Our story

Sometimes homeschool "successes" are hard to identify, especially if you aren't using a box curriculum or tests, etcetera. So, I really want to be faithful to record afternoons like yesterday, to encourage myself (and any of you in the journey) as I look back.

Our read aloud right now is Understood Betsy. Oh my goodness, we are loving it! It's one of those stories that just sinks into you- the best kind. Even Jubilee, who listens as I rock her to sleep for her nap, follows along and recalls things from the story. Also, yesterday we stopped on our way home from the zoo for a spontaneous viewing of Cinderella (so good!), and when we started reading Understood Betsy later that afternoon and read about a little boy whose mother had died and stepfather didn't care for him well at all, Jubilee said, " That's just like Cinderella, except her daddy died!" Wow, yep! 

Anyway, in that chapter Betsy and her friends decide to sew the little boy some clothes (with the help of her Aunt). At first the friends are so excited about how thankful the poor little boy would be to them, how he would remember them forever and ever because of their kindness. A gentle question from Betsy's Aunt about whether the girls were giving in order to receive praise or to care for the boy, prompted them to give the clothing in secret. 

So, after we read I rested with jubilee while the twins went to have rest time. When I got up, I saw a sweet Saint Patrick's day card had been made and slipped under the door. I picked it up and saw that it said, "To: Mama From:     "

What a cute and thoughtful extension of the book (and we have been studying saint Patrick this week). Then Amelia rushed in to show me a little outfit she had hand sewn for her doll. Oh my goodness, my heart just soared! 

This. This literature based, gentle learning  life is what I hope for. So many days I feel like we stumble along, and then a yesterday afternoon comes along to remind me to trust in this rhythm of learning we have chosen. Given time and space, kids will take what is given to them and they will create extensions in their life- we don't have to hand it to them or force it. Ahhhh, it made me take a deep breath of thankfulness and relief. 

That's all for today:) 

Jen