Home schooling --What we do

At least once a day, someone asks James if he is in school, or if he's going to school.  He always has the same answer for them, "I'm home schooled."  There are usually 2 responses to his answer, and they are almost always directed at me: "wow, your Mommy must be busy," or "I could never do that."  One of those is true.  The other, most decidedly, isn't.  

I will be the first to admit that having my kids home with me all day, every day, isn't easy.  At times it is really hard.  I would love 2, 3, or 5 mornings a week with only one sleeping baby in the house.  But I love being with my kids more than I want to be away from them.  My time with them is so fleeting.  A while ago, James said to me, "home schooling is good because you get to stay home and be with your Mommy."  And that is one of the biggest reasons why I am choosing to home school my kids.  They get to be home with me.  They want to be home with me.  That is an attitude that I want to cultivate.  That is a attitude that I will cherish.  

This time we have won't last forever, so I want to enjoy it as much as I can.  Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.  I have to stop doing the dishes, and get on the floor and play Memory.  Or Candyland, or train tracks, or whatever else it is that my little people want me to do with them.  For me, that is the hardest part of home schooling.  Like all moms, I struggle to find a balance between the work I must do to keep our home running, and devoting enough time and attention to my kids.  The part that makes it a bit trickier, is that some of that time is supposed to be "school" time.       

Lucky for us our school work right now is play.  That is how we learn at our house.  When James first got to the preschool age, I was all excited and bought some coloring books from Target to help him with writing letters, numbers and the like.  He was not the least bit interested.  He already knew his numbers, letters, shapes and colors, and none of them had been learned with workbooks.  They had been learned while playing, reading, drawing, walking, living.  

Almost everything I do with the kids is a learning experience, a teachable moment.  And the beauty of home schooling, is that those moments can take any direction they want.  So the other day when we were playing Memory, and James decided he wanted to make his own set of Memory cards, I said "go right ahead."  What an amazing way to take the concept of the Memory game to the next level.  He sat down and began creating his own set of matching cards.  When he has enough, we are going to laminate them and use them.  I didn't lesson plan that.  It just happened.  

    

When people tell me they could never home school, I want to say, "it isn't rocket science."  It is being with your kid and loving them and following where their ideas lead you.  It isn't easy. Often the things in life that are most rewarding are not easy.  But a lot of the time it is fun.  It is an adventure and it is what we do. 

History

I wrote a blog about these bowls over at Me Too Photography.  I wish I could just copy and paste it here, but if that can be done, I don't know how to do it.  So I am just going to post this link, because I think the post needs to be here as well.  It is the beginning of a new part of life for Lilly and the Brothers.  We are starting a new page of our family history.  Read about it. 

The Brothers

The other day, the boys were standing in the car, not getting into their car seats like I asked them to, leaning towards each other and laughing uproariously.  I hollered at them from the front porch, "what are you guys doing?  I told you to get in your seats!"

James hollered back, "OK Mommy, we were just having a licking fight."

Yum.

They find wonderful and weird ways to play together.  The sight of these brothers playing together fills my heart with an almost painful joy.  They are friends. They are buddies.  They are partners in crime.  They bicker.  They wrestle. They get mad.  They love each other.  They are brothers. 

  

The Boy, the Artist

When James was a tiny baby, people would tell me he was going to be an artist.  Not people who knew his daddy was an artist, but perfect strangers.  It was the way he kept his eyes wide open, observing every detail and not wanting to miss a thing.  

He is still that way.  In fact, I have met few people quite so observant.  Often the things he notices pop up in his art. Like the drawing below, for example.  There is a character from the Magic School Bus books that he really likes, Ralphie.  Ralphie always wears his hats backwards. This kid here, next to the rocket, his hat is on backwards.  

I don't know if James will grow up to be an artist, but he certainly is one now.  He really loves to draw.  He spends at least an hour a day drawing.  Often he spends 2.  Sometimes it is the first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning.  Or he spends his afternoon rest time with markers, colored pencils and a stack of paper. 

He doesn't like to color.  Oh he does it on occasion, at Sunday school or something, but he never asks for the coloring books at home.  He asks to draw.  And he doesn't draw one thing.  His drawings are many and varied.  Like the one above with the giant green boots.  It's titled, "Boots and Tents."  Why?  Because you wear boots when you go camping.  The one next to it is a monster truck with mud on the wheels.  No details escape that boy.

He is really into drawing robots.  He draws at least one a day.  This one is hard to see cause it is in pencil, but I'd like to point out how dangerous it is.  (His words)  It is a torpedo launching robot.  Do you see all the torpedoes it is launching?  That is something that amuses me about James' art.  One minute he is drawing a torpedo launching robot, the next he is drawing a rainbow house full of his happy family and a merman.  His interests are broad.

I like to display his art for him.  He has a gallery space in his room, but sometimes I'll make another one in the dining room, or living room.  He really wants to put some of his work behind glass, in a real frame.  I don't know who gets more pleasure from his art, him or me.  I do know that creativity is a beautiful thing to see blossoming in my child.  Just as beautiful as his apple trees or his torpedo launching robot.   

What, me tired?

