"Wiese-ish Ways" Life Ungraded

Such disdain amongst such beauty....

2010-04-12T10:55:00.001-07:00

This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. That said, we had an awful time here.

Miles and miles of tulips with the most amazingly vivid colors.

We (Eric and I) tried to make the best of it. I mean, how could we not. It was like looking across the fields in heaven.

But this image says it all. She wanted to pick and stomp the flowers. She was difficult to reason with(to say the least).

So we tried the "clog train".
Maggie was happy at first but then it started. I have no idea why people think it's fun riding through mud and HUGE bumps. Apparently neither do my children.

But we still kept trying. It was just so beautiful. We asked them if they wanted to leave and if you had been a passer-by, you would have thought I flicked them in the ear (like my mother used to do). It was an honest question. They didn't seem to be having fun despite all of the "kid" activities to do.

They DID NOT want to leave. OK then!! We stayed. I have to give credit where credit is due.... Eric was in a far better mood then the rest of us(even after getting kicked in the groin, having no coffee, chasing Maggie all over the farm and getting a fly up his nose and not being able to get it out for a good five minutes). He's the best partner/daddy in the entire universe!

So we stayed. We played chase and tossed horse shoes and bounced in the bouncy house.

We found all kinds of cools things to look at. I love how they used nutshells to line the pathways, and there were a lot of pathways. Who ate all those nuts?

Any way, looks can be deceiving. The grass is NOT alwasy "greener on the other side"....

...but not in children (at least not mine) Their faces never lie!!

Facebook Question....

2010-04-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is a question asked by my friend (yes,a real friend) on Facebook and my response to all the negative pro spanking responses she received such as "I would not only have removed my child, they wouldn't be able to sit comfortably for a while after it either" and this one which starts off good...but goes to shit real quick! "I always gave my children the "option of the bathroom". We would either discuss their mis-behavior....or they would get a smack on the bottom. They never knew what they were going to get". Needless to say,my blood is boiling and fully expect that I will not be hearing the end of it any time soon.

Q. "O.k., I have no little ones, but how many of my parent friends would like to give an opinion......would you let your child sit in a crowded establishment and let you child scream bloody murder and throw a fit, without soothing the child or removing them from the dining area....keep in mind this went on for over twenty ...minutes........just curious on opinions, it almost caused a brawl at the place we ate tonight".

A. "It amazes me that most of the comments assumed that the CHILD was "mis-behaving".Most children "behave" like children (crying and wiggling) when forced to act like adults. Being in a restaurant is BORING to children. Maybe the PARENTS were mis-behaving and should have thought about the type of place they were taking their child before forcing them to "behave"(like an adult).If the child was screaming and the parents were not comforting the child or making any attempted to help the child through what emotions he/she was having (being neglectful) then maybe the child was responding to the obvious shitty parenting he/she is forced to endure on a daily basis and needed someone to intervene. I absolutely believe that hitting a child is WRONG. None of us would walk up to a grown person who was in obvious distress and tell the people they were with that they should "go smack them" so they will "behave". Children are people too, and as deserving of the same respect we would offer to someone our age. Maybe someone could have asked the staff if they might go offer some assistance (crayons,crackers etc.) or like you Lisa, choose not to dine there again. It is up to the parents to decided where to eat and if the place they choose is suitable for children. If you, as the diner, do not want to be around potentially "mis-behaving" children then steer clear of "family restaurants", and try a pub or go for a "fine dining" experience. http://www.raisingmyboychick.com/2009/10/dancing-between-the-tables-on-the-personhood-of-children/

The link I posted on FB was written by one of my all-time favorite Bloggers. Her blog is "Raising My Boychick" and you can find her on Twitter as @RaisingBoychick . I absolutely love her writing and the subjects she writes about.

I'm no blogger!!!

