Little Cabin In the Woods

Creation of Nature

 Count Your blessings Monday at Amazing Graze Farms

 And I am filled with the blessing of the Creation of Nature

Summer's death brings Autumn's rest as nature anxiously awaits her great restorative sleep.  Our mountains are besotted with a luscious grandeur of color already this year and it is marvelous in His site.  

Dazzling  leaves of golds, reds, browns and bright yellows.... God has emblazoned the mountains with it's rich splendor.

Harvest, apples, firelight, candles, soup stewing, baking bread, corn mazes, pumpkins, cool crisp mornings, contentment.  All blessings from our Father.

Nature is her finest during this season of reflection and preparation for the harvest and winter to come.

I am blessed.  Filled with God goodness and silence. He has given His art to lift my soul. 

The Littles went on an adventurous nature scavenger hunt last week.   I printed up things for them to discover, smell, hear, see and gather.   Everything is at our disposal.   We went on a hike and brought our compasses and a snack.  We stopped in a shady spot under mountain laurel to rest and wonder on God's nature and the nature of God.  How exquisite is the world He has given us.  These things could not have just popped out of a mysterious bit of dust.  No,  a creator gave us this masterpiece.  Seasons, thousands of different trees, seeds, animals all in their order.

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
-   George Eliot

A checklist of things to discover...

 A basket for gathering....

White wildflowers for picking and decorating...

Even little ones realize that our earth is from a creator.

A God of order.... nothing is a mistake.  Everything with a purpose.

A designer who created, sculpted, formed, moved,  and breathed into this life of ours and all that is around us.

It all came from Him and will go back to Him.

Like this little guy....  Where did it begin and why?   How could a speck of dust burst open and create this circle of life by chance?  Sage said "It would have to be one intelligent speck of dust. "

Discover these things.  Discuss them with your children to set their minds to wondering and thinking.

What purpose is a spider's web?  Why do we need spiders?  Nature walks encourage children to discover and think.

Did God create this barn?  He created man, trees, minerals... He formed men into an intelligent species.

 I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.  So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

He caused trees to bring forth fruits and seeds according to their kind, geographic range and the needs of mankind.  He gave them to us for food shelter, so much comes to us from the gift of plants, trees, insects and animals.

Flowers to smell... a feast for our eyes.  Ever notice how flowers lift your spirit?  Pine trees, nuts, seeds, berries, roots, bark, rocks, sand, clay, wheat straw.  All for our use.

Geography is important for the discovery of God and His creation.  North, South, East and West.  Oceans, mountains, deserts, plains, grasslands, prairies.... Continents and cultures...  

Everything in it's place.... moving, shifting, living, thriving, dying.  Everything with a purpose.

Everything in it's place for a reason.

The fragrance of life. 

And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

Gifted to us

Gifted to each animal  and person for a given purpose...

And God saw all that He made and it was very good.

VERY wonderful...

and marvelous in His sight.

 

A Morning With The Littles...

Buttons.  I collect them... wood, glass, beaded, crocheted, all shapes and sizes.  I just like 'em.  They are so pretty in an old glass jar.

Nature,  I collect nature, colorful fungi, leaves shedding their summer shades to a brighter style, moss (love moss), acorns, seeds.  Nature...

The littles took such pleasure is packing a paper bag full of nature on our recent walk.  They then decided to make a teranium....

complete with fungi and ferns...

one  snail, one grasshopper, two caterpillars  and nuts...

Willow loves bugs and crawly things...no, really.  She sleeps with a stuffed bug she stole from Jack.

then put it in the kitchen... sort of looks like a salad ~ it sure doesn't smell like one.

Sage washed fresh eggs from our neighbor

then lay then out to dry ( no pun intended) ;)

Placing them in a pottery bowl  to be boiled  later today

A little math and writing....

Some reading about  George Washington

by candlelight  in the still early  morning

Snuggled up in the wing-backed chair with a  science book.   The girls have created an area in the house they call their library.   They will even make you a card.  ;)

Willow chose to use her mechanical mind to disassemble a pen.  I do believe she may have a talent for disassembling as she practices often and is quite good at it.

The girls went out to swing in the fresh air ... They love , love to swing.

Sisters helping one another

Always there for one another

I enjoy their camaraderie as I watch them play.

