tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38866972866505888452023-11-16T02:52:06.357-08:00Down a Rabbit Trail: Interest-Led Learning with a Charlotte Mason FlairAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-2715394172989770852014-07-23T11:41:00.003-07:002014-07-23T11:41:29.836-07:00Summer Vacation...with a Charlotte Mason Flair!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRe6aaRfpUx4XzipcsB4m8JZlGT6Fsm8NU58fqVCUsmryeNrp8q24791Oau-IReCN7Pp13yaOvGpm2IjKR4l78IgFPYBEB1eljo3snRtx2JJdtiIaaoJEeSi12LQeeRzKxVpHSf-ybzY/s1600/boy-carrying-book-stack.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRe6aaRfpUx4XzipcsB4m8JZlGT6Fsm8NU58fqVCUsmryeNrp8q24791Oau-IReCN7Pp13yaOvGpm2IjKR4l78IgFPYBEB1eljo3snRtx2JJdtiIaaoJEeSi12LQeeRzKxVpHSf-ybzY/s1600/boy-carrying-book-stack.png" height="200" width="117" /></a><br />
Year round homeschooling.<br />
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What image does that phrase invoke for you? Perhaps a negative one...a not so glorious summer spent with your children sitting at the kitchen table reluctantly toiling over workbooks and textbooks for several hours a days while all their friends and the neighbor kids play outdoors, go biking and swimming and just hang out.<br />
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No thanks, you say. Not interested in that at all whatsoever.<br />
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Sure, it would be nice to have a little extra flexibility throughout the traditional school year. Start a little later and enjoy the rest of the summer season. Take a little bit more time off around the holidays. Longer breaks just because. More freedom. More flexibility. More time to breathe. Time to simply <em>be</em>.<br />
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But then there's the <em>reality</em> of it all...after the busy school year, you really need to <em><strong>just be done</strong></em>.<br />
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Well, you <em>can</em> have your summer vacation AND homeschool year round too. Just shift your perspective and revamp your summer vacation with a little <em>Charlotte Mason flair</em>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv-fNNAK8eLLj6S98jPU0pRCY0mZ7xbmimsjC-QbbB7zvYLSjln0GYIePvJhXfEey6kDwCc5v3DsLqjiNGoKoQU7xR0LYBmuIUfpJqNJahYZ6KdUwgsEQLtGlEGRdt5hbNlTuYsxMcTw/s1600/10527558_913605095322475_7675495267880250472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv-fNNAK8eLLj6S98jPU0pRCY0mZ7xbmimsjC-QbbB7zvYLSjln0GYIePvJhXfEey6kDwCc5v3DsLqjiNGoKoQU7xR0LYBmuIUfpJqNJahYZ6KdUwgsEQLtGlEGRdt5hbNlTuYsxMcTw/s1600/10527558_913605095322475_7675495267880250472_n.jpg" height="200" width="101" /></a>Choose some interesting whole and living books to read aloud (at bedtime, tea time, or during lunch) or listen to an audio book on your car rides. Pick from those beloved books and stories that you remember from your childhood that gave you the warm fuzzies or find something new to explore together. Snuggle up on the couch for a bit on a hot afternoon or sprawl outside on the grass or picnic blanket and lose yourselves for a while in another world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8ZyJrK-xkg3hqtz5G5Voah6BLt9fZ8x4YXP8bqenpZZyr4pUW3h3aVRitqVnPuHjAFfGoc1RwR8qze5-aCn0kG9G88zTT53miqVIEqNNZaVX0sg9IKgJ8P-KsaYXGk-8rd0XEDPrLLk/s1600/10532470_912153008801017_5055449501483574448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8ZyJrK-xkg3hqtz5G5Voah6BLt9fZ8x4YXP8bqenpZZyr4pUW3h3aVRitqVnPuHjAFfGoc1RwR8qze5-aCn0kG9G88zTT53miqVIEqNNZaVX0sg9IKgJ8P-KsaYXGk-8rd0XEDPrLLk/s1600/10532470_912153008801017_5055449501483574448_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Start a weekly tea time tradition with your children. Enjoy some sweet tea or ice cold lemonade. Have a variety of yummy snacks available - perhaps even take the time beforehand to make something special together. Then grab a good book and enjoy coming together and reconnecting while you eat, drink and read. What better time to enjoy reading some of those living books!<br />
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Engage in Charlotte Mason's practice of narration...informally known as the "art of talking". Listen to your children and what they have to say. What was their favorite part in the book you're reading or the movie you just watched? Share yours! What exactly should you do with all those tree frog tadpoles rescued from your pool's cover? Which is better to use to build your house in Minecraft...wood or cobblestone? Why?Narration need not be formal to be effective. In fact, I would argue it's far *more* effective when it flows out naturally from simply living interesting, involved lives together. Wonder, question, ponder, discuss!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRrS4QOptUKTqy2sFjebWJCR7u5SH7GjiErFdUX0ph_d_4E3tDtn3rhiXyyjLUqTPxIuWFtnSoCOa7CC04tuc-00YnT8LLILoK0vJ8fRwUDRNR8JOexV2vCHU2_AzSVyXrBUkXp1TZcg/s1600/1267726_730126767003643_709209211_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRrS4QOptUKTqy2sFjebWJCR7u5SH7GjiErFdUX0ph_d_4E3tDtn3rhiXyyjLUqTPxIuWFtnSoCOa7CC04tuc-00YnT8LLILoK0vJ8fRwUDRNR8JOexV2vCHU2_AzSVyXrBUkXp1TZcg/s1600/1267726_730126767003643_709209211_o.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a>Venture out on some nature walks with friends and start a family nature study project. Plant a butterfly garden, go frogging on a rainy night, grow some giant sunflowers, raise a few caterpillars or tadpoles, start a baby snail nursery or toad habitat. Live with your project over the whole season. Explore, observe, connect, discover...get messy.<br />
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And certainly don't forget all those real life, hands on experiences. Trips & travel, summer camps, fairs & festivals, museums, re-enactments. Do something new together. Try something out. Go someplace different. Make your children's world just a little bit bigger.<br />
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Homeschooling year round with the Charlotte Mason method can be just as flexible as you need it to be. It's not about a particular curriculum or "doing school". It doesn't have to start in August and end in May and there are no required hours or subjects. Instead, the focus is on your children and on providing a wide variety of meaningful, real-life learning experiences. It's about emphasizing connections and relationships and exposing them to new and interesting people, places and ideas. And the <em>reality</em> of this approach is that whether this learning takes place during the official school year or during summer vacation, every second of it counts as "school".</div>
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So go ahead! The summer season is a perfect time to implement some of Charlotte Mason's lovely ideas into your family's learning lifestyle. Enjoy your summer vacation...with a Charlotte Mason flair. :)<br />
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<i>Also published in:</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.homeschool.com/Magazine/Volume01/Issue05/"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Homeschool.com - The Summer Fun Issue</span></i></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-10336053803419759092014-04-01T18:30:00.000-07:002014-04-02T22:50:13.040-07:00Unschooling Charlotte Mason: Narration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeft_MBC83AXa18nqnuFw4SIm0U82arG2NFAPTwflgD-55R8k6wxl1LRH-CigXXQuQ-2cOqdam-igiwP6tbe2RIL8RLN5OuPPUflIpgvfcea6CSuy6dUSfp36jyUHa10_Q2oi3sRbYCs/s1600/charlottemason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeft_MBC83AXa18nqnuFw4SIm0U82arG2NFAPTwflgD-55R8k6wxl1LRH-CigXXQuQ-2cOqdam-igiwP6tbe2RIL8RLN5OuPPUflIpgvfcea6CSuy6dUSfp36jyUHa10_Q2oi3sRbYCs/s1600/charlottemason.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are many areas of the Charlotte Mason method that I've found easy to incorporate into our family's lifestyle of learning. The use of a variety of whole and living books, nature study adventures, handicrafts, and a steady diet of new and interesting ideas and experiences have been such a natural fit for us. When my children were younger and I first read what Charlotte Mason had to say about narration, I felt an immediate connection and knew that this too would be another area that would be a perfect fit for our unschooling nature.<br />
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As I continued to read and learn however, the more I saw this wonderful tool being used and encouraged by others in a way that wasn't such a good fit for us. It seemed that like so many other aspects of the Charlotte Mason method, narration was something that could be turned into just as "school at home" as a technique as anything else. An assignment. Something to check off the to-do list. Forced, artificial, contrived.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCc8noseMcrDAy3BCmZ2QFZliESTR3y23Q901_IPFnHBZqcNo2rRD0Qcm8aJzk3O5r9QxK-hcxxamAlSAC0yKDQ3E6WetbdRF7KSN2bHys5N4_Tw23SBd4LeaOgcMkF9Fmi43k7PMx7Q/s1600/blogger-image-113977092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCc8noseMcrDAy3BCmZ2QFZliESTR3y23Q901_IPFnHBZqcNo2rRD0Qcm8aJzk3O5r9QxK-hcxxamAlSAC0yKDQ3E6WetbdRF7KSN2bHys5N4_Tw23SBd4LeaOgcMkF9Fmi43k7PMx7Q/s1600/blogger-image-113977092.jpg" height="163" width="200" /></a><i>Formal.</i><br />
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Formal is not something our family does very well. :)<br />
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We do better with the informal. The flexible, the real, the natural, the authentic. And to be truthful, when I look at much of what Charlotte Mason had to say about narration through my unschooling lens, she seemed to believe in this as well.<br />
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<b><i>Narrating is an art, like poetry-making or painting, because it is there, in every child's mind, waiting to be discovered, and is not the result of any process of disciplinary education. A creative fiat calls it forth. 'Let him narrate'; and the child narrates, fluently, copiously, in ordered sequence, with fit and graphic details, with a just choice of words, without verbosity or tautology, so soon as he can speak with ease. This amazing gift with which normal children are born is allowed to lie fallow in their education. Bobbie will come home with a heroic narrative of a fight he has seen between 'Duke' and a dog in the street. It is wonderful! He has seen everything, and he tells everything with splendid vigou in the true epic vein; but so ingrained is our contempt for children that we see nothing of this but Bobbie's foolish childish way! Whereas here, if we have eyes to see and grace to build, is the ground-plan of his education." - Volume 1, page 231</i></b></div>
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Many years later, narration continues to be a valued component in our learning. Sometimes I even wish there was perhaps a little <i>less</i> of it going on. But the one thing I have been very intentional in avoiding is any kind or sense of <i>formality. </i><br />
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When narration is at its best and most effective, it <i>flows</i> naturally. Within a family oriented lifestyle of learning, narration is the art of talking - abundant conversation, open discussion, good spirited debate. Questions are asked, answers found, opinions shared, stories are told, details given, funny moments relayed, perspectives pondered and widened. Informal conversation is the key - hearing it, participating in it, reading it and eventually writing it down.<br />
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Once you get to the true heart and spirit of it, this is indeed what narration is all about.<br />
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<a href="http://www.homeschoolhighlights.com/02_narration/">Narration - Tapping into the Talking Resource by Karen Andreola</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-43860664890005119492013-12-29T20:32:00.000-08:002013-12-29T20:32:44.013-08:00Unschooling Shakespeare: Everybody Dies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My oldest daughter (15) and I have been delving into a little bit of Shakespeare (dragging my 13 year old daughter along for the ride - quite possibly against her will). It started out on her part as a desire to familiarize herself with some of the plays, know just a bit more about them...primarily so she could mock the new Romeo and Juliet movie that was coming out. Really, could there be a more noble reason to study Shakespeare?<br />
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So with familiarization for the end goal of mockery and sarcasm, we began...<br />
