Daybook for November 9th- Short Week!

For today…. November 9th, 2009

Outside my window… a lovely sunrise ushering in what I pray is another warm fall day!

I am thinking… that it's Monday, I wish it were Friday cause that's when the fun begins!

I am thankful for… the peace the Lord gives me, especially in the wake of all my neurotic worries!

I am wearing… gray Tommy Hilfiger pjs. I'm not name-dropping here. Well, I kind of am. I bought these jammies cause they were supersoft and figured they were worth the price tag. However, after only a few washings, they have pilled and become kind of scratchy. Not worth the price tag. Next time I stick to Target.

I am going… Christmas shopping this weekend. Black Friday and I won't be meeting up this year.

I am reading… The Chosen by Chaim Potok. I started it yesterday morning and was up to page 121 last night. I had heard that it was hard to get past the first chapter because of the baseball game. But as a baseball fan, I loved it! It grabbed me and I LOVED the how analogous the game was. I find that I am reading so many things I never would have considered before. P.S.- I have a baby that is fiendishly hungry at night- hence all the reading I do lately.

I am hoping… for great pictures of Baby Kate at her photo shoot on Wednesday!

I am creating...about 4 pages of my "Nanowrite" (see side bar). Oh well...

On my mind… weekend getaway with my hubs!

From the learning rooms… Abraham Lincoln, starting Miquon Red and finishing up Letters and Numbers For Me this week! Always exciting when we finish a book and start a new one!

Remembering that… great things he hath done!

Pondering these words…. "I wish it was Christmas Eve" said Caleb

From the kitchen…Oh right, I need to cook this week. I forgot that was part of my job description.

Around the house… Remnants of the popcorn balls Josh let the kiddos have after breakfast this AM.

One of my favorite things…when Josh calls and says "Want me to pick up something for dinner?"

(I really do love to cook, it's just a busy season)

From my photo journal…

They could be twins!

I think Isabelle took this picture.

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Landscapes

Art class is getting better. Less stressful, more fun. Today we created landscapes, pictures of the outdoors. We made a list of the things we see outside our window and around our town etc. that could be included. Just as there is a pre-writing process, there seems to be a pre-drawing process- talking about what we want to draw and the details we want to include, the colors we might use and more.

We used oil crayons, a favorite with the kids. I love how they add such vivid color. Caleb's landscape is of a pear tree with pears falling off. It is a sunny day with clouds. I love how he added a little bit of blue to the grass and made the tree so wide. He insists on signing his name on each of his creations because he doesn't want Daddy to think it's Isabelle's art work.

Isabelle created a pumpkin patch in China as her landscape. I love how she swirled the colors to create the ground and the pale pink fluffy cloud. Her use of color is fun and vibrant, just like her!

One of my favorite art "finds" is the Mini Masters collection of board books. There is a book for each of many famous artists showcasing their work with sweet rhymes to go along with them. Isabelle has been enamored with them since we bought them and they are a great introduction to art to help familiarize both them and me with great paintings. Today we used them to look up other landscapes to get more ideas than our curriculum provided. I recently found the Rousseau Mini Masters book at Goodwill for 99 cents. What a find!

Daybook for November 2nd- Flip the Calendar

For today…. November 2nd, 2009

Outside my window… The sun is rising on what will be a beautiful day full of rustling leaves and fresh air.

I am thinking… of how it is so worth it to get up early, before the kiddos, to get my bearings for the day

I am thankful for… my 10 week old baby who has slept through the last 3 nights! 9 hours, seriously! However.... I have had very restless sleep. My body is used to waking up to her in the night.

I am wearing… navy capris, purple tank top, and my bathrobe- and bare feet, truly unusual for me

I am going… to upload photos so I can include one in this post!

I am reading… a book given to me yesterday - Same Kind of Different as Me. I am only in the third chapter, but I've heard it's a tearjerker. I find it strange and interesting that so many books on slavery keep finding their way to me.

On my mind… Life really is different now, with three kiddos. Not different-bad, just different.

From the learning rooms… After last week's frustration and much prayer, I feel a little better facing this week. We are in the "leadership" unit of Volume 2 and are supposed to choose a leader in each subject to study- a scientist, politician, artist, author. We haven't finished Ben Franklin yet (and I think he covers at least 3 of those areas anyway!). We're also continuing with the Simple Machines experiments.

Remembering that… the baby must have a doctor's appointment sometime soon, but I don't know when. So that's not really remembering...

Pondering these words…. "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest" Hebrews 4:11- it seems like an oxymoron- to labour to find rest, but I get it... now I just need to labour unto it!

From the kitchen… We ate the pot roast! Josh's parents came to visit on Saturday so I made it for lunch. This week's menu? I have no idea.

Around the house… mopped floors! Wow. Say it with me. Wow.

One of my favorite things… Mopped floors! Say it again. Wow!