2010-03-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

I really should blog more. I am no writer though. The thoughts in my head rarely make it to my fingertips. That said, I have so much to say. Maybe I'll start posting pictures of our fabulous life. I've seen that a lot in the blogs that I follow. I love looking at all the photos of other families. I also love driving around at night, trying to see inside other peoples homes (I'm weird like that). Don't we all really? Don't we all like to see how everyone else "does it'. Well, not "IT", but how they live life. How they decorate their homes, what art work they have on their walls. Come on, I can't be the only one. Well, maybe I am. It wouldn't be the first time I outed myself as a freak that does freakish things. It inspires me though. It gives me fresh ideas. I just asked myself (really, just now as I was typing this) if I do it for some kind of validation. I don't think so. I get stuck. I run out of ideas and I get my inspiration from life. From peeking in on other peoples lives. See, this is why I don't blog more. I tend to ramble. Lets see if I can tie together my thoughts....um, well, I am looking foreword to our first Unschooling conference (Life Is Good). I just think of all the people I can spy on and get inspired from and I get giddy. I can't wait to meet some of my online friends and make new friends. I am in a rut. I am excited to connect with other freakish people who go against the norm. Just in case anyone was actually reading this blog, I hope this latest entry will apiece your appetite for now. I promise I will start posting more....

Discovery Health (unschooling)

2010-02-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

I'm not the blogger I wanted to be, but I had to make sure that I posted something about this. I am so excited to see this special. I'm hopeful that they will do justice to the philosophy that I have come to hold so dear. The
Discovery Health Parenting Special on unschooling will air on March 3, 2010.
Make sure to mark your calenders. I hope that I will have no trouble remembering this date, as it will be my 7th wedding anniversary! Looking forward to a great day!!

Just a quick thought on unschooling...

2009-11-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Having been on our "radical" unschooling journey for awhile now, we have learned so much! One thing really sticks out...unschooling, radical unschooling what ever you call it, it all looks different from one family to the next! We do what works for our family which is coincidentally what we've always done minus school(without knowing there was a term). We are un-learning somethings with our (up until recently) schooled teenager! Trust is HUGE in our family and what I feel is the "root" of Radical Unschooling. It's as personal of an experience as it is a choice! Unique, like every child and as deserving of respect as every child! I truly feel if you and your family are happy and everyone's needs are being met, then you are on the right path...what ever that path my be!

Unbelievable!

2009-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

H1N1...to get or NOT to get!!

2009-11-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

A friend sent this to me...thought I would pass it along. If you have any information you would like to share, we would love to hear it! We have members of our family that have low immune systems and we are on the fence about this issue. We really would love ANY information you might have!

Merhia,
Someone sent me this about the H1N1 vaccine. Don't know if it's helpful or not, but since you're questioning it I thought I'd send it along. Especially with what it's saying about autoimmune diseases.

A DEFINITIVE STATEMENT ON WHY NOT TO HAVE THE SWINE FLU VACCINATION:

There's some really good information on protecting ourselves with nutritional knowledge in this letter from Russel Blaylock, MD

A letter from RUSSELL L. BLAYLOCK, M.D.

(His credentials follow in the letter.)

No one should take the swine flu vaccine. It is one of the

most dangerous vaccines ever devised.

It contains an immune adjuvant called squalene (MF-59)

which has been shown to cause

severe autoimmune disorders such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis

and Lupus. This is the vaccine adjuvant that is strongly

linked to the Gulf War syndrome, which killed over 10,000

soldiers and caused a 200% increase in the fatal disease ALS

(Lou Gehreg disease).

This virus H1N1 kills by causing a "cytokine storm," which means that it cause the body's immune system to overreact and that is why it is killing young people and is a mild disease in the elderly.

(The elderly have weakened immune systems.) This vaccine is a very powerful immune stimulator and carries the real possibility of making the lethality of the virus much greater.

One's best protection is vitamin D3. One should take 5000 IU

a day now and when the disease begins to spread increase the

dose to 15,000 IU a day. Vitamin D3 modulates the immune

reaction, reducing the chance of an overreaction and

stimulates the body to produce what are called antimicrobial

peptides, which are powerful killers of viruses that does not

involve immunity. This is dose related, which means the higher

the dose of vitamin D3 the better the protection. Fish oils

(the best is Carlson's Norwegian lemon flavored fish oil) also

reduce immune overreaction. One teaspoon a day should be

sufficient. For severe symptoms, one teaspoon twice a day.

