I can follow a recipe, I just don't always take it's advice

"I can follow a recipe, I just don’t always take it’s advice, “ I said to my husband. “It’s not advice,” he says.

My goal for this new year is cook … period. A few of my awesome friends have offered to help. I even had a step-by-step spontaneous cooking lesson from a friend for a fancy Italian lentil pasta with parmesan. "Do you think you can do this?" she asks. Sure, I think, why not. While I’m “cooking,” I start with some coconut oil, totally not what was used but I think it’s OK, right? I added some chopped onions, tossed them for a bit and presumed to walk away from the pot, in search of my lentils. I find the bag of split peas, which I thought was lentils. “Gather ingredients first, gather ingredients first, “ - the mantra running through my mind. Well … what else can I use? Here we go a can of lentils and a can of aduki beans. Awesome! So I guess I’m making soup again. Yes, most attempts of cooking end up soup. I’m starting to smell the onions, shoot! Quick stir and add the vegetable stock. That’s only a little burnt right? 

Quick text to my friend who showed me how to make a fancy Italian dinner:

Ok one onion cut up, dusting of some powdered garlic, garlic pepper and salt … now how much actual garlic?

• 2 or 3 cloves.

I forgot to put the lentils in before I put the veg stock. Do is matter?

• Probably not.

Well … turns out I don’t actually have lentils it was split peas. So I’m going to add a can of lentils and a can of aduki beans. Gather ingredients first, gather ingredients first. Mantra inside my head right now.

• Hahahahah! Good luck! I see what you mean about not following a recipe! Hahahahah

There’s a 50/50 chance it’s going to be awesome. I’m determined to make it just like you showed me. Next time I will make sure I have all the ingredients and go step by step and NOT walk away from the pot! Yea, some of the onions are a little burnt :-(. I added two chicken legs. The broth tastes awesome!!!! Husband said hey why don’t you taste it. He’s cooking chicken and dumplings simultaneously. Want to come over for lunch? Or supper?

• You are cracking me up.

Hubby’s looks fancy … mine looks like I made it in the woods. Rustic!

An hour later ... OH man! I forgot the bacon! I should totally write that down!

CC Cycle 3 Week 3 Highlights and "piggy" pudding

This week we learned in 1773, Colonists dressed as Mohawks, dumped tea from the British East India Company into the Boston Harbor. Why did they dress as American Indian Mohawks? Upon research there are many conclusions, one specifically says the tea dumpers chose their symbol with the upmost care. The tea symbolized imported British oppression and taxation without representation. The Indian symbolized its antithesis, a trademark of an emerging American identity and a voice for liberty against British oppression. The Mohawk, appeared not only at the Boston Tea Part but as an anti-tea protest the length of the seaboard. Others suggested that they didn't dress up at all, that it was merely a fable. Although there are many differing opinions I agree that it's a huge statement to dump 342 chests to be exact. That's enough to make 18,523,00 cups of tea, that was worth 9,659 pounds, which amounts to nearly one million dollars today. Shortly after Intolerable Acts was put into place.

For geography after initial capitals and states were introduced children took their "gummy” on a trip to show me where each one was on their maps.  Since the capitals and states we’ve been learning are in the upper right hand of the United States, they are smaller and harder to find so for review the children played twister on a much larger scale floor map of those states. They also played hop scotch. This proved to be a big hit.

For English we learned a past participle is a verb plus "-ed," used as an adjective or a verb. To drill in the information we marched in place singing the tunes, clapped the beat and eventually marched around in a circle forward and then backward. We even did a little jumping jacks. The children had a lot of fun with this. We followed the same method in math skip counting 5s and 6s. In Science, we learned the three types of muscles, skeletal, smooth and cardiac using hand motions.

Discovering secret messages. 

