Outdoor Art

When a friend unexpectedly came to hang out, the two got creative outside by coloring some stones in our yard. 

The weather wasn’t unbearably hot, so today was the perfect day to be outside. 

The result was adorable chalk pictures.  I took pictures quickly because the next rainfall will wash them away. 

Summer Fun

With all the busy summer days, I count today as the most busy.  However, it was a lot of fun.  My youngest two daughters started the day with a trip to an amusement park about an hour away from our home.  It is rare that we get to go, but Megan earned a free pass from our library for reading every day this summer.  Then she won a prize of two more passes in a drawing.

My girls and I having fun!

It was a momentous occasion, a rite of passage, as Megan was tall enough to ride her first roller coaster.  I have taken all my girls on their first roller coaster ride, and the adrenaline junkies in them love it! Megan had a moment of panic on her face at the first drop, as if she wasn't sure if she loved it or was afraid.  Then she let out a scream and threw her hands in the air.  And with that, another coaster lover was born!  She rode many of the big rides, as long as she was tall enough.  She is still too short for a couple of them. 

My sister joined us with her son, and it was a fun day.  By the time we left, we were tired and sunburnt and felt accomplished.  

Play Practice and Algebra

The last two weeks have been made up of two things: play practice and algebra.  Megan is in a local theater's production of Beauty and the Beast.  She has acted with this company for the previous two years.  It is a lot of work and even more waiting around, and we always think of quitting.  Okay, I think of having her quit.  The endless practices wear me out since I have to be with her the whole time. Somehow, on opening night, Megan comes alive and loves every moment.

The play is this coming weekend, which os right before we begin our school year. When Megan isn't at play practice, she wants to watch endless television.  This is a sure sign that our summer activities are boring.  It is hot, so playing outside isn't much fun.  

Megan in her "town-person" dress.

Mom hasn't been much for entertaining her because I have been going through endless Algebra lessons.  My placement test for college is in a few short days, and I am determined to do as well as I can.  Since my SAT and college classes are a bit old (cough, cough), I need to take the placement test.  I've already accepted that of I need a refresher course, despite years of homeschooling, I'll be positive about it.  Math is my struggle.  After all, I paid for my high school girls to have the program that taught the lessons for me.  Now I am using those programs to remember all that math I learned long ago. The sample tests have me doing well in everywhere except Algebra.  Yep... That was my arch enemy in high school also.  

I find that I am okay with whatever challenges are placed before me.  I have longed to go back to college for a very long time.  I don't expect it to be easy.  I am a little nervous about keeping up with college and homeschooling, without letting my time with the Lord suffer.  I'm expecting it all to require more organization skills than I have ever used .  

All is ready for homeschooling and college to begin except for purchasing some school supplies.  Pencils, paper of all kinds, pens, and a calculator for me so I will quit killing my phone battery.  I have planned out the girls courses for a year!  We will take life and school one day at a time. 

Winnie-the- Pooh - A Review

Megan and I have spent a lot of time reading this summer.  We devoured The Chronicles of Narnia, and have two books going right now.  

Last night we finished A.A. Milne's classic, Winnie-the -Pooh.  I was worried that this would be a little immature for Meggy, especially after C.S. Lewis thrilled us with adventures with Aslan and the Pevensie children.  However, I had also heard that I should wait to read Winnie-the-Pooh until Megan was eight or nine because some of the wit is more advanced.  

We enjoyed the book.  My Pooh imitation was kinda terrible, but the story was simple and innocent and fun.  We both liked the stories.  

It didn't take us long to read the entire book.  We are moving on to more of the Little House series and, possibly, The Green Ember.  

Reading aloud is such a favorite activity in our home. No am a little worried that our read aloud time will suffer when I am enrolled in college full-time.  However, I am determined to not skip read aloud time.  I will skip something else first!

Our Adventures In Narnia are Over

We did it!

It took us fifty-seven days.  We read 767 pages.  It was the adventure of a lifetime.  Already Megan is listening to The Magician's nephew on audiobook.  We didn't want the story to end. 

On May 13th Megan and I began reading the seven books that encompass The Chronicles of Narnia.  We missed occasional nights due to late events or Megan spending the night with family, but we they were few.  We jumped in with both feet.  I was unsure that I could do all the voices and the British accents.  But I so wanted to share this experience with Megan that I was determined to read it to her myself. 

