Teaching our kids Gratefulness

Now to look at these beautiful faces, you'd think - they're perfect, polite, sweet, and beautiful, right?  I know most of the time those are MY thoughts too!

And because I love them, I want to give EVERYTHING to my girls - and I know I'm not alone!  I didn't have the childhood of my dreams, so I want to pour all I can into being sure my daughters have the amazing, and LOVING experiences I didn't necessarily have growing up.

How do we find the balance between giving our kids what they want, yet them being grateful kids?  

I had a moment where I realized I was doing my girls a dis-service by offering EVERYTHING I could to them. 

It's SOO frustrating when you sacrificially give something to your kids, and they just want more, and are not grateful for what they have.  During a time where we were extremely pinched financially, my husband took his birthday money from a family member and bought a doll one of my daughters wanted.  He was SO excited to give it to her.  At first, she was excited, but it quickly turned into her wanting more - a better doll, & more dolls.  My hubby was heart broken, knowing what a sacrifice it was to give her THAT doll.

I prayed for a creative solution - because I wanted her to be excited for what we CAN give, but for us not to feel taken advantage of when it's not what SHE thinks she deserves. 

It was near Easter time, so I told her I was going to take her shopping.  Oh boy, oh boy, was she excited.  When we got to the mall, I explained how ungrateful her attitude towards the doll her dad got her was, and pulled out scripture explaining it is better to GIVE then to RECEIVE, and this is the lesson our shopping experience is going to teach her.  And, I told her the money she got for Easter was going to be used to bless her father.  Oh my, the tears & upset; I'm sure the people in the mall were thinking I just sliced off her left arm because of how upset she was.

The reality sank in that she was getting NOTHING for Easter, rather, she was going to be the one giving this time.  Once she realized I was not going to change my mind, she pulled herself together and even got excited to bless her father.  We made sure to make a BIG deal out of what she was giving - and it was actually a lot of fun!  She even asked if she could get something for her sister too!  We spent that Easter just enjoying each others company & playing games rather than doing they typical Easter baskets & finding the Easter egg hunts.

To this day, 4 1/2 years later, she is a testimony of gratefulness & a BIG giving heart.  No matter how small the gift for her, she is overly thankful...and from her heart too. 

We need to be sure we're teaching our kids the art of giving so much more than receiving.  That's worth more than any gift we can give to them. We are called to give & serve the people around us; so that's a huge gift to our kids when we teach them the same principal.

Learning my daughters' hearts through STRAWBERRIES

Being a homeschool mom, I do spend a lot of time with my daughters.  You'd think I know EVERYTHING that's going on in their beautiful hearts, right?

I recently learned something...I didn't



We have been volunteering at a Tower Garden Farm (hydroponic garden system) planting seeds & getting strawberry plants ready for the towers.  It's been a once a week adventure of sitting on a porch at the farm with no school assignments, TV, games, books, or music.  Just us putting tiny seeds in holes hour after hour...and we LOVE it.

One of our times a couple weeks back, my daughters just started asking me questions...surprising & deep questions - and I was thinking, "Where did all THIS come from?"  Well, come to find out these are things that have been brewing in their heart, but they had not seen the window of time to talk to me.

You see, I can be a busy-body.  I LOVE spending time with my daughters more than almost anything, and we have all kinds of adventures - but I realized parking my butt to a chair and doing NOTHING BUT listening to the deep things in their hearts seemed to hardly happen.

Working at the farm has been such an amazing time of silliness, growing together, learning, clarifying, and bonding.

Our lives these past few weeks have been extremely busy - we just moved, I look after an ailing gentleman, we school, and I do what I can for the community around me...I know you understand!  What I've learned is that I need to covet much more time to just bond heart to heart with my amazing daughters.

The interesting thing is, this is what God wants from us too...to park our butt down to have a heart to heart with HIM.  You see, my girls shared some concerns, and I was able to help & guide them through.  When I sit and have the same talk with my Father God - He does the same; He helps ME navigate difficult situations and offer to help.

God can't help if I don't take the time to tell Him what's going on and give Him a chance to walk with me & guide my steps...just like my girls struggling to navigate through things without my (or their daddy's) help.

So here's to less busy-body-ness, and more strawberry talks :)

The Beautiful Imperfections of Homeschooling

When my girls grew to school age, we made the decision to homeschool for reasons most here reading this will understand.  Oh boy, we were going to get SOOO much accomplished, they would be ready to graduate and head to college at 10 years old (well, maybe 14), and every day was going to be an incredible amount of fun...right?

