MarytheKaytheBlog

Happy President's Day!

 Happy President's Day!  In honor of some of our greatest Presidents (and some of my own personal favorites) I thought it would be fun to celebrate--once again--with some TRIVIA and VIDEOS!! 

(This is a re-posting from last year.  Want more trivia?  Check out another President's Day post!)

How much do you know about our Presidents?  We'll find out in a minute, won't we?  The more I learn about our early Presidents, the more they become my heroes!  I want to teach our children about the character qualities of great men like Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.  I want our children to be inspired by their stories of perseverance, bravery, ingenuity, faith. 

Start some great conversations about our Presidents with your kids at breakfast or dinner today--see how many of these answers they know!

President's Day Trivia

 1.  Who was the smallest—and lightest President, weighing only 100 lbs?  

2.  Who was the heaviest President, who ordered an enormous new bathtub for the White House after he got stuck in the existing one?  

3.  Which President took an early-morning skinny dip in the Potomac River most days?

4.  Which 4 Presidents were assassinated?  

5.  Which musical President rose before dawn each day (as a boy) to spend 2 hours practicing the piano?  

6.  Which President, in earlier careers, worked as a fashion model and Yellowstone park ranger?  

7.  Who was the only President not affiliated with a political party?  

8.  Which President named Camp David after his grandson…David?  

9.  Who was the first President born in a hospital?  

10.  Which President's personal library of 6,000 books became the basis for the Library of Congress? 

Resources to Share with your Family

1)  Want your kids to learn the Presidents in order?  This fun song not only teaches their names, but an interesting fact about each!

 

(Click here to view video of The Presidents Song)

2)  How about an overview of George Washington's greatness? When you watch this Animated History of George Washington, be sure to listen for these key words:  Courage...Character...Unanimously...Leadership

  

(Click here to view video on George Washington) 

3) Watch Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (an excerpt) - Animated Hero Classics, Nest Family Entertainment - We have collected some of these faith-based videos/dvds for our daughters through the years, and they are wonderful!  Why not WATCH some of these cartoons with your family today--to celebrate President's Day!  Excerpts of the George Washington and Abraham Lincoln videos are posted on YouTube. 

 

(Click here to watch Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address)

 

4)  Hands-down, the best storyteller I have ever heard (besides my dad, of course!) is Jim Weiss.  I had the pleasure of hearing him at a denim jumper convention tell stories about the first 5 presidents, and it was one of the best lessons in history I have EVER heard.   He made early American history come ALIVE for me that day!  I highly recommend any of his Greathall Productions, which are audiobooks he has recorded on cd.  Or,download an mp3 about the fascinating life of Thomas Jefferson! 

 

I hope you have a great day celebrating our nation's rich history! 

Want MORE Presidential trivia?  Have you checked out my post from previous years' President's Days?

Who was YOUR favorite President?  Why?

Happy President's Day: Trivia Challenge!!

 Happy President's Day!  In honor of some of our greatest presidents, and my own personal favorites, I thought it would be fun to celebrate with some TRIVIA and VIDEOS!!

How much do you know about our presidents?  We always refer to them as our country's "Forefathers," but what do we really know about them?  The more I learn about our early presidents, the more they become my heroes!  I want to teach our children about the character qualities of great men like Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.  I want our children to be inspired by their stories of perseverance, bravery, ingenuity, faith. 

Start some great conversations about our presidents with your kids at breakfast or dinner today--see how many of these answers they know!

1.  Who was the tallest American president?

2.  Who was the shortest American president?

3.  Which 2 presidents died on the very same day--same year?  (You HAVE to read this explanation!  I get chills every time I read about these great men who loved our country so much!)

4.  Which president had wooden teeth? (Trick question!!)

5.  Which president served the shortest term?

6.  Who was the first president with a beard?

 7.  Why did he grow a beard?

8.  Who was the only unanimously elected president?

9.  Whose inauguration speech was the shortest--only 133 words? (and took him only 90 seconds to deliver!)

10.  Which president was related to 11 other presidents (by blood or marriage)?

 Want a FUN way to introduce President's Day to your kids?  How about with a MAGIC TRICK...starring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln!

