Preparing for our upcoming School Year!

It seems I've become MIA but not really.  There just hasn't been that much to blog about. 

I just finished ordering our curriculum for this coming year's school. We are using the same as last year.  It is nice to have found something that we will stick with for right now.  As our boys graduate to higher grades, I will have to adjust but right now, we comfortable with what we are using.

Language Arts....Christian Light Education
Math...Christian Light Education
Reading...Christian Light Education
Penmanship (cursive)....Christian Light Eduation
Science...Apologia Zoology 3: Land Animals
Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing
Bible/History: Biblioplan with Mystery of History


And, of course, they will be reading from books at least 30 minutes a day.

We are trying a different scheduling approach this upcoming year.  We will school for 6 weeks with a week off.  This will allow a much needed break and give us goals to reach.  We are also adding some co-op classes.  I've signed them up for a PE class that will meet once a week for an hour and a half at a local fitness club. They will also be involved with homeschool club called Generation Joshua.  This group focuses on civics and government.  I'm excited about this and hope to have more details of our experience in future blog posts. 

Until then, we are taking it easy and look forward to our upcoming school year.

Book- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I just finished reading this book The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I read it because it is marketed to teens and having a niece who loves to read, I try to keep aware of what is out there vying for their attention, their money and their minds. This book has also been made into a movie. It's an older book that I haven't heard of until recently through reading groups. I saw young teens and parents raving over this book and the movie and I saw some parents asking questions about it regarding the appropriateness for their child. It was first published in 1999 by MTV books.

Let me preface my review by acknowledging that I understand the issues brought up in this book, sadly, are real and more abundant in today's culture than generations ago. This book includes topics such as rape, incest, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, suicide and dating. It also includes innocent topics such as friendships, the importance of family, accepting people for who they are, and academics.

The book is written in the form of letters by the main character, Charlie. Charlie is a 15 year old freshman starting high school. Charlie's letter are written as if he's around 12 years old but his perception of life at times can be well beyond his years. The reader can easily wonder if Charlie is autistic or has Asperger's with a higher level of function or he may have neither.

Charlie's letters are how the heavy topics I mentioned above are introduced in the story. He writes about these topics as he is exposed to them in his letters to a friend the reader is not privy to.
Here's why I have a hard time with this book. It's not necessarily because of the topics in this book, though I think some could be detailed less. Again, I understand these issues are real and today's younger generations are exposed to them, more than they should be. The problem I have is it's marketed to teens as if all teens have experienced or been exposed to these issues. It's written as if all these behaviors are normal for everyone. It bothers me that Charlie is 15 and experiencing these issues as if all 15 year olds have been exposed and/or participate in these behaviors. I also find it disturbing that one of the reasons Charlie is being exposed is because his parents don't show much concern with who Charlie is hanging out. His friends in the book are all seniors and he's a freshman. I know my parents were stricter than some but never would they have just let me go hang out with a group of seniors whom they didn't know. Charlie's parents allow Charlie to take the car, never asking where he is going, never giving a time to be home, and never asking what he has been doing even though he's clearly high or drunk when he returns home. Meantime, Charlie is being introduced to so much...sex, drugs, smoking, rape, alcohol, homosexuality, etc. All the while, the reader is trying to figure out Charlie's social issues. And maybe the lack of parental concern was an intention of the writer. Let me clarify, it's not that his parents aren't involved, they just are concerned with his social activity.

In the end, the reader realizes that Charlie was sexually abused. This could be why he's a "wallflower" or seems to be different than his peers.

I asked my 16 year old niece if she had heard of this book. I wasn't surprised when she said yes. I told me sister that I didn't recommend that my niece read this book, even though she's never mentioned a desire to read it. Some may call me over protective saying that I am "too sheltering". That's okay, I believe it is my responsibility as a Christian parent to keep my children's hearts innocent and guarded as long as I can. I simply would not allow them to read such a book solely based on "they are going to face it one day" or "everyone else is reading it" or "you can't protect them forever"...all of which are reasons I read for parents allowing this book to be read by their children as young as 10.

Let me end with this. If your child has read it or watched the movie, I highly recommend that you discuss these topics with them. They are heavy topics that young minds do not need to figure out without an adult perspective and guidance.

Protect your Nuts...

Sitting in the waiting room at the Drs office to have blood drawn for follow up thyroid levels.

"Ms B. "please come with me."

Me: "boys, sit here. It won't take long. You know how to act. Yes, Mam?"

"Yes, mam."

I return to find them rolling in that gut like laughter while the close neighbors snickering in attempt to keep from laughing out loud.

"Boys, come on. I'm finished. We can go now."

"Momma, look at this ad. 'Protect your nuts'"

At this point the elderly lady sitting next to us starts laughing out loud along with the 2 teenage girls sitting across from us."

I'm mortified as my face turns all shades of red. "What did you just say?"

Brother B: "Protect your nuts, C!"

"That is enough. What are you looking at? Give me that."

And this my friends, is the innocent ad that went awry.

Homeschooling Boys...

So, you want to know what it's like homeschooling boys. Here ya' go.