Fine Arts included review of the Fine Arts OILS (five elements of shape), circle, dot, line, angle and curved line. Using the small white boards the children watched as i drew and drew line for line an upside down image. We discussed which oils were used and when we were finished we flipped over the image revealing a big surprise. Originally it looked like a frog but on the flip side a different perspective revealed a queen. To further the discovery of upside down drawing we drew on paper, using the same method of line for line calling out the different shapes used to reveal the Boston Tea Party. This was difficult for many of the children, however they delighted with the end result laughing and excitingly looking at each others drawings. What is the point of upside down drawing? Upside down drawing creates a shift from left to right brain activity by drawing a picture upside down. We learn to see lines in relationship to each other and develop observational skills. Observational skills dictate that familiar things don't look the same upside down. Our left brain expects to see things oriented in the customary way - right side up. When on the flip side, we see areas of light and shadow and lines instead of real objects. 

This weeks Hands-On Science Experiment explored fingerprints. To begin with I explained how God made each of them special, how they were truly unique and each had their own set of fingerprints. We talked about how when they placed their hands on anything they left invisible fingerprints. First they were to uncover a secret message by using watercolors painted over the surface of their page. The secret message was a huge fingerprint. On the back the scripture references Psalms 139, which I encourage you to read to your child this week. To recreate this or to have them make their own secret messages just use a white crayon on paper, I used watercolor paper, but any thick paper would do. Then use children’s watercolor or whatever acrylic or tempera paint you have by watering it down. Did you know we aren’t the only species to have finger prints? Gorillas have fingerprints similar to humans. Kolas have fingerprints so similar to humans that you can barely tell them apart. I passed around an image of the first index finger of a kola bear and a human. I didn’t know this, but I’m a digger of information. I love to uncover information. I also wondered if our fingerprints were similar to toe prints. I figured this would be interesting for the children as well and as I figured, they were delighted to oblige. I found non-staining ink pads for fingerprinting and in groups of two the children fingerprinted their fingers and toes.  

Sink or float?

Creed and I are focusing on rhymes this week. Among the books we've read so far are books by Jane Yolen, author of the infamous children's book series "How Do Dinosaurs ... Say Goodnight," and so on. She has authored books with rhymes including "Color Me a Rhyme, and " Count Me a Rhyme," but our favorite is Shape me a Rhyme." "Shape Me a Rhyme," is all about finding shapes and forms in nature. Have a favorite book to read with rhymes to your child? Please comment! Dr. Seuss is all about the rhymes and it's been a long since treasure for me. I like to get a subject and run with it collecting books from the library, going through the vast array. My prompt this week was led after reading a link my friend posted on the readiness for reading from The Measured Mom: http://www.themeasuredmom.com/reading-skills-kids-need-theyre-ready-sound-out-words/. Creed has been asking to read and honestly I didn't know where to start. The Measured Mom had a list of five things your kids need before they're ready to sound out words. The fourth on the list was about phonological and phonemic awareness, which is different from phonics because it's about listening, not looking. A child should be able to count words, count syllables in words, rhyme, put sounds together to make a word, and identify the first and last sound in a word. Here's a link from her site one 10 simple activities to teach rhyming: http://fun-a-day.com/rhyming-activities-for-children/. 

Magnetic or no?

Last week Creed asked to do an experiment using water. After filling up a basin of water, we gathered objects to find out which ones would float and which ones would sink. We read the book, "Mickey's Magnet," by Franklyn M. Branley and Crockett Johnson. This book through story really demonstrates how magnets work. A little boy was asked by his mother who was sewing, to bring her a pin from the pin box. During this task the pin box was dumped and he proceeded to pick them up one by one. His father handed him a magnet and to the young boy's astonishment the pins were attracted to it making the task easy. His father explained how only iron and metal is attracted to magnets. Creed and I further explored his experiment using a magnet to discover which ones could be pulled through the water.

If you noticed the title you may be wondering where does "piggy" pudding come into play. For some reason we've been singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas every nap time and bed time since last Christmas. It's fast coming a bedtime tradition. The second verse says,  "Now bring us some figgy pudding, " which the only thing Creed can hear is "piggy" pudding. We've discussed this - he looked at me said said he wanted some cow pudding too.

Reference to Boston Tea Party: http://www.historytoday.com/bruce-e-johansen/mohawks-axes-and-taxes-images-american-revolution http://americanrevolutionstoriesabc.wikispaces.com/Boston+Tea+Party

Helpful notes and links:

Dot-to-dots for each state we learn may be printed from www.makinglearningfun.com They will need to eventually know how to draw them free-hand, so I also encourage you to have them trace them on their maps with a dry erase crayon or marker. 

