Early morning stillness

This was the view out my window this morning. We rarely get mist here, but all the rain has brought it in. I love the silent covering mists give to the earth.

 

Autumn Daybook

Outside my window...

The grey and green look of another wet day, and the scary thought is that for the moment we are enjoying it.

I am listening to...

Rain, refreshing, relaxing, restful rain.  We missed it heaps over our very long, very dry summer now it is so good to have wet days, a fire and just be. 

I am thankful for...

Beyond the rain, I am thankful for the end of our school term and one in which more has worked than not work. Lots of good things have been happening which I'll try and record as I relax over the next two weeks.

From the learning rooms...

We're at the end of the first term for the year. Since we have four terms its kinda our summer term, but that sounds really strange on a homeschool blog.

Looking back its been a long super busy term, way too hot for school, heaps of challenges but we've hung in there and done well. I'm proud of what they have achieved.

From the kitchen...

With my in-laws coming for a week, I'm trying to get my head around gluten free cooking - or at least lunches and dinners that  they can join us for. Its a challenge. I'm so used to using bread and pasta to fill out my shopping budget that I feel like I'm tossing 90% of my meal plans. Thanks to a big bag  of veges at the farmers market I think I have a plan...at least for the evening meals maybe this is the nudge I need to clean up the dependance on flour, but then fresh bread is so good.

I am reading..

We have just finished the Omnibus readings for the American Civil War - which showed a much deeper and complex situation that anything I had come across as a child. Then again American History isn't necessarily a priority when our public schools have our own history to cover.  We head into WW1 just as we come to our national commemoration of  the NZ/Australian  troops in Turkey. Nice timing.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

 The last few weeks have been  hectic, and busy, this week I am hoping we get to slow down and smell the roses.Tidy up the loose homeschool ends, spin, knit, catch up with the in-laws and try to relax.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

Excuses not to fold the washing

The weather must be getting a little cooler if hiding in the washing pile is an option for a late morning nap

 

First paddle on our local river

After weeks of juggling colds and flus, we took advantage of the long dry summer to kayak down our local river. Where we were was very gentle, just enough current to give the boys a little bit of fun, The white water is a long ways downstream. It was an easy paddle with a little bit of current for the boys to play in and a chance for us girls to sit back when we felt like it and just go with the flow.

 

Its been good to branch out from the lake to slow lazy rivers. I'm definitely content to rest there though and leave the white water to the boys. The question is whether or not after Monday hubby will be hooked.

 

Easter Traditions

In the quiet of a Good Friday morning, our family is settled into the routine of Easter, passover dishes are being cleared, hot cross buns are cooking a slow simple day waits before us as we think on Jesus death and look forward to celebrating his resurrection.

There is a buzz and excitement that we wouldn't be without as we celebrate and enjoy the traditions we have built up, traditions with old roots, traditions that teach and yet give form to celebration.

Reflections on our sin as we search the the house for leaven  before passover, the recognition of the sacrifice as we celebrate passover, and as we use a Christianized version recognize the imagery of Christ our passover lamb, and communion, the slowness of Good Friday and expectation of Sunday morning.

 May you also be blessed in the celebration of Easter, and the redemption that Jesus has won for us!

 

Late summer daybook

Its been a while since I've posted here long enough to wonder how to resurrect the blog and what to say,  so a daybook seems to be the best place to start.
 Outside my window...

Blue skies, green leaves, and an overgrown rose garden that needs encouraging at the end of summer.We are awaiting the official calling of a drought, and after weeks without rain, the few drops we had yesterday sent us rejoicing.

I am listening to...

The rustle of papers as my youngest finished his Science, the washing machine finishing a last load, and peace

I am thankful for...

A settled school day, the start of the year with three children in Omnibus has been busy, and normally I feel the stress to keep going, after all its so easy to slip. The students however would rather be chilling and enjoying the summer...

From the learning rooms...

This year is busy, and with the heat its been slow going. Not quite the report I'm looking for, and I'm trying to see the positives, but often its just to hot to really work. Definitely looking forward to a Autumn, at least during the school week.


From the kitchen...

Omega plums on the bench waiting to be turned into jam. Hopefully this afternoon. Zucchini chocolate cake in the cupboard waiting to be iced for this morning. I keep missing the zucchinis when they are small, and so we have marrows, I really  don't like marrows of finding things to do with them.