From my photo journal… Kathryn and Daddy- I just can't resist either one of them!

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Lessons Learned

I must confess that school this week has been less than satisfying. It's not because of bad behavior, poor planning, or boring material, it's because of me- the mom, the teacher. I'm always seeking to grow in those two huge roles God has given me, which leads me to read books on parenting and education styles. This week I undertook reading For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer MacCauley. Published in 1984, she helped to bring the Charlotte Mason approach to education back into popularity. I had earlier attempted to read A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola, but found it too verbose and time consuming. MacCauley's book is a bit more concise regarding the tenets of Mason's education philosophy, but it presented its own problems for me, the reader, the mom who's trying to successfully educate her children at home.



While there are many philosophies on education, and something can be gleaned (and discarded) from all, and while I did find much food for thought in MacCauley's book, I found myself questioning, and even doubting, my ability to raise godly, well-educated children. Let them have much outdoor playtime. It seems that our days have been so full and busy lately, that sometimes we haven't finished our academics until nearly four or five o'clock. With a newborn in the house and an unpredictable schedule, we have to go with the flow. I do allow my children to play in the backyard alone, but with an ever-watchful eye that peeks out the back door and windows to make sure they are safe and where they should be, doing what they should be. This is much more difficult to do when nursing a baby in the living room, the typical time to have a break from schooling.

Read to them often, and get rid of the twaddle. As an avid reader myself, I completely agree that reading to my children is one of the best ways to educate and engage them. But getting rid of the twaddle? My children are huge fans of Little Critter, Franklin the Turtle, Everybody Poops, and the David books by David Shannon. They have many books they love with more substance to them, but I am the guilty mother of twaddle-loving children. And-gasp-I'm just plain happy that they love books, I don't care what they are.

Don't preach the Bible to them, just let them question and wonder without you telling them what to think. The Bible is central to our curriculum. It's the way we start our day and what our studies are derived from. I believe it is complete for my children's education. But this week, I began doubting how I should teach them the Bible. Should I teach them at all? Or do as suggested by MacCauley and simply read the passage, allowing them to respond in their own way. This week, responding in their own way involved plugging of the ears, sighs of boredom, wandering attention spans, and "are we done yets?". So I begin to despair that my children aren't sensitive to the Word of God and that they will be complete heathens their whole lives.

Throw out coloring books and workbooks. What about my four-year-old who loves them?

Expose them to all manner of people, regardless of race, religion, social standing etc. I can't even get my kids out the door to the backyard to play, let alone into society. Do Dora and Little Bill count as exposure to diversity???



This all said, I realize that Susan MacCauley's goal was not to make mothers feel guilty, but to encourage and inspire. So why did the book leave me so discouraged and frustrated? Perhaps because I took some of her words as "law". She wrote with such authority that I felt like if I didn't obey her commands, I was failing my children and destined to have fruitless learners. I tried to implement ideas that just don't work for our family as idealistically as she says they will. The season we are in, the learning styles of my children, their temperaments, my own temperament and dozens of other details make our family unique and it's impossible for one "style" of education to fit us to a "T". Trying to do so just creates a burden that I- and my children- don't need. There are many lofty goals in life, some that we will reach, others that we will not. Isabelle may grow up as an avid reader of romance novels (no Danielle Steele, please God!)- will I be content that she simply enjoys reading? Caleb may not want to learn to play an instrument, but if he appreciates that ability in others, isn't that good enough? Can my children just be children and can I just be mom- or am I going to insist we become the intellectual version of the Incredibles? Even they had only one super power apiece.

The Lord continues to teach me about the uniqueness of our family and that every other family I know is in the same position- figuring out what works for them and trying not to feel guilty about what doesn't work for them. It is a good lesson to go through. It puts my pride in its place. Homeschooling doesn't work for everyone. Neither do particular curriculum, discipline methods, hobbies and activities, or other ways we choose to spend our time. Even the version of the Bible we read doesn't work for others.

The Lord also taught me another valuable lesson this week- don't read books on educational philosophy in the midst of a school year! Just keep on bringing our days before Him and listening for HIS thoughts toward us. Hearing His voice- now that's a superpower!

Daybook for October 26th- It's Cold Outside!

For today…. October 26th, 2009

Outside my window… a blustery fall day has made its start. It reminds me of the kind of weather Piglets get blown around in.

I am thinking… of sad situations. Feeling helpless to help, but knowing I am not. Why do I undermine prayer so much?

I am thankful for… the incredible husband God has given me and amazed he has put up with me all these years :)

I am wearing… cords, a tank top, and pink button up shirt. And my Croc sandals. It's forever summer when you're wearing sandals.

I am going… to have fun with my kids this week!

