A Milestone Wrapped in a Dress

This morning as I was dressing for church, believing my four year old daughter to be snoozing in the sack, she was picking out her Sunday clothes. Now, she's been putting her clothes together daily for some time, but never her Sunday clothes! It just was understood that Mama did the choosing when it came to dressing up.

So in she waltzes with tights and a white shirt on, needing a bit of buttoning. She then announces she's going to get her dress on. I anxiously followed her to see what she had found. She'd chosen a nice jumper requiring both the tights and the white shirt! She was beaming with joy as she asked me to tie her dress ties. A big girl-Mama moment! My baby is blooming and I can't do a thing about it! So happy!

Changing Up Our Week

I'm beginning something a bit different in our week. We are lightening our load by adding more! Sounds impractical and contradictory, except for what we are adding.

I've had a burden since the beginning to include more arts, music, and subjects that delight, inspire and set apart our learning from the learning the public school kids get. My motivation is truly heart driven because of passions that have been handed down through my family, as well as the inspiration that comes from the little individuals that God has put in my care.

It took me a long time to come up with a plan for this, and it's still not a complete plan, but is taking shape. The way that our week usually flows makes setting apart Fridays wonderful timing. We have few Friday interruptions. We are pretty full of math and spelling. Sometimes, I've finished certain lessons and it has ended as a short day. So it should be perfect.

What We're Adding
We are going to include art appreciation, observation, and practice. Continuing with our art calendar, I hope to take one picture (each?) from the week (chosen by the children), examine it more closely, really discuss it and include creatively imagining what the artist may have been thinking or doing when painting that particular picture. Another idea is to look at the picture and make up a story about it. I think my kids would love this!

It will be our day for getting out our art supplies and books, art curriculums and project guides and creating. I know this will require more order than heaping them in a pile and saying "dig in", but I haven't gotten that far yet.

We will focus on a particular artist and composer for a certain period. It may involve nothing more than looking and listening, but may have some study to it also. I like Ambleside Online's layout. It's a very comprehensive scope and sequence!

We'll also have both children's piano lessons that day. I've been very bad at having more consistent time with them and keeping their practice moving forward.

Doing the Green Hour Challenge is on the list. I still haven't started this because the weather has just paralyzed me. I hate the cold! I still think it is something we will greatly benefit from at this time.

We're going to learn the Hebrew alphabet, to start. We'll just be looking for recognition, pronunciation, and possibly writing. "Teaching the Trivium" by the Bluedorns talks about this more. I have this book which makes it very easy!

As we finish off four days of Judah Bible lessons, we'll end the week with a character study from the passage. We've been doing this all along, but aiming for Friday for it, will be new.

This will also be the day where we practice penmanship apart from our regular notebooking activies. Though we write daily, I hope that I can come up with something particularly different and productive to inspire both children to neater writing.

We've missed our Mr. Pipes series, too, so plan to begin reading another book from the series. They are very enjoyable and inspiring!

Lastly, the good 'ole Home Economics. It's time these children began to learn some basic cooking, sewing, tending, skills. They really want to, but I keep putting it off.

We jumped in yesterday for our first go 'round. I was most impressed with how much more relaxed we all were. It was nice. I wish that could happen for math and spelling! The kids had fun creating a project from our Artistic Pursuits book. Love that series! Son was a bit resistant to listening to classical music since he's discovered the Beatles. Drat that IPod. Delete! He's always liked classical music, so a little "bending" in the right direction should remind him of that! We all enjoyed having music in the school room. It makes me wonder if it would be possible all the time, even during MATH!

The Hebrew book was the biggest surprise. They loved it and really wanted to write the letters. Even my four year did a good job! More legible than my 8 yo. Hmmmm. It was fun talking with them about Moses putting down what God told him, in Hebrew. That totally got it!

I think we're on to something good. I know it's a lot, but I usually set pretty lofty goals! It doesn't disappoint me too much if I can't do it all because we usually make steps in the right direction. But I think this will be a day that we won't be too anxious to be done with. I like that idea! Also, since we year-round school, it's just as good a time as any to tweak and turn and continue improving what we've been doing. Something I learned from business about examining what is going well, what is not going well, what could be improved and what can revolutionize, has had me doing some thinking.

