Uphill Climb

One of the "disadvantages" (if you can really call it a disadvantage...) of living of a hill is that balls always roll downhill. So Isaac goes after lots of balls. But we sure do enjoy "our hill." We'd much rather walk up it than down.

This morning, Isaac and I noticed the feeling of fall in the air. Ah... one of my favorite seasons. I love everything about it: cooler temps, colored leaves, haybales and pumpkins, football and even the fragrance.

Speaking of football- this weekend is Coach Kiffen's first ballgame. My guys are headed to the game while Jonathan and I stay home. I'll get a turn later in the season... maybe.

And fall fragrances- I could not resist the urge to use some of our favorite fall fragrances this weekend. We use essential oils for everything from cleaning the potties to making the house smell of autum. Since I can't blog the smell for you...here's our favorite "Fall Fragrance."

• 10 drops of bergamont
  
• 5 drops of lemon


• 20 drops of sweet orange


• 15 drops of clove
  
• 5 drops of ginger
  
• 5 drops of nutmeg and


• 5 drops of cinnamon

A New Friend... Dora The...

Nope- No, Dora the Explorer yet. Isaac's new friend is a mare at the stables where he takes riding lessons. Ms. Sharon said Dora was "more horse" than what Isaac is use to riding, but he did great!And of course, we have to include a couple of photos of you know who....

The CRC and Gun Rights

The threat to parental rights by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is plain, but did you know that the convention would also severely impact the right to keep and bear arms? Home School Heartbeat has been discussing this issue this week with Mike Farris.

Mike Farris: "As the campaign to seek ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child intensifies, it is important for all Americans to understand how this children’s rights treaty applies to the issue of private gun ownership by American citizens.

The vast majority of Americans agree that children should not be used as soldiers. Accordingly, much of the United Nations literature that addresses children and guns deals with the issue from this military-related standpoint.

However, a second theme is quickly found in virtually all UN pronouncements about child soldiers and weapons. UN child’s rights advocates believe, teach, and promote the idea that all private gun ownership is dangerous for children, and that children have the right to grow up in a gun-free community.

Limiting the rights of gun ownership is not some secret agenda of the UN. It is open for all to see. UNICEF is the official agency charged with the worldwide advancement of children’s rights, and it has published a four-color brochure entitled No Guns, Please: We Are Children.
The brochure goes so far as to say that the very existence of guns violates the human rights of children—an assertion with grave implications for the right to keep and bear arms."

FMI visit: http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/91/hshbwk6.asp

Our Favorites

I remember the first time I "babysat" my sisters and got paid for it. Mother brought me a paperback copy of Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz." The entire 15 books soon became my favorite. I memorized the map in the front cover and thought Dorothy was the greatest of great! I still love to read... time just doesn't allow me to do as much of it as I would like. (Is it true that all homeschoolers love books?)

Now, my favorites are read-alouds like "The Bronze Bow" and " The Twenty-One Balloons." Thankfully, Eddie supports my love for books. He even added more bookshelves to the schoolroom last year. Now I have the joy of pulling Isaac's board books off the shelf and reading to Jonathan. I had forgotten how little ones like to have the same book read again and again and again and again. Each day before he naps we read. And his favorites? You guessed it "Goodnight Moon," of course. And a book Aunt Diane gave Isaac on his first birthday, "Barnyard Dance."

Eddie and Isaac have just finished "Hinds' Feet on High Places" and are starting "Mountain of Spices."
While Isaac and I are almost finished with "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch." There's just nothing better than curling up with the boys and reading a book to them. How blessed!

Jack-Jack

We have so many nicknames for Jonathan: Jon Thomas, Bud-Bud, Jonnie, JT. But Isaac has given him a new nickname: Jon-Jon. That little sprig of blonde hair reminded Isaac of Jack Jack from "The Incredibles." What a crazy couple of boys we have been blessed with. They make everyday such fun!

Pop-Tarts for Breakfast

While at a curriculum fair this summer I bought myself a new book- something to read just for fun.


And I sure am enjoying "The Vision" by Debi Pearl. She includes footer text with current information throughout the book along with the story line. When I read last night that high-fructose corn syrup contained mercury, I just had to check out her sources this morning. And guess what... those Pop-Tarts or Nestle Chocolate Mix we had for breakfast contain levels of mercury. Check it out at http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090127/mercury-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup and pass me a Nutri-Grain bar. There safe- right?
http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html

A New Toy

It's rare that we purchase toys. There are so many better things than store bought toys... like rope. One evening this week, Eddie arrived home with a huge rope. The next thing I knew, I was invited to see what Isaac and his dad had created with their treasure. I'm looking forward to trying it out this weekend.

Another First

As you probably know... I'm not a Wal-Mart shopper. Actually, I hate the place. But, one item on my shopping list this week just could not be found at any other location. So... Jonathan had another first- his first trip to Wal-Mart. I think he disliked it as much as I do. Isaac once told me that "Wal-Mart burns our time like a fire burns wood."