Here we are 6 years later, and my girls are ELATED to start school this year - and I know it's genuine, but that did not come without ironing out some HUGE bumps in the road.

• I purchased sooo many great books over the years...that did not get finished.
• I have had some knock down drag out fights with my daughters...and work would not always get accomplished.
• I planned on being sooo scheduled...then we had to move, or deal with LIFE & distractions, and the schedule would go to pot.

Some years I felt were an EPIC fail. I'd feel so defeated and I'd have to lick my wounds. BUT, to attempt to rise to the challenge, I'd bust out the cheer pom-poms, and Hoorah us on for another "GREAT YEAR" (through gritted teeth at times).

What I've learned - all through failure I must admit:

1. Don't set your expectations too high:  
I would look at some amazing blogger's homeschool schedule that is fine-tuned down to the minute, see all the wonderful subjects & lessons, art, music & geometry...and I'd think to myself, "I need to do ALL THAT to be successful!"  Then I'd tie myself into 12 knots trying to make that work for us, having to CONSTANTLY adjust my lesson plans (and eventually I just left them blank not knowing if I'd get ANYTHING accomplished), get grumpy at my girls because they couldn't meet my expectations, then feel like a failure because I couldn't accomplish it A-L-L.

The lesson I learned while trying to untangle myself is this:  One of the reasons we homeschool is because each family is UNIQUE, each child is UNIQUE, so we can tailor our curriculum, schedule, and style to fit the individual & family.

2. Involve your kids in the planning process:
Sometimes it was a battle to get my girls to do their work, and the reality that our system was NOT working was when the tears started to stream down my beautiful daughter's cheeks.  This was NOT the experience I wanted for them to remember as they look back at their homeschool years.

When I would start asking questions like, "Would you like to do THIS one, or THAT one?" I was amazed at their eagerness & response.  I'd offer choices in style of work, topics, and books.  When they felt invested in their learning, they were far more motivated to accomplish their work.

3. Encourage their individual learning style:
I have a daughter who can't sit long without fidgeting - so I will let her stand, and I'll have munchies at her desk so she can accomplish a lot if she's not forced to just sit still & concentrate for long periods of time.  I also will occasionally allow them to go long periods of time on one topic, rather than switch every hour - they do better that way (at times) when there's choices...so one week we may do all math to get to a certain place in their book, and another week may be a large variety of subjects.

4. Start simple (if you need to):
When I first thought of homeschooling, I started doing my research, and there are SOO many great resources out there - but for my type of personality, TOO MANY that caused me to short-circuit.  I wanted to do it ALL and be the mom/teacher to the next brain-y-ac. 

What I found the most peaceful was to start simple. The basics. Do the type of curriculum that is simple, and lays out the foundation very easily.  I purposely dodged homeschool conventions, curriculum catalogs, and magazines.  Now, I  AM a researcher, but to get a fire hose full of information when I was a newby was NOT helpful, in fact it was down-right overwhelming.  Now, this is ME, and to all you "MEs" out there, find peace in simplicity.  I found "shutting out" what many people considered the "norm" helpful for a season until I could learn MY girls, and style - and build from there - once I grasped the basics, I started adding upon my core work & style year after year.

SOOOO...Here's to our (and your) 

AMAZING YEAR OF LEARNING & FUN!

This Year, my girls are in Grade 5 & Grade 6.

What we're doing for Math, & Language Arts is a basic curriculum called Rod & Staff.  It's old fashioned, but extremely simple.  They have it set up where the girls simply do one lesson per day, per subject - but spelling is only once a week.

For Science, because we had some "hiccups" in our year/schedule last year (traveling, moving...), I'm still finishing up Apologia's "Exploring Creation" and LOVING IT!

We have so much fun with the experiments - from clay people, to edible cells, and watching their teeth rot in coke!  Then when we're done this one, we'll discuss what science topic we'd like to explore next!

For History & Geography, We're doing America The Beautiful...and it has been most excellent so far ;)

The girls have been loving coloring the maps, writing creative stories, and doing the crossword puzzles in their workbook.  We'll be building the Iroquis log house at the end of the week!

Finally, for Bible studies, we're doing Apologia's "Who is my Neighbor" which teaches a bit more history, and the Biblical view of servanthood. This is another one we're finishing up from last year.