I'll post more of this as we go along. I have a feeling we'll have a lot to share!

Review: The Sowers Series Biographies

Have you ever been totally enamored of someone? According to Webster's 1828 Dictionary, that can mean captivated. But what captivates us to another person? I'm not talking husbands here, I'm talking history! And the history I'm talking about is the history that you learn from living books. Specifically, living biographies. Since beginning our jaunt into American history, we have found ourselves quite enamored with certain people.

First, there was George Washington who totally captured our hearts. This was largely due to reading this book--and visiting his plantation didn't hurt either! We became fairly enthralled with this great man and how God used him. Our whole family truly came to love him because of learning. We even bought ourselves a beautiful painting of him for our fireplace mantle.


Then there was John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Can I just say, I've never, NEVER heard anything about this man like what I read in this book! We are totally inspired too! We've already marked down a festival in the fall that is very near us and we are planning to grow some apple trees from seed when we are able to get moving with our gardening.

It may be coincidence that George and John (absolutely no Beatle references, please!) captured us through the same book series, Sowers Series Biographies, but more likely, it was God just blessing us with good information and great storytelling, particularly in the John Chapman book! This series is based on writing from primary sources; diaries, letters, etc. That gives a much more accurate picture, in my book. There are at least 27 titles in the series, that we know about. I hope to collect and read them all! Now we have read a couple of the others in the series that weren't as good, but I must still highly recommend this series! The Samuel B. Morse book didn't draw us in, for instance. I'm sure this will not be the last you hear from me regarding this series!

But what incredible men of God we are meeting! And what great characters that form our nation's history! We're always anxious to read more.

I Took The HomeMade Laundry Soap Plunge!

Yes, I did! I took the plunge and made my own dry laundry soap concoction. It took less than ten minutes, will save a ton of money and hopefully, a ton of skin problems! This is so easy, I'm a bit incensed at myself for not trying this sooner!

My good friend EEEEMommy took this plunge a while ago and reported good things. That was enough for me! I have actually planned this for awhile--with all the ingredients ready--but had a LARGE jug of Tide to use up first. In the mean time, we were dealing with way too much soap residue that we couldn't seem to rinse out of our clothes. Itchy, dry--ridiculously dry!--skin issues. Fading clothes. Junk like that! I believe that this will make some difference.

So here's what I did: 1 bar of Fels-Naptha (completed grated in the food processor) available at most all grocery stores (laundry aisle). This came out to a little over 1 cup. 1/2 c Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (also readily available in the laundry aisle). Lastly, 1/2 c of 20-Mule Team Borax (pretty much available everywhere). YOU USE ONE TABLESPOON PER LOAD! Now this would be for a regular size/regular dirt load. Use a bit more for larger or more dirty clothes. I haven't dealt with the pre-treating issue. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my Spray N'Wash yet. We'll see.

So, I checked out things during the wash cycle and there were little to NO suds. This is the lack of sulfates, from what I understand. The Sodium Laurel Sulfates that "greenies" talk about being so bad, are the things that foam your toothpaste, or suds your soap & shampoo. And apparently, your laundry soap! You do not need suds for "clean".

Also, from what I understand, since these natural ingredients are so much better all round, including helping clothes last longer by actually helping the fibers instead of destroying them, a little longer wash time may be called for--or even a soak. I've gotten into the habit of 6 min washes to hurry. I realize that won't do the trick. Not a big deal at all!

So far, so good. My husband is very sensitive to soapy smells, so I think he'll appreciate the lack there of. I was encouraged when I took a big whiff of the finished product. You could add a scent using essential oils, if you wished.

So eliminating bleach is next. I've checked things out and it appears either 1/2 c vinegar or 1/2 c borax will do the trick--or both, for whitening AND brightening. That will be interesting, but I'm anxious to try it. My poor men of the house are struggling with the skin issues.

