Nerd Family

Bethlehem Rhapsody

2009-11-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

Found this over at a friend's blog (Living Vessel) and thought it was great! Of course I love the original song too so that helps;). I think this is something that the worship group and choir at my church could do really well! (Patmo, Alan I am talking to you 2;)

Junk Food Worse than Heroin?

2009-11-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

Scripps Research Institute has come out with a study that looks at the addictive nature of junk food. Apparently these rats were so addicted that they were willing to take a shock in order to get the beloved junk food. They are trying to prove that the junk food is just as bad as drugs.

As a fat girl I don't know what all to think. On one hand I can totally agree because I don't know why my logic doesn't control my intake better. But on the other hand I can't say that I really cut a lot of slack for addicts so why should I be able to use it as an excuse because if you have a problem you should get help. The one thing that I get out of it that makes me feel better is that changing food choices is hard. Not due to my weak will but it really is hard.

So what do you think? Is the fact it may be addictive give us an excuse? Should junk food be illegal like the drugs? What?

(HT: Grist)

Tackle It Tuesday: Birthday Cards

2009-11-02T21:35:00.001-08:00

Years ago I had purchased a cheap package of birthday cards from Currents. Then I got into rubber stamping (a little). So I planned that when all those cards were used up I wouldn't buy any more but make them. Well, I finally ran out of birthday cards but hadn't gotten around to making any. I was buying them 1 at a time until I could get around it.

So here they are! They aren't anything fancy but they are handmade. The flower and leaves are 1 stamp and the butterfly is another. I stamped them in brown on an ivory piece and then colored them in. Then I just stamped Happy Birthday inside!

I do have to say that I finally believe that these stamps can start being cost efficient!

So that is my Tackle It Tuesday!

For Today (11/2) from NerdMom's Daybook

2009-11-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

Outside my window the sun is shining brightly.
I am thinking of the approaching holidays and all I really need to do for them.
I am thankful for the wonderful weather and my great family.
From the learning rooms we are doing some Kinderbach, math and Bible Study
From the kitchen I am hoping to get a few loaves of banana bread made.
I am wearing capris and a 3/4 sleeve knit top.
I am creating hopefully some birthday cards.
I am going no where today!!!
I am hoping that I start feeling better today.
I am hearing the Waiting's Wonderfully Made and Zoe Girl;s Good Girl in a mixed CD
Around the house I need to clean my laptop table!
A few plans for the rest of the week: MOPS tomorrow and Bible Study this week.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing

For more Daybooks go over to the Simple Woman's Daybook

Aloha Friday

2009-10-30T07:48:00.001-07:00

It is time for a little Aloha Friday! The game is that I ask a simple little question and then you just answer in the comments!

Are you taking the kids to a Halloween event (or Trick or Treating) and if so, are you dressing up too?

Wordless Wednesday: What is to come!

2009-10-28T08:54:00.001-07:00

This is my 4 year old's costume. I think it is pretty clear but is it? What do you think he is going to be? (And those of you who already knew hush!)

WFMW: How to Manage the Blog Reading

2009-10-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

I always get asked how I keep up on blog reading. Well the actual questions sound more like, "Where do find the time to be on the computer". It is all about using the free tools out there. Primarily a blog reader. One of the biggest pluses is that you no longer have to actually go to each blog you are interested in to check and see if they have a new post. The reader usually tells you how many new posts there are and you can even save any posts you want to hold on to!

There are a ton to choose from, I like Google, but they are all about the same. You create an account and then just add all your subscriptions to it. Then you can organize the blogs into groups. For example I have a folder that holds all the blogs of my MOPS girls. That way if any of them post I can tell immediately. I can also click on the folder to see each person's blog listed separately. This really helps me prioritize my blog reading. I have folders for politics, crafts and politics. Then if I don't have time I can just pick and choose.

So how do you manage all your blog reading material?

Tackle It Tuesday: Pantry Clear Out!

2009-10-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

You know those things you never get around to? You know, the ones that drive you crazy but you just don't seem to make time for? My pantry is one of those things. Well, Sunday while I was running a couple of errands NerdDad started clearing it out. I finally finished it Monday afternoon;). It is amazing the amount of junk I have in that pantry. The blue bins hold baking. decorating and freezer packaging for food. Then there is all the food, oy! I was amazed how much I actually had to throw out. I have been very convicted to cook out of my pantry and freezer for the next few weeks/months (my freezer is just as bad;).

But at least for today I will feel good that the pantry is finally done. I will feel guilty about the rest tomorrow!

Go check out some more projects at Tackle It Tuesday!

A Little Science Fun!

