Bed in Summer

When I was reading From Anna by Jean Little, (a must read for all teachers and homeschoolers), I read an excerpt of a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson that I thought was lovely.  Robert Louis Stevenson is the author of Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. (neither of which I've read...).  Here's the poem in full:


Bed in Summer

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

Robert Louis Stevenson
        1850-1894

I love the return of warmer weather and longer days, but have to admit I've put my kids to bed too late on more than one occasion because I've been paying attention to the sun and not the clock!

Plugged-In Parenting: How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids with Love, Not War

Plugged-in Parenting: How to Raise Media-Savy Kids with Love, Not War, by Bob Waliszewski is a worthwhile read for anyone with children.  Even if you think it's "too late" for your kids -- there is still advice in this book relevant to you and your family.

The book states: "I would suggest that until our children hate poison, they're likely to fall victim to it."  If we turn a blind eye to the influence that media can have on our children and don't equip them with the skills of discernment, the inevitable outcome is that our children fall victim to the "poison".

We need to teach our children discernment between positive, neutral and objectionable media.  Objectionable media "promotes pride, selfishness, immorality, rebellion, greed and drug use -- often portraying these behaviors as glamorous, fun, and beneficial."  Isn't this typical of most mainstream entertainment these days?

I tell my kids that you can't unsee something once you've seen it.  I tell them: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things."  Phillipians 4:8.  This is what we try to model our entertainment choices on.

When I was 12 I went to a sleepover birthday party for a Christian friend and a horror movie was one of the movies shown.  As soon as I realized it was a horror (can't unsee that scene!), I asked two friends if they wanted to leave with me.  Both of them said no.  To this day, the one friend says she has nightmares and wishes she would have left with me when I asked her to.  It was lonely and boring sitting in another room flipping through magazines by myself during the party, but I've never regretted that decision.

I wish I could say I showed that same restraint as I got older, but there has been a movie or two I wish I could unsee.

As parents we need to be aware of what our children are seeing, listening to and playing -- in our home and in the homes of their friends where it's harder to supervise the influence media has on them.

For parents who want to make informed decisions about what their kids are exposed to, check out reviews on movies, tv, video, music and games at Plugged In.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book through Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

~ Chelsey ~

Books I've Read in 2013

I love reading books meant for all ages.  Any book with stars by it is one I'd consider reading again in the future (or would consider having my kids read in the future) so presumably you (or your kids) might like it too.  If you've read (or wondered about) any of these books feel free to comment -- I'd love to chat with you...  Oh and if you love a book I don't (or vice versa), we can still be friends.

A Separate Peace, John Knowles
This novel is set during World War II and tells the story of Gene and his best friend, Finny.    Themes include jealousy, guilt, and war and its effect on individuals.  There are some thought provoking parts to the book, but it was also slow moving.  Aimed at teens. 

From Anna, Jean Little
Anna, known as "Awkward Anna" to her siblings, moves from Germany to Canada with her family in the 1930's.  Themes include: being compared, fitting in, making friends, learning a new language.  This book was hard to get into, but I really appreciated the self-fulfilling prophecy angle.  Aimed at pre-teens, but should be mandatory reading for all teachers. 

A Taste of Heaven, Meg Tilly
Madison welcomes the new girl to grade 5, Alyssa, and the two become fast friends.  Topics include: judging others, keeping a secret and loyalty.  A nice read.  Aimed at pre-teens.

Ivy in the Shadows, Chris Woodworth
Ivy is a young girl whose step father has just left the family.  Ivy deals with issues such as judging others, friends growing apart, financial troubles and babysitting a younger sibling.   Aimed at pre-teens.

When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead
A mystery with a dose of science fiction.  The story was a bit hard to follow in my opinion.  Themes include: friendship and judging others.  Aimed at pre-teens.

The View from Saturday, E.L. Konigsburg 
This book tells the story of four unlikely friends in the sixth grade.  I found it slow moving, but really appreciated the comment on education now-a-days "Sixth graders had stopped asking "now what?" and had started asking, "So what?"  Aimed at pre-teens.

Sever, The Chemical Garden Trilogy Book 3, Lauren Destefano
Well, the series ended, but so many questions weren't answered or in some cases even asked.  Characters didn't act true to what I knew of them and so much felt rushed.  Aimed at teens, but very mature.

Sparrow Road, Sheila O'Connor
This is a coming of age story about a young girl who finally gets to meet her biological dad.  The story was slow moving, but if you can get past that, it was sweet.  Themes include: forgiving and accepting others, expressing yourself through art.  Aimed at pre-teens.

As Simple as it Seems, Sarah Weeks
This book is a coming of age story about a young girl who finds out that she is adopted and has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  Themes include: self acceptance, making and losing friends and adoption.  Aimed at pre-teens, but has a ghost storyline. 

Fever: The Chemical Garden Trilogy Book 2, Lauren Destefano
While I was interested in the premise of Wither, Book 1 -- Book 2 felt very drawn out to me and the characters lost some of their appeal in the process.  The last 1/4 of the book started to get interesting.  Aimed at teens, but very mature.  

Bud, Not Buddy, Christopher Paul Curtis
Bud is a 10 year old who sets of in search of his birth father after living in foster homes and an orphanage.  Set in Michigan during the Depression.  Newberry award winner.  Aimed at pre-teens.

