Livin' Life

I miss my blog. And I have soooo much to say. But, alas, no time to say it.

Yesterday, though, I read the following passage in one of my favorite books, Understood Betsy. I love the book so much that this is my fourth time reading it. This time to EG. And the neat part is, I was reading this book to NG when she was 7. Right before EG was born. And the even neater thing is, I loved the main character soooo much that I named my baby girl after her.

Anyway, here is the passage:

This time Elizabeth Ann didn't answer, because she herself didn't know what the matter was. But I do, and I'll tell you. The matter was that never before had she known what she was doing in school. She had always thought she was there to pass from one grade to another, and she was ever so startled to get a glimpse of the fact that she was there to learn how to read and write and cipher and generally use her mind, so she could take care of herself when she came to be grown up.

So, the passage struck me in a very profound way yesterday. I have been struggling with the continued idea of homeschooling. It is hard and time consuming with little encouragement. But, that passage sums up why I probably chose to homeschool again this year. I don't want my kids to just learn for learning sake or to recite facts or to pass tests or even to progress to the next level. I want my kids to learn so they can use their minds! So that they can love learning. So that they can completely and thoroughly take care of themselves when the become grown ups! It isn't about a grade or a test score or even a recitation of mere facts. It is a process that we use to become engaging, competent and interesting and contributing human beings to society. Schooling is a process that appeals to the heart, soul, mind and body of a child. The passage was much needed encouragement from one of my most favorite books!

So, that is why I included these pictures too. School isn't just about learning for us right now. We practice loving and serving along with learning. We fill our minds but our hearts too. With the sweetness of what life is for us. Today.

So, today, we homeschool . . .

Silent Sunday - Beach Days

Sweet Sleep

Last night we didn't get home until after 10. And this happens more than it probably should. No wonder she doesn't sleep all night in her bed. We have worked out a deal that if she stays in her bed all night for 7 days she will get a fish. That was almost a week ago. And it hasn't happened.

I think now she said I don't have to lay down with her at night. And she will sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor when she comes in in the middle of the night. Renegotiating the fish deal.

When we were traveling many years ago, she fell asleep on the couch of the hotel room, with her booty straight up in the air. I guess the bonus of this is, she can fall asleep anywhere. I love her . . .

We Arrive

Traveling with the kids seemed a whole lot easier this time around. I know it is because they are older. And we have done this a time or two. But, I also had a pretty good system. Although it still needs some improvement. We went from Harry Potter on CD to reading. The reading part didn't work out so well though, it made the majority of them car sick. We had coloring books and crossword puzzles and if all else failed we had our math books. And then, towards the end of the day, they could watch a movie. They opted to listen to Harry Potter quite a bit. Not sure why we never did the books on CD thing before.

We didn't see snow until we got into Wisconsin. And we made great time. We got to the hotel in plenty of time to shower and meet G Pa and NK for dinner. EG was the only one who really wanted to check out the snow. It was super cold. Mostly because of the wind. But, I braved the weather and took her out. She LOVED it.

She didn't have gloves but grabbed a lot of snow. She ran in it and tried to make snowballs. There was some ice on the hilly driveway and she loved sliding down it on her feet. It took everything I had to keep up with her. 

EG in front of the hotel with the Moose. The hotel's Moose, not our Moose. ;) There was a little pond that had frozen over. She had to slide on that ice. Unfortunately, around the edges of the pond was slush and she kind of fell in it. But, she didn't want to go in. She kept playing with wet feet. The girl is made of steel!! Such a zest for life that I pray she never looses. Restrains a little bit though!

Our hotel was within walking distance of the Stadium. In fact, had the Packers won the week before, we would have been surrounded by out of town fans at the hotel.

Loved the snow!

Loved the bear. The cold never affected her. Grandma was hoping she had shoes on. She did for the first day or so. Eventually she was running from the hotel to the car without them. What's a little frost bite??

