A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

 We don't do much to acknowledge Reformation Day, but I sure would like to at some point.  The linked web site has some great info on it.

Check out Larger Families, today is Friday Favorites and I posted over there.

Also, November is national adoption awareness month.  I am looking to post some on that, like I did last year.

A little bit political.

I don't usually write about politics on my blog.  I really like politics and I really don't like politics-all at the same time, but mostly I like politics.  My focus tends to be on particular issues, when I do mention something political.  But since politics seems to be EVERYWHERE right now, I figured the time was right to give a "review" of a book that I recently read.  

Being disappointed in some ways with the current administration and the direction that politics have gone in certain areas...well, at the library, while walking up to the counter to check out some books, there was a display of political books that could be checked out.  Amid the sea of red, white and blue covers this one jumped out at me.  It jumped out for two reasons, it looked short-a quick read, and when I read the words "conservatism that can win again" I picked up the book while thinking, "hmmm, wonder what this guy thinks."  He had worked with the current administration and didn't agree with some things that had gone on, but he wasn't slamming anyone in the way he stated that.  He seemed to state his views in a respectful way.  I liked that.  Upon flipping through the book it stood out that it covered topics such as the environment, issues of life, the economy and healthcare.  So, I checked it out. I am glad I did.

This link contains the first chapter of this book.   Click here for a brief summary from the publisher.

Things I appreciated about this book:

• it is short


• it seems to be honest about the shortcomings of the Republican party, yet it isn't just full of complaints, it offers some solutions


• it offers ideas for healthcare reform that are much more appealing than universal health coverage


• it offers some good points on who America needs as its allies as we step into the future


• discusses stem cell research and the impact this has on our culture


• explains the need to value marriage as an institution and how doing that elevates women and children as well as helping to combat poverty


• which party really is the more "green party" and what is an appropriate balance between conservation and progress


• what about the war on terror-what should that war look like


• why conservatives are disappointed and some things that have contributed to that disappointment and some ways to turn that around.

Tend Your Heart

C wrote this as part of her English lesson yesterday: 

Tending a garden is very much like tending your heart.  A kind work or a helping hand are the tiny seeds that will produce the fruit.  Listening to gossip, like the weed, seeds floating in on a breeze, will be planted.  Soon after patient tending the produce shoots up, but so do the weeds.  If you let the weeds grow they will soon swallow the helping hand and unselfish act.  If you daily weed your garden you will, in the end, reap a bountiful harvest of good fruit.

Quite true!

Owl Pellets @ Greenleaf Academy

We ordered this owl pellet kit from Acorn Naturals.  The kit was a great way to go.  It contained 3 pellets, forceps-a tweezer sort of device, magnifying lens, a study guide and a sheet that tells how to sort the bones.  At $15.95, I thought it was a great deal.  In the future, if we dissect pellets again, I can just order pellets (they have them for $2.29 each) and we will be set to go.

Acorn Naturals, linked above, has some wonderful resources-check it out!   

Proper hand washing after dissecting.  C is singing a song and A was supposed to wash for the entire length of the song-what a good big sis!

Here is the vole that C reconstructed.  She spent a couple of hours on this and did a great job!  I am enjoying our science curriculum and the fact that I can take it up a notch for C or bring it down a notch for the younger ones.  I pulled two skulls out of B's pellet and he looked at his pellet for awhile but then was ready to move on.  A spent a little longer and opened his pellet on his own, even identifying a few bones using the chart we had.  Then C really got into it.  Learning-each at his or her own level and pace-I like that, it works for us. 

It is good to reflect on times of learning like this one.  Today was crazy with L climbing on me while I worked with A and B on their reading.  It was really a bit chaotic at moments, but somehow we got things done-a bit early even.  How did we do that?  I have no idea!  But the kids are progressing, I am learning how to best help them learn and we are developing deep bonds.  