I am reading..

Burke, "Reflections on the Revolution in France", Its a hard read, many swirls of thoughts, but a very interesting take on the relationship of Church and state, beauty and its effects on society and consideration of where we end up when we loose our heritage.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

 Last week was hectic, and busy, this week I am hoping we get to slow down and smell the roses.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Looking forward - Maths

For the last couple of years maths has been a subject on auto -pilot:

Miquon for the first years,

A mix of Keys to ... and Singapore for the middle years,

followed by Jacobs Algebra and Geometry.

While I have a mix of love maths children and bright but not so confident students this has served us well.

However since Jacobs only has the two books we are left looking for another program to see out the senior years. Veritas recommended that we move to Foresters, and we did. So far we are struggling through the first 4 Chapters, redoing, backtracking , trying to get our heads around the specifics and the proofs rather than intuitively accepting what we know, but the love of Maths is dying fast. The jump from one style to another needs a transition that we simply don't have.

 So I'm starting to look at the options. KHAN Academy is definitely one option, and my daughter likes it, but I'm not quite ready to take on a program which I can't plonk down on the desk in front of me and say yep there it is.

So we've taken a risk and purchased the Advanced Algebra book of Life of Fred. Hopefully it works, at least it should be fun, and right now having some fun back in school is what we need.

 But if anyone reading this has any thoughts, I'm still open to suggestions. I need something that will give a bright but uncertain young lady the confidence that she knows what she is going and will succeed.

 

The End of a Long year

2012 has been long year. Some really neat things have happened along with a lot of stretching and change.

It seems to have had more than its share of stuff packed into it. The year reads as a haze of...

Increased responsibility for Tony at the school he teaches at with becoming project managed for putting in the new computer system, hardware and software. 

Looking after my mum following a pesky skin graft, and them hubby misjudging the white on white of fuzzy snow while skiing and messing up his knee.

Lots of ups and downs at the ballet studio, but my girl finally got a Distinction for her exam and thoroughly deserved it.

New experiences as we were graciously offered homeschool opportunities for Bush-craft, Caving, Rock-climbing etc, through the organization that certifies the outdoor education leaders.

   
A trip to Christchurch for the long term research project that were my youngest is involved in and which compares the development of full term and prem babies.

 Its been busy, the blog has been neglected and now it is nice to see the end of the road, Christmas and summer ahead and time to regroup.

•  

A Patchwork Daybook

Outside my window...

Late Spring early summer, the irises have been a nd nearly gone, the roses are in bloom, the vege patch weeded and green. Outside is calling and its time to enjoy.

I am listening to... 

 "Never Once" by Matt Readman, even though I wasn't so sure about this CD when hubby brought it home last year, it has seriously spoken into the last few weeks. Right time right song. I have really really enjoyed this CD.

 I am thankful for...

A quiet weekend, a day in the garden, church this morning and just chilling this after noon while we waited for phone calls. The last few weekends have been busy, we have a wedding to attend next weekend and then ballet performances the week after. Peace now is special.

  From the learning rooms... 

We've been enjoying having company for a weekly Greek session, and its been fun since we all have different skills.

From the kitchen... 

 The first BBQ of the year. or at least the first family one, really easy, really special.

I am reading.. 

We're reading the Autobiography of Charles Finney, and The American Constitution in our studies. Finney is giving me reason to think deep, partly because my I came to faith in the charismatic movement of the early 80's and partly because the more it progressed the harder it was to see god, and the more human/hyped it seemed to be, Its nice to not be looking for the next spiritual high, nice to be on solid ground. nice to watch and see the wonder of God moving in beautiful, ordered, amazing ways that end up with the right thing happening, at the right time for, the right reasons. Other than that I'm enjoying a light week, time to catch up on sleep, time ot look ahead to Christmas.

A few plans for the rest of the week,,,

We're all hoping for a quiet settled week, and a chance to make some progress in school. At the end of the week we get to gather with family for a long overdue wedding. Looking forward to it!

 Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 Spring is Beautiful

 

Maths

Maths Lesson

The math was so hard on that day, 

When number lines came to play. 

Digits more numerous than hay, 

Yet rightly used have a simple way, 

Which we may one day understand. 