Uh oh.... someone's

not happy.  Oh well..... ( notice Piper's hand up"Oh well")

Dashing out to feed and water their bunnies, I continued rocking in the chair on the porch taking in the sweet coolness of this September day when I heard three little voices calling from the hutch "Mama! Mamma!"  I looked up and

Saw one, two, three littles with one, two, three baby bunnies.

It was a precious day...

Six pancakes for a new Six year old.  We celebrated Piper 's 4th Gotcha Day and 6th birthday. 

Willow will be 3 years old this month..... Where has the time gone?!  I can melt in the depth of those eyes.

Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord Psalm 27:14

For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Psalm 37:9

Patricia

 

 

 

 

 

Jumping into Fall...

When I stepped outside this morning the cold brisk air caught my breath and I smiled.  There is nothing like fresh mountain air in the fall.  It is clean and snappy.  When it fills your lungs, a smile is forthcoming...   Fall is my favorite season.   I feel the urge to bake bread and make stew.  The down comforters, feather beds and sweaters are pulled out from their summer slumber to keep us warm and cozy.  It is chilly tonight as I write this , about 39 degrees... I want to snuggle under the covers  put on some soothing music and read!   (Just as soon as I finish the dishes, bathe the girls, mop the floor , put up the laundry and pick up. ;)

Willow's blood and urine test for her kidney's (because of the contaminated milk in China) were normal as was the  ultrasound of her kidneys and bladder!  She is a big baby now and potty trained so was able to go in a cup.   God is so good!  He has kept my precious treasure from harm.  I am so thankful to him. 

We had  a lovely weekend, enjoying -- probably the last walk  on a particularly warm day where the temperature was mild 67... our last day of short sleeves for a while.    We woke, grabbed something warm  to wrap around us and went out on the porch to read from God's Word and discuss  scripture together.  Each morning begins with Him.   Our budget has been tight so we decided to make create a snack with whatever we could find on hand.  Sage named it "Ambrosia" , an appropriate name as  it was smooth, sweet and delicious.   The girls were all pretty proud of their accomplishment and I was thankful it didn't taste awful!  Later  the girls used vegetables to make art.  They were creating some wonderful master pieces until it turned into finger painting, and then body art....lol  I enjoy their free spirit.     The moon was also still peaking out volleying for attention so I accomadated him. ;)

Apples and almond granola...

Vanilla yogurt...

add some grapes....

and you have Ambrosia

guuuud

Vegetable art...

Abstract art.... ;)

hmmmm.....A treasure map!

off we go

Treasure!?

are you coming?

Hear ye Hear ye!

floral treasures....

 

the girls discovered this little guy crossing our path...

hmmmm.... a rock

think I'll....

 Jump!

weeee!  ( Piper's getting some air!)

they jumped again...

and again....

and again!

Puff was not impressed...

back to our walk...

It was a beautiful day

these webs hold woolly worms... or rather Tiger moths  You find them in abundance in up here in October.

Stop and pose

treasure??

Let's decorate Mr. Elwoods tree with berries.

very nice.... he'll love it.

a lost tooth!

budding treasure

heading home...

to our little cabin....

wait for me

I'm having a little problem...

in the woods...

Home at last....

Come on in...

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7

The Winner ~~~~~ School Days @ Home....

Beth is the winner of the Ergo baby carrier!  Before Sage drew the name, we prayed it would go to a lovely family who needed it and would use it to hold, love and cherish their little one.  Beth, if you could email me you address I will get it out to you.    May you and your new little one be blessed Beth!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of homeschooling ~~~~ We have begun our "official" days of learning.  Of course everyday is a learning day at when you school at home.  Whether it's baking bread, taking a nature walk or reading a story we are always learning something.  In fact... right now Willow is learning all about taking CD ROMs out of their sleeves and putting them in to different sleeves... a matching skill .  She is sitting at my feet at this moment trying her hardest to sing her ABC's. She can sing the ABC part and then it slowly becomes just a tune of jumbled sounds with an occasional letter... lol  She can also count to 3. 

