Homeschooling, Musings, Sarah

Get this girl some math manipulatives

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Sarah is obviously starved for some math study time. Look at what she pulled out and played with (for a good 30 minutes) this evening.

easter eggs

Perhaps other mothers wouldn’t immediately leap to the math manipulative conclusion. They might just think it sweet that their little girl has found some new toys. Some might even be grateful that the Easter decorations were out of storage and ready for use. I, however, am a homeschooling mother and my mind instantly translates these moments into school applications. In this case, preschool and kindergarten math.

Sigh, I am NOT a good kindergarten teacher. I am terrible at crafts and hands on activities. I do NOT have buckets and containers full of cool manipulatives. This site has literally 10 pages of items for sale under the math manipulatives category. I have deep envy for other homeschoolers who are gifted in this area.

looking closely

My math manipulative sense is heightened because this afternoon I was talking about math with another homeschooling mom and she mentioned how much her children are enjoying their new program (I believe it was Right Start Math) and all the creative ways it approaches math. Homeschooling moms have a perverse desire to talk about curriculum with other moms – it usually leads to some online shopping and, if you aren’t careful, a serious inferiority complex as the ‘curriculum is always more engaging on the other side of the homeschooling fence.’

Thankfully I stumbled across an article on creative (i.e. CHEAP) math manipulatives. It’s already late (I do my blogging in the evening when the distractions are in bed) but I immediately wanted to do further searching for other handmade manipulatives. I think I just like typing out the word manipulatives. It has such a great ring to it.

I have to be careful or I spend all my time reading and researching about interesting, creative curriculum choices but never actually do any teaching.

sarah

It doesn’t exactly look as if Sarah is suffering with her Easter egg manipulatives but I still might start praying for some good spring garage sales or a used curriculum sale (perfect places to pick up these type of things).

sarah pie

Kathy

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Musings

Adviser or Advisor?

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What do you think?

I am a BIG fan of spell check and I use dictionary.com and thesaurus.com regularly when I write (I’m just NOT that good of a speller). There are several online writing helps – those two just happen to be easy to remember (and my computer remembers the link if I can at least spell the beginning of the words correctly).

I forgot, however, to check the spelling of the Project 365 – Day 57 title. Oops. How embarrassing – especially since I am blessed to have an almost perfect speller for a husband. He’s always gracious when he corrects me. I am always gracious when I receive his correction. One of these two statements is NOT true. We’ll leave any further conclusions to the dear reader.

Dictionary.com says advisor is acceptable as is adviser. Hmmm. According to the Cambridge Guide to English Usage (Pam Peters, 2004):

Both these spellings are in current use, though adviser is the dominant spelling in both the US and the UK. The ratio in American data from CCAE is 20:1 and in British data from the BNC it’s 6:1. Curiously, advisor is sometimes said to be “the American spelling.” Whatever its past, advisor is registered alongside adviser in major British, American, Canadian and Australian dictionaries.

There you have it. Feel free to use which ever you prefer. I think I’ll use both as it keeps people wondering, “Did she mean to spell it differently? Which one is right? Do they mean two different things? Is she ignorant or just a sloppy typist?” All of that in just two words.

Kathy

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Bible Study, Daily Life, Musings, Project 365

P365 – Day 57 (Advisors for War)

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Perhaps that title is a bit misleading, considering the news these days, but it is none the less appropriate. As I’ve shared before, we take our scripture studies seriously and Proverbs is part of our “daily” (i.e. when we actually get around to doing our devotions) homeschool reading time. We take a chapter of Proverbs each “day” (I have to put that in quotes to keep things on an honest level – gotta watch that sanguine tendency to slightly exaggerate) and read it aloud. Each “child” (okay, grownups read as well, not just the children. Boy this honest thing is difficult) reads a verse and then does their best to explain the passage. We are on our second month of studying Proverbs this way and it’s interesting to see how everyone is beginning to recognize the verses and glean some wisdom (I hope and pray!!).

In a moment of pure spiritual mightiness, we even did our family Proverbs reading on Saturday. Do you get extra points for each person who sits down and opens their Bible on Saturday? Do I lose points for even asking such a question? Is anyone actually keeping track of points?

