We Press on!

In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District today ruled that “California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education.”

Today’s decision stands in stark contrast to the opinion this same three-judge panel issued in February, which would have made California the only state in the union to outlaw home education had it remained in effect.

“It is unusual for an appellate court to grant a petition for rehearing as this court did in March,” said HSLDA Chairman Mike Farris, “but it is truly remarkable for a court to completely reverse its own earlier opinion. We thank you for your prayers and give God the glory for this great victory.”

When the court vacated its earlier decision on March 25, 2008, it invited interested organizations to file friend-of-the-court briefs. “I have never seen such an impressive array of people and organizations coming to the defense of homeschooling,” said Farris, who was one of the attorneys who argued the case on rehearing along with Alliance Defense Fund attorney Jeff Shafer, who represented the father. The father was also represented by Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation.

California’s three largest homeschool organizations, California Homeschool Network, Homeschool Association of California and Christian Home Education Association joined together in one brief to defend the right of all parents to homeschool. HSLDA, Family Protection Ministries and Focus on the Family also joined in a separate brief. Numerous other private organizations came to the defense of home education as did California’s governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction.

We are extremely grateful to all of the organizations who worked tirelessly to protect and preserve homeschooling freedom in California. We are also thankful for you, our members, for your prayers and support during this trying season.

The freedom to homeschool is a precious gift from God. But keeping it free requires vigilance and perseverance. We must continue to work together diligently to preserve this precious freedom in California and elsewhere.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

To read the full opinion click here.

Better Late than Early (Moore)

School is just around the corner for students in our neck of the woods, so naturally my mind has wandered to "when-can-I-start-teaching-my son" thoughts. I know, I know, he's only 10 (almost 11) months, but still. Never to early to start planning. I wholeheartedly want to home school him, as that seems to be the most beneficial to children, especially in the young, impressionable years.

I've been reading Home Grown Kids by R. Moore, and a section of his book really stands out to me, and I thought it worth repeating here.

It is quite possible to teach a bright three or four year old how to read, but while he is spending time doing that he is missing out on something more essential to that stage of his development - something he might not be able to make up later. Premature emphasis on any learning, particularly by rote memory, can close pathways to other learning. When leaders of student radicals were studied in the late 60s, it was found in most cases that intellect had been developed at too early an age with a corresponding lack in emotional development. These young adults had brilliant minds but had progressed emotionally only to the temper-tantrum stage.

Yikes. Makes me think of all the "child advocates" who are pushing for younger and younger compulsory school entrance age. Where, may I ask, is the evidence that younger children thrive in school? That they learn more than children who start formal education later?

As a mother who plans on teaching her son herself, it would seem wise to create situations where learning occurs almost "by accident"...where he would be free to be himself, make mistakes without fear of reprisal, mocking, or belittling...all of which create hostile learning environments; all of which inhibit learning. When children are allowed to "grow up" a little more (mature their senses, which is key for learning) and develop Godly values before being put in a herd with their ignorant peers they will almost always (it would seem) come out ahead of those who are forced to go to preschool (or nursery school, whatever). Just because "everyone is doing it" does not mean that it's the right thing to do.

The task ahead of my husband and me is to provide an excellent home structure where he feels safe, secure, and valued as a little person.

Wow. What an awesome task ahead of us. And apparently no rush to "school" him just yet!

Summer Cleaning

I decided to clean out my cupboards yesterday. Oh my...I can see this is going to be an exciting post! Hang on to your hoop skirts!

Basically everything in my cupboards was just thrown in there, Tupperware with glass, glass with aluminum...a big mish mash of everything. I fenced myself in the kitchen, so my dear Son couldn't get in and smash to bits my remaining pieces of Pyrex.

I first took everything out of the 4 cupboards and laid them on the kitchen tile. (WOW! Big mess...my Son's eyes practically bugged out of his head seeing it all out of order like that.) Taking everything out also allowed me to clear out the several 6 legged vermin that had decided to take up residence in my barely used dishware. (I can't believe I just admitted that! EKK!)

Then I divided the items by composition, deciding that I had more glassware than plastic, and that the glassware belonged in the largest cupboard. Easy enough. Fitting it all in was another dilemma. I had no idea I owned so many 1-quart bowls! And that's after my Son smashed several! At least I won't have to worry about serving dishes this upcoming Thanksgiving.

