Homeschooling with a wee one, again

But just for a day.

I know what you were thinking.

 

We had a guest visit our all-boys' school yesterday and it was a ton of fun.

Our table work was completed on the floor in the midst of Little People-

and I had a good time of remembering when this was normal for us.

 

Thanks, baby James, for a fun day!

We hope you come back soon.

Tidbits from the past few weeks

Here's a sampling of randomness from some ordinary moments around the home the past few weeks.

 

A good friend of ours agreed to mentor the boys in painting for four sessions.

I traded her a grow light for it.

Guess who got the good part of the deal?

 

Anna has gone above and beyond what I was even hoping for and my boys have eagerly completed their homework for the next session, even though it's not due for another seven days.

That's huge.

 

Yay!

If you know Anna, you know what love and attention to detail my boys are receiving from her.

She's wonderful.

 

We've been blessed by some amazing works of art at sunset this last week.  Whenever I see a sight like this my mind always thinks of how the Heavens declare the glory of the Lord.

Amen.

 

Not only did I manage to give four boys haircuts in the last week but my onions needed a trim, too.

Aren't they unruly?  I'm happy to report after their haircut they are standing tall and proud and growing strong again.  AND, we have our first recordable harvest to file under 'onions' for the year.

 

1/20th of a pound.

When one works so hard to provide their own food every single harvest counts.

 

We enjoyed minced baby onion tops over our soup last night.  Divine.

And I only have 999 and 19/20ths pounds to harvest from our garden to reach my goal of 1000#s!

 

 

I've been experimenting with sourdough this winter by catching my own starter and feeding him {it?} faithfully.  He's taken on a personality of his {its?} own on our counter and is affectionately referred to as Mr. Bubbles.  The boys are quite sure I have lost my marbles at this point, but that's okay.  It's good to keep them on their toes and wondering what Mom will do next.

 

Despite being an extremely busy stay-at-home-homeschooling-homesteading-home-doctoring kind of person, I still have time for a slumber party every now and then.  Apparently last night I had a slumber party with Luke Skywalker and Jenga Fett.   A little secret here on boys and love languages- if your little man feels you are worthy to sleep with his favorite Lego minifigs that is just like  receiving a four page love note from said child.  Girls might make a beautiful picture with markers and bubble letters and lots and lots of hearts singing the praises of their mothers...boys will trust you with their most precious Lego pieces and that means the world to them and to me.   It was an honor to wake up and see these guys sparring at my feet at 6 o'clock this morning.  I truly felt loved!

 

Keeping with the Star Wars theme-- which is at epidemic levels in our home right now and please come soon Spring so we can concentrate on bike crashes and hiking in muddy creeks -- I found some Ewok puppets playing in the onions this morning as well.  I was told that our guest room makes the best forest in our home, and it's no wonder because...

 

Tarver-made Ewoks for Ry and Langston

 I am the proud mother of over 500 seedlings right now.

The air quality in our guest room is amazing.

 

 

And with all that typed and saved, I must return to the needs of my family.  A few young men need to be read to this afternoon, there is still vacuuming and laundry to finish up.  Chicken Noodle soup to start for this evening's meal.  Mr. Bubbles to feed and make fresh bread from.  A boy who has sheep to tend to at a farm not near enough to our home.  And a few plants to water, too.

 

By the way, am I the only wondering why I didn't get issued that maid servant at the birth of our first child?  I've always wondered about that ...

Extreme Cuteness

Ry-man is pretty much getting away with everything these days since his Mom has a thing for gappy-little-boy-smiles.

 

Thankfully, he is using his special powers for the good of all around him

{with exception of his weak Mom}

 

Overheard just today, "Hey, Ryland ... go ask Mom if I can have a cookie. She can't say no to you these days."

Brothers.

 

 

Also overheard today, though it relates in no way to being front-toothless:

"Ryland, if we keep practicing surgery on paper people maybe Mom will let us have a real body to practice on."

 

I don't have a picture to go with this conversation as I was listening to what they were doing on the sly.  Imagine hand drawn people on copy paper  with diseased organs in need of surgery.  Enter  5 and 7-year old boys using scissors and tape as stitches.  Then imagine hearing them long for a real body to practice on.  Being a Mom is scary at times, folks.

