Day Eighteen: Elbow Grease and Math

My husband got more than a little excited when Oliver asked, "Where did the other ten cents come from?" He was referring to how Terry nonchalantly rounded money to $2.50 when he had mentioned earlier, that with the current exchange rate, he'd get $1.20 each for Oliver's two American one dollar bills. It rolled off of our boy's tongue like breathing and my husband and I both shot an astonished look at each other. After three girls, we are sometimes surprised at the ease with which Oliver performs mental math. Our daughters each "get through" their math but none of them enjoys it. Counting money seems to be one of our son's favourite pastimes, which means, he naturally understands why math is essential to life and is already putting it into everyday practice. Home educating allows for some inspiration here when we use math for baking, purchasing, measuring, building, designing, and calculating babysitting I-O-U-s. Our daughters appreciate this much more than workbooks, however necessary they may be :)

The same goes for hard work of any kind. Although they know that they are to serve others with cheerfulness and respect, the task of getting kiddos to complete chores diligently is an on-going training. My husband is great for rolling up his sleeves and demonstrating by example. He loves to pull a few weeds while wide eyes watch him. He strings the Christmas lights, takes out the garbage, fills the firewood pile, and sweeps the garage with a small entourage gazing at his expertise. Then he enlists their help. Hard work doesn't always come naturally, however, it can be inspired.

With spring in the air and school winding down, there is plenty of hard work to do outside. This time is was me modeling how to put some elbow grease into cleaning the truck. Of course, as soon as you involve water and bubbles, it's all about how much fun can be had. Hard work and fun mixed? Perfect. Seems like a good combination to me!

 

 

 

  

Day Seventeen: Like A Good Cup Of Tea

I laid a sleeping, chubby boy in his car seat and held out my arms for another crying one. I settled into the rocker and wrapped a quilt around the tiny, flailing human and began to shake him gently while rocking rhythmically back and forth. Finally, my third boy faded off and the satisfaction was like a good cup of tea after a long day. Rocking babies to sleep in our church nursery keeps this momma in touch with the purest and freshest gifts from God. It's a little rest at the end of the week and, that's what the Lord's Day is all about, isn't it? Even stroking furrowed and anxious brows and patting roly-poly backs are worship to Him. I may have missed the sermon but God reveals Himself to me in the babies. A noble work, indeed. Connection to the Creator, for sure.

***

Two women sat conversing at my patio table the other day. I only needed to introduce them and the way the Holy Spirit moved in ready hearts was palpable. I had raised the umbrella over them and offered drinks and a surprising and unplanned relationship began between the one asking questions and starving for affirmation and the one sharing and encouraging. Joy to me. A sigh of satisfaction in God's love all over again. My cup of tea overflowing. 

***

I backed my truck away from the brambly bushes and a flash of yellow caught my eye. I pulled forward again. It was gone. I pulled back out and turned the wheel to roll out of the trail's parking lot. There is was again! I quickly jerked the wheel to the right and opened my window. Gone, just like that---elusive little creature! Suddenly, I looked out my left side and a police car pulled up beside me. The police officer was a woman and her window was rolled down. She motioned to me and I rolled mine down. She questioned, "Uh, are you okay?"   

"Well... I'm a bird-watcher so, I'm not sure I'm ever okay!" I laughed. I groped around quickly for my binoculars and held them up to her. "I bet I looked pretty strange driving like that, didn't I?" 

The police officer nodded and smiled. "Okay," she chuckled, and drove off. 

I giggled all the way home with the kids. Definitely a cup of Earl Grey moment.

Got him! (Wilson's Warbler)

***

When I finally did sit down with my tea and the pen of my keyboard, the school stuff eluded me and I was met with images of the week's satisfying gifts, all exposed for the glorious beauty that could have been missed. When I'm counting gratitude, when I'm looking in the well-lit places for that steeped, loose-leaf goodness, I see bits of how He originally designed our world. Oh heaven, how wonderful you'll be! The Maker of all that sweetness hidden in the everyday revealed in all His fullness? Tea parties everywhere. 

