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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Homemade Detergent and Shampoo

 One of the things that I try to do for the family is to encourage a more holistic lifestyle. I don't always succeed.  However, I will consider last night a small victory.  A new batch of laundry detergent was made.  Seneca and her friend had their hair washed with homemade shampoo and conditioner. Now if I can just get around to buying and setting up a clothes line..............
  Laundry Detergent Recipe
1 cup Borax
1 cup Arm and Hammer washing soda
1 bar of grated Kirk's Castille Soap
   We made a batch of powdered soap this time around.  I'm still working on perfecting the art of homemade liquid detergent. For one thing, I need a 5-gallon bucket.

Shampoo
2 tbs baking soda
2 cups of water
  The actual recipe is 1 tbs of baking soda to 1 cup of water, but I feel that doubling the recipe is more effective. Of course, you can adjust this based on the length and volume of your, or your child's, hair.

Conditioner
1 tbs apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
  I like to keep the water for both and shampoo and conditioner very warm, but not hot.  Regular temperature water goes on the head feeling very cold.  Just be very careful, especially with kids, to test the temperature of the warm water before applying it.

     I haven't been successful in making dish detergent, so we will continue to use Seventh Generation Dish Detergent available in our supermarket. Yes, our corporate owned supermarket. I said I was trying friends, not always succeeding.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

When Book Stores Promote Movies

      Our Books-A-Million store here in Bradenton is having a Hunger Games party today. Sounds great. However, anyone who brings in their movie stub gets $5 off of a $25 order. What kind of message does that send to my kids and families like mine who promote, or at least try to promote books over movies?  Also, I try to raise my kids to not go out and buy the lastest fad. I feel like Books-A-Million is telling my kids that our values are wrong, so we shouldn't get to be part of this discount.
     We are the type of family that snaps pictures of people in lines before Black Friday, so that we can laugh.  We have no cable, very few tv channels, no ipads, or such.  And we LIKE it this way.  We very rarely go out to see a movie before it makes it to the dollar theater.  This is part of our family culture that values other things besides the latest fad. Now, my daughter did go see Breaking Dawn on opening night, but she had read the books first. Whether or not the books were great literature or garbage is not relevant.  My point is, she READ them first and then was allowed a treat of seeing the movie.  I am sure that many of Books-A-Million customers who saw the movie will have read the books too. I am not commenting on the customers.  That is their business. There are plenty of movies that I have seen without ever having read the book. 
        My point is about the message that the discount if you bring in your movie ticket sends.  I understand that the bookstore gets lots of business because of the movie. I'm glad that the movie has sent more traffic into a bookstore. 
  I used to love the Harry Potter parties, but those coincided with the release of a book, not the movies.  I think it is wonderful that Books-A-Million is having this celebration. My first thought when I saw the flyer was to attend the event even though I have never read these books.  I thought it might get my 13 and 12 year olds interested in reading these books. We've been on the lookout for new books to read. 
     However, it is more the insult hurled out us for not being a fad-obsessed family that has made me decide that we have better things to do with our time than attend this event. 
  Movie ticket stub?  For a discount at a BOOKSTORE!  Really? 
    Dear Books-A-Million, what message do you think you just sent to my kids?  You're basically telling kids like mine who probaby would have read these books out of their own natural curiosity that said curiosity in and of itsef is not something to be rewarded.  Society will reward those kids who need to be enticed with movies and electronic gadgets, but God forbid MY kids get a discount. MY kids broke the rules of our culture by choosing NOT to see a movie.  