I stuffed (literally!) the barely used Tupperware in the far reaches of the other cupboard, with priority given to the small dishes W uses.

Voila!

I was done!

Now only if I had remembered to reserve a spot for all the dirty glassware still soaking in the sink!

Poopy Piddles are the Pits!

First, let me congratulate myself on my fine use of alliteration. Here in Mommy-land I don't get to enjoy all the fine things of the English language very often...unless you count the numerous times I say dada...

or nigh nigh....

Yes! Those count!

ah....oh.....ok...onward! Forward!

I love taking walks or rollerblading with my son. I try to go outside with him at least once a day, preferably more, but since the days are so sunny and hot sometimes it's only once. Whatever. We still make it out every day.

Yesterday I strapped on my blades and we hit the trail, with my Music on the Move speaker playing my favorite tunes. (LOVE that feature of my jogger!) The trail starts out on quite a downward slope. (LOVE that part of the trail, too! Until it's time to turn back around....augh!) As we sailed down the paved passage I pointed out to my son the beautiful trees, singing birds, annoying, barking dogs,....then it happened. I saw in the distance a smokin' pile of poo, freshly deposited. It was too late. I was going too fast. I had no choice but to glide my right blade right through it. Of course I was able to stop shortly thereafter, to survey the damage. There, slicing through the center of the poo was the imprint of my roller blade. I don't say bad words. (Especially in front of my son.) But I came awfully close. I now had to wipe off the poo the best I could in the dead grass and move on. (Blades with poo AND dead, flaky grass do NOT make for the best blading conditions! Trust me on this one.)

Seriously, people...pick up after your pooches.

I used to scoff at walkers who walked with little blue bags of poo....for miles! No more. I admire them. Thanks for doing your part. I will never again stare at the poop bag in your hand and roll my eyes.

We did make it a little further up the trail before we turned around, plowing up the steep upgrade back to our house. I feel great for getting my son outside to enjoy nature.

A Quick, Yummy, Healthy (somewhat!) Apple Crisp

I remember my mom making this recipe when I was young. It made the house smell wonderful, and we usually ate the entire dessert in one (1) sitting. Here's the scoop:

First peel and slice about 5 Granny Smith apples. Make sure you slice them rather thin. This should yield you about 5 cups. Place them in a 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle 2-4 tablespoons of white sugar on them.Then in a separate bowl mix 1/4 cup of flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of oats. After mixing them add 4 tablespoons of melted butter and pour over the dry mixture. Using a fork, mix until it looks like crumbles.Lastly, sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the apples and back for 30-35 in a 375 degree oven. Let cool. Eat. Repeat.
Keep in mind that while the main ingredient is apples, eating too much just might make your tutu a tad too tight for your upcoming dance recital! Beware!

People Need Manners!

I have to vent for a minute. I cannot stand people who think the outside world is their bathroom. I'm talking about clipping nails in public places. My friend and I were taking our kids to the pool the other day when she shrieked, saying that under her chair were toenail clippings - large ones, and lots of them. I'm all for personal hygiene, but honestly...at the pool? That's just downright disgusting. Nails can be full of fungus, bacteria, and other grodies...and to shoot the little bits of fungus-filled shrapnel around a pool area (or any other public place) is in poor taste. Be kind to those have to use the area behind you and keep your keratin bits where they belong - in the bathroom trash can!

He's in the system.

He's #8. Cubby hole #8 that is.
I finally did it. I put my son in nursery this morning.
I thought about it all week long and this morning I took the plunge. We're both better off because of it. I got to hear a sermon, which hasn't happened in a long time, and he got to play with other kids. Not really sure why that's a GOOD thing, as he'll probably walk away learning all those kids' bad habits, instead of learning what I want him to learn, but 2 hours probably isn't going to hurt him.
I have to admit, though, that halfway through I did seriously consider fleeing the service to douse hand sanitizer on him, but (thankfully!) I refrained.
It was a positive enough experience that (unless he comes down with some plague by Wednesday) he'll probably join the ranks of toddlers in nursery again next week.