Wild Westons

Happy Valentine's Day 2012!

2012-02-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

We LOVE you!

Love,

Natalie, Max & Madeline

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

2012-01-30T06:42:00.000-08:00

For most families with young children, hand sanitizer plays a big role in keeping our hands clean when we are on the run! Here is a healthy alternative to the store-bought, alcohol-based sanitizers using only aloe vera gel, witch hazel and essential oils! I keep a bottle of this in my purse to have "on hand" at all times.

1 empty 2oz dispenser
1.9 oz aloe vera gel
1 tsp witch hazel
12 drops essential oils:

5 drops Tea Tree

3 drops Lavendar

1 drop Oregano

1 drop Rosemary

1 drop Thyme

1 drop Peppermint

Other essential oils you may consider using in your own recipe:

Eucalyptus

Cinnamon

Geranium

Clove

Cedarwood

Patchouli

Sandalwood

Neroli

Niaouli

Citrus oils: Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit

Lemongrass

Myrrh

Rose

Pine oils

The Gratitude Challenge 2011

2011-12-31T19:37:00.000-08:00

As 2011 comes to an end, our family Read President Henry B. Eyring's message, "The Choice to Be Grateful" and took the Gratitude Challenge we found in the December 2011 Ensign magazine. These are the 100 things we are thankful for:

10 Physical Abilities

Climbing

Walking

Hiking

Sight

Jumping

Hearing

Sleeping

Use Our Hands to Help Others

Running

Swimming

10 Material Possessions

LEGOS

Home

Working Vehicle

Pingpong Set

Toilet & Toilet Paper

Computer

Telephone

Books

Sammy, Our Dog

Photographs

10 Living People

Grandma Laurie

Grandpa Dana

Grandpa Tim

Baby Allen

Wendi

Brian

Grandpa Lewis

Elena

Lana

Grandma Valdez

10 Deceased People

Grandpa John Miller

Paula Cazier

Adelle Glenn

Gordon B. Hinkley

Abraham Lincoln

Melitta Allen

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Michael Jackson

Roald Dahl

Jane Weston

10 Things About Nature

Mountains

Trees

Sunsets, Sunshine, Sunrises

Clean Air to Breathe

Chickens & eggs

Clean Water to Drink

Trails to Hike On

Birds & Nests

Butterflies & Bees

Flowers

10 Things About Today

Being with Grandpa Tim

Sadie

Being Together as a Family

Playing Wii with Daddy

Great Food

Playing LEGOS with Madeline

Getting Presents from Aunt Wendi

Classic Rock & The Beatles

Mousetraps

Taking Time to Reflect On the Past and Plan for the Future!

10 Places on Earth

San Luis Obispo

Thousand Oaks

New Mexico

Dry Creek Regional Park

Niles

Barcelona

Norway

Great Jumps Sports

Grand Canyon

Shell Beach

10 Modern Inventions

Computer

Cell Phone

Walkie-Talkie

iPad

Cars

Internet

Antibiotics

Forced Heat & Air Conditioning

Solar Panels

Electricity

10 Foods

Spanakopita

Mommy's homemade chocolate truffles & raw chocolate mousse

Smoothies

Frozen Yogurt

Oranges, Red Bell Peppers, Carrots, Cucumbers

Tom Kha Soup

Pad See Ew

Lamb Gyros

Cheesecake

Avocados

10 Things About the Gospel

Holy Ghost

Missionaries & Going On a Mission

Jesus Christ

Church Callings

Service & Charity

Hymns

The Scriptures

Going to Church

The Temple

Here's to wrapping up 2011 with all we are grateful for as we look forward to a wonderful 2012!

House Soup 2011

2011-12-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

INGREDIENTS:

90 long days of escrow
100 cardboard boxes, loaded
5 dozen mice, freshly fumigated
3 weeks living with family & friends
30 gallons paint, VOC-free
8 hot pizzas, delivered
4 citrus trees, juiced
1 contractor, strong
1 cement pond, excavated
2 backhoes, broken
1 chimney, demolished
10 pounds, lost
15 driveway potholes, assorted
4 gates, arched
3 wood chippers, defective
2 electrical panels, replaced
1 huge yard, full of weeds
24 fall veggie starts, planted
3 Silkie chickens, laying
29 window screens, custom-made by Dad
4 feral cats, hungry
3 neighbors, friendly
1 giant cactus, blooming
300 generous volunteer hours, donated by family & friends

DIRECTIONS:

Bring a large pot of home-purchasing plans to a boil in January. Searching diligently, season generously with salt and add a charming 1948, bank-owned house on a hidden street in Niles.

Make offers until the bank is as soft as butter, 2 months. If certain elements of the offer are still tough while others are tender, pull out the tender ones, and allow the tougher ones to cook another 2 weeks. It's really important to cook the offer until it’s lusciously soft, or else it will be countered by cash.

Drain the offer, saving about 1 month for FHA-loan approval and repairs. Then, engaging many volunteers, toss the contents of rented house into boxes and load onto moving truck.

Puree until smooth while you wait another 20 days for escrow to close. Have realtor taste for seasoning, and depending on quantity of paperwork required to secure the loan, adjust the salt and pepper accordingly.

Close on a warm day in July. Drizzle heavily with 5 months of labor. Sprinkle with friends, family and love. Serve alongside a platter of fresh garden vegetables. Enjoy!

It’s been a busy 2011, but we’re finally settling into our new home--please come by for a visit in 2012!

Love,

Abe, Janine, Natalie, Max & Madeline Weston

The Scriptures Are the Word of God

2011-01-02T10:43:00.000-08:00

Hi! My name is Natalie and I am 8 years old.

Today, I'm going to give a talk about how the scriptures are the word of God.

Some places you can find the word of God are:
· the Bible
· the Book of Mormon
· the Pearl of Great Price
· the Doctrine & Covenants
· General Conference talks
· and church lessons

When I read the scriptures, I feel that God is talking to me. One of my favorite stories from the Bible is about the Talents.

I like that story because it teaches us a lesson. The lesson is, that if we have talents and we never use them, they all get taken away. But if we use the talents we have been blessed with, we will gain more talents.

The lessons we get from the scriptures are the word of God. I love the scriptures. I read them every day and bring them to church.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Peace Village--more than just an afternoon on the farm!

2011-01-02T09:53:00.001-08:00

I've been told that for the San Francisco Bay Area, Fremont is rather "rural" as cities go around here...rural? I try to avoid driving around Fremont in the evenings and on weekends because I can't stand the traffic on the streets and the crowds at the shopping centers! Rural it may be in comparison to San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco, but Fremont is still a bustling suburb of the East Bay! Although I would prefer to live far out in the country, where traffic is unheard of and cows dotting the rolling green hills is a commonality, I have found pockets of peace and calm in my neighborhood where my kids and I find refuge from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area.--Peace Village is one such place.

On a weekly basis, my three children attend "Afternoon On the Farm" at Peace Village where they are free to work and play on an urban farm. This backyard barnyard sports fresh air, an organic garden, greenhouse, classrooms inside a historic red barn, wild vegetation, rabbits, chickens and goats--Peace Village is a haven for children who have enough concrete and steel playgrounds in their lives.

As a homeschooling parent, what I appreciate most about Peace Village is that while my children are benefiting from extended hours of enrichment, I am able to have some time to myself--a precious commodity these days! While I am recharging my batteries, worry-free, my kids are able to engage in interactive-play with other children while immersed in the highly-sensory farm environment. They play games, clean animal pens, do crafts, pet the goats, create forts amidst the trees, cook from the garden, hold the rabbits, plant seeds, feed the chickens and enjoy the sunshine. The staff at Peace Village are kind, creative and sensitive to the needs of young children. They serve as positive role-models and mentors while facilitating self-discovery experiences for young visitors.

With sparkling eyes full of wonder, broad smiles for new friends and squeals of excitement, my children delight in Peace Village.

If you're interested in learning more about Peace-Village, please contact:
info@peace-village.com
http://www.peace-village.com/

2010 Christmas letter-writing time, already?

2010-12-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Janine: Alright, gang! We really need to write our Christmas letter tonight...since it needs to be sent out before Christmas. I would like us to increase our family unity by writing it together this year!

Natalie: I want to help!

Madeline: Me, too!

Janine: You can both help. I will certainly need your help....let's see, where is Max?

Madeline: He's playing Legos again.

Natalie: He's always playing Legos.

Madeline: What about Daddy, don't you want his help?

Janine: Hmmmm...let me think about that for a minute. :)

Abe: You can just put the same thing down for me as you put last year.

Janine: Well, you are still in school...but you did get a new job.

Abe: Actually, I am almost done with school. Don't mention that I got laid off, though. Just write in the letter that I got an even better job at Dolby, applying software engineering and statistics in video and audio research. Come to think of it, you also got a new job this year.

Janine: Right! I will say that in August, I started working for Connecting Waters Charter School as an Education Specialist--I love my job providing guidance and resources for local homeschooling families!

Abe: Now, time for some humor! I want our letter to be funny, not boring like last year's. Why don't we do a theme like the 'Twas The Night Before Christmas?

Janine: Taken. Another family did that last year.

Abe: Okay. No themed letters. If it is going to be funny, I want it to be totally different. Like, how we write a letter where the whole time we talk about how we really want to be funny, but we don't know what to say that is funny, so we tell about how if we knew something funny to write, we would write it!

Janine: That's not funny. Max, where are you? You need to come here right now! We need your help writing this letter!

Abe: That's the point. It's not funny. That's why it is funny.

Janine: Hilarious.

Natalie: I can tell one of the jokes I made up, like: What's a monster's favorite part of Christmas?

Madeline: What?

Natalie: Santa Claws!

Janine: Now that is funny. Max, there you are!

Max: Hey, Mom! Look--I built this Lego robot that's also a tree.

Janine: Fabulous, Max! What do you want us to say about you in the letter?

Max: Dad, the robot is using photosynthesis to power its laser cannon.

Abe: That's great, Max! I can see he is very powerful...

Janine: We should write something about the kids.

Abe: What kids? ...oh, yes, of course--the kids! Kids, why don't you each think of a few titles that best represent you for our Christmas letter.

Natalie: I'm ready! Artist. Singer. Lego Builder. Dog Lover. Can I go work on my Lego house now?

Janine: Sure.

Max: Hey, that's not fair...I want to put Legos on my list!

Abe: It's okay, Max. Other people can like Legos, too.

Madeline: Is it my turn? Swimmer. Chicken Trainer. Hiker. Legos.

Max: What? You can't train chickens!