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Homeschool Planning

  Planning is definitely what drives me the most crazy when it comes to homeschooling. The planning in and of itself isn't the problem.  The problem is implementing that plan.  I work a somewhat scattered schedule.  So, official homeschool lesson time comes in these bursts.  Liam does have independent work to do while I am at work.  I have roommates, so Liam is not home alone, but legally he could be.
  I will say that doing some unschooling during these times does work very well.  Liam's assigned work is actually quite minimal.  The rest of the time, he is free to pursue his own interests.  The more technical stuff, like grammar and math, are held off until he and I can be together for quiet learning time.  The problem is, our time together is so scattered that I don't feel like we are really gripping and feeling the lesson.  I know that I need to re-arrange my schedule at work and I will probably do so soon, but I have part time hours as it is and I don't want to jeopardize that.
  I guess this scattered way of doing things isn't SO bad.  He has learned the importance of working independently.  We do take a lot of little excursions.  Time for friends and socializing is given as much importance as lesson time.
  Our homeschool just needs a little finessing.  On the other hand, a positive about not having a set schedule is that all of my kids have always been able to handle anything out of the norm/routine very well.  For example, nobody gets agitated if we have a flat tire or just little unexpected things happen. My kids tend to be very :go with the flow" type.  Not always, but most of the time.

Lowery Park Zoo

















Field Trip was taken by the three kids to Lowery Park Zoo.  My friend took them because my back was hurting.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Books and Worksheets
 D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths http://www.amazon.com/DAulaires-Norse-Myths-Ingri-dAulaire/dp/159017125X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=133190
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths http://www.amazon.com/DAulaires-Greek-Myths-Ingri-dAulaire/dp/0440406943/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331907636&sr=1-1
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths Workbook from memoriapress.com
A Journey Through Waldorf Homeschooling Grade 6 by Melisa Nielsen alittlegardenflower.com
Ancient Greece by Charles Kovacs http://www.steinerbooks.org/detail.html?session=ca17605f4487056c50e65d250c2a0bbb&id=0863154298
Ancient Rome by Charles Kovacs http://www.steinerbooks.org/detail.html?session=ca17605f4487056c50e65d250c2a0bbb&id=0863154824
The Egyptology Handbook http://www.amazon.com/The-Egyptology-Handbook-Wonders-Ologies/dp/B0019MX71C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331771843&sr=8-1
Math Practice freemathworksheets.net
Famous Men of Rome  Memoria Press

Documentaries
The Battle of Thermopylae http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FViLPhmWeLY
The Brilliance of Themistocles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKxuAerW9YQ
Hannibal, The African Warrior http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmW3ZWILLwQ
The Ten Greatest Discoveries of Ancient Egypt

Movies
Julius Caesar 2006
The Blue and The Gray
Red Tails
North and South Book 1
North and South Book 2
Flyboys
Gettysburg
Amazing Grace

Fieldtrips
Gettysburg, PA
Flight of Fantasy (presentation by Tuskegee Airmen)
St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts
Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg, Fl for Civil War Re-enactment
Eden Farms in Bradenton, Fl
Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa

