"unschooler, n : one who learns from life and love and great books and late morning conversations and big projects and eccentric uncles and mountains and mistakes and volunteering and starry nights..."
~~From a t-shirt found at: www.lowryhousepublishers.com
June 27, 2006
June 23, 2006
Thunderstorm
On Monday night, a thunderstorm came through. We were all in the house, it was sometime after 9, and I was being beckoned out to the porch. So, I scooped up my baby and we planted ourselves on our little settee.
I love thunderstorms. We watched the lightning, heard far-off thunder, pretty, but not scary for Sage. Our windchimes were humming gently, and that fresh, sweet smell of rain was in the air. As we sat there together, Sage cozied in and nursed, trying his hardest to keep his little eyes open. I love watching my children doze off to that ever inviting sleep. His blinks just kept getting slower and longer, until finally, his sweet lids were closed. Then, I just sat and stared, and once again, said *thank you, thank you, thank you* for all the goodness in my life.
I love thunderstorms. We watched the lightning, heard far-off thunder, pretty, but not scary for Sage. Our windchimes were humming gently, and that fresh, sweet smell of rain was in the air. As we sat there together, Sage cozied in and nursed, trying his hardest to keep his little eyes open. I love watching my children doze off to that ever inviting sleep. His blinks just kept getting slower and longer, until finally, his sweet lids were closed. Then, I just sat and stared, and once again, said *thank you, thank you, thank you* for all the goodness in my life.
Whole lotta stuff goin' on!
We have been living in a whirlwind lately. Here is a quick list of stuff going on with us right now, hopefully will have time to post more details later:
*John was asked, and accepted the challenge, to run for South Dakota House of Representatives for our district here in RC. Looking forward to learning a *whole bunch* from this experience.
*I've attended 3 births in the past few weeks, 2 in hospital and 1 at home. It's always such an amazing honor to be a part of the birth experience and I love it so very much! I'm pretty open now until November, when my next client is expecting her 2nd baby.
*John is getting PAID to dress up and ride horse and play for the next several days! He's an extra (who actually got a speaking part) in a docu-drama being produced for the BBC. It'll air here when it's done, too, so we'll get to see daddy-o shine! :)
*The boys each brought a turtle home on Father's Day (as a result of their fishing trip, no fish were caught, but 8+ turtles were!) We released them back into the wild today, and all shared in their obvious joy at being back where they belonged!
*John is taking out his first crew of riders this weekend. He's excited about it, and maybe a little nervous? He'll do great and everyone will have fun, I'm sure. Check out his site (a work in progress) www.mad-tours.com
Whew, I think that's it for now!
*John was asked, and accepted the challenge, to run for South Dakota House of Representatives for our district here in RC. Looking forward to learning a *whole bunch* from this experience.
*I've attended 3 births in the past few weeks, 2 in hospital and 1 at home. It's always such an amazing honor to be a part of the birth experience and I love it so very much! I'm pretty open now until November, when my next client is expecting her 2nd baby.
*John is getting PAID to dress up and ride horse and play for the next several days! He's an extra (who actually got a speaking part) in a docu-drama being produced for the BBC. It'll air here when it's done, too, so we'll get to see daddy-o shine! :)
*The boys each brought a turtle home on Father's Day (as a result of their fishing trip, no fish were caught, but 8+ turtles were!) We released them back into the wild today, and all shared in their obvious joy at being back where they belonged!
*John is taking out his first crew of riders this weekend. He's excited about it, and maybe a little nervous? He'll do great and everyone will have fun, I'm sure. Check out his site (a work in progress) www.mad-tours.com
Whew, I think that's it for now!
June 17, 2006
Up too late!
Yes, yes, I am up too late, but had to check on a few of my favorite bloggers and then enter in a quick one on ours, then to bed! Promise!
We had a fun day, some friends came over to play and then Saylor wanted to spend the night with them, so off he went to their house. We'd discussed going to Nacho Libre tonight, but he said he'd rather go hang out with Cole, so off he went. Cole's bedtime is 8:00, so he said that was ok with him; but I did mention that if he needed me to come and get him, I'd be happy to do that. So, about 8:30, I called to check on my little man, and Kendra said they had just all gone to bed.
John and I ate a -very late dinner- and were just chatting about waiting until Saturday to go to the movie so Saylor wouldn't miss it, when the phone rang; it was Saylor, ready to come home because he wasn't ready to go to sleep. "I'll be right there", was my cheerful answer. Loaded Sage up and headed out to get him. On our way back home, he was asking if we were still going to the movie; we discussed it and thought it would be fun.
I asked him if that's why he wanted to come home, to go to the movie, but his answer was, "no, I was awake and it felt like I could climb a tree and I just couldn't go to sleep"
Well, we got home around 9:40, quickly got everyone dressed to go, did some quick convincing of John to get out of his pj's and into some pants and come with, and we were at the theater by 10:00.
