Thanksgiving 2011

  What a nice holiday.  I will clap myself on the back and say the food was good.  I tried to make everyone's favourites.   I hope everyone had a wonderful one with family and friends.  My inlaws were here.  It was a nice visit, though it had some tense days.  Schooling was of course brought up, and that set the tone for the week.  Nothing was mentioned aloud of our eating, but the whispering was there, and that was annoying.  I held my tongue for once.  I really miss being around the rest of our family during the holidays.  It's a large and loud family.  Things are fun and interesting!
 
   I realized today that I have to plan the school week.  I completely forgot.  I'm happy I filed away the last week of school before holiday vacation.  I'm happy with our progress, so there are no real complaints.  This will possibly be a review week.

  Today I also reorganized my kitchen.  The cupboards should flow much nicer now.  Of course I went to the wrong one at least three times already.  Next I need to organize the guest room and office closets.  They bug me.

  On that note, a good friend of mine had her baby on Thanksgiving.  What a surprise.  I am very happy for her.  It's bitter-sweet and maybe that's wrong, but it's how I feel.  I wonder if I shall ever get past that.

Yer Blues

  I like the Beatles, guess that explains the title.  But I am feeling a bit blue.  Perhaps I'm just tired.  The school year is going well, at least I think so.  My husband is teaching the two days that I work, and I think that's great.  He and the boys are learning how to school and do whatever it is boys do.
  I like my job.  The people are nice.  Because it's a low cost vet clinic, I don't feel like I robbed someone, when I leave work.  I meet quite the array of interesting people.
  Co op is going wonderful.  We haven't been able to meet with our TWIGGS co op at all this year.  They meet on the same day that we have classes at our other co op, and the field trips are on days that I work.  It's a little disappointing  but there's not much I can do about it.  I am very happy with our curriculum this year.  Phonics Road 2 is excellent so far, as is Singapore math.  We've done a unit study on weather-we have quite the little meteorologist, and will be starting a unit on rocks.  The little guy is doing a little more letter work.  My husband is a little frustrated that he doesn't know all the letters yet, but he'll be fine.  I didn't teach our oldest to read until a little after he turned 5.  And we are slowly going through the history timeline.  The boys are both enjoying Egypt currently, and being mummies!

The school year is getting started

  We've joined a new co op.  It's called TWIGGS.  We actually went to a few of their open play dates last spring, and enjoyed ourselves.  So this year we submitted an application.  It's nice in that they take applications yearly, so that they can weed out the folks who never participated the year before, or moved away.  It keeps the group small enough that the families get to know each other, yet large enough where there is a variety of activities.  We have a beach play date coming up next week.
  We also have orientation with the co op we were in last spring.  Our boys are both taking an art class and book club, and then Superman is taking a herp class.
  This year we are also officially registered as homeschoolers.  This past week I printed up some review work to go over, and we've done a few worksheets.  Just slowly getting back into our school pattern.  We'll be doing a little more this year, and it looks like it may be busier with field trips.  I am also working part time, so it's going to be an adjustment, but I'm confident everything will work out.

Home school tees

home school tee giveaway
 Wanted to share a link for home school shirt give-a-way.

What to do

  Okay, so I quit the last job I had.  The woman was just not a nice person.  When I quit, she left me such a horrible voice mail full of profanity, that I can't believe she considers herself a good Christian.  Oh well.  I've had another interview for another stable.  It's a nice one.  There are a lot of clients, and some who are never around, so it would be nice to be able to work their horses.  I have a reception interview and have called a vet clinic about setting up an interview.  A lot of interviews.  I feel very, very stressed out.  I had thought finding something a few days a week would be okay, but I feel pressured to find more.  I was working over full time at the last job I had, and it was so disrupting.  I just don't know what to do.  I feel like I need to put my family first.  Yet if I'm away from them, how do I do that?  The boys are thrown off.  They don't see their buddies.  I don't see my friends.  How would I homeschool?

New job

  Okay, thought I'd quickly update.  I'm working at a new job and just trying to sort out my day.  It's so busy now.  We've taken a break from schooling for the past month, though my guy has started asking for some work to do.  That makes me happy.  I've started searching for our curriculum, and found his Singapore math at a great deal from another mom.
  Summer is going well so far.  It's so very hot here.  Dad is home with the boys, while I'm at work.

