Do we truly understand how privileged we are? How lucky here in the Western world? I find myself debating and discussing the merits of homeschooling vs public vs online often. There never seems to be a shortage of people wanting to talk about the hows and whys… it is days like July 12th of this year where you come across a special post on Facebook that truly reminds me how lucky we ARE to have these discussions, to have our daughters going on for college dreams… our sons able to school at home. 

July 12th, 2013 is Malala Day… you can read the entire post HERE thanks to Jezebel.com. I am not sure how many people remember last fall when Malala Yousafzai was fighting for her life after being shot in the head by the Taliban for daring to go to and talk about the importance of school for all. Almost a year later she is celebrating her birthday in the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Malala comes from a country torn by violence and fear. You can sign her birthday card HERE… watch on twitter with the hashtag #MalalaDay for photos and a livestream of her speech. She is a symbol of hope for so many who cry out for education and a reminder that we ARE privileged here. My children don’t have to worry that they will not be allowed to learn. We are unlimited in our dreams and can truly reach for the stars here. While money and situation can limit no one is barred from a library card, we can access the internet and dream and learn and hope and soar. 

So thank you Malala… your bravery and your father’s bravery in continuing to run his school in Pakistan holds true that education and fundamental freedoms of thought and dreaming are important. Who are we to try and limit those who need and wish to learn differently here when the world is crying out for equality and opportunity to simply learn? 

So the next time you feel the urge to diminish another family’s choice on how they educate, on why they choose this school or that, if they include religion in their curriculum or not… stop… remember… we are so incredibly lucky. We can do no better than to follow Malala’s advice and speak up for the right for the education of EVERY child! Let’s realize the importance of pens and books, learning and growth over the often overwhelming need for all to see things our own way… 

You can read more about Malala on Wiki HERE.You can watch her amazing speech on ABC’s site HERE. Happy Birthday!!

Image thanks to Vitalvoices.org

Ok so I have to admit… I am hooked on the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on youTube. You can find the main vlog HERE though there are offshoots – Adorbs is a Lydia thing (she has her own vlog). They also have Twitter feeds and Facebook and of course the main page. If you liked Pride and Prejudice… well be ready to see the characters as you have never seen them before – modern and everything!!! I skipped a bunch up to be current with the ongoing drama at the time but have been sneaking back to fill in the gaps as I go… Anyway… the Adorbs…

Beauty just woken up

Strike a pose baby

And another

Playing Play Doh with Gavin

Decked out for Chinese New Year thanks to Aunty Xinny

With cookie (made by myself and Bree)

What having kids is TERRIFIC for – look I am NOT the one shoveling

Major icicles

My babies and their lucky money

With bunny

Brown eyes

You never see Emanuel out without that hat! Thanks Aunty Kat

Absorbed in the dinosaurs (Zander left)

February 13-14

A VERY Happy Valentine’s Day to you all! We celebrated at home with a special meal etc. But first our Wednesday…

I have to say, Ken having Sean here and wanting to show him some of the beauty of Minnesota (even in the winter) has worked in our educational favour. He decided he wanted to take him up to the Minnehaha falls, but to take all of us would require two chairs. So… Ken and Sean took the 4 kids and I stayed home with the napping Echo to clean up some of the messes that had been bothering me around the house. I always feel so much more in control after cleaning and Echo was kind enough to let me clean up a few problem spots (aka our room). Of course then she was up and demanding BUBBLE GUPPIES (I am soooo tired of that show!).

Informative plaque

So much beauty

With Uncle Sean

More pictures of the falls to follow in a companion post!

Before all the outside excitement we had worksheets (Activity Village and Education.com) to finish – Valentine themed of course, books to read, spelling to practice… the usual.

We made our paper heart chain… And the twins made some white roses to add to our red (and chopstick) display. I do love a pretty centerpiece!

Making the paper chain (Gavin left)

So pretty

I love the roses! Thanks Art for Kids!

We made chicken with the meat rub I actually made up with Ken to give people for Christmas. You can find instructions for how to make it HERE. We made the Tandoori rub for Chicken. (the guys had the weekly gaming night)

YUM

I made a themed lunch for the kids  on Valentine’s Day- strawberry jello with cool whip, chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting, Fanta strawberry pop all with curried chicken on rice. Lots of pink and red on that table! Add in the kisses in the bowls (pink, red and white) and our festive decorations and I think we did good.

Festive!

Of course we took some pictures. Trinity had her pretty red dress thanks to Aunty Esther. Echo had TWO outfits, though her main was the new shirt I bought when out shopping with Bree on SALE! They both added in their dressy shoes and tap tap tapped their way around the house all smiles.

Dressed in pink and red

Showing some Valentine’s Day love

The second outfit

Watch for a future filler blog entry with the Valentines Day overflow!

Yours truly tried a new hairstyle – the milk maid braids thanks to the Lizzie Bennet Diaries… specifically the Jane Bennet Twitter feed. The instructions I used can be found HERE. Next time I need to wet down my hair more to facilitate easier braiding AND use some spray afterwards. BUT for a first try for someone who SUCKS at doing her OWN hair… not bad!!! I am just going to have to do it over and over again to perfect it!

Attempt 1

Together

I tried something different with one of the Easter cupcake bags… I am playing around with colours. After all Trinity AND Echo each already have a bag so a second bag has to be different. What do you think? I rather like the effect, almost like a vine around a flower.

I rather like these

I got my own little gift from Ken – a card and a container of chocolates. I gave Ken a card (made by me) and a little box of Jelly Bellys worth Valentine themed words on them.

Our dinner! And my gift!

We had a fun Valentine’s Day themed craft to do as well, we waited until Echo napped and brought out the paints to make Handprint Hearts. I love Activity Village and their easy to find themed areas.

In the paint

The hearts

So quite the enjoyable couple of days!

Echo obsessed with ATTEMPTING to remove Sean’s sock??