Summer Fun 2007

Science Adventures Camp


Science Adventures Camp was really fun. I did a whole bunch of stuff. I made a space rover, space rocks, telescope, constellation box, and a science adventures board game. We went to Six Flags and we went to a water park instead of a regular pool. I got on the Superman roller coaster with Daddy and the Hurricane. The ride I like the most is the Hurricane and Superman roller coaster because it was fun and it went fast. It made me feel scary because of my stomach, even though it was a 35 foot drop, I wasn't afraid because I was with Daddy.

Washington International School

Dad became the "cool dad" of the camp with requests for
games of ping-pong and basketball. Before Eric started
started playing, none of the kids played Ping Pong.

Zion plays his favorite game BASKETBALL at WIS.

Zion always plays with the big boys at WIS.

Washington International School

In Zion's own words:

"I love this camp because I met new friends and had friends from last summer. I like the fact that we change classes. I took sports first and science and technology. I really like Zack, the counselor, because he knows how to play basketball and he played with me every day at camp. I like meeting people from all over the world. Obassa was from West Africa. Rahul was from
Ethiopia."

How to Eat to Live

Zion participated in a gardening workshop that was a part of the Growing Food and Building Confidence program sponsored by the Nation of Islam. We learned the importance of urban gardening. Zion planted okra, created a seed chart, and transplated a flower. Next April we plan to participate in the gardening program offered by the Lederer Environmental Center in D.C. Each child get's his own plot of land to plant and harvest a variety of produce. It's a free program taught by an African American male horticulturalist with 30 years experience. You can't get any better than that!

My Little Genius

Zion has been so blessed to participate in a wonderful program since the Fall of 2006. Little Genius Science and Math combines hands-on experiences with science and math, mentoring, and of course, interaction with peers whose parents hold them to the same standards of excellence that we have for Zion. I told Jennifer (the founder of the program) today that I love the class. I learn so much. Today Zion learned about the anatomy of the eye and took home an eyeball he made. Anita, the curriculum writer, is awesome too. Each week I am so amazed. Now my son knows that he can have a career making artificial eyes. They are called OCULARISTS. Who knew!

For more information about Little Genius Science & Math Program, view this link:

http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_3139.shtml

Playtime after a Day of Work

Since I was still in the hospital with Ayinde, today Zion spent part of the day working with Daddy delivering roses. In my opinion, this teaches him so much more than any of the “seat work” he does on a daily basis. He is learning that Daddy will do what is necessary to make extra money for the family. He is learning the value of hard work. He is learning how to be enterprising and conduct business because I know he is recording all of Daddy’s conversations in that Memorex brain of his. And the best part for Zion is pay day. Right now Zion has more money than I do. He’s been saving his birthday money and pay from his “part-time” jobs with Daddy and I think he’s over $100.00. He’s also learning how to budget. About a week ago Zion told me he needed a new toothbrush. I told him to use some of his money and purchase one. He took a second look at his toothbrush and said, “Nevermind. I think it’s okay.” I’ll bet you do. After a long day at work, Dad and Zion came back to the hospital to spend the rest of the evening with family. Their presence made Ayinde feel lessed stressed about being away from home.

Family First

Zion’s little brother Ayinde was admitted to the hospital on Saturday for pneumonia. Zion and dad have been at the hospital all day over the weekend. On Monday Zion had the choice of going for a play/homeschool date or coming to the hospital to be with mommy. He chose to stay with me at the hospital all day. I see this as a “side effect” of homeschooling. Being with his family during a crisis and just in general is not only normal, but enjoyable to Zion. He said he wanted to come to the hospital to help me and play board games with me so I wouldn’t be lonely. I wanted to cry. Zion is only seven years old but very mature and compassionate. My husband and I are so proud of who he is becoming. So dad packed his backpack with some essentials: Singapore Math, Explode the Code, Handwriting Without Tears, Little Genius Science and Math, and a book to read to me. Becasue Zion had a cold, he had to wear a mask while visiting.

Bug Exhibit at the Natural History Museum

Zion has always been fearless. It was difficult for mommy to even take this photo. This is a hissing cockroach from Madagascar. Ewwww!

Zion turns 7

Today my son celebrated his 7th birthday. Finances forced us to have a small sleepover birthday party of his closest friends. I am thankful for that. I asked his friends to give Zion advice on things he would need to know and do now that he was 7 and they said things like, "don't be selfish," "listen to your mother the first time," and "look out for yourself and be responsible." Profound wisdom coming from young African American and Puerto Rican boys ages 7-10. It also got me to thinking about what Eric and I need to be doing differently as he moves toward the path of young manhood. I know it was not an accident that I attended a workshop analysis by Dr. Tony Browder on the documentary, The Secret. It helped me understand the importance of instilling in my son the ability to critically analyze from an African perspective. It's time and he's ready. I've already started reading The Warrior Method by Dr. Raymond Windbush to prepare me for this journey.

How We Started

Since I'm so late in the game creating this blog for Zion and his homeschooling adventures, we are going to work our way up to 2007 from 2004. I actually began homeschooling in 2003 but I didn't start taking digital shots until 2004 and what's a blog without photos! Anyway, around that time I began my hunt for preschools. My husband thought the whole idea was silly because "you're a stay-at-home mom and you're smart, you teach him." Sometimes simple wisdom is the most profound. But hey, I'm thinking "I could use a couple of hours to myself." We tried a few programs but none worked because Zion was a LION from the beginning. He was assertive and sure of himself and that doesn't always work in environments where meek and mild mannered is preferred. My husband was always vocal about not wanting Zion in an environment where he was the only AA boy. Okay, so that just about cancelled out all of the programs that I had my eye on. To make a long story short, after doing the "open house" circuit it was concluded that I would be teaching preschool at home because at my husband so succintly put it "I'm not paying somebody to do what you can do." After preschool, I started the "open house" circuit again for public, charter and private schools. The end result....well that journey is chronicled in an article I wrote for NiaOnline. Check out the link below.

http://www.niaonline.com/NiaLD/NewDesign/homepage_channel/homepage_article/0,2011,2727,00.html

Zion the Lion

What is the meaning of your name Zion? Answer: Psalms 87:2-3, "The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God." Occurring over 150 times in the Bible, the word "Zion" essentially means "fortification." In the Bible, the Zion is both the city of David and the city of God. As the Bible progresses, the word Zion transitioned from referring primarily to a physical city, to a more spiritual context.The first mention of the word "Zion" in the Bible is 2 Samuel 5:7, "Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David." Zion, therefore, was originally the name of the ancient Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem. Zion came to stand not only for the fortress but also for city in which the fortress stood. After David captured "the stronghold of Zion," Zion was then called "the City of David" (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Chronicles 11:5; 2 Chronicles 5:2).