(Click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

Resources to Share With Your Family 

1)  Hands-down, the very best storyteller I have ever heard (besides my dad, of course!) is Jim Weiss.  I have had the pleasure of hearing him at a denim jumper convention tell stories about the first 5 presidents, and it was one of the best lessons in history I have EVER heard.   He made early American history come ALIVE for me that day!  I highly recommend any of his Greathall Productions, which are audiobooks he has recorded on cd.  We don't own his Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America, but I'm sure it is as amazing as his other titles.

2)  I cannot recommend this enough:  Take your kids on a family vacation to see Mount Rushmore!  Not only will your kids learn so much about our country's history, but they will have a BLAST!  I've outlined our family's trip to Mount Rushmore, and have given lots of helpful tips!

3) Animated Hero Classics, Nest Family Entertainment - We have collected some of these faith-based videos/dvds for our daughters through the years, and they are wonderful!  Why not WATCH some of these cartoons with your family today--to celebrate President's Day! 

 

  

And now, some resources for YOU!  Two historical fiction books about these great men and their wives that I read and enjoyed!  They both are considered well-researched, which is important to me.

Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark

and The Emancipator's Wife by Barbara Hambly

   

In closing, I leave you with one of the greatest pieces of writing our Forefathers helped create for our nation...a la Barney Fife!  Enjoy the video, enjoy the day!

(click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

How will YOU celebrate our greatest presidents today?

(Mount Rushmore photo credit: nps.gov)

To tell you the truth...

In honor of Tuesdays, and Tell Your Truth Tuesdays like my good friend Carissa usually writes about, I thought I would tell you some truth.

Wait.  That doesn't sound good.  That sounds like every other day, I'm not telling the truth...

Well, surely you know what I mean.  Right?

 

Here's the deal:  I haven't written much lately, and I'm sorry.  There are lots of reasons why I haven't written...but since I love lists, I'll sum it up in 3 reasons.

 

1.  I haven't had anything brilliant to say.  (Uh...unlike other days, when I have LOTS of brilliant things???  I think not!!)  Call it a slump, a writer's block, a search for more writing purpose.  In the almost 3 years I've written this blog, I've been faithful to write fresh material 4-5 days every week.  In the last 6 months or so, I've been extending myself extra grace and permission not to write, when family and life have taken precedence.

Which brings me to #2...

2.  For the first time in 7 years, I haven't been in charge of my 7th grade daughter's education.  This has been a wonderful change and transition into public school for Rebecca.  However, not teaching Rebecca has also been a transition for me.  I had NO IDEA how stressful, and out-of-control our lives had gotten in the past couple of years.  I am grateful for the intense curriculum schedule our daughters' homeschool academy required these past 3 years, but it also took a toll on our family--and me.  

For the first time in at least 4 years, I am taking a much more relaxed approach to schooling.  (I am still homeschooling our youngest in 2nd grade.)  I have spent these first 2 1/2 months of school breathing easier, and tackling some home projects that I haven't had time for.  

This relaxed approach (to schooling AND to life) has helped me regain my passion for educating and engaging my daughter's creative little mind.

Which brings me to #3...  (It's funny how all of this is connected!)

3.  I have been on a year-long search for the best way to help my sweet little 2nd grader learn.  I started noticing some gaps in her learning last year--in de-coding words, spelling, and handwriting.  Not only was her homeschool academy teacher noticing these gaps as well, but Sara Beth was starting to feel "behind" and "not as smart" as some of the other kids in her class.

I knew Sara Beth was really smart--I just knew there was something "not clicking" with phonics and handwriting.  I can't tell you the number of hours and topics I've googled, as well as the number of educators' brains I've picked, trying to figure out what her issue is, and how best to help her.

We decided to keep Sara Beth home from the homeschool academy this year, so that she can gain some confidence as we find the key to her learning gaps.  I've visited with some educational specialists, and recently had her tested by a vision therapy specialist.  We are still waiting on some conclusive results, but I can see that we are on the RIGHT PATH, and there is SUCCESS in Sara Beth's near future!!  Hooray!!!