It touched my soul probably more than hers. Every time Aslan appeared in the story, I felt a surge of excitement, as if Jesus himself had appeared before me.  The characters became friends.  That has happened to me often in reading, but this was deeper as we shared such adventures as doesn't happen in most fiction.  These adventures were with Jesus... Aslan... and they we're permanently etched into my very being.

The lessons in the story, like the parables of Jesus, will stay with me. I think we all wish to escape our reality for a Narnian land.  And yet, while incredible, Narnia wasn't easy.  But facing a wretched boss or financial struggles or doubts of faith all seem minor compared to defeating the White Witch or becoming a dragon or facing a usurper's army or fleeing giants or spending days crossing a hot, barren desert, or watching your own people deceived by a lie. In some way, each adventure you share with the Kings and Queens of Narnia and their friends seems to prepare you for what God has for you here. 

"In your world I have another name...  You must learn to know me by that name.  This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."  -Aslan

By the last page, I felt the truth of this statement.  I felt that I did know my King better by reading about Aslan.  Too often, in Christian circles, Jesus is portrayed as the suffering man on the cross.  And He did go to the cross, and took the punishment for all our sins upon Him.  But if we still see Him on that cross, it is easy to see Him as a victim, weak.  But going to the cross was strength.  He wasn't helpless. He could have chosen to not go.  

Aslan is never portrayed as weak, even when he chose to go to the stone table for Edmund, the traitor. He chose to go.  He chose to put up up with the humiliation and the taunts. He chose to let himself be killed.  At any time his strength could have broke the bounds that held him... But then Edmund would have died for the traitor he was. 

Through each book, from Aslan singing Narnia into existence to Aslan telling Peter to shut the stable door, Aslan is strong.  He is not just a King, But God.  I think C.S. Lewis wanted to show the character of Jesus in a powerful way.  The phrase that stays with all who venture to Narnia is: "He isn't a tame lion, but he is good."  This shows that Aslan is not only powerful, but that even when his actions weren't understood or seemed ferocious, he is still good and knows what is best. 

Often times, here on Earth, we don't understand.  We don't understand why there is such suffering or injustice.  We don't understand why evil is allowed.  We question the goodness of the Lord because we see such things. We equate good with our limited knowledge of what we feel God should do, instead of good with whatever God does because He can only be good.  He can't be evil. We associate good with tame, but what if He isn't tame?  

Tame means submissive, docile, controllable.  Do we really want to serve a God that is controllable?  Can He stand up to evil if He is docile? Jesus submitted to His Father, but not to man.  Dying on the cross was not submission to man, but an act of strength submitted to His  Father. 

Megan is nine, and even at her young age, she seemed to grasp many of the spiritual meanings in Narnia.  We discussed many things at length.  We talked about which characters we connected with, why Aslan showed us Jesus, and how we are Kings and Queens here on earth, Royal children adopted by God.  We talked about what being a child of God really means.  At the end of The Last Battle, we discussed the new Narnia as compared with Heaven, and if Susan would one day make it to the New Narnia. (We believed she would have her own adventure full of lessons and rejoin her family and Aslan.)

I am sad that the stories have ended, but Narnia never really ends. It truly does live on in those that have gotten to visit her in the novels.

Summer Days

The days of summer pass so quickly.  I find myself watching them pass by quickly.

We celebrated my nephew's birthday a couple days ago.  At the party I got to see my Dad, a rare treat.  

On Sunday we celebrated Father's Day at my daughter's house.  My son-in-law cooked out for us and we enjoyed being together.  My daughter has been facing some tough health issues, and we are happy to be there for her. 

My oldest daughter is six months pregnant with a son, my first grand-child.  I love being able to watch my daughter in her pregnancy, as she gets bigger with child.  She is so beautiful. 

Today, despite the heat, I went walking this afternoon.  Despite storms, the heat was oppressive.  The humidity made it feel like breathing through a wet towel. However, the wild flowers were gorgeous. 

Summer passes by so quickly.  I am determined to enjoy every moment.

Page a Day

Every summer it seems that math is the one skill that gets sucked into a void in my children's brains.  I've thought I'd schooling year round so often, just to avoid this from happening.  However, I love summer and often need the break myself.  I have other goals in the summer for myself and my children.

This summer, amidst play practice and the summer reading program at the library, and swimming, and free summer movies, I couldn't let math skills fall off again in my youngest.  She is right in the middle of learning multiplication and division.  I don't want that to fall away.  I don't want to spend the first several weeks in our school year reviewing. 

