http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmXX3NuPQU8

If you are at all concerned about the upcoming election, I encourage you to watch the above video produced by Chuck Baldwin for president. He clearly addresses why it is absolutely NOT wasting your vote to vote for a third-party candidate. In light of where it seems evident these elections are headed, consider the fact that if he were to garner enough support in this election (even if he doesn't win) the country may be more receptive to a good third-party candidate by the next election. If all conservatives actually voted for someone who truly represented their views, then Chuck Baldwin would win the election. Please feel free to pass on the link to my blog to anyone you know.

Home School Idea----Lap Books

Have you ever heard of making a lap book? Although I know it is probably a very old idea, it was rather new to me. I was first introduced to them by some home schoolers who were at the Congressional Action Program (sponsored by HSLDA) when we lobbied our senators in D.C. last year. It is a great way for our kids to creatively display in a compact format ANY subject they have studied.

I have been looking for a way to use it with Eric that he would enjoy. We use the Beautiful Feet curriculum for History, and it often takes us on side-tracks studying other things related to the book at hand. This was a great way for him to put that information together in one place that he can easily share with others. If you want some resources to get started on making your own lap book, just google it, but here are two links that we found helpful.

Templates for inside the lap book

How to fold

This was probably the most excited Eric has been about any project he has done, so I think we will do many more of these!

Pretty much you start with a basic manilla folder and fold it as above. Everything fits inside. We are reading Holling C. Holling's Minn of the Mississippi and have been researching snapper turtles (the main character of the story).

Open it up and on the inside are all of the goodies. Front and center is a detailed drawing Eric did (NOT traced) labeling all of the parts of the turtle. On the left is a series of lift-the-flaps detailing the turtle's diet. On the upper right is a fan-book explaining the life-cycle of the turtle from egg, hatchling, adult and reproduction. Across the bottom is a map colored with the location of the common snapper in the North American continent. Then a mini book about the turtle's habitat, then on the right a picture of a snapper in it's habitat.

Mini book, page 1.Lift the flaps...on the outside is a picture of what the turtle likes to eat. Lift the flap and read a description of it.
The fan book. Notice the background picture of the snapper on the title page. Totally Eric's idea. Pretty cool.
Definitely something for him to be proud of :) And I am very proud of my boy!

We've been Skunked!!!

I guess it was inevitable...we have had problems with skunks around the house this fall, and smell them often, but last night Luke finally crossed paths with the skunk. The critter sprayed our deck and the front of our house, and at some point sprayed Luke as well. Poor thing, it got him right in the face! So we looked it up to see what we ought to do and we washed his eyes out last night, but that was about it since it was late.

This morning Eric and I made up a bath for him with warm water (it's 60 degrees outside today), lots of vinegar, baking soda and detergent. Have you ever tried to give a cat a bath? I hadn't until today, so it was quite an adventure! He actually did really well at first, I guess the warm water felt nice and he liked being rubbed. However, he quickly tired of it all and spent most of his time trying to get out of the tub. He never tried to scratch me or claw at me. I had a pretty good grip on his leg, so he wasn't going anywhere till I let go of him!

He kept getting one paw over the edge of the tub which actually was nice so I could scrub him under his belly. Does he look happy? Not too sure about that!
Poor thing, he looks so skinny and forlorn with his fur all wet! As soon as I let him out he shook off like a dog and was off! Haven't seen him since...don't think he trusts me too much.

As for the skunk smell, it's not totally gone by any means, but he is much better. At least we got all those nasty oils out of his fur. I imagine the scent will linger for some time.

As for the skunk, we are researching options in how to get rid of it. We have a have-a-heart trap, and feel confident we can trap it, but what then? Any suggestions?

I have tried to keep this a blog solely about what is going on in our family. I have really tried. And truth be told, this IS what is going on in our family right now. We (Dennis & I) have been in a small quandary as we have been following the current events and the elections this season. While I do not believe that the Presidential election is the most important thing going on, it is VERY important and we have come to the conclusion that God has put us here in this time and place for a purpose. That purpose is not to sit idly by and watch our nation fall into depravity, but to stand up and speak, to make our voices heard. I promise politics will not be a constant feature of this blog, but for today, it is the main feature. I do not apologize for this. It is important to me and I hope it is as important to you.

Please take some time and look into Chuck Baldwin. He is a far cry from Obama and McCain, in a good way.

http://www.baldwin08.com/

Are you wasting a vote on Chuck Baldwin? Absolutely not. Read what he says on this topic here.

Cooperation

Sometimes all 3 kids get along in ways I could never imagine or ask. Usually it happens just when we are supposed to be doing something else, so I think subliminally they are getting along so well in order to avoid something they'd rather not be doing...like schoolwork :) When I came up from taking my shower this morning, this is what I found. Everyone dressed (Eric had helped Leah pick out her clothes and get her dressed) and playing in Leah's room. So I gave them a 10 minute warning of more play time, then it was time to get down to work!
I have been inspired to start early with the Christmas preparations this year...I always try to have the kids make gifts to give to family, and I have been looking for ideas. So far, I have found several, and a few I may try for myself. I often give something that I have canned from the garden, like salsa or jelly, but I didn't have any this year, so I need fresh ideas for me too! What homemade gift ideas have you done that worked for you?
Freezer paper stencils: you can easily take a piece of artwork made by your children with a bold outline and turn it into cool art on clothing/bags/etc...
Handmade gifts site: a gazillion handmade gift ideas for all ages, all levels.

and for the adults:
Cute flower felt pattern
crate slip covers
fabric storage boxes

Fall Jackets

I have embarked on a fall project to make each of the kids a play jacket. I wanted to see if I could actually save money doing this, and I think I actually have. I spent about $50 for the fabric/notions for all 3 jackets and they are turning out nicely so far. Leah will actually get two, the first one is from a Butterick Fast & Easy Pattern #B4908 and the other will be from the same pattern as the boys' jackets. What is great about this pattern is that all 3 of their sizes are on one pattern! That does not happen very often. So one of Leah's is done and Eric's is done. Bay's is next.

Don't know if you can see it in the picture but I did blanket stitching around the bottom, the sleeves and the pockets. This jacket has 2 snaps hidden inside. This was my first time putting in snaps and it was very easy!
Eric's jacket has a hood an fleece lining. The only thing I would have done differently is put in some pockets in the sides! I can't believe the pattern didn't have pockets, and I wonder if I can put them in after the fact? Any experience with this?

Everyone picked out their own fabric for their jackets. Eric picked out the camo shell with leaves on the inside. Bay picked out a blue camo pattern.