Gotta love a good book

Home educating my children has brought out a lot of things in me that I never knew existed . . . for example, who knew I would be intrigued by the Cottonwood Borer and be willing to collect as many of them as my five year old wanted?  Not I, I assure you.  The things we do for our children!

I've always enjoyed a good book.  Finding the time to sit down to read one isn't always that simple, but I will tell you that I have noticed in the past year that as you make that time, you will want to do it more and more. There's nothing quite like snuggling in the recliner with a warm little kiddo and a good book to make everything seem a-okay.  

When we first started out on this adventure of home education, I fell right in to the thinking that I needed to order as much of the curriculum and accessories that the publisher I chose had to offer . . or, should I say, as much as we could afford.  But, as with many ideas of mine, that has changed.  I find that very little curriculum is needed and more and more real, LIVING books are what I crave for my children and I.

What a great difference there is between sitting down to learn about a subject, such as Whales with a textbook written by a committee than with a book written by someone who is absolutely fascinated by the creature.  The lesson changes from that of facts and a few pictures to one of vivid explanations of their fascinating, differentiating characteristics and beautiful photography highlighting the lively text that makes them truly fascinating.  

I am so thankful for the way my eyes were opened to this truth as I read books, 
such as Charlotte Mason Companion and Educating the WholeHearted Child.  Their love of living books quickly became mine.

So, you can imagine my excitement today as I came across a new, great place to buy used books at very low prices.  This got me thinking . . . maybe there was someone else out there who might benefit from knowing of some great places to buy used and new books.


Each and every one of these beautiful books came from one of our local Goodwill stores!  That's right; someone out there decided they didn't need these anymore and donated them so that a someone like me could come along and snatch them up for super cheap prices.  




I've had these three on my Wish list 

for quite some time.

Too stubborn to pay the $15-$18 price tags that the used bookstore has been asking;
the $2.75 and $3.00 was more to my liking.






Here's the stack I ended up

purchasing:

New, these would have added up to quite the "pretty penny" but today I spent only $34.00 for all of them.

I actually forgot to include one of the books in the picture, but my purchase included 17 books.  

That means they averaged at only $2 a book!

Loving that!





It's funny how a stack of used books could make my day but it sure did.
I recommend getting online or on the phone and calling around to your local Goodwill stores or other thrift stores to find out what kind of a selection they have.  In our area, there is quite the variety.  In one store, you may find only a small shelf or two while at others, there may be so many you can't look at them all in one day.  

Some other great places to find good deals on books:

1.  Yard/ Garage sales                                                           
2. Friends and family members: get the word out!  You love books . . .  you may be surprised how many you start inheriting.
3.  Used bookstores 
4. Library sales
5.  Department stores, such as Target( $1 section):  That's right, I was amazed to find some Unabridged Classics right there in the $1 section marked down 70%!!!! Whew, hew!  Here's what I quickly snatched up. 


The only problem I see with getting all these great books at such a low price:  having to convince my husband to build new bookshelves to accommodate them all.  

Summer teaches me

Summer teaches me



Is it possible that July is here?  We are three days in and time goes faster and faster...
Wow, do I feel old when I say things like that!  But, it is so true.  These days are fleeting, the Bible says it and I believe it.
While days go quickly by, we are enjoying them. What about you?  What is your family up to lately?

Most everyone is either inside trying to beat the heat while others are splashing around in crystal blue water, squealing and having a grand ole time.  
 We've had our share of both lately.  The kids are enjoying swimming lessons.  I'm enjoying watching them learn, even if I am half melted by the time lessons are over. By the way, can I just tell you how thankful I am for trees.  Without them, I would literally be a melted mess by the time my children finished up with their lessons.  It is hot out there people!

Summer time is such a great time to make lots of wonderful memories with your families.  There's all the grill outs, 4th of July celebrations, church picnics and ice cream socials.  What's not to love? There are so many things to be thankful for, so many ways to create memories with the ones we love.