My compromise with Megan was she would do a page a day, at least four days a week, in her math book.  This way she would be reviewing various skills all summer.  It was that or we would school year round, with longer and more frequent breaks throughout the school year, but a short summer break.  That way the odds of her losing skills would drop. 

Math is the only skill that drastically drops.  We are a reading family, and our skills actually jump in the summer during free reading.  Megan skipped a year of phonics a couple years ago because her free reading had strengthened her skill level so drastically in three months.  

So far, even though it isn't her favorite. the page a day rule has been successful. She has weekends and Wednesdays math-free.  On Wednesdays we have the library program and the free summer movie.  It is a busy day.  

I haven't decided when to start school again, though I am considering beginning after the musical Megan is a part of in the beginning of August. Until that day, I anticipate being very busy with all the extras she takes part in. 

Ending Heart Of Dakota... This Year

I knew when I began Heart of Dakota at an odd time that we would only get through a few weeks before I would need to stop.  Technically we have two weeks of school left, but I wanted to find a good stopping place.  I decided we would end right before we jumped into John Audobon.

Jasmine aides in our last science activity of the year, because blindfolding a sister is fun!

Of course we still have two weeks of school left.  So what will we do?  We will continue with cursive, English, math, literature, reading aloud, and dictation.  I have added in some science and history workbooks that I had left over from our previous curriculum.  Mostly, we'll be finishing up and reading... Lots of reading. 

My high schoolers are knocking out subjects quickly.  Today Laura finished her math and Soanish for the year. Jasmine is finishing up her requirements for graduating.  

Summer is on the way.  My older girls will be working.  Meggy will be involved in the summer reading program at the local library. She will be trying out for the local musical theater. I also have some math planned , as I try to get to every year, to keep her skills fresh. I know, this doesn't always work as I would like. 

And, our reading won't stop.  I have a lot of read alouds I want to share with my Meggy.  She also wants to read often independently during summer.

I usually set goals for myself in the summer.  I will try to read through a book series or a certain author.  With Megan, I plan to read aloud The Chronicles of Narnia.  For me, I am thinking of delving into The Lord of the Rings.  I have never read it, despite loving literature.  The Fantasy genre was just never my favorite.  

However, my heart has been turned towards more fantasy this year.  I am choosing to be careful because some fantasy is very anti-Christian.  Christian authors are delving into fantasy, however, and are able to weave fantasy and imagination in ways that show Scripture in powerful ways.  I want to be in on that, to fill my heart and mind with stories that implant Scripture inside me in such a powerful way.  There is little as powerful as story, and Jesus proved this by using parables to explain truth. 

I look forward to Heart of Dakota next year.  Bigger Hearts for His Glory will be waiting for us right where we left it. 

Ending Summer Break

I have decided we will be starting school on Monday.  The local schools all begin here on Tuesday.   I thought briefly about waiting. I feel that our summer has busy, but we haven't spent a whole lot of time together.  However, I realized that starting school now, when we don't have events planned, will free up the schedule later when we want to do things.

Megan and too much TV time

Plus, in some ways, jumping into our school year brings us together.  We are in our Bible together every morning.  I tried to continue Bible time together throughout the summer, but it didn't go as planned.  The older girls were gone a lot with mission work, visiting friends and family, and, for Jasmine, working. 

I'll be so glad to begin our mornings without the TV on or teens sleeping the day away.  School gives us structure and a routine.  I would school year round if I didn't have to work around all the summer activities my children enjoy.   However, I know that there are many types of learning, not just "school" work.  Library programs, VBS, mission work, musical theater productions... All of this gives experiences that are priceless. 

This year will be Jasmine's senior year.  I hope to enjoy the time with her home as much as possible.  Laura will be a sophomore this year.  How is it that she has gone through seven full years in our homeschool?  Megan, my only child that has never attended public school, will be beginning third grade.  

As I get stuff ready for Monday, I like the feeling that we are getting back to school.  By the end of summer, I am ready to have more structure in our days.  I'm glad to welcome our 2015/2016 school year!

Learning Self-Acceptance

Who am I?

I have learned that I have to like who God created me to be.  The things I do and like and believe have changed over the years.  My personality traits and quirks have been toned down here and there by the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

My Sis and my Meggy

Earlier this evening my youngest daughter and baby sister got to act and sing together in the musical, Oklahoma.  It was the final night, and the entire cast was fantastic.  My sister is amazingly talented.  My youngest already loves the stage.  