He's the last one to fall asleep and the first one to wake up.  I can't let him nap because if he does, he won't go to bed until 10.  This boy has energy to burn.  But when he crashes, he crashes hard.  Try as I might, by the 3rd day of no napping he is a goner.  That means he falls asleep in an instant.  Often it is in the middle of doing something else.  One day he fell asleep while talking to me.  This day he was reading books on the couch.  He was so tired that I put a pair of pants on him and his shoes and socks and he never even woke up.

  
All that tiredness means he is often a wee bit cranky.  So here is he, asleep with his grouchy face on. (It's all in the lips) This little boy wears me out!  

Sweet Fellowship

She's back in America and we got to visit!   That's right, my sister friend, Erin, (and Justin!)  are here for a short visit.  2 weeks ago we went down to Fallbrook to see them and to hear the presentation they gave at my Dad's church about what they have been doing in the Philippines for the past 10 months.  As Erin and Justin shared, one thing they said really stood out to me.  They talked about how a large part of their ministry is simply loving people and being their friend.  It isn't something that one must have a degree in divinity to do.  You must simply be open and available to people.  But there is one more thing that Erin and Justin do as they make friends with just about everyone they meet in Manila: they make their love for Christ, their relationship with Him, known.  There doesn't seem to be anyone being beaten down with a Bible, yet there is no hiding the fact that they are Christians and that they love Jesus.  I think the idea is, "sure I'll be your friend, I want to be your friend, but you will have to know that Jesus is my best friend, and we'll be talking about Him sometimes."  It is a really cool way of looking at ministry and something that Erin and Justin do exceedingly well.

Evidence of this, Ginger and Erin, who began chatting via this blog, met for the first time this weekend. Only Erin could meet someone through a blog, and strike up a friendship that would inspire a face to face meeting.  That girl is just made for making friends.  (and influencing people) 

As I spent the weekend with my Erin and my Ginger, I was amazed by the goodness of God.  I was reminded of the women who discipled me, like Kerri my Sunday school teacher, and guide through my teen years, and the turbulence of falling in love.  Kerri was an example to me of a godly woman, wife and later, mother.  Often we did no more than paint lumber for one of Bill's building jobs, or play in her garden, go for a drive.  But she invested time in me.  She was my friend.  In turn, I learned to do that for other girls.  Like Erin.  We grew up playing dolls together, and later I was blessed to lead her in a Bible study.  She, Annie and Kelly would try to sneak a peek at my love letters and we all spent many a night on my bed, singing worship, talking and giggling.  It was sweet fellowship.

So there I stood, with Erin and Ginger.  My new girl.  Who is also Erin's girl.  And I see that the investment in 1 life becomes an investment in many, many more.  And I look at my daughter, and I wonder who her Kerri will be?  I am praying for them both already.  And I am thankful for the reminder that sharing God's love can be as simple as being a friend.

 

Lilly's Dedication

I have learned a lot of things since becoming a parent. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to let go of my pride. There was a time when I would have been mortified by the way things went at Lilly's dedication. I would have been gritting my teeth, possibly thinking very bad thoughts and definitely wanting to strangle my child. The whole thing would have been ruined for me, and all because of my pride.

Thankfully, God has given me the chance to work on that area of my life a lot. (How's that for a positive spin on things?) He has helped me realize that you can't control your children. As much as you want to, try to, threaten, cajole, bribe, push and beg, in the end, it is up to them. So you train them, and teach them, discipline them and more than anything, pray for them, and then you leave it to God. And sometimes they act like little monsters, I mean little kids, and you don't waste time getting embarrassed. Because that is just about your pride, and your desire for you to look like you've got it all together, all figured out, that your kids, your family are perfect and nothing ever goes wrong. The truth of the matter is, I don't have much figured out, and we are far from perfect.

Here is what happened. 2 weeks ago, we had Lilly dedicated at my parent's church. We have done that for all the kids, because it is a very special thing to be able to share with our kids and their grandpa, Dziadzi. I guess I still have a bit of pride, because I made sure Lilly had a cute new dress, her bow was just right, the boys were wearing ironed shirts, and we all looked spiffy. Until it was time to go up to the front of the church. By then, Lilly's bow had nearly fallen out, every one's clothes were wrinkled and the boys had no interest in standing in front of the church. James was embarrassed and wanted to stay with his cousins. I chose not to argue with him at that moment so he stayed there. William came up in Aaron's arms. He then proceeded to whine the whole time, to squirm and generally make a nuisance of himself.

I remember James' dedication. It was sweet and beautiful and I was fully present throughout the whole thing. William's dedication was more challenging. James, age 2, did not want to be in front of the church, and wiggled and squirmed the whole time. It was harder to concentrate and I was embarrassed by how badly he misbehaved. I failed to remember that he was 2, and standing in front of a group of strangers is hard for an adult. I was just mad that he was making me look like one of those kind of parents.

I have to say, that this dedication was worse still. I am sure at one point I will laugh about it, but I am not there yet, letting go of my pride and all. William eventually got so bad that Aaron left, but when it came time for my Dad to pray over Lilly and us, he wanted Aaron to come back. He also wanted James and William to come up. William cried through the prayer. James had his face buried in my leg. I really can't remember the prayer.

