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>--John Holt "Learning All the Time"</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5huD6N6qI/AAAAAAAAAqo/B8Vu5vcwszA/s1600-h/DSCN0473.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5huD6N6qI/AAAAAAAAAqo/B8Vu5vcwszA/s320/DSCN0473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394856847587797666" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Leah having a ball at the park! I was thinking about all of the parks that we spend time at throughout the year. As a child, we didn't go to a lot of parks, though I have great parents who took us lots of wonderful places. Upon thinking about it more, I realized that we probably didn't do the park thing because we were in school so much of the time. And, the playground at school is the one that I remember most. </span></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">I'm so glad that my kids have the joy of comparing parks. Today, when we arrived at our weekly park day, the kids exclaimed, "Oh, this is my FAVORITE park!" Cool!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htm9Bs1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/qfe_fEAr2xg/s1600-h/DSCN0456.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htm9Bs1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/qfe_fEAr2xg/s1600-h/DSCN0456.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htm9Bs1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/qfe_fEAr2xg/s320/DSCN0456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394856839814951762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Maddie writing down all kinds of information related to her "My Little Ponies." It's amazing how much my children write.....I believe because they are never forced to. Today, Maddie and Amelia wrote SO MUCH! And, all of it was important to them. In the words of Maddie today, "If you give her a Bath Make Shur that you do not get too much watar on her" (writing about Fluttershy).</span></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htczcOtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/ez3yP4itzPQ/s1600-h/DSCN0448.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htczcOtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/ez3yP4itzPQ/s320/DSCN0448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394856837090392786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ben has been creating AMAZING castles lately! They are very beautiful and almost completely (or completely) symmetrical. What a wonderful way to "learn" about this important mathematical concept. And, so much more fun and natural than circling the symmetrical object on a worksheet. Go Ben!</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htKTkuEI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/7LE7AQoQDpo/s1600-h/DSCN0447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5htKTkuEI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/7LE7AQoQDpo/s320/DSCN0447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394856832124893250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5hsxaupSI/AAAAAAAAAqI/tiShx096x9c/s1600-h/DSCN0468.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/St5hsxaupSI/AAAAAAAAAqI/tiShx096x9c/s320/DSCN0468.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394856825444017442" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Amelia reading a library book at our kitchen table. Reading is such a natural part of our day. It is also my favorite part of the day. In particular, I love reading before bed (with a flashlight) in my childrens' room. What a magical time and what adventures we go on! In the last month alone, we have been on the prairie for the book, "Skylark," and to England for a special book called, "Mandy." Now, we are traveling back to WWII with Molly, one of the American Girls. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Yesterday, as the kids and I were waiting for Maddie's tap class to be finished, we watched a 1st grader reading to his mom. Actually, he was reading in order to get an assignment done.....30 minutes of reading each night (ok, I was eavesdropping a little....it's a small room, really!). So, the mom was typing something into her cell phone (oh, I can't stand this!) and he was "reading." Can that really be called reading??? Being forced to read something! Reading is wonderful, magical, an adventure....why should it be forced???? UGH!!!! I'm again so glad to have my children away from school, where they force kids to read! (enough of that soap box)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Let's finish with something positive from one of my favs....John Holt!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places. They learn much more from things, natural or made, that are real and significant in the world in their own right and not just made in order to help children learn.........We can best help children learn, not by deciding what we think they should learn and thinking of ingenious ways to teach it to them, but by making the world, as far as we can, accessible to them, paying serious attention to what they do, answering their questions.....and helping them explore the things they are most interested in</span>."</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>--John Holt "Learning All the Time"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Rock on, John!</b></span><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-24105088663040468252009-10-14T19:24:00.000-07:002009-10-14T19:37:11.934-07:00Random Acts of Kindness...pass it on!On the Radical Unschooling yahoo group, Dayna Martin mentioned that her family was trying to intentionally practice "Random Acts of Kindness." This inspired me to have a conversation with my young people and see what they thought. They were excited immediately! In the last few days, this has led to so much awareness of the beauty in others and the kindness that so many others bestow upon our family. Here is a partial list of the kindnesses that I have witnessed in the last few days....<div><br /></div><div>*Maddie, Amelia, and Ben wrote letters to Bubbi (my grandmom who is fairly lonely), GG (my other grandmom) and my mom and dad. All were meant to pick up the spirits of those who will receive them!</div><div><br /></div><div>*Wel brought pumpkins and warm apple cider to park day to share with us all. Thanks, Wel! This inspired Amelia to want to bake cookies to bring to park day next week. Pass it on...