A Magical Life

The plan :-)

2010-10-23T23:50:00.003-04:00

We have made a plan!

We are planning to finish fixing up this house, pay off our debt and buy an RV and travel full time.

I know, this sounds crazy, but...well, we are. ;-P

We are seeing this as the perfect opportunity to live an amazing dream! To be out and see the world, to let the kids grow up traveling and learning about everything first hand. To be truly free, no schedules, no weekends, no "Sorry Papa is at work till 6:30 today". Wake up when we want stay where we want, and BE where want.

I'm planing to blog about our progress, and keep updates on what we are doing to prepare. At this point our goal is to be out in 3 years. Three years from now we will be living in a RV and traveling this country.

So what is the first step for us? Budgeting and paying off our dept. We have a good amount. But we plan on focusing on the credit card with the highest interest rate and plugging away at it, and then when it's paid off, that amount will get added to the next highest rated card, and it will snow ball from there. See they are almost paid off, lol.

The other thing we are doing is IMMERSING ourselves in all things RV. I don't want to lose focus, I don't want to talk in "if"s" and "hopes". We are going and we will do this. I'm subscribing to every RV chat forum out there, to at least one magazine (only one, we have to save money) so there will be a monthly reminder, and articles to read and pictures to cut out and stick up everywhere.

The other BIG step is figuring out an income. YIKES!! But my thought is we just have to be OPEN to all different types of income. Working from place to place, volunteering, maybe making and selling on etsy, stealing... Just kidding. There are also lots of on line work from home opportunities. I've been playing with the idea of Web design, but being computer illiterate makes me a little hesitant. But we have 3 years to figure that out.

We are so excited and it's been so much fun to start to learn all about this lifestyle! Woo Hoo!!

Isaac's trip to the dentist

2010-06-08T14:06:00.002-04:00

Went GREAT! I whole heartedly recommend the practice we went to. It's Groton Wellness. They are an holistic dentist and do not push or even recommend flouride. They believe in treating the whole patient and not just drilling and filling. They are also a spa...:~)

Isaac does have cavities, but since we've been incorporating some of the WAP philosphies there has not been any progresion in the decay. So we will go back in 6 months and see how things look.

Everyone there was so friendly and helpful. They NEVER made us feel like bad parents because our child has cavities. The hygeintist cleaned Isaac's teeth while Isaac was sitting in Sam's lap. She had tried to put the chair back, but when he got up set she put the chair up right and did all the work like that. They talked *to* Isaac the whole time, not at him or just to us. Isaac was laughing by the end of the cleaning. They even gave him cool spiderman sunglasses to wear for the cleaning so the light didn't bother him.

After the cleaning we went to their bistro, and got fruit smoothies and sprouted grain cookies. Yeah, they actually had sprouted grain cookies, oh and gluten free brownies. Then we went to find a pair of spiderman sunglasses for Isaac. :~) Who ever thought a day at the dentist would be so much fun!!!

Blog slacker

2010-06-06T23:09:00.003-04:00

So Facebook and Blogs seem to be in direct competition, lol. Everyone I know that was blogging about their kids and life seems to have stopped once they got on Facebook.

So why was/am I keeping a blog? Well to keep friends and family or anyone who might care up to date on our doings. Also, because we are going to be homeschooling I was planning to keep up with our documenting our activities in preparation for end of the year evaluations. That way when we really have to do it, it will already be part of my life.

However, with two young kids, a house, whole foods to cook/prep, and a mini farm there just doesn't seem to be enough time. Plus, my personal need to add pictures, but my complete laziness about uploading them from my camera to my PC, doesn't help.

So for now I'm a blog slacker. I really do want to keep up with it, keep it current with what's happening. Hoping to get my act together and keep up with this more. :~) My other issue as I'm realizing right now: I really can't get to writing until my little guys are in bed, but by then I'm pooped and am no longer capable of producing coherent sentences. ;~)

Alright, off to bed. Isaac;s first dentist appointment is tomorrow, and we have to drive all the way to Groton Mass. Must.get.to.bed.

Brothers

2010-02-06T11:40:00.002-05:00

Isaac and Jacoby playing together. I can see how interested in Isaac, Jacoby is. He loves to watch his big brother running around and playing. I remember Isaac being like that when we'd go to LLL meetings and the older boys would be running by, Isaac would just get so excited and you could just see he wanted to run. Coby is just the same, he can't wait to RUN!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Couch forts

2010-01-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

Here is Isaac in his couch fort. He loves rearranging the pillows to make different tunnels and crawl spaces. This time Coby was at the exit in his exersaucer and got a kick out of Isaac jumping out in front of him.
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Isaac at the computer

2009-12-31T20:47:00.000-05:00

He's getting so good at playing on the computer. He's gotten to the point with most games, that I just have to get him set up with the game and he can do the rest. It is so amazing how fast he's picked it up. He's even figured out how to navigate netflix and youtube for the most part. My little genius!