The hotel is amazing and we love staying when we are there. EG loved the bear inside too.

We met G Pa and NK for dinner at a Mexican restaurant and enjoyed just getting caught up. We were looking forward to experiencing, in the next couple days, somethings that you can only do in the north. Stay tuned . . . 

The Beach

It has been almost a week since we got back from our much anticipated beach trip. Going to the beach is such, such a blessing for all of us! We know it isn't real life. We know it is a place for us to just unwind and relax and regroup. 

The week before, the kids ask if we can do this certain thing or that certain thing. Our response is "no." Not that we won't probably do much of what they ask, but we go with no plan whatsoever and no demands on our time. If we want to shop, we shop. If we want to fish, we fish. 

We spend most of our time going from pool, to hot tub, to beach. Repeat. It is just so good for our souls.

The view off our back porch. Pool and hot tub directly to the left. Beach directly across the street.

EG became an official swimmer on this trip. She was more than able to keep up with the big kids.

Once again, the majority of the week we were the only ones at the pool. Which worked for me because I didn't have to keep reminding them to be mindful of others. One particular day the kids, I felt, were being a little loud and disagreeable with each other. I said to myself "Geez, they are with each other all the time. Why all the fuss?" The next day I struck up a conversation with an grandmother type lady who was staying in the condo next to us. She, of course, asked about the kids and the whole school thing because it was the week after Labor Day. I explained we homeschooled and we go on vacation when everyone else goes back to school. She immediately said "I knew something was different. Your kids are quiet and so well behaved." I had to laugh inside because of my thoughts just the night before. The kids really were well behaved!

My people on the beach. The views the first night were spectacular. It was sooo good to be back and feel the sand in our toes. Our goal was to walk the beach every morning and every evening. That did not totally happen.

There was rain on the horizon the first night. LM was able to take a picture of the beautiful rainbow over the water and sand. So, so pretty.

The condo we stay in is super small. One bathroom for the six of us so it really can test our patience at times. Especially when you have to pee! But, the kids do their part to be considerate and somewhat thoughtful. I think because they enjoy our downtown just as much as we do . . . 

World War II

We just finished a book for book club about World War II. And it just so happened their was a World War II exhibit at our local history museum so I decided to take the kids. It was cute. They had a section where you had to look around and identify WW 2 airplanes. That was right up Boop's ally. They also had a table about ration cards and another table about how to signal using Morris Code and flags. They also had information on growing a Victory Garden among other things.

We enjoyed our little trip. It was made better by some friends joining us! EG got to have her picture taken as Rosie the Riveter. Just yesterday, when the kids and I were at a restaurant with both their Grandmas, EG looked up and on the wall was a picture/display of ration cards and she picked them out right away. Proud mama/teacher moment.

I love when I don't have to work so hard to coordinate stuff. And it all just kind of falls together. Some days it is confirmation that I am on the right track . . .

EG and Me

We left some of our people at camp yesterday. I know they will have a blast. The two big girls have been before. But, this is Boop's first time for the whole week. Crazy!

It stresses me out to leave them there. But, I know they are in good hands. So many of the kids friends were there. We also know quite a few of the counselors and know the director and his other staff fairly well. Not to mention one of my favorite mom's is cooking all week. So, those bases are covered. I guess the real stressful part is Boop remembering basic hygiene and to put on sunscreen!

Anyway, that leaves me and EG together for the week. That is crazy too! I have never spent so much alone time with her. Last night she got DQ and we watched a movie. Today I played Little People with her and she has helped me clean and we walked the dog. (Many of these things my bigger people usually do.)

Tomorrow we will cook together and run errands and I will take her school shopping. Wednesday she has a playdate with a new friend. That will be weird, too, because I depend on the big kids to be my babysitter during playdates. Hmmmm. I will have to be on my toes. Thursday hubby is home so I think we will surprise her with lunch and a movie. And then Friday is pick up at camp. (Maybe fit swimming at Sissy's in there somewhere.)