</div><div><br /></div><div>*Leslee, our wonderful next door neighbor, arranged for the children and I to visit her friend, Jenny today. Jenny has chickens, sheep, a greenhouse, and many other wonderful things to share on her homestead. What a wonderful time chasing the black kitten, feeding the chickens, gathering eggs and Nasturtium seeds, touring the greenhouse, seeing the beehives, ...... </div><div><br /></div><div>*Last week, Leslee, who just retired from working in a school, took a few hours to really show the children and me around her property. She took so much time explaining so many wonderful things and we learned so much. She also said that we were welcome to roam around her meadow and woods whenever we wanted. Her passion for nature inspired us to create fairy homes for the rest of the afternoon!</div><div><br /></div><div>*Amelia is having a bike rally to raise money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). She created a flyer on the computer and wanted to make copies of it to distribute around our area. The man at the copy store this afternoon made her 50 copies at no charge because he thought it was amazing of her to do this, and he wanted to support her!</div><div><br /></div><div>*Mike, my wonderful husband, who was always a doubter of unschooling (until Maddie and Amelia actually went to school) left me a fabulous, positive comment on my last post supporting our unschooling ways. Yeah!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kindness is everywhere! And, when you start to really notice it, life becomes even more beautiful!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-24149510155114621912009-10-14T05:04:00.000-07:002009-10-14T05:29:06.356-07:00We are Back!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We are back! Back to "unschooling," back to living out our passions day after day, back to living together in joy, back to spending our days together....back to OUR basics. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After sending Maddie and Amelia to school this year, I quickly realized that I had made a mistake. No, I take that back. It wasn't a mistake. I had to see for myself what school would be like for them. Yet, it was full of all the things that I no longer believe in.....learning that is not meaningful, extrinsic rewards, a condescending attitude towards children (not that I ever believed in that), living our day by the clock (when to take and pick up), and a clear lack of FREEDOM, in every sense of the word. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> It clearly was not the right place for my children! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, now we are back to living each day filled with all of the important stuff of life........</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_WNlyiMI/AAAAAAAAAqA/CfhLphQIff4/s1600-h/DSCN0429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_WNlyiMI/AAAAAAAAAqA/CfhLphQIff4/s320/DSCN0429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392426517172226242" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hours at the library finding treasures, followed by lots of reading!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_VnVmXWI/AAAAAAAAAp4/nDoLA1yAnds/s1600-h/DSCN0420.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_VnVmXWI/AAAAAAAAAp4/nDoLA1yAnds/s320/DSCN0420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392426506903772514" /></a>Science experiments at the table totally thought up by Amelia! Testing to see what liquids will make pennies shine the most. Ben and Leah are in the background experimenting with their favorite....baking soda and vinegar. Volcano, anyone??? :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_VB80m7I/AAAAAAAAApw/T-DK3XxpLDU/s1600-h/DSCN0387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_VB80m7I/AAAAAAAAApw/T-DK3XxpLDU/s320/DSCN0387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392426496867736498" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Creating fairy homes in our yard on a beautiful autumn day. Enjoying nature!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_UsgpYTI/AAAAAAAAApo/58gQcILdtL0/s1600-h/DSCN0434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_UsgpYTI/AAAAAAAAApo/58gQcILdtL0/s320/DSCN0434.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392426491112415538" /></a>Maddie's natural enthusiasm as she is explaining to me about a new project that she wants to try. She read about this in a book.....she is going to send a small stuffed animal to a pen pal in Maine who will then send it on to someone else, all the time writing about the animal's adventures. Cool!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_UJ50_QI/AAAAAAAAApg/0ldYo41Jmm0/s1600-h/DSCN0413.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/StW_UJ50_QI/AAAAAAAAApg/0ldYo41Jmm0/s320/DSCN0413.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392426481822792962" /></a>My feet are now back on the ground. I feel confident knowing that I am doing the best thing for my children by keeping them home...... No, not home, but in the world.....EXPLORING our world everyday!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-50226437471057224492009-09-30T18:52:00.000-07:002009-09-30T19:19:30.543-07:00Adam and Jen Get Married!<div>My brother has been together with Jen for a long time now.....as long as Maddie and Amelia have been on our Earth! So, it was quite exciting when Adam (finally:) asked her to marry him last summer. They originally were going to get married in Philadelphia, which made sense for many reasons....most of all it is closer to most of the people who would be attending. But, as Adam and Jen always do, they went with their guts and decided to have the wedding on a beautiful farm in the Catskill Mountains of New York! I admire them in so many ways! And, I am inspired by them! Their wedding was so beautiful, creative, intimate, REAL, inspiring, FUN, and especially full of JOY! Here are some of the highlights, though the entire 4 days that we spent celebrating their committment to each other was full of joy....from the rainy rehearsal to the fireworks and bonfire after the wedding to the dancing (and especially the raised chairs during "Hava Nagila"....to the toasts, the beautiful crafty decorations by Jen....the list could continue for quite some time. We will always remember this fabulous time! Thanks, Adam and Jen!!!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQMeZ61M5I/AAAAAAAAApY/styNdiHorsw/s1600-h/P1040379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQMeZ61M5I/AAAAAAAAApY/styNdiHorsw/s320/P1040379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387444770735207314" /></a>My brother, Adam, fishing in the 40 ft. pond on the farm. Adam recently took up fly fishing.....inspiring how he keeps learning and trying new adventures in his life!