Sisters!

I love it that my girls are working together.  Michelle was asked to write a blogpost for a friend's blog.  The blog is about fashion.

Michelle selected her outfit and accessories with care.  Then it was time for the photo shoot.  She asked Elizabeth to take her photos.  I love it that my eight year old was able to take these pictures.  Although, I have to admit that it was Michelle who chose the setting and the poses.  I love to see them working together!

If you would like to read Michelle's post you can Click Here to go see it.

A Cultural Paradigm Shift and How It Effects Children's Literature

Don't let the fancy title stop you from reading this article, especially if you have children who like to read.

We have a large collection of children's books in our home, about 4,000. I try and collect books written before 1960. Why? Let me tell you...

People who were born prior to 1945 ( the WWII generation and before) were taught, by their parents and society, that the most important thing about a person was what he did. To do right in the face of danger showed that you were a brave and good person, the kind of person we looked up to and respected. These ideals were written about and demonstrated in children's literature. We were taught that hard work paid off and that a good man honored and cared for the women in his life. Horatio Alger books all talk about the unfortunate young man who, through hard work and diligence, is able to become successful. My favorite author growing up was Stephen W. Meader. All his books show young men doing right for their country and family, even when enemies tried to dissuade them. Consider Jules Verne and his book, 'Micheal Strogoff' as another example of the person that does right even when it is very hard. There are many others. In fact, most books held to these values.

The 1950's happened, and rock n' roll, peaceniks, drugs and the whole counter cultural movement suddenly hit the scene and took over. It totally changed how society thought and what it valued. There are some clear examples from the political front. Ronald Reagan had a biographer who was given total access to him. He had the run of the White House and could talk to him almost any time and observe. When his book was published and the author was being interviewed, he was asked how well he had gotten to know Ronald Reagan. To the surprise of all present, he told them he didn't feel like he got to know him very well. When quizzed as to why he believed that, he replied, "He never told me how he felt about things." George Bush published his 'Memoir and Letters' after he left the White House. The press came to him and asked him why he hadn't expressed his feelings on these different things before. They said they might have been more sympathetic if they had known. George Bush looked at them and told them that 'it didn't matter what I felt, it was what I did that was important.' He was our last president of that World War II generation. I miss those manly MEN. Our next president was the infamous Bill Clinton. We all remember his frequent statements expressing his feelings. He would say, "It's not important what I do, but how I feel about it that matters." That is the huge cultural paradigm shift that effects almost every area of our life, even children's books.

Today, the authors of children's books focus on the character's feelings rather than their doing the right thing. Bad behavior is excused if the person intends it for some good purpose. Most characters are egocentric and care too much for their physical appearance, rather than on the needs of those around them. These are the values that are communicated to children as they read these books. 'I am the most important thing in the universe and there are no absolutes.' This is possible, because we no longer have any knowledge of biblical values, history, and the hero tales. Today's authors have not read the classics and this is reflected in their writings. The books are shallow and poorly written. The vocabulary is simplistic and the plot is obvious. At best they are cotton candy for the mind; Slightly entertaining, but poisonous to the health in any large quantity. I hate to say this, but even most Christian authors today are just as contaminated in their mindset as their secular counterparts, others are just pure pap. Parents, read any 'Christian' book before you put it in the hand of your children! I am afraid that many of the ones I have read have ended up in the trash, before the children get their hands on them. (Yep, I am a book 'banner'; you should be too!)

[One christian author that writes well and tells a great story is Douglas Bond. (No relation to James :-) ). He has written the Mr. Pipes stories about the Hymns and the Crown and Covenant Series. We have really enjoyed reading them aloud as a family, as well as individually.]

On a related but totally different topic.... Beware, these ideas have infiltrated the church and you will hear them from christian people. I even had one guy tell me, that he was trying to help his girlfriend escape a bad family situation when he got her pregnant! Somehow, the fact that he was trying to help her, made it OK. It is ALWAYS right to do right and wrong to do wrong, no matter what you are trying to accomplish. They are the 10 commandments, not the 10 suggestions!

