Thursday School

And so continues the learning process.



Reading for Warrior gets a new environment,
as he reads in his room and tries to take turns
playing AND reading!

Mascot toots the train from the other room,
as Student and Warrior try to focus among the noise!



Just more training for the world outside of the campus, right!?
Wherever God plans to work through these kiddos, there will surely be noise!
So we do all things for His glory and make some noise with an old favorite hymn:
Pass It On.

Teacher remembers the Autumn mornings Grandmother would invite the neighborhood kids over. Yes, before school made for an early start on the school day, but the kids would come, and we would sing to Jesus and pray for our day ahead in the public schools.

Grandmother would play piano as the kids would sing. Teacher longs to teach her own kiddos of the days and music past. Hymns that bring praise in a warm presence of togetherness and the Holy Spirit. Mmm, hmmm.

As for Warrior, he sits and shoots like he isn't listening... til Teacher hears him sing from the other room. Those brains are always at work!



And finishing his Phonics lesson with a request, Warrior identified the letters with his sense of touch and CLOSED eyes!



Student kept busy with Reading, as usual, but made time for an experiment after her seatwork.

She has been studying energy, and today was wind and water.



The Homeschool had no pinwheel on hand. Our artful skills proved not too useful this time, as the pinwheel we could MAKE would be water and Student quickly hypothesized that it would get soaked! We had better get some foam on hand for just such emergencies!



Realizing that the blades of the propeller needed to be angled, Student's last effort to use wind to push the propellers brought her fun mess to an end!



Lord, above, we thank you for this daily experience raising these children in the knowledge and admonition of You. Feeling exhausted, exhilarated, pain and joy many times even all in one day, we lift our efforts and ask that You would give the courage and perseverance to continue in this good work You have begun in us. In the Holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday Wonders

STRRRRRRETCH your body.

And stretch the mind, restored health is good and the body now must activate.



Brain, engage.

Tongue prepare for Phonics.



Eyes prepare to read.





Fingers prepare to trace and write.



Yes, first full day back to school and the Cursive intensive begins.

After talking to Language Therapist Miss Janet, Teacher and Principal thought it best to hault Warrior's script Writing skills and move over to Cursive. The fluent letter motions are friendlier on the young brain and fine motor skills. What fun for Student to tag along and review! Hooray for the next 25 days in a row... are the best laid plans, anyhow.

Thank You, Lord, for finding favor with the Homeschool and bringing good health and sunshine. For You are good to us. Amen.

Tuesday, Last

There's much to be thankful for, as many are on-the-mend at the Homeschool.
And so we thank You, Father in Heaven:

less-raw noses,
soft tissues,
family togetherness,
clean drinking water,
hot showers,
doctors,
delayed immunizations because of fever,
Principal's presence.

Truly, Father, thanks be to our, the God of restoration. Please continue to show your mercy and healing here to those who are sick. Amen.

Q: What does one get when a sick Warrior's Motrin IB kicks in?
A: A pillow-turned-punching bag.



Q: What next to do with such energy?
A: Get some Vitamin D and go for a walk-turned-run!





Q: What next to do with such energy?
A: Insist on needing rest and sitting for a good read.



All except Warrior, that is. No sitting for the Motrin-energized!

Monday

That's all?

The weekend is over?

But there's still illness going around on campus.

However, Student & Warrior found something to sing about:
Transportation Vehicles.

This is a melodic short featuring their Teacher-lead Drawings.
Complete with stuffy voices, and lack of practice, as nobody wants to revise a project
when they are sick!



Read some.

Spell some.

Review some.

Call it a Halfie and go back to bed.

Friday Sickness

Yes, we played.
Yes, we enjoyed our Thursday.

Today is Friday and now there is sickness.

No school.

Play For All Thursday

Because there is a time for everything, according to The Word...

Today was a play for all day!

Having an opportunity to rule the roost and
swap babies on her hip,
Student rather enjoyed the extra company.



Kids allover the campus and sewing in the dining.


Knowing that 9 children don't play peacefully just EVERY day,
we thank God for blessing our day of play!

After rowdiness exited...



there were naps and then seatwork with the old gang: Warrior & Woody.



Student snacking while seatworking...because multi-tasking is naturally put into many females by the Creator, she smoothly works along.

Another Schoolday

Yes, onward with the eyes on the prize!

Of course, Teacher isn't insisting on a one-track-mind...
afterall, she's been pulling double-duty during Student's
Spelling lessons.



Homeschool Rule #336
Handwork should always be available for just such opportunities!

Mascot's handwork is of a different sorts, but just as busy!



And the most popular between-time-filler for Warrior and Student has been group time on the computer. Warrior has been LOVING his new phonics game online! His favorite is the shoot out, with Student's help only on the HARD level!



And though his Reading is progressing well, Teacher has to take the time to convince him that books are exciting...think this is convincing.



Lord,
teach us as parents to pray for Your children the way You would have us. Amen.

Tuesday, Last

Student and Warrior have done well caring for their sprouted beans. Watering,
sunning,
and waiting.

