First there was her grade 12 registration.
i remember her grinning over my shoulder as i exclaimed in chagrin that this was my last time registering her for school...
Then, as soon as she was able, she applied for college. They conditionally accepted her. She wrote exams at the end of her first term. She was halfway done. She studied. i encouraged... i cheered. Sometimes i annoyingly reminded, pushed, prodded... i tried to be a good mama - all fumbling like a parent in the passenger side as their child hurtles down the highway for the first time, shouting instructions and pounding that imaginary brake as their child adeptly makes lane changes, weaving capably in and out of traffic.
We planned grad together.
She showed me what colours she liked and she let me put my fingerprints throughout it too. Sometimes she says that in the kitchen, we are like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, and it`s true... we work well together - cooking for ten most nights and days. i guess our experience paid off cause her grad was amazing. Over 80 people showed up to honour her... There were thoughtful speeches, yummy desserts, a song, grandparents and a special cousin who travelled, friends who helped and cried and hugged and brought presents, a soft blue dress that fit like a glove. There was also one clear, sweet voice using the humorous guise of, "valedictorian speech" to give her testimony to a room of people she admires.
It was perfect, really.
Neil's cousin's wife took grad pictures, my friend did Cai's hair...
She looked so pretty... So poised and confident. So Cairo.
After two and a half years of working at Dairy Queen and putting her cheques diligently in the bank... After countless babysitting jobs, loving each little one in each family and giving her dad the majority of the money she made over all those hours and hours of toil to put in the bank for her, she scrawled out a budget for her college education. She had more than enough.
"But i get to buy you new boots..." i added unnecessarily.
She doesn't really need me...
Her diploma grades arrived, and i rudely ripped open the envelope while she was at work. i really did. i'm ashamed to admit it, but it's the truth... i justified it by saying i wouldn't want to rush to her work with the envelope if it were bad news, but the news was good. Really good. So i grabbed her sister and my keys and with an idiotic grin on my face, i rushed in and shoved the envelope in her face.
She forgave me.
Her acceptance letter followed, and her diploma followed that.
Summer was in full swing.
She bought herself a new computer.
i tried to find her the kind of backpack she wanted.
She got her course schedule, and spent some time trying to figure out how the public transit was going to work for her 8am classes.
And this week, she works her final shifts at Dairy Queen. Her little apron is worn now... The sticky ice cream spray has been washed off of it a million times... those strings are weary from being wrapped around her tiny waist shift after shift as those blue eyes met the next customer, "What can i get you?"
Another childhood, please. A little girl with platinum cotton candy hair and electric blue eyes. Chicklet teeth that were worn almost in half from chewing on her dollies fingers by the time they came loose. i'll take one of those... please.
i wasn't ready to become a mama when she came.
i couldn't fathom what it was to first make room in your body and then to be the one who woke in the night, cleaned up the vomit, wiped away tears, prayed agonized prayers over feverish bodies, teen angst and exhaustion... i couldn't imagine the next 18 years when i was only 19 when i found out she was coming. i couldn't dream of weighing it all in my head, constantly second guessing myself, 'Is she healthy? Are her eyes ok? Will she be safe on those roads? Should i have put her in more lessons? What gaps did i leave in her education? Is she wrestling out her character flaws? Does she know they're there? Does she love me? Did too much of my own baggage wash over and soil her sweet, tender heart? Does she know i did my best?'
And my "word" for this year... or phrase, i guess, has been learning to "surrender - changing my heart of stone for a heart of flesh".. i have been learning to strive less and surrender more - and how many beautiful opportunities has my Saviour given me during this transitional season to learn that tender lesson? He's such a gentle shepherd... he knows the striving is futile... and breaking me of this futile habit, while painful, will be for my own good...
First there was her grade 12 registration. The beginning of the ending.
But, by tender mercies out of my hands, she's still here for awhile. She'll live at home while she takes her classes at a community college. We'll still traipse and dance around that kitchen as adeptly as we ever have. The donuts will still be made on the first day of snow and the little brothers will still get more time to make some memories as she continues to transition and strengthens her wings to fly...
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Book Ends
It was a dreary morning for the middle of April. We woke up to more snow, and honestly? It affected me more than I want to admit.
We opened the book of Romans and studied chapter 14, exploring the greys in life - all those areas that make us uncomfortable or are a matter of conscience. Romans has been kind of heavy - and some of the questions i asked were met with silence. i didn't blame them... i was tired too, and sometimes when the world is covered with grey, we ache for less grey... more light...
We prayed together... and that's when it happened.
"We still haven't picked a new book!" Charter moaned.
We had finished _Where the River Begins_ by Patricia St. John last week and we still hadn't picked our next read aloud.
I had been meaning to scour the bookshelves to see what we haven't read out loud yet, or to find an old favourite that we'd want to read again, but these past couple months have just been killer and each day seems to dribble over tasks left undone into the next until the days are too full and so much seems left undone, unfinished or forgotten.
i looked around the room, and my eye tripped on my first born.
Her blond hair was tied up in a bun with a few wisps framing her pixie face with those impossibly huge eyes and Neil's familiar forehead.
"Hey Cai..." i said without thinking, "You should pick. It'll be one of the last books we read while you're in our school..."
She barely hesitated.
"i pick the Narnia Chronicles. Might as well end with what we started with..."
i remember buying the series before she ever started school... i don't know how many times I've read those books to our little home academy in these past 12 years, but i know that by now, the covers bend easily into place, and that when i get to a familiar passage, there is more than one child who is able to mouth the words and mimic my voice and inflection... i know that they laugh at me for crying, but that they cry too. Imperfect allegory that it may be, it has been a vehicle that has opened up our hearts to Truth and to ideas about faith, relationships and heaven...
i smiled. It was perfect.
Someone ran to grab The Magician's Nephew.
"We'll have time for at least one or two before i graduate, right?" I do the math in my head.
Her last exam looms just over 2 months away...
Surely we have time for at least one or two, don't we?
i tried to laugh past the lump in my throat... "Maybe you'll still do devotions with us in the mornings before you head off to college next year..?"
i cleared my throat and pretended to read the first line, purposefully saying the words all wrong...
"This is a story... about a girl named Dori and now my story's begun..."
"That's not how it starts!"
They know when I'm bluffing, stalling...
i started again, and this time, i continued. i ignored the squeaking baby and the fidgeting little ones and i read - like i do every morning - like i'll continue to do... after she graduates... when this little school is just a part of a jumbled mess of her memories from childhood...
"This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child. It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began..."
Gagey, at only six years old, is unfamiliar with the story line. His blue eyes threatened to glaze over, but i stopped and the older ones animatedly explained and gave context... i kept glancing up as i read to see his reaction to Digory, Polly... and the terrifying Uncle Andrew. I tried not to lose him.
And i vow never to lose her.
It's a fine beginning to his schooling....
And it will make a fine ending to hers.
We opened the book of Romans and studied chapter 14, exploring the greys in life - all those areas that make us uncomfortable or are a matter of conscience. Romans has been kind of heavy - and some of the questions i asked were met with silence. i didn't blame them... i was tired too, and sometimes when the world is covered with grey, we ache for less grey... more light...
We prayed together... and that's when it happened.
"We still haven't picked a new book!" Charter moaned.
We had finished _Where the River Begins_ by Patricia St. John last week and we still hadn't picked our next read aloud.
I had been meaning to scour the bookshelves to see what we haven't read out loud yet, or to find an old favourite that we'd want to read again, but these past couple months have just been killer and each day seems to dribble over tasks left undone into the next until the days are too full and so much seems left undone, unfinished or forgotten.
i looked around the room, and my eye tripped on my first born.
Her blond hair was tied up in a bun with a few wisps framing her pixie face with those impossibly huge eyes and Neil's familiar forehead.
"Hey Cai..." i said without thinking, "You should pick. It'll be one of the last books we read while you're in our school..."
She barely hesitated.
"i pick the Narnia Chronicles. Might as well end with what we started with..."
i remember buying the series before she ever started school... i don't know how many times I've read those books to our little home academy in these past 12 years, but i know that by now, the covers bend easily into place, and that when i get to a familiar passage, there is more than one child who is able to mouth the words and mimic my voice and inflection... i know that they laugh at me for crying, but that they cry too. Imperfect allegory that it may be, it has been a vehicle that has opened up our hearts to Truth and to ideas about faith, relationships and heaven...
i smiled. It was perfect.
Someone ran to grab The Magician's Nephew.
"We'll have time for at least one or two before i graduate, right?" I do the math in my head.
Her last exam looms just over 2 months away...
Surely we have time for at least one or two, don't we?
i tried to laugh past the lump in my throat... "Maybe you'll still do devotions with us in the mornings before you head off to college next year..?"
i cleared my throat and pretended to read the first line, purposefully saying the words all wrong...
"This is a story... about a girl named Dori and now my story's begun..."
"That's not how it starts!"
They know when I'm bluffing, stalling...
i started again, and this time, i continued. i ignored the squeaking baby and the fidgeting little ones and i read - like i do every morning - like i'll continue to do... after she graduates... when this little school is just a part of a jumbled mess of her memories from childhood...
"This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child. It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began..."
Gagey, at only six years old, is unfamiliar with the story line. His blue eyes threatened to glaze over, but i stopped and the older ones animatedly explained and gave context... i kept glancing up as i read to see his reaction to Digory, Polly... and the terrifying Uncle Andrew. I tried not to lose him.
And i vow never to lose her.
It's a fine beginning to his schooling....
And it will make a fine ending to hers.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
siblings
I love my little ones... like, I crazy love them.
I walked past my son in the kitchen tonight. He was getting advil because his teeth were hurting pretty bad from his braces. He is almost my height now - and as I pass him, he seems like a man.
He's more like me than like his dad. His hair is fair - and he talks too much and feels so deeply.
I stall him... I ask him about school, about his friends, about his faith... but in moments, his little sister is hissing up the stairs, "Charter! What's taking you so long?"
I should have known she wouldn't be asleep yet...
