~

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Kids Triathlon 2013

 

For three years now, Jacob has enjoyed competing in the Kids Kiwanas Triathlon here in Pearland. This year, he was determined to train well and run hard. It was an exceptionally fun year to have his cousin, Aiden and his best friend, Robby, competing with him!

IMG_5229

IMG_5230

IMG_5238

IMG_5242

IMG_5247

Since Nathan turned 7 this year, he was also eligible to compete! He’s watched Jacob run the course for a few years now and he’s been chomping at the bits to get out on it. We trained hard this summer and he was ready to go!

IMG_5223

IMG_5240

IMG_5251

IMG_5255

IMG_5264

IMG_5272

IMG_5274

IMG_5276

I’m so proud of all of my boys who competed today. They rocked it.

IMG_5280

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

18 Month Old Evan

 

Evan has arrived at the point where I stop referring to my baby as being _ months old and instead use years to describe his age. Does that mean I can’t call him a baby anymore ? Sad smile 

18 month old Evan is dubbed “chub” or more recently, “golden baby” for his summer tan and long golden curly locks. He says all kinds of things now. The other day I was at the pool with him and he was using a water squirt toy against one of his brothers. A lady swimming nearby said, “how cute, what is he saying?”. It sounded like “da” but he was actually saying “die”. A word he most certainly picked up from his older brothers! He is fascinated  obsessed with our turtle and walks to the counter and points above saying “peedy” (speedy). He loves to look out the window of the car and find all the dogs, birds and especially the cows, which are in abundance here in Texas. His dad recently introduced him to chocolate milk and its his new favorite drink. He seems like he might soon be ready to potty train, but I am not sure yet.

A sweet friend took some beautiful pictures of him last month to capture this precious stage of his life. You should go and check out her blog, she is super talented! http://sarahsphotomontage.blogspot.com/

Here are a few of my favorites, but really, I loved them all!

IMG_6310-2

IMG_6008

IMG_6030

IMG_6404-2

IMG_6327

IMG_6545

IMG_6561

Friday, June 7, 2013

That’s All Folks

 

“In a word, the function of eloquence in teaching is not to make people like what was once offensive, or to make them do what they were loth to do, but to make clear what was hidden from them”

St. Augustine

Every year, around this time, I look back and think “we survived”. Another homeschool year down.

Iphone (jan 2013) 011

By God’s grace, we have completed 4th and 1st grade. There were many lessons learned, for both the boys and I. And I am so grateful for another year that I am privileged to teach and train my boys. Here are a few things I learned this year,

  • I learned that teaching two students and occupying a toddler and baby are best done with prepared activities. The Busy Bags I collected from our swap last year were a big help in keeping my toddler occupied.
  • I learned to be realistic about how much we were able to do. I would have loved to teach Spanish, typing, Latin, drawing, etc. but I was aware of how little and precious my time was. We spent time with the key subjects and doing them well instead of trying to squeeze in as much in as possible.IMG_4740
  • I learned that it is helpful to combine as many of the subjects as possible. We worked on Bible memory and study, history and our Classical Conversations memory work together. That freed up more of my individual teaching time.
  • I learned to let go of the idea that my house would be perfectly in order, that my meals would be perfectly planned or that I would have perfectly planned school days. I succumb to what each new day presented and trusted that God would supply my strength and needs for that day. This one was HARD for me. I love an ordered house, tasty meals on the table and a well run school day. That’s not always reality! In fact, that is rarely the norm. There were sick kids (and mom), needs from friends that we wanted to meet, unexpected field trips or play dates and so on. That was my greatest challenge this year, schooling in the midst of life, not putting it on hold because of school. I pray God will help me with this task even more so next year.Iphone (jan 2013) 173
  • Perhaps most of all, I learned what Paul meant when he said “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 It was a rough year in general, abnormally so. I felt weak and tired, most of the time. As I look back and celebrate all we’ve learned and accomplished this year, I know it was because Christ’s grace and strength kept me. It is my hope that He will do the same next year as we look forward to 5th grade, 2nd grade and preschool (with a toddler in the mix)!

Iphone (May) 001

Now if you’ll excuse me, we’re off to have some fun for the summer!