<div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQMXCu3EAI/AAAAAAAAApQ/W1FIxUHQ6e4/s1600-h/P1040358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQMXCu3EAI/AAAAAAAAApQ/W1FIxUHQ6e4/s320/P1040358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387444644251897858" /></a>The children and I collected these apples (and ate many, many more) from the beautiful, old apple trees on the farm. Ben also fed countless to his favorite, the pigs!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQMHp9ywqI/AAAAAAAAApI/NP-PZDZ8odg/s1600-h/P1040424.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQMHp9ywqI/AAAAAAAAApI/NP-PZDZ8odg/s320/P1040424.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387444379905606306" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mike and I are ready for the wedding to begin!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQL_laBM5I/AAAAAAAAApA/PqYU5NTYQa8/s1600-h/P1040484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQL_laBM5I/AAAAAAAAApA/PqYU5NTYQa8/s320/P1040484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387444241242862482" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chowing after the ceremony on yummy cheeses and crackers.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQL2QbATOI/AAAAAAAAAo4/oVAIHUtOx7w/s1600-h/P1040475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SsQL2QbATOI/AAAAAAAAAo4/oVAIHUtOx7w/s320/P1040475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387444080991030498" /></a>Adam and Jen during the ceremony, high on a hill, with the beautiful Catskill Mountains in the background, standing under the Chuppah that Mike and Jen made (Mike made the structure and Jen the fabulous fabric that adorned the top), declaring their committment to each other. I was especially moved by their REAL words and obvious love for each other. This is the start of another adventure for them. And, for me, it was an inspiration to have as many adventures as I can. After all, life is short. And, life is good!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-13398879323171497692009-08-12T18:50:00.000-07:002009-08-12T19:04:58.122-07:00Ben & Leah Turn 5!Guess What Ben got for his birthday? Pure Joy!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SoNxgNqFy8I/AAAAAAAAAoo/CsXhVnHmgzk/s1600-h/P1040006.jpg"></a><span><span></span></span><div style="clear:both; text-align:LEFT"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwZ_3FYk0yi2vak34oD_jGN2bTH6OfgLQSIXabaAcIXUMJ-oCXuNd827-gAshwzNjZ5wBC5eEcKfLcp8-VAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-44840368033956770812009-07-25T14:02:00.001-07:002009-07-25T14:05:32.722-07:00Photography by Ben!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtzcIRFo8I/AAAAAAAAAoY/-JEdU1CBaA0/s1600-h/P1030584.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtzcIRFo8I/AAAAAAAAAoY/-JEdU1CBaA0/s320/P1030584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362506708407395266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtzbzZgLjI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/V_9tVItHMcg/s1600-h/P1030596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtzbzZgLjI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/V_9tVItHMcg/s320/P1030596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362506702805544498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Smtzbd1GmlI/AAAAAAAAAoI/zoVtDsHHRDQ/s1600-h/P1030547.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Smtzbd1GmlI/AAAAAAAAAoI/zoVtDsHHRDQ/s320/P1030547.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362506697015728722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtzbZBHqWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/7BpB6C1rkAI/s1600-h/P1030493.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtzbZBHqWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/7BpB6C1rkAI/s320/P1030493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362506695723952482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Smtza2OPu7I/AAAAAAAAAn4/T6Eut7DARA4/s1600-h/P1030346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Smtza2OPu7I/AAAAAAAAAn4/T6Eut7DARA4/s320/P1030346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362506686383766450" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-61790922551064745592009-07-25T13:52:00.001-07:002009-07-25T14:01:33.899-07:00GG turns 90!<div>My grandmother, known as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GG</span> (great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">grandmom</span>) by all of her great grandchildren just turned 90! This deserved a huge bash! So, her 3 daughters put together a party. In attendance were those 3 sisters (including my mom), her 11 grandchildren (including me), and her 10 great grandchildren, not to mention assorted friends, girlfriends, fiances, step grandchildren, etc.... WOW! Happy Birthday, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">grandmom</span>! :)</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Smtxat7nRjI/AAAAAAAAAnw/rKYMAh41y7s/s1600-h/P1030466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Smtxat7nRjI/AAAAAAAAAnw/rKYMAh41y7s/s320/P1030466.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362504485134878258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Grandmom</span> with my Aunt Harriette!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxaYlVZVI/AAAAAAAAAno/cYmaoDZU8Fg/s1600-h/P1030445.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxaYlVZVI/AAAAAAAAAno/cYmaoDZU8Fg/s320/P1030445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362504479404287314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mike and Maddie!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxaCkbDJI/AAAAAAAAAng/dDXYTHQDCxw/s1600-h/P1030322.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxaCkbDJI/AAAAAAAAAng/dDXYTHQDCxw/s320/P1030322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362504473494883474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia with her 2 great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">grandmoms</span>!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxZ8kEeLI/AAAAAAAAAnY/1LzL2wmwoFo/s1600-h/P1030463.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxZ8kEeLI/AAAAAAAAAnY/1LzL2wmwoFo/s320/P1030463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362504471882791090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My brother, Adam, with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">grandmom</span>!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxZkFaZZI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/RmCZKaPLSCU/s1600-h/P1030353.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmtxZkFaZZI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/RmCZKaPLSCU/s320/P1030353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362504465311753618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Leah at the restaurant!