Spring is here.

With this amazing warm weather we've been having, it has been difficult getting school work done. We are so close to the end, and all the girls want to do is play outside.  I don't know how school teachers deal with the last couple months of school.

Anna insists on only wearing dresses again.  It took quite some convincing that this Dora skirt will suffice and is beautiful enough, even though it is not technically a dress.

Cora learned to go down the slide on her own.  Her thoughtful sisters put chair pads at the bottom so she won't land too hard.  (Wiping the tears from my eyes.)

That Papa.  Turn your back on him for two minutes and look what happens.  He puts together a neighborhood bike wash.

Fostering an early entrepreneurial spirit... selling flowers (a.k.a dandelion weeds) for a dollar per stem.  Thankfully, we have very gracious neighbors.

This is only one of the many flower arrangement I've received, delivered with a smile and a hug.

How we are dealing with the play outside/finish school conundrum?  Do school outside!

My girls now

These are my girls right now. 

These pictures were taken by Alisa this past week, and it fits them. 

I know that raising four young girls, while soon welcoming one more, seems crazy and chaotic to some.  Yes, we have a full house with a front door that always has finger prints on it.  My floors are usually dirty.  A lot of my day is spent answering questions, some legitimate but many trivial.  We go through a lot of food and clean a lot of dirty dishes.  I am very tired every night.

I love that our home and family is filled with life.  I do not take for granted the gift that this is.  I love my girls and can't wait to meet number five.

Lydia is 6.

Dear Lydia,

You turn six years old today.  When I think of my sweet Lydia, a smile comes to my lips.  You are so full of life, experiencing everything to the fullest.  Things are either really really wonderful, or really really bad.  You are always skipping, frolicking, wiggling, or hopping from one place to another.  That is you.  

You are very observant, which makes you a talented artist.  You love to draw, color, and paint, with a lot of color.  Sometimes your observations of the world cause me to pause and look at things with new eyes.  Thank you for really seeing.  As you learn to read, write, memorize CC facts, and recite math facts it is obvious that you are very smart.  From the moment you wake up in the morning, you have a smile on your face.  The out of control Lydia has been replaced with my sweet spirited, lovely Lydia.  

You are drawn to other cultures and places.  You love it when we read from our Window on the World book, to see the pictures of other lands and people, and to hear the stories of people who need help.  You are many times the first of your sisters to think of others above yourself.  

You love to play outside, create new concoctions, play house and school, and be with Chloe and Kennedi.  You and Anna are very good friends, although it is amidst many disagreements.  Your Daddy and I love to come peek at you at night when you are sleeping, only to find you in bed with Madeline.  You become concerned if Cora is upset, and love to bring her her blankie to make her happy again.  You are a very blessed and loved little girl.  I think you know that.

Dydi Debra.  Lu Lu.  I cannot wait to see what God has planned for your life.  You bring immeasurable joy to your Mommy and Daddy.  We pray that you will seek God above all others, and walk with Him daily.  We love you and praise God that you are ours.

Love,

Mommy

Madeline is 9.

My dearest Madeline,

I can't believe that you are already nine years old.  You are such a mature and bright girl.  You have experienced a lot these past nine years old with your Mommy and Daddy, and you seem to roll with the punches.  You can make friends easily and don't shy away from being "you."  We love you so much.  I can't explain how my heart swells with pride thinking about how God is molding you.  

You are not a girly girl.  You love to play with Legos, decipher mysteries, and long for more spy equipment.  You are an outside girl.  When we are at your grandparents' houses, you enjoy being outside working with Papa or Baka.  At home, you like to help Daddy when he has a house job to finish.  You could ride your bike all afternoon.  And of course, you love to read.  It is hard keeping enough books stocked to keep you reading.  You especially love reading mysteries right now.  You are very gifted in remembering history.  The colonial, revolutionary, and pioneer eras fascinate you.  This year has been a jump for you in school, with more difficult and simply more work.  You are learning how to deal with challenges, and it is not an easy lesson for anyone.  

Your little sisters adore you.  They turn to you for help, affirmation, and hugs.  You love your family being at home, all together.  Of all the girls, you are the one to get homesick.  

In so many ways I see myself in you.  You are not emotional, but logical and analytical.  You are very thoughtful.  Oftentimes, if I need a gift for someone I will ask you what you think they would enjoy.  I know that these traits will benefit you in many ways as you grow.  Yet I also know the downfall of these traits because I deal with those downfalls myself.  

I pray that you would know God, love God, and serve God all your life.  This is the only way to true joy.  Do not be afraid to do hard things.  Know that your mother and father love you, wholly and completely.  

Love,

Mom

p.s.  This is two days late.

2011-2012 School Plans

The school bell was ringing around here this last week.  We have officially started.  We were all ready to follow a schedule, be productive, and get school rolling.  My philosophy is:  The earlier we start, the more days we can take off throughout the year.

Our crew for the year:  

Madeline - 3rd grade

Lydia - Kindergarten

Anna - PreK

Cora - Along for the ride

Reading

Lydia is still making her way through The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. 
Madeline reads, and reads, and reads, and reads.  

Writing

Lydia and Anna are both working through the Zaner Bloser K Handwriting workbook. 

Madeline is learning cursive with the Zaner Bloser 3 Handwriting workbook.

Madeline will also be learning how to write with the IEW system through Classical Conversations.  They are using U.S. History Based Writing Lessons, Volume 1.  

Math

Lydia is starting Saxon Math 1.

Madeline is part way through Saxon Math 3.

Bible

We are all going through the Picture Smart Bible, New Testament.  We'll memorize various scripture passages with AWANA, and John chapter 1 with Classical Conversations.

History

We are galloping through early modern times with Story of the World Volume 3 together, and supplementing with library books and the SOW 3 activity book.  

Science

In Classical Conversations we'll be studying human anatomy and chemistry.  That is our base, with readings from Usborne books and other science sources.  

Grammar

Madeline will be participating in Essentials of the English Language through Classical Conversations.  This will be our first true crack at intensive grammar, and I'm a little nervous about it.  

Latin

Madeline is continuing with Memoria Press's Prima Latina.  

Classical Conversations

Every year in CC, I am learning how beneficial it is to use CC as the base of our academics.  If the girls really memorize all the CC work, they are cementing a firm foundation of knowledge.  CC covers math, science, history, grammar, geography, Latin and fine arts.  

Read Alouds

Dangerous Journey

Amos Fortune, Free Man

Carry On, Mr. Bodwitch

Johnny Tremain

Sign of the Beaver

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Justin Morgan Had a Horse

Anne of Green Gables