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We started with Romeo and Juliet from Edith Nesbit's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautiful_Stories_from_Shakespeare">Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare</a> and then moved on to Baz Lurhmann's quirky interpretation of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMel13nY0PE">Romeo and Juliet</a> with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Daines. This particular version of Romeo and Juliet takes place in a modern day setting but with all of the original dialogue in place. It's Baz Luhrmann. It's really weird.<br />
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We didn't get very far into the movie and already my sarcastic and snarky, totally non-romantic, basketball obsessed, *what you see is what you get*, 15 1/2 year old daughter was covering her eyes and groaning in emotional agony at all the "I love you more than life itself and shall die if I can't be with you forever and ever and ever and ever" dialogue and swooning. <br />
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"THEY JUST MET EACH OTHER!" and "WHO TALKS THAT WAY??"<br />
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And here, to ease her frustration and reassure her that all is right in the world, I clued her in on a little something I was sure would make her feel better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEFxU1nkjiYixHUtl4RwZbtTB3VYPfskguehiKuIhmXMl4unShrBqmU2OHN5SoHMNBtiBzytSTfcuzEYyyIxIev9pU7IGxd1X0EeLiArBYHgdjo-6hn1pV7P6xpQW1vM2XE4CTnLiAoI/s1600/death+scene.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEFxU1nkjiYixHUtl4RwZbtTB3VYPfskguehiKuIhmXMl4unShrBqmU2OHN5SoHMNBtiBzytSTfcuzEYyyIxIev9pU7IGxd1X0EeLiArBYHgdjo-6hn1pV7P6xpQW1vM2XE4CTnLiAoI/s1600/death+scene.gif" height="178" width="200" /></a><br />
It's Shakespeare. In the end...everybody dies.<br />
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This did please her. Immensely. Perhaps a little too much. But with the abundance of fighting and death scenes we made it through to the end of the movie. And as promised, Romeo and Juliet met their untimely death. Together. Forever. And ever. And ever. My daughter's under the breath mutterings were something along the lines of how they deserved it for being so stupid. <br />
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Agreed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3Co93jRgH-c0aFlfbBqeDxR_VLzX4hTvPhPjl0DsQAJGxJnTN-WFurh-UW0ICVJEO0f89eSvH-haoyTdTf9gBx6zsQgiBF-j8Zcvugc63MlOG0FVZy9lDhwwa75wJZ9x_vDMj2sf2Bo/s1600/CompleteWorks_300x270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3Co93jRgH-c0aFlfbBqeDxR_VLzX4hTvPhPjl0DsQAJGxJnTN-WFurh-UW0ICVJEO0f89eSvH-haoyTdTf9gBx6zsQgiBF-j8Zcvugc63MlOG0FVZy9lDhwwa75wJZ9x_vDMj2sf2Bo/s1600/CompleteWorks_300x270.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a></div>
Next up was the play, <a href="https://www.iusb.edu/news/?p=4827">The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)</a>, that was being put on by one of our local colleges. 3 actors, 99 minutes and a synopsis of EVERY Shakespeare play written! It was an irreverent, slap stick, at times delightfully inappropriate and utterly hilarious production. Imagine Hamlet performed no less than three times in 30 minutes...in Star Wars costumes - one of those times done in reverse. I'm not sure if the Bard would have been insulted and offended -or- flattered and amused. The girls and I, however, were most definitely amused. <br />
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In the week following the play, we watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/">Shakespeare in Love</a>. Again, there's all that icky romance and much to my daughter's disappointment, everybody didn't die in the end. The lovers *were* separated for all time though, so she'll have to take what she can get. <br />
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At this point, we are pondering future plans for our little Shakespearean rabbit trail.<br />
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Joss Wedon's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094064/">Much Ado About Nothing</a> followed up with the Kenneth Branagh version <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107616/">Much Ado About Nothing (1993)</a> might be just the thing to get an appreciation of one of William Shakespeare's comedies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsOvlGFtH_1B7s2W0rT-oJmwL7ktsc0R-lpFEnQkbi9E52teVzOr7KKfNGP3eezdehyo-2JfY7oBI9qf-kEOIcVPMdky7ycRLginuKzywd2KfkhN1PNXqbv0aHNAS3Ns78OfHZmDm7CQ/s1600/david_tennant_1202972c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsOvlGFtH_1B7s2W0rT-oJmwL7ktsc0R-lpFEnQkbi9E52teVzOr7KKfNGP3eezdehyo-2JfY7oBI9qf-kEOIcVPMdky7ycRLginuKzywd2KfkhN1PNXqbv0aHNAS3Ns78OfHZmDm7CQ/s1600/david_tennant_1202972c.jpg" height="124" width="200" /></a>Perhaps after that we'll watch <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0184791/">O</a>. As a more modern day interpretation of Othello (similar to Ten Things I Hate About You's modern take on The Taming of the Shrew), the girls should both be pleased with the epic series of misunderstandings and how tragically things turn out. Eventually, we'll tackle Hamlet. Mel Gibson version...? <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099726/">Hamlet (1990)</a> Or the BBC version I've heard about with Doctor Who's David Tennant...? <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449175/">Hamlet (2009)</a> Choices, choices. When in doubt, go with anything or anyone related to Doctor Who.<br />
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During this process of getting to know William Shakespeare a bit better, I'll continue to keep my eyes open for any more local productions we can check out. For starters, A Midsummer Night's Dream is being performed locally in February and Kiss Me Kate in April! <a href="https://www.iusb.edu/arts/aspirenews/2013-september/shakespeare.php">(A Theatre Season of Shakespeare at IU South Bend)</a><br />
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Admittedly, our approach to Shakespeare isn't all neat and tidy. It's not a "unit". There's no textbook. No assignments. No real beginning and no definitive end in sight. Great scholars of Shakespeare we will not be. But of three things I am certain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij25H0_zo5CuZcA0susxZKReZWs4zmNCsHPTEFBRp7zqfnAQzNpvtai7U41XNXPk_Zk0-P35MORRu3sg4FEoJxcYWShMMj0LyV2mqBqWirR92JmZ4dkZaNRGl8Y3MLjs4JNkHkV3GmfLg/s1600/winking_Shakespeare.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij25H0_zo5CuZcA0susxZKReZWs4zmNCsHPTEFBRp7zqfnAQzNpvtai7U41XNXPk_Zk0-P35MORRu3sg4FEoJxcYWShMMj0LyV2mqBqWirR92JmZ4dkZaNRGl8Y3MLjs4JNkHkV3GmfLg/s1600/winking_Shakespeare.gif" /></a>#1. Mocking aside, after venturing down this particular little rabbit trail, my daughters and I will have a better cultural understanding and appreciation for dear William Shakespeare and his plays.<br />
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#2. If any well-intentioned boy ever tries to woo my lovely teenage daughter with the romance and complexities of Shakespeare's words and poetry, she will most likely shank him.<br />
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#3. It's Shakespeare. When it's at its best, in the end, everybody dies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/08/07/william-shakespeare-star-wars/">If William Shakespeare Had Written Star Wars</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-12095281151202856862013-11-18T20:10:00.002-08:002013-11-18T20:10:29.346-08:00If You Give a Boy a Video Game: Learning to Spell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't consider spelling to be a "subject" so much. At least not all sad and lonely, isolated by its poor little self.<br />
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Instead I consider learning to spell to be a naturally integrated part of reading and writing. As children grow in their skills as young readers and writers, their spelling skills grow as well. Now, this process may take more time and may not be nearly as flashy looking as it is for those kids using a formal program - consistently over many years from a very young age - but it is far more organic. There is connection and meaning and purpose in natural learning that is often lacking in other approaches. And I've got to tell you, it is a glorious thing to witness.<br />
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Over the years my children have done lapbooks and notebooks, kept journals (personal and shared), done freewriting, copywork from favorite books, letters, notes, cards, emails, and lots of messaging with friends and family. At a couple different points in time, my two older girls (now 15 and 13) have requested spelling programs and for a short season or two have <i>somewhat </i>consistently worked their way through them. But honestly, that's not when they feel that they've experienced the most growth. Real, purposeful writing driven by interest, purpose and need, combined with an abundance of time has generally been <i>just right.</i><br />
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They read. They write. They ask questions. I answer. They grow.<br />
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My youngest (9) has at various times also enjoyed making lapbooks, keeping a journal and writing notes and cards to friends and family. Sometimes. Not a lot though. <br />
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He is just now this year making huge leaps and bounds in becoming a fluent reader, and in this process has been noticing many patterns and spelling quirks in various words that he comes across. But writing in general and learning to spell things on his own has not been a big focus for him.<br />
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Until about a month ago...<br />
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The catalyst? The game changer? Video games.<br />
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If you give a boy a video game, he'll build towns, and cities and entire worlds. He'll make houses, castles, gardens, lava pits, barns and beautiful sky walks made entirely from glass.<br />
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And as he's building, he'll want to make signs to label everything, everywhere.<br />
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So he'll ask questions - lots of questions. All.The.Time. And then he'll label everything, everywhere.<br />
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If you give a boy a video game, he'll want to look up and watch some videos on how others build things, beat certain levels, make it past checkpoints, create portals. And when he finds some he thinks are awesome, he'll want to comment and tell the other kid just how great their video was, how much it helped him.<br />
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If you give a boy a video game, he'll soon find that there are like minded friends to play online with. And he'll want to to know how to message them. <br />
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And again, he'll ask more questions - lots of questions. So many questions. All.The.Time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBRx1F0fxyqAc-QFMCEeCE4QonGyKlm945h7uKD0jEjEzrHPMR9FoJgxk-Is9nkTcJJYsQ0NM6iupmz1T4-zO_xNt4KgT37MQAt5_5Xyqgdc_3xFi3m-jsS2yqAMBejOvo5MkY923TWI/s1600/1412693_759476397402013_804479981_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBRx1F0fxyqAc-QFMCEeCE4QonGyKlm945h7uKD0jEjEzrHPMR9FoJgxk-Is9nkTcJJYsQ0NM6iupmz1T4-zO_xNt4KgT37MQAt5_5Xyqgdc_3xFi3m-jsS2yqAMBejOvo5MkY923TWI/s320/1412693_759476397402013_804479981_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The little voice is constant. "How do you spell...(fill in the blank)?" -and- "Is this how you spell...(fill in the blank)?" -and- "Is this right?" <br />
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I find scraps of paper everywhere with names and lists and ideas written on them. The two of us make up lists of words he uses and doesn't want to have to keep asking me for help on. We talk about patterns and the quirky way things are sometimes spelled. He wonders about "silent" letters and certain combinations and questions who came up with all this spelling stuff - who decided how everything should be spelled. We talk and we look things up and sometimes we just shake our heads in amusement at how some things just don't make sense. He continues to ask question after question after question. <br />
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And I see growth.<br />
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If you give a boy a video game, he'll play, create, conquer, discover, and make some new friends. <br />
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And chances are, if you give a boy a video game...somewhere along the way, he'll learn how to spell. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-72501885973666304372013-10-25T08:29:00.002-07:002013-10-25T08:29:56.425-07:00Army, Legos, Video Games...and a Fashion Show?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking out materials at our<br />Unschooler Craft Shindig.</td></tr>