Greenleaf Academy-Leaf Rubbings & Birds

A taught leaf rubbings to everyone.  He had a great time being the teacher and he did a really good job.  As part of our study of birds, C painted a birdfeeder, we filled it and hung it in our tree.  We also coated a pine cone with peanut butter and dipped it in birdseed and hung it outside.  Then we finally dissected the owl pellets-more on that later.  Fun stuff!

The Barbershop Visit

My boys needed haircuts.  I had thought about stopping in a barbershop.  The whole idea seemed so quaint and a bit vintage and that appealed to me.  But I hadn’t gotten around to ever taking the boys to one.  Partly, because M usually takes the boys out and they all get haircuts together.  But more recently M is sporting the shaved head look and I do that at home, so trips to get haircuts are not happening lately. 

Yesterday, I went into a barbershop.  It was, well, totally different from a hair salon.  First off, the barbershop I entered had lots of political signs up and pictures of guys hunting and holding up their slain animal or fish.  There was a basket of toys and two little ones were playing while their, I assume, dad, was getting a hair cut.  There were quite a few older men who came left while we were there.  It was not neat and tidy, like most salons.  In fact the counters were rather cluttered.  And it was the sort of place, while very friendly, where I didn’t really want the boys to play with the toys.  It did not have that “just sanitized” feeling.  It has more of that “didn’t we just clean sometime in the 90’s” feeling.    

The impressive part was that A was in a chair getting his hair cut within two minutes of our walking in the door.  And B was in another chair about 5 minutes after that and we were walking out the door with great haircuts within 30 minutes.  The gentleman who cut B’s hair did a great job on his hair.  B has a major cowlick and the man really made his hair look nice.  It was also good to see the boys emerge with slightly different styles.  Normally they have the same haircut.  Their hair is still similar, but not the same.  Their hair seems to fit their personalities with these cuts.     

More Products That Thrill Me

Continuing on from yesterday...some other products I enjoy are:

• Nature de France le Stick Deodorant-this is the only "natural deodorant" that actually works for me.  It is great stuff, but a little hard to find at times. 
• The Body Shop foot care products.  My favorites are the foot scrub and the foot spray-which I spray in my shoes.  It is great to spray on my sandals when I take them off at night-helps to keep the stinkies away.  The peppermint lotion and the hemp lotions are also nice.  And when I take the time, which I rarely do, the peppermint salts and mask are delightful!
• And for keeping hair freshened between washings-cornstarch.  This is one beauty tip that did come from my mom!  Apply a little to the hair, I put some on my brush and brush it through my hair, and it does help hair appear less greasy.  Avon also has a Next Day Spray that is nice for that too-it isn't the best product ever, but it is helpful.  Although one other great tip that I recently heard is to wash your bangs even if you can't wash your entire head.  It really does make your entire hairstyle look better to have freshly washed bangs.  And if your hair is long enough, fresh bangs and a ponytail are a quick, easy style.   
• My favorite make-up book is Sonia Kashuk Real Beauty.  What do I like about it?  What don't I like about it!  It comes with a DVD that shows how to apply products.  The focus is finding a look that is comfortable for you-whether that is a full face of make-up or just a dash of lip gloss.  Her approach to make up is very refreshing.  Basically she lets you feel like there is not right or wrong, there is what works for you personally and what doesn't.  After reading that book and watching the DVD, I changed several things about how I applied make-up.  It is also a good one to refer to if I want to try a new product, but am unsure how to apply it.  I just review that section in the book or DVD.

I Heart Make-Up

I really enjoy make-up and I have for as long as I can recall.  I have memories of little me sitting at my play vanity "applying" fake plastic make-up.  I remember telling my parent's I was almost ready, but that I had to finish my make-up, before leaving the house.  Where did I get this?  Not from my mom!  She never wears make-up.  And I mean never.  Not even a dot of concealer or a swipe of blush or a dash of lipstick for a dressy event.  She NEVER wears make up.  I believe she does own clear nail polish, but only because she had a split finger nail awhile back and she was trying to make it stronger.  And she only wore it on the split nail, she didn't paint all of her nails.  She does wear chap stick, but never anything colored or glossy.  She wears actual Chap Stick, the one in the black wrapper.    