Madeline: Sure I can! I trained the rooster to stop pecking the kids at Peace Village.

Max: Finally, it's my turn! Lego Fanatic. Dancer. Reader. Cat Lover.

Janine: See, you, Natalie and Madeline can all have Legos on your list!

Max: Mommy, I'm hungry...

Abe: So what do we have down for our letter so far?

Janine: Dear Friends and Family, This year the Westons are so grateful for all of the blessings that we have received from our Heavenly Father. We began the year by...

Abe: Is that supposed to be funny?

Janine: No. We are going to make it serious again this year. Now, where was I...too many interruptions! We began the year by...what are you wearing?

Abe: You mean this sweater?

Janine: It's a pink women's Christmas sweater...and it has bows on it! It's embarrassing when you wear that...

Abe: I'm trying to get some inspiration to write our holiday letter...plus, it also just happens to be the winner of the "2010 Fremont Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition."

Janine: Very ugly. And I don't want to encourage this behavior by bragging about your winnings in our letter!

Abe: Okay, sounds like we have enough content--let's go to bed!

Janine: We should probably put in something about celebrating the birth of our Savior in the letter, as that's what Christmas is all about.

Abe: Good idea, then our friends and family will know that we love Jesus Christ and that we make an extra effort to focus on him during Christmas.

Janine: You mean, rather than trying to come up with a funny letter?

Madeline: Merry Christmas!

Max: Happy New Year!

Natalie: Happy Hanukkah!

Janine: Happy Kwanzaa!

Abe: Happy Holidays!

Love,

Abe, Janine, Natalie, Max, & Madeline
Rosie (dog), Sammy (dog), & Friday (cat)

http://www.wildwestons.blogspot.com/

Happy Halloween 2010!

2010-10-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween here in Fremont and we're all geared up for a weekend of unhaunted houses, trunk-or-treating and family togetherness! This year, Natalie is Cleopatra...she really wanted to be Hatshepsut--the only woman pharaoh of Egypt--but she decided that not too many people would know who Hatshepsut was, so Cleopatra seemed like the next best costume! Max is a Fire Dragon Ninja complete with daggers (he plays the part so well). Madeline is a Renaissance Princess who curtsies and walks her pet dragon on a leash.

Natalie's Joke
Q: Why are skeletons so smart?
A: Because they go to skull!

Max's Halloween Joke
Q: Why aren't vampires afraid of the dark?
A: Because they sleep with a fright-light on!

Madeline's Joke
Q: What did the ghost say when it stubbed its toe?
A: Boo-hoo!

The proud parents: Harry Potter and Waldo

Stuart's Great Adventure: Meeting King Tut by Natalie

2010-10-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1: Bored
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Stuart. And Stuart had just moved down the street. Stuart was very bored on his new street. He was also very worried. What if he didn't make any friends at school? What if there were huge monsters in his new bedroom closet?

Stuart looked out the window. "Aw man, I am so bored. I have nothing to look forward to."

"School's tomorrow," mom said. "That's something to look forward to."

"No," Stuart said. "I want an adventure! If I were Power Tool Man, I would put on my cape and go on an adventure. And if I were Time Travel Man, I would get in my time machine and...Yes! That's it!" Stuart shouted. "I will make a cape and time machine and go on an adventure!"

Chapter 2: Time Machine
"Dad? Can I borrow your tools?" Stuart asked.

"Wait until you're older," dad said.

"But Dad, I'm making a time machine!" said Stuart.

"Tell you what," dad said. "Why don't you make a time machine out of your closet?"

"Okay. Thanks, Dad. Bye!" said Stuart.

Suddenly, the phone rang. "Stuart!" mom called. "It's for you!"

Stuart ran downstairs into the den.

"Hello?" Stuart said.

"Hello," said a deep voice back.

"Who are you?" Stuart asked.

"I am King Tutankhamen of Egypt," the deep voice answered. "Who are you?"

"My name is Stuart," Stuart said.

"Well, Stuart. Go into your time machine and press this stone on the wall of your time machine. Then, say 'Egypt.'"

A stone popped out of the phone. It was green and smooth. Stuart did exactly what Pharaoh Tutankhamen said and at once he was in Egypt. "Now, Stuart, turn right and you will be at my palace. I need to talk to you in person," the Pharaoh said.

When Stuart got to King Tut's palace, King Tut was waiting for him. Tut and Stuart talked for many hours. When Stuart got home it was dinner time. And Stuart lived happily ever after.

The End

Un-Back-to-School Picture!

2010-10-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the kiddos' un-back-to-school picture for our 2010-2011 homeschool year. Natalie is in 3rd grade this year, Max is in first and Madeline in "pre-school."

We take an "eclectic" approach to homeschooling through Connecting Waters Charter School where, this year, I hold a part-time position as an "Education Specialist." Essentially, I assist other homeschooling families in selecting and purchasing curriculums and classes based on the individual learning styles of each student and their family educational philosophy. Although it is plenty busy around the Weston household, I do what I love and love what I do!

4-H Heroes Rescue Four Kittens!

2010-10-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Today was our first Bayside 4-H Hiking project meeting at the Alameda Creek Trail and boy, what an adventure we had!

We were walking down the trail and all of a sudden, we spotted a small orange kitten sitting at the side of the trail. Then, we noticed there were three more kittens on the other side of the fence! There was 1 more orange kitten, 1 white and orange and 1 calico. They were mewing and did not have a mother cat with them.

One of our brave project members climbed over the fence alongside the trail and caught the kittens. We bundled the kittens in our sweaters and jackets and carried them across the concrete bridge toward some apartments.

Then we asked a man for a cardboard box to put the kittens in.

We finished our hike while taking turns carrying a box full of kittens.

When we got to the parkinglot, we took the kittens out of the box for some air.

The project members said goodbye to each kitten and then we took them to a neighbor who volunteers for Purrfect Cat Rescue.

Our neighbor examined the kittens and told us that they were not ferral, but must have been dumped at the park. She noticed that the kittens had fleas and would need baths. She said that because they had such cute markings, they would be easy to adopt.

The kittens were eager to get out of the temporary crate we put them in. They were pawing and biting at the door!

Our neighbor set up a larger crate and prepared food and water for the kittens. They must have been starving!

The kittens were so eager to eat and drink that they even climbed into the bowls.

We are glad that we helped to rescue these adorable kittens. We donated money to Purrfect Cat Rescue to pay for food and spaying/neutering. We hope that you will, too!

You can make a donation online to help these kittens at:
http://www.purrfectcatrescue.org/donate.html

Sammy and the Sewer by Natalie M. Weston

2010-08-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1: The Hole
Once upon a time, there was a dog named Sammy. And Sammy loved to catch gophers. One day, Sammy found a mysterious round hole. The hole had no dirt around it, so Sammy put some there. On his third load, Sammy got too close and fell into the hole. "Help!" Sammy barked.

Chapter 2: The Rat
"Yuck!" Sammy said as he fell down the hole. "It stinks down here! And, oh, how will I get home?"
"Home?" asked a rat nearby.
"What are you?" asked Sammy. "A gopher from outer space?"
"No!" said the rat. "I'm a rat! And what are you?" asked the rat.
"Why, I am a dog," said Sammy. "Would you please show me a way out of here?"
"No!" snapped the rat. "Go and find your own way out."

Chapter 3: The Ocean
"Rats!" thought Sammy. "How will I ever get home now?"
Suddenly he spotted a female rat close by.
"Excuse me," he said. "Do you know the way out of here?"
"Of course I do," she said. "Every sewer rat knows that."
"Sewer?" asked Sammy. "Nobody ever told me this was the sewer!"
"Yes," said the female rat. "This is the sewer, and anyway, the exit is that way." She pointed to a small hole.
"Thank you," said Sammy.
"You're welcome," she said. "But you'll have to swim."
"Why?" asked Sammy.
"Because the ocean is on the other side," she explained.
"Oh," Sammy said.

Chapter 4: Home at Last
In the ocean, Sammy swam through the current, his breath held tight. At last he reached land. Then he climbed out of the water and shook himself. "Finally!" he thought, breathing fresh air. "Now all I have to do is sniff my way home." So he sniffed here and he sniffed there and soon he reached his home where he belonged. Then he raced through the doggie door into the living room and out the screen door and barked, "Home at last!" Then he caught all the gophers he wanted.

The End

Sammy--the inspiration behind the book.

Happily Married for 12 Years!

2010-08-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Abe,

Today, August 15, 2010, is our 12-year wedding anniversary! Twelve years ago, we were sealed together for all eternity at the LDS Oakland temple. We were young, we were in love, we were enthusiastic about the life ahead of us...now we are twelve years older, still in love and still enthusiastic about our future together. Only now, we have been through twelve years of adventures that have strengthened the bonds between us--the birth of each of our three beautiful children, purchasing our first home, graduate school, parenthood, new careers, and exploring the beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area have taken us to new levels as a married couple! Together, we have endured the stress and hardship while experiencing the success and blessings that come with living life to the fullest...and that, my friend, is something to be proud of!

There are many things I love about you. Here are just a few:

* I love watching you play with the kids. Hearing their laughter is like music to my soul!
* I love getting foot massages every night after a long day...helps me get up the next day to do it all over again!
* I love that you encourage our family members to follow their dreams, whatever they may be.
* I love that you like to save money as much as I like to spend it...it helps to balance us out!
* I love that you take the time to teach our children, helping to answer their questions and build their knowledge base.
* I love that you are willing to listen to my suggestions, and implement my ideas into goals for our family.
* I love that you are an excellent provider, always learning more and moving forward.
* I love that you are always up for an adventure!
* I love that you wash the dishes, cleaning up after my cooking tornadoes in the kitchen.
* I love that you are concerned about your health, exercising and eating right.
* I love that you make your family a priority when you get home from work, setting aside the concerns of your day and focusing on the people you love.
* I love that you strive to grow spiritually, and that we can follow your example as a worthy family leader.

Happy Anniversary, Abe. I love you!

Janine

The Stream by Natalie Weston

2010-07-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Natalie M. Weston
May 2010
Age 8

The Stream

I sit by this stream, while it sprays & glows.
Flow little stream, oh flow.
I see you so fast & I see you so slow.
Flow little stream, oh flow.

A Present

2010-07-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

In the early morning hours
our feline huntress
brought us a present.

A whole, fresh
pocket-gopher...
May he rest in peace.

The Tree that Wouldn't Move...

2010-07-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, on a warm summer afternoon, a boy named Max was playing at the park with his sisters and friends from church. They were getting along exceptionally well and having a great time together.

