Hey Congress! Can't we be friends?

Perhaps I need to speak with my nephew Matthew, our residential genius but he's in Alabama listening to someone speak for the next 5 or so days, for 12 hours a day, about Economics and since he is only taking calls from his Mother, I'm not sure he will answer mine.

BUT I just don't get it? The debt ceiling talks? Have you heard about it?  What is the purpose of all this? Why would the House of Representatives and Senators be holding out and not coming up with an agreement?

I am so confused by the entire concept. I have listened to several in the news media. I have watched Fox News better yet known as the republican view point and to MS NBC the democratic viewpoint.  Is it simply media hype like the bird flu was many years ago? Where is Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtain when you need them? Remember? Point counter Point? on SNL. "Jane you ignorant ..." Or even Dana Carvey?

Ya gotta wonder. Did one of the Senators not like the way the other one buttered his bread? Maybe Polesi took the last chocolate covered biscotti? She is a women. It could happen. Women seem to be the start of all troubles. Remember Eve?

Perhaps they just need more fiber in their diets. Today I saw a pair of underwear for people who are flatulent. Hides the smell. Maybe they should get a pair of those. Ya think that'll help?

I don't think those on Capital Hill remember that a while back they passed a bill to include National Friendship Day! That's probably why they aren't getting along! It's True. Today is National Friendship Day. Brueggers is giving away free bagels. 

Calling all bug enthusiast!!

So... I'm a homeschooling Mom. I'm not great at it.  My sister is much better at it than I could even pretend to be but that's another story. This past year our homeschooling life was not the greatest in getting things done. My awesome organizational skills were little to none. 

There just never seems to be enough time in the day. Of course if I was better with time management which was an actually course that I took while in school. Yes. I passed with a B, who knows maybe a C. However, now I have no idea of what I learned!!

Calling all organizers to the rescue! 

Yep, another story. Anyway, in thinking over what type of curriculum we will follow next year,  I realized that we are really not strong in the sciences. Not a surprise, as I have been greatly focused on reading, writing and arithmetic. Better known as the three R's and haven't given much thought to other subjects.

However,  I have boys who love to build, bang and boom things forever and ever, Amen.  This year my goal is to try to become a bit more creative and open minded to other options. So I asked my children. One of the things the boys would like to do is study bugs. I know. I know. I hear you  - my one and only follower!   I hate bugs. I loathe bugs. The thought of it already has me squeamish.

I'm one of those that believe God blessed me boys was for the sole perhaps of killing bugs that come into my house. In God's great sense of humor and knowledge he sent me not one but three wonderful boys who are kind, gentle and love all of 'Earth's creatures'.

Okay. So James - the older college student in the middle - not so much anymore. But you get the point.

I have budding entomologist in my mist and as a responsible homeschooling Mother *gulp* I've got to  embrace *gag, gag*. Yeah.  Who am I kidding?

This is going to be one of those girlie-girl-yikes-screaming moments. Truly, I can feel the stress coming on.

Please HELP!!!  I need suggestions. Books to read? Things to do?  Other than posting bugs *breathe* to a board and naming them... Oh gee-sh! I have a lot to work through but in the mean time, is there anyone out there including my sister - who has suggestions other than seeking counseling - on how to get this bug party started?

Any other ideas about innovative science ideas would be great too!

Free Lego Supscription

Alexander loves Lego's

Someday he hopes to work for the company when he grows up.  One of his many ambitions. Recently, we signed up for a free (yep. F-R-E-E) 2 year subscription to Lego Club magazine. You can too, if you log on to the site. Although it takes 4 - 6 weeks to deliver the first magazine, my kids love it

 The coolest thing is that f your child is 7 years old or older they will be automatically eligible to receive Lego Club Jr. magazine, which includes stories and comic strips for them to enjoy.  It's the highlight of going to the mailbox when they find their free magazine. Hopefully yours will too.

Born on the 4th of July

Every year across our land Americans everywhere are celebrating a very special day.

and If your parents give you a really big ego, eventually you might even think those fireworks are in honor of you.... for you.

and Year after year, you may actually be bought not to let out the "big" secret.  Allowing others to think that they are celebrating their country.

and You may eventually become happy and content to simply let them eat cake. Especially if it's chocolate.