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-14084421520170785862009-07-24T19:01:00.000-07:002009-07-24T19:35:17.452-07:00"Where the Road Ends, the Adventure Begins!" Ms. Frizzle<div>I love Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus books/videos! They are so much fun, and they teach us all a lot about science...especially me! But, what I especially like, is Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Frizzle's</span> attitude about learning and life. The world is her classroom! She sees life and learning as an adventure! She is upbeat and FUN!</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Ben is really into "The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Friz</span>" these days. Every library day, we end up bringing home lots of these books and videos. This week, we brought home (among others) "Butterfly and the Bog Beast," a book about butterflies and how they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">camouflage</span> themselves. I love a lot of the things that Ms. Frizzles says ("Take chances. Make mistakes") but my favorite in this book was, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-size: 18px; ">"Looks can be deceiving. Sometimes what is, isn't. Sometimes what isn't, is." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think that this really describes our day/life as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">unschoolers</span> perfectly. To an outsider, it looks like my children spend the day just playing and having fun (which, of course, they are) as they are seen lounging on the sofa reading books, creating new inventions in our art room, playing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Webkinz</span> and other games on the computer, playing with friends, traveling to the store or a museum, playing board games.....ETC......BUT, what they are doing, besides just enjoying their lives, is learning! It is a part of everything that we do....naturally!</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, for example, we had a tournament on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Webkinz</span>. Maddie kept careful track of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">everyone's</span> scores and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">kinzcash</span> on a piece of paper by the computer......writing! Amelia also wrote several e-mail messages to her friend, Lauren, and posted on her blog.....spelling, writing, grammar, computer skills! Maddie read a Highlights article and learned about a festival in India.....social studies! Ben took many cool pictures using my camera and created several new pieces of art work using recycled containers and magnetic strips.....art, photography! I could continue with this list all day! But, on the other hand, I really don't want to. I really want to get to the point where I don't ever think about our day in terms of school subjects. Real life is not divided into subjects!</div><div><br /></div><div>The other part of the Ms. Frizzle quote states, "Sometimes what is, isn't." I believe this could be applied to schools. It appears that the students are learning.....and they are, to an extent. But, it is forced learning. And, I don't know about you, but when I am forced to learn something that I am not interested in, I usually forget it quickly! Maddie, on the other hand, is very interested in horses. She has read so many books about them and can tell you so much more than I ever knew about horses! True, authentic learning!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmpsUL0bOlI/AAAAAAAAAnI/PWCS_mAtFYg/s1600-h/P1030722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmpsUL0bOlI/AAAAAAAAAnI/PWCS_mAtFYg/s320/P1030722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362217400363858514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ben has set up my camera on a delay....self photograph by Ben!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmpsT5Kr-SI/AAAAAAAAAnA/I111aY8A5Qs/s1600-h/P1030711.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmpsT5Kr-SI/AAAAAAAAAnA/I111aY8A5Qs/s320/P1030711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362217395356956962" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Keeping careful track of our progress on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Webkinz</span>! Wow, I came in third!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmpsThBZHuI/AAAAAAAAAm4/DegZQLjKr6g/s1600-h/P1030657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SmpsThBZHuI/AAAAAAAAAm4/DegZQLjKr6g/s320/P1030657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362217388875521762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In her favorite spot, in front of the computer, Amelia joyfully blogs, writes letters and plays.</div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-83734374993744107592009-07-16T18:29:00.001-07:002009-07-16T18:34:36.856-07:00Our July Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UiW5znkI/AAAAAAAAAmI/CIJfGwv_iec/s1600-h/P1030272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UiW5znkI/AAAAAAAAAmI/CIJfGwv_iec/s320/P1030272.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359235768322858562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to our garden! Birdhouses that were made by Maddie and Amelia grace the entrance.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UYi4l_XI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Iga9ieYaKyU/s1600-h/P1030257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UYi4l_XI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Iga9ieYaKyU/s320/P1030257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359235599740304754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia standing by the asparagus and zucchini.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UYBb_reI/AAAAAAAAAl4/-cYQ7rNxvFo/s1600-h/P1030265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UYBb_reI/AAAAAAAAAl4/-cYQ7rNxvFo/s320/P1030265.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359235590761983458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Green bean plants....not quite producing yet.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UXypI8JI/AAAAAAAAAlw/ra8A7fDok5k/s1600-h/P1030258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UXypI8JI/AAAAAAAAAlw/ra8A7fDok5k/s320/P1030258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359235586790584466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A beautiful zucc still attached to the lovely flower!