My Favorite Animal

My Mom sent this to me today. I love that women.

My Favorite Animal

Our teacher asked us what our favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken."  She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else in the class laughed.

My parents told me to always be truthful and honest, and I am.  Fried chicken is my favorite animal.  I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA.  He said they love animals very much.  

I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef.  Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal’s office. I told him what happened, and he laughed, too.  Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was.  I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, just like she'd asked the other children.  So I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.  She sent me back to the principal’s office again. He laughed, and told me not to do it again.

I don't understand.  My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am.  Today, my teacher asked us to tell her what famous person we admire most.

I told her, "Colonel Sanders."

I Cannot Eat That: Why We Homeschool # 5

A teacher has made the fateful decision
to eat school lunches everyday during 2010.
Her blog and pictures make the adventure come alive.

Her first post states that
"Oftentimes what is served barely passes muster
as something edible."
She has also included pictures of the gourmet meals for our enjoyment,
if not for hers.

Yum, Yum, Yum!

Why We Homeschool #4

I received the following email today from the Education Powers That Be.
The important parts are highlighted in red.
The gist of the whole thing is "NO CLASS PETS"

*The Center for Disease Control has announced an outbreak of human Salmonella associated with water frogs in 31 states including California. Amphibians such as frogs and reptiles such as turtles, are recognized as a source of human Salmonella infections. This outbreak has been associated due to contact with water frogs including African Dwarf Frogs. Water frogs commonly live in aquariums or fish tanks.

It is important for the protection of health and safety of students and staff that Board Policy 400.57 be followed, specific that:

“All animals brought to school must be:

1. In good physical condition;

2. Vaccinated against transmittable diseases;

3. In clean, safe and suitable cages or containers or otherwise appropriately controlled;

4. Accompanied by a statement from a California licensed veterinarian that certifies that the animal is free from all communicable diseases and suitable for children of the age range of the animal’s intended classroom placement (Administrative Regulation 400.57, p. 1) .

In addition the following hygiene practices are recommended to be followed:

• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any amphibian (e.g., frog) or reptile (e.g, turtle), their housing, or anything (for example, food) that comes in contact with them or their housing. Adults should assist young children with hand washing.
• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning habitats.
• Amphibians (e.g., frogs) and reptiles (e.g., turtles) should not be kept in child-care centers.
• Do not allow amphibians or reptiles to roam freely through the classroom, especially in food preparation areas.
• Keep amphibians and reptiles out of kitchens and other areas where food and drink is prepared or served to prevent contamination.
• Habitats and their contents should be carefully cleaned outside of the classroom. Use disposable gloves when cleaning and do not dispose of water in sinks used for food preparation or for obtaining drinking water.
• Do not bathe animals or their habitats in sinks where food is prepared or drinking water is obtained.
• Children aged <5>
• Watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Call your health care provider if you or a family member have any of these symptoms

Additionally, it is strongly advised that water frogs and other amphibians not be allowed at school until this outbreak can be contained.*

This is one of our "classrooms" at home. You will notice the animal "helping" my daughter. This particular cat, Dora, is up to date on her shots, but does not have a statement from a California licensed veterinarian that she is free from communicable diseases. The vet did say that she is over-weight and needs a good teeth brushing.


Here is our backyard. Please notice my son's hand is actually touching(gasp) the chick. Again no vet cert is available upon request.
Come on, live a little.

Not So Common

Why We Homeschool #3


We received my daughter's God's World News a few days ago. Yes, I know that it is for "Grades 4-5", but there are always interesting stories in it. One caught my eye, "Kicked Out". It describes how two children, one in Newark and the other in Delaware were suspended for bringing knives to school.

The first, a six year old, had joined the Cub Scouts and was wanting to try out his new tool at lunch, a folding knife with a fork and spoon. His sentence; 45 days of reform school. (Read the NY Times report)

The second was an eleven year old girl who brought a cake for her class and (gasp) a knife to cut it with. The teacher used the knife to cut the cake and then reported the girl to the office for bringing the knife to school. The State Police were even notified.(Read the NBC Chicago report)

At the end of the World News Article it stated that a Representative from Delaware's 23rd District introduced a bill to "allow school officials to use"... wait for it...


"common sense in such situations."


Really! We now need a law to use common sense. This is another reason why we homeschool.

Why We Homeschool, Part 2

The lovely daughter and I went to a Daddy/Daughter Dance with

our Church.

Here we are before leaving home.

She smiled and talked all night long.

On the way home we listened to the Christian Music Station.

The song was playing, "...there will be a day with no more fears,

no more tears...",

my daughter interrupted with, "Not for everyone, dad."

I asked her what she meant and she went on to explain that for many people they would not be with God in heaven, they would be in hell.

Then the conversation moved to the importance of spreading the

Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.

This is why we homeschool.

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ...that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them... loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, Deuteronomy 11:18-22

Why We Homeschool

My kids are not perfect. My parents kids are not perfect. I am not naming names, I am just stating the facts.

With these facts now stated I wish to begin a series of posts dedicated to why my wife and I homeschool our not perfect children.

At the start of each new school year, millions of parents take their little darlings to a strange place and leave them with a complete stranger ("Don't talk to strangers").

Each August, I watch as they press their crying faces up against the chain link face. Each sob punctuates the plea, "Don't leave me, come back". Their children wave hesitantly and the poor dejected parents leave for their homes and jobs, wondering if everything will be all right. Often it plays in reverse. The children are begging and the parents are telling their kids to "toughen up."

It plays out the same way each day. Eventually, with few exceptions, the tears taper off as both child and parent become hardened to the "way it is".

But we are the "weird" family on the block. We don't like the "way it is." So it plays out a little differently at our house. I cling and cry, "Don't make me go. Don't make me go." as my family leaves me at school everyday with 20 first graders. My kids look at me and say, "Toughen up, Dad." We'll see you later. We are going to go learn with Mommy.