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A few weeks back, my children and I were at one of our Unschooler Craft Shindigs at a friend's house. In the midst of the rather messy festivities, my middle daughter and some of her friends all headed downstairs to check out the area in the basement where the fashion show they were all participating in was going to be held. As they disappeared, my 9 year old son (continuing to work side by side with me on his WWII army boat made out of recyclable materials) very quietly and without looking at me, muttered, "<i>I'm going to tell you something but don't say anything so that anyone else can hear you</i>." Say what?? He repeated himself - quietly and once again without looking at me. "<i>I'm going to tell you something but don't say anything so that anyone else can hear you</i>." Alrighty. My curiosity was piqued. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWII army boat built out of<br />recyclable materials!</td></tr>
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"<i>I kind of want to be in the fashion show. But don't say anything out loud so anyone can hear you</i>." <br />
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Now, my 9 year old son is into a great many things. Playing army, WWII and all things military, natural disasters, video games, football, hockey, basketball, legos, legos and more legos...to name a few. <i>Fashion shows</i> are not something that had ever come up before. And being that he's generally on the shy, *don't look at me or draw any kind of attention to me in any way* side, I will admit to being a teeny tiny bit surprised by his murmured confession. But after an awkwardly whispered conversation, we headed down the stairs to see if there might be a chance he could join in on upcoming fashion show.<br />
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It didn't seem to bother the girls that my son wished to participate. We received our little tour of the to-be runway, etc., and got instructions about what outfits he'd need (hipster, fancy and summer). Mind you, this boy of mine pretty much maintained a mostly disinterested look on his face the ENTIRE TIME. No big deal. Whatever. (Don't look at me.) <br />
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Yep, I thought, it's gonna be interesting to see how this turns out.<br />
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About a week before the show, we made a trip to a local consignment store to pick out the hipster and fancy outfits and accessories. The lady at the counter pointed us in the right direction and then inquired if we were shopping for Halloween costumes. Not wanting to embarrass my son, I distractedly murmured something about a fashion show and nodded in the direction of my 12 year old daughter and then moved on. Shortly after though, my shy guy asked if I had told her he was in a fashion show. I reassured him I hadn't said anything about him. There was a pause. He then asked me if I was going to. He then asked when I was going to. He then asked if I had yet. Over the course of the hour we were there shopping, he asked me no less than 5 times when I was going to tell her that he was in a fashion show. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modeling his hipster look.</td></tr>
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Not so subtle hint received. <br />
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As we were paying (and after one more whispered, "are you going to tell her I'm in a fashion show?"), I let the lady know that this handsome young man next to me who had helped pick out these funky and fancy outfits was going to be in a fashion show next week. She oooh'd and aaah'd and asked curious questions and generally looked sufficiently impressed - enough to please this 9 year old boy of mine (even though he barely cracked a smile throughout the whole conversation).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up.</td></tr>
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Flash forward to the fashion show: <i>my turn to be impressed</i>. Who'd have thought? Certainly not me. My son came out and totally worked the "runway". He paused for the description of each outfit, posed for pics and generally had sass and attitude. He rocked it! And I was surprised. Thrilled and impressed...but admittedly, surprised.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KxUS2ZqfZw9m1iRPrnM-D6mBgzSKd6Md4k5-xFafEUjY5cbgMcJJ3IYbAyx6_R6hbkFZJmT-AMq5MTekT1nqH8OzVOtppVouTyKHkuFxesREdHEOrrpWSUeJra08o_edzTU3wSvCI0Y/s1600/1404414_743598218989831_1126047505_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KxUS2ZqfZw9m1iRPrnM-D6mBgzSKd6Md4k5-xFafEUjY5cbgMcJJ3IYbAyx6_R6hbkFZJmT-AMq5MTekT1nqH8OzVOtppVouTyKHkuFxesREdHEOrrpWSUeJra08o_edzTU3wSvCI0Y/s200/1404414_743598218989831_1126047505_o.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
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In retrospect, I guess I really shouldn't have been so shocked. I mean seriously, he does have two older sisters and a mom who watch shows like What Not to Wear, Say Yes to the Dress, Project Runway and Dancing with the Stars. I also seem to remember a brief snippet in time (long, long ago) where he was very much into putting on little dance routines in our living room...complete with blaring music, an Indiana Jones fedora, mid-routine stripped off shirt a la Dancing with the Stars, and an impressive flashlight light show courtesy of an older sister.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwKhpcyBZSC65mnfkxW0Si5vK-HtnQGY96pBnrIiZAvmUXj8N_SOnhctIZnkX3gJpY8ll0zTufOVoQQc6CmIOqLEuYM1bobh30mGdfOlCaMemAsHup7u9p5S05w4j4UXCC9_RGN1DQJQ/s1600/1400662_743600145656305_1480352869_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwKhpcyBZSC65mnfkxW0Si5vK-HtnQGY96pBnrIiZAvmUXj8N_SOnhctIZnkX3gJpY8ll0zTufOVoQQc6CmIOqLEuYM1bobh30mGdfOlCaMemAsHup7u9p5S05w4j4UXCC9_RGN1DQJQ/s320/1400662_743600145656305_1480352869_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo themed "summer look". </td></tr>
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On the ride home after our exciting Fashion Show Extravaganza, my handsome little modeling dude critiqued everyone else's performances. Who paused the right amount time, who went too fast, how you needed to give the announcer time to read the description of your outfit and to hold a pose long enough so the audience could take pictures. <br />
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My my, one fashion show under his belt and already he's quite the expert.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-36630395687795068432013-10-24T08:59:00.002-07:002013-10-24T08:59:29.364-07:00Hearts for Home Blog Hop #40<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to this week's Hearts for Home Blog Hop. The Hearts for Home Blog Hop is all about sharing encouraging and inspiring posts that show your heart is for your home and family. Family friendly topics are welcome and include homeschooling, homemaking, cooking/recipes, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, and the like.</div>
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The most clicked on post from last week was from First Comes Love: </div>
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<a href="http://meghancarver.blogspot.com/2013/10/daughters-modest-monday-home-improvement-store.html">My Daughters' Modest Monday - At the Manly Home Improvement Store</a></div>
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I had THREE favorites from last week. Just couldn't narrow it down to one or two! </div>
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I personally have a passion for living books and am also a rabid Harry Potter fan. I loved the perspective that Don't Forget the Avocados shared: "Recently, a friend asked me why I think it is O.K. for kids to read Harry Potter. This is the kind of conversation that can go in many directions, but is ultimately less about the specifics of J.K. Rowling's work and is more about the proper role of literature in a Christian child's upbringing. For me, it is also a discussion that highlights the philosophy of classical education."</div>
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<a href="http://annailonamussmann.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-big-is-your-childs-bubble-weighing.html">Don't Forget The Avocados: How Big is Your Child's Bubble? Weighing the Merits of Mainstream Fiction in a Classical Education</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXLIUJAcEzRxFpcdXeJvSBJWToVfeZp0zoOCOLaYwliiglInytr6IOIeELEnJYDbDpmYjKxSS3PCmoJk7A9gmohUP8Y1sKiynwirvf3jWOCJ3mFdJHdyeNl-uMWHQYrq2JQVVzlxT8hA/s1600/How+Big+is+Bubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXLIUJAcEzRxFpcdXeJvSBJWToVfeZp0zoOCOLaYwliiglInytr6IOIeELEnJYDbDpmYjKxSS3PCmoJk7A9gmohUP8Y1sKiynwirvf3jWOCJ3mFdJHdyeNl-uMWHQYrq2JQVVzlxT8hA/s320/How+Big+is+Bubble.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Woman Writes shares her feelings on being a Christian and celebrating Halloween: "Halloween is one of the many subjects about which good people disagree, and as a person who comes out swinging with very little provocation, I have to admit that it's hard to keep my mouth shut when someone tells another person how wicked she is for dressing her child up as a pink bunny and escorting her from door to door with a hollow orange plastic orange plastic pumpkin."</div>
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<a href="http://thiswomanwrites.areavoices.com/2013/10/16/why-i-a-christian-celebrate-halloween/">This Woman Writes: Why I - a Christian - Celebrate Halloween</a> </div>
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And last but not least, some yummy goodness from This Woman Writes - a recipe for Peanut Butter Muffins. On my to-do list for this coming week! </div>
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<a href="http://thiswomanwrites.areavoices.com/2013/10/15/recipe-peanut-butter-muffins/">This Woman Writes: Recipe - Peanut Butter Muffins</a></div>
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFHFeature_zpse5060e68.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFH150_zpsf22ef64f.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-17164271450036668722013-10-17T08:01:00.000-07:002013-10-17T08:01:04.640-07:00Hearts for Home Blog Hop #39<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to this week's Hearts for Home Blog Hop. The Hearts for Home Blog Hop is all about sharing encouraging and inspiring posts that show your heart is for your home and family. Family friendly topics are welcome and include homeschooling, homemaking, cooking/recipes, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, and the like.</div>
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The most clicked on post from last week was from Mom's Mustard Seeds: </div>
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<a href="http://www.momsmustardseeds.com/2013/09/math-gifted-struggling-learners/">Mom's Mustard Seeds - Math for Gifted and Struggling Learners</a></div>
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My favorite post from last week is again from The Measured Mom who shares a guest post about how much our children learn from being involved in the kitchen: <i>"When you think of places where kids learn, schools and classrooms are probably the first places that come to mind. While kids do achieve much of their learning from inside a classroom, there's another learning-conducive area that kids have access to on a daily basis: the kitchen."</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.themeasuredmom.com/kids-in-the-kitchen/">The Measured Mom - Kids in the Kitchen: 7 Things to Learn</a></div>
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFHFeature_zpse5060e68.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-44430088035939273992013-10-13T19:19:00.000-07:002013-10-14T22:12:05.684-07:00The Reality of How We Do Nature Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Nature study. </i></b>For some, the phrase invokes lovely images of a mom and her brood of children walking together serenely through a field or woods, lingering perhaps to sketch a leaf here and a butterfly there, carefully collecting treasures for later and closer examination, with mom calmly offering necessary guidance and pointing out various points of interest. <br />
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Well, in theory, this is kind of what our family does.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt49nxFt1yWpYlOGSm04wE-9HwgjoYDCynqDMT5T6E58b__LduYFIzrjDDnPiSslfLUTLESBYy5VrdODIgvpUbliCyQkD1L2gWwEldfASIHYC8KlMyps1SP3geHIlTZIQBCtRvWeST62s/s1600/1239294_730118353671151_600528183_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt49nxFt1yWpYlOGSm04wE-9HwgjoYDCynqDMT5T6E58b__LduYFIzrjDDnPiSslfLUTLESBYy5VrdODIgvpUbliCyQkD1L2gWwEldfASIHYC8KlMyps1SP3geHIlTZIQBCtRvWeST62s/s200/1239294_730118353671151_600528183_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>In <i>theory</i>. In practice, not <i>quite </i>so picturesque or calm and serene.<br />
