tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73255366952380907212024-02-07T12:28:01.653-08:00barefootOCmamaa mama's musings about living barefoot in Orange Countylearningbarefoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731232702609913900noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-33641475296162972802015-01-11T21:10:00.001-08:002015-01-11T21:23:40.488-08:00Elderberry GummiesBeing a large family we spend a lot of time healing and allowing our bodies to wage war between two modes of reproduction.<br />
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In an attempt to keep my children's immune systems ready to battle, I have been making Elderberry Gummies. I first found this recipe on WellnessMama : <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/4599/flu-busting-gummy-bears/">http://wellnessmama.com/4599/flu-busting-gummy-bears/</a><br />
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My kids had already enjoyed the basic elderberry syrup recipe they had learned to make in our <a href="http://www.greenwisdomherbalstudies.com/" target="_blank">Green Wisdom Herbal Studies</a> Homeschool classes, and didn't like the addition of spices (cinnamon, clove and ginger) in the wellness mama version so I used her gummy recipe with the plain elderberry tea sweetened with this fabulous honey suggested by a fellow homeschool mama - <a href="http://www.honeypacifica.com/cold-packed-brazilian-peppertree-honey/">http://www.honeypacifica.com/cold-packed-brazilian-peppertree-honey/</a>. After this first batch they were hooked on the gummy form and I wanted to add more helpful properties with other helpful herbs.<br />
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My kids have all been healing a cough brought on by the pertussis bacteria. Julie had concocted a herbal syrup they all liked using thyme, mullein, coltsfoot, licorice root and honey. My husband loved it, but the kids spilled as much as they sipped, so I decided to try and combine these herbs with the elderberry gummies I had been wanting to make.<br />
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After reading a blog post (<a href="http://www.sabbaticalsoapbox.com/2013/02/diy-thyme-tincture.html">http://www.sabbaticalsoapbox.com/2013/02/diy-thyme-tincture.html</a>) breaking down the different ways of extracting the medicinal quality from herbs, I made my first glycerite, with thyme and mullein. Have been adding it to the kids favorite, <a href="http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/holiday-teas/sugar-cookie-sleigh-ride" target="_blank">Sugar Cookie Sleighride Tea</a>.<br />
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Since they had gobbled down all the aforementioned gummies (and used some in lego building projects), I was ready to make a new batch. My Thyme Mullein Glycerite was ready and another fellow in home educator had suggested maple syrup instead of the honey. So for my second batch, I used this recipe: <a href="https://food52.com/recipes/32928-chewable-elderberry-cough-drops">https://food52.com/recipes/32928-chewable-elderberry-cough-drops</a> and added 2 teaspoons sodium ascorbate after reading this article on the importance of Vitamin C in healing pertussis: <a href="http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2012/09/07/vitamin-c-for-whooping-cough-updated-edition-suzanne-humphries-md/">http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2012/09/07/vitamin-c-for-whooping-cough-updated-edition-suzanne-humphries-md/</a><br />
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These are popular with the girls but the boys like to use them to explore the bounce capacity. Next I am going to try making extracts of all four of the herbs in the cough syrup to maximize the effectiveness of the herbs.<br />
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Trying to decide if these gummies are worth ordering these <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VPW0V8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003VPW0V8&linkCode=as2&tag=barefootocmam-20&linkId=XGHGY4D56G5JSSEA%22%3EFreshware%20CB-114RD%2030-Cavity%20Silicone%20Chocolate,%20Candy%20and%20Gummy%20Mold%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=barefootocmam-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003VPW0V8%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">cute silicon molds</a>... seems like an easy way to provide herbal healing on the go and I could make different formulas for different needs.<br />
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So very excited to be starting the Herbal Apprenticeship this Saturday, so I will end this post with a couple of quotes from a book I have acquired for this undertaking:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BE24W98/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BE24W98&linkCode=as2&tag=barefootocmam-20&linkId=YLJAW5SXXPU7GMFF">The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=barefootocmam-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BE24W98" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Holistic medicine is founded on the concept and experience that the organism is a functional unit or whole under the directing hand of an intelligent, self-regulating, and self-correcting guiding life force or energy."</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"A culture that has lost its folk medicine, or its ability to heal and cure everyday problems with everyday materials, has lost a part of its soul."</blockquote>
Thanks for reading. Be well.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-37093377686552047942014-11-11T21:14:00.000-08:002014-11-15T12:50:42.151-08:00Being BarefootAfter an emotion filled day with Sylvia practicing <a href="http://www.innerbonding.com/" target="_blank">Inner Bonding</a> and <a href="http://www.connectingwithin.com/" target="_blank">Connecting Within</a>, I have been able to move through the last few days with a sense of wonder. It has been interesting to me how committed I am to using the process to adapt to my demanding world.<br />
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It's a powerful magic. Opening to my inner guidance (a force that I believe has the highest and best interests in mind for my well being) allows me to calmly accept the wisdom that my connection to the divine assures me is solidly aligned with the natural order of things.<br />
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Being fully me in every moment I am am able, is the greatest expression of life that I can offer.<br />
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Stepping outside to listen to the birds is all it took this morning. Have you noticed your local crew- I love the stories my children and I concoct about the large, vocal bluebird- he is the neighborhood sheriff, who keeps our cat in line, protecting the birds on his beat from the imminent canine threat.<br />
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There is so much to learn from just being, here, now in places that vibrate with life and offer mysteries untold. No need for plans, lessons, the builders of the future will map out their own journey, the experiences had will provide the data to learn from...<br />
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Everything always comes back to learning for me, "how" the human mind processes it's experiences.<br />
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What a lucky mama am I to spend my days pondering such things and loving such beings.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-20729167087370020242014-10-04T20:26:00.001-07:002014-10-04T20:31:12.579-07:00Unschooling AdviceOk kids... and adults... and humans of all kinds... people!<br />
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We all learn the same. We observe, we experiment, we reconsider, we formulate our opinions, we test our theories, we fail, we succeed, we repeat... life happens along the way.<br />
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What if the life happening part was the important stuff?<br />
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What if you took a moment to savor the peppery flavor of the perfectly cooked steak your husband prepared? What if you told him thank you, and gave him a long lingering kiss?<br />
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Can you imagine being excited about your life? Creating moments that thrill you?<br />
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Don't wait for it- make it happen. Do the things that you imagine you would like- and wait breahlessly for the reality... enjoy the messy experience of being alive... let your life happen.<br />
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Sometimes it will feel fantastic, other times a bit drastic- but my advice as a mother of four wonderful human beings (cool to be a creature that earns bragging rights just for procreating) is: jump in, bounce as high as you can and always breathe deep as you land softly, exactly where you are supposed to be.<br />
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P.S.Do things that require gloves. Be your beautiful self. Stop and greet the trees.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-18446747374065333742014-09-11T13:03:00.003-07:002014-09-11T13:03:50.271-07:00Healing DaysThis "school year" has been interesting, as I practice balancing my own desire to plan, organize and connect homeschoolers of all types, with my passionate belief in an "unschooling" style of learning for my own children.<div>
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Today I find myself frustrated, irritated and hot. It <i><b>is</b></i> a hot day and half the foursome are feeling under the weather. I lost my temper a little bit ago and I am processing the guilty ickies as quickly as possible. I am not feeling 100% myself.<b> I desperately need time alone to replenish and refresh my inner child's need for loving mama attention.</b></div>
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All four of the sweeties are also in need of some focused love and tender care. I have been busy with work and volunteering. Both of these pursuits are also "for my kids", but I find that they don't really care about that when I need to keep putting them off to handle details that seem urgent and important to me.</div>
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The thing I am wondering about how to do better is this: am I leaving them to their own devices too often? There is so much else for me to do in each day, and while I respond to their requests, trying to keep myself available, they seem bored. They want to do things <i>with me</i>, but not the things I need to do. Primarily the keeping of our magical cottage - cleansing the copious amounts of clothing and sorting & storing the stacks of stuff, and fending for and fixing the feed that fills and fits into both our budget and our busy-ness. </div>
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It is feeling difficult to be in the moment with them, because not only do I have so much else to do, but I don't really want to do what they are asking me to do. Times 4. Not that I never want to, but lately I am feeling like the moment I start to do something that needs to be done- anything at all- somebody interrupts me. They may just need to know how to spell a word, or want to know where a toy is, but sometimes they need my full attention to discuss, or help to do, something that feels urgent and important to them. </div>
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There are many, many times a day when I hear screaming and suspend my attention for a moment, waiting to see if someone is mad, sad, hurt or just pretending to be one of those things... my nerves are totally frazzled. I am in total reactive mode and I am not sure how to move into "being in the now" mode. The thoughts that come to mind feel controlling, directive and impatient.</div>
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Reading back over this post I see the issue. </div>
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It's right there in bold letters. That simple sentence. <b>I desperately need time alone to replenish and refresh my inner child's need for loving mama attention.</b></div>
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All these other issues are just the stories I tell, the words I use, to try to express <i><b>that</b> </i>feeling.</div>
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And in conclusion, I am thinking I should change my RSVP from a Maybe to a Yes for this splendid event: http://www.connectingwithin.com/conscious-mothering/conscious-mothering-mini-retreat-series/ </div>
