This is how I want to study history

I find myself suddenly in the position of homeschooling a fifth grader - mine. And so, now I have to consider and implement the vague ideas about HOW ONE SHOULD LEARN HISTORY, that've been kicking around my head. Ever since I had history. And hated it. And, because I not only want my kids to have…

Getting outdoors with the kids

Good article on Nerd Fitness, on getting outside with the kids. I've been thinking about this a good deal lately. In short, we're doing this by cultivating our own passions, and bringing them along. Sean teaches the boys Kenpo three days a week. I have them out with me two or three days a week, training…

The Summer of Smoothies

Ben just decided that we should make smoothies. I wanted to record his recipe and Eric's recipe for posterity. Ben's Smoothie Serves 2. Ingredients: 2 large strawberries, cored 1/3 apple, chopped 8 grapes 1 cup orange juice 1/2 cup lowfat plain yogurt 1-2 teaspoons honey (we used cinnamon honey) Put everything in a blender and blend…

Ikea table parenting

My philosophy of parenting includes keeping only moderately decent furnishings, because mistakes will happen. For example, one of the boys got permanent marker on our dining room table. It's the nicest table I've ever owned, but it's also an Ikea pine wood jobby, easily scratched and marked. It's not anything we're likely to turn into…

R2 reviews the troops

On Learning: An open letter to my children

Hey guys, I've been thinking about learning and education pretty much my whole life. First, I was subject to it. Then I chose to continue it. Now I continue learning - on purpose! - both because it helps my job, and because it interests me. I figured out early that the downside of organized schooling is that "learning" quickly becomes a swear…

Guitar with Ben

I'm finally learning to play guitar, by memorizing chords and practicing Jonathan Coulton songs. Ben is sitting next to me on the couch, singing along and praising my progress. Today is a good day.

Ben’s Annie

Some kids are afraid of the dark; Ben just doesn't like to be alone. We won't go with him every time he brushes his teeth or right when he goes to bed, so he's taken to calling Annie with him. And she's taken to going with him, and lying on the bottom bunk as he…

My boy

My little guy is 6 years old now, and his first semester of kindergarten has gone from bad to worse. He's getting into trouble every day now, getting sent to the office every day - a kindergartener getting sent to the office every day! I seriously don't know whether it's his behavior, or a new…

Awesome

Ben went to pottery class after school. I said you're not signed up for pottery. He said I didn't have anything else to do.