A job come and gone

  I know, it's been almost two months!  The past two months have been so hectic here.  I was getting very stressed out in May at not having an income producing job.  The school year was ending and I had 10 weeks to go yet in our LA program.  Not that I follow the school year, but my husband has different ideas about schooling through the summer than I do.  And mom was coming for a vist-greatly looked forward to though.
  So, mid May I find a job working with my first love-horses.  To say I was happy is an understatement.  Yes I was doing stalls again-but only 3, so I couldn't complain much.  I had a mare to work and train, which was great.    I could pursue my dressage training.  Hours were good-morning work.
  It was an adjustment though.  I felt like I was missing a lot with my boys, since we do a lot in the mornings.  It helped when mom got here and kept them going.  Dad learned to be more patient with them and the boys ate up being with him more.  His job took a very downward turn and he started working for himself, which is actually working out.

Mother's Day

   Happy Mother's Day!
I hope everyone has a wonderful day.  I hope my sister has a fantastic day with her family, (she doesn't live here).  We have never spent a Mother's Day together.  It's something we'll have to do.  I hope all my mom friends have a fantastic day as well.

Invesigators and families of vaccine injured children report

 I received an email this morning with this news article.  I'm pasting it here.  At first I could only find a few places which had the news, and those were Age of Autism and a few Autism boards.  I haven't seen any mainstream news pick it up yet, and I'm not surprised. 

Investigators and Families of Vaccine-Injured Children to Unveil Report Detailing Clear Vaccine-Autism Link Based on Government’s Own Data

Posted on: 05-6-2011 Posted in: Media

Watch the press conference live! Click on the Facebook icon in the lower right of the video player window to easily embed the video on the FB page to share with friends and family. Also, the video can also easily be embedded into web pages and blogs just like a YouTube video. The event will be archived immediately for those who are unable to watch the live webcast.

You can also post your comments and participate in chat on the press conference page.

Report Demands Immediate Congressional Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law & Advocacy (EBCALA)

Contact Nicole Williams, (301) 625-7772
or Danielle Orso, (480) 200-4411

Directors of the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy (EBCALA), parents and vaccine-injured children will hold a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (717 Madison Place, NW in Washington, DC) on Tuesday, May 10 at 12:00 PM EST to unveil an investigation linking vaccine injury to autism. For over 20 years, the federal government has publicly denied a vaccine-autism link, while at the same time its Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has been awarding damages for vaccine injury to children with brain damage, seizures and autism. This investigation, based on public, verifiable government data, breaks new ground in the controversial vaccine-autism debate.

The investigation found that a substantial number of children compensated for vaccine injury also have autism. The government has asserted that it “does not track” autism among the vaccine-injured. Based on this preliminary investigation, the evidence suggests that autism is at least three times more prevalent among vaccine-injured children than among children in the general population.

The federal government has called autism a “national health emergency,” conservatively affecting 1 in 110 children and costing the country billions of dollars each year.

Because almost all children in the United States are required by law to receive between 30-45 vaccines in order to attend public school, it is crucial that the VICP decide cases with justice and transparency.

EBCALA and the families of the vaccine-injured call on Congress to investigate the VICP, the only forum in which parents may bring claims of vaccine injury on behalf of their children.

Where	United States Court of Claims 717 Madison Place, NW Washington, DC
When	Tuesday, May 10 12 noon EST

http://www.ebcala.org/media/investigators-and-families-of-vaccine-injured-children-to-unveil-report-detailing-clear-vaccine-autism-link-based-on-government%E2%80%99s-own-data


 I believe we are supposed to be able to view it live here- http://www.ustream.tv/user/zenworks, according to Age of Autism.

Butterflies

  Sigh,  I have a lot of home school photos to share of our work, but alas, they are still on the camera, and not downloaded yet.  The last day of co op was Thursday.  Our showcase is next week.  I'm excited to see the kids perform and the displays of their work.  Our son is excited to play his rock and roll songs, and display his art too.  And though co op is over, and public school ends next month,  we are not finished.  I plan to school lightly through the summer.  A few worksheets through the week, to keep the mind fresh.
   Other than school, I've been informed that by our oldest that when he grows up, he will build a robot that will do what we tell it to do and help us.  I immediately thought of the movie, I Robot, where the robots all revolt and try to take over!  Along with robots, he said he also wants to study bugs.  Already, I think he memorized half the bugs of Florida, especially the butterflies.  Butterflies are perhaps one of his favourite things.  Just last week, he had a Monarch climb up his arm, up his face and set there.  For him, it was one of the best things in the world.  Happiness just radiated out.

Our week so far

  Running a few days behind, it's been an active week already. We started off our Sunday with a hike at a local park.  There, my oldest spotted a baby Chicken Turtle, which the staff at the nature center told us was a rare thing.  Next, as we were on the off beaten path, (seeing a lot of brush pile clean up from the tornado), we stopped to read a sign about Gopher Tortoises.  Hearing a sound we looked past a bush and saw one just walking right along.  What a handsome fellow, or gal it was.  The Gopher Tortoise is a threatened species here in Florida.  You are not allowed to bother or touch them, unless they are injured, or happen to be crossing a parking lot.