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Happy Thursday!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-17165917611036349472014-08-22T09:37:00.000-07:002014-08-22T09:55:00.194-07:00Unschooling UpdateWhile our friends who are enrolled in independent study charter schools are diving back into their homeschool studies for the school year, things are not much different than the summer time has been for my family. This year we are filing independently and I am allowing the kids absolute freedom to pursue what interests them.<br />
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For G-pie (the 12 year old) this means make-up tutorials on YouTube and a recent blossoming desire to become a YouTube personality. Her favorite is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/C0OK1EMONSTER">https://www.youtube.com/user/C0OK1EMONSTER</a>. Yesterday we spent the better part of an hour watching snippets she had selected to share her passion with me. Last week I asked her to give me an overview of all the channels she is subscribed to and what she likes about them so we can start planning her channel. She worked for several hours and filled 6 notebook pages and then came and said we'd have to split up the footage she wanted to show you in our next 5 one-on-one's. She had 5 hours of YouTube videos to share with me. I am really excited to share this journey with her. She also wants to learn to play the violin and join a rockclimbing class. She is excited about the first board meeting of the year with our 4-H Club. She is the Recreation Leader.<br />
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My 6 year old, J-cakes, has decided she needs to know how to read. So we are starting a fun weekly class with a few of her friends to explore reading in playful and low pressure ways. She is also interested but withholding judgment about the Magic Tree House book club I am running for Learning Barefoot, my homeschool enrichment program. She mostly wants to do make-up with big sister, but I see her most often drifting away after the make-up is applied to play pretend, talking to herself and including her little siblings as players in her highly imaginative dramas.<br />
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Processing a little mama guilt over not being able to do any one-on-one's with her in a couple weeks, but at least Sugar Daddy got his in while G-pie and I were seeing The Giver on a double mommy/daughter date. She loves the beach, so we have undertaken a big project- to walk the OC coastline (not all at once). We started in Seal Beach a couple weeks ago- we didn't make it very far.<br />
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The older girls have been watching several episodes of Full House daily as well, it makes me nostalgic and surprised at what great parenting those men modeled. They will also be attending yoga and continuing their fabulous Herbal Studies class.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYakr6WxNTqvv_FittZ7xAcxZKJZmhavgYwoEU4EJ863FJE10FOAjy-jgTdvPD-OI09pqKF3HrD8_2LRBrT6jYQ0DmdciMaf8jgpHs-LmRGnDUg08KpVxLXgKYRM8jPyID7vF-y93q1fv/s1600/20140812_114222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYakr6WxNTqvv_FittZ7xAcxZKJZmhavgYwoEU4EJ863FJE10FOAjy-jgTdvPD-OI09pqKF3HrD8_2LRBrT6jYQ0DmdciMaf8jgpHs-LmRGnDUg08KpVxLXgKYRM8jPyID7vF-y93q1fv/s1600/20140812_114222.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4MFcNySIty7rD_AW6ED8d4qVKoDjHtJrHSeYrJaL0LvpklzRBVOg0x6Y91lA82ojNOwWMz-uzHiDdezVUmvbn6PlHVXP8U8e3_5FdwAax8QoBXKvFtg975S9qUAxWPZa3HDeW8kLglM1/s1600/20140819_100122.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4MFcNySIty7rD_AW6ED8d4qVKoDjHtJrHSeYrJaL0LvpklzRBVOg0x6Y91lA82ojNOwWMz-uzHiDdezVUmvbn6PlHVXP8U8e3_5FdwAax8QoBXKvFtg975S9qUAxWPZa3HDeW8kLglM1/s1600/20140819_100122.mp4" height="320" width="180" /></a>{Insert deep breath} My 4 year old, C-dough, is into Rabbids Invasion, Spongebob Squarepants, Wallykazaam, Wild Kratts and Octonaughts. He loves cereal and would eat it at every meal if we could keep it in stock. He loves sandplay and dirt and seeing friends. He wants to make playdough or goop or oobleck every day. He has always allowed his bigger sisters to apply make-up (sometimes monster faces) and dress him up and he is starting to act a little silly and embarrassed when he comes to show me. I am curious about this. He is learning to recognize how his emotions make him react physically (especially to his baby sister).<br />
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C-Dough knows his alphabet and can count to 20. He loves abcmouse.com and plays daily for 20-60 minutes. I am trying to find more time to sit with him to enjoy his interests and hoping to find a way for him to do what he keeps asking to do- build a robot. And just now he came running in to tell me the new Dora and Friends was on and he was super excited to watch it. He is also getting very good at pretend play, even directing the show with M-cube when she allows it. {I am aware that many believe that the effects of so much media on a child this age is detrimental, I am trusting that the large amount of outside play and sibling interaction he gets throughout the day is balancing that.}<br />
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The middles are enjoying the "busy bags" I have been making them for when I am trying to get work done. They both approach them so differently and usually end up working together to make them even more interesting than I imagined.<br />
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Lastly, my baby girl, M-cube. She is the picture of a perfect two year old. She is completely adorable and totally "terrible"- often in the same moment. She screams piteously when her baby doll won't sit up the way she wants her to. She laughs gleefully when I do "This Little Piggie" and she always says, "other one, mama". She sings little made up songs all day. She loves to snuggle mama. She is fearless and courageous on the tallest of play structures. She is independent and explores to the furthest boundaries she can when we are out and about. She sleeps erratically and hates to nap. She can count to 10 and has a HUGE vocabulary. She has finally accepted another grown up into her circle, and I am so grateful to me dear friend mrscave08. I am hoping to get more involved in Signing Time with her, she really loves the music and knows a lot of signs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugimRET9QfhEHWrmGpSTFpxP0iDRgFpbU8aY9sWDGLwdV-XfYrHSAAemPZYqmcc20o8VmAg0KPxxccgEDwWd7VCeb5y22MUPFcAbhbViUiy9aA-GjSkefZG5sDU6tXWMRRFKIsjrdWFqJ/s1600/20140812_185746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugimRET9QfhEHWrmGpSTFpxP0iDRgFpbU8aY9sWDGLwdV-XfYrHSAAemPZYqmcc20o8VmAg0KPxxccgEDwWd7VCeb5y22MUPFcAbhbViUiy9aA-GjSkefZG5sDU6tXWMRRFKIsjrdWFqJ/s1600/20140812_185746.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>Then there is me. How am I "unschooling" myself, you ask? Well I will tell you- I am Learning Barefoot, as always. Just keeping on moving in the direction that feels right. An incredible balancing act and something that requires much yoga.<br />
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This coming "school year" (while we are choosing to unschool, my kids enjoy the traditions and milestone markers that we weave in, both seasonal observances and cultural happenings). I am feeling like my work is pulling me away from my kids, I am exploring options and letting go of what doesn't work with ease and gratitude. I plan to deepen my practice of yoga and keep working on my other passion - food management, preservation and cooking with my CSA basket from www.abundantharvestorganics.com.<br />
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As a family we are learning much about how to compromise and collaborate, it naturally follows respectful communication and honoring each other's desires and feelings; allowing each of our 6 family members the space and support they need to process their growth spurts, as they develop through phases and stages.<br />
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We are blessed to have our happy little magical cottage to call home. We are grateful for our community of family style learners. We are ecstatic to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and to be exposed to so many opportunities to explore the world. This is going to be our best homeschool year ever.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-38408864146196422712014-03-20T10:43:00.000-07:002014-03-20T12:06:06.257-07:00The Wonder of Rabbit HolesBeing a "homeschool" mom for the past 7 years I thought I understood child-led, or interest based, learning. I delighted in watching the synapses fire as one of my four little darlings discovered something new or figured out how things in their environment worked. We lived in a constant state of wonder and we were curious about everything. And as each child has joined our happy little tribe, we have gotten curiouser and curiouser.<br />
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In California to "homeschool" you basically either belong to a (publicly funded) charter school and follow a course of independent study or you become a Private School and design your own educational approach. We have always belonged to a charter school and my kids have done "well" according to certain measures- you know, like standardized tests and approval ratings from family and friends. But I don't want to raise people pleasers or test takers. I want to raise thinking, feeling, connected humans. The way I have been doing it wasn't quite right.<br />
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The charter school is sort of like The Matrix in my mind. It is a construct that is pre-programmed and when you enter it you can be traced by any government agent. It is dependent on the belief that the system is working.<br />
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Last weekend I realized I was still searching, I knew the answer was out there. I had a scary panic attack, (while trying to "prove" in a concise learning log, what I as their mother was fully confident of) that made me open my eyes a bit wider. Charter schools require a learning log every 20 days, showing new learning in each subject. But I know -without having to provide a worksheet sample - that my 4 kids are all doing great according to each of their own learning styles.<br />
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Previously doubting and wary family members have now conceded that my kids are well adjusted, smart and they have peer relationships and know how to find their way in a group. They are also comfortable talking to other adults and they don't rebel against authority because they don't feel their freedom is threatened by it. Because I worked very hard to absorb the stress that our modern system of schooling places on children- basically I became Morpheus and was piloting our Nebuchadnezzar as close to the surface as possible.<br />
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The problem was, this was taking it's toll on ME! My focus was constantly on them. My life revolved around their activities and my "free" time was spent gathering resources and information or tracking and recording what they are doing for some elusive "permanent record" that the state says they need. This was not a lifestyle they were eager to imitate and any mom knows kids learn all the most important stuff through imitation- walking, talking, eating, pontificating...<br />
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With all the wonderful sources of education available, along with our family's decision to live in a consciously committed community- and constant, frequent advances in the fields of technology, we have found it easier and easier to find ways to learn what we need to know. We have also realized that when you need to know something you learn it fast.<br />
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For example my 12 year old didn't read until she was 8. I spent a lot of time reading to her, so she didn't need to. Then she discovered a book series all her friends were reading, and they began to create their play based on these stories. All the kids in our groups used these books as the manual- if there were disagreements they didn't come to us, they went back to the book to solve the discrepancy. She was reading 4 grade levels ahead within 6 months. She resisted memorizing times tables until she got fascinated with working long division problems and needed to multiply frequently.<br />