Print your own floor map for free from: http://www.yourchildlearns.com/megamaps/print-usa-maps.html, where maps can be printed up to 9x9 feet wide. After printing you just lay them beside each other and tape them together. I used laid a white shower curtain over top the image and copied using a sharpie. This would be something fun for your child to remember the states and capitals.

Print your own skeleton for free from: http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/06/a-book-a-craft-funnybones-paper-skeleton.html. After printing the parts you can have your child cut them out and fasten them together using brads (metal fasteners).

   

1, 2 skip to my Lou, CC Cycle 3 Week 2

Classical Conversations Cycle 3 Week 2 Highlights

One two skip to my lou ... skip counting anyone? I've never heard the phrase skip counting until now. It of course, makes perfect sense to me and had I known the songs that went with the skip counting I may have been able to master them long ago. This week we worked on 3s to the tune of "Jingle Bells" and 4s to the tune of "This Old Man." Skip counting is counting by a number that is not one. Learning to skip count helps you count many things quickly and learn multiplication tables.

This week we learned in 1620, the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England signed the Mayflower Compact before landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. If you're curious like I am you're wondering what is a Compact? Turns out it was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by Separatists, sometimes referred to as the "Saints," fleeing from religious persecution by King James of England. For more about the Mayflower Compact and those who signed it click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Compact. 

Taped together sheets of the United States outline.

 Completed United States outline using sharpies.

Geography was a little different this week. I found a site online where you can print a United States floor map up to 9x9 feet wide. After we identified each state and capital, students showed me where they were on the big map. Eventually after learning all the states and capitals I’m hoping to play twister with it. To print your own for free visit http://www.yourchildlearns.com/megamaps/print-usa-maps.html After printing you just lay them beside each other and tape them together. I used a white shower curtain over top the image and copied using a sharpie. You can usually get a liner for under five dollars at Wal-Mart, you may even find one at the dollar tree. This would be something fun for your child to remember the states and capitals. Dot-to-dots for each state we learned, which also include the state capital can be printed from www.makinglearningfun.com Classical Conversation students will need to eventually know how to draw them free-hand, so I also encourage you to have them trace them on their maps with a dry erase crayon or marker. 

 Kid-sized skeleton with movable joints.

This week we learned about the axial skeleton. We made a duplicate kid-sized skeleton using Creed's hands and feet and downloaded the rest for free from here: http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/06/a-book-a-craft-funnybones-paper-skeleton.html After printing the parts you can have your child cut them out and fasten them together using brads (metal fasteners used for paper to make movable parts) or snaps. I used some left of diaper snaps that worked out quite well. For review we've played bingo in a very unique way. One side the spaces included images from the axial skeleton, so I'd say something like, "B Cranium, O Ribs." The other side featured the hand motions for the science we learned last week, so I'd say something like, "I Connective (picture with clasped hands), N Muscle (picture of flexed muscle). Keep in mind this is for itty-bittys, that aren't reading yet. This is proving to be a bit of a challenge, however it's working out so far.

Fine Arts this week focuses on mirror image. The process of drawing the opposite side of an object. We practiced duplicating the symmetry in objects accurately using our white boards. We also used paint to draw half a Mayflower, (tying in the history sentence) and then folding the paper together when finished to reveal a mirrored image. At home you could practice using scissors by folding a paper in half and cutting an image on the fold, such as half of a heart, when opening revealing the whole heart. Another great way to teach your children about symmetry is using a mirror. Visit http://www.housingaforest.com/mirror-symmetry-drawing for an en example of mirror symmetry you can do at home. In addition, a great resource is a book by Author Marilyn Singer, “Mirror Mirror,” which I skimmed through class showing the children different pictures of mirror images. This book uses clever poems which are read top to bottom and then in reverse, giving the stories a new spin.  