This has lap books, puzzles, drawings, and scripture memory.  They LOVE all the ways this teaches stories, and interacts with the lessons.

Here are my AMAZING students/daughters on their exciting first day of school of the 2013/2014 year!!!

We ended our school day doing Apologia Science - A skeletal system demonstration.  We made clay models with skinny arms & legs to see how floppy they are without structure...then we made them WITH toothpicks so they could be held up. 

My husband made Gumby.


5. Seek God's Direction
The last thing - but it's really the first thing to do while working on, and planning a school year is PRAY.  I dedicate my year & daughters into God's care, seeking His direction for their learning and growing. 

Each year, He leads me to what seems like (to the natural eye) "stumbling upon" what we need to do for the year.  For example, as I was preparing & praying for this year, I started looking for some type of History lessons that would fit my girls learning style.  Literally AS I was deep in this thought, prayer, and scouting out some curriculum, my friend Sarah over at MY JOYFILLED LIFE posted a review of America the Beautiful. When I read it, and showed it to my hubbs, we both agreed that was the last missing piece of our school year puzzle.  I had the girls read up on it to get their "thumbs high", and the rest is HISTORY ;) and we're loving it. 

As a side note, being a Canadian living in the USA, I think I'm doing most of the learning!

HAPPY SCHOOLING EVERYONE!!!

Deposit or Withdrawl

How we treat people:

the principal of Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposit - to put good into a relationship, to invest, to bless.

Withdrawal -  Asking something of the other person - or even to remove something unnecessary, harmful - to take out.

Little People Deposits

With our kids - if we want their ear, heart, loyalty, and respect we need to make deposits before we can earn the right to make a withdrawal.  For example: Imagine if all we do is nag, discipline, or dictate - without depositing/establishing a love connection and meeting their emotional need.  Making a withdrawal or bringing correction to them will not be well received.  All it may do is cause a power struggle - an unearned right to correct, and cause serious resentment.

But when we deposit love & quality time listening to their heart, we've earned their trust, respect and the right to make a withdrawal.

The Biggest Deposit

Let me put this in the perspective of Jesus - He deposits LOVE and offers relationship FIRST (Salvation) and offers mercy & grace.  He continually makes deposits as relationship builds, and as we learn to trust Him, THEN He brings us to a place of discipline and correction - and withdraws/removes harmful habits from our lives.  He forgives and loves us through our faults, and as we learn to trust Him, we're more ready to receive His direction and correction. 

Marriage Deposits

This for sure is true in marriages - I know in times my marriage was struggling and there were things I was trying to force into change (make withdrawals) - but when I look back upon those times, the change and peace actually came when I started making unexpected and sometimes sacrificial deposits into my husband - even when I didn't FEEL like it. Once there were enough deposits, withdrawals could be easily made.

Difficult People Deposits

Of course, you can put this principal into pretty much any relationship we have - but there's one more type that most don't want to think of...and that's the difficult relationships we have - with the person we don't see eye to eye with. 

It's so easy to be quick to go toe to toe with someone you feel is so wrong in their thinking - and maybe they are.  But how are you handling those people?  Are you trying to withdraw - correct, change, or ask something of - and let's be honest - (in an eye rolling moment) respond dripping with irritation?

Anyone who has made positive change of direction in life (most of the time) don't do it because someone harshly judged and strong-armed them (withdrawal), but instead believed in them and walked with compassion alongside them (deposit).

Try making a deposit - like Jesus putting aside the "sin" and spending time believing in and investing in the person...depositing.

Ask yourself when faced with a difficult person or situation, have you made a deposit before you're about to withdraw?  If not, I'm sure you can imagine the reaction you'll receive if the relational bank is empty.  If it IS empty, maybe it's not your place to withdraw in this situation.

Just imagine the potential peace around all families, communities & other relationships (good & difficult) if we made a habit of ONLY depositing before making a withdrawal.

Our job is NOT just to "Train up..."

I know well, and LOVE the scripture...

Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 

Now I don't want to get myself in trouble here - so bear with me.

God created us to not just be “moms” but also Disciples. I hear over and over moms say when they just isolate themselves to the job of chief cook & nose blower, that there is something missing. 
That "restlessness" is God asking us to be more than the caretakers of our square-footage & it's inhabitants.