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We don't even know what the world we are preparing them to inhabit will look like. Our kids need to know *how* to learn, our schools teach what <i>they</i> think children <b>should</b> learn.<br />
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We have decided that next year we will file independently and unplug from the Matrix. We will "unschool". But first we will "deschool" and then we will ALL continue living, loving, laughing and learning together- without school. We will follow our interests, pursue our passions and be involved in doing- appreciating that when the world is your classroom, learning happens.<br />
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Already I have noticed a subtle paradigm shift: I am feeling more relaxed and focused on the tasks in front of me. I quit Facebook (how I stayed connected to the "homeschool scene") because I want to model slow living. I can trust that my kids are invested in what interests them (that's what kids do!)- and they are motivated to learn far more (and more quickly) than any lesson plan could ever account for.<br />
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We will continue to explore the deliciousness of this lifestyle, which many attribute to the "father of the modern homeschooling movement", John Holt. Not even a parent himself, he could clearly see that compulsory schooling wasn't working and as a superintendent of schools he was able to observe How Children Learn, How Children Fail and what to do Instead of Education (the titles of three of his books).<br />
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If you wonder why you see more and more small people out and about, doing awesome and amazing things, and you think you might be interested in taking charge of your children's education I encourage you to read Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto. But be prepared, it is like choosing the red pill.<br />
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"You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."<br />
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For me and mine, I am happy that we have decided to go deeper into the rabbit hole. We look forward to all the characters that we will meet on our journey... all the merry unbirthdays, all the Mad Hatter tea parties, and to following the white rabbit, wherever it may lead.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-50287508036889158982013-10-23T10:06:00.001-07:002013-10-23T10:48:34.797-07:00The voyage continues... Captain's log, Stardate 2013.10.23The middle schooler has decided that school is sort of a waste of time. There are things she has learned from being there though. She likes the consistency of friendships and the continuity of following a suggested course of study. She likes deadlines and designated time for things. She likes pleasing others by achieving things.<br />
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She would like more time to pursue independent interests or work with small groups on projects they found exciting. She would like the freedom to go play when the work was done instead of feeling like they are being given "busy work" to fill the time remaining in a class period.<br />
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We like that she is motivated and excited to learn again, that she is discovering new ideas and being a part of a larger group that shares an exciting purpose. We like that the atmosphere is safe, small and community driven. I like the routine and rhythm it brings to our family.<br />
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Not to say we are for sure done with IVA. G-pie wants to finish the trimester for sure. We are going to take some time tomorrow to go over her body of work, the pros & cons and spend a little time in meditation "feeling" for the best answer. Then this weekend Sugar Daddy and I will talk about it.<br />
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What she really, really wants is a hybrid. 4 days a week (10-2 is what she proposed- then I suggested maybe only 3 days with a 4th dedicated to field trips/ nature hikes and community service type action). With enough kids that they still get to switch classes, play PE games and have a student government. She also wants "real teachers" (she said it's fine if they are moms, just not *me* teaching everything). And when it comes to "teaching" we both liked that the teachers at IVA are more like "thought & discussion guides", we believe without the "public charter" aspect they could be that way even more.<br />
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So I am looking into it. I am looking for a location. Again. Still. I guess I always sort of am. :)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;">[Star maps reveal no indication of habitable planets nearby. Origin and purpose of the cube still unknown.]</span><br />
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My personal goal is to find a place where we can occupy 4 rooms with school age kids, have a preschool/ nursery for little sibs and an office or resource room where homeschool moms can come prepare & plan- print stuff, have meetings to discuss collaborative learning opportunities, share materials and motivation; and it would ideal to also have a large meeting room to have community focused seasonal celebrations, special speakers to support us all and focus on family style fun!<br />
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If you know of such a place or want your child to attend it, let me know. We aim for starting in January. Ideally we would have 6-8 kids in the Kinder- 2nd group and 10-12 children in the 3rd-5th group and 24-30 in the 6-8th group. 40-50 kids total (plus of course the little sibs). We would need moms to volunteer to be a thought & discussion guide (helping the kids identify common goals, work through communication glitches and set their plans to accomplish projects together) and other moms to head up administrative, fundraising and membership details.<br />
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This would not be a child led, nor a parent led program but a community driven, "tribal" or "village" learning experience- democratic, but with accountability and a participation requirement element would have to be discussed (interestingly this is something that is very important to G-pie- she said when everyone is free to decide if they feel like doing something on any given day the chances of the group getting anything done is slim; but if those who are interested are committed to being involved in the group's plan and influencing the project with their own ideas they will appreciate the expectation of attendance).<br />
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Now for the real question- cost and how to pay for it. Finances (fundraising?) would be for the location, materials and any experts we want to hire.<br />
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Sometimes I feel like my thoughts on education for my kids are more like notes in a captains log- we are star trekking across the universe, always going forward 'cause we can't find reverse, and we often find ourselves saying "beam me up" and "danger will robinson" and more than once I have felt like Gwen Demarco- "I have one job on this lousy ship [and sometimes it feels like] it is stupid, but I am gonna do it!"<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-34818800434951988312013-08-17T08:44:00.002-07:002013-08-17T08:44:47.412-07:00Stats<a href="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/homeschooled/"><img alt="Homeschooled: How American Homeschoolers Measure Up" border="0" src="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/homeschooled/homeschool.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Source: <a href="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/">TopMastersInEducation.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-23512589772125125202013-08-16T19:54:00.003-07:002013-08-16T21:38:03.950-07:00The Universe is Perfect and things always work out for me...<span style="font-size: large;">My life is charmed. I am surrounded by wonderful magic and magical wonders!</span><br />
And... it appears that I can manifest an even better life. That there is indeed a great power in my words and that I have the ability to overcome fear- which just leads to anger... which leads to hate... and then on to suffering...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xCL0lVlEGQg" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<b>Words. Great power have they. </b><br />
<b>People* have said that "a way with words", have I.</b><br />
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More and more I am discovering what that means. Today I manifested the best, easiest outcome to a problem that I could imagine. I did not waste any time envisioning "the" solution I wanted. I merely accepted that it would be stress-free, pain-free and easy. Then on about my merry day I went, leaving my amazing children with my lovely mother in law- knowing all would be well.<br />
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The other day, all did not feel well.</span></h3>
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That day I merely observed. I had no words a lot of the time. I tried not to use the ones that came immediately to mind- I allowed them to pass without judgment. It was "one of those days" that I used to call "hard" or "rough". It was fairly smooth, actually.<i><b> I felt anger. I felt frustration. </b></i>I breathed through it. I did yoga when I could (in a park in front of lots of people- badass rockstar mama don't care!).<b><i> I felt pain. I felt fear.</i></b> I chose to get on a swing with my littlest and chat about how spiderman got his superpowers with my little man. I observed my frustration and pain with fascination as it did not affect the way I interacted with anyone around me.<br />
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My words had such an impact on both blissful days- the words I chose, to create my reality, as well as the ones I allowed to pass silently through the processes of my mind- choosing to turn my attention to those who I love, while gracefully passing through moments of contrast.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Magical Spells</span><br />
<b>(aka power-filled phrases) that are supporting my peace-centered approach to life</b><br />
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Recently I have decided to release some things from my thought circles. After reading this delightful blog post I have been using the following phrase silently when I feel the need. "“I bless you. I release you. I set you free. I allow you to be you and me to be me.” <a href="http://bemorewithless.com/7-ways-to-simplify-your-life/">http://bemorewithless.com/7-ways-to-simplify-your-life/</a><br />
<br />
Another phrase, "That's not going to work for me." (and stop talking) from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767902076/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0767902076&linkCode=as2&tag=learningbaref-20">Take Time for Your Life: A Personal Coach's 7-Step Program for Creating the Life You Want</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=learningbaref-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0767902076" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is helping me reinforce my boundaries.<br />
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<br />
And "That's a great idea- would you put that together?" from my dear friend, Katherine. This one is great for the people pleaser in me.</div>
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It is refreshing and uplifting to be embracing an honestly simple life. I invite you to share anything that you are moved to- because I love to know that I have connected to others in the use of my magic.<br />
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<i>*especially my mom! It is so nice to have one that believes in my superpower- "Hi Mom!"</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-41602683961290381032013-05-13T13:39:00.000-07:002013-05-18T20:52:05.593-07:00Fresh livingThursday I picked up baby rainbow chard, collards, butter lettuce and the best avocados ever- grown with love by my friend in her Little Beach Homestead. Saturday my family and I lovingly prepared rosemary skewers and I delivered them to the Garden Angels Cooperative, where a team of volunteers sorted out the produce 9 others had brought and we came back a few hours later to a bag with a couple grapefruit, a tangerine, a baggie of sage, some muffins (notice the empty bag), a bunch of kale, lots of green onions (ideas on what to do with those, anyone- I use them in scrambled eggs and on rice and that's about the extent of my experience...) and a generous bag of kumquats. I don't even know how to eat those.<br />