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UXjGPY_I/AAAAAAAAAlo/Aeo-pmtCGcE/s1600-h/P1030259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UXjGPY_I/AAAAAAAAAlo/Aeo-pmtCGcE/s320/P1030259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359235582617674738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous green tomatoes! Ripen already....I want to take a bite! :)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UXegv3cI/AAAAAAAAAlg/EtBZkTnt2b0/s1600-h/P1030263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl_UXegv3cI/AAAAAAAAAlg/EtBZkTnt2b0/s320/P1030263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359235581386677698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite summer green.....colorful swiss chard! Most delicious raw in a salad or sauteed with garlic.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-56593454143462589652009-07-14T20:06:00.000-07:002009-07-15T19:29:38.171-07:00Swim Lessons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl6PZh4YbzI/AAAAAAAAAlY/4JcNJ_bBET4/s1600-h/P1030221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl6PZh4YbzI/AAAAAAAAAlY/4JcNJ_bBET4/s320/P1030221.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358878275371822898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maddie does great in groups!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl6PZYf8tuI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/7utFY5cNvBI/s1600-h/P1030196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl6PZYf8tuI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/7utFY5cNvBI/s320/P1030196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358878272853423842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia is already looking fearful.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl6O_YgwfyI/AAAAAAAAAlI/2dvDGlj7poU/s1600-h/P1030232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Sl6O_YgwfyI/AAAAAAAAAlI/2dvDGlj7poU/s320/P1030232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358877826180218658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">At our friends' pool.....Amelia rocked it!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Maddie and Amelia started swim lessons this week. I say "started" because, for Amelia, they didn't last long. The young people who are conducting the lessons seem a little more strict than last year, which just doesn't work for Amelia, who is so sensitive. Actually, none of it works for her. She doesn't want to be told what to do, she doesn't like someone strange holding her in the water, and she especially doesn't like to be away from me right now. So, after a very bad mothering moment of basically forcing her to start the lessons on Monday, she came crying to me! My heart went out to my sweet girl! Amelia's needs are hard to meet (much harder than my other children) but I will do all in my power to meet them. Amelia challenges me to be a more patient, kinder mama everyday. And sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, after Amelia came crying and running over to me, the director came over and said to Amelia .....one more hug for mom and then you come with me. Well, as I knew, Amelia would have nothing to do with that! And, I certainly wasn't going to force her into the situation. What good would that do? So, I politely told the director that Amelia would be back tomorrow perhaps but that her time in the water was done for that day. She started to tell me that she should get back in so as not to have a fear of the water. I assured her (though I felt that it really was none of her business) that Amelia is not afraid of the water but rather the situation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, after talking to Amelia and hearing her wishes to learn to swim in a less controlled, more free situation, I told the director that she would not be continuing with lessons. She then talked to Amelia in a not so respectful way about how she should learn to swim once she gets over her fears......ETC. I again interrupted her to politely tell her that Amelia is not afraid to learn how to swim. But, as might be expected, I don't think that she really heard me.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I am watching Maddie in the water and sitting on the sidelines with Ben, Amelia, and Leah, I see another swim lesson about to begin. This time it is with 4 year olds. There are 2 boys that absolutely don't want to go into the water and they scream and scream...even after 10 minutes, they are still screaming for their moms. The director takes over because the young women who are teaching the lessons don't know what to do at this point. She carries them both into the water, screaming and kicking! I can't believe that the parents are allowing this to happen! Do they really think that this will be the way that their children learn how to swim? Most likely, this will only result in bad memories of what it is like to learn to swim! Even to this day, I have a bad association with swim lessons....as a young person, I was forced to dive under the water for rings when I was really afraid to. I remember how awful it was! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad that I was able to listen to my children and respect their learning wishes. Today, after swim lessons, we went to a friends' house to play in their pool. Amelia shined!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-70279991645471473752009-07-12T06:32:00.000-07:002009-07-12T06:53:47.028-07:00Our Joyful Trip to the BEACH!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We spent a wonderful week at Ocean City, NJ with my parents! What a relaxing, fun week in the sun we had! Here are some memories.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn88AD3fI/AAAAAAAAAlA/HB8JNJvSK1o/s1600-h/P1030180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn88AD3fI/AAAAAAAAAlA/HB8JNJvSK1o/s320/P1030180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357568265818463730" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>One of our favorite things to do at the beach.....ride the surreys!</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn8vbXrSI/AAAAAAAAAk4/y-f_TKiwMQ4/s1600-h/P1030178.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn8vbXrSI/AAAAAAAAAk4/y-f_TKiwMQ4/s320/P1030178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357568262443347234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I think that this will be Ben and Leah's last year on the front of the surrey! They are just getting too big for it.....sad to see them grow up so much but of course happy too!