What we and our children read DOES impact our thoughts, so make sure and put in truth!

I will now crawl off one of my favorite hobby horses and close this post.
~Mom

Cousins and Friends

Happiness is a beautiful spring day with friends and cousins to play SPUD with. Do you remember that game from your childhood?

The temperature was about 76 which is significantly warmer than usual for this time of year. At our house the temp has to be above 70 degrees before bare feet are allowed.

Heidi and Brooke were enjoying themselves as everyone played together.

Elizabeth would find a spot behind a tree so that she was a more challenging target.

Adam, a friend, was the referee to make sure that everybody stopped running when 'Spud!' was called.

Katrina was having a good time and Ulysses was just swinging back and forth through the game. Nobody seemed to mind. What's to mind?!! It was a beautiful day!

Josh liked being the center of attention, although when the spotlight stayed on him after the ball was caught, he wasn't sure that was where he really wanted to be. Those letters started to mount up fast! He and I discussed what stealth meant. We spent some time watching a red tail hawk circle the house and the field, we played with the camera. It was some quality Aunt-Nephew time.

I like this picture of Brooke.

After a vigorous game of SPUD the older girls relaxed at the piano, Katrina and T-Bob played 'Battleship' and the rest played Legos and Bionicles.

This post is for my sister and her husband in the Philippines so she can see what her children are up to while they are away.

~Mom

Some More Authors and Books to Look For

'Mr. Popper's Penguins' was one if the first books we read aloud as a family. The oldest child was in first grade. It was a delightful experience and really sold me on the importance of reading aloud to the children. This is a fun book with lots of giggles and grins as we see how poor Mr Popper and his family try to take care of all the penguins. He is a house painter with some absent minded scientist thrown in. It is not a real educational book, but it created in us a thirst to learn more about Antarctica and the explorers. It was a good stepping stone book that whetted our appetites to learn more. I guess that makes it a good and worthwhile book.

Elizabeth George Speare is a Newbery Award winning author. This book 'The Bronze Bow' is set in the time of Christ and is a good read, especially at Easter. This book would be for the Older Elementary and Junior High and up. I enjoy reading it still. She has written several other children's books that are worthwhile as well.

Armstrong Sperry creates a wonderful story and many of his books introduce other cultures or are historical fiction (old west and sailing novels) . Some of the books are for elementary readers, and others are for junior high, more because of the length of the books and vocabulary than because of any other reason. Many of his novels are on tape, and we have enjoyed getting them at the local library; they are great for car trips.

'Misty of Chincoteague' is Marguerite Henry's best known book. A movie was made of it back in the fifties. There are several sequels to it as well. Marguerite Henry is famous for her horse stories. Most of the books are illustrated by Wesley Dennis. She is an excellent author who is historically accurate in her writings and does an excellent job creating her characters. I have enjoyed reading many of her books to the children.

Mrs. Henry does write about a number of other animals. 'Brighty of the Grand Canyon' is a story about a mule out in the Grand Canyon who works with an old miner. After you have read the story, you can watch the movie. Marguerite Henry also wrote and illustrated a book about birds. She has even done a few picture books. One I have is 'Five O'clock Charlie'. The books are written for a middle elementary reader. A little bit beyond chapter books. As with all well written children's books, they are enjoyable by all ages.

If you haven't read these, they are good ones to add to your library list.

~Mom

Spring is Springing

Today is the first day of Spring! Things are beginning to spring from the ground. I love it!

The crocuses are popping and the sun is shining and warm. It feels so good.

The boys (Ulysses here) are throwing Frisbees and running around like young colts.

The buds on the cherry trees are starting to swell.


I saw a honey bee on these crocuses just before I got the camera out. I was surprised that it was buzzing around so early in the year.

The daffodils are popping out of the ground.

T-Bob thought he would use the sun to try the old experiment of lighting a leaf on fire with a magnifying glass. We are really enjoying God's amazing creation as we watch it burst forth. We have such an Awesome God!