2009-12-28T19:40:00.002-05:00

Jacoby was born Sept 22. He weighed in at 8lbs
Isaac meets Jacoby for the first time. He loves him so much.

Snuggly little baby.

Computer learning

2009-08-15T18:17:00.000-04:00

Isaac is learning to use the computer. He likes playing the PBS games, Thomas and Friends, and here he is playing Roary matching game. Sam does most of the playing with him, usually when he gets home from work and I'm cooking dinner. Lately Isaac is trying to use the mouse more and more. It's neat to see how fast he's getting it. He had complete control over the mouse when playing the matching game, he knew which cards he wanted to turn and he was able to do it.
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Cukes

2009-08-13T10:27:00.001-04:00

Bringing some cukes in from the garden.

These pictures are me testing my phone downloading capabilities...

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Look at my cukes!

2009-08-13T10:18:00.001-04:00

Isaac loves picking cukes (or anything) form the garden.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Our day at Odiorne

2009-08-05T12:08:00.003-04:00

Isaac loves all things exploring! We've been watching a lot of Deadliest Catch, and visiting the lobsters (wobblers) at the grocery store, so he was very excited to see and hold some crabs (crabbers)

That would be one happy Isaac with a crab in his hand.

One of the bigger crabs we found. Certainly not a keeper per Deadliest Catch standards, ;~)

Sam found a one for Isaac to hold. Isaac is just sooo happy! :~)

At one point a young girl (tween age) came over to us to see what we had found. She Isaac what he had and he held up his hand and yells "Crabbers!!!"

After crabbing for a while we went to the playground.

Walking the path...

At the Ice House after, Isaac got mint chocolate chip with jimmies. :~)

Which he loved!

A lot!

The sunset on our ride home.

Isaac asked to go to the bathroom so we pulled over at the Old Navy in Portsmouth to go and as we were pulling into the parking lot there was a little bunny in one of the grassy dividers. Not the best pic but it was pretty dark, and obviously I couldn't get too close. Isaac was so excited to see the bunny, and really how odd that it was in a parking lot of a city!

A completely exhausted Isaac finally home and sleeping. :~) zzzz

I have to say, I'm wasn't inclined to go to Odiorne because it lacks a sandy beach, but we had the BEST time, and I would go back in an instant! On the other hand, it's a lot of walking for an 8 1/2 months pregnant lady, lol. Still worth though!

Octopus's Garden

2009-07-26T15:19:00.000-04:00

We were listening to The Beatles the other day and that song came on and Isaac was singing along to it. It was so cute! Then he was asking to hear it again, he kept pulling out the CD's and saying, "me hear octopus garden?"
This morning he woke up and was singing it to us.:-)

I think we have a Beatles fan on our hands! ;-)

playing on his own

2009-07-02T18:37:00.003-04:00

Lately Isaac has started to play on his own. Setting up his own games and playing them. Today he was setting up little wooden people and bowling with them.
He sometimes sets up several cars or other objects and I can see his thought expanding beyond just single objects. He's usually talking the whole time, but I can't really make out what he is saying. It's so amazing to watch him grow and see how his thought process is developing.

I've also seen a difference in how he is playing with others. We had some friends come over yesterday, Jamie, and her son Xander who is 5 and her daughter Zoe who is just a couple of months younger than Isaac.
As soon as they got here Isaac and Xander started playing and they did the whole time. I have some great pics I took on my phone, but I have no idea how to get them to my blog. I do have them on Facebook, so you could see them there. They are of the three of them playing in a wet sandbox, they are all soaked and covered in sand, and having a BLAST!

His personality is just growing so much and it is such a joy and blessing to be part of it.

Baby Jacoby

2009-07-02T18:16:00.002-04:00

So we had a little stress for a while. Last week my regular glucose test came back on the high side (140, nurse said 130 is the highest they like to see), so I had to do the 3 hour fasting test. That's what they call it, but really it's a 13 hour fasting test, as you have to fast for 10 hours and then sit in a waiting room for 3 hours while they test you blood 4 separate times (and a full draw for each, plus a finger prick when you first get there) to see how you break down the sugar solution.
I was so hungry when I got there and just felt miserable. The sugar solution was gross, it was this thick lemon/lime, non-carbonated solution, and super sweet.
But on the plus, the sugar drink kept me from feeling really hungry. It wasn't as bad as I was anticipating, I actually got a chance to read uninterrupted for almost three hours.

And of course the good news is that everything is fine and I do not have gestational diabetes!

