Memories of 2009

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Book Recommendations and Home School Update


Above are just a few books we are enjoying right now.

Henry David's House is a book that touches on the value
of living life simply and slowly using adaptations
of Thoreau's own words.

The Gift of the Tree is about a dead oak tree
and the many gifts it gave to others.

Butterfly Eyes is a book of poetry riddles
of the meadow. My son enjoyed trying to solve the riddles.
This book guided us towards nature study too.
We will be looking to purchase
this book for our home library.

As for our home school reads, we are currently
studying the colonies for American history.
We have almost completed the Landing of the Pilgrims.
This is a historical/historical fiction book about the
Plymouth pilgrims. We have enjoyed this book so
much that we purchased the whole 10 volume set
of Landmarks of American History- the 1950 edition.
Next, we plan on reading
Stories of the Pilgrims by Margaret B. Pumphrey
and Little Pilgrims Promise by Helen L Taylor
from John Bunyan's Classic- The Pilgrim's Progress.
After these, we will look for some books
about the Indians. Their experiences with the
strangers who landed on their shores.

As for reading/phonics....
We finally made it through
Teach Your Child to Read in 1oo Easy Lessons.
We are now on readers.
The American Schoolhouse Reader is what we are using.
My son seems to be enjoying them.
They are gentle and build on one another.

Our studies of World History has us reading
about Ancient Egypt.
Lots of fun and very interesting.

Moving right along in our Apologia-
Exploring Creation with Astronomy.
We are on the Earth.
Tonight my hubby got out the flashlight
and the globe and they talk about
the Sun and the tilt of Earth.

Started a whole new math curriculum.
We are now using Math-U-See.
Did not know where to start my son,
so just to be safe we started with the primer.
Most of the concepts my son knows,
but the process is different.
We are doing about 3 lessons a day.
I am sure we will not keep that pace
for to long.
So far, so good. We watch the video,
we then review on either a whiteboard or chalk board
til I am sure he understands.
Next he does the problems in the workbook.
I am not a big workbook fan,
but this seems to work for my son.
He actually is enjoying math.

Well, that is all for now. Lots I did not cover,
but this post is already long enough.
Thank you for patience.
Til next time.
Many blessings

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Our Daily Rhythm

Our family rhythm is slowly
emerging.

I put away our "school" schedule
and started working on our "family" rhythm a few months ago.
The twins are 3 yrs old now.
What works for the whole family?
How to incorporate all?
No separation.
We are a family.

This is want has emerged.
It is actually gentle in its flow.
We know things will change as our family changes
from the inside out.

Monday- painting/drawing
Tuesday- clay/play dough
Wednesday- baking
Thursday- sensory tubs
Friday- crafting/handwork


Breakfast
am chores for all
Bible, singing, dancing.
Story telling and read alouds
Outside time, unstructured play
snack prep with all helping
snack
M/T/W/TH/F activity
unstructured play
lunch
twins nap
Phonics, reading, history, math, etc. for the oldest
twins up
snack prep with all helping
unstructured play
afternoon chores for all
dinner
reading and story telling
bedtime

I have found that my children thrive with routine.
There is a calmness to it,
There are no set times, no clock watching.
It is just the knowing of what comes next that is calming.
The children know that after breakfast,
their am chores need to be done.
After outside time,
there will be a snack we will all prepare, etc.

We are still finding our way,
but we are enjoying doing it together.
Many blessings.


Candlemas Day


Happy Candlemas Day.


The Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
Prophecy of Simeon-
"...a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel."

I really never heard of Candlemas Day til recently.
Luke 2:21-39 are the verses this day is based on.

Some say this day is a pagan holiday.
Can't this be said of many holidays?
How do we decide?

After much praying, we decided this day
can be celebrated in our home.
Why not celebrate the presentation of
Jesus in the Temple?
Simeon's prophecy came true-

Jesus is the light of the world.