I don't know if you are like me but sometimes I can really make things too difficult.  SO often, the urge to direct, plan out and organize each and every detail encompasses my thinking.  But, I am here to say that really none of this needed . . . my children do not need me to play the role of  "group activity leader" all of the time.

On a later date, I will share about my girls but for today, I am here to say that there are only two things my boys need to have a great time together.  Okay, I admit, if you add in a third . . it will really be a party.

Are you ready? Here it is . . . 

1. Dirt
2. Some sticks or rocks

and for a party . . . ....

3. Water!

That's it, people. Really!  I'm telling you, all the money spent on little plastic toys, Legos and Playdough . . . really, there is no need in the summer.  Give them a little land and they are thrilled.


How fun it is to sit and watch as my boys play together.  What a joy!  
Listening to my "big boy" explaining to my "baby boy" how to do this or build that absolutely puts a smile on this mama's face.
Boys really are precious.  

Have you noticed?  When is the last time you sat back and listened to your children play?  Remarkable actually.  
Take the time today!
Stop for a minute what you are doing.  Don't worry, the dishes will be there when you get back . . trust me, there is always laundry but remember the days are fleeting . . 
Take the time . . . now!  Sit down and enjoy your children.
Pick up a stick.  Sit down near a mound of dirt, call your boys over and be amazed. 



Words for the Wise

I've been wanting to make a magnetic word board for quite a while.  After finally finding a second set of Scrabble pieces at a yard sale (for 50 cents, no less), I set out to complete the project.  As is usual, I didn't take pictures of each and every step but I am sure you will be able to figure this one out.  It is so simple!!


Find a child or two to help with this project; they will love it.  
Dump the pieces out and ask your child to sort through,  placing all letters upright so that you can see what you have to work with. 

This is a great time to practice letter recognition with a little one.  Call out a letter and have them find it.  Or, go a step further and ask them to spell out a word while they wait for you to finish with your part. 



Use scissors to cut pieces of the magnet
and stick to the bottom of each Scrabble tile.

I made sure to use several of each vowel and the more commonly used consonants, such as M, N, T, S, P and R . . . .

So far the magnets are sticking pretty well, but I think I will eventually hot glue the magnets to the
back of each tile.



Here is the finished product!
You can see that I used an inexpensive pizza pan which I bought at Target for under $5.

The kids have had such a GREAT time with this.  In fact, my eight year old is playing with it right now.  Her words include Family, Friend, Grace, Laugh, Love and Live along with a few others...

It is so great for encouraging them to practice their spelling words, making up creative sentences, playing a traditional Scrabble game or whatever else they come up with. 

Here is what it looks like hung on our wall.  It would also look great setting on a coffee table. 



This is one time I'm glad 
I was too "chicken". . .

Last night, as I was talking to a friend, at her car, we saw what looked, at first, to be a large spider.  After a closer look, we realized it indeed was an insect of some kind, not a spider.  I knew right away that this bug must come home with me so that the kiddos could see it.  
This is where the problem occurred; I did not have our bug jar with me.  I thought about it for a minute, wondering if I could muster up enough courage to carry him in my hands, as we were only a short walk from my house.  But, as usual, when it comes to creepy crawly things, my courage would not "kick in".  I just could not pick up the thing.  So, I thought about it a little longer and remembered that I had a bobbin case with me, in my bag... whew hew, thanks to crafting, we had a solution!!!

*****************
Easily, I was able to capture the strange looking creature and head home to get him into the jar.  While my husband placed him in his temporary home, we noticed a strange odor.  It was slightly unpleasant but not unbearable, in any way.

Today, the kids and I got busy looking him up; we couldn't wait to find out who he was......

After we searched just a few keywords online, we quickly found our "friend".... a wheel bug.

Here he is.... you'll see why, in a minute, he is called a "Wheel bug".


The above picture doesn't quite show his unique detail, helping to clarify why he has the name he has, so I will include one I found online.


As you can see, the wheel bug has a semi-wheel shaped armor on his back, reminding me of a rotary blade.  I wonder if this armor discourages birds from eating him.

