Children

Children
"God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
(1 Jn 4:16)

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Rolling Over

Kieran started rolling onto his belly around 12 weeks old. He rarely stays on his back for long which can make changing his diaper a little challenging. Kieran still hasn't rolled from his belly to his back, but I think that is because as soon as he starts to fuss on his belly one of us picks him up. He thoroughly enjoys spending time in our arms and we are thrilled to have him there.



On another note, the children are convinced that Kieran already knows my name. About a month ago, he started to say, "Mum, mum." Now, he seems to say it when he wants me to pick him up and hold him. I have to say that I think that the children might be correct.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Blueberry Picking


Impromptu days are so much fun. This morning, we received an email from a mother in our homeschooling group, letting us know that she and her children were going blueberry picking. I couldn't resist accepting the invitation to join them.


We were supposed to meet Michaela and her family at noon at the blueberry farm, but I lost my keys and we only arrived around 12:30. Unfortunately, our late arrival resulted in our not meeting Michaela. Both of our families were at the farm, but with 20 acres of tall blueberry bushes, we didn't see each other. We did have a great time picking over 12 cups of blueberries though.


Elizabeth surprised me by filling her little pail over halfway. She even picked a few blackberries that she saw growing.  She ate very few of the berries until we arrived home.

Video courtesy of Catherine

This evening, Catherine made a blueberry pie for dessert. It tasted absolutely delicious with vanilla ice cream. Tomorrow, she plans on making a blueberry cobbler, assuming we don't eat all the remaining blueberries first.


Tomorrow, in addition to eating blueberries in our cereal or pancakes and for dessert, we will be reading Blueberries for Sal and possibly Peter's Adventure in Blueberry Land too.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Pondering


“We have placed in our care for a few short years precious immortal souls who belong to God, whose destiny is an eternity in and with God, and who depend entirely upon us for the formation of a way of life which will lead them surely to God. And woe to us if we fail in this charge.”
We and Our Children by Mary Reed Newland*

As a new homeschooling year begins, I am pondering this quote. I am looking forward to falling into a flexible routine once again. I am hoping that doing so will help my younger children who have been testing the waters lately. I know that I need to teach them to "swim" not just for my sanity, but for their well being.

*We and Our Children was republished by Sophia Institute Press as How to Raise Good Catholic Children. While I prefer the quality of Sophia Institute Press' republication, which I purchased several years ago, I like the fact that Angelico Press reprinted We and Our Children in its entirety.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Why Homeschool Sermon

A couple of nights ago, my husband and I listened to this sermon on Audio Sancto. I know that many other people have done so too because I am seeing it recommended everywhere. If you have not already listened to it, you might want to take the time to do so.
"Every task is an opportunity to grow in holiness. The only evil in the world is when our will is not in union with God's. Is God able to give an imperfect gift? God loves us and would never do anything to harm us. Peace in the home is not always possible, but peace in the heart is. Homeschooling is so valuable because your children see love and self-sacrifice in action."
Homeschooling Helps Foster Brotherly Love

May God bless your family as you begin another year of homeschooling!

2012-2013 2nd/3rd Grade

Morning Routine

Catholic Calendar 
  • Saint of the day

Morning Prayers 

Saint Stories* 
Composer Study 

Poetry 

Art

French


History

Language Arts

Literature


Math


Music

  • Classical Music
  • French CDs
  • Religious Music CDs
  • And more



Field Trip Possibilities
  • Beach
  • County Fair
  • Farm
  • Flight Museum
  • Mountains
  • Science Center
  • Zoo

*Please note that while we are all present for our morning routine, the selection of saint stories are added to  as the children get older because I have found that my younger children tend to not really listen to some saint stories until they reach a certain age.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

2012-2013 Kindergarten/First Grade

Morning Routine


Catholic Calendar
  • Saint of the day


Morning Prayers 

Saint Stories 
Composer Study 

Poetry 
  • A Child's Garden of Verseshttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=saintjosephca-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0689823827 illustrated by Tasha Tudor
  • A Child's Garden of Verses illustrated by Eloise Wilkin
  • Poems to Read to the Very Young illustrated by Eloise Wilkin (I prefer the out-of-print 1980s hard cover book)
  • The Child on His Knees by Mary Dixon Thayer

Art

French




History 

Language Arts

Literature

Math


Music

  • Classical Music
  • French CDs
  • Raffi CDs
  • Religious Music CDs
  • Wee Sing CDs
  • And more

Natural History


Religion


Field Trip Possibilities
  • Beach
  • County Fair
  • Farm
  • Flight Museum
  • Mountains
  • Science Center
  • Zoo

These resources are similar to the ones that I will be using with Elizabeth with a few exceptions. Finnian and Elizabeth enjoy listening to stories together.
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