Some time later, several more children arrived and they decided to play "war tag." Max was amazed that there were other kids that wanted to play the tough-guy types of games that he absolutely loves! There is actually nothing wrong with war tag, but when you're racing next to a boy who is your same age but twice your size and you suddenly find yourself in between that boy and a tree, sometimes you won't have enough clearance to get by...and, the tree won't move.

Max, hit that tree and fell down and came running to his mommy with tears in his eyes saying, "Ouch, Mom! My arm hurts!" Max's mommy declared it was time to go and she quickly gathered up his sisters and they departed for the short walk home. In route, she questioned Max about what happened and did some mobility tests to try to determine exactly which part of his arm was injured.

At home, Max's mommy used a pair of scissors to cut off his t-shirt and examine his arm more closely. A small bump along Max's right clavicle alterted her that there might be a broken bone, so she carefully used her fingers to first feel the uninjured bone and then make a comparrison along the injured side. She guessed that Max had broken his clavicle and explained to Max that they would need to go to the doctor for an x-ray and a sling.

"No!" shouted Max, "I'm not going anywhere! It doesn't even hurt anymore! I don't want an x-ray!" But the tears and the way Max held his arm against his side indicated otherwise.

Max's mommy gently explained, "Getting an x-ray is just like getting your picture taken. Does it hurt to get your picture taken?"

Max agreed that photographs were painless, but was still not convinced that he should make a trip to the doctor. Max's mommy packed up some snacks, a button-down shirt for Max, books to read, and his two sisters, and off to the Emergency Room they all went.

Fortunately, it was quiet in the ER that Thursday evening and Max had to wait merely 5-minutes before he was called back. Just as suspected, the ER doctor wanted to take an x-ray of Max's clavicle, but not before Max had had a powerful dose of pain medication.

Once in the x-ray room, the technician asked Max to lay down on the table and proceeded to raise the table up toward a huge machine on the ceiling. Max was not at all thrilled and proclaimed, "I want to get down!" as he started rolling toward the edge. The technician informed Max's mommy that Max would need to hold still for the x-ray. Max's mommy asked the technician what sort of approach they might need to take if Max didn't lay still. "A tranquilizer injection you say? With a big needle?" That's about all it took! Max decided he could lay still on the x-ray table after all. Max's mommy smiled. The x-ray pictured above turned out great!

Sure enough, Max's right clavicle was broken. About that time, Max's daddy arrived to admire the x-ray. A sling was ordered and fitted. Pain medication was prescribed. And the family went out to dinner and lived happily ever after.

Six days later, Max had a re-check with an orthopedist (bone doctor), who took the lovely x-ray below and reported, "Wow! His bone should be healed by the time you make it out to the car--kids' bodies repair themselves so quickly!" And Max was thrilled to learn that he didn't need to wear a sling anymore. The End.

Moral: Trees don't move. And if you're going to break a bone, do it while you're young. :)

Every Morning Granola

2010-06-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

This recipe comes from the Green Smoothie Girl! I've included several additions that aren't in her original recipe.

Full of fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and live sprouts--whole-foods nutrition perfect for children! You won’t get hungry before lunch, and kids won’t be nagging for snacks. I double this recipe and make it in a big broiler pan with a lid, where I keep it until it’s gone—a double batch lasts my four kids (big eaters!) about 10 days.

8 cups rolled oats

2 cups puffed millet

2 cups puffed quinoa

1 cup raw wheat germ

1 cup shredded organic coconut

½ cup freshly ground flax seed (I use my blender to grind the seed)

2 cups nuts (walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, pumpkin, sunflower seeds)

2 cups dried fruit (dates, golden raisins, cranberries, blueberries, banana chips, etc.)

¼ cup sesame seeds

2 Tbsp. cinnamon (I also use pumpkin pie spice)

Mix well.

Heat on stove until just melted, stir together, and pour over dry mixture:

½ cup honey

½ cup molasses or Grade B maple syrup

½ cup water

optional: ½ cup coconut oil

optional: 1 tsp. maple flavoring or vanilla

Mix liquid ingredients into dry ingredients until distributed evenly. Bake at 250 degrees,

stirring well halfway through the baking process, for 45 minutes. Keep in pantry for up to

2 weeks, or frig for up to 6 weeks.

Serve with: almond or rice milk, plus 2 Tbsp. sprouted raw sunflower seeds mixed in. To

sprout sunflower seeds: cover ½ pint of sunflower seeds with filtered water overnight, drain

in the morning—they are now living food with vastly more enzymes and nutrients. You may also sprout raw almonds or pumpkin seeds to add to your granola in the morning.

Janine's Booklegger Graduation!

2010-05-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 27th, I took my official Booklegger Oath as the culmination of 8, 3-hour training sessions plus the preparation and presentation of my first program to 6 second-grade classes at Parkmont Elementary. All of the training and rehearsing was worth every minute when the kids in the classes would light up after my program and tell me which books they were planning on checking out! I love being a booklegger!

Booklegger Oath
"On my honor as a Booklegger I promise never to reveal an ending and never to booktalk a book I have not read. As a Booklegger I will endeavor to invest those books with all of the interest and excitement which is inherent in them.

Furthermore, I promise to approach each class with enthusiasm, to read voraciously to enable myself to present fresh programs and to unfailingly carry the word of good books to the classrooms of the Fremont Unified School District.

I solemnly undertake this pledge in the firm expectation that children will lead happier, more interesting lives as a result of my efforts as a Booklegger."

The Alameda County Library Booklegger's Class of Spring 2010, "Reading Roundup Posse," Cindy, Tracy, Cora and I (Madeline really wanted to come up, too).
Gail Orwig and Dominique Hutches demonstrate ceremonial oath-taking.
Here are the girls and I with the officiating Book Fairy.
The beautiful book fairy, Gina!
Hmmmm...I might just have to borrow that outfit for Halloween...

Finally...Robotic Beings Rule the World

2010-05-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Although we won't be taking the summer off of learning, here are the kiddos on Friday, May 14th, their last official day of "school" for the Connecting Waters Charter School year. We celebrated with many other CWCS families from the East Bay area at Val Vista Community Park in Pleasanton...the kids got so wet and had a blast navigating the sprinklers and streams together!
I just love Max's graphic-novel-style journal entries! "Finally, robotic beings rule the world." For a child who is just learning to master the fine-motor skills required for writing, his cartoons and speech bubbles that take so much effort for him to create, are so meaningful to me.
Without any prompting from me, Natalie documented our earthworm science experience complete with diagrams and her very own signature made out of earthworms. Natalie often uses her journal to create her own poems and songs accompanied by illustrations. It's delightful to see my kids excited about learning and communicating their newfound knowledge with others!

Parent Panel Spotlight: Janine Weston On Homeschooling

2010-05-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

In preparation for Thursday's (5/20/10) open-to-the-public Connecting Water's Charter School Information Session from 3-6pm at the Fremont Main Library, I've taken the time to answer questions that will be asked of the parent panel. For me, the process was enjoyable and self-reflective--I thought you might find the content informative if you've ever considered homeschooling your own children, or wonder how I have survived thus far. :) I'm looking forward to hearing responses from the other parents as well!

How many children do you have?
I have three children. Natalie is 8, Max is 6, and Madeline is 4.

How many children are you homeschooling and what grades are they in?
I homeschool all three of my children. In the fall of 2010, Natalie will be in third grade, Max in first grade, and Madeline is currently unschooling until she is legally old enough to begin Kindergarten (fall 2011). However, the content we are learning does not necessarily correspond to the grade my children are in--they work above the grade level designated for their age in most subjects.

What is your homeschooling style?
I am an eclectic homeschooler--I like to take the best of resources that match our needs and personalities and incorporate them into a style that suits my family. Core philosophies I draw from include Maria Montessori, Charlotte Mason, John Taylor Gatto (Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling), Howard Gardner (Multiple Intelligences), Jim Trelease (The Read-Aloud Handbook), Richard Louv (Nature Deficit Disorder), Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers), Unschooling (John Holt's Growing Without Schooling and Teach Your Own), Leadership Education (Van DeMille's Thomas Jefferson Education and The Phases of Learning), and Classical Education (Susan Wise Bauer's The Well-Trained Mind).

How long you have been with CWCS?
As a parent of CWCS students, 3 years; as an Educational Specialist, the 2010-2011 school year is my first--hurray!

What does a typical day of homeschooling look like in your home?
We try to start each weekday at 8am with 30-60 minutes of reading: scriptures, language lesson, read-aloud; followed by Math, handwriting, and journal. To the basic morning routine, on Mondays we add music, art, and gymnastics. Tuesdays we add science and/or fieldtrip. Wednesdays we add Spanish, swimming and library. Thursdays we add history and/or fieldtrip. Fridays we add gymnastics, fieldtrips, computer/test-taking skills and park days. Afternoons are usually free-play or special projects. Most evenings we have family/game night at home, sometimes 4-H meetings, and my husband also does math activities with the kids around the table after dinner. Then, we read again for 30-60 minutes before the kids go to bed. People often ask how we fit it all in...our secret? We don't watch TV. We do rent or check out videos from the library and probably watch 1 per weekend, only 2 hours per week of TV time, that's it!

How do you balance the state/high school requirements and still find time for the fun things like arts/crafts/fieldtrips?
Honestly, the baseline state content standards do not drive what we choose to learn as a homeschooling family. Our learning records show that we make tremendous progress, often levels beyond what is being covered in standards-based curriculums. For my family, the standards are a basic guideline that lets us know what our children are expected to know in their current grade level. I make sure my children are well-prepared for STAR testing in the spring by integrating consistent weekly practice throughout the year using a computer program called Study Island, an online standards-based learning tool. For high schoolers, Study Island can also be used to prepare for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE = "CAY-see").

What do you do to get ready for the meeting with your ES?
I prepare for our meeting with the ES continually throughout each month so that I don't have to try to recall learning experiences we had weeks prior to our scheduled meeting. I use one Google Docs spreadsheet for both my kids, as much of our learning such as history, science, and physical education is done together. I record the pages, lessons, and topics we have completed to show progress in each our learning categories. The online format can be easily printed out or e-mailed to my ES and because it is stored online. Another advantage is that I can share editing privileges with my husband and I can also edit the document from an alternate location (i.e. while we're traveling). I also photograph, collect, and sort each child's work by subject so that I will have samples to give my ES for their portfolios. Additionally, I track all of the books that we read together or individually in our GoodReads account and I categorize each book according to who read it and its format and/or subject matter.