Unplugging Or Least Trying To

After reading many blogs and articles on Waldorf education, I am trying to raise Seneca as less plugged in as possible.  I am not saying no tv or computers at all, but I make a conscious effort to provide non-electronic activities for her.  With my older children, we did have tv, but got rid of cable about ten years ago.  They were never plugged-in like most mainstream kids. I do allow my son to have video games, but the system is used and his games are all bought used.  My older children do watch tv, but much of what they watch are classic movies or historical fiction films.  When it comes to tv, I don't forbid, but I also don't offer.  (Unless, there is a special event or if the movie is educational.)
     Examples of movies/shows/miniseries that entertain while educating that my twelve and thirteen year old enjoy and appreciate are The Blue and The Gray, North and South, Iron Jawed Angels, Flyboys, Gettysburg, The Help, and more.  We also enjoy classic movies such as The Thin Man and Casablanca.
   For Seneca, at this age, I am trying to limit screen time.  She does enjoy Disney classics.  I do allow wholesome shows that many kids today sadly consider to be too corny.  I love that she loves to watch Annie (1982) and Sleeping Beauty.  It is important for her to be able to enjoy these movies while she is still young and the magic is still real for her.
  I think that today has been a great day for our non-electronic life.  Seneca and I played with playdough until her friend Lilly arrived at our house. The girls played with play dough together.   They then looked through books on the shelf and chose one out for me to read to them.  The girls painted with homemade paint, condensed milk and food coloring.  Their color today was red.
  For snack time, the girls ate lettuce with honey on it and strawberries.  The lettuce and strawberries were from the local farm that Seneca visited yesterday.  She picked the strawberries herself.
The girls swung from tree branches and ran around in the back yard.  They entertained themselves this whole day with no need for tv or other electronic devices.  The girls later went swimming at a pool.
  That evening, I took Seneca and Lilly to visit my grandma.  Grandma B is 92 years old and still lives alone!  The girls played with vintage cars that were my dad's when he was a little boy.  Then the girls played with a dollhouse.  Seneca loves visiting her great-grandma.
        Seneca told Grandma B about going to the strawberry farm and petting the goat and the pony.My grandma told Seneca that her family had a goat when she was a little girl.  My grandma had a sister with a lot of health concerns and it was felt that goat's milk would be better for her.  
         There is an education website which Seneca does enjoy very much. It is called Starfall. http://www.starfall.com/  I am very leery about learning being done on a computer and having a computer read to my child. I can certainly read to my child.  However, she does love the phonics and math games and does rather well with them.  I do, therefore, allow her to play on starfall, but I be sure to offer many other activities to balance out time spent on the computer.  My friend, Heather, once posted a link to an article which suggested that for every hour of electronic time, a person should spend an equal amount of time doing some sort of physical/outdoor activity.  Sometimes, my outdoor time is actually me watching the kids play at the park, but I'm going count it. :)
  As you can see, I have my ideals. I don't always meet them, but I'm going to keep making my effort.
  Yesterday, Liam and Yasmeen went to Emerson Point Preserve.  Our friend, Lisa from our house of worship, picked them up as I was working yesterday.  I'm glad that they were able to spend time with friends from church.  Liam said that they must have walked about three miles.  http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/natural-resources/resource-management/emerson-point.html

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Fairy Tale for Seneca tonight

http://books.google.com/books/about/Grimm_s_Fairy_Tales.html?id=dkW2yBQ_NkoCSeneca's fairy tale for tonight was The Queen Bee.  I tell the story orally to her rather than read it.
HOW ARE YA? I AM MARY's ELDEST AND BESTEST. I AM SO GOODEST. I LOVE MY MOMMY SO MUCHHH. I HOPE YOU LOVE HER BLOOG. I AM THE GOODEST OF ALL THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep in mind this is the biggest joke ever, I never talk like this! Bahaha! Just something to amuse myself! 

Friday, March 9, 2012

Homemade Paint Day

Thanks to my friend Rachael at http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/  for showing me this link on how to make paint from condensed milk.  http://ecemadeeasy.com/posts/painting-with-condensed-milk/

We've been using an old egg carton to separate the colors. Tonight, we only painted in one color, green. It was Seneca's choice.  Waldorf education often has children at this age painting in only one color at a time.  However, it is usually one of the primary colors.  I did think it great that Seneca would choose green just over a week away from St. Patrick's Day.  





Civil War Re-Enactment at Fort DeSoto in St. Petersburg, Fl















Thursday, March 8, 2012

Emergent Curriculum

 This is perhaps the best way to sum up our educational philosophy. We are more emergent learners than unschoolers.  Thanks to Rachael at http://gotkiddos.blogspot.com/ for sending the link below to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergent_curriculum

