A Few Thoughts on Homeschooling

 I didn't mean to let a whole month slip by between blog posts.

I will sometimes fall into a dormant stage with my writing.

That is normal for me.

It isn't really writer's block, but more that I become so engrossed with the happenings of everyday life, that my blog is neglected.

But then I remember that I have this blog as sort of a ministry. I like to use it to shed a positive light on homeschooling and homemaking, and to set an example on how to be "busy at home" as Titus 2 teaches.

(Painting daffodils 🌼)

I've been slowly working my way through Charlotte Mason's, Home Education, and after she quotes an excerpt from Susanna Wesley on how she taught her children to read, Miss Mason writes, "It is much to be wished that thoughtful mothers would more often keep account of the methods they employ with their children, with some definite note of the success of this or that plan."

And then I remember the second purpose for this blog, and that is to "keep account." 

So, now that we are wrapping up our homeschool year, I want to share a few thoughts for anyone considering homeschooling...

First, I would recommend that you purchase a copy of Charlotte Mason's, Home Education.

She is a legend, as most homeschool mothers know, and far ahead of her time.

Of course, you will need to apply your own good judgment when reading. This isn't the Bible, so you won't see eye to eye with her on everything. But overall she is extremely wise. Her writings and beliefs have greatly helped me in my homeschool journey.

She is famous for her teachings on a living education, and says in her book, "Education is a life and a discipline. Health, strength, agility, bright eyes, and alert movements, come of a free life."

Remember, homeschooling doesn't mean you have to miss out on anything. Homeschooling is all about being a student of the life God has given you at home with your family.

(a cozy breakfast  🍳)

Second, as I ponder what has been a success in our homeschooling, staying faithful to the curriculum has been key.

I've been using Abeka exclusively for six years now.

There are benefits to sticking with a curriculum. The main one being that you will develop a fondness and a familiarity with it.

You will get to know its methods and concepts so well that your confidence will grow with each child.

I used to lean so heavily on the teachers' manuals when Roman was younger, but I have found that now I rarely pull them out for the younger children's work.

I have become so familiar with how Abeka wants certain concepts taught, and the order in which to teach them, that I comfortably go through the lessons out of my own understanding. 

Yes, familiarity has given me confidence.

(Poor Roman is always the guinea pig, being the first born. He and I learn together. But I am thankful that he loves to pass down his knowledge...)

Speaking of Roman brings me to my third thought... 

This was our first year trying Abeka's accredited video course for Roman.

Once we got the hang of it, we loved it!

Roman really enjoys watching Abeka's teachers, they are so pleasant and professional. Yet it was very challenging as well. (In a good way. 😊)

Up to this point we've always just done Abeka as independent study at the elementary level.

But we felt we needed to raise the bar for Roman going up into middle school this year.

I'm so glad we did!

I can see this becoming our schooling system: Independent Abeka for the elementary grades, accredited video courses for middle school and high school.

Remember that Froebel said, "Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood." Which is why I don't like anything too rigorous or stressful in the younger years. 

Lessons should be bright and enjoyable, with the rest of the day open for the child's own passions and pursuits.

As a final (and perhaps unrelated) note, those of you who have been reading my blog for some time now may remember that I've found an illustrator for my children's book. She has submitted a few illustrations and I am over the moon thrilled with them!

Would you like to see one?

Isn't it adorable?! 😍 She is so talented and I feel so lucky to have found her!

The little blonde is Tillie, the main character. Elsa was my inspiration for her character, and I'm so happy that Tillie turned out looking a lot like her!

💖

Thinking about my little book coming to life through these colorful illustrations gives me all the warm fuzzies.

I will keep you posted on how it's coming along.

But in the meantime, thanks for reading, friends.

I hope to not let another month go by before writing here again.

xo,

💐

~ Courtney 

Pictures for the Home

 "We cannot associate day after day with any person or possession without being influenced."

So is the start of chapter ten in a Home Furnishing book published in 1925.

This book was rescued from our local dump last summer by Micah, who (knowing my fascination with very old books) brought it home to me.

I've since read the whole thing, cover to cover, dog-earring and highlighting thought-provoking nuggets throughout.

This chapter on pictures for the home really opened my mind and taught me a better way of understanding the importance of what we look at in our homes.

