Wordless Wednesday - Gifts of Love

In Which I Contemplate a New Attitude

Many of you know that I was hoping to find a  new attitude at the Midwest Homeschool Conference in Cincinnati this weekend.  I've been feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and ineffective in parenting and homeschooling lately.  I think a large part of it has to do with the time of year and the need for a break.  We are getting that break next week.  Next year, I'll be sure to schedule spring break earlier or do something a bit more creative and restful in early March to hold us over.

I learned quite a bit at the Homeschool Conference.  I learned about mentoring my daughters, teaching multiple levels, classical astronomy, early medieval history, four level grammar analysis, high school transcripts and grades and parenting with power.  I laughed and I cried.  I spent money on food, paper, books and curriculum.  I remembered why I am doing this crazy, crazy thing and I found some joy in it again.

Now, I know, today is just Monday and it's a bit early in the week to say things have changed and I have a new attitude.  Only time will tell, of course.  However, I do feel like a weight has been lifted.  I'm feeling hopeful and, though it's a tender, fragile feeling, it feels lovely.   I do feel safe saying that I did find a new attitude at the conference.  I'm not really sure how much it cost though.  I'm guessing somewhere between $0 and $700, not including tax.

Weekly Recap 4/5 -4/9/10

I'm just really happy to say that this week is over.  We are going to the Midwest Homeschool Conference tomorrow in Cincinnati so here is a recap of what we've struggled through this week.  When I look at it listed here, it seems like a productive week.  There really is no way to express the constant battle this week presented.  I am praying for renewal at the conference.  I need a new attitude.  Do you think they have those for sale there?

K13:

Writing - Writing Strands 5 - #4
R&S Grammar 8 - Chapter 9 Test, begin Chapter 10
Lial BCM - Chapter 10 Geometry
History - SOTW 1 Ch 40 Rome Begins to Weaken
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

H11:
R&S Grammar 5 - Chapter 9 Test, begin Chapter 10
Writing - Writing Strands 4 - #2
Copywork - Draw and Write Through History
Life of Fred Fractions - Lessons 22-23
History - SOTW 1 Ch 40 Rome Begins to Weaken
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

S8:
Copywork - Draw and Write Through History
R&S Grammar 2 - Unit 5 Test - Unit 6 #1-6
Math on the Level - money and multiplication facts
History - SOTW1 Ch 40 Rome Begins to Weaken
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

M5:
Phonics Pathways
First Language Lessons
Math on the Level - number recognition, writing numbers
History - SOTW1 Ch 40 Rome Begins to Weaken
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

Wordless Wednesday - Kissing Cousins

In Which I Wonder How I Can Find Different Children to Homeschool

I had a lovely picture of what homeschooling would be like.  My delightful children, the loves of my life, filled with joy in our endeavors.  Looking eagerly at me in delight and wonder.  Loving each and every minute of grammar and math.    Fascinated by ancient life and biology.  Happily completing each and every assignment in a timely manner.  Thankful for the chance to learn in such a loving, nurturing, customized environment.

The problem is that my children aren't cooperating.  Where can I find different children who will do all the things I need them to do in order to have an idealic homeschool experience?  Maybe I just need to enlarge pictures of my children to life size and send the real children back to public school.  I'm sure things would go much more smoothly.  At the very least, things would be quieter and neater.

Happy Easter!

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God is good in so many ways.  This is the first Easter that we've celebrated without Rob at home.  And though we all missed him, our days were so busy and full of grace that we found ourselves rejoicing and storing up memories to share "when Daddy gets home". 

I struggled this Easter to find ways to make our remembrance and celebration as meaningful to our family as our Christmas traditions.   In history we are studying the Ancients (4000BC to 500AD).  It just happened that we are currently studying the beginning of Christianity.  Learning about our faith at school is such a blessing. 

The weather here has been amazing.  As a result, we all participated in the Jeffersonville stations of the cross on Friday evening.  My favorite part of the evening was when S8 said, "Mom, I'm tired and hungry and my feet hurt.  That's only a little bit of what Jesus felt."  It was good to know that our journey wasn't just a long walk with no purpose.

This morning we woke to read the "empty tomb" stories from each gospel and make resurrection rolls.  I believe I've finally found a tradition that allows us to talk about Jesus' resurrection in a way that celebrates the event on a personal and family level.  Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in the secular traditions and forget to focus on the reality of Resurrection Sunday. 

Planning a big meal without Rob home just didn't appeal to any of us.  Instead we drove to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and had a picnic on the beautiful grounds.  My sister, Sarah, and her family were able to join us.  Shrimp, pasta salad, grapes, strawberries, bananas and peanut butter and jelly was on the menu.  The grown ups shared a bottle of wine while the children enjoyed sparkling grape juice.  We rounded off the day with lots of tag, an egg hunt and Keith's chocolate chip cookies.  It was a blessing to be with family on such a beautiful day.

The greatest blessing of all is to be able to say, "Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!"

Weekly Recap 3/22-4/2/10

With company last week, public school spring break. me traveling to Las Vegas, dh leaving for Louisiana and week of life as usual this week, I feel like it's been forever since I did a recap. As a result of all that we've been doing, I'll just hit the highlights.

On March 23, K13 and H11 became Safe Sitter certified! I'm thrilled that they are both trained and after hearing about their day of learning I'm pretty pleased at the way I prepared them for babysitting. They are not ready to babysit for others.

This week, S8 has been working on and has almost mastered an essential life skill. He is so proud of himself!

We also introduced our foreign exchange student to one of our silly Easter traditions, Robin's Eggs.  She was thrilled to join us in our silliness.

And in the midst of all this fun, we actually got some school work done. 

K13:
Writing - persuasive argument
R&S Grammar 8 - Chapter 9
Lial BCM - Ch 9 Basic Algebra
History - The Beginning of Christianity, The End of the Ancient Jewish Nation, Rome and the Christians
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

H11: R&S Grammar 5 - Chapter 9
Writing - Writing Strands 4 - #1
Life of Fred Fractions - Lessons 16-20 Passed Bridge!
History - The Beginning of Christianity, The End of the Ancient Jewish Nation, Rome and the Christians
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

S8:
Writing - poetry
R&S Grammar 2 - Unit 5 #15-25
Math on the Level - money and multiplication facts
History - The Beginning of Christianity, The End of the Ancient Jewish Nation, Rome and the Christians
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

M5:
Phonics Pathways
First Language Lessons
Math on the Level - money
History - The Beginning of Christianity, The End of the Ancient Jewish Nation, Rome and the Christians
Biology - The Human Body - Skeletal and muscular systems

We just finished listening to this wonderful book on cd.  It was perfect for the decline of  Rome and early Christianity.  The author, Lynne Reid Banks (Indian in the Cupboard), wove a story that called into question the expectations of Roman society at every turn.  Social classes, entertainment, and religion were just a few of the societal norms that were questioned.  The story provided interest for all ages and plenty of material for discussion.  It also supplied a well-researched peek into life in ancient Rome.   All the dc loved it and were sorry when it ended.

It's been a real blessing to have our study of early Christianity fall during Lent and Holy Week.  I never imagined being able to tie our beliefs into our history so easily and feeling as if the lesson was really being lived.  Another benefit of home schooling that I never could have anticipated.