Agnostic Parenting

  My youngest daughter was having  trouble sleeping the other night, so I sang her a lullaby. I sang her a Wiccan chant, We All Come From the Goddess.  It is her favorite one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Y73oMcS7w
     I also like to sing Amazing Grace.  I can't sing, but she doesn't know that...yet.
 So, what religion do I raise my children? I don't think that most mainstream parents sit around researching world religions trying to pick one out in a manner that most moms look at recipes to write a family menu.
  I was raised Roman Catholic by my mother. I do love Catholicism. I have no problems with it except for the fact that Jesus being born of a virgin is completely illogical.  Coming back from the dead is illogical too. If I could just skip those parts, I'm ready to rejoin the Catholic Church.  I had a wonderful priest growing up who always spoke about God's eternal love and forgiveness.  I go sometimes to Mass even now and feel uplifted when the priest in this parrish speaks of justice needed for migrant farm workers.  Catholic Mass around here can really uphold many issues of social justice.  However, I disagree when the signs at church are against family planning. So much for feeling uplifted.
   I was raised as an Agnostic by my dad.  I have identified as an Agnostic since about twelve years old.
       I have been raising my kids in the Unitarian Universalist church.  I love the community there. I also love that my kids and I are able to be part of a faith community without having to actually have blind faith in anything.
     I have attended Pagan rituals for many years.  However, as much as I read and agree with Wicca, something is still missing.  The lack of faith that I have in Christianity also manifests itself as a lack of faith in the existence of the God and Goddess.  In a head sense, I am a Wiccan. In a heart sense, I am an Agnostic.
   So, what sort of mother should I be when it comes to religion.  My older kids, ages 13 and 12, are old enough to question the Divine and begin to form their own conclusions. My thirteen year old daughter, an Agnostic, as said that she does envy people with faith. She wishes she could have that same feeling of security in belief that there is a deity and a wonderful place called Heaven awaiting us. I know exactly what she means because it is exactly how I feel.
  Many experts say that young kids should not be burdened with the notion of choosing their own religion.  That it is more healthy to give a young child a healthy dose of spirituality and then let them choose on their own. What the experts don't seem to say is what the parent should do if that parent has no firm religious foundation.
    I remember when I was getting my driver's license and somehow it came out to the instructor that I am an Agnostic.  She said, "Oh yes, so many young people go off to college and they stop believing in God."   I responded, "That was my father. I am the child of those people who went off to college and lost their faith. I was raised this way."  She looked utterly shocked. It had never occurred to that those "kids" had grown up and had kids of their own.
  In school, my 8th grade daughter was telling another kid that she is Agnostic. He couldn't believe that she would question the existence of God.  Even more puzzling is the fact that mom is not only okay with this, but encourages this type of thinking.
  By the way, my lack of religion raised kids have always received compliments on their good behavior. They have friends and are very social.  But do I owe them an inner world?  Is that part of my job as their mother?  Well, the father of my oldest two children has made no attempt to raise them in his religion.  He is a Muslim, albeit non-practicing.
  

Money, Morality, And me Babbling On....