My oldest daughter is also a lover of the stage.  She was in theater for years and sings worship on stage nearly every Sunday.  

My next three daughters love singing, but didn't like acting all that much.  Singing is a love most in my family share, but being in the limelight is not everyone's cup of tea... And that's perfectly fine. I hope all of my daughters know that who they are, who God made them, is beautiful and precious, whether they are singing on a stage or teaching teens about Jesus or working with an autistic boy or has a heart and plans to help abused children or loves writing stories.  God did not make us all the same.  He equipped each of us with different talents and gifts. 

My Daughters

I can say this wholeheartedly about my own children or my sisters, but I struggle believing it about myself sometimes.  I don't think very many people have told me that who I am is is special and good.  

I sometimes think, "Why don't I enjoy singing and acting on a stage like my sister and daughters?  I'm not overly shy.  I like singing.  I don't think I'm horrible at it.  It looks like fun. Why am I different?"

I wonder what it would be like to be told by others how they enjoyed something that I worked hard on and accomplished.  I'm sure that, if things in the past had been different, I could have been different.  But I was the girl that moved a lot and had trouble making friends.  I was the loner that found friends in books when I was so lonely at yet another new school where very few would talk to me.  I was the awkward girl with the frizzy curls and glasses and unstylish clothes. 

I wonder sometimes "What if..."

My husband and me on our Anniversary last year.

And I realize that I wouldn't trade a thing. I am not shy because I had to meet many different people growing up.  I am not intimidated meeting people from different backgrounds or education levels. Moving like a gypsy, going to four high schools in four years made making friends difficult, but it helped me to be me.  I can homeschool with confidence because  I know that friends are nice, but peer dependency often isn't.  I want my daughters to be who God made them, not who they think will help them fit in or be popular.  

God gave me an inquisitive mind that loves to read and research. He allowed me to move often to give me a love of different people and places. 

Me and four of my girls

The Butterfly Effect says to change one thing would change everything.  While there were things I didn't think I would survive while in the midst of them, when I see each of my very special daughters or my amazing husband, I would change nothing.  

It took me awhile to get my heart right with God.  I'm still a work in progress in many areas. I think He sees each of His children the way I see mine. I think He sees their gifts and talents as wonderful, whether they are on a stage representing Him or serving Him in a way that doesn't bring the applause. 

My husband with our youngest

I was very proud of my youngest tonight, and I told her so.  She had worked hard and it showed.  I wondered at that moment if I had conveyed to the others how proud of them I am, whether their gifts take them to a stage or not. My intention is for them to know, and I believe in living intentionally.

At the same moment I wondered if I had let my daughters feel my love and joy for who they are, God showed me that He feels the same about me. He created me, through the innate traits He placed inside me, to the environments He allowed me to be in to mold and sculpt me, to the moment His Spirit led me into a relationship with Him and I was reborn.  I am still me, but now those things that are me, He wants to use for Him. 

Me

I love that my sister gets to have a piece of her dream.  For awhile I felt as if God had taken away my dreams.  But I feel as if He is placing new dreams in my heart.  I probably won't ever be on stage, singing under the lights, hearing the applause.  That's okay. I'll cheer on those that love it and bring me joy watching them, with the knowledge that God's plans for me may not be the same, but they aren't less.

A Trip to the Zoo

Summer is running out.  We start school next week.  We took today to head to a local free zoo.

My family, at the zoo

It's not fancy, but it's still fun.  We had a couple car loads.  My nephew joined us. My daughter that has been so sick came, though we pushed her around in a wheelchair to keep her from too much walking.  My baby sister came with her son. 

Megan and Kaden

We had a picnic lunch and then had such a blast at the zoo.  The petting zoo had a bunch of goats that were awesome with the children!  They were also fascinated by my daughter's wheelchair. 

Tasha being followed by some cute goats

Megan and her cousin, Kaden, are great friends.  They always have a blast together.  They hung together the entire day. 

Megan and the little goat that loved her.

We finished up the day with letting the kids run themselves silly at the attached park.  

Elijah and Laura

Days like this are special to me.  We don't get to do them often. 

Jasmine, surrounded (they wanted food)

Bridgit Mendler Concert

Lately, I've been pondering field trips... And our lack of them.  My kids are such hands-on, visual learners.  And yet, we've struggled financially a lot recently and couldn't pay for expensive trips... Or cheap trips.