Of course, any moral superiority we might have had went down the tube as a few tense moments came along and the entire thing ended up in a full blown parental conflict.

Is that clear enough while still preserving parental dignity?

There is just something really wrong about having a fight in the middle of Bible devotions. Not surprising, though, as Satan must just HATE having families sit down (on a Saturday no less) and read the Bible.

Thankfully Tim and I are learning mightily from our Love and Respect class (this being a parental conflict moment and not a problem with the progeny). We managed to get off the “crazy cycle” before things went on to ruin our entire Saturday. We found ourselves saying things like, “I think I felt really disrespected when you…” and “Oh, is that why you reacted in such an unloving way?” Yikes! We’re turning into little Dr. Emmerson clones.

Somehow, just using those phrases and recognizing what was going on, ended the tensions and brought us back to a place where we could communicate more lovingly/respectfully. All those opened Bibles helped, I’m sure. Apologies were issued, tensions faded, and the Proverbs study continued. I highly recommend the Love and Respect materials (and Saturday devotions).

Whew! I’d like to think that the children benefit from these little moments (sitting there like quiet dears) in that they can see how conflict can be handled in a positive and godly way. That’s my hope, anyway, otherwise Tim and I really should have gone upstairs and had that whole conversation in private.

What does this have to do with today’s blog? Sigh.
Nothing, I’m easily distracted when I write late at night.

Proverbs. That’s where I was going when I began meandering down this little path. Today’s Project 365 pictures illustrate how carefully the children apply scripture.

advisers

A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:5-6

I mean, this girl is playing a game where she has great power and strength. Her brothers know that and thoroughly support her. However, they also know that, in order to wage war, she needs many advisers. Isn’t it great having such godly brothers!

watching the game

This group definitely looks solemn. They are dealing with serious stuff here. The fate of many lies in their hands. Help her out, boys!

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

We go to great lengths to apply the scriptures here in our home; from Pirates games to diligent chores, sleepless children to Noah’s potential destruction. In silliness, joy and all seriousness, we’re reading the Word, memorizing it and living it!

Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm 119:33-35

Kathy

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Musings, Recipes/Food

Name this fruit

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Anyone recognize this fruit? I had never bought one before but Costco had them for such a great price, I couldn’t resist.

papaya

The children, always open and eager to try new foods (ha!), were SHOCKED to see the seeds inside. How can they know what fish eggs look like? Really, I have to wonder what kind of science they are taking at their school.

None of the children liked the fruit at all. Joshua said it was too much like cantaloupe (and this is bad how?) and rejected even his small little bite. Daniel and David, who both LIKE cantaloupe , weren’t impressed either. Hmmm. I think this is one of those cases where you just keep presenting a new food until it’s not ‘new’ any more. Theoretically that works for picky eaters. I’ll have to ask my sister-in-law (who has a picky eater or two in the family) to report on that theory. Eliz, any thoughts?

Needless to say, I made up a fruit smoothie this evening (including this mystery fruit, banana, frozen blueberries, milk and honey) and all the children loved it (except for that cantaloupe hater, Joshua).

I know some people have smoothies on a regular/daily basis. We fix fruit blends more in the summer when it’s warm. Hard to really cozy up to a glass of iced drink when it’s grey and cold outside. Still, what a great snack – sweet and healthy – I may need to get back in the habit.

papaya two

Kathy

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Daily Life, Project 365

P365 – Day 56

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What a day! It’s evening and the house is finally quiet. Daniel did a great job of cleaning up the kitchen from dinner (a rather impromptu affair but still involving dishes and food to put away). Joshua helped me put together a lunch for Tim, so that is all completed. Rachel and Sarah did some laundry for me which is always a tremendous help.

Just before bed time the little ones were restless and starting to lean toward becoming downright rowdy. Rachel graciously (she only charges me a nickel per book, which I think is a pretty good deal) took them to the living room to read some books.

reading

smiling

Our Sunday School class was very small this morning. Nonetheless, we had an excellent discussion of the first part of I Corinthians 10. Daniel and I worked in Sarah’s preschool class during the second hour while Rachel helped lead worship for the elementary age kids and Tim took the rest of the children to church.