                          
                                           Had to get a photo of the boys next to him/her.

Monday, we went on another hike.  We didn't see too much, but the boys had fun.

   I also took Superman to our local library to check out the Chess club.  He had tried a few games when our family was in last month and seemed to like it.  So he sat down with a coach, who showed him how each piece moved and then I played a game with him.  I haven't played chess in at least ten years, and not paying attention, he beat me.  He liked it and so we are going to continue going.  I'm going to pick up a chess board for home.  The coach gave me a book to read on it so we can practice.  There was another six year old there that Superman wants to play a game with next time.  Though hard, I think he may pick up the game well.   When learning a new game, we always ask him what moves we can make.  Since in chess, he needs to learn to think ahead a few moves, I hope this comes in handy. 

    Today we had story time at the library.  We are at the library at least twice a week.  Some weeks more.  For example, tomorrow we'll be there for Lego club, and since I ordered some books, will check to see if they are in.  We visited with the normal story time families, and then met a friend from home school co op after, for a picnic and some playground time.  The kids had a blast.  I think they ran for two hours straight.  

For the afternoon, after some creative comic drawing and trio building, some school work was finished up, dinner was eaten, plants outside were watered in the midst of a water gun battle and then lastly, bath, story and bed.  I started The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S.Lewis.  The boys had enjoyed listening it to it a few months ago, and finally I decided to read it to them. 

   My week feels like it's over already, and it's not only half done.  

Last week home school review

  Whew, I really have no idea where the time goes.  Last week we started on week 20 of Phonics Road.  I realize now that I skipped a review of week 19, not sure what happened there.  We did it though, because the complete sheet and book is in the Apprentice binder.
     Nothing new to introduce, just spelling words and the illustrating of a book.  The same actually goes for this week as well.  So we reviewed a little of the days of the week, worked in some categorizing and then a worksheet on observation.  I know some weeks may not seem like much, but don't forget, we do a lot of reading- I read to the boys and Superman reads his share.

                            

  For math I introduced some telling time.  Hours, half hours and minutes.  We reviewed number placement on a number line.  And of course the norm of addition/subtraction drill.  I also tossed in a page of word problems.

 

 

  I don't have a photo of our complete science week, but we went over flowers and some types of flowers.  Our experiment was to see how water travels through the stem.  We placed four white Carnations in four glasses of dyed water.  After a few days, the flowers in the blue dye looked like this.  They and the red ones are now quite pretty and colorful.  There will be a follow up photo at the end of this week.

Letting Children Go

  My thought for awhile has been about letting children go.  I think we look at our children and want them to remain young for as long as possible.  But are we stunting them?  Are we sending them a message that they can't do it?
   When we get in the car, I make my six year old buckle himself in, then I help to make sure the belt is locked.   My husband buckles him in, because in his mind, he wants him to be a little boy as long as possible, so shouldn't have to do it.
  He can make himself a simple breakfast.  That's fine with me.  It's not that I don't enjoy making them their meals, but they have to learn to do it themselves at some point.  This doesn't mean I stop making breakfast.
  How old are our kids when we let them go at the playground.  You know what I'm talking about.  We moms and dads hover anxiously, afraid to let the kids play, for fear of getting hurt.  At some point, they will fall and get hurt.  It's part of life. They have to learn through experience what they can do or not do.  We have to learn to let them do for themselves.
  This doesn't take childhood away though.  At least not in my eyes.

Play and nature

  I'm a huge fan of play.  That said, we limit tv greatly-it's a weekend morning thing, and no real video game play-but good old fashioned, use your imagination, go outside and play, play.
   Being a home school family, allows us a lot of play time.  And, most of the public schools in my area do not have recess.  A lot of schools across the US do not have recess.  Play is so important to a child's development.  To expect a 6 year old to sit still in a class all day, is to me, ridiculous.  And that's the age of most first graders.  Even as adults, we take a break of our work.  Those of us who lead active lifestyles, are healthier and happier.  So why do we want to take play away from our kids?

                                             Batcave

                                                Puddles are just too much fun

                                                  The off-beaten path

  Along with play and exploring, our boys love nature.