I’ve struggled with those feelings of guilt for not being perfectly happy putting my 100% time and energy into my house & daughters – now don’t get me wrong, I love them more than can be described, but I’m not just a mom, but also a Disciple of Christ. 

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35

May I "sheepishly" point out - it didn't say only to love our children...

I need for both the Kingdom's sake, my sake, AND the sake of being an example to my daughters that doing other things is very healthy.  I love my kitchen, BELIEVE ME...just to prove it, here's one of my latest creations (email me if you want the recipe YUMMM!)...

But, we also need to put on our "check list" being Christ to people around us.  The beautiful thing is you can INVOLVE your children as well.

I have a check-list of my "dailies" that I need to get done both for kids & house, and I always add "To be a blessing to" and pray for The Lord to drop an idea my way...I  will confess I don't always accomplish everything on it - but I give it an honest effort!

Challenge yourself weekly (or start monthly) to be a blessing, here are some small starter ideas...

• Write and send care packages to your church's missionaries.
• Phone or send card in the mail to encourage someone.
• Serve at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.
• Find someone in need and serve them.
• Encourage your leaders (pastors, staff, boss).
• Find someone in your church you don't know and offer to pray for them that week.
• Visit a local care home and spend time with it's residents.

Of course everyone's life is different - so you may have more creative things on your list of ways to be Christ's disciple.

The point is, be the best mom, by being an example of love to people.  You don't have to be a pastor (or pastor's wife) to minister to needy in or out of your church.

Listening 101

Like most moms, I get about 3,872 requests from EACH child PER day.  I have found myself recently just saying "no" often because I feel like my brain is already full of things I'm trouble-shooting.

A couple weeks ago, my youngest found a turtle in our yard.  She was SOOOO excited, brought it in the house, and PLEADED to keep it (in her bargaining she even offered to sell her sister off...HAHA).  In the midst of trying to do the "normal" things, now I was trying to figure out this turtle thing...can we keep it?  What kind of work would that produce?  How much would that cost? My instant reaction was NO WAY!

When I took a deep breath from the chaos I was feeling, I sat her down to "talk" and had every intention to do ALL the talking, but as we started, I decided instead, to take a moment and listen.  My daughter respectfully shared that the ONE thing she's wanted was to have a pet of her own - since pretty much FOREVER.  She would bring in the house lizards,  lady bugs...and now this little turtle.  I really had to take a moment and receive what she was telling me.  My baby is growing up!!!

After talking with the hubbs about this idea - we investigated and found that little wild turtle was NOT a good idea - but took to heart what she shared.  We were both so inspired by her heart, respect, and maturity - I was feeling a bit sad that I didn't see this before...how deep this desire was in her heart.

Once we made the decision & researched the best pet for her - we crossed many off the list for various reasons...

Turtle = too much work, dirty, not interactive, and carry salmonella
Rodent = if it got out, would provide our Jack Russel a fun chase, and eventually snack
Snakes or other creepy crawly = UMMM...NOT A CHANCE IN THIS WORLD!
Cat = again back to the dog wanting to torment it

So, land tortoise it was.  Since making this decision to get one, I've seen such a respect from her, maturity, and responsibility.  These are attributes we expect from our girls, but lately our daughter has been going through a "testing of the boundaries" time...and it's been a bit challenging - so the LAST thing we felt we should do was reward her this big. But when we listened and acknowledged her heart, her attitude and countenance lifted almost instantly.  I realized a lot of it has come from us having a simple listening ear towards her heart, and believing in her as a growing young lady.

So without further adu,

introducing...Lady Strawberry

Micah's baby Red Footed Tortoise. 

 

Micah and her daddy painting Strawberry's habitat

I share MY desk with Strawberry

 

Eating dinner - Strawberries, her favorite

The Power of PIZZA!

In the midst of getting back into school routine - and all the balancing that goes with it, I realized how easy it is to forget FAMILY SILLY TIME.  I grabbed my daughter, gave her a hug & held her tight.  In that moment, I had to think way too hard about when we last just sat together and concentrated on our relationship with each other. I mean it hadn't been months - but it sure wasn't in the last few days...too long for me.

SOOO - IT WAS ON, like white on rice, like cheese on macaroni, we did SAUCE ON PIZZA.

I found a great little secret at Sam's Club...you can purchase a box of their deli pizza dough - 20 individually wrapped frozen dough balls for $15!!  1 ball actually does 2 pizzas very nicely, but it depends on how floofy you like your crust.  This is wonderful because we have people over A LOT, so it's a fun event for family or FAMILIES to make yummy pizzas together for really inexpensive.

