CRAFTING WITH ELKA - PAPER PLATE WIND SPINNERS

All it takes is a paper plate, some art supplies, scissors,

and a very crafty super fun big sister.

Paper Plate Wind Spinners!

And they're off!

"Even the wind and waves obey him!"

Mark 4:41

READING BUDDIES

With pre-readers, beginning readers, and intermediate readers in our family...

Reading buddies are a big help and encouragement!

We're so proud of our little readers.

And they are so blessed to have their reading buddies.

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

A REASON FOR HANDWRITING

{classic. staple. biblical. never gets old}

"For whatever was written in the former days was written for our instruction,

that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Romans 15:4

MATH

{Daddy style}

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."

Proverbs 13:20

ARMOR OF GOD

Another homeschool day well spent...

Older and younger siblings creating together...

Memorizing Scripture...

(Noble the knight...making his noblest knight face)

...and outdoor exuberant play!

I'd say it's been an excellent day!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Ephesians 6:10-11

RAINY DAY ZOO

They've been busy at work and busy at play on this wintry cold rainy indoorsy day.

With big brother, Brodie, helping them build up a zoo (Skyfari and all), I'm thankful

not only for rain today, but also for the blessing of time thanks to homeschooling.

"Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain,

from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain."

Zechariah 10:1

OUR FIRST HOMESCHOOL GRADUATE!

It's hard to believe, since it feels like just yesterday Aida was my first and only baby.

But, here she is all grown up and graduated from high school and we couldn't be more proud.

We had a lovely celebration the evening of her 17th birthday, here at home.

Everyone pitched in to decorate and think of ideas to make the evening extra special.

During our ceremony, Brodie shared about how he sees Aida, and all of his daughters, as pillars.

I loved it!

May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown,

our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.

Psalm 144:12

We watched a slide show and shed more than a few tears.

Then Aida's siblings paid tribute to her.

We asked Aida to share her final essay she had written about how she has grown in the Lord over the course of her years.

Her words were powerful, encouraging, and God-honoring.

Then we presented her with her diploma.

It was a sweet, simple, beautiful evening and God was worshipped and honored above all.

Aida, we are so blessed by how we have watched you grow into a woman who fears the Lord. It's quite a journey to have graduated our first from homeschool and it has been a precious one indeed. I couldn't imagine life any other way and to have reached this milestone is very special. I'm so thankful for how the Lord has used our Quantity Time together over these years and I'm looking forward to the future together with you still. We will see what He has in store next...

We love you, Aida! Our first homeschool graduate!

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

CRAFTING WITH ELKA - NATIVITY

Fortunately for the little people who live here, big sister Elka LOVES crafts!

And especially for the holidays.

Dear Elka set the whole thing up, lessons and all, and the result was a wall full of beautiful nativity scenes!

And shiny, happy faces :)

Thank you, Elka, for being so crafty, and thank you, Jesus, for being our Savior!

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

THANKSGIVING CRAFT

Holiday crafting + fun with friends!

"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!"

Psalm 107:22

"BACK TO SCHOOL"

Binders and paper and glue sticks and crayons...that "back to school" feeling is in the air and we all love it!

Each year I find it ironic how excited we get about gearing up for a new school year because we never technically break from education during summer. We're definitely year-rounders and we see learning as a way of life.

Yet, it's always rejuvenating to get a few new supplies that inspire all over again

and that's just what we've been up to lately...gearing up for a brand new school year ahead!

(Aida stocking little binders for Mommy...Thanks Aida!)

This year is especially special because we will have our first high school graduate! Aida has faithfully been working on a fast track toward an early high school graduation and she has not only met her goals but exceeded our expectations. She is so ready for the next chapter of her life and I'm excited for her to finish this accomplishment! Our first homeschool graduate...WOW.

That's an interesting concept to absorb. It feels right.

Meanwhile, our little homeschoolers are giddy about their freshly stocked binders, each in their favorite color of course!

They are so cute about their "school" and each one loves it ALL! I can't stop them from wanting to learn which is a real testament to the beauty of how we approach homeschooling...loosely, casually, naturally, organically, lovingly, without pressures, and full of lots and lots of free/play time both in nature and with intentional indoor educational activities. It's clear these children love learning and it's really sweet to watch them grow in their academic skills on God's timetable, not mine. I'm so proud of my little learners.

In the middle, we have Nova who has grown leaps and bounds this past year in her writing! It's so sweet how she writes and expresses herself in incredibly detailed drawings. She is extremely artistic and thoughtful with her words, always giving encouraging notes. It's fun that she can squish into our younger crew academically, but also hang with the big kids as she matures. I have a feeling third grade will be a year of much growth for Nova and especially so in her reading (as was the case for most of the others).

Elka and Olia have begun enjoying doing more and more schoolwork together which brings me joy! I love watching the kids link up for homeschooling...together. Both of these girls are maturing spiritually in such beautiful ways and also in their homekeeping and nurturing skills which blesses my heart beyond! They are so mature for their ages that it's hard to remember sometimes they are technically in fifth and seventh grade. I'm eager to see how the Lord continues to grow these special girls into special young women even more so this coming year.

Brodie is still on a high school fast track just like Aida and they can do most academic subjects together, always a blessing. All the while, he thoroughly enjoys his piano, beautiful art, and spends hours outdoors with his animals, honing in on his skills in all things a young man should know and be able to do. He's become quite the woodworker, around-the-house handyman, and spiritual leader as he gleans from his dad. The growth we saw this past year in Brodie was outstanding and I can only imagine how much more is in store for our young man who takes care of his mama now in many ways. I know the Lord has wonderful plans for Brodie and it's a blessing to guide him along that journey of discovery in these special teenage/high school years.

Last but not least, precious little Willow has caught on that this whole homeschooling thing is pretty neat, so when she noticed that the kids where all getting new binders in their favorite colors, we couldn't resist getting her a pretty little pink one too. She colors for hours and loves to do what the others are doing, so she'll have a special place for all of her hard work too. I have a feeling Willow is going to enjoy all things "school" in time...

(holding her "Cutie Pie" at her cutie little desk)

Ah, "back to school", I think I'll always cherish it just the same. Though our homeschooling style has morphed significantly over the years, it's nice to have found a rhythm that works well for our family. To have a homeschool graduate this coming year feels like one of those moments in time that has crept up on me quietly, and yet, I embrace it. It's beautiful and rewarding.

(sisters and schoolmates)

These are the days...

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

That's a wrap on the "back to school" happenings around here. I don't really need to buy curriculum anymore since we've pretty much got any and everything a homeschooler could possibly want at this point. Over the years we've been so blessed to be given way more than we could ever use! God always supplies our needs. We may purchase a few new consumables as time goes on, and we're always on the lookout for new good books (more and more the rarity), but other than that, our new school supplies seem to have given us all the fuel we need to head out into an exciting new school year with a fresh new start.

What will this year bring???

"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 6:5-7