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For the past week we have had bone broth in the crock-pot constantly going - I added a sprig of rosemary to one batch. Yum.<br />
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Now I have 9 jars, 3 trays of frozen cubes- plus I made<br />
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<ul>
<li>egg drop soup one morning, </li>
<li>sauteed chard & avocado in bone broth another, </li>
<li>tortilla soup for lunch one day, </li>
<li>just a mug of broth with apple/avocado/almond salad, </li>
<li>and then... classic vegetable soup last night (so easy- few handfuls out of the huge bag of frozen, organic mixed veggies from Costco, a jar of tomato sauce, 2 cloves garlic and a can of potatoes that someone gave me for some reason- just 'cause I wanted to use it up; threw it all in the last of the strained bone broth and let it simmer in the crockpot for an hour, sooooo good!) </li>
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And all this from the bones of the 2 Rotisserie Chickens we served at May's 1st birthday last week (oh and of course, some Apple Cider Vinegar, carrots, celery and onion).<br />
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My middles are excited and involved and practicing cutting and G is learning about proper food storage and safety as Shawn and I discuss it, she has chimed in with questions and gone and looked stuff up, even!!<br />
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We also made 4 batches of orange oil cleaner from the peels the kids have carefully saved each time they eat a cutie- and that is frequent. And we have been saving other scraps for the worm bin and compost pile.<br />
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It feels so good to be connected to the foods we eat, to be using as much as possible from each source to be sharing with others, and supporting small local growers.<br />
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However- lest you think I am some sort of paleo, hippie, homeschool mama- I will quickly end this post as I share that my husband is pulling in the driveway with Carl's Jr...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-82770401055625713602013-02-25T23:40:00.000-08:002013-02-28T09:11:15.141-08:00Bringing it back home...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most incredible and exciting thing has happened. We will be moving the HOMEschool enrichment center into our own backyard. Literally. Through the generous support of an anonymous donor we will be able to build out the classroom and put in a front fence for the play area and make the modifications necessary to welcome our families into the next stage of Learning Barefoot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My most strongly held reason for wanting to homeschool came from reading "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto. Institutional schooling is not something I believe in. It is my opinion that children learn best by modeling the behavior they see. This is totally being underscored as I watch my 2 littles observe and absorb everything their two older sibs (and we parents) do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After watching The War On Kids and Waiting For Superman (both available to watch instantly on Netflix), it helped me define what I do stand for. What Learning Barefoot was created for. While I am not in favor of compulsory institutional education, I strongly support a consciously committed community educational environment- a place where kids can feel like they "belong". Don't we all want to be a part of something larger than our immediate family? A place where our traditions and cultural ideals are shared- or at the very minimum, fully accepted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="vk_ans vk_dgy" style="color: #212121; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large !important; margin-bottom: 5px;">com·mu·ni·ty</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">/kəˈmyo͞onitē/</span></div>
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<table class="vk_txt ts" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: small !important; margin-top: 20px;"><tbody>
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<li class="vk_txt" style="border: 0px; font-size: small !important; line-height: 1.2; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A group of people living together in one place, esp. one practicing common ownership: "a community of nuns".</span></li>
<li class="vk_txt" style="border: 0px; font-size: small !important; line-height: 1.2; list-style: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the people living in a particular area or place: "local communities".</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Community is still largely defined as being a geographic term, although in many societies, and with the increasingly easy ability to come together from within larger areas, some have started to segregate themselves into "like-minded" groups. As an eclectic homeschooler, I share opinions with many of them- even the ones who strongly oppose each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">It seems that without a unifying </span><b style="line-height: 15px;">purpose </b><span style="line-height: 15px;">(not merely a belief system), the "ties that bind" are rarely tight enough to keep a tribe together and when someone acts out of alignment with the group, they aren't exactly ex-communicated (usually) but they are less frequently included or invited to shared events. The whole inclusive/ exclusive battle has lots of grey areas depending on how connected you are. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">One mama told me "there aren't any cliques, we are just closer friends" -it felt okay to communicate/ vent/ manipulate the group from within that inner circle to "protect their kids from outer influences". Fine for them, perhaps a little harder for the families who have kids that have connected to the kids of those mamas, who don't care about minor differences in parenting style as long as all parties are willing to love through any conflicts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjslhxUoV07Br3b45TjDEP1criX7aaRDmDsVfg125xiQVgJkMbnX-arkmW3jMJyb2avid74sQQnii-qwFfA6zGgQn3c6AvbvMxRVmcHqsBCjoL3uPaZW2L5gCKqyhNmjZNuGmiP4AEiGB/s1600/valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjslhxUoV07Br3b45TjDEP1criX7aaRDmDsVfg125xiQVgJkMbnX-arkmW3jMJyb2avid74sQQnii-qwFfA6zGgQn3c6AvbvMxRVmcHqsBCjoL3uPaZW2L5gCKqyhNmjZNuGmiP4AEiGB/s320/valentines.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Learning Barefoot is a place that supports ALL family style learning and education methods. Our primary purpose is to provide a safe, welcoming, resource filled environment where adults and kids are actively engaged in interesting pursuits- alleviating the need for the constant discussion of "how" and providing a planned "what". As facilitators we do things alongside the kids, with their interests, ideas and insight always encouraged. If they aren't feeling like being in the "group", there is a quiet reading/ writing/ meditation corner where they are welcome to wander if they feel the need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">We do not require participation- our program is designed to facilitate friendships and connection. We recognize that sometimes when kids share an exciting discovery they will want to find out what else they might also share an interest in- so if in the middle of science two kids start talking about comic books, it's OK with us. However for the sake of the other kids who may still want to continue exploring the scientific principles being displayed, we will invite them to move to another area (or if possible include everyone in the new "rabbit trail" and skillfully bring it back around to at least a bit of closure on the original topic - modeling a very valuable leadership skill- keeping a meeting on task). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cKydRaA8mbUVXxGk63rUmhXZ2P2iyKtGlVFCp92Q4hfre5WTSLeLsAN3ihhIxDXjRXcSgNdDniyqAtIHsZp4d0H-Do0BDs982RkDyfE9V59MVrEEdJG0exU1Ml9b3KXV8rD6KC3BMlwy/s1600/fairy+garden+trading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cKydRaA8mbUVXxGk63rUmhXZ2P2iyKtGlVFCp92Q4hfre5WTSLeLsAN3ihhIxDXjRXcSgNdDniyqAtIHsZp4d0H-Do0BDs982RkDyfE9V59MVrEEdJG0exU1Ml9b3KXV8rD6KC3BMlwy/s320/fairy+garden+trading.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">We are now able to be sure that our program will be in a place where we can truly embrace our family's style of learning. And from what the kids currently in our program tell us, they would really like some of the "trappings" of "school"- just because they are curious and it sounds cool. We are not trying to recreate a "school at home" experience, merely listen to the things kids really want- like lockers, lunch tables and lots of games to play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">The community we hope to build will be a mix of cultures, traditions, methods and means- just like any good melting pot. We will ask only that families respect each other, communicate quickly and openly and accept that there will be times when we all act out of alignment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Grace. Joy. Chance. May. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Our kids names and the foundation our "philosophy"...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Everyone needs <b>grace</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">All are entitled to seek <b>joy</b>, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">We encourage taking a <b>chance</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">All <b>may</b> do what they like to do (as long as it doesn't interfere or distract others from doing their thing- and should it, our first question will always be "Can I help sort this out?").</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tVwJmxF0s9slAlOmqBxiDTR5kKVE8Td5znbBwF-dO_DFWcxnGsyIQ40HEfpCJnMlKAE23vAb9L2bQFIPXw-3z2td8y8GDAh8h6U3vY6J3uyaexjkxe3t7r7XzrJkHOVBm6x-uJl2kQE4/s1600/group+down+dog+at+Learning+Barefoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tVwJmxF0s9slAlOmqBxiDTR5kKVE8Td5znbBwF-dO_DFWcxnGsyIQ40HEfpCJnMlKAE23vAb9L2bQFIPXw-3z2td8y8GDAh8h6U3vY6J3uyaexjkxe3t7r7XzrJkHOVBm6x-uJl2kQE4/s320/group+down+dog+at+Learning+Barefoot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Shawn and I love creating, gardening and musical movement- his artistic abilities and passion for science combined with my love of language and fascination with social studies, weave together into a tapestry that is colorful, eclectic and a bit eccentric!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">We invite you to experience Learning Barefoot. April 1st. No fooling.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMfiNzrdhoTq-z_H1TARP62w0IpshhNcJ6K6535Dvs8GuFqiAXvWS8A2MJYwEnOVpxYWpSfTNAPtAz7CxM_epX1NmP1bDwz0V0CGURmKo2ZUdThKXc3HHbPIwB2L9ZfWx4oYy_oP8ZxI-/s1600/100_1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMfiNzrdhoTq-z_H1TARP62w0IpshhNcJ6K6535Dvs8GuFqiAXvWS8A2MJYwEnOVpxYWpSfTNAPtAz7CxM_epX1NmP1bDwz0V0CGURmKo2ZUdThKXc3HHbPIwB2L9ZfWx4oYy_oP8ZxI-/s320/100_1071.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">A brand new (much bigger) meeting room. A back yard for science, herbal studies, composting and gardening and a front yard for playing, running, jumping- a nice long concrete area for trikes, chalk, hopscotch. A mini "stage" for performing al fresco and lots and lots of love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">We will be able to add back into our schedule:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Toddler "Paint, Paste & Pour"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Baby & Toddler Signing Classes </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Family Style Backyard Science</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Three additional facilitators will bring </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Music</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Lego Engineering </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">a foreign language (French or Spanish- maybe both!)</span></li>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Our two beloved new friends will continue with us</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Julie's Herbal Studies will now be held in a more conducive environment </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Jenn's Holistic Kids Classes include Nutrition, Laughing Yoga, Self Expression - Writing or Arts & Crafts</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AJyNxAwCygEFPAhgOk2MU9b7K97C_3DXOLZ9JgXftU3j9jrZ07HGVSrXgu9MjQhcIR-Ul8N1eEh5kSt28zG-9EVGDLqJAf__jyv1trjY8VwFYcYbjId8iwbUnFMuAToA4X9Jc0t1q3QC/s1600/LearningBarefoot.comPlasmaBallHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AJyNxAwCygEFPAhgOk2MU9b7K97C_3DXOLZ9JgXftU3j9jrZ07HGVSrXgu9MjQhcIR-Ul8N1eEh5kSt28zG-9EVGDLqJAf__jyv1trjY8VwFYcYbjId8iwbUnFMuAToA4X9Jc0t1q3QC/s320/LearningBarefoot.comPlasmaBallHome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">And of course we will continue offering our core programs- </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Science</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Drawing</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Video Production</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Readers Theater</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Magic Treehouse Bookclub</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">and our cornerstone Enrichment Program (which includes Science & Geography) </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Last but certainly not least we will happily keep our Social Activities running...</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