She peeks up the stairs and sees me. She smiles and climbs into my arms.
Her hair is like silk except for the tiny piece where best friend's mom sewed a feather in it. She still fits under my chin - even though she's tall for nine.
And I know they're tired... they need to go to bed... but I wrap one arm around my boy... and one around his littlest sister. They pull in close - and awkwardly tuck their other arms around their own body.
"No." I whisper insistently... "Each other too..."
And they do.
We're wrapped in a little huddle - just the three of us - and I can't help but burst into prayer.
I get one line in - and we hear a whimpering wail from downstairs... the little brothers have discovered their big siblings are missing.
They laugh - and they break our sacred huddle and tiptoe down the stairs whispering reassurances in sleepy tones.
And I?
I feel the emptiness of arms that want to grab hold of those two siblings and make them see the precious thing that they sometimes treat with scorn...
Oh babies... can you see how each of you has been gifted to the others? Do you understand how much these relationships mean? Will you throw them away like trash? Or could it be... that when my arms are laid to rest... it will be in the arms of your brothers and sisters that you will find comfort?
And this mama wants to absorb each hurt that you inflict on each other, because, my precious babies? They're not as big as you imagine them to be.
And this mama wants to reinvent bad habits - I want to make you smile at the one who drives you nuts, compliment the one who makes you jealous, be generous to the one who always seems to take...
But I can't do any of that. Because these relationships aren't mine to orchestrate or manipulate or force... no, these relationships are YOUR gifts.
And so I watch - smiling when you work together, laughing when you play together... crying when I see you making music together... cheering when you stand up for each other, weeping when I see you dancing, worshipping, praying together ... drenched in hope when I see your secret friendships forged with laughter... but then begging mercy for the one who shouldn't have done it - pleading grace for the one who doesn't deserve it...
I know i'm a hot mess as a mama (and wife - and human being)... but the one thing... *the one thing* that I have going for me - is that I don't think it would be possible for any other mama to love you all more than I do - and the best thing that I know to give you - the ones that I love so desperately...
Is each other.
Treat each other well.
I walked past my son in the kitchen tonight. He was getting advil because his teeth were hurting pretty bad from his braces. He is almost my height now - and as I pass him, he seems like a man.
He's more like me than like his dad. His hair is fair - and he talks too much and feels so deeply.
I stall him... I ask him about school, about his friends, about his faith... but in moments, his little sister is hissing up the stairs, "Charter! What's taking you so long?"
I should have known she wouldn't be asleep yet...
She peeks up the stairs and sees me. She smiles and climbs into my arms.
Her hair is like silk except for the tiny piece where best friend's mom sewed a feather in it. She still fits under my chin - even though she's tall for nine.
And I know they're tired... they need to go to bed... but I wrap one arm around my boy... and one around his littlest sister. They pull in close - and awkwardly tuck their other arms around their own body.
"No." I whisper insistently... "Each other too..."
And they do.
We're wrapped in a little huddle - just the three of us - and I can't help but burst into prayer.
I get one line in - and we hear a whimpering wail from downstairs... the little brothers have discovered their big siblings are missing.
They laugh - and they break our sacred huddle and tiptoe down the stairs whispering reassurances in sleepy tones.
And I?
I feel the emptiness of arms that want to grab hold of those two siblings and make them see the precious thing that they sometimes treat with scorn...
Oh babies... can you see how each of you has been gifted to the others? Do you understand how much these relationships mean? Will you throw them away like trash? Or could it be... that when my arms are laid to rest... it will be in the arms of your brothers and sisters that you will find comfort?
And this mama wants to absorb each hurt that you inflict on each other, because, my precious babies? They're not as big as you imagine them to be.
And this mama wants to reinvent bad habits - I want to make you smile at the one who drives you nuts, compliment the one who makes you jealous, be generous to the one who always seems to take...
But I can't do any of that. Because these relationships aren't mine to orchestrate or manipulate or force... no, these relationships are YOUR gifts.
And so I watch - smiling when you work together, laughing when you play together... crying when I see you making music together... cheering when you stand up for each other, weeping when I see you dancing, worshipping, praying together ... drenched in hope when I see your secret friendships forged with laughter... but then begging mercy for the one who shouldn't have done it - pleading grace for the one who doesn't deserve it...
I know i'm a hot mess as a mama (and wife - and human being)... but the one thing... *the one thing* that I have going for me - is that I don't think it would be possible for any other mama to love you all more than I do - and the best thing that I know to give you - the ones that I love so desperately...
Is each other.
Treat each other well.
Monday, November 12, 2012
one day
i waken to sweet two year old Yum patting my cheek and whispering, "mom..."
i crack open one eye to see his sweet blue eyes gazing into mine hopefully, "It not sleep time anymore?"
i glance at the clock and shake my head, "Nope. It's not sleep time anymore, buddy. We can get up now."
His little make-shift bed is in shambles - a pile of blankets and pillows that exists permanently beside our bed that he claims is his real bed - and we let him claim it since we've been so relieved to kick little writhing boy out from between us.
i'm not getting up though, so little one asks hopefully, "i come snuggle in your bed with you?"
And i throw back the covers to welcome sturdy legs and dandelion fluff bed-head with impossibly fast beating heart into my arms. He can't stay still. He wiggles from side to side as i hold him and soon he's on his knees smiling at me... and i smile at him... and i get up.
Daddy's away on business, and there is coffee to be made. Hopeful sparkling eyed one pulled out frozen pumpkin mush from the freezer - knowing i'll mix up a batch of muffins if i see it there melting on the counter.
And soon there is perpetual motion - a family meeting about the fighting, a little one spraying an entire can of air freshener onto the couch, two and a half dozen muffins consumed, milk spilled, bibles pulled out, slobbery kisses exchanged with my morning boy.
And you know... i feel like i'm failing... amidst all the good smells of hazelnut coffee and pumpkin muffins... amidst the ever threatening messes and the broken, the dishevelled and needing a haircut... amidst the almost, but never quite fully finished school work, and the grades that should have been better but weren't... the teeth that seem to be coming in crooked, the husband that i need to ask forgiveness from... again, the tempers that flare up and the ones that respond in kind...
And it's such a broken pathetic little mess...
But i have felt more peace about this place of not excellent but adequate.
So i wrangle a wiggly boy and chop some of his mop of blonde hair off. It's a little better, i think. We pray for our family - and talk about how we can do this better. i tell my littles to get out some books - and i know that today - even if it doesn't all get done, some of it will. i sweep up some of the crumbs and clear a spot on the counter.
i'm doing my best.
And it's enough.
i crack open one eye to see his sweet blue eyes gazing into mine hopefully, "It not sleep time anymore?"
i glance at the clock and shake my head, "Nope. It's not sleep time anymore, buddy. We can get up now."
His little make-shift bed is in shambles - a pile of blankets and pillows that exists permanently beside our bed that he claims is his real bed - and we let him claim it since we've been so relieved to kick little writhing boy out from between us.
i'm not getting up though, so little one asks hopefully, "i come snuggle in your bed with you?"
And i throw back the covers to welcome sturdy legs and dandelion fluff bed-head with impossibly fast beating heart into my arms. He can't stay still. He wiggles from side to side as i hold him and soon he's on his knees smiling at me... and i smile at him... and i get up.
Daddy's away on business, and there is coffee to be made. Hopeful sparkling eyed one pulled out frozen pumpkin mush from the freezer - knowing i'll mix up a batch of muffins if i see it there melting on the counter.
And soon there is perpetual motion - a family meeting about the fighting, a little one spraying an entire can of air freshener onto the couch, two and a half dozen muffins consumed, milk spilled, bibles pulled out, slobbery kisses exchanged with my morning boy.
And you know... i feel like i'm failing... amidst all the good smells of hazelnut coffee and pumpkin muffins... amidst the ever threatening messes and the broken, the dishevelled and needing a haircut... amidst the almost, but never quite fully finished school work, and the grades that should have been better but weren't... the teeth that seem to be coming in crooked, the husband that i need to ask forgiveness from... again, the tempers that flare up and the ones that respond in kind...
And it's such a broken pathetic little mess...
But i have felt more peace about this place of not excellent but adequate.
So i wrangle a wiggly boy and chop some of his mop of blonde hair off. It's a little better, i think. We pray for our family - and talk about how we can do this better. i tell my littles to get out some books - and i know that today - even if it doesn't all get done, some of it will. i sweep up some of the crumbs and clear a spot on the counter.
i'm doing my best.
And it's enough.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
school on the brain
It's mid August and that means that i'm starting to wrap my mind around fall - and the idea of homeschooling grades 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, K and one little tornado baby.
After a decade of homeschooling, i found that this year a lot of my preparation happened by browsing my own bookshelves and pulling out favourite dog-eared resources to use again. It involved buying costco packs of notebooks and pens - and a couple of online orders of classic books that i'd like to round out their educations with... and then stacking it all neatly on my counter to contemplate with twinges of excitement and anxiety.
This doesn't mean that i've got it all figured out.
Far from it.
But at least at this stage it saved me a few bucks that will instead be spent on gymnastics and violin lessons.
So i'm scrambling with the loose ends that i need to consider - what math curriculum for little Miss who didn't like hers last year? Will sparkling eyed one keep up with hers? Or will i need to tweak it? When will the books arrive for the online courses that my biggies are taking? Will sunshine boy learn to read? What read alouds will we do? Will my bigs be too big and my littles be too little to learn together? Will we finish reading the bible this year? Will we have enough quiet areas in our crazy house for learning to happen? How will we fit in my commitment to 40 Days for Life - which i feel my Father laying heavy on my heart - far from releasing me from it as i thought He might... Will i really have to prepare meals on top of it all? And will my travelling man be gone half time like he was last year?
And in great scooping handfulls, i bring it all to Him. The One who bids me to come. It runs through my fingers like sand as i bring it - each tiny speck of concerned mama-love, every perceived disadvantage, the less than perfect, the possible mistakes and failures. i can't even carry it as it slips through the cracks and runs in streams from my hands and i stack it in a loose pile at His feet.