In case any of you are struggling with learning issues with your little ones, I'll mention some of my FAVORITE DISCOVERIES on this journey so far.  I promise to write a whole post soon on these educational discoveries!!!  But, in the meantime, I'll just list them, in case you want to check them out.

All About Spelling and All About Reading - Can't say enough wonderful things about these programs!!!!  Hands-down, the best programs for Sara Beth right now!

Handwriting Without Tears - Love.  Sometimes we don't even do a full lesson.  We do just enough for Sara Beth to experience success, before feeling frustrated and tired.

Five in a Row - In keeping with our relaxed learning this year, this program has been a wonderful tool for gleaning some geography, social studies, art, and language arts from beautifully illustrated story books we read together.  We don't do it every day--we just use this resource to enrich our school week.

Being more committed to reading interesting books to Sara Beth every. single. day.  I want her to love reading.  The best way I can keep that desire kindled in her while she deals with some learning and vision frustrations, is to READ TO HER.  Read to her interesting and exciting books--that she begs me to "read just one more chapter, Mom!"

Okay, that's enough truth for your Tuesday.  *smile*

What's YOUR truth today?

 

Image credit: A Young Girl Reading, Jean-Honore' Fragonard, National Gallery of  Art

Let's do some learnin' Linky Dinks

Lately, I've been scouring the web for some educational help for my cute little 2nd grader that I homeschool.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE when I can find creative and fun ways to teach new concepts.  I also LOVE great educational phone apps.  I thought it would be fun to share some of my recent finds with you.  

I'd sure LOVE to hear about some of YOUR great educational finds!

 

Let's get this show on the road with some DANCING!!!  Nothing gets the brain ready for learning like some heart-pumping movement!  Come on, kids, get up outta ya chairs and let's get moving!!  (This is the same guy who is famous for Double Dream Hands.  If you just said, "Huh?" then you HAVE TO click here first!!!)

Click here if you can't view the video below

 

How fun is this activity I found on Pinterest?  Reinforcing spelling AND counting money!

Source: teacherspayteachers.com via MarytheKay on Pinterest

 

 

This is a FUN idea for early reading!  Especially for those learners who like to MOVE.

 

THIS is just what we need right now for addition and subtraction practice!  PragmaticMom compiles a whole list of addition and subtraction games and phone apps.  Right this minute, I'm going to grab 10 pennies and try out the subtraction game!!

 

Middle school alert!!!  How about some cool songs to help your 5th-8th grader learn science or grammar facts?  Love.

 

I admit.  I am a big sucker for How it's Made kind of shows.  I found the one below on how the mail is sorted just fascinating!

Click here if you cannot view video below

 

 

It's so easy to forget how even a simple craft can delight even your oldest learners!  

 

What a FUN--and educational--placemat for your Thanksgiving meal!

 

Okay, TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!

What are some great educational resources you've found lately?

What I'm Into Right Now...

1. Sleeping with open windows - I forgot how MUCH I like sleeping with open windows when the temperatures drop...until I opened our bedroom windows that first night.  I love snuggling beneath my comforter in the chilly air, and I love hearing the wind blow through the trees.  Let's just face it:  I love fall.

2. Making sweet rolls in my waffle maker

Source: ahensnest.com via MarytheKay on Pinterest

 

- Has anyone else tried this Pinterest trick?  I finally got around to trying it out, and I LOVE the results!  Such a fun--and quick--way to make breakfast.

3. Elvis cake - Oh. My. Hound. Dog. is this ever some good cake!  A friend made one for Dave's big 50th birthday, and I gotta tell ya--I'm all shook up over it...especially since I just can't help believin' that I don't have any more pieces of its sugary goodness.  Thank ya, thank ya very much, Pinterest!