Our hands-on Science experiment was exploring the convex and concave eye lens using a water drop. We shaped a piece of wire into a circle with a handle, like a bubble wand, after which dipping it into water and looking at texts or images. The water drop is curved outward and acts like a convex lens. This type of lens is used as a magnifying lens and is the type of lens in eyes. Sometimes the water drop stretches so tightly between the wire that it curves downward forming a concave lens. This type of lens causes the letters to look small. We had a second experiment using a metal spoon. When you look at one side your reflection is upside-down, caused by the concave shape of the spoon and when you look at the other side it's right-side up, causes by the convex shape. Try it at home. The only thing you’ll need is a shiny metal spoon, clear enough to see your reflection. 

Next week we will be on break for Labor Day. This will be a great time to catch up on what we've missed so far or need to fine tune. I'm in the process of making a "Candy Land" math floor game using a shower liner. I'm still looking for fun ways to review Latin for a non-reading group. If you've got any suggestions please comment! We finally received our Song School Latin DVD set so hopefully this will be a great inspiration.

Building a Foundation. CC Cycle 3 Week 1

This past Monday was the start of our Classical Conversations Cycle 3, Week 1. I wasn't sure how well Creed would receive the information, let alone retain it. It's a different way of learning through repetition, but when I think about it that's really how we all learn since I've never known anyone to be introduced to new information and instantly retain it. Creed is on the Foundation level, ages 4-11, Classical Conversations believes a great education starts with a firm foundation. Agreed, starting on the foundation of the Gospel. 

Columbus puppet.

We started off with the timeline. From the beginning to present, of course, we are learning it little by little. This week we learned about Columbus. In 1492, Columbus sailed the first of four trips to the Caribbean on three spanish ships named the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. I'm going to be honest. I don't remember much of what I "learned" in school. In fact, I can tell you no facts from history. I am learning alongside my four-year-old child, as well as the other Foundation level students I tutor. I've always loved school. I've always loved learning. Retaining any of the information, however ... that's a different story. Creed made a Columbus paper puppet found from a link at Half-a-Hundred Acre Wood, an awesome resource for fellow Classical Conversations families. To make a Columbus puppet click here:  http://superteacherworksheets.com/cut-outs/columbus-cutout_WMDMN.pdf. You'll also find other free resources for Cycle 3 here: http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2014/06/classical-conversations-cycle-3-resources.html. On a more personal level, I'm trying to incorporate learning new grammar into our every day life, such as singing about Columbus in the bath tub, sailing three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. It's only been a couple of days and Creed is asking me to sing him that song. 

Each week the children give three to four minute presentations. I wish I had been able to watch Creed. Their topic was about their summer. We traveled a lot this summer, to Lego Land, a couple of aquariums, the beach.  When asked what his favorite part of the summer was he explained it was our new kitten. Creed went into detail about how we had his claws taken out using his tiny little fingers in claw shape for dramatic four-year-old effect. 

For geography we're working on learning the United States and their capitals, in addition to being able to point them out on the map. During the morning while tutors are setting up the director has them trace the United States map. I was really impressed with what Creed was able to do. I used to be able to name all of the states, but not the capitals. We're not only learning the states and capitals, but where they are located. Each week our "gummies" take a trip to different states and their capitals. This week I included dot-to-dots for each state we learned, which also include the state capital. I encourage you to print them each week from http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/50StateDottoDot.htm. If your child is in Classical Conversations they will need to eventually know how to draw them free-hand, so I also encourage you to have them trace them on their maps with a dry erase crayon or marker. For individual states, click here: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/50StateTraceandColorPages.html.

For English we learned the definition of an infinitive through song. Much information is introduced through song. We're also learning Latin. When I was younger I found a Latin book and tried to teach myself. I found it very fascinating. I've always been interested in learning different languages. It opens another door, that widens the world a little bit. After seeing the Interpreter by Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, I was hooked, line and sinker. Fascinated yes, very much so. In the beginning I wondered why are we learning Latin. From a student's point of view click here: https://www.classicalconversations.com/article/why-study-latin.

For math we learned 1s and 2s for skip counting. Personally I've never heard it called skip counting. Fifth grade was my first official D, in you guessed it, math. When I moved onto high school I continued to struggle, getting my first F in Algebra, followed by a D the next year. This was even with the help of a teacher. I went on to college and received another F in can you guess this time? Algebra. So, I don't really feel at all qualified in tutoring math, but like history and the rest of it, I"m learning right along with the children. If my four-year-old can skip count, so can I! Every night after story time, singing time, praying time and reciting Bible verses, I "throw" Creed into bed. It's a funny tradition that he and I have. We count one to whatever number he comes up with while I cradle him in my arms swinging him back and forth before the final toss into the fluffy blankets. Where he requests a hug, a squeeze and a kiss. We've now implemented skip counting into the mix. Learning is fun!

