Monday, November 19, 2012

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window they are trimming the trees for winter. The sky is gray and most leaves are gone. The weather warmed up over the weekend and we enjoyed being outside without the heaviest coats. We spent most of Anna's birthday outside!

I am thinking about procrastination. But that'll have to wait until later. :-)

I am thankful for Thanksgiving plans and friends near and far. I'm thankful for our lovely apartment that now looks lived in. It is amazing what a few pictures, organized books, and real chairs at the dining room table can do. We took the folding chairs outdoors on Saturday. Yay!

In the kitchen, I made a cake for Anna's birthday. It wasn't elaborate, but I've learned that elaborate cakes and parties are for the parents, not the kids, and that simpler is often easier, cheaper, and no less thrilling to the kids.

I am wearing jeans and a t-shirt. What's new? But tonight I get to change into a leotard and tights because I'm in a beginning ballet class at the University! The students offer it free to community members. I've been going for a little over a month now and I feel like I'm wearing concrete blocks on my legs for a few days after the class.

I am creating a new Drawing with Children lesson. The kids were asking me for one over the weekend.

I am going to Dan's relatives for Thanksgiving.

I am reading German books to myself, Winnie the Pooh at night to the kids, and The Odyssey adaptation by Geraldine McCaughrean during the day.

I am hoping to do watercolors with the kids. I have the paints and the paper and the plan. Everything is sitting on my desk. We were supposed to make watercolor lanterns for the German group's St. Martin parade last week. It didn't happen. I'd still like to watercolor, though. I've got everything sitting on my desk to make me remember what we should be doing every time I sit down. We made a frog lantern instead.

That's all the time for today! Best wishes for a lovely week.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fitting it all into our day

Our school days start fairly predictably: after breakfast, I tidy up while John starts math reviews. I do a math lesson with him, then tutor Anna in her math lesson while John does a practice page of math independently. We play math games, then move into the living room for read alouds about history and science, followed by narration (which counts as oral composition). By now, Matthew has joined us and is making things interesting. We move back into the dining room, do some handwriting, spelling, and grammar, and have now covered, more or less, the three Rs as well as science and history. Most of this gets done everyday.

Formal art lessons, however, rarely get done. We can't do them with the baby up because he is too needy and when the baby is down we need to do the basics. By mid-afternoon, I'm working on dinner, laundry, maintaining the house, and trying to get a short quiet adult-time. Art lessons fall by the wayside.

I finally found a solution. The perfect solution for us.

Daddy travels. A lot. By 7 pm on days he is out of town, I'm ready to crash but the kids aren't. While he was away a few weekends ago, I did an art lesson as soon as dinner was cleaned up and the baby was asleep. Last night, when Dan told me he'd be gone for dinner for work, I knew just what to do.

I told the kids we could do a drawing lesson once the baby was asleep, the kitchen was clean, their bedroom was clean, and they were tooth-brushed and ready for bed. All these (except the baby sleeping) happened lightening-fast. I haven't seen their room that clean for a month! No nagging or help was required from me because the incentives were perfect.

They got ready so fast that I had to read to them for about a quarter hour while the baby fell asleep.

Then, we did the art lesson. We got out the special paper and the special markers. I showed them the sample I had made earlier in the week, and I walked them through the lesson. They were quiet and happy. I got to relax and draw, too. I let them stay up forty minutes past their bedtime so that they would have enough time to color their designs. Even so, I didn't feel like I was crashing.

We finally found a place for art.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Monday, October 29, 2012

Monday morning after a long night

Classy kiddos!
We were up with little baby Matthew until four am last night, so I'm not going to write a daybook! We've had a great week, with Grandma and Granddad visiting. John scored his first goal in a game (and I missed it due to the 40 degree weather!) and we joined the museum down the street from our house, a world-class science museum. We can walk there!