So everything can continue as normal, and in around 11 weeks +/- we will have little Jacoby! <3

More isims

2009-05-07T21:59:00.002-04:00

Thomas and friends- not unusual in itself, but it's cute because he calls anything with Thomas by the full name. Even his Thomas train is Thomas and friends, as though it was one long name.

Danny lion poop- dandelion poof

Teeny one- anything small is teeny one, not sure where he even picked up the word teeny, we don't use it that I can think of.

little bit- measurement of something small. I put his dinner down and he will say, "This hot?" and I will say not really, and he'll say, "little bit hot"

ies- everything has ies on the end, motorcycies, tracties (tractors), wormies...

I really should do the isim posts during the day when my mind is functioning better, lol.

Frost Farm

2009-05-07T15:36:00.004-04:00

We went to Frost Farm yesterday with LEAP. Isaac was loving the little stream the path crosses over in the woods. Funny, last year he wouldn't go near water, I think it will be much different this year...

He was also having fun playing in the field with the other kids. It really amazing to watch him develop. He's always been fascinated by watching older kids play, but he use to just do what they did by himself. So a couple of kids would be running around and he would run around by himself, but now I see him trying to interact with the other kids as they are playing. He doesn't seem to know exactly what to do yet, but I can see the thought and process developing. Luckily most of our friends are unschoolers so their kids seem more use to playing with kids of all ages, and aren't put off by a little two year old wanting to play with them. Plus, Isaac is just so stinkin' cute ;~)

After drying up and changing clothes from the stream, the kids still find some water to play in, lol. Not too much in life is as fascinating as water and the things in it. :~) I can't wait to take Isaac to the beach so he can explore those rocks!

Isaac-isims

2009-05-05T19:46:00.003-04:00

Isaac's sweet colorful vocabulary:
This will be an ongoing list...

Words:
Rock bits- rockets
boody- Buddha
spun pants- sponge bob
bider- spider
hoppies- grass hopper
wormies- worms
munty- monkey (which is both cats, even though one is named squeaky)
hel-topter- helicopter

Sayings:
Oh hi _____ (mama, papa, Deanie,)
Go out side and get worms
Bye friends, see you soon friends
Me go work now (as he gets his back pack and my keys and drives in his Flintstone car)
Me see baby in belly (as he looks in my belly button)

There will be more to come....

Thank you, sorry, please

2009-05-05T19:30:00.002-04:00

We have never taught Isaac to say any of those words. Our thinking is that he will develop gratitude and empathy a lot better if it's not forced on him. Not to mention the whole having to say please before being giving something just makes my skin crawl. Could you imagine asking someone for something and they said, "what's the magic word?" How degrading is that?

Anyway, he has started saying all of those all on his own. A few times I thought I heard him say thank you, which made me pause, but then I just started saying, "your welcome" back. Then I noticed please, not usually on the first asking, but if I don't respond right away or try to redirect him to something else (think, "Please mama, more candy!" lol). Now he says sorry all the time, for everything. If you trip him by accident he will say sorry to you. It's so sweet the way he says it, "oh, sorry mama".

I find it so interesting that he pick these words up at the same time on his own. It's just really cool to see him developing like this.

What a cute little girl...

2009-04-27T09:26:00.003-04:00

Grrrr... I know he has long hair, I realize most little boys do not, but Isaac looks like a boy, we dress him very boyishly. Still, no matter what, everytime we go out I hear at least once, usually several times, "Oh what a sweet little girl you have..."

So here are some pics of Isaac's hair...

His crazy parts in the back, and beautiful flip at the bottom

Sam and I ask Isaac regularly if he likes his long hair, and he says, "Yes, Iss have long hair" We show him that mama has long hair and papa has short hair, and he will again say he (Iss) has long hair, so I think he understands what we are saying and asking him. He did cut his bangs the other day. Just a little :~) He had some kids scissors and said he was going to cut his hair and Sam asked me if I thought they would work, and I said, "No, they're just kids scissors, they'll probably just bend his hair..." Wrong, lol. But the way he did it, it actually flows quite nicely with the rest of his hair as you can see in the pic above.

Isaac's got wormies

2009-04-27T09:19:00.003-04:00

Isaac has developed a new passion in life...worms. Every morning he wakes up and with in a few minutes he is asking to, "Go outside, get worms?" He loves them! The dog has a blanket that is on the ground which makes for prime worm finding. At first most of the worms didn't make it back to the ground (well not alive anyway), but now we are trying to work with Isaac about letting them back into the ground to help the garden.

I should also add that this is an all day thing, he finds some worms, he holds them, then I put them out in the garden and then he wants to find more worms and on it goes ;~)

Alpaca tour

2009-04-27T09:05:00.003-04:00

Our unschooling group (cuke) group did a tour of alpaca farm...

