…. Or at least the laundry. But these moments are the moments that all together make a good life. And a good life it is.
Maybe she can teach me how to text.
I have a bunch of pictures to post, including two family sessions, but my computer is hating me and all my photos right now. My hubby has to work some magic on the memory situation (if only he could do that with my actual memory…).
Green Friday~Take Three
Three years ago, my sister and I began our Green Friday tradition: a nature hike on the day after Thanksgiving (instead of shopping). Last year, the weather was nasty and I had a bitty baby.
This year: the weather was GORGEOUS.
I have a multitude of pictures to post, but this is all I’m getting to right at the moment.
We had a very quiet sort of Thanksgiving. Well, as quiet as it gets with three little boys. We missed my grandparents, who were unable to travel up from California (love you Grandma and Grandpa!!); we missed my sister, Holly, and her family, who were spending time with the other side of their family. My dad just had open-heart surgery two weeks ago. So, we kept things simple.
My brother-in-law, Casey, made the turkey and delivered it to us before heading to his parents’ house. My sister, Shannon, made twice-baked potatoes and roasted green beans. Mom made bread dressing and candied yams. I brought hot rolls and our traditional jello salad. We set the table with my grandmother’s dishes.
I didn’t snap very many pictures.
It was dark and rainy. Not the best weather for our traditional walk after dinner. It’s a good thing Aunt Shan and Uncle Ben were such great sports and played games with the boys. Mastermind is the current favorite. When there is only one game board and only two people can play, a Mastermind iphone app comes in handy…
I am blessed. Yes, I certainly am.
Because Thanksgiving is More than a Holiday by Ann Voskamp @ {In} Courage
Then the stress roils and I’m heavily under the influence of speed, then is the time for the stress intervention, and I’d breathe deep and I’d say it out loud:
“Thank You for crazy towhead kids. Thank You for ridiculous legos. Thank You for socks even if they mismatch. And thank You that we’re here together, breathing together right now…that there’s now.”
And I’d be doing that, breathing deeper.
Giving thanks is profoundly life giving.
Uploading photos without any editing, and without feeling obligated to share a bunch of commentary, was liberating (and fast!) yesterday. I think I'll try it again today.
Only the beginning, people. Only the beginning.
Luke’s breakfast creation:
Snack time in the studio:
(This is a boy who hates to write. But he loves All About Spelling, his writing has improved by leaps and bounds this past year, and he is so proud of himself!!)
Life unedited and without commentary. Grin.
ETA: I’ve started attempting to diagram our weekly CC history sentences. It gives me a chance to stretch myself in the grammar department. Not only that, but I’ve found that, because I am a visual learner, I memorize the sentences much more quickly when I have a concrete, organized picture of them. This week’s sentence is rather awkward (like most of my own). Often, after I take a picture, of course, I realize I’ve misdiagrammed. (Is that a word? Maybe it’s mis-diagrammed. See, I’m always second-guessing myself…) Anyway, I was thinking that ‘realized’ was a subject complement, a past participle being used as an adjective with a linking verb predicate, but it is part of a verb phrase. Yes? No? It is really frustrating being on a 4th grade level in grammar. Sigh.
When things just got worse and worse....
And then all the world's problems were solved with a piece of buttered toast?
Lola's Bambi made her a very special patchwork quilt for her first birthday. (Levi couldn't say 'Grammy' when he was little. It sounded more like 'Bambi' so that is what stuck, and that is what we have called her ever since.) It looks so darling on her bed in her room. Perfect. It will be such a treasure for her!!
I know, I know. Her face is hiding in the pictures. She and I (and the light) were having a hard time getting our photo-shoot act together. But check out the little curls she’s got going on in back, there. She still looks bald from the front, though.
Lola is 13 months now and has just starting walking. It is as if my baby was replaced by a little girl overnight!! How can this be?
Oh, wait, her face snuck in this picture...
I didn’t realize it, but voting for the 7th Annual Homeschool Blog Awards @ The Homeschool Post is underway!! There are so many great blogs worth checking out. I’m up for Best Photos Blog along with a great number of other bloggers.