We are lighting beeswax candles during our
Bible study today.
Also, tonight at dinner the candles will be lit.
We will talk about how Jesus is our guiding light
and how these candles reminds us
of this.

Happy Candlemas Day

Monday, January 25, 2010

A Sunday Stroll on the Shore


Down a path to the shore.


Climbed on driftwood.


Observed and inspected washed up specimens.


Played in little found pouches of water.


Painted with a leaf.

Drawings done with a stick.


Finished with more climbing.

It was a lovely day for a stroll.
Many blessings.

Seasonal Tree Study- Winter

Here is an updated picture of our tree
we are observing this year.

With the recent cold snap we had this month,
all the leaves turned and fell.
What is left is a bare tree.


It is going to be fun watching little buds appear.
I think this will really catch my son's
attention.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Fresh Air

I love this image of a child surrounded by books.
The way the light enters is lovely.

Our term 3 is starting out slowly,
but right on target.
Lively slowly.

Our home school direction seems to be changing.
Not really sure were the path is leading.
Ambleside online doesn't seem to "fit" us anymore.
I found us tweaking a lot.
I guess I have known this for awhile.
When I first found AO, I thought this was an answer
to a prayer.
We tried, all books purchased, weekly outlines made.
We struggled.
We have tweaked so much that really all AO is to us
is a list of good books to choose from.

Though I am sad that AO is not working for us.
I am thankful that as a home schooling family,
we are able to seek and find what
does work for us.
I look at this as exciting.

Our rhythm, our balance seems to be finding us.
Our days are full.
Living slowly, learning at a natural pace,
seems to fit us fine.

We do not seem to "fit" fully into any certain
education philosophy.

So, I guess for now, we will define us as
nothing more than a
nature and book loving
Christian home school family.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Disney Marathon Countdown to Number Four


Six days till Disney marathon.
Highs around 59 degrees and sunny.
Perfect running conditions.
A little chilly at the start...30's,
layering a must.
That reminds me....
pack trash bags. LOL!
Fun, fun, fun.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Resolutions


Hope all had a very blessed Christmas.
We enjoyed ours
and will continue enjoying til the new year rings in.

The year 2010 is upon us.
Someone asked what my new year resolutions are.
Not really sure I can put them into words,
but I will try.

I really want to slow down.
This was one of my resolutions in 2009 too.
We did slow down,
but I want our family to slow down even more in 2010.
I want us to live slowly,
enjoy life more fully, more simply.
Taking more deep breaths.
Be more frugal,
less cluttered.

Get dirty, muddy.
Make mud pies, plant some seeds.
Be outside.
Enjoy our Lord's creations more.
Be bored.
Read lots of books.
Eat more whole foods.
Play.
Go camping.
More family Bible study.

I want our little family to be ourselves.
The Barefoot Cowboys.
Many blessings.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve


Stockings are hung by the fire.


Santa cookies are made.
Carrots for the reindeer.
Santa and his reindeer have a long night.


Knowing that Jesus is really the reason
for the season.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Food and Traditions


What are your Christmas traditions for food?

This year we are hoping to start a new one for our family.
We are having a brunch on Christmas Eve
with my Mom
this year because my youngest sister works 3-11
on Christmas Eve.
My hubby and I are excited.
Not that we are excited my sister has to work, but
this leaves Christmas Eve for the children and us, alone.
We plan on cooking hot dogs and box mac and cheese.
We will watch a Christmas movie and eat sugar cookies.
The children will put out the milk and cookies
for Santa and the carrots for the reindeer.
Before bed we will read the Christmas story
from the Bible with our Advent candles lit.
We will say a prayer.
Then off to bed early for the children.
Hubby and I will enjoy some together time
under our tree.
I think I might like this new tradition.

Christmas day, I always cook a rib roast
with roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Also, some roasted asparagus with parmesan cheese.
There will be a rhubarb pie for dessert.
Simple, no casseroles to mix, just the oven
and we have two.
This allows mommy time to play with the
family.