Homeschool catch up & family

  Whew, I need to catch up.  I was pretty much off the pc for awhile.  We had some family in for a few weeks last month.  Our cousin brought her mom down with her, so that was a huge surprise.  It was very nice to see them.
   Then some of my in-laws came for a visit.  They rented a beach house near us.  In all, it was a lot less stressful than I thought it would be.  Both women are former teachers, though one was an elementary teacher.  When they visited last summer, they were very against home school.  I'm sure they still are.  But, after looking at our Phonics Road, math and some of the things we have gone over, as well as just observation, the former elem teacher, was impressed.  She mentioned that what we are doing is good for right now.  We talked briefly about what we would do with our little guy if we had to place him in school.  Would he be bored?  How far ahead would he be?  Things like that.  And, my husband is coming around a little more.  He said we would continue with home school for now, though he'd have questions later on.  I am happy, but sad because it is causing friction between him and his folks.
  Anyhow, on to my review.  Last was week 16, and if you count the weeks, you'll see we took a small break.  I think I took 2 weeks to cover one of those weeks, and then with family here...But, that's the great thing about home school.  We can go at our own pace.  And considering we are technically kindergarten....

Millions against Monsanto and our health

http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/

 Here is the link to take action against Monsanto.  I for one would like to know what's in my food.  Though, on the flip side, how can I trust the government to protect our food, when they have ties?  If they can change the labels on a vaccine that causes seizures, can I really expect them to truthfully label our food?

  Why do we have to fight for real food?  


 I have people tell me that each small step we take doesn't make a difference.  That our kids may be 50 or even dead, before enough people rise against the government or the government makes a change to care about us.  That for every million for whole food, there is another 2 million who just do not care.  They eat fast food, and don't care that the processed food is cheap, where whole food is expensive.  They don't care there are hormones in our food.  Or that the antibiotics in food, may be contributing to the antibiotic resistance in our bodies.
  Did any of you see the movie, Idiocracy ?  Honestly, it's one stupid movie, but here's a run down.  The world is extremely dumb.  That's Extremely, with a capital.  They use a sports drink to water everything, so nothing grows, and it's about the only drink available.  Garbage is everywhere, because they don't know what to do with it.  Cities are in rubble, people have id tats and the food is processed.
   Watching that movie, is like watching a preview of our world, and what's going to happen if we let things go as they are.
    I suppose someone can tell me to wake up, that I'm being brainwashed, and being a sheep for the wrong cause, because there is nothing wrong.  Well, if that's the case, why are more people sick?  Because there are more people?  Because there are better diagnosis?  Are less people breastfeeding? Why is Big Pharma constantly making new drugs to cure some health problem, that can be prevented or solved via proper nutrition?  Why are they making more vaccines to cure diseases, that can also be prevented?  What happened to building sanitation systems for countries that don't have it, so they can have clean water-something most people take for granted-and sewage, so there is no build up and spread of disease?  Is the Bill Gates foundation, who gives more money than I can ever hope to have, for vaccines, instead of contributing to clean water and healthy food?  No, and they also buy into Monsanto and give these countries GMO seeds to grow.  And if it's correct, that the food is laced with contraceptive, what does that say about our government?  What about people who live near Monsanto plants, if I'm to look at our country, instead of outside our country?  They are sick.  There are lawsuits.  Monsanto hid the pollution for decades.  There is a new lawsuit against them-GMO Ban.  Here is a list of Monsanto products to avoid.
Monsanto Products to Avoid


Products to Avoid Further Information Alternatives
Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) Aspartame Formaldehyde Poisoning & Health Destruction Healthier Sweetener Resource List
Roundup Herbicide Monsanto’s Toxic Roundup & Scientists Issue Urgent Warning Lawn & Garden Care Solutions (scroll down)
Genetically Engineered Soy & Canola Products & Ingredients (Roundup Treated) Genetically-Engineered Frankenfoods &Scientists Issue Urgent Warning Certified Organic Foods
rBGH Dairy rBGH (Posilac) — Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer List of non rBGH Dairy & Check Local Health Food Store for Organic Dairy
Ambien Insomnia Medication Zolpidem Warning Label Information Natural Alternatives Where Possible: HealthWorld Solutions,Ayurvedic Info & Meditation or Yoga Classes.

  Like I said.  I like to know what's in my food.  I grow what I can.  My husband calls me his Hippie Wife.  Every small step helps.

Prizes for vaccines

http://www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/education/components/board/default.php?sectiondetailid=73134&postid=65660

 You've got to be kidding me!  I thought both Walmart and Khol's incentives for getting vaccinated was bad enough-the parents received gift cards, but ipods, laptops?  Here's a bit from the school article.