If you look closely, under his mouth, he has a large Fang-like structure.  This would be the main reason for my title.... "This is one time I am glad I was too "chicken".  After researching, we found that he uses this fang to attack his prey and to protect himself when threatened.  He will viciously stab his enemy repeatedly with the fang, injecting them with a paralyzing substance.  Although, it sounds like, for a human, it would not be too harmful, it is said that the "bite" is much more painful than a bee sting and can take a month or more to heal.
OUCH!

However, for a prey, this substance is deadly.  Apparently, the poison will eat the prey from the inside out, leaving the wheel bug to suck out the liquid... isn't that just lovely?



After reading about the wheel bug, I had to convince my son that it was safe to handle the jar.  (Smile!)
He was concerned about the holes in the jar, thinking that the bug may stick his fangs through them.  

This would be why he is holding the jar from the top and bottom; no fear of holes here.  


We said our goodbyes, opened up the jar and let our "friend" go!

As we had read, when he took off in flight, he made a humming, vibrating sound and flew quickly.  

Because of his size, we could see him for quite a while, flying in the sky.  It was quite fun for my son and I.

****************

I think that is what I am enjoying most about our nature studies.  We are finding ways to learn about something new together.  I love that.  

There was a time, I never would have imagined finding such interest in these bugs, but I can honestly say that I am thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.  I believe my kids are as well.  This is what it's all about. 

If you and your child would like to learn more about this interesting insect, here are some links to look up.  They include lots of helpful information and pictures.  
By the way, despite the painful bite and stinky smell, this guy is considered a "beneficial insect", as he will eat other insects that are harmful to your plants, etc...

And check out this unique detail... he has an interesting "thumbprint" sort of detail at the ends of his wings; our guy's were shimmery and metallic in color. 



*** strange name for a site that tells about bugs, but this is correct.

*** this one has some great info and clear pictures.














Changing Mother



I have great need of change;   Praise God, He is doing just that.

Looking back, at the first few years of parenting, I was acting as though the knowledge I had gained from books or classes was enough to help me to function in this role as a mother.  Yes, I knew I needed to be in God's word but it really seemed to be more about what I did right. 
What I had gleaned from these books was that it was important for me to gain respect from my children, expecting "first time obedience" and "cheerful attitudes".  Agreed!
Understanding that these children were blessings, from the Lord, gave me the drive to search out advice from godly men and women who had walked before me.  
My hearts desire was to "do it" right. 

Lately, I believe the Lord is teaching me that this parenting thing is not, at all, about me doing right.  It truly is not about this philosophy or that.  The ideals of another man should never be my basis but rather the truths I see in God's word.
R.C. Sproul Jr. says, " However much God might have gifted any education theorists through the ages, He made none of them inerrant or smarter than Himself. 


As in many other areas, in my life, the Lord is teaching me that it is not about me but rather all about Him. 
In the same light, it is not all about how my children "turn out". 
Do I desire to see my children growing, loving and serving their Lord...absolutely.  
But... 
He placed these precious children in our care, for His purposes.  Plans that I may never understand..
Whether I like the outcome or not is really not the point.

While walking this path of parenting, the Lord is teaching me that my heart's desires must align with His.  His plans WILL come to be; I must walk humbly with that truth in my heart.  
Digging into God's word, studying the "Sunday school stories" of Joseph and Noah, Zacchaeus and Paul leaves one with no way of denying that man does nothing to change what God is doing.  What about Esther and Ruth, did not God have a plan all along that never once was changed by the deeds of a man?  

He, in His perfect timing, is helping my finite mind to see a bit of the truth of His sovereignty. 
Last night, I listened to a message from Romans 11, where God's word says, 
"O the depths of His riches, of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out." 
Clearly I can not understand! I may never fully understand, but I see, much more clearly now, that His will can not be shaken by my mistakes.  How comforting to rest in that.


What a difference it makes in daily life... What calm it brings to this mother's heart.  My children were created By Him, For Him and He will always remain in control.  
Nothing I do, nothing I say can change this.