All you do is thaw one out (or how many you want) for about 5-6 hours, roll it out on a pan, pre-bake it at 350 for 7-9 minutes, add the sauce of choice, dress it, and bake (for about 15 minutes depending on the oven)!

Back to Family Time...

It's amazing how much you can giggle over pizza

The FUNNIEST part of the process was finding THIS...

And VOILA - BON APPETIT!!

Happy Family Time to you all!!!

5 steps to change a day

As a homeschool mom, there are days I'm ready to put a "For Rent" sign on my kids, and park them on the curb...THEN there are days I'm ready to park myself on that curb.

DISCLAIMER...For those who don't know me, I would NEVER give, sell, rent out, or trade my beautiful, amazing daughters...but admit it, we've all thought of some creative way to obtain a break during the stressful moments.

As we've been working ourselves back into a routine, I was confronted with some of the same issues I wanted to forget we had last year.  The discouragement tried to set in.  Then I remembered the power of the Word of God, and The Lord reminded me of the times when I equip myself, HE helps me WIN!!!

One of the enemy's BIGGEST plans is to rob us of our peace.

The Word of God - Weapon of Mass (Enemy) Destruction




When I take the time and feed myself with these & like scriptures, it LITERALLY changes the course of my day and any situation.  I can be confronted with the SAME challenge, but because I've handed it to God, and stood on His Word, no weapon can stop me.

 Here are my 5 powerhouse day-changers...

When I feel worn out, I remember to stop EVERYTHING and spend time with HIM...

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." 
Matthew 11:28-30

As a recovering busy-body, I know first hand the compulsion to "fix" or "keep trudging" when there's chaos somewhere - but in God's economy, "working through" isn't as powerful as stopping, and handing it to HIM - learning the unforced rhythms of grace.

When I want to kick myself over mistakes I've made, I remember...

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14

As one who reaches to be like Christ in my daily living, sometimes I expect too much from myself.  I love that even Paul said here, he's NOT perfect!!!
 

When I want to do things MY way, I remember...

 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.  Galatians 5:22-23

I don't want to force my way in life, but permeate holiness - having affection for others, and a willingness to stick with things.

When I need to forgive myself or others, I remember...

If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. I John 1:8-10

So I need NOT punish myself or anyone else who's not perfect.

I AM the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD!!!!!

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21

Definition: Righteousness is the state of moral perfection required by God to enter heaven
However, the Bible clearly states that human beings cannot achieve righteousness through their own efforts: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." (Romans 3:20).

I cannot express into words the peace & freedom that comes to my family, or myself personally when I apply the principles of standing on God's word, believing who I AM in Christ, forgive when needed, not beat myself up, love passionately,  and follow God's leading through my day.

NOT the mom of the year award...

IMPATIENCE IS MY ENEMY!!!

I've been feeling lately like I'm on the "outside of the outhouse" doing the pee-pee dance waiting for some things to grow and change in our lives...and it's so true - being impatient turns minutes into eternities!

And out of my impatience, I had a "bad mom" moment.

It really made me take a step back, and reflect on WHY I was feeling so anxious.

It's so easy for me to get wrapped up in the list, chores, planning, and reaching towards the future- oy! I was getting wound up over the things that were NOT happening the way I wanted. The next thing I knew, I over-reacted to a situation with my beautiful daughter.  Yes, she almost burned the house down and it scared me, but it did NOT warrant my reaction, I'm afraid.
 
I sadly realized I was not embracing my tasks, loves, and gifts of today and REALLY putting to practice Matthew 6:25-34.

There is always so much to do - and the days seem to never have enough hours in them. The family or friend "play time" tends to get put off to "some other time" as I'm forever trying to achieve, or accomplish... and before I knew it, the grouchies had done a complete "hostile take-over".

So...to the beach we went!  There is nothing more healing and refreshing than 

SILLY TIME WITH THE FAMILY!!! 

It amazes me (even though it shouldn't) how much perspective, peace, and focus can be gained by taking time out of the hectic schedule to simply enjoy myself - and serve my family.



I came home with such an amazing renewed sense of purpose.  This lesson may be easy for many, but somehow tough for me - because I'm a dreamer & planner...and I know that's not a bad thing - but I need to keep my concentration on what the treasures of my todays hold - and stay simple...and leave my tomorrows in God's amazingly capable hands.  