~Mom

Winter Fun- Sledding

JoAn had the day off and the weather was perfect for sledding. She took the children and a couple of the neighbors to the hill. Everybody else was in school so they had the hill to themselves.

The children thought they would try 'snowboarding' on their sleds.

You can always spot Thomas in his hunter blaze orange coveralls.

T-Bob got that standing up while going down the hill thing down pretty well. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but this is a pretty steep hill.

Thomas endured the sledding, and the snow kept falling....

~Mom

Ping Pong at the Mangos!

We finally got the ping pong table. It is so nice! We don't have a lot of room with all the things we have stored in the garage. There is only about 10 inches of clearance on the one side and nothing on the other.

We have to make allowances for replays when the ball goes into the 'junk' on the edges and is nonreturnable. But the children now have something to do that is active and that is NOT in the living room. Hallelujah! I also now have a place to exercise,

as the children take turns being beaten by Mom. HeHe! I still got it! Mr. Boots can give me a run for my money sometimes, but he's not there yet. I really enjoy playing ping pong. Thanks DH for setting it up and clearing all that stuff out of the garage to make room.

~Mom

Winter and Snow Books

Here are some book reviews of some of my favorite children's books about snow and winter. I am reviewing them in order of complexity and books for younger to older readers.

'Bear Snores On' is a board book that is written in a rhyming style that tells the simple story of a bear in his lair sleeping for the winter. Many of his friends come in and have a party there while he hibernates away. See what happens when he awakens. This is one that the little ones like to hear repeatedly. It is a short read and good for even very little listeners.

'The Snowy Day' is a simple story about a little boy exploring the natural world of snow. It is a simple book, and shows what winter is like in the city.

This story shows a big snow hitting a town and how they dig out. It is a story that 3 or 4 year olds will enjoy.

'Newf' is the story of a big Newfoundland dog that swims ashore an island up north during the winter. There is a little white kitten there that is starving and freezing. Newf and the kitten build a relationship and become friends. These animals are not personified. This is more of a nature story picture book.

'The Log Cabin Quilt' is about a pioneer family that live in a cabin. When winter happens they are freezing and the wind blows through the cracks of their walls. The father must go hunting to feed them. Find out how they come up with a unique way to keep warm. This is a good story in picture book format.

This is a read alone for a child who is comfortable with chapter books. This is a sequel to Robert Lawson's 'Rabbit Hill'. This is the story of how the animals play and thrive in the winter. There is animal personification. This is a fun story. (128 pgs larger print and many illustrations).

'Lost in the Barrows' is about some Eskimo boys who get lost in the Arctic and their struggle to survive and return to their people. If you like adventure stories, this is a good one. This book is written for about a 4th grader. There is about 150 pages and fewer illustrations than 'The Tough Winter'. This would be a good read aloud for younger children.

Lois Lenski is an excellent author. I have enjoyed and reread many of her stories even as an adult. 'Prairie School' tells the story of children growing up on the western prairies. The story tells about a year in their life, but one of the most exciting stories is about when the children are stuck in the school during a blizzard. The whole book is excellent, but a few chapters read on a snow day is also a lot of fun. This book is out of print and more difficult to get a hold of. Do not pass by an opportunity to read or buy a Lois Lenski Book.

I have read this book to my children several times during snowstorms. It is short (about 80 pages) but is not a chapter book. It is the 'true' story of a group of school children who are coming home on the school bus over the western plains and they get caught in the middle of no where in a blizzard. The teacher who is driving the bus has ~9 children of various ages. The oldest is a 16 year old boy and the youngest is a kindergartner. She has to take care of them and survive despite frostbite and illness and almost no food. It is a great story and everything ends well.