I am reading… For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer MacCauley, a Goodwill find from last week. She is what I would call the "refounder" of the Charlotte Mason education and writes about Mason's ideals. As with most books on parenting and education, I glean, I guilt, I go on. I am only on Chapter 4, but I have been given some food for thought. Namely, our school days have crowded out reading aloud and outdoor playtime, two very valuable activities.

I am hoping… that it might be today.

On my mind… My hubs as he is flying. I hate flying. I hate him flying. How am I ever going to make it to Hawaii?

From the learning rooms… Our second week of studying inventors, inventions, and simple machines. I am reading aloud a chapter book on Ben Franklin and Caleb seems very interested. As colorful as Franklin's history is (which is not the focus of the read-aloud!), he was a truly amazing man. I never knew all the things he had a hand in creating! As we read about him, I hope my children will have the love of learning and curiosity that he had.

Remembering that… I once was passionate about revival. I'd love to have that spark lit again.

Pondering these words…. "Are we doing school today?" Asked by Caleb a few minutes ago. It's 9:45 and we haven't begun. Very strange for the Mathews. He must be thinking so too.

From the kitchen… The pot roast that has been on my menu for weeks. I keep forgetting to defrost it. So it will probably be listed in next week's daybook as well!

Around the house… I've been weeding out toys, clothes, books etc on the never ending journey toward simplicity!

One of my favorite things… Kathryn's cooing and chatter

From my photo journal…

Isabelle holding Nanny's new kitten yesterday. If I could give my kids anything for Christmas, it would be a kitten a piece.

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Homestyle Learning

To give your children a truly remarkable home education, you needn't be a remarkable teacher! In fact, just being me and just being mom seems to be enough most of the time. Add some leftover Pergo flooring, quarter bricks, silverware, old boxes, and dock line and- voila!- you have science!



Our current unit involves learning about simple machines. With the help of a great unit study book I bought and David Macauley's "The New Way Things Work", we are learning together how inclined planes, wedges, pulleys, screws and the like make work easier.



Our first experiments involved the inclined plane. We learned that the effort required is reduced as distance is increased. Unused Pergo flooring acted as our inclines and quarter bricks and silverware were the force behind the lifting of the object (an old shoebox with a quarter brick in it). Very technical, I know!

I learn so much with my kids!

On Friday we finished art class #5. In an earlier session, we learned how artists use photographs and why and created our own picture files. This time, we chose one of the pictures in our file and from it created a picture using watercolor pencils. This is Caleb's artwork, created from a magazine photo of a beautiful silver and pinkish red fish. I did help him a little but this is his best yet! He titled it "Under the Water".

Isabelle's art is called "Kitty Matthew". I helped her trace a picture of a cat from a magazine and she added the features and color.

I decided to share my own creation. I drew this for the kids so they could see how I used the photograph as a reference for how to draw the flowers in a vase. I am really enjoying the different prompts Artistic Pursuits provides and taking the pressure off myself, determining to just have fun with art.

I am pleased to say I finally decided on a new vacuum (oh, the domestic dilemmas!) and so far, I love it! The kids love the box it came in, creating a train out of it. They asked if Kathryn could go for a ride in it... I will think about that one!

And here she is, my little Katy-Kat. Yes, I called her Katy. She is 8 weeks old, chunking out, and getting fuzzier, thicker hair! She still looks just like her brother and Daddy, but way prettier!

Daybook for October 19th- An End of the Day Edition

For today…. October 19th, 2009

Outside my window… Dark, dark night. No moon shining through my bathroom window.

I am thinking… of how much I love being home, especially after a day "on the road". As fun as it was, I am a homebody through and through.

I am thankful for… My husband, who didn't mind ordering dinner out tonight because I was too tired (and got home too late) to cook

I am wearing… jammies, as usual. Daybooking is to be leisurely and relaxing, which calls for jammies of course.

I am going… to catch my breath and continue toasting by the fire. I'll hold my breath too, praying that Miss Kate will sleep just a wee bit longer.

I am reading… The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. I am nearly done, but must confess I peaked ahead at the ending. I somehow knew the ending would be tragic... perhaps because the whole book is.

I am hoping… to regroup and refresh for tomorrow. I really do get all out of sorts when I'm gone for a day.

On my mind… Christmas. Yes, I said it. Nearly two months away and brainstorming gift ideas.

From the learning rooms…A new unit on Simple Machines- levers, pulleys, axles, screws etc. I am enlisting Josh's help. I think he will make it much more fun (and I really don't know where to find any of the necessary supplies for the experiments).

Remembering that… as simple and trite as the words may seem, God really is in control.

From the kitchen… Chicken Noodle Soup (what would have been tonight's dinner), Homemade pizza, pot roast... many recipes involving potatoes as I bought 50 pounds of Russets...

Around the house…last weeks laundry, folded, yet still not put away. A perfect dusty handprint on top of the TV.

One of my favorite things… the "Red Ball Store". You know. Target.

From my photo journal…

My girls

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