But I want to take them.  I want my kids to see and experience bits of the world, while they are still in the safety and security of home.  I want to make memories with my kids.  

So... My goal has been to plan for these things.  When my sister asked to take Laura to a Bridgit Mendler (Teddy from Good Luck Charlie) concert, I thought she would enjoy it. 

Views from the Indiana State Fair/Bridgit Mendler concert

We mostly listen to Christian music in our home.  I'm very careful about what music my children listen to.  However, Laura likes Bridgit Mendler.  Since I had let Jasmine go to see Casting Crowns a few weeks earlier, I knew this would be harmless. 

Laura had an enjoyable time.  My sister... Had her hands full!  She took her son, her friend's daughter, and Laura.  It was raining at first, but they got seats just a couple rows back.  

I'm glad I let her go.  Laura was thrilled when, before the concert, Bridgit and her band and crew prayed together onstage. Laura didn't expect that from a more secular performer, but it thrilled her heart.  Hearing that, it thrilled mine too.  

My Little Star

My little girl acted in her first play. 

My sister was cast in the play Once Upon A Mattress for our local community theater.  She has wanted Megan to join in the play for a few years, but Megan's age and distance were factors.  Since we moved, she decided to let Megan try out.  My little girl has very little fear. She went to the audition and was extremely excited.  The dancing instructor called her a bouncing little diva.   

Megan was one of the little dancers.  It wasn't a big role.  For awhile I thought this wasn't going to work.  Megan is seven, but she is a busy little ADD child.  She wasn't getting the dance.  She would get bored while waiting endlessly for her time to do her part.  I thought that she was maybe not mature enough.  I was fine with pulling her.  She seemed to be okay with it too, since she didn't like waiting around while the others were onstage.

But... There was a man and wife on the board that stood up for her.  They didn't want a seven year old girl to have her feelings hurt because she wasn't getting a dance she only rehearsed once a week for a handful of weeks.  The dance instructor came up with a few other things for Megan, and she was back in the play.

Opening night came, and there was a fear that she wouldn't do well.  She still wasn't getting a part of the dance.  Then suddenly, in front of a crowd in the auditorium, she did amazing in her role.  She was awesome!

Some of her Precious Moments

She had a blast!  On the second night, I took her flowers.  Her sister brought her flowers.  Her Aunt brought her a cup with candy inside.  But... she was already sold.  She had gotten bitten by the acting bug.  The excitement of being in the play, performing in front of an audience, hearing applause... she was sold.  She walked to the car the second night after the performance saying, "I feel famous!"  Now, of course, I don't want her a little spoiled diva on my hands.

Center Stage (sorry it's blurry)

Megan is a child that has very little fear.  At times that is scary for me as a mom because my little girl never meets a stranger.  However, this makes her great on stage.  She isn't nervous or afraid to perform in front of people. 

Megan with Tasha on closing night

At seven, she might decide in a few years that she doesn't want to be in plays.  I don't mind.  God's plans for her are His and not mine.  However, I think that next year, she will be excited to perform again.

Teen Mission Week

It's been a busy week.  My two teenagers have been gone, participating in Teen Mission.  Teen Mission is a local mission's trip.  Area churches band together with their youth and volunteers to help local residents with service projects.  They try to help elderly, handicapped, and other local groups with things such as painting, building decks or wheelchair ramps, landscaping, etc.  Every evening the churches band together to have a service.  The kids shower at the local high school and sleep at a different church.

My husband with Jasmine and Laura after the pool party

My girls love the week.  They make some awesome friends and are changed by serving others, by being the hands and feet of Christ daily for one week.  The evening services hold what they call "Yay God" confessions where the teens and leaders talk about what God did during the day.... Not what they did.   The evening services are also open to the public.  On Wednesday evening we had about a dozen Chinese exchange students from the local college arrive for service.  How exciting! 

Kim (center) practicing for worship

It's not all work and no play, however.  There was a swim night at the local pool. The teams head to the beach the final day.  And, for the comfort of parents, modest swimwear is a must.  Usually that means shorts and tshirt a over swimsuits. 

Laura, on the front page of the local newspaper, for a Teen Mission article

My husband was asked to play bass in a couple of the worship sets with Kim, my oldest daughter.  Kim and her husband, Caleb, are youth pastors at one of the churches that participates.  Our family got to see more intimately the heart of this mission by meeting many of the leaders.  We weren't disappointed.  These leaders have such a love for Christ, for these young people, and for the community.  It touched me greatly to know that the churches represented had many members praying for the teens involved in Teen Mission.  This crossed denominational barriers and left only room for Christ.  