How/why did you decide to homeschool your child/children?
When my oldest child was about 2 years old, I attended an information session about homeschooling that really sparked my interest and dispelled many of the myths that tend to circulate about homeschooling. Then, I went to my local public library and read as many books as I could get my hands on about homeschooling. I talked to local homeschoolers, and attended Tri-City Homeschoolers, a local support network so that I could ask more questions and get answers from those in the trenches! For me, homeschooling seemed a natural fit. In college, I was trained as a credentialed teacher, but never felt that traditional public school was an ideal environment for learning. Upon realizing that our family could provide individualized education that would promote life-long learning for our children, we've never looked back--we are enjoying the homeschooling adventure tremendously!

What types of resources do you utilize to educate your child/ren?
First and foremost, we use the public library for much of our "input." We visit the library regularly on Wednesdays and load our bags with plenty of reading, listening, and watching material. Each of my children as well as my husband and I have a library card. It is not unusual for us to max-out the number of items we can check out...even with 5 library cards. We are heavy library users. In addition to the library, we use some curriculum, our local 4-H club, approved CWCS vendors, and the regional parks and museums of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Why did you choose CWCS over other charter school programs and/or filing a private school affidavit?
After looking into several options, we selected CWCS for our family because:
1. We are allotted instructional funds to spend on an individualized education for each student in our family AND
2. We have the freedom to homeschool our children using styles and materials of our choosing, while receiving as much or as little support and guidance from the charter school as we need and/or want.

How much freedom do you have in selecting learning services/tools for your child/children's education(s)?
We have as much freedom as we like...until we run out of instructional funds! :)

What has been one of your child/ren's top educational products/services from the CWCS vendor list?
We have enjoyed taking classes through Country Kids (Environmental Awareness), American Swim School (swim lessons), Teach Me Art (multi-media art classes), and PowerSpeak12 (Spanish Language). We have bought curriculum and learning tools through Rainbow Resource. In the near future, we are looking forward to utilizing the following services and suppliers: East Bay Homeschool Choir, Sienna Ranch, Let's Play in Spanish, and Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT).

Other interesting info:
What sort of training have you had to become an Education Specialist for CWCS?
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and elementary & secondary education credentials from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In May of 2009, I completed my Master's Degree in Library and Information Science and Teacher Librarian Credential at San Jose State University. In addition to formal education, I have spent many years as a mother, homeschooler, professional photographer, and library volunteer. My educational background and years of hands-on experience with information literacy and students of all ages makes me a highly-qualified consultant for parents, grandparents, teachers, schools, librarians, and children.

Where do you live and what do you do for fun?
I currently reside in Fremont, with my husband, three children, Labrador Retriever, and Jack Russell Terrier. Besides reading great books aloud to my children, my hobbies include hiking, 4-H, gardening, art & design, photography, yoga, teaching, and cooking.

Passionate About Trader Joe's

2010-05-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

In April, due to my enthusiasm for the venue, I had the honor of preparing several recipes and a brief presentation on Trader Joe's for my church's monthly "Test Kitchen." In fact, it is possible to do ALL of your grocery shopping exclusively at Trader Joe's...I've done it! If you've always wondered what, exactly, Trader Joe's has to offer and whether or not it is a grocery store that is worth your while, read on! However, nothing can prepare you better for your first trip to TJ's than this video by Carl's Fine Films, If I Made a Commercial for Trader Joe's.

What Trader Joe's IS:

Basic: Trader Joe's has all the basics and much more while keeping that small, "local" grocery store feel even though they move more products per square foot than stores like Home Depot!

Gourmet: Trader Joe's carries both basic products as well as many varieties of gourmet oils, breads, wines, cheeses, meats, etc.

Affordable: Trader Joe's purchases items in bulk from suppliers worldwide and then re-labels or packages the item with the Trader Joe's logo. Without having to pay for brand name labels, Trader Joe's is able to offer excellent price, with some of the lowest around on items like yogurt, cereal, frozen fruit, eggs, nuts, etc.). Don't forget their fresh cut flowers and potted herbs and plants at AMAZING prices!

Quality: Trader Joe's carries quality items that sell. If an item does not "move" off the floor, it is discontinued. If a customer tries an item and does not like it, or the item shows signs of spoilage, the item can be returned for a full refund.

Delicious: Trader Joe's products are delicious! If you don't believe me, stop by the booth in the back for a free-sample.

Unique: Trader Joe's offers many unique gourmet foods as well as a colorful assortment of ethnic foods (i.e. Thai, Italian, Indian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, etc.).

Preservative-free: Trader Joes' products are preservative-free, giving you greater peace of mind while shopping. I save lots of time when I don't have to check every label as I'm tossing items into my cart.

Non-GMO: Trader Joe's items come from suppliers that do not use genetically modified ingredients.

Green: Trader Joe's promotes and sells vegan, vegetarian, cage-free, hormone-free, dolphin-safe, and sustainable products. They also carry Kosher and gluten-free products.

Friendly: Trader Joe's employees are friendly and helpful in answering questions or locating items for their customers. They will also schedule fieldtrips for school children! :)

Fast: Small store, lots of great items to choose from equals a potential one-stop grocery store to meet your needs. They've also got a fresh deli and frozen food section with many ready-made foods for busy lifestyles.

Informative: If you're looking for more information, take a look at the TJs Guides on the Trader Joe's website!

Trader Joe's is NOT:

Costco: You won't find bulk/wholesale/warehouse style at Trader Joe's. However, I find that if I buy bulk, I my family eats bulk, so we prefer the smaller packages to large ones.

Consistent: Due to their high-quality standards, each product must "stand on its own" to pay its way to stay on Trader Joe's shelves, resulting on the discontinuation of approximately 10-15 products per week. However, they do introduce 10-15 new products each week...gotta check that NEW products shelf or read the Fearless Flier to find out what they are!

For more about Trader Joe's as a highly-successful business, read The Trader Joe's Adventure: Turning a Unique Approach to Business into a Retail and Cultural Phenomenon by Len Lewis.

Cookbooks: I've tried recipes from both of these cookbooks. I highly recommend them.

Cooking with All Things Trader Joes by Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati
The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook by Cherie Mercer Twohy

RECIPES:

Janine's Chili Cornbread Casserole
Ingredients:

1 box Trader Joes cornbread mix

2 cans chili (regular or vegetarian)

1 can black beans (drained)

1 bag Fritos corn chips (optional)

2 cups grated cheese (optional)

1 4oz can sliced olives

Directions:

Start with 1 box Trader Joes cornbread mix.

Mix according to directions on the box, pour in a lightly greased 9x13 casserole dish and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

While the cornbread is baking, stir together:
2 cans chili
1 can black beans (drained)

Pour above mixture over cornbread and bake for another 15 minutes

Finally, sprinkle the following on top and heat for 5 minutes:
1 Fritos corn chips
2 cups grated cheese
1 4oz can sliced olives

Let sit for 5 minutes and serve w/ guacamole!

Peanutty Sesame Noodles (Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's p.55)
Ingredients:

8oz spaghetti noodles (for gluten-free, use the brown rice spagetti noodles)

Easy Peanutty Sauce (recipe below)

1 C shredded carrot

1/2 C peeled and sliced cucumber

2 green onions chopped

1/4 C roasted peanuts, crushed

Directions:

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.

Pour Easy Peanutty Sauce over noodles and toss until noodles are evenly coated. Add carrots and cucumber. Toss gently.

Top with green onions and crushed peanuts.

Easy Peanutty Sauce

1/4 C Trader Ming's Soyaki or Veri Veri Teriyaki

1/4 C Creamy Salted Peanut Butter

2 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil

1/4 C water

Whisk Soyaki, peanut butter, and sesame oil until blended.

Add water and mix well.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Hands-off cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Tortellini and Chicken Sausage Soup (Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's p.64)
Ingredients:

1 C dry Tortellini with Pesto or Mixed Cheese Filling

2 pre-cooked Mushroom Asiago Gourmet Chicken Sausages, cut into 1/2-inch slices (or other variety)

1 14.5oz can Organic Fire Roasted Whole Tomatoes, including juices, or regular canned tomatoes

1 28oz can Rich Onion Soup (or vegetable stock)

2 C water

2 C frozen Greens with Envy, or other greens such as frozen spinach or green beans

Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cut tomatoes into bite-size pieces. Mix tomatoes (including juices), onion soup, and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil.

Add tortellini, sausage, and greens. When mixture comes to a boil again, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 17 minutes.

Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Hands-off cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6

Nature's Gardeners: Earthworms

2010-05-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Max:
"Today, we went on an earthworm hunt. We used trowels and containers to collect the earthworms. We went into the garden to dig for them. We didn't need to dig very deep before we found some. I found 5 and Natalie found 6 or 7."

"Next, we brought them into the house and dumped them onto a wet paper towel so that they wouldn't dry out and then we used magnifiers to look at their body parts."

Natalie:
"We learned that earthworms are invertebrates and that adult earthworms have a clitellum so that they can reproduce and lay eggs that hatch into tiny worms. An earthworm's body is divided into lots of segments. The bristles on the segments help them to move in the dirt; earthworms can move both backwards and forwards."

"Earthworms eat decaying plant matter and turn it into rich soil with their waste, called castings."

Max:
"Then, we made a worm farm. To make the farm, we layered dirt, sand, oatmeal, and water inside a tall plastic bottle. We named it The Worms of Ordinary Farm."

Natalie:
"Last, we covered the bottle with black paper so that the earthworms would think they are under the ground. In a few days we will take off the paper to see if the worms pushed the soil around."

We got the idea and materials for this activity from Delta Education's Science-In-a-Nutshell Living Things Cluster that we ordered with our Connecting Waters Charter School educational funds.

Connecting Waters Charter School Information Session, Thursday, May 20, 3-6pm @ Fremont Main Library

2010-04-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

What: Connecting Waters Charter School Information Session

When: Thursday, May 20, 2010, from 3-6 p.m.,
Session I: 3:00-4:30 p.m., Session II: 4:30-6 p.m. (session presentations are identical)

Where: Fremont Main Library
Fukaya Room A
2400 Stevenson Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 745-1424

What:
Curious about homeschooling through a charter school? You're invited to attend an Information Session to learn more about parent-driven Connecting Waters Charter School and non-classroom based education for K-12 students through:

• Student Project Displays
• Informative Parent Panel Discussions
• Q&A with the Executive Director and Education Specialists

Current CWCS families are encouraged to attend. No registration is required. This is a FREE event open to the public. Children are always welcome.

