To Nap or not to Nap -- that is the question.

I will need this advice on tired tots giving up naps in the next school year. So I'm placing this post HERE so I won't forget when I need a nap, and so does Ds#5, but he refuses and we're both cranky and tired.

Our Favorite Toddler Preschool Book

It's a series, but each book can stand on it's own.
The Good Dog Carl series by Alexandra Day is my FAVORITE series for young children. The mom leaves the dog in charge of the baby and they have all sorts of (naughty) fun together. My preschoolers have always loved telling the pictures, "No, no, Carl." while loving Carl so much. There are almost no words, so you have to 'read the pictures,' which young children prefer, anyway. The paintings are so lovely for the illustrations in the book. We have our favorites in the series...what's yours?

Toddler time

As my 2 year old becomes a 3 year old in the fall of the upcoming school year, I'm trying to have a plan for him as well as the big kids on down. In my research I'm loving this post. Despite all the busyness of my life, this is what I really think about young children.

For the Fish Lover in your house

Do you have a fish lover in your house? Dave loves his 55 gallon aquarium. He's always looking for a new place to keep fish. I saw this and thought of him. For only $225 (+ s&h) I can give him the Fish 'n Flush.

Dave's comment :

Let’s not….

But it would make it easier to dispose of them in the end.

Book Review : Faith, Science, and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge

I just bought a copy of Faith, Science, and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge and I'm so glad I did. It's an exceptional work!

I was looking for something a little more Catholic than all the books I could find on the Creationism vs. Evolution debate to supplement our Biology for 9th grade. It looks like there are some great books out there on Creationism, Faith and Dawin, but none of them are quite where we are.

It's not a thick book at 292 pages, fully indexed. You can view the contents pages of the 12 chapters, and a snippet of the first chapter here. Faith, Science, and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge lends a reverence to science as 'love of God through exploration of nature.' It brings faith down to earth by defining it and discussing it as an almost tangible part of our experience -- something readily available rather than ethereal.

It's not cheap at $35, but it's also GEORGOUS!! Many of the pictures have an astronomy/universe look to them (something a Star Trek junkie can appreciate). The paper quality is good, so it feels good in my hands.

This was designed as a 12th grade Theology (philosophy?) course. I think I'll use it all 4 years and just slip chapters in where applicable in her studies.

There's so much here that's applicable to today while always drawing us to the Divine Nature of God. The reading level is closer to 12th grade and while the writing style is accessible, it's not something I can pick up and put down. It's meaty stuff and I have to digest this book. I'm reading Faith, Science, and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge cover to cover *just for fun* and loving it!!

Family Canoeing on a Sunday afternoon

We had a lovely Sunday afternoon canoeing with the kids. (I had the easy kids, so mine was more relaxing. Dave had the rowdy 3 including the 2 yr old in his canoe -- less relaxing for him.)

We went to Trading Post Canoes up in Mongo, Indiana (wherever THAT is? like an hour away) and took the 4 mile trip. It took us around 2 hrs (when it was taking everyone else an hour), but we really enjoyed it. It was all of our kids' first time canoeing and my first time on a canoe trip (that I recall). It was pretty funny what a difficult time we had manoevering the boats until we got the hang of it. We thought it was funniest that the younger boys 8 & 10 (with the exception of the 2 year old) were pretty good at padding and more adept at manovering the canoe straight.

We'll have to do it again! Anyone want to join us next time?

Homeschool moms take the plunge

Two unnamed homeschool moms dangle 100 feet above the ground and risk everything to teach their children "Be Not Afraid!"

There's more than corn in Indiana.

Star Wars Party for a 10 year old boy