Molly's a basket case.
We took our parents to the museum and made LN2 ice cream with a staff scientist. We made goop there, too. Our front bedroom is starting to look like an office instead of a post-earthquake storage area, thanks in whole to my dad.
John helps blow up balloons that had been in LN2.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Weeks 2 and 3 Wrap Up

Talk to any homeschooler and you'll learn that the "home" part is often the hardest part of homeschooling to fit in. I think this is particularly the case when you live in the city where there are a million wonderful things to do and Dad travels a lot. In the last two weeks, we took a trip to Madison, Wisconsin, where we toured the capitol building, sparking an interest in state capitals, and Grandma showed up in town for a visit, leading to much (good) disruption.

We've had a lot of success working on the 3Rs. I'm working through the RightStart math series with John and Anna and I consistently do three to four lessons per child each week. I recently realized that John's math facts are shaky enough to slow him down, so I dusted off the math games book and found a few games that he, Anna, and I can play together to cement his addition facts and to help Anna begin learning hers. Our favorites are Math Grid Bingo and Fill-In-The-Grid. Math games at this age make so much sense to me for fact learning.

Additionally, the kid started tessalation projects with Dan Saturday morning after wondering about the hexagon tiles in our bathroom. Ideally we'd do a math exploration once a week, but often other tings take priority. It is great when an exploration comes naturally and ends up being  a lot of fun.

I am teaching spelling and handwriting using Spalding (Writing Road to Reading). I have a love-hate relationship with Spalding. It takes a good amount of time, but when I use it consistently, John spells like a natural speller and uses beautiful handwriting. When I back off it, he spells poorly and his handwriting gets sloppy. Finally, I realized that if something works very well for us, I need to just use it. I combine the kids for phonogram review and handwriting instruction but dictate the spelling notebooks separately.

We've been reading aloud some time everyday, but not as much as I have planned! The kids also read on their own and we've done narrations about every other day. John took a liking to a biography of George Washington Carver I bought at a used book sale, read it on his own, gave me an amazing narration, and then asked for it to be the evening read aloud. We're getting a lot of mileage from this book and discussion topics linked to it. (Civil war, slavery, Abraham Lincoln, inventions, soybeans...)

The kids developed an obsession with state capitals after our visit to Madison, WI. We've listened to the Animaniacs song on capitals twice each morning for the past few days and know a lot. John decided to make some flashcards, too, to solidify his knowledge. While walking to church this morning, the kids read off the names of states from car license plates and then told me the capitals, so I guess the information is sticking.

We've pressed a bunch of leaves and drawn the only tree in our backyard for science. We know how to identify a Gingko Biloba tree and know that pill bugs are crustaceans. (Who knew?) Bugs caught so far: earth worms, box elder bugs, pill bugs, spiders, and centipedes. All have been released besides one centipede.
At the State Supreme Court, Madison, WI

A homeschool book I read recently talked about starting your week by looking at an art print, narrating it, and then spending some time copying part of it. We've done that for the last two weeks with prints of Renoirs from the Art Institute. When we're done with all the Renoirs from AIC, we'll go visit them. Before this schedule change, we never got around to art.

That was our week!

Monday, October 22, 2012

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... 



There is a heat wave! It is supposed to be in the seventies all week long. Mom is here in town and disappointed that the weather isn't more extreme, but I'm happy because the kids can play outside without putting on lots of layers and I know extreme weather will come eventually.

I am thankful...
For my mom's visit. It is so much fun to have her around! I'm also thankful for the huge amount of winter clothing a college friend gave us. I don't need to wonder about how to clothe my littler two for the winter at all (and, since the older two give good feed back if they are too cold, I don't need to worry about them, either).
 
In the kitchen...
I'm going to be making a Shepherd's Pie from Cooks' Illustrated this week. Hopefully I can make the dacquoise from this month's issue this coming weekend, too. We'll see. I like experimenting in cooking when I can take my time and there isn't a lot of pressure.
  I am wearing...
Jeans and a beaded t-shirt. It is summer weather!
  I am creating...
I'm looking through some crochet patterns. Since I worked on the Rubik's cube for seven hours straight one day, I can't knit without repetitive stress pain. Will crochet work, or should I stick to sewing? 