I came across this insightful blog that gives a glimpse into living in China and their culture.  I know I have learned a lot just by visiting.  It is a very informative blog with many pictures!  She also homeschools.     One Child Policy Homeschool 

Sage:  2nd Grade

Veritas Scholars Program ( minus grammar/language arts which I put together separately)

History  Veritas American History and New Testament Judges through Kings

Math:   Saxon Math  3 ~  Math Facts for copywork

Language Arts:

Classically Cursive

Phonetic Zoo

Copywork for Little Girls

Language Lessons for the Elementary Child

Learning to Spell Through Copywork

Language 2

Institute for Excellence in Writing ( this comes with the Veritas program)

Literature :  Veritas Grade 2

Science:  Character Sketches  & Sonlight

Dance , Art, Violin and Piano

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Piper: Kindergarten

Veritas Phoncis Museum

Language Arts: 

Language Lessons For Little Ones

Math:  Saxon 1

History:      History For Little Pilgrims

Science with Sage

Violin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow: Exploratory pre school

yeah.... you get the picture....

Have a joyful blessed day and may the peace of our Lord be with  you!

 

Pioneer Days.....

Not much can compare to the clement weather and impressive beauty of these Appalachian mountains.  It was here the local homeschoolers again gathered for another lesson in Pioneer life.  Even though it is the end of July, when temperatures soar around the country, it was a temperate day in the bucolic setting of the B's attractive home.  No matter where one turned a breathtaking view awaited....a feast for the eyes and soul. This awe inspiring atmosphere brought out the best in the children who frolicked in the fields.    It was almost as if they had stepped back into another time and I was captured by their innocence and gentleness.   A high field of golden wheat offered up wild flowers for pressing ~ a simple, lovely gift from the earth's bounty.   A lesson in horses and their importance in the days of old had the young ones anxiously awaiting a turn in the saddle astride one of the most patient and gentlest of beast I have ever seen.   It was a day filled with wonder....from another time...

Many of these mountain folk, such as this little lassie, were of Scottish decent

A sprig of flowers from a field of gold...

French braids

and hand sewn dresses...

The Cherokee tribe was native to this area...

sashaying skirts laced up in the back...

Leather and Lace...

A fair maiden with eyes so blue...

A prairie Willow

tottering through the grass

in moccasined feet...

mama's little Willow ... goodness how I love this child

A field of gold....

A sister and brother...

walking in the wheat...

Straw hat girl

Flowers for mama

Three little Empresses

rolling....

rolling....

rolling in the lush green grass...

Children of grace

Mothers and children learning together

Nippers and Neighs

Piper and Sage in their element...

A bouquet of flowers and dried grass

I think this girl photographs beautifully ~

A wagon ride for Willow  ~ these children are amazing and so nurturing to the younger children.

Sage and the Great Pyrenees ( no hunny, we can't take him home)

Mother and son

Frolic

I just love these girls.  They were so obliging!

One of my favorites...

Eliana

Scooped up this little orphan kitten and wrapped it in her skirt anxious to feed her

I did it!!  (She was so excited! )  Happy Birthday sweetie!

sweetness

Innocence

A simply lovely day....

I hope you enjoyed sharing this day with us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pioneer Days

It's 43 degrees here this morning.  The coolness of the sunrise is inviting as we sit on the front porch to read with our warm beverages of choice ~ coffee (spiked with hot cocoa and flavored creamer) latte' (milk spiked with flavored creamer), and organic milk (in a bottle).  Life is good and all is right in the world ..... at least our little world. ;0)                                         

I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. 
I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, 
The perfect getaway,far from the buzz of traffic. Psalm 27 4-5  MSG        

The girls are folding laundry for me while Willow toys with their productivity.  Piper is wearing a bib and Willow won't stop standing on the furniture.   Sage: "Mama, she's so stubborn!  I'm getting impatient. Oh, and she did the biz." ( aka the business: defecating in ones diaper)  Life is good and all is right in the world.  Mom proceeds to freshen her up putting the clean diaper on backwards since she has developed an awareness of diaper freedom. 

It is Pioneer Days up here among the homeschoolers.  We enjoyed a day with an enchanting homestead family of eight who live in the back country hacking it out in the wilderness raising their own food.  It caused me to reflect on our homesteading days and the long hard hours where the work is never done.  It is gratifying work where you grow to appreciate the world around you and the benefits of living in the 21st century.  I relished visiting with this lovely family but am thankful the Lord has brought me to a new season in my life.... still simple but replete with modern conveniences. :)  Life is good and all is right with the world.  Here are some pics. from our fun filled day on a working homestead...

