Wordless Wednesday

Being burried alive with the rocks at the playground.

For more WW visit Here!

The Winner of The Fallacy Detective Giveaway!

Congrats to rsnickers! She won the copy of The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning! Don't worry, if you didn't win this contest I will be running another one starting next Tuesday!

Should Cursive Be Required?

The debate rages. Should we require our children to learn cursive. Or for that matter should handwriting be focused on at all? With the age of computers came a massive lean towards typing school assignments as opposed to handwriting them. In fact, most high school and colleges require that reports be typed. So do we need to teach our younger children cursive?


I distinctly remember the day that my 1st grade class began to practice cursive. It was about 3 weeks before the end of the school year and wow was I excited! I was going to be writing like the big kids in 2nd grade! I remember spending hours from then on out doing homework assignments and being required to write in cursive. We even had penmanship tests weekly.


USA today reported that a 2007 nationwide study found that 90% of teachers were teaching cursive in schools that made it a requirement. Research showed that most teachers who did not teach it cited that there just wasn't enough time. The focus has shifted from the "beauty of hand writing to the efficiency of computer literacy".


So what's the answer? Should we be teaching our children cursive? Personally, I am leaning towards teaching it to mine. While I do not see that it will be a required skill when they get older I do think there is something to be said about having the ability to compose a beautifully written paper (literally). I also see some value in the hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills it takes to form cursive letters.

Here are some other articles on cursive writing:

Is this the end of cursive?

Is cursive worth teaching?

Death to cursive writing

Tell me your thoughts on cursive!



picture credit: www.fragranceoftruth.wordpress/judas-asparagus

Menu Plan Monday

I attend college classes on Mondays and Wednesday while my parents watch the kids until I get home. For this reason I am having to do things that bake on those days so that my parents can just pull it out of the oven and it will still be warm for my husband when he gets home about 45 min after I leave.

Monday: Baked Tilapia with roasted mixed veggies

Tuesday: Crock Pot BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with corn on the cob


Wednesday: Rotisserie Chicken(from brookshires) and Potato Wedges and one other veggie to be determined


Thursday: Famous Pork chops with steamed mixed veggies


Friday: Teriyaki stir fry with rice and snow peas


Ok, I am asking my friends to hold me accountable to menu planning each week! Click the logo at the top to see other MPM bloggers!

Update on Project Postcard

A few weeks ago I posted HERE about a project I was starting with the girls. We are trying to collect one postcard from all of the states. Last week we started getting our postcards starting with Arkansas! Let me tell you! There is nothing quite as exciting for a 5 or 6 year old as getting their own mail! My girls are still quite young so I am not overloading them with work. We learned the Capital and colored pictures of the state flower, flag and bird. Since these pictures were taken we have received Tennessee and North Carolina as well! We still need lots more postcards so if you are able to help please let me know at molder.anna@gmail.com. We would be happy to send you a postcard back in return! Brianna coloring the state flower of Arkansas, the Apple Blossom.

Keira coloring the state flag.

12 Things you can do for FREE in Dallas,Tx

Whether you are just visiting or live in the Dallas area, most of us are looking for free(or really cheap) family friendly activities and educational experiences. I know that with three kids and two adults field trips can get expensive. A trip to the zoo costs a family of 4 cost nearly $50! So here is a list of free activities that your family can enjoy!


The Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center offers free public tours, and even occasionally is able to bring in an organist to play for the guests before the tour!

The Dallas Central Library boasts one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence and also has on display Shakespeare's First Folio of Comedies, Histories and Tragedies. They also have one of the largest children's libraries in the country.

Mary Kay Factory and Museum Tours. Our co-op visited the Mary Kay factory last year and this was a hit! You get to see all the big machinery it takes to make Mary Kay make-up! Just be sure when you get the information that you book your tour for the factory as there are two Mary Kay buildings in Dallas. You can also tour the Mary Kay museum located in the Dallas headquarters building.

Alot of museums take donations rather than admission. A few of these include the African American Museum and the Hall of State. Special exhibits not included.

Dallas City Hall offers some unique architecture and the opportunity to teach your child about local politics.

M-line All Around offers street car rides near some of Dallas' tourist attractions including the Dallas Museum of Art (free for kids 12 and under!) and Historic West End. Donations taken and for $4 more you can purchase a Dart Day Pass.

Farmers Branch Historical Park is home to several structures dating back as far as 1840, including log cabins!

DFW Airport offers an observation station. Watch as airplanes go in and out of one of the busiest airports in the nation.

Fantasy Landing playground is designed to be accessible for both able-bodied and disabled children.

The Dallas Farmers Market everything from bulk produce to locally grown organics.

The Dallas Nature Center offers hiking, native plants, picnic areas and more. Donations Suggested.

Please visit www.tourtexas.com for more great info on Dallas and its surrounding areas!

Freebie Friday

A few freebies for my friends! Since I have a field trip tomorrow with the kids I am posting it a bit early :)

Geotrax DVD-Very cute annimated episodes for young children

Planet Protectors Club Kit

First 10,000 to sign up get a free Lego Smart Kit-(thanks www. mysavings.com)