I also want to get rid of the dryer sheets. I've heard so many mixed things about this, I'm just going to have to do more research. One thing I read said that vinegar in the wash eliminates the need for softener? I'm not sure. Not very chemistry minded here! I know that I've developed a seemingly abnormal craving to hang clothes on a line! Since our neighborhood association doesn't appreciate seeing such despicable items, I would be rebellion. I've considered the pros and cons, and am still deliberating!

Regardless, I'm excited to make this first step if for no other reason than money! What a boatload this will save. It's something like 95% savings. I can dig that! I'm so glad not to have to heft those huge "tanks" of soap anymore too!

Year End Business

Trying to make a decision about keeping track of your school year's worth of learning? Check out this very impressive post on "Portfolios".

Wordless Wednesday

Since I've already been so wordy today!

Museum of Natural Mistakes in History

Having just returned from the Smithsonian, this news article about a 27 year old mistake found by an 11 year old boy, at the Natural History Museum, caught my attention this morning.

I have to say that I wasn't very excited about visiting this particular museum, but daughter wanted to see the dinosaur bones. I had to forcefully remind myself that God created all these marvelous things, even though I consider most of the "information" provided with it fiction, propaganda, false. (Strong statements, I know, but if you bare with me, I'd like to tell you my "testimony", if you will.) Over the last two years I've come to strongly believe in a young earth, that dinosaurs were on the Ark and that God did indeed create it all in six literal days.

So we go to the museum...It was a bit hard for me to bite my tongue once inside. Husband gave me gentle nudges to stop muttering under my breath! But honestly, the millions of years thing was EVERYWHERE and it made me sick. Not just the millions of years, but that it is all so easily accepted as THEE truth. Answers in Genesis has a great article on radiometric dating that you will find interesting.



It wasn't that long ago that I had quite a difficult time even visiting our local Children's Museum because of son's affinity for dinosaurs and my fear and lack of understanding. A lot of prayer and searching showed me a few things I'd never considered.




Here is some of my story from a post in 2005:

I Was Afraid Of The Dinosaur Exhibit

I was afraid of the dinosaur exhibit at the local children's museum. That is a hard thing for a grown woman to admit, but it is true. "Was it the enormous beasts?" or the "scary noises?". NO! It was the questions.

Now, when I was in elementary school, I was taught dinosaurs were make believe, as were dragons! There were no dinosaur fossil exhibits. They were just beginning, from what I now understand, to discover the multitude of dinosaur fossils they now have. Then there was my Christian upbringing which very carefully ignored all reference to such things, but at the same time taught the awesome Biblical creation story. As a young girl, I had no trouble believing in the creation story. I also had no trouble believing that it happened in six actual days. After all, I was a young school girl and "six days" meant "six days" didn't it? So, the millions of years thing was a lie; no problem there.

Back to the present. Mama takes boy to the children's museum and starts getting the questions...yikes, I have to actually have a verbal answer for them and I have no idea! I see that they are actually finding real fossils of huge bones, calling them dinosaurs, but how does this fit with my faith? Then this computer-savvy-generation, five year-old boy discovers the "touch-me" screens. Now it's one thing when you can rush a child through saying vaguely "we're not so sure about that", and having him eagerly touch a computer screen and have a grown-up appear and tell him the "truth" and "show" him support through animation. Now what!

Thus, I was scared. Enter Indiana Association for Homeschool Educators (www.inhomeeducators.org) annual curriculum fair featuring a speaker from an organization called The Institute for Creation Research. (www.icr.org) I dutifully purchased a CD of a talk called Genesis and the Flood and one about the Ice Age (which I was convinced was more Evolutionist propaganda--what a wonderful education I had!! Sigh.). I listened with what can only be described as surprise and delight. Here, finally, were the explanations to all my questions! Finally I understood that the Ice Age was not about cave men, but about the great flood of Noah and all the environmental and earth changes occurring to cause such a flood, plus the after effects. Finally, I saw proof that the large animals called dinosaurs were actually described in the Bible (Job 40) AND were on Noah's Ark! Suddenly it all began to come together. I purchased a book called "The Great Dinosaur Mystery and the Bible" by Paul S. Taylor (see ICR online store) for my son (and myself) and he (we) read the truth, and understood it. We purchased a video from Answers in Genesis called "Dinosaurs, Genesis and the Gospel" and now we know how to respond to the millions of years comments--"were you there?" I'm so pleased that something I've struggled with, my children will have the answers to! Yeah!

