Day Twenty-Six: Night Of The Kenyan Dancers

They jumped backed and forth, bumped into each other giggling and danced in circles with glow-sticks swinging from their arms and waists. My children linked up with cousins and other kids who'd joined the "Congo Line" for Kenya Night at my sister's church. This little group of children put their money together and sponsored a girl in the African country and were celebrating her life and culture to raise awareness of her situation. We were blessed to have been invited right smack in the middle of our Africa study. How perfect.

Their costumes and face paint might not have been completely authentic, but it was better than looking Canadian. Several paintings by my sister's kids hung around the room. They were amazing!

Crazy hair contest. Yes, some of them crazied their hair minutes before.

 "Napkin, Napkin" a Kenyan game similar to "Duck, Duck, Goose".

Mmm, African food!

 Following a Kenyan dancer was very cool and so much fun. What a work-out!

An unexpected Kenyan dinner, exposure to more African culture, dancing our hearts out? A priceless memory. 



Day Twenty: A Taste Of South Africa

She claps her hands in delight as she remembers what she was going to share about being a small child wrapped tightly around her nanny's back. The nanny worked along and sang lullabies in  Zulu while Cathy was rocked and warmly cared for by the hired woman. Our beautiful South African friend with her intriguing accent, moves onto descriptions of the landscape, of playing in the river where crocodiles lurked, of picking sugar cane on the plantation, of driving to school on the back of a donkey cart, and of covering her ears at night to keep out the lions' roar. Things we'd merely read about in books came to life as real experiences were expounded upon in great detail. The books gave us initial insight into the country but nothing created such a tangible sense of the true Africa as the stories of one who knew it as her home. 

But with all the joy of chronicling her life in the southernmost part of the continent, and telling of the charming childhood she had known, her story was sprinkled with trauma and fear. Apartheid, war, and constant dread of attack on their home led a grown-up Cathy and her husband to the decision to move to Canada and raise their children in freedom and safety. Still, tears fall each time her plane lowers over South Africa when she visits her native home.

 

As we begin to wrap up our study on Africa, more and more captivating aspects are revealed and it seems almost impossible to complete it. Perhaps we never will. Cathy, thank you so very much for gracing our home with your presence and for the narration of your adventures in your dear country. You have opened our eyes to more of its beauty. It's obvious you can take the girl out of South Africa, but you can't take South Africa out of the girl :)

Day Twelve: Us, Working Together

We argued and it was ugly. I tramped into the bathroom and caught my reflection in the mirror. It was then the prayer and tears flowed. Why did I allow myself to carry on with that child? It had begun so well, but as she escalated in a demanding tone, my self-control slowly leaked away like a broken dam and then gushed at the point of impact. My defensive retorts aggressively pulled at the threads of the beautiful relationship we'd woven. I pretended to myself that I was angry with her but I know that the enemy of our souls is out to rob the family of all peace and love. I sign up for that agenda when I allow myself to blow off my steam on her. I once heard that homeschooling is undoubtedly, the catalyst for revealing one's dark side. It was supposed to be a joke but I know this all too well. Grace, lots of it, gets dumped each morning on my bed. I rise and am aware I'm totally forgiven and given the chance to begin again. How can I return to my old way with all that overflowing mercy? I came across this post today, and I was overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit's powerful reminder. My friend, Rebecca calls it a God-spanking ;) No condemnation, of course!

Oh, but working together? It's what I so love! It's a blessed calling and a lovely lifestyle. I am the creator and facilitator of a peaceful and workable environment. When I flow with the Lord, it's countless times better than when I utilize only my own efforts. My kids may have wild and disobedient days, but I am slowly but surely learning to be a spirit-controlled woman... hopefully, before my children leave the home :)

Emily's mini Charlotte's Web project on the rat, spider and pig. Almost finished. 

 Using library cards to record our Africa books as a forever reminder of our rich learning.

 Some of the photos given to us by a couple in our church who have visited Africa a few times.