The numbers go on, never end, 

 Not left nor right do they bend. 

And no letters do they ever send 

In lines that do not ever end 

Which we may one day understand. 

Some digits, positives are tumblers 

And Zero is no fumbler, 

 Negative numbers do not slumber 

Irrational be many a number 

Which we may one day understand. 

By the Artist 28 August 2012 

I love how subjects intertwine in a classical education, even if we aren't always enjoying them, and need to handle them in a different discipline. 

 

A Week of Snow, Some Good, Some Not So Good

We finally got up the mountain, two snow days in the midst of what has been a way to busy term.

The first managed to be our worst day up there, the weather changed, first hubby got caught in whiteout and twisted his knee.

While I was down in the medical center with him the whiteout moved up the mountain to where our kids and some other homeschool families were skiing. I hear my daughter did a great job of leading them safely down to the bottom of the run to where my boys were waiting, then they took over leading the way down the rest of the mountain.

To finish the day, as we were leaving, I pulled my car in towards the shuttle/pick up area to collect hubby, was waved on by the attendant, despite everyone calling out that I was picking up someone who was injured, and pulling forward ended up in the path of a backing vehicle. Fortunately no significant damage to our car.  I think the guy backing was relieved at that.

After a week of trying to sort things out, we had another chance at my husbands insistence to go up the mountain, Blue skies, no wind, more snow on the trails..an awesome day to remember and soak in the beauty that God has made and a chance to remember why we love this place. 

A Midwinter Daybook

Outside my window...

A Clear mid-winter sunset. Grey on grey tinged with pink as the sun slowly settles. Its been a beautiful blue sky day, just a tad cold but clear and fresh.

I am listening to... 

My boys playing battleships,  they are bored enough to have to pull out board games and work their way through old pursuits. Its good. We haven't been here in a long time.

 I am thankful for... 

Slow days and being able to sleep in, take time and move slowly, we'll start doing more and going out as the school holidays progress I think there is a trip to the family farm, and hopefully a day visiting the glowworm caves, but in themeanwhile we are still slowing down and getting on top of life.

 I am praying for.. 

 Friends and winter illnesses.  It seems to be that time of the year when everyone is either getting sick, recovering, or catching a new cold or flu.

From the kitchen.. 

One of the neat things about the hoidays is being able to sit at home, and listen to other people cook. Hubby is a great ccok, so are our kids, but normally I'm setting it up and heading out to ballet...so being able to sit back and hear the sounds of others cooking while I write a blog post is cool.

From the learning rooms 

 I''m finally at peace with being able to do school or at least some school in the hoiday.. and not feel guilty.  Every holidays we have loose ends and every holidays I feel guilty...and this time nope were having fun, molding what a normal day is like, keeping good habits going and building new ones..and still sleeping in watching movies going out and about and having fun. Could be  agood plan for the rest of the year.

However I definitely have itchy feet curriculum wise and am seriously looking at what we should move into our day from a Charlotte Mason viewpoint. Its funny how one thought drives another. But I would like to bring back the things around the edges that we have lost over the years. Nature journals, picture study, composer's poetry etc. 

 I am reading.. 

Bondage of the Will by Luther, and enjoying it, discussions with the kids not quite so easy.  

A few plans for the rest of the week.. 

Ballet lessons and art classes got moved into the holidays this time around, a trip to the family farm for a day, a long day-walk in a nearby national park... the glowworm caves as a day trip, and hopefully thanks to some online vouchers dinner out with my and hubby...

 Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Some days you really wish you have a camera on you at all times...lovely red/cream kitty with black smudges getting carefully cleaned- up in the bathroom, after the boys have been playing with the toy submarine in the bath...cat seeks his escape path...into the bath...oops...wet, bedraggled, unhappy cat. Funny though, very funny...

Unfortunately I only have the clean dry version on film

 A Daybook post in the tradition of A Simple Woman's Daybook

 

Ambleside or Veritas?

I have to admit that despite never using Ambleside as written for more than 1 year, I don't think that I have ever gotten their ideals out of my head.

I like the idea of enjoying great literature, nature, artists and composers slowly and thoughtfully. I love the way that Ambleside manages to drop out the busywork and let us enjoy what is good.