The kids running in the driveway, I don't have any pics of Isaac and the pacas cause he slept the whole ride up and then was very grumpy and uninterested in anything to do with them. I wish he hadn't slept cause I think he would have really liked giving them "kisses" (You just stand at the fence and they will come to you and press their noses on you)

At Jamie's after for lunch and play, Isaac and Zoe using the force...

And then playing a duet...so sweet

Counting

2009-03-22T21:11:00.003-04:00

Isaac has been counting a lot lately. he counts everything, his fingers things he sees, everything.
Right now he's numbers go in this order, 1 2 3 9 6 4 always in that order. Yesterday and today he has started to throw 11 in there after 4.
It's so neat to hear him count all on his own, I've never pushed him or tried to get him to do it, he just wants to.

Just letting him learn on his own as he goes. Sometimes I ask him if he wants me to count with him and he usually says, "yes". And he waits and listens to the order of my numbers. It's really neat to know that he's learning this because he wants to, not because I'm trying to get him learn it.

Dinosaur egg

2009-03-22T20:54:00.003-04:00

Sam found a dinosaur egg at Micheal's that you put in water and it hatches over a few days. Isaac loved this, it was very exciting to check on it first thing in the morning and through out the day. Of course it's tough to be patient when you see a little dinosaur peeking out at you.

I have to say for the dollar it was, this was a great little toy. The dinosaur is actually quite sturdy. We did this experiment a while ago and this little dino is still around and in one piece.

Our last snow storm

2009-02-23T17:41:00.005-05:00

At least it better be!

Isaac and Papa raking the roof

Isaac asked me to take this picture, I'm standing under a bowing birch tree

Along the edge of our back yard

Isaac shoveling.

Oh and I have to add two more, these were taken a while ago, but are just too funny

Since my child can not resist a good shoveling session, as soon as he sees Papa go out to bring in Deanie, he's rushing to get his boots on. Just his boots other clothes are optional.;~)

Air plane tours

2009-02-18T12:08:00.003-05:00

For our CUKE co-op this week we had the awesome opportunity to visit Wiggins Airways. The kids got to go on and explore real airplanes!! You can't beat this, the kids and the adults LOVED it! The kids got to go on the planes look through them, and sit up in the cock pits and look at all the controls. Thanks Winnie, this was so cool.

Isaac is sitting with me right now pointing at the planes and making sound effects, he loved this.

Day at the State House

2009-02-18T09:18:00.006-05:00

Last week we spent the day at the State House to voice our opposition to HB 367 and HB 368. It drew one of, if not the largest crowd ever to the Capitol Building, over 1000 people showed up. The hearing room was packed and there were lines snaking all around the building. We ended up spending most of the time outside, but did make it in eventually and I was able to sign in.

The line snaking around the entry way, it extended down the hall and up the stairs, and then down the other hall, almost out to the back entry.

This is the line in the back of the building in the rear stair case.

Isaac cooling off, it was a balmy 50* that day, and it felt soooo good to be out!

Standing room only.

We will be hearing in a couple of week s whether they voted inexpedient to legislate or if they pass it.

Isaac's Birthday

2009-02-18T07:51:00.004-05:00

Isaac turned two this past weekend. :~) We had the family over to celebrate, and made pizzas and had ice cream cake.

Getting ready in the morning

Isaac waking up and making his appearance.

It looks like he's going for the candles, but he's trying to get the balloons on the cake. :~)

His favorite present.

Eating Pizza.

We had one other surprise for everyone that we didn't catch on film, we gave Isaac a shirt that says, "Big Brother in Training!" And yes he is!! We are expecting another little monkey in September! :~)

Late Christmas post

2009-02-05T15:48:00.006-05:00

A quick photo entry of Christmas (so what if it's February, I've been busy, lol)

Our Christmas tree

Isaac and Dre opening gifts

Dez opening his one present

A new car (said in the tone of Bob Barker from the Price Is Right)

A basket of cars at Grandma's house

A sled to go on....wood floors? lol

Isaac getting down to business, he wanted a tool belt on and then he added the plunger and notice the car in it? This was his idea of getting ready to go out and play in the snow. Too cute.

Surviving with out power

2008-12-15T14:08:00.004-05:00

We made it! Even the fish whom we had to boil pots of water for. We lost power on Thursday night around 11:30ish and it didn't come back on till Sunday at 6:30. Most of the time there was a feeling of fun quaintness, but when those lights came on and the clocks started flashing on Sunday I was beyond happy and relieved!