The author teaches that there are various stages of appreciation to pictures...

"First there comes recognition. We are attracted to a picture because it looks just like something we are familiar with. Many people never get beyond this stage....

"After the recognition stage comes that of human interest. Pictures are enjoyed because of the emotions they arouse, or the story they tell.

"But the highest stage of appreciation is that which seeks in pictures an enlargement of the spirit."

I love that! An enlargement of the spirit.

✨

I must admit, I've chosen pictures for my home from all three stages. But the "test" I've used when selecting pictures over the years is this, does it take me somewhere? Which probably explains why I have mostly landscapes in my home.

The author continues...

"Not object lessons, nor stories, but revelation in its true sense is the mission of art in our lives. Not to tell us something we already know, not to excite our emotions, but to show us new beauty in nature, added meaning in life, and reveal a higher plane of thought and action - this is the real function of pictures in our homes."

I'll never know if the pictures on my walls would be approved by whoever wrote this. (This book had various authors, mainly experts in the field of home interiors from that time.) But I suppose "approval" is not the point. The enrichment of one's life is the point.

Of course a topic such as this is subjective, as you know. And each homemaker must make her own decisions based on her own taste.

But I enjoyed comparing my pictures to this standard and you are welcome to the exercise yourself, if you wish..

Go around your house and ask yourself if your pictures elevate your thinking to something higher and richer... Or you're welcome to adopt my test, does it take you somewhere?

I found the exercise sharpened my taste and caused me to look deeper into the picture itself.

Also, I didn't realize until I read this chapter, why I've felt it important to search out beautiful illustrations from storybooks for my children.

Maybe I couldn't put it into words, but somewhere, deep down, I realized that beautiful illustrations would elevate their thinking.

Beautiful imagery can help children think good thoughts.

"The best rule for selecting a picture... As you look at it does it suggest something new - really set you thinking, or do your eyes rub comfortably over it without any result? If a picture really enlarges your life, it is worthy of a place in your home."

Haven't you found that to be true? How often I have gotten lost in a picture, imagining what's beyond the frame, or what I would be doing if I were there.

The final line concluding the chapter is this, "Pictures that are above our present level of appreciation are the best choice because they help us rise to a higher level of taste and do not grow tiresome."

I hope I have given you something to think about, as this chapter on pictures has given me.

May we realize the power of pictures in the home. Not just to fill up a space, as spaces are important, or to chase a trend, as trend-chasing can become burdensome, but to elevate our thinking and enlarge our spirits.

Thanks for reading, friends.

💐

~ Courtney 

Another Ladies Brunch

 I hosted another Homeschool Mom's brunch today.

I try to host one every six months or so for the ladies in my church.

Many mothers don't want to leave their homes and children, so I feel very honored that they come! 

I actually have an excellent turn out every time.

Today I had a total of seven moms around my table...

It's always a time of encouragement and sweet fellowship.

I love these ladies very much.

I want them to feel like it's sort of a retreat when they come to my house. So, I set a nice table and try to make a pleasant ambience where meaningful, uplifting conversation can take place.

It's good to remember that home is capable of being a place to conduct ministry.

If you have nothing else to offer, in terms of talent or skill, but you have a home, you can use it for God's glory.

With that in mind I decided to create an "Award Ceremony" to highlight the achievements we've had this homeschool year.

About a week ago I let the ladies know to come to the brunch prepared to share a big win from this school year, something they feel they've accomplished.

Then, Roman helped me make professional looking certificates that I could present to each of them.

I really liked how they turned out!

In the working world there are raises, awards, bonuses, and pats on the back for a job well done.

Homeschool mothers forfeit all this when we come home, and know that now we are working for God and not man.

So, just for fun, I wanted to acknowledge their achievements in the home, and remind them that they are doing Kingdom-building work.

They were all good sports to play along with my idea, and we applauded each other and had fun with it!

The awards read like this:

"Certificate of Homeschool Excellence

In recognition for your outstanding talent and profound work."

The verse I included at the bottom is Psalm 138:8...

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;

Your love, O Lord, endures forever-

Do not abandon the works of your hands."

My personal homeschool journey is a work the Lord began and is doing through me. I hope the ladies today found it encouraging for their homeschool journeys, as well.