<li>Glee Group</li>
<li>Lapbooking Lounge</li>
<li>Passion for Fasion</li>
<li>Newspaper Staff</li>
</span></ul>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Finally our members will be happy to hear that their membership now includes even more and we will be sharing those changes at our parent meetings in Mid March.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-88170725594430650812012-12-22T10:27:00.000-08:002012-12-22T10:27:42.699-08:00Crockpot CookingWell after being inspired by <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/103098986088930150899" target="_blank">+Mama and Baby Love</a> to get those crockpot meals prepped and frozen, I now have 9 meals ready to go... During the first day of prep, I made the Healthy Mama BBQ Chicken and Chicken Curry, while cooking taco filling in the crockpot. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqqRsbZUX2nq_I7iQd1JMSJXS4JnBFOpV3b7ANnTNAQ3Dn_EmUFhGATzmIUMyKZbNX8sizFOD5XbpoxWAjvsKPRkDTGFqHfkJDoKLAxVR5qKUXCneOSQ7GEeUoDy603SSpa1CZBCcCS2N/s1600/2012-12-18+18.15.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqqRsbZUX2nq_I7iQd1JMSJXS4JnBFOpV3b7ANnTNAQ3Dn_EmUFhGATzmIUMyKZbNX8sizFOD5XbpoxWAjvsKPRkDTGFqHfkJDoKLAxVR5qKUXCneOSQ7GEeUoDy603SSpa1CZBCcCS2N/s320/2012-12-18+18.15.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The next morning I quickly knocked out the Goulash and with the rest of the chicken I purchased, I made up a Chicken Fajita freezer meal pack- and started a roast, which I modified from this recipe- I used Sweet Potatoes instead of regular and omitted the celery and onion soup mix- replacing it with my own zesty herb seasoning mix. I loved it.</div>
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<div>
My almost 11 year old wanted to make the gravy so I taught her how and I thought it came out great too- we gathered around the table (after a short scuffle about who would sit where- nobody puts G-pie in a corner, apparently!) she took one bite and said, "Well it smells way better than it tastes" and I burst into tears (we are both hormonal right now, methinks!) ... although once I was able to compose myself and discuss it, it turns out she and Sugar Daddy were surprised by the sweetness of the meat & gravy. They were expecting something more savory- I guess the sweet potato infused it all too well!!<br /><div>
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Having used my crockpot twice this week, I noticed it seemed to be cooking hot, so after a little searching I found these answers:</div>
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<a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/slowcookerrecipes/a/crockpot101.htm">http://busycooks.about.com/od/slowcookerrecipes/a/crockpot101.htm</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2011/08/faq-crockpot-cooking-too-hot.html">http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2011/08/faq-crockpot-cooking-too-hot.html</a></div>
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So now I have a bit of trouble shooting to do. Especially since I have a freezer full of food ready to dump in a crockpot!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-26352651265665479642012-12-18T21:49:00.000-08:002012-12-18T22:10:27.263-08:00Love<div class="tr_bq">
My husband is amazing. He is such a patient father and willing partner. He puts so much into everything he does, and gives his heart openly in shared wonder to his students and I am so happy that he is living this Learning Barefoot life with me.</div>
<br />
As he was regaling me with the tale of his Science & Drawing classes today, baby M-cube awoke and he calmly assured me that it was OK and left me to a little much needed alone time. Time to reflect on the beauty of my life, the blessings that I have- the fulfillment of dreams and promise of a lovely future.<br />
<br />
The pictures of my day are gathered in a digital trail from my morning post here, scattered on <a href="http://barefootocmama.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/learningbarefoot">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/barefootocmama">Instagram</a>- as is the fashion of our time. A beautiful summary of a day well lived.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Look to this day,<br />
For it is life,<br />
The very life of life.<br />
In it’s brief course lie all<br />
The realities and verities if existence,<br />
The bliss of growth,<br />
The splendor of action,<br />
The glory of power-<br />
For yesterday is but a dream,<br />
And tomorrow is only a vision,<br />
But today, lived well,<br />
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness<br />
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.<br />
Look well, therefore, to this day.</blockquote>
<br />
And here are some pictures of the time my partner-in-life shared, with children we both love at Learning Barefoot... being about the business we are building together. He makes things fun. It is after all why I married him.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_lth4wg5in9JV9jwo9VYPCkDN9LX2H30TQcrVMI0oJKXeinJsnYiAprhOAf91X74oBhYXe_QBXDG6KtzBsWfIcMF0vX8f5CZ0S6qSlQs_W9DigxUGIPTTXpW8a3EBuKg2TgyJW6e9nCv/s1600/100_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_lth4wg5in9JV9jwo9VYPCkDN9LX2H30TQcrVMI0oJKXeinJsnYiAprhOAf91X74oBhYXe_QBXDG6KtzBsWfIcMF0vX8f5CZ0S6qSlQs_W9DigxUGIPTTXpW8a3EBuKg2TgyJW6e9nCv/s320/100_0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnivore, Herbivore or Omnivore?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RtO0IdbADKYQbdPG4u4PnjNpZcfc_NqLv_ssZe4eRoIjlQBum14nwgydIdboM_C1bc8NNWXHdwSWWd1HAswUY70lgcpwMSmTuyB5T2JmeIAJMYb8WEyt6sLv8EN6n3lEy0OI3tDM7vdc/s1600/100_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RtO0IdbADKYQbdPG4u4PnjNpZcfc_NqLv_ssZe4eRoIjlQBum14nwgydIdboM_C1bc8NNWXHdwSWWd1HAswUY70lgcpwMSmTuyB5T2JmeIAJMYb8WEyt6sLv8EN6n3lEy0OI3tDM7vdc/s320/100_0826.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eco-system discussion notes...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgBT4JB10F0Dby-SqGpiwO7lQ9FQ_Rm2z7DzgKn2erC6MzTaQwse-kyQlcjgfQpxjmBNmcFAY438Lh1dHz8nxTK1JbkiRilE1FGxllALPRdN_A7YJcyIajwqBsZeEYQ2S1Z1-KY2Llreo/s1600/100_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgBT4JB10F0Dby-SqGpiwO7lQ9FQ_Rm2z7DzgKn2erC6MzTaQwse-kyQlcjgfQpxjmBNmcFAY438Lh1dHz8nxTK1JbkiRilE1FGxllALPRdN_A7YJcyIajwqBsZeEYQ2S1Z1-KY2Llreo/s320/100_0829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group built food web.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCuhZq4VEP77Rj5u7LBG3BILrZVSuJw8i9RhJmGkDNyFJfQIkH3pOXREQ6f_1WLp8nfGsl3Z3LMoZcs-2lAHUqPYjs3EXfrH4EJwESbltstQufWTBE4bsqwWJ6DRNA5kLskVmtO_-rlET/s1600/tumblr_mf9l08pNjH1r390k7o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCuhZq4VEP77Rj5u7LBG3BILrZVSuJw8i9RhJmGkDNyFJfQIkH3pOXREQ6f_1WLp8nfGsl3Z3LMoZcs-2lAHUqPYjs3EXfrH4EJwESbltstQufWTBE4bsqwWJ6DRNA5kLskVmtO_-rlET/s320/tumblr_mf9l08pNjH1r390k7o1_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungry "seed" (bead) eating "birds"...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHgjWAQfCDGVggOXN5gJIhnrECcpUYi65JehEun9zLvLyrV4iASE_Tplfzw21BerP3ExRiJWbr30DZPcL0IJsmPwiKbAsUTTVauzwPAeBpEPvK8K7CJATOp7FThMXf6XRS3wzKdHM4HQN/s1600/100_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHgjWAQfCDGVggOXN5gJIhnrECcpUYi65JehEun9zLvLyrV4iASE_Tplfzw21BerP3ExRiJWbr30DZPcL0IJsmPwiKbAsUTTVauzwPAeBpEPvK8K7CJATOp7FThMXf6XRS3wzKdHM4HQN/s320/100_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pollination race begins... "birds" eat "seeds".</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi2jaMDljPmO4dKNKQfCAI0Hy5Op-M7pYkFPmjVheIS28Elbso59_6yT9LfQpXNrRkaBrYMOnOKI-XU15-80wp8ebojC12HiBkqNSJVOz5nq4hVZVfSukCT3ATepuxNFLoNTyIfrVzbDW/s1600/100_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi2jaMDljPmO4dKNKQfCAI0Hy5Op-M7pYkFPmjVheIS28Elbso59_6yT9LfQpXNrRkaBrYMOnOKI-XU15-80wp8ebojC12HiBkqNSJVOz5nq4hVZVfSukCT3ATepuxNFLoNTyIfrVzbDW/s320/100_0838.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Kai is bringing "seeds" to the "soil"... while Grace drops "pollen" at the flowers...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwML_NKFh-DocrwmPyF112QZntHnfgSStRmV6ijWEIGtz2UnOwJMj2ML810X4XTKsmF-iazTJWgMvSG7paMZ2TTfuWchjG5nnidsXPiI7GN9OAUpNuoYMe8MDQ5VGRg9aQSID7X0V9bNCK/s1600/100_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwML_NKFh-DocrwmPyF112QZntHnfgSStRmV6ijWEIGtz2UnOwJMj2ML810X4XTKsmF-iazTJWgMvSG7paMZ2TTfuWchjG5nnidsXPiI7GN9OAUpNuoYMe8MDQ5VGRg9aQSID7X0V9bNCK/s320/100_0841.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Composters slowly creating "soil".</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJuo9pwGUFoZkVtaLcWIdFSuBwCOaK1wb2wjBNMUYmVdG3gDTcyfVO516DIeP43EXptnyB87tHsodC0lQ5GXO1jeCgBdpE99shKxwDHR_woED_ERwAMa6ZOb8Q61RYfw1OmWcarUMFH3q/s1600/100_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJuo9pwGUFoZkVtaLcWIdFSuBwCOaK1wb2wjBNMUYmVdG3gDTcyfVO516DIeP43EXptnyB87tHsodC0lQ5GXO1jeCgBdpE99shKxwDHR_woED_ERwAMa6ZOb8Q61RYfw1OmWcarUMFH3q/s320/100_0844.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenzied action shot!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3am5oDoz-D-GC2-NzfVkB9AEeokbARETE0H7nteGep3SDIKScSTD_Iz2D_2PWtDnsZddoPPm3kDZneZJuRtmPWKG7b2IXTbuWJS0vBurHxThbTwBHKh8GoMZcvvLKSxog94-WasB-GMkx/s1600/100_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3am5oDoz-D-GC2-NzfVkB9AEeokbARETE0H7nteGep3SDIKScSTD_Iz2D_2PWtDnsZddoPPm3kDZneZJuRtmPWKG7b2IXTbuWJS0vBurHxThbTwBHKh8GoMZcvvLKSxog94-WasB-GMkx/s320/100_0847.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollinated (paper clip) flowers and their attracting "bee". (last class was on magnets- love how he reinforces that concept)</td></tr>
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Science was so much fun that the kids who came for drawing wanted to play this game that he made up too...<br />
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We both had a great day doing things we loved, and loving the people who did them with us. </div>
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It's a Wonderful Life.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-3341602415509760422012-12-18T11:07:00.000-08:002012-12-18T11:38:27.512-08:00Fresh Frozen Crockpot Family FoodIt took me all weekend to clean and rearrange the cupboards in my kitchen. Monday I shopped.<br />
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Today is Taco Tuesday. I will have all the 3 littles home with me all day, while Sugar Daddy teaches make-up <a href="http://www.learningbarefoot.com/science-classes.html">Science</a> & <a href="http://www.learningbarefoot.com/art-drawing.html">Drawing</a> classes at <a href="http://www.learningbarefoot.com/">Learning Barefoot</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjodunIwQ36pR4aSN31JNbmCL6SMHps3H7_Sz8YY6cjgkO3lsik_JFhBPny9fcphQfRLAQNz9C1XAkYFHq0pKRPWsDZQWrAszKcLr9xPZD6I0cZr-ioRL5d2pPcl-hLSQD7vQ1UbKToWOn/s1600/2012-12-04+12.54.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjodunIwQ36pR4aSN31JNbmCL6SMHps3H7_Sz8YY6cjgkO3lsik_JFhBPny9fcphQfRLAQNz9C1XAkYFHq0pKRPWsDZQWrAszKcLr9xPZD6I0cZr-ioRL5d2pPcl-hLSQD7vQ1UbKToWOn/s320/2012-12-04+12.54.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I searched for a <a href="http://www.skinnymomskitchen.com/2012/06/26/slow-cooker-beef-taco-filling/">crockpot taco recipe</a>- let's see how it goes, simmering all day while I chop and sort and store for the coming busy weeks. Found <a href="http://www.mamaandbabylove.com/2011/04/05/freezer-cooking-with-slow-cooker-recipes/">these great fresh to freezer to crockpot to table</a> recipes on Pinterest... where it looks like this mama got a lotta love for this brilliant idea and has recently written a cookbook.<br />
