Day 25 - The Gun Control Debate

Last night I over heard Genesis (11) and Sharpshooter (9) having a gun-control debate. For his upcoming birthday, Sharpshooter received his first real rifle and Genesis was having some issues with it. Sharpshooter was taking his rifle out of the box, and thus began the debate:

Genesis: I thought those guns were illegal now.

Genesis (11) on left, Sharpshooter (9) on right.

Sharpshooter: No, the president is only wanting to ban assault rifles and magazines that hold more than ten bullets, this is a .22 rifle and it only holds ten bullets at a time. But, Gun World [where we bought the rifle] does still sell assault rifles.  

Genesis: It's ridiculous that a place like Gun World would sell assault rifles.  Who needs a weapon that fires that fast!?

Sharpshooter: Why is it so ridiculous? 

Genesis: Didn't you see what happened in Sandy Hook? That guy used an assault rifle to kill all those kids! 

Sharpshooter: Yeah, I know, but that guy was crazy, that's why he killed those kids, it had nothing to do with assault rifles! Besides, where that shooting happened already has really strict gun laws and it didn't stop him. So does Washington, DC and they have the highest crime rates in the nation! [Patting myself on back for this comment, Momma taught him well.]

Genesis: I still don't see why someone needs a gun that big. A hand gun should be enough protection for a person. 

Sharpshooter: [Frustrated] You just don't get it! [Shakes his head and walks out]

Of course, I couldn't prevent myself from stepping in. I explained to Genesis that I understand his concern over assault rifles but the reality is that even if they are banned, the bad guys will still have them. I proceeded to act out an skit in which a "bad guy" walks into a building with an assault rifle and all the law abiding citizens are unprotected; and then compared that with a scene in which a "bad guy" walks in with an assault rifle and all the "good guys" also have an assault rifles. Let's just say, the second scene was a lot less messy. 

Genesis still wasn't buying it and stood his ground. I respect that. 

I love watching Sharpshooter and Genesis debate. You should have heard them this last election, Genesis supported Obama, and Sharpshooter supported Mitt Romney. I imagine they will debate politics for the rest of their lives. I have flash forwards to fierce debates at Thanksgiving dinners and other family gatherings -- and I can't wait. I welcome civil debate and the free exchange of ideas into the house among my children. In fact, I love it! 

Day 22 - Science at the Track!

Quick update: Monday's we have homeschool co-op (Sharpshooter takes recorder, Art, Math Games, and Cooking classes) so I don't get much chance to blog on Mondays. However, after co-op yesterday Sharpshooter got to interview a 90-year-old WWII veteran! He was a lot of fun and told us some great stories about life in WWII! I wish I had recorded the interview or took pictures or something, but alas, I didn't. Anyway, thanks so much to Clyde Windell for allowing my son to interview you and for your service!! (And thanks to Amber Windell, his granddaughter, for setting up the interview!)

Today we went to something called "Science on the Track" at Churchill Downs (you know, the Kentucky Derby race track). It was the coldest day ever!! So cold that the public schools even called for a 2-hour-delay so that kids didn't have to wait outside for the bus in the morning! At Churchill Downs we learned the basic differences in silt, sand and clay and how rock is weathered and eroded to form these particles -- and how they are then combined to make the perfect, most safe race track.

Here are some pictures from our day! 

In the Winner's Circle!! 

Baby Leonidas leaning about Colts! 

The boys racing eachother!

Brrrrr!!!!

Baby Leonidas and Me trackside!

Interview with a US NAVY SEAL SNIPER!

Sharpshooters's current obsession is snipers! He spends all day reading, watching,  listening to or making anything he can that's sniper-related. This has been a great unschooling topic because it has led him to learn history, physics, math, and interviewing skills. As his learning facilitator, I thought it would be cool to set up some interviews for him with some real snipers! So, I started searching for snipers who would allow my nine-year-old son to interview them, and not only did I find several willing snipers, but I found some of the best in the world!

When Brandon Webb, former Navy SEAL, sniper, and author of New York Times Bestseller, The Red Circle, agreed to let Sharpshooter interview him, my son was soooo excited!! Sharpshooter immediately started writing down his questions (see photo), typed them up, and emailed them to Brandon. 

Brandon wrote back within 24 hours and you would have thought it was Christmas morning when Sharpshooter received his answers! 

Thank you so much, Brandon Webb, for not only allowing my son to interview you, but for your brave service to our country! 

The Interview

Sharpshooter: What did it take to become a sniper?

Brandon: It takes a lot of patience. Most importantly you have to be good at math and shooting!

S: What was your main weapon?

Brandon: We have many weapons as a SEAL sniper. My favorite was the .300win mag bolt action rifle. Today I really like the HK 417.

S: What's your favorite sniper movie, favorite weapon, and favorite video game?

Brandon: Sniper movie is Act of Valor (sniper scene). Video game is Call of Duty and Hitman (tell your mom I'm sorry I told you that!..lol) Gun, I answered above already.

S: Do you know a good YouTube video on snipers I could watch?

Brandon: There's not much on YouTube buddy. Most the guys stay off of it.

S: What could I do at 9 to prepare to become a sniper?

Brandon: Study hard, develop a habit of setting
achieving goals in your life. "Excellence is a habit" 

S: What was your favorite part of being a sniper?

Brandon: Being part of a special team.

S: What was the hardest part of your training?

Brandon:  Hardest part of SEAL training is being mentally challenged by being extremely cold for 6 months. Sniper-having to wait hours for one chance to make a graded shot!

Keep up the good work and listen to your mom, she knows best!

Your friend,
Brandon

Just for fun!

Baby Leonidas learning the hoola hoop! 

Baby Leonidas the nerd!! 

Day 17 - The Dictionary Debate

When my children don't know the meaning of a word I tell them to do what every adult does: Google it. (e.g. define _______). 

We own multiple dictionaries but all they do is collect dust on the shelf. I've actually received criticism for not teaching my children to use a "real" (whatever that means) dictionary because, as the critics argue, "technology may not always be around, and then what will they do?"


Seriously?! 

Well, first of all, if technology is no longer around then some major apocalyptic event has occurred, and second of all, if that's the case and for some odd reason my kids desperately need to know the definition of a word, I'm confident they can teach themselves how to use a dictionary in that moment.

(I am also not big on teaching spelling for this same reason. In this post alone, I had five words with the red squiggly lines underneath that are now corrected -- and in a matter of seconds! I <3 you, technology! ) 

DAY 15 - FANNING THE FLAME

Every human is born with innate curiosity. Imagine that curiosity as a flame inside us all that is lit by our Maker at our time of conception. As a mother and as their teacher, I want to give my childrens' inner flames as much oxygen to grow, to spread, and to run wild, as I possibly can. Only oxygen, only open spaces, only freedom can allow a flame to survive. I mustn't extinguish the flame by boxing it into a classroom, burying it under the sands of worksheets and rigid schedules, and most importantly, I must not try to tame it or standardize it -- for no two flames were ever meant to burn the same. We are all born with this fire of wonder, creativity, and curiosity; it's lit right into our DNA. The challenge is not how to get the flame, but rather, it's how to keep the world from burning it out. 

Day 14 - Winning Souls

I'm not advocating that you withhold discipline from your children -- not at all. All I am saying is beware of falling into the age-old trap of believing that the law can do in the hearts of your children what only grace can accomplish. I've fallen in the trap myself; not just in parenting but in my own walk. Obedience can either be a sign of mere behavior modification, or a sign of total heart transformation; and only a heavy, continuous dose of grace can ever bring about the latter. The law focuses on winning a battle, grace focuses on winning a soul.