The 1st Week of School

Yep, this is what I have to work with. Scary, huh? Actually, he's in good humor here. I can't say that it lasted for the whole week.

I'd like my readers to imagine a home environment where Mama is surrounded by her two adoring children, eager to hear what wisdom their mama has to instill on their growing minds and innocent hearts. We wake in anticipation every day expectant to the waiting mysteries of life that will be revealed to us that day. Math unfolds as a symphony of numbers reflecting a supreme God of order. We wonder. We are awed. Work is done with joyful hearts knowing that it's for our good and glory to the Lord. 

Now for the reality, my friends. We are imperfect parents with imperfect kids who struggle every day. While my dream is reminiscent of that family above, our days are battles. We fight over what Me wants over that what God wants. I complain over dishes, messy floors, mounds of laundry, having to clean the house, etc. Kids complain over what's for dinner, math assignments, having to clean their rooms, brushing their teeth. Our battles are within ourselves - with ourselves. Me over God.  And this is education. Yes, we do math, reading, writing, history, science - but the stuff that matters? Character, attitude, compassion, thoughtfulness, diligence, hard work, glorifying God in ALL circumstances is what we are trying to teach our children and learn for ourselves. What a privilege. What a daunting task. 

And so it's not just my kids who are "back in school" but me as well. Daily I must keep my head in the Word. I can't do this on my own but He promises to help. I need all the help I can get! As my children's teacher, I MUST sit at the feet of THE TEACHER and learn from the only source worth learning from. 

Ready.... Set..... Stay Home!!!!

It's finally done! Rearranging and adding a few things, putting other items in storage for when needed again our schoolroom is finally complete! This is probably the neatest it will ever look - ha!


While our educating does not only take place here, it is a room to keep all the books we need to have easy access to, wall space set aside for learning posters, white boards, etc and yes - desks to do desk work stuff like math, writing, coloring, etc. 

I'm excited about Zanna's little corner with her "new" desk! Next to it are her workboxes. While not the textbook way to implement, I've modified it to fit our needs. I think this will be a way to keep her day going as she works her way through each drawer - some with my help and others on her own. Some days she may find a snack in one, a worksheet to fill out in another, and my iPhone for a fun educational game in yet another! 

I put together her calendar taken mostly from resources found here.
She has great ideas on her blog and I have found them most useful for little ones. She makes up some of her own curriculum - some free, others at a nominal charge. I also regularly check out this blog for other ideas for young children.
I also have a laminated wall map hung low near her desk. This will be for mapping our Five in a Row books. Each day we read the same book focusing on a different subject be it art, history, geography, science, language arts, etc. I used this program with Will for kindergarten and found it to be such a gentle way of learning with children and helped to instill a love of reading, books and stories. Plus, we get to snuggle on the couch, under the covers, or on our backs up in the playstructure! 
She and I will also be making our way through "Egermeier's Bible story book".  I love her age, her thirst for learning and her curiosity! It's so much fun to go on nature walks, listen to her start to put sounds together into words, and watch her light up when she discovers something new!

Here's one of our bookshelves and our new filing cabinet from Ikea.

Of course, we need a bulletin board to post work well done and the Wii time sheet. No Wii is allowed during the week but weekend time earned by hard work, good behaviour and an effort that goes above and beyond what is expected. Slightly subjective on my end but after all - I am in charge :). 

Here are some of the books we'll be reading and studying this year (and maybe next). I am so excited to start this course of study I can barely contain myself. I've been waiting years to get to this years study of Eastern Hemisphere. I mean come on, when do you ever study the Eastern Hemisphere except maybe in college? We'll be discovering China, Japan, India, Africa, Australia - even as I write this I get all exhilarated. 

Here's the All About Spelling board. Will started this last year and got through level 3 by doing it practically every day. This helped his spelling tremendously and I can't say enough about this program. We'll continue with level 4 and I plan on using it with Zanna too as it's a good way to learn your phonograms and helps with reading. 
He'll also continue with his Institute for excellence in Writing which is another of those treasures I'm very thankful to my aunt for recommending. I was at a loss as to how to teach writing and not only is this program wonderful in every way but I've come to appreciate much of what Andrew Peduwa says and have listened to many of his downloads in regards to education. 

Other things Will is doing this year:
The Young Peacemaker
Faith Foundations
Saxon Math 7/6
Sonlight Core F

It's busy as you can see and this doesn't count the SHEP program (Science and History enrichment program) in the fall and spring, violin lessons, karate, field trips, etc. My goal is not to cram everything into a year but take it at a pace we can handle and if we stop to explore something that he finds interesting and we skip over some other stuff, that's OK. I'm so over doing everything suggested and being a slave to any curriculum or coarse of study. We make it work for us. 

Love my little window seat and magazine rack! A good place for reading, snuggling and dreaming.