After church we went to Target – mainly to stock up on cereal (great prices) and a few other things. I had my camera with me and almost took a picture of our cart full but was afraid to shock my readership with the amount of sweet cereal that ends up on our pantry shelves. I’m not even going to mention the rogue package of Pop Tarts that somehow managed to find its way in to the shopping cart.

By the time we got home I was thoroughly hungry and practically shoved aside the family in my rush to get inside and make myself lunch. That’s what happens when you work in the preschool room and miss out on the Sunday sermon, all your base, 4 year old tendencies rise right to the surface. After lunch we got an e-mail about an important (last minute) meeting that we needed to attend. Whew, not much time for resting or relaxing. No naps for us.

When I was growing up my parents always took a nap on Sunday afternoons. I’m afraid my mother spent most of the time trying to keep us quiet, while my dad dozed fitfully to the sounds of “Shhh, quiet, you’re father is trying to sleep. Why don’t you take a little rest as well.” Followed by our ‘helpful’ cries of, “OH! Guys!! Dad’s sleeping, be quiet!!!” shouted up and down the stairs. I doubt Mom actually got a nap herself until my brothers hit high school. At that point it was routine to come by our house on Sundays and find a movie playing quietly in the background and all sorts of people (some of them even related to me) relaxing and napping in the family room.

The meeting went very well although it was draining. I did manage to score a latte in the process (always a plus in my book and one of the great joys of holding meetings at coffee shops).

tim coffee shop

We had about an hour until our next outing so I snuck into my favorite quiet spot, my cozy bed. We have a heated mattress pad which is wonderful! I use it every day and am completely spoiled by never having to get into a cold bed. Tim gave it to me for Christmas last year and it’s probably one of my all time favorite presents. It makes the bed all toasty and warm – nothing like sliding under those pre-heated covers. We also have our down comforter on the bed (wedding present from my mom’s siblings – thank you!!!!) with a denim duvet cover. Add to the mixture lots and lots of pillows and it’s just a dreamy spot.

Tina – try not to sweat just hearing me talk of down comforters and electric mattress pads. What’s the temperature in Thailand this week?

Mind you, it wasn’t a very “quiet” quiet spot since the three younger children kept popping in to tell me different things and eventually Tim came upstairs to read The Silver Chair to the kids in the hallway. Still, it was a moment of solace and I claimed it as MY TIME (all 15 or 20 minutes of it).

Right around dinner time we went to the Concert of Prayer at the church. It was a good time of singing and prayer. I was pleased to see a woman from our small group. We sat together and even got the chance to be in a “prayer huddle” for part of the time.

It is interesting to me how God orchestrated the events of the day. He knew we weren’t having Small Group in our home and could afford the time for an afternoon meeting. He also knew I would be in Sarah’s classroom during church and arranged for a special worship service to be scheduled that evening. He’s so creative and all-knowing and loves ME.

Tim was a sweetheart and filled the van up with gas after dropping us off at home. I managed to come up with a dinner that would feed the hungry masses while he was gone. We watched the end of a movie and were settling in for the evening when I got a phone call. Turns out there was an important e-mail waiting for us on the computer and needed some attention. So much for relaxing over the last bit of the day.

I am really in awe of how my dad, father-in-law, and other pastors, handle the many relationships of their church flock; the ups and downs, trials, conflicts, and joys that come with working closely with a diverse (and flawed) group of people. The small bit that I have experienced over the years (and today in particular) was exhausting. I am so thankful that Tim and I have been committed and faithful in our prayer time, both alone and together, since the beginning of the year, as it is only through God’s grace and strength that we can meet these challenges with humility, love and patience.

Truly we can hold firmly to those familiar verses in Philippians 4.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It is one thing to know the verses, to memorize them and it is altogether another to live it and see God’s faithfulness shine through them.

Be sure to lift your pastor and his family up before the Lord.

Kathy

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The musings and ravings of a bloggart family