Take it, Jesus!
On the cusp of another homeschool year - i remember why i'm doing this: because i'm supposed to.
And it's enough.
After a decade of homeschooling, i found that this year a lot of my preparation happened by browsing my own bookshelves and pulling out favourite dog-eared resources to use again. It involved buying costco packs of notebooks and pens - and a couple of online orders of classic books that i'd like to round out their educations with... and then stacking it all neatly on my counter to contemplate with twinges of excitement and anxiety.
Far from it.
But at least at this stage it saved me a few bucks that will instead be spent on gymnastics and violin lessons.
So i'm scrambling with the loose ends that i need to consider - what math curriculum for little Miss who didn't like hers last year? Will sparkling eyed one keep up with hers? Or will i need to tweak it? When will the books arrive for the online courses that my biggies are taking? Will sunshine boy learn to read? What read alouds will we do? Will my bigs be too big and my littles be too little to learn together? Will we finish reading the bible this year? Will we have enough quiet areas in our crazy house for learning to happen? How will we fit in my commitment to 40 Days for Life - which i feel my Father laying heavy on my heart - far from releasing me from it as i thought He might... Will i really have to prepare meals on top of it all? And will my travelling man be gone half time like he was last year?
And in great scooping handfulls, i bring it all to Him. The One who bids me to come. It runs through my fingers like sand as i bring it - each tiny speck of concerned mama-love, every perceived disadvantage, the less than perfect, the possible mistakes and failures. i can't even carry it as it slips through the cracks and runs in streams from my hands and i stack it in a loose pile at His feet.
Take it, Jesus!
On the cusp of another homeschool year - i remember why i'm doing this: because i'm supposed to.
And it's enough.
Friday, July 27, 2012
seven quick takes
1. Sometimes we go to Costco. Usually it's just the two of us - on a hot date to buy lettuce in bulk. He never eats samples. Ever.
And to me, it's strange 'cause i love eating a piece of granola bar followed by a hunk of meat on a cracker with a pomegranate juice chaser. One day i noticed him with an odd smirk on his face - watching a free sample table.
"What's so funny?" i asked.
"Look at them... Everyone is the same. They skulk around, peering nervously around themselves. They circle past... then look back trying to be discreet. They all have a goofy excited look on their face as they furtively grab the sample and run away as if they've stolen something."
"They do?"
"Yeah. They do."
So i went to the booth and asked loudly, "Can i have one for my husband over there too? He's too shy to get his own."
:)
Just kidding... but i should'a.
2. i'm panicking about homeschool this week. Just ignore me. It will pass. Every so often, i get organized and i worry about the program i'm planning for each little student and then suddenly like Peter who takes his eyes off Jesus when he's walking on water... i sink. It's a terrifying prospect for me to think of the education of my children... and i know that each one of them will "own" their own accomplishments and failures - but i can't help but taste a little of each win and loss as i watch them grow.
3. In light of my panic, i ran out to Neil's office this week during business hours. i hovered over his desk, vibrating as he finished his phone call and finally looked up at me - all calm and cool, "What's up?"
"Neil!! i need this certain type of bookshelf. i need it right now! i can't do homeschool without it and YOU HAVE TO BUILD IT FOR ME OR OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER GRADUATE!!! THEY WILL LEARN TO HATE US (me) FOR THEIR LACK OF QUALITY EDUCATION AND I CAN'T HANDLE THEIR LOATHING!!!!"
"Uh, yeah... i'm kind of busy right now. Maybe later."
Choking back sobs, "If we all last that long..."
So, yeah... a little over dramatic over here. You might want to avoid me for a few weeks till this blows over.
4. When people are rude or inconsiderate to my kids - i take it waaaaay harder than if it happens to me. i want to teach them to have grace for adults who don't know how to treat children - because i can't control every moron in the world, but i can gently encourage my little ones to turn the other cheek. It's still hard.
5. This little instagram shot made my morning... it makes me want to keep writing - and to get better at it. It is such a kindness that so many friends have read and encouraged me to keep going.
6. Sometimes i wish Ephraim weren't so consistently a morning person. The occasional lapse in routine wouldn't hurt my feelings if it meant i could sleep in a bit... but the fact that he's such a happy little duck in the morning makes those early morning hours with just the 2 of us pass a little sweeter.
7. i woke up this morning surprised and dismayed that my coffee wasn't made for me. (THAT'S how spoiled i am!!) Every morning that Neil's home, he makes a pot of coffee that is already simmering by the time i make it down stairs. July has been a month of having Neil working from home more than away. It has been a little oasis in the desert of "traveling man-dom". (Yes, i'm just making up words now). i have been so grateful to have him around more.
Happy Friday :)
Monday, April 16, 2012
lunch break - fed
It was one of those lunch times where we needed to be noisy. We had a quiet, studious morning (i sobbed through the chapter of Prince Caspian where nobody believes Lucy that she sees Aslan and Aslan tells her that she must follow Him even if nobody else does...)
We did math, spelling... big kids snuck off to their rooms to do online courses, little boys roamed around making themselves a distraction and finding willing playmates...
Finally, it was lunch.
Ephraim emphatically insisted that all his siblings fold their hands and be silent till he was done his long laborious prayer... amidst sighs and moans of anticipation from a crowd of hungry children, his little voice chirruped, "An' momma, an' dardar, an' ephyum, an' food... (pause) HANDS!!! RORO!! HANDS!!!" (Hands are obediently folded), "An' daddy, an' noanie, an' monny..."
Then goofyness prevailed, little bodies laughed and danced and ate. It was one of those lunches that turns a "seven" day into a "ten". Charter had ripped off his shirt to match his shirtless little brothers & was teasing his sisters that he was, "eye candy". The girlies were rolling their eyes teasing him that he might one day be... if he ever learned some semblance of personal hygiene.
Suddenly Peyton was acting out a story from the table & my ears perked up from the sink where i was washing the dishes...
"& i'll jump on my horse and say, 'Hey ol' boy! i'll call you Thunder!!' C'mon, Bullet, let's fly!"
Cai & i made eye contact & burst out laughing - & in just that twinkling, i was so glad that i had all my chickies at home for so many, many lunches. Sometimes i bemoan the things that i imagine to myself that they're missing - being homeschooled... They don't get enough team sports!! Their writing isn't what it should be!! Those little boys are too distracting & my students too willing to be distracted!!! & on & on it goes...
But this friendly little circle?
This is part of the good stuff... this is why i'm doing this... The tears over Aslan's bewildering decision not to be seen, the conversation over the book of John this morning, the prayers for our election and those running for office - these are some of the times that i feel sure of my course and keep my hand to the tiller when the wind blows strong.
& my prayer comes after all the food is consumed and my little ones begin to pick up the threads of afternoon chores, school subjects and plans to sneak out while mama blogs... It's breathed without words, but swaddled in gratitude... for lunch breaks that feed a homeschooling mama. (john 4:34)
We did math, spelling... big kids snuck off to their rooms to do online courses, little boys roamed around making themselves a distraction and finding willing playmates...
Finally, it was lunch.
Ephraim emphatically insisted that all his siblings fold their hands and be silent till he was done his long laborious prayer... amidst sighs and moans of anticipation from a crowd of hungry children, his little voice chirruped, "An' momma, an' dardar, an' ephyum, an' food... (pause) HANDS!!! RORO!! HANDS!!!" (Hands are obediently folded), "An' daddy, an' noanie, an' monny..."
Then goofyness prevailed, little bodies laughed and danced and ate. It was one of those lunches that turns a "seven" day into a "ten". Charter had ripped off his shirt to match his shirtless little brothers & was teasing his sisters that he was, "eye candy". The girlies were rolling their eyes teasing him that he might one day be... if he ever learned some semblance of personal hygiene.
Suddenly Peyton was acting out a story from the table & my ears perked up from the sink where i was washing the dishes...
"& i'll jump on my horse and say, 'Hey ol' boy! i'll call you Thunder!!' C'mon, Bullet, let's fly!"
Cai & i made eye contact & burst out laughing - & in just that twinkling, i was so glad that i had all my chickies at home for so many, many lunches. Sometimes i bemoan the things that i imagine to myself that they're missing - being homeschooled... They don't get enough team sports!! Their writing isn't what it should be!! Those little boys are too distracting & my students too willing to be distracted!!! & on & on it goes...
But this friendly little circle?
This is part of the good stuff... this is why i'm doing this... The tears over Aslan's bewildering decision not to be seen, the conversation over the book of John this morning, the prayers for our election and those running for office - these are some of the times that i feel sure of my course and keep my hand to the tiller when the wind blows strong.
& my prayer comes after all the food is consumed and my little ones begin to pick up the threads of afternoon chores, school subjects and plans to sneak out while mama blogs... It's breathed without words, but swaddled in gratitude... for lunch breaks that feed a homeschooling mama. (john 4:34)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
I DECLARE... I DECLINE!!
So... i'm sure there are a lot of other Albertans out there who are concerned about our government's attempt to marry the Alberta Human Rights Act to our Education Act (to better understand this click HERE). So, Neil & i were discussing our options for the election that is going to get called any day now...
i told him that in researching my options, i had read an article that outlined voting for, 'none of the above'. Apparently in Alberta, Ontario & Manitoba - dissatisfied voters have the option of, 'declining to vote'. This made Neil curious, so he asked how you do that... i told him you go through the whole rigamarole of getting your ballot & then you tell them that you would like to officially decline your ballot.
He said, "Um... how do you do that... Loudly?"
& we burst out laughing imagining standing in our little public square of a polling station loudly declining our ballots. (He was probably just picturing me doing that all by myself... i more generously pictured us doing it together.)
Anyway - later that night, we were watching tv & there was an ad for The Office - & just the tiniest clip of Michael Scott standing in the middle of the room where he states loudly, "I delcare BANKRUPTSYYYYYYY!!!"
Well, we looked at each other & absolutely lost it. We couldn't breathe we were laughing so hard.