Let me never take for granted, or forget to enjoy my today.

Giving up the kitchen...an Unprecedented event!!!!!

I know I'm a good mom, but I too have my quirks. I home school my girls, so I covet the time I get to myself - especially when I have a lot on my mind; and the more I have on my mind, the more I go into robotic mode of JUST BARELY getting things done (as I'm processing my thoughts).  I just survive, rather than REALLY trying to serve.  

Sometimes the bare minimum is all I can do. 

For a while now my girls have been asking to cook alongside me & learn.  Anyone who knows me, knows I LOOOOOOVE to cook - I regularly do it for 20+ people...BUT...it's my best thinking time (as well as in the bathroom when my girls allow me to be there by myself...case in point - Miss Micah comes in the bathroom while I'm showering today and proceeds to say, "Aren't you excited I'm L-E-T-T-I-N-G you have a shower by yourself today?"  What's wrong with this picture?!?!  ANYWAYS...)

So, I've been putting off letting the girls into my coveted kitchen bubble.

Since the New Year I've been in a lot of "thinking" time - including alone kitchen time. 

Yesterday, I decided to bring myself to share the kitchen with the 8 year old...UNPRECEDENTED!!!

A miracle happened - The veil of discouragement I'd been working through lifted instantly.

It's amazing how easy we allow frustration to creep in, and the first thing it replaces is our desire to go over and above for others - whether it be our children, spouse, or people around us.  But, miraculously, the opposite happens even quicker - when we break the cycle of "what about ME" for even a moment, we feel EMPOWERED! 

She did an amazing job (even by my standards ;)) & cooked a beautiful braided chicken for the family - and it was more healing for me than she'll ever know.

It was a big lesson to me - not to be so focused on the things that I can't change, & discourage me , but rather be an even MORE willing tool looking to serve those around me, and like the serenity prayer states, "To Change the things I Can"

And God did the rest!

2011-2012 Curriculum

Enough with the slacking...

Well, it's that time of the year again - getting ready for school.  I'm actually really excited for this year.  We had some hard truths to swallow about what worked, and DIDN'T WORK last year.

I have two VERY different personalities to work with so I'm needing to be very creative. The girls are VERY strong willed (I have NO IDEA where they get that from)...but over different issues so it gets interesting around these parts.

I had a lot of fun getting our office ready for our up & coming school year - I commissioned my talented husband to put his artsy touch in our room.  I mean, if it's going to be a year of inspiration - let it be a fun place to be in!

 

This year we are changing the curriculum completely and are doing a lot more interactive activities together.  I know it's making a big difference in their excitement level that I am involving them in the choosing of the school work - so the girls feel invested in their own learning this year.

Here is part of our science curriculum - it has all kinds of experiments, and projects in it.

One project is to put a tooth (one of their baby teeth) in soda and watch it rot - will that cure them of their love of all things sugar?!?!?

Here's the other science book we're doing - of course - with the girls' love of anything & everything having to do with the Ocean...

 

For Math, English, & Spelling work, I'm changing to Rod & Staff (Grades 3 & 4).  A very good trusted friend did it with her girls last year and they appreciated it's simplicity & style.  I also had a public school teacher look at it, and she said it's content is at par with the school system.

 

Geography will be studied mostly by "the car window" via our current and past travels since we do a lot of cross-country traveling, and are in partnership with several missionaries...so we study where they are.

History - the jury is still out, so I'm really looking forward to "gleening" from the blog hop posts.

I heard a statistic that an average child is busier than a CEO of a major corporation. So we are becoming jealous guards of more peace and good ol' fashioned play time.  I think it's so important that we as a family are more available for each other, and opportunities God brings our way to be a blessing to others.  

We have enrolled the girls in dance again this year, and they are also in a Missionettes (like a Christian Girl Scouts).  They have plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends & activities, but I'm determined to have a quieter year of quality family time.  It's soo easy to stay very BUSY but I know that is not healthy for the little people, or us to be on the go from sun-up to sun-down every day

I am daily thankful for the opportunity to be a mom & teacher to 2 beautiful little girls.  As they grow, and change I'm prayerfully watching them turn into the little ladies God is molding them to be.  

"Thank You God for trusting me with 2 precious hearts.  May I be diligent in pouring Your love and teaching into them."