I do vaguely recall my mom coming home from a Mary Kay party all made up.  I remember staring at her.  Excited, wondering if she was a changed woman.  She wasn't.  And she never went to another Mary Kay party again.  

In spite of her personal non-make-up policy, my mom completely allowed me to be the make-up wearer I was.  She did not let me "officially" wear make-up until I was 12, and at that point, I wore it every day.  Although, I do remember sneaking on make-up before age 12, my mom probably just "overlooked" it.  It was a loosing battle.  Something in me was destined for make-up.  In fact, one day in high school I showed up with out my make-up, I must have been running really late, and my teacher, an older woman, took one look at me and said, "Honey, go put on your make-up and get right back to class!"=) And that is a true story!

I do love make-up.  But I don't wear excessive amounts.  And, at this point, I typically have about 4 different looks that I rotate on different days and each of which can be applied in about 5 minutes.  My make-up habits have changed a bit over the years and I am currently trying to use products that are on the more natural/less toxic side of things-this post tells about my new favorite skin care products.  And I do love a good bargain, although for a truly great product, I will splurge.

So, a few favorites:

I really like the Hemp Lip Protector, from The Body Shop, although they keep raising the price so I am thinking I may give the lip protector from Prairieland Herbs a try.

As far as lipstick, and I am a big fan of lipstick, I reapply my lipstick frequently throughout the day, even when I am just home with the kids.  My current favorites are Mary Kay Creme Lips in Red and Avon Ultra Color Rich.  The Mary Kay lipstick lasts a good long time.  The Avon lipstick is quite moisturizing-not at all drying,  and the price can't be beat.  The Body Shop had several lip colors I liked, but they have been phased out and they may have reformulated their lipsticks because I really liked them, but the last one I purchased was very dry.  

I have make-up brushes from The Body Shop and they are great.  You have to have the right tools for the job, right?!  My favorite brush is the angled eye brush.  I rarely use eyeliner anymore, just this brush with a dab of eyeshadow-it goes on better than liner.  While I am talking Body Shop, I enjoy their bronzer and their Brilliance Powder in Shimmer.  Both of those products last and last.  Their Lip and Cheek Stain and High Shine Lip Treatment are great too!  

Mary Kay Eyesicles are wonderful!!!!  I have both Vanilla and Island Bronze and they mix well too.  They are easy to apply and that little tube lasts and lasts and lasts.

What I love about Avon are their sales.  You can try some fun new stuff, like, eye colors or nail color (these days I only paint my toe nails) for really cheap.  And they deliver-how cool!

And Costco's brand of make up-that has thrilled me!  I have an eye shadow set in shades of brown that is beautiful.  I have also been impressed with their foundation.  Can it get any better than Cost-co?  I can get groceries, clothes for the kids, tires changed on my vehicle, the kids dig the samples of food and they even have some good make-up and a great return policy.  

My running disappointment

I actually wrote this awhile back:

I had plans to run my first 5K at the end of September.  By the end of July, I was on a great training schedule to prepare for my 5K.  I had a goal in mind, I was on track to reach my goal.  I was loving it!  Then came two weeks of lighter training.  No problem, or so I thought.  But, there was a problem.  I came back from my first harder run after the break and had a blister and a tear inside under my skin on my heel and it was sore, but not visable to my eye.  I though it would heal up quickly, but it has taken much longer than I had hoped.  I am sure it has taken longer because I pushed myself at times when I shouldn’t have.  I kept telling myself that I would be fine.  And my injury isn’t too bad, it does not prevent walking or cycling, but running has been off limits for a while.  And that has been disappointing.  Very disappointing.

