Clay

Polymer clay by Irene Semanchuk Dean
Totally cool Polymer clay projects by Marie Browning

Yesterday we played with clay for a good percentage of time. We found great projects in both of these books and practiced making canes and marbeling.
The second book is a little more in depth as far as technique goes, but we found more projects we wanted to do out of the second one. Both are excellent!
Next time I just have to remember to buy clay that "will dry out". :(

My life as a furry red monster

What being Elmo has taught me about life, love and laughing out loud.
Kevin Cash.
Such a gem of a book! I really enjoyed it and found myself smiling often. This is a book that you come away from wanting to be a better person and a better parent.
A must read!
"Love was my mother's weapon of choice and it worked every time" (22).
"When we take the time to be creative in our teaching, chances are that we'll be more succesful in engaging a child's mind" (178).
"....It can be hard to resist pulling on the reins and, at some point, steering kids away from what they want to learn to what you think they need to be successful"(188).

Washington Homeschool Research Project 1986

To include or not include.....
Well I did read it and found it interesting so I guesse we'll add it.
This scientific study was incredibly interesting, I just wish it had been more recent.
If I ever have the chance to finish my degree it would definetly be a consideration when doing my own thesis.
Their lies a potential for a lot of bias to be included in this study but there are so many more avenues this study brings up for further research. It really had me going back to my Psychology roots and branching off with ideas (which I think may have bored my mother who was visiting).
There were a few key points that I found really interesting, some not so surprising.
In a study of 224 homeschoolers "the self-concept of homeschool youth was SIGNIFICANTLY higher than that of conventional youth".
When trying to ascertain the reasons why people choose homeschooling for their families, these seven reasons were given in order of popularity.
1. Religion or Philosophy
2. Avoid Peer pressure
3. Greater parent0child contact
4. Enables better self-concept
5. Avoid peer competition
6. More personalized learning
7. Accomplish more academically
They then commented on how it is easy to speculate a connection between these reasons and the high self-concept of home schooled youth. The popluar reasons related more to social/emotional/relational factors than they did to academic reasoning.

Devotions for Homeschool Moms and more

These two books were great devotions for those of us who homeschool, or for mothers who are considering homeschooling.
Each devotion has a subject, scripture, prayer, and food for thought section.
It is also a pretty quick read as I just read through. After awhile I also began skipping the prayer and food for thought sections.
So many of the things she mentions I could relate to and I find myself smiling in relief as I recognize that I am not the only one dealing with these issues.
A few quotes that really got me thinking,
"Husbands don't always act as they should, but we are to reverance them because of their position, not because of the way they act". (86)
"Children who grow up being allowed to tease eachother, turn into spouses who do the same"
"When you start homeschoolin it is obvious that you don't have enough patience, because you haven't experienced enough of the trial to develop the much desired patience". (111)

Out of the Depths

On our family blog I discussed my new interest that Matt says I am getting obsessed with.
A few weeks ago we went to a presentation on the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. One of the Survivors was there and it was very moving to hear him speak of his experiences and how they affect him still to this day.
So of course the first thing I do is borrow any and all books on the subject from the library. Matt questions why I would want to read so many books on the same subject, well, repetition is one of the best ways for me to learn things.
This book was interesting not only because of the subject but also because of the way the survivor (author) incorporates his love and respect for God.
It is fairly short for a good, quick read. And a great introduction to the events that never should have happened.

Welcome

Matt's grandmother used to get very engrossed in her romance novels. So much so, that if Grandpa wanted to tell her something he would have a hard time getting her attention. So if she began reading and he thought he would need to tell her something he would ask her to "leave her toes hanging out and not climb all the way into the book". This way he could pull her out by her toes.
Since we have been married Matt has had to use this expression with me as I have had to with him. We are both avid readers and believe that there is not enough time for all the books we would like to read.
I used to wish that I had kept a list of all the books I had read with a short description of each. Well, now that wish is coming true as I add yet another blog to our ongoing collection.
Here both Matt and I, and ocassionally a child or two will document the latest literature that we have devoured. Hopefully this will serve as a reminder for us and as a reference point for others who are looking for good books.
And don't forget, "To leave your toes hanging out".