Unschooling Chinese

Devin has always been very interested in different cultures. Shortly after he began learning about the Mayan people, we booked a Cruise to the Caribbean with a stop in Mexico so he could see the old Mayan ruins and pyramids. We are all learning some Spanish before the trip in 2010.

Since visiting Epcot at Disney, and visiting the different countries, he has began a passion of the Chinese culture. He told me he really wants to go to China. My next mission is to manifest a trip there somehow.

Our kids are able to completely immerse themselves in their interests without someone else telling them when to start or stop what they are doing to move on to something else that someone else thinks is important. They are able to learn whatever they are interested in in such depth.

Devin will more than likely spend every day for the next week or so writing and speaking Chinese. So far this week we have scoured the Internet for images of China. We have watched every video and TV show we could get our hands on about Chinese culture. We went out for Chinese food with our friends the other day too, which was so much fun! The list goes on...

It is 11pm at night right now and when most kids are asleep, my son is still up, exploring his current passion. I'm off to bed, but before climbing the stairs to cuddle between my warm babies, Ivy and Orion, I snapped a picture of what Devin was doing to post here.When kids are interested in something, they learn it because they want to and they enjoy it.

There's no forcing, no coercion, no grades or measuring of their knowledge. Nothing to get in the way of their personal dreams and goals. Unschooled kids learn just as much as kids in school as far as amount of knowledge, but that knowledge varies from child to child and is completely catered to them as an individual.

I have no doubt we'll be visiting China someday as a family. Tommorrow Devin and I will add something to our family vision board... an image of "The Great Wall of China".

Sparkling Traditions

We are a family rich with traditions. Our children love the holidays, and it is important for me to bring old and new traditions into our lives. Every year, a few days before Halloween, we carve pumpkins together. The kids love to roast pumpkin seeds, (even though I'm the only one who really eats them.) We also make caramel and candy covered apples on the same day we carve our pumpkins. Everyone looks forward to this every year.

Traditions are part of what writes the story of our lives. For me, it takes time, planning and organization to follow through with family traditions, but seeing the Joy it brings to our family makes it all worth it and a responsibility that brings me Joy. I am so grateful that we had such a memorable day together.

As the snow fell to the ground today, I was reminded of how young our family really is and how many more wonderful years we all have together. My heart is filled with love and gratitude knowing that this is only the beginning of our story.

Handcrafting Joy

Today was a cold, blustery day. The first snow of the season fell to the ground. Our gears shift this time of year and we become more home-focused than the warmer months when we travel often.

One thing that our family enjoys very much are hand crafts. Devin and Tiff love to crotchet. Ivy loves any kind of craft. Today we enjoyed creating cute fuzzy critters and Devin made a 42 foot long crotchet rope that he wants to use as garland for our Christmas tree this year. Nothing like the first snow to get you in the mood for the upcoming holidays!

We all love this time of year!

Birthing Flashback

There are days I stare out the window and remember the morning that Orion was born. I think about how incredible it was to bring him into this World under my own power, laboring joyfully, peacefully and alone.

I remember the intensity and the energy coursing through my body during my labor with such awe. One moment that can still see so vividly, was right before pushing, when I was on my knees in front of the bed with my head resting on my arms.

I could feel the energy, like electricity, run from feet and up through body and exit through the top of my head with every contraction. I finally understood *in that moment* that allowing this energy to flow through me I could actually enjoy it and merge with it. I steadied myself and welcomed the great power surging through me. I could hear it, feel it and taste it. I became one with the energy when I realized that this great energy *was me*. It was mine to experience and be part of all that was and all that ever will be.

At one point, I turned up the heavy metal music (Rage Against the Machine) on the CD player, which was right next to me. My head moved rhythmically with the music. The energy and intensity of the music merging beautifully with the energy flowing through my body during transition and pushing.

It was truly transforming for me, as a woman, to go through this experience.

I am so grateful that I Trusted My Body, Trusted Orion and Trusted Birth. I am so grateful that I connected with Source Energy and allowed it to run through Orion and myself during his birth. It was life altering and unlike any of my other births. It rocked my soul and brought me to a new level of *Knowing* and *Awareness* about life.

