Science and Art



I love this picture but what it represents is even more fun.

Darren asked the kids to go outside and collect some items to view under the magnifying glass.  A few of the items are shown here.  While under close examination, each of the kids were asked to draw a replication of some of the things that you could only see very close up.  They did explore the items thoroughly and some really great drawings were created.  Of course the experiment wouldn't have been any fun if they couldn't have been able to see how many of these items they could burn holes into with the magnifying glass :0)

Children's Home in the News

CLICK HERE TO GO THE PONCA CITY NEWS ARTICLE

As I was sitting with my daughter at the hospital this morning the nurse came in astonished about the news that the Children's Home would be closing.  We hinted at how it affected us and he said that the article had made the front page news.  So I have included a link to this mornings article which will give you the facts as of now if you are interested. 

MiKay is feeling better and we hope that she will be released in the morning.  Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.  We know that control over all is not in our hands, but in God's.  This of course applies to all of our circumstances yesterday, today & tomorrow.

tinaclonts@yahoo.com

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Principles or Rules?

We have been doing some extensive reading on unschooling recently.  We have been applying some of the principles of unschooling life.  It is overwhelming, however, I found a quote joyfullyrejoycing.com that began this process for us, "Don't drop all your parenting rules at once. Just say "Yes!" more."

Our entire family is going through an amazing transformation.  I copied a quote from Organic Sister on Facebook the other day "You can't fill a glass with water and have it spill orange juice. Likewise you can't fill a child's life with unconditional love and generosity and have them become "spoiled, self-centered or needy".

It's really all about slowing down.  Re-evaluating EVERYTHING.  I create the stress in my life by over complicating things.  I am learning to enjoy my children and through this process we are understanding each other and growing in our relationships by leaps and bounds.  I am still the parent, protective and watchful, but I am have a different motivation.  The way we have done things in the past has rewarded us with children leading a parent directed life that they could not wait to be free of (like jail).  I want something different for my children then what I have created for them so far, a controlling, inconsistent, stressed out persuit of a unrealistic life.  It is so true, they do not do what you say, the do what they see you do.

We are throwing out the rules.  We are trying instead to instill valuable principles.

A principle internally motivates you to do the things that seem good and right. People develop principles by living with people with principles and seeing the real benefits of such a life.


A rule externally compels you, through force, threat or punishment, to do the things someone else has deemed good or right. People follow or break rules.

I had always looked at the two as being the same thing.  The two are different in definition and in application.  Re-evaluating this type of thinking is making HUGE changes in our home, in our relationships, and reaches down into the very core of my being and is changing me.  I am more relaxed and I am truly enjoying my life experiences.  It is not perfect, but I find myself more at peace with myself and with the world around me.  I am discovering what truly matters and that I can confidently set personal boundaries without guilt. 

Try this experiment:  The next time your child asks if they can eat dessert first, say yes!  AND JOIN THEM.  The next time they ask you to play Barbies or Legos, you guessed it, say  Yes!  But the real key is to put out of your mind whatever you were doing or whatever needs to be done and enjoy that time with your child.  There is nothing more important than that moment. 

Thanks for following me in my journey, I think I am on baby step 126,155,332 and I have a lifetime left to go.  Remember to LIVE--Simply.  Generously.  Unpretentiously.

Friday, August 20th, 2010

So . . . What is it that you do?

I cringe when people ask me this question.  When 'catching up' with old friends, meeting someone new, or even a question from a stranger about my website logo.  I have no idea how to sum up everything that I do.  I usually just pick one and roll with it, if they are really interested in getting to know me they will find out the full scoop. 

Once during a catch up with you session at a funeral, an old classmate handed me his business card.  He holds an impressive title as Presidental Security IT--ok, big muck, muck--- at a renown Bank in the Big City (Not knocking it--He is brilliant).   When it was my turn, I stated that I worked from home and that I contracted with various clients.  I kid you not, he said "So you're a hooker"?  It was hilarious!  I really have to rethink that response for next time. 

I wear many hats.  Generally, I am wife and mom.  I do W-O-R-K from home as well.  My "Clients" include a few small businesses that contract certain administrative/bookeeping work to me part time/on call.  It is flexible for me and cost effective for them.  I can work from home mostly from my laptop and phone.  I like that it keeps me connected to the former administrative world that I once knew and helps to pay the bills.


Did I mention that we homeschool?  Darren works the second shift, so his help is priceless.  I don't know how to catagorize us, Relaxed Homeschoolers may fit pretty well.  I would like to adapt more unschooling principles but still hold on to some traditional homeschooling as well.  I want my children to relax and have fun learning.  There are so many opportunities for learning and discovery and those are not limited to the textbook. 

Now my passion is handcrafted jewelry and I do not have the time to work that part of the business like I would want to. I am hoping to find some time to get back into that in the near future and get my online store bulked back up. I have this friend, who keeps introducing me to all of these other easy crafty ideas. And then there is the Etsy influence that I always think "I can do that! No one does that around here." I want to have time to do some of those things and I keep telling myself that if I will just get organized then I will have more time . . . .

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Heerree's Bruc-ey!!!

My all time favorite shark--Bruce from Finding Nemo.  Anybody who is Anybody knows that this is Shark Week.  At our house, the ecclectic homeschoolers wishing we were radical unschoolers are celebrating Shark Week.  Fun facts, books, research and of course the Discovery Channel is in store for all of us.  However, when the little ones go to bed . . . it's time to introduce Kallie to . . . duh da, duh da, duh da, duda. duda duda . . . okay either you get it or you don't.  I think she's ready ;0)

I have had to explain many interesting and new things while watching Discovery Channel during prime time.  The kids understand that they are reacting true events of real people.  You should have seen Zach's face when the "Pirana 3D" movie commercial came on.  He did not filter that we were watching a commercial and he freaked.  Hilarious!!!!

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We did survive the yard sale this weekend.  It was hot, but there were a lot of people out and about.  I must brag about how well our friends took care of us.  Not only did they participate to make it a BIG yard sale but they made it fun and easy.  They were taking money before I could even drag myself out of bed the first day.  I heard it suggested that we post a sign that said "Early Birds will be Shot!", but once 6:30 a.m. rolled around people were practically throwing there money at us to get to the good stuff first.  And then there was Saturday morning and the big breakfast that they cooked up for us--yummy.  We had so much help that things went super smooth.  Thank you, Thank you!!! 

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So what is your favorite "Bruce" qoute or moment?  Or maybe you have another shark favorite to share. . .