Growing and Learning and Presenting

Change must come. Children don't stay little. And, learning is compounded upon past learning. I look around our small homeschool group, the ones my children grew up with, the ones they've loved, and been loved by. I steal candid shots when they're not looking, and when they are, a few straighten up and smile, while others hide their faces and bemoan yet another photo. There are a few newer families to our posse, but with most we've been presenting our projects since they could barely spell their names. A couple have moved onto high schools away from home. Nine years of homeschooling. My heart overflows. 

Day Thirty-One: Closing Up Shop... Or Not!

Who would like to join our group for a trip to the lavender fields?, the email read. Although, I warn new homeschoolers about taking on too many subjects and adding too many trips in their year, I tend to jump at every opportunity that educates my children about God's creation. And so this week, we will attend and, I'm sure be surprised by, God's design in nature once again. 

Because the traditional school year ends in the late spring, the world affords much scope for the imagination and it leaves us unable to close up shop on our school work. My goal at this time of the year is to complete math, writing, spelling and phonics before the end of June, but we will continue short unit studies and summer reading. Last year, my kiddos used "Summer Notebooks", in which they copied a Scripture verse, wrote out ten spelling words, worked out some quick math and researched one cool fact. This took less than a page and no more than twenty minutes to half an hour per day. Of course, there were many days it was set aside for important interruptions and vacation, but it was a valuable tool for keeping their brains exercised. 

Perhaps I should have blogged this set of thirty-one days earlier in the year, to share more school-ish things because spring truly inspires us to be outdoors more than in. However, I'm a firm believer that (if possible) being there is a far greater teacher than merely reading about being there :)  

White-crowned Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Towhee's wife

Eastern Kingbird

Can you guess whose tracks these are?

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

waterfall at my in-laws'

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow singing an adorable song (grab the free Merlin Bird I.D. app to hear many bird's songs!)

Dunlin-first sighting!

 Are you closing up shop on your schooling adventures for the year? 

Day Fourteen: Stuff Gets In The Way

Before my feet touched the floor, I laid in my bed planning out my day and how fabulous I was going to be. I'd already prayed for patience and wisdom, I'd mapped out some solutions to possible roadblocks, and I was determined to check off the boxes of productivity before I laid my head down at night.

But stuff got in the way...

*She pulled her tiny body up, stood on the bed rails beside me and babbled about having a poopy pull-up. Oh man! I was sure we were almost "there" with the training at night. That meant a big clean up and bath would ensue.

*He stared out the window and begged to put the books away. The trail was calling him and there was no way I would be able to wrangle the distant thoughts of my young outdoors man.

*My turn came to spend the day with my sister-in-law, cutting small morsels to eat, administering pain medication, tucking blankets around her weak body. It was my honour and my pleasure, even though it was heart-wrenching to see her so altered. But, not much school that day; my kids were home alone again.

*I was interrupted as I attempted my morning devotions. The girls were clanging dishes, the washing machine timer went off and the odour of burning toast wafted into the room where I had settled in with afghan and the Word of God. Nope, not going to happen. 

But... soon enough, our sprout of a girl went home to be with her momma during the week and now I pick her up on Fridays to come home with us for a mere two and a half days. Sure, the school room is quiet and the work flows easily from the pens of my children, but we miss her. 

*My son needs to read Frog and Toad and write out his spelling words but catching toads teaches him more than any book ever could. 

*Each day with Linda is precious and I'll drop everything, if I need to be with her, memorizing every moment to ensure it's cemented in me. 

*Stuff gets in the way and I can't always sit down and begin my day with God as planned, but thankfully, He still hears me as I go about living and I, Him, as His voice guides me. I'll make that reading happen later in the day this time, and not be discouraged.

I'm so very thankful that stuff gets in the way of my plans. My heart is broken and healed, broken again and then well-taught. Life happens and the Lord keeps me learning and growing and reminding me of His love in the middle of it all.  

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.

Breathing In His Grace

She plunked out the chords and her sisters gathered around. They chimed in, "Every step we'll be breathing in Your grace. Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise..." I watch from the kitchen doorway and smile. How quickly they grew from toddling, chubby, little ones to worshipful, unified, lovely ones. Oh, the blessing!

 

Found this amazing wall. Unplanned rainbow shirts? Even more amazing :)

 

A discouraged friend visited the other day and needed encouragement to trudge onward in her homeschooling journey. She witnessed one reason after another in our crazy, untidy, noisy home, that there was peace underlying it all and that her own wee ones truly were benefiting from her sacrificial choice. My girls sat down at the piano in the living room and that momma paused in drinking her tea and chuckled, "Cue the worship music!"  We had a good laugh as it seemed that the family singing was a plan to be the icing on top of our convincing argument. Of course, she noticed the less than beautiful moments too. But although we are so far from perfect, we are grateful for the freedom to home educate. Breathing in His grace.

  

 

 Cousin Clara's first birthday!

 

Hanging with cousins after swimming lessons.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

First riding lessons on her own.

 

My favourite benefit of homeschooling? Tossing the books as soon as the rain clears and heading for the woods--where we get drenched anyway. We return home, dry off and cozy up for a read-aloud and a snack. Unforgettable memories. Breathing out His praise.

Presenting... Kids At Work

These are the days that inspire our children to achieve a higher standard and these are the days the mommas realize they are not alone in this home educating adventure. We gather every couple of months to present whatever they are working on and preschoolers to highschoolers listen intently to each bold demonstration and every quiet appearance. When these kids know this day is approaching, they work just a little bit harder so they can show off what they've learned. (excuse the phone pics)

Katie shows her alphabet work and we all sing 5 Little Monkeys with her. 

 Sara's project on whales was detailed and lovely.

 Oliver introduced himself like a professional and told how each of his winter art pieces were made. 

 Maysie read her book report on her favourite book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and held up props to help us remember. 

 Emily also showed her art, focusing on slightly different areas than Oliver.

 Eden opened up Magellan's suitcase from his voyage and she read from the perspective of a slave on the ship.

 Each piece was significant to the voyage.

 Emma Grace shared her fox chalk drawing.

 She confidently talked about how she created it and a homemade chalkboard too.

 Calvin read his research report on Hiroshima and told us of the true story of Sadako. 

 Samantha asked us questions about elephants then told us what she had learned about them. 

 Molly shared her beautiful winter art too.

 Auntie Lisa, Olivia and Mama came to be a part of our presentations. 

 Jack made a stop-motion movie with Lego people and told us how stop-motion is made.

 Caleb showed us the beginnings of his Tudor house from his Renaissance unit.

 Chris is making a mock company on cross-fit training. He showed a video of a Christian Olympian performing.  

 Brooke shared her Shakespeare section of her Renaissance unit...

 and the detailed Globe Theatre she designed to go with it. 

Jake had a book of drawings that were his renditions of Da Vinci's.

 

He did a great job.

 Jillian proudly held up her fox chalk drawing. 

 Some of our crew :)

Enjoying the presentations

 

I'm so grateful for these families who parent and teach intentionally and spur me on to be a better mom and home educator.