Daybook

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…it is dark and peaceful. 

I am thankful…for rare moments of peace and quiet.  This is one.

I am thinking…about the ties that bind siblings.  I watch Joseph and William play together, knowing Andrew will soon join them.  I watch them argue.  I watch them as they learn to share.  I watch them struggle.  I watch them as they love one another, get angry with one another, help one another, grow with one another.  And I pray.  I pray that despite their differences, they will grow to be true friends.    

From the learning rooms…we’re in the midst of C week on the Alphabet Path. 

In the kitchen…homemade pizza.  Again.  I know that’s what we had last time I did a Daybook.  We really do eat other things.  It’s just so nice to have traditions and it seems that homemade pizza once a week is a tradition of ours.

I am wearing…comfy pajamas.

I am reflecting…on 127 Hours, the movie Daxson and I recently watched.  I am in awe of the human spirit and the will to live. 

I am hearing…the rhythmic thump of the motor on the baby swing.  Andrew is finally sleeping peacefully.

Around the house…the usual.  Laundry, cooking, cleaning.  No big projects right now.  Maybe one day soon I can start to organize photos.   

One of my favorite things…schooling alongside my children.  I’m learning things now that I missed out on the first time around.  (I had no idea there was a country called Belarus until recently…thank you to Joseph…he’s my little geography teacher.)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…stopping to pray a Hail Mary in the prayer garden at our parish.

Another Ordinary Day

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

Sometimes the sheer monotony of daily family life is enough to overwhelm me.  I am afraid to actually think about it too much.  Just imagine if I were to add up the number of times that I’m going to wash dishes or change diapers or fold clothes or make sandwiches.  Sometimes I can barely keep up with the day to day duties…the laundry piles up, the dishes beckon me, the toys need to be put away…again.  All in between changing diapers, nursing the baby, refilling water cups, and cooking meals.  It’s ordinary.  It’s mundane.  It never ends.  Literally.  Tomorrow will bring the same things.  Maybe I’ll tweak our schedule a little and serve breakfast at 9 instead of 8.  Maybe we’ll have an adventure of sorts….a trip to the grocery store, a visit to the aquarium.  But the bare bones are consistent.  Meals must be made and served.  Dishes must be cleaned.  Laundry washed.  Diapers changed.  Snacks served.  Hands washed.  Baths given.  Stories read. 

Yet in the midst of all this ordinariness, there is joy.  Joy in knowing that my stability provides the foundation these children need for peace and security.  Joy in knowing that I, alone, can comfort, cuddle and soothe whether it be a cut, a scrape, or a hurt ego.  Joy in knowing that each day, each ordinary moment forms a memory.  A memory that fills their hearts with love.  Joy in knowing that maybe, just maybe God will greet me someday with the words I long to hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  And that joy is what gives me the strength to wake up each morning to face another ordinary day.

B is for…

/ Stacie / 3 Comments

B is for…Bugle.  After reading Serendipity’s Flower Fairy story, Joseph and William colored pictures of the Bugle fairy.  Joseph also did some copywork from the poem that is in the Flower Fairy book (which he did while listening to the Flower Fairy CD).  Next week I plan to add some science study to this by looking up the actual wildflower. 

B is for…Saint Bernadette.  We read about Saint Bernadette in our Alphabet of Catholic Saints.  Joseph did some copywork and both boys colored a picture of Saint Bernadette.  We also used the picture from the book to practice the letter B formation.  While coloring, we listened to and prayed the Joyful Mysteries using this CD.  We read about St. Brendan in Letters from Heaven.  This was the perfect opportunity to learn about The Beatitudes and a perfect time to listen to David Haas sing Blest Are They (over and over and over)…I’m still singing it to myself.  B is also for the Tower of Babel, which we covered with a felt story.

B is for…the letter B.  We practiced letter formation using the Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book, Do A Dot, Salt Dough letters, and Pin Punch letters.  Our pin punches finally arrived this week and Joseph and William enjoyed learning to use them (William with lots of help from me; Joseph did beautifully all on his own). 


B is for…balls of all kind…big balls, little balls, bouncing balls and Birdie balls.

B is for… .  I found these great coloring pages and we’re including one each week along with a virtue story.  This week the theme was Blessings, which we talked about here and in God’s Alphabet. 