"NOW…about the contest… 

To be eligible for the contest, a student will need to receive at least one vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, between 4-1-11 and 5-31-11. The student will need to take proof of the meningococcal vaccine received to the school nurse by 10:00 AM on 6-1-11.  The school nurse will then enter the student in the contest.  The student will have 2 entries for having received the meningococcal vaccine.

Additionally, if the student receives a Tdap and/or a HPV vaccine between 4-1-11 and 5-31-11, he/she would receive one entry for each when the record is provided to the school nurse.  A student receiving all 3 vaccines would be entered 4 times.  

Again, to enter, the student will need to provide the school nurse with a record of vaccines received between 4-1-11 and 5-31-11and one of those vaccines must be meningococcal vaccine.  Records of vaccines received are due to the school nurse by 10:00 AM on June 1, 2011.  Later that day a school system administrator will select 3 winners:
•   A fifth grade winner of an ipod
•   A middle school winner of an ipod
•   A high school winner of a laptop
Parent(s) of each winning student will be notified.  "





  What's next?

Home school week and organization

  It was a pretty good week.  We still worked on the basic math, but ventured into some three dimensional shapes.  We went around the house pointing out different cubes, spheres, cuboids, cones and cylinders.  Then Superman started thinking of things outside the house that matched the shapes.  He enjoys doing shapes and they're easy enough.  I think we'll incorporate some of the shape learning into arts/crafts.  On Valentines day the math was an add and color the correct sums, to form a picture of a heart.  The Batman had his own paper that was color matching to the number, instead of adding.
                                                    Math home work from co op

                                      
  We officially covered compound words this week.  He knew what they were already, but phonics road covers it and we finally reached it.  Just a sheet that has one word + one word = combined word.  I pulled some sentence worksheets out to do, to break up making up one each day.  The comprehension story was about pets, which Superman seemed to enjoy illustrating.
                                                  
                                           Week 16 words, some sentences and a worksheet

                                       An illustrated sheet from the story and some compound words

   I found some very cool science workbooks, by accident.  I checked one out of the library, intending to flip through, check it out, and copy anything I liked.  It turns out there is a small series.  Gifted and Talented Science workbooks.  They seem like a nice addition to any science curriculum.  We also found some nature series books at Target.  They are a level 2, so grade 1-3.  We of course got 3 bug ones.  A few of the words are a little above my guy, but I'm amazed he knows most of them, as well as comprehends the material.  He excitedly was telling me that yellow jackets live underground, and some type of caterpillar had stingers.  I am so happy he enjoys reading.
                                                     Reading a super hero book.

 

   This week I also started to tackle the extra home school supplies that I have.  I don't know how I ended up with so much.

                                    
   And that's only some of it.  I have some curriculum on the office bookshelf that I'd like to resell.  I took all these workbooks and papers, and ended up with this-
        

    Two piles for the Batman-a prek/k one and a first grade one.  A current pile of various things for Superman, and a third grade pile.  Another pile got the trash, and the final pile is going to a friend-extras that I had.  I'm actually glad I have these extra workbooks.  Now I just have to file away the extra books in the file cabinet.  I spent a long time looking for the curriculum I wanted to use, and actually changed a few.  But on days I'm looking for something extra, or we're having a light day, I can pull a worksheet or two from one of these books for my guy to do.  They also work for summer work, since I believe in year round schooling.  Especially for the lower grades.  Too much information is forgotten over the summer.  We school a few weeks on and a week off.  I admit, I was a bit more scattered until I read Susan Wise, "Well Trained Mind".  It makes sense to me, so we are following the path, until/unless it doesn't work out for us.

Overlabelled kids

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011

   This video needs to be seen.  It needs to be heard.  The religion behind it, is seriously crazy, but the message is very true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv49RFo1ckQ
  And you need to have an open mind about it, obviously.  And I'm bringing drugs into it, because with labels on kids, drugs usually follow.  There are people who do need medication, if proper diet and other things do not help. Or if there is an injury, damaging the brain and they have no choice.
   But too many parents turn to drugs for their child who just can't sit still in class.  Who just can't focus, or the work is too hard.  I know parents of teens where one set turns to drugs, and the other take a different approach.   They cut out the extra curricular fun stuff.  They change the diet.  They crack down and become stricter with the teens.  Sure, both may work, but at what cost does the drug taking child suffer?  If they've already been taking drugs since childhood, whenever a problem arises, as an adult, they'll most likely chose drugs to help when they can't deal.  When work is too hard or too stressful.  And then, when they have kids, the cycle repeats.  The child  not taking drugs-learns to deal with life and live healthy.  They're not going to turn to drugs at the first sign of a problem in their child.  Are they?
  I'm curious the studies done of these kids.  Long term effects of psychiatric drugs anyone? Other than them becoming prescription using adults.  I'll not apologize for the sarcasm.  I said that some people actually do need help.  I bet some of us can think back to our childhood and realize all these labels just didn't exist.  Parents were more involved and strict.  Children had respect for elders and each other.  Food, might have been a better quality-you know, our food wasn't drenched in food coloring, bad oils and sugar, the way it is today.  Kids weren't running around on Ritalin or some other sit still drug.  When did the numbers start to rise and we start to fail our children? Another thing to think about-long term safety studies of these drugs?  Short term safety studies?  Neurological effects of these drugs?  Yet people will give them to their kids, instead of looking at another way.
  As an adult, I suppose I have a label.  It's many things, and I'm sure  I would have been called a witch and persecuted in Salem.   Many, many great thinkers and scientists would have been labelled, and actually, though dead, are being labelled now, as a reason why they thought a certain way.  I do have a lot more to say on this subject, but right now it's about recognizing that too many kids are labelled and tossed drugs. 

