Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Cecily-Two Weeks Ago

We were visiting friends.

Cecily had fun getting made-up by the girls.

Love the bow!
Love the girl!

I think we need a mother/daughter day again,
really soon.
It has been a long week for me.
  

Dashiell Maverick @ 17 Months Old Today

This little boy sure has my heart.

After kind-of a rough few days--

thinking about Diego, 

and Elijah;

today was just what I needed. 

Dashiell took a long nap, 

and he’s been smiles ever since. 

We’ve been cuddling, playing, 

and just being. 

His favorites over the past month: 

peek-a-boo 

looking at books (chewing on them, eek!) 

water play (of course) 

bananas 

playing with cars 

the sandbox 

strawberries 

hugs 

drinking water 

watching movies 

being outside 

breastfeeding 

playing with musical instruments 

dancing 

melon 

animals (smothering them) 

babbling 

apples 

running 

watching the bunny-rabbits in our neighbor's yard 

scribbling 

phones 

and . . . 

I tend to kiss and hug him a lot, a lot, a lot. 

Even more-so lately, 

and he has started to give me the occasional kiss, 

which melts this mama’s heart, of course. 

Cecily was mad because he hadn’t given her a kiss yet. 

They enjoy playing together. 

As does Sylvan. 

Of course, there are always times when the older kids don’t want Dashiell to mess with their stuff. 

But, overall, they all enjoy each other’s company quite well. 

One of the benefits of unschooling=closer sibling relationships.

Sweet Baby Toes

It's Summer, Summer, Summertime

I can't help but think of this song when thinking of summer.  Enjoy!  :)

Wordless Wednesday

A Laundromat's Mistake

When you use cloth diapers.
You are out of town.
And you are getting low on clean ones . . .
What to do!?

I feel guilty buying disposables.
Even though we've done that some in the past for traveling.

So you hit a laundry mat or a laundromat.
Especially when you pass right by one on your way back home--you know it's meant to be.

You ponder why you've never really heard the term laundromat before.

You've heard "laundry mat" more often than not, when a person talks about a self service laundry facility.

Well, at least in my neck of the woods. 

According to Yahoo Answers: 

"It comes from the 1950's where anything "automatic" was good, so it was the "automatic laundry" (though you put them in the machines, they were better than the old washboard and mangle setup!) So it was the Laundr-omatic, which became Laundromat."

Of course, it was fun to look up on Wikipedia too--to see its history. 

Anyhow, I began this post to show you why Dan had to run back in the laundromat with my camera . . .

Ok, so maybe this a simple typo, looks to be. 

But seriously, you laminate this, and place it on a wall of your business!? 

Wow.

Fun-Hating Homeschoolers?

We went camping close to the Mississippi River over Memorial Day Weekend, in eastern Iowa.


Right across from where we were camping, there were two families that were traditional homeschoolers, camping together.  We thought it was pretty neat, because although we are unschoolers, we have more in common with homeschoolers (usually) compared with people that send their children to school.  We thought our kids would enjoy each other’s company.

Another nearby family had girls that went to school; they enjoyed playing with Cecily and vice versa.  Sylvan felt a bit left out since the boys wouldn’t venture out of their camp.  So he was excited to play with the homeschooled kids, even though he was likely the oldest kid of the lot.

Well, I was wrong this time, the schooled kids had more freedom than the homeschooled kids.
One of the homeschooled families turned us off big-time.
And made me VERY happy that we unschool.

I was shocked at how much the first family told their kids no, saying “NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!” in practically one mouthful, as if ONE “NO” wasn’t enough!?  They said it several times about simple stuff, stuff that I didn’t think was a big deal.

They were very controlling of their four children.
Trying to control. . .
Every.
Single.
Move that their kids made.

It really was hard for Sylvan, because he was the oldest kid (only by a year or two though) between our camp and the homeschoolers camp and he wanted to play a creative game with the older kids, but they just didn’t get it.

He told me later that they weren't creative and he didn’t have fun playing with them, in the short time that he did.

For homeschoolers, we were surprised they didn’t show up to the free parks program, a workshop about frogs. We had mentioned it to them the night before, and as we look back, it kind-of felt like they they were trying to avoid being around us. Most traditional homeschoolers we know would jump at the chance for free learning opportunities.

They missed out.

Sylvan and Cecily had more fun playing with a creative girl at the playground, who was probably traditionally schooled. We had decided to go to the playground because the homeschoolers' kids didn’t seem like they were allowed to play with our kids.  It made our kids feel bad. So I thought the playground would cheer them up.  That, it did.

When we got back from the playground, the last night we were there, the one dad of the more lax homeschooling family (a Christian pastor), chatted with Dan.  They seemed to get along well.

