"...these are a few of my favorite things."

Black pumps might be the one shoe I couldn't live without.

A big glass of ice cold milk.

1979 Mercedes Benz 450 slc. (I owned this car when I was 17, I will own it again some day.)

Cupcakes are good, any day of the week.

Black and white pictures.

Peaceful roads lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

A simple, organized room with fun decor and colors.

A medium-rare ribeye steak seasoned with a little salt and pepper.

We're hanging on....

To Summer, that is! I know, most people love fall. I too enjoy it. However, here in Western Washington, fall means rain and thought I love the rain while in the house, sipping hot cocoa and reading a good book, I don't get to do that very often. So, I'm rejoicing in the fact that it's nearly 90 degrees outside today and we are going to enjoy every last minute of this sunshine!

We love the zoo!

I bought a membership to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this spring and it has been well worth the investment. We go about once a month and every time we have fun and get to see something new and exciting.

Earlier this week the girls and I decided to go and it was the perfect day. When we got there at opening time (9:30 am) there was literally only one other car there. The zoo was empty and the animals were active. We also got to get up close to the walruses who were being fed and cleaned (teeth brushed, etc.). There is one particular female walrus who is trained to do all sorts of tricks that we got to witness. Let's see, she nods yes and no, she waves, she rolls over, she gets in the water with a big splash (which we got a little wet from) or she can get in the water very calmly without any splash at all, she makes funny noises and does many more tricks that I don't know how to title. Pear loved every minute of it.

As usual, we left in the morning and were home in time for lunch. I hope to continue taking trips to the zoo as it's fun and educational. If your kids enjoy animals and you live within a reasonable distance from the zoo, I would encourage you to get a membership and become a regular. It's quite fun.

a baby...

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
Author Unknown

With this in mind, we are adding to the number of little blessings we have running around in our home. Little baby Backholm #3 should arrive in early May 2010. We are thrilled and can't wait to see what this next one looks like, how he/she smiles and laughs and all of the other little things that come when having a baby.

Thank you God for this blessing.

Jersey Boys

I don't know if I've just been out of the loop but the Jersey Boys have been performing the songs and story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons around the world and wow! What entertainment and true talent. I would love to see this on Broadway.

a home education and social deprivation

It seems that one of the biggest problems people have with homeschooling is the whole "socially deprived" idea. Yes. I agree, that can be a problem. So how do you prevent social deprivation from kids that spend the day at home with no peers other than their siblings? You participate in the world around you! When there is a community project, go as a family and participate; pick up trash with the community, throw a neighborhood BBQ, go to the park and encourage your kids to be friendly, play sports with other families or friends. This is just the beginning. There are so many ways to introduce your kids to the world and prepare them to venture out on their own. You see, I think that teaching my kids from the home will provide so many more opportunities to be a part of our community. We won't be tied to certain hours of the day being at school or homework at night. We will have our own schedule and routine and be able to jump on more opportunities around us because of that.

I think that parents can communicate with their kids things that are going on in the world; over sheltering can be a huge disadvantage to the child and we have to be sure to keep that balance in check. I also disagree with the thought that a grade-school or high-school is a good environment to introduce my children to the world. Why would I want my kids to be in an environment that my child is influenced by kids with little parental guidance, very little mature discussion and very much immature talk of all sorts of trash? In my opinion, placing kids in school with the intentions of it being a place to learn of the world is like teaching a kid how to play catch by throwing a ball at their face. Sure, they will learn, they'll catch on, but at what price? Does it not seem more logical for them to learn of the world under my supervision and guidance. Should I not be the one to explain the dangers and effects of drugs. Should I not be the one to explain the purpose of sex? Even if your children are in public school, you can be the one to talk to them of certain things but who knows what else they are hearing or at what age.

Another thing I consider when thinking of my children's social skills is that I want them to learn to communicate with all ages. I want them to be comfortable discussing with and entertaining infants, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. I want to prepare my children for college, the workplace and their future spouse and family. I feel that when they are in school and mainly interact with kids only their own age it puts them at a disadvantage for this. So, what is my plan? James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. I hope to help my children keep themselves unstained by the world, yet prepare them to live life on their own. I hope to teach them what is going on in the world around them without pushing them into an environment that makes the said task extremely hard for a child who isn't yet mature enough to face such an environment. We will serve together, talk together, play together, eat together and learn TOGETHER.

I want to end with this: Home schooling children and teenagers is not for everyone. If you are not passionate about it and or ready to take the selfless commitment of time and energy, I don't recommend it. Your kids may stumble, they may have to go through the boring classes in high-school and forget half of what they learned but they'll make it and you can still be a big part of their lives and education. However, if you are willing, your kids will reap the benefits of a home education.

adorable giveaways...

I don't like to post too many links to giveaways and normally I don't have the time to find the giveaways nor to post about them but I just stumbled across some of the cutest things. So here are the links:
Teachers Pet Cardi, Simple Tee and Poppy Skirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Poppy Boutonniere Tutorial and GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!