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juliepippert My friend Julie Marsh wrote an EXCELLENT article with useful links that updates us all about the Texas education changes and the problems they create: an incomplete, unbalanced, agenda-driven education. It's a MUST READ for all parents.

Last year, Texas governor Rick Perry made a few offhand references to the possibility of secession. Given the idiocy of the Texas State Board of Education, I'm all for Perry making good on his lighthearted threats. Then maybe the rest of the country can get on with the business of educating our kids without the input of a young-earth creationist dentist.

The Texas Board of Education stirred up discussion last year on the topic of intelligent design; namely, whether it ought to be taught in public schools as an alternative theory to evolution. Under the guise of advocating "critical thinking," the conservative faction of the board argued that high school students should explore the "weaknesses" of evolution.

Considering that the most vocal member of the board, Don McLeroy, "believes that the earth was created in six days, as the book of Genesis has it, less than 10,000 years ago," it's not surprising that he wants students to question evolution. I wonder if he's ever applied any critical thinking to his belief that scripture is more compelling evidence than carbon dating.

Texas didn't manage to excise evolution from the science curriculum last year. But this year, it's another story where it comes to social studies. Among the changes that have been preliminarily approved by the state Board of Education:

* Removing Thomas Jefferson from a section on how Enlightenment philosophy influenced the founders;
* Requiring that students learn about the conservative political groups and figures...such as the Moral Majority and Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly -- without having a similar requirement for learning about liberal movements;
* Replacing the term “capitalism” with “free enterprise” in economics and history standards, because...[it has] been tainted by liberal academics;
* Requiring students to learn about the “Judeo-Christian” influences on the nation’s founders.

Go read the rest!!

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/100319/mess_with_texas_dont_mind

about 1 year ago - Comment

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juliepippert This past November and again in December, I went to SeaWorld. The first time I came home with a fabulous book: Whale Done! -- a book about that positive training techniques the SeaWorld trainers use with the amazing animals we see when we visit the park. The key concept I took from the Whale Done! book about positive behavior motivation is to not wait until the end to notice and reward progress, whether for yourself or others. That concept, along with a job I held many years ago, came in handy for parenting this weekend. It helped me find a way to motivate my kids to tidy up.Nearly fifteen years ago I was working for a high-tech company that had created one of the earliest GPS models for long-haul trucking. I loved that job for a variety of reasons -- cool work, learning new things, adventure, travel, awesome coworkers -- but one thing that has stayed with me for all of these years is the concept of routing.For each trip, the company and driver created a route with way points. Each time the driver hit a way point, the GPS sent a ping back to the company. The company liked to reward drivers who accomplished the route.You see, a lot of truckers were varying routes, taking detours, getting off track, breaking speed limits, and so forth. It was a real problem on many levels for the company.By setting a route with way points, the company could tell when a driver stayed on track and stuck to the (legal) plan. Drivers who did this were rewarded. It really worked.Setting goals is important, but so is setting way points and guidelines along the way.When you keep your eye and attention focused on the goal, sometimes it's too easy to lose what you've accomplished so far.The Whale Done! book reminded me of setting routes, way points, and sending a ping as I met each point, not just the end destination. When my husband and I were struggling to come up with a way to get the kids on track with cleaning their rooms, it finally occurred to me that we needed to break it down, the big goal of cleaning, and reward the children for their progress, as the trucking company and SeaWorld trainers did.Yesterday, I set the egg timer for ten minute intervals -- a time I felt was age appropriate for my two kids (8 and 5) and long enough to accomplish some tidying but not so long as to feel overwhelmed or lose focus). At the end of each time period, my husband and I checked the kids' progress, and rewarded them if they stayed on track and hit a way point on the route to cleaning up their rooms. They had a choice among four rewards:1. A dime2. A red jelly candy3. A chocolate candy4. A hug and praise from Mom and DadThey did get off track some, and did get distracted, but on the whole, they kept to the route and they enjoyed choosing among their rewards (and they chose all four at some point). There was no yelling, no punishment, and although the rooms aren't perfect, they are indeed tidy and we all stayed positive about it.Most of all, I saw the kids taking ownership of the cleaning, and choosing what part to clean for each interval. It was great to see their independence, and wonderful to see them caring about the cleaning on their own. Best of all was their pride in doing the job well.It's funny how different things come together to be helpful for me in life, especially in parenting. I'm sure I never expected a job held long-ago to give me a good idea of how to parent. I'm sure I never thought that SeaWorld would provide good guidance about parenting. But that's the blessing in life -- getting great pieces that pull together for a something beautiful.

over 2 years ago - Comment

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juliepippert Every year since the war began, I've sent care packages to troops. They've been getting bigger each year. Seems like the longer people are fighting, the longer they are away from their families...the more I need to do in support of them.

This year, I started thinking about a friend and how her husband was re-deployed, again. I wondered about these families that have to say hello and goodbye so often -- although she and so many others are so wonderfully eloquent and open about it that there is little actual wondering involved, other than "what would I do?"