Antioxidants of various kinds also help. This includes,

quercetin, curcumin, grapeseed extract, vitamin C and natural vitamin E.

A good multivitamin/mineral is also essential.

Feel free to spread this around. People need to know how to protect themselves.

Russell RUSSELL L. BLAYLOCK, M.D. Dr. Blaylock is a board certified neurosurgeon, author and lecturer. He attended the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his general surgical internship and neurosurgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston , South Carolina .

During his residency he ran the neurology program for one year and did a fellowship in neurosurgery after his residency. For the past 25 years he has practiced neurosurgery in addition to having a

nutritional practice. He recently retired from both practices

to devote full time to nutritional studies and research. During his residency training he worked with the eminent neurosurgeon, Dr. Ludwig Kempe. Together they developed the transcallosal removal of intraventricular tumors, which is still used today. Dr. Blaylock presented their cases utilizing this technique to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. They also developed the ventriculolymphatic shunt in the treatment of hydrocephalus. In addition, they conducted neuroanatomical studies together with the aim of developing improved approaches in vascular intracranial surgery.

It was during his residency that Dr. Blaylock did much of the

primary work on intraventricular monitoring of craniocerebral

trauma patients, which was reported in the scientific

literature. He also worked closely with Dr. Peter Jannetta

during Dr. Jennetta?s early research on vascular compression

of the cranial nerves as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia and

hemifacial spasm. Dr. Blaylock was one of the first

neurosurgeons to utilize high-intensity nutritional

supplementation in craniocerebral trauma patients, which met

with great success. Dr. Blaylock has written and illustrated three books. The first book was on the subject of excitotoxins

( Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills ) and how they are related to diseases of the nervous system. His second book, Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life , covers the common basis of all disea ses, nutritional protection against diseases of

aging, protection against heavy meta l toxicity, the fluoride

debate, pesticide and herbicide toxicity, excitotoxin update,

the vaccine controversy, protection against heart attacks and

strokes and contains a new chapter on omega-3 fats. This book

has been newly revised as an oversized paperback. His third

book, Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients , was released in

April, 2003 and discusses the ways to defeat cancer, enhance

the effectiveness of conventional treatments and prevent

complications associated with these treatments. In addition,

he has written and illustrated three chapters in medical

textbooks, written a booklet on nutritional protection against

biological terrorism and written and illustrated a booklet on

multiple sclerosis. He has written over 30 scientific papers

in peer-reviewed journals on a number of subjects. Since the publication of his first book he has been a guest on numerous national and international syndicated radio programs and appeared on the 700 Club several times. He appeared on

Nutritionally Living with Dr. Ward Bond. Presently, he is engaged in a monthly radio program discussing his book, Health and Nutrition Secrets on Raymond Francis? program Beyond Health . The series will run for 12 months. He lectures widely to both lay and professional medical audiences on a variety of

nutritional subjects. Dr. Blaylock serves on the editorial staff of the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association and is the associate editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons ,official journal of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. He has a monthly nutrition newsletter, published by NewsMax.com , The Blaylock Wellness Newsletter . Dr. Blaylock serves as the medical consultant f or the Fluoride Toxicity Research Collaborative .He was recently awarded the Integrity in Science award by the Westin Price Foundation. Presently, he is a visiting professor in the department of biological sciences at Belhaven College in Jackson , Mississippi . At present he is a member of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, the American Nutraceutical Association, the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionist, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, American College of Nutrition,American Association for Health Freedom, National Health Federation, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. He was recently appointed as a member of the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. He was also recently appointed as a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Life-Extension Foundation .

Halloween Time....

2009-10-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Great interview on "Informal Learning" from an expert!