Oh, yes, part of the learning experiences of life: waiting!



What other life lessons are going on around here,
one may ask?



Just ask Warrior, he'll tell you what he's reading!
He's moving onto ai, ay, y, and long O.
He continues his struggles with short i and e,
but since they are both non-projectory sounds, this is rather common.

And there is no news in Student's Reading, but that it's taking up more of her free time.
When the schoolday is over, she requests quiet time up in her room away from the boys, with her dolls and her books!

As for her Science, the Abeka Discovering God's World have proven a good fit for the Homeschool. It's filled with colorful pictures relating God to all of the happenings in nature and simple machines and pulleys.



Yes, that white window blurrrr is the freshly fallen snow.
Even with the canceling of some local districts, we continued our day of learning.
That's the beauty of a schedule made by the Homeschool
and implemented by Principal!

Also getting in on the Reading fun, Mascot enjoys some cuddle time with Student here and there!



Continuing work in Music on their transportation song, both Warrior and Student completed Teacher-lead drawings of all the vehicles in the song:
car
train
helicopter
tractor
They will present their song with these pictures as soon as they have it mastered!
Video to come soon!



And not to spoil God's surprise of snow, the day ended with a romp among the beauty of white covering the backyard!

Monday School

Learning,
learning,
learning.

Keep those
students
learning:

Homeschool!

Friday School

Yes, things happen on campus even WITHOUT the camera around.

As to just WHAT is happening...

Teacher is having a hard time remembering the events of a Friday 2 weeks past...

C'mon Teacher, at least know the whereabouts of the camera and
the visual cues will ring some sort of bell worthy of writing about.

There.

Camera, never leave the shelf you belong on...

Just like all the other THINGS at the Homeschool that have found
a place for everything and everything in it's place... WE WISH!

Blessings of a weekend are on the way,
and a chance to reorganize before God brings
another Monday! Even though, Lord, Jesus, come quickly!

Thursday Travels

Some days feel less special than other days.
Especially in the eyes of a child.

When America pulled an overhaul on the work day of a father, and they began to leave home for work, 2 generations ago, the children then developed a deep yearning for their father's time.

At the Homeschool, this is true, as well. The dasy without much of Principal around are rare, really. The blessing of his working so close to our campus, and his open schedule are all things to be thankful to God for, daily.

Just as he has to work when he doesn't FEEL like it, as does the learning continue at the Homeschool.



Warrior takes apart and puts together different beginning sounds to words with the same ending sound.



Mascot cries because he can only help with s much of Warrior's schooling.



Among this, Student discovered bean sprouts ready for planting!



Settled in the warm and bright picture window, the dirt and sprouts sit so as to be observed by the Homeschool. One section marked with a toothpick and fabric for each of the kiddos.



Continuing with seatwork and snacks, the morning was nearing an end...when...

Principal surprised the Homeschool with a trip to the local zoo!

INSTANTLY, there was color and togetherness for the whole family!



What love the Father in Heaven has lavished upon us, that He would bring Principal home for a surprise day of travel.

Yes, this was one of those days that FELT special.
Time together away from the campus,
ice cream in winter,
and observations of special creations of God.



Did the camera lie?
A purple flamingo?
Yes, indeed, what a special day God granted us.
Thanks be to the God of all things.
Amen.

Wednesday Wonders

Really, it is obvious there IS a God, when it's January and the sun continues to bring warmth for out door activity.



It is even MORE evident that there is a God when Teacher observes the daily ways this family grows closer together.



Being in the lives of these children God has entrusted us, is going to bring lasting memories and love.



And what else is MORE eternal than relationships. First and foremost with our Savior Jesus Christ, and then with those we love.



Even when the wee hands MUST get involved in reorganizing scattered recipes, there is the presence of God in the love that is daily being harvested through learning at the Homeschool.

Tuesday Treasues

Treasures of the most eternal kind: our children.

Just when the break seemed so chaotic, yet easy,
God brought encouragement of the most genuine kind...thanks for Miss Amy.
Lord, You are our hope and strength. These children are a treasure to you,
may we be found responsible stewards of your treasure. Amen.

Warrior's day began with really sleepy eyes, and a body that he said was "Too tired to get up on his bed, again."

Giving him some encouragement, the crayons and the Star Wars coloring book came out to play.



Mascot got right into his lesson of scattering and resorting the magnet board letters.



And Student took to the table for seatwork. Warrior by her side, he decided he could try some seatwork. Observing and aiding in his Phonics, Teacher sees he exhibits the tongue-tip trait from Teacher's father. Concentration is always more focused when the tongue us exposed.



Erasing and writing, and reading must have brought on Warrior's fever.
As he warmed up, and the ibuprofen kicked in,
Warrior found his energy again and insisted on some Activity.



Stretching and the regular routine to Gnarls Barkley was enough to wear him out. Teacher observed this strange reaction and noted he must truly be sick. And so he retired to bed with water and snoring.

Make way for Student! Practicing her Spelling list with some games of Hang Woman and creating sentences, here are some of her writings.