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We muck about. We tromp. We go off the path. We get lost. (Always take the time to stop and get a map. Just saying.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVoFtHEXEwVTGvO5E7xk0Y9fuabQVF-LWN1HVvpHeU_-z460eAvNHw6W3tHAqyB_Kwsx1y6xfFCnyfr0B6R-UWKAs5rz5tumm1RqiEzGAuMnopUIFJsl8yByThSzLfPzpukE6DyhGIJs/s1600/1277862_730127520336901_900418135_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVoFtHEXEwVTGvO5E7xk0Y9fuabQVF-LWN1HVvpHeU_-z460eAvNHw6W3tHAqyB_Kwsx1y6xfFCnyfr0B6R-UWKAs5rz5tumm1RqiEzGAuMnopUIFJsl8yByThSzLfPzpukE6DyhGIJs/s200/1277862_730127520336901_900418135_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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I always bring along small paper bags, plastic ziplock baggies and a critter container for all the fascinating specimens discovered along the way on our nature walks. But the reality is, that over the years it's been <i>my pockets</i> that end of getting stuffed with all the *treasures*. Some are slimy. Some leak. Some are dead. Some aren't. *shudder* And for some reason I have yet to figure out, I always seem to be left carrying a very big stick. Always.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOjJGnjvDJxNflklyq3tLdqcfAqdrWAo80p0xyUwxF_D30ihOdmDGjczhxZCHMadXMyoePZcHExFODqI4_V4o_QRJ65X5U4AtdrWizAP285h5sUMb96_TWI0fj9Eun2GShHtDX6WpbMk/s1600/1268362_730124043670582_206438696_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOjJGnjvDJxNflklyq3tLdqcfAqdrWAo80p0xyUwxF_D30ihOdmDGjczhxZCHMadXMyoePZcHExFODqI4_V4o_QRJ65X5U4AtdrWizAP285h5sUMb96_TWI0fj9Eun2GShHtDX6WpbMk/s200/1268362_730124043670582_206438696_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
We spend forever in one spot on our walks. Not moving forward. Forever. So much to see, so much to discover - but we're easily distracted from the well trodden path. A mucky pond area, a fallen tree, a dried up creek bed full of water snails...they beckon and invite. So we stay.<br />
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There's no plan. No lesson. No carefully coordinated and themed notebooking pages. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOv1bxiXApp7CdszMyz7WbzXqZjLYSH9dc1r7KJcrN9kgU3e27WBdpTOGryjVQ1OwDAvgd-RhAwlkSdXMf2memTJy8VMG4-LRMnXK7b_8-FXsgz8F5GDod7ggniwQLqJkThRL_JijhW0/s1600/1294378_730122280337425_1872283823_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOv1bxiXApp7CdszMyz7WbzXqZjLYSH9dc1r7KJcrN9kgU3e27WBdpTOGryjVQ1OwDAvgd-RhAwlkSdXMf2memTJy8VMG4-LRMnXK7b_8-FXsgz8F5GDod7ggniwQLqJkThRL_JijhW0/s200/1294378_730122280337425_1872283823_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>What we do is messy. It's dirty. It's chaotic. And in case I didn't mention it before, so much fun!<br />
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This approach to nature study is *us*. It fits. And I personally find it's where the true magic and wonder happens. Off the path - in the muck and bramble (and poison ivy) - there are unusual discoveries to be found, interesting adventures to be had...and by far, the best memories are made.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It would be well if we all persons in authority, parents of all who act for parents, could make up our minds that there is no sort of knowledge to be got in these early years so valuable to children as that which they get for themselves of the world they live in. Let them once get in touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life. We were all meant to be naturalists, each to his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things. - Charlotte Mason</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-16211069088304888212013-10-09T20:57:00.000-07:002013-10-09T20:57:02.069-07:00Hearts for Home Blog Hog #38<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to this week's Hearts for Home Blog Hop. The Hearts for Home Blog Hop is all about sharing encouraging and inspiring posts that show your heart is for your home and family. Family friendly topics are welcome and include homeschooling, homemaking, cooking/recipes, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, and the like.</div>
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The most clicked on post from last week was from The Measured Mom: </div>
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<a href="http://www.themeasuredmom.com/help-young-writers-edit-get-spelling-dictionary-kids/">The Measured Mom - Help Young Writers Edit: Get a Spelling Dictionary for Kids!</a></div>
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Two of my favorite posts from last week are shared below. First there's the lovely imagery from Home to 4 Kiddos visit to Assateague National Park and then top it off with This Sweet Life's yummy recipe for Baked French Toast with Blueberry Syrup. Mmmmm.....:)</div>
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<a href="http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2013/10/assateague-national-park.html">Home to 4 Kiddos - Assateague National Park</a></div>
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<a href="http://itsmysweetlife.blogspot.com/2013/10/recipe-baked-french-toast-w-blueberry.html">This Sweet Life - Recipe: Baked French Toast with Blueberry Syrup</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity" height="200" src="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Wordless-Wednesday-250.png" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=214075" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-36759763425542614302013-10-07T18:46:00.001-07:002013-10-07T20:55:38.968-07:00Lightning, Hurricanes, Tornadoes: How's the Weather?My youngest is seriously obsessed with the weather. Specifically, weather and natural disasters. Tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, mud slides, earthquakes, floods, thunderstorms, lightning and most especially of all...tornadoes! These topics simultaneously fascinate -and- absolutely terrify him (anybody ever checked a 9 year old boy's closet for terrorists, snipers, child-eating giants and <i>tornadoes</i>?). <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAHd48NIR36P4Wmo0wWUa_DiWRvXIj-HxDBxdq8BLEyWppYXmpzYpXH6EANE6Zjwb9mtwOEWjtqBNRgUdndSUHy_ZfVcqIsgXK2m5BjJHtQgiUWtZNcYQ1KLfKsSjETpsR8nThreO0Mc/s1600/1266812_729391320410521_1520494298_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAHd48NIR36P4Wmo0wWUa_DiWRvXIj-HxDBxdq8BLEyWppYXmpzYpXH6EANE6Zjwb9mtwOEWjtqBNRgUdndSUHy_ZfVcqIsgXK2m5BjJHtQgiUWtZNcYQ1KLfKsSjETpsR8nThreO0Mc/s320/1266812_729391320410521_1520494298_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>Over the years, my son and I have spent countless hours wondering, pondering, discussing and researching his weather related questions. Google, library books, documentaries, movies...you name it, we've watched it, read it, utilized it. <br />
<br />
So imagine my thrill when one of the moms from our local unschooling group facilitated a meeting for our weather-minded kiddos with Notre Dame Meterologist, Ed Bensman! Mr. Bensman was kind enough to agree to meet up with our little group and share his vast knowledge, experience and passion for the weather. He came prepared, bringing along scads of colorful maps, a small globe (to better illustrate how the seasons change, why the sun "sets" and the cycles of the moon), and a great big bucket to demonstrate how a tornado works.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_apdvdqO8R7n88KM0sSyGPHOa5NrPS1N6u4Q4CVndtd4qCutHsk_EQI08uZlSJArNKWXtXI934I-y4DOp6yLK02D4BWfAB_il9po38_eHTTMpAmcH5G8-IsqvxAfT6NmDCpvnOlSozIo/s1600/1276487_729390820410571_1341769792_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_apdvdqO8R7n88KM0sSyGPHOa5NrPS1N6u4Q4CVndtd4qCutHsk_EQI08uZlSJArNKWXtXI934I-y4DOp6yLK02D4BWfAB_il9po38_eHTTMpAmcH5G8-IsqvxAfT6NmDCpvnOlSozIo/s200/1276487_729390820410571_1341769792_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>Mr. Bensman shared lots of information with the kids (and us curious moms) and patiently answered all of our questions (way better than google or youtube ever could). We talked about how the seasons change, <i>tornadoes</i>, the cycles of the moon, <i>tornadoes</i>, wind, <i>tornadoes</i>, how snowflakes form, <i>tornadoes</i>, thunderstorms and lightning, <i>tornadoes</i>, cloud formation and rain, <i>tornadoes</i>, hurricanes, <i>tornadoes</i>, dust devils and...<i>tornadoes</i>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A9NiCMSgBY4QFA0cdmQhIYGJDqEygov35y3mCyo8QZrrgRHXygTUwR_CogAxvBMo_bckFIASUS9aAR-iKVVlMVsswIogU4NMYnlyikHl4eWtNekjOf-IUlzj09CYfKjh3stMM9ov6-k/s1600/1276045_729390627077257_46920078_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A9NiCMSgBY4QFA0cdmQhIYGJDqEygov35y3mCyo8QZrrgRHXygTUwR_CogAxvBMo_bckFIASUS9aAR-iKVVlMVsswIogU4NMYnlyikHl4eWtNekjOf-IUlzj09CYfKjh3stMM9ov6-k/s200/1276045_729390627077257_46920078_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water tornado in a bucket!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In case you didn't notice, just about every other question asked by our budding meteorologists ended up being about tornadoes (with some extra ponderings on lightning and thunderstorms tossed in for good measure) - even when the topic being discussed <i>wasn't</i> about tornadoes. This didn't phase our mentor at all. In fact, he has great ideas he's going to work on for our next session...planning a bit more around our children's specific interests. You guessed it...tornadoes.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7f8Dettw0_Shyphenhyphen8CUliXjILTFoiD1ji2xyQdqXR8uRC4GOngiuBamQpLlbMaZymQHOWzJw1SXbsxPSrKkkwsCBdTwC9ToxP-yjduJ1BbSPIL7iIsFx8tYqMQCsrgGW12zW3XOpB0BZiY/s1600/1267391_729390373743949_636522688_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7f8Dettw0_Shyphenhyphen8CUliXjILTFoiD1ji2xyQdqXR8uRC4GOngiuBamQpLlbMaZymQHOWzJw1SXbsxPSrKkkwsCBdTwC9ToxP-yjduJ1BbSPIL7iIsFx8tYqMQCsrgGW12zW3XOpB0BZiY/s320/1267391_729390373743949_636522688_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach's friend Elijah, <br />
ND Meteorologist Ed Bensman, <br />
and Zach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-36370031478463929092013-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:002013-10-02T10:31:14.286-07:00A Hummingbird in the Hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity" height="200" src="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Wordless-Wednesday-250.png" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a>
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=213324" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-2836098780582835712013-09-30T05:46:00.000-07:002013-09-30T06:00:25.505-07:00An Unexpected Guest: Hummingbird in the House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Oa2Z_KIEZf0Dp_UZJ_CsOlgpBnzK5EnmOM-ghAhSE-ufKSfliLSxzyTWdWv3fXzgkpC_LatFKZK8dGq2sr-UHGvB6bCIb6tR2aVQiyr4jftrnn_Y4kLIVVNFH0fnrgmSjww_3GtNuDg/s1600/hbfirstday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Oa2Z_KIEZf0Dp_UZJ_CsOlgpBnzK5EnmOM-ghAhSE-ufKSfliLSxzyTWdWv3fXzgkpC_LatFKZK8dGq2sr-UHGvB6bCIb6tR2aVQiyr4jftrnn_Y4kLIVVNFH0fnrgmSjww_3GtNuDg/s320/hbfirstday.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
As a nature loving family, the kids and I are always on the look-out for critters in need of roadside assistance in our daily travels. Caterpillars, turtles, praying mantises, frogs, toads...you name it, we stop to lend a helping hand if at all possible (and safe to do so). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb56j6WKLPlIEHXTI2JyC5xSJhVnVU4RR1_kr3PUT2ZDdt2Y2AJ21KVZIS2-i-f8LVFNLIS2ltkjEpQlit_uZOuhN6IJIiUmN67YFKmMgkJZuoZlQbi82N6q5ygrpb_ZOidyA16oW8vTQ/s1600/hbinhandfirstday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb56j6WKLPlIEHXTI2JyC5xSJhVnVU4RR1_kr3PUT2ZDdt2Y2AJ21KVZIS2-i-f8LVFNLIS2ltkjEpQlit_uZOuhN6IJIiUmN67YFKmMgkJZuoZlQbi82N6q5ygrpb_ZOidyA16oW8vTQ/s320/hbinhandfirstday.jpg" width="320" /></a>This past week we were surprised to pass what looked like a hummingbird slowly hopping across one of our back country roads. I stopped the van and backed up to take a closer look. Yep, definitely a little hummingbird. On closer inspection, she appeared to have no injuries and everything looked as it should, but she could not fly. Thinking the poor thing must have been nicked by a passing vehicle and gotten her marbles shaken up a bit, we took her home. Ideally, we were hoping she simply needed peace and quiet, something to eat and a little bit of time to get her wings back - then she'd be on her way.<br />
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Well, things didn't go quite so ideally. I did some research on what specific needs our unexpected guest had...which turned out went beyond needing nectar alone. Hummingbirds also need protein. If they go without it for more than 4 hours or so you run the risk of potentially crippling the tiny birds. <br />