B is for…boats. We studied Thomas Eakins’ painting The Champion Single Sculls.  Joseph did a narration and both boys then copied the painting.

 

B is for…Bolivia, Belarus, Brazil and many more…We used blank outline maps again, a globe and our wall maps to locate states and countries that begin with the letter of the week. 

B is for…bread and blueberry pie.  We made four loaves of our favorite bread this week.  It just so happened to be Fr. “B”ill’s “b”irthday, as well, so we delivered a loaf of fresh bread to him.  While Grandma Cindy was in town, we baked a fresh blueberry pie (with some cranberries to fill it up). 

B is for…stringing beads, sorting buttons, and stacking blocks…and since we built with blocks, it was exciting to see some real building happening.

B is for…balancing with Ben.  Here are Joseph and William walking along the edge of the playground, balancing very carefully with their friends Ben, Gabe, and Walker. 

B is for…butterflies (and ball…yes, the ball went with us) at the Botanical Gardens.

B is for…the beach. 

B is for…brother…little brother Andrew, that is.  Andrew is proving to be a very attentive little brother, watching everything Joseph and William do…even school.

B is for…Belle, Joseph’s favorite friend.  We saw her at the end of A week (so technically the beginning of B week), but Joseph kept reminding me all during B week that B is for Belle and asking if we could please go see her…B week ran out before we got together, but here are some pictures from their last playdate (along with William, Andrew and Joe, of course!)

In our book baskets this week (I’m choosing one book from each basket to have Joseph do a narration and illustration of):

History (Benjamin Franklin): A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin; How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightening; Rookie Biography

Science (birds): The Bird Alphabet Book; Make Way for Ducklings; Baby Birds and What They Eat; Owl Babies; Song of the Swallows; The Days of the Blackbird.  We also used Reading Rainbow’s DVD: Birds of a Feather

Favorite B Books:  Brown Bear, Brown Bear; Baby Farm Animals; The Bee Tree; The Big Green Pocketbook; Bearymore; Babushka’s Doll; Bad Case of Stripes; Because I Love You; Ballot Box Battle; Before the Stars were Made; The Brave Cowboy; Beatrice’s Goat; The Biggest Bed in the World; Big Red Barn; Bedtime for Frances; Birthday for Frances

Daybook

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…it’s bright and sunny.  And hot.  Still.  So very hot.  It’s September.  Where is Autumn?

I am thankful…for rare moments of peace and quiet.  This is not one.

From the learning rooms…just finishing up our “B”eautiful “B” week.  I promise to post the details soon.

In the kitchen…homemade pizza.  A little sauce, some mushrooms, peppers, onions, and olives, plenty of Italian sausage and pepperoni.  Half without cheese.  I think my littlest one might just be allergic to a few things so I’m trying to cut out the dairy, soy, and eggs.  We’ve been down this road before, but it doesn’t make it any easier.  I’m trying to remember what in the world I ate in those early days with William. 

I am wearing…jean shorts and a pink tank top.

I am hoping…for a chance to pick up a book again soon.

I am hearing…”Mommy, look at this.”  I hear that often.  And I try to always stop and look because I know.  I know that someday soon no one will be begging me to look.   

Around the house…just trying to keep my head above the water.  The laundry seems to never stop.  There are always dishes piling up.  We pick up the toys and like magic, they reappear.  As for the rest of the house, I do a little here and a little there.  Maybe one day I can have a sparkling, tidy house but for now I’m be happy to have a well-lived in home. 

One of my favorite things…a toddler who constantly asks, “Why?”  At least he’s wondering and exploring.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…We went to visit the University this past weekend.  While we were there, we stopped in the library to get some water and discovered something extremely exciting for a 2 and a 4 year old…the bookshelves can now be moved just by turning the wheel. 

{this moment}

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Daybook

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…it’s still light out yet three little boys are gently snoring away.  My only reward on a day without naps.