But, I did get my new bike, so that has been a good alternate excercise option. And as disappointing as it has been to miss the 5K, actually to watch more than one 5K opporunity slip by, it has motivated me to re-evaluate my fitness goals. A good time to remember that my goals, while set on a 5K for awhile, are more about a lifestyle of health and fitness.  A good time to remember that even if there is a set back all is not lost.  I may miss something I had hoped to participate in, but I can get back on track.  Sometimes a set back is key to getting onto a better track than the one I was on in the first place.  I hope that is the case here.

This news article is motivating, it was linked on another blog I sometimes read.      

 

Some Housekeeping...

Today I took some time to update my sidebar-I updated the list of books I am reading, our homeschool curriclum and a few other things.  Check it out!

I also want to say:

God Grew Tired of Us is  a movie worth watching.  Thanks Kelly, for mentioning it on your blog.  It is a good one for the entire family-good to watch and good for discussions afterward.

Jess at Making Home has some great links here.  This one is especially insightful, in an uncomfortable but true way.

Prairieland Herbs answers a question.

Sarah sent a question in regard to this post. Here is her question:

I have heard that whatever clumps soap into a bar form is irritating and bad in some way (sorry, don't know what that thing is), many people recommend liquid soap rather than bar soap for that reason. Do you have any thoughts on that? Any idea if this shampoo bar has that ingredient and if it would make any difference? Also, any thoughts on a good natural scrub/exfoliator? I need to exfoliate every day and have been using the Murad Exfoliating Wash, and the Bare Escentuals exfoliating wash, I like both but would be interested in other suggestions.

Wow! Great questions! And out of my league to answer. But, Maggie at Prairieland Herbs, graciously sent the following response:


Hi Heather!
Thanks for blogging about our products, and I truly am glad you are enjoying
them!!
I would be delighted to answer your questions, and give our full permission
to use this information on your blog.

Let's start with the very basics. You cannot make soap without lye. Soap is
made by a chemical reaction occurring between fats (oils) and lye (sodium
hydroxide, or other similar alkaline substance....but we won't diverge into
that just now). The phrase "chemical reaction" is very important there - in
other words, those 2 ingredients, combine together and than CHANGE, to form
soap. Properly made soap, while made WITH lye, will not have any lye in it
at the end of the process. You will have saponified oils - also known as
soap. A quick check at your local library on any current cold process
soapmaking book will confirm those facts, as will this well-respected
soapmaking site: http://www.millersoap.com/SoapFAQs.html

Yes, Lye is a substance that must be treated with much respect. Improperly
used, it can be quite dangerous. However, used with care, caution, and
respect, it will turn ordinary oils into divine handmade soap that is very
good for your skin! As a point of fact, lye is also used to cure certain
types of food, such as lutefisk, hominy, and green olives. For more
information, you may visit this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lye

There are many way to label soap -all falling within the letter of the law,
but some that "hide" the lye more than others. We believe in educating the
public, therefore we have "sodium hydroxide" listed right in the ingredients
list. Other soaps will have labels that say things like: "Saponified oils of
coconut, palm kernel, and olive", or list ingredients as "sodium tallowate"
or "sodium cocoate" (translation: saponified tallow, and saponified coconut
oil). These labels are technically correct - and still point to the same
process - lye combined with oils to create soap.

Liquid soap is handmade with a slightly different type of lye - Potassium
hydroxide, instead of sodium hydroxide ( or sometimes a combination of
both). The above facts remain the same, however - To make any soap, liquid
or bar, fats/oils must be combined with lye, and saponification then
occurrs.