Home school co op starts

  We had a light week for schooling.  Both kids had colds, but the nice thing about home school, is that we are home!  No missed work.  No make up assignments.  No absent marks.  And though ill enough to have been taken out of school, the little guy was well enough to do some work.
  We started our comprehension stories from Phonics Road.  It was, "The little red hen".  He had to read the page, then illustrated what he read.  By Friday, he had his own five page, illustrated book.  It's a nice way to see if the kids understand what they are reading.  He'll be doing a weekly book now until the end of the school year. Along with the comprehension, there are still new spelling words for the week, and review of spelling rules, along with some other new things like compound words-which we will be doing next week.
   We did a little math review of addition and subtraction this week.
 Thursday was the first day of our local home school co op classes!  The kids were well enough to go, and I figured we could leave if they started to feel sick.  Wow!  So many families were at the co op.  And we didn't even see half of them, since they were taking other classes.  We singed up for four classes-math bootcamp, science, music and art.  Everything went well.  Both the science and art classes are very cool.  The science teacher had a bunch of neat animals for the kids to see and learn about.  In the art class they did wet on wet painting.
   In all, the day went pretty well.  The sun came out and started to dry off the play ground, which was good, since I was going in and out of the classes with my youngest.  I'll be better prepared for him next week, on things to do.

  Now of course, the cold in my youngest has progressed to a nice wet cough.  The eldest still has a slight dry cough, but since my youngest had a very odd cough back in December for 2 weeks, I figure some of the cilia in his lungs was probably effected, hence he is showing more coughing symptoms than his brother.  All is good though.  I'm mainly using high dose Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), along with Borion's cough syrup and cold calm.
 
 

1918 Influenza part 1

  So I'm reading, "Flu, the untold Story of the great influenza pandemic of 1918, and the search for the virus that caused it", by Gina Kolata.  I'm a few chapters in.  I started reading it, because there seems to be a mystery surrounding this particular flu, if it was indeed a flu at all.  Anyhow, I came across something interesting today.
    In the chapter on Swine Flu, page 136 there is an analysis of the 1976 flu outbreak at Fort Dix.  This is what the officials are basing their evidence of a new and deadly pandemic, related to the 1918 flu, and starts the vaccine campaign. pg 136- "One death, thirteen sick men and up to 500 recruits who evidently had caught and resisted the disease, all in on Army camp, were the only established instances of human-to-human swine flu found around the world as February turned into March, the last month of the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere."   The scientists could not compare the Fort Dix virus to the 1918 flu virus, because no one had any samples for comparison.  So, they are basing a possible future epidemic on what then???

Our weekly home school wrap up

  It was a good week.  I thought I'd share some photos of things we are doing.  If you check my home school page, it goes over a month in review, and some of the programs we are using.  As you know, we are using The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading.  It's a fantastic program.  I really can't say enough about it.  We just wrapped up week 14.  We review daily the last 15 or so phonograms.  This past week we did sentence structure, how one starts and ends.  Here is a picture of some of my guys sentences.  Pretty good writing, I think, for an almost six year old.  These were done by dictation, and the only thing I had to explain in detail were the punctuation marks.

   For math, we are using Singapore 1.  We finished up the first half, and will be starting the second half shortly.  Until I get the workbook, we've been reviewing basic addition and doing flashcard work.  The photo shows the Singapore workbook for 1A, Spiderman, and in the binder, some of Math Mammoth, that we also use, for extra practice.

Singapore-creating math sentences. 

