Back yard children garden producing more than a first bloom

Woohoo! We managed to get our garden set up and plants in the ground this year after extremely rainy days last year that prevented us from doing so.

We logged science hours as we got our hands dirty planting seeds in a little tray inside our house in early spring, watering the seedlings, watching them grown & then transferring the seedling plant into the ground inside the garden gate once we thought the last frost had passed.

Today, when the children went out to water, they were so excited to discover a bloom on one of the squash plants. They were jumping up and down and so happy. The fruit of all their work and waiting is starting to show in the form of an orangish yellow flower.

All this reward and excitement over a bloom of a vegetable they won't even eat. It leaves me to wonder how excited they would have been if they liked the taste of squash!

A study of history: Diving for ruins of Cleopatra's palace

Fascinating! Anyone studying history has read about Cleopatra. Recently, divers have been excavating what they believe is the ruins of Cleopatra's palace.

See what they've dug up:

Divers Explore Sunken Ruins of Cleopatra's Palace

Slideshow of sunken treasures

forest preschools: The root of learning in the US

Homeschooling opens up doors for explorative learning. Every homeschool is unique. Some are very traditional as if the classroom has moved into the home. Others are very non-traditional, exploring farms and back yard gardens or whatever our home environments bring. But, what about this kind of schooling -

Preschools in forests take root in the US

Victory in Texas with Social Studies Textbook curriculum changes

I ran across this article today. Though, as a homeschooler, I don't use the Social Studies texts which are presented to students in public schools. History, in fact, is one of the main reasons why I chose to homeschool. I want my children to learn history through living books, as Charlotte Mason refers to them. I want them to learn from creation (yes, as a Christian I believe this world did not just happen by mistake and confusion) on through to today's current events. I want my children to see where the God we believe in had his hand in history. I want them to know that, as he promises us in scriptures: "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, a plan to prosper you, for hope and a future." And, I want my children to know the truth behind the men who formed our country and the reason a country like America needed to be formed. The article I found is this one:

Texas Board Adopts New Social Studies Curriculum

I read it with much interest only to find that I was amazed. The Texas School Board has adopted some changes to the curriculum which is printed in Texas textbook companies which provide material all across America.

In the article, you will find that the biggest change is that students will be taught that the words "Separation of Church and State" was not in the original constitution.

Another significant decision is to keep the terms BC and AD instead of adopting the more secular used terms, BCE & CE which avoids the mention of Christ.

All in all, for Christian families, these decisions prove to be a victory! However, I agree with Arne Duncan (can't believe I just said that) on his opinion that when politicians write textbooks, ultimately nobody wins.

As Christian educators, however, we just took a step forward in teaching the next generation of children.

Images of a Father Child Bond
These photos capture the essence of a father's love for his children.
Read More

The kid's Recycled Organic Back Yard Garden in a 30 Second Video

We've actually got the seedlings into the ground in the garden and have been watering every day! Here's a 30 second video of our progress:

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

We had a good week in regard to progress on the backyard garden. But, also had our first disappointment. After getting everything in the ground, and watering for a few days, we went out today to find two tomato plants broken off. We have not yet determined if it was due to over zealous children watering them or from a bird or squirrel or such. But, we hope the remaining plants grow.

We used an online program where you can click and drag plants onto a virtual garden to help plan it, along with a book called Good Companions, about what to plant side by side to prevent common pests and help specific vegetables grow. Now, all we need is advice on a lemon tree as that's what my son wants.

In our effort to stay organic and recycle, we used the sides of a plastic milk jug to write the plant names - And, as strange as it sounds, they turned out really cute. I cut the circle section of the sides and then formed a tear drop shape to stake it into the ground.

Once again:

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I am not JUST A MOM - I am a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations

Following is one of those e-mails that gets passed around and forwarded. This one was forwarded to me from a good, long-time friend. Though, I do not know the originator of this brilliant piece:

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is, " explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a ....?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it,"
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3..
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."
Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door..


Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"
And great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates?"
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts

"Associate Research Assistants."