Now, we do make lots of goodies to share during the
Christmas holidays- decorated sugar cookies, reindeer bark,
peppermint patties, coconut rum balls, coconut macaroons,
chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate dipped crackers with peanut butter,
etc, etc, etc.
But, these are made around the 20th and nibbled
on throughout the week.
At the brunch at my Mom's, each family will bring home
a big tin of goodies, yum.

I enjoy having traditions.
Traditions make beautiful childhood memories.
Here's to tradition.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Angel

Made some of these angels several years ago.
Still love them.
Memories of stopping on the side of the road,
clipping cotton from a field that was already harvested.
There were a few untouched plants.
Then later getting stopped for speeding.
Was that ticket for speeding?
I often wonder.

Preparation


We are home from all our Christmas traveling.
Being away from home is rough
on the twins.
Nice to see family, but nice to be home.
We celebrate with my Dad this evening
and a brunch with my Mom
on Christmas Eve.
These are local, nice.
Traveling any distance with little ones
is a challenge.
My little ones like routine.
I do too.
Next couple of days leading up to Christmas,
are going to be spent
focusing on our little family.
Of course, also, on Jesus.
Many blessings.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Little Shepherd Man

Had fun creating this little shepherd.


"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night."
Luke 2:8

Christmas Tour of Homes

This is my first Christmas Tour of Homes.
Let us start with our front door.
Welcome.

Coming in from the front door,
you come across the first of our Christmas trees.
Keeping the candy canes on has been
much of a challenge.

Also, in the foyer is this Nativity scene
that has been in my husband's family
a long time.
I think it is beautiful.


Here is our mantel in our family room
with another one of our trees.
I know all the tunes to the Hallmark santas.
The twins love them.
Last year we were unable to decorate the trees,
the twins had too much fun stripping them.
We just put lights on them,LOL!
This year also has been a challenge,
but funny too.


This is our tree by our kitchen table.
This is my favorite tree.
It has all of our handmade ornaments
and ornaments handed down from
our families.
Our kitchen table is simply decorated
with a table runner and our advent candles.
This is our work horse table.
And with toddlers I mean work horse table.


Well, just a little glance into our Christmas home.
This picture is from one of our porch doors.
I hope all have a Merry Christmas.
Thank you for stopping by.
Many blessings.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

For The Grandmas

My oldest wanted to show his Grandmas
the frog he caught.



Yes, I check pockets before I wash clothes.
With 3 boys,
amazing what you find.
Many blessings.

Making Memories

Yesterday, the children and I made a few
Christmas decorations.
Like the lights I strung up in the playroom?

This star will adorn our tree for many, many years.

Snowman was fun.


Saw this Playmobil Nativity set a few months ago.
We have lots of Nativity scenes,
most are not meant to be played with.
This one is.
The children love it.
Really nice for the toddlers.

Now for a sip of egg nog.
Many blessings.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Enjoying Christmas



All Christmas shopping done, wrapping has begun.
Christmas cards to be mailed tomorrow.
Our Jesse Tree is coming along nicely
and our homemade Nativity looks heavenly so far.
Today, applesauce and cinnamon ornaments,
and others to be made with the children.
Hope all is enjoying this joyous season so far.
Many blessings.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Turning Three

December 6th
Our youngest boys turned three.

Where has the time gone?

Two boys sooo different.

Best of pals.



Loving your cake.

Our Advent Studies

My son and I made little sheep
for our Nativity scene.

We used air dry clay that
we had on hand.

We have never formed animals before,
so this was a challenge.


But overall, we thought ours turned out nice.
Next is the Shepherd.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009


We started our Advent studies yesterday.
As we read the Christmas story,
we decided that this year we will make
our own nativity scene.
One piece each day.
We started with the stable.
We gathered our supplies that we
found on our walk earlier.