Then, one of their kids wanted to be pulled around in their wagon, so Cecily hopped in with their little girl, and Sylvan started pulling it around--since he was the biggest kid. The more controlling mom of the two families said suddenly that it was time to go to bed and she said it was their wagon, yada, yada. Maybe it was a new wagon, and she didn’t want it broken, but Sylvan was walking with it and respectful of their property, not running around crazy with it or anything. I don’t think she thought Dan and I were in hearing distance, but I was, and I thought she was quite rude to our kids.

I was just happy that we were leaving the next day, so we wouldn’t have to be around “the homeschoolers”.  A phrase, I never thought I’d say or write. Our kids barely got to play with them, and I know it was disappointing for them--probably disappointing for the homeschoolers' kids as well. They had just started playing with them and "boom" it’s bed time!? Granted, I think they had a long day, as we did. But the kids were all getting along fine and no one was crabby that I could tell--well, maybe the one mother might have been. It was around 9:40 p.m. and Sylvan couldn’t believe they were all going to bed. Especially since they weren’t leaving the next morning, like we were.

We went back to our camp, and I explained that some families go to bed earlier and some families have different rules. He moved on rather quickly and he was happy to get the camp fire going. Cecily was disappointed too, but moved on quicker than Sylvan this time. Cecily and Dashiell fell asleep a while later, and we enjoyed the company of our oldest, Sylvan, telling us about his current favorite toys, Skylanders.


I noticed later, as I was putting a couple of things in our van, that the homeschooling parents were still up around the campfire.  Maybe they just really wanted to hang out alone, since the two families didn’t see each other on a regular basis--this based on some things the pastor and his wife told us.  The kids would put a damper on that, apparently.

How sad.

It put a bad taste in my mouth, the traditional homeschooling families' behaviors--and traditional Christians, to boot.  I guess I’m happy it was us, and not some other family that doesn’t know others that homeschool,  or are Christians, otherwise they would have been turned off of the whole deal of homeschooling or Christianity altogether. Because then they would think we are all like that--fun haters, rude, anti-social. Isn’t that what camping is about--(in a traditional campground) to be in nature and meet other like-minded people? That is one of the kids’ favorite things to do when we camp--to make new friends.

I tried to think of something positive to take from it. It made me realize, how far we’ve come, and how we are so proud of our kids. Our kids handled everything really well, even if it was disappointing for them.
No crying.
No tantrums.

Thinking back, I shouldn’t have said we were unschoolers right off the bat . . . I guess. But I feel if we don’t tell people that we are unschoolers and how we do things, the word will never get out.

I want to help other families have the amazing time/life we have. The beautiful relationship we have with our children. Somehow, I think there is a stigma about unschoolers and I know there is one about Christians.

Really, all unschoolers are different in some ways. Just as all homeschoolers are different in some ways. Just as traditionally-schooled families are different in some ways. As are, Christians as well.

And although the homeschoolers put a damper on things a bit, we had a really nice time as a family.  More on that later.

Learning.  Ever-learning.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy New Year! 2012!

Yikes!
How time flies.
Hoping to get back to blogging again.
I've been sick.
We've been sick.
I started feeling like my usual self last night.
Feeling good.
Really good.
I think I've done my time, being sick this season.
Thanksgiving.
And Christmas.
Not fun.
Nor fair.



So I'm hoping that feeling better will mean more time for lots of fun in the coming weeks.
I've been working on some new projects.
One of which I'm hoping to reveal here soon.
It is kind of big.
And kind of scary to me.
Yet fun, and pushes me.
I love that.



Anyhow,
We brought in the New Year last night as a family.
Myself, Word Geek, Sylvan, Cecily, and Dashiell.
Simple.
Nice.
Relaxed.
Just the way it should be.

Hope you had a wonderful day.
Whether you set goals or not.

I'll leave you with my new favorite photo of the kiddos I took on Christmas Day.

Happy Halloween! Muffin Tin Monday ~ Halloween Mini Edition

Left to Right.
Top to Bottom.
Like a typewriter.

"Witch Hats"/Bugles-Hot Buffalo Flavor
"Zombie Eyeballs"/Chocolate Candy Eyeballs
"Straw Mound"/Shredded Colby Jack Cheese
"Witch Pinkies"/Baby Carrots

"Jack-o'-lanterns"/Pumpkin Face Gum Balls
"Ectoplasmic Goo"/Nacho Cheese Sauce
"Bandages"/Cheddar Cheese Crackers
"Graveyard Mud"/Creamy Peanut Butter

"Corpse Ribs"/Orange Bell Peppers (even though they do look red in this photo)
"Crow Beaks"/Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
"Coffin Cushion"/Pumpkin Cake
"Edgar Allen Poe Teeth"/Candy Corn (& Pumpkin Candy in the middle)

It was a fun challenge this week.
I tried to do a black and orange food theme.
Word Geek helped with the fun Halloween food names.

I ask that the kids keep an open mind.
Trying everything once.
Then I will tell them what the foods are, if they don't know afterwards.