Another new addition I'm excited about - our clocks! I thought it would be fun to have clocks set to the time zones of our loved ones. So we have England, Calgary, Wisconsin and Ottawa. All done for about $14 I'm pretty happy. I couldn't have done it without my man - I have the vision, he has the plan to make it happen. We're a good team!

Finally, this is Will's daily schedule we implemented last year. Previously, I was struggling with frequent outbursts, temper tantrums and overall attitude issues. Not uncommon at this age but too often that it was a concern and disruption to our day. Thinking that it had something to do with daily expectations and not being clear about what was being asked of him on any given day, I put this together (modified from here) that clearly has the subject or activity scheduled for the day and as he finishes them he takes them off (their velcroed) and puts it in the jar. This way he seeing what the expectations are and has a sense of accomplishment as he goes along. When he's done, he's done. Then he can watch a movie, go play with friends, etc. His freedom is in his hands. He feels more in charge, I think. 


So that's about it for now! I'm excited to start but not too excited that I'm not going to enjoy the last few lazy days of summer!!!!!

When life gives you lemons ... make lemonade!

With days starting to cool down and getting closer to the start of a new school year we are trying to take advantage of the final days of summer! 
After almost 2 weeks of VBS between our church here in town and our church up in Quebec, hosting house guests in our basement for over a month complete with a guinea pig, 2 funerals Wayne officiated and Will played violin for, WELS Canada meetings of which Wayne is on the board of directors and a quick Sat - Mon trip to Vancouver for Wayne so that he could have the opportunity to meet our brothers and sisters in Christ out West and preach - all of which was crazy and hectic at the time but blessings abounded through them all - here we are well into August! 
I had promised the kids since early summer that they could have a lemonade stand. I had been collecting a fast growing pile of garage sale worthy stuff and thought we could do a duel purpose event. I had found some lemonade stand decorations at Target that I just couldn't resist. The actual follow through was a bit more difficult! 
Finally setting the date, I got down to the nitty gritty of pricing items, grouping them and hauling them over to church which was where the blessed event was to happen. The other matter of the lemonade stand demanded separate attention as I wanted this to be a learning moment disguised as pure fun! 

Lemon flavored cupcakes were baked and decorated the day before. A list of what was need compiled. Directions read on the side of a frozen concentrated can of pink lemonade. We were ready to go!

Yep, they did good. As a matter of fact, they made out like bandits! They went through all 4 cans of lemonade, 5 cupcakes left, money made! Their investor (me) did point out that if I were to demand payback for the items I purchased for the stand their loot would be greatly diminished. Lucky for them, they have a generous benefactor:). 
The garage sale part was a pain.in.the.butt.  I remembered why I hadn't done it for awhile. But it was a lovely, sunny morning, I got to meet some new people and I had the satisfaction of getting rid of my pile by dropping off my stuff at Goodwill that didn't sell. 
We've been to a nearby beach twice this summer with different friends. The kids love to play in the sand and water and we all enjoy a picnic lunch in the great outdoors. Best of all, there's a local that comes around with his boat outfitted as "the ice cream float" selling ice cream cones to us! What a hit!

Hey, Dad, this could be an idea for you in between Harley rides!!!

And the ice cream was yummy - can you guess she had chocolate?


We also celebrated Daddy's first day off in 3 weeks upon his return from Vancouver with a day trip to the area water park. My kids are fearless and willing to ride practically everything. Honestly, it's hard for me to keep up! We had a super fun family day of playing in the wave pool, hurdling down water slides, being dragged along in the lazy river and enjoying a picnic lunch on a beautiful, sunny day! 


Zanna continues to relish being able to ride her bike like a big girl and we've attempted a few family bike rides. Her stamina is improving (I remind myself as I go painfully slow).


Next up I'll be revealing the schoolroom/playroom that I've been working on and our plans for the new year!

Vacation out West

AHHHH, fresh mountain air! We enjoyed one week in Calgary reunited with the family. We enjoyed day trips to the zoo,  a hike at the falls and rides at an amusement park.  Cousins bonded, sister-in-laws gabbed, brothers - were brothers!

Wayne spent his birthday on a motorcycle. He and brother Jeff spent the day cruising through the beautiful scenery. 

Always a highlight at Grandma and Grandpa's house is the go-cart. The cousins took turns doing laps. They made up their own obstacle course and prayers were answered that no one got hurt! 

Another highlight of summer visits is the garden. The grandchildren  enjoy helping out with the taste testing of fresh vegetables and we all enjoy a green salad with the ingredients grown on sight. Such a treat! 


My father-in-law is doing well considering the circumstances. While initially he was feeling better with more energy from his treatment, it seems to be catching up with him a bit - understandably. He slept more than usual, hung around the house and laid low. But his spirits are good and he was thrilled to be surrounded by all his children and grandchildren. He finishes up with the chemo in the fall.  Thank you for your prayers! 
On another note - I'm super excited to announce Zanna's big milestone. Check it out!

The world is her oyster - the road is open - the possibilities are endless!!! Congratulations, dearest girl!!!!