4. A cool shower after a (very) sweaty run - I must confess...that the Netflix and I are running on the treadmill lately, and that equals a very sweaty run.  Shoo-ee, that cool shower show does feel good.  (Name that Hillbilly)

5. A cold G2 after a run.  Perfection! - Oh my heavenly drink!  Have ya'll tried G2?  It is Gatorade's low-calorie electrolyte drink.  After a long run, an ice-cold G2 is even better than Coca-Cola!

6. Wearing my favorite hot pink jacket on cool mornings - Nothing says "happy jacket" like stretchy spandex, good pockets, and a happy pink color!

7. Crockpot cooking - Mmm!  I love it when it's Chicken and Noodles weather (How's Yer Whatachicken?)  And chili weather.  And potato soup weather.  And taco soup weather.  And...well, you get the idea.

 8.  Shopping the book aisle at Target...and making purchases!! - I just bought 3 new books, and can't wait to crack them open!  I'll tell you all about them soon!  But, first--I have to finish The Maze Runner.

 9.  Laid back days that don't feel like we're running at break-neck speed - With Rebecca in junior high, and Sara Beth doing school only at home this year, our days are MUCH more laid back.  I didn't realize just how crazed and stressed I was last year.  This year, Sara Beth and I are taking our time, enjoying reading together on the couch, doing lots of movement and activity while learning, and even taking spontaneous field trips.  These kind of days are exactly what I love about homeschooling.  Not the long to-do list getting checked off, but having the luxury to follow the learning spark, in whichever direction it leads everyday.

 10.  Small Group study - Our small group at church just started a new study about marriage, Sacred Marriage.  Whoa.  We've only done the first week, and already it has resonated deeply with me--and for Dave, too.  The whole premise of the book turns e-ver-y-thing the world tells us about romance and love, upside down.  And so far--it makes a heck of a lot of sense!

 What are YOU into right now?

Here's some truth for your Tuesday

In lieu of a well-planned, and thoughtful post on a mentally stimulating topic...you know--how ALL my posts usually are...I am going to shoot ya some truth today.  Mostly, because it's late, and I have a little one that won't quit asking me questions until I physically remove her from the room ask her sweetly one more time to GO. TO. BED.

Plus, I just love it when people are real with me.  So, I am going to be real with you today.  Unlike other days, when I am unreal.

1.  I didn't drink a Coke today.  Well, until 4pm, when it felt like an emergency for me to have one.  My Coke drinking got a little ridiculous towards the end of summer camp (not unusual), so I decided to slow down on my intake for a while.  (Could I get any more non-committal???  At least I am self-aware.  Right?)

2.  I am feeling really good about Rebecca's experiences so far at the junior high.  She is making new friends, and generally enjoying her time there.  She's not real thrilled about having to wake up early every day...but, then, neither is her mother.  *grin*

3.  On the other hand, with homeschooling Sara Beth, I am experiencing what I experience EVERY YEAR with homeschooling:  PANIC.  Can I really do this again?  I just today received most of her new curriculum, and I feel unprepared and un-organized.  I am feeling at a total loss with helping her figure out spelling and handwriting.  I researched a TON, and bought curriculum that I think will help...but, again--PANIC.

4.  I do believe I have a pair of big girl panties in a drawer, and I am going to pull them on, take a deep breath, and do my very, very best for Sara Beth this year.  And, some days, that is going to require a good stiff Coke to accomplish that.  (See #1 above)

5.  I made some Mini Caramel Brownie Bites for a sweet friend today.  Usually, I struggle getting these brownies perfectly out of the mini muffin pan, so I had the BRIGHT IDEA to use mini cupcake papers.  Bad, with a capital B. Idea.  Half the brownie sticks to the paper.  Excuse me while I chew on some brownie wrappers...  Dangit.

6.  I got my hair cut last week.  And it's SHORT!!!  Just-under-the-ears kind of short!  Have I mentioned here that I have hair fixing issues?  Unlike Annelle, I do not have the ability to do good hair.  I have 2 friends who are doing some round-brush blowdryer counseling with me, and I may even need an intervention.  But, little by little, I am figuring out how to fix my hairs.  When I am learnt better how to fix it where it doesn't look like a brown football helmet, I will post a picture.