Sage was the first to volunteer anxious to get creamy fresh milk in the pail

Others followed suit wanting to experience milking a Nubian doe

Even Piper....

Lovely pioneer girl....

a profile in grace

Some just watched...

Sweet, loving......

stubborn......

View bannerelknc's map

Taken in a place with no name (See more photos or videos here)

but funny...

a chance to play

in the woods

Little Asian Amish girl eating popcorn.... how simple

popcorn and a show

some watched from the trees

Little Miss blue eyes....

with soft curls...

just beautiful...

awwww... there's that little Asian Amish girl again

Learning about coring apples for applesauce and grinding wheat berries for bread

  a fair maiden

slender and poised

Little Red Hen:  Who will help me grind this wheat?

Pioneer baby...what a baby doll  

old feed sacks.... I didn't know they actually came in such pretty fabrics which may later be used to make dresses.

Antique cream separator

The beginnings of a log cabin built by a father and son....

Little Asian Amish girl taking a popcorn break

Little Asian Amish girl run, run, running

Little Asian Amish girl running  flying

Life is good and all is right with the world....

The Lord is good, may he give you a productive week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember....

...why you have freedom.

Todd Heisler ©

Today is Memorial Day.  A day we  remember and honor our  U.S.  soldiers who perished while serving our country.  I was raised in the military from infancy so have a deep patriotism for our country... my country.   America is the greatest country in the world.  A place where freedom offers opportunity unavailable in other countries.  The freedom to sing, worship, be protected, have children, vote, protest, go to college, agree, disagree, live life fully and become all we can.  We have this freedom because of our beloved military men and women who serve so valiantly.   When one falls, we should all feel the pain and reach out in appreciation to their service.   I will never forget how unwelcome and unappreciated protesters made us feel.... so today, instead of exercising your freedom to protest, lift up in prayer our precious men and women in the military and honor those who have fallen to preserve our freedoms.

The following touching photos where taken by Todd Heisler ©.

In honor of 2nd Lt. James J. Cathey and all our soldiers and their families...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all our soldiers. Thank you daddy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you get down...literally

Do you love the drool? :0)

Ever experienced one of those days where you accomplish so much you actually feel productive?  Well, I had one yesterday!  It was so .... well,so productive!  Actually my whole week was.  It felt so good and I tasted success.  Ever experience a day where you were so agitated you wanted to bite bless someone?  Well, I had one today.  I was in such a mood and have no idea why.  My life is good.  But, I let my emotions get swept away and continued to collect my stresses putting them in a pile until I felt awful.  And to top it off,  I fell down a hill.  No, literally!  I fell down a rocky hill with Willow in my arms.  Now up here we don't have many small hills and the landscape is full of rocks and stones.  All I could think about as I was falling is hold on to the baby.... don't let her fall.... don't let her hit her head on a rock!   After rolling and sliding across stones (no cackling!)while trying to keep hold of Willow I landed and her head hit the ground.  She looked shocked then started to cry.  I quickly looked to see if she had hit a rock and inches from her head was one.... I breathed a sign of relief and got up with her in my arms. (which is quite a feat on a hill)  I kept looking to see if her head would swell...whew.  I was holding her and thanking the Lord for His protection.  My sweet gift.  Well, she is fine - thanks to mama's "padding". I knew being a buxom woman would come in handy one day.  After I knew for sure she was fine I started laughing ~~ thinking of myself rolling down the hill and sliding across rocks in a skirt....OK, you can laugh now. 

Our week really has been lovely.  We sold our Jeep, gave away the last of our kittens ( the Lord is gud), took lots of pictures, canned asparagus, made a cake and messed up some more laundry.  Willow has been with me almost 2 months now.  She is picking up new words every day.  In fact this morning I grunted an "argh" and she repeated it.  I don't want her to have this attitude.  I need to change my tone when I am not in a good mood so as to set a godly example.  Willow also enjoys eggs now, but besides noddles, rice and tapioca pudding not much else.  She is very busy and has so much to do!  She has a wee bit of a bad habit of hitting. I asked Sage what Willow was doing and she said "She's looking for someone to wap".  She loves me and I adore her.  Sunday we dedicated her to the Lord.  She is a show off and played the congregation.  We read the book Miss Happiness and Miss Flower by Rumor Godden and enjoyed it immensely!  her books are always such a delight.  I hope you all have a blessed week and remember when life gets you down, don't keeping falling. ;)  I hope you enjoy the pictures of The Many Faces of Willow and some from her baby dedication!