During Science we learned the four types of tissue, with the use of hand motions. That's something else I'm really interested in, Sign Language. A large portion of the hand motions seem to be Sign Language. I wish I knew even a little, that would be really helpful. Turns out you can get a free app for your phone if you're interested too.

For Fine Arts we learned OILS, The five basic elements of shape: The five basic elements of shape include the circle (O) anything that is roundish and EMPTY, the dot (above the “i” in OILS) anything that is roundish and colored in, the straight line (the straight part of the “i”) a line with no bend, the angle line (L) a line that bends so much that it comes to a point, and the curve line (S) a line with any degree of bending. After practicing and learning the many ways to make these shapes we put it into practical use drawing Olaf (a snowman Disney character), all the while pointing out the five basic elements of shape.    

Our hands-on Science experiment was exploring the Persistence of Vision: The persistence of vision is a theory where an afterimage is thought to persist for approximately one twenty-fifth of a second on the retina, and believed to be the explanation for motion perception. We first explored this theory using two pieces of paper both containing an image of a 50s era man’s face, one with both eyes open and one with one eye shut. As we rolled the first paper (both eyes open) up and down over the second paper (one eye open) it appeared as if the man was blinking. To further explore we made a thaumatrope, a toy in the 19th century made popular by the probable inventor British Physician John Ayrton Parish. This toy was a disk with a picture on each side attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly between the fingers the two pictures appear to blend into one due to the persistence of vision. Make your own thaumatrope using this template: http://slurpystudios.blogspot.com/2010/01/history-of-pre-animation.html. 

A note of encouragement to those of you who are in the middle of Classical Conversations or curious, your creator has equipped me and you. There are times when I seriously doubt my ability to teach, but I'm holding on to the promises, starting with a firm foundation. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Jesus tells us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all else will be added. (Matthew 6:33.) I can tell you that when I start the day off in the Word, I've got the grace to not only get through the day - but embrace it.

do it for Jesus

Trip to the beach celebrating the
end of the handwriting workshop.

Today I finished my 40-day Facebook fast and started a 40-day no spending $ on anything except food and gas. I just opened my email and found a 15% off total purchase coupon from School Aides. Awe. I laughed out loud literally. Here’s a test right off the bat from the enemy. That has to be one of my most favorite stores, besides Goodwill. 

Montessouri Moments Handwriting Without Tears Workshop turned out to be a huge success. Creed was able to spend time going from learning station to learning station strengthening those muscles used for hand writing. The centers were structured in two ways providing practice in finger strengthening, dexterity, hand-eye coordination, as well as letter formation and handwriting practice. His favorite activity was using the light box to trace stencils. To encourage further development I purchased one for the home and he promptly lost interest. Funny how that works out, however I’m sure it’ll be used for years to come. For instance, perhaps all I need to do is show an interest in it and start using it myself, before curious Creed wants to take over for me. 

Mat Man by Creed.

During Montessouri children practiced fine motor activities as a warm up. Ever heard of Mat Man? The occupational therapist explained the first stage of development children are experiencing a growing awareness of their bodies as it relates to the environment. In school children will be asked to represent people especially themselves in their drawings. Without having knowledge of lines and shapes it can sometimes be stressful for them, so Mat Man was created as a person who is drawn from a series of simple shapes which allows the child to find fulfillment in their artwork. For more information on Handwriting Without Tears click here: http://www.hwtears.com/hwt/why-it-works/handwriting-standards/importance-handwriting. For more information on getting those pinchers ready click here: http://therapyfunzone.net/blog/ot/fine-motor-skills/handwriting/. Ten ideas to make handwriting practice fun: http://www.marianhope.org/2012/12/10-ideas-to-make-handwriting-practice-fun/.Get ready for K through play: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2013/07/55-ways-to-make-handwriting-practice.html.