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It is now 11:07 am. The middles are playing Dr with their stuffed lovies. The littlest is sleeping- here we go on the tacos... and then it is time to start chopping!!<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/v/711027_10151150295725474_336730971_n.jpg?oh=89d93c52227c87dc5ca8055ead373738&oe=50D2E0E0&__gda__=1356071634_f1a626534b894a0f72bfc2d19d711c1e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/v/711027_10151150295725474_336730971_n.jpg?oh=89d93c52227c87dc5ca8055ead373738&oe=50D2E0E0&__gda__=1356071634_f1a626534b894a0f72bfc2d19d711c1e" width="320" /></a></div>
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Posting to Tumblr throughout the day... <a href="http://barefootocmama.tumblr.com/">http://barefootocmama.tumblr.com/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-64567677826186424502012-11-25T22:13:00.000-08:002012-11-25T22:13:44.246-08:00Spending Sunday in the KitchenThis was such a lovely day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT2siqmUJIDebTbIJfXFKNeC-QD2P_BmWaMRYw2OH5C98_we1QMHfzEnIPSCJ81VvgDpD6fB_L81OQ4NvwjCpyDISLAIGbVvpYs6pdYQDST8I0Ksd6fM4ek1TDP8SQRm9HeuUPZ4-FOm6/s1600/2012-11-25+14.25.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT2siqmUJIDebTbIJfXFKNeC-QD2P_BmWaMRYw2OH5C98_we1QMHfzEnIPSCJ81VvgDpD6fB_L81OQ4NvwjCpyDISLAIGbVvpYs6pdYQDST8I0Ksd6fM4ek1TDP8SQRm9HeuUPZ4-FOm6/s320/2012-11-25+14.25.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We decided that Sundays should be spent in the kitchen and we will make pancakes for breakfast, snack plates for lunch and something sweet for the week- today we have been trying to get to these... <a href="http://springpad.com/#!/barefootOCmama/notebooks/holidays/blocks/_recipe/meringuesrecipeeatingwellhealthyrecipeshealthyeating!">meringues</a>.<br />
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J-cakes learned to finger crochet today. She picked it up so very quickly.</div>
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G-pie cleaned the tea kettle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D0Ym_lnT5Sw8CPMS10uYo-9XCCg6WiNdDRG1jeOr-Qd26mhc65NMVmykP1TsCpLO3rmwRJjbnCWsKNYJWno3yYICcu6WEVOwqRVwWcOEECji-dCfY6gSl96XIO-Rn9vJ4Ket9NIHswqx/s1600/2012-11-25+15.46.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D0Ym_lnT5Sw8CPMS10uYo-9XCCg6WiNdDRG1jeOr-Qd26mhc65NMVmykP1TsCpLO3rmwRJjbnCWsKNYJWno3yYICcu6WEVOwqRVwWcOEECji-dCfY6gSl96XIO-Rn9vJ4Ket9NIHswqx/s320/2012-11-25+15.46.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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C-dough made his lunch.</div>
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As did J-cakes.</div>
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C-dough took out the trash!</div>
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We played with egg yolks.</div>
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We mixed egg whites.</div>
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And added sugar & food coloring.</div>
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And tasted it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfGcBdGxDYL24ftylSwxgkjyI3oV0jzaJRltIWD2tTl6lPz3BB59oBp4vYk-QmwxrNYmz-qw1wqc-dyRq05zJVeSr3a8mFsdLcVssYWtLBNKs6ZxmrS9LwgzI589nh_BKVRufmn6FvZBa/s1600/2012-11-25+17.58.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfGcBdGxDYL24ftylSwxgkjyI3oV0jzaJRltIWD2tTl6lPz3BB59oBp4vYk-QmwxrNYmz-qw1wqc-dyRq05zJVeSr3a8mFsdLcVssYWtLBNKs6ZxmrS9LwgzI589nh_BKVRufmn6FvZBa/s320/2012-11-25+17.58.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And squirted it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvk5U8hNd-7dHgUBbsfwCvkusRp3WVUDFl7U2d2CIHmc0rBr4zbsZ2LpjjL5J4jwM3nWrdhrnEwtE0AWdTXdqm6emNG_PgrWaiBtX-FNHvUZFOtlz79tF_BWqrtKePVupX-tnas31cx61/s1600/2012-11-25+18.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvk5U8hNd-7dHgUBbsfwCvkusRp3WVUDFl7U2d2CIHmc0rBr4zbsZ2LpjjL5J4jwM3nWrdhrnEwtE0AWdTXdqm6emNG_PgrWaiBtX-FNHvUZFOtlz79tF_BWqrtKePVupX-tnas31cx61/s320/2012-11-25+18.21.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And exploded it. (Science experiment in the microwave gone awry. Tense moments with egg everywhere!)</div>
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After hours of wiping down (and behind & underneath) appliances, scrubbing cupboard fronts (love how C-dough calls them "covereds" just like G-pie used to!), unloading, re-loading, un-loading and re-loading the dishwasher, clearing the clutter from the counters, cleaning the teapot and the coffeepot- with a couple breaks for dance parties, hanging our "prayer rags"...</div>
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He put on the Scooby footies and fell fast asleep!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-50672089694097068982012-11-23T14:44:00.000-08:002012-11-23T14:50:00.370-08:00Mason Jar Midnight SnacksThanksgiving leftovers layered in a mini-mason jar. Microwave for 45 seconds- yum. Pack a few as you are clearing the table on Thanksgiving Day... midnight munchies satisfied!!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-3676056147390041252012-11-22T10:38:00.002-08:002012-11-22T10:38:50.447-08:00Home, Friends, Family, Food & Muses...As I am sleepily settling into this easy, slow, peaceful morning I am aware of something that feels like it is worth sharing. We are entering a season of sadness for many- a time of stress and hurry, worry and want. I know, I have been there for far too many years.<br />
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A shift has occurred in my life, a minor change- call it paradigm, belief structure or merely a matter of perspective, but I am seeing things in interesting new ways. I am allowing things to come into focus at the natural pace instead of peering into the future, craning for a glimpse of how I could get to what was to come. I am settling, yet again, into rhythms, routines and rituals that mark the seasons and cycles.<br />
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Do you believe in fairies? Witches? Elves and sprites? How about muses?<br />
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Spirits with energy that is slightly different in wonderful creative, playful, twinkling, pure, daring, delightful ways.<br />
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Wikipedia says this of Muses:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">"The </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Muses</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Ancient Greek">Ancient Greek</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">: </span><span lang="grc" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;" xml:lang="grc">Μοῦσαι</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">moũsai</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">:</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muse#cite_note-1" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> perhaps from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-European_ablaut#Ablaut_in_Proto-Indo-European" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Indo-European ablaut">o-grade</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Indo-European_language" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Proto-Indo-European language">Proto-Indo-European</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> root *</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">men-</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> "think"</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muse#cite_note-2" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: initial; white-space: nowrap;">[2]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">) in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Greek mythology">Greek mythology</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Poetry">poetry</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Literature">literature</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, are the goddesses of the inspiration of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Literature">literature</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Science">science</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_arts" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="The arts">the arts</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths."</span></blockquote>
and<br />
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"...<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">concerning the number of the Muses; for some say that there are three, and others that there are nine, but the number nine has prevailed since it rests upon the authority of the most distinguished men, such as Homer and Hesiod..."</span></blockquote>
My life has been touched by at least one, perhaps three... I could go so far as to identify the nine if I filled in some intuitive connections for the gaps in my knowledge.<br />
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Muses move on. They touch your life, they change you, you learn from them, you laugh with them, you love them. Then they journey on like the merry band of gypsies than can seem to be. Their energy remains, their mark on the mural of community they have connected with conscious creation- and they often circle back around for celebrations!<br />
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With each of our recent moves, things have been shaken out of the accumulated carpet bags I'd been carrying around with me (baggage). Things have been discovered that I thought were lost, things have been happened upon that should have been lost! Dust has been disturbed, the old making way for the new. Perhaps as I moved about connecting, re-connecting and touching the lives of those we grew close to- just perhaps I was a bit of a muse.<br />
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Yesterday Sugar Daddy found my DayTimer from 2001, right about the time I got pregnant with G-pie was when it stopped being used. The dates of the days of the week are the same as this year. I can essentially "pick up where I left off" and keep using this beautiful, though well loved tool- a much needed one with the crazy busy schedule I am crafting for my clan!<br />
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It makes me feel happy to be settled. It gives me strength in who I am and what I am here to do. It allows me to tend to my roots... and shoots, and use my buckets and boots! This spring I am going to plant that Pizza Garden, Sharon Lovejoy!<br />
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Today is Thanksgiving. There is so very much I am grateful for. But right now, as I finish my coffee and my kids gobble up the last bits of breakfast while they watch Curious George, and my husband finishes the logo for Learning Barefoot, (so we can order those T-shirts for all our new members- woo hoo), and baby M-cube sleeps sweetly with a milk drunk smile... this is what I am grateful for right now.<br />
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My little home that warms so quickly and fills so fully with the smell of the fresh baked popovers that my little boy helped make this beautiful morning. (C-dough cracked the eggs, poured the almond milk, sifted the gluten free flour and dumped in the apples, raisins & nuts).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3n9dRTVhcjRPz7uuH5bGwGrSzfxjFGr0GhbgREI8e4X11XkV4DNnAg7nlUghWORrUsn3fcFyJIIQSsxKS4kQgJpcSmdpcXxPY24dRia6V6vADwuInROMd27k-WA8oX8vhvwYrKnLp-4i/s1600/2012-11-22+10.27.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3n9dRTVhcjRPz7uuH5bGwGrSzfxjFGr0GhbgREI8e4X11XkV4DNnAg7nlUghWORrUsn3fcFyJIIQSsxKS4kQgJpcSmdpcXxPY24dRia6V6vADwuInROMd27k-WA8oX8vhvwYrKnLp-4i/s320/2012-11-22+10.27.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The children I have come to know and love as they explore the enrichment and resources I am happy to provide. A place to leave our creative stamp and space to collectively create!<br />
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The women I know as friends, acquaintances, family members, muses, mamas and mentors- such a rich, generous, inspiring, warm, and genuine circle- <i>well maybe it's more like a Venn Diagram than an actual circle =)</i><br />
