Probably most of you know about pureeing your own baby food and freezing it in ice cube trays. Saves a lot of money, especially if you can get overripe fruit from a local fruit stand or grocery store. I wanted to share this photo with you because believe it or not, it actually has sentimental value for me. My 96-year-old grandfather was a tree surgeon back in Hollywood's heyday, and he served clients such as the Gabor sisters and Frank Sinatra. He has wonderfully funny stories to share about Hollywood celebs he worked for, and my mom remembers trick-or-treating in those lavish neighborhoods where the candy was presented on silver trays. Anyway, just this summer my grandfather finally lost the ability to properly tend his beloved vegetables, and he sent a beautiful butternut squash up my way via my mom. I popped it in the oven, cooked it until tender, then pureed it and froze it for Christian. When he begins to eat solids soon, his first meal will be my grandfather's last squash.

A very thoughtful mom at church whom I admire sent me the following. Ladies, this is great food-for-thought. What is our example to our children?

I enjoyed your comment on socialization. I don't think this question ever goes away! And do we truly understand school is about- school? A public or private school is often evaluated by the activities, clubs or sports offered to our children. You will find few parents among them who are searching the curriculum or academic level first. Fifteen years ago, homeschooling was based on education. Today our homeschool conferences or support groups are juggling socialization with academics. As a result I feel the education of the homeschoolers are declining.

Back in the cave man days, I would often meet with other families to study. Our time was education first, all moms participated and everyone learned. Yes, we would all have a time to socialize but it was controlled with well behaved children. What I have found today, socialization with a little education. Our children are taught like our typical classroom although the mothers sit in back- why? To socialize. What are we teaching our children? School/socialization... same thing. I'm afraid "school about-school", may be a foreign concept. You go girl!

~Cindy

 "LOVED the "Socialization" picture on your blog. My 4 yo son and I guest-taught an early childhood elementary class at Florida State University last week, and one of the questions they asked was, "Do you feel your kids miss out on socialization by not going to public school?" to which I answered, "Yes, they miss out on the socialization of being peer dependent rather than thinking for themselves, they miss out on the socialization of what to study when rather than learning to budget their own time..." and then she cut me off and said, "No, I mean, do they resent you for not being able to go to the prom?"  Too funny!"

 I received some great responses after having sent it.

 Steve is a friend who has served as Principal at several classical schools, most recently in San Francisco-

 “Very funny, very sad.  You do realize that thinking and knowledge are not valued (even looked down on) in education departments.  Subsequently it is not valued in schools, public and most private.  What they do learn, (the lucky ones don’t) is how to cooperate, not excel, how to follow the rules, not to question them. There is no individual achievement recognized, there are no stories of heroes or individual achievement.”

 Cheryl wrote-

 “Funny!!  Don't feel bad, after almost two decades of homeschooling I get some dumb version of the same question!  And why, oh why, is the goofy prom always brought up???   I love asking those folks (the prom proponents) two questions.  First, "Who did you go to your prom with?"  Most people usually have to think a bit before coming up with an answer.  Some can't remember.  Second, if they did remember, I ask, "When was the last time you saw him (or her)"?  If the prom was that HUGE of a deal, wouldn't you remember it better?  Wouldn't you still be wanting to spend time with the person that was part of such a LANDMARK event in your life.  Aye, yai, yai... Just heard a version of the "prom" question at Grandma's funeral of all places! Sorry, you hit a hot button for me!!  I LOVE that folks admire my grown daughters, knowing full well that they were homeschooled; and yet they do not make the connection that they are the godly young women they are as a direct result of their being raised in a Christian homeschooling home where they were educated in the ways of the Lord first and foremost, and educated academically secondarily. Thanks for the chuckle, and sorry for the rant!”

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't school about- school?

Where was Preschoolers and Peace this week?