Summer project fun

We've been in and out of town this summer but we've managed to keep up our nature table. 

Notice the addition of a certain birds nest? After I shook out all the bugs we got an up close look at the construction of the nest. We even found some interesting videos on YouTube of birds actually in the process of building nests and tiny eggs hatching. So cool!

The newest contribution to the nature table is an article on loan from Will. He obtained a peacock feather from the Calgary zoo and brought it home on the plane (as a carry on!).  We are all quite proud of the feather!!
My other project in the works is an overhaul of the school room. I'd like to include more of a learning area for Zanna. My inspiration comes from an old school desk given to me by a Lutheran grade school. 

It's in pretty good shape. I've put up with the bright yellow but thought it needed to be - attacked with spray paint. 

So now it's a lovely shade of purple for my girly girl. I even added some chalkboard paint on the back of it to personalize it. 
Now that this is done, I can start working on the rest of the room in August. Next week is devoted to organizing, lesson planning, listening to educational pod casts of encouragement and direction, any ordering of things I still need to get, etc.  Then I can hopefully relax for the rest of the summer! I hope.

Our Summer Holiday in the Midwest

Picnics at roadside parks   hotel swimming pools to wear off some energy   kids old enough for Mom and Dad to stay dry at the side of the pool   arriving excitement - hugs and kisses   Mom's food   hours of hide and seek with Uncle Tom and Auntie Bekah   "Get Ready! I'm coming!" in his British accent   Bodda Boom! Bodda Bing!   

Celebrating birthdays (I'm still 28) Dad the big 6-0   Will attends soccer camp at Mom and Dad's church

Chicken salad served in Mom's antique glass chickens   family bowling

Staying with Grandma and Grandpa N.   Grandma's rhubarb pie   games of hand and foot   Island Cafe's greek omelet and chai tea   Fresh white Ikea dishes and shiny new silverware to replace 40 years of mismatched cutlery   the smell of the log home   exercising 2nd Amendment rights at the shooting range (we are in the US!)    Harley rides   the sound of loons on the lake   Will's island   feeding Buttercup the deer in the driveway   precious time spent with sister and husband from across the pond    Friday fish fry at Little Bo's   sweet whiskey old-fashioned with a crushed orange wedge and 2 maraschino cherries   bending the rules - too much dessert, pop, chips and up too late   weekend in Minnesota   Uncle Greg, Aunt Lisa, Allie and Lauren   Zanna wearing out their new puppy playing ring around the rosy   cousins braiding hair   downtown Stillwater   unbelievable musical talent in church - who knew you could do that with a pipe organ?   an afternoon with Grandpa and Grandma H.    trips down memory lane   driving gravel roads in the Albert Lea countryside   Grasdalen farm    the farm Dad grew up on   cemetery relatives are buried 

"Wok and Roll" Chinese buffet   cherished time with great grandparents   kids stopping up toilets wherever we go (too much junk food)   3 seasons of Giligan's Island and backseat belly laughs    waking up to itchy rash on legs    drugged up on allergy medication at the Mall of America    lunch at Don Pablos - our old dating stomping ground - margaritas and enchiladas!    shopping for shoes with my college roommate    Wayne watching 5 kids while we shop

picking up with an old friend where we left off    dropping Daddy off at the airport    listening to the GPS over my common sense heading for Duluth   reading an actual map and ignoring the GPS   back at Mom and Dad's   male bonding - Harleys, guns and golfing   female bonding - flea markets, craft stores and antiquing   lake rides on the pontoon boat    lunch on the lake   Friday Fish Fry #2 at Little Bo's   kids attend VBS at Mom and Dad's church   going to the beach   splashing in the lake   flea market addiction   Celebrating 65 years of marriage

Breaking in the chalkboard chargers   bonfire cookouts - hotdogs and smores   radio flyer taxi rides

missing husband and dadddy   Facetime everyday on the iPhone   13 years of celebrating our 4th of July anniversary   40 years of celebrating Mom and Dad's 4th of July anniversary   anniversary email love note from husband   Grandma's cherry pie   coconut joy ice cream cone at Cathy's ice cream shoppe   things you can do with doors and spray paint inspiration   watching fireworks on the lake   

Face painting

4th of July breakfasts

a heavily loaded minivan, me, 2 kids and 16 hours between us and home   a full tank of gas and an empty bladder - $75 Can / $55 US (the gas, not the bladder)   a hotel with no pool - substitute bed jumping   

HOME

Relax .... it's summer!

OK, pretty sad when I need a sign to remind me what I'm supposed to be doing. Instead I'm finding myself cleaning, doing yard work, putting away school stuff and organizing for fall, never ending laundry, you get the idea! 

Ahhhh, red geraniums.

I admit to having mostly American decorations but in my defense, it's hard to find cute Canadian stuff. I love this little angel!

And finally, here's my new summer mantle....

Inspired by the quilt my sister and brother-in-law gave me for Christmas, bought at a quilt show in England - it's bright and cheery!