We didn’t make it through all of "Before Five in a Row,” by Jane Claire Lambert this summer, however I’ll tell you the book that most stood out was “If Jesus Came to My Home,” by Joan G. Thomas. The story is about a little boy imagining Jesus coming to play with him at his house. Near the end the little boy says he knows Jesus could never come play in the way he imagined but he can go to his house (church) and kneel and say a prayer, and sing and worship him and talk with him in there. The story goes on to explain that we can make Jesus welcome by doing all we would for him for other folks instead. He talks about picking flowers for someone for Jesus’ sake, also sharing with Jesus the nicest of his toys by lending them or giving them to poorer girls and boys. This was a treasure for me. Do it for Jesus, I kept thinking. In everything I do, do it for Jesus. Driving the point home once more, during the 40-day break my son asked me to get him something that he could easily get himself. I replied you can get it. I’m not your servant, asking him in turn to get something for me. See the irony? He then asked me if he was a servant. I said you know Jesus said he came to serve, not to be served, so we must all be servants. I’m in awe the grace God gives me in teachable moments I have, even when my flesh fails.

After attending the Classical Conversations Practicum we’ve decided to start Classical Conversations K4. We’re not just wading in we’re sinking neck deep as mama will also be tutoring a class of eight on our campus days, once a week. The main attraction for me with Classical Conversations was the direct contact and recognition in all things are made from God, all subjects as they relate to not only God, but one another as well. With a little apprehension, I’m looking forward to this school year starting in just 10 days! Classical Conversations won’t fulfill the 180 days required by state, so we will supplement continuing "Before Five in a Row" by Jane Claire Lambert and following up with "Five in a Row," also by Jane Claire next summer. For more information on Classical Conversations click here: https://www.classicalconversations.com/what-classical-conversations.

Classically speaking ...

It's  been nice taking time, being leisure. I've been praying lately for God to help me be a good steward of my time, the indefinite continued progress of existence, measured in hours, specifically 24. Usually I work myself into a tizzy, making lists about what needs to get done, which needs to get done first and how to do it. Then I feel guilty when the plans don’t pan out, getting behind of the schedule I’ve set for myself. In general, I think I may expect too much from myself. I know that with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) So, instead of making lists and strapping on needless guilt, I’ve been doing the opposite. There is no list for me - this is new. Little by little it’s all getting done and I’ve been happier than I’ve been in a while. I also started making art a priority. I remember when it used to be something of everyday life and somewhere life took a turn and that part of me got lost in the shuffle. Hooray for art and hooray for life! 

As anticipated we took off the last two weeks in June for summer vacation. Prior to this, however, we attended a three-day practicum for Classical Conversations. Their mission is to know God and to make Him known. There was so much information at the end of each day I felt drained. During the day I felt confused, like my head was spinning. Even though it was stressful and the months ahead will probably be challenging, I was able to see though the onset of a panic attack and know it was the right choice for our family. It’s how we build courage right? I mean, if there’s no need to ever be brave, how will we ever build courage? Creed was able to meet littles he will be in class with later and I was able to meet other homeschool mamas, directors and tutors, some of which were just as overwhelmed as me. This fall our family will start a new journey with Classical Conversations, one of the many ways to homeschool your child. Basically there’s five different ways to approach homeschooling, including the Charlotte Mason method, the Classical Education (Classical Conversations) learning approach, also called “The Socratic Method,” Eclectic Homeschooling, Unit Studies and Un-schooling. And then there’s your way. There really is no wrong way to do it, there’s only what works best for your family. Homeschooling for our family will look different than homeschooling for your family. For a more in-depth look at those five types of homeschooling visit a page from The Pioneer Woman, http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2010/08/five-different-approaches-to-homeschooling/. For more information about Classical Conversations visit http://www.classicalconversations.com/common/what-is-classical-education. 

Itty bitty family builds an itty bitty house
from some pretty awesome foam leggos!