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn8TbvyUI/AAAAAAAAAkw/ATDRrxfvGQA/s1600-h/P1030123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn8TbvyUI/AAAAAAAAAkw/ATDRrxfvGQA/s320/P1030123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357568254928734530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maddie and Amelia and I have a tradition of waking up at 5 am to see the sunrise while at the beach. This was in the lifeguard stand on our beautiful, early morning!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn7wgLRcI/AAAAAAAAAko/6CLXK-E-0zQ/s1600-h/P1030104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn7wgLRcI/AAAAAAAAAko/6CLXK-E-0zQ/s320/P1030104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357568245552072130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Kite flying....a must at the beach! And, so much fun! This year, we had 3 kites flying high in the sky and Mike's stunt kite as well. Awesome!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn7brneEI/AAAAAAAAAkg/SVqSrWcP81E/s1600-h/P1030085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnn7brneEI/AAAAAAAAAkg/SVqSrWcP81E/s320/P1030085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357568239962912834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A favorite memory of the beach this year was my time spent biking on the boards with Amelia. Here, we are at my favorite Jilly's Arcade playing $.10 skeeball! What fun!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SlnnSQY_tfI/AAAAAAAAAkY/mwsAGQwqcmI/s1600-h/P1020959.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SlnnSQY_tfI/AAAAAAAAAkY/mwsAGQwqcmI/s320/P1020959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357567532557383154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Playing mini golf! Our whole family!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SlnnSDJ1TtI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/-QKZtKZVg2o/s1600-h/P1030083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SlnnSDJ1TtI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/-QKZtKZVg2o/s320/P1030083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357567529004125906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Must keep your head covered in that hot sun! What a cutie!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnm_ckTaZI/AAAAAAAAAkI/PVOlY6AlRaU/s1600-h/P1030087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnm_ckTaZI/AAAAAAAAAkI/PVOlY6AlRaU/s320/P1030087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357567209408522642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia is now riding a bike with no training wheels! This made for a fun week for Amelia and mama (who rented a bike while at the beach). </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnm2ittSBI/AAAAAAAAAkA/ivU6WM_ictE/s1600-h/P1020945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnm2ittSBI/AAAAAAAAAkA/ivU6WM_ictE/s320/P1020945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357567056439756818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">More surrey riding with pop-pop and mom-mom!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnmn0kb8BI/AAAAAAAAAj4/yhflKDJNhxE/s1600-h/P1020933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/Slnmn0kb8BI/AAAAAAAAAj4/yhflKDJNhxE/s320/P1020933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357566803534671890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maddie (looking tired by the end of the week) and mom-mom enjoying breakfast at one of our boardwalk favs....OVES!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SlnmclXBs2I/AAAAAAAAAjw/pak-U0rghSk/s1600-h/P1020910.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/SlnmclXBs2I/AAAAAAAAAjw/pak-U0rghSk/s320/P1020910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357566610473333602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A fabulous time was had by all!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-47399720902683435172009-05-22T18:05:00.000-07:002009-05-22T19:00:18.686-07:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For those who think that "homeschooling" has to involve sitting around reading textbooks and completing workbooks, I offer you a different picture.......or pictures............</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"Unschooling," by the Rehrman family............</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sewing clothes for a Webkinz puppy<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMnbTuzwI/AAAAAAAAAjo/hlUZJfADulI/s1600-h/P1020738.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMnbTuzwI/AAAAAAAAAjo/hlUZJfADulI/s320/P1020738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338820123500138242" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Blogging, pen pal writing, and of course, Webkinz!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMjX9JSrI/AAAAAAAAAjg/jsE8r7krtIc/s1600-h/P1020737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMjX9JSrI/AAAAAAAAAjg/jsE8r7krtIc/s320/P1020737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338820053880621746" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Watching a "Ms.Frizzle" video<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMfqJMwhI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Iyvd--y8PGw/s1600-h/P1020736.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMfqJMwhI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Iyvd--y8PGw/s320/P1020736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819990043542034" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A little more Webkinz.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMb0lH_5I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/xyQr-r8dQDA/s1600-h/P1020734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMb0lH_5I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/xyQr-r8dQDA/s320/P1020734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819924125548434" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reading while waiting for breakfast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMYevhG5I/AAAAAAAAAjI/DfKg0DsBsEo/s1600-h/P1020733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMYevhG5I/AAAAAAAAAjI/DfKg0DsBsEo/s320/P1020733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819866723949458" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Creating.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMU_SEFvI/AAAAAAAAAjA/tc0UZeetpb4/s1600-h/P1020732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMU_SEFvI/AAAAAAAAAjA/tc0UZeetpb4/s320/P1020732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819806739306226" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mixing up the OJ while Leah looks in<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMQ1iXdhI/AAAAAAAAAi4/31TcuMd5Azk/s1600-h/P1020731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMQ1iXdhI/AAAAAAAAAi4/31TcuMd5Azk/s320/P1020731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819735403853330" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Bubbles by Ben...all before breakfast<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMMQ00v6I/AAAAAAAAAiw/_RNB8rE7f1o/s1600-h/P1020729.