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My husband who loves me. Simply, honestly, forever. We are truly blessed.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-32607987282798215522012-11-08T09:22:00.000-08:002012-11-08T09:22:54.842-08:00Conscious Mothering Mini-RetreatA few weeks ago I woke up ready to go get my "mama-ness" adjusted a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzZPXWCVvC3AQtLfAAcX5PayD1231XadOOuqcgGTZNlBDZv2Cvs8EZdl6f2e6hagKbtBsZMolmkstotececaISYmx6HTerGctXCuL3bSG3qBN8bZpOiilUyPLiiMguuxJycbgVti3eqX_/s1600/2012-10-13+16.08.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzZPXWCVvC3AQtLfAAcX5PayD1231XadOOuqcgGTZNlBDZv2Cvs8EZdl6f2e6hagKbtBsZMolmkstotececaISYmx6HTerGctXCuL3bSG3qBN8bZpOiilUyPLiiMguuxJycbgVti3eqX_/s320/2012-10-13+16.08.41.jpg" width="240" /></a>The transition to 4 kids has been a roller coaster of emotions, physical demands, new territory with sibling development and musical beds galore!!<br />
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I spent at least an hour arguing with myself as to whether it would really feel refreshing and helpful with a nursing M-cube along (even tried that ol' thinking of others tactic- the mamas are retreating, "they don't want a baby around"). But she is a sweetie and I NEEDED it... so luckily I won the argument and I started getting ready.<br />
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It was one of those morning and I was running very late. It was further away than I realized. I didn't get to go on the nature walk. I was stressing a bit.<br />
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As I was unloading my precious cargo - rushing in the parking lot to hurry and interrupt as little as possible, I heard a soft welcoming voice. The mamas were just arriving from their nature walk... I wasn't late!!<br />
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And every second of the next 3 hours was precisely what I needed to find the inner mama guru who knows that this is the most wondrous and amazing time of my life.<br />
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The guided meditation that Sylvia led us through (while holding my sweet babe who was making her sleepy noises) opened my heart wide. I would walk you through it, but the tears would flow and I wouldn't be able to see my keyboard... but you should go experience it for yourself anyway.<br />
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After that we did a wonderful exercise called Listening. This has impacted my life in so many ways- with my husband, business, friendships, and even in helping me listen to my own inner voice. It was so simple, but somehow struck me like lightening.<br />
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Next up Sylvia worked with a specific challenge of one of the mamas- well, ok it was me!! As I laid bare the raw emotions of my most desperate self, I felt a weight lifting from my shoulders. Sylvia helped me realize my own power and perspective and peacefulness... the wisdom of the circle of mamas wrapped around and warmed me like the softest, lovely cardigan you can imagine.<br />
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A few weeks later I was window shopping on 2nd street with a dear friend and I came across this. It suddenly all came together. That is what I got back at the mini-retreat, the "hope" part of being a mama, and now I can breathe easier.<br />
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This Saturday is another one. I will be there. Do you need a little mama-freshing? You owe it to your inner baby, that perfect being of love and light. I am a better mama this month and I am getting better and better...<br />
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<a href="http://www.connectingwithin.com/conscious-mothering/conscious-mothering-mini-retreat-series/">http://www.connectingwithin.com/conscious-mothering/conscious-mothering-mini-retreat-series/</a><br />
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The word I left with, written on a tealight, imprinted on my heart was Allow. I have allowed it to make such a difference in my life.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-67151042682341681732012-10-28T09:21:00.000-07:002012-10-28T09:21:05.308-07:00An organized scheduleCalendars are cool. It gives me great hope to fill up a calendar with all the exciting things I am going to share with my family and friends. I use Google Calendar for all my various hats, and this allows me to view everything in one place or hide the stuff that clutters up my schedule and add on the go using my phone. You can even have your Facebook Events feed into your Google calendar. And the color coding... it's enough to make me get up early to start filling in the rainbow!<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-4gnwH64f_yblXMdyppssBShm9KceZPggmQGJTCmfPhbomI9IV4-mWoRcZyvYqi5sekjtnCXjFfMcaOCV1F8wWWoHPLBz9cTR3sxxRZwNQnku-f3yJ6Jf4WW70O2M9TsgfmLyUOsEBdP/s1600/2012-10-27+11.34.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-4gnwH64f_yblXMdyppssBShm9KceZPggmQGJTCmfPhbomI9IV4-mWoRcZyvYqi5sekjtnCXjFfMcaOCV1F8wWWoHPLBz9cTR3sxxRZwNQnku-f3yJ6Jf4WW70O2M9TsgfmLyUOsEBdP/s320/2012-10-27+11.34.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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But yesterday it occurred to me that my frustration with having to remind my family and rush around when I thought they already knew what the plan for the day was... so I re-purposed an old white board. Step 1- let the middles play with it to their hearts' content. We drew and colored and cleaned and re-cleaned together for over an hour. Then set it aside to get snack and clean up a bit.</div>
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These Dry Erase Crayons from Crayola are really great and make it easy to color code. They don't wipe off when the side of your hand touches the things you have already written. And they DO wipe off easily when it is time, no matter how long the writing has been there.</div>
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A little hand sanitizer works best if it becomes a murky- the special cloth that comes with it is black, so it can tend to leave dark smudges on any sticky parts.</div>
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Step 2 was applying tape in a perfect grid. I gave G-pie the dimensions and asked her to do the math for me since my brain is fuzz, while I nursed may. She got it right (I didn't bother checking, just started doing and was very pleased to see how well proportioned it was!!</div>
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G-pie also filled in the dates and special occasions for me- then I got to work adding in all the classes, field trips, playdates, book launch parties, meetings, museum tours, park days and other adventures we have coming up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cU5xcdUnfGg_ZM6gZmbKnb0Oj3bsWxLZ10OFaVsFhu56J4K0qhcI_oX-Z8_FPRd62hvvIkqc7tbM0dXNyRy79L-eegDOpq67F3eFrII6HXGShaSmTyj3eAp2tdyfOwPBwMBZvxGA1HpV/s1600/IMG_20121027_184142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cU5xcdUnfGg_ZM6gZmbKnb0Oj3bsWxLZ10OFaVsFhu56J4K0qhcI_oX-Z8_FPRd62hvvIkqc7tbM0dXNyRy79L-eegDOpq67F3eFrII6HXGShaSmTyj3eAp2tdyfOwPBwMBZvxGA1HpV/s320/IMG_20121027_184142.jpg" width="240" /></a>It took almost all day with all the serious doll playing, dish doing, dinosaur imitating, diaper changing, and of course the costume creating (we actually have all 3 of the kids ready with full costumes- yes, yes we do!!)...</div>
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But I am please to report there is now a huge calendar for all to see where we need to be and when... now to get those who can read to look at it and teach those who can't to read! Then add it all into the appropriate Google Calendars, write it in my cute little organizer, update www.learningbarefoot.com and THEN I can relax and never miss anything again! =)</div>
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Oh and get Sugar Daddy to actually hang it... this was just a test.</div>
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How do you manage your family's time. Digital or in real world? Does it work? Do you feel like a cruise director?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-3135747437821013452012-10-14T10:17:00.004-07:002012-10-14T10:17:52.426-07:00Going Barefoot4Edrick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Thursday, I wore no shoes.</span></h3>
This is actually not an uncommon experience for me. I really am barefoot a lot. But yesterday, after Sugar Daddy made me Google it to make sure it was legal, (it is) - I drove barefoot, I went into a 7 11 barefoot, I loaded and unloaded my van, I went to a park and I never even put on the flimsy flip flops I usually wear.<br /><br />This was done along with Soles4souls, a non-profit with the following Mission:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.soles4souls.org/">Soles4Souls</a> collects new shoes to give relief to the victims of abject suffering and collects used shoes to support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty.<a href="http://www.soles4souls.org/">Soles4Souls’</a> other two divisions, <a href="http://www.clothes4souls.org/">Clothes4Souls</a> and <a href="http://www.hope4souls.org/">Hope4Souls</a>, provide the same relief and support through clothing and other necessities. </blockquote>
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Since its inception following the Asian tsunami, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/giveshoes">Soles4Souls</a> has distributed over 19 million pairs to people in 125 countries, and our efforts have been publicized in thousands of articles, including the Green Guide by National Geographic and Runner's World.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How did it feel? </span></h3>
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Honestly I so much enjoy going barefoot and feeling connected to the earth- did you know about grounding? <a href="http://juil.com/grounding.php">Here is some information I just discovered</a>- and I am going to be reviewing a pair of the incredible sandals this company sells, as soon as they arrive. (Sometimes all you have to do is ask!)</div>
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<br />So I can't say the experience profoundly changed my life, here in the OC it is fairly easy to do. If I had to do it all the time, I am sure I would feel differently. After just one day: I noticed that carrying a heavy load across a parking lot caused a little more discomfort. My feet were cold, because it rained and the puddles remained all day.<br /><br />
A few of my younger friends joined me in this show of support...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-42748130083240102102012-10-06T12:43:00.000-07:002012-10-09T15:58:13.305-07:00"10 Trends in Homeschooling" Inspired Me to share...Family style learning is my passion. I love the process of living life with a curious and open mind and laughing often with an open heart. As my dreams are taking focus, I am awakening my truest self. I find such contentment in organizing, creating systems, gathering information/ resources and making them readily available in user friendly ways. I love being a part of a community. I like to plan events and share productive time creating and playing with like-minded spirits.<br />
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After reading this <a href="http://edudemic.com/2012/09/10-trends-homeschooling/">http://edudemic.com/2012/09/10-trends-homeschooling/</a> - and hearing a new term "hybrid homeschooling"- aka custom schooling, alternative education, eclectic charter schooling... I felt confident in the way we educate our offspring. What we do is what I like to call "G-pie-schooling" and I've recently started "J-cakes-schooling"... the littles are actually a part of the process, and provide plenty of opportunities for in the moment learning!<br />
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So while I have always envisioned a "learning center", I am seeing it more clearly now as a community center- a place to gather and get better and better at living. A place to share certain tasks that used to be done around the tribal fire together- where advice is given and taken in easy camaraderie and items of value are produced (cooking groups, apothecary cooperatives, crafting clubs).<br />