After wrapping up the three-day practicum, we set off on our first journey of rving. We traveled around 850 miles to Tampa, Fla., to Lego Land, a hot steamy mess of fun in the middle of summer. Creed and I both started to feel under the weather and slowly progressed to actual sickness. Finally, we decided to stop at a doctor’s office and were diagnosed with Strep Throat. Creed had scarlet fever. Gasp! I thought scarlet fever was something people got in the 1800s and didn’t they die from that?! Turns out it’s a symptom of strep throat. In the 19th century, scarlet fever, measles, roseola, impetigo, fifth disease, yellow fever, chickenpox, and rubella were among the many diseases that causes rash and fever in children. Scarlet fever being the most common of these diseases. Unfortunately, scarlet fever was often severe, and in the 19th century, it was a leading cause of dearth among children in the United States. Thank God for modern medicine and living in a day-in-age, where getting something like this isn’t a near death-sentence. Creed started getting a red rash on his front and back side at Lego Land. We thought he was just getting hot, so we took breaks inside the air-conditioning every hour. Meanwhile, mama was having a hard time swallowing. Then Creed started scratching, which led us to believe it was the detergent we had been using on the trip. Next up was a fever that came and went for the both of us. After two shots, one in the hip for mama and one in the thigh for itty bitty (sniff sniff) we were sent on our way with a 10-day prescription of antibiotics. Not reacting to the pointy end of the needle, I wanted to put on a brave face for my little guy. I asked the nurse how they administer shots to children, since it was a walk-in clinic, not a pediatricians office, and he explained that usually one person takes the legs and the other takes the arms above the head. :-( Hubby held down Creed’s little legs while mama looked into Creed’s eyes telling him to give mama a big hug. The sheer pain from his shriek broke my heart the same it did when he was a baby. I cradled him in my arms the same way and told him how proud I was of him for being brave. “But I wasn’t brave,” he cried, “I was scared.” “You can scared and still be brave, “I told him. “That’s how you get brave.”

While traveling on the road I started and finished an Inktense (colored ink watercolor pencils) owl series. I was really surprised how each of them turned out, especially when painting during bumpy roads. After doing string art, inspired by Pinterest, with a group of church women, I had a thought of using them on wood. I had tried them on the familiar watercolor paper medium and wondered if it would even work on this type. Yes, they do, and they’re beautifully vibrant! I have plans to do some more work on wood and then figure out what else I can try! 

Up next this month is the much anticipated Handwriting Workshop from Montessori. We’ve been working on holding the pencil, using our little pinchers and tracing highlighted letters of the alphabet. The goal of the handwriting workshop is to introduce or improve your child’s handwriting skills in an enjoyable and fun learning environment, on which, will count as a homeschool day for us, twice a week for three weeks. Montessori uses a multi-sensory approach developing strength, coordination and dexterity that is required to complete the writing process. This includes pencil grip, letter formation and letter placement on paper. Taught by a licensed occupational therapist, the workshop will be based on techniques and activities used within the Handwriting Without Tears writing program. These goals will be met through muscle strengthening games, fine motor activity, and pencil and paper practice. My favorite part, one-on-one instruction. It couldn’t get any better.

Pssssssssst … want to hear a secret? (Maybe the jig was up with the last blog entry, “I don’t have it all together.”) During this past school year, I have been putting an extreme pressure on my abilities to homeschool, one the enemy tells me I’m ill-equipped to handle. And for the umpteen time, God says that just isn’t so, for me or for you because with God, all things are possible. That’s a promise. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, but it does mean we don’t have to do it alone. And when trying times happen, and you know they will, he’ll be there to lift us up time after time.

I don't have it all together ...

Pinterest inspired artwork for Father's Day 2014.

Did I mention I don't have it all together? If I seem like I have it all together it's a great coincidence, I'll put a big fat gold star next to the imaginary tiara I wear everyday. Oh wait, yes, I actually did buy a tiara because it was a good day about a week ago and I felt like the King's (Christ the King) princess, that I am. I've yet to put it on my pretty little head. I feel unbalanced to put it lightly. And all untogether, which I'm pretty sure isn't even a word, but describes me perfectly … at least today. I don't think there are really any mommy fails. There are mommy mishaps and stellar mommy temporarily lost her cool moments, but fails, not so much. I really and truly believe that, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28. When there's a big gap between my posts … I'm trying to keep it together. Today I'm writing in my untogetherness. This is a new thing for me. Guess what? Turns out untogether actually is a word, meaning disorganized; confused; chaotic … yep. That pretty much sums it up. All things were working together for good this morning when I lost my patience with my son, paused for a moment to really soak up the guilt and walked into the next room sinking down to his level to ask for forgiveness, which he gave immediately, because he'd forgotten what had happened just five minutes earlier. The life lessons we're both learning here is not only forgiveness, but learning to let go of the guilt involved with our mistakes. The lovely gift the enemy freely gives in huge amounts attached to acts when our sinful flesh becomes weak. The enemy intrusively planted countless thoughts of failure and unworthiness. And when I rebuked the enemy he fled - period, because he has to. Sometimes I'm really just tired of battling. It's like, enough already! This is exhausting, but the war will wage on whether I fight or not. I choose to keep fighting.