Now, you must understand. God was working one of His great works in me. I had been in prayer about this and other related issues and began to feel an awakening in regards to His Word and His Truth. Genesis became my favorite book of the Bible and I could see Jesus on every page!

In the coming months I discovered other great resources providing evidence of Genesis. My favorite is Answers in Genesis (www.answersingenesis.org). Much like ICR, Answers in Genesis gives scientific and Biblical answers to today's scientific non-Biblical arguments. They also are in the process of building their answer (I would say God's answer!) to "history" museums. The Creation Museum (www.creationmuseum.org) is in Northern Kentucky near Cincinnati. Though not yet open (it is now!), it will be incredible. You can follow their research and construction, and even donate, on their website. This will be an incredible opportunity for ministry for every believer who has ever taken the neighbor kid to the museum with them! I'm sure the opportunities to share Christ in relation to this museum will not end there.

Now I look at dinosaur fossils and am excited to see God's incredible design in these very real animals. The evidence has been there all along. The information available--I just never found it. Maybe you haven't found it yet. Let me help point you. You will be sooo glad!

So...

Again, God created all things, including the Hope Diamond, the dinosaur, the ape. I have to remember that when going to museums!

By keeping my eyes on Him and focusing my children's eyes to HIStory, we can more easily bypass the (false!) things of the world. It was only then that we were able to truly enjoy what we saw!

Organizing Computer Related Homeschool Materials

My oldest is now eight. I've known we were to homeschool since before he was born. That was when I began collecting homeschool materials. Then about five years ago, I got my own computer. THAT was when I began collecting links. About three and a half years ago, I went to my first book sale! Oh boy! The shelves are brimming with living books! About two and a half years ago, I discovered the Homeschoolblogger community. That was when I began collecting homeschool friends with ideas, wisdom, experience, and often freebies. I've collected a LOT!

My brain is a little coo-coo right now because I'm planning something really different in regards to our school time (more on that later) and it has occurred to me that I may need to better access all that material that I've saved up. There is a little bit of panic about whether or not I'll miss the golden gem because it's tucked away somewhere. So I'm processing my sources, and making lots of decisions about what to do with it all.

My links are fairly well sorted by folder in my favorites, but I haven't been through them all lately to check if they are even active. They really need a good purging. Spring cleaning?!! Oh! And have you heard about this new link resource?

I know there is much debate about whether or not to print out everything you find--pdf's, freebies, etc. I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that if I don't print it out, I won't use it. Out of sight, out of mind. I'm a binder girl, so most things that I have printed are sorted by subject in my binders. This really works for me. One of my favorite new finds is a free program called clipmarks. It allows me to be more selective about what I print from web pages. Saves on ink and confusion when wanting one small part of a full page.

As I attempt to steward all that the Lord has provided for us to learn with, I realize there is way more than I can ever use, but I should use what I can. This all comes down to organization for me. History things can not be in 47 different locations! As I've continued the process of putting together my new library room, I've separated sets of books, etc., to put resources together chronologically. The Dover coloring books are no longer all together in a box, but set on the shelf with the other books, by topic. The notebook binders, also, are set in place by topic.

My biggest frustration at the moment is audio. My son loves history and science audio programs. Actually, he loves ALL kinds of audio dramas. I've collected a blue-million of those and putting our hands on "the one", is often difficult. Today we were looking for one on Jim Beckworth. Can't find it. We have uploaded them all to our ipod, but they are not always named in a manner that is subject worthy. That issue needs major solving!

I'm seeing a plan take shape for all this and believe it will continue to make our schooling time easier and my planning time less cumbersome and time consuming. Wouldn't that be sweet?!!

I'd love to know what you all do to keep on top of all your materials. I'm sure I'm missing some fabulous idea that could revolutionize my organizing! Bring it on! Please! For those of you that aren't "collectors" by nature...bless your hearts! Pray for those of us who do--that it won't become an idol to us or simply drive us screaming into the night!