We stayed in our back bedroom which has a propane fireplace that was working (although not the blower on it) so it kept that room moderately warm. We went to my parent's house on Saturday, they lost power too, but have a generator hooked up to the house so we were able to shower and hang out and be warm. On the way there we went through Deerfield on Middle road and South road, it was crazy! There were trees limbs all over the place; power lines across the road. And the trees were so coated with ice, and the birches were all bowed down to the road, it was like nothing I've ever seen before.

These were all from our yard, above a bowing birch, a close up of the birch, the sun shining through the woods, and a white pine.

And one blurry one of Sam and Isaac with no lights on (camera couldn't focus, it was too dark). Isaac has his head lamp on. :~)

This little light

2008-11-05T17:35:00.002-05:00

Now that we are inside more the TV has been on much more. Mostly we watch our local PBS station. During some of the breaks between shows they play a version of the song "This Little Light of Mine". It has become Isaac's and mine special song. Every time it plays we hug each other and sing it together, of course Isaac's version lack words, but he hums and woos. I've come to think of it as our connection song because no matter where we are or what we are doing we stop, come together, and reconnect. It's just so sweet and wonderful, and makes me so happy to be right where we are at that moment.

Our bed

2008-10-08T15:59:00.004-04:00

Isaac is really into our bed lately. He's been playing there and putting his baby to sleep. It's so sweet, he puts her in and lays down and kisses her and then he'll sing to her. I got some pics the other day so I thought I'd share. That's it for the writing portion, since Isaac is asleep on my right arm, so I'm typing with just my left.

The one with Sam is him deciding it's time for Papa to wake up and read to him.
And the one of him with his arms by his head is how he was sleeping, I just thought he looked funny, so I added it.

Apple Pickin' II

2008-09-24T21:40:00.004-04:00

Wanted to add this pic as well. It's just cute. This is Isaac enjoying a large maple lollipop (this did not sound appealing to me at all, Isaac picked it out, and turns out was quite good). Later he dropped it on the sand and it was covered with "sprinkles". I brought it home and rinsed it off, and we still have half of it.

Today (Wed), we went to the library this morning, for story time. Isaac wasn't really into it, he'd rather play with the train set there. This would be the exact same trains he has at home (minus the track), but what ever he still enjoyed his time there.

Apple Picking

2008-09-24T14:18:00.004-04:00

We went apple picking at Carter Hill Tuesday with our unschooling group.

This is our group on the tractor ride.

Carter Hill also has a large play area with some sand and a large play house and a bunch of cars and toys. This is Isaac and his buddy Keller.

Isaac had so much fun he slept for 3 hours after, from 3:30 when we left till just about 6:30 at night, and he still went to sleep at his usual time.

Camping this weekend

2008-09-22T11:13:00.008-04:00

We had so much fun, despite the cold temperatures. Isaac loves being outside playing so two days of outside only and some friends to play with was perfect for him.

And for the first time this season, Isaac was interested in going in the lake, unfortunately for him, it's a little too late in the season. No Frozen babies, please. So Papa helped him play, while staying dry.

Of course he still managed to get his feet wet, too bad they were in his shoes at the time, lol.

We roasted marshmallows and made smores, we also cooked veggie dogs over the camp fire, and they came out good (you never know with veggie dogs, slightly over cook them and they turn into rocks). We were camping with three other families from our homeschooling group, and we all shared dinner and breakfast. It was so much fun, I can't wait to go next year, although perhaps a little earlier in the season, so we don't freeze as much.

NBTS

2008-09-18T12:01:00.005-04:00

We had our Not Back to School picnic a few Mondays ago, we had so much fun. It was at Odiorne State Park, perfect place!! There was so much to do, look through the rock, play on the equipment, EAT, talk with all ouir friends.

Isaac loved it. In particular he loves the slide!!

He went up and down over 20 times, he loved it!! Infact he loved it so much that I started to seriuosly look into getting him a swingset with a slide. Found out the nice wooden ones that we like are a tad over our budget. So we decided to put getting one on hold for now. Then out of the blue Sam's mom sends me a link to Craig's list with a swing set. Perfect!! It has TWO slides, a straight one and a twirling one.

So we went to check it out yesterday and as soon as Isaac saw it he was soooo excited. He went running to it, like, "Hey! there's my swing set." He doesn't even get that excited at the park. He went right up the ladder and down the slide. It's like it was meant to be. We are going tonight to pick it up. I'm so excited. I can't wait for Isaac to see it in his yard.

2008-06-12T12:12:00.005-04:00

So finally, this is our new house, and I think that is little Isaac walking in front of the car. The shudders are gone and the garage door has been replaced, and the gardens are much more filled in, one might actually say over grown ;).

Here is little Isaac helping out with Papa's drill.
He's in the living room by the hall to the bedrooms. All the scraps on the floor are from the wallpaper removing. Wallpaper is evil!