So then, where does this leave me?  After having walked ten years with the idea that I must somehow mold my children, cause them to desire to love Him, and watch as "MY" parenting is proven right or wrong, I can tell you that I am left with "a peace that passes all understanding". 

He is so good!  His ways I may never understand.  His plans may be different than what I had hoped for.  But, I know I can trust Him.  He is God.  Who am I to think that I can somehow keep what He had planned from happening?

My responsibility, in mothering, is the same as it is in every other area of my life.  I must die daily.  Before anything is cleaned, picked up, sorted or taught, I must die to what I think is needed.  choosing only to honor Him...
seeking to know Him more...
setting my sight "on things above" rather than plans I have here on earth...
praising Him with my lips, my actions, my words, my heart...

Painfully learning... always
resting... yes
understanding.. no
trusting... with HIS doing! By His grace!









What we are enjoying

For fun, I thought I'd post about some things that we are currently enjoying.  This will be list of sorts.  I don't know about you but sometimes I think it is fun to find out about something new or something you had heard of but didn't know whether or not to try.  Maybe this list will help you.  Here we go....

1. Music

***We are currently enjoying these Cd's; although these kids songs have the similar, catchy tunes that others do, they are unlike most children's music in that they teach solid doctrinal truths.  These are not your normal, feel-good, no depth to them, kids songs ( aka . . .  Deep and Wide) but rather, these teach doctrine that sadly many adults don't understand . .  Love that. 

songsforsaplings

2. Books
Recently, my girls and I attended a theater production of The Secret Garden.  What a fun night that was.  We've been reading the book, written by Frances Hogdson Burnnett and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  Although the book and theater version differ quite a bit, we highly recommended both. 

***Our Handbook of Nature Study arrived last week!  How exciting to open up our box and see a thick book full of facts to help us to better understand our finds in nature.   This is not your normal, run of the mill, nature guide but rather a book that fits its title . . . a handbook.  It is FULL of helpful teaching hints, ideas for helping your students look a little bit closer at what they are seeing plus lots of information about creatures and such.   We look forward to putting it to use.


***Currently, I have several books going, although this contradicts what I learned to do in the first one,  
The Well Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer.  She recommends reading only one book, on one subject, at a time, and completely immersing oneself in to understanding that "topic".  I find this very difficult to follow . . . maybe I'll start working on that after I read these . . .  maybe...

***Also by Susan Wise Bauer, The Well Trained Mind, has been quite helpful as I plan our upcoming calendar for what the children will be learning.  As I learn about the Classical style of education, I become more and more interested.  I love that one of its goals is to teach our children HOW to think clearly rather than to teach a bunch of facts in order to see our child get a good grade.  

With that same mindset comes the approach of this next book, A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola.  Although there are some differences in their approaches, I am finding, that for me, I see that a blending of the two styles may be what will work well for our family .  What I enjoy most about her approach to educating a child is that we should be interested in knowing what our children find intriguing, furthering their knowledge in those areas and making sure there is time in their day to pursue those interests WHILE continuing their lessons in those subjects we see as necessary.  

*** Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally.  In her book, Sarah does a wonderful job of combining a fictional story of a princess seeking to follow her father's teaching with a graceful outline of how to seek purity and patience while waiting for marriage.  Sarah was featured on the Duggars this past season, I believe it was.  She seems to truly desire to encourage young ladies to pursue a godly womanhood.  How needful is that?  As the Lord has placed our daughters in our care, we are praying about this whole idea of non-dating (sometimes known as courtship).   Thankfully, we have some time to seek His leading in this area but I am of the thinking "Why wait . . . seek His leading now!"

3. Tasty things


***Blueberries and Blackberries;  I highly recommend getting your family in the car and heading out to a local farm to pick berries.  What a wonderful time it will be.  Be prepared for messy fingers and faces as well.  I recommend your bringing along baby wipes (for wiping said fingers and faces), a stool of some sort to sit on if the bushes you will be picking from are not trellised and a camera for capturing these fantastic memories.    