I'm still working on order in the house, but some things take time and it gets frustrating. Like finding a dining set with eight chairs on craigslist within a one hour drive. :-)
  I am going...
To a free ballet class for beginners at the University tonight!
 
I am reading...

Kid books, of course. I'm going through books I bought at our neighborhood used book sale so that I can confidently hand them to my children.
 
Around the house...

I'm working on the binder system for homeschooling. I've got 3" language arts binders set up, with five sections per child. I'm putting the math explorations into the pockets for now, but I'll probably set up a nature study/math binder for things like that. Narrations are currently going into the language arts binder but they could probably go into a history binder along with map work we've been doing. I've made some progress, but there is more to go.

I've been looking for ways to store arts supplies that make intuitive sense to my children.
 
One of my favorite things...

Little kid hugs.
  A few plans for the rest of the week:
Ikea (Tuesday is kids-eat-free day and I have hope for art supply organization here), Dad coming, and the normal ballet-for-Anna and soccer-for-John second half of the week.

A peek into my day...
 

Anna checking out a Persian artifact at the museum.
from thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

Friday, October 19, 2012

Pie Dates


One of the fun things about my family growing up was that we liked to make up silly traditions. 

One year, we decided we should take our picture with the person who sold us our Christmas tree, so we have a bunch of photos with Christmas-tree-guys.

Another year, we decided to name our Christmas tree "Irmagarde." We even wrote up a sign and introduced visitors to her.

Until sixth grade, I went out to breakfast with my dad before my piano lessons nearly every week. This great tradition we revived when I was home from college during the summers. (I even took piano lessons one summer, but the breakfasts were scooted to before work.)


Our family has a new tradition that I don't think the kids will let me forget: Pie Dates. 
Anna's Banana Cream Pie
It started a few weeks ago when John was jealous that Molly always cooks with me. She loves cooking and is willing to give up playing to cook, whereas he waits until play is dull to ask to cook.

"I never get to cook with you, Mommy!" said John, close to tears.

"Alright, we'll make a pie on Saturday," I told him, thinking about the recipe I'd seen for Cheddar Pear Pie and the over-ripe pears on the counter.

Saturday came and we started work on the pie as Molly stood outside the kitchen crying because she couldn't cook with us. 

"We'll make a pie together next week," I told Molly.
 
"Me too!" yelled Anna from the dining room table.
Molly's Sweet Potato Pie

And thus, a tradition was born. Each week since then I've made a pie with a child. So far we've had Cheddar Pear, Banana Cream, and Sweet Potato pies. Now that each one knows they will have a turn, there isn't a crying child looking on.

Monday, October 15, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

The weather is beautiful and fall-like today. The sky was clear and the kids played outside with the neighbors nearly until dinner time. We all got to walk this morning when we went downtown on an errand.

 
I am thinking...
About organization. Homeschool organization. Paper organization. I have out nearly all my homeschool books because they all say something about how to keep the papers from getting lost, crumpled, stepped on, and used for paper airplanes (or origami). I want sleek binders for each general subject, color-coded, sectioned, and kept by my children. I want to make portfolios of their best work and I want to hang beautiful artwork before moving it to a portfolio. Currently, I can't even find the tape (we just moved, so it isn't quite as bad as it sounds). Maybe we'll buy tape when we buy color-coded binders.

 
I am thankful...
So thankful for all the space we have now that we moved. I'm thankful for a big backyard and for neighbors whose children leave just as many toys over the backyard as our kids. I'm thankful for a heating system that overheats (rather than underheats) our house. I am thankful for big windows and thick roller blinds. 

