Fun Fridays - Castles, part 1

Check out A's tongue:-)


We are deep in the heart of our Middle Ages study, so of course, we had to build some castles on Fun Friday. This will be a 2 week project so we are still under construction. I suppose it is good that we have a pretty big homeschool room in the basement, because these unfinished castles are all over our floor. Lauren, Hannah T. and Sarah worked together on one, Luke and Andrew worked together on another, and the little ones helped me on a third. Three rather large works of art to be sitting on the floor for a week. We had our first construction accident today as Andrew tripped over the girls' castle and wreaked some havoc. Thankfully, Lauren was a good sport and we were able to rebuild. We ran out of the desired recyclables (cereal boxes) for the boys, so we're attempting to eat a lot of cereal this week. I'm hoping that waffle boxes might also suffice. Stay tuned for the finished products. It's amazing what a little spray paint can do.

Learning to be a Man

Homeschooling is a LOT of work - A LOT! Some days I question whether it is really worth the myriad of hours in planning and teaching, the utter lack of "me" time, or the tension of being with your children ALL THE TIME. Other days I know why I persevere. God has been showing me verses about pouring yourself out for others. In one passage in Isaiah God promises that your light will rise in the darkness and your gloom will be as the noonday. This particular passage is referring to pouring yourself out for the afflicted, but I think it probably applies to pouring yourself out for your little ones, too. After my bout with depression, this makes a lot more sense to me. Depression can focus your thoughts so inwardly, so selfishly, that you forget how to pour yourself out for others. But the very cure for that depression is looking out, not in. Homeschooling is one way I can pour myself out, and indeed, my gloom vanished.

OK, OK, my title didn't allude to all that, and I didn't mean to get contemplative, but it just came out. I intended to use this post to show one of the lovely benefits of the flexible schedule that comes with homeschooling. Eric was trying to dig out a stump on his day off. Andrew hurried through his math assignment, so he could help his Daddy. Learning to be a man is more important anyway, isn't it?

P is for Puppy

Gabe and Hannah are attending preschool 4 mornings a week this year. Hannah loves it. Gabe could take it or leave it. He is very content playing with his Legos alongside the big kids "doing school." Honestly, I just need the 3 hours of quiet time so I can work hard with Lauren and Andrew. I pray that this year of preschool may serve to grow Gabe up a bit. He is quite the baby of the family and he owns that personality well.

Although they were both proud of their puppy outfits initially, Gabe quickly determined that he was not interested in taking a picture in them. After being sent to his room and then having to come back out for the picture, his attitude changed. I've got quite a few more photos of the meltdown that I am saving as blackmail photos when he is older. Watch out, Gabe!

Fun Friday - Arab Marketplace

We are overjoyed that the Thompsons are sharing again in our Fun Fridays. YAY! We had so much fun doing projects together last year. Since we are all in Year 2 of the Tapestry of Grace homeschool curriculum, we work together on projects and activities. I believe I look forward to Fun Fridays as much as the kids.

This particular Friday we were building the model of a Middle Ages Arabian marketplace. It was exciting to see how the children have matured even since last year. They each came prepared with their "building" and we worked together on creating the "wares" to sell. They quickly divided themselves into little teams or areas of responsibility. The littler ones were helped by the bigger ones. Some fashioned little baskets, some formed clay fruit, some worked on fabric items, etc. Last year, Jen and I had to orchestrate more of the projects, but it seems our children may be maturing into actual teamwork!! I was very proud of them all. We had to add the obligatory Lego guys for fun. Even that required little Gabe to find all the parts and get the guys built before everyone arrived to work on the project. Lessons abound.

I am thankful to God for restoring my desire and joy for homeschooling.