Growing Plants and Growing a Boy

Plants line my bay window, but not because we're nursery owners; it's because my boy turned into a super-reader overnight. Oliver read what was necessary this past school year and even enjoyed books much more now that his fluency has improved. However, in this last month of grade two I noticed he still hadn't completed all the ones I'd set out in his reading bin. I reminded him that I would give him a little prize for every book he read, assuming this would spur his interest as he delved into adventure out of force :)

Since we'd been tending the vegetable garden in our backyard, Oliver had asked to plant some carrot seeds and he was thrilled to see his very own little shoots pushing their way up through the soil in the protection of a pot. Something triggered inside of him the other day and he asked if he could have seeds instead of a treat or another prize for reading a book. Ummm, yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd be okay with that! Friends, my son has read eight books in four days and can narrate them all back to me. I think it's time to move on to more complicated reading and yes, he's been holding out on me... or himself, that is. The excitement is no longer forced. Phew! He is finding joy in the adventures in his books.

So thankful he found just the right motivation to grow his love of reading and to grow plants!

Of course, there are more pots in the window since I've taken this photo ;)

And this kid still has time to do what he loves most... play outside and hunt for toads!

Day Five: Project Wrap-Up

I set up the paints while she watched with glee. She knew something fun was happening and as far as I know, she'd never painted before. Her meticulous brush strokes and joy of re-dipping back into the tempera over and over made it obvious this little artist was ready for the activity at only two years of age.

 

As much curricula as I purchase that is textbook based or even Charlotte Mason styled, we always end up having a few projects on the go that are related to some theme we are working on. I'm pretty sure I should just bite the bullet and realize we're a unit study, artsy type of family and run with it for the full year. Africa, Rivers, Frogs, Old Testament highlights, E.B. White books and other reader lapbooks are just a few of the themes we've been drawn to since September. Wrapping up the incomplete ones will be our May challenge. Painting is promised to be included as well. Molly will hold me to it, no doubt :)

 

 

so proud of her work

big sister help

 Molly presents her Trumpeter Swan project to her co-op class.

Emily presents hers.

exam practice for ballet

 Home economics--Mama taught Emily how to make herself a skirt.

 cousin sleepover 

ice cream for Papa's birthday

Galimoto races. Toys straight from Africa!

(very serious racers) 

 

Reading me her favourite part of her book.

(love these moments) 

Tomorrow is our project presentation day with a couple of other families. Looking forward to viewing all the children's hard work!

That Which Makes Us A Warm, Happy Family

Reading a book in one hundred degree heat accompanied by a blanket of humidity is just right for this Canadian. Since my husband and kids love to be constantly active, frolicking on the beach and in the pool make our days joyful. But the more time we spend in close quarters, the deeper we love, regardless of some daily squabbling. How is that possible? When God's Spirit is present and forgiveness is encouraged, His love covers a multitude of sins and we win! Yep, one warm, happy family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Six: Read, Read, Read!

In the midst of french toast and icing sugar, she reads her most adventurous story to date. Her siblings are riveted and move in closer as though close proximity will make it even more real.

He holds his journal open to me and proudly displays his "Draw Write Now" inspired page.

She calls out from the other room, "How do you spell, imagination, Mommy?" She's beginning another new story.

She beckons her siblings to the couch for a bedtime story and they laugh themselves silly as she reads.

Reading and Writing are the hub that our wheel turns upon and they ignite and affect each and every other subject. A few of our inspirations have been (click on the links, if you like):

Sonlight

Delightful Learning

Cultivated Lives

Excellence In Writing

Homeschool Share

Story Starters by Karen Andreola

 

I love what happens in the minds of my children when they've read a good book. I'm riveted myself as they narrate what took place in one of their "readers". The inspiration shows up in their play with each other as they are suddenly sailors in search of the Blue Grotto, or log cabin builders like Pa in Little House in the Big Woods. They've fought battles as Christian did in Pilgrim's Progress and they've spoken with an accent all day after I read, Strawberry Girl, aloud to them.

 

Children also write better when they read great literature. It becomes natural to them as they're being trained by the masters. Charlotte Mason warned about devouring "twaddle" or books that are of little educational value. I think this goes for T.V. and electronics absorption as well. Read-Alouds are important at any age as they listen to me read at a level just above their own. They find their own voice as a writer when they feast from a large buffet of authors. If your child is reading and writing below their "expected level" there are fabulous resources for struggling learners. Homeschool conventions are valuable for finding support too!

 

As we join together in teaching them diligently this year, let's also keep them reading and writing regularly (especially the Word of God)!

 

Suffering and Love at Easter

With tears brimming she explained how she was beginning to see God in the midst of dealing with her son's death. And although she couldn't get through the reading herself, she urged one of the women at our table to read us an excerpt from a little book she was holding close. We listened intently because our dear friend was suffering and whatever she wanted us to hear was, in my estimation, going to hurt that good kind of hurt. 

The author wrote of a grateful woman who had the bountiful blessings of a good husband and a sweet child. Her life was beautiful and she knew to Whom all her thanksgiving belonged. She praised God every day for all of His gifts to her. One day her child grew ill and despite her earnest prayers for his healing, he died. She cried out to her Maker, the Giver all good gifts. Why had He allowed this terrible tragedy to happen to her? How could the loving God she has worshipped and honoured with her thanks turn so cruel? The reading went on to point out just Who the woman had been worshiping. Was God was still sovereign, still loving, still giving, still powerful, whether her son lived or died? When she was giving thanks for her life, and praising this incredible Lord, had she considered that if things changed in her life that it would change who God is? Had He changed or had her perception of who He is changed? Could she say, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord", if He gave or took away? Had the merciful act of sending His only Son to rescue the world, disintegrated into nothing because of earthly pain? Is it God's intention to bestow continuous blessings upon His people and make them happy?