I am thinking…about William and his white balloon.  Last week when I went grocery shopping, I brought Joseph and William each a balloon.  William’s was the white one.  We always cut the lollipop off the bottom because the kids tend to throw the balloon up and down and we learned the hard way that doing that can cause the lollipop wrapper to tear and the lollipop gets crushed and it makes a big sticky mess…usually we replace the lollipop with a toy to help hold the balloon down.  Well, to make a long story short, William did not want a toy on the end of his.  He took it into the living room and let it float to the ceiling and then proceeded to turn the fan on.  Of course the balloon got caught in the fan and popped!  William was devasted.  So today when Daxson went to the grocery store, he brought home new balloons for both boys.  William got the white one again.  Only today he refused to let it go.  If he needed to do something else, he begged Daxson or me to please hold his balloon for just a minute.  Bedtime arrived.  William refused to come into the bedroom.  He was in tears standing just outside the bedroom door, clutching the ribbon to his balloon.  Finally, I realized the fan was on.  We turned the fan off, William climbed in bed with his white balloon.  He held it tightly all through storytime.  The lights were turned off.  I looked over and William was still holding tight.  His breathing steadied.  His eyes drooped closed.  His hand never released the string to his white balloon. 

 

From the learning rooms…check out our “A”mazing first week Along the Alphabet Path.

In the kitchen…crockpot meals.  I just love making dinner first thing in the morning knowing it will be ready early evening without any help from me.

I am wearing…a black t-shirt and gray shorts.

I am hoping…to pull Holly Pierlot’s book A Mother’s Rule of Life off the shelf and reread it soon.  Very soon.   

I am hearing…just the gentle hum of the computer.  Peace. 

Around the house…switching out baby clothes.  Already putting away newborn and small sizes. 

One of my favorite things…conversations between William and Joseph.  Here is a recent one that still makes me giggle.

Joseph loves to play school, with him as the teacher, of course.  So one day I hear him say to William, “William.  It’s time for school.  I’m going to be the teacher.  You’re the student.”

William replied, “But I don’t want to be the stupid.”

Joseph giggles.  “No, William, not the stupid.  You’re the student.” 

“But I don’t want to be the stupid.”

Now Joseph is getting frustrated.  “No, William, you’re not the stupid.  You’re the student.”

William, very insistent.  “I DON’T WANT TO BE THE STUPID.”

“Fine.  You’re the class.”

“Okay.  I’m the class.  You’re the teacher.”

Joseph, quite relieved.  “Good.  Now we’re going to work on the letter A.  A says a.  Now you say it.”

“But I don’t want to do the letter A.  Let’s do the letter B.”

“No, we’re doing the letter A.  Now repeat after me.  A says a.”

“But I don’t want to do the letter A.  I want to do B.”

You can imagine…this was not a very productive lesson.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

A is for…

/ Stacie / 3 Comments

A is for Alphabet Path, which is the beautiful curriculum we’re using this year.  Head on over to Serendipity to see the Alphabet Path and all its beauty.  The greatest thing about it is how adaptable it is and how endless the possibilities are.  It’s a whole lot of fun thinking up ideas of what we can include (tonight at dinner, Joseph was “b”rainstorming ideas for week “B” and the list seemed to go on forever…bouncing balls, blowing bubbles, playing baseball…trust me, it’s easy and fun!) 

We’re using all of Serendipity’s plans, adapting the reading lists to the books that we have in our home library.  I’ve also added a few extras like a history block (just introducing some of America’s historical figures and moments), word box work (which is a basic introduction to alphabetizing and will provide fuel later for word sorting), physical education activites, and practical life activities.  William is traveling the Alphabet Path with us, with adaptations made that fit his age and learning style.   Joseph is also doing RightStart Math and The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading (along with Explode the Code and Building Thinking Skills) in addition to his Alphabet Path work. 

Here are some highights from our A week activities (these really are just the highlights…this curriculum is so full of opportunities and rabbit trails that we actually took 2 weeks to complete our A activities!)…

A is for…apple aprons.  Auntie Leslie and Alex (and Uncle Dustin, who unfortunately doesn’t have an A anywhere in his name) were visiting on our first day of A week, so we made apple print aprons together.

A is for…Apple Blossom.  After reading Serendipity’s Flower Fairy story, Joseph and William colored pictures of the Apple Blossom fairy.  Joseph also did some copywork from the poem that is in the Flower Fairy book (which he did while listening to the Flower Fairy CD).  We also studied apple blossoms for science using Betsy Maestro’s book  How Do Apples Grow? which naturally read to a reading of one of our favorite books, Apple Picking Time. 