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So this meant we needed bugs. Teeny tiny, itty bitty bugs. Lots of teeny tiny, itty bitty bugs. Hmmm....this was not something we were likely to be very successful at. This called for more research - which led me to this online site: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Rescue-a-Humming-Bird/">How to Rescue a Hummingbird</a>. It was there and on a few other sites, as well as some books we fetched from our local library, that suggested combining home-made nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) with hard boiled egg yolk and crushed up insects (yum). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFTeukDUCQeWrgCo_Oi9RplngDhOX_B9oBaCLZvzRYVyc_Y1QgajB0DrBNBS6l60TQ_pzyjwQ5lGZCCtiGLlDSbiFH_DKZ40j5htAI0p9nW76HSaUxAb0irdlPrb2lkWX0cJWAz_2DM8/s1600/numnum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFTeukDUCQeWrgCo_Oi9RplngDhOX_B9oBaCLZvzRYVyc_Y1QgajB0DrBNBS6l60TQ_pzyjwQ5lGZCCtiGLlDSbiFH_DKZ40j5htAI0p9nW76HSaUxAb0irdlPrb2lkWX0cJWAz_2DM8/s200/numnum.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oh-so-appetizing<br />
concoction of<br />
homemade nectar,<br />
hard-boiled egg yolk<br />
and freeze dried bloodworms.<br />
Just shake and serve. </td></tr>
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Having just spent most of the summer raising a couple hundred tree frog tadpoles (a whole other adventure) we happened to have on hand some freeze dried bloodworms (high in protein). So we mixed these in with the egg yolk and sugar water and shook up a delicious evening cocktail for our little visitor. She seemed impressed with our culinary skills.<br />
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The next morning I fully expected she would be ready to take off. No such luck. Her wings seem to work fine - she flutters, she flaps, but she doesn't fly. So now we shifted our focus and wondered if she was not an injured adult but instead a late fledgling - a juvenile that had not yet learned to fly and somehow ended up where she should not have been. Well, this put a whole new spin on the situation. <br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Hummingbirds are migratory birds, they head south to warmer weather where the flowers and insects are still abundant. If this little guest of ours was a non-flying juvenile, would she be able fly soon enough and well enough to make the long journey? A journey in which her food sources might be few and far between? This complicated things. Over the next couple days I continued my research and the kids and I continued to make little Pippin (a hobbit name that seemed fitting for either a girl or boy hummingbird - though our friend would appear to be a female) feel as welcome and content as we possibly could. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl5EqCx-WIb3XSZdo1zOs6nvxbWd9P9clvZKVrX-PTGFoC6LuRj1sHEUw9_H1TT4Nyq3rml1cHok5YPbr3sQHAg9EABxQIvw-15u6YVv-GqG8UF9briA0cgBW5QF30sTloVqLYIAW9s0/s1600/hbnaturewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl5EqCx-WIb3XSZdo1zOs6nvxbWd9P9clvZKVrX-PTGFoC6LuRj1sHEUw9_H1TT4Nyq3rml1cHok5YPbr3sQHAg9EABxQIvw-15u6YVv-GqG8UF9briA0cgBW5QF30sTloVqLYIAW9s0/s200/hbnaturewalk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring<br />
on our<br />
family nature walk.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">With our busy schedule, this included tagging along with us on a family nature walk, hanging out at a craft show that my 12 year old daughter shared a booth at, and attending our Sunday morning church service and following potluck dinner. We took her for walks outside in the sunshine, helped her exercise and strengthen her little wings, provided her with drinks from the flowers we still had blooming in our yard (and a variety we came across on our nature walk), and told her constantly what a beautiful little creature she was and how she was destined to be a fabulous flyer. A little self esteem boost never hurt anyone.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr6djku3PI10HEWX8v2XjWDvZ9Fuf9671utcbls4F4VXEFEp10r1Mig_9Fa8loMZA9NPmwfPDDqAYW2e1uXhNQM9L2E9_MeF-aXbLUXVbWpvcJE1-OiG1enP4JGcM107vO396uppky6s/s1600/hbwithzach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr6djku3PI10HEWX8v2XjWDvZ9Fuf9671utcbls4F4VXEFEp10r1Mig_9Fa8loMZA9NPmwfPDDqAYW2e1uXhNQM9L2E9_MeF-aXbLUXVbWpvcJE1-OiG1enP4JGcM107vO396uppky6s/s200/hbwithzach.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Zach.</td></tr>
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Later this week, our unexpected guest will be settled into her new home. Through our state DNR website, I contacted a local songbird/migratory bird rehabilitator and she will be taking Pippin in. This wonderful lady will work with her on learning to fly and will even care for her through the winter months so she doesn't have to risk braving the elements as a novice flyer on her first flight south. Then in the spring, she'll release Pippin back into nature.<br />
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The kids and I have been blessed to share this little snippet of time with Pippin and I admit that I will miss our quirky little friend. But I am also confident and reassured that she will be in good hands...and conveniently, only about 10 minutes away. <br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcsDreYlUyaPY0nL-pj6UbNAyuGgz6P283IHEfiDyZZWfIG8a1rJMhhzvDd57ZCC-dQdzPGaHZUuu38i9B47NCVzEfzljJGWEggnNMvPBOdItQJikk_jiKSo4SZGyxjDiKMo9bnPw40g/s1600/hbonmarigold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcsDreYlUyaPY0nL-pj6UbNAyuGgz6P283IHEfiDyZZWfIG8a1rJMhhzvDd57ZCC-dQdzPGaHZUuu38i9B47NCVzEfzljJGWEggnNMvPBOdItQJikk_jiKSo4SZGyxjDiKMo9bnPw40g/s400/hbonmarigold.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pippin enjoying some time<br />
outdoors - hanging out on our marigolds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AVw81Hy-woWyjFaiYoOIq_rNeHKOHqakbZKmP7ZAySQyuZ3J92Y9hCnA9HaQspTdjhC6SycOSudUkC-kj8Bq3-7dg87wgYPEjKmC8S-394VF59nz3US_5suufaj-qz8meCmcVO4xHt8/s1600/hbinbasketwithmarigolds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AVw81Hy-woWyjFaiYoOIq_rNeHKOHqakbZKmP7ZAySQyuZ3J92Y9hCnA9HaQspTdjhC6SycOSudUkC-kj8Bq3-7dg87wgYPEjKmC8S-394VF59nz3US_5suufaj-qz8meCmcVO4xHt8/s200/hbinbasketwithmarigolds.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pippin's temporary home - an old basket with a<br />
tiny wooden skewer for a perch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcX8CDZ4vG9Abykqn3CD1LyDhHJUBLT5H-ymmSqZIFah4iQom-CbQohbq9RkrBQ5LGrDS75g_Khvbkdhj5b7d7okitu2z0i-ACUvj3i6_859OAx722ituQIi7JsgLzhTavW2QH6xkafA/s1600/hummingbirdinbasketback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcX8CDZ4vG9Abykqn3CD1LyDhHJUBLT5H-ymmSqZIFah4iQom-CbQohbq9RkrBQ5LGrDS75g_Khvbkdhj5b7d7okitu2z0i-ACUvj3i6_859OAx722ituQIi7JsgLzhTavW2QH6xkafA/s200/hummingbirdinbasketback.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The detail and color of her feathers is simply gorgeous.</td></tr>
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<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AdR799m-Rig/UPSjTvVArwI/AAAAAAAARaA/mLloREt5gr4/s501/2012-05-21.jpg" width="250" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-91559246872811910152013-09-19T06:58:00.000-07:002013-09-19T06:58:01.426-07:00Hearts for Home Weekly Blog Hop #35<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToNZ_k0jJiBvcq3zfFilK3S5boGl-z8gChKRSC3JJn4IOtKyw4dOsuT9iA3qiy38UsQLhvfxWSXF4yXez9eLxXw_KJbOqLu6t2ijSMqNBR7Z5pUsPHN8fzjd293_Xz0rjT02KQR1R-ig/s1600/HFH+300+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToNZ_k0jJiBvcq3zfFilK3S5boGl-z8gChKRSC3JJn4IOtKyw4dOsuT9iA3qiy38UsQLhvfxWSXF4yXez9eLxXw_KJbOqLu6t2ijSMqNBR7Z5pUsPHN8fzjd293_Xz0rjT02KQR1R-ig/s200/HFH+300+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Welcome to this week's Hearts for Home Blog Hop. The Hearts for Home Blog Hop is all about sharing encouraging and inspiring posts that show your heart is for your home and family. Family friendly topics are welcome and include homeschooling, homemaking, cooking/recipes, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, and the like.</div>
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The most clicked on post from last week was from Home To 4 Kiddos:</div>
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<a href="http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2013/09/landmarks-matching-game.html">Landmarks Matching Game from Home To 4 Kiddos</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTPL7yOw89SNFim31fy05FYUZzZDnIsjQuUHPXz4pspz0RE2cMJCN2PiCre8ydLEK_stG2TRPmsij8BhlbxySPawXxtq92EExh6AhZHby2dFy3QX3b2-__AgJ4Y2MSJqrEvGl6TG03G8/s1600/gameedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTPL7yOw89SNFim31fy05FYUZzZDnIsjQuUHPXz4pspz0RE2cMJCN2PiCre8ydLEK_stG2TRPmsij8BhlbxySPawXxtq92EExh6AhZHby2dFy3QX3b2-__AgJ4Y2MSJqrEvGl6TG03G8/s320/gameedit.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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One of my absolute favorites from last week was from From The Mrs. on taking the school out of homeschool:</div>
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<i>"You'll notice in the coming parts of this series that there aren't very many "school" activities in our learning. Thus the tagline: trying to take the "school" out of homeschool. When something is taught I ask myself, "Is there a way this could be taught/learned without curriculum but from a real-life experience or some really great books? Usually there is."</i></div>
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<a href="http://fromthemrs.blogspot.com/2013/09/real-life-learning-part-1.html">Real-Life Learning from From The Mrs.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjHbtrIfX9nGE0I1cU6qYAhImNHFHLd2hpCpnWj8A9W5lRTMPg12hQLWmQYwPj2UrTIS6mm265iztstGwNEl-53fTNIIbDdQKw1JLWg6nvuE7KUuIUce3j9LicGkAQLczlAuutiJOmaI/s1600/Real+Life+Learning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjHbtrIfX9nGE0I1cU6qYAhImNHFHLd2hpCpnWj8A9W5lRTMPg12hQLWmQYwPj2UrTIS6mm265iztstGwNEl-53fTNIIbDdQKw1JLWg6nvuE7KUuIUce3j9LicGkAQLczlAuutiJOmaI/s320/Real+Life+Learning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another one of my favorites was from Water on the Floor - 5 Ways to Learn Outside of the Classroom:</div>
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<i>"Learning does not need to be in a classroom. My kids learn so much more from real experiences and books than they ever do filling out a worksheet. I sense this is the beginning of some big changes in our homeschool."</i></div>
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<a href="http://wateronthefloor.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/5-ways-to-learn-outside-of-the-classroom/">5 Ways to Learn Outside of the Classroom from Water on the Floor</a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-40410872285272766062013-09-18T12:45:00.000-07:002013-09-18T12:45:27.082-07:00Tea Time Soothes a Grumpy Soul :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8c9pjuqaXpkS1KYbXYedvrzshHeDa1UBoFb8lcfYnj5rpL0HdlZsbsFZ-H-BSgWEfPNXHoLeN-0dmSGkJJC_0kIAe1Yzdvp3cQ1R83cWx2XGgRj7rpafK2NLKfOlhSrPocYr4k_9GhW4/s1600/1272646_719725631377090_607994649_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8c9pjuqaXpkS1KYbXYedvrzshHeDa1UBoFb8lcfYnj5rpL0HdlZsbsFZ-H-BSgWEfPNXHoLeN-0dmSGkJJC_0kIAe1Yzdvp3cQ1R83cWx2XGgRj7rpafK2NLKfOlhSrPocYr4k_9GhW4/s400/1272646_719725631377090_607994649_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/" title="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity" src="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Wordless-Wednesday-250.png" style="border: none;" /></a>
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=211672" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-1666677100125415922013-09-16T20:55:00.000-07:002014-10-12T16:11:40.724-07:00Fabric Scraps, Glitter & Puffy Foam Stickers: What We Leave Behind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F97c8e04mygWuTlMcAyPIUuWMPBLdZxf8QdszDYobPa41WODWVLWgqMhMMLIQv8TLkujSRHZhD5-KM6Vp4E_S8W8vqAYzYVieE2BqpVJNEgYGDc02FiP8W3Mq2tJTYTDWEcMhTi1AQk/s1600/crafting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F97c8e04mygWuTlMcAyPIUuWMPBLdZxf8QdszDYobPa41WODWVLWgqMhMMLIQv8TLkujSRHZhD5-KM6Vp4E_S8W8vqAYzYVieE2BqpVJNEgYGDc02FiP8W3Mq2tJTYTDWEcMhTi1AQk/s320/crafting.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></div>
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Crafting is not my thing. Well, that's not being completely honest. It's a bit more than <i>just not my thing.</i> I don't like it. Have no interest. No desire. No talent. Never have. If I somehow inadvertently find myself having to sew or hot glue something (this happens occasionally against my better judgment and will), you're likely to hear the grouchy under-the-breath mutterings and snappings of a woman most definitely out of her element and comfort zone.<br />