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMMQ00v6I/AAAAAAAAAiw/_RNB8rE7f1o/s320/P1020729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819656829681570" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mixing up the raisin bread<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMH3-dhKI/AAAAAAAAAio/cUVl0BbyCPs/s1600-h/P1020724.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMH3-dhKI/AAAAAAAAAio/cUVl0BbyCPs/s320/P1020724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338819581439739042" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShdMEDVAWkI/AAAAAAAAAig/R8uwdYxrDVY/s1600-h/P1020738.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Of course, there was also running in the yard, gardening, instrument playing, making and eating ice-cream (so cool!), making pizza dough which was then cooked on the grill for dinner, cutting lettuce for dinner, watering, playing Sorry, taking stuffed animals camping, making a mud garden (and then of course cleaning off with the hose), reading, .......whew, I''m making myself tired just thinking about it. Time for bed..... :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div></span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-9249607454001744382009-05-20T19:44:00.000-07:002009-05-20T20:00:27.245-07:00Freedom!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"I'm free to do what I want any old time</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <br /></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm free to do what I want any old time"</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">rolling stones</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This song, though I don't even really enjoy it on the radio, keeps popping into my head. And, I know why. We are so free in this life that we live. I remember this feeling when I had to stay home from school growing up. Oh my gosh....a whole world exists outside of school.....people go shopping, cars are on the road, there are shows on the tv! I really liked school but I couldn't wait to become a part of what goes on outside of the school during school hours. Then I became a teacher. I was still within those four walls for the majority of the day. I would be envious of my husband who could leave his job to have lunch out. It was not until I became pregnant with Maddie and Amelia that I discovered the world outside of the school! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And now, we have FREEDOM every day! Tomorrow, we will explore the Philadelphia Art Museum. Today, we went to buy seeds for our garden at Agway. We wake up when we want and go to bed the same. We bake, read, play games, create art work, invent, make believe.....all because we want to....not because someone has told us that it is time to. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A woman at Ben and Leah's soccer practice was telling me how she received a letter from her daughter's school due to some absences. The letter threatened to take her to court because of the missed school days. WHAT??? I do not want someone else telling me what to do with my children. I am so glad that we are not a part of that game. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">There's a land that I see where the children are free<br />And I say it ain't far to this land from where we are<br />Take my hand, come with me, where the children are free<br />Come with me, take my hand, and we'll live</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">from Free to Be YOu and Me</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-65487741448414880792009-05-18T19:08:00.001-07:002009-05-18T19:25:48.719-07:00Real Work/Real Tools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShIU6kbA_uI/AAAAAAAAAiY/n3nAH7Tn0Kw/s1600-h/P1020713.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShIU6kbA_uI/AAAAAAAAAiY/n3nAH7Tn0Kw/s320/P1020713.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337351504829415138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShIUyd6AAKI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/akpi28941Uk/s1600-h/P1020713.JPG"><br /></a>Ben loves to cook these days! Tonight, he was making pancakes for dinner. Mike walked in the house while Ben was pouring batter into the pan and urgently said, "Ben, be careful. Back away from the stove; it is hot!" I assured him that Ben is fine! More than fine, really. He knows that the stove is hot and he is careful. He is confident and trusts himself because I trust him. <div><br /></div><div>A few weeks ago, I put our play kitchen down the basement.....I couldn't get rid of it entirely...too many memories. All of my children used to like to play with it. But, it hasn't been used for some time now. Part of it might be their ages, but I think that part of it is that they are allowed to use our real kitchen. Almost daily, one or more of my children can be found using the stove, baking bread or pizza dough, running the mixer (the best job around), using real ingredients to create real food....the real deal! </div><div> And, oh, what fun we have!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6545687476689132034.post-38017836438816476752009-05-17T20:20:00.000-07:002009-05-17T20:45:54.909-07:00<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"It is the simplest, most natural of acts, akin to breathing and walking upright. We sit down at the dinner table, pick up a fork, and take a juicy bite, oblivious to the double helping of global ramifications on our plate. Our beef comes from Iowa, fed by Nebraska corn. Our grapes come from Chile, our bananas from Honduras, our olive oil from Sicily, our apple juice - not from Washington State but all the way from China. Modern society has relieved us of the burden of growing, harvesting, even preparing our daily bread, in exchange for the burden of simply paying for it. Only when prices rise do we take notice. And the consequences of our inattention are profound."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Joel K. Bourne, Jr</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This is the beginning of an article that was in the latest issue of National Geographic. It really hit home for me. The article might be the subject of another blog post for me because it was heart wrenching with many profound pictures, including one that is haunting me of a young child, obviously starving. He and his mother live (if you can use that term) in Ethiopia, and he is starving because his mother is being fed sorghum porridge at a refugee camp and it is not enough fat and protein for her to produce breast milk for her baby. It makes me want to scream, the inequality in this world. But, as I said, another time.....