LIBRARY DAYS

We LOVE the library.

 

 

Our favorite local library is in a historical home with a secret garden of sorts.

 

 

When we go, we're usually the only ones there...in our garden for the day.

 

We pack our lunch and quilt and book bags.

 

 

We spend time wandering isles and isles of knowlege...

 

 

...exploring the world of pages.

 

 

We buddy up and talk to librarians, each child responsible for their own bag and library card.

 

 

Then we wander outside to find special spots.

 

 

Some make reading more active than others.

 

 

Even our little ones somehow seem big as they manage their own library books with great care.

 

 

Learning respect for the property of others is one of my favorite lessons we learn from the library...among so many others. We love reading and books in our home and I know someday I'll look back on our library days and picnics as some of our sweetest homeschooling memories. 

 

 

"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."

Proverbs 18:15

LET THEM BE...

CREATIVE

 

Let them be...

 

MUSICAL

 

 

Let them be...

 

FREE

 

 

Let them be...

 

YOUNG

 

 

and grow up too.

 

 

Let them be...

 

OUTSIDE

 

 

BUSY

 

 

SANDY

 

 

WET

 

 

Let them be...

 

IN THE KITCHEN

 

 

HELPFUL

 

 

Let them be...

 

QUIET

 

 

and LOUD

 

 

PLAYFUL

 

 

BEST FRIENDS

 

 

BUDDIES

 

 

NURTURERS

 

 

ERGO WEARERS

 

 

Let them be...

 

FORT BUILDERS

 

 

WOOD WORKERS

 

 

BISCUIT MAKERS

 

(even when it's messy)

 

PIONEERS

 

 

PRINCESSES

 

 

Let them be...

 

SERVANTS

 

 

MISSIONARIES

 

 

 

Let them be...

 

KIDS!

 

I remind myself daily that BEAUTY abounds in the homeschool day and lifestyle when we choose to simply let them be...

 

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

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