Stephen W. Meader is my favorite children's author. He writes 'boy' stories for readers fourth grade and up, and is a wonderful author. My favorite story of his is 'Trap-lines North'. It is the true story of two teenage boys who have to take on adult responsibilities when their dad is injured. They each run their own trap line in Northern Canada. They have many adventures and have to survive frigid temperatures and storms alone with only what they have in their backpack. The book does contain pictures of these stalwart young men. I have read this book at least 8 times. This is a keeper if you can get a hold of it. Stephen W. Meader books are out of print, but a company is reprinting them, unfortunately at a premium price. :-( If you can find any of his books at a reasonable price (less than $20), BUY THEM! You'll be glad you did.

I hope you found these reviews useful. I know this is not an exhaustive list, but I thought I'd share some I have enjoyed. What are your favorite winter stories?
~Mom

LET IT SNOW!!!

We have been getting a lot of snow lately. we have at least a foot and it keeps coming! Us kids have been doing a lot of shovelling. because of our mommy's business we have to keep the driveway cleared for them. Our only snow blower belongs to Mr. Boots, and it is VERY old and does not like to run when there is snow on the ground. Last year it decided it would not work anymore, and Mr. Boots was not home to deal with it. Unless we find a specific part it will never run again. We are in cahoots with our neighbor children. we help them shovel their driveway and they help us with ours. Brooke, Chance, and Ulysses have been sick lately so they have only come once so far this week. we have been enjoying all this snow. Last night we took Dallas and went over to play at the neighbors. We're going sledding today.

How much snow did you get?

~Michelle

Family Christmas Eve

Our family does dinner together and then we open Christmas presents together. We do it one at a time and go youngest to oldest.

Everyone got socks and unmentionables for Christmas. They each got a book or a book on tape also. They were very grateful.

Some were a little embarrassed and didn't take them out to show.

Thomas has multiple subscriptions to Lego magazine, so the December issue was what he gave his younger siblings. It included 3-D glasses. Quite the fashion statement. All the children had to try them on and see how they worked.

My friend Chrissi S. made the aprons. She does beautiful work. They have been very popular around here. (If you are interested in getting your own apron or another item - she makes beautiful dresses for girls, see her things in her e-bay store or on Etsy under Bezaleelartisans13. It would be a big help to a homeschooling family)

Elizabeth was very excited with her special gift, a doll.

It's just like an American Girl doll, but it is from Vision Forum. It was something she really wanted.

It was a blessed day and a wonderful time together as a family. We thank the Lord for His goodness to us. Happy Birthday Jesus!

~Mom

The Tree Expedition, Dallas Assists

Red's Tree Farm is a little over a half hour away. It is our family tradition to go cut our own tree. It is truly an expedition. My DH leads the troops. It was a cold 30 degree day and snow was lightly falling. It was actually quite beautiful. This close to Christmas the crowd was down considerably. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.

We brought Dallas along to help pull the tree out. He needs to earn his keep.

A lot of the good trees that had been up close were already gone. We weren't interested in anything up close anyways.

Red's Tree Farm is HUGE. There are acres and acres of trees. The one we were after was at the very back of the lot. Michelle had seen the perfect tree in the farthest corner last year and had been very upset when we hadn't gotten it. We HAD to go back this year and get that tree. Alas, it was gone already, but we found some other ones that were nice.

Elizabeth helped by carrying the saw or running ahead.

Did I say this tree was in the WAY, WAY back?

We did the traditional pose the family in front of the appointed tree.

The sawing began and we noted the snow on the branches. We tried to decide if the snow would melt in the house or was the living room cold enough to keep it frozen.

All the boys took their turn at this manly man task.

Mr. Boots had the honor of the final cut. Dad helped pull it over. "Timberrrr!"

Some of the children were happy and the rest pretended.

We put Dallas in his harness and let him pull. He wasn't sure about it at first.

The snow kept falling. We now have about and inch and a half. Looking much better for a white Christmas.

Dallas finally got the hang of it and we began the half mile hike out with the tree.

This year we were smart and brought the trailer. It simplified the bringing home of the tree. No trauma this year of trying to fit a big tree in a van with eight people.

It was a successful expedition.

~Mom