When you come home with several pounds of blackberries, I highly recommend making freezer jam.   Before you do, go buy some of  these jars, although they are cheaper at Walmart.  They made making freezer jam a cinch; no need for boiling glass jars to sanitize, etc..  Just fill and place on lids and you are done.  My kind of canning.  There is an easy to follow recipe right on the package of the jars. Also, be sure to purchase the instant pectin for no-cook freezer jams. 

***Another great recipe to try is berry butter.  With only two ingredients, this couldn't be easier.  Literally, blend butter and berries together, roll up into a log in plastic wrap.  You can refrigerate or freeze for longer keeping.  It is delicious spread on top of french toast, let me tell you.  Thank you Pioneer Woman for this idea. 

and last but not least......



***My favorite addition to a good book would be Chai Tea.  When a lady from Bible study told me about Chai Latte, I thought I'd give it a try.  Having never been much of a hot tea drinker and having never tried milk in tea, I was skeptical but I am here to tell you, it is delicious.  At least, once a day, I brew myself a mug full or two, and sit back to read or look around online.  So far, this is my favorite brand; I'm always on the look out for a sale. Try it, if you haven't already.  








A Peacock Nature Study

Col. 1:16 says "For by Him were all things created . . . "  
There are so many beautiful things on earth that we can enjoy if we take the time to slow down and look a little closer.  It is our goal to find joy in the things He has created and in this case that was easy to do.

After enjoying a wonderful field trip to a sheep farm, participating in the process of taking wool, freshly sheared, and turning it in to yarn, we enjoying a beautiful walk through the garden.  There was no better way to end the day than a picnic lunch and a nature study.   Having come prepared with our clipboards and pencils, we were excited to see what we could find.  Thankfully, we didn't have to look far because just as we were finishing up our lunches, this beautiful bird joined our fun.  Obviously very used to having children around on the farm, he was very friendly and didn't mind our taking a closer look.



Did you know that the term Peacock only refers to the male bird in this species?  The female is named the peahen.  They are both part of the family of Peafowls.  The male peafowl (peacock) is the one which displays beautiful, colorful feathers, in order to attract the female.  

We also learned that there are three main types of Peafowls: the Green Peafowl, the Indian peafowl and the Congo Peafowl.  When searching for the differences in each, it doesn't take long to find them.  For instance, the Congo Peafowl is much more bulky in size and sports a fluffier white crest on his head.  In this case, we learned that "our" peacock friend is an Indian Peacock.  We could tell because of his crest; it looks like tall sticks on top of his head with blue dots attached.  








Here, you can see his beautiful tail feathers.  I so hoped we would find one lying on the ground to take home and observe more carefully but this wasn't the case. 

 An adult peahen has an average of 200 tail feathers that are shed and re-grown according to answersingenesis.org  .
I recommend reading this article if you are studying peacocks with you child; it is quite fascinating.  



 Once we arrived home, we were able to do a search online to find many beautiful images to observe more closely.  This is one of my favorites.  How can anyone doubt that we have an amazing creator?  In the article I mentioned above you will read about the purposes for the brown coloring around the eye pattern . . . truly fascinating. For me, this type of study proves that when we slow down and become interested in creation, we will quickly be in awe of its creator.  To me, it would be a shame to skim through a quick paragraph or two in a textbook and then move on... so fun to find out more!


Back to the nature study. . .  Before heading home the kids found a quiet spot to sit and observe the peacock as it made its way around the yard.  This is when the clipboards come out.  I'd love to share with you the sketches my children made.  

This first one was made by my younger daughter.  She still has yet to finish coloring in the details but I love the way she captured the eye patterns and the crest.  


Next, is my son's drawing.  The over-exaggeration of key features brings a smile to my face.  Check out the crest on his peacock. 


On our way home, my daughter used the leftover aluminum foil from her lunch to create this.  She couldn't wait to get home to paint her creation.  

We are enjoying our nature studies and look forward to sharing more with you soon.