A few years ago, this whole event would have made me cry with shame. But you know what, sometimes my life is like this. I can't always get my kids to do what I want them to do. Hello! That is why we were up there in the first place. We were seeking prayer for ourselves as parents as much as we were seeking prayer for our daughter, the best behaved of the bunch at this point. And while this may seem like I am trying to excuse my kids' bad behavior, I'm not. William faced consequences for his actions. James and I talked about how he should have come right away when Mommy asked him to. We prayed together for forgiveness. In the end, it didn't really matter if the boys didn't stand up there perfectly like I wanted them to. What mattered is that my grandma, my Babci came. That my brother was there. That Nana and Papa and Granny all came forward and prayed for their little granddaughter. That Lilly's cousins, Scotty, Cora and Lizzy were there. That her Auntie Jess and Uncle Mark came. It mattered that a whole crowd of people who have known Aaron and I since we were married, or longer, were there to witness this special moment in our lives.
As all of the drama was unfolding, my Dad kept saying it didn't matter. It didn't matter when William was squirming or crying, or James didn't want to go up front. Dad has an amazing ability to tune things out and focus on the task at hand. We actually tease him often about this, but in this case, it was good. All that really mattered is that we were making a statement that Lilly doesn't belong to us. She is the Lord's. We vowed to do our very best with her, and made it obvious that we sometimes need help! Thank goodness for the prayers and love of family and friends.


Love from,
Greta

Getting Dressed

So up to this point, neither of my boys have expressed much interest in clothes.  Unless it is a costume, or a shirt with a tractor on it, clothes hold very little interest for them.  They certainly have never wanted to choose their own outfits each day.  I lay out their clothes, they get dressed in them and we go on our merry way.  

I admit to feeling a bit smug when I hear other moms complain about the battles being waged over clothing in their house.  I have my own battles, so I am glad that is one I don't have to fight.
Until now.  James has decided he likes to choose his own clothes now.  The other morning he announced, "I like to pick my own clothes, Mommy."  So he did.  He's come up with some interesting combinations.  One involved tights, "but I don't have to wear a shirt cause these come all the way up to my nipples."  Another involved jammie pants, "but I love to wear these cause they are so comfy."  

Today he came out in this get up.  I like the tie.  We were going to church after all.  He has no pants on because he couldn't find any "comfy" pants.  AKA, pants with an elastic waistband.  I'm telling you, that kid would live in a velour sweatsuit if given the option.  Or just underwear. That is really his favorite outfit.  As soon as we get home he takes his pants off. Can you blame him really?  Wouldn't we all like to walk around in our underwear?  Or at least a velour sweatsuit.    

Anyway, I had to take some photos of him in one of his chosen outfits.  I remember stories of some of Aaron's outfits, and I've seen some pictures.  I'd like to be able to share these with James' girlfriend some day.  

You look good, son.  You definitely have your own style.  Keep it up.

Getting into Trouble

How excited I was the day James began crawling.  I was secretly jealous of other babies that crawled before him and secretly pleased about the ones that he beat.  I thought crawling was great.  

That is one of the many differences between baby number 1 and baby number 3.  If I could go back to the old days of Lilly sitting happily in one place, pleased as punch that she can sit, SIT!, and just observing the world around her, I'd be there in a heartbeat.  But you can't stop progress. Instead, I have a little girl crawling under my feet, eating up crumbs under the table like a dog, and pulling bowls from the cupboards while I try to cook dinner.  I so quickly forget how much trouble a little crawler can be.     

And next, she'll be walking.  And I'll be longing for the crawling days.  Oh Lilly, why do you have to keep changing so fast?  

Big Girl

So Lilly is quite the big girl now.  She takes baths with her brothers.  You'd think that the 3 of them in the tub would be absolute madness, but actually, things are far calmer when she is in there.  You see, humongous splashes can't be made when your baby sister is in the tub with you.  

She loves it.  I realized a couple of weeks ago that she was ready when she pulled herself up on her knees and peered over the edge of the tub to watch her brothers bathe.  She was smiling and laughing at them.  I knew she was wishing she could be right there with them.  

Now she never gets a bath alone (it will be your reality again someday, Lilly, it is called motherhood!)  William especially loves to take a bath with her.  Even if he has already had a bath, he'll hop back in to take a bath with his sister.  The other night I was running a bath for her, came back to check the water, and there was William, out of his jammies and in the tub.  "Where's Lilly?" he asked me.  

  

It's funny how different they are with her.  When she takes a bath with James, he is very careful with her.  He holds her and protects her and makes sure she doesn't slip.  He tells me if I am getting water in her face.  He looks out for his baby.  

When Lilly bathes with Will, it's playtime.  There is no protecting going on.  They laugh and splash, and play boats.  William splashes water right in her face and she cracks up.  He steals cups from her hands, pours water down her back, sometimes over her head and she just grins at him like he's handing her candy.  

Whatever they are doing, it seems to be working.  She doesn't say Mama yet, but this week she started saying, "bu".  Now she says "bubu".  Yes, this big girl loves her bubus.