It was *F*U*N*! We all laughed a lot, and the boys stayed awake through all of it, with Sage finally falling asleep near the very end.
Nacho Libre: 2 thumbs up and another wonderful memory for our family!
We had a fun day, some friends came over to play and then Saylor wanted to spend the night with them, so off he went to their house. We'd discussed going to Nacho Libre tonight, but he said he'd rather go hang out with Cole, so off he went. Cole's bedtime is 8:00, so he said that was ok with him; but I did mention that if he needed me to come and get him, I'd be happy to do that. So, about 8:30, I called to check on my little man, and Kendra said they had just all gone to bed.
John and I ate a -very late dinner- and were just chatting about waiting until Saturday to go to the movie so Saylor wouldn't miss it, when the phone rang; it was Saylor, ready to come home because he wasn't ready to go to sleep. "I'll be right there", was my cheerful answer. Loaded Sage up and headed out to get him. On our way back home, he was asking if we were still going to the movie; we discussed it and thought it would be fun.
I asked him if that's why he wanted to come home, to go to the movie, but his answer was, "no, I was awake and it felt like I could climb a tree and I just couldn't go to sleep"
Well, we got home around 9:40, quickly got everyone dressed to go, did some quick convincing of John to get out of his pj's and into some pants and come with, and we were at the theater by 10:00.
It was *F*U*N*! We all laughed a lot, and the boys stayed awake through all of it, with Sage finally falling asleep near the very end.
Nacho Libre: 2 thumbs up and another wonderful memory for our family!
June 14, 2006
**Options**
Someone very close to me, someone I love and respect, said to me today that "how do your children truly know that they have the option of going to public school if they don't know anything about public school". She thought it would only be fair to have the kids spend a day at school, so they can really see what school is all about and so that they can truly make an informed decision.
She's right! I'm completely in favor of informed consent/decisions. Why would any of us make a choice unless we truly knew what our options were. I pride myself on being one of those parents who really does *listen to* and *honor* my children, while helping them to get the information they need to make good choices. Sure, I can get my children to do exactly what *I* want, but I don't, especially if it's not fair to them if I'm withholding information that they may need to consider other possibilities.
So, what the h-e-double hockey sticks! I say, let's give every child in day care and public school a CHOICE, too! I mean, really, how can they know that that is where they really want to be if they've never been given the information or the freedom to choose something different?
Hmmm? She just may be on to something here! ;)
She's right! I'm completely in favor of informed consent/decisions. Why would any of us make a choice unless we truly knew what our options were. I pride myself on being one of those parents who really does *listen to* and *honor* my children, while helping them to get the information they need to make good choices. Sure, I can get my children to do exactly what *I* want, but I don't, especially if it's not fair to them if I'm withholding information that they may need to consider other possibilities.
So, what the h-e-double hockey sticks! I say, let's give every child in day care and public school a CHOICE, too! I mean, really, how can they know that that is where they really want to be if they've never been given the information or the freedom to choose something different?
Hmmm? She just may be on to something here! ;)
June 10, 2006
A few of my Favorite Words
I was drifting off to sleep last night, and suddenly began thinking about a few words that I am really drawn to and that I love, thought I'd share them with the universe and you! I'm sure I'll be adding to this list as the Spirit moves me, so check back!
compassion
evolution
joy
empower
enlighten
awareness
mindful
simplicity
intuition
tribe
primal
revolution
peace
trust
bliss
honor
truth
integrity
balance
karma
compassion
evolution
joy
empower
enlighten
awareness
mindful
simplicity
intuition
tribe
primal
revolution
peace
trust
bliss
honor
truth
integrity
balance
karma
More than you ever wanted to know!
I got this off of a friends blog http://hahamommy.blogspot.com and thought I'd share it here, as well. Enjoy!
*******************
*******************
1. Full name?
Karen Marie (Olson) ((Mahutga))(long story!) Buxcel
2. Were you named after anyone?
Not that I know of; maybe I should ask that question!
3. Are you married?
Yep, and lovin' it still after 12 years
4. When did you last cry?
Just a couple days ago, while and after reading hannahbearski's blog
5. Do you like your handwriting?
I do NOT
6. What is your favorite lunch?
oh my? too many to list! chips and guac, spinach cheese calzone, turkey breast sandwich w/ loads of veggies and sprouts ... and on and on!
7. Where is your favorite place to eat lunch out?
Qdoba
8. Names and ages of kids:
Saylor, 7: Stone, 4.75: Sage, 19 months.
9. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Yes
10. Do you have a journal?
Yes, handwritten and keyboarded: I get to it when I can, when not chasing my healthy boys!
11. Do you use sarcasm a lot?
Not too much, I think?
12. Would you bungee jump?
No, I'm a chicken when it comes to stuff like that, but I'll push a baby out into a tub of water with only my husband present any old day of the week!