QUESTIONS:
Call or e-mail: Connecting Waters Charter School
1.800.808.9895 X 6
http://www.connectingwaters.org/
cwcs@connectingwaters.org

or call/e-mail me, Janine Weston (Volunteer Coordinator), 510-299-2586 , janinemweston@yahoo.com

Please forward this message on to those who may be interested.

Thanks,

Janine Weston, MLIS
Connecting Waters Charter School Homeschooling Parent
Fremont Main Library Volunteer

Social Networking: Making the Most of STAR Testing

2010-04-16T15:16:00.001-07:00

On April 7th, many enthusiastic Connecting Waters parents and children from the East Bay Area congregated in a Fremont church parking lot for the annual STAR testing. A nervous charge filled the air as students were signed in and led to their classrooms. Once our dedicated scholars had departed, parents either clumped into small groups to socialize, headed to the park with younger siblings, or left to run errands.

After 2 days of informal mingling and idea-swapping, I had an idea. It was time to get down to business! On day 3, I proposed that we get together and have a "curriculum chat" to share what products and services we are using with our children. I quickly made my way around the parking lot to invite those present, and directed everyone to form a circle in the shade. Never did I guess that our spontaneous, 45-minute meeting would have been so beneficial to all who participated!

We each introduced ourselves, shared our city of residence and the ages of our children and then proceeded to pour out the essence of our homeschooling content for all ears to hear. After one pass around the circle we then asked parents to suggest classes or programs that their children enjoyed. We continued to reap the benefits of knowledge that comes from a community of homeschoolers with much wisdom and experience. I hastily took notes on the educational resources shared and agreed to e-mail out the list to the participants. We sent around a clipboard for e-mails and decided that a Google Group was in order. Establishing an online group would create a communication tool, resource guide, and support network for East Bay CWCS Parents.

Following our group chat, parents were then able to approach others that had common interests, similar challenges, and children in the same grades. For the future, we've thought about starting weekly summer park days to better build a sense of community among Alameda County CWCS families. Even without a physical learning center in our county, we can still build a social network for support and connection.

Next year, with the help of our test-site coordinator, we are hoping to integrate a "hands-on curriculum" element so that parents can bring and share what they are using, giving Connecting Waters families the opportunity to take a peek at what others are using.

All current Connecting Waters families are encouraged to join our community and start collaborating. E-mail janinemweston@yahoo.com or call 510-299-2586 to be added to the Connecting Waters East Bay Parents group. Contact Janine if you'd like help setting up your own social network. Let's get connected at Connecting Waters Charter School!

$1400 / 2br - 2Bd, 1Ba Condo AVAILABLE 4/1 w/ low utilities and fantastic location!

2010-03-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

PROPERTY SPECS:
Address: 38623 Cherry Ln #155, Fremont, CA 94536
Rent: $1400/mo
Deposit: $1600
Available: 4/1/2010
Community Name: Fremont Oaks
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Living Square Footage: 789
Property Type: Apartment
Floor: 1, Ground
Year Built: 1974

UTILITIES:
Lights and Gen Electric Included in Rent: No
Heating Fuel Type: Electric
Heating Included in Rent: No
Hot Water Fuel Type: Natural Gas
Hot Water Included in Rent: YES!!!
Garbage Included in Rent: Yes
Sewer Included in Rent: Yes
Water Included in Rent: Yes
Cooling Type: Wall AC
Heating Style: Baseboard

AMENITIES:
Maintenance Included: Trash Removal, Lawn Care, Pest Control
Laundry Type: Indoor, Stackable Washer/Dryer
Dishwasher: Yes
Stove: Yes, Electric
Refrigerator: Yes
Microwave: Yes
Garbage Disposal: Yes
Ceiling Fans: No
Fenced Patio: Yes
Cable Included: No
Furnished: No
Security System: No
Parking Type: 1 Carport, additional free uncovered parking spaces available
Fireplace: No
Swimming Pool: Yes
Wading Pool: Yes
Hot Tub: Yes
Playground: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes. Under 40 pounds. With extra $400 pet deposit.

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:
2 Large Bedrooms
1 Bathroom with vanity and shower/bath
789 square feet
Ground floor location in the quiet rear corner of the complex
Easy-care Pergo flooring
Fenced, covered patio area with storage shed
Inside laundry area with washer and dryer, counter, cupboards, and tile flooring
Kitchen complete with refrigerator/freezer, electric stove/range, microwave
Wall A/C unit and floorboard heating
Great neighbors in a safe, convenient area of Fremont (Cherry-Guardino neighborhood)
Peaceful surroundings with trees and lush greenery
Window coverings on all windows
Includes water (cold and HOT!) and garbage
Carpeting in bedrooms
Maximum of 4 tenants
1 covered carport with plenty of additional visitor parking
Community includes walking paths, extra laundry facility, playground, clubhouse, swimming pool, wading pool, and hot tub
Fantastic location! Easy access to Hwy 84, 680, 880, 228. Walking distance to BART, Raley’s, Panera, Pete’s Coffee, Starbucks, Curves gym, Lake Elizabeth, Chipotle, Casa Robles Mexican Restaurant & the Fremont Main Library
Local landlord and property owner
Schools: Vallejo-Mill Elementary, Centerville Junior High, Washington High School

Please contact owner/landlord immediately for an application: janinemweston@yahoo.com 510-299-2586 cell.

View on Craig's List

Wrapping Up Ancient Egypt

2010-03-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Our study of Ancient Egypt has been lots of fun and it's time to wrap it all up! Today we read Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki (an excellent book, by the way) and then proceeded to have our own Egyptian burial ritual...with 3 Barbie dolls.

We raided all of our first-aid kits for gauze wraps, hustled up some valuable amulets, and looted the kitchen cupboards for salt, scented oils, herbs and spices.

First we soaked the gauze in starch and then wrapped our deceased from head to toe. Then, we inserted the amulets into the gauze wrappings. Next, we applied our scented oils, salts, herbs and spices to preserve the bodys and slow decay.

Here is Madeline making sure her mummy is well-salted. Please pass the pepper.
I think Max was disappointed that we didn't get to use forceps to remove Barbie's brains through her nostrils...but wait...Barbie doesn't have a brain!

I think he was also hoping that we would be collecting the inner organs in canopic jars...

Here he is, hard at work tucking amulets within his mummy's bandanges. He seemed satisfied dressing the body with oils and LOTS of spices.
Here is Dr. Natalie, checking the placement of the bandages in preparation for the ceremonial sprinkling of the herbs.
Max's mummy. Well-preserved with extra herbs and spices. This one's sure to be flavorful!

Next week we hope to decorate coffins and sarcophagi in preparation for our fieldtrip to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose.

For now, it's off to the store to buy more gauze...

Our Homeschool Book Club Makes the News!

2010-01-27T22:41:00.000-08:00

Our Fremont Homeschool Book Club is in the local news this week!

Check out Alyson DeLong Whitaker's fabulous article in this week's Tri-City Voice about our new Homeschool Book Club that meets in the Children's Storytime Theatre at the Fremont Main Library from 1-2pm on the first Wednesday of each month: http://www.tricityvoice.com/displayPages.php?issue=2010-01-27&page=31

Photo credit should read: http://www.westonphotography.net/

Natural Science Adventures for Homeschoolers: Tracks, Tracks, Tracks

2010-01-26T21:12:00.000-08:00

Q: How do you find the princess? A: Follow the foot-prince of course!

To kick off our Spring 2010 semester of Natural Science Adventures for Homeschoolers at Sunol Regional Wilderness, naturalist, Katie Colbert taught us tracking basics and why a muddy footprint tells more about an animal than merely where it was going.

We began by making crayon rubbings of our own boot soles and then going out and making prints in the soft mud (courtesy of the ground squirrels and their dirt-digging). Then we swapped locations with another team and tried to match their rubbings with their footprints.

Next, after reviewing mammal tracks of bobcats, mountain lions, house cats, coyotes, gray foxes, squirrels, voles, raccoons, skunks, opossums, cottontails, deer, and feral hogs, we went out on an expedition to locate real prints in the mud. Because we had a hard rain last night, many of the prints we would have seen were washed away.

However, we did see dog and deer prints along the trail and creek area.

The highlight of the trip was the discovery of both a drowned Wood Rat and dead Bufflehead Duck in the creek bed.

Monarch Butterflies @ Ardenwood Farm

2010-01-22T21:41:00.000-08:00

Today we went on a fieldtrip to Ardenwod Historic Farm in Fremont for their Monarch Butterfly program. After a wonderful presentation on the Monarch migration and a review of insect body parts, we headed outside to the greenhouse to view chrysalises and then the eucalyptus grove. We found three butterflies on the ground as well as a cluster in one of the trees. There were even a few flying around in the sunshine! Tons of puddles...lots of mud...a great opportunity to put on our rain boots and have some fun!

Sluggish Snail Races

2010-01-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

Rainy days make me feel sluggish...
Because today was our science day, we decided to study snails and slugs. It was a perfect day for snail races--on your mark, get set, go! Then we made a "snug house" for our snails and slugs so that we can observe them for the next week or so.

Math-Science Nucleus Class: Winter Birds @ Tule Ponds

2010-01-16T21:35:00.000-08:00

Today our Math-Science Nucleus class met at the Tule Ponds in Fremont to learn about birds. We all got binoculars and set out on a hike around the ponds. We saw Double Crested Cormorants, American Coots, Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, Scrub Jays, Crows, Pidgeons, Mourning Doves, and even mushrooms. After we got back to the lab, we examined bird feathers (and the difference in owl feathers) using basic microscopes.

Hiking Mission Peak with NEEB

2010-01-05T22:10:00.000-08:00

Today we started the new year off right with a 5-mile hike up Mission Peak in Fremont with the Nature Explorers of the East Bay (NEEB), a homeschooling group that is new for us this year.

It took us six hours to reach the summit with the kids delighting in the company of their new homeschooling friends--they laughed and played along the whole trail, making the miles fly by. I am so proud my 5 and 7-year-olds hiked to the very top on their own!

Along the route on this gorgeous winter day, we saw grazing cattle, turkey vultures, magpies, horses, sheep, and lots of giddy ground squirrels.

It is wonderful to be able to explore our natural world as part of our daily "curriculum." Days like these I feel especially blessed to accompany my children on the life adventures that home education encompasses.

Janine's New Year's Resolutions for 2010

2010-01-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

In 2010, I want to:

1. Read more books and blog more life experiences

2. Eat less...mindlessly and consume fresh, local, and seasonal produce

3. Learn how to knit

4. Be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend by mastering the 5 Love Languages

5. Read my scriptures and say my prayers daily

6. Attend the temple monthly

7. Experiment with raw recipes

8. Get more exercise

9. Take meaningful photographs

10. Make the most of every day by making a difference in someone else's life

2009 Holiday Greetings!

2009-12-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

We've made it to the end of 2009--what a year it has been!