My friend's husband got leave to come home for the holidays -- yea! -- but he left behind other members of his unit. So I said, "What can I do?"

Her husband asked his unit members, they generously shared their names and APO address, and I thought, "Who else can help?"

That's when I turned to my SeaWorld WildSide buddies. They all signed up to help without hesitation.

(Read rest through link.)

http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com/2009/12/care-package-for-troops-our-holiday.html

over 2 years ago - Comment

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juliepippert Originally Posted by juliepippert in juliepippert's CircleBig fancy parties in hotel ballrooms or swanky homes, cocktail dresses and suits, sparkly champagne -- this is a lovely Hollywood image of the perfect New Year's Eve.It's not quite my family's though! The last time my husband and I did it up fancy was pre-kids -- in 1999. For that big transition year, we traveled to Chicago with some friends for a big party. It was a great time! Since then, though, we've been much lower key and loving it, too.The last two years we celebrated with neighbors and family, and the kids got a fun sleepover with cousins. That's about our speed these days! This year we are shaking it up a bit with a trip to SeaWorld to indulge in their new year's eve celebration. So what's your image of a perfect New Year's Eve and what will you do?

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld You can now see all of our parks at street level on Google maps. This was really fun since the Google crews came into the park over the summer and captured photos of everything. Check it out!

http://www.seaworldsanantonioblog.com/2009/12/02/your-favorite-parks-are-now-as-close-as-your-computer/

over 2 years ago - Comment

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juliepippert I just wanted to mention that if you're in Texas, and thinking of a fun trip/outing, we've got a really CHEAP deal for Seaworld San Antonio over in the Raising Enlightened Kids circle.The link goes straight to the SeaWorld site and coupon code. In short, it's "n the SeaWorld San Antonio circle we have a special deal for the Texas location only through January 3rd, 2010. Admission @Kid's price and one extra day free for up to 6 people. We are also open the week of Christmas and all the way through the New Year. This coupon allows you to come at kids price plus add an extra free day for up to six people. Spread the word to your Texas friends!"

http://www.seaworldsanantonioblog.com/twice-the-christmas-miracles-at-seaworld-san-antonio/

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld On the SeaWorld San Antonio circle we have a special deal for the Texas location only through January 3rd, 2010. Admission @Kid's price and one extra day free for up to 6 people. We are also open the week of Christmas and all the way through the New Year. This coupon allows you to come at kids price plus add an extra free day for up to six people. Spread the word to your Texas friends!

http://bit.ly/Coupon1209

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld I am resubmitting this link since the other one was not working. We have a special deal for the SeaWorld San Antonio location only through January 3rd. We are also open the week of Christmas and all the way through the new year. This coupon allows you to come at kids price plus a free day for up to six people. Spread the word!

http://bit.ly/Coupon1209

http://bit.ly/Coupon1209

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld Great video on ABC featuring one of our trainers Chuck Tompkins about positive reinforcement. Good reminder before the Thanksgiving Holiday.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources&id=7130898

over 2 years ago - Comment

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juliepippert Heather made me think with her comment about SeaWorld's "Here's to the Heroes" program for military families. Every year my kids and I do packages for our deployed soldiers. My brother is in the military, and my father is retired, plus we've always known someone somehow who is spending the holidays overseas. How would we like to do a SeaWorld Hotties drive to gather fun holiday goodies to send to soldiers? If you guys are game, I'll look into finding the right spot to send our collection -- or please make a suggestion! (From the Hotties to the Heroes!) (And that name is kidding, would not put it on packages for reals lol.)

over 2 years ago - Comment

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juliepippert Watch the latest business video at http://video.foxbusiness.com/
Chuck Tomkins and his son Cody spoke this month about how well Whale Done! positive parenting worked in their family (love the father-son perspective!) and provide quick and simple tips on how to incorporate it.

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld Can I brag about Emily? She was on the Oprah show last week for Mom Sends the Message, a really great campaign by The Motherhood to reduce distracted driving.

Check out her tweet:

http://twitter.com/EmilyMcKhann/status/5872489092

and the campaign too:

http://www.momsmsg.com/

Go Emily!

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld Though we slept with the penguins, we had so little time to actually TALK about them. While you were there the penguins were dutifully sitting on their eggs and a few are about to hatch. The #Wildside was decidedly for Moms, but while we had our slumber party the Dad penguins were also dutifully taking their turn sitting on the eggs in the exhibit.

We had Denadra put together this great post just for you!

http://www.seaworldsanantonioblog.com/2009/11/23/check-out-these-cool-chicks-penguins-at-seaworld-are-breeding/

over 2 years ago - Comment

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SASeaWorld SeaWorld and Busch Garden's Animal Ambassador, Julie Scardina, appeared on the Today show this morning with some awesome native American animals. You can see a nearly 5-month-old bioson, an American Porcupine, a Grey Fox and a wild Turkey.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Ftoday.msnbc.msn.com%252Fid%252F26184891%252Fvp%252F34128620%252334128620&h=8cb1048948b4a1cd0f2fdcdc5be36e8f&ref=mf

over 2 years ago - Comment

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Emily From Julie's fabulous post on "http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com/2009/11/whale-of-great-slumber-party-at.html ":You don't need me to tell you that it was so
incredible to spend the night at SeaWorld. You can guess how it felt to
fulfill a version of my nearly 30 year "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs
Basil E Franweiler" fantasy. You comprehend how awesome it was to check
off some cool items on my bucket list:- sleep with polar aquatic birds, - stick hand in dolphin's mouth, - gain approval of killer whale matriarch, - perfectly mimic seal, - make BFFs with beluga whale, and last, but not least,- over divine food, listen to major executive passionately talk about green initiatives.Read http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com/2009/11/whale-of-great-slumber-party-at.html here!!!!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j4eUCujzpYE/Swcsf6hacaI/AAAAAAAACYc/9TH-ikBJvz0/s1600/SeaWorld+WildSide+005.jpg

over 2 years ago - Comment

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Emily http://notgoingpostal.com/2009/11/17/lessons-from-a-seaworld-slumber-party/ Orcas, Killer Whales, the fiercest predators in the ocean? They are a matriarchal society. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
We learned that if the oldest female in the pod at SeaWorld sets the
rules. If she decides the show is not happening, it doesn’t happen. You
can’t *make* a 9-ton animal with 56 sharp teeth do anything.
The alpha woman killer whale also decides who fits in the pod, and
who doesn’t. Sometimes whales have to go to a whole new park if she
doesn’t bestow favor.
I’ve noticed my house works this way, too. If I am stressed out and
snappy all morning, pretty soon the little orcas are biting each
other’s heads off. If I get on one kid’s case in front of the other, we
get a case of sibling piling-on. If I want the show around here to go
on as scheduled, I gotta be jumping for mackerel like my life depended
on it.
Even if you’re not an orca, or a mom, that principle works in
business, too. If you’re in a position of power, use it for good. Sure,
you can bully people into heading to another park. But you can choose
to use your influence to include and build up.javascript:nicTemp();
http://notgoingpostal.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/dscn0645.jpg

over 2 years ago - Comment

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Emily Here's a quote from Kelly's great post: Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that I’d have
an experience like the one I had this past weekend. The weather was
perfect and you couldn’t help but be filled with such a sense of peace
as you sat, in the moonlight, next to the whale pool as they blew water
your way. I made friends that I am already certain I will have for a
lifetime. And, I was able to learn so much about a topic that I have
come to love so dearly in the past six months – blogging! Thank
you to Sea World for making this possible. Thank you to the Motherhood
for doing such a great job hosting us! And thank you to all my fellow
“Hotties” for making the night so incredibly special!Read the whole wonderful http://www.savvymoxie.com/2009/11/sleeping-at-sea-world.html http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c1lIAxp5-Zk/SwITfEelnGI/AAAAAAAAAWs/CYwVnRbK-X4/s1600/DSC05694.JPG

over 2 years ago - Comment

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Emily Here's the start to Debi's wonderful post: This past weekend, I had the absolute joy of being hosted by http://www.seaworld.com/ and http://www.themotherhood.com d
for a Walk on the Wild Side campout. An overnight girlfriends getaway,
each woman there was a Texas mommy blogger…and each one brought to the
tank her unique take on life, her sense of humor and her willingness to
sleep on an air mattress for the night.http://sabusykids.com/2009/11/17/waiting-with-baited-breath/#comments
http://sabusykids.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/dolphins.jpg http://sabusykids.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/beluga.jpg http://sabusykids.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/penguins1.jpg http://sabusykids.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/crawdads21.jpg http://sabusykids.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/jellyfish22.jpg http://sabusykids.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/eel.jpg

over 2 years ago - Comment

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Emily Here's http://mommadjane.com/walk-wild-side , where you can meet all the bloggers who went to the slumber party. http://www.flickr.com/photos/43999864@N02/4108749169/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/43999864@N02/4108749169/

over 2 years ago - Comment

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Emily I thought it would be fun to put links to the great posts from all the wonderful, amazing mom bloggers from the Sea World Slumber Party. There is such great information in each post, and the photos will take your breath away. http://www.savingssosweet.com/2009/11/seaworld-san-antonio.html And here's a quote from her post: And yet more new knowledge! Apparently this program has been around for a while, but I had no idea. "http://www.herosalute.com/states/index.html "
is a salute to those military members presently serving our country.
All soldiers and up to 3 of their family members are given
complimentary admission to the park! Being a former military wife, I
have to say, this is very much appreciated.Enjoy!!! http://www.themeparkcodes.com/img/swsa_1.jpg

over 2 years ago - Comment

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