We homeschool year round - with one slight deviation.
JULY!
We take a break from our normal routine, except for reading, and I use the time to clean out and re-organize.
So far I've tackled the kids' rooms, including their closets. I almost feel like closets deserve their own status because so much piles up in them.
Last week I needed the assistance of both children to take on the upstairs. That's the lego haven, as well as a major clutter zone. I finally finished it up today. Included in that was organizing all of Jack's art work from the past year, complete with descriptions that his amazingly talented art for homeschoolers teacher provides at the end of every quarter.
Tomorrow it's on to the clean up of our school cabinets. I'm hoping to have the laundry room completed by Tuesday, because on Wednesday we head out on a road trip for Mattie's birthday adventure!
When we return I still have our bedroom closet, the medicine cabinet, all the windows and a few miscellaneous tasks on the agenda before we have hardwood floors installed downstairs the first week of August.
It feels somewhat counterproductive to think about all this organizing right before our house gets turned upside down. But I know once we start back to school, and a new semester starts at the university where I teach, any sort of mass overhaul is out of the question. That's why for me, July is for cleaning up and cleaning out.
The Family
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
A Confession
I don't like going to the library with my children.
There, I've said it. (Can you hear the exhale?)
Here's the thing: I love books. I love the library. I most certainly love my children.
It's just I don't find the library an enjoyable experience anymore.
When Jack was a toddler you'd find us at story time every week. Even back then there were some things I felt were left to be desired, but the guilt I felt about thinking negatively about the library, a place where the love of books and reading run supreme, compelled me to keep my thoughts to myself and to persevere in our weekly visits.
When Mattie came along it got harder to keep the routine. I promised myself I'd take her when she got older. For two summers we tried story time. Last year I gave it up.
Part of my feelings stem from the difficulty locating books on the shelves.
Another frustration, at least with story time, is how little you can hear of the actual story because of the noise and chaos that always seem to ensue.
A constant sore spot is how often we bring home books we never read; I say yes to random books pulled off the shelves because what kind of mother tells her child no when it comes to library books??? Then we get home and immediately discard them until its time for their return.
Yet another aspect is that one child wants to do one thing while the other child wants to do something else. This inevitably leaves one of the two pouting or angry when we leave.
And don't even get me started on what feels like a lack of help or interest on the part of the librarians in the children's section at our library.
Until a couple of weeks ago I thought this was something better left unsaid. I had never heard anyone else express thoughts like this. Then I had some conversations with friends expressing the same feelings, and I also listened to a Read-Aloud-Revival podcast where one of the guests talked about her own, as well as others, feelings about venturing to the library with young children.
I knew I was not alone.
Part of what I've tried to do the last couple of years is to create our own home library so that quality stories are always at our fingertips. We've amassed a decent collection. In fact, I was talking to my husband a few weeks ago about the possibility of having additional shelves built for our bedroom because we need more space for books!!!
All of this might lead you to believe I've nixed going to the library.
Quite the contrary.
I just make it a point to go by myself. I pick out the books ahead of time and make a quick run inside. My favorite part is checking out, especially with two particular librarians. They are always so inquisitive about my choices and offer great suggestions for future reads.
And its when I get home from the library that the magic happens: the reading of the books themselves and the total immersion into the stories they weave.
There, I've said it. (Can you hear the exhale?)
Here's the thing: I love books. I love the library. I most certainly love my children.
It's just I don't find the library an enjoyable experience anymore.
When Jack was a toddler you'd find us at story time every week. Even back then there were some things I felt were left to be desired, but the guilt I felt about thinking negatively about the library, a place where the love of books and reading run supreme, compelled me to keep my thoughts to myself and to persevere in our weekly visits.
When Mattie came along it got harder to keep the routine. I promised myself I'd take her when she got older. For two summers we tried story time. Last year I gave it up.
Part of my feelings stem from the difficulty locating books on the shelves.
Another frustration, at least with story time, is how little you can hear of the actual story because of the noise and chaos that always seem to ensue.
A constant sore spot is how often we bring home books we never read; I say yes to random books pulled off the shelves because what kind of mother tells her child no when it comes to library books??? Then we get home and immediately discard them until its time for their return.
Yet another aspect is that one child wants to do one thing while the other child wants to do something else. This inevitably leaves one of the two pouting or angry when we leave.
And don't even get me started on what feels like a lack of help or interest on the part of the librarians in the children's section at our library.
Until a couple of weeks ago I thought this was something better left unsaid. I had never heard anyone else express thoughts like this. Then I had some conversations with friends expressing the same feelings, and I also listened to a Read-Aloud-Revival podcast where one of the guests talked about her own, as well as others, feelings about venturing to the library with young children.
I knew I was not alone.