Joy!

My baby

Making over Willow   --- she's great at attracting the girls.

A new friend... Willow fell in love with this sweet girl at a party

The Many Faces of Willow

the growl...

the goofy smile...

mischievous...

the pout...

impish...

the I love mama look...( my favorite)

the soft Willow look...

the "yayyyyyy" look

the "open this gate" look

The Willow...oh, how I love my little honey!

Willow's Dedication

Little Southern Belle

complete with bonnet...

and bare feet...

A prayer for Willow

May the peace of our Lord be with you this week.

 

 

 

 

 

Moravian

                                                                                                                                                                              

We walked along cobblestone streets this week back to a time 200 years ago. Escaping persecution the Moravian community settled in Pennsylvania, Maryland , New Jersey and Winston-Salem NC. Old Salem has been painstakingly preserved. When you ease along the shady tree covered walks, stroll through the gardens and step into shops and taverns you experience the sensation of going back in time. This inviting village calls you in to rediscover the past and a simpler way of life as people in authentic dress from the 1800’s greet you with “Welcome sisters”. The girls were delighted as we were guided through an hour tour of accurately and stunningly preserved Early Southern Decorative Arts. Each section presented us with a collection of arranged rooms from  the back country rural life in the early 1600’s to the elaborate décor of early 1800’s. Even more delightful to the girls was the Toy Museum and Children’s Museum where they were invited to interactive play. It was truly delightful. We then strolled on to the Choir house where a sister entertained us with the Pipe Organ as we sat on long wooden benches blackened from age. As we ventured on we could smell the sweet aroma coming from Winkler’s Bakery….. We could taste the fresh bread, ginger cookies, cakes and treats as we entered this bakery where the staff rises at the crack of dawn to begin their baking in original brick ovens. 
An ambrosia to the soul -- especially if you love old things as I do. You really need more than a day to thoroughly take in and enjoy Old Salem. As I sit here munching on a snappy, scrumptious sugar cookie I hope you will enjoy our visit…

                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       A young lady in her sun bonnet

Sisters

  A Moravian sister weaving

Tobacco and Ginger cookies  -  The weaving Room

On the cobblestone streets of Old Salem

A curtsy. An old log barn with mud and pat chinking....you can almost smell the rich red clay.

A captivating old doll made from wood

How I wanted to take this chair home.... but,  they said no.

Antique wrought iron pull and lock

Making ready for supper

A pioneer woman is always busy working around the fire

Pondering....

Lessons on a slate board with lead pencil

George Washington

A delicious supper for mom.... served by George

Setting the table

More supper for mom

The menu for this evening is Fresh Bread with fresh bread and water in tin cup.

Mixing herbs - a pioneer woman is always prepared!

               An outing in her sun bonnet

No, I can't buy you this for Christmas

Old dolls for cuddling....

Play is fun around an old barn -- with a snake

A Moravian  sister shows the girls how to carve

A place for everything

A Moravian kitchen

We met the butcher, the baker.....

Fresh Bread made early in the morning before dawn...

George Washington on his horse.... Did you know George Washington actually stayed here?  Sage was thrilled!

Leaving Old Salem....

Tuckered out...

The Lost Art...

                                                                              

There is nothing quite as warm and intimate as receiving a letter in the mail.  A real handwritten letter where someone thought you were important enough to take the time, sit down and compose their thoughts to you.   I still enjoy receiving letters though I do not receive them as often as I would like!   With this lost art slowly passing away, I want my daughters to understand the  importance and joy of writing a letter to loved ones,  expressing their thoughts and applying it to paper with pen, placing it carefully in an envelope, sealing it, addressing it and even sealing it with wax.     Handwritten letters are tangible evidence of our existence.   They are personal history, family heirlooms, chronicles...  Sage is already cultivating the lost art of letter writing and quite enjoying it.  She composed a short letter to Mimi, taking great care in addressing it, applying the wax, carefully placing the stamp in the right hand corner and placing in the mailbox.  It was charming to see the pleasure she took in such a simple accomplishment. After, we enjoyed the reading of the Dolls' Christmas, a favorite of the girls.    May each of you have a week filled with joy! 