2009-10-25T22:36:00.000-07:00

This was cool and easily do able! I think we will have to do this experiment soon with the kids. Ahhh, the fun of homeschooling. Get to play with toys and call it school!

Things I Miss by Not Working;)

2009-10-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

This is cute. I can tell I am really missing out by staying home;). NerdDad shares an office. I wonder if they have ever thought about trying to do something like this;)? I doubt it;).

Wordless Wednesday: Fair Memory

2009-10-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

These are the tickets I won for tonight's concert. We didn't get to use them. We also had matching tickets to the fair, which we used. It was raining so hard they called off the concert. But they didn't call it off until NerdDad and I had been at the fair for a few hours, in the flooding rain;). That is the $3 ring I picked up in the gem and mineral display. After the concert was called off we went to dinner and saw Surrogates in the theater (which we rarely ever do).

I will keep both of these forever but not really for all the fun (though I had fun;). But to remind how wonderful my husband is. My husband doesn't really care for either fairs nor concerts. And that is in the best of weather;). But he went with me because he loves me. He also got soaked because he loves me;). And walked around for a couple of hours because he loves me.

I love him too!

Carnival of Homeschooling: Welcome to the NerdFamily House!

2009-10-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Welcome to the NerdFamily House! We are having our first rain of the season out here so I hope you didn't get to wet. Come on in, let me take your jackets and bags. Make yourself at home!

Before we get into anything just a quick a reminder for all those in California. It is once again time for affidavits!! If you file a PSA you only have until October 15th to get over and fill that out online!!

You can grab a cup of coffee or a soda and go join in on the education conversations around the kitchen table. Beverly at Beverly’s Homeschooling Blog (About.com) is talking about Why we love the Charlotte Mason Method. Successful Homeschooling talks about The Hidden Joy of Rote Memorization that is found in classical homeschooling. Special Needs Homeschooling talks about Sexual Education for the Mentally Disabled. They look at both how to educate and how to protect the mentally disabled in the arena of sex. Bur Bur & Friends:Community Park has Resources for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Minds in Bloom offers questions that parents can ask children to encourage them to think creatively and critically about their work in 8 Questions to Ask Children about their Art Work. The Curriculum Choice looks at Latin for Children vs Latina Christina.

There are some great people over by the piano talking music education. Diamonds in the Rough shares with us a source for Free Sheet Music. Texas Homeschooler asks us about thePurpose for Music.

At the white board there is a little math talk going on. The Homeschooling Physicist has given us Math Interlude: Homeschool Math by Rotating Wheat Thins Boxes. You gotta check it out!Lesson Pathways Blog talks to us about Using On-Line Math Resources.

Over at the writing desk we have some interesting lessons. SmallWorld gives us a creative writing lesson with SmallWorld's WordSmithery Week 7: Writing About the Weather. Then Across the Page gives us Curriculum spotlight: Writing with Ease. Under the Golden Apple Tree offers Spelling Helps for the Spelling Challenged Student.

The kids can go over to the kitchen island where the kids can go their hands dirty for education! Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers goes through step-by-step: Making a Paper Mache Map. The Informed Parent has some great ideas for Costumes for all the upcoming festivities. Quiverfull Family is sharing their Creative Cooking that got them their Jello cell. It is an awfully cool idea!

Check out over by the bookshelves. The Mommy Earth has a book review: The Walrus Warning and the Smithsonian Oceanic Collection. Over at NerdFamily Things I have a litst of books that seemed to help Reading and Learning While Little.

Over on the couches we are having some interesting conversations on the politic of schooling and other profundities. Barbara Frank Online has One Dirty Little Secret about College, I am sure there are more but this one really causes you to think. Home Education Today asks us, "Is my child missing out on the high school experience?" The Thinking Mother tell us about how She Worked Outside the Home for 1 Week and what spoke to her about it. Corn and Oil gives us “Taking Away the Youth”- Perspective of an Illini Graduate Student (homeschooler). It is a poignant piece that talks about the political pushing towards more institutional school time. They wonder what we're doing to our children and how this will affect homeschoolers. Save Money Homeschooling wants to know if (Is) the Recession Increasing Or Decreasing the Number of Homeschoolers? No Fighting No Biting wants to know is More School Better? Mommy's Life reminds us that You CAN Teach Your Kids! She shares her response to 3 common things that are said to her about homeschooling.

Make sure you stop by the tv for a little entertainment. It is hooked up to the laptop (yes, this is the NerdFamily House) for a little entertainment. Why Homeschool asks, "Are you a homeschooler or homeschooled?" It is a hilarious video that Janine found. You have to see it! Speaking of entertainment, Notes From a Homeschooling Mom shares with us a Homeschool must see: Little House on the Prarie, the Musical. Unfortunately it isn't coming to California but I would love to see it!

