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.
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.