13. What is your favorite cereal?
Again, more than just one! Life, any kind of granola, Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch (mostly only when I'm suffering from morning sickenss)
14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
I wear slip ons, easiest on and off with a babe in arms
15. Do you think that you are strong?
I am strong, I am *WOMAN*
16. What is your favorite ice cream?
I love any chocolate ice cream, but there is this wonderful stuff from Dryer's Dreamery, called Black Raspberry Avalanche, though I can't find it anymore :
17. Favorite TV Show?
Oprah, Henry Rollins Show, The Daily Show, anything on Free Speech TV
18. Red or Pink?
Red AND Pink
19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
I'm too darn serious and heavy sometimes
20. Who do you miss most?
Josie, Bryan, my sista's, my brother, my dad, Diana and her beloved Hannah
21. Do you want everyone you send this to send it back?
not necessary
22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?
black drawstring pants, barefeet
24. What are you listening to right now?
the voices of some great unschoolers, the Snavely's all scattered about the room, talking and laughing together (with kids on constant rotation in and out of the house)
25. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
moss green
26. Last person you got an e-mail from?
something from the UB list
28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
smile and smell
29. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes, got it off her blog, she's a kick-ass mama and amazing woman
30. Favorite Drink?
what kind of drink we talkin? right now, LOVING an ice-cold Corona with lime; also a big fan of the 'sacred red can'
31. Favorite Sport to Watch?
is kid watching a sport ;)
32. Hair Color?
dirty blonde
33. Eye Color?
green
34. Do you wear contacts?
yes I do, also have fun glasses, but never feel quite awake when I have them on, just what I'm used to I 'spose.
35. Favorite Food?
um, anything I can chew and swallow! Ok, spring rolls right now
36. Scary Movies or Happy Endings?
Happy endings
37. Last movie you watched?
Lord of War
38. Favorite Day of the Year:
Any day spent in joy with my children
39. Summer or winter?
Summer
40. Hugs or Kisses?
I have to say both, they depend on with whom I'm exchanging
41. Favorite dessert?
the Neopolitan served up fine at the Alpine Inn in Hill City
42. Who Is Most Likely To Respond?
?don't know?
43. Least likely to respond?
?don't know?
44. What's On Your Mouse Pad?
lap top
45. What's On Your Screensaver?
some stupid bouncing ball, meaningless
46. What Did You Watch on TV last night?didn't watch tv last night, too busy gabbing with the cool aforementioned unschoolers!
47. Rolling Stones or Beatles?
All you need is LOVE!
48. What's the furthest you've been from home?
Calakmul Ruins, about 4 hours south of Cancun, Mexico
I realize 23 and 27 are missing, this survey came to me that way!
*******************
*******************
1. Full name?
Karen Marie (Olson) ((Mahutga))
2. Were you named after anyone?
Not that I know of; maybe I should ask that question!
3. Are you married?
Yep, and lovin' it still after 12 years
4. When did you last cry?
Just a couple days ago, while and after reading hannahbearski's blog
5. Do you like your handwriting?
I do NOT
6. What is your favorite lunch?
oh my? too many to list! chips and guac, spinach cheese calzone, turkey breast sandwich w/ loads of veggies and sprouts ... and on and on!
7. Where is your favorite place to eat lunch out?
Qdoba
8. Names and ages of kids:
Saylor, 7: Stone, 4.75: Sage, 19 months.
9. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Yes
10. Do you have a journal?
Yes, handwritten and keyboarded: I get to it when I can, when not chasing my healthy boys!
11. Do you use sarcasm a lot?
Not too much, I think?
12. Would you bungee jump?
No, I'm a chicken when it comes to stuff like that, but I'll push a baby out into a tub of water with only my husband present any old day of the week!
13. What is your favorite cereal?
Again, more than just one! Life, any kind of granola, Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch (mostly only when I'm suffering from morning sickenss)
14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
I wear slip ons, easiest on and off with a babe in arms
15. Do you think that you are strong?
I am strong, I am *WOMAN*
16. What is your favorite ice cream?
I love any chocolate ice cream, but there is this wonderful stuff from Dryer's Dreamery, called Black Raspberry Avalanche, though I can't find it anymore :
17. Favorite TV Show?
Oprah, Henry Rollins Show, The Daily Show, anything on Free Speech TV
18. Red or Pink?
Red AND Pink
19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
I'm too darn serious and heavy sometimes
20. Who do you miss most?
Josie, Bryan, my sista's, my brother, my dad, Diana and her beloved Hannah
21. Do you want everyone you send this to send it back?
not necessary
22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?
black drawstring pants, barefeet
24. What are you listening to right now?
the voices of some great unschoolers, the Snavely's all scattered about the room, talking and laughing together (with kids on constant rotation in and out of the house)
25. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
moss green
26. Last person you got an e-mail from?
something from the UB list
28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
smile and smell
29. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes, got it off her blog, she's a kick-ass mama and amazing woman
30. Favorite Drink?
what kind of drink we talkin? right now, LOVING an ice-cold Corona with lime; also a big fan of the 'sacred red can'
31. Favorite Sport to Watch?
is kid watching a sport ;)
32. Hair Color?
dirty blonde
33. Eye Color?
green
34. Do you wear contacts?
yes I do, also have fun glasses, but never feel quite awake when I have them on, just what I'm used to I 'spose.