EG is really good about playing by herself. Although she does crave interaction and she loves to talk. So far she hasn't said she misses them during the day. The night is the hardest because she is all alone in her bedroom. I miss my big people too but am enjoying my alone time with my baby.

If this week is like any of our other weeks, it will fly by regardless of how many people we have in the house . . . .

Just Horsin' Around

Most girls, at some point in their lives, love horses. I know I did. Right now, EG has given up dance and I have to find something she can be involved in. For weeks she talked about horses. Thankfully I have a friend who has a horse or two and was willing to let her try it out and see if this is something she really, really likes.

She got to groom the horse and help put on the saddle and bridle. She got a lesson and loved it! And my friend said she was pretty good to boot! So, I am working on a way for her to experiences horses this fall. A few things need to fall in place. But maybe just maybe I have a cowgirl on my hands . . . 

Ballerina Days

Not only have the big girls been preparing for a bike trip but all of them have had recitals in the last couple weeks. I love, love, love to watch them dance. I know I have said that before but it just never gets old. All three of them have improved a great deal this year.

EG would like to do something else I think. Although she isn't exactly sure (nor am I.) I think she finds ballet a bit confining. Next year she may try ballet/tap. We shall see.

For now we are taking a much needed break over the summer . . .

EG

A week ago Friday, EG got to spend the morning with a very good friend of hers.  It was her friend's birthday and her friend's mom took them to get pedicures and shopping and then out to lunch.  They had such a great time!

This is a picture of EG getting her feet washed (and boy did they need it.)  Her feet are super ticklish and she was holding on to the armchair because she was giggling so much.

We are truly thankful for our forever friends . . .

What We Did This Weekend

I am once again very thankful to my friends who take pictures.  Otherwise I would have no pictures of the girls' benefit performances last week!  The above pictures are of them in some their costumes.  Once again this year, they put on a ballet performance to raise money to bring dance to hurting and abused women and children and to possibly provide a place to dance in an area of town where that might not otherwise be possible.

The girls and all of their friends have been rehearsing and practicing for months, really.  And they spent almost the whole weekend at the School of Music where they put on both performances.  We invited our neighbors who came.  And EG has a special relationship with the postwoman and invited her and she and her daughter came!

After the evening performance on Saturday the whole cast had a sponsor reception.  All of the dancers were to mingle with the many donors that the ballet company had to help put on the show.  Then, after Sunday's performance, many little girls who had attended the show had backstage passes to meet the dancers.  All of it super cute.  (And super tiring.)

I was able to see both shows.  Boop and Daddy and Grandma came on Saturday.  When I watched it on Sunday, once again I had tears in my eyes.  To watch how both of my daughters (EG too but she didn't dance she was an extra) have grown in their dance.  Nature Girl has the gift of grace and truly has a gift for ballet.  I could watch her dance all day.  Little Mama is always smiling and always enjoying herself.  She is developing into quite a dancer as well.

It was a long, busy weekend, but I think definitely worth all the work and effort by so many . . .

Camping and a Birthday

All EG wanted to do for her birthday was go camping.  She did want to go to the beach where we went last year.  But, by the time I got around to looking for reservations, our favorite sites at our favorite beach were booked.  So, I had a plan B.  And it turned our really great!

Small campground about an hour from the house.  It was on a beautiful lake and our site was lakeside.  It did ended up being one of the coldest weekends of the year but we can tolerate almost anything if we can cuddle up in our warm camper at the end of the day!

Two other family joined us which made it extra special.

View from the camper.

The dock right in "our backyard."

The kids.

Tons of deer.  We about ran 2 over as we entered the park.  Trails to walk and bike and run.

EG's birthday party.

Sweet friends.

Sweet siblings.

Walking over a stream.

Family birthday at home.

It is wonderful when we can celebrate and birthday and go camping all in one.  What a great way to celebrate all kinds of blessings . . . .