Togetherness

I must say that I love the flexibility of homeschooling. Friday we had an appointment in the city, and we decided to make an afternoon of it. My daughter read to me off and on during the day as we were driving. Still amazes me every time! We had a nice lunch at one of our favorite restaurants (Macayo's) where they are running a month long special on our favorite dish, Chimichangas. Fabulous! Picked up the DVD recording of her summer drama camp production of Alice in Wonderland, and tapped into a going out of business sale where she found a puppet kit for $2 and I did some Christmas/birthday shopping. We ended the day in the play area of a nearby mall. This, of course, was the highlight of her day!

Needless to say, I was a little exhausted after all of that, but we had a wonderful time "on the town." One of the reasons we homeschool is so we can just "be together." I know that in a flash (it seems) they are older, and we're left wondering how that happened. We're building memories that we can keep for a lifetime. Much of family togetherness is shared experiences. I know that some of the clearest and best memories that I have with my own mother when I was child were of the times we did simple things together.

Growing Readers

As the mother of an "advancing" reader, I have to say that although I enjoyed being the one to teach my child to read, to see the "light" come on when reading truly took hold...I'm glad those days are behind me. Mine was a reluctant reader.

I would say "Let's do some reading."
"Do we have to?" was not an uncommon response. 
"Yes, dear. Don't worry. It will get even better over time." 
"Okay."

Thank the Lord, it's "better". Yeah!  I'm glad I didn't force it the year before when she truly wasn't ready or interested.  Now, she picks a book that was a mystery to her before, and the delight of being able to read it lights up her face. Most of the time. We read from a reading set sometimes, but I really prefer she pick her own books each day. We have an abundant supply. (Just ask Daddy.) She might pick one that is a little above her level, but with some help she can do it, and take pride in the accomplishment.

My favorite thing is that she is able to read from her special Bible. It is called the Primary Bible Reader (Abeka), and it contains many Biblical accounts from the King James Version. The font is larger, and it is set in a pretty format. What a joy to hear her sweet little voice reading all those "big" words. Today she breezed though "whatsoever". I know I enjoy this reading above all the others because it is something she will carry with her for a lifetime.

Good books are such an important part of my life. I want to pass on that love to my family. She reads to me, then I read to her, and while she plays I try to do a little reading-aloud. Sometimes we do bedtime reading. It's all good. We have so many favorites. Some sweet and some silly. I recently picked up a picture book narrating the song "Sunrise, Sunset." It is quickly becoming a favorite. (And we had to watch Fiddler on the Roof  which she didn't want to end.) We are currently reading A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter which ties in to our nature study.

A reader is a learner for life. Many thanks to my mom and her parents for passing on this love of reading. I remember both my grandparents reading Anne of Green Gables for the first time in their 70's and loving every minute of it. A simple yet profound treasure.

Happy reading!

Loving Homeschooling

We've been in school for two weeks, and I'm so pleased with how this year is going. This is our third year of homeschooling, and I'm happy as punch that its going smoothly. I think the biggest difference is that it is not our "first" year. Most moms would agree it takes a few years to get into a groove that is just right for your own family.


I've wanted to start a blog about our homeschool journey. I read several different homeschool/motherhood blogs along with a few others. They are all a great encouragement to me. Each one has a different strength, and I am so grateful for the wonderful ideas and resources that they give.


We are a family of readers. I heard an old saying by Mark Twain, "The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who can't." Oh so true. Reading is such a vital part of who I am that I have a blog about that too. (readingheavenward.blogspot.com). Some of my greatest influences are people I have never met like Amy Carmichael, Jim Elliot, Gladys Aylward, and Elizabeth Prentiss.


We are trying to increase our reading this year in "school". If we can read, and read well, we have the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Some homeschooling styles are filled with classic books, and other rich beautiful works. I've been re-reading Karen Andreola's book, The Charlotte Mason Companion. What a joy it is to have such wonderful resources at our fingertips. I thank God for the honor of being a mother!






 

Raising the Next Generation

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walketh by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

Deuteronomy 6:4-8

Polishing Corner Stones

"Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace."

Psalm 144:21-23