My dad is having open heart surgery this morning. I would appreciate any prayers!!
ETA: Thanks for the prayers. They are appreciated!! I was able to talk to my dad on the phone this morning (Friday) and he sounded really great!
Poet/Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Reading:
Poetry for Young People: Robert Louis Stevenson
A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
Memorizing:
The Swing
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
’Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--
‘Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
Listening:
Artist/Illustrator: N. C. Wyeth
Reading:
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by N. C. Wyeth (How is that for synthesis?!)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by N. C. Wyeth
N.C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims, text by Robert San Souci
Watching:
Composer: Edvard Grieg
Printing:
Edvard Grieg at Making Music Fun.
Listening:
Radio shows about Edvard Grieg at Classics for Kids.
And (be patient…it really gets going about 1:40):
This is my new version of keeping track and sharing where we are! I’ve posted here and there over the past two months, but this is mostly a record of our book lists. (A longer resource list and links can be found here.)
Classical Conversations:
On week 8!! of memory work in science, history, history timeline, geography, math, English grammar, and Latin. Weekly presentations (public speaking), science experiments/projects, fine arts unit studies, and social time.
Faith:
Telling God’s Story (love!)
Sing the Word: A New Commandment (CD) for Bible Memory
Hymns for a Kid’s Heart
Independent Bible Reading
Math:
Daily work in Teaching Textbooks and/or several Critical Thinking Co. Math workbooks
(Balance Math is our favorite!)
Science:
Human Body unit study through CC
Science experiments (learning the scientific method) through CC
Various books on the human body
DK Eyewitness Human Machine (DVD)
Bill Nye: Eyeball (DVD)
Bill Nye: Respiration (DVD)
Bill Nye: Digestion (DVD)
Bill Nye: Bones and Muscles (DVD)
A visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium
IMAX Under the Sea (DVD)
Kid Guides: Aquariums (DVD)
What’s Physics All About (Usborne) (For SOTW 3, Ch. 16)
Mechanical Harry by Bob Kerr (For SOTW 3, Ch. 16)
P.E.
Swim practice and meets (Levi)
Family swim night
Outside play
Fine Arts:
The Boy Who Bit Picasso by Antony Penrose
The Art Collector by Jan Wahl
Monthly Fine Arts Study (Robert Frost, Edward Hopper, Igor Stravinsky)
Drawing and tin whistle @ CC
Language Arts:
MCT Town Series (LOVE Caesar’s English. Wow.), All About Spelling, Writing With Ease, IEW, Handwriting Without Tears…
Really loving the line-up this year!!
Latin:
Prima Latina DVD lessons
Geography:
Learning all the states and capitals through CC
U.S. States puzzles
Place the States online game
History (and historical fiction/literature):
By the Dawn’s Early Light: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner by Steven Kroll
The Story of the World Vol. 3 (chapters 11-16)
Books about India and the Taj Mahal
(Through Time) London: From Roman Capital to Olympic City by Richard Platt, Illustrated by Manuela Cappon (one of my favorites!!)
