THIS IS WHY I'M HERE

I'm sitting on the floor...again...and I remind myself that this is why I'm here.

 

 

Squabbles and owies and lessons to teach (and learn), THIS is why I'm here...a lot.

 

We talk it through, they reconcile, smiles once again return. Hugs and loves and off to play or back to school.

 

This is why I'm here.

 

 

It's a day in the life of Mom, a day full of what seem to be interruptions, but are actually the reason I'm here.

It's a life full of commitment to work through the stuff. So much happens in a day on my lap.

 

And so, I very thoughtfully do not wish it away, but rather capture this moment in time.

I remember how quickly it goes and how important my role is in these interruptions opportunities. I'm in.

 

God teaches me, His child, as I instruct them and give - a worthy investment I'm quite sure.

We'll make it, one day at a time, through this jumbled up world of childhood

and motherhood and all the beauty and chaos that brings while it lasts.

We're making our way through the pilgrimage and this is why I'm here.

 

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,

will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:38

FIELD TRIP TO...

 The music store.

 

 

Our kids come to life around music...don't most??

 

 

They each have their own God-given interests and talents.

 

 

It's fascinating to watch it all unfold as they grow.

 

 

As the older children have found their niche in music and worship, I asked Olia the other day what instrument she would like to play. Her immediate response, "Drums, of course!" To which I replied, "Ok, let's see if you can follow this rhythm..." So, I gave her a complicated beat on the floor which she mimicked perfectly right off the bat! I guess she's ready...Who knew?

 

What a delight to watch the kids discover their musical gifts as they use them to worship the Lord.

We just can't put a price tag on that!

 

A field trip to the music store is always time well spent.

 

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!"
Psalm 95:1

 



BIG BOOK OF HISTORY

The Big Book of History by Answers in Genesis is a really neat resource!

We love everything we have ever ordered from AiG!

I love how the Big Book of History puts together a visual aid to God's grand story.
It does a great job of implementing biblical history with world history and the timeline's
sturdy construction assures longevity, even in a home with so many curious children!

I love how the kids can SEE with their eyes the order of events from creation to today.

The Big Book of History is definitely an asset to our homeschool!

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1:1

TEACH...LEARN

Sometimes the best way to learn is to teach.

 

Just one more reason to love homeschool...and Elka.
 

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."

Ecclesiastes 9:10

WRITING FUN

There's something to be said for writing about things we enjoy.

 

 

To watch a child's face brighten at the thought of writing about things that interest them is well worth the refiguring we homeschooling parents might sometimes need to arrange. Go with the flow...I tell myself all the time.

 

Writing can be extra FUN!!

 

 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Colossians 3:23

THEATER

I grew up going to the theater.

 

I LOVED IT!

 

Now as the parent I look back at some of the Broadway shows I saw and think, "Yikes! I saw that?!"

Yet, I do love the theater and with a bit of discretion it can be quite the enhancing experience.

 

Recently, my niece was in the Wizard of Oz at a local performing arts theater

and we had the privilege of enjoying the show!

 

 

 

The cousins were all so proud!

 

Of course, my kids came home thinking they too would like to be in a show...

Being the resourceful types, we set about to turn drapery from Ikea into stage curtains...And voila!

Home theater is born!
 

 

 It's amazing that one simple add on to our play area has made our days SO much more fun...
and theatrical...as the kids practice their productions and songs. I LOVE it!!

Everyone gets involved...even Bear :)

And it wouldn't be a show without ribbon twirlers!

Putting together elaborate costumes and shows has been a favorite new
pastime when friends come over to play as well!

What a great way to create wholesome, musical fun!

Plus, it gets our kids out of their shells in ways we never imagined!

I love to see the talents God has given to each child shine through, and I'm thankful for the role
performing arts can play in our education. It's a pleasure to give the children the experience of theater.

It looks like The Sound of Music is coming up next...with rehearsals underway...

 

 

SO SO FUN!!
 

 "And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge,

and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze,

in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft."

Exodus 35:31-33

SERIES...LEARN TO LOVE READING

One of our most commonly asked questions about homeschool is,
"How did you get your children to love reading?"

There are a few answers to this question (all which hinge upon God's grace),
including modeling a love for reading as the parents, reading aloud to the children from the time they were young,
and younger siblings imitating older siblings (who love reading). These factors all contribute to our family's decided love for books, but one thing I noticed in all of my older children that officially kick-started their love for reading was that at the right age (which was different for each of their development) a book series was the final catalyst to drawing them in,
sinking the final nail in solidifying their own personal desire to read...for enjoyment.

Meanwhile, education is taking place as we select good books for our kids to read.
Things like history, Bible, relationships, science, geography, problem solving, and language arts
(to name but a few) are innately acquired without even realizing the extent. It's a win win.

This slow seeping acquisition is a critical reason to be cautious of content, to remember that just because it's recommended...doesn't mean we should read it. We're always growing in this area and we're still a work in progress, but the Lord has really encouraged our hearts over the years to become more and more careful about what we choose to read.

These things said, for all of my older children, it was a series that made them want to go back for more, a series that got them begging to go to the library, a series that landed us sifting through used book stores regularly hoping to find part of our sets (we love collections!), and a series that drifted them off to another time and place where their minds expand and they're learning.

Though there are countless excellent series to read, and millions of individual books worth adding to any library collection, here are a few series (some classic, some novelty) that have played a roll in teaching us to love reading around here.
I wonder which series will draw the attention of my up and coming little readers?? Time will tell...

