John Wayne and Red Skelton Pledge Allegiance For Memorial Day

A few weeks ago, someone handed my husband a handout explaining a couple things. For one, it explained how Memorial Day started and the traditions of wearing a poppy and such. But, it also included a breakdown of the number of wounded and battle deaths for many of the wars Americans have fought. It was as follows:

Revolutionary War - 6,1888 wounded - 4,435 dead
War of 1812 - 4,505 wounded - 2,260 dead
Mexican War - 4,152 wounded - 1,733 dead
Civil War - 354,805 wounded - 191,963 dead
Spanish American War - 1,662 wounded - 385 dead
World War I - 204,002 wounded - 53,402 dead
World War II - 671,846 wounded - 291,557 dead
Korean Conflict - 103,284 wounded - 33,741 dead
Vietnam Conflict - 153,303 wounded - 47,424 dead
Persian Gulf War - 467 wounded - 147 dead
There was no information on the current wars, but we know thousands have been wounded and dead.

This is the cost of freedom. Yes, I prefer peace to war as do many of you, I'm sure. But, sometimes something has to be fought for to maintain. Freedom is like that. It does not come free but with a price.

For Memorial Day, I thought a couple pledges of allegiance were in order:




Red sums this up with saying: "Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our nation, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance "under God." Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That's a prayer" and that would be eliminated from schools, too?"

Well, welcome to our current time. It has been eliminated from some schools in our nation.



Happy Memorial Day! If you enjoy your freedoms, you might want to thank a member of the armed forces.

Memorial Day Lessons

Memorial Day has been said to be the official kickoff to summer. But, it is truly more than that. While backyard BBQs and swim parties can bring families and friends together to share and say thank you for freedoms int his country, it is not at the root of what Memorial Day is all about.

I'm not wanting to be preachy. I know you know Memorial Day is not a frivolous event. At least, if you are the family of a soldier lost fighting for those freedoms you know. If not, you may be one of the grateful ones. Or, you may just want to kick back and enjoy a day off at the pool without feeling guilty. You can do this because you have been given freedoms in this country.

Those freedoms did not come free. Because I do not want to preach away in this blog, I will direct you to a Website that will bring the message of Memorial Day home for homeschoolers.

The site is Vision Forum and they address this holiday! They present it well - Lessons from the battlefield!

When To Correct The Cute Way A Kid Says Things

When I was a parent for the first time to my son, I learned that it was best to correct improper speech patterns or mispronounciations by simply repeating what the child said correctly. No reprimand or put down verbally, just a simple validation of what was said, only this time said properly for the child to hear. And, I did this with my first born. I even managed to get a chance to do it with my 2nd. But, when my 3rd came along I find myself wanting to hang onto the cute little mishaps of speech.

Today, for instance, my 4 year old told me, "Mommy, do you know how I can do this puzzle so well? It's because I MEMBER-IZE where the pieces go!" Hah! I thought it was cute. Even cuter in my opinion is how she refers to a question mark as a CHICKEN MARK! These are just things I'm not ready to correct. Far too soon she will pick up on proper speech. For now, I enjoy these little childhood mis-speaks in that cute little girl voice that will also grow up and change.

Yes, there are words or phrases I will correct by repeating it in the proper form. But, there are some I'm just gonna hang onto for awhile because they make me smile.

Science for Kids: Physics Behind Levers And Catapults

Physics sounds ominous and way too far over the heads of many to be able to instruct it. But, it's not. The laws of physics may seem unattainable to teach, but much of these complex laws can be boiled down to simple explanations and demonstrations. These laws pre-date their discoverers such as Newton. King David put the laws of physics to good use when he pulled out a slingshot and killed the giant.

Yesterday, my children had a blast learning laws of physics involving levers and projectory. We build this easy-to-make catapult out of a paper cup that we had left over from a Christmas party, a rubber band that came in a bundle of mail and a plastic spoon. After we built it, the kids had fun launching salt water taffy into the air. Surprisingly, even my 4 year old shot that taffy clear across the dining room and halfway through the living room with her little hands launching the catapult. Don't worry! We did not aim the taffy toward anyone or anything that would be breakable.

The Tornado And Lessons Of Science

Tornadoes have swept through numerous states leaving devastating damage, injuries and even loss of lives. When a tornado strikes, it seemingly haphazardly leaps over some areas while completely destroying others. Some seasons are more deadly than others. Is there a science behind this?

This article from Live Science explains their reasoning behind scientific causes to these tornadoes!


Tornadoes typically hit the midwestern or plain states, but can crop up elsewhere if conditions are right for it. So, educate yourself as to what to do if a tornado hits your area. This articles gives some helpful tips on tornado safety!

The devastation of these recent tornadoes in places like Joplin, MO; Alabama and Oklahoma have left loss of life which adds to other areas such as Bridgeton, MO and others who left people with life but no houses or belongings. People are left grieve, rebuild and live on. These devastations leave an opportunity for the rest of us to teach our children how to give. Giving can be done hands-on with help of clean up, through giving canned goods or bottled water or through raising funds to send to the areas to offer a hope for their future. Teaching compassion is a lesson that is not easily learned through a text book alone.