At the Sign of The Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper (historical fiction-London 1665, Levi-IR)
Magic Tree House Research Guide: American Revolution
How did Tea and Taxes Spark a Revolution And Other Questions about the Boston Tea Party by Linda Gondosch
The Boston Tea Party by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Peter Fiore
Uncommon Revolutionary: A Story about Thomas Paine by Laura Waxman
(Levi gave three presentations about Thomas Paine)
(Dear America) The Second Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart: Cannons at Dawn by Kristiana Gregory (Levi-IR)
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham (Levi-IR)
Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare (Levi-IR)
The Man in the Iron Mask (DVD with Richard Chamberlain—set during the reign of King Louis XIV of France)
Colonial Life for Children: William Penn & Pennsylvania (DVD)
Books about Native Americans
The New Americans: Colonial Times, 1620-1689 by Betsy Maestro
Century Farm: One Hundred Years on a Family Farm by Cris Peterson
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Levi-IR)
The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History: Changes in Farming (Luke)
The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia: Agricultural Revolution 1650-1800 (Levi)
The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen
Literature:
Book Detectives (literature analysis book club)
Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (finished read-aloud)
(The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain (Levi read previously, noting it here for my own records)
The Last of the Mohicans (Stepping Stones Chapter Book) by James Fenimore Cooper, adapted by Les Martin (Levi and Luke)
(The Last of the Mohicans (animated DVD))
Russian Fairy Tales collected by Aleksandr Afanas’ev, translated by Norbert Guterman (Levi-IR)
The Fairy Tale Life of Hans Christian Andersen by Eva Moore (Levi and Luke-IR)
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen retold by Amy Ehrlich, pictures by Susan Jeffers
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale translated by Eva Le Gallienne, illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert
East of the Sun and West of the Moon by Mercer Mayer
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Eyewitness Classics) (abridged) Robert Louis Stevenson (Levi and Luke-IR)
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (abridged), illustrated by N. C. Wyeth
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (abridged), illustrated by N. C. Wyeth
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (unabridged) (Levi read part way through and decided not to finish)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (unabridged) (read-aloud)
Remarkable Journeys: The Story of Jules Verne by William Schoell (biography, Levi-IR)
Eyewitness Classics: 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea (The classic story, plus fascinating background facts and photographs) (abridged) by Jules Verne (Levi and Luke-IR)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea retold by Jim Weiss (audio CD)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (DVD)
Around the World in 80 Days (Classic Starts) retold from the Jules Verne original (Levi and Luke-IR)
Five Weeks in a Balloon (DVD)
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (Levi-IR, Luke read portions)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (DVD)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Netflix Streaming)
Dracula (Stepping Stones Chapter Book) by Bram Stoker, adapted by Stephanie Spinner (Levi and Luke-IR)
Eyewitness Classics: Dracula (The classic story, plus fascinating background facts and photographs) (abridged) by Bram Stoker (Levi and Luke-IR)
Kim by Rudyard Kipling (unabridged, Levi-IR)
Levi’s Free Reading:
The Lemonade Crime by Jacqueline Davies
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
The Time Pirate by Ted Bell
Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Calling on Dragons “
Talking to Dragons “
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Beauty: A retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
The Borrowers Avenged by Mary Norton
Luke’s Free Reading:
The Real Thief by William Steig
The Dragon of Lonely Island by Rebecca Rupp
The Return of the Dragon by Rebecca Rupp
The Waterstone by Rebecca Rupp (275 pages!! :))
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey
Money Matters: A Kid’s Guide to Money
DK Eyewitness Money
Roland Wright, Brand-New Page by Tony Davis
Roland Wright, At the Joust by Tony Davis
Roland Wright, Future Knight by Tony Davis
Half Magic by Edward Eager
Seven Day Magic by Edward Eager
Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol
Encyclopedia Brown: The Case of the Dead Eagles and Other Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol
Extras:
‘Night of the Notables’ with Distance Learning Group
Field trip to the Fire Station with Distance Learning Group (and several firefighting/safety-related DVDs)
Several costume and candy parties (grin)
A lovely trip to the coast
"If you want your children to be intelligent,
read them fairy tales.
If you want them to be more intelligent,
read them more fairy tales."
~Albert Einstein
(Finally adding to my Fine Arts Monthy Features resources…)
Poet: Robert Frost
Reading:
A Swinger of Birches: Poems of Robert Frost for Young People illustrated by Peter Koeppen
Poetry for Young People: Robert Frost
Listening:
(Which led to the interesting discovery of birch swinging.)
Artist: Edward Hopper
Reading and Looking:
Edward Hopper: Summer at the Seashore (Adventures in Art by Prestel)
Edward Hopper (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists)
Art Appreciation Lessons at Garden of Praise
Watching:
(An excellent, short, family-friendly, biographical video about Hopper.)
Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist.
~Edward Hopper
Composer: Igor Stravinsky
Listening to radio shows at Classics for Kids.
Reading Igor Stravinsky (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers).
Listening and Watching:
(The complete ballet is available in five parts on YouTube.)