Nakey Isaac and Papa, in front of a closet that no longer exists! Where Sam is will be were the fridge will be going and where Isaac is there will be a pantry closet. BTW, I pulled all the framing off around the doors and such, it was a lot of fun, I love demolition!! I also pulled out half of the cabinets on my own, Isaac helped a little too. :D

Unschooling article

2008-06-09T12:38:00.000-04:00

I really like this article on unschooling, thought I'd add it to my blog

I LIVE THEREFORE I LEARN: Living an Unschooling
LifeBy Pam Sorooshian

Unschooling is both easy and difficult to describe. The easy answer is that unschooling means "not schooling," but it is a lot harder to explain what we do instead of schooling.Unschooling means not depending on the usual school methods. It means no lesson plans, no curriculum, no assignments, no quizzes or tests, no required memorizing, and no grades. It means that the parent does not become the child's schoolteacher— it means not creating a miniature classroom in the home.Instead, unschoolers focus on living a rich and stimulating life together. Seriously, that's it. We do not "school," but, instead, we concentrate on living a life filled with opportunities and possibilities and experiences. Human children are born learners. Literally. What unschoolers aim for is keeping that love of learning and intense curiosity alive as the children grow up.How do we do this? In practice, it is going to look very different for each unschooling family. "We follow our interests," is the unschoolers' anthem. And, each family's interests will lead to all kinds of learning—history, math, writing, music, reading, science, and all the other real-life subject matter that is valuable and interesting. But we won't think of them as "subjects." We'll just think of them as interesting and fun and fascinating and something we want to pursue further or not. One thing will lead to another and life goes on and kids learn and parents learn and life is full of opportunity everywhere we look.It is natural for people to learn—each in their own way. It is natural for children to want to understand the world around them. They also want to join the adult world and become competent and capable adults themselves. They'll strive for this in their own natural ways. Unschooling parents work on creating a home environment that supports their children's natural desire to learn and grow.Each child is unique and experiences the world in a different way than any other person and expresses themselves in ways that are different from every other person. There is no curriculum in the world that is designed specifically and dynamically for any particular child, but an unschooling lifestyle can, in effect, provide a 100 percent individualized learning experience. Unschoolers aren't likely to learn exactly what the professional educators and textbook publishers think they should—so, in that sense, they will have gaps in their learning. But they'll learn so much more, too, that is not included in those lists of "learning standards." What is important for one person to learn is not necessarily important for another and we don't really have any way of predicting what will be important to know in the future. We DO know that learning that is forced or pressured is not lasting and that most of what kids are "taught" is not truly "learned" in any kind of lasting way unless it is something in which they are interested.Unschoolers also have in mind a lifelong timeline for learning. We don't worry about whether a child is "at grade level" because we know that children are learning "something" all the time and that they will eventually learn whatever they need to know for whatever reasons they have. We don't worry that they'll miss something important because, if it is important, they'll realize that and find a way to learn it.A true unschooling slogan is, "Life is learning, learning is life." Unschoolers simply do not think there are times for learning and times for not learning. They don't divide life into school time or lesson time versus play time or recreation time. There is no such thing as "extracurricular" to an unschooler—all of life, every minute of every day, counts as learning time and there is no separate time set aside for education.Is unschooling right for everyone? My answer is, "It depends." I think ALL children can learn and grow and thrive as unschoolers. But, I also think it takes an intensity and focus on living life with a great deal of gusto on the part of unschooling parents. Unschooling parents work hard. For example, they must develop a very high level of sensitivity to their children to know what to offer, when to support, when to back off, how busy they want to be, how much solitude they need, when to nudge them a bit with encouragement, when to get more involved, and so on. AND parents need to be able to always have their kids and their interests in the back of their minds, thinking always about what would interest them; bringing the world to them and bringing them to the world in ways that "click" for that particular child. And it takes a great deal of trust that the child will learn without external pressure.We could do the curriculum—I could put together a few hours per day of "school work," insisting that my children do it. But I've read everything I could get my hands on about learning and I've had 30 years of teaching experience and I know, deep down inside, that any coercion in learning creates either open resistance, passivity, or apathy, and I don't want to create any of those in my children. Learning feels good—it might be hard, but it is also pleasurable. Coercion feels bad and trying to learn under coercion is not pleasurable, even when we make the best of it. Children who have only experienced the pleasure of unforced learning show the effect in their incredible creativity, confidence, intensity, focus, persistence, self-knowledge, and strong sense of personal responsibility.Not all parents WANT their children to grow up strong-willed and truly independent- minded. And, it is fair warning to say: "Be careful what you wish for." If what we mostly want is for our children to respect us and to adopt our beliefs and goals, unschooling may not be for us. Many parents have a general definition of "success" in their own heads, and what they want is for their children to achieve their version of success. Many want their children to offer living proof that they were good parents—they may even be especially interested in outcomes that will impress friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Again, unschooling is probably not a good fit under those circumstances.Unschoolers do have goals, though, that impact our day-to-day interactions with our kids. We want our children to discover their life's passions and to jump into them with both feet, with confidence and trust in life and themselves. We want our children to know, deep inside themselves, that they are strong and capable and can make their own individual choices. We want them to be willing to buck the mainstream culture AND buck the counterculture and think for themselves and do what they think is right and good and worthy and valuable.I think, most of all, we want them to love being alive—now and in their future.

