The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. -Psalm 24:1
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This past weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a joint baby shower for two friends who are due within a week of each other. A laid-back, Fall-themed gathering was enjoyed by all on this brisk September evening. We savored conversations over rich and much-anticipated flavors of Fall and caught up with old friends and new by firelight. With no other agenda but to relax and be refreshed, both guests and expectant moms experienced the best of what a baby shower can offer: Blessing.
Every other day is a home day for school. Lunch is unanimously our favorite time of day, and as it is enjoyed out under the arbor, it seems a fitting reward for work well-done all morning. The boys are so easy to please. A few key things in combination make lunch under the arbor all together “the best lunch ever.” “The only thing missing is Baba,” they said, sitting back to enjoy their nearly-perfect lunch break. And I thought it was all about the pickles.
This photo is brought to you by the Council for Keeping It Real: Homeschool Division. {grin} When folks ask me how I do school at home with four kids, ages 1 through 8, my simple answer is that I ignore the inevitable messes made by the preschoolers. Oh, and I lock myself in my bedroom with soft music and a bubble bath. I’m kidding. So, here are some tips for making homeschooling work with multiple children (without scented soaps and Andrea Bocelli.) Always start with a clean room. Clean the schoolroom the night before. Assign organizational and filing tasks to older kids while setting younger ones up with activities. Make special activity sets and containers of educational goodies for the preschoolers, that come out specifically during school time. Work with one child while another is reading or writing independently. Let the little ones play at a shallow sink full of […]
Number 2 ‘s kindergarten class has been reading Green Eggs and Ham. Our home assignment yesterday was to create his own recipe for green eggs and ham, eat it, then write about it! He was thrilled with the cooking part…but all I can say is–there is a reason why God made us to repel foods that are not supposed to be green. (Think mold…) But, who knows…maybe you need an idea for dinner tonight, so here you go: {….mmmmm….} {…..um, do I have to eat all of them?….} We love our homeschool days.
Every mother needs reminding of the greatness of her calling, the joy in her sacrifice, the purpose of her mission, and the reward of her investment. I am one of those mothers. During this season of life that is often overwhelming and deficient on time, I can at times, feel as though I am a drill sargeant, rather than a shepherd–commanding discipline instead of training lost sheep. Encouragement this week came through the voice of Sally Clarkson, in her book, The Mission of Motherhood, who in her chapter on Building Loving Relationships with Our Children, helped me to remember what kind of mom I want to be: It’s important to realize that spending time with kids means so much more than just getting the parenting job done. Sometimes it’s easy for busy parents to forget this. We become so focused on training our children, correcting them, teaching them responsibility, and […]
Just like he sometimes wishes he didn’t have to write out his Latin flash cards… …I sometimes would rather be playing catching up on my list, than homeschooling… …but just as the rewards of studying Latin are sometimes immediate, but mostly unrealized until down the road… …I keep my eye on the prize that’s in the distance, giving thanks for the treasure of time with my kids today.
Our oldest attends Oak Grove Classical Academy, where phonograms are taught using the Spell To Write and Read curriculum. We homeschool three days a week, and review these phonograms using a cd. Number 3 is always asking to do “a, A, ah.” If you are local, and are interested in a classical, Christian, homeschool/traditional school education for your child, we are taking new registrations now for the 2009-2010 school year!
A dream realized. To envision, research, labor, revise, fundraise, pray, face trials, stay focused, commit, risk, and sacrifice for well over a year–and to see it all in the reflection of students, textbooks, lesson plans, math manipulatives, Latin chants, praying parents, lunchboxes, excellent faculty, and a very smooth first day of school–well, that is beyond dreaming, but the reality of the power of God. It’s difficult to capture in words or photographs the significance of this day for those who serve as founding board members at Oak Grove Classical Academy. I suppose I have a double blessing as I experience the joy of seeing the school come to fruition, and that of a parent who’s hope for the best in both homeschooling and private classical schooling is finally realized. All aspirations and excellence aside, the most telling moment, perhaps, was found in Caleb’s responses to his first day of 2nd […]
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