On money and morality. Or perhaps I should say, food stamps and alcohol. 
  I had this friend who is also a single mother of three.  Now, she is a very hard worker and she does mean well. However, on more than one occasion, her kids have come to stay with me or another friend (Kathy) when she could not pay her electric bill. In the beginning, everyone was fine with this.  However, after a repeat pattern of this every few months, Kathy and I began to question a few things.  For example, even when her kids were staying with us, mom and her boyfriend were at the bar every night.  On nights leading up to being unable to pay the electric bill, mom and her boyfriend were at the bar most nights.  Kathy and I are happy to help out, but we feel that this mom should take responsibility herself and budget herself better.  The kids are great. This is not meant as an afront to the kids.  In fact, the oldest daughter, a teenager, is a joy to have around and is a great helper. 
    So this brings me to the whole issue of responsibility and accepting help.  If a person accepts food stamps, should that person be spending their money on cable tv, ipads, iphones, alcohol?  None of these things are illegal, but by accepting food stamps the person has insinuated that he/she does not have the funds for food.  If there was a program to teach people better budgeting skills would that lessen the need for food stamps?  Just thinking out loud here.
      Personally, as someone who receives food stamps I would NEVER use any of my other money on cable, an iphone, or an ipad.  I do however have an occasional glass of alcohol.  However, is even that occasional glass (or glasses) of alcohol a slap in the face to the tax payers who pay for my food stamps?  For that matter, is anything I do that is not a necessity a sign of disrespect to said taxpayers.  I took the kids for rented bike rides, took them to a museum, and more.  While I think of these things as necessary to their development as well-rounded individuals, do I really have the right to be accepting food stamps if I have money for these other excursions?
       One might look at my list and say that these are okay items because they contribute to my children's education.  These items are hardly immoral.  But then we get into that oh so fun world of morality and what is ok or not regardless of legality.  I, like most adults, enjoy a night here and there out at a local bar with friends.  I'm hardly an alcoholic.  Just to clarify, a night here and there means one night every few months.  Now, if I have money for alcohol does that mean I should have money enough for food and not need food stamps?  I am going to give the answer that it depends on how much alcohol I consume.  In my case, the amount spent on alcohol in any given month is so low that it wouldn't make any difference to my food budget. 
     But what if the issue was not alcohol, but Disney World? Should a family on food stamps have the right to take their children to Disney World.  Some would argue that if you can budget for Disney World, then you can budget for food.  Personally, I will side with a family on food stamps going to Disney World.  If for no other reason, children only have a childhood once. Let each child have that magic. 
 So, you can see that I personally approve of alcohol in moderation, museums, and Disney World for food stamp families.  I don't use and don't approve of cable tv, ipads, and iphones, But who the hell am I to make such a judgement for somebody else?  I have my own rules on morality, but I don't want to be controlled my somebody else's moral views. (I am not talking about illegal issues here.)  I mean, many people oppose the fact on a moral grounds that I had a child without being married.  Some say that I should not accept food stamps because I should have been more responsible and not had her outside of marriage.  (Funny thing is, the same such people should also be thrilled with me not using birth control and not having an abortion.)  I don't want to become the morals police and I don't want the other moral police to dictate to me what is okay and isn't with my money.  I have my opinions and that is why I have a blog. 
     I am a mother on food stamps. I drink alcohol.  I sometimes take my kids to Disney World. I do things that some people may not approve of, but they are not illegal.  Sometimes I am irresponsible with my money.  This post is meant to be both self-critical and self assuring.  The difference between me and mainstream society is that I can critique my choices and consider other points of view.  I can learn.  From what I have seen of most mainstream adults, the ability to learn is a lost pre-historic trait.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Public School Praise

  As I was driving my oldest daughter to school today, she commented on the ridiculousness of the Tea Party.  In specific, she finds it almost amusing at how much the Tea Party claims to speak for the Constitution.  "Have they even read the Constitution?  I read it.  I had to read it in school. I did a whole project on it."   Now this is great public schooling. She actually studied and read the Constitution as part of her eighth grade American History class.  She also pointed out that the US Constitution is based on other countries' constitutions. It was not this lone American idea as the Tea Party would have you believe.  (Now, I will insert here to credit our homeschooling program from 7th grade which showed the linear connection from the Magna Carta to the Mayflower Compact to the US Constitution. I know that there were other influences as well. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, just to illustrate a point.)
 I love hearing about what she is learning in school.  I do feel that this school is better able to equip her with knowledge about math and science than I am.  Again, it is about finding the strengths and positives in different educational paths.