We finally moved out of our 789-square-foot condo and into a rental house over double that size with a yard, garage, and a second bathroom! Although we were sad to leave our Central Park Ward church family, we have made many new friends in our new Centerville Ward. Being that we moved only 1/4 mile away, we are fortunate to be able to continue to mingle with our old friends and neighbors as well as the new!

Abe, still gainfully employed with Checkpoint in Redwood City, uses statistics to conduct research while he continues to work toward his second master's degree. In the last year, he has transferred from the Statistics Department at Cal State East Bay to an online data-mining program at Central Connecticut State University. He hopes to finish his degree in late 2010. Abe takes full advantage of our local public library and their wide assortment of audiobooks, maximizing his commute time with enriching audio entertainment. Abe now diligently serves as our church ward clerk, attending important meetings while keeping copious notes, tallies, and tracking action items for the ongoings of the Centerville Ward.

Janine completed her Master's of Library and Information Science degree at San Jose State University in May, and is currently moonlighting as a substitute Youth Services Librarian at Menlo Park Library. Additionally, her photography business continues to provide a source of inspiration and creative outlet. Along with homeschooling our three children, Janine volunteers at the Fremont Main branch of the Alameda County Library doing storytimes & bookclubs and at the Bayside 4-H Club as a project leader for Visual Arts & Crafts. She also enjoys her church calling serving as the Bears leader for the Centerville Cub Scout pack. Healthwise, Janine has been experimenting with raw diet recipes, walks to Curves three days per week, does yoga, and hikes with her family to keep fit and flexible.

Natalie, 7 years old, has enjoyed taking classes at Teach-Me-Art, going on fieldtrips, and taking advantage of the flexibility that homeschooling affords to pursue her personal interests. In addition to developing her skills in reading, writing, and math, Natalie has learned so much in 4-H. This year she is in the Primaries, Cooking, Beading & Jewelry, and Visual Arts & Crafts projects. She has decorated jars, blended smoothies, whisked pudding pies, beaded bracelets & necklaces, assembled button wreaths, and recycled crayons. Her favorite project so far has been learning how to make earrings--in fact, in the near future, Natalie may have the nerve to get her ears pierced so she can actually wear some of the earrings she has made! In her spare time, Natalie enjoys reading Harry Potter, Time Warp Trio, Junie B. Jones, Magic Treehouse, and the Boxcar Children books.

Max, 5 years old, loves Legos! We usually have to pry him away from the "Lego Pit" long enough to complete a few math and writing lessons before he's back to building. That being said, as a Kindergartner this year, Max loves to read, and he reads at second grade level--books about Star Wars Clone Wars, Transformers, and Pokemon are his favorites; however, he can be found reading everything from encyclopedias and picture dictionaries to graphic novels, picture books, and chapter books. Max also excels musically--he can't help whistling all day long! He delights in singing and moving to classical music and looks forward to weekly piano lessons with Aunt Krissy. In 4-H, Max is in the Primaries, Visual Arts & Crafts, and Cooking projects. Recently, Max helped measure and mix homemade granola--his favorite breakfast food! When it comes to physical activity, "active" is an understatement. Max loves to climb, do push-ups, jump, flip, and do his signature "hyena" move. Ask him to show you sometime...

Madeline, 3 years old (going on 13), is our feisty one! Mature for her age, Madeline has been ready to move on from the church nursery to Sunbeams for about a year. Tagging along with her older siblings, Madeline finds herself participating and successfully completing many projects that would typically suit older children. Although she can't become a 4-H primary member until she is 5, she is often invited by project leaders to join in on the fun because of her maturity and ability. Madeline has been learning her letter sounds in preparation for reading. She has her own books, workbooks, and computer so that she can also do "school" while Natalie and Max are hard at work. Madeline makes a great little assistant in the kitchen--she loves to measure, mix, and pull ingredients out of the refrigerator for any recipe you have in mind. An artist at heart, Madeline is a natural at drawing, painting, stickering, taping, sculpting, and stamping. She sings, she dances, she "reads," she loves playing with her dogs & cat. She is Madeline. She is amazing!

Despite our hectic lives, we always have time for friends and family...give us a call, find us on Facebook, or send us an e-mail, and let the fun begin!

Love,

Abe, Janine, Natalie, Max, & Madeline
Rosie (dog), Sammy (dog), & Friday (cat)

Try our low-resolution movie with music.

RAW Desserts: Pumpkin Cheesecake

2009-11-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Instead of pumpkin pie, we'll be following our feast with a dairy and sugar-free, Raw Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Equipment:

Blender (a good one)
Cheesecake pan or pie pan

Crust:
2C raw organic pecans
12 raw organic dates
1/4 tsp salt

Filling:
3 C raw organic cashews
3/4 C organic agave
1 can organic pumpkin
2/3 C extra-virgin, organic coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
2T pumpkin pie spice
1/2-3/4 C light coconut milk

Directions:
1. Combine the crust ingredients (pecans, dates, and salt) in your blender and blend until well-chopped.
2. Press into pan.
3. Blend filling ingredients (cashews, agave, pumpkin, coconut oil, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, coconut milk) in blender until smooth.
4. Pour into crust and cover.
5. Allow cheesecake to set in the freezer.
6. Thaw in the fridge. Enjoy!

Sleeping Beauty...and the Beast?

2009-11-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...I have my fairy tales mixed up...

My littlest princess, Sleeping Beauty Madeline, selects the most peculiar places to take naps. Today, we found her asleep, again, out in the garage. The garage? Yes, that's right...the garage! Now, I surely don't think of taking a nap in the garage, but Madeline seeks a different type of comfort when she is tired...she was curled up with our black Labrador Retriever, Rosie (the Beast), in the dog crate. Madeline seems to have established a strange habit for catching some zzzs while using her favorite canine as a pillow. I will have to try to catch her on film in the future...

Fortunately, the time we found her asleep in the clean laundry basket, we did take a picture!

RAW Smoothies: Cranberry-Orange Julius

2009-11-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

A great way to start off the day with this raw Cranberry-Orange Julius. This particular smoothie is one of my kids' favorites!

Equipment:

blender (a good one)

Ingredients:
2C fresh-squeezed organic orange juice
1 ripe banana
1 can light coconut milk
2T dried cranberries
1 12 oz bag of frozen papaya chunks

Directions:
1. Blend all ingredients using the smoothie setting on your blender until smooth enough to drink through a straw.
2. Enjoy!

RAW Desserts: Chocolate Mousse Pie

2009-11-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

This has to be one of the best raw desserts for chocolate-lovers. This RAW Chocolate Mousse Pie is dairy-free, sugar-free, and melts in your mouth!

Equipment:

blender (a good one)
pie pan

Crust:
2C organic raw walnuts
12 soft dates
1/4 tsp sea salt

Filling:
3 (med to large)-4 (small) ripe raw avocados
1/4C organic cocoa powder
1/4C organic agave
2T vanilla
1/4C light coconut milk
1T coconut oil

Directions:
1. Combine the crust ingredients (walnuts, dates, and salt) in your blender and blend until well-chopped.
2. Press into pan.
3. Blend filling ingredients (avocados, agave, cocoa powder, vanilla, coconut milk, coconut oil) in blender until smooth.
4. Pour into crust and cover.
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!

GLUTEN-FREE Cooking: Pumpkin Pancakes

2009-11-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

My kids request these pancakes at least twice a week...they love to start the day off with a short stack of cinnamon and nutmeg flavored Pumpkin Pancakes drizzled with maple syrup!

Equipment:

Griddle or frying pan
Mixing bowl
Hand mixer or spoon
1/3C scooper

Ingredients:
1 18oz package Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Pancake & Waffle Mix (purple bag)
1 can organic pumpkin
1 can light coconut milk
4 eggs
2T pumpkin pie spice
1 can canola oil spray to coat your griddle

100% pure maple syrup

Directions:
1. Preheat your griddle or pan to 350 degrees and spray lightly with canola oil.
2. Mix all of the ingredients (pancake mix, pumpkin, coconut milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice) by hand or use your mixer.
2. Scoop 1/3C of the batter at a time onto your griddle or pan to make each pancake.

3. Cook the pancakes for 4 minutes on each side.

4. Serve immediately and top with maple syrup!

Finances a little tight? Consider using charter school voucher funds!

2009-11-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

While trying to keep afloat in the stagnant waters of our economy, I've been looking for ways to make every penny count--even in home education!

For the past several years, we have enrolled at Connecting Waters Charter School, which serves Alameda, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties to maximize our educational investment. I've also noted that under the same IEM umbrella there is another, Ocean Grove Charter School that serves Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties (see http://www.ieminc.org/links_to_charters.html).

Connecting Waters (http://www.connectingwaters.org/) provides at least $1800 per year of voucher funds per student. These funds can be redeemed for curriculum, educational products/supplies, computers/peripherals, and enrichment classes from a list of approved vendors. Even better, if your student(s) are already taking classes in Lego robotics, art, music, science, martial arts, horseback riding, etc. from a venue that has a business license, they can be added to the vendor list so that the classes come at no cost to you!

Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Being that the charter schools receive funding from the State of California, they must answer to standards and testing. So, even though you still get to select your own curriculum or even take an unschooling approach, your children will be tested annually and must meet with a credentialed Education Specialist every 20 school days to verify attendance and provide work samples. Seems like a small price to pay if finances are tight and you still want to provide the best for your kids...

Just wanted to let you know about this option--it works for us and may be a blessing to other Bay Area home educators as well!

Happy Homeschooling,

Janine

Check it out: http://www.connectingwaters.org/

Fieldtrip to the Oakland Zoo

2009-10-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

by Natalie

Today we went to the Oakland Zoo. My favorite animals were two little orange frogs. They were playing leap frog! They were also very tiny. Here are the rest of the animals we saw: camel, rabbits, tortoise, alligator, squirrel monkey, meerkat, lemur, flamingo, warthog, macaw, lion, hyena, green monkey, elephant, zebra, otter, sun bear, giraffe, gazelle, chimpanzee, baboon, and tiger. I love the Oakland Zoo!

RAW Desserts: Lemon Cheesecake

2009-10-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

Make your own delicious, guilt-free, dairy and sugar-free, Raw Lemon Cheesecake!