"That's you... that's YOOOOOOOUUUUU...!!"
So, in all honestly... i don't know what to do about voting. It's hard. But i'm going to study, learn and weigh my options. i'm going to listen to my conscience that tells me that it's time to be a one issue voter, (i vote prolife).
But for now... i declare nothing...
i told him that in researching my options, i had read an article that outlined voting for, 'none of the above'. Apparently in Alberta, Ontario & Manitoba - dissatisfied voters have the option of, 'declining to vote'. This made Neil curious, so he asked how you do that... i told him you go through the whole rigamarole of getting your ballot & then you tell them that you would like to officially decline your ballot.
He said, "Um... how do you do that... Loudly?"
& we burst out laughing imagining standing in our little public square of a polling station loudly declining our ballots. (He was probably just picturing me doing that all by myself... i more generously pictured us doing it together.)
Anyway - later that night, we were watching tv & there was an ad for The Office - & just the tiniest clip of Michael Scott standing in the middle of the room where he states loudly, "I delcare BANKRUPTSYYYYYYY!!!"
Well, we looked at each other & absolutely lost it. We couldn't breathe we were laughing so hard.
"That's you... that's YOOOOOOOUUUUU...!!"
So, in all honestly... i don't know what to do about voting. It's hard. But i'm going to study, learn and weigh my options. i'm going to listen to my conscience that tells me that it's time to be a one issue voter, (i vote prolife).
But for now... i declare nothing...
Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Year's Resolutions
1. 40 Days for Life begins at the end of February... i want to go at least 10 times during the 40 days. Wanna join me? Check it out HERE or follow our blog HERE.
2. i need to be more intentional with some areas of our homeschool... This January, i hope to build on the good habits we've already formed & beef up our homeschool day just a little.
3. i'm not gonna quit bugging God about that whole, "unloved" thing... i had this dream - & i was walking, making my way along in a city? the country? through a town? i was walking, walking... thinking to myself, "How'm i ever gonna get there?" (wherever "there" was...) when suddenly, WHOOOSH... i was picked up by something like a great cloud... It was so mighty and thick, that my face was squished right into it, and i couldn't see where or how i was carried to wherever it was i was going...
i'm hoping that my healing is something like that dream... where God picks me up & we cover a vast distance that i never could have navigated in my own strength... He's able.
There are some nameless, faceless ideas for resolutions too... i would like to run a bit this spring, i have an idea for nanowrimo that is a possibility, the sweetness of my marriage is on my mind - i'd like to be intentional about my relationship with my husband, neil is gonna be travelling a lot this year... i want to do this part of life *well* - even when it's hard...
i love the freshness of a new year - the opportunity to glance around, wake up a little, shake off the weariness, change direction, choose better....
The picture that i am carrying into the New Year is of soil being tilled and made ready. Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you." i like that... 'break up your unplowed ground..' There's gonna be work this year - & i'm ready for it.
2. i need to be more intentional with some areas of our homeschool... This January, i hope to build on the good habits we've already formed & beef up our homeschool day just a little.
3. i'm not gonna quit bugging God about that whole, "unloved" thing... i had this dream - & i was walking, making my way along in a city? the country? through a town? i was walking, walking... thinking to myself, "How'm i ever gonna get there?" (wherever "there" was...) when suddenly, WHOOOSH... i was picked up by something like a great cloud... It was so mighty and thick, that my face was squished right into it, and i couldn't see where or how i was carried to wherever it was i was going...
i'm hoping that my healing is something like that dream... where God picks me up & we cover a vast distance that i never could have navigated in my own strength... He's able.
There are some nameless, faceless ideas for resolutions too... i would like to run a bit this spring, i have an idea for nanowrimo that is a possibility, the sweetness of my marriage is on my mind - i'd like to be intentional about my relationship with my husband, neil is gonna be travelling a lot this year... i want to do this part of life *well* - even when it's hard...
i love the freshness of a new year - the opportunity to glance around, wake up a little, shake off the weariness, change direction, choose better....
The picture that i am carrying into the New Year is of soil being tilled and made ready. Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you." i like that... 'break up your unplowed ground..' There's gonna be work this year - & i'm ready for it.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
bible - how we do it
Over these past good years, we've sure done a lot of different things to hide God's Word in our hearts... We used picture bibles when our littles were all little, telling stories from that Good Book in our own words. i even remember Neil acting out David and Goliath when the kids were really, really little.
Later on, when Cai started grade 1, i moved bible from bed time - to a part of our school. i found i was too tired at night & i felt like i wanted to be more intentional about it. We used different devotionals (many that came with homeschool curriculums) - some of our favourites for really little ones were: Leading Little Ones to God or Right Choices. i love simple, child-like language and lessons that aren't trying to be "cool"... We purposefully chose books to read that would invite thoughtfulness and discussion about our faith - things like Little Pilgrims Progress, Patricia St. James books, the Narnia Chronicles... Every day, we would do "bible" - which was really more of a devotional with bible reading in it - and also do some read-alouds. These read-alouds weren't always faith focused, but sometimes they were. Regardless, reading aloud good, quality books has been a long established tradition in our house & it helped to be able to use this habit to further invite discussion about the things that really matter. One of the first "chapter books" my emerging readers would conquer would be the Beginner's Bible - (which would also be a good choice for a mom with little ones to read aloud).
Eventually, as my little classroom got even bigger and older, i moved away from devotionals... (and to be honest, this has been one of my favourite seasons in our bible teaching in homeschool... away from any curriculum) & instead i would pull out my big brown bible & read out loud to them... stopping to read certain verses again.
It got so that i would pass my big bible around that breakfast table, but i found it was cumbersome for my littler emerging readers... my older girls would pull out their own bibles, but the small differences in translation were often confusing and frustrating to little ones trying to follow along. Finally, i decided to buy a little stack of inexpensive bibles used solely for family bible time. i have seven children - only 5 are "school aged" & must sit quietly - the other 2 can do what they want.
Now, honestly - anyone with 2 preschoolers can tell you that it's a rough go trying to have bible reading with little ones who can't sit... but if i waited to do bible with Cai till i didn't have little ones anymore... we would have run out of time.
& this time has been so worth it.
We have learned so much in these good growing years. My 2 big girls have chosen to read through their bibles independently too - & i believe that the small seeds of hunger that have been planted by a really flawed, but consistent habit of prayer and study - are going to cause my little ones to continue to grow and learn long after they leave my little nest.
 |
| the checkmarks are last year, the dashes this year |
Some things to consider:
*i think it doesn't really matter what you do for bible time... i think it's just an awesome habit to get into. Reading one proverb a day for a month would be a great place to start & then you could go back do it again! (or check out the books i linked above.)
*Prayer is a giant part of our bible time... i want to understand what we read, i want our hearts to be soft, i want the change to be internal - not just an external habit. Prayer for us is sometimes a halting affair sprinkled with petty arguments and criticisms, "Don't pray like that!", "Mom!! Don't let her steal my seat!!" Don't let these things discourage you... keep on - the habit will bring fruit... i promise. A good place to start might be to memorize the Our Father prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) with your little ones. We pray for our daddy, for our neighbourhood, for Sadie... & we bring our requests to a Faithful Father who hears...
*If you feel guilty for starting & stopping & starting again... don't. Realize that it will get easier the more times you start. Choose to do it at a different time. Maybe like me, you're too tired at bedtime - maybe mornings are too busy. Find a time when it feels comfortable... maybe when the baby is nursing? During lunch? With daddy - or without? Change what you're reading - or how you're doing it. Maybe if your littles are tiny, a devotional or a children's bible would make it easier... Gagey loves his tiny bible with 1 paragraph stories much better than our family bible time.
*Pause if you find a gem & take the time to memorize it. My littles have memorized chapters in Luke or Hebrews, Proverbs or Psalms... Worth it. Worth it. Worth it. Cai memorized Psalm 23 when she was 3. That's a good one :) Most often, i print out the chapter i want them to memorize & then highlight their verses - it's so much more rewarding to memorize in a group!
*Yeh, i know... parts of the bible are a little x-rated. It's a hard book! It's uncomfortable & sometimes not appropriate for all ears... Don't pause and memorize those parts just yet :) ... read them if you want - but don't dwell on the stuff that will be way over their heads. You won't be able to explain it all - & that's ok.
*Don't think that i've got it all together. i don't. My kids have seen me cry a lot lately & i often feel like a bitter failure :) Just so ya know... this post is meant to encourage - not discourage. Take what's helpful & discard the rest.
*Bible time is only worthwhile because God is who He said He is... He... is everything.
Monday, September 26, 2011
i'm AWESOOOOOOOOOOOME!!
We gather in the grey light of early dawn... yawning and with voices low; catching up, planning visiting... They pull down the quilts i have folded over the couch and snuggle in - some freshly showered, some littler ones still jammy clad with tousled hair - ready for our morning prayers.
Cai tells me how they were challenged at youth to read the first 3 chapters of Mark as many times as they could this week, and that she has read them twice so far. Sloanie tells me that she's finished second Peter and is excited to complete her New Years resolution to read whole bible.
"aw - i'm proud of you girls..." i begin.
Suddenly, a shrill operatic *clearly soprano* voice shatters the dulcet, alto tones of our morning conversation, "i'm AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME!!!!!!!"
The wheels of the conversation wobble and waver and finally fall completely apart.
All eyes turn to Mollen.
"i don't like it when other people get attention." She states matter-of-factly.
Indeed.
***********
ps - have you taken a peek at the 40 days for life blog yet? i'd love it if you'd share the link on twitter or facebook and join the site to follow along as we begin our 40 days of prayer across Canada & the United States. http://www.calgary40dfl.blogspot.com/
If you have any suggestions for me to make it a better place - to help get the word out (you wouldn't believe how many people told me they've never heard of 40 days for life - and i hadn't heard of it before last spring) - i'd love any input you have to share! Thanks in advance :)
Cai tells me how they were challenged at youth to read the first 3 chapters of Mark as many times as they could this week, and that she has read them twice so far. Sloanie tells me that she's finished second Peter and is excited to complete her New Years resolution to read whole bible.