Inky Binky Bonkey

Inky Binky Bonkey

Daddy had a donkey
Donkey died.
Daddy cried.
Inky Binky Bonkey

My son on the far right with the first half of the kids to join in the play.

This is the latest in Eeeny Meeney Miney Mo and is what my children learned while playing with all the other children while we waited in line at the National Archives. Ah! To think, so much to learn in such a place and this is what they took away!

I learned a bit myself, watching my children. The line went half way around the archives building and at the corner, was a large grassy area. When we arrived for our two hour wait, very far back in the line, no one was on the grass. After checking for a "stay off the grass" sign, my children began playing together on the grass. They chased each other, rolled on the ground and laughed!

Daughter did check in with us a bit to make sure we weren't leaving!

It wasn't long before just about every child in the line had joined in!

My son, again on the right; daughter in the way back.

I watched eagerly, and a bit nervously (particularly for how my little one would do with the bigger kids and that they wouldn't fall on the light boxes sticking up out of the ground--such a mother!). My son, a natural born take-charge leader, (and whom we've had to encourage to "ask" and not "tell" when playing with others; diplomacy!) had soon organized a game of freeze tag. He was the oldest, and tallest for quite a while. Amazingly, as soon as a couple of bigger boys joined in, he relinquished his position and began following their lead, still with his own impression over the little ones he'd been playing with. It is from them that the "Inky Binky Bonkey" was learned!

My son in the foreground.

Soon, many of the children began climbing the concrete pedestal of the very large flag pole; running in circles. Memories of the 4th of July surfaced. My son and another boy, engaged in this same activity, circling in opposite directions collided. Son's teeth jammed into the boys head leaving a gushy bloody mess and loose front teeth! So, I quietly told my children not to get on the pedestal...then I watched. After a bit, I watched my daughter climb up. She took a couple of steps...stopped to think it over, and climbed down. I was proud watching her work that through. I asked her about it later and she just looked at me funny! Oh well.

There's my little one in the center; full stride. She had no trouble making friends either!

I guess if they had socialization issues, they would have cowered in the line. They would have been afraid to speak to any other person, let alone another child, and they would possibly have been too uppity to get dirty or sweaty. I do wonder if any children would have played if it weren't for mine! They ended up playing for a good hour and were very sad when the line continued indoors. Play for them all, from what we could tell, did seem to pretty much break off at that point.

It wasn't long after that, that a conversation with the two ladies in front of us revealed how impressed they were with our children. Especially their patient waiting while indoors. Their children would have been basket cases, they said. One was a high school teacher. Being there on a Friday, she said she had come from Maine for a little break and that her school and her own children would be attending school that SATurday because of snow days! Hmmm. I'm usually happy to share with people that we homeschool, but this time I didn't. It would not have been productive.

Anyhoo...if I can now get my children to stop singing the "Inky Binky Bonkey" rhyme, even for awhile, I'll be happy! It does get old!!

What's Important To A Husband

Of all the things we saw and did in D.C., what do you think most astonished, amazed and even captivated the husband?? I'll give you a hint. He's from Indiana, so has an innate love of basketball. Still no clue? Okay! So the picture is a dead giveaway!

How about meeting a lady named Margaret NAISMITH. As in James Naismith, who invented the game of basketball! Well, she is married to the great grandson of thee James Naismith. She was standing outside the temporary American History Museum exhibit and asking people what they most enjoyed seeing. She was shocked to pieces that someone would see her name tag and go so ballistic!

She was a very nice lady and took the time to tell the husband (and his humble family!) about how her great grandfather (by marriage) was a missionary serving at a YMCA with a bunch of cooped up folks who had nothing to do during the winter. The rest, as they say, is history!

The husband is still talking about that meeting. You'd think he'd met the man himself, though the whole basketball thing happened back in 1891. And who says men aren't observant? I guarantee you, I rarely read a name tag unless I'm in a restaurant. I'm so pleased that he is so pleased (and so easily, too!) Well, bummer, I so wish I'd gotten their picture together.