Volcanic action,
hand's on science experiment.

The past three weeks we've worked on h, i, j, k, l, m, n and o. We've also learned a great deal about volcanoes, constructing one ourselves out of the Crayola Air-Dry Clay. Creed carefully measured out the baking soda and I waited for his expression as he poured in the white vinegar, knowing all along the bubbly action soon to happen. It was, of course, a big hit. He learned about chemical reactions during our hands-on science experiment. Deep inside the Earth, between the molten iron core and the thin crust at the surface, there is a solid body of rock called the mantle. When rock from the mantle melts, moves to the surface through the crust, and releases pent-up gases, volcanoes erupt. Extremely high temperature and pressure cause the rock to melt and become liquid rock or magma. Liquid rock. Can you imagine the heat that would turn rock into liquid?! When a large body of magma has formed, it rises through the denser rock layers toward Earth's surface. Magma that reaches the surface is called lava, which we can buy in bags at our local hardware stores for landscaping. The red lava rock, technically called scoria is formed during eruption due to the oxidation of iron.

We took a field trip to another great aquarium in search of sting rays, among other aquatic wonders. Through the vast majority of ocean wildlife we saw the Creator's detail and beauty he put into these sea creatures and fish made on day five of creation. Also, members from day six, penguins. We all watched in quiet awe as a penguin created some pretty fancy footwork, coloring canvas, that they sell donating the proceeds to wildlife preserves. 

We bought five new chickens and Creed had his fourth birthday (sniff sniff) and his first visit to the dentist as well. All of those books really paid off because Creed was not anxious at all. He was telling the dental hygienist and dentist what things were around him, how the chair went up and down, etc. I sat quietly listening to the banter. At the end the dentist blew up a balloon with the air hose they use during examination and made him a yellow dog. The hygienist completed the trip with a goody bag filled with a transformer toothbrush, bubblegum toothpaste and a prize from the treasure chest. Big inward sigh of relief from mama. So I guess these past three weeks have been pretty busy. So busy, in fact, that I hadn't had time to stop and really think about what had taken place.  When do we slow down? I don't know about you, but I've got to take the time to do it because the non-stop really wears on me, I think it wears on itty bitty too. It's very nice to stay home … and do absolute nothing, of course that really doesn't happen, but staying home really is nice. If we could stay in our warm bubbly home for a while longer, I wouldn't mind. 

Pinterest inspired artwork.

At the prompt from a loving friend, Creed created footprint butterflies and I'm glad, because they turned out precious. There are always these really great "pins" from Pinterest that I want to do, but never seem to make the time for, because I have the time, I just haven't slowed down enough. This inspired me to go on to make a Father's Day present for daddy from mama and Creed, another great idea from Pinterest. Thanks mama friend, you're a great inspiration to me and I need that constant encouragement. We all do! 

If you haven't seen, "Moms' Night Out," a movie starring Sarah Drew from the TV Series Grey's Anatomy, Patricia Heaton and Trace Adkins, you should put it on your to-do list, because you know you've got one. Moms' Night Out is an American faith-based comedy film directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin and written by Jon Erwin and Andrea Gyertson Nasfell. I was nodding along with the other mamas in the audience and laughing because it's all true. It felt good to laugh about what usually makes me want to cry - you know, the laundry that never ends, piles of dishes, clutter that doesn't go away just shifts from one place to another. Despite all of it, all the mess, I still would have signed up for it. Because being a mom, I signed up for this and I'd do it all over again!