2009-09-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

There should be a sign....oh really? by: Eric Wiese

2009-08-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

So, the Wiese's went a-shopin' tonight. Apparently that really pissed off a couple of 'ladies' in the shoe department. Now to be fair, our family doesn't "go to the store". We descend locust-like upon it, announced by a cacophony of screaming, yelling, and unimaginably loud talking. Thankfully, tonight the rumpus was contained to the gleeful, and happily tantrum free.

So there I am, running through the shoe isles, after my angelic 2-year old Margarette, enjoying her 15th chorus of the "Wonder Pets" theme song (sung at the top of her lungs) and trying to keep property damage to a minimum, or at least return most of the strewn stock to the shelves. You know, a typical toddler shopping trip. On about the 7th or 8th lap, I was stunned from my happy contemplation of the boundless joy that is my daughter by an over-heard comment from the next isle. Something to the effect of "This place needs a sign saying 'Keep your children quiet or they will be executed".

Now of course, my first impulse upon hearing this hilarious bit of comedy was to peek over and apologize to the scummy looking pair of women on behalf of the universe that they could never trick some passing trucker into filling their dried up wombs with cracker-spawn of their own, thus enabling her to experience the joys of parenthood. Surely, I would say, the burden of such a life would turn any of us into crotchety old witches straight from the pages of Hansel and Gretel, and I understand completely.

Obviously I did not say this or anything else. Not because I have manners, or didn't want to cause a scene. I kept quiet for the simple reason that I have a penis. Males of our species are not aloud to criticize or otherwise have issues with strange women in public lest charges be filed. 'Course, I'da smacked the bitch, but I'm a pacifist.

So I did the next best thing: I told my wife on her. Bitches were lucky they'd left by then or there would have been bloodshed on the Birkenstocks in the old Fred Meyer. Well, not really, cause she's a pacifist too! Why can't we summon our Nonviolent Communication (NVC) ways of thinking when our children are involved?

Bug Fest 2009

2009-08-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

At some point I am positive that I will figure out how to manipulate my layout just the way I want it. Until then, I hope this post ends up some where near the photo of us at the Bug Fest.
We had a blast today! Annabelle was a little weary of the wasps, no doubt after seeing her dear daddy and baby sister get attacked by wasps. Other then that we had so much fun playing the games and learning all sorts of new facts about bugs we thought we knew EVERYTHING about!
After a CRazY lunch at a little cafe and a much need "quiet time" at home, we headed out to watch our babysitter preform in her H.S. marching band. My little "Highly Sensitive/ Out of Sync" children had their noise reduction headphones on the whole time, but seemed to enjoy seeing their buddy on the field. We made an entrance as the "Wiese's" always do, and enjoyed a little of the BBQ that was offered afterwords. Man my children are crazy! Running all over the field, falling down the bleachers, throwing rocks on peoples plates of food! All in all it was a great day! We had fun, learned lots of new things ( Annabelle has decided that when she is 8, she is going to be a volunteer park ranger so she can be in the dragonfly enclosure alone)and came home exhausted! YEA Bug Fest!!

1st Bolg.....

2009-08-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog ...this is our first post! My husband Eric and I will both be posting our thoughts, feelings and general accounts of our lives as the Wiese's! This is my first foray into the "blog" world, and have no idea what I am doing. Eric's had one other bolg, but apparently he hasn't posted anything for years! Years? Really? I am so behind! Any way, I'm gonna give it a go! See what happens and hope for the best.
The main reason we have decided to take on this endeavor is that we have just made a life altering decision to truly Unschool our two youngest children! I have read and read and read everything I can get my little hands on. By far, the most useful information I have found has been through Twitter posts to bolgs! There are some amazing people out there! Who knew? Well, I knew that there had to be other people that felt the same way we did about our children...We have been unschooling our littlest children from birth and had no idea it had a name! That happens to us a lot, so we have learned to trust our instincts when it comes to our kids... except for that time my husband wanted to see if they could fly, but he's an idiot. (my husband wrote this last part, you"ll get used to his sense of humor)...On we go....