 

Smarty Pants

 

You just have to understand the personality of my second born to get a hoot out of the question:

Using numerals 1-3, arrange them chronologically.

 

Apparently we need to hit home a bit better on pronouns so he knows that 'them' in this case is referring to the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages and not 'numerals'.

 

Hearing the roar of laughter after he handed in this paper made me definitely aware that he was just trying to get a rise out of his teacher.

 

This teacher has the capability of withholding peanut butter cookies and therefore gets the last laugh.

 

{smile}

 

 

Dynamic Learning Activity - Another Tooth Extraction

How many Kindergartners actually get to pull their first tooth out during math?  We call it 'tooth extraction subtraction'.  Perhaps it's not quite as exciting as hooking up a remote controlled Jeep to the tooth, but this kiddo was beyond thrilled.  And in his mind, tooth subtraction really adds up since he found some change under his pillow the next morning.  Don't you all wish you were homeschooled so you could tie these milestones into a dynamic learning activity and count it for school hours?

A New Beginning, again

Another First Day of School picture - hard to believe it's this time of year, again!

{Langston is super excited to be in Kindergarten and has already asked if he can please have homework every night this year.  Oh, how I love Kindergarten enthusiasm!}

A Novelty: Sack Lunch

 

Kids' Conference happened over the past two days, which means sack lunches for the boys.

{so fun!}

 

World War II was the backdrop for the conference and Valor was the godly character quality being taught.  On the back flap of each lunch we honored the boys' Great Grandpa who is a WWII hero - and just a hero to us in general.

 

Such a fun time, but we are all very tired and ready to head to bed so we can be fresh for worship services in the morning.

Auction

We spent Saturday helping out and enjoying an auction out at a dear friend's farm.

We ended up with a few pigs and sheep, this sweetheart is one of them.

Our older boys are going to show them at 4-H this summer.

 

Here's our Ry-man, shopping.

At an auction you always want to play it safe with 'game face'.  You wouldn't want the competition to drive up the price of the pork you really want- every six year old knows this, yes?

And our dear farmer friend.  Kind of scary the resemblance these two have.

Here are our oldest two working the pigs and sheep.  This is one of the greatest experiences of their lives!

I call this shot the 'First Baptist Fan Club'.  Everyone from our church sat in the same spot of the bleachers, it was pretty funny.

First pig - my littler guys LOVED listening to the auctioneer and scared me a few times by raising their hands.on.purpose. just to give their Mom a scare.  Nice.

Making small talk over the fence.  Overheard of my littlest trying to impress the female fence leaner, "You know there are over 500 pigs on this farm, don't you.  We're buying some.  I'm also planning on buying an army truck with camoflauge wheels.  It's going to take me a LONG time to clean those wheels when I get mud on them, but you have to do what you have to do."

Oh, brother.

Already trying to impress the ladies.  Gimme a break.

Ry-man still sporting the spurs from Auntie Laura, though the boots need to be replaced as he has worn holes in the bottom of them.

Walter's Dad, Jack, hanging out at the auction.

Tarver and Braden working a pen of sheep into the auction block.  They worked so hard this day and loved.every.second.of.it.

And finally, the end of the day.  My baby boy {who is now 5'10" and 13, ahem.} driving this monstrosity of a machine to load up the bought goods with his proud Dad looking on.

A Book Buffet of sorts and a GIVEAWAY

I played this cruel little game with myself a few weeks ago. 

*IF*

I could have an afternoon to read just three or four books all to myself, what would they be?  Then I gave myself a ridiculous little mandate that I could only grab three or four books that are already on my bookshelves or in storage tubs under my bed.

 

Here's my stack of three or four.

Apparently I don't listen well even to myself.

Sheesh.

 

I would like to draw your attention to one of the wonderful books in my small stack{sixth book down from the top}-

Seed Sowers, Gospel Planting Adventures

 by {the lovely and talented} Gwen Toliver.

 

Gwen sent me a copy of her book way back in November.  I promised to do a review and host a give away for her delightful book ... and then life kicked in full gear with the holidays and making an offer on a farm {which recently fell through} and I have been terribly neglectful in not alerting the world to what you are missing out on if you have not read this book yet.

So, now consider yourself alerted and warned- you need to get a copy of this book.

 

Oh?  There's more to a book review??  Okay. 