Melt and pour soap is a quite different product - it is often comprised of
synthetic detergents, and we do not consider it a handmade product. Most
commercial liquid bodywashes are also quite full of synthetic sudsing
agents, colorants, petroleum-by-products and goodness knows what else -
frankly, we don't even consider them in the same realm as handmade soaps. We
personally prefer good handmade soap, made with lye, to artificial
ingredients we cannot pronounce. But to each their own!! :)

I hope this helps to answer your question, and if you'd like us to clarify
anything, please do let us know!

in regards to your question about exfoliators - the only real whole-body
exfoliators we have are our salt and sugar scrubs. You may check them out
here:
http://prairielandherbs.com/scrubs.htm
They are a basic blend of salt or sugar, and oil - pretty intense, but we
love them, and they sure do the job!
Thanks for your great question - I will probably use this on our blog as
well, as it's a question we get asked alot!!
-maggie

Okay, so if you needed just one more little reason to order from Prairieland Herbs, this is it! I emailed Sarah's questions this morning and had this great response by early afternoon. I am sure they, like all people have busy times when such a speedy response is not realistic, but I am pretty impressed! Is any corporate make up or skin care product going to give such a speedy and personal response? Probably not. And in some cases that is okay, but I really like feeling like the people who make my skin care products are available should I have a question or concern. When I get around to posting on my favorite make-up products, you will see that I use many products that are on the market by big corporations. I am glad those products are available! At the same time, my experiences with Prairieland Herbs just reminds my why I appreciate smaller companies.

I am NOT an expert, just a make-up lover=), so as far as natural exfoliators, sugar and salt are the two main ones that come to mind. There is also sand or pumice, but that is quite abrasive and not recommended for use on the face or for everyday use. Another option could be an exfoliating washcloth or something similar to that. A product that I, personally, like is this Tea Tree Oil Facial Scrub, from The Body Shop.

Some More Highlights of Oktoberfuss

To finish the post I began yesterday...  

Talk #3 was "Freedom of Thought in Science: Does the truth need guarding?" 

The main thing I appreciated from this talk was the belief that anyone can do science.  We won't all be experts, but we don't all always need experts to make decisions for us.  Science isn't a privileged endeavor and it has no privileged place above history or philosophy or other disciplines of study.  Scientists give opinions and make value judgements just like historians, philosophers and religion.  Science is important, it does have a role to play, but we shouldn't make science the all important field of study.  Interesting to consider...

The 4th talk was "Freedom of Thought in Education: Is Good Education Conformity to a Standard?"

Here are some points that I am still thinking on:

• Freedom of speech has social implications, freedom of thought has individual implications.
• How we define education determines the role freedom of thought plays in education. 
• Relativism reigns in education because it reigns in our culture.
• Education has become behavior training.  Christian education is often the same procedure, just different values.
• We have lost the art of dialogue.  We don't know how to respectfully disagree or explore issues and be okay with coming to different conclusions.
• We were made to be knowers.  We were created with senses, minds and curiosity.
• We are choice makers.  Our choices define who we are.
• The role of education is to help one another in the process of education.  It is always peer helping peer in the sense that we are all equally persons created in God's image.*
• We can help others, but we ought not coerce them.  We are not to play God in their lives.
• There has to be respect in the education process.  Other people are independent people with freedoms.
  
• Education, that allows freedom of thought, is risky.  You train students to become capable and you don't know what they will do with that.  And you don't get to control that.
• Without freedom of thought we are violating the personhood of those we teach.  Education is about learning about the world and how I fit into it.
• Ultimately we have to trust God and His sovereignty and His goodness.

Again, feel free to share thoughts...on-line or off line ;-).

*This reminds me of our motto for Greenleaf Academy, "Put your hand in mine and let us help one another to see things better." ~Monet

Some Highlights of Oktoberfuss

This last weekend C, my dad and I headed down to Gutenberg College's Oktoberfuss.  The first night we watched Expelled:No Intelligence Allowed.  First off, I have to give a plug, the movie is released on DVD in about a week or so.  Consider giving it as a Christmas gift or getting it and sharing it with friends.  It is so well done!  It really makes you pause and think.