Because of Mr. Terupt, Rob Buyea
This novel tells the story of Mr. Terupt's grade 5 class from the point of view of 7 different students.  Themes include: bullying, judging others, accepting differences and guilt.  Aimed at pre-teens.

Wither: The Chemical Garden Trilogy Book 1, Lauren Destefano
This trilogy tells the story of 16 year old Rhine and is set in a future where genetic engineering has significantly altered the life expectancy of everyone in the new generations.  Themes include loyalty, morality and perception.  Aimed at teens, but has some mature themes ie: polygamy.  A movie is in the works (hopefully the movie won't be aimed at pre-teens). 

***The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, Kristin Levine***
This novel tells the story of two young friends in 1917 Moundville, Alabama.  Based on the author's Grandfather's memoirs, the story is captivating as it highlights themes such as racial tension, loyalty and standing up for what is right.  Aimed at pre-teens and teens.

Eight Keys, Suzannne LaFleur
This is a coming of age story about an orphaned pre-teen living with her aunt and uncle.  Elise discovers who she is as she uncovers keys and messages her late father left for her.  Themes include: bullying and making new friends.  Aimed at pre-teens. 

***Lions of Little Rock, Kristin Levine***
This novel is set in 1958 and tells the story of a shy 12 year old and her struggle to find her place in the world.  Segregation, friendship and racism are the themes.  The novel is fiction, but is based on the historical closing of the highschools in Little Rock to prevent integration.  Aimed at teens.

Young Fredle, Cynthia Voigt
This is the story of a young house mouse who ends up outside.  Told from the mouse's perspective.  I found it a slow read...  Aimed at pre-teens.

Escape Under the Forever Sky, Eve Yohalem
This novel is very conversational in style and tells the story of an American teenager living in Ethiopia who is kidnapped.  Loosely inspired by a true event:  http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/7523  Aimed at pre-teens/teens.

***Stones for my Father, Trilby Kent***
This is a sad and haunting story of a young Boer girl living in South Africa during the British invasion in the late 1800's.  Aimed at pre-teens / teens, but very graphic.

A Prisoner of Birth, Jeffrey Archer
This book tells the story of a man accused of murdering his best friend.  I have to admit I skipped a big chunk in the middle because of language.  R Rated because of language and descriptive dialogue.

The One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate
Ivan is a silverback gorilla who has spent most of his life living in a cage at a mall.  This novel is inspired by a true story.  Desiree (9) read it after me and recommends it.  Aimed at pre-teens.

~❀~ Chelsey ~❀~

Merry Christmas and Happy 2013

 

~ Chelsey ~

10 Christians Everyone Should Know

10 Christians Everyone Should Know -- Lives of the Faithful and What They Mean to You edited by John Perry

This book tells about the lives of 10 Christians you may have heard of, but likely don't know as well as you think.  These 10 Christians are from all walks of life and include Galileo, Jane Austen and Saint Patrick.

The back of the book says "For lovers of biography, for homeschool or study groups, for anyone seeking encouragement in the Christian walk."  But the emphasis should be on the 'lovers of biography' part.  When I read in the book title: "lives of the faithful and what they mean to you" I expected that this book would be inspiring.  What it is, is a collection of biographies written very chronologically and dryly with little inspiration or encouragement.

I would recommend this book for people who are interested in history, but unfortunately I can't recommend it for those looking to be encouraged in their own Christian faith.

Discosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review.

~ Chelsey ~

The Parent Rap

Here's a funny parenting rap to brighten your day:

PS: Might only be funny if you're actually a parent...

~ Chelsey ~

Max Lucado's "A Bug Collection" Volume 3

Max Lucado and Hermie the caterpillar have a DVD box set available with three Hermie and Friends movies.  This boxset contains the dvds: "Buzby and the Grumblebees", "Haily and Bailey's Silly Fight" and "Milo, the Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray".  

One of the things I really like about Hermie and Friends is the great voices.  Don Knotts and Tim Conway (both from The Apple Dumpling Gang) and Richard Kind (A Bug's Life) are some voices that are familiar favourites of mine.

"Milo, the Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray" is the first Hermie and Friends dvd that my kids and I were ever introduced to years ago.  The songs are catchy and the message is clear.  Whether kids understand what "cliche" means is another issue and I gotta tell you -- that's a hard word to explain.  The moral is that anyone can pray and that God may answer our prayers in ways we don't expect.  It's a great message that we all need to remind ourselves of sometimes! 

I have to admit movies about whining aren't my favourite because you have to listen to the characters whine prior to the resolution.  That being said, there is a resolution to "Buzby and the Grumblebees" and the moral of the story is a valuable one.  You just might want to do a load of laundry while the kids learn the lesson that whining isn't the right way to bee-have.

"Haily and Bailey's Silly Fight" is about sibling rivalry and highlights the message that we need to love others as we love ourselves.  This episode focuses on the negative behaviour longer than I would have liked.  Sibling fights are often as silly as blueberry vs tomato, but thankfully, Haily and Bailey eventually come to realize "when you fight no one wins" and it's better to work together.  

I like that the Hermie and Friends dvds have a moral to the story.  If by chance the kids have missed the moral, Max Lucado and Hermie come out at the end to sum it up again.  This boxset is aimed at preschoolers who could learn a little more about prayer, behaving and getting along (and isn't that all preschoolers?  lol...).

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this dvd boxset through Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review.

~ Chelsey ~