Part of what I've tried to do the last couple of years is to create our own home library so that quality stories are always at our fingertips. We've amassed a decent collection. In fact, I was talking to my husband a few weeks ago about the possibility of having additional shelves built for our bedroom because we need more space for books!!!
All of this might lead you to believe I've nixed going to the library.
Quite the contrary.
I just make it a point to go by myself. I pick out the books ahead of time and make a quick run inside. My favorite part is checking out, especially with two particular librarians. They are always so inquisitive about my choices and offer great suggestions for future reads.
And its when I get home from the library that the magic happens: the reading of the books themselves and the total immersion into the stories they weave.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Wind Creek
Camping isn't exactly my thing, but I certainly don't mind hanging out at a campground for the day, which we did this past Saturday when we visited my husband's father and stepmom at their campsite at Wind Creek, on Lake Martin, in Alex City, Ala.
They have a camper and sometimes head to nearby parks for extended stays. Jack and Matt spent the night there with Matt's dad and had, by all accounts, a great boy's night. They rode on the jet ski and were in the process of roasting marshmallows when their hopes were dampered by the sudden deluge of a typical Alabama thunderstorm.
The camper was near the site of a man-made beach. Being Saturday, the place was packed with eager swimmers. I didn't think my children were ever going to get out of the lake. We were so shriveled and pruned after two straight hours in the water.
Both of them had a blast!
After cooking out and visiting, Mattie and I made the hour-long drive home to a mighty quiet house and a thunderstorm of our own.
They have a camper and sometimes head to nearby parks for extended stays. Jack and Matt spent the night there with Matt's dad and had, by all accounts, a great boy's night. They rode on the jet ski and were in the process of roasting marshmallows when their hopes were dampered by the sudden deluge of a typical Alabama thunderstorm.
The camper was near the site of a man-made beach. Being Saturday, the place was packed with eager swimmers. I didn't think my children were ever going to get out of the lake. We were so shriveled and pruned after two straight hours in the water.
Both of them had a blast!
After cooking out and visiting, Mattie and I made the hour-long drive home to a mighty quiet house and a thunderstorm of our own.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Summer Reading
It's my favorite time of year. Sure, the weather, the pool, the freedom and laid back feeling of summer are all great. But those aren't the primary reasons I love summer.
Summer is the perfect time for reading!
Here's what we're working on right now and in the months to come:
For the Kids:
1. The Fly Guy Series - These are books Jack is reading aloud. We had a friend lend them to us, and at first I was unsure because I was afraid they would be twaddle, but they are perfect chapter books for a budding, and sometimes reluctant, reader. He reads 1-3 pages a day, so it feels like slow going to me to make it through each one.
2. Roald Dahl Books - I read through most of our local library's collection of Roald Dahl books with Jack several years ago, so I figured it was time to do the same with Mattie. We started with "The Witches," which is an interesting take on living with and getting rid of those pesky creatures. We finished "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" last week. It might be the most well known of his stories, but it's my least favorite of them all because that nutter Willy Wonka grates my nerves. We are currently on "James and the Giant Peach," and have a stack of others including, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Esio Trot," and, my favorite, "Danny, the Champion of the World," among others, to work our way through.
3. The Lemony Snicket Series - We are listening to these on Audible. We started them when we drove to DC, and now we can't stop. There are 13 in this series. The language and narration are superb. I'm so glad we ventured into the audio foray with these.
For Me:
4. "A Dance with Dragons" - I don't know why I do this to myself. These books drive me crazy, but I have to find out what happens to the Starks. And that's why I hate them because George R.R. Martin is all about killing off that family. I almost put this book down three chapters in because it felt like the same old routine. But some old, and new, characters were introduced, and I plodded along. I can't tell you who I'm rooting for anymore in this Game of Thrones.
5. "Someone" - I had this on my book list for a while. Compared to "A Dance with Dragons," it was a speed read. It's not so much about the choices we make in life as the things that happen, and don't happen, to us and how those define our lives. A simple, yet deeply moving and poignant story.
6. "Super Sad True Love Story"- All I can say is think "1984" written in the tech age. I'm about a hundred pages in. Sometimes I shake my head in agreement. Sometimes I want to cry for the protagonist because he's such a glutton for punishment. Other times I'm afraid of what the future holds; by that I mean our future.
Other reads on the list for the summer:
"Freakonomics"
"The Wealth of Nations"
"The Opposite of Loneliness"
"You Should Have Known"
"Bittersweet"
Summer is the perfect time for reading!
Here's what we're working on right now and in the months to come:
For the Kids:
1. The Fly Guy Series - These are books Jack is reading aloud. We had a friend lend them to us, and at first I was unsure because I was afraid they would be twaddle, but they are perfect chapter books for a budding, and sometimes reluctant, reader. He reads 1-3 pages a day, so it feels like slow going to me to make it through each one.