</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Today, I want to write about our food and where it comes from. As for me, I want the "burden" of knowing where my food comes from. And, I want it to come from my backyard....and if not, I want it to come from a local, organic source. Food is what nourishes us. It is the source of our well being. So, today, with that said, I want to share my Sat. trip to a local, organic Amish farm. I was so excited to go to the stand that I usually frequent during the growing season. This, though, was the first time EVER that I didn't need to buy any produce because everything that they had that I wanted was already growing in my backyard, in soil that I placed there, that I know is healthy. It was grown with love and respect. And it will be eaten with the same consideration.....</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVN9xVIjI/AAAAAAAAAiI/s7BX-QHKc28/s1600-h/P1020635.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVN9xVIjI/AAAAAAAAAiI/s7BX-QHKc28/s320/P1020635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999994330522162" /></a>Though a foggy morning, our beautiful landscape here in Pennsylvania is a feast for the eyes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVKXGE81I/AAAAAAAAAiA/w9ysLUg2_fY/s1600-h/P1020636.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVKXGE81I/AAAAAAAAAiA/w9ysLUg2_fY/s320/P1020636.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999932408951634" /></a>The only thing that I did buy at the farm stand was local cheese and eggs. Oh, and we had a nice chat with the Amish farmer. We plan to buy some of his organically grown straw to use as a mulch in our garden. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVHDLaU1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/Mkr_Uv7q2nA/s1600-h/P1020637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVHDLaU1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/Mkr_Uv7q2nA/s320/P1020637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999875523007314" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, here is a glimpse at what is growing in our backyard garden.....</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVC5YdfvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/CYwzNGlkx6o/s1600-h/P1020644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDVC5YdfvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/CYwzNGlkx6o/s320/P1020644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999804173909746" /></a></div><div><br />Broccoli...so far so good. Last year's crop was eaten before we could eat it. Hope that groundhog enjoyed it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDU5ntbNrI/AAAAAAAAAho/71llwrWhvT8/s1600-h/P1020656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDU5ntbNrI/AAAAAAAAAho/71llwrWhvT8/s320/P1020656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999644811179698" /></a>Newly planted strawberry plants. Hopefully next year, we will have a lot of these wonderful berries!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUyZ_UnXI/AAAAAAAAAhg/meWZHrlhkXE/s1600-h/P1020645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUyZ_UnXI/AAAAAAAAAhg/meWZHrlhkXE/s320/P1020645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999520869064050" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yummy asparagus! The first veggie of the season.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUt_iuBPI/AAAAAAAAAhY/L-QLOvFUbBs/s1600-h/P1020651.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUt_iuBPI/AAAAAAAAAhY/L-QLOvFUbBs/s320/P1020651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999445050295538" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maddie's peas are so tall! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUo5DsYeI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/_AS9CbDZNGU/s1600-h/P1020652.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUo5DsYeI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/_AS9CbDZNGU/s320/P1020652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999357410206178" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Amelia's lettuce is ready for cutting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUj0G8YQI/AAAAAAAAAhI/2_6d7lGBg9o/s1600-h/P1020646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUj0G8YQI/AAAAAAAAAhI/2_6d7lGBg9o/s320/P1020646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999270182314242" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I love mint!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUfIGtWhI/AAAAAAAAAhA/il5htQ1CDts/s1600-h/P1020641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUfIGtWhI/AAAAAAAAAhA/il5htQ1CDts/s320/P1020641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999189650692626" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Beautiful blueberries! If the birds don't get them, Ben will!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUbSfAIXI/AAAAAAAAAg4/rbjUpuXnPb4/s1600-h/P1020649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUbSfAIXI/AAAAAAAAAg4/rbjUpuXnPb4/s320/P1020649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999123717464434" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Spinach. So beautiful.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUW29CmmI/AAAAAAAAAgw/T55PDlxHmCI/s1600-h/P1020653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUW29CmmI/AAAAAAAAAgw/T55PDlxHmCI/s320/P1020653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336999047607786082" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Leah's dinosaur kale. She is very proud of her crop!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUPkoqNeI/AAAAAAAAAgo/RENINMKkfiM/s1600-h/P1020657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUPkoqNeI/AAAAAAAAAgo/RENINMKkfiM/s320/P1020657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336998922431378914" /></a>Ben walking towards home after a visit to the garden with me to take these pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUHVAa2lI/AAAAAAAAAgg/CRCx2EduFZE/s1600-h/P1020654.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yC_t_8h1UHg/ShDUHVAa2lI/AAAAAAAAAgg/CRCx2EduFZE/s320/P1020654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336998780797114962" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>And, of course, the beautiful, wild dandelion!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1