This book is a collection of missionary adventures which Gwen painstakingly collected through her friendships and contacts at Wycliffe, where she and her patient husband, along with their eight wonderful children, serve at the Linguistics Center in Dallas, Texas.  Each chapter can stand alone and is full of adventure, hardships and first hand witnessing of the Spirit of God working and moving among Bible-less people groups in our world.  There is an update at the end of each chapter about that particular missionary or people group ... where the missionary is today or if the people group is still in need of the Holy Word to be translated into their own language.  Gwen's heart is for the next generation to embrace God's Word and carry it to the nations.  She has written this book with children and families in mind.  My four sons delight in these adventures and stories.  Gwen doesn't portray missionary work with unrealistic rose-colored glasses - carrying the Good News is hard work and God is faithful to His work and His people fulfilling His plan.  I am thankful for the influence these  missionary stories have had in the lives of my sons - maybe this will be the catalyst one of my boys needs to be inspired to fulfill God's work for his own life calling, who knows?

 I generally keep this book in my purse {which puts Mary Poppins' carpet bag to shame}, on the end table basket for easy access or in our van.  Just last week we were at an orthodontist appointment and my husband picked up the book and began reading chapter 7 to those who were waiting in the van with him.  It's perfect for making the most of even small chunks of time!

Are you ready to add your own copy of this book to your personal library and be blessed and challenged by its content?  Here's the deal :  visit either Gwen's  blogsite  or the Seed Sowers website and then leave a comment here answering one of the two following questions {or both for extra credit}:

 

1.  From her March 10th post, what should Gwen's oldest son do with his newest 'trophy'?

2.  From the Whistling Man tab, where did George's friend invite him to go and did he?  {Read Chapter Eight to learn all about the 'whistling language'.  Fascinating!}

 

From the comments a winner will be randomly selected.  The contest will close at midnight, March 16th.  And to sweeten the pot, I'll throw in a handmade bookmark for you to keep the spot in your wonderful copy of this important book.

 

Even if you don't win I would highly encourage you to pursue a copy of Seed Sowers and look into the important work of Bible Translation that Wycliffe is engaged in.

 

And now, I need to go return three or four books to their rightful spots on the shelves so we can use the dining room table for its intended purpose tonight ... the all important SUPPER.

Dog Days of Winter

Math.

Puppy.

Winter.

Comfy-cozy chair, almost in the sun.

Dog days of winter.

Out of the Mouths of {conservative} Babes

A true story from the Library parking lot this afternoon.   

Ryland noticed an ‘Obama – Biden’ bumper sticker on the back of a GMC Denali as we pulled into our parking space.  He sincerely inquired, “Do the GMCs roll off the line with Obama stickers already on them since they are made by ‘Government Motors’?” 

I *really* hoped to find the owner of said vehicle inside the library so we could personally ask … imagine, being shamed by a six-year old!!

Children left to themselves ...

Will build themselves a hot air balloon, using the most basic of materials.

{Excepting Dad's air bubble}

 

They were deflated, but not discouraged, to find out that this contraption wouldn't really take to the air.  I admire so much their creativity and determination!  Just one more plug for the freedom of home educating.

{And yes, sometimes these children left to themselves really do complete the well-known Proverb.  I just don't happen to have my camera in hand as often when that happens!}

Seriously

Even Better

This is even better than receiving an apple from my students . . .

 

I think I moved from 'love' to 'like' status after I announced the spelling test.

Such is life when you are a homeschooling Mom!

A Parenting Secret

Truly, they teach me far more than I could ever teach them.

 

 

A Thing for Shoes

It makes me a bit teary to think of all the adventures these feet will experience this year, and the adventures we'll be leaving behind.

Anyone else have a thing for shoes?

Class Picture

And another year begins- by His grace- to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

Little Minuteman

It's too hot to be outside today, so we are staying in and listening to Johnny Tremain

on CD.  Ryland always gets fully into character.

{Revolutionary clothes compliments of Gramma Carol and the musket a product of imagination and a bucket of Tinker Toys.}

Summer Break - Bring it on!

 We are officially on Summer Break - which means that the yard chores increase but the hours of structured schooling decrease.  {Yes, we still have lessons during the summer.} Nothing like a little slip-n-slide party to celebrate today!

Thank you, Gramma Carol, for the fun playground equipment!