The next day was lectures.  The first was by Dr. Carolyn Crocker.  She is featured in the above mentioned movie, but her actual story was much more dramatic than what was shown in the film. When she was interviewed, she was still in the middle of it all and chose not to disclose certain information.  She has a book that will soon be released and should include more details.

She spoke on "Freedom of Thought in Academia: Where Art Thou?"  Basically she shared her story and how she believes there is a lack of freedom of thought in academia.  To read more about her, click on the links in the previous paragraph.

The second talk was on "Freedom of Thought in the Church."  Some things that stood out to me or that I am thinking about from this talk:

• In churches, investigation is often not encouraged, unless it confirms the status quo.
• If a person questions, then it can be perceived that that person has a spiritual problem.  
• Churches typically don't invite debate and allow people to come to different conclusions.
• Disagreement is viewed as a negative symptom and a lack of unity.
• Churches typically view faith as something you attain instead of seeing it as a journey and embracing people where they are at.
• The worst thing we do for our children is to not equip them and allow them to question what they do believe and why they believe that. 
  
• Too often there is an attitude of, "you have to get things right and you have to get it right, right now."
• We are saved not because our beliefs are correct, but because we have a right heart, as in a heart that is rightly orientated toward God, as in a saving knowledge of Christ.  It is not what we believe that saves us, rather it is who we are at the core of our being.
• It is a journey, so we will all be at different places in how we put our theology together.  Therefore every person should be allowed to be in process.
• We shouldn't demand agreement.  Disagreement is much healthier than artificial agreement.  Dialog with one another is helpful.

That is just the first two talks!  I will plan to write on the last two tomorrow.  Feel free to share thoughts.

"It's better to trust and be disappointed once in awhile than to distrust and be miserable all the time."
~Abraham Lincoln

I recently came across this quote. What a good one!

Prairieland Herbs

I found out about Prairieland Herbs on this blog.  When my shampoo bottle started running low and my facial moisturizer bottle had run dry, I decided to give their products a try.  I took these photos right when the products arrived, but waited to post them so I could try them for awhile and see how they really worked.  

The package arrived in good time after ordering and it smelled delicious!  Not only did it smell wonderfully, but they sent some samples!  I love samples!  Back in the day, I was quite a sucker for Clinique and Estee Lauder free gifts.  Just seeing the "free" gift convinced me that I had to have $24.50 in products so I could actually have the "free" gift!  So, this was a pleasant surprise, natural products, well priced and freebies!  Whoo-hoo!

Here are the samples that I was sent.  There are two sample size shampoo bars and some bath salts.

My order was for the Citrus and Chamomile shampoo bar, a vinegar rinse and a skin care sample set.  Now, I have to say that I am VERY picky about my shampoo.  I typically have only used salon shampoo-snobby, I know, but my hair is fine, can be easily damaged and on the oilier side.  All that led me to be picky about the products put on my hair.  So buying shampoo in a bar was a big step for me.  I like the natural ingredients and the price, so I decided to give it a try.  I am glad I did!

The web site says that the shampoo bars leave, "our hair soft, shiny, and with far more body that commercial shampoos, and we never ever need conditioner."  Oh, so skeptical was I!  Not need conditioner, yeah, right!  But, it is true!  I am actually down to so few products in my shower it is almost scary-there is so much space in there now!  I am not accidentally knocking over any bottles because there aren't any on the floor of the floor of the shower any more!  I do use conditioner, about once a week, just to keep the ends of my hair well-hydrated and healthy.

As far as the claim for "far more body" I have found that to be true as well.  This does not weigh my hair down and since I am not usually using conditioner, that is one less product on my hair.  I will also add that this is the first shampoo, ever, to make my hair feel a bit on the dry side.  The bar I am using is for oily hair, so I imagine the bars for dryer hair would be less drying.  For my hair, being a little dry is not a bad thing; it means I can go an extra day before washing it without it looking too bad.  And not having to do my hair every morning means a little extra time in the morning.  Lovin' that!