Lizard Man was not happy about some of the things.
He wanted to know what the foods were before he would try them.
He said, and I quote, "This is like a horror movie."
What-the-what!?
Not sure where he came up with that one.
I don't make the kids eat anything.
But once I told him what a couple of things were, he was willing to try them.
I think in the future I will tell him.
It seemed to work better for him.

Love Bug was very excited to try everything.
She first went for the eyeballs and was going to take a bite.
I informed her that there was a wrapper on the candy.
But that just shows you how open minded she is to trying new foods.
She was willing to try out an eyeball!!??!!
I think maybe Lizard Man may have mentioned that they were candy.





I did make a muffin tin for myself this week too. :)
Anyone that knows me well, knows I do NOT like peanut butter.
I'm not allergic.
It all leads back to a time when I went to grade school.
My mom would make us lunch to take to school.
In our "old school" metal lunchboxes.
She accidentally put my brothers Shawn's peanut butter sandwich in mine.
Shawn got my cold cut sandwich.
The teacher either made me eat it or I was very hungry.
I don't remember which.
I just remember after that, plain peanut butter was NOT my friend.
If it was baked into something, I was fine.
But no peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for this girl.
Well anyhow.
To prove my point to Lizard Man today, I ate some peanut butter.
Dipped in my carrots=not too bad.
Then I dipped my candy corn into the peanut butter.
Um yes, pure bliss.
New favorite dessert for me.
Kind of like Reese's Pieces, but much better!



So happy that we've decided to jump onto this new food adventure.

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First Muffin Tin Monday Meal! Mini!

I've been wanting to try this out for awhile,
for the kiddos.





Left to Right.
Top to Bottom.

Southwestern Bean Salad.
Flour Tortillas.
Ramon Noodles (unseasoned).
Cubed Pineapples.

Salsa.
Shredded Colby Jack Cheese.
Pear Tomatoes.
Sliced Bananas.

Tortilla Chips.
Turkey Bologna.
Bite Size Carrots.
Popcorn.

This was a huge hit with the kiddos.
Lizard Man, age 8.
Love Bug, age 4.
I used two Wilton Mini Muffin Pans, that I bought at Goodwill.
Filled with the same things=no fighting.

They have both eaten everything before,
except the Southwestern Bean Salad.
Both did not like it.

Lizard Man finished everything except that.
He asked for more of a few things.
Growing boy!!

Love Bug ate almost all of hers.
She tried a bite of a tomato and that was it.
She is not a fan of raw tomatoes.
But I can't complain, she is not a very picky eater.
I think she just got full with the other foods.

We will be doing this more, yah!

I just wish I would have made one for me.
Next time!

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Wordless Wednesday

Our Park Visit to Ledges State Park

Punctuation Mark and daddy.

Grilled hamburgers.





Explained things to the kiddos.
Ever-learning.





Played.





Played and drank chocolate milk.





Did some bonding.





Put make-up on.





Relaxed.





Used our chompers.





Played some more.





Smiled of course!





And took lots of photos.
Lizard Man took this one.



If you ever get the chance, stop at Ledges State Park.
It is an amazing park.

Camping at Backbone State Park in Iowa - Day 1 of 2

Backbone State Park is the oldest State Park in Iowa.
Dedicated in 1920.

We went camping there last weekend.
It is one of our favorite parks in Iowa.

$6.00 camping fee per night.
I think it is the cheapest camping fee we have EVER paid.
And we've camped A LOT.
October is considered off-season for camping in Iowa.
That is why it was so cheap.





Relaxing.
And clapping.
One of Punctuation Mark's favorite things to do.
Especially with daddy.





Love Bug spent a lot of time in the playground area.
Lots and lots and lots of sand.


Lizard Man did too.
But he tries to avoid the camera at times.
And it worked this particular time.

I wish I would have brought more sand toys.
But the kids did just fine with what we had.



It was the best weather for camping.





One of the best camping experiences for us.
And I know the weather had something to do with it.
No mosquitoes.
Not even one.





This is one of my favorite photos from the trip.
Love Bug in her pink polka dotted pj's.

She's roasting marshmallows for me!!
I am the only one in our family that likes S'mores.
So far.





Simple S'mores.
Using striped chocolate shortbread cookies.
And marshmallows.
My friend, Katie's mom Annette taught me how to make them.
I call them "Simple S'mores".
Easy for little hands.
And oh so yummy too.

Left Photo=My S'more
Right Photo=Love Bug's





And off to bed.



Photos from Day 2, to come sometime this week...

Wordless Wednesday

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Camping with The Scooters.

Saturday night we went tent camping.
In eastern Iowa at Backbone State Park.

I threw the scooters in the van at the last second.
I'm so happy that I did.

The surprise for the kids was much appreciated by them.



And it was nice for us too.
As they didn't have the "I'm bored's" while we waited,
for a friend of ours to arrive.



They raced them.
Without fighting.

Which was super awesome to see.


I have lots of photos from our trip.
More to come soooooon!