Learning From Building Toys

We are a family who loves building toys! We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to feed this passion of ours. From Lincoln Logs, to Lego's the kids play almost every day with some kind of building toy. I love to watch them get an idea of something to create and then see it materialize before their eyes.

Virtual Knee Surgery

This week Devin has really been into learning about different kinds of surgeries. We found a really cool website that shared how knee surgery was performed. Devin was really into this and he watched the video several times before taking on his first virtual knee surgery. There is a lot to it, but I believe that if someone was interested enough they could learn how to do it as good as any doctor with years of medical training.

Here is Devin learning about and performing his first knee surgery online. Here is the website to learn about it yourself.

Rockin Science Tricks

We are a family who loves to experiment. We have so many ingredients and ideas to pursue our ever-growing interest in Science. Today we explored water molecules. The kids and I learned that water molecules like to stick together. In physics, this is called cohesion.

We did an experiment with water and yarn that was really fun. By soaking the yarn first, we created a liquid surface for a stream of water to cling to when pouring it out of a measuring cup. It was really fun! Here is Tiff & Devin learning about water molecules.

One On One

A few weeks ago Joe and I were talking and sharing how cool it would be to be able to have time with the kids one on one. Living a life together, never apart, we thought it was important to start having special times when we each take the kids out individually, doing whatever they wanted.

Last week Devin and I went out together to Friendly's and then shopping for new clothes for Fall.

Tonight I took Ivy out, just she and I, and we had such a special time together.

We went to Borders so Ivy could pick out a new book, then to Old Navy where she picked out a shirt she liked. Kinda funny but I bought it for her, then to McD's so we could get ice cream and play in the Playplace, per Ivy's request.

It was so fun and when we got in the car to head back home Ivy turned to me and said, "Thank you Mama for my special night." I could tell how much it meant to her. It was so nice to relax together and talk and laugh. It was still and calm and so nice. As we drove home she said, "Now Sweet Home Sweet". I don't know where she heard that and I really liked her version!

Devin's Drum Lesson

It is so amazing living this life when our kids do something that make us sit in awe of *All That They Are*.

Devin took his first drum lesson tonight. The instructor was really cool and Devin really clicked with him. That was very important to us and him.

As the lesson progressed I could see the instructor, Jeremy, just light up in amazment over Devin's ability. He couldn't stop smiling at Devin as he played the drums Joyfully and confidently.

Devin has a gift. He is really good at drumming and the game Rock Band has really aided him on his path. How cool that a video game helped my son be the drummer than he is today. He is truly amazing!

Devin was so cranked up and exciting to take a formal class for drumming. We really want him to be able to pursue this interest and get the most out of his lessons, so private lessons seemed best for him.

Devin rocks and I am so grateful to be his Mom! I think he is the coolest kid ever!

Contact Talk Radio

I did a really fun interview recently on Contact Radio. As I spoke and answered questions, I enojyed looking out the window of Devin's room watching the kids play with Joe. Orion was fast asleep in the next room while I shared about our unique life.

The hosts asked me back to share more and I look forward to that time when I can passionately explain how we live our Joyful Life together as a family.

Listen here to my latest interview.

Se7en

Tiff turned seven years old the other day. We had just a few close friends over to celebrate. My sweet friend Jill and her family came. Also our friend Caitlin came with her beautiful family.

There was 11 Unschooled kids at Tiffs party, along with 2 Grandfathers and one Grammy, who were in awe of all of the fluttering activity.
It was a very special day filled with good food, traditional party activities and lots of fun. Dakota had the best birthday ever, according to her. She was thrilled to open presents and win the three-legged race.

Tiff has a very special day with her friends. She was so gracious and loving at her party. I am so proud of all that my little girl has become.

The Joy of Tie Dying

We are always on the lookout for new and exciting projects living this amazing life. Today we tapped into our hippie roots and learned all about Tie Dying. The history of Tie-dye dates back to ancient times. Along with beads, shells, and other ornamentation, our ancestors tie-dyed.