Art So Big and Grand

Of all the places that I've visited in Washington, D.C., my favorite by far is the National Gallery of Art. In truth, I probably would not have even given an art museum a second thought if it weren't for what I've learned while homeschooling. I probably wouldn't have given THIS museum a second thought if it weren't for THIS calendar that we use for THIS.

I've mentioned several times how much we've enjoyed our art calendar with a new masterpiece to review each day, but walking into the NGA and seeing my children run to a painting they know and pronounce it their favorite from the calendar, brought tears to my eyes--literally. I believe that my children were, in fact, the youngest of the visitors to this particular museum on the day we were there. I don't recall seeing ANY other kids. What a shame! I could be wrong, but usually children stand out in a place like that.

My Impressions of Real Art
Let me just say how truly amazed I was at the size of the paintings! I know I've been to museums before, but it never struck me how BIG most of the paintings are! Let's face it...what we are used to seeing is limited to the size we can print out on our computer, see in a book, or even on a 5x5 calendar! They were awe-inspiring in their grandeur.

I won't bother you with my less than educated thoughts on color or brush strokes, eras or anything else. I just share with you what I know. Man! They were Big!

This particular collection seemed surreal. SO many well-known paintings by the most famous of artists--all in one place. Granted, it was one really HUGE place, but one place none the less. We turned from one masterpiece to the next...with our mouths hanging open.

The Highlights
As you can imagine, there were so many fabulous things to comment on but three come to mind off the bat.

In my bedroom growing up, was a Degas ballerina print. My mother painted the frame the night before I was born. I took that same picture and after 38 years, repainted the frame for my daughter the week before she was born. It's still hanging in her room, in all its faded glory.

When I first set my eyes on another of the Degas ballet paintings hanging there on that gallery wall...I cried. What my mother would have given to see something like that in her lifetime! I felt her with me at that moment and remembered all the ballet lessons she hauled me off to, and the ballets she hauled me to--the ballet's on PBS that she would watch whenever possible. Putting my daughter through the same education! It was all there before me in one painting hanging on the wall before me. That was my favorite!

Another favorite was seeing the four paintings of Thomas Cole. I was first introduced to him by David Quine at our homeschool convention many years ago. I've never forgotten that lecture that he gave on art and music for the homeschool. It definitely gave me my start into adding art to our learning.

BUT...The DaVinci was DaVine! (I had to do it!) Confessession time. I MISSED the DaVinci the first time through. Didn't know it was there. Didn't look for it. Didn't see it. Then, while waiting in line somewhere, someone asked if we'd seen it and my gears were spinning trying to recall if I'd seen it or not, but pretty sure that I hadn't. Surely I hadn't, or I'd remember it? I walked away from that conversation and turned to my husband. I begged him to take me back. There was NO way I was coming home from being in THAT gallery and saying that I DIDN'T see the DaVinci--the ONLY DaVinci on the North American continent! So he did. Because that's what every loving husband does! And we saw it (and it's guard, for it was the only piece in the museum with it's own guard!) and we LOVED it (both sides of it!) and weoooo'd and awed over it...then we left. HeeHee. Now I can tell you in all honesty that I did INDEED see it and it was worth the extra trip!

The Art Stores
Well, I wouldn't be me if I didn't comment on the book stores at the art gallery. Think of the largest food court you've ever seen and imagine it filled with books! One store after another! The only thing they didn't have was poster prints of the masterpieces. I saw a couple of advertising posters, but not of anything historic in value.

It was really overwhelming to see all those art books and imagine how anyone would ever choose. I know I couldn't, and didn't. The children's book area, however, was a different matter. Not surprising, I bought a story book with all of the Degas paintings in it for my daughter. I also found a book I'd heard about, but been unable to find to see it called, "I Am An Artist". It is really neat!

There was one other thing that captured my attention. It was a nylon pack for taking along with you to sketch. It had a small sketch pad and individual loop/pockets for colored and drawing pencils, a strap, etc. They wanted a ridiculous amount of money for it! I love the idea, but we already have the contents, so now I have to figure out if I want to, or can, make something similar for carrying it all. The 'ole creative juices are flowing!