                                                                            

                                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

Summer

Jun. 4, 2007

While most take a break for the summer we don't!  We actually enjoy schooling all year around.  We do take more field trips however and spend much more time out doors.  I have already gotten most of our curriculum together for this year and am excited about getting started!  Piper will have a larger course load as she will be four soon.    She loves to read and enjoys hands on activities.  I found this wonderful site @ Early Childhood Printables and she  is already having fun with some of the folder games and activities.    I will also be using the curriculum Little Hands Toward Heaven by Carrie Austin, Heart of Dakota Publishing.  It is a delightful biblically based program.  Piper is not as advanced as Sage was at age four and this is right up her alley.  If she progresses quickly she can go on to Sonlight.  she will also be participating in The Mystery of History with Sage as well.     Speaking of the Mystery of History --- this is one of the things we will be using with Sage for 1st grade.  She will also be using the Journal and Language Arts Program from Love to Learn, Inc.   This is an amazing program and has a strong writing program.  We will also still be doing Classical Conversations.  This was such a blessing to Sage and me last year!!  Thank you so much Julianna!  You're amazing.  We are using Pathway readers and workbooks and when Sage is finished with her math she will be moving on to Saxon.  As for science, I am not sure yet what we will be dong but for now we  having plenty of Earth Science activities and books to learn from such as the Christian Liberty Nature books.   The Mystery of History is an eye opening history curriculum which we will be using along with Trail Guide to World Geography.  A few other things :  A Reason for Handwriting, Draw Write Now, and tons of games.   Sage also helped me with a CD called Chinese Children's Stories and Proverbs which will hopefully be released by the end of November 2007.  (more on that later...)   I am grateful to be blessed with such a rich life.

Sage M.D.

May. 6, 2007

Eliese, Wee Baby calf, Piper and Sage We went on a field trip with some other home schoolers to a vet clinic and a cattle farm.  It was rainy and muddy but the students were able to meet an little calf who was being bottle raised.  The vet also let the high school age students observe an operation on a dog.  Welllll  anyone who knows Sage knows she loves all things medical.  She kept asking to go back to view the surgery but one of the assistants said  "Oh honey you too young"  finally she relented and said she'd go back with her and see how she did.  A few seconds later she returned and said "Your right, she's lovin' it and is fine!"  So my little five year old stood with the high schoolers watching with great interest and thoroughly delighting in being able to observe another surgical procedure. Sage M.D.  with patient patient Puff.

Staying on Track

                                                               

from Feb. 5, 2007 -

I find it  hard this time of the year to stay on track.  We seem to slack off  and get behind....  I am trying to nip it in the bud early this time by staying on track with the three R's which are the staples of learning.    Each day we do reading, arithmetic, writing and of course Bible stories and discussion. Then each day of the week has one of the other subjects assigned.  Monday- History, Tuesday-our day out with Classical Conversations, Violin and Dance, Wednesday - Science, Thursday- Art and Friday-Music.  We may not always cover everything and sometimes only the basics, but as long as we are covering those three R's and Bible, I feel we have accomplished much.  Of course we also do other things such as last week when we did book binding, bread making (which we do weekly), card making - for Valentines and Chinese New Year etc.    Character training is a part of daily life., being implemented in daily tasks.    Accountability is essential in homeschooling.  One must diligent to do their best in everything they do so as to glorify the Lord.  I pray I can do better this year as it shows in our witness to others.

