I wonder if many of today's homeschoolers can really understand what an incredible phenomenon, even miracle, the growth of homeschooling over the past two decades is.

My first year homeschooling -- 1985 -- I had never even heard the term. I met my first fellow homeschooler during my second year of teaching my children and started a homeschool group that same year.

When my oldest son reached fourth grade, I discovered Saxon Math. The program started with the 65 book. The 54 book was in the test-marketing stage and I was part of the target group for the test. My copy was completely handwritten. Each chapter was stapled together and added to the pile of other chapters.

I coordinated the first curriculum fair in my area that invited actual publishers (prior to that, families would get together once a year to show their curriculum, which is still a good idea). Hundreds of the companies that set up at fairs today did not exist twenty – or even ten – years ago.

The most common response I encountered when people discovered I homeschooled was: “Is that legal?” Today it’s: “I know someone who does that.”

Even the word “homeschool” has evolved. During most of my homeschool years it was two separate words, and while many parents said they home schooled, you never heard a child say he or she home schooled, but rather that he was home schooled.

In some ways, I think this last thing may be the most important bit of progress. While my children have always been self-educators, they never used the terminology of self-education: I homeschool.

Maybe it would be good for us to impress upon our children the full potential of those words used by a student: I homeschool. I take an active role in my education. Education is not something I just wait for someone to do to me.

This is how we produce those “lifelong learners” the teaching industry is so fond of talking about and so loathe to actually empower.

Tammy Drennan has homeschooled and helped others start homeschooling for 23 years. Her web sites and blogs include: www.homeschoolstarter.com and www.educationconversation.wordpress.com.

http://www.worksheetworks.com/ is an unbelievable site with so many great customizable features I have just scratched the surface as to what it does!  So far I have made customized handwriting sheet, word searches and maps.  The site says it has over  millions of combinations and I believe it does!

Christina at Mustard Seeds has written a review of the Meghan Rose series authored by Lori Z. Scott, illustrated by Stacy Curtis.

She is giving away three of these books to her readers -- two in the United States and one outside of the U.S.  So, all of my Canadian and British friends... and Jimmie -- go check out her giveaway!  Deadline is Monday, August 4, 2008.

Now, granted, I know portions at "sit-down" restaurants tend to be more than one can eat in one sitting, but I found this blog entry (from a mother in Malaysia) to be very thought-provoking in regards to the abundance that we (as Americans) hoard have.

Here's the statement that caught my attention:

(it’s a U.S. kids portion, that means the food was a lot!).

 

Please note:  I am not responsible for the content of other webpages.  There were some other entries on the aforementioned blog that may not be suitable for children.

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On another note... don't forget to check out Small World's Housewarming Party!

Kieran's been doing the doing the "ready to walk" dance.  Every time he gets himself up from the floor into this awkward positon he's cheered and applauded by an audience of siblings, and he's been loving every minute.

He also gets a "golden scissors award" for letting me cut his hair without making a single protest peep.  What a little-big boy!

Whew!  Life is like a merry-go-round, and I am about to be dizzier than a kookaburra on my way back down under!

We have been busier than bees getting our county fair projects finished and turned in.  Last year hubby said we had better get them done before the 11th hour.  Did we listen?  Well, yeah, of course!  But did we obey?  Nope.  Sorry honey, I know you are right.  I PROMISE we will do better next year!!!!

So the four kiddoes and I have been taking photos, painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, beading and all other manner of craftiness.  Then came the cooking!  The kids baked cookies, candies, cakes, pies and made jelly. 

Amidst all the drama of getting everything done and having two kids sick we had to add just a tad bit more drama the night before drop off.  We had *thought* we had until noon on Friday to drop off our entries.  Then another mom called to ask us about it....so my daughter double checked and yikes, found out we had to be there before 10 a.m.  This is about an hours drive for us.  Ok, so we planned to get up at 7:00, pack the car etc., leave by 8:00.