"aw - i'm proud of you girls..." i begin.
Suddenly, a shrill operatic *clearly soprano* voice shatters the dulcet, alto tones of our morning conversation, "i'm AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME!!!!!!!"
The wheels of the conversation wobble and waver and finally fall completely apart.
All eyes turn to Mollen.
"i don't like it when other people get attention." She states matter-of-factly.
Indeed.
***********
ps - have you taken a peek at the 40 days for life blog yet? i'd love it if you'd share the link on twitter or facebook and join the site to follow along as we begin our 40 days of prayer across Canada & the United States. http://www.calgary40dfl.blogspot.com/
If you have any suggestions for me to make it a better place - to help get the word out (you wouldn't believe how many people told me they've never heard of 40 days for life - and i hadn't heard of it before last spring) - i'd love any input you have to share! Thanks in advance :)
Monday, September 19, 2011
an update from chrysalis academy
*Chrysalis Academy is the name of our little homeschool.
School pictures will come... i think.
With a couple of weeks under our belts, i figured i'd maybe give a very rough outline of what school looks like for us this year. It's sure a different sort of year - with my big girl choosing to go online for her grade 10 year.
It was a funny moment of decision last spring... we got in our van & drove out to meet with the "high school counselor" at our school board. As we got back in the van after asking questions, taking notes and reviewing some options, we both heaved a sigh, "Well, it's probably pretty obvious what we should do eh, ro?" i said as we pulled away - thinking that it would be a good idea to continue what we're doing - supplementing with the occasional class (in various sciences etc...) as needed.
"Yeh - i guess it's all online for me next year! i want my Alberta diploma for sure." she stated confidently.
i was a little surprised - we had been in the same meeting, and had come out with different conclusions.
But i looked at my big girl... sitting poised and beautiful in the seat next to me - and felt a supreme comfort in the fact that she knows what she's about. If she wanted to pursue her traditional diploma this way - who was i to say that wouldn't be best?
"Well..." i continued - on this new footing, "if you're going online anyway - would you like to just go to school next year?"
"Um, NO!! Are you trying to get rid of me?" She laughed, "i don't want to deal with all that drama - i just want to do the work at home..."
And she has proved me right, my big girl... owning her school work and creeping up to her brand new computer after our morning bible and prayers (o, and she stays for Mr. Popper's Penguins, our current read-aloud, too i've noticed...) and scanning, printing, typing - problem solving, listening to lectures and answering questions. It feels strange - not having her answer to me.. i miss her in our discussions... and she does find herself pretty busy.... but she can do this... i know she can.
Then there's my softie girl - entering grade 8 this year. She asked if she could do a class online this year too - just to see if she likes it. We chose LA for her - and were pleasantly surprised to find out that her cousin is in her class. So far so good :)
Sloanie is using Saxon Math, a mish mash for science - (various books to study, starting with one on the human body). For Social, we're doing it as a group again, we're using the Story of the World volume 3 (continuing on from volume 2 last year) - "Early Modern Times". It's mostly a reading/ discussion based type approach that we're using, but i like that :) & the small fry seem to like it too. We're also reading and discussing poetry (using a children's anthology right now) and our Latin and Greek flash cards -(we use those every year).
PJ is in grade 6 this year - she's pretty nevous because it's a provincial achievement test year (grades 3, 6 & 9 in our province). She'll probably use Exambank (online practice tests) - to get comfortable with the procedure. She's also using Saxon Math this year. For science, she's using Exploring Creation with Astronomy (i used this last year with Charter & Mollen - & we're still plugging away at it... i liked it so much, Peyton is starting it this year too). For LA, she's using Bob Jones - a new addition to our homeschool this year... so far? Love it. (As an aside, i spent $120 on teacher's manuals that i'm pretty sure i'll never, ever use... bummer. At this age, i think the readers & work books, along with the answer keys are plenty).
Charter is in grade 4 this year, so it's his first year using Saxon. He used Jump math last year - and the transition to Saxon has been seamless. Love that. He's also using Bob Jones for LA. Their readers (both of the ones we got - for grades 4 & 6) are fantastic. We're gonna finish up Exploring Creation with Astronomy before hopefully borrowing another from the Young Explorer's series from a friend for him & Mollen to tackle. We didn't purchase the writing program (which is separate with Bob Jones) - so Peyton and Charter both have to be assigned writing from me daily. THIS is one website i hope to use to help out with that...
Miss Moo is in grade 2. She loves reading, so i'm just feeding her books off our shelf right now. Her LA program is English for the Thoughtful child (volume 2 - she did volume 1 last year) & it's comprehensive enough that i don't think i'll need to supplement it with much of anything. She's also still using Jump Math. i was surprised that so many of my friends who have used Jump really didn't like it... it worked really, really well for us - so just goes to show you there are no hard & fast rules with homeschool... there's often trial & error - & unfortunately $$ wasted & curriculum unused. i'm glad we finally found a primary math program that i really like, since there was never one i loved before (we had tried quite a few: Bob Jones, Mathsmart, Horizons among the first i can think of off the top of my head)... We'll follow this pattern until it no longer works for us: Jump for grades 1-3, Saxon for grades 4-9 & then online for whoever wants to attend University :) hehe.
Then there are the little boys... Gagey is only 3, so he still doesn't have too much of an attention span. He has fun playing, learning - a little starfall, a little letter of the week :)... i'm trying to teach him & Ephraim to sit still during our morning bible time... So far... with extremely limited success.
Ephraim. We are hoping that he will attend the University of Potty Training this year. i'm not holding my breath, but wouldn't that be awesome?
Add to this bubbling stew - violin, various sports and recreation, volunteering and friends - and there you go, a rough outline of our school year 2011/2012.
Mostly, the above is just gravy... the heart and soul of homeschooling remains the same as it has ever been since the beginning for me... i want to build relationships; relationships with my children, relationships among my children, relationships between my children and my Father...
& it right now - Chrysalis Academy - is the best place for us to do that.
School pictures will come... i think.
With a couple of weeks under our belts, i figured i'd maybe give a very rough outline of what school looks like for us this year. It's sure a different sort of year - with my big girl choosing to go online for her grade 10 year.
It was a funny moment of decision last spring... we got in our van & drove out to meet with the "high school counselor" at our school board. As we got back in the van after asking questions, taking notes and reviewing some options, we both heaved a sigh, "Well, it's probably pretty obvious what we should do eh, ro?" i said as we pulled away - thinking that it would be a good idea to continue what we're doing - supplementing with the occasional class (in various sciences etc...) as needed.
"Yeh - i guess it's all online for me next year! i want my Alberta diploma for sure." she stated confidently.
i was a little surprised - we had been in the same meeting, and had come out with different conclusions.
But i looked at my big girl... sitting poised and beautiful in the seat next to me - and felt a supreme comfort in the fact that she knows what she's about. If she wanted to pursue her traditional diploma this way - who was i to say that wouldn't be best?
"Well..." i continued - on this new footing, "if you're going online anyway - would you like to just go to school next year?"
"Um, NO!! Are you trying to get rid of me?" She laughed, "i don't want to deal with all that drama - i just want to do the work at home..."
And she has proved me right, my big girl... owning her school work and creeping up to her brand new computer after our morning bible and prayers (o, and she stays for Mr. Popper's Penguins, our current read-aloud, too i've noticed...) and scanning, printing, typing - problem solving, listening to lectures and answering questions. It feels strange - not having her answer to me.. i miss her in our discussions... and she does find herself pretty busy.... but she can do this... i know she can.
Then there's my softie girl - entering grade 8 this year. She asked if she could do a class online this year too - just to see if she likes it. We chose LA for her - and were pleasantly surprised to find out that her cousin is in her class. So far so good :)
Sloanie is using Saxon Math, a mish mash for science - (various books to study, starting with one on the human body). For Social, we're doing it as a group again, we're using the Story of the World volume 3 (continuing on from volume 2 last year) - "Early Modern Times". It's mostly a reading/ discussion based type approach that we're using, but i like that :) & the small fry seem to like it too. We're also reading and discussing poetry (using a children's anthology right now) and our Latin and Greek flash cards -(we use those every year).
PJ is in grade 6 this year - she's pretty nevous because it's a provincial achievement test year (grades 3, 6 & 9 in our province). She'll probably use Exambank (online practice tests) - to get comfortable with the procedure. She's also using Saxon Math this year. For science, she's using Exploring Creation with Astronomy (i used this last year with Charter & Mollen - & we're still plugging away at it... i liked it so much, Peyton is starting it this year too). For LA, she's using Bob Jones - a new addition to our homeschool this year... so far? Love it. (As an aside, i spent $120 on teacher's manuals that i'm pretty sure i'll never, ever use... bummer. At this age, i think the readers & work books, along with the answer keys are plenty).
Charter is in grade 4 this year, so it's his first year using Saxon. He used Jump math last year - and the transition to Saxon has been seamless. Love that. He's also using Bob Jones for LA. Their readers (both of the ones we got - for grades 4 & 6) are fantastic. We're gonna finish up Exploring Creation with Astronomy before hopefully borrowing another from the Young Explorer's series from a friend for him & Mollen to tackle. We didn't purchase the writing program (which is separate with Bob Jones) - so Peyton and Charter both have to be assigned writing from me daily. THIS is one website i hope to use to help out with that...
Miss Moo is in grade 2. She loves reading, so i'm just feeding her books off our shelf right now. Her LA program is English for the Thoughtful child (volume 2 - she did volume 1 last year) & it's comprehensive enough that i don't think i'll need to supplement it with much of anything. She's also still using Jump Math. i was surprised that so many of my friends who have used Jump really didn't like it... it worked really, really well for us - so just goes to show you there are no hard & fast rules with homeschool... there's often trial & error - & unfortunately $$ wasted & curriculum unused. i'm glad we finally found a primary math program that i really like, since there was never one i loved before (we had tried quite a few: Bob Jones, Mathsmart, Horizons among the first i can think of off the top of my head)... We'll follow this pattern until it no longer works for us: Jump for grades 1-3, Saxon for grades 4-9 & then online for whoever wants to attend University :) hehe.
