Science fair fun

My son is participating in a home school science fair this Thursday.  Originally he was going to do an experiment about ant pheromones, but the ants didn't want to participate.  There were a lot of tears because right now he Loves ants.   I quickly found a dog experiment to do, since he also Loves dogs.
His experiment was, "what color can dogs see best?"  His hypothesis - "I think dogs will see red best because my dog notices me more when I wear red."

Technology ruining families

I recently have heard an add on the radio for a cable/internet company.  Mom is talking about her kids, all boys, and in the background you here kids playing and some crashing sounds.  Then mom talks about having cable/internet, you here silence, and then a quiet giggle.

It's got me thinking "What in the world is wrong with us?!?"

Why are we encouraging families that happiness is children (and adults) sitting quietly in front of a screen.  I will admit that my family definitely spends way to much time watching tv and playing video games, but my kids also go outside, play with friends (or just hang out being silly teenagers), and play with toys (ok just the youngest does that).  It appalls me that so many commercial are telling families "keep your kids happy and quiet give them the fastest internet".

I know how crazy and loud it can get when kids are playing and having fun.  In fact most days I enjoy the sounds of nerf gun wars, giggling girl talk, and what ever fun they get into.  The noise is how I know they're having fun.  When things get quiet, I get worried.

I couple summers ago I had seven kids running around my house for a week.  My four kids, their two cousins, and a friend of my youngest's.  All my friends kept saying how crazy I was.  But it was great!  Everyone had a companion to hang out with, so no sibling fighting.  Sure it was loud, and sometimes a little bit crazy, but I couldn't have been happier.

Instead commercial telling us we need the newest, biggest, fastest device/cable/internet/tv, we should have commercials that remind us spending time with family and friends is more important.

~Earthy Mom

Learning about Rocks & Minerals

We recently learned about rocks and minerals in science.  Potato really loves science, especially when we do hands on experiments.  We used Quizlet.com to learn rock and minerals identification.  We also did two experiments and went on a hike to a local granite quarry.

New journey, Homeschooling, how we got here

Potato and I have started on a new journey, homeschooling.

Potato is in sixth grade this year and has really been struggling.  I've shared many of our struggles on my personal facebook page.  Trouble started within the first week of school.  We live within a mile of the school, which means he has to walk.  Originally he was very excited, but walking and carrying a heavy backpack for my tiny guy (52 inches, 54 pounds and hypotonia) was just too much.  I thought no problem I'll just drive him to school, which worked for about a week.  Then he started refusing to go to school.  Every morning was a battle.

A better me

Last year in April I started my 5k training journey.  Since then I've run many 5ks, two 10ks, and two Warrior Dashes.  It's been a long and sometimes difficult journey.  I started this running journey with my sister and now my husband has joined us. I'm very competitive and hard on myself.  This often causes me to feel like I haven't done well in races.  I just have to remind myself that I've worked hard to get where I'm at.

I'm determined to get myself into better physical shape.

And my newest passion is yoga.

Scout leadership

Potato, Monkey, and some of the boys from Potato's Den
at the Camp chapel

Monkey is a Boy Scout and our Webelos den's Den Chief.  In the past year he has really stepped up into a leadership position.  He is taking his role very seriously

When we took Potato's Webelos Cub Scout den on a camping trip.  We went to our local Scout camp and the boys had lots of fun.  All of the boys had such a great time.

For this trip we took the boys camping at our local Scout camp.  The goal was to work on achievements for Webelos and Arrow of Light.

End of and Era

Mom and Grandma at the Relay for Life June 2012, 2 years ago

It's not an actual era, but it feels like one.

About a two years ago, my Grandma was very sick and survived her congestive heart failure and pneumonia.  She hasn't really been the same since then.  Her body has gone down hill.  She was not eating enough calories to keep herself going.  She needed constant care, which my amazing mom and our amazing home care woman gave to her.  In the past six months she has been admitted to the hospital for a collapsed lung twice.

Last month she had her last night with us.

Fun with my kids

Frozen, it's every where.  Three of my four kids Love it.  If you don't know what Frozen is, then you are probably living under a rock.  Frozen is the newest Disney movie, about two sisters.  One who is trying to hide from the world and keep her secret.  And the other who is overly optimistic and wants to see all the world has to offer.

The songs are very catchy.  I often find myself singing them.  Mostly because the kids keep quoting the movie and it makes me think of one of the songs.  My husband and Monkey are completely done with hearing any songs or quotes from Frozen.

Here is the fun part.  Ladybug, Duckling, Potato, and I were driving home from a friend's party.  Ladybug decided to play the movie on her Ipad.  Of course all three of them started singing along with the movie.  Potato even had his penguin do some dancing, he is such a ham.  Since we had recently watched some parents lip-syncing Frozen songs in their car, I got an Idea!  What if I pulled out my phone and tried to catch some video of the kids singing and having fun.  Check out our video to see and hear the fun we had on our long car ride home.

PS - Hope you all enjoy the view of my ear.

~Earthy Mom