Time for Joy

Saturday we went to Bass Pro where they had a bunch of free events and workshops. The kids had already taken most of the workshops on Thursday, but they wanted to finish getting the pins. After that, Shaundra made a craft and had her picture taken, and then all of us went over to try out their archery and BB-gun range. Shaundra was way excited because she hit a bull’s eye with the BB-gun. None of them did that well at archery. Before Steven shot, I vigorously recommended he try it left handed to no avail. He is right handed but left eyed and didn’t believe me that his marksmanship would improve. The bow is quite strong though, and his right hand is more developed so that may have something to do with his preference.

When we got to the laser rifle range, I again suggested that it would do no harm to try shooting left handed. I think he finally switched shoulders more out of desperation to get rid of my pleading than any belief that it would help. To his shock, he hit a bulls eye on the second try and only switched once (very briefly) after that. I am so glad because he has really struggled to better his aim!

This is a friend’s little boy. Isn’t he cute? Occasionally we get to babysit him, and that is so much fun!

I just got a letter from the school district which has me really upset. Here is the beginning of it. See if you can find the irony. I’ve tried to help by italicizing the important parts. They were not italicized in the letter.

Missouri law requires that all children show proof of adequate immunizations. According to our records your child will NEED the following immunization(s) to be in compliance.

VARICELLA

Although not required for school entry/participation, Menactra, Gardasil, and Varicella (Chickenpox shot) are currently recommended for children of middle and high school age. Please see enclosed information sheets for further information.

According to State law, your child cannot enroll, pick up schedules, or attend school unless properly immunized. Students will be excluded from school August 25, 2009 unless proof of adequate immunization is presented to the school.

And the most convincing argument any health care worker has given me for the shot? Parents have to miss too much work if their kids get chicken pox. The threat of complications is very low—although the numbers (9,000 hospitalized annually with 90 deaths) look big until you realize that 3.5 million kids used to get chicken pox every year. Oh, and don’t forget the booster shot because they have found one shot isn’t good enough. Wonder what the next 10 years will bring? Another stronger booster shot? I find chicken pox less threatening than shingles . . . but I think I’ve ranted about this before.

My biggest question, however, is how many people notice the conflict between the “requirement” and state law? Or is that the kind of education the state-run institution is giving now—to forget the previous paragraph instantly or simply not understand what it said?

Another problem here? The child in question is in elementary school, folks, not middle or high school, or wasn’t I supposed to notice that either?

On a happier note, tuition is paid for the kids to enter the Lighthouse Christian Academy where the Varicella immunization is not required. There are over 350 students enrolled for this coming year. Woohoo!

P.S. I just realized that final paragraph will spawn questions. Yes, we are still homeschooling. Lighthouse supplements that.

I just finished Cheaper by the Dozen, by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. I loved it as a child, and I enjoyed it even more now. There is a father after my own heart! The father is a motion efficiency expert, and a dad that has a lot of fun with his dozen children. He claimed they were “cheaper by the dozen”, therefore the title of the book.

My favorite line in this book? The last one.

Someone once asked Dad: “But what do you want to save time for? What are you going to do with it?”

“For work, if you love that best,” said Dad. “For education, for beauty, for art, for pleasure.” He looked over the top of his pince-nez. “For mumblety-peg, if that’s where your heart lies.”