 
In the kitchen...
We are reaping the rewards of freezer cooking a few weeks ago. We had meatball sandwiches on Five-Minutes-a-Day artisan bread tonight with cole slaw. The meatballs just had to be reheated, and the other things were pretty easy. I'm thinking chili and cornbread tomorrow night. Those are great cool weather foods.

 
I am wearing...
Jeans, a t-shirt, and a silk long underwear shirt. The weather is changing! Scarves and jackets when we go out!

 
I am creating...
Does a clean kitchen count? We bought four pieces of furniture for the living room off of Craigslist over the weekend and we're trying to figure out how best to arrange it. I reorganized the books today, but they still need help. We all drew from a Renoir this afternoon. It was so fun!

 
I am going...
We went downtown this morning and got our new in-state drivers licenses. We went to Madison last week and toured the capitol.

The capitol of Wisconsin.
 
I am wondering...
Dan's nervous about how I'll react to the winter. I'm not worried, yet. Will it go well in the city? 

 
I am looking forward to...

My mom's visit! I hope we'll organize the office (and find the tape). I hope we'll explore some of the city, do fun grandparent things like go to a pumpkin patch, and find ways to make the house more homey.

 
I am learning
The value of planning ahead! We were out most of the morning at the DMV, but due to plans I'd written last night, we had a really productive day, getting in language arts, math, reading, and some geography, poetry, and art to boot. We started the day at noon and got more done, with better attitudes, than we often get done when we start at 8:30.

 
Around the house...
The living room is starting to be very inviting!


A favorite quote for today...



Why can't I think of the quotes I've been pondering all day when it comes time to blog?

OK, paraphrased from the Clarksons. 

"There are some effects you don't like. They all have causes. You won't get the effects to disappear by complaining about how bad they are. You get the end effects to stop by carefully dealing with the cause."
Obese prairie dog at Madison, WI zoo.

One of my favorite things...

Walking everywhere in the city, and seeing people everywhere I walk. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

German coffe, ballet, soccer, possible piano lesson, picking Mom up from the airport, pumpkin patch, coffee klatsch. Whew. I'm tired.


A peek into my day...

My baby Matthew, a gift from God.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Into schooling daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window the trees are changing, the sky is blue, and the seasons are definitely turning. We've put a thermometer on the back porch and we're appreciating the temperature swings and changes. It was 90 F Thursday noon and 39 F Saturday noon!

I am thinking about making home here and now. The rooms echo with space and beautiful wood floors. Our furniture from California looks like it is rattling around in the big spaces.

I am thankful for a walkable neighborhood. I'm thankful for all the fall trees and for the new things I'm learning and seeing as I train myself to look at things and see what there is. I'm thankful for space in our house and people to fill it up with.

In the kitchen I'm back into cooking. I wrote menu plans after reading about the idea of unchanging day menus. We've had breakfast figured out for a while (overnight oatmeal) but lunch has been my undoing. Now we've got a plan: M/Sa Muffins and Soup or Smoothie (depending on season), Tu/Th is Tuna Fish Sandwiches, and W/F is Hummus wraps or bagels. We made a mega batch of muffins last night to last for the lunches!

I am wearing hand-dyed magenta jeans. It is like summer in the house and fall outside, so dressing is a little tricky.

I am creating order in my closet. The closets are super-deep but there is no linen closet, so I'm working with the cubes to facilitate linen storage.

I am going couch shopping. No luck yet!

I am wondering how to dress my baby for winter... tricky. I haven't yet figured this one out, despite having three other attempts.

I am reading through used books from the neighborhood book sale. We bought three Landmark histories!

I am hoping to live my homeschooling schedule. Somehow something seems to slip through the cracks each day.

I am looking forward to my parents' visit. We're getting ready and making plans.

I am learning to build habits bit by bit.

Around the house I'm crock-potting baked-potato soup. Anna and I had a pie date and made banana-creme pie for the first time.

A favorite quote for today...
From Mark Twain: "Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."

One of my favorite things... baby hugs.