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My mother passed away 5 years ago this coming October. Before my obsessively creative, baking, cooking, crafting, sewing, quilting, embroidering, scrapbooking mom left us after an extended illness, she decided to leave me far more than her vast empire of accumulated supplies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUq_poslGx3zqdDMfsUNLIky-25kHP54opg5_0nmWv4gy-u5kcsrfOVEwoAsg-Tl7qg_kdpuqB5vkOyZ7Vl2Oc4Y74Tcb5t6l0U5UPMplk9gTk-40z5Su9_s7sgl9gQtpsSSEoJUqOgQ/s1600/sewingmachine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUq_poslGx3zqdDMfsUNLIky-25kHP54opg5_0nmWv4gy-u5kcsrfOVEwoAsg-Tl7qg_kdpuqB5vkOyZ7Vl2Oc4Y74Tcb5t6l0U5UPMplk9gTk-40z5Su9_s7sgl9gQtpsSSEoJUqOgQ/s200/sewingmachine.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing lesson at Grammy's house.</td></tr>
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She left me with my daughter, Libby.</div>
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At that time, a 7 year old child that my mother had guided, shaped and molded for many years - encouraged, inspired and enticed with love, companionship, time, multiple trips to craft and fabric stores, and the allure of an endless supply of fabric scraps, glitter and puffy foam stickers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEHpk78XY6cJ1RvqqalgYSsuc-XFFbtpvW3dytDZKdw6zeS5AFsnFTHPQqVjeTgTinrJwrSi233wTyO-XIzr90BqL-xNvGJ3d9qajhssim_KXd8ilzvMy6mJY8lZRU3QU-5_8rnNlM_Y/s1600/handicrafts3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEHpk78XY6cJ1RvqqalgYSsuc-XFFbtpvW3dytDZKdw6zeS5AFsnFTHPQqVjeTgTinrJwrSi233wTyO-XIzr90BqL-xNvGJ3d9qajhssim_KXd8ilzvMy6mJY8lZRU3QU-5_8rnNlM_Y/s200/handicrafts3.jpg" height="184" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libby and her friend sharing a craft<br />
booth at Market Day.</td></tr>
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This middle child of mine (now 12...almost 13) has a deep passion for all things crafting. Not trite or contrived little arts and crafts projects mind you. But real, serious, purposeful handicrafts. (No more puffy foam stickers - though glitter still abounds.)</div>
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She creates on a daily basis - from the time she wakes up till the time her brain shuts down for the night. She has researched and explored cake decorating, how to deep fry oreos (the <i>best </i>and <i>worst</i> idea EVER), the best recipes for homemade cookies, cakes and cupcakes. She has made beautiful creations from clay, and recently started her own business designing and selling handmade jewelry. And all of this is just a sampling of the rabbit trails she's ventured down. :) We frequent craft and hobby stores and checking out local thrift stores and antique shops is next on the to-do list. Pinterest and YouTube are necessary and invaluable resources in her world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-67DKA4rU5jBCy2iab137D_KdemCuGjdd1Y7qVfKn_mM1gHkLJTrNqbOhpsgd4APiV5_J4hlmzyAwOMPQzPuP2URjvm7W0QjqMo-A0Qu3S65_DPBWz3LzikLkBfSN_c-nwzalVCuUoA/s1600/displaycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-67DKA4rU5jBCy2iab137D_KdemCuGjdd1Y7qVfKn_mM1gHkLJTrNqbOhpsgd4APiV5_J4hlmzyAwOMPQzPuP2URjvm7W0QjqMo-A0Qu3S65_DPBWz3LzikLkBfSN_c-nwzalVCuUoA/s200/displaycollage.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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As for me, I find myself looking at things through Libby's eyes...through my mother's eyes. </div>
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With a bit of spray paint, small hors d'oeuvr trays from work have far more potential. A cork board destined to be tossed in the trash could be re-purposed. Perhaps covered in fabric and ribbon and used to display necklaces she's made. </div>
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My kitchen table is covered with lumps of clay, scraps of paper and fabric, scissors, a gazillion assorted tiny beads, glue guns, nail polish and glitter. And when I say covered, I mean covered. We push it all to the side just to be able to eat or do anything else at the table. I frequently fantasize about having a craft room. Not for myself, but still...</div>
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So while crafting has never been and is most certainly not "my thing", I find myself facilitating my daughter's interest and talent wholeheartedly and with far more creativity and imagination that I once would have thought possible.</div>
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If my mother were here to see what she's created, what she's left me with...well, I guarantee you she'd be laughing. She knew me well and while she'd be proud, she'd still be laughing. She couldn't possibly have known the extent of the passion she fostered in my young daughter before she left us. On second thought, maybe she did.</div>
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Because the truth of the matter is, what she left behind was much more than fabric scraps, glitter and puffy foam stickers. What she left behind was a bit of herself. And that is something priceless.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYCZ82aggSKz-EZYXXlSIIVhhAzRtdWa3fqc1-caX0NfVHZXIE6rocSVIjfHhxIqsKrRPNRZbmXEETtgfyaB_bDJCGJWDoqH_oWOFofd_LPxlCukJcxtbFEwWpfkgZ2B4Ms7XrvVIczA/s1600/momandlibby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYCZ82aggSKz-EZYXXlSIIVhhAzRtdWa3fqc1-caX0NfVHZXIE6rocSVIjfHhxIqsKrRPNRZbmXEETtgfyaB_bDJCGJWDoqH_oWOFofd_LPxlCukJcxtbFEwWpfkgZ2B4Ms7XrvVIczA/s320/momandlibby.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-60073241334115950042013-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-15T15:39:39.009-07:00Hearts for Home Weekly Blog Hop #34<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizILq67khIrvh6nsEwvxBBHDBuIgvmCmEHyyXnpOBCZY98nfrHTJgNJBlBd3uTBXCBfAAWayJQMqzKu3Jhpy-hX0VnOsbUE7LxvOclnXw3ypFTsBSAGeQnhRQDTOlaRnV7cGK1-AIPsMY/s1600/HFH+300+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizILq67khIrvh6nsEwvxBBHDBuIgvmCmEHyyXnpOBCZY98nfrHTJgNJBlBd3uTBXCBfAAWayJQMqzKu3Jhpy-hX0VnOsbUE7LxvOclnXw3ypFTsBSAGeQnhRQDTOlaRnV7cGK1-AIPsMY/s200/HFH+300+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Welcome to this week's Hearts for Home Blog Hop. The Hearts for Home Blog Hop is all about sharing encouraging and inspiring posts that show your heart is for your home and family. Family friendly topics are welcome and include homeschooling, homemaking, cooking/recipes, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, and the like.</div>
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Last week's most popular post was from Campfires and Cleats.</div>
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<a href="http://campfiresandcleats.blogspot.com/2013/09/schoolroom-organization-and-schedules.html">Schoolroom Organization and Schedules from Campfires and Cleats</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVyKTpiiAg-h1ZKxR-LHBBJi0UAO74BZ4YQ6culUwnW1yOVjGiFcwZuKcEmWx4npD8fSCR_YxEiHu632DhAMeOGu900KY_gN4uBOQHZOd212i_sSjketjW1g5SwyXrsYz4PBIxrc395g/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVyKTpiiAg-h1ZKxR-LHBBJi0UAO74BZ4YQ6culUwnW1yOVjGiFcwZuKcEmWx4npD8fSCR_YxEiHu632DhAMeOGu900KY_gN4uBOQHZOd212i_sSjketjW1g5SwyXrsYz4PBIxrc395g/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" /></a></div>
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Here are a few of <i>my </i>favorite posts from last week:</div>
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Tara over at He Sets You Free seems to have taken a peek at my bookshelf when pulling together her list of inspiring and encouraging books on the Charlotte Mason method. ;)</div>
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<a href="http://hesetsyoufree.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/inspiring-books-charlotte-mason.html">Inspiring Book (Charlotte Mason Homeschooling) from He Sets You Free</a></div>
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Annette at In All You Do...Breed-Love shares why she feels it's so important we keep things real in front of our children. She says, "While I don't believe in airing your dirty laundry in public, I do believe it is important </div>
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to disagree in front of your children. Why? Well, here are a few reasons why we argue in front of our kids<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 29.859375px;">."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 29.859375px;"><a href="http://www.inallyoudo.net/2013/09/04/why-we-argue-in-front-of-our-kids/">Why We Argue in Front of Our Kids from In All You Do...Breed-Love</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 29.859375px;">And just for the sheer YUM factor...Chrysa at Thrifty Jynxy shared this recipe for S'mores Rice Krispy Treats that I *have* to try. I think it will make a simply scrumptious tea time snack this fall! Not to mention how much fun the kids and I will have making it together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 29.859375px;"><a href="http://thriftyjinxy.com/2013/09/smores-rice-krispy-treats-recipe.html">S'mores Rice Krispy Treats Recipe from Thrifty Jynxy</a></span></span></div>
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFHFeature_zpse5060e68.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFH150_zpsf22ef64f.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-74049130512416731532013-09-09T18:54:00.000-07:002013-09-09T21:22:52.064-07:00Back to (Un)School!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6grbvGu_kboJ_OSAAfVDrwhldyX6mneomNOVJs9LdLssO8AH5cGygt36UI8abaykdUWcRj31HqYLPIUqp_jHOQVD1ngYO1TcL9kuP1KrXIwB4zthlgLDig75zhBaPENR4tBSfuMaDEE/s1600/backtounschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6grbvGu_kboJ_OSAAfVDrwhldyX6mneomNOVJs9LdLssO8AH5cGygt36UI8abaykdUWcRj31HqYLPIUqp_jHOQVD1ngYO1TcL9kuP1KrXIwB4zthlgLDig75zhBaPENR4tBSfuMaDEE/s200/backtounschool.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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"<i>When are you guys starting school?" </i>This has been <i style="font-weight: bold;">the</i> question of the past month. It's on everyone's minds and on the tips of their tongues. It's what everyone wants to know. It seems to be the question that every homeschooler weaves into every conversation with another homeschooler and it's blazing all over Facebook and other social media sites. <br />
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So...when <i>do we</i> start school?? </div>
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If only there was a simple answer to that question for us. Like August 14th or August 26th or September 3rd. But as unschoolers, the truth of the matter is that my answer to this question isn't really all that quick and easy to give. Simple? To us, yes. It's delightfully simple. But for folks wanting a quick and easy answer (a date)...it's a bit more complex. </div>
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To say we never stop or we learn all year round might give the impression to most that we "do school" all.year.long. Ugh. Not at all what I wish to convey.</div>
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To say we NEVER EVER start school gives a whole different negative impression. Technically, it's true. We never "start school". We don't "do school". Nope. Not our focus at all. But we do learn. Goodness, do we learn! We joyfully pursue interests and passions, work on individual skills and projects, go to interesting places and meet up with awesome people, and focus on setting and achieving personal goals.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our goofy attempts at a "Back-To-(Un)School" pic.</td></tr>
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The answer I tend to give is that as fall approaches, our routine begins to shift. Everyone else goes back to school (most homeschoolers included). Our homeschool co-op and art class starts back up sometime in mid-September. The tea set gets dusted off, new family read alouds are chosen and goals for the coming year are discussed as we go along our merry way. </div>
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Honestly, by the time September is here, we all start getting restless for a little shift in the routine. Summer is full of friends and sports camps and swimming and nature study and the beach and family vacations. Coming into fall, basketball and hockey season feels dangerously imminent. And I have to say that while these sports are two of our children's chosen passions and we LOVE THEM wholeheartedly (borderline obsessively), they do bring about a temporary end to life as we know it. So after the mix of wildly hectic and much needed lazy days of summer -and- before sports become the epicenter of our lives, we feel a strong pull for something *different*. A bit of a different rhythm. A tad different routine. Not much different. Just a tiny bit. Just enough.</div>
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You may ask, "if you don't *do school*, what exactly <i>do </i>you do?".</div>
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Short answer: We follow our interests and pursue our goals. </div>