Then the inevitable happened.  My oldest daughter still had a cake to bake and a pie to finish, and at about 10:30 p.m. that final night....she burned her left hand on the electric stove burner.  OUCH!

We submerged her hand in a tub of cold water with several drops of lavender essential oil (thanks to my other daughter's wonderful memory, she reminded me that it was good for burns) and she proceeded to bake her cake, roll out pie crust and get all her baking finished.  Finally, at around 1:00, when we figured we had better get to bed, she was in some pain and we decided to go to the E.R. and have it looked at and wrapped "professionally."  We did, and only one person asked us what we were doing up that hour baking.  LOL!

Anyway, she had a mummy hand for a few days but I am happy to report that it looks fabulous now, can't even see much of the burn at all.  (2nd degree)

And to top it all off, she won First Place, AND Grand Champion in her division for that pie she rolled out with one hand.

We went out to the fairgrounds that same evening (thinking it was opening night) but found out it wasn't!  The nice people at the art hall let us come in and take a quick peek at our ribbons....and we actually missed some of them that we found on Wednesday.  That was quite a surprise!  Anyway, here are a few more of our awards. 

My youngest daughter did this lovely "checkerboard" cable knit sampler. 

 Youngest son did a "trash to treasure" entry (recyclable project) and much to my surprise, got some nice ribbons! Its the little town square made out of old milk cartons etc.  Very creative!

 Next, this is a model my youngest daughter made.  She made most of these miniature elements and put them together with her little bear, "Red-Red."  She actually did the minute cable knitting on the toothpicks! 

 Here she is with her lovely giant watercolor pansy.  I thought it deserved a first place, but she only got a participation ribbon on this one.  Does she seem to care that it wasn't first?  From that smile, I'd say no!

My oldest daughter knit these socks.  They are made from her hand spun wool.  (She even cleaned and carded it too)  She made these for her Daddy to take when he goes hunting, but now she's not so sure she wants him to do that!  This is the second pair she has made, the first pair were white and she made them for herself.  I was so proud of her! 

Did you know how much math goes into knitting a pair of socks? 

 This is Essie's acrylic painting of a robin.  Pretty cute! 

 The little guy got a second place on his candy canes he made! 

 He also did a lovely watercolor and got a 3rd place ribbon. 

These are both watercolor paintings I did, one landscape (canoeing on Rampart Reservoir) and one nature (the columbine flower.)

 And this is a leather rounder that my oldest son did.  He had several projects that my photos didn't turn out well on, so I will try again and get them posted later!  I know he will be crushed not to have his picture in here several times.  You know how teenage boys are about that kind of stuff!

Ok, well, we worked on the farm on this day and my face shows it!  (Very tired and red from the heat.) But I was pleased with my ribbons on these three next to me, the two watercolors and the acrylic of the fall leaves.

The one of the candles there, I think that was a pastel.  Isn't it fabulous!? That person did a great job!  I think I need to try some pastel too....maybe next year!

 This is my oldest son's Red Velvet Cake.  He did well!  First Place!  I made the mistake of trying it at home, I HAD to after all.  But I paid the price with a three day migraine from the chocolate!  Was it worth it?  Um...sure, anything for YOU son!

This is the second year my oldest has won in her division, for photography.  The funny thing is that she says she's not a photographer.  She really isn't!  She would much rather be sewing, spinnning, crocheting, knitting or baking. But she sure got lucky these last two years.  :)

And this pencil sketch really surprised me!  I liked it, (It's my yougest daughters drawing) but I really didn't think it was ribbon worthy---even if I am the mom.  Those judges sure have good taste though!

I was really proud of my acrylic this year.  I know, pride goeth before the fall!  I thought it was a ton better than last years entry (which won first and grand)  ~ Ya just never know!

Well, that twern't all of them, but I need to find the rest of the photos.  Crazy computer sometimes hides things from me!  IT has a mind of its own!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our entries. Last year's can be found here.  And the year before that, here.

Be sure to let me know if you are posting any of your county or state fair entries.  I'd love to see them!

Nancy