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

Sometimes.

KSometimes I get a little angst-y over, well, everything. The house that is never all clean at the same time, the school goals that are oh, so hard to accomplish with diapers to change and potty trainers to train, little ones needing naps, big ones wanting snacks. And, speaking of school, Waldorf or Charlotte Mason? Or a combo? Or just do our own thing? Move to Texas, stay in Utah?! Did I mention the dirty house? Did I mention how not only the house, but my whole being feels like a bit of a mess most of the time. Angst! Worry!  

Then, truth comes in and calms me down. From a calming word from my Joel. From a hymn heard while rocking. I raise my hand right there in the rocking chair and say, "seriously, amen". From a Bible study that speaks to our need to dwell in the Lord's presence in order to see our need for Him. Truth. From a conversation with a dear friend, over the roar of toddlers and babies, the encouragement comes. From looking out the window to see the big kids bent over rocks, studying. I open the window and ask what they are doing, giggling with delight inside over the whole precious scene. Sam yells up, " We are cracking open rocks to see if they are crystals. They are, just not rare ones! That's what Amelia's book says." They had brought her book out there with them! Oh goodness. My heart calms down a notch. You see, we may be a tad behind in math (oops!), and babies and toddlers may "interrupt" us often, but these children love to learn. That's what we are going for, right? Deep breath, Jenny. And yes, I'm a mess in so many ways. There is very little margin in my days- they are full to the brim with children, home, husband. So, I neglect other things. Like, personal time and space and thought. Not saying that's good. I'm just saying, I wouldn't trade it. And I need to remember that. Work on the mess, yes, but don't let worry and angst overwhelm me into missing out on the joy. The joy of this life that has been given to me so graciously by God, who knows and loves me fully. Messy heart and home and all. That's all friends. Hope you are able to feel some calm in your heart as well, Jen

In our homeschool, lately.

New beginnings.

Mondays. New Years. Spring. Throwing off the old, putting on the new (in Christ). I love them all. I guess mornings would fit in there too, but try as I may, I do not love mornings.

Anyway, I'm sitting outside right now watching the kids on their bikes, listening to the birds, reading a magazine. Ahhhh, Spring. We celebrated today by putting away our winter books and pulling out the spring. Amelia, most of all, loves these days of switching over the seasonal book basket. She spreads them all out, sits in the middle of them and digs in:) Some favorites off the top of my head are:

Little Cottontail

Make way for Ducklings

Butterfly Children

Brambly Hedge: A spring story

Spring by Gerda Muller

The Bee Tree....

And many more!:) 

Happy almost spring to you! Jen

One of the sweet ones...

Sometimes a mama just needs a sweet day where things mostly go right. I'm thankful for the one we had today!

Though I don't really ever question homeschooling the kids (it just fits for us right now. I enjoy spending my days with them and they tear up when I tell them they won't be able to homeschool in college;), sometimes I question the *best* ways to spend our days. How to best nurture their learning journey while nurturing a toddler and babe too- whew, it can be tricky! Then days like today come along and I feel like I took a deep breath of fresh air.

Last night I miraculously came up with some Waldorfy valentines ideas to make with the twins today. (Have I mentioned they just started going to a Waldorf program on Fridays. Um, so excited.) They were SO excited to roll some beeswax candles, so excited that we started at 7:33am- hehe. Oh Sammy, he's such a project guy. He worked so hard and long on his candles, the tags, etc. Pretty sweet. Amelia loved the chance to paint, to cut, to create a huge snake out of beeswax...ever doing her own project, that one! Before we knew it it was time to scramble up some eggs for lunch and start the process of getting ready for Wild Wednesday. Gosh, I probably haven't even mentioned Wild Wednesday here? It's a program at the Ogden Nature center that we try to go to most Wednesdays with the Cox's. It's pretty great and the kids love it! Today's program was called " Wild Love" and was all about how animals attract their mates. It was interesting,  gross, and amazing!;) Back home and dinner waiting in the crockpot. Ahhhh. Now I'm watching American Idol with Jubilee (does that cancel out the beeswax and watercolor?! hehe) after getting baby down to sleep and letting the kiddos play ( "we haven't played together all day!") a bit late. 

I think some reasons this day went well:

* I got six hours of sleep in a row last night.

* I drank a chai tea this morning (2 1/2 weeks with no diet coke- hurray!).

* I had a plan for our morning that I was excited about, and they were too.

* The plan was beeswax and water colors- how can that go wrong?hehe

* We spent time with friends. 

* We learned fascinating things about animals. 

* Dinner was made. Everyone liked it. Enough said!

Thanks be to God for smooth days, for breaths of fresh air, and for encouragement. I know it's all from Him. 

Hopefully more soon, Jen

"What about socialization?"

                What about it?!;)