And of course, there are other practical lessons from the tornado that can be learned from a book. Most are familiar with a tornado in a bottle experiment.

This is a safe way to show the extreme power of a tornado.

Science Projects with sand

Are you longing for a beach vacation?

Do you like the sand? Are you fascinated by how sand dunes form and the science behind them? It's science facts like this that can create fun, hands-on science experiments for children.

This is a great science experiment project that is simple to do and requires minimal mess yet provides a huge learning experience for kids:

Sand Dunes Project For Kids!

Socialization Car Schooling and Homeschooling Gear

Find my homeschool gear here!

On a lighter note, I have heard about Cafe Press for a long time now. The other day, I decided to design my own merchandise. Rather, tongue in cheek I immediately put together a couple designs that hit home for me and put a smile on my face. One of the hot buttons with homeschoolers is the 'S' word - Socialization! The other is the idea that many don't stay at home when conducting their daily classrooms. After many dance lessons, swimming lessons, tumbling, etc. it dawned on me one day that I did a lot of "Car-Schooling." So, I designed another line of merchandise that involves the idea of car-schooling. There are t-shirts, messenger bags, bibs, onesies, doggie t-shirts, totes, coffee cups and just about anything you can ever want in homeschooling gear. I hope you find something you like.

As a homeschooler, people often ask me why I homeschool. One day when someone asked me, I responded:

Because of socialization! That's why I homeschool!

Of course, I got a very strange look and more questions to follow. But, what I meant by my response was true. Socialization is one of the main reasons why I homeschool. I believe that by homeschooling my children, I can provide for them a solid foundation. If they have a solid foundation and know they are loved, they will develop confidence. Once they develop confidence, they are free to excel at what God has gifted them with. If I throw them into a social environment where there is no encouragement and no loving foundation, they are left to believe their peers' opinions of who they are. I don't believe in throwing my newborn into an ocean full of sharks to teach him to swim. I believe that my elementary education in a public school taught me a lot about standing in line, not making waves, obtaining a hall pass to use the restroom, etc. But, life at home after school as one of four children taught me how to share, that I was loved no matter what and that there was always a shoulder to cry on and a big brother ready to stand up for my causes.

I know there are plenty who will agree with me on this point and many others who will disagree with me. If you disagree, maybe that is because I haven't adequately described my position. Or, maybe it's because we simply disagree. But, if you homeschool because of socialization or if you car-school, take a look at the Cafe Press shop and hopefully it will at least bring a little chuckle to your day!

Ed Emberley's Drawing Books for Kids

The other day my 4 year old presented me with a drawing of an elephant. It was adorable! It was so cute that I assumed her older sister had done it. But, the 4 year old was the actual artist. Come to find out, she was following a book we picked up at the library on drawing animals from Ed Emberley. The steps this author laid out were so clear my 4 year old understood them. She cannot yet read, but she could follow these drawing instructions.



If you are looking for a fun way to entertain or even log some art hours with a book that also is rich in teaching handwriting skills, I highly recommend any of Ed Emberley's Drawing Books. Here's some more to check out:

Online Learning With Lakeshore Learning

Homeschooling offers so much more resources nowadays than it did for the times of those homeschooling pioneers who went before us. With the internet, there is literally free education at our fingertips.

I found out about Lakeshore Learning several months ago. I receive emails from them weekly and keep meaning to investigate them and put them to more use than I have. No, they are not paying me for this post. And, no I have not been given a product of theirs to review. I'd like to just share some of what they have to offer to pass around the benefits to other homeschoolers.

Teacher corner. This section offers free tips and resources for teachers. You can download free writing worksheets, make awards, flash cards and print off word searches.

There are instructions for arts & crafts projects that teach things such as the life cycle of a frog, the parts of a sunflower and more.

There is a large selection of clip art, calendars and templates.

There are outdoor learning resources and more.

And, all this is before you even get a sampling of the products you can buy. You can shop by age or grade and find teacher workshops in your area. There is so much more this site offers.

Discovery Education's A Walk In The Park at Six Flags For Children's Miracle Network

Most homeschooling families know that there is a whole lot more to education than just book work. Part of it involves character building and part of it involved building strong bodies. Some children cannot participate in sporting events and other physical education that others easily accomplish. According to statistics, one out of every five children have a minor chronic illness. Children's Miracle Network comes alongside families to help. Now, you can help a child in need.

Discovery Education is sponsoring A Walk In The Park - Donor Drive. Click on the words in orange above (A Walk In The Park) to find out more. How does it work? You walk for pledges. If you cannot walk, you can pledge. If you cannot pledge or walk, you may be a family who will benefit from such an event. If you do walk and you raise $50, you get a free Six Flags ticket. If you raise less, you still come away a winner for your participation and whatever funds you help to raise goes to help a child in need.