With each place setting I included a flower seed packet and a poem.

I found this poem in one of my antique books and thought it was very thought-provoking.

It's titled, "The Bravest Battle" by Joaquin Miller

"The bravest battle that was ever fought

Shall I tell you where and when?

On the maps of the world you will find it not,

'Twas fought by the mothers of men.

Nay, not with cannon or battle-shot,

With a sword or noble pen;

Nay, not with eloquent words or thought

From mouths of wonderful men.

But deep in a walled-up woman's heart-

Of a woman that would not yield,

But bravely, silently bore her part-

Lo, there is that battle-field!"

Our morning together went by so fast!

It seemed as though as soon as they came, it was time to say good-bye.

I hand washed all the dishes and tucked everything away back inside my china hutch.

(You can see my tulip inspector, keeping me company as I pack away my silver.)

As I cleaned up I prayed that the ladies left my house feeling encouraged and spoiled.

I can't wait to do another one. 

These brunches bless me, as well.

💐

~ Courtney ~

A Day in Paris

Bonjour, chic friends!

We are back from a day spent in Paris, and are excited to share our adventure with you.

We were inspired to do another family homeschool project, like last year's Downs Hotel. So the idea for "A Day in Paris" was born.

We had so much fun together coming up with ideas, creating our vision, and setting up the house, and the final outcome was something we all felt very proud of.

Like with any make-believe game, everyone took on a character, and played up their role.

Soren and Elsa were immigration officers, checking everyone's passports and bags after their "flight" landed at the door of our house...

And Roman worked the Exchange, supplying eager tourists with play euros...

Because this was a homeschool project, (and since homeschool mothers know how to make a lesson out of anything) we studied passports, customs, and currency exchange.

We thought ahead, and supplied all of our travelers with passports (sticker books that I bought on Amazon) and the kids made labels for the inside cover, so people could fill in their information. Just like in real life!

Nola was a street artist on the Champs-Elysees.

She painted several creations so there would be original artwork to sell to tourists as they passed by.

While researching, we learned that street artists are professionals, and licensed by the city of Paris. It is such a sought-after job that there's a ten-year waiting list for new artists to set up their easels.

Doesn't she look like an accomplished french artist?

While she was busy at her craft, Elsa and I were locals, fresh out of Louis Vuitton, and annoyed with all the American tourists as we tried to catch our taxi back home.

(Notice the labels. 😊)

Roman and Elsa were museum curators at the Louvre...

 They selected two paintings and two sculptures to study and present, (with Mama's supervision, of course, since not all exhibits in the Louvre are kid-friendly.)

Micah was the overall tour guide...

And Soren, oh Soren... had his heart set on being a pick-pocket.

We warned the Americans to watch their belongings carefully, and told them that even though Paris is a beautiful and fun city, there is still crime.

Once we all had our job descriptions, we worked to transform the house.

All you need for a project like this is a little creativity and imagination.

There was a gift shop...

(The Louvre Boutique!)

A French cafe...

Complete with a host station...

menus...

and activity sheets for the kids.

Micah and Roman even constructed an Eiffel tower out of cardboard, paint and glue.

I love that it lights up at night!

My favorite part was the spectacular view of the Eiffel tower from the cafe...

What an authentic experience!

We were very pleased with the outcome and felt the mess and hard work was worth it!

After all, a home's purpose is to provide the backdrop for our family life, and support our dreams and ideas.

My prayer is that my children will cherish these family memories for many years, talking and laughing about it with each other even long after Micah and I are gone.

I also love the thought that perhaps we provided a fun and memorable day for our relatives who joined us!

We are very grateful to have family members who are willing to come over and "play along" with our goofy games and ideas.

Like grandparents who "accidentally" left some cash hanging out of their pockets so that Soren could feel successful...

And those who showed up wearing backpacks and cameras to look like real tourists...

It all was so fun!

(The French Cafe's world renowned chef preparing his cassoulet...)

(Nola, the cafe's chocolatier, along with the wait staff)

Home is the most important place, and we only get one shot at raising our kids. So, stretch your abilities at home. Do a little more and go a little further than what you think you can do.

And best of all, have fun doing it!

"It is a happy talent to know how to play."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merci for reading, friends...

💐

~ Courtney