35. Favorite Food?
um, anything I can chew and swallow! Ok, spring rolls right now
36. Scary Movies or Happy Endings?
Happy endings
37. Last movie you watched?
Lord of War
38. Favorite Day of the Year:
Any day spent in joy with my children
39. Summer or winter?
Summer
40. Hugs or Kisses?
I have to say both, they depend on with whom I'm exchanging
41. Favorite dessert?
the Neopolitan served up fine at the Alpine Inn in Hill City
42. Who Is Most Likely To Respond?
?don't know?
43. Least likely to respond?
?don't know?
44. What's On Your Mouse Pad?
lap top
45. What's On Your Screensaver?
some stupid bouncing ball, meaningless
46. What Did You Watch on TV last night?didn't watch tv last night, too busy gabbing with the cool aforementioned unschoolers!
47. Rolling Stones or Beatles?
All you need is LOVE!
48. What's the furthest you've been from home?
Calakmul Ruins, about 4 hours south of Cancun, Mexico
I realize 23 and 27 are missing, this survey came to me that way!
June 9, 2006
Bike Ride
The Buxcel 5 went for a bike ride, as we finally ALL have bicycles. We do ride together often, usually the bike path, though the boys are just as happy cruising the large parking lot we have just across the street from our house.Saylor and Stone both cruise quite proficiently, and Sage kicks back and relaxes in his Burley. He drags me back to the garage almost daily and points to it and crawls in it, ready fora ride. On this particlar day, we packed a lunch and had a picnic by the creek. The boys did some exploring in and around the creek, and I sat by and enjoyed snacking and watching.
This . . . is living and living well!
June 2, 2006
My Favorite Part of the Day. . .
is the morning. I love waking up to my beautiful boys. I love sipping on my breve, sometimes solitary, sometimes with one, two, or three of my guys nuzzled around me. I love greeting each son as they enter into a new glorious day, usually in their naked splendor. I love that my children can wake up honoring their own rhythms. I love that they are anxious and excited to start a new day, outside immediately, or curled up on the couch for cartoons they enjoy. I love going outside with them in the morning, cool, but warm, on the porch, or in the backyard, talking, laughing, being.
is the afternoon. We get to play together. We get to dig for worms. We get to swim. We get to go to the park for long afternoons with friends. We get to read books, inside or out. We get to ride our bikes. We get to play in the hose, and in the mud, and in the sandbox; sometimes all at once. We get to be outside all day, if that's what we choose. We get to snuggle up and watch a movie in the middle of the afternoon, if that's what we choose. We get to live, love, laugh, learn together, everyday.
is the evening. As the boys grab a few more minutes of outdoor play, I start dinner. We welcome John home from his long and dirty day. We share food together, catching up on everyone's day. We laugh and giggle and make up rhymes and tell silly stories at the dinner table. We play outside with our children, kicking the soccer ball, playing catch, batting a ball. We watch interesting things on TV: The Most X-treme, Deadliest Catch, Little Buddha, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Jetix. We go to sleep by listening to our own bodies need for rest; and then we share our sleep together. As I lay my head on my pillow, a smile spreads across my face. It just happens. It just happens that way when there is gratitude in my heart for the goodness in my life.
is the afternoon. We get to play together. We get to dig for worms. We get to swim. We get to go to the park for long afternoons with friends. We get to read books, inside or out. We get to ride our bikes. We get to play in the hose, and in the mud, and in the sandbox; sometimes all at once. We get to be outside all day, if that's what we choose. We get to snuggle up and watch a movie in the middle of the afternoon, if that's what we choose. We get to live, love, laugh, learn together, everyday.
is the evening. As the boys grab a few more minutes of outdoor play, I start dinner. We welcome John home from his long and dirty day. We share food together, catching up on everyone's day. We laugh and giggle and make up rhymes and tell silly stories at the dinner table. We play outside with our children, kicking the soccer ball, playing catch, batting a ball. We watch interesting things on TV: The Most X-treme, Deadliest Catch, Little Buddha, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Jetix. We go to sleep by listening to our own bodies need for rest; and then we share our sleep together. As I lay my head on my pillow, a smile spreads across my face. It just happens. It just happens that way when there is gratitude in my heart for the goodness in my life.
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