    For science we are using Elemental Science.  So far, I find it a nice program for elementary.  We are doing the, Biology part right now.  That covers animals for 20 weeks, body for 10 weeks and plants for 6 weeks.  the only problem I've had is the basic spine.  So we use various animal books.  This week we learned about whales, dolphins and walrus.  We also use some Planet Earth books and stickers.  We find the habitat of the animal, and then place it in the book and also on a wall map.  This way, it also incorporates some geography.

We covered a little mapping this week, which we'll continue into next week.  I found a few nice books at the library to use as a review of the United States.  Because Galloping the Globe includes some animals that live on each continent, we can combine our science and history, when it comes to animals.  By accident, after finding the Nat Geo book, I found a Toot and Puddle series.  One of the pigs is adventurous, and travels to different countries.  They make a nice story, and we can pull a lesson or project out of the book too.

Lastly, we finally started reading some Bible stories.  I have not been able to find a children's bible that wasn't too detailed, or sided more on one religion.  So far, the one I found seems to be working.  We read one or two stories at bed time.  Also, out of all the many, many books we check out from the library, we finally read, "Ferdinand".  

Until next week...

Who is watching over us?

Ah, there is hope yet, at least within the family.

  On occasion, my other half surprises me and eats something healthy, or passes along a bit of information, that, normally, I figure would pass right by him. Today, was one of those days. He tells me the bill to ban BPA in the US, failed to make it  to the senate table. So I dug around a little-just a little, because I already try to avoid all unsafe plastics. But, since I was both surprised, yet not surprised at the news....
   A few months ago you read that BPA is bad, and you start seeing infant products and plastics, labeled, "BPA Free". Yet, these people here will tell you it's safe-http://www.bisphenol-a.org/

  In January,  the FDA actually sides with the National Toxicology Program, and says that infants are particularly vulnerable to BPA, and to stop production of BPA in infant and kids products. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm197739.htm They go on to say this, The American Academy of Pediatrics and other health authorities recommend breastfeeding as the optimal nutrition for infants.  Infant formula, including infant formula packaged in cans, is a safe and acceptable alternative that provides known nutritional benefits and prevents life-threatening nutritional deficiencies. 

FDA is not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk of BPA exposure. 

   Yes, women have breasts, meant to feed babies, a small percent actually can not, and many chose not to. But, even breastfeeding moms occasionally pump and store milk-in bottles, cups etc-made of plastic. So even if you start out with the best intentions, that liquid gold, can be tainted with BPA. Now which is it-the FDA supports the knowledge that BPA is bad, or does not?

  Anyhow, BPA has been around since the 1960's, and only recently have studies been done with more than just a small amount of BPA. The good stuff-what my husband drew my attentions to-Nov 20th, 2010, the BPA ban does not make it to the senate table-http://inhabitat.com/us-senators-fail-to-approve-ban-on-use-of-harmful-bpa/  According to the Wall Street Journal, on Wednesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), facing major opposition from the chemical industry, withdrew the amendment to ban BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups from consideration. Pressure from the chemical industry, along with other major organizations, has freaked out the government and the chemical industry has gotten what they want – the privilege to keep putting BPA into baby bottles and sippy cups.

  Now, my question would be to Sen. Feinstein, if the information is correct-why withdraw? Didn't David beat Goliath?  So, we need to ask ourselves, who is looking out for us? We can't  get a BPA ban on the senate table? We can't get regulations on harmful chemicals in the US, yet in Europe, they can? We can't get harmful food additives removed from our foods, and our foods labeled against GMO's? We can't seem to get toys or clothing checked for harmful chemicals. I mean really, as we get sicker, who are we supposed to trust and turn to? And who reaps the benefits?

  

Jupiter brings what?

  Sigh.  The planet Jupiter is in the Pisces constellation now, and next month also I think.  Supposedly, this is a good sign for us Pisceans.  I admit, I know little of being a Pisces-nver studied it much.  I know I love the water as well as the land.  Being near the ocean is like therapy for me.  I can stand at the edge of the water, and just breathe in the salt air.  Feel it wash over me, cleansing.    I love the open fields, that are full of gently swaying grasses, dotted with wild flowers.  I can lay there and stare at the sky.  Absorb the warmth of the sun, and feel the connection to the land we live on.   There's also nothing like the great wilderness.  Waking up to the clear and crisp, mountain air, surrounded by wildlife and endless miles of forest.  There is a heaven there as well.  I do not have a favorite, I just know that I love being in contact with the earth.  I absolutely despise flying or being in the air.  I know there are other factors of being a Piscean, and reading through them, I'd say I'm perhaps half of them.  When I compare myself to my sister, also a Piscean, we are like mirrors, in that we reflect each others strengths and weakness, in opposites.  A little about Pisces.
 