Then there are the little boys... Gagey is only 3, so he still doesn't have too much of an attention span. He has fun playing, learning - a little starfall, a little letter of the week :)... i'm trying to teach him & Ephraim to sit still during our morning bible time... So far... with extremely limited success.
Ephraim. We are hoping that he will attend the University of Potty Training this year. i'm not holding my breath, but wouldn't that be awesome?
Add to this bubbling stew - violin, various sports and recreation, volunteering and friends - and there you go, a rough outline of our school year 2011/2012.
Mostly, the above is just gravy... the heart and soul of homeschooling remains the same as it has ever been since the beginning for me... i want to build relationships; relationships with my children, relationships among my children, relationships between my children and my Father...
& it right now - Chrysalis Academy - is the best place for us to do that.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
posture - part 1
This has to be in several parts - because i'm still in the process of sorting through... Y'know that awkward feeling of 'wrestling out your faith'? Sometimes there are moments when you realize you believed wrong, and you need to change direction - and sometimes there are moments when you need to look a little deeper into whatever it is that's making you feel uncomfortable - because there is truth there - & you don't want to ignore it. Well, i'm gonna share a bit of that wrestling process here - & see where it takes me.
For today... a short introduction :)
i think i mentioned before that we're reading in Exodus - well, one day we were reading, and we came to the place where the Israelites were told to offer a 'wave offering' to God. One of my littles stopped reading and asked what that was. i wasn't really sure - but i said i gathered that it was the offering being "waved" by the priests to God. They thought that was a funny thing to imagine - the priest waving an offering in the air... to bring glory to God. i told them it reminded me of growing up in church - and sometimes - in a moment... someone would say, "Let's give a clap offering to God!" and the room would ring with applause... My littles thought this was even more curious and asked if we could - right then - offer a clap offering to God. So we did. We clapped, and a tiny voice offered, "yay, God!" i couldn't help but laugh - it felt strange - and yet right - to follow their lead in a spontaneous moment of praise... in the middle of Old Testament reading.
It changed our posture.
For today... a short introduction :)
i think i mentioned before that we're reading in Exodus - well, one day we were reading, and we came to the place where the Israelites were told to offer a 'wave offering' to God. One of my littles stopped reading and asked what that was. i wasn't really sure - but i said i gathered that it was the offering being "waved" by the priests to God. They thought that was a funny thing to imagine - the priest waving an offering in the air... to bring glory to God. i told them it reminded me of growing up in church - and sometimes - in a moment... someone would say, "Let's give a clap offering to God!" and the room would ring with applause... My littles thought this was even more curious and asked if we could - right then - offer a clap offering to God. So we did. We clapped, and a tiny voice offered, "yay, God!" i couldn't help but laugh - it felt strange - and yet right - to follow their lead in a spontaneous moment of praise... in the middle of Old Testament reading.
It changed our posture.
Monday, August 15, 2011
mid-august to a homeschool mom
Mid-August brings to a homeschool mama - the shadows of a new school year approaching.
i begin to contemplate those plans in broad strokes set out in spring - and gather the tools i'll need to get our one room school house rockin' again.
For me... this year... Mid-August brings just a touch of anxiety... for the struggling one, for the books that are not yet arrived, for the highschooler who is taking a new approach to her education this year and is registered 'online'.
And yet... for some reason... the Still Small Voice has not let me forget, in this mid-August season what i have done right. The small bit of 'right' keeps coming back to me - in various shapes and forms - (which is often how He speaks to me)...
i have failed - often - as a homeschool mom. i have over simplified, and then lacked the follow through to even do justice to our simplified plans. i have overlooked shortcomings, and lacked the energy to really teach - in some teachable moments. i have chosen badly for certain subjects, for certain children - and failed to notice lagging struggles. This paragraph could go on... and on... and on... as my failings often seem so daunting and insurmountable in this incredible homeschooling journey - but instead, i'll tell you what i hear in the "whisper in the wind"...
The other morning, we were sitting at the couch - and as each tousled head made it's way from sleep to wake - it joined us in the living room...
Tiny Ephraim - only 18 months old, seeing we were all gathered, went to the shelf where our bibles are kept, and one by one, he brought them to us.
Our morning routine - familiar even to my tiniest child.
This matters...
We were reading in Exodus the other day, and after hearing again, and again in reference to the character of our God, the word, "compassionate" - we stopped mid-verse and looked it up in the dictionary.
Mollen spoke with shining eyes from the corner, "Well, that just makes me want to love Him more..."
This matters...
We've used books and plans - devotionals and curriculum's - for our bible time over the years; finally simplifying to just plain reading the Word of God - and most recently to each person having their own bible to follow along as we plod through - sometimes with a 7 or a 9 year old stumbling over difficult words and phrases. It hasn't been an organized, perfect study - but it has been a consistent part of our lives.
This matters...
& it's small... my offering of consistency and truth - in bringing my children to find the daily bread...
But when i measure it against my failings... my failings seem diminished somehow, in comparison.
& so in my mid-August musings - i feel that old struggle between anxiety and peace - between fear and courage - between lies and truth... But i know one thing that this school year will hold - and that one piece over the years has become my favourite part of the puzzle -
The thing that simply because it is done, is done 'right'...
This matters.
i begin to contemplate those plans in broad strokes set out in spring - and gather the tools i'll need to get our one room school house rockin' again.
For me... this year... Mid-August brings just a touch of anxiety... for the struggling one, for the books that are not yet arrived, for the highschooler who is taking a new approach to her education this year and is registered 'online'.
And yet... for some reason... the Still Small Voice has not let me forget, in this mid-August season what i have done right. The small bit of 'right' keeps coming back to me - in various shapes and forms - (which is often how He speaks to me)...
i have failed - often - as a homeschool mom. i have over simplified, and then lacked the follow through to even do justice to our simplified plans. i have overlooked shortcomings, and lacked the energy to really teach - in some teachable moments. i have chosen badly for certain subjects, for certain children - and failed to notice lagging struggles. This paragraph could go on... and on... and on... as my failings often seem so daunting and insurmountable in this incredible homeschooling journey - but instead, i'll tell you what i hear in the "whisper in the wind"...
The other morning, we were sitting at the couch - and as each tousled head made it's way from sleep to wake - it joined us in the living room...
Tiny Ephraim - only 18 months old, seeing we were all gathered, went to the shelf where our bibles are kept, and one by one, he brought them to us.
Our morning routine - familiar even to my tiniest child.
This matters...
We were reading in Exodus the other day, and after hearing again, and again in reference to the character of our God, the word, "compassionate" - we stopped mid-verse and looked it up in the dictionary.
Mollen spoke with shining eyes from the corner, "Well, that just makes me want to love Him more..."
This matters...
We've used books and plans - devotionals and curriculum's - for our bible time over the years; finally simplifying to just plain reading the Word of God - and most recently to each person having their own bible to follow along as we plod through - sometimes with a 7 or a 9 year old stumbling over difficult words and phrases. It hasn't been an organized, perfect study - but it has been a consistent part of our lives.
This matters...
& it's small... my offering of consistency and truth - in bringing my children to find the daily bread...
But when i measure it against my failings... my failings seem diminished somehow, in comparison.
& so in my mid-August musings - i feel that old struggle between anxiety and peace - between fear and courage - between lies and truth... But i know one thing that this school year will hold - and that one piece over the years has become my favourite part of the puzzle -
The thing that simply because it is done, is done 'right'...
This matters.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Part two... the most excellent way
My littles have been bickering and fighting a lot lately.
Finally, i told them "no outside friends today".
We sat down to read the bible in the morning - and as they groggily turned to Exodus, where we have been reading, i told them to turn instead to 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
i read it slowly - accentuating each phrase. i made eye contact with them as i read it through, to see that the words were making their way from ears - to minds and hearts.
After i finished, i asked Mollen to read the same chapter again. Then Charter, then Peyton, Sloan and Cai.
Six times, we read that chapter. It's that good. Six voices... six souls discerning the voice of the Father.
i think sometimes i need to remember to focus on not letting them... or myself... get away with little cutting remarks, or easily taking offence. It's easy to let that stuff slide, but i think it builds up resentment... and i want them to learn to be kind people. i want them to treat each other lovingly... & this chapter - serves as a roadmap.
After we finished and put our bibles away, Charter turned to me and said, "Mom, did you do that because we've been fighting too much lately?"
"No, babe... it's not just for you. i needed it too."
& i did... & i do.
Finally, i told them "no outside friends today".
We sat down to read the bible in the morning - and as they groggily turned to Exodus, where we have been reading, i told them to turn instead to 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
i read it slowly - accentuating each phrase. i made eye contact with them as i read it through, to see that the words were making their way from ears - to minds and hearts.
After i finished, i asked Mollen to read the same chapter again. Then Charter, then Peyton, Sloan and Cai.
Six times, we read that chapter. It's that good. Six voices... six souls discerning the voice of the Father.
i think sometimes i need to remember to focus on not letting them... or myself... get away with little cutting remarks, or easily taking offence. It's easy to let that stuff slide, but i think it builds up resentment... and i want them to learn to be kind people. i want them to treat each other lovingly... & this chapter - serves as a roadmap.
After we finished and put our bibles away, Charter turned to me and said, "Mom, did you do that because we've been fighting too much lately?"
"No, babe... it's not just for you. i needed it too."
& i did... & i do.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
circle of moms - top 25 homeschool blogs
So, Circle of Moms published their results on the "Roundup". Here is a link to the little write up they did on Sojourners. Sojourners was 19th in the top 25 homeschool blogs.
& just 'cause i can, i'll post here what i had sent them in response to their interview questions. (The long version of the abbreviated one at the Roundup.)