Contraception Coverage: Other fights more important

To be honest, I am surprised at the hoopla over contraception coverage. I've never had that covered by insurance. I just plan my budget, or have a baby.  That being said, I am 100% pro-choice and all in favor of access to contraception.  I support Planned Parenthood.   What is giving me cause to pause, though, is this national debate and uproar over insurance coverage of contraception.            
         I'm a single mother of three and I have to pay for my own contraception totally out of my own pocket.  So, that means no cable tv and no many other perks.  I agree with Sandra Fluke on prinicpal. What I'm having trouble with is her insinuation that these women in law school can't put away enough money to pay for their own birth control.  I mean, can't their husbands help? It's not THAT expensive.  As a single mom, I took it is a slap in the face that I have to pay for my own contraception and many other medical expenses, but Sandra Fluke is a single woman in law school and she can't budget herself to include contraception. I do NOT disagree with Ms. Fluke. I am all for contraception and family planning. I love Planned Parenthood. My comment is not about contraception. It was about the face used to present an issue. I'm sure if I met Ms. Fluke, I would like her. I am in agreement with her on principal.  It just seems to me that the left is fighting a fight when there are so many other more important health care fights.
  For example, my back is in pain almost daily. Insurance would cover me to go on pain medications.  Ironic because Florida is considered to be the pill mill capital of the US and there are major crackdowns now on these pill mills.  Insurance does not cover chiropractic care which ends my back pain for a month at time, often longer, without medications and no side effects.  
  Also, what about the fact that many other forms of holistic health are not covered by Medicaid.  To me, that is a bigger issue.  I want my kids to be able to be treated with limited drugs/medications whenever possible.  Even my son's specialist is leery of him developing a dependency on the medications that she prescribes.  She has stepped down his dosage as he improves.  I am not saying that I would only take my children to a holistic practitioner.  No, but I would like to have access to both forms of treatment as they are to compliment each other.  However, I have to budget for times to see alternative healthcare provider.
  Speaking of budgeting, really, can Sandra Fluke come testify to Congress on my kids' behalves?  There are very very few dentists in Manatee County who take Medicaid. I will be using most of my tax return to take my kids to the dentist.  The waiting list for a Medicaid dentists can often be months long.  Dental exams are FAR more expensive than contraception.  Ladies, save your money and buy contraception.  I have to save my money for my contraception. 
As a single mom, I took it is a slap in the face that I have to pay for my own contraception and many other medical expenses, but Sandra Fluke is a single woman in law school and she can't budget herself to include contraception. I do NOT disagree with Ms. Fluke. I am all for contraception and family planning. I love Planned Parenthood. My comment is not about contraception. It was about the face used to present an issue. I'm sure if I met Ms. Fluke, I would like her. I am in agreement with her on principal. 

Math Art and Strawberry Picking


I took Liam and his friend to a Math Art day offered by the education majors at USF in Sarasota.  The idea was to get kids interested in math by letting them have fun it.  The other side of it was it was done to help show teachers in training fun ways to engage kids in math.  The event was advertized as being for 5th and 6th graders.
  As we were leaving the house, Liam was complaining about going. "I don't math and I don't like art. What makes you think I'm going to like this thing?"  Yet, wise Mama had already invited one of Liam's friends to go with us. So, I told him we had to go pick up his friend as he was waiting for us.  This way, Liam couldn't back out of it.
     Shortly after arriving and beginning the projects, both boys were enthusiastically going from table to table. I should clarify here that Liam's friend was excited to be going the whole time.  By the end of it, Liam said it was a lot of fun.
     At one of the tables, I was speaking to the young lady who was running that activity, and she said that she was interested in homeschooling her kids whenever she has them.  I know that many people in the education field oppose homeschooling. (And yes, I know that many former teachers do homeschool.) In fact, the reason I found about the event was through a local homeschool group.
   After the Math Art day, I picked up my daughters and we all went to pick strawberries at Eden Farms in Bradenton.  We had found out about Eden Farms through another homeschooling group.  There was no group event there that day, just us going as a family.  Our day ended at a local park after the strawberry farm.  Liam's friend took home some strawberries as did my kids.  I was going to make jam the next day only to discover that everyone had eaten all of the strawberries. :)  Oh well, we picked them to eat them.  Add to that they are organic and I am told, delicious!  Personally,  I don't like strawberries.
     I'm glad that my oldest daughter, 8th grade, was able to come with us to the strawberry farm.  She is not being homeschooled this year, hence "public school" in my blog address. I try to find events and things to do on Saturdays, so that we can include her in many of our homeschool "adventures."