And wish those wonderful people of your country a Very Happy 4th of July in honor of your very special birthday in the USA.

Happy Birthday! 

Mission Control, this is Apollo

Many years ago, thanks to the wisdom of my Mother, my Father applied and worked for NASA in Florida. Because of their foresight my brother's, sister's and I had a fantastic opportunity as young children to experience several of the Apollo explorations while living in Satellite Beach, a town or two from Titusville. The home of the Kennedy Space Center. 

Back in February of this year our younger boys and I visited my Mother while she spent a month in Florida. On the way back from our wonderful trip I decided to take a detour by my childhood home and therefore take the boys to NASA..

Growing up close to a world of space innovation, or perhaps to the excitement of our parents, each of my brothers and sisters learned to appreciate the history of space exploration.


Be as it may, I was extremely pleased when both of my younger boys found the same love and fascination. Especially,  my sweet Alexander. Even before our trip, Alexander had built quite a collection of different aircraft's with Lego's and has since hoped for this everyday since we have gotten back from our trip.

In my haste to run out and buy these and many other things my son wants, we headed to the library instead. Thankfully he found just the book he has been "looking for all of his life!". 

       


He's 10.










Mission Control, This is Apollo
The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon














This 100+ page colorfully illustrated book was written by Andrew Chaikin. A man who has been writing about space exploration for 25 years and as chance would have it, actually met Alan Bean when he was 12 years old, back in 1969 and is pictured on the back insert cover. Indeed, an amusing recount of fate.

This book is recommended for ages between 9 - 12 with the idea of introducing them into space exploration at an early age. It is quite rich in text with a lot of information and has a great deal of interesting facts. I too found this book to be fascinating. It is definably a book that should be shared with your child when they have your full attention. It is well worth the time spent to refresh your history of what it took to have "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind".

Each mission from Apollo 1 to 17 is explained in great detail about space exploration's successes and failures. The book details each part of the rocket, who designed it, why it was designed and how. In it the author covers the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States and proves informative on even more pressing issues like what happens "when you gotta go".

This book certainly depicts a wonderful collection paintings detailing special moments of each mission. It  is  beautifully illustrated. As I stated earlier Alan Bean, astronaut, turned artist, began his artistic career after he returned from a Skylab mission in 1973.

All in all, we feel we found another hit during our library trip and give this book a thumbs up!  This book is definitely is a must for your budding astronaut.

In my opinion, the best part of this book is the dedication page where the author and illustrator both smartly thanked their Mother's. Another very important teaching tool. Need I say anymore?

Alexander feels that the artist pictures and his work is the number one reason of why we should buy the Apollo book. In fact, he suggested it would make a fine addition to our coffee table. I would suggest that if  you purchase this book, keep it open to page 2, simply as a constant reminder for your children to often Appreciate and Acknowledge their Mother.

(Right, Mom?)

All The Dirt

Recently my cousin left a comment in reference to giving more dirt.  

"be sure to include a little dirt here and there!" She said.

 Regina,  her daughter Mary Kate and my husbands knee.   

Well! As luck would have it. It stormed here last night.  

MAN o Man what a storm it was! Gray gloomy clouds gave way to black. In the distance we heard thunder roar as the clouds suddenly turned to an ominous green. Then POW!

Flashes of lightening danced in the night, as golf ball size hail plummeted from the sky. Ends up loads of trees uprooted leaving even more Dirt!! .






My Mother's pool was covered.

The DIRT was every where!  Clean up was exhausting! 

My brother George

Mud holes so deep you could swim in them.

Literally.

Thankfully the storm has passed and I sincerely hope I satisfied your need for dirt my dear Regina.

 BUT It's to bad you didn't ask for a bit of gossip. I've got plenty of really good stuff for that!

           

Diamond in the Ruff

What kind of Mother goes to her childrens piano recital and forgets to check ti see whether or not the batteries in her camera are working properly?

A heart broken One, who lost a very sentimental diamond out of her engagement ring. That's who.