Thanks for all the votes - it was fun to get voted into the top 25. Sometimes, honestly - homeschooling seems like such a peripheral part of our little journey, but i hope that those looking for encouragement will find it here.
*******************************
What inspired you to start blogging?
i originally started a blog to organize my thoughts on various pro-life issues - but then, i realized that pro-life is so much more than a 'cause', or just something that i believe in... it is - in a sense - our way of life, and so i expanded the focus of my blog to include more facets of my life; and a big part of that has been our homeschooling journey.
What are 3 distinctive features of your blog:
*One of the first things you might notice about my blog is that i love Jesus; that, and the knowledge that God is Good goes down to the very root of who i am.
*Another distinctive feature of my blog is that we are a larger than average family. With every age from highschool down to baby being represented in our classroom, meeting the needs of seven sweet children definitely plays a big part in what you'll read on my blog. i started a couple of features that readers have told me they appreciate - one is called, "How We Do it..." & i use it to share some of the logistics that go into making life work for us as a big family. Another tag is "And then she said..." and that's where i try to record just a few of the funny conversations - or in the case of my seven year old - 'one liners' that are bound to happen with this many little people under foot.
*Thirdly, you'll notice that my blog isn't curriculum focused, even though every so often i might share some curriculum choices that have worked for us. My blog is meant to be more of an encouragement - i share from my heart, from life, from my marriage - & i hope for transparency and honesty; even if it makes me vulnerable.
Why did you decide to homeschool your children?
i never would have imagined when i first began having children that i would be a homeschool mama, but after registering our oldest daughter in kindergarten, it became obvious to me that we needed to consider homeschool. She couldn't thrive in that atmosphere like some of the other children could - and she sighed with relief when i told her we wouldn't be sending her back for grade 1. Since then, we haven't looked back. It has become a lifestyle i love - and keeping my children at home for their education has only added to the joy of our bustling household.
What are your 3 favorite posts?
Wow, after blogging over a thousand posts over the past 5 years, this was a fun question answer. It was a trip down memory lane sifting through all my old favourites, peeking into our homeschool and trying to pick only three to share. i tried to make choices that would show some of the different flavours that Sojourners holds...
*The Jump - was written to encourage other moms who had contacted me, wanting advice and encouragement about beginning this sometimes terrifying homeschool journey.
*Humble Pie Tastes Disgusting - shatters the myth that homeschool mamas always have it all together - and it reminds me to laugh as i eat my humble pie... it's good for the soul.
*Perspectives Part 1 - chronicles part of what happened when one of my children asked if they could attend public school.
& just 'cause i can, i'll post here what i had sent them in response to their interview questions. (The long version of the abbreviated one at the Roundup.)
Thanks for all the votes - it was fun to get voted into the top 25. Sometimes, honestly - homeschooling seems like such a peripheral part of our little journey, but i hope that those looking for encouragement will find it here.
*******************************
What inspired you to start blogging?
i originally started a blog to organize my thoughts on various pro-life issues - but then, i realized that pro-life is so much more than a 'cause', or just something that i believe in... it is - in a sense - our way of life, and so i expanded the focus of my blog to include more facets of my life; and a big part of that has been our homeschooling journey.
What are 3 distinctive features of your blog:
*One of the first things you might notice about my blog is that i love Jesus; that, and the knowledge that God is Good goes down to the very root of who i am.
*Another distinctive feature of my blog is that we are a larger than average family. With every age from highschool down to baby being represented in our classroom, meeting the needs of seven sweet children definitely plays a big part in what you'll read on my blog. i started a couple of features that readers have told me they appreciate - one is called, "How We Do it..." & i use it to share some of the logistics that go into making life work for us as a big family. Another tag is "And then she said..." and that's where i try to record just a few of the funny conversations - or in the case of my seven year old - 'one liners' that are bound to happen with this many little people under foot.
*Thirdly, you'll notice that my blog isn't curriculum focused, even though every so often i might share some curriculum choices that have worked for us. My blog is meant to be more of an encouragement - i share from my heart, from life, from my marriage - & i hope for transparency and honesty; even if it makes me vulnerable.
Why did you decide to homeschool your children?
i never would have imagined when i first began having children that i would be a homeschool mama, but after registering our oldest daughter in kindergarten, it became obvious to me that we needed to consider homeschool. She couldn't thrive in that atmosphere like some of the other children could - and she sighed with relief when i told her we wouldn't be sending her back for grade 1. Since then, we haven't looked back. It has become a lifestyle i love - and keeping my children at home for their education has only added to the joy of our bustling household.
What are your 3 favorite posts?
Wow, after blogging over a thousand posts over the past 5 years, this was a fun question answer. It was a trip down memory lane sifting through all my old favourites, peeking into our homeschool and trying to pick only three to share. i tried to make choices that would show some of the different flavours that Sojourners holds...
*The Jump - was written to encourage other moms who had contacted me, wanting advice and encouragement about beginning this sometimes terrifying homeschool journey.
*Humble Pie Tastes Disgusting - shatters the myth that homeschool mamas always have it all together - and it reminds me to laugh as i eat my humble pie... it's good for the soul.
*Perspectives Part 1 - chronicles part of what happened when one of my children asked if they could attend public school.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
did i volunteer for this??
Sparkling Eyed One had her last appointment at the children's hospital for the research study we volunteered for on Wednesday.
We had a busy morning, playing for a couple of hours in the hot sun at the playground across the street from the abortion clinic - i will tell you more about that another day. She had a nice big breakfast, but wasn't too fond of the rice wraps i brought to the park for their lunch, so didn't eat much more than a few nibbles. After that, we headed straight for the hospital where she was to have her last assessment. She played lots of memory games and did puzzles, and was thrilled when they gave her a $10 gift card to Chapters as thanks for participating in their research.
The 2 biggest girls were playing with Ephraim (basically riding the elevators for an hour), while the other 3 were making crafts and playing games at the special play place that the coordinator had reserved for "sibling care". i was supposed to pick them up at 3.
Since she finished a few minutes early, we decided to get our blood draws at the lab in the hospital. The research assistant walked us down, telling us that they'll get in touch with us soon regarding the date for the mri. Sparkling Eyed One was chatty - she told me she wanted tacos for supper. She slipped her skinny little hand in mine and smiled up at me with her extraordinary chameleon eyes as she talked.
When it was our turn, she went first and didn't peep when the needle went in. Afterwards, i joked that she would need to hold *my* hand. She smiled at me and went and stood by the door to wait for me. The lab tech, checked my information and was about to tie the blue piece of rubber around my arm when suddenly we heard a "thunk". i turned, and there was my lovely, lying on the floor having what looked all the world to me like a seizure. Her arms were curling again and again. Her mouth was open, with her eyes rolling back in her head. Her legs were curled to the side and as her body writhed, she was smashing her face into the metal door frame.
i screamed.
i leaped from the chair and grabbed her sweet face to stop it from smashing- her lip was already bloody.
Nurses came running and three of them witnessed her "seizing". It lasted maybe 15 seconds or so... When she started to come 'round, she was kinda spacey, but then she looked at me and said over and over, "i don't know what happened - i don't know what happened..." and licked the blood from her lip.
They called a "code" and help came running. When they checked her out, they felt something worrisome in her neck and called for a neck brace and the board to take her to emergency because they didn't want to take any risks since she fell so hard. After a little monitoring and some x-rays (which were perfect)- we were free to go home... By then, Neil had arrived - (driving in the thick traffic from the south, it took awhile... The social worker at the hospital didn't want to leave the other children in Cai's care though, since she's only 14 - and they won't release them to anyone under the age of 18). The play place graciously kept the kids for the extra hour it took for Neil to get there.
The doctor in emergency seemed to doubt that it was a seizure - but 3 nurses told the emergency doctors that came running that they had seen her having a seizure... so i'm not sure what to think.
We had take out for supper.
Tacos.
She's ok, (proud of her celebrity - gage greeted her with, "PEYTON, i thought you DIED!!")
i feel sick... but i'm gonna be ok too.
We had a busy morning, playing for a couple of hours in the hot sun at the playground across the street from the abortion clinic - i will tell you more about that another day. She had a nice big breakfast, but wasn't too fond of the rice wraps i brought to the park for their lunch, so didn't eat much more than a few nibbles. After that, we headed straight for the hospital where she was to have her last assessment. She played lots of memory games and did puzzles, and was thrilled when they gave her a $10 gift card to Chapters as thanks for participating in their research.
The 2 biggest girls were playing with Ephraim (basically riding the elevators for an hour), while the other 3 were making crafts and playing games at the special play place that the coordinator had reserved for "sibling care". i was supposed to pick them up at 3.
Since she finished a few minutes early, we decided to get our blood draws at the lab in the hospital. The research assistant walked us down, telling us that they'll get in touch with us soon regarding the date for the mri. Sparkling Eyed One was chatty - she told me she wanted tacos for supper. She slipped her skinny little hand in mine and smiled up at me with her extraordinary chameleon eyes as she talked.
When it was our turn, she went first and didn't peep when the needle went in. Afterwards, i joked that she would need to hold *my* hand. She smiled at me and went and stood by the door to wait for me. The lab tech, checked my information and was about to tie the blue piece of rubber around my arm when suddenly we heard a "thunk". i turned, and there was my lovely, lying on the floor having what looked all the world to me like a seizure. Her arms were curling again and again. Her mouth was open, with her eyes rolling back in her head. Her legs were curled to the side and as her body writhed, she was smashing her face into the metal door frame.
i screamed.
i leaped from the chair and grabbed her sweet face to stop it from smashing- her lip was already bloody.
Nurses came running and three of them witnessed her "seizing". It lasted maybe 15 seconds or so... When she started to come 'round, she was kinda spacey, but then she looked at me and said over and over, "i don't know what happened - i don't know what happened..." and licked the blood from her lip.