A few plans for the rest of the week: DMV, a museum, the library.

A peek into my day...

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Week 1 Wrap Up

We dove into the core of Ambleside Online this week. We'd used Sonlight history last year but there were a few things that frustrated me about it a lot. I'd always eyed Ambleside but didn't like a lot of things about the website, so when the online forum was set up, I investigated it again. I found a few people who thought like me and wrote out schedules in ways that connected with me. I was sold.
Anna's small pebbles
We have been doing math consistently for a while, along with some spelling, since I'm not completely sold on Charlotte Mason's copywork+narration ONLY approach, but this was the week to begin reading and narrating history and literature books. It was hard. I split one reading for John up into five parts, but was floored by his excellent narration, which he asked me to write down for him. Anna told me she couldn't retell stories right before doing an excellent job telling back an Aesop fable.
John's bigger stones
 I've been trying to learn to do Nature Study - trying to learn to do it well without making it so hard and involved that I don't do it at all. I'm learning that nature study really just means a mom who excited looks at things and who doesn't recoil at finding a huge bug in her bedroom, but instead helps trap it and then find out that it is a centipede and what it means to properly care for it. The bug houses (Anna wants to start an insect zoo, unfortunately she only has caught arachnids and arthropods so far) and rocks were their ideas. We've been collecting, identifying, and pressing tree leaves, watching the robins and wrens in our yard, and generally observing the sky. We're in the middle of the city and seeing more nature each day than when we lived within ten minutes of five top notch state parks.
 I dusted off "Family Math" this week and we did a statistics investigation. John begged to have more books to narrate from and I put my foot down with a firm "No." I'd rather have him begging for more than begging me to stop. I've started timing math lessons and stopping based on the clock, not what we've accomplished. We've been coloring a world map and map of the Roman world, adding a bit in each morning.
An afternoon in downtown
We're still exploring Chicago, loving our neighborhood, keeping busy, and being entertained by little Matthew who cracks us up!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

The leaves are starting to turn and the sky is partly cloudy. It is getting warm enough to wear a light jacket and scarf but it is not yet so nippy that I can't happily sit while the kids play on the playground. The grass had to be watered today, keeping us inside all too long! 

I am thinking...

About how we've landed on our feet here! What a blessing our first two weeks have been here. We already see people we know every time we go out.

 
I am thankful...
For the relative ease of our move, for the size of our apartment, for our full freezer (yay for freezer cooking last week!)

 
In the kitchen...
Last week was my big week of cooking, so I'm a bit worn out right now. We'll have leftover pork ragout, noodles, and broccoli for dinner tonight. I'm hoping I can pull off chili and cornbread tomorrow. We'll see!

 
I am wearing...
Jeans, sneakers, black 3/4 length sleeve shirt. I wore a brown jean jacket and black scarf when I went out. Afraid I'm not very exciting in this category!

 
I am creating...
Ways to involve everyone in the school day and plans for meals that I can make with my 4-year-old. I made calendar books for my children that Molly can be involved in and pie on Saturday night with John. I'm trying to figure out what the flow of the living room should be. There is so much possibility here!

 
I am going...
Anywhere I can walk to! Today, that was the park.

 
I am wondering...

What will life look like when it snows?
 
I am reading...
Charlotte Mason homeschooling books. I'm not Roman Catholic but I'm enjoying (most) of "Real Education" by Elizabeth Foss. Her balanced views on education are inspiring.

 
I am hoping...
I don't want to be shy about being a friend. I'm hoping I don't disappear into a winter cocoon. I'm hoping for enough good weather to feel really settled and connected before the weather keeps me home.

 
I am looking forward to...
My parents' visit later this month. No one knows how to use space as well as my dad! I've been delaying many decisions because I know he'll have a better idea!

 
I am learning
Patience and self-control.

 
Around the house...
There are a million important questions!