2. Roald Dahl Books - I read through most of our local library's collection of Roald Dahl books with Jack several years ago, so I figured it was time to do the same with Mattie. We started with "The Witches," which is an interesting take on living with and getting rid of those pesky creatures. We finished "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" last week. It might be the most well known of his stories, but it's my least favorite of them all because that nutter Willy Wonka grates my nerves. We are currently on "James and the Giant Peach," and have a stack of others including, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Esio Trot," and, my favorite, "Danny, the Champion of the World," among others, to work our way through.
3. The Lemony Snicket Series - We are listening to these on Audible. We started them when we drove to DC, and now we can't stop. There are 13 in this series. The language and narration are superb. I'm so glad we ventured into the audio foray with these.
For Me:
4. "A Dance with Dragons" - I don't know why I do this to myself. These books drive me crazy, but I have to find out what happens to the Starks. And that's why I hate them because George R.R. Martin is all about killing off that family. I almost put this book down three chapters in because it felt like the same old routine. But some old, and new, characters were introduced, and I plodded along. I can't tell you who I'm rooting for anymore in this Game of Thrones.
5. "Someone" - I had this on my book list for a while. Compared to "A Dance with Dragons," it was a speed read. It's not so much about the choices we make in life as the things that happen, and don't happen, to us and how those define our lives. A simple, yet deeply moving and poignant story.
6. "Super Sad True Love Story"- All I can say is think "1984" written in the tech age. I'm about a hundred pages in. Sometimes I shake my head in agreement. Sometimes I want to cry for the protagonist because he's such a glutton for punishment. Other times I'm afraid of what the future holds; by that I mean our future.
Other reads on the list for the summer:
"Freakonomics"
"The Wealth of Nations"
"The Opposite of Loneliness"
"Bittersweet"
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
My Favorite Poems for Younger Children
I've come to relish the almost daily rhythm that poetry has created in our lives in the two plus years I've been reading it aloud with my children.
We have three standard anthologies we use. I typically read one to two poems from each anthology every weekday. Once we finish all the poems in a book, we simply start over.
And having read the same poems again and again, I'd say the following constantly stand out as crowd pleasers in our home:
1. Amelia Mixed the Mustard by A. E. Housman - My daughter loves this poem. It makes her laugh every time. If you've read it you probably understand why I can't decide whether I should be amused or anxious!
2. Me by Walter de la Mare - We read this poem just this morning, and what always strikes me is the encouraging tone for total acceptance of one's self.
3. Daddy Fell Into the Pond by Alfred Noyes - this silly and entertaining poem always puts a smile on my face.
4. maggie and millie and molly and may by e.e. cummings - one only has to love the sea to understand the beauty and depth of this poem (though cummings lack of capitalization always throws me). This is one we all know by heart.
5. Bed in Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson - this poem perfectly captures what children truly feel in relation to bedtime.
6. If Little Red Riding Hood by Jeff Moss - this witty poem hits the nail on the head when it comes to disputing the classic fairy tale.
7. Bad Morning by Langston Hughes - short and completely on point about how a bad morning is one of the most frustrating things on earth.
8. Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer - this classic is long but, oh, so worth the read.
9. Casey's Revenge by Grantland Rice - this lesser known poem leaves you satisfied. It also includes one of my favorite lines in all of poetry: "And Fate, though fickle, often gives another chance to men."
10. The Cremation of Sam McGee - it's an odd one, and some would argue not for young children, but mine are often rapt by the long, bewitching story.
11. Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack by Rudyard Kipling - the cadence and rhythm of this poem is mesmerizing.
We have three standard anthologies we use. I typically read one to two poems from each anthology every weekday. Once we finish all the poems in a book, we simply start over.
And having read the same poems again and again, I'd say the following constantly stand out as crowd pleasers in our home:
1. Amelia Mixed the Mustard by A. E. Housman - My daughter loves this poem. It makes her laugh every time. If you've read it you probably understand why I can't decide whether I should be amused or anxious!
2. Me by Walter de la Mare - We read this poem just this morning, and what always strikes me is the encouraging tone for total acceptance of one's self.
3. Daddy Fell Into the Pond by Alfred Noyes - this silly and entertaining poem always puts a smile on my face.
4. maggie and millie and molly and may by e.e. cummings - one only has to love the sea to understand the beauty and depth of this poem (though cummings lack of capitalization always throws me). This is one we all know by heart.
5. Bed in Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson - this poem perfectly captures what children truly feel in relation to bedtime.
6. If Little Red Riding Hood by Jeff Moss - this witty poem hits the nail on the head when it comes to disputing the classic fairy tale.
7. Bad Morning by Langston Hughes - short and completely on point about how a bad morning is one of the most frustrating things on earth.
8. Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer - this classic is long but, oh, so worth the read.
9. Casey's Revenge by Grantland Rice - this lesser known poem leaves you satisfied. It also includes one of my favorite lines in all of poetry: "And Fate, though fickle, often gives another chance to men."