What better way to instill an empathy and compassion in your children but to walk for an event that gives back while offering an incentive of a free Six Flags ticket. Even if you do not reach your $50 goal, every little bit helps to build a fund for children in need.

iPhone Space Shuttle Endeavor Pictures Go Viral

It's funny in our world what is ignored as mundane or uninteresting and what is passed around and latched onto with fervor. The Space Shuttle Endeavor that recently launched was more than just a space shuttle. Congresswoman Gifford's husband was onboard. Perhaps the pictures going viral is more of an indication of hope than of the actual picture: Hope for her recovery, hope for our nation.

Whether it was the interesting angle, science in action or hope that made these pictures go viral; the fact is that they are being seen around the world. The person who shot the pictures was merely living out her day, boarded a plane and then pulled out her iPhone at the precise moment to capture a view we seldom, if ever, have seen.

You can get a glimpse at the picture she took of Space Shuttle Endeavor taking off from her view in an airplane here!

The article is well-written and shares even more insight. Enjoy this little impromtu science lesson / Art lesson / Religious Studies Lesson / Social Studies Lesson - Whatever you want to make it. The story and the pictures are ripe for learning.

And here's a slideshow of the pics!

When Gas Prices Effect Stay-At-Home Moms SAHM and Homeschoolers

Homeschoolers and stay at home moms really seldom stay put at home as the names imply. Many homeschooling families supplement with sporting events, dance lessons, music lessons, math tutors and so much more. Sometimes it's as though it should really be called car-schooling or taxi-tutors. Regardless, when gas prices go up and gas mileage is not efficient, schooling becomes expensive.

Here are two great sites on saving money on gas and getting better gas mileage. One of them is a quiz you can take to see how savvy you are about gasoline savings.

How Much Do You Know About Gas Mileage and Saving Money On Gas?

7 Tips to Save on Fuel and Boost Gas Mileage

And, if you are in the St. Louis area or passing through:

Best Prices on Gasoline St. Louis area - Updated Daily

New Generation Of The Truman Show Of Our Children

One of my favorite movies of all time is the Truman Show. Much like the Truman Show was an animated version called Bolt. Both main characters were nothing more than a character whose life was portrayed on screen for all to enjoy without their knowledge of who they really were.

Sometimes I feel as though I am the main character in one of these movies as I wait for a director to scream, "Cut!"

When my children were young, I used a baby monitor. When my youngest was a baby, I had the privilege of using a video cam. Even though it was black & white, I loved my video cam. Not only could I hear my infant when she awoke, but I could see her every move. We would put the monitor on the kitchen counter and the rest of the family would watch her every move until she awoke. It was reassuring that even though she was asleep in the other room, I could keep an eye on her. But, it also made me feel that it must be similar to how God keeps an eye on us.

True - God is almighty, all knowing, omnipresent and does not need a baby cam. But, it is similar in that He is always watching over us. Like a doting and loving father, He observes and cares for our every move. He gives us our breath and then sets a plan in motion for daily lives. While I don't like the thought of a perfect stranger watching me on the big screen without my knowledge like in the Truman Show or Bolt, I love the idea that I am always on "God's video cam." He will never let me out of his protective sight and loving care.

Butterfly Lesson Plans

Butterflies are one of the nice things about spring. They are also a fun way to learn about many aspects of science. A very small child can understand the concept of a caterpillar turning into something so beautiful. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one fun way to get started!
If you are fortunate to live in a city that has a Butterfly garden or house, this is a wonderful, hands-on enjoyable way to learn about these beautiful winged creatures. There are also numerous lesson plans and lap books to be enjoyed that encompass the concept of butterflies. Here's an article that lists several free butterfly resources:

Free Butterfly Lapbooks and Lesson Plans!

Ultrasounds Are Supposed To Bring Good News of Life!

Ultrasounds I have had in the past brought good news of life. They showed me my 3 beautiful and healthy babies before they were born. They were an exciting time.

Of course, there were also other ultrasounds in my life. The ultrasounds that showed first a beating heart and then confirmed a miscarriage. And, now I face two more ultrasounds that have nothing to do with life forming inside of me, at least not the kind of life I want inside of me.

Woke up this morning and drove in the rain to my very first mammogram appointment. No, there wasn't any reason to be alarmed or concerned. It was merely routine. I went through the test just fine and then was asked to wait. Before I knew it, the doctor came in and told me I would need to return for an ultrasound as he thought there is a cyst. What? I didn't expect them to find anything.

True! A cyst is considered harmless, and they are not anticipating anything unexpected. Still, I cried all the way home.

On Monday, I will be left to get not only this ultrasound but other tests for other female issues I care not to discuss on a blog. I feel as though my body has betrayed me. It has been so loyal to me most of my life. Why would my body choose to betray me now?

If anyone is actually reading this blog. I covet your prayers for safety and for good results come Monday, May 17. My first round of tests is at 10:00 a.m. CST. Then, the 2:00 ultrasound.