Days Fifteen and Sixteen: Truth Or Dare and Blessings

She'd planned everything from the menu, my grocery list, team-building games and contests, question and answer times, outdoor fun, Blessing Day and now, fourteen girls squished their bodies round a circle, atop sleeping bags, pillows and couch cushions, filling the room with their laughter and giddy shouts. They were playing Truth Or Dare and I had to smile as I heard dares of sticking a hand into the fish tank for twenty seconds or licking a spoonful of spices. Molly has sweet girlfriends and all that silliness is about as carried away as they get... besides chatting in low whispers till one o'clock a.m. Since Molly is becoming a teenager, we allowed a big sleepover party and, as it turns out, only half were able to spend the night--another sign of great kids and families. Never offended, always grateful for the standards kept.

Almost 13!

Truth Or Dare?

Late night sparklers since it's also Victoria Day weekend!

 

Warhead candy eating contest--no sour faces allowed, and no spitting it out!

Blessing Day returns for the 13th year! Off to bless our staff with cookies and juice on this very busy long weekend.

Cousins love cookies!

Stopping thirsty workers who appreciate a moment's break for a refreshment. 

Helping to put away abandoned carts.

Plenty of babysitters around.  

More cousins loving Blessing Day cookies.

 Handsome Owner/Operator

Everyone is amused by the raspy little "God bless you!" from Ashanti.

Last two friends to go home. Some painting on the driveway.

I'll be writing more about our girl when she actually turns thirteen, but for now I'll just say that this fabulous kid picks pretty darling friends :)

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 Thirteen: Saying Goodbye To Programs

It's bitter-sweet as we say goodbye to Friendship Club and our Homeschool Co-op. Eventually, all of our programs will end and summer will begin. Oliver proudly displays a whole term of artwork, chattering on about which artist each one represents and the method and medium he used to create it. He is genuinely well-pleased with himself and I'm trying not to laugh at the hysterical faces he's making by lifting his eyebrows and presenting so seriously. As he points and explains, I'm grateful for the blessing of our small, co-operative homeschool education. His life is richer (as are my daughters' lives), I have a wee break along with an intense Bible study in the same building, and everybody wins! Saying goodbye is only for a short time so, here we come sunny, carefree days; we are ready for you.

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 Eleven: Writing Everyday

Rescuing the Japanese princess absorbed Molly for a good couple of months. Her other stories kept her siblings cross-legged and quiet while she read aloud to them of her imaginary characters, most of whom they could relate to, but possessed qualities slightly beyond their reach. She also writes poems and songs. Her music lives in our heads for weeks. This girl has a talent for making things catchy and we all encourage her to keep writing.



My other children compose as well. There are short stories and long chapter books, riddles and gratitude journals. A couple of them have a diary. My sister, Holly, inspired me the other day when she shared how she'd come across a curriculum that focused solely on the 3Rs (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic--I know, they're not all spelled with R :). Since we've been home educating for many years, as moms we've researched nearly every curriculum available in Canada and the U.S. However, from time to time, we find something that, even though we may not adhere to it completely, it's a good reminder to get back to the basics. It was the writing portion of her talk about this one that intrigued me.

 

Writing has always been important to me and this blog is evidence of that. Although not every day is perfectly the same and the schedule is set aside for important things that arise, generally, there is writing happening here and most of my kids have learned to love it. Curriculum conversations are beneficial in that they sometimes draw us back to what we already know or own. In this case, I'm itching to get back to our Story Starters by Karen Andreola. It's a book in which the children finish the story she has begun but the beauty is in how they take on her classic writing style and in doing so, advance their own. Copying a master doesn't cause them to become copycats, it helps them to realize there are approaches outside of what they know and, eventually, they discover their own beautiful technique. I'm already beginning to witness it.  Nineteenth Century teacher, Charlotte Mason believed children should copy classic writing from living books in order to naturally learn grammar, spelling, vocabulary and composition. I love this theory but I often get caught up in purchasing a myriad of curricula that dazzles the eye but doesn't benefit my children in a lasting way. I must remember that paring down  and feasting on a few things at a time educates far better than a shallow buffet of many subjects.

The assignment (and I emphasize the word assignment) of writing itself is not always well received by all my children, and so it must be presented as valuable tool for communication. Meghan has a passion for dance, fitness, and nutrition. She recently wrote an essay entitled "Stretching For Seniors".  Her outcome was not only a piece that will hopefully benefit an older generation, but also, my girl began to understand her audience to a greater and more gracious degree. As part of another assignment, she rewrote Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) as though the characters were from the Middle Ages. She is presently working on a postmodern version, in which the greedy forgiven man is a teenage girl and her crime relates to her peer group. The purpose is to practice tweaking her writing style while understanding God's Word is timeless.