10. The Cremation of Sam McGee - it's an odd one, and some would argue not for young children, but mine are often rapt by the long, bewitching story.
11. Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack by Rudyard Kipling - the cadence and rhythm of this poem is mesmerizing.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Picking Time
After three years participating in a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, things have changed a bit.
Gone are the days when we drove to the farm and the farmer handed over the fruits and vegetables. This spring and summer, we must do the picking.
Things have also been much more spread out this season, and we haven't been going on a weekly basis as before.
We've received about 4 dozen eggs every other week since January. The farmer does still collect those for us, which is a win!
We went twice to pick strawberries and were hoping to go more, but rain ruined the crop.
I went out one Saturday to pick eight heads of lettuce, which is a task to eat before going bad even when you share some of those with neighbors and family.
I also picked leeks, which I wasn't too sure we'd like. To my surprise, we found them quite tasty sauteed and paired with mushrooms to top a steak several weeks ago. Most of the leeks I chopped and froze for later use.
There's just one thing about picking during the summer that has me a bit apprehensive: the idea of coming across a snake. AAAAHHHHHH!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
A Week at the Beach
I haven't posted in a while because I teach at a local university, and with end of the semester grading and final exams, we weren't out adventuring much.
But this past week we did take a week-long beach trip to Perdido Key, Fla. We went with my husband's mom and sister and her 7-month-old twin boys. My husband joined us about mid-week, and a few other family members were there from time-to-time.
Considering the last trip we took was a whopper of a drive, the four hours to Perdido Key flew by!
The kids and I spent most of the week dividing our time between the beach and the pool. We would usually head out about 8 am and come back in around 11 or 11:30 each day. We'd stay in for an hour or two and then go back out to do all over again - swimming, playing in the sand, running from the monstrous waves and walking along the beach looking for shells.
After about three days I realized the sun and I just aren't friends anymore. Actually, I've known it for about 12 years now, but I hoped between the 30 and 55 sunblock I kept on the entire time, I would have better luck.
Nope.
When I spend more than three days in the sun for long periods of time, my skin breaks out in a rash. It first happened years ago when I was on a cruise, but I was on an antibiotic at the time and thought I was having a weird reaction to it. It happened again several more times in subsequent years when I was at the beach. This time, the rash appeared on my upper thigh first. By the next day it was on my chest and then by that evening on my feet. On Wednesday night I had to borrow some Benadryl from my sister-in-law because I was itching so bad I couldn't sleep.
We spent Thursday at a local putt-putt/arcade riding go karts, driving bumper boats and playing a round of 18. And Friday we went to lunch with a family friend I've known since childhood that has both a house and condo there in Perdido Key.
Those last two days we headed out late afternoon to the pool so I could avoid the sun. We wanted to spend Friday night on the beach with our flashlights hunting for crabs, but a thunderstorm rolled in just as we were getting ready to search.
All in all it ended up being a trip for the record books. I know it's one my children will always remember and cherish because of the memories made last week.
There's just nothing quite like a week at the beach with family.
But this past week we did take a week-long beach trip to Perdido Key, Fla. We went with my husband's mom and sister and her 7-month-old twin boys. My husband joined us about mid-week, and a few other family members were there from time-to-time.
Considering the last trip we took was a whopper of a drive, the four hours to Perdido Key flew by!
The kids and I spent most of the week dividing our time between the beach and the pool. We would usually head out about 8 am and come back in around 11 or 11:30 each day. We'd stay in for an hour or two and then go back out to do all over again - swimming, playing in the sand, running from the monstrous waves and walking along the beach looking for shells.
After about three days I realized the sun and I just aren't friends anymore. Actually, I've known it for about 12 years now, but I hoped between the 30 and 55 sunblock I kept on the entire time, I would have better luck.
Nope.
When I spend more than three days in the sun for long periods of time, my skin breaks out in a rash. It first happened years ago when I was on a cruise, but I was on an antibiotic at the time and thought I was having a weird reaction to it. It happened again several more times in subsequent years when I was at the beach. This time, the rash appeared on my upper thigh first. By the next day it was on my chest and then by that evening on my feet. On Wednesday night I had to borrow some Benadryl from my sister-in-law because I was itching so bad I couldn't sleep.
We spent Thursday at a local putt-putt/arcade riding go karts, driving bumper boats and playing a round of 18. And Friday we went to lunch with a family friend I've known since childhood that has both a house and condo there in Perdido Key.
Those last two days we headed out late afternoon to the pool so I could avoid the sun. We wanted to spend Friday night on the beach with our flashlights hunting for crabs, but a thunderstorm rolled in just as we were getting ready to search.
All in all it ended up being a trip for the record books. I know it's one my children will always remember and cherish because of the memories made last week.
There's just nothing quite like a week at the beach with family.
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