Truth In Homeschooling

January 16th, 2009

So you’re thinkin’ about homeschooling?  You think you don’t have it together enough?  You really think Ido?  You think I have the “right kind” of kids to do it.  Right.  This is to boost your “you can do it too” level – I give you a typical night in reading to my kiddos.

Yep, right down to my pink fuzzy socks and unmatching ‘jammies.

Yoda Stew

January 15th, 2009

As in Yoda served to Luke in The Empire Strikes Back.  Not as in I cooked Yoda up in a stew.  Although, my husband just about has my daughter convinced of the latter.

Amazingly, this has made it into the Parker family recipe book.  First of all, let me say, we started a Star Wars lapbook a couple of months ago. It’s slow going because I’m making this one from scratch.  If you have any cool ideas or spots you go to, please send ‘em my way.  I’ll, in turn, give you everything I collect when it’s all done.

Yo?

Now, back to the stew.  Yes, I’m quite serious.  At one of our favorite sites:  StarWars.com/kids I came across this recipe:  Yoda’s Incredible Herb Stew.  We made a few changes.  And the pictures here are from the first time we tried it.  We ate it again tonight with a few more changes.  My whole family eats it.  Maybe because it’s cool.  But I’ll tell ya, my honey and I eat it because it tastes amazing.

YODA’S INCREDIBLE HERB STEW
changed by me

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey – browned
Salt to taste, if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 – 1/2 cup dried parsley
1 finely chopped onions
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic (I use the jar kind)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground basil leaves
1 teaspoon (canned) finely chopped mild green chilies
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 bay leaf
2-3 peeled baking potatoes
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil.  In a large pot combine ground meat, onions, and garlic.  Add all the rest of the ingredients and enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil, then lower temp and simmer for an hour.  Serve with toasty bread.

The changes that were made were either or necessity – I didn’t have the spices that I eliminated or substituted.  I didn’t have spinach, but probably wouldn’t use that much of it anyway, because my kiddos more than likely wouldn’t eat as much, and we don’t it lamb.  Not a stand, just a yuck and way too much money.  If you try this and either try the original recipe or a different version let me know – I’d love to know how your crew likes it!

It was a hit!

2 Boys In This Picture

Can you find them both?

They called me outside to “see what we did.” 

And while I stood looking at my child in the top of that tree I ran through my options.  I could fuss, I could yell, I could stand at the bottom and worry and wait for him to get down - letting my fear, concern, and disapproval show.  Or I could put into practice the advice a stranger offered up at McDonald’s Playland the other day.  She watched as I couldn’t contain my youngest.  He was all over the place - climbin’ right up in the tunnel slides with all the other ones.  Gigglin’ and yellin’ to beat the band.  After he came out of one of the slides with 2 fresh bumps on his head I could take no more.  I strapped him safely into his stroller.  Oh the fits that followed.  And the mama who’s a tad further down this parenting road said, “Tsk, tsk, Mama.  Let that baby run.”  And I told her all about how he gets hurt all the time, how little he is, how fearless he is, and how my nerves could simply not take anymore.  She said she knew - she had one that was 15 now.  That my little one reminded her of him.  That sometimes you’ve gotta let ‘em be boys.  Know when to turn your head.  Practice being calm.  And then pick them up and carry them to the E.R.  She went on to tell me how last summer, without her knowledge, her fearless boy decided to jump his bike across their pool.  She said the bike made it into the water.  The boy was not so lucky.  On the way home from the hospital, he said to her, “Huh, I guess that wasn’t so smart.”  She said to me, “Turn that boy loose, he’s gotta be.”  And I did.  And his little boy-spirit soared.  He romped, and climbed and slid, and loved life - not worrying once about those new bumps on his noggin.

So, what did I do about the boy in the top of the tree?  Did I stand and make sure he got down safely?  Did I scold him and bring him in? 

Nope.  I heard that wiser mama’s words ringing in my ears and I said, “Yep, that’s very cool.  Be really careful.”  And I walked back inside.  So as to maintain a thread of my sanity.  And waited with abated breath knowing that I’d be grabbing van keys and running to the hospital.  I didn’t.  I was spared.  This time.  I know that I can’t protect them at all times.  I know there will be injuries.  I know the risks.  But I also know that I cannot crush their spirit.  I know that they need danger.  They need to walk on the wild side.  And sometimes we all need a little fearlessness in our lives.