Might I encourage you (and me) to make writing an everyday occurrence? When our children have someone to present to or someone who will benefit from their pieces, they find more joy in writing. Whether it be a response to current events, a book they love (or dislike), or even a shopping list for little ones, writing is so valuable for them. A friend of mine sent me some warm, delicious muffins one day and I raved to her over them. She then assigned her seven year-old son to write out the recipe, call me for my address and slip it in the mail. She explained that all kinds of writing, especially that which blesses others, is important for learning. I'm thankful for great mentors who pass along bits of insight to motivate and enrich us. 

Day Ten: The Best Audience

Katie wriggles on her big brother's lap but she has her eye on what the children are presenting today. She already proudly held her painting against her chest and smiled shyly. Last year, her mommy did most of the talking but Katie is beginning to understand this is a safe place where big kids care for her and everyone says they like her work. Eden steps up to take her place at the front of the group and displays her box filled with rows of rocky soil, weeds, and good soil and proceeds to share her project on Parables, which her amazing momma mixed with botany and other subjects to round out her learning while receiving a lasting spiritual message. Katie likes it, I think, and one by one, our children report what they've been working on recently and inspire one another.

nature paintings by Katie

Amphibians and Metamorphosis by Oliver

 Bats by Sara

Africa by Emily

 Parables by Eden

Manatees by Samantha

E.B.White Study by Molly

 Renaissance by Caleb

Model of the Lungs by Caleb

 History of the Trebuchet by Jack

piano playing by Jack

(Oliver records because he's so impressed with his older friend)

 Flexibility For Seniors essay by Meghan

World Biomes by Brooke

water colour painting by Brooke

Jake shares how he began flying lessons and some of the "tricks" he learned in the air for emergency safety procedures. He tells of his dream to fly for a commercial airline someday. The kids are mesmerized. Our biggest kid in the group is now in the workforce and learning to pilot a plane! Time flies :)

 

 

I love how our little group contains varying ages and abilities. Young ones are challenged by older ones, older ones revel in being the heroes and desire to "step it up" next time to impress further. Each new project inspires our children to wok harder and find new subject matter. Grandmas, mommas and children eager to listen... now that's the best audience!

Day Nine: Girl Talk

I backed myself slowly onto Sandee's couch because Ashanti's body lay limply over me, limbs hanging in deep-sleep-relaxation. The women around the room smiled at us but they were already into the heart of their conversation. We were a little late for our Girl Talk meeting but I knew I'd glean some wisdom if we came anyway. My dear friend, Sandee, whom I'd taught with before we started having babies, then homeschooling, had begun this little "club" for moms and daughters. It's goal is to draw us closer to one another while teaching about purity and God's design for girls. We commenced writing in secret encouragement journals to our daughters and they were writing back. Sandee invites a special speaker some nights and last month's mom had older daughters, who'd been through the growing years together, and together they qualified as beautiful mentors for us and our girls. They shared their mistakes and their joys, their epiphanies about motherhood and their unrealistic expectations. It's been a sweet experience.

my "baby" girls

(on a sweaty hike :)

 

The mom who shared last night was weeping through her story, not because of its sad elements, but because of how far God had brought her from being a bulimic to a loving, non-judgmental mother who adores her girls and is careful to remind them how loved they are by God--no matter what. I looked down at the little one in my arms, her journey just beginning, and yet she'd been through so many changes already. I'm forever whispering prayers over her and in that moment, I realized how very crucial my influence is in her life, even though she's not my own. I shifted underneath her and her sweaty head flopped on my other shoulder. The woman spoke of finally "getting" who God was in her later years, after being raised in a Christian home. She said it was like the words of the Bible jumped out at her for the first time. She was so excited to understand that God accepted her with all her failures and poor choices. That's exactly the knowing I hoped my girls would embrace as they grow, this little one included.

sweet girls

 

The woman wrapped up her talk and we all shared homemade goodies and more conversation--us mommas, each striving to raise godly girls while sometimes lacking in godliness ourselves. We watched a short video about the evolution of the swimsuit. The message the Lord revealed through the whole evening was that His mercy is beyond our comprehension. It was a love memo I know well, but tucked in my heart pocket for further pondering. I slipped Ashanti into her car seat and the other kids clicked their belts. As we pulled away, I called back to my children, "Hey girls, do you know how God feels about you?"