The skin care products-YUM!  I am hooked!  I have long used the Tea Tree products from The Body Shop, but upon reading about some of my favorite products on this site and seeing some unpleasant ingredients, I have been keeping my eyes out for alternative, well-priced, products.  I ordered the sample skin care kit for oily skin.  

I do have oily skin, but I want skin care products that don't dry out my skin.  These products seem to be a good fit for my skin.  I use the Dead Sea Mud Luxury bar at night to cleanse, followed by my home-made toner (since life is busy-not taking time for infusing herbs like I used to do, I am currently using witch hazel with tea tree and lavender essential oils), followed by Prairieland Herbs facial serum (seriously, if my skin is damp, 2-3 drops is PLENTY-a little goes a long way), topped off with the Wise Woman moisturizer.  

It surprised me a bit to get the Wise Woman moisturizer since they have a 3 Citrus, that I assumed would be sent for my oilier skin.  The surprise has been all good as the Wise Woman moisturizer leaves my skin feeling wonderfully and I have not had breakouts.  I enjoy a rich night cream or moisturizer, but with oily skin, it usually isn't a good fit.  The Wise Woman moisturizer is a wonderful fit for me. In the morning I still use my Tea Tree facial wash since I have plenty left.

As far as the vinegar rinse, I haven't found it to be necessary.  It is fine, but I don't think I would need to order it again.  I ordered it so that if my hair got a little funky, I would have it on hand.  I didn't experience funky hair at all and if a person does, you can just use regular vinegar.

If you are looking for natural, well-priced skin and hair care products, check out Prairieland Herbs!  At least poke around their web site.  It is full of good information that is helpful even if you don't order any products.  When you consider the cost remember to consider how long the product lasts.  I calculated out how much, per month, my salon shampoo and conditioner cost me.  Then I estimated how long the shampoo bar might last and calculated that cost, including the cost of shipping and it was a much better deal.

Or, if you want to make your own products this book, that I purchased years ago, has been a favorite of mine.  I have made several products from it.  Or search on-line, there are likely free recipes floating out there!   

Facebook

I just (FINALLY) signed up for Facebook, so I am way too absorbed in that to do a real post here today. =)

A Day In The Life@Largerfamilies

Today I posted over here. This is my intro:

There is the temptation to write “My Visions For An Ideal Day” or “How Things Went One Time When All Went According To My Plans.” I am going to strive to stick to the theme and today is the day I have selected to chronicle. Not because it is an ideal day, but because the deadline is here and it has to get done!

Friday, Friday, Friday!

This was written this weekend about this last Friday:

Friday began with some specific goals in mind. One goal was to buy groceries, another was to get shin guards for B and another was to buy two birthday gifts. Some craft supplies were also needed from the craft store and L needed a pair of pants. Those are lofty goals when pursued with 4 kids. But, we did it! The one thing left on the “to do” list was to pick up an item or two to add to a baby shower gift that I had begun putting together. No, problem, because that could be taken care of at the toy store where the kids can play while I shopped AND wrapped the gift. Perfect!

“Perfect!” I was thinking as I sat in my van, kids bucked, the rear loaded with groceries. “We made great time and everyone is still happy,” I thought as I waited for the dad in the next parking space to unload his two young ones before backing out. “ Perfect” was deflated when that dad motioned to me. I’m not really up on hand motions, especially hand motions that are given by a person motioning with one hand while carrying a sleeping child in the other hand. So, I rolled down my window, just a smidgen, since it was pouring down rain. And I heard these words, “Your back tire is just about flat.” “Thanks for letting me know.” I replied. Perfection turned to, “NO!”