Our house

2008-06-02T23:28:00.001-04:00

Well things are coming along. We are still in demolition mode, riping out drywall and well actually entire walls. Sam and his brothers finished the sill work and the mold guy came and cleaned out the mold in the attic. Now we are just going to focus on the kitchen and getting the washer and dryer installed, once that is done we'll move in. Our cabinets come in on Wednesday, and the counter on Friday. We just have to get the drywall done and then we can install everything, and do the floors, oh yeah and paint. Hmmm, it seems like so much more when you start to list it out. We decided to put off the master bedroom and the office until later. It's been rough on Isaac and the dog going back and forth so much (not to mention the huge amount we are paying in gas), so were just going to get the necessities done and work on the rest while we live there. I keep meaning to download the pictures, but I never remember till I'm sitting here, exhausted and wanting to go to bed. I swear I'll do it soon. ;)

homeschooling

2008-06-02T23:23:00.000-04:00

I came across this article on homeschooling. I really like it and thought I would post it here so others could see how I view homeschooling. So much freedom for Isaac to learn however he wants, and be who he wants to be.

Busy busy

2008-05-06T23:08:00.000-04:00

We have just been so busy, I haven't had time to update. Let's see last week, oh no, it was two weeks ago, we had an Earth day celebration at a friend's house, there where tons of people there! I have some great pics, but it's too late for me to grab them (it's 11 pm, my only personal time LOL).

Here is one that was on the web that someone else took.

Let's see it's all so blurry, LOL. Last week I don't think too much happened, nothing that is coming to my very tired mind.

Yesterday, Cinco de Mayo we had a party at a friends house, again it was a blast! I forgot my camera, so no pics. There was a pinata, that Isaac didn't get to take a swing at, but after he had the stick and was practicing on the ground. Next time for sure! He also had his first lollipop (it was the organic no HFCS type, so not too bad). He loved it, although I had to wash a couple of times, boy I forgot just how sticky they are.

Today we stayed home. We did go out for a nice walk/run, 3 miles. I really needed to get out and so did the dog. It was so nice out, minus the black flies that have come out in full force. And then the best part, the bank came back and agreed to the final price, so everything is all set we just have to sign the papers on Monday!!! I will be posting pictures next time we go, not sure if I'll do it here or on Picasa. Probably both. Anyway, I have to get to bed, just thought I'd update, since I never have time during the day.

Tuesday and Wednesday

2008-04-17T07:26:00.001-04:00

We had a fun last couple of days. Monday we went to the state house to show our opposition to SB 337. There was a huge turn out, the whole floor and balcony was packed! I didn't really get to catch too much of the hearing because my little monkey child was climbing up and down the stairs.

So we went outside and played for a while with some of our friends and then we went to White's Park for some more fun.

Some fun at the park

Isaac having fun, and meeting new people. This little girl really seemed to like him, and she kept coming over to him and touching him, and at one point asked Isaac to take her shoe off, I told her Isaac is a little to young for that, and she is moving a little too fast. LOL

Tuesday we went to our N-A-P meeting (natural attachment parenting), and then to St. Paul's School where they have a little park. Isaac had soooo much fun. He really loves going down the slide. When we first got there he was going down, but he'd fall back as he was going or get his feet stuck under him. But by the time we left he had mastered the slide, and I could just sit him at the top and he would wiggle himself down and then slide on his own, staying in a sitting position and then stop at the bottom. Of coarse this was followed by him pointing to go down the slide again and again and again (how do you think he mastered it). We both ended up with a little pinkness to our skin when we left, but no sun burn this morning. We'll have to remember to pack some sunscreen next time.

out and about

2008-04-14T15:45:00.000-04:00

Met Bonnie at the Candia Park today. It was cold there, but nice to get out. It was just Bonnie and Joule, Isaac and me there, so we had free rein of the place. Isaac is still a little too small for most of the things there, but he likes watching other kids.
When we got home Isaac still seemed to be interested in being outside so we walked around in the yard and did some exploring. Later we went for a two mile walk, which was really nice since it warmed up some.