If I Had it To Do All Over Again
If I had it to do all over again, I would have planned to spend a lot more time there. I would have had our sketch books with us, with no other place to have to be. Just there. Soaking it all in! I would have taken my good friend Suzette with me, because she loves art probably more than me. There would have been no talking, just breathing. And thinking. Enjoying.

But that is for another time! This time, I had a fabulous first experience with my family. We ALL enjoyed it and learned from it. I was so proud of my babies. They behaved wonderfully and they enjoyed the whole experience. We're officially hooked on art!

First Things First!

In case you were wondering, we did leave for our trip...and just got home! The destination? Washington, D.C. and the Cherry Blossom Festival!

If you remember from this post, being in D.C. during the Cherry Blossom Festival is something I've always wanted to do. With just a couple of weeks notice, the husband offered to take us all along on a business trip and have a little holiday. It was great! Of course, every trip has it's challenges, and this one was no different. We had little girl constipation issues, we had gaping wound in the mouth from a wisdom tooth extraction issues with the husband, boy ruined his only shoes and had to wear my much bigger spare pair. But I digress...

We've been to D.C. before, but this time we did things much differently. We took the metro (subway) everywhere which was good. We saw a ton of different things we'd never seen and a couple of favorites. We didn't see the Lincoln Memorial this time which seems like a crying shame unless you consider everything else we did see and that we've seen the L.M. a couple of times before.But the blooms!!! Oh! They were spectacular. We actually arrived the day before peak bloom. It was just what I'd hoped it would be. They really are beautiful. We spent half of one day under plastic sheeting walking in the rain--that was not fun. We had one day of low 70's and one day near arctic temps. I felt like I was back home in Indiana! Except for rain gear, we were pretty well prepared. Here's what we saw:

The National Gallery of Art (of our Art Calendar! And of course there was the DaVinci!)


The room where Lincoln died (Ford's Theatre was closed)

Lincoln's hat, Kermit the Frog, and a few other items from the American History Museum (also closed) on display at the Air and Space Museum.

The Museum of Natural History (oy vay! A lot of "millions--and even billions--of years" gak there!)

The American Indian Museum (by far the best restaurant for healthy eating of any of the museums.)


The Spy Museum (Truly a history museum.)
The National Archives
The American Portraiture Museum (where all the presidential portraits are.)


Whew! We tried to do the Washington Monument but one couple told us that after standing in line for 2 hours, the tickets ran out before 1/4 of the line advanced! The line was really long even in the pouring rain! Fortunately, the only other place that we really dealt with lines was the National Archives where we waited 2 hours to see the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.


Our time ended on Saturday with the official start of the Cherry Blossom Festival and a Kite Flying Contest and Extravaganza! I don't know that I've ever seen so many people or so many kites! It was awesome. Later in the day, we got our kites (at the Air and Space Museum of course!) and flew them. It was really fun.


We walked about 1000 miles (I'm pretty sure about that!) and my legs feel ripped. (Yeah, right!) I did have to limp home one evening after doing something funky to my knee, but the 'ole back held out pretty well.

Our drive home was not so fun. We had about a 12 hour drive and our little one was not feeling so well. She ended up throwing up just 15 minutes from home! We got home and bathed her and tucked her in and she's fit as a fiddle this morning! We all slept pretty good in our own beds--doesn't everyone? I'll post a few more details of our trip throughout the week, but now you have the highlights.

Scripture Memory

After my post yesterday, Beth asked about how we practice scripture memorization. It's been a while since I posted about this, so I thought I'd share what we do.

Over at Simply Charlotte Mason, is this post of the method we use. Basically, it's about daily recitation and mastery. We use a card file box and tabs for daily, odd & even dates, Mon-Fri, and dates 1-31. You start your verse off under daily, then as you begin to master it, you move it to odd and even, so you're reciting it every other day, then once a week, then once a month for retention. Sometimes this process is quick, and sometimes it takes quite a while, depending on the selection.

This works really, really well and it allows each family member their own box so that with age differences, individuals will be working on their own selections. I even have my own box! A couple of things that we also do are include poems or quotes on occasion, though the primary focus is hiding God's word in our hearts. We've included things like Patrick Henry's famous speech, the Preamble to the Constitution, 30 Days Has September! Things like that! It's really fun and easy when you come across something suddenly that you know you want to memorize!