 
I am pondering...
What irrational fears of mine am I passing on to my kids? I think I've done a good job of not giving them a fear of heights, but my fear of dogs is being transmitted. Anna doesn't seem to have a fear of bugs, given her recent "pet", "Starlight" (a centipede).

Anna's pet, Starlight, a centipede
 
A favorite quote for today...
A neighbor's view of Chicago: "It has the best of LA and the best of New York combined. It has a great road network like LA and good walkability and public transportation like New York. Yeah, it gets 20 degrees colder than New York, but the housing is half the price." I'm loving this place!

 
One of my favorite things...
Baby hugs and Matthew's noise he makes when he makes a huge smile. One day, when Matthew happily work up from a nap, Molly said, "Mommy, I hear Matthew smiling!" And she was right!

 
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Sofa shopping, ballet for Anna, soccer for John, electric piano shopping, and lots and lots of time outdoors!

 
A peek into my day...

Dan's job started today, so it was our first day of "full" school. (We've been doing math and minimal language arts since moving, but this was EVERYTHING.) 
Anna Grade 1, John Grade 2, Dan Professor
 From http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 24, 2012

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window it is turning into fall, but the sky is still blue. A car is parked in front of the fire hydrant, which seems to be treated more as a loading zone than a no-park zone. There are a multitude of trees. I've been noticing them since we moved and am amazed by the variety around.

I am thinking about organizing, cleaning, community, church.

I am thankful for our apartment building and the ease of this move. I am thankful for four bedrooms and the extra rest the kids seem to be getting since we have more space.

In the kitchen boxes are still waiting to be unpacked. I'm hoping a good meal will come out of our lovely new kitchen soon, but I'm not holding my breath! We may have baked chicken and rice tonight with broccoli, but there certainly won't be anything fancy.

I am wearing skinny jeans and layered t-shirts. They turned the building radiators on over the weekend and it is plenty hot in here. I'll need at least a sweater if I go out, but short sleeves suffice inside.

I am creating living spaces from boxed up spaces.

I am going shopping, once I make a menu for the week!

I am reading "The Organized Homeschooler." How do I keep good track of papers?

I am hoping to get all the boxes out of the living room, dining room, and kitchen by the end of the week.

I am looking forward to visiting Millennium Park tomorrow, when the weather is supposed to be pretty warm.

I am learning to get around Chicago like a native. :-)

Around the house we're implementing a much-needed daily routine.

One of my favorite things is neighbors who want to be neighborly.

A few plans for the rest of the week: shopping for a printer, soccer practice, a ballet class, and at least one museum

A peek into my day...
(from http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/)

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Fall sewing top three

I'm hoping to have a permanent home for my sewing machine in our new apartment! I won't have to pack it away every night in order to eat breakfast the next morning or do school before lunch. With that in mind, I have a few projects up my sleeve.

1. A figure 8 scarf. I want to do it in a dark colored velvet (crimson or purple?) and a fun, coordinating print. I'd love to have one side silk since I have a number of huge silk pieces around the house and silk feels so nice in the cold.

2. A tunic. I'll use a fall print, though, and pair it with a sweater!
from Film in the Fridge

3. Skinny jeans. I've already dyed my thrifted white jeans pink, I just need to resew them in a more fitted form!

Finally, I'll keep working on the quilt!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Daybook in Arizona

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
the wind is blowing, the train is going, the kids are playing on the KOA playground

I am thinking...
about not worrying and enjoying vacation

I am thankful...
for my wonderful husband and his flexible hours, for pack-n-plays for baby while we camp

In the kitchen...
I have no kitchen this week!

I am wearing...
Jeans, a tank top, and a quilted vest. Flip flops, too, unless we hike and I replace them with sneakers.

I am creating...
Dreams about organizing in our larger apartment.

I am going...
along route 66 towards Chicago

I am wondering...
at the beauty of the southwest. I thought Arizona was ugly before this trip. Now, I could drop everything and move to Flagstaff!