Disclaimer: I came across this photo in my deleted photo file on my phone. Proof they try to hide the evidence of being class clown

America's First Daughter

As you will notice, I didn't include this book with my most recent post featuring the books I've recently read.  This is because, this book deserves a post of its own...great books always do.

This is one of those books I didn't want to end, yet, I refused myself to savor its chapters, staying up well into the early morning to finish it.

It took a few pages getting use to the format in which the authors used to write it. It's written as Patsy telling her story to the reader while she searches through her father's, Thomas Jefferson, lifetime of letters. These letters are in fact, the archives in which the authors used as their foundation of the book.

I find myself amazed at just how much I enjoy learning history through such types of historical fiction. One must read this book understanding that while the book is fiction it is written based on actual events recorded in history and in the case of this book also written based on actual letters written by Thomas Jefferson and several of his comrades and family.

One of the enjoyments of this book for me was the vocabulary and communication style used at the of Thomas Jefferson's era. The vocabulary is exquisite, even so, I benefitted from having read this book using my Kindle so to have immediate access to a built in dictionary.

Upon reading this book, you will see that the authors romanticize certain events and relationships. They admittedly do so in order to add assumptions to the characters and relationships that aren't clearly defined in research. However, I don't believe they comprised the history to the point of making the story a fabricated work of fiction and they tried as much as able to keep the story as truthful as possible.

The historical aspects I enjoyed were of course learning more about the culture, the society and the politics of the time. I learned that some things have yet to change but that others have progressed for the better.

This book will be a part of my all time favorites. In fact, I find myself wishing this could be made into a movie, if not for the theaters than maybe a fictional documentary to be enjoyed on TV.

5 Stars! Even the cover is beautiful.  It's one I would want to frame and hang in my personal library...if I had one.

Recent Reads

There are elements in this book I really enjoyed. Some of events were written to be humorous while I think some were written as a joke to make fun of The South and its traditions.

The sex and heavily used vulgar language wasn't necessary to make the story line better. The story, itself, was enjoyable and needn't the added sex and vulgarity.

There were twists in the plot that made this book a page turner but not enough for me to give more than 3 stars.                  

This book is about a boy coming from Indiana coming of age in Mississippi during the 70s.

Romance isn't a genre I typically choose to read. I had one of my boys choose a book for me, and he chose this one because he thought I would like the cover. So, to keep my promise, I read it.

I didn't care for the romance aspect, though it was sweet, it's just not my interest for reading. I enjoy love stories but not romance.

However, this book did have minor suspense elements that made it more enjoyable than I anticipated.

I would normally rate historical romance as a 1 or 2 star but given it was better than I anticipated I give it 3. It was well written with a ease of reading. 

(Christian, Historical Fiction)

5 stars.  This book challenges to do be and do more for Christ than just sitting on the sidelines. 

Though I was born and reared in Mississippi and now rearing my own family in Mississippi, I am not from the Delta. However, the Delta isn't too unfamiliar to me as I lived in Greenville for 2 years and my father is from the Delta.

Richard depicts most accurately the race relations in the Delta, though, it can ring true for most of Mississippi. His conclusion...it's complicated. If black/white relations had to be described as you would describe a relationship on social media, "it's complicated" would be the answer. I think only those from Mississippi can actually understand it. Outsiders just can't begin to understand and certainly not from a perspective of only one year of living here.

I would like to say that his depiction of life in the Mississippi Delta, though very much riddled with drugs and alcohol, is not indicative of all Deltans. There are many who can enjoy life without having to include large amounts of alcohol if any at all.

Mississippi certainly has a past that isn't all glorious but Mississippi is certainly a place I love to call home.

Longest.Book.Ever. 776 pages.

I was disappointed in the ending. I guess if you like and can understand deep philosophy, you might would like it. I thought it left the reader hanging for more about the characters' future. Or maybe I was just disappointed bc the ideas I had for them didn't happen as I expected or hoped.

I give it 3 stars * * *

Watermelon, Blueberry and Feta Salad

Sweet and juicy watermelon pairs beautifully with salty feta cheese! Blueberries add an extra bite of sweetness and a pop of color. Drizzle the whole thing with honey lime vinaigrette and enjoy your refreshing Watermelon, Blueberry and Feta Salad!

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 6 c. cubed watermelon
• 2 c. fresh blueberries
• 1 c. feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 T. fresh mint, or basil, chiffonade
• 2 T. fresh lime juice
• 1 T. fresh lemon juice
• 3 T. olive oil
• 1 T. honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Add cubed watermelon, blueberries, feta, and mint (or basil) to a large bowl.
2. In a separate small bowl, add lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Whisk until blended. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
3. Just before serving toss fruit and cheese together. Drizzle with dressing and toss again to coat fruit with dressing. Serve immediately.

My parent's neighbors have several blueberry bushes that produce an abundant amount of blueberries every summer.  They are so gracious to allow my parents to pick any amount of blueberries they like.  So each summer, we are looking for delicious blueberry recipes.  I came across the above on Pinterest.  While I wouldn't consider this a most fabulous, must have at every meal, it's tasty enough to enjoy the blueberries in salad as a healthy alternative of something to eat. 

(I do not take credit for the picture.) You can find the recipe here http://www.littledairyontheprairie.com/watermelon-blueberry-feta-salad/