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Longer, more rambling answer:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ex7_oS97H2D0h2p4jcSOJTTY2B57P9WZStDD5Kg_QLSfeakXFe3z1w6ZRyZnd1fjwMlI0I_tv9uzidEQ0NR7Vja3lph6VQ5choJigrCVDsif6xaStyV5Jrf3bfmMvr8YdDEnYSQNjgo/s1600/1275647_715625765120410_1200848479_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ex7_oS97H2D0h2p4jcSOJTTY2B57P9WZStDD5Kg_QLSfeakXFe3z1w6ZRyZnd1fjwMlI0I_tv9uzidEQ0NR7Vja3lph6VQ5choJigrCVDsif6xaStyV5Jrf3bfmMvr8YdDEnYSQNjgo/s200/1275647_715625765120410_1200848479_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>For my 9 year old son, plans would include but not in any way be limited to - having me read aloud to him, watching lots of documentaries, playing video games (!), reading on his own (with a bit of help from time to time), learning to type and being able to spell some things without having to ask me or his dad all the time (not surprisingly, related to video game interest), playing games more often (Apples to Apples, Sequence Numbers, Bugopoly, Rummikub, Uno and the like), going to some more military battle/war re-enactments, having a regular tea time complete with yummy snacks and the aforementioned read alouds, learning to cook and bake (like his father does so well), riding his bike, doing some awesome experiments (time to open up the crystal growing kit), learning more about electricity, earth science, astronomy, military history, tanks, battles, wars, weapons, tornadoes, hurricanes, the Titanic and other shipwrecks and disasters, playing with friends, going to a natural history or other science museum, working on his handwriting (in his mind this is tied into the tea and yummy snack time), working on his drawing skills and possibly exploring cursive. I'm sure there's about a gazillion things I've left out! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tGwjwah4yLZr1WNE-3dxlNR-n0Z__51fBcecsjbqfQ-0VD164s9c86yaWhz4uXlF40UAo4FRYd1YRRFaGSIIML-n8IGa7vPAxb6Aj3Av-EX4t6Tj_GmFPvj6XcFqFfVGvuOSdLhxXLM/s1600/1239327_715625685120418_1996358117_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tGwjwah4yLZr1WNE-3dxlNR-n0Z__51fBcecsjbqfQ-0VD164s9c86yaWhz4uXlF40UAo4FRYd1YRRFaGSIIML-n8IGa7vPAxb6Aj3Av-EX4t6Tj_GmFPvj6XcFqFfVGvuOSdLhxXLM/s200/1239327_715625685120418_1996358117_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>My 12 (almost 13!) year old daughter will continue with her passion for nature study - drawing us all in as she goes. In addition to her nature explorations, she'll spend the majority of her time cooking, baking, cake decorating and devoting herself to her current all-encompassing passion for crafting, jewelry design and researching and implementing related business ideas...from the moment she wakes up till the moment she passes out at night. It has been my experience that not many 12 year old girls express a need to have their own personal drill and solder gun! This middle child of mine is also curious about the Life of Fred math books so we'll be checking that out to see if it's a good fit for her pattern loving brain. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbch3hS7gLHCd7c-VKaFBbzWw1eCuJPuQm9UOqLK-pD5kMkYxmrNsWQbzF7o71tXr-g1uhLlBYX0XUZo4ow2-SFtUVZ6-oCEO2igsYHfUXkwcxNCmy-f0j7-UIJg-NUk37phkknZs7GA/s1600/943228_653412734675047_494803039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbch3hS7gLHCd7c-VKaFBbzWw1eCuJPuQm9UOqLK-pD5kMkYxmrNsWQbzF7o71tXr-g1uhLlBYX0XUZo4ow2-SFtUVZ6-oCEO2igsYHfUXkwcxNCmy-f0j7-UIJg-NUk37phkknZs7GA/s200/943228_653412734675047_494803039_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>My oldest daughter has plans to pursue her interest in photography, devote a good portion of her time to fitness and nutrition in preparation for basketball season (basketball is <i>her </i>all-consuming passion), spend as much time as possible with her friends and listening to her beloved music, continue reading books of her choosing as well as some that I suggest (book selections that we read, share and discuss together), getting her learner's permit as soon as it is feasibly possible and filling out job applications in her quest for flexible employment (the "need" for funds has recently become highly important). She also has a couple of more traditional looking academic goals she'll be working on in a very relaxed and unschoolish fashion including algebra (insert a tiny shudder from me) and a living books based unit study on biology (about which the Charlotte Mason method groupie in me is super excited about). <br />
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Rounding out their learning, both girls also lend a helping hand with family projects, join in for our family read alouds, watch a variety of documentaries and enjoy our nature walks and trips to museums.</div>
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Another component that is crucial to this lifestyle of learning is my involvement. I facilitate, expose, encourage, share, chauffeur, assist, involve and invite. We've all found genuine enthusiasm to be wonderfully contagious...both theirs and mine. And so we share our lives, our interests, our gifts, our skills and our passions. We laugh together, discuss & debate anything and everything under the sun, wonder, ponder and ask lots of questions, seek answers, argue, fight & generally annoy one another, apologize, offer support, and overall delight in each other's company.<br />
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And there ya have it. Our back to (un)school plans. What we do. Shifting with the seasons, we continue to learn. We live our lives, follow our interests and pursue our goals...without school. </div>
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=209912" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-74647476694711228452013-09-05T07:28:00.002-07:002013-09-05T07:33:45.614-07:00Hearts for Homes Weekly Blog Hop #33<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to this week's Hearts for Home Blog Hop! I have enjoyed linking up on Thursdays and am excited now to have the opportunity to participate as a weekly co-host. Take a moment and check out the most popular post and also one of my favorites from last week's Blog Hop. :)<br />
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<a href="http://fromthemrs.blogspot.com/2013/08/our-homeschool-spaces.html">From The Mrs. - Our Homeschool Spaces</a></div>
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Here's a couple more of my favorites:</div>
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<a href="http://thiswomanwrites.areavoices.com/2013/08/22/homeschooling-young-children/">This Woman Writes - Homeschooling Young Children</a><br />
"There's something about the word "homeschool" that prompts people to focus on the second half, "school", and totally ignore the first part, "home"."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Rl2SwLN5B8ACytbMRXotKhGD3MCCPR0tXULYls-1Q173Jdu4QV8GZH2yGg8TNfQvTkC_0UMZZLRDhu8Z07ENfd1szAsSVGbt_-aTunjxDJOapKR8cXkby_16PlOEulD-My49e7ZKhDM/s1600/LilacFestival_20x16-300x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Rl2SwLN5B8ACytbMRXotKhGD3MCCPR0tXULYls-1Q173Jdu4QV8GZH2yGg8TNfQvTkC_0UMZZLRDhu8Z07ENfd1szAsSVGbt_-aTunjxDJOapKR8cXkby_16PlOEulD-My49e7ZKhDM/s200/LilacFestival_20x16-300x240.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://educationpossible.com/take-time-to-make-memories-with-your-family/">Education Possible - Take Time To Make Memories With Your Family</a><br />
"The time that we have with our children is short and fleeting. Are you taking time to make memories together or is your time just being eroded by the pressures of daily life?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_cF2Y1WP1bsHbgHCWcykSIjwU-v90PRjK4RNFYBsrGTuixTUXqYPSlPeugSe1P7nmLvdS4NpCiJdMXZU2lArecjbVc3r_pbPZgVN8z9DTaRrzH6pezkfhJEJUHS2kxPwVwvHNOfr_JU/s1600/take-time-to-make-memories-with-your-family-375x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_cF2Y1WP1bsHbgHCWcykSIjwU-v90PRjK4RNFYBsrGTuixTUXqYPSlPeugSe1P7nmLvdS4NpCiJdMXZU2lArecjbVc3r_pbPZgVN8z9DTaRrzH6pezkfhJEJUHS2kxPwVwvHNOfr_JU/s200/take-time-to-make-memories-with-your-family-375x500.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFHFeature_zpse5060e68.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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Now go ahead and link up your blog post for this week's Blog Hop below! And please link back to this blog or share the Hearts for Home button in your post or on your blog's sidebar.<br />
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<pre style="background: #f4fad7; border: solid 1px #066e28; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 90%; height: 50px; margin: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFH150_zpsf22ef64f.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-27673239938623064082013-09-04T08:01:00.000-07:002013-09-04T08:04:24.542-07:00Backyard Nature Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/" title="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity" src="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Wordless-Wednesday-250.png" style="border: none;" /></a>
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=209967" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-78178334258912533082013-09-02T21:22:00.000-07:002013-09-02T21:22:50.877-07:00Making Learning Fun: Circus Ponies and Clown Cars?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ5HjLI7Gjriv3EaedpcTl8AEHE5cVgGt4Mstceo1eWpHOyP3irM8kEJCvVNTMKXhNrxL_GDbyA2mqvqXue3IT2jMQAwUzZEY0cI7sj62HlFJI3mW8faaTZHlM50ueti-I1GEfZwETcs/s1600/thumb_COLOURBOX6778140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ5HjLI7Gjriv3EaedpcTl8AEHE5cVgGt4Mstceo1eWpHOyP3irM8kEJCvVNTMKXhNrxL_GDbyA2mqvqXue3IT2jMQAwUzZEY0cI7sj62HlFJI3mW8faaTZHlM50ueti-I1GEfZwETcs/s200/thumb_COLOURBOX6778140.jpg" width="115" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ5HjLI7Gjriv3EaedpcTl8AEHE5cVgGt4Mstceo1eWpHOyP3irM8kEJCvVNTMKXhNrxL_GDbyA2mqvqXue3IT2jMQAwUzZEY0cI7sj62HlFJI3mW8faaTZHlM50ueti-I1GEfZwETcs/s1600/thumb_COLOURBOX6778140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>I've seen a good number of homeschoolers concerned about and devoting an awful lot of time and energy to making school "fun". In the attempt to engage their young learners and hold their interest and attention (on the curriculum's required topics and subject matter), well-intentioned moms proceed to pull out everything but the circus ponies and clown cars! The more they give, the more that is expected. Every day, every week, they strive to find a way to one-up themselves.</div>
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And these moms are tired.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIA_Yusg-rhdF-_P8uG4RaxI34T3GkLOBhQ9efTYyKbJJvCof9a9t7vaQBKOV5sQh1uBafmKM1uuqqketFNaCx9BgNF6twfZeJNPUtj9QPcDbeE_xhWhIRD7aS8bi9aBjSwnK3bexprY/s1600/1233558_186479058199375_210443273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIA_Yusg-rhdF-_P8uG4RaxI34T3GkLOBhQ9efTYyKbJJvCof9a9t7vaQBKOV5sQh1uBafmKM1uuqqketFNaCx9BgNF6twfZeJNPUtj9QPcDbeE_xhWhIRD7aS8bi9aBjSwnK3bexprY/s200/1233558_186479058199375_210443273_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comic from homeschool dad, Todd Wilson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I read how much work some homeschoolers do in the name of "making learning fun", I'll be honest...it makes ME feel EXHAUSTED. And I'm not even there hanging out in their personal three-ring circus.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I spend an inordinate amount of time facilitating my children's interests and passions. Military re-enactments & museums, craft stores, shows & shindigs, researching questions, ponderings, curiosities & video game walk-throughs, reading aloud together, new games, projects & experiments, nature walks & related projects, basketball and hockey practices, games & camps, and an abundance of get-togethers with friends who share in similar interests. Obviously, somebody has to seek out and be on the look out for these opportunities and experiences. Somebody has to get them there. Somebody has to pay for the stuff. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcbrDewePNafGJaGvQYHOAA1pQ7Kw9V_t0SQi2EoYsuidHsp03M_aTRRlxSY4oLbMBShUdQFm8jaibBZxGKeeWlOhYkEmuNDvXyu1zgfVDw7ZcrU8mTX1k8dCEXII4k7d5df-1sVdfzQ/s1600/crafttable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcbrDewePNafGJaGvQYHOAA1pQ7Kw9V_t0SQi2EoYsuidHsp03M_aTRRlxSY4oLbMBShUdQFm8jaibBZxGKeeWlOhYkEmuNDvXyu1zgfVDw7ZcrU8mTX1k8dCEXII4k7d5df-1sVdfzQ/s200/crafttable.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
And that somebody is me. :)<br />