Upon getting out to inspect the tire, I observed that, sure enough, it was quite low on air. Too low to drive. What to do? The only sensible thing to do was grab the cell phone. Yes, my parents were coming home from vacation that day and likely not close by. Yes, M was in Washington D.C on business, there wasn’t much he could do, but I needed a pep talk before I took action and that he could do! But, upon looking at my phone I saw that a call from my parent’s had been missed. I quickly called them back and, hallelujah, they were in a nearby town 25 minutes away. They would come to my rescue!

Don’t get the wrong idea here, I can change a tire. I could have changed the tire and driven to the Costco tire department by myself. But, it was raining and I had a van full of groceries and kids and, really, I was searching for just about any other option so I could avoid having to change a tire in the rain! That is what dad’s and husbands and other male relatives/friends are for.

My dad, bless him, changed the tire and he and my mom even followed me in their car, to Costco and bought us all lunch. I hope I am like that with my kids when they are older and have families.

That day contained so many blessings. I had, for some reason, packed extra snacks that morning. I had, for some reason, packed ice packs, something I often forget in the summer, and rarely do this time of year. It saved my cold grocery items. The kids were amazing, given the fact that lunch didn’t come until well after 2 and there were no naps. We survived and survived quite well. Of course, on Saturday we were all worn out and more than a touch cranky, but I won’t focus on that. =)

The Littlest Girl and Things She Says

L is speaking quite well now. Sometimes she will surprise people by being silent and then speaking a complete sentence. Some of her recent sayings include:

• "Kitty get out!" or "Kitty get out my room!"
• Each morning when I bring her out of her room, she pauses by the boys door, looks in and proclaims, "Boy's room meeeesssssyyyyyyy!" And it has been messy. Legos are like that.
• She knows that when she is overly loud in public or other times when loudness is not appropriate, I look at her and say "Too loud." So now she will squeal or speak a word loudly and then look at me with a serious look and say, "Too loud."
• "1, 2, 3, say" We were working on "4" so I would say, "1, 2, 3, now say 4." The only part that seemed to stick was "say." When she counts it is "1, 2, 3, SAY!"
• She is also into playing I Spy. She mimics the other kids and knows the right words to say, but she doesn't get the concept yet. She says, "I spy RED!" She can't identify red yet, she is just repeating what she has heard so often. The older kids will guess and guess and she will respond with random, "no." "no." "no." and finally proclaim "YES!" even if the item finally guessed is not red at all.
• She says, "C'mon!" "C'mon A" or "C'mon B!"
• "Mama, I'm stinky!"
• "Mama, shirt nice!" "Mama, shoes nice!"

Do I Pass The Test To Become A U.S. Citizen?

I recently read a news article on the new and updated naturalization test for becoming a U.S. citizen. I surprised myself with my ignorance when I looked over the sample questions in the article. I thought they would all be really easy, but some of the questions caused me to pause and think. Some of the questions were very easy, but others were more challenging. Still, others were about topics that I know about, but I don't think I could have put together a brief, accurate response if I were suddenly asked the question. So, I went here and printed it off. I had better go and brush up on my knowledge of American History and Government! I may incorporate this test into our homeschool lessons. It is important information for all of us to know!

Greenleaf Academy Activities

In reality, we are behind on science and history and haven't done new projects for awhile, but I was also behind on downloading my photos, so here are some from a little while back. Here are the kids dissecting fruits and vegetables, creating mosaics with beans and seeds and harvesting goodies from our neighbor's garden.

Notice the excess-glue-photo. This is what happens when I think everyone is safely occupied and I leave for a bit. Thankfully, it was discovered before it was dry and it wiped right up!

Our neighbor invited us over to visit her garden. It was great to dig up potatoes, carrots, beets and pick corn, tomatoes and eggplant. She was wonderful in how she explained things about the plants to the kids. We all learned and it happened to fit perfectly with what we are studying in science! Plus, I am so inspired, she raised 5 kids, is now retired, and just learned to garden 3 years ago. Maybe, someday, I really will have a garden of my own!