Twigs for the opening.
Loving glue dots.


Oak bark completed the stable.
Again glue dots and tacky glue.


Here is the view from the back.


It is simple and beautiful.
We placed it under our Jesse Tree.

Finding ways to keep the focus on Christ.
Many blessings.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Little Path

Yesterday, the weather was beautiful.
We decided to take a stroll down a little path.

Of course, the oldest took the lead.
He made way for the rest.
He pointed to poisonous berries and
what he thought were snake holes, oh my.

The twins picked out sticks.
They picked leaves and found rocks.

Big brother was our nature guide.


He found decaying wood and showed us how easily
it crumbles.
We listened and heard a woodpecker
and saw him above us in a tree.
We watched as he pecked.
We heard our footsteps on the leaves
and the twigs.

It was a wonderful morning.

A Present Under the Christmas Tree

Yesterday morning this is what I found
under our Christmas tree.


Who could ask for a sweeter gift?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

30 Days Of Thanks-Days Twentysix through Thirty


All of the family guests have gone.
Getting our house and our family rhythm
back is priority today.
Hope all had a joyous and peaceful
Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for:
26) beautiful sunny weather
27) a stapler
28) acorns with grubs
29) sidewalk chalk
30) being a mother and wife

Many Blessings.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

30 Days Of Thanks- Days Nineteen through Twenty-five


A little behind in my 30 Days of Thanks.
But, sometimes life intercedes.
All is good. Enjoying the beautiful weather,
most spent outside.
Lots of reading on the sofa.
Hope all is welcoming Thanksgiving
as much as our family is.

I am thankful for:
19) our home and the comfort it provides
20)Trail hiking with 3 cowboys
and looking for the perfect stick
21) music and my 3 dancing partners, no 4
22)trips to the park
23) my hubby's dimples and blue eyes
24)stair conversations with my hubby
25)Saturday morning breakfast.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

30 Days Of Thanks- Days Sixteen through Eighteen


I am thankful for:

16) paper, crayons, colored pencils, and paints
17) my children's artwork and homemade books.
18) reading books to my children

Sunday, November 15, 2009

30 Days Of Thanks- Days Fourteen and Fifteen

I am thankful for:

14) morning workouts
15) morning coffee.

My survival combo-
morning workout followed by morning coffee.
I know, I know, coffee and morning workouts
don't go together,
but for me it is a definitely
a win, win.

30 Days Of Thanks

What am I thankful for this year?
The small and furry things,
The hope that keeps me going,
The peace believing brings,
I have so much to thank God for,
I don't know where to start,
I only know He walks with me,
And lives within my heart.

Grace E. Easley

Friday, November 13, 2009

30 Days Of Thanks- Days Twelve and Thirteen

I am thankful for:

12) plastic army men
13) Legos

Plastic army men.
We have them all.
American, Japanese, Germany, British,
Revolutionary, Civil, WWI, WWII
you name it, we have it.
We love them.



Legos- need I say more?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Our Wild Turkey

My oldest and I decided we wanted to make
a turkey from things we gathered
in nature.
Above are our supplies plus poster board and glue.

Palmetto leaves were first glue down.

Then maple leaves. They are still green
were we live.

Magnolia leaves .

Acorns became the body.
In another post will tell about our
study of acorns that came about because of these
lovely gems. LOL!

Completed body.
Coming along nicely I think.

Bark was used for the face and neck
and twigs for the legs.

Google eyes and red construction paper
for finishing touches.
We really enjoyed doing this.
We plan on making another one
the day before Thanksgiving so it will be fresh.

This turned into a nature study and a science lesson.
I can think of no better way to spend the morning.
Many blessings.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

30 Days Of Thanks- Days Ten and Eleven


I am thankful for:

10) my freedom
11) our service men and women


Lest we never forget
what our service men and women
have fought for and are still fighting for
OUR FREEDOM.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY