Archive for June, 2007
June 21, 2007 at 3:10 pm · Filed under My Musings, home education
I loathe winning. Not the actual act of winning, but the concept of winning. The belief that winning is the most important aspect of [insert activity here]. When we play games as a family, it’s for one reason: to have fun. Sure, we keep score. The kids like to see who “wins”. But in our play, we are constantly flexible, changing rules to make the game last longer or to be more creative. Other than Solitaire, I can’t think of a single game that we play exactly by the official rules.
We recently had the opportunity to play a game of Scrabble with a group of good friends. We teamed up, adults with kids and nine of us sat down for a fun game. Whoops. Make that seven of us; turns out that one team was there to win and they play by the rules without exception. My kids have played “off the board” when they had a word that was close to working. We let our kids look at the dictionary before placing a word. Apparently these things are both “against the rules”.
Now, knowing that this is a very competitive family, I wasn’t surprised by their sheer determination to win. What I was surprised about is how quickly this game turned into a less than fun event for the other players. This wasn’t because the rest of us were “poor sports” and didn’t want to lose. Rather, the concept of cheering each player’s word placement was lost. Players no longer oohed and ahhed over a clever word. Their focus shifted to keeping track of points. While competitive players will likely say ‘that’s what the game’s about!’, I think it’s a shame. A game that my kids have enjoyed in the past, a game in which they learn spelling skills, ASK to use a dictionary, and learn new words, became a single-focus mission: score the most points at all costs.
It was an interesting look at two very different ways of doing things. And while I can see the drive that comes from wanting to win, I prefer to encourage the creativity that comes with playing a game for fun rather than points.
What about you? Have you ever been in a similar situation? Do you play to win? Or play for fun?
June 20, 2007 at 2:51 pm · Filed under home education
Consider this a public service announcement. 
It’s a conundrum; sunburns are bad for our skin, but many sunscreens are full of chemicals.
In a new investigation of 783 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found widespread evidence that many products on the market are not safe and effective, including one of every eight high-SPF sunscreens that does not protect from UVA radiation.
Read all about it and find the safest and best sunscreen here.
June 19, 2007 at 2:42 pm · Filed under island life
I just love my digital camera!
Larramie asked about peach lilikoi. Really, they aren’t like peaches at all. I’m thinking maybe they are so named because of the skin color. The skin is about a quarter inch thick and kind of velvety. Inside, there is a mass of seeds, shaped like sesame seeds but bigger. The pulp surrounding the seeds is slimy and some people (like my husband) have a problem with the texture. You eat the seeds and pulp, discarding the outer shell. They taste sweet and tangy, with kind of a perfumy undertone. This variety is sweeter than the common lilikoi (or passion fruit) and I’ve only seen it growing wild in the far reaches of the island.
We strained the seeds from most of those that we brought home and plan to make a lilikoi sauce tonight to go over macadamia nut ice cream. Yes, I am indulging with company here!
June 19, 2007 at 9:56 am · Filed under island life
June 19, 2007 at 7:19 am · Filed under island life
Sore feet. Sore knees. What fun!
A stacked rock sculpture on the beach.
The trail up the far side.
The view from the top.
The peach lilikoi we brought home. Mmm.
June 18, 2007 at 8:08 pm · Filed under home education
The National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland is offering free online e-learning lessons to help students learn to read Chinese.
Beginning in July 2007, instructional materials will be available via the Internet without costs, user ID, or password.
I’m going to keep my eyes on this one!
Blog Nod: Larramie at Seize a Daisy
June 18, 2007 at 7:55 am · Filed under island life
June 17, 2007 at 12:55 pm · Filed under island life
As promised, the green coffee beans that follow Kona snow.
June 16, 2007 at 9:25 am · Filed under home education
“Families matter most.”
This from an op-ed about home education in SF Gate. Great piece.
Blog Nod: Tammy Takahashi
June 15, 2007 at 6:38 am · Filed under fun stuff
Sometimes I forget what I write. Between this blog, that blog, books, and articles, I just don’t have enough space in my head to remember everything. I was pleasantly surprised to reread this challenge over at my other blog. Such a fun summertime idea. I thought you might think so too.
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