Family Favorites Friday: Camping

Today I have the privilege of guest posting at 9Peas. 

 Kathy wanted to hear more about some of our family camping trips, so I wrote about a trip we took almost twenty years ago.  We camped from Arkansas to Pennsylvania and back again with 5 children aged 5 months to 6 years.

Head over to 9Peas to read about Family Friendly Camping From Arkansas to Pennsylvania.  You are sure to find some places you would like to visit.

Do You Only Expect, Or Do You Inspect?

"It's not what you expect, it's what you inspect."

It was a light bulb moment when I first heard this phrase many years ago.

I had many expectations for my children:

Music: How to Get Leadership and Community Service Experience

This conversation took place at lunch about ten years ago:

“Hannah, Mrs. Johnson wants to know if you would teach piano to her daughter.”

“No”, Hannah replied.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to.”

“I will!” 13 year old Andrew exclaimed.

“Hmmm, let’s ask your piano teacher if she thinks you could.”

At the time of this conversation, Hannah had been taking piano for at least ten years, but she had no inclination to teach younger students.  

Family Favorites Friday: The Ranger's Apprentice Book Review

Today, my son is reviewing a favorite book series:  The Ranger's Apprentice.  

The Ranger's Apprentice is a thirteen-book series written by John Flanagan. 

The first book was released in 2004 and the thirteenth and final book was released last year, 2013. 

The series centers around Will Treaty, an orphan boy who lives in a government-sponsored house for children who had tragically lost their parents. He lives in the fief of Redmont in the Kingdom of Araluen, which, although a fantasy world, is loosely patterned after medieval England.

4-H: Learning and Leadership

4-H offers many benefits to students of all education venues.

Today’s 4-H program is similar to, but different from the program you may have known growing up.

STEM Activities List

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects and students proficient in the subjects are in great demand these days.

While I was writing my post about the NASA Aerospace Scholars, my 17 year old son asked me what I was doing.  I told him and a discussion about STEM activities ensued.  He mentioned that he never really explored those options very much, which sent me looking for what might be available for him now, since the opportunity for Aerospace Scholars has passed for him.

I found quite a few opportunities

Family Favorites Friday: Quinoa Florentine

This is not a recipe I have made for years and years.  As a matter of fact, I just recently 'invented' this dish.  I took the flavor combinations of a favorite lasagna recipe and used quinoa  instead of pasta to help reduce the carb load.