Equipment:

Blender (a good one)
Cheesecake pan or pie pan

Crust:
2C raw organic pecans
12 raw organic dates
1/4 tsp salt

Filling:
3 C raw organic cashews
3/4 C organic agave
1/2 C lemon juice
2/3 C extra-virgin, organic coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/4-1/2 C water

Directions:

1. Combine the crust ingredients (pecans, dates, and salt) in your blender and blend until well-chopped.

2. Press into pan.

3. Blend filling ingredients (cashews, agave, lemon juice, coconut oil, vanilla, water) in blender until smooth.

4. Pour into crust and cover.

5. Allow cheesecake to set in the freezer.

6. Thaw in the fridge. Enjoy!

God and Dog by Wendy J. Francisco

2009-10-03T17:32:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this animated song--the simple tune and honest words cut right to my heart. For those of you who are doglovers, check it out!

Natural Science Adventures for Homeschoolers: Too Many Legs!

2009-09-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

Today we made our way out to Sunol Regional Wilderness to attend the first of four monthly sessions in a fall series of Natural Science Adventures for Homeschoolers. Today's topic was "Too Many Legs!" a spider exploration.

First we went around the room introducing ourselves and mentioning tidbits of information on spiders, while dispelling rumors and admitting fears.

Next, our naturalist, Katie Colbert, introduced us to two of the visitor center residents, tarantulas, Harry and Harriett. The two tarantulas were allowed to walk around in the people circle we had formed.

In preparation for passing Harry around to the braver souls, Katie collected Harriet in her hands and slowly walked over to her box. When she bent down to place the spider in the box, Harriet was gone! Startled, Katie asked us if we had seen her crawl away. As we had not seen her drop to the ground, we guessed that the spider must be crawling around on Katie. Katie turned around a few times...no spider. It was then that we assumed the worst... Could it be inside her shirt?

It turned out that in only a few short seconds, Harriet had managed to crawl into Katie's button-down uniform shirt! The kids were shocked and amazed when she came crawling out, back into Katie's hands!

After everyone calmed down, it was time to pass Harry around the circle. Those who were brave enough to allow him to crawl across their hands were afforded the opportunity! Natalie, Madeline, and I took the challenge! Max watched.

Following all of the spider excitement, we went down to the dry creek bed to look for spiders of our own. On our spider hunt, we used acrylic bug boxes with magnifier lids for observation purposes. The kids enjoyed looking underneath rocks for the speedy little creatures, and we found many Wolf Spiders hiding in the cracks and crevices.

As our adventure came to an end, we released our captive pets and spent the remaining time using spray bottles to mist the webs along the trail that took us back to the visitor's center.

Before we left, Katie made sure to show us two Black Widow Spiders so that the kids and parents would be better able to identify the common and highly poisonous California species.

For me, it was interesting to see how my children's personalities are manifested in their reactions to potentially fearful things. Madeline, is no doubt, the most fearless of my three kids when it comes to taking action. Natalie has a willing and cooperative, yet timid soul. Max steers clear of discomfort, but loves to read all about it in books!

Can't wait until our next class in October!

Caesar's Seizures

2009-09-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

Natalie has been studying Ancient Rome this school year, so I checked out the award-winning Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, from the library. I was busy at the computer when Abe came in from watching the movie with the kids in the living room and told me that Natalie had just said the funniest thing.

Natalie had asked Abe, "Why do they keep putting that stick in his mouth?"

Abe said, "Apparently, Julius Caesar had seizures, so they put a stick in his mouth so he wouldn't bite his tongue.

Natalie replied, "Oh, so that's why they called him Seizure!"

I love my kids...they make me laugh!

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend...

2009-09-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

This evening we bid farewell to an old friend of ours from church, Georgene Moffitt, as she prepares for her move to Wisconsin. The girls and I made some "ants-on-a-log" snacks to share and went to an open house for Georgene at Lynda Chapman's house.

Georgene has been like a grandmother to us in Fremont. Over the years we have enjoyed spending Friday night dinners with her at Lynn's, hearing of her latest and greatest travels, musical performance, or Jack Russell Terrier adventure!

We are continually amazed at her energy, good health, and fitness as she commits many hours to her church calling, orchestra rehearsals, and women's book group.

After deciding to move closer to family, Georgene bought a beautiful home on an acre lot in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It took Georgene only 4 days to sell her lovely home in Fremont and she has been packing ever since. Brodie, her JRT, is looking forward to riding underneath her seat on the plane and, as Georgene has shared, he practices sleeping in his travel crate every night!

We will truly miss Georgene and her valiant spirit as she presses onward to Wisconsin--we love you, Georgene!

Handprint Spiders!

2009-09-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today we made some festive t-shirts and treat bags with a spider theme. As we have been learning about spiders on our fieldtrips, I thought it would be fun to incorporate our newfound knowledge into a craft project for the kids. Nothing like spiders to help get us into the Halloween spirit!

Last week, Michaels was having a special on t-shirts--5 shirts for $10--so I picked up the shirts, neon-orange fabric paint, eyeballs, fabric glue, and 3 treat-sized black bags.

We used a foam paintbrush to coat their palms and four fingers, leaving their thumbs unpainted and then stamped each hand to make the spiders. When the paint was dry, we added eyeballs. Max gave his spiders 8 eyeballs each; our other spiders sported multiple eyes as well.

The kids had a blast getting their hands painted orange and making spider prints all over the shirts...and they can't wait to wear them!

Fieldtrip to Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, CA

2009-09-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today we went on a fieldtrip to Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, CA with other homeschoolers from the San Francisco Bay Area. Our East Bay Regional Park District naturalist, Tara Turtle, facilitated our awesome Bay Discovery adventure!

First, Tara used a felt board to introduce us to the bay creatures we might see and discussed the food chain--the kids learned that the ecosystem of the bay is dependent on several basics--sunshine, water, air, and soil.

We discovered that the bay is a home to leopard sharks, fish, barnacles, crabs, plankton, worms, sea lettuce, eel grass, clams, snails, snowy egrets, terns, moon jellyfish, and many other creatures.

Then, we were able to view previously collected specimens (a crab and clam) from the estuary, in magnifier viewing containers.

Next, the kids paired up and received a plastic bucket and viewing container to share with their partner on our specimen-hunting expedition.

We headed out to the rocks, mud, sand, and water to find snails, barnacles, worms, jellyfish, and crabs.

We even found a small dead octopus, which Miss Turtle said do not typically inhabit the bay!

On the way back, we collected trash from the beach area and deposited it in the trash receptacle at the park.

On our trip, were able to discover the wild animals and plants who call the San Francisco Bay Estuary home through hands on activities, guided discovery and exploration along the shoreline. We also discussed how this habitat is connected to our lives and our role in protecting and caring for this important space. Thanks EBRPD!

Out and About with CAVA

2009-09-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today we went to a CAVA teacher-organized outing to Great Jump in Milpitas. For our $9 entry fee, we each got to jump for 2 hours (mom included). There were two trampoline courts available--one for free jumping and the other for dodgeball. The kids were ecstatic--they hopped, skipped, flipped, chased, and bounced with other homeschoolers all afternoon! I would actually have more photos of the fun if I hadn't been jumping right alongside them. Madeline was the star on the dodgeball court since everyone felt bad about throwing a ball at such a little girl, that she just bounced up and down on the trampoline and seemed to avoid most of the efforts to tag her out! Overall, we had a great time jumping and plan to go back in the future with our friends and family in tow!

Boys Will Be Boys...

2009-09-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

The scene...
The damage...
The weapons...
The suspect...

While busy making dinner last night in the kitchen, I heard a chopping sound coming from the backyard. Thinking Max was probably just trimming the bushes for me, I thought nothing of it. Then, this morning, when I looked out the back window, I took note of a quite extensive trim job to the large-leaf, tropical plant growing along our fence. On the positive side, that plant does grow quickly, so it will be back to its normal jungle status in no time. I wonder if Max will have a future career as a landscape architect? Only if he can use a double-edged sword and scimitar as his pruning tools!

Back to School

2009-09-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

As of today, we are officially four weeks into our 2009-2010 homeschooling year! After spending two years homeschooling through Connecting Waters Charter School with Natalie, we decided to try something new. Max is now in Kindergarten and Natalie is completing second grade through a virtual public charter school called CAVA (California Virtual Academy) that uses the K12 curriculum....and so far, so good!

The lessons are engaging, the kids are excited about learning, the program successfully employs technology in reinforcing concepts, and, best of all, I don't have to spend countless hours selecting and ordering curriculum, lesson planning, and scheduling our learning. Much of the administrative tasks are handled virtually through the CAVA website. The curriculum provides multiple opportunities to connect with the content through visual, audial, kinesthetic, musical, mathematical-logical, and naturalistic learning modes.

The most difficult thing about starting a new program has been getting the kids into more of a regimented schedule. After having had so much freedom with their time during their early years, it has been a struggle to spend several hours completing "schoolwork," however, we are trying hard to complete our required work before noon so that we have afternoons and evenings free to read, play, and explore individual interests.

Two weeks into the curriculum, we switched to block-scheduling so that we can devote more time to a given subject for one day each week. We continue to do language arts and math daily, but now have history Mondays, science Tuesdays, art Wednesdays, language Thursdays, and music Fridays. With block-scheduling, we still have time for weekly fieldtrips, library visits, park days, nature hikes, art lessons, 4-H, Cub Scouts, music lessons, church activities, community service projects, and Victory Sports League. Our lives are rich with stimulating educational and social activities that contribute in the character development of each of our unique family members!

This year, Natalie is taking a Spanish language course provided by PowerSpeak. She has enjoyed creating an avatar and earning virtual dollars when she completes her lessons. She can then use her earnings to purchase clothing and hairstyles for her avatar. Natalie uses a headset to record pronunciations of rehearsed vocabulary which is then graded by a real person who responds to her assignments.

Max's favorite subject is math, however he claims he loves all of his subjects. So far he has traveled to Australia and Spain in history, explored the five senses in science, studied portraiture in art, read several wonderful fairy tales and poems, and has been singing up a storm.

Although not enrolled in the CAVA music curriculum, Natalie's favorite subject is music. Aunt Krissy comes over once a week to teach Natalie piano, and Madeline and Max join in to learn about rhythm, beat, and other introductory musical concepts. All three delight in music...and their cheerful aunt!

While Natalie and Max are busy working, Madeline runs wild in the backyard, plays with the animals, performs gymnastics on the swing set, and schemes in her playhouse. When she gets tired of the outdoors, she comes inside to do puzzles, clay, paints, computer games, or join in on the science experiments. She is a patient child who delights when her older siblings are available to play with her. We joke that Madeline is 3 going on 13 as she seems so mature for her age and insists on playing with the big kids, not the "babies."