Well, good gravy dee!  Have I chattered on enough today?  Can you HANDLE the truth? (Name that movie)

What's YOUR truth today?

Her Very First Day in Public School

7 years ago, a little fair-haired girl in white velcro Keds, and the cutest pigtails you've ever seen, started school.  But, that day, she sat at our dining table--legs dangling--and I sat next to her, teaching her how to hold a pencil, and write her name, and line up plastic butterflies for counting.  That day, we snuggled on the couch and read a book together, and took turns eating M&Ms for correct answers.

Today, she puts on skinny jeans and a t-shirt, and sparkly Tom's shoes, and wears her fair hair down, straightened, and looking much older than she should.  Today, she gathers her backpack and clarinet, and rushes out the door, nervous and excited.  Mostly nervous. Today, she sits in a classroom, and another teacher gets to see the sparkle in her eyes as she "gets" the new concepts.  Today, she prays that friends will want to sit by her in class, and in the lunch room, and that her mom doesn't make her wait too long at pick-up.

Today, my girl--my sweet, smart, beautiful, crazy funny, and creative soul--spreads her wings a little wider.  

It's a bittersweet day for her mama.  I'm nudging my reluctant girl to the edge of the nest a bit.  My heart hurts for her insecurities and anxiety.  But, I know this is right.  This is the right time, and the right place.

And I know she is going to spread those beautiful wings, those tentative and lovely wings, and she will fly.  

Image credit

What we've been up to (in pictures)

Ya'll.

I know.  I've been terrible, horrible, and no good at keeping up on the blog lately.  Things have just been busy busy around here.  Okay, and maybe...just maybe...a certain person has been slightly ADDICTED to a show on Netflix at night, when she could have been blogging.  But, the good news is:  I finally finished all 4 seasons.  I loved every minute of the nail-biting suspense.  The bad news is:  My favorite guy died in the finale.  Oh, but he died so honorably--which is JUST like him.

Oh wait.  The show is make-believe.

But back to my lame excuses for why I've not been blogging much this summer.

How about I just show you?

Cousin Camp 2012 - Every summer my parents try to get all the grandkids together for several days.  My girls LOVE hanging out with their cousins.  I snapped this picture of my handsome nephews.  I seriously love these boys.

 

Sara Beth's baptism - Sara Beth has been asking for a while to get baptized.  We wanted her to wait until she was old enough to remember it someday.  Finally, we found a date that most of our family could be there.  It was such a special day--to have her Pops pray for her, and her daddy baptize her.

 

 

Speaking of Sara Beth...this has been a big month for her!  She got BRACES!!  Here is the before...

And here she is after!  Doesn't she look super cute?  I know...I am a little biased..

 

But, what about Rebecca???  What's she been up to, you ask?

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!  My darling girl, my first-born, my blond-haired beauty...is registering for Junior High!!!!   After homeschooling her for 7 years, it is time for my girl to spread her wings a bit.  I'm sure I'll shed some tears on the first day of school, but I just know she'll do great.

 

Lunch with an old friend - Why, oh why didn't we take a current picture at lunch?? This lovely prom picture was taken...well, quite a few years ago!!  This dear friend and I had a 4-hour lunch last week.  We chattered the time away, just like we always have.  I've probably seen Stacey only twice in the last 15 years--and she is as dear a friend now as she ever was!  

That reminds me... I first met Stacey on my very first day of Junior High.  I can only PRAY that Rebecca meets a dear friend like this on HER very first day of Junior High...  Would you pretty please join me in praying for that?  Seriously, I would be SO honored if you would.