They called a "code" and help came running. When they checked her out, they felt something worrisome in her neck and called for a neck brace and the board to take her to emergency because they didn't want to take any risks since she fell so hard. After a little monitoring and some x-rays (which were perfect)- we were free to go home... By then, Neil had arrived - (driving in the thick traffic from the south, it took awhile... The social worker at the hospital didn't want to leave the other children in Cai's care though, since she's only 14 - and they won't release them to anyone under the age of 18). The play place graciously kept the kids for the extra hour it took for Neil to get there.
The doctor in emergency seemed to doubt that it was a seizure - but 3 nurses told the emergency doctors that came running that they had seen her having a seizure... so i'm not sure what to think.
We had take out for supper.
Tacos.
She's ok, (proud of her celebrity - gage greeted her with, "PEYTON, i thought you DIED!!")
i feel sick... but i'm gonna be ok too.
Monday, June 27, 2011
volunteering
We volunteered to be a part of a research study at the Children's Hospital here in Calgary.
It's kind of a unique opportunity that my homeschool facilitator told me about - & so on a whim, i phoned the powers that be & said, "sign us up."
It involves a phone interview and 4 sessions at the children's hospital. Because it's a genetic study, Neil & i plus our sweet little guinea pig Sparkling Eyed One - will all have to give a blood sample & she'll have to have an mri.
Sparkling Eyed One thinks it's probably the funnest thing that has ever happened to her. The first session included some reading and math tests, plus some easy coordination exercises (walk on a straight line etc...) The researcher also had a set of puzzle blocks that she would organize into a pattern and Sparkling Eyed One would have to try to replicate the exact pattern with the same set of blocks. At the end of her session (an hour and a half) she got a snack and a juice box and got to pick a little prize out of a drawer of prizes (Sparkling Eyed One picked a giant pen).
Her second session is today & all her siblings are already bugging her about what prize she will pick from the prize bin.
And i love that sweet girl - with her wide mouth and brown skin.
How she slipped her hand into mine as we pressed the down arrow on the elevator - and thanked me for choosing *her* to be a part of something special.
It's kind of a unique opportunity that my homeschool facilitator told me about - & so on a whim, i phoned the powers that be & said, "sign us up."
It involves a phone interview and 4 sessions at the children's hospital. Because it's a genetic study, Neil & i plus our sweet little guinea pig Sparkling Eyed One - will all have to give a blood sample & she'll have to have an mri.
Sparkling Eyed One thinks it's probably the funnest thing that has ever happened to her. The first session included some reading and math tests, plus some easy coordination exercises (walk on a straight line etc...) The researcher also had a set of puzzle blocks that she would organize into a pattern and Sparkling Eyed One would have to try to replicate the exact pattern with the same set of blocks. At the end of her session (an hour and a half) she got a snack and a juice box and got to pick a little prize out of a drawer of prizes (Sparkling Eyed One picked a giant pen).
Her second session is today & all her siblings are already bugging her about what prize she will pick from the prize bin.
And i love that sweet girl - with her wide mouth and brown skin.
How she slipped her hand into mine as we pressed the down arrow on the elevator - and thanked me for choosing *her* to be a part of something special.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thursday Thoughts & Winner Announcement
* Woke up to the news that Cai passed her grade 6 violin exam with honors. Kinda proud.
* i miss my travellin' man. i miss him before he leaves & after he comes home 'cause i know he's going again.
* We are into Fiddler on the Roof these days - my favourite is when they imitate the dance that goes with, "If I Were a Rich Man" - funny, funny stuff. Sunrise, Sunset makes me cry.
* i'm not quite sure how to organize my days as we transition into summer. We're still finishing off some stuff & long done other stuff. Days still seem full - but less organized and that makes it harder to juggle. i can't even fathom the fall and all the little pieces that need to fit into a master plan. These years are nothing short of amazing.
* We are reading the book of Genesis right now & some of the stories are not G rated. Praying for wisdom while putting off some questions & answering others. Discussion is morphing and changing as my littles grow & i'm so grateful for this chance to study God's Word with my crew.
* Ephraim and Neil have their own language. They rarely speak english. Neil walks in the backdoor to get another cup of coffee & Ephraim is the first to greet him with their funny little growl. Is there anything better than watching your man with your babes?
****************************************************
* The winner of the pdf of Bryan Cohen's book "Writing Prompts for Kids" is Deborah! Congrats, Deb! Bryan has your email address & will be sending out your prize within the next few days.
i got the results for the $50 Amazon gift card & the winner was from a different site. Bummer. i was really hoping one of you would take it :) If any of you choose to purchase his book, you can contact the author with proof of purchase & he'll send you 50 extra writing prompts specific to homeschool - kinda fun :) His email is bryandavidcohen @ gmail . com (only take out the spaces - didn't want him to get spammed on my account :)
* i miss my travellin' man. i miss him before he leaves & after he comes home 'cause i know he's going again.
* We are into Fiddler on the Roof these days - my favourite is when they imitate the dance that goes with, "If I Were a Rich Man" - funny, funny stuff. Sunrise, Sunset makes me cry.
* i'm not quite sure how to organize my days as we transition into summer. We're still finishing off some stuff & long done other stuff. Days still seem full - but less organized and that makes it harder to juggle. i can't even fathom the fall and all the little pieces that need to fit into a master plan. These years are nothing short of amazing.
* We are reading the book of Genesis right now & some of the stories are not G rated. Praying for wisdom while putting off some questions & answering others. Discussion is morphing and changing as my littles grow & i'm so grateful for this chance to study God's Word with my crew.
* Ephraim and Neil have their own language. They rarely speak english. Neil walks in the backdoor to get another cup of coffee & Ephraim is the first to greet him with their funny little growl. Is there anything better than watching your man with your babes?
****************************************************
* The winner of the pdf of Bryan Cohen's book "Writing Prompts for Kids" is Deborah! Congrats, Deb! Bryan has your email address & will be sending out your prize within the next few days.
i got the results for the $50 Amazon gift card & the winner was from a different site. Bummer. i was really hoping one of you would take it :) If any of you choose to purchase his book, you can contact the author with proof of purchase & he'll send you 50 extra writing prompts specific to homeschool - kinda fun :) His email is bryandavidcohen @ gmail . com (only take out the spaces - didn't want him to get spammed on my account :)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
a review!
Teaching writing has never been my forte.
We have some prolific and some reluctant writers amongst our little crew - & no thanks to my painful efforts to teach writing - they're learning.
i've already written about our "summer school" supplies including a fresh faced little journal for each child to write in daily over our summer break, and this past year we successfully made it our goal to daily write "something, anything".
About a month ago, i was asked to write a product review - & since so many kind hearted friends reviewed my novel, i decided what goes around comes around & i'd take a look at his book & see what i thought.
Brian Cohen sent me a pdf of his book titled, "500 Writing Prompts for Kids: First Grade through Fifth Grade". Now, i'll admit here that what he provides in his book could easily be accessed by a google search for writing prompts - o yeah, trust me i've done that before... But here, in one tidy little package, he provides 500 thoughtful questions complete with the natural follow up included, "... *why do you think that*? and *how did that make you feel*?" (that little ones like mine might have neglected to answer in their hurriedly scrawled four word response to the original writing prompt), giving them further inspiration to get their ideas down. He makes it easy to sift through to find what we're looking for by dividing the 500 prompts into categories like: Memorable Events, Relationships, Technology, Life Lessons and even a 'Grab Bag' section. He also includes a small appendix giving suggestions for ways to use the prompts.
His book (available on amazon here) is a neat little tool that might fill a need in a homeschool where mama is tired of hearing, "But i don't know *what* to write about...."
*** Here is a word from the author on your chance to win a sweet give away***
"Author Bryan Cohen is doing a giveaway of his book 500 Writing Prompts for Kids for the next week along with a grand prize drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card! Simply post your e-mail address and you are entered in the drawing for one digital copy of the book on this site (there are over 10 sites involved in the giveaway, with one winner of a book per site). One lucky winner will be picked from all the sites to win a $50 Amazon gift card. If Bryan's book, 500 Writing Prompts for Kids reaches the top 500 in sales this week, he will add another $50 Amazon gift card to the drawing. The drawing will occur on June 22nd, so post away! Visit his website at Build Creative Writing Ideas. "
We have some prolific and some reluctant writers amongst our little crew - & no thanks to my painful efforts to teach writing - they're learning.
i've already written about our "summer school" supplies including a fresh faced little journal for each child to write in daily over our summer break, and this past year we successfully made it our goal to daily write "something, anything".
About a month ago, i was asked to write a product review - & since so many kind hearted friends reviewed my novel, i decided what goes around comes around & i'd take a look at his book & see what i thought.
Brian Cohen sent me a pdf of his book titled, "500 Writing Prompts for Kids: First Grade through Fifth Grade". Now, i'll admit here that what he provides in his book could easily be accessed by a google search for writing prompts - o yeah, trust me i've done that before... But here, in one tidy little package, he provides 500 thoughtful questions complete with the natural follow up included, "... *why do you think that*? and *how did that make you feel*?" (that little ones like mine might have neglected to answer in their hurriedly scrawled four word response to the original writing prompt), giving them further inspiration to get their ideas down. He makes it easy to sift through to find what we're looking for by dividing the 500 prompts into categories like: Memorable Events, Relationships, Technology, Life Lessons and even a 'Grab Bag' section. He also includes a small appendix giving suggestions for ways to use the prompts.
His book (available on amazon here) is a neat little tool that might fill a need in a homeschool where mama is tired of hearing, "But i don't know *what* to write about...."
*** Here is a word from the author on your chance to win a sweet give away***
"Author Bryan Cohen is doing a giveaway of his book 500 Writing Prompts for Kids for the next week along with a grand prize drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card! Simply post your e-mail address and you are entered in the drawing for one digital copy of the book on this site (there are over 10 sites involved in the giveaway, with one winner of a book per site). One lucky winner will be picked from all the sites to win a $50 Amazon gift card. If Bryan's book, 500 Writing Prompts for Kids reaches the top 500 in sales this week, he will add another $50 Amazon gift card to the drawing. The drawing will occur on June 22nd, so post away! Visit his website at Build Creative Writing Ideas. "
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
playlist
