All that excercise

This is what happens when your mom wakes you up at 5 to go to an all day softball tournament.  He declared the 2 pm game "bowing" and climbed under the table for some shade......

Watching others do P.E. is SOOO TIRING!

Fun Free Stuff

A friend of mine texted me today to tell me there was a Lizard Dude at the Library.  She went, said it was a cute show and that the kids got to hold the lizards.  This got me thinking about other free stuff that might be going on.... and since I really like free stuff...... I thought you might too.

1. Check your Library.  They run many craft, reading and other programs during the summer.

2. Free Lunch. ~ here in my town they have a free lunch program hosted by the school district for kids.  Adults can not eat, only the kids.... but it really is a free lunch.  Check your local school district to see what they offer and where.

3. Free Bowling.  https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ list of places that have free summer bowling.  This is a nationwide list... CANADA too!!!!!!!!

4. Free Movies ~ many theatres run free movies for kids in the summer.  Also look for outdoor movies sponsored by parks and recreation, or even local businesses.

5. VBS ~ Vacation Bible School.... many area church's host these throughout the summer.  It is a great way for the kids to have fun, and mom to get some work done around the house for a few hours.

6.Water parks ~ in warmer climates there are lots of these.  Local parks with some sort of way the kids can get wet and have some fun.  Pack a lunch, use Popsicles as your ice packs and enjoy the day!

7. Build something! ~ on Saturdays, at 10 am Lowe's has kids workshops.... check your local store.

I will keep looking for fun FREE things to do, feel free to add your fun free things in the comments!

What I'm up to

Aside from packing for the biggest field trip of my life........  I have been pretty busy.

Recently I was chosen to review products for The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  The first product that I will be reviewing, is an E-book on Travel Kits.  Be sure to check back in a few weeks to see the review.  I plan on using some of the ideas on our big trip.....  this little book will be put to the test!

As a part of the Homeschool Crew, we are broken down into mini crews.  I am on the Bluenose Crew.
 It is headed up by our first mate Isabella.  I am looking forward to getting to know, and learn from her this year.

Check out her blog:  Canadian Ladybug Reviews! Full of lots of reviews on many different things.  Check it out!

My crew mates are:

Nicole.  Her blog :  Ever After.... My Way.  She is a mom of 3.  Anyone with the screen name of Twisted Cinderella......well I can tell we share a sense of humor!  I am sure she will keep me laughing.

Cindy.  Her blog:   Along The Way.  She is a mom of 2.  She has some downloads on her site, and lots of great ideas for making the most of every opportunity to teach little ones.  Her Ocean Week stuff is great!

Michelle.  I will post a blog for her as soon as I get one.... I look forward to working with her this year.

A walking we will go

Again it is time for another walk amongst the blogs.  I really enjoy going and reading the thoughts, encouragements, and general goings on in other homeschool families.  It makes it feel less "weird" to be a homeschool mom.

Some of today's Blogs are not really blogs, but websites.... I have tried to point those out.
Happy Reading!

1. All American Family
2. Growing Fruit
3. Learning to Teach
4. Codex Young Author's Publishing Program ~ this appears to be a place where you can have your OWN child's writing and illustrations published.
5. Stairsteps Homeschool Academy
6. Kingdom Academy
7. Living Sola Gratia
8. Wynfield Christian Academy ~ this is a homeschool Academy site.  Apparently geared to local and distance learning for those in the deaf/blind community.
9. The Cow Queen
10. Peace Creek on the Prairie

Field Trip Idea

If you live in Eastern Washington or nearby........ and you are looking for a farm to go to for a field trip...

Contact  The Happy Lil Homestead.

They have chickens, you will learn about how laying hens are different than meat chicken.  In the Spring and Summer you will see them raising their meat birds for sale off the farm.
They have goats, you will learn about how they rotate the goats into different pastures and why. You will learn how the raising of chickens benefits the pasture the goats go to.  Learn about which goats are raised for milking, and which goats are for meat.
They have pigs, you will learn about how to raise pigs, what benefits they are to a farm.
They also have Turkeys, Wild Peacocks, a big organic garden.....

Bring your homeschool group, and help them better understand the process that food goes through to get to your table!

Hilarious!

This is a re-post from Lee Binz - The Homescholar.........  I think it came out yesterday and when I was sitting in my car reading on my cell phone.....  I was near tears with laughter.

I would like to post a disclaimer to all my family members.....  I know you all don't say these things to me.....  but I hear them from other people I meet.  You all are very supportive of our decision to homeschool.

Check out this post for a great laugh!
Thanks Lee!

A walking we will go

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew.... there is much to read, learn and do.  They have put up this "thing" I have never heard of.  They call it a Blog Walk.  On our forum, they have posted links to 10 blogs. ( and they will do this every week or so...)  It is really rather ingenious.  As a blogger, you always wonder if anyone ever really reads what you write.... this is a way to increase traffic on all of our blogs and gives us a chance to follow each other through out the year.

Take the time over a cup of something....... and read these.... there is a wealth of information, organization tips, and good 'ole family fun on these blogs:

1. Second Star to the Right and Straight On Till Morning

2. Surviving The Testosterone
3. Family Style School
4. School Around The Bible
5. 1628 The Story of The Goebels 5
6. Morris Family Madness
7. Homeschool Musings
8. Homeschooling (and then some!)
9. Heartfelt Homeschooling
10. following Him home

Socialized?

I am sitting here with my 4th cup of coffee, reflecting on last night.