Science - The Owl Pellet

from Nov. 13, 2006

I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. Psalm 102:6                                                                             In Classical  Conversations Sage dissected an Owl Pellet.  Do you know what an Owl pellet is?  No, It's not poo.  An owl hunts small mammals like rodents, birds and invertebrates. They cannot digest bones, teeth, fur, feather, scales or insect skeletons but only  the soft muscles and organs of their prey they swallow their prey whole.  But what happens to the parts they cannot digest?  This material is formed into a pellet by the gizzard muscles and passed back up the esophagus about 10 hours later.... in other words they regurgitate it.  Thus you have the Owl pellet.  These pellets can be found at the bottom of a tree which the owl has perched and provides scientists information about owl diet and habits.  Sage's Owl  appeared to have eaten a small bird and rodent.  Scientists can determine what owls are eating at different times and locations. So interesting!  The girls also made paper plate Owls.  You can find virtual owl pellet disecction at Kid Wings.  You can also purchase them for about $3.00 each.

Science - The Bean 101

from Sept. 22, 2006

Sage is learning about plants and how they grow as well as the names of the parts of a plant.  How amazing it is for a young child to see God's hand at work in nature.

    For information on growing your own bean like Sage visit Lifecycle of A Bean!

from Sept. 22, 2006 Classical Conversations

This month the girls began Classical Conversations classes which are held once a week.  Although only Sage is really enrolled in these classes her teacher, Mrs. Julianna Burgess, kindly allows Piper to participate.  Julianna has the patience of a saint and is absolutely wonderful. The girls love her!  Sage is in the Foundations Program for K-6th grades which provides classes based on the Classical education.  They meet once a week and learn about History, Geography, Math, Science, Latin and Grammar.  Memory work is used to help these young ones learn facts about subjects.  they also have fine arts and science projects and give an oral presentation on a pre determined subject each week. We having been thrilled with these classes and look forward to them each week.

Jesus Loves Me

from Jun. 14, 2006 - Jesus Loves Me

Yesu ai wo wo zhidao  Yin you ShengJing gaosu wo Xiao xiao haizi zhu ai hu  Wo sui ruan ruo Zhu gangqiang How Yesu ai wo  How Yesu ai wo How Yesu ai wo You ShengJing gaosu wo.

First Spelling Test

People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much speak little. --- Rosseau

from  June 11, 2006 ~~  Sage was too excited to wait for kindergarten to begin so we went ahead and started.  We are really enjoying the Sonlight curriculum this year.  Of course we have already read through the entire BoxCar Children #1 book which was suppose to last more than a couple weeks.....  I am thankful she loves reading. 

Her first spelling test included the words:  sat, mat, cat, hat and the bonus word "is".   I let her use a small dry erase board because it is more fun.  I don't worry about lines on this board right now.  I was actually shocked she could spell these nefver having practiced them before-- she wanted to keep going. Dream child..... 

A Buffet of Resources

                                                                                                                                           

May 14, 2006 ~~  Things sure have things changed since my boys were young and homeschooled.  The choices were few when it came to curriculum.  BJU was one of the most obtainable.

But now....now... there are so many educationally rich materials available it can be quite overwhelming!  I must say, I am in heaven with the buffet of available resrouces.   I just want to order everything and try it! 

When someone is interested in homeschooling one of the first things they ask is "What curriculum do you use?"  In the past we used mostly BJU (Bob Jones University Press) and Saxon math.  But as I realized each child has a different learning style we had to change because what worked for one, did not work well for the other.  Besides BJUP, we've used Abeka, Konos, Key to series, Saxon (which my sons absolutely loathed so we switched to BJU Math), Video Text Algebra (we were one of the first to use this!), LLATL, Unit Studies, college courses, Easy way to Grammar, Veritas Press, Teach your child to read in 100 days, various Bible studies .... the list just goes on and on.

I had been implementing preschool activities with my daughter since she was two but soon Sage was hungry to learn more.  So, I scoured the catalogs and Internet for a fun educational program and ended up buying Sing, Spell, Read and Write.  As we got into it I found that it just wasn't enough for my progressive, eager to learn little student.  (Please note I am in no way saying it is a bad choice!  I actually liked much of it.)  I decided to add Sonlight's K4 program which she devoured since she is a child who absolutely loves to read (& be read to) but the K4 wasn't advanced enough for her so I included Abeka K4 to get her started with phonics. But, the Abeka K4 was so classroom structured it just didn't work well for us. 

I also used various workbooks and really started implementing the Charlotte Mason approach with her as I began to realize the type of learner she is.  I've read much of her stuff in the past and really feel this is the most well rounded, fun way of learning for a child.  Real books!!  There is an online group called Ambleside Online which is a free curriculum based on the Charlotte Mason method of teaching.  I gleaned much information from this site and list! 

