HOMESCHOOL HELPERS

This year, Aida has had a sweet opportunity with a dear friend.

She gets to be a helper in a nature/art class offered to homeschoolers in our community.

And Elka, Olia, and Brodie have gotten to be part of it occasionally too.

From tide pool exploring, to hikes, to paper making, bird watching, arts and crafts in nature...

I've enjoyed watching my homeschoolers become homeschool helpers.

"For everything created by God is good."

1 Timothy 4:4

LITTLEST HOMESCHOOLER

Our little Precious tries so hard to be like all the big kids.

She's so smart and wanting to read and write already.

We love our littlest homeschooler.

"For the Lord gives wisdom."

Proverbs 2:6

MATH + MONEY

+ Proverbs

a.k.a. Godonomics

. . . . . .

righteousness

wisdom

understanding

the fear of the Lord

quiet/peace

a good name

...just some of what Proverbs says matters more than money.

"How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."

Proverbs 16:16

CATCH OF THE DAY - TURTLE!

Look what was washed up with the latest storm!

Alive and well...and an opportunity to study the behavior of a yellow-bellied slider.

"And God made...everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind.
And God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:25

HOMESCHOOL...LATELY

(binder self portraits)

And our little honorary homeschooler...

(Willow loves her "school" too.)

It's tradition.

Everyone is doing so well, learning and exploring.

Although Aida is graduated now, she has a special opportunity to do some homeschool with our little friend.

(It's sweet to see her come full circle.)

Little ones are growing and olders are honing in on their special skills.

What a joy it is to give them the gift of time.

What a privilege it is to homeschool!

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

Psalm 90:12

OLIA'S ART

She's just that kind of person...

The kind that picks up her first real watercolor brush and effortless strokes simply turn out beauty.

(first painting)

The kind that sits down to her brand new lap dulcimer and immediately plays a song.

(Drummer Boy)

Olia is humble, talented, understated, graceful, kind...and she creates beautiful art.

What a blessing it is to homeschool and offer the gift of time to explore the gifts God has given.

"He has filled them with skill."

Exodus 35:35

SAND CANDLES

Something my family always looks forward to is crafting with Mrs. Reyes!

The last time we were here at the beach house and Mrs. Reyes came with crafts in tow,

we ended up searching for our sand candles in the dark as the tide came up...such sweet memories!!

This time, we chose to make the candles a bit farther away from the rising tide. ;)

We melted the wax on the BBQ, settled seashells into the sand, added a wick, and poured the wax.

Then we waited...

And the results were beautiful!

Thank you, Mrs. Reyes, for always making nature and crafting so fun!

Your friendship is a gift from the Lord!

"Let your light shine."

Matthew 5:16

FILMMAKING

Today, we gathered around to watch some of Brodie's videos as he presented to us his latest work. Filmmaking has become a growing passion of his this past year and a fruit of his time spent documenting our ventures. I love watching him explore his talents.

(The Ark Encounter, Kentucky)

And have exciting experiences in the process!

(The Grand Canyon, Arizona)

As his interest has grown, we've begun to invest in higher quality equipment
to help him flourish and the results have been beautiful!

Brodie loves God's creation in nature, music, animals, and adventure, so documentary filmmaking is right up His alley!

(GoPro surfing with Noble)

(helmet cam)

Brodie definitely has an eye for the art of filmmaking and is dabbling in writing scores on his piano and guitar

for the background music as well, another offspring of his ample time via homeschool that we cherish.

(The Petrified Forest, Arizona)

Thanks for the memories, Brodie, and we look forward to seeing what all

the Lord will do in the future through your filmmaking.

May your efforts glorify Him!

www.vimeo.com/atreeanditsfruit

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

LITTLE HOMESCHOOLER

She watches big brothers and sisters and wants to be like them.

Another reminder that we ought to set a good example in all things at all times.

We love our precious little homeschooler.

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.

Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."

Hebrews 13:7

HOMESCHOOL ON THE BEACH

...as our unconventional new year continues.

Malleable in the Potter's hand and feeling thankful for "home".

"If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Psalm 139:9-10