A is for…Saint Anne and angels.  We read about Saint Anne in our Alphabet of Catholic Saints.  Joseph did some copywork and both boys colored a picture of Saint Anne.  We also used the picture from the book to practice the letter A formation.  We read about angels in Letters from Heaven.  We’re using Letters from Heaven as a springboard for some Bible work this year.  There is a poem for each letter followed by a Bible verse reference.  I’m using that reference to teach Joseph how to use an actual Bible.  We’re also using the beautiful book God’s Alphabet for copywork.  Just so happens that A in both books refers to angels.   Later in the week we read Angels, Angels Everywhere and Joseph illustrated his favorite angel from the story.

A is for…the letter A.  Each week we’re taking advantage of the opportunity to practice correct letter formation using some various ideas such as Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book, Do A Dot, Salt Dough letters, and Pin Punch letters (although I’m still waiting for the pin punches to arrive…they’re on backorder). 

  

A is for…Adam and Eve.  I used the book Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden to introduce the story of Adam and Eve.  Then we used our Betty Luken’s Bible Felt Set to re-enact the story.  Joseph and William then made apple tree fingerprint trees and Joseph did a narration of the book. 

A is for…Always Ask.  I found these great coloring pages and we’re including one each week along with a virtue story.  After talking about what it means to “Always Ask” we talked about the importance of also using the word please when we ask, which sent us hopping down the rabbit trail to re-read the story “Please” from The Children’s Book of Virtues and to dig out our manners book, Please Say Please!  Here are some pictures of Joseph asking to please borrow some crayons from William (“May I borrow your crayon please please?”) 

A is for…apples.  We studied Paul Cezanne’s Apples.  Joseph did a narration and then they both did a sketch. 

A is for…Alaska, Argentina, Austria, and many more…For geography, we’re using blank outline maps, a globe and our wall maps to locate states and countries that begin with the letter of the week.  If our pin punches ever arrive, we’ll add pin punching the country outlines to our activities. 

In our book baskets this week (I’m choosing one book from each basket to have Joseph do a narration and illustration of):

History (Johnny Appleseed and Abraham Lincoln):  The Story of Johnny Appleseed, Johnny Appleseed, Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books, Abe Lincoln Remembers, Rookie Biography of Abraham Lincoln

Science (apples):  Apple Picking Time, How Do Apples Grow?, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

Favorite A Books: Dr. Seuss’s ABC, ABC Animal Jamboree, Adele and Simon, Amelia Bedelia series, Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse, The ABC Buny, The Alphabet Room, At the Beach, Apollo, Ask Mr. Bear

Finally, another fun A activity we did was an All About Me lapbook.  Joseph had a blast filling in all the details about himself. 

Now that you see how fun and easy it is, won’t you join us as we wander down the Alphabet Path this year?

Art Show

/ Stacie / 1 Comment

“I want to go to the bookstore,” Joseph said to me one morning at breakfast, his face serious, his intent earnest.

“Well, you need some money.  How could you make some money?”  (I’m thinking a good old-fashioned lemonade stand…he’s not.)

A long pause as he slowly considered the question.  “I could sell my artwork.”

“Okay.”  I replied, “Get it ready and we’ll have an art show.”  And so began the daily labor.  Crayons, markers, paint, and lots of paper were pulled out of the closet and day after day he worked.  Creating picture after picture.  Each one with a story to tell. 

“This one is for my art show, Mommy,” became the mantra for the following weeks.  Every now and then I heard “This one is for you, Mommy,” and I admit…my mommy heart swelled with joy at each masterpiece he presented.  I could see his hard work, his love, his effort in each piece he handed over. 

He gave each piece a title.  His name was added to all his artwork.  Then he began to price each piece.  Prices varied.  Some were only 38 cents while others were 1000 cents; some $3, others $300.  I think the joy was in writing all the different numbers; not so much in the anticipation of receiving the actual sum.  His self portrait (“Joseph” by Joseph) was priced at $30.  I asked him if he was willing to negotiate.  “What does that mean?” he asked.  “Well, let’s say someone really likes your self-portrait and offers you $1 instead of $30.  Are you willing to take it?”  “Oh yes, of course,” was his reply. 

The day of the art show was approaching.  Invitations were mailed out.  Anticipation filled the air.  “Mommy, you’ll come with me to my art show, won’t you?”  “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.”  “Good.  I’m glad you’re coming.” 

The day finally arrived.  The artwork was hung below a sign that he had decorated.