I am reading...
the Bible, the Psalter, and not much else.

I am hoping...
for good friends for my children.

I am looking forward to...
organizing our office/guest room.

I am learning

to enjoy today.

Around the house...



I'm working on turning on the electricity!

I am pondering...
how to bring more southwestern food into my kitchen in the midwest.


A favorite quote for today...
from the KOA bathroom: "Worry is like a rocking horse - it keeps you busy but don't get ya nowhere."

One of my favorite things...
Big rocks, big holes in the ground.


A few plans for the rest of the week:

New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma...

A peek into my day...
Petrified Forest National Park!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A birthday and a big change

We're going on a road trip to Chicago via Route 66!

And Molly turned 4!

Monday, September 3, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
The big kids have been drying apples with Granddad. The sun is shining and clear. There is, unfortunately, no wind, something John has been wishing for since he built a kite with Granddad.

I am thinking...
About oppression.

I am thankful...
For my parents' hospitality, for our two years in California, for our upcoming trip, for a new move because of a good job.

In the kitchen...
Molly and I made two French Apple Cakes for her birthday then gussied up Sunday's black bean and apple salad for lunch.

I am wearing...
Jeans, a black tank, and a red and white polka dotted cross-over shirt, handed down from my aunt. No shoes have been needed today so far.

I am creating...
Plans for our car trip and plans for settling into Chicago.

I am going...
Nowhere. There is enough going that has to happen too soon.

I am wondering...
How will we ever settle in? Will we settle down?

I am reading...
Matthew 6.

I am hoping...
For closure in California.

I am looking forward to...
Four bedrooms!

I am learning
To not be anxious about anything.

Around the house...
There are mounds of laundry to be washed and boxes of things to somehow fit into our minivan. Thankfully, my mom has been doing all the meal planning and cooking.

I am pondering...
What wonderful parents I was blessed with.

A favorite quote for today...
"Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment." :-)

One of my favorite things...
Eating meals outside in the shade.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Moving 2000 miles via the Grand Canyon and New Mexico!

A peek into my day...
I slept in, thanks to Mom watching the baby. Before breakfast, the kids put on a performance for me and Dan. The days at my parents' house are quiet and easy compared to the last few weeks as I've prepared for the move. I'm glad for the rest before business takes over again.

From http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ .

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Taking care of the caregiver

German stalled about six months ago. It stalled when we quit German school after Matthew's stay in the hospital.

It wasn't that German school was teaching the kids German, though it was teaching them to love German. It was that German school was keeping aflame my desire to speak German with the kids. Those weekly chats with native speakers gave me confidence and desire to keep going. Without them, the energy required to speak German when no one responded in German quickly faded.

Just as caregivers need care, teachers need themselves to be taught. I guess that is why we had so many inservice days growing up and why good professors all do independent research. Without it, you lose focus, direction, even your core knowledge.

That's why I am working through my own German education right now. It'll include a mix listening to German news online, reading novels, and a grammar book. Hopefully it'll include a "tutor" from the neighborhood once we move whom I can hire to tutor us all once or twice a week. I'll add my German Bible into our mix, and maybe even memorize some Psalms and parables in German.

Without care for herself, the caregiver will eventually run out of steam to care for others. My German has reached that point, but I'm not giving up.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Finding my bearings

What is the point of homeschooling, anyways?

Academic challenge, family closeness, learning in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Being there to answer tough questions because they don't only come up between 3:30 pm and bedtime.

Having time to forge real relationships as a family.

Having time to explore things that get neglected when the busywork of school overwhelm life. The time to explore things like carpentry, ants, origami, cooking, drawing, singing.

How do I do it all? Should I classically educate? Use textbooks? Charlotte Mason living books? Plain old living books?

What way is my compass pointing? How can I get it all done? What is the "all" that matters, anyways?

I read and read and read and each book argues well about why that way is good. I'm overwhelmed.

How do I figure this out?