FOR BEGINNING READERS...SETTING THE TONE:
The Bob Books, Bobby Lynn Maslen
Pathway Publisher Readers
Dr. Seuss
Dick and Jane, Gosset and Dunlap
Scholastic readers, Scholastic Inc.
A Beka readers, A Beka Book
Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish (both children's books and early readers) 
Eric Carle
Now You Can Read Bible Stories, Grolier Enterprises Corp.
Buiscuit, Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Little Golden Books, A Golden Book
Magic School Bus, Joanna Cole
Courderoy books, Don Freeman
Frog and Toad, Arnold Lobel
My "a, b, c, etc." Books, Jane Belk Moncure

FOR INTERMEDIATE READERS:
Pathway Publishers Readers
10 Boys, 10 Girls...Who Made History, etc., Lightkeepers, Irene Howat
Little House on the Prairie Chapter Books, HarperTrophy (easy to read adaptations of the classics)
The Moody Family Series, Sarah Maxwell, Titus 2 Ministry
Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan and other authors-
(Though not a series, there are many different publications of Pilgrim's Progress and
my kids have loved reading the plentiful variety of this classic...most notably Little Pilgrim's Progress, Helen L. Taylor.)
Encyclopedia Brown, Donald J. Sobel
Trailblazer Books, Dave and Neta Jackson-
(These Heroes of the Faith books should be read with the understanding that they incorporate fiction along with fact.)
Treasury of Illustrated Classics, Modern Publishing
Great Illustrated Classics, Baronet Books
Heroes of America, Baronet Books
Portraits of Little Women, Susan Beth Pferrer (inspired by Louisa May Alcott's Little Women)
American Girl Collection, American Girl
Misty books, Marguerite Henry

FOR MORE ADVANCED READERS:
Pathway Publishers Readers
YWAM Biographies, Janet and Geoff Benge (our favorite Heroes of the Faith biographies)
Lamplighter Books
Trail Blazers, Christian Focus Publications (Heroes of the Faith biographies)
Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingles Wilder
The Caroline Years, Maria D. Wilkes
Elsie Dinsmore Classics, Martha Finley
Mildred Keith Classics, Martha Finley
The Kingdom Series (only...we found the Knight Series to have content we wouldn't recommend), Chuck Black
A Life of Faith, Mission City Press (based on the classics by Martha Finley)
The Children's Classics, Ferguson Publishing Company
Patricia St. John books, Moody Publishers
Chronicles of Faith, Barbour Publishers
Caddy Woodlawn books, Carol Ryrie Brink

As a note...the series above are listed by reading level and intentionally not by grade level or age because we have come to accept that all children begin to love and learn reading at their own unique pace. This is determined by God, the One who is in control of their development, and not by classifications. We have seen all of our readers come into their own enjoyment of reading at differing ages and stages and accept this as good, so I would never want to type cast any child's reading ability (or inability) based on such categories. When they are ready, they will be ready...and they will let us parents know.

It's our job in the interim to expose our kids to good books (and most importantly The Book- God's Word),
cheer them on, and wait patiently for their own love for reading to develop. With care, compassion,
and a dose of realistic expectations, I believe every child has the ability to learn to love reading.

"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
Proverbs 18:15

HOMESCHOOL IN THE CAR

For us, the entirety of our "curriculum" does not involve online ordering, worksheets, or grades.

In fact, a good portion of our learning happens in the ebb and flow of life...naturally.

 

If we stop and consider how much we are actually learning through regular daily interactions as well as planned

educational events (not to mention education at our fingertips via the web) we realize that we are always learning!

 

One of my favorite places to take note of this alternative education is in the car. (It's all about perspective.)

Whether it's singing Scripture, discussing God's Word, or just addressing the multitude of quandaries that fill

a blossoming heart and mind, the car is a valuable resource for quality interactions and homeschool.

 

What is it about a car ride that digs out the burning questions in a child's mind?

 

In our family, for one thing, we have always purposefully instigated such questions in the car. When we have alone time out, in particular with one child, we are very intentional to check in, ask how things are really going, see if they have any questions for us parents, things like that. Perhaps this initiation is what has spawned such intrigue in the car...or perhaps that's just what kids do. Either way, I'm thankful for our conversations, thankful that God has given me a desire to pay attention to these talks and capitalize on their influence, and thankful for the opportunity to teach my children at home...and in the car.

 

 I love my crazy kids! How many more can we fit in this van??
 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Deuteronomy 6:5-8

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Sometimes it's those spontaneous lessons over eggs and toast that make the greatest impact.

 

I'm thinking that's the nail we hit on the head today.

 

 

It's funny that something as simple as our white board Prayer Board can be such an

influence in our spiritual growth, but indeed it is. We use it all the time!

 

Today, it was a conversation-turned-lesson that encouraged all of our hearts and got the

wheels turning about how we can express more fruit of the Spirit. We have much to learn.

 

Anyway, it was a blessing to share this impromptu devotional time today through the blessing and privilege

of homeschool including lingering breakfasts and tangents together. I pray that God was and will continue to be

glorified as we prayerfully seek His grace that we might exude the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

Galatians 5:22-23

HANDWRITING THANK YOU NOTES

I'm always looking for ways to make simple subjects like handwriting fun.

 

Thank you notes seem to be one of the best.

 

 

This "learning" thing doesn't have to be drudgery, and if there's a will, there's a way.

 

Thanks, thank you notes, for encouraging our handwriting {art time included} today!

 

"Do all things without grumbling."

Philippians 2:14