Happy New Year

  Well, that's a bit late, and I've already grumbled this year, but Happy New Year, anyhow.
I typed up the Kindergarten requirements for my state, and made a snazzy chart, so I could check off what we have completed, with notes on where we stand.  I really dislike categorizing my kids, but for home school sake, I need to have some type of reference point.
  I'm pretty excited this year so far.  Co op classes start next month, and we are taking some neat ones.  Ds is excited to learn, "Rock and Roll", and have fun in art class.  The class is Montessori/Waldorf based, and they do some neat things, like using beeswax and felting.  We are doing pretty well in our basics too.  Once again, kudos to the Phonics Road program.  It's amazing what he knows, and we are only half way through it.
   Dh has quit smoking!  That's the most exciting news here.  It's been one week, and I couldn't be more proud of him.  He had cold laser treatment, and I'm giving him a bunch of herbs to help.  He was only grumpy the first day, so I'd say they are helping-a lot!  We are spending more time together, and I really enjoy it.  I have noticed the kids are not as clingy to him, as they used to be.  They are definitely enjoying him more.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed this is a permanent thing.
  On the news front, I swear, nutrition and vaccines are being attacked more than ever right now.  I honestly feel it's based out of fear that the government is realized there are a growing number of people out there, who just won't stand for their crap.  We will grow our own food.  We will have our organic farms.  We will not inject poison or take poison into our bodies.
  My New Year resolution, if I'm to have one.  Successfully have a garden this year.  And become a worm farmer.

Attack on Wakefield yet again....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011

  Well, it's not even a week into the New Year and already the news is attacking Andrew Wakefield.  Can anyone say that pharma is panicked?  Already flue vaccine numbers are dropped, if one believes the polls.  I haven't really checked the Pertussis vaccine numbers, but I spoke to quite a few people who were not concerned with the "outbreak" of it, since Pertussis follows a regular cycle.  Hmm, I guess these were informed parents, who were not going to buy into the media scare tactics.
  So here we have BMJ reports Wakefield was a fraud.  I'm sure I'm going to get a phone call about this news some time soon.  There are certain people who think badly of me for not vaccinating our kids, though will not try to understand why.  I get filtered into being called, "Those people", and have nothing to back up my decision.  I suppose if I mentioned anything about it being a religious decision, I'd be crucified or called crazy!  Wait, that's already happened.  Feeling sarcastic this morning.
   Anyhow, I hadn't even had a cup of coffee or woken up enough when I saw this new attack on my local news, so went looking to see what Age of Autism had to say.  British medical journal shows misjudgement  Age of Autism has covered the whole trial from what I remember.  Hard on the heals of yesterday's article they wrote, is the  CryShame response to BMJ report, on Age of Autism.
  Sigh, I feel like I should have checked the news a little more yesterday to have seen this.  So, I figured I'd pop on and place the two articles-one of attack, and one of defense.  Honestly, this whole debate about whether the MMR vaccine, or Any other vaccine causes Autsim, is like beating a dead horse.  Genetically, everyone reacts differently.  Very simply put, peanuts can kill some people and not others.  Vaccines effect some people, and not others.  What pharma needs to be doing is putting the money into finding out why, not making more vaccines and pushing them.  But, pharma would just take too much of a money hit if they actually admitted that their precious vaccines may possibly cause Autism.  It's bad enough they bully folks who bring out the truth and defy them, isn't it?  Gee, wonder who I want to put my trust in.

Increases of seizures in kids after flu vaccine

 I called it back when the US started buying doses of flue vaccine last summer.  An increase in childhood seizures you say?  That's what happened in New Zealand with Afluria.  The vaccines stopped and investigation started.  The US started to buy a flue vaccine and change the label-see here-label change
  Hmm, come fall, an increase in child seizures started to happen, but oh, there was no connection, right?  I mean, the vaccine is safe.  Now, there is an investigation into the seizures and the flue vaccine.  Took long enough.  The Vaccination council has a nice write up on it.
Vaccination council on seizures
  Actually, regarding the Vaccination council, they have some interesting books under media, I recommend reading.  The articles contain many interesting things, and some info on the doctors and scientists there, and WHY, they have stopped thinking vaccines are safe, and now question them.

A month of writing

  Well, after a month, I don't like blogging daily.  I know I missed a few days, due to family emergency and the holiday.  But, I realized, that either I need two blogs, or I'll just be writing as I have a thought to share.  Though both being a home schooler and stay at home mom, go hand in hand with the health and government issues that effect us, it seems like I could have a blog for each one alone.  I'm not sure yet.  We'll see.