It will be rewarding to see how much the kids grow and develop this year--we are grateful that I am able to stay at home with our children and offer them a rich and varied education from our home.

Fieldtrip to Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley, CA

2009-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

Today we visited Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley for a Wildlife Interactive Hike on spiders!

First, our East Bay Regional Park District naturalist provided a short orientation on the basic characteristics of spiders--8 legs, up to 8 eyes, 2 body parts, and spinnerets. Together, we made mini-booklets to guide us in identifying webs from the most common spiders of the Tilden Nature Area.

Next, she illustrated how a Pie Spider would spin its web and provided us with interesting information about the spinning and hunting habits of each type of spider.

Then, we headed outside with spray bottles in hand so we could mist the webs and see their construction patterns better.

As we hiked around the Visitor's Center, we found webs from Orb Weavers, Pie Spiders, Garbage Web Spiders, Labrynthian Spiders, Sheet Web Spiders, Funnel Web Spiders, and Halo Web Spiders. We even spotted several live spiders perched in their webs.

The kids have always been fascinated with spiders and now they are even more aware of these phenomenal creatures and their role in catching pesky insects. Thanks EBRPD!

Condo for Rent: $1595 per month

2009-03-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

$1,595 per month
Deposit of $1800
Available May 1st, 2009

This lovely condo features:

2 Large Bedrooms
1 Bathroom with vanity and shower/bath
789 square feet
Ground floor location in the quiet rear corner of the complex
Easy-care Pergo flooring
Fenced, covered patio area with storage shed
Inside laundry area with washer and dryer, counter, cupboards, and tile flooring
Kitchen complete with refrigerator/freezer, range, microwave
Wall A/C unit and floorboard heating.
Window coverings on all windows
Includes water and garbage
Carpeting in bedrooms
Pets allowed with certain limitations
Maximum of 4 tenants
1 covered carport with plenty of additional visitor parking.
Community includes walking paths, laundry facility, playground, clubhouse, swimming pool, wading pool, and hot tub
Fantastic location! Easy access to Hwy 84, 680, 880, 228. Walking distance to BART, Raley’s, Panera, Pete’s Coffee, Starbucks, Curves gym, Lake Elizabeth, Chipotle, Casa Robles Mexican Restaurant and the Alameda County Library Fremont Main branch
Local landlord and property owner
Schools: Vallejo-Mill Elementary, Centerville Junior High, Washington High School
Great neighbors!

Please call 510-299-2586 or e-mail janinemweston@yahoo.com with questions.

Christmas Books

2008-12-28T17:31:00.001-08:00

Each December we open our box of Christmas decorations to delight in finding our collection of Christmas books. I wrap them all and each day the kids get to open one of the books to read. The focus of many of the books is the story of the birth of Christ as well as books that portray the service oriented spirit of Christ during the holiday season. Our favorites this year have been:

A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett

The Christmas Story by Carol Heyer

Counting to Christmas by Nancy Tafuri

The Christmas Day Kitten by James Harriot

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell

Can You See What I See?: The Night Before Christmas by Walter Wick

The spirit of Christ this Christmas

2008-12-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

Getting up to the Oakland temple with the family is a wonderful opportunity to focus on the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year, Abe's sister Wendi and her husband, Brian joined us to see the Christmas lights and tour the visitor's center. We were able to view a presentation on families and see an exhibit of a wonderful bronze collection by talented sculptor, Angela Johnson. Amazing!

All I want for Christmas...

2008-12-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

Santa came to our annual ward Christmas party and asked the kids what they wanted this year.

Natalie, completely at ease with Santa, went first. Being an arts and crafts fan, this year she is asking Santa for an Easy Bake Oven, "Green Art" set, a potter's wheel, and a gift card to Michael's or Target.

Max hasn't been particularly comfortable with Santa ever since his first Christmas, so we didn't get a picture with Santa, but he is requesting a jackhammer, power saw, Star Wars Helmet, marshmallow gun or bow & arrow, and a gift card to Target.

Madeline is obsessed with being a "mommy," cooking, and shopping. She asked Santa for a present and he told her he thought he could find her a couple of those. She would also love a baby doll, wooden play food, shopping cart, and a gift card to Target.

Janine is also giving the kids a nice selection of new books and games to play as a family. As always, the children are perfectly happy with the toys they already have and just love the company of their friends and family at Christmas time.

Thank you, Santa!

Holiday Letter 2008

2008-12-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Family,

Ahhh. 2008 is quickly coming to an end. If we could sum up this year in one word, it would be homework. Collectively, our family has done more homework this year than ever before!

Abe has been immersed in various calculus and statistics courses as he makes progress toward a master's in statistics at Cal State East Bay with a future graduation date of June 2010. Abe continues his employment at Checkpoint where he can creatively incorporate statistical concepts he learns at school. He runs several days per week, does yoga, and walks with his family on the weekends to stay fit. He delights in listening to fine literature on audiobooks and watching movies that stimulate the mind. On top of it all, Abe finds time to help around the house by washing the dishes and doing the laundry.

Janine is only one semester away from completing her Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State and has spent countless hours at the computer reading, writing, and creating projects for school. Janine is still sitting at the computer doing homework, NOT cleaning the house, walking the dogs, serving as Webelos Cub Scout Den Leader for the Central Park Ward, volunteering at the Fremont Main Library as a Baby Bounce leader, working part-time for her business, Weston Photography, caring for her children, cooking healthy meals, and exercising at Curves. She is also very tired.

Natalie (age 6.9) diligently pushes through her Saxon math curriculum, reads for hours each day, writes in her journal, and continually engages herself in many artistic endeavors. Natalie is homeschooling again for first grade through Connecting Waters Charter School and has joined the Bayside 4-H Club as a primary member. This year, she is in the Primaries and Beading/Jewelry Making projects. Creative and careful, she has made several bracelets and necklaces with beautiful colors and patterns. Natalie enjoys cooking, playing Polly Pockets, interacting with her puppy, Sam, meeting friends at the park, and visiting the library.

Max (age 4.75), the future engineer, is always building, building, building with Legos, Tinker Toys, Magnetix, blocks, Playdough, mud, and anything else he can get his hands on. Max is also a musical guy, and can be found clapping, tapping, and bee-bopping to the beat whenever a song comes on. All three kids attend class at Country Kids two days per week where they do crafts, make snacks, care for the chickens, play with friends, climb trees, build forts, and run around crazy on Miss Lisa's quarter acre backyard--Max appreciates his time there most of all! Max and Natalie also took some science and math classes at Math Science Nucleus where they experimented with magnets, shape sorting, fossils, and measurement. Their favorite part of class was visiting the gift shop so they could purchase rocks and minerals for their growing collection.

Madeline (age 2.5) spends her busy days writing, coloring, painting, and gluing--usually her medium of choice ends up all over her in the process, but she has lots of fun becoming one with her artwork! Madeline loves to play "mommy" as she carries her baby dolls around in her shirt (so she can nurse them on the go), pushes them in a stroller, and feeds them plastic foods. She is very independent and is constantly telling us she wants to do things herself. In an effort to free up space in the kids' room, we moved Madeline to a "big girl bed" only to find her at 4am curled up with Rosie (our Labrador) in her dog bed in the living room--she just adores her furry friends! Needless to say, we are postponing that move a little longer!

Been There, Done That in 2008
Here are a few of the shows we've seen, places we've visited, and exhibits we have attended over the past year:

Marine World USA in Vallejo

Pier 39 in San Francisco

Honk the Musical in Fremont

Gladys Knight concert in Fremont

Kids Discovery Museum in San Jose

Body Worlds @ Tech Museum in San Jose

Into the Woods in Stockton

Touch-a-Truck in Thousand Oaks

Blueberry picking in Somis

Serena's wedding in Sacramento

Niles Dog Show in Fremont

Lake Chabot in San Leandro

Jet Pack Demo @ Hiller Aviation Museum in Redwood City

Spookey Slough @ Don Edwards Park in Alviso

Llama Day Hike @ Redwood Regional Park in Oakland

Disney on Ice in Oakland

Plaza Suite the play @ Mission San Jose High School in Fremont

Thanksgiving with family in Shell Beach

Children's Museum in San Luis Obispo

Nutcracker @ Ohlone College in Fremont

LDS Temple lights in Oakland

Christmas with family in Tracy

Walking with Dinosaurs @ HP Pavillion in San Jose

All in all, our family is blessed to be happy, healthy, and well-educated.

We wish you the best for you and yours in 2009,

The Weston Family: Abe, Janine, Natalie, Max, & Madeline

(Also pictured: Uncle Brian, Grandma Laurie, Grandpa Dana, & Grandpa Tim)

Annual Neighborhood Gingerbread Building

2008-12-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

This evening we got together with our neighbors to assemble the traditional gingerbread houses, trees, and men. The kids had a fantastic time spreading frosting, adding embellishments, eating candy, and drinking hot chocolate and tea. We always look forward to spending time together with our friends and family during the Christmas season.

Getting into the Christmas spirit...

2008-12-14T09:14:00.001-08:00

Only two weeks into December and we're finally getting into the Christmas spirit! This year, we ordered an electric stove to add a little winter ambiance to our condo. It has realistic-looking flames and even a heating element to keep us warm on frosty nights. This last week we went to Trader Joe's and picked out a small, foot-tall pine tree in a pot and decorated it with Aunt Les' adorable ornaments and lights. So far, the nutcracker and the snow globe are among the kids favorite toys that they parade around the room. Our growing Christmas book collection is also wildly popular and the kids have been hauling their favorite stories with them wherever they go!

Sam's New Coat

2008-12-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

Not having owned a "little dog" before, we quickly realized that the little guy would need a jacket to keep him warm this winter. Here is Sam modeling his new reversible fleece coat. Of course, the kids just can't get enough of him!

Okay, okay, okay...the blog has begun.

2008-12-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

I know it seems as though the Weston Family is behind the times on the blog thing...but let me tell you--we've been busy! It is not that we are behind the times, it is just that we were making things too difficult on ourselves by maintaining our own website. Janine is not new to the blog concept and you can view her Weston Photography blog at http://www.westonphotography.blogspot.com/. With this new and improved, streamlined process of online publishing, we're adopting the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" philosophy as we ditch our traditional family website (www.janineweston.com/family) and switch over to the wonderful world of blogging. This year, we will be posting our official Christmas newsletter on this very blog, as well as archived letters and photos from years past. They you will be able to subscribe or follow us as we make our journey through life! If you don't already have a blog, we highly recommend it!