Another thing I've learned is to write the scripture "address" on the back of the card and turn them around once we reach the once a month stage. This has been the most frustrating part for my son. He must get that from me! I'm afraid that this is a issue with a lot of folk's memorization of scripture!--remembering "where" they are found!
This year (3rd grade) I turned son's box over to him and he works on this on his own. He writes the verses out weekly for penmanship practice, and recites them daily. Sometimes he takes it to his room at night so he can do this before getting out of bed. Sometimes he does it during lesson time.

Periodically, he recites to me or his dad. He is very good with it, though he often will peek at the first word to get started. We will sometimes play a game where we'll talk about a topic and say a word which will trigger a verse. This is kind of reminiscent of breaking into song when you hear a certain phrase!

I've been amazed at what my 4yo has picked up. One day a week or so ago, she was in the room when son and I were discussing something and he mentioned a verse. She walked away and when she came back she was quoting scripture. She quoted it for the rest of the day and still remembers it! It came way easy to her. A bit scary for the 'ole brain dead Mama who has a very difficult time memorizing anything! So I'm ramping up her memorization as well!

I'm sure you know this, but I'll say it anyway--memorizing God's word heaps unimaginable blessings on you! It never returns void and it builds a Biblical foundation that nurtures principles, character, and truth. It is a primary, necessary, "can't live without it" choice. Wait no longer! If you're not having your kids (and yourself) memorizing scripture, start today!

Edited to include: I had another thought to share. We started out with a giant sized card file. My thinking was that it would be easier for son to write on. I was WRONG!! Stick with the small card file 3x5 size! You won't regret it! It's cheaper, easier to handle, and it actually has helped my son's penmanship that he has to write smaller!

A.D.: Memorizing Scripture

Yesterday we just about finished watching A.D. that we rented from ChristianCinema.com. It is such a good mini-series. I remember watching it when I was early in my teens, and wanting to see it again. They never aired it again and over the years, I always wondered why. Now I know! It's full of scripture and Biblical accounts!

We loved it when Paul met Luke, because we are particular fans of the book of Luke since listening to (and practically memorizing!) "The Luke Reports" (now called "The Life of Jesus"). I guess even fiction can propel you into God's word!

In A.D. I particularly loved one scene where Paul is teaching a crowded room and he recites I Corinthians 13. I don't know who the actor was, but it was a fabulous speaking of fabulous scripture! I was giddy with excitement and tears imagining Paul actually speaking those words of God. I decided right then and there that I Corinthians 13 will be our passage to memorize as a family when we go on our trip! I can't wait. AND since everyone else was as enthralled with the movie (uhh, I mean the "God's words" part, of course!) as I was, they can't ask me WHY we're memorizing it!

May we put them to practice always!

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,
I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love,
I am nothing.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,
but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.
As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease;
as for knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes,
the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
(1Co 13:1-13 ESV)

Celebration or Worship?

A friend recently got me thinking about the difference between celebration and worship. We've become a culture that uses them interchangeably, but they are very different. Worship is God centered while celebration is "us" centered. I love a good celebration as much as anyone, but I'm beginning to see how God might love it when we worship Him according to His word, and not according to the spirit of our "celebrations".

It seems like throughout HIStory He has given us much to celebrate. But in turn, He has given us many reasons to worship Him through obedience and truth. Throughout scripture, we see example after example of the consequences of not listening to God. We see false fire brought before Him by Aaron's sons--they get zapped. We see what happens to the faithful--Moses--when he struck a rock God DIDN't tell him to strike, adding to something God had told him. After everything Moses had done, he would never enter the Promised Land because of that one act of disobedience. But "God knows our hearts", we often say. God knew Moses' heart too. I just can't help but make a connection that thinking and doing are two very different things.

It's not always about what He tells us to do, but often about what He DOESN'T tell us to do. So what does His word NOT tell us to do today, that we feel compelled to do because of tradition, and is it contrary to how He tells us to worship?