Thursday we got our official kindergarten curriculum in from Sonlight.  After looking through everything available I again felt this was the best choice-- I just went with advanced readers this time!  Sonlight is rich in literature and history.  My 71 year old mother happened to be here when we were opening the boxes --- oh what fun that is!!--- when she commented "Well goodness, these are books I would be interested in reading."  Sage, my parents and I excitedly pulled out book after real book.  Even Piper grabbed on to a nature book and scurried up into my father's lap.   

I chose Songlight's K5 program but used the Level 1 advanced readers.  Sonlight is rich in real books, adventure in learning through reading and can be personalized to suit your child (example: choosing level 1 readers instead of K readers) You can also chose your own math and handwriting programs etc... and all this is laid out for you!  I really felt I needed this as it takes so much time to plan everything out.  With Sonlight you choose a four or five day course of study and they have it all written out for you.  You just open a page for Week 1 and start.  Art and PE are also included.  It also came with a calender and historical time-line.  Even the science course has the supplies we need in a nice box as well as the math manipulative's which came in a plastic storage case.  sigh...  I'm a happy girl and Sage is excited!  There are just too many advantages to this program to list here but you can visit them at  www.sonlight.com and either scour the site or order a catalog.   Now, they are pricey, but you get what you pay for. 

Other resource books  and reading books we use are McGuffey readers, notebooking, Handbook of Nature Study,  Christian Liberty Nature Readers, What your _____ needs to know - series,  Excel Math, Horizon Math & Singapore Math (Sage is good at math),  Explore the Code & Mind Benders. 

Sage also takes dance as well as violin lessons

There is so much available out there now.  It can be a bit overwhelming but once you discover your child's learning style everything will fall into place.  A child should enjoy learning and want to get up in the morning and "do school work" as Sage says. 

If a child begins to dread learning everyday something needs to change.

Nature Lessons for the Young

                                                                               

May 7, 2006 ~~  I recently purchased The Burgess Bird Book For Children by Thornton W. Burgess thinking this would be a good way to glean some facts about wild birds --  an area in which I sorely lack knowledge.  What a surprise when I began reading a chapter to my girls.  This is a delightful book for young ones!  Instead of just giving a bunch of facts - which younger children don't enjoy listening to-- this book teaches gentle lessons of birds and wildlife.

Mr. Burgess has given life to the wildlife in an interesting dialog of conversation.  For example, in chapter 5 Peter Rabbit learns something new about Winsome Bluebird and Welcome Robin.  Winsome Bluebird has arrived to welcome in Mistress Spring.  Peter adores his two bird friends and is quite surprised when Jenny Wren mentions how much the cousins look alike.  Peter didn't realize Winsome and Welcome are cousins, both part of the thrush family!  "Tut, tut, tut Peter!" exclaims Jenny Wren.   Peter still doubtful goes to ask his two friends if this is true.  "Yes" Winsome chuckles.  "Welcome and I may not look much alike, but we are cousins just the same.  Don't' you think Welcome is looking unusually fine this spring?" 

"Not a bit finer than yourself, Winsome," replies Peter....

And so the story continues with an absolutely delightful dialog of these characters.  This book is rich in real information and I can't wait to purchase others by Mr. Burgess.

Bread & Butter Day

April 7, 2007 ~~  Yesterday we read "Laura's Ma" by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Ma had a specific chore assigned to each day of the week, from a traidtion brought to Amercia on the Mayflower around 1620.      

Wash on Monday,
Iron on Tuesday,
Bake on Wednesday,
Brew on Thursday,
Churn on Friday,
Mend on Saturday,
Go to meeting on Sunday.

Laura's favorite was butter making day when Ma would take fresh milk and turn it into delicious creamy butter by hand churning it with a dash in a crock.  We decided we just had to make butter.  The girls were vigilant in shaking their jars... well Sage was.     I admit I cheated by using the Kitchen Aid.  We also just had to make homemade bread to go with it.  What a delight to have little girls.

    Piper & Sage with homemade butter and bread

         

Sage kneading the dough

Mom! You cheated by using the Kitchen Aid!