I told my friend about the parade!
My clothes are dirty.
We both have rules!
My nose is red!
I have my own computer!

I believe every one of those sentences were true, too. Especially the dirty clothes part! She fixed that, though! It's amazing how much Student can fit into her day when Warrior takes an extra nap! She completed her Current Events Reading, FAVORITE STORY HERE, and even timed the naps of both Warrior and Mascot to sprawl out on the floor and sew! That a girl!

Student's Christmas wish was given from Papa. She had been praying as to what she should use her chore savings for and she kept coming back to Rebecca. And this is a story of a girl and her doll and the doll's cold shoulders:

Mom, I wrapped this fabric to make her a recital dress, since I don't know when we'll sew one. But, it's only covering one shoulder so she needs a cloak. There are cloaks in the catalogue, but they are $24.

Well, Miss Heather just gave us some fabric that just might work for such a project.

But when? When can we make it?
Because the boys are sleeping...can we?

Yes!



BEGINNING LIKE A CIRCLE SKIRT, THE DECISION WAS MADE HOW LONG TO HAVE THE CLOAK, WHILE REFERENCING THE A*G FELICITY CLOAK PICTURES. STUDENT PICKED A DOUBLE-KNIT IN BROWN THAT NEEDED NO HEMMING AND CREATED AN EVEN QUICKER FINISHED PRODUCT, THANKS MISS HEATHER.


THEN, A RECTANGLE WAS CUT FOR THE HOOD. SIZING A RECTANGLE IN PROPORTION TO REBECCA'S LOVELY LOCKS, THE AMOUNT OF FABRIC WASN'T QUITE ENOUGH, BUT WE WORKED WITH WHAT WE HAD.



STUDENT USED THE ROLLER CUTTER TO TRIM THE CORNER OF THE INNER SEAM OF THE HOOD, JUST AS A PILLOW CORNER WOULD BE DONE.

THEN THE BIAS TAPE WAS SEWN TO THE FRONT OF THE HOOD AND THE HOOD THEN TO THE CLOAK. USING SCRAP STRINGS FROM THE LEFTOVER BROWN DOUBLE KNIT, THEY WERE HANDSEWN AND COVERED WITH STUDENT'S CHOICE FROM THE BUTTON JAR AND FINISHED OFF WITH A BURGUNDY FLOSS THAT WAS PART OF STUDENT'S CHRISTMAS CRAFT BASKET FROM GRAMMY.

REALLY, READING THE PROCEDURE, TEACHER GUESS THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION IS REQUIRED AND SEES THAT IF SHE WERE TO EVER WRITE PATTERNS, THE INSTRUCTIONS WOULD TAKE TEN TIMES LONGER. SO FOR THOROUGH INSTRUCTIONS, TEACHER WILL HAVE TO TRY AGAIN ANOTHER FREE DAY WITH NOTHING ELSE ON THE PLATE.

After reawakening into the world, Warrior ate a full lunch and listened well to the lesson and instructions from Student on their bean plants.



Afterwards, he decided his school day needed to be a Halfie because he was going to lay down, yet again. Oh, the honesty of a boy when his body hurts. God designed we humans to know when we need rest, it's just that adults often don't listen! Oh the lessons God teaches each day through children in our lives. Thank you, Lord. We are trying to listen. Please open our ears to receive knowledge and wisdom from You each day. Amen.

Make a Difference Monday

Beginning our last semester of the year... WOW! His grace has been, and will continue to be sufficient. Thus, we continue our journey through 2011. We are making a difference in the lives of these children of God, on Mondays and always, as we will not be strangers to their souls.

Our mornings are beginning with Student's reading aloud a Psalm each day. This devotional has some fun insights, and Student is learning more about pausing with punctuation and elocution. Warrior is just trying to learn to LISTEN & SIT simultaneously. Today he opted to piggy back on Teacher and listen.



Continuing seatwork and finishing up Christmas thank yous to our thoughtful relatives put our new pencils to work. Thanks to Grammy for the school supplies! Nice rulers just in time for Student's transportation lessons in Math. She's measuring to the quarter inch and even singing about it! The song will have to come later, after Teacher can play it succinctly on the keyboard!



Teacher had thought including this song was far less than NEEDED, and maybe even under the maturity level of Student, but it just so happens, that Warrior enjoys it and loves all things TRANSPORTATION, so God went before us and lined-up an opportunity for Teacher to read music and play the keyboard! Oh what fun! (Yes, Teacher has not had a lesson since 1996...and that was clarinet!)

On the homeschool campus, Mascot roams and finds the best places to park it and learn...



Of course, that's when he's not in on the lesson...



With the constant help of Student, our semester began right on track. Oh what love the Father has lavished upon us, as that girl is the nucleus of everything that goes on, here. In addition to her own studies, she is actively helping others. Thank you, God.



The day is done, the lessons are learned,
and the result of Warrior's continued practice cutting with scissors
has yielded the sweetest one-legged bear!
God is smiling, and so are we!