 

Dave and Otis - I'm so glad my husband is kind, and spontaneous.  Just today, we were driving past Otis' house--way out in west Branson--and Dave said, "We should stop in real quick and see Otis!"  Even before I could say, "Let's just get on back to Kamp," Dave had pulled into the gravel driveway just off the highway.  It wasn't long before Otis came out the front door, grinning and telling stories.  Within the first 5 minutes, he had asked about all the Kamp kids he loves so much, and our girls--who he's only met once or twice--but never fails to ask about.  Otis is 81-years-old, and still works hard.  He no longer works as a night security guard at our Kamp, but he still works outside, and works his farm every day.  He said that "Just yes'terdy I walk back 'ere down 'at hill and carry't a baby calf up 'ere.  Her mama started beller'in for her, too!  She said, 'MOO!'"

That Otis, he still tells the best stories.  And he is love, poured out.  When he found out we had a guy in our van that we picked up at the airport, and we should go, so we could take him on to Kamp--Otis walked right over to the van, said, "Well, I've got to go meet the feller!"  He introduced himself, and told Anthony--"Yer headed to a good place!  These are good people.  Ya have a good time, ya hear?"

He gave Anthony a big snaggle-tooth grin, and  a firm working-man's handshake.  

And that was the best 15 minutes of my whole day.

 

That's what I've been up to!  

What about you?  What have you been up to lately?

My Feelings about Homeschool: Some Days I Love it, and Some Days I Want to Say: #%@$# !!!

At the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead school in De Smet, South Dakota

Last week I mentioned I was heading to the Denim Jumper Convention (Also known to some as the Homeschool Convention).  I must admit--the ladies in denim jumpers did not disappoint.  There were jumpers in a whole rainbow of colors and plaids.  There were also lots and lots of long denim skirts, and so many pregnant women and babies in wraps that I was a little afraid.  Not to worry, though.  I did NOT drink the water.

You do understand that I am saying all of this a little tongue in cheek, right?  Because,  although there WERE ladies dressed in denim jumpers, of course, there were also plenty of ladies dressed just like me--rolled up jeans, a 3/4 cardigan, and my Chacos.  (My Spring uniform).

Just like there were differently dressed ladies at the convention, so are there lots of different reasons families choose to homeschool.  Since I get asked all the time about our family's experience and reasons behind our school choices, I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain it a little.

If I had to sum up our family's experience in homeschooling in one sentence, this is what it would be:

I LOVE the RESULT of having homeschooled our daughters, but many times during the homeschool day, I want to yell, scream, nag, hug, cry, run away, drink a Coke, smoke a cigarette, drink whiskey, grin, giggle, jump up and down, or curl into a fetal position. 

In other words, homeschooling has been good for our family, but most days, in the process, I want to toss it out the window and put my daughters on the school bus driving past our house.  Sure, there are wonderful moments I would have otherwise missed out--when one of the girls "gets" a concept.  Those moments I want to jump up and down and squeal for joy.  Or, when I notice pretty handwriting on something and I think, "I DID THAT!!  I taught her how to write!!!"

I know I've mentioned this before, but I pretty much came into homeschooling kicking and screaming.  I went to college to become a high school English teacher--a public school teacher.  My husband went to college to become an elementary math and science teacher.  Both of our families had teachers before us--public school teachers.  My husband and I were both mostly public school taught.  So, why would we want to homeschool--with all of our public school background?

Well, my husband and I are both trained teachers.  Between the two of us, we have all major subjects covered.  Even though I LOVE the act of teaching, it was my husband who first felt strongly that we should homeschool for our daughters' beginning school years.  He felt like our giving them one-on-one instruction at home would give them a solid foundation--educationally and spiritually--for their later years. 

Even though I agreed with Dave's outlook, I had never pictured myself teaching my kids at home.  It took me a while (okay, a WHOLE LOT of ARGUMENTS), to begin exploring what homeschooling could look like for me.

At the end of our discussions (fights), I decided to compromise (give in), and homeschool our girls K-2nd grade.  I would give them 3 years of a solid foundation at home, and then send them off to school in town.

Emotionally, that was all I could handle thinking about.  I knew I could handle 3 years.  After that, we both agreed that if I wanted to continue homeschooling, it would be my decision.  Or, if I wanted to put them into school, it would also be my decision.  At that point, I could NOT have handled thinking that I would homeschool the girls all the way through school.  Dave would have had to put me in the loony bin if that had been the case.  I couldn't even have handled thinking I would homeschool for 7 years--which is what I've done for our oldest.

