Saturday, January 24, 2009

OK, these are backwards. Yesterday, school went well and the weather was just too nice to stay home. So we walked to the zoo. It was about a 30 minute walk. We were outside for alittle more than two hours! We actually got sweaty! These are some photos from the zoo and the walk there.

The monkeys are always a fave! This one is actually watching DS. He even did a dance for him. The kids call him Elvis! J was really interested in the swan. We just finished reading The Trumpet of the Swan. Just a sign on the way. The buildings in the window look like an old western! Actually the street in the window is the original downtown. It has some neat buildings.

Our performing arts center.




The house is a constant remodel. It was the school district building (I think). Some guy has been remodeling it into a house (I think). This is one of the gates to the house. I always like driving by and seeing what's been added.




Thursday, January 22, 2009

Today, we did a hands on project.

Project: Take apart this radio and put it back together. And still have it work.


DS taking the screws out.


Wow, the screw driver's magnetic!


The guts!! We wanted to take it further apart then this, but most of the items were welding on.


DD amusing herself while Mom and DS check out the inside. Another lessons with magnets.

Final outcome: We got it back together. We weren't able to turn it on as the previous batteries had corroded inside.
But it was fun.
Yesterday, we went to the library. We try to go every other Wed. I am one of those weird people who carry their camera everywhere and take pictures of everything! Ha! Anyway, this is where you can find us every other Wed. afternoon.

Monday, January 12, 2009


Man, I have been so busy to even blog about our HS adventures! Sorry! We started back to school last Mon. Things have been going pretty smooth! Yeah! We are reading *So Far From Home* from the Dear America series. DS & I are reading *The Trumpet of the Swan*(DD loves to listen along). I am slowly easing into CM. We have started studying Mary Cassatt. Next week I think I'll bring in poetry.
This morning DS wanted to skip ahead a few pages, in math, to the test. Okay sure, if you think you're ready. He did the first half. The second half totally stumped him. He knows how to do it. He just thinks too much and then forgets everything. Long story short. We closed our books. I took a shower then we went for a bike ride. DD does NOT like bike riding at all. So we cut my regular route a bit short. Poor thing has NO fat to burn, but muscles that need to be built. DS has been riding with DH on much harder rides then mine, so he was wanting to go longer. Again our DC are so different. We are on lunch break and will go back to Lang. Arts and Mary Cassatt after.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Soapbox Warning and an Important issue!

This is the second time I'm come across this in 24 hours. At first I didn't know what to think of it. I don't care what you political stance is, folks were are talking about books here. I am really still trying to grasp this. We are in America and they want to stop selling books!!!! I fear if this does go through, what more is to come? Ok I will stop here and let you read the email I got from a fellow homeschooler. (I deleted much of my ranting.)

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned---
Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.
Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale. What does this mean to the homeschooling family? Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army. Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child. No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".) Just how serious is this new law? Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manufacturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather- in older books or even rare out-of-print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead. I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book. (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.) So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business? Or your EBay business selling children's items? ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines: 1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc. gov/cgibin/ newleg.aspx Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPart sTesting@ cpsc.gov
2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-tion, just enter your zip code.http://capwiz. com/americanappa rel/dbq/official s/
3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.http://change. org/ideas/ view/save_ handmade_ toys_from_ the_cpsia
4) Sign the petition. http://ipetitions. com/petition/ economicimpactso fCPSIA/index. html5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.---For the complete story, read the following links:http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/cpsia. html Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/legislatio n.html#summaries Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory requirements -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009 http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/summaries/ 101brief. html Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/faq/ 101faq.html Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at http://www.cpsc. gov/library/ foia/advisory/ 317.pdf
Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's bookshttp://news. bookweb.org/ news/5695. html
There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtricianhttp://health. yahoo.com/ experts/childhea lth/3955/ is-there- lead-in-baby- books/

Monday, January 5, 2009

Since I didn't have a post yesterday I'm giving you two Hide and Seek photos.

Today we start back in school. The kids actually had a week & a 1/2 off. It feels good to get back on schedule. On a different note. I'm thinking about using some of Ambleside Online next year, a CM style curriculum. Anyway, they suggest starting kids out two years back. After looking at the book lists, etc. Our DC are only 1 year back! I'm going to hold off getting any of the books for a few months, maybe they won't be behind. You know (I think every HSing mom feels this way), I think sometimes "Am I teaching them enough?", etc. So finding out that I didn't have to start the kids two years back was a GREAT relief to me!

Friday, January 2, 2009

New photo Series


My new series is called Hide and Seek.
I wish I could say that I could this myself, along with the photos to come.