Happy 12th Birthday Josiah!

This guy is thoughtful, compassionate and tons of fun! 

Homeschool Snapshot--Music

Music is an area I have struggled to cover well. We took a music appreciation class that was offered by a piano teacher one year. Another year we read a whole pile of books about different composers and music styles. Other years I have tried to teach piano myself, but it just never took off.

A couple weeks ago, Anna asked to try the Simply piano app that she saw advertised. I let her try to the free version which was practically nothing. Anna was so incredibly excited about the prospect of learning to play piano that we bought the app hoping that it would be used. We are 2 weeks in and it has been a worthy investment!

Anna, Aliza and I all have profiles. Anna plays the most and continues to practice every day. She gets so proud of herself when she learns a new song. I've had a lot of fun brushing up on what I learned as a child. Aliza enjoys it, but doesn't have as much time to give to it. I think the combination of playing pop songs, immediate feedback and constantly learning something new makes you feel like you are making quick progress and keeps you wanting to play through the next exercise.

A Fancy Birthday Party

Aliza's friend planned a Civil War Ball themed birthday party. Formal dresses from an era were required. I knew I wasn't buying a dress so I pulled out a couple of my bridesmaid dresses for Aliza to try on. There were two that were solid possibilities and Aliza chose the one I wore in Linda's wedding. Everyone has probably seen these pictures on Facebook or Instagram, but I wanted to put them here with words.

On the right Aliza is 6 six years old and the flower girl in Linda's wedding. She wouldn't hold my hand so I have a firm grip on her upper arm walking down the aisle. I didn't trust her to act right! I was right because she squirmed and moved all around the steps during the ceremony. On the left, Aliza is 13--a month away from 14--and wearing the bridesmaid dress instead of the flower girl dress. She no longer needs my hand on her arm. She is making good choices and has a discerning mind and spirit.

Back to the actual birthday party, Aliza had so much fun. The party was at the dance studio that Aliza goes to. They learned 3 dances. Aliza can walk into a group with far more confidence than I could when I was her age. I'm so thankful that she can enjoy these fun experiences.

Homeschool Snapshot--Beginnings Science

Learning about volcanoes is one of the highlights of kindergarten science. Mrs. Lawson demonstrates how the pressure builds inside and volcano and then causes it to erupt. Sometimes we replicate the demonstrations and other times we don't.

After a science or history activity, Mrs. Lawson directs the student to write about it in their Memory Book. I do the writing and Isaiah adds the picture.

Homeschool Snapshot--Mom Life

Just about every afternoon I can be found at the table with these two. Usually there is some level of table pounding, whining, and outbursts toward the other. At least once in this daily process they have moments when they are enjoyable and I am reminded that homeschooling is wonderful.  Most of the moments, though, it is just the grind of getting the work done.

Joy Dare::January

6796. Children who sleep in
6797. Successful turkey dinner
6798. Spotting deer
6799. Grandad to go fishing with
6800. Quiet afternoon while 3 were fishing
6801. Turkey dinner leftovers
6802. Library-McDonald's-Movie tradition
6803. Scrapbooking mood
6804. BJU inquiry
6805. A bit of Janell time
6806. Jeremy and I worked hard and made a plan
6807. Savoring the last days of sleeping in
6808. Buying a new sofa
6809. Sunday brunch
6810. Sunday nap
6811. Sunday sermon
6812. Children big enough to help
6813. Just enough sleep to make it
6814. Bible study friends
6815. Grandad walking without a boot cast
6816. Talking to Dad on his birthday
6817. Back into the Wednesday routine
6818. Uno with Isaiah and Grandma
6819. Second quarter finished
6820. Soup on a cold evening
6821. Sending Aliza off on youth retreat
6822. A husband to take care of the bat
6823. Afternoon walk
6824. Aliza is having so much fun
6825. All the things Maria and I have to talk about
6826. January day nice enough for porch sitting
6827. All of Aliza's stories
6828. Reading evening
6829. A friend that lets me use her dryer
6830. Sisters so excited to share stories
6831. Staying up late reading fiction
6832. Children excited to share stories
6833. Talking to a homeschool Mom
6834. Fresh air in the morning
6835. The few moments when I think I'm a genius Mom
6836. All of the children sitting with friends on Wednesday evening
6837. Dryer working again
6838. New sofa delivered
6839. New sofa rules
6840. Catching up with friends
6841. Holding a newborn
6842. Home for the evening
6843. Art project
6844. Warm house
6845. Listening to Isaiah at bedtime
6846. Mom sitting beside me
6847. The technology to scan so I can throw away paper
6848. Kit Kat Duos
6849. Bright stars on cold nights
6850. Hot tea
6851. When I make the children's favorite supper--hoisen chicken & rice
6852. Aliza making snack for book club on her own
6853. Taking a hint from nature

6854. 2 brothers on 1 chair
6855. After discipline change of heart
6856. Children able to handle an afternoon of waiting
6857. 5 year old logic
6858. Easy drive to DC
6859. Pool time
6860. Scavenger hunt in the Air & Space Museum
6861. Seeing lots of neat planes and space shuttle
6862. Fun to go, nice to come home
6863. Worship leader
6864. Pizza for lunch
6865. Evening at home
6866. My eyes blink
6867. Cotton candy sunset
6868. Sunshine
6869. Cold walks
6870. Hot chocolate "tea" party
6871. Anna loves having friends over
6872. First sounds of morning--birds chirping
6873. Learning about homelessness
6874. Church planning
6875. Friday!
6876. Scootering in the house--because it is *still* January
6877. Finished writing assignments
6878. Banana bread
6879. Looking forward to a Saturday at home