Feeding the Ducks

We make it a point to go feed these ducks at least once a year. My daughter LOVED it this year. We went last week, and almost everyday she asks to go feed the "gucks" again. My older kids enjoyed the time too. Sometimes it's hard to find things they all enjoy since their ages span 11 years. Sometimes the simplest things make the best memories. I was a good mommy and gave them something they'll always remember. I fell flat on my face. Yep, they aren't forgetting that anytime soon.

Fruits of Labor

Some of our first pickins.

The kids enjoy the garden. My 2yo daughter and my husband check on it every morning. My 10 yo son and my daughter are always looking around there for interesting things - growth, bugs, rabbits, etc. I love seeing them get excited about it. It makes a great science project!

I support Barack Obama - and there's nothing I can do about it.

I work part time during the school year. I more or less had to join the worthless union. Either I pay to belong, or they would take my money anyway and call it my "fair share". It's anything but fair. If that isn't enough, I've been flooded with phone calls from "The Teamsters" campaigning for Barack Obama. The Teamsters must be pouring tons of cash out for BO. Guess where they get the cash? Guess what I get from the union? Nothing. Most of the calls were recordings from Jim Hoffa. Today a young man called and asked if I received the mailing they sent out. When I replied yes he said GREAT! so enthusiastically that I knew he was one of the starry eyed, awe struck, Obama worshipers. I asked hm if this is what my union dues were paying for, He said Yes! He was still excited so he must have thought I was grateful to know my money was going to such a worthy cause. Wrong. The union takes my money and gives me nothing, uses MY money to campaign for a candidate I would never vote for and he's all excited. Glad someone is.

One of my favorites...

It's been a bad week.

We nearly lost my sister last week to septic shock. She's going to be fine, but it was quite a scare.


Today, I lost a dear cousin to cancer.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

If homeschoolers were so smart .....

Most homeschoolers have probably already seen Laura Ingram's interview with Dr. William Bainbridge. I realize Í'm late here, but as any homeschooler would, I had a few problems with what he had to say.

First of all, he is a "forensic education expert". He holds the "Dr." and "expert" titles so we know he is educated. Why wasn't he better prepared for his bit with LI? He should be embarrassed. Í can't believe someone who is supposed to be as smart as he is would go on TV and run his mouth about something he didn't research.

He said something like..."If parent's are so smart why can't they work and afford private school?" I don't even know what to say about that.

There were a few more points that irritated me. He seemed to think a regular mom isn't capable of teaching all subjects or higher grades. He said "I haven't ever met anyone - one single person - on planet earth who is qualified to teach all the courses for example in a secondary school curriculum."
I guess he never met one of the many homeschoolers behind the statistics showing how well homeschoolers do.
Doesn't he realize public schools commonly have teachers placed in a subject outside their area of expertise? Many teachers have a master's degree in one area, and end up teaching another, regardless of their abilities. I removed my middle child from the public school. The woman who would have been teaching him science this year told me how much she resented teaching science while she held a master's degree in math. At the high school, there is a math teacher who also obviously resents her position. Her words were, "I'm not even supposed to be teaching math."
Those are just two examples. In our small district, I know of quite a few who would rather not be teaching their grade or subject. Compare that to a homeschool mom who has her own child's best interest in mind when teaching any given subject.
The wise Dr. went on to question a scenario in which a homeschooled child might want to pursue chemistry or math more intensely. He REALLY doesn't get homeschooling, does he?
Also, he might want to research home education curriculum before making such assumptions about a regular person's inability to teach higher grades. Í don't think he knows we can learn what we need to teach them, hire a tutor, rely on family or a homeschool cooperative, or use a program that offers DVD's and online classes.
If you were going to make the statements he made wouldn't you check into what's available to homeschoolers?

In case you haven't seen it...

I started this blog beacuse....

I started this blog mostly because there is exactly ONE other homechooler in my town. I first learned of homeschoolblogger and realized what a wonderful resource blogging could be. It seemed a lot of people had technical problems there so they came over to blogger. That is why I'm here and not there. (even though i loved a lot of features and the "community" feel over there)
I've found an amazing amount of information from both places. I wish I knew half of what a seasoned homeschool mom does. Blogs have been incredibly helpful. I thank all of you who share your wisdom and experience!