CATCH OF THE DAY - OCTOPUS

 

We always love when nature offers us something new to learn about.

 

 

Some of our best finds come from the beach.

 

 

Everyone was excited about our latest catch of the day...an OCTOPUS!

 

 

We saw him ink, cover himself with a shell, and even jump out of the water to snap and let us know that he was

happier in the ocean...to which he was quickly returned...though it was exciting to observe him for a little while.

 

The kids' imaginations and curiosity are always perked when they've experienced something new first hand.

 

(The Ocean Book, The Wonders of Creation Series, Answers in Genesis)

 

Typically, an onslaught of creativity follows.

 

 

 

 The kids express their interest in so many different ways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our preschoolers always love the crafts!

 

 

The wonders of God's creation are consistently amazing!

What will we get to learn about next??

 

 

"So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves,

with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds...and God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:21

HEART-FELT-HOMESCHOOL

One of the most important aspects of homeschooling for us is to teach our children

in a Titus 2 sort of way to be prepared for adult life beyond simply academics.

 

 

The spiritual emphasis and training at home matters to us just as much as any other type of knowledge...in fact, even more!

 

That said, taking time to teach resourcefulness, be creative, model homemaking skills, and even play pretend in the things that will one day be our grown children's vocations are always on our radar. The boys spend lots of time with Dad learning how to become godly young men while the girls and I invest equally in matters of the heart and home, prayerfully to the glory of God.

 

(A Reason For Handwriting...still on regular rotation.)

 

*I love the freedom that homeschooling allows our family to spend Quantity Time at home putting into practice such things!*

 

"Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."

Titus 2:2-8

 

Lately, the girls and I have been sewing felt foods for kitchen play (for a fraction of the cost to buy the same) and today the little girls got in on the making. Considering felt costs 25 cents or less per square and the sewing doesn't fray, it's an ideal project for little helpers. Plus, when children help with the creating, they're always more invested in the play and care of their new things. 

 

Win, win.

 

Here's to documenting our little keepers at home today,

making felt eggs and serving their guests with hospitality:

 

First, we drew a rough egg shape on the felt.

 

 

Then, Nova cut them out.

 

 

We sewed the yolk on one egg white first.

 

 

Then sewed the two whites together.

 

 

 

After just about a 5 minute project, Bea was making eggs...

 

 

...and calling her "friends!!" to breakfast.

 

 

Of course, her friends insisted on praying before eating.

 

(Still invited in spite of their undesirable "decorations" on the girls' table...such a gracious hostess. :))

 

It was a fun project for Bea, Nova, and Mommy today among a myriad of other goings on over here.

I am ever so grateful for homeschool and the wonderful experiences it allows us all to have in a day...together.

 

"Having a reputation for good works...she has brought up children, has shown hospitality,

has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work."

1 Timothy 5:10

NEW ART STATION

 

We broke in our new art station table today and rather than flinch at the vibrant color spatter on the

freshly painted white, I breathed out freedom after a long inhale of creativity.

 

 

I love watching children concoct art in any form and I'm always looking for ways to enhance the creative energy in our home.

 

(Bea was so proud of her beautiful first ever painting!)

 

(She wouldn't stop! Looks like we have another artist in the family!)

 

(Elka, always creating, got a new easel and acrylic paints...keeping her very busy.)

 

I haven't seen India so quiet, still, or enthralled in some time...in and of itself worth the entire project!

 

 

The boys got in there too and we all discussed one of my most important art lessons:

 

"There are NO mistakes in art!"

 

A strict rule around here...We always make lemonade from lemons, turn frowns upside down,

etc., seeing any artistic "mistake" as simply a detour to a new concept, design, or plan.

 

 

They bought it!

 

 

Nova handcrafted portraits of each sibling (which we laminated) so we could hang drying paintings by each one.

 

 

I absolutely LOVE children's artwork!! It's the best...

 

 

...and messy hands are beautiful...

 

 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

EASY GRAMMAR

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time."

Ephesians 5:15-16

 

Though some of our children thrive on textbook learning and worksheets, etc., there are others who learn better through more creative, alternative approaches. This also varies by subject per child, I might add, further complicating the matter of curriculum choices, but ultimately driving me to be an intentional homeschooling mommy, readily available to meet each child's needs (per subject) right where they are. This way, each individual student is not just surviving their education, but rather thriving. That's the goal! And, homeschooling allows us this excellent advantage if we're careful to pay attention and adapt accordingly.

 

Today, easy grammar unfolded naturally for Olia as she narrated a drawing from her early morning meanderings. There were no fussy worksheets or tears involved. Just us, chatting about her pretty picture and discussing a few simple rules of...grammar. Meanwhile, down the table, another sibling worked heartily on her Easy Grammar worksheet, fully engaged and contentedly so.

 

(Tomayto, Tomahto)

 

 

In our family, we emphasize matters of the heart and enjoy that as the focus throughout our homeschooling educational goals. It's a marvel how much we learn through enjoyable activities and also how hours of tediousness can be accomplished in one meaningful interaction between a parent (or older sibling) and an engaged learner when we think outside the box.

 

 

After Olia finished her drawing, we cued up a song from our funky old faithful "Grammar Rock" by Schoolhouse Rock!...ha!

(I think most of my kids learned to count by 5's thanks to "Ready or Not, Here I Come" on "Multiplication Rock".)

Anywaaaay, the point is, there are many, many ways to learn the same thing and
thank the Lord we're not all wired alike. How incredibly dull would that be?!

 

So, today, I'm thankful for homeschool, thankful for freedom in our country to educate in

creative ways, and especially thankful for my sweet time with Olia learning easy grammar.

 

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."

Proverbs 1:5

COLOR SORTING

 

Our younger crew has been interested lately in sorting and considering our coloring sessions can look more

like a war zone than ART at times, it occurred to me today there may be a remedy right under my nose.

 

<< COLOR SORTING >>

 

 

It's remarkable how serious coloring can actually be when the children are intent upon organizing their crayons. :)

They thoughtfully take just ONE out at a time (amazing!) and promptly put it back in the right color jar, so proud.

 

 

Getting them involved in the initial sorting process seemed to help them take ownership over their newfound system,

absorbing a concept all the while, unknowingly. Little learners are so much fun, tiny sponges that they are.

 

I wonder what other lessons can we discover around our house today??

 

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

with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs."

Exodus 35:31-32

SCHOOL IN THE BATH

 

"Mommy, look! School in the bath!" She yells for me to see...

 

 

What a fun way to practice spelling letters A to Z.

 

 

Aww...thanks, Nova! Mommy's so proud of how you're learning all the time.

 

"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 6:7



COOL COUNTRY REPORT

It's pretty cool that Elka got to write her Cool Country Report about China with her Chinese brother on her lap.

 

 

This is very Elka...and one of my favorite aspects of homeschooling.

 

It's also pretty cool that Beck trusts his sister enough to simply doze off while she worked on her poster.

 

 

Talk about bringing China to life! I'm so thankful for Brodie and Elka's experiences in China and for

the education of their hearts through their role in Bea and Beck's adoption process. It's been sweet.

 

"I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

Isaiah 43:5-7