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But I don't focus on <b><i>making</i></b> these things fun. More than that, I am absolutely 100% philosophically opposed to <i style="font-weight: bold;">making </i>learning fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiE2h76Rfkq90YKYuI-9ewj0YsBlesdnVoV18BTMwvBr-9SLQs3f0sn2IfC6_xx6GraUgVRwC4Y0UC-JjD3JfmSiyV7qCd0S7ME8Thar8tvT0mxdchMnt5PnOjYWzknbtm__SyWHiftc/s1600/bethelcamp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiE2h76Rfkq90YKYuI-9ewj0YsBlesdnVoV18BTMwvBr-9SLQs3f0sn2IfC6_xx6GraUgVRwC4Y0UC-JjD3JfmSiyV7qCd0S7ME8Thar8tvT0mxdchMnt5PnOjYWzknbtm__SyWHiftc/s200/bethelcamp2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiE2h76Rfkq90YKYuI-9ewj0YsBlesdnVoV18BTMwvBr-9SLQs3f0sn2IfC6_xx6GraUgVRwC4Y0UC-JjD3JfmSiyV7qCd0S7ME8Thar8tvT0mxdchMnt5PnOjYWzknbtm__SyWHiftc/s1600/bethelcamp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
When learning is real and meaningful, when it has a purpose, when it stems from a child's interests, goals and needs...none of that hoopla is necessary.<br />
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Because here's the thing - learning <b>IS</b> fun. All by itself. On it's own. You don't need to turn it into a three-ring circus. No bells or whistles. No circus ponies or clown cars. It.Just.Is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPm-LidlgeAFELxJjwla9MOTPlNdBBwgctRCMtmiiKmUuxcmWKu9dOg8X3rY-8RcOW17pBWUeT3Gv8U7piEKhr72LmA1vMglR4q25zC8OFzmD730KlemlQmC0qsLGxoOjBt90hcAd8Cp4/s1600/wwII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPm-LidlgeAFELxJjwla9MOTPlNdBBwgctRCMtmiiKmUuxcmWKu9dOg8X3rY-8RcOW17pBWUeT3Gv8U7piEKhr72LmA1vMglR4q25zC8OFzmD730KlemlQmC0qsLGxoOjBt90hcAd8Cp4/s200/wwII.jpg" width="200" /></a>Instead, take the focus away from trying to *make* something fun and shift it over to your <i>children</i>. What are they interested in? What excites them and lights up their eyes? What topic, subject, project or experience do they not stop talking about, EVER?? <br />
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Feed these interests. Support their gifts and goals. Facilitate, encourage, and involve. Live together. Laugh together. Share yourself and your own interests, passions and skills. Make your children's world just a little bit bigger every week.<br />
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And sometime maybe, take a trip to a <i>real</i> circus to see the ponies and clowns...just for fun.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-1277277457834466522013-08-27T20:37:00.000-07:002013-08-28T09:16:45.815-07:00My Crafty Little Entrepreneur: Market Day Booth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/" title="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity" src="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Wordless-Wednesday-250.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=208974" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-52279888685524691932013-08-21T08:32:00.000-07:002013-08-21T10:23:26.825-07:00Unschooling: Give a Label a Hug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My parents never used the unschooling label. Weren't even aware that there was one. Blissfully unaware I would say. I began researching homeschooling with my own children many years later and discovered that not only was there a LABEL for how we had lived and learned, but there was a plethora of GROUPS and BOOKS and ARTICLES! I was beyond thrilled. I was ecstatic. So without looking before I leapt, I enthusiastically jumped into the online unschooling groups with both feet,<br />
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...and promptly got my feelings hurt and my nose bent way out of shape. Ouch.<br />
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This was <i>not</i> what I had thought I would find. I was not looking for argument and debate. I was not looking to be questioned or grilled. I was not looking to have my every word dissected and over analyzed with such vigor and delight. I was not prepared. <br />
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All I <i>had</i> wanted was company. Other like minded souls to share the journey with. But alas, I did not stay long enough back then to get to know anyone well enough to be able to look past my first impression. I skedaddled it out of there with my tail between my legs.<br />
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And I avoided using the label of unschooling like it was the plague.<br />
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I certainly didn't change anything we did or how we learned. I just stuck to describing what we did as interest-led learning - saying that we took a more "relaxed" or "natural" approach. I was cautious. God forbid someone should think that what I had come across online was what <i style="font-weight: bold;">WE</i> did.<br />
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But we <i>were</i> unschoolers. UN-schoolers. Not embracing the label because of a bad first impression and a few extremes I saw within it didn't change who we were. It just left me alone.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. I had great homeschooling friends. Wonderful friends that I had much in common with. But when conversations turned to more schoolish talk (curriculum, number of school days remaining, school work woes and frustrations), I just couldn't join in wholeheartedly - because that's not how we worked. It felt like I was holding something back. Some part of me, an important part, wasn't being shared. And I always worried that my obsessive passion for natural, real-life and interest-led learning was met with raised eyebrows and wrinkled noses. <i>Crazy talk</i>.<br />
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So we just did what we did. Went about living our lives - out in the big, wide world. On our own. Without a label. And we were happy.<br />
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Alone.<br />
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But everywhere I turned, *unschooling* was there. Every article I liked, every blog I enjoyed, every Facebook page that I found encouragement in. Unschoolers, unschoolers, unschoolers. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get away from the label.<br />
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I asked myself, "why not just embrace it?". There are extremes in everything but also a lovely balance to be found. I had <i>my</i> balance, <i>my</i> confidence, so why did it matter if someone did it differently? Who cared what someone else thought? Variety is the spice of life and such stuff. Ah, but my nose still stung just a tiny bit. So...back to, "who needs a label?".</div>
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Here's the truth...I did.<br />
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The more I looked, the more I saw the people all around me, embracing it with open arms. Unschooling newbies were throwing their arms joyfully around the label without hesitation. Even my younger sister with her little ones, OPENLY EMBRACING it. It made me uncomfortable...and a tad jealous. And it was this that finally stretched me to the point that I went ahead and gave the label an awkward side-hug.<br />
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It was nice. :)<br />
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The more I embraced it, the more open I felt, the more comfortable I became. And then this funny thing happened...I found that the more I opened up and the more I shared, the more like minded people I connected with and got to know - online and in my own community!<br />
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While I love being challenged and stretched, I still don't like to argue, dissect or debate what and why we do what we do. And I also still prefer a good snuggle with the phrase *interest-led learning*. It's how we learn. It fits us. It's comfortable. But over the past few months I've been openly giving the unschooling label a great big full-on hug! Really, I think it needs it.<br />
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And so do I.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-70244841311761125552013-08-21T08:27:00.000-07:002013-08-21T08:37:53.919-07:00The Danger That Lurks Below: Dragonfly Nymphs in the Tadpole Pond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity"><img alt="Wordless Wednesday on Only Passionate Curiosity" src="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Wordless-Wednesday-250.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=208434" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04514725270936666934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886697286650588845.post-68865474534410831222013-08-16T10:49:00.000-07:002013-08-29T15:42:47.288-07:00Tadpole Hunger Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Before we left on vacation, we released the tree frog tadpoles we'd been raising into the sort of finished mini-pond we'd been working on out by our nature garden. (</span><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Finding a tadpole sitter seemed a tad ridiculous...even to me - though to be honest, the thought did cross my mind.) We got them all set up, tossed in some algae covered sticks & rocks, a bunch of boiled lettuce and left them in the hands of nature.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cgHMb1BQu1IWt3Re5uogpX2_0gzKBpUVpH4kiaCVicbW8YSB9muexqV5Kljn_Q6ajDQw-pd5PZA3MiMKI1PAxBqosdNim79hVtcesDF_RIE-uga9f8EXkZPGOHOvr-Psaod2qWfIcAQ/s1600/pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cgHMb1BQu1IWt3Re5uogpX2_0gzKBpUVpH4kiaCVicbW8YSB9muexqV5Kljn_Q6ajDQw-pd5PZA3MiMKI1PAxBqosdNim79hVtcesDF_RIE-uga9f8EXkZPGOHOvr-Psaod2qWfIcAQ/s200/pond.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Upon our arrival home, all</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px;"> seemed well. Curiously, there were not as many tadpoles in there as I seemed to remember releasing - but quite a few of them were almost froglets when we left so my assumption was that they simply hopped away. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">A day later, Libby (my nature loving, frog whispering daughter) came inside to tell me excitedly that we had a dragonfly nymph in our tadpole pond!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">So cool! I went outside with her to check it out and there wasn't just <i>one</i>. No. There were 8 or 9 dragonfly nymphs of varying sizes creeping around on the bottom and sides of the pond. How so something so weird and incredibly creepy looking can transform into a beautiful dragonfly is simply amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: center;">So...want to know what dragonfly nymphs eat?? </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: center;">That's right. </span><br />
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Tadpoles.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We looked closer. Really looked.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">The tadpoles in the pond <i>appeared</i> all fat and healthy <i>but</i>...the majority had bedraggled looking little tails (chewed on, shortened and some nearly missing) and they seemed to be keeping <i>awfully</i> <i>still - </i>not swimming around, mostly staying and floating near the surface or hiding under rocks. And to top things off, near one of the edges there were the dismembered remains of one of our larger tree frog tadpoles. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">All 30 or so remaining tadpoles (out of over 50 that we had placed in there before our vacation) were transferred out of the pond and back into their tadpole "nursery". Minnows were fetched from the creek for the dragonfly nymphs to stalk, capture and nom on instead...which they promptly did. It was fascinating and <i>slightly disturbing</i> to watch. I shudder a bit to think of what our little tree frogs-to-be had to go through in the week we were gone, forced to deal with the situation we <i>literally t</i>ossed them into. </span><br />
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Soon our remaining tadpoles will be tiny tree frogs and in due time will come face to face with the horrors and threats of the natural world. But not right now. Right now they're safe in their tadpole nursery, with all the boiled lettuce, strawberries, freeze dried blood worms, algae and bacon they can eat.<br />
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Right now, they're just not ready for the tadpole version of the Hunger Games...for the dangers that lurk below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzCXMZpZ3hsG_s4W1AcJTCrbXBb4gKiWrMkXXvYbAMLPLXaMNgIIS3fAVjblhartpsmV-_pqQcVaDIxX1OxfcapBL7hQBPlSlVsv9OQIFalQlDsBIM8ndYFTckbDHoyGTdYlXjippgpM/s1600/dragonflycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzCXMZpZ3hsG_s4W1AcJTCrbXBb4gKiWrMkXXvYbAMLPLXaMNgIIS3fAVjblhartpsmV-_pqQcVaDIxX1OxfcapBL7hQBPlSlVsv9OQIFalQlDsBIM8ndYFTckbDHoyGTdYlXjippgpM/s200/dragonflycollage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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But when that time finally comes again...</div>
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well, may the odds be ever in their favor.</div>
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