Dispelling the stereotypes. What a fabulous lesson!

 

Plodding along, sometimes skipping through this homeschooling journey. Posting some of the productivity always makes me sigh with relief and smile... His grace allows for learning to happen when it feels like the day has slipped through my fingers. Such Love.

Day Eight: The Way We Roll

Diving into A Long Walk To Water from longitude and latitude lines, prime meridian and hemisphere talk, was a welcome switch of gears. Everyone snuggles in cozily when I sit back and begin reading about Nya's struggle to dig in mud to find water and Salva's narrow escape from a lion. My kids have to pay attention when the story alternates between 1985 and 2008, but they don't mind. Somehow, hearing about the lives of children close in age to them keeps them captivated.

 

A unit study that I had planned to take until February has sustained us up until today and will continue to become a life-long journey, I suspect. We understand many more cultures now and I believe this is what pleases Jesus: loving our neighbours. Dispelling the stereotypes was less of a challenge for my children because we know so many Africans and their stories. Everything about Africa fascinates us and I pray one day we will all plant our feet on the reddish soil or sandy dessert or grassy plains of that great continent.

Today we cracked open 10 Days In Africa, an amazing game that teaches skillful maneuvering around the continent, not to mention the country names and their placement. It was tricky to catch on at first, but once they got the hang of it, things ran a little more smoothly :) 

We'd already memorized Africa's countries by singing along to Geography Songs. We also mapped the countries, but remembering their placement was well practiced during the game.

Clementine always ends up walking across our game boards or even sitting right in the middle of them. Comic relief during a highly focused game :)

Flowing with flexibility on a topic we love and carrying it on beyond what was planned is a good thing, in my estimation. I lingered at the Canada/Africa table at the homeschool convention and caught the attention of Donna Ward, who was eager to share her favourites with me. As a result, I picked up a few extra items to add to our study. I'm thankful I did. Not always sticking with the program for every subject or study is the way we roll and it makes our learning richer. 

Day Two: Homeschool Conventions As Inspiration to Keep Going

Nine years of homeschool conventions have taught me that I don't want to miss one. They've also revealed that I don't attend for the same reasons I may have years ago. I now own enough curricula to support a few families for several years and I can rattle off the basics of home education to any newbie who might have questions in the exhibit hall. However, it's the camaraderie of all of us who are in this challenging, yet rewarding, journey that keeps us home with those we've borne and (hopefully) educating them well. 

Sitting amongst hundreds of parents this morning in the auditorium for the opening session meant I am a part of something greater than the decision I made to keep my children home; I am connected to the body of believers who are intentionally and prayerfully pouring into their children hour by hour, day by day. My friends who send their children to school are not exempt from this definition, but there is something so comforting and familiar about this large group we call home educators. We laughed together, tears brimmed over tough choices concerning children with academic struggles, we attended seminars and encouraged one another to purchase a particular book or program due to experience and longevity. 

Many years of homeschooling have also taught me that I don't always use what I buy at a convention. Therefore, I stand at a particular vendor's table and quietly consider each child, the time I have to teach, and whether or not the book will work for our family. I'm not always right, but I have two sisters with seven kids between them who will benefit if I'm wrong  :) Here are some choices I could not pass up today:

 This is simply adorable and very old-school. I may have used it as a child myself. As I flipped through it, I knew immediately Oliver would enjoy it. It's aimed at grades 2/3.

 I bought 3 levels of this cursive writing/art appreciation book. I love how the kids can do a sentence or a whole page depending on time, and I love how it's connected to observations about art.

I can't seem to stop the read-alouds for our Africa study. Here is a game we will enjoy that teaches the names of the African countries (which we already know) and their placement on the continent (for which we need more practice). The above books were advised by the vendor and since I've trusted her before and been blessed, I listened again :) The convention prepares us for the following school year but also helps us to gain inspiration and energy to wrap up the present year well.