My heart beat quickly as the excerpt was finished. The words hung in the air like a damp fog. Some of the women were nodding, others, I'm sure, were soaking in the profound simplicity of this truth that hurt that good hurt--the comfort--and pain of knowing we're not in control. Our friend tucked the book back in her purse and thanked us for obliging her. I swallowed the lump in my throat and among others, thanked her for sharing what our faith is built upon. She explained that had she not received the knowledge of God's immutable character into her heart years before, she would have surely turned from Him at this time of great grieving. I whispered thanksgiving in my spirit that the same truth my friend confessed, had helped me see God's love and mercy in the midst of great pain and confusion I had suffered through at a difficult time in my life. I prayed for even greater acceptance of His unchanging love so that He would be glorified in whatever future trials I would encounter. My friend's life is an example of just that--glorifying the Father in her story--which, in turn, is giving her peace.

Later, I sat with my children close by me on the couch while I continued our "read-aloud", Little Pilgrim's Progress, a children's version of John Bunyan's classic work. "Little Christian" was witnessing his companion, "Faithful", being bravely martyred for Christ and I began to weep. The words blurred on the page and my two big girls cried too. I breathed deeply and slowly finished the paragraph. Oh, how I longed for them to receive this incredible insight I had been grasping! Jesus' gift of His death on the cross was worth believing in, living for and even dying for. It's this foundational truth that they can hang their hope on, that will help them get through any struggle--not easily--but with peace and eventually, joy.

Since my Creator often feeds me His truth in threes, I shook my head as once again, the message of His resurrection stirred even more in my heart. These words in John Piper's book, Don't Waste Your Life, blazed brightly today: "... all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ... One of the reasons we are not as Christ-centered and cross-saturated as we should be is that we have not realized that everything--everything good, and everything bad that God turns for the good of his redeemed children--was purchased by the death of Christ for us. We simply take life and breath and health and friends and everything for granted. We think it is ours by right." (p51). This is what this dear momma was humbly offering to us. Although, she cried out and questioned God, her  belief in the immutable character of a loving God, who gave His only Son, was the only thing that kept her from drowning in sorrow. He alone is in control, but praise God, He is deeply in love with His people! 

As Easter approaches, my heart is ever closer to the knowledge of who He is and why He came and how Jesus' resurrection offers the ability to live knowing we are loved, regardless of what this world may bring. And ultimately, we will receive eternal life, where we will glorify the One from Whom all gifts--the good--and the bad that God turns for the good--are given.  

Surprised By Hunger

I thought I'd try a little reading aloud one evening while we were camping. Prayer always continues no matter where we are and so does singing--lots of singing. But read-alouds, well, we had taken quite a break from them.

The children were riding bikes with their new friends, up and down the lane way that stretched between campsites. I strolled to the edge of the road and called out to them and held up Wisdom With The Millers. Now, sometimes swimming, watermelon, or campfire (all much loved) cannot tear those kids away from their bikes. Emily, on her just-had-the-training-wheels-off-two-wheeler, Meghan, racing with the boy from three sites down, Molly, meandering here and there with her new friend, and Oliver, often found on a neighbour's John Deere tricycle, spent most waking hours immersed in this activity. But somehow, the sight of that little, yellow book caused feet to pedal faster than ever and wheels soared all the way back to our trailer.

I had already set up chairs for each of us, not realizing, our little neighbour had followed the girls to see what made them drop their bikes at the road and come running. We created a little spot for him too and he plopped himself down like one of the family. Oliver sat for awhile but as it often goes, he headed out to do his own thing after a few paragraphs. Our four year-old guest, who was obviously not used to read-alouds, frequently interrupted and the girls hushed him over and over. Two chapters later they begged for more and I stopped so that we could start campfire. We prayed and each of us glanced at the little boy who had been eager to join us. He seemed oblivious to what was happening. The children set off on their bikes once again to enjoy the last of the daylight. I made a mental note to keep this sweet camper on our prayer list.

I rose and collected chairs, amazed that this simple set of stories of a conservative family intrigue my children so much. The life lessons learned and the connections they make with their own lives are priceless. This is a holy practice we maintain. We read God's Word, we read stories of applying the wisdom in His Word, and we pray for guidance to live out that wisdom. When I doubted their desire for it, they surprised me and demonstrated that there is a hunger beyond what physical activities and fun can offer. Why would this cause me such wonder? We were created with a God-size hole in our hearts! As parents, we simply guide them to the One who can fill it.

I am grateful for the hunger.

Entering The World's Stage Left: A New Reader

She is beginning to feel like a reader. Oh, she could sound out words for a long time now but it wasn't until she opened a chapter book, that she knew her time had arrived. She realizes she's entered a new world of possibilities when piecing those once-foreign symbols together leads her on an adventure.

Yesterday, while Molly was reading aloud to me she exclaimed, "Oh! I just looove the words, 'he stopped' in stories! It means that something is coming... sometimes something scary!"

There's nothing so special for a homeschooling mom as the day when this love for reading "clicks". You hope for it, work for it, pray for it. You wonder if this child is the one who won't necessarily be just like you--an avid reader--but still, you pray. The goal for all children is to have the ability to read, and they all will. But the love of reading-- now that's a gift.