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A resource room where interesting toys, games, books and puzzles await discovery. Where there is always a science experiment, Mad-libs, snap circuits, a hand crafting project, bookmaking project and seasonal observances are celebrated with simplistic ritual in subtle and soothing ways. Where families come to be inspired, refreshed and connected- invigorated.<br />
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This big, huge, wonderful, fully realized "homeschool hub" , is starting out as a tiny embryo.<br />
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Fittingly the tiny "resource room" is growing inside <a href="http://www.blossomoc.com/">BlossomOC</a> where pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care are the focus. It will be nurtured, by the attention of the families who come in the door. It will grow, as it is fed with more resources- and it will become more intelligent as I gather all the information I can about this exciting time in the world of homeschooling. So that my mature vision will be ready to stand alone (in a really cool location, with some outdoor space) and I can share it, and myself, with the community that is the tribe it takes to raise our children into adulthood (and ourselves into higher consciousness)!<br />
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It is a truly thrilling time to be... <a href="http://www.learningbarefoot.com/">Learning Barefoot</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com018351 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, USA33.695759 -117.99031933.6941075 -117.9927865 33.697410500000004 -117.9878515tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-17548596999889615332012-08-21T22:22:00.000-07:002012-08-21T22:34:59.469-07:00So much happening...Where to begin and how to end? What to share and who to tell about?<br />
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Sugar Daddy is at the ER with our J-bug, she fell. I have been telling her for a couple weeks to STOP spinning in the living room. She probably will now... When I was 4, I fell into the corner of a TV. I can still just barely make out the scar on my forehead, about where hers will be.<br />
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This is the 3rd ER visit in 5 days. This is life with 4 kids. Well, at least, thanks to Facebook (and my constant updates to it)- my friends gave valuable feedback that resulted in a much better experience for my hubby and eldest middle girl. He took her to Millers (Long Beach Children's Memorial). I shall not bring anymore energy to the re-telling of my 8 hour ordeal with my 3 month old, M-cube, on Saturday OR the second 4 hour one on Monday.<br />
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This is hard. It sometimes totally sucks. (<a href="http://www.daniellelaporte.com/relationship-sex-articles/the-first-thing-to-say-to-a-friend-in-need/">Love what Danielle LaPort says about a little commiseration</a>)<br />
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Thank goodness for my <a href="http://cuppow.com/">Cuppow Lid.</a> Now I can use my mason jar for all my favorite travelling beverages. Because I am always on the go and I never get enough sleep so my<a href="http://barefootocmama.tumblr.com/post/29134312935/love-my-icedcoffee-in-my-masonjar-with-my-new"> iced coffee cubes</a> (original post on my inspiration from Pinterest is <a href="http://barefootocmama.blogspot.com/2012/04/doing-pinterest.html">here</a>) come in handy and this lid is the perfect way to keep it all contained. Now how do I keep a lid on my hot emotions?<br />
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Also been loving my <a href="http://barefootocmama.blogspot.com/2012/04/doing-pinterest.html">coconut oil</a> for skin that is dry from too much wetness. Does that even make sense?<br />
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Oh and we started "school" this week- our not back to school breakfast was a bit of a bust this time around, but my resourceful and smart 5th grader saved the day with a simple, no fuss alternative. Instead of building waffle houses the kids had Rice Krispies with blueberries and whipped cream.<br />
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Being a "mom" to 4 small human beings is the most challenging thing I have ever done.<br />
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The need for sanity (and <a href="http://www.ilaurajane.com/">yoga mom revolution yogini, Laura Jane</a>) led me to a group on Facebook called the Abundance Game, which steered me to a fantastic little App on my Android called Wechat, and that has given me such pleasure- being able to connect with amazing people. They have helped me see that I am stronger and more resilient every day. I am an effective leader and I inspire my children to become their most authentic selves and to love themselves and their community. I am a valuable part of my community and I enjoy close friendships with other women who are raising their children in our "tribe".<br />
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Oh yeah and did I mention I was peaceful and happy at the dentist where I had to go for a broken filling today? My dentist is the coolest, not so bad on the eyes, most patient, gentle and explanatory dental professional around. He's in Costa Mesa is you need him. <a href="http://dr-v.org/">Dr Eric Vanek</a>.<br />
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Now for something totally cool. I got invited to a screening for mombloggers and am going to be joining 40 other bloggers <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">for a PR campaign through the Circle of Moms network... It sounds totally amazing!</span><br />
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Being in the moment. Letting the now unfold. Focusing on the simple joys of the present draw for my attention and how to choose the actions that support peace, happiness and following our highest excitement. Recognizing that I attract my own reality.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">And I'll wrap up this ramble with a little suggestion for family fun. Penny Pitching. It is such a wonderful feeling to share parts of our own childhood with our kids. This one really drew in the whole family. I snazzed it up a bit from what we did when I was a kid of course, we are homeschoolers after all!! We included tape, a ruler and several ways to "win"...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-55738908842445847732012-07-25T20:38:00.001-07:002012-07-25T20:38:06.467-07:00Time Alone......goes way too fast. I hear them pulling into the driveway now. Have they really been gone 2 hours?<br />
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After a little Facebook-ing and Pinterest-ing, I got lost in this magical blog: <a href="http://www.barefootfive.com/">http://www.barefootfive.com/</a><br />
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And here they come, traipsing up the front steps- my merry band of mess makers!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-50642465635576960552012-07-10T00:06:00.002-07:002012-07-10T00:12:49.595-07:00I am completeI clung to my friend Kate for a little extra moment as we hugged goodbye after a park potluck last Friday. She also has 4 children. There is an even greater bond between us now. I admire her a little more seeing that she has not only survived but thrived as her offspring now double outnumber her and her hubby.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Often people look at me with a mix of admiration and sympathy when I tell them I have 4 children. It is pretty much all I think about these days. I have 4 kids. All day long I am asking myself variations of the same 4 questions about all 4 children... </span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Is M-cube hungry again?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Is C-dough poopie again?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Is J-cakes happy or sad? (4 year squealing is rather ambiguous)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Is G-pie sleeping too late?</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Or "are they all in the car?" as I pull out of the driveway... These are the thoughts that cycle through my head as I try to go about the business of self actualization. Who am I? I have 4 kids...</span><br />
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“Three is still O.K.,” said Michelle Lehmann, the founder of lotsofkids.com and a mother of eight children who lives outside Chicago. “When you have four, people start raising eyebrows. When you go to five, people are like, ‘No way.’ ”</blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;">OK so I am someone people raise their eyebrows at.</span><br />
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David Letterman asks Jim Gaffigan what it is like to have 4 kids and he answers "Just imagine you are drowning... and someone hands you a baby!" <i>Jim delivers more witty wisdom on his self Mr Universe show, which you can download from his <a href="http://jimgaffigan.com/">website</a>. Instant date night- just add takeout and a bottle of wine.</i><br />
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Being 1/6th of the way through this most difficult first year, I am becoming more adept at- well, EVERYTHING. I truly amaze myself at what I can get done in a day, and all those chores I have to re-do the next day, gets done even more and more efficiently.<br />
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Another interesting side effect is that I am finding it absolutely necessary to be authentic. There is just no time for anything other than the reality of my imperfect thoughts, often inaccurate observations and annoyingly intuitive conclusions. Authenticity is my badge of courage.<br />
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My life is full. One moment my breasts are filling up and my baby is rooting in my arms, the next my 10 year old is anxiety ridden over minor social dramas. Then C-dough throws something and J-cakes whines for it's immediate return, and he shouts "My do it!", and the baby cries. G-pie tries to recapture my attention to talk about her friends and M-cube settles in to nursing.<br />
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A moment or two is spent worrying over what the other mamas in my tribe think about their behaviors and the implications on my parenting... and then I take a deep breath and do the next thing that presents itself. Often remembering as I stand swaying and staring at a sleeping baby that I really need to call Holly and talk about <a href="http://www.sundarayogashala.com/">Sundara Yoga Shala</a>. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325536695238090721.post-20530422822087055952012-07-03T20:51:00.003-07:002012-07-03T20:55:24.570-07:00BIKINGocmamaSuch glorious freedom.<br />
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Aptly appreciated on this eve of Independence Day...<br />
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Tonight I was thrilled to run out my front door shortly after Sugar Daddy arrived home with my loaner bike. A fellow homeschool mom (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/anna.child">and Realtor should you be in the market</a>) is letting me try it out before I commit to purchasing it, and it seems like a terrific bike.
Between bouncing the baby to sleep, biking myself back to sanity nightly and barely having time to feed myself- I may lose these extra ounces quicker than I imagined.<br />
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Plus the short spin had me in a healthy state of mind, so while G-pie whipped up Mac & Cheese with Ham for the kids, I threw veggie broth, rice & tomatoes into the rice cooker, cut zucchini, yellow squash, cabbage and carrots and put them in the steamer basket above the rice and 20 minutes later, I then stirred in a little coconut oil and fresh basil - it was so simple and soooo delicious!<br />
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Breathing deeply of the fresh air, hearing the tires humming on the pavement and moving with speed and a purpose really healed me after a very long day filled with poopies, boobies, boo-boos and owies (it was one of THOSE days, I swear all 4 children must be having a simultaneous growth spurt)!<br />
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This bike is an exercise in asking for what I wanted, seeking it and following through on the opportunities that arise.<br />
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What will I create for the betterment of mama next?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13539548402161135032noreply@blogger.com0