Pictures from the week will follow in a separate post.  They are usually released after the work week is finished. 

Pioneer Days - The Blacksmith

Our final Pioneer Days stop at our local fair was the Blacksmith shop. It was this shop where my teen beginning her junior year in high school became overwhelmingly intrigued.

Visiting the Blacksmith Shop

It was incredibly smoky.  The man was burning coal, so the smoke was strong and different from what we are used to.  

The Blacksmith demonstrated some of the different tools used in the pioneer days. Heating and bending the hot metal was interesting.  

Because of the hot fire, the girls couldn't go in the shop.  The just stood at the entryway and watched the blacksmith show how various items were used.  

It takes a lot to get my high school junior interested in history.  Coming from public school, it was her least favorite subject.  She detested the boring textbooks.  But that isn't true history.  True history is people and stories and adventures; not dates and dead people.  True history has lessons for today, not just a bunch of fact that have no meaning any longer. 

I love to make history come alive for my children. Finding field trips to help that happen can be challenging in a rural area.  But, I'm determined to find what I can to give my kids the kind of education that will make them life-long learners. 

Pioneer Days - One Room Schoolhouse

Our second stop of our Pioneer Days' visit was the schoolhouse.  This was an instant favorite.  The girls looked at everything!  Megan was fascinated by the typewriter, even though it obviously was no where near as old as most of the items.

Visiting the One-Room Schoolhouse

The ladies working in the schoolhouse let the girls try on bonnets and little aprons.  Oh... They were adorable.  Of course, I would never tell the 17 year old that.  

Checking out the old pictures and books

My 14 year old begged for me to buy her a bonnet.  Usually, I don't say yes to begging requests.  But. Laura was named after Laura Ingalls Wilder.  How could I refuse?  I bought one for Megan too, cause it wouldn't have been fair to leave her out. 

Mementos from the past

The girls loved the old books and quill pens.  They were fascinated by the old pictures that hung all around on the schoolhouse walls.  It took awhile to get the girls to leave for the next exhibit. It was like Little House on the Prairie came to life in front of them!

Megan and Laura in their bonnets

The girls wore their bonnets the rest of the visit.  Megan begs to wear hers to VBS.  This is what I call success!

Pioneer Days - Log Cabin

Our first stop at the Pioneer Days at our county fair was the log cabin.  The girls were surprised the the original family squeezed six children in a loft.  The entire cabin was about the size of my living room.

A Glimpse into the Past

It really made me consider how much we really need.  When we moved recently, we downsized considerably.  It was difficult, deciding what to leave behind.  And yet, the families that lived in cabins didn't need a whole lot.  They worked hard and were close families, with out cell phones or television or computers.  

I wonder how much we truly need. 

Summer Learning

Our local fair is this week.  I hate to be a drag, but I usually don't like the fair much.  The rides and food are overpriced.  It's often crowded and loud.

My Girls

But the local fair is a different place during the day.  The rides aren't going yet.  Food is being sold here and there, but I fed my kids before we went. 

My desire was to visit the Historical Society's sites that sit on the fairgrounds property.  I love history.  Taking my kids to see these places is a fun way to have history come alive for them.  We may be on summer break, but we are always learning. I know they will remember this trip when we study some of it this year. 

A big perk of our trip to the fair is that it was free!  The Historical Society has a tin for donations, but there was no charge or pressure to donate.  We were able to tour four places that now are decommissioned.  

I have tried to keep some learning going over the summer.  Megan has been in the local library program.  A couple of girls have worked on math. Jasmine started her first job, which is always a learning experience. The girls are helping out with VBS this week. Next week the older two are heading back to Teen Mission, a local missions trip helping those locally with disabilities and physical issues. 

I have been neglectful of field trips in our homeschooling.  We've taken a few trips, but since we live a couple hours from a big city, I often put off trips as time consuming and expensive. I am hoping to remedy that because my children are such visual, hands-on learners. I may have to get creative with our trips so they are affordable, but I think the experiences can't be beat. 

The next few posts will deal with our trip to the fair.  Yes, a local county fair can be fun, educational, and not break the bank. 

Making Butter

Meggy got to help me make butter out of whipping cream the other day.  Our little summer projects have been fun so far!

Shaking the Cream