Dave giving me the reins to decide whether to continue homeschooling after 2nd grade was the best thing he could have done.  Knowing the decision was mine gave me complete freedom to explore what was best educationally and emotionally for the girls each school year--and also to make sure I was really up to the challenge.  If the decision had been partly Dave's at that point, I'm sure I would have felt defensive about any of the decisions, instead of realistic. 

 As Rebecca finished 2nd grade, I decided to keep her home for another year or two mainly because of one thing:  Her little sister.

Because our daughters ended up being much farther apart in years that we'd planned, I felt like keeping Rebecca home another year or two would help them become closer, despite their 4 1/2-year age difference.  When Rebecca was 8, and going into the 3rd grade, Sara Beth, at 3 1/2,  was just beginning to play the same things as her big sister.

In retrospect, having both girls home together has been one of the BEST things we've done in homeschooling.  Now, to be completely honest, having both girls home together has also nearly driven me to CRAZY TOWN.  Those girls fight, and bicker, and tattle, and get on each others' nerves on purpose, and on a daily basis.  However.  I have also gotten to watch Rebecca's nurturing side as she's helped Sara Beth with schoolwork.  I've watched Sara Beth encourage her big sister.  And through the years, I've watched a friendship and dependence on each other blossom, even in spite of all the daily bickering.

 Okay, I've probably lost most of you by now with all my homeschool chatting.  For those that ARE still reading, I'll continue these riveting thoughts another day.  I'd love to tell you some of the best things I've learned along the way, and maybe save you some trouble (or a Zoloft prescription) if ever you decide to embark on the homeschool journey.

Also, if you have any burning homeschool questions, I'd LOVE to answer them in the continuation!

The Denim Jumper Convention: VOTE on which denim jumper I should wear

Well, hello, dearest readers!  It's that time of year again... That time of year when I attend the Denim Jumper Convention--also known to some of the more serious (boring) crowd as "The Homeschool Convention."

But, why would I call it the Homeschool Convention, when Denim Jumper Convention is much more fun to say??

In anticipation of the Denim Jumper Convention this weekend, I was going to write a long post about why I homeschool...or some of the great things that have come out of homeschooling...or about how we homeschool...  But, as homeschooling life typically does to me--I have run out of time.  I've been busy reading Uncle Tom's Cabin to Rebecca (nearly put myself to sleep in Chapter 43!), and helping Sara Beth make a giant posterboard timeline of Moses' life.  Oh, and watching an episode of My Fair Wedding with the girls while we ate Chinese takeout for dinner.  (Because Mama was too tired to cook!)

In lieu of a very scholarly and highly entertaining (I'm sure) post about homeschooling in our family, I am offering you the chance to VOTE on WHICH DENIM JUMPER I should wear this weekend...you know--to the Denim Jumper Convention.  (How many times can I say those words...Denim Jumper Convention?  Ha!  Said 'em again!)

 

Here goes!  Please vote for only ONE choice.  I know these jumpers are VERY DIFFERENT in style...Just pick the one you like best:

Denim Jumper #1  (always a classic...especially when paired with my anklets and Keds.)

 

Denim Jumper #2  (a little racier, as it shows more leg)

Denim Jumper #3  (the embellishments just make it special, don't they?)

Denim Jumper #4  (a little more form-fitting--but don't worry--not too much!)

 

Okay, what do you think?  Which Denim Jumper is the snazziest and most stylish???  I want to be sure to STAND OUT this weekend at the convention.

And while I'm rubbing elbows with my fellow Jumpers, I do hope you fine readers have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back here on Monday to tell you all about the convention!  Or, feel free to find me chatting about it on The Twitter.

Goodnight, good people.

(Okay, okay...In effort to remain honest...I must confess...I have not owned a denim jumper since 1992, when I sold my last one at a garage sale.  But...I secretly wish they would come back into fashion--they were SO comfortable!)

What exciting things are you doing this weekend?