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Gary arrived for the weekend from Austin.  He politely offered a preview of his artwork to Grandpa Gary.  I could hear him chattering away about each piece of art.  Then Grandpa mentioned that he’d be taking some of Joseph’s artwork with him.  That possibility had clearly not crossed Joseph’s mind.  Later I gently explained that when you sell something, the other person takes it with them and gives you money in exchange.  I could see the wheels turning in his mind.  He seemed to be trying to come to terms with the idea of parting with his artwork.   I wondered if we were fast approaching an artistic meltdown. 

It was finally time for the Art Show.  His guests began to arrive and ooh and ahh over his work.  I watched from a distance wondering what would happen when the first piece of art was pulled off of the wall.  The first purchase was made.  He held his hand out for the money.  And then ever so slowly he reached up and removed the art from the wall himself.  He smiled proudly and handed it over.  He had made his first sale.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

Joseph’s Art Show was a success.  Not just monetarily.  By the end of the show, he was so excited to pull a piece of artwork down and hand it over in exchange for some money.  You could see the confidence and the pride pouring forth from his happy little face.  William had a few pieces in the show and was proud to have earned $4 (I think maybe he could have earned a little more, but he kept returning people’s money saying he only wanted $4 since 4 is his favorite number).  He plans to spend his hard earned money at the golf store.  Joseph, on the other hand, has big plans for his money at the bookstore.  And he’s already planning his next show.  I think an entrepreneur has been born.

Daybook

/ Stacie / Leave a comment

Outside my window…night is here.  There are still raindrops dripping slowly down the windows. 

I am thinking…I love the sound of rain falling gently on the roof. 

I am thankful…for early bedtimes when no one has napped.

From the learning rooms…this is our first week walking down the Alphabet Path.  I promise I’ll post our beginning adventures soon.

In the kitchen…homemade chocolate chip cookies for Mom’s birthday.

I am wearing…a brown tank top and gray shorts. 

I am creating…my first wooden peg saint doll.  I am not very artistic with a paintbrush and wooden doll, but Joseph is convinced that I’ve done a perfect job of creating Saint Anne.  That’s all that counts. 

I am going…crazy trying to get organized. 

I am hoping…the mosquitoes stay away despite the rain.

I am hearing…Andrew’s steady breathing as he sleeps snuggled up against my chest. 

Around the house…laundry, laundry, and more laundry.  Pretty sure it will never stop.

I am pondering…”Love is patient” and Ann Voskamp’s reflection on it. 

One of my favorite things…rainy days. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Daybook

/ Stacie / Leave a comment

Outside my window…the sprinkler is batting the windowpanes with a soft, steady beat.  Our grass is pretty pathetic.  I’m not sure this little sprinkler will do much good.  God could certainly do better if He’d only send some rain our way.

I am thinking…it has been way too long since I’ve blogged.  I need this.

I am thankful…for the end of bedrest.  Yes, we learned humility and yes, we were filled with grace, but life is so much better now that I’m able to participate in all the little rituals of the day (although ironically, I am sitting on the couch writing this).

From the learning rooms…school officially began this week.  We’re starting off light with a week of Five in a Row.  Next week, we’ll begin walking down the Alphabet Path.  Come back often throughout the year to walk with us.

In the kitchen…Beef Burgundy.  It smells divine. 

I am wearing…a pink tank top and jean shorts.  And they’re not maternity clothes!  Yea!

I am creating…our curriculum.  I’m just never satisified with anything.  So I add a little here and a little there.  It’s a work of art with lots of fine tuning, I suppose.

I am going…to finally see our friends again this week!  Oh how I’ve missed my friend and Joseph and William have missed theirs.  It will be a celebration of sorts to see one another again.  A few miles away can feel like a million when you’re unable to get together.

I am wondering…what is it about a pair of oversized boots that is so incredibly entertaining?

I am reading…Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Sally and Clay Clarkson.

I am hoping…that Joseph’s Art Show is everything he imagines it will be.  He’s worked so hard to prepare so many pieces of art!  (I promise to share some Art Show pictures soon!)

I am looking forward to…lots of family this weekend.  And a beautiful Baptism ceremony for little Andrew and Gavin.  It’s so fun making memories.

I am hearing…a whispering Joseph.

Around the house…laundry.  Does it ever end? 

I am pondering…grace. 

One of my favorite things…the big trees in our backyard.  A luxury here in South Texas. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  School, play, visit.

Here is picture I thought worth sharing…