Today was an exciting day and we learned how easy it was to tie dye clothing. I know this is the beginning of a new and exciting passion in the life of the Sparkling Martins. I really, really loved doing this activity with the kids and I can see our friends and family receiving tie dyed clothes for Christmas! What else can I tie dye?

Natural Writing

In the last few months Ivy has began learning about letters and numbers. She loves to sit with me or one of the kids and ask us what letter she is writing.

It is really interesting how kids, who are never forced to "learn" about letters and numbers in a traditional sense, each learn to read it totally different ways! Their path coming to reading is so very unique to the individual and it is so amazing to watch Ivy start on her path in such a natural, pleasurable way.

There is no doubt she will be reading someday and the excitment is how she will come to learn it. I love the variety of my role as my kids learning faciliator and so happy that we can live a life in which their unique learning styles are honored.

Orion's Other Mother

Orion who is almost 8 months, is very attached to Tiff. He sits with her every morning after we all wake up. This morning he took his morning nap in his big sisters arms. He just adores her and she just naturally has taken a role like a second mother to him.

It is so interesting having a large family and seeing roles change and grow with our family. Orion has been an amazing gift to Tiff. He has helped her to grow in so many ways. The confidence and pride she feels taking care of him is really special. I'm so happy that Orion is so loved by his brother and sisters.

He is one lucky dude!

Green Passion

Pursuing our passions is such a huge part of our life. It is through that goal that we are able to experience such Joy together. It's so important to Joe and I that our kids see us delving into new experiences and interests to learn that learning never ends in life. Learning Is Life!

Lately, Joe has been learning more about movie making, something he has been pursuing for about a year now. He is helping me to create a nice series of DVD's about the birthing method that I have created and copywriten, called Attraction Birth".

Joe is also revamping his website and we will be the first toy business to have real movies about each product that we carry. Part of doing this meant learning about green-screens, which a important for the effects that we want in the background of our DVD's and website. Joe researched this and discovered that he could paint an area of his shop green to film his movies in.
Here is Joe adding his second coat of paint on the new "green screen" area of his shop.

Super-Size Treat

The girls and I bake everyday together. It is something that we all enjoy. (Devin and Joe only like the eating part.)

Today Tiff asked if she could take all of the cookie dough that I had just made and make two huge cookies out of it.

Tiff loved this new creation and the girls had fun decorating and sharing their treats.

Our Soul Family

My sweet friend Josha and her sons drove 3 hours from Vermont this past weekend to hang with us. We had such a fun time together. I have never known anyone so kind and giving to others as Josha is. She is truly a gift in my life.

Part of our visit was spent at Storyland. Josha took her sons and Devin and Tiff around on the "Big Kid" rides and Joe and I were able to spend some nice one on one time with Ivy and Orion. Ivy loved all the kiddie rides with Mom and Dad. It was such a special day.

Here is Josha as she was dragged on the Flume ride for the umpteenth time with Zan, Devin, Tif & Elliot. My kids had so much fun with them! We decided to have a monthly visit. They are coming to our Unschooling Halloween Party in two weeks.

It's awesome to have found what Josha called, "Our Soul Family".

Sparkling Portraits

We hired a really cool Unschooling Mom who is a fabulous photographer to come do our family portraits. It was time to get something professionally put together for our portfolio for conferences and other opportunities in our life that require really nice pictures of us.

I have to wait two weeks to see her finished work, but she gave us a tiny peek. Jess was very professional and I loved how respectful she was towards the kids. That is really important to us. It was a really cool experience.

Life Learning: How Children Learn Without With School

I was very honored to learn that one of my essays was going to be part of the latest book about Unschooling.

My article titled, "The Labyrinth of Unschooling" will be the end note of the book. I hope it leaves people feeling full of hope and inspiration.

I have received Life Learning Magazine for years and loved the unique support it offered. I was sad to hear that the magazine will no longer be published but so thrilled to learn I would be part of the book created in honor of the very magazine that aided me on this path.

I am forever grateful to be a pioneer in this shift in human consciousness.