Looking out the back window and out into the world are some great field trip posts. Percival Blakeney Academy talks about Rice Harvesting they got to go participate in. Practical Homeschooling gives us 40 Free Field Trip Ideas.

Just for fun....Chocolate Kids claims Healthy Chocolate Turns My Son Into 10 Year Old Maths Genius!

I love having you all over and look forward to doing it again. Make sure you get all your coats and bags and try to stay dry out there!

So this was fun, right?!?! So show your love by tweet, digging, blogging and anything else you can do to promote out carnival! Go check out all the awesome articles and comment so the authors know that they are valued! Make sure that you send in your articles for next week's carnival at BlogCarnival. Next week it will be held at No Fighting No Biting.

Magic Marker Monday: Day 2

2009-10-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Day 2: God made sky and water.

Magic Marker Monday: Awana Art

2009-10-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

Aren't these cute? The NerdPud decorated the leaf for her Puggles group. Nerdling decorated the butterfly for Cubbies.

A Little Plane Art

2009-09-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

In case you can't read the Scripture site, it is Isaiah 40:31. But aren't they super cute? The Nerdling and the NerdPud did these last week during my Bible Study!

Sweet Art!

2009-09-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

My sweet friends surprised me with a little party and a dim sum dinner! When I got home I had this wonderful surprise waiting for from my hubby and kids. Isn't is great? And yes, those are Starbucks cards in the heart!

Magic Marker Monday: Sticker Fun

2009-09-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

It is so cute how excited the kids get from a sheet of stickers and a blank piece of paper. It is great to see the joy!

The Education of Jon Stewart and America (We Hope)

2009-09-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is a great piece. Partly because it is just a hilariously true story about the shenanigans that Acorn pulls and partly because it is fun watching Jon Stewart's eyes being opened. Jon Stewart does say a couple of bad words but they are completely bleeped. I laughed so hard about the whole situation that I teared up a bit.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Healthcare Protests

Apparently Acorn claims the tapes have been altered but they have fired every employee in them.

Carnival of Homeschooling is Up!

2009-09-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Carnival of Homeschooling is up over at Dewey's Treehouse! It is adorable with lots of great resources so go check it out!

Magic Marker Monday: Birthday Wishes

2009-09-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

Isn't this adorable? A letter A and P fell off but Nerdling made this for NerdDad's birthday this past Saturday. I love the innocent creativity that kids are willing to express! I hope we always treasure it!

Wordless Wednesday: A Moment for Beauty

2009-09-08T21:35:00.000-07:00

I thought we could all use a little beauty today!

Metal Velcro

2009-09-07T21:32:00.001-07:00

Awesome isn't it? There really is metal velcro or, without the trademark term, hook and loop fastener. It is so cool! From the press release:

Hook and loop fasteners made of spring steel have now been developed at the Institute of Metal Forming and Casting of the Technische Universitaet Muenchen. These fasteners are resistant to chemicals and can withstand a tensile load of up to 35 tonnes per square meter at temperatures as high as 800°C.

This is so cool! I love watching materials innovation. In the article it says that they were looking for automotive innovations and uses in construction. How neat!

(HT: Next Big Future)

Magic Marker Monday: Pig Art

2009-09-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

This is the master piece was made by the Nerdling while I was at MOPs this week. I said how I liked the paint and he said, "Mom, that is dirt". Then I asked if he got any on him (knowing full well it was paint and my kids are messy;) and he said no. So I asked if they gave him a wipe and he said, "No Mom, I washed up with water". Like it was a new thing or something. He's a kick!

(Part of Magic Marker Monday)

The Arts and Your Heart

2009-09-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

I am on a big performing arts kick right now. I am percolating on a blog piece (if I get time to think again;) but until then this piece should touch your heart. Tice Diorio choreographed this piece for a friend of his with breast cancer. Melissa's ballerina body paired with Ade's strength really helped to bring this piece into focus for me and always brings a tear to my. But that is why I love dance. It moves you be it to joy or pain. So watch this (full screen if you can) and let me know if it affects you at all!

Where is the NerdMom

2009-08-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been so absent lately. I went back up to Stanford last week for another procedure. That makes 4 since April. So in the wake of that chaos and all the things I have to do to prep for the fall, specifically for MOPs, the blogs have suffered. Between the pain meds and the feeling icky, sometimes my thought process isn't conducive to actually writing anything but I am slowly getting back so stay tuned for more postings. NerdDad has marked over 250 things in the Google Reader and I am sure some of them will rock and make it to the blog;).