 I miss that approach when it is gone really miss it. Any mention of Ambleside or Circle time sends me scurrying back and wondering how to put back what I am missing in my approach. And since combining two approaches is never really a good thing, that usually is enough to send us over the edge. Yet in the middle of a year that has become in many ways an uphill push I am back considering the Ambleside approach.

The only problem is considering it using the Veritas materials. Yep as much as I love the Ambleside and Charlotte Mason approach the book-lists used in Ambleside always send me hurrying back. There is along the way too much that pushed the boundaries of what we believe without explanation. Since its hard enough for my daughter to read the likes of Luther and have to think through his ideas in terms of her beloved, it really doesn't take much to have us all cringing that something is off, liberal, faith challenging. And while there are only a few books in the selections, a few music pieces they always leave me scrambling back to Veritas...safety.

Veritas takes the other approach. When something isn't of a reformed evangelical American persuasion you know about it. Which is good at least then you can disagree with them and move on. They do however manage to put the goodness or at least show why there is shadow in all of their books and that is soul filling and refreshing. (Ok yes they can also be repetitive, but we don't mind that again..."Been there done that!" move on.)

So my question comes back to am I about to take the CM philosophy as a framework and infill it with the Veritas selections and study guides. (Yes I realize that CM would object to the study guides - but somehow that search for background material seems to be the most frequent question of the Ambleside lists.)

Humanities or Grammar School at Home ?

For a long time there has been discord in our home-school, we started this journey step by step, looking into a vista of discussion, learning, truth , beauty and consideration of what is good. Wonderful lofty ideals.

But to often it seems more of a daily grind to get through our blocks of time before the end of the day. The endless struggle to keep my turtle on track, to slow down my hare and to keep lifting up the fragile flower that unfortunately is my guinea pig.

Amongst it all it the realization that all of this is uncharted territory. Not necessarily difficult, but non the less territory that we have never walked before. Bible College and their introduction to Church history, Veritas press and classed make it possible, but they don't of themselves make it easy.

For the last few days we seem to have wandered a little more as we struggled with the colds and flues, we have played more simply because that's what holidays mean and holidays are getting closer, and slowly there it a little more hope, a little more joy in our studies a lot more forgiveness. 

 I haven't yet gotten to terms with what it will look like I guess it will continue to change. But I like the idea or enjoying the journey, and appreciate that when the pressure comes off a bit my trio is much more willing to investigate the rich diet put in front of them. I can say the colds and the approaching holidays have been a breath of fresh air around here.  Now only if we could stop the sore throats and keep what we have learned.


 

Welcome, and please say hi as you wander

As a homeschooling family down under in New Zealand, its always interesting to see all the people who visit from all around the world.

It seems that we have visitors from the most interesting places.

So please feel free to say hi, leave a comment, or let us know something interesting about your
country. We would really enjoy hearing from you.

Catan, Warm Fires and Colds

As a family we seem to have all come down with our second round of colds within a month, and everyone is at some stage of sniffling or sneezing.

Its been good to be able to grab a couple of lemons through them in the food processor, add a tablespoon of grated ginger and a pottle of honey and whiz until we have honey and lemon syrup. About 2 tablespoons in a mug of hot water seems to keep the sore throats at bay for a while.

And in between there is always Catan Seafarers to keep us occupied.

 

Laid back kittens

It's clear these guys are very relaxed Burmese, Jan over at Radinka did a good job ..

Pippin Relaxing while we watch a movie

 

Thanksgiving revisited

We're moving into the reformatiion in our studies, and for the older two that means Omnibus has picked up one of Luther's writings, on the Bondage of the Will. Officially the Veritas worldview notes suggest a focus on our free will vs the sovereignty of God, Christ's Lordship. Underneath though it raises another issue, one that I desperately feel the need for a reminder, to be grateful for eveything, because God made it.

In reading the background notes I kept coming back to the idea that we  need to recognize our achievements, and our failures are God's gifts to us, not our own successes to receive praise for.  They are the things that we do because a good and loving God created us, redeemed us, gifted us and and loved us.

Even where we haven't received the redemption bit and are still a long way from knowing this God who made us, the truth remains. Our feel good moments are not in what we achieve, but rather in the love that God has for us.

Now if I could only  step away from my insecurities and live that. That would be life changing!