Why pay a dollar for a bookmark? Why not use the dollar for a bookmark? - Steven Spielberg

When I was a girl, my Dad was in the Military, and we lived in several States where we didn't have family. Every time we went to visit my Mother's Parents, right before we were to go back home, my Papa (grandfather) would give me a dollar to take home with me.

Last weekend, we were able to see my parents for only a tiny bit. But just before we left, my Dad carried on the tradition from when I was a little girl. He gave the Little Ones a dollar --- and he made bow ties out of them. (shh... don't tell my Little Ones but my Dad had to borrow a dollar from my Mom - giggle)

The wagon rests in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never.  ~Yiddish Proverb

Every Wed we have horseback riding lessons. Today, Mrs. Kathy took the two oldest Little Ones on a Trail Ride through the pastures and through the woods.

(The Little Lady rode Smokey. The Little Man road Rocky.)

Smoky is an Appaloosa. He is a younger pony. He is 5 years old which is the exact age of the Little Lady.  Smoky is not docile like Rocky. He is actually very stubborn. Mrs. Kathy says he is the perfect horse for the Little Lady because Smoky challenges her but still is a safe horse. (She has been riding Rocky for the past two years.) The Little Lady gets frustrated with Smoky because he doesn't obey her every command but she likes him because he does more than just steps over logs. She is very excited that she "graduated" up to Smoky.

Apparently, The Little Man got a little frustrated with Rocky because he wasn't doing the fun things that sister's Pony was doing. The Little Man kept saying "Mrs. Kathy I want to trot faster and be the leader. I want to do what Sister is doing!"  Mrs. Kathy kept saying, "Rocky is perfect for you and you need to get bigger to lead."  If you notice his feet don't even reach the stir ups.

When Mrs. Kathy, Little Lady and the Little Man were gearing up, the Little Gentleman wanted to go to. He went in the tact room and put on a helmet. (giggle) He was disappointed that he couldn't go. Mrs. Kathy said she would give him a turn and let him sit on Rocky when they get back. He waited patiently so he received his turn.

The next thing I knew, the Little Lady was leading the Gentleman around the arena.

I think the Little Lady is gaining up on us by being very smart about getting her siblings to like horses too.

The question of the day was "When are we going to get a horse?" 

My answer, "You will have to ask your Dad."

 Standardized Test:  Can you answer the question of the day? http://apps.collegeboard.com/qotd/question.do

Recently, I was reading some information from the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. http://www.hslda.org/docs/study/ray2009/default.asp   I was amazed to read the “statistics” about homeschooler who had been tested with Standardized Testing for the 2009 year. 

Never being “BIG” on the test myself, mainly because of the history of the dumbing down the test over the years since 1950’s,  (And that fact that I don't like taking them! - giggle -  Who does?) I was a little curious to see how my curriculum stacked up against the test.  So, I ordered the SAT “practice” book that prepares the Children to take the test for the 1^st and 2^nd grade.  

Since, the LIttle Lady (age 5) finished her K level curriculum over the summer I went ahead and started her on her 1st grade stuff. So naturally I had her material in hand so I could see how her curriculum stacked up against the test. Imagine my surprise, when I was looking through the SAT booklet for the first and second grade, and I found out that the curriculum I am using is above the SAT requirements for both grades. (yeah!)

I know it is crazy to be a little concern since I have a degree that allows me to teach in the Elementary grades. You see, I personally think it is harder for one to teach their own child than it is to teach a group of 30 Children. For some reason, Momma’s with teaching degrees tend to be conscientious  and a little bit nervous of the feeling that they could  “mess” up their own child. Yet, I wonder why I never though twice at ruining the education of 25 children that weren't mine!  (In my case it wasn't 25 Children but actually 15 1st grader, 15 2nd graders, and 15 3rd graders with two other teachers!  I am sure you are going to ask about why it was 45 Children?  I was put with a Florida experimental program in a under privilege public school with the Florida Teacher of the Year.  -- But, still I never thought twice  because I was trained! -- I look back and think "Oh. so blind, dumb, and silly!")  

Anyway, isn’t it wonderful that God knows that some Momma’s  just need a little peace and assurance every now and then.  I am thinking it must have been what I needed. You see,  I am doing the “Classical Christian” approach.  Since, I know no one personally that is doing the curriculum, that I can sit and visit with on a regular basis, it is nice to know that I am  staying above the norm in these younger grades.  Nope, I am not nearly as confident in my older years at this teaching thing! I think mainly because I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned about myself. Children really do show you where your strengths and weaknesses are at! .... And I get to see those strength and weaknesses being mulitiplied by 4 Children.   

I think for my own peace of mind, to make sure that my Little Ones are staying at least on target, also to have the paper for our portfolio, I am going to have the LIttle Ones take a "test". Since, we may come to a point where we won't know what state we are going to be in and each state has different requirements, I don't think it will hurt anyway.  Who is going to see them but me anyway? Here is a link that was recommended to me. If you are interested, it is a place where you can order the test for your student (public/private or homeschooler)   http://thurbers.net/

Praise You In This Storm  (By Casting Crowns)

I first heard this song a little over 4 years ago after a tragic event in our Unit. The song gave me comfort then and still gives me comfort now. Matter of fact, I pull this song out every time we have something tragic to happen in our Unit. The last two months, I have pulled this song out 3 times.  Most recently though, was just this past week.  I drove down to Georgia with the 4 Little Ones by myself, (Beloved flew) to attend a Military Memorial Service. I can not express adequately how I feel when I attend such events. But, I can tell you that I am so Blessed to know Men (and their Families) that are "Real Heros".  I have been forever changed by their sacrifice!

(This video images are not of our unit but due to the first time I heard it, the images seem to touch me more than all the other videos that I have viewed.)

The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child.  ~Joe Houldsworth