TV or not TV...that is the question

"Consider what a child misses during the 15, 000 hours (from birth to age seventeen) he spends in front of the TV screen. He is not working in the garage with his father, or in the garden with his mother. He is not doing homework, or reading, or collecting stamps. He is not cleaning his room, washing the supper dishes, or cutting the lawn. He is not listening to a discussion about community politics among his parents and their friends. He is not playing baseball or going fishing, or painting pictures. Exactly what does television offer that is so valuable it can replace these activities that transform an impulsive, self-absorbed child into a critically thinking adult?"
— Paul Copperman

We went TV free two summers back and it was great!! We never got round to it last summer and now with winter kicking in we use the TV more often. This quote has reminded me of all the things that TV watching steals. Mindful media consumption is my aim for this winter and TV free again next summer.

Homeschool Wobbles continue...

Homeschool wobbles are universal. I found this encouraging post today.

My biggest wobles at the moment are based on finances and my own selfishness.

It is a big sacrifice to homeschool. Our potential income is more than halved - I have more earning power than J.

There is little kudos for home educating. When I was a classroom teacher I got paid, I got feedback on my job performanceand I got lots of presents at the end of each year.

As a homeschool mum I get concern and questions which, however well intentioned, feed into my insecurities.

However when it all comes down to it, I am convinced that the kiddoes are being truly educated and THAT is what it is all about. J and I have no interest in our kids being well -schooled...we want them to gain an education.

Maybe it really isn't all that complicated...

If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need. - Cicero

Check and check...phew!

Thankfulness and Forgetfulnes

"The things we hate about ourselves aren't more real than the things we like about ourselves." Ellen Goodman.

Church on Sunday had me thinking about God's forgiveness and FORGETFULNESS. He chooses to forget about our sins, our failings, the ways in which we fall short.

Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Reading A Holy Experience's Ann Voskamp's amazing first chapter of her book, "One Thousand Gifts" has me thinking about thankfulness as a way out of self-condemnation.

Considering the year ahead has me excited about another year of opportunity with my fabulous family. I am thankful to have the privilege of spending most of my days with my children, to see them learning and growing into the amazing people they have been created to be...being thankful helps me to see past my own shortcomings and to focus on love.life.laughter.

Our Biggest Boy is 9

O9, You are such a blessing in our family. It is a privilege to see you growing up into a thoughtful and kind young man. You are heaps of fun and fill our days with interesting tidbits of information. It was great that you could share your birthday with two good friends and your brothers and sister. xx

Feral!

"But...I need sunscream so I don't get burned."

Piccy...pic...pics

The all important farm/zoo set up that lives permanentlyi in different forms on the coffee table...good thing we don't really drink coffee.

The ever scrumptious E4

Cheesy grinned...but handsome nonetheless.

Princess A ...biking with no training wheels...the before picture...the after is not so angelic...it involves stampijng feet and loudly voiced declarations of never getting on the bike again.

C6...go man, go.