I meant to mention the other day that all the teething issues we had last week were well deserved I found *3* new teeth in Isaac's mouth! Hopefully the molars come in one at a time, or Isaac is in for a rough ride!

Saturday and Sunday

2008-04-13T20:07:00.000-04:00

Saturday we went to Bonnie's to watch Joule and Tovah. Isaac had a blast! It was nice enough to go outside for a while so he got a chance to run around. We tried to get him on a swing, but he wasn't liking that so much. We walked around the yard and into the wooded area a little, and found some deer prints, Tovah and Joule thought that was pretty neat. Then it got cold so we went in and watched a movie. Isaac just loves being with other kids.

Today we went up to the bead store in Enflied to get some amber so I can make a teething necklace for Isaac. It was a LOOOOONNGG drive, and it would have cost me the same to have just ordered one from one of the moms that sell them online. Oh well, at least I get to design it myself (if I ever have time).
Then we drove over to the house to see if we could figure out how to lay out the kitchen. It was an even longer ride there, since Isaac was not very happy about being in the car. At least at the house he got a chance to run around a little. We still haven't heard from the bank, hopefully they come down a little in price. I can't wait to just say, "This is our house" and not worry that something will go wrong.

2008-04-10T15:06:00.001-04:00

OMG we saw a butterfly!! Could spring really be here?!! Went for a three mile walk today, it is so nice out, I was actually hot when we where in the sun. Isaac made it half way through, but then he dozed off. He's feeling better now than he was this morning.

2008-04-10T08:55:00.000-04:00

We started out a little rough this morning. I woke up to the radio being a little too loud, with the story of some old people playing in a band, and with the start of the sound clips there was a loud drum crash and a, "I feel good....". That got Isaac stirring. Then the dog came in the room and started whining, which woke him right up. I tried to get him back to sleep nursing him, but he was restless so we got out of bed a full hour earlier than normal. Things were okay to start, but about 20 minutes later, Isaac's lack of sleep started to show, and so did mine. He was whining and fussing and signing to nurse. I figured he was just hungry, but he refused to eat. So I figured I'd sit at the PC and read my e-mails and he could nurse there. That lasted about 2 minutes until the desk prove to be too fascinating for him to just look at. I gave up and decided to make some breakfast, yogurt fruit smoothies. Isaac was not happy about this. He clung to my pants crying and signing to nurse (again) and refusing to eat the pieces of banana I was offering him. I was getting very frustrated. I thought, "maybe we just need to sit down and eat" I sat down at the table and gave him some of the smoothie and a few Cheerios. I was hoping that might do the trick, but after a few minutes he was done. He started signing "all done" and asking to nurse. "FINE" I thought. I took him out of the chair, cleaned him off and begrudgingly brought him to the bedroom to lay down to nurse. As we laid down, I felt really irritated, I just want to get some stuff done, that way we can get out of the house and enjoy the nice day, why does he have to be so fussy! Then we snuggled up on the bed, and I thought, that radio really isn't that loud. Then low and behold, that same story came back on, it was a movie review about a documentary of some elderly people who started a chorus, signing rock song. It was a really moving story, and brought some tears to my eyes. Then as the story was ending Isaac's little hand came up to my face, and he was rubbing the palm of his hand on my nose, very gently, and then he drifted off to sleep. All the irritation and aggravation just drained from me, with a few deep breathes. My baby is sleeping, the dog is outside and not barking and I have a chance to sit at the PC and right my story down.
Uh oh the dog is starting to bark. I swear, never a moments rest! LOL Oh and Isaac's up.

Pics for today

2008-04-09T18:47:00.000-04:00

The top and bottom are pics of us at the park. In the top Isaac has his pine cone, and the bottom is him watching some of his friends on the slide.

The other three are us out in the yard, him cleaning the bird bath, and the aftermath, and then doing his best to rake up some leaves with me.

Enjoy
Erika

April 9 2008

2008-04-09T16:57:00.000-04:00

We had a very exciting day today. Isaac and I went to Rollins Park in Concord after our LLL meeting, but the park still had 6+ inches of snow. Isaac walked around the edge of the snow and found some pine cones. I was hoping he'd be able to go on the swing, but there was just too much snow. He seemed to enjoy his time there regardless of the snow.

When we got home Isaac slept for almost 2 hours!! And then we went exploring outside. We heard a barred owl and a wood pecker. Isaac helped me rake out the leaves and then he "cleaned out" the bird bath, and after I had to clean him.

We are still going through the inspection process of the house. We found some issues, but it looks like we should be able fix them. Sam is going there tonight with a guy that does foundation work to get an estimate for the sill work. I'll put up some pictures when I get a chance.