Our daughter plays softball.  She plays on a competitive team, which means she sometimes travels across the state to play in tournaments.  Right now her team has been playing in a local recreation league against teams that are 2 and 4 years older than her team.  The last two nights that she has had games, her friends have shown up to cheer her on.  They are from her church youth group...... and they are HILARIOUS!  Most times I have seen friends come to watch a game, they sit quietly in the bleachers, talk amongst themselves and never really pay attention to the game.  Not these kids....  They have organized.

Last week they came with digital air horns blasting from their cell phones, and generally just cheered exuberantly....  This week it was with T-shirts, bubbles, glow sticks, speakers for the phone to make the air horn LOUDER.....This week they shared their vision of renovating a short bus, and following the team all next year. 

Back to my coffee ....*... sip....*....  All this fun stuff got me thinking about the whole issue of "socialization".  I will have to say that it is the number one question I am asked as a homeschooling parent.... "What do you do about socialization?"  Surprisingly enough, after 7 years of homeschooling, this questions takes me by surprise.  I mean really?.... you read the story up there.... that is pretty normal Teenville USA stuff.... I almost want to ask them if my children appear to have been kept in a closet or something...  ( hee hee ).  Instead of being quippy, I usually ask a return question.... "How do you define 'proper' socialization?"  Usually the response I get has to do with being able to sit quietly with ones peers, or being able to get along with ones peers, going to public school.... things along these lines.  I guess I just don't see sitting still in school as appropriate socialization......

I was curious as to the definition of the word "socialization".... It is one of those words I know and understand in context, but I have never sought the actual definition of.  I found it eye- opening and a wee bit frightening this actual definition...

Socialize:

1. To place under government or group ownership or control.

2. To make fit for companionship with others; make sociable.
3. To convert or adapt to the needs of society

I had to read that a few times to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. #1 is a bit scary.

Also in my quest to better understand this buzz word that non-homeschoolers tend to throw at homeschoolers as a trump card, a way to end the conversation and punctuate their belief we are harming our children by keeping them home.......  I found a web post by a Dennis O'Neil.  I have absolutely NO clue who he is, I just happened to like his post.  He talks of socialization as the process of obtaining culture.  He says that socialization happens in many ways, but it is the process of personality formation.  I don't know about you, but as a parent.... I sure don't want the government forming my child's personality.  Here is a paragraph from Mr. O'Neil's page.

Successful socialization can result in uniformity within a society. If all children receive the same socialization, it is likely that they will share the same beliefs and expectations. This fact has been a strong motivation for national governments around the world to standardize education and make it compulsory for all children. Deciding what things will be taught and how they are taught is a powerful political tool for controlling people.

Scary.  Anyone see THAT happening?  I do.

I guess I will try to sum up my ramblings with this...........I believe the best socialization comes from interaction with all  age levels of our society.  Children need to learn to interact with everyone from 90 year olds to infants.....  This interaction does not happen regularly in a standardized educational system....  but it does happen in a home, out in a community, and within a local church body.  These interactions form their understanding of culture, they help form their personality, and define their role within and in relation to society as a whole.

I am curious as to your experiences with this issue.  Lets get a discussion going...........answer in the comments.  Have you ever been asked the "socialization" question?  How do you respond?

Determining Highschool Credits

My goal for the summer is to have a real good handle on transcripts for my oldest two children.
So this morning, I went to consult the oracle (google) with my query "determining high school credits". The oracle replied with a very informative link from the HSLDA.  I suggest that anyone with a middle schooler or above go and check it out.

I can now rest assured that the 104 bazillion hours that we seem to spend around musical activities, practices, performances.... will add up quite nicely as an elective classes for the kids.  One for instrumental music, the other for Choir.

Also, in case anyone is on Facebook.... I recommend that you friend Lee Binz- The Homescholar. She is a wealth of information on transcripts.... and she is flat out FUNNY!  Her blog is here, and here website is here.

summer work

I have 2 highschoolers........... and I am HORRIBLY behind in the land of transcripts.  I started a spreadsheet a few years back, but it was so time consuming to enter things into it EVERYDAY!!!!  so I eventually stopped entering. 

My goal this summer is to get a transcript started for both kids, with the one for the oldest as a priority.  He is going to be a Junior, and I need to get all that he has done out of my head and onto a piece of paper!  Also my goal this summer is to begin test prep.. for all those ones you need for college.  I don't even remember all the acronyms... so clearly I need to brush up on that....lol

Long time.... no see.....

wow.  I have been gone for a long time. At least in blog-time.... I have been a busy momma.... first with the loose ends of school... and then our modem went out.... and I have been reading emails on a 2" x 3" phone screen....lol... fine for staying in-touch on important stuff.... not so good for blogging

The big kids and I are in the midst of preparing for a trip to Mexico with our church.  We will be leaving in the first part of July and spending most of the month down there... pray for our time there, that we will be used of God as He desires.  Pray also for the hubby as he will be home with the little boys....

I am very excited to have been chosen to participate in the TOS Homeschool Review Crew!  I am looking forward to this next year for several reasons:  the increased networking among those in the homeschool community, the ability to try out new products and offer my opinion on them, learning more about blogging ( having read the crew forum.... I know I have a LOT to learn!), learning more about myself and who I am as a wife, mother and homeschooling mom....  I always learn more about myself when I put my thoughts into words.... 

Well, I need to get back to today's mountain of laundry.... I read somewhere it is Tackle it Tuesday!